State Innovative Council: An Enigmatic Project

Original Source: The Imphal Free Press Dear Sir, ‘INNOVATION’ according to Wikipedia generally ‘refers to the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that affect markets,… Read more »

Original Source: The Imphal Free Press

Dear Sir,

‘INNOVATION’ according to Wikipedia generally ‘refers to the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that affect markets, governments, and society’.

Probably keeping this alluring meaning of innovation in mind, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh started a novel venture of constituting the National Innovative Council (NInC) in September 2010. Shortly afterwards, the Government of India (GOI) has instructed the state governments to set up their respective State Innovative Councils keeping in focus on the following:
1.0 Support your Government to promote innovation in the State;
2.0 Encourage young talent and local universities, colleges, Medium and Small Scale Industries (MSME), R&D Institutes;
3.0 Map opportunities for innovation in the State;
4.0 Identify and reward talent in innovation and disseminate success stories;
5.0 Organise seminars, lectures, workshops on innovation and create State innovation portal to educate;
6.0 Help create innovation eco-systems;
7.0 Organise risk capital and prepare an Innovation Roadmap 2010-2020 for the State.

Accordingly, the Manipur government constitute the Inter Departmental Coordination Committee in the Planning Department on 16 December 2010 with the Chief Secretary as the Chairperson, to implement the policy decisions of the State Innovative Council, ‘to harness core competencies, local talent, resource and capabilities to create new opportunities’.

In March 2011, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Finance Commission Division, GOI, released the Grant-in-Aid for District Innovation Fund (DIF) for all state governments along with issuing the Guidelines for grant release and utilisation of the Grant-in-Aid under recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission for the award period 2011-15. These guidelines and Performa are also accessible on this Ministry’s website: http://www.finmin.nic.in/TFC/guidelines.asp. Under these guidelines the grant will be released in two instalments during 2011-15. The first instalment, amounting to 50% of the amount allocated to a State, will be released in 2011-12 and the allocation of District Innovation Fund for Manipur is 9(nine) crores, one crore for each district.

Now, what intrigues me is the devious nature of the State Planning Department in the implementation of policies of the State Innovative Council and the District Innovation Fund. I am surprise not to find any mention on the constitution of the State Innovative Council or implementation of the District Innovation Fund in the official website of the Planning Department, Manipur. Or has it not been updated/uploaded since Dec 2010? Why is the department making it so confidential on the fund allocation and implementation of various innovative programmes in the nine districts of Manipur when the UPF government in the centre and the SPF government in the state are celebrating the success of their flagship programmes? Why there has been no publicity on the various innovative projects recommended by the department for funding under the DIF in the nine districts of the state? I have not even come across any Government notification or news item from our able ‘investigative reporters’ on this particular programme and its implementation. Pardon me if I have missed such reports and enlighten me on the issue.

Or, do we smell a rat in the state Planning Department? Is it a deliberate action of the people in power to conceal this novel initiative of the GOI from the eye of the common people so that they can manipulate the District Innovation Fund for ‘not so innovative’ projects of their own preference and profit without even looking into the guidelines of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Finance Commission Division, GOI, for utilisation of the mentioned fund.

We the common people would, therefore like to request the Planning Department, Government of Manipur and the Inter Departmental Co ordination Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, to make a sincere and genuine effort in implementing this promising venture of the GOI and distribute the DIF to bona fide innovative projects adhering to guidelines other than reducing it to another flop show. We would also like the Planning Department to make public the list of work programme allocated for each district under the District Innovation Fund before any RTI activist opens the Pandora’s Box.

