New BJP Kishan Morcha vice-president feted
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | July 31: Locals of Keirao Bitra today felicitated N Itomba Meetei who was appointed as vice-president BJP Manipur Pradesh Kishan Morcha. The function was organized by three local clubs of Keirao Bitra namely Irilbung Library Union, Youth development centre club and Keirao Litan Makhong Youth club.
Pradhan of Keirao GP Mutum Rameshchandra, Ward Members L Naobi, N Lata, T Sushilla, BJP state executive members Salam Lala, Thongram Tony and Thongram Goepn attended the function as dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Itomba said that the country is marching ahead in the wake of the BJP led government coming to power at the centre.
He exuded confidence that a BJP led government would come in the state after the 2017 state assembly election as the people are already fed up with the corrupt Congress rule for 14 years. Alleging that no development work and welfare activities for the people in Keirao Assembly constituency are visible under the incumbent Congress MLA representing the Assembly segment, Itomba appealed to the people of the constituency to support the right BJP candidate who would ensure a sparkling Keirao assembly constituency.
He said that the assembly constituency will continue lagging behind development in all sectors if the present corrupt MLA is re-elected in the upcoming election. He alleged that the incumbent MLA has misappropriated the benefits of the people under national food security scheme.
“Rice quotas of the assembly constituency for the month of May, June and July have been lost”, Itomba contended, adding that he would fight for the rights of the people at his level best. BJP state executive member Th Tony while slamming the Congress government for its misdeeds and corrupt practices during its 14 years old tenure, appealed to the people to uproot the Congress government from the state so as to bring a transparent and accountable government.
During the gathering, it was also resolved that Keirao voters would support the candidate who gets BJP ticket in the upcoming election.
BJP still pondering on CM candidate: Ram Madhav
Party set to welcome Cong dissenters for 2017 assembly elections
Imphal Free Press
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is still weighing options on who would be the BJP Chief Ministerial candidate for the ensuing 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections. This was stated by party General Secretary (Coordination) and NE incharge Ram Madhav while briefing mediapersons at Hotel Imphal after the State Party Executive Committee meeting today.
He said, discussions on who would be the right person to lead at the hustings are going on and a decision in this regard would be made in a couple of months. Today is the first state executive meeting after Kshetrimayum Bhabananda took over the leadership of the state BJP unit. The closed door meeting was held at Sangai Hall of Imphal Hotel.
Ram Madhav who was present as the chief guest at the meeting mentioned that the state BJP is in the process of working out a good strategy for ushering in a BJP government in Manipur next year. He further said, we have started working in each and every constituency for strengthening the party base in Manipur as assembly elections is due in 6/7 months.
The executive meeting today has resolved political and economical resolutions.We are strengthening the BJP right from Mandal to polling station level. We have already charted out plans, agitations and political programmes for next six months, he added. Now BJP will expose the misdeeds of Ibobi government and present BJP as a viable alternative to the people of Manipur come elections, said Ram Madhav.
While queried about the BJP stand on taking in sitting Congress MLAs to the party, Ram Madhav replied that BJP is now a centre of attraction and has great gravity. Anyone who wants to join BJP in the interest of Manipur state is welcome, he said. And person who have faith more in leadership of their people and who want a change in Manipur from a corrupt system of Ibobi government are welcome to join BJP, said Ram Madhav.
He further said that the CSO and Political leaders have come to Delhi and met with Central Leaders, Union Home Minister and others. Assuring that the central government will look seriously into the proposals submitted by the state Assembly he said, if the need arises Union Cabinet will take an appropriate action on the ILP issue of Manipur. We are very much interested in the aspirations of the people of Manipur. Hopefully, Government of India will take appropriate view on the proposal for ILP implementation in Manipur, said Ram Madhav.
Citing political resolutions of the state executive meeting he said, the BJP will usher in peace, development and tranquility in the state, drug smuggling in Manipur and corruption will be rooted out in the state, will monitor misuse of central funds in the state and BJP will take vital responsibility to enact an act for safeguarding indigenous people of the hills and valley. On the economic front, BJP resolved to make maximum effort on the women empowerment, skill development, digital India, act east policy etc.
