Former Commissioner (Education), S Kunjabihari will speak on "Impediment of Quality Education in the North East India," Dr Dhanabir Laishram, Department of Pol Science, MU on "Role of Civil Societies in the Improvement of Education System in the North Eastern India," Dr Meisnam Chinglen, Deptt of Economics, MU on "Challenge of Inclusive Education for exclusive Development in the North East India," Sarungbam Gunador, former Principal of RK Sanatombi College on "Proposition of Common Subject on the Cultures of the North Eastern People," L Sadananda, former Principal, Imphal College on "Urgency of Value Based Education in the North East India," Ms Indira Huidrom of MU on "Right to Education Act: Its Merit and Limitation," and Dr John Pulamte on "Problems of Education System in the Hill Areas of North East India."
Coordinator of AITSA, N Boipu Koireng informed that those willing to participate in the seminar may contact Samuel (9089427825) and Boipu (9863079537) on or before October 9.
~ Hueiyenlanpao
Nagas to talk to Manipur over ADCs
Dimapur, Oct 7 : New Delhi has managed to broker a semblance of truce between the agitating United Naga Council (UNC) and the Manipur government.
Talks between the two are likely to be held on October 16, the Hindustan Times report stated.
The UNC had last month imposed a 20-day economic blockade on Manipur. It came less than two months after another Naga organization – All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur – had temporarily suspended its 69-day blockade on two arterial highways leading to state capital Imphal.
The UNC has been opposing the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in hills of Manipur inhabited by Nagas and other tribes.
It has refused to accept the elections to these ADCs until the state government amends the Manipur (Hill area) District Council Act of 2008, which it claims restrains the functioning of the councils.
A spokesperson of the UNC confirmed New Delhi’s role in facilitating talks between the Naga body and the Manipur government.
“Our leaders have returned after camping 25 days in Delhi. Let’s see what comes out of the meeting likely late next week,” he said.
It may be recalled that a tripartite meeting of the Government of Manipur (GoM), United Naga Council (UNC) and the Government of India (GoI) was held September 21 last at North Block, New Delhi to address the representation submitted to the prime minister for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur.
The meeting was convened by the union home secretary at the instance of the home minister of India, as expressed by the latter in his meeting with the UNC team on September 14.
Fuel shortage in Manipur
Dimapur, Oct 7 (NPN): Owing to the recent economic blockade of the National Highway, people in Imphal were reeling under an acute fuel shortage for the past many days. Thousands of two-wheelers, cars, trucks and buses have been queuing up at outlets across Manipur to receive their ‘share’ of fuel.
Fuel is being rationed by the State government’s distribution system, and is available only at a few selected outlets in Manipur in limited quantity. The ongoing crisis is being exploited by regional black marketers, who have hoarded fuel and are selling them at high prices, allege locals, reported ANI.
Locals maintained that things would return to normal once the highways are cleared. According to local media reports, the cost of petrol has reached Rs. 120 to Rs. 150 a litre, and a filled gas cylinder is costing an exorbitant Rs. 1,500.
Ibobi draws PM attention on rice import
Imphal, Oct 7: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister, Dr Manmohon Singh drawing his attention in speeding up the process of issuance of the trade license to Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO), for importing rice from Myanmar, an official said.
Manipur government is not happy with the office of the Directorate of General of Trade and Commerce, New Delhi, delay in issuing license for importing rice from Myanmar which the central government had already given permission to the state government.
Chief Minister in his letter stated that the delay in the issue of license had caused immense inconveniences in the import of the rice. To overcome the food crisis due to the economic blockade called by UNC and ANSAM, Manipur Government was given permission to import 3000 MT of rice from Myanmar in June this year. However, the same was not yet materialized due to delay in the issue of foreign trade license to the agency entrusted by the state government.
Further, the Commerce Ministry had already granted permission to the Manipur Government to import 30,000 MT of rice from Myanmar annually.
To speed up the process of rice import, a MoU was signed between North East Federation of International Trade (NEFIT) and Union of Myanmar Border Trade Chamber of Commerce, Tamu and Kaley at a meeting in June.
MANIDCO was about to commence the import of rice from September, but it was allegedly delayed due to non-issuance of trade license by the Directorate of General of Trade and Commerce, New Delhi.
According to available statistics, Manipur produces nearly 5.18 lakh MT rice annually against the demand 6.21 lakh MT. But last year the state produced only 2.50 lakh MT. This reduction couple with prolonged economic blockade had deteriorated the situation.
~ NP
