Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, February 24
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur Governor VK Duggal has said Manipur economy continues to grow at a reasonable good pace though activities of insurgents have adversely affected the development of the state.
According to the Governor, the average growth rate was about 9% during 2013-14 which is higher than the average of 6.5% registered during the 11th Five Year Plan and the growth momentum is expected to continue.
Duggal said this while addressing the 7th session of the tenth Manipur legislative assembly which commenced today. He also highlighted different issues and the departmental achievements of the state administration.The Governor said the state government has been striving for all round development and delivery of good governance for the welfare of the people. Equitable and inclusive development with secular ideals have been the guiding values of the government conveying that the government has impartially pursued development of the people residing in both the hill and valley areas.
Regarding law and order, Duggal said Manipur has been affected by insurgent activities spread over a period of four decades where more than 60 underground outfits, including factions and the insurgency problems have adversely affected the development of the state.
“Realizing that effective counter insurgency operations alone cannot solve the problems of insurgency and militancy in the state, my government has invited various underground groups operating in the state to come forward for negotiation. As a result various underground groups have responded positively and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central and State Governments. In all over 450 cadres from different underground groups have laid down arms and process is on for their rehabilitation”, Duggal stated.
Meanwhile, for implementation of various developmental schemes under Tribal Affairs and Hills, an amount of Rs 181.58 crores has been provided for the year 2013-2014.
With the enforcement of the National Food Security Act, 2013 w.e.f 10th September, 2013, a total of 24.84 lakh beneficiaries (87%) of the total population as per 2011 census in Manipur will be covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department.
To improve the quality of education, the Government opened 715 new Primary Schools, upgraded 158 primary schools to Upper Primary and upgraded 58 Junior High Schools to High Schools under the Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
Under Power Reforms, the state will receive about 82 MW of power from two projects namely, Pallatana Gas Power Project and Bongaigaon Thermal Project.
The Governor said the state has the lowest infant mortality rate (IMR) of 10 in the country along with Goa whereas the all India average is 42. The total fertility rate (TFR) is 1.5 against all India average of 2.4. The under 5 mortality rate is 12.5 against the all India average of 55.
The Obituary reference to the former members of the Manipur Territorial Assembly members Late Paoneikhai Suantak (93) elected in the year 1962 from Churachandpur Cosntituency and Late T. Goukhenpao (81) elected in the year 1963 from Thanlon constituency was move by the Speaker Th. Lokeshwor and the House observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
The obituary reference was participated by leader of the House O. Ibobi Singh, MLA T.N. Haokip, Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and Chairman MTDC T. Manga Vaiphei respectively. The members stated in their obituary reference that the departed members worked for the people in their capacity and recounted their contributions in society as well as politics.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also Finance Minister presented the ninth report of the Business Advisory Report Committee, 2014.
Ibobi also presented the Supplementary demands for Grants 2013-14 sought for Rs. 541.36 crore covering 35 demands and 2 Appropriations. Out of this, Rs 9.14 crore is charged on the Consolidated Fund of the state and Rs. 532.22 crore to be voted by the house. A budget estimate for 2014-15 was also presented to the house.
In further proceedings, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh moved the motion for Vote of Accounts, 2014-15 for grant of expenditure covering the first four months of the financial year, 2014-15 to enable the state government to carry on its activities from April 1, 2014.
Later, the Chief Minister introduced the Manipur Lok Ayukta Bill, 2014, Manipur Public Service Commission (Additional Functions) Bill, 2014 and Manipur Municipalities (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2014.
Manipur Revenue Minister Th. Devendra Singh introduced the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2014 in today’s assembly session.
The session will have six sittings and will last till March 3, 2014.
