MAUTAAM

MAUTAAM PUUKTAW, 2008
COMFA Office: Rayburn College, New Lamka, Lamka-795128, Manipur, India

COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR MAUTAAM RELIEF.

COLLECTION PLAN:
1. The Organising committee reiterate its desire to accept financial or material (rice) contribution from any concern individual, Organisations/Associations, officials, Army personals, business
communities, etc from within and outside the State to rescue the Mautaam affected people from the throes of death. Further it is assured that any single penny or grain of rice donated shall go to
the deserving famine affected persons.
2. The various Philanthropic Organisations in Cities and Towns are expected to mobilise as well as collect Relief donations
3. The Organising Committee in association with various civil societies will mobilise and collect contributions in Lamka Town areas from 1st- 4th Sept, 2008.
4. All contributions from outside can be sent to the Chairman, ZEPADA A/C No.(SBIN-0006182)11343708035, SBI/ Churachanpur Branch.
5. All famine relief collected shall be stored at JOSEPH BUHPANG(Joseph’s Granary), Upper Lamka for distribution.

DISTRIBUTION & RE-DISTRIBUTION PLAN:
(a) The distribution of Famine relief will be fully transparent and non-partisan giving top priority to the worse affected areas. The bottom line in the entire exercises is to save lives from dying of hunger.
(b) It is therefore decided to store 50% of the collection in selected locations (JOSEPH BUHPANG) in each Sub-Division after initial distribution of 50% through various philanthropic organisations in the District.
(c) Selection for location of Joseph Buhpang will depends on famine situation of the areas, centrality of the village, and accessibility condition of the village.
(d) The management, security and re-distribution from Joseph Buhpang will be the collective responsibility of representatives from local NGOs, Churches and concern Village Authority, hereinafter known as Care-Taker Committee.
(e) Re-distribution from Joseph Buhpang to the surrounding villages will strictly be on need-based, extreme situation where the person is without a single grain for the day.
(f) The committee will be accountable for all the stock of rice in the village and ensure impartial re-distribution.

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ZYA, YMA etc will be the Nodal Distribution Agency in their respective areas. The NDA shall:-

1. Lifting and transportation of rice from the main collection centre to the respective JB
2. Formed Care-Taker Committee for the JB
2. Care-taker Committee will be formed for each Joseph Buhpang. The Committee member shall comprise of representatives from local Churches, Youth organisation and concern Village Authority.

The Committee shall:-

1. Distribute rice to the most deserving family of the area;
2. Distribution will be not more than 10 kgs rice per family per week;
3. Maintain records of Distribution as per the format given and submit the Report to COMFA once the stock is over;
4. Be accountable for all the stock of rice in their JB.

Free, fair, transparent and giving top priority to the most deserving persons should be the guiding principle of all Mautaam Famine relief (rice) distribution. Not a single grain of rice collect should be
miss-use as it comes from all section of the society, rich or poor, only to save LIVES!!

SL NO. LOCATION OF GRANARY QUANTITY OF RICE/ BAGS NODAL AGENCY

01. TUILAPHAI 35 BAGS KKL
02. MUNPI 30 BAGS ZYA
03. AINA 20 BAGS ZYA
04. KOLHEN 30 BAGS ZYA
05. SANTING 25 BAGS YMA
06. KANGVAI 25 BAGS ZYA
07. KHOIRENGTAK 23 BAGS Private
08. DAMDEII 30 BAGS HYA
09. LUNGTHULIEN 30 BAGS HYA
10. ANKHOSUOK Rs.25,000/- HYA
11. KAANGRENG DAWR Rs.25,000/- HYA
12. THANLON 30 BAGS ZYA
13. LEIJANGPHAI 40 BAGS ZYA
14. KHAJANG 25 BAGS ZYA
15. MUALNUAM 40 BAGS ZYA
16. BUKPI 30 BAGS ZYA
17. SINZAWL 40 BAGS ZYA
18. MUALLUM 30 BAGS ZYA
19. BEHIANG 30 BAGS ZYA
20. LUNTHUL(L) 25 BAGS ZYA
21. TONGLON(T) 25 BAGS ZYA
22. SUANGDOH 40 BAGS ZYA
23. LAMJANG 40 BAGS ZYA
24. SAIBOH 30 BAGS ZYA
25. B.KALJANG 30 BAGS ZYA
26. DONGJANG 25 BAGS KKL
27. SINGNGAT 40 BAGS ZYA
28. MIZORAM Rs. 25,000/- CYMA THROUGH YMA MANIPUR
29. CHIN STATE Rs.25,000/- Through ZHRF, Burma Region

