July 25
‘Hello Doctor’
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Dr. Nabum Budh will reply to the listeners’ queries on Anaemic
diseases and treatments during Arun FM’s (103.1 MHz) live phone-
Listeners may call to the doctor from 8 PM to 8.30 PM (tele: 0360-
Enhancement of APL rice sought
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Informing that the monthly allocation of Rice for APL in Lohit district is far less than the ration card based requirements, the state consultative member, Food Corporation of India, Drengso Pul has called for its enhancement. He has written to the minister food and civil supply in this regard.
While also informing that supply of other PDS items such as Sugar, Wheat and Salt was stopped in 2013, he asked for resuming the supply with immediate effects.
Patanjali Arogya Kendra inaugurated
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The PHE & WS minister Takam Pario yesterday inaugurated a new Patanjali Arogya Kendra at Akashdeep market. The new store run by Itanagar based Melody Traders will cater all grocery products of Patanjali.
Inaugurating the Patanjali Arogya Kendra, PHE minister assured his full support for the business community of Capital Complex.
Dr AK Pandey who is the in charge of Patanjali Arogya Kendra Arunachal informed that Patanjali products are made of natural resources and people will benefit from using it.
School without sufficient teachers
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Seijosa under East Kameng district
is running short of teaching and non-
Providing a copy of the information obtained from the School Principal, the Seijosa ZPM in a release said that the school is running without senior Economics teacher since 2013 and Chemistry teacher since April this year. Further, the school has no Junior Teachers for PCB, English, Music and Social Science, the ZPM said.
Adding to the students’ problem, the Junior Teachers of PCM and Hindi are retiring in September this year, the ZPM said. He also informed that Senior Mathematics teacher is on maternity leave since last month. Moreover, one post of LDC and Peon/CCM each is also lying vacant since 2010, whereas one UDC is on leave since February this year. Further, no Vice Principal has been posted in the school since August 2011, he added.
One can easily understand the plight of the students and the school under such situation, the ZPM said, and appealed to the higher authority of the Education Department to do the needful for early posting of required teachers and other staff.
Film growth in Arunachal encouraging: Chatung
ITANAGAR, July 24: With the release of three feature films in the recent past, the growth of film in Arunachal Pradesh is commendable and encouraging, said Taro Chatung, President of Arunachal Film Federation (AFF) here today.
Within this month three feature films titled “Diinsoping”, “Hiimii” and “Itanagar 0 km” have been released. While “Diinsoping” and “Hiimii” in Apatani dialect were released on July 1 at Ziro, the third one “Itanagar 0 km” produced in Hindi language by Alison Welly was released in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh on July 11. Film lovers response and marketing of the films in Arunachal were very good, Chatung said.
Another film titled “Mwangkar” produced by Chopa Cheda, Mepu Phassang (Cheda) with
co-
In fact, all the producers and co-
Dolo calls for quality education
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: MLA cum Principal Advisor to the CM, Kameng Dolo today emphasised
on quality education for benefiting the society. He was speaking on the occasion
of the XII-
Expressing his dismay over the growing indiscipline amongst the student’s community, he exhorted the student leaders to take lead role for motivating the students to devote their time for their studies. He urged the students to refrain from involving in destructive activities which would spoil their future, adding that there is no short cut for achieving success in one’s life.
He later awarded merit certificates with cash amounts to the academic toppers and
other achievers in APJEE, NE-
Enquiry against curtailment of PDS rice demanded
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) Upper Siang district today appealed to the Director, Food and Civil Supply Department to conduct an enquiry into alleged curtailment of PDS rice distribution to the ration card holders in the district.
Various Fair Price Shops (FPSs) within the district are issuing only 18 kgs of rice to each card holders against the actual allotment of 35 kg, AAPLU unit said. When 35 kgs of rice is not enough even for a week for a family, curtailment of the same is further aggravating the problems, the Union said. It further alleged that FPSs are also not distributing Wheat, Maize, Sugar etc. to the card owners.
Claiming that black marketing may be cause of meager distribution of PDS rice, it urged the department to conduct an initiate an enquiry if required to unearth the actual facts.
Steering committee stresses on intensifying IDCF
AALO, Jul 24: The district level Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight Steering Committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of West Siang Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu at his office chamber today.
Addressing the gathering, the DC has given specific instructions to all administrative officers to attend the inaugural functions of the IDCF at their respective places to encourage the people. He also instructed the health department to involve children of the private schools and Anganwadis for grand success of the programme.
