Manipur News

By Paojel Chaoba
IMPHAL, January 11: Post the election code of conduct which has been imposed in the state since December 24, 2011, which deprives the sitting MLAs of their primary legislative powers; the status quo will remain in force till March 6,2012 on which the date for poll results will be announced.

The 10th Manipur Assembly election is scheduled for January 28 and the counting will be conducted on March 6.

The gap of 37 days encompassing the whole of the month of February is the longest waiting time for announcement of poll results in the history of any assembly election conducted in the state so far. The date has been fixed to coincide with the poll result announcement of Uttarkhand, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. It is also the first time that the counting for all constituencies will be held and announced on a single day.

The Chief Electoral Officer PC Lawmkunga while talking to the IFP in this respect stated that the administrative power of the government remains as it is; even though the election code of conduct prohibits MLAs from exercising their legislative powers.

Detailing on the matter, the CEO confirmed that the term for the SPF government expires on March 15, 2012 as the second tenure of the government began on March, 2007 which encompasses a term of five administrative years. “The code of conduct will be effective till the announcement of the poll results, whereas the state administration will remain as it is, till the completion of the SPF term”. 

Lawmkunga further said that the state government can make payment for the actual completed works; can promote officials by convening DPC and fill regular post vacancies due to retirement; deputation can be carried out and individuals can be appointed on ‘compassionate’ grounds.

The state administration is also able to call and finalize tenders of routine nature.

What the government cannot do is, the legislators cannot inaugurate any developmental projects nor use government vehicles aside from going to their respective offices, it cannot publish any booklet indicating development of any government departments.

It cannot sanction grants from any consumer welfare funds or issue sanction orders which are out of turn/PCO/telephone without approval of the ECI or the CEO.

Detailing on security measures, the CEO assured that EVM machines will be kept under tight security measures provided by the paramilitary forces during the long wait to the final counting.

He also added that 350 companies of various security forces will be deputed to cover all constituencies for smooth conduct of the polling process.

“For the first time, there will also be police observers so as to ensure that no muscle power or wayward activities comes to play from the state forces”, Lawmkunga added.

For effective transparency and to prevent proxy during the poll, each voter will be photographed inside the polling station with the ink mark on the finger and the result will be matched with the electoral list bank to identify the actual voter and the bogus one. If certain irregularities are found then there is all possibility of repoll at the particular polling station. He added that 2,357 cameras have been purchased at a cost of Rs 40 lacs for the purpose.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/state-government-has-administrative-but-no-legislative-powers-while-election-code-of-conduct-is-in-force/

IMPHAL, January 11: The Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat today inaugurated a five day long an international film festival on sports and performance, ‘the 2nd Re:Play 2012 Internesenal Film Kumhei at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy organized by the Manipur Film Development Corporation in association with Hun-tre! International Manipuri Projects.

Speaking at the inaugural function the Governor stated that Manipur which is rich in cultural heritage especially in dances needs to film our beautiful dances for posterity and for viewers in other parts of the country and world.

“Such festivals provide an opportunity to our film aficionados to witness good films produced in different parts of the globe and they can keep abreast of the international trends. Some of our film-makers had the opportunity to participate in various international film festivals but such people are few” the Governor expressed.

He further expressed his hope that the workshops will not be the end and the delegates will continue to interact with the resource persons in future.

The Governor further expressed that the two workshops which will be conducted during the festival: one on Documenting Dance with Yoshiko Chuma and another on Screenplay with Alexandra Viets make festival all the more important for Manipur.

He further expressed that the workshop will provide an opportunity to the local talents to pick up skills and added that the films shown during the festival will attract viewers who are starved of good films.

He further wished the foreign guests a good time in Manipur and that they carry back fond memories of the state.

The five day long festival will also feature various international films including Dance on camera festival, New York; Focus on Indonesia; Film festival Dokumenter, Yogjakarta.

