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2017

March 17

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Pema writes to Karnataka CM on racial discrimination

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting his personal intervention in punishing the culprit and set an example to thwart similar incidents in the future, following an assault on an Arunachalee student Higio Gungtey in Bangalore recently.

Khandu specifically noted in his letter that though several charges were filed against the culprit - one Hemanth Kumar, a lawyer by profession - he has managed to obtain anticipatory bail.

The Chief Minister drew attention of Siddaramaiah towards the fact that every year, thousands of students from Arunachal Pradesh go to Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru for higher and technical education. While pointing that these students face racial discrimination in one or other form, he asserted that such discrimination ought to be negated in every possible way and dissuaded forth with.

He made it clear that culprits engaged in such kind of activities should be dealt with iron hands so that recurrence of such incidents are nipped in the bud and a sense of security is instilled amongst the student community pursuing studies in his state.

"I would therefore seek your personal intervention in the present case to ensure that the culprit is punished according to the law of the land and justice is delivered to the victim and his family members. I also would like to seek your kind assurance in ensuring safety and security of our students studying in various colleges and educational institutions in your state," he added in the letter to Siddaramaiah.

Meanwhile, the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) has strongly condemned the inhuman brutal racial attack, and urged the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Union Home Ministry to impress upon the Karnataka Government to initiate stringent action against the culprit and ensure punishment as per law of the land to instill a sense of security to those living outside the state.

The NES further said that Hemant Kumar needs to be immediately thrown out of the legal profession. 'Indian judicial system shall be doomed if such a heinous criminal continues to be a legal professional', it said.

'The repeated physical assault on North East People, especially Arunachalees in mainland India may incite a feeling of alienation and give rise to a trust deficit if proper measures and steps are not taken by the Union Government and the respective state governments', the NES said.

Women rights activist, Jarjum Ete said that the Government of India needs to strengthen the teeth and claws of SC/ST Commissions. FIRs, rallies and protest must be heard and justice delivered, she said, while adding that any legal practitioner indulging in criminal offences must be immediately stripped off the license to practice Law.

Hundreds join protest against racial discrimination

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Hundreds marched in protest on Thursday in Itanagar against what they termed a racial attack on one Arunachalee, Higio Gungtey, a student of Christ University, Bengaluru.

Gungtey, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh and is a fourth-semester student of Christ University, was allegedly beaten and forced to lick his house owner's shoes for using excessive water in Bengaluru on March 6 last. The house owner was identified as Hemanth Kumar.

The protest was organised by family members of Gungtey and supported by organisations, such as the All Nyishi Students' Union, All Kra Daadi District Students' Union, representatives from Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women, members from Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress, scores of councilors and many others.

The protest march started from Akashdeep in the morning and culminated at Tennis Court I G Park, Itanagar where protestors demanded that the authority book Hemanth Kumar under ST/SC Atrocities Act, 1999 under section 153 IPC.

The organisations also demanded for cancellation of Hemanth Kumar's law practicing license from the Bar Council of India and that he be punished under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 for allegedly using derogatory words against women. The Arunachal students in Delhi also staged a dharna in front of Karnataka Bhawan in New Delhi, protesting the racial attack on Gungtey.

Special Tiger Protection Force: listen to their voices

[ Nandini Velho ]

On the 29th of February 2008 the Union Finance Minister announced a one-time investment of Rs. 50 crores to the National Tiger Conservation Authority for the constitution of the Special Tiger Protection Force (hereafter STPF). Notably 100% of central assistance would be provided to States under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger to raise, arm and deploy the STPF. Almost a decade later, on the 13th January, 2017, the Committee on Government Assurances has now asked States to give them a written communication that they are unable to constitute STPF. Unfortunately Arunachal Pradesh is one of the States that has received this letter since it has been unable to constitute the STPF.

Out in the big bad world, the reasons for not constituting the STPF seem to be mainly political in nature. The good news is that the state legislature did pass the Arunachal Pradesh Forest and Special Tiger Protection Force Act, 2013 and they have approved the recruitment rules of the STPF. There has been back and forth related to the appointment process, whether it should be done through the police or the forest department. Rasam Brah, a long-time mahut of the elephant Kai Singh, said that if appointments are done through the police and not the forest department, all their years of hard work working for Pakke Forest Department will go down the drain. There is also another point of working in sensitive areas - states such as Chhatisgarh in the red-corridor have also asked for the forest department to be the recruiting authority and not the police. If done through the police, the forest department staff could be confused with the police and armed forces and would face retaliation. Pakke has faced militancy issues on and off and the forest department has managed to thread this fine-balance.

