CM rules out alternative arrangement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 25 2011: Ahead of the scheduled tripartite talk involving the State Government, UNC and the Central Government, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has categorically stated that there would be no question of alternative arrangement, and even if the agenda is put up in the meeting, the Government of Manipur would never accept it.

Addressing a press meet in the Chief Minister's conference hall this afternoon, Ibobi stated that the State Government's intimation to forward the main agenda of the tripartite talk scheduled for June 30 at Senapati headquarters has not been responded till date by the Union Home Ministry.

If the UNC's main agenda is alternative arrangement as reportedly highlighted in their memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the Government of Manipur would never consider it, he said.

"There would be no question of alternative arrangement.

What the UNC has been demanding from the Government of India is their own matter, Ibobi stated.

The tripartite talk was earlier scheduled on May 30 but the State Government put off the talk because of the UNC's failure to spell out its agenda after apprising the Centre about it.

CM O Ibobi speaks to the media in the presence of Th Debendra

Later, at the insistence of the Centre, the tripartite talk was re-scheduled on June 30 .

It has been already decided that no Ministerial team would take part in the June 30 tripartite talk.

The State Government would be represented by Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Home Commissioner Binod and Principal Secretary (Power) LP Golmei.

On the other hand, the UNC has been demanding annulment of the ADC elections and also an alternative political arrangement outside the purview of the Government of Manipur.

To a query, the Chief Minister informed that hectic efforts are on to upgrade Hotel Imphal to the status of a five star.

Ibobi stated that it has not been finalised as yet how Hotel Imphal would be managed/run after it is upgraded.

The hotel would be managed in the most efficient manner, he chipped in.

To upgrade Hotel Imphal to the status of a five star hotel in order to boost tourism industry in the State in tandem with implementation of the Look East Policy, 1.5 acres of Kabo Leikai land would be acquired by the State, he asserted.

People affected by the land acquisition process will be duly compensated for their standing properties, and in addition the Govt is considering resettlement of the affected families at an alternative site.

Speaking about establishment of a separate High Court for Manipur, Ibobi informed that the Home Minister has completed preparation of Cabinet Memo for the same purpose.

It is awaiting approval of the Union Cabinet and it may be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament.

Pointing out that a list of eligible candidates for 536 regular Graduate teachers' posts of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan has been published, Ibobi said the recruitment would be done in a transparent manner based solely on merit.

He went on to say that the maximum efforts would be put in to declare results of the recruitment process within July.

Further informing that due sanctions have been received to appoint 2000 teachers under SSA, Ibobi said that teachers' eligibility test would be conducted first before initiating the recruitment process.