SC starts examining powers of Governor
New Delhi, Jan 15: The Supreme Court on Friday started examining constitutional schemes
on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor, amid continuing month-
The high-
Sibal represents Nabam Rebia who has removed from the Speaker's post by rebel Congress and BJP MLAs in an assembly session at a community hall in Itanagar on December 16.
It has also been alleged that the Governor had advanced the assembly sitting from January 14 to December 16 without the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and his council of ministers.
"Whether the Governor has any discretionary power to summon the House without the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and his council of ministers," Sibal asked the bench that also comprised Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana.
"What are the contours of powers of the Governor in sending messages to the House
and, in particular, the power of the Governor in dealing with the constitution of
the House," he said, adding that the Governor cannot change the party-
The court, during the hearing, referred to constitutional provisions and asked questions on discretionary powers of the Governor and said he can always take certain decisions which can be questioned only in the court of law and cannot be stopped and objected to by the state government.
The bench said "there may be some grey areas where the Governor can always say that it is his discretion which can be challenged in judicial review only."
Sibal also said that the Governor, who is neither the officer of the assembly nor its member, cannot convene a session of the House on his own. PTI
Capital road work to start, one booked
Traffic diversion at Naharlagun
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Repairing cum re-
The road construction work was forced to halt after labourers engaged in the work were driven out of the state following intimidation on Jan 5 further delaying the already delayed road maintenance work.
One person has been booked under Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for extortion and threatening the workers. The accused is still at large.
Meanwhile, the National Highway (NH-
Vehicles coming from Itanagar will be diverted at G-
BJP accuse Congress of spearheading unlawful activities
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Bharatiya Janata party, Arunachal Pradesh has taken strong exception
at the protests held outside the Raj Bhawan by Congress workers as it accused the
Congress MLAs and Ministers of spearheading unlawful activities and creating riot
like situations breaking age-
The Party accused the Chief Minister of not being able to protect the well being of the citizens.
It urged the state government machineries to maintain impartiality and neutrality in discharging their duties and responsibilities to the state especially the law and order. The BJP urged the law enforcing authorities to be more vigilant as the Party apprehends breakdown of law and order, especially in state Capital because of ongoing political stalemate and in the aftermath of Court verdicts.
The factional infighting within ruling Congress party is their internal matter, whereas the law and order is dealt with by the law enforcing authorities of State Government. Hence, the law enforcing authority shall not remain mute spectator and onlooker to the repeatedly attempts to seize the Raj Bhawan by the ruling Congress party, BJP Spokesman Techi Necha said.
The party further said that despite imposition of prohibitory orders by the District
administration at state Legislative Assembly and Raj Bhawan, ruling Congress workers
and leaders had carried out unlawful assembly of mass, brutal sacrifice of animal,
burning of Vehicle tyres at Raj Bhawan Gates and blockading NH between Nahar-
Tuki, Rebia should respect High Court judgment: BJP
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jan15: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jan Andolan Committee Chairman Tame Phassang today asked Nabam Tuki led Congress team to respect the High Court judgment of January 13, 2016 in which the Court ruled in favour of Congress dissident team. They should honour the High Court and should gracefully quit the chair, JAC Chairman said.
However, Phassang made it clear that he is not demanding Tuki's resignation rather appealing him and Nabam Rebia to respect the High Court decision and let other Congress Party Leaders govern the state.
Phassang ridiculed that instead of quitting the CM's chair, they are resorting in
violence by staging protest infront of the Raj Bhawan and denting the sanctity of
the Raj Bhawan just to save the chair. He further appealed to the youth not to be
misguided or lured by leaders with self-
Article 371(H) and Sensitive Location of Arunachal Pradesh
[ Nani Bath ]
India inherited undefined and ‘unaccepted’ boundary in the Eastern Himalayas, where
present Arunachal Pradesh is located, from the British India. The claims and counter
claims between India and China, on the question of legality of Mc Mohan Line, has
placed state’s politics and economic development as ‘hostage’ to geo-
The ‘Chinese factor’ not only did influence the course of political history of Arunachal Pradesh but it will continue to have a sway over the geography and politics of the state till the time Mc Mohan Line remains undefined.
Choudhury (1983) writes, China’s extravagant claim on Indian territory south of the
MacMohan Line in 1959 immediately influenced the shaping of the Third Five Year Plan
(1962-
The NEFA administration originally projected an ambitious programme to carry over the roads already built… but owing to opposition from the Army, the project was reviewed in New Delhi and dropped.
