The Arunachal Times - Archives

Unison effort is the only mantra to ensure development: Khandu

Letter to AICC for creation of Nyishi Affairs department

ITANAGAR Apr 19: “Unison effort is the only mantra to ensure development of the state”, asserted State Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu while calling on the Nyishis to continue their participation in the development journey of the state.

He was addressing the 3rd Nyishi Day cum 9th general conference of Nyishi Elite Society at Seijosa today as chief guest.

“No area will be deprived of the genuine development they deserve”, Khandu said and appealed the elected representatives and the civil societies to identify the pockets where due care is required so that the state government could immediately pay attention and take up the progressive schemes on need based basis. He further exhorted for judicious utilization of the development fund and called for strict monitoring of the schemes and programmes. Shouldering the onus on the leaders and the civil societies, the chief minister suggested for constituting a committee and introducing the third party monitoring module for ensuring judicious execution of the development programmes.

Reacting to allegations, which appeared in cross section of Medias, that Tawang and West Kameng gets maximum package of funds in comparison to other districts, Khandu said that it was not true and uncalled for. “We sanction funds according to need basis. One can file RTI and get correct facts,” he added. Moreover, the State government will bring out whitepaper on all the funds and packages given to all the districts of the State very soon, he disclosed.

“I see my Arunachal as one with different ethnic communities joining hands to take it to the height it deserves” Khandu said and appealed the people to expedite this momentum for achieving the desired goal of making the state self sufficient in the days to come.

Khandu told the huge gathering that he has written a letter to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) apprising them on the need to have Department of Nyishi Affairs to uplift socio-economic status of Nyishi community. He was replying to the petition of Nyishi Elite Society which the NES president Bengia Tolum reiterated today.

Acknowledging deteriorating law and order problems in capital complex, the chief minister said that no development can be expected unless violence and crime is stopped or assuaged.

Speaking on need of preservation of the wild life, Khandu said that “more we perish the wild life, the greater we face the fury of the nature like landslides, floods. The chief minister appealed the people of the state to preserve and protect Mithun which is threatened by mass slaughtering for commercial consumption. He warned that if this trend is carried on, the day is not far when the very existence of these beautiful creature will be found in books only.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Power (Elect) minister Jarbom Gamlin highlighted the need of preserving the age-old culture and tradition. He viewed that modernization is rapidly gripping the society particularly the younger generation resulting in losing interest in one’s own indigenous tradition and culture which is not a healthy practice. He lauded various organizations for spearheading movements to preserve the indigenous culture and tradition and said that it is need of the hour.

Earlier, NES President Bengia Tolum in his key note address pointed out various activities undertaken by the NES in recent years. He extended his gratitude to the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues for supporting the genuine cause of changing the Nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi and approving for introducing Nyishi as third language in the Nyishi inhabited areas.

Minister WRD & Civil Aviation Atum Welly, also spoke on the occasion.

Among others, PHED Minister Chowna Mein, MP Takam Sanjoy, and host of Nyishi legislators, officers, prominent public leaders and student leaders were present on the day. (PRO to CM and ATNS)

Just see the difference: BSNL GM assures

Bomdila, Apr 19 : Just observe for yourself the difference in BSNL service in next two days – the network congestion and call drop will be a thing of past, re-assured the GM Shyam Narayan, General Manager BSNL on his maiden visit to Bomdila today.

He said this while responding to a two point memorandum submitted by a conglomerate of five NGOs - Bomdila Town Committee (BTC), Monpa Kiduk Tsokpa (MKT), All Bomdila Bazar Youth Welfare Association (ABBYWA), All West Kameng Taxi Welfare Association (AWKTWA) and Arunachal Mountaineering & Adventure Sports Association (AMASA) under the leadership of Tsering Wange and Tashi Lhamu on the grievances faced by the general public on account of poor BSNL service.

The GM assured that capacity and capability of BSNL mobile and landline network has been increased and that he is in the district to oversee the ongoing improvement works.

He further declared that the ground work for introduction of 3G mobile technology in Bomdila Exchange is nearing completion and that very soon this latest facility would be available in West Kameng District.

