Day: October 13, 2015

IMPHAL, October 13: The Teachers`™ Welfare Association of S Kula Women`™s College Nambol has submitted two memorandums to the Director University Higher and Technical Education alleging acute corruption practices in the college.

Speaking at a press meet at the Manipur Press Club today, the members of the association called for dissolution of the present governing body of the College and conduct of a special spot enquiry by the concerned authorities over corruption charges.

They also expressed dissent over the recent order of the government dated October 8 to open a B Ed course in their college and feel that in the absence of any infrastructural preparedness, it will merely put the present teachers available in the college to more disadvantages as the college already has 26 departments.

The association in their submission went further to say the photographs submitted to the authorities in pursuance of this B Ed course opening are fake and fabricated and that the college has insufficient class rooms at present.

The association further went on to mark Rs 2 lakhs in their account as a bribe and hinted towards a powerful nexus of people sharing the loot of the college fund.

The present Governing Body comprises of 10 member including Prof MC Arun and Prof L Leiren Singh besides local educationist and other representatives from the area, informed a teaching staff of the college.

The erstwhile private college founded in 1981 was converted to a Government Aided College in December 2011, he said.

The teachers also said their salary reduced by at least Rs 1000 per head per month since this upgrade and feel very deprived.

The main corruption allegations of the members present at the press meet were aimed towards N Ibomcha, Associate Prof, Chemistry, Nambol L Sanoi College, who they said is part of all the bodies, projects and programmes or the college.

He was inducted as a local educationist in the Governing Body of S Kula Women College, they claimed.

`He demanded that more than Rs.83,14,589/- were spent from his personal account during the construction of Working Women Hostel and forcefully reimbursed Rs.20,00,000/- from the college fund for himself and insisted on further recovery of more funds` remarked Dr M Ratankumar Singh, secretary of the association.

K Somorjit, who is the lone teacher representative in the present GB added, `The investigating team for the anomalies in the Star Project found interesting revelations.`

According to the documents provided by the association to media persons, S Kula Women College was awarded with Potential for Excellence (CPE)/CE Scheme since April 2014 for a period of five years.

The sanction amount from the UGC inclusive of capital assets and grand-in-aid is Rs.100,00,000/-. The college also received UGC`™s Community College Scheme in May 2014 which is an amount of Rs. 129,70,000/- for two years inclusive of scholarships for students amounting to Rs.30,00,000/-.

The Star College project which is for a duration of three years was also sanctioned by the DBT besides a sanction for construction of the Working Women`™s Hostel under the Ministry of Women and Child Development GoI, the documents said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/s-kula-womens-college-teachers-associattion-alleges-fund-embezzlement/

IMPHAL, October 13: The United Committee Manipur today observed the last day of `Langban Thagi Heitha-Leithaba` and offered floral tribute to the souls of the `great martyrs`™ who laid down their lives during the June 18 incident at the Great June Uprising Memorial Complex, Kekrupat.

Speaking in the sideline of the occasion, UCM president Elangbam Johnson said the observation will once again awaken the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in Manipur.

He said UCM, AMUCO and CCSK have jointly launched a people`™s movement under the moto `Peoples movement for a common future of Manipur.`

And as a part of this movement UCM, AMUCO and CCSK will be organising public meetings and interaction programmes in the coming two to three days at the peripheral areas of the State where different communities co-exist.

`I am pretty sure that the Indian government must be aware of the discussions held during the inaugural function of `Peoples`™ movement for a common future of Manipur`™ held at Hotel Imphal,` he said.

`On the other hand, we have come across some disturbing reports of NSCN-IM recruiting new cadres in the hills districts of the State namely at Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel,` he continued.

Similar reports of recruitment of NSCN-IM cadres at Eastern Nagaland were also reported in the dailies published in the North Eastern region, he said.

UCM cannot rule out the suspicion of whether this is happening with the consent of the Indian government, he said.

The State government has also not given any statement regarding this issue, he added.

If these reports are true this is not the right step, he observed.

They (NSCN-IM and Government of India) have been claiming that they are engaging in peace talks however recruiting new armed cadres cannot bring peace in Manipur, it could only lead to more flare ups among the different communities residing together, he warned.

He urged the State government to find out the truth and also demanded the State government to pressurize the Centre to put a ban on these moves of NSCN-IM in the State, in case the report comes out to be true.

The UCM president citing that all the communities residing in Manipur have equal responsibility in safeguarding the integrity of Manipur, appealed to all the leaders irrespective of the hills and the valley to refrain from making inflammatory speeches which could break Manipur into pieces.

He further demanded the Centre to stop trying to break the integrity of Manipur.

