The Arunachal Times - Archives

Trans Arunachal and Stillwell Road on top priority

ITANAGAR, June 30: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has proposed to accord top most priority to the development of road infrastructure in North East and Jammu & Kashmir states in its 100-day agenda. The Ministry, in its agenda, submitted to the Prime Minister’s office has also given an action plan to fast track 30 PPP sub -projects so as to get all clearances before the end of September and put them for awarding. This is especially important as the approval of the PPP projects involves approvals from the various Ministries.

Better and enhanced connectivity to North-East states is envisaged in the Action Plan. Strict time lines for the various projects in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and Mizoram have been submitted to the Prime Minister’s office in this regard.

The important projects include time lines for awarding of the contracts for two-laning of trans-Arunachal Highway from Nechipu to Hoj (311 km) and Potin to Pangin (407 km) estimated at Rs.1172.50 crore and Rs.1566.25 crore respectively both on BOT annuity basis is proposed by the end of August, 2009.

Another project relating to improvement of Stillwell road in Arunachal Pradesh (33 km) on cash contract basis with a project cost Rs.91.25 crore is proposed to be awarded by 31st July, 2009. Improvement to 2-laning of NH-154 in Assam to connect to remote areas with a project cost Rs.71 crore is proposed to be awarded by 31st July, 2009.

The Ministry has also included plan for construction of new 2-lane highway/improvement of existing national highways to 2-lanes paved shoulders in Dibrugarh and Tinsukhia Districts.

With aim to construct 7000 km of road per year, in the action plan submitted, the Ministry has fixed time-lines for the various approvals and it is expected that 30 projects will be awarded as result of these clearances. The Ministry has submitted that the completion of the appraisal by Planning Commission will be completed by 31st July and approval of the CCEA will be sought by the end of September. This would ensure that the projects are ready for awarding at the earliest.

The action plan aspires to give impetus to the infrastructure sector and also addresses the critical issue of road infrastructure and connectivity in the states of North-East. (PIB)

Bomdila on cleanliness spree

BOMDILA, June 30: More than 36 metric tones of heterogeneous waste materials accumulated on the roads and drains have been cleaned and disposed-off at the landfill site in Bomdila, West Kameng.

The mass social service cum total sanitation drive was conducted on Saturday last under the banner Join us to keep Bomdila clean.

Students, Public, Bazaar youths, Shopkeepers, teachers, Bazaar Committee, Central Govt. employees of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and the Officers and officials of the entire district headquarter came together and carried out the task.

All choked drains of the towns area has been cleared for smooth passage of the rainwater, as a precaution to combat flash flood in monsoon.

Spearheading the mass social service and the total sanitation drive, the Deputy Commissioner Swati Sharma, asked the officials of the Border Road Organization (BRO) to clean all the choked roadside drains under their disposal within a week’s time. Later, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by the BRO officials, ADC, UPO and the Town Magistrate jointly inspected the BRO road in the township area and impressed upon the BRO officials for early and advance disaster management works, as the area is prone to landslides.

Earlier, the DC along with the ADC and UPO, inspected the market areas and had a meeting with the market committee and Shopkeepers.

Briefing the objectives of the interaction, ADC R. Tashi warned of stern action as per the established law on grounds of non-compliance. Keeping in view the tourism potentialities of the area, the Deputy Commissioner directed against using of polythene and plastics as it is a non bio-degradable substance and hazardous in the long run. She also stressed on using of bamboo made dustbins by all, as it is more environment friendly. The next mass social service cum total sanitation drive in the district headquarters, have been slated for 4th of July, which would be joined by the BRO officials with their men and machineries. (DIPRO)

District Level Farm Training cum Demonstration on Solid Waste Management

ITANAGAR, June 30: Action-Aid-Society Arunachal (AASA) conducted District Level Farm Training-cum-Demonstration on Solid Waste Management in Borum I & II Norchi, Tarajuli and Kemchi of Papum Parem in which 78 farmers participated.

Apart from class room session, Organic farming practice were also demonstrated practically by Nabom Tago, the leader of Borum Farmers Club who adopted organic farming and encouraged his fellow farmers to adopt the same after attending the organic farming training conducted by AASA last year.

When asked about the economic viability of the organic farming he says it is the cheapest investment with good income. We don’t have to invest anything accept our one day labour to construct compost pit which is made of bamboo and leaves which is easily available in our home yard while the technology and earth worm is freely provided by AASA in collaboration with RRL Itanagar, he informed.

Project Director ATMA N.Pertin while briefing the objective of ATMA said that it was trying its best to meet the objective of the Programme (ATMA) but our endeavor can only be successful when farmers come forward.

