DIPR sets record straight
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, April 25 2019:
The Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relations H Balkrisna Singh has clarified that the Department had never undermined the significance of Khongjom Day celebrations.
To celebrate and to remember the brave sons, who valiantly fought in the Anglo-Manipuri War 1891, the Department has been publishing "Manipur Today" for the past several years commemorating the occasion.
However, this year, the Department did not publish the same due to the State Government's decision to suspend publication of 'Manipur Today' in view of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha election, 2019 .
He conveyed that the Department has been bringing out publications on various occasions including Khongjom Day to highlight and inform the public about the glorious history, culture and traditions of Manipur.
Regarding the news item published in some local dailies pertaining to non publication of "Manipur Today" on the occasion of Khongjom Day 2019, the Director informed said that the State Government took a decision to withhold the said publication during a meeting held on April 15 in connection with Khongjom Day celebration.
During the meeting, it was decided that the publication for this year will be stopped in view of the enforcement of MCC as the said publication usually highlights the achievements and activities taken up by the Government along with one or two articles on the specific occasion.
It was also decided that bringing out the publication would amount to violation of the MCC, he added.
The Director informed that the Department has been publishing Manipur Today on a monthly basis from June last year.
However, the publication was discontinued with effect from March this year due to the enforcement of MCC.
The publication of Manipur Today will resume after the election process is over, he added.
Regarding the distribution of a coffee table book titled "Go to Village" during the celebration of Khongjom Day, the Director (IPR) also clarified that the booklet was officially published by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on March 7 before the MCC came into force on March 10 .