Tag: State

Imphal, July 25 NNN: The Zeliangrong based militant outfit Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has said that as long as the contractors engaged in road construction and repairing works are not sincere in their efforts accidents will continue to occur.
Citing the recent Tata Sumo accident at Khongsang in Imphal-Tamenglong road that had claimed 4 lives, the ZUF said such cases are happening as the contractors withdrawing money without executing works entrusted to them.
A Remroi, publicity secretary of the Zeliangrong underground outfit cited one Ashinpou Gonmei of Gongram (Pungram) village, an NSCN-IM cadre cum “contractor” has let down the general public on several occasions. According to ZUF leader A. Remroi, the ‘contractor-NSCN-IM cadre’ in question has been constantly guarded by 6 to 7 cadres of the NSCN-IM while carrying out corrupt activities.
The ZUF alleged that Ashinpou Gonmei holds a rank of ‘Rajepeyu” in the NSCN-IM set up but engages himself on contract works.
The ZUF though did not pin-point any particular instance but asked Ashinpou Gonmei to show himself up before the outfit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zuf-on-road-works/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 25: Kitchen-cum-store (KCS) is an integral part of Mid day meal (MDM scheme). As per norms, Gol was to provide assistance up to a maximum of 60,000 per unit. In December 2009, Gol revised the norms and prescribe 20 square meter plinth area for construction of KCS in schools having up to 100 children with provision for additional area for additional children CAG report said. Test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that in 2006-07, Gol approved construction of KCS for 1174 schools and released Rs 7.04 crore in 2008-09. The work was awarded (March 2010) to National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA) with target date of completion as March 2011. The entire amount was paid to NMBA lump sum in May 2010. As of June 2011, only 50 KCS valued at Rs. 30 lakh had been constructed leaving a balance of 1124 KCS valued at Rs. 6.74 crore incomplete even three months after the target date. Thus, NMBA was given undue benefit to the extent of Rs. 29.02 lakh, being the bank interest that could have been earned by the Department.
Schools visited by the audit team were found to fend for themselves for a place to cook MDM. Out of 66 schools visited 22 schools were without Kitchen Sheds and meal was cooked at Cook’s residences or in classrooms of the Schools. In the case of Bishnupur Kha Santipur (A) L.P, a classroom was utilised as a Kitchen Shed. Thus, denying KCS to such large number of schools had adverse impact on efficient implementation of the scheme. The Department (January 2012) stated that the full advance was paid as per MoU signed between Gol and GoM. Construction of KCSs was delayed as pre-fabricated bamboo walls had to be transported from Thiruvananthapuram through trouble prone National Highways (NH). However, since the NMBA was paid full amount upfront, delay of almost one year beyond target date was not justified. Moreover, the MoU gave an undue advantage to NMBA as it was devoid of any penalty clause for delay and states that cost overrun, if any, was to be borne by the department.
Test-check of DISE records revealed that as of September 2010, there were only 2,957 Government and aided schools in the State. Since KCS for 1,174 schools were already sanctioned during 2006-07 as stated above, the number of schools yet to be covered as of September 2010 was only 1,783 (2,957-1,174).
However, test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that based on GoM’s proposal (January 2011) as per revised norms ibid, Gol approved Rs. 40.82 crore for construction of 1,879 units of KCS and released (March 2011) Rs. 35.79 crore. Thus, GoM had proposed 96 KCS (1,879-1,783) valued at Rs. 2.09 crore92 is excess of actual requirement. The Department (January 2012) stated that number of schools has reduced because of amalgamation and abolition exercise taken up by GoM and the same was adjusted after duly reporting to Gol wherever necessary. This contention was not acceptable because the exercise of amalgamation and abolition of schools was already completed in June 2010 much before the fresh proposals were sent in January 2011. Hence, the Department was fully aware of the exact number of schools that were functioning.
