Tag: Editorial

State Government is making serious attempt to revive Government schools as the situation demands it. Government endeavour had yielded good result. Now children have rushed to Government schools gleefully. Parents are also happy that there had been drastic cut in the education expenditure of their siblings. Government school demands only Rs 2000 as admission fee and monthly fee is almost nil. Admission fee charged by private school is unaffordable. Really very high. Government schools competing with private schools at the intermediate level will have far reaching consequences in bettering education system in the state. Benefits have been reaped. Mass copying in the examination hall has become a thing of the past. If similar attempt is made by the Health Department Government of Manipur it will bring a change in providing better health care to the patients at the Government hospital and health centres? We have noticed in Manipur mushrooming of private clinics and diagnostic centres.
Private clinics are doing a thriving business as the Government hospitals exist for name sake. There is complete absence of the medical equipments in the Government hospitals. The little few available are either non functional or there are no mechanics to operate these machines. Doctors are given non practising allowances. But too many of them perform surgical operation at private clinics to earn hefty income in addition to their normal salary given by the Government. This goes on unchecked. A system needs to be evolved to create room for healthy growth of Government hospitals and health centre. Only 10 percent of the population can afford the luxury of getting treatment at the private clinics. The rest 90 percent rot at the Government hospitals. Success or failure of a Government is
decided by how it attempts to take care of the poverty stricken people. All these schemes and policies are for the poor people. No scheme or policy is set to look after wealthy people. Because a Government exists to serve the interest of the helpless lot. It is time Medical Department Government of Manipur take steps to better Government hospitals and centres. Doctors suggesting patients to go to private clinics to get medical treatment could be seen as a blow to the poor people. They have no money to give Doctors fee and room charges imposed on them by the private clinics. Yet they go to private clinics. For people have lost confidence in the Government hospital. This is not a good trend. Crores of rupees have been spent in the infrastructural development of hospitals and health centres and also in paying perks and perquisites of Doctors and nurses. If the poor patients would not get the benefit of having these Government hospitals pouring fund on them is like throwing waste materials into the deep gorge. The situation now calls for thorough analysis by the competent authority. Poverty stricken people cannot be kept neglected. Try to see how these Government hospitals and health centres are functioning. Something will surely come out after the inspection. That will be good for one and all.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-hospitals-and-health-centres/

People nurture too many expectations from the Government. They want the Government to take steps to ensure regular power supply, better road communication and improvement of drinking water supply. These are basic amenities, which cannot be denied to the people. Too many precious years had gone by without doing anything for enhancing state’s power generation. The state Government of the past landed in sixes and sevens without knowing what to do. Because the plan envisaged by it lacked vision. Power sector was kept neglected. Now the importance of Power Department had enhanced after it rested with the Chief Minister. The present system of Power Department being taken care of by the Chief Minister must continue as a tradition until Manipur becomes self sufficient in power sector. The department’s gigantic task of installing prepaid meter system at Imphal will be of immense help in checking meter and power theft. Besides checking power theft the system has taught the consumers to be economical in using electricity .There is a saying those, who think more do more. All of sudden too many thinking men have come out from amongst the employees of the Power Department. They will do more. Moreover Chief Minister O. Ibobi when he retained Power portfolio had a mission though undisclosed to ensure regular power for at least 16 hours in a day. With this aim in view various efforts were made. The plus point of Shri Ibobi is that he can think big. Prepaid meter system that has been introduced in the bazaar areas will be expanded further to cover the entire state capital. This is a good achievement. The state capital will receive power supply round the clock. Electricity is available. Like the consumable item it is sold. If we have fund it can be bought. Introduction of prepaid meter system will fill the state coffer, which can be used in buying power from different states. As the power supply has become regular at the bazaar areas even the owner of small shop at Paona Bazar has shown readiness to pay Rs 2000 per month. As long as there is regular power supply everyone will show the similar gesture. The Power Deptt can now multiply the number of shops and household power consumers in Imphal by Rs 1000. The figure will be staggeringly high. Power Department will become income earning department. From here to the next step it will be a smooth journey. Useless factories that consume electricity, like thirsty man drinking water, without adding any production will be shifted away to the outskirts of the state capital. Once power supply system has been streamlined the state Government can focus on other development aspect. The general masses have shown confidence in the ability of the Government. They have shown trust in the Government’s endeavour to bring a change. The trust that had been shown should not be butchered. Go ahead bring more development programmes to the state to make people living in the state worthy of being called a Manipuri.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-can-win-confidence-of-the-masses/