Irrespective, the opportunity to constitute the STPF should be good news for Arunachal Pradesh. This would enable creation of 112 posts of STPF personnel. It was not difficult to understand why the well-managed Pakke Tiger Reserve was selected as one of the thirteen tiger reserves from all across the country for the creation of this force. Tiger reserves were selected on two main criteria: they needed to have a considerable tiger source population and active involvement of forest dwelling communities.

One way that communities have been actively involved in Pakke is that most of the patrolling staff come from the villages adjacent to the tiger reserve. The 140 contingency staff are the backbone of the DFO Tana Tapi's core protection team. Together they have started a story on Pakke's protection that can be passed on to other places and told and re-told several times. Apart from these staff there are just 12 staff who have regularized jobs as forest guards and often the new recruits are still to catch up with the mud-on-the boots knowledge of the contingency staff. The contingency staff continue to patrol these forests in the hope that "naukri regular ho jayega (my job will be regularized someday)." They have been patrolling the forests through very difficult conditions. On one such week long patrolling expedition they climbed up to 2000 m asl and there was no water where they camped and so recalls Kanio Tana "Kacha khana khake duty kiya (ate raw rice to do our duty)." They eventually managed to prevent acute dehydration because one of the staff knew which woody climbers (lauthas) could be cut to get a few 100 ml of water.

Apart from expeditions, regular nights around the anti- poaching camps are not much easier either. Their basic ration supplies of rice and dal are raised externally from donors like the Wildlife Conservation Trust, as most States do not give ration allowances to contingency staff. Such provisions exist for regular staff though. While cooking around the fire with whatever basic provisions provided, they manage some family time despite being away from home. In many camps, the staff have figured out where they can get a bar or two of mobile network, and so all the phones pile up and they take turns to call home. The ones in a hurry put their phones on speaker. Yet, these camps and experiences still create a home away from home. Loguna Welly, said that he felt his home was in Seijosa but also in Panchali camp which was situated 23 km inside Pakke. He has been stationed there for the last 4 years and he confesses that he would feel bad to be posted somewhere else - they grow brinjals, chilies, garlic and other vegetables around their camp. When they go out to meet their children, they show them pictures of interesting plants and animals on their mobile-phones or share the few videos and magazine articles that feature their lives and work in the forest. Their children are usually trying to make sense and understand that this is what their Abos do. These stories have also reached children from different parts of India. A few years ago on Global Tiger Day, WWF-India passed on these congratulatory letters that children had written to these brave contingency staff. Closer to Pakke, civil society and local leaders are rallying around these staff and stand in solidarity to ensure that STPF appointments are done in the most transparent manner without any political interference.

They simply can't take the chance because in Pakke Tiger Reserve we have come so far. "Dil tut jayenge (It will be heart breaking)", said gaon burrah Takum Nabum of Ghora Aabhe Society if rumours of 4 lakhs per appointment to be given to Ministers for these posts are to be believed. To put it in perspective these contingency staff earn between Rs. 6,000-9,500/- per month and sometimes when financial installments are not released by the State their salaries are delayed for months. This political interference and money power "would be unpardonable given the sincerity of the staff", wrote Pani Tayam the Zilla Parishad Member of 14th Seijosa-3rd East Kameng District to the Hon'ble Chief Minister as more rumours are abound that MLAs are dividing the posts for 'aapna aadmis' over these aam aadmi staff.

So where do we go from here? This is what the voices from the field have to say:

* Let the Forest Department be the appointing agency. The Hon'ble Chief Minister and the political establishment should ensure zero political interference and nil corruption in this process so that the Forest Department committee can truly select the most deserving candidates.

* Since 30% of the strength is to be drawn from local people and this is most likely to be outsourced to the Field Director, the Chief Minister should also instruct all local MLAs to refrain from forwarding letters and putting forth personal requests in the appointment.

* The MOU between the National Tiger Conservation Authority and State Government (Article 1, subsection f) says that the STPF companies should be recruited locally from the districts within which the tiger reserve is located. This should be given weightage as many staff from Pakke Tiger Reserve already come from the surrounding areas.

* After due checks are in place, start appointing Special Guards immediately as this opportunity should not be lost for ground staff. Foresters and Rangers can be appointed later as there is an existing structure for Range Forest Officers that work in Pakke already who could manage these Special guards in the interim.

In the meanwhile they protect Pakke Tiger Reserve for all of us but time will tell whether policy will keep a ear to the ground to listen to their voices from the field. These are voices that need to be heard. ( Contributor is a researcher working around Pakke Tiger Reserve )

3 hunters arrested, wild meat recovered

PASIGHAT, Mar 16: The Arunachal Pradesh Police, Pasighat on Thursday arrested three persons for hunting of wild animals from the Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary.

The arrested have been identified as Makpel Tayeng (38), Kutyan Daring (55) and Boleram Lego (45), all from Borguli village in East Siang district.

