House passes a bill, directs another to Select Committee

Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 29 2011: The Manipur State Assembly in its last day of the 11th session passed a bill and directed another to the Select Committee for further consideration.

The Indian Stamp (Manipur) Second Amendment Bill 2011 proposed by CM, O Ibobi was passed by the House unanimously.

However members expressed the need of further discussion on The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (Manipur) Bill, 2011 proposed by Education Minister DD Thaisii.

Speaker I Hemochandra directed the Bill to a Select Committee with Education Minister DD Thaisii as its Chairman to report on the bill within one month.

MLA, L Nandakumar, MLA, Dr Ng Bijoy, Law Minister, Th Devendra, MLA, O Joy and MLA Radhabinod Koijam were announced as members of the select committee.

Govt inspecting on allotment of Reserve Forest areas: Coming down heavily on government officials for allotting 0.0242 acre of Reserve Forest land areas inside the Thongak Beat Campus, Langol to the Secretary of Unemployed Small Traders' Association, Revenue Minister, Th Devendra today told the House that appropriate actions will be taken up against any accused officials.

To a question asked by MLA, M Hemanta, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat told the house that people are facing shortage of fertilizers due to the ongoing blockades on the NHs.

A Nodal Fertiliser Officer with additional charge of Fertiliser Inspector has been appointed for the District Agriculture Officers for proper and uniformed distribution of fertilizers.

Replying to questions of MLA O Joy and RK Anand, RD&PR Md Allauddin Khan said that the state share of MGNREGS for 2010-11 and 2011-12 has not been released till now.

However he failed to give a satisfactory reply when asked if the government gives unemployment allowances to job card holders if they are not provided work for 100 days.

In reply to a question asked by MLA, Morung Makunga, IFCD Minister N Biren told the House that the proposed Chakpi Multipurpose Project will not affect any villages in the area except for a house situated near the proposed site.

Ward members to be utilized-CM: The elected and nominated Ward Development Members of the Municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats will be given their power and functions by September this year, said CM, O Ibobi.

Accepting the proposal of MLA O Joy for a discussion on the matter, the CM told the House that Centre is discussing for a bill to stage swearing in ceremony for the Ward Members.

The state government is also discussing for providing power and functions and honorarium to the ward members.

' 11.81 crore earmarked for Thangmeiband roads-Works Minister :An amount of '11.81 crore has been earmarked for the development and renovation of the IVRs in Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency, said Works Minister K Ranjit today.

He was giving reply to a calling attention motion moved by MLA Radhabinod Koijam.

Ranjit said that the government is unable to develop the IVRs in Thangmeiband A/C since the constructions under Sewerage Project is not complete.

As soon as the project is completed, the development works of the IVRs in the area will be taken up.

He also said that the government has also earmarked a sum of Rs 4.64 crore and Rs 3.42 crore for the upgradation of the Nagamapal Road and Khoyathong to Watham Leirak Road.

Loktak Protection Act to be amended-Devendra: Agreeing that The Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Second Ammendment Bill 2011 needs to be amended in order to protect the lake and the fishermen living around the lake, Law Minister Th Devendra today told the House.

RK Anand proposes to set up Child Rights Commission:MLA RK Anand proposed the House to set up a Child Rights Commission.

MLA, T Hangkhanpao called attention of the government on the death of a expecting mother who died due to lack of doctor and nurses in the Health Centre at Behiang village.

NCPCR Public hearing photographs

NCPCR Public Hearing held on Right to education and other child right issues on 18th August 2011

By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal,August 18: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) coming hard on the Education Department of the state for violating the Right to Education Act, 2005 by compelling students to pay admission fees has directed the Education Director to take up disciplinary action against the Head Master who had done this blunder.

The directive was issued today at the final day of the two days State Level Public Hearing on Child Rights Issue held in Kangla Hall. The directive came after a case was presented before the jury by a group of students of Leela Singh Khongnangkhong High School, Imphal West where they charged the Head Master of the School for charging school admission fees and fees regarding games and sports conducted in the school. The fees varied from Rs 500 to Rs 750 according to their standard.

