CCpur gets 52 new fair price shops
By : M Kaimuanthang/IFP 8/23/2007 1:29:18 AM
Lamka, Aug 22: To ensure that all sections of people in Churachandpur who are living under poverty line get FCS rice and other items at subsidised rates the Churachandpur DC Sumant Singh has opened fair price shops at 52 different places in the town.
Such centres have been totally non existent in the district for more than 25 years and the step is being termed as an ambitious one which will practically give relief to many needy poor if it is not discontinued after some time.
“Though it exists at many other places in the country, here it is in the nascent stages and I am sure as the shops pick up we will be able to do something for the needy people with cooperation.” said the DC in an upbeat mood today.
‘Long live DC, you are the only real lover of the poor people, we hail you’ was the slogan that greeted him wherever he went today to inaugurate the FPS centres.
Altogether 52 FPS centres were opened out of which the DC personally inaugurated 14 centres located in the town area.
The 14 FPS centres he inaugurated today were at headquarter veng, Chiengkonpang, Bungmual, Pearsonmun, Lanva, Kawnpui,Thingkangphai, New Lamka college veng and Elim Veng, Simveng, Rebgkai, Nehrumarg and other two places at Zenhang Lamka.
The DC instructed all the dealers to give rice and other items to those whose names were in the list of BPL and card holders and after that if there was any leftover then to give it to those who were poor and didn’t have neccessary cards.
At each of the FPS centres rice and other items were supplied according to the population and as per that 14 quintals of rice to 40 quintals were supplied.
Later in the afternoon, he convened a press conference at his office at about 2.30 pm where he said that all the centres had sufficient stock of rice and the shops will run smoothly.
He said the system will be experimented at Saikot and Singngat by next month.
As of now the shops are well fitted with only two or three needing improvement, he said adding that there was, however, still a problem to be tided over relating to depositing money and that of transportation.
-----------------------------------------
Dead man drawing salary for 16 years at electricity dept!
By : A Staff Reporter 8/23/2007 1:33:47 AM
IMPHAL, Aug 22: A dead man was found drawing salary in the electricity department as assistant lineman sixteen years after his death.
This faux pass came to light when L Tombi and L Rishikanta, wife and son of late L Ningthemjao of Kiyam Siphai, filed a complaint with the state chief information commissioner for service-related documents of Ningthemjao from the electricity department under the Right to Information Act on July 7, 2007.
As told by Rishikanta at a press conference held today at the office of Human Rights Law Network, his father was serving as an assistant lineman with the electricity department from January 21, 1971. Later, on August 18, 1984, he joined as work charge. However, Rishikanta said, his father died on June 21, 1985 due to illness. He said that the representatives from the office employee union came for his shradha and provided monetary help.
Rishikanta said that since he was very young and his mother was also illiterate, they did not have any idea about pension and other benefits procedures. He said, “It was only in 2004 that we sent an application to the electricity department to find out about my father’s pension when one of his friends enquired about it. Then we started to investigate and could not make much headway.”
M Rakesh, state coordinator HRLN, said that after Rishikanta approached for help, he sent a legal notice to the chief engineer of the electricity department on January 17, 2007 on behalf of Tombi inquiring about the pension benefits of late Ningthemjao.
Not being able to make much progress, two applications were sent by Tombi and Rishikanta under RTI to the electricity department. After 30 days lapsed with no action forthcoming, on July 7, 2007, the state information commission was approached.
Thereafter, the state information commission directed the chief engineer of the electricity department to furnish the relevant service documents of Ningthemjao. In the service documents provided by the electricity department, it was found that Ningthemjao was promoted as lineman on January 16, 1998, thirteen years after his death, by the then chief engineer. Thereafter he retired on superannuation on August 31, 2001, more than 16 years after his death.
Apart from having somebody withdrawing Ningthemjao’s salary for the past 16 years, Rakesh said that there were various false documentations. As per the family’s version, at the time of his death Ningthemjao was serving with the Thoubal electricity division whereas the official document mentioned that he was last serving with the Imphal Electrical Division No. 3, Lamphelpat.
Rakesh said that a criminal case will be taken up at the earliest against the electricity department and the High Court will be approached to provide relief to the aggrieved family.
----------------------------------
Addl chief secy leaves for New Delhi security meeting
By : A Staff Reporter 8/23/2007 1:33:01 AM
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Before the top state government functionaries summoned to the national capital returned to Imphal today, the state additional chief secretary left the state capital to attend an officer level internal security meeting related with the Manipur situation.
The additional chief secretary, Saheed Ahmed took a flight to New Delhi today. He was summoned by the Union ministry of home affairs to attend the official level internal security meeting specially called to discuss the issues arising out of the arrest of militants from the tight security zone area, Babupara in Imphal, a source said.
