The Arunachal Times - Archives

INC promises to accelerate pace of development

Confident Pranab predicts INC govt

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR Sep 30: The INC government in the Arunachal Pradesh has led the state on the path of sustainable development and promises to accelerate the pace of ‘vikas yatra' to fulfill the expectations of Aam Aadmi, read the party manifesto for the October 13 polls. The manifesto also promises to make Arunachal a peaceful and prosperous state by developing its vast natural resources without compromising the beauty of the land, the values and the traditions.

The people of Arunachal Pradesh will give a clear mandate to the INC party to form the next state government in the state claimed the confident Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who arrived at the state capital today to release the Congress manifesto for the October 13 Assembly elections at Rajiv Bhawan Itanagar.

The party manifesto further promises the people living below the poverty line (BPL) to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths through development of hydropower, tourism and information technology besides, self employment through self help groups and implementation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Kendra, which would be backed by conducive policies.

The party also assured to provide 25 kg of rice or wheat per month at the rate of Rs 3 to every BPL families either in rural or urban areas besides providing health security through Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojana (RSBY).

The other promises include, expanding health infrastructure, food security, promotion of rural economy, development in agriculture and its allied sectors, full implementation of Central sixth pay commission, quality education, rural electrification, creation of civic bodies, strengthening panchayat bodies, women empowerment and establishment of Soochna Bhawan to fulfill the long pending demand of the press fraternity.

Congress is the only major political party contesting in all 60 assembly seats and is appealing to the people to give INC fresh mandate for the next five years, the Finance Minister said while interacting with journalists.

Three Congress candidates have been officially declared elected unopposed from Tawang district Mukherjee said and further added that the incumbent chief minister Dorjee Khandu created history in state politics by being elected unopposed for the third term.

Mukherjee once and for all put to rest any query of Congress in Arunachal Pradesh entering into any kind of political alliance with either NCP or Trinamool Congress. He said though INC had entered into electoral alliance with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and NCP in Maharashtra but in Arunachal Pradesh no electoral alliance will be done and Congress will fight on its own.

Commenting on many political parties entering the race in the ensuing assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh for the first time, Mukherjee said that there is nothing unusual as India is a multi-party democracy and any party can contest election in any place of the country.

The veteran leader further clarified that hike in the prices of essential commodities under the UPA government was mainly to support farmers in enhancing their production.

No doubt there is deep concern over the price hike in essential commodities but the UPA government has deliberately decided to give more remunerative prices to the farmers so that their production increase, the Union Minister said and added that today the nation does not import rice and wheat from other countries.

We stand by the commitment made by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on his visit to the state, Mukerjee said and said that road networking and electrification of all villages will be done.

The PM has directed the cabinet secretary to have a meeting to expedite the developmental process in the state, he said and added that there is no dirt of resources so far as Arunachal Pradesh is concerned.

While commenting on China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who also served as foreign minister earlier said that India has always maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and there is no question of surrendering.

Mukherjee further said that eleven rounds of discussion between special representatives of India and China have taken place which was constituted to solve the border dispute within the frame work of guiding principle.

While releasing the Congress manifesto, the Union Finance Minister said that the Indian National Congress is responsive and accountable to the needs of the people and it believes in and strives for inclusive development.

Democracy has taken a backseat in Arunachal: Shatrughan Sinha

A T News Service

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: The star campaigner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Shatrughan Sinha today said that the true essence of democracy has been stained by the corruption, instability and shifting of loyalty by the politicians in Arunachal Pradesh.

Development has taken a backseat due to misuse of money power and politics becomes a tool to amass property in the state, the cine star-turned BJP politician said while addressing the huge gathering of party supporters and general public here today.

“The most surprising fact is that the chief ministerial candidate has been elected unopposed. Is it the triumph of the democracy or democracy is cloaked?” he questioned.

In his typical style, the Shotgun, as called by his fans, said that the assembly election is not a mere process to elect the leaders. It is a challenge before the people to bring a change for development.

Power is not an ancestral property of a particular party, power is a not a tool to misuse public money. People must wake up and take up the challenges for the development, the BJP MP said.

The cine star, who also served as a Union minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government claimed that the Congress Govt in many states of the country could not come up to the expectation of the people. Today power cut, water crisis has become major issues in Congress ruled state in the country, he added.

