Month: December 2017

IMPHAL | Dec 8

Teachers and students of Birmangol College, Sawombung today staged a sit-in protest against threat to the college principal by a militant group at the college premise.

Speaking to media persons, former secretary of the college student’s union, Y. Ajitkumar said that the students of the college are feeling unsecured due to the threat by militant group, KCP Chingkhei Progressive. The militant group ordered for indefinite shutdown of the college and also warned that the teachers and students should be responsible for any outcome if they attend the college, he added.

He appealed the militant group to withdraw the shutdown concerning the career of the students and innocent teachers.

IMPHAL | Dec 8

State paid homage to Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Maharaja on his 219th Death Anniversary today. The closing function of his Death Anniversary was held today at the Auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) at Palace Compound in Imphal. Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh along with Arts & Culture Minister led the people to pay floral tribute to the portrait of the Maharaja. The closing function was organised by Nabadwip Shri Shri Anumahaprabhu Sebait Samity.

Speaking at the function, Deputy chief minister said, the political, religious and cultural thinking of Maharaja has to be remembered as it has the relevance and importance in the present day society. It is because of his contribution that Manipuri culture can occupy a place in the world.

He said, Hinduism is not only a religion but also a way of life. Being one of the oldest religions in the world, it survives for so long as it can absorb new things from time to time. Recalling the contributions made by the Maharaja in the field of culture, Joykumar said, we should appreciate his work in the development of Manipuri Culture especially in Ras Leela and Sankritan.  Being a good ruler and also a good follower of God, he built many temples in the State and even in the State of West Bengal i.e in Nabadwip, he added.

Art & Culture Minister L. Jayantakumar Singh said, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra may be considered as the Guru of all time with respect to Manipuri cultural activities. He said, to recollect and to revive his cultural activities would be true tribute to the departed soul. We are proud of his contribution nowadays, he added. Jayantakumar also appealed the members of Nabadwip Shri Shri Anumahaprabhu Sebait Samity to co-operate with the Government in the development of Maharaja’s Cultural Contributions.

1. Subhaschandra Singh, MLA also spoke on the importance of Maharaja’s contribution in the development of Manipuri Culture. H. Guneshwore Sharma, former Chairperson of Imphal Municipal Council also attended the closing function as Special Guest. Office bearers of the Samity and peoples from different backgrounds also attended the function.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Dec 8

BJP Heirok Mandal under the supervision of Bharatiya Janata Party, Thoubal district, organised a one- day political conference at the community hall of Umang Laikol at Heriok Part I today.

MLA, Wangjing-Tentha assembly constituency, Paonam Brojendro said the ideas of the Prime Minster, Narendra Modi is worth following. He is one of the world leaders now, he said. The reception of the prime minister held at Isarel with a red carpet is something the former prime ministers have never received, he added.  

He has introduced many schemes and projects for providing employment to the educated youths of India. When taken from the perspective of the context of Manipur, the works and deeds taken up by the chief minister, N. Biren is truly satisfying, he said.  The relation between and hill and valley is now closer, he said adding the government run by CM Biren is heading towards progress and development.

Stating that a politician must be able to adapt to the changing times, he expressed his finding satisfaction while working under the chief minister. He also praised the residents of Heirok for choosing the better candidate in the election.

The speakers in the conference, mainly the leaders of BJP state unit, especially Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, professor Tiken, Saratkumar Sharma, Sarda Devi and the former president, BJP state unit, Santikumar Sharma expressed that the congress party’s making up an issue out the framework agreement  in order to make political gains was unfortunate. Allegations were also made in the conference that congress party was the one that actually challenged the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The leaders in the conference also spoke in details about the various schemes and projects of the Prime Minister and laid down several rules and regulations of the party.  

 The occasion attended by the workers of BJP from several areas of Thoubal was attended by president, BJP Thoubal district, L. Deben as president. The presidents of the other mandals and candidates of the previous election also took part in the conference.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 17

The department of veterinary and animal husbandry has allegedly conducted the DPC for the recruitment of 22 veterinary officers (VO) (Grave-IV) in the wake of a standing order of the High Court not to declare the result of the said examination conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC).

