The Arunachal Times - Archives

While I chase my dream

Dear Editor,

I acquired number of certificates with the hope that someday it would put me on a smooth sofa in a luxury official room.

Fortunately, on 24th April 2010, I saw an advertisement in the Arunachal Times from Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) for the post of District Statistics Officer/ Research Officer (DSO/ RO). I thought, it was very good opportunity to try my luck by giving my best performance. Date for walk in interview for the post of DSO/ RO was scheduled on 14th May 2010. In the night of 13th May, I neatly placed my necessary documents in a pretty file since it was matter of impression and had my sound sleep.

On 14th May as usual I woke up around 5 O’clock early morning and went to the balcony to enjoy cool breeze. Then I showered in cold water and had breakfast. I knew, I had to go for interview and wore my clean and neat dark black suit and was prepared for it.

Suddenly, someone gently knocked at my door. When I opened, I saw the newspaper wala who gave a gentle smile and handed over the newspaper. I knew, I didn’t have time to read newspaper, since it takes about one hour to reach Itanagar from Nirjuli. Even than I browsed through the first page of newspaper and came to the last page. My eyes directly fell on small bold letters “Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar”. Before browsing it, thought came to my mind that it could be another opportunity for the job. But when I browse through it, it was about the cancellation of walk in interview for the post of DSO/ RO. I was shocked and embarrassed by such press notice on the very day of interview.

Really, it is a kind of humiliating and mocking at all the eligible and qualified candidates who were trying to put their best performance for the mentioned post. I request the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission not to repeat such type of undisciplined decision in near future. Instead of it, give concrete and cogent decision and judgment so that Commission is appreciated and trusted.

Yours,

Haringa Pulu,

(On email)

For the sake of the employees

Dear Editor,

I have served Industrial Training Institute (ITI), which comes under Department of Industries for last six years in the difficult areas. But I don't think department is really concerned for the welfare of its staff.

We came to know that regularization file has been turned down by the finance department as many as eight times, which is unbelievable. This despite the fact that we were selected after proper procedure.

We have had enough patience. We all want to know that our parent department (Industries) is really concerned for us. We have family too and it becomes difficult to cater to the needs of our loved ones.

Moreover, these educational institutions are permanent asset of govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.

Therefore, I kindly request Minister of Industries, Education Minister and other concern departments to look into this matter for the welfare of trainees in the institute and for the serving staff.

Yours,

A concerned employee

(on email)

When the Thief is the Guard

Dear Editor,

In the days of monarchy, the king used to appoint the person who is worthy for that particular job. In Assam, Bodo king Mahamanikya appointed Madhav Kandali to translate the Sanskrit Ramayan into the Assamese language because he was best for the job. The Ahom king appointed Lachit Barphukan as the general of the army because he was the most worthy for the post. In democracy job allocation is entirely opposite.

Going by the portfolios of some ministers in the Assam ministry, the popular adage in Assam which says “Udok bhaeta rokhiya pota” (The thief is made the guard) comes into play. The best example is the state minister for forest Rockybul Hussain. Under his tenure, Assam’s forest land has been diminished and he is also patronizing encroachments by migrants from Bangladesh in reserve forest and reserved sanctuaries like Kaziranga, Orang National Park etc. We know that our’s is a democracy of huge number of gullible illiterates thereby justifying Aristotle’s definition of democracy as “fool’s government”.

Should responsible positions like that of conservation of forests and environment go to power hungry ministers like Rockybul Hussain. What has been there credentials for the post? Should there be a minister for the job? In today’s Assam the best person who can work as the conservator of forests of the state with all heart and integrity is the legendary ranger Dharanidhar Boro. But he has no distinction of being ‘elected’ by our ‘enlightened’ electorate. Here lies the shortcoming of democracy in a country where the electorate is largely illiterate and ignorant of ground realities.

