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January 30

4 govt bills introduced in  Assembly

Itanagar, Jan 29:  Four important government bills have been introduced in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly today for their consideration and passage.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki introduced the Societies registration (Extension to Arunachal Pradesh) (Amendment) Bill 2015 and The Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2015 respectively.

While PWD Minister Gojen Gadi introduced the Arunachal Pradesh District Based Entrepreneurs and Professionals (incentive, development and promotional) Bill 2015, Education Minister Tapang Taloh introduced the Global University Arunachal Pradesh Bill 2015.

The discussion on the bills would be taken up on Friday for consideration and passing. PTI

 

RGU Foundation Day

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: Rajiv Gandhi University, the lone central university in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, founded way back in 1984 as a State University is all set to observe its 32nd Foundation Day on 4th February at the university auditorium situated on the picturesque Rono Hills campus.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University Professor Amarjyoti Choudhury will deliver the Foundation Day Lecture on the topic, "There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom: An attempt to have a glimpse of nanotechnology from a layman's perspective".

 

DPR complete for ALG Civil Enclave

Itanagar, Jan 29: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already conducted survey of the ALGs at Ziro, Pasighat & Aalo and prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of Civil Enclave and submitted to the North Eastern Council (NEC) in November, 2011 and projected requirement of some additional lands. This was informed by Civil Aviation Minister Thangwang Wangham while responding to a question from BJP MLA Tage Taki.  

Under the Prime Minister's Package, Civil Enclave will be developed at the ALG Ziro, Pasighat and Aalo (Along) by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), while the Indian Air Force (IAF) is carrying out up-gradation work of the ALGs at Ziro, Pasighat, Aalo as well as other ALGs at Tuting, Mechuka, Vijaynagar, Walong & helipad at Tawang. Deputy Commissioners are on the job for acquiring the additional lands for handing over to the AAI and necessary directions have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to resolve the land issues and other constraints in coordination with the IAF and the AAI, he added.  

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has handed over the  ALGs to the Ministry of Defence by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2009. Accordingly, after transfer of the ALGs to the MoD, up-gradation work of the ALGs have been started by the Indian Air Force (IAF) with progress of about 20-30% works. PTI

 

Indo-China border personnel meeting held at Kibithu

 

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: A border personnel meeting between officials of Indian Army and Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) China was held at Kibithu Sector on 26th January. The two sides came together to jointly celebrate Indian Republic Day.  

The twenty six member Chinese delegation was led by Senior Col Hu Xiao Bai while Brig Virendra Vats, headed the Indian delegation.  Both sides reiterated their commitment to maintain peace and tranquility along LAC.  The event was marked by cultural programmes showcasing Indian culture and heritage. It comprised of performances by the 'Warriors of the North East' troupe and local artistes. PRO (DEF)

 

Rijiju pays tribute to former Speaker, meets bereaved family

CHANGLANG, Jan 29: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijuju today paid homage to former minister and Assembly Speaker Late Setong Sena.

He met the family members of Late Sena and expressed his deep condolence on the irreparable loss to the family and nation as a whole.

Later, in a developmental meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and HoDs at Changlang, Rijiju was apprised of the progress of ongoing schemes in the district.

The Minister exhorted the officers and officials of various departments to work for development of the area and its people. DIPRO

 

Be strict and impartial: DC

YINGKIONG, JAN 29: The Deputy Commissioner-cum-DEO Upper Siang District Remo Kamki while presiding over coordination meeting of all ROs/AEROs in connection with the ensuing  Panchayat bye-election scheduled to be held in March asked all the executing officers to strictly follow the rules of EMCC (Election Model Code of conduct) provided by the Election Commission. He further asked them to get this information widely circulated to the public and while doing so the officers and officials must maintain impartiality during the election process.

 

Malaria awareness programme at Kakoi

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association (IDEA) and District Vector Borne Disease Control Society, (DVBDCS) Yupia jointly conducted awareness campaign and IEC programme on malaria at Primary Health Centre Kakoi yesterday.

It mainly focused on educating villagers on wrong medications and its consequences and eradicating social taboos attached to local malaria treatment.  

