Chief Minister addresses Manipur assembly

Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 21(EMN): Manipur Chief Minister who holds the home portfolio informed the ongoing state assembly on July 21 that there was no authorised noted camp of NSCN (IM) in Manipur. Reacting to the question raised by opposition member Kh Joykisan of the congress party as to whether the ceasefire between the government of Indian and the NSCN-IM extends to the state of Manipur, Biren said, ‘No’.
In another question by opposition member Okram Henry Singh (Wangkhei) on the present status of the Cabinet decision taken by the previous government to rename Imphal International Airport, the Chief Minister who also holds transport portfolio informed the house that the State Cabinet took decision in its meeting held on September 21, 2016 to rename the Imphal International Airport and has decided to recommend to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India for necessary action in the interest of the people of Manipur.
Meanwhile, Art & Culture Minister Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar Singh said that Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI) plans to start a PG Diploma Course in Documentary from October this year, with a budget of Rs. 1.5 crore for the fiscal year 2017-18. This was stated while replying to a question raised by Khangabok MLA Surjakumar Okram during question hours, in the second day of the second session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Minister further informed the house that the courses offered in Manipur University of Culture are Graduate Course in Dance, Music, Sankritana, Umang Lai Haraoba,Thang-ta, Theatre, Tribal Studies and Visual Art with a budget of Rs. 1.5 crore for the fiscal year 2017-18. On the reason for the delay in functioning MSFTI, Culture Minister replied that the recruitment of faculty and staffs of the institute will be taken up. In the absence of faculty members, support staffs, academic infrastructure and acquisition of equipment, academic programmes cannot commence.
Agriculture minister V Hangkhalian said, the government of India has released a total amount of Rs. 739.44 lakh for National Food Security Mission for the year 2016-17 for Manipur and the beneficiaries were selected through the extension functionaries of the respective districts. Nine reports have been tabled in the day’s assembly session.
Power Minister Th. Biswajit Singh tabled ‘The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur & Mizoram’ (Metering for Grid Connected Renewable Energy) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2016 and The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur & Mizoram (Electricity Supply Code) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2016.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh who holds the finance portfolio laid the Finance Accounts (Volume-I), 2015-2016, Government of Manipur; Finance Accounts (Volume-II),Government of Manipur; Appropriation Accounts, 2015-16, Government of Manipur; Audit Report (Report No. 1), 2015-16, Manipur; Audit Report (Report No. 2), 2015-16, Manipur; Audit Report (State Finances-Report No. 2 of 2016), 2015-16, Manipur and Accounts at a Glance,2015-16.
Meanwhile, Manipur assembly on Friday “unanimously resolved to reiterate the resolution number 117 passed by the assembly on August 31, 2015 for amendment of Article 3 of the constitution of India by incorporating that the prior consent of the state legislature of the affected state(s) shall be mandatorily obtained while forming new state and alternation of areas, boundaries or names of existing state.” The decision was taken at the end of the a heated debate based on a private member resolution by opposition members Kh Joykisan, K Ranjit, Surjakumar Okram, N Loken and K Govindas, all from congress party in the ongoing assembly session.