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July 24

Centre approves 5 roads as NH-13

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Union Road, Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the Joram-Koloriang, Pasighat-Yingkiong via Mariyang, Meka-Anini, Hawacamp-Hawai via Hayuliang and Hoj-Papu via Yupia roads as NH 13.

While disclosing this, PWD Parliamentary Secretary  Alo Libang today lauded Gadkari and hoped this would speed up road construction in the state.

 

ATA team calls on Education Minister

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: The members of Central Executive Committee of Arunachal Teachers Association (ATA) led by its president N R Tam today called on Education Minister Tapang Taloh and submitted representation demanding restoration of 50 percent promotional avenue of Assistant Teachers and Junior Teacher. ATA members also demanded for framing of modalities and scope for teachers and education officers under Director of Elementary Education. During the meeting various issues were also discussed such as illegal promotion of teachers, halting of single window transfer policy and rectification of various recruitment rules of teachers and officers, a release said.

Meanwhile the minister has assured to streamline the department and sought cooperation from the teaching fraternity for effective functioning, it added.

 

Clarification

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: While referring to the press statement of PPA, the Arunachal Pradesh State Coop. Apex Bank Ltd. authority in a release today clarified that the APSCAB is an autonomous body registered under Arunachal Pradesh Society Act, 1978 and licensed by RBI for extending banking business in the State of Arunachal Pradesh.  The bank is managed by the Management as per the bye-laws of Bank duly approved by the Reserve Bank of India.  

After computerization the Bank is with CBS, the bank is proposing to cover the entire rural and unbanked areas through its Primary Cooperative Societies as business correspondent for which Financial Literacy Centers (FLC) was to set up under Financial Inclusion which is reimbursable through NABARD. The FLC is to create banking habits and awareness among the general public.  To start with, the bank is proposing to establish 10 number of FLCs on pilot basis which will be managed by the IT background staff on contractual basis.

As such, the bank has conducted a Walk-in-Interview to select suitable candidates for the proposed FLCs in the selected blocks.

As there is no provision for written test for the contractual post, bank has arranged a Walk-in-Interview for selection of suitable candidates.

The same matter was also clarified to Apex Student’s Organization of the State i.e, All Arunachal Pradesh Student’s Union (AAPSU) on July 16 in the office chamber of administrator and same was published in this daily on July 17 in which they have agreed the genuinely.

The bank request to cooperate in the bank’s endeavor to provide banking services to the uncovered and excluded section of our society.

 

NBA project review meeting held

ITANAGAR, July 23: First-ever meeting of SEs of PHE&WS Department exclusively for Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) was held under the chairmanship of Er Tagong Ketan, Chief Engineer (Sanitation) here today. This meeting was especially held to review the 100 days target fixed by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India.

In the meeting it was decided that the Superintending Engineers should workout modality first to complete baseline entry of NBA Annual Implementation Plan 2014-15 by 15th August, and subsequently 100 days set target by end of August 2014. It was also decided to complete the ongoing baseline entry of revised NBA Project Implementation Plan by the end of August next.

 

GSU memo to CS

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Galo Students’ Union (GSU) in a release informed that it has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary demanding immediate implementation of the June 6 directive issued by the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh through the commissioner, Dept. of Personnel putting blanket ban on extension of service of Govt. employees who are on verge of retirement.

GSU said quoting from ‘relevant sources’ that service extension of some Govt. employees holding high posts in the department of health services and various other posts are being considered for approval.

“Such hasty decision on part of the Govt. is bound to create further financial liabilities on the already burdened state exchequer and also likely to create disturbances in the hierarchy level and promotional scope of many deserving officers of various departments,” the release said. It urged the Chief Secretary to not to consider any such proposals and to implement the June 6 directive in letter and spirit keeping in mind the interest of the indigenous people of the state.

Meanwhile, GSU has decided to visit every school in Galo inhabited areas to collect data regarding teacher shortages and various other problems faced by those schools, the release added.

 

AASSATA pleads for creation of teacher posts

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (AASSATA) on Wednesday wrote to Education Minister Tapang Taloh seeking for creation of 1500 Assistant Teachers and 1000 Junior Teacher posts.   

The SSA teachers association appealed the state government to consider its genuine demand while adding that without creating posts, it would not be possible for the government to regularize serving SSA teachers since 2003. The association added that for the complete regularization of 8000 teachers it would take 60 to 70 years.  The state government has so far regularized 282 Assistant teachers and 155 junior teachers under SSA, a release said.

 

Union calls for transparency in tender process

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: The All Chetam Circle Students’ Union of Upper Subansiri district has sought for transparent tender process for Sippi to Chetam PMGSY scheme road without any political interference to ensure quality and effective work. It also urged the department to start the work and ensure proper utilization of the fund. Failing to fulfill its demand, the union stated it would resort to agitation against the authority, a release stated.