DMO, Dr. Marbom Basar and DFWO Dr. Kengo Ori disclosed that the programme from 27th July to 8th August is aimed to improve awareness generation on use of ORS and Zinc in childhood towards achieving ultimate goal of zero childhood Diarrhea deaths. Key activities like home visits by ASHAs, promotional prescription of ORS and Zinc, ORS and Zinc corners for children, hand washing techniques, child feeding will be integral part of the programme.
DDSE, Dy. Director ICDS and officers from the medical department attended the function. DIPRO
District e-
SEPPA, Jul 24: A meeting of district e-
In the meeting, DLO-
It was further decided in the meeting to soon start internet point at Bana and Chayang
Tajo simultaneously with integration of kiosk facilities provided by the banks, rebuilding/renovation
of CICs of Seppa, Chayang Tajo, Bameng and Pakke-
Extra seat for ST students at AUD
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Responding to a petition filed by North-
Eligible candidates will be offered admission in order of merit.
NEFIS on July 13 and 23 had protested against denial of reservation for ST students from outside NCT, Delhi for admission in undergraduate courses in Ambedkar University.
News Impact
Unaccountable PWD Aalo and Mechukha divisions in West Siang bend rules
CAG Report
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The Public Works Department, one of the least respected government departments in the state has done it again. This time West Siang is under the scanner of Comptroller and Auditor General because of unexplainable work ethics chosen by the department.
Due to execution of formation cutting work departmentally, Executive Engineer, PWD Aalo Division incurred avoidable expenditure of Rs. 98.60 lakh. Besides, the contractor was paid an extra Rs.16 lakh due to overlapping of Chainage in formation cutting.
The work for Nyorak to Rime-
Scrutiny of records of the Executive Engineer, PWD Aalo Division (September 2014),
revealed that out of 9.200 km of formation cutting work (including clearance of grass,
removing of rubbish and cutting of trees), 5.700 km (Chainage 3.500 km to 9.200 km)
was awarded to M/s Siang Engineering by way of two lump sum agreements at Rs. 20
lakh per km. The construction firm commenced work in February 2008 and completed
it in March 2009, for which it was paid Rs.1.30 crore. Formation cutting work of
the remaining Chainage -
Had the Division awarded the work to the same construction firm (M/s Siang Engineering) by way of lump sum contract, the total expenditure for formation cutting would have been Rs.184 lakh calculated at the lump sum rate of Rs 20 lakh per km. Thus, by executing the work departmentally, the Division incurred extra expenditure of Rs.98.60 lakh (Rs 282.60 – Rs. 184 lakh).
Further, it was noticed that the 1st lump sum agreement was made with the firm (M/s Siang Engineering) from Chainage 3.500 km to 5.00 km (1.50 km), and accordingly, the firm was paid Rs.30 lakh (@ Rs. 20 lakh per km). The 2nd lump sum agreement was made with the firm for Chainage 4.200 km to 9.200 km at a cost of Rs. 100 lakh. Thus, the firm was paid twice for Chainage 4.200 to 5.00 km (0.80 km). Due to overlapping of Chainage, the Division incurred extra expenditure of Rs. 16 lakh (20 lakh x 0.80 km).
Due to excess expenditure of Rs. 98.60 lakh incurred on formation cutting, the Division reduced the scope of the technically approved RCC Bridge from a span of 30 metres to 24 metre, without assigning any reason. In addition, some other components of work were either less executed or not at all executed. Thus, compromises in quantity of some items of work were made due to deviation from the estimated provision so that the total cost of work could be restricted within the sanctioned cost while execution. This ia bound to adversely affect on the quality of the work.
The matter was reported to the Government in October 2014 and their reply is awaited (March 2015).
Due to execution of earthwork by manual means on maintenance of roads approachable by mechanical means, the Executive Engineer, PWD Aalo Division incurred an excess expenditure of Rs. 61.79 lakh.
Scrutiny of records of the Executive Engineer, PWD Aalo Division (September 2014), revealed that from February to March 2014, the Division incurred Rs 2.13 crore on execution of earthwork.
Arunachal Pradesh Schedule of Rates (APSoR), 2010 was adopted for execution of 62,275.11 cum of earthwork.
Rs 2.13 crore was incurred on maintenance work of Lipu Bagra to Jeye Bagra via Pigi Bagra Village and maintenance of Road from Higi Bagra to Jeye Bagra Village (5.00 km). The amount was paid at the rate of Rs 279.50 per cum with 22.5 per cent Cost Index over the APSoR 2010 rate, applicable for manual labour rate.
Excavation work was executed for maintenance of the two existing roads. Since the roads were approachable by mechanical means, the Division could have executed the work by engaging machinery at rates much lower than manual labour rates. Had this been done, the Division could have restricted the expenditure to Rs 1.51 crore.
