April 24, 2012 – Page 2

‘Murder of Loitam Richard’, dad clarifies, DGP contacts Karnataka ADGP

Family member of a B Arch student from Manipur, Loitam Richard, who was reportedly killed by hostelmates recently in Bangalore have refuted the report that Richard was beaten to death after he switched the TV channel as reported in the State media So…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=5&src=250412

2 hurt in blast at Lamphel

Two persons sustained injuries due to bomb blast this evening at Lamphel Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=14&src=250412

18th foundation day of KYKL Candid Chairman admits errors, seeks advice

On behalf of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup KYKL , its Chairman N Oken has greeted all the people of Kangleipak and western South East Asia as well as the revolutionary groups of the region and CorCom members on the occasion of the outfit’s 18th raising …

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=4&src=250412

High Court annuls summon order

The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench today annulled the order of Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Imphal East summoning M Roshnipiba, Secretary of High Court Bar Association and Md Abdul Salam, Attendant to be present before the court today at 10 30 a…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=20&src=250412

National Panchayati Raj Day

The 3rd National Panchayati Raj Day was observed today at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat under the aegis of Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=250412

AR organises training on vehicle repairing

10 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division is conducting a Vehicle Repairing Training capsule for unemployed youths of village Nonei, Tupul, Kotlein, Lamdangmei and Kangchup villages at Nonei from 08 April 2012 Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=24&src=250412

Kharsa endangered

Noted environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou has stated that Kharsa hog deer found in Keibul Lamjao National Park is equally endangered like Sangai Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=250412

13yrold boy escapes from abductors’ clutch

Amid heightened tension over the recent spate of abduction of children and their disappearances, a young boy studying in class VIII reportedly managed to escape from the clutches of his abductors Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=16&src=250412

Awareness programme through musical concert organised by ncc

Mail News Service
Imphal, Apr 24: A musical concert was organised by National Cadet Corps, Manipur at 6 pm on 22ndApril 2012 at NCC Ground with a thyme – “Manipur Meets West” . The concert comprised of Manipuri, Quawali and Western Musics. The Chief Guest of the concert was Shri Kh. Joykishan Singh, MLA Thangmeiband A/C, Presided by Col JJ Vargese, Commander NCC Group Manipur and Guest of Honour was Col Sanjiv Kumar, Commandant 28 Assam Rifles.
All the top singers of Manipur sang in the concert with music provided by Roop Raag for Manipuri, Phoenix and White Fire for Western music. During the concert awareness on Manipur Skill Development Society, Afforestation, Cancer Awareness, Surva Siksha Abhiyan(SSA), Rastriya Madhyamic Siksha Abhiyan(RMSA), HIV /AIDS, Save Energy, Blood Donation, Environment Protection, Use of Plastic, Wild Life Protection, Tourism, Malaria, National Rural Health Mission and Traffic were given by the prominent stars like Bala, Maya Chowdhury, Soma, Kaiku, Gokul, Sadanand and Bonny. The concert was attended by crowd of about five thousand audience of different age groups. Very high standard of music was played during the concert.
The prominent singers who took part in the concert were H. Naba, Naba Volcano, Sanatombi, Asem Bimola, Brojen Sharma, Ranbir Thouna, Takhelambam Premkumar, Lt Col Shantikumar Sapam,Sadanand, Pushparani, Nandeswori, Sarita Gazmi Natasha, Madhuri, Tinku, Sori Senjam, Swamikumar, and Kairang Quwali Group for Manipuri section and Guru Rewben, Sando, Lain Gangte, Lt Col Shantikumar Sapam, Vivek, Alvina and Shushmita for western music. The entire concert was covert by ISTV live. Due to rain the full programme could not be completed. Lt Col S.k Sapam, CO, 14 Manipur Bn NCC and Flt Lt K.U. Singh, CO No.1 Air Squadron stated that the main aim of the concert was to give awareness on various issues and also enjoy different music on the same platform. The programme will be made available in U-Tube.

