By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10: To provide food to the people of Churachandpur district affected by famine, a proposal has been sent to the Centre for giving relief materials, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi responding to a query raised Thanlon A/C MLA V Hangkhalian during question hour in the State Assembly today.
In addition to the monthly quota of APL and BPL allotted to Churachandpur district, the State Government has appealed to the Union Government to provide 8015 quintal of rice for the district.
The relevant Deputy Commissioners and the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department are also considering payment in food grains for certain percentage of the wages being given to villagers under the National Rural Employment Generation Scheme, Ibobi informed the House.
The State Government is also working to improvise PDS infrastructure, said the Chief Minister.
In response to a question put up by Danny Shaiza, Ibobi said that a sum of Rs 12.60 lakhs have been entrusted to the head men of Ukhrul to build a hostel for Phungreitang Government School under BADP 2006-06.
There was some delay in selecting site for the hostel, the Chief Minister disclosed while adding that ground levelling work has been completed so far.
He also pledged that befitting legal actions will be initiated against responsible officers if the fund was found misused.
At the State’s guest house built at Vellore, Tamil Nadu for the convenience of Manipuri patients going there for treatment, one OSD has been posted, informed Social Welfare Minister N Loken in response to a query raised by MLA Thangjam Nandakishore.
Answering to Usham Deben, Chief Minister O Ibobi informed the House that the State Government has plan to promote the Manipur Police team which won the 55th DN Mallick Memorial All India Police Football Championship held at Sikkim.
The outstanding players will be promoted when there is enough vacant posts as per the existing rules and regulations of 15 percent reser- vation for sports persons.
---------------------------
CM strikes tough stance, says Govt will deal with iron gloves against UGs
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10 : Striking a tough pose and reacting furiously against the bomb attack at the Assembly premises on August 8 by the proscribed PREPAK, Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the House that the Government may even go to the extent of recommending re-imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the seven Assembly segments which come under the Imphal Municipality.
The Army Act was lifted from the Imphal Municipality areas after great pressure from the State Government, said the Chief Minister and added that this was achieved despite the fact that though a peace process is on between the Centre and NSCN (IM), the same Act has not been lifted from any part of Nagaland.
If such incidents continue there is no guarantee that the Act would not be re-imposed in the IMC area, said the Chief Minister.
Visibly furious and concerned Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the universal norm in all democracies is to protect and uphold the sanctity of the symbol of democracy, which is the Assembly.
With the House absorbed over the bomb attack, other businesses and issues lined up for the day were adjourned after Opposition leader Radha-binod Koijam and MPP MLA O Joy suggested that the House concentrate on the audacious attack.
On the supposedly security lapses on the day, the Chief Minister said that the IG (Intelligence) has been instructed to submit a report on the matter within a week’s time. If any serious lapses are found, the officials concerned would not only be suspended but dismissed from service, the Chief Minister assured the House.
The matter will be investigated thoroughly so that responsibility and accountability are fixed accordingly, said Ibobi. Even the top responsibility of the police top brass, such as the DGP and IGP will be probed, he added.
Despite all the invitations and feelers sent out to the armed outfits to come to the negotiating table, they (armed groups) have been on a looting, kidnapping, extortion and killing spree, the Chief Minister said and declared that in the face of such a reality, the Government will not keep quiet but take up fitting action.
The Government can no longer tolerate the increasing cases of attacks at the homes of Ministers, MLAs and Govt officials, said the Chief Minister and added that if such a situation continues, a time will come when everyone has to give up his/her post.
Pointing something of an accusing finger at the members of the House, the Chief Minister said that one particular person, who was involved in an abduction for ransom case of Rs 10 lakhs, was arrested. However the police were urged by some politicians to set him free, said an aggrieved Chief Minister. Not only this the police are under extreme pressure from some political leaders to set free anyone deemed close to them, claimed Ibobi and urged the Ministers and MLAs not to exert such pressure on the police.
Adequate security measures have been taken up in and around Imphal, claimed the Chief Minister and detailed the roads opened for the public especially near the Assembly complex.
Taking part in the debate, MPP MLA O Joy said that this is the first time that a monument of democracy has come under such an attack.
Opposition members backed Joy’s observation.
----------------------------------
Villagers living along NH-53 continue to suffer
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10: “In my long years, I’ve never seen a development programme taken up by the Government in my village” said 82 year old, frail village chief of Charoipandongba Part I Kachakphul.