The Army reportedly argued that the roads, if extended very close to the frontier, might hold potential prospect for the enemy who could use them to their advantage. It was finally decided not to have roads within 30 miles of the border.
In September 1986, there were reports of Chinese troops intruding into Wangdong in Sumdorang Chu river valley in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, which was considered an integral and indivisible part of India according to Mac Mohan Line of 1914. It revived the old psychological fear of 1962 Chinese aggression. Moreover, after the Seventh Round of border talks in 1986, it became increasingly clear that the solution to border problem was not drawing in favour of India (because of contradictory official statements by China after the talks).
The Government of India enacted a bill in the Parliament in December 1986 to establish Arunachal Pradesh as a state. Surprisingly, Arunachal was granted statehood even when its people were seemingly happy with the scheme of Union Territory. All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) strongly objected to granting of statehood till Arunachal attains a “desired level of political and economic development”.
It is no wonder that China condemned India of “violating Chinese territorial sovereignty” and “gravely injuring feelings of the Chinese people” by granting statehood to Arunachal Pradesh.
The Constitution 55th Amendment Bill, granting statehood to Arunachal Pradesh, has brought in a controversial provision in the form of Article 371(H) of the Constitution. The Article gives special responsibility to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh with regards to law and order problem in the state.
The article adds… “and in the discharge of his functions in relations thereto, the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers, exercise his individual judgment as to the action to be taken”.
Many, including the founder of PPA, Bakin Pertin have assailed the Article in question. Late Bakin called it “a most undemocratic measure” which “casts a serious reflection on the capacity and truth worthiness of the Council of Ministers”. It is “an uncalled for encroachment on the liberty” of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
He went on to add, “We fail to see why the elected representatives of the people of Arunachal Pradesh cannot be trusted with the responsibilities for law and order, unlike all other States in India, many of which have also common frontiers with foreign countries”.
Some of the opposition Members of Parliament raised objection to the special power
to be conferred to the Governor. MPs from the Upper House of like Mustafa Bin Quasim(CPI-
The Arunachal Pradesh legislative Assembly passed a Resolution in 2013, urging the Union Government to expeditiously amend the Article 371(H) of the Constitution at par with the provision of Article 371 (A). The Resolution demanded special constitutional protection in respect of religious and social practices, customary laws and rights of ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
Having regard to the sensitive location of Arunachal Pradesh, the ‘special responsibility’ was entrusted to the Governor. As such, it looks to be the prime consideration for insertion of the said article. Nagaland, a state with similar constitutional provision, had a long history of internal disturbances. But Arunachal Pradesh remained a very peaceful state with no sign of any extremism or secessionism.
The ‘Chinese factor’ seems to have played its part again. Was it an instrument to
control and regulate the ‘anticipated’ anti-
While the necessity, background and the reasons about the Article is being debated, the present political atmosphere in the state has revived its necessity or otherwise. Some of the political parties are in favour of invocation of Article 371(H) to deal with the present law and order crisis.
Situation was really bad when the Assembly hall was locked; when law makers were denied entry in the gate itself; when national highway was blocked for hours together; and when a mithun was sacrificed at a place close to Raj Bhawan.
Hopefully, the situation improves in the days to come. Otherwise, even the common people would be forced to seek Governor’s intervention to ensure due observance of constitutional norms and principles.
However, it would be interesting to see whether the Article would be used to deal with law and order problem arising out of a political stalemate. If it is invoked, three interesting facts would emerge: first, the present Governor would be the first to use it. Secondly, the purpose for which it was designed would not be served. Third, the Congress party, one who created the instrument, would certainly be unhappy.
Ensure that district tops HMIS charts: DC
ZIRO, Jan 15: Lower Subansiri DC Kanki Darang has appealed the doctors, nurses, health workers and other paramedical personnel to remain sincere towards their duties to ensure that the district tops among other districts in the GoAP maintained Health Management Information System (HMIS) charts.
He was addressing a review meeting of the District Health Society held in the conference hall of the General Hospital here today, which was attended by Medical Superintendent DRCHO Dr.Derin Likar, MOs, doctors and nurses from across the district.
He also lauded the entire medical fraternity of the district for moving ten point ahead at 6th position in the Health Management Information System(HMIS). Finding few anomalies in the reports prepared by various vertical program coordinators, he insisted that the MO incharges of CHCS and PHCS should submit reports for feeding into the HMIS after through verification.