Dr. Aruna the Medical Officer In charge of Community Health Centre Kimin and Dr. Dutta, in charge of Primary health Centre Kakoi   emphasized on prevention and control of malaria by keeping the surrounding clean, removing stagnant water, sleeping under mosquito nets  and DDT spraying inside of every house.

Dr. Aruna appealed to the people to take complete course of treatment for proper recovery from malaria.

Techi Pekhi Tara, District Consultant VBD Papumpare,  and Mum Lego, State IEC Consultant introduced all the field level staff working for malaria and informed that anti-malarial drugs are available with them.

Over 30 people, including ASM, GBs, ASHAs, CHV, MPW, Anganwadi workers, students and public attended the programme.

IDEA in partnership with Caritas India (NGO) has been supporting DVBDCP in proper implementation of intensified malaria control project in Papumpare district.

 

CM’S Trophy at Tawang

TAWANG, Jan 29: The Tawang block level tournament of the Chief Minister's Trophy on Football and Volleyball started at Changbu Ground here yesterday.

Tawang Deputy Commissioner Abishek Dev, who presided over the inaugural function, said "We are optimistic of sending a much better representation this year though the previous year's team was good". He hoped the district will able to send a 'strong' team this time to the state level competition for the CM's trophy.

Tawang  Zilla Chairperson Jambey Tsering asked the participants to make best use of the splendid opportunity. He further asked the players to play the game with sportsman spirit.

United Kee Brother defeated Town Secondary School 4-1 in the inaugural men's soccer match, while Seru XI edged past DC-XI and Snow Yak humiliated Highlander brothers 6-1 in the second and third match respectively.

In the volleyball events, Kitpi secondary school beat Town secondary school whereas Classic XI beat The Humanity group. Tawang ADC, Tapasya Raghav and Rinchin Leta, Circle Officer and DSO in charge, also attended the function along with other dignitaries.

A total of 7 teams in men's football and 6 teams in volleyball (men), 2 teams each in women's football and volleyball are participating in the competition.

The competition is organized by the district administration, All Tawang District Students Union and Environment Protection Society.

 

Gymnasium inaugurated

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: A state -of -art gymnasium complex has been established in Monyul Sports Club, Tawang under BADP, 2014-15.

The Gymnasium was inaugurated by Rev. Guru Tulku Rimpoche, Abbot of Tawang Monastery in the presence of Tawang Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Dev, ZPC Jambey Tsering and ADC (HQs.) Tapasya Raghav.

The Gym has high-tech equipments like Professional Treadmill, Cross Trainer, Exercise Bike and Multi Station Gym.

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News Impact

Centre to resolve impasse on Subansiri hydel project

Itanagar Jan 29: The Centre is working out to resolve the stalemate over completion of the 2000 mw Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP) at Gerukamukh, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki informed the State Legislative Assembly today.

The works on the project being executed by NHPC were stalled since December 16, 2011 after protests.

Responding to a supplementary from Opposition leader Tamiyo Taga during question hour, Tuki informed that Union Minister of State (Independent) Power Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS (Independent) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sarbananda Sonowal convened a two-day meeting from December 10 last year.

"The meeting attended by groups of experts, representatives from NHPC, GSI, CWC and all stakeholders including Akhil Gogoi of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), decided to form a Project Oversight Committee representing the government and agitating groups with four members from each side to resolve various issues related to the stalemate within three months," the chief minister said.

He said during the meeting steps taken on downstream impact were presented besides the expert committee clarifying all aspects of safety issues in response to the concerns of the anti-dam groups.

Goyal while appreciating the steps taken to improve the design of the dam by the NHPC, informed in the meeting that further delay of the project would escalate the cost and trigger power crisis in both Arunachal and Assam, Tuki quoted the minister as saying.

"The meeting also assured to provide 533 MW additional power to Assam as demanded by agitating organizations," the chief minister said adding the state government had been regularly pursuing the Centre for taking necessary action for early resumption of construction work of the project.