Thus, the Division incurred extra expenditure of Rs 61.79 lakh (Rs 2.13 – Rs 1.51 crore) due to execution of work through manual instead of mechanical means. Response of the Government was awaited as on March 2015.
Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Mechukha Division admitted the doubtful claim for carriage of 33.26 MT steel fabricated plates which led to payment of inadmissible head load charges of Rs. 22.36 lakh. Further, an excess expenditure of Rs. 48.61 lakh was incurred on head load charges due to allowing higher rate while making payment. As a result, abutment work of the bridge was not executed raising doubt about the construction of the bridge itself.
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh accorded (September 2011) administrative approval
and expenditure sanction of Rs 1.99 crore new construction of Porter Tracks, Foot
Suspension Bridge, Log Bridge on strategically important Border Tracks leading to
Indo-
The project was funded through ‘Special Plan Assistance’ from Government of India.
Scrutiny (September 2014) of records of the Executive Engineer, PWD Mechukha Division, revealed that the work was stated to have been completed in March 2013 at a total cost of Rs 2.12 crore, which included Rs 62.09 lakh towards head load carriage charges of 92.35MT of fabricated steel plates from the road site to work site.
Further scrutiny revealed that:
• The fabricator (M/S B.W. and Co, Pasighat) delivered (February -
• Of the 92.35 MT, without authorisation or recorded reasons, the payment was made at higher rate of Rs 2.60 per km/kg for transportation of the remaining quantity of 61.84 MT by head, incurring excess expenses of Rs 48.61 lakh.
• Further, the abutment work of the bridge, for which there was a provision of Rs 80.46 lakh in the estimate, was not executed at all. Thus, constructed bridge was doubtful. The government had not responded as on March 2015 even though the matter was reported to the Government in October 2014.
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Nine cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have been detected so far at Arunachal State Hospital (ASH).
Nine out of the 13 blood samples collected from suspected JE cases have been tested positive for JE virus and all of them are children aged between 11 months to 10 years, informed State Epidemiologist Dr. L Jampa.
The state health authority recently issued high alert following death of a 7-
One more suspected JE case from Kolaptukar village of Dollungmukh area is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Naharlagun, Dr. Jampa informed.
He said that the report of 15 JE cases in Dollungmukh area as reported in ‘The Arunachal Times’, is being verified by an investigating team of IDSP and DVBDCP from Ziro at Dollungmukh.
The IRS team has already started ‘Indoor Residual Spray’ operation at Dollungmukh which will be carried out at Kolaptukar village (Upper & Lower) from where the JE cases are originating from.
Our Ruksin Correspondent adds: Several cases of JE and Dengue are also reported in Ruksin and foothill areas bordering Assam.
According to the medical officers of Ruksin hospital (CHC), many patients with symptoms of Dengue fever and Acute Encephalitic Syndrome (AES) have been referred to Pasighat General Hospital for diagnosis.
A private run Hospital and Diagnostic Centre at Ruksin tested blood samples of 100 patients out of which 20 were tested positive for Dengue. However, samples were sent to Pasighat for ELISA test for confirmation.
“We are directed to refer any suspected Dengue case to Pasighat for diagnosis,” said Dr N Kadu, a senior medical officer of Ruksin.
Twelve AES cases were also reported from neighbouring Jonai, Assam with three deaths.
Expressing apprehension over the probability of Dengue outbreak, the boundary dwellers urged the health department to tackle the disease with utmost care. The villagers here have urged the panchayat leaders to press the health department for prompt control measure.
The people of Ruksin, Rayang, Debing and Nari-
Acute shortage of LPG cylinders at Pasighat
PASIGHAT, Jul 24: The people of Pasighat and its adjoining villages are facing acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders for the last two months. Long queues are seen every day in front of M/s Sango Gas Agency, Pasighat since early morning, only to return empty handed. They are told to wait at least for 60 days to get a filled cylinder due to shortages in supply from the Kimin Bottling Plant.
The Manager of M/s Sango Gas Agency, Pasighat informed that there are 15,663 registered consumers in the district but Kimin Bottling Plant has supplied only 4,434 in April, 5,146 in May, 4,164 in June and 2,946 cylinders till filing of this report. Such short supply is causing immense hardship to the consumers.
