Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 1: Health minister, Phungzathang Tonsing has claimed that the health care system in the State has witnessed a tremendous improvement during the pass few year despite shortage of doctors.

The Health Minister stated this while replying to a query raised by Andro MLA, Th Shyamkumar during the Question Hour of the ongoing Assembly session today.

He said while there are only 1196 doctors of the total requirement of 2222 doctors in the State, there are altogether 522 health centres including seven district hospitals in the entire State. Nevertheless, the health care system has improved a lot compared to previous years, he observed. The minister attributed this to careful planning of the department including the recruitment of 832 doctors this year.

He said that his department is trying its best to further improve the system and gradually the vacant post of doctors will be filled.

Of the total requirement the need for MHS Grade-I is 16 in numbers, 134 for MHS Grade-II, 599 for MHS Grade-III and 1470 for MHS Grade-IV. However, at present there are only 1961 doctors including 2 MHS Grade-I, 34 in Grade-II, 90 in Grade-III and 1070 in Grade-IV, he continued.

Of the total 522 health centres there are 17 CHC, 85 CHC, 420 PHSC and 7 district hospitals.

Th Shyamukar in his questioned initially sought information on the number of hospitals, doctors under the health department of Manipur.

Further in his supplementary question he enquired the Minister how can the health service operate when there was a deficiency of 1026 doctors with 522 health centres to operate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/tremendous-improvement-in-health-care-system-says-phungzathang/

IMPHAL, July 1: Prof Gangmumei Kamei, a distinguished academician, author has been appointed as a member of the North Eastern Council along with Chandra Kanta Das, a senior retired IAS officer (`™75 batch).

The announcement was made by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, in his capacity as chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC), today, according to a PIB statement.

The two eminent persons as been appointed as the new members of the council for a period of three years, it said.

They will function as full time non-official members from the NEC headquarters at Shillong, according to the statement.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei retired as Professor of History, Manipur University, and is widely hailed for his excellence as an educationist and researcher in the subjects related to the Northeast, the statement said.

It also said that Chandra Kanta Das superannuated as chairman, Assam Electricity Board in December 2008 following which he served as adviser to the Chief Minister, Assam till 2011 and was thereafter actively engaged in public life as a civil society activist.

The two members appointed today will draw the salary, dearness allowance and perquisites as applicable to a Secretary in the Government of India. Das and Prof Gangmumei will fill in the vacancies that arose following the acceptance of the resignations of earlier NEC members Ashoke K. Dutta and MP Bezbaruah respectively.

Dr Jitendra Singh has also said that shortly a senior IAS officer from Government of India will be appointed as the new Secretary of the NEC, since the post fell vacant following the posting of the earlier Secretary Ameising Luikham as Union Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/prof-gangmumei-appointed-north-eastern-council-member/

IMPHAL, July 1: In an unfortunate incident, a 25 year old went on a stabbing spree leaving one dead, and two injured.

The incident occurred today at 9:45 am at Takhel Keithel Macha under Lamlai Police Station.

The dead victim has been identified as Khundrakpam Sanathoi Singh, 24, son of Kh Shamungou Singh of Takhel Mayai Leikai

It is learnt that Sanathoi was reading the morning newspaper at the site of the incident site when 25-year old Arambam Naobi Singh son of (L) A Ibomcha Singh came and suddenly stabbed him on his chest with a knife.

Even as by-standers were in shock over the stabbing, Naobi rushed forward and attacked 18-year old Yumkhaibam Premchandra Singh son of Y Angou Singh of Takhel Mayai Leikai who came riding a two-wheeler.

Following the second attack, the by-standers tried to control Naoba and seize the knife from him. In the effort, Naoba attacked another person identified as Thaoroijam Jugeshwar Singh, 55, of Takhel Mamang Leikai. However, he escaped with a little scratch on his hand.

On the other hand, Sanathoi was rushed to JNIMS but succumbed before reaching the hospital around 10:10 am.

