Tag: National

The Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and the Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ajay Mittal are also seen in the picture.

MNS: The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today conferred National film awards for the year 2015 in various categories at the 63rd National Film Awards Function held at Vigyan Bhawan here. Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Arun Jaitley and MoS I&B Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore were also present on the occasion.
The best film critic award was given to Meghachandra Kongbam who interprets the world of Indian cinema for his readers in Manipuri. This year National Film Awards included a special award given to the state of Gujarat for being the most film friendly state in the Country.
Speaking on the occasion the President said that the Indian Films truly reflected the Indian character of Unity and Diversity. He complimented the composition of Award winners in the National Film Awards which included new comers as well as legends of Indian cinema. He said that the National Film Awards this year reflected all aspects of cinema including digitization and technology.
He further added that with a growing world audience who were attracted towards Indian films and an increasing presence of Indian films at different parts of the world, the overseas market possesses a great potential for the Indian film industry. It was heartening to note that the revenue from overseas theatricals witnessed an increase of 11.5 percent from Rs. 8.6 billion in 2014 to Rs. 9.6 billion in 2015. The President also spoke of the importance of films in context of variety and diversity of India and the important role it played in unifying the Nation.
The President also conferred this year’s Dada Saheb Phalke award to Shri Manoj Kumar.
A total of 21 Awards were given by the President in the Non-Feature film category while the number of awards in Feature Film category being 51.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipurmail.news/2016/05/04/indian-films-truly-reflect-character-of-unity-diversity-president/

Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI , October 1: Welcoming the National Food Security Act 2013, Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh described the Act as an opportunity to address the issues that the State had been facing for many years and it would benefit the people of Manipur ensuring effective Public Distribution System in Manipur.
In the letters addressed to the Prime minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh, Chairperson of UPA and NAC Sonia Gandhi and the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distrbution Prof K.V.Thomas on September 29 ahead to the Conference of Food Ministers of States held today, the Manipur Chief Minister said, “ The Act gives us a lot of challenges as it needs to be enforced vigorously to meet its objective failing which our accountability will increase many fold”.
Referring to the annual allocation for Manipur at 1.51 lakhs MT calculated by the Government of India on the average annual offtake of 1.30 lakhs MT during 2010-11 to 2012-13; The Chief Minister said, “ This is much lower than our requirement of 1.71 lakhs MT of foodgrains”. He stated that there were long blockades, bandhs and landslides that severely affected induction of foodgrains into Manipur by the Food Corporation of India during 2010 and the lower offtake in Manipur was not due to lesser need but external factors.
He demanded the Centre to increase the annual allocation of foodgrains for Manipur either rising of the annual allocation or through provision of additional and adhoc allocations for rice and wheat on monthly basis.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the Government of India had asked all States to report their preparedness to implement the National Security Act, 2013. He expressed, “ Manipur is very keen to implement it but not yet prepared due to many shortfalls in infrastructure, logistical requirements, lack of fund and manpower and many other problems which the other States may not face”.
He emphasized the need for an extensive support from the Central Government to meet the requirements like construction of FCI godowns at Imphal East, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Chandel, Thoubal and Tamenglong; completion of construction of godowns at Churachandpur and Senapati; construction of 60,000 MT capacity godowns at State Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Imphal for buffer stocking so as to keep bufferstocks for at least six months; construction of godowns at interior areas at Tousem and Tamei in Tamenglong District, at Parbung in Churachandpur District; construction of 2700 Fair Price Shop(FPS) buildings of one-room each at central location of all FPS centres; and procurement of transportation vehicles with GPS tracking system for PDS foodgrains including door step delivery.
The Manipur Chief Minister looked forward to a strong commitment from the Central Government in terms of enabling the Government of Manipur which had the poorest road and rail connectivity, far-off and remote location from the mainland, bad law and order situation with insurgency, difficult terrains, acute financial constraints of the State Government, lack of adequate infrastructure and trained manpower; so that the historic Act could be a game-changer for a food-deficit State like Manipur and a harbinger of food security through an effective mechanism for the people of Manipur.
In an another letter addressed to the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof K.V.Thomas, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh expressed his happiness for agreeing to the State Government’s proposal for setting up a separate office of the General Manager of Food Corporation of India for Manipur. He invited the Union Minister to visit Manipur for inauguration of newly set up office of the General Manager of FCI at Imphal along with the completed FCI godown at Mayangkhang in Senapati District within October this year.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-demands-support-from-centre-to-make-nfsa-effective/

MNS: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi has today sentenced four years Rigorous Imprisonment to Shri Rasheed Masood, the then Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare; Shri Gurdial Singh, then Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan, New Delhi (IPS, Retired) & Shri Amal Kumar Roy, then Secretary to Chief Minister, Tripura(IAS, Retired). The Court has also sentenced eight private persons i.e Geeta Banik; Bipul Kanti Rakshit; Sonia; Sachidanand Dwivedi; Kumari Kirti; Giti Puri; Roopa Ghosh & Udai Shankar Sharma to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment. The case of Hemant Saluja has been sent to Juvenile Justice Board and fixed for 22.10.2013.
CBI had registered the case on the directions of Hon’ble Guwahati High Court, Agartala Bench, Agartala passed vide Order 1.2.1996 in Civil Misc. Case No.53 of 1996. It was alleged that the public servants misused their official position on behalf of the Government of India and Tripura to fraudulently making nomination letters in favour of students acquainted/ known to them for obtaining admissions to MBBS/ BDS Courses in various colleges situated all over India during the period 1989-1990. These public servants were not authorized to nominate any students for any MBBS/ BDS admissions.
The students who benefitted from these fraudulent nominations were also ineligible for admissions—they were neither in the merit list as per the Entrance Examination nor were they permanent residents of Tripura.
Investigation was conducted in different parts of the country, including Delhi, Tripura, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Pondicherry. More than one hundred witnesses and voluminous records were seized to build up the case against the accused persons.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed chargesheets against accused persons U/s 120-B of IPC r/w Sec. 420, 468 and 471 of IPC and U/s 13 (2) r/w Sec. 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The Trial Court found the accused persons guilty & convicted them on 19.09.2013 for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and criminal misconduct in a case relating to fraudulently making nomination letters in favour of students acquainted/ known to them for obtaining admissions to MBBS/ BDS Courses in various colleges.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/four-years-rigorous-imprisonment-for-former-minister/

