June 20

News Impact

• 3rd IRBn personnel face accommodation crisis
• Draft Sports Policy to be finalized on Jun 21
• Org demands judicial enquiry on bridge conditions
• Inefficiency and fund constrain delays double lanning of MC road
• Code of Conduct (CoC) for safe and honourable tourism in Arunachal
• AAPPTF not happy with frequent bandh calls
• Vocational training cum exposure visit for girl students
• Sub-divisional library needs infrastructure
• Awareness campaign on TSC
• Congress celebrates Rahul Gandhi’s birthday
• DLHS 3 and way ahead…..

Training on computerization of stipend management

TEZU, Jun 19: A day-long training programme on Computerization of Stipend Management for Online/Offline submission of data pertaining to stipendiary for the session 2012-2013 was held at BRC Hall here yesterday.

Presiding over the programme,  Lohit Deputy Director of School Education K Rina explained the importance of computerization of stipend management for the government schools.

The resource persons, Abhijit Singh and Krishna Chetry illustrated the stipend management system to upload the data of stipendiaries. They explained about the PIMS in brief.

Trainees from Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw and different blocks and schools of Lohit district participated in the training. DIPRO

 

GASA demands

ITANAGAR, June 19: Guwahati Arunachal Students’ Union (GASA) said that Government of Assam has allotted a plot of land to the Arunachal Govt at Rupnagar for the construction of state Guest House. But still now, construction works  for the guest house is yet to start despite release of Rs.17 Crores by Arunachal  Govt.

It further expressing displeasure over nonpayment of students stipend said that 70% of the  Arunachalee students who are pursing different professional and technical courses in the City are not getting their stipend.

GASA further alleged that DRC is not cooperating with the patients referred from the state. The union said that 90% of the serious medical patients are referred to Guwahati and it’s the sole responsibility of the DRC to guide these patients by entrusting the Medical Attendant under DRC Office.  

But, neither the Medical Attendant nor the DRC feels that it is their responsibility  to help the needy patients. Further, the ambulance provided by MP Takam Sanjay to the DRC for medical emergency services is not equipped with basic facilities including medical staff, they said.

GASA urged the State Government to look into the matter urgently and also appealed to the DRC to co-ordinate with the students’ community and carry out the duties sincerely.

 

HSS Sangram needs attention

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: Kurung Nyobia Youth Association alleged that the infrastructure condition of government higher secondary school, Sangram including boys and girls hostels are in dilapidated condition due to lack of attention from government.

Besides these, there are no senior subject teachers for science, mathematics and history in the school.

It appealed to the local MLA, Deputy Commissioner and DDSE of Kurung Kumey District to look into the matter immediately.

 

DA to initiate action against encroachers, AEKSU calls off bandh

SEPPA Jun19: All East Kameng Students’ Union has called off the June 20 bandh after a meeting with District Administration and Public leaders today.

The meeting presided over by DC Tope Bam, resolved that no allotment will be given by the District Administration to private individuals who occupy Govt. land and govt. premises without authorisation.  The evicted vacant Govt. land should be utilized for the infrastructure development of the Govt.

The District Administration will evict all encroachers in the Govt. establishment and sensitive public places as pointed out by the AEKSU within a period of two months from the date of meeting and the eviction drive will start within 12 days.

Deputy Commissioner has assured the house that all land encroachment and allotment cases will be dealt with as per the provisions of the law & guidelines prescribed by the govt. maintaining strict impartiality.

 

Money for swimming pool is unnecessary

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: Hirik-Hiru Students’ Union highlighting the grievances of Donyi Polo Government College, Kamki termed the spending of huge amount of money in construction of swimming pool at government college, Kamki as unnecessary wastage of money.

Instead of spending huge amount of money in swimming pool the authority should initiate steps for development of other infrastructure in the college, it said.

The union said that the college doesnot have proper classrooms, play ground, auditorium, books and sports facilities even after 16 years of its establishment.

Further, the lecturer quarters are also constructed in SPT type and there is no proper college boundary wall, road connectivity, drainage system apart from scarcity of drinking water in college campus.

Meanwhile, the union welcomed the announcement of development fund for construction of community hall at Gemo Tali and village link road by Health and Family Welfare Minister Atum Welly and Parliamentary Secretary (Health) Nido Pavitra.

 

Hopes from Pinch

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: Nationalist Student Congress (NSC) has expressed hope that re-appointment of Ngurang Pinch as president of Arunachal unit of Nationalist Congress Party will take the party to a new high. NSC hoped that NCP will do well in forthcoming Panchayat election under the able leadership of Pinch.

 

Tree plantation prog

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The central executive team of All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) organized a tree plantation programmes at Urban Development Office complex and district hospital complex at Seppa on June 16. Govt officials and general public participated in the mass tree plantation. Later, the ANYA team organized an awareness programme on traffic rules and road safety measures.

 

Org opposes collection of fees

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: All Arunachal Pradesh Unemployed Youth Organization (AAPUYO) has appealed to the state Govt, particularly the education department to intervene and direct the Govt schools not to take admission fees from the students up to class VIII standard.

