August -  03

• 77 pc of Arunachal Pradesh population lives in rural areas
• High level hrd committee calls on governor, CM
• Maintain transparency in SPA schemes: AARCA unit
• AAYA opposes transfer order
• Official team visits Doimukh HS school
• Y D Thongchi’s mother dies
• FSD opposes draft land acquisition, RR Bill-2011
• Anchal Samiti Chief all praise for Wakro Library activists
• PAYWA adamant on DC’s transfer
• Committee writes to GMR Energy project incharge
• Libang appeals for quality education
• Tiger 7 Soccer Tourney

 

APSTSU’s memo to CS

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe Students’ Union (APSTSU) in a memorandum to the chief secretary requested him to take step for 30 per cent reservation in NE-I,II,III for Arunachal Pradesh students which prevails in other parts of the north eastern region.

The APSTSU said that it has met  the director-in-charge of NERIST on August 1 regarding reservation of 42 per cent Group C and D posts which has been approved by the Govt of India for the Arunachalees but Arunachalees do not enjoy the reservation in NE-I,II,III.

Land donors of many institutions in North East like Tripura Medical College, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health  and Medical Science (NEIGRIMS) are enjoying fixation of 30 per cent quota in every academic session, but here in Arunachal the land donor of NERIST do not enjoy it, the Union said. The Union further said that chief secretary assured to take up the matter with union human resource development ministry. APSTSU also submitted a separate memorandum to Governor in this regard.

 

Committee formed

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Rumbang and Higio Anchal Joint Land Affected Committee  (RHAJLAC) of NLCPR road project from Chambang to Phaa-30 Km phase-I was  formed in a joint meeting of Rumbang and Higio Anchal segments under Chambang circle at Naharlagun on July 30. Puji Haka, Puju Tem and Higio Haka have been appointed as chairman, vice chairman and general secretary respectively of the Committee.  

 

Revoke ban order on land allotment

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Apatani Students’ Union (ASU) has appealed to the land management department to revoke ban order against allotment of land in Capital Complex.

It said that land allotment generate huge revenue for the state. Banning of land allotment not only hampers the common public and Govt, it also leads to huge loss of revenue, the union said.

 

‘Release contractors payment’

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Expressing concern over the non-payment of contractors bill for construction of KVK road, Yachuli, the local people in a general public meeting held at Yachuli on July 30  has constituted KVK Road Coordination Committee, Yachuli to safeguard the interest of the local contractors in particular and Yachuli as a whole.

The house observed that contractors have been patiently waiting since March last for payment after investing their hard earned money on the work but no initiation has been taken by the authorities to mitigate the problems of contractors till date.

The meeting further said that  the  Executive Engineer, PWD, Yazali division did not pay the contractors’ payment  even after the directive from Superintending Engineer, Naharlagun civil circle, PWD to make the payment for completed work.

The 14-member coordination committee headed by Joram Sala, ex-ZPM as chairman and  Toko Budh as general secretary has urged the  Executive Engineer, Yazali PWD division to make the contractors payment within Aug 20. It threatens to  launch democratic movement if their demand is not fulfilled.

 

KKSU  to conduct education tour

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Kargu Kardi Students’ Union (KKSU) has decided to conduct literary competitions cum education tour to various schools from August 19 to 27.

As per the scheduled fixed by the union, the tour cum literary competition would be kicked off at Govt Middle School Keak on August 19. The programme would be held at Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Kamba on  August 20,      Govt. Sec. School, Darak at August 22, Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Tirbin on August 23, Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Liromoba on August 24,  Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Yomcha on August 25 which also hold the final on August 27.

The students union in its meeting yesterday also discussed various developmental issues of the area and expressed its dissatisfaction over the slow progress in developmental works.

The progress of work under PMGSY Schemes in the area had been very discouraging while Darak and Yomcha circles are yet to be linked with rest of the places, it said.

Further, both the higher secondary schools at Yomcha and Liromoba are functioning without any senior teacher while the PHC at Yomcha is functioning with a dentist since last one year, said the students union. It appealed to the Government to look into problems otherwise the union would be compelled to launch democratic movement for fulfillment of the demands, it said.

