Manipur News

IMPHAL, December 22: The State cabinet has approved setting up of a Film City in Imphal East and to revamp Art and Culture Department by creating more posts in the department, stated Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam.

After the cabinet meeting, Govindas Konthoujam briefing the media at his official quarter in Babupara said the Art and Culture of Manipur is unique and quite popular around the globe. It has made Manipur a well known name in the international arena of Classical dance, he added.

Manipuri dance is an important performance whenever any Indian cultural troupe performs in an international platform, he said.

The film city being setup is one of the components for revamping the Art and Culture Department and the government has decided to create more posts of the department by recruiting more staff. About 200 to 500 acres of land has been identified today, the minister said.

Another component for the Arts and Culture department, a Cultural University in the state will be set up later, he added.

The cabinet has also discussed to amend the building by-laws which previously intended to make it mandatory for every house to harvest rain water by making it compulsory to have rooftop STV power plants in newly constructed houses, he informed.

Houses which have more than 100 square meters must be equipped with STV solar power panel sheets in their rooftops and the plots which have more than 1000 square metres must be equipped with STV solar power panel sheet of 1 KWP to 500 KWP respectively, he said.

The decision was taken to improve the power potential and decrease the power consumption of electricity grids, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/cabinet-approves-film-city-hints-at-introducing-new-building-construction-norms/

IMPHAL, December 21: The deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home minister on the concluding day of the winter Session Assembly termed the December 21 bomb blast incident in Khuyathong as an act of terrorism.

Speaking during the Calling Attention of the Session, Gaikhangam on the floor of the House came down heavily against the perpetrators of the bomb blast; maintaining that such acts are committed by people who do not have any meaningful objective. The act has been committed out of utter frustration, and it is a cowardice show of strength to the weak, he added.

He appealed to every right thinking people to join him in condemning the dastardly act.

He informed the House that a valley-based militant outfit is suspected to be involved behind the blast.

A case has been registered in this regard and investigation by his department is going on in full swing, and those found involved in the crime will be given befitting punishment according to the law of the land, he said.

Further he maintained that any individual or group who supposedly has divergent views against the government should address their grievances in a democratic manner instead choosing the path of violence.

He warned that if at all they want to challenge, they should challenge against rightful opponents, but not against the weak.

During the Calling Attention, Th Shyamkumar, MLA of Andro A/C drew the attention of the deputy CM on the non-issuance of appointment letters to the 315 selected ASIs.

In his reply, Gaikhangam pointed out that the Home Department is taking extra care and is rechecking documents submitted by the candidates, especially the certificates acquired from various universities across the country.

He assured that the scrutiny of the documents will be completed by January next year to enable the candidates to start training schedule.

Kh Joykishan, MLA of Thangmeiband A/C during Question Hour enquired whether there are any instances of the Police not taking up any action even though FIRs have been filed. He said there have been complaints from the public in this regard.

In his reply, Gaikhangam said that there are no such cases in the functioning of the Police. He informed the House that from 2012 to 2014, there have been 17736 FIR cases, from which 1324 have been charge sheeted and 9679 withdrawn.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/dy-cm-reiterates-bomb-blast-is-act-of-terrorism/

IMPHAL, December 22: The State cabinet has given the approval for upgrading eleven government High Schools to Higher Secondary Schools and to provide priorities to local people while recruiting contract lecturers for selected higher secondary schools on a permanent posting basis.

The selected eleven government High Schools which the Cabinet has approved to upgrade into Higher Secondary schools are Chapikarong Government High School, Sagang Government High School, Thalon Government High School, Parbung Government High School, Sagolmang

Government High School of Imphal East, Gelnel Government High School at Kangpokpi, Langmei Government High School at Tamei, Churachandpur Government High School, Nungba Government High School, Kangvai Government High School and Azad Government High School.

The Cabinet has also approved new post creation for those schools newly upgraded into Higher Secondary Schools. The government has also allowed new post creation for Principals and Vice-Principals only through an MPSC examination. During recruiting lecturers for the upgraded schools, educated local people eligible for the post and who are meritorious will be given first priorities.