 

State NCP body dissolved

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Following directives from the party high command, the Arunachal Pradesh unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Gicho Kabak has dissolved the party organization.

This decision was taken in view of the ‘ineffective’ functioning of district and block level party organizations which has resulted poor performance in the last Parliament and Assembly election, the state NCP said in a release.

The party organization will be reconstituted within August 10 with due consultation with senior party leaders, the release informed.              

Meanwhile State NCP has already taken decision to field party candidate in bye-election for Kanubari Assembly Constituency following death of Newlai Tingkhatra.

 

Breach in pipeline affects water supply

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Drinking water supply to Naharlagun and Nirjuli has been affected following breach in the main supply pipeline at Tarajuli nallah near Nyorch village due to soil erosion caused by flash flood during early hour today.

Restoration work is going on and water supply is likely to be restored by tomorrow, according to an departmental release.

 

Councilor urges teachers to discharge duty

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Councilor and member of empowered Standing Committee of Itanagar Municipal Council Ngurang Yache exhorted the teaching staff of the Govt. M.E School, Division-IV to perform their duty with sincerity and dedication.

Addressing the teaching staff of the school in an interactive meeting today, she stressed on quality education and appealed to all sections of the society to come forward and co-operate the school authority. She appreciated local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso for sanctioning fund for repairing the school building which was damaged by natural calamity.

SMC chairman Tadar Loma highlighted various problems faced by the school like need of construction of school boundary wall with gate etc.

The meeting was chaired by Ngurang Taka, Vice-President, District Congress Committee.

 

 

AAPBSU urges line depts to maintain transparent bidding process

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students’ Union (AAPBSU) urged all the line department of Arunachal Pradesh to conduct the bidding process under SPA scheme in a transparent manner by strictly following the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.

“We are expecting that the state government would implement all schemes/projects under SPA properly and effectively this year by maintaining the prescribed guidelines. We also urge the state government to allocate sufficient amount for development of interior border areas of Arunachal Pradesh during coming financial budget,” AAPBSU said in a release.

Meanwhile, AAPBSU condemned the incident that took place at Itakola where one Rai Natung was brutally killed by miscreant and demanded the law enforcing authority to investigate the matter immediately and punish the culprits under appropriate section of law. It hoped the state government will take up the matter with their Assam counter part to solve this mysterious incident as early as possible.

 

Child trafficking reported

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Chandan Women Welfare Society of under Longding in a release informed that it has received numerous complaints from villagers about trafficking of girl child by brokers as domestic help within and out side the state.

It has been reported that around 30 girls from Wakka, 15 from Khanu, four from Chop villages have been trafficked by brokers. It is reported that the girls who have been reportedly trafficked did not inform their parents when they left their homes. The girls are expected to be working as home workers in Itanagar, Dimapur and other towns or cities, it said.

It is reported that the brokers lure the girls from poor families and promise of employment in towns and engage them as domestic helps who in turn gets commission.

The society has taken the matter to the district administration’s notice and sought help in bringing back all those trafficked children.

Earlier, the society in a meeting decided to conduct campaign against opium addiction, cultivation and selling of opium in the area.

 

Protest rally against Army brutality

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: The general public and students of Longding came out spontaneously to protest Indian Army brutality at Longding today.

According to LDSU, five innocent civilians of Chanu village were mercilessly beaten up by Rajput Regiment of Indian Army on July 21. Prior to this, the army engaged in a cross-firing with a faction of NCSN at Chanu village on July 14. Owing to this incident, the army came to the village and beat the civilians without any reason, LDSU informed.

One of the injured persons, namely Jyakap Rangkham has been admitted in Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh in a critical condition.

The proctors vehemently condemned the inhumane act by Army and demanded the state government to take immediate necessary steps in this regard and provide relief to the victims.

Organized by Longding District Students’Union, the rally was attended by students, general public and public leaders of the district.

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News Impact

Govt reviewing hydro projects: Javadekar

NEW DELHI, Jul 23: Government today said it is reviewing some of the hydro power projects in the country to ensure that the country gets enough clean energy without hurting the ecology.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said government was sensitive to the concerns expressed by some states, including Assam, over some of the hydro power projects being implemented.

"Taking into consideration the concerns expressed by some states, including Assam, our emphasis is on how to get maximum clean energy without hurting the ecology. That is why we are reviewing some of these projects," he said during Question Hour in Lok Sabha.

Terming hydro power as the clean energy, Javadekar said government is trying to assess the impact of hydro power projects on river system and the people living in surrounding areas.