 

Independence Day soccer tourney

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Vth Lower Balijan Youth Association (LBYA) president Taba Taram and Upper Balijan GPM Tem Yayo attended as chief guest and guest of honour at the inaugural function of the first ever Independence Day Soccer Tournament at Balijan.

The opening match was played between Jote Youth Welfare Association (JYWA) and Nabam Tania Tajam Football Club (NTTFC), Balijan where the NTTFC defeated JYWA by 5-2 goals. The Tournament is being organized by Balijan Market Welfare Committee (BMWC) in collaboration with Ginesis Sports and Cultural Club (GSCC), Balijan.

 

APEYO appeals for development works

ITANAGAR, Aug  2: Arunachal Pradesh Elite Youth Organisation (APEYO) appealed to the elected leaders (minister) to work for the development of state.

While referring to the recent press statements of ANSU, the organization also said it will be better not to mix student organization with dirty politics except in the interest of students’ benefit and the benefit of state as a whole.  

 

Feedback sought

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has appealed to all interested persons to give their feedback on draft Land Acquisition and Relief and Rehabilitation Act 2011 which is going to be placed in Parliament.

Act is placed in www.rural.nic.in for public view and feedback can be given to APCC office or directly to the union rural development ministry, the Congress party said.  Meanwhile, APCC appreciated the UPA Govt including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and RD Minister Jairam Ramesh for drafting such people friendly policy.  

 

Resignation

ITANAGAR, Aug 2:  Talley Phassang, VP, WZ of ARTIAF has resigned from the post on moral ground.

 

Govt urged to prevent encroachment

ITANAGAR: Champak Chojo Youth Association said that Assam Forest personnel along with police are carrying out massive forest plantation and encroachment in Champak Chojo village of Kangku Circle, West Siang District.

It also alleged that surveying in hills and nearby forest is also carried out by the Assam team which is very threatening to the people of the area.

The association appealed the state government, local MLA, District Administration, PRI leaders, NGOs to look into the matter and initiate immediate step to solve the boundary dispute between Assam-Arunachal particularly the Champak Chojo village.

 

State level science seminar

ITANAGAR: Directorate of Secondary Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar is organizing state level science seminar on the topic “Chemistry for Human Welfare: Promises and Progress” for students on Vivekananda Hall RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar on August 27.

 

Ani Taggu’s 2nd invention patented in USA

ITANAGAR: Arunachalee software engineer Ani Taggu’s another invention has been granted patent by United States Patent and Trademark Office. This invention is being used to create prototypes  of advanced embedded systems -- typically used to design system-on-chip (SoC) devices. It has been assigned patent numbered 7970596 on June 28th, 2011.

Taggu, with his teammates did pioneering work in the field of software for SoC design in the US some years back. His first invention "Method and system for virtual prototyping"  was also granted US patent 7613599 on November 2009.

He is the son of Taling Taggu and Opet Taggu of Aalo.  

He is currently employed as a faculty member in Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh.

News Impact

77 pc of Arunachal Pradesh population lives in rural areas

Correspondent

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Out of total 13, 82,611 population in Arunachal Pradesh, the size of  rural population is 10, 69,165 (or 77.33% of the total population), while the urban population is 3, 13,446 (or 22.67%) and during 2001 - 2011 the population of the state increased by 2, 84,643.

The increase in population is more in urban areas than rural areas. The child sex ratio (0-6 years) recorded in the urban areas is 944 as compared to 964 in rural areas.

For the first time since Independence, the absolute increase in population is more in urban areas than in rural areas according to the provisional population Census 2011.

The level of urbanization increased from 27.81% in 2001 Census to 31.16% in 2011 Census while the proportion of rural population declined from 72.19% to 68.84%.

The final population will be released next year after scanning of Census schedules, data capture by using ICR technology and the processing is completed.

Releasing the provisional Census Paper II for Arunachal Pradesh in the presence of Bharati Chanda, joint director, Census, Shillong, here today, the director, Census Operations, Arunachal Pradesh, Hage Batt informed about the emphasis laid on carrying out the gigantic exercise by the enumerators in order to ensure accurate data collection for facilitating proper planning in the state.

Chanda in a power point presentation gave a detailed report on the different aspects of data collected during the Census 2011. She informed that the provisional Census is released at present for further rectification of any mistakes, if any, by the enumerators.

