Month: July 2012

Imphal, July 16 NNN: Twelve NGOs on Monday jointly organized a state level convention on petroleum exploration during which leaders of the civil bodies expressed stiff opposition against the proposed oil exploration plan to be taken up in three districts of Manipur.
The convention was held in the backdrop of the completion of official process to license the oil drilling project to Jubilant Oil and gas Pvt. Ltd, a Netherlands based company.
At the convention, they discussed in detail about the possible environment effects to be caused by the oil exploration project in Churachandpur district, Tamenglong district and Jiribam subdivision in Imphal East.
Human Rights activist, Phulindro Konsam said every development should stand for everyone and not for a few people, adding that if the oil and gas company has to acquire vast land area for the exploration project, people residing in the areas are likely to lose their habitats.
He also said the government and concerned authorities have not yet made known anything about the oil exploration plan to the people. He alleged the project is totally illegal as it is against the wishes of the people.
Taking part at the discussion, Aram Pammei, president Naga Women’s Union said the act of the Indian government which is aiming for a few commercial gain from the project that has been tendered to the Netherlands based company is condemnable.
Every citizen of the state has now well understood about the clandestine project of the Indian government which has no any consideration of the people of the state as well as the possible bad outcome of the oil project.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/oil-exploration-opposed/

Imphal, July 16: A former cadre of the proscribed RPF was whisked away by combined troops of 18 Sikh Regiment and 27 Sikh Regiment and later handed him to police station with full combat gear.
Thokchom Yumjaoba, 38, a former militant of RPF and son of Th Pari of Sekmaijing Maning Leikai , Imphal was reportedly arrested by a combined troops of 18 Sikh Regiment and 27 Sikh Regiment from his residence July 14 midnight and that the security personnel whisked him away from his bed.
The security personnel put him into a Gypsy without any clothing after dragging out of his residence but he was found clad in a full combat gear at the Mayang Imphal Police station the next day, his mother Th Mukhi Devi told a press meet at the Manipur Press Club.
She also claimed that some men wearing red T-shirts speaking Manipuri were among the security personnel.
Mukhi strongly condemned the statement of the security personnel for wrongly reporting the incident as a combing operation to the police station. They had claimed that his son was arrested during a combing operation which was being carried out in the area and that one 9mm pistol along with two rounds was also recovered from him.
Yumjao’s mother also claimed that his son, now married, had left RPF organization back in 1998 and since he started to lead a normal life as a farmer. She said Yumjao received injuries after allegedly being beaten up by the security personnel in their custody before handing him over to the police station.
Meanwhile a self-styled corporal of the banned PLA has been nabbed by Thoubal district commandos.
The arrested has been identified as Thokchom Rajkumar alias Julie alias Danial, 27, son of Th Ramo of Heirok Part-II Bazaar Maning Leikai, Thoubal district, informed a statement from the district Deputy Superintendant of Police Monday.
The statement said Rajkumar was arrested by a team of commandos during a search operation carried out in Pallel Bazaar area around 9:30 a.m. yesterday. One 9 mm pistol loaded with two live rounds and one magazine along with one missed round of 9mm ammunition were seized from his possession, it added.
Rajkumar joined PLA in the year 2004 under army no-2635 and got basic military training at Arunachal Pradesh and Burma border, the statement further added, informing that the PLA corporal was working in Chagain Division, Taka village as a wireless operator under the command of one self-styled major Nonghou alias Ibomcha of the militant outfit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/man-held-from-home-handed-over-in-combat-gear-by-troops/

D.J. HAOKIP
In view of the unfolding event (circumstances) vis-à-vis Election of the Churachandpur District Students’ Union (CDSU), we would like to appeal to all the parent’s body of the said Union, sister’s organizations, particularly the “electorates” to ensure for FREE & FAIR ELECTION as has been the norms & principles of the world’s largest democracy.Keeping in mind the paramount “roles & responsibilities” of the CDSU- the apex students’ body in the district- I for one, would like to appeal the “electorates” to cast their invaluable votes with conscience & objectivity, to the “candidates”, who could strive towards for; the general welfare of the students, mutual/peaceful co-existence of all communities, and who could, and would, perform his/her roles & responsibilities, without fear or favour, and pride & prejudice.
The denizens of Churachandpur envisage/contemplate for free & fair Election, and most importantly, the election of the Candidates, who could steer the “ship” of CDSU until it reaches its destiny, work in unison and integrate all the communities of Churachandpur (the second largest town in Manipur) for Peace, Development, Love & Brotherhood

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/peaceful-churachandpur-students-election/

MNS: The Churachandpur District Students’ Union (CDSU) condemned planting of explosive bomb (hand grenade) at the gate of one of the most reputed/respected officers of the District, C. Hangshing, Executive Director, DRDA, Churachandpur, Manipur.
The Union, which strives toward not only for the general welfare of the students, but also for peaceful co-existence of all the communities of the district, appeals to all Organizations to shun the path of violence, threats and intimidations; rather to open room for dialogue and negotiations for Peace, Love and Brotherhood in the state said a statement issued by Inf wing.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cdsu-condemns-planting-of-bomb/

Imphal, July 16 NNN : Manipur’s Director General of Police (DGP) Y Joykumar Monday emphasized on well- defined registration of First Information Report (FIR) of a case.
The DGP stated this while addressing at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day ‘special investigation course’ at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall.
Highlighting on the importance of precision on filing a case, Joykumar said the concerned Investigating Officer (IO) or Officer-in-charge of the police station should begin investigation of the case from the very beginning of the incident.
Almost all the police cases are failed due to lack of proper plan, the DGP asserted while telling his junior officers that all the seized items should also be kept shielded.
It is very important to maintain the seizure memo with great care in order to make a case success and only then a culprit or a criminal can be punished, Joykumar suggested.
Besides Joykumar, ADPs V Zathang and MK Das, IPs, DIGs, SPs and other top Manipur police officials also attended the event.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/course-on-fir-begins/