"There should be study on impact," he said. Replying to a supplementary question, the Environment Minister said the impact of the Uttarakhand rain disaster last year would have been more if the Tehri and Srinagar (in Uttarakhand) hydro power projects were not in place.

Javadekar said the IIT, Roorkee, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and an Inter-Ministerial Group headed by B K Chaturvedi have examined cumulative impact of hydro power projects on aquatic biodiversity, river ecology and environmental flow in Alakananda and Bhagirathi rivers in the Himalayas.

Simultaneously, carrying capacity studies in seven river basin in Arunachal Pradesh, Teesta river basin in states of Sikkim and West Bengal, Chenab and Satluj river basins in Himachal Pradesh have been undertaken.

"These studies primariliy examined the feasibility of development of hydropower in an environmentally sustainable manner," he said. PTI

 

Unti Umbrey attack case

Won’t stop our movement until main conspirator arrested: Orgs

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: Even as the chorus grows louder for arrest of all the attackers involved in Unti Umbrey attack case, various organizations today vociferously demanded immediate arrest of the main conspirator behind the attack on Umbrey, a former AIMSU president.  This demand was jointly raised by All Idu-Mishmi Students’ Union (AIMSU), Lower Dibang Valley District Students Union (LDVSU) and All Mishmi Students Union (AMSU) in a press meet held at Press Club today. Unti was allegedly attacked with a lethal weapon by a group of miscreants and inflicted him grievous injury at his rented house here on July 11 last around 12:30 am.

Addressing the media persons AIMSU president Lokha Elapra said that they will not stop their movement until the main conspirator is arrested.  Without naming the conspirator in brutal physical attack incident, AIMSU president reinforced its demand for early arrest claiming that three accused persons were instigated by the conspirator who is still at large.

Elapra further clarified that there is no communal colour over the incident which was earlier speculated by some sections of  society after the incident took place saying that their fight is not against any particular person or community, it is against the culprits who took law into their hands by resorting violence.

He disclosed that various organizations have extended their solidarity and support to them cutting across the communal line, especially All Nyishi Students Union, who according to him, is in constant touch with them. “It would be very unfortunate to communalize the incident and there is no any communal colour in our movement” he retorted.  He expressed his gratitude to the organizations, civil societies and police authorities who stand by them at the hours of need.

Lower Dibang Valley District Students Union (LDVSU) president Ashomi Linggi in his address strongly condemned the brutal attack on Umbrey and said that whatever was the reason for violent assault, their differences and disagreement could have been resolved through intellectual  platform.   

The organizations further came up with shocking allegation claiming that CCTV footage of rented house owner and Raj Bhawan in which main conspirator was clearly seen with white Scorpio was mysteriously removed and deleted from the hard disk, before the police could retrieve it, the students bodies claimed.

Questioning that how come CCTV footage was removed under mysterious circumstance, the organizations strongly demanded for early recovery of Raj Bhawan CCTV footage from 11.30 pm 10th July to 1:30 am 11 July 2014 saying that failing to do would compel them resort democratic movement again.

However the organizations expressed their faith in home minister Tanga Byaling and capital police in nabbing  the main conspirator and digging  out the  truth behind entire episode. “We have been assured by the home minister and capital police to deliver justice to victim, so we are patiently waiting for it” added the unions.

Meanwhile SP Capital has informed that three accused namely Tassar Charu, Tagru Tame and Toko Ollo have surrendered before the chief judicial magistrate on Tuesday and they are remanded to six days police custody. Police source also disclosed that around 12 persons have been identified who were allegedly involved in the attack.

 

Org demands arrest of Real Estate tycoons

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 23: While informing that more than 4000 marketing executives under SEBA Real Estate Ltd are facing serious threat from their customers, the All Arunachal Pradesh SEBA Real Estate Marketing Executive Welfare Association (AAPSREMEWA) president Langbia Togung today appealed the state government to interfere into the matter and arrest the wrongdoers at the earliest.

Addressing the media persons at Arunachal Press Club, Togung disclosed that the SEBA Real Estate Ltd’s had failed to refund Rs 17 crore which it owes to around 97000 share holders across the state. It appealed the  state Govt to direct the concern authority for immediate arrest of SEBA Real Estate Ltd Managing Director Siddharta Nag, Regional Marketing Manager of SEBA Management Board Gojum Nyodu and Executive Officer of SEBA Real Estate Toko Obi.  Further, Togung appealed for freezing SEBA Real Estate Ltd’s bank accounts in SBI Itanagar branch, Axis bank, Itanagar and Bank of Baroda, Itanagar.

The Association also appealed its customers to bear with them and informed that it will launch a democratic movement against the accused soon for the returns to its customers.

