Tag: National

DIMAPUR, Sept 30 NNN: Factional hostilities between the NSCNs one led by S.S Khaplang and the other led by Khole and Kitovi continue.
Late last night, one James who is in the rank of ‘second lieutenant’ in the S.S Khaplang group of NSCN was attacked by rival Khole/Kitovi faction of the NSCN in Kohima. On Sunday, the Khaplang faction alleged that at around 10:30 pm, James was undergoing medical treatment at A.G Colony in Kohima when he was attacked by the rival group. “Fortunately, our man escaped unhurt,” said the NSCN-K.
“The NSCN GPRN (NSCN-Khaplang) once again reiterates our commitment to maintain peace and tranquility but strongly cautions that taking our humanely gesture for weakness shall be befittingly responded with iron hand if the Khehoi cadres (Khole/Kitovi group) continue to target our cadres and officials. The call for maintaining peace and tranquility in Naga society by the various NGOs specially led by Angami Youth Origination (AYO) in the state capital has been continuously violated time and again by the so-called GPRN (Khole-Kitovi) group which has once again displayed its true colour by attacking unarmed NSCN officer in Kohima town,” stated the NSCN-K today issued by its ministry of publicity (MIP).
“It may also be noted here that on August 3 the Khehoi group (Khole/Kitovi group) killed 3 unarmed cadres of our outfit in the heart of Kohima town but we restrained our cadres from taking counter action because the NGOs under the banner of AYO had called for cessation of all hostilities and bloodshed among all Naga political groups. The leniency of the public and security forces had further encouraged them to carry on with their nefarious activities while the NSCN is patiently waiting for the people’s response towards such unwanted and ugly activities being carried out in the name of Naga national movement. But the NSCN is compelled to remind everyone that it will be compelled to initiate counter action if the people failed to take proper and befitting action against those criminals in the guise of national workers. The NSCN while committing itself for peace strongly cautions that the time has come for responding.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-factions-clash/

Mumbai, Sep 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan on Saturday accepted the resignation of Ajit Pawar as the state’s deputy chief minister. The latest development in this regard came after Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan accepted his deputy’s resignation and forwarded it to Governor Sankaranarayanan.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had earlier on Friday asked Chavan to accept Ajit Pawar’s resignation and directing 19 other ministers to resume office. “I will ask Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to accept Ajit Pawar’s resignation as Deputy Chief Minister,” Pawar told mediapersons after a meeting of NCP legislature party here yesterday.
“Ajit Pawar is sticking to his decision to resign. The MLAs want Ajit Pawar to reconsider the decision to resign. The NCP supports the chief minister’s move to submit a White Paper on the irrigation scam.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/maharashtra-governor-accepts-ajit-pawars-resignation/

DIMAPUR, Sept 29 NNN : Zeliangrong leaders, professionals, intellectuals, student leaders and activists under the aegis of Zeliangrong Citizens Forum (ZCF) will have expedition in Zeliangrong inhabited areas of the North East region from October 6 and conclude on October 22.
According to co-ordinator of Manipur zone ZCF Majabung Gangmei and convenor of ZCF Rangro Herie, the touring programme under the theme, ‘Zeliangrong Ancestral Land Expedition 2012 ‘ is being initiated to promote general awareness about the rich cultural heritages of the community, and also about Zeliangrong land and resources. The expedition is also to re-affirm the ‘indivisible bond of fraternal blood relationship’ which will cover all the historical and places of cultural importance to the Zeliangrong people in the entire Zeliangrong inhabited areas of north east region, said Rangro and Majabung today.
“The theme of the expedition: ‘Grand Home Coming to Makuilongdi’ depicts the perpetual kindred spirit and the common origin of Zeliangrong people based in the ancestral village called, Makuilongdi which now lies in Senapati district of Manipur,” they added.
According to ZCF leaders, the expedition will kick off from October 6 from Nagaland’s Peren district headquarters. It will be flagged off by T.R. Zeliang, Nagaland minister of Planning & Coordination, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Evaluation. “Zeliangrongs from different walks of life consisting of elders, intellectuals, professionals, research scholars, youth and students will touch upon different spots such as Poilwa, Benreu, Buisumpuikam Phizo and Rani Gaidinliu Caves in Nagaland, Haflong, Lodiram, Asalu, Laisong, Hangrum, Binakandi, Pubon Hill in Assam and Luangkao, Puiluan, Luangmai, Zeilat, Barak Waterfalls, Tamenglong, Tharon Cave, Npiulong (Buning), Tamei, Chawangkening, Imphal, Ze (Yangkhullen) and Makuilongdi in Manipur as the last venue of the expedition.
Many Resource Persons will be delivering lectures on all these select locations on various issues concerning the Zeliangrong people,” Majabung and Rangro said.
“The last leg of the expedition at the Zeliangrong ancestral home, ‘Makuilongdi’ shall see the erection and unveiling of a monolith, ‘Nguiba Tusum’ to honour and acknowledge the identity of the Zeliangrong Partriach and common ancestor which will be followed by Banyan Tree plantation. This 17-day expedition ending at Makuilongdi will be a symbolic ‘Grand Home Coming’ of the sons and daughters of Makuilongdi who had long dispersed from this historic village to re-affirm their common origin and to re-assert their rightful place in the comity of nations,” the ZCF leaders further stated.
The Zeliangrong Citizens Forum appeals to all concerned not to call any bandh or strike during this period and further appeals for peace and security in the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/expedition-to-cover-all-zeliangrong-settlements-in-october/

