Day: September 29, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 29

State administrative reforms and training minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has called upon the fresh Manipur Civil Services/ Manipur Police Service/ Manipur Secretariat Service/ Junior Manipur Civil Services/ Election Officers to utilise their acquired knowledge to the best level while performing their newly assigned duties.

The minister was speaking at the closing function of the foundation training course of the newly recruited MCS/MPS/MSS/Jr.MCS/EO. The function was held at the State Academy of Training, Takyelpat.

Biswajit said the young officers should be hard working and to serve the people with dedication. Altogether 84 trainee officers attended the training course.

As part of the closing function, the minister also handed laptops and certificated to the trainee officers. The trainee officers also performed various cultural items as part of the closing function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 29

Works minister, Th. Bishwajit Singh strongly refuted the allegations made by an editor of a local daily during morning news analysis programme of All India Radio (AIR) Thursday, against the works department, terming it as unfortunate.

The editor of the local daily during the talk show reportedly criticized the present government particularly works department for its alleged failure to repair roads in Imphal dotted with potholes.

Addressing a press conference at his office, the minister regretted the editor’s allegations for being ignorant and unbecoming for a senior journalist.

Bishwajit claimed the editor has entirely neglected the fact that Manipur this time has come under unpredictable onslaught of inclement weather at an unprecedented scale.

Incessant rains has brought floods in the state for the fifth time besides triggering widespread landslides in the hills leaving trails of destruction, he said.

Nevertheless, the government has been doing its best in responding to the prevailing situation and taking necessary measures, he asserted.

The minister pointed out that even before the recently concluded budget session the department has taken up repairing works to fill potholes in Imphal taking into consideration the immediate need.

However, constant rains and floodings have reduced the repairs worthless, he added.

To avoid wasting of unnecessary time and funds taking up frequent temporary repairs citing unpredictable weather the department has made plans to give a proper facelift of the entire state, maintained the minister.

Stating that necessary planning is almost complete, he assured to bring about a substantial change of the entire structure including road conditions, drainage system of the state by March.  He appealed to the public to bear with the department.

Further countering the criticism, the works minister dared the critic to take the responsibility of taking up works during rainy season.

Bishwajit, who is also holding the portfolio of power, further gave his best shot to provide uninterrupted electricity during the upcoming under 17-FIFA football world cup due to begin from October.

Super special incentive for the state FIFA players, if team victorious

IMPHAL | Sept 29

Conveying heartiest congratulations to the eight footballers from the state who made the cut in the Indian squad for FIFA U-17 World Cup, youth affairs and sports minister Letpao Haokip wished them and the Indian team all success in their campaign.

“Really it is very heartening that eight boys from Manipur are representing the country in the U-17 FIFA world cup. I wish them the best of luck. I also thank the players for their hard-works which earned them a place in the Indian football squad. We, the people of Manipur are with them. They are the face of Manipur,” Letpao said in a press meet held at the secretariat conference hall today.

Letpao, who himself was a professional footballer, announced Rs. 10,000 each to the eight players from his personal end as a token of encouragement.

The minister said that the government has a policy for awarding special incentives to international players from the state. He said every sports person who represented the state or the country in international arenas are given Rs. 5 lakh cash incentive. The same will be applied to the eight footballers selected to represent India in the U-17 World Cup, Letpao said.

“A super special incentive for the players are planned by the government if the players win gold medal,” he said while refusing to disclose what ‘this super special incentive’ would be.

The eight players from Manipur who are in the Indian U-17 FIFA World Cup squad are Dheeraj S. Moirangthem (GK), Boris Singh Thangjam (Defender), Suresh Singh Wahengbam (MF), Nongdamba Naorem (MF), Mohammad Shahjahan (MF), Khumanthem Ningthounganba (MF), Jackson Singh Thounaojam (MF) and Amarjit Singh Kiyam (MF).

The minister also congratulated referee Thumli Joysing Monsang of Chandel on being selected by Professional Games Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) for a programme in collaboration with All India Football Federation (AIFF) and IMG.

“I feel proud of him,” he said adding that it is a matter of pride for Manipur as well as India to see a young referee got selected to undergo such course. The minister also promised possible financial assistance from his side before he leaves for the course.