SEBA owns a restaurants and commercial properties in Naharlagun, East Siang and New Delhi. Members of the marketing executives’ association said that assets from the firm’s other properties could be liquidated to pay off the 97,000 depositors.

Togung also informed that they came to know about the scandal when the firm began defaulting on its returns to its customers from across the state. Togung alleged that customers’ concerns were forwarded to Toko Obi who kept giving false promises of returning the money.

The association’s general secretary Rita Marde alleged that despite the assurance by Capital Complex SP S P Kuruvilla to investigate into the matter, the authorities have failed to form a SIT.  A case was filed in the Itanagar Police Station in January earlier this year but the accused got out on bail the same day after he was taken into custody, she informed. She further claimed that despite a FIR being registered and all required information being shared to the police, the authority even failed to file a charge sheet.

 

Sensitization-cum awareness prog on domestic violence Act held

ROING, July 23: A District level Sensitization-cum-Awareness Programme on Domestic Violence Act, 2005 was organized by the Alombro Mayu Yaku Chi Amey Aroga (AMYAA), an NGO at Anchal Samity Hall, Roing with the support of the Department of Women and Child Development.  The programme was attended by 31 active women from different socio-economic and cultural background of the district.

R K Paul Chawang, Secretary, AMYAA highlighted the objectives of the programme and the need for every woman to become aware of the laws available for protection of Women Rights in the society and the country. The more a woman become conscious of the legal framework provided by the Indian Government as per the direction of the Supreme Court the less a woman will face the victimization of her fundamental rights and vice versa, he said.

Deputy Director (ICDS), Savitri Khamti briefed on the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 with special emphasis on the importance of the Act in defence of the rights of women. She stressed on the different types of domestic violence that a woman could face (emotional, mental, physical, verbal, sexual etc). She encouraged the woman participants to get maximum benefit of the programme and assured the participants that in future more and more of such programmes/workshops/seminars related to woman issues will be organized in the district.

Bulia Pulu, Advocate and main resource person of the programme dealt on the know-how of the legal procedures that a victim of domestic violence can follow based on the gravity and seriousness of the domestic violence. She further brought awareness to the knowledge of the participants that at district level, any woman succumbed to excessive torture, be it mental, emotional, sexual, verbal or physical can, approach the Project Officer (DD, ICDS) under the Act, for filing of such case as per the procedures of the law.

The participants were given time to raise their queries on the Act and clarify doubts of their concerns. The interactive session hour with sharing of cases by the participants and analytical inputs on the same from the legal point of view by the resource persons helped the participants to understand the legal concepts of the Act in a much simpler way. Through their sharing the participants expressed their keen interest in learning more about the Act and requested the organizing NGO and supporting department to organize more of such programme for woman, so that women who are at the greater risk of being vulnerable in societies learn to free themselves from being oppressed on gender issues.  

Mumtak Pasing, Secretary of Dibang Adi Women Association (DAWA) Roing expressed appreciation for having organized such important programme and requested for more woman related programmes in the district. She also appealed to the members of the woman participants to come forward with boldness in taking steps in defence of Women Rights and to stand together against crimes committed to women without differentiating socio-economic or cultural diversity. DIPRO

 

‘GBs could lead villagers away from

opium cultivation & addiction’

WAKRO, Jul 23: The GBs have adequate legal powers and can successfully lead the villagers away from opium cultivation and its resultant misuse and addictions, said EAC Wakro, Dakto Riba. He was addressing the first ever coordination meeting of the Gaon- Burahs of Wakro circle.

Speaking to the GBs, he explained their powers and functions, as elaborated in  the Assam Frontier Admn of Justice regulations, 1945, and exhorted them to take lead in the all-round development of the Wakro society and to make it an ‘opium-free circle’.

Participating in the discussions, Arosa Ngadong, Circle Head-GB, Wakro, appealed to all his colleagues to participate in the anti-opium campaign. He also pointed out to the circle administration the increasing problem of influx of strangers and outsiders into Wakro, and the great risks it poses to the peaceful life of the common people in the area.

The EAC in turn assured the meeting that strict vigil and surprise checks of inner line permits will be launched and action will be initiated against the offenders.

The GBs also appealed to the EAC for a land allotment to the GBs Association, for setting up a guest house for the use of GBs coming from other villages. EAC assured to take up their petition with the Govt for initiating necessary action.

 

Precarious financial condition of the state and the way forward - II

Dr Hari Krishna Paliwal

Given the wobbly financial condition of the State Government and no other short or long term solution in sight, it is the hydropower development alone that can rescue the state going from bad to worse and even worst in the long run. The State has already lost too much and can ill afford any more to ignore hydropower development. Among all the hydropower projects allotted by the State Government there are 46 projects each one of which has an installed generation capacity of more than 100 MW. All of these 46 projects put together account for around 46,000 MW generating capacity. If the State targets only these projects for development on top priority on fast track mode and gets them commissioned with a time bound approach then the State government would earn around Rs 7000 Cr annually as revenue from free power. In addition, Rs 700 Cr would be available for the project areas as local area development fund.