DMO, Dr. Moli Riba while reviewing the performance of the CHCS and PHCS of Raga and
Ziro-
DPOs of various programs like DRNTCP, DNCDCP, DVBCCP etc, gave details of their third quarter performance through a PowerPoint presentation and requested the DC to look into the financial crunches being faced by the department during program implementation.
DVBDCP DPO, Kuru Tama further informed that the use of DDT will be discontinued and long lasting insecticide nets (LLIN) will be provided which remains effective for five years. Presentations were also made on the performances of the ASHA, Rashtriya Bal Swashthya and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthaya Karyakaram. (DIPRO)
Tumpak Koyu memorial football tournament begins
[ Prafulla Kaman ]
RUKSIN, Jan 15: The Tumpak Koyu Memorial Inter-
East Siang Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla, who inaugurated the tournament, hoped the tournament will provide an opportunity to expose the hidden football talents of the area.
19 teams from different villages under Nari-
Nari Additional Deputy Commissioner M Loyi suggested the young players to make good use of the tournament to expose their talents.
Nari-
Earlier, Organizing Chairman Ibbom Boje sought people's cooperation for smooth conduct of the tournament.
It is sponsored by Deputy Director of Industries (DDI), East Siang Kaling Koyu and his family in memory of their late father Tumpak Koyu.
Late Koyu was a prominent leader of the area, who worked against social evils in
the societies. He was one of the prominent leaders of the area for settlement of
Assam-
Born in Koyu village in 1940, he completed his matriculation in 1963 under Gauhati University. He resigned from the job of school teacher after a brief period and devoted himself in social works. He served Milum Mikang Kebang and Bagum Bokang Kebang in various capacities and became chairman of Anchal Samity of then undivided Siang district.
Among others, General Secretary of Arunachal Olympic Association, Gechi Doke, public leaders, government officials, Gaon Burahs and local villagers attended the inaugural programme.
District level CM’s Trophy for Kra Daadi distict held
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The district level CM's Trophy was successfully held at Palin for Kra Daadi District.
Palin block won both the trophies in Football (Men) and (Women) categories. In Volleyball, Gangte Tarak Langdi took away the trophies for both men and women categories.
Attending the finals, Kra Daadi, Deputy Commissioner, Habung Donyi congratulated the winners and asked them to play better at the State level. Later he gave away the trophies along with various prizes.
Among others, CO Pipsorang, Dakli Gara, DSO Gyamar Jill attended the prize giving ceremony. DIPRO
7th Sports, literary and cultural event of APDDSU conclude
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The All Papum Pare District Students' Union(APPDSU)’s 7th Sports,
Literary cum Cultural Meet 2016 have concluded amid mass participation from federal
students organisations of the district. In the sports event, football was played
in the memory of late Yab Katung, former Co-
House burnt at Naharlagun
A semi-
Raj Bhawan turned into a fort
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner cum District Magistrate has virtually converted the Raj Bhawan into a fortress.
The Deputy Commissioner, after imposing an order under section 144 CrPC prohibiting any kind of dharna or protests within the 100 meter radius of the Raj Bhawan, instructed the police and security personnel guarding the Raj Bhawan to thwart any kind of such attempt by anybody within its periphery.
To draw the 'Lakshman Rekha' at gate no. 1, 2 and 3, the DC today physically took measurement of the distance with help of J Bomjen, Executive Magistrate and Junior Engineer of AP PWD. DIPRO
Longchan ZPM shot by unknown miscreant
LONGDING, Jan 15: The people of Pongchau-
An FIR had been lodged at Longding Police Station against an unknown miscreant, while the authorities are yet to arrest the shooter, added a release.
In a press statement, ZPM Wakka, Matpho Kolong and wife of ZPM Salem Wangsa, Phejing Wangsa informed that Wangsa was ambushed and shot by an unknown miscreant on Dec 1. According to the medical report, Wangsa was severely wounded with 54 bullets lodged in his body while his heart and liver were pierced. At present he is recuperating in a hospital at New Delhi.
Demand to check illegal timber trade
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) of Seijosa Pani Tayam appealed
to the Seijosa ADC to take appropriate measures to stop illegal timber trade in and
around the sub-
In a represent to the ADC, the ZPM said that timbers are being smuggled out of Seijosa and Dissing Passo circles illegally by traders from Assam with help of few local individuals. This illegal trade has been possible due to involvement of local people, the ZPM said and appealed to the ADC to act tough against those smugglers.
He said that numerous awareness campaigns were conducted for conservation of forest products and resources but to no avail.