The Minister said that incentives would be given to all players in recognised disciplines who participated in national/international events through proper channel.

There is five percent job reservations for sports persons in every recruitment. In some cases,

outstanding sportspersons are given government jobs immediately by creating suitable posts in commensuration with their qualification.

Letpao also said that playground development in the grassroots level will be taken up under Khelo India project.

Replying to a query, the minister said sports infrastructure construction which are left unfinished in every district of the state would be completed by the present government at the earliest.

IMPHAL | Sept 29

Cleanliness is not limited to any person or place, it is the responsibility of everyone to keep themselves clean as well as their surroundings to make India a clean India in the real sense. This was stated by governor of Dr. Najma Heptullah at the inaugural function of Swachh Bharat Week at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Regional Campus, Makhan, Manipur in Kangpokpi District.

The celebration of Swachh Bharat Week was begins September 25 and will conclude on October 2.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, governor said that during the week long programme, a series of activities will focus on a number of subjects and the organisers deserve commendation for choosing some pressing issues for deliberation.

She further said that Swachh Bharat Mission, a clean India campaign is the responsibility of all of us. It is a mass movement launched by the government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister to make India, a Clean India by 2019.

It was the dream of the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi for the people to maintain swachhta for a healthy and prosperous life. Unfortunately, it has not been so effective before because of the lack of awareness and cooperation of the people, lack of supervision of concerned departments, lack of accountability of the concerned people, lack of dedication and sincerity among the government machineries.

She said Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, popularly known as Bapu and it is aimed to be completed on October 2, 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu.

Cleanliness is holiness and this mission is intended to cover all the rural and urban areas for maintaining cleanliness all over the country.

One important component of the Swachh Bharat Mission campaign is elimination of open defecation in the country. Manipur is well advanced on this front and large parts of the state have been declared as open defecation free.

A huge positive of open defecation free is that it can keep the people healthy and check crime against women i the rural areas. Further, maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene in India would bring great opportunities in the country to enhance its economic status by improving tourism as well as keeping the citizens healthy and happy.

Cleanliness would keep everyone happy and healthy in all respects physically, mentally, socially and intellectually by reducing the chance of diseases. The state government has taken up various activities during the Swachh Bharat campaign t keep our environment clean.

The governor was impressed by the intitiative taken by the university to celebrate Swachh Bharat and hope it will continue on regular basis. The efforts will keep the campus clean and green by strengthening the existing forest cover and also by developing new green cover in the campus.

Later, governor  planted a tree which was also attended by faculty and students of the university. The celebration of Swachh Bharat Week was graced by Prof. N. Rajmuhon Singh, vice-president, BEENET, Manipur & dean, school of mathematical and physical sciences, Manipur University as president, Prof. Sarungbam Birendra Singh, director, National Institute of Technology, Manipur as guest of honour in presence of Prof. Ramjeevan Singh Thakur, director, IGNTU-RCM. The celebration was organised by Eco-Club, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, regional campus, Manipur in collaboration with Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment Network, Manipur.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 29

The Socialist Students Union of Manipur (SSUM), Manipur Proletariat Peoples’ Democratic Union and Struggle Committee Manipur will observe the 121st birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot tomorrow at Keishampat Lairembi community hall.

Speaking to media persons today at SSUM office at Keishampat, SSUM convenor, publicity and propaganda, N. Tanoranjan said that in connection with the day, awards will be given to five journalists and one media house of the state for their dedication to their works.

The people’s choice editor award will be given to Hueiyen Lanpao editor, Hemantakumar Ningomba, people’s choice newspaper award to Sanaleibak, investigative journalist award to Imphal Free Press, senior reporter, Paojel Chaoba, reporter’s award to ISTV video journalist U. Indraraj, people’s choice special category award to Hueiyen Lanpao, reporter, Gyanand Naorem and sport journalist award to Poknapham, reporter H. Sadananda, he added.

During the programme prizes will be distributed to the winners of the “Irabot Seitha Ishei Changdamnaba”  that took place on September 21 at G.M. Hall and also to the winners of the march past competition which was conducted at THAU ground on September 26 in relates with the 66th death anniversary of Hijam Irabot, he continued.