Annual plans of NE region based on available resources : Ghatowar

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 24: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Planning Commission finalises annual plans of various States, including that of North Eastern States in consultation with concerned State Governments. Size of each year’s plan is finalised based on available resources of States (State’s own funds, borrowings and any other resources) and available Central Assistance. A statement indicating Annual Plan outlays / actual expenditure during 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 to enable State Governments to take up priority projects across sectors and to meet resource gap in Plan for North Eastern States
In a written reply in Lok Sabha today he said, grants-in-aid to North Eastern State Governments are also released under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Shri Ghatowar said, performance of projects sanctioned under the schemes is reviewed regularly through various periodical reports and utilization certificates, quarterly progress reports etc. Performance is also reviewed during meeting with State Government officers.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region funds road sector projects in North Eastern States under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme, Special Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF) Scheme and Scheme of North Eastern Council (NEC). During current financial year 2012-13, so far no funds have been released for construction of roads under these Schemes.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, pace of implementation of some projects under these schemes is not as per schedule, resulting in delay in completion of projects and resultant benefits. These Annexures have been put on the website of the Ministry i.e. www.mdoner.gov.in.
The Minister said, review meetings are being held with State Government officers regularly to expedite completion of the projects of this Ministry.
Training courses in project management and implementation are organized as per requirement. State Governments are requested to expedite submission of utilization certificates, for release of funds without delay.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is implementing North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) with soft loan assistance from World Bank with objective to improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and most disadvantaged in States of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha today he said, NERLP will cover two districts in each of these four States and benefit nearly three lakh households in 1624 villages of 58 blocks. Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs (CCEA) approved implementation of NERLP on 16th November 2011, at estimated cost of Rs.
683.20 crore comprising assistance from the World Bank of Rs. 614.8 crore and Central Government
funding of Rs. 68.4 crore. Loan agreement and project agreement documents were signed by
representative from World Bank and Government of India on 20th January 2012. NERLP shall cover following blocks in Nagaland:-
Name of district
Blocks
Peren
Tenning, Peren, Jalukie
Tuensang
Longkhim, Chare, Noksen, Sangsangyu, Shamator, Chessore, Noklak, Thonoknyu
The Minister said, Ministry of Urban Development has undertaken “North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Program” with assistance of Asian Development Bank and total loan amount US $ 200 million, aims to improve quality of life of 1.2 million people and enhance urban productivity in five capital cities of North Eastern States, namely Agartala (Tripura), Aizwal (Mizoram), Shillong (Meghalaya), Kohima (Nagaland) and Gangtok (Sikkim). Following programs are covered under Urban Infrastructure and Service Improvements component of Investment Program in Kohima:
A. Water Supply: (i) Supporting Non Revenue Water Program (ii) replacing eight zonal reservoirs, (iii) refurbishing existing water treatment plants: and (iv) supplying and installing chorinators at three major reservoirs.
B. Solid Waste Management: (i) constructing and equipping a solid waste management centre, including a compost plant and sanitary landfill site; and (ii) improving primary and secondary waste collection.
Ghatowar said, ‘Composite Scheme of Transmission and Distribution in North Eastern Region’ which has been posed to World Bank, for improvements in transmission and distribution system of electric power and Nagaland is of the proposed beneficiary States.

