December -  28

• Arunachal adopts Public Private Partnership Policy 2011
• The lacking pet health care
• No respite as blockade continues to choke supply to Siang districts
• Orgs questions non availability of food items
• DDSE expresses ‘surprise’ at Bassarnallo school report
• SPF objects land acquisition notice violating Supreme Court order
• ATA repudiate APCSOA’s demand
• Orgs say no to extension of air field
• PPA MLAs  does Ayaram gayaram as it joins Congress!
• 1-day career counselling cum guidance programme
• Six Karatekas qualify for National Games

Japanese coach imparts training to state Judokas

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: The week-long training for Judokas of Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA) conducted by a Japanese coach concluded at SLSA indoor stadium, Chimpu, near here yesterday.

Hedeke Yamaguchi, the Japanese coach along with Yum Pangu, coach SLSA and Dari Lokam, senior Judo player of the state, imparted latest techniques to the budding Judokas of SLSA.

The Japanese coach from Tokyo, highly appreciated the talents of Arunachalee players and declared that they will win medals at international level, if properly groomed from now onwards.

 

Renovation of school  under Op Samaritan

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: On completion of renovation of Government Secondary School Manmao in Changlang district by 4th Manipur Battalion, the Assam Rifles under MCA projects (Op Samaritan), the school building was handed over to  the school authorities on December 26 during a simple function.

The project included provision of wire mesh fencing around the school compound, renovation of the girls hostel, school building and toilet block at the boys hostel.

The ceremony was attended by Capt C R Chaudhary, OC Manmao Company, Wathai Mossang Circle Office Manmao, Remnok Ronrang, Gaon Burha, S C Ojha Headmaster, teachers, students and villagers.

Meanwhile giving a boost to the Military Civic Action Programme, 4th (Manipur) Battalion, the Assam Rifles handed over five Solar Street Lights to the villagers of Railung village of Changlang district on Dec 24 in a function held at village Railung.

The scheme  carried out under MCA project (Op Samaritan) will largely contribute in mitigating hardship faced by the people of this remote village and also towards boosting the relations between security forces and the civilians.

 

Yeshi win title of Dirang Idol

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Yeshi Dorjee won the title of the Dirang Idol Talent Khoj 2011 while Nima Dorjee and Pema Lazom stood first runners up and second runners up respectively.

Yeshe walked away with winner’s prize of Rs. 30,000 while Nima and Pema were awarded cash prizes of Rs.15,000 and Rs.10,000 respectively along with other prizes. Yeshe will also get a chance to sing in the upcoming Monpa music album.

The grand finale of the event organized by Culture Preservation Society (CPS), Dirang was held in presence of thousands of music lovers on December 24.

Twenty-four out of 45 contestants made it to the final.

Earlier, Dirang MLA Phurpa Tsering inaugurated the singing talent hunt on November on 24, who also sponsored and supported it for exposing the hidden talents of local artists.

 

Associations reject

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: All Kombo students’ Association (AKSA) and All Kombo Youth Association (AKYA) reiterated its demands on revocation of suspension orders of Aalo, GHSS vice principal Jomdo Lona and immediate arrest of people who physically assaulted him. It threatened to intensify its agitation till demands are fulfilled.  

The associations have rejected the 12 hrs Aalo bandh on Dec 29 by GSU and WSDSU. Terming the bandh call as unconstitutional and unjustified, bothe associations demanded various organizations to justify the reasoning behind the proposed bandh.

They further expressed the resentment at the statement given by Basar Ao Welfare Association.

 

Society demands link road

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, Parliamentary Secretaries Gadam Ete and Kumar Waii, local MLA Techi Kaso and DGP while responding to a memorandum submitted by Upper Vivek Vihar Colony Welfare Society today assured to provide assistance for construction of link road from DG resident road to Upper Vivek Vihar Colony.

Meanwhile, the society appealed them for early construction of the road.

 

Personality development camp

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Under arise, awake competition, a one day camp personality development camp was organized at Green Mount School by Vivekananda Kendra, Arun Jyoti Itanagar branch.

59 students from four schools of the capital participated in the programme. The camp was conducted for the students to develop personality and enlighten their youth power.

 

Awareness campaign held

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: All Raga Area Students Union conducted a two days awareness campaign cum screening programme of Hepatitis B on 23rd December last at Kampurijo under Raga administrative block.

 

ACA announces U-16 team probable

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA) has  announced its under 16 team probables for the upcoming BCCI Associate and Affiliated Members Tournament-2011-12. The team will play a trial match against its U-22 team on December 29, according to an ACA release.

 

Org. demands IRBn Hqs at border areas

ITANAGAR, Dec 27:  All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students’ Union (AAPBSU) today demanded the government to establish police training centre cum headquarter of 4th IRBn at Radhaso village under Tarasso circle in Papum Pare district to minimize border skirmishes and encroachment and more importantly instill sense of security among the people settling along the border.

The union also demanded to shift police check gate of Likabali under West Siang district, which is set up 5 km inside Arunachal side, to the border. It claimed that Panchayat leaders had already informed the matter to authority concerned.  It also demanded to establish check posts at Dekhalmukh, Nomora and Dissing Passo areas of East Kameng district.