Yours,

Satyen Brahma

(on email), Guwahati

Lets do something for the mithuns

Dear Editor,

The constitution of India provides Animal Protection by Article 51 ensuring "compassion to all Living Creatures". The Parliament of India established the Animal Welfare Board of India under provisions of the prevention of cruelty to animal Act, 1960, with the object of preventing infliction of unnecessary pain and sufferings to animals. `it shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for all living creatures'. To quote Mahavira: "All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure, they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like and want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life should be protected...."

Many tribal of Arunachal favour Mithun as our State Animal, but they do not think twice before slaughtering Mithun for a feast. In traditional weddings, the rich and influential people slaughter 40 to 50 Mithuns at a time. During elections Mithuns are always slaughtered in large numbers. Apart from ritual and ceremonial killings, the local butchers are also slaughtering Mithuns every day to eke out their livings. Please contemplate, if a butcher in a town kills 30 Mithuns in a month, then what could be the impact of such killing after 5 years? If a single butcher can kill 1800 numbers of Mithuns, then what could be the grand total of such slaughtering for all ceremonial, ritual, and business purpose for entire states? Do we really have as many as Mithuns to satiate the desires of those people?

Many organizations are taking up the cause of conservation of Mithuns, but mostly on papers, they rarely have any solution to restrain people from wanton slaughtering of Mithuns. Even the Galo Welfare Society has tried to regulate and restrict slaughtering of maximum 10 Mithuns in a local wedding, but who cares? The rich still continue to perpetuate killing of 20 to 50 Mithuns in a wedding ceremony. But there is no such law to punish them. Some organizations are trying to felicitate Mithuns with the title of "Bovine Mr & Mrs Papum Pare" but those honoured animals would also be killed at the time of needs by some body. On the other hand, some organizations are trying to organize "Bos Fontail Festival 2010" with a motto to conserve Mithun. We appreciate their efforts, but there is still no Law to restrict and curtail such wanton killings. It is therefore suggested that the state Government may declare the Mithun as protected state Animal.

Yours,

Tabom Boje

NE Dev. Welfare Society

Tell us whether rules were followed

Dear Editor,

The entire route connecting from Tawang to Mahadevpur of Trans Arunachal Highway has been notified as National Highway on 16.05.2008. Subsequently, DPR for various packages was prepared and tender bids have been floated since 2009.

As per Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) Govt. Of India, Environment clearance for infrastructure such as highway project, tarred road in Himalayan and forest area, except relating to improvement of road works is required.

If the said 2 lane highway comes under the purview of environment clearance, then public hearing could be conducted before floating of tender as per phase II (step-III) of environment clearance procedure of EIA. Without assessing proper land acquisition, loss assessment of immovable public property, proper announcement of compensation package, process of floating tender seems like overlapping the entire procedure of EC. Bidding and construction activity of any project starts after getting prior approval from MoEF and the public hearing is the mandatory part of environmental clearance.

I hope the Department of Road, Transport & Highway Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh will come out with suitable clarification to avoid further confusion among the public.

Yours

Taw Teri (On email)

Food crisis looms large in Arunachal

NCP chief threatens to resign

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, May 14: Food crisis is looming large over state as the state government cannot lift essential items under Public Distribution System from the godown to the interior areas because of non release of subsidy amount.

Minister Health and Family Welfare, Food and Civil supply, Tanga Byaling while presenting a grim picture of days ahead said that food crisis is set to aggravate with the PDS carriage contractors contemplating to stop supply.

Minister informed that state was already facing shortage of food items after Centre reduced amount of rice supplied to Arunachal from 6,700 to 4,475 metric tons in 2010. The present situation aroused after Centre refused to grant fund to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for supply of PDS items on the charges that state PDS system was plagued by numerous problems.

Further Byaling said Centre only send fund for PDS and it is FCI that implements supply of items in the state. Just because of mistake committed by some people, now entire state is facing problems, he said while adding that all bills of PDS contractors should be cleared at the earliest so that they can resume their work.

