The Arunachal Times - Archives

Delay in forest and environment clearance main hurdle for rapid construction: Pallam

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: The forest, environment and wildlife clearance which are pending in different states of the country including Arunachal Pradesh are the major problems for rapid construction works, said Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju in a brief press meet held at Chief Secretary Office here this evening.

In Arunachal Pradesh 9 important forest, environment and wildlife clearance cases are pending. It has transpired that due to lack of up to date land records (with revenue and forest authorities of State) the process of forest clearance gets delayed. Though there is pious intention of forest /revenue authorities, yet there is need for proactive steps by organizing camps of concerned officials, expediting joint survey by BRO, revenue and forest officials.

However, Raju expressed hope that, the pending cases would be cleared soon as the frequent meeting with representatives of Minister of Environment and Forest, states and BRO have borne fruitful results and about 40 such cases were disposed off in the last quarter.

While informing the projects, Raju said that there are 7 Projects involved in the infrastructure development in North Eastern Region. Out of which three Projects Arunank, Vartak and Udayak are working for the development of roads and bridges in Arunachal Pradesh.

During 2009-10 there are 27 strategic and 2 Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) roads and 11 Nos of Major bridges with Dibang Bridge and Digaru Bridge, he said adding that, BRO has earmarked Rs 1000 Crore for the year 2009-10 for spending in Arunachal Pradesh.

He further informed that BRO has 5061 Km roads in Arunachal Pradesh and at present 2764 Kms of roads are under construction, BRO expected to complete most of the under construction roads by 2012.

The BRO in its efforts to expedite all important issues in North-East, Border Road Development Meeting have been conducted at Shillong and Itanagar and efforts for lifting of machines, materials and manpower in high altitude areas are in process. He further said that to meet the shortage of about 7000 Officials and staff in various categories in BRO, UPSC has been requested to fill up the group A post and by June about 3000 Officials and staff will be recruited in BRO to speed up the construction works.

He was accompanied by Border Road Development Board, Secretary Dr Suabsh Sharma, Border Road Development Board, DG MC Badhani and other officials.

Pangsau Pass Festival gets off to a colourful start

Peace is the prerequisite for all round development: CM

NAMPONG, Jan 20: Breath taking beauty of Nampong, a small town just 12 Kms away from the border with Myanmar, descends to a festive fervor with its much awaited annual tourism festival, the extravagant three-day Pangsau Pass Winter Festival (PPWF) which goes off to a colourful start here today.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu along with Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju in presence of a host of ministers and MLAs declared the festival open by beating the traditional gong and releasing balloons in the air.

“Peace is the prerequisite for all round development and it is the only mantra by which we can expect more inflow of tourists to the state”, Khandu emphatically said while calling for maintaining law and order so as to ensure that the tourist feel secured visiting the state.

While Khandu advocated for a long term policy to boost tourism potentials which is abundant in the state, he stressed for fixing uniform fares and rates for taxis and hotels, and also urged the people to maintain cleanliness in the hotels and other accommodations.

He further revealed that his government would soon request the Centre for a corpus fund for celebration of festivals of various tribes of the state.

“Reopening of historic Stilwel Road connecting India with other South East Asian countries will boost the economy of the state through the tourism industry”, he commented and urged Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju to put up the matter with the concerned ministry for early action.

Taking ahead his mission for clean Arunachal, Khandu exhorted for a clean and plastic free environment. He further called on the youths to preserve their unique tribal culture and tradition besides preserving wild life and forest wealth in view of the ill effects of global warming.

The chief minister also revealed about the government’s plans to streamline the education sector of the state. He firmly said that a bill would be introduced in the next session of the state assembly prohibiting political interference of transfer and posting in respect of teachers. He informed about the recruitment process of teachers which would be done through APPSC for improving the quality of education in the schools.

The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre is attaching priority on development of land-locked Arunachal Pradesh, said Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju while addressing the gathering as guest of honour.

“Centre is actively considering reopening of this historic road and necessary exercise is going on at the highest level”, the minister said.

“With Centre’s deep concern for this tribal state, the road communication will improve significantly in coming years”, he added

Thousands of people from various parts of the state besides people from different states of the country and Myanmar thronged the venue of the festival, organized by the PPWF committee in collaboration with state tourism department. Tribal delicacies and traditional games and sports were the major highlights of the first day

The major attraction of the festival was the flag off of World War II Vintage Car Rally by the chief minister and the Union Minister of State, besides colourful cultural programmes by various tribes residing in the vicinity including cultural troupes from Myanmar.

