Month: February 2013

Imphal Feb 22 UNA : The annual outlay of MLAs’ local area development fund in Manipur is likely to be increased to Rs two crore from the current outlay of Rs 50 lakh per annum.
An official source Friday said that Manipur government is considering for hiking the outlay of the MLAs’ local area development after a proposal was tabled in the floor of the house of the state Assembly in the coming budget session.
The proposal for increase of the fund along with other perks and incentives would be tabled for passing during the upcoming assembly session scheduled in March 2nd week, the source said.
Local area development fund of an MLA is presently Rs 50,00,000/- per annum (Rs. 2.5 crores for a five year tenure) with which MLAs have been taking up different developmental works in their respective constituencies. Salary of an MLA is Rs 18,500/- per month and there will be no change in it.
However, there would be an increase in various allowances of constituency, contingency, entertainment, telephone, secretariat and compensatory, the source disclosed.
Constituency allowance of an MLA which is Rs 12,000 per month at present is expected to increase to rupees 20,000, contingency allowances which is Rs 8,000 per month is expected to increase to Rs 12,000 per month.
The entertainment allowances for an MLA is Rs 6,500 per month. This allowance is also proposed to be increased to Rs 12,000 per month. Secretariat Allowances has been proposed to be increased to rupees 20,000 per month from rupees 15,000 per month.
The compensatory allowance of Rs 7,000 per month for an MLA has also been expected to increase to Rs 20,000 per month. There was no proposal for increase in the telephone allowances which is Rs 10,000 per month. After passing of the proposals put up by the MLAs in the upcoming assembly session, an MLA will be enjoying a sum of Rs 1,00,500 per month.Besides the allowances and pay, an MLA also enjoys various privileges for travelling abroad once in a financial year. The Speaker had approved a maximum ceiling of Rs 3,50,000 as traveling allowance. Other facilities enjoyed by the MLAs are, 700 litres of petrol per month, 3000 litres of SK oil per month, electricity bill, salary for 8 staffs etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mlas-ladp-to-be-increased/

IMPHAL, Feb 22 NNN: The Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) while alerting all the Kuki people to be ready for the ‘total public blockade’ to start from midnight of February 24 in the Kuki areas, it said today the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmmar (BCIM) Car Rally which is scheduled to pass Silchar (Assam) into ‘Kuki territories’ will not be allowed to transit through Kuki territories and to the exit point Manipur, India i.e the border town Moreh.
“Denying the rights of the Kukis and their political aspiration for Kuki Statehood and drawing economic mileage through its territories is robbing the rights and resources of the owners (Kukis) in a broad-day light which is hard to compromise. We have been cheated into letting the Asean-India car rally with promises of political talks for formation of Kuki state immediately following the winter session of parliament. It is a sad commentary on the integrity of the government of India that no tangible initiatives for political settlement of Kuki rights is forthcoming from them despite such promise in writing, even now as the budget session is about to begin.
The KSDC, and the Kuki public will no longer bite such deceitful baits this time. Not a single car of the BCIM CAR rally will be allowed to pass through Kuki territories and any attempt to use force will be met with equal measure of resistance. Any untoward incident occurring out of any disrespect towards this resolve of the Kuki people will be at the sole risk of participants of the rally, the Government of India shall hold responsibility for it fair and square.
Start political dialogue immediately with KSDC including Kuki militants for Kuki Political settlement in the form of Kuki State-the only panacea that will redress the grievances of Kukis in Manipur in all spheres,” KSDC information secretary George Guite said in a statement.
The KSDC demands the settlement of Kuki rights under the rights enshrined in the Constitution of India, and those denying the Kukis their rightful aspirations should hold themselves in contempt of the constitution. Justice shall prevail, or we shall die fighting for it, the KSDC leader added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ksdc-not-to-allow-car-rally/

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Eight organisations from Chandel district has urged Manipur CAF & PD minister M Oken not to shift the FCI godown site from Molnoi and to immediately take up construction work.
Aimol Tribe Union of Manipur, Maring Uparup Assembly, kuki Chiefs Association of Chandel district, Thadou Students Association of Chandel district, kuki Chiefs Association of Tengnoupal Machi Assembly Constituency, kuki Women Human Rights, All Tribal Women’s Organization of Chandel district and Molnoi Area Kuki Chiefs Welfare Association in a joint memorandum urged the minister to immediately take up necessary action to start the construction work of FCI godown at Molnoi before public of the area become get agitated.
“We the social organisations of Chandel district representing the sentiment of the concerned public have sought your kind intervention and immediate necessary action.
“That, from the relevance source we come to know, that the state Government is likely to shift the site selected for construction of FCI Godown for Chandel District at Molnoi Village, which is sealed by former minister CAF & PD Govt. of Manipur, Y. Erabot and local MLA Thangkholun Haokip along with P. Vaiphei Commissioner CAF & PD Govt. of Manipur and Deputy Commissioner Chandel district dated in 2010. At the same time the concern department duly finalize all the require procedure for FCI Godown and already forwarded to the FCI Department Govt. of India,” the eight organisations pointed out.
They then stated that since the selected site is the most suitable location for construction and setting up of an FCI godown for Chandel district. “In fact, the location is lying between kuki village( Molnoi) and naga village (Lamkang Centre), so the place is very enjoyable for both communities and in security point of view it is also lays between Commando Post pallel and 8th MR Molnoi Post, moreover in geographical point of view of Chandel district. On the top of that selected site Molnoi has big square of free land,” the memorandum added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chandel-organisations-want-godown-at-molnoi/

