The Arunachal Times - Archives

Govt clears Miao–Vijayanagar road

“CM suggests wildlife policy”

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: Government of India has cleared for restoration of the much required Miao - Vijayanagar road – 157 KMs which was earlier made de-functional because of Namdapha National Park.

This was revealed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu while addressing the 2-day conference of Senior Forest Officers here at PCCF office today.

While clarifying that the 60 KMs stretch of road going through the National Park would solely be constructed by the forest department in order to ensure protective measures for safeguarding the beauty and essence of National Park, Khandu said that the rest which does not fall under it shall be floated for tender.

Viewing seriously over the degrading wildlife in the state and no comprehensive plans being chalked out to check that, Khandu asked the senior forest officers to plan and suggest the government with practical schemes so that the wild life could be protected from extinction. He suggested for implementation of the wildlife protection laws in a holistic manner.

“The Supreme Court Ban on timber operation in the state in year 1996 should be taken as a challenge and as an opportunity to develop our vast non timber forest resources like Bamboo, Cane, medicinal plants etc.” Khandu emphatically said. He called upon the senior forest officers to go to the field, interact with the people and chalk out some viable plans and strategies to improve the economy and livelihood of the people.

Khandu requested the PCCF to conduct periodical spot inspection to ensure that the field officers discharge their duties sincerely.

The chief minister while speaking on Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) advised that the department need to bring about such schemes which are feasible and beneficial for both the people and the environment.

He advocated for more and more afforestation programmes to increase the density of forests and fill up bare lands considering various developmental activities being undertaken in the state which includes Trans-Arunachal Highway, Hydro Power Development, Green Field Airport, Defence roads and compensate for the diverted land and forest for these projects.

“Arunachal Pradesh has been immensely contributing to check the global warming and with the plans for afforestation, we need to set examples for others” Khandu assertively said.

The chief minister further emphasized for strict monitoring of National Afforestation Programmes implemented by forest development agencies and suggested for inclusion of PRIs and GBs in the implementation team for ensuring judicious execution. Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Forest Kumar Waii stressed for teamwork to accelerate the forest development works. He placed certain grievances of the department to the chief minister and urged him to address the same.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest J L Singh briefly deliberated on the basic motive behind the conference. (PRO to CM)

Go by ground realities, stop relying on goodwill: Tirap students tell govt

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: All Tirap Students Union called upon the state government to take immediate and sincere initiative to end episodes of regular and unrestrained acts focused on encroaching land that legally and traditionally belongs to Arunachalis.

The Union said that for the last couple of years it has been observed that Assam Government, and some people from Assam with tacit support from the government of that state, have been putting all out efforts to encroach into Arunachal Pradesh taking full advantage of weak administrative hold in the foot-hill and interior areas of Kanubari circle.

The latest in the series is the move of the various pressure groups of Sonari block led by some people of Bimolapur area in Sibsagar district to organize a mass public gathering in Nagahat on December 22 next is aimed at encroaching land that rightfully belongs to Arunachal Pradesh, it informed.

The students union said that people of Assam have even tried to rename Hasse Rusa as Charaipung and Kamkuh Rusa as Naharani.

The Union further said that Arunachal government has stopped all sorts of development activities in these villages keeping in view of what is says as respecting the status quo.

Hence these Wancho inhabited villages are deprived of basic development works besides exposing the one-sided upkeep of status quo while on the other hand Assam continues with its expansionist agenda by going ahead with construction of all sorts of permanent infrastructure including PMGSY roads, schools and buildings far inside the area which Arunachal Pradesh have been claiming for decades, it said.

The Union wanted to know why the government have all along been providing only lip service in the name of traditional ties, harmony while forgetting to ensure that all is well at the ground. Frequent intrusions by Assam police and forest personnel,

damages to public and private properties, harassments and insults have almost become a daily affair for the Arunachalis living in the foothill areas. Inspite of apprising the state government about all these illegal and mischievous activities it seems our government still relies on the “goodwill” of Assam while the harm on Arunachalis remain unabated, it said.

It called on the govt to work out modalities to restore order in the border areas until a final solution to the vexed imbroglio is found as per the apex court of India.