The festival will also have workshops on films including the Filmmaker: Andibachtiar Yusuf; Dance workshop: Yoshiko CHuma and Screenwriting workshop: Alexandra Viets.

During the inaugural day of the international festival, Andibachtir Yusuf’s film ‘Romeo Juliet’ made its Indian premiere.

The second day of the festival will also feature the Indian premiere of ‘With: Dragons beget dragons’ directed by Ariani Dharmawan of Indonesia.

The closing day of the festival will have a performance by Yoshiko Chuma ‘A tribute to MK Binodini Devi’.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/local-talents-could-pick-up-skills-from-five-day-film-festival-governor/

By Chitra Ahanthem
IMPHAL, January 11: In an interaction with IFP, Irom Sharmila who has been on an indefinite fast since November 2000 calling for the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act said that she derives great moral support from the people who write to her and send her their support. “When people write to me saying they are moved by my fast, it moves me greatly that they would take out time from their lives and write to me and express their solidarity with the people of Manipur. It is their support that keeps me going,” said Irom Sharmila. She was being produced at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, at Lamphel today.

Irom Sharmila further went on to say that EKTA(unity), a resource center for women in Madurai in Tamil Nadu sent her a letter of support signed by 2118 people after taking up a campaign in which the group reached out to students and grassroots organizations demanding for the repeal of the Armed Forces Powers Act. In the letter addressed to Irom Sharmila, which was handed to this reporter, representatives of EKTA said that their campaign was started in November, 2011 under which a handbill about the 11 year fast undertaken by Irom Sharmila was distributed. “We sincerely hope that the Government of India would take cognizance of the feelings expressed by people from all walks of life to repel this draconian act and retain the spirit of democracy in our country,” said the signed letter.

She also expressed her appreciation to the Student Christian Movement of India, based in Bangalore, which also sent in a letter of support of her demand for the removal of AFSPA.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/the-support-of-people-keeps-me-going-irom-sharmila/

IMPHAL, January 11: For the first time ever in the Northeast, a landmark discussion titled “Asia Rising: Implications for the World Economy” was organised at ITA Centre For Performing Arts , Machkhowa on Tuesday, January 10 with two outstanding figures as speakers, Nobel Laureate, Joseph Stiglitz, Professor of Economics at Columbia University and distinguished economist and author, Lord Meghnad Desai.

The afternoon warmed up as the remarkable discussion between the two leading economists began and they presented their views on the economic rise of the Asian giants, India and China and the roles these countries have to play in the global balance of economic power, stated a press release of the Tattva Creations.

Opening the discussion in response to Lord Meghnad Desai, Stiglitz said,“The failure of deregulation in the West led to so much of the problem. There has been growth, but a lot of people have not benefitted from the growth.”

He further said “What GDP doesn’t talk about is what happens to every citizen.” 

He emphasised the need for countries to preserve their natural resources. “Assam is lucky to still have a lot of natural resources. It can promote eco-tourism to a great extent” Stiglitz  also said.  With regard to sustaining the growth rate of India and China’s respective economies, Stiglitz said “There is still a very big gap in per capita income. The knowledge gap is closing very rapidly but there is still 20-30 years to go before the growth rate can be sustained.” Talking about the IMF, Stiglitz  significantly said “The IMF has changed to addressing issues of inequality. But rural economy does not find representation in IMF.”

Responding to a question on whether popular movements against governments across the world, and especially the crusade against corruption in India led by Anna Hazare was an indication that systems of governance need to change, Stiglitz said  “I think there is a serious need for change. Governments are not working as they should. And it’s not just corruption. There is a need to change policies and we need greater involvement of civil society towards bringing about changes.”

Commenting on the role of civil societies in an economy, Lord Meghnad Desai said, “I think civil society can play an active role in economics. They can pressurise the governments into framing policies for the betterment of the people.”

