Manipur Mail – Page 18

KSDC to start another stir

Imphal Aug 5 UNA : The Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) has fully prepared for another face of agitation within a day or two and it may be the last resort said T.S. Kuki, vice chairman of the demand committee on Monday.
The vice chairman of the KSDC was speaking to a selective media persons here in Imphal after the meeting of the KSDC executive at Churachandpur.
The Kuki has been demand for a statehood since 1960 by the then Kuki
National Assembly (KNA) when Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister of India added T.S. Kuki.
The Government of India has been neglecting the Kukis for nearly 60 years from now but for the first time an intimation has been given by the government of Manipur through the then DS Poonia, on last 22nd November 2012 but till today not a single positive step has been taken up.
Kuki has never sign an agreement or a merger with the government of India till date, but our demand is not to disintegrate the Indian integrity but for a better administration added T.S. Kuki.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ksdc-to-start-another-stir/

IAS officer’s suspension: Mulayam backs son Akhilesh

New Delhi, Aug. 5 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday said his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s move to suspend the 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Durga Shakti Nagpal is absolutely correct.
“It is a correct decision. If the government had not taken a decision it would have been a problem,” he told media outside the Parliament here.
Yadav, however, refused to comment on whether the suspension would be revoked.
Amid a deepening political row over the officer’s suspension, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister today questioned the ‘outcry’, and said the officers are punished if they make mistakes.
“If an officer makes a mistake, he or she is punished, just like children are punished in school. That is how a government works,” he told media in Lucknow.
Commenting on Nagpal’s suspension, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh earlier in the day said there are rules laid down and that will be followed.
“There are rules laid down and the rules will be followed. And we are in touch with the state government to find out the full details of the case,” said Dr. Singh.
The Prime Minister’s remark came hours after the Uttar Pradesh Government slapped a chargesheet accusing Nagpal of flouting norms and lacking administrative acumen.
According to reports, a copy of the chargesheet along with a report has been sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) at the Centre.
The Samajwadi Party government’s 10-page chargesheet accuses Nagpal of violating norms while ordering the demolition of the wall of a mosque built illegally on government land at Gautam Budh Nagar in Greater Noida.
The chargesheet came a day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to the Prime, asking him to ensure that the suspended bureaucrat is treated fairly.
The Congress Party yesterday hit out at the Samajwadi Party for attacking Sonia Gandhi for her support to Nagpal, and said the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh is trying to hide what is essentially a case of corruption and illegal mining.
Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit also dismissed Samajwadi Party’s comments that Gandhi should also write a letter in support of Ashok Khemka, the Haryana IAS officer who had scrapped her son-in-law Robert Vadra’s controversial land deals and was transferred.
Nagpal was suspended last month ostensibly for taking on the sand mafia and for ordering the demolition of a wall of a mosque that was being built on government land in the state’s Gautam Buddh Nagar District, where she was posted as SDM.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ias-officers-suspension-mulayam-backs-son-akhilesh/

JNIMS unable to commence session

Imphal Aug 4 UNA : While Manipur government was unable to take a final decision regarding the selection of state’s nominee for this year’s MBBS courses, the academic session of the courses in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal has commenced from August 1, causing uneasiness to the aspirant candidates. Manipur government was yet to select state’s nominee for the MBBS and BDS courses as a final decision regarding the selection of candidates could not be taken yet following a ruling of the Supreme Court quashing selection of candidates for the courses from the NEET exam conducted for the purpose.
Before this, Manipur government had decided to select state’s nominees for the courses from the the NEET exam. But, the latest Supreme Court ruling has compelled state government to consider revision of its earlier decision.
Chief minister O Ibobi had tabled the matter in the last cabinet meeting to take decision whether state government would go ahead with its earlier decision of selecting candidates from the NEET exam or should government conduct by conducting its own pre-medical entrance exam. No final decision could be taken in the meeting.
Due to the delay in the selection of state’s nominee, the academic session of the state’s Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) could not be commenced from August 1 as per the guideline of the Medical Council of India (MCI).
However, the session of MBBS course for RIMS has already begun from August 1 even though state government was yet to provide the list of the candidates who would be admitted as state nominee.
As per the guidelines of the Medical Council of India, academic sessions for MBBS, BDS and B Sc nursing course in medical institutes affiliated to the council should be commenced from August 1 every year.
The JNIMS has student intake capacity of 100. Out of this total seat, 15 are for Central Pool while the remaining 85 seats are state seats.
But the inability of the state government to select state nominee due to the present situation has left almost all the seats of MBBS course in JNIMS vacant.
Out of the 15 seats of Central pool, nine students have been admitted and eight of them have left for further counselling. The only MBBS student left at present is a Manipuri girl who got selected through Central Pool in the NEET exam.
The total seat capacity for MBBS students in RIMS is 100 while seats for BDS and BSc Nursing are 50 each. Out of the total capacity, 49 MBBS, 18 BDS and 36 BSc Nursing students have been admitted in RIMS and session began from August 1.
Seat allocation for the 100 MBBS seats of RIMS are 15 from Central pool, 30 from Manipur, 13 from Meghalaya, 13 from Tripura, 10 from Nagaland, 7 from Mizoram, 5 from Sikkim and 7 from Arunachal Pradesh.
Seat allocation for 50 BDS seats are 13 from Manipur, 7 from Meghalaya, 4 from Mizoram, 5 from Nagaland, 7 from Tripura, 3 from Sikkim, 4 from Arunachal Pradesh and 7 from Central Pool.
Seat allocations for BSc Nursing are 16 from Manipur 5 each from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and 4 reserved seats for RIMS employees.
Seats for Central pool are not filled yet since counselling is going on for Central pool. Besides, state seats are left vacant due to the present imbroglio in the entrance test for the selection of state students of MBBS and BDS courses.
Mention may be made that Medical Council of India (MCI) has its own guidelines which made it compulsory for medical colleges to commence session from August 1. However, JNIMS unable to commence its session till now as there seems to be no solution in sight in the near future regarding the selection of state nominee.
Meanwhile, people from different section have expressed the possibility of losing an academic year due to the present imbroglio in the selection of state nominee for MBBS course. JNIMS has not been able to begin its session in time ever since it was established.
According to the time schedule of MCI for MBBS and BDS courses, entrance test should be held in May and results should declared by June 5 for Central entrance test and June 15 for state test. First phase of counselling should be completed by June 30 for Centre and July 25 for state.
Deadline for joining and getting admission in colleges should be within 15 days from the allocation of seats while the deadline for state should be July 31.
Second phase of counselling for the candidates in waiting list should be completed by August 8 for Centre and August 28 for state. Deadline for admission in colleges should be within 15 days of their seat allocation for Centre and August 22 for state. If there is any seat left after August 22, the seats must be allocated to the state or colleges to fill in at their own.
While the date of commencing session is August 1, MCI has also guideline to fill up any vacant seats by September 30.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jnims-unable-to-commence-session/