Tanoranjan announced that the winners of “Irabot Seitha Ishei Changdamnaba” are Bhanupati Devi, Th. Sinthoibi and S. Nonglennganbi for the junior category and A. Tondonsana, S. Jeevan and Alice Khongbantabam for the senior category.

He further announced that the winners of the march past competition for the junior category are Royal Education Centre (girls), Paradise English School (boys) and Standard Robert Higher Secondary School (girls) and winners for the senior category are 65th Girl NCC, Royal Education Centre (boys) and Paradise English School (girls).

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 29

The road leading to Saikul hill town from Imphal suddenly tumbled near Champhai located around 7 Km away from Saikul sub-division today at around 2:30 pm due to a heavy landslide.

Many vehicles passing along the road were stranded for few hours until a JCB cleared the half remaining road which could only accommodate only light motor vehicles.

The place of occurrence is reportedly under Imphal East in Khundrakpham Assembly constituency and road is near a river bank.

President of Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai, Seimang Lupho has appealed to the state government and concerned department for early intervention so as to avoid further grievances of thousands people of Saikul areas.

He alleged that the unfortunate incident happened today due to negligence on the part of the concerned PWD department as half of the road had already been carried away earlier. A representation had already been submitted to the IFC minister for construction of retaining wall at the site earlier, he added.

Seimang Lupho also appealed the MLA of Khundrakpham and Saikul Assembly constituency for swift intervention in the interest of their respectively electorates without further delay.

Imphal-Saikul road is the only lifeline of the people as there is no other alternate connectivity road except Sapormeina-Saikul road which is currently not motorable owing to the breakdown of the bridge over Gundung near Sapormeina in the aftermath of cyclone Mora which is still unattended.

Meanwhile, the roadway connecting from Yairipok to Nongpok Keithelmanbi was cut off after a landslide reportedly occurred at the Malom side.

The landslide occurred on the ground below the road, cutting of a massive chunk of the path and making it no longer crossable. This has caused difficulties to the villagers of Moirangpurel, Tumbukhong etc.

The villagers have appealed to the authorities concerned to urgently look into the matter. It may be mentioned that the area where the landslide occurred comes under Andro Assembly constituency.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 29

The World Heart Day was observed today by Manipur Heart Care Society at Lainingthou Khamlangba community hall, Imphal West.

Delivering the presidential speech JNIMS medicine department, professor, Y. Iboton Singh said that 17.3 million people died every year due to heart diseases, becoming the disease which causes maximum deaths.

If a child having heart disease is not treated in time, the child will have poor health condition in his or her whole life and in case if it is a girl it will not have the capacity to deliver a child as there is 99 percent chances of death during delivery, he added.

Family problems, pressure, tension and unhealthy diet are the main factors of rising heart disease, continued the president.

India is one of the leading countries which have high number of heart patients and as for the state 15 patients out of every 100 patients treating in JNIMS and RIMS are heart patient, added Iboton.

He asked the people of the state to visit doctors at once if there is any doubt of having heart problem as it is easy for treatment during the early stage.

He said that people should check their health regularly to stay healthy.

Moreover, people having high or low blood pressure need to take their medicine regularly and timely and should often check their blood pressure regularly, added the president.

The function was attended by Manipur University’s former director (AVRC), Lokendra Arambam as chief guest and senior cardiac surgeon, professor, Ksh. Kala Singh as guest of honour.

Newmai News Network

SENAPATI | Sept 29

United Naga Council (UNC) demanded the State Government of Manipur and the Government of India to make their respective “clear-cut” positions on the 7 new district creation issue/tripartite talks within 48 hours. UNC said that Naga people and UNC should not be held responsible for any eventuality in the event of the failure from the government sides to pay heed to its demand.

This decision was taken in today’s presidential council meeting of UNC, according to the Naga body.

UNC held its ‘presidential council meeting’ in its office at Senapati where UNC executives and Naga frontal organizations participated it, according to UNC. The Naga body said also that today’s meeting “seriously viewed the dilly-dallying tactics played by the Government of India and the State Government of Manipur on the tripartite talks/the 7 new district creation issue.”

