March 17
News Impact
- Chowna Mein presents 290.81 cr deficit budget
- Disctrict creation on the basis of people’s demand: CM
- Conference on tourism stakeholder held at Ziro
- Tirap witnesses heavy exchanges of fire
- AAPSU opposes citizenship to Chakma-
Hajong refugee - Exclude Adi land from proposed Lower Siang: AdiSU
- To be, or not to be
Chowna Mein presents 290.81 cr deficit budget
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Arunachal Pradesh Finance Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday presented
a Rs 290.81 crore deficit budget for the year 2013-
The budget gave stress on economic growth, infrastructure development, strengthening human and intellectual capital, social capital and physical capital in all sectors of the state’s economy.
The budget estimate shows a receipt of Rs 8164.87 crore under the consolidated fund out of which Rs 8161.02 crore is on revenue account and the remaining Rs 3.85 crore under capital account, Mein said in his budget speech.
“Total expenditure from the consolidated fund of the state in 2013-
The budget also proposed to initiate measures to increase tax collection by way of better tax administration mechanism. To increase the tax collection, the finance minister proposed to levy Luxury Tax on luxuries provided in hotels and resorts besides professional tax for certain professions.
The budget further proposed to revise the rate of civic charges by 20 per cent which was last revised during 2007.
A new interest waiver scheme was also proposed for recovering outstanding electricity bills. “In order to recover outstanding dues quickly, I propose an interest waiver schemes in which if an outstanding electricity due as on 31st December 2012 is paid in one installment, the state Govt will waive 100 per cent of interest incurred thereon,” the minister said in his budget proposal.
Education sector: the Finance Minister said that by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan period, the state Government is committed to raise the literary rate in the state to eighty percent from the present 66 percent.
Proposing best school award, best three principal/principal in-
“During 2013-
The minister said five new polytechnics at Dirang, Laying, Pasighat, Namsai and Roing would start functioning from July and more such institutions would be opened in other districts.
Agriculture: “To boost agriculture sector, Arunachal Pradesh Krishi Karman Award will be instituted besides providing financial benefit to farmers under the chief minister’s agriculture mechanisation programme launched in December,” Mein said.
The government proposed to establish a Tea Board and a Rubber Board in the state for encouraging local entrepreneurs and also proposed to reduce VAT on local sale of tea from the existing 12.5 to 4 per cent.
Disctrict creation on the basis of people’s demand: CM
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: New district, ADC, sub-
Pointing out the difficult topography of the state, the Chief Minister said that
Arunachal can not go by population. “There are still 22 administrative centre which
have no road connectivity. The districts are created not on population basis in
the state but for its difficult geographical area, the Chief Minister said adding
that the demand for creation of Lower Siang is long-
Umbrey in his question said that there must be certain system to follow while agreeing on the demand for creation of administrative headquarters. He also wanted to know details of the expenditure involves in establishment of new district.
Admitting that Arunchal is a resource crunch state, the Chief Minister said Govt would take strong decision to generate revenue to meet the expenditure. “ We are people first Govt, we are for the service to the people” the CM added.
While responding to another question raised by MLA Kamthok Lowang regarding posting of APPBn personnel in Tirap and Changlang, the Chief Minister informed the Assembly that one Coy of 2nd APPBn had been deployed in Changlang district and 2 platoon deployed in Tirap district which were withdrawn in the year 2005 after the deployment of 1st and 2nd IRBn in these districts. In addition to IRBn,CRPF, Assam Rifles personnel, the newly recruited police personnel will be deployed in Tirap and Changlang after completion of their training, the Chief Minister informed. On a question raised by Laeta Umbrey regarding creation of one lakh jobs in the state, the Chief Minister happily announced that target for creation of employment opportunities for the current year ( the first year of the 12th five year plan ) was 10,000, which the Govt has not only fully achieved but have exceeded.
Responding to a supplementary questioned raised by MLA Tamiya Taga, Education Minister Bosiram Siram informed that the state Govt is trying its level best to overcome shortage of ST teachers.
When enquired about the scheme for construction of Road from Maro to Baririjo
SDO heardquarters under DoNER, PWD Minister Chowna Mein informed that the scheme
has been prioritized at Sl No 25. But the scheme is yet to be retained/sanctioned
by ministry of DoNER. However, the Minister assured to take up the scheme on priority
basis during 2013-
The Assembly also passed the Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2013.
