March  - 24

India’s tax haven set to lose its tag

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Citizens of tax haven Arunachal may soon start paying taxes, if the suggestions from members are taken into consideration.

Discussing the budget 2011, members cutting across party lines today said that state is ready for taxation. Visibly surprised at the suggestions, the Chief Minister said  that government would soon look into the suggestions and bring necessary legislations. However there were no specific suggestions at the types of taxes that would be imposed.

Finance Minister Setong Sena said that his department would initiate discussion on introduction of taxation in the state. We must start thinking about giving back too, he said.

The day saw massive participation of legislators, which is otherwise rare in the legislative assembly.  

Responding to various suggestions and apprehension, Finance Minister called for the need of accountability. He further said that purchasing capacity of the people has immensely increased.

Touching on segments of the budget, which was largely applauded by the members, the soft spoken Finance Minister said  that streamlining of the finances and self reliance was the need of the hour.  He said that banks and financial establishments will be strengthen and taken to the villages.

The Chief Minister, while taking part at the budget discussion said that state has released matching share of all departments.

Laeta Umbrey called for control of debt liability while terming the budget populist. He said that government should have come with tougher economic measures to contain fiscal deficit.

T N Thondok said that government money alone was not sufficient while advocating for empowerment of communities and resources mobilization.  

Ralom Borang, who was applauded by the treasury bench for his take on the budget said that there is a need for proper identification of potentials in all fields. While calling for the need to take care of the school and college dropouts, Borang called for introduction of vocational education.

Pasang D Sona said that self reliance was the need of the hour. He suggested that apart from hydro power which is poised to be the top revenue generating department for the state, other areas, which has the potential to generate revenue be activated too. He further emphasized on micro finance for improvement of rural economy. The MLA further said that Public private partnership be adopted to boast tourism.

Thangham Wangham called for financial assistance for girls and appealed for establishment of women colleges. While welcoming the initiatives on tea cultivation, he suggested that more funds be allocated for tea cultivators.   Speaking on ex gratia payment, which has been enhanced to Rs one lac, he said that insurgency victims be also included in the scheme.   

Talking on Border Area Housing Scheme, he said that it should be on need basis with 100 percent assistance.

Phusum Khimhun suggested that along with tea, rubber plantation be encouraged.

Bamang Felix, who termed the budget a budget of hope said that there is huge gap between the haves and have not and advocated for introduction of taxation. He further said that disproportionate asset is because of lack of accountability. He said that with introduction of tax, it will check corruption. He further advocated for job reservation of differently abled and youth oriented programs.

Padi Richo called for augmentation of  resources from all available sources while arguing for the need of generation of land revenue. He further called for unemployment allowances adding that it would ease the pressure on the youths. He called for housing and health care for former legislators.

Wangki Lowang called for state pay commission in place of following the Central Pay Commission. He further called for proper demarcation of BPL families for better economic distribution.

Tani Loffa also called for taxation for revenue generation. Takam Pario, the richest man in the legislative assembly advocated for taxation too. He said that time has come for the state to impose tax on its citizens. He further called for streamlining revenue, administration and police while adding that tourism will not take off in the state unless all facilities were in place including proper law and order situation.

 

Quotes of the day

 

• If we don’t utilize it, we don’t need to buy: Jomin Tayeng on CT scan left unused in Roing Hospital

• Jaha Dental chair hai, wahan Dentist nahin hai: Tanga Byaling

• Itanagar needs a trauma centre: Phurpa Tsering speaking on accidents involving youths.

• Hamara priority state government jaanta hai ya centre: Tani Loffa on prioritization of schemes by centre on the proposals sent by state.

• Aap log, haan-ya-naa main  jawab dijiye: Laeta Umbrey

• Answers (by ministers) should be more specific:  Speaker Wangling Lowangdong

• Paper main hai, par practically main nahin hai: Karya Bagang

• Some offices have become weaving associations: J K Panggeng

• Gender budget is a beautiful approach: Pasang D Sona

• Tourism should be everybody’s business: Tangham Wangham

• If we give them Laptops, they may watch movies. With Rs 10000, they may go to bazaar for lollipops: Wangham calling for two years assistance for school toppers instead of laptop.

• Tawang dekhne jata hai, weather kharaab hone se Ziro aajata hai: Padi Richo calling for tourism amenities in his district.

• Arunachal is no longer island of peace, it is island of turmoil: Umbrey

• Tourist aane se patthar leke marega jaisa karta hai: Loffa on lack of courtesy shown to tourists by people of Abotani belt.

 

 

Police brutality at its ugly peak, teenagers forced to have sex while police records

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:  Arunachal Pradesh Police department is once again in news for all the wrong reason. This time an explicit video clip showing policemen of Daporijo police station forcing an underaged tribal boy and girl to have sex has emerged shocking the state. The incident reportedly took place in the month of June 2009.

