The Arunachal Times - Archives

AR nabs ultra wanted in Wangcha Rajkumar assassination case

Don’t succumb to pressure of extortionists: Dabi tells govt officers

KHONSA, Apr 6: Tache Wangsu, suspected to have played a major role in the assassination of Late MP Wangcha Rajkumar as per the CBI was caught today by the 19th Assam Rifles.

Earlier in Feb 7, 19 Assam Rifles had apprehended Self Styled Sergeant Major Ramchang of NSCN (IM), one of the main suspects in the assassination case of the Late MP.

One of the most popular politicians, Rajkumar’s life was cut short on 23 Dec 2007 in Deomali when assailants shot him dead while he was playing badminton.

The assassination case was later handed over to CBI by the state government.

Stepping up its crackdown of the underground elements in Tirap district, Wangsu is latest in the strings of big catches by AR in recent months.

Wangsu a resident of Chanu Village in Longding Sub Division had joined NSCN (K) in 1997 and later on defected to NSCN (IM) in 2003. After joining the IM group he operated in Khonsa and is suspected to have played a major role in the assassination of Rajkumar.

Last month CBI had approached the 19 Assam Rifles and the Dist Police for assistance in the case. On this written request the Commandant 19 Assam Rifles and the SSP Tirap personally involved themselves and managed to get hold of Wangsu.

On a confirmed input from sources, his movements were tracked and at around 1200 hours he was apprehended while he was moving back to Chanu after carrying out extortion at Longding. Rs. 9320/- and a Hero Honda motor cycle has been recovered from him.

Meanwhile Home Minister Tako Dabi called upon the government employees particularly working in Lohit, Tirap, Changlang and Capital complex not to succumb to the pressure of extortionists.

He however said that some sections of the government officers and officials are amassing huge amount of government money themselves in the name of ultra elements. They are under close watch of the state government; and home department will behave when time comes, he added.

He further said that the state police will prove their mettle by apprehending extortionists who are involved in extortion drive in the name of different ultras of the North East. He called on all to remain vigilant and pro-active and said that all must come together to thwart such nefarious activities being demonstrated time and again by the fake and self-styled organised groups. He further hoped that the endeavour of the state police and central para-military forces operating in the state would keep the UG elements always on the run which is bound to put psychological pressure on the local youths who are hobnobbing with the ultras.

Dabi has appreciated the role of Assam Rifles and State Police personnel in Tirap for their success in nabbing the ultras.

Dabi hoped many more would be captured in coming days with the combined efforts of state police and central Para-military forces.

Ultimatum to NHPC

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Subansiri Lower Power Project Implementation Committee (SULPIC), on behalf of local project affected people, gave seven days ultimatum to NHPC authority to fulfill its charter of demands.

Indefinite strike in protest against non-fulfillment of its charter of demands would be launched by the project affected people of Subansiri Lower Project by April 12, threatened SULPIC in its letter to general manager, NHPC, Subansiri Lower HE Project.

SULPIC has been approaching NHPC authority since 2000 for redressal of their grievances; but all of the demands have been simply brushed aside by NHPC even after signing of MoAs with state govt., SULPIC said.

Some of the demands of the project affected peoples are immediate shifting of Law College and conference hall to Dollungmukh, recruitment of Groups "C" and "D" posts from project affected people, shifting of all project related offices from Gerukamukh to Dollungmukh, opening of 50 bedded hospital at Dollungmukh, intra-village road via circle office Hqs Paro-NH52 and other amenities and facilities indicated in Article 8.17 of the state Govt policy.

ASI, Pune picks up 12 boys

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Twelve Arunachalee boys out of 15 shortlisted have been finally picked for enrollment in Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune. The qualified candidates are-- Yomin Rui, Gungte Yangfo, Likha Tak, Taluk Bage, Tingchat Wangchu, Dada Riba, Kojum Taba, Lalu Taku, Jimjang Deru, Timlik Raji, Sorum Hitlar Tagru and Sambu Lapang.

Arunachal Weightlif-ting Association (AWA) general secretary Danial Teli and parents of all the Arunachalee boys were also present during the final selection in Pune.

District Corporator of Pune, Dr. Ambike, while acknowledging the natural in-born talents of Arunachalee boys, highly appreciated AWA’s role in bringing this bunch of raw talents upto this level.

Meanwhile, AWA general secretary Teli speaking at a brief meeting organized by All Maharastra Students Union of Arunachal Pradesh, advocated for wide information regarding conduct of such talent hunts in future. Arunachal has no dearth of talents. The need of the hour is to bring them into focus, he said.

