January 19
News Impact
Measles breakout in Chayangtajo
Amar Sangno
SEPPA, Jan 18: There is a report of massive outbreak of measles in remote villages of Chayangtajo circle in East Kameng district.
At least, 30 cases of measles have been detected.
According to official sources, worst affected villages are Namchar Bagang and Soshi Bagang, around 17 kilometers approximately from Chayangtajo, the circle headquarter.
The villagers have been forced to take shelter at makeshifts accommodations in deep forest, in order to remain isolated from other infected people.
Over the last three weeks, one Taram Bagang, in his 60s, has been taking shelter in the deep forest with his wife and three children.
Meanwhile, a voluntary health camp was held at Chayangtajo on Sunday led by Surgical Specialist, General Hospital Naharlagun Dr. B. Gara and Dr. Raja Dodum of District Hospital Seppa, assisted by Circle Officer Dahey Sangno, Deputy Project Director SSA Ashok Tajo, Architect D. Ete and ADEO Chayangtajo Dali Tajo.
To take stock of situation, the team later rushed to various villages and gave medications to infected children. The team would visit every household to reach out to all the villagers.
Dr Gara informed that after clinical examination, more than 30 children were detected with measles. He further added that suspicious cases of malaria and viral cough were also detected.
Source says anti-
Even the Measles Catch-
violent, four let off
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: If corrective measures are not taken, Aalo, the district headquarters of West Siang would soon outdo the state capital in terms of violence.
The latest to emerge from the town is a bizarre incident relating to tender process for infrastructure development of Aalo township road initiated by PWD, Arunachal Pradesh under SPA.
Allegedly, only four firms selected and endorsed by Paktu Area People's Forum (PAPF) and Paktu Ao Youth Welfare Association (PAYWA) were allowed to bid for the tender while rests were forced out of the race.
On January 16, members of a firm, who had gone to the office of the Executive Engineer, were roughed up allegedly by the members of PAPF and PAYWA.
An FIR was lodged at Aalo Police station the same evening which resulted in arrest of four people identified as Jimi Bagra, Kenba Ete, Gebin Loya and Gego Doji today. The four allegedly are members of the two unions and have since been released on bail, according to the police.
Things took a turn for worse on January 17 when members of another firm along with few armed youths landed at the PWD office, notwithstanding the fact that some members of PAPF and PAYWA, also armed were already at the office to stop contractors from tender bidding.
The police had to fire in air to disperse the crowd and according to them few personnel along with warring youths were injured in the scuffle.
Taking note of the situation, the District Magistrate Amzad Tak served a suspension
order of the tender process vide No. WS/JUD-
Ignoring the order, however, the bids were opened. Executive Engineer Dagyom Ango said that department had to open the bids as it was time bound.
However it is not lost on the people, why despite the order of the district magistrate, the department went ahead and opened the tender. A contractor who was unsuccessful in submitting tender bid because of the intimidation and violence says that such attempt by any organizations is unethical.
He says that those who are eligible to bid, irrespective of who they are, should be allowed. He further says that the department has sent a wrong message to the people by opening the tender bid under such circumstances.
Now it remains to be seen what action the department concerned and government take.
Mein calls for evolving special mechanism for SCS states
State Finance Ministers meet
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: Finance Minister Chowna Mein suggested the Centre to evolve a special
mechanism through fiscal incentives in the Union Budget 2012-
Attending the State Finance Ministers meeting at New Delhi, Mein said: “Arunachal Pradesh being one of the Special Category States is solely dependent on central assistance for plan investment because of its poor resources base. The state suffers from several constraints such as lack of adequate private investment, long border area, weak market economy and inadequate infrastructure.
“The presence of industries in our state is negligible. Due to lack of road, rail and air connectivity in the state as well as remoteness, hilly, rugged and inaccessible terrain, the cost of materials to be used for creation of infrastructure in the state is much higher as compared to other states in the plain areas,” Mein said.
The IT infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh is very weak as many administrative centers
are not yet connected by any communication network and creation of IT infrastructure
will involve huge investment, Mein said and urged the Central Government to provide
funds for the IT infrastructure for North Eastern States, especially Arunachal Pradesh.