In the meantime, top functionaries of the state who were summoned by the Prime Minister’s Office for a meeting with MHA officials returned to the state capital today.
During the meeting which discussed issues related with the law and order situation in the state, the state team led by the chief minister tabled a report on the overall law and order and security scenario of the state, a highly reliable source said.
The report, combining separate reports on the law and order scenario prepared by the home department and the police department was tabled by the chief minister at the meeting which was attended by the Union home minister and top officials of the home ministry.
The source, however, refused to disclose the details of the contents of the report.
---------------------------------------------
MSF demands clarification from UPSC
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Conten-ding that one of the ques- tions asked in the Geography paper of the preliminary examination of the Civil Ser-vice Examination, 2007 con- ducted by Union Public Ser-vice Commission (UPSC) was prejudicious to the integrity of Manipur, Mani- puri Students’ Federation (MSF) has demanded the UPSC authorities to come out with a clarification in this regard to the people at the earliest possible.
Addressing a press conference convened in this regard at the Assembly Road office of MSF, vice president of the student body Atabuddin pointed out that the question no. 87 in the Geography paper of the preliminary examination held in May which relates to location of Dzuko valley did not include the State of Manipur among the options given for choosing the right answer.
So the question is not only incorrect, but it also challenged the integrity of Manipur, he added.
MSF considers it as a serious matter and would be writing a letter to the authorities of UPSC for giving a clarification within seven days, Atabuddin said.
Since the said question also was published in the Agra-based Prateyogita Darpan in its August issue, MSF has imposed ban on selling of the said magazine in Manipur with immediate effect, Atabuddin announ-ced.
In case the authorities of the UPSC fails to come out with a clarification to the people of Manipur with the stipulated period of seven days , MSF would be con-straint to launch various agitations including setting on fire the copies of the said magazine, Atabuddin said, while appealing to all the shopkeepers in Manipur not to sell the copies of said magazine.
Students burn text books in protest : Infuriated with the alleged negligence of the Education Depart-ment, students of Jiribam Higher Secondary School burnt their text books in front of the school today, reports our Jiribam corres-pondent.
Some angry students also smashed the window panes of the School Science Block
Later, the students carried out a silent rally till ADC’s office.
Setting August 27 as the deadline for the Government to meet the demand for providing adequate tea- chers, the agitating stu-dents’ union has warned of more intense agitation.
On the other hand, the bandh called by Zeliang-rong Students’ Union has affected vehicular traffic along the NH- 53.
------------------------------------
Only mild chiding from CM for MLAs tainted in Babupara raid
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Days after the Babupara police raid that led to the arrest of 12 underground activists from the quarters of several Ruling MLAs, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh still refuses to commit himself on what action, if any, is to be taken against the MLAs concerned.
Quizzed in this connection after his return this afternoon from New Delhi, the chief minister said an inquiry was in progress in connection with the Babupara episode. Until the inquiry is completed it will be premature to say anything, the CM said.
At the same time, the chief minister delivered a very mild reprimand to the MLAs, saying this sort of thing should not be repeated in the future.
The chief minister also declined to comment in detail, when asked whether the law and order situation in the state and particularly the Babupara episode was discussed with the Central authorities during his Delhi trip. However, he said the Centre was ready to extend all assistance to improve the law and order situation.
Ibobi Singh was happier talking about the sectoral summit of the North Eastern Council at Bigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, which he attended along with Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu, and their counterparts from the other seven north eastern states.
The chief minister said during the two day summit, attended by Governors and chief ministers of the eight north eastern states, the state government raised several proposals for improvement of infrastructure in the fields of education, sports, and arts and culture in the state.
The CM informed that the state representatives sought early release of funds under the NLCPR for construction of mini sports complexes at the various district headquarters and for the proper development of the National Sports Academy that has come up at Khuman Lampak.
He said they also made the point at the summit that facilities for teachers training in the state were weak, which has seriously hampered the delivery of quality education and sought assistance for strengthening teachers` training infrastructure.
Regarding the Sarva Shiksha Abhivan, the state government sought revision of the Central funding pattern to 90:10 for fiscally weak states of NE region
The state has also sought adequate funding for ensuring proper infrastructure for the Manipur State Kala Academy, which is being shifted from its old home at Khuman Lampak, as well as more support for the JNMDA, Imphal.
Funds were also sought from the Centre under special plan assistance, for development of the government arts college and dance college, the chief minister said, adding that the DONER ministry has promised adequate funding for the proposals raised by the Manipur government.
The CM also commented to IFP that the NEC sectoral summit could have been held in Imphal, if not for the lack of a proper convention centre. He pointed out that neither the Raj Bhavan nor the State Guest House could have accommodated all the delegates and lamented the delay in starting work on the proposed convention centre at the Imphal Palace Gate.