Yours faithfully,
Somorjit Yenkokpam,
somorjityenkokpam AT yahoo.in

Posted: 2011-07-23

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/2np9-ZXEd1Y/

Open Letter to Shri L. Jayantakumar, Hon’ble Health Minister

Hon’ble Sir, Few days back a Samaritan job was carried out by you and your team by distributing rice at free of cost to the householders of Haobamarak which is… Read more »

Hon’ble Sir,

Few days back a Samaritan job was carried out by you and your team by distributing rice at free of cost to the householders of Haobamarak which is under Keisamthong Assembly Constituency. I was so optimistic that the humanitarian service would further at different parts of Keisamthong as well. But as of now nothing came up so far. As a concerned citizen also as a resident of Keishamthong A/C I would like to request you to continue the service at different parts of Keisamthong A/C immediately.

Moreover many parts of Keisamthong has now inundated due to the overnight rain. People who are under the poverty line are facing the toughest time due to the artificial flood that comes as a gift to the people of Keisamthong at a slight drizzling.

It will more humane to distribute rice at these flood affected areas of Keisamthong too. Would not it be more reasonable to serve those who are really in need other than to serve some air marked areas. Would not it violate law of equity?

Hon’ble Minister may kindly take up the matter in the most urgent manner.

With warmest regards,

Yours Sincerely,
Thongam Boren,
Khagempali Pankha.

Posted: 2011-07-21

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/VYqPswnVCJY/

Social Exclusion Of Women In Manipur Society

“In families, localities and the society at large, women themselves often look down upon their counterparts. When the son indulges in an unwanted behaviour outside the family, no mother bothers… Read more »

“In families, localities and the society at large, women themselves often look down upon their counterparts. When the son indulges in an unwanted behaviour outside the family, no mother bothers seriously. But when the daughter-in-law does a tiny mistake in family, the mother-in-law scolds and even ostracise her, as if the former has committed an irreparable mistake in life. Women exclusion are not wholly the perpetration of the opposite sex, women themselves depower their own folks.”
By: Neken Seram

As discrimination is a human nature, everyone or every group everywhere feels excluded in one or the other way either mentally or physically. Human beings, in various situations, are excluded politically, socially, economically, religiously or ethnically from existing social entities in different forms for one or the other reason. Social exclusion is a multi-dimensional process of progressive social rupture, detaching groups and individuals from social relations and institutions, and preventing them from full participation in the normally prescribed activities of the society in which they live. Dissatisfaction of certain individuals or groups in matters of co-existence may be referred to as social exclusion. Among the many facets of social exclusions prevailing in Manipur, the most commonly encountered is the gender-based exclusion of women.

When a married woman indulges in illicit extra-marital sexual relationships with other man, she is ostracized by the family, relatives, locality and society at large. However, in case the same thing happens to a man, he is accepted by the society. Even if the man brings home second wives to the family, the society does not resort to punish him. Hence, no matter the act committed is socially sanctioned or not, the treatment meted out to women is much more contradictory to that done to men.

The mother, a woman, who prepares food in the family, always attaches priority in feeding the husband and the sons. When the boys finish their dinner, the mother will eat with the daughters the rest of the items – no matter it is enough or not for them. Most women have the mentality to treat girls as inferior to the boys. Feeding, clothing, educating and health care for women or girls are often considered as secondary tasks as compared to those for men. In this regard, Educationist Konika Khuraijam commented that women in Manipur face exclusion in almost all sectors. Issue of women exclusion has to be dealt with right from ‘Chaga Chaba’ (eating the unwanted over-baked rice) to ‘Aremba Chaba’ (eating the remains) in the traditional Manipuri families; she said adding that the society has wrongly modeled a picture of good women as submissive women.

Paonam Thoibi, a Clinical Psychologist gives her opinion that there is the male preference in every walk of life starting from expecting a new baby to decision making in the family. The society even relies on a mentally unsound man rather than on a cautious woman. Solution lies in encouraging participation and empowerment, according to her. Male folks should also be empowered to enable them to swallow their pride and accept the need for equality with women. Another woman activist, Anita Sougaijam pointed out that when a man and woman together do something which is against the social norms; fingers are pointed more to the woman even though both are part of the act. Women are often discriminated in decision making process although her role is considered important in it, she lamented.

