IMPHAL, August 28: The State cabinet decided today to send a proposal to the Central government to provide special packages to mitigate the loss incurred in the recent flood which affected large parts of the State including both in the hill and valley districts.
A cabinet meeting convened today minutely discussed the Flood Damage Report (FDR) prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD) on the losses incurred in the recent floods.
The meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh began at 4 pm at the CM`s Secretariat.
Elaborating on the cabinet meeting, CAF & PD and Education minister Moirangthem Okendro who is also the government`™s spokesperson said that the recent devastated floods washed away several important bridges at Heirok Constituency, Thoubal district and Chakpikarong Bridge in Chandel district.
He informed that the meeting also approved to extend retirement period of doctors under Manipur Health Services (MHS) to 62 years from 60 taking into account the shortage of specialist doctors in the State.
The required strength of MHS Specialist Grade I, II, III and IV doctors in the State is 2203, he said.
However, there is only 1130 specialist doctors at present, the minister informed.
Stating that around 45 doctors in the State retire each year making it hard to fill up the vacant posts, Okendro said that the retirement period of doctors in West Bengal and Odisha has been increased to 62 years and 65 years in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
He went on to inform that the Cabinet meeting also approved creation of 43 posts of Assistant Election Supervisor (AES) in State Election Department to increase its workforce.