Manipur News

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New Delhi, May 18 : Minister of State for Power , K.C.Venugopal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that Bihar, Manipur have the lowest annual per capital power consumption in the country.
The all India national average is 778.63 is kwh . Bihar has 117.48 kwh while Manipur has 207.15 kwh. All the north eastern states have power consumption below the national average. Only Sikkim consumes 845.40 kwh which is above the national average.
He informed the House about the latest available state-wise annual per capita power consumption in the country for 2009-10 .
The steps taken by the Government to increase availability of power in the country which will in turn lead to enhancement in per-capita availability of power include (i) acceleration in generating capacity addition during the 11th Plan, new capacity of 54,964 MW was added, which is approximately 2.6 times the capacity addition of 21,180 MW achieved in the 10th Plan, (ii) rigorous monitoring of the on-going capacity addition programme, (iii) initiative for augmentation of domestic manufacturing capacity of power plant equipment, (iv) development of Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4000 MW each, (v) harnessing surplus captive power into the grid, (vi) Renovation, Modernization & Life Extension of old and inefficient generating units, (vii) development of an extensive network of high voltage transmission for transfer of power from surplus to deficit regions, etc he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-bihar-have-lowest-power-consumption-venugopal/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 18 : Union Home Minister of India was urged by Justice for Loitam Richard to tackle hate crime in India
With due recognition of the multi racial composition and inter-racial issues prevalent in India. It was stated that the Government of India, as it officially strives to establish peace and order in order to defend a democratic parliamentary system in an atmosphere of the projected unity in diversity, must not fail to recognise multi racial composition of India and the phenomenon of racial discrimination as it exist distinctively amidst the myriads of socio-cultural discriminations prevalent in India.
It gave some points to reduce harassment of people from the region.
1. Examine the legislative and administrative measures that are in place, and the efficacy in practice and specific inadequacies to address the problems of violence and other forms of abuses faced by students, migrant workers (employees), job seekers and tourists from the NorthEast region residing/ visiting in other parts of India.
2. Recommend specific investigative and punitive steps under the existing law by an independent agency for the present and past cases/ incidences of crime including murder, assault, sexual abuse, rape, abuse or discrimination in institutions and workplaces committed against students, migrant workers (employees), job seekers and tourists from the NorthEast region residing/ visiting in other parts of India.
3. Recommend concrete steps to be taken by the ruling central and state governments to strengthen security measures to protect and promote the safety and personal security of students, migrant workers (employees), job seekers and tourists from the NorthEast region residing / visiting in other parts of the country.
4. Review the existing curricula of schools, colleges, higher institutions and technical institutions, universities including special institutions to train police and armed forces personnel in India with special attention to the inclusion of subjects about the history, culture and present situation of the communities of NorthEast region of India with a view to fill the large lacuna identified and enhance awareness and education about the region and its peoples among the young generations of India.
5. Monthly induction program on inter-racial and ethnic issues mandatory for all students and employees of the country so that they are educated and sensitised on these important issues. Such induction programs are mandatory in western countries thereby reinforcing that racism won’t be tolerated at all.
6. To initiate workshops/ symposiums on racial discrimination in India in every state for public to reinforce that racism won’t be tolerated at all.
7. Make mandatory policies for the media (TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine, Internet, etc) to circulate advertisements, documentaries and films that reflect the multi-cultural and multi-racial composition of India. They should acknowledge the issues face by people of NorthEast India and implement means to positively change people’s perception towards NorthEast people and thus avoid the stereotyping and prejudice and consequent crime as a result of it.
8. Make mandatory policies for the theatres/ cinema halls to show short documentary film to reflect the multi-cultural and multi-racial composition of India before they screen the main movie. Contemporary cinema and other media platform should be encouraged to reflect the diverse India and consider emphasising on NorthEast India and as such allow a positive change in people’s perception towards the NorthEast people.
9. Make mandatory policies for the Outdoor Media (banner, posters, hoardings, etc) to acknowledge and reflect NorthEast India and thereby allow a positive change of people’s perception to treat NorthEast people with respect and dignity.
10. The political leaders, actors, dignitaries, etc should be part of mandatory multidisciplinary team in the fight against hate crime and must conduct informed campaign to improve the effectiveness of the goal to tackle racism in India.
11. We have serious concerns of the mechanically superimposed Indian National Anthem which doesn’t reflect anything at all about the vast and vibrant NorthEast. Parliamentary level discussion should be done to discuss this matter.
12. Law against any racism/ discrimination, against any incitement to discrimination and against all forms of discrimination should be passed in the parliament, and should prove that racism won’t be tolerated at all in India. The stringent law is needed so that any racial stereotyping and prejudice can be held accountable and judicially restraint.
13. Special Police Cell with (24×7 service with Toll Free number from landline and all mobile operators) both male and female officers from NorthEast should be deployed in all states for the security of the NorthEast population.
14. Special Legal cell with both male and female officers from NorthEast should be installed in all states for the judicial protection of the NorthEast population.
15. Exchange programs and social clubs at school, college, university, and other social networking levels.
16. Adequate number of guest houses at subsidised and affordable rate for the NorthEast population in the prime locations in all the states with comfortable accommodation facilities and security guards, managed and run by the staffs from the NorthEast states.
17. Many other suggestions need to be sought from the NorthEast.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/stop-hate-crime-justice-for-richard-asks-hm/

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 18 : With a view to achieve the objective of greater financial inclusion, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued instructions to all Scheduled Commercial Banks in November 2005, to make available a basic banking ‘no-frills’ account either with ‘nil’ or very low minimum balances as well as charges that would make such accounts accessible to vast sections of population. As per RBI, the number of no-frills accounts outstanding with Public Sector Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) and Private Sector Banks at end of March 2012, is 1032.06 lakhs.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that banks have been advised to ensure that their branches invariably accept cash over the counters from all their customers who desire to deposit cash at the counters. Banks have also been advised to refrain from incorporating clauses in the terms and conditions which restricts deposit of cash over the counters. However, Indian Banks Association (IBA) had advised that banks may be levying charges when very large amounts are deposited across the counter as counting large quantities of cash and handling them have cost elements for banks.
With effect from September, 1999 banks have been given freedom to fix service charges for various types of services rendered by them. While fixing service charges, banks should ensure that the charges are reasonable and not out of line with the average cost of providing these services.
The Government reviews the performance of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on an ongoing basis. The Committee constituted by Government under the chairmanship of Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty on Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) has reviewed the performance and the financial position of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). After assessment of financial position of RRBs the Committee in April, 2010 inter-alia recommended recapitalization of 40 RRBs to improve their CRAR.
In view of the recommendations of Dr. Chakrabarty Committee, an amount of Rs. 66.49 crore was released to 5 RRBs during 2010-11 and Rs.402.43 crore has been release to 19 RRBs during 2011-12 as the release of Central Government share is subject to the release of proportionate share by concerned State Government and sponsor bank.
As per information reported by NABARD, the total loan issued by RRBs have increased from Rs.56,079 crore during 2009-10 to Rs.71,724.19 crore during 2010-11 registering a growth of 27.89%.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bank-accounts-with-zero-balance/