Prof Santha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR, said that the act of the Head master is not acceptable at all. Disciplinary action should be taken up against the Head Master and the money collected from the students should be refunded to them within a weeks time. If he cannot refund the amount before the stipulated time the government which is liable should refund the money. She further directed the ZEO, Imphal West to submit the action taken report within a week.

Gopal Dey, member of Child Relief and You (CRY), Kolkatta, who was also a jury member of the public hearing, reacting to the case said that these things cannot be taken lightly because even government officials who are suppose to implement the RTE Act are involve in the act. A Grievance Redressal Forum needs to be established at the district level and the officials of Education department should also be given classes regarding RTE Act.

Sharing before the jury, students of Shirui Junior High School, Ukhrul said that the school charges fees for games and sports from them. The ZEO, Ukhrul clarified the charges made by the students on the ground that the money was collected with the consent of their parents.

Reacting sharply to the clarification given by the ZEO, justifying the collection of fees, Chairperson, NCPCR, lambasted to the ZEO saying that "you cannot come here with a report that their parents have consented". This does not justify anything. When a government official violates the RTE Act, it is not acceptable. She further directed the Education Director to organize orientation programmes for Education Officers and stressed on the point that all trainings of teachers whatsoever should be done during vacations.

Regarding another case of a landmine victim boy, the Commission has directed the Social Welfare department to give a full report of the incident so that it can pressure the government to give compensation either from the Chief Minister's Relief fund or the MLA's relief fund. She also said the issue will also be taken up in Delhi.

Ranjita (name changed) a student of Ething Primary School while deposing her case before the jury said that there are around 62 students in this school but only one teacher. He comes to school only seven days in a month, that also fully drunk.

Instead of teaching the students he misbehaved with the students. As such the students including her are reluctant to go to school.

Prof Sinha directed the education department to report to the Commission on the recruitment of teachers in the school within a month.

She also directed the department concern to ensure user friendly toilet, escort allowances and medical treatments for the physically challenge students and report to NCPCR.

NCPCR Public Hearing held on HIV/AIDS on 17th August 2011

Panel balm for people infected with HIV

KHELEN THOKCHOM- source- Telegraph

• Ten-year-old Ibemma Devi (named changed), an HIV patient, studies in Class I, her progress stunted by frequent illness • Matouleibi Devi (name changed), an HIV-positive widow living with her infected son, fights social stigma in addition to the immunity-shattering virus • Nganbi Devi, a teenager, is treated badly whenever she goes for anti-retroviral therapy and medical advice at a government hospital Imphal, Aug. 17: For the first time since the deadly HIV was detected in her blood, Matouleibi Devi got a willing ear today to listen to her anguish. The widow and her son, along with several others like her, lodged complaints of neglect at a two-day public hearing for children affected by HIV/AIDS organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the auditorium of Kangla fort of Imphal city today. The panel, comprising the commission’s chairperson, Shanthi Sinha, member Deepa Dixit and S.D. Dey from CRY, promised the complainants food, education and healthcare. The commission “settled” the petitions by directing government officials from the social welfare department, education department and deputy commissioners present during the hearing to look into the demands. Most of the complaints were similar. They did not get the government’s help as they were not aware of the benefits. “I stopped going to government hospitals because the doctors and nurses did not treat me and my children properly,” said Thoibi Devi (name changed). Sinha directed the officials to bring them under social welfare schemes like widow pension, loans and provide them other forms of financial assistance. She asked education director W. Rajen, who was present at the meeting, to go to Ibemma Devi’s school, talk to the school’s head and arrange for special coaching so that she can be in the right class. The official also asked the project director of Manipur AIDS Control Society, Ashok Kumar, to institute an inquiry into the denial of treatment of HIV-positive people at hospitals. She directed the education director to waive examination fees of an HIV-positive boy, who could not appear for the matriculation examination for his inability to pay the required fees. “The commission has indeed come as a blessing for us and we are looking forward to better support from the government,” an HIV-positive widow said.

Headlines

NCPCR directs state govt to resolve child related cases

IMPHAL August 17: “There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it”, said prof. Shantha Sinha, chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) during the first day of the two day State Level Public Hearing on children affected by HIV / AIDS and Drug Abuse and RTE, child trafficking and other child issue, starting today at Kangla conference hall, Kangla Fort, Imphal.

