July 23
Gompa landslide
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The Ward No.9 Councillor Pakyum Tagung today drew Chief Minister’s attention towards the precarious condition of Gompa and the state Museum because of heavy downpour and erosion. The councillor appraised the chief minister to initiate necessary action to protect the religious place from eroding.
Traffic restricted again
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Following few hours of rain, the NH 52-
Meanwhile, the capital administration has restricted the traffic movement on the road.
All kind of vehicles coming from Naharlagun to Itanagar shall be diverted via Jully road. LMVs from Itanagar to Naharlagun shall be permitted one way down the Highway.
Heavy vehicles going to Naharlagun from Itanagar shall move via Jully, according to an official release.
Teachers call on CM for salary
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: A joint delegation of Arunachal Teachers Association (ATA) and Arunachal Rashtriya Madhyamik Shisksa Abiyan Teachers’s Association (ARMSATA) today called on Chief Minister Nabam Tuki seeking his intervention in immediate release of RMSA teachers’ salary.
Chief Minister is reported to have assured to release the salary at the earliest.
PMC seeks early release of development fund
ITANAGAR, July 22: A two-
While appraising the minister about the requirements of PMC, the delegation also demanded early creation of clerical posts for the Council, immediate release of fund for office building, honorarium for councillors, construction of embankment for protection of burial and cremation ground of Pasighat which are in danger of being eroded completely.
Darang in a release said that the minister assured the councillors to look into the matter and directed his officials to take up the matter on priority basis.
Union seeks DDSE’s intervention
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The All Kimin Students Union has sought the intervention of Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Papum Pare district towards encroachment menace in the schools’ land.
In a representation submitted with DDSE, AKSU claimed that various government schools under Kimin areas are being encroached upon. It also pointed out that lack of boundary walls around the school premises encourage encroachers. AKSU also requested the district school authority to bifurcate elementary level section from the higher secondary. The union also said that there were lack of facilities such as desks and benches in the schools and appealed to the Panchayat leaders to look into the matter.
Saplings planted to mark Vanamahotsava
BOMDILA, Jul 22: Over 300 tree saplings were planted in the premises of Higher Secondary School Nafra and about 700 saplings were distributed among the students during a plantation drive conducted in the school to mark the 66th Vanamahotsava here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Nafra EAC T Padu urged the students to plant more trees
and follow the dictum of ‘each one, plant one’ for a greener and healthier environment
while, RFO highlighted the importance of green environment in human life and appealed
the student community to create awareness on the ill-
The school’s principal in-
Dengue awareness workshop
YINKGIONG, Jul 22: A dengue awareness workshop was conducted in the sideline of World Population Stabilization Fortnight 2015 observation at District Hospital Yingkiong yesterday.
District Vector Borne Disease Control Officer (DVBDCO) Dr. India Modi explained in details about dengue and its preventive measures.
Medical Officers from CHCs and PHCs of Upper Siang were instructed to conduct awareness campaign in their respective blocks during this month in view of the recent outbreak of dengue fever in neighboring East Siang district.
The workshop was chaired by Yingkiong ADC Tapik Petin.
Doctors, ASHAs and Anganwadi Workers from Yingkiong and Jengging CD block, Head of Departments, members from Yingkiong Women Welfare Society and school children attended the programme. DIPRO
Workshop for disaster managers
NAHARLAGUN, Jul 22: A workshop on disaster management plans and preparedness among disaster managers commenced at Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Naharlagun today.
YW Ringu, Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) dwelt in length on the need of State Disaster Management Plan, Departmental Disaster Management Plan, Emergency Support Function [ESF], Standard Operation Plan [SOPs] and updating of those plans to minimize impact of disasters in case of any eventuality.
ATI Director Patey Marik called upon the officers to make best use of the two days workshop so that departments can contribute in dealing with disasters.
Various HoDs, nodal officers and alternate nodal officers of central and state government agencies, works/line departments are attending the workshop. DIPR
Meeting held to discuss poor performance of SHC
CHANGLANG, Jul 22: A meeting was convened by the Sub-
The meeting held under the chairmanship of Changlang DMO Dr. S Chai Pul was attended by teachers, ANMs, AWWs, HGB and ASHAs.
Expressing concern over the poor performance of the SHC meeting, DRCHO Dr. T Yomcha said that despite having adequate ANMs the SHC is amongst the poorest performing in the district. While claiming that the staffs posted at the SHC has been irregular, Kengkhu HGB Kamchu Lulin called for convening more such meetings to regularly review the performance of the SHC.
