April -
AAPSU express concern at PDS bill
and rising interest
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has expressed concern over report that interest to be paid for pending bill of PDS contractor has risen to rupees 100 crore. State government has not paid HTS bill to PDS carriage contractors even after they won court battles at every level. In one of the judgement court had ordered state government to pay all pending bill to carriage contractors with 6% per annum annual interest. Contractors managed to attach state government assets like Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s bungalow, Governor House, Arunachal Bhawan’s at Delhi and Kolkata against their pending bills in the court.
In a release AAPSU General Secretary Tujom Poyom while expressing concern over rise in interest urged state government to release pending bills of all genuine contractors. “Ultimately state government has to pay those bills and interest amount too. More they drag on, interest amount will increase and public money will be used to pay interest later on. Now it 100 crore and day by day it is multiplying,” said AAPSU GS Tujom Poyom.
He further added, “Instead of letting interest amount increase, state government should pay off all pending bills to the genuine PDS contractors. We also appeal PDS contractors to withdraw court case against government which is causing interest rate to multiply. This should be done in the interest of state.”
Poyom also wondered how state government can run if their entire asset is taken away. “The major state asset has been attached as per court order won by PDS contractors which shows our government is surviving tediously. This is very serious situation and it exposes how poor is the situation of present government,” said AAPSU GS.
AAPSU further said if money is released to genuine PDS contractors earlier it will fastrack the revival of Apex Bank. “Most of the loan defaulters of Apex Bank are PDS contractors. If govt makes payment, those contractors will repay loan and thereby helping faster recovery of Apex Bank,” said AAPSU GS. Poyom also questioned where has rupees 45 crore meant for revival of Apex Bank gone missing. “Through RTI we got information that government had taken rupees 225 crore as up front money for revival of Apex Bank from hydropower company. But only 180 crore was deposited in bank and rest 45 crore has gone missing,” stated AAPSU GS Tujom Poyom.
Recently state government had released around 21 crore rupees as PDS bill. While releasing said amount centre had directed state government to pay all pending bills before March 2005. However state government paid bill for year 2007 to 2009.
It seems state government is not following order of Centre in this regard which may force Delhi to stop releasing of more funds in future.
Rebia takes stock of development activities under Sangdupota circle
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: Parliamentary secretary, Industries, Nabam Rebia visited Sangdupota
circle to take stock of the on-
The team inspected the flood protection work along Popum river near Secondary School,
Basarnallah. Rebia urged WRD team to make minor alterations in the embankment work
so as to check the inundation of the adjoining paddy fields during the rainy season.
Later the team inspected the ongoing formation cutting of the Jotte-
In the afternoon, the team inspected the flood prone paddy fields of the farmers of Rakap village and announced emergency flood control measures in the upper part of Gera rivulet.
High-
TAWANG, Apr 17: A high-
The team conducted aerial survey of Thingbu-
The team was apprised of the dilapidated condition of Bhalukpong-
The public also requested the team to take-
Preparation for NE Games reviewed
BOMDILA, Apr 17: With only a week’s time ahead for the XXVth North-
Top of the agenda for discussion were the construction/renovation of the existing
infrastructures, accommodation, transportation, security, electricity, water supply,
cultural events and the much needed publicity in the form of welcome gates, banners,
hoardings, posters, pamphlets, hand-
Despite the limited sources at hand, preparations for the 5-
TNAI Arunachal urges Govt to check unrecognized nursing institutes
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The Arunachal Pradesh unit of Trained Nurses’ Association of India
(TNAI) has demanded the Health Minister to prevent mushrooming of unapproved and
ill-
A letter was written to the Health Minister six month ago to take concrete measures against those nursing institutions to either ban those institutes or serve them stern instruction to get recognized with Indian Nursing Council (INC), it said in a release today.
“Nursing requires an in-
“But, many of our youths are joining the so called nursing institutes without being aware if the institute is recognized or not. To meet their commercial objective of making easy money, the owners of those institutions are not only spoiling the careers of nurses studying in their institutions but also giving a bad name to the nursing profession,” the release added.
While demanding that no persons be employed from unrecognized nursing schools, it urged the Health Minister to issue stern order to district authorities to initiate steps to carry out inspection/examination to verify the authenticity of nursing certificates of nurses who are already in Govt. job. Presently, there are only three INC & ANC recognized nursing institutes in the state are GNM school of Nursing, RKMH, ANM School HT & RC, Pasighat and Tago Memorial Hospital, Nirjuli, it said.
Ranganadi project
Taba Ajum
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The decision by All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) to shut down NEEPCO office, Yazali on 28th of this month have suddenly brought hydropower issue to the forefront of public. 405 mega watt Ranganadi project is the first large dam built in Arunachal Pradesh. Construction of this dam had lead to large displacement in Yazali area and many local complains that NEEPCO did not stand up to their promises.
Potin village situated atop hill near Itanagar-
He further added, “In the name of this project few rich people got benefit and they still get benefit from NEEPCO because of which they keep quite. But ordinary citizen like us who are real victim of this project still lives in utter poverty.”
