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July 23

PPA disapproves walk-in-interview

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) President Nikh Kamin in a letter to Managing Director of AP Apex Bank Ltd., Naharlagun has urged him to cancel the whole process of “walk-in-interview” conducted by the bank for filling up few posts whether they are temporary or contractual honoring the Supreme Court verdict.

As per SC verdict, Kamin informed, conduction of interview is not substitute to written test for any category of Govt. job whether it is permanent or contractual. Referring to the bank’s recent ‘walk-in-interview’ conducted for recruitment of candidates for filling up about 20 posts of different categories, the PPA president opined that any government or semi-government job involving tax payers’ money has to be filled through proper and transparent method of written tests followed by interview.

The practice followed by various departments to select candidates through interview citing reasons as the job being purely contractual and administrative convenience defeats the very purpose of selecting the best and the most suitable candidates, he said and urged the MD to cancel the whole process and initiate steps for selection through written tests so that the best and most deserving candidates are selected.

 

Proposed NCTC  'kept in abeyance': Rijiju

NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Government appears to have given a quiet burial to the controversial proposal to set up anti-terror hub NCTC, mooted by the previous UPA regime, as it announced today that the plan has been "kept in abeyance".

"Operationalisation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre has been kept in abeyance," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha in a written reply to a query.

The Minister said the issue of NCTC was discussed during the conference of Chief Ministers held on June 5, 2013 but the discussion remained inconclusive. The proposal to set up NCTC was first initiated by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram but faced stiff opposition from many Chief Ministers, including Narendra Modi who was at that time heading the Gujarat government.

Those who opposed NCTC included chief ministers Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu), Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh) and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. The then Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was also against it.

The Chief Ministers opposed NCTC on the ground that it would hurt the country's federal structure by allegedly giving unilateral powers to the central agencies to carry out operations against terror suspects.

Even though the proposal was modified when Sushil Kumar Shinde assumed charge of Home Ministry by giving more say to the state governments, there were few takers for the watered-down proposal.

Even Congress chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan (Maharashtra), Siddaramaiah (Karnataka) and Tarun Gogoi (Assam) have expressed reservations on the revised NCTC proposal.

At the June 5, 2013 Chief Ministers' conference on internal security, Shinde had said a decision on setting up NCTC will be taken only after a full consensus.

The NDA government, headed by Modi, assumed charge on May 26.  PTI

 

Forceful collection of donation banned

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Capital Complex deputy commissioner cum district magistrate Mige Kamki in an order today banned forceful collection of donations from the market areas of Itanagar/Naharlagun/Nirjuli/Banderdewa. Anyone found indulging in such activities will be booked under appropriate provisions of law and the violators of the order will be viewed seriously.   

The Capital Complex SP has been directed to implement the order strictly, the order said.

 

ATA calls for immediate halt on mass teacher transfer

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Claiming that the education department is involved in mass single window transfer and posting of teachers across entire state, the Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA) has called for its immediate halt.

In its letter submitted to the education minister apprising him of the situation, it said that the process will not only hamper the students in the midst of academic session but will also affect the wards of teachers posted in the respective areas. It further urged to continue with the same during next summer vacation.

 

Milch cows distributed to beneficiaries

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The department of Animal Husbandry, veterinary and dairy development, has distributed high yielding variety of milch cows of varied breed like Holstein Frisian, Jersey, Holstein Frisian and Sahiwal cross to the selected beneficiaries of Papum-Pare district today under different schemes like state plan and Rastriya Krishi Vigyan Yojna (RKVY) for the year 2013-14.  Panchayat leaders, director Dr. H Tabin and senior officers including  Dr. T Taku were present on the occasion.

Expressing satisfaction over such endeavour of the department the ZPM Nabam Eka has asked the department to carry out the good works covering more  number of farmers. The cows were procured from Bihar and distributed to the farmers for self-sustenance to the educated rural youth of the state.

All together 36  number of cows (18 units) were distributed to farmers across the districts. Similar endeavour is also being carried out in other districts as well, said Dr. T Taku, Dy Director, AHV, according to an official release

 

AAPSTEWA urges for renovation of Naharlagun bus station

ITANAGAR, July 22: The All Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Employees Welfare Association has urged for renovation of Naharlagun Bus Station.

In its six point memorandum submitted to the parliamentary secretary (Transport), referring to Naharlagun Bus Station as the oldest station, it said that it is in dilapidated condition now.

