August 18, 2014 – Page 3

RK Shitaljit’s yearlong birth centenary ends

IMPHAL, August 18: The yearlong birth centenary celebrations of R K Shitaljit Singh drew to a close today at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. The function was graced by Arts

IMPHAL, August 18: The yearlong birth centenary celebrations of R K Shitaljit Singh drew to a close today at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. The function was graced by Arts and Culture commissioner Dr RK Nimai Singh as the chief guest and former JNMDA director Longjam Joychandra as the president.

During the function, Yumlembam Gambhini Devi; Padamashri M Ranjit Singh; Retired Lt Colonel Yumlembam Ibomcha Singh and Ksh Bishwamitra spoke about the achievements and contributions of Shitaljit Singh to Manipuri culture. A collection of poems written by Shitaljit published by North East Writers Forum, Manipur was released today at the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/rk-shitaljits-yearlong-birth-centenary-ends/

Kanglei Yelhou Inat Loisinggi Lan-kei meeting held

IMPHAL, August 18: Members of Kanglei Yelhou Inat Loisinggi Lan-kei held a joint meeting today at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul. The organisation took a resolution to safeguard the State’s indigenous

IMPHAL, August 18: Members of Kanglei Yelhou Inat Loisinggi Lan-kei held a joint meeting today at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul.

The organisation took a resolution to safeguard the State’s indigenous cultures by strictly adhering to a set of rules and regulations.

The function was attended by Nepram Nungkangba, Yangoi Piba and Elangbam Mitngamba as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively. The meeting also took a resolution to contribute Rs. 10 each month meet the requirements of the organisation.

MEELAL felicitates four writers on eleventh foundation day

IMPHAL, August 18: The 11th MEELAL foundation day cum a book releasing function was held at the GM hall today. The function was graced by Inner Lok Sabha MP Dr

IMPHAL, August 18: The 11th MEELAL foundation day cum a book releasing function was held at the GM hall today. The function was graced by Inner Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Amwju president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, COHSEM chairman Dr Hamom Naba, Advocate Ngangom Premkumar, Advisors to Meelal Tokpam Thawailemba and Sadokpam Tomba Mangang, Thangta Sindum Lup advisor Ibomcha khuman and Zenith Academy founder Manaoton.

In his keynote address, Paonam Thakaba Meitei stated that Meitei Mayek has been made a compulsory subject from class 1 and 2 under an initiative of MEELAL.

Meitei Mayek will be made compulsory in the matriculation exam conducted by the State board from 2015, he added.

The Meitei Mayek Planing and Implementation department was established on August 20 last with Kh Raghumani as the director, Thakaba Meitei said, adding MEELAL also established a State Lexicon Committee this year to find out foreign words in Meitei Mayek.

During the function, four writers were awarded for writing books without including any foreign words – Jamuna Mayengbam for Lamdamsigi Lol Amadi Mayek; Dr Naren Amuba for Kangleigi Ariba Pukok Puwari; Naorem Romina for Mang-gi Mapu Sing and Waikhom Gojen Meeitei for Ho Ima Nungsibi.

State fails to reply to petition on appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries as “ministers”

IMPHAL, August 18: Advocate Thoudam Manihar Singh, expressed his disappointment over the failure of the Chief Secretary of Manipur to provide information with regards to a petition submitted to the

IMPHAL, August 18: Advocate Thoudam Manihar Singh, expressed his disappointment over the failure of the Chief Secretary of Manipur to provide information with regards to a petition submitted to the Governor of Manipur.

Talking to IFP, Thoudam Manihar Singh, disclosed that he had recently sent a petition to the Governor of Manipur through the Chief Secretary of Manipur requesting clarification on the definition of the term “Rules of procedures and conduct of Business of Manipur Legislative Assembly” Rule 3 and Section 3 of the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (appointment, salary and allowances and Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 2012, for appointment of 5 MLAs of Manipur as Minister in the guise of Parliamentary Secretaries.

He pleaded for reply within seven days from the day of the receipt of the petition.

However, despite the written intimation from the RK Nimai Singh secretary of the Governor of Manipur, instructing to take necessary/appropriate action on the matter as “a matter of desire of the Governor of Manipur”, no reply has been received so far, rued Thoubam Manihar Singh.

In his petition underscoring the Rule 3 of the “Rules of Procedure and conduct of the Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly”, he pointed out that it was clearly defined in the document that “Minister” means a member of the council of Ministers, a Minister of State, a deputy or a Parliamentary Secretary.

Given the fact, he pleaded the Governor to give direction to the Chief Secretary of Manipur to reply to his petition whether the “Parliamentary Secretary” mentioned in the Rules of procedure and conduct of Business is similar to that of the Parliamentary Secretary Act, 2012 or not?

