The Arunachal Times - Archives

Khandu allocates portfolios to ministers

Dabi gets home, Siram education, Byaling health

ITANAGAR, Nov 06: After days of speculation, the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has allocated the portfolios to his cabinet colleagues today.

While Nabam Tuki retained the ministry of PWD and Urban Development, Jarbom Gamlin was allocated the portfolios of Parliamentary Affairs, Power (Electrical) besides being the Govt spokesperson. Tako Dabi,who was the WRD and PR minister in his earlier term, has been given the home ministry.

Former Speaker Setong Sena was allocated the ministry of finance and lottery, while the RWD, tax and excise ministries were entrusted to Kalikho Pul.

Bosiram Siram was given the much talked ministry of education, while Chowna Mein became the minister of PHED. Former Industries minister Tanga Byaling was allocated the health ministry, while the charge of WRD ministry was given to Atum Welly.

Rural Development and Panchayat ministries were allocated to former Deputy Speaker Takar Marde. Hongchun Ngandam got the horticulture ministry.

Dorjee Khandu who took oath alone as chief minister on Oct 25 last would look after the departments which are not allocated to other ministers. The Chief Minister had expanded his ministry on Nov 2 last without portfolios.

Wanglin Lowangdong and Tapang Taloh were elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker on Nov 4 last.

The new faces of the Khandu-led Govt are former Speaker Setong Sena, former Deputy Speaker Takar Marde, Bosiram Siram and Hongchum Ngandam.

It may be mentioned here that the election for the 5th Legislative Assembly was held on Oct 13 last results of which was declared on Oct 22.

Bandh passes of peacefully

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, Nov.6: Dawn to dusk capital bandh called by All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) and Arunachal Law Student Union (ALSU) passed off peacefully barring few isolated incidents. The bandh was called in protest against ‘government’s failure’ to nab the culprit(s) involved in Seppa incident, in which an IRBn jawan Tago Taga was allegedly shot dead by ITBP personnel on 17th of this month. Though government has ordered judicial inquiry into the incident but till now no arrest has been made in this regard. Though city police claimed bandh went off peacefully, there were few incidents which caused some concern to authority. “Other than few minor incidents, bandh was quite peaceful. There were no any major incidents,” informed Superintendent of Police Hibu Tamang.

An act of violence was committed at Doimukh, when supporters of bandh barged into the NEEPCO office and damaged items like computer, air condition, furniture etc. “We support such kind of democratic action but incidence of violent act is not justifiable. NEEPCO has greatly contributed to development of state and we have to respect that,” said Extra Assistant Commissioner of Doimukh, Nighee Bengia. Though such kind of bandh is always called for noble cause but there is no denying that general public do suffer.

Meanwhile, a senior journalist informed that his vehicle and a scooter of another journalist were partially damaged while they were on duty by the bandh activists at Naharlagun. Expressing resentment over such act of violence, the journalists, however, informed that the activists regretted the incident later saying it was unintentional.

This reporter himself visited street of twin town of Itanagar and Naharlagun and spoke to many public whether bandh is the only way of demanding justice. “I think our government has got habit of getting into act only when student body issues band call. I truly support this strike as it is for noble cause,” said a teenage boy who named himself as only Tama. There are also people who had seen how strikes can damage development of state. Rupesh Dutt, IIT Kharagpur student who was on vacation to Itanagar told, “I belong to state of West Bengal where strikes are quite common and I honestly admit our state’s economy has been badly hit by it. I would advise our brothers here to look for other way of protest.” In the last few years in many states across the country bandh call are gradually being replaced by other way of protesting like candle vigil, dharna, hunger strike etc. The people of this state are also expecting that our student body may emulate similar style of protest as strike often creates trouble for innocent public. “May be with more awareness among public, we definitely will see such kind of moment in the near future,” said Gumjum Haider former AAPSU leader and secretary general of the North East Student Organization.

The lackluster attitude of state government and fear among students body that ITBP personnel responsible for killing may escape forced the students’ bodies to go for one-day strike. The response this bandh evoked has made them feel gratified towards public for supporting their initiative. The AAPSU leadership extends its heartfelt thanks to the public of the twin capital for supporting today’s capital Bandh call and reiterated that until and unless the state government punishes the killer of Late Tako Tagak the union will go ahead with its agitation.

“We thank people of entire capital complex for their co-operation in today’s bandh and hope they will always support our noble endeavor,” told P.L Murtem, president ALSU, speaking on behalf of the student body. He went on to add, “We have three point demands that is immediate arrest of ‘killer ITBP jawan’, Suspension of SP Seppa and constitution of a constitutional body to prove the entire incident.” He also warned that if government did not respond to their demand, they will take up another series of democratic means to meet their demand.

NABARD supports REDP at Palin

ITANAGAR, Nov 06: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in its endeavor to expand its outreach to the rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh through promotional and developmental programmes has sanctioned a one-month Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP) on tailoring to Community Learning and Doing Centre (CLDC), a local NGO, at Palin in Kurung Kumey District.

