Cabinet discusses situation in hill dists : Interlocutor for SoO talks mooted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 23 2015 :
The State Cabinet today reviewed the volatile situation in the hill districts including loss of human lives at Churachandpur following the passing of three Bills by the State Assembly.
The Cabinet meeting today chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi at his Secretariat at 3 pm resolved to bring normalcy in the hill areas at the earliest, said Govt spokesperson and Education Minister M Okendro.
The Cabinet decided to initiate political dialogue with tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) signatories UG groups under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples Front (UPF).
It further decided to urge the Centre to appoint an interlocutor for the talks in order to bring a permanent solution, Okendro said.
He said that the Cabinet meeting deliberated means to restore normalcy in the hill districts including Churachandpur at the earliest.
The Cabinet decided to urge the Centre to appoint an interlocutor for political talks with Kuki UG groups under tripartite SoO pact.
At the same time, the Cabinet decided to increase the number of days for maternity leave from 135 days to 180 days for State employees.
Saying that the Cabinet deliberated to conduct combined civil services examination under Manipur Public Service Commission every year, Okendro said the Cabinet further decided to fix annual calendar for preliminary, mains and viva-voce for the exams.
The Cabinet further gave approval for direct recruitment of 13 posts of MCS, 16 MPS, 41 SDCs, 4 MSSs and 1 Election Officer for this year.
It further gave approval for direct purchase of 108.55 acres of land under 4-Chingkhu and 11-Khundrakpam revenue villages for setting up of Film Institute/Film City in the State, the Govt spokesperson said.
The Cabinet also approved to provide one time cash incentive award to medal winning sportspersons, participating sports persons and coaches in the 34th and 35th National Games, M Okendro said.
The Minister further said that the Cabinet decided to constitute Food Commission in order to facilitate smooth implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 .
Besides giving approval to the draft Manipur State Water Policy, 2015, the Cabinet approved the draft Manipur Cultural Policy in- principle.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to constitute the Manipur Tourism Corporation Limited in order to promote tourism in the State, the Minister said.
The Minister added that the Cabinet meeting today gave approval for appointment of 192 staff on contract basis for ICDS Mission under Social Welfare Department and outsourcing of 10 posts of Data Entry Operator.