June -
CM assures govt assistance to HIV positive people
ITANAGAR, June 21: Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu assured to extend all possible assistance from the government’s end to those infected with HIV virus so that they could come forward and assist the state machinery in controlling the dreaded disease.
He said this while presiding over the meeting of Arunachal Pradesh State Council on AIDS here at Banquet hall today.
While informing that according to records till March 2010 as many as 158 HIV positive cases have been detected, he said that number could be higher as many people do come out for voluntary testing.
Terming the HIV/ AIDS as a burning issue which is spreading like a fire in the state, Khandu called for initiating immediate steps to contain it. “Make HIV/AIDS an agenda for discussion in every meeting”, he emphasized and said that the only means to prevent the disease from further spreading is to create adequate awareness amongst the mass.
He appealed the government officers, panchayat leaders and media fraternity to initiate the noble cause religiously so that we could make the state a living heaven and give our future generation a conducive and disease free society.
While emphasizing on generating responsiveness upon HIV /AIDS among all generation, he called upon the elected representatives to initiate suitable measures to sensitize the locals in their jurisdiction.
The Chief Minister further expressed concern at rising number of HIV cases in state capital and other urban areas. He further opined for making HIV/AIDS a subject in the schools.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare Tanga Byaling while, informing the house about the council’s activities said that it has been providing policy directions to the HIV/AIDS programme in the state. He sought suggestions from the members of the council to strengthen the society so that the preventive steps initiated by the APSACS would be materialized.
Taking part in the discussion Parliamentary Secretary Youth Affairs Wangki Lowang placed his opinion to check the spreading of HIV in the state. He was of the view that HIV /AIDS could only be controlled if awareness and preventive measures are being made known to the people. Free distribution of condom with specific directives leaflet would be an effective idea to control this disease, he said.
Earlier, Secretary Health Kaling Tayeng made a power point presentation on State response to HIV/AIDS and also suggested means and programmes initiated by the APSACS.
Project Director, APSACS also spoke on the occasion. Among others Parliamentary Secretary Health Nido Pavitra, MLAs, Commissioners, Secretaries, DMOs and Doctors were present in the meeting. (PRO to CM)
Speaker advocates people-
75th Presiding officers Conference
NAHARLAGUN, June 21: Speaking at the 75th Presiding Officers Conference, Speaker,
Wanglin Lowangdong advocated for raising of people-
He pointed out that the question hour is one of the most important Parliamentary procedures adding that the question procedure keeps the administration alert, and also helps the growth of a transparent welfare government.
The five day conference began on June 19 at Srinagar.
Speaking today on the topic “Growing tendency to disrupt the question hour and the need to check it”, the Speaker expressed concern at frequent disruption of the proceedings of the House particularly during question hour leading to frequent adjournments of the House.
Stressing on maintaining the sanctity of the House, the Speaker said that frequent disruptions hamper the process adding that unless questions are asked and answered, the House would not be aware of the situations prevailing in the various constituencies of the state and country. He lamented that these frequent disruptions are creating negative impressions in the minds of the people adding that we need to change this trend.
Lowangdong further put forward some suggestions to ensure that such situations are minimized and checked and sought consensus opinion that disrupted time of question hour may be extended to further questions and answers with permission of the House. He further suggested for the need to adopt certain procedures to make the question hour more effective.
He informed that AP State Assembly has introduced a practice of placing answers to
starred Questions on the Table of the members half an hour before the beginning of
the House proceedings adding that it has helped in streamlining the question hour
process leading to more supplementary questions and time saving. Further, he shared
with presiding officers that the members of AP Assembly eagerly await the question
hour and there is hardly any disruption in Question Hour. He advocated for a code
of self-
He also suggested A Code of Conduct for members need to be framed and provisions of sanction against habitual and disrupting members by the Speaker/ Presiding Officer. (DIPR)
PPA revokes expulsion and show cause notice against MLAs
Ojing Tayeng
ITANAGAR, June 21: After the high drama, People’s Party of Arunachal today revoked the expulsion of two of its MLAs Markio Tado and Takam Tagar.