NNN: The 3rd World Zomi Convention will bring varied personalities, organisations and political leaders of different ideologies under one roof to be commenced from October 25 at Churachandpur district headquarters in south Manipur.
Union minister and AICC member Oscar Fernandes, former Mizo separatist leader and ex-Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, leaders of United Naga Council (UNC), All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) representatives, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh and others are expected to participate in the three-day mega event.
Under the nomenclature Zomi there are various tribes.
Meanwhile, a pre-mega programme christened as ‘A Lead Up Event’ has been planned on October 5, which is 20 days before the actual event. The ‘Lead Up Event’ will be held at SYO Hall, Simveng under the theme, ‘Marching on…be a blessed nation’.
In the run-up to this three days programme, the Zomi Council under the chairmanship of LB Sona is spending sleepless nights preparing for the success of the Convention.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zomi-convention/

SHILLONG, Sept 30 NNN: The Meghalaya civil society organisations will enter theor fifth phase of agitation from tomorrow demanding the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya.
Rejecting the Mukul Sangma government’s offer to have the ‘Regulation of Landlord & Tenancy Verification Bill 2013’ as a legislative measure to address and enforce regulations to contain influx and illegal immigration, instead of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, the civil society bodies have decided to enforce three nights road blockade on October 1, 3 and 4. According to the civil society bodies, October 2 being the Gandhi Jayanti, agitation will be ralaxed on the day.
Khasi Students Union (KSU), FKJGP, HNYF, Garo Students Union (GSU), JSSU, CSWO, KWWADA, ADE and RBYF have been spearheading the demand for the Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya.
These ongoing series of agitations have begun after the break-down of the August 29 meeting between the Mukul Sangma government and the NGOs in Shillong.
Meanwhile, refuting the allegation that they wanted to topple chief minister Mukul Sangma, the conglomerate of ten civil sciety bodies asserted that it has no interest in power politics.
FKJGP publicity secretary Eldie N Lyngdoh said last evening that the night road blockade will be held on October 1, 3 and 4 from 8 pm to 5am. The night road blockade will be held in all the eleven districts of the state. Lyngdoh informed that the NGOs in a meeting have resolved to continue intensifying their agitations as a mark of protest against the state government’s adamant attitude towards their demand.
The civil society organisations said the Mukul Sangma government decision to implement the proposed ‘Regulation of Landlords and Tenants Verification Bill’ against to the wish of the people of the state.
The state cabinet had recently approved the draft Regulation of Landlords and Tenants Verification Bill which will be table for consultation with the ‘public” on October 3.
Lyngdoh said instead of implementing the ILP the government is buying time to introduce an Act which will only suit the need and requirement of the landlord and also protect the outsiders who come to the state and stay as tenants.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/5th-stage-of-ilp-stir/

Ranchi, Sep 30 (ANI): A CBI designated court on Monday declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav guilty in a case related to the Rs. 950 crore fodder scam.
The judgement is a major blow for Yadav, who faces immediate disqualification as a Member of Parliament and won’t be allowed to contest elections for six years. The court said that it will announce the sentence on the RJD supremo on October 3.
The verdict has come at a time when the ruling UPA Government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a war of words pertaining the ordinance with regard to convicted politicians.
Yadav moved the Jharkhand High Court and later the Supreme Court, seeking change of the judge in the case. Both the courts dismissed his petition, and directed him to complete argument in the case before the CBI court.
Yadav had in his petition alleged that trial court judge P K Singh was biased against him as he is a relative of P K Shahi, Education Minister in the Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar, “who is his (Yadav”s) biggest political enemy”.
The case pertains to alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore from Chaibasa Treasury in the 1990s. The FIR was lodged by Bihar government in February 1996 but the case was transferred to CBI a month later.
CBI had investigated the scam for a year and the charge sheet was filed in 1997. The charges were framed in 2000 following which the Special CBI court commenced trial against Lalu Yadav and 44 other accused.
RJD’s plea had faced stiff opposition from JD-U leader Rajiv Ranjan who submitted that it would be a ‘travesty of justice’ if the judge is transferred at the far end of the trial.
He submitted that it would give a wrong impression to the entire country if the judge is transferred and raised a question on RJD supremo’s petition seeking transfer of the judge who has been hearing the case since 2011.
The fodder scam also known as “Chara Ghotala” involved the siphoning of funds from the Bihar Government treasury. The alleged theft spanned over several years, and many Bihar state government administrative and elected officials across multiple administrations were allegedly engaged in it.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fodder-scam-lalu-held-guilty/

