Tag: National

The CBI has arrested an absconding accused (who is also a self-styled leader of a Nagaland based outfit) at Jorhat (Assam) in a case relating to alleged murder of W.Rajkumar, the then Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh in the year 2007. The arrest was made based on a intelligence input from a sister agency and with the active cooperation of State Police.
After investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet in the case U/s 120B/302/307 IPC and Sec. 25 (IA) (IB) & 27(2)(3) Arms Act and 16 & 18 of UA (P) Act showing the accused as an absconder. The arrested accused was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Jorhat (Assam) and was remanded on transit remand of five (5) days for production before Trial Court in Arunachal Pradesh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/man-held-for-killing-mp/

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, August 19: Well-known theatre personality Ratan Thiyam from Manipur was on Monday appointed as the Chairperson of the National School of Drama Society.
A press release from the Ministry of Culture said, “The President of India has appointed Shri Thiyam for a period of four years as per the relevant Rules and Regulations of the Society”.
Ratan Thiyam takes over from theatre director, Amal Allana, who demitted office as NSD Chairperson in June this year after serving two consecutive terms.
Writer, director, designer, musician, painter and actor, Ratan Thiyam is one of the most important and influential theatre makers at work in the international performance scene. Son of Manipuri dance masters, Ratan
Thiyam studied painting before turning to writing.
He published his first six novels in 1961 at the age of 22, wrote poetry and reviews. Writing led him to theatre.
In 1971, he enrolled at the National School of Drama in Delhi , gaining a reputation as a powerful actor and director.
In 1976, he returned to Manipur and founded Chorus Repertory Theatre.
He was also briefly the director of National School of Drama, New Delhi in 1987-88. During his tenure, he developed the concept of a total Indian theatre to make acquaintance of the students with different traditional performing arts of the country.
His plays have traveled, from Aryan Theater, GM Hall, Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Manipur to the Shri Ram Centre for Arts, New Delhi and the group’s first overseas break was their trip with Chakravyuh to Greece in 1984.
His plays have travelled throughout the world, fascinating audiences with their grace and a spectacular style drawn from Manipuri performing arts like Thang-Ta (a Manipuri martial art) and Nata Sankirtana (a classical dance and music form) into his works, which through subversion and reversion, get assimilated into his own distinct form.
He was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, the Padma Shri in 1989 and Sangeet Natak Fellow in 2013.
His play Chakravyuh got the prestigious “Fringe Firsts Award,” from Edinburgh International Theatre Festival in 1987 .
He was the second Indian recipient of John D.Rockefeller Award after Kapila Vatsayan, which is presented yearly by the Trustees of the Asian Cultural Council to an individual from Asia or the United States , who has made a significant contribution to the international understanding, practice, or study of the visual or performing arts of Asia.
Assam University conferred D. Lit doctoral degree to the noted theatre director Ratan Thiyam on May 14 this year in the 13th Convocation of the Central University in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee, Assam Governor Janaki Ballabh Patnaik and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
It was the third time that he had been conferred the Doctor of Literature.
His first doctoral degree was awarded by Rabindra Bharati University and the second degree by Gauhati University .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ratan-thiyam-appointed-chairperson-of-national-school-of-drama/

AIZAWL, Aug 18 NNN: Since 1984, Mizoram recorded 1241 deaths because of drugs. Out of the total number of deaths, 1114 were men, and 127 women.
As recorded by Mizoram Excise & Narcotics department, the drug that mostly causes the death has been Proxyvon/Parvon Spas; 1131 people had died of this drug. 88 people on the other had died of heroin.
The year 2004 was the year which witnessed most number of deaths due to drugs; 143 people died in that year. Of the total deaths, 132 were of Proxyvon/Parvon Spas, 6 died of heroin, the rest due to dendrite, cough syrup and ganja.
So far in the year 2013, 26 people had died of drugs, out of which 10 were due to the use of Proxyvon/Parvon Spas, others due to heroin, cough syrup and others.
Mizoram Excise & Narcotics department during the current year has seized Rak Zu (country liquor)-22804.615 litres, dawidim (yeast) -273.320 kgs, 335 vessels and 145 vehicles used for transporting liquor.
608 grams of heroin, ganja-69.451 kgs, ephedrine-14.500 kgs, parvon spas-228444 tablets, pseudoephedrine-9012173 tablets and several others have also been seized by the department.
Moreover, under ND&PS Act 397 cases, under Assam Drugs Control Act 155 cases, under MLTP Act 1435 cases has been registered.
