Day: December 27, 2017

IMPHAL | Dec 27

In order to stop the promotion of retiring additional chief engineer of CADA, K. Lokeshore Singh, the All Manipur Command Area Development Employees’ Association (AMCADEA) has submitted a representation to the chairman of Manipur Public Service Commission.

A release by AMCADEA said that the step has been taken up fearing that the cabinet decision taken on December 18 to re-designate Lokeshore from the post of additional chief engineer to chief engineer of CADA by one time selective adoption of Manipur Engineering Service (PWD) Rules 2016.

Lokeshore is not even eligible to be promoted as additional chief engineer as per existing Recruitment Rules and if the double promotion happens on account of cabinet decision, it will be injustice to the junior officers of the department, and AMCADEA will oppose the extension of Lokeshore’s service, said the release.

The release further stated that AMCADEA had also submitted a memorandum on December 23 to the principal secretary of CAD with copies to the chief minister, minister of CAD and chief secretary.

IMPHAL | Dec 27

A “ Report on Land Use Survey of Manipur” under Manipur Strategic Statistical Survey Programme (MASSSP) using Remote Sensing & GIS was published by deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh. The function was held at his office chamber at Manipur Secretariat today. The project which is implemented by the directorate of Economics & Statistics and executed by Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC) is to generate geo-database of nine-fold land use classes as per recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture, and covering the entire state of Manipur.

Speaking at the function,Joykumar said that the project will be very helpful in various ways especially in planning and executing developmental works in the state. It has to be a continuous process through which various agencies can utilize the data available and through which initiatives like controlling deforestations and reversing the same, wet land management to control flood and also agricultural and horticultural processes can be taken up. He further said that it will also enable us to know what exactly the land use pattern in the state is and will enable us to control natural resources.

While pointing out the need to provide data to prospective agencies, Joykumar asked the concerned departments to provide the available data even to the researchers so that a co-lateral effort can be made possible in this direction. The state government will discuss and try to find out ways which are more comprehensive and can easily be implemented in future, he added.

Principle secretary of Economic & Statistics, Vivek Kumar Dewangan mentioned that this is an important step through which various departments can use the data in executing developmental works. Agriculture, horticulture, forest and environment, revenue etc. are some of the departments which are going to be the major users of this project. Any dispute in the mapping process can also be settled scientifically through this project. He also asked the implementing agencies to make sure that the data is made available in the public domain.

The survey report generates geo-database of Nine-fold Land Use classes as Forest, Area under Non-agricultural Uses, Permanent Pastures and other Grazing Lands, Land under Miscellaneous Tree Crops, Barren and Un-culturable Land, Fallow Lands other than Current Fallows, Current Fallows, Culturable Waste Land and Net area sown.

Principal secretary of agriculture  Suhel Akhtar, principal chief conservator of forest Kereihoubi Angami, director (MARSAC) Dr.N. Randhir Singh, director of science and technology H. Ibocha Singh and director of economics and statistics Peijonna Kamei also participated among others at the function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 27

One day sensitisation programme on violence against women and criminal justice reform system was held today at Lainingthou Puthiba Community Hall Pourabi organised by Waiton Gram Panchayat.

A resource person Sobita Mangshatabam secretary of Women Action for Development said despite enacting various laws which are meant for protection of women and children, who are regarded as the most vulnerable group in society, the crime against them is increasing day by day.

She said “Involvement of people from every walk of life is highly needed in making those acts meaningful. And it is the need of hour creating mass awareness in every nook and corner of the state that law can protect the life of women and children. Because of this reason we are conducting this awareness programme.”

It is very unfortunate to know that the number of crime against women in the year 2017 from January to December is 300 according to the media report. And the suspicious death is 56, Sobita cited.

This proves that the crime rate is not in a favourable state. However our society is still not very serious in all these heinous crimes. Therefore number of culprits who need to get befitting punishment for indulging violence against these weaker sections of society becomes questionable, she lamented.

She informed to people about the type of women who are very prone to domestic violence after marriage. Women who belong to families that consist of only female, poor class and widow’s daughter got married under age.

Highlighting the difficulties face by victims living in hilly areas in seeking justice she said “Victims living in hilly areas hardly get legal justice as the number of cases filed from these regions is remarkably low due to the implementation of customary law. So reformation of this customary law is essential.”

