Tag: National

Aizawl, Feb 6 NNN : As per latest data available, 62% of Mizo women consume tobacco products of any kind in Mizoram. The data has been prepared by Mizoram State Cancer Society.
Dr. Jeremy L Pautu, Director of the Mizoram State Cancer Institute informed NNN that due to numbers of tobacco users among women, ovarian cancer is very much popular.
Tobacco also causes other types of cancer among the women folks, added Dr. Jeremy.
While the trend is 62% in Mizoram, West Bengal and Manipur stand at 28% and 25% regarding the women who use tobacco products.
In the meantime Dr. K Lalbiakzuala, Prog. Asst, MSCS had said that Mizoram had entered ‘cancer age’ which claims more lives than any other diseases. “People of the state must have true knowledge and have to be taken special attention for prevention of the diseases,” he warns.
Dr. Jeremy said that before the end of 2025, efforts has been made to decline cases of cancer by 25% across the country. “Six districts from Mizoram are included amongst the topmost 10 prevalent cancer cases in men which are Aizawl, Serchhip, Lunglei, Kolasib, Champhai, Mamit while for that of women include Aizawl, Serchhip, Kolasib, Lunglei,” said Dr Jeremy. Among men, stomach cancer is the most popular while in women lungs cancer and ovarian cancer are common in Mizoram state.
Meanwhile, tribals, who constitute 27 percent of the northeast’s total population of 45.50 million (2011 census) are traditionally heavy users of different types of tobacco products. According to the latest report of the union health and family welfare ministry, Mizoram (67.2 percent), Nagaland (56.8 percent) Tripura (55.9 percent) have the highest number of tobacco users in India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizo-women-use-tobacco-2/

Bangalore , Feb.6 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan on Monday said that there has been no vendetta behind blacklisting his predecessor G Madhavan Nair and three other scientists in connection with the controversial Antrix-Devas deal.
Refuting Nair’s allegations that the Pratyush Sinha-led committee’s report was one said and inaccurate, Radhakrishnan said: “Whatever we wanted to say on the subject, we have put on the website. There is a full report and recommendations of the second report, and there is a four-page statement. I don’t want to add anything more. There is nothing personal in it.”
Earlier, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy had also severely criticised Nair, saying that he was misleading the nation when he said he was not heard by the investigation panel.
Narayansamy said that Nair had met the then Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha while the reports were still being prepared.
“Madhavan Nair misled the nation, saying that he was not given an opportunity to explain. But the Pratyush Sinha committee report clearly mentions that there was a personal hearing of Madhavan Nair and he was heard. Therefore, the principle of natural justice has been followed in his case. The other scientists also were given the questionnaire and they have replied. If they feel that they have been aggrieved, they can give a petition to the government,” said Narayanasamy.
The government had banned four scientists – Nair, former scientific secretary at ISRO K Bhaskaranarayana, former managing director of ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix KR Sridharamurthi, and former director of ISRO satellite centre KN Shankara – from holding any government jobs over their allegedly involved in 2005 deal between Devas and ISRO’s marketing wing Antrix.
The deal involved allocation of scarce S-band spectrum to a private firm and the former ISRO scientists have been accused of irregularities in the deal.
Several questions were raised on ‘preferential allotment’ of spectrum to Devas without auctions in the deal. In February 2011 the deal between Antrix and Devas was cancelled ISRO had on Saturday made the investigation reports on the Devas-Antrix deal public which held the four scientists guilty of a breach of public trust and recommended action against them.
The reports said that the deal lacked transparency and ISRO didn’t consult Department of Telecom.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-vendetta-against-nair-says-isro-chief-radhakrishnan/

Bangalore , Feb.6 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan on Monday said that there has been no vendetta behind blacklisting his predecessor G Madhavan Nair and three other scientists in connection with the controversial Antrix-Devas deal.
Refuting Nair’s allegations that the Pratyush Sinha-led committee’s report was one said and inaccurate, Radhakrishnan said: “Whatever we wanted to say on the subject, we have put on the website. There is a full report and recommendations of the second report, and there is a four-page statement. I don’t want to add anything more. There is nothing personal in it.”
Earlier, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy had also severely criticised Nair, saying that he was misleading the nation when he said he was not heard by the investigation panel.
Narayansamy said that Nair had met the then Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha while the reports were still being prepared.
“Madhavan Nair misled the nation, saying that he was not given an opportunity to explain. But the Pratyush Sinha committee report clearly mentions that there was a personal hearing of Madhavan Nair and he was heard. Therefore, the principle of natural justice has been followed in his case. The other scientists also were given the questionnaire and they have replied. If they feel that they have been aggrieved, they can give a petition to the government,” said Narayanasamy.
The government had banned four scientists – Nair, former scientific secretary at ISRO K Bhaskaranarayana, former managing director of ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix KR Sridharamurthi, and former director of ISRO satellite centre KN Shankara – from holding any government jobs over their allegedly involved in 2005 deal between Devas and ISRO’s marketing wing Antrix.
The deal involved allocation of scarce S-band spectrum to a private firm and the former ISRO scientists have been accused of irregularities in the deal.
Several questions were raised on ‘preferential allotment’ of spectrum to Devas without auctions in the deal. In February 2011 the deal between Antrix and Devas was cancelled ISRO had on Saturday made the investigation reports on the Devas-Antrix deal public which held the four scientists guilty of a breach of public trust and recommended action against them.
The reports said that the deal lacked transparency and ISRO didn’t consult Department of Telecom.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-vendetta-against-nair-says-isro-chief-radhakrishnan/