`If these things continue, the resultant peoples`™ uprising can lead to a very ugly situation,` he warned.

He charged the Kangla Fort Board, a management committee which has been assigned to look after the Great June Uprising Memorial Complex, Kekrupat, Imphal, of not performing its duties seriously.

`We wanted to take care of this memorial site however we are not allowed to enter here except on June 18 or on occasions like today. This site is in a pathetic condition as we can all see here,` Johnson said to media persons pointing towards the tall grasses in the complex.

He appealed the State Government to properly maintain the site under a specific policy.

`When people from other parts of the world come to see this memorial site it will be an embarrassment for us,` he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/ucm-expresses-concern-over-nscn-im-recruitment-report/

IMPHAL, October 13: The main problem for the sericulture farmers and silk weavers in the State is finding a market, and as such the State is mulling partnering e-commerce firms to showcase silk products of the State weavers, asserted Manipur Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore today.

He was speaking at the inaugural of the Sericulture Krishi Mela at the Directorate office Sangaipat.

Nabakishore said although the silk produced in the State is of high quality, the production is still unable to meet the demand of the State and as such silk cocoons were brought in from Karnataka through the National Handloom Development Corporation.

He said silk clothes are worn only on rare occasions in the State.

To expand the market for silk products from the State, the weavers should produce more common dresses like the salwar or chunni and market them through the e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Amazon and others, he said.

Women`™s clothing like the `Rani Phee`™ should also be made available on these e-commerce platforms so that the Manipuris living outside the State may have the opportunities to buy them, he said.

At the same time to attract more buyers from outside the State, the weavers and designers should also incorporate designs of shalwar with ethnic patterns, he observed.

Partnering with websites to market the products will only benefit the farmers and weavers of sericulture, he added.

He said there are also plans to implement the Minimum Support Price which is announced annually for the benefits of farmers who are unable to sell their products.

Under this scheme, the concerned departments have to buy the unsold products at reasonable prices, he said.

The central Silk Board has to take vital role to innovate and motivate the weavers on how to make attractive designs for markets aboard, he said.

The chief guest also inspected the Krishi Mela which had 23 stalls of different Self Help Groups and entrepreneurs.

Several varieties of cocoons and silk products were also displayed in the Mela from the four valley districts.

The function was also attended by L Lakher Principal Secretary of Sericulture, H Nagesh Prabhu Member Secretary of Central Silk Board Bangalore Ministry of Textile Government of India, M Joy Singh Deputy Commissioner Imphal East District and W Ibohal Director Sericulture as president and guests of honour respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/chief-secretary-mulls-tieups-with-ecommerce-firms-to-expand-market-for-silk-items/

Imphal may get 24×7 power supply from January 2016

Imphal, Oct 13: Officials of the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has fined around Rs 5 lakhs from around 48 default power consumers in Imphal area in just one month beginning from September 19. According to report from the company the defaulter consumers were caught red handed during random door to door survey conducted by the staffs of the company under the strict supervision of the company`™s Managing Director.

Some of the defaulter consumers were found tapping the prepaid meters and some were found hooking the line from the main power source without informing the company officials.

The random drive is being conducted with an aim to improve revenue collection from Imphal area, as the company is working days and night to provide 24×7 power supply to the people in Imphal area from Janaury 2016. MSPDCL source said that the company spent Rs 10.5 crores for purchase of power to provide electricity for Imphal area but at present the company could collect only around rupees 5 crores from the consumers. This means there is a loss of around 50% and it is important for the company to improve revenue collection to fulfill the company`™s dream for providing 24×7 power supplies to the people, a source from the MSPDCL said.

The MSPDCL is now working days and night to make AB cable connection to all the areas in Imphal. The Company is giving priority to make the AB cable all over the place so that to prevent power theft.

`Vigilance teams have been created by the MSPDCL which are visiting consumer premises across Imphal on daily basis and those found bypassing the prepaid meters and consuming energy shall be fined and their energy supply may permanently be disconnected`, an official said quoting the Managing Director strict directions. Even the officials of the MSPDCL who turn blind eyes to such practice by the consumers had been taken up disciplinary against. One Assistant Manager has been recently suspended for involving in such activities that create commercial lost to the company

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mspdcl-fines-around-rs-5-lakhs-from-default-power-consumers-in-just-one-month/

IMPHAL, October 13: The police have registered a case after a woman with injuries marks brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences was declared her brought dead by the doctors this morning around 5:58 am.

The woman has been identified as Sajina Begum, 25 wife of Md Sajid Khan of Kairang Umang Leikai under Heingang Police Station in Imphal East.

