Tag: K-Featured

IMPHAL, March 29: Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi has inaugurated the five-day `World Youth Summit 2015 India` at the City Convention Hall Imphal on Sunday.

While addressing the function the Chief Minister said that the theme of the summit `youth for global empowerment` is apt for the future of our society rests in the hands of the youth. Paying a tribute to the summit, he said youth leaders across the globe are gathered today in the interest of the humanity and environment.

He further recalled that The International Club 25 had organized the Global Youth Meet 2014 at MFDC hall Imphal in the month of February last year. In it more than 450 delegates from 40 countries took part he said. The Club 25, he said has been able to collect 2684 units of blood from the colleges, universities, Army Hospitals etc, in its two years of service in Manipur.

The Club has also been endeavouring to raise environmental consciousness amongst children and the youth. The conglomeration of so many youth representing different countries sharing the spirit and joining hands to make the world a better place to live in is indeed a very encouraging step, he said.

It is also equally uplifting to know the main objective of such summit this time is conservation of biodiversity for sustainability, he added.

Citing other objectives of the summit, including disaster risk reduction, tourism development, alleviation of poverty and its eradication, access to quality education and health to the youths, recreation, sports and culture etc, he said these are signs of a collective desire for a better world. The deliberation of such summit will go a long way in transforming the world to be a better place for all to live in, Ibobi further said.

Manipur is rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty and resources, sports talents and tourism potential which have not been explored to the fullest potential as yet. The effort like this from the youth leaders of the State can guide everybody in the effort to attain sustainable, environmental friendly development said the Chief Minister.

The summit was inaugurated by the Chief Minister with the launch of a signature campaign against crime against women and children. Other dignitaries signed after him. Later Chief Minister released a souvenir.

Guest of honour the Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam, said that the rest of the world now recognises the potential and the hidden treasures of Manipur. The role of our youth in minimising the causes for conflicts in our state is vital he said. `We should take the opportunity to explore our potential before gaze of the entire globes. This is an opportunity which cannot come often,` the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He said this is the right time to grab the opportunity for a better future. Manipur`™s dream is now partially becoming reality after Manipur was declared as India`™s gateway to Southeast Asia. The state and its youth must prepare for this epochal change approaching otherwise it will not have the absorbing capacity of all the good things on offer. `Fall in love with the future not with your girlfriend (or boyfriend)` joked Gaikhangm.

While giving the welcome address, president Club 25, M Naobi Devi said that World Youth Summit 2015 focuses on seven thematic areas: conservation of biodiversity, disaster risk reduction of youth cantered urbanization, eco-tourism development in North East India and its linkage to ASEAN countries, realizing equal access to quality eradication and health, preservation of indigenous people and our heritage, youth against hunger-poverty eradication, food and nutrient security, social justice gender equality realizing people reconciliation and ending valance.

K Karnajit Singh, convenor of the summit, Prof Ram Boojh World Programme Specialist, UNESCO New Delhi, Prof. Chandal Ghosh head Geo Hazard Division NIDM Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India, Prof. N Rajmohan chairman World Youth Summit 2015 and Dr WC Singh, co-convenor World Youth Summit 2015 were present as president, special guest and guests of honour respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/okram-ibobi-calls-on-youth-to-usher-in-positive-thinking-at-opening-of-fiveday-youth-summit/

IMPHAL, March 23: In the few months that the rains have ceased, water levels in all major rivers in Manipur are already acutely low. Some have dried altogether in great stretches of their lengths punctuated only by patches of stagnant pools in the river beds.

Nambul River in particular is in bad shape. Almost all along its length, the river bed has become baked dry and cracked. People living along this river are in the throes of a drinking water crisis.

Only 10 kilometres west of Imphal town, a cluster of villages including Akham, Ngarianbam and Mayang Langjing, falling within the Imphal West district and under the Lamsang Police station, are in a state of crisis and panic.