However, a member of Monpa Kiduk Tsokpa (MKT) Tashi Tsering who attended the meeting had reservations and wondered if at all the BSNL bosses who had come from Itanagar would be able to keep their words.

Waii assures help to wildlife heroes

SEIJOSA, Apr 19: Parliament Secretary for Forest and Environment Kumar Waii assured to extend all possible help to the family members of the “wildlife heroes”.

The Parliamentary Secretary said this while paying floral tributes at the memorials of those who laid down their lives while protecting the wild animals of Pakke Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Taya Tayum, Gaon Burah A-3 village, Seijosa, PD Majhi Forest department boatman and BC Bhuyan, Forester died while they were discharging their duties.

Tayum and Bhuyan were killed by a tigress while Majhi was killed by poachers when he tried to prevent poaching in the reserved area.

Sanjay Tisu and Lal Babu, Strike Protection Force(STF) were honoured for their services rendered to the department.

Kumar Waii was accompanied by T Gapak, DCF, Gyamar Nima DFO, Seppa, Tana Tapi, DFO Seijosa, Seppa, Neelam Nido, DFO Bhalukpong, Chagam Dolo BDO Doimukh and host of officers from forest department. (DIPRO)

Departments shrouded with nepotism and favouritism: AAPSU

ITANAGAR, Apr 19: The functioning of various government departments of the state is shrouded with nepotism and favouritism and without adhering to the laid down norms & guidelines. All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (A.A.P.S.U) said today in its central executive meeting at Naharlagun and took serious note of developmental activities undertaken by the various executing agencies of the state in the absence of AOP in the state. Many centrally sponsored schemes like the NRHM, NLCPR, SSA, BADP in which many local unemployed youth can be accommodated for their livelihood are being deprived and contract works amounting to crores of rupees are awarded as per the personal convenience of the people who are at the helm of affairs, the Union added. It further said that laid-down guidelines and norms are being overlooked in distribution of work orders in the implementation of NRHM schemes in the state.

The union called for immediate corrective measures and floating of tenders in all the centrally sponsored schemes to maintain transparency and quality work.

The apex student’s body of the state also called upon the government to make functional the Directorates of Border affairs of the state immediately and provide all the necessary feedback to the union in its drive for “confidence building measures” in the border areas with All Assam students’ union in the coming winter.

It further called on the government to take up the issues of road connectivity in the border areas adjacent to China and provide succour to the people facing hardship due to snapping of road connectivity in recent days.

Mithun: the ATM

Dr. Jikom Panor

Much has been written about Mithun in different newspapers ranging from issues like State animal to conservation. But no one has actually addressed the problems of mithun in terms of conservation. It does not matter anything to mithun or its owner whether it is declared as state animal or not, rather it may create problems for the owner if legislation is passed. There will be lots of do’s and don’ts which may interfere with the owners.

Most of the people have perception that decline of mithun population are due to mass slaughtering in victory parties of political leaders, marriages, festivals, social gatherings and selling in market. To my understanding, these are wrong perceptions.

One has to keep in mind that there are only 60 MLA in the state and out of which only 20 to 30 MLAs will slaughter mithun and election comes once in every 5 years. The figure is quite negligible. There may be involvement of 30-50 mithuns in marriage ceremony but those are live animals and hardly 2-3 mithuns are slaughtered for the purpose. Same is the case with festival and other factors. One must also keep in mind that most of the animal slaughtered in the market and other purpose are usually male animals.

In addition to social and traditional values, the economic values of mithun has sky rocketed within short period of time only due to the factors already mentioned which most people think responsible for decline of the species. In fact the importance of mithun in terms of economy has improved drastically. The cost of mithun at present, ranges from Rs 25,000– 40,000 per head which is really an encouraging sign and will encourage people to take up mithun rearing seriously. In other words, mithun has become an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for the owner. You go to ATM only if you need money and same is the case with the mithun owner. They will not just slaughter or sale their mithun without any good reason because, there is always an emotional relationship between mithun and the owner. In our society mithun is not considered as live-stock but as family member.

Before we go into what problems afflicts these mithun’s, let us take a look at the breeding biology of mithun.