Her in-laws said this morning when the young wife failed to respond to their calls they check on her and found her lying unconscious. She was rushed to hospital where she was declared brought dead, they said.

The husband`™s family also couldn`™t determine the actual cause of her death.

On the other hand, her parents`™ side said they found injuries on her head, back and other parts of her body and bleeding from her nose.

She must be strangled to death, they alleged.

Her parents`™ side also asserted that Sajina was ill-treated since about a month back when her husband bought home another woman from their locality.

Sajina who has a daughter had return to her parental home on September 25 on the day of Idul Zuha, they claimed.

Later, her husband`™s family came and took her back claiming that they have turned back the new woman, they said.

They said Sajina has been staying at her husband`™s house since about five days back.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case and post mortem was conducted at the JNIMS mortuary today.

However, her body lies unclaimed in the mortuary after her parents`™ side claimed that Sajina was killed after being tortured.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/police-file-case-after-doctors-declared-woman-with-injury-marks-brought-dead/

KANGPOKPI, Oct.13: As the official consultation process for the New Education Policy gathers steam with States and other stakeholders in the country, the district administration of Senapati also reached out with their template to the public of Sadar Hills today.

The District Level Public Interaction and Consultation on New Education Policy, 2015 under the theme `Educate, Encourage, Enlighten` was conducted today at Multi-Purpose Hall, ADC Kangpokpi.

Jacintha Lazarus, Deputy Commissioner Senapati, DK Thangboi, addl DC Sadar Hills and Alex, System analyst cum MIS coordinator, SSA attended the enthusiastic interaction and consultation program apart from various District Level Officers in Sadar Hills and CSOs leaders, headmaster/principal of various private and Government educational institutions.

Elected members of ADC Sadar Hills including Thangjamang Kipgen, P. Rocky Rangtaina, Silla Jajo, Khangba, Sagar Gewali and Wilinglungbou also attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that to meet the changing dynamics of the population`™s requirement about quality education, innovation and research, the Government of India has launched the National Education Policy with an aim to make India a knowledge superpower by equipping its students with the necessary skills and knowledge and to eliminate the shortage of manpower in science, technology, academics and industry.

The IAS officer continued that 33 themes have been identified for discussions while the themes are divided separately for the School Education (13 themes) and Higher Education (20 themes) sectors.

She further said that the objective of the interaction and consultation process is to ensure that an inclusive, participatory and holistic approach is undertaken, which takes into consideration expert opinions, field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.

The consultation was conducted under the themes ensuring learning, extending outreach of Secondary and Senior Education, accelerating rural literacy with special emphasis on Women, SCs, STs & Minorities through Adult Education and National Open Schooling Systems, schools standards, school assessment and school management systems, enabling Inclusive Education- Education for SCs, STs, Minorities, and children with special needs, Promotion of Languages, Comprehensive Education `“ Ethics, Physical Education, Arts & Crafts, Life and Focus on Child Health.

Various resolutions have been taken to be incorporated into the district recommendations for formulation of the New Education Policy during the interaction and consultation process.

The district administration also called for more inputs to be included into the district recommendations for formulation of the New Education Policy.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/dc-jacintha-interacts-and-consults-public-on-nep/

IMPHAL, October 12: A family from Khabesoi Sabal Leikai has alleged that the Heingang Police along with a local club and meira paibis of Khergao area of protecting the alleged kidnapper of their five year old daughter.

Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club today, the family members claimed that they had filed an FIR against the accused kidnapper Kohid son of Kadir of Khergao.

One of the family members claimed that on October 10, a woman lured the child on the pretext of sweets and taken in an auto rickshaw.

They claimed that as soon as they realised the child missing, they sounded an alert and after enquiring found that the child was taken in an autorickshaw and managed to track the three-wheeler driver from whom they established that the child was taken to Khergao at the residence of Kohid.

They continued that when they reached Kohid`™s residence the same night and enquired about the child, Kohid had maintained that they had a child of their own, however, when someone called out the child`™s name, she came out running.

The family members also alleged that the Khergao local club and meira paibis along with the Heingang Police continued to protect the accused even though they have filed an FIR.

`Instead of arresting the alleged kidnapper, the police is negotiating on his behalf for a compromise. Such unethical conduct of the police will only adversely affect peoples`™ confidence in the system` alleged one of the family members.

The mother of the child said, `I am lucky to get back my young daughter but unless the kidnappers are awarded befitting punishment they will continue to resort to such kidnapping of other children again.`

The community leaders of Khabesoi Sabal Leikai who also attended the press conference also expressed shock and dismay at the conduct of the police personnel who instead of bringing the perpetrators to justice are siding with them.