Mizoram Excise & Narcotics department has also during January – July 31, 2013 deposited Rs. 175, 22,978 to the Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/1241-people-died-of-drugs-in-mizoram/

Aizawl Aug18 UNA : The ZORO (Zo Reunification Organization) has decided not to take part and keep aloof in the 3rd World Zomi Convention/3rd Global Zo People Convention to be organized by Zomi Council of Manipur, according to the ZoRO General Headquarter Aizawl, Mizoram saying that the Convention being organized by the Zomi Council of Manipur is not sponsored by the ZoRO on Sunday.
The ZoRO General Headquarter Aizawl said in there press release that Peoples’ Conference Party of Mizoram and Zomi National Congress Manipur jointly organized the 1st World Zo Reunification Convention on the 19-21 May, 1988 at Champhai which is always called “Zo Khawpui”, where the generic name of ‘Zo’ coined by different writers was deliberated for naming the Zo nation and hence instituted “Zo Reunification Organization” for their social, cultural, economic, spiritual and political affinity.
Different Zo-folks, coming from different parts of the world adopted a joint resolution to unify all the Zofate (sons of Zo) within the Constitution of India in the Convention, the Zo General Headquarter Aizawl further stated.
It further went on to say that the Zofate (Sons of Zo) are under tripartite divisions of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh during the British period. Realizing that it is the UNO where to put up their aspiration for reunification and not within the framework of Indian Constitution besides it is not appropriate to make approach for the issue from one country under the supervision of one political party, they resolved to go headway under the banner of NGO and hence the 2nd World ZoRO Convention was convened at Vanapa Hall in Aizawl on July 1991 where a fresh ZoRO (Zo Reunification Organization) was instituted thereby keeping it aloof from any political party keeping in mind the decision of the Chin-Lushai Conference of 1892 at Fort William in Kolkata.
Hence, the ZoRO, acted from different angles as an independent organization for reunification of all Zofates (Son of Zo) participated in sessions of World Indigenous Peoples under the auspices of UN viz., UNWGIP, UNPFII, EMRIP and other seminars and trainings conducted in respect of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the World. It continues to participate in such sessions from 1999 till date. Therefore ZoRO does not feel it imperative, as of now, to conduct Convention of all Zofates since it finds no other compelling issues, said the ZoRO Gen HQ.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zoro-not-to-participate-in-the-third-world-zomi-convention/

AIZAWL, Aug 17 NNN : The Lal Thanhawla led Congress party in Mizoram will go to the next assembly elections on the ‘New Land Use Policy’ (NLUP) card.
Mizoram will go to the poll in the next few months’ time.
So far, over one lakh families have already benefitted from the state government pilot project NLUP and by October this year 1,22,000 families will be benefitted altogether.
Each beneficiaries are given money ranging anything from Rs 50,000 to 1,50,000 depending on the type and nature of work they undertake.
Reports said the people especially the poor section of the people in the state are happy with the NLUP and the Mizoram government knows it well.
According to the reports, the Lal Thanhawla led Congress government in Mizoram is projecting itself as the pro-poor government and its successful implementation of the NLUP has been posted the ample proof.
NLUP is a pilot project of the Congress led Mizoram government under the leadership of chief minister Lal Thanhawla. Under this scheme, the government of Mizoram attempts to provide alternative means of livelihood to the farmers who are heavily dependent on jhumming which is detrimental to the environment.
Piggery, bee-keeping, fish-farming, grape-cultivation etc., etc., are some of the fields the government is encouraging the local people to pursue by providing financial assistance.
Meanwhile, the main Opposition party in Mizoram, the Mizo National Front (MNF) is giving maximum effort to re-establish its pro-Mizo centric political party. The MNF under former militant leader and ex-chief minister Zoramthanga has been accusing the Lal Thanhawla led Congress government as ‘very corrupt’. However, whether this old-fashion policy of attacking the rival party will be bought by the commoners, is unsure in the poll-bound Mizoram.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nlup-main-plank-of-congress-for-elections/

DIMAPUR, Aug 11 NNN: Two times a member of Lok Sabha (MP) and two times a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) just in a single year by an individual. This will be possible if C.M Chang from Nagaland is elected in the forth coming by-election to the Noksen assembly constituency in Tuensang district of Nagaland in the next couple of months.
C.M Chang was the member of Lok Sabha but had resigned to constest in the February 23 assembly election of Nagaland. He got elected from Noksen assembly constituency from the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) ticket and was assigned with the Education portfolio. He had however resigned as the MLA in the month of March and retained the Lok Sabha seat and continues as an MP and also as the Education minister of Nagaland till date.