Its other demands include modification of bus body and maintenance, promotion and filling up of group A & B gazette posts, replacement of light vehicles of all station superintendents/EE (Auto), up-gradation of senior station superintendent/station superintendent to assistant (general manager (group-A) and regularization of contingency staff.

 

Transformer replacement sought

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Claiming that 1.6 MV transformer at Garu village under the Likabali Power Sub-Division through which NEEPCO line is supplying to Likabali, Gensi and Sibe circle has been lying unused since April 2013, Arunachal Youth Congress Committee 28th Likabali (ST) Assembly Constituency today requested the power minister’ intervention to restore the faulty transformer for an early improvement  of power supply in the area.

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News Impact

BJP alleges financial mismanagement, seeks clarification from state Govt

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Tightening the noose around Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, the National General Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party, Tapir Gao has asked the party's legislators to take aggressive posture and seek clarifications on the financial impropriety of the Tuki led Congress government.

Added twist to the laundry list of alleged financial bungling is the suspected role played by state government over the General Provident Fund (GPF) deposit of the state's employees. Need has arisen to ascertain the availability of cash in GPF accounts since reportedly, at the time of withdrawal, timeline has been shifted over and again by the authority concerned, Gao wrote to party legislators.

Further, he suggested that it could be possible that GPF money could be just on books of accounts, without actually anything in it.

Training his guns on the centrally sponsored schemes, he specifically sought official comment on more than Rs. 3500 Cr. released by GoI under various heads of account during 2013-14.

National General Secretary, Gao claimed that some of the major heads of account includes Accelerated Irrigation Programme (Rs. 79.61 Cr), JNNURM (Rs 74.80 Cr), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna(Rs. 33.04  Cr), NEC  (Rs.78.84 Cr), NLCPR (Rs. 124.80 Cr), SPA (Rs. 484.00 Cr),  SCA (Rs. 9.50 Cr), Market borrowing loan (Rs. 230.00 Cr), National Disaster Respond Fund (Rs. 140.00 Cr), Central Road Fund (Rs. 45.72 Cr), Police Modernization (Rs. 8.25 Cr),  National Small Saving Loan (Rs. 49.46 Cr), SDRF (Rs.39.29 Cr),  PMGSY (Rs. 320.00 Cr). 'The above listed head of account is of Rs. 2608.00 Cr,' Gao said while adding that in addition to above there are 26 heads of accounts where Central Assistance were given to the tune of approximately of Rs. 600 Cr.

Not to spare any further, he also asked the state government to come clean on the utilization of fund acquired from Hydro Power Developer as upfront payment.

It may be mentioned here that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh yesterday sought  clarifications from the ruling state Congress Govt. over the “misappropriation and fraudulent diversions of multi-crore fund  provided by the  Central Govt to Arunachal Pradesh as central assistance.  It came to notice that the Govt of India during financial year 2013-14 had released more than Rs. 3,500 crores on various heads of account which has been believed to be diverted from state exchequers without utilization of the work, the BJP had said in its release.

 

 

Govt college Doimukh to have permanent site soon

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Speaker of Legislative Assembly Nabam Rebia today visited the proposed site for construction of permanent campus of Government Degree College at Emchi village which is temporarily functioning within the premises of Government Higher Secondary School Doimukh.

The proposed permanent location at Emchi village under Doimukh Circle was allotted to Shastra Seema Bal(SSB) way back in 1996 over an area measuring 27 acre which was freely donated by the people of Emchi village. Later the SSB unit was shifted to Indo-Nepal Border to guard the frontier and since then the said area had been abandoned and only attended by few sentries who are looking after old and dilapidated left out permanent structures.

The Speaker was accompanied by deputy commissioner Papum Pare Tai Kaye,  M.Pertin, CO, Doimukh and Techi Hitlar, DLRSO, Yupia besides host of other Govt. officials, Panchayat  and public leaders. The local citizen welcomed the setting up of said college at present location. Speaker Rebia who is also local MLA, asked the deputy commissioner to pursue the matter with higher authorities of SSB to hand over the land for setting up of the Govt. College and if needed alternate land may be allotted to SSB in lieu of the present land at Emchi. The DC assured to pursue the matter as soon as possible with DIG of SSB at Tezpur, Assam within a week for alternate solution for a social cause.