The Party President also revoked the showcause notice issued to MLAs Phurpa Tsering and Kumsi Sidisow.
The decision to expel and serve show cause notice was immediately taken by the PPA Party president after a news item that was published in this daily regarding the willingness of four PPA MLAs to merge with the Congress party.
Its President Kameng Ringu said that without taking any clarification from the MLAs, the notices were issued.
He further clarified that it was party decision to issue the notice in phase wise manner leading to issue of expulsion notice to Markio Tado and Takam Tagar in its first step and show cause notice to Tsering and Sidisow.
However, after getting the ground reality from the MLAs, the party revoked the expulsion
and show-
Interestingly, after the ruckus the party workers created over the expulsion notice, PPA apologized to the Media Houses “for creating disturbances”.
Ringu further expressed displeasure at the three MPs Takam Sanjoy, Ninong Ering and Mukut Mithi for their attempt to tarnish the peace of the PPA party by issuing a joint press statement regarding the willingness of four PPA MLAs to merge with the Indian National Congress.
Meanwhile, PPA MLAs termed the joint press statement of the three MPs as baseless. They said that they would work for the best interest of the party.
DC suggests safety measures at water source points
BOMDILA, June 21: Come monsoon and the water borne diseases makes its foothold and Bomdila; the house of nine thousand plus people in its fold, is no exception. Though nothing of concern has happened yet, the district administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety of citizens.
A team of officers and members of the Non-
Orientation workshop calls for awareness on Forest Rights Act 2006
ITANAGAR, June 21: A daylong orientation workshop to bring awareness on Forest Rights Act (FRA)2006, also known as the Schedule Tribe and other traditional forest dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 for media persons, lawyers, civil society representatives, PRI leaders, academics and activists was held at the conference hall of State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in Chimpu today.
The discussion centered on the need of educating people of Arunachal about various provisions under Forest Right Act. Every speaker felt that there is urgent need to spread awareness about this act in rural areas of state.
Member FRA and President Centre for Environment Development and Gender Empowerment (CEDGE), Jarjum Ete while highlighting the need of the workshop said it was to make aware the people of the implementation of FRA which was necessitated due to lack of understanding and absence of people’s movement in the state.
Ete informed that FRAC team will be visiting the state and will make field visits, hold public consultations and meetings with the government officials in August next, to review the implementation of the act but she lamented that nothing was happening on the ground.
About the Act, Ete stressed that it is aimed to recognize and vests the forest rights and occupation of forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded, Ete however, queried what the people expect from FRA if it is implemented in the state. Justifying her claim, she said that many of us as tribals do not have records of our land holdings, in many notified areas established procedures might not have been adhered to by the government officials, she reasoned.
Expressing her concern about the problems which might be infringed if the act is implemented, although it recognizes the status of STs and forest dwellers but government is retaining power as the forest resources were still under the government control.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Hibu Doley while divulging on the salient features of the Act, informed that rights of the individual land holdings have been limited to 4 hectares which is not consistent with the customary practices. With the state not enforcing Land Regulation Act, it would be hard to implement the act and many reserved forests in foothills of the state will be affected, he said.
And even if the settlement is made in reserved forests basic civic and medical amenities
will have to be provided to the settlers. The age-
Claiming that the act interferes with the customary practices of the tribals especially in hunting, he claimed that it is forbidden in reserved forests. He questioned the validity of the act and wondered if 4 hectares would be enough for livelihood.
Citing that there were legal complicacies in implementing the act, Doley informed that the settlers in reserved forests have to act as protectors of the area, which cannot be exchanged.
It would be a tough job to identify the dwellers as they have to produce documentary evidences for the 75 years or 3 generations. Even tougher would be the role of the Gram Sabha who has been entrusted under the act to identify the eligibility for the implementation of the act.