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GRANARIES AND THE NODAL AGENCIES

SL NO. - LOCATION OF GRANARY - SUBDIVISION NODAL AGENCY

1. TUILAPHAI - HENGLEP - KKL
2. MUNPI - HENLEP - ZYA
3. AINA - HENGLEP - ZYA
4. KOLHEN - HENGLEP - ZYA
5. SANTING - HENGLEP - YMA
6. KANGVAI - HENGLEP - ZYA
7. KHOIRENGTAK - HENGLEP - Private
8. DAMDEII - TIPAIMUKH - HYA
9. LUNGTHULIEN - TIPAIMUKH - HYA
10. ANKHOSUOK - TIPAIMUKH - HYA
11. KAANGRENG DAWR - TIPAIMUKH - HYA
12. THANLON - THANLON - ZYA
13. LEIJANGPHAI - THANLON - ZYA
14. KHAJANG - THANLON - ZYA
15. MUALNUAM - THANLON - ZYA
16. BUKPI - THANLON - ZYA
17. SINZAWL - THANLON - ZYA
18. MUALLUM - SINGNGAT - ZYA
19. BEHIANG - SINGNGAT - ZYA
20. HIANGTAM(V) - SINGNGAT - ZYA
21. LUNTHUL(L) - SINGNGAT - ZYA
22. TONGLON(T) - SINGNGAT - ZYA
23. SUANGDOH - SINGNGAT - ZYA
24. LAMJANG - CHURACHANDPUR - ZYA
25. SAIBOH - CHURACHANDPUR - ZYA
26. B. KALJANG - CHURACHANDPUR - ZYA
27. DONGJANG - CHURACHANDPUR - KKL
28. MIZORAM - CYMA
29. CHIN STATE - ZHRF, Burma Region

NB:
KKL = KUKI KHANGLAI LOMPI
ZYA= ZOMI YOUTH ASSOCIATION
HYA = HMAR YOUTH ASSOCIATION
YMA = YOUNG MIZO ASSOCIATION

SANTANU GHOSH

Aizawl, Nov. 25: It is not often that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh displays any agression. He did so today, shedding his pacifist image to target the Mizo National Front government in its own bastion as he called on Mizos to bring about “change” through the power of the ballot.

During his 20-minute address to a large gathering at the sun-soaked Assam Rifles ground, Singh left nothing to inference as he went hammer and tongs at the ruling MNF government, in the saddle of power for the past decade. At the same time, the Prime Minister wooed voters by listing a plethora of development schemes undertaken by the Centre.

Singh flew to Mizoram, which is going to the hustings on December 2, to address just one public meeting. He landed at Aizawl airport on a special flight and took a chopper to the Assam Rifles base, where he had lunch. He was then brought to the Assam Rifles ground, around 2.5km from the cantonment, in a motorcade, eliciting a big roar from the crowd.

Singh put on a handwoven Mizo jacket with green and yellow stripes, gifted to him by state Congress leader Lalthanhawla, much to the delight of the gathering, after having sported a Mizo shawl. The mood on the ground was festive with banners, flags and cutouts of Congress leaders adding to the colour. The Mizos, known for their fine dress sense, had turned up in their Sunday best and waved the Congress flag all through the Prime Minister’s speech.

Singh began by describing himself as a “son of the Northeast” since he is a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam. He added that Mizoram had always occupied a special place in the heart of the Nehru-Gandhi family, in an obvious reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state a few days ago.