After this, the floor was open for interaction between the panellists and the audience. This is the first time that a talk show of this stature and significance has happened in Guwahati. There were students from across the Northeast attending the talk show which was a platform for them to interact with global opinion makers and understand the global responsibilities towards equity. The significant event was wrapped up with a vote of thanks by YFFP co-founder, Mr Gaurav Gogoi.   

Gracing the occasion as chief guest was the Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi.  Joining them on the event was also Anya Stiglitz and Dolly Gogoi, the release added.  

At the very onset of the event, Chief Minister, STarun Gogoi and his wife, Dolly Gogoi felicitated Mr and Mrs Stiglitz and Lord Desai after which Shantanu Thakur, secretary, Sports & Youth Welfare Department, Assam and Cultural Affairs (addl) read out the citation for Prof Stiglitz and Lord Desai on behalf of the Chief Minister of Assam.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “This is a great moment for us all to have these two renowned economists in our midst, and to discuss the emergence of the two powers –India and China.  I feel we in Assam are better off than America as far as the condition of the economy is concerned. We need globalization, but at the same time we need localization. I feel that economics concerns the poor and the downtrodden.  Everywhere in the world there is conflict between the rich and the poor. Mahatma Gandhi had said, “There is enough to meet the demands but not enough for man’s greed”.

Present on the occasion was another distinguished guest, Ranjit Barthakur, Investment Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Assam, the statement added.

Post this path breaking event in Guwahati, there was an exclusive media interaction with the distinguished panellists in the seminar hall of ITA, Machkhowa.

The event was organised by Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP) in association with Eclectic Times and the entire event was managed by Tattva Creations – Strategic Integrated Marketing Communications.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/serious-need-for-change-governments-are-not-working-as-they-should-nobel-laureate/

from John K. Kaping
UKHRUL, January11: With the filing of nomination of the 10th Manipur Member of the Legislative Assembly Election 2012 coming to an end by 3:00pm at the Election Office of Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner office today, altogether 1,98,077 total electorates of Ukhrul district are waiting to decide the fate of the district`s three assembly constituency seats with overall 179 polling stations.

In the district, the 45-Chingai (ST) A/C has the highest number of electorates with a total voter of 74,965 with 17967 male voters and 19465 females; followed by 44-Ukhrul (ST) a/c with 34,718 and 36,129 male and female electorates respectively with the total figure of voters at 70,847.

43-Phungyar (ST) has a total figure of 52,265 voters with 26,009 male voters and 26,256 females voters.

The number of female voters outnumbered in the three constituencies of the district as per the latest Ukhrul Election Office 2012 Electoral Revise Edition by a margin of 3,725 voters in total figure. There are 97,176 male electorates 1,00901 female voters in the district.

And as per the official source from the Ukhrul Returning Officer`s (RO) Office the voting of votes during the election will be exercised at a total of 179 Polling stations where in 43-Phunghar (ST) has 61 Polling Stations, 44-Ukhrul (ST) A/C has 59  stations and that of the 45-Chingai (ST) A/C has 59 polling stations.

And till the filing of this report, the official source has disclosed that altogether 10 candidates have successfully filed their nomination papers officially at the Ukhrul Election Office under RO.

Somatai Shaiza fielded his candidature in 44-Ukhrul (ST) a/c with Trinamool Congress ticket, MK. Preshow 45-Phungyar (ST) a/c with INC ticket, Khashim Vashun 45-Chingai (ST) a/c IND, Victor Keishing 43- Phungyar (ST) a/c with INC ticket, Bontia Keishing of 43-Phungyar (ST) a/c with MSCP ticket, Aleng A. Shimray of 44-Ukhrul (ST) a/c with NCP, Honreikhui of 43-Phungyar (ST) a/c with NPF, Aleng Shimrah of Ukhrul-44(ST) a/c with MSCP, Samuel Risom of 44-Ukhrul NPF and Paul Muinao of 45-Chingai (ST) a/c with NPF ticket.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/198077-ukhrul-voters-await-january-28/