February 17
Law fraternity wants Pul’s notes probed
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: India's legal fraternity on Wednesday demanded a probe by a central agency into the allegations by former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Late Kalikho Pul's explosive notes, where he named four top law officials, who sought huge bribes from him.
According to a report by web portal, The Quint, almost all top lawyers and a few retired judges from the higher judiciary admitted that it was time that the judiciary subjected itself to greater transparency and accountability in the face of regular allegations of corruption. For legal reasons, The Quint did not disclose the names of the four top law officials named in Pul's notes.
Finding a link between Pul's suicide and the Birla-
Lawyer-
Justice (retd) R S Sodhi, a former Delhi High Court judge, said: "The independence of the judiciary has been compromised. Accountability of the judiciary and its transparency must be ushered in without delay and the suicide of the former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister must be probed by the CBI."
Nalin Kohli, BJP spokesperson and Supreme Court advocate told The Quint, "In any such sensational disclosure, the critical aspect relates to the evidentiary value of the allegations, without which they are merely accusations and speculations. Mere names in a diary or a paper or any other document cannot stand the scrutiny of law."
This has been repeatedly affirmed by various courts over several decades. In the absence of indisputable evidence which will withstand the scrutiny of law, exercising restraint is a must. This is especially true while dealing with people in high offices, public life or institutions.
Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa said, "It was a bold and factual report. (Kalikho) Pul tried to expose corruption at high places. A very thorough and independent investigation by a central agency, preferably the CBI, should be immediately instituted. And most definitely, the judiciary must be made accountable and more transparent than what it now is.
According to Rajkhowa, he had demanded a CBI inquiry into Pul's "unnatural death"
in the "special reports" he sent to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and Vice-
Pema assures fund for Pasighat ALG civil terminal
PASIGHAT, Feb 16: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday inspected the provisional civil terminal site, adjacent to Pasighat ALG and assured to grant required amount at the earliest to make the existing CST building operational for air services.
Submitting a status report on the proposed provisional civil terminal and a copy of estimate for renovation of the existing CST building, MLA Kaling Moyong and Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak apprised the visiting CM of the need to equip the CST building with minimal civic amenities to make it fully functional, as suggested by the Air India officials during their recent visit.
The duo further informed the Chief Minister that Regional Coordinator (Kolkata) of
Air India, T K Saha and ADCA (T), Civil Aviation, Naharlagun, R N Pathak had visited
the site on January 11 last and advised to develop the existing building infrastructure
to start ATR-
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, BJP state President Tapir Gao, Minister Industries
Tamiyo Taga, Parliamentary Secretaries Tatung Jamoh, P D Sona and Phurpa Tsering,
MLAs Kaling Moyong and Olom Panyang, Commissioner (PWD) Hage Khoda and Chief Engineer
PWD (Central Zone-
Speaker joins Oriah celebration
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly T N Thongdok has appreciated the Wanchos for making an honest effort to preserve and protect their rich traditional culture.
He was speaking during the Oriah festival of the Wanchos of Longding district at Itanagar on Thursday amidst a huge gathering of festival revellers.
Recalling the festival celebrations of TCL districts at the capital during the formative years, the Speaker told the gathering that in the past the festivals were celebrated on a small scale with not much pomp and show because there were only a few people from the three districts then. He lauded the people, especially the youth of TCL for showcasing their rich and vibrant traditional cultures through celebrations of different festivals including Oriah.
Thongdok said that he was alive to the problems being faced by the people of TCL and urged the youths to channelize their youthful energy towards constructive purposes.
Also appreciating the rich and varied folksongs and folkdances of the Wanchos, the
Speaker appealed to the people to adopt cash-
He passionately exhorted the people not to mix culture and religion, adding that the two were totally different entities, while adding that religion was a matter of one's personal choice, while culture was the collective treasure of the society.