Once liberally fed by the Nambul River during the dry seasons, these villages do not have any community pukhris to depend on unlike most other villages in other parts of the valley districts. They never anticipated the Nambul River would be reduced to the condition it has been currently, and this lack of foresight is proving to be their misery.

Gram Panchayat member of Mayang Langjing Ward No. 7, Ngarianbam Sakhenbi, who distributed drinking water to villages within her ward today said Nambul River originates from Kangchup hills and after it confluences with Luwanhi River at Iroishemba, begins its southward journey on its meandering way to ultimately empty into the Loktak Lake.

This year however, to the alarm of everybody, the river is drying up way before it reaches the lake, Sakhenbi said.

The people in the Mayang Langjing area vitally depend on the river for their water needs, including drinking water.

There are two piped water schemes in the area fed by the river, one at Ngarianbam and the other at Mayang Langjing. But both have dripped dry too early in the year this time.

Nobody has any doubt this is on account of unprecedented deforestation in the catchment area of the river in the Kangchup Hills, together with an acute shortfall of winter rains this year.

The villages lamented that the government so far has not listened to their cries for availing drinking water to these villages. Sakhenbi told visiting media persons that these villages therefore have to buy drinking water in tankers from distant places, putting a strain on the family budgets of many of the villagers.

The Panchayat member also suggested that while the river is dry, her Gram Panchayat is arranging JCBs to de-silt the river bed to ensure better water holding and retaining capacity of the river.

The Gram Panchayat also held the concluding function of the village level national Rural Drinking water and Sanitation Awareness Week today at the Ngarianbam Ibudhou Pakhangba Sanglen. Mayang Langjing Zilla Parishad member Konthoujam ongbi Sunita Devi was chief guest and Sapam Dhananjoy Singh presided the function.

Assistant engineer, Mayanglangbam Damu Singh, was technical expert of the awareness programme organised under the initiative of the Public Health Engineering Department of the Government of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/drinking-water-crisis-grips-mayang-langjing-as-nambul-river-runs-dry-ahead-of-time/

IMPHAL, March 3: A large number of women folks led by volunteers of the women`™s wing of the JCILPS were stopped by the personnel of the Imphal Police Station today while attempting to storm the Chief Minister`™s bungalow with the demand for the introduction of the ILP bill during the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly for safeguarding the indigenous people of Manipur.

The women folks started their rally at the Nityai-pat Chuhek and advance towards the CM bungalow at around 11 am, holding placards which read, `Introduce ILP bill and pass it during this session`, `the Chief Minister has a double-tongue`, `All the 60 MLAs must resign` and the `Assembly session must be boycotted.`

Meanwhile, personnel from the Imphal Police Station arrived and the stopped the women folks heading towards the CM bungalow near the Nupi Lal memorial complex and there was a tussle between them. Around 30 minutes later, some of the women folks were picked up by the police personnel.

The convenor of the JCILPS women`™s wing stated that even though many assurances were given for the protection of the indigenous people and the State by the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the all political party, their assurances is yet to be put into action.

She said which means that the CM speaks in a double tongue and does whatever he wants, alleging the 60 MLAs of the State don`™t know the opinion of the public and don`™t work in their interest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/volunteers-of-jcilps-womens-wing-attempt-to-storm-cm-bungalow/

IMPHAL, February 26: Urging for a special examination for those students unable to get their admit cards for the upcoming matriculation and secondary school examination conducted by the CBSE, UCM president Y Naba said the students are victims of circumstances and deserved to get a chance to appear in their exams.

Speaking at a press meet today at the United Committee, Manipur office in Lamphel, he said it was unfortunate that more than 2000 students from the State haven`™t received their admit cards. He further stated that it was regrettable that some students got injured during a rally in police action.

The students have become victims of circumstances and for this reason, the State government and concerned ministers are to be blamed, Y Naba said, adding that it was their duty to check and verify the unrecognised institutions and to take action accordingly.

