Imphal, February 21: There are in all 1452 candidates who have applied for appointment in 40 different Departments of the Government under the Die-in-Harness Scheme and how many cases are pending in the other Departments is not known as the list has not been submitted, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed the State Assembly today during its question and answer session.

In response to a query raised by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy of the MPP, the Chief Minister said that due to poor financial condition of the State the scheme was kept in abeyance from June 15 of 2002.But with improvement in the financial condition, it was revived with effect from December 16 of 2006 .

MLA Dr Bijoy alleged that even if the Government maintained that the scheme is being implemented properly, the reality is different with favouritism being the norm at the time of giving appointment. MLA RK Anand of MPP also opined that giving equal opportunities under the scheme would be for the betterment of all.

Independent MLA Morung Makunga observed that kins of employees who were killed in the conflict situation should be given more facilities under the scheme than those who had natural deaths.

He also demanded to whom the facilities of the scheme should be extended in case the deceased employee was unmarried.

Answering to the queries, the Chief Minister asserted that there is no question of favouritism and the appointments are being made in chronological order based on the applications submitted.

Only in exceptional cases, the appointments are effected with the decision of the Cabinet.

To another question raised by Independent MLA Dr Khashim Ruivah, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of the Home portfolio, said that plans are afoot to construct the buildings, barracks and toilets of the police stations in Ukhrul district in phase-wise manner under the police modernisation programme and Special Plan Assistance.

As the internal security meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs has made it clear that there should be no dependence on Central Paramilitary forces in maintenance of law and order as it is a State subject, the State Government has also made arrangement for recruitment of more police personnel so that the sanctioned posts in each of the police station may be increased from 13-18 to 58, the Chief Minister said.

MLA Khashim Ruivah, while highlighting the problems being faced in containing law and order problems due to lack of proper buildings, manpower and vehicles of Jessami police station, had drawn the attention of the Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Home for deployment of adequate security forces so as to prevent instances of looting and other related crimes at Mahadeva area of the Ukhrul Road.

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