Earlier, the Speaker offered ritualistic prayer at the Rangwantong altar erected
at the festival ground and later fired a shot with the muzzle-
Earth-
Folkdances by the villagers of Konnu in Longding district, including a war dance,
bamboo dance by the youth and modern dances by the students and youth drawn from
different walks of life and a grand community feast marked the day-
Lohit launches Smart Classrooms
TEZU, Feb 16: In a bid to boost the education scenario, three new smart classrooms were inaugurated in Lohit district under the initiative of Deputy Commissioner Danish Ashraf.
The state of the art Smart Classroom system made by K-
With this, Government Higher Secondary School at Tezu and Jeko and Government Secondary
School at Wakro now boasts of high-
DC Ashraf said that audio-
"The main purpose of this initiative is to make government school students at par with private and modern schools to achieve better results", Ashraf explained.
Opining that every child has an inherent capacity to develop if given better opportunities, the DC said that the initiative is in consonance with Chief Minister Pema Khandu's dream to focus on education and health sectors in the state.
Further, directions were issued to DDSE Mana Linggi and the respective school principals to use the smart classrooms on a daily basis. It was also made mandatory for each class to use these rooms for at least one period every day so that no student misses an opportunity.
Ashraf said that all class monitors must learn to handle the device and thereafter impart the same to their classmates. He also advised the school principals to use the system for infotainment purposes.
These smart classroom devices contain the updated NCERT syllabus up to class twelve.
Earlier, the classrooms were inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the DC, DDSE, CO Sunpura, respective school principals and students. (DIPRO)
Pasighat prepares for Smart City race amidst fund constraints
[ Maksam Tayeng ]
PASIGHAT, Feb 16: Every town/city shortlisted as Smart City by the Ministry of Urban Development, GoI was allocated funds to the amount of Rs 2 crore each by the concerned ministry for preparation of master plan or Detailed Project Report (DPR). However, Pasighat Municipal Council has allegedly not received the allotted funds till today even after one year and six months.
Reportedly, the preparations for first and second round race for top 20, wherein Pasighat could not get selected were also managed with limited funds from other available heads.
Municipal Executive Officer, PMC, Ainstein Koyu has stated that they are managing the resources with much limitation for this third round preparation. He, however, added that best efforts have been put in by the new consultant Voyants Solutions Pvt Ltd for the third round preparations.
Another Smart City Core Committee Member, Dr Narmi Darang, an Assistant Professor, said that, they are managing the requirements with their sources, like shopkeepers. The cash awards for the winners of Smart City Marathon race held on February 12 was also managed jointly by the contribution of MLA Pasighat East, Kaling Moyong and PMC Chief Councilor, Kaling Doruk.
Speaking on the delay in fund release, MLA Moyong said that he, along with the PMC Chief Councilor had met the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary for early release of funds. On the part of the PMC, Chief Councilor Doruk said that he is hoping for the funds to be released shortly.
Itanagar-
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: UD & Housing Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso informed that the
Itanagar-
Kaso said that at many locations, the alignment have been completely damaged, mainly due to landslides.
He also informed that the PWD will carry out survey and investigation, which would be submitted within a month to the state government for its consideration.
Among others, PWD (WZ) Chief Engineer Katung Wage, Naharlagun PWD Division Executive Engineer Techi Nobo and Capital Division Assistant Engineer Tadar Bhupen also joined Kaso in the inspection.
Achievers felicitated under MLA Talent Scheme
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: More than 50 outstanding achievers, mostly students of 27th Liromoba Constituency of West Siang district were felicitated under the MLA Talent Scheme 2017 at Itanagar, with the theme "Dedicated to Sincere Mothers".
The MLA Talent Scheme was personally initiated by its local MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Nyamar Karbak since 2015 in order to encourage and acknowledge meritorious students and achievers in distinct fields of four administrative circles, viz. Kamba, Darak, Yomcha and Liromoba.
Among the achievers were Indian Idol top 10 finalist singing sensation Jeli Kayi,
and Giken Kambu, a budding footballer, who represented RSA Club New Delhi U-
Congratulating the outstanding achievers of 27th Liromoba Constituency, especially the students, Minister Health and Family Welfare Jomde Kena termed the scheme as a noble and innovative initiation to encourage and motivate the meritorious students. "You must feel encouraged and motivated and strive to achieve more goals," Kena said, while calling on parents to guide their wards in achieving those goals.