On 12th June 2009 evening around 7.30 pm a young couple was picked up by police from Tadak Dulom Bridge, Pakam colony Daporijo. Without any reason police took them to Daporijo police station and put them behind bar. Later police officials allegedly led by ASI Boham Bo forcefully urged them to undress and also made them to perform sexual act inside premises of police station. They did not stop there and captured whole act in their mobile phone. In the whole video police officials can be seen physically assaulting the couple when they refuse to accept their diktat.  

However parents of both girl and boy never complained against police officials fearing for life of their children. There is also allegation that victim boy was threatened by some people against filing complaint. The whole incident was kept under wrap and could have almost gone unnoticed. But on 3rd of March 2011 victim boy came to know that video clip of incident has been circulated by some people via mobile phones and internet. The boy who is currently writing CBSE class XII exam is reportedly going through immense mental trauma because of the circulation of video clip. The father of boy filed a complaint on 16th March against the police officials.

For now police have launched investigation into whole incident. When contacted Upper Subansiri, Superintendent of police (SP) Apur Bitin informed over phone that detailed investigation is being done and justice will be given to the victim. “Of four alleged accused, ASI Boham Bo since then has been transferred to Changlang. And another accused head constable Duyu Tatu is absconding at the moment. Despite these logistic problems our investigation is moving in right direction,” informed SP Bitin.

When contacted official at Daporijo police station told this journalist that remaining two accuses namely constables Rajesh Nayam and Taper Nora has been arrested and kept at Daporijo police station.

This scandal has shocked even senior police officials of police headquarter, Itanagar. “This incident has come as shock to all of us. After proper investigation if allegation is proved, department need to take serious action so that such incident is not repeated. However citizen should not judge all policemen on the basis of few wrongdoers,” said one senior official of PHQ.   

Meanwhile psychologists have expressed serious concern for the mental status of both the victim. “Both of them need proper counselling to overcome this trauma. If not given proper counselling, they may go into depression in near future,” told Tulsi B, a Bangalore based Psychologist over the phone.  

In the last one year Arunachal Pradesh police has been battling to improve their image. Last year clashes between citizens and police took place in various parts of state which has created deep mutual mistrust between them. Recently an independent fact finding committee probing into death of bus conductor Tachi Nguso, who was knocked down by speeding VVIP escort on 15th July 2010 leading to his death on later stage had blamed police for his death. All these incidents raises serious question mark over the working culture of state police force.

 

Officer dismissed from service

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Arunachal Pradesh Govt in exercise of powers conferred under Rule 12 of Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, dismisses Kanto Bomjen, APCS (Selection Grade) from the Arunachal Pradesh Government Service with immediate effect.

Bomjen, the then Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anini  in Dibang Valley district was placed under suspension vide Government order No.PERS-12/93,  dated 2nd January, 2009  in connection with a criminal case  (Anini PS case No.14/08 u/s 457/380 IPC) registered against him and subsequently arrested by OC PS Anini Police Station for prima facie committing robbery of Rs.16 crores from the Treasury of Anini.

According to official release Kanto Bomjen had looted Rs.16 crore cash from Anini Treasury on Dec 26, 2008 and carried it to his home town Nari in East Siang district by his private Scorpio vehicle and buried it. Later on, when the burglary of the Anini Treasury was discovered on Dec 29, 2008, he was arrested along with 3 others. A special team dispatched from Itanagar reached Anini by helicopter and took Kanto Bomjen to his home village at Nari in East Siang district where Bomjen indicated the spot where the money was buried.

After through examination of the case at government level and also on the basis of the inquiry report, charges framed against Kanto Bomjen have been proved and also established clearly that he exhibited conduct completely un- becoming of a government servant and that he failed to maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty which a senior State Civil Service Officer like him is expected to maintain, the release said.

 

Prez stresses on training and info upgradation of Panchayats

Kherem village of Lohit awarded Nirmal Gram Puruskar

ITANAGAR/NEW DELHI, Mar 23: The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil felicitated  21 Nirmal Gram Puraskar awardees from 21 states and one Block Panchayat  having attained the Nirmal Status of being open defacation free at a function in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today. Over 800 awardees and invitees attended the award ceremony organized by Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation under the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Kherem village of Lohit district was conferred Nirmal Gram Puraskar Award. Chow Mikatha Namchoom, Chairman Village Water and Sanitation Committee Kherem village and Er. Tayum Tok, Executive Engineer cum Member Secretary District Water and Sanitation Committee, Lohit District received the Nirmal Gram Puraskar on behalf of state of Arunachal Pradesh. PHE and WS Minister Chowna Mein and Tomi Ete, Secretary PHE & WS were invited in the function as special invitees.