 

 

DHTE agrees to relax admission criteria

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Following the hue and cry created by the students over 50 per cent cut off mark in admission criteria reportedly set by the authority, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) on Monday apprised the Director of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE) of the  hardship faced by the students  regarding  college admission.  After  hours long meeting, the Director  agreed to give relaxation on cut off mark for admission in  DNGC and other colleges of the state.

AAPSU team led by its president Kamta Lapung and general secretary Biru Nasi along with members from the All Nyishi Students Union, Galo Students Union, All Papum Pare District Students Union, All Kurung Kumey District Students Union and All West Siang District Students Union called on HTE Director Dr. Joram Begi at his chamber and discussed with him the admission and other related issues. The union in a release informed that DHTE has agreed to roll back existing cut off mark from 50 to 45 percent considering the organization’s genuine demands. The authority also agreed not to apply 50 percent cut off mark at Donyi-Polo Govt College Kamki and other Government Colleges in the state, a release added.

The apex student body further demanded the authority to improve infrastructures in the various government colleges so that catchment and non-catchment areas rule can be effectively implemented and students of the district should not be deprived in terms of quality education. AAPSU later assured the director to support and adhere to the guidelines being framed by the authority for the college admission by the next academic session.

 

 

Parl. Secretary assures full cooperation in restoring normal power supply at Pasighat

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The public hue and cry over the crippling power crisis at Pasighat town and adjoining areas has finally been able to draw the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary for Hydropower Development Department (HPD).

Although it was quite late, Parliamentary Secretary (HPD) Purpa Tsering paid a two days visit to the century-old town from July 20 to gather first hand information about the prevailing power situation and find remedies to resume normal power supply.

Immediately after he arrived in Pasighat, Tsering inspected the renovation and modernization works of Pasighat MHP (2x100 kw) and directed the site engineers to complete the work without any further delay, informed Tayum Udik Taba, Executive Engineer(EM), Pangin EM Division, DHPD.

Later, the Parliamentary Secretary held a meeting with Pasighat People’s Welfare Committee (PPWC), Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC), Chief Municipal Councilor, officers and engineers from DHPD and an officer from Department of Power (DOP) representing SE (Elect) at Siang Guest House to discuss the prevailing poor power scenario and find solution to the chronic problem.

Addressing the meeting, the Parliamentary Secretary assured his full cooperation and helps in restoring normal power supply in Pasighat and also said that he would take up other matters with the chief minister that need the latter’s intervention. He also assured that the headquarters of the newly created Eastern EM Circle (DHPD) would be placed at Pasighat very soon. He directed the DHPD to conduct feasibility survey for Pasighat MHS Phase-II and submit report in DPR form immediately.

Earlier, PPWC Chairman Okom Yosung apprised the Parliamentary Secretary about the problems faced by the consumers of Pasighat town and adjacent areas due to the extremely poor and erratic power supply. He expressed strong resentment over non-fulfillment of the assurance given by the state government in 2012 for solving the power crisis permanently. Later, he submitted a memorandum reiterating the demand for early completion of the renovation and modernization works of Yembung SHP and Pasighat MHP. Koyu ZPM Takir Kaki, who is also vice chairman of PPWC informed the problems of Rina SHP and submitted a separate memorandum for early redressal of the grievance.

Executive Engineer (EM), Pangin Tayum Udik Taba informed that power generation at Rina SHP which had gone defect in the first week of this month, has been restored on July 17. He stated that though Rina SHP was commissioned in March, 2011, most of the electronics components of control panel, generator panel, excitation panel, battery bank etc were supplied during 2006. These electronics components are either developing defects or mal-functioning due to oldness which require renovation. He also pointed out that lack of communication system in all the hydel stations is causing huge generation loss.

He also explained the reason for delay in modernization and renovation works of Yembung SHP and Pasighat MHP.

Superintending Engineer (Civil), DHPD Jengging Atek Mihu while replying to the PPWC, explained civil related problems. However,  both the EE(EM) and SE (C) opined shortage of fund as one of the major set back in the progress of R&M works as well as in maintenance of hydel stations.

Next day, Tsering accompanied Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong, Koyu ZPM Takir Kaki, PPWC Secretary Oyin Moyong and the departmental engineers inspected the Rina SHP (2x1000 kw).

After having inspected all the electro-magnetic (EM) equipments and civil structures of the SHP, he had a brief meeting with the PRI members, GBs and villagers of Rina village. He assured them for protection work of forebay tank, power house, including renovation of defective EM equipments such as battery bank, control panel etc. He directed the civil wing of the department to rectify the obstruction on the power channel due to RCC culvert to facilitate free flow of water.