Chief Minister should resign on moral ground: Samuel Jendai - Former MLA decries pathetic road condition
The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31 2016: Alleging negligence of the State Government in initiating developmental activities in Tamenglong district, former Minister from Tamenglong AC Samuel Jendai said that Chief Minister O Ibobi should resign on moral ground.
Samuel Jendai, also a State executive member of BJP Manipur Pradesh, recently visited Tamenglong district to take a stock of the prevailing developmental works in the district. “Khongsang-Tamenglong road, which is the lifeline of the people settled in different parts of the district is in a battered condition. The road which is also a State Highway connecting Tamenglong with the rest of the State is in its worst state due to negligence of the State authorities concerned”, alleged Samuel while interacting with The Sangai Express.
He further said that many trucks carrying essential commodities are stranded due to the deplorable road condition. Such road condition, without a doubt, can be considered as the worst in the entire State. During medical and other emergency cases, common people have to go through untold sufferings yet the State Government led by O Ibobi confidently claimed that there is development in both the hill districts and valley.
Cong pledges territorial integrity
The Sangai Express
Thoubal, July 31 2016: One major objective of Congress party is safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur. As long as Congress party exists in the State, the party will never allow disintegration of Manipur, asserted MPCC president TN Haokip.
He was speaking at a political conference cum felicitation function of newly elected MPCC office bearers at Kakching Mayai Leikai today which was jointly organised by the Kakching Block Congress Committee and the Kakching Youth Congress Committee. TN Haokip said that Congress is one political party which does not segregate people on the basis of religious faiths, ethnicity or caste.
It was the Congress party which framed all the policies and programmes for the development of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Dalits, minority Muslims and other backward classes. However, the BJP Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been following a policy of subjugating the backward and underprivileged classes.
The ancient prophecy of Nongpok Thong Hangba will come true when the Trans-Asian Highway conceptualised during UPA Government materializes, TN Haokip said. People should not forget that it was the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh which took up the grand project to put Manipur on the railway map of the country.
Asserting that there is no political party other than Congress which can encompass the whole Manipur, TN Haokip appealed to all the people to re-elect the Congress Government. The political conference cum felicitation programme was preceded by a motorcycle rally from Sora Keithel to Kakching Mayai Leikai.
BJP Manipur Pradesh fumes
The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31 2016: BJP Manipur Pradesh executive member Y Khemchand has questioned why the State Government has not provided even a morsel of rice to the people of Singjamei AC under National Food Security Act (NFSA) till today although distribu- tion of rice had already begun in neighbouring Assembly segments.
Speaking at a public meeting held at his residence, Khemchand said that no Fair Price Shop to distribute NFSA rice had been opened at the AC till date. Questioning where the rice quota of Singjamei AC had been diverted, Khemchand expressed concern over maintain- ing silence by the Government although huge quantity of rice meant for distribution to the people under NFSA are available in the market.
Alleging that Congress workers are directly involved in the distribution of NFSA ration cards, Khemchand said that it is high time to constitute a committee by the people of Singjamei AC against such activities. Saying that the Government is yet to ascertain the exact number of NFSA beneficiaries of the AC, Khemchand said that he would seek information through RTI in this regard soon.
Delay in repair of Ima Keithel: BJP women wing to approach Centre
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, August 2: BJP Manipur Mahila Morcha has submitted a complaint to the ministry of Urban Development to take up initiative for restructuring or restoration of the three market sheds of Ima Keithel in order to accommodate the displaced women vendors at the earliest, according to its president Ningthoujam Sumatibala.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office today she said the morcha had recently sent the written complaints to minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi. Sumatibala said the BJP Mahila Morcha will extend assistance in restoration of the three market sheds which had suffered damages during the January 4 earthquake.
She said a team of the morcha had visited the three Ima Keithel on July 27 and met several vendors who shared their grievances due to the present situation. She said the vendors told the team that they are facing immense grievances after being shifted to the temporary market shed and want to return to the Ima Keithel.
Mentioning that the government had assured the vendors that restoration works of the buildings will start on either August 2 or 10, she said if the government fails to meet the proposed timeline, they have decided to launch intense agitations against the government.
