Manipur News

IMPHAL, December 1: The Central government had sanctioned Rs 19.49 crores under the 12th Five year Plan for establishment and construction of Multi-technology Centre and Vocational Training Centre under the Central Agricultural Universities in six States of the North East including Manipur under Agriculture and Allied sectors which is still to be undertaken, informed a highly placed source.

The universities are Central Agriculture University Manipur, Mizoram College of Veterinary, Arunachal Pradesh College of Horticulture and Forestry, Sikkim College of Agriculture Engineering and Post Harvesting, Meghalaya College of Home Science and Tripura College of Fishery.

The sanctioned amount was to establish and construction multi technology for testing centers and Vocational Training at an estimated cost of Rs 3.24 crores per centre in each State.

Unfortunately, the institutes are yet to utilise the funds though it is already near the end of the financial year 2015-16 and the funds are meant to be utilize for the construction before March 2017, informed the source.

It is also learnt that 1000 sq m (approx.) of land is required for the construction of each centre, while another 5 to 20 hectares of land is required for establishment of plantation and other purposes.

Sources said the require land is to be processed by the State government under the existing land law or a private individual can donate the site.

The Multi-technology Centres will each have a multi-disciplinary and animal sheds, while the vocational training centres will have 20 bedded hostels for the students, office room and a lecture hall with a 40 seating capacity. And once the constructions are over, it will help in post creation of 104 subject experts for the centres which is also reflected in the plan, informed the source.

Sources also informed that unfortunately, till date there is not even conceptual planning and related works for the construction of the centres.

No detailed project reports have also been prepared by concerned authorities, informed the source.

The failure of the universities will be a big loss for the region informed the source as opening of the centres will mean that many unemployed youths could receive training on agriculture and allied sector including in horticulture, veterinary, fisheries and home sciences.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/cau-unable-to-utilise-funds-for-multi-technology-centre-construction-source/

IMPHAL, December 2 (NNN): The Joint Committe on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Manipur government’s alleged failure to translate into action the crucial agreement inked between the two sides in August this year.

During a press meet at JCILPS office here committe convenor in-charge Khomdram Ratan warned the Manipur government it would resort to a fresh sustained agitation from December 16 in case the points in the agreement are not implemented by December 15.

He regretted that the State government is allegedly still unwilling to implement the important agreement. Khomdram Ratan also expressed discontent against the government for its indecisive stand on the fate of three ILP Bills since their passing by the state assembly on August 31 this year.

JCILPS spearheaded a nearly three-month long agitation in Manipur demanding an appropriate law similar to ILP to regulate influx of migrants into Manipur. The ILP movement grew up after a class 12 student and ILP supporter, Sapam Robinhood was killed in police crackdown in Imphal on July 8.

Normal life was completely thrawn out of gear due to the IPL stir during which all educational institutes were also forced to close down.

Several protestors were also injured during the agitation which ended only after the government decided to pass the three Bills under intense public pressure.

The Protection of Manipur People’s Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shop and Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 were finally passed in the assembly by a voice vote.

As per the agreement, among others, the government has to constitute a Manipur State Population Commission to assess the problems and issues of demographic imbalance and other related matters so as to take up measures towards social harmony and peace.

To prepare a white paper on population influx by the state government is also one of the important points mentioned in the agreement.

According to the agreement, the government shall also constitute a Manipur State Land Reform Commission to undertake a review of the situation arising out of complexities related to land, resources and population dynamics and advise the government on effective measures on land use policies and help ameliorate inter-community tension and enhance the respect for democracy and diversity in the state.

The agreement further reads the government shall urge the Central government to enact other appropriate Acts and Rules which may be beyond the purview of the State Government for the protection of the people of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/jcilps-threatens-fresh-stir-over-govt-failure-to-implement-agreement/

IMPHAL, December 2: Works and Transport minister Dr Kh Ratankumar said the National Institute of Technology Manipur is one of the 10 new NITs in the country set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

He was speaking at the international conference on ‘Emerging Trends in Science and Engineering Research’ for the enhancement of science and technology in the State organised by the NIT Manipur at its campus located at Langol today.

He asserted that the institution was established in the State to meet the desires of students from the north east and other States seeking admission in science and engineering in the NIT.

He said that NIT has been declared as an institution of national importance by the Government of India.

The NIT Manipur has also incorporated graduate engineering courses and PhD courses and Masters programme in Science & Engineering, he informed.

He lauded the staff and students of NIT Manipur for obtaining jobs in many reputed companies across the country and abroad.

He said that the conference has been proved fruitful mainly for the students as many delegates and scholars from other countries are attending it.

Education and CAF & PD minister Moirangthem Okendro who was also present at the conference said that most of the reputed scholars from abroad and within the country are reluctant to come to the State due to the remote location of the State and volatile law and order situation.

He assured that the government will provide full co-operation to international participants who come to participate in such conferences in the State.

The conference will help both the students and faculty members of NIT Manipur and provide experience to participants in the international level, he said.

The minister exuded confidence that NIT Manipur will continue to flourish and develop with the participation of international delegates in such purposeful conference.

He said that efforts will be put in to organize such conferences on relevant subjects both in national and international level in the near future.

He appealed to the faculty members and students of NIT Manipur to make best use of such initiative.

Besides the talented people of the State, Manipur is a good place to start any activity though it is lacking opportunity as compared to other States, the minister observed.

Director NIT Manipur, Prof Dr Sarungbam Birendra Singh said that Government of India is giving immense importance to all the 31 NIT institutions in the country to facilitate quality education.

He furher said that faculty members of NIT Manipur are working hard to make a model technical intuition of India with the coming of Act East Policy which will enhance road and air connectivity in the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/international-conference-underlines-importance-of-nit-manipur/