Guwahati, Sept 28 NNN: A move to filter Bangladesh nationals from genuine Indians in Assam is facing another layer of problem with certain people selling fake documents to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to prove they are Indians.
This has come after NGOs pressuring the government to rehabilitate only the genuine Indians in the various relief camps set up after the recent Bodo-migrant Muslim clashes in Assam.
The making and selling of fake documents to Bangladeshis came to the open after the police arrested one Azizur Rehman in Dhubri district of Assam. Azizur Rehman is said to be a former worker of the Congress party in Assam. He had sold landholding papers, panchayat certificates, ration cards, electricity bills and other documents to turn Bangladeshis into Indians overnight. After the interrogation by the police Azizur Rehman had reportedly confessed about his activities. According to the police source, Rehman had earned nearly Rs 5 lakh He confessed for arranging such documents for more than 2,000 of Bangladeshis.
On September 23, the police had arrested Md Masud, Shohel Rana and Shafikul Islam from a hotel in Guwahati who were possessing Bangladeshi passports as well as Indian voter identity cards sold to them by a person identified asd Shikhan Mian of Tripura.
It can be mentioned that North East Students Organisation (NESO) had held a massive rally in Guwahati on September 6 while shouting slogans such as “Bangladeshis go back, “Deport Bangladeshis”, “Save the North East region,” “Update the National Register of Citizens,” “Implement all clauses of the Assam Accord,” “Stop discriminating the people of the North East”. Around 30 thousand people led by NESO leaders took out a rally from Latasil of Guwahati on that day.
Student leaders from the region who conglomerated at Latasil had given a fiery speeches asking from the state governments as well as the Central government to formulate effective mechanism to “save the Northeast region” from foreigners.
Representing the Northeast MPs Forum, Birendra Prasad Baishya, a Rajya Sabha MP had advocated for the prevention of foreigners influx into the region. He had said illegal immigration should be stopped immediately. Birendra Prasad Baishya also said the influx of foreigners into the region has threatened the very existence of the North East people and their lands.
“Given the seriousness of the influx, we have been raising it all along in the Parliament. We all must have to save Assam to save the north-east,” Baishya had stated.
Fuming over the failure by the successive governments both in Assam and at New Delhi to implement fully the Assam Accord of 1985, NESO leader Samujjal Bhattacharya had said unless the Accord if implemented successfully, problems will persist.
Seeing the mammoth turn-out of today rally, the NESO leader said that the peoples response to the protest rally indicated that “we are concerned about the situation” where foreigners are overshadowing the indigenous people.
Samujjal had also said that the continuing influx of foreigners into the region is a threat to the integrity of India.
On August 23 in Guwahati, issues on the illegal immigrants in the north east region, the prolonging fencing process of the government of India along the Indo-Bangla border and a policy to ensure the safety of the north east people in the mainland India were disccused in the NESO meeting.
The NESO units from all the North Eastern states participated in that meeting where they had deliberated that the government of India should ensure to check the influx of foreigners illegally in the north east region. The need to have a comprehensive policy to detect and deport the illegal immigrants from the north east region should be made by the government of India was also stressed in the meeting.
The NESO leaders had also pointed out the prolonging period to complete the fencing work in the Indo-Bangla border when the same could be done in the Indo-Pakistan border within a short period. “There are so many porous areas in the Indo Bangla border which have been serving as gate-ways for illegal immigrants,” one of the NESO functionary had said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fake-indian-citizen-cards-galore-in-assam/

DIMAPUR, Sept 28: Confrontation between the Dimasas on one side and that of Zeliangrongs, Hmars and others, has resurfaced in Assam’s N.C. Hills today. Several people got injured in the alleged attack launched by the Dimasas.
According to Titus Kamei, president of Zeliangrong Youth Front-Assam, Manipur Nagaland (ZYF-AMN), Elu Ndang, general secretary of Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB-AMN) and Pamei Tingenlung, president of AZSU-AMN), many leaders of the community as well that of Hmars have been hurt seriously in the attack launched by the Dimasas today.
“The democratic agitation demonstrated by the Indigenous People Forum (IPF) by way of calling 48 hours bandh expressing their objection and discontentment against the policy of the Assam government to declare the North Cachar Hills district as Dimasa Territorial Council, was obstructed by the Dimasa people in which five Zeliangrong social leaders identitfied as Mrs. Kirangle Panme,(42) who is the president of Zeme Pui Baudi, Assam, and Mrs. Iwangle Riame (43), president of Indigenous Women Forum, Mr. Heichungbe Zeme (40), and three students namely Mr. Kibanchungbe Zeme (18) , Heireilungbe Zeme (18), Mr. Hourangbe Zeme (16) and other indigenous tribal leaders belonging to Hmar community namely, Keivom Hmar(40), president, Indigenous Students’ Forum, Mr. Sureithang Tuolor (20) were seriously injured,” alleged these Zeliangrong leaders today.
According to them, the injured persons were reportedly suffered injury when the Dimasa people armed with guns, and other deadly weapons such as sticks, daos and other deadly weapons attacked them. The injured persons run inside the police station hoping that their lives would be safe but the police turn them out with the Dimasa people dragged them out from the police station thereby nobody came for their rescuing.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ethnic-clashes-in-nc-hills/

