‘Greater Imphal Authority’ Not Yet
Private motion in Assembly defeated:
Imphal, Feb 4: A private member resolution moved by MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy to set up an authority for development of greater Imphal area was defeated in the State Assembly on Monday as the MLA himself withdrew his motion later.
Raising the private member resolution, Ng Bijoy asserted that as the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is focusing its activities only in Imphal city area, it would certainly facilitate development of greater Imphal area if a body like Greater Imphal Development Authority is set up.
The PDA is concentrating its development activities in Imphal city within an area of just 87.45 sq kms leaving out greater Imphal area which covers about 135.27 sq kms.
He also urged the Government to issue a notice which would help the PDA to expand its area of activities in greater Imphal area.
Bijoy also appealed to the House to pass a Bill in this regard.
Endorsing the private member resolution, MLA O Joy emphasised on the need to develop greater Imphal in tandem with Imphal city.
Citing examples of the existence of greater town/city development authorities in other States of India, Joy drew attention of the House towards the motion.
Chief Minister O Ibobi, while responding to the motion opined that establishment of a Greater Imphal Development Authority at a time when the PDA is functioning as an implementing agency would entail legal complications.
Nevertheless, the Chief Minister assured the House that the Government will work to table a Bill on the proposal after a thorough study of the finer details.
Appreciating the spirit of the private member resolution, PDA Chairman Kh Loken asserted that at the moment when the PDA is still in place it would not be appropriate to set up a Greater Imphal Development Authority.
He also reminded that the PDA had published a master plan for greater Imphal in September 2004 which would be effective till 2011.
Under the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act, the PDA master plan incorporates a provision which said that development activities should be taken up in coordination with all the relevant State Departments, pointed out Loken.
Stating that Imphal city has been included among 63 cities of the country selected for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the PDA Chairman informed that the JNNURM guidelines specifically laid down that development activities under the scheme should cover only Imphal proper.
Loken further noted that different schemes have different coverage areas.
He asserted that PDA is involved in development activities in greater Imphal area too.
Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam contended that the PDA was not set up to take up development programmes in Imphal city alone but for the whole State.
Should the JNNURM cover greater Imphal area, Imphal city limits should be extended first, Chief Minister Ibobi observed.
But extension of Imphal city to greater Imphal area would face certain difficulties as the delimitation process is not over.
Later following the assurance of the Chief Minister to look into the technical and legal feasibility of the proposal, MLA Ng Bijoy withdrew his motion.
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Feb 4: A private member resolution moved by MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy to set up an authority for development of greater Imphal area was defeated in the State Assembly on Monday as the MLA himself withdrew his motion later.
Raising the private member resolution, Ng Bijoy asserted that as the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is focusing its activities only in Imphal city area, it would certainly facilitate development of greater Imphal area if a body like Greater Imphal Development Authority is set up.
The PDA is concentrating its development activities in Imphal city within an area of just 87.45 sq kms leaving out greater Imphal area which covers about 135.27 sq kms.
He also urged the Government to issue a notice which would help the PDA to expand its area of activities in greater Imphal area.
Bijoy also appealed to the House to pass a Bill in this regard.
Endorsing the private member resolution, MLA O Joy emphasised on the need to develop greater Imphal in tandem with Imphal city.
Citing examples of the existence of greater town/city development authorities in other States of India, Joy drew attention of the House towards the motion.
Chief Minister O Ibobi, while responding to the motion opined that establishment of a Greater Imphal Development Authority at a time when the PDA is functioning as an implementing agency would entail legal complications.
Nevertheless, the Chief Minister assured the House that the Government will work to table a Bill on the proposal after a thorough study of the finer details.
Appreciating the spirit of the private member resolution, PDA Chairman Kh Loken asserted that at the moment when the PDA is still in place it would not be appropriate to set up a Greater Imphal Development Authority.
He also reminded that the PDA had published a master plan for greater Imphal in September 2004 which would be effective till 2011.
Under the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act, the PDA master plan incorporates a provision which said that development activities should be taken up in coordination with all the relevant State Departments, pointed out Loken.
Stating that Imphal city has been included among 63 cities of the country selected for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the PDA Chairman informed that the JNNURM guidelines specifically laid down that development activities under the scheme should cover only Imphal proper.
Loken further noted that different schemes have different coverage areas.
He asserted that PDA is involved in development activities in greater Imphal area too.
Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam contended that the PDA was not set up to take up development programmes in Imphal city alone but for the whole State.
Should the JNNURM cover greater Imphal area, Imphal city limits should be extended first, Chief Minister Ibobi observed.
But extension of Imphal city to greater Imphal area would face certain difficulties as the delimitation process is not over.
Later following the assurance of the Chief Minister to look into the technical and legal feasibility of the proposal, MLA Ng Bijoy withdrew his motion.
Source: The Sangai Express