Aizawl, Feb 6 NNN : As per latest data available, 62% of Mizo women consume tobacco products of any kind in Mizoram. The data has been prepared by Mizoram State Cancer Society.
Dr. Jeremy L Pautu, Director of the Mizoram State Cancer Institute informed NNN that due to numbers of tobacco users among women, ovarian cancer is very much popular.
Tobacco also causes other types of cancer among the women folks, added Dr. Jeremy.
While the trend is 62% in Mizoram, West Bengal and Manipur stand at 28% and 25% regarding the women who use tobacco products.
In the meantime Dr. K Lalbiakzuala, Prog. Asst, MSCS had said that Mizoram had entered ‘cancer age’ which claims more lives than any other diseases. “People of the state must have true knowledge and have to be taken special attention for prevention of the diseases,” he warns.
Dr. Jeremy said that before the end of 2025, efforts has been made to decline cases of cancer by 25% across the country. “Six districts from Mizoram are included amongst the topmost 10 prevalent cancer cases in men which are Aizawl, Serchhip, Lunglei, Kolasib, Champhai, Mamit while for that of women include Aizawl, Serchhip, Kolasib, Lunglei,” said Dr Jeremy. Among men, stomach cancer is the most popular while in women lungs cancer and ovarian cancer are common in Mizoram state.
Meanwhile, tribals, who constitute 27 percent of the northeast’s total population of 45.50 million (2011 census) are traditionally heavy users of different types of tobacco products. According to the latest report of the union health and family welfare ministry, Mizoram (67.2 percent), Nagaland (56.8 percent) Tripura (55.9 percent) have the highest number of tobacco users in India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizo-women-use-tobacco/

Bangalore , Feb.5 (ANI): An Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) committee indicted former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair and three other senior scientists late on Saturday night for acts of commission in Antrix-Devas deal.
In a report prepared by a committee headed by Pratyush Sinha, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner, ISRO said the Antrix-Devas deal lacked transparency and recommended that action needs to be taken against Nair, A Bhaskaranarayana, K R Sridhara Murthi and K N Shankara all of whom have retired.
The Antrix is the commercial arm of ISRO and Devas is a private firm. The five-member high level team, which was set up to examine the deal and identify the acts of omission and commission by government officials, said in its report made public tonight that “..there have not only been serious administrative and procedural lapses but also suggestion of collusive behaviour on the part of certain individuals and accordingly, responsibilities have to be fixed for taking action.”
The Pratyush Sinha committee, set up on May 31 last year to examine the deal and identify the acts of omission and commission by government officials, said choosing Devas for the deal “seems to be lacking in transparency and due diligence”. It said “the approval process (for the deal) was riddled with incomplete and inaccurate information given to the union cabinet and the Space Commission”.
While the Antrix-Devas agreement was signed on January, 28, 2005, “this fact was not disclosed to the Space Commission or in the Cabinet note dated November 27, 2005, in which approval was sought for the launch of GSAT 6, one of the satellites to be build under the agreement”. The report said the terms of Antrix-Devas contract “were heavily loaded in favour of Devas” . It pointed out that terms of the agreement entail that while in the case of the failure of the satellite, the risk was entirely that of Department of Space, the success of the satellite would commit the latter to substantial expenditure”.
Secondly, it said “it is surprising that for the purpose of arbitration Devas has been considered an international customer even though its registered address in the contract is shown as in Bangalore “. The report also noted that no clearance was obtained from the legal cells of the Department of Space and the Finance Ministry for Antrix-Devas deal, as is mandatory for any international agreement by any department of Indian government. The report also said GSAT capacity was earmarked for Devas without consulting INSAT Corporation Committee (ICC), which recommends use of satellite capacities by non-government users authorized to provide telecom services, which is a “clear violation of the government policy”.
The committee report said “there is evidence to suggest that the Antrix-Devas agreement was not disclosed to Technical Advisory Group (TAG) at the time of considering the experimental trials”. There is no indication of any attempt to identify other possible partners for providing the same service even though similar services were available in some other countries, said the report. “Although SATCOM policy and ICC guidelines allow leasing of satellite capacity on first-come-first-served basis, this did not prevent Antrix-ISRO from following a transparent process of adequately publicising its intent of supporting such services…” it said.
“In the absence of such a declaration of intent, choosing Devas seems to be lacking in transparency and due diligence”, added the report. The committee report said in the cabinet not, however, “an erroneous impression was sought to be created that ISRO was in receipt of several firm expressions of interest by service providers for the utilization of satellite capacity on commercial terms”. “This appears to be deliberate as the existence of the agreement was not disclosed even when seeking approval later of the Space Commission for the GSAT 6A satellite.”
The committee also proposes action against four other scientists S S Meenakshisundaram, Veena Rao, G Balachadran and R G Nadadur “who have been found responsible for the acts of omissions by not paying enough attention to details and not ensuring that the various notes that were put up for decision to the competent authorities included all necessary details and had undergone various necessary consultative processes”. Prior to the setting up of Pratyush Sinha Committee, the government had on February 10, 2011, set up the High Powered Review Committee with B K Chaturvedi and Roddam Narasimha as members to review the technical, commercial, procedural and financial aspects of the Antrix-Devas agreement of January 2005.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/isro-makes-crucial-report-antrix-devas-deal-public/