IMPHAL, Feb 21 NNN: In Manipur, a total of 26,682 candidates will appear in the ensuing Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate exam 2013, the largest number of students in five years.
Preparation for the HSSLC exam 2013 to be conducted by Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM) has been completed, Sagolsem Kiran Singh, Controller of Examinations of the council, said.
For the exam, which is to commence on February 28, as much as 29,593 students had registered and 2,911 of them was rejected by the council following which 26, 682 have been announced eligible to appear it, he said.
In Arts stream, 6, 899 will give the exam, 648 in Commerce and 19,135 in Science, he informed.
This year, 7, 200 more students have been increased, compared to previous year’s 19, 482, he added. He also said the increase in the number of candidates for the HSSLC exam 2013 is mainly due to the decline in the number of migrating students to other states and also a decrease in seeking admission in CBSE schools in the state.
There will be 29 council centres for the scheduled HSSLC exam which will conclude on March 25, while that of private centres is 32.
Official information regarding the exam has been given to the concerned police stations and flying squad teams have also been set up so as to enable smooth conduct of the exam, Kiran said.
However, hectic preparation for the upcoming High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) exam 2013 scheduled to begin from February 27 is going on and that it would be finished within two-three days, according to a source in Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/26682-candidates-appearing-in-hslc-exam/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Feb 21 : In a Memorandum submitted on 18 February 2013 to the independent Commission of Inquiry appointed by a directive of the Supreme Court of India on 4 January 2013, with a copy to the Chief Justice of India, Altamas Kabir, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR) raised critical concerns relating to the modus operandi of the Inquiry Commission. The Inquiry Commission is reportedly coming to Imphal on 1 March 2013.
The undated Public Notice published in one local vernacular daily newspaper and one English language daily newspaper only on 9 February 2013 inviting sworn affidavits in English, with three extra copies, to be submitted to its office established at the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi within 10 days of its publication is deficient and objectionable, and having no precedence in the history of Inquiry Commissions in Manipur.
The undated Public Notice gives no contact details of this office except a postal address. No office is set up in Manipur where the terms of this Commission are to be met, its business conducted and where the alleged extra-judicial executions took place. With no office established yet in Manipur, what are the plans and schedules of the Commission in this State and where will the aggrieved families, witnesses and other interested parties meet the Commission when it visits Imphal on 1 March 2013 as reported?
Despite the Supreme Court directive, the Central and Manipur governments have not extended diligent necessary manpower and secretarial assistance to the Inquiry Commission after more than a month of its establishment.
The full Terms of Reference of this Inquiry Commission has not been made known to the public.
There are no mechanisms established for witness protection or safety. No confidentiality procedures have been established.
As the findings and conclusions of this Inquiry Commission will have direct implications in the ongoing petitions before the Supreme Court finally to bring justice and reparation within the grasp of the long aggrieved surviving families of the deceased, the Memorandum drew the attention of the members of the independent Inquiry Commission to the following:
Considering that the undated Public Notice of 9 February 2013 does not give satisfactory contact details thereby nullifying a feasible mechanism of communications by telephone, fax or email (Internet based channels) or otherwise, to make available contacts where the original statements, affidavits and evidence may be presented at Imphal before the Inquiry Commission.
An informed Public Notification to be re-published or broadcasted in both State and privately run information dissemination mediums like the radio, television, daily newspapers, etc., at least three times in English, Manipuri and other languages in the State.
The public to be informed of the full Terms of Reference of the Inquiry Commission through such a re-notification.
The Inquiry Commission must immediately have an office established at Imphal, Manipur with the full cooperation and essential support including secretarial and financial assistance extended by the Central and Manipur governments. This office should be empowered to receive any material evidence or statements or affidavits to the Inquiry Commission, as such facilitation would greatly ease the hardships being faced by the interested parties in the cases being examined.
Last date for receipt of information by the Inquiry Commission regarding the facts and circumstances relating to the killing of the aforesaid seven persons to be extended till 28th February 2013 to lend more accountability and inclusivity to the process.
The Inquiry Commission must establish due processes and effective mechanisms to protect the witnesses, surviving family members of the deceased and other interested parties who wish to submit information, depose or appear before it.
The Inquiry Commission must also institute a confidential mechanism as established by similar communications procedures worldwide and in the United Nations Human Rights Council. This will further contribute to the personal security of witnesses and confidentiality for those who wish to appear and depose before the Inquiry Commission.
Reduce the number of copies of documents required to be submitted to one copy. The burden of making necessary copies must lie with the office of the Inquiry Commission, and not be imposed on the aggrieved families of the deceased.
Apart from printed/written documents, the Inquiry Commission should allow the submission and inclusion of audio, video, photographs, object/material evidences including fact-finding visits to the alleged encounter sites in order to establish the true facts and circumstances of the killing of the seven persons in Manipur during 2009 for effective and speedy delivery of justice to the aggrieved parties.
The Commission was established under a directive of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 4 January 2013 (WP [Crl] No.1/2009 and WP [C] No. 445 of 2012) following a recent petition filed by Extrajudicial Execution Victims’ Families’ Association Manipur (EEVFAM), which pleaded for an independent probe into more than 1500 cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur. The three-member Inquiry Commission, comprising of retired Supreme Court Justice N. Santosh Hegde, former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh and retired DGP of Karnataka Police, Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh, is to conduct an independent probe into 6 different cases of extra-judicial killings, involving 7 (seven) victims including a child in the State of Manipur.
The commission headed by Supreme Court Justice N Santosh Hegde, former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh and retired DGP of Karnaka Police, Ajay Kumar Singh was established under the directive of the apex court on January 4, 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/inquiry-commission-to-probe-fake-encounters-appealed-to-work-in-people-friendly-mode/