CM Chang had reportedly said that rules allows one could continue as the minister in the state till the by-election is held in six months. On Saturday, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), in which the NPF is the main constituent, had announced that CM Chang is the consensus candidate for Noksen by-poll. With this CM Chang is likely to resign again for the second time in a year from the Lok Sabha membership soon.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/twice-an-mla-in-a-year-nagaland/

DIMAPUR, Aug 10 NNN: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) is irked by the comments of noted Naga intellectual Niketu Iralu who had recently expressed his views on the numerous assurances given by the government of India regarding the ‘early settlement of the vexed Naga political issue’.
On August 3, noted peace activist Niketu Iralu while talking to Newmai News Network, had termed the unceasing assurances from the Central government in the past 15 years to resolve the Naga issue at the earliest, as ‘bureaucratic response.’
Niketu Iralu came two days after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had assured to solve the vexed Naga political issue when the NPCC delegation met the latter in New Delhi. “It has become a bureaucratic response of the government of India. The government of India cannot do anything beyond that,” Niketu Iralu had said.
“On August 3, NNN phoned me and said Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh had told a delegation of Naga leaders that the Naga issue will be settled at the earliest. The reporter of the news agency had said for the past 15 years Central leaders have been giving this ‘tiresome assurance’ and asked for my comment”, Niketu Iralu said.
“The NPCC Media Cell had said (Nagaland Post Mortem August 6) my reply to NNN reporter the next day ‘Terming the Prime Minister’s assurance to the State Congress legislators on finding an early solution to the Naga political issue as bureaucratic response is unfortunate and unwarranted’”, Iralu narrated.
“I should mention at the outset that when the NNN reporter called I had just returned home after being away for 4 days at a seminar centre outside Tuensang. And the network was anything but helpful when NNN phoned. I heard ‘Central leaders giving the usual assurances to Naga leaders as the Prime Minister had done again’ with regard to the Indo-Naga issue. I had not read anything about the meeting in Delhi referred to. I recalled briefly seeing a photo where the Prime Minister was receiving a delegation. I had not read the caption so it is my regret I did not know they were our Congress legislators,” the noted Naga intellectual said.
Niketu then said that elaborating further on the point the NPCC Media Cell said, ‘Ultimately, the Naga political talks will be resolved at the highest political level, and therefore the supposed Naga intellectuals should refrain from making unwarranted statements, more particularly when it comes to sincerity of Delhi’.
“My reply to Newmai News Network, some of which has been reported, was that there is no doubt ultimately the Government of India will sign the settlement on behalf of India, at the highest political level. So its role is very important. But if any settlement reached with the Nagas is to be honourable and acceptable to both sides no Government in Delhi headed by any party can do that without the people of India first understanding the facts of our history. This I believe is the issue, not the sincerity of Delhi.
The Congress-led UPA Government has been as sincere as the BJP-led NDA was in making it abundantly clear that the settlement will have to be an arrangement that will boost, not fatally bash, the ruling party/alliance in the next election nationally and in our immediate neighbour States , and nothing more than that. The negotiation between Delhi and NSCN (IM) dragging out thus far since 1997 is ample proof of Delhi’s unshakable sincerity to defend India’s advantage and the IM’s unwillingness to whittle down further what it has called its “charter of demands” lest the Nagas will judge it to be not acceptable and not honourable,” Niketu Iralu stated.
The statement also stated ‘The Nagas at this juncture can ill afford to unnecessarily implicate the Government of India for the present imbroglio, and cause irreparable damage to whatever goodwill or rapport that has been established with the highest political office in the country’.
“If my understanding of what is sought to be said here and the meaning of the ongoing talks for a settlement is correct, I do think the concern and fear are baseless and unnecessary. Let us not forget Delhi is now in the second process of negotiations with the Nagas again for a settlement. Does this not mean Delhi fully acknowledges that there certainly is an imbroglio, a very stubborn one, and that it is the other contributor to the imbroglio?” Niketu asked.
It may be pertinent to briefly elaborate the points made to NNN that the Nagas cannot blame the new Government of India born on August 15, 1947 for doing all it has done and is doing to defend the boundary line of the map the British passed on to them when they returned home. But India too cannot ignore or deny the position the Nagas had clearly established before the British left their Empire in South Asia. The Nagas struggle therefore was not, and is not, secessionist like the other liberation fronts and movements in India that emerged after India became independent. On August 14, 1947, one day before India became independent, the Nagas reaffirmed to the new government of India, London, and the UNO the position they had declared to the Simon Commission way back in 1929.
