Day: July 13, 2011

IMPHAL, July 12:The All Manipur Hill Teachers’ Association (AMHTA) has strongly opposed the state government’s plan to decentralize the administrative power of elementary schools operating in the hill district under the Autonomous District Council (ADC).
It has further announced its decision to go on a strike in case of the government’s failure to revoke the order immediately.
In a statement, AMHTA stated that the decentralization plan is unacceptable as it is a policy which will downgrade the status of the education (S) department. Further, the education system in the hill districts will suffer once the newly adopted system is implemented.
At the same time, it further opposed the directive in the new policy which allows the conversion of the SMDC composition to SMC where in the chairman will be an elected member of the ADC. Under this system, the bank account is to be jointly operated by the head master and executive director of DRDA.
Despite repeated appeals to revoke the order the government has failed to pay any attention which has compelled AMHTA to consider the option to strike work, it stated.

KCP arrested
IMPHAL, July 12 (NNN): An activist of KCP (Moramba) who doubled up as an active army man was arrested by police in Bishnupur district last week.
Thirty-one-year old O Indrakumar alias Tamphasana from Ningthoukhong Khakhunou in Bishnupur district was arrested on July 9 from a bus stand, said police source.
The source further added that Bishnupur police arrested him during a frisking and checking operation following a reliable input that a KCP(Moramba) activist Tamphasana was in the vicinity planning subversive activities.
During interrogation he revealed his identity as an active serviceman of 23 Assam Rifles bearing rifle no. 5000449 and currently posted at Yaingangpokpi post in Ukhrul district.
On earlier interrogation he identified himself as O Indrakumar aka Tamphasana while also revealing that he had joined KCP (Moramba) in the first week of April in 2011 through M Amu aka Somorjit aka Amuba.
He was reportedly invoved in extorting money from several persons and functioned as a project officer of the party.
According to his revelation, a strict instruction was given to him to route the extortion money through an SBI account to Moramba who stays in Gawahati.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/b3wUuutP4R8/

IMPHAL, July 12: In the wake of action being taken up by the government against Multi Level Marketing schemes in the state, the United Investors Trust, in a press release by its managing trustee N Premananda, has made some clarification regarding the functioning of the scheme and its operations.
The UIT clarified that the investors of Multi Level Marketing scheme Visarev Network categorically classified its investors into 4 layers.
It said the “1st layer“ investors consist of the agents, who introduced the scheme with confidence and surety in the state and benefited most through referral bonus while the “2nd layer” investors are those who promoted a long chain of down lines, and has handsomely earned from referral bonus exceeding the initial capital investment made.
The“3rd layer” investors are those who promoted down lines and has not got back sufficient amount from the rebate as well as from the bonus to recoup the capital invested. But this group of investors who have bore the brunt of their down lines, investors who are the worst affected are at the 4th layer which consists of those who has not yet promoted any down lines to get bonuses nor got back their invested principal amount as promised by the scheme.
It further states that the United Investors Trust was formed mainly from the 3rd and 4th layers after several rounds of talks with the 1stand 2nd layers group of investors. It was also done after confirming that the UNI Group of Companies has evaded all sort of payment to the investors giving false promises with extending dates again and again for making payment. Realising the sinister design of the CEO of the UNI group of companies, the investors who were affected beyond redemption frantically tried to bring an amicable solution with the up lines in 1st & 2nd layers category but they avoided communication of any sort by cutting off contacts. When all attempt to persuade them to make some arrangement to solve the crisis became unsuccessful, the worst hit investors collectively resolved to form a body through a series of meetings. Every step has been done with prior information through local dailies and had invited everybody without any discrimination to solve the common cause.
The release further said why and how an investor has been victimised is solely due to top leader’s irresponsible attitudes, failure to safeguard the interest of their affected down lines and failing to communicate any sort of development with their concern down lines, whom they have sponsored. The United Investors Trust does not give room for biasness on any individuals but rather concerned on collective effort to substantiate the responsible and to lessen the burden of losses of an individual.
This Trust though too late has also realised the grave mistake of investing in such Multi Level Marketing schemes and that the full amount of losses cannot be redeemed back. The United Investors Trust only wants that all investors should honestly and sincerely involved themselves and make a concerted effort to minimise the losses. The UTI was hopeful that the so called agents and leaders will make an all out effort to reimburse some significant percentage of the invested amount as they have promised and as published in the local papers. On the contrary they are still on the hiding without informing or disclosing what is their output in the said matter. It is indeed ridiculous to find their claim to have done something worthy for the effected investors whom they have lured only after being accused. The Trust solely believes that the person who introduced the scheme should bear certain amount of responsibility and cooperate in the effort to recoup the invested amount made through their influence, otherwise the person shall be treated as a swindler and should accept the same, it concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/73IKxlrfYh0/