Claiming that various schools in the state are collecting admission fees from the students, the organization said collection of fees is against the education policy of the nation and spirit of the Right to Education (RTE) Act which provides for free and compulsory education to all children of age group between of six to fourteen.

 

One dead, four injured

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: One person died at spot while four others injured in Shakti Camp, 12 kilometres from Palin, Kurung Kumey when the vehicle they were travelling went down a deep gorge.

SI  KL Pertin of Sangram Police Station informed that the accident occurred at 2.30 am today.

The dead has been identified as Lokam Taghik, aged about 50 years from Damin village. The vehicle (Scorpio) with registration number AR-0IB-3171 fell atleast 100 metres down the gorge and is yet to be retrieved. Injured have been shifted to R K Mission Hospital, Itanagar.

The SI informed that a case has been registered and investigation launched.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. The vehicle was going from Itanagar to Koloriang when it met with the accident.

 

Disruption in water supply

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The main water supply pipeline to Naharlagun and Nirjuli has been damaged by landslide at Depra Nallah, about  4 km away from Papu-Yupia road on June 18 causing disruption in water supply in the townships, informed  the Naharlagun PHE sub-division Assistant Engineer in a release.

The restoration work is going on war-footing and may take two more days to restore completely; the AE said and requested the consumers to bear with the inconvenience.

 

SSB ex-servicemen's plea to DGP

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The State unit of All India Central Paramilitary Forces Ex-servicemen Welfare Association (AICPMFEWA), in a letter to Directorate General of Police, Arunachal Pradesh appealed for recruitment of  SSB Retired Personnel in AAPBN & IRBN. The association lamented that though SSB have been declared as one of the armed forces of the Union of India by the union ministry of Home Affairs in 2004, the SSB ex-servicemen did not find a mention  in the recent advertisement (No – PHQ/PER/29/2011, Dated –15–6–2012) published in local dailies.

Circulation to this effect were already given to Chief Secretaries of all states, UTS and Director General of all CPMFS, the association claimed and appealed for consideration of retired SSB personnel’s recruitment in AAPBN and IRBN.

 

Double blow to Dibang Valley

Anini, Jun 19: Double blow to people of Dibang Valley as telecommunication failure coupled with road blockade threw normal life completely out gear in the district.

Although  SDO(T), Roing had assured to  restore the landline telephone service within 15 days it remained defunct for the last couple of months causing great inconvenience to the people. Locals blame the numb and inattentive attitude of the BSNL authority for the present situation.  However, deputy commissioner Abu Tayeng has personally taken up the matter with BSNL authority for early restoration of both mobile and landline services.

Meanwhile, it was reported that BRO has started the work to mend the reported damages caused to one of the abutments of Ambuli Bridge connecting the district with the rest of the country.

According to report,  the district administration was successful in bringing few stranded vehicles carrying PDS items to Anini through transshipment. DIPRO

 

Jan Sangharsh Abhiyan Andolan

Itanagar, Jun 19: The Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh unit in a meeting on Sunday decided to join the nationwide agitation (Jan Sangharsh Abhiyan Andolan) demanding complete rollback in petrol price from June 22.

The agitation would take place at state capitals and district headquarters throughout the country.

3rd IRBn personnel face accommodation crisis

Amar Sangno

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: After food and clothing, a shelter is most fundamental requirement for human being’s survival, however, the IRBn personnel deployed at 3rd IRBn Headquarters, Jully, Itanagar have different story to tell.

Due to acute shortage of staff quarters, the personnel and their family members are being forced to find private accommodations outside the headquarters.  

With staff quarters being limited, the authority do not allot quarters to all, which left  them with no option but to opt for rented accommodation in and around twin capital city, which not only burn a big hole in their pockets but also force them to travel long distance to reach their office.

The staff bus to pick the personnel also reportedly fails to reach every nook and corner of the city which compels them to board private commercial vehicles to reach office on time as everyone cannot afford to buy personal vehicle.   

According to a senior officer, on the condition of anonymity, the IRBn headquarters, Jully equipped with a total strength of 808 personnel including officers has got only 160 quarters (84 type-II & 54 type-III) out of which 138 have been allotted to some family and remaining 22 are used for other miscellaneous purposes.

“Even senior officers in the rank of Sub-Inspectors are also compelled to stay outside the campus paying heavy amounts”, he lamented.

Adding to the woes of residents, the place reportedly experiences acute of drinking water. Even those personnel who are fortunate enough to get allotment in staff quarters prefer to go  for alternate arrangements if they can afford it because of the water and other problems, he further informed.

Another constable lamented that there are no proper accommodations for bachelors as well; forcing many of them to share a single room. He said the govt should construct more quarters so that everybody gets accommodation and respite from rented houses which  charges heavy amount. The situation is even more worse for the Jail Wardens deployed at Jully Central Jail,-  as there are no staff quarters at all for 100 wardens who also have a separate set of problems. According to them, jail wardens in the state have been left high and dry with disparity in pay scales and allowances.

