Cabinet nods to SoO extension
TSE, Aug 29:
A Cabinet meeting held today resolved to extend the term of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed among the Government of India, Government of Manipur, Kuki National Organization (KNO) and United Peoples Front (UPF) by one year.
Notably, the SoO pact expired on August 21.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Government spokesman Moirangthem Okendro informed that the Cabinet resolved to extend the term of SoO agreement by one more year after its term expired on August 21.
The State Government was intimated by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 20 to extend the term of the tripartite agreement by one year.
Incidentally, UPF is a conglomerate of 15 Kuki UG groups and they have total cadre strength of 1094. KNO is comprised of seven Kuki UG groups and the total number of their cadres is 1004.
SoO pact was first signed with the army on August 1, 2005. Three years later, the Kuki UG groups signed the SoO pact with the Government of India and Government of Manipur on August 22, 2008.
Since then the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) headed by the State Government’s Principal Secretary (Home) has been holding periodic meetings.
Another agenda which figured prominently in today’s cabinet meeting was recruitment of medical officers.
After threadbare deliberation, the State Cabinet gave its consent to create and recruit 579 posts of medical officers (MHS Grade IV) including 384 posts which would be created anew and another 195 posts which are lying vacant.
Further, the Cabinet meeting authorised the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited to seek loans from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under the Re-structured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) Part-A and Part-B.
Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited can apply for loan of Rs 31.55 crore under APDRP-Part A and another Rs 359 crore under APDRP Part-B.
One power project each would be taken up in 13 towns of the State under APDRP Part-A and Part-B, Okendro said.
Other agenda tabled at the meeting would be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting scheduled on September 2, he added.
