The Arunachal Times - Archives

Siram lauds SSA teachers, assures regularization

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Education Minister Bosiram Siram today lauded the SSA teachers for their performance throughout the state. He was speaking at the last day of the third session of fifth legislative assembly.

Most of the SSA teachers are discharging their duties with sincerity and devotion, the education minister said adding, “We are sincerely evolving a solution so that their service can be regularized.”

Responding to questions of MLA Likha Saaya, the education minister further informed that decision for regularization of SSA teachers in phased manner has already been taken up by the state Govt.

The deputy directors of School Education of the districts have been empowered to deploy teachers to schools as per requirement, he added while responding to a question from Karya Bagang.

Pointing out the shortage of teachers including Principal and subject teachers at Chayangtajo Govt HS school, Bagang wanted to know when adequate teachers will be posted in schools of the area.

The minister said he is pursuing for creation of posts of principal and other senior teachers and hoped that posting could be made accordingly.

Trans Arunachal Highway: Informing that construction of Trans Arunachal Highway in the state beginning from Kanubari to Tawang involves formalities such as forest clearance in various places of the state, PWD Minister Nabam Tuki today assured completion of Trans Arunachal Highway within five years.

Responding to queries of MLA Tamiyo Taga during zero hour, Tuki informed bids for the annuity segments of Nechipu-Hoj (311 km) and Potin-Pangin (407 km) have been opened on February 28 last. The bids are currently under evaluation in the union ministry of road transport and highway, he said while adding that Technical bids for the stretch between Hoj to Potin (21km) are also currently under evaluation in the ministry.

For the remaining portion of the Trans-Arunachal Highway under PWD, preparation of Detail Project Report (DPR) is in progress, Tuki informed.

The DPR for road work under PMGSY from Tajina-Ramching-Tarba-Baring via Raimukh have already been submitted to the Centre for approval under phase-IX, informed RWD Minister Kalikho Pul. Construction of road from Tarba to Nyumpu will be proposed in subsequent phase on priority, he further informed.

Administrative HQs: Responding to the demand of MLA Punji Mara for upgradation of Taliha CO headquarter to EAC headquarter , the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu assured to look into the demand on receipt of proposal from district administration. “ We have to look into the advantage and benefit of EAC HQs before its creation,” the Chief Minister added.

Chief Minister further informed that all together 52 departments are functioning in the state and all the department except some centralized and non-relevant departments are functioning at Seppa.

Govt will consider establishment of more departments as per requirement, the Chief Minister said while responding to the query of MLA Tani Loffa.

CM pledge committee to look into workers’ problems

Assembly adjourned sine die

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The Third session of the fifth Legislative Assembly of the state was adjourned sine die today but not before assurance from Chief Minister to look into the problems of the labour class and three amendment bills which were passed.

Moving a resolution in the Assembly, former bureaucrat and MLA T N Thongdok urged the state Govt to take step to convert the labours of the various departments of the state who have completed more than 18 years of service to temporary work charge category.

Norbu said many labours in the state had retired after completing 30 years of dedicated service only to live with the memory of service life without any service or retire benefit. Condition of some retired workers are no better than beggars, he lamented.

He said there were large number of benami workers in various departments and politicians have to blame themselves for entry of benami workers in the work force.

Pointing out at the price rise of the essential commodities in Arunachal Pradesh, he said state Govt should think seriously so that labour class could live with dignity and look after their family including children’s education in proper way.

Utmost care should be taken while formulating policy for uplift of labour class, so that real beneficiaries get their due share, the MLA further suggested.

Due to lack of strong policy for the welfare of the labour class, many dedicated and senior labour chose to embrace Golden Hand shake policy rather than continue their service, Laeta Umbrey regretted. He called upon the Govt for promotional scope for the labours who had at least completed 15 years of dedicated service.

MLA Tani Loffa said the problems of workers working in various departments should be looked into. Govt must ensure that labour class gets benefit during service life. Lauding the resolution and suggestions put forward by the members, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu highlighting the initiatives taken in the past for the welfare of labour class and problems involved in it, assured to form a committee with involvement of officers from various departments to look into workers’ problem and place proposal to finance department.

The last day of the budget session also passed the Arunahcal Pradesh Cooperative Societies (Amendement) Bill, 2010, the Arunachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2010, and Indian Stamp Act 1899 (Act No 2 of 1899 ( in its application to the state of Arunachal Pradesh) (Amendment) Bill 2010.