New Delhi/Chennai, Feb 4 (ANI): Commenting on the trial court’s judgment, which dismissed Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy’s plea to make Home Minister P Chidambaram a co-accused in the 2G spectrum scam case, the Congress party on Saturday said it’s a victory of the truth.
“This is a victory of the truth,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told media here.
“It’s unfortunate that Swamy insisted on catching the attention. We were positive that the court will not say anything against Chidambaram. No investigations ordered against Chidambaram, he is not being made an accused in the case,” said Soni.
Meanwhile, defending Chidambaram, Parliamentary Affairs Minister V. Narayanasamy said: “The policy of first-come, first served was taken by the NDA in 2001.It was approved by the cabinet in 2003. It was implemented by the NDA government. Pramod Mahajan, Arun Shourie, Dayanidhi Maran, when they were in the NDA government, they allocated the spectrum on first come first served basis and our government also followed the same policy.”
Further slamming Swamy, Narayanasamy said he deliberately targeted Chidambaram
“There is no question of criminality, culpability or corruption against Chidambaram. Subramanian Swamy, because of the enmity, personnel rivalry is trying to tarnish the image of Chidambaram and I strongly condemn that,” he said.
Swamy has alleged that Chidambaram was equally culpable like former telecom minister A Raja, as he also had a role in deciding the spectrum pricing and allowing telecom companies to off-load shares to foreign firms
The apex court on Thursday quashed 122 spectrum licences granted after January 2008, and asked a trial court to decide whether Chidambaram needs to be probed for his role in the spectrum case.
The apex court verdict was in response to Swamy’s petition seeking a CBI probe into Chidambaram’s alleged role in the spectrum scam, and on two pleas filed by noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan seeking cancellation of 2G licences and the setting up of a SIT to probe the scam.
Swamy had on January 7 submitted documents seeking prosecution of Chidambaram in the case before a Delhi court.
The telecom scam, one of India ‘s biggest graft cases ever, may have cost 39.57 billion dollars in expected revenue losses to the public exchequer as per the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India ‘s report.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/congress-claims-2g-verdict-a-victory-of-truth/

Shillong, Feb 4 NNN : The Khasi Students Union (KSU) new team has pledged take up the issue of the influx of outsiders to Meghalaya. The new KSU leaders also said they will press for the implementation of Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya.
The vow was made by the new leadership under Daniel Khryiem and Augustar Jyrwa on Saturday, soon after taking the baton from Samuel Jyrwa and Hamlet Dohling.
During the emotional charge up gathering to mark the formal change of guard held in Shillong, the newly sworn in president of the KSU Daniel Khriem said, “The change of guard will not be a change of principles nor will it be at a price of abandoning the issues that the past leaders have fought for.
“This is a body with new set of leaders but the issues remain that were initiated, pursued by the past leadership remains the same”.
Listing the issue of influx as a priority, Khriem said that influx of outsiders into Meghalaya is the main issue that the KSU will pursue in the days to come.
Though he was appreciative of the outgoing leaders for leading from the front in forcing the state government to introduce the work permit for non-indigenous people working in the state, the KSU president was however categorical in saying that the union will not be content with the work permit alone.
To counter the problem of influx, the state should introduce the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the three tier identity cards for the non inidgenous people in the state, asserted outgoing president of the KSU Samuel Jyrwa. He added, “You (new functionaries) have a responsibility to shape and determine the future of the Hynniewtrep race and live by the pledge that you will not shirk nor retreat from the task assign to you”.
Outgoing general secretary of the KSU Hamlet Dohling exhorted on the new leadership to resist all temptations that may come in thier way.
“In our quest to achieve our objectives many of us have been offered sops and other benefits and we resisted because we never compromised with the union principles and the overall interest of the indigenous Hynniewtrep people”, Dohling stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ksu-to-stop-influx/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 4: The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, which is being observed tomorrow, has said:-
“On the joyous occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Hazrat Mohammed Saheb, I express my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens.
May the message of service to humanity taught by the Holy Prophet lead all of us to unity and fellowship.”
Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad.
In a message, the Prime Minister said that Prophet Mohammed’s teachings are timeless. They will always inspire us to strive for the uplift of the poor and the downtrodden.
May the festival of compassion spread peace, tolerance and brotherhood amongst all, the Prime Minster added.
The Vice President of India , Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi that marks the birth of Prophet Mohamnmad . In his message he has called upon the people to follow the path of love and tolerance towards creating a peaceful and just society.
Following is the text of the Vice President’s message:-
“ I extend my greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi that marks the birth of Prophet Mohammad.”
On this occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi, let us pray that we follow the path of love and tolerance towards creating a peaceful and just society.
Let us all endeavour and re-dedicate ourselves to contribute for the prosperity of our nation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/milad-un-nabi-messages/

