September 29, 2014 – Page 3

Biometrics attendance recorders in govt offices meant to bring back work culture, says CM

IMPHAL, September 29: The minimum and maximum wages of employees working under the private sector in Manipur should be set and they should not be underpaid, stated Chief Minister O

IMPHAL, September 29: The minimum and maximum wages of employees working under the private sector in Manipur should be set and they should not be underpaid, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi.

He was delivering a speech as the chief guest in the skill development workshop organised by the State labour & employment department today at the Sangai Hall in Hotel Imphal. The workshop was also attended by State Labour & Employment minister I Hemochandra Singh as the president and Addl. Chief Secretary Nikhilesh Jha and National Skill Development Agency director general JP Rai as guests of honour.

The CM in his speech said that he was glad to be a part of the first and biggest Skill Development workshop ever in Manipur organised by the State labour & employment department.

He also expressed his optimism that the NSDA would extend support to the educated unemployed youths of the State.

Further stating that during his last visit to Delhi, he came across many students of Manipur who had completed their studies but were still confused of what to do next. He however ruminated that this might be the issue faced in other parts of the country too.

Ibobi said that in his various tours across many countries including Japan and China he enquired from officials of those countries about their national average employment statistics.

The current unemployment rate in China is surprisingly less than 4% and if the youths of China are not hesitant about working in rural area, the unemployment in China could be below 2%, he said he was told.

Veering to a different topic, the CM said until the new Land Requisition Act and Forest & Environment Clearance are not modified projects related to Hydel Power cannot be initiated.

The Government has difficulties in addressing the unemployment problem in the State, the CM said, adding that the Government is working on a war footing to address the problem.

Expressing optimism that the skill development workshop will help impart employment to the youths of the State in various sectors, Ibobi stressed that it was next to impossible to provide white collar jobs to all.

Highly paid officials are not punctual while coming to office and many of the officers utilised their working hours to pursue personal businesses and commitments, the CM lamented.

In the Public Works Department alone, around 3000 labourers are engaged in contractual work, and despite the workers failing to do their duties, they demand regular wages, he said, adding that the same category of people works for the Imphal Municipal Council.

ICM has a similar problem, the employees are more interested in staging dharnas demanding salaries commensurate with what the six pay commission has fixed, he added.

`Everybody in the State lacks a work culture including myself,` the CM said drawing a huge round of applause from the audience.

Narrating that even though privatisation of the State Electricity department has made the officers more efficient, the CM in good humour said that resignation letters of those officers who are adept at not attending office have also piled up.

Biometrics system will be installed in all the departments of the State to regulate the attendance of the government employees, the CM stressed urging people in the State to fast develop a work culture. Ibobi implored private entrepreneurs to refrain from underpaying their employees and exploiting them.

SC students call 24-hour bandh to protest non release of scholarship money

IMPHAL, September 29: A 24 hour general strike has been called from 6 pm of September 30 by the schedule caste students in and around SC populated areas. The strike

IMPHAL, September 29: A 24 hour general strike has been called from 6 pm of September 30 by the schedule caste students in and around SC populated areas. The strike has been called against the failure of the State government to issue scholarship money to the SC students for the last three years.

A sit-in protest was organised today in this regard at IbudhouNao-Hallao temple area of Kakching Bazar. Students, meira paibees and women vendors of Kakching Bazar took part in the protest.

Later a committee was formed to further their demand and to launch various movements with Sana Devi as president, while general secretary of Kha Manipur College, M Pravinkumar as co-convener.

Pravinkumar, speaking to the media said that the government of Manipur has not issued scholarship money for the last three years. He continued that the total amount of the pending scholarship money would be around Rs. 10 crores.

He further said that repeated appeals had been made to the Chief Minister and deputy CM, but there has been no response till today, adding that the government has been discriminatory towards SC students.

The strike has been called because of the government`™s failure to listen to the rightful demand of the SC students, he added. Religious ceremonies, essential services including water supply, electricity and health, along with media will be, however, exempted from the strike.

Returning officer rejects MPTC candidate, only five of six candidates still in bye-poll fray

IMPHAL, September 29: Yumnam Thambou, the candidate of the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress has been rejected from contesting the Hiyanglam bye-election. According to an official notification from Kakching SDC Th

IMPHAL, September 29: Yumnam Thambou, the candidate of the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress has been rejected from contesting the Hiyanglam bye-election.