Meanwhile it was informed in the Assembly that a committee headed by Finance Minister Setong Sena was formed to look into the demand of the salary hike for the MLAs. Legislators Jomin Tayeng, T N Thongdok , Laeta Umbrey, J K Panggeng and Padi Richo are the members.

Sanjay calls on parents and teachers to show right direction

Staff reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Reminding of the duties and role of parents and teachers in moulding a child, Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy urged them to guide the little children in right direction by imparting proper education. It is a matter of great pleasure that unlike the older day’s children of today need not go 100 miles to attend school. Schools are now at their doorsteps, he said.

He was addressing the 3rd annual prize distribution ceremony of Markio Kioram Memorial Public School here this morning.

Sanjoy also gave thumbs up to the passing of the Education Bill in the just concluded assembly session. According to him, passing of the bill would help streamline the state education sector.

Gone are the days when our tribal women were deprived of institutional education due to some social obligations or other; now it’s their prime responsibility to educate their child, he added.

Recalling his association with Kioram after whose name the school has been established, Sanjoy urged his family members and school management committee to strive for the growth of the school.

Earlier, Sanjoy distributed certificates to the prize winning children.

Late Markio Kioram, Inspector, 2nd APBn, who died on 1998, was the first officer from Tali, under Kurung Kumey district.

ACCI lauds budget as innovative

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Arunachal Chamber of Industries and Commerce (ACCI) today described the 2010-11 budget as innovative and positive and lauded Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and Finance Minister Setong Sena for incorporating new ideas.

ACCI president Tachi Lala, in a statement, said on one hand numerous legislators pleaded for additional resource mobilization for enlarging state’s plan size and on the other the Sena-led team has initiated steps to achieve the goal as announced in the house.

While welcoming the hike of VAT rate from 12.5% to 20% on tobacco and its related products to discourage consumption, the decision to install CCTV at check gates, introduction of e-filing of tax and strict vigilance to pug revenue leakage deserve appreciation.

The ACCI would like to suggest district-wise collection of tax and excise be made public yearly for encouraging transparency.

Byaling seeks cooperation to improve health sector

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The health sector in the state is facing a critical situation due to lack of proper health policy, admitted Health Minister Tanga Byaling today.

Apart from two general hospitals, there are large number of Community, Primary health centres and health sub-centres in every nook and corner of the state. But there are no adequate doctors, specialists and staff to run the health centres, the minister said.

Stating that Govt is assessing the present conditions of all these health centres to improve them accordingly, Byaling urged upon all the MLAs to extend cooperation and contribution from their MLA local area development and SPA funds as the Govt alone cannot improve the health sectors with meager resources.

Not only in Upper Siang, health sector in whole Arunachal Pradesh is passing through a bad phase, he said while responding to a question of Alo Libang. However, the minister assured to create more posts of specialists, MO and other ancillary staff along with proper health equipments in the health centres.

World TB day

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Along with the rest of the world, District Health Society (RNTCP) in collaboration with State Health Society (RNTCP) is observing World TB Day on March 24.

Apart from Radio talks and TV discussions, a TB Awareness procession would be taken out on the day starting from Bank Tinali, Itanagar and culminate at RKM Hospital, Complex which will be followed by panel discussion in Vivekananda Hall.

Minister Health & Family Welfare Tanga Byaling is expected to flag off the procession. This was informed by District Programme Officer Dr. P.D.Thongchi.

Electoral and Political Reforms

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Two day Sixth National Conference on Electoral and Political Reforms would be held from April 10 in Bhopal.

The campaign for electoral and political reforms has over 1200 organizations working with it, in addition to support from eminent citizens, media, senior retired Judges, bureaucrats and Police officers. The Conference is being hosted by National Election Watch (NEW) and the Association for Democratic Reforms. The Chief

Election Commissioners of India has already confirmed his participation.

Dipa ghost still lurking around

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The ghost of the Dipa incident on February 22 bordering Assam, where commuters from Arunachal were stranded for 10 hours and some of them beaten, refuse to go away. In another latest incident on Sunday at Dimow, 3 kilometers from Dipa, 5 vehicles including a Guwahati bound night bus was completely damaged and the driver assaulted.

According to a source, Gorkha Students’ Union (Dipa unit) is behind the “unannounced and provocative road blockade” demanding compensation for alleged murder of one Lila Chetry of Dimow one month back at Mikong near Pasighat.

