jun15 28

2015

June 28

10 houses devastated by flash flood in Sagalee

YUPIA, Jun 27: Ten dwelling houses were damaged by flash flood due to heavy rainfall on Friday night under Sagalee sub-division.

A class XII student of Papesango village was also seriously injured and he has been admitted at Sagalee Community Health Center. It is reported that the injured boy, namely Tana Niya could not be evacuated out of Sagalee today due to inclement weather.

The flash flood also caused extensive damages to roads and water supply line.

It is reported that road communication between Doimukh and Sagalee has been badly affected due to massive landslides in at least eight different locations along the road.

Meanwhile, the Huto Village weekly Saturday Market area has also been inundated by flood water today morning. DIPRO

Authority urged to comply with RTE Act

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Arunachal Pradesh Anti-Corruption Sena, Upper Subansiri district unit has urged the district administration to instruct the authorities of various schools in the district to fully comply with Right To Education (RTE) Act norms and charge no admission fee from students of class I to VIII.

Since RTE provisions for free and compulsory education for all children in the age group between 6-14 years, the Administration must take action against the violators of the Act, the Anti-corruption Sena said in a release.

It appealed to the District Administration to take drastic action against all absentee officers and officials posted in the district as per prevailing rule of the government.

The Anti-Corruption Sena unit also appealed to the Department of Legal Metrology to carry out unannounced checking drive in the market and shops to detect weights and measures which do not confirm to the Standard of Weights and Measures Act.

ARSYU conducts social service at Ruksin

Correspondent

Ruksin, Jun 27: The members of All Ruksin Students & Youth Union (ARSYU) led by Union’s general secretary Lenjing Tatin today conducted social service and cleaned up the natural drains in Ruksin town. The union members also filled the large potholes on Mirem-Mikong-Ruksin PWD road with sand-gravel for smooth vehicular movement. The work of the union was supported by Tamat Jonnom, a local BJP leader.

Meanwhile, the ARSYU has demanded the government for early release of fund against drain construction scheme at Ruksin township. Around Rs. 1 crore under Special Fund Assistance (SPA) has been sanctioned for the scheme and Rural Work Department, Pasighat division has been assigned to implement it.

News Impact

Panel recommends 90:10 pc Centre-State fund sharing for core sector schemes

Tuki bats for continuation of special category status to NE states

NEW DELHI, Jun 27: The Chief Ministers’ Sub-Group of NITI Aayog has recommended in its draft report 90:10 per cent Centre-state fund sharing for 11 special category states under Core Sector Schemes while for optional schemes it was 80:20 per cent. For general category states, under Core Schemes, Centre and state would share funding in the ratio of 60:40 per cent.

The draft report prepared by a committee headed by National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog's CEO Sindhushree Khullar based on earlier meeting, which was presented today to the members for comments, suggested centrally sponsored schemes to be divided into two broad groups.

The first, Core Scheme, comprising of national development agenda that includes legislatively backed schemes such as MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission and Mid Day Meal. The final list will be decided later.

The second is Optional Schemes for social protection and social inclusion. Based on the division of schemes into two parts, the number of CSS would be 30, the draft stated.

According to the draft, the centre's share would not be less than 50 per cent.

In each of the identified Core Schemes, ordinarily, Centre will implement umbrella programme having a large number of components with a uniform funding pattern to suit states' requirement.

The draft report also said that for all projects under CSS in which 30 per cent of the work has been completed, funding should be continued.

The sharing pattern under which the project was approved should also continue till March 2017. If the projects remain incomplete even thereafter, state would have to complete the project using their own funds.

The draft report also says that the schemes in social sector including poverty elimination, drinking water, Swachh Bharat, rural electrification, women and child health nutrition, Housing for All and urban transformation should be given priority for realising 'Vision 2022'.

As per the draft, the rationalisation of schemes and restructured funding pattern of CSS should be implemented from 2016-17.

The number of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) is likely to be reduced to 30 from 72 with the Chief Ministers' Sub-Group of NITI Aayog reaching a broad consensus on the issue.

The panel has also recommended increasing the share of flexi funds to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent.

Attending the meeting of sub group on rationalization of CSS, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki reiterated the need for retention of Special Category Status to the Northeastern States and continuation of the funding pattern of 90:10. Tuki also called for reconsidering Special Plan Assistance (SPA) to fill up critical infrastructure gap citing the late entry of the State in the journey of development.