 

Lengri Niki-Sii Donyi Polo celebrated

ITANAGAR, Dec 27:  All Arunachal Pradesh Abotani Nibu (Priest) Welfare Association celebrated Lengri Niki-Sii Donyi Polo Yillo festival with religious fervor here on Monday.  Altogether 27 cultural troupes from 16 districts took part in the festival.

 

Bal Kala Sangam

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: To inculcate the spiritual and patriotic spirit among the children, Sanskar Bharati is organizing a mega event “Bal Kala Sangam” from December 29 to 31 next in Guwahati. The objective of the event is to promote the cultural heritage of this region on the national mainstream and to groom the talent of the children as they are the flag-bearers of tomorrow.

Sanskar Bharati under its special project called “Sanskar Bharati Poorvottar Vision 2020”, is conducting this mega event especially for the children of North Eastern Region.

Talking about the objective of the programme, Secretary Sanskar Bharati Arunachal Chapter Sukdev Biswas said that main attraction of the Bal Kala Sangam includes, making of 1100 metre long painting by the children of the North Eastern region besides various folk dances, theater presentation, traditional music, painting and other sports activities.

 

Papum Pare covers 96.99% under MCUC

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: District Health Society, Papum Pare District, Yupia has successfully completed Measles Catch-Up Campaign 2011 on Dec 22 which had commenced on Nov 28.

Total children vaccinated against Measles was 37,379 with a coverage of 96.99% which could be achieved with great difficulty owing to huge target population especially in urban area of capital complex, large geographical area with migratory group and poor funding.

 

NYWA declares 24 hours Capital bandh

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Reacting against the government’s alleged failure to find logical solution to Pradeep Thakur/ToI issue, Nyishi Youth Welfare Association (NYWA) has declared 24 hours Capital bandh on December 30 next. On 12 December last, it had called a 12 hours bandh.

It maintained that NYWA is neither against any particular community nor any person and organizations while adding that it is fighting for justice of the community.

 

Govt employee killed at road mishap

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: One person was killed when a Maruti 800 car collided with a truck at Naharlagun around 5:30 on Sunday morning.

The deceased was later identified as Tashi Thungon, a government employee at Deputy Director of School Education Tawang.

According to police, Tashi was coming from Nirjuli and collided with a parked truck. The driver of the truck has been arrested and case is under investigation, Police said.

 

Forum against public hearing

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: In a letter to the Member Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, Dam Affected People’s Forum of Yapik (DAPFOY) opposed the proposed public hearing of Naying Power Projects which was notified in local dailies of December 2 issue.

It said that the general public of the area is not aware of the meeting as they have not intimated beforehand. It said that on 8th September an awareness campaign was organized at Yapik by the district administration but, nobody had spoken about any such public hearing.

It further said that the power developer is yet to announce the corporate social responsibility (CSR) schemes. Despite repeated pleas in the form of petition by the citizens, people are yet to witness a single development initiative by the power developer for the dam affected people, it said.

It called for deferring the public hearing till March.

 

Improve infrastructure and road

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: ESS Sector Welfare Committee appealed to the authority concerned to improve the sector government middle school saying that the school has been facing untold problems since its establishment. The committee also complained about the bad road condition leading to the school.

It further invited the government officials to the school to take stock of the current condition.

 

ULFA refutes Army claim

Guwahati, Dec 27: The anti-talk faction of ULFA today claimed that the three men shot dead in an encounter in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh were not its cadres but 'innocent' Assamese youths.

ULFA (Paresh Baruah) publicity secretary 'lieutenant' Arunudoy Dohutia in an e-mail to the media here said "After killing the three youths on the main road as they were travelling in a motor-cycle, the security forces to hide their crime displayed the bodies of the slained three with arms falsely claiming them to be ULFA cadres."

The e-mail said security forces put arms and ULFA pads, seized earlier from other insurgents and claimed the slain youths as ULFA militants.

Sources maintained that three ULFA cadres were killed in an encounter with personnel of 26 Maratha Light Infantry regiment near Noadehing Bridge at Namsai in Assam-Arunachal boundary and one 9 mm pistol, a .22 pistol, a Chinese grenade along with ULFA pads were found in their possession. PTI

News Impact

Arunachal adopts Public Private Partnership Policy 2011

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: The newly formed Nabam Tuki Government has paved way for massive private investments in various viable sectors of the State with the Cabinet today unanimously adopting the State PPP Policy 2011. This path-breaking initiative will open up the gates for development of various infrastructure sectors, both physical and social, in the State through much-needed infusion of resources and managerial capability of the private sector, in tandem with the overall vision of the State Govt.

The Planning Commission of India has assessed that the investment requirements in the infrastructure sector for the 12th Five Year Plan would be almost Rs. 41 lakh crore, of which, atleast 50% would be through the private sector. As per Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India estimates, there are at present, about 758 major PPP projects in the country under implementation, with a combined project cost of almost Rs. 4 lakh crore. Arunachal Pradesh, like the rest of the north-east India however, has been a late starter in the field and except some limited experiments in the health sector in the State (management of PHCs/CHCs), practically no PPP projects have been implemented in the State. With the adoption of the policy now, things are set to change.

A PPP cell was set-up in the Planning Department last year and the cell had been working on drafting the policy. Inputs were taken from various Departments and approval of Law and Finance Departments was taken before putting up the policy to the cabinet for approval. A detailed presentation was given to the State Cabinet today by the Secretary Planning Ankur Garg and Director PPP Sonam Chombay.