Mithuns calves are weaned at the age of 2 years and the calves attain maturity at the age of 3-4years depending on health and genetical status. First calve is born at the age of 4-5 years. The inter-calving period is 1.6month – 2years. The live span of mithun is approximately 30-40 years and female mithun attain menopause at the age of 25- 28 years. Therefore female mithun can deliver 7-10 calves in their lifetime. Mithuns are physically weak animal and are not fit for draught purpose. Adult female mithun can produce 1-1.5 litres of milk in a day and therefore cannot be considered for milch purpose. The required male and female ratio for breeding the animal is 1 male: 10 female.

The actual problem of mithun and its conservation lies with the Veterinary and husbandry aspects of the species. The three major killer diseases which are responsible for decline of population of mithun in Arunachal Pradesh are:

1. Foot and Mouth Disease; It is highly contagious viral disease of cloven footed animal with low mortality rate in cattle, goat and pig but in mithun the rate is very high and may go upto 40-50%. In a single outbreak of FMD 100 or more mithuns are lost. It can be prevented by vaccinating the animals against FMD once in every six month.

2. Tick/Ectoparasite infestation: the ectoparasite commonly found over the body of mithun causes constant irritation to the animal and sucks blood leading to anemia and death. It can be easily prevented by injecting single dose of Ivermectin every 6 month.

3. Eye worm infestation: In my last visit to West Siang District at request of Jarjum Ete for implantation of microchip in mithun to address ownership dispute, I was taken to one of Lura (community fencing where mithuns are kept) and to my surprise all the animals were infested with eye worm. It took an epidemic form because of the confinement. In this case the eggs of the worms are carried from one animal to other by small flies that are commonly seen flying around the eyes of animals. The egg developed into adult in the eye ball and gives constant irritation, lacrimation, opacity and ultimately blindness. The death is due to starvation or fall from cliff. This can be treated by spraying of common salt after mixing with water into the eye ball, apply antibiotic eye drop available in market or by spraying diluted anthalmentic. It also can be prevented by injecting ivarmectin every six month.

These problems can be easily solved, only if there is political will and public cooperation. It is not that veterinarians and its Department are not doing anything. Despite of many constrain they are toiling hard during vaccination programme. Most of them use their own vehicle and fuel during the programme and do not even claim TA because, they know that there is no fund in the department. Besides, there is no dirt of FMD vaccine, ivermectin and anthelmentic in the department. What the department lack is infrastructure for storage of vaccine in outpost, fund and vehicle for movement of the team, political will and public support and lack of awareness amongst the owner. Vaccination programme is organized every six month throughout Arunachal Pradesh where there are infrastructure facilities. Hardly any mithuns are produced in such programme for vaccination despite of repeated intimation and press releases.

The owners panic only when their mithuns are infected with the disease and usually report the matter to MLA‘s and Ministers instead of Veterinary Officer or District Veterinary Officer. I remember an incident when I was at Yingkiong. My vaccination programme in one of the village coincides with the programme of one Junior Engineer. All the villagers were after the engineer. There were lots of Apong and meat in his camp and my team was left unattended! We left the village without vaccinating a single animal. Few months later, there was outbreak of FMD in the village and more than 10 mithuns succumbed to the disease. The matter was reported to the then Chief Minister and accordingly I was summoned. When I entered the room, both the ASM and Head GB of the village were already there. I explained the incidence to the Chief Minister and also informed him that there is no outbreak in other villages where vaccination was carried out. After giving me patience hearing finally he said “OK doctor, go and join the party (which he had organized for officers of the area). I will join you later”. When I rose from my seat I heard him scolding both of them. I left the room triumphantly.

The other areas of concern relating to mithun rearing are ownership dispute and crop raiding by the animal. To address the problems of ownership dispute, implantation of microchip in the animal was introduced four years back during World Veterinary Day in present of Chief Minister Dorjee Kandu at Naharlagun. I was also invited by two NGOs (one of Taba clan and the Nyishi Agri. society) for the purpose. Till date 114 mithuns are implanted with chip. But it is not feasible in our state because the equipments are very costly and require technical expert for implanting and handling of equipment. Therefore, the old method of ear notching has to continue for time being. To prevent crop raiding Adi and Galo community practice lura system. Problems with the practice are that mithuns become very weak and prone to diseases due to lack of availability of food inside the confine area. Therefore I am of the opinion of that agriculture land should be fenced and mithun should be let out so that they roam freely. (Dr Panor is Veterinary Officer, Biological Park, Itanagar)

“Supply NCERT Text Book before new session”

ITANAGAR, Apr 19: Arunachal Teacher’s Association, Papum Pare District Unit appealed the concerned authority to supply the NCERT Text Books in all the schools of the district before the re-opening of the academic session.