According to an official notification from Kakching SDC Th Chitaranjeet, the returning officer designate in the bye-poll, Yumnam Thambou, the candidate of the MPTC has been rejected after the thorough scrutiny of all the nomination papers today.

Consequently, only five candidates now remain in the fray for the Hiyanglam bye-election on October 17.

the returning officer held the screening today at the DRDA conference hall of Thoubal DC office.

The five candidates still remainint in the fray are, AITC candidate, Yumnam Radheshyam, INC candidate, Elangbam Dwijamani, BJP candidate, M. Dhanabir, MPP candidate, M. Amutomba and MSCP candidate, Th. Laiba.

The withdrawal of the nomination will be held on October 1.

The election will be held on October 17 and the counting of the votes will be held on October 20.

All 34 polling stations of the constituency has been declared hyper sensitive. The least number of voters is polling station 38/34, Thounaojam (SW). The polling station has a total of 406 voters, out of which 206 are male voters and 200 are female. And the P/S with most voters is 38/13 Lamjao Girls LP School.

The P/S has a total of 1140 voters with 562 male vote and 578 female voters.

Briefing media persons at the party office in Moirangkhom after the scrutiny of the candidates, MPTCC president Thounaojam Shyamkumar said the confusion created in the minds of the people of the State, especially the people of Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency regarding the two group of the Trinamool Congress has been cleared beyond doubt by the returning officer.

The Kh Joykisan led MPTC has failed to field a candidate in the Hiyanglam bye-poll after the rejection of their candidate, he said appealing the people of Hiyanglam to elect Dr Yumnam Radheshyam contesting the election on an AITC ticket now that the confusion has gone.

MPTCC legislator Dr I Ibohalbi said: `Today, the returning officer has on his own discretion determined the genuine AITC candidate during the scrutiny of the nomination papers. The party will now intensify its election campaign being fought on the agenda of saving the territorial integrity of the state and enacting a law for implementation of ILP.`

Now, the party will take any positive actions in public interests and will refrain from washing the dirty linens of any other political party as we will only concentrate on retaining the Hiyanglam AC seat, he added.

AITC candidate Dr Yumnam Radheshyam said that he joined the MPTCC after finding out which party was the genuine Trinamool Congress.

Even if theTrinamool Congress is splintered into two separate groups in the State, the real party has now been identified by the Election commission during the scrutiny, he added.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress led by Kh Joykisan called a press meet at the Manipur Press Club regarding the rejection of their candidate Yumnam Thambou Singh from the Hiyanglam bye-poll.

The counsel of the MPTC, Aribam Gautam Sharma said that the rejection of the MPTC is a violation of the order by the civil judge (junior division) court Imphal to maintain the status quo.

The returning officer of the Hiyanglam bye-poll gave only two reasons for rejecting the MPTC candidate. The first being that MPTC is not included in the Manipur gazetted notification under ECI and the second being the non inclusion of the party in the website for Form A authorised by Mukul Roy, Gautam Sharma added.

`The returning officer has erroneously rejected the MPTC candidate from contesting the bye-poll, so we will go to an appropriate forum to raise a case against this gross violation of a court order`, the MPTC counsel said.

Meanwhile, Manipur State Congress Party candidate Thokchom Laiba survived a scare and was allowed to contest in the bye-election even though the party had claimed to have merged with the Indian National Congress with five of all its MLAs.

The party now is recognized with Adim Pamei as the president.

MSAD to observe Irabot Day

IMPHAL, September 29: The Manipur Students`™ Association Delhi has said that September 30 has been observed as Irabot Day in Manipur by various organisations as he was a pioneer in

IMPHAL, September 29: The Manipur Students`™ Association Delhi has said that September 30 has been observed as Irabot Day in Manipur by various organisations as he was a pioneer in various fields.

According to a release of MASAD, the objectives of organising the Irabot Day Observation was to express their respect for Irabot and the roles he had played, and to have discussion on the messages that Irabot conveyed to the people.

MASAD has further said that the association wanted to discuss the direction of the political economy of Manipur, the forms of oppression and contradiction created by the political economy, whether the condition of the state of Manipur call for a new revolution, the leadership of the revolution and the requirement needed for it and in what direction the revolution will take.