The Finance Minister urged the Centre to make a generous proposal in the forthcoming
Union Budget 2012-
Arunachal Pradesh has large stretch of international border of 1863 km with China,
Myanmar and Bhutan, Mein informed and proposed for earmarking suitable fund over
and above of the normal schematic provision for Arunachal Pradesh in the Union Budget
2012-
In order to push up the Plan expenditure for overall development of the North Eastern States, he urged the Centre to dispense with the requirement of the state share for North Eastern States or at least make it 90% central grants and 10% states share for all the CSSs.
In case of implementation of MGNREGA, JNNURM, AIBP, PMGSY, BADP schemes, the allocation may be enhanced for overall development of the states, Mein suggested.
He also suggested the Centre to make higher provision for Special Central Assistance
(SCA) being the untied grant in the Union Budget 2012-
Mein also suggested the central government to create a “Tourism Development Fund” for NE states for development of tourism sector in the region in the Union Budget.
The Finance Minister said that about 70% of the total population in Arunachal Pradesh depend on agriculture, horticulture and allied activities to earn their livelihood. Moreover, Arunachal Government is giving top priority to make the state self sufficient in food grains and major exporter of fruits and medicinal plants etc. He informed that Arunachal Pradesh has been divided into three geographical zones for development of agriculture and horticulture. In order to develop and achieve self sufficiency, a huge investment will be required in agriculture and allied activities including irrigation, warehouse and cold storage. However, due to fund constraints, the State could not make a required investment in these sectors, he said.
Further, the Government is encouraging forming SHGs, especially, women SHGs, Mein said and urged the Union Finance Minister to provide special package for Arunachal or impress upon the banks and NABARD for providing soft loan to the farmers with easier terms and conditions.
The meeting was convened to gather inputs and suggestions from the states on macro-
The meeting was attended by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister of State for Finance N.N Meenaji, Chief Ministers and Finance Ministers of all the states, senior officers of Government of India and states.
PCRA emphasizes on mass awareness to reduce fuel wastage
Oil & Gas conservation fortnight
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt of India organized an awareness campaign
here today as part of its fortnight-
Inaugurating the campaign here today, Parliamentary Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies, Nido Pavitra, reading out a message on oil and natural gas conservation, emphasized on creating awareness among the general masses to reduce import of petroleum products and also to protect our environment. He appreciated the efforts of PCRA for spreading awareness across the country by involving people from different strata of the society.
Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Sadhana Deori, stressed on conservation of oil and gas and urged all to cooperate in such initiatives by the Government of India. She sought commitment from all concerned to join hands with the oil companies and gas agencies to conserve oil and gas for the future.
The state level coordinator, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, K N Mahato, emphasized the need to reduce the energy consumption for the coming generation by promoting conservation of fuel.
The principal, Vivekananda Central School, Suresh Babu, stated that students at a young age need to be aware about conservation of energy and also implement the same in their every day life for the benefit of the country. The nation can benefit only if one practices conservation of fuel in a judicious manner, he said. Negative aspects must be turned into positive habits by inculcating corrective steps, he opined.
A pledge on conservation of petroleum products in all spheres of activities for the progress of our country was also rendered by the students of Vivekananda Central School and others present on the occasion.
AAPPTF demands immediate completion of Basar to Aalo road
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) taking serious note on the road condition from Basar to Aalo has appealed to state government and Boarder Road Organization (BRO) to immediately complete the ongoing construction works.
It criticized the district administration for allowing commercial parking place at Old Market Aalo and demanded cancellation of the same. It threatened to launch against the authority if their demand is not fulfilled.
The organization raised the issue during the awareness programme on Traffic / financial aids at Aalo recently which was attended by all the executive bodies of federal units, including West Siang District Maxicab Association (WSDMA), Local Transport Union (LTU), Public Career Union (PCU), Tata Mobile Welfare Association (TMWA), West Siang Auto Welfare Association (WSAWA), West Siang District Chota Hati Association (WSDCA), and West District Apex Bank Branch Manager Apex Bank Kimar Ete and others.
Addressing the gathering, AAPPTF president Takar Goi highlighted the various problems faced by the commercial vehicles of the state. He said that there were no proper guidelines from the government on plying permit, road tax for vehicles and permanent parking place in entire West Siang district.
Expressing displeasure over the shortage of officers and officials for smooth traffic management, he urged the Government to create sufficient posts of DTO, MVI and traffic officers for effective enforcement of motor vehicle and traffic rules.
He informed that at present there are only nine DTOs, three MVIs and few traffic officers are working in the state. The roles of DTOs and MVI are being played by the COs and EACs and non trained traffic officers in various districts, he said.