SHILLONG, Sept 28 NNN: The Mukul Sangma government has failed to convince the civil society organisations with its ‘Regulation of Landlord & Tenancy Verification Bill 2013’ as a legislative measure to address and enforce regulations to contain influx and illegal immigration, instead of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
The civil society organisations of Meghalaya have just completed its fourth phase of agitation yesterday and they are likely to announce to its fifth phase of agitation tomorrow, according to sources from the civil bodies.
Khasi Students Union (KSU), FKJGP, HNYF, Garo Students Union (GSU), JSSU, CSWO, KWWADA, ADE and RBYF have been spearheading the demand for the Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya.
These ongoing series of agitations have begun after the break-down of the August 29 meeting between the Mukul Sangma government and the NGOs in Shillong.
The Mukul Sangma government wanted other mechanisms instead of implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to control the influx issue in Meghalaya but the civil society organisations rejected the state government’s proposal.
Yesterday, in a move to address the issue of influx, a Meghalaya government cabinet gave its nod to the ‘Regulation of Landlord & Tenancy Verification Bill 2013’ as a legislative measure to address and enforce regulations to contain influx and illegal immigration.
“The bill will provide an effective mechanism to put into the loop the local authorities in scheduled and non-scheduled areas in which the enforcing agencies along with local authorities will have a mechanism mandated through the new law,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
He said, this is common concern of all the citizen of the state that we need to understand that illegal immigration and influx do not confine only in the localities of cities and towns but beyond these.
Defining the ‘Landlord’ as covering all those people who are providing accommodation in their premises, the Chief Minister said the idea is that people who come for some work can stay here and can go back besides that the landlords are regulated as to why their tenants need renting accommodation.
The cabinet has also approved the proposed drafting of the bill and then notified it for public consultation by October 3, he said.
Alleging the Opposition coalition, the United Democratic party-led Meghalaya People Forum (MPF), to be behind the pro-Inner Line Permit activists’ anti-government stirs in the state since September 4, Mukul said, “I have reasons to believe that they adding fuel to the fire and I have reasons to believe that they must be in close contact with these agitating friends/pressure groups… We are politicians we know who operates how.”
Stating that the kind of pressures that his government is facing on the ILP is “coercive and dictatorial”, the Chief Minister questioned if imposing or infusing a sense of fear psychosis by violent and militant activities is a democratic form.
“Or is it not a coercive measure, a dictatorial attitude so that people will fear them,” he said, adding that he is sure that none of the citizens like the kind of situation, the bandh associated with violence.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sangma-government-in-dilemma-over-ilp-stir/

Patna, Sept. 28 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar on Saturday backed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his controversial statement on the proposed ordinance for convicted lawmakers, and said the ruling party’s leader stock will go up for the stance that he has taken publicly on the issue.
“Getting the ordinance out after parliamentary debate was not appropriate. I believe what Congress’ leader Rahul Gandhi has said is correct. In the circumstances, the ordinance should be taken back—this is the best way,” Kumar said.
“As far as bringing in any law goes, I think it should be left to the Parliament to decide and debate. …
One’s standing does not go down when undoing a wrong thing. But if you stop an inappropriate act or don’t let it go ahead, I think that your stock goes up. I don’t think that it is a correct measure of standing,” he added.
Kumar also expressed that he was against bringing in laws through ordinances and strongly urged the Centre to constructively use parliamentary debates to introduce new bills.
“There should have been more debate on this in Parliament. Laws should not be made through ordinances. …They should take it back,” Kumar said.
Earlier, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, regarding his views on the ordinance pushed by the Government, after he made a controversial remark on the issue on Friday.
In the letter to the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi wrote: “I realize that what I feel about the Ordinance is not in harmony with the Cabinet decision and the Core Group’s view. I also know it would be exploited by our political opponents. You know that I have the highest respect for you and I look up to you for your wisdom. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the manner in which you are providing leadership in extremely difficult circumstances. I hope you will understand the strength of my own conviction about this very controversial issue.”
In a major embarrassment to the Congress-led UPA II Government, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi dubbed the ordinance to negate the Supreme Court verdict on convicted lawmakers as ‘complete nonsense’, and said it should be torn up and thrown away.
“I personally think what the government is doing on the ordinance is wrong. It was a political decision, every party does it, and there is a time to stop this nonsense,” he said.
The developments came a day after President Pranab Mukherjee summoned senior Cabinet ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde, Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal for consultations on the ordinance pending before him for signature.
The Union Cabinet had approved an ordinance to reverse the Supreme Court judgment mandating the immediate disqualification of lawmakers convicted for a criminal offence punishable with a jail term of more than two years.
The ordinance seeks to reverse the judgement that had not only disqualified lawmakers convicted of offences with two years or more , but also barred from contesting elections.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jdu-supports-rahuls-statement-on-ordinance/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 27 : The Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhapatnam has convicted Rakesh Prasad Yadav(ITS: 1998), then Executive Engineer (Electrical), BSNL, Electrical Division, Chuttugunta, Vijayawada, Krishna District(Andhra Pradesh) in a bribery case and sentenced him to undergo three years Simple Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 20,000/-.
The investigation revealed that the accused was caught red handed while demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.3,000/- from the Complainant (an Electrical Contractor of Vijayawada) for recommending Extension of Time (EOT) and for effecting the final payment of the bill related to the work of Electrical Installations & other works executed by his firm.
After conducting regular trial, the Court pronounced judgement convicting the accused person Sri Rakesh Prasad Yadav, for the offences U/s. 7 & 13(2) r/w. 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988.
In another case, the Special Judge for CBI cases Mirzapur, Ahmedabad has convicted Shri Jayantilal Kalidas Patel, then Superintendent of Central Excise & Customs, Vadodara U/s. 7 and 13(2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act 1988, and sentenced him to undergo two years Simple Imprisonment with total fine of Rs. 15,000/- in a bribery case.
CBI had registered a case on 19.10.2000 against Jayantilal Kalidas Patel, then Superintendent of Central Excise & Customs, Range-IV, Division-III, Vadodara. Initially, the accused demanded illegal gratification of Rs.5,000/-. He was caught red handed for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.1,500/- from the complainant as first installment for clearing the pending defacement of the Invoice of his firms. A charge sheet in the case was filed on 24.11.2000.
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bsnl-man-sentenced/

