Month: September 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 28

A 17-year-old karateka, Thokchom Roji Chanu will represent India in the world cadet, junior and U21 championships at Santa Cruz, Spain from October 26-29 and for that she urged civil societies and citizens of the state to extend financial assistance for her journey.

Daughter of Thokchom Sonamani Singh and Thokchom Shanti of Patsoi Part-4 brought home a silver medal in the South Asian Karate Championship 2017 which was held on August 3-7 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In a press meet conducted at Manipur Press Club, Roji said that it would be a proud moment for her to represent not only Manipur but India in the world championships. “I am preparing myself to go there but my family is having a second thought as we have no money or even the required amount to go,” she said.

She appealed to civil societies, leaders, politicians and any individual of the state to help her with financial assistance for her next bout in Spain. She and her family suggested a fund-drive for her next big participation.

Her former bout was sponsored by editor of local daily (Naharol Thoudang) Khoirom Loyalakpa and received a silver medal in the championship.

She told IFP that she learnt karate from her coach Mutum Bankim Singh and under his guidance she was exposed to such levels. She said her first break was in 2015, getting gold medal in the state level Shito-Ryu Seikokai karate championship.

IMPHAL | Sept 28

Karam Shyam, minister, consumer affairs, food and public distribution said the State government is now able to regularly supply kerosene oil to the beneficiaries after oil adulteration was put into check.

Speaking to the media at his official quarter at Sanjenthong, the minister said the allegation levelled by the spokesperson of a political party against the government is incorrect and baseless.

The minister further accused Indian Oil Corporation of creating an artificial scarcity of LPG cylinders in the state. Expressing concern over the inconveniences faced by the consumers due to LPG scarcity, Shyam reiterated the government is committed to solve the problem. 

Further he said that he has given instructions to the officials concerned to ensure adequate supply of LPG in view of Ningol Chakouba. Stating that stern action will be taken up against those persons responsible for scarcity of LPG in the State, the minister said consumers are also losing out on their subsidies as well.

Shaym said if needed, he will consult with the chief minister and take up the matter with the Union minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and IOC. 

The State requires 51, 17.864 MT (Metric Tonne) LPG in a month for the 3, 60,413 consumers of subsidized LPG (14.2 kg). However, the IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) supplied 2791.663 MT in April, 1377.214 MT in May, 2092.76 MT in June, 1398.13 MT in July, 1663.7 MT in August and 1147.98 MT (under process) for September this year.

Shyam refuting the charges regarding Kerosene oil, he said there is no bill passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly entitling kerosene quota to the MLAs. The present government has increased the quantity of kerosene oil for the MLAs provided from the ‘Kerosene Reserve’ of the directorate, he added.

The minister also stated the present government cleared the backlog of previous government for 4 months (December 2016, January – March 2017) by allocating 12 KL (Kilo Litre) of kerosene (3KL for each month). He said kerosene for the period of April-June 2016 was 5561. 8 KL (3 KL allocated for MLAs), July-September 2016 was 5292 KL (2 KL for MLAs), April –June 2017 was 4476 KL (2.5 KL for MLAs) and July- September 2017 is 4476 KL (2.5 KL for MLAs).

He continued despite the fluctuations in the quantity of Kerosene allocated for the State, the MLAs are getting increased quantity of Kerosene as compared to the previous government.

IMPHAL | Sept 28

There will be a planned power shutdown from 7:30 am to 9:30 am in and around Secretariat and Babupara areas on September 29, due to continuation of repairing of GO Set at Kangla Southern Gate, said a press statement by deputy general manager, IED-1, MSPDCL.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 28

Chairperson of 17th Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day observance committee, Ph. Shakhi Leima alleged that India government loves Manipur’s land not the people.

Addressing Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Mamang, Shakhi said Manipur has been protecting by various ethnic groups since time immemorial both in hill and valleys. But in recent years the centre has been trying to destroy the integrity of Manipur by using NSCN(IM) as a main weapon, she charged.

Centre is playing divide and rule policy by destroying the bond between the various ethnic groups, but it has been a failure, she said.

The people of the state are different from other states in looks and in many other qualities. Due to the difference Manipuris people will be discriminated forever and it may not be possible to live together like a family, she claimed.

She charged that centre has been sending homeless people from other states to Manipur.

Shakhi said if the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ do not affect Manipur’s integrity, it should be made public.