Further he also questioned that according to the definition of the term “Minister” as it is in the Rules of procedure and conduct of Business whether the Parliamentary Secretary is a Minister or not?

If so, he questioned if the appointment of five more Ministers, under the name and style of “Parliamentary Secretary” under the Parliamentary Secretary Act, 2012, did not violate the provisions of Article 164(1A) of Indian Constitution, for after appointing 12 regular Ministers including the Chief Minister of Manipur, by the Governor, five more irregular Ministers have been added to the total clearly exceeding the limit set by the Article, it further posed.

Moreover, he questioned whether the act of appointing of more Minister as Parliamentary Secretary and subsequent administration of oath by the Chief Minister was liable to declared as ultra vires stating that there is no provision in the constitution to take oath of an MLA/Minister by the Chief Minister, except by the Governor of Manipur.

Thoudam Manihar Singh, is also counsel of the PIL filed at the then Guwahati High Court, Imphal bench challenging the appointment of Parliamentary Secretary. The case is still pending at the High Court of Manipur.

The MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries included Keisam Meghachandra Singh-with charge of Minor Irrigation, Mairenbam Prithvi Raj Singh-Tourism and Youth Affaris/Sports, Vungzagin Valte-Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Md Amin Shah-Minorities, OBC & SC and Victor Keishing-Tribal Affairs&Hills.

BJP questions Congress’ seriousness on ILPS issue

IMPHAL, August 18: The BJP, Manipur Pradesh has questioned the Congress government on measures taken up during the last 12 years to check influx of foreigners into the State. Speaking

IMPHAL, August 18: The BJP, Manipur Pradesh has questioned the Congress government on measures taken up during the last 12 years to check influx of foreigners into the State.

Speaking in a press meet held at the party’s Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson RK Shivachandra also questioned the Chief Minister’s Independence Day speech, when he had said all 60 MLAs are ready to resign if they are unable to meet up to the demand of the people.

He asked whether the opposition MLAs are okay with the Chief Minister’s announcement and if they are not then why is there no reaction from them?

The lack of any reaction from the other party MLAs shows that there is no opposition in the State, he said.

During the last 12 years of ruling the State, the Congress has never taken any serious step regarding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State, he continued.

Shivachandra also questioned whether the Congress has made any proper reply to the Union Home Minister’s strong declaration made on June 9, 2012 that the Inner Line Permit System cannot be implemented in Manipur.

If it has then the public should be made aware of the reply, he continued.

The Assam government has prepared a white paper on the problem of foreigners in their State, he said alleging the Manipur government of neglecting the issue.

Coming to the Chief Minister’s reaction against a student disruption during the Independence Day celebration, the BJP Manipur spokesperson said the students were not pressured, but it was a voluntary action on their part as they were aware of the problems that mass influx of outsiders into the State will bring.

He further sought clarification from the deputy Chief Minister on why the government is neglecting the ILPS issue for such a long time.

The all-political parties committee had met on August 9 and decided to send proposal inviting legal experts to submit opinion on the ILPS, he said before adding that although he is a member of the committee, he is unaware of what was written in the proposal sent to the legal experts.

He said as the committee continues to wait for the opinions from the experts, agitations and protests demanding ILPS implementation continue.

Shivachandra continued it is better for the chairman of the committee to interact frequently with the experts and other academicians on the issue.

He said the BJP would like the committee to accelerate its progress so that the party could pressure the Centre on the issue.

If the committee cannot pressure the Centre, the BJP will take its own course of action, he said.

Cracks on Wangjing mini barrage canal worry farmers

THOUBAL, August 18: Farmers of Wangjing area are dejected as 30 feet long cracks have appeared on both sides of the main canal of the yet to be inaugurated Wangjing

THOUBAL, August 18: Farmers of Wangjing area are dejected as 30 feet long cracks have appeared on both sides of the main canal of the yet to be inaugurated Wangjing Mini Barrage in Thoubal district constructed on the Wangjing River.

The mini barrage has been constructed under the Minor Irrigation department.

Representatives of the All Wangjing Development Organisation along with media persons took a tour of the site today.

The cracks are at about 100 meter distance from the dam.

It is also learnt that about a year ago, 15 feet long cracks had appeared just ten feet far from the dam.

During close checking of the damaged portion it was found that quality was not maintained during construction of the canal.

Later, the organisation’s joint secretary Chongtham Suranjoy told the media that the dam is being constructed under the NLCPR by the State Minor Irrigation department.

The construction of the dam had brought much happiness to the farmers of the area, he said and added construction is about 80 percent complete now.

However, the cracks on the main canal visible today have demoralised the farmers, he said.

Now it is clear that the contractors had not maintained quality during its construction, which is really unfortunate, he told the media team.

He further warned that unless the department authorities come and inspect the damaged part and start reconstruction by August 25, the organisation will join hands with local clubs and others to completely dismantle the main canal.