AK Mirabai distributes equipment
The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 02 2016: Embroidery machines, tailoring machines and handlooms were distributed to around 280 trained women at a function held today at the training hall of the Rural Women and Children Development Welfare Association (RWCDWA), Taobungkhok, Imphal West.
The Government paid 70 per cent of the cost of the machines while the remaining 30 per cent were borne by the beneficiaries. Speaking at the gathering as chief guest, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai called upon all women who have received vocational training to set up self help groups of 10 to 15 members each.
Women also need to know the laws of the land for self protection. They must know whom to approach when their modesty and dignity are threatened. Only when women are economically self-reliant, there can be gender equality, she asserted.
Sagolband AC MLA RK Imo, Manipur State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr K Sobita and Social Welfare Principal Secretary K Moses Chalai were also present at the gathering.
Senior Citizen Society calls for free and fair election practices
The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 02 2016: In an apparent step to curb the menace of ‘money power’ in elections, the Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur has called for collective efforts from every section of the society to adopt free and fair election practices. In an interaction with mediapersons today at Manipur Press Club, Secretary of Senior Citizens for Society (SCS) Khaidem Mani informed that SCS will organize a public meeting on August 21 to form an apex committee to monitor the upcoming Manipur State Assembly election 2017 .
All State level civil society organisations, Women Societies, Meira Paibis, Student Organisations of both of hills and valley are urged to attend the said meeting to form a committee and to bring free and fair election system in Manipur, he added. The State has seen the worst side of faulty democratic practices during elections and it is the root cause of all problems such as bandhs and blockades, nepotism, corruption, human rights violation, crime against women, absence of law and order and failure of administration, said SCS general secretary L Sadananda.
He added that such problem arises when there is a lack of governance.
“When we have an effective Government, everything can be checked in a proper manner and an effective Government can be formed when competent leaders are elected in a free and fair manner,” Sadananda added.
He said that the committee will campaign for strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Awareness programmes and campaigns will also be conducted not to sell our voting right. The committee will also press the political parties to nominate candidates after strict screening, crusade against malpractices and interference in the election process by the party in power and other stakeholders, he added.
He also urged all the CSOs, NGOs, women societies, Meira Paibis and student organisations of both hills and valley to send their representatives to the public meeting. In the meantime, SCS has also extended their warm wishes to all the State’s sportspersons who are participating in the Rio Olympic Games.
PILs filed against Manipur govt for mismanagement of funds
Morung Express
PILs filed against the Loktak Development Authority, Manipur Development Society and the state social welfare department
IMPHAL, August 4 (TNN): Former Manipur CM RK Ranbir Singh’s son, RK Premjit Singh, has filed public interest litigations (PILs) against three separate units of the Okram Ibobi Singh government for alleged mismanagement of funds. The PILs have asked for a high-level probe into allegations of corruption in the Manipur government and appropriate legal action against the guilty officials.
A bench of the Manipur high court, headed by acting chief justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad and justice S Serto, admitted all three PILs and issued notices to the relevant government officials and private firms.
Premjit engaged Supreme Court lawyer Rajesh Aggarwal to file PILs against two state government undertakings: the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and Manipur Development Society (MDS). Advocate Kh Samarjit, who practises in Manipur high court, filed a PIL against the state social welfare department.
“My primary agenda is to streamline governance in the northeast. I am also prepared to file a bunch of PILs against other departments of the state,” Premjit told the media on Wednesday.
The litigant, who is currently in New Delhi, said there is no political motive behind filing of the three cases. The LDA case pertains to the cleaning of phumdi (floating biomass) from the Loktak lake, a project amounting to Rs 224 crore. The petitioner contended that the work had been initially awarded to a company on a trial basis. Premjit said the LDA had awarded the contract without floating a tender and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had reported mismanagement of funds.
Premjit added that, later, tenders were invited and the contract was awarded to a single bidder, a ‘two-day-old’ company called M/s K Pro.
