IMPHAL: The Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Science Dr Harsh Vardhan is coming to Manipur on 16th of this month. Sources said the Union Minister will be arriving at 11.25 am at the Imphal international airport on a two-day visit to the state. He will inaugurate the Vigyan Sadan building in KVK campus at Hengbung in Senapati at 2.30 pm.He will also meet the chief minister and top govt officials. On the second day he will visit Institute of Bio Sustainable Development, an autonomous body under the department of bio technology at Takyel to see its progress.  His schedule does not include visit to the BJP Manipur office. Since all the BJP ministers visiting Manipur made a short trip to the BJP office the minister might also make a short visit to the office.  Meanwhile, the schedule-visit by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot to Manipur has been put off indefinitely.

IMPHAL: Apprising the problems faced by the people of the state, Janata Dal United Manipur Unit this morning submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Raj Bhavan. The union minister is on a two day visit to Manipur. Speaking to media at his office at Bapupara, party President M Tombi said the memorandum drew the attention of the union Home Minister on the recruitment of youths from Manipur in central security forces to solve unemployment among youths and help the youth avoid the wrong path.  The memorandum also urged the minister to repeal AFSPA from the state. 

IMPHAL: JAC on MSDP accused Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar and DC Imphal East of defying the guidelines of Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP). Speaking to media at Manipur Press Club yesterday, JAC Convenor, Wahirdur Rahman said MSDP is meant for minority inhabited areas under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Andro, Kshetrigao and Keirao were selected for the schemes in Imphal East. For Andro constituency, the schemes should be implemented in areas where minorities constitute more than 25 percent of the population. He said the scheme was implemented by the MLA and DC in Moirangpurel High School on the pretext that the students are Meitei Christian minority.  He alleged that muslim inhabited areas in Andro constituency do not get the benefit of the scheme. He appealed to MLA Shyamkumar not to misappropriate and demanded suspension of DC Imphal East M Joy. 

IMPHAL: Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar has accused the Pangal Students’ Organisation (PSO) of not understanding the exact meaning of minority. Meanwhile, the students of Moirangpurel High School have boycotted PSO. Speaking to the media at Moirangpurel High School in Imphal East yesterday, MLA Shyamkumar said Multi Sectoral Development Scheme, a Central sponsored scheme is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs in needy institutes and there is no question of giving more privilege to selected schools.  Meanwhile, the students of Moirangpurel High School said the school is their hope, and appealed not to portray it negatively. It may be mentioned that PSO alleged MsDP scheme of giving more privilege to Moirangpurel High School instead of focussing on other needy institutes. The organisation also appealed to the state government and the centre to look into the matter. 

IMPHAL: Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman visited the site of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Project for Timber Park at Kuraopokpi, near Kakching Lamkhai this morning. Nirmala Sitharaman informed the media persons that farmers affected by the SEZ project at Kuraopokpi will be given compensation along with rehabilitation. At 8:15 in the morning, the Union Minister left the Kangla Fort on a helicopter. She reached Assam Rifles camp in Kakching Lamkhai at 8:30 am.  Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was accompanied by State Commerce and Industry Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Kakching MLA Y Surchandra, Thoubal DC and several other officials.