She urged all not to hesitate in filing a case registration at police station if any form of crime happens in their locality of family. Giving a quantum of punishment to perpetrator through legal process is more worthy than resolving the violence by taking some petty amount of compensation, she suggested.

We are in the process of sending memorandum to chief minister and governor on giving the rape victim compensation in short period of time, she informed.

Laimayum Sevananda Sharma advocate of High court Manipur and N. Jeevanmala co-convenor of district women committee, Imphal west also attended as resource persons attended the sensitisation programme.

The dignitaries participated were Pukhrambam Surbala Devi pradhan Waiton Gram Panchayat, Whengbam Ibohanbi Singh founder member of Gem Public School, Mayanglambam Bilashini Devi pradhan of Nongren Chingnungkok Gram Panchayat and Thongbram Rockseni Devi pradhan of Nilakuthi Gram Panchayat as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 27

Bharatiya Janata Party has its majority in Uttar Pradesh, Centre and in the state but the investigation progress of the mysterious dead of Pravish Chanam is still a mystery stated MLA K. Joykishan during a press conference held today at the residence of Pravish Chanam, Uripok Achom Leikai.

Joykishan claimed that BJP proved the value of one simple BJP member is more than the live of entire north eastern state. The dead of Pravish has already passed for more than three months and the government is still silent to give a positive response to the public, he added.

He said Pravish was found missing from a musical concert cite on September 8 and found dead on the next day and he was cremated by authority of Dr. BR Ambedkar hospital in Noida as unclaimed body. Congress party was in silence in the issue as people might misguide the party that Congress party is doing for earning political mileage by supporting the issue. But Congress cannot stay in silence as the state failed to bring a positive result on Pravish case, he added.

The murder case of Pradyuman Thakur, who reads in class two at Ryan International School in Gurugram, Haryana was solved within two weeks by CBI but the dead of Pravish is still in mystery though CBI had handle the case. When incident occurred in mainland India the Centre solve the case immediately but in the case of north eastern states, even CBI bother less, Joykishan claimed.

He further said the missing case of Taorem Bitoo, resident of Thangmeiband Polem Leikai is another mystery which remains unsolved by the government. Intelligence of the Centre has many specialists but still no one had able to nab the culprit of the mystery dead of Pravish and Bitoo. There is a suspect that BJP have involved with the culprits, Joykishan alleged.

Bitoo has been missing after he went out for an evening walk in Delhi on September 13.

The state should bring a positive response within the end of the first week of January next year. If the state fails to take necessary action within the deadline, Congress party will take intense action by consulting with All India Congress Committee immediately, Joykishan added.

Joykishan said state NSUI unit is also ready to support the issue in other to bring justice for Pravish and Bitoo. Opposition party will take initiatives to bring justice for the mysterious dead of Pravish and Bitoo as that the ruling party failed to bring justice till now, Joykishan asserted.

Father of Pravish, Ch. Jugindro appealed all the political parties, civil society organisations and other student’s organisation to co-operate in order to find out the culprits involve in the case.

IMPHAL | Dec 27

The Autonomous District Council members of Tamenglong district has opposed the newly introduced fourth amendment of the Manipur Hill Areas District Council bill, 2017.

A press release by ADC spokesperson K Liangpibou states that the members have resolved to submit a memorandum to the governor of the state appealing to withhold assent to the said bill. It said that the governor can reserve a bill passed by the legislature for consideration by the President under the circumstances that the bill is unconstitutional , if it is against the larger interest of the country, if it is in direct opposition to the Directive Principles of State Policy  among others.

The bill is challenged by the ADC members on the grounds that the amendment bill is unconstitutional and against public interest. It said that a grave mistake has been committed by the state legislature and tribal affairs minister.

The Manipur (Hill Areas) district councils (fourth amendment) bill, 2017 was introduced by inserting sub section (4) after sub section (3) of section 4 of the Act with the provision that members nominated under section 4(3) of the Act shall have voting rights in all meetings of district council to which they are nominated.

It said that the amendment was made without giving any opportunity to the general public and concerned elected district council to deliberate on first.

The tribal affairs minister is accused of not being understanding and for hurriedly introducing the amendment without laying down the criteria for appointment of the nominee members of the district councils. It said that such will enable the nominee members to cast votes in all the meetings of the district council including the no confidence motion for removal of the ADC chairman. It alleged that since the inception of the District Council Act till date, the administrator adopted the pick and choose method to appoint the nominee member of the district councils and is obviously a strategy and interest of an individual who wants to secure his position in a no confidence motion when a resolution for removal of chairman is adopted, the release said.

