Ibobi holds sway with talks on civic sense, Boong

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, 17 : The Manipur Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed "The Manipur Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2026," allowing the utilization of the demands for grants approved for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Giving his observations and suggestions on the Bill tabled for consideration and passing by Chief Minister Y Khemchand, Thoubal AC MLA O Ibobi touched upon various topics, including Boong winning the BAFTA, improper waste disposal, the current security situation in Manipur, and various posts lying vacants in several departments.
On waste management, the former Chief Minister stated that even people working in noble professions dispose of their waste in public places.
He explained that people dumping wastes wherever it is convenient is nothing new in Manipur, adding that many people would drive their cars in the early morning and dispose of their household wastes in public spaces.
Such illegal dumping of waste can be controlled to some extent if those involved are caught and made to pay a fine publicly once or twice, he suggested.
He also urged the Government to take necessary steps to operate the Solid Waste Management Plant efficiently, stating that managing the plant effectively would be easier than regularly collecting waste from public places.
On Boong, he said that the film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi winning the BAFTA is a matter of immense pride for the State.
The former Chief Minister expressed a desire for the State Government to felicitate the director and cast of the acclaimed film.
Despite being a small State, Manipur has produced many eminent artists, he said.
Regarding law and order, Ibobi urged both the Central and State Governments to coordinate to restore complete normalcy in the State as soon as possible.
He also mentioned that the Jiribam-Imphal railway project was inaugurated in 2004, and the railway line has reached Khongsang.
He expressed desire for the Government to work harder to ensure it reaches Imphal soon.
During the Congress regime, the Government held a review meeting on the railway line at least once a month, he said and appealed to the Chief Minister to have railway officials regularly inform him of the progress of the railway project through PowerPoint presentations.
He also urged the State Government to mount pressure on the Ministry concerned to complete the railway project soon.
The movement of transporters carrying essential goods on National Highways has become a regular news headline, he said, emphasising that completing the Jiribam- Imphal railway project would greatly benefit the people.
He also urged the Government to expedite the upgrade of Imphal Airport.
Expressing his desire for the new State Government to work transparently, Ibobi urged the Government to conduct recruitment drives for the various vacant posts in different departments including teaching staff.
Wangkhem AC MLA K Meghachandra stated that many families affected by natural calamities in recent years have not received any assistance from the Government, despite submitting the necessary forms.
He questioned whether those affected by the recent storms would face the same fate.
The Congress MLA suggested that the Government should assist the affected families immediately, instead of making them wait.
Sugnu AC MLA K Ranjit, on the other hand, stated that the crisis, which has been going on May 3, 2023, has resulted in a loss of trust among communities and the presence of armed militants in both the hill and valley districts has disrupted business and hindered communities from working together.
Free movement is still not happening on the highways, he said, adding that the State Government has turned a blind eye to the construction of the illegal German Road/Tiger Road.
The Government has also failed to prevent poppy plantations in the hill districts, with armed militants operating freely, he said, emphasising that there is no sign of governance in the hill districts.
The Unified Command must be under the Chief Minister, the Congress MLA said, adding that  the Unified Command being headed by someone else is akin to having no Chief Minister at all.
He asked who is currently the Chairman of the Unified Command, questioning whether it is still held by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh.
Entrusting security in hill districts to the Central forces for a prolonged period would be wrong, he said, calling for the strengthening of the State police.
How many State police personnel are currently deployed at Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, he asked.
He also asked what steps have the Government taken to restore normalcy in the State.