Day: July 28, 2017

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | July 28

Ukhrul town has been hit by water scarcity following the recent cyclone Mora, which destroyed the main water sources at Shirui Hills. In this regard, the Committee for Scarcity of Water in Ukhrul Town (CFSWUT) has urged the state government to take up necessary steps at the earliest.

Highlighting the woes of the residents of the town in a press conference held today at UDWJA office, AS Vaomi, president of the said committee said that more than six thousand households residing in the town are currently reeling under severe shortage of drinking water ever since the cyclone swept off water reservoirs of the only water source at Shirui Hills last month.

PHED department is currently catering to around 1300 registered consumers in the town, apart from road side hydrants.

“As the pipeline water has been snapped, most households are now compelled to rely on rain water irrespective of its quality but then how long will they sustain”, he pointed out and added that once the dry season comes, the problem is bound to double up unless the water supply is restored at once.

“In view of the prevailing water crisis that has arisen due to failure on the part of the department to restore the pipeline water even after one month as anticipated, the Committee was instituted on July 20, comprising representatives of Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) and four zonal Longphangs of the district and is mandated to mount pressure on the government to end the crisis at once, “ Vaomi asserted.

He further informed that when the committee contacted the PHED Ukhrul division over the delay in restoration works, the department expressed their helplessness despite their best efforts as they were lacking both manpower and machinery for the restoration works.

Vaomi conveyed that the department was learnt to have proposed the government for sanctioning of Rs. 80 Lakhs for the repair of the damaged reservoirs and pipeline structures but no positive response has come forth till date.

“We are ready to provide manpower in our own capacity but the department needed technical skills for the works”, he continued.

At the same time, Vaomi disclosed that in connection with the current water crisis, a meeting of the committee was held on Thursday at TNWL office and unanimously resolved to take up tree plantation at the Shirui hillside in April of every year from 2018 onward so as to salvage the only water source of the town.

 “For this, we decided to ask the district administration to reserve Rs. 2 lakh and also to appeal to the villagers stop felling trees”, he said.

The meeting further resolved to check unauthorised tapping of pipeline water from the sources to households, and also to demand additional water reservoir in the town, and mobile water distribution to different localities to mitigate the situation, Vaomi said.

“On July 31, the committee is planning to do a spot survey at the water sources at Shirui Hills along with department”, he added.

IMPHAL | July 28

The Assembly today unanimously passed Rs. 14,039,299,000 for four demands. The demands were for land revenue, stamps & registration and district administration (Rs. 101,69,19,000), finance department (Rs. 12,75,92,38,000), state excise (Rs. 18,84,98,000) and sales tax, other taxes/duties on commodities and services (Rs.7,46,44,000).

Opposition leader O. Ibobi Singh, MLAs Th. Lokeshwar Singh, K. Meghachandra Singh, Kh. Joykishan Sigh and R.K. Imo Singh O. Lukhoi Singh, Y. Surchandra and Dr. Y. Radheshyam took part in the discussion.

Deputy chief minister, who is also in-charge of finance, Y. Joykumar Singh moved “The Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill 2017, education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh moved “The Manipur Private School (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2017 and also “The Manipur Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2017” and the bills were passed.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Takhelmayum (O) Shilla Devi, wife of late Takhelmayum Kenedy Singh asked the authority of Raj Medicity to produce the result of the sample send for lab test for H1N1 (swine flu) for her husband.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, Imphal Shilla said that her husband was admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science on July 20 due to cough and he was discharged on the same day.

On the next day he was admitted to Raj Medicity as he had breathing troubles during which Dr. Th. Joy diagnosed him as a strong suspected case of H1N1 and kept him in ICU and later transferred to isolation ward, she added.

Raj Medicity sent throat swab of the patient for examination of H1N1 to IDSP, medical directorate and asked to provide 20 numbers of personal protective equipment and 200 numbers of Tamiflu, continued Shilla.

“When I have a chat with my husband, he told me that the medicine only makes him more difficulty in breathing,” said Shilla.

She claimed that her husband was not given any medicine for the breathing problem and moreover the doctors and nurses treated him without much care.

On the morning of July 24, her husband was declared death by the hospital due to lung failure but on the next day it was found on Sangai newspaper that a suspected H1N1 patient died, she added.

Moreover, it was spread through social media that the cause of her husband’s death is swine flu though the testing result was not available till today, continued Shilla.

As a result the family stigmatised and members suffer from trauma, she added.

Shilla warned the government and Raj Medicity if any unwanted situation arises.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

The chief minister, N. Biren Singh today informed the House during question hour that police registered 147 FIRs relating to crimes against women and five FIRs relating to homicides. The chief minister was replying to Congress member K. Ranjit Singh.

