Category: News

IMPHAL, July 16: None of the drug traffickers operating in the State will be spared but dealt with in a befitting manner according to the law of the land said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on the floor of the ongoing full budget session today.

Gaikhangam was responding to a query raised by senior Congress legislator Y Irabot during the question hour.

Noting that the issue of drug abuse can be a threat to an entire generation, Gaikhangam who is also the Home minister had opined that the government will not spare those responsible for such reckless activities.

Expressing concern, Gaikhangam asserted that some important cases have already been handed over to CBI for investigation.

The number of seizure of banned drugs consignments in the State during the period from 2007 to June 2014 is 430 and total number of persons (owner) booked so far 657 adding that all the arrested individuals are the real owners of the drugs consignments, he told the House.

In his question, Y Irabot had raised his doubts over the dealing of a case in connection with the drug seizure made by a team of the SIU from the Tulihal Airport on January 11, 2013, wherein a person identified as Md Rajuddin of Lilong was reportedly arrested.

On the other hand, in response to query raised by Andro MLA Shyamkumar with regards to the procedure of allotting gun licence, Giakhangam informed the House that none of the licence holder were given any basic training of weapon as there is no provision in the Gun Licence Act 1995 Arms Rules, 1962 as most of the weapon category are non-sophisticated. However, licence is provided to only genuine applicants after proper verification.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/gaikhangam-talks-tough-against-drug-trafficking/

IMPHAL, July 16: Responding to a question raised by the senior Congress legislator, Gaikhangam said that no recruitment was done during the year 2002 to 2004 in the Police department.

He further presented the district wise total number of recruitment for various post in the police department during the year 2005 till 2013.

As per the presentation Thoubal district topped the chart in recruitment.

In 2005 a total of 218 were recruited in MR/IRB of the total sanction post 776.

In 2006, 33 posts Constable Radio Transmission officer (CRTO) recruited of the total 92 sanction post, 107 havildars of the total 464 sanctioned posts and 53 female constable out of 199 sanctioned posts were from the district.

In 2007, 393 individuals were recruited in district in MR/IRB of the total sanctioned post 1284.

The highest recruitment for the district was in 2009 wherein 1123 constable male was recruited from the district of the total 4197, 638 (MR/IRB) in 2010 of the total 2587, 71 CRTO in 2011 of the total 211, 219 female constable in 20012 out of 842 and 167 constable female (9IRB) in 2013 out of 570.

In his supplementary question, Y Irabot asked the reason behind giving the lion’s share in police recruitment to Thoubal district adding that he demands equal share in recruitment constituency wise.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/irabot-questions-thoubal-getting-lions-share-in-police-recruitment/

IMPHAL, July 16: A case has been registered under the Food Security Act, 2006, regarding the recent seizure of edible oil from a Mantripukhri godown, after test results of the samples sent for test has proved adulteration.

This was stated by Health and Family Welfare minister, Phungzathang Tonsing replying to a calling attention motion raised by opposition leader, AIC MLA Dr I Ibohalbi on the fourth day of the ongoing full Budget session.

The minister informed the House that the involved trader’s licence has been cancelled and the godown sealed.

Highlighting the penalties the perpetrator could face, which include a fine of Rs one to two lakh or imprisonment, Phungzathang further assured action against the trader.

The government has not taken the issue lightly as it is a matter of health of the entire State, said Pungzathang adding that even the Chief Minister had shared his concern on the issue.

He further divulged that due to lack of funds, the department concerned could not employ enough man power besides the designated officers in each district. However, he assured the House of the government’s initiative in meeting the required man power in the department within a month.

Meanwhile, the Health minister also revealed that another three cases of oil adulteration have been taken up by the department however he declined to share the details with the House citing that all three were in the initial stages of investigation.

Raising his motion, Dr I Ibohalbi Singh compared the trader’s act to slow poisoning and went on to say that it was a challenge to the tradition and culture of the State irrespective of hills and valley.

The opposition leader further questioned whether it was an attempt to wipe out the entire populace of Manipur?

Recalling the event based on news reports published in local dailies, Dr I Ibohalbi said that the adulterated oil and betel nuts were seized from the godown of Ajay traders whose owner is Molchand Pawar of Rajasthan.