Sinha who was delighted with the discipline, simplicity and hospitality of the tribal people said that Arunachal Pradesh, the most beautiful state of the country is now lagging behind due to misrule by the ruling party. Bihar was formerly known as most corrupt state and known for PDS scandal, but today Arunachal has become a number one state for PDS scam, he claimed.

Citing the garish example of underdevelopment during the UPA Govt, Sinha quoting the statistic report said that during last five years the population living below poverty line has increased to 20 per cent and poverty rose up to 27 per cent.

The party which has taken the responsibility to lead the people should have also courage to face criticism, Sinha said, and asked the intellectuals, educated youths and general citizen to raise voice and fight for development.

Exhorting the people to support the BJP, Sinha said ‘it is you who will fight for true democracy and true development.’

BJP candidate for Itanagar constituency Lichi Legi claimed that much had been done during his 15 years as minister of various portfolios in comparison to today’s so-called development. Legi said that the law and order situation in the Capital Complex has been deteriorating day by day and atrocities against women have become order of the day under the present regime. He appealed the people to give him a chance to serve and bring in rapid development.

Former MP Tapir Gao said that the employees are the backbone of the administration and his party will ensure the release of remaining arrear of the employees if voted to power.

BJP general secretary Dominic Tadar also spoke on the occasion.

NCP to play crucial role in formation of state Govt: Sangma

A T News Service

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today claimed that the party would play a decisive role in formation of next Arunachal Pradesh government. The main battle of ballot would be fought between the NCP and Congress, NCP national general secretary and North East incharge Purno A Sangma said while addressing the media persons here this morning.

Before kick starting party’s campaign Sangma claimed that a coalition Govt is likely in Arunachal Pradesh. He expected that the party will emerge winner in more than 15 seats and will play a crucial role in formation of state Govt.

The NCP is officially contesting in 36 seats and is extending support to the 5 more non-Congress and non-BJP candidates putting the total to 41, he added.

Sangma further claimed that internal strife in the Congress party for leadership and at the same time denial of party tickets of some important and prospective candidates has weakened the Congress and such internal bickering within the ruling party is the great advantage to the NCP.

''Our position in the prestigious Itanagar constituency is very strong and capturing the Capital would be our biggest credit and success, Sangma said.

In a startling disclosure, the NCP leader said that in Sagalee constituency the BJP candidate has withdrawn his candidature in favour of the NCP nominee. “We are definitely going to conquer the Sagalee segment by defeating the ruling party candidate and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Nabam Tuki,” he said.

The emergence of Trinamool Congress for the first time in the electoral battle in the state would definitely hamper the prospect of the ruling party not the NCP, Sangma claimed while responding to a specific question.

Regarding aims of objectives of the party, Sangma and NCP state president L Wanglet said that the party would directly approach to the people with developmental issues and clear vision for the future.

On poll strategy Sangma revealed that star campaigners and NCP president Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma besides other party leaders including MLAs from Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland, would arrive soon for electioneering.

‘China and India coming closer’

On India-China relationship in the milieu of the reported incursion of Chinese troops in Indian terriroty many a times, Sangma said that India and China are coming closer than before. The NCP leader said that though boundary has been an issue to be resolved, both India and China agreed to improve bilateral trade relations.

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and people here are committed citizens. Therefore, claim over Arunachal Pradesh by China does not arise, he said.

Sangma said that biggest issue which poses serious demographic threat to the North eastern states is the illegal migration. There should be a beginning to formulate policy and strategy to prevent demographic invasion by illegal migrants, he said. Sangma, however, hoped that the initiatives to introduce national Identity card would help prevent and check illegal migration.

481 constables all set to join APP

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: The 36th batch of Arunachal Pradesh Police comprising of 481 constables is all set join its duties. After a nine months grueling training, an impressive passing out parade was organized today at Police Training Centre (PTC), Banderdewa. Director General of Police Vimla Mehra, Deputy Inspector General of Police Robin Hibu, civil servant and family members of the constables among others were present.

Addressing the new members of her department, DGP Vimla Mehra called on them to discharge their duties with sincerity and discipline and become torch bearers for the younger generation.