Responding to a supplementary question on punishment of the accused persons Biren, who is also the minister in-charge of home, said most of the accused persons have been arrested. He assured that number of accused persons arrested will be provided in the House during the session.

“Police investigations are on. We have opened a fast tract court for dealing with crimes against women. The charge-sheets will be submitted as fast as possible.

He further said community policing has been introduced, past records of criminals are being compiled and CID and women police stations have been strengthened.

Japanese Encephalitis

Responding to another question from Ranjit the chief minister said altogether 36 cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been detected from January 1 to July 15 this year. The cases are one in Imphal East, seven in Imphal West, four in Thoubal, one in Bishnupur, three in Chandel, 19 in Churachandpur and one in Senapati districts.

He further said measures have been taken to contain the outbreak of the disease under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.

Package

Planning minister N. Biren Singh informed the House that the state government announced package of Rs. 201 crores for Ukhrul, Rs. 175 crores for Kangpokpi and Rs. 202 for Senapati for implementation of development projects in the hills. He was replying to Congress member K. Meghachandra.

He further said the packages were announced based on fund availability under various sources including centrally sponsored schemes etc. and development priorities.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Dr N. Surajkumar assistant professor gastroenterology of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences today announced that the institute will start treating viral hepatitis patients free of cost on every Tuesday.

“The Tuesday liver clinic of JNIMS will treat 200 viral hepatitis patients free of cost. Out of 200, 100 will be reserved for BPL. It will be on first come first serve basis for the patients who come within August,” he said during the observance of World Hepatitis Day being at JNIMS auditorium.

Dr Surajkumar further said treatment will start shortly after getting ethical clearance certificate from the gastroenterology department within 10 days.

JNIMS’ Manipur Liver Foundation (MLF) and Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) organised the programme.

Surajkumar said the treatment cost is being sponsored by University of Maryland USA, Geliad Pharma and JNIMS.

K. Nolinikanta, president CoNE said viral hepatitis is one of the chronic diseases in the world. Globally 1.75 million people are infected newly by the disease while 1.4 million people died every year.

In India eight million people are infected by this disease. One reason for these is the lack of awareness among people that if viral hepatitis is detected early then it can be cured.

In Manipur CoNE screened 1678 people for Hepatitis C since 2014, out of that 788 people were found positive and CoNE had treated 64 patients for free till now, he said.

“Now this chronic disease can be cured by timely treatment and one can have a normal life span. More than seven thousand people are now living with hepatitis co-infected with HIV in Manipur. Maximum number of co-infected people are found at Churachandpur and Moreh,” said Th. Bimo, director JNIMS.

Delivering the keynote speech, Bimo said now the vaccination can stop vertical transmission of the disease from mother to child and now it is made available in the labour room.

Hepatitis is now one of the leading causes of death globally, therefore in order to raise awareness and to influence real change World Hepatitis Day are being observed on this day every year since 2011 and in Manipur it started in 2012.

This year the day is being observed on the theme “Eliminate Hepatitis.”

Dhanachandra, HoD department of medicine JNIMS and Dr L. Ranbir medical superintendent JNIMS attended the function as guest of honour and president of the function.

A poster on the theme was also released during the function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today verbally indicated on the floor of the House that the situation in the state is not yet conducive to immediately lift disturbed area status from the whole of the state.

The chief minister was responding to a private member resolution moved by Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykishan urging the House to “unanimously resolve to urge the Government of India to lift the enforcement of AFSPA 1958 from the state of Manipur immediately”.

Biren said that repealing AFSPA is the utmost desire of the people of Manipur as well as the state government.

However, the decision to extend the disturbed area status in the state excluding the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area, for another year was taken by the state Cabinet on December 1, 2016, he said.

Biren said that the decision could have been taken based on various aspects like the proximity to border area and complexity of security of the entire state etc.

Given the circumstances, he observed that taking hasty decision at this point of time would not be a wise thing to do.

With the lifting of the disturbed area status a prerogative of the state government the decision could be reviewed after six months based on the prevailing situation of the state, he said.

However, Biren was of the view that there was no point of taking any immediate decision by the House if the Centre chooses to re-enforce the status like it did in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland.

Joykishan said the situation has improved comparatively except for some stray incidents in hill.

He insisted that he would only withdraw his resolution if the chief minister gives assurance on the floor of the House that the government will lift the disturb area status.

In response the chief minister said that any immediate action at the moment by the present government without carefully assessing the situation will not be proper.

