The focus of attention

The underperforming Ministers were at the receiving end at the cabinet meeting, a report said. Who are these underperforming ministers, who cannot perform the duties allotted to them? The performance of the ministers needs to be reviewed every now and then. Many of them, a report has it were also very corrupt. Percentage cut demanded […]

The underperforming Ministers were at the receiving end at the cabinet meeting, a report said. Who are these underperforming ministers, who cannot perform the duties allotted to them? The performance of the ministers needs to be reviewed every now and then. Many of them, a report has it were also very corrupt. Percentage cut demanded by them for the work order issued or bill passed shoots as high as 20 percent. Family members of the Ministers are active in doing the percentage cut. At the centre Pawankumar Bansal former Railways Minister resigned when his nephew took money for appointment of member of Railways Board. If the same yard stick is applied here too ministers may roll the heads. But Manipur is different. There has to be a different yardstick for measuring the performance of the ministers. The most corrupt ministers always get elected. Those who pretend to be clean suffer rejection by ministers. What the voters want is performance. Almost all these roads passing through different areas of the state capital need to be widened. Vehicles cannot ply on these tiny and narrow roads. Plans are afoot for widening of the roads connecting main roads but these roads cannot be touched. At Uripok for instance Khwairakselung Leirak connecting Uripok road and RIMS road, which is used by large number of vehicles has seen frequent occurrence of traffic jam. The state Government decision to widen Nagamapal road is welcome. When the road is widened frequently occurring traffic congestion at the national highway near Kangla will be eased out. Minuthong Hapta road is also too narrow. Driving on this road is a night mare. Road electrification can come later. The focus should be on maintaining roads and nullahs. Then there is a portion of road at Uripok, which sees occurrence of artificial flood as when there is a few minutes’ drizzle. The portion of the road near Sorobon Thingel needs to be raised by one or two feet. Though it will appear like a hump on the body it will not only save road but also solve the problems facing the users of the road. Then there is drinking water scarcity problem. All the household families in Imphal are connected by pipeline and they use water pump to drain out water from pipe. But only of a few of them pay taxes. Almost all of them are illegal consumers. But nothing is done to disconnect the pipeline or legalise the connection. A survey must be carried out to understand how these illegal consumers without paying tax resort to thieving water meant for legalised consumers. Then there are other sectors which do not get the required attention from the concerned departments. But these non performing ministers having received flak from colleagues at the cabinet will start doing something good for the society.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/the-focus-of-attention/

PM files nomination papers

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today filed his nomination papers at Assam Assembly seeking a fifth consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha from Assam . He reiterated his pledge to work for accelerated development of his ‘adopted home state’ Assam and eliminate all problems within thnext 10 years. Her expressed his gratitude to the people […]

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh filing his nomination papers at Assam Assembly

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh filing his nomination papers at Assam Assembly6

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today filed his nomination papers at Assam Assembly seeking a fifth consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha from Assam .
He reiterated his pledge to work for accelerated development of his ‘adopted home state’ Assam and eliminate all problems within thnext 10 years.
Her expressed his gratitude to the people for the state for electing him to the Rajya Sabha for nearly 25 years now.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-files-nomination-papers/

Police produced before court

The commando OC, Moreh Police, RK Binodjit who was arrested in connection with the drug trafficking worth Rs. Four crores was produced before the court of NDPS, Lamphelpat. Moreh Police Commando Officer-in-Charge RK Binodjit was today sent to 15 days judicial custody by the NDPS court after he was grilled by Thoubal Police in its […]

The commando OC, Moreh Police, RK Binodjit who was arrested in connection with the drug trafficking worth Rs. Four crores was produced before the court of NDPS, Lamphelpat.
Moreh Police Commando Officer-in-Charge RK Binodjit was today sent to 15 days judicial custody by the NDPS court after he was grilled by Thoubal Police in its custody over the recent seizure of narcotic drugs worth Rs 3 crore at Moreh in Chandel district of Manipur.
Thoubal Police commandos seized the drugs along with 11 commandos including a Sub-Inspector and a Commander while the team was trying to smuggle them through the Moreh border.
Binodjit pleaded not guilty in the court telling it he was not involved in the transportation of the illegal drugs. However, the Judge said that there was evidence that Binodjit had mobile phone talk with the other two co-accused—SI Devan and Commander Premananda.
The Judge then ordered to send him to 15 days judicial custody, saying that he must be quizzed further in connection with the drug bust case.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/police-produced-before-court/