Local MLA cum organising chairman, Nyamar Karbak called upon the people of his constituency
to compete with each other in education rather than in politics, and asked the people
to focus on horticulture and agriculture to make the area a self-
State BJP member cum West Siang district BJP In-
Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, Dani Salu stressed on the role of mothers in shaping the future of children. He also added that encouraging schemes from the local MLA should be widely appreciated. Kamba ADC Swatika Sachan also told students that this is just the beginning and they need to work harder to achieve something in the future.
Commandant first APBN cum SP Traffic PHQ Itanagar Tojo Karga, West Siang district ZPC Yaman Bagra and Yomcha ZPM Yiyom Yomcha also spoke on the occasion.
West Kameng bans mining
BOMDILA, Feb 16: West Kameng District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Sonal Swaroop
has issued an order prohibiting all kinds of mining activities within the jurisdiction
of Bhalukpong Sub-
The order has been issued to check the reported indiscriminate collection of boulders,
sand and minerals from the forests, road sides and river beds in the sub-
The prohibitory order further gives any aggrieved party/ parties a period of 15 days to explain as to why the order should not be made absolute. (DIPRO)
AAPPP puts forward its demands to the govt
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The All Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Parishad (AAPPP) has called for regularization of all levels of contractual staffs under the Panchayati Raj Department, implementation of 2nd state Finance Commission recommendation, early notification of ZPCs as district planning committee chairman, appointment of district Panchayat development officer, and establishment of engineering wings for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development departments.
This was decided at a meeting of the All Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Parishad on Thursday.
AAPPP President Susil Nalo in his address said that several representations have been submitted to the state government regarding the fulfilment of its demands.
Addressing the gathering, AAPPP General Secretary Sangha Tajik said that despite several representations, powers have not been devolved to the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
At least six ZPCs attended the meeting.
Dalai Lama representative arrives in Tawang
TAWANG, Feb 16: Representative of his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tempa Tsering, accompanied by DoKAA chairman Jambey Wangdi, landed at Lumla Heliport to a rousing reception led by RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi, Tawang DC Sang Phuntso, Lumla ADC RD Thungon, Padmashree Lama Thupten Phuntsok, HoDs and monks.
The former Kalon (Minister) of Central Tibetan Administration, accompanied by the entourage visited Dolma Lhagang, the mega Tara Devi statue. He also nodded to Lumla MLA Jambey Tashi's plea for the consecration of Dolma Lhagang by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his Tawang visit.
Tempa Tsering, who is also the brother-
Sensitization workshops on legal literacy and prevention of gender-
DAPORIJO, Feb 16: A series of sensitization workshops on legal literacy and prevention
of gender-
During the workshops, resource persons from Legal Aid Clinic, Oju Welfare Association and State Resource Centre spoke on different topics, such as Domestic Act 2005, Child Marriage, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Protection and Redressal Act 2013, PNDT Act 1994 and Legal Service Authorities Act 1978 (free legal aid).
District Fishery Development Officer, Taye Cherom, Senior Veterinary Officer, Panam Haging Cherom and Daporijo APP WT Operator, Tapu Kaji also spoke on the occasion.
Meet on shifting of wine shops from highways
AALO, Feb 16: A meeting was convened under the chairmanship of West Siang Deputy
Commissioner, Gamli Padu with all wine shop owners on Wednesday last, as a follow-
In his address, Padu disclosed that the DC and Superintendent of Police have been
given clear instructions to enforce the order of the Supreme Court in letter and
spirit in a time-
Superintendent of Tax and Excise, Nake Kojar also briefed in detail about the Supreme Court judgment and disclosed that 54 wine shops will be affected in West Siang distrcit.
West Siang Wine Shop Owners' Association President, Kirdo Ete and other wine shop owners have however said that the order has hit hard the unemployed youths who are managing livelihood through bank loans to run businesses.