Rampant felling of trees has made the soils more vulnerable to erosion, besides adversely affecting the vegetation and the ecosystem, he said.
The ZPM demanded regular and thorough checking of vehicles, particularly from Assam at the check gate to prevent the illegal timber operation. He also urged the Forest Department to send team to timber operation concentration areas like Taroboso, Murgaso, Sibong, Dayaso and 8 No. nallah to take stock of the situation.
Before submission of the representation, the ZPM convened a public meeting to discuss the rampant felling of trees and illegal timber operation in the area. The meeting unanimously decided to seek the authority's intervention to stop the illegal trade.
Village/GP level Intensive Training Programme
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The village/GP Level on cluster basis, training programme on Intensive Training Programme (ITP) for capacity building of frontline Govt. functionaries including CO, staff, PRI Members, NGOs, SHGs was held at Baririjo on Jan 14.
The training was on poverty reduction exercise under the sponsorship of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), GoI, in collaboration with Administrative Training Institute (ATI) Naharlagun with support from PRI's .
The villages of Baririjo Circle, Haider, Maro, Korarijo, Rumte, Rumte-
ASM, Baririjo called on the participants to co-
Master Trainer(MT) cum Dist. Training Coordinator, ITP, Project Tamar Baki spoke on the need and major objectives of this ITP programme including important issues and various aspects, scope to be covered in the training. A total of 132 participants have attended the programme.
Workshop-
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The Department of Art & Culture, Naharlagun sponsored three-
Lauding VISION, an East Kameng-
VISION organizing secretary LD Thungon and Kathak guru AK Mukharjee also spoke on the occasion.
Resource persons from different tribes of the state besides, exponents of Kathak from Lucknow Gharana, Bharatnatyam from Kalakhetra and Rupmini Devi of Chennai Gharana will be imparting the training in the workshop.
Coaching prog for APCS, UPSC aspirants
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Seva Bharti in collaboration with Jnana Prabodhini, Pune Maharashtra conducted an eight days free coaching programme for APCS and UPSC aspirants at CALSOM (Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi) school, Tezu from January six.
Sailu Bellai, Principal VKV Tezu, who attended the concluding session of the coaching programme, exhorted the civil service aspirants to study hard with focus on their goal to achieve it.
"Our youths are endowed with immense potential to succeed in competitive examinations, but due to lack of proper guidance and coaching they lag behind others, she opined.
The inaugural function was attended by Lohit Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak to motivate the students.
HGB passes away
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Head Gaon Burah of Telam village Ngohi Kaye passed away yesterday at General Hospital, Pasighat.
Born in 1917 at Ripo village, Late Kaye had served as rifleman in Assam rifle for 10 years from 1948 to 1958. He was appointed as Gaon Burah in 1963.
_________________________
Correction
In the second para of the news report with the headline 'AAPLU seek ROs', published in this daily on January 15, the Directorate's office may be read as Arunachal Pradesh Building & Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board office. Error is regretted.
January 16
Editorial
Gracefully accept verdict of SC
Arunachal's political battle has finally reached Supreme Court of India. Yesterday
Apex Court referred to a Constitution bench several petitions arising out of certain
orders passed by the Gauhati High Court in the ongoing political battle in Arunachal
Pradesh. Matter is now being heard by a five-
Earlier Gauhati high court gave contradicting verdict in this regard. While Justice
Hrishikesh Roy came down heavily on Governor JP Rajkhowa over his decision to preponed
assembly session and accordingly stayed all decision taken during the assembly session
held in a community Hall which was attended by rebel Congress and BJP MLAs. However
another Gauhati high court judge BK Sharma issued a verdict in favour of Arunachal
Pradesh Legislative Assembly deputy speaker TN Thongdok's application for vacation
of December 17 court order of keeping in abeyance of Arunachal governor order to
advance the legislative session. The two completely different judgments on the same
case have baffled people of Arunachal. It's hard to make out which judgment is correct
as per the constitution. Therefore the decision of Supreme Court to let five-
________________________________
Readers’ Forum
Constitutionality & Legality: Governor passed twice, the protesters failed twice
Dear Editor,
Having convened an Assembly session on 16th December and the same action being upheld by the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court on 13th January, the Governor passed the test of Constitutionality legality on both instances. What the Supreme Court rules in the matter will tell the merit but at that point of time only. So, democratically, constitutionally and legally, the Governor has proven himself to be a highly talented and proactive one ever who has been trying the best of solve the avoidable political stalemate infused and driven by huge discord amongst the elected representatives themselves.