The policy envisages leveraging Central and State Govt. funds to support private investment, setting up of a transparent mechanism to create level playing field for all participants, prepare shelf of projects under PPP and implement them through transparent selection process, create a robust redressal mechanism and provide viability gap funding for essential projects. In addition, an Arunachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Fund will be set up which will be used to assist capacity building and training, provide direct financial support to projects and take up technical and financial pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. As Institutional arrangement, a High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) and an Empowered Committee on Infrastructure (ECI) under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary respectively will be set-up. The HLCA and ECI will be the nodal agencies for all activities related to selection, prioritization, facilitation, monitoring and approval of all PPP projects above Rs. 100 crore and up to Rs. 100 crore respectively.

The Planning Department will be the nodal Department for implementing the policy through the Directorate of PPP. The PPP cell would assist different Govt. Departments in identifying, conceptualizing and creating shelves of projects and also assist them in preparing DPRs and tendering process. It would coordinate with other funding agencies like Govt. of India, Planning Commission etc. for obtaining approvals under ‘Viability Gap Funding’ and act as nodal agency for capacity building for PPP in the State. The ultimate objective would be to create PPP cells in all the Line Departments of the Govt.

During the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, that went all through the morning hours, the Cabinet also endorsed to implement various other important decisions that came up for discussion today. The prominent ones include endorsement to create a Forest Protection Force to stop illegal timber and forest produce operations, especially along the boundary, another battalion of Arunachal Pradesh Armed Police of at least 1004 posts in various categories and introduction of Arunachal Pradesh Gambling (Protection) Bill 2011 to stop illegal gambling across the state. On the Home ground, the Cabinet approved facilitation of creation of one post of Add SP (Traffic) and five Dy SPs (Traffic) to streamline the traffic system in the state capital as well as in important district headquarters. Revival of Home Guards and creation of posts in various categories to strengthen the security scenario has also been endorsed by the Cabinet amongst others.

 

Important Sectors identified for PPP Projects in the State

1) Roads and Bridges

2) Airports and Helipads

3) Industrial Parks and Theme Parks like IT Park, Biotechnology Park etc.

4) Water Supply – Treatment and Distribution

5) Power generation , transmission and distribution

6) Solid Waste Management and Drainage

7) Tourism

8) Healthcare

9) Education

10) Urban Infrastructure

11) Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and allied sectors

 

What is PPP?

Public Private Partnership means an arrangement between a government/statutory entity/government owned entity on one side and a private sector entity on the other, for the provision of public assets and/or public services, through investments being made and/or management being undertaken by the private sector entity, for a specified period of time, where there is well defined allocation of risk between the private sector and the public entity and the private entity receives performance linked payments that conform (or are benchmarked) to specified and pre-determined performance standards, measurable by the public entity or its representative.

 

The lacking pet health care

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: I am Usung. Vet knew me by regd. no 267.  I always stood by my master all the times, slept by his side on my small bed and he shielded me from all troubles.

He taught me tricks and tactics and we had all the good times. But my journey to the other world began due to lack of life saving advises to my master.  My dream to become a faithful companion and guard my master against danger was shattered when I was given the last anti rabbi’s vaccination at government veterinary dispensary,

Itanagar on December 24.

I took my first, second and third vaccines on November 09 and 24 and December 09. I remained healthy as ever. But the last vaccination of December 24 was strong that I could not bear it. Just before I took my vaccination, I vomited at the dispensary but the vet staff anyways gave me the vaccine.  When I reached home, I turned pale and unconscious within few minutes. My master again took me to the same veterinary to enquire about my serious health condition and the vet gave me a life saving drug with a hope that I might improve. My master also felt relieved and then took me back home. I tried my best to overcome the pain but finally I succumbed to my pain at 12.30 am on December 25.

It was the first and last time that I hurt my master and saw him crying. I’ve never made my master cry as I always make them laugh with my playful activities during my four month’s short stay with them. When I also realized the end, I dropped a tear and yelp for one last time as I lay in my master’s lap.

This writer doesn’t want to blame anyone for the tragedy as it was not intentional. But experts should give proper advice to the owners and take precautionary measures for safety of pets before and after the vaccination. The writer also feels that proper health check up should be done before giving any strong drugs or medicine to pets.

Though some sections of the society neglect pets and treat them as mere animals, however, some section of the society regards their pets as their family members.

Further, it is worthy to mention here that, alike various hospitals of the state, veterinary dispensaries are also running short of medicines.

Take the example of government veterinary dispensary, Itanagar. The pet owners who visit the dispensary are forced to buy medicines and syringe from private pharmacies.

What is department of veterinary of our state is doing? At least some necessary life saving medicines should be made available atleast in vet dispensaries of district headquarters of the state including Itanagar and Naharlagun.

Running of government vet dispensaries with just human resources and maintenance of records in office register will not serve the purpose of the department and the society unless and until medicines are made available in dispensaries.

 

No respite as blockade continues to choke supply to Siang districts

Prafulla Kaman

PASIGHAT, Dec 27: The ongoing blockade by the anti-dam activists at Lakhimpur has chocked the supply of fuel and essential commodities to the three Siang districts and NHPC workers in Gerukamukh.