After deliberate discussions on numerous cases related to the issue, the NCPCR has today directed the state government to resolve the cases which were deliberated upon today within a definite time frame according to their individual needs. 23 cases related to children affected by HIV / AIDS and Drug Abuse and RTE, child trafficking and other child issue were heard during the first days’ sitting today. The public hearing event will continue till tomorrow.

The commission asserted during the later part of the proceeding that, a monitoring committee should be formed comprising of representatives of NGOs from the state to look after the proceedings of the work implementation in solving the cases by the state government and its related departments.

The complainants who mostly comprised of orphans whose parent have succumbed to HIV/SIDS, deposed before the jury narrating their deprivations, discriminations and stigmatism faced on a daily basis in the society.

Among the cases that were heard today, the juries observed that several of them are deemed necessary for long-term policies to resolve their grievances. In this connection, the commission asserted that recommendations would be made to the Central and State government to form a new long-term policy for this purpose.

The prof Shantha Sinha led NCPCR team also include Dipa Dixit, member, NCPCR and Satya Gopal Dey (Child Rights and You -Kolkatta).

G. Satyabati Devi, director, social welfare department, Ashok Kumar, project director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), W. Rajen Singh, director, department of education (s), R.K. Dinesh. D.C, Thoubal, was among several officials representing social welfare department, MACS and department of education (S) as summoned by the commission.

Reacting on a case presented before the jury, Prof. Shantha urged the government departments concerned to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity.

“It is for the government to come up with a care plan for this young girl. She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights”. She made these observations after Seema (name changed) deposed her case before the commission. Seema’s grandfather, who deposed along with her today, lost his son and daughter-in-law to AIDS leaving behind Seema in his care. The commission demanded a plan for Seema and report from the departments concerned after three months from now.” Tell me after three months how her health, height and weight has improved” she stated.

Sharing before the jury, Rani (name changed), a widow and living with HIV, said that her meager income is unable to meet her son’s expenses. There have been attempts by her in–laws to drive her out of her husband’s residence.

“I earn around Rs 1500 to 2000 per month reeling silk, but it is barely enough to take care of my medical expenses and my son’s education. I have heard of schemes but don’t know the details and have never applied for any”, Rani narrated her grievances before the jury. Rani lost her husband when his son, now nine, was around five years old. A large part of her son’s education is being supported by CRS. Rani is worried that she won’t be able to support his education after the CRS Project ends.

The commission further directed all district commissioners to gather data on the number of Children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their conditions. Underlining lack of awareness among the people of the existing government schemes in the state, Prof. Shantha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to come to them.

Highlighting issues of children in the state, L. Deepak, president, Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), said “we haven’t been heard for so many years. Such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us”. Appreciating NCPCR’s initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government – NGO partnerships and improving service delivery.

Stressing on the issue of discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, prof. Shantha urged Ashok Kumar, project director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society, to look into the matter.

Lucy (name changed) was allegedly ill treated and neglected during the delivery of her last child at RIMS. In another case in 2009 her HIV positive son was reportedly denied treatment of a tooth condition by the same hospital on flimsy grounds. She narrated that one of the official of the hospital had informed her that the equipments had to be cleaned and had to wait for some days. She further added that at other times she was told that the person in-charged of her case had not arrived yet.

Speaking at the occasion Y. Shashikanta Singh, convener, Drugs and HIV/AIDS workers, said that such public hearings are important.

NCPCR directs state govt to address issues of children infected and affected by HIV & AIDS

2011-08-18 / 05:43:35

By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 17: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Government of Manipur to conduct district-level public hearings so that issues related to children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS can be identified and addressed.

The directive was issued to the Government of Manipur on the first day of the two-day state-level public hearing, today in Kangla hall, Imphal. The public hearing is being organized by NCPCR in coordination with Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers Manipur, a body comprising of NGOs, HIV positive and drug users’ networks in Manipur.

G Satyabati, Director, Social Welfare Department, Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS, W Rajen, Director, Department of Education (S), RK Dinesh, DC, Thoubal, was among several officials representing Social Welfare Department, MACS and Department of Education (S) were summoned by the commission.