The anti-dam activists have been demanding the Centre to examine the impact of landslides within the periphery of the project and the dam safety in case of earthquake, adequate provisions for flood protection management, 12 per cent free power to Assam on the lines of Arunachal Pradesh and conducting separate public hearing with the downstream project affected people, Tuki added. PTI

 

 

Rs. 225 crore NHPC loan not yet refunded

Itanagar, Jan 29: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today disclosed that the Rs. 225 crore loan taken by the state government from NHPC to revive the sick Cooperative Apex Bank during June 2007 is yet to be refunded.

Responding to a question raised by BJP member Japu Deru during question hour, the chief minister informed that the amount was taken on 9 per cent simple interest and the total amount would be adjusted from the free power that would be available to the state government from various projects executed by the power giant in the state.

He said, out of the total amount, Rs. 180 crore was paid as equity and another 20 crore as soft loan by the bank.

Moreover, the bank also refunded an amount of Rs. 20 crore along with accrued interest of Rs. 56.12 lakh to the state government, he added.

When Deru sought a clarification from the government on action initiated against the bank officials responsible for the collapse of the bank, the chief minister assured to reveal the names of the persons involved and action taken by the government in the forthcoming Budget session of the assembly slated in March next. PTI

 

 

Devastating fire at Pasighat school

PASIGHAT, Jan 29:  There has been a devastating fire at Govt. Gandhi Secondary School, Pasighat. The fire broke out at 11.45 PM on Wednesday night.  

Though two fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze, the devastating fire completely destroyed office, common, store , MDM and text books room and two toilets including three class rooms of Class-X standards of the school. Headmaster of the school said that  all official documents and stationeries were reduced into ashes.

Today, shocked and tearful teachers huddled together, too distressed to speak.

Stunned children were seen standing quietly in the school campus.

East Siang DC Nidhi Srivastava along with DDSE In-Charge Mary Siram (ADEO) and Genden Tsumo DDMO took stock of extensive damage caused by the inferno. Srivastava who recently adopted the school as a mentor under her unique scheme "adoption of School" assured to extend all possible help to re-build the school building soon.

Interacting with the teachers and students, she assured that immediate alternative arrangements for HM's office, teachers' common-room and classrooms will be made to continue teaching-learning process without any break. The DC directed the police to ascertain the actual cause of the incident and instructed the authorities of all the academic institutions and offices to switch- off all electrical appliances before leaving their respective workplaces.

Meanwhile, local MLA Kaling Moyong taking serious note of the accident advised the education department to provide fire extinguishers to all schools so that such incident is not repeated.  

Former Education Minister Bosiram Siram also visited the school and assured to pursue the government to provide necessary fund for reconstruction. DIPRO

 

 

Central Ministers assess progress of Tezu airport

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: Union minister of state for Home  Kiren Rijiju and Civil Aviation Minister A. Gajapathi Raju today visited Tezu town to assess the construction work of the ongoing Tezu airport work being undertaken by Airport Authority of India at an estimated cost of about Rs 96.5 crore.

At the construction site Deputy Commissioner along with Member Planning, AAI, Sudhir Raheja and General Manager, AAI, SP Yadav gave a brief presentation on the layout, construction and progress as well as hindrances and hardships faced by the AAI for the construction of the airport.

Talking of the benefits of having an Airport, the union minister of civil aviation spoke about the "multiplier" effect it has on the economy. He also suggested the constructing agency to refrain from "raising hope and then  dashing hope", while working on practical solution to clear up the local hindrances in the construction of the project. He also suggested to the member of AAI to create a local cultural signature in the city side of the airport by inculcating the local cultural theme in the architecture. Minister also exhorted the local populace to be creative in using the airport to their advantage, as the presence of an airport can enable faster movement of goods and services, thus raising income and benefitting the economy of the region and the state.

DC Dr. BM Mishra Mishra explained about the progress done by the state on its share of work in the construction of airport. He also emphasized about natural threat of erosion faced by the airport from Sukha Nala(river) and steps taken to mitigate it through a Rs 7.5 crore project to be funded by DoNER. The DC also highlighted the local grievances to the minister with regard to 'employment opportunity' for local youths under AAI. He added that elementary skill development/vocational training of the local youths should be provided either by the AAI or the state, so that they can be recruited by the AAI after the completion of the Airport.

