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May 15

Water supply to Itanagar to be affected

ITANAGAR, May 14: The main water supply line of 400mm and 200mm DI pipes supplying water to Itanagar Township from Poma water treatment plant has been destroyed due to landslide. According to a PHED official, the pipeline got damaged near Police Headquarter in-between Chandranagar and Gohpur.

Further, the department official added that restoration work has started and it might take a week for complete restoration. The water supply to whole Itanagar town will be affected due to damage of the pipeline.

 

RGU alumni meet NAAC peer team

ITANAGAR, May 14: National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) Peer Team met and interacted with the Alumni Association Rajiv Gandhi University (AARGU) on 14th May during their visit of RGU for assessment and accreditation.

AARGU members presented their views on their roles and objectives for positive development and growth of the lone university in the state. The members viewed that Alumni can contribute immensely through its healthy suggestions and advice on the functioning of the university and can contribute in any form for any need.  The esteemed NAAC team advised the alumni to play a proactive role in giving positive inputs to the university and help in its growth.

AARGU also informed the NAAC Team that it will celebrate its first “Alumni Day” on 5th October 2015 where Symposium/Conference/Workshop and other interactive activities shall be organized.

 

Drug peddler nabbed

CHANGLANG, May 14: A drug peddler, identified as Dilip Chakma, 35 yrs, of Moitripur, Diyun has been arrested by Kharsang police on May 12.

A police patrolling team lead by SI Ajay Kumar and party apprehended the accused from Longtom-I village under Kharsang Police Station  while he was on his way to sell Brown Sugar at Kharsang area. Police recovered Brown Sugar weighing 5 gm from his possession. A criminal case has been registered against the arrested accused at Kharsang police station under NDPS Act. DIPRO

 

NPR enrollment in Kurung Kumey

KOLORIANG, May 14: The Biometric Enrollment (BME) under National Population Register (NPR) will be held in phase-wise manner in Kurung Kumey district. In the first phase, Koloriang, Nyapin, Sangram, Parsi Parlo and Sarli circles will be covered while remaining areas of the district will be covered in the later phase as discussed in a meeting with Jt. Director, Census operations on  April 21 last.

This was informed by Deputy Commissioner Mamta Riba in a co-ordination meeting of all administrative officers of Kurung Kumey district regarding implementation of BME under NPR held here today.

Taking stock of preparations, the DC directed all the officers to prepare detailed to facilitate easy public access and widespread participation. All the Administrative officers were directed to ensure that all the enumerators reported to their administrative headquarters by 18th May 2015. She also stressed that report about absentee enumerators should be submitted to DC office immediately so that stringent action as per Citizenship Act could be initiated. The DC also appealed to the general public as well as administration to work together to ensure widespread participation in this Biometric Enrollment Exercise wholeheartedly and make it a huge success.

It must be mentioned here that Webex Technologies Guwahati is entrusted with work of Biometric Enrollment under overall supervision of ITIL Pallakkad and Director, Census Operations, Shillong. Enrollment camps will be organized at various locations so as to cover maximum population in these areas.

DSO (Statistics) incharge Idam Bagra informed that training of all charge officers and enumerators had already been conducted. DIPRO

 

Taloh visit Model degree College site Basar

ITANAGAR, May 14: Education Minister Tapang Taloh visited the site for construction of Model Degree College at Basar on 13th May.

He was accompanied by Minister PWD Gojen Gadi, Chief Engineer PWD Highway, Er. Toli Basar, MLA cum Chairman APEDA, Dikto Yekar and Liromoba MLA Nyamar Karbak.

There was fear that College may be shifted from Basar as only 22.33 acres of land only were available for the college which fall short of atleast 28 acres, but after additional donation of another 38 acres of land by the local people in same area, all apprehension have been cleared at once. The Minister assured and committed to start new session from this year. He also visited temporary infrastructure for classroom, boys hostel, girls hostel, faculty member’s residence and principal’s residence.