Forest Rights Act 2006 recognizes and gives forest rights to Scheduled Tribes as well as to other communities who have traditionally been living in forests for generations. The Act aims to address those communities whose forest rights have not so far been legally recorded. But many participants enquired how the act will be implemented as it is not mentioned in the act.
Ironically, the Social Welfare Department, the nodal agency to implement the act in the state was conspicuously missing from the workshop. Representatives from Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society(APWWS), All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU), Arunachal Citizens Rights (ACR), government employees, NGOs, PRI leaders and media persons attended the workshop.
CoSAAP decries bandh culture; seek adequate security for attending office
ITANAGAR, June 21: Confederation of Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) while decrying the bandh culture in the state has said that during such Bandhs, the Government employees have been always in the receiving end due to pressure from the government directing the employees to attend office and the Bandh sponsor obstructing the office goers by various means including intimidation.
The recent statement issued by the Govt. alleging the government employees of not attending the offices is inappropriate and unacceptable, it said.
Thin attendance of office during Bandh calls are only because of fear psychosis, it said while adding that when even magistrate, police officers and media persons have been assaulted during the bandhs, the plight of ordinary Govt. office goers can easily be understood. The Confederation further said that proper directions are not issued from all Heads of department, for attending offices in such bandhs.
Even after proper security measures, if any Govt. servant do not attend offices during bandhs, authority concerned may take action as per laid down service rules and in such events CoSAAP will not interfere or protect the derelict Govt. Servant, it added.
In case of any differences of opinion on any issue with the government pertaining to interest of the state or any organization, it should be discussed constantly through appropriate forum with rationality and without resorting to violence or coercive measures, the Federation said.
The Federation further came down on those individuals, organizations, political parties
for their attempt to suppress the freedom of press. The CoSAAP strongly condemned
such un-
ANSU demands separate head, enhancement of students stipend
ITANAGAR, June 21: Taking exception to inordinate delay in disbursement of students stipend the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) demanded the state Govt. to create a separate head in the education department for timely disbursement of students stipend.
Pointing out the soaring prices of essential commodities and enhancement of salary of the Govt employees, ANSU demanded state Govt. to enhance the amount of stipends as the present amount is not sufficient enough to meet the basic needs of the students. It is observed that the money sanctioned for students stipend is either diverted or adjusted in the education department for other purposes and as a result stipends are not sanctioned on time and disbursed during academic session, the union said.
Meanwhile, the union demanded the district administration to initiate serious steps to restrain private individuals from the rampant encroachment of the public utility land in the state capital as there is no availability of land for future use. Many proposed sites for Govt offices and public buildings have been taken away by encroachers, it said adding the administration needs to impose a strict action as per provisions of law.
BWC bids farewell to its former chairman
ITANAGAR, June 21: The Bazar Welfare Committee, Naharlagun, has extended farewell to its former chairman and local MLA Techi Kaso in a meeting held at Naharlagun today.
BWC secretary Tok Bottum recalled the contributions of Kaso as former chairman of the committee during his tenure. Kaso was also presented memento in recognition to his contributions and welfare activities.
Itanagar Market Welfare Association president Bamang Taji called upon all market committees of the Capital to cooperate each other to solve the problems being faced by the business communities and advocated for ban on forcefull collection of donation. BWC chairman Shillong Tajo also sought cooperation of business community and asked them to discourage forcefull collection of donation.
Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) president Techi Lala appealed the business communities to keep their surrounding clean.
Kaso called upon the BWC executives to work dedicatedly for the welfare of the business communities and assured to do his best for the development as local legislator.
The new executive members of the BWC were also felicitated in the meeting.
An appeal to chief minister
Dear Editor,
We are very much delighted and thankful to the Chief Minister for his personnel visit and taking stock of the crisis and providing various measures for relief to the people of Dibang Valley. However, we again request the Chief Minister and everybody to understand that unless road communication is restored nothing is going to change. In these 3 months people got only 10 kgs of rice. The situation is likely to get worst with the approaching monsoon.
