The Manipur cabinet has asked the state education department, Manipur Board of Secondary Education and SCERT to sit together and take a final decision on implementation of the Meitei script.Meelal has demanded introduction of the script in schools in the state from the current academic year.

After a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, the Cabinet decided that owing to confusions among the implementing agencies, a final decision on the introduction of the Meitei script could not be taken at present. Government spokesperson, Information Minister Mr Gaikhangam informed that the Cabinet would take a final decision on the issue as soon as the three state agencies reach a consensus and report to it.

Mr Gaikhangam said Mr Ibobi discussed the matter with representatives of various tribal students' bodies like All Naga Students' Association, Kuki Students' Organisation and All Tribal Students' Union.These tribal bodies told the Chief Minister that they will support introduction of the indigeneous script but appealed to the government to respect interests of other tribal communities in Manipur, Mr Gaikhangum said.Informing that Manipuri was a compulsory subject in the state from class three to eight, he said introduction of the Meitei script would necessitate translation of all the books. ''We need to discuss the matter with experts'',  he said.

The Cabinet has also decided to establish a Women's Commission in the state and a bill would soon be introduced for this purpose, he informed.On the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT), he said Manipur would implement it after neighbouring Nagaland does so.He also said the Cabinet had asked the Hill Areas Committee of the state to consider introduction of the Municipality Act in the district headquarters of the Hill Areas.

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