Capt. Rao assured the meeting to conduct talent hunt every year in Arunachal Pradesh.

AMSUAPU, meanwhile has selected Tania Kipa as the local guardian of all the 12 students enrolled in the ASI.

Issue promotion orders for approved batch of VPs/HMs: ASEVPF

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Arunachal School Education Vice Principals/Headmasters Forum (ASEVPF) has urged the education minister for early issuance of promotion/appointment orders to the recently approved/cleared batch of senior most vice-principals/headmasters to the posts of principal of higher secondary schools. The promotions are overdue and institutions are suffering from shortage of principals, the Forum said. It further claimed that Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has cleared eleven posts of principals to be filled up by promotion from the senior most VPs/HMs and the same is now at the disposal of education minister.

Meanwhile, the Forum reiterated that those inducted/taken from the batch of DAEOs be excluded as their cause is sub-judiced in the court.

The Forum claimed that it has filed a Writ Petition vide WP (C)/85/AP-2010 in the Gauhati High Court division bench on Mar 23 challenging the Govt’s recently notified “the deputy director of school education/principal, Higher Secondary School, Recruitment Rules, 2010.”

Bangalore based NGO Art Mantram reaching out to girl child in Wakro

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: A Bangalore based organisation Art Mantram has decided to reach out to the children of the remote Himalayan areas in different forms. This was disclosed by the founder president of the organisation Jija Madhavan Hari Singh, also Director General of Police, Karnataka in its annual day meeting at Bangalore on April 1 last.

She said that making art a part of everyday life is the main motto of Mantram and they proposed to reach out to the disadvantaged sections of the society.

Sponsoring the education of 2 girl children under the Anu Shiksha Seva Trust (ASSET) would be the first step in that direction, she declared. The DGP Karnataka also made her personal contribution to the cause. Referring to her visit to Wakro 3 years back, she nostalgically recalled how the children of Apna Vidya Bhavan under the Anu Shiksha Seva Trust (ASSET) had brought out so naturally the artistic creativity of the local Arunachali society.

Col.(Rtd) Vinod Kumar Painyuli, founder patron of the ASSET and an invitee to the meet, reminisced how the spirited team work of the ASSET members have won the hearty appreciation of the Indian Army, with the 2 Mountain Division and the 82 Mtn. Brigade, sponsoring education of girls. He warmly thanked Art Mantram for taking this generous initiative to reach out to the children of the remote Himalayan areas.

President Art Mantram presented cheques as part of the contribution by Mantram members to Satyanarayanan Mundayoor, Advisor to the ASSET. Expressing his heartfelt thanks to Jija Madhavan Hari Singh for her deep affections for the children of Wakro, he assured the members that ASSET would continue to promote a creative education to the rural tribal children, especially the girls.

Meanwhile, Art Mantram has offered to conduct an Art Workshop for Arunachali youth in the coming academic session. Sonu Kanoi of Tinsukia in Assam also expressed her desire and extended her contribution to assist the ASSET in sponsoring the education of a girl child in her communication to Anugrah on the Apurba Diwas observed every year by the ASSET on the 4th April .

Arunachal to host national weightlifting tourney

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: The Executive Committee Meeting of Indian Federation allotted the 7th National Youth (Boys & Girls) Weightlifting Championships & 48th Men & 24th Women Junior National Weightlifting Championships- 2011 to Arunachal Pradesh Weightlifting Association.

The dates are yet to be finalized in conformity of time slot as per Calendar of International Events for 2011.

Meanwhile Abraham Kaya Techi, President, Arunachal Pradesh Weightlifting Association and Joint Secretary, Indian Weightlifting Federation has been appointed as Manager of Indian Youth (Boys & Girls) team. He is accompanying the Indian Contingent for Asian Youth Championships at Tashkent which is scheduled to be held from Aril 7-11. The team comprises of two boys, five girls and two coaches.

Andar se Solid? / The making of a fugitive river

Manshi Asher

In Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the largest and fastest of the five rivers of the state, enters the Indian subcontinent from Tibet, where its source the Mount Kailash stands tall. Call it Langchen Khambab (Tibetan), Satadru (Sanskrit) or Sutlej, as it is commonly known, this river is a mad torrent, especially in the rains. Its size, speed and sound resonate in the Himalayan landscape and makes the human spirit feel vulnerable, apart from filling it up with reverence for this creation of nature. Tales of how buses and trucks that have accidentally plummeted down the hill roads, and into this mammoth river, have disappeared instantly never to be found again are sure to be heard if one is driving around in the upper reaches of the Sutlej Valley. But the power of technology led by infinite greed has attempted to tame the wildest creatures on the planet.