Monsoon Session of Parliament to begin from today

New Delhi, Aug 4 (ANI): The Monsoon session of Parliament will begin from tomorrow and it is expected to discuss and pass the Food Security Ordinance among several bills.
According to reports, the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, Direct Taxes Code Bill 2010 and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill 2011 are among the 23 bills listed for consideration and passing by the Lok Sabha.
Earlier Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on August 3 said that he looked forward to very constructive and productive Monsoon Session of Parliament, and urged the opposition to cooperate with the government in passing the essential legislative work, including the Food Security Bill .
“We look forward to a very constructive, productive session of Parliament. Lot of time was wasted in previous two or three sessions and there is lot of legislative agenda pending before the Congress, before the Parliament. And I sincerely hope that all sections of the house will cooperate in making it a very productive, very constructive session,” Dr. Singh had said.
The monsoon Session ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls is important with several issues likely to be taken up for discussions. These include Uttarakhand floods, Telangana and other economic issues.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/monsoon-session-of-parliament-to-begin-from-today/

Integrity day observed

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 4 : The 16th integrity day organized by AMUCO was held at MDU Hall today.
Speaking on the occasion UCM, president, Y. Nabachandra said, the integrity of Manipur was preserved by our forefathers however it is challenging frequently today.
18 martyrs were killed in the June 18 of 2011 for only three words however the same was lifted on July 27.
Dr. Dhanbir Laishram said, it is unfortunate as G.O.I does not know the formula of politics. If there is equal power between centre and state, India cannot be disintegrated.
Former president of AMUCO, KT Rahman said, people of Manipur depend on agriculture but we have scarcity of food as govt. schools, colleges have been constructed in the area. The govt. fails to provide agricultural equipments to the farms.
He was of the view that all NGOs should be united for the integrity of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/integrity-day-observed/

