Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 6: “Tax collection in the State has improved significantly with the introduction of 6 e -services. Tax collection has also almost doubled from the previous year” said the Chief Minister of Manipur, O. Ibobi Singh in the Assembly on July 6 while replying to a motion for disapproval for policy cut moved by Andro A/C MLA, Th. Shyamkumar and Keishamthong A/C MLA, L Ibomcha Singh.

According to a release of the DIPR, the Chief Minister further informed the House that with all-out efforts of the Taxation Department and introduction of MMCT (Miss on Mode Collection of Taxes), taxes have been collected in the State without leakage.

With this introduction difficulties and time consumption in getting the Form 6 for paying the taxes also reduced drastically and tax can easily be paid on line. The department managed to collect Rs. 395 crore and Rs. 433.49 In 2013-14, 2014-15 respectively as taxes.

Leakages in the tax : collection has almost checked and reduced drastically. Physical check is also done through flying squad from time to time said the Chief Minister.

He further informed the House that prohibition on sale of liquor has been in force since April 1, 1991 for almost 24 years.

Under the cover of prohibition of liquor only a few black marketers are getting the benefit mainly those who import spurious liquor from Khatkhati, Assam, he continued.

On the contrary, Manipur is not achieving any of the goals for declaring a dry state, he continued.

All these factors hampered the collection of tax and is a huge loss to the state exchequer. Once the prohibition is lifted, Rs.300-500 crore could be generated as revenue annually, he continued.

The people should not only think for the revenue generation but have to make concern for the society and also find a viable way either to lift the prohibition or not after discussing with the NGOs, Civil Societies and other community leaders. Before taking any concrete action discussion is needed in an appropriate forum with all the leaders which is mutually beneficial to find out the merits and dements before lifting the prohibition on the sale of liquor, the CM informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/tax-collection-has-improved-significantly-with-introduction-of-miss-on-mode-collection-of-taxes-chief-minister/

IMPHAL, July 6: The hardcore cadre of NSCN (K), who was formally arrested by National Investigative Agency (NIA) from the court in connection with the deadly Chandel ambush on June 4 and later taken to Delhi for interrogation, has been brought back to Imphal today morning.

The NSCN (K) cadre has been identified as Khumla Abi Anal, 40 alias Ambison son of Late Khumlo Khunjo Anal of Lambung village in Chandel district. He is said to be the Regional Authority, Amamchat Region Chandel of NSCN (K).

He was arrested by a team of Imphal West District Police Commando from a rented house belonging to one Nabachandra at Lamphel Super Market under Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West on June 11 around 11.10 am.

Later, he was formally arrested from the court in connection with a case registered by NIA, Guwahati and was taken to Delhi.

It may be mentioned that Ambison was remanded to judicial custody in connection with a case registered by Lamphel Police Station against him. However, he was formally arrested by NIA from the court of District & Session Judge/Manipur East at Uripok Cheirap Court on June 29, relating to the case registered by the investigative agency on June 6 in connection with the fatal Chandel ambush.

He was taken to Delhi on June 30 by a team of NIA comprising of four officials for interrogation.

Upon his arrival in Imphal, Ambison has been put under requisition at Imphal Police Station.

He will be produced before the court by a team of NIA tomorrow which is the last day of custodial remand to the investigative agency.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/arrested-nscn-k-hardcore-cadre-brought-back-to-imphal-from-delhi/

IMPHAL, July 6: People of Lamlai constituency along with BJP Manipur Pradesh RTI cell Mongjam Poireihenba warned of intense agitation if the government fails to make all department offices in the constituency functional at the earliest.

They had gathered and inspected several offices today highlighted their grievances in health, education, agriculture sectors and the bad law and order situation in the constituency before media persons.

The people echoed one another that most government offices in the constituency had been laying non-functional since some years, except for the 24×7 Primary health centre which is also without a laboratory and doctors especially gynaecologists and paediatricians.

A farmers present at the protest said the veterinary hospital has been lying defunct and locked for a long time.

