Manipur News

CHANDEL, October 7: Consequent to the failure of the district coordinators under Chandel Zonal Education Office to furnish detailed reports related to education in the district, the Chandel Naga People`™s Organization (CNPO), under section 6 of RTI, has submitted an application seeking information of the same.

CNPO general secretary LV Robert told media persons during a press conference that the coordinators had agreed to furnish the details during a joint meeting of CNPO and ZEO office Chandel which was held three months back

Robert said the phase wise application submission seeking information under section 6 of RTI has affected coordinators of MIS, Civil works, Cal, KVGB and residential schools in the first phase.

As these coordinators have failed to respond to the application, a Xerox copy of the same has been submitted to the principal secretary (S) Govt of Manipur under section 19 (1 of RTI Act) for further action, he said.

Robert also informed of CNPO seeking information from the remaining four coordinators of Pedagogy, Community Mobilization, mid day meal and Integrated Education for Disable (IED) that has been already processed.

Alleging that utilization of funds given to the district under SSA in 2012-2013 is not known, Robert asked for the whereabouts of the fund.

While demanding timely response from the authority concerned, Robert cautioned for strong agitation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/cnpo-seeks-information-on-education-through-rti/

IMPHAL, October 7: Hunters who are participating at the Wildlife Week celebrations are criminals, stated Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister Francis Ngajokpa at the valedictory function of the wildlife week in GM Hall today.

He attributed global warming and environment hazards to deforestation and the dwindling numbers of wildlife.

Birds, like humans have seasons and we follow the season of birds and animals and act accordingly, Ngajokpa said, adding that animals have mating seasons and seasons of hibernation but they can`™t express that they are in peril.

We get to know of our impending seasons because of animals but we pay our gratitude by shooting and eating them, he added.

Asserting that animals can live happily without a home but humans beings despite living in houses made of concrete unfortunately are despondent, he said. The

Forest department should take up steps to spread awareness to the people about the value of wildlife and forest, but unfortunately they only know the value of money therefore fell and sell trees, Ngajokpa added.

As a part of the function, a book, `Checklist of Birds of Manipur`, written by Kumam Jugeshwor Singh and published by the Forest Department of Manipur about the birds of Manipur which are on the brink of extinction was released.

Meanwhile, prizes were distributed to 27 contestants in various competitions in connection with the 59th wildlife week celebration. The 8th State Wildlife Protection Incentive Award was also distributed.

In the valedictory function, Ngajokpa was the chief guest while Lamsang MLA, W Brajabidhu Singh was the president with principal chief conservator of forest and chief wildlife warden PN Prasad, IFS as the guest of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/wildlife-vital-to-human-welfare/

IMPHAL, October 8: The Gulapi Nat Sankirtan Academy of Kwakeithel Nganapi Thong Mapal is preserving and promoting arts and culture despite the State facing various problems which is commendable, stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at the 21st Guru Kirtana Seva, 2014 (the festival of Nat Sankirtan) at Lamyanba Shanglen today.

Speaking at the function, Gaikhangam said the Nat Sankirtan festival starting today will last till October 8 and will play a vital role in the development of art and culture of the State.

The festival is good for the promotion of art and culture, he added.

Continuing that every section of the people living in the State both in the hills and valley have the responsibility to uplift the unique art and culture of the State, he said we will witness a time during our lifetime when people cutting across communities will coexist peacefully and live in harmony.

Deputy CM donated Rs 1 lakh from his discretionary fund to the Gulapi Nat Sankirtan Academy while Keishamthong MLA Laisom Ibomcha Singh also donated Rs 50,000.

At the beginning of the function, floral tributes were paid to deceased Gurus in the field of art and culture of the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/people-cutting-across-communities-will-learn-to-coexist-peacefully-within-our-lifetime-says-deputy-cm/

IMPHAL, October 7: The government of Manipur has sought three months`™ time to implement the National Food Security Act. This is due to non-completion of warehouses which are being constructed for storing food-grains.

According to an official source of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister, M Okendro, the minister called on Ram Vilas Pawas, who is the Minister of State (independent in charge) of CAF & PD, at his office chamber in New Delhi today.

It said during the meeting, M Okendro explained to Ram Vilas that the State is not yet ready to implement the said Act.