Stating that basic health care services are being provided at the doorsteps under the flagship programme of NHM, DMO Dr. S Chai Pul urged the SHC staff to stay at their respective place of posting and cautioned against absenteeism, while Changlang district hospital Medical Superintendent incharge Dr. H Tangjang emphasized on observing Village Health Nutrition Day and conducting Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee meeting regularly and submitting its report accordingly. (DIPRO)
News Impact
CAG raps Arunachal Govt for failure in implementing MDM scheme
Itanagar, Jul 22: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has criticised
the Arunachal Pradesh education department for its failure in successful implementation
of the Mid-
The Centre launched the MDM scheme in August 1995 with the primary objective of boosting universalisation of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional status of primary school children.
The CAG report, which was tabled in the state Assembly yesterday by Chief Minister
Nabam Tuki, attributed inadequate financial management, short-
The CAG highlighted that no household surveys were conducted to identify the total number of children enrolled at the primary stage and no attempts were made to encourage high level of enrolment through publicity.
The report stated that in 2010-
"There was a shortfall in provision of 47,360 meals due to short receipt of food grain in 137 schools in the state," the report pointed out, adding, in six schools of West Kameng and Lohit district, 46.61 quintals (23 per cent) of the allotted rice was issued as dry ration, instead of cooked meals,violating directives of the Supreme Court.
The CAG report said, of 150 test-
"The state government did not contribute its share aggregating to Rs 12.93 crore towards conversion costs, honorarium to cooks and MME costs," the report pointed out, adding, there were deficiencies in meetings of the state, district and block level monitoring cells to monitor implementation of the scheme.
The report recommended the state government to ensure preparation of annual work
plans and budget (AWP&B) with authenticated inputs and ensure strict compliance to
all pre-
It also suggested to strengthen the monitoring mechanism and supervision of the scheme and enforce effectively at all levels to secure accountability at various levels of programme implementation.
"Requirements of food grain should be assessed on the basis of reliable inputs from the school level and allotted quantities of food grain should be lifted and distributed on a timely basis," the report added. PTI
NSCN-
NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Naga insurgent group NSCN-
"Most of these groups have sneaked into Indian territory from across the Indo-
Rijiju said the central government is maintaining close and continuous coordination with the states.
Efforts of the state governments, which are primarily responsible for ensuring public order and security in these areas, are supplemented by the central government through various measures such as deployment of additional central forces, he said.
NSCN-
Dengue cases on the rise in Pasighat
PASIGHAT, Jul 22: Dengue cases are on the rise in Pasighat with more than 325 confirmed cases till the filing of this report.
According to Pasighat General Hospital sources, 1157 cases have been reported so far but there was no report of death due to dengue.
A team of scientists from Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh arrived at Pasighat this evening to conduct survey, research and for vector identification.
Meanwhile, Director of Health Services, Dr. Kartik Nishing today visited General Hospital here to know the ground reality. Dr. Nishing along with Dr. M Perme (DMO), Dr. YR Darang (MS) and SPO (IDSP) Dr. L Jampa and SPO (NVBDCP) Dr. A Yirang interacted with the patients. He also met OPD doctors on duty and inspected the clinical laboratory.
Admitting that cases of vector-
Microbiologist Dr. B Apum informed the Director that she is updating the State and Central health authorities. Her staffs are working hard to deliver prompt services to the patients. Apum urged the people not to pressurize on duty staffs to get immediate blood reports because it normally takes more than 48 hours.
DMO Perme apprised the Director that 2nd round Indoor Residual Spray (DDT) and fogging are under way to ensure source reduction beside house to house survey as a part of awareness.DIPRO
Cong. accuses Rijiju of instigating JAC violence
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has accused Minister
of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju as the main sponsor of the JAC agitation and
instigating violence. The party said that Rijiju wants to promote Tame Phassang,
who is his brother-
Being a union minister of state for home, Rijiju’s role is to maintain law and order in the country but he is busy inciting violence and agitations in his home State, the Congress party alleged. “BJP has become a dumping ground filled with incompetent and indiscipline leaders who were once in the Congress party. These people who are experienced in ‘ayaram gayaram’ will soon uproot the genuine senior leaders in the party”, the Congress party warned as it mocked the BJP of ignoring grass root workers while the new recruits through force publicity, are taking the top position.
People of the State have realized the reality and the headache given by the opposition leaders particularly the Jan Andolan through misleading messages and lies, the Congress claimed.
SMD summit to be held in Itanagar
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The 4th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) will be held at Itanagar from 7th to 9th October. Informing this today in a press briefing at Arunachal Press Club, Fantry Mein Jaswal, Chairperson Sustainable Development Forum Arunachal (SDFA) sought cooperation and participation of every stake holders.