, Gol was to provide assistance in a phased manner for provisioning and replacement of kitchen devices (KDs) at an average cost of Rs. 5,000 per school. On the basis of the actual requirements of the school expenditure can be incurred on (a) Cooking devices (Stove, Chulha etc.}, (b) Containers for storage of food grains and other ingredients and (c) Utensils for cooking and serving. Test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that Gol approved Rs. 72.85 lakh during 2006-07 for providing KDs to 1457 Primary and Upper Primary schools. The contract was awarded (February 2009) to M/S Arun Multi Agency, Imphal (agency) for supply of Water Container-(01 number); 34 Ltrs Water Filter (Brand Aqua Pure)-(01 number) and Stainless Steel Meal Plate-(10 numbers) to each school. The agency was paid Rs. 54.60 lakh95 up to May 2010. However, APRs for Rs. 52.85 lakh were furnished for only 1057 schools. Thus, material worth Rs. 1.75 lakh remained naccounted as on date of audit, though more than one year has passed since payment was made. Further, the water filters seen in the schools visited were not of the specified brand. As such, the agency was given undue benefit at the cost of the scheme.
The Department (January 2012) stated that payment was made based on APRs and photograph submitted by the agency. This, however, does not explain the whereabouts of the unaccounted KDs.
SSA in the state was being implemented without grassroot base line data; and as such the implementing framework of the programme was inherently weak. The programme also suffered due to short release and delay in release of funds, diversion of funds and irregularities in maintenance of bank accounts. At school level, there were wide aberrations in Pupil Teacher Ratio, as teachers were deployed in some schools with no enrolment and no teachers deployed in some schools with students. Delays in distribution of books and irregularities in supply in material meant that students would be at a disadvantage. Despite a trend of low attendance, foodgrains consumption for cent per cent attendance was reported in MDM scheme. There were irregularities in e-transferring of funds and the scheme was being implemented without proper kitchen-cum-stores in unhygienic conditions.
CAG recommended that household survey and its regular updating, being the prime requirement for proper planning, needs to be taken up with utmost seriousness.
Flow of funds and foodgrains under MDM should be managed as per schedule prescribed so that the benefits reach the targeted group as intended by the scheme in a regular time-bound manner and with all transparency.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kitchen-cum-store-assistance-of-rs-7-cr-under-ssa-misused-cag/

Imphal, July 25: Perturbed by the state government of Manipur’s indifferent attitude towards their plight, All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen’s Union (ALLAFU), Manipur is saying the state government is denying steps to rehabilitate the displaced Loktak fishermen whose huts had been dismantled.
Rehabilitation and re-settlement plan for the victimised fishermen of Loktak Lake has still remained a farce leaving them without any work and a place to live, O Rajen, secretary, ALLAFU told a press conference here at the Manipur Press Club on Wednesday.
He said the fishermen who once earned their livelihood from Loktak Lake are now suffering because the authority had destroyed all their fishing gear and equipments during the eviction drive.
The government is not paying attention on their demand to constitute a welfare act for the evicted fishermen by repealing the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006, Rajen lamented.
He also said Lotak residents are greatly disturbed and agonized whenever the personnel of Indian Army patrol in the lake using motorboats to combat insurgents and that such operation also impedes their means of livelihood.
The efforts of the state government to develop the surrounding areas of the lake will worsen its already bad condition, the ALLAFU secretary maintained while adding that the Loktak Project’s Ithai Barrage needs reviewing and if necessary it should be de-commissioned to save the lake.
Rajen alleged that the Ithai Barrage is the principal cause of degradation of Loktak Lake.
He also demanded that the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 should be made improvement in order to make it par with Ramsar Convention, and that all the victimized fishermen whose huts had been set ablaze and destroyed in November 2011 be rehabilitated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/loktak-fishermen-demand-rehabilitation/

The recruitment rally which is being conducted at Senapati with the mandate of recruitment of Other Ranks (OR) in general and technical vacancy of the Indian Army, from f Manipur has been a great success. The recruitment process was flagged off by Major General Binoy Poonnen,VSM GOC, Red Shield Division on 21 Jul 2012.
The recruitment rally has so far seen unprecedented response where in approx 16000 children from all over Manipur participated in last three days and over 1000 children cleared the first stage. The record response of the children to join Indian Army exhibits their desire to join mainstream. Major General Binoy Poonnen,VSM, GOC, Red Shield Division has complimented the people

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/largest-army-recruitment-rally/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 24: A couple travelling in an Activa were killed when the Activa was hit by a Tata Winger near Utlou Power House yesterday around 2.45 p.m.
The victims were identified as Leishangthem Bochao (35) his wife Sushini (33), Kabowakching Mayai Leikai.
