Tag: IFP

IMPHAL | July 28

The Assembly today unanimously passed Rs. 14,039,299,000 for four demands. The demands were for land revenue, stamps & registration and district administration (Rs. 101,69,19,000), finance department (Rs. 12,75,92,38,000), state excise (Rs. 18,84,98,000) and sales tax, other taxes/duties on commodities and services (Rs.7,46,44,000).

Opposition leader O. Ibobi Singh, MLAs Th. Lokeshwar Singh, K. Meghachandra Singh, Kh. Joykishan Sigh and R.K. Imo Singh O. Lukhoi Singh, Y. Surchandra and Dr. Y. Radheshyam took part in the discussion.

Deputy chief minister, who is also in-charge of finance, Y. Joykumar Singh moved “The Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill 2017, education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh moved “The Manipur Private School (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2017 and also “The Manipur Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2017” and the bills were passed.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | July 28

Ukhrul town has been hit by water scarcity following the recent cyclone Mora, which destroyed the main water sources at Shirui Hills. In this regard, the Committee for Scarcity of Water in Ukhrul Town (CFSWUT) has urged the state government to take up necessary steps at the earliest.

Highlighting the woes of the residents of the town in a press conference held today at UDWJA office, AS Vaomi, president of the said committee said that more than six thousand households residing in the town are currently reeling under severe shortage of drinking water ever since the cyclone swept off water reservoirs of the only water source at Shirui Hills last month.

PHED department is currently catering to around 1300 registered consumers in the town, apart from road side hydrants.

“As the pipeline water has been snapped, most households are now compelled to rely on rain water irrespective of its quality but then how long will they sustain”, he pointed out and added that once the dry season comes, the problem is bound to double up unless the water supply is restored at once.

“In view of the prevailing water crisis that has arisen due to failure on the part of the department to restore the pipeline water even after one month as anticipated, the Committee was instituted on July 20, comprising representatives of Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) and four zonal Longphangs of the district and is mandated to mount pressure on the government to end the crisis at once, “ Vaomi asserted.

He further informed that when the committee contacted the PHED Ukhrul division over the delay in restoration works, the department expressed their helplessness despite their best efforts as they were lacking both manpower and machinery for the restoration works.

Vaomi conveyed that the department was learnt to have proposed the government for sanctioning of Rs. 80 Lakhs for the repair of the damaged reservoirs and pipeline structures but no positive response has come forth till date.

“We are ready to provide manpower in our own capacity but the department needed technical skills for the works”, he continued.

At the same time, Vaomi disclosed that in connection with the current water crisis, a meeting of the committee was held on Thursday at TNWL office and unanimously resolved to take up tree plantation at the Shirui hillside in April of every year from 2018 onward so as to salvage the only water source of the town.

 “For this, we decided to ask the district administration to reserve Rs. 2 lakh and also to appeal to the villagers stop felling trees”, he said.

The meeting further resolved to check unauthorised tapping of pipeline water from the sources to households, and also to demand additional water reservoir in the town, and mobile water distribution to different localities to mitigate the situation, Vaomi said.

“On July 31, the committee is planning to do a spot survey at the water sources at Shirui Hills along with department”, he added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Kangleipak Students Association tried to storm the BJP state office demanding safeguard of indigenous people of the state and police arrested four volunteers of KSA including the president.

The volunteers arrived at the BJP office, Nityaipat Chuthek at around 2.30 pm by chanting slogans “save the rights of indigenous people”, “non-local must not be candidate”.

To control the protestors, police resorted to lathi charge in front of BJP office on the other side of the road.

Another team of KSA volunteers also tried to storm the BJP office. While the police personnel blocked the agitators, they threw pamphlets having their demands listed inside the office.

The demands were “non-local cannot involve while ruling the state”, “rights of indigenous cannot be handed over to non-local”, “neighbours cannot be the owner”, “reserve seats at eight constituencies for indigenous people” among nothers.

The agitators fled towards Tidim road and pelted stones at the police.