According to Liklainu Chanu Maisnam, a young government employee, women in Manipur have become more assertive nowadays. However, women are under represented politically. We need to produce more women engineers, scientists, astronauts, rock climbers etc. in order to break the male-bastion in this domain. As we often hear of women discrimination in the work place, women should be fully equipped to meet the challenges, she suggested.

It is said that the status of women in Manipuri society nowadays is considerably improved. Ladies role in important seminars, workshops and functions which was generally limited to badge-pinning of VIPs, bouquet presentations and tea distribution, has now widened to participation in discussions and deliberations with the appearance of a number of women intellectuals, journalists, social workers, politicians and responsible officials. The picture, however, is not all rosy everywhere. There are still reports of domestic violence, coercion, rape and atrocities against women. Most Manipuri women face hardships in earning, feeding and serving families. Many women are still living under coercion of their husbands. Women are always victims, if their husbands indulge in immoral activities. There are also men who forcibly take money from their wives to use drugs and to have drinks and also men who live with second wives out side families.

More disheartening is involvement of woman in perpetrating violence against another woman. In families, localities and society at large, women themselves look down upon their own counterparts. When the son indulges in unwanted behaviour outside the family, no mother bothers seriously. But when the daughter-in-law does a tiny mistake in family, the mother-in-law scolds and even ostracise, as if the former has committed an irreparable mistake in life. Women exclusion are not wholly the perpetration of the opposite sex, women themselves depower their own folks.

Women and children infected with or affected by HIV are the most discriminated in our society. In her personal observation of the issue, Ms. Binobala Nongmeikapam opines that the taboo affected women and children have to live with is traumatic and lifelong. In spite of many awareness campaigns, not much justice is done for them. She observes that amid repeated mental or physical harassment, the society at large sees women as something not to be forgiven and not to be supported. It is only in paper that status of women in Manipur is penned as better off nowadays, but in reality it is different.

The mysterious killing of an HIV-positive woman, Moirangthem Ongbi Rasheshwori (33) wife of M Ibomcha of Seijang Mayai Leikai in Manipur in June last stands testimony to the fact that the magnitude of gender-based stigma and discrimination related HIV and AIDS is still high amidst the long hands of statutes and active policies on the disease. She was allegedly killed by her husband for keeping her HIV status concealed.

“The worst discrimination women face in Manipur is that of HIV afflicted widows whose husbands gave them the virus and died, leaving behind kids, either HIV positive or otherwise, only to be fed and groomed by the women. Meanwhile, people particularly the male folks started to raise fingers on their chastity” commented Chanam Urmila, a woman columnist of Manipur.

In a recent interaction session held at Imphal, a 15 year old girl who lost her father to AIDS eleven years back shared her ordeal in the most emotional tone as “I am on second line ART (Ante-Retroviral Treatment) now. My father died in the year 2000. Four years later, my mother left us to live with another man …………” The HIV positive girl along with three other sisters is struggling to survive today. Her elder sister of 22 years takes tuition and works in an NGO to earn their living. The hapless girls do also make soft toys to supplement their income. A number of affected girls either orphans or living with single parents, are facing the most notorious form of social exclusion in the state.

An HIV affected widow in her early thirties, on condition of anonymity, revealed that many acts of oppression on her and a host of other women of her stature are committed by the opportunist male folks in the workplace, sometimes even at the health service centres, only because of their hapless status. Such types of discrimination, victimization and oppression are not uncommon in Manipur society.

Discrimination of HIV infected people in Manipur society is not a new story. The stigma and discrimination attached to HIV infected people are due to ignorance about the disease by the general people. When the ignorance and misconception surrounding the HIV and AIDS menace is removed, when we all realize that HIV virus is not transmitted via social gatherings, we will not discriminate infected people. When we avoid the thinking that HIV and AIDS are behaviour related ailment, we will not stigmatise the HIV infected people. In spite of having the AIDS policies at national and state levels to prohibit any kind of discrimination against HIV AIDS infected or infected people, there are still cases of exclusion of the affected.