The Arunachal Police have already booked the alleged murderer under relevant section at Ruksin Police Station on February 22 last and still languishing in Pasighat Lock Up.

Meanwhile, AAPSU president Takam Tatung has urged the State government to come out with a concrete mechanism to deal with such oft-repeated problems between these two neighboring states. He further said that isolated issues occurring in Arunachal are being blown out of proportion in Assam creating a sense of animosity between the two peace-loving states.

“There are numerous cases where innocent people are being harassed on daily basis but we have never resorted to such tactics targeting innocent people of Assam.” He added that if the two state governments remained mute spectator to such trends, AAPSU will be compelled to launch a massive agitation against such injustice.

The miscreants at the Arunachal-Assam border have a history of harassing the innocent Arunachalee commuters since last two decade, says Odang Moyong ASM Napit, a local of Pasighat.

He also referred to last year incident where a youth from Runne village near Pasighat was brutally murdered at the same area when he had gone to Dimow in search of a domestic help.

“But we never gave it a communal colour, instead requested law enforcing agencies to take its due course of action”.

“The utter lawlessness in this remote part of Assam is legendary as the incidents like looting of buses and other private vehicles from Arunachal particularly in the Dipa-Dimow area are opt repeated”, adds another Arunachalee commuter.

Now a shopkeeper’s tax!

Dear Editor,

Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to bring to the notice of the officials and the people about the new and illegal "Shopkeeper" tax that the shopkeepers in our state charge to the ignorant customers. This tax is charged by the shop keepers for the pain that they have chosen this as their profession. It is the amount charged in excess of the M.R.P (Maximum Retail Price) for any FMCG (Fast Moving Commodity Goods) in simple words any commodity of daily use. In order to check the arbitrary settlement of prices by the manufacturers the Government of India has fixed the MRP for most of the commodities. The MRP is the price at which the product is sold in retail and such price includes all taxes levied on the product.Under the Consumer Goods (Mandatory Printing of Cost of Production and Maximum Retail Price) Act, 2006, certain guidelines have been provided so that the consumer can not be charged over to the maximum price printed on the goods by the manufacturer. But in our state Shopkeeper tax is prevalent, It may not be so pronounced in the twin cities of the capital but as one moves to the districts, who cares? The reasons given by the shopkeepers are so pathetic, for example for every bottle of cold drink the refrigeration charge can be between Rs.5 to 10. The poor customer has to bear the burden for this extra tax which is totally illegal and it has already been charged by the government. Another reason which I cannot leave is the transportation and the road-block charge, which is feared by all especially during the Monsoon season. The Government provides for a Consumer Forum in every state, which I fear very few have heard about. It is for the redressal of consumer grievances against sale of defective goods or deficient services or adoption of unfair restrictive trade practices. But the question is, Do we really have one? Do they have any function at all? It is their responsibility to protect the consumers from the mal practices of the shop-keepers, especially in a state like ours where the poor and the illiterate outnumber the literate and the rich. It might not be a cause for concern for the rich and affluent people but it is a real concern for my people. It is high time that the Consumer Court should come out from its hibernation and start performing its lawful duty. "Jago Arunachal Jago".

Yours,

[brad_noel69@yahoo.com]

Let us not get carried away by unfounded fear

Dear Editor,

These days hydro power potentials, signing of MOA/MOU, R&R policy, advantage due to project and disadvantage is a hot topic for debates.

Most of our well-regarded NGO and Environmentalists, point at non-feasibilities of projects as it is located in mighty Himalayan mountain range which is very young to withstand the jerk of earthquake as our state is placed in seismic zone-V is point well taken.

Being associated with Hydropower Corporation I have worked at various stage of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) in and outside the state would like to share my conception on how the dams in our country are designed to withstand even the large magnitude earthquake, its mythology and realities.

In our country the seismic design of the dams is designed by highly expert agencies namely the Department of Earthquake Engineering, University of Roorkee, and Hydro Project Institute (HPI) Moscow. Referring international commission on large dams guidelines, they conduct three-dimensional (3D) Non-Linear test to evaluate the earthquake susceptibility of the dam against the maximum credible Earthquake, computer simulated Dam break analysis to estimate the magnitude of damages in the unexpected eventually of any dam failure, even in the worst scenario of possible occurrence of a large magnitude earthquake of 8+ rector scale with the probable location even at a depth of 15 KM below the dam site the same would be safe.