They appealed to the people of the State to eradicate such crime in our midst and appealed to the police to assist in awarding justice to the kidnappers for the larger common good.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/family-claims-police-of-shielding-alleged-kidnapper/

IMPHAL, October 12: The Co-ordination Committee (CorCom) has called a general strike from the intervening midnight of October 14-15 till 6pm of October 15 as part of observing the National Black Day on October 15 against the `forced singing of the Merger Agreement.`™

A statement of the CorCom said it has been observing the day when Manipur king Bodhachandra was made to sign the Merger Agreement under duress in Shillong and enforced on October 15, 1949 as National Black Day.

It said the forced signing of the agreement is today 66 years old.

For several years, people from all corners of Manipur have been protesting against the agreement and several public discussions on the issue had observed that `India had annexed Manipur and it was not a merger,` it said.

The statement said people of all communities residing in Manipur have also hold rallies and conventions against the forced agreement and resolving that the people`™s right to national self-determination should be restored.

However, suppressing the voices of the people of Manipur, India has been holding the reins of Manipur`™s governance and ruled over the land for such a long period, it said.

It said even before India got its independence, Manipur had its own Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 under which election was held in 1948 and its own democratic form of government formed, however, the government was dissolved and Manipur put under the Chief Commissioner Assam.

It said Manipur than followed the trajectory of being a Part C State, Territorial Council, Union Territory and Statehood.

The CorCom statement also said that India has been using the strength of its Army to suppress the movement demanding restoration of independence.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/corcom-calls-general-strike-on-october-15/

IMPHAL Oct 12: Chief Information Commissioner Th Ibobi Singh said that many of the public authorities are not fully aware of the RTI Act and they tend to ignore it.

He expressed that such approach have hampered the implementation of RTI and further urged all stakeholders to partake in making the State government more transparent and accountable to the people.

This was expressed during the valedictory function of the decadal Right to Information Week-2015 at the State Guest House, Babupara today.

Member of Parliament Dr Th Meinya Singh and MLA of Yaiskul Assembly Constituency E Chand Singh graced the function as the chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Meinya said the RTI Act is literally a watch-dog of the Government`™s performance. An informed citizen is equipped with more power to make the Government more accountable in their functioning, he stated.

He added `To usher transparency and accountability public should utilize the Right to Information Act 2005.`

The State Manipur Information Commission observed the RTI week from October 5 with various seminars, workshops and other programmes to disseminate the benefits of RTI Act in various parts of the State.

The observation was sponsored by the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Government of India.

As part of the weeklong observation of the Right to Information Week, a quiz competition was held among five different colleges on October 8 and the Manipur College bagged the first prize, second position was secured by the DM College of Arts and third by DM College of Science & Imphal College and the consolation prize was received by GP Women`™s College. Prizes to winners of the competition were distributed by the dignitaries today.

Meanwhile,MLA E Chand remarked that government agencies and public authorities should readily disperse information when enquired by the public under the RTI. If the Act is properly utilized, the gap between public and authorities will be bridged towards better governance.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/public-authorities-not-fully-aware-of-rti-act-cic-manipur/

IMPHAL, October 12: The Central Vigilance Commission New Delhi has directed the Union Cabinet Secretariat to initiate an investigation of the Loktak Lake scam of Rs 224 crores said BJP State spokesperson M Hemanta today.

Speaking at a press conference held at the party`™s Nityaipat Chuthek office today, Hemanta said the BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba had submitted a written complaint to the Prime Minister on June 14, 2014 urging to take proper action against the Loktak Lake scam concerning fund amounting to Rs 225 crores sanctioned for cleaning of phumdis.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary (Administration) M Asnikumar alleged that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in collaboration with a few of his henchmen have been siphoning off the funds meant for the general public of Manipur for the past more than one decade.

He claimed that it is an open secret that the CM is involved in many tender works through his related agencies and firms in violation of the Central Public Works Department norms and state PWD rules.

He asserted that the M/s K-Pro Infra Works Private Limited was awarded a huge sum meant for cleaning of the floating Phumdis (water Hyacinth) of Loktak Lake.

Although the sanctioned was meant for beautification of the lake it has only resulted in degrading the beauty of the lake, he claimed.

Regarding the `scam`™, the BJP MP Prahlad Singh Patel who is also the party`™s Manipur incharge had raised an issue in the Lok Sabha during its recent Monsoon session.

The Centre had also sought a detailed report from the State government, he said.

He said the Congress government has not completed a single development work in the State properly till date since 2002.

Even the Khuga Multipurpose Dam and Thoubal Multipurpose Dam haven`™t been completed till today instead they are creating more problems, he claimed.