According to Niketu Iralu, the Nagas were not, are not, anti-India. They launched their struggle because they decided their history justified it. They saw themselves as an honourable neighbor of India on the basis of their history, though extremely young and small in size and population compared to India’s other neighbours.
He said the people of India are the most important audience in the world for the Nagas to reach and win. They do not know the facts of our history stated above. So they think we are secessionist trouble makers who deserve the severe punishment their armed forces have meted out to us. Therefore it is a waste of time to expect any government in Delhi to reach a settlement with us that will be honourable and acceptable to us without enabling first the people of India and the peoples of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal to understand our case. The coming generations of Nagas should learn to go to them and enable them to understand us and the facts of our history, Niketu Iralu also said.
“If we go with concern for our neighbours, India and the world also and we are ready to listen to evolve mutual understanding first, the thinking ones of good will among them will become our well-wishers and protagonists. With them the Nagas of tomorrow will be able to work out a settlement that will be right for all concerned. If today’s aging Naga leaders will pass on a healed and restored nation to the Nagas of tomorrow they will discover what will be best in the world they will live in”, Iralu said. The fact is the real India is not in the few buildings in Delhi.
It is in the villages and the bustling towns and cities across India. If we will show wisdom and importance to the real India we will not be antagonizing Delhi. We will be helping Delhi to help us better.
“As for the reference above to the ‘supposed intellectuals’, this writer is acutely embarrassed to be associated in any manner with supposed or real intellectuals because I am clear I am only a worried Naga wondering how we are to respond better to the baffling challenges changes are bringing to us so that we may grow properly,” Niketu Iralu stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nagaland-cong-comments-on-iralus-statements/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 8 : The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee will host a reception for freedom fighters on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Quit India Movement on August 9, 2013 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
From Manipur Khumbongmayum Jugeshwor Singh, Ringshi Keishing and Haojathang Haokip will be honoured.
Freedom fighters from across the country will be invited to attend a reception (At Home) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where they would be honoured and felicitated by the President in the presence of various dignitaries of the country.
Freedom fighters from following States/Union Territories across the country have been invited for the reception i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Daman & Diu, and NCT of Delhi.
Since 2003, the President of India has been hosting an ‘At Home’ function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan to mark the anniversary of the Quit India Movement on 9th August of every year in honour of freedom fighters.
The Quit India Movement was launched on 9th August 1942. On 8th August 1942, the All India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.) formally adopted in Bombay a resolution calling on the British to ‘Quit India‘. The next day national leaders including Gandhiji were arrested by the British. From that very day i.e. 9th August, a spontaneous civil disobedience movement in response to Gandhiji‘s call for immediate independence spread all over the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/president-to-host-a-reception-for-freedom-fighters/

DIMAPUR, Aug 7 NNN: As reported earlier by this news agency, Manipur and Nagaland have started feeling the pinch of 300 hours bandh of Karbi Anglong district of Assam neighbouring Nagaland.
The Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) sponsored Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao 300 hours bandh which began 5 am of August 5, will conclude on August 17 in support of the statehood demand of Karbi Anglong district.
Prices of commodities such as onions and potatoes have sky-rocketed today.
In some places in Dimapur, a kilogram of onions is sold now at Rs 60, while a kilogram of potato is now cost Rs 30. Few days ago it was sold at Rs 15.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/karbi-anglong-stir-cut-off-supplies-to-manipur-nagaland/

DIMAPUR, Aug 7 NNN : (NPMHR) deplores the continuing dehumanizing of Naga society through militarization and enforcement of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, through the declaration of Disturbed Area Act (DAA) which the NPMHR said is rooted directly to colonial policy of suppressing peoples’ movement.
The NPMHR made this statement today while expressing its disappointment over the continued extension of Disturbed Area Act (DAA) in Nagaland year after year.
It can be noted here that last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India had informed the extension of the notification declaring Nagaland as a “Disturbed Area” under the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 in the Gazette of India for a period of one year, with effect from June 30.
“This extension has been made despite the prevailing congenial political environment with the steady progress of current political events in the background of ceasefires with major political groups (Naga underground organisations) and peace negotiations; and at a time when Nagas are seeking to achieve meaningful reconciliation for a peaceful approach to addressing common issues,” the Naga rights group pointed out.
NPMHR feels that the continued extension of the DAA reflects a lack of political understanding on the part of the Government of India, which has failed to enable any confidence building mechanisms for a common concern.
