Tag: National

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 4 : The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed a resolution during the second session of the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly in its sitting held on 2313-07-2012 to “extend and adopt the Bengal Frontier Regulation, 1873 with necessary changes in the point of details to the State of Manipur and to urge the Government of India to comply the same.”
The State Government of Manipur informed this Ministry about the resolution passed by the State Cabinet and the State Legislative Assembly with a request to extend the provisions of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 to the State of Manipur.
Inner Line Permit System under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is applicable only to the three North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland which cannot be extended to the State of Manipur as per extant regulation.
This was stated by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Dr.Thokchom Meinya in the Lok Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ilp-cannot-be-extended-to-manipur-ramachandran/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 4 : The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed a resolution during the second session of the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly in its sitting held on 2313-07-2012 to “extend and adopt the Bengal Frontier Regulation, 1873 with necessary changes in the point of details to the State of Manipur and to urge the Government of India to comply the same.”
The State Government of Manipur informed this Ministry about the resolution passed by the State Cabinet and the State Legislative Assembly with a request to extend the provisions of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 to the State of Manipur.
Inner Line Permit System under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is applicable only to the three North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland which cannot be extended to the State of Manipur as per extant regulation.
This was stated by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Dr.Thokchom Meinya in the Lok Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ilp-cannot-be-extended-to-manipur-ramachandran/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 3 : The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Bangalore, B.M. Angadi, has convicted S.Murali, the then Branch Manager, Syndicate Bank, Indira Nagar Branch, Bangalore to undergo two years simple imprisonment with fine Rs.13,000/- in a CBI case.
CBI had filed a charge sheet against S.Murali and 3-others U/s 120-B r/w 420, 468 471 IPC and Sec. 13(2) r/w 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988. The allegations as per the charge sheet were that S.Murali while working in Syndicate Bank, Indira Nagar Branch, Bangalore had entered into criminal conspiracy with other accused persons during 1993 in the matter of clearing cheques issued / drawn by other accused without sufficient funds in the account and enabled the accused persons to get their property out of mortgage from nationalized banks.
The accused persons caused a wrongful loss of Rs.40 lakh(approx) to Syndicate Bank and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves.
The Trial Court found S.Murali guilty and convicted him. The court acquitted one private person while other two private persons died during trial.
The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Saket, New Delhi has today sentenced O.S.Chauhan, IAS(UT-1967), Former Additional Commissioner of Sales Tax, Government of NCT, Delhi to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. Five Lakh in a disproportionate assets case.
CBI had registered a case on 19-09-1985 under section 5(1)(e) r/w 5(2) of PC Act, 1947 and filed a charge sheeted on 23-12-1996 in the Court of Special Judge, Tis Hazari, Delhi against the accused. The investigation revealed that O.S.Chauhan was found in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs. 3, 87,142/-(approx), to his known sources of income, while working as a public servant in various capacities, during the period 14-07-67 to 19-09-85, which he could not satisfactorily account for. The Court has also ordered to confiscate the properties of O.S.Chauhan acquired from his ill-gotten wealth.
The Special Court had found O.S.Chauhan guilty of the offence and convicted him on 30-08-2012.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-years-imprisonment-to-a-bank-manager-in-cbi-case/

New Delhi , Sep 3 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday insisted on Congress accepting the charges levelled against it by the opposition before allowing the Parliament to resume work.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the opposition has made its stand quite clear and is firm on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s resignation over the coal blocks allocation issue.
“If you can recall in the 2G scam also, the Congress was not ready to accept the charges levelled against it. The BJP had raised the question of irregular allocation of spectrums, it was not accepted by the Congress Party. It resulted in a cash loss to this country of 1,76,000 crores,” said Rudy.
“And now the same situation has arisen, where it is question of 1,86,000 crores on coal blocks allotment issue,” he added.
Rudy pointed out that the Prime Minister had appended his signature in majority of the coal blocks, which were allotted.
“Unless and until the government decides to cancel all these blocks, it would be unacceptable for the BJP. The logjam in the Parliament would continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid pointed out that the country was incurring huge loss
following the disruption of Parliament.
“What is the total loss to the country because of what BJP is doing (in Parliament)?” he asked. He pointed out that the Government has been wanting to pass legislation and take decisions to fight corruption. The BJP actions have been ‘paralysing’ , he said.
“All those legislations were being prevented from being passed by BJP. This is a clear indication that BJP is not interested in associating with the system which is transparent and makes people accountable,” he added.
The standoff over the CAG report on coal blocks allocation continued in both houses of Parliament today .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/parliament-stalled-bjp-insistent-on-congress-accepting-charges/