Mesmerized with the local culture, the visiting minister also exhorted the local tribal populace to evolve a script for their language. Unless such step is taken, he opined, local tribal culture will face threat and its distinct identity may get lost in the assimilation process.

The minister of state for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju later went to the home of Late Member of Parliament Sobeng Tayang to pay homage to the departed leader.  Rijiju told his family members that death of Tayang is a heavy loss to the people of the entire state. He termed late Tayang as one of the builders of the state during its infant stage.  (DIPRO)

 

 

Mixed response to 12-hr capital bandh, AAPBSU threatens series of bandh

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: The business community of Itanagar openly defied the 12 hours Capital bandh called by All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students Union (AAPBSU) by opening their shutters today. The volunteers from Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) along with police personnel and district administration guarded the shops. The Akashdeep, Ganga and Bank Tinali were seen open the whole day. However, at Naharlagun, many shops remained closed though the heavy security was deployed in and around the main market during Legislative Assembly session.  The bandh also hit the many schools as most of the school buses were off the road since morning.

Speaking to The Arunachal Times, SP, Capital Complex Seju P Kuruvilla informed that no untoward incident occurred during the 12 hours bandh.  AAPBSU called the bandh demanding the state government to create 3rd batch of Arunachal Armed Police Battalion (AAPBN) with strength of 977 personnel (one battalion) to man the border area including provision of security to the ongoing hydro-power and Trans-Arunachal Highway projects.  

Meanwhile, the AAPBSU claimed that its 12 hours capital bandh evoked good response from public and it passed off successfully. The Union's president Atung Tana said that it will launch a series of bandh call in state capital if the state Govt fails to pay heed to its demand for creation of 3rd batch of (AAPBN).

Meanwhile, the Union strongly condemned the reported arrest of two Arunachalee women from inside the Arunachal territory by the Assam official at Dollungmukh. AAPBSU also criticized the state Govt saying that it remains as 'mute spectator' to the harassment being meted out to the Arunachal people along the  boundary area.

 

 

Tourists queue up at Arunachal Stall at SATTE

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: Many people, particularly international tourists, could be seen queuing up the Arunachal stall at the South Asian Tour and Travel Exchange (SATTE) to enquire about the state. The Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department is participating in the event being held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. A three-day affair, from January 29-31, SATTE is a business-to-business travel trade show supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, with an aim to increase the tourists' inflow in the country.

A lot of pamphlets and brochures were distributed among the participants.

Attracting the best of the tourism industry, participation in SATTE becomes very crucial for a state like Arunachal Pradesh where tourism is an important source of revenue. With the state now relaxing the norms for tourists, it is catching the attention of many travellers around the world. Over the last few years, many initiatives have been taken up by the government and individuals in the form of various festivals and events in order to attract the tourists to the state.

Registered tour operators of Arunachal Pradesh also took part in the event. Adong Moyong, Resident Tourism Officer, Arunachal Bhawan, New Delhi was joined by Sangay Tsering of Holiday Scout and Lobsang Phuntsok of Tawang Tours and Travels in the event. (OSD, IPR)

 

 

Rare bat species found at Rombo hill

Prafulla Kaman

RUKSIN, Jan 29: A rare bat species belonging to Chiroptera group has been found in Ralung village near Rombo Hills of West Pasighat area today. The discovery of the rare species has drawn attention of the local Zoologists and nature enthusiasts.

A young school boy found the bat at  a bamboo groove in the premise of Govt. Primary School, Ralung near Industrial Growth Centre.

The bat, identified as 'Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta)' will be sent to State Forest Research Institute, Itanagar for further study.

The Painted Bat belongs to the Lower risk or 'Least Concern' category in the red list of threatened species prepared by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). It is found throughout China, India and parts of Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

According to Prof Daniel Mize of Rajiv Gandhi University, existence of Blame Forte Fruit Bat and Hurley Queen Bats among three colourful bat species have been reported in Arunachal, Sikkim and West Bengal, but presence of the Painted Bat has not been reported so far as nobody has conducted special study on Bat in the state.