The husband died yesterday while his wife Sushini who is seven months pregnant succumbed to her injuries at Shija Hospital this early morning.
In another incident a worker who was engaged in the construction of railways at Khongsang under Nungba PS died when he fell dawn from tunnel No. 12 yesterday.
The labourer is identified as Abhishek Ranjan, 19, son of Rameshwar Jahah, a native of Bihar’s Meidiyapura district.
The incident happened at around 6:30 am yesterday at the Tunnel No-12 of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line at Khongsang along Imphal-Jiri road in Tamenglong district when Abhisek was killed after a large portion of earth inside the tunnel caved in and fell over him. Several labourers were also working alongside at the site when the incident happened.
Tunnel drilling works along the tunnel has been stopped after the incident, official sources said.
Workers engaged in the railway track construction works have been facing problem due to frequent mudslides inside the tunnel as incessant rain hits the area.
The rail line was declared a National Project by the government of India in February 2005 and the track laying up to Tupul is expected to complete by 2014.

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

Imphal, July 23 MNS NNN: Imphal today remembered fake encounter victims in a solemn manner.
A large number of people on Monday remembered Chungkham Sanjit and Thokchom Rabina at a memorial event which took place at the Lamshang Community Hall, Lamshang, Imphal West.
Sanjit, a former rebel of the proscribed PLA and Rabina, a pregnant woman were gunned down by Manipur Police commandos in an alleged fake encounter on this day of 2009 at BT Road in the heart of Imphal. Six civilians were also injured in the shootout.
The incident prompted a widespread civil movement against “state terrorism” and henceforth the public uprising for the removal of AFSPA was witnessed in Manipur.
Regarding the July 23, 2009 incident, the case taken by the CBI is sill pending but Justice (retired) PG Agarwal, who conducted a judicial inquiry into the same incident, had already submitted its report to the state government.
At the third memorial service organized by ‘JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Sanjit and Rabina,’ Phulindro Konsam, coordinator, Apunba Lup, Ayekpam Langdon Leima, coordinator, Apunba Lup, Sunil Karam, coordinator, Apunba Lup, L Memchoubi, president, Poirei Leimarol , Ph Sakhi, president,
AMKIL and Y Leirik Leima, president, KANGLAMEI took part as presidium members.
The participants paid floral tributes at the photos of Sanjit and Rabina. Leaders of various civil societies also spoke at the event.
Addressing the gathering, AMKIL president Ph Sakhi alleged that though India is a democratic country it is ruled by its Army so parents in the state are fearful whenever their children go out from home.
She also underscored the need of maintaining proper discipline, caution and unity among women, saying we also need to take a firm decision to fight together against the present state of affairs in the state.
Apunba Lup coordinator Phulindro Konsam, who was also speaking on the occasion, accused the Army of killing people in the name of countering insurgency in the state. He alleged that now such killing is committed by so called ‘combined team.’
He also blamed people who are imposters having no principle for committing violence taking the name of revolutionaries, adding that we should face these people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tributes-paid-to-july-23-khwairamband-victims/

Imphal, July 23 NNN: Students’ Parental Association (SPS), Tamei Sub-Division of Tamenglong district has submitted a memorandum to the state Education Minister urging him for setting up of a Higher Secondary School at Tamei, Tamenglong district.
Stating that Tamei constituency is one of the biggest constituencies in the state, SPS said there are two sub-divisions in the constituency, namely Tousem and Tamei which have five full-fledged Secondary Schools but they are still without a Higher Secondary School, according to the memorandum.
Majority of the students in the two sub-divisions, mostly from poor economic background are forced to skip further studies after passing matriculation due to lack of Higher secondary schools, added the memorandum submitted to the state Education Minister M Okendro.
SPS said it appeals the state Education Minister to take up initiative to establish a Higher Secondary School at Tamei to give a chance to the poor rural students to enable them to pursue their studies.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/higher-secondary-at-tamei-demanded/

Imphal, July 23 NNN : A seven-year-old girl from Imphal West’s Iroisemba who was reportedly gone missing has been handed over to her parents.