On the other hand, some students of Johnstone Higher Secondary School were injured during the agitation held today at BT road at around 1 pm. They were demanding withdrawal of the FIR filed against students. Students of the school tried to stage sit-in-protest in the eastern side of the school.

Section 144 of the CrPC has been implemented in the city area during the hour of Assembly session. Under this section an assembly of more than four people in an area is prohibited.

As a police team led by additional SP Priyadarshini Laishram tried to control the situation, some unknown persons started pelting stones from the campus towards police personnel.

Police personnel used tear gas, smoke bomb and mock bomb to control the situation. Teachers of school also helped in controlling the situation. After a long negotiation between the police and students the situation came under control.

During the protest some of the police personnel sustained injuries.

Imphal West additional SP (Ops), N. Madhunimai Singh said there is a wrong concept among the students that police cannot beat students during agitation. But if the students turn violent and harm the public then to control the situation police can take necessary actions under the law.

An interaction programme or open debate between public, students and police is highly necessary to avoid such situation at the earliest, he added.

Students urged to end agitation, invited to talks

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh assured the Assembly today that his government will introduce a bill to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people.

The chief minister’s assurance came as college and school students are agitating in support of the demand for protection of indigenous people by not allowing outsiders to contest elections. The movement is being spearheaded by Kangleipak Students Association.

Biren, who is also the leader of the House, appealed to students to end their agitations, maintaining that the government is working on a bill.

“The government is working on introducing a bill. I appeal to students to end their agitation. Let us sit together and discuss how we can approach the Centre for safeguarding interest of the indigenous people,” Biren said while responding to a question raised by Congress member R. K. Imo Singh.

Imo expressed serious concern on population influx and also pointed out the ongoing agitation by students demanding constitutional safeguard of the indigenous people and barring of outsiders from contesting elections.

Biren said it is a serious issue in the whole of Northeast, which shares border with Bangladesh and Myanmar while the problem is more acute in Tripura.

Stating that foreigners entered from Bangladesh in Assam and Tripura Biren said efforts are on to check entry by foreigners under foreigners’ act 1968.

Three foreigner check posts have been opened at Moreh, Jiribam and Mao. The government is considering opening one more check post each in Churachandpur and Jiribam. He said foreigners even entered Manipur by flight and therefore the vigil at he airport is strengthened.

Replying to another question raised by Congress member K. Meghachandra Singh on present status of the three bills passed by the state Assembly in 2015 the chief minister said Protection of Manipur People Bill was withheld by the President.

“We cannot work on the bill hastily as the bill should protect interest of all the people in the state. We need to discuss with all groups of people. First we will consult all the stakeholders and will try to introduce the bill as soon as possible,” he said.

Meghachandra urged the chief minister to take up the issue of the other two bills – Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill so that the President’s assent is given to the two bills.

He further urged the chief minister to introduce the bill without further delay.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joukumar Singh, who is also holding the portfolio of finance, claimed that the current budget of the state is a “surplus” despite the criticism from the Opposition on the inability to pull in substantial funds from Centre.

Joykumar Singh, clarified that the failure to issue Utilisation Certificate (UC) was the reason for the government’s inability to draw funds.

He maintained that the departments face hurdles in the due process to claim more funds from the Centre due to pending of submission of UC.

He pointed out that there was a total pending of submission of UC of Rs. 8525.67 crore by January 31. But, the government under his strong instruction managed to submit UC amounting to Rs. 1846.61 crore just a month back despite the time constraint, he said.

Admitting that the plan size of the budget for the current years was not up to expectation comparatively, he said it was due to excessive revenue expenditures (RE) because of regularizing contract employees, and recruitment of large number of new employees.

Nevertheless, the deputy chief minister claimed that the budget was a “surplus budget” having Rs. 223.68 core (surplus) after deducting all the expenditure. Despite the fact, the government had to begin with an opening balance of a deficit of 877.20 crore, he continued.

The finance minister further said that the department is exploring other avenues besides the existing ones, to increase the state revenue. He revealed that the cabinet has also informally discussed on the possibilities of sale for locally brewed liquor outside the state.

