Imphal, 12 January 2018 ( Evening News ) : Power and Works Minister Thongam Biswajit assured people of Ngaimu Village in Ukhrul district that a 100 KV transformer will be installed at the village within a short notice. He said that even though the Central government is targeting to provide electricity to all homes by March 2019; the State Government targets to achieve the feat by December 2018. The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the 8th Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang Sports cum Cultural Festival at the village yesterday. Biswajit said 33/11 KV sub-stations will also be set up at Somdal and Kachai and personally check if AB cables are installed in Ngaimu to improve power supply quality. He spoke of the benefits of green energy or solar energy and said installation of solar roof top power plants will help in solving the shortage of electricity. Biswajit also explained several schemes launched by the government for the benefit of the people including PMAY, UJALA, UJWALA, SAUBHAGYA, NRLM. He asserted that the DCs should erect hoardings to educate the public of the several schemes launched by the government. On the other hand Biswajit also announced that road repairing works undergoing in Ukhrul Town will be completed by February this year while inspecting road repairing works in Ukhrul Town yesterday. Biswajit said that the state Government is fully committed to maintaining quality control in the road repair process which is being taken up under the National Highway Infrastructure Development Limited (NHIDCL).  The Minister maintained that repairing works in the State are being undertaken by BRO and NHIDCL and it has been found out that some portion of works undertaken by BRO did not maintain quality and the work progress is very slow. He further stated that he will convene a meeting with BRO officials and instruct them to complete repairing works at the earliest without compromising the quality within two days.

Imphal, 09 January 2018 ( Evening News ) : State observed the 184th death anniversary of Maharaja Ghambir Singh at his memorial site at Langthabal, Canchipur, today. The memorial ceremony was organised by State Archaeology Dept of Art & Culture. Speaking at the observance, Chief minister Nongthongbam Biren asserted that one should think of one's motherland as one venture into politics. He opined that a person who has no love for his motherland and his countrymen will never take any developmental works. He urged not to enter politics if one has no love for one's motherland. Biren disclosed that Maharaja Ghambir Singh's memorial site will be developed in consultation with an International level consultant at the earliest. Minister of Art & Culture, Langolakpam JayentaKumar, Minister of CAF & PD, Karam Shyam , many Ministers and MLAs were among those present at the event.

Imphal, 07 January  2018 ( Evening News ) : In commemoration of the 289th year of Puya Meithaba (burning of scared manuscript), the 40th three-day Black Day observance organised by International Observation Committee on Puya Meithaba (ICOP) commenced today on Regular School campus, Nambol in Bishnupur District. Giving the Keynote address at the observance, Convenor of ICOP, Moirangthem Naokhomba Meitei maintained development is hindered in Manipur as the sacred Manuscript of the State was destroyed by the outsiders. He said no one will restore and protect the sacred Manuscript unless people of the hills and the valley join hands. Naokhomba said the observance will also be held in other parts of Manipur. Councillor of COSHEM, Ph.Mantri, Councillor, of Nambol Municipal Council, Heisnam Somendro and Principal of Special Regular English School, Maisnam Kenedy were among those present at the observance.

Imphal, 05 January 2018 ( Evening News ) : The annual account statement of Government of Manipur 2016-17 was released, today. The annual accounts consist of Finance accounts and Appropriation Accounts. The statement showed that allotted funds for the demands passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly were not fully utilised. As per the reports released by the Accountant General for the period of 2016-17, out of the total allocated funds, 26.66 per cent in the Public Works Department, 18 per cent in the Education department, 49.0 per cent in the Agriculture department, 30.05 per cent in the Community and Rural Development, 85.55 in the General Economic and Planning , 47.41 per cent in the Minor Irrigation department, 24.75 per cent in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, 35.34 per cent in the Social Welfare Department were left to be utilised due to inadequate budgeting or lack of monitoring of fund by the Government Departments. Addressing media persons at Accountant General (Accounts and Entittlement) office in Babupara, Accountant General of Manipur, D. Jaisankar asserted that financial discipline is required to improve the economy of state. He opined that stringent discussions on the surplus supplementary grants by the Finance department and the Government of Manipur would be the next right move.

Imphal, 04 January 2018 ( Evening News ) : A driver was shot death by unidentified individuals at Lamdeng makha Leikai, today. The incident occurred at Meitan-pokpi Handpump crossing on the road leading to Lamdeng Makha Leikai from Iroisemba around 10:30 this morning. The deceased has been identified as Leiphrakpam SanaNingthem, 33 years, son of Leiphrakpam Inaobi and Purnima  from  Lamdeng Makha Leikai. He is survived by a 5 year old daughter. Late SanaNingthem used to drive Mahindra mini pick-up truck to transport Bamboos. He drove his Mahindra mini pick-up truck bearing registration number MZ 01B 4125 carrying some bamboos around 6, this morning. Sources said SanaNingthem was shot by unidentified individuals on his way back home. Lamsang Police rushed at the spot after being informed by people in the area around 11.30 this morning. Altogether 8 bullet wounds were found in his body including one on right thigh, right arm, left chest and right abdomen. Police recovered 6 empty shells from the spot . A bullet was also found in the driver’s seat suspected to have been shot through his body. The deceased was alleged to have been involved in a rape case at Lamdeng makha leikai three years ago in 2015 and was in jail for almost  2 years.