There are no signs of the presence of any doctor or staff in the hospital since long, he added.

He continued that water supply in Lamlai is also pitiable.

Although there is a FCI godown in the constituency, not a single item has been distributed to the farmers, rather the godown is always packed with personnel from the Lamlai Police, he continued adding that although the Lamlai Police seems to be working hard to safeguard the public, there is no proper structure or site to be called the Lamlai Police Station.

The police personnel have occupied the Electricity building as their barrack and FCS godown is converted as the main office of the police officers, said Poireihenba.

A meira paibi said there are government schools like the Lamlai UJC primary school near Patlou however there is no students as the parents are afraid to send their wards to the schools with dangerous infrastructure.

They also informed that the Minor Irrigation office in the locality is lying defunct and yet to be inaugurated although construction of the office had been completed in 2007.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/intense-agitation-warned-in-lamlai-if-government-offices-not-made-functional/

IMPHAL, July 6: The controversial advertisement for the post of RIMS director released by the Ministry of Health & Home Affairs came up for discussion in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today with MLA Dr. Ibohalbi Singh putting up a short notice question to the head of the department concerned, in this case the Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh.

The MLA asked if it was a fact that contrary to earlier decision taken to raise the superannuation age of the Director RIMS to 65 years, the Deputy Director (Admn), RIMS had indicated the age of the superannuation of Director RIMS would be 62 years in its latest advertisement dated June 24, 2015 for candidacy to the post of Director RIMS.

The simple answer from the Chief Minister, was yes.

Upon further queries whether it was also a fact that the 42nd Executive Council Meeting of RIMS held on August 8, 2011 decided and fixed the age of the superannuation of Director at 65 years, the chief minister answered that such a decision had been taken by the Executive Council Meeting on August 5, 2011.

To the subsidiary question if the 43rd meeting of the same council reaffirmed the resolution of its 42nd meeting, the chief minister`™s answer was in the affirmative.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/rims-director-candidacy-age-question-figures-in-assembly/

IMPHAL, July 6: A two-minute silence was observed by Members of the House during the seventh sitting of the 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, as a mark of condolence to the sudden demise of ex-Minister of State (MoS) In-Charge of IFCD Seikholal who breathed his last on July 4.

Saikholal was elected from Chandel (ST) Assembly Constituency in 1980 and became a House Member.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also the Leader of the House while making Obituary Reference to the late Seikholal recalled that the deceased ex-Minister was born on July 17, 1939 at Tuilok village in Chandel district.

He said that Seikholal retired from his government job in 1960 and since then actively took part in social works.

Seikholal was an active Congress member during 1960-62. Besides contributing towards Bharat Kishan Samaj, Gangte Tribe Tribal Union and Tengnoupal District Demand Committee, he was elected as Commissioner of Sugunu Small Town Committee in 1978, the CM added.

Acknowledging that Seikholal was a dedicated political leader who always worked for betterment of the people, Ibobi expressed that he shares grief of the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace in the heavenly abode.

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar who presides over the House session also made Obituary Reference to the passing away of Seikholal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-mourns-exminister-seikholals-demise/

IMPHAL, July 6: The Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi clarified today that prohibition came into being in the state from April 1, 1991, how said this prohibition has been less than a joke for liquor is available freely anywhere, anywhere and any moment.

The discussion came up during the discussion for demand for grant No. 28 for State Excise for the year 2015-2016 for Rs. 17,65,00,000.

The chief minister was also responding to a motion for disapproval of policy cut moved by Trinamool MLA Th. Shyamkumar Singh on the issue of `Failure to lift liquor prohibition to generate income of the state`.

The chief minister further said that ever since prohibition came into existence, though liquor still freely flows, the revenue generated by the State Excise has dropped to just about Rs. 7 crores to Rs. 8 crores.

Had all the liquor still flowing into the State being sold legally, the State Excise would have been able to realise an annual revenue of between Rs. 300 crores to Rs. 500 crores, Ibobi further said.