The programme will support 20 persons selected from school drop-outs,

women and educated unemployed youth from Palin area. Representatives and officials of district level like BDO, Extension Officer (Industries), Extension Officer (Credit) and banks will be involved at various stages of implementation of the programme.

CLDC will provide escort services to the trainees for setting up units by liaisoning with banks, government departments and other agencies. NABARD will encourage similar programmes for income and employment generation in other districts also.

Livestock Insurance scheme at Nari

H.K. Roy

PASIGHAT, Nov 6: After Mebo a day-long centrally sponsored awareness camp on “Livestock Insurance Scheme” was conducted at Nari by the AH & Vety department on Nov 6 last. While conveying his thanks to the veterinary department, the ADC Nari T.S. Mibang said, “The Livestock Insurance Scheme” has been formulated with the twin objective of providing protection mechanism to the farmers and cattle owners against any eventual loss of their animals due to death and to demonstrate the benefit of the insurance of livestock to the people and popularize it with the ultimate goal of attaining qualitative improvement in livestock and their products.

Dr. N Taloh (Sr. Vety Officer) explained the importance and procedure of the scheme and further appraised that, under the scheme crossbred and high yielding cattle and buffaloes are being insured and the premium of the insurance is subsidized to the tune of 50%.

The DVO Dr. Emo Lego appealed the farmers to avail the benefit of the scheme while the AO (New India Assurance) J. Dasgupta discoursed guidelines of the insurance policy.

NESO criticizes Centre for neglecting Arunachal

Itanagar, Nov 6: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) yesterday castigated New Delhi for showing a 'casual attitude' towards Arunachal Pradesh and alleged that the Centre had failed to develop the state, which was being claimed by China as its territory.

While condemning the Chinese claim over Arunachal, the apex students’ body of the North Eastern states has expressed its solidarity with All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) leadership who has been protesting against China's claim in the national capital.

NESO Secretary General Gumjum Haider said the AAPSU wanted to stage a protest at the Chinese Embassy on Nov 4, but were not allowed and instead many students were detained by the police. '' We condemn such ploy of the Centre to scuttle our democratic rights,'' he added.

The AAPSU leadership wanted to meet the Prime Minister and other central leaders to discuss the issue, but neither the PM nor any national leaders gave any appointments to the AAPSU leaders,

Gumjum lamented saying, ''we feel neglected because of such attitude of central leaders.'' Referring to China’s claim, the NESO leader said Arunachal was never a part of China or Tibet and in that case a part of India also. He, however, said that representatives of Arunachal should be invited to take part in the dialogue being initiated with China on border issue.

“Arunachal is still one of the most backward and neglected states of India. When China can build a world class railway track using permafrost technology starting from Ghihatse to Lhasa at a staggering height of 16,200 feet above sea level, then in Arunachal why can't we have a single railway line till now,'' he asked.

'' Arunachal is the only state where we do not have any sports infrastructure though there is no dearth of sports talents. The largest state of the region is living without a single airport and the local issues are not given any attention by the national media,'' he lamented. UNI

AAPSU’s ‘mission opinion’

ITANAGAR, Nov 06: A five-member delegation led by the AAPSU Takam Tatung is staying back at the national capital to elicit national opinion against the Chinese claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

Under its programme ‘Mission opinion” the union leaders today called on L.K Advani, the leader of the opposition and apprised him about the deep agony and anguishes over the Chinese repeated claim on Arunachal Pradesh. They also briefed him about the abject under development of the state which, according to them, is one of the main reasons for such unnecessary controversies.

While giving a patient hearing, Advani assured the AAPSU delegation that he would take up necessary steps regarding the sensitive issue in the interest of the Nation inside or outside the Parliament. AAPSU would also meet senior leaders of various political parties of the country to morph up opinion, an union release said.

Karbak campaigns in Assam

ITANAGAR, Nov 06: All India Youth Congress General Secretary and North East incharge Nyamar Karbak along with Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Assam Youth Congress President Pijush Hazirika and Chief Co-ordinator of AAKS Jayanta Malla Borwa has campaigned for by-election in Dhekiajuli legislative Assembly Constituency in Assam and appealed people to vote for Congress.

Folk Dance Festival from Nov 9

ITANAGAR: The First Lady of Arunachal Pradesh Anupama Singh would inaugurate the Folk Dance Festival-2009 at Art and Culture complex, Naharlagun on Nov 9 next.

The Sangeet Natak Academi, New Delhi and department of Art and Culture, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh are jointly organizing this four-day festival beginning from Nov 9 in order to preserve, promote and protect traditional folk dance and folk songs of the people of the tribal state. 400 artistes from various districts of the state will be performing their traditional folk dances, according to a department release.

K D Singh expresses gratefulness

ITANAGAR: State election commissioner KD Singh Friday extended his gratefulness to everyone including Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, senior minister Jarbom Gamlin, MLA Nabam Rebia, senior bureaucrats and cops for their sympathy and support at the time of his deepest grief. Singh lost his octogenarian mother, Savitri Devi on Wednesday. Her mortal remains were consigned to flames in Laluk crematorium Thursday in presence of a host of Singh’s friends and well wishers.