Over Rs 30 lakhs worth adulterated oil was seized and found other tampered containers, he said.

Further claiming that Molchand has fled to Rajasthan, he questioned how the government will take action against the perpetrator.

He also questioned on the number of the registered businessmen of edible oil in the State and the procedure of the functioning of food safety officers in the State adding suggestions to deploy food safety officers at strategic check posts including Moreh, Jiribam and Mao gate.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/seized-oil-samples-proved-adulterated-phungzathang-2/

IMPHAL, July 16: A case has been registered under the Food Security Act, 2006, regarding the recent seizure of edible oil from a Mantripukhri godown, after test results of the samples sent for test has proved adulteration.

This was stated by Health and Family Welfare minister, Phungzathang Tonsing replying to a calling attention motion raised by opposition leader, AIC MLA Dr I Ibohalbi on the fourth day of the ongoing full Budget session.

The minister informed the House that the involved trader’s licence has been cancelled and the godown sealed.

Highlighting the penalties the perpetrator could face, which include a fine of Rs one to two lakh or imprisonment, Phungzathang further assured action against the trader.

The government has not taken the issue lightly as it is a matter of health of the entire State, said Pungzathang adding that even the Chief Minister had shared his concern on the issue.

He further divulged that due to lack of funds, the department concerned could not employ enough man power besides the designated officers in each district. However, he assured the House of the government’s initiative in meeting the required man power in the department within a month.

Meanwhile, the Health minister also revealed that another three cases of oil adulteration have been taken up by the department however he declined to share the details with the House citing that all three were in the initial stages of investigation.

Raising his motion, Dr I Ibohalbi Singh compared the trader’s act to slow poisoning and went on to say that it was a challenge to the tradition and culture of the State irrespective of hills and valley.

The opposition leader further questioned whether it was an attempt to wipe out the entire populace of Manipur?

Recalling the event based on news reports published in local dailies, Dr I Ibohalbi said that the adulterated oil and betel nuts were seized from the godown of Ajay traders whose owner is Molchand Pawar of Rajasthan.

Over Rs 30 lakhs worth adulterated oil was seized and found other tampered containers, he said.

Further claiming that Molchand has fled to Rajasthan, he questioned how the government will take action against the perpetrator.

He also questioned on the number of the registered businessmen of edible oil in the State and the procedure of the functioning of food safety officers in the State adding suggestions to deploy food safety officers at strategic check posts including Moreh, Jiribam and Mao gate.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/seized-oil-samples-proved-adulterated-phungzathang/

By Lanchamei Golmei
IMPHAL, July 16: Works minister Dr. Kh Ratankumar has assured people residing in the surrounding areas of Thumbuthong that the road development and other related works will resume today.

This was informed to the residents of the area in a meeting by Yaiskul MLA Elangbam Chand and the Section Engineer responsible for the development works in the area, stated ex-commissioner GA Ravichandra who participated in that meeting.

According to Ravichandra, the local MLA and the SE also relay the commitment expressed by the Works minister to complete the road development and other related works in the area.

A meeting was held on May 25, at the same venue where the local MLA and members of Brahmalaya Social Welfare Centre discussed the inconveniences faced by people in the surrounding areas of Thumbuthong.

During the meeting, it was decided that construction of the retaining wall would begin two days later but the construction stopped on June 28 without completion, ex-commissioner Ravichandra told IFP.

Ravichandra said the residents have patiently waited for the construction to begin since then but as there were no positive response from the government, members of Brahmalaya Social Welfare Centre and the local meira paibis held a meeting on Sunday to express their agony over the matter.

During the function, the members had a conversation over the phone with the local MLA on the issue to which the local MLA requested the people to give him time until Monday so that he can have a word with the CM and the Works minister on the issue, said the ex-commissioner.

Lamenting that the health of children and elders residing in the area are deteriorating day by day, he asked how long the people residing in the area will have to live in such conditions.

“We have been compromising since Thumbuthong opened to the general public. As it is one of the vital links between the two districts in the Imphal valley, we hoped that the State government would understand the issues and took up timely action,” he said.

He further stated that they have set a deadline of June 15 for the government to give a positive response to the demand.