“The integrity of the state will not be compromised at any cost. If the framework agreement affects the integrity of the state Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) and National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) will fight against it,” she added.

Advisor of Kuki Women Union Manipur, Rose Manshi Haokip said the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ are not known to state government. If the contents are against the state integrity, all ethnic groups must unite to save Manipur, she said.

Reacting to opposition to the creation of new districts, Rose said the new districts are for administrative convenience and not to divide the ethnic groups.

If people of hills and valleys unite as one, it will be impossible for Centre to disintegrate Manipur. Centre should clarify on the contents of ‘Framework Agreement’ at the earliest, she demanded.

Vice-chairman of observance committee, Oinam Premjit told the media that there is apprehension, that the ‘Framework Agreement’ may affect territorial integrity of the state. People must stand united fight for the state, he said.

President of Aimol Tribe Union Manipur (ATUM), Rt. Akhel Aimol, spokesperson of Chiru Union, North east, Angam Zatung Chiru, general secretary of Manipur Muslim Online Forum, Md. Nasir Khan and department of anthropology, Manipur University Prof W. Nabakumar, department of economics, Manipur University, Prof Ch. Priyoranjan also attended the function as presidium members and resource persons.

Upcoming city’s Night Plaza given “Imphal Evening” tag

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 28

The Manipur State Co-operative Bank Limited (MSCB) has today disbursed loans to 642 persons involving a sum of Rs.2, 25, 08, 500 to credit-starved people of the state in the presence of the chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that a scheme especially for differently abled persons will be launched in the first week of next month.

Biren said that under the scheme, partially disabled people will be given loans to start their own business or employment and totally disabled persons will be given monthly pension of Rs. 2000.

He urged the banks, both private and public banks, to help the poor and differently abled persons by giving customer-friendly procedures and maintaining corpus fund, appreciating MSCB and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development’s (NABARD) initiatives in maintaining a good and stable economy.

The chief minister also announced that President Ram Nath Kovind will be inaugurating this year state’s annual tourism event Sangai Festival on November 21. Ambassadors from 15 countries will come to take part in the event to study potential of investment in the state, he continued.

Biren also announced that the proposed Night Plaza which will be held from October 2 will be called “Imphal Evening”. 

The programme was also attended by social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen and MAHUD minister Th. Shyamkumar Singh as president and guest of honour, respectively.

Giving the keynote address, managing director of MSCB, A. Subhash Singh said as the apex cooperative bank of the state, they are extending credit facilities to the credit-starved people of the state like agriculturists, businessmen, weavers and consumer co-operatives, women vendors and so on.

Four credit facilities were distributed namely Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Ima Credit Card (ICC), Piggery financing and dairy value chain financing under NABARD’s area development scheme.

The bank disbursed KCC loan to 420 farmers from 17 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) ranging from a minimum of Rs.15,000 to a maximum of Rs.30,000 per farmer totalling to Rs.72,16,500.

MSCB donated Rs.1,00,000 to the CM’s Relief Fund during the function. An ATM of the bank was also inaugurated on the ground floor of the bank building.

IMPHAL | Sept 28

General officer commanding 3 Corps, Lieutenant general Anil Chauhan has arrived in the state on a two day visit from today.

A release said the senior army commander is responsible for ensuring security of the Indian borders as well as for countering insurgency in the south-eastern states of the North East India.

It said that the Army General, accompanied by the Head of Assam Rifles in Manipur -General Virender Singh, called on the chief minister, N. Biren Singh yesterday evening.

General Chauhan conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Durga Puja, it said adding that during the meeting the general officer discussed the security and law and order situation in the state with the chief minister and assured him of the Army’s commitment to working towards bringing lasting peace in the region.

It further said that general Virender Singh, while conveying the unstinted support of his forces for ensuring the well being of the state, emphasized on the fact that a vast majority of the Assam Rifles are from in and around Manipur and added that being sons of the soil themselves, they are passionately contributing towards advancement of the state in their own sphere of work.

Besides assisting the civil administration in maintaining peace, they are mainly focussed on empowering the children, women and youth of the state to attain financial sustainability and a secure future, it added.

The Assam Rifles is also making a concerted effort towards harnessing the immense talent available in the state in an array of different sporting activities and in the field of art and literature which is being done by providing them with guidance, counselling, training and suitable platforms to showcase their talent, it said.