IMPHAL, July 12: According to the Prohibition of Sale of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products around Educational Institution Rules, 2004, the sale of tobacco products is strictly prohibited in the area within a radius of 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) of any educational institution. However, tobacco products are sold openly right inside the campus of Manipur University without any intervention from the concerned authority.
These prohibition rules have been framed under section 6 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
The tobacco products such as cigarettes, pan, khaini, gutka, pan masala etc. are found being sold in some stalls attached to the quarters of lower grade employees of the university. The consumers of such tobacco products are none other than the students of the university. Moreover, these stalls are located near the three boys’ hostels of the university and are frequented by the students as they also sell tea, snacks and other commodities of daily use.
One hosteller of Thangjing Boys’ hostel told IFP that he used to occasionally consume pan and some other tobacco products like khaini and gutka while returning to his hostel, but now he has become addicted to the substances.
He said, “I have to demand extra money from my parents just to meet my daily expense on tobacco products. Normally, I spend about Rs. 50 daily to buy them including cigarettes”.
Just few meters outside the campus of Manipur University, almost all grocery shops sell cigarettes, pan and other tobacco products. There is no restriction in the sale of tobacco products near the university campus even if there is a prohibitory act.
As per the rules, a fine of upto Rs 200 can be imposed for selling tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of an educational institution. The offence is compoundable which means no case will be registered if the offender pays the fine.
It is also mandatory for the authority of the educational institution to display and exhibit boards outside the premises stating that the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products within the stipulated area is prohibited. These 100 yards should be measured from the outer limit of the boundary walls of the institute.
It may be mentioned here that the Delhi High Court, on March 21, directed the Delhi University to issue directions to its colleges to appoint nodal officers to ensure that no outlet is found selling tobacco products within a the university us of 10 yards of the educational institutions.
It is high time for the authorities of Manipur University to check the sale of tobacco products inside the campus and within 100 yards of its premises. The anti-tobacco campaign should also touch this prestigious central university. Higher education does not mean only the specialized knowledge a student receives in a particular field. The students should also be well aware of the harmfulness of tobacco products and should organize themselves to launch anti-tobacco campaign in their campus itself.

BOSEM felicitates HSLCE toppers
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL July 12: The annual prize distribution function of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur for the meritorious students of the HSLCE 2011 was held today at the auditorium of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal. The function is an annual function of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur.
Principal secretary, education (s) and chairman of the Board Dr. J. Suresh Babu, IAS, retd. director of education, Elangbam Yaima, and director of education (s) W. Rajen Singh, MCS, graced the function as the president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Retd director E. Yaima while speaking at the function called for a comprehensive consideration to help restore the Manipuri literature from being lost to oblivion. He reasoned that the Meitei script that was introduced in schools some years back will have adverse affect in the rich Manipuri literature written in Bengali scripts in the foreseeable future and to absorb the negative impacts of the introduction, he asserted that a comprehensive transcription process is needed to be taken of the Manipuri literature into Meitei scripts.
During his speech, he further drew the attention of the concerned authority on the need to improve the quality of the books provided by the Board. He said that the quality of the material used in the books and the structures require extensive upgradation to an accepted standard.
Meanwhile, W. Rajen cautioned that the busy scheduling of students nowadays has deprived the students from the many quality opportunities provided in their lives and further asserted upon the importance of active participations in extra curricular activities in a student’s life.
Ninghthoujam Rishikanta Singh s/o N.Manimohan Singh & N.(o) Memton devi from Kwakeithel Soibam leikai, Imphal of St. Joseph School, Sangaiprou received the this years gold medal of one tola of 24 carats, while Keisham Tampha Ibemma d/o K. Ibobi Singh & K. (o) W. Ibella Singh from Awang Leikinthabi Makha leikai,p.o. sekmai of Tiny Tots’ Unique school received the silver medal along with Rs. 10000 and a citation
The gold medal is awarded to the first position holder of the HSLC examination while the second and the third position holders are provided with a silver medal (one tola) and a cash prize of Rs. 10000; and a cash prize of Rs 8000 respectively. Other rank holders from 4th to 10th are awarded with a cash prize of Rs 5000 each by the Board during the annual prize distribution.
The board wards a gold medal to the student who secured first rank in the HSLC examination. A silver medal (one tola ) and a cash prize of Rs. 10000 are awarded to the 2nd rank holder an dthe third rank holder is awarded a cash prize of Rs. 8000 while all the rank holders from 4th to 10th position are awarded a sum of Rs. 5000 each.
Besides several other prizes donated by various individuals and firms were also handed over to students in recognition of their individual distinction obtained in specific subjects.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/Ob_ycmCfNgM/

