Manipur News

IMPHAL, April 26: The three-day long 4th Festival of Thang-Ta organized by Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound concluded today.

The valedictory function was attended by MLA Tongbram Mangibabu; titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba and Kumbi MLA Soraisam Bira Singh as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

During the function, prizes of the Thang-Ta competition for private schools held in connection with the festival were presented to respective winners.

Alpha BCI Memorial Academy, Hijam Dewan Leikai Thangmeiband clinched the first position, Sanatombi Oriental English School, Kumbi and Shining School, Pangei shared the second position while Sacred Heart School, Porompat fetched the third position.

As part of the programme, the Huyen Lanjang Sathouba Mana, a lifetime achievement award in the field of Thang-Ta was presented posthumously to Late Leitonthem Heramot Meitei of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, Imphal East. The award carries a cash prize, memento, certificate along with shawl.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/4th-kimacs-festival-of-thangta-concludes/

IMPHAL, April 26: The Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Unions`™ Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees`™ Organisation (AMGEO) has announced to take mass casual leave from April 27 to 29 alleging the government of failing to fulfill their demands.

Speaking to media persons in this regard at the JAC`™s office today, secretary general Purjit Lairikyengbam said they will continue with cease-work strike until the government fulfills their 29-point charter of demands.

On May 19, 2010, the government had signed a memorandum of Understanding regarding the JAC`™s charter of demands, however, the government has continued to neglect it till date, he stated.

This is not a sign of good governance, the JAC leader observed.

The JAC, he said has already met with the chief secretary, commissioners and other concern officials but without little success of seeing their demands fulfilled.

The charter of demand include withdrawal of the new pension scheme and adopting the old pension scheme, regularization of adhoc, muster roll, casual and contract employees to fill up the vacant posts, implementation of the 7th central revised pay from January 1, 2011 and to sanction the arrears under the revised pay-scale, increment of rations for State police personnel, IRB to Rs 2500 from the present Rs 1000, etc.

Purjit cried out that the government has ripped off several kinds of allowances and benefits of its employees, which is illegitimate and inhuman, he said.

As for the Chief Minister`™s claim that fulfilling the demands of the JAC would mean that developmental works undertaken in the State are hampered, everyone is aware of the fact that funding for developmental projects and salaries for the employees are different and not related, he stated.

He further appealed to the State government employees and the public to support the JAC`™s demands and for the employees to take casual leave during April 27 and 29.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/jac-of-amtuc-amgeo-announces-mass-causal-leave-agitation/

KANGPOKPI, April 26: MLA Nemcha Kipgen inaugurated L Thomjang village in Sadar Hills amidst an echoing shower in the presence of Guite Inpi and other various civil society organisations today.

Situated along the Mt Koubru range about 30 Km from Kangpokpi L Thomjang village was established in 2009 under the chieftainship of Ngamsei Guite.

The inauguration function of the village was attended by the MLA as the chief guest while rev Kamkhosat Kilong, Ch BA attended as the dedicating minister.

MLA Nemcha Kipgen unveiled the village inauguration monolith while rev Kamkhosat Kilong dedicated it to the Almighty.

Speaking at the function MLA Nemcha Kipgen said any kind of development whether a village level development or community level development comes only through peace and unity among the people and secondly when the development agencies works in a fear free environment where they can execute the work accordingly.

Therefore, it is important on the part of the people to maintain peace and harmony in the society starting from the village level asserted the MLA.

Underlining the imperative role of village chiefs in bringing development at village level, the MLA lamented that development could reach up to the mark only when concern village chiefs exercise their power in implementing and utilizing any development programme and fund for the village accordingly and transparently.

She also opined that misuse of development fund is not only against the law but it can also bring poverty and unendurable hardships to the society.

The lady MLA also urged the newly inaugurated L Thomjang village chief to utilize any development fund proposed for the village accordingly for the welfare of the people so as to ensure glorious development.

The first phase of Road connectivity to the village under PMGSY has been completed black topping will be done during the second phase said the MLA who also assured electricity and community hall along with a playground.

Guite Inpi, Churachandpur advisor Khaijasong Guite said I have learnt many villages in Senapati district had been established only to avail MGNREGS facility which is not a traditional way of establishing a village while adding that overflowing villages with miniature population is one of the key factor accounts for developmental downside.

Bordering on with the emphasis of peace by MLA Nemcha Kipgen the Guite Inpi, Churachandpur advisor stated that there is no alternative passageway for development to stream down except peace while adding that peace comes only when the people seek the will of God.

A grand feast marked the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/mla-nemcha-inaugurates-l-thomjang-village-in-sadar-hills/

IMPHAL, April 26: BJP Manipur Pradesh secretary L Sushindro Singh today launched an offensive against Congress MLA Dr Ng Bijoy Singh claiming that works carried out in the MLA`™s constituency under PMGSY are sub-standard and that fund allocated under the scheme has been badly utilised in the constituency.

He said the road construction especially along the road adjacent to the Kongba River is pathetic.

Sushindro called a press conference in this regard today at his Khurai Tinsid Road residence.

He said the Khurai Block Congress Committee general secretary making comments on the developmental works in the constituency while there is still a Congress MLA is unethical and regrettable.

The general secretary speaking with authority above the local MLA, while the later continues to remain mute is unfortunate, he added.

The Congress party should be held accountable if any untoward incident happens due to the unethical comments of the so-called Khurai Block Congress Committee general secretary.

The construction site for the Kasturba Gandhi Ballika VIdhyalaya under the KGBV Scheme exclusively meant for girl students of Class VI to VIII and Class IX residential co-ed school falls under the reserved forest area, he continued.

Any construction in such area would be of no-use unless the concern authority which is the Congress MLA in this case to take prior clearance certificate from the Forest department.

The BJP Manipur Pradesh leader also took a media team to a tour of Kongpal Khaidem Leikai and Kongpal Kongkham Leikai inspecting the deteriorating condition of the roads.

Locals told media persons that the roads have been in this condition since some three months back and the retaining walls along the river bank have not also sunk 4 feet but cracks have also started to appear already.

The retaining walls were completed some nine months ago and this is a clear case of contractors doing sub-standard work, they said.

The roads were found with deep cracks making driving along the road all the more difficult.

A local who identified himself as Laishram Loken Singh said on top of the bad roads and sinking retaining walls the locals are also facing drinking water scarcity.

He further expressed the need for the authorities to monitor the developmental works undertaken properly.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bjp-attacks-khurai-mla-for-substandard-work-in-constituency/