Role of media vital in maintaining peace: Manipur CM...... Manipur to implement Majithia award: Ibobi....

Sobhapati Samom, The Assam Tribune, The Arunachal Times and KalimNews, IMPHAL, Nov 22 – Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today said that his government is committed to implement the Majithia Wage Board award in the State.

Ibobi shared his government’s plan while speaking at the inaugural function of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) held under the aegis of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) here on Saturday.

“In response to the demands of the AMWJU my Government has already constituted a Tripartite Committee, in line with the recommendation of the Majithia Wage Board, for working journalists & other newspaper employees,” said Ibobi.

“It has been notified through the Gazette already. Now this Committee will classify and provide foolproof action plan in accordance with the Majithia Wage Board. My Government is fully committed to implement the award for the welfare of the journalist fraternity in the State”, Ibobi stated.

Stating that the State Government has doubled the Journalist Pension Fund, he said that the government is taking positive actions for the welfare of working journalists of the State.

“In spite of our financial constraints, my Government have already agreed to set up a Press Academy as demanded by the AMWJU to uplift the quality of journalism in the State. We are in the process of setting it up and it is in the pipeline,” he said.

Terming the proposal for establishment of the Press Housing Colony which was accepted by the government in principle, as a “landmark visionary idea”, he added, “The Government has identified the land for this Colony at Imphal.”

“I have also issued instruction to the concerned authorities to study the welfare schemes of other States and for adoption of relevant measures in the State, the Chief Minister said.

IJU President SN Sinha, Secretary General Amar Devulapalli, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai Devi, AMWJU President Wangkhemcha Shamjai, delegates and local media persons attended the NEC meeting. IJU has as many as 23,000 members across the country.

The visiting IJU members numbering around 130 will be visiting Loktak tomorrow and it will be followed by a trip to Moreh on November 23.

MPHAL, Nov 22: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has hailed the role of journalists in maintaining peace and development in the sensitive border state. Terming journalists’ role vital like a constructive opposition for healthy functioning of democracy, Singh said his government is committed to take several steps for the growth and welfare of journalism and media in the state. He was addressing journalists after inaugurating the three day national executive council meet of Indian Journalist Union (IJU) at 1st Manipur Rifles Complex here today.

Singh’s comment comes at a time when media persons in Manipur are subjected to frequent attacks and threats from militant groups.

Dwelling on issues raised by Manipuri journalists, Singh said his government will soon implement the Supreme Court’s recommendations relating to Majithia Wage Board. The IJU had been actively pursuing employment security and minimum wage for working journalists in coordination with its state units across the country.

He also appreciated the role played by the media in informing public about all positive aspects as well as flaws of his government for inclusive progress. The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace in Manipur, especially in the wake of the centre’s Look East policy making the state the focal point for India’s relation with South East Asia. The Manipur government, it is informed has already increased journalist pension fund to retiring journalists from Rs 2 Lakhs to Rs 5 Lakhs besides setting up a Press Academy to produce and uplift the quality of journalists and media in the state. As demanded by the AMWJU, land for building a press housing colony has also been identified near Imphal and would come up soon.

Earlier, IJU president SN Sinha presented a brief on the union’s activities and appealed to all the state governments to form a tripartite committee to look into the demands raised by the journalists as recommended recently by the Apex Court.

The state social welfare department minister AK Mirabai, IJU president SN Sinha, Secretary general Devulanalli Amar besides All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) W Shamjai also attended the inaugural function. 

Eastern Himalayan Jourmalists of GTA Darjeeling is represented by Rudra Karki its President, A.K. Rai, Secretary and A.K.Rasaily vice President.

Arunachal Press Club and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist are being represented by Taba Ajum, advisor APC.

Over 150 journalists from 20 states have converged at the state capital for the meet. The event coincides with the annual Manipur Sangai Festival and 8th Manipur International Polo organized to promote the state’s art, culture and ethnic games. Polo originated from this erstwhile kingdom bordering Myanmar.