The police, following a complaint received from the Wildlife Department picked them up from Borguli on Wednesday and later arrested them after their involvement in hunting was confirmed.

The police also recovered around six kilograms of roasted wild meat along with a 12-Bore SBBL gun used in the hunting from their possession.

The Investigating Officer informed that the hunters entered into wildlife sanctuary on March 13 last and gunned down a wild buffalo there. A case (No. 35/2017) under sections- 51(1) of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Read with Section-27(1) (2) Arms act has been registered against the hunters in Pasighat Police Station.

The Divisional Forest Officer (WL), who is pursuing the case, lamented that despite awareness meetings on wildlife conservation in the fringe villages of Daying Ering Sanctuary, some are still engaged in hunting and poaching activities inside the sanctuary and other protected areas.

Earlier in December 2016, the wildlife personnel caught a hunter from Namsing village, who gunned down two hog deer from Sibiya range of the wildlife sanctuary.

Corruption is enemy of welfare state: Dr Begi

Awareness on RTI Act

TAWANG, Mar 16: Terming corruption as the biggest enemy of the welfare of the people, Chief Information Commissioner Dr Joram Begi reiterated on the need to contain it.

He was speaking at an awareness camp on Right to Information Act, 2005, conducted at Zomkhang Hall by the Arunachal Information Commission in collaboration with the Tawang District Administration on Thursday.

He said that the objective of the landmark Act is to empower the citizens and promote transparency and accountability.

He also cautioned against the misuse of the said Act and asked the officers to act as watchdogs. However, the Chief Information Commissioner also exhorted the public authorities to act in transparent manner by following laid down norms and procedures.

Information Commissioners Matheim Linggi and Nanam Jamoh spoke on the role of Public Information Officer and National Food Security Act, 2013 respectively, while Abraham K Techi gave a detailed guide to the information seekers.

The participants also witnessed an interactive session, wherein doubts raised by many were cleared by the Commission. The programme was also attended by Tawang DC, HoDs, officers, PRI members and NGOs. (DIPRO)

Gambling prohibited in Capital Complex

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The District Administration has banned illegal gambling practices reportedly going on in the Capital Complex, including Naharlagun and Banderdewa.

Accordingly, the DA invoked Sec 144 CrPC of 1973 r/w the Gambling Prohibition Act, 2011. In its order, the Capital Complex DC stated that violators of the order shall be prosecuted under relevant provision of laws.

Siang bandh on headquarters issue

[ Maksam Tayeng ]

PANGIN/PASIGHAT, Mar 16: The second phase of Siang District chakka bandh called by the Siang District Headquarter Welfare Committee (SDHWC), which started on Wednesday, passed of successfully and peacefully baring a single incident of vehicle damage on Thursday near Sanggam Tiniali.

Vehicular movement was completely restricted as the agitators blocked the road at Sanggam Tiniali, Tarak Bus Stand and Rottung.

Reportedly, a vehicle of the Pangin DAO, which was coming from Boleng, was cautioned at Sanggam bridge by security forces, but was damaged by the agitators near Sanggam Tiniali on the second day of the chakka bandh, informed Tapang Jamoh, President of SDHWC.

If the state government continues to ignore our genuine demands we will be bound to launch an indefinite Siang district bandh, added SDHWC sources.

The ongoing chakka bandh is in protest against the alleged move of the state government to shift the district headquarters of Siang from its notified permanent headquarters Nyobo (Perang-Lampang).

The SDHWC has demanded for early development of infrastructure at Nyobo as it was already notified as permanent headquarters of Siang district on November 24, 2014 last.

Seek help from PRIs, religious

leaders for immunization : DC

SEPPA, Mar 16: Speaking about the obstacles caused due to ignorance and fear psychosis associated with vaccinations, East Kameng DC Rajeev Takuk advised the department to draw a plan in advance and to seek help from Panchayat and religious leaders, and civil societies to dispel any misconception.

He was speaking at the District Task Force on Immunization (DTFI) of East Kameng district on Wednesday at Seppa to chalk out strategies for implementation of Mission Indradhanush (MI-4) under National Health Mission.

The DC further suggested that the department record and upload accurate information and distribution of the prescribed formats for comprehensive assessment of the programme.

He appreciated the Health Department for successful implementation of the first and second rounds and exhorted them to work with same zeal and vigour to achieve the target of the remaining rounds of MI-4. He also particularly appreciated the work of the team led by Dr Kopi Gyadi.

Informing about recent allocation of fund from his source for electrification of the District Hospital, the DC also assured to provide necessary fund for procurement of printer for the district Health Department. He further assured to provide every possible assistance and coordination to the department for successful implementation of all health-related activities.

