Day: July 25, 2017

IMPHAL | July 25

The district magistrate, Imphal East has promulgated Section 144 of CrPC in the whole of the district for a period of two months starting from last Sunday.

In its order the district magistrate said there were reports about certain anti-social elements indulging in unlawful activities and threatening to certain sections of the population from certain quarters.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI |July 25

A massive protest rally was staged by the agitating students of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University-regional campus Manipur at Makhan in Kangpokpi district. The students have intensified their stir yesterday against the non-fulfilment of various demands. 

The students had shut down the lone national tribal university since July 10 under the aegis of the university student body IGNTUSU-RCM supported and endorsed by ATSUM, KSO and other student bodies while it had also ceased all construction works inside the university campus.

The protest rally which begin at Kanglatongbi proceeded towards the university shouted slogan, “We want immediate construction of hostel, staff quarters, regular facilities for the department of Tribal Studies and Sociology, and vice chancellor to solve the long standing issues immediately or step down on moral ground, etc”, and held a sit-in-protest in front of the university main entrance gate.

The protest rally and sit-in was participated by Kuki Students’ Organisation, Sadar Hills, Hmar Students’ Association-Imphal Joint Headquarters (HSA-IJHQ), Chothe Students’ Association (CSA), Tribal Students Union, DM College of Arts, Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union (MUTSU), Liangmai Students’ Union (LNKR), Makhan Students Union (MSU), Thadou Students’ Association, Sadar Hills (TSA-SH), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) and PRJA Education Cell.

The protesting students also hold placards which read, “No Solution No Rest, No Teacher No Class”, “Education is our rights, we want proper facilities”, “Save tribal students of Manipur”, “Management Committee, Where are you?”, “Director, where is your authority power”, “Prof.

Kattimani stop playing politics, Stop playing anti-tribal activities”, etc.

Khazi Bapna, President IGNTUSU-RCM said that the student bodies are constrained to directly bring forward various issues that need to be addressed and solve with utmost urgency.

He said that construction works for crucial infrastructures such as hostels and staff quarters should be initiated immediately keeping in mind the location and distance of the campus from the main urban area.

He also said that pending appointment of regular teaching staffs for the department of Sociology and Social Anthropology and department of Tribal Studies should be solved immediately since these two departments have been functioning without any permanent staffs for more than 4 years now with 6 guest faculties.

Khazi further said that adequate teaching and non-teaching staffs as per UGC norms for all existing departments and regularisation of all contractual non-teaching staffs of the campus should be engaged at the earliest.

He continued that a joint representation of IGNTUSU-RCM and ATSUM had also been submitted to the minister, ministry of Human Resource Development, government of India on July 18, requesting him to impress upon the VC and the university authorities the urgent need for their response and appropriate interventions to solve the current imbroglio at the campus.

The student body president recalled that in spite of the campus authority holding parleys with the students two times no concrete solutions or agreements could be reached as the demands are beyond the authority of the campus director and his colleagues.

CHURACHANDPUR | July 25

A three year old minor was found dead today evening after drowning in a road side drain of CYA road of Gouchinkhup Veng, New Lamka.

The minor identified as Man Hat Hoih (3), daughter of NgamKhan Suan Guite, fell into the drain while her parents were at the hospital for a check-up of her elder sibling. The child was left with her parents at her grandfather and former MDC of Singat ADC, Sianzadong‘s place and got missing. Later, she was found by a resident of the area.

After the news, the concerned MDCs, CT Lian and Suanchinpau Guite rushed to the spot where the police and the Churachandpur district SDO, Thangboi Gangte along with the chairman of ADCC Khaipau Haokip were present to examine the case.

The deputy commissioner of Churachandpur sent officials for the same and later a post mortem was done at the district hospital morgue. The last rite of the deceased minor will be done tomorrow at the cemetery of New Lamka’s YPA.

In an another unfortunate incident, a 12 year-old-boy named Thangjam Ngouba, son of Inao from Khongjom Tengol Maning Leikai died after falling into the foundation of a mini dam built on the Langathel River, Langathel Thingel Leikai under Khongjom police station.

The incident happened around 5 pm when the boy was cycling near the dam and fell into the foundation after falling off the cycle.

People present in the surrounding area rushed to the spot and tried to rescue the boy but he drowned as the current was too strong.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | July 25

The Naga People’s Front in the ‘emergency’ meeting of the party’s Central Executive Council held today in Kohima resolved to take up disqualification petition against all NPF legislators who defied the party whip issued by ‘NPF Chief Whip’ Kiyanilie Peseyie.