“The NPMHR therefore deplores the continuing dehumanizing of Naga society through militarization and enforcement of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, through the declaration of DAA which is rooted directly to colonial policy of suppressing peoples’ movement,” the Naga rights group stated. The NPMHR then said that ever since India engaged the Naga people under these “terror laws” with an over-whelming presence of military personnel of all shades and sizes, who wantonly committed heinous atrocities and gross violation of human rights; and even took upon itself the role of social and developmental activities, the Naga experience has been one of political subjugation, economic exploitation and cultural assimilation.
“Another note of concern is the involvement of bureaucratic judgments, particularly in the sanctioning and involvement of legislations, which is totally opposed to the political will and reasons that is much required today,” the NPMHR stated.
The NPMHR implore upon the present day Government of Nagaland to initiate an all-party discussion for immediate removal of the Disturbed Area tag which has been the “face of Nagaland” for as long as one can remember.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npmhr-denounces-afspa/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 6 : A total number of 1279 sites have been identified in the North-East for setting up mini hydel plants aggregating/estimated potential of 2598.63 MW. The maximum number of sites for hydel power generation projects have been identified in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh, 677, 1341.38 MW, Assam 119, 238.69 MW, Manipur 114, 109.13 MW, Meghalaya 97, 230.05 MW, Mizoram 72 , 168.9 MW, Nagaland 99, 196.98 MW, Tripura 13, 46.86 MW, Sikkim 88, 266.64 MW.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is insisting upon basin-wise cumulative Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Studies of such projects to deal effectively with likely problems relating to submergence, rehabilitation & resettlement issues and likely impact in the down-stream areas. The MoEF also stipulates comprehensive mitigative measures for environmental safety while according environment clearance to run-of-the river (R-O-R) projects although they have only a limited environmental impact.
This information was given by MoS (I/C) Power Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/1279-hydel-power-projects-identified-in-the-north-east/

New Delhi, Aug 5 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that they would suggest some amendments in the Food Security bill before getting it passed in both the houses.
BJP leader Ananth Kumar said that the Centre’s ambitious Food Security Bill has to be debated before it is fully adopted.
“The Bill needs to be debated and the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to put forward several suggestions and amendments in the existing Bill. Post this debate the house would adopt it,” he said.
Meanwhile, another BJP leader C.P Thakur put forth his party’s stance on the Food Security Bill and said that his party has never opposed any measures taken for the poor.
“The BJP will suggest some changes in the Food Security Bill and after that the Bill will be passed. As this Bill is for the poor people and they will be benefited from it so BJP is always ready to favour the government and work for any such measures taken for the poor people,” Thakur said.
Before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had appealed to the opposition parties for their cooperation during the Session and deemed the Food Security ordinance the “most important” ordinance that the Parliament has on its hands.
“But all that we expect fully is to ask the opposition to cooperate with the government in passing the essential legislative work, which is the primary responsibility of Parliament. Of all the ordinances, five or six ordinances which are before the Parliament and most important is Food Security Ordinance,” said Dr. Singh.
“And I sincerely hope that the Parliament in its wisdom will find it productive, find it justified to convert that Ordinance into a Bill and an act of Parliament,” he added.
Fourteen Congress-led states are expected to roll out the UPA’s food security scheme from August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had held consultations with chief ministers of all Congress-ruled states on July 13, where she asked them to efficiently implement the food security scheme in “letter and spirit.”
President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance on the Food Security Bill on July 5, with the aim of providing food grains every month to two-thirds of the nation’s population at highly subsidized rates.
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal described the bill as ‘anti-farmers’ and said that his party would not support it.
“This food security bill is completely anti-farmers and if it is implemented farmers would have to sell their produce at a lower price in the market. This will lead the farmers into committing suicide,” he said.
“In the current shape the Samajwadi Party will not accept this Bill, we consider it as anti-farmers and if need be we will vote against it,” he added.
The bill aims to provide 5 Kg of food grains per person per month at a subsidized rate through the State Governments under the targeted public distribution system. It is set to be the largest food welfare scheme in the world.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday endorsed the Food Security Bill, but added that her party will make certain suggestions when the ordinance is discussed in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
“It is imperative that the Food Security ordinance is discussed in the House before it becomes a Bill. The Food Security ordinance will give essential necessities to the poor at subsidized rates. … We believe that bringing the bill into Parliament is the correct decision. We will support the bill, but will also make some suggestions in Parliament so that the poor people can benefit to the fullest,” Mayawati said.
