MANIPUR TIMES

  CM BIREN DISTRIBUTES WINTER CROP SEEDS                     Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with his Cabinet colleagues and MLAs distributed winter seeds to 5940 farmers under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) at a function held at the Farmers’ Training Hall, Horticulture Farm at Khonghampat in Imphal West district today. The seeds were distributed under the area expansion programme of vegetables of MIDH 2020-21 to meet the emergent requirement of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19. The State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department has selected 5940 farmers to cover 2970 hectares for this purpose. Speaking at the occasion as the chief guest, N Biren said that the State Government has been concentrating on horticulture and agriculture sectors to make the State self-reliant in food production. Stating that different committees have been formed to enhance production so that import of at...

                      Of the 12-member BJP-led government sworn in on March 15, 2017, only the Chief Minister N Biren Singh himself and two others L Jayantakumar and V Hangkhanlian were former ministers, while the rest were first timers. Even Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh was a first-time MLA. In the most recent and much-expected reshuffle, out of the five new faces inducted by Chief Minister Biren Singh, only one was a former minister. He is S Rajen Singh from Lamsang assembly constituency. So, there is no hard and fast rule that, experience matters in being considered for the post of a minister here. Th Bishwajit, although a first time minister was put in charge of many important portfolios. Who has more bargaining power is what counts, it seems. Now, the question on everybody’s lips is out of the four ministers from BJP why was Bishwajit retained and the other three axed. What made him so special as compared to...

  THREE MLAS LIKELY TO TAKE OATH AS MINISTERS TODAY: MANIPUR             Manipur Governor Dr. Nazma Heptulla has accepted the dropping of three Ministers from N. Biren Cabinet today.  The ministers who dropped from the Biren cabinet are agriculture, veterinary and animal husbandry minister V. Hangkhalian, social welfare and cooperation minister Nemcha Kipgen and education labour and employment minister Dr. Th. Radheshyam.  Meanwhile, three MLAs are likely to take oath as ministers in a short while from now, sources informed. The much-hyped cabinet reshuffle in Biren government did not take place yesterday. Some of the ministers are showing stiff opposition to the reshuffle. Biren is likely to drop five-six ministers and induct new faces in his 12-member cabinet. Yet, only tree legislators are expected to take oath as ministers today, sources said.  Yesterday, a crucial meeting was held in the official quarter of V Hangkhalien in Imphal w...

  CORONAVIRUS HAS INFECTED 2.8 CRORE PEOPLE SO FAR & LED MORE THAN 9,22,000 DEATHS WORLDWIDE            The novel coronavirus has infected 2.8 crore people so far and led to more than 9,22,000 death s worldwide since surfacing in China late last year, The United States has the most deaths with 193,705, followed by Brazil with 131,210, India with 78,586 and Mexico with 70,604. Israel said yesterday it will reimpose a national lockdown after coronavirus cases soared, while European nations grappled with mounting infections against a backdrop of protests against restrictions aimed at reining in the pandemic, as per a media report. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the three-week lockdown, which will hold people to within 500 metres (yards) of their homes, will start on Friday and could be extended. The plan prompted the resignation of ultra-Orthodox Housing Minister Yaakov Litzman, who said the measures would prevent Jews from atten...

  MONSOON SESSION BEGINS, CONGRESS NOTICE IN LOK SABHA OVER CHINESE INCURSION IN LADAKH                                           The 18-day Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today with the Opposition all set to raise the issues of ongoing India-China standoff in Ladakh, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown. The 18-day Parliament session is being held amid unprecedented precautionary measures against Covid-19 due to a continuing spike in cases. On the eve of the session, the Union Health Ministry reported 94,372 fresh cases in 24 hours. The government has, meanwhile, listed 23 new legislations for consideration and passage including 11 bills replacing ordinances. There also 20 other bills pending in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, according to media reports. The agenda for the session was decided during a business advisory committee (BAC) meeting c...

Four drug smugglers including two women arrested            A team of NAB Police Station has arrested four drug smugglers including two women from differenlocations of the State on Friday. The team of NAB Police Station led by ASP/NAB Saklemba RK arrested the two women from Samurou in Imphal West at around 4:30 pm.  The arrested women are identified as Yumnam (O) Noni @ Lousangian (34), wife of Yumnam James of Moreh Ward No.7 and RK Renuka Devi (35), daughter of RK Sanatomba of Thangmeiband. The team seized 273 soap caps containing about 3.412 kg of Heroin powder from their possession. Upon verification, the two women revealed the names of 2 more persons namely Thounaojam Brojen (48), son of Thounaojam Athoi of Thounaojam Mayai leikai, Kakching and Laishram Rabichandra Singh (32), son of Laishram Ratan Singh of Heingang Panthoibi leikai. They were later arrested from different locations of Imphal. A case has been registered at ...

  ASSAM RIFLES CONTINUED THE MEGA TREE PLANTATION DRIVE IN THE STATE Contributing towards Ministry of Home Affairs initiative of Tree Plantation in year 2020 and to contribute in preserving and promoting the environment. Units of 9 Sector Assam Rifles and 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South), organised the Mega Tree Plantation and Conservation Drive at various locations of the state, over a period of four days. The Importance of planting trees needs no emphasis. The units organised the drive in respective areas with an aim to contribute in preserving and promoting healthy and pollution free environment. The plantation drive was organised at various locations in Imphal valley and Churchandpur areas. Mantripukhri Battalion organised tree plantation at Mantripukhri Garrison, Sawombung, Koirengei and Yaingangpokpi Company Operating Bases. Similarly, Keithelmanbi Battalion organised the same drive at Andro and Lilong Company Operating Bases. ...