Disturbed area tag extended by another year, passport office assurance given in 'black and white'
Old Assembly building to house FCI, passport offices
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2013 : A Cabinet meeting held today has resolved to open FCI regional office and a regional passport office at the old Assembly building on temporary basis.

Periodic disturbed areas status given to Manipur has been extended by another year as the previous term expires tomorrow.

The Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi, after minute deliberation, decided to open regional passport and FCI offices at the old Assembly building as the building has been remaining vacant after the State Assembly was shifted to the new Assembly complex.

The decision to open an FCI regional office at Imphal was adopted keeping in view the State Government's decision to start implementing the National Food Security Act in the State from March next year, CAF&PD Minister and Government spokesman M Okendro said.

Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Okendro stated that the initiative to open a regional FCI office was taken up underscoring the necessity of stocking food grains abundantly in order to implement the NFS Act effectively.

The old Assembly building

Notably, Union CAF and PD Minister of State (independent charge) KV Thomas during his recent visit to Imphal announced that a regional FCI office would be opened at Imphal.

The regional FCI which would be opened at the southern annexe of the old Assembly building would be functional by January next year.

A written intimation to this effect was received from the Centre a few days back, Okendro said.

Unlike in the past when Centre only gave verbal approval for opening a regional passport office at Imphal, New Delhi gave the same approval in black and white a few days back.

As such, the Cabinet meeting held today discussed about opening a regional passport office at the old Assembly building.

The Centre gave the written approval in view of the increasing need for such an office in the aftermath of the official recognition of Imphal airport as an international airport.

The Cabinet meeting agreed to open the regional passport office at the northern annexe of the old Assembly building.

After the Cabinet meeting, Ibobi convened a meeting of all legislators including both ruling and Opposition MLAs and discussed the Cabinet's decision to open regional FCI and passport offices at the Old Assembly building.

All the MLAs present at the meeting were supportive of the Government's idea of opening the regional offices at the old Assembly building on temporary basis.

Disturbed areas status given to Manipur with the exception of seven Assembly segments falling under the jurisdiction of Imphal Municipal Council and subject to period review has been extended by one year as decided by the Cabinet meeting.

Notably, it is only in areas given disturbed area tag that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is enforced.

The seven Assembly segments were freed from the disturbed area status in the aftermath of the massive and sustained people's movement triggered by the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama by Assam Rifles.

The Cabinet meeting also discussed about extension of service for employees recruited on contract basis.

It was decided that administrative sections of each department would initiate due process, if extension of service period for contract employees is necessary.

The meeting also agreed to begin winter session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly from December 18 .

It further decided to set p another ICDS block at Lilong, Thoubal district.