The deputy chief minister, while responding to queries on excise department said the total sanctioned post in excise department is 704 including superintendent of excise.

Of the total 704 sanctioned post, 354 post are lying vacant including 47 posts (sanctioned strength) are that of inspector with 18 vacant post.

He further said that 61 posts are vacant against 88 sanctioned posts of sub-inspectors, 62 ASI vacant against 120 (sanctioned post) and 190 vacancies for constables against 414 (sanctioned post).

Due to the shortage of man-power the department is unable to function effectively, he said adding that out of the total 39 stations, 10 stations are without inspectors.

The minister further assured that the department in consultation with the chief minister would do the needful in due course of time.

Revenue minister, Karam Shyam, said the department is one of the oldest departments and backbone of the administration.

With the creation of seven new districts the state has now a total district of 16 districts and 67 sub-divisions the requirement for more powers has arises, he said adding that of the total requirement of 2,928 staffs there are 2149 employees and has a total vacancies of 779 staffs.

He further informed the House that as per survey the total area of agricultural land is 1,37,057.27 hectres in the state from which a total of Rs. 1,6,8,233.28 revenue can be generated.

Similarly, a revenue of Rs. 23,51,464.94 can also be generated from 27,860.96 hactor of homestead areas excluding Imphal Municipal areas.

With Rs. 15,35,239 revenue collectable from an 1569.3608 hectres of homesteads within Municipal areas of Imphal East and West combined the department can generate a total of Rs. 1,44,94,837.27, he said.

With the shortage of manpower in the department and the fact that the revenue rate has never been revised since 2003 the department is unable to collect substantial amount of revenue, said Karam Shyam.

However, Shyam informed the House that the matter has been discussed with the finance department and the same would be apprised to the chief minister, and that process for revision is under active consideration.

Further clarifying on queries of the Opposition bench particularly to make hill district as revenue areas, he said that the matter was up to the House and that he cannot give any assurance on the issue.

Nevertheless, he expressed his desire on the floor of the House to maintain records of all the lands in the hill districts for the convenient of the state.

Clarifying on the failure to compensate to inhabitants of Haraothel which has been acquired for construction of sports university, Shyam denied acquisition of any public land before adding that the land allotted for the varsity was government land.

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL| July 28

The Kombirei Environmental Development Organization, Yairalpat, fears that its fish reared at its farm won’t have the ability to meet its yearly yield. The 10-hectare farm is affected by the recent flood which left half of its fish got away into the close-by swamp and marshes.

The 12-member association has likewise presented a proposition to the Manipur environment department for financing the preservation of the Yairalpat. The farm raises fish like silver carp, mrigal, grass carp, common carp and rohu.

“It is disappointing that we are not going to achieve our target this time. We were hoping to harvest fish weighing around 10 kgs each and additionally, we have included young fish for around Rs. 5 lakhs. It appears that our hoped has been washed away by the flood.” said a caretaker of the farm.

He said all possible efforts have been made to prevent the fish from escaping the farm from the incessant rain but all went in vain when the fences on the banks of the farm collapsed. Yet, many people have been fishing the escaped fish in the nearby swamps, he added. The caretaker claimed that the estimated amount of loss can be around Rs. 10 lakhs.

Apart from it, the harvesting, which lasts for one month or more, is done during January especially for Emoinu Numit and fish are sold at the farm itself for Rs. 70,000 to 1 Lakh per day, claimed the caretaker.

He also said, “The silver carp of this farm is of high demand which is different from those available in the market because of its unique taste. Many people throng the farm during the time of harvest and all their demands cannot be fulfilled and also, the harvested fish never make it to the market. But this time it will be difficult to meet demand because of the current loss.”

He said if the government and related department provide financial assistance then, the demand for fish on Emoinu day, next year, can be met.

The 5-year-old farm of Kombirei Environmental Development Organisation, Yairalpat adopts composite fish culture in which more than one type of compatible fish is cultured simultaneously. Fish are reared usually from June. Young fish are specially reared in a nursery pond and later, transferred into a rearing pond when it reaches a certain weight.