The government`™s decision of recruiting local people was taken with the intension of creating an educational atmosphere in rural and remote areas and so that the posting of those lecturers might not be affected by further transfers to other places except their local areas in the future. The decision to upgrade High Schools in remote areas to Higher Secondary Schools were taken in consideration of those students who left their places in pursuit of higher studies after matriculation in remote and rural areas. The government intends to create a Knowledge hub in the hills and remote areas for poor students who after passing their Tenth and Twelfth exams couldn`™t continue further higher studies in towns and cities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/cabinet-approves-to-upgrade-11-govt-high-schools-into-higher-secondary-schools/

IMPHAL, December 22: The State cabinet has decided to give Rs 5 lakhs each to the families of those persons who were killed in the Khuyathong bomb blast on Sunday and Rs. 1 lakh each to those critically injured in the blast, said Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam.

He was briefing the media after attending a Cabinet meeting in the official chamber of the Chief Minister this evening.

The Cabinet strongly condemns the bomb blast yesterday which left three non-locals dead and several others critically injured, he said, adding it appealed to the people of Manipur to co-operate with the government in taking up measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

Later, the Cabinet held discussions on the lack of manpower in the Manipur Disaster Response Force which prevents it from performing its duties. As of now, the State fire and emergency services are the first to respond when any natural disasters occurs in the State.

The Cabinet also agreed to strengthen the manpower in government libraries through a recruitment process for strengthening libraries at the ADC, District, Sub-Divisional and Block head quarters of hill districts level as libraries there are facing lack of manpower and have become defunct, he said.

Besides, students have been demanding to provide libraries in the hill districts, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/rs-5-lakhs-for-khoyathong-blast-victims-rs-1-lakh-for-wounded/

Friend Coutinho manhandled by anti AFSPA campaigners

IMPHAL, December 22: A British citizen from Zanzibar, United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Desmond Anthony Bellarmine Coutinho was rounded up by supporters of Irom Shamila`™s anti AFSPA, 1958 movement outside the Lamphel Court complex while he was trying to sneak away.

Irom Sharmila was produced today before the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class of Imphal East, Wisdom Kamodang.

According to an eye witness account, Coutinho interfered in the court proceedings while Sharmila was presented before the court.

Desmond also submitted an application to have a meeting with Sharmila after which the court

permitted him to meet Irom Sharmila on December 25 between 11 am to 12:30 pm.

Judicial Magistrate Kamodang reserved his judgement on Sharmila till January 18 next year.

Coutinho, who accompanied Sharmila while she was about to give an interview to a media team outside the court room, was asked to stop by a supporter but he tried to sneak away, the

eye witness said, adding he was rounded up by anti AFSPA,1958 movement supporters.

Sharmila who was whisked away by security personnel watched with teary-eyes when Desmond was being chased.

Further, Desmond was rounded up outside the Lamphel court complex and was manhandled by the Anti AFSPA-1958 supporters.

Some people among the mob also charged him to be a spy or an intelligence agent trying to sabotage the anti AFSPA, 1958 movement.

Anti AFSPA campaigners accused him of disturbing the court proceedings and trying to defame the social movements carried out by Imas of Manipur.

Later security personnel of Lamphel Police Station whisked him from the scene to safety.

`Am I going to die today?` cried Coutinho repeatedly while he was being thrashed by the enraged anti-AFSPA movement supporters.

Supporters of Sharmila seized some items from Desmond`™s possession that included Rs 27,300, 450 Euros, pen drives, his passport and some court documents which were later submitted to the Lamphel Police Station.

Meanwhile, the Sharmila Kanba Lup in a release said it has lodged a complaint against Desmond Coutinho, a man who claims to be Irom Sharmila`™s lover, to the Lamphel Police and has submitted a list of items seized from in a confrontation today.

According to a release of the Lup, the complaint was submitted following interference by Desmond during court proceedings, and also for interfering in their social movement amounting to defamation of mass struggle for peace in Manipur, it said.

The lup has appealed to the officer in charge to take stringent action against the man as per the law of the land and also to investigate thoroughly the true identity of the person.

