'Rs 23.43 Cr invested for surrendered militants'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2020: Informing that 486 cadres belonging to various UG outfits have surrendered till date, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has conveyed that the State Government has utilised Rs 23.43 crore for rehabilitating the militants who have surrendered.

He made the statement during the discussion for passing a total of Rs 12,982,312,000 related to 6 demands for grants for Information and Publicity, Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services, Commerce and Industries, Rehabilitation, Stationery and Printing and Panchayat today.

Biren said that out of the 486 who have surrendered, 70 came back to the mainstream during the period between 2017 and 2019, and explained that for the remaining 416 cadres, Rs 647.32 lakh were sanctioned for monthly stipend (for a period of three years), Rs 985 lakh were sanctioned for one time assistance for each cadre (around Rs 2.50 lakh for each individual) and Rs 28.94 lakh were sanctioned for incentives for the weapons.

Out of the 70 cadres, the amount for one time financial assistance was deposited to the accounts of 50 cadres in October last year.

A sum of Rs 6.74 lakh was sanctioned the same month for providing the monthly stipend.

However, some problems were faced due to delay in verification process, he explained, adding that till now, around Rs 23.43 crore have been utilised, said the CM.

The latter 70 cadres brought around 20 weapons with them, said Biren, who is also in charge of Home.

The Chief Minister continued that out of the total who have surrendered, 41 have been appointed as Riflemen while 21 have been taken in as followers.

Moreover, as the stipend and financial assistance are deemed insufficient, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the State Government's proposal to increase the funds, he added.

Responding to a question by MLA K Ranjit regarding assistance provided to the family members of cadres, who came to the mainstream but were killed by unidentified individuals, the Chief Minister admitted that there is no permanent policy regarding this matter but the State Government provides whatever assistance it can from time to time.

During the discussion for demand regarding Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services, Health Minister L Jayantakumar clarified to a question raised by the Opposition MLAs, and informed that Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, came into effect in Manipur from last year.

Manipur produces around 125 metric tonne of biomedical wastes annually.

Abiding by the aforementioned rule, 7 District Hospitals, 7 Sub-District Hospitals, 7 Urban Health Centres, 17 CHCs, 85 PHCs and 424 PHSCs have been registered to Manipur Pollution Control Board.

One acre of land has been purchased at Lamdeng to shift the Common Bio-Medical Waste Management Plant, which is currently set up at Shija Hospitals, Langol.

The Minister conveyed that some private hospitals in the State have biomedical waste management systems called Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and necessary tenders have been floated for setting up similar plants in RIMS and JNIMS.

Jayantakumar said that Rs 2 crore has been included in the budget estimates for setting up of ETPs.

Speaking about CMHT, the Health Minister said that as the scheme is a new one, it will obviously have some details and features which need revision.

Biren clarified that the Government will take up all possible steps so that no CMHT card holders face any obstacles while availing healthcare benefits.

A committee at the level of Principal Secretary (Health) with all the empanelled hospitals will be sorted out to address the shortcomings while implementing the various health insurance schemes.

Those empanelled hospitals should display the rules and guidelines on a notice board for the awareness of thr public.

He informed that an individual can submit his/her CMHT cards within 7 days of admission to any of the CMHT empanelled hospitals while the time period is 5 days for PMJAY card holders.

Chief Minister N Biren explained further that a hospital cannot fix a ceiling on the daily cost of treatment for a patient who possesses a CMHT or PMJAY card, and assured to do the needful to send necessary notices instructing the hospitals/officials concerned regarding the same.

Talking about Covid-19 outbreak, the Chief Minister said that all 9 samples sent from Manipur came out negative.

However, preventive measures are being implemented at various areas, including the airport and other border areas of Manipur, he added.

Biren then clarified that the medicines given by Ayush cannot protect people from the virus and they (the medicines) are aimed at boosting one's immune system so that the chance of contracting the virus is diminished.

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