Kidnappers release two company officials

Imphal Aug 4 MNS UNA : Kidnappers Sunday released two officials of the Kolkata based company even though they further detained five other persons including two engineers of state irrigation and flood control department (IFCD).
The two officials of the Kolkata based RN Sinha Co Ltd, Debajit Sinha and Abhijit Sinha were kidnapped with SE N Karucharya, EE Naorem Surchandra Singh and a local contractor along with the drivers of two vehicles they were travelling on August 1 last from their way back from inspecting progress work of Dolaithabi earth dam in the interior Imphal East district.
According to the released officials, the kidnappers released them today early morning, around 4.30 am at an undisclosed hill area, from where they were asked to follow a footpath towards Sagolmang .
They reached Sagolmang after about one and a half hour of trekking on the hilly terrain, said the two officers of RN Sinha Co Ltd engaged in the construction of Dalaithabi earth dam on the Iril river in the interior Imphal East district.
However, the other five persons including the SE and EE of IFCD and a contractor were still in the captivity of the kidnappers.
There were not ill treated by the kidnappers . Further no condition was set while setting them free from their captivity, the officials who made an appeal to the kidnappers for unharmed release of the remaining persons.
Even though they were in the captivity of the kidnappers for the last three days, they had no idea about the kidnappers. They (kidnappers) refused to disclose to which militant group they belonged to or for what reason they were taking hostage, the company officials said.
Meanwhile, confusion surrounded regarding the group responsible for the kidnapping of the IFCD officials when another Kuki based militant group came up with the claim that the officials were in their custody and reportedly demanded Rs 5 lakh for safe and unharmed release.
A day after the seven persons were kidnapped, a statement of the People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) signed by signed its finance cum information secretary Ayub Ansar has claimed that the seven persons were in their custody, alleging that they held hostage them after the EE Surchandra failed to appear before them despite repeated “summon”.
Police also suspect a faction of Kuki National Front (KNF) behind the kidnapping of the IFCD officials On the other hand, police and security force have intensified manhunt operation in places where the kidnapper could have held hostage the remaining five persons.
The manhunt operation was reportedly launched at some villages in the hill areas nearby Sagolmang area adjoining with Saikul area of Senapati district.
Meanwhile, womenfolk of Thangmeiband area continued to stage sit-in-protest against the kidnapping the IFCD engineers and drivers by the unknown militants at Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnangkhong.
The protest was jointly staged by Thangmeiband Improvement Club and Naharup Pangong Makhong demanding unconditional release of the kidnapped persons.
Terming the kidnapping of people for ransom as an act of uncivilized people, they appealed not to repeat such incident again. Various placards denouncing the kidnapping were displayed during the protest.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kidnappers-release-two-company-officials/

Tree plantation for whom

A massive tree plantation programme is going where there is little space. This is a good awakening. Everyone it seems has realised the importance of tree plantation. Roads have been widened after evicting the roadside dwellers. Plans are also afoot to widen national highway roads passing through Manipur. But these highway roads look barren. No trees are planted along the roadside. Our MLAs can be asked to take up tree plantation programme all along the highway roads passing through their respective constituencies. Allocation of party tickets for the election should be done on the basis of number of trees planted by aspirants. A person, who shows care for the betterment of ecology of the land, will find time to work for the betterment of the society. No matter how so big they are they will be accessible to the common masses. What we need is the true representative, who can think for the masses, who will work for the upliftment of oppressed lots. Every year vanmahotsav festival is held in the country. Nevertheless the significance of this festival is diminishing as the political class remain busy doing something that will give direct benefit to the masses. But these
trees are for future generation. The present generation have the bounded duty to make the earth safe for future generation. Ecological imbalances have been noticed in every part of the country. Manipur cannot be the exception. Warmness during summer and coldness during winter has been increased manifold. The hotness is so piercing that one cannot move out during the summer. AC was not required earlier in Manipur. Now it has become an essential part of a room. After one or two decades the maximum temperature during summer will cross 40 degree Celsius. The time is now in our hand, which can be utilised in plantation of trees. If 10,000 trees are planted in a single year the number of trees planted in 10 years will be one lakh. Do it to make Manipur a place safe for living by all living things. Our representatives can be asked what they can do to make the state for which they are working what they can do for the living things.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tree-plantation-for-whom/

Website of Huihchim launched

Churachandpur, Aug 3 MNS : Celebrating the first anniversary of publication, Huihchim – a monthly magazine in Gangte language launched its web edition today at Vimala Raina High School Conference Hall in Churachandpur. The website launching ceremony was attended by community leaders, church leaders, government officials and media persons, besides the well-known crooners of town.
Launching the web edition of Huihchim, Dr Gin Gangte, IIS , Field Exhibition Officer, DAVP, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Imphal exhorted the editor and his te

Function to launch website of Huihchim4

am to strive for excellence in journalism. Maintaining that media has become a part of everyday’s life, Dr Gin Gangte outlined in brief the history of journalism in Gangte community. With a view of information the public about the daily happenings in their own dialect, Zingsol – a magazine in Gangte was started way back in 1952, he said. Saying that ‘information is power’, Dr Gin Gangte calls upon the public to be in touch with various forms of mass media in today’s world.
Coinciding with one year of publication, an anniversary issue of Huihchim magazine was released by S Thienlaljoy Gangte, MCS, SDO/Thanlon. He appreciating the efforts of Huihchim magazine exhorted the gathering not only to buy it, but also to read it page after page. Quoting the quotable quote “knowledge is power”, the SDO called upon one and all to develop the habit of reading. Punctuated by deeply inspiring songs from budding artists such as Tracy Ngaihching, Nunthar & Jerry K Bieklien, the celebration was lively and kicking all though the session. The journey of one year of Huihchim was also narrated by editor Raymond Gangte. The first issue of Huihchim magazine hits the stand in August 2012.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/website-of-huihchim-launched/