State Observer, Dr Raja Dodum emphasised on the need of regular training on micro planning, review meeting, proper data recording and reporting, and involvement of AWWs.

DPM Jini Natung briefed the gathering about the block-wise performance, coverage percentage, refusal rate and target achieved during the second round of MI-4 in the district. According to her, cumulative coverage of immunization of the district during the second round of MI-4 was above 92 percent against the targeted headcount.

DMO Dr C L Mallo, DRCHO Dr Kaya Lapung, MS Dr Kopi Gyadi, DANO Dr S K Suman, SMO Dr Kapu Sopin, ADI Nondo Doka and other health staffs also took part in the discussion.

Governor welcomes Modi’s ‘New India’ vision

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh P B Acharya has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming the 'New India' vision.

The Governor said that along with the rest of the country, the people of the state are very inspired by his vision of 'New India'. He said that providing opportunities to the poor and reducing the burden of middle class to enable them to excel to their potential and aspiration will be the foundation of the new India. The dreams of the under-35 and aspirations of women will be fulfilled.

The Governor emphasised that the vision of 'New India' with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' will definitely reinforce the spirit of cooperative federalism, which in turn strengthens the country. "It envisages strong centre-state relationship and will cement stronger foundation for all-round development in every part of the country irrespective of different political affiliations", he said. (PRO, Rajbhavan)

Parl Secy takes stock of departmental activities

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Parliamentary Secretary, Science and Technology, Tapak Taku on Thursday called upon the officials of the Science and Technology Department (S&TD) to maintain professionalism and work with team spirit so that the benefits of science and technology could reach all sections of the people in the state.

Taking stock of the activities of the Science and Technology Department in a meeting at the conference hall of Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre (APSC), Indira Gandhi Park, Taku, while appreciating the achievements and activities of his department and State Remote Sensing Application Center (SRSAC) also assured all-out support from the state government in smooth functioning of the department and in implementation of projects and schemes. He also called for media publicity about the activities of the department.

Earlier, Director cum Member Secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T), Engineer T Ronya briefed about the activities of the Science and Technology Department and the Council, and their organizational structures.

APSCS&T Joint Director Dr Debajit Mahanta highlighted the activities of the Science & Technology division and informed about the Biotechnology Resource Centre at Kimin.

SRSAC Director, H K Dutta highlighted the use of space technology in mapping and monitoring of natural resources and the vital role of Remote Sensing and GIS technology in planning and monitoring of different developmental projects and schemes in the state. He also explained about various upcoming activities using space technology.

In his address, Science & Technology Secretary, Gaken Ete, while highlighting the importance of the Department of Science & Technology, urged the Parliamentary Secretary to take up issues like lack of fund, infrastructure, and manpower shortage in the department with higher authorities. He also urged the scientists, officers and employees of the council to work with dedication and sincerity.

State Council for Science & Technology Chairman, Bamang Mangha called upon the scientists to come up with new innovative projects and programmes in the field of science and technology.

The Parliamentary Secretary also visited various science galleries and other facilities of the science centre.

SBI's digital and cashless transaction event

ZIRO, Mar 16: The SBI Ziro, in collaboration with the district administration conducted a one-day workshop on Digital India and cashless transaction at the DC's conference hall on Wednesday.

The workshop was attended by representatives from business community, NGOs and public.

EAC Lod Taker in his deliberation on Digital India and cashless transaction highlighted various applications that could be used for cashless transaction. Emphasizing on the need to seed Aadhar numbers with bank accounts, he informed that the most important benefit of seeding the number is receiving social welfare scheme payments and other benefits from various schemes run by the Government of India, like Direct Benefits Transfer for LGP cylinder subsidy, MNREGA, tribal welfare schemes, scholarships, subsidy for commodity products and country wide access. This ensures that the government money reaches to the genuine beneficiaries, he added.

Chamber of Commerce Secretary Talyang Sambyo suggested for providing practical workshops on cashless transactions. He further appealed to the SBI staffs to be polite to the villagers especially during banking process.

Chief Manager, Lead Bank, Ziro S Basumutary and General Manager, SBI, Ziro D Mili, were the resource persons for the workshop, which was also attended by ADC Nending Chatung.

Meanwhile, at Daporijo, the SBI organized a programme on banking facilities at Singhik Hall on Wednesday.

During the programme, the public were given awareness on e-banking and cashless transaction, among other services.

Attending the programme, Deputy Commissioner A K Singh urged consumers to avail the facility provided by the government for easy transaction of money.

Chief Manager P K Doley and Deputy Manager Tashi Nungnu spoke about the various issues pertaining to banking system. (DIPRO with ATNS)

Exhibition to mark World Consumer Rights Day

ZIRO, Mar 16: An exhibition-cum-demonstration on various consumer products was held in the premises of Ziro Valley School, Lempia on Wednesday last, on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day.