Naoba who was also injured in the effort of the by-standers to control him was taken to JNIMS along with Premchandra

At the same time, Lamlai Police has registered a case in this regard and taken Naobi in its custody.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said Naobi has been suffering from some psychological imbalances since sometime.

A JAC was formed in this connection and held a meeting today demanding befitting punishment to Naobi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/stab-victim-dies-on-way-to-hospital-in-takhel/

IMPHAL, July 1: The State government will not spare Indian Forest Officer (Manipur-Tripura cadre) SK Srivastava who has resurfaced again after missing for over six years, if he is found guilty of any charge, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said during the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

The leader of the House was responding to a calling attention motion moved by Oinam MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.

Further clarifying on the controversy surrounding the promotion of the IFS officer SK Srivastava to the rank of additional principal-chief conservator of forest (AP-CCF) from being a DFO, Ibobi said that the State government has not accepted the joining report as AP-CCF furnished by Srivastava.

The State government is taking the matter very seriously and a thorough investigation is underway against the IFS officer, said Ibobi while assuring the House that the government will not spare the officer if found guilty.

However, the Chief Minister observed that it would not be sensible to form a House Committee and conduct an enquiry at this stage overlooking the department and the Ministry concerned.

Moving his motion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that SK Srivastava`™s act openly mocked the administrative set up of the nation and Manipur in particular.

Stating that Srivastava had completely defied the authority and the RR, Ibohalbi questioned whether his service was any longer required in the State?

The MLA drew the attention of the House stating that a House committee should be formed to conduct a probe against the IFS officer opining that his action could demoralise the entire administrative set up.

SK Srivasta a 1987 Manipur-Tripura cadre, who was then a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) went missing from the State in 2008 finally resurfacing on September 8, 2014 with a joining report furnished to the State government stating his designation as AP-CCF.

It was reported that the officer had reportedly gone on deputation to the RD Ministry in 1996 and went on to extend the deputation for several years.

With him failing to return to the state the DP declared him `unauthorised absentee` from January 20 2008 to June 5, 2012 and also reportedly sent summons for furnishing detail reports on his immovable assets.

However, he made several attempts to justifying himself including the joining report as APCCF on September 8, 2014 which allegedly on May 14 this year was granted by the Chief Secretary of Manipur after a mild warning.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/govt-investigating-unauthorized-absence-of-ifs-officer-says-cm/

IMPHAL, July 1: The Naga Hoho has unanimously resolved to direct the Mao Council to immediately withdraw within a five-day period its memorandum submitted to the Manipur government on the issue of the Dzuko Valley dispute.

According to a statement of the Hoho, a consultative meeting of the Naga Hoho was held today at the Heritage Kohima in Nagaland.

It said the consultative meeting acknowledged the decision of the Naga Hoho in serving the directives issued to both the Southern Angami Peoples`™ Organisation and the Mao Council on June 5.

After a thorough discussion on the ensuing impasse between the SAPO and Mao Council, it has unanimously resolved to direct the Mao Council to immediately withdraw the Memorandum submitted to the Government of Manipur within five days period, it continued.

It said the meeting also deliberated at length the border issues between Assam and Nagaland and resolved to apprise the Nagaland government to immediately convene an emergency meeting with all the tribal bodies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/naga-hoho-pronounces-deadline-for-mao-council-to-withdraw-memorandum-submitted-to-manipur-govt/

IMPHAL, July 1: Altogether six demands amounting to Rs 11,04,22,80,000 were passed today unanimously by the House during Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 on the fourth day of the ongoing session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The demands were tabled by the Chief Minister of Manipur which included Rs 1062,05,80,000 for demand no. 7 Police; Rs 3,07,75,000 for demand no. 24 Vigilance department; Rs 10,48,00,000 for demand no. 31 Fire protection and control; Rs 16,40,22,000 for demand 32-Jails; Rs 10,65,06,000 for demand no. 3-home guards and Rs 1,55,97,000 for demand 34-Rehabilitation.

