Category: Imphal Free Press

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 27

Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation, Manipur will be organising a one day state level parents convention for persons with disabilities on July 30 at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul.

A release said the aim of the convention is to discuss about the role of parents to bring their children in the mainstream life and the challenges face by them so that they can contribute to the welfare of the state and the nation as a whole.

Registration will be done between 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the venue and all the parents are requested to attend the convention, added HD Foundation in the release.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The cyber crime unit, Imphal west arrested two persons yesterday for uploading a group photo on Facebook with a caption “leimaramda hidak ngaorambi police na faraba nupi sing” on 24 July which later went viral in social media.

The two arrested persons are identified as Moirangthem Dorendro (26) son of late M. Babumacha of Charangpat Mamang Leikai and Sorokhaibam Opal (38) son of S. Temba of Oinam Awang Leikai.

They were arrested following a complaint filed to the police stating that one Dorendro Moirangthem and one person with Facebook profile name Sorokhaibam Opal uploaded a group photo caption with “leimaramda hidak ngaorambi police na farba nupising” on his Facebook page.

The complained also stated that the act outraged the modesty of her in various way by using electronic media and moreover it created problems in her family life thereby causing bad reputation and outraging the modesty of the women in society.

The complaint was forwarded to cyber crime unit, Imphal West and accordingly the cyber crime unit, Imphal West conducted an inquiry regarding the matter and were able to arrest the two accused persons.

The police team also seized their mobile phones with SIM cards which were used in the commission of the crime.

The arrested persons were produced before the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West and the court remanded both the accused to five days police custody for further investigation as prayed by the investigating officer of the case.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

The intending candidate of Takyel Gram Panchayat L. Geetchandra objected to holding the lottery for the pradhans and members for women’s seat reservations in SC, ST categories for gram panchayat election of Imphal West yesterday.

He alleged that the lottery was held without conforming to the rules laid down by the Centre for the panchayat election. He said the basis of rules for the lottery was different from other districts.

Geetchandra said as per the panchayat rule, those who were unreserved in the last election lottery must be reserved in the next lottery. But for Imphal West only ST seats were taken out and all the remaining seats were conducted lottery.

However, when he made inquiries officials did not entertain his complaint.

He urged the government to look into the matter within tomorrow itself and demanded that the concerned authority must clarify the matter.

IMPHAL | July 27

The Manipur Government Services’ Federation has strongly condemned the statement given by deputy chief minister on the floor of the House about implementation of 7th Pay Commission on July 25.

A release said the deputy CM, Y. Joykumar, who is also the finance minister should understand that all other states have already implemented 7th Pay.

“It should be recalled that the BJP’s vision document published during last Assembly electioneering might have not been gone through by the deputy CM as he responded with a half-baked knowledge,” the release allged. “The immature and incapable minister should be excluded from the Council of Ministers so as to find a clean and ideal governance in the state.”

The federation has stated that they are not in the mode of agitation as per understanding made with the chief secretary on July 13 and further warned that if the government fails to implement the recommended 7th Pay, there will be a strong outrage from different types of employees across the state.

The Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Union Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation (AMGEO) also condemned the statement of Kh. Joykumar, finance minister in-charge, in which the state has not yet prepared for implementing 7th Central Pay in the Manipur Assembly session of July 25.

Khaidem Mani, president of AMTUC and AMGEO, said the organisations will launch agitation such as mass casual leave, pen-down strike and work to rules with black badge if the matter is not brought up in the ongoing Assembly session. 

Mani said, “effective functioning of the government needs the help of its employees.” He added that the organisations are disappointed as the government does not pay heed to the matter despite suspension of their strike.

He further said the employees of central government have already enjoyed 7th pay commission.

On 17th November, 2016 in the chamber of chief secretary, government of Manipur, the chief secretary had committed to the core committee and executive council members of AMTUC and AMGEO for positive response of 22 points charter of demands. Among the legitimate 22 points charters of demand submitted to chief minister on October 10 2016, 7th central pay is one of the important points, he added.