Byaling also informed that before monsoon state government keep buffer stock of food items to meet any eventuality. However this year FCI did not provide any food items to be kept as buffer stock.

He warned that if present situation does not improve state will face severe food crisis in coming month. PDS distribution is sole responsibilities of FCI and it is time they take over the responsibilities, he added. Byaling who is leaving for Delhi to meet central leaders in this regard, hoped that soon some solution will come out.

On the other hand NCP president Ngurang Pinch in a letter to the NCP Chief Sharad Pawer threatened to resign if the Centre did not act on the needs of the state. He said that PDS quota in the state must be enhanced and Hill Transport Subsidy should be released to the state government.

However things could improve if the central government intervenes as a meeting is scheduled soon after an Arunachal delegation led by MP Takam Sanjay, accompanied by Parliamentary Secretaries Gadam Ete and Nido Pavitra and NCP Chief Arunachal Ngurang Pinch met the Food Minister Sharad Pawar to apprise him of the impending food crisis in the state. The team apprised the minister on inadequate supply of essential commodities to the state due to lackadaisical attitude of FCI officials and non release of HTS pending bills for the last five years and called for his intervention.

Centre calls on Arunachal to prepare plans for economically backward classes

ITANAGAR May 14: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has called upon the state government to come up with viable plans to uplift the economically backward classes in the state for which the commission assured to provide all possible assistance.

This was intimated when a high level central team of Commission for Economically Backward Classes headed by its member Narendra Kumar called on to the State Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in his Niti Vihar office this morning.

Kumar, who is on three days tour to this landlocked state, was accompanied by the commission’s member secretary Mahendra Singh, Sr. Research Officer L M Dorlikar and Consultant M P Aggarwal during the call on.

Apprising the chief minister about plan and functions of the Commission, the visiting team gave a clear picture of the activities to be done for upliftment of the backward classes in the state as well as the country.

Khandu while lamenting over the consideration of schemes based on population criteria by Government of India, said Arunachal being the largest state area wise in the entire northeast should be given special preference and consideration. He urged the members to take up the matter with the union government to relax the population criteria in respect of the state for various schemes.

The chief minister further directed the state social welfare department to initiate viable schemes in order to be forwarded to the commission for active consideration.

Among others Secretary Social Welfare Ajit Srivastava, Director Social Welfare & Child Development R T Riba were present in the meeting. PRO to CM

‘Anti-erosion work on right track, allegations baseless’

ITANAGAR, May 14: Panchayat members of Seijosa circle today said that construction of anti-erosion work at Pakke River to protect Seijosa township is going on smoothly as per the specification given by the department of water resources department. They were reacting to the allegation of faulty implementation of Anti- Erosion works leveled by the Lower Seijosa Flood and Erosion Affected People’s Front.

Terming the allegation as fabricated, baseless and politically motivated, a group of panchayat leaders headed by Raphik Tachang, ASM Bali, clarified that senior officers of WRD have visited the work site and appreciated the work progress with quality. Therefore, the question of faulty implementation of project work does not arise, they said in a release.

The panchayat leaders also appealed the WRD Minister and Chief Engineer of the department to visit the project to find out the truth.

ANYA bandh to go ahead even as Institutions & AAPSU appeals

ITANAGAR, May 14: All Nyishi Youth Association has said that it would go ahead with the proposed 24 hours bandh starting from May 17 next. While informing this decision, its General Secretary Taring Mama said that government has not been able to address the demand of the Union which has prompted the government to go ahead with the bandh. The Union is demanding white paper on AOP.

He further informed that they had met the PWD minister Nabum Tuki on the issues who could not pacify the demands of the Union

Meanwhile, AAPSU has requested the All Nyishi Youth Association to defer their proposed 24 hour bandh call on May 17 to 18 as it is coincides with the post graduate level examination of Rajiv Gandhi University. Rajiv Gandhi University authority has requested ANYA to allow the University bus to fly on May 17 for students who will commute from capital complex to attend the Post Graduate Examination.