The state government meanwhile continues to maintain silence even as citizens continue to suffer.

 Lives of the common people in the three Siang districts- West Siang, East Siang and Upper Siang is out of gear for the last one week as the supply of fuel and other essential items has come to a complete halt.

Moreover, the 48- hour Lakhimpur and Dhemaji district bandh which started on Monday by the protestors has added to the woes of the people in the region.

Situation has become worse after the security forces on Sunday midnight forcefully evicted the protestors at Lakhimpur and opened fire at the protestors to disperse them.

After alleged police-high-handedness at the protestors’, the protestors imposed indefinite blockade since Monday.

The bandh was marked with a number of violent incidents besides damages to lot of vehicles, some belonging to Arunachal by the bandh supporters.

The organisations sponsoring the agitation have demanded immediate scrapping of the Subansiri Lower Hydel Power Project and other mega-dam projects proposed in Arunachal Pradesh. The Lakhimpur district administration, in order to control deteriorated law and order situation has clamped Section- 144 of the Cr PC prohibiting assembly of more than five people in public places.

Meanwhile, police fired in the air and burst teargas shells for the second day today to evict protesters demonstrating against the construction of Subansiri Lower hydro-electric project, even as authorities held talks with Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi to resolve the standoff.

Police acted on protesters who blocked NH-52 on the border of Lakhimpur-Dhemaji districts in Assam which links Arunachal Pradesh and pelted stones at security forces. In a bid to resolve the confrontation between the administration and protesters, Lakhimpur district deputy commissioner Anwaruddin Choudhury held a meeting with Gogoi.

For withdrawing the 11-day blockade, Gogoi gave three conditions -- the government hold talks with the protesters, the arrested protesters be released and those injured in the lathicharge be given medical care and the protesters be allowed to re-establish their camps damaged yesterday.

The deputy commissioner agreed to the first two conditions but declined to accept the last demand.

Continuing their blockade since December 16, thousands of protesters demonstrating against construction of the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydro-electric Project re-assembled here this morning to continue with their indefinite road blockade on the highway.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) which is constructing the Subansiri Lower Project, has also said it is ready to hold discussions with the protesters for ending the imbroglio.  (with input from PTI)

 

Orgs questions non availability of food items

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: While expressing their anguish over non availability of foodgrains in all FCI base depots, All Arunachal Pradesh FPS Dealers’ Welfare Association (AAFPSDWA) and All Papum Pare District FPS Dealers’ Welfare Association (APPDFPSDWA) wanted to know the steps taken by the department, district administration as well as state government to arrest the present situation.

The organization raised the issue at the co-ordination meeting held at Naharlagun today with officers and officials of Food and Civil Supplies (FCS) department of Papum Pare district.   

DFCSO Papum Pare Amit Bengia, who presided over the meeting, informed that the higher authorities of the department and Govt. are doing their best to ensure timely transportation of foodgrains to various FPS locations from FCI base depots. The handling and transportation contractors (HTC) of FCI have resumed their carriage work for transportation of foodgrains from railway sidings FSD, Naogaong / Amoni in Assam to all the FCI base depots inside Arunachal Pradesh in-spite of Assam bandh given by the various organizations, he said.

The officers and officials of the department of FCS interacted with FPS dealers, kerosine oil retailers and carriage contractors to discuss the various issues pertaining to the effective implementation TPDS in Papum Pare district.

The DFCSO appealed to all stake holders to cooperate in making Papum Pare a model for PDS in the state.  He informed that preliminary work for computerization of PDS such as area mapping of FPS and digitization of  existing ration card database have already been initiated  to make PDS more consumer friendly.

The problems of ghost ration cards and arbitrary allocation of PDS items would a be matter of past and all FPS dealers as well as consumers will get proportionate allocation of PDS items through automation system under Tirap model e-PDS project, he said.

“The consumers can directly contact the DF&CSO if they have any grievances. The support and co-operation of the consumers will go a long way in improving the efficiency of the department in the district. Your support is sine qua non to make PDS effective in the district. Please help us to do away with the bogus ration cards for equitable distribution of PDS items. Be a responsible consumer” the DFCSO added.  

Meanwhile, after clarification from the DFCSO the FPS Dealers’ Welfare Associations agreed to temporarily suspend the ultimatum served to the state Govt. on December 15 last.

 

DDSE expresses ‘surprise’ at Bassarnallo school report

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: While clarifying the news carried by this daily regarding poor condition of Bassarnallo Govt Middle School, Department of Education, Papum Pare District, Yupia expressed surprise over the report.

DDSE TT Tara informed that school has 8 teachers including 5 (AT) and 3 (JT) instead of 5 as reported in this daily while as per PTR norms only 5 teachers should have been there.

Regarding the infrastructure of school, DDSE stated that except boy’s hostel, the school has got good facilities.  The school has new 35 bedded girl’s hostel. The education department has been providing some funds every year for the development of infrastructure to Middle School. Some of the major funding included three classroom provided during the year 2006-07 under SSA, one additional classroom provided during the year 2007-08 under SSA, one unit of Cluster Resource Center Building and one additional classroom provided during 2008-09 under SSA, one additional classroom provided during the year 2009-10 under SSA, one unit Headmaster-cum-Store Room provided during 2010-11 under RTE by SSA,    one unit teacher quarter constructed by RWD from SPA during the year 2010-11.