He further charged that NEC funded projects like the Sekmai irrigation Dam were also poorly executed and as such it had been washed away by the water current.

Demanding the present status paper on Loktak Lake Phumdis clearing contract given to K-Pro Infra Works Pvt Ltd by the State government, the BJP has also asked as to why the chairman LDA has not made public the details and name of the promoters of the K-Pro Infra Work Pvt Ltd till today.

The BJP also said that the government should form an enquiry committee headed by a sitting Supreme Court Judge with a special auditor from the CAG reports, so that there will be independent and free and fair enquiry on the scam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/bjp-manipur-questions-ibobis-role-in-loktak-scam/

IMPHAL, October 12: The third India-Sri Lanka Joint Training Exercise `Mitra Shakti-2015` culminated today after a grand closing ceremony held at Aundh Military Camp, Pune.

According to a statement of the PRO (Defence) Imphal, the 14-day joint training included understanding of transnational terrorism, developing interoperability and conduct of joint tactical operations controlled by a Joint Command Post.

It said Brigadier Tapan Lal Sah of the Indian Army and Brigadier KP Aruna Jayasekera of Sri Lankan Army jointly reviewed the parade commanded by Major Ashish Kumar, of Indian Army.

The Reviewing Officers as well as the Sri Lankan participating contingent were amazed when Major Ashish Kumar gave the report and sought permission to commence the proceedings from Brigadier KP Aruna Jayasekera in chaste Sinhalese, it said.

Martial skill display by Indian Army added colour to the impressive parade displayed by the joint contingent, the PRO (Defence) Imphal statement said.

Brigadier KP Aruna Jayasekera of the Sri Lankan Army after addressing the parade, declared the joint training closed. Observers of both the nations which included senior military officials, were unanimous in their praise for the professionally conducted training which has resulted in instilling confidence in each other`™s capability to counter the common threat of terror, it said.

The exercise demonstrated the determination of the two Armies in working closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorism in all its forms, according to the statement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/india-and-sri-lanka-joint-training-exercise-mitra-sakti-concludes/

IMPHAL, October 12: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today expressed dissatisfaction with the poor quality of the Industrial Training Institute constructed at Lilong Mairen Khun.

The Chief Minister was inaugurating the ITI set up under the Public Private Partnership model as a pilot project and aimed at providing employment to youth who haven`™t completed their higher studies.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the poor quality of the building, the Chief Minister also urged the HASK Skill Development Centre Pvt Ltd (HSDC) which will manage the institute to initiate proper maintenance of the building structure.

The foundation stone of the ITI, constructed under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the welfare of the minorities under the multi sectoral development programme, was laid in February 2010 by the then Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

Speaking at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said people should not consider any job lowly and should perform their responsibilities competently and sincerely.

The Chief Minister also called for the trainees of the first batch to work hard and maintain discipline during their training.

Stating that the MNCs are waiting to absorb them , he urged them to be smart and diligent during their training so as to get placement from international firms.

There is no need to be ashamed of performing our job sincerely and should instead consider it as serving the almighty, he said.

He expressed that dignity of labour should be honoured at all times and people who earn from illegal manners are not worthy of respect or honour.

The Chief Minister also expressed that during his foreign tours of South East Asian countries, he had observed that most of the countries had only about 4 or 5 percent of unemployment.

This is because employment in these countries is supported by PPP models, he observed.

He also said that the PPP model could also help in creating employment in Manipur.

He said the government will also try to take up the PPP model in other sectors like IT and health.

He said it is impossible to provide jobs to everyone.

Stating that the government is trying hard to develop the Information sector as it will help much in providing jobs to the youth, the Chief Minister said the government is targeting to complete the IT Special Economic Zone by March 2016.

Meanwhile, replying to a memorandum submitted by the Lilong Kendra Development Committee, the Chief Minister also assured to look into the demands for setting up a fire station, CD Block and a State Bank branch in Lilong.

At the same time, the Chief Minister also observed that there is a need to first identify a suitable site for development and setting up of Lilong Bazar.

Labour and Employment minister I Hemochandra said the ITI was set up under the joint initiative of the Labour department and HASK Skill Development Centre Pvt Ltd (HSDC).

He said there are around 8 lakhs unemployed youth registered with the employment exchanges in the State today and the State government will not be able to provide government jobs to all of them.

However, the government hopes to create more jobs under the PPP model, he said.

The inaugural function of ITI, Lilong was also attended by minister Agriculture & Fisheries and other ITI officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/cm-expresses-dissatisfaction-with-poor-quality-of-states-first-iti-constructed-under-ppp-model/