Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

RIMS works entrusted to Central panel: Imphal, Apr 23: With financial management of the State Government far from being satisfactory and taking into account unstable law and order situation development works of RIMS is informed to have been entrusted to the Central Government's public undertaking Hospital Services Consultant. A top official of the medical institute stated that incompetency of the State Government in the utilisation of the annual plan allocation coupled with the prevailing law and order uncertainty has led to the Central Government to adopt a more pragmatic approach so as to ensure development funds do not fall into wrong hands. The official further informed that development works to be handled by the Consultant include those envisioned under the Prime Minister's special package of Rs 100 crore as well as under the Phase-II project of similar programmes. On the other hand, to take a first hand account of works to be implemented under the Phase-II Project, archit...

Opposition MLAs tear apart Governor’s address: Imphal, Feb 4: The debate on the motion of thanks to the address of the Governor of Manipur to the house began on Monday, with Opposition MLAs picking large holes in the achievements claimed on behalf of the Congress-led SPF government. The discussion on the motion of thanks for the Governor’s Address was moved during the morning session by MLA E Kunjeswar Singh and seconded by MLA N. Mangi Singh from the treasury bench. The mover claimed that the Governor’s Address, given on the first day of the Assembly session reflects every aspect of the developmental activities taken up by the state government and its future plans. However, criticism of the Governor’s Address started coming thick and fast from the Opposition MLAs. Opposition leader MLA, Radhabinod Koijam led the way, pointing out that the Governor`s Address in the House has failed to mention the policies and steps that the state government need to adopt to take advantage of the Look E...

Medical staff avoiding posting to distant areas: Imphal, Feb 4: The state health minister Ph Parijat admitted in the state Assembly on Monday that the transfer and posting policy for medical department personnel of the state government has been less than a success. Responding to questions posed by Opposition MLAs in the Assembly, the minister said doctors and nurses transferred to distance places very often evinced strong reluctance to join their posts. Sickness is a claim very frequently made as an excuse not to join such distant posts, the minister quipped. Answering questions posed by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, Parijat said action is being taken up within the framework of the National Health Policy for infrastructure strengthening of various health care centres in both the hills and the valley, including construction of buildings for PHCs and PHSCs where they do not yet exist. He also noted that the bill for creation of a state nursing council has already been passed by the Assembly, and rule...

Rebel MLAs return for Assembly session: Imphal, Jan 30: The dissident Congress MLAs who were lobbying with the party high command for a change in the state CLP leadership returned to Imphal on Wednesday, exuding confidence of a successful conclusion to their campaign to oust Okram Ibobi Singh in the near future. Barring MPCC chief Gaikhangam and minister DD Thaisii, all the dissident MLAs, 14 in number, flew into Imphal this afternoon on an Air India flight. The dissident MLAs came back in the state only to attend the budget session of the state Assembly which is due to commence on February 1 and their return does not mean an end to their campaign for replacing Ibobi as chief minister, said a source in the dissident camp. Before leaving the national capital, they submitted representations to the Congress high command urging to settle the crisis within the party at the earliest. The MLAs who have returned include FCS minister, Y Erabot Singh and Congress chief whip, Mangibabu. Other ML...

Chandramani set to get another term: Imphal, Jan 2: The current president of the Manipur People’s Party Dr L Chandramani Singh is set to serve for another term as chief of the MPP. Dr Chandramani was the only candidate to file nomination papers for the election to the post of party president for the term 2008-2010. Filing of nomination papers for the election ended on Wednesday. Dr Chandramani filed three sets of nomination papers with the returning officer of the elections, L Jatra Singh, on Wednesday with MLAs Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr I Ibohalbi, O Joy, RK Anand, Th Shyamkumar, ex-MP, Th Chaoba, working president Udoi Thongam, vice president Y Khemchand, and executive members Md Ayubkhan and Surchandra Notification for the MPP elections was issued on December 24 last by the returning officer. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done at 11 am on Friday, and if the documents are found to be in order, Dr Chandramani will be declared elected unopposed, according to L Jatra. The formal annou...