The programme was organized by the Lower Subansiri district unit department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with Neeti Society, a local NGO.

Speaking on the occasion, EAC, Mokar Riba urged the businessmen to respect the rights of the consumer and redress their grievances properly. He appealed to the participants, particularly students to gain maximum knowledge from the event and use them in their day to day life.

LM&CA Inspector, Debia Tana while demonstrating on day to day use of weights and measures and the goods that are sold in package forms, explained some of the basic rights of the consumers which can be exercised at the time of purchasing goods as well as services. He also highlighted about the redressal agencies that are available in district, state and national level, which have been set up specifically to safeguard the rights of the consumers.

The Neeti Society, Ziro Chairman, Assistant Controller LM&CA, H H Atung and Ziro Valley School's Chairman, Rubu Tadii also spoke on the occasion.

Forest dept seeks people’s cooperation for wildlife conservation

YINGKIONG, Mar 16: Locals, including youths, PRI members and people of Jengging circle were urged to join hands with the Forest Department in protecting and conserving the rich flora and fauna of the Mouling National park.

Addressing a day-long mass awareness campaign on protection of wildlife and biodiversity of Mouling National Park, organized by the Adi Students' Union (AdiSU), under the sponsorship of Department of Environment & Forest at Jengging on Wednesday last, Mouling National Park DFO, Boken Pao highlighted the importance of conservation efforts of the park, which is home to many endangered species, like the clouded leopard, goral, Himalayan black bear, musk deer and sarow, etc. He further called upon the people of the area to stop hunting of wild animals in and around the park.

In his address, AdiSU General Secretary, Buteng Tayeng said that wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important practice due to the negative effect of human activity. 'India is among the 17 countries of the world that is known for its biodiversity. But we are losing our plants and animals at an alarming rate. Wildlife is Mother Nature's greatest treasure and we must take every measure to protect it', he added.

Chairman of the programme, Yingkiong EAC, Jumte Jini, AdiSU Assistant General Secretary, Aniyoung Jopir, AdiSU Vice President, Tanong Tali, along with members of AdiSU Upper Siang unit and PRI members attended the programme.

GSU reiterates demands, threatens bandh

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Galo Students' Union (GSU) reiterated its 10-point demand and asked the state government to fulfill the demands within the next 10 days.

Reminding the state government of it ten-point memorandum, which was submitted on February 28, the GSU in a reminder letter addressed to the Chief Minister threatened to call 24 hours Galo inhabitant area bandh on March 27 if the Union's demands were not fulfilled within the stipulated time.

It would be flowed by a series of phase-wise bandhs till the fulfillment of demands, the Union further threatened.

The demands of the Union include among others, immediate functionalization of Lower Siang district, non-exclusion of any area under Nari-Koyu Assembly Segment from Lower Siang, creation of Leppa-Rada district, posting of doctors, medical staff, and supply of medical equipments at General Hospital, Aalo.

Fund for burial cum cremation soon

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Urban Development Minister Nabam Rebia has assured that the required fund would be allocated to Itanagar Municipal Council for construction of a burial cum cremation ground soon.

He said this after visiting the 'Burial cum Cremation Ground' at Karsingsa on Thursday, accompanied by Director Town Planning & ULB, Chief Councillor, Deputy Chief Councillor, councillors and officials of Itanagar Municipal Council, Naharlagun.

The visit was necessitated as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh had emphasised on early construction of a burial cum cremation ground in the Capital Complex.

Later, the IMC team, along with the Capital MLA called on Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein at his office and apprised him on various issues of the IMC.

Vocational training prog for rural women

PASIGHAT, Mar 16: Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak on Thursday inaugurated a two-days training program on agro-based and cottage industry at the conference hall of College of Horticulture, Pasighat.

While appreciating the DD (ICDS) for their support in women empowerment, DC Tatak said that women in rural areas should come forward for economic development through entrepreneurship. The department should organize more skill development training programs in various sectors so that women could acquire skill for self-employment, he added.

Emphasizing on exposure tours for the trainees, the DC advised participants to gain proper knowledge from the training for personal benefits in particular and the society as a whole. He also informed about various government schemes meant for women. Dr Rajan Bawa, Dean In-charge also shared his experiences.

The training, headed by DD (ICDS) Ponung Ering Angu would teach methods of food preservation, flower preservation, mushroom cultivation and preservation, candle making etc. Altogether, 50 rural women from in and around Pasighat and Mebo areas are participating in the programme. (DIPRO)

Hapoli holds TDS workshop

ZIRO, Mar 16: A workshop on Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) was organized by the Department of Tax and Excise, Lower Subansiri at Hapoli on Thursday.