During a public meeting at Todak stadium Basar, Taloh assured to give priority to the college.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, PWD Minister Gojen Gadi urged upon people of Basar to maintain peace and tranquillity for the smooth development of the area.

Zila Parisad Member Basar, Jonya Basar, the main donor of the college land also spoke on the occasion.

 

Workshop on municipal solid waste

BOMDILA May 14: One day workshop on Municipal Solid Waste Rules/Bio-Medical Waste Rules and Environmental Legislation in India was held at Bomdila on 12th May, 2015.

The team was led by N. Tam, IFS, Member Secretary A.P.S.P.C.B. The resource persons R. Kimsing, Asst. Environmental Engineer spoke on Municipal Soil Waste Management while Er. T. Manlong, Asst. Environmental Engineer delved into Bio-Medical Waste Management and J. Kato, Scientist B, spoke on the subject of waste minimisation.

A.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner urged everyone present in the workshop to strive for clean surroundings in tune with Swachh Bharat Mission. He appealed all the participant present in workshop to not only impart and publicise the inputs of workshop to public but also to make concerted effort to make environment clean.

The meeting was also attended by representative from Health Department, DUDA Bomdila and Seppa, NGOs, Bomdila Town Committee and social workers.

It was observed in the course of training that there is need to segregate the waste materials in an appropriate manner so as to enable proper disposal thereof. DIPRO

 

AoL family celebrates Sri Sri’s birthday

ITANAGAR, May 14: The Art of Living (AoL) family in Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the 59th birthday of world renowned spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday.

Music, meditation and wisdom were the highlights of the celebrations held in various AoL Centres across the state including at Aalo, Basar, Daporijo, Pasighat, Kimin, Seppa, Wakro.

In Itanagar, a unique session titled “Way 2 Wellness”, meditation and audio-visual presentations were held at the AoL campus at Jollang to mark the event.

Addressing the gathering at Itanagar, Ligu Tacho, chairman of the Art of Living Arunachal Pradesh emphasized the relevance of the Sri Sri’s teachings of universal peace and harmony in the state. He called upon the gathering to spread this universal message of Guruji in every nook and corner of the state. Tacho  also urged the gathering to take advantage of the Art of Living and its techniques to enhance the quality of life. “We need to adopt good things from everywhere”, he added.

Sri Sri addressed a huge gathering of people at the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore urging them to look beyond their own comfort zones and take responsibility of bringing a smile on every face.

 

JE clarifies

ITANAGAR, May 14: Junior Engineer (EM/GEN) Seppa E-M Sub Division DPHD Bamang Tuglik has termed the ‘Five hydel stations restored’ news published as unfounded. The statement relates to the news to the Tinning MHS (2x25kw) Changlang.

The JE stated that the Tinning MHS (2x25kw) Changlang E-M section in Changlang district constructed under PM package has been lying inoperative since its installation.

It is a well known fact that the Tinning MHS Turbine Generator (2x30kw) head was higher that of the water discharge load capacity, due to that problem the said hydel has been lying inoperative since its installation. And the contractor of M/S Geeta Flow Pump Pvt Ltd had reduced the TG Capacity from 30kw to 25kw and the TG unit installed was restored during my tenure on July 22, 2014 which supplied uninterrupted power supply to Rangfra College, he said requesting the concern engineer not to give wrong statements. The engineers of our department worked tirelessly to restore the defunct hydel station, he further added.

 

Village seek intervention

Karda Natam

ITANAGAR, May 14: Bui People Gusar circle H.Q Land Donor Committee appealed to the govt to immediately evict and  take legal action against the illegal settlers in  govt land at Gusar Circle Headquarters in order to restraint and avoid future encroachment.

They further said that atleast 20 percent of the work in any department be given to the Bui villagers.