 

 

Zoo Society Itanagar meets to improve Biological Park

ITANAGAR, Jan 29: While addressing the 2nd Governing Board meeting of the Zoo Society of Biological Park, Itanagar, Dr Shashi Kumar, PCCF & Principal Secretary          -cum- Chairman of Zoo Society of Biological Park has emphasized on the overall improvement of the Biological Park, Itanagar. He especially praised the zoo authority for creating a record by successfully brededing the Hoolock gibbon for the first time in the world while in captivity. He also discussed at length about the post release activities of Hoolock Gibbon and improvement of animal collection through animal exchange programme with other zoos of the country. He also emphasis on the improvement of visitor's amenities including drinking water facility, toilets, kiosk and resting sheds. In order to improve the zoo from both security as well as safety point of view, he suggested the Curator to find out all the vulnerable points and install CCTV. He also met Gobin Saikia, oldest contingency staff of zoo and asked him to continue his good work towards Itanagar zoo.He further asked Dr. Yogesh PCCF (WL & BD) to look into the matter for extending possible help from the Department.

Dr Yogesh explained to the members about the confirmation of last meeting and action taken on the 1st Governing Board meeting of the Zoo Society of Biological Park, Itanagar, held in 2012.

Joram Dopum, Director, Biological Park, Itanagar, who is also the Member Secretary of the society, placed the details of the fund received from CZA, New Delhi so far. After threadbare discussion the Governing Board has approved almost all the items of works.

Raya Flago, Curator, Biological Park, Itanagar requested the PCCF & Principal Secretary to continue to pay special attention to Biological Park, Itanagar which is the only zoo of the state.

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2012

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

All rights reserved.

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---- Editorial ----

 

Charity begins at home

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project Swachch Bharat Abhiyan has failed to take off in his own home state of Gujarat.  According to the latest report by the Union ministry of drinking water a total of 26.23 lakh toilets have been constructed under the Swachch Bharat Mission across the country during 2014-15 and out of this, Gujarat's share is only 5%. The total number of toilet constructed at Gujarat is 1.37 lakh.

Ironically for PM Modi and ruling BJP, it is the Congress ruled state of Karnataka which tops the list for constructing the highest number of toilets followed by West Bengal, another opposition ruled state. Gujarat has been ranked eighth among states in terms of number of toilets built in 2014-15. Report further adds that, the number of toilets built in Gujarat improved only in 2014-15 after chief minister Anandiben Patel emphasized on building toilets in rural areas. This report should seriously worry PM Modi as his home state is miserably failing him. There is a famous saying which says charity begins at home. PM Modi should ensure Swachch Gujarat before embarking on Swachch Bharat mission.

---- Readers Forum ----

 

A request

Dear Editor,

District Demand Action Committee (DDAC), 29-Basar Assembly Constituency has endorsed the ongoing “Phase-wise Lower Siang District Bandhs” called by BASU during December 2014 against the state Government for delaying to declare and make functional Basar as H.Qs of the Lower Siang District as per political commitments made at Basar by the ruling Congress party on 10th December 2008 and Cabinet approval of 7th August 2009. However, the same was temporarily suspended after meeting and submitting last memorandum of request on 24th December 2014 to CM Nabam Tuki, Local MLA-cum-Minister (PWD), Gojen Gadi and President (APCC) Padi Richo at CM’s office followed by an ultimatum of one month which was expired on 26th January 2015.

Therefore, after the expiry of our last memorandum of request and ultimatum, till date we could not see any response or result from the authority concerned. In fact, it’s very unfortunate that after lapse of 6 years, still Lower Siang District could not be made functional due to lack of bold decisive nature of the state government in this connection unlike other newly created districts which have been created very recently.

Hence, through your esteemed daily, we the undersigned representing rank and file of DDAC 29-Basar A/C and BASU respectively, on behalf of entire public of 29-Basar Assembly Constituency would like to remind the ruling Congress party and the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to fulfill their political commitment made to the people of 29-Basar A/C on 10th December 2008 and to implement Cabinet approval of 7th August 2009 regarding Lower Siang District and its HQs issue in letter and spirit by immediately declare and make functional Basar as H.Qs of the Lower Siang District based purely on its high feasibility and viability factors failing which the people as per our ultimatum would start shortly every possible democratic means of movements including political means against ruling Congress party and state Government until and unless the political commitment made and our long standing genuine demands are not fulfilled.

