Manipur to recruit 79 specialist doctors

IMPHAL: In a bid to improve healthcare in Manipur's hills and rural districts, the state government approved the creation of 79 posts for specialist doctors at a cabinet meeting on Monday evening. The meeting was chaired by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Specialists in gynaecology, medicine and pediatrics will move to district hospitals in Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Thoubal and Bishnupur. The doctors will be recruited by Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC). Their recruitment will be guided by Manipur health services rules, an official source said.

The cabinet also decided to create 41 new posts for block development officers (BDOs) in the rural development and panchayati raj department to improve implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). So far, the subdivisional officers (SDOs) were carrying out the duties of BDOs. The new posts will be filled by existing state government officials to prevent extra expenditure, the source added. A proposal to send more schoolteachers to Jiribam subdivision, which borders Assam, was also discussed. Demanding adequate teachers and better infrastructure in Jiribam's government schools, four student bodies have imposed an indefinite bandh along the Imphal-Silchar highway. Bandh supporters have damaged 20 vehicles in Jiribam since the bandh came into force on Saturday midnight. Construction of the Jiribam-Tupul rail project has also been disrupted.

The cabinet discussed appointing teachers from among TET-passed candidates belonging to Jiribam itself, the source said and added the matter would be resolved soon. The cabinet also agreed to authorize the state DGP to monitor village defence forces (VDF). At present, punitive or disciplinary action, including termination of errant VDF personnel, is initiated by district SPs. These will now require the DGP's permission.