It said that dilapidated boys hostel was constructed during 2001-02 under non-lapsable fund, which was supposed to be constructed as RCC building but it was constructed as Akkara Walling, which has become dilapidated condition in a short period.

It further said that the authority has been regularly visiting all schools of the district to know the ground reality of the schools.

Editor’s note: We stand by the news item “Education department need a new year resolution” published on Dec 23 which had reference on Bassarnallo School. As reflected in the article most of the infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition.

 

SPF objects land acquisition notice violating Supreme Court order

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: In a first of its kind of complaints and objection to land acquisitions being done in the state for hydropower projects, the Siang Peoples Forum (SPF) today has raised the violation of Supreme Court order by the state government.

The Siang People Forum has raised objection against the preliminary notification issued under section 4 (1) of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by Commissioner Land Management, by a public notice No LM-149 /2011 and No LM-149/2011/2965 dated Nov 26 2011 which was published in local newspapers on December 17 and 21, 2011 respectively for land acquisition of Simang HEP Stage I and Simang HEP Stage II.

The SPF stated that land acquisition prior to Environment and Forest Clearance is in violation of orders of Supreme Court and is illegal. The SPF has called for passing immediate orders directing the stoppage on all land acquisition proceedings currently being undertaken for the Simang HEP Stage - I project and Simang HEP Stage - II project. The Supreme Court in the case of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board vs C Kenchappa (2006) 6 SCC 371 of May 12, 2006 had ruled that before acquiring of lands for development, the consequence and adverse impact of development on the environment must be comprehended and the lands be acquired for development that do not gravely impair the ecology and environment. The Apex Court judgement had the implications that no acquisition of land can take place unless the environmental and ecological impacts are comprehended, acquisition can only be in situation that do not gravely impair the ecology and environment and that the direction will apply in all future cases i.e. after 12-5-2006.

The consequence and adverse impact of development on the environment can be comprehended only through the following two legal processes of Environment Impact Assessment process under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 of MoEF. The said EIA notification provides for preparation of EIA report, Public Consultation including Public hearing and appraisal of the project by the Expert Appraisal Committee of the MoEF and the final decision by the MoEF or the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee. The Forest Clearance process under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 requires prior approval of the Central Government before any forest land is used for non forest purpose.

 

ATA repudiate APCSOA’s demand

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA) CEC repudiated the demand of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service Officers’ Association (APCSOA) for assigning the post of Director of Elementary Education (DEE) to IAS/APCS Officer.

ATA said that any move by the government for such appointment from IAS/APCS to DEE and DSE shall not be accepted as it would discourage the morale of senior education officer and teachers of the state. Meanwhile, ATA, CEC submitted a three point memorandum to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki yesterday demanding restoration of 50% promotional avenue of AT (A) to JT which has been reduced to 25% in 2009.  

It further appealed to the government to immediately rectify the existing pay anomalies of the AT (A) and other categories of teachers and sanction fund for construction of Shikshak Bhawan within capital complex.

Responding to the three-point demands, Tuki is reported to have assured to sanction fund for construction of Shikshak Bhawan in this financial year and other demands systematically and sought cooperation from ATA for over all development of secondary and elementary education department.

 

Orgs say no to extension of air field

ZIRO, Dec.27: A joint sitting of various organizations of Ziro valley held on Dec. 24 last at Govt. Middle School, Dutta seeking public opinion and to discuss the vexed issue regarding land acquisition for the proposed Advance Landing Ground by the Eastern Air Command, Shillong has rejected the proposal. Apatani Culture Literacy Society, Apatani Youth Association, Apatani Students Union, Ziro Church Council, Danyi Piillo Society, Apatani Priest Association, Hechii Elite Society, Diibo Welfare Association, Ziro Baazar Committee, Nenchalyang Baazar Committee, Apatani Women Welfare Society, Meder Nello(Paph), Nature Care & Disaster Management Society, Paph & Nehabo village committee, Dutta Peoples Forum Capital Complex, religious leaders from Christian community and Panchayat leaders attended the sitting which was convened by the All Dutta Development Welfare Association, Ziro.

Koj Tarang, president ADDWA while highlighting the Dutta peoples stand regarding further acquisition of the land for the proposed ALG informed that people of Dutta in its mass resolution on October 15 last adopted that not a single inch shall be spared  any more for ALG and shall protect the existing land gifted by ancestors at all cost.

Tarang equipped with all the relevant documents sought through RTI informed that fresh proposal for acquisition of land at Ziro ALG limiting to 260 acres of land was sought by the Group Captain, Eastern Air Command, Shillong but government of Arunachal Pradesh agreed to hand over land with dimension of 300x700 meters required for extension of runway and survey of proposed piece of land will be done by DC, Ziro and NOC will be issued for the land once survey report is submitted by DC, Ziro.

Further, he informed that as per DC’s prohibitory order under section 133 Cr.PC vide LRZ-79/98 dated Ziro, 13th Dec 2011, no constructions and plantations can be done in and around Dutta village, Paph, Nehabo and Nenchalayng villages. Already major portion land of Dutta has been converted into the airfield and Dree ground thus reducing the Dutta into smallest village in the Apatani Plateau and another acquisition of land for the proposed ALG cannot be afforded by the people of Dutta at any cost.