DIMAPUR, SEPT 28 NNN : The lukewarm attitude of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the deplorable road condition within the perimeters of the FCI food storage depot at Kevijau Colony in Dimapur has irked the Railway Goods Transporters, which has threatened to launch an indefinite strike if the road condition is not improved at the earliest.
The threat of the Railway Goods Transporters will greatly affect supply of foodgrains to Nagaland and neighbouring state Manipur as both the states are hugely dependent on FCI foodgrains.
Talking to media persons at the FCI depot, the transporters complained that despite several reminders to the FCI including a representation in July this year to repair the road within the FCI perimeter, the FCI authority has not taken any heed.
“Most of the truckers are daily bread earners transporting FCI food grains. But in this bad road condition, especially during rainy season, many of the truck break down and develop mechanical problems for which the truckers have to spend minimum Rs. 10,000 to repair their vehicles”, said Shikuto Sema, president of Railway Goods Transporters.
Visiting media persons to the FCI Food Storage Depot on Thursday noticed that a fully loaded truck was stuck in the potholes at the main entrance of the depot even as another truck was being pulled out.
Labourers engaged in FCI goods transportation also attested that the deplorable road condition has been dragging on for years and cited instances of food items falling down from the vehicles due to slanting of vehicles while negotiating potholes.
Even as the transporters disclosed that it has become dangerous for them to bring in their vehicles in such road conditions, the FCI officials simply assured them that contractors are working on to fill up the big potholes, some 2 to 2½ feet deep on temporary basis.
The Railway Goods Transporters president also disclosed that over the year, local contractors were contributing from their own pockets for repairing and maintenance of road within the FCI depot.
“This exposes the total disregard and negligence on the part of the FCI authority to the two land-locked states of Nagaland and Manipur. If they (FCI) are sincere enough, then the road can be repaired overnight”, Shikuto said.
Members of the Railway Goods Transporters who met with the FCI depot manager reminded the latter on representation submitted by the transporters in the month of July demanding the repair of the road.
Acknowledging the demands of the transporters, the FCI depot manager said that a local contractor was awarded the work to fill up the potholes and repair the road on immediate basis. The manager also said that he had appraised FCI authority on the problems faced by the transporters.
Meanwhile, the Railway Goods Transporters cautioned that if the ongoing repairing works are not found satisfactory, then the transporters would launch an indefinite strike, which would affect both Nagaland and Manipur states.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/goods-transporters-threaten-to-launch-indefinite-agitation/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 28: Manipur Students Association Delhi will observe Irawat day at the Open Air Theatre, Arts Faculty, University of Delhi (North Campus) from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmon Sep 30. 30 September has been widely recognised and observed as IRABOT DAY in Manipur to commemorate the birthday of comrade Hijam Irabot (30 September 1896- 26 September 1951).
Comrade Irabot, who had a humble origin as a destitute orphan, was a leading figure of the social reform movement and political agitations in Manipur in the 1930s and 1940s. He was not lured by the prospect of royal prerogatives and official facilities including the prestigious post of membership to the Sadar Panchayat Court that were being offered to him for having married a princess. He resigned from a government job and fought against the various forms of oppression under feudalism and British colonial rule. He endeavoured towards the promotion of cultural identity, sports, literature and journalism. He was instrumental in the formation of reform organizations, students’ federation, peasant union, women’s organization and progressive party. By 1943 he was a confirmed communist and during his six years political exile till late 1946 he was politically active in parts of Assam. He was elected to the Manipur Assembly in 1948. Because of the extensive popular support for him, he was considered a threat to the ruling class who subsequently declared him a terrorist on 21 September 1948 before the formal inauguration of the Assembly. He went underground, carried out an armed struggle and died in the jungle in 1951.
Comrade Irabot spearheaded the movement to establish a Manipur that would be free from subjugation, oppression and exploitation. In the decades after 1951, Irabot’s revolutionary line has not been encouraged nor his ideology adequately studied or promoted; although his works in the reform movement, anti-colonial struggle and democratic movement had been widely honoured and commemorated. Irabot is being appropriated and observed by various sections of population and institutions in their own ways. It is surprising to note that apart from other reactionary forces, this year the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army has joined Irabot Day Celebration. However, there has been a lull, if not complete discontinuation, of the revolutionary initiatives that Irabot had taken up. The discontinuation is not an indication of the absence of the material premise for the revolutionary movement to carry on in Manipur. The discontinuation is largely the combined result of the deliberate refraining from adopting the ideological framework of historical materialism to comprehensively address the conditions of Manipur, widespread ideological disillusionment generated by the left wing revisionists and the extensive counter-revolutionary works carried out by the right-wing opportunists.
The subsequent emergence of several liberation organisations would fully explain that since the time of Irabot until today the colonial oppression remains. However, most of the militant organisations remained ideologically inclined towards right-wing nationalism; they have adopted a racial approach to construing nationhood that has been gradually perverted into chauvinism and the perpetuation of communalism, largely uncritical of the political economy, and indifferent to the scientific interpretation on the national question in the colonial and semi-colonial conditions. To add further complication to the situation, several militant organisations using the cloak of revolution have been carrying out forced extortion from the common people, human rights violations and individual terrorism, thereby making the people confused between what is revolutionary and reactionary activity. In the overall scenario, as a result of the absence of a uniting progressive ideology and common political line among the oppressed peoples, the ruling class could play without restraint on the sensational issues of communalism, territorial questions, various forms of repressive and terror tactics, and other divisive tactics to promote sectarianism among the population and to divert attention away from the genuine democratic questions. The political process, therefore, remains anarchical and confusing to many and the revolution is delayed.
Against this backdrop, Manipur Students’ Association Delhi is organising a programme on 30 September not only to commemorate the achievement of comrade Irabot and his political works, but also to have discussion focusing on the prevailing conditions in Manipur. We expect to have a discussion to carry forward the movement towards development, peace and unity in Manipur and beyond. We, therefore, invite you to kindly attend the programme and share your perspective. Your kind presence is highly solicited.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/irabot-day-observation-in-delhi/