“There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it”, said Professor Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR.

Reacting to a case presented before the jury, Prof Sinha urged government departments to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity. “It is for the government to come up with a care plan for young girl. She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights”. She made these observations after Shanti (name changed) deposed her case before the commission. Shanti’s grandfather, who also deposed along with her, lost his son and daughter-in-law due to AIDS. The commission demanded a plan for Shanti and a report from concerned departments after three months from now.

Altogether 23 infected and affected children, a number of them orphans, deposed before the commission. The commission directed Deputy Commissioners to gather data on children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their condition. Underlining lack of awareness of existing government schemes in the state Prof Sinha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to access schemes.

L Deepak, President, MNP+ said , such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us”. Appreciating NCPCR’s initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government-NGO partnership and improving service delivery.

Prof Sinha gives varous suggestions to Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS. Y Shasikumar Singh, Convenor, Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers, appreciated the initiative taken by the NCPCR for the cause of children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the country. The hearing will continue tomorrow at the same venue.

State level public hearing on child rights begins
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 17 2011: Under the joint aegis of Ministry of women and Child Development's National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State's Social Welfare department, Education Department and Manipur state AIDS Control society (MACS) a two-day State level 'public hearing on child rights issues' commenced from today at Kangla Hall.

As a Jury Panel on the first day of the hearing, NCPCR Chairperson Prof Shantha Singha said the hearing is being conducted to study issues related to children affected by HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, their right to education, cases of child trafficking and others in order to effectively address the grievances.

Conveying that problems being endured by the children would be recorded and intimated to the Government of Manipur in order to find a solution, Prof Shantha also asked Social Welfare Department officials to prepare and furnish a detailed account of complaints/grievances filed by children or women victims within a month.

the said Department has also been entrusted to furnish reports with regard to welfare programmes implemented or assistance provided to the children for every three months.

The Chairperson further announced that, if needed, services of legal practitioners would be roped in to address related issues.

Many parents who attended the public hearing complained to the Jury Panel members regarding callousness of some medical personnel on HIV/AIDS affected children with the contention that apart from providing medicines counselling service is a rarity.

Issues ranging from financial problem impeding proper treatment or education of the young children, discrimination to denial of food items under PDS were also highlighted during the hearing.

NCPCR directs state govt to address issues of children infected and affected by HIV & AIDS
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 17 2011:The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Government of Manipur to conduct district-level public hearings so that issues related to children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS can be identified and addressed.

The directive was issued to the Government of Manipur on the first day of the two-day state-level public hearing, today in Kangla hall, Imphal.

The public hearing is being organized by NCPCR in coordination with Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers Manipur, a body comprising of NGOs, HIV positive and drug users' networks in Manipur.

G Satyabati, Director, Social Welfare Department, Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS, W Rajen, Director, Department of Education (S), RK Dinesh, DC, Thoubal, was among several officials representing Social Welfare Department, MACS and Department of Education (S) were summoned by the commission.

"There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it", said Professor Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR.

Reacting to a case presented before the jury, Prof Sinha urged government departments to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity.

"It is for the government to come up with a care plan for young girl.

She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights".

She made these observations after Shanti (name changed) deposed her case before the commission.

Shanti's grandfather, who also deposed along with her, lost his son and daughter-in-law due to AIDS.

The commission demanded a plan for Shanti and a report from concerned departments after three months from now.

Altogether 23 infected and affected children, a number of them orphans, deposed before the commission.

The commission directed Deputy Commissioners to gather data on children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their condition.

Underlining lack of awareness of existing government schemes in the state Prof Sinha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to access schemes.

L Deepak, President, MNP+ said , such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us".

Appreciating NCPCR's initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government-NGO partnership and improving service delivery.

Prof Sinha gives varous suggestions to Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS.

Y Shasikumar Singh, Convenor, Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers, appreciated the initiative taken by the NCPCR for the cause of children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the country.

The hearing will continue tomorrow at the same venue.

Government Officials responding to NCPCR

NCPCR Public hearing held at 29th and 30th August, 2011

State level MACR Cultural Meet held on 30th August 2011