“We are doing our best to keep the security forces in commanding position. Moreover, the Supreme Court is also taking serious note of the situation”, he said while stating that he will do the needful when the atmosphere is conducive.

The bill was later withdrawn.

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL| July 28

The Kombirei Environmental Development Organization, Yairalpat, fears that its fish reared at its farm won’t have the ability to meet its yearly yield. The 10-hectare farm is affected by the recent flood which left half of its fish got away into the close-by swamp and marshes.

The 12-member association has likewise presented a proposition to the Manipur environment department for financing the preservation of the Yairalpat. The farm raises fish like silver carp, mrigal, grass carp, common carp and rohu.

“It is disappointing that we are not going to achieve our target this time. We were hoping to harvest fish weighing around 10 kgs each and additionally, we have included young fish for around Rs. 5 lakhs. It appears that our hoped has been washed away by the flood.” said a caretaker of the farm.

He said all possible efforts have been made to prevent the fish from escaping the farm from the incessant rain but all went in vain when the fences on the banks of the farm collapsed. Yet, many people have been fishing the escaped fish in the nearby swamps, he added. The caretaker claimed that the estimated amount of loss can be around Rs. 10 lakhs.

Apart from it, the harvesting, which lasts for one month or more, is done during January especially for Emoinu Numit and fish are sold at the farm itself for Rs. 70,000 to 1 Lakh per day, claimed the caretaker.

He also said, “The silver carp of this farm is of high demand which is different from those available in the market because of its unique taste. Many people throng the farm during the time of harvest and all their demands cannot be fulfilled and also, the harvested fish never make it to the market. But this time it will be difficult to meet demand because of the current loss.”

He said if the government and related department provide financial assistance then, the demand for fish on Emoinu day, next year, can be met.

The 5-year-old farm of Kombirei Environmental Development Organisation, Yairalpat adopts composite fish culture in which more than one type of compatible fish is cultured simultaneously. Fish are reared usually from June. Young fish are specially reared in a nursery pond and later, transferred into a rearing pond when it reaches a certain weight.

The recent incessant rainfall has inundated various farmlands in different parts of Manipur. Although the water level has decreased, the outcome of the flood has caused troubles to the farmers.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joukumar Singh, who is also holding the portfolio of finance, claimed that the current budget of the state is a “surplus” despite the criticism from the Opposition on the inability to pull in substantial funds from Centre.

Joykumar Singh, clarified that the failure to issue Utilisation Certificate (UC) was the reason for the government’s inability to draw funds.

He maintained that the departments face hurdles in the due process to claim more funds from the Centre due to pending of submission of UC.

He pointed out that there was a total pending of submission of UC of Rs. 8525.67 crore by January 31. But, the government under his strong instruction managed to submit UC amounting to Rs. 1846.61 crore just a month back despite the time constraint, he said.

Admitting that the plan size of the budget for the current years was not up to expectation comparatively, he said it was due to excessive revenue expenditures (RE) because of regularizing contract employees, and recruitment of large number of new employees.

Nevertheless, the deputy chief minister claimed that the budget was a “surplus budget” having Rs. 223.68 core (surplus) after deducting all the expenditure. Despite the fact, the government had to begin with an opening balance of a deficit of 877.20 crore, he continued.

The finance minister further said that the department is exploring other avenues besides the existing ones, to increase the state revenue. He revealed that the cabinet has also informally discussed on the possibilities of sale for locally brewed liquor outside the state.

The deputy chief minister, while responding to queries on excise department said the total sanctioned post in excise department is 704 including superintendent of excise.

Of the total 704 sanctioned post, 354 post are lying vacant including 47 posts (sanctioned strength) are that of inspector with 18 vacant post.

He further said that 61 posts are vacant against 88 sanctioned posts of sub-inspectors, 62 ASI vacant against 120 (sanctioned post) and 190 vacancies for constables against 414 (sanctioned post).

Due to the shortage of man-power the department is unable to function effectively, he said adding that out of the total 39 stations, 10 stations are without inspectors.

The minister further assured that the department in consultation with the chief minister would do the needful in due course of time.

Revenue minister, Karam Shyam, said the department is one of the oldest departments and backbone of the administration.

With the creation of seven new districts the state has now a total district of 16 districts and 67 sub-divisions the requirement for more powers has arises, he said adding that of the total requirement of 2,928 staffs there are 2149 employees and has a total vacancies of 779 staffs.

He further informed the House that as per survey the total area of agricultural land is 1,37,057.27 hectres in the state from which a total of Rs. 1,6,8,233.28 revenue can be generated.

Similarly, a revenue of Rs. 23,51,464.94 can also be generated from 27,860.96 hactor of homestead areas excluding Imphal Municipal areas.

