The 13th Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly began on Friday. The session for monsoon session have three sittings. The second and third sittings is scheduled on August 23 and 24. The House on Friday commenced at 11 AM with obituary.
Chief minister N Biren Singh, who is the leader of the House said that the govt has discussed on providing compensation to surviving family members of those who succumbed to COVID-19. However, details is yet to be decided as COVID-19 pandemic is still going on.
Responding to motion raised by Congress MLA K. Meghachandra on the high COVID Positivity and Death Rate in the state. N. Biren maintained that the govt has started providing aid to those children whose parents or guardians have passed away due to COVID-19.
MLA K. Meghachandra also questioned on the loopholes of relevant govt authorities and Health Department. He asked whether the govt has investigated on death of individuals post COVID vaccination. He also asked the govt’s stance on the issue and demanded White Paper of the COVID-19 related initiatives taken up by the govt.
Besides other discussions, N. Biren also assured that daily wage earners will be provided financial aid by the govt including women vendors, van drivers, auto drivers and others and said that the funds will be transferred to their respective Bank Accounts starting August 21.
N. Biren also said that the govt has started home delivery of agricultural produces from farmers under Horticulture Department through a mobile application. He said that providing of 5 kg rice each to NFSA card holders ‘Free Of Cost’ till November is in motion.
On rising COVID positivity and death rate, N. Biren said positivity rate on August 17 was 9.3 percent, comparing with other states, he said Manipur has cases in comparison to Mizoram and Kerala. He added that Manipur fought the first wave of COVID-19 quite well and there is enhancement in Covid related Health Facilities and Infrastructure since then.
Assuring that the state has enough Oxygen Supply System and Manpower to fight COVID-19, the Chief Minister said those who succumbed to COVID-19 were found to have less than 50 oxygen level when admitted to hospitals or either co-morbid patients. N. Biren said that govt is focusing on COVID-19 vaccination and 60 percent of the entire population of the state has been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far. The Chief Minister appealed to local MLAs to aid in COVID Vaccination Drives and appealed all for strict compliance of COVID-19 SOPs.
Approved by the Governor of Manipur, 17 bills were tabled in the House on the first day. The governor is also the Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance in Charge Y. Joykumar tabled: ‘Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (Manipur Ordinance number 2 of 2021)’.
Minister in Charge Law and Legislative Affairs, Labour and Employment Th. Satyabra tabled: ‘The Manipur (Courts) (Second Amendment)Ordinance, 2021 (Manipur Ordinance Number 3 of 2021)’ along with ‘The Manipur Shop and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021 (Manipur Ordinance Number 1 of 2021).
The House also moved the 16th report of Business Advisory Committee 2021 tabled by CM N. Biren, 35th report on Privileges and Ethics Committee 2021 of Manipur Legislative Assembly submitted by Deputy Speaker Kongkham Robindro and 19th report on govt Assurances Manipur Legislative Assembly Committee tabled by MLA Th.Radheshyam.
Leader of the House, Chief Minister N Biren also tabled ‘The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple (Second Amendment ) Bill 2021’ and ‘The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land And Wetland (Second Amendment) Bill.
The House also moved the ‘Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Third Amendment) Bill 2021,’ ‘The Manipur Goods and Services tax (Fourth Amendment) Bill 2021’ tabled by Y Joykumar after getting approval from House members.
The Manipur Legislature (Removal of Disqualification) (Sixth Amendment) Bill 2021, ‘The Manipur Courts (Second Amendment) Bill 2021 and The Manipur Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service ) Bill 2021 tabled by Th. Satyabrata were also moved in the House Friday.
Obituary reference to 8 deceased members of the House: Former outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Paokai Haokip, Former MLAs Laisom Lalit, Wangkheimayum Brajabidhu, Dr. Irengbam Ibohalbi, Thangjam Nandakishor, Purul Shepu Henry Paotei, Vivek Raj Wangkhem and former Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly Thangjam Megharaj. The House observed two-minute silence showing respect to all the departed souls.
Speaker Y Khemchand adjourned the House till 11 AM of August 23.