A distinguished geologist Dr. V. Subramanyan, former professor of geology at IIT Bombay, who is currently a member of expert committee of the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation on its disaster management plan for Mumbai, said earthquakes are brought about by sudden release of stresses that have been accumulating for a long time inside the earth when the rocks are not able to bear these stresses any longer. This instantaneous release of stresses takes place through the formation of planes of rupture, called faults in geological parlance. The scientist said to break the rocks and generate an earthquake; the stresses have to be of a very high order-a few tons per square centimeter-something enormous. In this context, the weight of water that is stored in the reservoirs behind the dams becomes insignificantly small if it is realized that this weight of water which exerts a hydraulic pressure is spread over the very vast area of the reservoir. When calculated, the stress per unit area will be infinitely small and will be nowhere near the enormous stresses required to exceed the strength of the rocks around the dam’s reservoir.

Let us take example of the Bhakra Dam across the Sutlej in Punjab which is 720 feet ranked as one of tallest dam in the world until recently. Even now, the Govindsagar reservoir behind it is the biggest man-made lake in the world. This dam stands in a seismic zone, not far from the epicenter of the Kangra earthquake of 1905. It has been functioning most satisfactorily all these 40 years or so of its existence. If reservoirs can induce earthquakes, then we should have had at least one major earthquake near this dam by now. But there has not been a single tremor so far. This is clearly because the reservoir, though very big, is spread over a very vast area and extended up to Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, upstream along the Sutlej. Regarding the earthquake that occurred at Koyna in 1967, much has been made of the poor reservoir though in reality the river itself is flowing along two faults, first down south and then, turning at right angles, due east. The earthquake should be attributed to release of stresses through these faults rather than the small reservoir behind the dam. Likewise the expert added that the earthquake of magnitude of 6.2 rector scale which occurred at Jabalpur on 22nd May, 1997 was not due to the Bargi dam reservoir, as per the expert.

From the above facts, now we should forget about the uncertainties that earthquake could threaten the structures of large dams due to its large reservoir formation, whether the project is of storage dam or Run-off-River projects. Apart from technical, geological and seismological aspects, proper EMP & EIA study, displacement of indigenous communities, submergence of community and forest land; proper R&R package, job opportunity for local youth, socio-economic development of populaces are very genuine issues of local inhabitants.

Yours,

Taw Teri

NHPC Ltd., Dibang Multipurpose Project,

Roing

Education and quality check

Tongam Rina

Even though Sarva Shikska Abhiyan is by now famous as a Sarvanash Shiksha Abhiyan, let’s accept the fact that not everything is that bad or beyond repair. We might debate about the thickness of CGI sheets; let’s not forget that many schools have roofs because of SSA. Many schools were set up and defunct revived. Girl education took a leap because of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyapeeths.

Though their English might make Shakespeare turn in his grave, there are teachers out there ready to serve and serving in interior Arunachal. In a state where posting in rural areas are seen as death sentences, some SSA teachers, if not all deserve appreciation and acknowledgment.

As we debate the pros and cons of SSA in Arunachal, it is heartening that Arunachal Pradesh Education Bill was passed by the Legislative assembly. The hard work of Education Minister Bosiram Siram and his department has paid off. But the work has just begun. As expectations run high, Siram and his team has lot to do to clean up Education sector. First step is to ensure that merit speaks in recruitment process including SSA. Though legislators might question, they with bureaucrats have been responsible for appointment of teachers who has brought down the quality of education to a new low. We cannot escape from owning responsibilities for the mess by just blaming the system. No one forced a system on us. We choose it.

Education scenario is such that our children cannot compete anywhere else other than taking advantage of reserved quotas. There are very few of them who have cracked competitions at national level. Forget about our competence to speak English, the overall quality of education is pathetic to say the least.

If you notice, most of the teachers who work at government schools send their children to private schools. What does it say about government schools and the teachers themselves? Why private schools are thriving today and why parents, even from the villages would go any length to send their children to these institutions?

Now instead of blame game, it is on us to clean the system. The first step obviously is to recruit teachers who have the quality to teach and has the essential qualification. Though some people might argue that requisite qualifications do not necessarily make a good teacher with good English speaking abilities, it is still a better option. To think of we have the highest numbers of untrained teachers in entire India and the situation is so bad that government sponsors teachers to do their Bachelors in Education and inservice teachers opt for Open Universities, which in our state is known more for other things than quality education.

