IMPHAL SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER 2014 Hepatitis vaccination cum NE power projects given lower priority: Lal Thanhawla awareness campaign launched Nagaland to formulate new GHY/AIZAWL, Oct 18: Our Correspondent THOUBAL, Oct 18: Machi Sub-Divisional Officer, Julie Anal launched a Hepatitis B vaccination cum awareness campaign organized by Maring Students' Union in collaboration with Global Advance Technology, Chandel, Naga Students' Union Chandel, National Rural Health Mission, Chandel, CIPLA Limited and Biological E-Limited at Khukarthil village community hall, Chandel district today. N Birchandra Singh, Chandel Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Joyningam, president of Naga Student’s Union, Chandel (NSUC) were the presidium members of the event. Territory Manager of CIPLA Limited, Sanjeeta Devi, CMO Chandel, Dr N Birchandra Singh and Dr Rocky Marem delivered talks on Hepatitis, the silent killer, its causes and preventive measures during the programme. A large number of villagers of Machi Block including school going children were screened and vaccinated Painting competition IMPHAL, Oct 18: A painting competition cum awareness programme on sanitation and safe drinking water was held today at Lainingthou Ahanba Mandop under Swachh Bharat Mission. The programme was organised by District Water and Sanitation Committee, Imphal East. Around 200 students of Diana School, Porompat; Sacred Heart School, Porompat; Bal Bhavan Mandir, Kongpal and Friendship Educational Academy, Khurai took part in the programme. L Swamikanta Singh, Director, CCDU; T Ichal Devi, pradhan, Khurai Chingangbam Leikai GP; Ph Yaima, SE, PHED (Plg &M) and Ksh Lalitbabu, EE, PHED, Imphal East attended the programme as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively. Meanwhile, as a part of the national sanitation campaign, an awareness programme organised by Imphal East District Water and Sanitation Committee was held under the theme ‘Safe Drinking Water’ at Lainingthou Yangoi Ningthou community hall today. The programme was attended by Director of CCDU, Manipur L Swamikanta Singh, Pradhan of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai gram panchayat T Ichal Devi and Executive Engineer of PHED, I/E Ksh Lalitbabu Singh as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively. Bike launched IMPHAL, Oct 18: European racing legend motorcycle KTM RC 200 and RC 390 Bikes were launched today at Imphal KTM, Mantripukhri. The launch programme was attended by Nongthombam Goshan Singh and Sairem Rajen Singh of Manipur Motors; Yumnam Bikram, publicity secretary of Royal Riders' Manipur and Ningam Wangsul, manager, Manipur Motors. According to Ningam Wangshul, the Bajaj Probiking KTM has grown by 120 pc in the current financial year. With the RCs, the KTM is expected to be by far the fastest growing motorcycle brand in India. The ex-showroom price of KTM RC 390 is Rs 2,27,587 while RC 200 is priced at Rs 1,79,070. The price is only for limited period. Teachers Day THOUBAL, Oct 18: The Kids Mold School, Yairipok celebrated its Teachers' day cum Parents Meet, 2014 at its premises today. The programme was attended by Humangmal Enterprises proprietor Keisham Gopen Moses as chief guest, Kid’s Mold School Principal M Ibotombi as president and film star RK Kaiku and social worker Keisham Kaminikumar as the guests of honour. Kid’s Mold School founder and administrator M Samuel delivered the key note address of the event. Teachers and meritorious students of the school were honoured with mementos and citations during the event. SDO Machi, Julie Anal addressing the gatherings against Hepatitis B during the campaign. Speaking at the occasion, Julie Anal, SDO Machi said Hepatitis is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world particularly in populated countries like India. Hepatitis is more dangerous than HIV/ AIDS as it can spread even through sweats and spits. Moreover, Hepatitis spreads more widely and has claimed more people than HIV/AIDS. It is also sometimes referred to as the silent killer, the SDO added. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, prevention is the only option against the disease, the SDO stated. She further appealed to all the participants of the awareness campaign to disseminate the awareness in their respective houses and villages in order to rid the State of Hepatitis. Contractors not to meet IFC officials S Singlianmang Guite LAMKA, Oct 18: Responding to the public notification served by I&FC department to several contractors to appear before them on the issue of security deposits and bill balances, 16 listed individuals from Churachandpur have today voiced their reservation against appearing before the department at this point of time. 