Day: September 8, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Different individuals and organisations have been donating to the chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to help the flood victims in the state.

Today as well, Officers and Employees Association of Minor Irrigation Department, Manipur and Salai Holdings Private Limited, Imphal donated Rs. 1,00,000 each to the CMRF. In a simple ceremony, the amounts were handed over to chief minister N. Biren Singh held at chief minister’s secretariat.

On the other hand, Redtape, Octagon Shopping Complex, Thangmeiband and Haripada Das, resident of Ramnagar, Agartala, Tripura donated Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1000 respectively to the CMRF.

Chief minister thanked the individuals and organisations for their kind gesture and expressed hope that CMRF would receive more donations from different quarters.

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Horticulture and soil conservation minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar today closed the VIII Sirarakhong Hathei Phanit (chilli festival) organised by the Sirarakhong Shanao Long at the Shining Hall ground near the Sirarakhong Baptist Church, Ukhrul.

The minister expressed his hope that from next year the festival will be organised with more hathei (chilli) production.

This year, more than 5,000 kilograms of hathei production was recorded. All together 16 stalls were opened at the festival. Locally grown hathei were sold at 12 stalls while four stalls sold organic king chilli (U-morok) grown in Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

Speaking as the chief guest of the closing function today, horticulture and soil conservation minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar said the chilli festival held annually in Sirarakhong, Ukhrul district shows that the villagers are hard working and believe in preserving the traditional culture.

Assuring the villagers of Sirarakhong that, the horticulture and soil conservation will continue helping in organising the annual chilli festival, Shyamkumar stressed on need the for planting food crops which suits the climate and soil condition so that farmers can boost their income.

He assured the villagers of Sirarakhong that the horticulture department will plan ways and methods to produce large scale production of hathei so that it can be exported outside the State.

Concluding his speech, Shyamkumar hoped that the chilli festival will succeed to bridge the gap between all communities and bring peace and harmony in the state.

On the last day today, all the hathei (chilli) were sold out.

The festival came to a close with minister Shyamkumar de-hoisting the flag.

Jiri News Network

JIRIBAM | Sept 8

In connection with the 22 bridges land acquisition compensation on NH-37 between Barak to Phaithol road, the land owners have called for bandh in the said bridges from the midnight of September 11 till the bridges compensation is not disbursed to the affected villagers.

According to a press statement issued by chairman, S. Khongsai and secretary J. Gangmei of Social Welfare Forum (SWF – Barak to Phaithol), the land acquisition processed has been completed as per the act of 1894 during 2011. An estimate for land acquisition and compensatory payment was also submitted by DC of Tamenglong to 765 BRTF and accordingly DPR for subject work had been processed for sanction of competent authority.

‘It is further intimated by the DC of Tamenglong and 765 BRTF that as soon as the DPR get sanctioned, the payment will be made to the DC immediately without any delay for further disbursement to beneficiaries’, stated SWF.

SWF also mentioned that after DPR has been sanctioned and deposited in the bank account of DC, Tamenglong, the SWF of the region approached for its disbursements several times since 2014. However, the DC recently wrote for state cabinet’s decision on July 19, and hence the disbursement order has not been received till today.

The SWF of the region has appealed to all the concerned public to cooperate during the bandh in order to avoid misunderstanding and stated that the forum will not be responsible for any untoward incidents. Medical, electricity, water supply and religious services are exempted from the bandh, said SWF.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 8

Villages of Tujang Waichong sub-division of Kangpokpi district expressed their grievances over Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Chief of Kotlen village, Seilet Haokip allegedly said that the local people of Geljang village and its surrounding areas are still waiting for the implementation of PMGSY Package No. MNO6185 for I.T. Road to Geljang, though the work orders had already been issued last year. He also said that the work order has been issued in the name of contractor, Ibocha Khuman but there been no activities carried out under the said scheme till today.

While expressing the discontentment of the local people, Seilet Haokip conveyed his strong condemnation on the contractor’s attitude towards the people of Twilang areas.

He also appealed the authority concerned to look into the matter seriously and initiate appropriate action upon the contractor who failed to execute the works under the said scheme.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that PMGSY Package No. MNO6144 for I.T. Road to Langka also witnessed similar condition with the same contractor Ibocha Khuman, which irritated the local populace for the misconduct of the scheme.

Condemning the alleged fraudulent practice of PMGSY by the contractor in Kangpokpi district, Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills has appealed the authority concerned for immediate intervention into the matter. President of KSO, Sadar Hills, Thangminlen Kipgen said that the lack of commitment by the state government in connection with the matter has created feelings of discrimination among the public.

The student body has demanded the government to ensure the contractor Ibocha Khuman to complete all the works allotted to him and clear the public’s doubt at the earliest.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 8

To breach the gap between the general public and the government an MoU was signed today among SALAI Infotech Pvt. Ltd, KAINOS Business Solution Pvt. Ltd and SUMATO Global Tech Pvt. Ltd to set up “Online Project Management and Evaluation System.”