Meanwhile, DGP concerned at decreasing people’s faith in state police department and ever growing antisocial activities in the state urged the newly recruited team to overcome these challenges. She further urged the new APP family to contribute to the department with their new thoughts and ideas while urging them to put in their bit for peaceful conduct of state assembly election.

Principal, Police Training Centre Chuku Appa said that during their nine months rigorous indoor and outdoor training, the new team have been given all the fundamental police training course as per the local condition and requirements on Law, human rights issues, Physical Training, Drill, crowd control, field craft and tactics, latest police weapons, endurance and counter ambush, so that they cope with any kind of challenges during their life.

He further expressed the hope that the new batch will serve the society and the country with sincerity and dedication.

DGP gave away the best individual trophy along with cash award to Anga Darang for all round best performance.

The other to get the awards were Mihin Takar in PT ,Kuktek Takuk in Firing, Jumter Riram in turn out/discipline, Hibu Kano in police science, Minam Lego in social science and Anru Taluk for best outdoor activities.

Later, the DGP inaugurated Drill Shed and 100 men Barrack within the PTC compound constructed by Arunachal Police Housing Welfare Corporation Ltd.

Khandu to retire after five years

Taro Chatung

Itanagar, Sept 30: Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, in an interview said that he would retire from active politics after five years, ruling out chances to stand for the 2014 Assembly Election. He said that he wanted to quit from active politics but he made up his mind to continue in order to implement the Prime Minister Mega Package and devote some more time for the development of the state.

A confident Khandu, who have been sent to Legislative Assembly record three times without contest said that all efforts would be put for the development of the state.

In reply to a question, Dorjee Khandu said that leader of the Congress Legislative Party would be decided by the MLAs and AICC.

Wild life week

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: Keep aside sometime this week and be part of various program being organized by Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary Division to mark the 55th Wildlife Week from Oct 1-7.

To spread the message of nature and wildlife conservation, the week coincides with birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, informed Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden C Loma.

Various competitions are also being organized for the school children of the Capital region. The zoo authority is also carrying out cattle vaccination program from Oct 1-5. The state Zoological Park, Itanagar will be kept open for visitors from Oct 3-4.

Clinical meeting organized by ITBP

ITANAGAR Sep 30: Clinical Meeting of Eastern Frontier HQr doctors and General Hospital, Naharlagun doctors was organized at Composite Hospital (Itanagar) by ITBP DIG (Medical) Dr. Naveen Ram today. Clinical subjects such as acute gastroenteritis and management, infected hepatitis and management and management of drug resistant malaria was discussed by the doctors.

In the meeting thrust was given to diseases prevailing in North Eastern Region with the view that one consolidated health magazine will be released at the end of fourth clinical meeting.

Apart from ITBP doctors Dr D Kaki (Medicine Specialist), Dr Hibu Togyung (Pediatrician) of General Hospital, Naharlagun also participated in the clinical meeting.

Students’ demands action

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: Doimukh Students Union called on the authorities to take action and enquiry against CRPF and APP personnel for allegedly targeting students of Doimukh area. The union said that when a group of students were coming back from Naharlagun after Durga Puja celebration, the personnel stationed at Konkar Nalla, Naharlagun stopped them and questioned them two hours. The students further alleged that one of the boys was kept under captivity and severely beaten up.

A case of wrong identity

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: Techi Bapu alleged that Returning Officer Itanagar issued a wrong Election Agent Identity Card to him. He said that though he is the Election Agent of All India Trinamool Congress candaite, he was issued an Election Indentity card which proclaimed him to be the Election Agent of Nationalist Congress Party!

Late night campaigning banned in L/D Valley

Report from districts on preparations of elections

ROING, Sept 30: The District Magistrate, Lower Dibang Valley District, Y W Ringu has issued an Executive Order prohibiting late hours election campaign in the district beyond 10:00 PM till 6:00 AM in the entire district. This order has been issued by the District Magistrate to maintain public tranquility, law and order and also to build confidence among the common masses. It further states that anyone found violating this order; he/she shall be booked and prosecuted under appropriate section of law.