 

 

RGU conducts sensitizing workshop on semester system in BA prog

ITANAGAR, Jul 22:  As a part of switching to semester mode, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) has introduced semester system in Bachelor of Arts programmes from the current academic session. In this connection, a one-day sensitizing workshop on the introduction of semester system in BA programme was held in the Edusat centre of RGU at its Rono Hills campus today. The workshop was organized to sensitize and make aware the affiliated colleges and their faculty members about the concept of semester system for BA programme.

Addressing the workshop, RGU Vice Chancellor in-charge Prof. K. C. Kapoor expressed the hope that implementation of semester system in B A programmes will immensely benefit the students. It is a process where courses are covered completely in a regular and comprehensive manner, and encourages more involvement of students in teaching and learning process than the traditional annual system. Prof Kapoor further told the participants that reforms are the need of the hour and the phase-wise switching over to the mode since last year is a welcome venture. RGU had implemented the semester system for B. Com. and B.Sc last year on an experimental basis in a phase manner, and with the inclusion of BA programmes this year have made it wholesome.

University Registrar Prof. Rachob Taba opined that in semester system the scope of performances of the students improve a lot. Lauding the role of the faculty members and administration in the colleges and inviting their constant cooperation, he stressed that the success of semester system in the colleges and yielding good results academically should be the target of this implementation.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. A Mitra, Finance Officer of RGU, stated that the semester system is a better medium and is a student friendly system but there are bottlenecks and problems associated with it which is to be sorted out and there should be scope for evolving better and new ideas for its successful implementation.

Earlier, explaining the objective of the workshop, Prof. S. K. Nayak, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Coordinator of the workshop said that, the workshop is an integral and important part of the implementation for healthy interactions and deliberations among the participants and will make the participants acquainted with strategies and modalities of the semester program in BA programmes offered by RGU in its affiliated colleges, and will help the colleges to run the course smoothly and successfully as per UGC guideline and RGU ordinances.  

In the technical and interactive sessions of the workshop resource persons Prof. J. C. Soni, Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. R.C. Parida, Head, Dept. of Commerce and Dr. David Pertin, Deputy Registrar of RGU dwelt in length on the academic as well as administrative management of the new system, wherein, they also cleared many doubts and apprehensions raised by the participants and attended to the series of queries by them.

The workshop was attended by 23 representatives comprising of principals, senior faculty members and academic in-charges from 17 affiliated colleges offering BA programmes. Among others, officers from academic and examination branches of RGU were also  present on the occasion.

 

 

Precarious financial condition of the state & the way forward – I

Dr Hari Krishna Paliwal

Arunachal Pradesh is economically one of the most backward states of the country. Its geographical area is 83,743 sq km of that only 2.39% i.e. 2.01 lakh ha is the net sown area. About 60% of the cropped area is under shifting cultivation, which provides just a subsistence level of economy. Because of traditional way of farming, lack of mechanization and low use of improved varieties and inputs the agriculture is not yet at subsistence level. Consequently, even with a small population, the State remains deficit in food grain production and is yet to attain self-sufficiency. Over all, in the State economy there is a vast gap between the potential and its actual realization.  The sectors that potentially can turn around the state economy i.e. hydropower, horticulture and tourism are not yet to make some visible impact. Despite incentives and concessions available in the Agriculture Policy, Industrial Policy, Tourism Policy and Hydropower policy announced by the State Government, there are hardly any tangible results.

Burgeoning bureaucracy, implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations as well as subsequent yearly increments and dearness allowance to the employees with lack of concomitant increase in the state revenue have all led the state to a precarious financial condition. In 2013-14, as per the Revised Estimates, the State’s own tax and non-tax revenue was only Rs 790.68 Crore whereas the expenditure was Rs 9601.31 Cr, which means that in the total expenditure the state’s own contribution was only 8.235%. For the balance amount the State Government has to depend on the Government of India. However, Government of India also has limitations to support the state government. For the last few years those limits are also getting crossed. Even the best efforts put in by the government in general and Chief Minister in particular have not yielded the desired results because of Government of India’s own compulsions and limitations.

It is an alarming situation for a state whose expenditure is increasing every day without simultaneous enhancement in its revenue in equal measure. Given the current state of affairs and without some immediate positive steps the situation is going to be frightening in the coming years.  

