Lok Sabha (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a resolution through voice vote to extend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, to Manipur, which is under President’s rule. However, opposition MPs took the opportunity to attack the govt for the crisis in the state by mishandling the situation there and pushing its agenda of centralisation of power and running the administration from Delhi.MPs cutting across the opposition bench demanded elections be held in Manipur.TMC MP Sushmita Dev said, “What we are doing today was meant to be done by the assembly of Manipur. Why are we having to do it… In a state where people are still living in relief camps, and internally displaced people are protesting outside Raj Bhawan, we are making a mockery of it by bringing a Water Pollution Act amendment and saying we are helping Manipur.”Congress MP Neeraj Dangi said the resolution had to be brought to Parliament because the situation in Manipur has not improved. He alleged law and order has totally collapsed in Manipur and PM did not visit the state when it was needed the most. DMK’s P Wilson said the state is “on a ventilator” and there was a need to bring normalcy by restoring democracy through elections in order to enhance trust-based governance, ease of living and doing business.Replying to the debate, environment minister Bhuepndra Yadav said this bill has been passed by both Houses and several state assemblies, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal, have adopted it. “Consent to Operate (CTO) and other provisions, which have already been adopted by other states, are also to be implemented by Manipur,” he added.