IMPHAL, Sept 3 NNN: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the brutal killing of Pangabam Rabi at Chandigarh on Monday ruled out natural death but rather suspected foul play on the death of Rabi, saying it has proper evidence to prove that he had been murdered.
Addressing a press meet at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, JAC spokesperson Toijam Nandababu said there is enough evidence to prove that the death of Rabi was a murder.
He, however, lamented over what he said a “careless statement” of the Manipur Students’ Association, Chandigarh (MSAC) which has said that there were no any external injuries on the body of Rabi. The JAC spokesperson termed the statement of MSAC president Meiraba as “unfortunate.”
He also accused the students’ body of making the statement by citing only the police reports and said MSAC did not cooperate with the deceased family.
A deep cut mark was discovered in Rabi’s neck, obviously a mark received after slitting the throat, he further said and added that apart from the neck, the head got injury marks with the limbs had been found cut off. The JAC will never accept the post mortem report which mentioned that Rabi’s limbs had been bitten off by wild dogs. The point made then was that it was some kind of a natural death, Nandababu said in an angry mood.
He reiterated that the Government should fulfil the demands of the JAC which have been mentioned in the memorandum submitted earlier and warned of serious agitation if the Government fails to meet the demands that include a CBI probe into the death. Rabi was a B.Sc second year student of Government College For Male, Chandigarh. He was found death in a jungle in Chandigarh on August 29 last. The post mortem was conducted at the Government Multi-speciality Hospital, Chandigarh.
The JAC has also demanded a full probe preferably by the CBI into the matter.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/foul-play-suspected-in-rabis-death-jac/

AIZAWL, Sept 3 NNN: Cocoon Purchasing Centre has been set up in Saitual in Mizoram which was inaugurated by C. Lalthankhuma, Secretary, Sericulture Department recently.
This is as part of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), a pilot project of the Mizoram government under Lal Thanhawla leadership.
The setting up of the cocoon purchasing centre has boost the morale of Mizo farmers who have been waiting for such thing to happen.
At the Centre, two cocoon drying ovens have been installed; and on the very day of the inauguration, people of Saitual and its nearby villages sold their cocoon weighing 126.5 kg worth Rs. 22,431 to the sericulture department.
People in this area will now be able to sell off their cocoons easily from the newly set up Cocoon Purchasing Centre.
The Sericulture Department distributed NLUP Phase II at Saitual BRC Hall to Beneficiaries from Saitual, Sihfa, Keifang, Tualbung, Lungpher and Rulchawm villages; the beneficiaries include 142 families who were given Rs.5,000 each for purpose of jhuming on that day.
It can be noted here that a comprehensive project for inclusive and equitable growth i.e. New Land Use Policy (NLUP) has been successfully implemented in Mizoram with the approval and active participation of Planning Commission, Government of India since January, 2011.
The main objective of this noble project is major overhauling of the State economy through structural replacement of devastating shifting cultivation by introducing systematic method of occupation based on local resources and ingenuity of the local people.
On August 26, as issued by the Planning Commission, the growth rate of ‘Gross State Domestic Product’ of Mizoram in the 11th Five Year Plan is 11%, which is higher than the national average-7.9% and the North East average- 9.95 %.
In connection with this, Planning Board member secretary and New Land Use Policy (NLUP) Implementing Board vice chairman PL Thanga had informed the media informed that Mizoram holds the second rank in the growth rate of GSDP among the North East states. He also said that the growth in GSDP is due mainly to Horticulture.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cocoon-centre-set-up/

