Manipur News

IMPHAL | July 20

A book titled “Lumbini Leikolda Sathouba Leirang” (A travelogue on Nepal visit penned by Sahitya Bhushan awardee  Dr. Ch. Jamini Devi & published by Shree Shree Govinda Raseswari Pala Marup ) was released today at Raj Bhavan Darbar Hall by governor Najma A. Heptulla as the Chief Guest.

Padmashree R.K Jhalajit attended the releasing ceremony as the president and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Prof. Jodhachandra Sanasam graced the function as the guest of honour.

Jamini expressed her heartfelt thanks to the governor for allowing release of her book at the Raj Bhavan Darbar Hall. Appreciating Heptulla as great  parliamentarian and icon in the field of women empowerment, she said that she had taken her suggestions and blessings before leaving for her Nepal trip along with her 30 Raseswari Pala members.

The photograph of Raseswari Pala members along with the Governor is also included in the book. She further stated that the special personality & humility of the governor can be known when she avoided all protocols and travelled to Ima Market just recently.

Talking about the book, she expressed that the book is not merely a travelogue but a symbol of cultural message – that of love, integrity and cultural integration that tries to establish a cultural link between Manipur and Nepal.

She narrated that they visited President of Nepal, Vidya Bhandariji and exchanged views regarding the cultural relation between Manipur and Nepal. She made a mention of how Maharaj Bodhachandra married princess Iswari Devi of Nepal and later made her the queen of Nepal.

Talking about the title of the book “Lumbini Leikolda Sathouba Leirang”, she said that it is based on their visit to the historic Lumbini garden in Nepal where Lord Gautam Buddha was born.

Giving a brief insight on the activities taken up by Raseswari Pala Jamini said it is contributing towards the preservation and propagation of art and culture in and outside the state by organising seminars and cultural festivals at different places like Nabadwip dham, Puri, Pashupati Nath, Rangoon, Saigang and Shantiniketan.

Giving a review on the book, Jodhachandra said Jamini is a lover of nature indicated by the way she expresses her feelings when she saw flora and fauna of Nepal as she travels by. He critically analysed that the book will definitely be the birth of Manipuri literature . He said, “Having associated with education, social norms and study of environment, she discusses about ancient artefacts and gives her views on stretching hands to Buddhism. She is a prolific writer, having produced more than 40 books to her credit ranging in subjects from essays, short stories, poetry, travelogue and Manipuri culture and heritage.”

Expressing happiness over Jamini’ zeal for travelling, Heptulla said though, Manipur is small in terms of size and population, the region is immensely rich in terms of culture, tradition, oral history and dance. She strongly supported Socrates’s view that oral remembrance of history is better than writing.

Sharing her love for travelling and meeting people belonging to different languages and culture, the governor said that she had visited the pagodas where world famous historians like Huien Tsang, Fa Hien & Ibn Batuta came from. Till today, India’s footprints can be seen in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Japan and Myanmar, she said.

She requested Jamini to get her book translated in other languages like English in order to get a wider readership.

Jhalajit appreciated the work of Jamini and that of Raseswari Pala in reviving the  Sankirtan culture of the State.

IMPHAL | July 20

Goods trucks have begun moving on the Imphal-Dimapur highway, which was cut off due to recent landslide and the deterioration of the Barak bridge located along Imphal-Jiribam highway has been repaired.

But, prices of essential items have not come down in some retail stores. More than 200 goods trucks left Jiribam for Imphal according to a source.

The source said other than the goods truck, oil tankers and trucks carrying cooking gas have also left for Imphal.

Prices of onion, garlic and potato have increased by Rs. 5-10 per kg in some retail shops whereas the price of petrol and cooking gas have reached Rs. 80-100 and 1700-2000 in the black market respectively. 

“We buy essential items daily to run our hotel but the hike in price has brought us some problems in our daily earning.” said a hotel owner. “The price hike of goods has hit the sales added another shopkeeper.”

One of the women vendors who sell vegetables in the city said due to the flood affecting in most areas, there is increase in the price vegetables also.

“It is high time that the government checked the rising prices of essential commodities to offer some help to the common man. Sudden rise in prices makes the life of ordinary and poor citizen’s live miserable,” said one buyer.

IMPHAL | July 20

The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) strongly condemned the merciless killing of the Md Ateef Sheikh at Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Ateef was from Keikhu Maning Lekai, Imphal East district,who was pursuing MBBS final year at the private University of Science and Technology, Chittagong, said a release. His death came as a big loss to the people of Manipur and Indian, it said adding, his father Abdul Khalique Sheikh had struggled very hard for his education in the hope that Ateef will serve the people of Manipur someday.

AMSU appealed to the government and the authorities concerned to thoroughly investigate the crime and punish the guilty, adding the organisation is ready to give its assistance.

The organisation has also requested the students studying in others parts of India and abroad, not to indulge in such crimes and urged the parents to be strictly observe their children studying outside.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 20

Chief minister N. Biren today assured the House that his government will take pick up where the previous government let off on the issue of the demand for passing a legislation on the line Inner Line Permit (ILP) to regulate entry by migrant influx.