Khagenbam Anjeta, daughter of Kh Amuchao was reported in some section of media about her missing in Imphal on July 20 that she was traceless since July 13 after one Chongtham Sorojini, wife of Ch Lukhoi took her away from the parents on the false promise to provide her education, according to a complaint lodged by her father with the Lamphel Police Station.
Clarifying on the missing report, Y Utarani who reportedly adopted Anjeta said the girl had been with her safe and sound at her residence at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, Salan Leirak until she was handed over her to her parents after the alleged report of missing.
Ajenta was adopted after an informal agreement with her parents.
The allegation that the girl had gone missing was baseless and unfounded and that Chongtham Ongbi Sorojini and her husband Ch Lukhoi form Iroisemba Mayai Leikai had never attempted to traffic Anjeta, Utarani clarified.
Utarani added that Anjeta has been handed over to her parents by a court order with the help of Child Line, Dewlaland.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/missing-girl-found/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 23: The state Cabinet today discussed the reports of Cabinet sub committees about the conditions of paddy fields in the state. Four decisions were taken by the Cabinet.
It was decided that all the RLI will be made functional by the Minor Irrigation department. Agriculture department will identify paddy field which has no source of irrigation through RLI or pump set. Such fields may be assisted through alternative cropping.
Agriculture department will coordinate with other departments to meet the eventualities. The situation will be reviewed by the Cabinet after a week.
The Met department’s forecast on June 22 predicted rainfall over the whole monsoon season to be normal at 96% of average with model error of plus or minus of 4%, but this is now reportedly likely to be around the lower end of the range.
The central government has prepared extensive plans to deal with the deficiency in the monsoon rainfall in some parts of the country and is in full readiness to address any situation that may arise due to any rainfall anomalies, an official statement said here today. It said the Prime Minister has been apprised of the situation and he has directed all departments and ministries to coordinate efforts with
state governments to meet any eventuality and monitor the situation on a weekly basis.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cumulative rainfall for the period from June 1 to July 15 is 22 per cent less than the long period average (LPA).
The statement said the rainfall deficiency which existed at the end of June has lessened somewhat, but the intensity and spread of rainfall over the next week or so needs to be watched carefully, especially in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. “The progress of the Monsoon so far has not allayed earlier concerns,” it said.
The statement said the government has already chalked out contingency plans and these will be rolled out in the areas which continue to receive low rainfall. An inter-ministerial group under secretary, department of agriculture and cooperation is reviewing the situation on a weekly basis and holding video conference with the state governments, it said.
Sufficient funds to the tune of Rs 4,524 crore are currently available under national disaster relief fund. Suitable advisories regarding fodder availability have been issued in the states by the department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.
These include preservation of crop residue that may be used as fodder in the nest season, the statement said, adding sufficient funds for this purpose are available with the state governments under various schemes. All options for increasing fodder availability under joint forest management programme will be explored by the ministry of environment and forests.
The need for according the highest priority to drinking water was stressed. The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation will henceforth be monitoring the status of the affected habitations on a weekly basis, rather than on a fortnightly basis as is presently being done.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cabinet-asks-mi-agriculture-departments-to-help-farmers/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 23: The Transport Department, one of the major revenue earning Departments in the State of Manipur, is responsible for exercising control over the work of registration and regularisation of the vehicles which ply in the State, grant of permits to transport vehicles, levy and collection of taxes, fee and penalties, issue of driving and conductors’ licence and certificates of fitness to transport vehicles.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India had embarked upon a scheme for creation of a National Database network by introduction of Information Technology in the Road Transport Departments. Thus, the Central Government has been encouraging the States to work on standardised application formats and to undertake computerisation of backend processing, based on such standardised formats and inter operatable software, so that the Registration Certificates/National permits/driving licences are readable throughout the country. For this, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) designed two software viz. (1) VAHAN for registration, assessment of taxes/fee and fitness of the vehicles and (2) SARATHI for issue/renewal of the driving licence. The software was made operational in six of the eight District Transport Offices (DTOs) in the State in January 2011.
Though computerisation programme of VAHAN and SARATHI for registration of vehicles/driving licenses started in six of the eight DTOs in December 2003 and got completed in January 2011 after delays ranging from 12 to 41 months, commercial transport vehicles were not registered in VAHAN and neither was Enforcement Module implemented.