Chairing the meeting, ADC Nending Chatung while lauding the efforts of the Tax and Excise Department in sensitizing the officials on TDS, exhorted the HoDs present to use the opportunity to be well versed in accounts and tax deduction methods.

Tax and Excise Superintendent Punyo Yaje dealt in length about the responsibilities and liabilities of the DDO's, methods of calculation of taxable turnover, various forms in TDS and the percentage of work contracts, etc.

Emphasizing on the need to generate TAN (Tax Deduction Account Numbers) by all the DDOs, he also informed them that the entire process of tax payment would be online to facilitate introduction of GST.

The meeting was also attended by ADC Yachuli A C Boruah, HoDs, accountants and staffs from various departments. (DIPRO)

4 days International Veda conference begins at Gohpur

GOHPUR, Mar 16: The four-day International Veda Conference got off to a colourful start at Gameri High School general ground on Thursday. This was preceded by a cultural rally participated by around 5,000 people from different communities. Cultural troupes from Nyishi and Apatani communities are also participating in the cultural extravaganza being organized as part of the conference.

Among others, Gohpur MLA Utpal Borah, senior citizens, and retired government servants of the area attended the inaugural function.

The organizing committee informed that research scholars and philosophers from various universities of the country and abroad are attending the conference. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister are also expected to attend the conference on the concluding day.

Training on tissue culture of orchids

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: A three days training programme on tissue culture of orchids and other plants concluded at the State Horticulture Research and Development Institute (SHRDI), Chimpu on Thursday.

The training programme was a part of combined efforts by scientists from SHRDI and State Forest Research Institute for mass production of orchids to facilitate commercial cultivation in the state. Representing the SFRI, Scientist Dr O Apang, imparted the training as resource person.

Currently, orchid planting materials come mostly from Darjeeling and Sikkim. Being the home of highest number of native orchids in the country, Arunachal Pradesh has the high scope of commercial orchid cultivation.

However, due to non availability of planting materials, farmers are yet to take up orchid cultivation on commercial scale. The major constraints are lack of proper tissue culture laboratories for mass propagation of orchids said SHRDI Head, Egam Basar.

A small tissue culture laboratory of SHRDI will be used to initiate the work for which some minor repair and maintenance is required, and the old equipment replaced within a month's time.

Meet to revamp assembly committees

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Addressing the conference of chairmen of Assembly committees for revamping the committees of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said that to make the government accountable to the public, the committees have active role to play.

"Without it, the vision for 'Saabka saath, saabka vikaas' cannot be met", added the CM.

Khandu appreciated the conference as timely exercise and said that proposed revamp of Assembly committees is a reasonable one and needs to be expeditiously carried out.

He requested that MLAs be trained in their roles and functions and also orientation programmes be conducted for chairmen and members of the committees.

The Chief Minister thanked Speaker T N Thongdok for conducting the 11th session of the sixth Legislative Assembly smoothly and for organising the conference of chairmen. (PRO, CMO)

Strict action sought against encroachers

[ Karda Natam ]

DAPORIJO, Mar 16: Claiming that rampant encroachment and demolition of government quarters in Upper Subansiri district has led to shortage of quarters causing much inconvenience to the government employees, the All Arunachal Pradesh Government Departmental Labours' Union, Upper Subansiri district recently lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner and sought strict action against the encroachers.

The Union said that the total number of existing government quarters has not been verified by the authority as many of them are being demolished day by day. It further appealed to the district administration to conduct eviction drives to curb encroachments of government quarters and initiate strict action against those government employees involved in encroaching and dismantling government quarters.

Bandh declared illegal

ZIRO, Mar 16: Lower Subansiri District Magistrate, Kemo Lollen has in an executive order U/S 144 Cr Pc, declared the 12 hours bandh call by the All Lower Subansiri District Youth Association on March 17 as illegal.

Stating that bandh calls cause untold misery and hardships to patients, students and business community in particular and the public at large, the DM directed the said organization to refrain from enforcing such bandh calls. 'All business establishments and markets within Lower Subansiri have been directed to remain open, failing which their trading license will be liable to be suspended, while any damage to public or private properties shall be recovered from the bandh callers', the order further read. (DIPRO)

RKM cardiology camp

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Ramakrishna Mission Hospital is expected to organize a 'Cardiology Camp' on March 25.

Dr Dhritabrata Das of B M Birla Hospital, Kolkata and Dr Nitin Agarwala of Downtown Hospital, Guwahati will give the consultation on pediatric cardiology cases and adult congenital heart diseases. The hospital has asked willing patients to register themselves for consultation.