MNS:- The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 28, 2012) a group of 40 children belonging to the Tamana special school, New Delhi led by its Principal Dr. Shayama Chona. The children included differently abled as well as children from underprivileged families who are attending the school as part of a process of reverse integration. The children performed dances for the President and spent an hour exploring the Mughal Gardens.
Speaking on the occasion, the President complimented Dr. Chona for having turned a mother’s need to find a school for her differently abled daughter into an opportunity for so many other children to benefit from. He called upon other members of society to emulate Dr. Chona’s example.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/president-opens-the-doors-of-rashtrapati-bhavan/

MNS:- On August 6, 2012, the Union Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram had made a statement on the economic situation and on the policy measures that were under consideration of the Government. Referring to the fiscal situation, the Finance Minister had said:
“We intend to unveil, shortly, a path of fiscal consolidation. I would like to make it clear that the burden of fiscal correction must be shared, fairly and equitably, by different classes of stakeholders. The poor must be protected and others must bear their fair share of the burden. Obviously, adjustments must be made both on the revenue side and on the expenditure side. We have asked Dr. Vijay Kelkar, Dr. Indira Rajaraman and Dr. Sanjiv Misra to assist the Government in formulating the path of fiscal consolidation and we expect that the work will be completed in a few weeks.”
The aforesaid Kelkar Committee submitted its report on September 3, 2012.
The Committee has reached certain conclusions and has made a number of recommendations.
The main conclusion of the report is that “We cannot over-emphasize the need and the urgency of fiscal consolidation.”
The report is under consideration of the Government and the Government has not yet taken a view on the report or on any of the recommendations.
The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Arvind Mayaram said that some recommendations appear contrary to the declared objective of the Government of ‘sustained and inclusive growth’. He said that the Government is of the view that in a developing country where a significant proportion of the population is poor, a certain level of subsidies is necessary and unavoidable, and measures must be taken to protect the poor and vulnerable sections of the society. It is in this view that the Government has reiterated its intention to implement the promise of food security for all, he added. The Secretary Shri Mayaram further said while taking a final view on the various recommendations of the report, the Government will bear in mind that the goal is to achieve high growth, inclusive development, and economic and social justice for all.
The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Arvind Mayaram said that the Government welcomes an informed debate on the report submitted by the Kelkar Committee. Hence, this report is being uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Finance at www.finmin.nic.in, he informed. Shri Mayaram said that the Government invites all sections of the people to send their comments to the email address: feedbackonkelkar-mof@nic.in.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kelkar-committee-report-uploaded-on-finance-ministry-website/

MNS:- Thrust to Improve Targeting & Reduce wastage & leakages and increase transparency
In a move to cut down wastage, duplication and leakages and enhance efficiency, the Prime Minister has given a major push to transfer individual benefits from the Government directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. This is to be done in a fast-track, accelerated mode to be achieved in a time bound manner. The idea is to move to a completely electronic Cash Transfer System for the entire population.
In order to accelerate the process, which currently is being tried in pilots on a small scale and whose results are very encouraging, the Prime Minister has set up the architecture for moving to electronic Cash Transfers leveraging Aadhaar.
1. Architecture for Cash Transfers
In order to speed up activity and ensure that the shift to electronic Cash Transfers can be rolled out rapidly, the Prime Minister has set up the Architecture for Cash Transfers which will be the coordination mechanism. This architecture will consist of:
i. National Ministerial Committee – under the Prime Minister with membership of all concerned ministers (Finance, IT, Social Justice, HRD, Minorities, Labour, Health, Food, P&NG, Fertilizers, Planning Commission, UIDAI,). This committee at the highest level would ensure coordination and decision-making at the highest level and impart the necessary urgency to the program.
ii. National Executive Committee – with the Secretaries of all concerned Ministries as members. This committee would meet frequently to coordinate action, ensure adherence to time lines and sort out hitches in the program as it is rolled out.
iii. Implementation Mission and Committees – to work on and finalise all operational and implementation details relating to the design and operation of the transfer system. There is a lot work needed to have a smooth roll-out and has to be done in a Mission mode with multiple agencies acting in a coordinated manner. The Mission will have the following sub-committees:
a. Cash Transfer Mission – Technology Committee -to focus on the technology, architecture and IT issues.
b. Cash Transfer Mission – Financial Inclusion Committee – to focus on ensuring Universal Access to Banking and achieving complete Financial Inclusion.
c. Cash Transfer Mission – Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Committees – to work out the details relating to EBT such as data bases, transfer rules, controls, audits, etc. There would be one for each Ministry which is engaging in benefit transfers.
The milestones and timeliness for each of these Committees will be clearly laid down. The National Executive Committee will monitor progress and ensure timely roll-out. This scheme will have a momentous impact on the government`s various social programmes and help million of beneficiaries.
2. Background to Aadhaar:
With the rapid rollout of Aadhaar, now covering 20 crore people and rapidly growing to 60 crores, and with the National Population Register covering the other half, it is possible to move to a system of transferring cash benefits directly to the poor.
A Cash Transfer System can be used for transferring cash benefits such as NREGA Wages, Scholarships, Pensions, Income support of other types and Health Benefits. Electronic Transfer of Benefits (ETB) is a simple change as the transfers are already taking place and the only modification that would be involved is a movement from a paper based, cash driven system to an electronic direct transfer system.
Cash Transfer System would improve targeting, reduce corruption, eliminate waste, control expenditure and facilitate reforms.
3. Pilots
The results of pilots are encouraging. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) has already begun in many cases. The Government and RBI have issued Guidelines to Banks for implementation of EBT. Pilots are under implementation, including in AP, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, TN, WB, Karnataka, Puducherry and Sikkim.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/prime-minister-sets-up-the-architecture-for-cash-transfers/