New Delhi, Sep 3 (ANI): Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday defended the government over coal blocks allocation issue, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s resignation is ‘outrageous and unsound’.
Chidambaram said the BJP’s demand for cancellation of 142 coal blocks is not based on logic, and added that the cancellation of coal blocks will affect the Indian economy.
The Finance Minister said the process is underway, and added that the government has done all that required to be done in this regard.
“If coal policy is flawed, it has been flawed since 1993. Coal policy cannot be put in place through a diktat,” he said.
He also urged the opposition not to disrupt parliamentary proceedings over the coal blocks allocation issue, and said that the government is ready to start debate tomorrow.
Chidambaram further said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the coal blocks allocation is underway, and added that the apex-investigating agency will do whatever is necessary.
With no end to the government-BJP standoff over CAG report on coal blocks allocation, the last week of the
Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday with a repeat of stormy scenes raising the possibility of a washout of the remaining four days.
The month-long session, which already lost the previous two weeks to BJP’s unrelenting demand for resignation of the Prime Minister, again saw uproar created by BJP members, leading to wastage of one more day of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The BJP has held the Prime Minister, who then held direct charge of the coal ministry, responsible for what has been estimated as a notional loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crores by the CAG in coal block allocations, and demanded his resignation.
The CAG report on coal block allocations states that nearly 150 coalfields were allotted to private and state-run firms without transparency and objectivity between 2005 and 2009.
However, Dr. Singh had rejected the CAG’s observations as ‘misleading’ and ‘flawed’, and blamed the opposition parties for thwarting the efforts of his government to bring a policy of competitive bidding.
Dr. Singh also ruled out any possibility of quitting the top post despite the BJP firm on its demand for his resignation over the coal blocks allocation issue.
Interacting with mediapersons onboard the special plane while returning to New Delhi from Tehran after attending the 16th NAM summit, Dr. Singh said that he can’t get into a war of words with political leaders, and added that he has to maintain the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bjps-demand-for-pms-resignation-is-outrageous-fm/

Aizawl, Sep 2 NNN: In a rare and spine-chilling incident that took place at around 10:30 at Vairengte in Mizoram on Friday, a student of Class VIII, aged 17 years stabbed two fellow students of Class VII, both aged 16 years of the same school with a knife .
According to one of the injured students, the accused had often disturbed them without reasons and on Friday morning when they were about to play at the field nearby their school, he came and quarreled with them. In few minutes, the accused took a knife from nearby house and stabbed two of his friends.
The three students were among others who attended the cultural dance competition organised by Vairengte Education Staff Association (VESA). Those who did not participate in the competition were told to play in the field guided by one teacher. However, as the teacher was called inside the school by the headmaster for some work, the incident had occurred in the mean time.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/student-stab-two-fellow-students/

DIMAPUR, Sept 2 NNN: Even as situation continues to be highly charged in Dimapur, the NSCN-IM has cautions its cadres that if any one of them is found involving in the confrontation between the Angamis and the Semas, stern penalty on the violators of the outfit’s directive will be awarded.
NSCN-IM ‘home minister’ T.T Among directs all the outfit’s ranks and files to stay alert and watchful in this situation and warns the NSCN cadres not to use weapons of any kind overtly and covertly in support of one party or the other. Failing to observe this directive will certainly entail punitive action against the erring cadres.
The outfit’s ‘home minister’ then termed the disturbed situations ensued in Dimapur and surrounding areas arising out of some ugly incident at Kohima as very unfortunate. He opines that such isolated incident should have been settled through mutual talks or through legal course of action. But it has been blown out of proportion. However, T.T. Among appeals to both Semas and Angamis to exercise maximum restraints in the present volatile situation in the interest of the people in general and the Nation and also appeals to all Naga people to remain calm.
Further, Tongmeth Wangnao, co-convener of the NSCN-IM’s highest decision making body the Steering Committee (SC) and a leading member of the ‘Eastern Naga National Workers Union (ENNWU) member under Isak Chsi Swu and Th. Muivah appeals to both Semas and Angamis for restraint from confrontations. He said, “Our fore fathers were head hunters and had had no close contacts between the communities or tribes. But through Christianity and Naga Nationalism we have come closer to each other. Therefore this brotherly love and feeling of oneness should be properly maintained between communities or tribes”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-cautions-cadres-as-dimapur-remains-tense-2/

