The Arunachal Times - Archives

Congress sings development tune to lure Capital region voters

NAHARLAGUN, Oct 05: AICC general secretary V Narayansamy today criticized the BJP-led NDA government for its failure to meet its promises given to Arunachal Pradesh and said Congress had fulfilled whatever promises made for Arunachal Pradesh.

Addressing an INC poll rally here today, he cited the example of Rs 300 crore paid by the Central government to pay the outstanding dues of 6th Pay Commission recommendation to the state government employees. He announced to ensure that the rest three months’ outstanding dues are paid after March to the applause of the gathering.

The BJP was ‘finished’ in the state after the former MP Kiren Rijiju joined Congress, which grew in strength and stature, he claimed.

He called upon the people to vote for INC candidate Kipa Babu and reiterating that Congress will form the next government of its own.

The union minister of state for planning said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were fully committed for which the state received additional Rs 2,000 crore fund development, besides availing benefits under numerous flagship projects of the Congress-led UPA government.

Highlighting the contributions of INC leaders to the nation, particularly to Arunachal, AICC secretary Sanjay Bapna said the benefits of development percolated down to the masses because of clean administration and introduction of exemplary third party monitoring for schemes by the Dorjee Khand-led led state government.

Babu’s victory will help maintain the flow of central funds, Bapna added.

Congress aam aadmi ka party hai aur rehega, said APCC president Nabam Tuki while enumerating the ruling government’s achievements – developing colony roads to proposed plan to build houses for all income groups with water and electricity facility under housing and poverty alleviation programme besides others under the JNURM.

The municipality election will be conducted soon for planned growth of the Capital Complex, Tuki said while taking a dig at the opposition parties for mudslinging at Congress. “Be with us to be part of the development process as formation of government by the Congress is a certainty,” Tuki added.

Babu’s address was almost a question-answer session between him and the voters, who responded positively to his questions whether or not he brought tangible changes in electricity and water supply, health care, road, rail and air connectivity, education sectors?

Besides creation of city district, development of the burial ground, setting up of mental hospital, installation of high mast flood lighting system etc, he said Rs 11 crore has been sanctioned for such lights for Naharlagun and Nirjuli as the crowds cheered.

Aap harmare dil mein hain aur ham aap ke seva karte rehengey aagar aap mujhe dubara chuney to (You are in my heart and continue to serve if you elect me again), he pleaded.

Admitting the water crisis in Itanagar, he assured adequate supply by 2010 with the completion of ongoing Rs 78 crore scheme at Poma, announced by the PM.

Enlisting INC’s contributions to the state, CWC member Luzhino Falerio and Union MoS for Water Resources Development Vincent Pala called upon the people not to be misguided by other parties, while APRGPR Sangathan chairperson termed Babu jawan, jankar aur joshila and fit to represent Itanagar.

Mamata’s Trinamool Congress promises rail link

ITANAGAR, Oct 5: Union Minister of Railways Mamata Bannerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress has promised that Itanagar will be linked by railway network if the party is voted to power in Arunachal Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally in Itanagar today, party leader and Union Minister of State for Urban Development Saugath Roy said party president and Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will ensure that the survey of the railway line starts soon in the state. He said that his party is the party for the common people that works at the grassroot level.

Outlining its other agenda for the development of the Capital region, the Minister said that funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission would be allocated.

A Minister in the UPA coalition, Roy said that the Centre has given thousands of crore rupees for the development of Arunachal Pradesh only to be misused by Congress government. TMC, a debutant in the state electoral battle is fielding 26 seats. Most of its contestants defected from Congress after being denied tickets. At least eight of its contestants are sitting MLAs.

TMC MP Soumen Mitra also addressed the rally.

Tirap administration warns political parties of action

NAHARLAGAN, Oct 5: Reacting to media reports “carrying baseless and irresponsible statements” by Political leaders and their agents of 58-Kanubari on the law and order situation in the Constituency, Tirap district administration has termed as attempts to mis-lead the people of the area.

All Political leaders and their agents of 58-Kanubari Assembly Constituency should refrain from making such false and mis-leading statements in future failing which proceedings for attempting to disrupt public order and morality shall be launched against them, warned DEO Ankur Garg in a statement on Monday.

District Administration, District Police and all security agencies of Tirap District are committed towards ensuring a free, fair and peaceful Elections in the District, he added.