“Just for survival, we do any kind of work available to us”, he said in a low voice sitting in his dilapidated house.
Charoipandongba Part I village, is located about 12 kms away from Charoipandongba village which is located just 50 kms away from Imphal along NH 53.
Narrating the plight of villagers there, the village chief said that even as no one has died of starvation, the village face immense hardships as there is no road to Tupul. If anyone gets ill, he is transported to Tupul on a stretcher.
There is no electricity nor any school in Charoi-pandongba Part I. There is no safe drinking water.
“The complaints are countless, we would only ask for construction of a road from Tupul to Charoipandongba and a school for the sake of the younger generations of the village”, pleaded Kachakphul.
During an interaction programme with the media organised People’s Action for Development (PAD), Kachakphul informed that even though it was said that the Tribal Development Department took up several development programmes for tribal people, none of the villagers have received any kind of benefit from the Department.
PAD president P Asen observed that the State Government has not taken up a single development programme in Charoi-pandongba Part I & Part II.
Located under Saitu Assembly constituency of Senapati district, Charoi-pandongba Part I, II and III has 258 households with a total population of 890.
In 1972, a large part of Charoipandongba Part I was completely razed down by fire. Though a list of the families ruined by the fire was submitted to the Government for some compensation, the Government provided just two bags of rice and some clothes.
None of the deserving elders of these three villages have ever received old age pension.
However, after a prolonged gap, the villagers are being provided two litres of kerosene for each household after every three months, said P Asen. But these villagers have never received a single grain of PDS rice or sugar till date.
Ironically, the villagers have already been issued Green Cards for distribution of PDS items.
Though there is junior school at Charoipandongba Part II, the school is unable to function properly for lack of teachers. The benefits of Family Benefit Scheme provided by the Social Welfare Department are yet to reach widows of these villages.
After a long struggle, a Primary Health Sub-Centre was constructed at the village last year. But the construction work has been suspended, reportedly due to monetary demand by UG groups.
Since earlier, in case of any sickness not only in these three villages but also in the surrounding villages, the patients had to be taken in a makeshift raft
----------------------
The Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 10: To provide food to the people of Churachandpur district affected by famine, a proposal has been sent to the Centre for giving relief materials, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi responding to a query raised Thanlon A/C MLA V Hangkhalian during question hour in the State Assembly today.
In addition to the monthly quota of APL and BPL allotted to Churachandpur district, the State Government has appealed to the Union Government to provide 8015 quintal of rice for the district.
The relevant Deputy Commissioners and the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department are also considering payment in food grains for certain percentage of the wages being given to villagers under the National Rural Employment Generation Scheme, Ibobi informed the House.
The State Government is also working to improvise PDS infrastructure, said the Chief Minister.
In response to a question put up by Danny Shaiza, Ibobi said that a sum of Rs 12.60 lakhs have been entrusted to the head men of Ukhrul to build a hostel for Phungreitang Government School under BADP 2006-06.
There was some delay in selecting site for the hostel, the Chief Minister disclosed while adding that ground levelling work has been completed so far.
He also pledged that befitting legal actions will be initiated against responsible officers if the fund was found misused.
At the State’s guest house built at Vellore, Tamil Nadu for the convenience of Manipuri patients going there for treatment, one OSD has been posted, informed Social Welfare Minister N Loken in response to a query raised by MLA Thangjam Nandakishore.
Answering to Usham Deben, Chief Minister O Ibobi informed the House that the State Government has plan to promote the Manipur Police team which won the 55th DN Mallick Memorial All India Police Football Championship held at Sikkim.
The outstanding players will be promoted when there is enough vacant posts as per the existing rules and regulations of 15 percent reser- vation for sports persons.
---------------------------
CM strikes tough stance, says Govt will deal with iron gloves against UGs
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10 : Striking a tough pose and reacting furiously against the bomb attack at the Assembly premises on August 8 by the proscribed PREPAK, Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the House that the Government may even go to the extent of recommending re-imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the seven Assembly segments which come under the Imphal Municipality.The Army Act was lifted from the Imphal Municipality areas after great pressure from the State Government, said the Chief Minister and added that this was achieved despite the fact that though a peace process is on between the Centre and NSCN (IM), the same Act has not been lifted from any part of Nagaland.