 

High level hrd committee calls on governor, CM

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: High level HRD Committee, Dr. Atul Sarma, former Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University along with Vice Chancellor of Central University, Jharkhand, Dr. D.T. Khating and HRD official SB Prasad called on the Governor Gen JJ Singh at Raj Bhavan here today.

The committee from Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi had in-depth discussion on the overall development of Rajiv Gandhi University with the Governor, who is also the Rector of the University.

Governor stressed on selection of an academist par excellence to the post of Vice Chancellor with vast administrative experiences and human resources management. The person should understand indigenous traditions and customs, Gen Singh added.

The High level committee apprised the Governor on the purpose of their visit.

During the four-day visit, the committee, which has been constituted by the President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar will interact with various stakeholders.

The high level team also called on the State Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin in his Niti-Vihar office this afternoon.

The special team is here in the state capital to assess the situation for selection and appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the Rajiv Gandhi University which has been left without a Vice Chancellor since its incumbent K C Belliappa  had tendered resignation after a souring event of affairs in the varsity campus.

While extending his confidence over the team, Gamlin suggested for choosing right and fit person for the coveted post who could read and  understand the nerves of the local tribal populace of the state.

“Besides being a good administrator, a Vice Chancellor should understand and should be capable of honouring the tribal sentiments of this land locked tribal state”, he assertively said.

He further emphasized for introducing third party monitoring module for the development fund released by UGC for various programmes and infrastructural development under the lone Central University. This module will not only help in quality execution of the work but would also ensure transparency in the whole affairs, Gamlin pointed out.

Visiting team while agreeing with the Chief Minister informed him that they had been interacting with various organizations, intellectual forums and would also call on the Governor to get a first hand information on the subject so that they file a healthy report which would result in getting the Rajiv Gandhi University with an able and effective Vice Chancellor.

 

Maintain transparency in SPA schemes: AARCA unit

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: The All Arunachal Registered Contractors Association (AARCA), Upper Subansiri district unit in a representation to the Chief Secretary appealed him to direct the  concerned department to maintain transparency and quality works under Special Plan Assistance (SPA)—2010-11 in Upper Subansiri district.

In its representation, the AARCA unit  said the departments concerned which implement the  SPA projects did never follow the prescribed guidelines while awarding the works against each project. It further said that in order to ensure transparency and quality works under SPA schemes, the Govt should instruct implementing agency to observe all codal formalities before awarding works.

The AARCA unit said the chief secretary assured to follow prescribed guidelines and apprise the Upper Subansiri DC about the matter.  Govt. would entrust the third party monitoring in the project implementation, the AARCA unit informed.

 

AAYA opposes transfer order

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: All Adi Youth Association (AAYA) urged the Chief Secretary to review the transfer order issued to Deputy Commissioner Onit Panyang.

Criticizing the Government for transferring the DC, who had courageously started the much awaited eviction drive against Government land encroachers in Pasighat town, AAYA in a release said that he should not be transferred at this juncture and let him complete the eviction drive.

The encroachers have left no space for any developmental packages to be started at Pasighat. All the Govt. land donated by the indigenous people of Bogong Banggo has been occupied illegally by few officer and public, it said.

AAYA said that the Chief Secretary should initiate legal action against those erring officials, who being government servants, have intimidated to occupy public land illegally, as the names of those officers are with the deputy commissioner’s office.  It also expressed shocked to see that all the illegally occupied plots are well electrified and connected with proper water supply. It questioned the DC, Executive Engineer Power(Electrical), Executive Engineer PHED, Pasighat division that under what schemes/project the essential services to the illegal occupants have been provided? “Such acts are illegal in their way itself and the officers responsible should be given exemplary punishments by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh so that no officer connives with anyone to move against the government,” it added.

 

Official team visits Doimukh HS school

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: T T Tara, Papum Pare DDSE, Hage Tatung and K. Pangam, Jt. Director of School Education, Itanagar made spot visit to Govt. Hr. Secondary School Doimukh today. The team was also accompanied by Tana Tamar, Astt. Education Secy, APPDSU and Teri Takar, General secretary of Doimukh Students Union(DSU), informed DSU in a release today.

The team visited each and every class rooms of the school and took stock of the problems being faced by the students.

