The State Cabinet, which held a meeting under the chairmanship of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, approved upgrading of six government-aided colleges into full-fledged government colleges under the State Higher and Technical Education Departments.

The six colleges are Biramangol College, Sawombung, Mayai Lambi College, Yumnam Huidrom, Kakching Khunou College, Kakching Khunou, Liberal College, Luwangshangbam, Thambal Marik College, Oinam and Standard College, Kongba.

The Cabinet meeting held at the Cabinet hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat also had a discussion on taking over of four other government-aided colleges – Waikhom Mani Girls’ College, S Kula Women’s College, Nambol, Moreh College, Moreh and South East Manipur College, Komlathabi after completion of necessary verification of teaching and non-teaching staff of these colleges.

The State Cabinet also approved conversion of BB Paul Mental Development Home (Special School), Mongshangei and Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi into government-aided institutes.

The Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2018 was also approved in the day’s Cabinet meeting. The new scheme will come into effect in supersession of the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011 in pursuance of the guidelines issued by the Central government.

Under the new scheme, the maximum limit of compensation of loss of life has been hiked from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Victims of acid attack and rape are now entitled to provide a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each.

The maximum limit of compensation for the loss of any limb or part of body resulting to handicap of 80 per cent or more has been hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

On the other hand, the maximum limit of compensation for the loss of any limb or part of body resulting to 40 per cent and below 80 per cent handicap had been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Victims of sexual abuse and loss of foetus are entitled to receive Rs 50,000 each.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to allotment of land at Village No 42 (A) – Babupara in favour of Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur for the construction of office building.

It also decided to allot another piece of land located at Babupara to General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Manipur.

The State Cabinet also approved framing of Manipur Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2018 and Amendment of Manipur Services Rules, 1965.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]