MNS:- The Union Culture and HUPA Minister Kumari Selja has said that there is an increasing need to create enhanced sensitivity and capacity building at local, national and global levels for World Heritage and Sustainable Development. Inaugurating a consultative workshop on UNESCO Category-II Centre for World Heritage here today she said, the target audiences should include governments, non-governmental agencies, civil society members and other parastatals for maintaining heritage properties. She said, professional training and capacity building, awareness-raising among local populations and stakeholders are among the very important and immediate steps to be taken. It is equally important to impart World Heritage education targeted towards the youth and local populations and this is a key area where we need to work together.
The Minister said, in recent years, most Asian countries have accelerated the introduction of new laws on heritage protection which seeks to critically and comprehensively address the many aspects of heritage conservation. She said, in this context, India has recently taken an important step by reinforcing the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites & Remains Act (AMASRA, 2010), for protection of the National Monuments and World Heritage Properties under the ASI. A new National Monuments Authority has been created with the aim of defining a new paradigm for urban planning. A heritage sensitive perspective is being built in as a mandatory factor in development of spaces around heritage monuments.
Kumari Selja said, India being a member on the World Heritage Committee, has an increasing responsibility towards implementation of the World Heritage Convention. She said, India aims to take a lead and facilitate training and capacity building activities in the region. She said that the establishment of this Category-II Centre in India will facilitate development of competencies in training, research and partnerships.
The Minister said, the World Heritage aspects for India are now guided by a specially created Advisory Committee on World Heritage matters under the Ministry of Culture. This Committee, comprising of experts drawn from the fields of natural heritage, conservation, urban planning, risk analysis, tourism promotion etc., has already initiated the task of revision of India’s Tentative List through an extensive process of consultation.
The two-day consultative workshop has been organised jointly by the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, India and the Wildlife Institute of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest, India. Besides senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Environment and Forest, ASI, Wildlife Institute of India, Members of the Indian Advisory Committee on World Heritage, the workshop has participation of UNESCO officials from World Heritage Centre, Paris, members of Advisory Bodies of UNESCO such as ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN, government officials from countries of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh along with eminent Indian experts on World Heritage.
During the two days workshop, the participants will dwell upon the key issues and concerns regarding Conservation and Management of World Heritage Sites in Asia region. Some of the key issues identified as priority for this region that will be discussed in the workshop are: implementation of management plans forworldheritage sites, Disaster risk reduction and risk preparedness, Better regional cooperation, Community involvement, Regional gap analysis and thematic studies on Tentative Lists for World Heritage.
Several case studies of World Heritage Sites from India and participating countries will be presented and discussed. The advisory bodies and World Heritage Centre officials will dialogue with the participants on ways to resolve the key concerns in management of such sites through specific training modules that can be evolved for Category 2 Centre, an Institute with UNESCO recognition. The Category 2 Centre (C2C) proposed by India has been envisioned to be a centre of excellence for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage in Asia Pacific Region. It will perform a catalytic role in India and the countries in the Asia.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kumari-selja-inaugurates-consultative-workshop-on-unesco/

New Delhi, Sep. 27 (ANI): Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday said the government respects the Supreme Court’s judgment of rejecting the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea to cancel the bail of former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah in connection with the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh Fake Encounter Case.
Interacting with reporters here, Khurshid said: “We respect the Supreme Court’s decision. If the Court has not yielded to some of CBI’s arguments, that’s the right of the Court. I shall discuss it further after going through the judgment.”
Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected the CBI’s plea for cancellation of Amit Shah’s bail, and also allowed him to travel to Gujarat.
The CBI had argued that Shah might try to influence witnesses in the case.
The apex court, however, ordered the shifting of the trial to Mumbai, one of the key demands of the investigating agency.
Sohrabuddin and his wife Kauser Bi were allegedly abducted by Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Hyderabad and killed in a fake encounter near Gandhinagar in November 2005.
Shah was arrested by the CBI on July 25, 2010 and had spent over three months in Sabarmati Jail in Ahmedabad. He had to quit the Modi Government in July last year after having been slapped with kidnapping and murder charges in the fake encounter killing.
The CBI, however, has filed a charge-sheet against Shah in the Tulsiram Prajapati case.
The CBI had said that Prajapati was a witness in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, and his killing was part of a larger conspiracy in which Shah, as the then head of the state administration, was involved.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sohrabuddin-sheikh-fake-encounter-case/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 27 : The Minister for Environment and Forests, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan has ordered that an immediate investigation be conducted into this incident by a team from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. She has desired that the investigation should be completed within one week, and the perpetrators brought to justice. The Minister has also written to Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi asking for all assistance in this regard and to prevent future incidents.
The Minister said “I am shocked and distressed by the callous exploitation by unscrupulous poachers of the natural disaster of floods and of helpless animals fleeing to find safe shelter. I am determined to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice and that such incidents do not recur in future”.
In view of the reports of poaching of rhino horn as a result of poachers targeting rhinos fleeing the flooded areas of Kaziranga National Park requiring immediate action, the Ministry of Environment & Forests has constituted a team of officers to inquire into the reported killings of Rhinos by poachers in Assam. The team consists of Shri C. Behra, Regional Deputy Director, Eastern Region, Kolkata; Shri A.K. Jha, Assistant Director (Intelligence), BHQ, Delhi; Shri L. Kuruvilla, Assistant Director, SR, Chennai; and Shri K.K. Sarma, Wildlife Inspector, NR, Delhi.
The team will immediately reach the spot to start investigations. The team will also seek assistance from the local agencies in detailed investigation of the case and conduct inter-agency coordination to trace the culprits and bust the networks involved.
A day after a female rhino was killed for its horn by poachers, another female rhino was killed in the wee hours today at Karbi Hills in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
Irked by the acts of the poachers, the Paresh Barua led anti-talk faction of ULFA condemned it and accused the Tarun Gogoi government of failing to protect the heritage of Assam while All Assam Students Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad blocked the National Highway 37 in protest against the killing rhinos. They also burnt the effigies of chief minister Tarun Gogoi and state forest minister Rockybul Hussain.
“The state government and its Forest department have failed to protect the rhinos and now it is the duty of the people to take necessary steps to protect the animals,” a statement e-mailed by ULFA said.
So far 15 rhinos have been killed in Assam this year.
It may be recalled here that on Wednesday poachers had chopped off a rhino’s horn and also its right ear as the animal struggled after being shot. The animal had died only at around 5 pm.
Yesterday’s incident occurred near the fame Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The animal was a full grown female rhino.
On September 16, the poachers had killed a rhino for its horn in Assam.
Due to the present floods, about 85% of the area in Kaziranga National Park including 125 anti-poaching camps have been affected. Because of this, large number of animals in the park have strayed. Altogether 22 animals have been killed in the park due to the present floods.
The Assam flood has affected 13 districts with lakhs of people finding hardship.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/natarajan-orders-probe-into-rhino-poaching/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 27 : The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Doctor of 8th Battalion, Central Industrial Security Force(CISF), Amber, Jaipur and a private person for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 8,000/-from the complainant.
The Complainant alleged in his complaint that he has qualified SSC written examination for the post of Sub-Inspector in CPOs and reported at CISF 8th Battalion, Amber, Jaipur for physical and medical examination. The Doctor has demanded bribe of Rs. 10,000/- from him through a Proprietor of a Medical Store at Amber, Jaipur. CBI registered a case and laid a trap. The Proprietor was caught r while having demanded and accepted bribe of Rs. 8,000/- .
Subsequently, search was conducted at GO’s Mess, CISF 8th Battalion, Amber, Jaipur where the Doctor was staying and a cash of Rs. 1,00,500/- was recovered .
In another case, t an Officer of Punjab National Bank, Telo Branch, Bokaro (Jharkhand) for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/- from the complainant.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cisf-doctor-held-for-taking-bribe/