“The Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) a civil society movement started in 2010 organizes Sustainable Mountain Development Summit every year. In the summit, representatives of eleven mountain states including that of the hill districts of Assam and West Bengal participates. Issues concerning the mountain states are discussed in details,” said SDFA Chairperson. Briefing about IMI, Alemthemsi Jamir former Chief Secretary of Nagaland who is vice president of the organization stated that 11 Indian mountain states and the hill district of Darjeeling constitute almost 20.3% of the total landmass of the country.
Approximately 4% of the Indian population lives in these mountain states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, and the hill districts of Assam and West Bengal (Census 2011). Forests cover nearly 65% of the geographical area of these states, and they account for nearly 25% of the country’s forests (SFR 2013). “We all love mountains as we belong to mountainous region. Most of the mountainous states are located in Himalayas. The Himalayas helps to cool earth and also is cause of monsoon, on which most of the farmers of India depends. Majority of rivers originate from Himalayas. Despite playing such an important role, the programme and policy makers of New Delhi do not count mountain state while framing policies. Therefore IMI organizes Sustainable Mountain Development Summit every year to provide a platform to mountain states to come together and voice concern together,” added Jamir.
Minister Agriculture, Horticulture and Veterinary Chowna Mein who will be the patron of SMDS expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki for readily agreeing to support the summit. “I gained lot of knowledge by attending the last summit. We get chance to interact with scientists, bureaucrats and citizens of mountainous state in this summit. The people of Arunachal also need to open up and start interacting with rest of the world. The organizations of summit in Itanagar will immensely benefit us,” said minister Mein. He also added that summit is the right forum to force government of India to frame policy for the mountain states and claimed that Arunachal is fully ready to host the prestigious summit.
The organizing secretary of summit, Nalong Mize informed that in principle union minister of environment Prakash Javadekar and Union MoS Home Kiren Rijiju have in principle agreed to attend the summit. “We are expecting 200 delegates from outside the state and 200 from within state. The government of mountain states along with many international and national organizations is supporting us. The summit will provide platform to discuss various issues concerning the people living in mountain region,” said Mize.
Consultative panel chalks out action plan on outreach prog.
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: After approval of the state Budget 2015-
Outlining the objective of the meeting, Secretary Chombey said that a holistic plan with three basic components of “Outreach, Advocacy, and Leverage” is required to be laid out for an effective outreach programme.
The secretary also pointed out lack of understanding and communication gap among various government agencies because of which adequate information of both state and central government projects don’t percolate down to the grassroots level. He emphasized on right projection of government information both inside and outside the state.
To study various existing erroneous information, a consultative committee under the chairmanship of DIPR C M Longphong has been formed with four other members. The committee would check erroneous data and information in various existing government websites and help provide proper information to all. Those who hoist erroneous information in their websites would be asked to suspend their particular pages for a while until they are corrected.
Meanwhile the IPR department was also entrusted with the task of developing a “Initiative
Goal Logo” by involving experts. The Secretary also asked the IPR department to
frame guidelines for incentives to film-
The meeting was presided over by Parliamentary Secretary IPR and Printing Bamang Felix and attended among others by DIPR C M Longphong, Director Research Batem Pertin, Director Printing Tajuk Charu and State Informatics Officer NIC Jyotish Roy. DIPR
Mebo people prefer BRO over state PWD
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The PRI members represented by the two ZPMs, Anchal Chairpersons,
ASMs and Gram Chairpersons of the area, senior leaders and public of Mebo in a meeting
yesterday strongly opposed the handing over of a portion of NH-
The meeting expressed displeasure and anger over the move and felt that the move
was anti-
The members present in the meeting opined that they had a bitter experience with
the work quality of the State PWD and was quite apprehensive about the future of
NH-
The portion of NH-
Recalling from past experience the meeting felt that the State PWD was inapt to handle
the emergency situation that always arises within this portion and thus felt the
area of Mebo and Dambuk would be pushed 2-
The meeting, therefore, decided to protest against the move under the banner of “Pasighat-
CM stresses on re-
of Green Corps in schools
ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki reiterated the importance of establishing
Green Corps (Green Army) in every school which was started in the year 2000-
Tuki, who took part in the “festival of trees” organized by the Department of Environment and Forest here in Siddhartha Vihar today, directed the department to work out modalities in coordination with the Department of Education to restart Green Corps.
The Green Corps comprised of students, who were directly involved in environment protection and organized plantation programmes in their respective areas.
He also directed the Department of Education to incorporate environment, forest and wildlife protection in the syllabus of the school curriculum.