For any investment to take place anywhere the appetite of local people and the positive approach of the government are its prerequisites. I recall my days as a young officer in 1980s in Industry Department of Uttar Pradesh when a dynamic and visionary Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari would extend red carpet welcome to the industrialist investors in the state. Even later, the Chief Ministers would go all over to attract investment in the State. Learning form that all of us in the government would take care, even in greater measure, of those investing in the State. Example of the present days is also before us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the choice of masses because of his approach of a visionary leader and also on account of his attitude and actions that created investment friendly environment in Gujarat during his tenure as Chief Minister.

In Arunachal Pradesh nobody has to go anywhere to attract investment in the State. There are already so many hydropower projects lined up in the state envisaging investment of Lacs of Crores of rupees, which rarely any other State in the country has at one point of time. Only one thing that is needed is the welcome approach to these investors at all levels in the State starting from common people to the Chief Minister.

Having worked solely and closely for last almost six and a half year with Arunachal Pradesh alone and before that for five and half years I looked after the development of the State from the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) along with other 7 states of NER, I see no other option, but for large-scale hydropower development, for long term sustenance of this bountiful yet poor State with happy and smiling faces.

Delaying development of these projects the State government is foregoing almost Rs 1 Cr every hour. Each day’s delay is costing the state government a loss of Rs 20 Cr and in each month Rs 600 Cr. Whose money is being lost? Who would have benefited from it had the state been earning? Whose income and development would have risen? Who would have enjoyed the fruits of development and economic growth?  The answer is very simple. Each and every citizen of the state would have benefited and would benefit in more than one ways, which at this stage are even unimaginable.

By getting these projects commissioned Arunachal Pradesh would not only rise from the status of one of the economically most backward states to certainly one of the per capita richest states of the country, even if not the richest. These projects along with them will bring in rich infrastructure like roads, bridges, high standard education and far better medical facilities. Underdeveloped towns would turn into modern ones and villages would also boast of having good infrastructure and other facilities.

If implemented in next 10-12 years, only these 46 projects would attract an investment of more than Rs 300,000 Cr in the State. Investment of this magnitude would provide extensive business opportunities by way of contracts, shops, transport, supply of materials and machines in the state itself. Large-scale direct and indirect employment opportunities would also be available to the youths thereby weaning them away from the groups fomenting antisocial activities.

When developed and commissioned these projects themselves would be great tourist destinations, further opening gateway for remarkable employment and business opportunities. Power projects will improve the economy as well as living standards of the people. Local people of the project area will benefit from Local Area Development Fund and Corporate-Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

So far, the Chief Minister and the State Government with great difficulties are somehow managing to pay the salaries of employees. However, as a former civil servant, with all humility, sincerity and candidness I do not see it going like this for long. Therefore, despite best efforts being made by the Chief Minister and the State Government days are not far off when everyone in the State would suffer. There would be delays in payment of salaries, delay in implementation of development projects and ultimately there would be slow down in economic growth. Had these steps for hydropower development been taken decades back today Arunachal Pradesh rather being in hard-hitting financial position would have been one of the happiest and wealthiest states in the country. If now also it is ignored, not welcomed and delayed then there is serious trouble in waiting to erupt for the State.

The State Government had been looking to the Central Government for bail out but they have their own plans of expenditure and investment as well as 28 other states also look up to them for assistance. Given the grim scenario, as is apparent, it is high time that every one in the State considers these aspects extremely sincerely and objectively and joins hands to tackle this difficult situation. Considering the present and the future without prejudices in every best possible way, all have to become facilitators for hydropower development.

My sincere and ardent appeal to the intelligentsia, officers, employees and leaders of all political parties of the state is that they must earnestly and jointly deliberate on this extremely serious issue and create positive vibrations, ambience and atmosphere in the state to harvest rich dividends by developing hydropower. There are already so many outside people and organizations that are hell bent on vitiating the environment within and outside the state. They must not be allowed to succeed in stopping development of the State. I recall a couplet in Urdu- “Lamhon ne khata ki aur sadiyon ne saza payee” which translates as, “the moments made mistake and centuries had to suffer for that.” So, let us not make the mistake now and miss the opportunity to suffer and repent for generations. (The writer is Former Chief Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh)

 

‘Capital Complex dwellers too responsible for piling up garbage’

ITANAGAR, Jul 23:  Chief Municipal Executive Officer (CMEO) of Itanagar Municipal Council Bokar Basar has held public too responsible for the piling up waste materials in twin capital city of Itanagar and Naharlagun.