While endorsing the draft recommendations, Tuki suggested that since the hill states have a different geography and history, a small chapter highlighting these difficulties must form part of the recommendation. This will have a bearing on the future policy decisions on other development plans of the Union Govt.

“I had submitted a draft chapter- “Need for Special Dispensations for Hilly States”. This will also justify our recommendation for a special Sharing Pattern for these States”, he said and further pitched for a transparent formula for horizontal distribution of resources amongst the States.

n the delinked schemes, Tuki suggested that a separate dispensation be recommended for the Hill States and made specific mention of the SPA projects which involves huge funding.

The resource envelope should be kept at least at par with the last year’s level for hill states to continue the development momentum, he said and requested the salary components of the delinked schemes to be supported for at least till the end of the 12th Five Year Plan or two years for Hill States.

Today’s meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur and Kerala and Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary and Secretary Planning also attended the meeting. (With inputs from PTI)

Damages to Biological Park, PCCF takes stock

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Flash flood and storm has inflicted damages at Biological Park, Itanagar. Apart from damages to roads and other infrastructure, Hornbill enclosure has been damaged. Wing walls and base of entry Gate Bridge of the Itanagar zoo have been damaged as well as the water supply lines and intake tanks while security walls at four locations have been damaged by landslides. All roads including the approach, peripheral, ring roads and CCTV are also reported to be damaged.

Dr. Yogesh, PCCF (WL & BD) & CWLW visited the Biological Park to assess the quantum of damage caused by the flash flood because of monsoon rain. He saw the damages first hand today. Responding to the demands of the authorities, visiting PCCF has agreed to do the needful to protect and improve the only zoo of the state.

Raya Flago, Curator, Biological Park, Itanagar has requested him to provide necessary funds for its maintenance and restoration.

Govt promises to consider setting up Arunachal’s first airport

New Delhi, Jun 27: Arunachal Pradesh may finally have an airport with the Centre assuring Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of "seriously pursuing" the long-standing demand in order to bolster connectivity of the border state.

In a meeting with Tuki here today, Union Minister for Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said he had realised the "prime need" of Arunachal Pradesh having an airport and promised that the "government will seriously pursue the case of a civilian airport for Itanagar", the state's capital.

Singh said the proposal had got delayed due to several factors including the decision regarding its exact location.

"Initially, Banderdewa/Karsingsa had been proposed as the site for the airport but later the state government was of the opinion to have it at Hollongi, which is located about 20 km on the outskirts of Itanagar, close to the Arunachal-Assam border," an official release said.

Singh said, during his visit to Arunachal Pradesh last week, he had to take a flight to Lilabari which is incidentally the nearest airport to Arunachal Pradesh even though it is in Assam.

Singh and Tuki also discussed the security situation in the districts of Tirap and Changlang, and a pending demand for a National Sports Stadium in Itanagar.

Responding to the Chief Minister's demand for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for Arunachal Pradesh, Singh suggested him to take this up with the Finance Ministry as the issue may go "beyond the purview of the DoNER Ministry". PTI

Need to create more awareness about archaeological sites: Governor

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa has emphasized the need to create more awareness amongst people about archaeological sites to preserve the invaluable assets.

The Governor said this during his visit to the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum and Itafort here today. Accompanied by state First Lady Rita Rajkhowa, the Governor reviewed the places of tourist interest in Itanagar and advised the concerned department to create more awareness amongst the people about important archaeological sites for its preservation.

The Governor, who was very impressed by the state museum, said that the museum is very informative, reflecting various tribes and their cultural assets and traditions. He further stressed on the data being more definitive. Taking cue from experts, the Governor suggested that archaeology and museum should be headed by separate heads.

While advising on improving the state museum, the Governor suggested for proper air-conditioning and improving the lighting system.

During the visit to the State Museum and Ita Fort, Research Director Batem Pertin along with his officers briefed the Governor.

Earlier in the day, the First Couple visited the Itanagar Buddhist Gompa and offered prayers. On being briefed by the Rev Lamas on the Gompa and its compound, the Governor suggested for developing security measures by district administration and police to maintain the sanctity of the place and thereby discouraging the unruly elements. (PRO to Governor)

IMWA reiterates demand to scrap PPEM

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) has today reiterated its demand for immediate cancellation of Pre-Paid Electric Meters (PPEM) installation in Itanagar.