He said that there are shortages of warehouses in the State, and to meet the shortages, construction works are being taken up at Thoubal and Churachandpur districts. The source further said construction sites for warehouses of Imphal East, Bishnupur, Tamenglong and Chandel districts have already been allocated to the FCI authorities by the State. At present, Imphal West, Senapati and Ukhrul districts already have their FCI warehouses, the minister informed Ram Vilas, according to the source.

The source continued that Ram Vilas has given consent to Okendro`™s request regarding the extension of three month period to implement the National Food Security Act. It said Ram Vilas has assured assistance to overcome the shortcomings of the State CAF & PD department.

Okendro also apprised the Union Minister that in order to implement the Act, there are pending works like selection of beneficiaries and data digitization etc. The State would require Rs 4 crore per month, which will be difficult to bear. And accordingly, M Okendro requested the minister that the centre should help in bearing the said amount of money, the source said.

It may be mentioned that if the Act is implemented, the State would require 1.58 MT of food grains per year. Each beneficiary will get 5kg of food grains per month at a lower price. The price of rice will be Rs 3 per kg, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for dal. The targeted beneficiaries will be 87 per cent of the total State population, according to the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/state-seeks-3-months-time-to-implement-food-security-act/

IMPHAL, October 7: Students are being used against the government in the State which is quite unfortunate, Manipur deputy speaker MK Preshow Shimray said at the 31st Annual fresher`™s meet of Tribal Students Union Modern College, Porompat today.

The meet was held at the TRI, Chingmeirong.

Students are being used for anti-social acts when they should be inside their classes studying, the Chingai (ST) MLA said.

Addressing the students, he said college life is the most important period in the formation of one`™s career.

It is not a good sign that students are being used against the government in such an important stage of their lives, he continued.

We must not stand against the authority of the State, as even the Bible says that we must respect the authority, he said before adding that anyone standing against authority is against society and God.

Students should always be conscious of their hopes and ambitions and help in bringing development to the society with a healthy mind and spirit, he continued.

You should keep a healthy mind to lead in the field of education. You should also be physically healthy to be good in extra-curricular activities, he told the students. These will certainly help you in achieving your goal in life, he continued.

Students of the various tribal communities should maintain co-existence in their college environment, Preshow continued.

Preshow Shimray further said that tribal students must maintain cordial relations with others so that congenial harmony exists in the colleges, just as amongst family members.

DIG IK Muivah who attended the function as guest of honour said college is the time when the students stand at the threshold of their career.

During such a period, students should choose the good ways even though the path to it could be full of hardship, the IPS officer said.

Students in colourful traditional tribal dresses showcased various dances during the function.

The Mr and Miss Freshers pageant was also conducted in the evening session of the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/students-being-used-against-government-chingai-mla-admonishes-students/

IMPHAL, October 7: The Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council has announced that the party will not field any candidate for the Hiyanglam bye-poll. The party will also not support Congress, BJP or Trinamool.

Dr Moirangthem Nara, State secretary of the party, interacting with the media this afternoon at Irawat Bhawan, announced his party`™s stand regarding the bye-poll. He charged that the present election campaign is a brazen show of money and muscle power. Election has become a commercial trade without any code of conduct, he added.

Dr Nara continued that other political parties are using all their might to retain an Assembly seat just for two and half year. He said CPI has been silent over the bye-poll, as the party has been preoccupied with the month-long Irawat celebration, conducted in various parts of the State.

Dr Nara further said that the party will, however, keep a close watch of the bye-poll, before adding that formal complaints will be lodged against political parties and their candidates who are found committing malpractices during the campaigns and election, to the Election Commission of India.

He also maintained that CPI`™s absence in the fray is also a form of protest against criminalisation of election by using money and muscle power.

But this is not to boycott the election. The current run-up to the election, on the other hand, is creating a tense atmosphere in Hiyanglam, he stressed.

Dr Nara also pointed out that the decision to abstain from contesting in the bye-poll was taken in the State executive meeting, which was held earlier during the day. The meeting also decided not to support parties like Congress, BJP and Trinamool in the bye-poll, he said.

Dr Nara also said that CPI`™s campaign for electoral reforms will go on so as to bring about a change in the present system of election. Pointing out flaws in the Electronic Voting Machines that are being used in elections, he maintained that the Supreme Court has directed to start using Paper Tray EVM during election on October 8, 2013.

A case is still pending at the Manipur High court in the same regard, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/cpi-not-to-field-any-candidate-in-hiyanglam-byepoll/