He further informed that talks between the IOC authority and the local distributor failed to produce a breakthrough. Transportation of LPG cylinders from Bottling Plant to Distributors is purely under the IOC, but the IOC has confirmed their inability saying that out of 30 trucks, only 13 numbers are plying on the road and they are waiting for a fresh tender process since 2014. The Manager further informed that the proprietor of M/s Sango Gas Agency has held several meetings with the IOC officials (LPG) NEISO, Guwahati, Assam and proposed to engage the distributor’s own truck as per the earlier approved rate fixed by the IOC to streamline the supply system. The problem being faced by the consumers due to short supply of LPG cylinders was also appraised to the Plant Manager of Kimin Bottling Plant by the District Food & Civil Supply Officer Bijoy Pertin on June 25 last but no fruitful result has come out till date. DIPRO
East and West Kameng plunge into darkness
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Bomdila and Seppa plunged into complete darkness following disruption
in Power supply from 132/33kV, 5x3MVA Sub-
According to the Executive Engineer (E), Bomdila Elect Division, power supply from
the 132/33kV, 5x3MVA Sub-
Both the district headquarters had experienced power crisis a week ago due to the same fault, the EE informed. The substation is being maintained by NEEPCO.
An engineer from ‘Mega Elect’ is reportedly proceeding to Khuppi from Tezpur, Assam on request to attend the fault, the EE said.
Parents of dead IRBn jawan suspect foul play
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The parents of IRBn jawan Nabam Regang who died under mysterious circumstances at PTC on 18th of this month has raised serious questions over the way the whole incident was handled by PTC officials. In a press release, the father of late Regang alleged that his son died due to negligence of PTC Principal and PTC officials.
“The PTC official said he died after falling from a building. We want to ask who had seen him falling and who was the first person to see him lying unconscious? No shoe or either a slipper was found at the site. Also no bloodstain was found at the site. His body was rubbed with sand which further raise suspicion about the circumstances that led to his death,” said Nabam Tadap, father of the deceased. He further added, “The PTC officials should tell us who were the guards engaged on the night of the incident? All the personnel who were on duty should be thoroughly investigated. We would like to ask why Principal PTC did not promptly provide ambulance after the incident. Police personnel repeatedly knocked his door to inform but he was not responsive.” The father also alleged that the doctor and medical staff did not give timely treatment. “The principal of PTC should be terminated for negligence and also to ensure fair probe into the incident. The concern medical officer and guards who were on duty that night should also be terminated immediately”, added Tadap.
Meanwhile All Silsango Youth Association has demanded the state government to suspend the principal, doctor and other officials of PTC Banderdewa for their failure to save the life of IRBn jawan Nabam Regang. The association has also appealed the state government to set up Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged murder case.
PPA asks Governor to take over governance
ITANAGAR, Jul 24: The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has urged upon the Governor to assume the task of governing the state saying that the Nabam Tuki led state government has lost public confidence. The party members today met the Governor and submitted a memorandum asking him to apply the special power conferred upon him. The members also discussed issues pertaining to political defection of legislators in the state, corruption, pathetic condition of roads and the delayed project of Greenfield airport.
It alleged that democracy is being silenced using public money.
The legislators questioning the dictatorial and non transparent policies are threatened with non sanction of development funds, it said.
Army recruitment for Arunachal Scouts
NAHARLAGUN, Jul 24: The Ministry of Defence will shortly conduct special recruitment rallies for candidates of Arunachal Pradesh for recruitment of General Duty and technical posts in Indian Army for raising the Arunachal Scouts at Tawang, Likabali and Tezu.
The recruitment rally will be held for 450 posts of general duty and 250 technical posts. The minimum educational qualifications for the posts of General Duty and Technical posts are class 8 and Class 12 (10+2) pass.
Interested candidates will have to register themselves online and file application by logging on to the official website of Directorate General of Recruiting of Indian Army : www.joinindianarmy.nic.in .They can further visit official website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in or contact respective Deputy Commissioners’ office and Directorate of IPR, Naharlagun for further details. DIPR
Prepare plan for climate change expeditiously: NGT to states
New Delhi, Jul 24: The National Green Tribunal has directed the states and Union Territories to "expeditiously" prepare their action plans on climate change in according with the Centre's guidelines and get them approved by the Environment Ministry.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also slammed the Ministry
of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for dilly-
The directions came after MoEF told the green panel that the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) was already in force and it has requested the states and UTs to implement and act in accordance with the said plan.
"The states have already been requested to bring the State Action Plan in conformity with the National Action Plan," the ministry said.
"In view of the above circumstances, we dispose of this application with a direction to the state governments to comply with the directions issued by the MoEF and prepare their respective draft plan and get the same approved expeditiously," the bench said.