It also said that Irabot has conveyed that since the negative and positive conditions in the society are the products of the political economy, the growth of every individual can improve the conditions as no individuals can escape from the political structure, to uproot those who benefit by keeping the condition of the society underdeveloped and that democratic movement by the people is essential for the development of the society, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/msad-to-observe-irabot-day/

Culture Beyond A Quest for the Useful Past: Manipur`s imperative for a contemporary culture for a meaningful future

By Amar Yumnam Manipur today stands at an historically critical juncture and this is unavoidable. The emerging transnational interventions put Manipur at a junction where South Asia would interact with

By Amar Yumnam

Manipur today stands at an historically critical juncture and this is unavoidable. The emerging transnational interventions put Manipur at a junction where South Asia would interact with South East and East Asia. This is where the contemporary weaknesses and unpreparedness of Manipur for playing the host for the interactions come to the fore with dangerous social implications. Any interaction between different entities at any historical juncture demands a new set of cultures to serve the purpose of the interactions as well as to enable the involving parties to flourish out of the interactions. The needed set of new cultures goes much beyond the preoccupation of Manipur society so far of only the quest for a useful glory of the past, and rather demands evolution, new dynamics and practise of hitherto ignored dimensions of social functioning. This functioning with a new culture is needed of the society collectively, of the individual at personal levels and the government in performing governance. Let me put a word here on what I mean by culture. I would rather put it simply as the character and principle with which an individual performs her functions, the society conducts the business of societal existence and the government performs her responsibilities.

The needed new culture is very different from the ones we usually identify with, e.g., our dances, the valour of our forefathers and the like. The new culture is oriented towards facilitating the movement and exchange of people and commodities. It should be in sync with any new technology, knowledge and ideas irrespective of whether these are home-grown or inflows from outside. Earlier the relationships and interactions between different economies were mercantile focused, and the component of knowledge and technology was very small if any. But the very content of mercantile relationships has undergone a drastic change now with rising content of non-material movements. Besides, the movement and exchange today include movement of people and exchange of knowledge and technology in addition to the rising content of knowledge and technology in the mercantile component as well. Still further, there is a continuous competition based on efficiency and competence inherent in all these. Since the movements and exchanges are in differentiated items, the efficiency and competence are not necessarily in relative terms. Nevertheless, I must hasten to add, the presence of a minimum level of globally acceptable efficiency and competence is essential for in the otherwise case the society would be just swept aside by the tide instead of floating with the new wave.

Now all these movements and exchange of mercantile items, people, technology and knowledge are accompanied by a new set of culture hitherto unexperienced by Manipur society; every new technology comes along with a new culture to make it functional and meaningful; this is besides the new competence and efficiency required by the evolving dynamics. This is exactly where the weaknesses of Manipur are salient at all sectors `“ individual, social and governmental. Let me start with the individual level challenge. Many new technologies are now present in Manipur. Let us look at the ATM machines `“ though these are widely present in Manipur, the people of Manipur at large are non-conversant with the culture associated with the functioning of these. There are now so many new cars and motorcycles, but the culture associated with these is absolutely absent among the people using these. Even more unfortunately, there is no scope for acquiring this new culture as the very people who should be foundations for social learning are the most violators of the new culture. The most common and extreme example is the behaviour of the individuals manning and performing the functions of the government. Even the civil servant who has just started his/her career would move about with a flag-post and would impose right of way and precedence at every point of travel. So the absence of culture associated with new technology characterises both the common people and the people in the government.

Besides these individual level crimes (crimes because these go against the to-be-shared and long-term interests of the people), the collective level crimes too are aplenty. We continuously hear of mob delivery of justice (well the governance might fail in delivering justice but mob-delivery is not something in tune with international norms for advancement) instead of social movements for improving the quality of governance. We are aware and experiencing the conduct of cultural bodies like Pakhangba Seva Committees by a set of social thieves on a principle of continual practising of lies.

