Month: August 2012

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 31: Vice -Admiral SPS Cheema has taken over as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) today.
He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1977. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasala, the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare (CNW), Mumbai.
A specialist in Missile and Gunnery, who has spent majority of his time on afloat appointments. He was the commissioning Commanding Officer of Missile boat INS Nishank, Mauritian Coast Guard OPV Vigilant and the stealth frigate INS Trishul. He also commanded missile corvette INS Khanjar and the India`s only aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
His appointments ashore include the Commandant of the Naval Academy and Commanding Officer INS Mandovi. He also has the unique distinction of wining both the Lentaigne and Scudder Medal at DSSC.
He was awarded Nau Sena Medal Gallantry when Commanding INS Nishank when in Command of INS Viraat. A keen sportsman, he plays Squash and Golf.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/new-chief-of-integrated-defence-staff-to-the-chairman-cisc-takes-over/

IMPHAL, Aug 31 NNN: The 4th round of ‘tripartite talk’ involving Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) on the demand for an “Alternative Arrangement” outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue was held at Hotel Ashoka, Delhi today at 11 am.
The Government of India was led by Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and the government of Manipur was represented by its chief secretary D. S. Poonia, and other senior officials of the State Government.
UNC was represented by the president, vice- president and the general secretary along with six other members.
In the talk, the UNC expressed its displeasure over the inordinate delay in resumption of the talk process which reflects disrespect for the democratic process of dialogue on the part of the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
After recapitulating the salient notes of the discussions held in the first three round of talks, views were expressed by the UNC on the legitimacy of the demand and the political nature of the same. UNC also submitted a postulate of the demand for the “Alternative Arrangement” in which it was clearly brought out that it should be outside the Government of Manipur.
The meeting ended with the agreement that the next round would be held at an early date at a venue in the hills of Manipur.
According to the Naga body, postulates of the demand for “Alternative Arrangement” were placed in today’s talk.
One of the postulates alleged the Nagas and the tribals are being submerged and overwhelmed by the majority and the Government of Manipur.
It is for the Government of India to recognise the rights of the Nagas and the tribals of Manipur and “based on such recognition, intervene as rightly demanded with an ‘Alternative Arrangement’”.
Another postulate said the demand for an “alternative arrangement” is for an arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.“The demand for intervention with an Alternative Arrangement is urgent, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue,” a UNC postulate states.
The fourth points of the UNC said their demand is limited to the Nagas in Manipur and cannot undercut or upstage the negotiation on the all encompassing Indo-Naga negotiation taking place at a higher level.
“The Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur must be an institutional authority, with legislative, administrative and financial powers which will administer the Nagas in Manipur directly under the Government of India,” the UNC demand stated, adding, “The constitution and attributes of the institutional authority may be worked out in consultation with Naga people”.
The wish of all Nagas is that the Indo-Naga issue be settled at the earliest possible time, the UNC stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/talks-on-aa-held/

AIZAWL, Aug 31 NNN: The Government of Tripura in its cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar recently, has made a historic decision to introduce Chakma language in Chakma script in primary schools of Tripura.
Imparting of education up to elementary stage in mother tongue is a national policy.
To begin with Chakma language subjects in its own scripts will be introduced in 58 primary schools in Chakma concentrated areas.
The movement for learning Chakma language in its own scripts has been going on for over two decades in Tripura.
In a move to protect and develop the Chakma and other tribal languages, the Tripura government has also decided to set up directorate named “Kok Borok and Minority Language Department Directorate” headed by an IAS officer to start teaching Chakma, now taught in Bengali script, in its own script.
The Chakma District Mizo National Front, Kamalanagar, Mizoram lauded the cabinet decision of the Tripura government and expresses its appreciation. It hopes that the other States Government in the North East where there are Chakma concentrated areas shall follow the example of the Tripura Government.
In fact during the tenure of MNF Government in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) from 2003-2008 Rasik Mohan Chakma, the then Chief Executive Member, CADC had taken up the matter with the Government of Tripura through some official correspondences and extended necessary help to the Chakmas of Tripura by imparting training to some educated youth in teaching and learning of Chakma language in its own script.
The Chakma District MNF hopes that the historic Cabinet decision shall be implemented without any further delay in true letter and spirit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chakma-language-to-be-introduced-in-tripura/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 31: At the 10th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations in Siem Reap, Cambodia today, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles, Shri Anand Sharma, and the ASEAN Economic Ministers reviewed the impressive growth in total trade since the signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.
Since 2011, bilateral trade has increased by 43% to reach USD 79.8 billion making India the 6th largest trading partner of ASEAN. The Ministers tasked the Senior Officials to start review of the implementation of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement including the possibility for a package of Product-Specific Rules of Origin to further facilitate trade between both the regions.
The Ministers agreed to intensify negotiations towards conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreement. This would facilitate the beginning of ASEAN-India discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which would bring together a market of more than 50% of the world’s population and 30% of the world’s GDP. India would be hosting a meeting of the Working Group on Services and Investment in the second half of September 2012 so as to conclude negotiation before the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December in New Delhi.
The Ministers discussed their participation at the Second ASEAN-India Business Fair (AIBF) from December 18-20. Cambodia, as ASEAN Chair, confirmed its participation and assured that the ASEAN Member States look forward to a successful AIBF back to back with the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
The Ministers discussed preparations for the Commemorative Summit and related events such as the ASEAN-India Car Rally and the INS Sudarshini expedition to ASEAN countries. Shri Sharma invited his counterparts to the flag down ceremony of the Car Rally at Guwahati on December 17, 2012.
Sharma also had bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Myanmar and discussed various means and ways to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation. They also discussed expansion of items under border trades. Myanmar welcomed investments from India in the fields of agriculture, mining, oil and gas, infrastructure development, etc. The Ministers to take the discussions further during Shri Sharma’s visit to Myanmar later this year.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-asean-pledge-to-conclude-services-agreement-negotiations/

Mizoram state government has taken a decision to privatise the government-run tourist lodges and highway restaurants.
On Thursday, Mizoram Tourism Development Board officials and the state chief minister had discussed the matter.
The meeting decided for the privatisation of the government-run tourist lodges and highway restaurants, and resolved to privatise 13 out of the total 38 tourist lodges and highway restaurants.
The meeting also decided to run the management of such lodges and restaurants in Mizoram like that of Nagaland and Sikkim.
The meeting also decided on how to open a ‘branded hotel’ for the lodging of tourists from outside the state as well as from foreign countries.
Besides, regarding the establishment of Institute of Hotel Management in Mizoram, the Thursday meeting discussed on how to manage the fund to be shared by Mizoram, apart from the fund sanctioned by the central government. The meeting also had a discussion on tourism policy. NNN

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-to-privatise-tourist-lodge/