The first noose around the river’s neck, also known as the first temple of modern India, was tied in the 1950s. The Bhakra Dam, the world’s highest gravity dam was built at Bhakra village in Himachal Pradesh, just before the Sutlej enters Punjab, at a height of 740 feet submerged. Fishing, agriculture and forest based livelihoods of more 40,000 families were lost. The river was channelised to feed the power and irrigation needs of the northern states to usher in the Green Revolution. After five decades, even as the fallouts of the miracle called Green Revolution are unravelling themselves in the form of an agriculture crisis, the heavy environmental and social costs of damming the Sutlej itself remain unaccounted for.

Cut to the new millennium and the coming of a new technology called “run of the river”. The new catch phrase of the decade when the ‘climate change’ crisis finally registered in the mainstream psyche, is ‘green technology’, with the hydropower revolution leading the way. Causing little or no ‘displacement’ run-of-the-river projects are the answer to India’s power crisis, we are told.

On the Sutlej which is estimated to have the potential to generate 10,000 MW of power, the oldest of the three operational ‘run of the river’ projects in Kinnaur, was the 1500 MW hydro-power project called Nathpa-Jhakhri. At Nathpa village the river is diverted into a tunnel. For several kilometres after, the violent flow of the Sutlej is reduced to a trickle. The river comes gushing out into the valley at Jhakri, a few kilometres later, where the power house has been built. Gone are the tall dams, the deep reservoirs and the colossal submergence areas. Gone along with all this is the river itself. And gone also is the relative stability of, the fragile Himalayan mountains, which are being relentlessly dynamited and tunnelled to create an alternative refuge for the once free flowing river.

Residents of Kinnaur started off as silent witnesses to the ravaging of the Sultej. The state rhetoric of development and the power of money was over-whelming, the impacts and implications too distant. The Kinnars, a scheduled tribe, inhabit this large and sparsely populated district with a population of 78,000 in 80 villages. The creamy layers who made good of the reservation policy of the government have mostly migrated out of the region. For those left behind the main source of livelihood lies in nature’s bounty - the forests, covering more than 70% of the landscape. The dominant occupation is horticulture based on apple cultivation and collection of forest produce - the most profitable being the chilgoza or pine nut which is abundant in the wild. It was only about 6 years ago, after three projects had been constructed that implications became evident at least to the more astute people of the area. That the floodgates had been opened, with more than 15 more projects under various stages of planning, and that these would soon encroach on the forest resources and hence on local livelihoods on a larger scale, was recognised in the wake of Nathpa-Jhakri and Jaypee’s 300 MW Baspa II project at Sangla.

But the project that played a critical role in turn around of local opinion on hydropower plants has been the Jaypee group’s 1000 MW Karchham Wangtoo, the largest private power project in India. While only 31 families actually lost their lands in it, Karchham Wangtoo has become one of the most controversial projects for several reasons, the most prominent being the state repression of the local people’s agitation and the extent of environment violations committed by the project proponent prior to and during the construction.

The Environment Clearance public hearings for the project, in 2003, had to be repeatedly postponed after the company failed to make the relevant impact assessment studies available in the local language. Despite objections and protests the Environment Clearance to the project was granted. By 2006 the movement had gained some momentum and on 9th December 2006 people of the affected villages rallied to Wangtoo as per the wishes of the devta (their local deity) to set up a symbolic shrine and vow that work on the project would be stalled. Section 144 had already been declared by the local administration here to stop any kind of public demonstration. When the rally reached the site, Kaksthal, the police lathi-charged and fired at the silent procession injuring several people. Key leaders of the movement were arrested. After demands for inquiry into the incident a committee was formed for the same and despite reports that the District administration was responsible there has been no action by the HP government in the matter till date.

The repression at Wangtoo succeeded in diffusing the local movement and the two villages, Sapni and Kanhai, who lost 1650 bighas of land in the project, were the first to back out of the struggle, giving an NOC to the project. 6 villages under which the Karchham Wangtoo project’s 17 km. tunnel passes through, but whose lands were not being acquired for the project, were not even considered as affected and neither were NOCs sought from them.

Along with these villages about 8 villages on the left bank of the river are being affected as a result of the construction activity today. More than 800 petitioners from these villages are now fighting a legal battle for compensation for the impact of the tunnelling which has led to drying up of natural springs (the only sources of drinking water and irrigation for apple orchards) and punitive action against the company for violation of tribal, environment and forest laws.