AIZAWL, Sept 27 NNN : Out of the total population of Mizoram (10,91,014) about 60,000 are government employees, receiving monthly salaries, and so they are quite fortunate and ought to be content and satisfied, said Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today.
He said this while gracing Special Assembly of Muster Roll (MR) employees under Mizoram Government, held at Vanapa Hall here in Aizawl, which was organised by Trade Union Joint Action Committee (INTUM & FOMTU) as a thanksgiving programme to the State Government for raising the salary of the Muster Roll employees.
The Chief Minister lauded the MR employees for their moral sense to give thanks, saying this as per the wishes of God. He conveyed his best wishes to them to receive more blessings in future. The Chief Minister exhorted: “In serving the government, there is no such thing as small or big responsibility. Each duty is crucial, and it is most important to carry out our task with righteousness, faithfulness, God-fearingness and laboriousness.”
Addressing the grievances of government employees in general, the Chief Minister said, even the gratitude of the MR employees who gathered today may not be to the fullest, because other government employees who are paid higher salaries than them are discontent.
“Therefore, to redress the anomalies which they resented for, the state government is doing its best to find ways and means to get over the lacking of fund. For this, the governments take steps to enhance power sufficiency, to create good market for the cultivators, to strengthen business ties with foreign countries, to improve the poor living condition through NLUP, and to construct good roads and highways”, the Chief Minister said. Lal Thanhawla also said on the occasion that Mizoram does not have good labour law and administration as of now, which is a fact even the high ranking government employees are not yet aware of, he added. “It may be necessary to make Labour laws, and even set up labour court”, he added.
Talking about Professional tax, the chief minister said that all the government employees paid the same amount of professional tax, which is because professional tax is a central law, and so to make amendment for the same, the matter has been put up to the central government. Parliament approval will be required, he added.
Guest of Honour at the programme, Lalrinliana Sailo, Labour Minister appreciated for showing their heartfelt gratitude at the increase of their wages. He mentioned that during the term of the present government, minimum wages have been revised three times.
Lal Thanhawla and Lalrinliana Sailo were presented citation at the Assembly today. The salaries of MR employees has been raised through Variable Dearness Allowance and 25% of Wages plan, according to which: Unskilled Labour will now get- Rs. 220, Semi Skilled- Rs. 250, Skilled II -Rs. 310 and Skilled I -Rs. 380 . The new pay scale will be followed from Oct 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-employees-fortunate-people-cm/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 27 : The Center has convened State / UTs Food Ministers meet on Oct 1, 2013, to discuss implementation of National Food security Act which got accent of the President of India on September, 12, 2013 after having the nod of parliament. Prior to the meet, State Food Secretaries will meet on Sept 30, 2013 to set the agenda for the Ministers conference.
The States have been provided one year for the implementation of the historic Act which will ensure heavily subsidized foodgrains to about 82 crore people as their legal right. But Haryana, Himachal, Rajsthan, Uttranchal, Mizoram and Delhi have already started its implementation. The meeting to be inaugurated by Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture and presided over by Prof K.V Thomas, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will discuss criteria to be adopted for inclusion and actual identification of beneficiaries by the States. Issue of fresh ration cards, women empowerment under the Act, doorstep delivery of foodgrains, setting up of Grievance Redressal Machinery at district and state levels, computersation of Targeted Public Distribution System, creation of scientific storage capacity at various level for timely delivery of foodgrains and opening of new Fair Price Shops wherever required will also be taken up during the deliberations.
Measures to ensure more effective role of local bodies in the implementation of National Food Security Act, revamping of vigilance committees at various levels to keep a watch on distribution system, norms for identification of beneficiaries for distribution of sugar and kerosene under PDS, as National Food Security Act does not have BPL category, are also on the agenda of the meet. Under the National Food Security Act the Center will provide financial assistance to states/UTs for meeting the expenditure on intra-State transportation, handling and margins to be paid to FPS dealers.
Clarifications to the issues raised by the States in this regard will also be provided during the day long discussions. Senior officials of PMO, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Planning Commission will also attend the meet. The National Food Security Act is a historic initiative for ensuring food and nutritional security to the people.
It gives right to the people to receive adequate quantity of foodgrains at affordable prices. It seeks to address the issue of food security in a life cycle approach – separate entitlements for pregnant women and children, from 6 months of age and upto 14 years, besides entitlements to a much larger population to receive subsidised food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System. It will cover about 75% and 50% of rural and urban population under TPDS as a single category, with uniform entitlement of 5 kg per person per month.
They will get rice, wheat and coarse grains at the prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg. Entitlement of existing AAY households will be protected at 35 kg per household per month under the Act. Corresponding to the all India coverage, State-wise coverage will be determined by Central Government. But within the State, beneficiaries will be identified by the concern state.
The Act has special focus on nutrition support to women and children. Pregnant women and lactating mothers to be entitled to meals and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000. Children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years to be entitled to meals under ICDS and MDM schemes. The Act encourages woman empowerment as it provides that the eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing of ration cards. Grievance redressal mechanism at the district and state levels will ensure effective redressel of grievances.
The Central Government will provide assistance to States in meeting the expenditure incurred by them on transportation of foodgrains within the State, its handling and FPS dealers’ margin as per norms to be devised for this purpose. The Act has significant provisions for transparency and accountability. PDS related records will be placed in public domain, Social audit will be taken up and Vigilance Committees will be set up.
Provision for food security allowance to entitled beneficiaries has been made in case of non-supply of foodgrains or meals. Penalty on public servant or authority will be imposed by the State Food Commission, in case of failure to comply with the relief recommended by the District Grievance Redressal Officer.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/state-food-ministers-meet-to-discuss-implementation-of-nfs-act/