The Unit also appealed the concerned authority to conduct refresher courses, particularly for the primary level teachers and also urged the authority to make available copy of the new education guidelines to all the Deputy Director of School Education to implement from the new academic session. It further, appealed the authority to convert the general census duty period of teachers during vacation into earned leave and also appealed all concerned to screen those non-performing teachers in their respective areas to give better and quality education system in the district and the state while adding that instead of blaming the whole teaching community, the performing teachers should be recognized.

Meanwhile, the District Unit welcomed the newly appointed Deputy Director of School Education in-charge Tana Tagu Tara and expressed the hope that under him, the deficiencies of the education system of the district would be redressed soon.

It also appreciating, Education Minister Bosiram Siram for his endeavor to revamp the education system and assured to extend support for the good cause of education system in the state.

Rural market haat at Kebali soon

Correspondent

ROING, April 19: ICDS deputy director Savitri Khamti laid the foundation stone for construction of Rural Market Haat at Kebali Village, near Roing in presence of large number of district officers, representatives of various SHGs and villagers today. The basic objective of the Haat is to create marketing infrastructure in rural areas and provide marketing avenues to rural people.

It is the second such project sanctioned by NABARD in Lower Dibang Valley.

The project is being implemented by ‘Kebalichi Yaku Alombro, a Women Self Help Group (SHG), which is being guided by Essomi Foundation.

The location of the Haat has better prospects of becoming a multipurpose marketing complex, as it is moderately away from Roing and situated at tri-junction on way to Anini, said Savitri in her address.

The programme was attended by DHO Gautam, BDO G. Manyu, GB Kebali village, SHG members from in and around Roing and elders of the community.

The Kebalichi Yaku Alombro is actively engaged in producing and marketing of orange, pineapple, mustard, ginger etc. Former Planning Commission Principal Advisor, Jayanti Chandra had personally seen the activities of the group during her last visit to Roing. The group had sold pineapples worth Rs. 1.50 lakhs last year.

Seminar on Donyi-Poloism at Debing

HK Roy

PASIGHAT, April 19: Three daylong seminar on Donyi-Poloism being conducted by the Donyi-Polo Yelam Kebang (DPYK) of South-West Pasighat Debing village got underway at Debing today. Delegates from Donyi-Polo Gangging Ruksin and Junai block are participating with great enthusiasm and religious fervour.

Onyok Pertin DIPRO graced the inaugural day as Guest of Honour.

Speaking on occasion, the Chief Guest Talem Tabo EE (RWD appealed the people to preserve and promote their rich heritage and traditional faith and further stated that the ‘Donyi-Poloism’ is reformed and organized and an emerging religion in the world.

Other highlights of the inaugural day were public meeting and religious discourses and performance of traditional, modern and folk songs and dances by various Ganggings.

Among others, social worker Paniram Panyang, Sarki Jamoh (Secy. DPYK South-West Pasighat block), Kaling Moyong Ex-ASM, Ojing Aje and Anupi Panggeng, ASMs of Debing village were present.

A CRC in Bada Village

ITANAGAR, Apr 19: A Christian Revival church (CRC), 69th of its kind in Papum Pare district was inaugurated ceremonially by Evan. Tana Ama Tara at Bada village near Kimin on April 18. Vice-president APCRCC David Pertin, Chairman APCRCC Sub-Council Er. Nabam Sutum, APCRCC Adviser Taba Tabang, Anchal Samity Member (ASM) Nich Kojum, Field officer (RR&DM) Terge Sora, Pastor of the church Takio Tato and Evan. Licha Anthony also spoke on the occasion.

Crash court for civil services exams at JNC

ITANAGAR, Apr 19: A fifteen day crash course on general Studies for the candidates appearing for APPSC Examination (Mains) – 2010, was inaugurated by S.R. Choudhury, Vice Principal, J.N. College, Pasighat, on April 18 at Lower Campus.

