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ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Speaking before the budget for the state was passed by Legislative Assembly today, Finance Minister Setong Sena sought cooperation of all the members of the assembly for effective implementation of programme and policy.
He said that the budget is a rural, health and education oriented with a reform initiative.
The Budget has reflected the vision of the Govt, but we have to strive hard to accommodate the needs of the new generation, the Finance Minister said while adding that there should be a equation between requirement and resources to fulfill the aspiration of the ambitious people.
Giving a clarion call to all the Govt employees of the state to maintain accountability, the Finance Minister said the Govt has fulfilled its commitment by implementing the 6th pay commission recommendation. It is now turn of the Govt staff to pay back and shoulder responsibility, he said.
Responding to the suggestion of the members, Sena informed that initiatives have already been taken to improve collection of taxes and resource mobilization.
In addition to installing CCTV and electronic weighbridges at border check-
Regarding property tax, the Finance Minister informed that the property tax will be levied on ‘property building’, it would not affect people of rural areas, he said.
Migration of people from rural area to urban area is a universal process, Sena said, however,he hoped that 75 per cent of the people who migrated to the urban area would return back to native villages as lot of infrastructure development activities are being carried out in ADC, CO headquarters to bring administrative facilities to door step of the people. “We will now be providing Rs 75 crore for development of the new administrative centre over next 5 years under 13th Finance Commission”, he said.
Stating that initiatives are being taken under the budget to give emphasis on rural sports, the Finance Minister said the state Govt has decided to allocate Rs 50,000 in every circle headquarters to conduct rural sports activities and find out the latent sports talent.
Top most priority will be given for police modernization, Sena assured.
Participating in the discussion, BJP legislature party leader Tamiyo Taga lamented
over meager revenue being collected from various agencies in the state. ‘Govt is
not serious in collecting revenue, Taga said adding many revenue earning departments
could not come up to the expectations. He suggested tax on multi-
Demanding recruitment of special doctors for posting in rural areas, he rued that there is not a single doctor in health centres in Siang Belt. Health scenario in Kurung Kumey and other remote districts are pathetic, he said. He also called for effective Apex Bank loan recovery mechanism.
Emphasizing on modernization of police including police colony in every district
and sub-
MLA Ralom Borang appealed the Govt to give emphasis on health, education and employment
avenues. He said that Govt should be serious in providing employment opportunities
to youths. While suggesting health insurance policy for below poverty line people
he called for modern sports infrastructure for talented sports persons in the state.
Appreciating the budget proposal, MLA Laeta Umbrey said the Govt should chalk out
need-
MLA Tani Loffa suggested that Govt should impose parking tax in Capital complex to increase the revenue in the state and called for effective mechanism to check revenue leakage. There should be no land tax which is being allotted to people on lease and property tax should be imposed in urban area, he said.
Describing the budget comprehensive and vibrant , MLA Bamang Felix called upon the Govt to formulate effective policy to put a stop on huge migration from rural to urban areas. He also called for proper policy for rehabilitation of people who are supposed to be displaced by the proposed hydro projects in the state.
Emphasizing on infrastructure development in rural areas, Likha Saaya said that Govt should take proper step to improve health care facilities, education sector and road connectivity in his constituency.
Lauding taxation on tobacco products, BJP MLA Tangor Tapak called for effective mechanism to check revenue leakage and emphasized on education and health care system.
MLA Tapuk Taku called for transparency in revenue collection and modification of land allotment system.
Legislation to rein in “donations”
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Legislator Bamang Felix today called upon the state Govt to take some effective measures to check rampant collection of donations by sector wise associations and unions throughout the state.
Raising the issue of rampant collection of donation during zero hour discussion, Felix rued that when a public representative attends public meeting or any other important event, he has to waste lot of his energy and time appeasing the societies with huge donation. Donation has become a dreaded disease in the state, he said.
He also called upon the Govt to maintain criminal records of all miscreants in all Police stations particularly in Capital Police stations so that miscreants who commit crime in districts and interior areas could not wander in Capital freely.
Admitting forceful collection of donation all over the state by societies, Chief Minister said that laws are already there to take action against forceful collection of donation. He requested the members to lodge complaint to the police against such unwanted activities.
Forceful selling of lottery tickets, collection of donation has become a menace, he said, adding law will be enacted to rein in such forceful collection of donation.
