Cabinet okays cash incentives for meritorious students
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, April 16 2018: In line with the State Government's popular slogan, 'Go to Hills', a Cabinet meeting was held at Senapati district headquarters with Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the chair today.

It was the first ever Cabinet meeting held in Senapati and fourth among hill districts after Churachandpur, Chandel and Tamenglong.

Speaking to media persons, Information and Public Relations Minister and Government spokesperson Th Biswajit said that the Cabinet decided to introduce cash incentives for meritorious Government school students who secure positions in the High School Leaving Certificate and Higher Secondary examinations.

Cabinet okays cash incentives for meritorious students

If any Government school student secures first, second and third position in these two examinations, they would be awarded cash rewards of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh and Rs 3 lakh respectively, and Rs 1 lakh would be given to Government school students who are placed from 4th to 25th rank, he said.

In order to ensure shortening of file process, the spokesperson informed that the State Cabinet has approved delegation of routine functional powers to the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary level.

He further said that the Cabinet also gave its nod to the appointment of a separate Commissioner from among the retired and experienced IAS/IPS officers for quick disposal of cases related to departmental enquiries.

It also decided to establish new wards and fill up vacant posts of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), he added.

Th Biswajit said that the State Cabinet also approved setting up of two Investigative Units for Crime Against Women (IUCAW) in the State.

It also resolved to fill up vacancies of Manipur Fire Service.

The State Government had cancelled the last recruitment process of the department after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed discrepancies in the said process, he added.

The Cabinet approved direct purchase of land for construction of Lambui Police Outpost under Shangshak Police Station in Ukhhul District.

In order to strengthen public prosecution, the Cabinet also decided to fill up vacant posts in the Directorate of Prosecution, Manipur by relaxing ban on direct recruitment, the Minister said.

Th Biswajit said that the Cabinet also gave its nod to allotment of land under CS Dag No.11001 (New) of Village No.91 (A) Lamphelpat in Imphal West district in favour of Manipur Tribal Development Corporation.

Inclusion of petrol pumps and LPG godowns in the list of infrastructure which are specified as public purpose under Section 2 of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 was also approved by the Cabinet.

He further said that the Cabinet also endorsed conversion of outstanding loan of Rs 116.45 crore provided to Manipur State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) by the State Government for implementation of Self Employment Generation Programme into grant to avoid cancellation of banking license of MSCB by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

However, the Cabinet observed that around Rs 60 crore is recoverable as many of the guarantors of these loans are Government employees.

Regarding education sector, the spokesperson said, the Cabinet decided to take up necessary steps for 25 per cent reservation of seats for the children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group in unaided private schools.

Apart from it, the Cabinet also approved enforcement of a transfer policy of Education Department and implementation of a special scheme for 'out of school' children.

Under this new scheme, the Government would ensure compulsory education to school drop-outs from Class IX to XII, he said.

Meanwhile, capitalising on the first ever Cabinet meeting held at Senapati district headquarters, Senapati Autonomous District Council (ADC) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and it was signed by their Chairman ML Markson.

The memorandum sought approval of the State Government in creating a post of the Additional Chief Executive Officer and fill up vacant posts in ADC Senapati.

It urged the Chief Minister to instruct all concerned departments to uphold the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act 2008 and all Cabinet decisions related to ADCs so that there is meaningful devolution of power to the ADCs.

It further sought a hike in the salary and allowances entitled to ADC Members.