Some news is soothing to hear. Our boys and girls dominated the admission test conducted by NEIGRIMS for selection for MBBS students grabbing 11 out of the 18 seats reserved for outsiders. Though the number of the successful students revealed a sharp decline from previous year the figure is really sparkling considering the share taken by our students in the test. Last year the boys and girls from Manipur grabbed 15 out of 18 students. That speaks for itself. Every year in the month of July hundreds of students from Manipur make beeline journey to different parts of the country to try their fortune in academic pursuit. No wonder they are merrily absorbed by the academic institutes spread across the nation. In the NDA examination also our boys could easily collect too many seats. All these are reflection of changing scenario of the education system in Manipur. It is heartening to learn that the RIMS has been given permission to open BDS. This will go a long way in absorbing the ever increasing number of bright students, who want to go for medical line. But the RIMS authority’s decision to keep some seats reserved for the employees of the RIMS sounds funny. The stomach upturns when the news of such kind is heard. Before someone begins to vomit the decision should be changed. If the RIMS authority refuses to do so the highest authority should intervene. Certain seats are reserved in some cases for active service and sports persons. Because they are different. The sacrifice made by them is paramount. RIMS employees cannot be put at the same level with those belonging to the above group. This is not a good trend, which needs to be annihilated. If the similar method is applied by all these Government departments how would common people get the benefit given by the Government? A Government does not exist to serve the interest of Government servants only. Earlier Manipur Medical Minister had three medical seats reserved in his name in the selection of MBBS students. But the system was abrogated by Late Tompok Singh when he was Medical Minister. He knew that the system ended up being used by worthless students, who entered the profession using the clout of influential persons. He was hailed for the historic decision taken then. Whoever responsible for taking funny decision by the RIMS authority to reserve BDS seats for RIMS employees owes an explanation to the people of the state as to why the seats should be reserved? Laws cannot be framed to benefit oneself. The changes that have been brought by time should be heaped in the right manner acceptable to all. We give the credit for the sea change brought in the education system from primary level up to intermediate level to the private school owners. As they compete to churn out the best students from their respective schools the benefit is heaped by the students in particular and the society as a whole. Interesting scene is noticed in Manipur. Students without being told have gone to their study room. Nothing should be done to frustrate them. In the recent past they were seen loitering aimlessly as if they are surrounded by the future that is grim. Better days ahead.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/better-days-are-ahead/

The roads at Lamphel areas are horrible. The entire stretch of the roads passing through the areas is covered with potholes. Roads at the outskirt areas of the Imphal city need to be repaired on regular basis to reduce traffic congestion at Imphal areas. As these roads are in bad condition the city dwellers have opted for the road that is smooth. They have not used these roads passing through Lamphel areas. RIMS road has been properly maintained after a visit by the Chief Minister O. Ibobi. Similar visit by the top executive of the state is called for on the spot assessment of the existing condition of the roads at Lamphel areas. People’s representatives, concerned Government officials it seems do not have time to ponder over the matter. If they paid attention something would have been done. Even in the far flung areas of the state Government machineries are pressed into service to smoothen the roads. Why Lamphel area roads are singled out for making a model of neglect by the men in power. The serpentine roads passing through the areas connecting with Langgol and other offices scattered here and there at Lamphel areas are all filled with muddy water as the pothole size grows bigger daily. After all Lamphel area is in the heart of the town just one and half kilometre away from the main Khwairamband bazaar area. To ease traffic congestion and also to control the inflow of buyers at the main market centre the state Government opened vegetable market at Lamphel just in front of Shankar hall. That was a good step that helped expansion of business centre. But creation of shopping centre alone cannot drag away buyers. At par the road leading to the market centre too needs to be improved. The road at the area is deplorable. By sprinkling some gravel the road can be made usable. Too many big shots are staying at Lamphel areas the number of type 7 quarters spread over the area reflect that. It is really amazing they too cannot think of improving the condition of the roads used by them. If they cannot improve the condition of the roads used by them daily how can they think of other areas not frequented by them. Manipur will continue to lag behind. Something is wrong somewhere. We have concerned engineering department whose sole responsibility is to supervise the condition of the road and make recommendation for its improvement. But the question remains do they really know that the condition of the roads at Lamphel areas is extremely deplorable? The state PWD should feel the problems caused by the deplorable condition of the road and take immediate steps for repairing of the road. Delay in taking steps will earn the wrath of the masses that will be too costly. No one reason that is responsible for deterioration of the condition of the road is overflowing of water on the road. Water has ceased to run in the drains. If PWD would not repair roads which department would do that?