Then there are the anarchic mob who have been protesting against the above said actions of the Governor, they seized the highways, especially the one leading to the Raj Bhavan on 17th December & 14 th January and blocking it by unlawful assemblies, butchering Mithun, burning tyres. The public highways are not the designated place for democratic protest especially the one leading to Raj Bhavan. The unlawful assemblies and their activities are not permitted by law and so, these illegal protesters utterly failed in every aspect of Constitutionality and legality.
And going by these persistent and serious unlawful activities, the protesters are endlessly tarnishing and irreparably damaging the dignity and image of the hitherto peace loving and law abiding people of the state in front of the whole world.
There is absolutely no regard for Democracy, Constitution, Judiciary & Rule of Law and the involved individuals are misguided to set an extremely undesirable trend and make a laughing stock of themselves and simultaneously earning the same ignominy for their youngsters.
Social harmony is seriously disturbed and economic & developmental activities are jeopardised.
It regressive that the people of the state should be lead by such examples. People misguiding and instigating these unlawfulness and disharmony should reform their mode of leadership.
Democratic governance and the rule of law should not be allowed to be subverted by such unlawfulness. There is a serious need of time to enforce Armed Forces Special Power Act and other tough laws in the Itanagar Capital Complex for few months to secure rule of law and social harmony.
Yours,
Tagam Mibang
Give the job to the deserving
Dear Editor,
As most of us knows that in Arunachal Pradesh the selection of government official
are very doubtful, as rumours are in air that most of low Grade government jobs comes
with a certain price and those are auctioned in market. So, to avoid such corrupt
practices in bureaucratic process Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December gave a
New Year gift to the youth of the country by announcing that from January 1 onwards
there would be no interviews for the candidates who cleared written exams for Grade-
The rumours are still in air that the recent Grade III job which happened in recent past months have already been auctioned in market. By such rumours, the enthusiastic youth in our state are already discouraged and hopeless towards getting a job in government sector by genuine and fair practices. I don’t know whether such rumours are true or not but if it is, then the concern authority must look into the matter because if the enthusiast youths who are determined and deserve a good job are discouraged then, what more will be there in the state for development?
This is an appeal to concern authority of Arunachal Pradesh to remove this interview system in the selection process of Grade III and Grade IV jobs for the good of enthusiastic youth of the state and also to avoid unfair practice that take place during the selection process. The job must be given to the deserving candidates rather than to the brainless and lazy people. One should know what hard work is.
Yours,
Durga Cheda
Sub standard Miao (Nampong) – Vijaynagar road work
Dear Editor,
We would like to draw kind attention of concerned authority through your esteemed daily about substandard and unsatisfactory work on the Miao (Nampong) – Vijaynagar road sector 103 RCC under 752 BRTF of project UDAYAK in Arunachal Pradesh which is under progress from Nampong end.
The BRO is using local available cheapest RBM in place of specified materials to be procured from the authorized quarry in Tinsukia, Assam in all their PMT/Cement work whereas procurement of standard materials have been tendered in the name of one Sanjay Aggarwal. Without bringing the specified material on site, they are only bringing the duplicate challans/entry papers and using the local river bed materials. This will surely result in a poor quality road in future.
In addition, the village tribal laborers have been expelled from the work on the pretext of their delinquency. In fact, it is not the case. It is thereby, giving a growth impediment in the locality.
Though ongoing work is being supervised by Dhirender Tiwari (Officer-
The innocent people are unable to see through their nefarious design. These ruffians must immediately be removed from the particular site of work. It will be very unfortunate if this evil is allowed to grow unchecked. Thus there is an urgent need of their removal from the project site as early as possible.
Yours,
Remit Morang
Deptoo Mungrey
Agam Mossang
Shamkhul Mossang
Tangsham Mossang
Nongjung Mossang
Rahul Tikhak
Tokhim Mossang
Dont fight
Dear Editor,
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to convey a message to Mr. kalikho Pul, leader of the dissident party.
I’m not against Mr. Kalikho Pul, but the viral audio clip defaming the Nyishi community which was credited to Mr. Pul and which he refuses to accept and subsequently for the same reason a FIR has been registered against him by ANSU.
If he really thinks that he has been victimized, he must give a lie detector test to prove his innocence.
Lastly, I would like to request the supporters of both the ruling and the dissident parties not to fight among themselves because there is no profit in fighting within ourselves.
Yours,
Tana P Tagru
SRPL Colony,
Itanagar
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