Org seeks start of TAH

Karda Natam

DAPORIJO, Mar 16: The All Tagin Youth Organization (ATYO) has called a 24 hours chakka bandh on March 23 against M/S T K Engineering Consortium, demanding early start of Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) in Upper Subansiri district.

The organization had already served an ultimatum to the district administration and the construction company to immediately start the TAH work. Though there was a colourful inauguration, there is no progress on the ground, said ATYO President Tade Markia, before adding that "There are no machineries or labourers".

The organization has given seven days to start work on the TAH.

Further, the ATYO said that the road from Bopi to Tai should also be repaired at the earliest.

RGU to hold national seminar on 'Anthropology and Public Development Policy'

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The Department of Anthropology, Rajiv Gandhi University, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal will organise a two-day long national seminar on the theme 'Anthropology and Public Development Policy: Issues and Challenges', beginning March 17.

RGU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tamo Mibang, Minister of Education, Honchun Ngandam and The Asiatic Society, Kolkata General Secretary, Dr S B Chakrabarty are scheduled to attend the seminar.

Induction training for MPW ends

YUPIA, Mar 16: Induction training for all the newly appointed Multi Purpose Workers (MPWs) under Papum Pare district, which began on March 7 last, concluded successfully at the ZPC's hall on Thursday.

On the opening day of the batch-wise training, State Programme Officer-cum-Jt DHS (NVBDCP) Dr Alok Yirang and State Nodal Officer for Malaria Dr K T Mullung spoke on various aspects of national framework for Malaria Elimination and IMCP-3 Programme Goal, intervention and strategies. DMO Dr Tasso Kampu also called upon all the MPW's to be sincere and dedicated towards discharging their duties.

Other resource persons included Kimin ZMO Dr K M Lombi, State Consultants Dr T Loyi (PHM), Dr P J Sharma (M&E), Mum Lego (IEC/BCC), District Consultant Yaka Koj and Dr Tana Aruna, DPO (DVBDCS) Yupia.

Arunachal to participate in Junior National Football Championship

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Arunachal Pradesh will participate in the Junior National Football Championship for B C Roy Trophy, scheduled to be held in Chandigarh from April 15 to 30.

Accordingly, the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) will conduct an open selection trial at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium from March 20 to 24 to select the state football team. Players born in between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000 will only be eligible to participate in the selection trial.

The state will also participate in the Senior Women National Football Championship to be held in Punjab from May 1. Arunachal Pradesh Women's Football Committee will conduct a selection trial from April 5 to 10 to select the state team for the championship, informed the APFA.

NABARD launches Potential Linked Credit Plan

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched the Potential Linked Credit Plan (PLP) 2017-18 for Lower Dibang Valley district.

It was launched by Deputy Commissioner Deepak Shinde, and District Development Manager, NABARD Nitya Mili in the DC's conference hall.

Mili informed that the total credit potential under the priority sector had been estimated at Rs 2264.36 lakh for the financial year 2017-18. It is based on the theme "Doubling of Farmer's Income by 2022".

The main objective of the plan is to sustain the contribution of agriculture and allied activities in the development of the state and the need to think beyond 'food security' of the country to focus on 'income security' of the farmer, said a release from NABARD.

It would facilitate banks in extending credit to viable activities in the district and line departments, and developmental agencies may provide necessary infrastructure and linkage support. The PLP projections serve as a basis for banks in preparing Annual Credit Plan.

---- Editorial ----

Time for action

The grand old party Congress emerged as the single largest party in Goa and Manipur in the just concluded assembly election. But in both the states BJP managed to outwit them and formed the government. Congress leaders were caught off guard by the quick action of BJP. The party tried to do damage control by alleging that BJP formed government using money and muscle power. But there is no point in crying over split milk. The whole episode has badly exposed the inefficiency of the Congress leadership.

Party MLAs and workers in Goa have strongly reacted to the lethargic leadership of the central leaders. Congress legislator and senior Goa leader Vishwajit Rane resigned from the party accusing the party of "failing Goa." In last few years grand old party has lost many strong regional leaders which led to drastic fall down of party fortune. Even as party faces serious crisis no central leaders including vice president Rahul Gandhi is available to resolve the crisis. It looks like Congress under Mr Gandhi is on a self destructive mood. If party leaders do not take urgent step to stop the slide, in coming year in all probability Congress will loose relevance in India. This will be huge setback considering the fact that it had ruled country for so many years. Honestly there is no time for them to introspect. The time has arrived to take some action in order to arrest the failing fortune of party. It is a testing time for the Congress leadership.