The present crisis and sufferings are not created by any party. And even, the supporters of MLA including everybody are angry, suffering and crying. Loss of some lives has even gone unreported due to its remoteness. And it is truly evident from the fact that every day SOS’s are being sent from the District Administration through media, even people from all over the state irrespective of locality and tribe, NGO’s and individuals are writing appealing and expressing their concern.
In fact, our elected representative should be grateful for the compelling efforts of various students bodies NGO’s, individuals, media, and Frontal Wing of his party which resulted in this visit. The power of public and democracy did the thing which even the Prime Minister of India could not do whom he met at Delhi and despite spending sleepless nights as stated by him in one of the state daily.
No, sorry I am not being negative nor against any party. Anyone who has been to Anini or worked here knows the real causes. The details are very long and never ending.
At last with lots of hope, once again we would like to appeal the Chief Minister to personally monitor the situation of Anini keeping in view of the strategic location, approaching monsoon and non functional administrative agencies. At last the people of Dibang Valley would like to express their gratitude to one and all especially the print media for expressing concern and their support at this juncture to people of Dibang Valley.
Yours,
Eri Tayu
NCP leader
Make an informed choice
Dear Editor,
While taking decisions on dams, we should always keep in mind that development should not be accompanied by destruction. It should never be at the cost of our identity and livelihood. Why don’t we try to understand and take stock of the situations experienced by the people of other parts of the world who have brought unto themselves unprecedented sufferings and hardships due to their hurried and wrong decisions of agreeing to construction of dams in their nativity and thus suffering the loss of their ancestral lands, their culture, their livelihood, their identity and their very entity. Why don’t we try to gather some facts and learn from the abysmal condition and unfathomable hardships of the people due to the Loktak Project in Manipur. Any person who is aware of the Loktak Project will tell you how it has submerged large tracts of land which resulted not only in ousting of a large number of people from their land and cessation of their livelihood without any compensation, but also devastation of the fragile ecosystem. Inspite of all the promises made by the government and the corporates, the people of Manipur are now aware that they lack all the basic amenities. Manipur is ahead of Arunachal almost in all fronts including experience, awareness, intellectuality, progress etc. We should realized that they are not struggling against mega dams without any reason, meaning or purpose. They have seen the drawbacks of the dams, so they don’t want to repeat the mistakes they made in the past. Its time we start learning from them.
Nearer home, we, in Arunachal Pradesh, always make hue and cry on the issue of the Chakma refugees. But have we, in the real sense, tried to explore into the causes of their displacement to Arunachal Pradesh? It is not that they were born refugees. They were also as fortunate as us with their own land, culture and identity. We all know that they are the unfortunate fragments of the displacements brought about by the construction of the Kaptai Project in the Chittagong Hill Tracks in 1964 and settled in the erstwhile NEFA (the present Arunachal Pradesh) without any proper planning or prior consent of the local indigenous people.
Again, when we talk of the policies and guidelines of constructing mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh, have we ever gone through every minute details of what is prescribed? Do we really know what FPIC(Free, Prior and Informed Consent) is? If so does the government fulfill all the mandatory processes and requirements? Till date there is no citable example of free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people before signing of any MoUs/MoSs in Arunachal Pradesh for any mega projects.
To think of an answer to the question ‘Do we need mega dams?’, must we not be face
to face with ourselves and wise enough to try to answer the following?: a) Will the
Dams in Arunachal Pradesh be for its people in the real sense? b) Will these Dams
solve the energy problem in Arunachal Pradesh and improve the socio-
Before answering these questions it would be advisable to dwell into the following facts:
It has time and again been realized in many parts of the world that any project, when it is planned from above, proposes no real benefits for the people who are to be directly affected. In Arunachal Pradesh also, the would be affected people have not been informed of the pros and cons of dams or consulted for their construction relating to any of the proposed Dams for the fear that they may raise questions and people may bargain for the spillovers of the gains. The proposed dams are primarily to generate electricity by the corporates and share it with Mainland India, who in turn, would sell the same outside the region at huge profits.
