Imphal, February 25, 2010: With a view to bring an end to the issue of insurgency, the State Cabinet has agreed in principle to create a post of Security Advisor to the State Government.

The Cabinet meeting held this afternoon also deliberated on the financial woes likely to be faced by the State Government following approval of only 50 percent of the amount proposed by the State Government to the 13th Finance Commission.

A senior Cabinet Minister informed The Sangai Express that the Cabinet meeting agreed in-principle to create a post of Security Advisor in line with the suggestion of the Union Home Ministry which has already provided the State Government a list of three/four officials deemed fit for the post.

The Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi decided to hold another meeting later and discuss about the status and work to be assigned to the Security Advisor.

The list suggested by the Home Minister for the post of Security Advisor to the State Government includes former DG (BSF) Kumuwat.

However, Kumuwat has reportedly said he is not interested in the post.

Notably, Home Secretary GK Pillai would be visiting the State tomorrow.

The Cabinet meeting also deliberated on the financial woes likely to be faced by the State Government as a result of the 13th Finance Commission's approval of only around Rs 12,000 crores as against Rs 21,000 crores proposed by the State Government.

This has also erased any hope of fulfilling the employees' demand for payment of arrears.

Moreover, the State Government would be incurring a deficit of Rs 3 crores every month once the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission are implemented, the Minister conveyed.

The Cabinet meeting also gave consent to give 3 per cent reservation to disabled persons out of the total reservation available to their communities.

It also resolved to re-impose value added tax of 3 percent on petrol, diesel and LPG which was waived off since 2006. Moreover, vehicle tax collected by Transport Department would also be hiked by 50 percent from the existing rate.

The Cabinet meeting also discussed about banning vehicles older than 25 years.

It agreed on extending the retirement age of Government Polytechnic lecturers to 60 years.

The State Cabinet also approved the contract agreement signed between the State Government and the New Pension System Trust, New Delhi under which a new system of deducting 10 per cent from the employees' salaries would be enforced.

In addition to giving consent to upgrading Jessami High School to a Higher Secondary School, the State Cabinet agreed on providing all education related expenditures for Sainik School students who secure 85 per cent marks (in general category) and 80 per cent (in ST/SC category).

It further decided to provide four acres of land near Imphal airport for upgradation of meteorology office of Tulihal Airport from class III to class I status.

The Cabinet also agreed on providing four acres of land to JNV Umathel for Rs 100 just for namesake.

It also gave consent to appointment of one Assistant State Programme officer for SSA, nine District Programme officers and nine active officers.

The Cabinet further resolved to relax the existing ban on appointment in order to recruit three advocates in Revenue Court of Law Department and 400 doctors.

It agreed on re-designating State Food Inspector and District Food Inspector as State Food Safety Officer and District Food Safety Officer respectively.

Further, the Cabinet resolved to appoint former Additional Director of Health Dr Pratapchandra as Planning and Finance Consultant for 11 months.

Other resolutions of the Cabinet meeting included some modifications to the code of the ethics of the proposed State Medical Council and recruitment of one MNE under National Vector Borne Control Programme.

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