1. Biken Singh, secretary general, AMTUC and AMGEO, said that members of the organisations have discussed the implementation of 7th Pay with the government in April this year. But there is no sign of positive response from the government till now. He added that if there is communication gap between the government and its employee then, it will not be called as good governance. He also said that the government has acted contrarily on the demands made by the organisations.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 27

To protest over the alleged assault to the president of students’ union, Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, Joint Tribal Students’ Union, Imphal has appealed to all tribal students to abstain from attending their respective classes from July 28.

Lensonthang Haokip, president, JTSU-I said that Mini Baite, president, Students’ Union Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy was assaulted by some students near the school toilet with no clear reason.

He continued that the student body demanded the school authority to resolve the matter by bringing an understanding within three days on July 24. The student body also served an ultimatum that the school authority that if the matter is not resolved within the stipulated time the tribal students will abstain from their respective class until it is resolved amicably.

“Therefore, we asked all the tribal students to stay away from their respective classes from tomorrow as the school authority has failed to resolve the matter”, said Haokip.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

In the hope to get more help from the state government in protection of women in the state, a one-day consultation cum public meeting was held today at Lamyanba Shanglen.

It was organised by civil society organisations including Women Action for Development (WAD), Naga Women Union (NWU), Centre for Women Development (CWD), United NGOs Mission-Manipur among others.

Secretary of WAD, Sobita Mangsatabam giving the keynote address highlighted that there is an increase of crimes against women in the state which is really disturbing. She said that as per data collection, there are 186 cases of violence against women from January 1 to July 25 this year.

The reports itself speaks volumes of the state situation and a remedy should be brought soon to tackle violence against women, she continued.

Chinglen Maisnam, economist of MU said that the daily reports of crime against women in the newspapers are now habituated by people. Such news items do not make people curious anymore, he continued.

He also said that Manipur has a report of one crime against women in every nine days. But despite this, it also has one of the lowest submissions of charge-sheet and that means there is no conviction and many cases go unsolved.

He also mentioned one of the amazing facts of the country that while the reports of crime against women are increasing, as many as 24 members of high government officials have cases against them and still they run the government.

1. Jibanmala Devi, secretary of CWD, briefing media persons said that “we are thankful to the present state government that they have responded well to our demands and for setting up fast track court to deal cases against women and a women helpline number”.

She pointed out that holding such consultation programme may not affect immediately but “it may at least reach the ears of the MLAs and ministers of the state so that they would extend their possible help in fighting crime against women in the state”.

This is also an awareness programme plus punishment demands to the culprits plus the teaching of socialisation process to the public to live by morals and values, she added.

The meeting was also attended by Romeo Yuhlung, secretary of United Tribal Development Programme (UTDP), Okram Ranjita, secretary of Singjamei Apunba Chanura Sintha Lup, L. Pisak, director of Childline Bishnupur, Lalam Mate, president of All Tribal Women Development Organisation Chandel among others.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

Coalition of Indigenes’ Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur’s student front appealed to all the colleges and schools students across the state to hoist the Manipur “national flag” in their respective schools and college on August 14 (Manipur Independence Day).

Addressing a press meet today at CIRCA office at Kwakeithel, Imphal CIRCA, convenor, Moirangthem Angamba Meitei said that hosting of Manipur “national flag” is to remember and show to the world that  Manipur was once an independent country.

CIRCA will organise a function on August 11, to let the students aware about the “Instrument of Accession” signed between the Maharaja of Manipur and the Governor General of India on August 11, 1947, he added.

According to the Instrument of Accession, any function in relation to the administration of the state and law of the dominion should be exercised by the state, except for the defence, communication, action and affairs, continued the convenor.

CIRCA, co-convenor, Rajesh Yumnam said that the “nation flag” of Manipur will be available in the head office and all the branch offices of Democratic Students Alliance Manipur and Apunba Ireipakki Meheiro Sinpanglup which are CIRCA student’s front organisation.