ITANAGAR: A meeting of the contesting candidates and their election agents with the two Election Observers for Papumpare District was held on Sept 29 at Siddhartha Hall, Itanagar. In the meeting, the contesting candidates and their election agents placed their grievances before the Election Observers. During the interaction, various issues like bogus names in Photo Electoral Roll, double voting, sealing of border on the day of Poll, restriction on movement of vehicles on the day of Poll, violation of Model Code of conduct, illegal collection of Identity Cards by some party workers, defacement of public properties, booth capturing, involvement of Gaon Buras, teachers and Govt staff in election politics , plying of vehicles without number plates, proper marking of indelible ink in the fingers . Criminal intimidation against rival candidates and their agents, illegal distribution of CGI sheets and IMFL also were discussed.

The two Election Observers gave hearing to the candidates and their agents and have assured of facilitating free and fair election in the Papumpare District. The District Election Officer Papumpare and two Superintendent of Police informed that they will seriously attend to their grievances to ensure free and peaceful Poll. The District Election Officer appealed the candidates and their agents to cooperate in smooth conduct of the ensuing election. He informed them that the two Observers of the Papumpare District will keep track of all election activities in the district.

1st Phase of training to Presiding and Polling Officers was held in the GHSS Auditorium in the presence of General Observer (GO) and District Election Officer (DEO) here today.

Anuradha Mall, GO has appealed to the presiding and polling officers to perform the duty assign to them with sincerity and dedication for smooth and successful conduct of Assembly Election in the district. She anticipated for smooth and peaceful conduct of poll in the district as the people are known for its law abiding and peace loving nature.

Y W Ringu, DEO called upon them to get well acquainted with each other when the polling teams are form and work unitedly as a team keeping aside once ego and rank. She also asked them to get oneself updated and well verse with the poll procedures, duties and responsibilities of each Presiding and Polling Officers and cautioned the Presiding Officers to use the power conferred on him efficiently and effectively to tackle any unexpected problems/incidents that may crop up on the poll day.

M. Tato, ARO also requested the Presiding and Polling Officers to sincerely participate in the three phase training programme as the successful conduct of any election solely depends on the effective duties discharged by them on the poll day.

Resource Persons Abu Saring, District Adult Education Officer and Jotin Linggi, Assistant Mineral & Mining Development Officer imparted training to 76 presiding and 241 Polling Officers on the day. N K Mishra, JE (Power) and his teams imparted the EVM training.

Later in the second half of the day, DEO along with T. Karga, SP and Administrative Officers of the district imparted training to the Police Officers for tackling any law and order problem.

En-Mass Training on use of EVMs

Seppa: The en-mass training of Presiding and polling officers on the use of EVMs was conducted at Seppa auditorium today.

At least 300 officers were imparted training out of which 94 were deputed as presiding officers and 206 as polling officers. The tips like mock poll, sealing of control unit and other necessary Dos and Don’ts during the poll day, were instructed through the power point presentation.

Election observer R Rajgopalan, asked all the Presiding and the Polling officers to be impartial on the poll day. He said there should not be any kind of activities on the part of poll officers that shows biasness to particular candidates.

Briefing the officers on the day, East Kameng DC cum DEO Pige Ligu, directed the various selected Presiding officers and the polling officers to conduct the election as per instruction given by the Election Commission of India. And express his hope that the ensuing Assembly Election in the district would be conducted in a free and fair manner like previous election.

ADC Cum RO Mige Kamki suggested the trainee to avert the circumstances which may leads to re-poll.

SP M. Padu informed that half section of security force shall be deputed in the hyper- sensitive place and three personel for sensitive and two personel for normal place respectively.

Besides all the magistrate of the district were also present on the training. (DIPROs)

DDK’s weekly prog

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: From Oct 1, Doordarshan Kendra-Itanagar would telecast Arunachal-Ees Hafte”, a weekly roundup of news and current affair in Hindi between 7 PM-7.15.

Apart from local, the content would include regional, national and international items. Keeping in view the responsibilities as a public service broadcaster, the weekly programme would accommodate issues relevant to the people of the state, said Deputy Director (News) Dinesh Kumar.

He further said that efforts would be made to make it a daily prgoramme.

Essay competition

ITANAGAR, Sep 30: Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) under the sponsorship of BEE, GOI, has decided to conduct essay writing competitions at school and state levels.

