Day: August 28, 2014

IMPHAL, August 28: The Manipur High Court today reserved the former RIMS director Dr S Sekharjit’s challenge of his abrupt dismissal from his directorship, seeking a stay order on his unceremonious removal.

Prof. S Sekharjit Singh who was removed prematurely from the post of director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), by an order of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (North East Section) issued on August 25, filed a case before the High Court of Manipur on August 27, seeking a stay of the order.

Sekharjit challenged that his removal was premature besides claiming the removal order failed to specify the actual reason for his removal. He pleaded the court to pass an interim order to stay the removal order.

Sekharjit’s case No. WP (C) No. 638 of 2014 was heard today wherein the court also served show cause notices to the respondents of the case returnable within four weeks.

It may be noted that in the order signed by a Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, Shekarjit was “relieved of his duty as director with immediate effect,” and that Prof. Chongtham Arunkumar was to take charge of the post.

The new director officially took charge of the post at 1 pm of August 26, at the RIMS administrative block.

Dr Sekharjit took charge as director of RIMS on September 14, 2010 and his tenure was to expire on September 13, 2015.

Chongtham Arunkumar is currently a professor of the Department of Orthopedics and hails from Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai.

Sources anticipate that the removal of Sekharjit as director of RIMS could have been related with a case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Sekharjit on charges of corruption regarding irregularities in the supply of dental chairs and other misappropriations.

CBI also submitted the FIR copy to the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East on May 23, 2014.

The non-bailable case bears number Criminal Miscellaneous case number 41 of 2014 reference RC number 6 (A) 2014/IMP under section 120-B, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, read with 13 (2)/13 (1) (D), Prevention of Corruption Act.

Other respondents in the case also include Dr Rajiv Ratna Singh who is professor of Dental College, chief accounts officer Elangbam Devendro, professor H Shanti Singh of Anesthesia department and Lal Gopal of M/S Mukherjee Enterprise, Thakur Road, Kolkotta.

Mukherjee Enterprise is the supplier of dental chairs.

The CBI represents the State as the petitioner in the case and sources said that more investigation is underway to frame a charge sheet against Dr. Sekharjit.

It may also be mentioned that there is another CBI case against former RIMS director, Prof. L Fimate.

The inaugural function was also attended by director, Arts and Culture, Dr K Sobita Devi and other high officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/high-court-reserves-dr-sekharjits-stay-application-against-his-dismissal/

IMPHAL, August 28: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare doctor Harshvardhan has assured to inspect the present condition of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Manipur within a short period of time, according to sources.

A delegation of senior leaders of BJP Manipur Pradesh met the Union Health Minister in regard to the memorandum submitted on June 24 2014, highlighting him about the crisis in RIMS.

Sources said in today’s meeting the delegates have submitted another memorandum to the minister today at his New Delhi office at around 8 am.

In the memorandum, the proposal regarding promotion of RIMS to the level of AIIMS was highlighted.

It also mentioned issues on availability of life saving drugs, dressing material, necessary specialist at the time of requirement etc and referring of pathological or biochemical or radiological investigation of patient to the private clinics, and added that establishing of private clinics etc are regular trend in the State.

It further stated that in order to promote RIMS to the status of AIIMS a regular surveillance is needed. The delegation also urged the minister of bringing about good administration in the institution. It also highlighted on deficiencies in various fields like the condition of the maternity ward and non-functioning of clinical laboratories etc.

Sources continued that the memorandum also emphasised that RIMS has become a place for corruption, that even for a post of nurse about Rs 15 lakhs are being paid. Senior Doctor always advice patient to refer to private hospitals or clinics due to lack of equipment in the RIMS. The Cancer patient, heart patient have to go outside the State for treatment, it added.

The BJP delegation included Dr H Borbabu, Santikumar Sharma, S Tiken, Dr S Dhananjoy. S Rajen, Y Khemchand, N Ratan (Kapu) Th Samo, Shyamacharan and Micheal Dangmei

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/union-health-minister-harshvardhan-to-inspect-rims-soon/

IMPHAL, August 28: The hearing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case filed against the appointment of five Parliamentary Secretaries due to commence from today before a division bench of the High Court of Manipur was deferred for three weeks.

The decision was taken by a division bench comprising of Chief Justice, LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar Singh, following a prayer from the counsel of the respondents, advocate general Ibohal, to defer the case.