MNS:- Union Tourism Minister Minister Shri Subodhkant Sahai will inaugurate the Second International Buddhist Conclave at Varanasi on September 29, 2012.
The conclave is being held with a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist Heritage of India. The Conclave invitees include the International Buddhist scholars, tour operators and media both domestic and international who actively promote Buddhist Tourism. The other states with Buddhist sites like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha besides Bihar will be associated in the event. The Conclave is an important tourism marketing event designed to bring together international buyers from around the world particularly from the popular Buddhist destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China etc. together, to interact, promote and sell, with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals to India and specifically to the Buddhist sites in different states.
About 130 Overseas guests including Buddhist Scholars/Tour Operators and Media representatives (mainstream media and travel journalists) from 30 countries including Australia, Belgium, Bhu tan,Cambodia,Cana da,China,France,Holland,Hun gary,Indonesia,Italy,Japan,lao s,Malaysia,Myanmar,New Zealand, Phillipines, Republic of Korea,Russia,Singapore,South Africa,Spain,Sri lanka,Taiwan,Thailand,UK,USA and Vietnam will be attending the conclave. More than one hundred Indian Tour Operators, Scholars, Media personnel from 16 States/UTs will also be attending the Conclave.
The Conclave sessions include Technical sessions on Buddhism for scholars, and travel and Tourism sessions for the media and Tour operators. The delegates will also be taken for site visits to Bodh Gaya and Nalanda.
India has a rich Buddhist Heritage, with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha, which are of great interest for followers of Buddhism the world over. Buddhism originated in India and has spread to almost all the countries of the world, with the population of Buddhists estimated to be around 350 million. Countries like China, Thailand, Cambodia have a high proportion of Buddhists in their population and the religion is also becoming quite widespread in America, Australia and United Kingdom. Other Southeast Asia countries like Japan. Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Srilanka etc. have sizeable Buddhist population and are important source markets for India Tourism.
Buddhist sites in India include Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali in Bihar, Sarnath and Sravasti in Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta & Ellora in Maharashtra, Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, Amaravati & Nagarjuna Konda in Andhra Pradesh and many more. There is a great potential for promoting tourism to these sites and efforts are being made to drive tourist traffic to the different sites.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/international-buddhist-conclave-at-varanasi/

MNS:- The Union Ministry of Rural Development and Government of Jammu and Kashmir jointly launched project Himayat in 2011 for placement linked skill development initiative for training and placement of one lakh youth from the state in next five years. So far, 2431 youth have been trained and currently 2800 trainees are undergoing training in 42 centres spread across 19 districts in Jammu and Kashmir. To encourage and to interact with the youth who were trained and given placements under Himayat outside the state, an interactive session is being organized in Chandigarh on 30-09-2012 at MBA Conference Hall, NIPER, Mohali. The Minister of Rural Development Shri Jairam Ramesh has invited the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Omar Abdullah to grace the occasion and interact with the trained youth.
The Union Cabinet has already approved 235 crore rupees for this programme. The priority will be given to youth who are school and college drop-outs and training will be provided at each of the block headquarters. The private sector institutions such as IL&FS and Don Bosco Technical Institute have been chosen to impart the training to the youth, who would be selected for the programme on the basis of applications. Once the trained youths complete their course and take up employment,