Aizawl, Feb 3 (NNN): Non availability of markets has been the prime reason for the ginger cultivators in Mizoram to leave the occupation.
A good number of Mizo farmers stop cultivating ginger as the crop does not bring much profit.
Mizoram is the fourth largest producer of ginger in India after Kerala, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, officials of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Corporation (MAMCO) said the government continues to look for ginger market all over the country and the neighbouring Bangladesh so that the Mizo farmers can export their produces. The source said, the present price of ginger in Bagha and Vairengte (both in Mizoram) is Rs 6 per kg and there are no sufficient buyers at present.
Meanwhile, ginger cultivators in Mizoram rue that if the government take keen interest in cultivating ginger, many Mizos would have been very rich by now. “We heard that ginger cultivators in Kerala and elsewhere are doing brisk business but why cannot we do the same here?” asks Zodin Thangliana, a ginger farm owner.
It can be noted that the crop duration is only one year. The average yield in Mizoram is 8 to 10 times of seeds sown. Had there been a reliable and efficient marketing system for marketing of ginger, many ginger growers in Mizoram would not have remain poor.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-ginger-farmers/

Aizawl, Feb 3 (NNN): Non availability of markets has been the prime reason for the ginger cultivators in Mizoram to leave the occupation.
A good number of Mizo farmers stop cultivating ginger as the crop does not bring much profit.
Mizoram is the fourth largest producer of ginger in India after Kerala, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, officials of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Corporation (MAMCO) said the government continues to look for ginger market all over the country and the neighbouring Bangladesh so that the Mizo farmers can export their produces. The source said, the present price of ginger in Bagha and Vairengte (both in Mizoram) is Rs 6 per kg and there are no sufficient buyers at present.
Meanwhile, ginger cultivators in Mizoram rue that if the government take keen interest in cultivating ginger, many Mizos would have been very rich by now. “We heard that ginger cultivators in Kerala and elsewhere are doing brisk business but why cannot we do the same here?” asks Zodin Thangliana, a ginger farm owner.
It can be noted that the crop duration is only one year. The average yield in Mizoram is 8 to 10 times of seeds sown. Had there been a reliable and efficient marketing system for marketing of ginger, many ginger growers in Mizoram would not have remain poor.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-ginger-farmers/

Mail News Service
Bengaluru, Feb 3: Bengaluru, the IT capital of India has a large diaspora of Manipuris which mostly consists of students in various professional colleges and IT professionals. As of now, baring a few sporadic events organised by individuals and small groups, there hasn’t been any major occasion wherein this diaspora gets together. Hence, the Manipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru is organising a two day Manipur Kumhei at Bengaluru with a view to bring together, to start with, about 800 people of Manipur origin and enable them to spend an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Manipur Kumhei will be held on February 4 Saturday and 5 Sunday, 2012. An initiative being undertaken by the Manipur Liaison Office in Bengaluru, Dr. V. Ramakantha, this kumhei aims at promoting positive links and creating new bonds of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect between the city’s native population and the Manipuri diaspora. This festival has also chosen to focus on the creative brilliance of Manipuri cinema and the grandeur of its performing arts, over a two day festival. The kumhei will also offer the participants from the diaspora to bond together, relive their past, take pride in their culture and basically to celebrate Manipur. A large contingent of artists and performers selected by the Dept. of Art and Culture, Govt. of Manipur, has been invited to Bengaluruto showcase the rich cultural heritage of Manipur.
On the first day of the kumhei, three renowned Manipuri films namely: Phijigee Mani – directed by O. Gautam and produced by Medha Sharmi, Mami Sami – directed by Ningthouja Lancha and Noong Amadi Yeroom – directed by Ningthouja Lancha will be screened followed by an interactive session with the producers and the directors. A cultural eveningawaits on the second day of the kumhei which includes the enchanting Tribal dances, Manipuri Ras Leela, Thang-Ta and Pung-Cholom. While the people of Manipur origin savour the time spent in their homeland, the performers will in turn be benefited by the exposure to the Manipuri diaspora and metropolitan city of Bengaluru.
Manipur Kumhei, the festival of dance, dance-drama, music, martial art, film shows and more,will also have components events from artists of Karnataka which willgive the Manipuri diaspora an insight into yet another ancient civilization of Kannadigas.The event will be enriched with performances by local Kannadiga Yakshagana (a dance drama) artists and others.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-kumhei-bengaluru-2012/