IMPHAL, July 13: State government has approved the release of Rs.28.80 lakhs as compensation for the acquisition of land and standing properties for the construction of IRB/MR Bn head quarter and Subsidiary Police Training centre at Jarolpokpi village under Jiribam sub-division of Imphal east district even though there has been strong opposition from the local residence.
According to local source, state government did not took the consent of the local bodies of the Jarolpokpi village in allotting 44.5170 hectares (109.99 acres) of land covered by CS Dag No.6&7 of village No.15 Jarolpokpi of Jiribam sub-division to the police department for construction of head quarter and training centre. The state government had observed that the said portion of land was un-surveyed and justified the acquisition.
On the other hand state government at the initial part of the survey conducted last year at the place claimed it as a Sarkari Khas land and officially reserved it for the purpose. Subsequently, the administration started jungle clearance works by cutting down all tress including the rubber plantations, the source added.
Later, strong objections to the allotment of the said portion of land and subsequent felling of standing trees were raised by the villagers of Jarolpokpi. Accordingly, the villagers have demanded payment of adequate compensation on the ground that they have been totally deprived of their means of livelihood and the same demands of the villagers have already been endorsed by the addl. Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam sub-division and relayed the same to the state government after a memorandum from the villagers.
In the meantime, state government after considering the likelihood of hardship to the villagers of Jarolpokpi after acquisition of the land has decided to provide adequate compensations amounting to Rs.28.80 lakhs to meet the ends of justice beleiving this payment could help them in finding suitable means of sustenance.
Till now the villagers of Jarolpokpi had suspended their stir following the assurances from the state government and waiting for the government to execute its promise for payment of adequate compensations, the source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/BWy-yoApuTg/

IMPHAL, July 12: The state government has provided a sigh of relief to the Public Works Department by accepting a SOS from the department to appoint a law graduate on special duty to handle its legal hassles.
Weighed heavily by the excessive numbers of court cases piling up, the department had forwarded the proposal to the government which found clearance following a recommendation by the committee of officers.
According to a reliable source, the PWD has been acknowledged by the government as one of the departments in the state with the highest number of court case, with at least 600 cases pending in various courts including the Supreme Court, Sr. Civil Judge, Imphal West, Family Court and cases pending under various acts like the Manipur Personal Liabilities Act, Right to Information Act, 2005 etc.
Furthermore, the department has other unresolved cases relating to family pension, payment of arrears, appointment under die in harness scheme, seniority list of AEs, arbitration cases, outstanding properties, motor accident claims, unauthorized occupation of government quarters and others related to unauthorized encroachment on government land etc.
However, officials in the department have contended that the non-availability of a legal expert in the department has resulted in the continous accumulation of cases, the source added.
So far, all cases concerning the department have been dealt directly by the superintending engineer, SE, hq as the nodal officer, with the help of the assistant private secretary to the chief engineer. As they lacked expertise in the matter, it has only resulted in the more accumulation of the court cases.
Even though the department has a legal advisor under its pay roll, his service is limited only to the preparation of counter affidavits and filing of affidavits before the respective courts.
The department has as such felt the need of a law graduate or a legal expert to deal with the pending cases and had sent a proposal to the state for appointment of an OSD.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/Q7ssENWYfF8/