The Manipur Cabinet has resolved to strictly enforce the four-child (maximum) policy, based on which any person with more than four children will be excluded from availing benefits of any government schemes and beneficiary programmes.

This decision was undertaken during a cabinet meeting, chaired by the Manipur Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh. Besides, the state cabinet has also approved the constitution of Manipur State Population Commission.

Addressing the mediapersons after the cabinet meeting, the State’s IPR Minister – S. Ranjan informed that 50 agendas were tabled during the meeting.

He further noted that the Manipur Legislative Assembly had earlier unanimously adopted a private member resolution to establish the population commission in the northeastern state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party legislator – Khumukcham Joykisan had moved the resolution over the alleged infiltration of outsiders into the State. Citing official data, he said that the population growth of 153.3% in Manipur’s hill districts from 1971-2001 increased drastically to 250% from 2001-2011.

Apart from initiatives to control population growth, the cabinet has also decided to strengthen the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) and recruitment of various posts under home and health departments.

The state cabinet has made it mandatory for non-locals to record their place of stay and mobile number linked with Aadhaar, at the time of seeking ILP pass. Apart from the Deputy Labour Commissioners, concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the district have also been given the authority for issuing ILP cards.

Besides, necessary legal action will be initiated against contractors who bought labours without a valid ILP card. The IT department is in the process of developing a software to monitor entry and exit of ILP pass holders; as informed by the IPR Minister.

On the other hand, the state cabinet has also approved the constitution of a panel to frame Manipur Excise Rules, following the legalization of liquor.

In order to oversee the demarcation of Loktak Lake, a high-powered committee has been approved which will be headed by the CAF&PD minister L Susindro. Water resources minister Awangbow Newmai, fisheries minister Heikham Dingo, DCs & SPs of districts concerned and DC Imphal West will serve as members of the high-powered committee.

The state cabinet also approved for recruitment of 1,512 posts for state home department : 405 for head constable (telecom); 808 male civil constables and 305 male followers. It was also approved for recruitment of 200 doctors and 300 nurses, where priority will be given to those who worked as COVID-frontline warriors and 1,000 posts for primary teachers.

The IPR Minister further added that there will be age relaxation for three years in the recruitments, keeping in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cabinet has also approved the constitution of ‘Manipur Food and Public Distribution Corporation Limited’.

Meanwhile, the cabinet has declared the Ibudhou Thangjing at Thangjing Hill and Ibudhou Koubru as well as Laitinkon (popularly known as Lai Pukhri/Ikon) on Koubru hill as sacred sites under ‘Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976’.