It has been reported that six people of Kanubari have been ‘Kidnapped’ by a certain UG organization on Oct 3. It is clarified that there has been no such ‘kidnapping’ and all these six persons have left for Tezit Sub-Division of Mon District, Nagaland in their own vehicle and of their own free will. In fact their role is under investigation for undertaking this trip to Nagaland, the DEO added. (DIPRO)

PPA reacts

Meanwhile the People’s Party of Arunachal said that allegation leveled against PPA candidate of abduction by Congress is baseless and unfounded.

The party said that Congress should abstain from making irresponsible statement in media. While stating that PPA believes in democratic values and will participate in the election in democratic spirits.

Mobile Medical Unit startsservices in Tawang

Tawang, Oct 5: The rural people of Tawang have something to cheer as first phase of activity by the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), which has been started under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) by Department of Health and Family Welfare begin functioning with a lot of enthusiasm.

Dr. T. C. Khrime, district medical officer (DMO) inaugurated the first unit on eve of Gandhi Jayanti at Zemithang.

During the camp around 334 patients came up for the treatment. The district authority has decided to go ahead and organize five more units of such camp in the near future

By utilizing the five numbers of MMU vehicles provided under the NRHM, the camp came out with different specialized health services on obstetrics, gynae, eye and dental.

According to DMO Dr Krime, it was for the first time in Tawang district that diagnostic facilities like X-ray, Ultrasound, ECG and Laboratory for investigation were set up in such kind of health camp. Family welfare activities like CuT insertion, immunization and antenatal check up were also carried out in the camp. (DIPRO)

Sangmas on hectic electioneering trail

ITANAGAR, Oct 5: Former Lok Sabha Speaker P. A. Sangma and Union Minister Rural Development Agatha Sangma and President State Unit L Wanglat are on a hectic campaign schedule across the state. Today they covered four constituencies starting with Nyapin Assembly Constituency to garner support for Bamang Felix, NCP Candidate. Felix is contesting against INC Candidate and sitting Minister Tatar Kipa.

Second stop was Parsi-Parlo in Koloriang Assembly Constituency, to campaign for its Candidate Kahfa Bengia, followed by 17-Ziro –Hapoli Assembly Constituency where its candidate Subu Koyang is locked in multi cornered contest. The last stop was Dambuk Assembly Constituency where former top bureaucrat Jomin Tayeng is contesting against Congress incumbent Roding Pertin.

Yesterday Agatha Sangma kicked off the tour at Seijusa in Pakke-Kessang Assembly Constituency where NCP candidate Techi Hemu is contesting against sitting minister Atum Welly.

She also stopped at Sagalee and Doimukh Assembly Constituencies.

Reports from districts on election preparedness

TEZU: The security in the Tezu area has been beefed up to maintain normalcy. After group clashes section 144 was imposed which will be in effect for some time.

Meanwhile the District Magistrate Lohit Kaling Tayeng has passed executive orders banning campaigning in Tezu segment from 10 PM to 6 AM.

KHONSA: The General Election Observer, A K Awasthi today convened a meeting of the Micro-Observers at DC’s Conference Hall, Khonsa. While underscoring the important role of the micro-observers, Awasthi enlightened the participants on various facets of elections and appealed to them to cooperate with him and the DEO to ensure smooth conduct of elections. He said that everything was clearly defined in the guideline and asked the micro-observers to go through the book to be thoroughly acquainted with the instructions. Awasthi said that the role of micro-observers was well defined adding that the first-timers must be serious about their responsibility and read the books and guidelines again and again. He said that micro-observers were vital link between the Poll Officials in Polling Station and General Observer and the DEO.

Participating in the meeting, the DEO, Ankur Garg asked the micro-observers to remain in constant touch with District Election Office for instructions adding that they were the eyes and ears of the General Observer as they would be working in the field. Describing Tirap as sensitive district, he asked the micro-observer to act rationally adding that their reports must be consistent. He said that they would be deployed only in critical polling stations and asked them to remain in touch with Sector Magistrate.

It may be mentioned here that most of the micro-observers have been appointed from Central Agencies like State Bank of India, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

YINGKIONG: 2nd phase of randomization of EVMS for 34 Tuting-Yingkiong and 40 Mariyang-Geku (ST) Assembly constituencies’ was done today in presence of Election observer Gyan Sarvar and Pawan Kumar Sain, DEO and representatives of contesting candidates. Later, the EVMS were commissioned with the assistance of ECIL.

Changlang: Training was organized amongst the candidates and election agents of different political parties of Changlang district on handling of Electronic Voting Machine here at Changlang today. Seven election agents representing different political parties attended the training.