The struggle of the Kinnauras against Jaypee is far from over, even as the project is close to commissioning. The 70% jobs that were promised to the locals in the project have not been given. Compliance conditions that were part of the Environment Clearance granted by the Environment Ministry have been violated blatantly and muck from the tunnel has been disposed all along the river bed.

The transmission line being set up by the company, from Kinnaur to Abdullahpur is being opposed by 4 panchayats. On 9th December 2009, after a news item appeared in a leading English daily about the permission to axe 15000 trees for the Jaypee transmission line, the Shimla High Court gave a suo-moto notice to the Additional Chief Secretary, Forests and the Conservator of Forests. The alternative of laying the line on the right bank of the river was not adequately explored, even though much fewer trees would have been chopped if that was done. Apparently the company had refused the Forest department’s proposal to revise the plan to shift it to the right bank because of the costs involved.

Locals claim that the company has encroached on 400 bighas of forest land for setting up its stone crusher. While initiating construction on the crusher, which operates adjacent to the main link road to a village, no separate clearance had been sought. The ex-District Collector (DC) had also raised this issue. The matter was taken to the High Court but the new Collector filed an affidavit in support of the company. The Jaypee group of companies wield a great deal of influence with the Himachal government - bureaucracy and political parties alike. With an investment over 10,000 crores the company is building a 3 million tonne integrated cement plant, India’s largest private Hydropower project and the first thermal plant (of Himachal) in the state. All three projects face local opposition as well as litigations for series of violations.

For a company whose activities include mining the earth and hollowing mountains, ‘Andar se solid’ seems a bit inappropriate as a promotional tag line. Its irony leaps out at us when ‘accidents’, like the one on 14th February 2010 at the Karccham Wangtoo project site killing six labourers, occur. A landslide at Kaksthal where work on the project’s tunnel alignment was going on experienced a massive landlide and sent boulders falling on the workers colony situated below.

And coming back to the Sutlej - If all the planned hydro projects materialise, more than 90% of the river will be dammed and tunnelled be the end of the next decade, rendered totally fugitive. (Manshi is a researcher activist working on issues of livelihood rights and environmental justice. She is currently based in Himachal Pradesh)

Mopin celebrated with grandeur in Aalo and Tezu

TEZU, Apr 6: The Galo and Adi community residing at Tezu Township have jointly celebrated Mopin with traditional pomp and fun fare yesterday. BRTF Commandant Colonel B.S Baghi was the chief guest on the occasion.

Colonel Baghi urged the community to keep-up the cultural ethos that gives deep insight in to various facets of tribal culture and way of life.

The agrarian festival for good harvest and common wellbeing of all members of the society is significant in the sense that it promotes sense of unity & oneness.

The President Mopin Solung Festival Committee 2010, K Rina extended his thanks to all for their contributions in making the festival a grand success.

S Nyodo, Vice-President, earlier welcomed the gathering and dwelt on the Mopin mythological aspects. The Popir dance by Koyu Popir Party and other cultural extravaganzas were the part of two days Mopin celebration at Tezu.

At Aalo, the day was celebrated with traditional gaiety and pomp. The day saw felicitation of to Lt. Tadak Gara (posthumous) and Kartum Lomi for their contribution to the society.

Director Agriculture Tago Basar and Brigadier A.S. Bedi were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honor. Parliamentary Secretary Civil Aviation Gadam Ete, the Pingi-Neri of Mopin Celebration 2010 and President Galo Welfare Society Jarjum Ete also attended the day.

Basar, while underscoring the need for celebration of festivals however called on all to cut down on extravagance. He further questioned why despite being gifted with good land, people still depend on PDS for food in the state.

Jarjum Ete appealed the parents to saw the way so that children become better human beings. She further informed that Galo Bane Keba will be held at Dumporijo wherein issues related to Galos would be discussed.

On the day, CBSE toppers too were felicitated. (DIPROs)

Govt. constitutes 3 member committee to asses W Rajkumar college site

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: State Government has constituted a three member committee with Commissioner (Education) Hage Khoda, Secretary (Planning) Ankur Garg and Tirap District Deputy Commissioner W Lowang to make spot assessment and find out a permanent site for establishment of Wangcha Rajkumar Government College in Tirap District.

The committee will submit the report within a month to the state government.