S.Teetu Yoka (President AASA) while thanking the various institution ATMA, (Department of Agriculture),RLL Jorhat & NABARD Itanagar, CSD Imphal & SIRD Itanagar who extended necessary support direct or indirectly in the endeavourers of AASA’s rural upliftment Programme. The training concluded with the submission of annual agriculture action plan by each villages for the year or monthly activities plan and support they expected from AASA to execute that plan.

New DC at East Kameng welcomed

ITANAGAR, June 30: Yangfo Welfare Society (YWS), has welcomed the joining of new East Kameng Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu who joined office on Monday.

In a press release today, YWS general secretary Honipa Sono Yangfo said that the young, dedicated and efficient officer’s service would be of immense help to the denizen of East Kameng district which is acknowledged as one of the most backward district.

Ligu, prior to this, had held the post of Director Tourism, Deputy Secretary Power, Project Director DRDA and was the batch topper in APPSCE.

Meanwhile, the YWS while assuring to extend its full cooperation in any developmental activity being carried out under his initiative has urged the new DC to lay more emphasis on the educational development as East Kameng is known for lowest literacy rate.

The Itanagar Capital District BJP President, Dr. Biman Natung congratulated Pige Ligu on being promoted and appointed as Deputy Commissioner of East Kameng. He expressed the hope that Ligu tenure will bring positive development in the District.

Dr. Natung further appealed to the people of the District to cooperate with the newly appointed D.C.

All Nyishi Students ’ Union, Upper Subansiri Unit congratulated Pige Ligu on being promoted to the post of Deputy Commissioner, East Kameng District.

PHC building inaugurated at Thrizino

ITANAGAR, June 30: A new building of Thrizino PHC was inaugurated by MLA Naresh Glow on June 29. Besides OPD, Indoor, Ambulance, Immunization and different RCH services; Thrizino PHC also provides emergency service anytime.

Glow and Deputy Commissioner, West Kameng Swati Sharma, appreciated the work of VHAI as the PHC is managed well under PPP project of NRHM since January 2006.

VHAI’s senior manager Ajay Tripathy thanked the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and people of Thrizino for their wholehearted support and cooperation.

A new school building was also inaugurated on the same day at Thrizino by the MLA.

Both the buildings were constructed under SPA at an approximate cost of Rupees Eighteen Lakh each.

Later addressing the public Deputy Commissioner mentioned that both Health and Education are the priority of Government, and she asked the departments to serve the people with utmost dedication.

Glow, after listening to various demands presented through a memorandum, assured the public that that he would continue to do his duty to fulfill the needs of Thrizino area.

Nirupama Rao to be the next Foreign Secretary

New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Ms Nirupama Rao as the next Foreign Secretary and M N Prasad as the Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.

Rao, an IFS officer of 1973 batch, is presently Ambassador of India to China and posted in Beijing. She would take over as the Foreign Secretary on the retirement of the present incumbent Shivshankar Menon on July 31, 2009.

Prasad, an IAS officer of Bihar cadre of 1972 batch has been appointed as Secretary in the PMO on contract basis, in the rank, pay and status of Secretary to the Government with effect from July 1 until further orders, an official release said here today. UNI

LM & consumer affairs’s Mobile inspection team

ITANAGAR: A Mobile Inspection team have been constituted to undertake inspection, search and seizure of irregular weights and measures, weighing & measuring instruments, packaged commodity items under the working jurisdiction of the inspectorates of Itanagar and Naharlagun with Minte Siga, Assistant Controller, J. Taijong, Assistant Controller and Taba Tabin, Inspector.

Seminar

ITANAGAR: Aruna-chal Pradesh Medical Council in Collaboration with the Centre of Medical and Sales Representatives Union, North East Region would organize a seminar on ‘Pharmaceutical Industry and Medical Practitioners on Service of Patients and Public’ on July 4’ at the Directorate of Health Services, Naharlagun.

The guest speaker would be Amitava Guha, Joint General Secretary, Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India.

SBI foundation day

ITANAGAR: State Bank of India, Itanagar Branch will celebrate its foundation day with the students of hearing and visually impaired students of Donyi-Polo Mission School for hearing impaired, Chimpu, Itanagar on July 1 at DP Mission School, Chimpu.

(Readers’ Forum)

Tuting circle need attention of govt

Madam,

It is a matter of great concern that when the whole of the state is witnessing development in every sphere, there is no development in some places of the state.

Tuting circle, consists of 21 villages in Upper Siang district. One has to reach his village by covering a distance of 94 km on foot from Tuting to Singa. These places are deprived of developmental facilities like rural electrification, rural road, health centre, schools and community hall with proper and sufficient infrastructure.

What to talk about prices of commodities. A kg of salf cost Rs 60, a cement bag cost Rs 2000-3000 (including carrying charge from Tuting). The only sortie provided by the Govt is rarely available in a month.

We are still lagging behind in all developments like construction of road up to Singa/Gelling circle either by the state/Central Govts under various schemes and trans-Arunachal Highway.