Few of them broke their silence and told this correspondent that the govt was meting out partial treatment to them. They say the disparity in pay scale, which is only Rs 2750 against the entitled Rs 3050, is ultimately affecting their morale as they work hard day and night to guard the jail. The govt should consider our woes and do needful to enhance our pay scale like other state police personnel with same educational qualifications as token of encouragement, said one of the wardens.

 

 

Draft Sports Policy to be finalized on Jun 21

M Doley

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The much anticipated Sports Policy would be finalized on June 21 for due approval by the state government.

The 6-member committee constituted for drafting the sports policy headed by Secretary Sports Gamli Padu would be sitting in the office chamber of Parliamentary Secretary and Arunachal Olympic Association president Padi Richo here on June 21 to finalize the Draft Sports Policy, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs DK Dinglow informed. The committee would table the final draft policy before the state government for approval, he added.

A detailed scrutiny of the Draft Sports Policy was done by the officers of Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in consultation with Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) and representatives of various state level sports associations at the Sports and Youth Affairs directorate office, Chimpu here today.

Some of the salient features of the draft sports policy are provision of cash incentive of Rs 3 crore for  Gold medal winners at Olympics, Rs. Two crore for Silver and Rs One crore for Bronze, fund provision of Rs. 20 lakh for holding state level events, Rs. 50 lakh for national level events in the state besides handsome cash incentives for all medal winners of various events at national, international and regional levels, bonus for coaches, pension schemes for outstanding players etc.

Besides the Director of Sports and Youth Affairs today’s scrutiny meeting was attended by Assistant Directors Tadar Apa and Ramesh Lingi, AOA secretary general G Doke, Arunachal Karate Association president Likha Tara, general secretary L Marik, Arunachal Weightlifting Association general secretary Daniel Teli and AOA Assistant Secretary L Sokun Singh. Meanwhile, Dinglow told this reporter that he has already processed file to the state government for providing financial assistance to upcoming tennis player Mingkhi Talom as appealed by his family members and well wishers to undergo training in USA.

It is pertaining to mention here that Mingkhi has been selected from India to undergo training at a tennis academy in USA. But his trip is being delayed mainly due to visa and financial problems, family sources said.

 

 

Org demands judicial enquiry on bridge conditions

Pasighat, Jun 19: Expressing dismay that potholes and cracks have developed recently at Pasighat Bridge popularly known as ‘Raneghat Bridge’, the All Adi Youth Association (AAYA) demanded judicial enquiry against the Mumbai based constructing agency, Gammon India Private Limited (GIPL).

AAYA president Olik Komut while demanding judicial enquiry into matter wondered how the cracks developed even before completion of three years.

Citing the example of flyover at New Delhi under the construction of GIPL which collapsed, Komut appealed the state government not to rope in companies with dubious past for constructing big projects in the state.

Informing that many potholes have developed in the middle of the bridge, he cautioned of impending accidents.  “The once reputed bridge is no more safe because of many potholes, cattle and the young boys performing stunt in the middle of the bridge”, he said.

Further, Komut demanded 24 hours police service to check untoward incident in the bridge.

The bridge also needs overall timely surveillance of its status especially during monsoon by experts, as flooding Siang River might cause irreparable loss.  

  The 763.50 meters bridge was completed in July 2009 at a cost of Rs 2817.50 lakh by BRO through Gammon India Pvt Ltd. About 7 km from Pasighat, the bridge connects Mebo Subdivision of East Siang besides boosting road network of Dibang Valley and Upper Siang districts and Assam.

 

 

Inefficiency and fund constrain delays double lanning of MC road

Pissi Zauing

CHANGLANG, Jun 19: The pace of double lanning of the much awaited 36.10 km Margherita-Changlang road under Sub - Division-III of Changlang PWD is beyond doubt contrary to public expectations.

After local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Thinghap Taiju’s rigorous approach, the lifeline of Changlang was sanctioned in 2010 at an estimated cost of Rs.111.60 crore under Central Road Funds.

Tender was floated well in time and the task of double lanning was officially awarded to Bharatiya and Shivam Joint Venture, Guwahati on July 10, 2011 against their lowest bid amount of Rs. 83.92 crore.

As per the norms laid down in the work order, the double lanning activity is supposed to be completed within the stipulated period of 2 years but the ongoing pace of construction speaks volumes about the efficiency of the executing agency. The possibility of its completion in time might just remain a dream.

However, despite hindrances the widening of at least 22 kms and one layer of GSB along 4.5 km has been completed. The construction of retaining walls and culverts including extension of RCC culverts and replacement of HP culverts with RCC slabs are in progress.

Apart from monsoon’s fury and unavailability of sand and other forest products there are other problems contributing to the delay.

The owners whose tea gardens have been damaged in the widening process have demanded compensation.

Miao Electrical Division has also submitted an invoice of Rs.59 lakhs for shifting and re-construction of transmission distribution lines including the sub-station effected due to the widening.

The 4th Assam Rifles too have served invoice for Rs. 9, 18, 935  for damage of one Mandir (temple), two Memory Stones, one RCC Sentry Post and Barbed Wire Fencing at Yanchick including one Pre-Fabricated building and Check Gate at Longran.