KNYA provides voluntary help to the fire victims

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Kurung-Nyobia Youth Association (KNYA) provided voluntary help to the fire victims of March 24 at Byasi village Kurung Kumey District where six granaries including ornaments were completely gutted down.

It appealed the state government to provide relief fund to the affected people of the fire incident.

Banggo demands eviction of land encroachment at Pasighat

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Bogong Banggo Kebang and Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang submitted a 45 days ultimatum to District administration today.

It demanded early eviction of illegal occupant of government land at Pasighat and induction of Dejir Tamuk as DLAAP member as representative of Bogong Banggo and threaten to launch phase wise band if their demand were not fulfilled within the stipulated time.

Longding ADC visits border villages

KHONSA, Apr 6: The ADC Longding Habung Donyi visited borders villages in Wakka circle recently. He was accompanied by heads of the department. During his visit he inspected Khanu-Votnu PWD road, sub-centre at Khanu and other developmental project sites at Wakka.

Later addressing a huge gathering at Wakka Chiefs’house the ADC exhorted the people to preserve their rich culture and appealed to them to cooperate with the government agencies to implement the scheme effectively. The people appreciated the ADC for visiting the villages situated in remote Myanmar border. DIPRO

K. Kumey football team announced

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Kurung Kumey District Olympic Association (DOA) has announced the district football team for the 9th Tadar Tang Memorial Football Tournament beginning at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun from April 18. The 18-member team being led by Takam Tayam, Ngurang Sollong and Dare Logung (manager) is a bunch of few talented young and senior players, according to a DOA release.

The Team

Defenders: Tarh (Hura) Rajkumar, Khyoda Apo, Lingdom Kumar, Tame Tara, Donik Sanjoy,

Midfielders: Hari Tacho, Tadar Rupu, Badang Arun, Yangfu Nibu, Dari John.

Forwards: Takio Johny, Takam Sakter, Hari Kalou, Dare Takar, Takam Tayam

Goalkeeper: Gyamar Ome.

Agyang Biipa

ITANAGAR, Apr 6: Apatani Youth Forum Capital Complex in a recent meeting has decided to start a new abhiyan known as “Agyang Biipa ko Bachao Abhiyan” with five members committee headed by Habung Kano Tamo.

Challenges of urbanization from public health point of view

Dr. Pradip Jyoti Sarma

The urban population of Asia is expected to double between 2000 and 2030. By 2030, six out of every 10 people will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of every 10 people by 2050. It is estimated that half a billion people live in informal settlements in Asia, and five out of six newly poor are in cities. A large percentage of these poor living in urban slums or neighborhoods are ruined by problems linked to rapid, unplanned urbanization. Increased human density with infinite human potential in urban area makes crisis on finite common resources of earth and basic service deliveries. Though urbanization brings better opportunities for employment, greater access to education and social services, improved housing and living conditions, and higher socioeconomic development; yet it is a challenge for several reasons.

Urban lifestyle induces consumption of more high-calorie, processed foods and fewer intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables with less scope for physically active, thus increasing risk on health. Commonly recognized other health challenges are related to:

• Transition of epidemiological risks, including both communicable (such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS) and non-communicable diseases (like hypertension, diabetes etc) related to modern urban lifestyles, inadequate sanitation, and crowding

• Chronic disease

• Risks associated with disease outbreaks

• Unhealthy diets

• Physical inactivity

• Occupational Health Hazards disturbing the occupational safety and other safety risks / accidents related to pedestrian, non-motor vehicle and motor vehicle.

• Increased social risks, such as violence and injury, substance abuse / Harmful use of tobacco and alcohol and provocation of other risky behaviors.

• Deforestation

• Climate Change (road transportation has significant effects on human health because of greenhouse gas emissions resulting in climate change.)

• Environmental risks, such as chemical or biological pollution of the air, water, and land.

• Disaster risks, including vulnerability to earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

The urban poor suffer disproportionately from a wide range of diseases and other health problems.

The social determinants of health in urban settings are beyond the direct control of health sector. Situation detoriates due to in-equal distribution of / access to physical infrastructure, social services, health services, local governance, educational opportunities and finally income opportunities (city is recognized as an engine of economic growth).

Strategic Solutions: Apart from the traditional domain of the health sector, it require the involvement of non-health sectors such as transport and urban planning, trade & commerce, industry, and education as well as participation at the community level. Building comprehensive cities that are accessible, gender cum age-friendly (e.g.: safe city free of violence against women and girls) will benefit all urban residents. For example:

1. Comprehensive (inclusive) urbanization – policies and programs that seek to reduce inequities, prevent slums, and focus on the most vulnerable people, including homeless adults and street children.