The whip was issued on July 21 on the floor of the Assembly under the Tenth Schedule para 2 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India.

Today’s NPF meeting condemned the “unconstitutional action” of the governor of Nagaland in installing TR Zeliang as chief minister “without” letter of support from the original political party letterhead, and demanded that the President of India immediately recall him.

The meeting also condemned the Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for his act of “favouritism and nepotism, and unconstitutionally siding with his brother-in-law” TR Zeliang. The meeting demanded the Speaker’s resignation on moral ground.

The meeting further condemned the “unconstitutional” government headed by TR Zeliang for “violating” all Constitutional provisions, and demands his immediate stepping down.

The NPF CEC emergency meeting further endorsed the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition partners’ decision to elect Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu  as DAN chairman. It also endorsed the decision of the Disciplinary Action Committee of the party to expel 20 members of the party MLAs and suspend 11 party MLAs for anti-party activities which are detrimental to the unity and integrity of the party.

The meeting recommended immediate suspension of EE Pangteang from the party for anti-party activities. The meeting also extended full support to the leadership of party president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu.

It further endorsed and “recognised” the election of Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as the Leader of NPF Legislature Party, “considering that he has more than one-half support of the NPF party legislators”. It also demanded that he be officially recognised as such by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly with necessary protocol arrangements due to him.

The meeting also endorsed the support extended by the partypPresident Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to the Prime Minister of India for his sincere attempt to bring an early solution to the Naga political problem and to curb corruption in the country.

The NPF CEC meeting approved the Core Committee constituted by party president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu on July 24, 2017. It also approved the dissolution of NPF Working Committee and Finance Committee by the party president in accordance with the powers conferred on him vide Article V, Clause 10 read with Article IV, Clause 4 of the party Constitution.

The meeting then resolved to introduce Personal Confidential Report (PCR) system for all responsible members of the party with effect from July 2017.

The meeting also resolved to issue a clarion call to party legislators who have been “misled by selfish elements” to come back to the fold of the party to avoid severe penal repercussions since henceforth, all forms of anti-party activities will attract immediate disciplinary actions, be they party functionaries or legislators.

Finally, the emergency meeting of the NPF CEC recommended the dissolution of the NPF Peren Division and all frontal organisations of the party in the division for siding with expelled legislators.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | July 25

 Many wet fields in Phalong (Bhalok) village of Tamenglong have been destroyed recently by recent heavy rainfall and flash flood that occurred on July 20. Phalong village is located about 10 km away from Tamenglong district headquarters.

Speaking to this reporter, Ramliamang of Phalong said that due to lack of dumping ground for mud, stones and other materials from the construction work of Tamenglong-Kangchup road, the debris are carried down to the arable fields. The construction works are being carried out by Hindustan Construction Cooperation Company funded by ADB.

At least, 25 acres of land including 15 houses have been affected by the flash flood, which has been made worse by the debris of the said construction work. As of now none of the authorities concerned have visited the site.

Ramliamang appealed to the authority concerned of the district and as well to the state government and NGOs to come and take stock of the damage that has been done by the flash flood and the construction work.  He also appealed to take appropriate measures to compensate the losses in time.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 25

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar who holds the finance portfolio while replying to a joint question by opposition members K. Ranjit and Okram Henry of Congress in the Assembly today said that steps are on for implementation of the 7th pay commission.

Finance minister informed that there are around 74,200 state government employees excluding some employees working in the educational institutions, judicial services etc as per information provided by the state chief secretary led feedback committee which was set up on December 14 last year to study the feasibility of implementing the 7th pay commission.

Explaining the reason for the government’s inability for the implementation of the 7th pay at this juncture, he said the state government will have financial implications of about Rs 1768.33 crores only on salaries (without pension).

He said presently the government couldn’t pronounce the time frame, he added.

Job seekers

Labour minister Th. Radheshyam said the total number of job-seekers registered with the state employment exchanges is 8,16,888 including 2,45,305 as on January 31 this year. Those registered do not include those who are self-employed and working in private sectors.

The minister further said a person on getting a job can also register in employment exchanges as an employed person on production of no objection certificate to the effect that the employer has no objection on applying for a better job. The minister was replying to Opposition member Surjakumar Okram.

Healthcare

The health minister L. Jayantakumar told the state assembly that the state has a total of 697 doctors against sanctioned post of 1384. Of the 697, 197 are pursuing MD and MS while 40 of them are engaged in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.