In his keynote address Finance Minister who is the brain behind the mega event urged upon the Chief Minister and the visiting MOS to impress upon the centre to make the festival a national festival in line of various other tourism festivals. He briefed that the main motive behind organizing such festival was to boost tourism and uplift the economy of the people of the area.

While delivering her concluding address Tourism Secretary Bandana Deori extended his gratitude to all the participants and the visiting guests for making the celebration a grand success.

Among others, State Power Minister Jarbom Gamlin, Horticulture Minister Hunchun Ngandam, Parliamentary Secretaries and Chairman and MLAs of Tirap and Changlang, Commissioners and secretaries, were present on the occasion. PRO to CM.

House gutted in fire at Nirjuli

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: A devastating fire broke out at Nirjuli on Wednesday completely gutting down one house. According to Nirjuli Police, fire started at 10 am and soon spread fast affecting three families living there. Police deployed two fire tender vehicles to douse the fire.

However, a source told that a person sustained fire injuries in the entire mayhem.

Neotan village of Miao circle strives for 100 pc literacy

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: Initiated by the Newman School, Neotan and Seva Kendra, Miao (NGO) both run by the Diocese of Miao, Neotan village of Miao circle, Changlang district goes for 100 pc literacy campaign.

It was the felt needs of the village community to achieve the goal of making every household member know how to read and write.

The campaign which began a decade ago is now nearing to the date of declaring the village as 100 pc literate village.

As part of the on-going program, villagers conducted a meeting recently in presence of local MLA Kamlung Mossang, Fr. Mathew (Principal of Newman School, Neotan) and Fr. Joseph Sartho (Director of Seva Kendra, Miao).

While discussing the progress of the education campaign and the need of the second phase of survey to evaluate the progress, the members present in the meeting expressed their positive response towards achieving 100 pc literacy within a month or two. If ignorance is the cause of suffering according to Lord Budhha, knowledge through education must be the key to development which paves way to peace and prosperity.

Unruly monkeys

Dear Editor,

Of late, visitors to the Itanagar Zoo are having a harrowing time while visiting the same. While enjoying an outing with family last Sunday, I had to face the same ordeal. While the Tiger and Chimpanzees are kept securely behind the locked cages, monkeys roaming around freely in the open are indeed proving to be a nuisance to visitors specially the kids and women. Besides threatening menacingly asking for eatables, the monkeys in large number have become audacious enough to attack the visitors.

During the said day, the unruly monkeys bit three small children who had to receive medical assistance. As a result, their outings were spoilt and they had to leave the zoo with bitter experiences.

Through this letter I wish to draw attention of the Zoo authority to kindly take note of the problem and to do the needful so that visitors leave the zoo with fond memories.

Yours,

(Mridul Paul)

Buishi Yada Motors

Naharlagun.

On e-mail.

Nirjuli needs a fire station

Dear Editor,

I being the eye witness of the tragic fire incident at Nirjuli on Jan 20 morning, would like to request the fire service department, local MLA and the Govt as a whole to establish a fire station at Nirjuli to prevent recurrence of such fire mishap.

On seeing the hue and cry of few people due to sudden outbreak of fire, I rang up the fire service, but no one picked up the phone at that moment. The local people tried to douse the fire with sand and water but in vain. The owner of the house lost everything.

However the fire fighting team reached after half an hour late. If the fire service was alert something could have been saved.

Yours,

Teli Naga, President

NSUI, Papum Pare district unit.

Budum Lengne trekking expedition conducted

ITANAGAR, Jan.20: A trekking expedition to Budum Lengne was conducted yesterday by Tribal Adventure Tours of Naharlagun. The marathon seven hours long trekking expedition starting from Satang (15 miles) village passing through Horoh and Tangar hills upto the Graham Point was sponsored and lead by Nabam Rebia, the Parliamentary Secretary (Industry). The trekking coincides with the mission of clean and green Arunachal and team of officers, public leaders and general public of Papum Pare district participated in the event. Later MLA Rebia described trekking as adventurous sports and also a medium to explored trails of Mother Nature.

The summit Point that is ‘Budum Lengne’ a table like boulder associated with the legend Tei Bida- a legendary character in Nyishi society. Tribal Adventure Tours, MD John Panye informed that he is contemplating on creating the Budum Lengne as adventurous trekking spot in near future to promote trekking sport in the state. Our state has vast scope for trekking sports, only we need to do is to explore it and acknowledge it to the world through best available means and source, he added. DIPRO

ASUT election

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: Langbia John and Mama Nikia were elected president and general secretary of Arunachal Students Union Tamil Nadu (ASUT), in its 4th annual conference cum 2nd election held recently.