President of AMWJU, W Shamjai today submitted a memorandum to Chairperson PCI through Kosuri Amarnath
Convenor, Sub-Committee on Safety of Journalists Press Council of India (PCI) New Delhi
The content is reproduced below.
The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), on behalf of the media community of Manipur, takes this opportunity to express our extreme gratitude to the Press Council of India (PCI) for visiting our state with the intention of finding out about the threats to the freedom of media and the safety of journalists in Manipur. Indeed, in view of the ongoing conflict situation in the state and the frequent attacks on the freedom and integrity of the mediapersons in Manipur, your visit and investigation is a much required and highly anticipated event.
With the hope and expectations that you will act with sincerity and intervene to uphold the cause of a free media in Manipur, we would like to lay down a few points for your kind perusal:
MANIPUR AND CONFLICT
Manipur, situated on the Indo-Myanmar border, is home to as many as 33 listed scheduled tribes and a number of unspecified tribes, apart from the Meities, Meitei Pangals (Muslims) and scheduled castes.
The 33 listed scheduled tribes are, again, broadly divided into the Naga and Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups. Among the Nagas, the most prominent ones are Tangkhul, Mao, Poumai, Rongmei, Lamkang, Zeme, Maring, Anal, Maram, Thangal and Liangmei, while Thadou, Simte, Gangte, Vaiphei, Paite, Hmar, Khongsai, Sitlou, etc, constitute the important Kuki tribes.
Thus, multiple histories, multiple cultures and multiple identities are spread out and struggling for recognition within a small geographical territory of 22,327 sq km.
An unfortunate by-product of these inherent complexities and certain insensitive governmental policies
is that, today, there are more than 40 underground outfits operating within the state. This situation is further aggravated by the militaristic response of the Centre and state government. Laws such as the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of 1958 are enforced to help the security forces in their mission — AFSPA has been in force in the hills since 1961 and in the valley (except for the Imphal municipality area) since 1980. Thus the conflict has been heightened instead of resolved.
TWIN THREADS; CONFLICT AND THE MEDIA
It would be interesting to note here that the peoples’ movement in the 1930s led by Hijam Irabot, which is regarded as the first resistance movement in Manipur also gave birth to its media industry. The first recorded event in the history of the print media in Manipur is publication of the journal Meitei Chanu by Hijam Irabat in the mid-1920s. Hand-stencilled and cyclostyled by Irabat himself, the publication
survived for only a few editions. During the 1930s and 1940s, a number of publications came out including Yakairol, Lalit Manjuri Patrika, Bheigyabati Patrika, Dainik Manipur, Manipur Matam, Manipur Paojel, Ngashi, Praja, Anouba Yug, and Meitei Leima, although most enjoyed only a short lifespan. These were followed, in the post-Independence era, by political papers like Prajatantra and Simanta Patrika.
Today Manipur is considered one of the top states in eastern India regarding media presence, with around 30 news dailies and journals, a remarkable number of home cable networks, correspondents and stringers for various national and international news agencies.
MEDIA; WORKING CONDITIONS
Majority of the private media houses in Manipur are print media publishing daily newspapers, eveningers and news magazines. Satellite channels like ISTV in Imphal, Image TV in Thoubal and Hornbill in Churachandpur are representatives of the private electronic media. Of course, DDK and AIR are the
state-run electronic media.
Most of the private mediahouses in the state are mostly small business enterprises. Initially these used to be run by political organizations (eg: Prajatantra and Simanta Patrika).
However the last few years has seen a major change in the profile of the mediahouses with more and more moneyed
businesspersons/organizations entering into the field.
Despite this, the working condition of the mediapersons almost remains the same. There are no shift systems and most journalists work from early in the morning (sometimes starting at 5-6 am for an early or out-of-station coverage) and ending in the wee hours of the night. The starting pay for most journalists is minimal, and even after many years on the job, the pay is basic and perks are very few. Though a pension policy has been recently initiated by the Government in collaboration with AMWJU, there are no health insurance or accident-related schemes taken up by the state government or the mediahouses, and in many cases, journalists with prolonged illness are either terminated from the job or have been forced to be on leave without pay for the period of their illness. Special considerations for women journalists such as drop-home services and maternity leave are yet to be discussed.
FIGHTING TALL
All these conditions notwithstanding, the media community of Manipur has been working with integrity to fulfill its responsibility of being the watchdog of the society. Ironically, it is this growing awareness of the media as a powerful platform that is now threatening press freedom in the state – as both the state and non-state actors try to control the flow of information and/or misinformation to the masses.
Underground insurgent groups operating in the state, which earlier relied on pamphlets and word-of-mouth as the major means of spreading their ideas and diktats, are now turning to newspapers and news channels to carry their statements and propaganda to a larger audience. The state military too takes the media on guided tours of areas “cleared of insurgents,” press briefings, display of arms captured during operations, and surrender ceremonies, while also relentlessly bombarding the press with their media releases about their “civic action programmes.” Failure to adhere to the new rules of propaganda warfare has led to frequent harassment of mediapersons, in the form of killings, bombings, life attempts, assault and arrests.
From 1993 till date, as many as seven journalists have been shot dead in Manipur. There has been numerous life attempts, bombings, etc, and almost every day there are threats over the phone, and pressure from the underground outfits in Manipur. In most cases, mediapersons respond with dharnas, suspension of publication, blank editorials, rallies and demands to the government for a safe atmosphere to work in. Each time, the threat is withdrawn but
working conditions for journalists remain the same as most outfits believe it is their moral right and duty to pressurize newspapers into carrying their press releases the way they want them carried.
The state too has freely squeezed the media. During the 1950s, government actions such as seizing papers, imposing fines, closure of printing presses and imprisonment of editors were commonplace following any criticism of the government. During the 1970s, when the underground movements began to spread, the seizure of press material and arrests of journalists were routine. Two editors – Salam Bharatbhusan of Hueiyen Lanpao and Meinam Mithai of Matam – were even booked under the National Security Act and imprisoned for six months. In April 2000, N Biren Singh, currently a minister and formerly the editor ofNaharlogi Thoudang, was arrested by the state police for publishing a speech by activist Th Iboyaima, on charges of it being ‘seditious’ and ‘anti-national’.
For over a week in July-August 2007, journalists were sitting in dharna in protest of a ‘bomb gift’ sent to the Sangai Express after it refused to publish an insurgent group’s press release. Yet on 2 August, the state government passed an order against the publication of news items “directly attributed to unlawful organisations, organised gangs, organisations, terrorists and terrorist-related organisations considered to be subversive and a threat to the integrity of the state and the country.” The order even included obituary notices. This created a dire situation for the integrity of the media.
On December 23, 2012 Thangjam Dwijamani @ Nanao was killed in the police firing during an indefinite general strike imposed by various organizations protesting against the alleged molestation of a film actress by a self-styled Lt Col of NSCN-IM at a musical event on December 18. What was more significant about his death was that if not for the fact that his camera was rolling and caught his shooter in the face; his killing would have been passed off as a collateral damage or even worse, implicated him as a rioter, intent on causing communal violence. In fact his last minutes of tape saved his honour as a mediaperson who was killed in the line of duty.
On August 10, 2013, the National Investigation Agency, under The Ministry of Home Affairs, Guwahati, Assam issued an order to the Editor, Naharolgi Thoudang asking the mediahouse to produce a copy of a photograph related to the 32nd raising day of underground group PLA published in the newspaper on September 25, 2010, as well as name and details of the reporter who had taken the photograph.
Barely a fortnight later, on August 24, a faction of an underground group, called Military Defence Force (MDF) -Thouba Group issued ‘drastic action’ – meaning life threats – against not only mediapersons but also the newspaper hawkers and distributors and their families for not publishing their press release. In the said press release the group had claimed their hand in killing an auto-driver, and the mediapersons under the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) had chosen to abide by their local code of conduct.
This is the first time that hawkers and distributors are being threatened, probably because the journalists refused to kowtow to the demand of the underground groups. For many days things were at an impasse as hawkers could not move about freely and distribute the newspapers. This made the editors of the newspapers take charge and sell the newspapers themselves, to show that they will stick by their stand. Though the hawkers are back at work, the threat of the underground group still exists till date.
Such attitudes of the state government and its police/army as well as the underground groups towards journalists are symptomatic of the growing lack of space for free expression in Mampur. While the state responds to people’s movements demanding justice with curfews, teargas, mock bombs and rubber bullets, there is a lingering silence on the side of the people regarding the actions of the underground groups, the silence being enforced either due to fear or mandatory acceptance.
CONCLUSION
Like the average person in the state, the media fraternity in Manipur too has been trying to face the challenges thrown up by the ongoing conflict in their own way. To preserve freedom of the press, the AMWJU has drawn up safeguards, including proper identification of sources, official invitations for press conferences, press releases to be duly signed with the organisation’s seal on the letterhead, setting a timeline for submission of press releases. The media has also asserted its rights to take editorial decisions to withhold news “if the arguments and counter-arguments become harmful to the state and could claim human lives.”
This self-censorship, though controversial, must be seen in the context of the precarious sociopolitical condition of the state. However, these rules do not seem to have worked very well as the militants have their own tactics by which to get their press releases published, keeping the press constitution and rules intact.
In fact, the life of a journalist in Manipur and his/her responsibility to uphold the sanctity and freedom of the press has become increasingly difficult and dangerous due to the pressure from all sides. And it is in this regard that the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), on behalf of the media community of Manipur, takes this opportunity to press for your urgent attention and timely intervention with regards to the media and the journalists community of the state by focusing your kind attention on the recommendations listed below :-
1. Manipur State government must strengthen protection for journalists and act swiftly to prosecute those responsible
2. Manipur State government must ensure a safe working atmosphere for journalists in the state
3. Improvement of working conditions of journalists in the state
4. A medical/health scheme to cover illness-related expenses of the journalists and their family
5. Adequate compensation in case of killing/injury for the journalists as they are working in adverse conditions
6. Press colony for safety of media persons. Manipur government is willing to create such a colony
7. Better working condition and remuneration for working journalists, by making a special provision for small states like Manipur where media business is small and revenue limited
8. Provident fund for working journalists
9. Revision of journalists pension amount (at present a retired journalist gets Rs. 2000 and widow of a journalist Rs. 1000 per month)
10. Security protection for media team visiting militant infested interior areas, for rural reporting etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/amwjus-letter-to-pci-on-safety-issue/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 24 : RPF, President Irengbam Chaoren in a message to the people on the 35th Raising Day of the People’s Liberation Army said, “It is a historical fact that our forefathers fought valiantly with all their might against invading British forces in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
They did fight unto the last even though their defeat was a foregone conclusion. Yet, they fought to the last man to preserve Manipur’s sovereignty and protect the sanctity of its territorial boundary which was drawn and guarded by the blood of our ancestors. It is rather disappointing that the present generation seems nonchalant even as we have been colonised by India for the last 60 years as if we are destined to live under colonial rule for good.
Such complacent and passive nature of the present generation renders our sense of nationalism and patriotism questionable. “Do we have the moral right to pay tributes and sing about the glorious deeds of our forefathers?” It is one pertinent question we need to ask ourselves.
If we ponder for a possible answer to this question, then certainly one can see the true picture of the ongoing revolutionary movement and understand the indispensability of such a movement.
It is a great misfortune that some sections of people rather than studying who are the conspirators tend to blame the revolutionary groups for all social evils and untoward incidents which are genuinely or apparently connected with
the revolutionary movement. This tendency not only undermines the revolutionary movement but would also ultimately ruin the nation which by implication means insurmountable obstacles for future generations. It’s time for all our people to join or lend their support to the historically legitimate revolutionary movement instead of reducing ourselves to the status of pawns and create enemies within ourselves.
Changes and transformations seen in Manipuri society which are engineered and steered by imperialist India and their local agents are too harsh. Corruption, violent race for amassing personal wealth, killings, groupism, inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts has become the order of the day. Large numbers of our youth have given themselves to intoxicating drugs and many unimaginable things and events are happening right before our eyes as a result of adopting the narcissistic and malevolent way of thinking, generally identified with Indians. To correct these social evils and reverse degeneration in our people’s character and ethos would be impossible without a complete revolution.
Herein lies another major reason for the essentiality of the revolutionary movement and its success can only save the nation.

