Debate on Governor’s note sets-off session
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 3: The State Assembly has begun an ex-haustive deliberation on the Governor’s address gi-ven at the inaugural session of this year’s first Assembly session on March 27 last.
Taking part in the deli-beration which would con- tinue till tomorrow, veteran MPP leader O Joy observed that the points highlighted in the Governor’s address was a ‘vision document’ of the projects/schemes planned by the Government for execution during the current year.
Comparing the vision document to a beautiful ly-ric, Joy said that the beau- tiful lyric would go waste if the singer could not sing it properly.
He asserted that the Go-vernment should make ma- ximum efforts to put the vi-sion document into action in letter and spirit.
Observing that it has been six months since the Governor gave his address, the MPP leader asked up to what extent the Government was able to execute the pro-grammes/projects mention- ed the Governor’s address.
Pointing out the abject failures of the Government in providing tap water and electricity to the public, Joy said that he faced great diffi-culties in studying for the Assembly session in candle-light as there has been no electricity supply to the residences and quar-ters of MLAs.
If the Government fails to put into action the impres-sive programmes highlight- ed in the Governor’s add-ress, people would find it hard to put any faith in the Governor’s address, the MPP leader cautioned.
Conveying his desire to include explicit information on the ecology project and other policies and program-mes in the Governor’s ad- dress, Joy lamented that Fo-rest and Environment Mi- nister Debendra has been sitting cool in peace even as climate of Manipur is beco-ming hotter and hotter.
Joy also questioned if there was any Minister who worked sincerely and with dedication.
Decrying absence of Mi-nisters in the House when the such important matter like the Governor’s address was discussed, opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam raised point of order.
Citing cases of extra-judicial killings by security forces and non-local people by unindentified persons, Joy lamented that Manipur presented a totally anarchic situation where survival of the fittest ruled.
It’s high time to address the issue and stop the ram-pant killings.
Referring to the Gover-nor’s address, the MPP lea- der remarked that it hinted at the failure of the Govern-ment on law and order front.
Observing that some UG elements have been em-ploying drug addicts and smugglers in their extortion activities, Joy noted that such people have joined in several anti-social activities thereby adding complexity to the law and order problem.
Joy lamented that the Go-vernor’s address did not mention anything about the critical situation confron-ting the Manipuri nation which even threatened their existence.
Asserting that the Go-vernment should check the situation by pursuing an ap-propriate policy, Joy urged for necessary actions to check extensive abuse of SP capsules.
He also called for imple-mentation of the Sixth Pay Commission as well as dis-tribution of due benefits to pensioners.
Hailing the Governor’s address, PDA Chairman Dr Kh Loken observed that it made detail mention of the progress made in develop-ment activities following im- provement in the financial conditions of the State in the aftermath of the Govern-ment’s strict adherence to fiscal discipline.
After proper resource mobilisation, the State has effectively tided over any physical deficit.
The Governor’s address clearly reflected the priority given to health and educa-tion sector by the SPF Govt, noted Loken.
MLA E Dwijamani remarked that the development activities taken up by the Government in both the hills and valley were prominently highlighted in the Governor’s address.