Further, the nomenclaur of the union has been changed to Arunachal Students Union Tamil Nadu (ASUT) from All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union Tamil Nadu.

Boori-Boot Yulo

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: Parliamentary Secretary, Food and Civil Supply Lokam Tassar have consented to be the chief guest of Boori-Boot Yulo celebration at Daporijo on February six as chief guest.

Meanwhile, Boori-Boot Yulo celebration committee has thanked the state government for declaring February Six as local holiday and NES for its efforts in getting the approval for the holiday.

APCYGSU appointments

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: The executive body of All Palin Chambang, Yangte and Gangte Students Union (APCYGSU) has been reconstituted in its recently held 4th general conference cum election at Chambang with Hura Tadek, Techi Talik and Gora Anand as president, vice president and general secretary respectively.

CAWS meet held

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: Chem Abo Welfare Society (CAWS), in its recently held meeting, has discussed various issues related to Chem Abo clan and decided to eradicate evil practices like child marriages, casteism etc. prevailing in the society.

The society also felicitated meritorious students of class X and XII of 2008-09 and further decided felicitate clan members, who excel in various other fields, like education, social, economic, art and culture etc. A new executive committee was also constituted with Logo Tayam and Bikash Tayam as president and general secretary.

APPDSU reiterates demand for NIT

ITANAGAR, Jan 20: Reiterating its demand for the establishment of the proposed NIT in state capital region, All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) said that the local residents, panchayat and public leaders of Jote in Papum Pare are willing to donate 500 acres of agricultural land free of cost for the said project.

Jote is very nearer to state capital with all communication facilities. On the other hand, Bhalukpong is very far from Capital and is not fully connected with state Capital and other parts of the state. The region faces communication problems many a times due to frequent bandh calls in neighbouring Assam, the union said and added that establishment of NIT in Bhalukpong would also hamper smooth passage of elephant as the region has one of the elephant corridors.

The state capital is for all, the Union said and appealed the govt to expedite the process for establishment of the NIT at Jote to avoid any democratic movement.

Gomsang Rimo memorial football tournament begins

Bameng Sporting Club beat Type-III FC in opener

SEPPA, Jan 20: Atam Bagang and Takio Johny (BSC) scored a goal each in both halves as Bameng Sporting Club defeated Type-III FC 2-0 in the inaugural match of the third Gomsang Rimo Memorial Football tournament at General ground here today.

BSC team, which dominated the match from the very beginning, found the net 14 minutes into the match through Bagang. He netted the ball taking full advantage of weak defense of their opponent. BSC FC striker Takio Johny added another goal in 67 minute thus ensuring team’s victory.

Type-III FC was seen fighting for restoring parity in the last three minutes but their late surge were thwarted successfully by BSC players.

PAWDS will take on PASSA FC at 9 am while EKFA will lock horn with CTFC at 11 am. IFC play PAPPU FC at 2 pm.

The eight participating teams are divided into two Pole’s. Pole ‘A’ includes Invincible Football Club, Pappu Football Club, East Kameng Football Association and Chayang Tajo Football Club while Bameng Sports Club, Type-III Football Club, Pampoli Area Welfare Development Society (PAWDS) and Passa Football Club have been kept in pole ‘B’.

The inaugural function was attended by Thrizino-Bura Gaon MLA Komsi Sidisow as the chief guest while East Kameng Superintendent of Police (SP) Tume Amo was the guest of honour. DIPRO

ADSU calls 12-hr Dirang bandh

ITANAGAR: All Dirang Students Union(ADSU) in a letter to the Dirang CO today said that the union has decided to call 12-hour Dirang bandh on January 22 in protest again the ‘worst mobile network’ of the BSNL at Dirang.

BSNL authority, Bomdila has been requested many a times to improve the network service which has not been working properly for last three month. But till date there is no improvement of the service. This has forced the union to call the bandh, the ADSU said in a release.

Army recruitment drive

ITANAGAR: Indian Army will conduct a recruitment rally for the candidates of Arunachal Pradesh for recruiting male candidates in Soldier General Duty, Clk/SKT, Soldier Technical and Nursing assistant categories at Tezu from January 27 to 31.

Candidates who are in the age bracket of 17.6 years and 21 years with educational qualification of class VIII pass are eligible for participating in the recruitment drive for Soldier General Duty. For the rest categories, the age and educational qualification are 17.6 years - 23 years and class XII pass respectively.

Health screening and written examination for the selected candidate would be held on January 29 and 30 while the written examination would be held on January 31.