He said if the students are not given a special chance then they might take wrong paths, adding the government will be solely responsible if that happens. The UCM president urged the State government for an alternative arrangement in the way of conducting special examination for those students in an adverse situation. The president further pointed out that the maximum of Government school teachers are not sincere in discharging their duty. He said that they failed to inculcate innovative ideas to the students and they seem to pass their time waiting for their pay day.

He also said that the children of Government school teachers are admitted at private schools or are sent outside the State to receive their education. He said it is the duty of the State government and the Education minister to look into the matter by regarding it as their responsibility to bring out a positive result in favour of the younger generation.

The press meet was also attended by the executive members of the United Committee Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Joint Students`™ Committee for Justices held a rally today which began at the western side of THAU ground and marched towards the Manipur Legislative Assembly around 12 noon which was blocked by State police personnel which included lady police personnel.

Students from the Akash Institute of Science and Arts, Kwakeithel; Akash Higher Secondary School, Changangei; Ram Krishna Higher Secondary, Ghari Makha Leikai; and CIS of Keishamthong Hodam Leirak took out the rally, assisted by their parents.

The students and their parents confronted the police personal for an hour but the police personnel started lathi- charging the students soon afterwards. Additional SP (Ops) Bikramjit arrived to control the situation and soon afterwards the DIG (Range I), IK Muivah also rushed to the spot and spoke with the students, assuring them to arrange a meeting with the State Education minister after the ongoing Assembly session.

Later, DIG IK Muivah permitted four school representatives to meet the ministers for placing their demands.

However, the remaining students continued to block the western side of the road and didn`™t move until the representatives came back with a positive outcome. A student who took part in the rally told the media that if students were not allowed to appear in the exam they would boycott the examinations.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/ucm-bats-for-students-of-unrecognised-cbse-affiliated-schools/

IMPHAL, February 25: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today flagged off the `Players`™ Run` organised as a part of the observance of the `XVIth Shannaroishingee Numit 2015` here at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

The day is being observed to honour the efforts and talents of the players of Manipur who won the coveted Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy for emerging overall team champions in the 5th National Games on February 25, 1999 held in Imphal.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Ibobi Singh who was the chief guest of the function stated that it was a landmark achievement in the sporting history of Manipur to win the coveted Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy in the 5th National Games in 1999 for being the best team of the Games.

He further said that Manipur, is a powerhouse of sports in India, because of the inherent love for games and sports amongst the people. Manipur is well known throughout the world for its sporting talents. He expressed his happiness over the laurels and achievements brought by the sportspersons to the state till date.

The Chief Minister also said that his government has been taking up various initiatives for the promotion of sports in the state and also for the encouragement of the sportspersons in particular by extending financial assistance to various sports activities in the state and also by providing government jobs, cash awards and incentives to the sportspersons.

He further stated that his government will try its best to enhance the standard of sports in the state. The CM extended his good wishes to all the sportspersons in the state to do better in the year to come.

Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHED Minister I Hemochandra Singh and Parliamentary Secretary (YAS) M Prithiviraj Singh were also present in the function along with various sportspersons of the state.

The `Players`™ Run` was participated by a large number of sportspersons of different age groups from different fields.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/xvith-shannaroishingee-numit-observed-cm-flagged-off-players-run/

THOUBAL, Feb 20: Vehicular movement along Imphal- Moreh section of National Highway and Pallel-Chandel District Headquarters road was paralysed due to the indefinite bandh called by All Tribal Blind Association, Chandel District today.

The indefinite bandh which will be enforced from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 pm was called in protest against the indifferent attitude of the state government which failed to translate its assurance of providing grant in aid towards the Mission Blind School located at Heikakpokpi Village in Chandel district.

The bandh supporters blocked the Pallel-Chandel District Headquarters road at Liwachangning village and Imphal- Moreh road at Thamlapokpi village by putting up barricades along the road and prohibited vehicles to proceed further during the bandh.

