Manipur News

MNS:- Government has taken a number of initiatives to ensure transparent administration. Inaugurating the two day District Collectors’ Conference in New Delhi, Shri V.Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted that there are several legislations at various stages of enactment aiming to address the menace of corruption and ensuring transparency. Shri Narayanasamy stated that the “the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill,2011” will enable the citizens to get delivery of services within the stated time lines.
The Minister stated that the “Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill,2011 provides for appointment of Ombudsmen to inquire into complaints of corruption against certain public servants. Mr. V. Narayanasamy highlighted the role of the Right to Information Act (RTI) in enabling the citizens to get information. The minister made it clear that there was no plan to amend the RTI act at present. He noted that there was a need to protect the persons making a public interest disclosure related to an act of corruption, With this objective in mind, the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill,2011 is being enacted. The Minister stated that the Public Procurement Bill, 2011, now in the Parliament shall regulate Public Procurement by all Government bodies to ensure transparency and promote competition.
Terming the District Collectors as the nucleus of the administration, the Minister appreciated the critical role that the collector plays in implementing the Central schemes in the District. Shri V.Narayanasamy informed that through 14 flagship programmes of the Government, huge amount of money is being given by the Central Govt. to States for Public welfare Scheme.
The two day District Collectors’ Conference is being held from 11th to 12th January in New Delhi and is organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances to provide an opportunity to the District Collectors to share their experience.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-plan-to-amend-rti-act/

Two persons including an 8 year old child were killed and 23 others received injuries when a Winger collided with a passemger canter at Meitram Lamkhai this morning around 9.45 a.m.
The deceased were identified as Ningthoujam Ruhikanta alias Naocha (35), Nambol Awang Leikai, Ningleilam haokip (8) Molphai village, Saikot Churachandpur. They died on the spot. Most of the injured were the passengers of the canter bus. Both the vehicles drove at full speed.
Out of the injured, the condition of six passengers are stated to be in a critical situation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-killed-in-accident-3/

IMPHAL, Jan 11: The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur (COPTAM) has said today that it is a very sad thing that no real autonomy has been granted to the Autonomous District Councils.
COPTAM’s comment came amid the demands raised by Autonomous District Council CO-ordination Committee (ADC-CC) regarding the devolution of power to the council.
COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Lupheng terms it as very unfortunate that the devolution of power to the District Councils has not been implement till date.
In this regard, COPTAM has been demanding for total empowerment of the ADCs by effecting devolution of power to the grass level.
“Unless the empowerment and devolution of power is made by an act, the word autonomous is meaningless. So, COPTAM appeals to the government to pass an act for empowerment and commitment of the government for development of the tribal people of Manipur. And the so-called ‘devolution of power’ by the state government is totally meaningless as no real power has been devolved to the ADCs even after three years of its re-instatement. Without adequate power and autonomy, the revival of ADCs will be completely meaningless and as such, th state government should stop playing with the rights of the tribal people,” COPTAM advised.
“Moreover, regarding the indifferent attitude doisplayed by the government so far to the legitimate demands of COPTAM, an executive meeting of COPTAM shall be held very soon to chalk out the next course of action,” Thangkam Lupheng informed.
Schedule for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura and bye-elections to fill casual vacancies in the State Legislative Assemblies.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/coptam-demands-autonomy-for-adc/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 11: In the streak of good things happening in Manipur, yet another milestone is the approval of Brigadier L N Singh’s promotion to the rank of Major General. Brigadier L N Singh was commissioned into the Army in 1979. Born to Late Laiphrakpam Thakendrajt Singh and Laiphrakpam Ongbi Kanon Devi. He carried out his early education in Thingngen LP, Gurkul Jr and Tobisana High School and subsequently finished his schooling from Sainik School, Purulia (WB). The Officer has many laurels to his credits and has excelled in his field over the years. After commanding an Army Headquarters Unit, he did the prestigious Higher Command Course from the College of Combat (Mhow) in 2004/2005 and went on to attend the coveted National Defence Course in 2009 at National Defence College, Delhi
A widely travelled officer, he has vast knowledge of Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and most of the Asian countries where his expertise is sought on a daily basis. Brigadier L N Singh is the second officer from Manipur to be approved to be a “Two Star General” (The first being Major General K Himalaya Singh). The Officer is currently posted in Delhi as a Deputy Director General.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/son-of-the-soil-brings-laurels/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 11: Assam Rifles in Manipur have carried out recruitment in two centres namely Keithelmanbi and Pallel under the new system of recruitment through SSC in the year 2012, unlike in other NE States except Assam where only one centre was nominated. These efforts were made to offer maximum opportunities to the eligible youths from different areas of Manipur to get recruited. The statistics shows that for rally at Pallel and Keithelmanbi 2050 call letters were issued and 850 passed the final test and basic initial criteria out of which 600 youth finally got enrolled based on authorised vacancy.
This refers to the media news in most of the dailies with purported conveyance of one sided attractive story. Well, till today so many surrender have taken place, surrendering of UG cadres before the AR, Army, CRPF and CM/DGP too. In none of the cases any one ‘not belonging to a particular group’ has surrender. Before surrendering, their antecedents are verified and the state ensure any ambiguity. Many a times cases have come to light that young boys group of two to 5-7 were intercepted at IB with their guides detailed and UG groups crossing over to Myanmar for recruitment and were handed over to police and in some cases direct to the parents through Meira Paibies and other social organisation. But this particular media flashing without proper investigation into the issue has been done which not only casts slur on the good work Assam Rifles is engaged in, creates bad impression which goes in favour of the UG organisation and intents to in-balance smooth relation with civil administration too without much of gain.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-strives-to-empower-youth/

IMPHAL, Jan 11: The High Court Bar Association today explained that the association has been pushing for its legitimate demand in the interest of the present and future Manipur and not going on strike.
High Court is the highest state Constitutional Court and hence, its power must not be in any way diluted by lack of the required number of Judges, advocate Khaidem Mani told the media at his residence here at Loklaobung. He explained that HCBA has been pushing for its legitimate demand in the interest of the present and future of Manipur and not going on strike.
Manipur will now have her own High Court on a par with other states of India, therefore, her High Court must have minimum necessary number of Judges for proper and smooth functioning, to be appointed from amongst the qualified members of Manipur Bar and Bench who may be transferred and posted in any other High Court of India after appointment, he said.
He said at least five as recommended by Government of Manipur and up to seven Judges are the minimum requirement and insisted that HCBA is fully aware that strike by advocates or lawyers is not permissible within certain specified areas in the conduct of cases, but the present demand is not strike.
Khaidem Mani said, “In strike, there is always the elements of quid pro quo, but our demand has no such elements as it is only the public interest demand and not quid pro quo.”
Mani further said that the Chief Minister who is now in New Delhi has informed the leaders of HCBA to come to the capital to meet with Union Law minister on its demand. Accordingly, a team of HCBA is all prepared to visit New Delhi on January 13, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/lawyers-continue-strike/