Manipur Assembly budget session gets underway

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 3 (EMN): A 13-day 12th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly began with an address by the Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla in Imphal on Wednesday.

In her more than an hour-long address, the Governor highlighted the achievements of more than three and half year-old BJP led coalition government in the state.

In the state’s power sector, the state government decided to set up a 100 MW capacity solar power plant on 600 acres of land identified at Jiribam, she said. She added that the central government, on realising the potential of organic farming, has allocated additional 50 farmer producer companies with new area expansion of 25,000 hectares during 2012-24 for organic cultivation of nine crops namely pineapple, king chilli, ginger, turmeric, kiwi, passion fruit, black aromatic rice, maize and high yielding variety rice.

She also informed that the Brahmaputra Board has agreed to prepare a master plan for Manipur river basin for bringing out a long term solution to the problem of floods.

To achieve the mission of providing functional household tap connection by 2024 under Jal Jeevan Mission, she stated that the government is implementation the project covering 4,51,566 households at a total cost of over INR 4524.6 crore. She added that 1,47,00 households have been provided with functional taps so far.

On various steps taken up by the state government in combating Covid-19 pandemic since the first positive case was reported in the state on March 23 last, she stated that the government could contain the spread of the virus to a large extent. On the existing vaccination drive, she stated that a total of 1,02,000 doses of Covishield vaccine have reached the state.

On the law and order front, she stated that 258 drug-related cases were registered during the year and arrested 357 persons. She added that large quantities of drugs like heroin powder and (contraband) WY tablets were seized and over 2,800 acres of poppy plantation were destroyed.

Later, the Assembly speaker Y Khemchand adjourned the session for a 15 minute break.

After resuming the session, ruling MLA P Sarat moved the motion of thanks to the governor’s address which was second that by another ruling MLA Dr. S Ranjan.

After presenting the 15th report of the business advisory committee 2021, the house was adjourned for the day.

The house would witness obituary references and discussion on the Governor’s address on February 4. The budget estimates for 2021-22 would be tabled on February 5 followed with a general discussion on February 6.