It is worth mentioning here that Kherem is the first Panchayat of Khampti community to receive Nirmal Gram Puraskar on attainment of full sanitation coverage in household, school, Anganwadi and for outstanding contribution in promotion of Rural Sanitation under Total Sanitation Campaign being implemented in Arunachal Pradesh. The two other awardees namely Podumoni and Kumari Khampti Panchayats will be awarded Nirmal Gram Puraskar in a separate state level function, according to an official source. Speaking at the Award ceremony Patil said there was a need for proper training and information upgradation of Panchayat members who can in turn impart the knowledge to villagers.

"Panchayats, as elected bodies at the grassroots level, have direct contact with the people and they play a multi-faceted role in rural development," Patil said as she underlined the importance of better farming practices and awareness about hygiene in rural areas.

"Since the panchayats function as knowledge kiosks for dissemination of information about government programmes and policies as well as of new and better farming technology and for creating awareness regarding cleanliness and hygiene, proper training and information upgradation of Panchayat members should be constantly and vigorously taken up," she said.

She added that rural sanitation in the country, which was as abysmally low as one per cent in 1980, reached about 21 per cent in 2001 and is now around 70 per cent.

The President lauded the Total Sanitation Campaign of the Rural Development Ministry and said it was a unique tool for community mobilisation across the over six lakh villages in the country, where close to 70 per cent of the population lives.

Patil said rural development should be done in a manner that villages become progressive economic units and agricultural productivity is increased.

"The location of agro-industries and other productive activities in rural areas create linkages between the agricultural and industrial sectors, which has manifold advantages. There are many examples of companies who have worked in rural India and achieved success," she said.

She urged the Ministry to look at such examples and discuss with farmers and Panchayats the feasibility and possibilities of enterprising ways of organising agricultural activities and engaging with other sectors of the economy.

In his welcome address, Union Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said for strengthening the implementation of Total Sanitation Campaign, there was an increase in budget allocation from Rs 1,200 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 1,580 crore in 2010-11.Source/UNI

 

AAPSU comes out in support of widows of policemen

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:  All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has come out in support of agitating widows of policemen who are fighting for their equal opportunity in government service. AAPSU in a release said these widows, sons and daughters of policemen who lost life while serving state deserve better treatment from state government.

“5 percent police job is reserved annually for the widows of policemen. However since 2006 no recruitment has been done under this reserve category. How can police department turn their back from their own people,” said AAPSU President Takam Tatung.

He urged police department to look into the demand of agitating widows on compassionate ground. Reacting to MMS scandal at Daporijo allegedly made by policemen in which two young students were forced to have sex inside Police Station, AAPSU has expressed deep anger over the incident. “This incident is not only human right violation but also exposes dark side of state police. Not even in Taliban land such barbaric act ever took place. All the policemen involve should be severely punished for their inhuman act,” demanded Takam Tatung. He further added, “The boy and girl are both below the age of 15. State police need to compensate them for mental trauma which they are going through at the moment.”

AAPSU also urged police hierarchy to learn something out of this incident. “Recently an independent panel probing death of bus conductor Tachi Nguso had blamed police high-handedness for his death. After that this MMS scandal has shamed the department. It’s time police department start imparting human right training to police jawans so that no ordinary citizen has to face humiliation from them,” said Tatung. Referring to recent incident at Aalo, in which there was a tussle between administration and students, AAPSU said such incident can inflame the angry youths. “At Aalo also police and administration went overboard to show their dominance over poor students. By arresting AAPSU GS and trying to intimidate students from filing RTI, what does administration wants to prove’   questioned Tatung. Also police fired many times during the whole incident, he said.

 Meanwhile AAPSU has urged education department to immediately release stipend of primary school students. “Our MLAs and ministers are discussing about various issues on the floor of assembly. But their own workers son and daughter studying in various government schools in interior areas of state are yet to receive stipend money. The stipend of these poor students should be released urgently or else AAPSU will be forced to take its own course of action,” warned AAPSU President Takam Tatung.

 

Orgs appeals for united move

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: In an extra-ordinary meeting of all active social organizations of East Siang District, like Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD), Mebo Area Bachao Committee (MABC), Siang Peoples' Forum (SPF) and Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK), the house termed the disturbances in Lower Dibang Valley District the zenith of hopelessness. All the members took serious note of the ‘non-active and non-functional peoples representatives and the failure of the district administration’.

The meeting was hurriedly convened to take immediate and necessary measures with regard to the public meetings being conducted by the different Dam proponents in the district.  However, the whole discussion turned towards the disturbances in the Dibang Valley wherein one of the largest dams is being proposed to be built.