They further appealed for special consideration on conversion of residential building
to residence-
Deputy Superintendent of Police, D W Thongon also attended the meeting. (DIPRO)
Open Potrang Lake to pilgrims: AVP
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The Arunachal Vikash Parishad (AVP), Taksing block unit in Upper
Subansiri district has appealed to the state government to open the Potrang (Pur
ang Yamju) Lake near the Indo-
"Before the Chinese aggression in 1962, the lake, located in Tsari-
Quiz competition conducted
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: Altogether, 150 students participated in a quiz competition on traffic and road safety measures organized by Road Safety Cell, PHQ at Garden Dew School and Vivekananda Central School here on Thursday.
Complaint against extension of service
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The All Arunachal Pradesh Unemployed Union (AAPUU) has claimed that Director of Higher and Technical Education Tejum Padu, who is due for retirement this April, is trying to extend his service.
"Instead of creating jobs for unemployed youths and giving equal opportunities to subordinate officers, the government is busy satisfying the wishes of those in the helm of affairs", it wrote in its complaint to the state Chief Secretary.
Permission for recruitment sought
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) has sought authority
for the Director to recruit various C-
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All rights reserved.
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Select the best location
A bitter feud has developed over selection of site for establishment of headquarter of the new Lower Siang district (LSD). State government recently declared that permanent headquarter will be set up at Garu and Likabali will be a temporary one. The decision of state government is being bitterly opposed by the people living along the foothill area. Massive protest rally has been taken out against the decision of state government and Likabali area remained shut down for some days. Highway has been blocked and people thronged the streets to protest. They are calling for setting up of headquarter in the foothill area.
This is for the second times that controversy has erupted over site for establishment of headquarter of LSD. Earlier there was controversy over Basar and Likabali. Unfortunately it seems like state government is not learning any lesson from its past mistake. Headquarter of Lower Siang or for that matter any other new districts should be selected after thoroughly examining every possible aspect. The basic idea of creating the LSD is to help people living along the foothill area. They face regular harassment from Assam and their lands are being encroached upon by the people of Assam in connivance with their government. Therefore, state government should carefully examine everything and select a site which truly justifies the reason for creation of Lower Siang district.
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A touching gesture from the Army
Dear Editor,
In a kind of big departure from the often seen VIP centric rituals & functions, the Army Military Station based at Aalo, on the auspicious occasion of the 68th Republic day, did something which came as a breeze of fresh air. Paying a befitting tribute to martyr Tape Yajo, recipient of Kirti Chakra (posthumously), the main auditorium was dedicated as Amarveer Tape Yajo Auditorium. Not only that, the Chief Guest of occasion was none other than the parents of Late Yajo who are humble villagers, who also gave away the prizes to the children of Siyom Army Public school as the day coincided as Annual day function. A brief description about the life history of Tape Yajo was presented and his supreme sacrifice for the cause of the nation was displayed for the children and parents alike through power point presentation. This gesture from the Army was very moving and it touched many hearts. And hopefully, it inspired everyone including the gen next sitting in the audience. The Brigadier and other officers without having any air about their positions, joined by the rank and file of the Army Station, played perfect host to the parents of late Yajo. In a way, the Army known otherwise for its lethal and combat characteristics, organized the whole event showing the humanitarian face of it, which was undoubtedly exemplary and they did it away from the usual elite gathering and limelight of the media.
It would not be bizarre to expect that people who are at the helm of affairs and having the wherewithal would take a cue out of the Army model of doing such exemplary social causes without shouting it from the roof top, for the larger interest of the society rather than just being a Chief guest or Special guests in festivals and functions and after that never to be seen or heard of in the practical field, leaving the common people totally gasping and exasperated, thus, depriving them of every developmental issues which is rightfully theirs. In today’s fast paced life coupled with techno induced living, almost bereft of morality and emotions, where making false promises, poor deliverance, nepotism, favoritism and mismanagement of developmental fund, has become the order of the day, the Unbiasedness and Patriotism shown by the Army has given a fillip to the concept of ‘One India’ and the ‘inclusive growth’ that we all talk about in seminars, conferences and social gatherings and which unfortunately remain confined to it.