Weekly launched

The Shenmitlon, a weekly news paper was released today at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul. Dr. T. Meinya MP released the paper as chief guest. Prof. N. Mohendra, Y. Indira Devi secretary Manipur legislative assembly were also present at the occasion.
Ch…

The Shenmitlon, a weekly news paper was released today at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul. Dr. T. Meinya MP released the paper as chief guest. Prof. N. Mohendra, Y. Indira Devi secretary Manipur legislative assembly were also present at the occasion.
Chingtam Luwang is the editor of the weekly paper.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/weekly-launched/

Entrench civilizational values in young minds, says Mukherjee

  Lumami, May 15 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday called upon universities and academic institutions to take the lead in meeting the moral challenge of our times and ensuring that our civilizational values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women and elderly; truth and honesty […]

 

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressing after inaugurating the Grassroots Innovation Exhibition, during the Third Convocation of Nagaland University, at Lumami, Nagaland on May 15, 2013.  The Governor of Nagaland, Dr. Ashwani Kumar and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio are also seen.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressing after inaugurating the Grassroots Innovation Exhibition, during the Third Convocation of Nagaland University, at Lumami, Nagaland on May 15, 2013.
The Governor of Nagaland, Dr. Ashwani Kumar and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio are also seen.

Lumami, May 15 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday called upon universities and academic institutions to take the lead in meeting the moral challenge of our times and ensuring that our civilizational values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women and elderly; truth and honesty in life; discipline and self-restraint in conduct, and responsibility in action are fully entrenched in the young minds.
President Mukherjee, who attended the third convocation of Nagaland University at Lumami, speaking on the occasion said ‘education is a powerful tool for social thinking and transformation’.
“The recent increase in cases of brutal assault on women and children has shaken the collective conscience of our nation. These unfortunate incidents underscore the urgency for us to introspect at the erosion of values and to devise effective measures for the safety and security of our women and children. We must identify the causes of moral decline in our society,” he added.
President Mukherjee said the Indian Constitution has laid down that we have to build our society based on the freedom of human spirit, economic opportunities for all and social justice.
“Our economic growth will rely increasingly on the knowledge economy. Thus, a sound higher education system in our country is an imperative,” he added.
President Mukherjee said the higher education system in India rests on the three pillars of quality, affordability and accessibility. “At the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan period, there were a total of 659 degree awarding institutions and over 33,000 colleges. During the Eleventh Five Year Plan period, 65 new Central Institutions, including 21 Central Universities, were established. Except for one state, there is at least one Central University in every state of the country,” said President Mukherjee.
“Despite this, the problems of quantity and quality persist. We are deficient in the number of quality academic institutions, on account of which, many bright students go abroad for higher studies. There are more than 2 lakh Indian students studying abroad, including US and UK. We should be able to draw our students to seek higher education in their own country,” he added.
President Mukherjee said despite India’s higher education system being the second largest in the world, the enrolment rate for the 18-24 years age group in India is only 7 percent.
“Compared to this, it is 21 percent in Germany and 34 percent in the US. This effectively denies many good students the opportunity to acquire higher education. We have to increase accessibility in higher education as a means to achieve greater inclusion,” he added.
President Mukherjee further said ‘innovative teaching methodologies should be adopted by our universities by increasing the use of technology’.
“The infrastructure of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology has great potential to facilitate collaborative information sharing. Transmission of important lectures to students
studying in institutions situated far off from the urban centres is possible now,” he added.
Asserting that the success of inclusion in higher education also depends on affordability, President Mukherjee said:
“Meritorious students from difficult socio-economic background should be assisted to pursue higher education by measures like scholarships, student loans and self-help schemes.”
“Shortage of faculty has hampered our efforts at improving the standards of education. In Central Universities, vacancy is about 38 per cent. Immediate steps should be taken to fill up the vacancies. To tide over this crisis, we must also resort to technology solutions such as e-classrooms,” President Mukherjee said.
“Our teachers must possess the latest information and knowledge so that they can give their students the best education. The refresher programmes organized by the Academic Staff Colleges should be reviewed more frequently to retain their relevance to contemporary teaching,” he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/entrench-civilizational-values-in-young-minds-says-mukherjee/