However, emergency services and vehicles related with Exam duty were exempted from the purview of the bandh. There were no reports of any untoward incident during the bandh except minor misunderstanding between bandh supporters and police personnel at around 2 p.m. at Thamlapokpi.

Speaking at the sideline of the bandh, Secretary of the Association K. Pareng Kom who is also the Principal Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi said that the school was privately run by the Association with the objective to provide free education to differently-abled persons.

It was managed with the assistance and donation from individuals, Assam Rifles and other generous civil bodies, he added.

Kom futher maintained that since the inception of the school, the Association has been running from pillars to posts for full fledging the only blind school in the hill districts. However, no assistance or grant is received from the side of the government or from any Non Governmental Organization till date, he lamented.

As such, the association was compelled to imposed the bandh as the State government has neglected us and not translate its assurances into action even after repeated reminders, he added, warning further that if the state government fails to fulfil its assurances at the earliest, the association will take up sterner agitation including fast unto death, he warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/chandel-district-indefinite-bandh-paralyzes-vehicular-movement/

IMPHAL, February 15: The regional FCI office will be made fully functional and the General Manager of FCI has been directed to act in this regard, announced Union Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan while laying the foundation stone for the construction of food storage depots of Bishnupur and Sawongbung.

`I have a great affection for the North East` stated Ram Vilas Paswan while describing his origin in a poor Dalit family.

He said that though he will appeal to the concerned authorities for maximum recruitment of the locals, the regional office will also have staffs from around the country.

He appealed the State CM for providing safety to staffs from other parts of the country. The Union Minster expressed that the conversion of the railway link to a broad gauge will be completed for the transportation of food grains.

He lamented that the work progress may hinder due to the Nagaland bandh from February 17, mentioning that once the Lamding- Silchar broad gauge is ready, sufficient food grains will be made available in the State. Talking about the complaints of truckers on their staying idle as tenders are held at Assam, he assured that once the regional office starts running in full swing then tenders will be held at Manipur.

He also said that he will instruct the FCI officials to consider hiring local transporters.

He further expressed that 90 percent of food grains would have to be acquired by the State government with the remaining 10 percent supplied by the Central government and all the latter has to do was to make sure that food grains reach the targeted destinations.

He said that the State government is concerned about the locations of fair price shops and its pricings. He said that at present the existing state FCI depots have stocks for three months only, mentioning that the requirement for food grains of India is 580 lakh tons, out of which 450 lakh tons of food grains are transported through the railways.

He added that FCI depots in India have capacity of 750 lakh tonnes while depots located at North East India have the capacity to store 5.02 lakh tonnes. He asserted that the construction of FCI depots for the capacity of three lakh tons has been instructed at the cost of around Rs 500 crore.

He stated that FCI depots located at Manipur have capacity of 33423 tonneswith another 57000 tons of food grains still being needed.

He said the Government has planned to construct depots at eight places in the State which are Jiribam, Senapati, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Imphal East, Chandel and Tamenglong and added that if these depots are constructed then the state will have extra food grains of 27500 tonnes.

Regarding the implementation of National Food Security Act, he mentioned that the Act was implemented in the country on July 4, and after a year only 11 states have effectively implemented the Act. He said by May 31, NFSA will be effectively implemented in the State; and for the same, 88 percent of the rural and 85 percent of the urban population have been identified as beneficiaries.

He said once NFSA is implemented, there will be no BPL and APL category within citizens but only the Antyodaya Anna Yojna will remain.

Appreciating the culture of Manipur that he witnessed during his stay in the State, he said he would visit the State in the future but whenever he visits, he would like to visit with a purpose.

Speaking as the chief guest, the State Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said he is not new to the State and understand the sentiments and problems regarding mainly the transportation of food grains in the State.

He said after repeated requests from the State government and after great difficulties, the regional FCI office came into being after many years on January 14, 2014. He added that the said depot and office is not fully functional and not allotted autonomy. The State government cannot intervene into the activities of the regional office as it is a GOI branch office at Imphal.

