Govt ready to swear in ADC Members
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2015 : The State Government is planning to organise a swearing-in ceremonies for the newly elected ADC members after the ongoing Assembly session within this month.

This was stated by the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds Tribal Affairs, Hill and Scheduled Caste Development while responding to the policy cut motions raised by MLAs during the discussion of seven different Demands for Grants 2015-16 in the State Assembly today.

Admitting that the swearing-in of the newly elected ADC members has been delayed, Gaikhangam clarified that this deferment is the fallout of the constant threats which the members have been getting from certain elements.

Although Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council 3rd Amendment Act 2008 does not mention that members must be sworn-in within a stipulated time, efforts are being made to amend the Act, he said and added that the State Government is planning to organise swearing-in ceremonies at the respective ADC offices.

Although, it is not mandatory to organise a collective swearing-in ceremony at a single venue, the Government is also looking into the possibilities of holding a mass swearing-in ceremony in Imphal as well, he said.

Gaikhangam further said that he had already discussed the matter of instituting a separate Directorate for SCs under Tribal Affairs, Hill and Scheduled Caste Development.

Seven Demands - Information and Publicity (Rs 5,25,76,000), Department of Tribal Affairs, Hills and Scheduled Caste Development (Rs 431, 74, 17, 000), Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Rs 22, 89, 15, 000) Election (Rs 8, 45, 10, 000), Fisheries (Rs 27, 35, 54, 000), Panchayat (Rs 61, 45, 65,000) and Sericulture (Rs 24, 13, 99, 000) were discussed in the House today.

MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi, L Ibomcha, Th Shyamkumar and Samuel Risom raised policy cut motions.

In reply to a policy cut motion of Dr I Ibohalbi during the discussion of the demand of Election Department, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said Parliament and Assembly elections are conducted by the Election Commission of India.

Saying that ECI is an autonomous body as mentioned in Article 324 of the Constitution, O Ibobi said that ECI would decide whether to use ballot papers or EVMs in any of these elections.

During the discussion of Fisheries' demand, Minister Md Abdul Nasir said that the State produces only 30 metric tonnes of fish per year against the State's total need of 40 metric tonnes per year.

However, the Government is putting in effort to make-up this gap by 2020, he said.

The Minister further said that the Government is planning to issue credit cards to fish farmers.

Saying that selection of beneficiaries is strictly in accordance with the rules, the Minister said that he would take action against any erring officer.

He also urged the public to contact him if they come across any irregularity regarding the matter.

During the discussion on the demand of Panchayati Raj, RD & PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa said that the State Government has devolved the power of eight Government Departments to Zilla Parishads.

41 posts have already been created for the effective execution of ZP related works, the Minister said and added that process for the appointment of 161 Gram Panchayat Secretaries is on.

Saying that it is true that there is huge difference in the salary of Panchayati Raj institutions and ADCs, Francis said that efforts are being put in to reduce the gap not only in the salary but also in the funds.

Admitting that there are some ambiguities regarding the boundary of ZP and ADC in some areas, the Minister said that this can be rectified during delimitation.

Regarding MGNREGS, the Minister said that 50 percent of the total material component must be borne by the village while another 25 per cent by the Gram Panchayat and remaining share by the line Department under 50:25:25 model.

Saying that under this model there is no room for any irregularity, Francis however called on the members of the House to jointly rectify if there is any mistake.

Taking part in the discussion of the demand of CAF & PD Minister M Okendra said that National Food Security would be implemented in the State from the last week of September.

He said that efforts are being made to work out A/C-wise allocation of PDS items on the website and the same would be provided to the people through the MLAs.

The Minister said that DBTL scheme is fully implemented under IOC and the State only provides security for LPG bullets during general strike, blockade and bandh.

During the discussion of the demand on Sericulture, Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that although Manipur Sericulture Project (MSP) - I had been executed under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), no tangible activities could be taken up under the project from 2008 to 2014 .

MSP-II is now in progress with Rs 150 crore fund from the Ministry of Textiles' North Eastern Textiles Promotion Scheme, the Minister said and added that another project entitled Integrated Sericulture Development Programme has also commenced.

Under MSP-II, Farm Operating Units are being e-monitored under Global Information System, he said.

Later, the House passed all these seven demands introduced by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

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