Tana Tamar highlighted the problems of the students due to lack of infrastructure like insufficient class rooms. He said sometimes the students had to come out from the class as the classrooms can not accommodate all the students. Out of 380 students, only 100/150 students attend classes due to shortage of classrooms which ultimately hampers the academic career of the students. The need of the hour is to increase the number of class rooms and post additional subject teachers. Tamar also highlighted the school land encroachment problems due to which the school land is being reduced every year and the accommodation problems of the teachers.

The officials team after visiting the school realized the need of proper and sufficient infrastructure to meet the growing numbers of students in the school and assured the school authority to take up the matter at the appropriate level, the union said.

Meanwhile, Teri Takar, Gen Secy. DSU had urged MLA cum parliamentary secretary, Industries, trade & commerce and Govt. Spokesperson Nabam Rebia to take necessary steps for early renovation of Doimukh township road. The condition of road has become pathetic after the recent monsoon which also damaged the colony roads of the township, the union said.

 

Y D Thongchi’s mother dies

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Rinchin Chojom Thongchi,  mother of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) YD  Thongchi died of old age today.

She was 92,  and was oldest surviving member amongst Sherdukpen community.

She was born at Rupa in 1919 to late Phuntsho Khrimey and late Buti Khrimey. Mother of four sons and four daughters including Y D Thongchi, she was married to late Phuntsho Thongchi. Although her husband left her widowed at young age besides premature death of one of her sons and a daughter, she struggled in her life and made all her children successful in life.

She was a pious lady who devoted her old age in religious pursuits. Besides her 6 children she left behind about 100 grand and great grand children and relatives.

 

FSD opposes draft land acquisition, RR Bill-2011

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD) has vehemently opposed the Draft Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011, which ‘favours companies, legitimizes private acquisition and ignores community concerns.’

The proposed draft is not a comprehensive one but mere combination of the earlier proposed two bills, it focuses only on one concern which is to facilitate land acquisition and serve the land needs of private and public corporations and facilitate urbanization as ‘inevitable,’  the FSD said in a release and demanded for enactment of a Comprehensive Development Planning Act which will protect the land, resource and livelihood rights of the communities.

There is no concerted attempt to fulfill the task of land reforms and protect the land and livelihood rights of the communities across the country, FSD said. The current draft of the Bill allows state governments to acquire land for private projects - provided that 80 per cent of the affected people consent to the project.

“Proposed provision of consent of the 80 per cent project affected people is required only wherever the private entities are involved in the process of acquisition whereas all the acquisitions for the government requires no such consent, keeping intact the ‘eminent domain’ principle of the state,” FSD said.

The Bill provides the much needed legitimacy for the acquisitions for the private companies, since today only by violating the existing Land Acquisition Act 1894 State governments could acquire land in POSCO, Noida, Dibang Project in Roing and eventually eyeing for the 2700MW Lower Siang Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP) or many other places for the private Dam Developers in Arunachal Pradesh.

“Unless and until the Bill tries to address these concerns and take into account the Constitutional status of Gram Sabhas, Block Sabhas (Banggo) / Municipalities under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments which mandate the formulation of district and metropolitan level development plans for public purpose by them, the Bill itself will serve no real ‘public purpose’, it said.

The Bill is high on rhetoric but low on content and is many steps backward in the overall debate over the land conflicts in the country today. It will in no way quell the ongoing conflicts across the country, armed or otherwise; but will surely facilitate acquisitions in any of the States in India and Arunachal Pradesh being one of the states in India, promote Money and Power Hungry, Dam Builders,real estate and make corporations rich, happy and unruly.

“Although the Bill contains some necessary provisions such as “under no circumstances should multi-cropped, irrigated land be acquired”, it does not address the challenge of large scale diversion of agricultural land across the country for non-agricultural purposes and the consequent impact on the nation’s food security and pauperization of communities.”

FSD, meanwhile, appealed to State Government, especially the Pollution Control Board, not to announce or invite any Public Hearing for any Dam/Project in the state till the Govt. of India enacts a competent and new Land Acquisition Act along with Relief and Rehabilitation package.