Nyong Panyang’s house damaged in fire mishap

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: The two-storeyed SPT house of Nyong Panyang, a resident of Ngorlung village under Ruksin sub-division in East Siang district, has been partially damaged in a fire mishap that occurred on Friday.

However, the kitchen adjacent to the SPT house was completely gutted in the fire accident.

Although there was no report of any casualty, the owner of the house, Nyong Panyang, father of Editor of Echo of Arunachal Nanni Dai, has suffered a minor injury in the mishap. He was later rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. A source from Ruksin said that the villagers helped in lessening the extent of damage/ loss of properties. They also initiated in dousing the blaze.

According to an estimate by the villagers, the damage has incurred a loss of over rupees seven lakhs to Nyong Panyang, who is one of the senior citizens of the area.

The villagers also urged the local administration to assess the damage and provide immediate relief to the affected family.

Governor exhorts NGO to take health care facilities to the needy

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: Governor Gen J J Singh has exhorted the Karuna Trust to put its best foot forward in providing the much needed medical care to the tribal community of the State.

Singh said this today when the head of the Trust Padmashree Dr H Sudarshan called on him at Raj Bhavan yesterday.

The Governor appreciated the yeomen services provided by the Trust in the remote areas of the State and assured to participate in their endeavour to provide latest medical facilities in the interior places.

Gen Singh expressed his happiness that the PHCs taken up under Public Private Partnership are running very well.

Earlier, while apprising the Governor on the activities of the Karuna Trust, Dr Sudarshan informed that at presently it is managing total Forty-six government Primary Health Centres (PHC) across the country and in Arunachal Pradesh, it is running Nine PHCs in nine Districts since Jan 2006 under Public Private Partnership (PPP) program with Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Head of Karuna Trust further informed that it has started Computer centre for the tribal youth of Tezu, a library and music school. It will grow with rural development activities, he added.

Placing the problems of the Trust, Dr. Sudarshan said due to encroachment of the land donated to the Kurana Trust, it is unable to expand its proposed medicinal plants activity at Tezu. He also placed their requirement of three hectares of land for running a Nursing School in Arunachal as desired by the State Government. Karuna Trust, established in 1986 by Padmashree Dr H Sudarshan, is a public charitable trust, affiliated to the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyan Kendra, located in BR Hills, Karnataka. The Trust began as a response to the high prevalence of Leprosy in Yelandur Taluk, Chamrajnagar district in Karnataka. Continuous promotional, preventive, curative and rehabilitative efforts brought down prevalence of leprosy in the area to 0.28 per 1000 population in 2005. (PRO, Raj Bhawan)

Construction of Greenfield airport to begin by March

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel today announced that construction works for the Greenfield Airport at Karsingsa near here would begin by March next year with almost all the ground works cleared for it.

Informing of the announcement made today at New Delhi during the NCP national convention, Bamang Felix, MLA and NCP Deputy Leader of the state Assembly, informed over phone that the Union Minister had made the announcement in presence of hundreds of NCP activists including union ministers, MPs and state legislators from across the country.

The proposal for construction of the Greenfield airport, a part of the Prime Minister’s package for the State, had recently got an unanimous thumbs-up from the people during a public hearing organised by the State Pollution Control Board.

Felix, who is amongst the five Party MLAs and leaders from the state participating in the NCP National Convention, welcomed the announcement and expressed confidence that it would be implemented by word, which would spring-jump Arunachal Pradesh on to the aviation map of the country.

He also informed that Party president and Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar in his address during the Convention specifically assured to provide all cooperation and support for development of Arunachal Pradesh, especially in the ministries held by NCP leaders in the UPA government. Urging the state governments to do more to control spiralling food prices, Pawar, reportedly, appealed that they should take the issue of price rise very seriously to protect the interest of consumers.

Felix informed that the Union Minister has invited the state delegation to his offices tomorrow and hoped that the meeting would be fruitful in context of Arunachal Pradesh. They would also meet Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma later tomorrow.

Participating in the National Convention, NCP legislators from the state reiterated that they were a part of the UPA alliance, which needs to be extended to the state also. They maintained that it was up to the Congress government in the state to consider the NCP legislators as equal partners in the state and treat them as such.