As the Congress workers and other members of the audience repeatedly applauded Singh’s speech, translated into Mizo language for the benefit of the people, the Prime Minister reeled off a slew of projects undertaken by the Centre for the state.

He, however, accused the MNF government of failing to “utilise properly the central funds” and alleged that the slow pace of development in the state was due to its “non-performance”.

Among the schemes tailored to woo the Mizos was a massive Rs 5,500 crore special accelerated road development programme for the Northeast. This scheme envisages a four-lane road connectivity among the capital towns of the region and the district headquarters.

Another scheme, to be named Kaladan multi-modal project, would ensure the development of roads inside Myanmar for linking up land-locked Mizoram with the neighbouring country’s port city of Sittwe. He assured the audience that the project would get off the ground soon.

The Prime Minister said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had been extended to Mizoram for awarding 100 days of firm employment for people below the poverty line at a cost of Rs 131 crore. The state will also benefit from the National Rural Health Mission, for which the Centre is infusing Rs 117 crore this year, and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan at a cost of Rs 42 crore.

Singh came down heavily on the state government for its “corruption” which, he said, had reached “endemic proportions”. He cited the Japan government-aided 60MW Tuirial hydel project, which has been at a standstill for the past five years, and the 12MW Serlui hydel project, which has remained in a limbo for the past 18 years, leading to a three-fold cost escalation.

The Prime minister ticked off the MNF government, led by Zoramthanga, for its failure to make use of Rs 125 crore under the mautam relief scheme to alleviate the distress of Mizos who are caught in drought following bamboo flowering. Singh gave a clarion call for a corruption-free Mizoram and a change through the instruments of ballot. That this hard-hitting speech went down well with the Mizos was manifested in the empathy demonstrated by the audience in their effusive slogan-shouting and repeated applause throughout the Prime Minister’s speech.

The cheers rose to a crescendo when the Prime Minister introduced some of the Congress candidates for the Assembly polls.

Source: The Telegraph

Tales of suffering, humanness
Laishram Shamungou
THANLON, Nov 16 : Living upto its image as one the largest armies in the world, the 12 Madras Regiment stationed at Thanlon and Tipaimukh sub-divisions in Churachandpur district has succeeded in tapping mobile connection and telephone line connection as well in these two remote places, where facilities for mobile phones and land line connections are absent.

Using a device manufactured in China, the troops in Thanlon and Parbung under Tipaimukh hit upon the idea of installing five SIM cards at one post located at Singnat sub-division, where mobile service is available, and connected them to a receiver at Thanlon located about 50 kms away by using a device known as Super Long Range Cordless Telephone.

The ingenious method means that the troops can contact their family members and the facilities are also being extended to the local people.

This story came to light during a recent trip to the interiors of Churachandpur along with the Army PRO Colonel Rajesh Mishra.  The ingenious method was put to use from January this year enabling the troops to keep regular contact with their family members. Moreover a separate line is also opened for the local population.

On the other hand, to extend mobile service to these interior areas, process of laying cable lines along NH-150 by private service providers Vodafone and Reliance has started. In some cases, WLL sets procured from neighbouring Mizoram are being used for commercial purposes and the rate of one call has been fixed at Rs 10.

Electricity: There is no source of energy save for the power procured from the Solar Household Lighting System and Solar street lamps provided by MANIREDA and the Army in these remote areas. As such life in these two sub-divisions begins and ends with day break and sun set. Candle is the most sought after necessity there.

However the 12 Madras Regiment under 57 Mountain Division has provided a degree of reprieve to the people at Thanlon as it has managed to provide three units of power from its generator to 161 households till 9 pm.

Bamboo Flowering: With the villagers facing the prospect of starvation due to the rodent menace following bamboo flowering, parents and elders are no longer able to meet the expenses of sending their children to school. Hence the drop out rate of students has seen a marked increase.

To supplement their income, the villagers have started felling trees on a bigger scale as well in hunting wild life.