Manipur girls to go to U.S.A. from Darwin

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 3 : Students who aim to study abroad but do not have much money to fund their education can explore the numerous scholarships that the governments of various countries offer. One such being the Community College Initiative Program of the U.S.Government.
Community Colleges are the gateway to higher education in the U.S. for a growing number of students. They are largest and fastest growing sector of higher education in America.
These colleges offer various types of courses, which are mostly job-oriented. Depending on the courses, students are awarded associate degrees or certificates.
Out of 8 students selected this year, 2 are from Manipur. Both the students happen to be Baccalaureate students of Darwin School of Business, one of the city’s premier management institution. The college recently organized a formal press conference to announce their selection and allow interaction of the selected student with the press and media. Speaking on the occasion, Dr.T.K.Bharali, Dean-Academics, stated – “Most of the students in this part of the country are unaware of the various scholarships/grants that are available for higher studies in India and especially in abroad. Children of the political and bureaucratic class of rest of India, most of whom do not need assistance, avail such opportunities and our pupils are just left uninformed. We wish to take this message to the masses that higher education is now not only a privilege of the powerful and the rich.”
One of the selected student, Ms.ZenithLairikyengbam has already joined her college in Florida, namely, Miami Dade College where she would be pursuing her business studies. Zenith aims to be a business woman The other successful candidate Ms.Veipune Sarah whose roots are in Nagaland, has been selected to join the prestigious Whatcom Community College in Washington. She is scheduled to depart in the first part of August.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms.Sarah explained her entire journey of selection. She still is in disbelief that with such a humble family background she too could make it to the final cut and be eligible for the 100% scholarship. Her entire stay, fooding, lodging, travel and education would be sponsored by the U.S.Government along with her classmate Zenith. In fact, they would also be earning a stipend of 700USD every month during their entire course of 1year study.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-girls-to-go-to-u-s-a-from-darwin/

Oscar Fernandes take stock of Road Projects

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Oscar Fernandes, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, reviewed the progress of projects in the North East region yesterday, in the presence of Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) (DONER), Sarvey Sathyanarayana, Union Minister of State (Road Transport & Highways), the Chief Ministers / PWD Ministers and other Ministers of the States in the region. The review intended to appreciate the concerns of the State Governments in the Region, prioritize the important issues, find out way forward to address the same and also for giving impetus to momentum of implementation of projects. The Union Minister intends to embark upon visits in each of the States in the Region and take a holistic view on the demands raised by them.
Various decisions taken by the Ministry were also announced during the meeting. These include carrying out feasibility study for the important newly declared NH-127 B connecting Srirampur to Phulbari via Dhubri including construction of a bridge over river Brahmaputra, invitation of Request for Qualification (RFQ) for widening NH-37 between Numaligarh – Jorhat – Demow – Dibrugarh to 4-lane standards on BOT (Annuity) basis, to provide 4-lane connectivity to Itanagar from Nagaon via Holongi, to carry out feasibility study for construction of Imphal bypass, to conduct a feasibility study for an alternative / additional highway between Chumukedima near Dimapur in Nagaland and Maram in Manipur on NH-39 to avoid sinking zones in Nagaland and Manipur on NH-39 so as to tackle perennial problem of frequent traffic disruptions, to extend the Maram – Peren road taken up under SARDP-NE Phase “A” to connect with Dimapur via Ghaspani to provide alternative connectivity to Manipur and also develop about 65 km of road in Nagaland, to conduct feasibility study for by-passing the trouble spot rock-fall area on NH-44A between Aizawl and Lengpui Airport in Mizoram which is envisaged at providing an alternate all weather road connectivity for the airport besides shortening the length of NH-44A by nearly 5 km, decision taken for developing 130 km stretch of Agartala – Sabroom section of NH-44 to 2-lane standards on EPC basis to be implemented by the Ministry directly (which would provide connectivity to Chittagong port through Bangladesh and is envisaged to eventually improve trade and commerce with Bangladesh), decision to take up long pending construction of new bridge at Dawki in Meghalaya, decision to construct an alternative highway to Gangtok, via Bagrakot – Nimbong – Lolegaon – Algarah – Rhenok – Pakyong – Ranipul – Gangtok with spur from Rehnok – Aritar – Rolep – Menla. It was informed that the Ministry has technically vetted the proposal of Ministry of DONER for construction of new bridge across river Barak to connect Silchar town as an alternative to existing Sadarghat Bridge. Further, recently the Ministry issued sanctions for Jowai bypass as also revised estimate for Shillong – Nongstoin – Tura road under SARDP-NE in the State of Meghalaya.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/oscar-fernandes-take-stock-of-road-projects/