Shouldering such responsibility to untrained officials is a major threat to the safety of public and government, he added.
AAPPTF, Secretary General Dobing Sonam advised all the drivers, particularly the commercial vehicle drivers to maintain speed limit and other traffic rules. Briefing about the safety of passengers and tourists, he urged the commercial drivers to perform their duty efficiently and with dedication.
He also directed the district unit AAPPTF to change the time table of TATA Sumo night services from Aalo to Itanagar for the convenience and safety of the passengers and urged the authority concerned to check plying permit and driving license.
Arunachal Pradesh Co-
AAPPTF, West Siang District units Chairman Kirdo Ette, President Gego Doji along with other executive members of District Unit also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Ashish Malhotra
As I write this article for one of the pio-
In the early 1960s, before I was born after working at the NEFA secretariat at Shillong,
my father, Prem Prakash Malhotra was transferred on promotion to Bomdila as Circle
Officer. Then he was transferred to Pakke Kessang. He later told me that he had to
walk for fifteen days to reach his head-
With the passage of time he was transferred in the capacity of a Circle Officer to several places like, Bomdila, Seppa, Dumparijo. For some time he was on deputation as Regional Manager in FCI (Food Cooperation of India) at Lakhimpur, Assam. He also later served as Extra Assistant Commissioner at Namsai, Tawang, Sagalee, Itanagar and other places.
Finally, he retired in 1992 as Deputy Director Supply and Transport and RWD, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
All along during my school and college days at Shillong, I had been a witness to many of the places of his posting and visited him during my winter vacations. I recollect some of the many interesting memories there.
At Dumparijo, our quarter was a thatched one with beds made of bamboo which were about three feet tall! For us it was climbing to bed instead of going to bed!
We often used to visit the nearby spectacular, glistening Subansiri River along with
the ALCs. I had many occasions traversed on the white waters of the Subansari River
on the bamboo rafts-
At Namsai, our quarter was the only one with electric connection.
Almost every night we had lot of visitors coming to our house in the form of wild elephants, not one or two but in dozens. Residents used to come out of their quarters burning fire, beating tin drums vigorously to drive away the elephants, but all in vain as the elephants remain defiant and we had to retreat back. As time passed by I visited and stayed with my father in many other places viz. Daparijo, Pasighat, Likabali, Ziro, Khonsa, Aalo, Bomdila, Tawang, Doimukh.
I consider Arunachal Pradesh my home which I have not visited for the last 22 years.
However, this is compensated by fact that I am in close interaction with hundreds of students both boys and girls from different tribes of the state who are studying in Union Christian College, Barapani (near Shillong), Meghalaya, where I am now serving as the Head of Department of Chemistry for the last 20 years.
Today on his Adyashraddha, I pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.
(Dr Malhotra is the son of Late Prem Prakash Malhotra and Head of Department of Chemistry, Union Christian College, Barapani, Meghalaya)
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: Arunachal Orphans School, Polo Colony, Naharlagun was established in 2007 with a motto to provide education to orphans and destitute children.
There were 30 orphans, 35 semi orphans and 20 destitute during the 2009-
He advised the members of Arunachal Orphans Welfare Association (AOWA) and the staff of the institution to work dedicatedly for the welfare of the poor and orphans and assured to take up the present problems with the present government for financial aids and proper guidance.
Later, he donated Rs one lakhs toward the welfare of the institution.
Meanwhile, the president of the association Achu Bagang expressed his gratitude to Sonam for his yeoman service and briefed the grievances of the institution. He said that due to financial problems, the institution is facing difficulty to award salary to its staff and ration to hostelers. He, however, hoped that well wishers and government would provide some financial assistance to the institution in its initial stage for the welfare of poor children.
YRF -
Yomgo River Fest
Ranjit Sinha
AALO, Jan 18: It is said that the people of the North East, particularly Arunachal
Pradesh are known for their rich tradition, culture and hospitality. The on-
While interacting with this reporter on Tuesday, Momar Nyodu, 70, a retired Govt employee said “This festival brings closer the different tribes and give us a platform to foster unity”.
Ligam Ete, a student of Donyi-
Tourists from Germany and France visited the festival on the first day, he said.
However, Ete observed that in order to attract more tourists, authorities have to pour in sufficient fund to organize the festival in a bigger way.
A student of J N College Pasighat, Opang Mize opined that this festival is a source of inspiration for different communities.