It is learnt that the DPC was conducted on the night of December 4 last, just five days after a legal notice was served to the principal secretary and director of the concerned department not to go ahead with the decisions of the state cabinet with regards to the regularization and reinstatnement of then 37 contract employees who were engaged on contract basis during the year 199 to 2002. It has been informed that the contract of the 37 individuals was terminated in the year 2003.

In 2015, the All Manipur Unemployed Veterinary Doctors Association (AMUVDA) filed a case with the High Court (HC) for the direct recruitment of the 59 vacant posts through Manipur Public Service Commissioned and not to engage or re-engage veterinary officers on contract basis after the ban is being lifted.

The High Court had given the directive to the state government for early consideration of the unemployed VOs she said.

Subsequently, the state cabinet gave its approval to lift the direct recruitment ban of Vety. & AH dept. and fill up the 59 vacant posts of VOs directly through MPSC.

But to the surprised of the association the previous government in violation of HC directive took a cabinet decision to put up only 22 posts instead of 59 posts.

Left with no choice the AMUVDA further filed a case challenging the advertisement (dated July 5, 2017) inviting application for recruitment to 22 VOs.

While the HC reportedly stayed the MPSC examination result in response to the said petition, the veterinary department allegedly conducted the DPC for the recruitment of 22 VO clandestinely on the night of December 4. The matter was also listed for further hearing on December 4 but later deferred to another date.

The move has raised concern amongst the aggrieved petitioners who has been relentlessly fighting for their demands. AMUVDA had also submitted several memorandums to the successive governments in connection with their demands.

IMPHAL | Dec 8

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister, Karam Shyam expressed the need for exploring an alternative mode of transportation of LPG and POL products in to Manipur and made functional.

He was speaking during the review meeting on marketing Infrastructure and Availability of Petroleum Products in North Eastern Region at Guwahati.

He further said the state government is keen to invite exploration of petroleum products and natural gas so that revenue may be generated and shared employment opportunities are being tapped as envisioned in the Vision Document. He also said as outlined in the vision document, doubling oil and gas by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fast tracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighbouring countries are commendable goals.

Stating that North Eastern Region is blessed with hydrocarbons resources, hydropower besides being a biodiversity hotspot, he said the only major hurdle stopping the economic growth of the region is the inability to translate the potential into corresponding realities.

He also said it is high time that the natural resources of the North Eastern Region are harnessed in a concerted manner under the framework of Hydrocarbon Vision 2030. With the expected completion of railway project by 2019, the Malom depot will be fed by rail and the transportation infrastructure bottlenecks due to bad road conditions will be over, he said.  Seeking attention of the Union Govt to complete the Railway Project in a time bound manner, the Minister said completion of the project on time is highly critical, he added.

The state government has taken initiative to acquire 26 acres of land for development of railway siding including Tank Truck parking at Malom Depot of IOC, he continued. He said for transportation of LPG and POL there is a need for establishing pipeline connectivity. Stating that the state government will provide adequate support, he urged the Union Govt to expedite a) Guwahati – Lumding – Imphal Product Pipeline b) Numaligarh – Dimapur – Imphal – Moreh Product Pipeline c) Numaligarh – Dimapur – Imphal Product Pipeline.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, all Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution ministers of NE states and other officials attended the Review Meeting on Marketing Infrastructure and Availability of Petroleum Products in North Eastern Region.

IMPHAL | Dec 8

The Yambem Farmers Club Yambem Yairipok said 18 thousand bundles of hay stalks and materials required for mushroom farming being kept at Iroi lok under Andro assembly constituency was destroyed with fire by unknown miscreants on December 5.

The hay stalks and vermicompost were kept under the department of horticulture and soil conservation, government of Manipur with the aim of producing more mushrooms, a release said.

While the farmers were visiting other farms to collect hay, the hay stalks and vermicompost were torched by unknown miscreants destroying value worth of Rs. 60 -70 thousands, it said.

Yambem Farmers’ Club have appealed not to repeat such reckless act, which looks down upon the farmers and ignores the works taken up by the government, in the future, it further said. Instead of committing such shameful actions, they should join in the works taken up by the government and they are warmly welcomed, it added.