It is a matter of serious concern that there are around 30 revolutionary groups in Manipur at present. If one studies how such a large number of groups came into being and who bred them, one cannot help implicate the Government of India. Birth of so many revolutionary groups through promotion of communal divide among the indigenous people of Manipur, nurturing pseudo revolutionary groups and then vitiating relationship among revolutionary groups to create rivalry and conflict are all parts of the Government of India’s policy aimed at de-escalating the liberation movement of Manipur. Countering such malignant policy demands certain roles from the ruling class of Manipur. The Government of Manipur, in the interest of the people, need to work sincerely to neutralise all pseudo revolutionary groups set up at the behest of Indian agents, and control their activities aimed at projecting genuine revolutionary groups in bad light. The Government of Manipur also need to work towards eliminating all sense of communalism deliberately cultivated and encouraged by the Government of India. At the same time, there is an urgent need for leaders of well established revolutionary groups to work relentlessly towards organising and mobilising all revolutionary groups having same goals and objectives so that all these groups which now appear scattered and drifting can struggle together under one common leadership. CorCom need to accept this momentous responsibility and strive to translate it into action.
Denial of freedom, rampant violation of rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the resultant misery being endured by the people of Manipur are consequences of entrusting political power to a select group of people who would readily dance to the tune of New Delhi and the situation is quite similar to the British period where the king nominated by them was put on the throne as nominal head of state. In addition to these miserable colonial situations, our people have started facing newer but equally grave threats under the Indian colonial rule. In another word, our people are now confronted with an all pervasive, risky situation associated with neo-imperialism.
Killings, arbitrary detention, harassment and all kinds of repressive measures unleashed upon the people of Manipur by the Indian military in the name of counter insurgency operations are classic characteristics of colonialism. These are threatening realities of colonialism and the scourge of neo-imperialism is equally grave. Rendering a nation or country economically dependent, dilution and assimilation of indigenous culture and traditions, abolition of indigenous religious practices and languages, posing challenges to indigenous identity are all not so vocal instruments of neo-imperialism but they are potent enough to eliminate an entire nation. We have heard many stories about extinction of several nations or some nations struggling on the verge of extinction on account of neo- imperialism’s merciless onslaught.
Here arises one pertinent and crucial question. How would we fight back the onslaught of neo-imperialism? It’s high time our civil society, scholars, intellectuals, media and students take up the issue vigorously. Perhaps, because of the series of fake encounters, unaccounted killings, rape and murder cases, bandhs and blockades, multiple challenges to national integrity, imminent loss of Manipur’s territory due to border fencing and numerous cases of human rights violation, our people can spare little attention to the devastating forces of neo-imperialism. The ever rising numbers of immigrants who originated from India are mostly workers. But their mode of exodus can be seen as an element of neo-imperialism. Perhaps, the immigrants themselves may not understand that they are acting as agents of neo-imperialism. Yet, it is easily discernible Government of India encourages continuous exodus of their people to Western South East Asia (WESEA). By using their poverty-stricken people as a tool, Government of India has been plotting to obliterate and ultimately vanish the indigenous culture, religious practices, languages and identity of the people of WESEA. The current of permanent exodus from India to WESEA including Manipur is not a recent phenomenon. It has been going on since many decades back and there is no sign of cessation until all the indigenous peoples of WESEA are assimilated or gobbled up completely. This is, in fact, India’s demographic invasion on WESEA, one of the many potent instruments of neo-imperialism.
India’s Look East Policy, Indo-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, proposed India- European Union Free Trade Agreement and Asian Highway-I (which would pass through Manipur) are all elements of neo-imperialism. The recent offer of Asian Development Bank to invest substantial amount of money for construction of roads in Manipur should not beguile our people. It does not mean ADB intends to build roads in Manipur for the people of Manipur. The truth is, ADB is interested to build standard highways on behalf of big companies in view of Manipur’s strategic location to facilitate trans-national trade and business activities. Given such a scenario, India would no longer be the sole agent of neo- imperialism vis-a-vis WESEA. Apart from India, many multinational companies, global financial institutions and other capitalist guilds would soon start exercising their influence over the region. Exploration of petroleum in Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Jiribam is an obvious move to exploit and loot Manipur’s natural resources by MNCs in connivance with the Government of India. There is nothing our people would gain from this intrusion by MNCs and India. Since the time of British colonialism, petroleum drilling has been going on in Assam, one of our immediate neighbours but it has benefited the people of Assam very little. Assam’s tea is known all over the world. Many landlords and capitalists turned extensive areas into tea farms. But it does not provide any significant benefit to the people of Assam. Rather, large numbers of Adivasis were imported from India and they were engaged in tea plantations. Now the population of Adivasis in Assam has swelled to such an extent that they have become a cause of communal conflict. For all these reasons, our people, by keeping all these imminent challenges in view, need to prepare ourselves so that we can overcome these challenges and save the nation from the unavoidable onslaught of neo- imperialism.
Last but not the least, one natural instinct of mankind is the desire to live freely. Even if imperialist India strives most cleverly with all its might and resources, it will never succeed to extinguish our people’s instinct for freedom. With imperialist countries unable to suppress freedom movements of indigenous peoples, many colonised nations have achieved independence. For instance, in 1945 one-third of the world’s population (750 million) were living in dependent territories. This figure came down to around 60 million in 1960. More than 60 per cent of today’s United Nations member countries were either colonies or Trust territories in the past. Unfortunately, the puppet government of Manipur has been rather welcoming the elements and policies of colonization and neo-colonization devised by India.
Divergent perspectives and concepts harboured by different communities in Manipur and the rising level of distrust is one bitter reality that came into being only after Manipur was annexed by India. Even today the colonial regime, taking advantage of a few faulty events recorded in history, has been consistently working to divide the people of Manipur on ethnic lines. People who are seeking alternative arrangement and those demanding Kuki state are all indigenous people of the land who lived and grew together. Divergent and contradictory political movements based on parochial ethnic interest and aspirations witnessed in Manipur at present are all aimed at achieving some material benefits from India. But these community based movements can never redress the common problems and sufferings being endured by all the indigenous communities. The misery of suppression and deprivation can be redressed only when all the indigenous people of Manipur are freed from the yoke of Indian imperialism. To defeat India’s policy of fragmentation on ethnic lines, all the indigenous communities need to join hands and build up our collective strength.
No community of Manipur can live happily in isolation. A plural society is the only way which can deliver a dignified life to all our indigenous people. There was/is no nation in the world comprising of a single ethnic group or community throughout its history for it is impossible. Our people need to abandon the wild theory of “one community, one nation”. At the same time, the concept of nation building based on the aspirations of majority community is now obsolete in a plural society. Given all these facts and realities, I would like to call upon all our people to reinforce our sense of unity and fight India, our common enemy collectively, and make Manipur, our common homeland, a pluralistic, progressive and egalitarian society.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rpf-chiefs-message-on-eve-of-plas-foundation-day/

