Month: September 2014

IMPHAL, September 22: The State government has given approval for filling up vacant posts in the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) which acts as its mouthpiece to keep abreast with the changing times and to turn it into a department of repute.

In another Cabinet decision, the government has also lifted its restrictions on making new appointments in various departments of the State.

The Cabinet took the decision out of compulsion as various departments including DIPR which lack adequate staffs and as a result facing difficulties in implementing State plans and Central Sponsor Schemes were losing their grounds, Education minister Moirangthem Okendro who was also holds the CAF& PD portfolio said.

The decisions were taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at his chamber on September 19. The meeting that began on 3 pm continued till late night.

Apart from filling up the vacant posts, fresh appointments will be made by creating new posts in DIPR. The new posts are of an additional director, four posts of joint directors, nine posts of deputy directors, two posts of PROs while the post of a GradeIV/Peon and nine posts of Chowkidars are going to be recreated.

The other departments which the Cabinet has given approval for making appointments are the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Agriculture Department, Transport Department, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department.

The Cabinet has also taken the decision of calling off its earlier decision of enforcing the New Land Use Policy in all the nine districts of the State, the Education Minister said, adding that the main reason behind the decision was the strong oppositions against it by people in the hill districts and lack of funds.

The State Government which was planning to get the funds from the Central Government to enforce the policy intended for saving land from encroachment took the decision of doing away with the policy after the BJP led NDA Government ruling at the Centre decided to scrap the Planning Commission, he said.

The State Cabinet had earlier decided to enforce the NLUP in January this year to save land from encroachment. The State government had even hired Sudha Pillai, a retired IAS officer, as the consultant to form the DPR of the policy.

Apart from making observation about the Mizoram model for implementing the policy, a meeting of the State Level Steering Committee was convened.

After thoroughly discussing the agenda of changing guidelines for forming Village Development Committee in those villages which have no Village Authority in the Cabinet meeting, no approval was given, Okendro said, adding that the villages in the hills wouldn’t have any Village Development Committee.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to the holiday list prepared by the General Administrative Department for the calendar year 2015. Next year will have 25 general holidays, 17 public holidays and 27 restricted holidays.

The Cabinet has also given its nod to appoint an executive member each in 10 Municipal Councils and 8 Nagar Panchayats.

It also gave an approval for allotting 44.1 acres of land for a permanent exhibition and centre at Khongnangkhong to the Commerce and Industries Department.

The cabinet also gave its approval for allotting land in Imphal East’s Sangomshung village, Senapati’s Ningthouphum village, Chandel’s Anal Khunou for building Kendra Vidyalaya Schools. It also approved the transfer of the place used by the State Power department at Porompat as its store and a place earlier belonging to the Mechanical Division of PWD to JNIMS, the Education minister said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/cabinet-lifts-restrictions-on-new-appointments/

IMPHAL, September 22: State deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today assured the Joint Committee on Inner Line permit System to set up a flying squad under a designated police officer to monitor migrant entry, said committee convenor Ibotombi Khuman.

Gaikhangam has also assured to register all hired labours brought into the State with the Labour department, he said.

The committee today met with the All-political parties committee on ILPS at the New Assembly complex.

Ibotombi however, expressed that today’s meeting should not be referred to as the second meeting between the government and the JCILPS as the all-political parties committee is not representing the government.

The JCILPS had met the State government represented by the Chief Minister and his deputy on September 19.

Following today’s meeting, Ibotombi called a press conference at their Nongmeibung office.

He said 15 members of the committee were present at the meeting with the political parties committee chaired by the deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

The JCILPS kept some points before the deputy Chief Minister led committee for their consideration. The points include the Act which was prevalent in the State before 1949 before merger with India, among others, he said.

He said the JCILPS urged the government to check the illegal influx of migrants into the State, even as we wait for an Act or law to be implemented.

He said the JCILPS had asked for a copy of the opinions and suggestions of the legal experts and academics submitted to the political parties committee, which the latter refused citing that the suggestions are confidential as it would have to be submitted to the government.

The political parties committee however, asked for opinions and suggestions from the JCILPS so that it could be incorporated in its report to the State government, he said.

He said any further meeting with the political parties committee is possible only if the JCILPS is provided a copy of the suggestions of the experts or the political parties committee submits its report to the government.

We are working for the people and want to be transparent. We don’t have any legal experts so we would first like to see the suggestions of the experts and then discuss it with the people, he said.

Co-convenor Khomdram Ratan said implementing the ILPS needs a strong will on the part of the government.

If the implementation of any Act or law in this concern is under the purview of the Centre, than what is the purpose of forming an all-political parties committee in the State, he questioned.

He said implementing the ILPS is a must for which the politicians need to show some political will.