According to UNC, on September 15 it had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, regarding the latter’s position on the next tripartite talks “but till date nothing has come forth from the MHA.” UNC then said that the State Government of Manipur and the Central Government should not take the Nagas for granted.

“We will wait for the next 48 hours and in case if the MHA and the State Government of Manipur do not respond or do not give satisfactory response to our demand, then we have no other option but to take up our own course of action,” asserted the Naga body.

In today’s meeting, UNC executives and Naga frontal organizations also discussed their preparedness on the course of action to be taken up in the event of the failure from the MHA and the Manipur to respond or do not give “satisfactory response to our demand,” disclosed the Naga body.

It can be noted here that, tripartite talks on district creation issue was held at Senapati on August 11 where UNC, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the State Government of Manipur representatives had participated. The three parties had agreed upon to hold “next round of talks” in the month of September.

The August 11 talks were brought up to the ‘political level’ with the participation of three cabinet ministers of Manipur, which included Agriculture & Veterinary Minister V. Hangkhanlian, Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister N Kayisii and Education & Labour and Employment Minister Th Radheshyam.

Apart from the three cabinet ministers, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr .J. Suresh Babu and Commissioner (Works & IPR) K. Radhakumar Singh had also participated in the talks. A large number of UNC team had participated in the August 11 talks chaired by Satyendra Garg, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

Two cops, two scribes, including one of IFP, given Child Rights Award

Staff Reporter & DIPR

IMPHAL | Sept 29

In a glittering function, MACR’s Child Rights awards were conferred to SP of Tengnoupal District, Dr. S. Ibomcha, Sub-Inspector and in-charge Anti-Human Trafficking Unit Y. Kheda, Senior Reporter of Imphal Free Press Leivon Jimmy and Reporter of People’s Chronicle S. Bigyan.

The award function was on the occasion of the 8th state level children’s cultural meet 2017 held at Jubilee Hall, RIMS, Imphal West.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister N. Biren Singh said the state Cabinet will discuss and adopt Manipur state policy for children in the state soon to ensure that all children live in a child friendly, protective environment and their rights protected.

The programme was organised under the theme “Save us from drugs and child traffickers, if not today, there will be no tomorrow” by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) in association with Child Rights and You(CRY).

Biren cautioned the people that human trafficking in the name of religion is rampant in various parts of the region. Many a times, the traffickers promised the families of the victims better education, employment outside the state, he added.

He appealed to the CSOs, village leaders and people to remain vigilant and alert to stop human trafficking and child abuse in the state. He further said that it is the responsibility of all to see that children are safe in and outside the state.

Stating that children are the future of the nation, the chief minister appealed to the MACR, MCPCR, NGOs and CSOs to work collectively for the protection of child rights such as child trafficking, drug abuse etc.

The true human service is to help the poorest of the poor by providing basic amenities so that their living conditions could be improved which would finally help in bringing growth and development in the state, he added.

Speaking about the government initiatives of the differently-abled persons Biren stated that the government is set to introduce new welfare benefit schemes such as provide employment, loans, and monthly stipends to the differently abled persons soon.

Under the new scheme, skilled differently-abled persons would be provided loans at subsidized interest rates to help them start business, vehicles would be provided to those who are working in government/non-government sector and the scheme would have a provision to provide monthly pension/stipends to fully disabled persons.

He mentioned that all must strive for transparent governance, employment generation and act practically to bring positive changes in the society.

“We must ensure that social and economic equality is achieved to bring inclusive growth and development in the state. People should work with transparency, honesty and sincerity,” he said.

Chief minister announced that he would visit Tamenglong district soon and to inaugurate the 50 bedded hospital, to lay foundation stone for the construction of Ima market, water supply scheme under NLCPR etc.

Seeking support of the people for a clean Manipur, he informed that a three day mass cleanliness campaign ‘Clean Manipur’ would be observed from 30th September-2nd October 2017 in support of Swachh Bharat campaign.

Speaking as guest of honour of the function, minister for social welfare and co-operation Nemcha Kipgen stated to check child trafficking and abuse village level child protection committees would be formed under the ICDS scheme.