Month: December 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

The construction of three minor irrigation (MI) dams have been found to be completed at paper only for which  44.48 lakhs had been withdrawn as expenditure for construction in Khoupum area, Noney district.

This was found during a field inspection held by Nungba Kendra Citizen Forum with a team of media persons yesterday. The team visited five MI dams in the area and fond that thee three of them have not been constructed at all.

The first is MI dam at Luwanglong Khullen Village under Langthaophai meant to be built under the agency, Achungpao Raimei, for which total tender amount is Rs. 26.14 lakhs and the withdrawn amount is Rs. 8.45 lakhs.

Second is MI dam at Duigumpang river under Khoupum Gaidingjang  meant to be built under the agency, K. Brajeshwor Sharma for which the total tender amount is Rs 26.14 lakhs and withdrawn amount is Rs. 19.02 lakhs, and lastly, MI dam at Lamreithok river under Riangpang.

Not a single trace of construction was found at these three dams though the agencies had withdrawn a total amount of 44.48 lacs.

The dams which have been found actually constructed and functioning since last two years, are MI dam at Longkhuailong Village on Meingchollok river built under the agency Achungpao Raimei, for which total tender amount is Rs. 26.14 lakhs and withdrawn amount is Rs. 10.60 lakhs and MI dam at Lumbanglong village on Khunupu river built under the agency, Achungpao Raimei, total tender amount is Rs. 21.78 lakhs and the withdrawn amount is Rs. 11.51 lakhs.

Speaking to media person on the work site, chairman, Nungba Kendra Citizen Forum (NKDF), Aphuna Gangmei said the forum had urged for a joint field inspection with the department but they refused to co-operate with the forum. He said the data was found on the vide letter numbered CE/MID/RTI/2015-16 dated October 31, of section 6 (I) of the RTI act 2015.

As the department had refused to co-operate, the forum including the media team inspected the work. He condemned the agencies for not constructing MI dams after expenditure amount had been withdrawn from the department.

He appealed the concerned department to take necessary steps against those who had embezzled the funds and complete the construction urgently for the welfare of the people who are settling in the area. If timely steps are not taken NKDF will take necessary actions, Aphuna asserted.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

The High Court of Manipur today rejected the prayers of the petitioners counsel to file petitions against the bail objection reports that were submitted by the state government against the former chief minister, Okram Ibobi, MDS former project director, Y. Ningthem, MDS former chairman, DS. Poonia, former chief secretary, O. Nabakishore Singh, MDS former chairman, P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS and MDS administrative officer, S. Ranjit.

In the meantime, as per the directives of the high court, the state government furnished the bail objection reports to the counsels of the petitioners, through the advocate general.

The single bench of the high court, acting chief justice, N. Kotiswor on being heard of the submission made by the counsels of petitioners, fixed December 21 as the day for final hearing of their anticipatory bails.

Later, the court has extended their interim bails till December 21.

Mentioned may be made that on September 5, the high court had granted interim bail for former chief minister till September 20 after he filed his anticipatory bail petition before the court on apprehension of possible arrest by the police in connection the MDS scam case which was registered under FIR No.244 (9)2017 IPS u/s 420/406/120-B/409/34 IPC and 13(2) Prevention of Corruption (PC) against him and five other persons relating to mismanagement of MDS funds.

Moreover, the court has directed the former chief minister not to have any communication with the five other persons and not to leave the country.

The FIR was registered on September 1, after under joint secretary, state planning department, Th. Muhindro directed the SP Imphal West, Themgthing Ngashanva to register an FIR for investigation on the basis of the findings of an inquiry conducted by the State Vigilance Commission into alleged financial irregularities of Rs. 185.79 crores in MDS.

In connection with the case police has raided the house of Ningthem at Lamlongei Maning Leikai, Mantripukhri from September 4 till 7.

On September 4, the district and session judge, Imphal west rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by S. Ranjit as the charged level against him is considered as criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy and criminal conduct by a public servant, which are of serious offences.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A programme under the theme “Women’s Voice” was organised today by Women Action for Development in collaboration with United NGOs Mission Manipur, Centre for Social Development and Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights at Imphal Hotel.

Head of English department, DM College, Ch. Sheelaramani, who attended the programme, said that in a patriarchal society such as Manipur, women need to be more vocal and work smarter to have equal status in the society.

She said that women need to stand up and empower themselves to be equal with men, and should become capable workers to acquire total women empowerment.

Sheelaramani also pointed out that gender based violence is still an ultimate outcome of patriarchal society of the state. Women have no identity and no name is a patriarchal society, she also pointed out.

She further said that AFSPA is a male dominated law which show masculinity, she said, it also criminalised day to day life and leads to feminisation of poverty, which is a phenomenon in which women represent disproportionate percentages of the world’s poor. 

Priyadarshini Gangte, lecturer at Christian Damdei College, delivering her speech said that in the context of Manipur’s history, women are allegedly regarded as a sex symbol. Starting with the dress code of women, she said that women are judged with every flaws and this needs to be changed.

She proposed that a syllabus dedicating wholly to women studies should be introduced in universities. Giving her justification, she said that most syllabuses are made of stories about men and, thoughts and justifications of men, but not of women.

President of Rongmei Lu Phuam, Panti Golmei also spoke during the function as resource person.

The function is about empowering women and held in connection with 16 days activism protesting violence against women, she said.

Women from all walks of life, be it academics, health professionals, filmmakers, media and others attended the function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A programme under the theme “Women’s Voice” was organised today by Women Action for Development in collaboration with United NGOs Mission Manipur, Centre for Social Development and Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights at Imphal Hotel.

Head of English department, DM College, Ch. Sheelaramani, who attended the programme, said that in a patriarchal society such as Manipur, women need to be more vocal and work smarter to have equal status in the society.

She said that women need to stand up and empower themselves to be equal with men, and should become capable workers to acquire total women empowerment.

Sheelaramani also pointed out that gender based violence is still an ultimate outcome of patriarchal society of the state. Women have no identity and no name is a patriarchal society, she also pointed out.

She further said that AFSPA is a male dominated law which show masculinity, she said, it also criminalised day to day life and leads to feminisation of poverty, which is a phenomenon in which women represent disproportionate percentages of the world’s poor. 

Priyadarshini Gangte, lecturer at Christian Damdei College, delivering her speech said that in the context of Manipur’s history, women are allegedly regarded as a sex symbol. Starting with the dress code of women, she said that women are judged with every flaws and this needs to be changed.

She proposed that a syllabus dedicating wholly to women studies should be introduced in universities. Giving her justification, she said that most syllabuses are made of stories about men and, thoughts and justifications of men, but not of women.

President of Rongmei Lu Phuam, Panti Golmei also spoke during the function as resource person.

The function is about empowering women and held in connection with 16 days activism protesting violence against women, she said.

Women from all walks of life, be it academics, health professionals, filmmakers, media and others attended the function.