The Sub-Divisional Officer (Election), Changlang M C Roy imparted the training at length and also demonstrated the polling procedures through mock poll in presence of Changlang Deputy Commissioner Dr S B Deepak Kumar and Observer, 52-Changlang South and 53-Changlang North Assembly constituencies to Md. Mohsin.

While assuring the security level of the Electronic Voting Machine Dr Kumar and Md. Mohsin made it clear that once the machine is closed it will not be possible to record votes unless its seal is broken and earlier recorded votes are cleared.

Meanwhile, the commissioning of the Electronic Voting Machine to be used in Bordumsa-Diyun, Nampong and Changlang North has been completed in a separate function. The total number of 206 EVMs is ready for use.

Anini: The final round of EVM training for Presiding officers and Polling Officers concluded today. Altogether, 215 officers were imparted training.

Emphasising the need for a free, fair and error free elections, Returning officer, Tayor Jempen reiterated for free and fair conduct of polls. While referring to some minor errors in filling the presiding officers diary, Jempen asked them to be very careful as the diary reflects all the proceedings, which is a vital instrument to judge what actually happened.

Disclosing that 41st Anini LAC has been declared as hypersensitive polling stations due to presence of anti-social elements, RO called on the polling official to exercise his or her presence of mind and wisdom on the day of poll to avoid law and order problems.

Expressing his dismay over the reported indulgence of government employees in election campaigning, he said state government has viewed it very seriously and asked to initiate actions as it amounts to gross violation of elections code of conduct. He appealed the government servants to refrain from the indulgence. Meanwhile, DEO office has issued postal ballot application forms to those polling teams, who would be dispatched to far flung areas on October 8 covering 5 days foot march to cast their postal ballots on October 6 at DEOs office, Anini and respective circle headquarters.

Later on the day, Dibang Valley District Election Officer, Tayor Jempen held a review meeting with Circle Officers, SP, Anini and Nodal Officers to take stock of law and order situation considering the fact that 41 (ST) Anini LAC has been declared as hypersensitive.

He asked the SP Anini to engage the Goan Burahs and Political Interpreter to maintaining the law and order situations. He also asked to conduct surprise checking of vehicles coming in the district to identify susceptible elements.

ROING: The 2nd Phase of Training to Presiding and Polling Officers were held in GHSS Auditorium Hall here today. Besides Presiding and Polling Officers, H. Goshwami, Technical Manager of ECIL, Kolkata who arrived here to render technical support for EVMs till polling day and 63 Micro-Observers appointed for 42-Dambuk and 43-Roing A/C to assist the General Observer also attended the training programme.

Y W Ringu, DEO cum RO briefed them about the role of Micro-Observers which main function is to observe that the polls are conducted free and fair and as per the guidelines laid down by the ECI for flawless conduct of poll but not to disturb and interfere with the poll procedure. Officers and Officials of Lower Dibang Valley District performing election duty in other districts of the state will be allowed to cast their vote through Postal Ballot if they submit duly filled up Form-12 with due certificate issued by the concerned Returning Officer of that district and if no double entry of their name in electoral roll is found.

Later, Randomization of Grouping of Polling Teams was done in the District Information Center by using software “Random Number Generator” in the presence of election agents and representative of political parties. The final randomization of the polling teams to respective polling stations will be done tomorrow on 6/10/09, DEO informed.

Meanwhile, Anuradha Mall, General Observer to 42-Dambuk and 43-Roing A/C is inspecting the polling booths located in nook and corner of the district. She visited one of the farthest & remotest polling booth of 43-Roing A/C, Bishmanagar despite poor road connectivity and also visited Polling booths at Dambuk, Bizari, Anpum and Paglam. She is also observing the poll process and political activities around the district minutely.

Postal Ballot (PB) Facilitation Center has also begun today in the ADC’s Chamber which will remain open till Oct 8 from 0930 hrs to 1700 hrs to facilitate the govt officers & officials on election duty to cast their vote through postal ballot. The center is presided over by Lod Gambo, SDO(Sadar) and M.Tato, ARO. 35 PB against 42-Dambuk A/C and 39 PB against 43-Roing A/C were issued till 1700 hrs today. Election Agents of Political Parties were also present to witness the process. Hectic door to door campaigning of contesting candidates and their supporters were seen daily and bike rallies were also observed in both the constituencies of the district however no untoward incident reported till date.

Preparations on in full swing for Assembly polls

Itanagar, Oct 5: With the final countdown for the October 13 Assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh already started, the entire election machinery of the state is sparing no effort to conduct fair and peaceful elections.