The school level competition on topic "Save Electricity to save Money" for students of class VI-VIII would be conducted in each school and two best essays would be selected by the school for submission at APEDA offices of their respective districts on or before October 20. Fifty best entries would be called for state level competition to be held on November 14 topic for which would be "Conservation of Energy and efficient use in containing global warming”, an APEDA release informed.

Two options for politicians

Jiko Linggi

“You only have power as long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power-he's free again”.

-Alexander Solzhenitsyn 1918

Once, a friend of mine narrated to me an incident. It went this way, a person from the ethnic community of Galo, working in a government department in Anini took along with him, his friend from Anini to Aalo, on one of his break. After making a good round of Aalo town, showing his friend from Anini, the living standard of people, gigantic buildings owned by bureaucrats, the streets, he finally told his friend from Anini, "people of Dibang Valley are still 30 years behind us". Not only that, he went on to say, "If today, people from Galo community occupies different levels of government departments, it is not because of politicians but because of bureaucrats produced by the community".

The incident made me to deliberate, despite producing finest politicians in the whole of Arunachal, why we the people of Dibang Valley are lagging behind? Why the living standards of our people are far below? Why are we, the people of Dibang Valley are finding difficult making it into government departments? Why don't we have bureaucrats, despite graduates moving out in the street jobless? Why streets and roads to rural villages give a pathetic, sadistic and desolate look? Crores of money is pumped in, but why the people in the middle valley of Ethun are forced to toil as casual labourers in GREF to keep the fire burning in the hearth of their homes? Why is development exclusive and only for the people in high income bracket?

Answers to all these questions are simple. Prime motto of every politician is to hold on to the chair of power as long as he can, if possible pass it on to his progeny. To achieve this, there are two options available to the them in a vibrant democracy like India, unlike banana Republics. One is to become a visionary, resourceful, charismatic leader like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel, back home, Gopinath Bordolai, who spoke, acted and delivered for the welfare and well being his people.

Not only Andhra Pradesh, whole of India mourned and wept over the tragic departure of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, lovingly called YSR, an enigmatic, consummate politician. He could gauge the people's pulse as much as the leader in him could empathise with poor and their problems. He loved to reach out to the masses, listen to their grievance and try to resolve them. It was his 1,500-km padayatra in the gruelling heat of the summer of 2003 that turned round the Congress fortunes and catapulted him into the Chief Minister's post and fortunes of Congress at the centre in parliamentary elections of 2009.

Rajasekhara Reddy logged thousands of flying hours in helicopter and fixed -wing aircraft during the past five years as the Chief Minister on surprise visits. In his second tenure as Chief Minister, it was during one such flight, he met his tragic end in a Bell-430 State owned helicopter, nearly 10 years old amid the green foliage in the inhospitable Nallamala hill range.

As I write this article, news is trickling in that, Dorjee Khandu is set to be elected to the new Assembly of Arunachal unopposed, third time in a row from Tawang district. Former CM, Khandu is known to have an ear for the pulse of the hearts of the people in lowest level of the wealth pyramid, the aam adami in his constituency. He is credited for changing the scenario of Tawang and its people. During his tenure, education, health, roads saw major overhauling. Colleges and hospitals were established, roads were upgraded, while more and more people from his constituency saw the doors of employment opportunities opening in government departments.

The other option for the politician is to delay or hold back the socio-economic developments for his people. Deeper the poverty and drudgery, the conditions of the people (Third Estate), less educated, less aware they will be of their rights and capability to question, which translates into a single politician (First Estate) ruling for years along with few of his Rich and Elite group (Second Estate).

Non-divided Bihar and West Bengal were two of the richest and poorest states. Its Human Development Index hovered at the bottom of the pyramid. Infrastructure, literacy rate, health delivery system were in shambles. But both the states saw single politician ruling for years and is a classic example to the case.

The two Estates, first and second are inter-dependent on each other for their survival and to fend off any threat posed by the third estate (Common public).

Now, the options opted by the politicians from Dibang Valley are before the third estate for scrutiny like an open book. Either the first estate chooses the correct option or the third estate forces it to do so. It is time for us, the people in the Third Estate to make use of our most valuable tool, the adult franchise to the maximum benefit.

Finally, at the end of the day, it is we, the people are responsible for what we are in a democracy like India.