Our Correspondent
Imphal,July 25 (EMN): The second session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly began on Monday with obituary references to late Y Thambal Singh, former MLA from Kakching Constituency and the loss of lives due to landslides at Marangching area in Noney district in the intervening night of June 29 and 30 and another landslide in Pherzawl district July 8.
Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata Singh moved a resolution in the House stating that it expressed deep and profound sorrow on the demise of the former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and for the loss of lives due to landslides. The 60-Member House also observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls.
Initiating the obituary reference in the House, Agriculture Minister Th Biswajit Singh said that Y Thambal Singh was first elected as a MLA in 1984 as an Independent candidate from Kakching Assembly Constituency. He had taken active part in the statehood demand agitation and during the emergency period.
Relief and Disaster Management Minister Awangbou Newmai, senior opposition member and former CM O Ibobi Singh, MLAs Kh Joykisan, M Rameshwar also took part in the obituary references for the departed souls.
Minister Biswajit Singh also spoke on the Marangching landslide stating that altogether 79 individuals were victims of the unfortunate landslide, out of which 61 persons have been declared deceased, including 58, whose bodies have been retrieved and three others who are still missing. Another 18 individuals were rescued alive, the minister added.
He further informed the House that the government has announced ex-gratia of INR 5 lakh each for the deceased and INR 50,000 each for the injured persons.
Singh also expressed sorrow over the landslide incident which occurred on July 8 at around 7 am at Saihum village, Henglep Sub-Division, Churachandpur District, in which two persons died and 10 were injured.
He continued that the Chief Minister had handed over INR 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the two deceased persons, INR 12,700 each to those who were badly injured and INR 4,300 each to others who were injured.
Singh also laid various papers including Finance Accounts (Volume I) 2022-21, Finance Accounts (Volume II) 2020-21, Accounts at a Glance, 2019-20, The Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance,2022 (Manipur Ordinance No. 1 of 2022).
He also presented the second report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2022 and also moved the motion that the House agreed with the allocation of time proposed by the Committee besides presenting the Demands for excess Grants for the year, 2017-18.
While presenting the Budget Estimates, 2022-23, he also highlighted various priority sectors of the present government and said this government will ensure all round development of every section of the society in the state.