Master plan needed to save Loktak lake: Ibobi Singh

Imphal, Mar 10 (UNI) Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today informed the house that an Australian expert had prepared a Rs 400 crore project to save the Loktak lake from drying-up.

The Loktak lake is one of the biggest fresh water lakes in the country.

The Chief Minister said that for the last few years, the government has been trying to convince the Centre to save the lake but only recently the North Eastern Council (NEC) decided to provide Rs 41 crore to clear water plants and rehabilitate fishermen.

Mr Singh said the lake was providing electricity which is produced by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), adding that the lake is generating the cheapest power in the country at 70 paise per unit.

Information Minister Gaikhangam told the house that the government was trying to revive the Manipur Information Centre at New Delhi, which has not been functioning for the last few months.

Opposition members had staged a walk out yesterday as the members in the treasury bench refused discussion on the alleged misappropriation of money in power department. The Opposition demanded a house committee.

Mr O Joy alleged that conductors, transformers, electric meters and reading boxes worth Rs 22 crore were misappropriated by the government.

UNI NS SP VD BS1838