The recent incessant rainfall has inundated various farmlands in different parts of Manipur. Although the water level has decreased, the outcome of the flood has caused troubles to the farmers.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today verbally indicated on the floor of the House that the situation in the state is not yet conducive to immediately lift disturbed area status from the whole of the state.

The chief minister was responding to a private member resolution moved by Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykishan urging the House to “unanimously resolve to urge the Government of India to lift the enforcement of AFSPA 1958 from the state of Manipur immediately”.

Biren said that repealing AFSPA is the utmost desire of the people of Manipur as well as the state government.

However, the decision to extend the disturbed area status in the state excluding the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area, for another year was taken by the state Cabinet on December 1, 2016, he said.

Biren said that the decision could have been taken based on various aspects like the proximity to border area and complexity of security of the entire state etc.

Given the circumstances, he observed that taking hasty decision at this point of time would not be a wise thing to do.

With the lifting of the disturbed area status a prerogative of the state government the decision could be reviewed after six months based on the prevailing situation of the state, he said.

However, Biren was of the view that there was no point of taking any immediate decision by the House if the Centre chooses to re-enforce the status like it did in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland.

Joykishan said the situation has improved comparatively except for some stray incidents in hill.

He insisted that he would only withdraw his resolution if the chief minister gives assurance on the floor of the House that the government will lift the disturb area status.

In response the chief minister said that any immediate action at the moment by the present government without carefully assessing the situation will not be proper.

“We are doing our best to keep the security forces in commanding position. Moreover, the Supreme Court is also taking serious note of the situation”, he said while stating that he will do the needful when the atmosphere is conducive.

The bill was later withdrawn.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Dr N. Surajkumar assistant professor gastroenterology of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences today announced that the institute will start treating viral hepatitis patients free of cost on every Tuesday.

“The Tuesday liver clinic of JNIMS will treat 200 viral hepatitis patients free of cost. Out of 200, 100 will be reserved for BPL. It will be on first come first serve basis for the patients who come within August,” he said during the observance of World Hepatitis Day being at JNIMS auditorium.

Dr Surajkumar further said treatment will start shortly after getting ethical clearance certificate from the gastroenterology department within 10 days.

JNIMS’ Manipur Liver Foundation (MLF) and Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) organised the programme.

Surajkumar said the treatment cost is being sponsored by University of Maryland USA, Geliad Pharma and JNIMS.

K. Nolinikanta, president CoNE said viral hepatitis is one of the chronic diseases in the world. Globally 1.75 million people are infected newly by the disease while 1.4 million people died every year.

In India eight million people are infected by this disease. One reason for these is the lack of awareness among people that if viral hepatitis is detected early then it can be cured.

In Manipur CoNE screened 1678 people for Hepatitis C since 2014, out of that 788 people were found positive and CoNE had treated 64 patients for free till now, he said.

“Now this chronic disease can be cured by timely treatment and one can have a normal life span. More than seven thousand people are now living with hepatitis co-infected with HIV in Manipur. Maximum number of co-infected people are found at Churachandpur and Moreh,” said Th. Bimo, director JNIMS.

Delivering the keynote speech, Bimo said now the vaccination can stop vertical transmission of the disease from mother to child and now it is made available in the labour room.

Hepatitis is now one of the leading causes of death globally, therefore in order to raise awareness and to influence real change World Hepatitis Day are being observed on this day every year since 2011 and in Manipur it started in 2012.

This year the day is being observed on the theme “Eliminate Hepatitis.”

Dhanachandra, HoD department of medicine JNIMS and Dr L. Ranbir medical superintendent JNIMS attended the function as guest of honour and president of the function.

A poster on the theme was also released during the function.

From Our Correspondent 

UKHRUL | July 27

A one day tour program to Paoyi, Paorei and Phungcham village was carried out by Pawan Yadav SDO of Chingai and LM Block along with Philachui Sharon, district coordinator SSA-RTE Ukhrul, Dr. Ramakhrishna, Program Coordinator, KVK Ukhrul.