The lup has also stated that some items were also confiscated from Desmond. The confiscated items were, cash (Indian Rs.2730/- and Euro 450/-, 10 documents, 4 pens, a pencil, 5 pen-drives, 1 New Testament Bible, 2 passports, 1 ruler, 1 brochure, a muffler and 1 messenger bag, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/judgment-on-sharmila-reserved/

IMPHAL, December 21: The State is not able to pay 6th Pay Commission pay scale to the teachers of government aided schools due to financial constraints. The salaries given to them are from non-plan fund.

This was stated by M Okendro, Education Minister, Government of Manipur, during the discussion on a matter of public interest, responding to a discussion raised by L Ibomcha, MLA on the non-payment of 6th Pay Commission pay scale to the teachers of government aided schools.

L Ibomcha maintained that teachers of government aided schools are living on meagre salaries paid by the government. He said the salaries of these teachers are also paid irregularly.

Okendro said that the teachers deserve pay scale of 6th Pay Commission, however, the government is facing paucity of fund in this regard. He pointed out that there are 604 government aided schools in the State, in which 1664 teachers are serving.

He continued that because of the financial constraints, the government has not been able to clear their salaries in time. Their salaries are cleared between 8 to 9 months at one time and besides the salaries are being shared among the teachers, he said. The teachers will have to bear with the government and wait for the implementation of the 6th Revision of Pay salary, he added.

Further the Education Minister maintained that at present there are 332 vacancies of teachers in the government aided schools. He informed that the Cabinet had already decided to fill up the vacancies, before adding that the process will be completed by January next year.

He also informed the House that there are schools with very few students and at the same time there are also schools with good number of students.

Earlier in the Session, Okendro moved for withdrawal of the Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur Bill, 2014. The House unanimously agreed for its withdrawal and accordingly the Bill was withdrawn.

During the question hour Session, the minister informed that the government is considering of improving Pettigrew College under the State Plan. He was answering to a question raised by Samual Risom, MLA of Ukhrul A/C.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/dm-university-bill-withdrawn-no-immediate-hope-for-raise-in-aided-school-teachers-salaries/

LAKHIPUR, December 22 (JNN): Unknown assailants burned a vehicle carrying betel leaves and two passengers who were travelling on the vehicle were also beaten up yesterday evening at round 8.30 pm.

The incident occurred when the vehicle, Xenon with registration number MN 06L 6574 travelling from Lakhipur to Imphal carrying betel leaves was burned by six unknown assailants near an area between Lakhipur and Jiribam and thrashed the two passengers travelling on the vehicle as well.

However, one person who was accused to be part of the mob was arrested by Lakhipur police and interrogation is going on.

According to the statements of the driver Kangjam James Singh, 30, son of K. Kumar Singh of Singjamei Chinga Makha Ningthoujam Leikai and Kangjam Romakanta Singh, son of (L) K. Binoy Singh, two unknown persons who came on a bike were waiting for them at an area named Juyang.

They were stopped beaten the two and even snatched away their vehicle keys and mobile phones.

The assailants did not give any time for an explanation and started burning the vehicle.

A few other people also later came to the place and told them the assailants told them they belonged to the underground KYKL.

Cash worth Rs. 18,000/- an RC Book as well as Permit documents were also destroyed in the fire, the statement said.

Both the victims were later rescued by the Lakhipur Police.

The however vehicle was burned completely and could not be salvaged.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/vehicle-carrying-betel-leaves-burnt-two-assaulted/

IMPHAL, December 22: Hopes for immediate passing of the much talked about Bill to set up the proposed Sangai National University had to be deferred to the next session because of lacunas in the Bill.

A Select Committee of the House chaired by the Education Minister of the State, Moirangthem Okendro however has been set up to further look into the modalities of setting up the proposed `Sangai National University`™.

Okendro today proposed sympathetic consideration and passing of the Sangai National University, Manipur Bill, 2014, however, the Bill fell through because of various `lacunas`™, as pointed by the Opposition benches.

The Chief Minister, O Ibobi, who is also the Leader of the House, during the discussion, after listening to the observations of the members, proposed that a Select Committee of the House be set up further look further into the proposed Bill.

He said the Committee after studying the details can submit a report before the commencement of the next Session, which could take place in March next year.

He continued that there are supplementary Votes on Account left to be taken up in the next Session as well, thereby the Select Committee could furnish the report in time before passing the Bill.