 

Awareness campaign

ITANAGAR, May 14: An awareness campaign on education, wild-life and afforestation was organized by the Leyu Welfare Society (LWS) at Mara village under Taliha circle recently. Attending the awareness campaign, LWS president Er Taluk Jeram, EE RWD, urged the student community to concentrate on their studies. He also stressed on quality of education. Rocky Mothu, ZPM Sigin – I, who is also Secretary General of LWS, delivered lecture on conservation of forest resources and wildlife.

Tajum Nima, Forester and Tape Nilling, BRC of education department also spoke on the occasion.

 

Farmers awareness camp held

TAWANG, May 14: The department of agriculture, Tawang today organized a farmers awareness camp at the premises of Kitpi CO office today. During the camp, the farmers were educated on the development programmes being undertaken by the agriculture department. Vegetable seeds, PP chemicals etc under RKVY, NMSA programmes were also distributed to the farmers. A Mithun was also provided to the farmers for breeding purpose under untied fund by the district administration.

Besides the farmers, Govt officials and panchayat leaders also attended the programme.

 

Corrigendum

The installed capacity of Sippi SHP has been mentioned wrongly as 2x200 KW instead of 2x2000 KW in a news item (Five hydel stations restored) published in this daily on May 14. It was a typographic mistake inadvertently committed, said the department of hydro power development in a corrigendum.

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News Impact

DRDA employees on 3 days strike

Tawang, May 14 : The Tawang district unit of All India DRDA Staff Welfare Association (AIDRDASWA) are on a three days Pen Down & Tool Down strike from May 13 to protest against the alleged failure of the government to fulfil its long pending demands for absorption of DRDA employees in to the line departments of the state Government and regularization of monthly salaries.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner, Rural Development, Govt of AP, the association unit said that they are compelled to agitate as the state Govt. has failed miserably to fulfil its long pending demands despite several requests by DRDA employees.

The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has also written several letters in this regard to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for absorption of DRDA employees in the line Department of State Government. But, it has fallen on deaf ears and the Department of Rural Development, Govt. of AP is yet to initiate any steps for absorption of DRDA employees in the line Department of the State. Thuptan Tashi, President of the Tawang district unit of AIDRDASWA in a statement cautioning the Govt. said, “If the State Govt. cannot deliver a suitable and favourable decision by 15th May, the DRDA employees of Tawang may approach the Court of justice accompanied by other DRDAs of AP to seek judgment for absorption of DRDA employees in the line Department/RD department of the State Govt. and for extention of other service benefits like Retirement Gratuity/Death Gratuity, Pension etc. (Mon Tawang Vigilance)

Meanwhile, the Lower Subansiri district unit of All India DRDA Staff Welfare Association is on a 3 day pen/tool down strike since yesterday.

They are demanding that the DRDA employees be absorbed in the line departments of the state government.

The ministry of rural development, GoI, has written several letters to the GoAP for our absorption in the state line department, but we are yet to be absorbed, it said.

If the government continues not to listen to our demand, we will approach the court for seeking justice, the association added.

 

 

Govt on financial fixing to consolidate sinking fund

ITANAGAR, May 15: The cabinet which held its sitting today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki decided to enhance the contribution to consolidated sinking fund and enlarge the coverage of the sinking fund for following committed liabilities – old and new pension schemes, final withdrawal from GPF, invocation of state guarantees, repayment of high cost loans. The state government had constituted consolidated sinking fund in the year 1999 -2000. The state government has invested a total sum of Rs. 169.90 Cr so far. The sinking fund account is being maintained with Reserve Bank of India.

The RBI has invested the sinking fund contribution in the Government of India securities which earns a very good interest. The total accumulated fund in the sinking fund would be more than 220 Cr including interest accrued. The state government was contributing Rs. 20 Cr. per year during last 3 years. The cabinet has enhanced the contribution to Rs. 300 Cr per year by contributing 25 Cr per month.

The state cabinet also decided to constitute a contingency fund of Rs. 250 Cr in the annual financial statement of the state government 2015-16 under the provision of Article 267 (2) of the constitution of India. This will enable the state government to make advances to tide over unforeseen exigencies.