While most of the villagers support AAPSU stand, few wished better coordination from apex student body. “No doubt AAPSU is fighting for our cause but it’s sad that they never consulted us before taking this step. If there is no coordination between local citizen and AAPSU, the movement will fade away and NEEPCO will get chance to divide us. So, we need to stand up together,” told another citizen of Potin.
Meanwhile NEEPCO authority at RHEP, Yazali has urged AAPSU to reconsider their decision in the greater interest of state. N K Mao, Head of Project (HOP) NEEPCO, Yazali while sympathizing with demand put forward by AAPSU says, “We had received 10 point demand memorandum from AAPSU and I had forwarded it to our headquarter. Similarly reply from headquarter was also forwarded to AAPSU. These kinds of work take some time and we hope our student understand it.”
He went to add, “Ranganadi project is giving quality power to Arunachal and whole of North East in general. We give 12% free power out of total generation to state government. We have employed 194 local citizen and we are trying our best to do what we can for local residents of area.”
Mao said being tribal himself he sympathize with local residents and AAPSU. “I understand their sentiment. But we work as per direction of people at headquarter and therefore I am helpless. In democracy anybody can fight for their rights and AAPSU has liberty to do what they think is best for Arunachalee people,” said N K Mao.
The main demand of AAPSU included free power to local citizens, job reservation for projected people, fish ladder provision, renaming of Ranganandi to Panior hydropower project and couple more.
Exhibition to mark golden jubilee
of Men-
NAHARLAGUN; Apr 17: A two days exhibition is being organized by Men-
The Chairman, Public Service Commission Arunachal Pradesh Rinchen Dorjee will grace the occasion as chief guest at Siddharth Hall.
This exhibition depicts the development stages of Men-
Women society condemns MMS scandal
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: After the infamous MMS episode rocked the recently concluded state Assembly session, the condemnations on Daporijo MMS scandal are still perpetually pouring in.
East Kameng District based women NGO called All Papu Valley Women Welfare Society
(APVWWS) has strongly condemned the incident and demanded immediate arrest of kingpin
Boham Bo and give exemplary punishment to him and other co-
Digging at authority concerned particularly police personnel involved in MMS case, APVWWS general secretary Meong Cheda said that persons with criminal background should not find place in police force, as the police personnel have to play a significant role in the society as law enforcers. “The recent Dapo incident has created distrust amongst the women against police personnel” she added. She feared that it might have created insecurity amongst schooling going girl children.
Terming the incident as one of harrowing tale of the state history, APVWWS general secretary suggested that police department should create awareness in school levels to gain their lost glory.
News Impact
ABK meeting held
PASIGHAT, Apr 17: An interactive-
Yirang appealed to the executive members to work for the betterment and development
of Adi belt. Secretary (HQ) Tabung Ering informed that the public meeting with the
people of Depi, Detak, Mane and Korang to discuss on the issue of formation of Lower
Siang District will be held at Depi on April 27 and the Oath-
AUSDSU to boycott youth festival
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: All Upper Subansiri District Students Union (AUSDSU) has decided to boycott the proposed youth festival which will be celebrated at Daporijo from April 26.
It said that unless and until the main accused of the MMS scandal Boham Boo is arrested, any festival related to youth should not be celebrated in the district.
It appealed to the students’ organizations of the state particularly the Apex student body AAPSU and NESO to cooperate with the AUSDSU movement.
Further, the union has decided to postpone the proposed Dharna at Capital Complex as it coincides with the college exams.
New executives
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The executive committee of Giogi Brothers Society has been reconstituted with Giogi Paih, Giogi Tagung and Giogi Tallar as chairman, vice chairman and general secretary respectively in its third general conference cum election held here yesterday.
Sangken celebrated
ITANAGAR, April 17: The Theravada sect of Buddhism celebrated the Sangken festival with religious fervor from April 14 to 16 at Tezu. The festival started after the Idols of Lord Buddha was brought to the temporary shrine (Kyongfra). Also known as the water festival, people splashed water on each other and wished for a happy, peaceful and prosperous life. The festival was organized by Tezu Buddhist Society.
Assn. formed
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The unemployed trained teachers from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh have formed an association, namely, All Arunachal Pradesh Unemployed Trained Teachers Association (AAPUTTA) and appointed Gumbin Noshi as president and Tatu Payeng as general secretary. Gumpi Nguso and Millo Mamung have been appointed as president and general secretary of the women’s wing of the association.
6 houses gutted in Lazu
ITANAGAR: Altogether 6 houses were completely gutted in a devastating fire at Lazu village on April 12. Another dwelling house was partially damaged while fighting the blazing inferno. The cause of the fire is not yet known. There was, however, no report of any casualty.
The district administration extended immediate relief to the fire victims. The local MLA Yumsen Matey has also assured of his help to the victims. It is worth mentioning here that Lazu situated in the border of Myanmar, is one of the largest villages in the whole of Nocte area. Fire accidents are also frequent thanks to the windy conditions and the thatched house built in a cluster. DIPRO
PCDC demands community hall
ITANAGAR: Puroik Colony Development Committee, Naharlagun appealed to the local MLA for immediate construction of concrete bridge over Papu stream and construction of community hall at Puroik colony.