Mail News Service
Bengaluru, Feb 3: Bengaluru, the IT capital of India has a large diaspora of Manipuris which mostly consists of students in various professional colleges and IT professionals. As of now, baring a few sporadic events organised by individuals and small groups, there hasn’t been any major occasion wherein this diaspora gets together. Hence, the Manipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru is organising a two day Manipur Kumhei at Bengaluru with a view to bring together, to start with, about 800 people of Manipur origin and enable them to spend an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Manipur Kumhei will be held on February 4 Saturday and 5 Sunday, 2012. An initiative being undertaken by the Manipur Liaison Office in Bengaluru, Dr. V. Ramakantha, this kumhei aims at promoting positive links and creating new bonds of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect between the city’s native population and the Manipuri diaspora. This festival has also chosen to focus on the creative brilliance of Manipuri cinema and the grandeur of its performing arts, over a two day festival. The kumhei will also offer the participants from the diaspora to bond together, relive their past, take pride in their culture and basically to celebrate Manipur. A large contingent of artists and performers selected by the Dept. of Art and Culture, Govt. of Manipur, has been invited to Bengaluruto showcase the rich cultural heritage of Manipur.
On the first day of the kumhei, three renowned Manipuri films namely: Phijigee Mani – directed by O. Gautam and produced by Medha Sharmi, Mami Sami – directed by Ningthouja Lancha and Noong Amadi Yeroom – directed by Ningthouja Lancha will be screened followed by an interactive session with the producers and the directors. A cultural eveningawaits on the second day of the kumhei which includes the enchanting Tribal dances, Manipuri Ras Leela, Thang-Ta and Pung-Cholom. While the people of Manipur origin savour the time spent in their homeland, the performers will in turn be benefited by the exposure to the Manipuri diaspora and metropolitan city of Bengaluru.
Manipur Kumhei, the festival of dance, dance-drama, music, martial art, film shows and more,will also have components events from artists of Karnataka which willgive the Manipuri diaspora an insight into yet another ancient civilization of Kannadigas.The event will be enriched with performances by local Kannadiga Yakshagana (a dance drama) artists and others.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-kumhei-bengaluru-2012/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 3: All problems can be overcome with Centre and the States working together says the Prime Minister. Inaugurating the third Conference of Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Central Government has taken several initiatives recently to achieve the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in public life but we still have to go a long way. Stressing the need to equip a large number of our people with skills, the Prime Minister appreciated the good work done by some States in the area of skill development. He urged all States to show leadership in this field. He further said that the Central Government is creating an enabling policy framework in infrastructure development and the State Governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy. Referring to National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), the Prime Minister urged Chief Secretaries to carefully consider how the States can take the maximum advantage of the new policies.
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V. Narayanasamy, in his address said that good governance has to be participatory, transparent, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient and inclusive. Transparency is not only the key to upholding integrity in the public service but is also contributory factor towards better performance. The Minister said that Sevottam framework of the DARPG is a vital tool for training and sensitizing Government’s machinery towards a system of accountability and transparency. A series of workshops on Sevottam have been held in the last two years in consultation with the States/UTs. The Minister said that this framework is now proposed to be taken to the district levels and training programmes have been planned in collaboration with the State Governments. The first such district level programme on Sevottam has been planned in Thane, Maharashtra. The Minister noted that today we face multiple challenges which need to be addressed with socially workable plans. Shri Narayanasamy further said that the Government has so far considered 13 of the 15 reports of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 508 recommendations relating to the Centre have been implemented and other 497 are at various stages of implementation. He called upon the Chief Secretaries to consider implementations of the ASC recommendations on priority as a substantial number of recommendations pertain to the States.
The Minister said that the Centre has taken several measures like enactment of RTI Act, ratification of United Nations Convention against corruption, Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill, Judicial Standard Accountability Bill, Rights of citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Service and Redressal of Grievances Bill, Whistleblower Bill etc. to bring in transparency and accountability in the governance.
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary, Shri A.K. Seth said that the Centre’s intention is to ensure that the States and the Centre work in coordination. He further said that the Government has identified high priority areas so as to make governance effective and transparent. Shri R.C. Mishra, Secretary, DARPG, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Conference is organised annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The Conference has institutionalised the process of interaction with States/UTs. It serves as a standing forum for exchange of views between the Centre and the States. It also provides an occasion for discussion on global developments that have a bearing on the country as a whole and the broad contours of national policies in select areas of relevance. This conference also helps in ensuring an integrated and holistic approach towards the development of the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/all-problems-can-be-overcome-with-centre-states-working-together-pm/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 3: All problems can be overcome with Centre and the States working together says the Prime Minister. Inaugurating the third Conference of Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Central Government has taken several initiatives recently to achieve the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in public life but we still have to go a long way. Stressing the need to equip a large number of our people with skills, the Prime Minister appreciated the good work done by some States in the area of skill development. He urged all States to show leadership in this field. He further said that the Central Government is creating an enabling policy framework in infrastructure development and the State Governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy. Referring to National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), the Prime Minister urged Chief Secretaries to carefully consider how the States can take the maximum advantage of the new policies.
