House passes over Rs 3 thousand crore for 7 demands
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 27 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren has stated that the Government has put in place a course of action to make yam available at wholesale rate at the upper floor of the Khwairamband Keithel and protect the interest of the locals who make their living by selling traditional clothes.
The Chief Minister made the statement while discussing the Demands for Grants on the third day of the second session of Manipur Legislative Assembly today wherein seven demands totalling Rs 3759,96,72,000 were passed.
N Biren said that large-scale selling of machine made clothes which have a similar pattern with the traditional clothes of Manipur by non locals greatly affects the weavers of Manipur and captures the local market.
Saying that the Government has taken note of the demand raised by student organisations over the issue, the Chief Minister said that the Government has identified one room at the top floor of Khwairamband Keithel to sell yam at wholesale rate to the weavers of Manipur and had advised all traders concerned to refrain from selling duplicate clothes which are associated with the culture and tradition of Manipur.
While taking part in the discussion, Textile, Commerce and Industries Minister Nemcha Kipgen informed the House that the tenure of Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy of Manipur 2017 ended on March 21, 2022.A new Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy of Manipur 2022 has been drafted and the final draft would be produced at the State Cabinet for discussion, the Minister added.
Saying that the Central Government has given its approval to carry out a training programme for about 25,000 weavers in Manipur, Nemcha urged all interested weavers to apply for the same and take part in the programme.
Today, at least seven Demands for Grants were placed for discussion and passed.
They are State Legislature (Rs 218, 40,23,000); Council of Ministers (Rs 15,68,46,000); Secretariat (Rs 170,62,45,000); MAHUD (Rs 777,56,53,000); Textile, Commerce and Industries (Rs 211,01,10,000); PHE (Rs 2338,20,06,000) and Elections (Rs 28,47,89,000) .
About the different Policy Cut Motion and observations made by the Members of the House, MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand stated that the election of 27 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) could not be conducted on time due to Covid pandemic.
Saying that the Cabinet constantly discussed the holding of elections of ULBs , he added that the Government is planning to hold the election in September or October this year.
Continuing that 90 per cent of drainage in Imphal is not in good shape and as such he had consulted with the Chief Minister to work out a master plan for the same, Khemchand said that the MAHUD Commissioner has submitted an official memorandum to PWD to maintain a healthy drainage system.
About Imphal Smart City Project, the Minister stated that Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) which has 42 junctions and incorporates different equipment is the major feature of the project.
Stating that the ICCC is to be commanded by 11 Modules, he added that seven modules have already been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 4.PHE Minister Leishangthem Susindro Meetei stated that water supply projects being implemented in Manipur are funded by New Development Bank and Jal Jeevan Mission under the mission to provide tap water facilities to every Indian by 2024.Responding to a query raised by Opposition MLA K Meghachandra, L Susindro stated that a private construction company under NHIDCL is being engaged to remove the pipes which were earlier laid along Asian Highway-1 in between.
Tangjeng and Thoubal and to lay them at other places.
To another question raised by Ukhrul AC MLA Ram Muivah, the Minister stated that the Government is aware of the water shortage at Ukhrul but the responsibility of the PHED is to provide clean water from the source after filtration but Ukhrul has only one water source at the top of Shirui Hill and finding another water source is difficult.
He then sought cooperation from the MLA to provide better clean water facilities to the people of Ukhrul though adequate amounts could not be guaranteed.
MLAs - K Meghachandra, Th Lokeshwor, Nishikant Singh Sapam, M Rameshwar also took part in the discussion.
Later, the House passed a total amount of Rs 3759,96,72,000 pertaining to the seven demands brought up for discussion.