Taking into considerations the exemplary mass movements in the valley against the dams, the house  termed the present situations uncalled for. “The house declared the people of Dibang Valley the pioneers of the modern movements against neo-colonialism, for they have been the torch bearers on the path of mass movements against the corrupt government and the inhuman corporate designs. They have been standing united, like the great wall of Himalaya, to the advancing menace of annihilations. The messages of unity and integrity have been amply demonstrated in their movements. The shrill cries of the truthfulness still echoes in the Valleys of Siang. The fact cannot be negated that the movements in Siang Valley against the Lower Siang Hydro-Power Project have been stimulated by the great movements in Dibang Valley. The house opined the turmoil in Dibang shattering our sole motto, “Unity and Integrity for all round development through our own culture”.

The present tense situation in the Dibang Valley falsifies the truthfulness of the great mass movement. The house appeal to the both the erring parties to unite again to stand against the inhuman corporate designs, the non-active peoples representative, non-functional administration and the corrupt government, according to a release issued by Vijay Taram, Spokesperson, Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD).

 

Conservation of snakes in Arunachal Pradesh

Tamo Dada

There are two kind of people who either love snakes or don’t. I am lucky to belong to that few groups of people who call themselves, Ophiophilia’s- the snake lovers. I love snake for their beauty, dignity in presentation and for minding their own of way life.

There are over 270 species of snakes in India out of which about only 60 are venomous. In size, color and habits they can be very different from each other. Snakes have good vision especially king cobra and the tree snakes, but most of them are near-sighted like borrowing snakes and all snakes are color-blind, that is they can’t differentiate between colors. Snakes can smell pretty well mainly by their sensitive tongue, but not much by their nostrils. And they do not have ears contrarily to the efforts of snake-charmers. The snake only follows the vibration created by the movement of the flute of a snake charmer. The main purpose of the venom in the snake is to immobilize their prey, which also helps them to digest their prey better and is used only as a weapon only when threatened. There are two types of venom in the snake, neurotoxins and hemo-toxins. Hemo-toxin venom attacks the blood circulatory system and muscle tissue causing excessive scarring, gangrene, and sometimes leads to amputation of the affected area. For example such venoms are found in Vipers. Where as Neurotoxin venom attacks the victim's central nervous system and usually results in heart failure or results in breathing difficulties or even total respiratory paralysis. Such venoms are found in Cobras, Kraits, and Coral snakes. The state of Arunachal Pradesh due to its unique position at the confluence of the Palaeo-arctic and Indo-Malayan Biogeographically realm has great biological significance as result of the diverse habitats it harbors  panning a wide altitudinal range from 100m to over 6000m. Such great variations in altitudinal range and with diverse habitats provides numerous species of snakes to thrive, many of which are re-discovered after many decades or are totally new to science. But of the whole life’s in wild, snakes are least appreciated by the peoples of Arunachal Pradesh and are mercilessly killed with the first opportunity.  No one pauses for a moment to ponder the importance of snakes in our life and their legitimate right to share this world. The months of March to June is the breeding season for most of our snakes, so you may encounter them frequently now for they will be busy looking for their potential mates.-Please do not kill them. For they need our help to survive.

This is recalls me an encounter with a king cobra in the jungles of Pakke Tiger Reserve few years ago. After staying for weeks in the jungles of Pakke Tiger Reserve, I was coming out of the forest along with my assistants towards civilization for a well deserved rest. It had rained continuously for last few days, so the forest floor was teeming with leaches and was very slippery. As usual I was leading the team through the thick thicket of bamboo down a slope of small hillock. All kinds of birds were active all along the route led by the crimson breasted barbet’s calling in top of their lungs to attract any potential mates, so were the ever busy wreathed hornbills collecting fruits from nearby ficus trees. In the midst of this supermarket, stood a king cobra in the middle of the route that we were slipping down. The king cobras are the most venomous snake of the plant earth, which can grow more than 13 feet and can stand easily up to 3 feet high in the air when threatened. And their ideal diet is that of snakes. In India it is found in rainforest of Western Ghats and North eastern part of India, from northeastern part of India it extends to countries of Southeast Asian countries.

So the cobra and I were standing so close to each other that I could literally see my refection in his eyes.  With help of a stick I gently pinned the snake and with my right palm gently got hold of the King cobras head. I could sense the surprise and fear in both of our eyes. Seeing us in the duel of fear, amazement and appreciation, my assistants came to my rescue. But the question was how to release this giant of over 13 feet safely without causing any damage to both of us. Lucky for us there was a small stream flowing by, separated by a small thicket of jatti cane where gently the giant was released in the stream, which we christen as- Cobra nala (Any reader acquainted with Pakke Tiger Reserve will know that it is the upper reaches of 4 no. nala in Nameri)

Months had passed after that wonderful encounter with the King. One late in the evening I was summoned urgently by my neighbor informing me of an intruder in their house. When I reached the house, almost half of my neighbors and their children’s, had gathered to see the intruder. The intruder was a king cobra of around 10 feet long, coiled in a corner watching the Homo sapiens in amazement. With help of a stick, I caught the King and held his head under my right thumb. Since there were lot of people and especially little children’s, I thought it was my duty to educate them in appreciating and admiring the strength and beautiful patterns of the king’s attire, so that the message of their conservation could be spread. I told them the importance of snakes in the ecosystem and how they control the menace of rodents and save our food grains. And told them how snakes like keel backs helps us in controlling spread of malaria by eating mosquito’s larvae’s. But because of destruction of their habitat and also due to various misconceptions leading to wanton killing of them by the humans their very survival was depended on us.          