Protest against kidnapping of IFCD officials

Imphal Aug 3 MNS UNA : Family members and locals of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, IFCD officials who have been kidnapped by unknown miscreants staged a widespread sit in protest on Saturday against the kidnapping and demanded for the safe releases. The protest started from morning in four different places, three in Imphal west’s Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai, Uripok Sorbon Thingel and Uripok Polem Leikai and another one in Imphal east’s Naharup area. Family members of the kidnapped officials joining hands with local residents carried out the protest simultaneously from 10 am on Saturday in four different places and concluded at 4 pm. Since then whereabouts of seven persons including officials of the IFCD suspected to have been abducted remain traceless and worry amongst the family members heightening. “I do not know, am totally helpless, I am expecting government to help us. He had been kidnapped on way back home by the unknown persons, so it’s my request to department plus government rescue my father unharmed” Said by N Rakhesh Singh, son of N Karuna Acharya, SE IFCD. He further adds that he did not receive any called or threatened or any message that why his father has been kidnapped. “The incident is a very unfortunate; I never expect it to happen with of my family members. I request both the state government and higher authority of the IFCD department to bring a solution at the earliest so worries of family members must be ended” Said by L Memcha Devi, wife of L Saratchandra Singh, Driver IFCD. During the protest the locals of the IFCD officials condemn the Dy. chief minister comment regarding un information given to government, saying they went to the works place is for the benefits of the state. Another protestors also urge the suspected arms persons to stop such kinapped for ransom, its against the human right, kidnapping of two non local along with the state official will not bring a good sign for the state added. It may be mentioned that the officials of IFCD namely N Karuna Acharya Singh, Superintending Engineer; N Surchandra Singh, Executive Engineer; Sanayaima Sharma, contractor; Debjit Sinha and Abhijit Sinha of RN Sinha Kolkata based company; L Saratchandra Singh, Driver and another driver were allegedly kidnapped by unknown miscreants on 1st August while way back to Imphal after paying a visit to Dolaithabi Multipurpose Project some 30 km from state capital, at Imphal east district.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/protest-against-kidnapping-of-ifcd-officials/

Dr Shantikumar felicitated

IMPHAL, August 3 UNA : Mr World 2013 title holder Manipuri-Taiwanese Dr Ng Shantikumar was felicitated by Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on Saturday in praise of his remarkable performance that has won the title.
Gaikhangam presented a tribal traditional shawl to Dr Shantikumar during the simple function held at his office chamber in the Old Secretariat here.
The Mr World accompanied with his Taiwanese wife Chen, Nan-Tai at the function.
Dr Shantikumar made a speech during the function. He said he was confident that he would again bag the next Mr World title to be held in Slovakia in 2014.
Gaikhangam said Manipur is really proud of Dr Shantikumar and wished him for many more achievements in future. The Deputy Chief Minister also presented a wool neck scarf to Chen at the occasion.
Expressing concern over the increasing use of steroid by Indian young body builders, Dr Shantikumar cautioned that these young body builders are abusing the drug and that they might get addicted to it which will ruin them.
He, however, said he has never used steroid during his long career as a body builder adding steroid abusers, particularly in India have no bright future.
The rise on the use of steroid in India is mainly because the two body building federations in India—World Federation for Body Building (WFBB) and Fitness and International Federation for Body Building (IFBB)—do not conduct doping test, he said.
Dr Shantikumar participated in the Mr World Championship organised by International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) at Zakynthos in Greece on July 5-7 this year.
The Taiwan-based Manipuri bagged the title in the international event and brought laurels to the state as well as the country.
Dr Shantikumar, who resides in Taipei, was first felicitated here in the state capital by NGOs on July 27.
Dr Shantikumar contested in two categories in the international competition. In the age group 40-49, in which he won the gold, there was no weight limitation or height. Among the 150 athletes from around the world who had contested in these categories, Dr Shantikumar was the only Asian mongoloid.
Presently, he is working as an English Professor at De Lin Institute of Technology, Taipei. Dr Shantikumar and Chen now have four children.
Representing Taiwan, he had also competed in the IFBB East Asian, Asian, Asian Games, Mr Universe and even Hong Kong invitational championships.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/dr-shantikumar-felicitated/

ATSUM on Meitei status

IMPHAL, Aug 3 NNN: ATSUM in a memorandum submitted to CM O Ibobi said, “In the event of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) gaining momentum for recognition of Meeteis as ST and considering the impending dangerous socio- political upheavals in the state, ATSUM said it does not have any political affiliation or allegiance to any political party.
The ATSUM memo said the ‘illogical’ claim that the Meeteis fulfilled all the criterion to become ST on the basis of Mongoloid race and prevalence of distinctive religion and culture is irrational on the ground that any community big or small practice some form of religion and possess a unique culture of their own. In other words, having religion or separate culture doesn’t necessarily mean or constitute the prime reason to include a particular community to be in the list of scheduled tribe, ATSUM stated.
According to the tribal student body, in the Constitution of India, no criteria has been spelt out for specification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe.
“As however, taking into account the definitions in the 1931 census and the reports of the First Backward classes commission 1955, the advisory committee on revision of ST/ SC 1965 and the joint committee of Parliament on SCs and STs orders amendment bill 1967 and basically basing on Article 342 of the constitution, the criteria such as for specification of a community as a scheduled tribe include indication of primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with community at large, and backwardness,” ATSUM pointed out.
“The Scheduled Tribes are the tribes or tribal communities or part of groups within these tribes and tribal communities which have been declared as such by the president through a public notification partly by habitat and geographical isolation but even more on the basis of social, religion, linguistic and cultural distinctiveness—their tribal characteristic. Scheduled tribes are spread across the country mainly in the forest and hilly regions who are segregated from the rest of the world socially and economically,” the memorandum further pointed out.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/atsum-on-meitei-status/

