State Cabinet decides to rope in CBI
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 10 2013 :
The State Cabinet has decided to hand over the case of seizure of drug consignment worth around Rs 3.64 crores from a team of Manipur Police Commandos at Pallel on April 28 last, to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for necessary probe.
The State Cabinet meeting was convened today from 3 pm till 8pm with the Chief Minister taking the Chair.
Informing media persons about the proceedings of the Cabinet meeting later on, Education Minister M Okendro, who is the spokesperson of the Ibobi led Congress Government, said that the State Cabinet today discussed minutely the issue of smuggling drugs in Manipur as the main agenda.
After a serious deliberation, the Cabinet decided to hand over the case to CBI for necessary probe so as to get rid of all the hurdles being faced by the police in framing charge-sheet against the police commando personnel involved in the case and submitting it to the court.
He further informed that the State Cabinet has also decided to enact a strong Act to deal with the menace of rampant drug smuggling in the State.
"For this, a Bill would be brought up in the State Assembly session due to be held next month.
The Bill will have certain clauses to ensure that anyone involved in the drug cases could be dealt seriously that none of his/her descendants will ever think of getting into the business again.
The clauses may include even confiscation of the land of the accused by the Government", Minister Okendro explained.
He further informed that today's Cabinet meeting has recommended fixing of June 10 for the next sitting of Manipur State Legislative Assembly Session for bringing out a full budget of the State.
The Cabinet meeting also resolved to increase the salary of Part Time Lecturers working in Government colleges from Rs 8000 to Rs 21,600.The increment will be made for those 355 Grade 'A' Part Time Lecturers.
The salary of another 53 Guest Lecturers would also be increased to Rs 21,600.The increment would be made effective from the month of April last, the Minister said, adding that hike in the salary of VDF personnel by Rs 1000 from their earlier monthly salary of Rs 3000 too has been approved by the Cabinet.
Furthermore, the Minister said that the Cabinet has decided to appoint the wife of late driver Sorokhaibam Babu, who was killed by suspected armed cadres of NSCN-IM on the night of April 17 last along Imphal-Jiri road, in the post of a grade IV in the Education Department.
Broadening of National Highways and amendment in the service rule of the Manipur Forest and Junior MCS were also approved by the State Cabinet today, the Minister added.