Out of a total of 1,06,752 vehicles registered prior to implementation of ‘VAHAN’ software in the DTOs, backlog legacy data entry in respect of 78,000 vehicles Le. 73 per cent, had been completed.
Thus, the State Register and National Register were incomplete to that extent.
Two different registration numbers were assigned to 43 vehicles, having same chassis numbers, by different DTOs.
Mandatory fields like address, father’s name and engine number etc. were not captured in VAHAN in absence of validation controls in the software by allowing entry of incomplete records. No sale amount was entered in respect of 1215 personalised four wheeler vehicles purchased after 31 March 2011, resulting in manual collection of tax.
Insurance details were not entered in respect of vehicles. Absence of a valid insurance certificate/cover note number in relevant field of the software could lead to a possibility of vehicles getting registered without payment of insurance.
Except Initial district, the remaining DTOs had not issued all driving licences through Smart Card. The practice of issuing driving licences partly through Smart Card and partly manually defeated the objective of introducing ‘SARATHI’ software.
The New National Permit System was implemented after a delay of almost a year.
Hand Held Terminals (HHTs), essential for checking the Smart Cards, had not been purchased by MANITRON21 as per the terms of the contract. Consequently the Department cannot verify the authenticity of Smart Cards possessed by the vehicle owners in absence of HHTs.
Out of 26,494 registration certificates issued till September 2011, Smart Card registration certificates were issued in 22,285 cases. Thus, paper based registration certificates continued to be issued by the DTOs.
CAG recommend that the Department may ensure that registration numbers are issued serially and only after completion of an ongoing series.
Analysis of database of the five DTOs revealed that out of 33,558 vehicles, the tax amount was left blank in respect of 193 vehicles registered after the implementation of computerisation in the DTOs. This shows lack of validation control in the system to ensure that the data relating to all the mandatory fields are entered.
Acceptance of blank field in respect of a mandatory field (tax) by the system in the case of new registration needs a detailed examination as it may give rise to the risk of evasion of tax.
The Department in their reply (November 2011) stated that the aforesaid irregularity occurred while entering backlog data or transferred vehicles and necessary steps shall be taken to avoid such irregularities in future. The reply of the Department is not relevant and hence not acceptable.
It recommended that the Department may strengthen the validation check in ‘VAHAN’ software to ensure that incomplete/blank information is not accepted for mandatory fields.
As per Section 5 of the MMVT Act, 1998, tax leviable shall be paid in advance in a one-time tax valid till the vehicle attains the age of fifteen years at the prescribed rate.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/irregularities-in-transport-deptt-cag/

Imphal, July 22 NNN: The United Naga Council (UNC)’s proposed 96-hour Naga area bandh in Manipur has been postponed following the assurance from New Delhi to resume the dialogue on the ‘alternative arrangement’.
The UNC was supposed to begin the 96-hour bandh from the midnight of Monday.
“In view of the communications received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India indicating that the matter of the tripartite talk on the alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, is under the active consideration of the Government of India with request to withdraw the agitation, and also in view of the consultation on the Indo-Naga peace process being taken up by the Naga Hoho in the last week of July, 2012 and request to defer the total bandh to ensure participation of all tribes in the same, it has been decided to defer the 96 hours total bandh in Naga areas which was to commence from the midnight of the 23rd July, 2012,” the UNC said in a press communique today.
It however said that given the democratic means and patience that has been applied on the matter by the Nagas, if the communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs, is not translated into initiatives for holding of the next round of tripartite talk or intervention with an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur on or before August 10, it has been decided to take up intensive measures as deemed fit to pursue the goal of our political pursuit.
All Naga oganisations are informed by the UNC to continue being in readiness for people actions as would be determined by the response or otherwise of the government of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-postpones-bandh/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 21: Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) was a flagship Programme introduced by the Prime Minister specially for the benefit of Youths in the India. In Manipur, this flagship Programme of the Prime Minister was taken up jointly by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the Khadi and village Industries Board (KVIB) and the District Industries Centre (DIC) respectively
The BOB, Yurembam branch allegedly betrayed the beneficiaries by practicing delaying tactics according to a press hand out issued by Kh Jiwankumar, Convenor, BOB beneficiaries, 2012-12. After a long wait the beneficiaries were informed that Regional office Guwahati has not given sanction power to the Branch Manager .