Mayawati , however, criticized the UPA-led government for the delay in bringing the Food Security Bill into Parliament, saying that it should have been implemented two-and-a-half years ago.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bjp-ready-to-favour-the-food-security-bill-after-amendments/

New Delhi, Aug. 5 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday said his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s move to suspend the 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Durga Shakti Nagpal is absolutely correct.
“It is a correct decision. If the government had not taken a decision it would have been a problem,” he told media outside the Parliament here.
Yadav, however, refused to comment on whether the suspension would be revoked.
Amid a deepening political row over the officer’s suspension, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister today questioned the ‘outcry’, and said the officers are punished if they make mistakes.
“If an officer makes a mistake, he or she is punished, just like children are punished in school. That is how a government works,” he told media in Lucknow.
Commenting on Nagpal’s suspension, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh earlier in the day said there are rules laid down and that will be followed.
“There are rules laid down and the rules will be followed. And we are in touch with the state government to find out the full details of the case,” said Dr. Singh.
The Prime Minister’s remark came hours after the Uttar Pradesh Government slapped a chargesheet accusing Nagpal of flouting norms and lacking administrative acumen.
According to reports, a copy of the chargesheet along with a report has been sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) at the Centre.
The Samajwadi Party government’s 10-page chargesheet accuses Nagpal of violating norms while ordering the demolition of the wall of a mosque built illegally on government land at Gautam Budh Nagar in Greater Noida.
The chargesheet came a day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to the Prime, asking him to ensure that the suspended bureaucrat is treated fairly.
The Congress Party yesterday hit out at the Samajwadi Party for attacking Sonia Gandhi for her support to Nagpal, and said the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh is trying to hide what is essentially a case of corruption and illegal mining.
Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit also dismissed Samajwadi Party’s comments that Gandhi should also write a letter in support of Ashok Khemka, the Haryana IAS officer who had scrapped her son-in-law Robert Vadra’s controversial land deals and was transferred.
Nagpal was suspended last month ostensibly for taking on the sand mafia and for ordering the demolition of a wall of a mosque that was being built on government land in the state’s Gautam Buddh Nagar District, where she was posted as SDM.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ias-officers-suspension-mulayam-backs-son-akhilesh/

New Delhi, Aug 4 (ANI): The Monsoon session of Parliament will begin from tomorrow and it is expected to discuss and pass the Food Security Ordinance among several bills.
According to reports, the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, Direct Taxes Code Bill 2010 and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill 2011 are among the 23 bills listed for consideration and passing by the Lok Sabha.
Earlier Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on August 3 said that he looked forward to very constructive and productive Monsoon Session of Parliament, and urged the opposition to cooperate with the government in passing the essential legislative work, including the Food Security Bill .
“We look forward to a very constructive, productive session of Parliament. Lot of time was wasted in previous two or three sessions and there is lot of legislative agenda pending before the Congress, before the Parliament. And I sincerely hope that all sections of the house will cooperate in making it a very productive, very constructive session,” Dr. Singh had said.
The monsoon Session ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls is important with several issues likely to be taken up for discussions. These include Uttarakhand floods, Telangana and other economic issues.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/monsoon-session-of-parliament-to-begin-from-today/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Oscar Fernandes, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, reviewed the progress of projects in the North East region yesterday, in the presence of Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) (DONER), Sarvey Sathyanarayana, Union Minister of State (Road Transport & Highways), the Chief Ministers / PWD Ministers and other Ministers of the States in the region. The review intended to appreciate the concerns of the State Governments in the Region, prioritize the important issues, find out way forward to address the same and also for giving impetus to momentum of implementation of projects. The Union Minister intends to embark upon visits in each of the States in the Region and take a holistic view on the demands raised by them.