Compensation has also been sought for destruction of optical fibre lines under Department of Tele-Communication.

However, Assistant Engineer PWD Sub-Div III, Changlang  J.S Mallick said that there is no provision under CRF for compensation. Referring to DC’s order,  Mallick said as per laid down norms of the PWD code, the Right of Way (RoW) or land width for major district roads should be 18 mts in hilly terrains but in many places, villagers have started cultivation up to the edge of the hill sides and down slopes without leaving any space for widening and protection of the roads. Therefore, 9 mts on hill side and 9 mts on valley side from the central line of the road belong to PWD, he said.

When Changlang (N) local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Thinghap Taiju was asked about the progress of his dream project, he expressed dissatisfaction at the snail pace of construction and voiced apprehension at timely completion.

He informed that there are 29 ongoing projects under CRF in the state including M-C Road against which the Centre provides only Rs. 39 crores annually which is distributed to all the projects.

If the trend of the existing funding pattern continues, it would be practically impossible to complete the works within the stipulated period. The funds received are too meager in comparison to the huge size of work, Taiju stated while informing that the Chief Minister has been apprised of the shortcomings.

Not even 1/4 of the machineries required can be spotted along the work site. Funding pattern can be a problem but the rumours of underground elements hindering the progress of work cannot be an excuse as the executing agency in question grabbed the contract after knowing well the situation prevailing in the district. Astonishingly, the higher-ups of Bharatiya and Shivam Joint Venture, Guwahati have never been seen visiting the work site.

 

 

Code of Conduct (CoC) for safe and honourable tourism in Arunachal

Itanagar, Jun 19: Various stakeholders of the Tourism industry in Arunachal Pradesh today vowed not to encourage sex-tourism in the state to prevent exploitation of children and women.

More than 40 hoteliers, tour operators and taxi operators during the day-long consultation on ‘encouraging responsible tourism by engaging stakeholders’ took a pledge to implement the Code of Conduct (CoC) for safe and honourable tourism in the state.

The Code of Conduct for safe and honourable tourism was adopted by the Centre on July 2010.           

“We will take the necessary actions towards incorporating into our operations the criteria like informing and training of all personnel on the Code of Conduct, creating public and industry awareness of the CoC and enact ethical business practices and marketing,” the stakeholders promised. They also asserted to regulate the use of premises and official equipments to prohibit sex tourism and the exploitation of women and children besides implementing and monitoring of the practices outlined in the CoC.

Most of the participants in the consultation advocated for strict implementation of the Code of Conduct in the state in order to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the indigenous tribal population.

“When we lost our dignity no amount of money can buy it back,” commented Parliamentary secretary for Tourism Passang Dorjee Sona.

He urged all and sundry to put concerted efforts in checking human trafficking in the tourism industry and to sensitize all stakeholders on safe and honourable tourism.

Stating that North East region was fast changing into a favourite torurist destination of the country, Team member of Impulse NGO Network, Shillong Elissa Makkinen informed that half of the children population in India was sexually abused every year.

The consultation was organized by Impulse NGO Network in association with Abo Chegum Multipurpose Welfare Society and A THU as state partners with state tourism department as the collaborative partner and supported by UNGIFT.

 

 

AAPPTF not happy with frequent bandh calls

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) said that frequent bandh call is not fair and hampers all round development. Reacting to a report of proposed 72 hours bandh by three organizations in the state, it suggested that the problem should be sorted out through talks and memorandum as agitation and violence do not have space in civilized society.

It urged the bandh callers to reconsider their decision as the bandh call directly affects the citizens of Capital.

The AAPPTF also appealed to the state government to look into the demands of the organizations immediately and initiate step for reducing petrol price and frequent bandh call in the state capital. The rise in petrol price and bandh directly affect the unemployed youth particularly those youths who has taken commercial vehicle on loan from different Banks, it added.

AAPPTF further reiterating its earlier demands appealed to the state government to immediately reconsider government order of levying 12.5% entry tax on commercial vehicles purchased from outside the state and also to relax the existing road tax from 10 to 6 years as the life expectancy of vehicles in state is very low as compared to other states.

The federation further urged the state government to immediately implement or review the corridor agreement signed between Assam government and Arunachal Government as vehicles from most of the districts of the Arunachal Pradesh plying from one district to another touching Assam road are facing lot of difficulties in Assam. The implementation of corridor agreement in toto would immensely give a relief to transportation service providers and the public of the state.

 

 

Vocational training cum exposure visit for girl students

Pasighat, Jun 19: A two days vocational training cum exposure visit for 50 girls students boarding in hostels of various schools of East Siang under SSA was inaugurated at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) at Pasighat.

Attending the inaugural function, Aroti Padung, (Pada) vice principal of D. Ering Memorial Hr. Secondary School advised the girl students to avail the opportunity to equip themselves to be successful in their career and life. She said that earlier there was lot of gender bias.

“Now everyone has realized the importance of education for the girl child and parents, society and the Govt. are encouraging them for acquiring education.  They should be determined and set goal in life and pursue their dream sincerely and with dedication,” she added.