MNS: The AMWJU and Editors of Manipur today condemned the firing incident on Arunachal Times , associate editor Tongam Rina .
In the meeting presided by AMWJU President Mobi it was resolved to condemn the attack on Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists’ President Rina and the act was described as a challenge to the freedom of press . Attacking a scribe near the office of a newspaper exposes the law and order condition prevalent in the state it was state. AP government should take up necessary action to avoid recurrence of such incident. Those present prayed for early recovery of Tongam Rina

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/amwju-condemns-attack-on-arunachal-scribe/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 16: As per contract agreement for supply of school uniforms the contractor was to be paid only after uniforms supplied had been inspected and certified. Further, contractor’s security deposit of Rs 47.59 lakh was to be refunded only after receiving all uniforms as per the supply order.
Scrutiny of SMA records revealed that the firm was paid full value of the contract (Rs 9.52 crore) in March 2011. The contractor’s security deposit was also refunded in March 2011, ostensibly on the supplier giving commitment that the full quantity of stitched school uniforms will be delivered within 31 March 2011. Copy of written commitment from the supplier was however not available in the file. However, as on date of audit (July 2011), school uniform sets worth Rs 1.14 crore were yet to be delivered. Thus, the contractor was given undue benefit through premature payments at the expense of the scheme which also resulted in loss of interest income on Rs 1.62 crore. Further, as the full amount was already paid and SD was also refunded, the SMA had no scope of safeguarding the interest of the department if the contractor were to supply defective/substandard material.
The SMA (December 2011) while contesting that there was no loss of interest stated that cheques in respect of supply of school uniforms were prepared in March 2011for covering the committed liabilities. Final payment was made to the contractor in October 2011 after the goods were received and verified. The reply is not acceptable because all cheques drawn against the contract were encashed by June 22, 2011 as seen from the SMA’s bank account
Further, as per contract agreement for supply of play/game material contractor’s security deposit was to be released only after expiry of the warranty period, which extends for three months after delivery. However, scrutiny of records at the SMA revealed that the security deposit amounting to Rs 5.24 lakh was refunded (March 2011) within a few days from the date of delivery though it was not due till June 2011. Thus, contactor was given undue benefit leaving the SMA without any scope for rectification of defects that could arise later on.
The SMA (Decr 2011) stated that security deposit in respect of play/game materials was refunded in March 2011 to avoid lapse of fund after an inquiry team examined and certified that the materials were as per specifications. The reply is not acceptable as the SMA had gone against the provision of the agreement. Moreover, there was no way the inquiry team could have foreseen that no defect would occur during the warranty period.
School uniforms & Play/game material: Scrutiny of delivery challans and stock register revealed that play/game materials from Haryana and school uniforms from Siliguri were received in Manipur on the same day they were dispatched from these distant places. Thus, supply of play/game materials and school uniforms from these distant places was doubtful, raising the possibility that the materials was obtained locally to the advantage/benefit of the
The SMA (Dec 2011) claimed that school uniforms and play/game materials were delivered in 7 to 15 days after their dispatch. This reply is not acceptable as documents produced during the course of audit clearly revealed that dates of dispatch and receipts were same.
Exercise books: Test-check of SMA records revealed that 1,76,911 exercise books procured (March and December 2010) for RS 36.60 lakh were not taken into the stock register. These were targeted for CWSNs and SC/ST children. However, scrutiny of stock register and incentive issue register revealed that 78,311 exercise books were issued as on date of audit (June 2011). This left 98,600 exercise books worth Rs 20.71 lakh (@ Rs 20.5) unaccounted. Further scrutiny of records of DPO, Ukhrul revealed that 12,000 exercise books worth Rs 2 lakh were procured (March 2011) for girls education programme. Out of these, 2,379 exercise books were distributed which left a stock balance of 9,621, as on date of audit (September 2011). However only 1,600 exercise books were found on physical verification. This left 8,021 exercise books valued at Rs 1.34 lakh unaccounted. Thus, misappropriation of exercise book worth Rs 22.05 lakh due to unaccounted stock cannot be ruled out. Further, this also deprived the intended beneficiaries of their incentive to attend school.
School bags: The SMA placed supply order for 25,374 school bags worth Rs 50.75 lakh (March 2010) with Ken Bag Industries, Imphal for free distribution under SC/ST, girls education and urban deprived children. Though the supplier was paid the full amount (March 2010), material was not taken into stock register till the date of audit (June 2011) and hence remained unaccounted thereby depriving the beneficiaries from their intended use.
Non-accountal of material worth Rs 72.80 lakh for over seven months is a serious issue and indicative of lack of proper internal controls in the SMA. Such practice also leaves ample scope for misappropriation of funds and calls for investigation.
The SMA (December 2011) submitted a copy of the stock register stating that it could not be located during audit due to renovation of the State Project Office. Scrutiny of the record submitted revealed that the number of exercise books issued (1,42,629) was more than number received (1,31,529). Similarly, against 96,522 school bags procured from Ken Bags and MS Sujata Sarkar, the number issued was 1,06,958. There was no stock balance brought forward r, veracity of the document could not be vouched in audit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/undue-benefit-to-the-contractor-in-education-department-cag/