The Arunachal Times - Archives

Nyokum Yullo celebrated with traditional fervour

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: The Nyishi community of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated Nyokum Yullo, one of their major festivals with traditional fervour.

Addressing a huge gathering on the occasion as Chief Guest at Itanagar, Rural Development Minister Takar Marde extended his Nyokum greeting to the people and appealed them to celebrate the festival with dedication.

While lamenting over the lack of patience of the people particularly while celebrating the festival he urged the people to celebrate own festival with dedication and sincerity to promote and preserve it. He further appealed the people of the state to maintain brotherly relationship with each other and also calls for mental maturity of the people for all round development of the state.

Guest of honour APIDFC Managing Director Tony Koyu also urged the people to preserve own rich cultural heritage and tradition. He prayed for peace, prosperity and well being of the human being on the occasion.

The chief guest donated an amount of Rs one lakh to the Nyokum committee, Nyokum Lapang.

Nyokum at Khonsa

To the outsiders, Tirap district is all about guns and insurgency. But it is not so. There are also occasions when people indulge in celebration of festivals wherein songs and dances overshadow the much maligned and hyped insurgency problem in the district. In tune with the prevailing ambience and general mood of the people, the Nyokum Yullo, the most popular festival of the Nyishis was celebrated at Khonsa on 26th Feb’10 by the Nyishis in a befitting manner.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, local MLA Kamthok Lowang while greeting the people told them to maintain communal harmony and work unitedly for overall development of the state. He made some cash donations to the committee and later gave away the prizes to the winners of volleyball competition held as a part of the celebration.

ZPM Chairperson Rongnai Maham in his speech asked the Nyishis to preserve their costumes as it is their identity and cautioned them against copying alien culture blindly.

Cultural programmes, mithun sacrifice and community feast marked the day-long celebration. (DIPRO adds)

Union Budget - 2010-11 and Arunachal Pradesh

Dr. B G Mukhopadhyay

The Union Budget 2010-11 presented by Pranab Mukherjee, union Minister of Finance has really focused on those issues which affects the common man (Aam Admi) in conformity with the objectives of inclusive growth as spelt out in the 11th Five Year Plan document. The budget has touched on the institutions, which are directly concerned with the public delivery as also the necessary budgetary allocations for increasing the production and productivity of farmers. Even though, the agriculture sector has witnessed a very poor growth as compared to industries and services for various reasons, the Finance Minister has tried to address the issues in all seriousness and he has made necessary corrections for accelerating the growth in agriculture sector.

As a NABARD man, my concern is for agriculture and rural finance as it affects the livelihood of two-third of our population. In this budget, the Finance Minister has touched upon three areas viz. at a policy level, at an institutional level and at the grass-root level towards allocative efficiency of budget outlays.

At a policy level the Government has spelt out a four pronged strategy covering a) agriculture production, b) reduction in wastage of produce c) credit support to farmers and d) a thrust to the food processing sector. In order to increase the agriculture production the Finance Minister has identified those areas where the increase in agriculture production is possible and quite rightly, he has focused on Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Eastern UP, West Bengal and Orissa. He has allocated a sum of Rs.400 Crores to increase production in those regions. For improving the productivity of pulses and oilseeds, he has come up with an integrated package of intervention with an outlay of Rs.300 Crores under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Secondly, he has allowed the private sector participation to reduce the wastage in storage as well as operation in the existing food supply chain in the country. Thirdly, he has enhanced the target of credit for the entire country from Rs.3,75,000 Crores in 2010-11 from the current allocation of Rs.3,25,000 Crores. Besides, he has also reduced the interest rate for farmers under short term crop loan at 5% p.a. and the Govt will provide 2% subvention for this purpose. To promote the food processing industry, the Govt has decided to set up five more mega food parks which will provide a stimulus to the food processing sector.

At an institutional level, the Finance Minister has made announcement to improve the Capital Risk Asset Ratio (CRAR) for the RRBs who are falling short of the requirement of 8% under BASEL norms.

To take the SHG Bank Linkage Programme further, the Govt has increased the corpus for Micro Finance Development and Equity Fund to the tune of Rs.400 Crores from the present level of Rs.200 Crores. This fund is being operated by NABARD for promoting the microfinance movement in the country. To give an impetus to the Financial Inclusion programme, the Finance Minister has also enhanced the allocation under Financial Inclusion Fund and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund which are being administered by NABARD. Besides, he has also suggested to provide appropriate banking facilities having population of 2000 above by March 2012.

Arunachal will stand to gain from the enhanced allocations of Rural Credit and the Govt announcement for giving 2% subvention to the farmers who will be effectively paying 5% rate of interest for crop loan. The Govt announcement to bring the excluded regions under banking fold will benefit Arunachal Pradesh as it is highly financially excluded. NABARD has already initiated the process towards this end and it is likely that in the coming financial year more number of branches will be opened in Arunachal Pradesh or there will be some banking facilities in the area having population of more than 2000.