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V. Narayanasamy, in his address said that good governance has to be participatory, transparent, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient and inclusive. Transparency is not only the key to upholding integrity in the public service but is also contributory factor towards better performance. The Minister said that Sevottam framework of the DARPG is a vital tool for training and sensitizing Government’s machinery towards a system of accountability and transparency. A series of workshops on Sevottam have been held in the last two years in consultation with the States/UTs. The Minister said that this framework is now proposed to be taken to the district levels and training programmes have been planned in collaboration with the State Governments. The first such district level programme on Sevottam has been planned in Thane, Maharashtra. The Minister noted that today we face multiple challenges which need to be addressed with socially workable plans. Shri Narayanasamy further said that the Government has so far considered 13 of the 15 reports of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 508 recommendations relating to the Centre have been implemented and other 497 are at various stages of implementation. He called upon the Chief Secretaries to consider implementations of the ASC recommendations on priority as a substantial number of recommendations pertain to the States.
The Minister said that the Centre has taken several measures like enactment of RTI Act, ratification of United Nations Convention against corruption, Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill, Judicial Standard Accountability Bill, Rights of citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Service and Redressal of Grievances Bill, Whistleblower Bill etc. to bring in transparency and accountability in the governance.
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary, Shri A.K. Seth said that the Centre’s intention is to ensure that the States and the Centre work in coordination. He further said that the Government has identified high priority areas so as to make governance effective and transparent. Shri R.C. Mishra, Secretary, DARPG, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Conference is organised annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The Conference has institutionalised the process of interaction with States/UTs. It serves as a standing forum for exchange of views between the Centre and the States. It also provides an occasion for discussion on global developments that have a bearing on the country as a whole and the broad contours of national policies in select areas of relevance. This conference also helps in ensuring an integrated and holistic approach towards the development of the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/all-problems-can-be-overcome-with-centre-states-working-together-pm/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 2: The Special Judge, AHD, CBI, Ranchi today sentenced 26 accused persons in one of the Fodder Scam Cases.
The 26 accused persons sentenced today are; Dr.Erick Karketta, the then DAHO, Sahebganj to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Five Lakh; Dr. Bimal Kant Das, the then TVO(M), Sahebganj to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Six Lakh; Sudarshan Ram, the then Accountant, O/o DAHO, Sahebganj to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.2.5 Lakh; Tripurari Mohan Prasad, Prop. M/s Bihar Surgico Medico Agency, Patna to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Five Lakh; Sushil Kumar Sinha, Prop. M/s Samarpan Veterinary, Patna to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine RsTwo Lakh; Sunil Kumar Sinha, Prop. M/s Shree Baba Chemical Patna to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Two Lakh; Smt Saraswati Chandra, Prop. M/s S.R. Enterprises, Patna to undergo Two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.One Lakh; Mahendra Prasad, Manager of S.R Enterprises Patna to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Five Lakh; Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Prop. M/s Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Dumka to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.One Lakh; Ram Avtar Sharma Prop. M/s Tirupati Agency Ranchi to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Two Lakh; Gopi Nath Das, Prop. M/s Radha Pharmacy Dumka to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Ten Thousand; Phool Singh Prop. M/s Shri Gauri, Distributor Bhagalpur to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Ten Thouusand; Arun Kumar Singh, Prop. M/s Vishwa Karma Agency Deoghar to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Two Thousand; Surendra Nath Sinha, Prop. M/s Ints. Pharmaceuticals (India) Pvt Ltd Patna to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Twenty Five Thousand; Basant Kumar Sinha, Director of M/s Ints.
Pharmaceuticals (I) Pvt Ltd Patna to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Twenty Five Thousand; Dr. Ajit Kumar Verma Prop. M/s Little Oak Pharmaceuticals Kolkata to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Two Lakh; Smt Chanchala Sinha, Prop. M/s Magadh Chemicals Corporation Patna to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Twenty Five Thousand; Ravindra Prasad, Manager, M/s Magadh Chemicals Corporation Patna to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Twenty Five Thousand; Dayanand Prasad Kashyap, Prop. M/s Baishnow Enterprises Ranchi to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Four Lakh; Vijay Kumar, the then Treasury Officer, Sahebganj to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Fifty Five Thousand; S.N. Jha, the then Treasury Officer, Sahebganj to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Fifty Five Thousand; Alok Kumar Gupta, the then Accountant Treasury, Sahebganj to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Fifty Five Thousand; Ashok Kumar Ghosh, the then Assistant Treasury Sahebganj to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Three Thousand; Shailendra Kumar Mishra, the then Assistant Treasury, Sahebganj to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Fifty Five Thousand; Dr Krishna Murari Sah, the then TVO(M), Sahebganj to undergo Four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.1.5 lakh & Braj Bhushan Prasad, the then Budget & Accounts officer, AHD, Patna to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine Rs.Six Lakh.
In this case, chargesheet was filed against a total of 36 accused persons for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.67,49,989/- from Sahebganj Treasury during the Financial Year 1991-1996 on the basis of forged budget allotment/sub-allotment letters and false bills. The false bills were either raised without effecting any supply or after making partial supply of poultry feed and vet medicines to Animal Husbandry Department.
Out of 36 chargesheeted persons, 06 accused persons, namely, Dr.Md.Wasimuddin; Dr.Jugal Kishore Singh; Dr.Shesh Muniram; Laxmi Narayan Singh; Sutagan Hana and Shyam Bihari Sinha died during trial; three accused personswere made approver and one accused Sushil Jha was convicted earlier after he pleaded guilty during trial. Thus, on the day of judgement, a total of 26 accused persons were facing trial. All the 26 accused persons have been convicted.
This is 41st Case so far disposed off from trial by the Special Court at Ranchi.
The Special Judge for CBI cases, Lucknow has convicted Shri Subhash Singh @ Subhash Saxena and Prem Pratap Singh both suppliers of Ayurvedic Medicines in one of the cases relating to Ayurvedic Scam in Uttar Pradesh. Accused Subhash Singh @ Subash Saxena was sentenced to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.55,000/- and other accused Prem Pratap Singh to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.55,000/-.
The investigation revealed that the accused persons had shown bogus supply of Ayurvedic medicines to the Govt. of U.P. and taken payments at exorbitant rates in connivance with the officials of Ayurved Department of the Govt. of U.P. This case was part of a scam investigated by the CBI on the orders of Hon’ble High Court in the Ayurved Department of Uttar Pradesh Govt. worth crores of rupees.
The CBI filed several chargesheets in the matter against doctors, officials of Ayurved Department including the then Director, Ayurvedic Deptt.. of U.P. Govt. and certain suppliers of medicines & middlemen.
This is the first case of the scam in which judgement has been pronounced by the Court. The trial of the other cases is in progress.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/26-accused-persons-sentenced-to-ri/