Rajiv Gandhi Govt Polytechnic Students Welfare Committee has appealed the All Nyishi Youth Association to exempt the on-going semester examination of the polytechnic from the purview of the proposed bandh.

The semester examinations had already begun from May 10 and will come to an end May 28. The bandh call will badly affect the career of the examinees as most them are arriving from Nirjuli, Naharlagun and other parts of the Capital Complex to appear in the examination, the committee said.

Conference on Audit held

ZIRO, May 14: An ‘entry conference on District Centric Audit’ was held by the office of Accountant General, Arunachal Pradesh in liaison with the District Administration at Abotani Hall here today.

The main aim of the conference is to systematize the auditing process, informed the Deputy Accountant General, S. Suklabaidya. With the increasing investment by the Government on socio-economic development programmes with district as the focal point, it has become imperative to assess the robustness of the planning process at the district and lower levels besides the efficiency and economy on execution of developmental programmes, he added.

Appreciating the participation of large number of officers in the programme, the DAG appealed members to extend all possible co-operation to the audit party.

Lower Subansiri DC, Sadhana Deori and 66 district heads of Department and other officers attended the function. DIPRO

CM approves chopper service to Anini

ANINI, May 14: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today formally approved special Jagson chopper service for next week to Anini for air lifting of stranded people from calamity hit Dibang Valley district.

The approval came after Parliamentary Secretary Rajesh Tacho called on the CM this morning and apprised him of difficulties being faced by the people in the district due to disruption in road link followed by incessant rain. Tacho also expressed his gratitude to CM for his prompt action.

Tacho further informed that essential commodities are being sold in exorbitant price, while hospital and health Centres are running out of medicines following non-supply essential commodities and medicine in the district due to washed out of many strategic bridges and roads.

Meanwhile, he also contacted the Eastern Air Command at Shillong, who in turn also has given his nod for special IAF chopper service for dropping relief and bridge materials as and when weather get improves. DIPRO incharge

Security Commission meet

ITANAGAR May 14: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today presided over the first ever State Security Commission Meeting here in his Niti Vihar office chamber. The meeting was aimed towards bettering the security scenario of the state wherein thorough discussion on various topics relating to law & order, security, welfare measures, border problems, drug addiction etc. were undertaken.

The meeting organized by the State Police department was attended by Home Minister Tako Dabi, Chief Secretary Tabom Bam, Home Commissioner T Taloh, DGP Vimla Mehra, representatives from paramilitary forces, NGOs, press fraternity and host of senior police officers. (PRO to CM)

Roing reels under stormy weather

ROING, May 14: Stormy weather has frequented Roing Township over the last few days causing heavy damages to private and govt properties. On Wednesday many trees were uprooted and tree tops broken in and around the township and roofs of many govt. quarters blown away.

The roof of four classrooms of VKV school building was also blown away in the last massive storm.

A team of officials headed by Deputy Commissioner, YW Ringu visited the spot and she assured to provide financial assistance for renovation of the school building as an immediate relief as the school is re-opening on June 1st next.

K Tassar, DFO(T) have submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner Office yesterday according to which 32 trees uprooted and 50 tree tops were broken inside the Jawarlal Nehru Van Udhyan cum Children Park near Deopani river. The forest trees varied from valuable timber to avenue species were damaged in the storm. He informed that the departmental labours have been engaged since yesterday to clean up the debris.

Meanwhile, departmental sources informed that fresh landslide occurred at 2.97 km point in the diversion channel of Deopani Hydel and the blasting of the stones that blocked the diversion channel which was to be carried out today could not be done due to bad weather condition and the date was deferred until a favourable weather conditions. However, Mrs Oseng Apum, AE Hydropower (Civil) informed that restoration work for Deopani Hydel Phase-I are in progress despite bad weathers.

BRTF sources informed that efforts are on to make the Roing-Hunli road through at the earliest but due to bad weather condition combined by fresh slide at 81 km point the restoration work has been delayed.