The solution to the age-old gender-based exclusion prevailing in the society lies in framing and implementing an Inclusive Policy solely to prevent gender discrimination. Besides the related government departments; the civil society organisations, intellectuals, journalist community, NGOs, CBOs, religious leaders and law makers need to collaboratively devise an Inclusive policy locally suitable to Manipur situation. All the existing policies and programmes for uplift of women community are required to be monitored to ensure their reach to real beneficiaries. When the women are empowered economically, politically and socially to meet the hardships of gender biases, the mindset of the people – both men and women will change to the better.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/EpJM3LQx4GE/

Passenger bus service dying due to lack of transport policy

Due to non implementation of a transport policy in the state passenger bus services in the state are on the verge of extinction, said Priyokumar Arambam, general secretary, All Manipur Bus Owners’ Association today Source Hueiyen News Service

Due to non implementation of a transport policy in the state passenger bus services in the state are on the verge of extinction, said Priyokumar Arambam, general secretary, All Manipur Bus Owners’ Association today Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=230711

Bandh called by Kuki State Demand Committee passes off peacefully

The 18 hour Manipur bandh called by Kuki State Demand Committee KSDC from midnight July 21 ended at 6 pm today with normal life completely paralyzed largely in Kuki dominated areas of the state Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

The 18 hour Manipur bandh called by Kuki State Demand Committee KSDC from midnight July 21 ended at 6 pm today with normal life completely paralyzed largely in Kuki dominated areas of the state Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=13&src=230711

Women prisoners in Manipur very depressed Wanshuk

Member of National Commission for Women, Wanshuk Shyam, yesterday paid a visit to women prisoners lodged in Central Jail in Imphal and found that the women prisoners appeared very depressed Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Member of National Commission for Women, Wanshuk Shyam, yesterday paid a visit to women prisoners lodged in Central Jail in Imphal and found that the women prisoners appeared very depressed Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=230711

Village authority rejects formation of Dam body

The Chadong Village Authority said formation of Mapithel Thoubal Dam Multi purpose Project Displaced Villages Committee will not be acceptable Source The Sangai Express

The Chadong Village Authority said formation of Mapithel Thoubal Dam Multi purpose Project Displaced Villages Committee will not be acceptable Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=12&src=230711

18hr KSDC bandh passes off peacefully

The 18 hour Manipur bandh called by Kuki State Demand Committee KSDC from midnight July 21 ended at 6 pm today with normal life completely paralyzed in Kuki dominated areas of the state Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

The 18 hour Manipur bandh called by Kuki State Demand Committee KSDC from midnight July 21 ended at 6 pm today with normal life completely paralyzed in Kuki dominated areas of the state Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=21&src=230711

NE tourism fair kicks off

The first North East Travel and Tourism fair, 2011, which would go on for three days, has been inaugurated by Principal Secretary Tourism , Government of Assam HS Das in the presence of Commissioner Tourism , Government of Manipur KK Chhetry and Dire…

The first North East Travel and Tourism fair, 2011, which would go on for three days, has been inaugurated by Principal Secretary Tourism , Government of Assam HS Das in the presence of Commissioner Tourism , Government of Manipur KK Chhetry and Director of China Tourism Alice Wang at the TRP Indoor Stadium, Guwahati Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=11&src=230711

Ukhrul villagers’ agriexposure tour

In order to give a first hand experience of agriculture technologies and modern farming,17 farmers from Manipur’s hill district Ukhrul will tour various farming sites in Himachal Pradesh Source Hueiyen News Service

In order to give a first hand experience of agriculture technologies and modern farming,17 farmers from Manipur’s hill district Ukhrul will tour various farming sites in Himachal Pradesh Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=230711

