Imphal, 05 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : MAHUD Minister, Shyamkumar has warned the illegal encroachers in market places in Imphal city to vacate the areas. Shyamkumar today gave an ultimatum of 3 days to the encroachers in Imphal markets to vacate the places. Speaking to  media persons during his visit to market areas this morning the  minister said he saw illegal encroachers in market spaces during the inspection. He said shops have been constructed over the drain without the approval of relevant authorities and Sulabh has been turned into a godown. The minister ordered its closure. Shyamkumar said the encroachers are posing a serious hindrance to govt's drive to maintain the market places neat and clean. He said the encroachers will be evicted after three days.

Responding to a media query about steps regarding improvement of the Nambul River, Minister Shyamkumar asserted that the Govt plans to keep the river neat and clean. He said the state Govt has submitted a project to the Environment Ministry to improve the condition of the river. He said work will begin once the ministry approves the project. The minister stated that the Govt will soon take a decision on using renewable plastic and imposing a ban on non-renewable plastic products. Director of MAHUD, N Geetkumar, Joint Secretary NG Uttam and DC, Imphal West, C Arthur accompanied the minister during the inspection today.

Imphal, 05 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren today launched Pradhan Mantri Bhatatiya Jan Aushadhi Pari Yojana in line with the initiative of Prime Minister to make good quality medication available in the country. Biren launched the first Jan Aushadhi Kendra of the state at JNIMS Auditorium today at an event organised by Health and Family Welfare. Addressing the inaugural event, Biren said the poor will be provided medicines at an affordable price. He said the government gives priority to the welfare of the people and urged the people to support the govt's efforts to achieve a good administration. He said the yojana will not succeed if the Kendra diverts the medicines to pharmacies. He also stressed the need for an honest effort by all concerned to make the program a success. Union Minister of State for  Chemical and Fertilisers, Mansukh L Mandaviya handed over a cheque of 36 lakh rupees to CM Biren to provide medicines at low price in 16 districts of the state. Medical licenses were also handed over to CMOs of District Hospitals and CHC of 26 Kendras. Medicines were also presented to the first kendra of the state, JNIMS. A cancer medicine worth over 3 thousand rupees will be available at the Kendra at just 600 rupees under the yojana. Painkiller medicines will also be available at a cheap price.

Imphal, 04 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : The State cabinet yesterday approved completion of 57 works in various depts in 100 days. The  progress of the works will be monitored by the Chief Minister’s office. The cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister N. Bren gave approval to the works are related to Health & Family Welfare, Information Technology, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Horticulture, Transport, Public Works Department, Home, Art and Culture, Public Health Engineering Department, Finance Department, Power, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Tourism, Rural development and Panchayati Raj, Education, Planning, Social Welfare, MAHUD, Minorities and Backward Classes, and Department of Personnel. The cabinet focussed on opening of Cyber Crime Police Station and Community Policing System under Home, DP, MAHUD, Social Welfare and Labour, discontinuation of interview in Direct recruitment of Grade-III and IV posts, Extension of PMAY (Urban) to Greater Imphal, Opening of accounts for all old aged persons beneficiaries and door step delivery of pension, Welfare benefit to 6000 building and construction workers, action plan for ensuring one job opportunity to every household. The works also included construction of 46 classrooms and 14 hostels with 645 beds, Start of DIET Imphal East, Rationalisation of transfer and posting of health staff especially in hill areas and putting in place a policy for transfer and posting, Special immunisation drive for 8000 children of 0-2 years, Setting up of 50 seated Digital Planetarium at Manipur Science Centre, and preparation of strategy for doubling farmers’ income by 2020, Revival of Manipur State Transport Regulation of private schools and private tuition centres, vocational courses in 40 colleges, E-payment system under MGNERGS in all 161 Panchayats and Manipur State Journalists Welfare Fund.

Imphal, 02 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : Food Safety Enforcement Wing conducted a drive at Masjid road and Thangal Bazaar today. The drive was conducted by a combined team of Enforcement Wings of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bisnupur Districts under the supervision of Food Safety Commissioner, P.K Singh. During the drive, edible items being sold without licence were seized. On hearing about the drive, a few shopkeepers pulled the shutters down. They have been sealed by the Enforcement Wing. Shopkeepers were found selling edible items without the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India-FSSAI license. The team also found many items imported from Myanmar without expiry date stickers, stickers with Myanmar language, stickers with manufacturing dates printed twice. Designated Officer of Food Safety & Administration, Thounaojam Sunilkumar who took part in the drive said the edible items which may cause throat diseases to the children were banned earlier. These banned items have been seized today. He said actions will be taken under the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 if shopkeepers are found violating the rules. He stated that the drives could not be held regularly in the past due to the lack of manpower in the department. Sunilkumar said now they have adequate manpower and the drive will now be conducted regularly in all valley districts. He also appealed to the public and CSOs to extend all possible support to stop the people without the FSSAI license from selling.

Imphal, 02 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : The National Highway Infra-structure Development Corporation Limited, NHIDCL which took the responsibility of repairing National Highway 37, Imphal Jiribam Road will complete black-topping work by March, 2018. The repairing work for the second life line of the state was taken over by NHIDCL from BRO recently under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. NHIDCL has taken over the repairing work of the 218 kilometre National Highway. The Ministry has sanctioned Rupees 145 Crore for the work.  The NHIDCL is also constructing RCC Bridge at Barak and Makru along this national highway. The Ministry has also sanctioned Rupees 106 Crore for the two bridges and the NHIDCl targets to complete the two bridges by 2019. General Manager (Project) Sunil Kumar said the Ministry has already sanctioned Rupees 2.8 Crore for compensation to the State Government. It might be mentioned that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the work on Imphal Jiribam Road via video conferencing with Chief Secretary, officials of NHIDCL, PWD on the  26th of last month.