Source: The Sangai Express & The Imphal Free Press
By : M Kaimuanthang/IFP 8/23/2007 1:29:18 AM
Lamka, Aug 22: To ensure that all sections of people in Churachandpur who are living under poverty line get FCS rice and other items at subsidised rates the Churachandpur DC Sumant Singh has opened fair price shops at 52 different places in the town.
Such centres have been totally non existent in the district for more than 25 years and the step is being termed as an ambitious one which will practically give relief to many needy poor if it is not discontinued after some time.
“Though it exists at many other places in the country, here it is in the nascent stages and I am sure as the shops pick up we will be able to do something for the needy people with cooperation.” said the DC in an upbeat mood today.
‘Long live DC, you are the only real lover of the poor people, we hail you’ was the slogan that greeted him wherever he went today to inaugurate the FPS centres.
Altogether 52 FPS centres were opened out of which the DC personally inaugurated 14 centres located in the town area.
The 14 FPS centres he inaugurated today were at headquarter veng, Chiengkonpang, Bungmual, Pearsonmun, Lanva, Kawnpui,Thingkangphai, New Lamka college veng and Elim Veng, Simveng, Rebgkai, Nehrumarg and other two places at Zenhang Lamka.
The DC instructed all the dealers to give rice and other items to those whose names were in the list of BPL and card holders and after that if there was any leftover then to give it to those who were poor and didn’t have neccessary cards.
At each of the FPS centres rice and other items were supplied according to the population and as per that 14 quintals of rice to 40 quintals were supplied.
Later in the afternoon, he convened a press conference at his office at about 2.30 pm where he said that all the centres had sufficient stock of rice and the shops will run smoothly.
He said the system will be experimented at Saikot and Singngat by next month.
As of now the shops are well fitted with only two or three needing improvement, he said adding that there was, however, still a problem to be tided over relating to depositing money and that of transportation.
-----------------------------------------
Dead man drawing salary for 16 years at electricity dept!
By : A Staff Reporter 8/23/2007 1:33:47 AM
IMPHAL, Aug 22: A dead man was found drawing salary in the electricity department as assistant lineman sixteen years after his death.
This faux pass came to light when L Tombi and L Rishikanta, wife and son of late L Ningthemjao of Kiyam Siphai, filed a complaint with the state chief information commissioner for service-related documents of Ningthemjao from the electricity department under the Right to Information Act on July 7, 2007.
As told by Rishikanta at a press conference held today at the office of Human Rights Law Network, his father was serving as an assistant lineman with the electricity department from January 21, 1971. Later, on August 18, 1984, he joined as work charge. However, Rishikanta said, his father died on June 21, 1985 due to illness. He said that the representatives from the office employee union came for his shradha and provided monetary help.
Rishikanta said that since he was very young and his mother was also illiterate, they did not have any idea about pension and other benefits procedures. He said, “It was only in 2004 that we sent an application to the electricity department to find out about my father’s pension when one of his friends enquired about it. Then we started to investigate and could not make much headway.”
M Rakesh, state coordinator HRLN, said that after Rishikanta approached for help, he sent a legal notice to the chief engineer of the electricity department on January 17, 2007 on behalf of Tombi inquiring about the pension benefits of late Ningthemjao.
Not being able to make much progress, two applications were sent by Tombi and Rishikanta under RTI to the electricity department. After 30 days lapsed with no action forthcoming, on July 7, 2007, the state information commission was approached.
Thereafter, the state information commission directed the chief engineer of the electricity department to furnish the relevant service documents of Ningthemjao. In the service documents provided by the electricity department, it was found that Ningthemjao was promoted as lineman on January 16, 1998, thirteen years after his death, by the then chief engineer. Thereafter he retired on superannuation on August 31, 2001, more than 16 years after his death.
Apart from having somebody withdrawing Ningthemjao’s salary for the past 16 years, Rakesh said that there were various false documentations. As per the family’s version, at the time of his death Ningthemjao was serving with the Thoubal electricity division whereas the official document mentioned that he was last serving with the Imphal Electrical Division No. 3, Lamphelpat.
Rakesh said that a criminal case will be taken up at the earliest against the electricity department and the High Court will be approached to provide relief to the aggrieved family.
----------------------------------
Addl chief secy leaves for New Delhi security meeting
By : A Staff Reporter 8/23/2007 1:33:01 AM
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Before the top state government functionaries summoned to the national capital returned to Imphal today, the state additional chief secretary left the state capital to attend an officer level internal security meeting related with the Manipur situation.
The additional chief secretary, Saheed Ahmed took a flight to New Delhi today. He was summoned by the Union ministry of home affairs to attend the official level internal security meeting specially called to discuss the issues arising out of the arrest of militants from the tight security zone area, Babupara in Imphal, a source said.