Saying that keeping the township neat and clean is a challenging task, the CMEO claimed that 70 percent of the responsibility for piling up the garbage goes to the dwellers of capital complex. “There are so many designated dustbins, but public do not use them. They throw waste materials, bottles and other empty containers here and there not only making the township ugly looking but also polluting the environment,” he said, and appealed to the people of the state to learn and develop civic sense. He, however, admitted that there are also so many public living in the city, who have come from various remote places with no knowledge about garbage and pollution.

He also blamed stray animals as one of the main contributors in littering the towns. He suggested for complete prohibition on entry of stray animal in the city.

He also said that rest 30 percent of the responsibility goes to the government as it did not grant adequate fund to mange the solid wastes.

The association’s general secretary Rita Marde alleged that despite the assurance by Capital Complex SP S P Kuruvilla to investigate into the matter, the authorities have failed to form a SIT.  A case was filed in the Itanagar Police Station in January earlier this year but the accused got out on bail the same day after he was taken into custody, she informed. She further claimed that despite a FIR being registered and all required information being shared to the police, the authority even failed to file a charge sheet.

 

Food security scheme faces hurdle in East Siang

Prafulla Kaman

RUKSIN, July 23: The National Food Security Ordinance (NFSO), which was launched in Arunachal Pradesh in August last year, is yet to cover East Siang district thanks to some certain hurdles. Entry of bogus and non-existent members in the application forms submitted by the applicant families is creating hurdle in finalization of the beneficiary lists.

Officials in the Food & Civil Supply department informed that scrutiny of beneficiaries enlisted by the applicant families for having benefits under NFSO schemes is going on in various blocks in the district and it would take enough time to complete the process.

It may be mentioned here that the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme will be all AAY and BPL households, all MNREGA job card holders, workers registered under AP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APBOCWWB), Arunachal Pradesh contingency employees, labours working in public or private sector having family income of less than Rs 1 lakh per annum from all sources, families having income less than Rs 1 lakh per annum from all sources, widows of defence employees such as paramilitary, police, who have died in operations and registered hawkers/vendors.

As per the provisions of the Ordinance, a person belonging to priority households would be entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized price. There is a clear government instruction to issue Household Ration Cards to existing BPL families on priority to implement the scheme.

In Ruksin block covering three circles, a total 2867 families have applied for rice supplement under NFSO scheme, which is covering more than 18,000 populations (7- members per family/household ration card).

Officials say that the target set for the sub-division is around 13,300. Moreover, some rich and APL families have also allegedly submitted application to avail benefits under the scheme.

State government sources revealed that the Centre had earmarked 66.3 per cent of rural and 51.55 per cent of urban population in the state to be covered under this ambitious scheme. As such, a total of 8.71 lakh people, including 7.9 lakh rural and 1.62 lakh urban population will be covered, recording an increase of almost 70 per cent of beneficiaries in comparison to 3,92,843 population under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) earlier purchasing rice under BPL and AAY scheme, the sources said.

Non-availability of subsidized rice under NFSO scheme has created concern among the poor families in the state, who have been buying the most essential food item at inflated rate from the open markets.

There are 24 Fair Price Shops and 13 SK Oil outlets in Ruksin subdivision, distributes items supplied under Public Distribution System in concerned rural areas.

 

BADP AAP for West Siang finalized

AALO, July 23: All schemes for inclusion in the BADP Annual Action Plan 2014-2015 has been finalized as per tentative Govt. allocation of Rs. 184.80 lakhs against each border block of Mechuka-Tato, Pidi-Monigong and Kaying-Payum in the Border Area Development Programme meeting held under chairmanship of West Siang Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu at DC’s Conference Hall here recently.

Chairing the meet, Ligu said that BADP envisages ameliorating the condition of the border people by fulfilling the critical gaps in the far flung areas and important sectors like education and health care delivery system need to be looked at in its broader perspective. Administrative officers, Panchayat leaders and Executing Agencies should work hand to hand in a coordinated manner without any divergent views so that every drop of benefit from the centrally sponsored fund goes to the border people. The schemes selected should be feasible, realistic, free from duplicity and fall within BADP guidelines to address woes of border people at large.  Given the quantum of budgetary flow so far in the border areas, visible assets should be available on the ground to show the Central Monitoring Team on inspection from time to time.

Earlier, the District Planning Officer, Millo Phusang gave a detail deliberation on schemes received from three border blocks of the district for inclusion in the schemes. He also disclosed that the system will go online soon and urged the BDOs to make preliminary preparation to install and operate the system. Sometimes the mutual differences in selection of schemes and litigation delays the submission of Utilization Certificates causing inordinate delay in obtaining from the centre, he said.