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---- Readers Forum ----

Provide us smart teachers

Dear Editor,

In apropos to the news item appeared on your local daily titled ‘’ Smart classes in schools to start from June” where the department of Education has confirmed to have entered into an agreement with EdCIL India Limited, New Delhi for starting smart classes in schools of Arunachal Pradesh from session 2017-18 onwards. I don’t know what the education department is trying to prove themselves, leave about smart classes our students are crying for subject teachers. Many of the Higher Secondary and Middle schools in our state are running without subject teachers, does Education department bothers about it?

Let me cite best example of my own locality GHSS Nyapin of Kurung Kumey district, in which since from last 8 years, the students of GHSS Nyapin has been deprived of Pol. Science, Geography, Economics and commerce teachers, so how one can expect those passed out students to be competitive with the students of other schools.

Just few days before my little brother completed his class VII examination at Govt. middle school Upper Nyapin. But to my utter surprise I learnt that there was no examination for Hindi for class VI,VII & VIII due to absence of Hindi teacher.

Now question is that can our education department be kind enough to compensate for it or will the authority of education department accumulate guts to take action against those erring teachers?

So through the column of this esteemed daily, I would like to appeal our education department to first fulfill basic needs of our schools by providing subject teachers right from primary to higher secondary school then think of introducing smart classes as many schools in our state are running without teachers of various subjects. No doubt idea of smart class is a noble initiative by the education department but it’s not the appropriate time in our state.

Last but not least I beg the authorities of Education department to reconsider its decision of smart classes instead provide us smart teachers.

Yours,

Tadar Kaming

On Smart Education

Dear Editor,

‘Smart’ is the new buzzword after globalisation today. Everything today is turning smart from cell phones to Televisions to cities as a whole. The world belongs to those who are smart. If one is less smart one is left behind. In this scenario smart education is the need of an hour to nurture smart human capital for our refulgent-smart future. In this regard the recent agreement between Department of Education with EdCIL India Limited, New Delhi for starting smart classes in schools of Arunachal Pradesh from 2017-18 onwards under Chief Minister’s “Adhunik Shiksha Yojana” is laudable. The smart classes are envisaged to make the process of learning interesting along with providing an easy accessibility to information.

However, it would be a tedious task in a state where many of the schools does not even have the basic infrastructure facilities to continue their daily activities. In addition to this, there is a huge ‘digital divide’–many of the places do not have electricity and only handful of the places has good internet connectivity.

In this scenario the “smart devices” that will be provided may become obsolete in the long run as they required to be updated on regular interval for proper functioning. There are also instances (in earlier projects) where smart devices were hijacked for personal use of the authorities. Also, authorities would take considerable time to get acclimatised with the new technologies; even the experience with the Computer Aided Learning (CAL) system is not very encouraging.

Smart education therefore should not be confused to providing smart classes or smart devices only. This cannot be an isolated project as its success depends on other variables as well-electricity, internet, infrastructure, accessibility and others. Therefore, Government needs to work on programs DDUGJY, NOFN, SSA, Digital India mission etc. Providing smart education is an ‘organic whole’ where smart classes are only a part.

Therefore, a holistic multifaceted approach involving various variables should be adopted after making proper discourse and research. Instead of going to the target schools directly first of proper support structure should be developed and make it easily accessible to the stakeholders whenever required.

If it is taken up like any other target based project through a Kafkaesque bureaucratic process it is bound to fizzle out in the long run. We must understand that ‘after sales service of the product is as important as the product itself’. Without providing for proper support structure the project would run into oblivion- with only the target being fulfilled without any positive result and leading to an ‘output-outcome gap’.

Yours,

Nyatum Doke

Likabali

Come clear on notification

Dear Editor,

With reference to the advertisement no. ED/LS/SSA/Interview-I/2016-17 dated 4th Oct 2016 which was notified by DDSE, Ziro, I would like to ask the concern department to come out with clear cut notifications and clarifications for the delayed recruitment process.

It has come to light through reliable source that some student unions are insisting on giving relaxation on TET eligibility.

If it is so, how can education department deviate from earlier notification in which TET was made mandatory for every teacher recruitment.

And what is the credibility for having TET certificate?

Why are TET exams conducted every year by the Directorate of elementary education when it is not applicable to SSA/RMSA/or regular recruitment?

Delay in further notification in this regards will only discourage the sincere and hardworking aspirants.

Hope concerned authority will execute their duty as they are expected and clear negative apprehension from the minds of eagerly waiting candidates.

Yours,

A candidate

Outdated departments

Dear Editor,

In the era where whole country is crying for Digital India and irrespective of every educated or uneducated person is racing towards digital life, it is painful to find that various important govt. departments of Arunachal Pradesh including Engineering are still practicing offline form submission procedure for recruitments. In such situations, one question always strike in mind-In which century these departments are living?

Therefore, all the concerned departments are requested to make procedure for online form submission.

Yours,

A citizen

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---Editor