We are really depressed about the non-initiative of any big project either by the elected representative or the by state Govt, though it was the home constituency of the former chief minister who represented us for many years.

There is no telecommunication system in Singa/Gelling/Palin/Migging circle till date though the whole world is boasting of hi tech facilities. There is a BSNL tower in Tuting, it too plays a nightmare with its consumers.

Therefore, I would like to request all the authorities to take some measures to minimize the grievances of the people of the area so that they can see the light of development.

Yours,

Tsepa Wangchu Khamba

Singa village

Upper Siang

Arunachal needs cancer hospital

Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities, NGOs and general public towards the graveness faced by the families of a cancer patient who breathed his last at Guwahati Medical College on June 12.

The word ‘cancer’ itself sounds very painful. The medicine for the cancer patients involves lakhs of rupees; it is very difficult for poor and general public to bear the expenses of the medicines. Therefore, the Central Govt provides the medicines for cancer patients. Even, Guwahati Medical College, where the poor patients from all the North East get treatment, fails to provide best treatment due to high cost of medicine.

If we apply for medical advances for treatment of the patients, the process takes long time and sometimes we fail to get the advance, and after treatment if we submit for reimbursement only some percentage is paid with an excuse of inadequate fund.

The cancer patients can be saved if the disease is diagnosed and treated at its initial stage.

Since our state lacks modern facilities for early detection of cancer and its treatment, detection of the disease in highly sophisticated hospitals in other states in later stage holds no good.

Therefore, I earnestly request the state Govt to set up a cancer hospital in the state in the greater interest of the poor and helpless patients. I also request the NGOs, and general people to realize the plight of the cancer patients and come forward to help them. I am also one of the members of victim families of the horrible disease. After struggling for more then a year, finally on June 12, my brother took his last breath at Guwahati Medical College. We request the cancer patients not to get demoralized and fight the disease.

Yours,

Liken Noshi

Kamba village

Along

Misappropriation of project fund

Madam,

The central Govt has released an amount of Rs 82,50,000 to project director DRDA Lower Subansiri under Hariyali Project No VIII (particularly for Pel Milli and Hach Milli in Raga area). The total amount of the project including the state matching share Rs 7,50,000 was Rs 90,00.000 lakh. Out of the amount, the beneficiaries of Pel Milli and Hach Milli got a sum of Rs 40,86,000. Now the question is where the rest amount of Rs 49,14,000 has gone ?

According to Hariyali guideline Van Rakshaks also get honorarium from PIA level on monthly basis. But still the Van Rakshaks are facing problem due to non-payment of honorarium. And the people also did not get any training from PIA as per the guidelines, the training they received was only from by V K Sharma, SIRD Itanagar during 2007.

Further, I want to say that there is no involvement of local MLA Nido Pavitro in misappropriation of hariyali project fund. We thank him for bringing such centrally sponsored scheme in our area.

Yours,

Milli Matop

Raga, Lower Subansiri district.

Clarification

Madam,

Apropos the letter published in your esteemed daily on June 27 involving Legal Metrology Department, I on behalf of the department, put forward the following facts for information of common consumers.

The Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs is basically responsible for implementation & enforcement of the Standards of Weights & Measures Act, 1976, Standards of Weights & Measures (Enf) Act, 1985, Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 and the Consumer Protection Act 1986 in the State. Hence, works under Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs Department includes verification/stamping & regulation of weights & measures, weighing and measuring instruments and packaged commodity items. Thus, Enforcement officers under Legal Metrology Department are empowered to carry out inspection, search, seizure and prosecution of cases etc. where any wrongful weighing & measuring is being done besides, where violation to the provisions of packaged commodities rules are detected. It is further to mention here that shortly a mobile team consisting of enforcement officers of the Department are constituted for conducting surprise inspections and raids within the Capital Complex in order to keep vigil and contain malpractices for safety & protection of common consumers.

The Legal Metrology officers have therefore, no command over fixation of rates of essential commodities which is under the control of authorities under District Administration. However, a consumer can bargain on quality, quantity and retail prices to get his money’s worth. He may also lodge complaint to the nearest Inspector of Legal Metrology/Assistant Controller or register his grievances to District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (District Forum) or to the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (State Commission) for redressal.

The voice raised by an elite consumer in your esteemed daily on price hike etc. is appreciable. It is however, desirable that such complains in future, are raised to the concerned and appropriate forum so as to remove any sort of wrong conception & misunderstanding.

Through your esteemed daily, this department however, takes the privilege to assure necessary assistance and guidance to every aggrieved consumer in getting their grievances redressed and to clear the air of confusion wherever necessary.

Yours,

K.P.Tago

Assistant.Controller (Publicity),

Deptt. of Legal

Metrology & CA,

Naharlagun.