DIMAPUR, Sept 1: Tension has been reigning high in Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur today following the physical confrontation between the Semas and the Angamis.
More than a dozen vehicles have been damaged that were plying along the National Highway between Purana Bazar and Chumukedima in Dimapur.
Unconfirmed reports said one person was killed and another injured in the clash at 6th Mile area in Dimapur. A separate report said the actually number of death was two and not otherwise due to the exchange of gunfire between the Angami mob and that of the Semas. The Semas reportedly pointed their fingers at the IRB personnel for shooting the Sema man but eye witnesses said it was from the Angami side that had shot the Sema man. In the process of gunfire, a woman hailing from Chakesang community was also reportedly injured. Both the Sema man and the Chakesang woman succumbed to their injuries, said the unconfirmed reports.
Attempts to ascertain the reports of the killings from the officials proved futile.
Earlier in the day, a luxury resort Niathu Resort owned by chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s son was also damaged by the Sema mob.
The large number of mob also attempted to gheroe residences of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other Angami houses but they were confronted by the Angami mob.
Youths in large number perching in Bolero jeeps and Gypsy jeeps armed with machetes, sticks and stones were seen speeding around the highway shouting against the each other community today before the curfew was imposed.
The district administration has promulgated indefinite curfew (CrPC 144) from this evening as a pre-emptive measure.
The problem began since 8 am today with Sema youths enforcing lightning bandh in Dimapur.
Shops that defied the diktats of the Sema youths have been damaged.
It all began following the death of a Sema youth in Kohima yesterday because of a mob thrashing for stealing a bike.
The victim identified has been identified as one Kivika Assumi s/o of Kanito Assumi of Keltomi village under Aghunato sub-division of Zunheboto district. Kivika Assumi was reportedly caught by members of the Quick Response Team of Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO-QRT) in the wee hours of Friday from Indira Gandhi stadium area on charges of stealing a Pulsar bike along with two of his friends.
Meanwhile, an official source said a one man ‘high powered’ inquiry has been instituted to be headed by a senior officer to investigate into the killing of Kivika Assumi in Kohima yesterday. The whole process of investigation is to be completed in 30 days time, said the official source in Kohima.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/dimapur-tense-as-two-groups-clash/

Chennai, Sep 1 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday justified the disruption of Parliament over the coal blocks allocation issue, saying the tactics have been adopted to ensure that the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh accepts accountability.
Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said the BJP could not be a silent spectator to the looting of the nation’s wealth, and added that obstruction is sometimes a parliamentary tactics.
Naidu alleged that the ruling Congress Party did not allow the Parliament’s Public Accounts committee (PAC) to probe the 2G spectrum scam.
“They didn’t allow the PAC to function properly. They are not allowing even the JPC to function properly now. They are criticising all the institutions. Lets us invent a new tactics so that the principle of accountability is not sacrificed. We will not keep quiet. We will take the fight to the people,” he added.
Naidu further said they were firm on their three demands, including resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, cancellation and re-auctioning of 142 coal blocks and an independent inquiry into the scam.
He also charged that the Congress Party had obstructed the Parliament when it was in opposition from 1998-2004 on flimsy grounds.
“The Congress resorted to obstruction of Parliament, disruption of Parliament and stalling of Parliament on flimsy grounds. Flimsy grounds not connected sometimes with Indian Parliament,” added Naidu.
The Prime Minister had earlier on Friday ruled out any possibility of quitting the top post despite the BJP firm on its demand for his resignation over the coal blocks allocation issue.
Interaction with mediapersons onboard the special plane while returning to New Delhi from Tehran after attending the 16th NAM summit, Dr. Singh said that he can’t get into a war of words with political leaders, and added that he has to maintain the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister.
Dr. Singh also criticized the BJP for disrupting the proceeding in Parliament.The Prime Minister had earlier on Monday rejected the CAG’s observations as ‘misleading’ and ‘flawed’, and blamed the opposition parties for thwarting the efforts of his government to bring a policy of competitive bidding.
Dr. Singh, who spoke both inside Parliament as well as outside, took ‘full responsibility’ for the decisions taken by the Coal Ministry whose charge he directly held for some time and asserted that at ‘any allegation of impropriety is without any basis and unsupported by facts’.
Dr. Singh, who is facing sharp criticism from the opposition over the CAG report on coal block allocations, also urged the BJP to debate the issue in Parliament and not disrupt proceedings.
The BJP has held the Prime Minister, who then held direct charge of the coal ministry, responsible for what has been estimated as a notional loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crores by the CAG in coal block allocations, and demanded his resignation.
The CAG report on coal block allocations states that nearly 150 coalfields were allotted to private and state-run firms without transparency and objectivity between 2005 and 2009.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bjp-justifies-disruption-of-parliament-over-coal-blocks/