Several states like Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Nagaland and Manipur and Union Territories of Lakhshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have already prepared their action plans which have been approved by MoEF as well, the ministry added.
The green panel was hearing a plea by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal seeking directions to place on record the relevant documents relating to steps taken by the Centre and states in order to implement NAPCC. The plea had also contended that the state governments should be restrained from acting in violation of NAPCC.
"There is a conflict of interest between the central government and various states of the country and because of the same an important plan like NAPCC has failed to get implemented in its true letter and spirit," it had said. PTI
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All rights reserved.
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Don’t patronage criminals
After a brief lull, the crime against woman is once again on the rise in the state.
Two recent incidents of rape and an attempt to rape have shocked the people of Arunachal.
A minor girl was allegedly raped by three boys at Dumporijo under Upper Subansiri
district on 8th of this month. All the three boys who are locals of the area have
been granted bail and are currently alleged to be roaming freely. The victim’s family
alleged that accused trio easily got bail. The Dumporijo incident was followed by
another incident of attempt to rape on an elderly woman aged between 55-
Unfortunately in recent year many incidents of rape have been reported from Likabali
area which shares porous border with Assam. The local alleges that due to lackadaisical
attitude of district administration in particularly police department many non-
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Enforce preservation laws
Dear Editor,
The Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill 2015 passed by 6th Arunachal Legislative Assembly on 4th day of Budget Session from 7th to 21st July 2015 should be hailed as historic legislation as the bill has sufficient provisions for conservation and protection of heritage sites abundant in this part of the country. A similar bill called “The Arunachal Pradesh Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites And Remains Preservation Act 1990” too was passed by the Arunachal Pradesh provisional Legislative Assembly way back in the 24th of June, 1987 & became an act (No.4 1990) with the assent by the President of India on 5th May, 1990. The Heritage bill 2015 is more relevant in the present context with lands becoming more precious in cost values than natural frameworks. Geography is said to be the permanent framework of history but in Arunachal it seems to be a temporary framework of history with people alternating everything with newer concept of frameworks.
Generally, an act of parliament or legislative assembly is required to declare any ancient monument or heritage of universal object value as protected monument, heritage or archaeological site for the purpose of their conservation & protection. The Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill 2015 moved by Thangwang Wangham, Minister of Cultural Affairs, GoAP & passed by the 6th Legislative Assembly on July 9 last too was aimed at providing an act with provisions for conservation and protection of heritage sites including buildings, artefacts, structures, areas, streets & precincts of historic, cultural or environmental significance and sites of scenic beauty.
Arunachal Pradesh known in the ancient times as Prabhu Pahar has the highest heritage
sites yet unexplored by any and these includes the natural heritages of cultural
& environmental significance & various pre-
As such, the bill was tabled & passed at a critical juncture when everything that actually have glory past and are of immense importance to us are in the verge of sudden extinctions and when government intervention was felt unavoidably must to slow down such massive destructive activities endangering the precious gifts of nature on mankind. The act so enacted should not merely remain in papers but be effectively enforced for greater causes.
Yours,
Bengia Kabnang
Naharlagun
Toughen the exam system
Dear Editor,
I would like to share the confusion going on among the college students because of the constant changes and introduction of new rules by the Rajiv Gandhi University regarding under graduate programme.
New programmes like special exam, super special exam sounds absurd. Besides up gradation of students to next class in spite of being failed is also one of the loopholes. Moreover, new procedure to take up honours subject is far more insignificant. Other universities like NEHU, DU intakes students in honours programme in the very first year which is very valid because students should be given at least two three yars to be acquainted with the subject in which they specialize. But on the contrary, the new system of RGU has the honours programme only in final year which means student can study their honours subject only for one year. All such above changes has decreased the credibility of study.
Many college goers have started to take the exams lightly as they too know that they will get number of chances in name of special exam, super special exam. And who knows more chances may be created by RGU named as super duper special exam. Being the highest learning institute of the state, RGU should look into such sensitive loopholes and consequences.
In fact, it should establish new rules which will compel the student to study hard instead of providing chances for mere graduation which will only be for namesake.
Yours,
Anjali Siga
Rajiv Gandhi University,
Rono Hill
Improve BSNL connectivity
Dear Editor,
The people of Pangin Town are experiencing poor mobile phone network facility. BSNL authority should think for the improvisation of network
in all the district head quarters of Arunachal Pradesh and special care should be taken for the new district. Landline facility should be restored at the earliest so that fax facility can be restored. Due to lack of landline facilities important dak are delayed which hampers day to day official correspondence.
Yours,
Raja Padung
Assistant General Secretary
Siang District Development Committee
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