Six rescued : Mizoram landslide

AIZAWL, May 15 NNN: After continuous day-night rescue operation carried out by state disaster response team and volunteers, all the 17 dead bodies of the tragic massive landslide victims at Laipuitlang have been recovered yesterday night by around 11 pm. Altogether 6 persons were also rescued alive. Meanwhile, short programme indicating closing of the rescue […]

AIZAWL, May 15 NNN: After continuous day-night rescue operation carried out by state disaster response team and volunteers, all the 17 dead bodies of the tragic massive landslide victims at Laipuitlang have been recovered yesterday night by around 11 pm. Altogether 6 persons were also rescued alive.
Meanwhile, short programme indicating closing of the rescue operation was conducted at Young Mizo Association (YMA) Information Centre, Laipuitlang after the last body was recovered.
After that a solemn send-off programme was held at Laipuitlang Baptist Kohhran Hall. The two dead bodies last recovered were identified as Lalremchhungi and Vanlalrema Hnamte, both belonged to Thingfal village.
State disaster response team members had carried out searching operation the whole day yesterday.
It can be noted here that a massive landslide at occurred on the Saturday last in Aizawl.
Besides human casualties, 11 houses were totally damaged and as many as 7 four-wheelers and 9 two-wheelers were also damaged in that calamity.
Mizo National Front (MNF), the principal Opposition party in Mizoram had demanded for the ‘independent judicial inquiry’ over building collapse that had killed 17 persons on Saturday.
The landslide that took place in the early hours of Saturday, had swept away nine houses including a PWD office building at Laipuitlang in north Aizawl killing 17 people.
A PWD office building, which had been vacated about a year ago after a crack developed on it, collapsed under the impact of the landslide and fell on nine houses below killing the people.
Mizo National Front (MNF) had demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio and his younger brother Lal Thanzara, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD, owning responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, regarding the tragedy caused by major landslide at Aizawl’s Laipuitlang on Saturday which had claimed 17 people convened by chief minister Lal Thanhawla had on last Monday discussed over setting up of a Magisterial Inquiry and on the ex gratia payment Rs.1.5 lakh each to the deceased’s families and of Rs. 35,000 grant each to the owners of the collapsed concrete buildings.
A large number of houses were destroyed by storms in Serchip district on Saturday .
Five persons were injured and around 40 houses were damaged in Serchhip district.
in Mizoram due to pre monsoon rain and storm.
Out of the five injured, three persons were discharged after having had administered first aid while two persons are undergoing treatment at the Serchhip district hospital. Among the 40 houses that were damaged, nine of them were swept to the ground which included two residential quarters of the state health department.
Further, it is learnt that six electric poles fell to the ground resulting a power cut in Sechhip town for the whole night that day. Three houses were destroyed in Tachhip village by the squall while many villages across the state were powerless due to transmission lines being snapped by strong wind and massive landslides, sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/six-rescued-mizoram-landslide/

Three held with three powerful bombs

Mail News Service Imphal, May 15 : Three PREPAK cadres were nabbed with three bomb today. HQ IGAR S said in a press statement that acting on a hard intelligence received from sources regarding transportation of explosives and IEDs, a party from Sagolmang COB ex 16 Assam Rifles was launched today. The party established itself […]

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 15 : Three PREPAK cadres were nabbed with three bomb today. HQ IGAR S said in a press statement that acting on a hard intelligence received from sources regarding transportation of explosives and IEDs, a party from Sagolmang COB ex 16 Assam Rifles was launched today. The party established itself near a Nala near Pukhao Shantipur and noticed suspicious movement of three individuals carrying a bag. On challenging the individuals, they tried to flee the site but were caught.
Three semi prepared IEDs each weighing 8-10 kgs were recovered from the bag which were housed in a thick cylindrical metal casing to inflict maximum causalities. The IEDs were destroyed by a bomb disposal squad at around 4pm.
The three apprehendees have been identified as Chingsubam@Bobo Meitei , Wairokpam Ajit Meitiei both of Pukhao Shantipur and Sagolsam Sanjooba Meitei of Pukhao Ukhaohllum. All three individuals have confessed working for PREPAK under Sairem Punshiba @ Punshi (63) resident of Khurei Sarjor Leikei who has reportedly fled to Pune after handing over the explosives. The IEDs were planned to be finally assembled and used somewhere near . Punshi was allegedly the mastermind of IED attack on Zonal Education Office, Imphal in December 2012.
It was revealed by the apprehendees that the IED was placed to specifically target the VIPs visiting the AOR of 10 Sector AR during second week of May 13.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-held-with-three-powerful-bombs/