Private Member motion: MLA Takar Marde has withdrawn the private member motion with
a request to the state Govt to hold special session of the Assembly for discussion
threadbare the loopholes and inconsistencies in the present legal framework relating
to Panchayat Raj in the state. Earliler, Marde requested the house to take a decision
for postponement of Panchayat Election until the final report of the ad-
Appreciating Marde for taking up an important issue in the Assembly, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, however, opined that there is no legal provision to postpone the Panchayat Raj election. The Govt has no much rule to interfere in election process except providing logistic support to EC for the same.
Moreover, the state Govt may be deprived of huge fund amounting to Rs 500 to 700 crore annually under TFC fund and JnNURM schemes besides the MGNREGA scheme if the panchayat and municipality elections are not conducted on time. “We have no option but to abide by the provision of the constitution”, the CM said.
Advocate general Dr. Ashok Saraf has also observed that election cannot be deferred/postponed under any circumstances except natural calamities like earthquake. The state Govt bound to abide by the Constitution, he added.
Members Tako Dabii,Laeta Umbrey, J K Panggeng, Tamiyo Taga, Minister Chowna Mein also took part in the healthy discussion.
Conference on tourism stakeholder held at Ziro
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The one day conference on tourism stakeholder was organized by the district administration under the sponsorship of the Department of Tourism, Itanagar on 14th of this month at Ziro. The conference was attended by various tourism stakeholder of the district like tour operators, hoteliers, home stay operators and selected beneficiaries of the Mukhya Mantri Paryatan Vikas Yojna of Lower Subansiri district in huge numbers.
P.K. Dong, tourism consultant of Sikkim, Chukhu Mama, lecturer of the Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic College, Itanagar, Dr. Tage Kano, Koj Mama and Tilling Yam were the resource person for the day. They made power point presentation in this regard. Tater Mize, District Tourism Officer, Ziro while welcoming the participants inform that the conference is a part of an effort of the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh for making tourism proposer in the beautiful Ziro valley. He also informed that the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh is making all out effort to make tourism a major income generation source in the state.
P.K. Dong while deliberating on his subject about Rural Tourism with special reference
to the Home Stay Concept said that the home stay is the best tourism concept to be
adopted in the North Eastern State specially in the place like Ziro where the unique
vibrant culture and the mesmerizing natural surroundings of the area ads more beauty
to the place. He appealed to the people to be tourism oriented and make Ziro the
hot tourist destination. He also urged the entire tourism stake holder that “good
is not enough in tourism industry you have to give more than the best”. Chukhu Mama
while explaining the importance of Tourism said that the smoke less tourism industry
is a sustainable business where the stakeholder can earn lot in minimum investment.
Tage Kano, Pediatrician, appeals the people to co-
Tirap witnesses heavy exchanges of fire
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Soha village located nearby Deomali town this evening turned into battlefield as it witnessed heavy fighting between NSCN (IM) militant and Assam Rifle jawans. The exchange of firing started around 3 PM in the afternoon and lasted till 6 PM. There was no report of any casualties from both the sides till the filing of this report.
Talking to this daily SP Tirap Vikramjit Singh informed that a complaint was made against NSCN (IM) alleging that they had beaten up staffs of Public Health Centre (PHC) Soha yesterday. “Today Deomali OC, circle officer and Assam Rifle team comprising 15 members had gone to the area. As soon as the team reached, they came under heavy fire from NSCN (IM) cadres. The Assam Rifle jawans returned fire and exchange of fire lasted more than 3 hour,” said SP Tirap. He further added, “We don’t have specific information but as per our source the NSCN cadres numbered around 40 and were heavily armed. Though less in number, the Assam Rifle jawans stood ground and bravely fought against them.” Since then reinforcement team from Khonsa has been sent to the area and security forces have launched massive manhunt around the area. The latest incident has created fear psychosis among citizens of area, especially government employees are living under extreme duress. There are reports that many of the employees are fleeing the area. The staffs of Soha PHC are also believed to have fled fearing for their life.
AAPSU opposes citizenship to Chakma-
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: On 12th of March at Banquet Hall, Itanagar a meeting was called by the high power committee for refugee issue in which members of the said committee, Deputy Commissioners of Papum Pare, Lohit and Changlang Districts, Chakma members and representative of All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) lead by its President Kamta Lapung and legal advisor to AAPSU advocate T.T Tara were present.
The meeting was chaired by Indra Mallo Jain, Political Secretary. The meeting was convened in the context of issuing a citizenship to the Chakma and Hajongs residing in the territory of Arunachal Pradesh.
However, the meeting couldn’t take place as the AAPSU President at the very outset of his statement urged the house present to put a halt in discussing this vexed sensitive issue of giving citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs on the account of their numerous repeated anti social and criminal activities towards the innocent indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh. Thus, AAPSU boycotted the High Power Committee for Refugees framed by the State Government.