BOB Yurembam Branch Officials did not notify any information about the loan recovery . It was questioned why the Bank of Baroda Yurembam shared the information in the meeting with the General Manager DIG; the A/D, KVIC; CEO, KVIB; and the Bank Managers . The Government should check the management of the BOB Yurembam Branch and take appropriate action it was demanded.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pmegp-dishonoured-by-banks/

Imphal, July 21 NNN: The 60-hour Manipur bandh call given by JAC formed against disappearance of one Irungbam Irabanta evoked a mixed response on Saturday as by and large normal life in the state was not affected by it.
However, around 50 goods loaded trucks heading Ukhrul district were reportedly blocked by bandh supporters near Lamlai, Imphal East. The trucks remained stranded in the area till late afternoon.
At Khurai Lamlong Bazaar, members of the JAC, including Irungbam Madhubala, wife of Irabanta blocked Imphal-Ukhrul road since early morning. But, police arrived at the spot around 1:30 pm and dispersed them. Madhubala was fainted on the ground as she tried to block the road by resting herself in the middle of the road.
Later, the police brought her to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here. She is now taking treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, some schools and markets in the capital areas were closed due to the strike but it did not hit normal traffic as the volume of vehicular movement on the roads could be seen as usual.
Bandh supporters in Nongdam area under Lamlai Police Station blocked all the roads leading to the village. Nongdam in Imphal East is the native village of irabanta.
The bandh call, started from 5 am Saturday will end at 5 pm of July 23. It has been imposed by the JAC as the state government has failed to trace Irabanta till now even after about two months of his disappearance.
Irungbam Irabanta, 38, son of late I Kerani, a resident of Nongdam Maning Leikai in Andro, was allegedly kidnapped by NSCN-IM and that his whereabouts is still remained unknown.
Irabanta is stated to be a supplier of sand and stone for the construction of Maphou Dam. He had left home along with one MK Winner, 33, son of Ramsing for Ukhrul in a Maruti Gypsy on May 28 at about 7:30 am.
It is also said that MK Winner with whom he left home has close link with the NSCN-IM.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/strike-evokes-mixed-response/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 21: The First Appellate Authority (under the Right to Information Act, 2005) Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Lamphelpat, was appealed under section 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 by K Seityajit to provide information about RIMS. It was enquired how many nurses had been regularised to their posts in the recent past during the period of the present Director?
How and in what manner the courses of the B.Sc Nursing in RIMS Nursing College is undertaking and managing? Utilisation certificate was demanded for OPD and other structures constructed.
Some of the Doctors who are nominated by the Govt. Of Manipur as State nominee for the courses of P.G. are being given appointment in the RIMS Hospital by the RIMS authority after their pass-out. They are to resume their services to the parent Department of the State Govt. It was demanded to provide a list of the names of the Doctors, their subject of speciality and the Dept. they are working with/without the permission of the state Govt. .
Is it true that some of the staff of Casualty Unit had been absorbed to some other Wards or Departments of the Hospital?
Why RIMS is not running a pharmacy it was questioned. How many private Hospitals, private Clinics and private Nursing Homes are there in the state run by the Doctors of RIMS? On what basis the newly appointed regular staff Nurses are being made? Whereas the facilities of MRI, CT Scan, X-Ray, Ultrasound and Laboratories etc are still r available in RIMS Hospital, why the patients are referred to outside private clinics and private Laboratories? Is Dr. N. Damayanti Devi, wife of the present Director of RIMS namely Dr. S. Shekherjit Singh qualified to hold office (Principal) of the Nursing College of RIMS? Kindly provide the authenticated documents and records maintained in the office with reasons for holding the recent interview of Staff Selection for the post of Grade IV till 2 am, after midnight.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rti-to-seek-info-about-rims/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 21: The Red Shield Division started a recruitment rally at Senapati on Saturday with a view to recruit eligible youth of the district into the Indian Army. The recruitment drive which will continue till July 29, is being held at the Mini Stadium complex in Senapati.