He said in the entire Northeast, only Manipur and Nagaland are the two where prohibition is in vogue. Even the Christian State of Mizoram has done away with prohibition he reiterated.

But there are certain sections of NGOs who are opposed to the idea, saying Manipur cannot simply follow the example of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya and lift prohibition charging that the government is craving for revenue at the cost of destroying families and the society at large.

Moreover, because liquor is finding its way into the State through unofficial channels, there are reports that much of it is spurious, the Chief Minister said. He even said there are reports that at Khatkhati, there are blackmarketeers mixing contaminants to bottled brands for illegal profits.

However, he said the matter of lifting prohibition have to be debated and thrashed on an appropriate forum at the soonest and a final decision taken.

Joining the discussion, the Andro MLA Shyamkumar said a better option would be to refine the State`™s own brews, such as those of Sekmai, Andro and Phayeng, and look for export market for them. This would be a much better revenue earner, he emphasised.

The Chief Minister took note of this suggestion but said this will not be possible so long as prohibition remains. However, he also added that the matter of lifting prohibition should not be the sole decision of the government, and if at all, this will have to be done in consultation with the people of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/the-plea-for-not-lifting-prohibition-is-strange-for-liquor-flows-amidst-prohibition-says-cm/

IMPHAL, July 6: The Myanmar delegation for the seventh Regional Border Committee Meet scheduled to be held at Imphal has arrived at Mantripukhri today, according to an official statement.

The statement said the foreign delegation is led by Maj Gen Min Naung, Commander North West Command and accompanied by 18 Myanmar military and civilian officials.

According to the release, the delegation would be interacting with Indian Army team led by Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC Spear Corps.

Indian delegation will also include senior officials of Assam Rifles, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, it said.

The meeting led by top military commanders from both sides would enhance existing mutual cooperation and confidence building between both armies deployed along the International Border. Indian Army will also discuss the proposed plans of training Myanmar Army and Myanmar Police Force in their capacity building, it said.

Discussion on the current security situation along the Indo-Myanmar Border is also on the agenda of the meeting, it said.

In the current security scenario, the meeting of Indo-Myanmar delegation is considered significant from the point of collectively dealing with the insurgency in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, it said.

Further according to the statement, the Myanmar delegation will also visit Bodh Gaya and get an opportunity of sightseeing in the City of Joy, Kolkata before they return to Myanmar on July 10, it said.

In another press release, the PRO has said that the 11 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR has conducted a Children`™s Summer Camp at Mother Teresa Missionary Charity Home, Ward No. 9 Moreh from June 29 to July 3.

The camp included children`™s participation in various activities such as Fashion Show on traditional dresses and various other Cultural programmes. The 11 AR provided and organised the musical concert, pipe and Jazz band display. The unit culminated the camp with distribution of book and study materials to inmates, conducting a free medical camp, it said

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/seventh-indomyanmar-regional-border-committee-meet-at-imphal/

IMPHAL, July 6: Along with presenting six demands for Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who also holds the portfolio of Finance during the seventh sitting of the 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, Members of the House unanimously passed the six demands after having threadbare discussion.

The total amount of the six demands passed by the House is Rs. 1165,04,21,000.

The demands are Demand No 6 `“ Rs. 10,43,90, 000 for Transport; Demand No 8 `“ Rs. 639,99,63,000 for Public Works Department; Demand No 21 `“ Rs. 87,29,01,000 for Commerce and Industries; Demand No 28 `“ Rs. 17,65,00,000 for State Excise; Demand No 29 `“ Rs. 4,00,66,000 for Sales Tax, other Taxes/Duties on Commodities and Services and Demand No 30 `“ Rs. 405,66,01,000 for Planning.

While putting up the demands for passing in the House, opposition MLAs L Ibomcha Singh, Th Shyamkumar Singh and Dr I Ibohalbi Singh raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut. MLA Karam Shyam Singh also gave observation on PWD during the House session.