In another major decision, the state cabinet approved operational guidelines for utilisation of Rs. 10 Cr as a revolving fund for Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme. This will facilitate cashless treatment for the beneficiaries in all Government run hospitals without hassles. The cabinet directed the department of health and family welfare to timely review and monitor the implementation APCMUHIS in order to avoid inconvenience to the patients while availing the services under the programme.

Cabinet approved interim development plan of the capital region-2021 under provision of section 24 of Arunachal Pradesh Urban & Country Planning Act, 2007.

State Cabinet also approved the draft Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill 2015 to be tabled in the floor of the State Legislative Assembly in its next session.  

Cabinet decided for common recruitment rules for UDC and LDC, besides, approving for common recruitment rules for the post of constables (general duty) and Civil police, IRBn and AAPBn under Arunachal Pradesh Police.

The State Cabinet later reviewed the state’s disaster preparedness and directed the disaster management department to liaise up with the DCs and PRIs in launching special campaigns for sensitising the masses on disaster preparedness involving NGOs.

After being shown a detail power point presentation of road networks in the state, the cabinet decided to take up some state roads as state highways.

 

 

Six arrested for SE assault, family of accused appeals not to communalise the case

ITANAGAR, May 14: Six persons have been arrested for the May 5 assault on Rupa RWD SE, T Loriak, informed SP West Kameng. Arrested have been identified as Kaya Tara Sonam (35) and Tada Rikung (34) from Bameng in East Kameng district, Taluk Sonam (31) from Khenewa (E/Kameng), Malik Ud-din (30) from Goalpara, Assam, Har Rimo (48) from Fanche (E/Kameng), and Yakom Loyi (39) from Aalo (West Siang).

One of the accused, Lezen Gyadi of Pipu (E/Kameng) is absconding. Police have issued a look-out notice for Gyadi to every police station in India. According to the FIR lodged by the SE at the Rupa police station, the group, led by Tara Sonam, arrived at his official residence on May 5 and attempted to intimidate him.

'One of the persons thrashed his tea stool, threatened him with dire consequences and resorted to manhandling him. In the process Loriak was injured', the SP said. The same person also brandished a pistol at Loriak, at which Loriak went into his room and brought out his own licensed revolver in self defence. But he was overpowered by Lezen Gyadi, who then fired upon him. But the SE escaped. The .32 revolver used in the commission of offence, along with 18 live rounds was recovered from the accused persons, divulged the SP, adding that the revolver is registered in the name of Tara Sonam. The Mahindra Scorpio used by the accused to flee the scene of crime, together with Rs.1,28,000 was also seized from the accused, the SP added. Meanwhile, one of accused Kaya Tara Sonam also filed a counter FIR against SE Tanu Loriak (copy made available to this daily) alleging him of verbally rejecting the tender bid paper submitted by them (M/S Kushal Sharma) without even before opening of the paper by tender evaluation committee. Kaya in its FIR also claimed that it is not legally permissible. He went on to claim that they went to the SE’s quarter to clarify the matter where others including Executive Engineer, Junior Engineer and other staff were present. “There too he refused to open the tender with evaluation committee and altercation broke out. As we were leaving the premises he came out with a revolver in his hand and threatened to shoot us. His staffs tried to stop him but he didn’t budge and kept on threatening”, the FIR added.  Kaya claimed that the revolver got fired when Lezen Gyadi tried to snatch the revolver from the SE and then were arrested when they came to report the incident at the police station.

In a press statement, the family members of the accused today stated that the actual reason for clash was due to some professional misunderstanding. The family members expressed anguish that without knowing the ground reality, few sections of people are commenting on the incident and trying to give a communal colour to it. “Please, do not comment and resort to any activity, which will lead our peace loving people of Arunachal Pradesh into chaos”, a release appealed.

The family members cautioned that it would unnecessarily fuel misunderstanding between the two communities of the region. The family members have appealed to the people of both communities not to communalise the incident, saying the issue should be left to the individuals involved in the case.