The rehabilitation and compensation programmes and packages taken up by the government
and the dam builders, if any, are set and fixed at the rate of the present market
price which, if calculated properly, does not stand genuine with the ever rising
prices of land and commodities. For an instance, a plot of land which costs a mere
few lakhs at present would cost much more in future. We should always remember that
a plot of land has benefited our past generations and will be benefiting many more
generations to come and thus cannot be assessed according to its present market value.
Neither can those few lakhs of rupees compensate the loss of one’s culture and identity.
Moreover the close and well-
One can’t deny the fact that any mega project taken up would require a large number
of skilled and non skilled labourers. The construction of mega dams is sure to engage
an unaccounted number of workforces, and is sure to bring with it the influx of lakhs
of people which will undoubtedly outnumber the countable population of Arunachal
Pradesh. With the coming of outsiders would come diseases and crimes for which the
state government is ill-
The North Eastern part of India, as everyone knows, falls under high seismic zone. We cannot deny or subside the great 1950 earthquake measuring about eight (8) in the Reitcher Scale. Moreover, Arunachal Pradesh falls on a region which is potentially a possible epicenter for earthquakes. The magnitude and scale of devastation and the loss of lives and properties the sudden collapse of Dams may bring is beyond human imagination and thinking.
Every Arunachalee is well aware of the fragile relationship with our neighboring
big brother, Assam due mostly to the boundary disputes. If we go ahead with our decision
to construct dams in Arunachal Pradesh, the already sore relationship is sure to
deteriorate for the fact that the people of Assam are conscious enough to understand
the down-
Keeping in mind the above facts, one is now free to decide whether to opine for the dams or not. We do want development, but not at the cost of the destruction of our culture and livelihood. Yours,
Japon K. Lowang
Arunachal Citizens’ Right
No truth in the allegation
Dear Editor,
The news item with headline “AdiSU caution Government on Hydropower” dated 15th June 2010, the Adi Students Union (AdiSU) has alleged that I am an employee of Jaypee hydropower developer drawing a salary of Rs 9500/ per month, which is totally false and misleading and intended to malign my clean reputation.
The “Lower Siang Project Affected Peoples Forum” (LSAPF) totally rejects the malicious intention of the AdiSU for trying to defame its president without any fact & supporting documents and seek clarification on this regard from the student body failing of which legal option would be initiated.
At the same time, we on our part respect the sentiment of the Adi Students Union (AdiSU) and expect the same and since the Forum’s jurisdiction covers the real affected families it has its own aspiration.
AdiSU, being the apex student’s body of the community cannot curtail our right rather they should come to us and feel the real problem of the people before jumping into any conclusion on our behalf.
Yours,
Napi Darang
President
Lower Siang Project Affected Peoples Forum
ITANAGAR, June 21: Bishnu Rabha Divas was celebrated on June 20 by Krishti Bikash committee, Kalakshetra and Nrityangan dance and music academy. Colourful cultural function was organized to mark the day. Bishnu Prasad Rabha, a cultural icon of Assam, was born on 31st January 1909 and died on 20th June 1969.
Secretary GA and Vigilance Swati Sharma appreciated all for organizing the programme, which would go a long way in guiding the children to know more about their culture and tradition and the need for preservation.
Sharma gave a brief account on the life of Bishnu Prasad Rabha and his contribution in the Assamese society.
Amit Kr. Mukherjee, Principal “Nritayangan” informed that day was made colourful with coming together of artists from all over the capital to remember the great artiste of Assam.
SAS for polytechnic at Yachuli
ITANAGAR, June 21: Swtam Aajin Society (SAS), Talo has expressed resentment over the reported move of the Govt to shift the location of the polytechnic from the proposed site at Yachuli to Ziro.