 

Anchal Samiti Chief all praise for Wakro Library activists

APNE Library felicitates prize winners

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: APNE Library Youth activists have won a place in the heart of the Wakro villagers and we are seeing them in regular action promoting reading habits of the village children, said Balijan Krisikro, Chairman, Wakro Anchal Samiti as he gave away the annual prizes and awards to the outstanding reader-activists of Wakro, in the presence of teachers, parents, and public leaders on July 30 last.

He assured the Anchal Samiti’s full support to strengthen Youth Library Movement in the circle by mobilizing more youths and senior students.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. S. Nayil, Patron, APNE Library, recalled his long association with the children’s library movement in the remote areas of Etalin and Anini in Dibang Valley. He reminded the students of Wakro, that they have a much better library and reading environment in Wakro and advised the parents also to take up reading habit to set an example to their children.

“A daily walk to the library is not only good for mental development but for your physical fitness”, he said.

Young Library activist Kesilu Tayang, who has won the Library Reader –Activist Of The Year Award in Lohit, narrated her various experiences while Amilu Minin spoke of how she benefited personally from the library. The readers also presented an action song, “From darkness to Light” under the guidance of Diumlu Appa, cl. X reader. Manju Ama, Principal, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, speaking on behalf of ASSET, which is closely associated with the Lohit library movement, outlined how the adolescent students, esp of KGBV Wakro have improved their learning skills by regularly visiting the library and taking part in  its activities.

The Coordinator, VT-AWIC Youth Library Network lauded the young activists for keeping alive 9 mini vacation-libraries in the neigbouring villages of Wakro by borrowing books from the main library for 2 months. ‘This is a programme that can be easily done by other organizations all over Arunachal.’  

Earlier, as a part of the Felicitation celebrations, CDPO Wakro jointly with the APNE Library conducted a workshop for Anganwadi workers in techniques of Book reading & story-telling. 22 Anganwadi workers from Wakro circle attended the programme, conducted by reader-activsits Odilu Pul (KGBV Wakro) and Amilu Minin (Apna Vidya Bhavan), with the Library Coordinator.

Expressing her happiness in the lively workshop, which can equip Anganwadi workers with reading and recitation skills, Smt. Dhamma Tayang, Supervisor, ICDS Wakro thanked the APNE Library activists for their keen interest in supporting the Anganwadi movement.

This is the third such training under a joint initiative of Dy Director, ICDS, Lohit and the VT-AWIC Youth Library Network, to promote the learning environment in the villages by empowering the Anganwadi workers.

Anura Tamoung, Advisor, APNE Library, spoke of how the Youth Library Movement is gradually becoming a People’s Movement, with the warm support of friends from both India and abroad. She placed on record the gratitude of the Library volunteers to the spirited backing of the Lohit Dist Admn, the DDSEs of Lohit & Anjaw and the patronage of the legislators & public leaders. The movement could be kept up only by he generosity of donors like the Surajmal Jalan Charitable Trust, Dibrugarh, which has been supporting the Youth Library activities for the last seven years.

 

PAYWA adamant on DC’s transfer

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Paktu  Ao Youth Welfare Association (PAYWA)  has questioned the role of Galo Welfare Society and Galo Students Union regarding the transfer of West Siang Deputy Commissioner Amjad Tak .

In a release yesterday, the Association said that it is still waiting for implementation of the recommendation made by GWS and GSU to the State Govt  for immediate transfer of Tak from Aalo. The Association cautioned that it may take the path of agitation if the demand for ouster of DC and RMSA officer is not considered.

Meanwhile, PAYWA has organized a mass social service in and around Aalo Bazaar recently. More than 1500 PAYWA members participated in the social service.  The members of  Old Bazar Market Welfare Association led by its General Secretary Kenbom Riba,  business community and general public took part in the social service.

 

Committee writes to GMR Energy project incharge

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: Talong-Londa Hydro electric Project Affected People’s Committee has written to the associate vice president and project in-charge of GMR Energy Lt, Talong-Londa hydro electric project clarifying their stand. In a press release they expressed resentment over GMR’s inability to start dialogue with project affected people (PAF) despite having meeting on 2nd June in the office of DC Chamber, Seppa.

During the meeting it was decided that negotiations should be held between GMR and the PAF committee to resolve the issue of shifting of GMR’s permanent colony. However they claimed that GMR violated the resolution of the said minutes of the meeting by not starting negotiation even two months after the meeting.

