Day: July 21, 2017

IMPHAL | July

In the evening session of the second day of the ongoing budget session, the House unanimously passed Rs. 1035,05,43,250 for different departmental expenditures to be incurred during August, 2017.

Questions and observations raised by the opposition members in connection with the general discussion on budget estimate 2017-18, the finance minister clarified that the reason for small budget is due to inability of submission of utilization certificates (UC) by some departments and conversion of ACC Bills to DCC Bills.

He stated that with the implementation of GST and proper management of financial resources, there will be surplus revenue and also further stressed on the major thrust areas of the budget.

DBT is one of the major thrust areas for prevention of misappropriation of benefits, proper and timely delivery system of fund allocations and also stated that to take grants from the Centre is easy but proper utilization of the grants is difficult.

He maintained that the present budget is clear and ambitious since it is meant for the developmental projects in the state.

Participating in the discussion, the chief minister N. Biren Singh said that to prepare a budget is not an easy task as it needs collection of data and information from each government department and different financial resources.

The government does not have any partiality in distribution of aids, relief materials and welfare schemes to the public. All the aids for flood affected people are being entrusted to the concerned DCs particularly to avoid political biasness.

The main purpose is to serve the people and to regain the lost trust between different communities, the government is action oriented and stood for corruption free government and lastly appealed to the House for keeping confidence in his government.

Finance minister Y. Joykumar Singh moved the Manipur Appropriation (No. 3) Bill 2017 and the House passed it.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 21

The Bishnupur police arrested three persons in connection with the murder case 4th Assam Regiment, havildar, Moirangthem Herachandra Singh.

The havildar was found death with a bullet hole on his forehead on July 10, in a canal in between Kwaksiphai and Nachou, Bishnupur district.

Police arrested one a suspect identified as S. Ibosana Singh (54) son of S. Biramangol of Keibul Awang Leikai on July 15.

From the disclosure of Ibosana yesterday police were able to arrest two more persons who were allegedly involved in the killing of the personnel including late Herachandra’s wife, Moirangthem (O) Indira Devi (41) of Moirang Khunou Khonang Makhong.

The other person is identified as Ningthoujam Tomcha Singh (52) son of N. Kullabi of Keirrenphabi Maning Leikai.

The police also seized a Maruti, Sentro car with registration number, MN07D-003 which is allegedly used in the killing of the personnel.

The court remanded all the three accused persons to police custody till next Friday.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | July 21

Guardians and students of Fundrei High School, under Wangjing- Tentha Assembly constituency had closed down the school yesterday in protest against transfer of two teachers, when the school does not have enough teachers already.

Angry students and guardians held a sit-in protest in front of the school gate. “We are not opening the school until our teachers are provided,” said a protestor.

A guardian expressed that Fundrei High School is the only government school at Fundrei; there are a total of 365 students who are presently studying in the school, from class I to X. Students from the village who are mostly poor families are studying at the school. The school had 21 teachers before, but only 10 teachers are running it now with great difficulty. 

He continued that a few months before, two of the teachers from the school have been utilized, resulting in more shortage of teachers. Recently, transfer orders for two teachers of this government school have arrived suddenly; this means that there will be only 6 teachers left in the school. It would be an impossible task to teach so many students with just 6 teachers, he added. 

The students had raised the issue before since July 7, and met concerned officials who promised that teachers will be provided. The students have even met the education minister himself who also gave the promise they will be given new teachers. However, none of the promises have been fulfilled. The protestors have also met the local MLA but their please have been allegedly ignored.

The guardians have appealed to the authorities to address their issues and provide the required teachers.   

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 21

Four students of CC Higher Secondary School got minor injuries and Imphal East police commando OC, L. Vaiphei got head injury during a clash today between the students and the police.

The the clash broke out at around 12 noon when the police tried to stop the students of the school from marching a rally in front of the school gate at Sanjenthong, Imphal.

The student tried to march towards chief minister’s bungalow demanding roll back of the transfer of eight teachers from the school.

During the clash traffic was stop from Sanjenthong bridge till Palace gate for around one hour.

Eyewitnesses said stones were pelted by the students as police tried to stop. To bring the situation under control and disperse the students, police fired some rounds of tear gas cells and also used mock bombs.

Later at around 1 pm police were able to control the situation after negotiating with the student leaders.

Speaking to media persons, CC Higher Secondary School Students’ Union, general secretary, Samson Longjam said that the students of the school strongly condemned the transfer of the eight teachers as they have already covered half of the syllabus.

He urged the government to cancel the transfer of the eight teachers with immediate effect as it will affect the carriers of the students who are going to appear the upcoming board and council examinations.

He further also urged the government to fill up teachers, as the school suffers from lack of teachers.

The student association warned the government that classes will be boycotted until the transfer of the eight teachers are cancelled and will take up different forms of agitation until their demand is fulfilled.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 21

The 24×7 emergency health service of the Community Health Centre (CHC) Yaipripok has been suspended immediately following shortage of doctors.

A statement issued by the hospital management society CHC Yairipok stated that the decision to suspend the 24×7 operation of the CHC was taken by the society during its emergency meeting.

The statement further pointed out that as per the Indian Public Health Standard a CHC requires 11 doctors. However, the CHC is presently run by only two doctors.

It claimed that the matter pertaining to the shortage of doctors has been appraised to the authority concerned several times yet the authority remained indifferent.

As a result, taking into consideration the plight of the two doctors the society has decided to suspend the emergency service until enough man power is provided to the CHC, it said.

According to the society, Yairipok CHC avails service to highest number of patients with over 150 patients per day in the emergency section excluding the OPD patients.

Given the maximum intake of patients, it claimed that the workload could become detrimental to the health of the only two doctors posted at the CHC before pointing out that a doctor is recommended to work for maximum of 48 hours as per Indian Public Health Standard.

Against this backdrop, it contended that in Kakwa PHC and Akampat PHC, areas close to Imphal, have over five doctors each.

It appealed to the authority concerned to look into the grievances of the CHC at the earliest in public interest.