Supporting SMEs

(PIB Features.)
Inputs from the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises.
The Small and Medium Industries form the backbone of manufacturing sector not only in this country but even in the developed countries. In India, the small scale sector contributes to 40% of manufacturing.
The small industries sector also contributes substantially to the exports. In the past, the Small Scale Sector existed in a relatively sheltered environment. The levels of protection were high, several goods were reserved for production in the Small Scale Sector, special fiscal incentives were extended to the units in the sector and a number of support programmes were also drawn up to ensure the Small
Industries survived.
In the post-reform era, starting from 1991, the situation for the Manufacturing Sector as a whole as well as for the Small Industries has undergone a dramatic change.
The tariffs on imports have been reduced very substantially. India is gradually integrating with the world economy; new trade blocs are forming and many countries, including India, are entering into Preferential Trade Agreements, Free Trade Agreements or Comprehensive Economic Agreements to improve trade in areas of their comparative advantage. In this process the Indian economy is becoming more open and there is an urgent need for the Industry to adjust to the new situation.
The Indian Industry will have to become competitive by cutting down overall costs to that extent to survive and grow. The situation confronting the Small Industries in particular provides both opportunities as well as challenges. An opportunity to grow in a global market place is available to access entry into the global value chain by virtue of their being internationally competitive.
The others would need to reposition themselves and become competitive to meet the challenges if they have to survive.
The Government announced formulation of National Competitiveness Programme in 2005 with an objective to support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in their endeavor to become competitive and adjust the competitive pressure caused by liberalization and moderation of tariff rates.
The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) has finalized a five-year National Manufacturing Programme. Ten schemes have been drawn up including schemes for promotion of ICT, mini tool room, design clinics and marketing support for SMEs.
Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme
Under the Scheme, MSMEs will be assisted in reducing their manufacturing costs, through proper personnel management, better space utilization, scientific inventory management, improved processed flows, reduced engineering time, etc. Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme brings improvement in the quality of products and lowers costs, which are essential for competing in national and international markets.
Approach
Lean Manufacturing involves applying Lean Techniques to identify and eliminate waste and streamline a system:
To identify potential clusters;
Conduct awareness programme and encourage them to participate in the scheme;
MSMEs interested will form a group of 10 units (mini cluster) and apply for registration to form SPV (Trust or society);
SPV will select a LMC from the empanelled list and negotiate for the fee;
Tripartite agreement will be signed between SPV, LMC & NMIU and work commences for lean implementation in the SPV members;
Lean Manufacturing Consultants (LMCs) to assess the existing manufacturing system of member units of the Mini Cluster(s) and stipulate detailed step by step procedures and schedules for implementing and achieving of lean techniques;
1st milestone will be in the form of DSR and Action Plan, subsequent milestones will be as per the approved DSR;
Milestone progress to be monitored by the NPC field offices;
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of experts to oversee the monitoring process;
1st milestone to be paid by SPV to LMC, Subsequent milestones to be paid by GoI to LMC through SPV;
Screening and Steering Committee (SSC) under DC (MSME) will review the progress and give approvals as per the scheme requirement, after one year implementation, evaluation to be done by DC (MSME) office for the impact and recommend up scaling or otherwise.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/supporting-smes/

First Imphal International short Film Festival Concludes with 18 Awards – KanglaOnline

First Imphal International short Film Festival Concludes with 18 AwardsKanglaOnlineHowever, 18 short films in Hindi category are not available for public screening due to ban on screening of Hindi films by the Manipur based insurgent groups. The festiv…

First Imphal International short Film Festival Concludes with 18 Awards
KanglaOnline
However, 18 short films in Hindi category are not available for public screening due to ban on screening of Hindi films by the Manipur based insurgent groups. The festival that concluded last evening (April 18) ended with “The Bare Foot Leader” from …

and more »

Chhattisgarh CM urges Maoists not to fix deadline

Raipur, Apr 24 (ANI): With the deadline looming large for the safe release of abducted Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh on Tuesday urged the Maoists not to fix a deadline till the negotiations are over.
“It will not be appropriate to fix a deadline because mediators are going to sit and negotiate the issue. I have also appealed that the deadline should be extended till the negotiations are over,” he said.
The state government today appointed two retired bureaucrats, as mediators to negotiate with the ultras to secure Menon’s safe release.
Singh informed that both officials, Nirmala Buch and S. K. Mishra, had given their consent after a telephonic conversation with him.
“I talked to retired chief secretary of (neighbouring) Madhya Pradesh Nirmala Buch and sought her help in the negotiation. The second person is retired chief secretary of Chhattisgarh S. K. Mishra. I talked to both of them last night (April 23) and sought their consent,” he said.
The state government also rushed medicines for Menon hours after the rebels informed that he was critically ill.
“The necessary medicine will reach Tarimetla (village) in time and it will help to address the problem related to his health,” added Singh.
In a statement, the Maoists termed Menon’s health as critical and asked the mediators to bring medicines along with them.
The Maoists asked the government not to indulge in ‘delay tactics’, as Menon’s health was deteriorating.
They said only the three persons named by them will be allowed to negotiate in Tarimetla village and asked them to accept the invitation to act as mediators.
The Maoists have also nominated the names of former National SC/ST Commission chairperson B D Sharma, Team Anna member and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and All India Adivasi Mahasabha President Manish Kunjam.
Both Bhushan and Kunjam have, however, refused to mediate in the matter.
The Naxals have demanded the release of eight colleagues: Markam Gopanna alias Satyam Reddy, Nirmal Akka alias Vijay Laxmi, Devpal Chandrashekhar Reddy, Shantipriya Reddy, Meena Choudhari, Korsa Sunny, Markam Sunny and Asit Kumar Sen.
The ultras also want anti-Naxal Operation Green Hunt to be cancelled, security forces to be withdrawn from the region and persons against whom they allege “fake cases” have been registered, released from the jails.
In an audacious operation, Maoist rebels on Saturday abducted Menon, an IAS officer of 2006 batch, from the middle of a meeting with villagers from Majhipara village in Keralapal area of the Naxal-infected district.
The Sukma district collector’s kidnapping comes even as uncertainty continues over the fate of ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka in neighbouring Odisha who was abducted by the Maoists about a month ago.
Menon is the first collector of the newly-created Sukma district and was known to be pro-active in undertaking development work in the backward region.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chhattisgarh-cm-urges-maoists-not-to-fix-deadline/