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday dubbed MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s threat to brand people from Bihar as infiltrators a reflection of mental bankruptcy, and said such statements can cost a lost in the big fight against terrorism. BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said a terrorist cannot be discriminated on the basis of his caste and religion. “The country works under a federal structure and if a person suspicious belongs to a particular state then definitely that state must be taken into full confidence. This is a part of the legal procedure. But statements that if any action is taken then the people of that particular state will be targeted shows mental bankruptcy. Such statements can cause a loss in the big fight against terrorism,” said Naqvi.
“There is nothing wrong in working in the political field, but one must not indulge in spreading hatred and chaos in the society,” he added.
Reacting to a media report that Bihar Chief Secretary has written to Mumbai police commissioner voicing displeasure over the arrest of a youth for vandalising the martyr’s memorial during Azad Maidan protest on August 11, Thackeray said the former had threatened legal action against Mumbai police.
“The letter says Mumbai police has to get in touch with the Bihar government before picking up any person from their state. If Mumbai crime branch picks up people from their state without the knowledge of the Bihar police they would face legal action,” said Thackeray.”If the Bihar Government tries to become a hurdle t then my party would dub every Bihari as infiltrator .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/raj-thackerays-statement-flayed/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 31: Vice -Admiral SPS Cheema has taken over as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) today.
He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1977. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasala, the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare (CNW), Mumbai.
A specialist in Missile and Gunnery, who has spent majority of his time on afloat appointments. He was the commissioning Commanding Officer of Missile boat INS Nishank, Mauritian Coast Guard OPV Vigilant and the stealth frigate INS Trishul. He also commanded missile corvette INS Khanjar and the India`s only aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
His appointments ashore include the Commandant of the Naval Academy and Commanding Officer INS Mandovi. He also has the unique distinction of wining both the Lentaigne and Scudder Medal at DSSC.
He was awarded Nau Sena Medal Gallantry when Commanding INS Nishank when in Command of INS Viraat. A keen sportsman, he plays Squash and Golf.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/new-chief-of-integrated-defence-staff-to-the-chairman-cisc-takes-over/