Further that the amendment is an attempt to divert the direction given by the High Court of Manipur judgement passed in this issue earlier.

IMPHAL | Dec

An armed gang of four, wearing masks and carrying knives and a gun entered the house of one Yumkham Sudhir (aged around 45) from Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai around 7.30 at the evening on December 24 and after tying up his son Y. Nitish Roy and wife Ranjana Devi with cellophane tape by threatening them, took away cash and gold amounting to a total of around Rs. 10 lakhs.

A release by Solidarity Group for Justice of Y. Sudhir said upon visiting Lamphel Police Station for filling a report regarding the incident, the victim of the crime, Y. Sudhir was allegedly beaten by a police official, and even tried to put him inside the lock- up.

 A memorandum was submitted to the chief minister today, appealing that the alleged police official be punished and that the robbers be arrested, it said.

A meeting was organised at the office of Henjunaha Youth Organisation, Lairikyengam Leikai attended by several clubs of the locality; Coordinating Body Khurai, Rising Athletic Union, Henjunaha Youth Organisation, Hockey Union and Youth Development Organisation, the release informed.

The meeting was presided by pradhan, Khurai Chingkham Leikai gram panchayat, L. Kanon Devi and Pradhan, Lairikyengbam Leikai gram panchayat, H. Tombi Devi, it added. At the meeting, the organisation “Solidarity Group for Justice of Y. Sudhir” was formed to pursue the demands made in the memorandum, the release further informed. The organisation vehemently condemned the robbery and will take up measures to prevent such incidents, it said adding a public meeting will be organised at Lamlong Thongkhong, Lairikyengbam Leikai tomorrow at 11 am in the morning.

Upon making further inquiry, sources revealed that  the robbery took place when Y. Sudhir was outside his home for some work while his wife and son were in the house.

At the police station,   when Sudhir informed the police official, who was writing down his name, that his  surname “Yumkham” is often mistaken  with“Yungkham,” the latter reportedly went into a rage and started beating him.

IMPHAL | Dec 27

Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Y. Khemchand Singh sends New Year greetings with the words “I convey my best wishes to the people of Manipur with the coming of “New Year 2018.  I sincerely hope that with the coming of 2018, all the disturbance in the State will subside and a new beginning for prosperity would dawn for the people of Manipur,” in a release.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 27

National Food Security Act (NFSA) card holders of Khabam Bamdiar 18/23 village under Konthoujam assembly constituency have alleged irregularities in distribution of PDS rice in the village by concerned agent.

Addressing a press meet today at Manipur Press Club, one of the beneficiaries, Nahakpam Amji Singh said amidst the apprehension of the villagers over the scarcities of rice in their village due to crop damaged by frequent flood this year, the local NFSA agent have committed irregularities in distribution of PDS rice.

He claimed that for the year 2017 PDS rice for the months of February, March, July, November and December have not been distributed though the rice quotas for these months have already been withdrawn by the agent.

On the other hand, their local agent, Laishram Ranjit has distributed rice to the beneficiaries on December 19 and during which he signed at NFSA cards of the villager at the column of January 2018, added Amji.

Such action resulted serious concern by the beneficiaries who are now facing problem of acute shortages of rice since the farmers have already faced crop failures five times this year, continued the beneficiaries.

Considering the present grievances being faced by the villagers of the Khabam Bamdiar, the villagers have drawn the attention of the state authority to take necessary actions to recover their rice quotas for the said five months at the earliest.

IMPHAL | Dec 27

Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar has announced Rs. 1 lakh each to through his all the towns under municipal and Nagar Panchayats for town cleanliness survey.

He also announced Rs 1.5 lakh to those towns that are able to get the ‘open defecation free’ status.

Shyamkumar was addressing at the media sensitisation workshop on ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’ held at the City Convention Center, Palace Compound today. The workshop was jointly organised by Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and MAHUD. It discussed on Swachh Survekshan (cleanliness inspection), which is a survey conducted to rank cities on various sanitation and cleanliness parameters.

The minister appealed to the media persons to spread awareness about the survey so that the state can attain top ranking.