Laptop to be Provided to All Students with Disabilities

Mail News Service New Delhi, May 15: The Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities increased the fresh scholarships from 1000 to 1500 per year under the Scholarship Scheme (Trust Fund) here today. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India chaired the meeting of the Board. Laptop will be […]

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 15: The Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities increased the fresh scholarships from 1000 to 1500 per year under the Scholarship Scheme (Trust Fund) here today. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India chaired the meeting of the Board.
Laptop will be provided to all the Students with Disabilities now. The Board of Trustees decided that Laptop shall be provided to Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) students as an aids and appliances once in life time upto estimated cost of Rs.40,000/-(Rupees Forty Thousand only). Till now, this facility was available to Hearing Handicapped and Visually Handicapped students only.
It was also decided in the meeting that the advance funds for the year will be made available to NHFDC in the beginning of financial year for award of scholarships to students with disabilities without any delay.
The Scholarship Scheme for the Students with the Disabilities is being implemented by NHFDC, Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/laptop-to-be-provided-to-all-students-with-disabilities/

Colleges to be locked up

Mail News Service NNN Imphal, May 15 : As government failed to meet the demands of co-ordination committee of colleges students union, the students as a first step locked the office of education (U) this afternoon around one p.m. O. Premjit, convenor said, the committee has been pressurizing the govt. to meet their demands since […]

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, May 15 : As government failed to meet the demands of co-ordination committee of colleges students union, the students as a first step locked the office of education (U) this afternoon around one p.m.
O. Premjit, convenor said, the committee has been pressurizing the govt. to meet their demands since 2009.Irked by the state Government’s failure to fulfill its long pending demands, Coordination Committee of College Students’ Union (CCCSUM) locked up the office of Directorate of Education (U) on Wednesday with the passing of the deadline given to the Government.
Leaders of the committee told mediapersons that the office of the Directorate of Education (U) at Nityapak Chuthek here has been closed by volunteers of the committee as a first step to protest against the Government which is unwilling to meet its demands.
The volunteers gheraoed it around 1 pm forcing all the employees to leave the office and then they locked it up.
The CCCSUM had threatened the state Government on May 8 that it would boycott the upcoming college semester examination which is conducted by Manipur University if the concerned state authority fails to immediately fulfill the charter of demands raised by the committee.
Its charter of demands include among others the Government of Manipur must provide uninterrupted water and electricity supply to all colleges.
The present academic buildings must be renovated and libraries must be equipped with at least 100 books.
Also, internet facilities must be provided to every teaching department so that faculty members and students of the department may access to downloading of e-books, e-journals and reading materials relevant to the subject.
Government must fill up the vacant post of Director of Higher Education on regular basis and must appoint Principals on regular basis to improve the administrative as well as academic health of the colleges.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/colleges-to-be-locked-up/

Cyclone Mahasen arriving today

Mail News Service Imphal, May 15 : The cyclonic storm Mahasen over west central Bay of Bengal moved further north- northeastwards during past 6 hours at a speed of about 20 kmph and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of 15th May 2013 near latitude 18.00 N and longitude 88.00 E, about 900 km northwest […]

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 15 : The cyclonic storm Mahasen over west central Bay of Bengal moved further north- northeastwards during past 6 hours at a speed of about 20 kmph and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of 15th May 2013 near latitude 18.00 N and longitude 88.00 E, about 900 km northwest of Portblair, 500 km south-southwest of Kolkata, 360 km southeast of Paradip and 630 km southwest of Chittagong. It would intensify further and move northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong during night of 16th May 2013.
Under the influence of this system, Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy falls would occur over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland on 16th and 17th.
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hrs, Odisha coast during next 24 hours and West Bengal coast during next 36 hrs. However, wind speed would increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off West Bengal coast from tomorrow, the 16th May morning.
Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland commencing from 16th evening/night for subsequent 24hrs.
Fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea during next 48 hrs.
As a pre-emptive move, the government of Mizoram has ordered to close schools in the state for two days starting from Thursday as the super cyclone Mahasen strking the state becomes imminent.
As weathermen have predicted that super cyclone ‘Mahasen’ is due to hit Mizoram on May 16 (Thursday night), Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today issued an official order to shut all the schools in the State, excluding colleges, from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The Chief Minister also made a request to the people in the State not to organize any function or any kind of public gathering from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The government release today stated that the state government of Mizoram has around 400 trained persons of the Disaster Response Force who have been given training since 2009 – 10, who can be called out on any time at the given emergency helpline numbers.
In a preventive measure too, the School Education Commissioner of Mizoram, has also notified for closing of all schools in the State from Thursday afternoon till Friday. All the headmasters and teachers are accordingly informed to consider the safety of school materials.The deputy commissioner of Aizawl has also announced opening up of Aizawl District Emergency Operation Centre for 24×7 service, to which reports can be given by the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cyclone-mahasen-arriving-today/