The Finance Minister’s announcement for enhancing the capital adequacy ratio to RRB will directly benefit Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank and it has already been identified by the Finance Ministry for necessary capital equity support to the Bank. It will not only improve the financial health of the bank but also the farmers and SHGs who will be able to access finance in big way from this RRB.

The enhanced allocation under micro-finance sector will also help to step up the micro finance movement in Arunachal Pradesh and it may be added that NABARD is already supporting the micro-finance vision of Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.

Since the discourse of budget has shifted to Aam Admi, Khandu Dorjee Ministry may also take a cue from this budget to change the focus of development from “people first to farmer first”. (Dr. B G Mukhopadhyay, General Manager, NABARD, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Office, Itanagar. These are the personal views of the author)

CM asks NEC for Special package

JANG, Feb 26: State Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu requested NEC Secretary U A Sangma to consider special packages under NEC for the state. “Arunachal Pradesh needs special attention due to its vast geographical area and hard topography” asserted the chief minister while justifying his request in Tawang at a meeting with the Secretary.

The proposal included schemes to boost tourism and create infrastructure in the state. Khandu while giving his observation said tourism is gradually fastening its grip in the state because of its plentiful potentials. But in order to augment this industry we need good accommodation, better connectivity and most importantly preserve the age-old culture and tradition which need to be showcased to the outer world, CM emphatically said and requested Sangma to take up the matter with the Union ministry for early consideration of the proposal to make the state a tourist destination.

The union Secretary assured to do his best. He was very impressed by the landscape and the hospitable people of the state.

Later the chief minister visited some ongoing projects and monitored the pace of work near Lhou village and attended the Lossar celebration at Jang today. He was accompanied by DoNER Deputy Secretary Samadar, NEC Deputy Advisor D Sallo, Development Commissioner Arunachal Pradesh V K Dev, Principal Secretary to CM Yeshi Tsering and Planning Secretary Ankur Garg during the tour. Earlier, Sangma inaugurated NEC Multipurpose Hall Building near Government Higher Secondary School, Tawang and also inspected other NEC project sites and buildings.

On the 25, Sangma along with the assemblage of officers visited a proposed site in PTSO Lake. (DIPR)

Dipa fiasco condemned

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: Arunachal Pradesh Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board has strongly condemned the ill treatment meted out to Arunachlees, and assault on Kanken Panggeng, son of Parliamentary Secretary for Law & Fisharies J K Panggen’s on Feb 22 last by the people of Dipa and demanded that the culprits should be immediately arrested.

Taking strong exception over Dipa fiasco, its Chairman Jalley Sonam accused Assam government’s failure to provide safe passage to Arunachalees traveling through various parts of Assam. This trend of unnecessary harassing our Arunacahlee brethrens should be stopped immediately for peaceful coexistence, he urged.

The state governments should amicably find a lasting solution for peaceful coexistence between the two neighbors, he further urged.

Mega eye camp concludes

BOMDILA, Feb 26: The 3-days Cataract Surgery Operation camp concluded here today at District Hospital Bomdila with an appreciable number of patients being operated upon. Organized by the District Blindness Control Society Bomdila under National Rural Health Mission Programme, a total of 264 cases were registered out of which 23 cataract operable cases including one minor operation on Syringing was operated by the senior most Eye Surgeon and State Project Officer Dr. K.K.Deb assisted by Ophthalmologist Dr. D. Grayu.

Earlier in the inaugural function on 24th last in the Conference Hall of the District Hospital Bomdila, the chairman of DBCS Bomdila and the Chief Guest of the day Deputy Commissioner Swati Sharma underscoring the importance of eye sight suggested for wide publicity with regards to the extensive examinations of the school going children’s eyes in the district. The State Project Officer cum Chief Surgeon Dr. Deb deliberated on the various cases of blindness with special emphasis on cataract and urged for popularization of eye donation in the area. Earlier, the District Medical Officer Dani Duri while dealing on the aims and objectives of the camp informed that so far a total of 07 eye camps have been conducted in the district with maximum coverage and success.

District level vigilance and monitoring committee meeting for U/Subansiri Held

DAPORIJO, Feb 26: A District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee (DLVMC) meeting chaired by DC cum CEO (DRDA) H. K. Shalla and attended by MLA Tapen Siga, PD (DRDA), EE (PHED), EE (RWD), Anchal Samiti Chairpersons and BDOs was held here today at the Rijo Conference Hall. The DLVMC monitors all the centrally sponsored schemes like NREGA, SGSY, IAY, PMGSY, Sanitation, Social assistance programmes being implemented by various departments and agencies.

Shalla, while addressing the meeting, said that quality of expenditure ensures quality of work and it was the duty of the Committee to monitor and ensure quality so that the people could benefit. He also stressed on the role of the Committee in certifying the utilization of funds and achievements under the various schemes which would ensure continued funding, according to performance, by the centre.

Road infrastructure in very essential in the development process of any area, he said with a reference to the PMGSY, so the local MLA and the PRI members were asked to lend a helping hand in ensuring that the public did not hamper in the implementing process and the concerned people could do their work well. He also stressed on the need for co-ordination between the members of PRI and Programme Implementing Agencies so that the real beneficiaries could benefit and no problems would arise during the execution of the schemes.