The tour also includes Rinshang Pheiray, Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak, ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation & Tata Trusts, Ukhrul to oversee the various development programs being implemented in the three villages.

In the surprise visit, sub-letting of teachers was found in most of the schools. There was no drinking water facilities and separate toilets for boys and girls. Mid-Day meals were provided but not regularly due to inadequate provisions of rice. Most of the students have received their school uniforms from SSA except Paoyi Government High School.

Paoyi Government High School with a total of 118 students is functioning without Maths and Science teachers. Paorei Primary School is running with crack wall and without kitchen. The school building is in a dilapidated condition.

The roof of two class room of Paocham High School destroyed last year by storm is yet to be repaired. The headmaster of the school said that the matter has already been reported to the authority concerned in 2016. Besides, there is no chowkidar at Phungcham Primary School.

The school has a high record of student’s enrolments with strength of 176 students. One of the buildings with two classrooms is in a dilapidated condition which needs immediate repairing.

Awareness on biometric enrolment, MGNREGS Job Card verification and on-going Swachh Bharat Mission was disseminated to the villagers. The visiting team had an interaction with the teachers, students and meeting with the villagers.

Pawan Yadav gave assurance to refer the problems and the issues of the schools to the higher authority.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh today informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the state government and Centre will start dialogue with Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and find a solution to the armed movement within a stipulated time.

Biren was responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench in connection with demand No. 7 police on the seventh day of the ongoing budget session.

The Opposition MLAs while moving their cut motions alleged that the state government has failed to control cadres under SoO groups besides other illegal activities that violate ground rules.

Biren further divulged that to initiate the dialogue the government has appointed retired IB director, Debendra Sharma, as interlocutor.

The dialogue with Kuki militant under the two constituent group, UPF and KNO, was earlier proposed to be held on August 4 but owing to some technical shortcomings the talks has been deferred and likely to begin by August 10, said Biren.

He further maintained that the government will make sure that the dialogue does not prolong and try its best to find a solution within a year or two.

“The people of Manipur particularly in hill districts have enough of the activities of militants due to prolonged extension of SoO or cease-fire. So we will make sure that a solution to the problem is brought at the earliest”, he assured.

Clarifying on allegation of failure to curb extortion along the National Highways, the chief minister maintained that the army and police are under strong instruction to keep strict vigil on militant activities.

As a result, altogether 33 cadres of NSCN have been arrested for extortion since the BJP led government came to power. Similarly, altogether 52 cadres of different groups under the SoO were also reportedly arrested for violation of ground rules. Of the total arrested SoO cadres 12 KNA cadres was reportedly arrested from Churachandpur for creating chaos and 26 cadres of UKLF along with arms during a raid in their camps.

Biren further informed the House that the government will not tolerate violation of ground rules by any militant groups under SoO or cease fire and befitting action will be taken according to the law.

With regards to setting up of National Highway Protection Force (NHPF), he revealed that the Centre has given nod for establishment of four IRB battalions rather than the desired NHPF on technical grounds.

The recruitment for the IRB will begin once the vacant post in for the state forces which is 7411 is filled, he said.

According to Biren, the total sanctioned posts for the state forces including IRB are 30,819 out of which 23,398 already filled leaving 7,411 vacant. The process for filing up of the vacancies has already been started by the previous government, said the chief minister.

To curb other chronic problems vexing the department like mob justice, slow investigation etc, he said the present government has started taking initiative in various capacities considering the priorities of the public.

Setting of community policing, separate fast track court for women and children, separate traffic wing etc are some of the initiative, he said adding that strong instruction has been given to police not to jeopardize any case due to failure to file charge-sheet in time, he said.

While clarifying on the demands of the agitating home guards, he said that the government is presently not in the position to fulfil the demands in toto due to financial constraints.

If the demand of the home guards is to be made as per the order of the Supreme Court there will be huge financial involvement, he said. Nevertheless, he assured the House that the government will see what can be done to ease the grievances to some extent.

