'Battery-powered auto for Imphal soon'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 02 2015: A total of 1,445 registered passenger diesel autos are currently operating in Imphal municipal area, and that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for introducing battery-powered auto service in the area, Works & Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar informed Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Laisharm Nandakumar in the House, the minister said the State Government has a plan to introduce battery-powered passenger auto service in Imphal municipal area.

He said a DPR for the Imphal municipal area on the proposed scheme to be taken up under the National Electric Mode Project has been prepared by the State Government.

This, he said, will be sent to the Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India.

The minister said it is mandatory for all diesel autos to have Pollution under Control Certificates and hence penalty is compulsory for those autos which do not possess these certificates.

Traffic control police, Imphal West manages the operation of diesel autos in the municipal area, he informed.

In a separate question by MLA Nandakumar, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Govindas Konthoujam said most of the Government veterinary dispensaries in rural areas are functioning.

But he said still there is a problem of shortage of doctors and staff in these dispensaries.

Govindas said that on working days, all these veterinary dispensaries open at 9.30 am and close at 3.30 pm every day.

Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai informed the House that presently there are 45,799 Old Age Pension beneficiaries in the State.

Rs 300 is given to each beneficiary per month under the scheme, she said in a reply to a question of MLA Kh Joykishan.

Mirabai said the State Government has been making efforts to clear some amount of the pension money before the Cheiraoba festival.

Responding to a question by MLA Alexander Pao, Home Minister Gaikhangam informed that Rs 60,60,100 was sanctioned for construction of Senapati District Jail.

He said, "The construction work undertaken by Manipur Police Housing Corporation has been completed" .

In reply to a question raised by MLA Samuel Risom, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the State Government has been re-engaging its retired employees.

Among them, names of RK Nimai, H Mathang and Z Solomon may be mentioned, he added.

The State Government has received around Rs 357.82 lakh for renovation work on Moreh Yatri Niwas, the CM said in a reply to a written question of MLA Joykishan.

He said Rs 230 lakh has been spent in the redecoration work as of February 2015 .

The CM said his Government will further use Rs 107.82 lakh for the purpose soon.

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