AAPSU President spoke about various hindrances and trouble given by the Chakma and Hajong people to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. He cited example like recent rape incident case where an indigenous minor Khampti girl was allegedly raped by unidentified Chakma people at Chowkham. AAPSU in the light of above incident urged the Chakma people to voluntarily apologize to the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh.
AAPSU also strongly called on the Chakma and Hajong people to stop the anti-
Exclude Adi land from proposed Lower Siang: AdiSU
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: In continuation of its democratic movement against the state govt’s decision to include Adi land in proposed ‘Lower Siang’ district for which the Bill has already been introduced in the ongoing House session, the members of AdiSU, ABK and Ramle Banggo Adi Peoples’ Forum today staged a peaceful dharna outside the Assembly at Naharlagun for the second day today.
Stating that the State govt as well as all the lawmakers need to know the “facts” before coming into any kind of conclusion regarding physical boundary between proposed Lower Siang and present East Siang district, AdiSU said, “The need of the hour is to feel the sentiment and emotional attachment of the Adi people with the land”. The govt should amend the Bill while considering the will and interest of people as there is traditionally established fact which is recognized by the people from time immemorial.
“This entire democratic movement is to make aware the people that we won’t compromise with our sentiments and if the govt fails to redress our demand, we won’t be in a position to cooperate with the govt in coming days”, said AdiSU president Sokun Siboh while addressing the gathering.
The dharna was followed by a public meeting, where the AdiSU general secretary Obuk Gao advised the young people “not to misinterpret or misunderstand the issue”. Taking serious note on some “unacceptable updates” on the issue in few sections of social networking sites, Gao said such kind of updates deserve condemnation. All young mind should be cultured with love and affection for mankind, but claiming your legitimate rights your duty to you family.
DASU oppose inclusion of Adi villages
The Dibang Adi Students' Union (DASU) while extending solidarity to the Apex Students’
union of Adi community, AdiSU, has urged the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to re-
The DASU stated that they are not against the creation of Lower Siang Distt but against the forceful inclusion of Adi Villages in proposed district. They said they will be forced to launch a democratic movement if government does not listen to their demand.
Raju Mimi
The tranquil peace of New Anaya once shattered with the echoes of ‘Go back NHPC’. That was five years ago. On March 12, 2008, people in New Anaya had forced the NHPC officials to turn back. A road blockade was staged on the day with strong affirmation for ‘no compromise upon construction of dam in our soil’.
This time the mood was different. The villagers, as seemed to have surrendered to their fate, patiently attended the public hearing held on March 13, 2013. The hearing lasted till 9 pm. It was their last opportunity to be heard.
At the end of the hearing, officials from NHPC and local administration were seen congratulating each other. The public consultation process for grant of environmental clearance to NHPC Ltd’s 3000MW Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP) was over. Just two days earlier, the first public hearing was held at Roing.
As per NHPC’s estimation, the public hearing for DMP was postponed for 14 times since May 2007. The public hearing had to be cancelled several times under pressure from community organizations.
Collectively, 17 dams are to be built in the Dibang (Talon) river basin. So the overall concern raised during the hearing was for the need for a cumulative impact study on the Dibang basin. Also concerns on land use restriction in Catchment Area and lack of compensatory benefits were raised. Many villages will be submerged partially by the reservoir making the land unfit for habitation.
During the New Anaya hearing, anxiety was high. “The situation today is like that of a widow watching the grave of her deceased husband,” one speaker had said. The villagers nodded silently in affirmation. They were seated outside the overcrowded venue hall. In some few years, the hall would be under the water.
Echoing similar concern, another speaker said, “We are told to vacate the land that belonged to our ancestors. What will be left off to show our children?”
But they were assured of handsome returns. They were to become ‘crorepati’ within a year. It is estimated that minimum compensation rate for 1 hectare land is Rs 8 lakhs with other additional benefits. With such promises, claims and counter claims over community land surfaced during the hearing. Frustrated, a speaker remarked that the public hearing has become a ‘package hearing’. A friendly visitor from Itanagar who had come to attend the public hearing foresaw internal social conflict.
That turned out to be true. People grew suspicious of each other. With promises for crores of rupees, they had started to weave dreams. Dreams, if broken may result in disillusionment and anger.
But will it matter to the government? It is the moment the government of India had waited long. It took almost seven years for public consultation process to get complete. People scrambling for compensation money is a music to their ears. Atleast, the larger debate on dams is out of scene.