426 Cases of fake encounters registered

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 24: A total 426 cases of alleged fake encounters by police, defence and central armed police forces were registered by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during the period 2009-10 to 2011-12. For the current year 2012-13, as on 17.4.12, no such case has been registered. During the above period, in none of the cases, any recommendation for disciplinary action / prosecution of the public servants was made by NHRC.
Against 426 cases of alleged fake encounters, 84 cases have been solved and the remaining 342 are unsolved. For expediting the unsolved cases, concerted efforts are made by NHRC for obtaining the inquest reports, post-mortem report, magisterial inquiry report etc. from the concerned State Governments.
As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, “Police” and “Public Order” are State Subjects.
It is for the State Governments to take action in every crime. The Central Government issues advisories, while the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issues guidelines and recommendations to be followed by the States/UTs in all cases of deaths in the course of police action.
This was stated by Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State of Home Affairs in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/426-cases-of-fake-encounters-registered/

Students demand rescue of missing boy, stir programme chalked out

Imphal. April 24 NNN : A series of protests will be staged at different schools in Manipur regarding the disappearance of Rahul Takhellambam, a class VII student of Don Bosco school, Chingmeirong in Imphal and if prompt actions are not taken up by the government of Manipur to find out the whereabouts of the missing boy, bandhs and strikes would follow.
This was stated by joint action committee (JAC) formed formed in connection with the disapearance of the student at the sit-in protest cum public meeting organized at Sangakpham bazar, near the school where the missing boy was studying. It was resolved at the public meeting to submit memorandums to the chief minister and home minister of Manipur to trace out the whereabouts of the missing boy within a reasonable period of time, take up legal action against the school authority of Don Bosco, Imphal and punishment to those who are responsible for the disappearance of Rahul.
The joint action committee has asked the school authority of Don Bosco, Chingmeirong not to open the school until the missing student has been traced, and alleged that the student, who was staying in the hostel of the school, was missing due to the lack of responsibility of the warden of the hostel who reportedly came to know about the disappearance of Rahul only after room mates of Rahul informed him that Rahul had not returned to the hostel after school hours.
The JAC informed that sit-in protests would be organized at different schools of the state from tomorrow to protest the disappearance of the student and if no tangible action is taken up by the government of Manipur, then bandhs and general strikes would follow.
It may be recalled that Rahul Takhellambam, s/o T. Sunil Singh of Ngaikhong Khullen, Bishnupur, a student of class VII in the Don Bosco school, Chingmeirong, staying in the hostel of the school, had been missing since school hours was over on April 21. The family of Rahul was informed about his disappearance at around 6 in the evening the same day. But his whereabouts are still unknown till today.

Bru repatriation

AIZAWL, April 24 NNN: Mizoram Home Minister Lalzirliana today convened an important meeting with leaders of various NGOs on the issue of Bru repatriation at his office chamber.
The meeting was also attended by top officials from Mizoram Home Department. The state government is taking all necessary steps to rehabilitate the Mizo refugees languishing in Tripura and Mizoram and for this purpose, a financial packaged had also been sanctioned and will be disbursed shortly, said Lalzirliana. A total of 83 Mizo families were rendered homeless and stayed as refugees in Mizoram and Tripura state since 2009 due to ethnic violence broke out after the brutal killing of Zarzokima (18) at Bungthuam, near Tripura border, in Mizoram by a little known militant outfit – Bru National Army (BNA) on November 12, 2009.
The minister said that the 32 Mizo families who were in Jampui hills will be rehabilitated by the Tripura government while 51 families who were in Mizoram since 2009 will be rehabilitated by the Mizoram government. Leaders of various NGOs today urged the home minister to rehabilitate the Mizo refugees before commencing the fourth phase of Bru repatriation. One the issue of Bru refugees, the NGOs leaders said that the govt should not keep all the repatriated Brus in the same constituency and asked the government to give responsibility of distributing financial package to each village councils.
As per government sources, the next phase of Bru repatriation will take place between April 26 and May 11 where 669 comprising 3652 members will be repatriated. They will be settled in 21 villages.
It is pertinent to note that hundreds of Brus left Mizoram in 1997 and 2009. The first case was triggered when Bru militants murdered two Mizos who were forest guards on October 21, 1997. The second case happened after a 17-year-old Mizo boy was killed by the Brus near Bungthuam village on November 13, 2009.
Meanwhile, a recent head count conducted by the MBDPF found that there have been 31,703 Brus in the relief camps belonging to 5,448 families who are bona fide residents of Mizoram.
The repatriation of the 1997 batch of Bru refugees was underway until it stalled by the November 13 killing.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bru-repatriation/