“We have around 1.5 lakh students in the state and if each student plants a tree a month, imagine how much tree can be planted the whole year,” the Chief Minister, who advocated for increasing the forest cover of the state from the existing 82% to 85% and above, said.
He suggested students to adopt plantation as a hobby and plant economically viable trees which can fetch them good returns when they grow up.
Concerned over rapid urbanization in the twin capital cities which has resulted in massive destruction of forest, Tuki asked Itanagar Municipal Council to chalk out strategy to contain it. He asked them to prepare a realistic plan to plant more and more trees in every sector and fill the barren hills and mountains of the adjoining areas of the city with afforestation programmes.
“Planting of trees in the hills will provide us water and protect us from soil deterioration which will check landslides while the city will look green if we materialise plantations in town area” CM asserted.
He asked the department of environment and forest to help the IMC with funds for the purpose.
The Chief Minister further appealed to the NGOs, Media Fraternity, Panchayat leaders and Environmentalists to create awareness on environment protection through all possible means.
Complementing the Department of Forest and the people of Arunachal Pradesh for preserving the rich forest which had convinced the 14th Finance Commission to recommend for higher grants for the state from the current year, CM appealed all sections of the society to join hands to increase the forest cover so that the faith enthused by the FFC is upheld.
Dwelling in length over tea, rubber and spices revolution taking shape in the state, Tuki pinned hope that these viable sectors which is gradually gaining importance is expected to change the face of the state’s economy in the days to come. Earlier, Tuki, along with host of parliamentary secretaries, including CT Mein, Phurpa Tsering, former APCS Chairman Rinchin Dorjee, Chief Councillor of Itanagar Municipal Council Kipa Kaku, PCCF, DC capital, senior officers from the environment and forest departments and students from Kingcup school planted trees in the Gompa premises to mark the occasion.
Parliamentary Secretary of Environment and Forest CT Mein said that the department has been putting all out effort to preserve and protect the rich flora and fauna of the state and sought assistance and support from the people.
“Having one of the largest forest cover in the country, we are one of the few states in the country to fight back the alarming global warming” he convincingly said. He further added that the state should take pride of its forest resource and each one should contribute towards it preservation and conservation.
Among others PCCF and other spoke on the occasion.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
-
All rights reserved.
-
Political battle inside parliament
As usual parliamentary proceedings are getting stalled due to political fight between BJP and Congress. For the last two days monsoon session of parliament has been washed out due to uproar by the opposition over Lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam. Today both the houses witnessed repeated adjournments before being called off for the day.
In the Lok Sabha, members of Congress and Left protested vociferously demanding ouster of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in connection with Lalit Modi episode. The Rajya Sabha witnessed four adjournments on Lalit Modi issue. The issue figured for the second day with both the opposition and the government sticking to their stands. It is unfortunate that political parties use disruption of parliament as tool to settle the political score. Congress is adopting the same obstructionists’ attitude which BJP used effectively for 10 years during UPA rule to enforce its demands. Now BJP is blaming Congress for stalling parliamentary proceeding and on the other hand Congress says it is just continuing the tradition started by BJP. Both the parties need to rise above petty politics and together join hand to work for the nation. Many important bills including GST bill is pending before the house. If parliament session does not run, these bills will not be passed and it will harm the interest of nation.
___________________
-
Vodafone losing people’s confidence
Dear Editor,
The introduction of the Telecom giant, Vodafone in the land locked region of Tawang on July 9 was figured as the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, or so assumed.
The naive residents, tormented by the erratic service of the no good BSNL and the boastful Airtel queued up to subscribe in thousands, reasoning greener grass.
The private telecom player started rolling the ball with a bang, advertising and painting the town red and white. The icing on the cake was the gala launch at the deluxe Gakhi Khang Zhang hotel attended by top administrative brasses of the district, wherein it pledged uninterrupted and superior network services.
But, fiction and reality are two different ball games. Tawang has transformed into an obtainable play field wherein syndicates and enterprises plunge into to mint easy money, turning a blind eye and disregarding their obligations. The heartache of consumers has just originated and networking is eventuating into a tiring and herculean task, with the Vodafone network starting to elude the cell phones. The signal indicator actuated flicker a couple of days before and went downright out of radar since yesterday.
With the consumers feeling let down, used, cheated and their optimism nose diving, it’s high time that the Vodafone water its grass as the grass is always greener where you water it.
Yours
Lham Tsering,
Chief Editor,
Mon Tawang vigilance
Tawang
There must be something about the PM’s chair
Dear Editor,
Like in life, in politics too, karma plays a big role. Karma struck the UPA as they were obliterated in the 2014 election. Their misdeeds haunted them while for the aspirational young Indians “acche din” assured by Modi became their “promised land”.