AIZAWL, Sept 24 NNN : Union Minister of State for DoNER, Paban Singh Ghatowar today visited Lawngtlai in Mizoram where he laid the foundation stone for construction of 49 School buildings within Lai Autonomous District Council.
Speaking on the occasion, the DoNER minister said that while Mizoram being one of highest ranking states in India in literacy rate, Lawngtlai district in the meantime stands at the bottom among Mizoram districts in term of literacy rate. While acknowledgement of this poor performance of the district the central government has initiated a plan to uplift Lawngtlai District in education, the Union Minister said.
It is in pursuance of this central government plan that the buildings for 49 schools in the district- 27 Primary Schools and 22 Middle Schools, are to be renovated which shall cost Rs. 11.09 crore, the DoNER Minister said, adding the initiative this time is in fact the second phase in execution of the central plan.
The visiting DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar on the occasion highlighted the various projects undertaken by Mizoram government under NEC. He mentioned that work has been done for 127 Projects so far, of which 67 projects completed and 64 projects being on, and also 67 new projects yet to initiate. Among the ongoing projects also include those within Lawngtlai District which are: construction of Lawngtlai College at estimated cost of Rs 13.09 crore; upgradation of Lawngtlai town at estimated cost of Rs. 11.82 crore; construction of Parva to Chimenosora Road at estimated cost of Rs.11.52 crore; construction of Lawngtlai Bypass Road at estimated cost of Rs. 10.29 crore; construction of Lungpuighat Road at estimated cost of Rs. 15.45 crore; Greater Lawngtlai Water Supply Scheme at estimated cost of Rs.14.50 crore; and construction of Lai Hostel in Aizawl at estimated cost of 5.75 crore, the DoNER Minister mentioned.
Within a few years from now, Lawngtlai district will have immense progress, said the DoNER Minister, who also expressed his happiness over visiting Lawngtlai for the second time.