The MDS case involves Rs 626 crore from 2007 to 2015 and the PIL alleged that contracts were awarded without issuing tenders and through fictitious payments. The petitioner raised anomalies in the construction of a circuit house in Churachandpur, Integrated Ayush Hospital in Lamphelpat, Regional Water Sports Complex in Takmu, District Sports Complex in Bishnupur and Chandel and barrack-type quarters for Wangoo Laipham Primary Health Centre, among others.
Another PIL is related to the non-construction of an anganwadi centre by the state social welfare department. The petitioner said Rs 101 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 4,464 anganwadi centres from 2005 to 2014. Having heard the three cases separately, the court issued notices to the respective government and private respondents and fixed September 9 as the date for the next hearing.
Repeal AFSPA : Dr T Meinya in LS
The Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Aug 4: Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya has demanded the Centre to repeal AFSPA, 1958. Speaking at the Lok Sabha today, the MP said that Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast since November 2000 as a mark of protest against AFSPA, has announced her decision to end her fast on August 9 to contest election in the upcoming State Assembly election.
For the last 16 years, the Iron Lady of Manipur has been living under ‘house arrest’ as an undertrial prisoner in the special ward of JNIMS, Imphal, Meinya said. She has been force-fed through her nose all these years, he said and added that he is happy to hear that Sharmila has decided to lead a normal life. The recent SC verdict which stated that the Army and police are not free to use excess force under AFSPA is something long overdue, Dr Meinya said.
He said, “Time has come for the AFSPA to go. Hence, I strongly urge the Union Government to immediately repeal this infamous law AFSPA 1958.” On the other hand, Dr Meinya also requested HRD Minister Prakash Javdekar to give appointment to the representatives of AIFUCTO.
He said that All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organization (AIFUCTO) will stage a strike at Jantar Mantar. Thousands of teachers, librarians, Directors of Physical Education, other academic staff and administrative staff from all the States of the country would assemble at Jantar Mantar to participate in a massive demonstration. AIFUCTO would submit a memorandum highlighting various demands to the HRD Minister. The demands include early 7th Pay revision, roll back of 4th amendment of UGC regulations, scrapping of API for career advancement, dropping additional requirements in pre-2009 PhD regulations for exemption from PhD and consultation on the New Education Policy.
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | July 31: Locals of Keirao Bitra today felicitated N Itomba Meetei who was appointed as vice-president BJP Manipur Pradesh Kishan Morcha. The function was organized by three local clubs of Keirao Bitra namely Irilbung Library Union, Youth development centre club and Keirao Litan Makhong Youth club.
Pradhan of Keirao GP Mutum Rameshchandra, Ward Members L Naobi, N Lata, T Sushilla, BJP state executive members Salam Lala, Thongram Tony and Thongram Goepn attended the function as dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Itomba said that the country is marching ahead in the wake of the BJP led government coming to power at the centre.
He exuded confidence that a BJP led government would come in the state after the 2017 state assembly election as the people are already fed up with the corrupt Congress rule for 14 years. Alleging that no development work and welfare activities for the people in Keirao Assembly constituency are visible under the incumbent Congress MLA representing the Assembly segment, Itomba appealed to the people of the constituency to support the right BJP candidate who would ensure a sparkling Keirao assembly constituency.
He said that the assembly constituency will continue lagging behind development in all sectors if the present corrupt MLA is re-elected in the upcoming election. He alleged that the incumbent MLA has misappropriated the benefits of the people under national food security scheme.
“Rice quotas of the assembly constituency for the month of May, June and July have been lost”, Itomba contended, adding that he would fight for the rights of the people at his level best. BJP state executive member Th Tony while slamming the Congress government for its misdeeds and corrupt practices during its 14 years old tenure, appealed to the people to uproot the Congress government from the state so as to bring a transparent and accountable government.
During the gathering, it was also resolved that Keirao voters would support the candidate who gets BJP ticket in the upcoming election.
BJP still pondering on CM candidate: Ram Madhav
Party set to welcome Cong dissenters for 2017 assembly elections
Imphal Free Press
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is still weighing options on who would be the BJP Chief Ministerial candidate for the ensuing 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections. This was stated by party General Secretary (Coordination) and NE incharge Ram Madhav while briefing mediapersons at Hotel Imphal after the State Party Executive Committee meeting today.