2. Urban physical infrastructure – promotion of urban planning, healthy housing, clean public spaces, public transport, recycling, renewable energy, green spaces, water and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks.

3. Disease control and prevention –policies and funding for supporting public health planning and interventions that ensure affordable, accessible public health care. Existence of a functional system of Hospital waste/ Bio Medical waste / city sewage disposal system in the city is essential.

4. Healthy behaviors – passing regulatory controls through policies and programs that help reduce consumption or abuse of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, designing areas to encourage physical activity and food safety, and help “make the healthy choice the easy choice”.

5. Environmental pollution control measures – The policy, design and implementation of “Environmentally Sustainable and Healthy Urban Transport” (ESHUT) systems that has positive impact on the health and safety of people through control over air and noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions generated by motor vehicles, chemical risks, road traffic injuries, exposure to second-hand smoke in confined public transport systems, lack of accessibility for older citizens and those human resources with physical challenges / disabilities. Urban planning can promote healthy behaviours and safety through investment in eco-friendly active transport system. ESHUT may be a strong approach to achieve healthy urbanization.

6. Human security – policies and programs that reduce violence, laws and regulations that improve road safety, planning and construction that include walking and cycling paths.

7. Healthy settings – initiatives by municipalities, schools, communities, markets and other workplaces that seek to improve the on-site environment and promote health among their members and associates. May like to strategically open up public spaces to health, whether it be activities in parks, town hall meetings, clean-up campaigns, or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles and marking those public spaces for cycling and walking, outdoor concerts, health forums organizing physical-activity events, promote local culture and safe food and conduct other events to raise awareness of the role of cities in promoting health.

8. Emergency preparedness – promoting disaster-safe infrastructure and continuity of vital services in the event of disasters or other emergencies

On the other hand, generating basic “Economic Security” in village level may stop migration to urban areas and settlement in cities for income generation activities. Exploring and promoting village based industries, stop transfer of land / other natural resources to outsider that restricts the generation of revenue for the local villagers may help in this regards.

Success story from India: By now the world knows about the result oriented health campaign of “Sulabh Toilet” under the leadership of Dr. Bindeshwari Pathak who is an urban health champion (UHC) from India.

Conclusion: For achieving greater efficiency for an eco-friendly- gender sensitive- economic scientific city, commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions will be required. Promotion of healthy urban living do not necessarily require additional funding, but requires a proper coordinated approach among different departments towards achieving the goal of a desired model city through proper planning & implementation with timely corrective measures. For that, districts should be the bare minimum functional unit structure for starting action under the able leadership of DC in the present socio-administrative set-up of Arunachal Pradesh. To start with, “Capacity Development for Local Governance” kind of project-strategy of UNDP [requested by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)], based on the outline of the National Capacity Building Framework (NCBF) developed by the Government of India may bring more and more opportunities to expand upon it. Alternatively, already existing three missions on Health-Urban Renewal – Education may start a combined effort for a model city / scientific urbanization in our State.

Let us observe “Arunachal Pradesh Health Day” every year under the umbrella of “State Health Policy” (to be finalized yet) of our State with a coordinated effort from all relevant departments linked with determinants of health.

[Article is based on “Urbanization and Health” – the theme of World Health Day 2010 (07-11 April). The writer is a public health expert who may be reached through the e-mail: docspjyoti@yahoo.com]

Roing STS achieves revenue target

Correspondent

ROING: Despite deplorable condition of buses and acute shortage of manpower, the State Transport Service (STS) Roing station has achieved more than the revenue target fixed by the department for the year 2009-10, according to Roing STS sources.

The Roing STS achieved a milestone by receiving revenue of Rs 66,96,196 against the fixed target of Rs 65, 45,268 for the year 2009-10.

However, in the last financial year of 2008-09 the station could manage only Rs 60, 71,424 against the targeted revenue of Rs 60, 93,264, sources further said.

Training for Census officers held

KHONSA: The census charge officers’ training was held at Khonsa on April 1. ADCs of Longding and Kanubari, administrative officers and master trainers actively participated in the training.

Speaking on the occasion, Tirap DC, W Lowang while describing census as an exhaustive and important exercise of government said that all developmental projects are planned based on census report. He asked the officers to extend their fullest cooperation to all census related work.

A Choudhury, SI and A Manikaran Singh, SI from Shillong conducted the training. Similar trainings will be conducted by the master trainers in all the administrative outposts. DIPRO