Shillong, Feb 2 (NNN): North East region will soon have sophisticated Electronic Data Interaction (EDI) so as to quicken the trading process.
Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (North East Region) D D Ingti announced this today in Shillong.
The sophisticated Electronic Data Interaction (EDI) will be introduced in the land customs station (LCS) located in the North eastern region.
Speaking at a function to to commemorate International Customs Day and the golden jubilee of the Customs Act,1962 in Shillong on Thursday, Ingti said that the sophisticated gadgets will be introduced soon to quicken the trading process between the neighboring countries.
Even as he pointed out that at the absence of infrastructure, electricity and IT equipments to introduce the EDI in the region, D.D Ingti was however apt that the introduction of the EDI will fasten all process related to import and export from the North eastern region with the neighboring countries.
The Chief Commissioner of Customs’ assurances came along with an outlook to make the North eastern region as a transit trading point with the South Asian countries and the Middle East.
Moreover, even as the central customs and excise looks forward to the plan initiatives to transform the north eastern region, Ingti was apt in pointing on the importance to have increase connectivity between the institutions and the people.
“People to people and institutions to institutions linkages are catalysts to ensure lawful flow of goods, to efficiently fight fraudsters and improve local people economy and generation of revenue”, stated D.D Ingti.
Commissioner of Customs, B Thamar said that the inflow of goods through the LCS has made the department to cope up with the pressing demands to open more LCS in the region. “Besides economic security, it’s the contribution to the local populace sustenance that made them to demand for opening of more LCS”, stated Thamar.
The customs chief assured to look into the demands in view of the growing volume of trade from the Land Customs Station (LCS), but they were amused that supposedly two international trade and transit centers in Assam have failed to live up to the expected level. They are the Inland container depot at Amingoan and the Lokpriya Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati. Going by the scale of the customs, the results are even less than satisfactory.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ne-to-have-edi-system/

