Guwahati: The Manipur cabinet on Thursday approved the resumption of helicopter services to remote and hill areas, which have been suspended since Oct 1.It also decided to observe Loktak Day every year as a state festival on the full-moon day of Mera (Thanil of Mera Tha) and paved the way for newspaper houses with a web offset machine to use a limited area of contiguous paddy land to set up their presses.The cabinet meeting held at Cabinet Hall of CM’s Office at Mantripukhri under chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh approved engaging Pawan Hans Limited to restore the helicopter service.A twin-engine helicopter will fly for six months, or until a regular operator is chosen through a tender process, with a minimum of 40 flying hours a month. The service will again connect remote and hill areas with Imphal, helping passengers and medical emergencies, the govt stated.The cabinet decided that Loktak Day festival will be held at two locations each year from now on. Loktak Day is a community tradition that began in 1990 at Thanga and honours Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the northeast and a lifeline for the livelihoods and culture of Manipur.This year’s celebration, beginning on Oct 26, will be held at Loktak Lairembi Ground in Thanga and Komlakhong. It will be organised by Loktak Development Authority in association with local clubs. The public, students and youth will be able to participate in cultural events, traditional sports and conservation activities.The cabinet also added registered and licensed newspaper printing presses equipped with a web offset machine to the list of ‘public purposes’ under the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014.Such presses may now seek permission to use up to 0.62 acres of contiguous paddy land, subject to the safeguards prescribed under the Act. The govt said the move would encourage large presses to shift out of crowded residential localities and reduce night-time noise for residents. It said the strict eligibility conditions will keep the state’s paddy fields and wetlands protected from misuse.