Rounding off the discussion on the motion of thanks to on the governor’s address Biren said the ILP imbroglio is carried over from the past government. Biren was responding to a demand by Congress member Kh. Joykishan for inclusion of implementation of ILP or framing of a suitable law for protection of the indigenous people of the state in the governor’s address.

Biren, who is also the leader of the House said out of the three bills, one has been sent back by the President and the previous government redrafted another bill that can replace the rejected one. However, the election came followed by flood.

“The government will consult all the stakeholders so that such legislation can protect all the communities. The government will work on this cautiously,” Biren said.

He further said the government is trying to tackle the problems which are immediate and the flood situation is more serious and needs serious intervention.

The government is planning to dredge the river beds of the Nambul, Kongba and Imphal rivers and more also to prevent siltation in the Loktak lake.

The chief minister clarified that the state government is left out of the talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre and it is not known what the framework agreement contains. However, the state government has been reassured by the Prime Minister that the territorial boundary of Manipur will not be compromised at any cost. “The stand of the present government on the issue of protection of territorial integrity has not changed from the stance taken by the previous government,” the chief minister assured.

Regarding protection of paddy land, Biren said the government has enacted a rule for preservation of the agricultural lands and many individuals have been fined for building concrete structures.

Stating that the anti-corruption cell is successful to a certain corruption, Biren mentioned that the Lok Ayukta is also being implemented. He stressed that the state government cannot provide white collar jobs for all the unemployed persons but focus is made on skill development encouraging entrepreneurship.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 20

A tragic incident was averted when an unidentified two brave hearts rescued a father and son duo from drowning.

The incident happened when a car fell into the Nambul river while trying to take a turn at Masjid road of Paona bazar at around 5.40 pm today.

As the car fell into the river with the occupants, the swift current had carried away the car. A man present there jumped into the river and pulled out Seram Chingkheinganba (8) from the sinking car. His father S. Romajit was also dragged out from the car by one Keisam Sunder from Kongba Kshetri Leikai, who had jumped into the river to rescue the father son duo.

The unidentified person who rescued the child is said to be from Khongampat but his identity cannot be established till the time of filing this report. Only his photograph which was taken at the spot is available.

Sources alleged the railing which was supposed to be constructed at the riverside to prevent such accidents has not been finished, but the money sanctioned for the railing has been released nearly four years back.

Our Bureau

IMPHAL  | July 20

Opposition Congress member Khumukcham Joykishan today announced in the House that that the Opposition will not attend the session of if the discussion on budget and passing of the appropriation bills are not held on separate days.

After the leader of the House N. Biren Singh presented the third report of the Business Advisory Committee concerning allocation of time Joykishan Singh stood up and observed that clubbing the demand discussion and passing of the appropriation bill on the same day, August 4 is not proper.

Stating that the Opposition will express their suggestions and there would not be any criticism on against the government, Joykishan, who is also the spokesperson of the Congress repeated urged the Speaker to keep a separate date for passing of the appropriation bills.

Joykishan also protested holding of session on Saturdays, maintaining that as there is no holiday on Saturdays unlike in the past sessions members will not have the time to study and analyse issues.

Reacting to Joykishan’s demand Speaker Yumnam Khemchand announced that the report of the Business Advisory Committee has already been adopted by the House and he took up the next agenda of the House.

Speaker announced that members Ngamthang Haokip and Charltonlien Amo sought leave on health grounds and took the grant of the members.

Though the Speaker took up the next agenda Joykishan was persistent telling the Speaker, “Please listen to the opinions of the Opposition bench. It will not be nice if appeals from the Opposition is not going to be listened to.

A visibly upset Joykishan said if sessions are going to be held on Saturdays the Opposition will not attend it.

“The governor will never give the assent of any bill passed by the House without the participation of the Opposition. We will not attend Saturday sessions. This will lead to a crisis,” Joykishan told the Speaker.

The Speaker brought the matter to end by saying that it could be discussed at an appropriate time.

IMPHAL | July 20

Today, while I was coming to attend my mother who is admitted at RIMS hospital, I met with an accident near College of Nursing, RIMS road when an uncontrolled pack of more than 50 horses ran towards me while I was riding a scooter.

The incident left me unconscious for a few minutes and my left arm is injured. Later, I was admitted at RIMS casualty.

I am deeply disheartened by the negligence of the concerned government agents and the owners of the ponies. I am also not satisfied with the police posted near the RIMS gate because I feel that they should have shooed away the ponies.

The Manipur pony is not only on the verge of extinction but also has caused troubles to the daily commuters and the traffic. The horses near the RIMS gate have now become a threat to the daily commuters who pass the road in front of the RIMS gate.

Also, it can cause troubles to emergency patients coming to the hospital.

I appeal to the government and related authorities and pony-owners to arrange a suitable space for the ponies which are released on the streets so that such incident does not occur in future. It may even claim human life.