In tandem with the zeal, enthusiasm and straightforwardness shown by the Army, if
the same could be emulated by our ‘Nyigoms’ who claim themselves to be the sons of
the soil, when it comes to grabbing the chair or lucrative posts, but most of whom
are busy in self-
A big salute to Brigadier J S Budhwar, Commander 5 Infantry Brigade and his entire
team in the Army Military Station Aalo for coming up with such an innovative and
fantastic idea to honour our unsung but the ‘real Hero’ and the true Son of the Soil-
Yours,
Raja Jini, Aalo
What is the net result of demonetisation?
Dear Editor,
Kudos to Salil Gewali for his brilliant letter titled “Cashless economy with caution”(February 13).
It is nice to notice that when blind support to demonetization has become the ultimate yardstick to “prove” one’s “patriotism”, when the slogan of “going cashless” has become the ultimate “proof” of one’s “modernity”; there still exist shining exceptions like Mr.Salil Gewali who refuse to join the “nationalist” “modern” mainstream and dares to call spade the spade.
Right from the very first day, the “historic” step of demonetisation was nothing but a farce. One and only insane, foolishly “optimists”, blind “nationalists” and hardcore BJP admirers had believed that following the “boldest decision in independent India”; all the vices of black money, counterfeit note and terrorism would at last get wiped off from the Indian soil for eternity! Had the Income Tax authorities, Central Intelligence and borderer security forces been sternly asked to perform their duties sincerely or get ready to face consequences; the menace of black money, counterfeit notes and movement of terrorists across borders could have been tamed. There was absolutely no need to go through the antics of demonetisation.
And what is the net result of demonetisation? More than 100 innocent souls have lost
their lives prematurely either in stampedes in inhuman queues or after being refused
medical treatment due to lack of “legal cash”! The Himalayan ordeals of billions
of Indians(specially vulnerable ill senior citizens) day after day were to be seen
to be believed ! Innumerable wage-
Demonetisation has wreaked havoc upon the nation through severe losses of lives, business and economy. Even the greatest supporters of demonetisation have been left speechless due to lack of any solid proof or statistics through which they can demand success of the “historic” step. So they are left with no option other than to launch vulgar attacks against critics like Manmohan Singh or Amartya Sen!
And demonetization has “gifted” us the baggage of “cashless society”! The vast majority
of the country is already languishing in this Indian society with virtually no cash
leading to the vices of hunger, malnutrition, illiteracy, child labour and human
trafficking. It seems that to hide this supreme darkness, shame and scandal of cashlessness
in real terms, the glitter and glamour of the technological jargon named “cashless
society” has been adopted! The whole world would think what a “developed” nation
has India emerged into! While the plastic card companies and Paytm(which had hailed
demonetization as the “boldest decision in independent India” and published its advertisement
with Narendra Modi’s photograph right on the very first dawn following the “historic”
mid-
It is indeed a matter of utmost disgrace that in order to award benefits to the plastic card companies and impose a false sense of “modernity” through the instrument of technological jargon named “cashless”, an extremely dangerous scenario is being ushered in the Indian society.
Yours,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata
Aadhar and interview
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily I would like to request the chief minister and governor
of Arunachal Pradesh to intervene into the recruitment process of Peon, LDc & Udc,
under the department of Women and Child Development, Govt.of Arunachal Pradesh. The
viva voce for the said posts is going to be conducted on 17th February 2017 for which
Aadhar card is asked to be produced in original whereas it(Aadhar) was not asked
during filling up of the examination form. It is learned that almost 50% of the written
Qualified candidates are not currently enrolled in Aadhar and for the very same reason
the department is going to reject their candidature during viva -
My point is that if Aadhar was necessary then why it was not asked during filling up of the form. I hope our chief minister will look into the matter seriously to give justice to the hardworking and deserving candidates as he has promised transparency in job recruitment and a corruption free state.
Yours,
A written
Qualified candidate
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