It is the fear in our hearts that mars us from appreciating the beauty of snakes. Suddenly, I felt a slight prick in my right middle finger. Realizing that I have been bitten, I slowly released the king in the nearby reserve forest. I have seen few human deaths from snake bites and was fully aware of unavailability of antivenin against king cobra bites in Primary Health Center of Seijosa or even in Tezpur , which was the nearest town having referral Hospitals. Resigning to the fact that I was about to die, I wrote my will and arranged my insurance papers neatly on my study desk. If one accepts the truth beforehand it pains less, as with death and with end of any relationships, before it reaches the point of no return.

But for my faithful driver it was a nightmare waiting for his boss to die. He convinced me to accompany him to Mission Hospital in Tezpur. Any one familiar with approach road to Seijosa will know that its miracle that it is still being called a road with numerous potholes with sizes bigger than my uncle’s fish pond. When we reached Soibari, a small town near NH-52 highway, it was already three hours after I was bitten by the king cobra-Nothing had happened except my right hand was slightly swollen. I asked my driver to turn back to Seijosa because by then I knew it was a mock bite, if it been a real bite, I would have been long dead.

Venom in snakes is produced only when the snakes are extremely healthy. So they are very judicious in using their venom. Snakes can modulate and control their venom in their bites. Whenever a snake strikes at a human, it’s mostly are a mock bite, which is without any potent venom injection probably because we are not their natural prey. But they do regularly inject their lethal venom in humans for defense, as per their threat perceptive. In my case, venom was not injected but got secondary infection from the bite which lasted for months.

Weeks after this incident, I saw a 10 foot long king run over by speeding car near the place where I had released my King. It is tough to maintain your idealism after the innocence are lost but I am lucky that I still love my King and offer my greatest gratitude and salutation for enriching my life and our earth. (The writer is a wildlife Biologist and can be contacted on tamodadda@gmail.com)

 

NSS special camp conducted in Longlung Village

CHANGLANG, March 23: The NSS Unit of Rang-Frah Govt. College Changlang conducted NSS special camp at Longlung village from March 18 to 20 last. During the three-day social service, grass-cutting and earth-cutting for extension of playground at Kasturba Gandhi Middle School was organized.

Head Gaon Burah Hongjung Jugli was the Chief Guest of the valedictory function. Lemtu Mossang (Headmaster, Kasturba Gandhi Middle School) spoke on the occasion, while the NSS programme officer highlighted the importance of NSS camp. It was followed by giving away of NSS certificate to the volunteers by the chief guest. DIPRO.

 

Forest and us

Suraj Tayang

India is bearing the brunt of deforestation. According to an estimate of the government of India, nearly 81 million hectares, i.e., nearly 25% of the country’s land is subject to soil erosion as the inevitable consequences of deforestation. The forest area of the country is less than 25% as very large tracts of land are either devoid of forests or less than 10% area under forests.

Population pressures, industrialization, mining, thermal and hydro projects are the major factors responsible for deforestation. Commercial timber extraction also leads to the loss of ecological factors of the forests. Unfortunately the forests often are located in areas, where there are rich mineral resources. Forests also cover the steep embankments of the river valleys, which is ideally suited for hydro projects. The forests conservation act, 1980 was enacted to control deforestation. But owing to the government’s lack of resolve and public apathy, deforestation could not be curbed.

In the context of Arunachal Pradesh, the government’s initiative to build hundred odd mega dams would invariably lead to massive deforestation and eventual displacement of the tribal population, whose lives are closely knit to the forest. They have been living in symbiosis with forests for centuries and the projects would entail social problems for them and irrevocable damage to the forests. Though there is provision for compensatory afforestation, the failure of the forest department to conserve its plantations in the past cast doubt on the efficacy of such programme. Apart from that, monoculture plantations do not support the same biological diversity as a multistoried natural forest. Besides that, a national assessment of hydro projects cleared in the 1980s and 90s shows that, in 90% of the cases, the project authorities have deviated from the environmental conditions under which “environmental clearance” was granted under the environmental protection act 1986. Thus the precedence indicates that environmental degradation and deforestation will continue, if the hydro projects materialize.

STRATEGY to retain the green cover:

1. Area under forest: The national goal should be to have a minimum of one third of the total land area of the country under forest or tree cover.

2. Afforestation, social forestry and farm forestry: A massive need-based and time bound programme of afforestation on all degraded and denuded lands in the country, whether forest or non forest land is a national imperative.

