The Arunachal Times - Archives

Ministry nods early start of road projects in Upper Siang

ITANAGAR, July 15: The Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways gave his approval for early start of the road projects in Upper Siang.

This assurance was given by the Minister when Former Chief Minister Gegong Apang led a team of senior Congress leaders and Panchayat leaders of Upper Siang district comprising ZP chairman Dungoli Libang called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways yesterday.

The team impressed upon him for shifting of four SARDP-NE projects in the district from Phase –B to Phase-A.

These four projects include road from Yingkiong to Bishing (Korbo) via Gete, Pugging, Likor, Palling, Singging, Angging, Zido and Mayung on the left of the river Siang and road from Tuting to Singa via Zido, road from Sarkam to Singa via Eko-Dumbing and road from BRTF road to Panggo via Jorging.

ZP chairman Libang in a release informed that the team had requested the union minister that the projects should be executed by the BRO for speedy and effective completion.

The team also requested the union minister to issue directive to the BRO for early conduct of survey work and submission of DPRs, so that the project could be executed at the earliest fulfilling the long-felt demand of the people of Tuting area, the release said.

It may be mentioned here that the proposals for the above projects were submitted to the central Govt during the tenure of Gegong Apang as the CM. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs under the chairmanship of the PM had approved the preparation of DPR for the projects but could not be materialized due to non-funding, the release said.

Other members of the team included Kummut Nijo, president BCC, 34 Tuting-Yingkiong and Dechen Jabo, chairperson, Anchal Samiti Tuting.

DC Changlang’s efforts on PDS appreciated

ITANAGAR, July 15: Tangsa Cultural and Literacy Society cum chairman of M/S Changlang Lamps Ltd, Changlang Thangham Tangha has lauded the deputy commissioner at the arrest of Supply Officer and one more staff recently for irregularities. It said that with the arrest, PDS in the district will be streamlined.

It further said that this development will bring great relief to the hungry people of the district while adding that FPS license holder and distributors must realize their responsibility in distribution of PDS items.

It further said that allotments of BPL/APL and levy sugar are also being allotted by the supply officer but commodities are not being supplied by the whole seller. The departments have not been initiating any action on this, it added.

CoSAAP versus CoSAAP

ITANAGAR, July 15: Confederation of service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) CEC CHQ, Itanagar “reminded GBC CoSAAP Aalo of the facts that the burning issue of the implementation of the 6`" CPC and release of 30 months arrears for the State government employees of Arunachal Pradesh was amicably settled as per the joint agreement with the State government of Arunachal Pradesh on February 27 in Itanagar after a marathon discussion & meeting with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, Finance minister and others and in presence of the Chief Secretary of the State Government”.

The same was jointly signed by both the groups of CoSAAPs in full consultation and presences of as many as 72 delegates employee members of both the CoSAAPs.

The CEC CoSAAP, CHQ, Itanagar being the joint signatories of the joint agreement with the State government felt its obligation to initiate the process of unification of the CoSAAP to protect and promote the greater common interests of all the employee members of the Arunachal Pradesh.

With this objective only the CEC CoSAAP, CHQ, Itanagar in its CEC and CCC meeting of June 10 have unanimously adopted a resolution for unification of the CoSAAP which was communicated to Pate Mark the president of Capital Unit and also Chief Coordinator of the Aalo GBC CoSAAP. The unilateral decision of the Aalo GBC CoSAAP meeting held on July 11 at Ziro and declaring the phase-wise strike programmes of the CoSAAP from August 5 without any joint consultation with the CEC CoSAAP CHQ, Itanagar which has been reflected in the local press of July 15, 2009 issue is not in proper procedure considering the fact that both the groups of the CoSAAP are the joint signatories of the 27-02-2009 joint agreement with the State Govt.

However, there has neither been prior mutual consultation with the CEC CoSAAP CHQ, Itanagar nor any discussion was held with State government who is vigorously pursuing the Central Government for Green and Peace Bonus / and for allocation of specific (untied) resources for release of the remaining 30 months arrears, it said.

CEC CoSAAP CHQ, Itanagar in a letter to GBC CoSAAP Aalo served 7 (seven) days ultimatum to convey the decision on unification of the CoSAAP on or before July 22 next.