With Rs. 15,35,239 revenue collectable from an 1569.3608 hectres of homesteads within Municipal areas of Imphal East and West combined the department can generate a total of Rs. 1,44,94,837.27, he said.

With the shortage of manpower in the department and the fact that the revenue rate has never been revised since 2003 the department is unable to collect substantial amount of revenue, said Karam Shyam.

However, Shyam informed the House that the matter has been discussed with the finance department and the same would be apprised to the chief minister, and that process for revision is under active consideration.

Further clarifying on queries of the Opposition bench particularly to make hill district as revenue areas, he said that the matter was up to the House and that he cannot give any assurance on the issue.

Nevertheless, he expressed his desire on the floor of the House to maintain records of all the lands in the hill districts for the convenient of the state.

Clarifying on the failure to compensate to inhabitants of Haraothel which has been acquired for construction of sports university, Shyam denied acquisition of any public land before adding that the land allotted for the varsity was government land.

Students urged to end agitation, invited to talks

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh assured the Assembly today that his government will introduce a bill to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people.

The chief minister’s assurance came as college and school students are agitating in support of the demand for protection of indigenous people by not allowing outsiders to contest elections. The movement is being spearheaded by Kangleipak Students Association.

Biren, who is also the leader of the House, appealed to students to end their agitations, maintaining that the government is working on a bill.

“The government is working on introducing a bill. I appeal to students to end their agitation. Let us sit together and discuss how we can approach the Centre for safeguarding interest of the indigenous people,” Biren said while responding to a question raised by Congress member R. K. Imo Singh.

Imo expressed serious concern on population influx and also pointed out the ongoing agitation by students demanding constitutional safeguard of the indigenous people and barring of outsiders from contesting elections.

Biren said it is a serious issue in the whole of Northeast, which shares border with Bangladesh and Myanmar while the problem is more acute in Tripura.

Stating that foreigners entered from Bangladesh in Assam and Tripura Biren said efforts are on to check entry by foreigners under foreigners’ act 1968.

Three foreigner check posts have been opened at Moreh, Jiribam and Mao. The government is considering opening one more check post each in Churachandpur and Jiribam. He said foreigners even entered Manipur by flight and therefore the vigil at he airport is strengthened.

Replying to another question raised by Congress member K. Meghachandra Singh on present status of the three bills passed by the state Assembly in 2015 the chief minister said Protection of Manipur People Bill was withheld by the President.

“We cannot work on the bill hastily as the bill should protect interest of all the people in the state. We need to discuss with all groups of people. First we will consult all the stakeholders and will try to introduce the bill as soon as possible,” he said.

Meghachandra urged the chief minister to take up the issue of the other two bills – Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill so that the President’s assent is given to the two bills.

He further urged the chief minister to introduce the bill without further delay.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Kangleipak Students Association tried to storm the BJP state office demanding safeguard of indigenous people of the state and police arrested four volunteers of KSA including the president.

The volunteers arrived at the BJP office, Nityaipat Chuthek at around 2.30 pm by chanting slogans “save the rights of indigenous people”, “non-local must not be candidate”.

To control the protestors, police resorted to lathi charge in front of BJP office on the other side of the road.

Another team of KSA volunteers also tried to storm the BJP office. While the police personnel blocked the agitators, they threw pamphlets having their demands listed inside the office.

The demands were “non-local cannot involve while ruling the state”, “rights of indigenous cannot be handed over to non-local”, “neighbours cannot be the owner”, “reserve seats at eight constituencies for indigenous people” among nothers.

The agitators fled towards Tidim road and pelted stones at the police.

On the other hand, some students of Johnstone Higher Secondary School were injured during the agitation held today at BT road at around 1 pm. They were demanding withdrawal of the FIR filed against students. Students of the school tried to stage sit-in-protest in the eastern side of the school.

Section 144 of the CrPC has been implemented in the city area during the hour of Assembly session. Under this section an assembly of more than four people in an area is prohibited.

As a police team led by additional SP Priyadarshini Laishram tried to control the situation, some unknown persons started pelting stones from the campus towards police personnel.

Police personnel used tear gas, smoke bomb and mock bomb to control the situation. Teachers of school also helped in controlling the situation. After a long negotiation between the police and students the situation came under control.

During the protest some of the police personnel sustained injuries.

Imphal West additional SP (Ops), N. Madhunimai Singh said there is a wrong concept among the students that police cannot beat students during agitation. But if the students turn violent and harm the public then to control the situation police can take necessary actions under the law.

An interaction programme or open debate between public, students and police is highly necessary to avoid such situation at the earliest, he added.