CM assures egalitarian development
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2012: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has asserted that Ministers have been instructed to work in a judicious manner regardless of where development works are taken up or whether the Assembly Constituencies where the work is being taken up are represented by the ruling or Opposition members.

Prior to approval of the House on seven demands in today's session of the Assembly, Ibobi explained that development of transport infrastructure cannot be implemented on the basis of ruling or Opposition party affiliations for such development work is for the benefit of the State and its people.

While reiterating that Ministers concerned have been advised to ensure overall progress of the State and to strive for achieving the same in a judicious manner, the CM also assured that strict instructions would be issued to the bureaucrats for expeditious disposal of official procedures.

Conceding that the Manipur Secretariat is not immune to some bureaucrats practising unethical conduct for processing file works, he affirmed that suitable measures would be initiated for efficient and ethical working by the bureaucrats.

Clarifying that he has no intention to snub MLAs who wish to meet him, Ibobi also urged the MLAs to check out with the CM's Secretariat staff on whether he (CM) has other more prior engagements/priorities in order to avoid misunderstanding.

He also maintained that the number of days in a week and how many MLAs he can interact with on a particular day would be worked out at the earliest and duly intimated to the legislators.

Confiding that effective measures have been put in place to ensure proper funding and judicious implementation of development works in the core sectors, the CM said feasibility of upgrading Oinam Nagar Panchayat to the level of municipality would be minutely studied.

maintaining that due process is underway to broaden area jurisdiction for increasing number of wards in order to facilitate smooth transition of Imphal Municipal Council to a Corporation, he however conceded that financial constraints being faced by the Government has been impeding official process for increasing monthly entitlement of IMC Ward Members to Rs 3000 .

On the development of Loktak Lake, he said under Loktak he said under Loktak Protection Act area demarcation is underway and that the largest fresh water body in the region would be developed as a tourist spot on completion of the ongoing biomass (Phumdi) clearance work.

Similar impetus was assured for development of tourist spots in Kaina and Andro, with the latter drawing large number of tourists mainly due to unceasing fire from the land surface.

He also estimated that development of approach road of loktak downstream Project would entail Rs 90 crore provision.

Stating that the leimakhong heavy fuel power project would be utilised as per requirement, Ibobi also explained that for one unit power generation Rs 16 will have to be spent.

Taking part in the discussion Trinamool Congress legislator Dr I ibohalbi suggested that the Government chalk up an effective mechanism to bring back Manipur's human capital back to the State in addition to strongly advocating that policy on reforms and resource should be complementary to one another.

Pointing out that with the Congress in power on its won there would be no interference as was the case in the previous terms, he also expressed hope that Ministers concerned would judiciously utilise the budgetary allocations.

Dr Ibohalbi was of the view that planning should be on the basis of performance and urged to CM to ensure the Government conforms to the principle of collective responsibility.

claiming information about files cited as lost in the Manipur Secretariat resurfacing in case under-the-table payment is made, he also contended that demand for replacing EVMs with ballot papers has been gaining momentum.

Joining the debate, NCP MLA L Ibomcha grimly noted in-charge Chief Engineers for different engineering departments and suggested that Manipur Engineering Services Rule be enacted to protect engineers' service.

Trinamool Congress MLA from Andro AC Th Shyamkumar proposed development of Kaina and Andro as tourist spot.

The demands passed by the Assembly today included issues concerning State Legislature, Council of Ministers, Secretariat, Municipality administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), election, Planning and Tourism.

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