Special Mention: Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu assured the assembly to constitute a committee look into the demand for hike in MLA’s honorarium within two months. He was responding to the demand of MLA Punji Mara to enhance the honorarium of legislators.
Raising the demand, Punji Mara lamented that as a public leader, an MLA cannot maintain his living standard with meager amount of honorarium. An MLA gets Rs 46,750 as honarium which include payment for peon, driver etc. He appealed that honorarium of a Legislator should be at least Rs 1 lakh.
He also demanded that each legislator be provided computer and a personal assistant.
Pay anomalies: Education Minister Bosiram Siram informed the Assembly that no discrimination has been made in fixation of pay to the Assistant Teachers.
Responding to a question raised by Laeta Umbrey, Siram clarified that as per recommendation
of the 6th Pay commission, Part-
Siram maintained that already huge arrears for employees have been released under the 6th pay commission and there was no representation of teachers earlier, though representatives of the assistant teachers met him just few days before the assembly session. However, he assured to look into the grievances like pay deduction of teachers if any due to wrong disbursement of salary.
Posting of doctors: Responding to the question of Kariya Bagang, Health Minister Tanga Byaling said the Govt is capable to run the said health centre, therefore, no need to depend on NGO to run it.
ADC HQ: Responding to the question of MLA Takam Tagar, Chief Minister informed that Pania ADC headquarters and Tarak and Langdhi circle headquarters were created recently and infrastructure development for these HQs are under progress. CM further informed that ADC Pania has been functioning from Palin and necessary step will be taken to look in to the infrastructure development after recommendation from district administration.
Palin fire incident: Education Minister informed the Assembly that investigation
is still going on to go into the details of the Palin fire incident. Though compensation
is not enough in such unfortunate incident, Rs 20 lakh have been distributed to
the parents of the victims and Rs 14 lakh for injured besides ex-
CO HQs: Chief Minister informed that Circle Headquarter in Kamengbari was established in June 15, 2009 for effective function. He was responding to a question raised by MLA Tenzing Norbu Thongdok.
Expressing concern over illegal timber collection from Kamengbari area allegedly by Assam people and encroachment of Arunachal territory in West Kameng district, Thongdok appealed the Chief Minister to deploy adequate security forces to check illegal activities. Chief Minister assured to post battalion there as early as possible.
Daporijo incident: Home Minister Tako Dabi informed the house that forces are being sensitized to maintain utmost restraint in their dealings. He was responding to a question of Punji Mara who wanted to know what action is being taken by the Govt to check repeated incident of atrocities and even killing of civilians by state police force and central forces like CRPF.
The home minister maintained that no such cases of atrocities and killing of innocent civilians by police and para military force took place. However, he admitted that there has been instances of police resorting to firing for dispersal of mob in order to maintain law and order situation when other means to control the mobs had failed. While giving a brief description of Daporijo incident of January 31 last, he said root cause of unwanted activities and violence is liquor.
“Home Minister please assure police will not perform duty under the influence of liquor”, MLA Tapen Siga pleaded.
Govt would look into it that guilty of the Daporijo incident be punished, CM intervened.
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: NSS team of Indira Gandhi govt. college, Tezu, recently organized
a special camp at Bekhuliang village. During the camp, NSS members constructed one
local house for a widow. The girl’s volunteer of NSS cleaned up premises of Bekhuliang
middle school. A medical team led by Dr. B. chaitom conducted the free check-
16 cases disposed in Pasighat Lok Adalat
PASIGHAT, Mar 22: After the constitution of District Legal services Authority with
DC Onit Panyang is the Chairman, SSP D.C. Srivastava, Oshong Ering IAS (Rtd), Advocate
Toming Pertin as members and the EAC (Judl) Tamik Talom as the Member Secretary ,
a two day Lok Adalat was held in Pasighat from March 20. Three benches was constituted
for dispensing of justice through Lok-
Addressing the first day of the training, Panyang stated that Lok-
Oshong Ering compared the Lok-
Army conducts medical camp in remote Saddle
BOMDILA, Mar 22: As part of the perception management and civil military interface,
the 4th Battalion Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantary of the 5-
Spearheaded by the Commanding Officer Col. Rakesh Mehra of 4 J & K LI, the army medical team consisted of two Medical and a Dental Officer with three Nursing Assistants and of course with the participation of the civil medical officers to cater to the near about 200 patients registered for check ups and issue of medicines. To boost the morale of the villagers and to give impetus to the health camp, the Commander 311 Mountain Brigade, Brigadier K S Shaji attended the medical camp.