The population of non-locals in the State has today reached a staggering 10-lakh, where the indigenous population stands at a mere 17 lakh, he said.

The second round of talk with the government will be only after the political parties committee submits its report, he said.

It is unfortunate that the All-political parties committee and the JCILPS seem to be on different sides of the fence, he said before adding that if the political leaders are serious than they could pressurise the Centre to work out a way on the issue.

There are also reports that photo studios are indulging in making fake id-cards for non-locals which is unfortunate, he said before appealing to all to desist from such illegal thing.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/jcilps-in-a-stalemate-with-all-political-parties-committee-on-sharing-expert-opinions/

DIMAPUR/DELHI Sept 22 (NNN): The NSCN-IM delegation will hold dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the precise date has not been confirmed.

This time it was the Prime Minister Office (PMO) which invited the NSCN-IM to hold ‘formal talks’.

“Our team will definitely meet the Prime Minister this time,” said a well placed source from the NSCN-IM.

A 10-member team of the NSCN-IM had left Dimapur on Saturday for New Delhi. Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and the outfit’s general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah are leading the team. However, a source from the outfit’s Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) said altogether 48 NSCN-IM leaders have left Dimapur for New Delhi in batches in the past few days to prepare for the talks.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM delegation is likely to start meeting the government of India representatives in the next few days’ time.

Holding talks with New Delhi interlocutor RN Ravi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh by the NSCN-IM team are likely to be held within this week. However, the NSCN-IM delegation is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi only when he returns from the visit to the United States. Narendra Modi will leave India for the US later this week.

“Yes, the team (NSCN-IM) will definitely hold talks with the Prime Minister and it is likely after he returns from the US visit,” said a well placed source from the NSCN-IM set-up today.

Besides, Isak Swu and Th Muivah other top leaders who are in the team include VS Atem, Q Tuccu, AK Lungalang, Tongmeth, Rh Raising, TT Among, Yanger and Rev Puni.

It is worth noting that no concerted formal talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India for a long time, as it was witnessed during the Vajpayee era. When the UPA was in the saddle the relationship between the NSCN-IM and the Centre was more of the blow-hot, blow-cold affairs.

With the return of the NDA at the Centre, the Naga civil society organisations and the NSCN-IM are upbeat and there have been expressions of optimism that something good for the Nagas is coming.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/nscn-to-date-with-narendra-modi-soon/

IMPHAL, September 22: Trinamool Congress Manipur has started its poll campaign for the ensuing by-election for Hiyanglam Assembly constituency on October 17. This was announced today by Th Shyamkumar led Trinamool Congress in a press meet held at its office at Moirangkhom Imphal.

Th Shyamkumar speaking to the media said the candidature of Dr Yumnam Radheshyam has been officially approved by the All India Trinamool Congress, following which the campaign has been started from today at Hiyanglam.

Dr Radheshyam who was also present during the press meet stated that the vacant seat for Hiyanglam must be retained by a responsible person. He said he has been serving the people of Hiyanglam as a medical practitioner for a long time. He also exuded confidence that the voters will keep faith in him.

Dr Radheshyam dwelling on his past candidature on the CPI ticket said that he was a novice in politics at that time. It was because of a brother from CPI, who gave him a political platform, he added. Dr Radheshyam, however, maintained that in the current political trend CPI is not in a good position. He said he had also tried for BJP ticket, but the party is reeling under nepotism.

He eventually decided to join a secular political party like the Trinamool Congress, added Dr Radheshaym.

Legislature leader of Trinamool Congress, Dr I Ibohalbi, MLA of Oinam said that the ticket to Dr Radheshyam has been given after thorough consideration by the party. He said the party was looking for someone who will sincerely work for the people of Hiyanglam.

Dr Ibohalbi also maintained that Dr Radheshyam if elected will be a pillar of strength to the party. He appealed to the people of Hiyanglam to elect Dr Radheshaym, who will take their grievances to the House.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/shyamkumar-led-trinamool-kick-starts-hiyanglam-poll-campaign/

IMPHAL, Sept 22: Kh Joykishan led Trinamool, under the name of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress will pitch their own candidate in the Hiyanglam by-election, said Thokchom Inaocha.

Th Inaocha, spokesperson of MPTC, in a press meet held today at the Manipur Press Club said three persons have applied for the party ticket for the upcoming election.

In this regard, the party president and office bearers have conducted several rounds of meetings, he said.

Inaocha continued that the name of the candidate for MPTC will be announced within three days’ time.

He alleged that the MLA of Andro Th Shyamkumar is using the Trinamool party election symbol, which is very unfortunate and he cannot claim the symbol.

He said that Shyamkumar has formed a new party called MPTCC and has given ticket to Dr Y Radheshyam.

