Imphal, July 03: Clearly overwhelmed by the situation and still groping in the dark to work out a strategy to resolve the economic blockade imposed by ANSAM since midnight of June 19, the SPF Cabinet which met today could not come up with anything concrete other than deciding to appeal to the student body to come to the negotiating table and talk things over.

After minutely discussing the situation arising out of the imposition of the economic blockade, the Cabinet today decided to appeal to ANSAM to come for a talk and also to discuss the matter later.

The Cabinet also discussed the inputs from L Nandakumar and Ph Parijat on their recent visit to Nagaland and their meeting with Chief Minister Nephiu Rio in connection with the economic blockade as well as the plight of the drivers stranded on the highway since the beginning of the blockade.

Briefing newsmen straight after the Cabinet meeting, SPF spokesman and Power Minister Gaikhangam said that the Government has minutely discussed the situation arising out of the economic blockade.

He added that the Cabinet also discussed the measures to be taken up by the Government to ease the suffering of the people.

Another Cabinet Minister who was present confidently said that the State has stocks of essential commodities to last for another month.

Other than the economic blockade, the Cabinet today also decided to form a three member commission to study the feasibility of reserving 17 pc for OBC in jobs and admission into educational institutions, he said.

The three member team will consist of a Chairman and two members, he added.

The Chairman of the Commission will enjoy the status of a Cabinet Minister and he will be a man well versed in the Supreme Court rulings on OBC as well as the reports of the Mandal Commission.

The Commission will look into the job of specifying the criteria to accord the OBC status on the economically weaker section of the society drawn from the Meitei community, Meitei Pangal, RK and Nepali, said Gaikhangam.

The question of whether there should be a criteria to identify the creamy layer will be decided by the Commission.

The Commission will also be asked to submit a report to the Government within two months time from the date of their formation, added Gaikhangam.