Stating that because of shortage of doctors the minister said the government cannot provide adequate doctors at district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and public health sub-centres.

The minister said the government is planning to recruit 300 doctors 11 dental surgeons through Manipur Public Service Commission. Jayantakumar was replying to Congress member K. Meghachandra.

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Information and public relations minister Th. Biswajit told the Assembly that the information department and other departments spent Rs. 55,00,371 on advertisements. The DIPR has not made any payment while the other departments made the payment except for an amount of Rs. 34,928. The minister was replying to Surjakumar Okram.

IMPHAL | July 25

In view of  the upcoming Manipur panchayat election on September 14, lottery for the pradhans and members for women seat reservations in ST, SC categories for gram panchayat under CD block Moirang and Bishnupur, was held yesterday.

The lottery was held at the multipurpose hall of mini secretariat, Bishnupur district and was presided over by deputy commissioner, Bishnupur, Bobby Waikhom.

The gram panchayats where women seats were given reservations out of 24 total seats are Leimapokpam, Toubul, Khoijuman Kwasiphai, Thinungei, Torbung, Wangoo, Borayangbi, Kwakta.

It has also been notified by the office of the district election officer, DC, Imphal west that the number of reserved seats for ST, SC, Women in respect of gram panchayats and gram sabha territorial constituencies of the 14 zilla parishad constituencies falling under the two DC Blocks within Imphal west district are 4 seat for ST (inclusive of 3 seats for ST women), and 14 seats for SC (inclusive of 6 seats for SC women).

The total number of ward seats is 327.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 25

Comptroller and Auditor General of India report for the year ended March 31, 2016 said the state government did not plan and allocate adequate budgetary resources to accommodate the actual number of children attaining the age of enrollment due to non-preparation of database of children who had attained the age of elementary education while implementing RTE Act, 2009,which covered the period of 2010-11 to 2015-16.

The report further said there were 4,670 teachers who did not have the minimum academic qualification. Text books and uniforms were not distributed to the students on time. The creation of basic infrastructure for school suffered due to non-release of fund, diversion of fund and non-utilization of fund.

No action was taken to close the 106 unrecognised un-aided private schools as per provisions of the Act. State government was yet to issue an order for reservation of 25 per cent of seats in class 1 for children belonging to weaker section and disadvantage groups in aided private schools.

The audit covered implementation of various aspects of the ACT at state, district/block level and local level.

The excess of child population from the anticipated number of children who had attained the age of enrolment as per Annual Work Plan & Budget(AWPB) was ranged from six to 55 per cent. Also, during 2010-16, out of total functioning unaided private schools, 11.04% to 13.62% were un-recognised schools, it said.

Around  4,670 teachers in the state does not have minimum academic qualification as on date of audit. 76 are under Class 10, 1664 are class 10 pass only and 2,930 are 10+2 only without other qualification as envisaged in the notification.

The details of free books distribution by the State Mission Authority (SMA) found out that distribution of text books to the districts of Manipur was delayed in all the years (2010-11 to 2015-16) under reference and the period of delay was in the range of more than one month to more than six months.

 Sarba Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA) stated that Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (the supplier) did not supply the text books on time.

Furthermore, there was delay in release of fund directly to the SMA by the government of India ranging from 4 days to 365 days in release of Central share and 175 days to 246 days in release of State share.

The audit report stated that State Project Officer diverted Rs. 3.31 crore meant for construction of school buildings without any authorisation which adversely affected creation of basic infrastructure in schools.

Audit scrutiny revealed that SSA, Manipur retained heavy bank balance during 2010-11 to 2015-16. Whereas the State Project Director, SSA stated that the reason was due to release of major part of fund at the end of the financial year.

During 2010-11 to 2015-16, the numbers of seat required for students to be reserved in Class 1 for weaker and disadvantaged group in recognized unaided private schools was 48,894. However, till the date of audit there were no reimbursement claims from these schools.

The state is yet to issue orders regarding 25% of reservation of children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group in private/unaided schools and reimbursement of expenditure incurred by the schools.

The report recommended that the state government should prepare a reliable database of children who had attained the age of enrolment and update it periodically to ensure that all eligible children are brought under the RTE Act, ensure early completion and adequacy of infrastructure as mandated under the RTE Act, prepare action plan to provide training to teachers not having minimum educational qualification; ensure timely distribution of text books and uniforms to students, prepare a well laid action plan and implement it to regularize the un-recognised schools in a time bound manner, and ensure the provision of 25 % reservation in private unaided schools as per Section 12(1) of the Act.