While expressing solidarity with the All Yachuli Students Union, the society in a release today urged the Govt to establish the polytechnic at Yachuli as per cabinet decision. It said that the people of Yahuli have been deprived of all aspects of development since the establishment of the Lower Subansiri district.
Training programme on internet for Govt officials begins
ITANAGAR, June 21: A week-
Pema Tshetan, Director (Training) informed the participants about the Govt's emphasis
on promotion of e-
Govt establishments have already launched their Web-
The main resource person Amitav Das highlighted the brief course content and explained
about the Web-
Earlier the Course Coordinator and Deputy Director (Training) T.Lodo highlighted
the details of IT related training programmes of the ATI being undertaken during
the current plan year 2010-
ITANAGAR, June 21: Doimukh Students’ Union(DSU) has appealed the Papum Pare district administration to stop encroachment of Govt land under Doimukh circle immediately.
In a one-
ITANAGAR, June 21: Arunachal Karate-
ITANAGAR, June 21: All the staff including officers of the Naharlagun PWD division have condoled the death of junior engineer of the division Late P K Singh who breathed his last due to illness at Lucknow on June 19 last. He was 36 and is survived by his old parents, wife and a minor daughter.
Late Singh joined the department on May 5, 1998 and he was sincere, dedicated and hard working official, an official release said.
In a condolence meeting today, the staff observed two minutes silence and prayed to Almighty for eternel peace of the departed soul and bestow enough strength to bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
DA warns absentee teachers of termination
Koloriang: The DC, Kurung Kumey has taken strong exception to the non-
The District Administration, Kurung Kumey will intensely monitor the teacher’s attendance in the school. In this regard, order has also been issued for invoking ‘No work no pay’ for the absentee teachers. Services of SSA contract teachers, who repeatedly remain out of stations despite being cautioned, will be terminated. Order has also been issued to DDSE, Kurung Kumey against report of accounts section of the office being functioning from outside the District.
The DC Bidol Tayeng informed the officers that the deposit of the teacher’s monthly salaries in their Bank Accounts have been done away. Henceforth, the salaries of the teachers will be released through the Administrative Officers.
This was decided at a Co-
D. Ering death anniversary
ITANAGAR: To mark the 40th death anniversary of Late Dr Daying Ering, the teaching staff and other members of Daying Ering College of Teachers Education, Pasighat today donated Ultra Sound Camera to General Hospital Pasighat and distributed eatables to the indoor patients of the hospital.
New executives
ITANAGAR, June 21: The Executive body of the All Arunachal Pradesh Maxicab Association has been reconstituted in its meeting held at Naharlagun yesterday. Kipa Kain, Tadar Raja and Kamku Pordung have been selected as president, vice president and general secretary of the association in the meeting.
Dree in Shillong
ITANAGAR, June 21: Apatanis residing in Shillong, celebrated Dree on June 19th at Arunachal Bhawan.
Director of HRD, E & M IPR of North Eastern Council, secretariat, Shillong Sherry Lalthangzo was the Chief Guest while IRS officer Bamin Tari was the guest of honour.
The function was made more colourful by the presence of special invitee Additional Deputy Residence Commissioner (ADRC) Kemo Lollen, Shillong and the chief patron of Dree Festival committee Shillong (DFCS) Colonel Koj Tari.
Plantation prog
ITANAGAR, June 21: There was a plantation program at the 10th Bn, ITBP Campus Kimin yesterday. Commandant, 10th Bn Rajesh Kumar Tomar in his address to the people, called for more plantations to cope with global warming.
Everyone present at the programe pledged to save environment.
Appointments
ITANAGAR, June 21: Sijum Yinyo and Tasar Charu have been selected as organising chairman and secretary for a musical nite cum cultural charity show by Arunachal Jagriti to support drug eradication and rehabilitation.
Bharatiya Janata Party, Upper Subansiri district unit have been reconstituted with Nyapu Game and Rajesh Pagha as vice presidents and Tapa Dadi as general secretary .
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