 

 

PPA for aggressive development strategy in border area

ITANAGAR, May 14: The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) today called for aggressive development strategy along the Indo-China border in order to counter the development activities of neighbouring country.

Addressing the party meeting on employment of boys and girls living along the border region in SSB/ITBP, PPA  CWC Chairman Kamen Ringu said the there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in India's stand vis-a-vis China and Tibet by adopting an equally aggressive development strategy of the border areas. This should be followed by massive confidence building packages for the people living along the borders like Sarli, Damin, Taksing, Lemiking, Mechukha, Monigong, Geling, Gorging, Singa, whole of Tawang & West Kameng, stated Ringu. These strategies are needed in considering the aggressive offensive strategy initiated by China in the form of their rigid claim over Arunachal being an inalienable part of Southern China along with rapid building of double lane roads, railways, advance landing grounds, large hydropower projects all along the Indo-China border, Ringu  added.

Ringu further said that the Central Govt, instead of just being rhetorical on Look East Policy/Act East Policy, should pragmatically initiate afresh task of re-deploying the traditional border troops like SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) and  ITBP (Indo Tibet Border Police) along the border areas instead of just only the regular Indian Armies. The SSB is still considered as friends of the grassroots public, the PPA chairperson said adding that the young boys and girls living along the border region should be recruited into SSB and ITBP as they are better acclimatized to the hilly terrains along the border regions. This will inculcate feelings of national belongingness in the border population and develop their capabilities for resistance of enemies through a continuous process of motivation, training, development, welfare programmes and other related activities, continued Ringu.

Speaking on the occasion, PPA president Kahfa Bengia called for relaxation of SSB/ITBP recruitment rules and pleaded for 90 per cent job reservation for tribal youth hailing from border regions. Recruitment of local boys and girls in SSB & ITBP shall go a long way in fostering the ideals of nationalism and patriotism among the people living along the Indo- China border", he added.

 

 

Operation to curb illegal activities in reserve forests

ITANAGAR, May 14: Taking serious note of the reported illegal activities like rampant felling of trees, poaching and smuggling of timber from reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries particularly in the foothills along the inter-state boundary, the state Govt today decided to launch a joint operation by the forest authorities and state police in the affected areas to stop such illegal activities and apprehend those involved.

The decision was taken in a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki this afternoon at his office in order to review the situation which was attended by Home Minister Tanga Byaling, the Chief Secretary, DGP, Commissioner to CM and PCCF and reviewed the situation.

Any individual, including government officials, or groups found guilty will not be spared and punished as per the law and stringent forest acts, the Govt resolved in the meeting.

The meeting identified Balemu in West Kameng and Kellong and Seijosa in East Kameng districts as forests prone to illegal activities and therefore directed the authorities in these areas to be extra vigilant.

Forest authorities as well as the district administration and police have been directed to maintain extra vigil in all vulnerable forest areas. The state government will strictly monitor all activities in these areas that is causing huge revenue loss as well as massive deforestation and endangering wildlife.

The Government has appealed the local people to cooperate with officials and also dissuade those involved from indulging in illegal forest activities. (CM’s media cell)

 

 

30 youths selected for skill development in beauty sector

ITANAGAR, May 14: Altogether 30 youths have been selected under Skill Development and Employment Generation programme to undergo skill development training in Beauty Sector at O2 Spa (Masti Health), at Hyderabad. The team is leaving on 16th of this month. The selection of the trainees were done through recent District level Job Mela-cum- Skill Development Awareness and Selection Rally held in every district headquarter throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the Department of Skill Development and Employment Generation has organized a briefing programme in Udyog Sadan  here today.

Subu Tabin, Director, Skill Development and Employment Generation along with K. Sarma, Dy Director, Goli Angu Dy. Director, Er. Kabom Nada, Bioler Inspector/State Coordinator, J. Riba, Assistant Director (Skill Dev) and representative of O2 Spa briefed the youth about the six months training programme to be a successful trainees to find a suitable job immediately after the training.