He said, discussions on who would be the right person to lead at the hustings are going on and a decision in this regard would be made in a couple of months. Today is the first state executive meeting after Kshetrimayum Bhabananda took over the leadership of the state BJP unit. The closed door meeting was held at Sangai Hall of Imphal Hotel.
Ram Madhav who was present as the chief guest at the meeting mentioned that the state BJP is in the process of working out a good strategy for ushering in a BJP government in Manipur next year. He further said, we have started working in each and every constituency for strengthening the party base in Manipur as assembly elections is due in 6/7 months.
The executive meeting today has resolved political and economical resolutions.We are strengthening the BJP right from Mandal to polling station level. We have already charted out plans, agitations and political programmes for next six months, he added. Now BJP will expose the misdeeds of Ibobi government and present BJP as a viable alternative to the people of Manipur come elections, said Ram Madhav.
While queried about the BJP stand on taking in sitting Congress MLAs to the party, Ram Madhav replied that BJP is now a centre of attraction and has great gravity. Anyone who wants to join BJP in the interest of Manipur state is welcome, he said. And person who have faith more in leadership of their people and who want a change in Manipur from a corrupt system of Ibobi government are welcome to join BJP, said Ram Madhav.
He further said that the CSO and Political leaders have come to Delhi and met with Central Leaders, Union Home Minister and others. Assuring that the central government will look seriously into the proposals submitted by the state Assembly he said, if the need arises Union Cabinet will take an appropriate action on the ILP issue of Manipur. We are very much interested in the aspirations of the people of Manipur. Hopefully, Government of India will take appropriate view on the proposal for ILP implementation in Manipur, said Ram Madhav.
Citing political resolutions of the state executive meeting he said, the BJP will usher in peace, development and tranquility in the state, drug smuggling in Manipur and corruption will be rooted out in the state, will monitor misuse of central funds in the state and BJP will take vital responsibility to enact an act for safeguarding indigenous people of the hills and valley. On the economic front, BJP resolved to make maximum effort on the women empowerment, skill development, digital India, act east policy etc.
Chief Minister should resign on moral ground: Samuel Jendai - Former MLA decries pathetic road condition
The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31 2016: Alleging negligence of the State Government in initiating developmental activities in Tamenglong district, former Minister from Tamenglong AC Samuel Jendai said that Chief Minister O Ibobi should resign on moral ground.
Samuel Jendai, also a State executive member of BJP Manipur Pradesh, recently visited Tamenglong district to take a stock of the prevailing developmental works in the district. “Khongsang-Tamenglong road, which is the lifeline of the people settled in different parts of the district is in a battered condition. The road which is also a State Highway connecting Tamenglong with the rest of the State is in its worst state due to negligence of the State authorities concerned”, alleged Samuel while interacting with The Sangai Express.
He further said that many trucks carrying essential commodities are stranded due to the deplorable road condition. Such road condition, without a doubt, can be considered as the worst in the entire State. During medical and other emergency cases, common people have to go through untold sufferings yet the State Government led by O Ibobi confidently claimed that there is development in both the hill districts and valley.
Cong pledges territorial integrity
The Sangai Express
Thoubal, July 31 2016: One major objective of Congress party is safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur. As long as Congress party exists in the State, the party will never allow disintegration of Manipur, asserted MPCC president TN Haokip.
He was speaking at a political conference cum felicitation function of newly elected MPCC office bearers at Kakching Mayai Leikai today which was jointly organised by the Kakching Block Congress Committee and the Kakching Youth Congress Committee. TN Haokip said that Congress is one political party which does not segregate people on the basis of religious faiths, ethnicity or caste.
It was the Congress party which framed all the policies and programmes for the development of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Dalits, minority Muslims and other backward classes. However, the BJP Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been following a policy of subjugating the backward and underprivileged classes.
The ancient prophecy of Nongpok Thong Hangba will come true when the Trans-Asian Highway conceptualised during UPA Government materializes, TN Haokip said. People should not forget that it was the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh which took up the grand project to put Manipur on the railway map of the country.
