Too many JACs in Manipur: CM

Imphal, May 3 (UNI) Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today said there were too many Joint Action Committees (JACs) in the state making it hard for the government to negotiate with each organization.

The Chief Minister made this observation in the floor of the House as the second session of the Ninth Legislative Assembly began during the day.

Obituary reference was paid to Th Navakumar, NCP MLA of Khundrakpam Assembly constituency, who died recently after a massive stroke.

When O Joy Singh and I Ibohalbi raised the issue of death of two women during delivery at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), the CM said cases of death during delivery were very low in Manipur when compared to other states. The RIMS authorities have already instituted enquiries into the death of the two women, he said.

''The RIMS is under the Union Health Ministry and the state government has no authority to enquire into the functioning of the Institute,'' he said.

During the discussion on Governor's address, N Mangi of CPI and Dr Kh Loken of Congress lauded Governor Dr S S Sidhu for a comprehensive address on March 16 last.

The Opposition MLAs, however, lambasted the government for failure to address the grievances of the people. Former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam of NCP said the Anganwadi centres were not functioning well. He further said the government has failed to meet the demands of power and water of the people.'' There was no point in electrifying the villages where there was no power supply,'' he observed.

The former CM also said there was no point in constructing Tipaimukh dam to control water at Cachar valley of Assam. Dr Ng Bijoy of MPP said the Governor's address failed to mention about the police- public relation, the essence of efficient and effective democratic governance.

UNI