“Though people of different communities are inhabitants of same district, we know little about each other’s tradition and culture and this festival helped us interact and know the rich tradition of different communities.”
“The festival will definitely showcase the rich culture of different tribes across the world through media which will ultimately entice the tourists in various tourist spots of the state,” opined Pakge Ete, en entrepreneur and former secretary of DSA, Aalo.
Kajom Jini, an AIR artiste is of the view that the objectives of the festival is to promote culture of different communities. It also provides a platform for the young artiste to expose their hidden talents.
In an informal chat with the scribes, DC Amjad Tak also put emphasis on showcasing the culture and tradition besides providing a platform for youth to interact with each other. “The motto of the festival is to reflect the culture and indigenous games of different tribes of the district. It is a platform for youth to interact with each other and exchange ideas,” the DC said.
He further said festival should be celebrated in true spirit in order to promote culture and expose the culture of different communities of the state to the world.”
Tak is hopeful that with the improvement of road communication, inflow of tourists in state will increase rapidly.
Will the festival give right direction to the youth apart from showcasing the rich culture of different communities?
- Measles breakout in Chayangtajo
- Tender process in Aalo turns violent, four let off
- Mein calls for evolving special mechanism for SCS states
- PCRA emphasizes on mass awareness to reduce fuel wastage
- AAPPTF demands immediate completion of Basar to Aalo road
- A tribute to my father
- A school that needs attention
- YRF -
2012: A platform for youth to exchange ideas
Young Salman rocks Aalo
Gijum Tali
AALO, Jan 18: The cultural extravaganza at Yomgo River Festival is a crowd pulling event, attracting all genre of people to right bank island of Yomgo river through a two lane bamboo bridge constructed by Kabu village, capable of carrying hundred people at a time.
On day two of the five day long festival, young Salman Ali of Sa-
The other songs and dances presented by local artists representing various communities were not only worth watching but gave the audience a deep insight into the rich tribal music world. The traditional houses constructed by various communities, decorated exhibition stalls, weapons display by the Indian Army and night illumination on the bank of Yomgo river are not only eye catching but give us a wide option to pick from. The festival which started on January 16 will conclude on January 20.
Govt assures Tirap, Changlang students
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: All Tirap District Students’ Union (ATDSU), All Changlang District
Students’ Union (ACDSU) and the elected representatives of Tirap and Changlang districts
yesterday called on Chief Minister and it was resolved in the meeting that 80% of
the total posts in the ensuing police recruitment drive for Tirap and Changlang will
be exclusively kept reserved for the APST candidates of the two districts. The rest
20% (General Quota) will be filled up by APST and non-
They further pressed for immediate advertisement of the remaining 601 posts. Both the unions hoped that there should not be any deviation from the resolutions adopted in the meeting. Any failure to comply with the resolution would compel the unions to launch democratic movement, the release threatened.
Union opposes dams
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: Volunteer People’s Union for Democratic Rights (VPUDR) opposed
construction of 1000 mw project at Naying by DS Construction, New Delhi, 1000 mw
Siyom and 700 mw at Tato-
The union said that construction of dams at upper areas directly pose threat to the down streams where maximum population, resources and important places are located.
It further opposed any public hearing regarding dam construction without the knowledge and consultation of downstream people of Kamba, Kaying, Payum and Aalo and East Siang district.
AAPBPA team meets BRTF commandant
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: All Arunachal Pradesh Border Peace Association (AAPBPA) met the Commandant of 756 Border Road Task Force (BRTF) at Naharlagun on January 16 last and discussed establishment of its headquarter at Gorubandha in Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting also discussed the security scenario at Gorubandha and urged the Govt to immediately deploy police in the area.
New Church inaugurated
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: A Catholic Church has been inaugurated at Sawa, East Kameng district recently.
Arunachal Congress Working Committee, member secretary LK Yangfo and Arunachal Christian Forum, vice president Shayam Yangfo along with church members attended the inaugural function.
On the occasion, the believers in a special prayer session prayed almighty god for peace, prosperity and socio economic development of the people.
Later, LK Yangfo contributed some fund to the organizing committee.
Deaths condoled
Itanagar, Jan 18: Deputy Director of School Education, Anjaw along with the staff condoled the premature demise of Yamoti Tatak, who breathed her last on January 18. Tatak was presently working as LDC in the establishment section of DDSE, Anjaw since 2006. Tatak, 31, was reportedly suffering from cancer since last one year.