SALAI Infotech Pvt. Ltd will be the implementing agency and is represented by its managing director, Narengbam Samarjit, KAINOS Business Solution Pvt. Ltd will be the business solution provider and is represented by its managing director, Augustine Reading and SUMATO Global Tech Pvt. Ltd will be the technical solution provider and is represented by its director, Tamnoy Goswami.

Speaking to media persons today at SALAI Infotech Pvt. Ltd office at Sagolband Tera, Imphal SALAI vice-chairman, Elangbam Brojendro said that the online project will help the public monitoring all projects operation under various government department.

If the project is implemented it would speed up the works in government departments and institution and will be making room for timely redressal of gravences providing effective implementation of works and policies with traking tools in itself, he added.

The vice-chairman continued that the project will have benefits in providing quality, efficiency, transparency and timely execution of almost every nature of work for a good governance giving no room for any kind of corruption.

The project will cover all North Eastern states paving the way for speeding up the progress towards “Act East Policy”, he added.

To project will ensure transparency by showing the work progress, financial information and regular reports on operation for every level of management in websites or mobile application, added Brojendro.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Mayang Imphal and Wangoi police allegedly refused to register a case against the rape of a woman from Uchiwa, said father of the victim.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, the father said the incident took place on August 30. He said his daughter told him that on August 30 she was called out from her home at around 6.30 pm that evening by her boyfriend Md. Ibomcha alias Boicha from Mayang Imphal Bengun Mayai Leikai.

He said she was severely beaten by whole family of Ibomcha including his father Md. Abdul Manan, Hajira (mother) and Md. Tomba (brother). After she was beaten black and blue she was fed with poison forcibly by the whole family.

She fainted with the effect of the poison and she was left near a graveyard located at Mayang Imphal.

People found the victim and she was admitted to Ragina Hospital. At around 11.30 pm doctor of the hospital called her father from her cell phone. Due to the serious condition of the victim, doctors advised the family members to take her to JINIMS hospital for further treatment.

In connection with the incident when the victim’s family filed a case at Mayang Imphal police station, the concerned officer of the station said the case should be handled by Wangoi police station.

Further Wangoi police station said the case should be handled by women police, Lamphel.

Father of the victim further said women police also refused to handle the case, as concerned authority of women police station said there are lots of pending cases and they had lacked of investigating officers.

Father of the victim appealed to the government to investigate the case and take necessary legal action against the accused and his family.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Governing body of Standard College, Kongba  former secretary, Koijam Sarat appealed to the government to elect two guardian representatives as per the provision of Manipur Education Code, 1982.

Addressing a press meet today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal he said in the past two guardian representatives have been elected as governing body members but this year the returning officer of the guardian election Standard College has decided to elect only one representative.

On the other there is a lot of irregularity and illegal activities in the functioning of the governing body, he added.

The former secretary continued that N. Jibanta who is working as a lecturer in DIET, Senapati was elected as the secretary of the governing body of Standard College from the year 2012 to 2015.

But a government employee cannot perform other activities unconnected with his or her official duties during his or her working hours, added Sarat.

So according to law such act of enjoying doubl ebenifits being a lecturer of DIET and secretary of governing body at the same official working hours is punishable, said the former secretary.

He asked the authority concerned to look into this matter to have a fair governing body of the Standard College.

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) organised a ‘One day consultation on the formulation of Manipur state policy for children 2017’ today at Sangai conference hall, Hotel Imphal, in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare and Child Rights and You (CRY).

While delivering a speech as chief guest, the acting chief justice, Manipur High Court, N. Kotiswar Singh stated that formulation of policy for children in the state is indeed a welcome step towards the welfare of the children and to mould them to the right path during this formative phase of one’s life.

Considering the alarming rate of crimes and abuse against children in the state, minister of Social Welfare and Cooperation Nemcha Kipgen, who attended the event as president stated that the formulation and development of Manipur State Policy for Children, 2017 is the need of the hour. She continued that the policy will provide a safe and positive environment for children in the state.

The minister also drawn attention of all the stakeholders to comply with all relevant local legislations, administrations and other measures on child rights and welfare to protect and ensure child rights and to provide what is in best interest of the child, since keeping children safe and secured is everyone’s responsibility.

“All of us have the responsibility to do all that we can to mould our children for their lives as productive citizens in the future,” she added.

She asserted that children, who occupy an essential part of every population, are the most vulnerable section of society. They suffer from abuse every day. As the future of a nation utterly depends on the level of care provided to its children, children’s rights should be made one of the main mandated priorities of everyone and be committed to their welfare and protection.

Commissioner of Social Welfare, H. Deleep Singh, chairperson of MCPCR, S. Saratkumar Sharma, director of Social Welfare, Jacintha Lazarus and general manager of Development Support, CRY Mahua Chatterjee were the guests of honour in the programme.