First Imphal International short Film Festival Concludes with 18 Awards

The first edition of Imphal International Short Film Festival (IISFF), held from April 15-18th, 2012,… more »

The first edition of Imphal International Short Film Festival (IISFF), held from April 15-18th, 2012, at Rupmahal Theatre concludes with the screening of 15 International films and 29 Regional films. However, 18 short films in Hindi category are not available for public screening due to ban on screening of Hindi films by the Manipur based insurgent groups. The festival that concluded last evening (April 18) ended with “The Bare Foot Leader” from Iran before culminating into the announcement of the winners, followed by an after party.

The four day festival saw people of various communities thronging the venue to enjoy the short films from countries like Spain, Italy, Bangladesh, Iran, Poland and Indian regional languages like Malayalam, Telegu, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Meeteilon and Kanada. The four member jury decided to add few more award categories after reviewing the shortlisted films. Earlier, the festival organizing committee instituted 8 awards and 3 special mentions at the time of submission of entries. The juries decided to increase 7 more awards totaling 18 awards in total, which is the highest number of awards in any short film festival around the world. Best film award was bagged by Nishaptham while Pahela Boisakhi won the Best Documentary award, The jury also awarded special mention award to LOC…a Playground as Best Film on National Integration.

The winning short films were:

BEST FILM: NISAPTHAM
BEST DOCUMENTARY: PAHELA BOISHAKHI
SPECIAL MENTION (BEST FILM ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION): LOC …a playground
BEST DIRECTOR: AINHOA MENENDEZ for FABRICA DE MUNESCAS (Dolls Factory)
BEST ACTOR: JACOB C. ONTHIRICKEN For SABDAREKHA
BEST ACTRESS: SYLWIA JUSZCZAK for VANISHING
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: SASWATA CHATTERJEE for THE FORLORN
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JANAKI for VAAZHKAI
BEST EDITOR: PRABIR GIRI for MANDAKRANTA
BEST SOUND: PROJECT 11
BEST MUSIC: JO JO LAALI
BEST STORY: SANDEEP MALANI for JO JO LAALI
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: FABRICA DE MUNESCAS (DOLLS FACTORY)
BEST SCREENPLAY: THE WAY SHE IS VENERATED IN LOVE
BEST CHILD ARTIST: PRANSHU GOEL for MY MAMMA’S MILK
CRITIC’S AWARD FOR SPORT PROMOTION: VIJENDRA VERMA for LOC.. a playground
CRITIC’S AWARD FOR BEST THEME MUSIC: MUSIC OF THE BROOM
SPECIAL MENTION (CRITIC AWARDS): FULLSTOP

10 films were also selected to represent Imphal Film Festival in other International Film Festivals.
MAA-E-RI –a lyrical conversation with Mother Nature by Parvez Khan
HOPE by Abhijit Purohit
MAUT KA KUNWA by Sumant Bapurao Mali
NISAPTHAM by Hari Prasad M
SABDAREKHA by Nirmal S.
THE JOURNEY by Tharun Bhascker Dhassyam
LOC-A PLAYGROUND by Atul Kumar Sharma
FULLSTOP by Vivek Muralidharan
SAMVEDANAM by Methil Komalankutty
LAADAM by Sandeep Pampally
The opening film of the festival was “The Forlorn”- Directed by Saptaswa Basu, that has Iconic Bengali actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner Soumitra Chatterjee in a lead role. It is a psychological thriller centering on a young woman who, after moving into a new apartment, stumbles upon the previous tenant’s diary.

Some of the filmmakers from Mumbai, Pune and Kerala attended the four day long festival. Few films were screened more than once as per the audience request like- Tan by young filmmaker from Manipur whose subject deals with the victim of armed conflicts in the state.

