Imphal, September 09, 2009: A meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today has entrusted the State Election Commission to take up necessary steps for conducting the long-delayed election to the Autonomous District Councils in the hill areas.

According to a senior Cabinet Minister, the decision to conduct the long-delayed election has come about after the Hill Areas Committee gave its nod to the report of the Delimitation Committee without any changes.

Accordingly, the State Cabinet also decided to publish the report of the Delimitation in the gazette and allot necessary fund for conducting the election to be held on ballot paper system.

Along with giving its nod to the sectoral allocation of the State plan amount for the current fiscal year, today's Cabinet meeting also recommended allocation of Rs 518.48 crores out of the total sanctioned plan amount of Rs 2000 crores for the projects which are currently under implementation and another Rs 256.28 crores for new projects to be taken up.

In connection with existing AYUSH unit under the State Health Department, the Cabinet decided to set up a separate Directorate and pressed the 13th Finance Commission for providing the required fund for the purpose.

Moreover, the Cabinet gave its nod to appointment of 48 posts including the Director for the proposed Directorate.

In view of increasing population, the Cabinet also agreed in-principle on increasing number of PHSCs, PHCs, CHCs, 50-bedded hospitals and 100-bedded hospitals in the State.

A definite decision in this regard, however, would be taken on September 14, the Cabinet Minister added.

Furthermore, it approved regularisation of 10 staff working under National Blindness Control Programme as well as appointment of Ronibala, the wife of slain driver A Rajen and Kenedy, younger brother of slain Mandal Y Token to the post of Peon and Mandal respectively.

Rajen and Token were murdered along with former Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan after being abducted by armed cadres of NSCN (IM).

In consideration of the request of BRO, the Cabinet also approved handing over the road construction work from Ukhrul to Tadubi via Tolloi, Ngari Turel and Phaibung.

Along with approving appointment of 11 staff including an Instructor to upgrade the ITI at Phaknung in Imphal East, the Cabinet decided to start the session of the Institute within the current month.

The Cabinet has also given its approval to recruitment of 1007 new posts including 637 Constables in connection with raising of an all women IRB Battalion.

Lastly, the Cabinet gave its nod to merger of Division I and I of District Engineering Cell with the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation.

Comment