Imphal, March 27 2012: With the people receiving only three/four hours of power supply in a day, Chief Minister O Ibobi has stated that the Government is working on an action plan to ensure that people receive at the maximum 20 hours of power supply in a single day.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a home coming ceremony of a tribal militant group at the headquarters of Red Shied Division of the Army at Leimakhong today afternoon, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is looking at all possible avenues to enhance power supply to the public.

At the moment, residents of Imphal receive only three/four hours of power in a day adversely impacting the functioning of small scale industrial units.

"We are chalking out an action plan to provide 20-hours power supply at the maximum in a day for which hectic and minute discussions are underway with all officials concerned of the Power Department," the Chief Minister said.

Incidentally, the crucial Power Department is yet to be allotted, even though the first Ministry expansion has been effected with three senior Congress leaders inducted into the Council of Ministers.

The portfolios allotted to the three senior Congress leaders are Home to Gaikhangam, Law and Legislative Affairs and GAD to Th Debendra Singh and Health to Phungzathang Tonsing.

Source: The Sangai Express

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Only 1.5 lakh electricity consumers out of 20 lakh population

IMPHAL, March 27: Out of a total population of 20 lakh (approx.) in the valley districts of the state, there are only 1.5 lakh (approx.) of electricity consumers, while Mizoram with a total population of 9 lakh (approx.) has 1.7 lakh (approx.) consumers, stated addl chief engineer, electricity dept, L Priyokumar during a meeting of the State Advisory Committee for Manipur of the Joint electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur and Mizoram.

The meeting was held this morning at the State guest house, Sanjengthong.

The addl chief engineer also added that the fact shows that there are many unauthorized consumers in the state.

By August 2012 Pallantana power, Tripura will be commission, from which Manipur’s allotted share will be increased by 20 Megawatts, the addl CE added.

He also added that the state government has added an additional Rs 20 crore to the Rs 15 crore which is normally spent to buy electricity for the state consumption in a month.

Today’s meeting was attended by H. Bihari Singh, chairman, JERC (M&M) and other members including C Hmingthanzuala, IAS (rtd), Ng Chittranjan Singh, scientific officer, Director MANIREDA, Dr. Ch. Ibohal Meitei, associate professor, Manipur Institude of Mangement Studies, MU, Dr. L. Sadananda Singh, general secretary, Senior Citizens Society, Manipur, Elanagbam Dolendra Singh, Advisor, All Manipur Power Consumer’s Association, Irengbam Arun, resident editor, IFP, S Chaothi Singh, president, Manipur Industries Union, A. Chhawnmawia, IDES (retd.), Secretary, JERC (M&M), Richard Zothankima, Assistant Secretary, JERC (M&M) and Shyamsunder Singh, Chief Engineering, JERC (M&M).

The state official department was represented by L Priyokumar, addl CE (power II).

During the meeting, different aspects were discussed to improve the power supply in the state.

The meeting started with the confirmation of the minutes of the 7th SAC Meeting held on November, 2011. While discussing the second agenda “Present Power Supply position and Initiatives of the Department to tide over the situation” during its 2nd SAC meeting on October 30, 2009, the SAC emphasized the need for increasing the number of hours of power supply in the state to at least 8 hours in the day time in the interest of industrial and commercial consumers and six hours in the night in the interest of students, media, and security personnel.

Accordingly, both the government and department were informed to take requisite initiatives without further delay.

As it is seen today, the effort has apparently been yielding a negative impact on the situation rather than improving it. Therefore it has become clear that the matter has not been taken very seriously by the Licensee.

Other agendas including Transmission system Improvement and Improvement of Commercial Efficiency were also discussed.

Source: Imphal Free Press

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Post SoO, 52 UTLA cadres lay down arms

Imphal, March 27 2012: Fifty two cadres of United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA), which has recently inked the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) involving State and Central Governments, laid down arms before Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Home Minister Gaikhangam, DGP R S Baral and 57 Mountain Division GOC Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen in a 'Homecoming Ceremony' organised at Red Shield auditorium, Leimakhong today.

It may be mentioned that the outfit inked the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Central and State Governments on March 24 last after 43 of its cadres surrendered to the Government on October 27 last year.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said prolonged armed movement in Manipur could not achieve anything for the people of the State except bring disorder and chaos in the society.

While the rest of the world is progressing fast, the State is still struggling with basic things like law and order, he added.

Maintaining that there is no place for violence in a democratic country, the Chief Minister observed that violence does not solve any problem but creates more problems.

_{The surrendered cadres of UTLA at Leimakhong}

For bringing peace and normalcy, Government's door is always kept open for negotiation and talk with all concerned, he reiterated.

He also assured the surrendered cadres that the Government would try its best in providing them a peaceful life in the mainstream.

Later, speaking to reporters, Chief Minister warned that if any of SoO group violates the ground rules it would be revoked.

He also said that there are reports of involvement of SoO groups in extortion and abduction.

Speaking at the occasion, Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen said, the 52 surrendered cadres of UTLA brought 42 high quality automatic weapons, which include nine weapons looted during their raid on IRB Post at Chekra Cham in South Assam on November 13, 2009 .

The outfit was established in 2003 and extended its operation at Vangai Range, Churachandpur, Jiribam and parts of Assam, he added.

The GOC also appreciated the efforts of Hqs 57 Mountain Division, 21 Para (Special Forces), 46 Assam Rifles and 22 Assam Rifles which according to him made the event possible.

Maintaining that only few cadres are left in the outfit now, the GOC urged them to come in the mainstream like their fellow cadres.

He also added that Army, Assam Rifles and police would initiate operation if they do not heed to the call.

Source: The Sangai Express
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