3. Trees should be planted alongside of roads, rail lines, rivers and other unutilized land under state/corporate, institutional or private ownership. Technical assistance and other inputs for such programme should be provided by the government.

4. Joint forest management (JFMs) should be given impetus. The scheme respects the local communities’ right and benefit over forest resources. It co-opts the local villagers and the forest departments to work together to sustain ably manage forest. Under the scheme, forest protection committee from local community members are formed, whose task is to retain the green cover.

5. Forest Conservation Act 1980 must be implemented more vigorously. Punitive action must be taken against the violators of the act. Civil societies should be proactive in conserving the forest. They must resist the government’s move to sequestrate forest land for other uses. Chipko like movement is the need of the hour, which was a great success in curbing deforestation in the Himalayas. The local women of Uttrakhand had launched the Chipko Movement in the seventies by clinging to the trees and prevented them from being felled. Its time, we should realize the fact, that if we massacre our forest, our children will lack timber and see their uplands eroded, their villages swept by floods. If the forest is over-exploited, it would bring untold misery to the future generation, for whom we hold the forest as a sacred trust. There goes the old proverb; ‘if you have a vision for one year, plant flowers. If you have a vision for ten years, plant trees’. (Tayang is an activist based in Tezu)

 

Resolve the issue amicably, society appeals

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi, intellectuals, and students organization of Lohit and Anjaw district have appealed for Adis and the Idu Mishmi communities not to be adamant or stoical.

In a release today, the CALSOM stated that if the matter is not resolved amicably today it would only prolong the issue and make things worse for tomorrow. It further said that the need of the hour is to be light rather than judge and to bring about harmony by easing the animosity. Otherwise it may jeopardize the peace and tranquility of a tribal state, the release said.

Ten days have passed since 144 Cr.PC was promulgated at entire Lower Dibang Valley by the district administration to bring peace between the two communities but it is unfortunate that the issue has not yet been resolved, the Society said.

 

Oriental Bank of Commerce step in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) having its Head office at New Delhi achieved a glorious milestone of opening 50 new branches and ATMs in a single day on March 23. With this expansion the bank has now a total network of 1620 branches, 24 extension counters and 1185 ATM across India.

In a major boost to penetrating its wings into North East, the Bank opened its new branch at Naharlagun which was inaugurated by Dr. S.B. Deepak Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar under regional office Kolkata taking the tally to 12 branches in the 5 states of North East.

The bank is also offering one of the highest rate of Interest of 9.75% for 500 days to its senior citizen customers. The Bank having a customer centric approach  and offers, RTGS, e-shoppe, e-taxes, OBC direct trading, OBC net banking, New Pension Scheme, Mobile Banking, SMS Alert, DEMAT Facility, Online Education Loan, Bancassurance (Life & Non Life), Sale of Gold Coins (at designated branches only)  across its 100  per cent CBS network branches, according to a release.

 

Vocational training  for farmers conducted

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The college of Horticulture and Forestry (Central Agricultural University) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh conducted vocational training programmes on ‘Repair and Maintenance of Plant Protection Equipments and Centrifugal Pumps’ at Jampani and Mirem villages of East Siang district on March 19 and 23 respectively.

In Jampani village fourty farmers were trained how to repair and maintain their mostly used plant protection equipments like power sprayer, knapsack sprayer. They were also trained regarding the repair and maintenance of centrifugal pump and its prime movers. They were trained completely about the repairing and maintenance of diesel engine (3.5/ 4.0/ 5.0hp) as they are using diesel pump as prime mover The training was completed with through interaction and feedback from the farmers regarding the topic.

The same training was conducted at Mikong village with fifty farmers. They were trained as above regarding the repairing and maintenance of plant protection equipments and diesel engine operated centrifugal pump. Dr. S.K.Pattanaaik, Assistant Professor and Toge Riba, S.M.S. jointly conducted the training programme.

News Impact

Mopin festival

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:  AAPSU President Takam Tatung and General Secretary Tujum Poyom have consented to be chief guest and guest honour of Lodu Banngo Mopin festival to be celebrated at Darak on 5th April.

Meanwhile parliamentary secretary for geology and mining, Phusum Khimum will attend Mopin celebration at Hime village under Kangku circle as chief guest.

 

World TB Day

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: District Health Society (RNTCP) in collaboration with State Health Society (RNTCP) is observing World TB Day at Seminar Hall, General Hospital, Naharlagun on March 24.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Tanga Byaling is expected to  flag off the function as Chief Guest.

On the occasion, an awareness procession will also be conducted from Mithun Gate, Naharlagun to General Hospital, Naharagun.

 

PPADC demands action

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Alleging numerous irregularities and mis-management in Public Distribution System (PDS) by Lokam Tassar, Parliamentary Secretary (Food and Civil Supply), Parsi-Parlo Area Development Committee (PPADC) has suggested the Chief Minister to drop him from his present post if he wants to streamline the public distribution system as promised earlier.