There are hardly any opportunities for government jobs as even the current employee strength is unsustainable in the longer run.  Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has taken several serious steps for tackling the problem. For providing employment opportunities to the unemployed youth he has taken up skill development program on a large-scale and in mission mode. The program has yielded rich dividends wherein almost more than 3000 young boys and girls have been sent for skill development and out of them almost 2000 have got jobs.

He has initiated agriculture mechanization program for enhancing agriculture production and productivity. Apart from tourism development rubber and tea cultivation are other programs launched for generation of employment and economic activities. Likewise, some other initiatives in some other sectors have also been taken by the government. Although all these initiatives would provide gainful employment to the youth of the state and bring economic development yet would not be enough to increase the required revenue for the state to be self-sustainable. Therefore, something would have to be initiated urgently by the state. Not only the state government but intelligentsia of the state, the citizens, opinion-makers, politicians of all the parties, officers and employees as individuals as well as in groups would have to be part of the solution of this horrendous problem, the state is going to face.

The oil-rich countries, particularly the Arabian countries, did not have much of opportunities but for a natural resource in the form underground oil and natural gas. They were highly underdeveloped till the exploitation of their oil and natural gas started. Likewise, in Arunachal Pradesh beyond government jobs, which are also in short supply, there are hardly any opportunities at present available. But God has gifted this beautiful state with the natural resource in the form of mighty rivers and their tributaries.  If harnessed properly this incredible source of economic development in the form hydropower development would yield rich dividends not only for the state government but for the local people also in many ways.

This hidden and unexploited treasure is there in the form of hydropower potential of more than 55, 000 MW. Taking the case of only those hydropower projects of around 46,000 MW, which are under various stages of survey and investigation or clearances, as per conservative estimates, the state government will get more than Rs 7,000 Cr per year as revenue from free power and in addition to that Rs 700 Cr will also be available every year for local area development. For a small state like Arunachal Pradesh this amount is huge.

Besides, there would be encouragement to the industries to come to the state which, apart from paying revenue to the state, would benefit the state in many ways including creation of prospects of employment and business opportunities in the state. The benefits of these projects would be dealt with in the next article. (The writer is Former Chief Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh)

 

 

JYSU & RBSU threaten stir in support of its demand

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Jigo-Yigo Students Union (JYSU) and RBSU  have decided to renew democratic movement in support of the demand for declaring Siki-Rima as the permanent site for the headquarters of Lower Siang and Likabali as temporary headquarters.

Both JYSU and RBSU in a joint meeting today unanimously decided to launch democratic movement in protest against the state government’s failure to keep its assurance given to the Galo Peoples’ Federation (GPF) and District Demand Joint Action Committee (DDJAC) during March this year.

According to a joint press statement by JYSU and RBSU, both the unions have demanded the state government to fulfill the demands before August eight (i.e. after 10 days from the end of the assembly session) or else they will launch agitation.

They informed that GPF and DDJAC were supposed to launch a democratic movement in the form of infinite Bandh Call from March 10, 2014 at Likabali demanding establishment of headquarters of Lower Siang at Likabali (temporary) and Siki-Rima (permanent). However, the bandh call was suspended following reported assurance from the state government side, they said.

They also informed that after the assurance of the Chief Minister, the then ‘PWD Minister Gojen Gadi had held a meeting with the Galo Welfare Society (GWS) and reportedly informed on behalf of the Govt. that the site for the district HQs of Lower Siang would be declared soon. But, the Govt. has not taken any practical initiative in this regard thus burying the hopes and aspiration of people of Likabali –Gensi and Nari- Koyu constituency.

Further, the Joint meeting appreciated the initiative by union Minister of States for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on foothill road connectivity.

 

 

Cong seeks answers from government on Arunachal Pradesh map issue

NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Congress today raised the issue of China trying to reinforce its claim over Arunachal Pradesh by distributing "controversial updated maps" to its military.

In the Lok Sabha, senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran demanded that the government should inform the House whether the matter was highlighted during the recent deliberations with Chinese leaders.

He urged the government to inform the House as to whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during interactions with Chinese leaders highlighted this issue.

Recently, Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping while Swaraj held discussions with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

"It is disquieting to note that our neighbour China is distributing millions of controversial updated maps to its military to reinforce its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

"This incident cannot be seen in isolation as there are disturbing information from PoK about Chinese presence there and that China is building roads and other infrastructure there," Ramachandran said during Zero Hour.