‘Women prisoners in Manipur very depressed’

Member of National Commission for Women, Wanshuk Shyam, yesterday paid a visit to women prisoners lodged in Central Jail in Imphal and found wanting in the way jail authorities are treating them and observed that the women prisoners appeared very depre…

Member of National Commission for Women, Wanshuk Shyam, yesterday paid a visit to women prisoners lodged in Central Jail in Imphal and found wanting in the way jail authorities are treating them and observed that the women prisoners appeared very depressed Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=10&src=230711

Monday Market in Senapati in a total disarray

Sports Minister DD Thaisii today expressed dissatisfaction on the poor quality of the construction work of the Monday Market, a multi crore project of the PWD through the Tribal Development and the Sports Gallery at Khabung Kharong of Karong Sub Divisi…

Sports Minister DD Thaisii today expressed dissatisfaction on the poor quality of the construction work of the Monday Market, a multi crore project of the PWD through the Tribal Development and the Sports Gallery at Khabung Kharong of Karong Sub Division Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=17&src=230711

CM distributes laboratory kits

Chief Minister O Ibobi singh today distributed different laboratory equipment worth Rs one crore to 57 schools of Manipur which are enrolled as DNA Clubs Schools, at a function held at Officers’ Club, Lamphelpat Source The Sangai Express

Chief Minister O Ibobi singh today distributed different laboratory equipment worth Rs one crore to 57 schools of Manipur which are enrolled as DNA Clubs Schools, at a function held at Officers’ Club, Lamphelpat Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=9&src=230711

Food preservation certificate course

A fiveday long certificate course on ‘preservation of fruits and vegetables and nutrition’ organised under the aegis of KVK Imphal East in collaboration with Community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit, Chingamathak concluded at KVK Andro today Sourc…

A fiveday long certificate course on ‘preservation of fruits and vegetables and nutrition’ organised under the aegis of KVK Imphal East in collaboration with Community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit, Chingamathak concluded at KVK Andro today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=15&src=230711

Body to monitor Urea sale

With the objective of addressing the issue of fertilizers being sold at inflated prices, a joint meeting of Agriculture officials, fertilizer dealers and peasant organisations was held today after which a joint monitoring committee was set up Source…

With the objective of addressing the issue of fertilizers being sold at inflated prices, a joint meeting of Agriculture officials, fertilizer dealers and peasant organisations was held today after which a joint monitoring committee was set up Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=8&src=230711

Bus owners Transport policy or cease permits to taxis Revision of bus fares mooted

Setting August 20 as the deadline for the State Government to come out with a transport policy of the State, All Manipur Bus Owners’ Association has demanded that until such a policy is put in place, the Transport Department should stop issuing permits…

Setting August 20 as the deadline for the State Government to come out with a transport policy of the State, All Manipur Bus Owners’ Association has demanded that until such a policy is put in place, the Transport Department should stop issuing permits to Auto rickshaws, Tata Magics and Wingers so as not to create misunderstanding between the contract carrier permit vehicles and stage carrier permit vehicles Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=1&src=230711

Standing crops submerged, food scarcity looms

With vast tract of agricultural land inundated by flood water destroying paddy crops, the shadow of food scarcity looms large over the people of Khangabok area under Thoubal district Source The Sangai Express

With vast tract of agricultural land inundated by flood water destroying paddy crops, the shadow of food scarcity looms large over the people of Khangabok area under Thoubal district Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=230711

AR organises agricultural tour

An agricultural tour organised by 17 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under the aegis of IGAR S was flagged of by Major General C A Krishnan, AVSM, IGAR S in simple ceremony organised at the HQ IGAR South , Mantripukhri today Source Hueiyen News Service

An agricultural tour organised by 17 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under the aegis of IGAR S was flagged of by Major General C A Krishnan, AVSM, IGAR S in simple ceremony organised at the HQ IGAR South , Mantripukhri today Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=18&src=230711