'As the works had been completed and inaugurated long back and a case has been pending in the Court, we feel not proper to meet any officials from the department at this juncture,' said a statement signed by the contractors. The statement further maintained that the said works were executed and completed as per the order many years back and have already been inaugurated and made functional while the security deposits or balance bills have not been not repaid nor cleared to them by the department till date forcing them to file a petition in the Court. Dama, T Lala, Hena Vaiphei, JT Tonsing, Lalkhosiem Gangte, Thangkhomang Haokip, V Kaikhanlun, Gentinlam, P Tongthang Zou, Hmingsang, Chindal Zou, O Ningthem Singh, Lunkhomang Haokip, K Lallianzuala, Phaipi Lalpu and Thakima signed the statement. Blood donation IMPHAL, Oct 18: A mega voluntary blood donation camp was organised at Don Bosco College, Maram by the Lions Club of Imphal Greater in collaboration with the NSS Unit, Don Bosco College, Maram and Blood Bank and Transfusion Unit, JNIMS today. Teaching, non-teaching staff and students of the college donated blood during the camp and 108 units of blood were donated. Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla today lamented that power projects in the Northeast were accorded lower priority by the central agencies and charged NTPC with doing nothing on the 460MW Kolodyne Hydro-Electric Project. Addressing the North East Infrastructure Conclave held in Guwahati, Lal Thanhawla wondered why the NTPC, after having signed an MoU with the Mizoram government about six years back for execution of the 460MW Kolodyne HEP, had not done anything at all at the project site. He, however, hoped NTPC would start the work after it seeks forest clearance. "They put the blame on Central government for not getting environmental clearance," Lal Thanhawla said, adding the initial scheduled completion period was five years from signing of the MOU. When contacted, a NTPC spokesperson said Kolodyne was an important project for the company and "no low priority has been given" and blamed the state government for delaying the project by IMPHAL, Oct 18: The 28th Raising Day of Neihsial Veng, CCpur was celebrated today at the village amidst fanfare. Joychandra Konthoujam, secretary general of United Committee Manipur (UCM); Ahem Guite and DK Singto, chief of Neihsial Veng attended the celebration programme as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively. Speaking at the occasion, Joychandra Konthoujam urged all communities of the State to foster better ties among each others. He underlined the need to protect minority communities of the State from being assimilated by larger and influential communities. Song competition ends JIRIBAM, Oct 18: The 5th Nongmaithem Pahari song competition held at Jiribam concluded today. Hamom Bijeta Devi of Babupara was declared the winner of the competition while Nongthombam Bijen Singh and Amuthoi Moirangthem were adjudged the second and third position winners respectively. Consolation prizes were also given to seven competitors. The valedictory function was attended today by S Tonubabu Singh, retd DI (S); B Jayanta Kumar Sharma, president of Nongmaithem Pahari Memorial Trust, Imphal; Th Ranabir Singh, Jt Secy, COHSEM; S Maniton, retd Principal, Jiri Govt Hr Sec School and Ch Komol, advisor Echel Club, Dibong as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively. The competition was jointly organised by Nongmaithem Pahari Memorial Trust, Imphal and Echel Club, Dibong, Jiribam. Kanarjit to represent India IMPHAL, Oct 18: Kangujam Kanarjit Singh, s/o Kangujam Ibotombi Singh and Kangujam (O) Nungshitombi Devi of Bashikhong Wangkhei Loumanbi Mapal has been nominated as an observer of India in the 16th World Assembly of Youth General Assembly which would be held from Dec 7 to Dec 11 at Tirana, Albania, according to a statement issue by the Club25 international, Manipur. The General Assembly would be hosted by WAY in partnership with the Meleka State Government, Malaysia, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, Albania and the Albanian Youth Council. Kangujam Kanarjit Singh is now working as a managing director of Trans-Asian Hospitality Industries Pvt Ltd and is also the founder of Club25 International Manipur, an international organisation for the promotion of young blood donors which has branches in 94 countries. He was a volunteer at United Nations Organisation, New York and a trained graduate teacher in Physical Education at HRD Academy, Ghari, Imphal. Chandel district Miss Kut screening THOUBAL, Oct 18: The District Level Kut Committee, Chandel conducted the 1st screening of district level Miss Kut 2014 contest at the office of KSO, Gunpi Block located at Sugnu Tribal village in Chandel district today. In all, 15 contestants from different communities participated in the screening today. The second screening of the Miss Kut 2014 pageantry will