1. Saratkumar Sharma stated in his keynote address that the Manipur State Policy for Children has been developed after a series of consultation with the stakeholders and CRY, concerning the strong need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Manipur. The policy institutes the respective responsibilities of personnel or individuals in relation to the safeguarding, promotion and protection of children. The policy also aims to raise awareness on safeguarding children issues, he added.

He stated that the policy for children is guided by the existing legal frameworks of Child Protection Policy of India and the ratified International Convention. The Children Policy predominately draws its guiding principles from ICDS, National Charter for Children, NPA, ICPS, POCSO Act, National Policy for Children 2013 and Juvenile Justice Act 2015. He continued that the department of social welfare shall be the nodal department in context of the present state policy for children.

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Chief minister N. Biren Singh has said that the central government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore to study the causes of frequent floods in the North East region and prepare an action plan to check it.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a Convention on climate change – Manipur state action plan on climate change, 2013, organised by Centre for Social Development (CSD) at 1 MR banquet hall today.

The chief minister said during a recent review meeting on the recent flash floods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed the chief ministers of the North East states about sanctioning of the said amount.

Biren said that North East region is home to around 280 ethnic communities speaking around 170 dialects.

Biren said that people are talking about protecting the indigenous population of the region, whereas it seems that they take less interest in protecting the indigenous properties – the rich floras and faunas of the region.

Stating that the Prime Minister has a long-term plan to tackle climate change and global warming, Biren contended that Ujwala and Housing for All Schemes are part of it.

He contended that the government should be practical in its approach and it needs to provide replacements of the traditional way of living and livelihood to the people.

Biren said that free LPG connections are being provided to BPL families under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana so that deforestation for fire-woods can be checked.

Likewise, the government is also helping people to own concrete houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaj Yoajana (Housing for All scheme), he added.

Stating that mere shouting of environment protection slogans without being practical would lead to nowhere, the chief minister said that efforts are being made to convert garbage into fuel to replace charcoal as well.

Maintaining that people must be aware that heavy rainfall and flash floods had started wreaking havoc in the hills as well apart from valley areas, Biren reminded the gathering that natural calamities never spare anybody on the basis of religion and community.

As such, the humankind should join hands as one family to take up necessary measures in advance to avoid natural calamities, he observed.

PHE minister Losii Dikho and environmentalist and BJP spokesperson R. K. Ranjan also attended the function as guest of honour and president respectively.

In his speech, Losii Dikho opined that people should begin environment protection from personal levels. Mere holding of functions and conventions without dedication and conviction in this regard would not serve any purpose, he added.

Speaking at the occasion, Ranjan said that all the development plans of the government should be prepared taking the possible impacts on environment into consideration.

North East region is not only known as the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot but also as a confluence of species migrants because numerous species from Indo-Malaysian, Chinese and Indian regions had migrated to the North East.

As such, people of the North East should do whatever possible to protect this rich bio-diversity resource for a sustainable living, he opined.

Delegates from all the eight North Eastern states also took part in the convention.

First to concentrate on basic education: Y. Joykumar Singh

IMPHAL | Sept 8 (DIPR)

51st International Literacy Day, the day to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies was celebrated today. State level celebration jointly organised by department of adult education and State Literacy Mission Authority was held at GM Hall in Imphal.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister YumnamJoykumar Singh said imparting basic education to the illiterates is the first and foremost step to bring down the rate of illiteracy in the state.

He said to educate is to infuse rationale thinking which will be the basic parametre of human development. Therefore, at least imparting basic education i.e. reading, writing and basic arithmetic operations to those who are illiterate should be made possible.

He further said, with the fastest growing technological development, the world is becoming a global village. But, for those who are illiterates, it is almost the same as that of olden days. They cannot contribute even to their families rather than the society.

Reiterating the fact that government alone cannot educate the illiterate people Joykumar said to eradicate illiteracy every literate individual should volunteer himself with a determination to teach illiterates around.

He said there have been a number of literacy programmes in the country. Many Adult Education Centre (AECs) have been opened in Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Thoubal districts where besides imparting basic education, skill development programmes were also introduced.

He also mentioned the need to minimize school dropout rate to the lowest so that maximum students can get the benefit of learning.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh while speaking at the function said, although the state has a comparatively higher literacy rate than the other North Eastern states except Mizoram, it has to go further to improve the rate.

He said, efforts are being made under Total Literacy Campaign and other centrally sponsored literacy programmes. Every household has at least a literate individual and therefore, it is the responsibility of the individual to teach those illiterates around them so that the movement to remove illiteracy can be made a success. He appealed to endeavour to teach whoever illiterate in any field to make a totally literate state.

Deputy chief minister distributed Jan Shiksha Santan award to the representatives of District Literacy Societies of Senapati and Thoubal districts.

Altogether, 40 volunteer teachers (VT) and successful learners were also awarded in the function. Additional chief secretary (Adult Education) Dr. Suhel Akhtar, B. Laltanpuia, director, State Resource Centre (SRC) North- Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, teachers and students from various schools participated among others in the function.