The chief minister further reiterated that there is no pre-condition agenda on the tripartite talks to be held between the state, Centre and UNC.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

Altogether five demands for grants amounting to Rs.1412,71,29,000 for the year 2017-18, were unanimously passed by the House on the seventh day of the ongoing budget session today.

The demands passed by the House are demand No. 7 police Rs. 1359,72,11,000, demand No.24 vigilance Rs. 3,92,62,000, demand No. 31 fire protection and control Rs. 13,85,45,000, demand No. 32 jails Rs. 19,61,58,000 and demand No.33 home guards Rs. 15,59,53,000.

Motion for disapproval of policy cut was moved by the Opposition bench on four of the five demands except jails.

The demands were unanimously passed by both the benches after the cut motion moved by the Opposition bench was withdrawn after deliberate discussion.

The MLAs participated in the discussion and voting for the grants were K Ranjit, Yamthong Haokip, Kh Joykishan, Abdul Nasir, K Meghachandra, Okram Henry and Surjakumar Okram.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

In a shocking incident, a lady who came to avail medical treatment in JNIMS was allegedly turned away for “no reasons” by an attendant.

The patient, identified as M. Thaba Devi (55) a resident of Konung Mamang, who has complaint of thyroid went to see the doctors at JNIMS today.

Like everyone else, Thaba accompanied by her sister-in-law, reportedly got herself a ticket after standing a long queue from 9am.

As per the ticket she was to see a medicine doctor in room No.117 and the same was also directed by the clerk in the counter.

Subsequently, Thaba and her sister-in-law approached an attendant of room No.117 and submitted the tickets and waited for her turn.

After a long wait, Thaba who was in serial number 33, was finally called at around 3.30 pm in by a lady attendant.

To her surprise, Thaba was reportedly asked by the attendant to produce previous papers of consultation with the doctor in the room.

Thaba alleged that she was asked to leave the doctor’s room after being informed that a referral paper from another doctor is needed if she is to see the present doctor (in room 117). The doctor was also present in the room.

She strongly resented on the attitude of the staff of the JNIMS depriving the right of a patient.

“We came to JNIMS for we cannot afford to go to private hospital. Is this the way a patient should be treated in a government hospital? We have waited for our turn since early morning and we even skipped our lunch only to be turned away for reasons not known to us”, she lamented.

She appealed to the authority concerned to look into the matter in the interest of poor people like me.

IMPHAL | July 27

In a reply to a question of MLA, Okram Henry on the seventh day of the ongoing Assembly session, Labour minister Th. Radheshyam said that under the department, the Manipur Skill Development Mission has been set up to monitor and implement various skill development programmes.

The minister further relying to a question from the same MLA regarding various steps and schemes taken up to give employment to the youths, said, under the Pradhan Mantri Kausal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) which is being implemented by the Manipur Society for Skill Development (MSSD) targets to give skill training and job replacement link to 32,472 youths.

In another question raised by MLA, D. Korungthang pertaining to the present status of the alternate route to the National Highways from Wangjing to Khudengthabi via Heirok and Machi, Works minister Th. Biswajit replied that feasibility study is in progress by NHIDCL.

Answering to Wangkhei A/C MLA, Okram Henry’s question, Textiles, Commerce & Industries minister, Th. Biswajit  stated that DPR (Detailed Project Report) is under preparation in consultation with the technical committee constituted by the government and that the modality for running the Manipur Spinning Mills will be decided in due course.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The Integrity Protection Day was observed today by ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak in coordination with various social activities and academicians at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

Speaking as presidium member of the function, United Committee Manipur (UCM), president, Johnson Elangbam said that militant groups under the suspension of operation (SoO) have become a threat to the general public as they killed many innocent people and conducted many extortion from the innocent public.

The government has not taken up any action against violation of SoO ground rules, he charged.

He said safeguarding the state’s territorial integrity and communal harmony is firm stand of the people of the state but militant groups under SoO like KNA and UPF are trying to break up the state’s integrity and unity.

The UCM president blamed the state government for allowing the SoO groups to exercise their power to the civilians by breaking the ground rules.