“In view of the GMR’s continual dismissal of its requests for face-to-face talks and disobedience of DC’s instruction for negotiation”, the Committee said that it has suspended all works of GMR in the projected affected area of Tallong-Londa HEP with immediate effect until GMR invite them for negotiation,

Besides colony issue, the Committee also requested GMR to sign a separate memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with affected people committee on or before public hearing.

 

Libang appeals for quality education

YINGKIONG, Aug 2: The Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) Tuting was formally inaugurated by MLA  Alo Libang yesterday in presence of Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Liyon Borang.

With opening of the KV, a long felt need of the people of this  remote and border town has been fulfilled, said the MLA. He expressed his thankfulness to public, officers and the army for co-operation in establishment of the vidyalaya and also remembered initiative taken by P.K. Sain, the then DC. He assured to extend all possible help to the institution and appealed to the teaching fraternity to give quality education.

The Deputy Commissioner also expressed the hope that establishment of KV will improve the quality of education in the district. He also assured all possible help from the district administration but urged the teaching staff to live upto the expectation of people.

Meanwhile, the band of mahar regiment, teachers and children of KV entertained the people. Interestingly, the presence of army and shouting of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” by teachers and children which echoed through Tuting Valley filled a sense of unity and patriotism in the hearts of everyone present.

Among others, H. Matcha ADC Tuting, Talem Paron, DDSE, major Sunil of Mahar regmt, Mukut Lonchung ZPM, Nobeng Burang and Gelong Medo public leaders, principal KV and Amit Giri also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the MLA and the DC also visited Tuting HS. School and took stock of the problems being faced by the school. DIPRO

 

Tiger 7 Soccer Tourney

GMSC-B play ITBP in final today

ITANAGAR, Aug 2: All Arunachal Building & Other Construction Welfare Board chairman Jalley Sonam will attend the final match of the Second State Level Tiger Seven Soccer Tournament to be played between Gora Makik Sporting Club-B vs ITBP, Kimin  at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun tomorrow.

A host of dignitaries are also invited to witness the match.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee of the tournament appealed to the sports authorities of Arunachal Pradesh to encourage and promote the 7 a side game in the state considering its growing popularity all over the world.

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

 

 

Blood tests made easier

 

The mChip is a cheap and portable device to diagnose infections through speedy blood tests. This will expedite detection and treatment of HIV and syphilis in remote areas, says a scientific study.

The mChip is about the size of a credit card and can diagnose infections within minutes, according to a study in the journal Nature Medicine.

Prototype tests for diseases such as HIV and syphilis in Rwanda showed almost 100% accuracy, it said.

The US-developed device has a projected cost of $1 (60p). This would make it much cheaper than the lab-based tests currently used.

The plastic chip contains 10 detection zones, and can test for multiple diseases with only a pinprick of blood.

Results can be seen with the naked eye or with a low-cost detector.

Hundreds of tests using a prototype of the device were carried out in Kigali, Rwanda. They showed 95% accuracy for HIV and 76% accuracy for syphilis, the study says.

Researchers hope to use the mChip to help increase testing of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) in pregnant women, particularly in Africa.

 

Appeal for immediate advertisement

Dear Editor,

Everybody knows that senior teachers are badly needed in all the higher secondary schools of the state because of newly up-gradation of some secondary schools. Many of the higher secondary schools in the state are running by SSA (JT) due to shortage of Senior Teachers in all subjects. But concern authorities keep blank for the geography and commerce subjects in its previous advertisement while there are 14 numbers of vacancies still remaining to be advertised. One wonders, why the authorities are overlooking the PG with B Ed holders of Geography and Commerce subjects. Are we not qualified for that post?

The authorities told us that they have already appointed in 8-9 and 5-6 PGT (ST) posts for geography and commerce subject respectively in 2009-10 without conducting interview against the 100 numbers of PGT (ST) posts before Cabinet approval. It's a confusing appointment procedure as the aspirant candidates were appointed before cabinet approval of the posts.

Therefore, I on behalf of depressed PG with B.Ed holders of both subjects strongly appeal the concern authorities to immediately re-advertise for both the subjects against remaining 14 numbers of vacancies.

Yours,

Kiryi Potom

Chairman

Depressed PG with B Ed holders