In case the government fails to act on the demand, members of the Brahmalaya Social Welfare Centre and local meira paibis will launch agitations by blocking the road along Thambuthong, he warned.

He further added that, however, if the government’s response is positive, they will extend their best possible help to see the quick completion of the road development and other related works.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/thumbuthongs-road-condition-worrisome-for-locals-ex-commissioner/

IMPHAL, July 16: The question hour of the 4th day of the ongoing full budget session witnessed a lighter moment with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi committing an unintentional mistake while replying to a question raised by Ukhrul MLA, Samuel Risom.

Altogether nine questions were in the list of question raised by the Ukhrul MLA including seven starred questions and two un-starred.

Technically, un-starred questions are replied in written form and don’t require verbal responses.

However, to the surprise of the House, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi went on to reply to one of the un-starred question of Ukhrul MLA, Samuel Risom instead of replying to the starred questions in the list, which led to loud mutterings amongst the members of the House.

The Chief Minister came to know of his knowledge only after the intervention of the Speaker who was also informed of the error by one of his staff present inside the House.

At the same time, the questioner had also stood up to make clarification.

However, the Chief Minister had also tabled the report of the Comptroller, Auditor General of India on State finance for the year ended March 31, 2013 and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March 31 (Report No. 1 of 2014).

Revenue minister, Th Debendra Singh, also tabled a copy of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Diversion of Land) Rules, 2014.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/cm-gaffes-answering-to-samuel-risom/

IMPHAL: July 16: Manipur Maoist has called a general strike on July 24 against alleged embezzlement of crores by Agriculture department, Government of Manipur. In a statement made available to the media signed by its secretary publicity and propaganda, Nonglen Meitei has stated that it will be a 12 hours strike starting from 5 in the morning.

The statement has alleged that in these few years the Agriculture department has embezzled huge amount of money that comes through various schemes such as Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, (RKVY), Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), System of Rice Intensification (SRI) etc.

It said RKVY was instituted for the welfare of the farmers in agricultural and its allied sectors. The allied sector includes Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fishery, Dairy Development, Forestry and Wild Life, and agricultural research and training etc. The statement has alleged that the total amounts of fund that have been embezzled are more than 200 Crore, distributed among a handful of bureaucrats and ministers by table work manipulation.

The outfit has further maintained that the finding is just the tip of the ice berg. It said embezzlement has been going on in the said department for a long time. This was evident when a former Director of the department gave kilograms of gold as dowry gift on his daughter’s wedding, according to the statement.

The outfit has appealed to the people for their support to the general strike. The strike has been called in the general interest of the people of Manipur and more particularly for the toiling agricultural workers whose rights have been violated. If the authority concern fails to look into the matter, the outfit will take serious note of it, added the statement.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/maoist-general-strike-on-july-24/

IMPHAL, July 16: The SI/Jemadar and ASI selected candidates of 2010 who were marching towards the Manipur Legislative Assembly to protest against the State government’s decision to delay the issue of their appointment orders were stopped by a police team at Thangmeiband Meisnam Leikai today at around 12:30pm.

Speaking to media persons, a candidate stated that the selected candidates went to the police headquarters to collect their appointment letters after being notified that they should collect their appointment letters on July 16.

However, when the selected candidates went to the police headquarters to collect them, we found that the matter has been postponed indefinitely, he added.

Stating further that the government or the concerned department didn’t give any prior information about the indefinite postponement of issuing their appointment letters, the candidate said that the decision to further delay the issue of appointment letters was absurd.

Later, the candidates asked for an appointment to meet the Director General of Police to enquire about the reason behind the cancelation of issuing the appointment letters but they were denied the permission to meet the DGP on the ground that he was unavailable.

The Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court has in its verdict ordered the State government to issue the appointment orders. Copies of the judgment of the Chief Justice have been submitted to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Principal Secretary (home) and the DGP. However, no action has been taken after the judgment, he said.

Urging the State government to not further delay in issuing the appointment letters and fix a particular date, he said that their agitation will continue until the government acts on their demands.

“However, we will not cause any hindrance to the general public because we will be law enforcing agents in the foreseeable future,” he said.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/police-stop-disgruntled-si-and-jemadar-appointees-from-marching-towards-assembly/