Prior to passing the demands, opposition MLAs moved cut motion on certain demands.

In response to the cut motions moved by the opposition MLAs in regard to demands, Home minister Gaikhangam said that the police department is the most crucial department with huge role but is less appreciated.

Despite the fact that it has maximum number of disciplined and decorated officers, the department`™s image is sometimes tarnished by some blacksheep within it.

Nevertheless, the department and its officers are organising interaction programme in collaboration with the media and social organisation to boost the relationship between public, said Gaikhangam.

`Our top priority is instilling public confidence and to do so we need public support`, observed the Home Minister.

He clarified that the intelligence wing of the department is commendable for the fact that it lacks infrastructures.

Gaikhangam further revealed that the CCTV cameras installed within the heart of Imphal will be restored soon, and will be extended to Greater Imphal areas adding that the finance department have sanctioned the required funds to do so.

Justifying on the delay in solving of cases, the Home minister asserted talks of substantial improvement.

He said that in 2012 altogether 2396 cases were registered of which charge sheets have been framed in 406 cases, similarly in 2013, 262 charge sheets were frame of the total 3930 cases registered, 406 of 4510 in 2014 and 2036 of the total 2396 till May 2015.

With regards to the demand of the VDF and Home Guards, Giakhangam revealed that financial constraint and time factors are the two important factors holding back the government.

For demands no. 7-Police, MLA L Ibomcha and K Shyam moved motion for disapproval of policy cut supplemented by Dr I Ibohalbi and Uripok MLA L Nandakumar on account of inability of Manipur police to maintain good relation with public, failure of intelligence of police department, failure to develop a policy for the promotion of officers in Manipur police/MRs/IRBs etc, failure to install CCTV in the strategic areas of Imphal city, delay in investigation and filing charge-sheets in time, failure to enhance the allowances of VDF, failure to open station in Dzuko valley and inability to boost morale of the police personnel.

For demand no. 24 Vigilance department a motion for disapproval of policy cut was moved by MLA Ibomcha and Dr I Ibohalbi Singh on account of non-submission of department enquiry report against charge-officers even though there is specific allegation and evidence for committing offense and failure to give more autonomy to state vigilance commission.

For demand no. 32-Jails a motion for token cut was moved by L Ibomcha on account of failure to open/construct proper jail building in the Hill districts and insufficient man-power in the jails. At the same time, demand for disapproval of policy cut on demand no.33 home guards was moved by Dr I Ibohalbi Singh on account of failure to strengthen Manipur Home guards and motion for token cut by L Ibomcha Singh on account of failure to enhance Home guards.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-passes-six-demands-amounting-to-rs-11042280000/

IMPHAL July 1: Students and teachers of the Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi, Chandel today took out a rally in the scorching heat shouting slogans against the apathy of the government to their demand for government recognition of their school and implementation of the repeated assurance from the authorities to upgrade it into a full fledge government institution.

They were however, blocked from proceeding towards the ongoing Assembly session by the State police.

The State has remained mute to our cries despite repeated verbal assurance from all levels including our Chief Minister, alleged K Pareng Kom, principal of the school.

We are the only operating blind institute in all the five hill districts of Manipur since February 2003, he said.

At present there are 55 students and 13 teachers in our institute and we do not charge any fees from our students, he continued.

Till date we are surviving on NGOs and public donation facing various hardships of both food and other basic needs. Assam Rifle has assisted us since 2005, however we face acute resource constraint and have not been able to pay our teachers for five years, he lamented.

He said, even among the disables we are at the most disadvantage and the State should have prioritized our needs but unfortunately, till date they have not extended any assistance.

He said, after repeated appeals and submissions, the Education minister assured us to upgrade our school into a full-fledged govt institution or provide grant.

The minister assured us that the case will be forwarded to the CM and a cabinet decision taken accordingly at the earliest, he said.

However, we have been left wanting without any significant progress on the issue. Such is the outrageous treatment of the State towards the blind people in the State, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mission-blind-school-seeks-govts-attention/