Asserting that there is no political party other than Congress which can encompass the whole Manipur, TN Haokip appealed to all the people to re-elect the Congress Government. The political conference cum felicitation programme was preceded by a motorcycle rally from Sora Keithel to Kakching Mayai Leikai.
BJP Manipur Pradesh fumes
The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31 2016: BJP Manipur Pradesh executive member Y Khemchand has questioned why the State Government has not provided even a morsel of rice to the people of Singjamei AC under National Food Security Act (NFSA) till today although distribu- tion of rice had already begun in neighbouring Assembly segments.
Speaking at a public meeting held at his residence, Khemchand said that no Fair Price Shop to distribute NFSA rice had been opened at the AC till date. Questioning where the rice quota of Singjamei AC had been diverted, Khemchand expressed concern over maintain- ing silence by the Government although huge quantity of rice meant for distribution to the people under NFSA are available in the market.
Alleging that Congress workers are directly involved in the distribution of NFSA ration cards, Khemchand said that it is high time to constitute a committee by the people of Singjamei AC against such activities. Saying that the Government is yet to ascertain the exact number of NFSA beneficiaries of the AC, Khemchand said that he would seek information through RTI in this regard soon.
Delay in repair of Ima Keithel: BJP women wing to approach Centre
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, August 2: BJP Manipur Mahila Morcha has submitted a complaint to the ministry of Urban Development to take up initiative for restructuring or restoration of the three market sheds of Ima Keithel in order to accommodate the displaced women vendors at the earliest, according to its president Ningthoujam Sumatibala.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office today she said the morcha had recently sent the written complaints to minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi. Sumatibala said the BJP Mahila Morcha will extend assistance in restoration of the three market sheds which had suffered damages during the January 4 earthquake.
She said a team of the morcha had visited the three Ima Keithel on July 27 and met several vendors who shared their grievances due to the present situation. She said the vendors told the team that they are facing immense grievances after being shifted to the temporary market shed and want to return to the Ima Keithel.
Mentioning that the government had assured the vendors that restoration works of the buildings will start on either August 2 or 10, she said if the government fails to meet the proposed timeline, they have decided to launch intense agitations against the government.
AK Mirabai distributes equipment
The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 02 2016: Embroidery machines, tailoring machines and handlooms were distributed to around 280 trained women at a function held today at the training hall of the Rural Women and Children Development Welfare Association (RWCDWA), Taobungkhok, Imphal West.
The Government paid 70 per cent of the cost of the machines while the remaining 30 per cent were borne by the beneficiaries. Speaking at the gathering as chief guest, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai called upon all women who have received vocational training to set up self help groups of 10 to 15 members each.
Women also need to know the laws of the land for self protection. They must know whom to approach when their modesty and dignity are threatened. Only when women are economically self-reliant, there can be gender equality, she asserted.
Sagolband AC MLA RK Imo, Manipur State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr K Sobita and Social Welfare Principal Secretary K Moses Chalai were also present at the gathering.
Senior Citizen Society calls for free and fair election practices
The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 02 2016: In an apparent step to curb the menace of ‘money power’ in elections, the Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur has called for collective efforts from every section of the society to adopt free and fair election practices. In an interaction with mediapersons today at Manipur Press Club, Secretary of Senior Citizens for Society (SCS) Khaidem Mani informed that SCS will organize a public meeting on August 21 to form an apex committee to monitor the upcoming Manipur State Assembly election 2017 .
All State level civil society organisations, Women Societies, Meira Paibis, Student Organisations of both of hills and valley are urged to attend the said meeting to form a committee and to bring free and fair election system in Manipur, he added. The State has seen the worst side of faulty democratic practices during elections and it is the root cause of all problems such as bandhs and blockades, nepotism, corruption, human rights violation, crime against women, absence of law and order and failure of administration, said SCS general secretary L Sadananda.
He added that such problem arises when there is a lack of governance.
“When we have an effective Government, everything can be checked in a proper manner and an effective Government can be formed when competent leaders are elected in a free and fair manner,” Sadananda added.
He said that the committee will campaign for strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Awareness programmes and campaigns will also be conducted not to sell our voting right. The committee will also press the political parties to nominate candidates after strict screening, crusade against malpractices and interference in the election process by the party in power and other stakeholders, he added.