MLA Tapen Siga observed that the physical and financial achievement of the schemes under DRDA was very good and sound and expressed hope that the people had actually benefited by them. He also said that the authorities should try not to bow under the pressure of the parties with vested interest and see that the people are educated about the value of the various schemes and that those schemes have an objective and physical outcome.

EE (PHED) and EE (RWD) also highlighted the schemes under their departments and said that they were trying to ensure that their departments provided quality and quantity work but lack of cooperation from the land owners and contractors were proving an impediment. So there was a plea to the PRI members to ensure that such problems would be done away with.

Physical and Financial achievements reports for 2009-2010 up to 25 Feb 2010 were presented by the BDOs and approved by the committee. (DIPRO)

Mra returns India

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: Tapi Mra, first Arunachalee Everester arrived Delhi today noon from Africa after successful climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Tapi will be in Delhi for some days.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Tawang Tours and Travel, Lobsang Phuntsok who accorded warm reception to Mra at Delhi informed Taro Chatung, Chairman Taro Opey Foundation, Ziro, the promoter of Tapi Mra Everester that his travel agency will organise the Mt. Alaska Expedition of North America continent in June, 2010. However within few days the next expedition for Australian continent will be worked out provided he gets sponsorship.

Once again Tapi sincerely expressed his gratitute to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for moral support and particularly to individual contributors for their financial support.

Archery competition gets underway

LUMLA, Feb 26: MLA, Lumla Jambey Tashi inaugurated an Archery Competition as part of the Lossar celebrations. Twenty three teams from different villages of Lumla participated in the Tournament.

The competition has been named as Rigzhung Sungkhyap Mlathan Tsemo Dendur or Cultural Preservation Archery Competition and will be a yearly event

Wishing the people of Lumla on the auspicious occasion of Lossar festival, the MLA specifically emphasized on the importance of education and awareness of AIDS. He asked the young and educated youths to take up some responsibility towards social change.

He appealed the youth to be the wings spreading peace and communal harmony by keeping intact the age old culture and tradition.

The function was also attended by the ADC, Lumla, Lobsang Dorjee among others. (DIPRO)

Seemanta Darshan Yatra Concludes

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: Arunachal Vikas Parishad visited villages bordering Tibet. The trip was undertaken to learn the living conditions of the people.

The visit named Seemanta Darshan Yatra was flagged off on February 11 by IGP Deepak Sharma in Itanagar.

Nine teams visited Sarli (Kurung Kumey), Taksing (Upper Subansiri) Mechukha and Mani Gaon (West Siang), Geiling (Upper Siang) Mepi and Acheso Valley (Dibang Valley) and Chaklagam, Goiliang and Kibitho (Anjaw).

Workshop cum training on Pickle making

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: Rural Development and Heritage Society under the sponsorship of Small Industries Development Bank of India, Regional office, Itanagar is conducting four day workshop-cum -training on Pickle making at Lobi Colony, Itanagar from March 6-9.

Altogether, 45 women fro different self help groups are taking part in the workshop.

New police beat house

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: SP, Capital complex Hibu Tamang would inaugurate a police beat house at Chandranagar on March 2.

APYC appointments

ITANAGAR, Feb 26: Okom Tamuk has been appointed as President, District Youth Congress (DYC), East Siang District by APYC President Likha Saaya.

Meanwhile, Tamuk assured to abide the party constitutions, systematically re-organize and strengthen the youth force of the district for the welfare of the party.

An appeal to Governor

Dear Editor,

The decision of the Arunachal Pradesh Govt to connect the most interior and remote Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh through NH from Meka in Lower Dibang Valley district is really appreciable. We the people of Dibang Valley District are overwhelmed by the decision of state Govt.

Even then we request the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to take personal initiative to speed up the survey and construction work of the said road at the earliest as possible. Delay in survey also may cause delay in construction of the road.

The communication is the life line and crucial component for the development of the district. But the existing BRTF road in the district is not all whether road, just one way with many slides points which cause road blockage during summer season affecting the normal life of this interior district.

The people of the Dibang valley also want to reap the fruits of development at par with other districts of the state and country. Moreover, from the strategic point of view, the Dibang valley district needs proper road communication.

Therefore, it is our earnest request to Governor take necessary action to speed up the NH construction which is entrusted to BRTF.

Yours,

Wundu Mihu

A.S Chairman Ann-Mipi-Aliney C D Block

Dibang Valley

Completion of water supply project lauded

Dear Editor,

The completion of the water supply project in Raane Korong brings succor to the people of Mebo-Darne and Romdum township area who have been facing chronic problem of water scarcity for long. The project under PHE was funded through MLALAD.

Moreover, there is also smooth and thorough communication between Mebo and Dolla road without paying extra taxes for crossing the bridges. The problem has been solved under the initiative of MLA Ralom Borang.

Hope, every plan being taken by the MLA for the welfare of the people will be a grand success.

Yours,

Tonong Megu (Darne)

Kito Megu, Ojing Darin, Kiten Tayeng,

Noah Borang, all Mebo youth