A jury headed by eminent film critics Shri Sagolshem Indrakumar from Manipur and three distinguished juries namely Prof. Th. Tombi, former Principal of Imphal college and renowned painter; Shri B. Jayentakumar Sharma, oldest lyricist of Manipuri film industry and Shri L. Ram Sharma, film pesonality and critics based in Imphal.

The festival was inaugurated with a formal function in the presence of eminent filmmakers of Manipur. Shri Laimayum Surjakanta Sharman, Chairman if Film Forum Manipur graced the function as Chief Guest, Dr. Naorem Iboton Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture and Honorary Advisor of Action for Social Advancement (ASA) was the President of the function. Shri K. Tomba (Lamja Tomba)- Veteran actor of Manipur Film Industry was also the guest of Honours. The opening day was filled with presence of jury members, filmmakers, leaders of civil organisations like Koijam Brojen alias Keingamba, President, South East Asia Cultural Organisation, (SEACO); Arambam Ongbi Robita, Founder, Young Women Help Organisation and Chandramani Khumancha, Working President, ACOAM-LUP.

The Chief Guest of the closing function was Shri Laimayum Surjakanta, Chairman of Film Forum Manipur. Shri Surjakanta encourages all filmmakers who have come to Imphal and make this event a grand success. He also requested to meet at the second edition of the festival next year with more good quality films.

The festival director, Mohen Naorem announced the list of award winning films and invited all winners to be present at the coming North East India Film Festival which will be happening in the month of November-December 2012. “Legend Studio is funding the work of few filmmakers whose story meets the criteria for entry into major International Film Festivals,” Mohen added.

The festival is an initiative by Legend Studio in association with a non-profit organisation, Action for Social Advancement (ASA), with the support of Film Forum, Manipur. Two International Film Festivals- Dhaka Film Festival and Half Short Film Festival are festival partners of Imphal International Short Film Festival.