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/march-of-jk-youth-for-placements-under-himayat-continues/

of Trainers
MNS:- The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is holding a two-day All India Training of Trainers for the NSS 70th Round of Socio Economic Survey. The NSSO and the State Directorates of Economics & Statistics will carry out the 70th Round survey for the Central and State samples respectively for a period of one year starting from 1st January, 2013.
The training programme was inaugurated here today by Prof. T. C. A. Anant, Chief Statistician of India and Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Dr. Sudipto Mundle, Chairman, National Statistical Commission, Dr. A. Vaidyanathan, Chairman, Working Group for 70th Round, Shri S. K. Das, DG&CEO, NSSO and Members of the National Statistical Commission and Working Group on 70th Round. Senior officers of Central Statistics Office (CSO), NSSO, as also the State Directorates of Economics & Statistics and representatives from Central Ministries/Departments were among those who attended the inaugural function. The schedules and instructions designed for the purpose of detailed investigation and other operational aspects of the survey programme will be discussed by the participants for their effective implementation during the survey. The participants of this All India Training of Trainers, in turn, will impart training to the field functionaries at the Regional Training Camps in various States in December 2012 before the survey is launched from 1st January, 2013.
The NSS 70th Round will be devoted to the subjects “Land & Livestock Holdings, Debt & Investment and Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”. The objectives and scope of the survey are briefly given below:
Land and Livestock Holdings: The objective of the “Land and Livestock Holdings Survey” is to assess various aspects of land ownership holdings and operational holdings as well as livestock holdings. Particulars of land, irrespective of whether owned, leased-in, otherwise possessed or leased-out are collected separately for each plot. The particulars will include area, tenurial form, land use pattern, irrigation practices, drainage facilities, etc.
Debt and Investment: The survey on “Debt and Investment” provides an opportunity to study both the demand and supply sides of credit in the household sector. Information on assets, economic activities, particulars of credit operations and the incidence of indebtedness in the rural and urban areas are to be collected in the survey. Further, data on the extent and mode of opera¬tions of different credit agencies are also collected to examine the supply side of the credit.
Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households: Agriculture is important for the very existence of life. Its growth and development is integral to the quest for food and nutrition security. The farmers of India have made significant contributions in providing food and nutrition to the nation and provided livelihood to millions of people of the country. During the six decades of planned economic development, India has moved from food-shortage and imports to self-sufficiency and exports. Food security for people and well being of farmers being major areas of concern of the planners of Indian agriculture, this survey will provide a snapshot picture of the farming community. The impact of the transformation induced by public policy, investments and technological change on the farmers’ access to resources and income as well as well-being of the agricultural households are also expected to be analysed.
The Survey will cover the whole of the Indian Union except some inaccessible areas of Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All the State Governments and Union Territories (except A & N Islands, D&N Haveli, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Daman & Diu) will participate in this survey with a common set of schedules and sampling design.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation was established in 1950, with the objective of obtaining comprehensive and continuing information relating to social, economic, demographic, industrial and agricultural statistics through sample surveys on countrywide basis. It has been, therefore, instrumental in developing a strong database that has helped the Central as well as State Governments in development planning and policy formulations.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) functions under the overall direction of National Statistical Commission (NSC). The National Statistical Commission has the requisite independence and autonomy of decision making in the collection; processing and the publication of NSS data. The autonomy includes the choice of subjects or items on which data have to be collected in a given field of investigation or in a given period, the frequency with which the data on any item are to be collected, the preparatory or pilot work to be undertaken on different subjects, the sample design to be adopted, the tabulation to be prepared, the form in which the data are to be collected and processed and the analysis and publication of results.
Every year NSSO conducts not only large-scale sample surveys in the form of NSS Rounds covering a variety of socio-economic topics, but also other important surveys in the field of Industrial Statistics (Annual Survey of Industries), Agricultural Statistics and Retail Prices.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/70th-round-of-socio-economic-survey/

MNS:- SU-30 MKI aircraft was inducted into Western Air Command in a formal ceremony at Air Force Station Halwara on 25 Sep 12. Air Marshal Arup Raha AVSM VM AOC-in-C Western Air Command IAF was the chief guest for the induction ceremony. He was accompanied by Mrs Lily Raha President AFWWA (Regional).
While the first batch of SU-30 MKI was inducted into IAF in Sep 2002, the 220 Squadron at Halwara known as ‘Desert Tigers’, which flew the MiG-23 aircraft till 2005 is now resurrected with the latest SU-30 MKI Squadron in Western Air Command. The SU-30 MKI is a frontline all-weather air-dominance fighter with multi-role capability, which can undertake varied air combat and ground attack missions. Air Force Station Halwara is one of the oldest frontline Airbases of the IAF. The base has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception as a forward airfield in 1942. Halwara, due to its strategic location was actively involved in both 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. Halwara has been home to Spitfires in early 1950s to being the hub of Mig-23 operations till 2009. It was later chosen to base the first SU-30 MKI Squadron in the Western Air Command in 2011.
The ‘Desert Tigers’ were formed as an offensive fighter Squadron on 09 Feb 1963. The Squadron was initially names as ‘Fighting Tigers’ and flew the first jet aircraft of the IAF, the Vampire. The squadron has changed many bases during its forty years long journey and has taken part in 1965, 1971 and Kargil Operations. While the Squadronflew Vampires during 1965 war, it flew HF-24 Marut in 1971 war from Jodhpur where the Squadron was rechristened as’ Desert Tigers’, the name it is known by till date. The Squadron later went on to fly Mig-23 BN, the supersonic strike fighter till 2009. Having been inactive for two years the ‘Desert Tigers’ were resurrected with state of the art air-dominance fighter SU-30 MKI in Sep 2011. The Squadron has a glorious past and it looks forward to bright future as it readies to spread its wings across the Indian landscape.
Air Force Station Halwara witnessed a well coordinated ceremony on this occasion. Guests from Western Air Command graced the event. The chief Guest was received by Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Halwara, Air Commodore RGK Kapoor VM. An impressive parade contingent presented a general salute to the AOC-in-C. Later the Commanding Officer of the Squadron, Wing Commander SharadAneja took permission from the Air marshal to get airborne in a SU-30 MKI aircraft. The ceremony included an impressive flypast by the SU-30 s of 220 Squadron. The pilots of the Squadron executed the characteristic ‘Trishul’ formation in a spectacular manner signifying their formal induction into the premier Air Command of the IAF. The Air Force personnel and their families witnessed the momentous occasion at Air Force Station Halwara.
Air Marshal Arup Raha AVSM VM in his address congratulated the air warriors of Halwara air base for successful induction fo SU-30 MKI. Heappreciatedthe tireless efforts put in by all personnel in operationalising the Squadron within a very short period. The Squadron has enhanced the operational capability of Western Air Command in a substantial manner. The Air Marshal and his wife interacted with the officers and their spouses during social evening organised at the Officers’ Mess.
Mrs Lily Rahainteractd with the spouses of air warriors (Sanginis) during the customary welfare meeting held at CV Gole auditorium. She also visited various welfare ventures run by President AFWWA (Local), Mrs. (Dr.) SuneetaKapoor.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/induction-ceremony-su-30-mki-at-air-force-station-halwara/