IMPHAL, Aug 31 NNN: The 4th round of ‘tripartite talk’ involving Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) on the demand for an “Alternative Arrangement” outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue was held at Hotel Ashoka, Delhi today at 11 am.
The Government of India was led by Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and the government of Manipur was represented by its chief secretary D. S. Poonia, and other senior officials of the State Government.
UNC was represented by the president, vice- president and the general secretary along with six other members.
In the talk, the UNC expressed its displeasure over the inordinate delay in resumption of the talk process which reflects disrespect for the democratic process of dialogue on the part of the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
After recapitulating the salient notes of the discussions held in the first three round of talks, views were expressed by the UNC on the legitimacy of the demand and the political nature of the same. UNC also submitted a postulate of the demand for the “Alternative Arrangement” in which it was clearly brought out that it should be outside the Government of Manipur.
The meeting ended with the agreement that the next round would be held at an early date at a venue in the hills of Manipur.
According to the Naga body, postulates of the demand for “Alternative Arrangement” were placed in today’s talk.
One of the postulates alleged the Nagas and the tribals are being submerged and overwhelmed by the majority and the Government of Manipur.
It is for the Government of India to recognise the rights of the Nagas and the tribals of Manipur and “based on such recognition, intervene as rightly demanded with an ‘Alternative Arrangement’”.
Another postulate said the demand for an “alternative arrangement” is for an arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.“The demand for intervention with an Alternative Arrangement is urgent, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue,” a UNC postulate states.
The fourth points of the UNC said their demand is limited to the Nagas in Manipur and cannot undercut or upstage the negotiation on the all encompassing Indo-Naga negotiation taking place at a higher level.
“The Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur must be an institutional authority, with legislative, administrative and financial powers which will administer the Nagas in Manipur directly under the Government of India,” the UNC demand stated, adding, “The constitution and attributes of the institutional authority may be worked out in consultation with Naga people”.
The wish of all Nagas is that the Indo-Naga issue be settled at the earliest possible time, the UNC stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/talks-on-aa-held/

AIZAWL, Aug 31 NNN: The Government of Tripura in its cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar recently, has made a historic decision to introduce Chakma language in Chakma script in primary schools of Tripura.
Imparting of education up to elementary stage in mother tongue is a national policy.
To begin with Chakma language subjects in its own scripts will be introduced in 58 primary schools in Chakma concentrated areas.
The movement for learning Chakma language in its own scripts has been going on for over two decades in Tripura.
In a move to protect and develop the Chakma and other tribal languages, the Tripura government has also decided to set up directorate named “Kok Borok and Minority Language Department Directorate” headed by an IAS officer to start teaching Chakma, now taught in Bengali script, in its own script.
The Chakma District Mizo National Front, Kamalanagar, Mizoram lauded the cabinet decision of the Tripura government and expresses its appreciation. It hopes that the other States Government in the North East where there are Chakma concentrated areas shall follow the example of the Tripura Government.
In fact during the tenure of MNF Government in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) from 2003-2008 Rasik Mohan Chakma, the then Chief Executive Member, CADC had taken up the matter with the Government of Tripura through some official correspondences and extended necessary help to the Chakmas of Tripura by imparting training to some educated youth in teaching and learning of Chakma language in its own script.
The Chakma District MNF hopes that the historic Cabinet decision shall be implemented without any further delay in true letter and spirit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chakma-language-to-be-introduced-in-tripura/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 31: At the 10th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations in Siem Reap, Cambodia today, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles, Shri Anand Sharma, and the ASEAN Economic Ministers reviewed the impressive growth in total trade since the signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.
Since 2011, bilateral trade has increased by 43% to reach USD 79.8 billion making India the 6th largest trading partner of ASEAN. The Ministers tasked the Senior Officials to start review of the implementation of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement including the possibility for a package of Product-Specific Rules of Origin to further facilitate trade between both the regions.
The Ministers agreed to intensify negotiations towards conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreement. This would facilitate the beginning of ASEAN-India discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which would bring together a market of more than 50% of the world’s population and 30% of the world’s GDP. India would be hosting a meeting of the Working Group on Services and Investment in the second half of September 2012 so as to conclude negotiation before the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December in New Delhi.
The Ministers discussed their participation at the Second ASEAN-India Business Fair (AIBF) from December 18-20. Cambodia, as ASEAN Chair, confirmed its participation and assured that the ASEAN Member States look forward to a successful AIBF back to back with the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
The Ministers discussed preparations for the Commemorative Summit and related events such as the ASEAN-India Car Rally and the INS Sudarshini expedition to ASEAN countries. Shri Sharma invited his counterparts to the flag down ceremony of the Car Rally at Guwahati on December 17, 2012.
Sharma also had bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Myanmar and discussed various means and ways to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation. They also discussed expansion of items under border trades. Myanmar welcomed investments from India in the fields of agriculture, mining, oil and gas, infrastructure development, etc. The Ministers to take the discussions further during Shri Sharma’s visit to Myanmar later this year.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-asean-pledge-to-conclude-services-agreement-negotiations/