Chhibber Reviews Road Projects in NE

Guwahati , Aug 3 : MNS : Vijay Chhibber, Secretary,Road Transport & Highways held a meeting at Guwahati on 1st August, 2013 with the officers representing various agencies in the Region, viz. the State PWDs, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) to review the road projects in North East region.
This was in line with the focused approach of the Government towards improving the road infrastructure in particular in the Region.
The Government of India Consider that the timely successful implementation of infrastructure projects is vital for accelerated socio-economic development. The Government is committed to accelerated development of infrastructure in the country in general and in the North East Region in particular.
Earlier this year on 4th February, 2013 the progress of road projects were reviewed at Guwahati by the then Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr. C. P. Joshi. Recently the Prime Minister of India reviewed the infrastructure projects in the North East Region in a meeting held on 18th July, 2013 and consequently EGoM and committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary were constituted to expedite finding solutions for outstanding issues impeding progress of projects.
Keeping in view the various decisions taken and the targets set forth during the aforesaid meeting, the projects were reviewed in detail by Vijay Chhibber. Timelines were laid down for expediting progress of ongoing projects, resolving various outstanding issues. A host of decisions were also taken to facilitate speeding up of delayed works in a time bound manner, taking up of stringent actions against non performing contractors, attaching greater focus for preparation of project reports truly reflecting the actual ground conditions, time bound completion of pre-construction activities, suggesting most cost effective technological solutions, etc. State PWDs were also requested to accord emphasis urgently for strengthening their institutional capabilities and project management mechanism. The delay in implementation and poor progress, frequent revision of scopes leading to time and cost overruns of projects under implementation by the BRO was viewed with a serious concern and it was directed that greater focus should be given towards ensuring timely and cost effective implementation of these projects.
It was also agreed that the Ministry may consider taking up implementation of some projects directly and all State Governments were requested to consider sparing some of their technical officers so that they could be associated in implementation of these projects along with the officers from the Ministry. It was mentioned that the Ministry would consider sanctioning of works related to preconstruction activities, such as Land Acquisition, shifting of utilities during the current financial year by digressing from the Ministry’s general policy to link sanctioning of projects based on the available outlay and outstanding liabilities against already committed works. This would facilitate taking up of civil works on such stretches without any cost and time overruns in the new environment of implementing projects on EPC (Engineering, procurement, construction) mode wherein at least 90 % of land is required to be handed over to the contractor at the time of award and the balance land and necessary clearances are required to be made available in a time bound manner.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken up an ambitious Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) for development of road network in the north eastern States of the Country. This programme envisages providing road connectivity to all the district headquarters in the north eastern region by minimum 2 lane highway standards apart from providing road connectivity to backward and remote areas, areas of strategic importance and neighbouring countries.
Programme planned in two phases (A & B) including Arunachal Package covers about 10,141 km. The phase A of SARDP-NE including Arunachal Package covers 6,418 km at an estimated cost of Rs 33,688 crore. Works are being executed by the State PWDs, BRO, NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The project is targeted for completion by June, 2016. Phase B is at conceptual stage. So far about 1,180 km have been completed. It has been targeted to award projects in a total length of about 2,000 km and achieve completion in 550 km length during 2013-14.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chhibber-reviews-road-projects-in-ne/

RTI 2005 to be amended

MNS: The Union Cabinet has approved introduction of a Bill in the coming session of the Parliament to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005, to exclude the political parties from the definition of Public authority for the purpose of the Act.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) in its decision dated 03.06.2013, has held that the political parties, namely, AICC/INC, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, NCP, and BSP are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. While deciding that the said political parties are public authorities, the CIC has relied mainly on the grounds that there is substantial (indirect) financing of political parties by the Central Government and they perform public duty.
The political parties are registered with the Election Commission under the provisions of section 29A of the
Representation of the People Act, 1951. Under this section any small group of persons, if they so desire, can be
registered as a political party by making a simple declaration under sub-section (5) of section 29A. With reference to the political parties, detailed provisions exist in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for dissemination of information relating to political parties, candidates and donations. The said Act, inter alia, provides for –
• Registration with the Election Commission of associations and bodies as political parties (section 29A)
• Political parties entitled to accept contribution (section 29B)
• Declaration of donation received by the political parties (section 29C)
• Declaration of assets and liabilities (section 75A)
• Account of election expenses and maximum thereof (section 77)
• Lodging of account with the district election officer (section 78)
• Penalty for filing false affidavit etc. (section 125A)
The above provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 indicate that there are sufficient provisions in the Act to deal with each and every aspect of financing, its declaration and punishment for filing false affidavit and all such information is made available to the public through the website of the Election Commission. Under section 13A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the political parties claiming exemption from tax are required to file their return of income before the due date .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rti-2005-to-be-amended/