If such incidents continue there is no guarantee that the Act would not be re-imposed in the IMC area, said the Chief Minister.
Visibly furious and concerned Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the universal norm in all democracies is to protect and uphold the sanctity of the symbol of democracy, which is the Assembly.
With the House absorbed over the bomb attack, other businesses and issues lined up for the day were adjourned after Opposition leader Radha-binod Koijam and MPP MLA O Joy suggested that the House concentrate on the audacious attack.
On the supposedly security lapses on the day, the Chief Minister said that the IG (Intelligence) has been instructed to submit a report on the matter within a week’s time. If any serious lapses are found, the officials concerned would not only be suspended but dismissed from service, the Chief Minister assured the House.
The matter will be investigated thoroughly so that responsibility and accountability are fixed accordingly, said Ibobi. Even the top responsibility of the police top brass, such as the DGP and IGP will be probed, he added.
Despite all the invitations and feelers sent out to the armed outfits to come to the negotiating table, they (armed groups) have been on a looting, kidnapping, extortion and killing spree, the Chief Minister said and declared that in the face of such a reality, the Government will not keep quiet but take up fitting action.
The Government can no longer tolerate the increasing cases of attacks at the homes of Ministers, MLAs and Govt officials, said the Chief Minister and added that if such a situation continues, a time will come when everyone has to give up his/her post.
Pointing something of an accusing finger at the members of the House, the Chief Minister said that one particular person, who was involved in an abduction for ransom case of Rs 10 lakhs, was arrested. However the police were urged by some politicians to set him free, said an aggrieved Chief Minister. Not only this the police are under extreme pressure from some political leaders to set free anyone deemed close to them, claimed Ibobi and urged the Ministers and MLAs not to exert such pressure on the police.
Adequate security measures have been taken up in and around Imphal, claimed the Chief Minister and detailed the roads opened for the public especially near the Assembly complex.
Taking part in the debate, MPP MLA O Joy said that this is the first time that a monument of democracy has come under such an attack.
Opposition members backed Joy’s observation.
----------------------------------
Villagers living along NH-53 continue to suffer
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10: “In my long years, I’ve never seen a development programme taken up by the Government in my village” said 82 year old, frail village chief of Charoipandongba Part I Kachakphul.
“Just for survival, we do any kind of work available to us”, he said in a low voice sitting in his dilapidated house.
Charoipandongba Part I village, is located about 12 kms away from Charoipandongba village which is located just 50 kms away from Imphal along NH 53.
Narrating the plight of villagers there, the village chief said that even as no one has died of starvation, the village face immense hardships as there is no road to Tupul. If anyone gets ill, he is transported to Tupul on a stretcher.
There is no electricity nor any school in Charoi-pandongba Part I. There is no safe drinking water.
“The complaints are countless, we would only ask for construction of a road from Tupul to Charoipandongba and a school for the sake of the younger generations of the village”, pleaded Kachakphul.
During an interaction programme with the media organised People’s Action for Development (PAD), Kachakphul informed that even though it was said that the Tribal Development Department took up several development programmes for tribal people, none of the villagers have received any kind of benefit from the Department.
PAD president P Asen observed that the State Government has not taken up a single development programme in Charoi-pandongba Part I & Part II.
Located under Saitu Assembly constituency of Senapati district, Charoi-pandongba Part I, II and III has 258 households with a total population of 890.
In 1972, a large part of Charoipandongba Part I was completely razed down by fire. Though a list of the families ruined by the fire was submitted to the Government for some compensation, the Government provided just two bags of rice and some clothes.
None of the deserving elders of these three villages have ever received old age pension.
However, after a prolonged gap, the villagers are being provided two litres of kerosene for each household after every three months, said P Asen. But these villagers have never received a single grain of PDS rice or sugar till date.
Ironically, the villagers have already been issued Green Cards for distribution of PDS items.
Though there is junior school at Charoipandongba Part II, the school is unable to function properly for lack of teachers. The benefits of Family Benefit Scheme provided by the Social Welfare Department are yet to reach widows of these villages.
After a long struggle, a Primary Health Sub-Centre was constructed at the village last year. But the construction work has been suspended, reportedly due to monetary demand by UG groups.
Since earlier, in case of any sickness not only in these three villages but also in the surrounding villages, the patients had to be taken in a makeshift raft
----------------------
The Sangai Express
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