The cost of the training including travelling both the ways are being borne by state Govt. under Chief Minister’s flagship programme on skill development and employment generation.

It is worth mentioning here that State Govt. has signed MoA with O2 Spa (Masti Health), the training providers, for imparting training and to ensure minimum of 70 per cent job placement at minimum monthly salary of Rs.10, 000 immediately after successful completion of the training, stated to an official release.

 

 

AVP training camp concludes

ITANAGAR, May 14: The ten day Pragat Varg (State level Advance Training Camp) of Arunachal Vikas Parishad concluded at Donyi Polo Vidya Niketan Pasighat on 12th May. Around 96 participants from various communities of the state representing 12 districts took part in thecamp.

The training camp was inaugurated by DSE Tapang Taloh  on 2nd May in presence of  members of various organizations like Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang, Vidya Bharati, RSS, Sevabharati etc.

Tajom Tasung and Oyin Moyong of CDPYK, Gichik Taaza and Bai Taba of IFCSAP, Ashokan K.V. coordinator of ASVS, Mahanto Pangging, Retd. Air Force Officer, Yide Potom, Vijay Swami, managing director RIWATCH and other resource persons from different walks of life guided the trainees on topics like skill development, faith and culture, Golden age of Bharat Varsh, ST status in India, career in Armed forces etc. The delegates also discussed on the education system, infiltration, role of youth in nation building, sports centre, drug addiction, social evils and its eradication.

Classes on Yoga, meditation, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, games, craft making, book reading, patriotic song, drawing were also held in the camp.

The participants took part enthusiastically in the competitions on cleanliness, room and field decoration, patriotic and local songs, dramas on social issues, quiz, extemporary speech and storytelling. Exhibitions on life of Bhagini Nivedita, achievements of AVP, handicrafts and drawing made by the delegates were displayed in the campus.

In the valedictory function on 12th May, the delegates displayed Yogasan, drill, Suryanamaskar before the audience.

The meeting paid tribute to the departed souls of Ramson Modi, retd. IFS and Otik Pertin, Deputy Chief Councilor of Pasighat and the people died during the earthquake in Nepal.

Denong Tamuk, Chief Councilor Pasighat Municipal Corporation and Kaling Dai, ZPC attending the valedictory function.

Pratik Potom, President AVP State Unit gave a brief report of the service mission projects run by AVP in the state. He informed the audience that AVP has reached up to 1300 villages of 130 administrative circles of Arunachal Pradesh through the projects like Balwadi, Village Health workers, Sports centres, Bal Vikas Kendras, youth camps, women awareness camps , village libraries and others. He also explained the achievements of AVP in the National Tribal Sports festival, Pune in 2011, Seemanta Darshan Yatra(Border survey tour), Spiritual Retreat of Tribal social leaders of North East, Armed forces recruitment guidance camps for youths, visiting the higher officials and national leaders on China issue.

Gagam Ering , President AVP East Siang, Ramesh Babu, Akhil Bharatiya Shradha Jagaran Pramukh of Kalyan Ashram also spoke on the occasion.

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---- Editorial ----

 

Pay salary on time

After SSA, now the teachers working under Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhijan(RMSA) is crying for their salaries. Till now it was SSA teachers who use to keep begging to the state government for their hard earned salaries. As per the report published in local dailies RMSA teachers have not been paid salaries since January this year. The teachers also complained that those working under RMSA are not paid salaries during school vacation unlike other teachers who get salary for 12 months.

Teachers are considered to be nation builder as they play an important role in molding the life of a student. Therefore if teachers are not paid their salaries on time, they will be under lot of stress and will not be able to perform their duty properly. Education department should understand this and work out a solution to ensure that teaching communities are paid on time. They should evolve  proper mechanism, so that fund for the teachers salaries is always available with the department. Delaying of payment is kind of insult to the efforts of the teaching community. Arunachal government always talks about giving top priority to the education sector. However unless teaching communities are paid salary on time, such talk will remain meaningless.