Tassar has flouted and suppressed all the established norms of the PDS in the state to fulfill his political ambition, PPADC said in a release.

“By applying his all cunning tricks, Tassar, one of the prime accused in multi-crore PDS scam, has managed to suppress the popular voice of various students organizations in Kurung Kumey district to re-introduce Head Load Carriage System in Kurung Kumey”, the release said.

But there has been frequent complaints on non-delivery of PDS items in remote areas of Kurung Kumey since re-introduction of Head Load Carriage system, which proved the failure of the system again, it claimed.

Describing numerous corrupt practices by Tassar, like arbitrary allocation of PDS item, getting contract work in the name of Society owned by him, although without any documentary evidences, PPADC expressed surprise over holding of  such important post by an accused person.

Meanwhile,  the Committee sought clarification from the Government whether there is any provision to divert PDS rice as relief material.

 

Irregular power supply resented

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   Irritated over irregular power supply at Yazali and Yachuli areas, All Yachuli Students’ Union (AYSU) has demanded the power department, especially NEEPCO and Tago hydel project authority, for uninterrupted power supply.

Students appearing in CBSE examination have been facing lot of problems in their studies due to irregular power supply, said AYSU in a release.

 

Proper distribution of ration items demanded

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   Tali Area Youth Organization (TAYO) appealed to the State Government for proper distribution of PDS items in Tali and Pip Sorang area.

It alleged that poor and innocent villagers are not getting the required quantity of ration items due to intervention of some self-styled leaders, who have been distributing the ration items.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Below Poverty People’s Union (ABPPU) strongly urged the State Government for re-introduction of helicopter service to remote Pip-Sorang.

While describing the plight of the people of Pip-Sorang area, who have to undertake arduous foot march of over 200 km to reach Itanagar due to non-existence of direct road communication, ABPPU said that suspension of the Copter service will only multiply their hardship.

 

Allegation refuted

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   All Arunachal Pradesh Motor Transport Workers Union (AAPMTWU) while refuting the allegation of forceful collection of money, clarified that it could not be termed forceful if some members donate voluntarily during its statewide membership drive for smooth functioning of the union.

 

CWC member to attend PCC meeting

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   Newly appointed CWC member and in-charge, Arunachal Pradesh Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and AICC Secretary Sanjay Bapna are arriving in Itanagar on a two-day visit and address the PCC meeting at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here soon after their arrival on March 27.

 

KTDDS appeals

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   Concerned over unhygienic condition prevailing in Seppa township, Kameng and Tawang District Development Society (KTDDS), urged the East Kameng deputy commissioner to inspire  DUDA with necessary help and suggestion to do the needful to keep the township clean.

The work done so far by DUDA was not up to the mark as the township, specially the bazar area was still filled with heaps of garbage, KTDDS said in a release. It further appealed to shopkeepers to keep their surrounding neat and clean.

It also appealed to vehicle owners not to park their vehicles within Seppa bazar to avoid traffic jam.

 

DSU demands action

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:  Doimukh Students’ Union (DSU) alleged dereliction of duty by police manning the Gumto check  gate.

DSU alleged that non-APST people without having ILP are being allowed to enter the state by taking bribe by some police personnel deployed in the gate. Many objectionable and illegal items are also entering the state through this check gate, DSU said and demanded the Papum Pare SP to take stern action against those erring police personnel.

Meanwhile, DSU supported the APPDSU’s stand which opposed the construction of mini stadium at GHSS Complex, Sagalee as it will reduce the land for development of school infrastructure in future.

 

Silver jubilee

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: Nirjuli Market Welfare Committee (NMWC) is celebrating its silver jubilee on March 26. Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso, and  Capital SP Chukhu Appa have consented to attend the celebration as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.   

 The programme includes Volley Ball and Cultural competitions on March 24  and 25. This would be followed by cultural evening on March 26 where in Tassar Anung, Nyishi Idol-2010 and Sivani Roy with her troupe from Assam will perform.

 

Condolences

NAHARLAGUN, Mar. 23: The officers and staffs of PHE  and  WS Circle cum coordination office, Naharlagun in a condolence meeting held today in the office premises deeply condoled the premature death of Kajum Yomcha, LDC, who expired  early morning today at General Hospital, Naharlagun. Yomcha was working in the office of the Superintending Engineer (Coord) PHE  and  WS Department, Naharlagun.

Late Kajum Yomcha joined as LDC on 29th June’ 2007 in the Department. She was a hard working, sincere and committed young woman and won the heart of all concerned with whom she worked, said a condolence message.