Suranjoy further observed that the authorities should also inspect the side wing of the dam at Heituppokpi.

He said during the initial stages of construction, locals had complained to the local MLA Paonam Brojen that cracks had appeared as the contractors were not following the government permitted proportion rule while mixing concrete.

Following the complaint, the MLA had instructed the then EE, Thoubal division to properly inspect the construction, he said.

The EE had instructed the concerned contractors to reconstruct the portions where cracks had already appeared, he continued.

However, the contractors had continued with the construction without listening to the EE’s directive, he said.

ATSUM announces 24 hr hills bandh

KANGPOKPI, August 18: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur today announced its decision of 24 hr total bandh in all hill district of the State from midnight of August 21

KANGPOKPI, August 18: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur today announced its decision of 24 hr total bandh in all hill district of the State from midnight of August 21 demanding implementation of Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 from the current academic session the student body .

Emboi Serto, the tribal student apex body chief asserted that the body has already appealed to the government and the authority concern to rectify and resolved the issue before August 20 with a cautioned of launching any form of agitation but the State government as well as the MU authority has paid no attention to the appeal.

He continued that it is a matter of great concern to learn that the Manipur University Administrative Council has decided to follow the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012- an Act passed by an Act of Parliament to be followed strictly-from the next academic session only while totally ignoring intentionally just because some section of the people object to it.

The state Government and the MU authority should know that there must be no excuses and grounds for postponing the implementation of the Amendment Act, Emboi said before adding that the Government and the concerned authority should not play with the Amendment Act which was passed by the Parliament.

Striking a chord Emboi further lamented that we must not forget that Manipur is inhabited by the Scheduled tribal which constituted around 43% of the total population. The Scheduled Caste had about 2.5%. For the past many years Meeteis have enjoyed maximum seats due to following the central reservation norms whether they are General, OBC or SC. The tribals which constituted some 43% are left with just 7.5%.

The student body also had earlier request the agitating students not to misinterprets the contends of the Clause 2 of the Amendment Act 2012 and appeals for understanding the reality while allow the 43% tribals of the state to enjoy at least 31% in admission as per the Amendment Act 2012 but that too bears no positive fruit.

As appeals earlier to all the tribal organization to be ready for any eventualities if at all our rights are being denied by the Manipur University ATSUM urged all tribal organization to stand united and put heads together in the agitation, Emboi appealed.

When our rights are infringed upon whenever others become beneficiaries out of our share and rights we can no longer be timid or silent, asserted Emboi while holding responsibility to the state Government as well as the MU authority and all tribal elected representatives if any negative thing comes out of agitation.

While appealing to all transporters, businessmen, educationist, Govt. employees and others to adhere with the student body decision and refrain from their works ATSUM said that only Medical and Media will be relaxed from the purview of the 24 hr total bandh to be effective in all hill district of the state.

If the state Government and MU authority still remain silent over the issue after the total bandh ATSUM will announced its further course of agitation said Emboi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/atsum-announces-24-hr-hills-bandh/

Stop neglecting differently abled: AMJWU president

IMPHAL, August 18: Imploring people to support differently-abled people not just in words but also in deeds, All Manipur Disabled and Physically Handicapped Development Association (AMDAPHDA) secretary Junus Khan said that many individuals made promises of offering funds to support them but refused to to keep their promises when the funds are actually sought.

Junus was speaking on the occasion of the Eighth Foundation Day celebrations of AMDAPHDA at the Samurou Awang Leikai community hall today.

Citing the incident of a politician promising to offer monetary help in support of a differently abled team’s participation in a cricket tournament for the disabled held outside the State, he said the promise eventually turned out to be a lie.

When we tried to contact the politician through his mobile number, we discovered that he had switched off his phone, Junus said.

The politician cared about the votes of differently abled people without having any concerns about their welfare, he added.

Speaking during the celebrations, All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) president Wangkhemcha Shamjai said that the culture of neglecting differently abled people needs to be eradicated by working together with them by treating them as you would any other person.

AMWJU has always urged the State government to work for the welfare of differently abled people and will render any possible help for their welfare and development, he added.

Meanwhile, disability commissioner L Ibomcha Singh stated that an independent disability commissioner was appointed in the State after an act for the welfare of differently abled people was passed on February 7, 1996.

He said he was appointed the independent disability commissioner on July 1 this year and promised to take up various steps for the well being of differently abled people.

Stating that he visited many places in the country to discuss the welfare of the differently abled people with various intellectual, he said people will see the results of his effort soon.

There are stigmas around being differently-abled which must be removed because until and unless every human being is treated equally, they will be perceived in a different way, Ibomcha said.

He also expressed regret at some individuals lodging a case against him for initiating new welfare schemes for the differently abled people.