He urged the state government to take up action and operation against such SoO militant groups if they violate the ground rules.

Stating that SoO groups pressured Kuki brothers and sisters to demand separate Kuki homeland and Kuki territorial council, which will affect the integrity of the state Johnson warned that the state government should be responsible if any communal riot breaks out.

A two minute silence was observed to honour the 18 martyrs.

The function was attended by ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak president, Ksh. Somorendro, national awardee, H. Ibotombi Khuman, PANDM  president, Y. Dilipkumar, IPSA president, Kh. Chingkhei Luwang, Kanglamei president, Y. Leirikleima and KIL president, R.K. Sanahanbi as presidium members.

IMPHAL | July 27

It has been notified by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department that for the purpose of reservation for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in respect of the six zilla parishads, viz., Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching and Jiribam for the ensuing fith gerenral panchayat elections, only Imphal West has been reserved for the SC category.

The reservation of offices of the Adhyakshas and seats for SC and ST, women zilla parishad members in respect for the mentioned zilla parishads are also released.

IMPHAL | July 27

Comptroller and Auditor General of India report for the year ended March 31, 2016 said that annual programme implementation plan of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to improve the nutritional and health status and non-formal pre-school education of children in the age-group of 0-6 years with a view to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout was not realistic and several deficiencies were noticed in the planning process.

As per report the social welfare department prepared annual plans for three years (2013-14 to 2015-16) but it did not prepare for the preceding two years (2011-12 to 2012-13), it said.

The report said the state could not utilize the available fund under the scheme during 2011-12 to 2015-16. Further, the state share was not fully released during the last five years. The report also said that there were delay in release of ICDS fund, violation of provision of Central Treasury Fund (CTR) by depositing fund under the major head 8449, Detailed Countersigned Contingent (DCC) bills submitted without vouchers and irregular withdrawal of Fully Vouched Contingent bills.

The report further said that construction of 336 Anganwadi Centre (AWC) buildings was not started in spite of payment of Rs. 5.52 crore. According to the report, there were 645 AWC building against 2709 AWCs. Out of these, 180 were pucca buildings, 127 were semi-pucca and remaining 336 were kutcha buildings. The audit report also could not find assurance on quality service in view of inadequate space and furniture at the AWCs.

Moreover, lack of hygiene and sanitation was noticed in the test checked AWCs. As per report, none of the test checked AWCs had drinking water facility, weighing machines and medicine kits, and also, Pre School Education (PSE) kits were inadequate. 

Supplementary nutrition was interrupted by up to six months in a year and instances of providing supplementary nutrition below the required 25 days in a month were also noticed. Such interruptions would also have adverse impact on other components of the scheme such as PSE as children are likely to be discouraged to attend for PSE in the absence of supplementary nutrition, the report added.

There was a loss of scheme fund of Rs. 5 crore due to excess engagement of UDC/LDC(96 regular clerical staff for the 43 ICDS projects) the social welfare department against the prescribed norms and infructuous expenditure of 4.24 crore on idle staff (29 drivers).

Furthermore, there was lack of monitoring and supervision of AWCs by ICDS officials. The report said coordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development was not achieved. Also, there were irregular implementation of Management Information System (MIS) in ICDS and implementation of Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) scheme.

The report recommended that the government may consider to assess infrastructure requirement and take appropriate steps to ensure provision of adequate infrastructure facilities to implement all the components of ICDS in an effective manner, to augment the capacity of the scheme functionaries to the required standards through timely training and in consonance with the targets fixed under state training action plan, to take up adequate steps to test the quality of supplementary nutrition items and strive for uninterrupted distribution, to strengthen monitoring of the construction of AWC buildings so as to ensure quality and their timely completion and strengthening and streamlining regular monitoring and supervision of ICDS projects and AWCs to facilitate effective follow-up.

IMPHAL | July 27

Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation, Manipur will be organising a one day state level parents convention for persons with disabilities on July 30 at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul.

A release said the aim of the convention is to discuss about the role of parents to bring their children in the mainstream life and the challenges face by them so that they can contribute to the welfare of the state and the nation as a whole.