Hinyo Tai, president Paph Nehabo Village Welfare Committee while questioning government’s integrity towards development informed that government is befooling people of Dutta village in particular and Apatani community as whole. Justifying his stand, Tai informed that major portion of present airfield was once cultivated land with paddy fields, bamboo groves, and agriculture and horticulture gardens which was means of livelihood for the villagers of Dutta. In the name of development government acquired these lands without any compensation and now for the decades present airfield is used as playgrounds by the kids and grazing hub for the cattle and only little portion of the field is used for ferrying VVIPs by the chopper.

Supporting Dutta peoples movement against proposed land acquisition for ALG, Kalung Bida, and vice president Apatani Cultural & Literary Society opined that any further extension of airfield should be opposed by all and local MLA should intervene in this matter immediately.

Representative from Nature Care & Disaster Management Society informed that Ziro Valley is on process to be declared as World Heritage Centre and any further acquisition of land for the airfield will tremendous impact to the environment and will affect natural beauty of the plateau for which Ziro is famous for. He further informed that due to land acquisition there will be tremendous deforestation due to migration from the effected villages into forests and bamboo groves.

Religious leaders from Priest Association, Danyii-Piilo Society, Meder Nello and Christian Community while justifying their objection informed that there are many important religious places and altars like Nencha Dulyang-Muru Paii, Papii Myole Agyang, Harnya Agyang, Grace Baptist Church, Revival Church and Nepali Baptist Church and most importantly there is common burial ground which cannot be shifted or altered as per the tradition. These leaders strongly denounced any such developments which will hurt sentiments of their followers and cautioned the government that any such move might bring unrest amongst the different religious believers of the plateau.

All the other speakers from AYA, ASU, ZCC, DPS, HES, DWA, ZBC, NBC, Apatani Women Society and Panchayat leaders like Nani Tani also voiced against proposed ALG and demanded that present airfield should be shifted to any other locations far way from densely populated areas as present airfield is in the heart of the valley surrounded by thickly populated villages like Bamin Michi, Mudang Tage, Dutta, Paph, Nehabo, Nenchalyang, Hija, Old Ziro Market, Tajang, Reru, Hari and Hong.

Later, a Consultative Committee was formed who would submit a joint representation to DC, Ziro and local MLA very soon and will spearhead the movement regarding ALG in future.

 

PPA MLAs  does Ayaram gayaram as it joins Congress!

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: So typical to Arunachal politics, the four MLAs of People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) today merged into the Congress party in the state. With this ayaram-gayaram politics, the Congress has 46 legislators in the state legislature which has 60 members.

The four MLAs are Phurpa Tsering (4-Dirang ST), Kumsi Sidisow (6-Thrizino-Buragaon ST), Takam Pario (18-Palin ST) and Markio Tado (20-Tali ST).

State Legislative Assembly Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong in a decision as per the provision of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India and the Members of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground Defection) Rules, 1987, this evening made it official that the four PPA MLAs who by themselves constitute the entire legislature Party in the State Assembly have merged with the Indian National Congress Legislature Party and have become its members.

 

1-day career counselling cum guidance programme

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: The Arunachal Adventure Sports and Tourism Club (AASTC) in association with Nyishi Elite Society today organized a one day career counselling cum guidance programme for the students of Nyishi community of Class X and Class XII. The programme was held at Nyikum Niya Hall, Nirjuli. a large number of students, some along with their relatives, turned up to attend the programme.

 The programme was organized by ‘‘Arunachal Adventure Sports and Tourism Club” as a social responsibility towards the community.  The main objective of the counselling was to impart the students about various disciplines which they can choose as career.

Experts from different disciplines such as tourism & hotel management, social work, mass-communication, journalism, law, commerce, agriculture, veterinary, medical, engineering, etc spoke in details during the day-long programme. They also took various questions from students regarding various career options.

The resources persons of the programme included Dr Taba Khanna (ophthalmologist), Pritam Taffo (senior advocate cum president Bar Council of Gauhati High Court Itanagar permanent bench Naharlagun), Tarh Eha(advocate) and Taba Ajum (journalist).

 While appreciating everyone for making this event successful, organizers of counselling programme Chukhu Mama and Bengia Tada informed that soon they are planning to organize counselling at other districts including in eastern Arunachal.

“The main aim behind organizing such counselling programme is to educate students and parents that beside engineering and medical courses there are many more which one can choose for career option. It is time Arunachalee parents move beyond engineering and medical courses,” told Chukhu Mama.

 

Six Karatekas qualify for National Games

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 27: Six karate players from Arunachal Pradesh have qualified for the 35th National Games to be held in Kerala next near.

The six players, namely P. Nobin Jamoh, Tam Tapak (ITBP), Yomken Noshi (APP), Rei Yadi, Chunnu Sangno (APP) and Sumpi Chege were selected for the national event on the basis of their performance in the National Karate Championship held at Tal Kotara Indoor Stadium, New Delhi recently.

While Jamoh, Tapak, Noshi and Chunnu secured their berth for the national Games by coming third (bronze medal) in the championship Yadi and Chege were selected on the basis of their performance.