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/muddy-roads-at-lamphel-areas/

Pranab Kumar Mukherjee will be the 14th President of the world largest democratic country. A shrewd politician and a problem solver Pranab Mukherjee, who had immense administrative skill, will occupy the highest post of the country. He is real choice of the time. The victory margin has indicated it. Even the NDA allies supported him. The country will now see a real politician occupying the highest post of the country. Pranab Mukherjee as Finance Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister left a good mark. It was a fitting tribute to a leader of his stature that he bade bye to active politics in the manner he did. Congress party has been deprived of a great leader, who can make political rumblings to its favour. But the people of the country have gained. Their President will be a
functional President. Zero responsibility stigma associated with the presidential job may be gone at least during his term. Too many bills of great importance were passed by the UPA Government at the centre using him as a conduit to convince the opposition on the need for passing the bills. Opposition sponsored PA Sangma lacked charisma set against Pranab Mukherjee. NDA’s main aim and object in supporting Sangma was to shatter UPA fabric. On the contrary NDA had its own allies defying the term set by it. Mukherjee will be different from his predecessors. As president of India he will be able to have a say on matters of importance. He will not shirk his bounded duty to redress the grievances of the masses by pleading he is above board. No tradition will be shattered when the Prime Minister seeks the advice of the President on matters of importance. The constitution of the country does not say anything
against the President and the Prime Minister meeting frequently to discuss matters of national importance. Rather their meeting will help a lot in finding solution to the pestering problem that come up cropping every now and then. Pranab Mukherjee is going to be sworn in as the new president on July 25. He will be the President of the emerging super power. India having attained super power status will be able to focus on restoring peace in the world. But his first priority should be to improving regional imbalances. He knew that so when he campaigned for presidential election he declared that his first as the new President would be to the NE region of the country. His voice and appeal were heard by the people in the region so in the election all political parties voted en mass for him. NE region cannot be on par with the rest of the country in the field of development. More policies need to be framed keeping the smaller states in view for the speedy development of the country. His ideas and all his experiences will become handy in giving a face lift to the country. Mr President don’t be hesitant to open your mouth when the need arises. Economic expert as the President and a technocrat at the Prime Minister the image of the country has been raised. What more should we seek. Happy days are ahead.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pranab-kumar-mukherjee-as-the-new-president/

Ministerial teams had inspected the parched paddy field yesterday. Something will surely come out of it. Sending them for inspection of the paddy field was a wise decision that will help these ministers to take a decision on whether to declare Manipur drought affected state or not. The problem with the executive class is that they cannot take decision quickly. We had witnessed in the past drought like situation occurring every now and then. But there had been no occasion when paddy cultivation was stopped due to shortage of monsoon rain. Our agricultural activities are heavily dependent on rain. If there is sufficient rain there will be sufficient food grain production. What we have seen and all that we have heard must act as eye opener. To avert repetition of similar situation in future steps have to be taken to better irrigation system to feed water collected from river to the paddy field. Almost all the rivers in the state are full with water. Water can be collected from the rivers with the help of pumps which can be used to drench the parched paddy fields. The state Government has too many departments to take care of the need of the farmers. The officials of these departments could have been flanked out to supervise the paddy field in the same manner ministers supervising paddy fields to prepare a report on what the Government could do to avert the ugly situation created by paucity of rain water. Simple question arises what were they doing then when there was enough time to take steps to strengthen irrigation facilities. Like a shirking man waiting to receive directives on what he should do these officials wasted precious time without doing anything. Now the onus of suggesting where a canal should run has been put on the Ministers. These ministers will also decide where the pumps are to be installed. Canal projects that were constructed earlier to irrigate paddy fields have become non operational or simply there is no water at such project. Rain continues to hit town areas of Imphal but not the paddy field. River in spate stands out as a sharp contrast to the parched paddy field. Why it happens? A serious thinking on the matter is called for. Enough funds have to be earmarked to improve irrigation system in the state. Manipur is different from other NE states excluding Assam. 80 percent of the people of the state are farmers and they make a living by cultivating paddy fields. In other hilly terrain states of the region cultivation is launched on casual manner because there is no stretch of land which can be used for paddy cultivation. Union Government has to be convinced on the need for providing more funds to the state for taking up water reservoir projects for irrigating paddy fields. The Ministers having witnessed the parched paddy fields of the state might have evolved their own ideas to tackle the problems of drought in Manipur. It will be interesting to know what the Government is going to do based on the report of the ministerial teams.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/drought-in-manipur/