He also proposed the names of the members of the House to be included in the Committee.

The House unanimously agreed to form a committee, with the Education minister M Okendro as chairman supported by members including Dr Ng Bijoy, L Ibomcha, Dr Ibohalbi, Y Surchandra, Govindas K, Dr Chaltonlian Amo, Alex Pao, Dr Ratan, I Hemochandra and Samual Risom.

Accordingly such a committee was formed by the Speaker of the House, Th Lokeshwar.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Dr I Ibohalbi, MLA of Oinam A/C welcomed instituting of a private university in the State.

He said setting up another university is a long felt requirement for students who wished to pursue higher education.

To an extent, the proposed university will help in lessening the mass exodus of students to other States, and moreover there is not a single private university in Manipur, he added.

Dr Ibohalbi, however, questioned the credentials of Manav Bharti Charitable Trust, which is going to institute the proposed university.

He said the allotted 25 `“ 30 Acres of land should not be sold off to the said Trust. Instead, its ownership must be retained by the State government. Later he proposed for setting up a committee to look into the modalities.

Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA of Khurai A/C during the discussion also proposed retaining ownership of the allotted land of the proposed university. He further proposed that State representatives like the Governor, the CM and any member from the council of ministers must be included in the governing body of the university, and added that the matter must be thoroughly discussed before passing it as a Bill.

L Ibomcha, MLA of Keishamthong A/C also taking part in the discussion maintained that he does not endorse Sangai to be the name of the proposed university. He said that animal names are conventionally not employed as name of university.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/sangai-national-university-bill-deferred-on-account-of-lacunas-select-committee-to-develop-it-further/

IMPHAL, December 22: The 9th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly concluded today with the House passing the Manipur Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Bill, 2014.

It may be mentioned that the 3-day winter Session which started from December 18 culminated with passing of only this Bill by the Assembly.

Two resolutions were adopted by the House, namely the repeal of `The employment of Manual Scavengers and construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993` and `Rectification of amendments to the Constitutions of India falling within the purview of clause (b) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 368, proposed to be made by Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty `“ First Ammendment) Bill, 2014, as passed by both Houses of Parliament`.

Chief Minister of the State, Okram Ibobi Singh, who also holds the Finance Department, moved the Bill to be taken into consideration in the House.

Moving the Bill, O Ibobi maintained that there have been various reported cases of fraudulences practiced by financial establishments in the name of giving high interest rates to depositors within a short period of time.

The Bill will help in checking such malpractices and it has provision to give a penalty of 10 years imprisonment to those found guilty, he added.

Further he continued that the practice is widespread not only in the State but also in other parts of the country. He said that in recent time, there has been a rise in number of fake financial establishments in guise of private banks which target particularly the gullible middle-class depositors.

Ibobi recounted that even in his Thoubal Assembly Constituency there have been reports of fraudulent banks running away after duping the depositors. These depositors had invested their hard-earn money, some of them by selling off their paddy fields, he added.

Taking part in the discussion, Dr I Ibohalbi, MLA of Oinam A/C welcomed the Bill moved by the CM, and said that the need of the hour is to check the rampant frauds committed by bogus organisations to earn easy money.

He said the Saradha Group financial scandal is a case in point, and also an eye opener to take stringent measures against financial malpractices.

MLA L Ibomcha joining the discussion demanded that the quantum of penalty in such cases should be heavier than that has been mentioned in the Bill.

Samual Risom, MLA of Ukhrul Assembly Constituency also took part in the discussion.

Meanwhile during the Zero Hour of the Session, MLA Kh Joykishan of Thangmeiband A/C drew the attention of the House over the December 21 bomb blast in Khuyathong which killed three people and had left several injured.

Member, L Ibomcha also highlighted the non-inclusion of the names Meitei Pangal women who took part in the historic Nupi Lal.

He said their names are not included in the list of Nupi Lal fighters by the State Nupi Lal observation committee.

The State government must take a note on it, he added. He also pointed out that the result of staff nurse examination conducted in August last year has been left pending by the authority concerned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/winter-session-of-state-assembly-ends-with-passing-of-protection-of-interest-of-depositors-bill/