Imphal, March 04: Along with the State Cabinet deciding not to allow availing loans with the State Government as the guarantor, the Centre has waived off an amount of Rs 47 crores through RBI as reward for judicious financial management of the Government leading to revenue surplus, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in charge of the Finance informed the Assembly today.

The Chief Minister was responding to the queries of the Opposition MLAs who contended that there are irregularities and loopholes in the tax collection system of the Government.

Supporting the cut motions moved by the Opposition MLAs during the course of discussion on the demands of Finance, State Exercise and Sales Tax/Other Tax/Duties on Commodities and Services, MLA O Joy of MPP observed that plugging the existing loopholes in the tax collection system of the Government of a State where everything is being brought from outside right from needle to Tata truck is advisable.

There are lapses in the treasury administration and looting of the State exchequer with stroke of pen is a loss for all the people, he said, demanding that the guilty officials should be pulled up and punished.

Supporting the motions of the Opposition MLAs who demanded to know what the 705 employees in the Excises Department having been doing since the imposition of the prohibition is being done by the AMADA and the CADA, MLA Radhabinod Koijam of NCP also questioned the significance of the continued existence of the Department in such a situation.

MLA of Khurai A/C Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA of Oinam A/C Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa RK Anand also participated in the discussion.

Giving his observation on the issues raised by the Opposition MLAs, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in charge of Finance, pointed out that the Government suffers deficit as it has to shell out Rs 9 crores every month for procuring electricity.

In case, there was no deficit, then the closing budget would have been zero deficit, he added.

The MGEL of 60,000 employees has been prepared and during the course of preparing the list, 6000 employees in the Education Department have been detected as fake employees.

Moreover, after preparation of the datas of the pensioners, the Government has been able to save Rs 2 crores every month, the Chief Minister asserted.

In order to improve the financial position of the State, the Government has enactment the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act and after the implementation of the Manipur Public Servant Personnel Liabilities Act to prevent misuse of development fund, 13 such cases have been taken up so far, the Chief Minister informed the House.

The State Cabinet has also decided against taking loan with Government as the guarantor.

Not to give any burden on the Departments in connection with the loans taken earlier, Sinking Fund and Guarantee Redemption Fund have been set up, the Chief Minister said.

While informing the House that the Centre has communicated to the State Government on waiving off an amount of Rs 47 crores through RBI as reward for proper financial management of the State, the Chief Minister said to enhance tax collection of the Power Department, the Home Ministry has given its concurrence and the approval of the President to the promulgation of the Manipur Electricity Act.

Two new branches of SBI would also be opened at Kakching and the Assembly.

The three demands were finally passed by the House.

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