Saikul power station yet to kick start

Imphal, June 14: Even though construction works of the KV 33 power station at Saikul have been completed, the station is yet to start functioning till today due to shortage of staff and reluctance of the employees to work in the area, said Power^ Minister Phungzathang; Tonsing while replying to a query from Saikul MLA C Doungel during the opening session of the State Assembly's Monsoon Session today. Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing however added that the Govt is doing everything within its means to make the station functional within July by putting in the required staffs at the station. He also informed that the construction works of the power station was begun in 1992 with funds from the State Govt but had to take assistance from the Non Laps-able Central Pool of Resources in 2001 for further constructions due to shortage of funds. Continuing their boycott against Speaker TN Hoakip, members of the Opposition party who had come to attend theopening session of the State Assembly' Monsoon Session walked out of the Assembly hall during the question hour without raising any questions. Except for C Doungel no other members raised any question during today's session. It may be noted here that Opposition had also stayed away from the last two session of the State Legislative Assembly. Immediately after the conclusion of the question hour, members of the State Legislative Assembly condoled the death of former MLA and MP N Gouzagin. Minister RK Theko, Minister Dr M Nara, Minister Phungzathang and House leader and Chief Minister O Ibobi while giving obituary reference also spoke on the deeds of the late leader Gouzagin. The members also observed a two minute silence as a mark of honour to the departed soul. Mention may be made here that T Gouzagin who expired last month due to prolonged illness was not only elected for two consecutive terms from Thanlon A/C under Churachandpur Dist in 1972 but was also elected as a Lok Sabha MP in the later part of his political career.