HC admits Kiren’s case

ITANAGAR, July 15: The Election petition filed by the former Lok Sabha MP Kiren Rijiju was taken up for hearing today by the High Court, Guwahati.

The High Court has taken cognizance of the petition and admitted the case today and next hearing have been fixed for August 20.

The High Court today issued notice to Election Commission of India (ECI), Returning Officer (RO) and all the other contestants’ of 01-Arunachal West Parliamentary Constituency in the recently concluded Parliamentary elections 2009.

Kiren maintains that due to election rigging he lost the Lok Sabha elections and also alleged large scale irregularities in Kurung Kumey and Tawang districts.

PCWDC demands relief for fire victims

ITANAGAR, July 15: Polo Colony Welfare and Development Committee (PCWDC) urged the district administration to provide necessary relief to the five fire victims of the July 13 accident that occurred late night at Polo colony.

Fire victims Kipa Bida and Tamin Tassar lost their homes and other immovable properties in the accident, the committee said.

The fire brigade service rushed to the scene for rescue operation but was not able to reach the spot on time due to blockade of road and drainage system, the committee further stated. It urged upon the concerned authority to immediately clear the road and drain blockade that cause a huge loss of properties of the fire victims.

Counseling

ITANAGAR, July 15: Open Counseling for degree (PCM) and Diploma courses would be held at the Auditorium of Dera Natung Govt College Itanagar for allotment of seats. Counseling for Degree in Engineering would be held on July 30 while Diploma would be held on July 31. Candidates are advised to produce the original mark sheet of qualifying examination at the time of counseling while those who fail to attend the counseling will be treated as not interested for the seats and shall have not claim for allotment at later stages.

Director Higher Education Joram Begi informed that the counseling gave been fixed tentatively subject to confirmation of seats from the govt of India.

Separate Judiciary & Executive demanded

ITANAGAR July 15: Arunachal Pradesh Human Rights & Juvenile Justice Forum (APHRJJF) urged upon the state government to immediately separate judiciary from executive and added that Arunachal Pradesh is the only state in the north east which is yet to have a separate judiciary and executive.

The forum further urged the state government to set up a separate juvenile home care for juvenile delinquency.

It also urged that the boundary disputes faced in the border areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh be immediately solved. The forum said that the government should immediately intervene and solve the problems like loot, torture, inhuman treatment, burning of homes and other injustices being faced by the people of the state from Assam Forest Officials.

Employees should stay away from politics

ITANAGAR, July 15: Palin-Chambang Unemployed Youth in a release said that Palin Employees Welfare Association (PEWA) are actively participating in the state politics and supporting particular political leader instead of giving encouragement and awareness to the people of Palin area.

It appealed the concerned authorities to restrict and prevent involvement of government employees in the campaigning in the ensuing Assembly election. It urged the government employees of the constituency not to campaign in favour of any political leader or party.

It appreciated the “Palin Area Youth Welfare Association” (PAYWA) for ceasing its executive power and function till completion of the forth coming assembly election.

Football tournament

ITANAGAR, July 15: All Tagin Student Union (ATSU) is organizing football tournament at Daporijo on July 17.

Circle Officer Sadong Gyadu and TIO Dikchu Rai would attend the events as Chief Guest Guest and Guest of Honour.

LDV prepares for electoral revision

ROING, July 15: District Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting for smooth and free & fair conduct of Summary Revision of Electoral Roll in Lower Dibang Valley District yesterday was held in the Office chamber of Deputy Commissioner, Roing.

Y.W. Ringu, DC cum District Election Officer have said that the Electoral Revision will be carried out as per the Election Commission’s guidelines and asked Political Parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLA) against each Polling Station which will assist the Booth Level Officers (BLO) in identifying and enrolling new voters and also to motivate the voters to enroll themselves.

She apprised that all the voters will be issued EPIC Cards and the EPIC Cards bearing No.AR has become obsolete and new card will be issued to them. She further informed that list of voters having double entry in more than one constituency have been published and distributed by the Nirvachan Bhavan, Itanagar and those voters will be issued notice giving them option to choose either of one constituency only. She asked the EROs and AEROs to follow the middle path with impartiality maintaining neutrality if any controversies arise and urged them to educate the BLOs with constant touch and meeting at regular intervals. Roding Pertin, MLA Dambuk Constituency urged the EROs and AEROs to maintain uniformity in enrolling new voters in the electoral roll so that no complicacies arise later on.

