Imphal, July 15 2009: Questioning how the Drainage and Sewerage Division of the Public Health Engineering Department has resumed work in Greater Imphal area, after it had declared in 2008-09 that no work would be taken up as there was no fund, MLA O Joy today grilled the PHE Minister TN Haokip questioning how Minister could utilise the fund sanctioned by the Assembly in an undemocratic manner during the question hour session of the Assembly today.

In response to the queries of MLA O Joy, TN Haokip informed the House that in 2008-09, the Drainage and Sewerage Division had altogether taken up 119 works and out of the total fund of Rs 300 lakhs sanctioned for these works, Rs 299.35 have been utilised.

Interjecting at this point, Joy raised some serious questions, including, how the work has been resumed in some Assembly segments after declaring that no work would be taken up due to lack of fund, how the work programmes have been prepared and whether Programme Advisory Committee Board had been consulted in this regard and how the Minister could utilise the fund sanctioned by the Assembly in an undemocratic manner.

The Minister replied that the works on drainage and sewerage construction were earlier implemented by MAHUD and IFCD.

However due to necessity and at the request of the MLAs and local clubs, it is now being implemented in consultation with the Engineering Team.

There is no work committee and a detailed report of these works can be tabled during the current Assembly session, if required, he added.

To a supplementary question from MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, the PHED Minister, who is also in charge of IPR, said the Government has started discussion on giving incentives to staff of DIPR who go to field work on Sundays or holidays as well as to those who are engaged in works beyond their normal office hour.

Proposals have also been made in connection with purchasing sophisticated equipments like camera and for releasing additional fund, the Minister said, adding that there is plan for upgrading the technical know-how of the staff.

To an another question raised by MLA Radhabinod Koijam, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Y Erabot informed the House that Centre allots to Manipur a total of 7887 matric tonne of rice as its monthly quota including 2182 matric tonne of APL rice, 3478 matric tonne of BPL rice and 2227 matric tone of AAY rice.

As for wheat the monthly quota being provided is Rs 500 matric tonne under APL scheme and 105 matric tonne under BPL scheme.

The other allocation include 400 matric tonne of Palmolin Oil, 2131 KL of SK-Oil, 17066 matric tonne of salt, 1763 matric tonne of sugar under PDS besides another 49.2 matric tonne for the Paramilitary forces.

The Minister further informed the House that the total requirement of rice in the State is 84,207.55 matric tonne.

But in view of the increasing population, letter has been written to the Centre for providing the required deficit of 57,000 matric tonne as well.

To a question of MLA T Mangibabu, Minister Erabot informed the House that the total card holders in Thanga Assembly Constituency is 5763.Out of these, 3958 are under APL, 1175 under BPL and 620 under AAY while the total SK-Oil card holder is 5763 .

To another query jointly raised by MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah and Wungnaoshang Keishing, Education Minister L Jayantakumar informed that House that nine schools including Phungyar High School have been upgraded to Higher Secondary level.

The Minister assured that the principals and vice principals of these schools would be appointed very soon and efforts are also being made for appointment of the required teachers on contract basis in time for the commencement of the academic session.

To a question of MLA N Mangi, Agriculture Minister N Loken informed the House that there is no definite rate on hiring charges of tractor/power tillers as these are not in the Custom Service Centre of the State.

As of now Agriculture Department charges the rate of tilling the soil on the basis of working hour or the area covered.

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