Speaking to The Sangai Express a villager of Vaiphei Mol village said that from the two tins of paddy seeds he sowed this year, he could manage to harvest only seven tins. In other years, from two tins of paddy, the return was not less than 100 tins, he said and added that the poor yield was due to the havoc caused by the surging rodent population.
The harvested rice is yet to be eaten, but at the moment he has only two Kgs of rice procured from the Government agency. Once this stock runs out, the villager said, he would go hunting and if there is any catch the same would be sold at Thanlon to replenish the food larder from the rice sold by the Government. The rice is bought at Rs 20 per Kg, he informed.

Interacting with this reporter at Bukpi village at Thanlon sub-division, a school teacher, Vung Ngalmiang said that following the rodent menace, not many students are able to attend school.

Pitching in with aid, the 12 Madras Regiment has started footing the hostel fees and mess fees amounting to Rs 350 per month for 40 students of the two sub-divisions, disclosed Princi- pal of St Xavier’s School, Thanlon, Father Samy. The tuition fee, which is Rs 150 per month has been waived by the school authority.

Villagers of the two sub-divisions while interacting with reporters at Thanlon said that they have to cope with extremely bad roads, non-existent power supply, poor medical facilities and lack of food grain.

NREGS: Amid the gloom and sorry state of affairs, the NREGS has come as sort of a blessing for the villagers for with the prospect of getting paid for their labour shining bright, shop keepers do not shy away from selling them food stuff on credit, said the villagers.

On the other hand, the Army has started constructing some water tanks for the villagers.

Source: Sangai Express

Imphal, November 14 2008: Children’s day was celebrated in different schools of the State today.

In connection with the day, Major General AK Choudhary visited Churachandpur town this morning and attended the function organised at Lalpuiphluaii Foundation School as the chief guest, said a statement of PRO IGAR (S).

The Major General, who was accompanied by Officiating Commander of HQ 27 Sector Col Sandeep Kala was treated with a presentation of a colourful programme including songs, dance, speech and prayers by the students and teaching staff.

Speaking at the occasion, the IGAR (S) AK Choudhary thanked the school authority and students for the invitation and strongly advocated that quality education, sportsmanship, peace and harmony are very much an essential component for progress of the society.

The Inspector General also extended monetary assistance to COMFA for Mautam relief in addition to providing sports and stationery items for improving facilities in the school campus, added the PRO’s statement.

Children of Senapati and Tamenglong districts today celebrated Children’s Day commemorating the 119th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru with utmost fervour and enthusiasm, according to a PIB Defence Wing statement.

Troops of 57th Mountain Division organised cultural programmes for the local children at various locations including Tamenglong, Lairouching and Maram.

Apart from games and competitions, the children were given motivational lectures on the importance of studies, the dangers of drug abuse and were advised to stay away from unlawful activities, the statement said, adding that the celebrations culminated with distribution of sweets and prizes to the winners of various competitions.

The Children’s Day was also celebrated at Sainik School, Imphal with great zeal and enthusiasm, informed PIB (Defence Wing) in another statement.

An open painting competition for the students of the school was also held under three different themes where more than 70 students explored their creativity.

The themes are AIDS awareness, Global warming and Pollution.

Thereafter an essay writing competition for junior and senior categories was also held in which more than 100 students participated.

The topic of the competition as ‘India’s mission to Moon’ and was conducted in three different languages- English, Hindi and Manipur.

Source: The Sangai Express

The Imphal Free Press

Lamka, Nov 12: The deputy commissioner, DC, of Churachandpur Sumant Singh, IAS, will flag off at 6.30 am distribution of all the quintals of rice which the Committee on Mautam Famine Aid, COMFA, had collected from the public some months back.
The rice is now deposited in what has been called Joseph Buhpang (Joseph Granary).
Rev Pastor Jangkholam will dedicate all the rice and thereafter it will be distributed to famine affected people of various places.
The COMFA made an appeal to the militant groups and others to not interrupt those vehicles carrying rice to various sub-divisions so it will be possible distribute to the affected people.
At present there are 30 nodal centres and granaries each at Henglep, Tipaimukh, Thanlon, Singngat and Churachandpur sub-divisions.