The team was led by S Deben Sharma and Charu Tatung (coach) and Tai Hipik (Team Manager)

Meanwhile, Arunachal Karate Do Association (AKA) felicitated the qualified players in a simple function organized at Naharlagun today. In his brief speech, AKA president Sensei Likha Tara advised the players to undergo regular and rigorous training to keep themselves physically fit for the ensuing event. While giving some vital tips to the players for winning a bout, Tara insisted on sticking to a particular tricks beside applying presence of mind. Tara, who is a Black Belt 5 Dan and international referee, said that “I don’t see any reason why the Arunachal can’t win Gold in National Games”. He appreciated the efforts of coaches S. Deben Sharma and Charu Tatung in grooming young talents.

AKA also provided cash incentives to all the qualified players.

Attending the function, Arunachal Olympic Association Secretary General G Doke said that qualifying in National Games was not an easy task since they have to face the best players of the country and fight the toughest bout to get selected. Congratulating the karatekas for being selected for the prestigious event, Doke, on behalf of AOA, gave few incentives to the players as a token of encouragement. He said that regular training for the qualified players would be arranged soon.

AKA general secretary L Marik thanked Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for facilitating AKA and the players in taking part in the championship.

Interference will only dilute the issue

Dear Editor,

I really appreciate the idea of T Bagang and want to clarify that I am not against any particular person or organization. Actually I was looking for a practical solution to stop formation of many more association/organization in the name of the Nyishi, as society divides itself right from the division of family. What I personally feel is T Bagang is taking all matter optimistically by virtue of living in Delhi without knowing the ground realities. He has practically no idea of the grievances faced by common mass during the bandh call. Dear friend we have gone through all possible mental traumas.

The 12th December bandh call coincided with university exams. All student community faced the real hardship as right from the morning we were confused whether the exam will held or not.

Another instance is the unfortunate incident that took place on 11 October  bandh call.

I personally feel that if matter was handled by parent body of the Nyishi community i.e NES/ANSU single handedly and every individual did not throw their blank idea, the incident could have been avoided.

So, I request T Bagang, that being an intellectual and learned person of the community to please pass positive idea to our brethrens, rather than encouraging formation of many more organizations as it will divide the community.

What I feel is that despite many clans today we are united because of the common platform like NES/ANSU.

Whatever be the organization/association their core objective is to conserve and promote the community. And NES/ANSU is an open platform and every Nyishi has equal right to become members. So, I appeal all learned members to capitalize their noble ideas through NES/ANSU as they have peoples mandate and make them stronger as they are the real parent body of the Nyishi community.

Last but not least I never said that TOI and DC issues are over rather I wish for a concrete solution. But what I appeal is let the issue be handled by NES/ANSU to bring logical solution as soon as possible. Interference will only dilute the issue and will create more confusion. I appeal all my Nyishi brothers to think twice before declaring bandh, as ours is economically backward state and capital belongs to all Arunachalees.

Yours

Lingdum Taha

 

 

Revoke suspension and absolve him from charges

Dear Editor,

The Bogum Ao Foundation has taken a serious note on the unnecessary harassment meted to Jomdo Lona in lieu of his sincere and dedicated service rendered as the Vice Principal of Government Higher Secondary School Aalo. It is understood that he was imprisoned for no fault of him. Besides, he has been placed under suspension because of false implication in the suicide case of Late Tamar Yorpen, a student of the school. All this could have happened to him due to pressure exerted by some vested interested persons without any valid reasons. Some organizations have been leveling serious allegations against Jomdo Lona and ultimately tried to wrongly implicate him in the suicide case of Tamar Yorpen without any proof. The allegations seems to be unfounded and baseless. Suicide case was an unfortunate incident and we also feel sorry that we have lost a young boy.

Since many years Bogum Ao Foundation know Lona very closely as a very dedicated, hard working and a respectable gentleman who cannot commit such kind of inhuman atrocity to any person. Therefore, the members of Bogum Ao Foundation have examined the entire available official documents/orders and also crossed verified from Lona and other faculties to ascertain the truth. Besides, after reading his clarifications published in the news papers, it is now crystal clear that he has been made as scapegoat and victimized without his fault. We register our strong protest against wrong implication of Lona that has caused a heavy dent on his hard earned reputation. Now, it has also been proved that the suicide note was not actually written by the deceased but by someone else with malafide intention that too after burial of the deceased just to entangle Lona in the suicide case.

Therefore, we the members of Bogum Ao Foundation do hereby appeal all concerned persons  and organizations not to communalize and pressurize the Government and refrain from exaggerating that issue as it may mislead the public and cause social disharmony.

We appeal the competent authority to revoke his suspension order and absolve him from various charges that are baseless.

Yours,

Karpak Sora Bogum

 

 

There is something in a name

Dear Editor,

In the google map of West Siang district names of many places have been mis-spelt. The name of Kombo has been wrongly spelt as Kombong, the name of Kamba has been mis-spelt as Kambang, Jini as Jining, Sago as Sagong , Darka as Darkang and Dari as Daring. No body knows for sure how many names are wrongly printed by the Google. Concern authority should ask the Google to rectify the mistakes. The district headquarter of West Siang District, Along was also changed to Aalo more than a decade ago as per local name. But maps continue to show Aalo as Along. Names of places have historical connections in one way or other. So, we cannot just shrug off saying ‘what’s there in a name’. Name matters.