"We have reports that our intelligence agencies have corroborated this information," he added . PTI

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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 ----

 

Wrong statement

Politicians of this country seem to have lost sense and are making insensitive remarks about rape incidents. "Is this the only news you can cover?" was Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah's response on Tuesday when questioned by reporters on the rape of a six-year-old at a Bangalore school.Even as hundreds of parents in the city protested against the rape of the child in a well-known Bangalore school, the chief minister displayed seeming indifference to the shocking crime. The chief minister was being asked to comment on the case which has horrified the entire nation.

Bangalore has been rocked by protests for the past few days. The rape of a 22-year-old woman in Fraser Town on July 11, and the rape of a little girl in her east Bangalore school, has queered the pitch for the government.

Skating instructor Mustafa has been arrested for the child's rape. Another instructor is on the radar, while police are looking for another staffer who might have facilitated the crime.Siddaramaiah's response and his arrogant attitude towards rape incident are on the line of people like Mulayam Singh Yadav. SP leader had recently made series of insensitive statement about repeated rape incidents taking place in his home state of Uttar Pradesh. These politicians instead of getting tough on criminals, seem to be encouraging them with their statements.

----Readers Forum ----

 

 

Let go of the unnecessary curves  

Dear Editor,

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is the pioneer in road construction in the country, well equipped with required machineries and technologies. It is the expert in construction of roads and bridges. People don’t have to tell BRO, how to construct roads.

However, I would like to express my views regarding a particular BRO road.

The single lane road between Likabali and Aalo which belongs to BRO might have been constructed in 1960’s. As per the record, the distance is about 140 km or so which takes about 5-6 hours by car and one has to face lots of hardship, while driving on such a long distanced hill roads.

It is to point out that the length of the road is about 140 km or so due to small and un-necessary curves at every step of the road. If such small and un-necessary curves could have been avoided in the initial stage, the length of the said road could have been reduced or minimised by so many kilometers and the time taken on this road would have been much less with minimum hardship, hardly 3-4 hours in normal driving.

Now, it is known that the said road is under the proposal of being double lanned to be taken up by the BRO itself at least upto Bam tri-junction, near Basar.

It is a high time for the BRO, if the existing road between Likabali and Aalo can be modified at many portions by avoiding all those small curves which seemed to be unnecessary.

And I would also like to know whether the existing road is as per the prescribed guidelines and as per the norms of MORTH.

Further, the BRO road between Likabali and Mechuka passing through Basar, Aalo, Kamba, Kaying is not only the life line for the people of Siang belt, it is also a border road for the defence purpose.

Also, the said road is under construction for double lanned highway and the distance between Aalo and Kamba is 23.0 km as per the record and the shortest distance could be not more than 20 km.

In this regard, it is an appeal to BRO that if all the small curves of the road between Aalo and Kamba also, could be avoided while constructing the double lanned highway, the vehicular traffic flow would be smooth and also avoid hardship and wastage of time.

The general public have the same expectation on the TAH roads of Arunachal, if constructed in the days to come.

Yours,

Meyom Karga

Itanagar

 

 

 

Banana trees will never bear mangoes

Dear Editor,

Having come across various articles in your daily against bandh calls proposed by AAPSU, it is obvious that people want  a different alternative instead of resorting to bandh calls. The common public including the student unions and employees association are blaming the government for the delay of disbursement of salaries, stipend, infra-structural development and huge fiscal deficit. But I have a question to ask. Do we have any right to blame the government for the underdeveloped condition of our state when most of the ministers had spent crores of public money during elections to please our greed for money, free petrol, free diesels, free vehicles and what not? Are we not to be equally blamed for invariably believing in the sanctity of these tainted ministers during every election? Do we have the right to justify our claim against government when we are also corrupt?' People in our state has a habit of believing that party 'X' is better than party 'Y 'or party  'Y' is better than party 'Z'. But the fact is that these corrupt ministers, irrespective of their party's colour and ideological commitment they first want to fill their own pockets and suck more public money to win the future election with same tactics. Today's politicians have failed us once again and rightly proven a funny but a true saying that 'Politician is a person who shakes your hand before election and your confidence later!'

Lastly, instead of blaming the government, let's first blame ourself for our ignorance and deliberate negligence and if we want to see a better government in near future, we have to be reminded of a saying of Gandhi that 'Banana trees will never bear mangoes!'

