CM BIREN DISTRIBUTES WINTER CROP SEEDS

 

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 least some food items from other States can be stopped, the Chief Minister expressed hope that this mission would definitely be successful in the near future.

The Chief Minister said that export of horticulture items like ginger, pineapple and orange has considerably increased in the past two-three years. All these are possible due to the hard work of farmers. As such, the Government would always extend all possible support to farmers, the Chief Minister assured. In this regard, he also expressed the need for personal interaction by the Ministers with the people and farmers at the grassroots level.

The Chief Minister also said that cold storages are being constructed in Imphal East, Imphal West and Churachandpur districts. He also stated that the cold storage facility at Food Park, Nilakuthi would also be upgraded further. Biren also announced that Khonghampat lake would be developed to attract tourists.

Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho, Forest and Environment Minister Awangbow Newmai, Education Minister Sorokhaibam Rajen, Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi, CAF&PD Minister Th Satyabrata, Social Welfare Minister O Henry, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman L Rameshwor, Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board Chairperson Heikham Dingo, Kshetrigao AC MLA N Indrajit, Zilla Parishad Member L Boby, Principal Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation) P Vaiphei and Commissioner (IPR) M Joy were seated on the dais as dignitaries.

THE AFTER SHOCKS OF THE RESHUFFLE: MANIPUR

 

                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 his three colleagues? In politics, one needs godfathers and patronage to survive, not special attributes. Bishwajit seems to keep them in close quarters. The general demand from the BJP MLAs was to replace all four with new faces. So, maybe Bishwajit was a brilliant escape artist.

Now, the supporters of the three former BJP ministers are up in arms and openly revolting. The first reaction came from Kangpokpi, where the supporters of Nemcha Kipgen poured into the streets, blocked the National Highway and burnt CM Biren’s effigy. The Kangpokpi SP was transferred the next day. Next, voices of protest came from Heirok, former Education Minister Th Radheshyam’s constituency. The latest outburst in BJP camp came from V Hangkhanlian’s constituency Churachandpur. The Churachandpur BJP Mandal has decided to halt all party activities in the constituency, in protest. However, out of the five assembly constituencies in Churachandpur district Mandals of four constituencies came out in support of the Chief Minister. V Hangkhanlian was replaced by another from the district Vungzagin Valte, the Thanlon MLA. It was indeed surprising that such outbursts came out from the ranks of a self-professed disciplined party. On the other hand, there are murmurs of discontent among the other party MLAs who were left from the reshuffle. One such complaint was that, most of the ministers are either from Imphal East and Imphal West, while some districts are neglected in representation. True but alas, the theory of representation is workable only when there are enough numbers in the majority party. The present coalition government simply don’t have the luxury to exercise a model representation as it is always busy in keeping the flock together and intact.

Next came the rant from the lone Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MLA Karam Shyam who was indeed dropped unceremoniously. It seemed, he had tried to spread his wings beyond his Langthabal constituency and had to be stopped. His lament that he had turned down an offer of Deputy CM post from the Congress to support the BJP will find few takers, as BJP was the party in power in New Delhi while also a partner, there. However, the NPP’s move post-reshuffle is quite interesting. During government formation, it was able to extract its pound of flesh with ministership for all its four MLAs including the post of Deputy CM and the Finance portfolio. It played spoilsport in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections, while always holding the government at ransom. But, one day or the other, the bluff has to be called. Everyone expected them to immediately pull out of the coalition as they have been threatening to. When two of them were dropped, the party President Conrad Sangma advised them to wait and watch. Jayantakumar and Kayisii, the two dropped MLAs, are saying ‘Will stay or walk out together’ while Deputy CM Yumnam Joykumar and Sports Minister Letpao Haokip are keeping mum. Loud were his words, when Conrad came and launched the campaign for the upcoming by-election at Wangoi. Yet, none came out this time and  WHY

THREE MLAS LIKELY TO TAKE OATH AS MINISTERS TODAY: MANIPUR

 

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 where BJP ministers who were expected to be dropped in the major cabinet reshuffle were present. On the other hand, BJP MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan yesterday resigned from the chairman post of Tourism Corporation, Manipur. The Konthoujam MLA submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister N Biren. On the other hand, state assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand is not interested in holding any ministerial post and that he wants to remain as speaker, a report said.  It may be recalled that N Biren was in New Delhi on Monday, accompanied by Manipur BJP chief Saikhom Tikendra Singh, and met central BJP leaders including national President J P Nadda, national general secretary B L Santosh, national general secretary Ram Madhav, national vice-president and central observer Baijayant Panda and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.  

CORONAVIRUS HAS INFECTED 2.8 CRORE PEOPLE SO FAR & LED MORE THAN 9,22,000 DEATHS WORLDWIDE

 

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 deaths 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 attending synagogue over the upcoming Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays. 

United States President Donald Trump recently claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded him for being able to do a large number of coronavirus tests. While addressing an election rally in Nevada, Trump claimed that the US has done far more COVID-19 tests than many other countries including India. Trump is currently campaigning for the upcoming Presidential elections in the US and he continues to slam his Democratic opponent Joe Biden for being a complete disaster in handling the swine flu during the previous administration, as per a media report. The president claimed that PM Modi’s comment on the COVID-19 tests needs to be explained to the media as he has been largely criticized over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Biden’s record demonstrates that if he had been in charge when the China virus arrived, hundreds of thousands of more Americans would have died. As vice president, he presided over the worst and the weakest and the slowest economic recovery, since the great depression, Trump added.

MONSOON SESSION BEGINS, CONGRESS NOTICE IN LOK SABHA OVER CHINESE INCURSION IN LADAKH

 

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 called by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla yesterday. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised the issue of India-China tussle and the need for the Parliament to know what was going on the borders. Owaisi told government to brief the MPs alone since this is a matter of national security, and keep the media away. The government is said to have told the BAC that the matter can be taken up during tomorrow’s meeting. However, the government will for now offer a statement by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the developing situation. 

         Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said members of Parliament have chosen to abide by their responsibility by turning up for the monsoon session. According to media reports, Modi also expressed hope that discussions on important issues will be taken up in the session and all MPs will send out a message “in one voice” that the whole country is standing behind the brave soldiers posted at the borders in difficult terrain. Addressing the media ahead of the monsoon session, the Prime Minister said that the pandemic is still around but the MPs chose the path to duty. After the Budget session had to be cut short in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Parliament is reconvening for an 18-day session that will see business during staggered working hours. 

Four drug smugglers including two women arrested

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 NAB Police Station for further legal action.

ASSAM RIFLES CONTINUED THE MEGA TREE PLANTATION DRIVE IN THE STATE

 

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. 

Likewise, Thoubal Battalion carried out tree plantation in the Garrison and all its Company Operating Bases. Noney Battalions also contributed and organised plantation drives at respective Company Operating Bases. 

Subsequently, Churachandpur Battalion also continued the same drive at Sangaikot, Tuitum Khongkhai, Hengkot , P Sajol and Churachandpur town areas. The plantation drive was conducted to foster a culture of responsibility towards nature among children, local population and troops of Assam Rifles. 

Over 1200 troops enthusiastically participated in the Mega Plantation drive and 27021 saplings of various varieties including fruit bearing trees and 550 tree guards were planted by the local population and children. The drive has spread a sense of responsibility and care towards nature among all participants. The local population thanked Assam Rifles for taking up unprecedented  tree plantation drive to spread environmental awareness and expressed their gratitude with a pledge to nurture the saplings into trees.