Archive for August 20, 2008

Rice scarce in Mautam affected areas

August 20, 2008 at 12:54 am · Filed under Mautam

Lamka, Aug 19: After rodent tails, it’s now rice scarcity that raised the eye brows here as helpless villagers in pockets of the Mautam affected areas reportedly approached the armed outfits there to do the rescue act, an exclusive report received by this correspondent said today.

With the PDS rice making a rare entry in the interior county, famine as predicted has began to take its toll as many a villager had to rely on the meager supply from across the neighbouring State of Mizoram. “Even for those who possess money rice for purchase was simply not available in our village”, the source quoted Suanthang Chief of Sinzawl the border village as saying.

Similar claims were made by chief of Songtal Tualzathang, about 120 kms from here. In fact, some of the villagers in these hard hit regions were so desperate that they now beg on the otherwise dreaded armed outfits active in the regions, added the source. The reaction of these armed outfits approached by villagers ‘in the balance’ was not immediately known.

The shortage of rice in these far flung and hostile regions were aggravated by frequent landslides in the bordering state, wherein most of the villagers rely on to meet their ends. As the PDS supply for the region still not in sight and at least five landslides interrupting traffic along the Tipaimukh Road, Guite Road and Henglep Road, the situation may go out of hand if it remains unchecked said the apprehensive source that has a first hand account on the gravity of the situation.

In fact, concern over the various disturbing story it has bump into in recent days the Manipur Hills’ Journalist Union (MHJU) has planned to tour the interior for the second time to obtain a true picture of the sufferings in the interiors.

The Sangai Express

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Aug 22 date for SoO | Bandhs cost crores in State

August 20, 2008 at 12:44 am · Filed under Zou

IMPHAL, Aug 19 : The Union Home Ministry, the State Government and the KNO are set to sign the terms and conditions for the Suspension of Operation on August 22 while such an agreement may not be signed with the United People’s Front, the umbrella organisation of a number of other underground outfits.

Speaking to The Sangai Express an official source said that Principal Secretary DS Poonia will represent the State in signing the terms and conditions with the KNO while the Union Home Ministry will be represented by its Joint Secretary Navin Verma. The KNO will be represented by four of its senior leaders. The venue for signing the pact will be decided by the Home Ministry.

Principal Secretary DS Poonia is presently at Delhi to sign the pact. IG Intelligence LM Khaute will also be present.

The State Cabinet had given the green nod to the terms and regulations after the KNO suggested some changes in the ground rules. On the other hand, a final pact with the UPF may be delayed for some time as there are certain differences on the ground rules, said the source and added that the State Govt will not change the ground rules.

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Bandhs cost crores in State

IMPHAL, Aug 19: Twenty days of bandhs and 60 days of NH blockades were recorded during the year 2004-05. According to the records of Directorate of Economics and Statistics, 47 days of bandhs and 97 days of NH blockades were recorded during the year 2005-2006, while 42 days of bandhs and 77 days of highway blockades were called by various organisa-tions during 2006-07.

Bandhs wasted around Rs 5.38 crores per day in 2004-05. It means Rs 22 per person were wasted per day during this time in the State. In 2005-06, Rs 6.13 crores per day and Rs 24 per person per day were drained away due to bandhs. In 2006-07, Rs 6.44 crores per day and Rs 27 per person per day were lost.

Talking about National Highways blockades, Rs 2.32 crores per day and Rs 9 per person were lost due to NH blockades per day during 2004-05. Rs 2.69 crores daily and Rs 11 per day per person in 2005-06 and Rs 3.01 crores and Rs 12 per day per person in 2006-07 were wasted due to these blockades. It means a whooping Rs 1319.96 crores was wasted due to bandhs and blockades up to the records January 31, 2007.

Bandhs and blockades called between April 1, 2004 and January 31, 2007 by social organisations like ANSAM/KSO, MEELAL, Additional DC Demand Committee, Jiri District Demand Committee, MSF/AMSU/DESAM, Sadar Hills District Demand Committee, ZSU/IT Road Deve- lopment Committee/KSO, ATSUM/ACTP, Apunba Lup, MAFYF, ATSUM wasted Rs 144.10 (Rs 572 per head), Rs 105.30 crores (Rs 418 per head), Rs 96.80 (Rs 384 per head), Rs 54.45 crore (Rs 216 per head), Rs 52.41 (Rs 204 per head), Rs 43.16 crore (Rs 168 per head), Rs 35.56 crore (Rs 144 per head), Rs 27.17 crore ( Rs 120 per head), Rs 24.45 (Rs 99 per head) respectively.

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The Sangai Express

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Another hurdle in District Council polls

August 20, 2008 at 12:41 am · Filed under Zou

IMPHAL, Aug 19: As the process of delimitation for the District Councils has been delayed following complaint over the electoral rolls published in January this year on which basis the delimitation was to be effected, the State Cabinet during its meeting today recommended extension of the tenure of the Delimitation Committee for another 45 days.

The Delimitation Committee had been set up for a period of 45 days and during these 45 days, the process of delimitation was supposed to be completed.

However, following complaint over the electoral roll published in January this year as the base for effecting the delimitation, completion of the process has been delayed.

Moreover, as a new electoral roll is to be brought out on August 30 and the already completed delimitation process in Tamenglong, Chura-chandpur and Sadar Hills need to be re-examined, the State Cabinet recommended extension of the tenure of the Delimitation Committee for another 45 days.

Presided over by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, today’s Cabinet meeting also recommended convening of the Monsoon session of the State Assembly from October 1.

As to the demand of increasing the ST quota in the Manipur University, the Cabinet meeting decided to exert pressure on the Centre in this regard and amend the existing rules and regulations.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local_page-02.html%5D

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