Registration will be done between 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the venue and all the parents are requested to attend the convention, added HD Foundation in the release.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The cyber crime unit, Imphal west arrested two persons yesterday for uploading a group photo on Facebook with a caption “leimaramda hidak ngaorambi police na faraba nupi sing” on 24 July which later went viral in social media.

The two arrested persons are identified as Moirangthem Dorendro (26) son of late M. Babumacha of Charangpat Mamang Leikai and Sorokhaibam Opal (38) son of S. Temba of Oinam Awang Leikai.

They were arrested following a complaint filed to the police stating that one Dorendro Moirangthem and one person with Facebook profile name Sorokhaibam Opal uploaded a group photo caption with “leimaramda hidak ngaorambi police na farba nupising” on his Facebook page.

The complained also stated that the act outraged the modesty of her in various way by using electronic media and moreover it created problems in her family life thereby causing bad reputation and outraging the modesty of the women in society.

The complaint was forwarded to cyber crime unit, Imphal West and accordingly the cyber crime unit, Imphal West conducted an inquiry regarding the matter and were able to arrest the two accused persons.

The police team also seized their mobile phones with SIM cards which were used in the commission of the crime.

The arrested persons were produced before the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West and the court remanded both the accused to five days police custody for further investigation as prayed by the investigating officer of the case.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The intending candidate of Takyel Gram Panchayat L. Geetchandra objected to holding the lottery for the pradhans and members for women’s seat reservations in SC, ST categories for gram panchayat election of Imphal West yesterday.

He alleged that the lottery was held without conforming to the rules laid down by the Centre for the panchayat election. He said the basis of rules for the lottery was different from other districts.

Geetchandra said as per the panchayat rule, those who were unreserved in the last election lottery must be reserved in the next lottery. But for Imphal West only ST seats were taken out and all the remaining seats were conducted lottery.

However, when he made inquiries officials did not entertain his complaint.

He urged the government to look into the matter within tomorrow itself and demanded that the concerned authority must clarify the matter.

IMPHAL | July 27

The Manipur Government Services’ Federation has strongly condemned the statement given by deputy chief minister on the floor of the House about implementation of 7th Pay Commission on July 25.

A release said the deputy CM, Y. Joykumar, who is also the finance minister should understand that all other states have already implemented 7th Pay.

“It should be recalled that the BJP’s vision document published during last Assembly electioneering might have not been gone through by the deputy CM as he responded with a half-baked knowledge,” the release allged. “The immature and incapable minister should be excluded from the Council of Ministers so as to find a clean and ideal governance in the state.”

The federation has stated that they are not in the mode of agitation as per understanding made with the chief secretary on July 13 and further warned that if the government fails to implement the recommended 7th Pay, there will be a strong outrage from different types of employees across the state.

The Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Union Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation (AMGEO) also condemned the statement of Kh. Joykumar, finance minister in-charge, in which the state has not yet prepared for implementing 7th Central Pay in the Manipur Assembly session of July 25.

Khaidem Mani, president of AMTUC and AMGEO, said the organisations will launch agitation such as mass casual leave, pen-down strike and work to rules with black badge if the matter is not brought up in the ongoing Assembly session. 

Mani said, “effective functioning of the government needs the help of its employees.” He added that the organisations are disappointed as the government does not pay heed to the matter despite suspension of their strike.

He further said the employees of central government have already enjoyed 7th pay commission.

On 17th November, 2016 in the chamber of chief secretary, government of Manipur, the chief secretary had committed to the core committee and executive council members of AMTUC and AMGEO for positive response of 22 points charter of demands. Among the legitimate 22 points charters of demand submitted to chief minister on October 10 2016, 7th central pay is one of the important points, he added.

1. Biken Singh, secretary general, AMTUC and AMGEO, said that members of the organisations have discussed the implementation of 7th Pay with the government in April this year. But there is no sign of positive response from the government till now. He added that if there is communication gap between the government and its employee then, it will not be called as good governance. He also said that the government has acted contrarily on the demands made by the organisations.