Memo.No.08/zepada/ press-2008/10   Dated 11^th Nov,2008

PRESS STATEMENT

Dated Lamka, the 11^th Nov,2008 The hungry public of Churachandpur district heaved a sigh of relieve upon the State government’s final released of the much awaited Mautaam Famine relief to the concern District Administrators of the affected areas on 7^thNov,2008. The Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA), therefore, expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Government and other NGOs, including the media fraternity, who have generously contributed towards the cause of Mautaam Famine affected people. The relief assistances amounting to Rs.16.67 crores may be too little and too late considering the enormity of the calamity, however, it is expected to give moral strength and needed solace to the famine affected people. The Agency would like to reiterate the urgent need to reassessed crop damages by rodents, based on 2008 production and immediately make additional demands for relief as per its latest findings. Whatever relief assistances that came from the Government and other agencies should reach the genuinely affected families without undue interferences from any corners. The mode of distribution should be unbiased, transparent and fully accountable. As the worse situation is yet to come, the government as well as other concern civil societies should never stop working to prevent famine deaths in the days to come. Only concerted efforts will take us through this tough time in life that revisited us every fifty years. Finally, it is our humble appeal to all bandhs, strikes and blockades supporters, especially along the national and state highways, to kindly spare all rice carrying trucks within its purview on humanitarian ground.

Issued on behalf of Mautaam Famine affected people by,

( P. Thangshing)

Secretary,

Information & publicity Division, ZEPADA.

S Singlianmang GuiteLamka, Nov 11: After calling on armed groups to lay their hands off relief material, the forefront organisa- tion ZEPADA today plea-ded to supporters of ban- dhs, strikes and blockades along the State and National Highways to spare all rice laden trucks on humanitarian grounds.A statement issued by the agency said the hungry public of Churachandpur finally heaved a sigh of relief on hearing the release of Mautam famine relief funds to the district administrators concerned. Hailing the Government, NGOs and the media fraternity for their generous contribution to the cause of the affected people, ZEPADA said, the relief assistance amounting to Rs 16.67 crores may be too little considering the enormity of the calamity but it will surely give moral strength and the much needed solace to the famine affected people.Approving the recent development, yet wary of the situation, the agency expressed the need to re-assess and update the crop damages. “Whatever assistance that come from the Government and other agencies should reach the genuinely affected families without undue interferences from any quarters,” it said.The mode of distribution should be unbiased, transparent and fully accounta- ble, it added. The agency also called on the Government as well as other civil societies concerned never to stop working to prevent famine deaths in the days to come. “Only concerted efforts will take us through this tough time in life that revisit us every fifty years”, it said.Houses attacked: Unidentified gunmen fired shots at the Wabagai Tera Urak residence of Zonal Education Officer, Kakchi-ng Zone Mayengbam Ku- mar (59) at around 10 pm yesterday.There is however no report of injury or damage of property in the firing incident. About half an hour earlier another report of firing has been received from police of unidentified persons attacking the Wabagai Awang Leikai of Wabagai Bazar Board’s secretary identified as one Mayeng-bam Ibochouba (70).In yet another incident, unidentified persons repor-tedly confiscated official documents (files) kept at the Churachandpur Old Bazar residence of Md Rahman, who works as a Cashier in the Khuga Canal Div I of IFC department. The incident took place at about 5 am today, said police sources.Source: Sangai Express 

Imphal, November 07 2008: Extending relief to the people of Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Chandel district who have been affected by Bamboo flowering (Mautam) and the consequent destruction caused to food crops by rodent population, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today handed over the cheque amount of the relief to the respective Deputy Commissioners of the three affected districts at a simple function in his office chamber.

The relief amount has been provided from the Relief Fund of the State Government’s Relief and Disaster Management Department.

According to an official source, the total estimated number of households that have been affected by the calamity in the three districts is 33,248 and the total monetary value of the relief to be provided is Rs 16,67,00,120 .

In Churachandpur district, a total of 13920.609 hectare and 14,307 households are estimated to have been affected and the amount of the relief to be provided is Rs 7,22,83,574 .

In Tamenglong, 13,504.165 hectare of land and 13,879 households have been reportedly affected for which an amount of Rs 6,76,88,570 would be provided as relief.