Aizawl, Feb 1 NNN : Of late, Mizoram is booming in the field of tourism.
According to reports received from state tourism department, the department had garnered Rs 99.33 crores in the last 25 years. State Tourism Secretary B Sairengpuii informed the media that since the establishment of tourism department, it had received Rs 135.64 crores from the Centre through Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The department had constructed 38 tourist lodges out of this funds and funds from the state plan.
The secretary further said that Mizoram tourism will boom in the coming days and the tourism policy prepared by the department had been ready for approval by the state government which will greatly accelerate and improve the tourism sector.
Mizoram is rich in tourism. Mizoram has a moderate and pleasant climate throughout the year, and is an idyllic land of great natural beauty having rich variety of flora and fauna.
Tourism department in close collaboration with the state government is taking various measures in the field of tourism.
Covered with verdant forests dominated by thick bamboo groves, teeming with vibrant wildlife, sheer cliffs and breath-taking waterfalls, dotted with unique landmarks of myriad folklore and picturesque villages of houses built on stilts, a land of dramatic seas of morning mists that enfold islands of hills and peaks, Mizoram has various tourist attractions.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tourism-boom-in-mizoram/

Shillong, Feb 1 NNN : The government has banned the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
This announcement was made today in Shillong by Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma during a press conference.
GNLA was formed about two and a half years ago by a deserted deputy superintendent of police (DSP) identified as Champion Sangma.
On Wednesday, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma subtly admitted that GNLA has grown into a lethal body and the combative approach of the police have failed to yield the desired results. Informing that the banning of the outfit will be accompanied by a revised strategy to take it head on, Sangma however defended on the failure of the police to neutralise the militant outfit that is merely two and a half years old. “Our police team is subject to several constraints varying from human rights and other ethics while these militant groups disregards all the ethics”, Mukul Sangma said.
Though he did not spell out the strategies that have been devised to counter the GNLA the chief Minister however said that the outfit’s strength surrounded on the overground workers and networks.
“If not for the overground workers, how will they have the phone numbers of politicians, officers and businessmen to intimidate and threaten them through sms and phone calls”, Sangma stated.
While ruling out the proposed deployment of the army in the strife torn districts of Garo Hills, the chief minister said, “At thisjuncture we will rather ask the centre to aid the state police through further deployment of para-military forces.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/meghalaya-bans-gnla/

New Delhi, Feb 1 (ANI): With Sino-Indian relations on Arunachal Pradesh being tense, especially over the border issue, Defence Minister A K Antony will visit the sensitive state for two days and will also attend festivities linked to the silver jubilee of statehood.
The Rajiv Gandhi Government had granted statehood to Arunachal Pradesh on February 20, 1987. Antony is likely to undertake his visit on February 19 and will inaugurate the celebrations of statehood day at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar on February 20.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki accompanied by Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy met Antony at the Defence Ministry on Wednesday to extend an invitation to him to attend the festivities.
“Defence Minister Antony has accepted our invitation to be the chief guest on the occasion to mark the statehood day,” said Sanjoy, who represents Arunachal West in the Lok Sabha. Arunachal is the largest state area-wise in the northeast part of India, having a 83743 sq. kms area and a long international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the north and north-east (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the east (440 km).
The northern border of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the McMahon Line, which has never been accepted by Beijing, and this has been the real bone of contention with India.
Antony’s important visit to Arunachal Pradesh must be seen in the light of China often using the visa issue to raise the pitch.
In January, China denied a visa to Group Captain M. Panging, an IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter pilot posted at Tezpur, Assam, because he hailed from Arunachal Pradesh.
India has time and again conveyed to China that there should be no discrimination against visa applicants of Indian nationality on grounds of domicile and ethnicity.
China disputes the international boundary that it currently has with India in the eastern sector and has repeatedly staked a claim to approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh.
It has also been accused of stalling multilateral funded development projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/defence-minister-antony-to-visit-arunachal-pradesh/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 1: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against a Lt. Genl. (Now Retired) the then GOC-in-C; the then Defence Estate Officer (Now Retired), Southern Command, Pune Circle, Pune; a Pune-based Builder and others U/s 120-B, 420 IPC, 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 on receipt of a complaint from the Defence Ministry.
It was alleged that both the public servants had shown favour to Pune-based Builder in the matter of property at Bungalow
No.8A, Lothian Road measuring area 0.96 acres of B-3 Defence Land at Pune Cantonment and settled this matter out of court in spite of all the verdict in favour of army which was a gross misconduct on the part of public servants. The public servants had ignored existing rules & policies; violating the terms of lease, entered into by Ministry of Defence and caused pecuniary advantage to Pune-based Builder to the tune of Rs. 46 Crores(approx.) without any public interest.
Searches were conducted at the residence of the then GOC-in-Chief at Fatima Nagar, Pune & the then Defence Estate Officer at Lulla Nagar, Kondhwa, Pune and office premises of Builder at Koregaon Park, Pune which led to recovery of incriminating documents.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Junior Engineer and a Beldar of MCD, Karkardooma, Delhi in a bribery case of Rs. 20,000/-
A case was registered Under Section 7 of PC Act, 1988 against a Beldar, MCD Building, Karkardooma, Delhi on the basis of a complaint. It was alleged in the FIR that accused demanded a bribe of Rs.20,000/- from the complainant for not booking or demolishing two under construction houses being constructed by the complainant.
A trap was laid and the accused Beldar was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.20,000/- from the complainant. After being caught, he disclosed that he was accepting bribe on behalf of a Junior Engineer. The other accused, Junior Engineer was also caught while trying to accept the bribe from the Beldar.
Searches were conducted at their residential premises. Search at the residence of Beldar led to cash recovery of Rs.32 Lakh and other incriminating documents. Both the arrested accused are being produced today in the Designated Court at Delhi.
The Special Judge for CBI cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi has convicted Sh. H.A. Siddiqui, the then Addl. Commissioner of Income Tax Range-34, Vikas Bhawan, IP State, New Delhi in a bribery case of Rs.One Lakh and sentenced him to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs.Four Lakh.
A case was registered against accused H.A. Siddiqui, Addl. Commissioner, Income Tax, Range-34, Vikas Bhawan, New Delhi during April, 2003 Under Section 7 of PC Act 1988 for demanding a bribe of Rs.One Lakh from the complainant. The complainant (a Chartered Accountant) had alleged in his complaint that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs.One Lakh for clearing the case of his client which was under scrutiny with the accused.
A trap was laid and the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.One Lakh from the complainant.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet against the accused in the Designated Court at New Delhi. The Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-registers-case-against-two-defence-officers/