The ADCs, EACs, COs, BDOs and panchayat leaders from the three border blocks who attended the meet also took part in the deliberation on schemes taken up by them. The meet thread barely discussed the schemes circle wise, modified wherever necessary and approved amid thuds. DIPRO

 

IMC resolves to prepare property mapping, streamline garbage management

ITANAGAR, July 23: The Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) in its 8th business session today discussed various important issues and approved the resolution for preparation of property mapping with house-hold numbering, naming of street etc under IMC jurisdiction. The house observed that the property mapping and household numbering would not only ease the council in levy of property tax, civic charges etc but also would help the service providers/agencies like power, postal, telecom, police, PWD, UD, PHED, census departments in generation of revenue. It would also help improve the security system and help in reduction of fire accidents. The council requested all the stake holder departments to cooperate with the council for preparation of the said property map and also the council requested the government to provide enough fund for preparation of the mapping.  The resolution was moved by Tatung Tania and Biri Tugdo.

On collection and disposal of garbage under the twin city of Naharlagun and Itanagar, the council informed that as because the sanitation vehicles provided were all off the road and there was no fund with the council, the council had engaged few private dumpers and loaders for collection and disposal of garbage. It would be distributing polythene bags in green and black colours of 5kg and 10 kg capacity for collection of garbage at the house hold level. There would be segregation of garbage of degradable and non-degradable at the house hold level itself. The council appealed the citizens of the capital to cooperate for SWM at the house hold level and further informed that it would be conducting awareness campaigns at all the wards.

The council further observed that the electricity bills had steep rise in the recent months and was beyond the capacity of the BPL group living in the town.  Therefore, it council urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter at the earliest. The council by majority of vote approved the resolution and banned the collection/ subscription of money from the markets by AIMWA and BWC etc. The council requested the district authority to keep strict vigil on the market and to initiate strict action against such elements. Also the council appealed the business group of the market to not to succumb to the demands of such people.

The council further approved to constitute a Ward Security Force (WSF) at all the wards of IMC. These volunteers would be a quick response team for checking the anti-social activities in the wards, according to a release issued by Likha Suraj, Municipal Secretary,  IMC

 

RKMHI & VSCN organize spiritual retreat, youth convention

ITANAGAR, July 23: Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Itanagar (RKMHI) and Vivekananda Study Circle Naharlagun (VSCN) organized a day-long spiritual retreat as a part of the concluding function in commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at Vivekananda Hall here on July 20 last. Around 300 people from Itanagar, Naharlagun and other parts of the Capital Complex participated in the programme.

How to spiritualize our daily activities was the main theme of the speakers consisting of swamis from Ramakrishna order viz. - Swami Brahmeshanandaji Maharaj, Swami Nikhileswarananda, Swami Sumanasananda, Swami Jnanalokananda and two well known personalities namely Dr. Om Prakash Verma and Dr. Raj Lakshmi Verma. Bhajans, devotional songs and Japayoga by the participants were the other items in the retreat.

Earlier, on July 19, the RMH Itanagar and Vivekananda Study Circle, Naharlagun had organized a Youth Convention to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Youth delegates from Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli  and other places participated in it.  Swami Brahmeshanandaji Maharaj, Swami Nikhileswarananda, Swami Sumanasananda, Swami Jnanalokananda, Dr. Om Prakash Verma and Dr. Raj Lakshmi Verma spoke on the life, ideas and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda that are helpful to the youth of the present generation in moulding themselves as responsible citizens of future India.  In the valedictory session, youth delegates also spoke on their views of Swami Vivekananda. This was followed by performance of Spectrum Band (orchestra) from Kolkata and prize distribution.

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2012

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

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---- Editorial ----

 

Concentrate on scientific research

In a major breakthrough the department of Zoology, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat has discovered a new ornamental fish species MicrophisIgnoratus in the tributary of Siang River.Presence of this freshwater pipefish in India is a new record and was never observed by any other researchers even before in the Fresh Water System of Indian sub-continent. The fish was recently recorded for the first time at one of the tributaries of Siang near Sigar village under Mebocircle of East Siang district.

This discovery by team of researcher from JNC College, Pasighat,once again shows how rich is our bio-diversity. Arunachal is blessed with rich flora and fauna. We have not been able to tap these potentials. It's all because government of Arunachal has failed to focus on research related activities. Fund has not been made available to carry out research works. If Arunachal has to shine in fields like horticulture, agriculture etc, the government should concentrate in research related activities. Without using scientific technology, we will not be able to make advance.

