Imphal, February 26: Mortality rate of mothers during child birth in Manipur is higher than the all India level, Health and Family Minister Ph Parijat informed the State Assembly today.

In response to a question raised by MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy during the question hour session of the Assembly today, the Health Minister said out of every 1,00,000 mothers, 378 of them die during child birth in Manipur as against the all India level of 301 death cases.

To reduce the mortality rate of mothers during child birth, various steps have been taken up under the State Rural Health Mission to encourage expectant mothers to come to the hospitals for delivery cases.

Under the Rural Health Mission, expectant mothers from rural area are given Rs 700 each for giving birth at hospital and Rs 600 each to expectant mothers from urban areas, the Minister said adding that as in the Community Health Centre, steps have been taken up to ensure availability of Gynaecologists round the clock in 20 selected primary health centres to assist delivery cases.

Along with imparting training on anaesthesia to the MBBS doctors, necessary training are being imparted to the ANMs, the Minister informed, adding that arrangements have also been made for hiring a private ambulance at Rs 15,000 per month for the purpose of transporting pregnant mothers and two vehicles each equipped with X-ray machine and laboratory would also be provided to all the districts of the State.

However, instances of communication gap between the Minister and the Society has come to light even to the extend of processing files without the knowledge of the Minister, he lamented.

In response to a question asked put up by CPI MLA Dr Borajao, PHE Minister TN Haokip assured the House that laying the pipe line for providing drinking water to the people would be started soon as the Accelerated Urban Water Supply Scheme at Sekmai has not yet been made functional.

PHE Minister also informed the House that laying of the water pipeline from Kongba Bazar to Pangong Makhong would commence from next fiscal year and laying of the pipeline from Pangong Makhong to Keikhu Kabui village has already been completed in response to a question asked by NCP MLA Th Nandakishore.

In response to another question raised by MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah, IFC Minister N Biren informed the House that a total amount of Rs 146.70 crores has been earmarked for the flood and irrigation sector in the hill districts a and the required fund for anti-erosion measures has also been arranged.

Zero Hour: During the Zero Hour of the Assembly today, MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy proposed for uninterrupted power supply in view of the class X and XII annual examinations which are due to begin from next month.

There should be uninterrupted power supply atleast till the end of these examinations, he said.

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