226 killed in crisis, aid provided to 146: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 01 2024: Chief minister N Biren has said that 226 lives have been lost in the crisis since its outbreak on May 3, 2023, as per the official figure, and financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each provided to families of 146 victims.

Presenting the figure in response to a question raised by opposition member Surjakumar Okram on the second day of the state assembly, on Thursday, the CM said that some of the families have not yet made claims while some have disputes consequently hindering release of the ex-gratia.

He also informed that assessment of displaced people in the relief camps is ongoing process as some are staying at homes of friends and relatives.

Opining that recent suicide of a displaced persons should not be politicised as the government is working to address all outstanding grievances, the chief minister conveyed that shortcomings, if any, in the relief camps are being assessed by cabinet sub-committees and urged the members to inform the government about any issues at the relief camps for prompt redressal measures.

As for the displaced people seeking jobs, the government has completed skill mapping.

Lists are being prepared for transferring to contractors to ensure hiring them in their projects instead of other labourers.

Besides, there is no such case of the government withdrawing assistance from displaced persons who have landed jobs or are manual labours, he affirmed.

Regarding cases involving abduction and missing persons, the government has clues in some of, the cases but could not make arrests due to the current situation.

At the same time, there is tendency of mob violence in the state often hindering official process, Biren said.

Responding Congress MLA Ranjit's query, the CM said that total strength of state force is 30,204 excluding VDF and home guard personnel.

Of these, Manipur Rifles has 6268 personnel, IRB 9323, police (civil, commando and special commando) 14,076, VDF 9169, and home guard has 1818 personnel.

Number of vacant post is 3200 for direct recruitment and 3377 for promotion quota.

Notification has been issued for direct recruitment for filling up 2457 posts and process for promotion has been initiated.

The government could not fill all the vacant posts due to financial position but efforts are always on to fill up the vacant posts in essential services.

With the situation improving gradually, process for direct recruitment of 2457 posts and promotion of others will begin soon.

Pending results for recruitment drives in different departments are being taken up for early declaration of results, he elaborated.

Regarding the current crisis in the state, Biren told the House that lapses, if any, in controlling the crisis could be ascertained as soon as the enquiry committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge completes its process and brings out the report.

Responding to another question from MLA K Ranjit regarding the construction of an RCC bridge in K Molnom village area, the CM disclosed that on receipt of report the unauthorised construction the government, through the Chandel deputy commissioner issued an order to halt the work on March 21 with another order April 24 instructing removal of the structure using district police and law enforcing agencies followed by Waik-hong SDO issuing an order for land record verification apart from district revenue officials and police sent to conduct spot inspection and an FIR registered at Sugnu police station.

Moreover, the government issued directives to DGP and security agencies to report any illegal construction and to remove such structures, he said, while explaining that Chandel DC had issued directive to dismantle the particular RCC bridge but could not execute the order due to rising water level though police have prevented further construction.

Acknowledging general sentiment over the crisis and resultant deaths and loss of properties after a rally against the High Court order in relation with the ST demand by Meeteis turned violent, Biren expressed serious remorse over multiple illegal activities like levelling hills and constructing roads amid the crisis.

Nevertheless, the government has clear cut policies and will not tolerate illegal construction.

The financer of the illegal RCC bridge has been identified and FIR registered against the person, he said.

In response to a question from opposition member Th Lokeshwar, the CM said that there is no provision for setting up fire protection and control sub-station in every assembly constituency.

There are 19 fire sub-stations in the state and above these, 15th finance commission had already sanctioned fund for setting up 10 more sub-stations.

Unfortunately, there is no allocation for Khundrakpam AC, he said while assuring to include the AC in future plans.

Responding to question on TA&H raised by MLA K Meghachandra, the CM said that FIR has been registered against the official responsible for declaring wrong budget allocation of Rs 30.36 crore for TA&H Department.

The government took the matter seriously and the FIR was registered on the recommen1 dation of a House Committee.

Two officers have been suspended in connection with the case.

There was delay in constituting SIT in this matter due to the crisis, he said while assuring to constitute the SIT in a couple of days and take up appropriate actions as per the findings.

Regarding a PMGSY issue raised by MLA Surjakumar, RD&PR minister Y Khemchand said that in the last five years, the Centre sanctioned 56 projects in 2019-20; 68 in 2020-21; and 56 in 2023-24 while there were no projects sanctioned in 2021-22, and 2022-23 .

Inspite of facing hurdles in completing the projects in time due to Covid-19 pandemic and the current situation in the state, 1922 out of 2124 projects (roads and bridges) sanctioned under PMGSY Phase 1 & II have been completed achieving 90 per cent completion rate, he said.

Further stating that since 2017-18, year 2022-23 recorded maximum project progress of 1339 km, the minister disclosed that after the crisis broke out contractors working in hill areas reported loss of machineries and vehicles worth Rs 70 crore, thereby making it impossible to complete the projects till improvement in the security situation.

He further said that tender for PMGSY phase III will be floated this month and assured to make arrangements to ensure works started before the next monsoon.

Maintenance of such roads are state subject and the government faces some difficulties in maintenance of all the roads since the budget provision is only Rs 20 crore.

However, the government will explore possibilities of enhancing the allocation considering the damages caused by the recent floods, he said and added that chief engineer has been instructed to assess the flood damaged roads.

In response to a question on NFSA raised by MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, CAF&PD minister L Susindro said that the department has not been able to distribute all the NFSA and PMGKAY rice due to certain factors.

In relation with misappropriation of rice allocation, FIRs have been filed against two officials.

A couple of years ago, the department could not distribute the rice as the state's allocation was reduced.

As a result, the rice bags were kept in the sheds under the control of the two officials only to find them missing when the department later tried to distribute the same.

The two officials under investigation are out of judicial custody on bail.

Responding to a question on education sector raised by MLA Th Shyamkumar, education minister Th Basanta Kumar said that 6121 posts against 17,726 sanctioned posts of government school teachers are lying vacant which the government will try to fill as per the financial position of the state.

At the same time, efforts are on to equip government schools with important infrastructure to develop the government schools into world class standard, he said while assuring the House to look into shortfalls in government schools.

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