This situation could have been avoided had there been strict recruitment policy. It was only in recent years that B.Ed was made mandatory for recruitment of senior teachers. This apart, many of the teachers were and are appointed without having to face an interview. These kinds of accommodations need to stop at once.

Some of us might question the credentials of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission; government did take a right step by handing over selection process of Junior and senior teachers to the Commission.

It would go a long way, if government makes it mandatory to recruit teachers including indigenous Arunachalee community with a degree or diploma in teaching starting from elementary level. Apart from a written tests and personal interview, teaching skills must be tested too. It might sound like a tall order, but if Arunachal is serious about ensuring quality education, we have to make a start somewhere.

The CBSE which is known as one of the best boards in the world had once said that because of Sikkim and Arunachal, the pass percentage got a beating in Eastern Region. Let’s not blame our poor children and their genes! Now we came in the way of CBSE’s impeccable record! . This speaks a lot about our teachers and the system!

Army recruitment rally only for Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The Indian Army will be conducting a recruitment rally for youths of Arunachal Pradesh from 07 Apr to 25 Apr. Army Recruiting Office, Jorhat would be the venue for the mega rally. Jorhat has been especially chosen because of the longer duration of the rally wherein essential infrastructure required for the rally already exists at ARO, said an Army release.

All interested candidates can directly report to Army Recruiting Office, Jorhat along with their original educational documents, birth certificate and PRC. For more details, they could contact ARO Jorhat at 0376-2310830, 09706199183 and 09435504083.

District level training on census enumeration

SEPPA, Mar 23: The district level training on house listing & housing census and national population registration, was organized on March 22 at Kameng Hall.

Baharti Chanda, deputy director, census operation Shillong in her key note address appealed all the sub-divisional census officer, census charge officer to extend their cooperation to the enumerating supervisor of various administrative units for smooth conduct. While highlighting the terms and condition relating to census operation, she said that no village should be left out from census enumeration.

DC-cum-principal census officer, Pige Ligu, appealed all the concern officers to complete the work within stipulated period. The period according to the direction of the govt of India is 15th April to 31st May. He also directed the officers to maintain all the norms given in the guide lines.

All the administrative officers were present during the training. DIPRO, Seppa

TEDP on hosiery and woolen

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The Indian Institute of entrepreneurship (IIE), ministry of MSME and Arunachal Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (APKVIB), Itanagar jointly organized a six week technology based entrepreneurship development programme (TEDP) on hosiery and woolen garments making in the APKVIB training centre, Itanagar which concluded today.

14 candidates were given certificates for successfully completing their course. Vice Chairman of APKVIB, Bado Singhi graced the occasion as chief guest. In his address, he appreciated interest shown by participants on the programme and hoped that it will enhance their skills to higher level. Other speakers include Sukamal Deb, executive officer, KVIB and Er. Ranjit Singh, programme director of the TEDP, IIE, Guwahati.

Union demands bus service from Itanagar

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: All Tagin Student’s Union (ATSU) has called on the transport department to start their bus service from Itanagar instead of Naharlagun.

ATSU claimed that most of the students staying in Itanagar are not able to make use of present bus service as it becomes difficult to carry personal luggage’s and go all the way to Naharlagun to catch bus. In this respect union requested transport department to start bus service from Itanagar as students can’t afford to make use of private buses because of high fare.

DA against encroachers

ITANAGAR: The Lohit district administration has decided to dismantle all unauthorized structure in Tezu in an effort to curb illegal encroachment. Taking strong exception to illegal encroachment, the administration issued a decree earlier this month directing the encroachers to vacate within thirty days under the provision of Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorized occupants) Act 2003.

Tezu, one of the oldest towns in the state has seen numerous development activities over the years but what is worrying the district administration is mushrooming of illegal constructions.

MP at RGU

ITANAGAR: During a surprise visit to Rajiv Gandhi University to assess the situation there today, Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy held separate discussions with the faculty members and the agitating students, and urged the latter to not resort to violence, saying violence cannot solve any problem, reports PRO to MP.

Association questions AOP

ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Registered Contractor Association has called on the state government to explain why Annual Operating Plan was not prepared for the state. It said that state government is answerable to the people of the state why the AOP was not prepared. It further said that there be transparency in policies and program implementations.