Accompanying the DoNER Minister during his visit to Lawngtlai, Mizoram Finance Minister, H. Liansailova, thanked the people of Lawngtlai in advance saying it has been heard that they will provide their land free of cost for the proposed Lawngtlai Bypass road. Adding that working in full cooperation with the people is often fruitful, H Liansailova shared his hope that when the Look East Policy is materialized, Lawngtlai district will benefit a lot from it even to the extent beyond their expectation. New Land Use Policy (NLUP) also enhances immense development to the State, and for its continuation too, there is enough fund, the minister said.
Besides H. Liansailova, Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, Tourism Minister S. Hiato and Lok Sabha MP CL Ruala also accompanied the DoNER Minister, and from DoNER Ministry Jt Secretary V.B Pathak and Director Uma Kant were also there.
On his arrival at Lawngtlai Helipad, the DoNER Minister was received by Lawngtlai DC J. Hmingthanmawia, Lawngtlai SP BK Singh, LADC CEM C.Ngunlianchunga and other top officials.
The function for foundation laying function held in front of LADC Building was presided over by Lawngtlai DC, while LADC CEM delivered short speech, and Hmunhre, LADC Planning Board Vice Chairman delivered Vote of thanks
The DoNER Minister returned to Aizawl after the programme. As reported earlier, the DoNER Minister is here on a 2-day visit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/doner-minister-lay-foundation-stone-for-49-school-buildings/

Gurgaon, Sep 24 (ANI): Clarifying his ‘J&K ministers paid’ remark, former army chief General V.K. Singh on Tuesday said the money paid to Jammu and Kashmir politicians wasn’t bribe, but to win the people’s hearts.
“I would also state very categorically that all that I talked of when I said money was given to politicians or to NGOs was never for their political purpose, for their individual purpose, for lining their pockets, for bribes to them,” General Singh told media here.
“It was meant solely and wholly for certain stability events which were organised by the intelligence units under the overall umbrella of ‘Sadbhavana’ to win the hearts and minds of people and to get people away from separatists propaganda, to get people away from separatists activities so they can ensure that they contribute towards the development of the state and support the government,” he added.
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde earlier today said the former chief should name the ministers to whom money had been given from a secret defence fund for social schemes.
“He should name the ministers to whom money has been given. We can probe if details are given,” he said.Reacting to accusations that he had funded a Jammu and Kashmir politician to topple Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government, he said those who levelled these allegations were anti-nationals.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/money-paid-to-politicians-v-k-singh/

Hyderabad, Sept 24 (ANI): YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy walked out of the Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad on Tuesday, after being granted bail in a disproportionate assets case a day before.
Thousands of supporters and party workers gathered outside the jail to greet their leader.
Jagan Reddy, who was arrested on 27th May last year by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), spent 16 months in jail on corruption charges.
The CBI has accused Reddy of getting huge investments from various individuals and firms into his businesses as quid pro quo for the favours granted by the Andhra Pradesh Government that was headed by his father and former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy before his death in a helicopter crash in September 2009.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jagan-reddy-walks-out-of-jail/