The vice principal advised the girl students to utilize the training to develop their talents and contribute for the betterment of the society.

Deputy Director of School Education T. Talom informed that the residential schools are for all round development of the girl students. They should make up their mindset  to be the best and march along with the boys.

Citing examples of the successful women in other parts of the world, Talom  exhorted  the students to be inspired by them. He said that quality mothers can create quality society. So they should be laborious and hardworking . They should study, learn and become successful. Distracting elements have to be completely avoided and they should concentrate in their studies and learning to become better human beings, he added. DIPRO

 

 

Sub-divisional library needs infrastructure

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Jun 19: The only library in Ruksin Subdivision under East Siang district is running without proper infrastructure and other necessary equipments. There is shortage of staff, electricity and running water supply.

Established in 2009, the library was set up inside the Ruksin SDO’s office and subsequently shifted to a new single storied RCC building at Power House colony here. But, the library do not have required facilities besides necessary equipments like furniture.

The new library building worth Rs 25 Lakh was funded by Kokata based Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation. It was opened on April 27 last.

The Junior Librarian (JL), who is the overall in-charge of the library, informed that presently the library contains about five thousand books including some magazines and newsletters, but few hundred are yet to be arranged due to shortage of bookracks. He said that the authority should have facilitated a computer and some other staff for smooth functioning of the library but nothing has been sanctioned so far.

Shortage of staff has also hit the smooth functioning of the library. Only two staff-- the librarian and an attendant is conducting all works of the library. Officials informed that the local MLA Tangor Tapak, during opening of the new building had assured to move the government for granting fund for  library equipments and creation of some posts. The assurance, however, is yet to be fulfilled.

 

 

Awareness campaign on TSC

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The Papum Pare District Water Sanitation Committee (DWSC) under PHE Division in collaboration with the NN Charitable Society (NNCS) has conducted a three days awareness campaign on Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) at Pan, Tacha-I and Tacha-II villages under Mengio  circle from June 15 to 17.

Addressing the gathering as resource person, NNCS field coordinator Henge Rame requested the public to discard the habit of open defecation. Improper disposal of the solid waste will cause communicable diseases in our society, he said.

Highlighting the Govt initiative for providing individual house hold latrine in every village, Rame called upon the villagers to take the benefit of Total Sanitation Campaign and construct individual latrine. This is the only way to maintain health and hygiene and tackle disease in rural areas, he added.          

Among others, HGB of Pan village Taba Choya also spoke on the occasion.

Head Gaon burahs, Gaon Burahs, panchayat leaders, members of farmers clubs and SHGs participated in the campaign and urged the Govt for implementation of the  TSC scheme in their villages.

The campaign team also interacted with the villagers of Pan Panchayat and came to know that the villagers are facing various problems due to lack of proper sanitation, safe drinking water facilities, sanitary latrine for schools. They requested the Govt and department concerned to look into the matter at the earliest. Pan GPM Chairperson Nabam Tangam also requested  the government to  take proper steps to prevent water borne diseases especially during the rainy season. He further called for enhancement of TSC fund  and construction of IHHL  at the villages as early as possible.

 

 

Congress celebrates Rahul Gandhi’s birthday

ITANAGAR, Jun 19: The 42nd birth anniversary of AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi was celebrated throughout the state with various programmes today. Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) celebrated the birthday today at Rajiv Bhawan, Itanagar.   The programme was attended among others by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, APCC Vice-president Takar Marde, former chief minister Gegong Apang, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and office bearers of APCC.

Conveying his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to Rahul on his birth anniversary, Former Chief Minister Gegong Apang in a message said, “ May Almighty Donyi-Polo shower his choicest blessings on you and empower you to charter new path of development of the country with your visionary and able leadership.”

The Assembly Youth Congress of 13th Itanagar assembly constituency distributed fruits to the patients of RK Mission Hospital here today as part of Rajiv’s birthday celebration.

The programme was attended by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, Transport Minister Jarkar Gamlin, MLA cum APCC vice president Takar Marde, Parliamentary Secretary Phurpa Tsering, MLA Kumsi Sidisow and youth Congress leaders of the state.

The Youth Congress leaders of Aalo West, Aalo East and Rumgong assembly constituencies distributed fruits to more than 300 indoor and outdoor patients at District Hospital Aalo in presence of Dr. Bomjum Kamki, DMO and Dr. L. Lollen, Med. Superintendent today.

Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress president Tadar Niglar also attended the function.

Parliamentary Secretary (Home) Gadam Ete and  Transport Minister Jarkar Gamlin sponsored the programme.

Empathising with the sick and infirm, the APYC unit of Tezu- Sunpura assembly constituency distributed fruits to the indoor patients at the District Hospital to mark the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.

Bagilu Kri, wife of the Parliamentary Secretary (PHE) distributed the fruits to the patients.

To mark the day, National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) State unit led   by its vice president Teli Naga  along with Papum Pare district Vice President Taba Rajen visited the General Hospital Naharlagun and distributed fruits to the patients. The team was also assisted by Honipa Sono Yangfo, General Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC).

 

 

DLHS 3 and way ahead…..