Yours sincerely,

Somikanta Laishram

 Khurai Angom Leikai

By A Staff Reporter with DIPR

IMPHAL | July 20

 The Second Session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly began today with presentation of Budget Estimates, 2017-18 with a fiscal deficit of Rs 851.41 crore by the deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar Singh

Joykumar said that the government is committed to serve the the people of the state with utmost sincerity, dedication and unflinching effort to fulfil the people’s aspirations.

The government had only little time to prepare the revised estimates for 2016-17 and budget estimates for 2017-18. Therefore, only a vote on account for budget estimates, 2017-18 to enable the government to discharge its responsibilities and meet all essential expenditure during the first four months of 2017-18 could be presented.

To mention some of the major initiatives undertaken by the govt. in the first 100 days are, the Manipur Goods & Services Tax Act 2017 was enacted in June and paving the way for GST to be implemented in the state of Manipur. The Manipur Goods & Services Tax Act 2017 has replaced the Value Added Tax Act 2004 and 2 others Acts in the State and expected to generate a revenue of around Rs 700 crore.

The finance minister further said that to the fiscal policy, the priority was to exercise fiscal prudence and maintain financial discipline. The state’s own resources comprise about 10% of the total revenue receipts while the rest comes from central transfers in the form of grant- in- aid and state’s share in central taxes.As compared to last financial year, the total revenue receipts have shown an estimated increase from Rs 9950.15 crore to Rs 11,096.25 crore.

The annual exercise of budgeting is designed for optimal and balanced allocation of the resources available taking into account the larger socio-political and economic considerations. For 2017-18, the total receipts are estimated at Rs 12510.61 crore out of which revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 11096.25 crore and capital receipts at Rs 1414.36 crore.

Total estimates of state’s own tax and non-tax receipts in the Budget Estimates are Rs 831.86 crore and Rs 245.51 crore respectively. Receipt from state’s share in central taxes and duties is estimated at Rs 4168.45 crore.

During this fiscal year, it is proposed to have a total expenditure of Rs 12,420.65 crore out of the consolidated fund of the State. Out of this, Rs 9952.35 crore is under Revenue account and Rs 2468.30 crore under capital account. Out of the total expenditure, an amount of Rs 961.31 crore is charged expenditure and the remaining amount of Rs 11459.34 crore is voted expenditure.

By A Staff Reporter with DIPR

IMPHAL | July 20

 The Second Session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly began today with presentation of Budget Estimates, 2017-18 with a fiscal deficit of Rs 851.41 crore by the deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar Singh

Joykumar said that the government is committed to serve the the people of the state with utmost sincerity, dedication and unflinching effort to fulfil the people’s aspirations.

The government had only little time to prepare the revised estimates for 2016-17 and budget estimates for 2017-18. Therefore, only a vote on account for budget estimates, 2017-18 to enable the government to discharge its responsibilities and meet all essential expenditure during the first four months of 2017-18 could be presented.

To mention some of the major initiatives undertaken by the govt. in the first 100 days are, the Manipur Goods & Services Tax Act 2017 was enacted in June and paving the way for GST to be implemented in the state of Manipur. The Manipur Goods & Services Tax Act 2017 has replaced the Value Added Tax Act 2004 and 2 others Acts in the State and expected to generate a revenue of around Rs 700 crore.

The finance minister further said that to the fiscal policy, the priority was to exercise fiscal prudence and maintain financial discipline. The state’s own resources comprise about 10% of the total revenue receipts while the rest comes from central transfers in the form of grant- in- aid and state’s share in central taxes.As compared to last financial year, the total revenue receipts have shown an estimated increase from Rs 9950.15 crore to Rs 11,096.25 crore.

The annual exercise of budgeting is designed for optimal and balanced allocation of the resources available taking into account the larger socio-political and economic considerations. For 2017-18, the total receipts are estimated at Rs 12510.61 crore out of which revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 11096.25 crore and capital receipts at Rs 1414.36 crore.

Total estimates of state’s own tax and non-tax receipts in the Budget Estimates are Rs 831.86 crore and Rs 245.51 crore respectively. Receipt from state’s share in central taxes and duties is estimated at Rs 4168.45 crore.

During this fiscal year, it is proposed to have a total expenditure of Rs 12,420.65 crore out of the consolidated fund of the State. Out of this, Rs 9952.35 crore is under Revenue account and Rs 2468.30 crore under capital account. Out of the total expenditure, an amount of Rs 961.31 crore is charged expenditure and the remaining amount of Rs 11459.34 crore is voted expenditure.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 20

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) organised an emergency meeting today at Kuki Inn, Imphal against the gruesome murder case of HSO president Letkholal Haokip alias Palal Haokip.

The meeting, carried out with all the frontal organisations of KIM, discussed the circumstances surrounding the murder.

Information and publicity “department” of KIM said the meeting reaffirmed and re-endorsed the KIM resolution of June 24 that imposed social boycott on the culprits behind the murder of Letkholal on the evening of June 23.

It was also resolved that that all those involved in the murder should be arrested within one week starting July 20 and decided to launch any form of agitation if the state government and authorities concerned fail to arrest the other culprits.