Manipur assembly pays tributes to departed souls, deliberates on various issues

Our Correspondent Imphal, July 20 (EMN): Manipur assembly on Thursday observed one minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls who lost their lives in the worst flood in the last two decades that the volatile border state. Making a statement on the current flood situation in the state on the first day of the second session of the 11th state assembly, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh informed the house of 60 members that the state government is taking up all out efforts to provide and relief materials besides taking up issues in controlling flood. Biren said 19 persons lost their lives, 20,000 houses across 268 villages have been affected due to flood and landslide. About 97 relief camps were opened in the worst affected areas besides organising medical camps. “We also earmarked certain amount on a priority basis to control flood,” says Chief Minister Biren during a discussion on Governor’s address in the house. “But we need a comprehensive effort to deal the issue besides taking up river bed cleaning activities.” He also sought help and cooperation from all the members of the assembly while taking the government’s initiatives. He said the centre has been urged to sanction Rs 312.71 crores for the state flood. In his budget speech in the day’s assembly session, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar who hold the finance portfolio informed that Rs 7.50 crore has been allocated for anti-erosion and flood control schemes under one time special assistance of central plan scheme and Rs 10 crore to meet the committee liabilities for management and flash flood in 2017-18. Taking part in the day’s Governor’s address discussion, opposition members Kh Joykishan and Govindas Konthoujam of congress party expressed their desire that the state to formulate a flood control policy while taking up irrigation works. Govindas said fresh flooding in and around Loktak Lake and its periphery has started to hit the lives of the people in Bishnupur district even though the flood water was recedes in the other parts while Joykisan expressed the need to reflect the issues of agriculture land protection, Inner line permit or a similar regulation, Lokayukta Act and framework agreement in the Governor’s address. Chief Minister Biren said the discussion is on to make a consensus on ILP issue. He also informed that the government will stick to the same stand to protect the territorial integrity of the state. For Lokayukta, he said a ‘finishing touch’ is required. The state government had already started to implement Manipur State Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act 2014. The ongoing budget session will conclude on August 4.