Earlier in the morning, the Army Medical Camp was inaugurated by Ex-
Appreciating the good turn out and the positive attitude of the people towards the
medical camp, CO Col. Mehra, on the sidelines of the health camp informed of conducting
such medical camps in further far-
Governor on surprise inspections
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh is leaving no stone unturned in his effort towards ‘Clean and Green Arunachal.’ To see for himself the result of the concerted endeavour of the State Government, district administration and general public of the Capital Complex, the Governor walked around the Capital city.
In spite of sudden drizzle, Gen Singh carried on interacting with people and advised
on values of civic sense and on peaceful co-
During the walk, he also advised them on disposal of garbage and household wastes and stressed on use of waste bins.
Interacting with 3rd IRBn Commandant Babu Talo, Superintendent of Police near Julang, 11 km from Capital, Governor asked him to inculcate civic sense and message of ‘Clean and Green Arunachal’ amongst the personnel, so that when they are posted in different parts of the State they become messengers. He also donated fabricated dustbins to the battalion.
The Governor, who trekked around the Capital on Sunday, where massive earth cutting works are going on, called for restoration of the nature to original shape by replanting of original tree species uprooted during the proposes.
Carried away by the scenic beauty and abundant tracks in the southern side of the capital complex, Gen Singh pointed, we are really blessed with nature’s own tracking circuits, which needs to be exploited. (PRO, Rajbhavan)
ATA unit hits back at legislators
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Reacting sharply to a news item published in some local dailies, where some legislators had raised doubt over the sincerity of the teachers, Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA)’s Papum Pare Unit today termed such remarks on teachers as unfortunate and immature.
While blaming lack of proper education policy and teachers’ recruitment rule as the
main causes of present sorry-
"Teaching fraternity is deeply concerned about the quality of education in the state,
and that is why we had launched a series of agitations in the form of "pen and tools
down" to bring about a change in the education sector. Our agitation led to passing
of the "Education Bill" in the on-
"Qualified teacher is needed for quality education." But despite of ATA’s call for recruiting trained and qualified teachers to inject a new life to the deteriorating education scenario, none of our leaders have listened to our demands; instead they seem to be engaged in fulfilling "political commitment" which led to appointment of more and more ‘unqualified’ teachers, the ATA unit claimed.
It also held lack of proper school infrastructure, like classrooms, teachers quarters and other allied facilities like water, electricity etc., responsible in providing proper education to the students.
Claiming themselves as the most deprived government servants in the state, the ATA unit pleaded for fulfillment of its genuine demands to extract the best of the best from them.
Science stream at Raga GHSS remains a dream
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Science Stream at Raga Govt. Higher Secondary School (GHHS) remains a non starter even after declaration of the same by the then Education Minister Takam Sanjay way back in 2003.
Taking serious note of this, All Raga Area Students’ Union (ARASU) on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the Education Minister Bosiram Siram which demanded immediate introduction of Science Stream in the lone higher secondary school of Raga block.
Besides, the memorandum rued non-
NYAPIN, Mar 22: Arunachal Pradesh Rural and Urban Development Society (APRUD), a Banderdewa based organization has organized an Awareness Generation Programme (AGP) at Nyapin, Kurung Kumey district on March 20 and 21 last.
The programme was sponsored by Central Social Welfare Board and Arunachal Pradesh State Social Board.
Society chairman Tadar Kaha, Gram Panchayat Member Gyamar Rodo, youth leader Tadar Tania spoke on the occasion and emphasized on various issues relating to health & hygiene, maternity & children, education & empowerment of women etc. The public in the area has welcomed such Society’s initiatives and urged them to take up such programme in future also.
During the two days programme, the Society members along with the villagers also carried out a social service in the medicinal plant’s garden in and around Nyapin.