----Readers Forum ----

 

 

Caught in between

Dear Editor,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to share the ill treatment meted out to a patient as a result of professional jealousy amongst two doctors. The incident dates back to second week of April 2014 in one of the private hospitals somewhere at Capital Complex. As it was the election time by then, the patient’s consulting physician left for his home town to exercise his franchise. So, in absence of the said doctor it was the other one who was to attend. Never in our wildest dream had we ever thought that the two had cropped on each other a seed of enmity and that they would take a revenge on the patient of the other. With full of optimism we took admission hoping that our patient would be cured by doctor's medication considering him as the physical healer. But, Alas! The unfortunate victim was our patient. Time and again the physician-in-charge visited and tortured the patient and the attendant. Even before the patient was able to walk, talk and take food properly, the said doctor in his every visit asked the patient to get discharged from the hospital with immediate effect. He went to the extent of cursing the patient that she wouldn't walk for four to five months. But all his misdeeds came to the light as soon as the consulting doctor returned and in the next few days when the poor patient began to walk. Since the near and dear ones left for the home town by then, to no options left, even after the discharge was readied, the patient and the attendant stayed bearing the pains and curses.

So with heavy heart and without dragging personally, I penned down this letter to draw the attention of the two doctors and medical fraternities as a whole a request not to burst the hatred for each other on the poor innocent patient. Its a call for realisation and I believe such misconduct won't be repeated on any other person. Medical professionals are considered by many as the 'healer' so take pride in it by taking up the responsibilities.

Yours,

Habung Tamer

Itanagar

 

Direct at the right people

Dear Editor,

Through your daily, I would like to send a message to the Apex Student body APPSU, that Bandh Calls should be directed at the powerful who can take decision, not on the general public who have no say in governance. Any bandh called by any group  or organization should only focus on people or institutions (Government) who can decide. There is bandh/hartal in other parts of the country as well but the general public is seldom affected. This medium of expression manifested as a culture which not only engulf  citizens’ rights but engender the society with negativity and violence. The aspirations of common men were trampled upon as the bandh politics found dominance in the state which had always witnessed internal group conflicts and differences. Bandh got translated into a negative manifestation of the right to protest or express and proved to be a sort of paralysis which was supported by a section of the society or people because of their own vested interests.

The Arunachal Secretariat in the capital or DC/SP offices in respective districts should be the target, not the bus/transport service on which the general public is moving. I request the Apex student Body AAPSU to stand against the wrong, but it would be great if you take every measure for a peaceful solution with peaceful process.

Yours,

Doilyang Hanya

Naharlagun.

 

Sandwiched between the apathy and sadistic opportunism

Dear Editor,

While bandh has become a buzzword in recent times, if we scour the pages of history, will find that bandh is not a recent phenomenon at all; its existence is as old as civilization itself. In the days of old when the trigger happy kings would declare war at each other at the drop of a  hat, the aggressor to bring the defender on their knees often used bandh as a ploy. The strategies was simple: put a cordon around the enemy’s fortress, cut off outside communication, and choke their essential supplies and starve the whole kingdom into surrender. The earliest incident of bandh in the recorded history of Arunachal Pradesh can be traced back toward the end of 19th century; and it was the British themselves who impose the bandh!

If Hamilton, yes, the one who wrote “In Abor Jungles” is to be believed, when the Abors eagerly reneged on the treaty of 1862- which they had reluctantly signed with British - and relapse into their former pastime of creating trouble around the Inner line area, the British, as a punitive measure, blocked all the trade routes that connect Abor territories to the plain of Assam. The British’s measure was whether effective, or not, well, that’s quite another matter. Civilization has moved on, since then, along the inexorable path of change, leaving, it seems, the last tribe of bandh callers kicking around in every nook and cranny of our state.

Let’s try to deconstruct the logic of bandh. It is noticed that the bandh callers generally wield this ultimate weapon of un-democratic protest on the slight pretext of taking up unaddressed public grievances. The logic seems warp to me for at least two reasons: firstly, why would they like to cause inconvenience to common people when it is the latter’s interest, they claim to represent. Remember, it is the common man that actually suffers from bandh. Secondly, if the motive is ulterior - hold the common people to hostage and eke out some ransom from Govt - then it does not make sense either. Do they, in their sane mind, think that Govt would budge? If the government really had a concern and even money, for that matter to spare for its citizen, do you think these problems (by the way, the road between Banderdewa and Naharlgun is really pathetic) would have been there at the first place.

Meanwhile, between the apathy (and poverty) of a witless govt and the sadistic opportunism of adamant union/associations shall we junta have to be sandwiched eternally. Hope it is not so and better sense prevail at the end.

Yours,

Dipten Ratan

Itanagar

 

 

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----Editor