 

___________________

 

 

---- Readers Forum ----

 

VIPs and Arunachal Bhavans

Dear Editor,

Through this esteemed newspaper, I would like to greatly appreciate President ANYA Biri Kakum, for taking up the relevant and important issue regarding the allotment of rooms in Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan in Delhi. Most of the common people of Arunachal who visit Delhi are patients and students. And Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan in Delhi are properties owned by the GoAP. Therefore, priority should be given to common poor people of AP. Its purpose is to help, guide and accommodate people coming from AP to Delhi. It is true that it should accommodate our elected leaders, but on the other hand they and their relatives and friends should not occupy most of the rooms of Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan. There should be proportionate allocation of rooms for the common people of AP visiting Delhi and there should be proper online booking procedures. Moreover, the room rates are very high. Our former MP Takam Sanjoy and MP Ninong Ering had promised many times to the student community in Delhi to address this issue, but till date nothing has been done in this regard.

Therefore, I request our MPs Ninong Ering and Kiren Rijuji to address this issue on an urgent basis for the good of the common people of AP.

The other purpose of Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan is to expose and educate other people of Delhi and other state about AP. But, they don’t have proper emporium. Also, the restaurants in Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan are run by non-tribals for decades till the present time who don’t have any idea about various tribal food and delicacies of Arunachal Pradesh. Since, Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan are there to promote tourism in AP; I would like to ask who appointed them to promote Delhi cuisines as Arunachal Tribal cuisines in Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan? Our MLAs and MPs who frequently stay in Arunachal House and Arunachal Bhawan are dumb spectators of such gross promotion. In AP, there are many unemployed expert APST chefs. Why can’t GoAP float tender in this regard and accordingly lease them to APST chefs?

Yours

Takam Tadar,

Delhi University

 

 

 

The catastrophe that awaits Arunachal Pradesh

Dear Editor,

Government’s memory is shorter, Public memory is shorter. It is this syndrome or the hubris that is making successive state governments so blued-eyed about building hydropower projects (HEP) in a state like ours where we live in highest seismic zoned area along with other Himalayan states which are seismically active states, despite several warnings by experts.

In the summer of 2013, sudden cloud-burst led to devastating flash flood and landslide in Uttrakhand. Killing more than 5,700 people and destroying properties worth crores. After the disaster several experts pointed out that the HEPs built in the state had aggravated the impact of the calamity.

Writing on a recent Nepal Quake, Isabel Hilton, CEO of Chinadialoque, wrote on what happened at the construction site of the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower dam on the Trishul River when the Quake struck: “..... It triggered rockslides that cut the roads on both sides of the border. Aftershocks sent showers of fresh rocks down onto rescuers on the Chinese side, who were trying to clear them”. Hilton then describes why it is risky to build dams in the Himalayan regions: once a quake hits a dam it “could send thousands of tons of water and rubble crashing down-stream, pilling horror upon catastrophe.

SP Sati of the department of geology, HNG Garhwali University, Srinagar, Told the Tribune recently:  “Apart from Rock and Mud-filled Dams, Most of the hydro powers are made of Reinforced concrete cement and their ability to withstand high-intensity tremors is highly questionable. They could collapse and lead to a large scale death and destruction downstream”.

HEP involves deforestation, which increases the potential of erosion, landslides and floods. Blasting and the massive tunnelling also weaken the fragile mountains. Geologists argue that risks of building dams in earthquake zones go well beyond an earthquake-induced collapse. Tremors trigger landslides than can block rivers or change their course, impacting the operation of a dam.

According to the Amateur Seismic Centre, Pune Arunachal Pradesh is the cordon-santaire between the Indian and Eurasian Plates in North-eastern India. Earth quake may occur due to diving (thrusting) beneath the Eurasian Plate. Which means in this process it can trigger powerful earthquakes. Despite expert’s warnings and local opposition, Arunachal has allotted 140 HEPs. She is to be nick named as India’s “Powerhouse”.