He said the State was eagerly awaiting the implementation of NFSA without delay, adding people below the poverty line were more concerned about the Act.

He said the State government is acquiring rice at seven rupees per Kg and selling at three rupees per Kg to the BPL families. The Government will suffer a huge lose and difficulty, he added while also stating that handling the fair price shops will cost a huge amount of money and the State has no resources was going through a financial crunch. The State Chief Minister further stated that if the fund is released for the land acquisition for the purpose of FCI depots at Tamenglong and Chandel districts then the process will soon be completed.

He said Tamenglong is one remote district and sometimes food grains are transported through helicopter during raining season which cost a lot of money.

The Chief Minister appealed the Union Minister to make the regional depot fully functional at the earliest and to release the funds for the land acquisition at Tamenglong.

The two foundation stones for the construction of food storage depots of Bishnupur and Sawongbung were unveiled by the Union CAF & PD Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. The CAF & PD and Education minister M Okendro was also present as the guest of honour at the function.

The function was held at the Regional Office of FCI in the old Assembly complex, Imphal, organised by the Food Corporation of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/regional-fci-office-will-be-made-fullyfunctional-says-union-caf-pd-minister-ram-vilas-paswan/

IMPHAL, February 14: `State officials say okay and the public says not okay,`™ Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said today while referring to the Public Distribution System in the State.

Addressing media persons today at Hotel Imphal on the first day of his two-day visit to the State, the Union Minister said the government was aware of the malpractices present in the PDS system in the State. He was replying to media queries regarding complaints of malpractices in the distribution system.

Earlier the Union Minister had reviewed the Targeted Public Distribution System in the State with senior officials of the State government, railways and the Food Corporation of India.

Joint Secretary CAF & PD Deepak Kumar who was accompanying the Union Minister had told media persons during the press meet that the Minister had reviewed the status of availability of food grains for the implementation of the National Food Security Act, NFSA in the State.

He said the NFSA which is already implemented in the country since 2013 will be implemented by July this year in the State.

During the review meeting earlier in the day, the Union Minister has been informed by the State officials that there is sufficient stock for the Targeted Public Distribution System beneficiaries for about 70-90 days, he said.

He said the officials had also been instructed by the Minister that all efforts should be taken to ensure adequate supply of food grains.

Elaborating on the efforts made to implement the NFSA in the State, he said identifying of all targeted beneficiaries for the Act will soon be completed and the data will be uploaded on a website for transparency.

The website, he said will have all information on food grain stocks, location of godowns and fair price shops, current price rates and other information related to the NFSA.

He added that a dedicated call centre will also be open to received public queries.

The Union Minister supplemented by stating that a vigilance committee will also be set up to look into the grievances of all beneficiaries and it will come under the State government.

The supply of the food grains will not be allowed to be affected because of the Lumding-Silchar broad-gauge conversion, he assured adding that the railway officials have assured that the broad-gauge section will be completed by March this year.

The Minister said he has also instructed the FCI originals to look into the grievance of the truck drivers of the State regarding transportation of goods from Jiribam to Imphal.

Meanwhile, on the issue of the demand for the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Union Minister said he will apprise the Prime Minister of the demand once he returns to the National capital.

He said he also shares the public sentiment including that of Irom Chanu Sharmila.

The Union Minister also added that discrimination against any citizen of the country anywhere is lamentable and that the Centre considers the discrimination of the people of the North East to be of a serious nature.

The Union Minister also announced that during his visit he will lay foundation stones for construction of FCI godowns at Bishnupur and Imphal East having capacity of 5000 MT and 10000MT respectively.

The press meet was accompanied chairman and managing director, FCI C Viswanath; joint secretary CAF & PD Deepak Kumar and Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/ram-vilas-paswan-takes-cognizance-of-malpractices-in-public-distribution-system-in-manipur/