The state election office here was working round the clock to ensure defect-free polling and had already chalked out strategies for despatching election materials and officials to the polling booths.

''We have requisitioned several helicopters for ferrying men and materials to various remote and inaccessible polling stations,'' election office sources disclosed, adding the process of despatching the materials was yet to be started.

Elaborate security arrangements had also been made to ensure peaceful polling. In addition to the available state police forces, including CRPF and IRBn, 32 additional companies of Central para military forces (CPMF) had been provided to the state by the Union Home Ministry.

While 33 Central observers had been appointed to oversee the poll process, a total of 10,305 government employees deployed on election duty.

According to reports from various districts, the election department was sparing no effort to look into every aspect and minute details of its poll preparations. Besides looking into the security aspects and other arrangements, the election officials had completed training the officials for smooth conduct of the elections.

A team of experts from Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad, imparted training to the master trainers on use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), followed by a demonstration and other poll related matters in all the districts.

Altogether 7,32,965 electorate, including 3,64,539 women and 1,585 service voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise in 2,057 booths spread across the state. EVMs would be used in all the polling stations.

Of the total polling stations in the state, eight booths have only a few voters ranging from three to nine. The booths with less number of electorate include Sikaridong in Kalaktang constituency with 4 voters, Lamta in Pakke-Kessang (5), two booths in Anini constituency namely Punli (9) and Marambo (3), two in Hayuliang constituency - Matkrong (7) and Malogam (4), Dharampur-II under Miao constituency (7) and Upper Mudoideep in Bordumsa-Diyun constituency with only three voters.

Of total 60 Assembly seats, election would be held in 57, following three Congress candidates winning unopposed from Tawang district, including Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu (Mukto), Jambey Tashi (Lumla) and Tsewang Dhondup from Tawang constituency.

The ruling Congress had fielded 57 candidates, followed by BJP in 18 seats, NCP (36), Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress contesting for the first time in the state is putting up 26 candidates, Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) in 11 seats, Janata Dal United (3) and Independents contesting in three seats. For the first time in the electoral politics of the state, nine women are in the fray.

Counting of votes would take place on October 22. UNI

Weekly Talks

RONO HILLS: Rajiv Gandhi University will begin a series of ‘Weekly Talks’ every Wednesday afternoon. These talks will be on topics of general interest delivered by the faculty members and occasionally by Invited speakers.

The series will be inaugurated by Prof. A.C. Bhagabati, former Vice-Chancellor of Arunachal University on 7th October at the Auditorium.

Dr. Nani Bath, Associate Professor of Political Science will deliver the first talk in the series on “Future of Politics in Arunachal Pradesh”. On the day, laptops will be given to the faculty members and officers of the University on the occasion.

PPA questions

ITANAGAR: People Party of Arunachal that claims itself to the only indigenous party in the state questioned the ‘national political parties’ for bringing in star campaigners from outside the state. It looks like the parties are not confident enough to go to the people on their own, the party stated. It further asked whether ILP is being issued to the leaders who come from outside the state to campaign.

APDA mourns

NAHARLAGUN: Arunachal Pradesh Doctor’s Association mourned the death of Senior Medical Officer Dr Dinesh Bori. In his death, the medical fraternity and state has lost a sincere and dedicated doctor, the Association said. Dr Bori passed away on Oct 3 after a prolonged illness.

Where is development in Arunachal Pradesh ?

Madam,

On the eve of Assembly election lot of talk and advertisements are given on development but where is development visible? I think main development in Arunachal Pradesh is corruption and possibly the state tops the list of corruption in the country as rightly pointed out by BJP star campaigner Shatrughan Sinha.

Politician-bureaucrats nexus is taking a dangerous turn of event. Centre may be giving funds with good intention but our politicians are dissipating it into their pocket.

Crores of money spent in election by politicians is nothing but public money meant for development is very easy guess for anyone to make as they were not born rich as any other ordinary citizen of the state. Hydropower projects is helping a lot in financing election this time round is proving boon for ruling party.

Everybody will agree with me that whenever a politician get elected to the legislature he starts meaning business and start to earn money and within less than a year he starts to piling up fat and become plumpy handsome person with abdominal prominence.

The politics has become an industry for earning easy money and we the public remain fooled and deprived of even basic necessity. Still during election most of us campaign for them just for some money offered by them along with eat and drink. To call a state to have developed state should have basic infrastructure in place like road and transport, water and power supply, better health facility, good education, civic amenities etc.