The course is being conducted under the aegis of ‘UGC Sponsored Coaching Class for Entry into Services’. At the inaugural function, which was attended by Dr. T.Taloh, Course Coordinator, the Vice Principal emphasized on the importance of the crash course and told the candidates to take the maximum mileage out of it.

It might be recalled that a crash course for the preliminary examination was conducted last year in which many candidates participated and also came out successful.

Training on Establishment Rules & Office Procedures

ITANAGAR, Apr 19: A Week-long-Training Programme on “Establishment Rules & Office Procedure” commenced at Administrative Training Institute, Naharlagun today.

As many as 28 Ministerial Staff of Arunachal Pradesh Secretariat Administration & Heads of Department from Itanagar/ Naharlagun/ Nirjuli are attending the training programme which is being conducted under the 100% course fee sponsorship of centre.

While inaugurating the training programme Pema Tshetan, director (Training) reminded the participants that the basic objectives of the training is to enable the Govt. employees to understand establishment rules & office procedure properly & apply them effectively in their day to day office business. He further urged the participants to understand in-depth that such rules & procedure are basically meant for the service of the people at large & therefore there is a strong need to adopt humane approach in carrying out the work with the motto of extending help without breaking the rules. The director further said that while initiating notes in the files, they should shoulders high degree of responsibility and have courage to point out the facts and examine the cases in context with the provision of the rules without any fear or favour as their noting will form the basis of future decision at higher level.

Earlier, Deputy Director (training) T. Lodo called upon the participants to attend the training with sincerity.

Training to BLO on standardization of Electoral Roll

ROING, Apr 19: A one day training to the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were imparted at Anchal Samiti Hall here today.

Presiding over the training programme, Mirpe Tato, Extra Assistant Commissioner cum Electoral Registration Officer, Roing has informed that the training to BLOs are being conducted to train them about door to door survey which will commence April 21- 25 for standardization/updation of Electoral Roll. He clarified that the main motto of conducting this survey is to detect error in the Working Copy of Electoral Roll and Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and no inclusion or deletion in the Electoral Roll will be done. During this survey the BLOs have to collect duly filled up signed application in Form-ECI-EPIC-004 for correction of particulars in the Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC)/Working Copy of Electoral Roll (WCER) in case of spelling mistake.

Apprising the seriousness of the Election Commission of India in its efforts to achieve cent per cent issue of EPIC, which is 82% at national level at present, he further called upon them to sincerely carry out the survey work in time and to submit the report in between April 27- 30 to the nearest ERO or AERO. He further informed that as an incentive to the BLOs, the ECI has enhanced Honorarium to BLOs from Rs 1500.00 to Rs 3000.00 per annum with 50:50 State-Central share.

Altogether 55 BLOs were appointed in Lower Dibang Valley District to carry out the standardization/updation of electoral roll. (DIPRO)

Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

(Basic Newborn Care and Resuscitation Program)

Dr. Hibu Tagyung & Dr. Gagam Dai

Introduction

This is a new programme launched by Govt. of India with main aim of reducing under 5 mortality rate.

This programme was launched in 8 EAG states (Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh), Jammu & Kashmir and Assam.

In the next phase it has been started in select states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and West Bengal.

Objectives of NSSK

a. One time India was among some of the countries having highest under 5 mortality rate. The under 5 mortality rate declined rapidly by 34 points during the decade 1980 to 1990. This rapid decline in mortality among under 5 children was due to:

• Massive immunization against vaccine preventable diseases

• Correct and effective management of R.T.I and other infectious diseases

• Correct and effective management of diarrhoeal diseases and

• Improvement of health facilities, awareness of hygiene and nutrition, etc.

b. But the under 5 mortality during the decade 1990 to 2000 declined by only 12 points. It was realized that slow decrease in under 5 childhood mortality was due to high neonatal mortality rate. Neonatal mortality rate in India contributes 50 % of the under 5 mortality rate. And high neonatal mortality rate contributes 2/3 of the world’s neonatal mortality rate.

c. The reasons for high neonatal mortality rate are;

• Birth asphyxia

• Infections

• Hypothermia

• Low birth weight

• Congenital defects :

• Others such as metabolic disturbances

e.g – hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, etc.