be conducted on Oct 23 at the same venue, the organisers said while adding that selection of local artistes, choreographers and others for the forth coming Kut Carnival would also be conducted on Oct 31 at the same venue. The District Level Kut Committee, Chandel will organise Kut 2014 at Standard English High School, Sugnu Tribal (Khopimun) under the theme “Unity through Culture” with Ngamkholet Haokip, chief of H Kotlenphai as the Kut Pa. power policy GUWAHATI, Oct 18 Nagaland Power Minister Kipili Sangtam today said the state government was in the process of formulating a new Power Policy to utilise its hydel resources. "The state is in the process of formulating a Power Policy to exploit the hydro potential," Sangtam said at the Infrastructure Conclave by industry chamber PHDCCI here. He, however, did not share details such as what will be the focus of the policy and by when it is likely to be implemented. "Nagaland has very limited hydro potential. It also does not have sufficient coal for generating thermal power. So in every way, our state is constrained," Sangtam said, adding the state is interested to have thermal power plants to meet the deficiency. He said Nagaland was one of the most backward states and had lowest per capita generation of power. "The state does not have resources to purchase power. We are dependent on Central assistance. This impacts industrial development of the state," Sangtam said. Regarding agriculture sector, the Minister said the state does not have the access to markets to sell their products that are mostly organic because of high fertile quality of the land. "Nagaland welcomes all investment proposals for any developmental activities," Sangtam informed the industry leaders. Terming the recent series of attacks on North Eastern people in other parts of the country as "disturbing", he said lawlessness should not be allowed and culprits should be dealt with firmly. "There should not be infighting within India. Otherwise war will break out among ourselves... Life is precious. India cannot shine if we do not respect each other," Sangtam added. PTI Mizo CM warns against racial attacks on North East people GUWAHATI, Oct 18 Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today warned that repeated racial attacks on people from the Northeast in other parts of India might lead to spread of communalism and rise of secessionism in the region. Urging the central government to enact antiracial law to stop such incidents, the chief minister lamented that the Northeastern people are "not considered as Indians". "The anti-racial law has to be enacted because if we do not contain it (attacks on Northeastern people), it will spread communalism and may also fuel secessionism. We have to arrest this as quickly as possible," Lal Thanhawla told reporters on the sidelines of Infrastructure Conclave here. Neihsial Veng celebrates Raising Day By Our Staff Reporter moving for forest clearance very slowly. "The agreement for the project was signed in 2010 and NTPC immediately moved the proposal for forest clearance. It was only in March 2014 that the State Forest Department forwarded it to MOEF and now it is with inspection office in Shillong. NTPC is in touch with them for necessary compliances on regular basis," the spokesperson said. The chief minister said that the region was endowed with vast power potential, particularly hydro-power, estimated to be over 63,000 MW which is around 40 per cent of the country’s total potential. The entire region was deficient of power due to the fact that so far only three per cent of the potential has been harnessed, he said. "There is a huge mismatch between peak demand and peak availability," he said. In states like Mizoram even domestic demand, not to speak of industrial or commercial enterprises, could not be fully met, he lamented. The national target of generating 88,000 MW of power during the 12th Plan would be difficult to achieve without raising the level of exploiting Asserting that the Govt of India or any other parties should not disintegrate the State, Joychandra also said that the UCM would never remain a silent spectator if Manipur should be disintegrated because of 6th Schedule implementation. Colourful cultural programme marked the day-long celebration. RTE workshop IMPHAL, Oct 18: A one-day sensitisation workshop on Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 was organised today by the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) at Manipur Press Club. Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural session, A Nabachandra Singh, Chairperson of MCPCR said that although the RTE Act envisages various student welfare provisions, some schools are still not implementing the same. He said the Govt needs to enforce strict measures to implement the Act in all educational institutions. MCPCR members Lian Vaiphei and K Maharabi Singh and former coordinator of Human Rights Law Network, Nonibala Yengkhom attended the programme as the president and guests of honour respectively. Keisham Pradipkumar Singh, Chairperson, CWC Imphal East and convenor of MACR spoke on corporal punishment under RTE Act, 2009. UNM-M condemns IMPHAL, Oct 18: The Women Committee of United NGOs Mission Manipur strongly condemned the recent attacks on North East people in metro cities of India, according to a statement issued by the coconvenor, Women Committee, UNM-M. The statement said that the Central Government and the State Government have not taken up any stern action despite repeated attacks on the North East people. It urged the both the Governments to initiate steps at the earliest and safeguard the North East people. Terming the attacks as very unfortunate, he said that the Northeast people were treated as if they were not Indians. The chief minister then went on to illustrate the typical mindset by giving an example. "One fellow once asked me, where is Mizoram. Is it in China or in Nepal? He said we don't look like an Indian. I asked him, tell me in one sentence how does an Indian look like? Why can not Northeastern people be considered as Indians even after 60 years of Independence? Ask them how can we become more Indian than we have been." The chief minister said that very few people realised that India was populated by three major races -- Dravidians in the South, Aryans in Northern and Central India and Mongoloids in the Northeastern region. "Besides, other tribes are scattered in various parts of the country. Unless people realise this, we cannot expect oneness," he pointed out. Talking about easing of Inner Line Permit issuance for visiting Mizoram by people from other parts of the country, Lal Thanhawla said his government would start giving ILP online very soon for convenience of visitors. "There is no problem in regard to Mizoram ILP. In check posts, it can be issued within seconds. In airport, it can be issued on arrival within seconds. In our Mizoram Houses in every part of our country, one can obtain this in few minutes. There is no problem at all in whatsoever," he said. PTI the dormant potential of the Northeast region substantially. "The Center and the States of the region will have to jointly make serious efforts to harness at least half of the 89 per cent untapped potential (55,500MW) of the region over the next ten years, he said. The Chief Minister also said Reliance Industries had won a bid to explore oil and gas in Southern Mizoram but the company did nothing and eventually the licence was cancelled. Nobody has submitted financial bid for the 210 MW Tuivai hydel power project under PPP mode even after extension of deadline, he added. "Tenders are floated for projects in Mizoram and mostly they are beyond the capacity of local players. Outside companies from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and other places bid and win. But they don't know where Mizoram is, whether it is in China or Burma or what is its topography," Lal Thanhawla said. He urged the Center to modify regulations so as to attract private sector investment in power production in NE. PTI Rally held IMPHAL, Oct 18: As part of the National sanitation campaign, Development Programme for Rural Community organised a mass rally at Namraining, Tamei headquarters, according to a statement issued by the DPRC. The rally was participated by around 400 students and teachers of Langmei Government High School and Apou Kading English School. An awareness programme emphasising the necessity of sanitation was also organised with Thanchui Panmei, Assistant Engineer PHE, Tamenglong and Ibomcha Singh, SO, Tamei PHED division as the main speakers. Educationist no more IMPHAL, Oct 18: Gaijanglung Kamei (69), an educationist from Zeliangrong community passed away at RIMS today. Gaijanglung was known for his developmental contribution by the Zeliangrong people. He founded a children training school at Noney (Longmai), was the vice-chairman in the governing body of Jadonang Memorial College. He was also a former DI(S) in the Education Department under the Government of Manipur. Final funeral service would be held tomorrow at Children Training School, Noney. ADC member hailed KANGPOKPI, Oct 18: People of 5-Lamlanba District Council Constituency, Tamei, Tamenglong district lauded the local ADC member Namsinrei Pamei for his philanthropic service and endless efforts for the well being and development of his constituency. SL Mangsat, chief of S Songpibung village, Tamei subdivision said that the local ADC member rendered maximum programme for the welfare of the people. He said that the ADC member contributed financial assistance for the construction of Lasan Govt UJB School as well as the construction of a suspension bridge at S Songpibung village.