In the meantime, top functionaries of the state who were summoned by the Prime Minister’s Office for a meeting with MHA officials returned to the state capital today.
During the meeting which discussed issues related with the law and order situation in the state, the state team led by the chief minister tabled a report on the overall law and order and security scenario of the state, a highly reliable source said.
The report, combining separate reports on the law and order scenario prepared by the home department and the police department was tabled by the chief minister at the meeting which was attended by the Union home minister and top officials of the home ministry.
The source, however, refused to disclose the details of the contents of the report.
---------------------------------------------
MSF demands clarification from UPSC
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Conten-ding that one of the ques- tions asked in the Geography paper of the preliminary examination of the Civil Ser-vice Examination, 2007 con- ducted by Union Public Ser-vice Commission (UPSC) was prejudicious to the integrity of Manipur, Mani- puri Students’ Federation (MSF) has demanded the UPSC authorities to come out with a clarification in this regard to the people at the earliest possible.
Addressing a press conference convened in this regard at the Assembly Road office of MSF, vice president of the student body Atabuddin pointed out that the question no. 87 in the Geography paper of the preliminary examination held in May which relates to location of Dzuko valley did not include the State of Manipur among the options given for choosing the right answer.
So the question is not only incorrect, but it also challenged the integrity of Manipur, he added.
MSF considers it as a serious matter and would be writing a letter to the authorities of UPSC for giving a clarification within seven days, Atabuddin said.
Since the said question also was published in the Agra-based Prateyogita Darpan in its August issue, MSF has imposed ban on selling of the said magazine in Manipur with immediate effect, Atabuddin announ-ced.
In case the authorities of the UPSC fails to come out with a clarification to the people of Manipur with the stipulated period of seven days , MSF would be con-straint to launch various agitations including setting on fire the copies of the said magazine, Atabuddin said, while appealing to all the shopkeepers in Manipur not to sell the copies of said magazine.
Students burn text books in protest : Infuriated with the alleged negligence of the Education Depart-ment, students of Jiribam Higher Secondary School burnt their text books in front of the school today, reports our Jiribam corres-pondent.
Some angry students also smashed the window panes of the School Science Block
Later, the students carried out a silent rally till ADC’s office.
Setting August 27 as the deadline for the Government to meet the demand for providing adequate tea- chers, the agitating stu-dents’ union has warned of more intense agitation.
On the other hand, the bandh called by Zeliang-rong Students’ Union has affected vehicular traffic along the NH- 53.
------------------------------------
Only mild chiding from CM for MLAs tainted in Babupara raid
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 22: Days after the Babupara police raid that led to the arrest of 12 underground activists from the quarters of several Ruling MLAs, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh still refuses to commit himself on what action, if any, is to be taken against the MLAs concerned.
Quizzed in this connection after his return this afternoon from New Delhi, the chief minister said an inquiry was in progress in connection with the Babupara episode. Until the inquiry is completed it will be premature to say anything, the CM said.
At the same time, the chief minister delivered a very mild reprimand to the MLAs, saying this sort of thing should not be repeated in the future.
The chief minister also declined to comment in detail, when asked whether the law and order situation in the state and particularly the Babupara episode was discussed with the Central authorities during his Delhi trip. However, he said the Centre was ready to extend all assistance to improve the law and order situation.
Ibobi Singh was happier talking about the sectoral summit of the North Eastern Council at Bigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, which he attended along with Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu, and their counterparts from the other seven north eastern states.
The chief minister said during the two day summit, attended by Governors and chief ministers of the eight north eastern states, the state government raised several proposals for improvement of infrastructure in the fields of education, sports, and arts and culture in the state.
The CM informed that the state representatives sought early release of funds under the NLCPR for construction of mini sports complexes at the various district headquarters and for the proper development of the National Sports Academy that has come up at Khuman Lampak.
He said they also made the point at the summit that facilities for teachers training in the state were weak, which has seriously hampered the delivery of quality education and sought assistance for strengthening teachers` training infrastructure.
Regarding the Sarva Shiksha Abhivan, the state government sought revision of the Central funding pattern to 90:10 for fiscally weak states of NE region
The state has also sought adequate funding for ensuring proper infrastructure for the Manipur State Kala Academy, which is being shifted from its old home at Khuman Lampak, as well as more support for the JNMDA, Imphal.
Funds were also sought from the Centre under special plan assistance, for development of the government arts college and dance college, the chief minister said, adding that the DONER ministry has promised adequate funding for the proposals raised by the Manipur government.
The CM also commented to IFP that the NEC sectoral summit could have been held in Imphal, if not for the lack of a proper convention centre. He pointed out that neither the Raj Bhavan nor the State Guest House could have accommodated all the delegates and lamented the delay in starting work on the proposed convention centre at the Imphal Palace Gate.
Source: The Sangai Express & The Imphal Free Press
