IMPHAL, Dec 18 - The three-day Winter Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly began today with the observance of a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to late minister Salam Ibohal Singh.
In his obituary reference, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said former minister Ibohal Singh, who represented the Thanga constituency for two terms in 1990 and 2002, was a �visionary political leader and social activist�. Ibohal Singh, who looked after the Rural Development and Sports portfolios during his term as minister, passed away on November 19 at the age of 73 years.
Opposition leader and former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Congress MLAs TN Haokip and Govindas Konthoujam also condoled the demise of the ex-minister.
Later, the Chief Minister informed the House that official preparations are on for proper implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in the State by January 1 next year.
Replying to a call attention motion by Opposition MLAs Kh Joykishan and RK Imo of the Congress on the fear of influx despite implementation of the ILP system in the State, Biren Singh said, �We need to publish the (State) gazette after finalising the necessary rules, etc. So far we have identified seven to eight entry points (for checking). We are also developing the software for online issues,� he said.
The ILP system, which has been in force in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland, was extended to Manipur on December 11 after Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement in the Parliament on December 9.
Responding to another call attention motion by Opposition MLAs Govindas Konthoujam and Surjakumar Okram on the escalation of prices of essential commodities and shortage of petroleum products, the Chief Minister said the Government would soon work out plans to form a State-level price fixation committee.
