State Cabinet approves land acquisition for Sports University
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 14 2014 : Amid the hue and cry against the proposed construction of sports university at Yaithibi Loukon area in Thoubal district, the State Cabinet has today resolved to take over 442.27 acres of land at the 44-Yaithibi Khunou village in Thoubal District for maintaining an institutional area including setting up of the National Sports University.

The Cabinet meeting held at the CM secretariat with O.Ibobi Singh as chairman also approved for sparing a land area of 400.631 acres at 60-Laijing and 59-Kakching Khullen in Thoubal district for establishment of an Industrial Zone.

This was informed by Manipur government spokesman Moirangthem Okendro, who is also minister of Education, CAF & PD.

The meeting which started at 4 pm till 8 pm today, also decided to allow release of Old Age Pension in cash to the beneficiaries under the Social Welfare Department.

The spokesman said out of the 442.72 acres of land at Yaithibi Loukon approved for takeover by government, 376.2 acres are pattaland while 66.07 acres are khasland.

Yaithibi Loukol is the first choice of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India for the proposed Sports University, he said.

Kakching Khullen, which was earlier planned for a Timber park will now remain as a Special Economic Zone, said Okendro while adding that the settlement and land records department has completed mapping of 400.631 acres area.

Out of this area, 233.266 acres is pattaland and 167.365 acres is Stateland.

According to the minister, the social welfare department takes up Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme (MOAPS) under the state plan with provision of Rs.200 per month to women at 55 years of age and above and men at 60 years of age and above.

Total number of beneficiaries is 45,905 at present, he informed.

Moreover 68,653 beneficiaries are currently enjoying Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Under the scheme, elders between 60 and 79 years of age are getting monthly pension of Rs.200 while those at 80 years of age are enjoying Rs.500 per month.

As per finance department guidelines, the amounts of pension have to be released through bank accounts of pensioners, said Minister Okendro while admitting that most beneficiaries are facing inconveniences in opening and operating bank accounts.

At present, 36,767 pensioners (81%) under MOAPS have opened their bank accounts, while 65,006 beneficiaries under IGNOAPS are operating their bank accounts for availing pensions.

Minister Okendro continued that pension amounts the MOAPS upto February 2013 and for IGNOAPS till December 2013 have been released so far.

Since the beneficiaries are aged people, they face difficulties in operating bank accounts.

Hence the payments will now be made in cash with due verification by the concerned deputy Commissioner.

On the other hand, the state cabinet also decided for shifting the present office of Imphal Municipal Corporation to Lamphel Super market in view of the congestion at the present site.

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