Dr D Padung, MD (Paed), DIHPE (Erasmus)

Introduction

The District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3) on Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) carried out during 2007-08 was designed to collect data at district level on various aspects of health care utilization for RCH, accessibility of health facilities, assess the effectiveness of ASHA and JSY in promoting RCH care, to assess health facility capacity and preparedness in terms of infrastructure. The broad objective of DLHS-3 is to provide RCH outcome indicators at the district level in order to monitor and provide corrective measures to the NRHM.

About 74 percent of the households are concentrated in rural areas and one-fourth of the households (25.8 percent) are in urban areas. In Arunachal Pradesh, majority of the households belong to the other religion (33.3 percent), 29.6 percent are Christians and 13.6 percent are Buddhist. Age at consummation of marriage is at least 18 years for 74.5 percent of ever married sampled women between 15-49 years irrespective of residence background. 19 and 20.3 percents of women belong to households in the lowest and second lowest wealth quintiles.

The institutional delivery improved progressively from 26 percent in DLHS-1 and 35 percent in DLHS-2 to 48 percent in DLHS-3 (2007-08). 48.8 percent of deliveries are either institutional or home deliveries were safe delivery, assisted by skilled person. About half of the women (46.7 percent) in Arunachal Pradesh had faced at least one delivery complication. About one-fifths of women in Arunachal Pradesh had post-delivery complications.

More than one-third of women (38.2 percent) had initiated breast milk within one hour of birth of the child. Seventy-three percent of children under two months of age are exclusively breastfed. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding of the youngest surviving child in Arunachal Pradesh is very short at 4.9 months. 45.7 and 14.2 percent of children between 12-35 months of age had received at least one dose and 3-5 doses of Vitamin-A supplementation respectively

In Arunachal Pradesh, Fifty-eight percent of children suffering from diarrhoea sought advice/treatment while sixty-five percent of children suffering from diarrhoea were actually treated with ORS. Ninety-two percent of children with diarrhoea sought advice/treatment from government health facility and 7.7 percent sought advice/treatment from a private health facility

The short analysis

This report presents the key findings and short analysis of the DLHS-3 (2007-08) survey in Arunachal Pradesh and specifically, the districts of West Siang, Upper Siang, East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley.

Against the background as narrated above, a simple analysis among the 4 districts are discussed.

The percentage of women marrying before the legal age of 18 years is 1% in Lower Dibang Valley, 3.3% in West Siang and as high as 17.5% in Upper Siang and 19.5% in East Siang. In absolute term, women marrying before 18 years of age are 17 times more in Upper Siang as compared to Lower Dibang Valley. Similarly, East Siang district is faring unacceptably as high as about 7 times as that of West Siang district. This could lead to high abortions, maternal mortality and also infant mortality.

Early marriage and unplanned pregnancies are reasons for percentage of birth order of 3 or more in 41.1% families in Lower Dibang valley, 30% in East Siang, 46.1% in Upper Siang and 24.3% in West Siang district. As discussed above, lowest wealth quintiles and low educational level affects the decision making and leading to high birth order.

To reduce maternal mortality ratio (MMR), one of the key intervention is to register early within the 1st trimester and continued antenatal care (atleast 3 checkups) during the pregnancy. To compare against a near 100% 1st trimester ANC registration, only 10% of all pregnancies do register in 1st trimester in Upper Siang, 28.6% in Lower Dibang Valley, 32.4% in East Siang and 33.2% in West Siang district. When the situation is hovering around 30%, it is presumed that morbidity and mortality due to pregnancy is inevitable.

Minimum of 3ANC is a must for every pregnant women to ensure proper care, advise and detection of possible complications. Among the districts, only 12% of Upper Siang pregnant women make it to ANC by skilled attendant, followed by 37.2% in Lower Dibang Valley, 47.6% in West Siang district and 49.3% in East Siang. It is very likely that morbidity / mortality due to pregnancy will occur more frequently in Upper Siang than in other district presumed to be compounded by lack of functional health facilities.

Similarly, at least 1 Tetanus Toxoid injection taken by these pregnant women is as low as 34.3% in Upper Siang, 53.7% in West Siang and fairly immunized in East Siang (65.3%) and 67.2% in Lower Dibang Valley. Non immunization of TT injection often leads to Tetanus infection of the newborn following delivery of the baby.

The most important event in ones motherhood is delivery of her baby. It is amply evident that delivery at the health facility in presence of Skilled Birth Attendant does reduce or eliminate likelihood of preventable untoward consequences. The institutional delivery in Upper Siang is abysmally low at 13.1% only whereas all other 3 districts sway around 50%. Presumably, about 90% pregnant women are at preventable risk of losing her life or the newborn due to either delivery at home or elsewhere in the hands of local quack / untrained persons.

Following the delivery of the baby, it is advised that all the babies are given immunization provided free of cost by health department. The full immunization provides protection from 6 vaccine preventable diseases before the child attains 1 year of life. West Siang is low at 28% only, 32.4% in Upper Siang, 39.8% in East Siang and 40.5% in Lower Dibang Valley. It is likely that all the districts will have repeated outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases due to low coverage.