MNS:- A Special Function was organized by the Union Ministry of Culture here today to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Motilal Nehru. The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee was the Chief Guest and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council and UPA graced the occasion in the presence of Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony, Minister of Finance Shri P. Chidambaram, Minister of HRD and Communications & IT Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Culture and HUPA Kumari Selja and Chairman of the National Implementation Committee Dr. Karan Singh.
The Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram released the Commemorative Coins on the occasion. A Commemorative Stamp on Shri Motilal Nehru was also released by the Communications & IT Minister Shri Kapil Sibal during the Function. President Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first set of coins and postal stamps released at the function.
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his speech recalled the role of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the national movement of India. Paying rich tributes to the great leader, he listed his achievements like his role in evolving of Public Accounts Committee.
The Chairman of the National Advisory Council and UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi in her speech said that Pt. Motilal Nehru was committed to communal harmony and secularism and always worked above cast, sect and community. He believed that country is above the community or sect. Referring to his contribution in the national movement of India, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said that his most important achievement was ‘Nehru Report’ in 1928 where among other things Pt. Motilal Nehru talked about equal rights for men and women in the country.
The Culture Minister Kumari Selja has said that Pt. Motilal Nehru became one of the wealthiest persons of his times through his hard work. However, he soon abandoned the flourishing career to get actively involved with the national movement. She said, there were several trysts and travails in his political life starting from the Home Rule, starting the Swaraj Party and returning to the fold of Indian National Congress. He rose to head the Indian National Congress twice, at very critical junctures of the freedom struggle.
Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony also remembered the contribution of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the National Movement.
Govt. of India has decided to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Shri Motilal Nehru. A National Committee (NC) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the appropriate commemoration and to decide on the time frame for the Commemoration-related activities. A meeting of the NC was held on 08th June, 2012, wherein various suggestions were given by the Member for the commemoration activities.
A National Implementation Committee (NIC) has also been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament to implement the decisions of the National Committee.
The first meeting of the National Implementation Committee was held on 6th August, 2012, New Delhi, in which the suggestions of the National Committee held on 8th June, 2012 were considered by the NIC. The NIC has approved proposals for programmes and projects to ensure a befitting commemoration of the multifaceted genius and his contribution in different fields who was a stalwart of the freedom struggle in more ways than one. As draftsman of the Nehru Report of 1928 he laid the foundation stone for a democratic system with adult suffrage, cultural and religious rights for all. In celebrating his memory we also rededicate ourselves to a common legacy created through a selfless public life. Various programmes and projects will be undertaken during the period 2012-13 such as digitisation of the selected works of Shri Motilal Nehru, re-publication of Nehru Report, organizing special lectures and conferences on the theme “Motilal Nehru and the making of modern India”, setting up of a Motilal Nehru Chair in the Allahabad University etc. These programmes will be implemented in association with Central Ministries, State Government and Universities / Institutions.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/commemoration-of-150th-birth-anniversary-of-motilal-nehru/

Jorhat, Sep 25 (ANI): Prison authorities in a low-lying area of Assam’s Jorhat District have shifted 41 prisoners out of a jail after it was inundated with floodwaters.
Prisoners of Garmur Jail were shifted to the Jorhat Central Jail on Monday by ferry under tight security, the officials said.
Buben Nath, the officer -in-charge of the Garmur Police Station, said the prisoners would remain in Jorhat Central Jail until the waters recede.
Floods and landslides caused by relentless rain in northeast India have killed at least 33 people and displaced more than a million over the past week, officials informed.
A total of 166 relief camps have been set up across the state for flood-affected people. Over 2.31 lakh people have taken shelter in the camps.
The National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the Army and the Indian Air Force are engaged in rescue and relief operations.
Troops of the Tezpur-headquartered Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army provided relief to more than 6,000 flood-affected people in Sonitpur district in central Assam, besides distributing 2.5 tonnes of food packets.
Floods have also inundated three national parks in Assam including Kaziranga National Park, where two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned Rhinoceroses live. Some animals have been forced out of the park to nearby hills.
The monsoon this year has already caused heavy floods in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and certain parts of northeastern states, leading to severe devastation of life and property.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/floodwater-inundates-assams-garmur-jail-inmates-evacuated/