Mizoram state government has taken a decision to privatise the government-run tourist lodges and highway restaurants.
On Thursday, Mizoram Tourism Development Board officials and the state chief minister had discussed the matter.
The meeting decided for the privatisation of the government-run tourist lodges and highway restaurants, and resolved to privatise 13 out of the total 38 tourist lodges and highway restaurants.
The meeting also decided to run the management of such lodges and restaurants in Mizoram like that of Nagaland and Sikkim.
The meeting also decided on how to open a ‘branded hotel’ for the lodging of tourists from outside the state as well as from foreign countries.
Besides, regarding the establishment of Institute of Hotel Management in Mizoram, the Thursday meeting discussed on how to manage the fund to be shared by Mizoram, apart from the fund sanctioned by the central government. The meeting also had a discussion on tourism policy. NNN

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-to-privatise-tourist-lodge/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 31: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Bangalore, Shri M.S. Biradar, has convicted M.A.Raghuraman, the then Superintendent of Service Tax, Commissionerate of Service Tax, Bangalore to undergo 1 ½ years simple Imprisonment with fine of Rs.10,000/- in a bribery case.
The CBI had filed a charge sheet against M.A.Raghuraman, the then Superintendent of Service Tax, Commissionerate of Service Tax, Bangalore U/s 7 and Sec. 13(2)r/w 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The allegations as per the charge sheet were that M.A.Raghuraman Shah was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 12000/- from Bangalore-based complainant for showing him official favour.
The charge sheet in this case was filed on 13.12.2011 and the trial was completed within 9 months. The entire process from the date of registration and pronouncing judgement was over within one year.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested two private persons both residents of District Malda (West Bengal) in a Case related to smuggling & trafficking of Fake Indian Currency Notes.
A Case was registered by CBI under section 489-B and 489-C of IPC against the accused persons. Both the accused were caught while they had allegedly gone to deliver the Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) worth Rs. 8,49,500/- to another person of Moradabad (U.P). The seized Fake Indian Currency Notes are in the denomination of Rs. 1000/- and Rs.500/-.
Both the arrested accused persons were produced before the Special Judicial Magistrate, Ghaziabad and were remanded to Four days Police Custody.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/superintendent-of-service-tax-sentenced-in-bribery-case/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 30: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document released by Prime Minister in July, 2008 continues to be template for promoting development in North Eastern States. Assessment of requirement of infrastructural projects in North Eastern States is continuously evolving planning and policy formulation exercise and envisages in consultation and participation of State Governments, Union Government and other stakeholders.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today he said, seventeen Thematic Groups were constituted by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to work out action plan to operationalize the vision, based on various disciplines/sectors outlined in Vision 2020 document. These Groups presented their findings for working out detailed action plan for development of North Eastern Region in the meeting held in Shillong on 3rd & 4th December, 2008. Action points posed by Thematic Groups were culled out for implementation by concerned Ministries and those Ministries are being pursued by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and North Eastern Council to implement the action plan in relevant fields. Concerned Ministries are invited to spell out their development plans and ongoing activities in North Eastern Region in North Eastern Council meetings.
Ghatowar said, Vision 2020 set a target of additional investment of around Rs. 13,29,891 crore at 2006-07 prices in North Eastern Region from 2007-08 to 2019-20 with a view to bring growth rates in North Eastern Region at par with overall national growth rates. Estimated investment is placed at Rs. 2,11,613 crore during Eleventh Plan; Rs. 5,05,499 crore during Twelfth Plan and Rs. 6,12,779 crore during first three years of Thirteenth Plan period. During Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) actual Plan Outlay for NER through various sources of funding works out to Rs. 1,84,155 crore, which does not include private sector investment in the Region.
Projected requirement for Twelfth Five Year Plan of North Eastern Council is Rs. 21,507 crore, the Minister added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/progress-under-ne-vision-2020-document/