Imphal, March 08, 2010: MLA O Joy of MPP has expressed surprise and confusion over the ambiguous stand of some political organisations which had praised the address of the Governor, though it did not touch on the issue of price rise, yet hitting the street to protest against escalating prices of essential commodities.

Participating in the discussion of the address delivered by the Governor in the Assembly on January 13 last, Joy said he is confused over which one to believe, the unconditional praise of the Governor's address which remained conspicuously silent on the issue of price rise or the street protest over price rise.

The discussion on the Governor's address which would go on for two days began from today.

Joy pointed out that the address of the Governor did not say anything on the measures that the Government would be adopting to combat price rise in Manipur as a consequence of frequent blockades and looting along the National Highway.

So even if the Governor's address has been lauded as one which has farsighted vision, it is no better than a dish of Sareng which has no salt and tumeric powder, Joy contended.

Making a tongue-in-cheek remark, Joy said that he would also like to be a party in praising the address provided some modification can be made here and there.

Even if it has been hailed as the longest and complete address with vision ever delivered by a Governor in Manipur, it has left out the important issues of the State completely, Joy said.

How and to which direction the people, who have been living under a very uncertain state due to deteriorating law and order condition, would be led has been left out and the target of the Government to take care of the developmental needs of the State is missing in the address, Joy added.

He further said that Armed Forces Special Powers Act is an issue of the State and Irom Chanu Sharmila has been launching a fast unto death agitation against continued imposition of the Act.

How the Government looks at the issue and what steps are being considered towards resolving the issue are not mentioned in the vision.

This Act may be necessary in view of the prevailing situation in Manipur, but nothing has been made clear on whether it would be removed or remained.

Opining that he would have like the address of the Governor to take note of the matter related to 13th Finance Commission and salary increment, Joy went on to say that the Government of India has come up with the decision of extending the benefit of Central 6th Pay Commission in consideration of escalating prices of commodities.

As there is no separate places for Central and State Government employees in shops, there is no reason why the benefit of Central 6th Pay Commission should not be extended among the employees of State Govt in Manipur as well, Joy asserted.

Similarly, joining the discussion, MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly Constituency RK Anand contended that the address of the Governor did not have spelled out any clear cut plan and policy of the Government.

It did say anything about the demand of the employees for implementation of Central 6th Pay Commission in toto despite the fact that the employees are on an indefinite cease work strike thereby paralysing the functioning of the various Departments, the MLA pointed out.

The demand for Central 6th Pay in Manipur may due to escalating price rise following imposition of heavy taxes various UG groups including those which are in peace talks with the Government.

So the Government should be duty bound to make it stand clear on the issue to its employees, MLA Anand said.

He also proposed the need for introducing State Parliamentary Services in Manipur.

Earlier, introducing the discussion on the Governor's address, MLA T Mangibabu said that it was a complete address with 60 percent of the State fund envisaged to be allocated for giving priority on development of roads and bridges, power, water supply and health care.

Praising the address of the Governor, CPI MLA N Mangi observed that development of roads and bridges would help in bringing the people of the hill and the valley closer, emotionally as well as physically.

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