Prices of all essential commodities have shot up. Price rise moves together with the call of bandh and blockade. A few days’ bandh imposed against the movement of Manipur bound vehicles by a section of Nagaland people following hijacking of a mini bus by some Manipuris on the pretext of hiring it for a purpose threw life out of gear. Consequently prices of all essential commodities shot of up. Prior to that a plate of eggs was available for Rs 120 now it has not come down from Rs 140 though the bandh had ended. Then UNC’s 96 hour economic blockade is knocking at the door. Nothing can be done to avert the impending threat on the life of lakhs of people of the state by such call. Such bandh and blockade have hindered the growth of the state. Bandh and blockade are extreme form of weapons that can be used at one’s own sweet will. That’s the democratic right given to the masses by the constitution. But rampant misuse of this right for making unreasonable demand will end up curtailing our own rights. Who knows legislation might be passed to check the activities of the organisation which show the propensity to resorting to such extreme form of agitation for one reason or the other. Though such legislation will be tantamount to curtailing the rights of the people it will become handy in fighting against the menace of bandh and blockade. Not all demands can be fulfilled. UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh could be bifurcated to make more states and no one raised finger against it. India Government willingly created Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Nothing wrong as long as the decision fulfilled the expectations of the people in those states. India Government will however resist the demand for creation of Telangana state. There is reason behind. Not all people stand together in demanding bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Time and energy should not be wasted in making unreasonable demand. That message had been given time and again. We have a lot to learn from our history. Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi knew how national independence could be achieved. His agitation did not cause suffering to the people of the country. His fight was against British yoke. Not against the people. His main concern was to carry the entire people in his fight against the Britishers. He could carry them. If any group of people plan to do anything of their choice the mood of the people should be weighed first. Because a handful of people, who do not attempt to feel the pulse of the masses will bring no change to the society. Rather it will end up causing more pestering problems. Recent price hike was created by a handful of people, who took the law into their hands when they imposed bandh on the movement of Manipur bound vehicles. Vehicle hijackers could be punished. But the entire people cannot be expected to suffer for the crime committed by thieves. Now the focus should be on controlling price rise. That can be done by paying a simple visit to the whole sellers shop. Will not you do that?

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/menacing-price-rise-requires-solution/

The number of unemployed persons is on the rise. This will continue to rise. This is one particular area, which cannot be kept neglected by the Government. Success or failure of a Government is measured by how the Government tackles this issue. But the Government alone cannot provide job to all the educated persons. Moreover in a small and landlocked state like Manipur, where private undertakings are nonexistent, problems of unemployment naturally is galore. Too many schemes have been framed and implemented all for giving benefits to the common masses. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act is playing a yeomen’s role in tackling social problem. This scheme has saved millions from starvation. Now India Government can claim proudly no one will face starvation in India. This alone however is not enough. More schemes of this type need to be introduced keeping the interest of educated youths in mind. Educated youths are now moving in wilderness not having anything to do. They must feel they have a future in our land. When they cannot see a better future for themselves they show the tendency to disturb the functioning of the state administration. Their modus operandi is varying. They may take up arms or they may form groups that act as hindrance to the smooth functioning of the Government. Of late we have seen resurgence of bomb culture in Manipur. One bomb at one gate and another at another place. It sounds funny. We allow the bomb culture to permeate everywhere. A system needs to be evolved to annihilate this culture. Who is behind this culture? Like Gabbar Singh tormenting coward people in Sholay film men with bombs are tormenting the people of the state. Is this culture a product of the ever widening gap between the haves and the have nots that have surfaced in Manipur? If we stand united showing the readiness to face the attackers head on this problem will be solved. Simple question however arises who will lead it? Manipur will continue to suffer until we find that leader. It so happened the persons involved in lobbing bombs happened to be someone, who was in dire need of money. For getting Rs 10000 they could hurl hand grenade even to an oil depot. For getting Rs 5000 they could hand over demand letter to engineers. All these are fall out of insecurity in life. Everyone is running for a few bucks of rupees. Therefore the gigantic task of a Government is to ensure job for all people to enable them survive on their own. Steps have to be taken to see to it that youths are kept busy in one way or other so that they will not find time to indulge in the activities which are detrimental to the well being of a society. Government departments, which cannot provide jobs to educated youths, could be asked to sponsor sports or cultural organisations to give benefits to those, who are dependent on such voluntary organisations. If the youths are happy running the state administration will be as easy as moving on a properly maintained ground.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/keep-the-youths-happy/