First Imphal International short Film Festival Concludes with 18 Awards

Improving Energy Efficiency

PIB Features
Inputs from the Ministry of Power.Energy is one of the most sought after things in the present scenario and the same is true for India too.
Nationally as well as internationally, keeping in mind the growing energy needs not only there is a need for resource augmentation but also concerted step needs to be taken to conserve energy. Energy conservation is also being encouraged at governmental levels as India is part of the consortium of nations trying to act against the threat of climate change and reducing the carbon footprint. As a step towards this end, the Government of India has enacted the Energy Conservation Act in 2001. Over the past one decade, energy efficiency in India has been increasing at a good pace and energy intensity declined by about 20-25%. Yet, there are places where energy efficiency opportunities exist and hence can be implemented.
The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 is the most important multi-sectoral legislation in India and is intended to promote efficient use of energy in India.
The Act specifies energy consumption standards for equipment and appliances, prescribes energy consumption norms and standards for consumers, prescribes energy conservation building codes for commercial buildings and establishes a compliance mechanism for energy consumption norms and standards.
In order to implement the various provisions of the EC Act, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was perationalised with effect from 1st March, 2002. The EC Act provides a legal framework for energy efficiency initiatives in the country.
The Act has mandatory as well as promotional initiatives. The Bureau is spearheading the task of improving the energy efficiency in various sectors of the economy hrough regulatory and promotional mechanism. The primary objective of BEE is to reduce energy intensity in the Indian economy. This is to be demonstrated by providing policy framework as well as through public-private partnership.
During the 11th Plan Period, the Government of India initiated a number of programmes to promote energy efficiency. This has resulted in avoided generation capacity of 10,000 MW in the last five years.
Some of the principal programmes launched included Standards and Labeling of Equipment and Appliances, Energy Conservation Building Code, Energy Efficiency in Industry and Residential Lighting.
Standards and Labeling of Equipment and Appliances
Labeling has been introduced for 16 major energy consuming appliances, providing users with information on the energy use of a model and its relative efficiency. Labeling has been mandatory for 4 products- air conditioners, refrigerators, distribution transformers and tube lights.
This programme in 2010-11 has led to saving of 3718 million units of electricity equivalent to avoided capacity generation of 2162MW. With the market for star-rated labeled products growing, there is now a move towards making appliances super efficient i.e. appliances that save as much as 30-50% energy than the most energy efficient versions available in the market.
To accelerate this shift and make such appliances affordable, BEE is in the process of launching the Super Energy Efficient Program (SEEP) that would provide manufacturers incentives to produce super efficient appliances.
It forms a part of Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE) initiative, one of the four initiatives of the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Super efficient appliances have a high cost of production as well as uncertainty of demand. The program envisions that incremental cost can be compensated by incentives on one hand and cost reduction due to economy of scale on the other.
Energy Conservation Building Code
A National Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) has been prepared for the design of new commercial buildings. Over 700 ECBC compliant buildings are at various stages of construction. In addition, performance contracting through Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) is being promoted to enable the retrofit of existing buildings so as to reduce their energy consumption. It has resulted in electricity saving of 22.45 million units in 2010-11 which is equivalent to avoided capacity generation of 4.27 MW.
Energy Efficiency in Industry
The Government has notified the energy efficieny improvement targets for the 478 most energy intensive industrial units in 8 sectors. Together, they account for about one third of the total energy consumption in India. Issued under the Energy Conservation Act, 2011 the targets are to be achieved by 2014-15. Overall, industrial units used 166 million tonnes of oil equivalent energy in 2009-10, which has to be reduced by 6.6 million tonnes of oil equivalent in the target year.
The targets, however, are not defined in terms of absolute energy use reduction, but in terms of the amount of energy used to produce a unit of the product. The sectors covered by the notification are iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminum, pulp and paper, chlor-alkali, textiles and thermal power stations.
Within each sector, only plants using more than a specified amount of energy are included in the targeted list.
An interesting feature of the programme is that these units which are able to achieve greater energy efficiency improvements within the specified targets can capture the excess savings through the issuance of Energy Saving Certificates. These certificates can be traded and bought by other units covered by the programme who may find it expensive to meet their targets through their own actions. Units which are unable to meet their target, either through their own action or through purchase of certificates will be liable for repayment of penalty. The penalty will be related to shortfall in target achievement. A penalty of Rs.10,154 will be levied for shortfall of 1 tonne of oil equivalent in the achievement of the target.
Residential Lighting
The Bachat Lamp Yojana (BLY) provides energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) to households at the cost of incandescent bulbs as the former are expensive and hence not able to penetrate in the domestic sector.
Over 20 million CFLs have already been distributed under the BLY programme.
The scheme targets to replace 400 million bulbs leading to a possible reduction of 6000MW and about 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Besides, the Government is also promoting innovative schemes like Energy Conservation Awards etc. In order to accelerate Demand Side Management measures in agricultural sector, BEE has initiated an Ag DSM programme in which pump set efficiency upgradation would be carried out through Public-Private Partnership mode. The BEE has also registered a country-wide Programme of Activities (POA) under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which enables quick registration of each investor led project as a CDM project under the POAs.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/improving-energy-efficiency/

Anthropological Society of Manipur (ASM) elects new executives – E-Pao.net

Anthropological Society of Manipur (ASM) elects new executivesE-Pao.netImphal, April 24 2012: Prof K Saratchandra, Prof W Nabakumar, Dr S Jibon-kumar and Dr Kh Manglembi have been elected as the president, vice-president, general secretary and treasure…

Anthropological Society of Manipur (ASM) elects new executives
E-Pao.net
Imphal, April 24 2012: Prof K Saratchandra, Prof W Nabakumar, Dr S Jibon-kumar and Dr Kh Manglembi have been elected as the president, vice-president, general secretary and treasurer respectively of the Anthropological Society of Manipur (ASM) .

MLA inspects Anganwadi centers

IMPHAL, April 23: Keirao MLA K Thamarjit accompanied by ICDS staff and media persons inspected… more »

IMPHAL, April 23: Keirao MLA K Thamarjit accompanied by ICDS staff and media persons inspected the Anganwadi centers in the constituency today.

Out of 24 Anganwadi centers in the constituency, the buildings of only three centers had been completed. In many other centers, it was found that the centre was opened in the courtyard of a residence, while many exist only in name.

Speaking to media persons, the MLA said the frequency of Anganwadi centers will be checked.

He further added that, there are certain localities where there is excessive number of Anganwadi centers. The excess will be shifted to other localities where there is lack of Anganwaddi centers.

He has further urged the concerned department to retrieve the funds for the building of such excessive centres if it has been allotted already and to reallocate the same to the new proposed centers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/mla-inspects-anganwadi-centers/