Imphal, February 21: Though the Assembly passed Rs 558.28,11,000 unanimously as Supplementary Grants during the evening session of the sitting today, the Opposition advised the Government to ensure that its employees develop the required work culture as well as to judiciously utilise the funds allotted to their departments.

Answering to queries on the Supplementary Demands, Chief Minister O Ibobi explained that the academic session of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) will start at the Government Polytechnic Institute and asserted that there is no question of shifting the proposed institute to another State.

Taking part in the discussion, Opposition leader and NCP MLA Radhabinod Koijam questioned under what guidelines grant-in-aid are being provided to schools and suggested that the financial aid to be doled out should be scrutinised and controlled properly.

Stating that late release of aid leads to lot of inconveniences, Koijam urged the Government not to allow any lapses and added that the CAG has reported that only within seven days a work order was issued, its final bill released for the construction of a bailley bridge at Senapati! .

Joining in the discussion, MPP president and MLA O Joy said that there is the need to instil work culture among the Government employees while on the other hand their salaries have been hiked.

Their is a need to pursue the matter with the Ministers concerned, he said and suggested that the funds released by the Government should be utilised economically and efficiently.

Picking more holes in the functioning of the Government, Joy said that there is no power supply even in the VIP areas.

On the other hand fund for Mid-Day meal scheme is being released even for schools where there are no students, he contended.

Ministers are not above the law of the land, reminded O Joy and asserted that if any Ministers or political leaders are found violating the Manipur Public Servant Personnel Liabilities Act then they should be nailed.

Throwing his weight behind O Joy, first timer MLA, Dr Ng Bijoy said that the situation in Imphal East is bleak as no rice has been released to the district for the month of December last year.

Pointing out the lapses of the Government, Independent MLA Morung Makunga said that there is nothing to say that the Tribal Development Department has been doing its duty in the hill districts.

Makunga questioned whether the Minister concerned is not able to devote his time to TD as he is pre-occupied with so many portfolios.

However the signature of the Minister concerned can be found on all the documents of TD, he claimed.

On the other hand majority of the members of the House said that the NIT should be upgraded to the status of a Deemed University.

The Opposition bench also assured that they would extend all their help and co-operation.

Assuring the House, the Chief Minister said that there is no question of the NIT being shifted from Manipur.

Efforts are on to start the first academic session at the Government Polytechnic from next year.

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