On Demand No 6 `“ Transport, MLA L Ibomcha Singh along with MLA Th Shyamkumar raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on failure to install traffic signal system in the urban areas of Imphal; failure to utilise JnNURM Bus for the last several years; failure to collect transfer fees from the organized sellers/agents of pre used cars by the organized sellers and failure to follow/implement specific Motor Vehicles Rules and regulations/guidelines.

On Demand No 8 `“ Public Works Department, the two MLAs also raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on failure to maintain the IVRS in Manipur; failure to take up the widening of the approach road to Sadu Chiru Waterfall from Leimaram Lamkhai at NH-150; failure to construct sufficient numbers of RCC culverts across Imphal-Mayang Imphal Road resulting in submersion of western side of Mayang-Imphal Road under water after light rain; delay in processing files for obtaining AA/Technical sanction etc; failure to provide sufficient fund for Khagempalli Road; failure to maintain/repair Major Districts Roads (MDR) and Other District Roads (ODR) and failure to stop awarding of works before tender processes are completed.

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi also took part in taking up the Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut.

While discussing Demand No 21- Commerce and Industries, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh and MLA Th Shyamkumar Singh raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on absence of initiative for strengthening industrial energy in Manipur and failure to organize awareness/training programmes for unemployed youths of the state especially in small scale industries.

MLA Th Shyamkumar Singh while discussing Demand No 28 `“ State Excise raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on failure to lift liquor prohibition to generate income of the state.

On Demand No 29 `“ Sale Tax, other Taxes/Duties on commodities and services, MLA L Ibomcha Singh raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on failure to streamline tax collecting structure and need for proper monitoring; failure to check evasion of taxes; need to widen tax base at par with neighbouring states and need to introduce double point entry system in levying VAT or Sales Tax to check tax evasion.

Whereas on Demand No 30 `“ Planning, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh raised Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut on failure of involvement of village level, block level, district level organs in the planning process.

However, the cut motions raised by the four MLAs were later withdrawn after the Chief Minister, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam and PWD Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh gave clear clarifications.

As the House gave consent to the withdrawal of the cut motions by the MLAs, the six demands amounting to Rs 1165, 04, 21, 000 were unanimously passed during the session.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-okays-six-demands-amounting-to-rs-1165-04-21-000/

IMPHAL, July 6: A woman and her minor son survived an alleged attack by a person wielding a knife over financial matters although both suffered multiple stab injuries.

The incident of alleged attack occurred yesterday around 8 pm at the woman`™s home at Awang Sekami, according to family members.

While the mother-son duo has been admitted at the Raj Medicity for treatment, the attacker who was assaulted by a mob has also been admitted at the RIMS.

The woman has been identified as Khwairakpam (o) Kunjalata, 44, wife of Kh Brajakumar of Awang Sekmai Khunou Leikai and her son is identified as Kh Albert, 14.

The accused perpetrator has been identified as Sanabam Bishworjit from Langmeidong now staying at Kanglatombi Santipur.

Family members of the victims said Kunjalata had earlier given Rs 2.90 lakhs to Bishworjit in connection to some business after borrowing the sum from a local `marup`™.

Kunjalata had demanded the sum yesterday stating that the people conducting the `marup`™ were asking for the amount, however, Bishwajit asked to wait till night time.

As appointed, Bishworjit arrived around 8:04 pm to their home, family members said.

And after asking for a glass of water and then the way to the toilet, he gave just Rs 6400 to Kunjalata and when the latter asked for the remaining amount, he took out two knifes from his back and attacked Albert and then Kunjalata.

Due to the sudden attack, Kunjalata shouted for help gathering her neighbours who also attacked Bishworjit.

Bishworjit was admitted to RIMS following the incident, while the two were rushed to Rajmedicity.

Kunjalat suffered multiple knife injuries on her head and right hand, while Albert was suffered on his head, chest and left hand, however, both are said to be out of danger.

Meanwhile, Kunjalata claimed that Bishworjit tried to kill them taking advantage of the fact that there was no man in the house.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/motherson-duo-survive-knife-attack/