IMWA has renewed the movement after several months of silently following the state government decision to relax the installation of PPEM with a choice given to the citizens for fitting it or not.

Various organisations had launched series of agitation against the installation of PPEM at Capital Complex claiming that the meters is a faulty system which doubles the bill compared to manual billing system. The organisations justified their opposition to PPEM saying that poor common man cannot afford to pay the bills of PPEM due to its exorbitant rates.

Addressing media persons at Press Club here today, IMWA President Yumlam Achung stated that the current PPEM system incurs exorbitant bill than the manual metering which is inappropriate for the business community.

IMWA President further added that for the welfare of business community which is against the pre-paid electric meters, the association is strongly opposing the installation of PPEM. He also claimed that though the state government has given an option for choosing PEM or manual mode, the department of power is forcibly installing the pre-paid meters at Capital Complex.

“There are many loopholes in Pre-Paid Meters System and department should create awareness among the people before randomly installing it”, he added.

Demanding the government to halt the installation of pre-paid meters, IMWA stated that failing to do so will invite serious agitations from the association. The market welfare association also stated that despite several representations, the government has remained unresponsive on the matter.

On being asked the role of IMWA in monitoring the exorbitant prices of food commodities, Achung retorted that the district administration and tax and excise department should pro-actively check the unsolicited prices of food commodities.

ANYA irked by poor road condition, power scenario

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Worried by the poor condition of roads in the twin capital city, which has gone from bad to worst since the onset of monsoon, the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) today visited various roads in Capital Complex; block points at Jullang and Karsingsa to get firsthand knowledge on the ongoing road construction and repairing works.

While visiting the Itanagar-Naharlagun bypass road, ANYA claimed to have found below standard quality construction in entire stretch of the road. For example, ANYA said, culverts are being constructed using 6 mm rods (steel bar) instead of using the recommended size for such works. It added that no work quality has been maintained in any of the construction works which will ultimately result in premature damage of the road.

“At Karsingsa block point too, we found no engineer or site inspectors to monitor the work”, ANYA said in the release. It also alleged the Itanagar MLA of engaging a dozen of parties by awarding them with petty site works at the block point.

Also irked by the frequent power cut, the ANYA team, later, met the Power Minister at his residence.

On being refused to reply to questions regarding the matter of power problem by the minister, the ANYA team staged on-the-spot protest in front of the minister’s house demanding immediate improvement of power situation in Capital Complex. ANYA gave the minister 24 hrs to improve the power scenario failing which the association said will raise demand for the resignation of the power minister on moral ground.

It also appealed to the local MLA and the authorities concerned to look into the problem seriously.

Earlier, the team met the EE (Power), and ridiculed the alleged excuse made by him, who reportedly told about lack fund in the department for procuring transformers for replacement.

Swami Vivekananda Centre of Excellence inaugurated

ITANAGAR, Jun 27: Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Belur Math, General Secretary, Swami Suhitananda has inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Centre of Excellence in presence of a large gathering at Naharlagun today. The Centre, first of its kind in the state, has been set up with the sheer initiative of the Vivekananda Study Circle, Naharlagun for the youth to instill faith in them and to communicate value-added education.

Speaking on the occasion, Suhitanandaji advocated for value based education. Requesting for encouragement to such centre of excellence, he said, in today’s materialistic world the guardians are in a puzzled state of mind for the progress and future of their children. This type of institutions can only help achieve their goals, he added.

The basic concept of setting up of such Centre of Excellence is to provide an atmosphere that encourages the student community of this peace loving state to have new thoughts and ideas which will help them develop their personality and to become self-reliant.

The institution initially will start wide-ranging training on yoga and meditation with advance learning techniques.

Keeping in mind the future prospect of the mentally challenged children in the state, a portion of the building has been allocated for an advance coaching centre with modern teaching techniques.

After the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence, Suhitanandaji attended function at Vivekananda Hall, Rama Krishna Mission Hospital Complex, Itanagar where Shankhnaad team, New Delhi performed inspirational music.

Earlier the Chairman, Indus Quality Foundation in his speech claimed that the quality of the students in Arunachal Pradesh is much better than that of Delhi as it is evident from the results of Inter School competitions held on Declamation/ Group Song etc conducted by Indus Quality Foundation, New Delhi.

Revered Swami Subirananda, Assistant Secretary Belur Math also spoke about the value based education. Suhitananda felicitated the award winning children.

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