Various decisions taken by the Ministry were also announced during the meeting. These include carrying out feasibility study for the important newly declared NH-127 B connecting Srirampur to Phulbari via Dhubri including construction of a bridge over river Brahmaputra, invitation of Request for Qualification (RFQ) for widening NH-37 between Numaligarh – Jorhat – Demow – Dibrugarh to 4-lane standards on BOT (Annuity) basis, to provide 4-lane connectivity to Itanagar from Nagaon via Holongi, to carry out feasibility study for construction of Imphal bypass, to conduct a feasibility study for an alternative / additional highway between Chumukedima near Dimapur in Nagaland and Maram in Manipur on NH-39 to avoid sinking zones in Nagaland and Manipur on NH-39 so as to tackle perennial problem of frequent traffic disruptions, to extend the Maram – Peren road taken up under SARDP-NE Phase “A” to connect with Dimapur via Ghaspani to provide alternative connectivity to Manipur and also develop about 65 km of road in Nagaland, to conduct feasibility study for by-passing the trouble spot rock-fall area on NH-44A between Aizawl and Lengpui Airport in Mizoram which is envisaged at providing an alternate all weather road connectivity for the airport besides shortening the length of NH-44A by nearly 5 km, decision taken for developing 130 km stretch of Agartala – Sabroom section of NH-44 to 2-lane standards on EPC basis to be implemented by the Ministry directly (which would provide connectivity to Chittagong port through Bangladesh and is envisaged to eventually improve trade and commerce with Bangladesh), decision to take up long pending construction of new bridge at Dawki in Meghalaya, decision to construct an alternative highway to Gangtok, via Bagrakot – Nimbong – Lolegaon – Algarah – Rhenok – Pakyong – Ranipul – Gangtok with spur from Rehnok – Aritar – Rolep – Menla. It was informed that the Ministry has technically vetted the proposal of Ministry of DONER for construction of new bridge across river Barak to connect Silchar town as an alternative to existing Sadarghat Bridge. Further, recently the Ministry issued sanctions for Jowai bypass as also revised estimate for Shillong – Nongstoin – Tura road under SARDP-NE in the State of Meghalaya.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/oscar-fernandes-take-stock-of-road-projects/

Guwahati , Aug 3 : MNS : Vijay Chhibber, Secretary,Road Transport & Highways held a meeting at Guwahati on 1st August, 2013 with the officers representing various agencies in the Region, viz. the State PWDs, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) to review the road projects in North East region.
This was in line with the focused approach of the Government towards improving the road infrastructure in particular in the Region.
The Government of India Consider that the timely successful implementation of infrastructure projects is vital for accelerated socio-economic development. The Government is committed to accelerated development of infrastructure in the country in general and in the North East Region in particular.
Earlier this year on 4th February, 2013 the progress of road projects were reviewed at Guwahati by the then Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr. C. P. Joshi. Recently the Prime Minister of India reviewed the infrastructure projects in the North East Region in a meeting held on 18th July, 2013 and consequently EGoM and committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary were constituted to expedite finding solutions for outstanding issues impeding progress of projects.
Keeping in view the various decisions taken and the targets set forth during the aforesaid meeting, the projects were reviewed in detail by Vijay Chhibber. Timelines were laid down for expediting progress of ongoing projects, resolving various outstanding issues. A host of decisions were also taken to facilitate speeding up of delayed works in a time bound manner, taking up of stringent actions against non performing contractors, attaching greater focus for preparation of project reports truly reflecting the actual ground conditions, time bound completion of pre-construction activities, suggesting most cost effective technological solutions, etc. State PWDs were also requested to accord emphasis urgently for strengthening their institutional capabilities and project management mechanism. The delay in implementation and poor progress, frequent revision of scopes leading to time and cost overruns of projects under implementation by the BRO was viewed with a serious concern and it was directed that greater focus should be given towards ensuring timely and cost effective implementation of these projects.
It was also agreed that the Ministry may consider taking up implementation of some projects directly and all State Governments were requested to consider sparing some of their technical officers so that they could be associated in implementation of these projects along with the officers from the Ministry. It was mentioned that the Ministry would consider sanctioning of works related to preconstruction activities, such as Land Acquisition, shifting of utilities during the current financial year by digressing from the Ministry’s general policy to link sanctioning of projects based on the available outlay and outstanding liabilities against already committed works. This would facilitate taking up of civil works on such stretches without any cost and time overruns in the new environment of implementing projects on EPC (Engineering, procurement, construction) mode wherein at least 90 % of land is required to be handed over to the contractor at the time of award and the balance land and necessary clearances are required to be made available in a time bound manner.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken up an ambitious Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) for development of road network in the north eastern States of the Country. This programme envisages providing road connectivity to all the district headquarters in the north eastern region by minimum 2 lane highway standards apart from providing road connectivity to backward and remote areas, areas of strategic importance and neighbouring countries.
Programme planned in two phases (A & B) including Arunachal Package covers about 10,141 km. The phase A of SARDP-NE including Arunachal Package covers 6,418 km at an estimated cost of Rs 33,688 crore. Works are being executed by the State PWDs, BRO, NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The project is targeted for completion by June, 2016. Phase B is at conceptual stage. So far about 1,180 km have been completed. It has been targeted to award projects in a total length of about 2,000 km and achieve completion in 550 km length during 2013-14.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chhibber-reviews-road-projects-in-ne/

MNS: The Union Cabinet has approved introduction of a Bill in the coming session of the Parliament to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005, to exclude the political parties from the definition of Public authority for the purpose of the Act.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) in its decision dated 03.06.2013, has held that the political parties, namely, AICC/INC, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, NCP, and BSP are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. While deciding that the said political parties are public authorities, the CIC has relied mainly on the grounds that there is substantial (indirect) financing of political parties by the Central Government and they perform public duty.