It was also informed that the qualifying date for enrolling in the electoral roll is 1st January’ 2009. Period of filling claims and objections is from 15/07/09 (Wednesday) to 21/07/09 (Tuesday). Disposal of Claims & Objections, Photography of residual electors is by 17/08/09.

Representative of Political Parties of the district, ERO & AEROs attended the meeting. (DIPRO)

PPP in Arunachal’s Health Sector: Is it Privatization or Value-Addition?

Ajay K. Tripathy

Path-breaking decision of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in the year 2005, started a new era from January 2006 as sixteen Primary Health Centers (PHCs) were brought under Public Private Partnership (PPP) project of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Four voluntary organizations were chosen to manage these PHCs, one in every district, which were quite dysfunctional till the end 2005.

NGO-managed PHCs not only provide curative services; but also they focus on preventive medicines and organize different outreach activities. Besides reducing morbidity and mortality in PHC areas, NGOs have been able to empower the community to demand quality healthcare that should match with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and here the PHC Management Committees play vital role. Ignoring the hardships, NGO-staff provide services in 24x7 manner and when there are complicated cases they smartly refer these to large hospitals by using PHC-Ambulance.

Decentralized planning, promoting team spirit amongst staff, responsible supervision, timely supply of drugs and pro-poor approach are some of the trade secrets of NGOs’ success. However, the credit primarily goes to the community residents of PHC areas because their cooperation, constructive criticisms and caring attitude for the staff help achieved the immediate goal although there are miles to go for ensuring sustainability.

NRHM has been effective in country; however, several PHCs and CHCs of the Government still do not perform well. So, the PPP model of Government of Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as the best solution in this context. Now, after 42-month period sixteen NGO-managed PHCs have not only become functional but also many NRHM-implementing States have started similar initiatives by learning from Arunachal. In fact, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh is planning to handover the management of few CHC-cum-FRU to NGO(s) too which would certainly help improve the quality and quantity of health-service.

The name PPP sometimes creates confusion among the common people; however, it’s truly Public-Nonprofit-Partnership. Here, the NGOs do not make profit like other PPPs of infrastructure sector. Moreover, this is not at all privatization of Government Hospitals. If one looks at it objectively, then it’s found that PPP in Arunachal’s Health Sector is essentially value addition. Government only handovers the management of its hospitals for a short period, and if any NGO does not provide quality service then the contract can be easily terminated. Moreover, all the assets created under PPP project belong to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh but not to the NGOs.

PHCs and CHCs do not lack resources since NRHM is operational; however, proper utilization of men, money and materials is still a matter of great concern in some of these institutions. The responsible Government cannot sit idle by seeing the poor utilization of resources, so, its decision to handover the management of PHCs and CHCs to NGOs would be remembered always in the golden history of Public Health. Everyone deserves quality healthcare as it’s his or her right, and it hardly matters who are the service providers.

(The contributor is Senior Manager VHAI)

Post doctors

ITANAGAR: Mariyang-Mopom Block ZPM, Upper Siang District in a letter to Minister, Health and Family Welfare said that an epidemic like situation is prevailing at alarming rate in Mariyang Sub-division. Above 200 patients having Malaria, Diarrhea and Typhoid cases attends CHC Mariyang daily.

Appealing the concerned authority to direct the reliever of the Doctor who was transferd to join the CHC Mariyang immediately, it further appealed for posting of three more Medical Officers against the CHC.

PRI demands for restoration of MH

ITANGAR: PRI leaders of Mariyang-Mopom Anchal Block appealed the Chief Engineer, Department of Hydro Power Development to depute competent Engineer for verification and restoration of Micro-Hydel, Sidip Project at Mariyang, Upper Saing District immediately.

It claimed that as far the report, the project can be restored by lowering down the Channel line to produce 2 mega watts and the pre-feasibility report of the said MHS has already been submitted to the concerned department for follow up action.

Book Releases

ITANAGAR: Director, Higher and Technical Education Dr. Joram Begi will attend the releasing ceremony of Nyishi Dictionary compiled by Rev. Tar Choya as Chief Guest at Nyikum Niya Hall, Nirjuly on July 18.

