Bill placed, Manipur Assembly to debate office of profit

Imphal, May 26 (UNI) The Manipur Legislature (Removal of Disqualifications) Fourth Amendment bill, 2006, would be introduced today on the first day of the special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

However, it would be discussed on Monday after Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh returns from New Delhi.

The special session was called to discuss the issue of office of profit as the BJP demanded resignation of six MLAs for holding office of profit. The bill envisages removal of 43 posts from office of profit list.

The Opposition parties, however, raised other issues like irregularities in ex-gratia payment.

L Ibomcha and Dr Nimaichand Luwang pointed out the discrepancies of ex-gratia payment to state government employees who were killed or died on official duty.

Ibomcha raised the matter during question hour and said when an IAS officer of the state cadre died in an accident in Cherapunji in Meghalaya while he was driving a car, his wife was given Rs 5 lakh and a flat was also purchased at the cost of Rs 12 lakhs by the state government.

However, when a large numbers of senior IPS officers died in encounter, no such assistance was provided.

''There must be a proper policy which should be applicable to all,'' he said.

Other opposition members O Joy, Dr Nimaichand Luwang, I Hemochandra supported the issue and demanded that the government should produce all the relevant papers on these cases and take up appropriate action.

The Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh then asked acting Chief Minister T H Devendra to produce all the documents as demanded on Monday.

T H Devendra assured the House that he would produce all the necessary documents and the state government would take action.

Dr Nimaichand Luwang and L Ibomcha also raised the issue of non- functioning of government hospitals due to the strike by health staff and government employees which entered the 37th day today.

State Health Minister D K Korunthang appealed to them to call off the strike and assured to look into the demands of the employees.

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