The recent efforts of the Congress to spring back into the limelight has however,
been made easier by the misdeeds of the BJP. The Lalitgate and the Vyapam scandal
have proved that BJP is no different from any other political party. Perhaps, it’s
just about the opportunity! The silence of the PM on these issues has left people
baffled as to how have the disease of former PM infected PM Modi and has turned once
non-
People believed in Modi’s promise of economic prosperity. However, they also trusted that he would preserve and promote the “idea of India” because a modern India is more than just materialistic development. PM Modi however, breached this trust when he said that “you (Indians) felt ashamed of being born Indian” in his speech in South Korea. The silence over the issue of stapled visa and Arunachal even during the PM’s visit to China is betrayal to the cause of the Arunachali people. The unabating assaults on the diversity of India and secularism by fringe elements will cost the BJP dearly in the next election. The neglect of the agriculture sector and over emphasis of the manufacturing sector will leave more farmers committing suicide and rural to urban migration will not stop. “Make in India” does not make sense if the Government fail to bring about labour reforms, cut bureaucratic red tapism and open up the Retail Sector to Foreign Direct Investments. It would be interesting to know the impact that “Make in India” has so far made on the economy. Interest of the nation ought to prevail over all other considerations. Healthy political competition is vital to democracy, but a confrontationist approach will kill it. The alleged denial of PM Modi not giving audience to Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States for months due to political differences is contrary to what he said during the election campaign of making the North East India the hub of developmental activities in India.
For Rahul Gandhi, who is working hard to fit into the shoes of former mass leaders of the Congress, the future will be either a rise to a next level or a fall though not from a high pedestal. Like every young Indians, RaGa seems to believe in accepting defeats and in fighting back. For PM Modi the stakes are higher. NaMo has to maintain the heights of glory he has already achieved and also deliver on the promises he made. However, if and when he falls there will be no redemption for Mr. Modi. Only Anne wale Din will tell if Acche Din have come or whether parivartan would be required.
Yours,
Nang Mil
TAH and compensation
Dear Editor,
The article in your newspaper titled “Inflated land compensation delays TAH, Govt. to expedite land compensation” seems to deprive many of the rights of the affected people due to TAH as required under “The National Highways Act, 1956” under which GoI is allowed to acquire land for the TAH project. I would like to mention few, but very important clauses of “The National Highways Act, 1956” which the GoI or GoAP should follow to do justice to the people affected by TAH. These clauses are also very crucial for the affected people of TAH to know their rights.
GoI declared roads under TAH as national highways in the Gazette of India vide No. S.O 1163(E) on May 2008. But, GoI did not declare all the district roads joining TAH highways as national highways or part of national highways in the Gazette of India vide No. S.O 1163(E). If the GoI or GoAP is to widen all districts roads under TAH project, then it has to first declare all the district roads as national highways or part of national highways under TAH. Without such declaration GoI or GoAP cannot proceed to acquire land along all district roads according to “The National Highways Act, 1956”.
The GoI has not notified its intention for highways under TAH and also, it has not notified its intention to acquire land along all district roads to widen them in the Gazette of India. Without such notification GoI or GoAP cannot survey or acquire land along all district roads according to “The National Highways Act, 1956”.
Since, specifications under 3A was not notified, there was not room for the affected people to appeal and due to lack of appeal many corruption took place as declared by the Guwahati High Court in the case WP(C) No. 153(AP)/2012, which has been attached for your reference.
The GoI declared roads under TAH as national highways on may, 2008 in the Gazette of India according to section 2(2) of “The National Highways Act, 1956”. But failed to make notification according to sections 3A and 3D(1) in the Gazette of India for many segments of TAH roads and all the district roads joining them. According to section 3D(3), if the land acquisition from the affected people through land compensation for national highways is not made within one year from the time GoI or GoAP has declared its intention to acquire land for highways or to widen district roads, then the notification of GoI or GoAP will lapse or become void and nullified. Since, GoI has not yet acquired land along highways and district roads, since its declaration many years ago, the GoI or GoAP has to make fresh declaration to acquire land and then within one year acquire land by paying compensation according to section 3G and 3H of “The National Highways Act, 1956”, otherwise all the preceding declarations of GoI and GoAP stand null and void.
I hope and wish that affected people of TAH, especially ignorant and poor villagers, would download a copy of “The National Highways Act, 1956” to know and claim their rights provided to them by the Constitution of India and to not be fooled and cheated by corrupt officers and public leaders of AP.
Yours,
Takam Tadar,
Delhi University
_____________________________
All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.
-