Manipur to resume helicopter services in remote areas; Loktak Day declared state festival

The Manipur government on Thursday decided to resume helicopter services in remote areas of the state, suspended since October 1, and declared Loktak Day a state festival.

The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh.

Helicopter services to resume in remote areas

The cabinet approved engaging Pawan Hans Ltd to restore helicopter services connecting remote and hill areas with Imphal, according to an official statement.

The service will facilitate passenger movement and medical emergencies, it said, adding that the expenses would be shared with the Union Home Ministry.

"If Central support is not available, the State will bear the expenditure so that services continue," the statement said.

Loktak Day to be celebrated as state festival

The cabinet also decided to celebrate Loktak Day every year as a state festival on the full-moon day of Mera, a traditional Manipuri month that generally falls in October.

Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast.

This year's celebration, beginning on October 26, will be held at Loktak Lairembi Ground in Thanga and at Komlakhong. The Loktak Development Authority, in collaboration with local clubs, will organise the events, the statement said.

Newspaper printing presses included under public purpose

In another decision, the Cabinet included newspaper printing presses under the category of "public purpose" in the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014.

Registered and licensed newspaper printing presses equipped with web offset machines will now be eligible to seek permission to use up to 0.62 acre of contiguous paddy land, subject to the other safeguards under the Act, it said.

The move is aimed at encouraging large printing presses to relocate from congested residential areas, thereby reducing noise at night for residents, the statement added.