Manipur Cabinet approves two-year age relaxation for government job aspirants and clears recruitment of 455 posts across departments.
Imphal, May 29: The Manipur State Cabinet on Friday approved a two-year age relaxation for overaged candidates appearing in recruitment processes for various State government departments, citing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing unrest in the state.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
According to official sources, the Cabinet meeting, which began around 11 am, discussed 23 agendas relating to different government departments. All proposals except one received Cabinet approval. The Cabinet noted that recruitment processes and government planning had been severely affected by the Covid pandemic as well as the prolonged conflict situation in the state.
Officials stated that after the first Covid-19 case was detected in Manipur on March 24, 2020, the pandemic led to widespread disruption, loss of lives and prolonged delays in administrative functioning and recruitment activities.
The Cabinet also observed that the ongoing unrest in Manipur over the past several years further affected normal functioning of departments and recruitment schedules. Considering these circumstances, the government decided to grant a two-year age relaxation for candidates who have crossed the upper age limit for government job recruitment examinations.
The decision will remain in force until any modification is made through a future Cabinet decision.
Among the major decisions taken during the meeting, the Cabinet approved the filling up of 282 vacant posts under the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation. The vacancies include posts falling under Group B, C and D categories.
The Cabinet also approved recruitment for 173 vacant posts of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) under the Family Welfare Department to strengthen healthcare services in the state.
Under another agenda, the Cabinet approved a one-time special humanitarian assistance of Rs 70,000 each for families from nine villages located inside the Tairenpokpi-Tamenglong Protected Forest area who were affected by the widening of National Highway-37 connecting Imphal and Jiribam.
The meeting also approved a proposal related to the second loan extension for the externally aided “Manipur Water Supply Project”, which is being implemented with funding support from the New Development Bank (NDB).
Under the Tourism Department agenda, the Cabinet approved direct purchase of land for the proposed “Development of Loktak Lake Experience” project. The project is planned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme and includes development of luxury resorts and land-based tourism activities around Loktak Lake.
The Cabinet further approved engagement of four Social Media Managers or Executives and two Multi-Tasking Staff members for a period of one year for the Chief Minister’s Social Media Team. The proposal was placed before the Cabinet under the General Administration Department (GAD).
Under the Agriculture Department agenda, the Cabinet also approved matters relating to recruitment of Agriculture Officers and Assistant Agriculture Officers.
The Cabinet additionally approved allotment of land in favour of the Director of Ayush for construction of an Ayush dispensary in Imphal West district. Another land allotment proposal was approved in favour of the Divisional Forest Officer of Bishnupur Forest Division for construction of a Range Forest Office.
Official sources said the decisions taken during the meeting were aimed at strengthening public services, improving infrastructure and addressing issues arising from prolonged disruptions in the state.
The approval of recruitment-related proposals is also expected to facilitate filling of vacant posts across departments and improve service delivery in sectors including healthcare, agriculture and horticulture.