Private partnership in taking up Government developmental programmes is time tested practice that makes Government programmes a success. Just a few weeks back when the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia gave plan money he stressed the need for involvement of private partners in taking up Government development programmes. But all that is happening in Manipur has turned out to be a night mare for private partners. Though the construction works have been completed funds are not released. IFCD Government of Manipur took up the ambitious task of erecting concrete walls to strengthen river banks at different parts of the state. No doubt these walls will go a long way in the protection of the banks. Since the construction of the retaining walls the roads running along the course of the river too have been widened. Such programme put a feather on the cap of the SPF Government. A magnificent task that helped the Government returned to power again. But the contractors are putting their hands on the head not knowing what to do. Engineers avoid meeting with the contractors. These engineers too do not have the answer to the pestering question about payment of money. Their straight answer is how can they issue cheque when the funds are not released by the Government. Everybody knows IFCD, which exists like a bird the wings of which have been clipped has the habit of retaining back contractors bill. Despite knowing the fact that the IFCD never releases bill in time and in some cases the bills are buried forever the young contractors joined the massive retaining wall construction programme as it was launched under the centrally sponsored scheme called Brahmaputra Board. These young contractors sought the advice of engineers closed to them before jumping into the construction spree. Perhaps they were told by the engineers that payment would be smooth like the greased wheel rolling steadily on the road. They have been cheated once again in the same manner the companies looting money from gullible people using the name Visarev, Unipay, Forex etc. In the name of construction using the name of Brahmaputra Board IFCD Government of Manipur had put the lives of hundreds of young men in quagmire. Family fabric of these young men has been shattered. Gold and land that were mortgaged to take up the construction work cannot be retrieved with the paltry sum released by the Department that works out to around 30 percent of the total value of the project. Some others infused their hard earned money in the construction of the retaining walls. They say stomach aches when they think of the time and money spent on the project. There is a saying you cannot fool all people for all time. In future a time may come when none comes out to take up development programmes announced by the controversial department. That should be seen as a slur on the face of the department. The fund that the department owed to the private contractors of Brahmaputra Board project should be released without delay. Because it is said the central share for the retaining wall construction had already been released by the Union Government. The attention of the highest authority of the land is drawn to look into the matter.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/retaining-wall-construction/

Former Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha is no more. He was an iconic leader. The man who stood by his word. But his true quality was his simplicity, which he carried till his death. There was a big gathering at the sprawling Speaker’s bunglow at Kanglapat and Nipamcha was at the centre of attraction. Everybody from Ministers down to the common men was vying for a seat close to Nipamacha because he was still fresh as the new Chief Minister of Manipur and he was yet to shift to the Chief Minister’s bungalow. Soon after the press conference was over he started looking for his friends, who could not get close to him and moved near them jumping the enclosure rope. A young over smart Minister was seen holding the hand of the Chief Minister and kept on reminding him, sir you are now a big leader you cannot do that. But Nipamcha was adamant he mixed up with the old friends, who came from far off places. His four year period passed through a turbulent time. The state was facing serious financial crisis. With the non cooperative NDA Government at the centre running the state administration was an uphill task. Because smaller state like Manipur depends heavily on the centre for financial support. Even a nullah cannot be constructed without central assistance let alone big projects like dam and power project. But he singlehandedly faced all the problems that included the death of a student and pestering financial crisis. Nipamacha’s oratory was superb. His speeches are studded with witty remarks and thought provoking words. He had the ambition to cling to the top post but he never disclosed it. When the opposition moved no confidence motion against Chief Minister Rishang Keishing he was Speaker then. He compared himself with Bhisma of epic Mahabharat and said having eaten the morsel provided by Kaurav he had to take side with Kaurav. The motion was defeated. But Nipamcha had set the path of his own to reach the top post. What followed was history. He performed his duty judiciously. His decision as a speaker to disqualify four members of the house was upheld by the apex court. Manipur hosted V National Games when Nipamacha was the Chief Minister. The victory in the meet proved supremacy of Manipuris in the field of sports. Since then Manipuris continued to cling to the post in sporting arena. Like our own sports stars, who brought laurels enhancing the status of the state in particular and the country as a whole Nipamacha had performed well in political arena. Now he had rested. Let him rest in peace.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/death-of-a-leader/