Lina wins 4th Miss India North East 2013

Imphal Aug.2 UNA : Haijang Village Authority and the Youth Club Friday sing the praises of Miss Lina Lamneilhing Chongloi, who after winning the tiara as “Miss Bharat 2013” once again begged the coveted title of “4th Miss India North East 2013″ at ITA Machkhuwa Hall, Guwahati on 28 July 2013.
Lina Lamneilhing Chongloi on 24 June 2013 won the tiara as Miss Bharat 2013 at Hotel Ronak Plaza, Bhopal, where Dr Mahesh Aman Gandhi has been the Event Director and it was Power by Aman Gandhi Film Production Mumbai. A month after, on the night of 28 July 2013 at ITA Machkhuwa Hall, Guwahati, Miss Lina L. Chongloi made the people of her village and the entire Manipur state in general proud once again by winning the tiara of “4th Miss India North East”.
In their separate gratitude notes, The Haijang Village Authority and Youth Club said with the humidity and intellect showed by Lina – fondly addressed by her local residents- during the pageant, she is still the winner for the people of her village and her home State Manipur.
“The clamminess, intelligence and elegance that you put on display during the competition personified the spirit of the true Kukis and in our eyes that is the true victory today that the entire nation stood witness to and found an appreciation for the ethics, values and beauty that has long described our nation” said Lunkholal Chongloi, General Secretary Haijang Youth Club.
Thangkhopao Chongloi, Chief of Haijang Village described Lina Lamneilhing Chongloi as “Beauty with Brains.”
“May this triumph serve as a way for others to come to appreciate not the just the beauty of our Haijang people in particular and the Kukis in general, but that of our Nation. On behalf of the people of Haijang village, we are proud of you and we see even greater things ahead of you” added The Haijang Village Authority and the Youth Club.
Haijang is a remote village of Kangpokpi sub-division under Sadar Hills, located just 5 Km. away from Kangpokpi Town.
But as far as development is concerned the village has been left out from many developmental works. A small Inter Village Road is the only road that connect he village to the outside world. But this remote village produced many youths who contributed various credits to the State and the Nation in different fields.
The 21 years old Lina Lamneilhing Chongloi is a loving daughter of Lhunkhopao Chongloi and Phallhing Chongloi of Haijang Village. They are farmers. She was born as the fifth children to her parents on 16 March 1992.
Lina L. Chongloi competed with 26 stunning ladies from the North East states except Sikkim and Tripura at the 4th Miss India North East 2013 at ITA Machkhuwa Hall, Guwahati on 28 July 2013. While Lina L. Chongloi won the 4th Miss India North East 2013 title, Ipsheeta from Jorhat, Guwahati was crowned the 1st runners-up title and Kiran Laishram born and brought up in Guwahati became the second runners-up at the Pageant power by t2 in association with hotel gateway grandeur and sponsor by hero Honda. The Event Director was Mr Pratishyam Das.
While speaking with the UNA, Lina L. Chongloi said that, “Today’s pageant contestants are more educated and competitive than the past. Earlier, there were a high school students contestants but we have a bunch of better contestants nowadays.”
“There is no guaranteed formula for winning. Contestants/candidates have to work it out. “

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/lina-wins-4th-miss-india-north-east-2013/

Security beefed up in wake of Independence Day celebrations

Imphal, Aug 2 MNS UNA : As the countdown for the nation’s Independence Day celebration begun, security in and around Imphal city has been beefed up and routine combing operation to flush out the militants has been started on Friday.
A mass combing operation was conducted today afternoon at Masjid road and Paona bazar area in Imphal west district by a strong team of Imphal west police.
The police team was headed by DSP Dr. S. Ibomcha Singh who is also an overall command of Imphal west commandos.
All the shops keepers and passers-by at the area were called out and stopped and frisked during the operation.
The stretch of the Masjid road was cordoned for hours and search operation was conducted one by one in order to detect any militants present mingled in the crowd.
At least 50 individuals were detained during the combing operation and were taken them to the city police station for further verification said the police officers.
DSP Dr. S. Ibomcha speaking to the media in the side line of the search operation said that search operation in the city area is a part of security measures specially taken up for the smooth conduct of the country’s Independence Day celebration and similar kind of sudden cordon and search operation will be conducted until the Independent Day celebration is over.