In terms of access, the BCG vaccination coverage ranges from 53.3% to as high as 95.7% in Lower Dibang Valley but the utility of such promising program suffer very badly when measles coverage is as low as 43.4% (West Siang) to 77.4% in Lower Dibang Valley. Ineffective communication through proper messages during contacts and mobilization/tracking by ANMs and ASHAs at community level is evident.

Supportive Vitamin A of atleast 1 dose coverage is dismal and is very low at15.2% in Upper Siang to 60.7% in Lower Dibang Valley. Beyond this, when ideal minimum of 3 vitamin A doses are accounted, it is not acceptable. It is very low at 4.7% in Upper Siang, 5.2% in West Siang, 11.3% in Lower Dibang valley and 14.7% in East Siang district.

It is likely that a child will have 4 – 5 episodes of diarrhoeal attack in a year. The parent taking sick children to health facilities is 21.8% in Upper Siang, 46% in West Siang & East Siang and 50.6% in Lower Dibang Valley. Treatment of such children with Oral rehydration salt (ORS) is fairly comparable in all the districts at about 70%.When the intervention is low, it is very likely that many children will fall sick very seriously or may die due to dehydration.

Similarly, children suffering from acute respiratory

infection (ARI) are taken to hospital fairly in good number. 54.3% in Upper Siang and above 70% in all other districts.

Traditionally, mothers of these districts provide breast milk to the newborn but the study showed that around 26% are breastfed within 1 hour in Lower Dibang Valley,34% in Upper Siang & West Siang and 47.7% in East Siang. Breast feeding the newborn within 1 hour is the diktat of the national program which is laden with several advantage.

Exclusive breast feeding for 1st 6 months is the key to proper growth and development of the child. In Upper Siang, only 16.7%, 32% in West Siang and about 40% in East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley are exclusively breastfed during the 1st 6 months.

In Family planning arena, use of any modern method percentage stagnates at 40-50% in all the districts. The permanent sterilization (of females) is also not very encouraging.28.7% coverage in Lower Dibang valley, 34.9% in Upper Siang and above 43% in other 2 districts. Similarly, acceptance / use of Intra Uterine Device (IUD) like Cu-T are not very popular either. The average proportion of IUD usage in all the districts is around 1-2% only. Use of Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) is also very low averaging coverage at 4-5% only.

The need of the population (Eligible couple) which the service providers could not provide is as high as 24%. The unmet need needs reduction by covering all the eligible couple and provision of their need.

Conclusion

There is no single solution to the low coverage. Several factors like access, utility of the services and other socio-demographic determinants need to be addressed. These include demand for quality services by the community, availability of quality infrastructure, skilled manpower manning all the health facilities, need based supply of logistics and a vibrant monitoring and supervision mechanism. Overall, all the health facilities need functionalisaton as per norm and supported by a reliable community driven processes and volunteers. The comparison is made for introspection by everyone and it may be an eye opener as to see where we fare in trying to reach 100%. By the time next survey is conducted, a tangible improvement is anticipated in terms of performances and achievements. Before conclusion, I want to reiterate when wealth is lost, nothing is lost but when health is lost, everything is lost.  (The contributor is State Nodal Officer (NRHM) Arunachal Pradesh)

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

All rights reserved.

Six years is a long wait

Dear Editor,

Pasighat People’s Welfare Commoitee strongly condemns the unwanted and baseless remarks as made by the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh which was published in sections of local media on June 16.

Before making any comments/ remarks, the Chief Minister should have understood the ground reality as the crux of the problem lies within the Government machinery because of their inefficiency and negligence and lack of farsightedness and commitment of the leaders representing the general masses.

The PPWC have been pursuing the electricity problem within Pasighat Township and its vicinity since 2006. Memoranda and personal meeting with the Government representative has been done on several occasions but the false promises as made by the Government has prompted the people of Pasighat to hit the road as this is the only way of expressing our resentment at the existing state of affairs in a democratic set up. The Chief Minister’s remark is very unfortunate as PPWC is never against the Govt. Hydro-Power policy nor a party to it.

On the other hand PPWC's sincere demands are for improvement in the existing projects and timely completion of the projects undertaken by the Govt. where crores of public money has been pumped in. If the Chief Minister is so confident of his Govt. machinery, then why it is taking so long to finish the 132KV Tower line which should have been finished by 2008?

Why no effort has been initiated by the successive Govt. for restoration and replacement of the Yembung Hydel Project which was damaged by Siang Flood in 2000. It has been a long wait for the people of Pasighat to see the uninterrupted power supply which has been promised time and again but the result is a big zero. It can be also termed as lack of farsightedness of the Govt to initiate newer projects instead of renovating the existing projects and inviting public reactions and criticism.

The Chief Minister should remember that it is not the people to decide whether Electrical power is to be provided or not rather the Govt should go for an introspection that with all the existing facilities why the basic requirement of a civil society is deprived of and when the basic amenities is not made available than is it not the right of the people to make the Govt understand that we have been deprived and denied of the basic amenities which is a primary requirement of any civil society.

