Industrial estates coming up in each district
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 06 2015 :
With a view to re-vitalize the energy of unemployed youth, the State Government has been working to set up industrial estates in each and every district apart from upgrading the existing Takyel Industrial Estate, stated Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam.
Seeking due discussion and approval of the legislators, the Chief Minister today placed in the House several demands pertaining to Transport, Public Works Department, Commerce and Industries, State Excise, Sales Tax, Other Taxes and Duties on Commodities and Services and Planning.
While discussing the demands, Opposition Members Dr I Ibohalbi and Th Shyamkumar raised policy cut motions.
Taking part in discussing the demands, Govindas informed that the Government of India has already sanctioned industrial estates for Thoubal and Bishnupur.
Efforts are on to complete the construction works within this year.
The State Government has also been working to set up similar industrial estates at Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul within the current financial year.
The Ministry is expected to release necessary funds after holding a meeting of its Sanction Committee, Govindas said.
The Government of India has also sanctioned 51 handloom clusters for the State.
Maximum efforts are being invested to inaugurate the Nillakuthi Food Park at the earliest.
Clarifying a number of arguments raised by Opposition Members, Chief Minister O Ibobi claimed that tax collection has seen a marked improvement since the same process has been computerised.
Following introduction of e-payment system, citizens can now pay taxes directly through bank.
Commenting on the prohibition on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Ibobi conceded that the prohibition clamped since 1991 has not been able to serve its intended purpose till date.
There is no decline in the consumption of liquor in the State, added the Chief Minister.
Rather, many people have fallen victims to adulterated or sub-standard liquors imported from other States by black-marketers.
Some people may say that the Government has cut short lives of many people in its efforts to generate more revenue as and when the prohibition is lifted, Ibobi stated.
With the exception of Nagaland and Manipur, prohibition on liquor has been lifted in all North Eastern States.
In case the prohibition is lifted, the State can earn Rs 300 crore to 500 crore in a year by selling liquors to army and paramilitary forces as compared to present meagre income of Rs 7/8 crore, Ibobi asserted.
The matter merits exhaustive analysis involving all legislators and civil societies.
It's time to take a final decision for studying all the pros and cons, Ibobi added.
Works and Transport Minister Dr Ratankumar stated that the traffic signals installed at eight different points of Imphal are managed by a board and it is funded by MAHUD.
Some of the traffic signals have broken down by they could not be repaired due to fund paucity.
Some of the JNURM buses have been given to Medical and Education Departments in accordance with a Cabinet decision.
Worn out IVRs, MDRs and ODRs could not be repaired at the moment due to financial constraints.
The State budget earmarks Rs 59.60 crore for maintenance of roads but the pending liabilities exceed Rs 100 crore, Dr Ratankumar said.
Informing that Rs one crore has been earmarked for each MLA of valley districts and Rs 1.5 crore each for MLAs of hill districts for constructing/maintenance of roads in their respective Assembly segments, Dr Ratankumar appealed to the MLAs to construct/repair roads on priority basis out of the amount earmarked.
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