In the meantime, the district administration has sought for 2-ration sortie and 1-ration sortie for Dambuk and Hunli Sub-Division respectively owing to road blockade to these places for the last few days. The departmental sources informed that 1 ration sortie for Desali Circle has already been approved by the govt. (DIPRO)

AAPSU hails cancelation of walk in interview

ITANAGAR, May 14: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union has expressed satisfaction at cancellation of walk in interview for the post of District Statistics Officer/Research Officer which was scheduled to be held on 14th May.

The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has issued the cancellation order in a press notification on “direct recruitment” of District Statistics Officer and Research Officer under the Directorate of Economics & Statistics.

AAPSU on Thursday had shot a letter to the Director, Economic and Statistic for the immediate cancellation of the walk-in-interview which the Union viewed as another form of malpractice. The Union also called for immediate conduct of written test for the same.

Avail benefits under welfare board, Sonam urges labourer

BOMDILA, May 14: Arunachal Pradesh Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board chairman Jalley Sonam today called upon the labourers and construction workers of the state to avail the benefit under Building and Other Construction (Regulation of Employment & Condition of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Others Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996.

Addressing a gathering of labourers, construction workers and Govt officials and AAPWU and INTUC members at Officer Club here today, Sonam said labourers/workers can now avail housing loan besides advance medical assistance, tools advance, maternity assistance etc.

Under Chief Minister Welfare Scheme a labour can avail benefits like Chief Minister Group Insurance Scheme (Mukhya Mantri Swastha Bima Yojna), Janashree Bima Yojana, free exercises books for children, scholarship etc, he added.

However, the labourers have to register their names under Workers’ Welfare Board to avail the benefit, Sonam said.

Sonam also informed that Arunachal Pradesh was the first state amongst the North-eastern states to constitute a State Welfare Board with Padi Richo as the first chairman in August 2007.

Labour officer West Kameng T. Jerang explained procedures of registration.

Earlier awareness camp was held at Bhalukpong and Rupa on May 11 last and at Kalaktang on May 12 last. Jalley Sonam, is on official tour to East Kameng, West Kameng & Tawang districts.

Town planning team meet CM

ITANAGAR May 14: A high level team from Town and Country Planning Organisation, Ministry of UD, Government of India led by J B Kshirsagar, Chief Planner called on to the chief minister Dorjee Khandu this afternoon.

The visiting guest apprised the Chief Minister that the team has prepared an interim development plan for the twin capital city of the state. They appreciated prompt response of the state government in providing them with all kinds of help and assistance.

Information body

ITANAGAR, May 14: All the existing cricket clubs under Kurung Kumey district have been asked to get affiliated with the district cricket association concerned, according to Kurung Kumey District Cricket Association.

Gen Singh on popularizing golf in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, May 14: His passion for golf and endeavour to popularize the game in the State have encouraged Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh to put all efforts to take it to the indigenous youths.

After setting up the first Golf Drive Range of the state at Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, Chimpu, Gen Singh was again at the premier sports institute of the state today for setting up of some putting greens, where the golf enthusiasts can learn the finer points of the sport.

In presence of Sport Secretary DS Pandit, Director Sport PR Mazumdar and SLSA Principal Pubi Lombi, Gen Singh instructed the ground officials on basics requirement and set up principles.

He also presented some more golf balls for the Institution. Gen Singh went on gifting children golf balls to some children of nearby villages today.

Exhorting the officials to put in effort to bring up a world class green in the Sports Complex, Gen Singh also suggested on landscaping of the area without concrete cement structure.

Having revived Raj Bhavan golf course in record time of eight months, he initiated in conducting the first ever golf orientation camp in the state. Students from 13 schools attended the camp. Participants were from the schools of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya.

His passion for outdoor sports has also driven him to popularizing other outdoor sports, like football and cricket. He distributes sports items like cricket sets, footballs etc to children wherever he goes. He distributed such items to children on many occasions in the past too, who otherwise find it difficult to get. (PRO to CM)