Meghachandra Kongbam, director, DIPR said his department is ready to help all the state government departments including the MAHUD department in creating mass awareness regarding various schemes and programmes. Stating that cleanliness is a part of our age old tradition, he said with the help of media and the public, the state will get a good ranking in the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’.

Gitkumar Singh, director, MAHUD in his welcome address stated that 27 towns of the state including Imphal are competing in the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’. He said MAHUD department focuses on urban areas targeting open defecation free and scientific elimination of municipal solid waste. Stating that all Municipal areas are organising series of awareness programme for the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’, he stressed on the need for creating mass awareness by the concerned authorities and media persons among the public.

Ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), formerly ministry of urban development, had conducted Swachh Survekshan 2016 among 73 top cities of India followed by Swachh Survekshan 2017 covering 434 cities. MoHUA now proposes to conduct its third survey ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’ to rank all 4,041 statutory towns of India (competition among 500 AMRUT cities) under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). The survey will be conducted anytime by a third party within 4th January 2018 to 31st March 2018.

Swachh Survekshan is a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission started on 2nd October 2014. India has pledged to become open defecation free and clean by 2nd October 2019, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.

A total of 27 towns of Manipur will participate in the third survey ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’. Manipur was ranked 15th position among other cities of India and topped among the North East during the first survey held in 2016. The ranking slipped to 122nd position in comparison to other cities of India and the state slipped to 3rd position among North East during 2017 survey.

There is an addition related to the survey this time, citizens can use mobile application Swachhata App to instantly lodge a complaint by uploading a picture of littered areas which can be viewed immediately by the officials. After cleaning the specific location, the status report will be available on the Swachhata App. The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store till 31st December 2017. The usage of this app will also help our State in securing marks in the survey.

Uttam Singh, joint director, MAHUD appreciated minister Th. Shyamkumar for announcing monetary assistance for Municipal and Nagar Panchayats and hoped that it will encourage in public participation. He also appreciated the municipalities for keeping the areas even at the Nagar Panchayat areas from Imphal-Keibul areas clean during the recently concluded Manipur Sangai Festival 2017.

Shyamkumar also handed over cheques to the winners of the cleanliness competition held under the ‘Mission Imphal-Keibul’ organised by the MAHUD Department from November 19 to December 2 during the Manipur Sangai Festival. The winner of the competition Kumbi Municipal Council received Rs 80,000, second ranked Nambol Municipal Council received Rs 50,000 and third ranked Moirang Municipal Council received Rs 30,000. Consolation prizes of Rs 10,000 each were also handed over to Bishnupur Municipal Council, Ningthoukhong Municipal Council and Oinam Municipal Council. A compact disk (CD) on ‘Swachh Survekshan 2018’ song was also released at the function.

During the second session N. Gitkumar Singh and N. Uttam Singh presented the details of the survey which was followed by media interaction.

IMPHAL | Dec 27

MLA,  Tamenglong assembly constituency, Samuel Jendai has extended good wishes for a prosperous coming new year 2018 to all.

 He has invited all Zelianrong frontal organisations, national workers, NGOs, development and implementing agencies and the general public etc. to discuss, reason together, to co-operate in order to bring about visible development to the district and to join hands in the new year 2018 resolutions to build a new and a developed Tamenglong, said a release.

Lauding the quality monitoring exercise undertaken by Zelianrong frontal organisations along the Tamenglong- Khongsang road, he expressed the quality of work at the desired level could not be maintained due to the alleged percentage cut system practiced by many organisations, groups and national workers, it said. Taking undue advantages of the poor road conditions, shop owners, business houses, vested individuals and groups etc., have been playing the extortion game by charging exorbitant price and causing a lot of suffering to the people, the release alleged.

The deputy commissioner, Tamenglong district on priority should have been overseeing and checking such economically unhealthy activates in the district in the interest of the socio –economic uplift met of backward hill areas, it said.  

Further, it is appealed to such vigilant organisations particularly Zelianrong Union Tamenglong Zone led by SP AThui and the District Concerned Development Association to prevail upon the “percentage cut (PC cut)” groups to refrain and sacrifice from such work quality reducing activates or at least to control excessive draining away of development fund by calculating PC cut from the contractor, sub-contractor or implementing agencies’ profit and “not from the total project cost reflected in the work order, the release continued.  This would be a very effective measure to properly utilise public money for the purpose for which it was sanctioned and to maintain good quality road and works in the most backward district of Manipur, it added.