Target

The National Population Policy Goal has set target of IMR below 30/1000 live births by 2010. This target can be achieved by focusing at the area where mortality rate is very high i.e. neonatal period, which contributes 50% of the under 5 deaths in India.

This high neonatal deaths can be reduced by-

• Resuscitation of asphyxiated newborns,

• Prevention of infections,

• Prevention of hypothermia,

• Early initiation and exclusive breast feeding, and

• Immediate surgical interventions where required.

Summary

A. India’s under5 high mortality rate is due to high neonatal mortality rate. The reasons of high neonatal rate are:-

• Birth asphyxia,

• Infections,

• Hypothermia,

• Low birth weight,

• Congenital defects,

• Metabolic disturbances, etc.

B. High neonatal mortality can be reduced by :-

• Resuscitation of asphyxiated newborns,

• Prevention of sepsis/infections,

• Prevention of hypothermia, and

• Early initiation and exclusive breast feeding.

China’s diversion of Brahmaputra to hit Arunachal power units

New Delhi, Apr 19: The Government today conceded that the power generation in various hydro-electric schemes in the Brahmaputra would be 'adversely affected' during the lean flow months in the event of China diverting water before the mighty river takes a hair pin bend and flows into Arunachal Pradesh as Siang.

In a written answer in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Chinese plans to divert water from the upper reaches of Brahmaputra, Minister of State for Power Bharatsinh Solanki said no specific study had been made to assess the impact of the proposed diversion of 40 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) Brahmaputra waters known as Yalun Zanbo in China for Xiangiang and Gansu (Gobi Desert).

A Technical Group headed by Member of Central Water Commission was constituted to study the implication of possible diversion of Brahmaputra water by China.

It had observed that diversion would be through a carrier system of 800 km in length to irrigate arid regions of upper Yellow river. The proposal according to this group took advantage of hair pin bend in the river in the Tibet region with a drop of 2225 meters in a distance of 40 km for generating 40,000 MW of power. The proposed location is near Doxong (Doshong of Bujialacong in Chinese on Indian maps) at an altitude of 2,880 m above MSL just before South westward hairpin bend.

The Minister said no specific information was available on China's plan to divert water from Brahmaputra but there had been media reports that China planned to construct hydropower projects on the river and divert its water.

China has been officially denying since 2000 that it proposes to build a dam or divert waters of Brahmaputra, Solanki said. UNI

DPC meet

ITANAGAR: The District Planning Committee meeting of Zilla Parishad, Lower Subansiri District was held at DC Office Chamber, Ziro recently to finalise and approve the schemes submitted by the PR institutions for development of civic amenities against the third and fourth TFC fund allocation.

The meeting approving the schemes of 3rd and 4th installment TFC grant resolved that grants shall be implemented through respective member secretary and not through PHED.

It also resolved that the construction of Anchal Samity resource centre shall be implemented through ZPM/Anchal Chair Person.

The meeting refused to accept awarding of works centrally through tender to M/S Delhi Traders, informed Zila Parishad Chairperson Likha Tongum.

BJP appoints new office bearers

ITANAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Gadkari has approved the appointments of new office bearers for the party’s Arunachal Pradesh unit.

While MLA Dr. Tangor Tapok was retained as the party president, BR Wage, Padmeswari Jamoh and Kabak Yabil were appointed vice presidents and both Tai Tagak and Dominic Tadar as general secretaries. The 10-member new executive committee also includes three secretaries and a treasurer, according to a party release.

Nyori wins district level chess tourney

AALO: Yommar Nyori beat his nearest rival Bigam Doke by a margin of one point in the fourth round of the district level chess tournament held here recently and became new champion.

Nyori scored 4 points in total and pocketed the winner’s prize of Rs. 5000.

All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association President Dobin Doke was the chief Arbiter who was ably assisted by P. Lahon as the Arbiter.

Indefinite strike

ITANAGAR: BSNL Employees’ Union (BSNLEU) will participate in the indefinite strike called by Joint Action Committee of BSNL Union/Association from April 20 for fulfillment of its 7-point charter of demands.