He also urged all the CSOs, NGOs, women societies, Meira Paibis and student organisations of both hills and valley to send their representatives to the public meeting. In the meantime, SCS has also extended their warm wishes to all the State’s sportspersons who are participating in the Rio Olympic Games.
PILs filed against Manipur govt for mismanagement of funds
Morung Express
PILs filed against the Loktak Development Authority, Manipur Development Society and the state social welfare department
IMPHAL, August 4 (TNN): Former Manipur CM RK Ranbir Singh’s son, RK Premjit Singh, has filed public interest litigations (PILs) against three separate units of the Okram Ibobi Singh government for alleged mismanagement of funds. The PILs have asked for a high-level probe into allegations of corruption in the Manipur government and appropriate legal action against the guilty officials.
A bench of the Manipur high court, headed by acting chief justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad and justice S Serto, admitted all three PILs and issued notices to the relevant government officials and private firms.
Premjit engaged Supreme Court lawyer Rajesh Aggarwal to file PILs against two state government undertakings: the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and Manipur Development Society (MDS). Advocate Kh Samarjit, who practises in Manipur high court, filed a PIL against the state social welfare department.
“My primary agenda is to streamline governance in the northeast. I am also prepared to file a bunch of PILs against other departments of the state,” Premjit told the media on Wednesday.
The litigant, who is currently in New Delhi, said there is no political motive behind filing of the three cases. The LDA case pertains to the cleaning of phumdi (floating biomass) from the Loktak lake, a project amounting to Rs 224 crore. The petitioner contended that the work had been initially awarded to a company on a trial basis. Premjit said the LDA had awarded the contract without floating a tender and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had reported mismanagement of funds.
Premjit added that, later, tenders were invited and the contract was awarded to a single bidder, a ‘two-day-old’ company called M/s K Pro.
The MDS case involves Rs 626 crore from 2007 to 2015 and the PIL alleged that contracts were awarded without issuing tenders and through fictitious payments. The petitioner raised anomalies in the construction of a circuit house in Churachandpur, Integrated Ayush Hospital in Lamphelpat, Regional Water Sports Complex in Takmu, District Sports Complex in Bishnupur and Chandel and barrack-type quarters for Wangoo Laipham Primary Health Centre, among others.
Another PIL is related to the non-construction of an anganwadi centre by the state social welfare department. The petitioner said Rs 101 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 4,464 anganwadi centres from 2005 to 2014. Having heard the three cases separately, the court issued notices to the respective government and private respondents and fixed September 9 as the date for the next hearing.
Repeal AFSPA : Dr T Meinya in LS
The Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Aug 4: Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya has demanded the Centre to repeal AFSPA, 1958. Speaking at the Lok Sabha today, the MP said that Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast since November 2000 as a mark of protest against AFSPA, has announced her decision to end her fast on August 9 to contest election in the upcoming State Assembly election.
For the last 16 years, the Iron Lady of Manipur has been living under ‘house arrest’ as an undertrial prisoner in the special ward of JNIMS, Imphal, Meinya said. She has been force-fed through her nose all these years, he said and added that he is happy to hear that Sharmila has decided to lead a normal life. The recent SC verdict which stated that the Army and police are not free to use excess force under AFSPA is something long overdue, Dr Meinya said.
He said, “Time has come for the AFSPA to go. Hence, I strongly urge the Union Government to immediately repeal this infamous law AFSPA 1958.” On the other hand, Dr Meinya also requested HRD Minister Prakash Javdekar to give appointment to the representatives of AIFUCTO.
He said that All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organization (AIFUCTO) will stage a strike at Jantar Mantar. Thousands of teachers, librarians, Directors of Physical Education, other academic staff and administrative staff from all the States of the country would assemble at Jantar Mantar to participate in a massive demonstration. AIFUCTO would submit a memorandum highlighting various demands to the HRD Minister. The demands include early 7th Pay revision, roll back of 4th amendment of UGC regulations, scrapping of API for career advancement, dropping additional requirements in pre-2009 PhD regulations for exemption from PhD and consultation on the New Education Policy.
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