In his plea submitted to the Government the advocate general, clarified that he had been instructed so by the state Government.

It may be recalled, Dr Khomdon Singh Lisham filed a PIL (10 of 2012) before the then Guwahati High Court, Imphal bench challenging the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries. The case is still pending at the High Court of Manipur (present).

Against this backdrop, the same petitioner filed another miscellaneous petition (No. MC (PIL)/3/2013) before the same Court pleading to keep at abeyance the appointment order of the five Parliamentary Secretaries by the Government of Manipur.

The MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries included Keisam Meghachandra Singh, given charge of Minor Irrigation and Information & Public relations, Mairenbam Prithvi Raj Singh with charge of Tourism and Youth Affaris/Sports, Vungzagin Valte given charge of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, CADA; Md Amin Shah given charge of Minorities, OBC & SC, Science & Technology and Victor Keishing-Tribal Affairs & Hills and information Technology.

They were sworn in on October 8, 2012 by the Chief Minister of Manipur following their appointment order dated October 6, 2012.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/hearing-on-appointment-of-parliamentary-secretaries-deferred/

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, August 28: Over five decades down the line after establishing it as one of the sub-divisional blocks of Ukhrul district, ‘development’ still remains an elusive chimera for the people of Phungyar area as the State government continues to neglect their problems in myriad spheres of life.

Located about some 45 kms towards south from Ukhrul district headquarters, the development block — Phungyar headquarters — is being bounded by Ukhrul centre on the north, Imphal East district on the west and the two sub-divisions of the district, namely Kamjong and Kasom Khullen on the east and south respectively. It was upgraded to sub-divisional block in 1959 for the uplift of the inhabitants from around 39 neighbouring villages in the area.

The overall administrative functioning of Phungyar block had, however, virtually come to a grinding halt, apart from depriving the public of various facilities including health care, education, Public Distribution System (PDS), drinking water, road connectivity et al since the past many years as the government of Manipur has miserably failed to measure up to the status of sub division for the so-called Phungyar headquarters. This was the common sentiment poured out by the local public to a team of media persons who visited the area on Monday last.

Not surprisingly, the Phungyar Primary Health Centre (PHC) was found without a single doctor even though there are sanctioned posts of two medical doctors and one Ayush doctor.

Local public leaders said that three doctors were utilized a few years back but they never stationed at the centre and were later transferred somewhere some months back. In the doctors’ absence, it was found, a retired male staff nurse Yarngai, who voluntarily continued offering service is practically running the PHC.

“I was already retired in 2008, but seeing the hardships of the people due to absence of doctors here, I am assisting with only what I can to provide medicines for minor ailments like common cold, flu, diarrhea etc,” Yarngai said.

Another female staff said that even the two nurses from NHRM being utilized here have never stayed overnight, and expressed desire for engagement of nurses from the locals. She also said that since its inauguration in December last year the government has not provided a single equipment of any sort.

Meanwhile, perturbed with the way free medicines are often out of stock for the public, the local development committee has recently filed an RTI pertaining to issuance of medicines and the total amount of money sanctioned to the centre during the past three years. “We are awaiting response from the government,” a local leader said.

N. Thotchuishang, president, Oriental Club Phungyar said that the PHC has been rendered meaningless as the public cannot avail the benefits owing to perpetual absence of doctors.

“There have been several cases of patients dying while being transported out of the town in cases like delivery etc since there is no doctor to attend to them.”

He also blamed the absence of full-time SDO for the overall failure in the administration of the sub division, while deploring that functioning of different areas has gone haywire as most staffs of different departments often fail to attend their office.

Stating that water problem in the area is affecting the peoples economy, he said that every year during dry season each house hold here buy water at Rs.500/600 for a quantity of 500 litres.

A local elder K Shimreingam disclosed that the PWD department had handed over the SDO office to the concerned department after constructing a few years back but till date it has remained unoccupied and has turned into a shelter for construction workers.

Meanwhile, the public particularly, students from the block are facing hard times since they cannot easily obtain various official documents related to their studies as the concerned department office remain closed most of the time.

It was also learnt that Phungyar SDO in-charge Dipu Gangmei has not been able to station there since he has been holding dual charge as both ADC Ukhrul and SDO in-charge of the sub-division.