As we know that both the individuals and the society of Manipur are not in sync with the contemporary interaction based on technology and knowledge and the culture demanded of it, we may now ask as to how the functioning of government reflects on these. One example I frequently cite my friends is a comparison of an individual moving in a private car and the trucks loaded with goods. Any private car moves on the road purely to serve personal interests. In comparison to this, the trucks loaded with goods are on the roads serving the cause of the society and the economy of that society. It requires of the governance to see to it that these movements of loaded trucks are really facilitated in order that the economic activities of the society are fastened and growth is hastened; I am aware of regulations needed in this context. But this is exactly what the functioning of the government of Manipur violates today. Whenever a loaded truck moves on the road, we observe the traffic-policemen/policewomen and the police personnel suddenly become alert, and the consequent event is the hand-shake with the driver wherein money is exchanged. This is something, we would never encounter in any developed social atmosphere. It should always be the case that the loaded trucks are more facilitated vis-Ã -vis the private cars in public interest (which in this case is development of the economy of Manipur); public interest is seen only in government orders and notices but never in practice of the government of Manipur.

So when the whole world is moving towards Manipur equipped with new technology and continuously improved technology and knowledge, individuals, society and government of Manipur are least prepared to face the world with a culture founded on competence and efficiency. Manipur today needs a new cultural learning and a new cultural dynamics oriented to the present for a brighter future instead of the current of looking back to the past and immediate personal gains.

Engaging in Development issues

If we are to talk of development projects, there is a drastic divide with Government agencies and the corporate sector being seen as sheer villains with community people as the

If we are to talk of development projects, there is a drastic divide with Government agencies and the corporate sector being seen as sheer villains with community people as the sufferers or victims. This divide comes mostly because development projects in the country and the state are often pitched and implemented without involving people at the grass roots. On the other hand, people who are asked to shift out of their homes and living environment would not be too happy to be asked to pack up and go. The tussle between community resources and Government control over land often leads the later to literally bulldoze all or any sort of opposition to have its way.
Yes, developmental projects are the need of the hour for the generation of power, expansion for urban townships and other institutional set ups, for building roads and railways and this would inevitably mean taking over people`™s lands as increasing population density levels mean that there is a shrink in available land area. But to do it with brute force and to drive out people to bring in private players for profit would mean growing antagonism between Government agencies and the people on the ground. Developmental projects come along with inbuilt mechanisms of environmental clearance and impact assessment studies but the trust deficit on Government agencies and the very nature of their functioning is such that till community stakeholders are involved, there will always be suspicion and defiance.

Aiding this lack of a public and a more inclusive debate is the lack of the attention of the national media on delving deeper into the behemoth of development projects vis a vis nature, people`™s rights etc. While small media outlets are burdened by lack of resources to dig into such issues, the lack of access to information, lack of expertise in the area all contribute to not being able to look into a sustained coverage of the `development v/s nature/people`™s rights`™ issue and given the final nail in the coffin that small media outlets are limited in who they reach out to; the discomfort of the national media in going beyond the development buzz that the government dresses up its actions means that there is no mention of people who lose their homes and livelihood, no mention of ecological imbalances. The media mention happens only when there are mammoth disasters taking place and preferably in the region beyond the north eastern states.

The national media in general gives its attention and engagement to the issue of `development v/s nature/people`™s rights`™ only in the aftermath of disasters or when there are protests taking place. We saw this cursory engagement in the form of the all too brief media buzz on the national scene following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant suffering major damages after a 9.0 richter scaled earthquake and subsequent Tsunami hit Japan leading to radio activity being released. News reports carried coverage of the nature of destruction and the kind of efforts on the ground in terms of evacuation in Fukushima. The disaster in far away Japan also led to a brief media interest in Indian`™s own nuclear power plant, which has been under construction at Koodankulam in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu since 2002. But more than in depth reportage on the safety mechanisms or the lack of it at the nuclear power plant site, the media attention was on the protests by people in the area and activists of the People`s Movement Against Nuclear Energy group. Disasters or anything else for that matter taking place in the north eastern region do not get the amount of brevity, engagement or sustained coverage in the national media.

The added factor of the resources of the region being used to supply various outputs like power, oil and other minerals for the consumption of the people n the rest of the country subsequently puts on the veil of silence and sight on what is happening in the region. In such a context, what is needed is for environmentalists and subject experts to step forward, make studies and then share their thoughts. One cannot leave it to Government agencies who will give it the `development`™ spin or to the NGOs whose very nature, especially in Manipur is to only oppose the take of the Government.