Forget about the roads in the districts which are in pathetic condition, just have a look at the roads in the capital city. The condition of National Highway leading to capital via Banderdewa and Hollongi needs no explanation, full of potholes stretches of gravels road. Inside the city the road condition is dangerous, no roadside drainage system, and no footpath for peddlers thereby posing danger of accidents. There is no street lighting system in place; one can see few naked old telephone poles by the roadside.

There are no public utility facilities like toilet, parking place and child play areas. Huge foul smelling garbage’s are left unattended to causing health hazards to the citizens. Long back Municipality should have been in place but as if government is not interested for it. Forget about other developed states of the country, if you compare with other north eastern state capitals you feel Itanagar not at all worth calling capital city. The condition of sectoral road needs no further elaboration.

The works department is just a white elephant of the state and has become mere agency for spending public money. The only progress it has made is in the creation of post of six Chief Engineers till date and one day it might touch 60 in which case one CE attached to one MLA. It is better and good for politicians for they get more haapta payers. The Department of Power has 3 and PHE has 2 Chief Engineers although people may not be getting water and regular power supply.

Any right thinking person would feel bad seeing the educational scenario of the state. The truth on the ground is the quality of education both school and higher education is very bad. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan on the ground is a failure though government may claim hugely successful. Appointment of SSA teacher is used by politicians to buy vote bank thereby compromising the quality. It is convenient for the politicians if people are illiterate and poor whose votes can be purchased during elections as people are yet to realize the value of their democratic right.

Health facilities were far better in UT days when doctors and medicines were available everywhere. The state should have a state of the art hospital in the capital city but if you see General Hospital, Naharlagun it is no better than a cowshed as somebody rightly described it as dirtiest hospital of the earth. Whenever VVIP from Delhi visit the state Government show them RK Mission Hospital (NGO hospital) as if the hospital belongs to the government. It is really shame on the part of the Government not to have a good referral hospital in the capital for the benefit of the people of the state.

Administration and police is run on the basis of yes sir, ho jayega sir, kar dega sir after all the officers think for their carrier progression, medals etc. Politicians dictate whether right or wrong is immaterial and bichara opposition party gets grilled in the process. Politicians are well known to break the rules more often than they make. In the present day, the things which are illegal and out of the rules are done in minutes. Files processed and carried by politicians are mostly of that type. This time just before election notification many appointments were made in various departments although such appointments are illegal.

There is no significant change or improvement in the operation of PDS and Co-operative Apex Bank contrary to what people are being told to believe so. Unless people realize their actual rights, become well educated and economically independent no significant changes is foreseeable in near future and the politicians will continue to take advantage of the same.

Masa Kase

Pune

On email.

APPSC’s unique way of making money

Madam,

In APPSC building it is written in big letter that ‘In search of talent’. But is should be changed into “In search of income source”. As APPSC is considered as dry department and they are constantly in search of income source. After long thinking they discovered a technique to extract money from the people.

Question bank has been made compulsory for the candidate by the Commission but many are there who do not want to purchase the question bank, but they are forced to buy it. Along with the question bank cost of the form is Rs 500. If the APPSC is really concerned for the candidates they can make it available in book stalls for the interested candidates. Rs 500 is a big amount for the poor candidate.

Standard of APPSC and UPSC forms are same. So APPSC form cannot cost more than Rs 100 to 200. For the UPSC form it is Rs 25 for ST.

Many candidates have been asked to come after four or five days to collect the question bank. Candidates from outside the Capital Complex will have to spend Rs 2000 to come back to Itanagar for the question bank. Other available option in hand is that they will have to bear hotel rent for four or five days more just for the form along with question bank.

Moreover, the so called standard form is full of errors. Column of age related matter of form is different from the advertisement in local dailies. Why did APPCS take long time to rectify the error causing much inconvenience to the candidates?

In advertisement treasury challan was asked but in form it is bank draft. Many candidates made both challan and bank draft, as they do not want to take risk.

Yours,

Vicky Taba

D-sector, Naharlagun

Nyato Raicho,Itanagar

Hage Apa,Ziro.

All the best Arunachal

Madam,

With assembly election just around the corner, I would appeal and wish all my Arunachalis to vote for ourselves by choosing an eligible politician who would selflessly work for the constant development of our beautiful state and its people.

I wish people to look for a better future for our state and the coming generation by resisting the politicians that lure the innocent people with their money power and false promises.

I further appeal and expect our various students and youths to take up the cause in making Arunachal Pradesh a corrupt free state.

All the very best Arunachal !!

Debia Rabi

Tamil Nadu