“We therefore request the government to immediately appoint a full-fledged SDO in the interest of the public and development of the area, he said.

He also rued that the road connecting the sub-division particularly the 15 kms stretch from Shangshak is in a bad shape since the BRTF/GREF authority handed it over to the State Public Works Department (PWD) some years back. The PDW has ever since not maintained the road rendering it deplorable as most portions of the stretch have developed pot holes and are engulfed by roadside bushes.

The public further informed that PDS items are sold to card holders at exorbitant price and that PDS rice is being sold at the same rate for all categories of beneficiaries irrespective of AAY, BPL and APL. PDS agent J Semmi has informed that rice is being sold at Rs. 15/kg, kerosene oil at Rs. 30/ltr adding sugar has not been received.

Pointing out that the MLA representative of the block is deducting one quintal of rice each month from each of the 61 PDS agents from the area for reasons unknown and that the government does not provide them conveyance cost, Semmi conceded that they are compelled to recoup their loss and expenses by increasing the rate of items for public distribution.

Even then, the public has expressed their gratitude to the local MLA Victor Keishing for taking up developmental works like construction of retaining walls, water tanks etc. in the area.

Meanwhile, Phungyar Higher Secondary School, principal in-charge Kopa Hungyo has said that the government has till date not provided full-fledged headmaster for the school on ground of non-creation of post.

Upgraded to higher secondary level from primary school in 2009-10, the school is supposed to have 24 lecturers as sanctioned by the government but is being managed by just 14 teachers including two primary teachers from SSA.

As a result, the school is lacking teaching staff in many important subjects like Physics, Tangkhul, Manipuri, English, Home Science etc. Hungyo lamented while adding that a government-appointed Chemistry lecturer has for the most part stayed out of station which is affecting the students’ studies.

He then urged the government to give preference to locals at the time of appointing teaching staff in order to prevent dereliction of duty by teachers in the school.

Sources also disclosed that the school has not received Mid-Day Meal items since 27 May, 2014. The school presently has 186 students out of which Class Xl and Xll have 6 and 8 students respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/55-year-old-phungyar-sub-division-in-doldrums-local-denizens-slam-government-for-apathy/

IMPHAL, August 28: The education system of the State is in a sorry state, and there is a need for transforming the education sector.

This was stated by the president of All Manipur Students’ Union, Th Naresh on the occasion of the 49th Foundation Day of the union, which was observed today at its office in DM College campus.

Naresh further said that not all students after graduation can pursue higher studies because of the limited seats available in Manipur University. He emphasised that students from poor financial background cannot go outside the State for studies.

Naresh continued that the State government in this regard must open a State University, or the colleges must be upgraded with PG courses. He said that AMSU has been working for the welfare of the people since its inception.

In connection with the golden jubilee celebration which will be observed next year, Naresh said students from other parts of the Northeast will also be invited, adding that the golden jubilee celebration will be a year-long observation.

Naresh added that a website for AMSU will also be launched before the coming of golden jubilee celebration.

As a part of today’s celebration, a blood donation camp was also organised and various cultural shows featured in the programme.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/amsu-calls-for-upgrading-state-colleges-to-take-pg-courses/

By Alex Guite

LAMKA, August 28: The Churachandpur District Hosiptal is on course of having a 24-hour electric service.

This was revealed during a recent visit at the hospital by this IFP correspondent.

The Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi’s assurance of uninterrupted power supply during his recent visit seem to have paid off as the old connection was discarded and a new dedicated line connected to the hospital.

Medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Shyamsunder Singh was also present till late at night to witness and check if the uninterrupted power supply was for real.

He said, he was happy that the Chief Minister and the Health Minister have kept their promise of providing the dedicated line

Now with the uninterrupted line, the blood bank, operation theatre and the general ward will have no problems regarding power supply and the hospital will soon be equipped for any kind of work during the night time too, he said.

He said this will surely help in the working of the doctor and the functioning of the hospital at large.

The MS further appealed to all not to sabotage and disrupt the dedicated line which is meant for the hospital where lives are saved.

“I appeal to the public not to get illegal connections from the hospital’s dedicated line and to cooperate for the good of our district hospital.”

Reliable sources also tell that new machines and infrastructures will start arriving in a few days which will help further in providing 24 hour service to the patients.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/24-hour-power-service-for-ccpur-hospital/