Leader Writer:Chitra Ahanthem

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/engaging-in-development-issues/

`School management and parents must make implementation of SSA & RTA successful`

KANGPOKPI, September 29: A one day Community Training Programme for Conveners of School Management and Development Committee of Schools of Education(S), District Council schools and Aided schools under Kangpokpi block was organised by SSA/RTE Kangpokpi Block here today at SSA Training Hall, ZEO/ADPO Office Kangpokpi.

Ngahchong Kipgen, Zonal Education Officer/ADPO SSA, Kangpokpi attended the function as chief guest while K. Brajagopal Singh, RP SSA Saitu Block attended the function as resource person where more than 60 Conveners of SMDC participated.

While speaking at the function Ngahchong Kipgen lamented that SSA/RTE has been widely discussed and it is now the most important subject matter in every administration, while adding that it is the responsibility of parents/SMDC for successful implementation of the fundamental rights and duties given under SSA/RTE by the government of India.

In his keynote address L. Henboi, Coordinator, SSA Kangpokpi asserted that the government of India wants its people to be educated, and therefore has implemented various educational programmes and schemes like Anganwadi, Sakshar Bharat Mission, Tribal Development and Other Backward Class residential and Non-Residential Schools, JNV, SSA, etc.

He continued that the people must know how to accept and get benefit from those programmes while rendering cooperation and support.

Modern education is totally based on community asserted K. Brajagopal Singh, a resource person of the function, who is also a resource person under SSA Saitu Block.

He continued that the role and responsibility of SMDC is one important part of the RTE Act which cannot be ignored and punishable if ignored.

RTE Act is the right of children to free and compulsory education in a neighbouring school till the completion of elementary education pointed out K. Brajagopal Singh who also maintainedthat the main objective of the government of India in distributing mid – day meal to student is to encourage them to attend school regularly.

He continued that government of India under SSA/RTE Act gives free uniform, text book, and whatever requirement for the child`™s elementary education.

K. Brajagopal Singh also emphasised the role and responsibility of SMDC to meet the provisions of RTE Act 2009 while adding that declining and development of school solely is the responsibility and duty of SMDC.

Culture Beyond A Quest for the Useful Past: Manipur`s imperative for a … – KanglaOnline

Culture Beyond A Quest for the Useful Past: Manipur`s imperative for a …KanglaOnlineManipur today stands at an historically critical juncture and this is unavoidable. The emerging transnational interventions put Manipur at a junction where South Asia…

Culture Beyond A Quest for the Useful Past: Manipur`s imperative for a …
KanglaOnline
Manipur today stands at an historically critical juncture and this is unavoidable. The emerging transnational interventions put Manipur at a junction where South Asia would interact with South East and East Asia. This is where the contemporary …

Majority of people including bureaucrat officers of Manipur lack work culture … – E-Pao.net

E-Pao.net

Majority of people including bureaucrat officers of Manipur lack work culture …
E-Pao.net
Imphal, September 29 2014 : Majority of people of the state including the bureaucrats and officers of Manipur government lack work culture, stated Chief Minister O.Ibobi while speaking at the inaugural function of “One Day Workshop on Skill Development …
Biometrics attendance recorders in govt offices meant to bring back work …KanglaOnline

all 3 news articles »

E-Pao.net

Majority of people including bureaucrat officers of Manipur lack work culture …
E-Pao.net
Imphal, September 29 2014 : Majority of people of the state including the bureaucrats and officers of Manipur government lack work culture, stated Chief Minister O.Ibobi while speaking at the inaugural function of "One Day Workshop on Skill Development …
Biometrics attendance recorders in govt offices meant to bring back work …KanglaOnline

all 3 news articles »

5 in fray for Manipur bypoll – Assam Tribune

5 in fray for Manipur bypollAssam TribuneThe five candidates are Maibam Dhanabir Singh of BJP, Mayengbam Amutombi of Manipur Peoples Party, Elengbam Dwijamani of Congress, Dr Y Radheshyam of All India Trinamool Congress and Th Laiba of Manipur State Co…

5 in fray for Manipur bypoll
Assam Tribune
The five candidates are Maibam Dhanabir Singh of BJP, Mayengbam Amutombi of Manipur Peoples Party, Elengbam Dwijamani of Congress, Dr Y Radheshyam of All India Trinamool Congress and Th Laiba of Manipur State Congress Party. Reports said the …
Five candidatures accepted for Manipur bye-electionMorungExpress

all 2 news articles »

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30