The MPTC will take legal action against the general secretary of MPTCC P Premananda for claiming that Dr Radheshyam’s candidature has been given approval by the party high command, Mamata Bannerji.

Inaocha alleged that the claim is baseless, adding that Premananda had already been expelled from the MPTC.

The Hiyanglam Assembly Constitutuency by-poll will be conducted on October 17.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/joykishans-trinamool-camp-to-separately-pitch-by-poll-candidate/

IMPHAL, September 22: The All Manipur Village Defence Force Welfare Association today placed demands including increment of their monthly honorarium to Rs 10,000 and a separate battalion for them before the State government.

Association president Md Sana said considering the hard work of the VDF personnel in upholding the law and order situation in the State, the association has made a few demands which need to be fulfilled before year-end.

He was speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club during a press conference at the end of the association’s general body meeting today.

He said the demands include increment of their honorarium to Rs 10,000 and to provide 13 months honorarium for them.

He further demanded that the VDF personnel’s should not be assigned any duties on Sundays and general holidays and their facilities and other provisions should be increased from time to time.

The demands also include establishment of a separate battalion of the VDF to be headed by a superintendent of police, he said.

He said the association wants the government to provide service security to the VDF with the provision of their service books.

Md Sana then, appealed to the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to look into the matter and take positive steps to fulfil their demands at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/vdfs-association-seeks-honorarium-increment-and-separate-battalion/

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, September 22: Repeated disruptions in banking service of the United Bank of India (UBI), Ukhrul since the past few weeks has made many a customer fuming with anger even as they queued up at the bank.

When IFP contacted the bank, UBI officials said that the frequent disruptions in the bank’s service was due to repeated breakdown of internet service provided by BSNL since the last couple of weeks.

“We are currently facing frequent interruption in BSNL broadband service since around the time when facility for opening bank account under PMJDY scheme was opened two weeks back, ” disclosed official sources of the bank.

Stating that BSNL authority has been repeatedly appraised of the matter, an official of the bank said that they were awaiting the service provider to fix it since the internet glitch developed two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, a customer Amung has lamented that customers are bearing the brunt of the technical hitch as they have been visiting the bank to get their transactions done since the last many days but cannot owing to the internet failure.

“Among the many customers who are waiting in queue for their turn outside the bank, one person has even collapsed today due to heatstroke after standing for hours,” he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/frequent-breakdown-of-bsnl-internet-disrupts-banking-service-in-ukhrul/

IMPHAL, Sept 22: Veteran film actor Wangkhem Lalitkumar passed away late this afternoon at RIMS. He was 69 and had been not keeping well for quite some time.

He started his acting career a Manipuri theatre artist and gradually moved to films.

‘Paokhum Ama’ was his first film in celluloid. His other films include ‘Mayofigi Macha’, ‘Amambasu Anganbani’, Iral Oirage’.

Lalit had also acted in many Manipuri digital fims. He got the best supporting award for the film ‘Kaorage’ in 2007.

Lalit had also served as chairman of Film Forum Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/actor-lalit-passes-away/

IMPHAL, Sept 22: A team of Narcotic Cell, Imphal West District Police has arrested two persons and seized 2 kg of opium on September 20.

According to a release of the PRO, the arrested persons are Md. Firoz Khan, 29, son of Md. Nizamuddin of Yairipok Singa and Phanjaobam Sonamani Singh, 33, son of (L) Ph. Suresh Singh of Andro Khunou Leikai. They were arrested from Chingmeirong near the newly constructed building of Eastern Motor Showroom. The value of the seized opium is about Rs. 2 lakh in the international market, it said.

A case has been registered at Lamphel Police Station and investigation is going on, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/opium-seized-by-police/

IMPHAL, Sept 22: The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has notified the General Public and Electric consumers of Imphal Circle-I that AB cabling and activation of Pre-Paid energy metres for selected areas will start immediately.

According to a release of MSPDCL, the concerned electric consumers of selected areas of IED-II, Uripok Canteen Road, Sagolband Moirang Leirak, Thangjam Leirak, Kwakeithel and Keishampat Keisham Leikai for IED-III, Bamon Leikai, Yaiskul, Moirangkhom and Singjamei Supermarket and finally for IED-IV, Hapta, Telepati, Soibam Leikai and New/Old Checkon are requested to fully cooperate with the officials while working for the activation of the pre-paid energy metres.

It has also appealed to the consumers to clear 50% of the Principal Amount of the up-to date outstanding dues of the consumers as circulated vide the office Public Notice no 8/4()/GM (EC-I)/2014/927-32 dt. 4-7-2014 as that the work could be done smoothly without any disturbances, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/pre-paid-electric-activation-work-to-begin-in-imphal-localities/