What we need is a little bit of encouragement
Augusti Jamoh
Who dares say that younger folks of modern generation lack the spirit of preserving
their own culture? And who dares think they don’t possess the inherent temperament
of continuing with their rich cultural heritage for posterity and identity? After
all, it is the only younger generations who shall shoulder the responsibility of
promoting and preserving it and pass it on to their offspring one day. There need
to be some one who is ever ready to shoulder the responsibility of working for it
with a missionary zeal. It is not that the government is not initiating anything
for advancement in this unique field. There is a separate full fledged department
to look after the affairs of art and culture in the state. Though this department
is touted as a minor department in spite of bigger responsibilities it plays in maintaining
the socio-
The department which is functioning with sheer determination towards preservation,
promotion, assimilation and development of varied rich socio-
As a step to popularize the folk songs and dances in rest of the country and show case its richness and originality among the people, many cultural troupes belonging to various tribes of the state are sent to different states for display. It is true that the prime motive of the department is to imbibe in the minds of younger generation the need and enthusiasm to respect, preserve and perform the folk songs, dances and other indigenous institutions of their society.
To substantiate this it is worth mentioning that a group of young Digaru/Miju Mishmi artistes drawn from Lohit District was a part of the glittering cultural extravaganza organized by the prestigious Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati on 19th of this month. The grand finale at Guwahati to mark the platinum Jubilee Celebration of Reserve bank of India had drawn cultural troupes from all the north east states where exchanges of dances and exposure of the hidden fine art were revealed.
The young artistes had been chosen to display folk dances of the Mishmi communities of Lohit and Anjaw Districts. They were dispatched with the initiation of Department of Art & Culture, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and with moral support from Lohit District Administration to represent the state in the event. It is really encouraging that the troupe was led by a young lad called Shavin Mam who is also the present General Secretary of Indira Gandhi Govt. College, Tezu.
It fact, it need no exaggeration that the folk songs and dances are the living mirror of our cultural life and the society in the recent past had been fighting almost lost battle for sustenance. The Department of Art & Culture of the state despite many constraints and odds have been instrumental in preserving, promoting, developing and showcasing the valued remains or cultural relics of the tribal people which are on the verge of losing it in the wilderness of modernization and materialism. None try to ponder over the ground reality and significance that the department is endeavoring to do with little recognition of their sincere and tireless effort but which is rather considered worthless not only among the illiterates but by the learned ones too.
At a time, when everyone is ever hesitant to associate themselves with what they considered as outdated and obsolete legacy of their forefathers, the department is really fighting an uphill task and that too without a pat on their back. It will always remain true that we cannot isolate ourselves from our society and our identity.
It is therefore considered truly encouraging when young people like Shavin took to their shoulders the responsibilities which have been discarded by the older folks. To me, it deserves accolades from all quarters because someone is attempting to do something important and setting a good example for others to emulate.
The contributor is District Art & Culture Officer, Lohit. He can be contacted at ajamnino@gmail.com
Union demands bus service from Itanagar
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: All Tagin Student’s Union (ATSU) has called on the transport department to start their bus service from Naharlagun instead of Itanagar.
ATSU claimed that most of the students staying in Itanagar are not able to make use of present bus service as it becomes difficult to carry personal luggage’s and go all the way to Naharlagun to catch bus. In this respect union requested transport department to start bus service from Itanagar as students can’t afford to make use of private buses because of high fare.
AP team in Assam cricket tourney
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Cricket Team is participating in the All Assam Inter-
Arunachal team will play its first match on March 23. The team is led by Kholi Tassuk and Goi Gara as manager and coach.
Restore drinking water supply at Parang
ITANAGAR: All Parang Circle Youth Association in a letter to Executive Engineer PHE and WS Department, Naharlagun Division appealed for immediate restoration of the damaged water pipe line and restoration of drinking water facility in Parang Panchayat.
It said that the existing pipeline of the Parang Panchayat had been destroyed while constructing PWD road from Sagalee to Sakiang causing acute shortage of drinking water in the area.
Book on Nyishi women
ITANAGAR: The hard working Nyishi women of Arunachal Pradesh authored by Minoti Barthakur was released on March 20 at Guwahati press club by Padmashree Prof. Brindra Dutta.
Barthakur is a retired Head of the Department in Philosophy, Cotton College, Guwahati.
Prof. S D Goswami and General Secretary ATA Papum Pare Unit Nabam Shelly attended the function as guest of honour and special guest respectively.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Teachers’ Association, Papum Pare Unit appreciated the work of Bhartakur.
Mopin celebration
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Minister RWD Kaliko Pul and Parliamentary Secretary, IT and Science and Technology Jomde Kena would attend Mopin celebration at Gensi as chief guest and guest of honour .