The officers  and  staff of the office share the profound shock, sorrow and grief caused to the bereaved family and prayed to almighty God to grant enough strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss and also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. DIPR

 

House gutted in fire

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: In a devastating fire accident an MIBT house of   one Apin Perme, who is serving in the District Horticultural office was gutted down completely. The fire broke out at around 11 pm on March 22. The Upper Siang District Administration provided a sum of Rs. 5000 only as immediate relief to the victim after spot verification by the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer. Cause of the fire is being investigated.

 

GOC calls on Governor

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: General Officer Commanding, 5 Mtn Div, Maj General A K Ahuja, called on the Governor Gen J J Singh at Raj Bhavan here today. Secretary to Governor Ankur Garg and Col M K Mathur, Col (GS) of the Division were also of present in the meeting.

Gen Singh, who introduced the policy of ‘Iron fist with velvet gloves’ urged upon the General Officer Commanding to continue in carrying forward the committed effort armed forces in this frontier state for the social and economic development of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, which otherwise is also important for the sovereignty and security of the nation.

Stressing for more Sadbhawana Projects of the army in the state, Governor called for its proactive role towards Arunachal Scouts.

Champion of Clean Green and Plastic Free Arunachal, Gen Singh presented wooden models of Hornbills, the State bird to the GOC. Governor also presented ‘Team India’ badges to the officers.

At present, the 5 Mountain Division is looking after the sensitive border areas as well as participating in counter-insurgency operations. In a unique effort of Division to bridge the gap between the mainstream India and remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh, free medical camps and other social upliftment projects are taken up from time to time. (Pro to Raj Bhawan)

 

Unused Govt. building

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: The building which was constructed for new DC Bungalow at Seppa, East Kameng district has been lying unused in a ruined condition since its construction due to carelessness of the authority concerned, informed the East Kameng unit of BJYM. It questioned the motive of the Government as to why the building has been abandoned in such a way which was constructed spending lakhs of rupees.

 

Appeal for assistance

ITANAGAR, Mar 23:   C-sector youth association, Naharlagun has appealed to the concerned authority to grant relief to all the three affected families whose houses were gutted in a fire incident on 21st March at C-sector.

It is not proper way of giving justice

Dear Editor,

I am really disheartened and shocked by reading the letter written by land revenue and settlement officer against Goda Madu in this daily on March 15.

For the sake of humanity, he should not use inhuman, rude and abusive word against Madu where he was seeking justice. As an officer, he should have a manner and politeness to write in satisfaction of readers. Instead of helping him, he had directly or indirectly discouraged and condemned the way of seeking justice by a innocent man. There must be some grievances behind the letter of Madu, instead of looking into the grievances, the officer discouraged him which is not proper way of giving justice. If justice is not  up to the satisfactory, Goda Madu or any other citizen can approach higher level of court for justice according to the Constitution of India.

I request the higher authority of law to look into the matter and give proper justice.

Yours,

Gokia Tarup. GS

Youth Wing

G4 Clan Welfare Society

 

 

Scarcity of ration items

Dear Editor,

We would like to express our deep anguish over the non-supply of ration items at Pakke Kessang headquarters. Though there is no shortage of rice, other essential items like M. oil, K. Oil, sugar, Salt, Dal etc. are required by the staffs and officers who are serving in the remotes areas. The fair prices shop dealers and the authorities use to get all required quota of food items at District HQ but never supply at Pakke- Kessang. As a result, the students, staffs and the general public are facing lots of problems.

As the areas remains cut off from the district during the summer season, shopkeepers use to sell the goods at twice the price of the MRP.

Therefore we request the Deputy Commissioner and District Supply officer of East Kameng to enquiry and directed the concern officer to look into the matter seriously and take necessary action against the Fair Price Shop owners.

Yours,

Rup Techi Tara

Member,

XII- Pakke- Kessang

Youth Forum

 

 

Maintain peace

Dear Editor,

Arunachal Legal Forum, Delhi has called for peace in the state and condemned recent and ongoing situation in Roing. It also strongly condemned Govt. for absence of law and order in the state. Govt. has failed to bring peace in the district of Tirap and Changlang. Bureaucrats of the state also have failed to imply provisions of RTI properly and thus defeating the whole purpose of RTI provision. The forum appeals to the people of Arunachal to maintain peace and tranquility and to help each other in these  state of shock.  

Yours,

Uttam Bori,

VP,  Arunachal Legal

Forum, Delhi

 

 

********************************

 

All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.        

----Editor

• India’s tax haven set to lose its tag
• Police brutality at its ugly peak, teenagers forced to have sex while police records
• Officer dismissed from service
• Prez stresses on training and info upgradation of Panchayats
• AAPSU comes out in support of widows of policemen
• Orgs appeals for united move
• Conservation of snakes in Arunachal Pradesh
• NSS special camp conducted in Longlung Village
• Forest and us
• Resolve the issue amicably, society appeals
• Oriental Bank of Commerce step in Arunachal
• Vocational training  for farmers conducted

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

All rights reserved.