CM assures to ensure regular power supply
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 28 2012: Despite initial opposition against the passing of the Governor's address delivered on the opening day of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly's first sitting in March last, Gurbachan Jagat's address had unanimous approval of the members as Opposition members withdrew the amendment motion.

Contesting the Governor's address, ruling party members led by the Chief Minister justified the Governor's address consequently leading to the withdrawal of the amendment motion by the Opposition bench.

Stating that collective power consumers of Manipur have a whooping Rs 370 crore owed to the electricity Department, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has not only assured to take up relevant measures for ensuring regular power supply but also appealed to the public to practice due-clearance principle.

Addressing the House during the motion of thanks on the Governor Gurbachan Jagat's address in the inaugural session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 19, on the second day session today, the Chief Minister conveyed that power-starved Manipur continues to spend about Rs 15 crores every month in purchasing electricity from other States.

Compared to the expenditure the power bill collection seldom crosses the Rs 2 crore mark each month, remarked the CM, who also holds the Power portfolio.

Inspite of the collective liability to clear the mounting power dues and taking into account financial constraints and other inconveniences besieging the people, the Government of Manipur is considering all options on what basis or quantum, the dues can be waived, said the CM.

Chief Minister O Ibobi

Assuring that all possible steps would be taken up to ensure regular supply of electricity, he nevertheless prevailed upon the masses on the need to clear their debts without failure.

Citing unauthorised connection as one of the factors for the huge loss in power transmission and incompetency of power Department personnel to regularly hand power bills to the consumers in time for the dismal performance of the Department, he opined that reluctance of the consumers to clear the due amount might be because of the cumulative debt amount.

Asserting that all possible rectification measures would be initiated to improve the power supply and due collection position, Ibobi confided that assessment is underway on whether a joint venture mechanism would be more feasible for tax collection and maintenance or entrusting the responsibility to a private company would derive positive results.

Assuring that even if power department privatisation process is undertaken service security of the employees would be maintained at all cost, he also wryly mentioned that employees will have to strictly comply with office attendance norms in case of private company taking over the charge.

With regard to coverage of villages in the far-flung hill areas and newly settled villages in the interior locations under solar energy provision, the CM informed the House that Rs 45 crores have been sanctioned by Centre to implement solar energy schemes.

With 90 percent Central Government and 10 percent State Government funding solar energy facility would be installed at Primary Health Centres in the hill areas under the Intensive Electrification Scheme, mentioned O ibobi, who is in his term as the CM.

highlighting on the steps being taken up by the Government to improve potable water supply, he also acknowledged suggestion by opposition members on the need to curb unrestrained deforestation in the catchment areas of water sources as well as a viable mechanism for rainwater harvesting.

Explaining that water supply schemes depend on the availability of power supply, the Chief Minister pointed out that relevant process is underway for ensuring atleast 10 hours to uninterrupted power (Dedicated Power Supply) to water supply schemes in Greater Imphal Areas in order to enable the public have convenient access to public hydels.

Taking serious note of job card holders complaining about ineffective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, especially on the issue of non-payment of wages, he assured that punitive action would be initiated against any official found violating prescribed norms.

Ibobi also conveyed to the job card holders that wages under the Scheme should be collected by the individuals through post or banks rather than the alleged practice of pradhans collecting the amount, apparently in connivance with officials concerned.

Expressing awe when an opposition member pointed out that a single family possess 3/4 job cards, he however pledged to consult Minister concerned to rectify all such anomalies.

On the shortage of about 236 specialist doctors in the State, he disclosed that despite directive to the Manipur Public Service Commission to take up relevant process no one had applied for the same till date.

The CM, however, expressed confidence that the specialist paucity could be redressed to a certain extent on completion of the ongoing course of 50/60 medical practitioners.

He further mentioned that most Primary Health Sub Centres in the hill districts have been upgraded to PHCs to conform with prescribed guidelines on posting of doctors, who were recruited before the assembly election.

Explaining that JNIMS is being currently functioning with the State Government funding, he also informed the members that Rs 450 crores has been released under Special Plan Assistance for infrastructure development and purchase of equipment.

Out of Rs 150 crore first phase sanction, Rs 40 crore had been earmarked for purchase of equipment, Ibobi added.

Prior to the CM's address, PHE Minister I Hemochandra exclaimed that it a moment to cherish for the present Congress Government that the annual plan size allocation has reached the Rs 3500 crore mark compared to a meagre sum of Rs 8.51 crore plan size for the 1972-73 fiscal when Manipur first gained Statehood.

Stating that the Governor's address on the opening day of the first session vividly reflected successful implementation of various projects, he informed that efforts are on to procure more projects under the NLCPR funding as well as DONER Ministry.

The former Speaker further mentioned that the Governor's address encompassed detailed presentation on the notable progress in the section of road development, water supply, PDS and education besides marked improvement in the law and order situation.

Along with conviction and commitment the present Government has been implementing various development projects while efforts are on for further improvement in the PDS and water supply sectors, he affirmed.

Joining in the deliberation, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar stated that the Governor's address clearly highlighted marked significant improvement in the law and order situation in the hill district areas following suspension of operation agreement with some armed groups.

Moreover rate of crime in the State has also been brought down to an appreciable level, he added.

Asserting that all possible measures are being initiated to complete the Jiri-Tupul rail-line project by March 2014 and setting March 2016 for completing the National Project's Tupul-Imphal section, the Minister said apart from completing land acquisition process to expand the Tuhilal Airport, Rs 111 crores has been sanctioned under SPA for development of National Highways, State highways and inter-district roads.

Dr Ratankumar further insisted that the Governor's presentation in the House was a flawless presentation of the Government's policy and achievements.