For Chandel district, where an estimated 4925.226 hectare of land and 5062 households have been affected, a total of Rs 2,67,27,972 would be provided as relief.

The cheques of the relief amount were handed over to the Deputy Commissioners concerned in the presence of Chief Secretary Rakesh, Relief Commission and Commission (Co-operation).

Source: The Sangai Express 

 Office of the
COMMITTEE ON MAUTAAM FAMINE-AID (COMFA) DELHI FRONT
PK Malik Building, H/No. 586, 3rd Floor, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi – 110067

comfadelhi@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 PUBLIC APPEAL FOR MAUTAAM FAMINE-AID
New Delhi | November 1, 2008

As we are all aware, the 50-year cyclical bamboo flowering phenomenon currently affecting the Zo inhabited areas in Manipur, Mizoram and neighbouring Burma have caused famine conditions due to crop failure. The year-long hard labour of farmers were destroyed by rodents, grasshoppers, etc. in a matter of few nights. Our people stood helpless, hoping against hope that daily bread for the family may be provided each day by someone from somewhere.

The Government of India, the State Governments of Manipur and Mizoram are understood to be aware of the situation. The Central Government had even sanctioned Rs. 16,67,00,000.00 (Rupees Sixteen crores sixtyseven lakhs) as Relief Grant for Mautaam in Manipur about four months ago. However, the amount has not reached its intended destination so far, and no one knows when would it be!  While all out efforts are made to deliver the said funds to our people, we could not sit back and simply watch the suffering of our people worsen day by day nay second by second to greet the ensuing Christmas and New Year with an empty stomach.

By the grace of God, you and I are privilege to live in Delhi & NCR while our people over there are waiting for a handful of rice to cook next. This is the day that the Lord has made for us to feed the hungry and cheer-up the desperate.

Please donate generously to our collectors who will visit your home in November 2008. The booklet containing names of all donors will be sent to you in December 2008. Your donations will be forwarded by us to COMFA, Lamka for distribution to the needy.

Issued by

COMFA Delhi Front

Note:     1. Contributions also can be handed over to any of the organisers whose names and numbers are listed on the side.
    2. Joint Appeal issued by the Community Leaders in Churachandpur District dated Lamka, 23rd August 2008 is enclosed for your kind information.

“If our brothers & sisters die of famine, it will be a shame for us”

Chairman: Pu V.Naulak–99683 18955
Vice-Chairman : Dr Chinkholal Thangsing–98182 70687
Secretary : Pu G. Swan Za Lian–99713 11145
Joint Secretary: Pu T.Zamlunmang–99906 71987
Finance Secretary: Cdr Lalsuonglien Tonsing– 98689 43589
Treasurer:Pu N.Neihsial

MEMBERS

Pu Philip Thanglienmang–98181 77401
Pu K.Ginkhanthang– 98108 42065
Pu L.Thang Sian Mung– 98119 91212
Pu Phungchinthang Guite– 98183 42330
Pu Nehzamang Simte– 99102 16364
Pu Kh Ginlal Chung– 98997 78646

+Nominees of ZEPADA, Delhi Working Group, ZSF, Delhi Cell and ZHRF Delhi Chapter

North-Eastern Region of the country is well known for Bamboos production and their utilisation for various purposes where traditionally they are used for various purposes. Bamboo flowering in a large area subsequently results in formation of a thin layer of seeds on the ground. This thin layer of seeds, in turn, on the onset of rains, transform into lush, green bamboo seed-lings. The seed shed following flowering attracts rats in a large number. So long the seed do not germinate, they remain there. On germination of seeds in rainy season, these rats, look for alternate food and thus damage the food-grains in bulk.This location specific problem existing from time immemorial, needs a serious re-look. DST invites research proposals or proposals for demonstrating the existing proven technologies on pilot scale for sustainable solution to prevent this great menace . The interested scientists may send their proposals to Advisor & Head (Technology Development & Transfer), Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016 (Email: laxman@nic.in ) Source:http://dst.gov.in/whats_new/advertisements.htm#2