For some educated youths, the huge ‘compensation package’ can be a break to start
something new -
Nevertheless, some speakers were persistent -
Caught in this debate for over six years, the community was in Hamlet’s dilemma of ‘to be, or not to be.’ While caught in the impasse, the public hearing noose lay tightened. So a compromise was made to break the deadlock. The stand of absolute opposition to dam was given up unsure of what lay ahead. Also in a competing environment where seeds of mistrust are sowed between communities, ideology took a back seat.
The greatest obstacle to the hearing was the students union, capable of standing on its own conviction. But the government had absolute plans this time. And the students union fell in the trap of collective conscience.
But those unwilling to submit to developmental designs boycotted the hearing. For them, attending the hearing would only legitimize the clearance process.
Cash reward stands
The cash reward of Rs 10 lakhs announced by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for giving information or clue leading to arrest of the assailant/s of Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times still stands. The identity of the informer/s will be kept secret. The informer/s may contact Capital SP at tele. numbers : 09436040006
::::::::::::::::::
Judge visits OWA
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Dr. Indira Shah, a judge of Gauhati High Court of Itanagar Permanent Bench paid a visit to Oju Welfare Association, Naharlagun yesterday. She was very impressed by seeing the activities while interacting with the various staff and students. “My visit to this institution is like my visit to temple. It is amazing to see the innocent faces. The work done by the members more particularly by Binny Yanga is not only praiseworthy but it has led me to say that I am speechless,” she was quoted to have told.
Encroachment menace reaches Pakke-
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Claiming that government lands were being illegally encroached
by the public at Pakke-
12 houses gutted down
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The 12 houses were reportedly gutted down leading to the loss of properties in a fire accident which broke out on 4th and 5th of this month at Old Sumlam village bordering Myanmar under Yatdam circle near Panlom village and another at Jongpho Hate village under Changlang circle of Changlang district respectively.
The house-
Free-
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: A free-
More than 50 children were screened in the camp. Vision screening test was done by
using ‘Snellen Chart’ and detailed eye examination by portable Slit Lamp and Direct
Ophthalmoscope. Needy children were given free medicines. Children who needed further
investigation were advised accordingly. The day-
Village gets water connection
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Nyokilanghi Village Development Committee in a release claims
that Nyokil-
DNGC Students Union calls off bandh
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The students’ Union of Dera Natung Govt. College has called off the proposed bandh call which was declared on 18th March. The bandh was called off following a meeting which was held on 13th of this month in the office chamber of the Director Higher and Technical Education Govt, of Arunachal Pradesh. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Joram Begi Director of Higher & Technical Education and discussed in lengths regarding the demands of students union of DNGC.
Accordingly in the meeting some of the demands were fulfilled such as street lighting
of college, installation of CCTV and providing of two more buses for the college,
the DNGC student union claimed in a release. However union expressed dissatisfaction
over non-
APCC discuss party strategies
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: In a meeting convened here today, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has rolled out its party strategies for the ensuing panchayat and municipal election 2013 in the state. The meeting was attended by chief minister Nabam Tuki and All India Congress Committee (AICC) Arunachal Pradesh In charge Sanjay Bapna. During the meet selection of candidates and fulfillment of women reservation were also discussed.
Union irks at poor power supply
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The All Upper Subansiri District Students’ Union today condemned the power department for poor power supply in the district. In a release union district sought explanation from the department, reasons for failing to give uninterrupted power supply. The union also urged the district administration to look into the matter.
Another bandh on 20th March
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Claiming that the state government has failed to address its demands like appointment of home minister, immediate removal of unauthorized red light flasher and immediate eviction of illegal government land encroachers, Arunachal Minority Students Union(AMSU) today declared 12 hours capital bandh on March 20 next.
TLY condemns ‘irresponsible’ demand
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Top Lod Youth (TLY) has condemned the demand of the Paktu Ao Welfare Society for renovation of Paktu Linn by Galos of Dumporijo circle. They stated that a pillar can always be repaired anytime but who will bring back life of late Goto Yudik. Claiming that police are yet to arrest the mastermind behind the killing of late Yudik, TLY appealed the concerned authority to punish the masterminds of Aalo incident.
The TLY further stated they are running out of patience and if justice is delayed it might lead to worsening of relation between Top Lod Youths and Paktu Ao Welfare Society in the days to come. They also appealed to the likeminded citizens of Paktu not to support person with criminal background and ensure that those people responsible for death of late Goto Yudik be given proper punishment.
Teacher passes away
ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Onima Tamuk Taki, a junior teacher serving under SSA at Govt Middle school Tarak in East Siang district passed away on 9th of this month after a brief illness. She leaves behind her six year old son and husband.
:::::::::::::::::::::
244 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
-
All rights reserved.