The state NCP delegation also made fervent appeals to rest of the ministries not headed by NCP in the Union Government to treat Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of the UPA alliance and provide incentives from the respective ministries for development of the state.

Meanwhile, Felix informed that he is leading an exposure tour for panchayat leaders of Nyapin Assembly constituency on the sidelines of the NCP National Convention. The panchayat leaders including not less than 12 women members are at the moment on a sightseeing spree around the national capital and adjoining cities like Agra, Jaipur etc.

“This is the first time that the grass root leaders of my constituency are seeing the outside world. They are feeling great,” he added.

Siram lauds NGOs on quality education

PASIGHAT, Dec 20: Inaugurating the three day Balika Shivir programme, Education Minister Bosiram Siram appreciated the role of NGOs in promoting quality education and emphasized the need for vocational education in both governmental and non-governmental schools in the state.

Organised by Arunachal Siksha Vikash Samity Bibhag the program started today at Saw mill area, Pasighat.

Siram further highlighting the steps taken by the state government to revamp the education sector and decision taken by the government regarding recruitment of teacher, called for a change in the education system to cope up with the existing scenario and encouraged the teaching community to impart quality education.

Guest of Honour R.D. Thungan PD (SSA) and Deputy Commissioner Onit Panyang also advised the teachers to be dedicated in their duty to achieve the goal of the department. (DIPRO)

Awareness Campaign on H1N1 in Lower Subansiri District

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: A 5 day special awareness campaign on influenza A H1N1 was concluded at Ziro in Lower Subansiri District today. During the campaign which started on 16th December, Field Publicity Units of Ziro and Along have organized various publicity programmes in Hija, Hari, Hong, Reru, Kalung, Dibo and Tajang villages.

Interactive meetings, photo exhibitions, film shows, drawing and essay competitions were organized to make people aware about H1N1 flu.

The main programme was held at Bulla village yesterday where Dr. S.Habung, District Surveillance Officer, Ziro detailed information about influenza A H1N1, symptoms and precautions. He said that in winter season chances of H1N1flu are more so people should take utmost care.

Dr. Habung said we should always cover our nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing and often wash hands with soap, especially after cough and sneeze. We should also avoid touching eyes and nose and try to make distance with people having respiratory illness, he added.

Dr. Habung also clarified that H1N1 virus is not spread by the swine but it may be transmitted from human to human.

Kuru Tago, Anchal Chairperson Ziro, while appreciating Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP) for organizing awareness campaign on H1N1 said that such programmes are very important for rural people as there is no other medium of information in rural and remote areas. He said that H1N1 flu may be very dangerous and people must know about it so that they can take all precautions for protecting themselves from H1N1.

Raj Kumar, Joint Director, DFP, Itanagar said that awareness is very necessary for protection from H1N1. He appealed the people to tell others also about H1N1 flu so that they may also take all precautions to fight with H1N1 virus. A on the spot quiz contest on H1N1 was also organized during the programme and winners were given attractive prizes.

The campaign is being organized by the DFP in close coordination with Health Department and District Administration.

Similar programmes will also be organized in Anjaw, Changlang and West Siang districts.

AWWA for promotion of reading habits among children

WAKRO, Dec 20: Chief of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Lohit Brigade Ritu Mehta , handed over a cheque of Rupees Fifty Thousand as Aid for promoting reading habit in children and strengthening the VT-AWIC library movement.

The cheque was handed over to Mamoni Gogoi, coordinator of the Apne Library in presence of Brig. Manjeet Mehta, SM, Commander 82 Mountain Brigade and Col. P.L.Jayram, Commanding Officer of the 26 Maratha Light Infantry today.

Ritu Mehta also interacted with ASSET delegates and urged them to continue serving the society with commitment assuring that many leaders would certainly encourage and help out ASSET in achieving public welfare.

Tape Bagra, IAS, Divisional Commissioner (East) expressed happiness that ASSET was rendering dedicated service and in addition to imparting formal education, the young learners are being inspired to spread love and joy all around. In his address to the Apnes and the girls of the KGBV, Wakro he said that only a joyous person can be fearless, harmless and non-violent.