Major General Binoy Poonnen,VSM GOC 57 Mountain Division flagged off the rally which covered a 1.6 km run amidst cheers and cries of ‘Long live India, long live Indian Army’. On the occasion, Mr Alexander Pao, MLA, Brigadier SK Sharma, Cdr 59 Mtn Bde, Pushpanjali, SP, Marxon, Chairman NPO and many other Socio-political leaders from Senapati were present during this event. Alexander Pao, while expressing gratitude called the event a great opportunity for the youth of the region to join the prestigious Indian Army. He expressed his hope that this rally will enable the youth to join the mainstream and shun the path of violence.
Major General Binoy Poonnen, VSM General Officer Commanding,57 Mountain Division addressed the gathering and said that many such drives by the Indian Army may be planned in the near future. While speaking to the candidates, he highlighted the martial prowess of the people of the region and expressed his happiness on the overwhelming participation of over 10,000 young men in the rally. He assured the gathering that the Red Shield Division is committed to bring peace and prosperity in the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/recruitment-rally-at-senapati/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 21: The Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 (CST Act) and the Rules provide for concessional rate of tax in respect of Inter State sales and branch transfers. These concessions/exemptions are subject to furnishing of declarations in the prescribed forms viz. ‘C’, ‘F etc. Failure to furnish the declarations or submission of fake, misuse or invalid declaration forms etc. will make the transactions liable to tax as applicable to sales in the appropriate State.
Cross verification of declaration forms used in Inter-State trade was conducted across the States and Union Territories to check the genuineness of these declaration forms wherein all the information collected was cross checked with the Commercial/Sales Tax Departments of other States and Union Territories.
The Department had no mechanism in place for periodic review of the stock of forms held by it so as to ensure that old, obsolete, defective of unused forms were either destroyed after obtaining the approval of the competent authority or otherwise secured so as to obviate the possibility of their misuse. No physical verification of statutory forms held by the Commissionerate was done during the period covered by audit except once on 23 September 2009 in respect of Form ‘F’.
The Department did not adopt enforcement measures like blacklisting the dealers who had been found utilising invalid/fake Declaration forms in the past and circulation of the names of such dealers among various units and States to establish the authenticity of Declaration forms.
The information regarding dealers and Declaration forms issued to the dealers were not uploaded on the TINXSYS website promptly.
Department had not installed any system of either verification of each and every Declaration form submitted by the dealers with the data available in the TINXSYS website before allowing exemption/concession of tax or cross verification of the purchase values shown in the utilisation statement/counterfoil of utilised ‘C’ forms issued to dealers with those in database in the TINXSYS website while settling/finalising the tax returns.
Out of 16 modules developed by the Department, only one module was functional online. The TINXSYS website remained nonfunctional and inaccessible and statutory forms were not issued online.
Our cross verification of ‘C’ Declaration Forms revealed that one form was fake as it was not issued by the Department, six forms projected as issued by the Department were incorrect and twenty forms were issued by the Department to eleven dealers other than the corresponding purchasing dealers.
While finalising the assessments, the assessing authorities allowed concessional rates on these 27 forms without checking these irregularities.
The tax effect involved was Rs 8.81 lakh. Besides, penalty of Rs 17.61 lakh was also leviable.
While finalising the assessments of seven dealers, the assessing authorities allowed concessional rate of tax by accepting Declarations which were either not supported by ‘C’ forms or were supported by ‘C’ forms which were filed beyond the stipulated time. Such irregular assessments involved short levy of tax of Rs 30.98 lakh.
Scrutiny of ‘C’ Declaration forms/utilisation statements revealed that the assessing authorities, while finalizing the assessments, accepted purchase turnover of Rs 10.99 crore as against actual purchase turnover of Rs 23.09 crore. Suppression of these Inter-State purchases and consequent sales turnover involved tax and penalty of Rs 2.65 crore.
While finalising the assessments, the assessing authority allowed exemption of tax on stock transfer of Rs 30.92 lakh made by a dealer, which was not supported by form ‘F’ Declaration. The tax effect involved was Rs 3.87 lakh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/state-taxation-department-not-acting-against-defaulters-cag/

MNS: The State Cabinet today decided to form ministerial teams to inspect the agricultural areas to see if drought can be declared.
The Cabinet discussed about the prevailing situation. Th Lokeshwor,Speaker and other ministers including Govindas Konthoujam, Ngamthang Haokip, Francis Ngajokpa, Dr Ratan, Ak Mirabai and officials will inspect different districts from tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ministerial-team-to-inspect-agricultural-area/