The venue of the function on Instrument of Accession will be announced soon, he added.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | July 27

Under the chief minister’s Green Manipur initiative, the deputy commissioner of Churachandpur, Shyam Lal Poonia, superintendent of police Rakesh Balwal, DLOs and civil organisations today carried out a tree plantation drive at the mini secretariat and staff quarters campus, Churachandpur

Officials from various government departments, representatives from civil societies and media persons participated in the drive.

Speaking on the occasion, Shyam Lal Poonia stressed on the need to take up serious steps towards plantation of new trees and at the same time to preserve the existing forest to maintain ecological balance for sustainable future.

He also appealed to all the stakeholders to come forward and help in achieving the goal of Green Manipur.

Search operation

In view of Independence Day on August 15, about 100 personnel of Churachandpur district police conducted a cordon and search operation in the areas of the district from 4 am to 6 am today.

The operation was led by additional SP L. Khongsai along with SDPOs Augustine Khongsai and Johnny Sharma from Thanlon and Churachandpur and altogether around 300 people were verified, out of which 16 persons could not produce valid documents and they were taken to Churachandpur police station for further verification.

IMPHAL | July 27

Maram Khullen Circle Youth & Students’ Association (MKCYSA) expressed its strong resentment against the transfer order of the Maram PHC senior most Medical Officer (SMO) in-charge, Dr. Ngouniba Peter.

A release said the transfer order has come a time when the PHC is doing so well under the said doctor. Medical facilities at Maram PHC has today become a 24×7 medical aid centre rendering prompt services not only to the locals but to the vast area populace including Mao, Poumai, Upper Zaliang areas, Don Bosco college students and other emergency patients and casualties, it added.

The local populace considers the sudden transfer of the SMO as an injustice and a measure of discouragement to an honest, efficient and hard-working government servant, it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 27

In an aim to educate the deeper logics and teachings of philosophy, a five-day teachers’ orientation course started today at DM College of Arts, philosophy department. It is also organised by the same.

During the opening function, Dorendra Singh, retired principal of DM College of Arts who was also the chief guest said that philosophy is one of the most regarded subjects and a respectable profession.

He talked about contemporary philosophy and analytical philosophy which is also the topics to be discussed in the orientation course.

He went on by saying that in philosophy, one of the most important logic is “it is our common property” and that common sense is the original home of philosophers and without it, no philosopher can substantiate its theory or thesis.

Professor S. Shyamkishore Singh, retired head dean of humanities, MU and Sharangajit Khundrakpam, president of DM College of Arts attended the function as presidium members.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | July 27

Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong, Armstrong Pame organised awareness and registration drive on Good and Services Tax (GST) at the conference hall of DC office, Tamenglong today.

Hundreds of shopkeepers attended the first ever awareness campaign on GST in Tamenglong. Officials of state government who attended as resource persons were assistant commissioner of taxes, R. K. Khurkishore Singh and superintendents of taxes N. Denish Singh, Ph. Agang Kabui and Amos Kamei.

Armstrong Pame said that his personal assistant Rachubiu Pame has appointed temporary coordinator to monitor and registration of GST in the district headquarters till the department depute a staff.

The department is not in a position to depute a staff or sanction money to repair the room for office in the district, he added.

He also assured all the shop owners and traders to open one facilitation counter at the office complex of the DC Tamenglong.

IMPHAL| July 27

A district wise training programme of the staff members of the institutions under the Council of Higher Secondary Education for the online submission of enrolment and registration of students for class XI and XII was organised today at the meeting hall of the council.

On the first day of the programme today, 80 staff members of institutions from the allotted districts were imparted hands on training for the online submission, said a release. The programme is taken up as a part of the digitisation of the students’ data, it said adding after the completion of the training programme, the online submission and registration will commence from the first week of August. The training programme will continue up till July 31, it added.