Yours,

Philip Jerang, Itanagar

 

 

 

I want equal opportunities

Dear Editor,

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to ask the private sectors in Arunachal Pradesh, why they are reluctant to employ local people in their establishments?

Wouldn’t it be considered as an act of racialism where one person is differentiated with another in the name of caste/tribe. It is a total violation of our fundamental rights, where it has been clearly stated “equality of opportunity in matters of public employment”.

We are not pleading for any chance, but we want our right being citizens of a democratic nation. It is not that we don’t have qualified candidates among us.  

We don’t have much choice in govt. sector, so there has been a rush to private sector. And if these sector go on asking for a criteria which is definitely not on the merit basis  but APST or non-APST, then what would happen to those thousands of  S.T candidates who got everything to become a good employee yet unemployed.

And there is a preconception towards APST that they might not be hard working and trust worthy. This kind of thought must not be there.

I think this is a matter of concern for all the citizens of the state.  We should do something about it otherwise it would  be a matter of “may the best wins but may the best non-APST wins.” Lastly I don’t have any bad intention towards any caste, but I want equal opportunities.   

Yours,

Karli Gibi

Gensi

 

 

 

Mass transfer smacks of political vindictiveness

Dear Editor,

Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of elected panchayat leaders of Parsi-Parlo area under 21st Koloriang Assembly Constituency regarding massive transfer of school teachers from Parsi-Parlo area recently. Everyone says, I want teacher for my school. Yes everybody will accept it.

It is worth mentioning that since last two years, ZPM of the area along with some dedicated leaders are demanding the Govt, for posting of quality teachers at schools of Parsi-Parlo area but no teachers have been posted so far according to their demand at schools of Parsi-Parlo area.

However, on the contrary, it is surprising to know that some vested-interest leaders have pressurized authority concern for transfer of those teachers who voted against their will during last assembly election. Ultimately seven teachers have been transferred from Parsi-Parlo area without a single reliever to fill the vacant post.  They have been placed somewhere outside the Parsi-Parlo area in the district. As per Govt. norms, when a Govt. employee is transferred from a place, reliever is posted to fill the vacancy. Now, I humbly put this question to the elected leaders as well as General Public of Parsi-Parlo area whether you want teacher at your school or not.

If yes, what is reason behind massive transfer of seven teachers from your area with no reliever? If no, there is excess number of teachers at Parsi-Parlo area. So I request authority of education department to keep close eye on demand of teachers by the leaders of Parsi-Parlo area.

I consider this act as politically motivated and indirectly victimizing the poor children of our area from getting education. Well to do people send their children to good privately run school at high school fee but what would be condition of the poor children of the area?

Transfer of school teachers on politically motivated basis is not the solution to political instability of our area; rather we should repent our wrong deeds and think of repercussion of such acts in the days to come.

Yours,

Sangha Takam

Junior Teacher

Parsi-Parlo

 

 

 

There are two kinds of thieves

Dear Editor,

In Arunachalee society today, there exist two kinds of thieves. The first of the kind are the petty thieves and burglars who rob people's valuables. We have no qualms in criticizing and beating them up if caught red handed.

The second kinds of thieves which indulge in equally a heinous act but are socially acceptable in our state are the corrupted officers, politicians, bureaucrats and engineers.

Ask any kid about their ambition or any parent of their choice of profession for their children, 99 percent would choose a stream where there is a scope for earning black money. The more a person is corrupted, the higher the storeys of his buildings are, the more the number of vehicles, the fancier the cars and gadgets their children carry. While these corrupted bunch of crooks destroy the root of every system in our state, they are being accorded very good social status based on their wealth accumulated. On the contrary, they should be treated at par with the first kind of thieves as cited above because they loot individuals, families and societies and deprive us of vast opportunities. Let us stand united in showing zero tolerance towards such people who indulge in corruption and held them in low esteem as equal to petty thieves.

Let us not covet their cars, gadgets and lifestyles bought through corruption and also discourage our children from this evil. Let there be open dharna, rally against corruption and inquiry against disproportionate assets. Take an example of any department; calculate the amount govt. spends as salary. Now compare the amount that department really spends for welfare schemes. If calculated properly, many would agree with me the futility of many departments which are better closed. Let us say a big 'No' to corruption and dig out the corrupt from every department, in every district.

Yours,

Vikash

Itanagar

 

 

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----Editor