ABYA calls for early tender
ITANAGAR, Jan 18: All Bassarnallo Youth Association (ABYA) has demanded the department concerned to invite tender for road work from Kampo to Tapiaso under NLCPR.
Delay in start of work under time bound NLCPR would ultimately hamper the people of Sandopota circle, it said. The Association further urged the department concerned to clear the road portion at Tadarboding in between Kampo and Tapiaso.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
A dubious controversy
Ahead of a likely battle in the Supreme Court, the government has reacted on record for the first time to the army chief's decision to go to court to establish how old he really is.
Describing General Vijay Kumar Singh's move as unfortunate, Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju has gone on record to say that matter is sensitive and termed it not a healthy precedent either for the Defence Ministry of the armed forces.
India's army already has plenty to keep it busy with not so friendly China and Pakistan as neighbours.
Yet for weeks, the Indian Army has been embroiled in an achingly public dispute not about national security but about the birth date of its chief. In a drama that has set off emotional sparring on television talk shows and condemnation in newspaper editorials, the army chief, Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh, has insisted that he was born on May 10, 1951. But India's government has insisted that he was born on May 10, 1950.
The answer to the dispute could determine whether General Singh retires in May or 10 months later, as military regulations stipulate that the army chief must step down after three years on the job or upon his 62nd birthday, whichever comes first.
The controversy, which has direct bearing on the succession schedule of India's military command, peaked on Monday when General Singh unexpectedly took the matter to India's Supreme Court. He filed a petition asking the justices to decide a seemingly simple question: When was he born?
While his lawyers says it his is about his pride, integrity and honour, yet it has
become an embarrassment to India's Ministry of Defence and the country's 1.3 million-
The situation has created the uncomfortable appearance of India's military leadership squaring off against its civilian leaders.
As the controversy percolated in recent months, India's political leaders tried to reassure the public that the situation was not undermining the country's military readiness.
However it the fact remains that it has been the talking point and many believes that the whole episode has tarnished the image of everyone involved.
Tender process and violence
Dear Editor,
For the last six month Aalo has witnessed barbaric acts. After every couple of days, there is an unprecedented incidents happenings here, thereby creating a wave of fear psychosis amongst the law abiding people of Aalo.
The worst form of such incidents was witnessed on 17 January 2012 at the office premises of Executive Engineer, PWD, Aalo, when the self styled organisations such as Paktu Area People's Forum(PAPF) & Paktu Ao Youth Welfare Association(PAYWA) respectively, locked the main gate and gheroud the office armed with lethal weapons on the last date of submission of tender paper for Infrastructure development of Aalo Township road managed by PWD, Arunachal Pradesh.
The main motive of the PAPF & PAYWA was not to allow any other bidders except themselves to participate in the process of tender. They manhandled some of the bidders and forcefully snatched the tender papers and dragged them out of the office premises.
Knowing the incident and the barbaric act of the mentioned organizations, the people from Aalo East and youth in numbers protested against such unlawful activities of self styled organisation (PAPF & PAYWA).
In course of action many Police personnel including SP, Aalo got injured and the security personnel had to fire more than ten rounds of bullet on air to disperse the crowd.
Keeping the law & order problem in view, the Aalo Deputy Commissioner cum District Chief Judicial Magistrate served suspension order of the aforesaid tender. In spite of such order the said self styled organisations forced the department to open the tender in the same evening.
Henceforth, the Congress Core ¬Committee, 31" Aalo East strongly appeal to the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to intervene into the matter and immediately declare the tender process null and void. We strongly appeal the govt to take stern action as per provision of law against such lawlessness activities of the self styled organisations.
Yours,
Misor Lollen
(Chairman)
Kenba Diyum (Member Secretary)
Gumken Lollen
(secretary)
Core Committee
Aalo East
A clarification
Dear Editor,
The News items with headline 'Inclusion of Adi villages in proposed Lower Siang District opposed' that appeared on the 16th January'2012 edition of the Arunachal Times has come to my notice.
In this regards, it is observed that my statement has been linked up with someone else’s statement. But, I am elucidating it that my statement was only about services we are presently availing from East Siang District administration. Being a Panchayat Leader of the area, I have a moral support for the creation of Lower Siang District. But other statements that appeared in the news item were not opined by me.
Yours.
Rejo Bomjen
ASM, Nari-
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