“MoU Virus” was the term used by former environment minister Jairam Ramesh in May 2008 to describe the speed at which the Memorandum of Understanding or Mou’s for hydropower Projects were by Arunachal Pradesh. We hope our Leaders look insightfully and bring an anti-virus for MoUs.

Apart from HEPs, we have cut down the hills and shifted ourselves to the loose sloping. The growth of multi-stories buildings in and around Capital Complex is alarming. Most of the construction does not follow the Building by Laws. The human settlement are unplanned, City planning is in Mess.

Bhuj have learned from the 2001 earthquake. It’s time we realise. As we pray for Nepal and other Indian Brethrens facing the nature’s fury, we must not forget that The Catastrophe awaits Arunachal Pradesh.

Yours,

Banta Natung

 

 

 

Politics of error

Dear Editor,

Political dynamism of Arunachal Pradesh is a curious case of replayed-errors.  The recent events in the state on political front are a point in reminder.

The attempt of BJP to surge in Arunachal at this juncture rather seems unjustly opportunistic. This is not an election year that one starts its political gimmicks to impress upon the voters.  All political party needs to come together to resolve administrative/financial/policing crisis of the state. The state belongs to the people and not to a political party.

Firstly, the ‘ruling’ government has to unambiguously clarify the state of the financial affair of the state which is allegedly grim. State BJP unit needs to impress upon the centre for early release of central funds for the state and even back the state government’s demands for special packages for this resource-strained state. Explanation for budgetary cut for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj from Rs. 7,000 crore to Rs 94 crore, has to be also sought.

Why is the centre taking so much time to release funds for the smaller states? “pai pai ka hisab” to tab hoga jab pehle paisa dega! Why are people and the opposition silent on this? Perhaps the same old alleged practice of sharing of the pie between the oppositions, contractors, ruling government and ‘babus’ is inevitable once the centre gives the funds.

Why are the people who are alleged to have been bribed to fix their election campaign silent? Why are defectors and people who lost elections welcomed in another party? What moral authority does that party have to than attack the other party when such acts are not only morally wrong but also falls within the bracket of corruption? No corruption is small or big! Why do people elect such defectors and shameful losers?

One can refer to the news item published in your daily viz. “Political leaders top corruption list in RGU report”, to reconfirm that that political parties and leaders are no exceptions when “20%  people thought police is extremely corrupt followed by Panchayat leaders-16%, civil servants-21.33 %, media 8 %, govt. servants - 30.33 % (including engineers, babus, etc) and private sector 6.66 %”. Didn’t people demanded money and freebies during the election? Didn’t they receive various kinds of allurements from all political parties? Aren’t people corrupt too? 

You see, all elements that form the dynamics of Arunachal politics swim in the same water.

Yours,

Nang Mil,

Delhi University

 

 

 

One man Army

Dear Editor,

No matter what you call Narendra Modi  A RSS Man , Anti- Muslim , Anti-Poor  whatever but  his rating is  increasing day by day and  India is Proud to have  a Prime Minister like him But BJP  cannot depend on his face alone. When it comes to State Level  they need new Honest faces.  The people of Arunachal Pradesh are not going to vote on the agenda of “ sabka saath sabka vikas”  alone . At centre they are really doing good but we cannot vote them on the basis of their performance at centre.  The recent loss in Delhi where BJP was  reduced from 30 to 3 was because of the absence of a honest face in the state leadership and In the last minute  they projected  Kiran Bedi as chief ministerial candidate  resulting into a big defeat.

They are the same people of Delhi who voted and gave the victory to 7 BJP MPs  in Lok sabha  few months ago. It’s the right time for the BJP State unit to make a place in the heart of People of Arunachal Pradesh by making quality of decisions.

Yours,

Ige Dirchi

Naharlagun

 

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----Editor

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