Bagra also called upon the students to renew their commitment to pursue learning in a disciplined approach. He motivated them to take the hardships and challenges of student life in an easy and positive note to ensure a brighter future for themselves and the society. He also expressed hope that more young leaders in Arunachal will step in and take up service activities like the ASSET. Laeta Umbrey, HMLA, Roing who also made some donation in his message to Anugrah the ASSET headquarters, complimented the innovative library movement.

The financial assistance is extended by the Anu Shiksha Seva Trust (ASSET) to assist activities and strengthen the rural libraries under VT-AWIC network.

IMWA to conduct election

ITANAGAR, Dec 20: Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) in a meeting held recently here has resolved to conduct the IMWA election after completing the voter cards and other relevant formalities of the election under the guidance of Chief advisor and ex-officio chairman.

Meanwhile, Techi Nera appealed one and all to co-operate with the election committee for peaceful conduct of IMWA election and urged the Association to work for the safety and betterment of the business community.

Give big boost to women empowerment: Ambika Soni

Chandigarh, Dec 20: Emphasising the need for women's empowerment, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni has said women can play a vital role and bring a positive change in society.

'Women empowerment means financially strengthening of women so that they can bring profits for their families. In southern states, nearly 86 lakh women have been associated with self help groups and got financial assistance to run their families,' Soni said here Saturday.

'Recently the union cabinet has passed a resolution to enhance the 33 percent reservation of women in local bodies to 50 percent, which is a big boost in the direction of women empowerment.'

Soni was in Chandigarh Saturday to lay the foundation stone of a Mahila Bhawan in Sector 38.

Yaza Waii Memorial T20 Cricket C’ship from Dec 28

Seppa, Dec 20: The first ever Yaza Waii Memorial T20 Cricket Championship will begin at General Ground Seppa on December 28.

With the saying “all works and no play makes Jill a dull boy,” it is also expected that the tournament would break the monotony life of the people from all walks of life in the coming weekend.

Championship commissioner, Dahey Sangno informed that the tournament is being patronized by Parliamentary Secy. Kumar Waii himself, with East Kameng Deputy Commissioner as its Chairman and Liken Koyu and Jabu Lapung as its Secy and the media manager respectively.

A case prize of Rs 50,000 and 25,000 with trophy would be given to the champion and the runners up respectively. Besides this, there would be man of the series prize of Rs 5,000 with trophy and prizes for the man of the match in every matches.

The tournament being the first after late Yaza Waii, the beloved mother of Parliamentary Secy. for Forest and Environment, Kumar Waii, is likely to create much fanfare among the people of the district especially of Bameng.

Final match would be held on January 13. DIPRO

Generate power: Bagra

ITANAGAR: Divisional Commissioner (East) Tape Bagra inaugurated a training program by the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) for the elected Panchayat functionaries of Wakro Anchal Samity.

“Please do not seek power, Generate power”, he said while addressing the Panchayat leaders.

He said that the Panchayati Raj Institutions can be effective only if the panchayat leaders are aware of their powers and functions. He assured that the government was committed to empowering PRIs.

The training was led by Narayan Sahoo, Assistant Director, SIRD. CO, Wakro Kenbom Nyodu, thanked the Commissioner and the SIRD for conducting the much need training and awareness drive for the PRI leaders.

Free coaching registration

ITANAGAR: The registration for two months free coaching programme for civil service preliminary examination and APCS 2010 being held at Dera Natung Govt College, Itanagar will start from December 23. Interested candidates may contact Dr. MQ Khan at 9436879564, 2212983.

The programme is being organized by State Directorate of Higher and Technical Education.

ALSU dismayed at oil robbery

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Law Students Union (ALSU) has expressed shock over rampant robbing of fuel in the name of union, without any proper authorization from the organizations. In this regard, ALSU has appealed to the city police to post atleast two policemen in different petrol stations of capital complex to stop miscreants from resorting to such acts. Meanwhile an executive body meeting of ALSU was held on Sunday, where a resolution to build permanent office of union by present incumbent was taken.