The Govt of Arunachal Pradesh with its open mind should think that six years is a long wait and we have lost our strength to wait any more.

Yours,

Okom Yosung

Chairman

PPWC

 

 

Lessen the harassments

Dear Editor,

I want to highlight some of the problems faced by the candidates appearing class ten and twelve privately or subject improvement examinations under CBSE.

The first one, the CBSE does not upload their results in their website. Therefore their results are received lately through dak or candidates have to approach CBSE Office, Guwahati incurring huge amount of money on journey and hotel rents. The last date of admission to class XI is 15th June as fixed by the education department in Arunachal Pradesh. But the candidates never get their result before it.

Therefore, hundreds of students fail to seek admission on time and have to wait for one academic session. I think one year is a great loss for each candidate.

Secondly, candidates appearing for mark improvements are not less harassed as the candidates already passed class ten or XII under CBSE have to wait for one full year after appearing improvement exam and another one year for seeking admission in next higher class with improved marks.

As per CBSE norms, candidates appearing for improvement of marks in class ten or XII cannot seek admission in class XI year in the same year when he/she is appearing improvement exam.

I request CBSE and Education Deptt. in Arunachal to upload the result in the website so that such candidates get their result through internet instantly and get admission on time in different schools in Arunachal Pradesh.

Also candidates appearing for subject/Marks improvement Examinations may kindly be allowed to take admission in next higher class in the same year so that no one incur the lost.

Yours,

Nomni Pertin

Margherita

 

 

Salary pending

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the attention  towards  the  grievances  faced by  the   MGNREGA staffs  of Upper Subansiri District  who  have not received the payment since  the last  11  months.

Those without salaries include  Computer,  Technical, Account and Administrative Assistants, Peon who were appointed in the  year 2006 and still not regularized.

The staffs    under MGNREGA perform outstanding works in various field facing hard financial problems.

The Staff inspects work under MGNREGA   in the interior and remote areas where communication are not available. They act as as polling Officers during  Panchayat & General Election.

They also perform as  Enumerators during the census.

So on behalf of all the  MGNREGA Staff of Upper Subansiri, I appeal and request  the department and Rural Development Ministry  to release the  pending payment of last 11 months.

Yours,

Machung

MGNREGA Staff

Upper Subansiri

 

 

Ready to beg

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw your kind attention to the present state government, and various Engineering departments. That J.E's post has already been placed in non-gazetted 'B' class officer's rank and its recruitment is being conducted through the department, which is not legal and fair.

If it would be conducted through the state public civil service commission, then it could be expected to be somewhat fair. But  very sorry for the students like us who are helpless and far from the political backing's.

We have got only one option to survive in this state; begging in the houses of political leaders, who are the only reason for the unfair selection of the candidates.

So I realize why the P.W.D is taking more than a year to declare the result of the written examination. Please declare the result, so that we can start begging.

Yours,

Unemployed Engineering Student

Naharlagun

 

 

Discrimination

Dear Editor,

I want to highlight the gross discrimination done by the govt. to the unemployed Information Technology degree holders. We are being deprived from appearing the RFO exam whereas Computer science, electrical, civil, mechanical engineers are eligible .

It is like rubbing salt in the wound.  Already we are facing employment crisis, especially IT. We have never seen the govt advertise any vacancy for IT in the state, and on top of that, we are again denied the 'once in a blue moon' chance.

 If this is not justified, we are ready to channel the issue through appropriate organization to get justice.  

Yours,

IT graduates

 

 

Come back to Tuting

Dear Editor,

The public strongly condemn the absence of various engineers of govt engineering departments at Tuting.

Due to absentee engineers, developmental activities have been stalled. Of the twelve months, they don’t even stay for twelve days.

Therefore, I request the concerned higher authorities as well as the MLA 34 Tuting–Yingkiong Assembly Constituency to take  action to address this serious public grievances.

Yours,

Kamin Danggen

Tuting

Global refugee problem

UN High Commissioner for Refugees in its report shows that a record 800,000 people were forced to flee across borders last year, highest since 2000.

Worldwide, 42.5 million people ended 2011 either as refugees (15.2 million), internally displaced (26.4 million) or in the process of seeking asylum (895,000). Despite the high number of new refugees, the overall figure was lower than the 2010 total of 43.7 million people, due mainly to the offsetting effect of large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) returning home: 3.2 million, the highest rate of returns of IDPs in more than a decade. Among refugees, and notwithstanding an increase in voluntary repatriation over 2010 levels, 2011 was the third lowest year for returns (532,000) in a decade.

The disturbing trend that the report shows is that forced displacement is affecting larger numbers of people globally, with the annual level exceeding 42 million people for each of the last five years.  Moreover, a person who becomes a refugee is likely to remain as one for many years. Of the 10.4 million refugees under UNHCR's mandate, almost three quarters have been in exile for at least five years awaiting a solution.

The work of the UNHCR is humanitarian and non-political. Its principal functions are to provide international protection to refugees, seek durable solutions to their plight and furnish them with material assistance. But in the six decades since the agency was established in 1950 its work has grown to include helping many of the world's internally displaced people and those who are stateless.