Handloom Handicraft Exhibition begins

Haokholal Hangshing, Chairman Autonomous District Council Sadar Hills today inaugurated a two day long Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition cum Cultural Meet for Peace and Harmony at Kangpokpi Community Hall Source Hueiyen News Service

Haokholal Hangshing, Chairman Autonomous District Council Sadar Hills today inaugurated a two day long Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition cum Cultural Meet for Peace and Harmony at Kangpokpi Community Hall Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=160513

Surrender of UPPK Cadres Peace Pacts With NSCN Groups Detailed Shinde holds fort on peace deals in NE

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said that four United Peoples’ Party of Kangleipak UPPK cadres surrendered before Assam Rifles AR at Sunrise Ground in Moreh area of Chandel District on April 17 Source The Sangai Express

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said that four United Peoples’ Party of Kangleipak UPPK cadres surrendered before Assam Rifles AR at Sunrise Ground in Moreh area of Chandel District on April 17 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=13&src=160513

ATDUM to file PIL against deprivation of rights

Peeved by the false assurances of the State government, All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur ATDUM is all set to file a Public Interest Litigation PIL in Manipur High Court against deprivation of the rights of disabled people Source Hueiyen News S…

Peeved by the false assurances of the State government, All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur ATDUM is all set to file a Public Interest Litigation PIL in Manipur High Court against deprivation of the rights of disabled people Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=160513

BJP lambasts Govt over ‘biased’ sectoral allocation

The manner in which the State Government has come out with the sectoral allocation of the plan amount for the fiscal year 2013 14 has clearly indicated that the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led Congress government in the State is against budding entrep…

The manner in which the State Government has come out with the sectoral allocation of the plan amount for the fiscal year 2013 14 has clearly indicated that the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led Congress government in the State is against budding entrepreneurs and educated youths of the State, BJP, Manipur Pradesh has charged Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=21&src=160513

HoDs asked to follow guidelines on foreign aids

Taking serious note on violation of guidelines for availing financial assistance from foreign agencies, the State Government has strictly instructed all heads of departments HoDs to follow the prescribed guidelines while availing funds from foreign a…

Taking serious note on violation of guidelines for availing financial assistance from foreign agencies, the State Government has strictly instructed all heads of departments HoDs to follow the prescribed guidelines while availing funds from foreign agencies for any project taken up in the State Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=160513

Handloom exhibition begins

A two day handloom and handicraft exhibition and cultural meet for peace and harmony organised by Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council under the sponsorship of Directorate of Commerce and Industries has kick started at Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi today…

A two day handloom and handicraft exhibition and cultural meet for peace and harmony organised by Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council under the sponsorship of Directorate of Commerce and Industries has kick started at Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=10&src=160513

Drugtainted OC sent to jail

OC of Moreh Commando Unit RK Binodjit, who was arrested in connection with seizure of a huge consignment of drugs at Pallel on April 28 last, has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days after he was produced before Judge Ronald Keishing of the Sp…

OC of Moreh Commando Unit RK Binodjit, who was arrested in connection with seizure of a huge consignment of drugs at Pallel on April 28 last, has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days after he was produced before Judge Ronald Keishing of the Special Court of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ND PS at Lamphelpat here today Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=17&src=160513

CM’s pat on SFs irks URF

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh applauding contribution and success of security forces in suppressing insurgency movement at a recent event has been dismissed by the armed United Revolutionary Front URF as fanciful and yet another attempt to remain …

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh applauding contribution and success of security forces in suppressing insurgency movement at a recent event has been dismissed by the armed United Revolutionary Front URF as fanciful and yet another attempt to remain in the good books of the Central leaders Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=9&src=160513