Yours,

Dedo Ete, Itanagar

 

 

Schools and Arunachal

Dear Editor,

Thank you for giving a light on the neglected issue the Education System and the conditions of the Government school in Arunachal Pradesh.

Now if the condition of the Government Schools which are hardly 20 km away from the state capital in Arunachal Pradesh are in such shape just guess what will be the condition of the so called Government School in the remote and neglected part of the states.

But very shameful The Arunachal Times don't have the caliber to publish the issue regarding the School system in Changlang district.

Yours,

Manrose Chakma,

(on email)

 

 

Spread the scheme to rural areas too

Dear Editor,

I would like to highlight the problems being faced by the poor labourers from the far flung areas in availing the Labour Welfare Scheme by the Arunachal Pradesh Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

Labour Welfare Scheme was implemented in 2007, with various benefits for Labours under the Late Chief Minister Drojee Khandu.

Though the registration and awareness has already started but registration of workers has confined only to the headquarters of districts.

Through this letter I appeal to the Chief Minister to direct the Arunachal Pradesh Building & other construction workers welfare Board to spread the awareness cum registration in interior areas as well which so per has been deprived of benefits.

The Labours from interior districts are not even aware of this scheme. Though it was implemented few years back with much hope for the welfare of the labours, they are yet to receive the benefits.

Underpaid and hardworking these labourers, spend their entire life doing manual labour in odd hours, harsh climate and in most accidental prone sites. Yet they are never treated with dignity. At least they deserve to enjoy the benefits solely meant for them without any obstacle or hindrance.

Therefore, it is my earnest request to start the registration process in entire districts impartially so that the labourers can get their benefits.

Yours,

Damin Tanya, Damin Circle

 

 

Alternative medicines

Dear Editor,

The Indigenous or Alternative Medicine means any form of medicine that is outside the main stream of Western Medicine as practiced by the majority of doctors today. Alternative Medicine exists in all cultures to some degrees and terms such as traditional medicine, indigenous or folk medicine etc. and are dated back hundred or even thousand of years depending on the country and culture concerned. The popular and recognised forms of alternative medicine are Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha etc. Besides these, Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupuncture, Herbalism, Osteopathy, Acupressure of systems of medicine are also efficacious at equal degrees as compared to the above mentioned systems. These systems of medicine consider the health of a person as the well-being of one's physical, mental, social and spiritual planes where as the modern medicine treats the body as a machine i.e. main emphasis is laid upon the physical aspects of life, to simplify the practices avoiding the intake of the potent, hard and poisonous drugs and undergoing the surgical interferences. Every system of alternative medicine has its own unique philosophy and inexpensive methods of treatment obtaining the permanent cure of diseases with less or no side effects. The various alternative systems of medicine have not been able to get their due share and attention in the health programmes and funding by our governments on account of overriding importance given to Allopathy.

Our efforts and interest should be non-palliative treatment, made to recognize, promote and rehabilitate the alternative medicine in order to establish global standardizations as well as in our state and central health programmes. I appeal our governments to create the posts for the practitioners of such systems.

Yours

Gigen Lama, Aalo

 

 

Partiality in disbursement of salary

Dear Editor,

SSA teachers would like to know from the SSA Rajya Mission, Itanagar why there is partiality in disbursement of monthly salary of SSA teachers.

We have come to know that SSA teachers of East Siang district got the monthly salary of two months whereas other districts got only of one month in the month of December though we perform the same duty.  

Besides, we would like to know why the authorities are not releasing the enhanced salary and arrear of 7 months of SSA teachers.

Yours

SSA Teachers,

(on email)

 

 

Without salary

Dear Editor,

I would like to share my emotions with the public and concerned authorities that we the MPWs under the NVBDCP programme of health are suffering from salaria for the last 4-5 months due to no salary. MPWs save others from malaria but who will save us from salaria? If the health workers suffer from  salaria then how can we save the others who is suffering from malaria. And it’s too hard to run the family in meager salary of 6000.

Yours,

An employee,

(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.        

----Editor

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

All rights reserved.

Too heavy a price

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) sixty-six journalists were killed worldwide in 2011, many of them covering Arab revolutions, gang crime in Mexico or political turmoil in Pakistan.

For the second year running Pakistan has emerged as the most dangerous country for news coverage with ten journalists killed.

With pro-democracy demonstrations prompting violent reprisals from Arab governments, the number of reporters killed in the Middle East doubled to 20 this year.

A similar number were killed in Latin America, where criminal violence was rife.

Some 1,044 journalists were arrested this year - nearly double the 2010 figure - due largely to the Arab Spring, as well as street protests in countries including Greece, Belarus, Uganda, Chile and the US.

China, Iran and Eritrea remained the biggest prisons for the media, it said.

The worst year of the past decade for journalists was 2007, when the war in Iraq pushed the global toll up to 87.

According to a report released by the UN and the Organisation of American States  says that over 70 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000 making it the fifth most dangerous place for journalists. Violence by drug mafias is the primary cause behind the murders, says the report.

The need of the hour is to implement plans to protect journalists’ world over as they carry out their duties. The call of duty is such that, journalists often endanger their own lives but if proper policies are in place, most deaths could be averted. And in most instances, the journalists have been targeted and killed, including some state sponsored.  It’s too heavy a price to pay for reporting the truth.