The committee in a letter to the MLA said that it had approached the concerned authority many a times only to return back with assurance.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
-
All rights reserved.
Painful voices from Tirap
Dear Editor,
Why Nagaland Peo-
Having served in Tiap & Changlang for a short while, I am aware of the crux of the
problems in insurgency infested Tirap –Changlang. There are no Nagas in Tirap-
Unfortunately, the Nagas have very successfully exploited the constitutional error
and NPF is going a step further to move its presence felt in Arunachal with the help
of trigger-
If elected leaders are clean why they always follow the dictate of UG groups and why don’t they raise the problem in assembly? Why they don’t seriously ask Govt to take action ?
The stand taken by AAPSU, RGUSU, SAF, ANSU and other organizations is timely and
praise-
Home Minister comments that all is well in Tirap holds no water. The present home
minister Tako Dabi who believes only in rhetoric’s has failed miserably. He has betrayed
the hopes of the people. It is high time that he makes self assessment and relinquishes
his chair for a younger, more-
Yours,
A citizen (on email)
Japanese lessons for Arunachalee policy makers
Dear Editor,
An Earthquake of magnitude more than the digit eight on Ritcher Scale caused a Massive Tsunami bringing one of the most technologically and economically developed nations to a standstill. The nuclear crisis that followed clearly tells a tale, that we cannot fight the fury of nature. So strong was the earthquake that the earth axis gave a tilt and the event occurred after a gap of 100 years in Japan. We and the world watched the horror live on the Telecast.
If our Policy makers don't happen to learn from the Japan crisis and go on signing
MOU's/MOA's recklessly for Mega Dams/Mega Projects in our state next time the World
may have a live telecast on us. We are all aware that Arunachal Pradesh is very Vulnerable
and it comes under Seismic Zone-
Yours,
Dr Samson Borang
(on email)
Don’t trouble already disturbed water
Dear Editor,
The statement of the NPF to enter into the politics of Arunachal in the districts of Tirap and Changlang has not been received well by anyone in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, which can be understood by the reactions of the various unions and organisations of the state voicing against it. This should be a clear message to the NPF that they are not welcome & should refrain from trying to indulge in the politics of A.P.
The claim that the people of Tirap and Changlang are discriminated is baseless. we may have many things in similar with the Nagas but now we are rightful Arunachalee tribals, so it is unnecessary for the NPF to come and try to represent us.
The situation in Tirap is already in the worst state of affair and we don't want any more trouble in the already disturbed water.
Yours,
Khunw
Khonsa, (on email)
Superannuation age and illegal appointments
Dear Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of students’ unions and civil societies regarding the burning topic ‘Enhancement of superannuation age of Govt. servant’. At the very outset, I really appreciate the students’ unions and organizations those who voiced against the demand of COSAAP for enhancement of retirement age of the state govt. employees of Arunachal Pradesh. Definitely unemployment rate will be increased if the demand of COSAAP is implemented. Hence, the state govt. must scrap the idea of enhancement of superannuation.
But, on the other hand, I suppose that the unions and organizations those opposing the demands of COSAAP, are not really worried about unemployment. Perhaps they are jealous or have personal enmity with certain officers who are in the verge of superannuation.
I do think so because enhancement of retirement age alone will not be the reason
of raising unemployment, rather corruption in the form of thousands of illegal appointment
in our state will certainly be the main cause of unemployment in future. For instance,
a govt. servant would block a post for only two more years if the demands of COSAAP
is accepted, but more than two thousand people who have been illegally appointed
will block that much posts for more than 30 years. Thus, an unemployed youth would
have to wait for at least 25-
In this regard, I would like to request some organizations, specially Arunachal Pradesh
Colleges’ Forum (APCF) who submitted one-
Yours,
Kangge Danggen,
Naharlagun (on email)
Tirap, Changland, AAPSU and Banquet Hall
Dear Editor,
This is regarding the AAPSU consultative meeting to be held at Banquet Hall, Itanagar on May 7 wherein all public leaders, panchayat members, NGO’s and social groups are invited. We the office bearers of NPF, Arunachal Pradesh unit appreciate the democratic process taken by the apex student union but it would have been more conducive if the meeting had been conducted either at Changlang or at Tirap district. Having a meeting at Itanagar has no relevance because it is the people from these two district which had first endorsed and accepted NPF, so it is utmost necessary to listen the people’s mandate from Tirap and Changlang. The response from the limited public gathering there can be manipulated by vested interest, we strongly feel that if the meeting has to be truly meaningful it should change the venue.
Yours,
Y.Mossang
Youth Wing President
(NPF) State Unit
Why only North-
Dear Editor,
Every now and then we hear of things like racial discrimination against students
from Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur in Delhi. The question is why is it that
there are no such complaints from Tibetan refugees, Korean students and Nepali migrants
who also stay in Delhi? North-
Yours,
Sumon Das
Bhubaneshwar, (on email)
********************************
All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.
-