Deplorable sector road

ITANAGAR: F and G Sector Welfare Committee, Itanagar conducted a meeting on July 11 last regarding deplorable sector road.

It said that five hundred peoples are living in the sector, however due to deplorable road condition school Buss, Milk Ban, Gas Cylinder and commercial vehicles are reluctant to enter the said sector.

It appeals the leaders of the various political parties to look into the matter immediately.

Varun writes to Kiren

ITANAGAR: MP Varun Gandhi in a letter to the former MP Kiren Rijiju congratulated him on a ‘hard and honorably fought battle’ in West Arunachal.

Your loss is truly the nation’s loss for it has deprived the parliament of the benefit of your vision and experience. However I am convinced that the defeat shall prove to be only a temporary setback, the young MP wrote to Kiren.

“As a first time Member of Parliament, I seek your blessings and guidance”, he wrote while assuring Kiren of support in “raising issues of common concern”.

(Readers’ Forum)

Need of hour is not scrapping exams but reforms in teaching

Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of all the concerned authorities and people of Arunachal Pradesh regarding the present proposal of Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal for grading and scrapping of the Class X board examination. After the right to health and right to employment, it is the right to education that is the most important duty of the Govt., as it guarantees the right to life and living with dignity. So here utmost care should be taken in to consideration.

Mr Sibal has announced in a hasty way to scrap the class X board examination. No doubt, our education system is archaic and has evolved only slightly since the days of the ‘British rule’ and needs several reforms. Sibal’s proposal reflects a revolutionary act that deserves appreciation, but I don’t think that would be fully effective in our state.

Like Mr Sibal we can not think of avoiding the traumatized situation of students and their parents where there exist hardly any quality teaching in most of the primary, secondary and higher secondary level. Of course few institutions maintain good educational output and feedback but what about the major proportion? Also examinations are a necessary yardstick. Mr Sibal’s proposal to make the Class X board examination optional to relieve stress of both parents and students needs strict observation.

Perhaps we could learn a lesson from the Kerala Education Minister M A Baby who has introduced the grade system in Kerala at the secondary level. Almost all the class X and XII candidates pass the examination. However, when they appear for their medical and engineering examination, they are put under sudden stress. Thus Sibal’s view does not sound loud, rather an ineffective strategy tending to make students’ knowledge narrower and less competitive.

Thus, the need of the hours is not a student revolution but improving the quality of teachers, infrastructural development, availability of books, making sure the underprivileged go to school and get quality education and last but not the least accessibility of well trained teachers in every level of education standard.

Yours,

Philip Jerang

Scottish Church College, Kolkata,

The multifaceted personality that Doni Dodum was!

Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I on behalf of the Kameng Brothers' Football Club would like to pay our sincere homage to late Doni Dodum, one of the finest match commentators of the State.

His unfortunate demise on July 10 after a tragic accident left a vacuum for the entire sports aficionado in particular and commentators in general. His demise is great loss to the entire sports lover of the state. Doni died on the same day he came to this world. He was born on July 10, 1978.

The departed soul played a key role in promoting the first edition of Jaya Dolo Memorial Football Tournament with his wonderful commentary. He added much spice to the match with his lively commentary. I personally feel that without his commentary during the matches, Jaya Dolo Memorial Football tournament would not have attained so much success as it was. He was the main factor in pulling the large crowd. His talent was duly acknowledged and appreciated by the Indian football skipper Baichung Bhutia when he attended the inaugural function of the tournament.

People like Doni Dodum are hard to find these days. He was not only good in sports commentary but he was also a very good orator. In true words, he was a complete package. He was such a talented commentator that he would swiftly invoke liveliness and vigour in any occasion or programme. His untimely death is not only a great loss to Nyishi community but to the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Commentary is a special art which should be taken up by the upcoming youths as a hobby, who knows this art can make you a good orator and bring you much success in other fields too.

Lastly, I on behalf of the Kameng Brothers' Football Club, once again express my deep and sincere condolence to the departed soul and pray to almighty god for bestowing enough strength to the bereaved family.

Yours,

Aje Dolo

President

Kameng Brothers' Football Club Itanagar