Yours,

Karjom Basar

President

Basar Area Students’ Union (BASU)

Gojum Basar

Chairman

District Demand Action Committee (DDAC)

29 - Basar Assembly Constituency

 

 

 

A metre for all

Dear Editor,

Through your esteem daily, I would like to express my views about the pre-paid electric metering system. I am a student and I have recently shifted to a new rent house where five other family members stay in the same house. My problem is that there is only one common meter in the entire house and that one meter is shared between all of us. As a student I have to go for my classes everyday and I reach home in the evening so most of my time is spent outside. Moreover I don’t own any electric device such as TV, refrigerator, heater etc compared to the other house.

Therefore, a very minimum amount of electricity is consumed by me. I have been also requesting my house owner to install separate pre-paid meters for everyone but nothing has been done yet. I was really shocked when I saw the electricity bill of this month, each of us had to pay Rs 250. Now in winter if I have to pay Rs250, I fear how much I have to pay during the summer when everyone will be using fan, Refrigerator, TV, AC. There must be many students like me who might be facing the same problem. We have come here for higher studies from very far and hoping to get a good education. Studying out of our state is too expensive for most of us. And with this new pre-paid meter system we students are being affected the most.

 So my request to the department     of power is to kindly look into the matter as students cannot afford to pay so much money for electricity. And I also request the department to make it compulsory that each room should have a pre-paid meter than one common meter.

Yours,

 Tasha

Student,  Vivek Vihar

 

 

 

Powerhouse is power dependent on others

Dear Editor,

Electricity is one of the key elements for development. Our present and previous leaders have always boasted about Arunachal Pradesh’s potential to be the power house of India. But unfortunately people of AP have been living with regular power cuts for decades both in capital and villages. In order to know about the details of AP power department, I visited their website (http://www.arunachalpower.org.in/roadmap.html) and downloaded its annual report details. I would like to encourage all to download the report and read it themselves. The major truth revealed in the report is that GoAP has been purchasing about 75 percent of her electricity requirements from other states like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, West Bengal and Bihar since her inception till present time. It is a vain exercise for our leaders to boast about our power generation capabilities, instead like PM Modiji, GoAP should first invest and demonstrate her power generation capabilities so as to attract others to invest in AP power sector. The report states GoAP generates only 197.70 MKwh of electricity in AP, and out of 197.70 MKwh of electricity, 49.95 MKwh is produced using hydel, 1.59 MKwh is produced by diesel and rest of 147.24 MKwh is produced by wind and free energy.

Through this esteemed paper, I would like to request the power department to clarify how so much of power can be generated by wind and free energy in AP, since there are almost no wind mills and solar power stations in AP. The report tells that the power department has always been in deficit worth 300 crores. In order to make up the deficit, the report has suggested the GoAP to hike the electricity tariff by 125.37 percent in 2013-14. The other major revelation is that the power department has not spent any money to check transmission and distribution loss. In the present context of the ongoing protest against pre-paid metering system and the report of the power department, it is evident that the power department has not taken any measure and hence has not spent any money to curb distribution loss. So, I am of the view that the pre-paid meter project is a blind project undertaken by the power department and GoAP with the implicit objective to make GoAP treasury bleed, while it would make some ministers, bureaucrats and contractors rich, and common people suffer. I would request the power department to first make logical and legal efforts to identify the technical factors/persons responsible for such huge deficit so as to clear its deficit amount. This is the main reason why the people of AP have always been suffering from regular power cuts. Since the power department has such huge deficit, from where has the department got 85 crores to implement the pre-paid electric meter system? If the money is from the revenue collected from the people of AP, then GoAP should use it to pay for her huge deficit, instead of undertaking this new project. With interest on the deficit amount, it would make the GoAp treasury bleed more with the passing time. The report shows that there has been no subsidy on electricity for BPL. It can also be observed that the current rate is high. The power department can handover the list of defaulters (individuals, departments, industries, organizations) to respective DC of each district and get the money collected or get them arrested with fine or interest. Pre-paid meter is not the solution to make up the huge deficit. 

Yours,

Takam Tadar,

Delhi University, Delhi

 

 

 

 

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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