Imphal, November 29: Despite the severe fund crunch following the blocking of fund from the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) to the Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) by the State Government, a certain amount of fund has been released to hold the World AIDS Day on December 1 in all the districts.

Mention may be made that NACO had released a sum of Rs 1,40,00,000 for the period 2000-01 to MACS for taking up various AIDS projects in the State.

However the amount has been stalled by the State Government without assigning any reason.

The fund hold up had severely affected a number of NGOs.

World AIDS Day will be held all over the State in every district.

A committee will be set up in each district to organize the Day with the DC as chairman.

The committee will work in tandem with NGOs.

Funds for each district have been earmarked and MACS has released the funds to all the districts.

A sum of Rs 32 thousand has been earmarked for Imphal East while Imphal West will get Rs 42 thousand.

A sum of Rs 72 thousand has been set aside for Thoubal.

The other districts will get Rs 52 thousand each, said sources from MACS.

The theme for this year will be �I care...Do you?�.

The main function of the day will be held at 1st MR ground with Governor Ved Marwah as the chief guest.

A mass rally participated by students, NGO members and government officials will be held on the day from Manipur College gate till 1st MR.A total of Rs 1.6 lakhs has been set aside for the main function, said sources from MACS.

MACS has started an Information, Education, Communication campaign prior to World AIDS Day.

The campaign will cover Senapati, Tadubi and Mao side and educate the public about the disease.

Posters, pamphlets etc have been distributed to the public.

The World AIDS Day organized jointly by District AIDS Committee and All Yairipok United Clubs' Organization will be observed on December 1 at Yairipok Junior High School.

The day will also be observed by the Joint DM College Students' Union at its College complex on December 1.All the students and volunteers of NSS are asked to attend the observance beginning at 10.30 am.

An essay competition will be held on December 1 as part of World AIDS Day observation.

It will be organized by Indian AIDS Consortium at Khurai Girls' High School.

New generation, Keishampat will observe the day at Manipur Dramatic Union.

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