School Prog
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: MP Takam Sanjay has consented to attend as chief guest in the annual prize distribution ceremony of MK Memorial Public School, Itanagar on March 23.
Appointments
ITANAGAR, Mar 22: Geli Ete and Tsering Wange have been appointed as Chairmen vigilance APCC for West Siang and West Kameng District respectively.
Look within
Dear Editor,
Recently, some of the legislators gave negative remark on SSA teachers. It would have been reasonable if they had given negative remark on monitoring part and fund management of SSA Project. It would have been authentic evidence and good substantiation. They should have also given some suggestion on how to improve it. But it was not at all there. We all know that allegation is the easiest work of human being and it does not bring any solution to a problem.
Except for the first batch of SSA teachers, appointments were made after political interference. Now why are they are demanding quality education? If they have not recruited quality teachers then where from quality education will come. They should think before blaming SSA absurdly. A good politician should not be law breaker in serious subjects like education and health. They should judge themselves before blaming others.
The politician should think for making a policy for regularization of SSA teachers on humanitarian ground. Because whatever they are, at least they have revived many defunct schools of the village level in short span of time. If necessary, separate interview may be conducted among the SSA teachers. Same kind of interview may be conducted among the officiating teachers because there are many officiating teachers whose standard is lower than SSA teachers. It would help in proper use of teachers effectively. The insincere teachers should be terminated immediately.
Hope the SSA teachers alone would not be blamed for poor quality of education. I am sure that the politicians will come forward with specific suggestions.
The SSA teachers look up to the present Education Minister as ray of hope.
Yours,
Mrs Sonika Tau,
Doimukh
Aalo needs another ATM counter
Dear Editor,
Aalo being one of the most populous district headquarters with a good number of Govt establishments, private companies and business establishments needs another SBI ATM counter immediately for smooth money transaction.
It is a fact that a large number of money transactions are being done at SBI Aalo alone daily, besides routine transactions by Govt employees and public which causes overcrowding at the Bank.
It is learnt from reliable sources that a branch of the bank is under proposal at Old Market. But it may take few more years for it to start functioning. Hence, I request the SBI authority to open one more ATM counter at Old Market at the earliest for the benefit of the people of the area.
Yours,
Opung Jerang,
Aalo, West Siang Dist.
Sagalee needs Science stream
Dear Editor,
With due respect, I would like to inform you that there is only one Hr. Secondary School within the 15th Sagalee Assembly Constituency which was established during the year 1969. But till date there are no Science teachers. I would like to praise and congratulate those students who had passed out from this school in science stream without having the facility of subject teachers, who are pursuing their Degrees in different parts of the country now.
The proposal for sanction of science stream at Govt. Hr. Secondary School Sagalee had been done during the year 2001 and accordingly the science classes were started from the same year. For this purpose, the All Sagalee Students’ Union had submitted memorandum to the then Education Minister on 23rd Nov, 2008. All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) has also submitted a memorandum to the present Education Minister on dated 22nd Nov, 2009 for the same issue. During our discussion with them, they had assured us of sanctioning of the same within next 2 months but till date nothing had been done for sanction of science stream at the school.
Being the hilly and remote constituency within Papum Pare District our poor students are not able to go out for their science education. Hence, for the greater benefit of the student’s community particularly the science stream students, sanctioning of teachers posts for science stream at Govt. Hr. Secondary School Sagalee is the need of the hour.
Our repeated representation and memorandum could not yield any positive response as the proposal is still pending in the AOP of the education department in the Directorate of School Education, Itanagar.
Hence, through your esteemed daily I on behalf of All Sagalee Student’s Union (ASSU) would like to request the concern department from Minister level to Director of School Education to look into this basic needs of the students and sanction science stream/teachers in the school so that the science students of Sagalee constituency too could reap the benefits.
Yours,
Chera Nega,
Gen. Secy , All Sagalee Students Union
Declare results
Dear Editor,
We would like to request the concerned authorities of the education department to
declare J/T and A/T (A) result as early as possible. The viva-
Other departments especially the recent Sub-
We therefore, earnestly request the concerned authorities of the education department to maintain the same and declare the final result of J/T and A/T (A) without any further delay.
Yours,
Demo Yonggam
and others. On email
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