Students warned to stay away from unapproved institutes

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 2 : P Vaiphei , Commissioner Education has advised students not to take admission in unapproved educational institutes. He said in a press statment that ,”The issues relating to some Private Universities and Study Centres claiming to be learning centres of Private Universities and some advertisements thereof have been under examination by the Dept. of Higher Education for sometime of late and after due consideration of the genuineness/non-genuineness and legality/illegality of such centres of learning, the Dept. had issued an Order vide No. 3/3-567/89-EDC (Pt.l) dt. 21st June, 2013 that, amongst others, had drawn the attention of all College Lecturers/Teachers to the fact that the Acts authorizing setting up of Private / State Universities passed by State Legislative Assemblies are valid within the territorial boundaries of the concerned State only and any Research / higher study can be undertaken by their Study-Centres opened outside the State where such Private / State Universities are set-up are illegal and not acceptable.
Therefore, all applicants including serving Assistant/Associate Professors, etc. of all Colleges of Manipur are hereby informed to exercise due caution to ensure that they do not undertake higher study / pursuit of M.Phl/Ph.D degrees through such illegal Study Centres or Private/State Universities operating outside the limits of the territorial boundaries of the State that authorize them to be set up.
This caution is issued in public interest in general and in the particular interest of the students & teaching communities of Manipur in particular to prevent them from unnecessary trouble, waste of time, money & energy and embarrassment on being caught later on.
For the benefit of all the students & teaching faculties in particular and the people of the State of Manipur, it is hereby informed to the general public and all concerned that University Grants Commission (UGC) vide its Public Notice No. F.27-1/2012(CPP-II) dated 27th June, 2013 that “the Commission has come across many advertisements published in National Dailies offering opportunities for the award of university degrees through various franchise programmes conducted by certain Private Institutions.
These private establishments claiming themselves as Study Centres or learning centres of different Universities enroll students for various degree programmes and also claim to be responsible for teaching and conduct of examinations. The faculty and the infrastructure belong to these private agencies. The concerned Universities except providing syllabus and teaching materials, has no mechanism to monitor and maintain the academic standards of teaching being imparted at these centres.
The blatant compromise with the standards of education has led to widespread criticism. The Commission has taken a serious view of these misleading advertisements appearing in various newspapers.”
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has, “therefore, clarified for the information of all concerned, including students and parents that:
a) A Central or State University can conduct courses through its own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliated Colleges;
b) A University established or incorporated by or under a State Act shall operate only within the territorial jurisdiction allotted to it under its Act and in no case beyond the territory of the State of its location;
c) The private Universities and deemed Universities cannot affiliate any College or institution for conducting courses leading to award of its diplomas, degrees or other qualifications.
d) No University, whether Central, State, private or deemed, can offer its programmes through franchising arrangement with private coaching institutions even for the purpose of conducting courses through distance mode.
e) All Universities shall award only such degrees as are specified by the UGC and published in the official gazette.
f) Universities should conduct first degree and Master’s degree in accordance with the regulations. Details are available in UGC website.

AMTU on border

IMPHAL, August 2 NNN: All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) has expressed its grave concern on the Indo-Myanmar border fencing saying it is ceding away portions of tribal traditional land of Manipur.AMTU suggested that both, the central and state government must take the matter seriously with appropriate measures reflecting the plight of the border tribal villagers.
“It is pertinent to keep in mind pensively that the indigenous tribal lands of Manipur bordering Myanmar should not be traded away further preceding the colonial British government trading away Kabow Valley approximately in the year 1834. This was done so in consideration to appease the spirit of amity and goodwill of the Ava King despite the British conviction that Ningthee River formed the proper boundary,” AMTU pointed out.
“Monthly stipend was given to Manipur Raja. However, after India’s Independence the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru waived off the stipend during a joint visit to Manipur with his counter part Unu merely for a diplomatic flourish,” the tribal body recalled. It then advised that the government must trace each concerned village demarcation boundaries in the hills department of Manipur government minutely by consulting local village chiefs of their land documents and retrieve back such artificially ceded lands from Myanmar. “Lest, it may provoke a political havoc in the state as we no more want to part away with our tribal brethren’s land as it did in colonial supreme rule. They deserve land protection within the ambit of U.N Human Rights,” AMTU stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/amtu-on-border/

MPP urges PM to protect Manipur’s land

IMPHAL, August 2 NNN: The Manipur People’s Party (MPP) has on Friday urged the Prime Minister to take steps to immediately halt the current works on Indo-Myanmar border fencing, stating that a vast area of Manipur on the Indian side has been encroached by Myanmar in the process.
An 11-member team of MPP visited the surrounding villages in the disputed Indo-Myanmar border area in Manipur’s Chandel district from July 31 to August 2 to oversee the present status of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing, now in dispute between the two neighbouring countries and to have an actual report on the international border line that has been reportedly constructed by encroaching as much as 10 km into the Indian side. India and Myanmar share a 369 km long border.
So far, about 10 km of the 369 km long Indo-Myanmar border fencing works has been completed, MPP president N Sovakiran told reporters here. He said the construction of the fence began from 2003-2004.
Nine villages of Chandel district have been taken away by Myanmar in the fence construction process, Sovakiran said, naming the villages as Govajang, Yangnoi, B Bongjang, Morphei, Nungkam, Saitang, Tatyang, Yangoupokpi and S Moljol.
The MPP president demanded that the Chief Minister should disclose on the mass crossing of border land by Myanmar to the people of Manipur as has promised to the people that a single inch of land would not be given to the neighbouring country.
He pledged that the party with the support and cooperation of the people will launch agitation against the Centre and state Governments if the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh fails to stop the ongoing fence construction works.
The11-member MPP team included its general secretary N Singhajit and the party’s Working Committee’s member, N Ojit, MPP Youth president Ronel, who were also present at the press meet.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mpp-urges-pm-to-protect-manipurs-land/