The political parties are registered with the Election Commission under the provisions of section 29A of the
Representation of the People Act, 1951. Under this section any small group of persons, if they so desire, can be
registered as a political party by making a simple declaration under sub-section (5) of section 29A. With reference to the political parties, detailed provisions exist in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for dissemination of information relating to political parties, candidates and donations. The said Act, inter alia, provides for –
• Registration with the Election Commission of associations and bodies as political parties (section 29A)
• Political parties entitled to accept contribution (section 29B)
• Declaration of donation received by the political parties (section 29C)
• Declaration of assets and liabilities (section 75A)
• Account of election expenses and maximum thereof (section 77)
• Lodging of account with the district election officer (section 78)
• Penalty for filing false affidavit etc. (section 125A)
The above provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 indicate that there are sufficient provisions in the Act to deal with each and every aspect of financing, its declaration and punishment for filing false affidavit and all such information is made available to the public through the website of the Election Commission. Under section 13A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the political parties claiming exemption from tax are required to file their return of income before the due date .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rti-2005-to-be-amended/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 2 : P Vaiphei , Commissioner Education has advised students not to take admission in unapproved educational institutes. He said in a press statment that ,”The issues relating to some Private Universities and Study Centres claiming to be learning centres of Private Universities and some advertisements thereof have been under examination by the Dept. of Higher Education for sometime of late and after due consideration of the genuineness/non-genuineness and legality/illegality of such centres of learning, the Dept. had issued an Order vide No. 3/3-567/89-EDC (Pt.l) dt. 21st June, 2013 that, amongst others, had drawn the attention of all College Lecturers/Teachers to the fact that the Acts authorizing setting up of Private / State Universities passed by State Legislative Assemblies are valid within the territorial boundaries of the concerned State only and any Research / higher study can be undertaken by their Study-Centres opened outside the State where such Private / State Universities are set-up are illegal and not acceptable.
Therefore, all applicants including serving Assistant/Associate Professors, etc. of all Colleges of Manipur are hereby informed to exercise due caution to ensure that they do not undertake higher study / pursuit of M.Phl/Ph.D degrees through such illegal Study Centres or Private/State Universities operating outside the limits of the territorial boundaries of the State that authorize them to be set up.
This caution is issued in public interest in general and in the particular interest of the students & teaching communities of Manipur in particular to prevent them from unnecessary trouble, waste of time, money & energy and embarrassment on being caught later on.
For the benefit of all the students & teaching faculties in particular and the people of the State of Manipur, it is hereby informed to the general public and all concerned that University Grants Commission (UGC) vide its Public Notice No. F.27-1/2012(CPP-II) dated 27th June, 2013 that “the Commission has come across many advertisements published in National Dailies offering opportunities for the award of university degrees through various franchise programmes conducted by certain Private Institutions.
These private establishments claiming themselves as Study Centres or learning centres of different Universities enroll students for various degree programmes and also claim to be responsible for teaching and conduct of examinations. The faculty and the infrastructure belong to these private agencies. The concerned Universities except providing syllabus and teaching materials, has no mechanism to monitor and maintain the academic standards of teaching being imparted at these centres.
The blatant compromise with the standards of education has led to widespread criticism. The Commission has taken a serious view of these misleading advertisements appearing in various newspapers.”
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has, “therefore, clarified for the information of all concerned, including students and parents that:
a) A Central or State University can conduct courses through its own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliated Colleges;
b) A University established or incorporated by or under a State Act shall operate only within the territorial jurisdiction allotted to it under its Act and in no case beyond the territory of the State of its location;
c) The private Universities and deemed Universities cannot affiliate any College or institution for conducting courses leading to award of its diplomas, degrees or other qualifications.
d) No University, whether Central, State, private or deemed, can offer its programmes through franchising arrangement with private coaching institutions even for the purpose of conducting courses through distance mode.
e) All Universities shall award only such degrees as are specified by the UGC and published in the official gazette.
f) Universities should conduct first degree and Master’s degree in accordance with the regulations. Details are available in UGC website.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/students-warned-to-stay-away-from-unapproved-institutes/