The Arunachal Times - Archives

Court direct govt to pay compensation and frame appropriate rule

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: Nothing would compensate the pain the family members went through when they lost their dear ones at a tragic boat mishap in Siang River on Aug 8 last year. But relief came to some extent in the form of the High Court Directives.

The Itanagar Permanent Branch of the Gauhati High Court directed that state respondents pay Rs 3 lakhs to the petitioners of the deceased within six weeks while adding that ex gratia amount, if any, paid by the state respondents to the petitioners shall not be counted towards the aforesaid compensation amount.

The respondents include State of Arunachal Pradesh, Department of Transport, District Administration East Siang and Onyok Tamuk, the owner of the boat that went down the river.

The government has also been directed to frame appropriate Rules for maintenance of order and safety of the passengers and properties in the Ferries under the provisions of the Northern India Ferries Act, 1879 within a period of six months from the day of the Court Directives.

The state respondents are also directed to consider the preventive and protective measures suggested by an enquiry committee set up by the East Siang district administration.

The petitioner includes Tokkong Tayeng, father of Basurut Tayeng, a teacher who lost his life while returning from Pasighat after attending a training program.

Torjing Tayeng who lost his son and daughter in law is the other petitioner. The couple had just married when they lost their lives.

Despite the request made by one of the owners of the Tata Mobile on board the Boat to be offloaded, the boat men did not. The petitioners were represented by D Panging and K Padu. They made it known that many passengers had asked to be off loaded from the boat which was ignored by the boat men.

Finding states that due to the negligence of the steering driver and engine driver, the boat lost control. The boat, less on fuel and over loaded hit one of the concrete pillar of the Siang Bridge and broke into pieces killing three. There were 26 passengers and two fully loaded Tata Mobile Mini Trucks on board the Boat.

One of the major recommendations by the committee set up by the East Siang district administration headed Judicial magistrate Tapyam Pada, was creation of Inland Water Transport Department comprising commercial, tourism and other allied purposes in the state with a comprehensive working system for plying of the ferries and motor boats in all the major rivers of the state. The government should look into these details before another tragedy takes place.

Public hearing on Gongri Hydro Electric Project held

BOMDILA, Aug 20: A Public Hearing for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) for 90 MW Gongri Hydro Electric Project at Munna Camp-Rahung in the district was conducted today at Rahung for the project affected people of Thembang, Namshu, Dirang, Rahung and Munna Camp.

The Hearing was marred by a slew of protests and walk-outs by the project affected people of Namshu and Munna Camp decrying the non-payment of compensation to the genuine project affected people but the Hearing resumed after initial hiccups.

The project is being developed as a Run of the River Scheme having a Barrage height of 17.5 metre by M/s Dirang Energy Pvt. Ltd. The 90 MW Gongri-Hydro Electric Project is scheduled to be completed in about four years after obtaining all necessary clearances from the Central and State governments.

Earlier, R.K.Deori, Member Secretary Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) apprised the people on the public hearing process and the importance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearance.

Presiding the Hearing, Deputy Commissioner i/c Rinchin Tashi impressed upon the project affected people the importance of hydro power and opined that the proposed Barrage over river Gongri is a eco-friendly project; which in the long run would minimize the dependency on forest and forest products and immensely help in rising the economy of the local people. The damage control steps to be taken up by the Project Developers would help in mitigating the natural calamities, which is so prone to the district, he said. Politicization of the issue for personal benefit should be avoided at all cost, he added. (DIPRO)

Union calls for early restoration of roads & bridge

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: All Upper Subansiri Capital Complex Students’ Union appealed the concerned authority to immediately restore the road communication from Daporijo to Kimin.

It said that due to disruption of road communication, the prices of essential commodities have raised and the people are facing difficulties in transportation to avail the medical facilities. It also appealed the concerned department of the district and the local MLAs to look in to the matter and initiate immediate steps to renovate or reconstruct the collapsed Sigin Bridge.

RKM to open cough and cold referral OPD

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: Rama Krishna Mission Hospital authorities have decided to open a separate OPD under the banner of ‘Cough and Cold Referral OPD’, keeping in view of the spread of Swine Flu H1N1 Virus in various part of the country including neighbouring Assam.

The OPD will start functioning from August 24 next. The timings for the functioning of the OPD will be Morning 8 a. to 1 pm and Evening 4 pm to 8 pm.

The OPD will function from the new OPD pay clinic block of the hospital while the pay clinic will be shifted to the present OPD block and will function only in the evening hours informed RKM Hospital secretary Swami Vishwatmananda.

Regiment starts Computer education in Tirap

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: The 19th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment of 181 Mountain Brigade under Dah Division started an IT awareness and computer training centre at Deomali, Soha and Kanubari in Tirap District. The computer training classes have been started by the army unit as part of their initiative and endeavour to reach out to the locals. A total of 50 students will be trained in basic handling of computer in the first batch which will run for the duration of one month.

The need for standing these classes was felt due to lack of basic IT awareness and computer literacy among the local youth. The initiative on the part of the army has gone well with the local populace. A large number of youth came forward and enrolled for the classes.The teachers have appreciated the effort by the army to undertake these classes. Basic knowledge in the handling of computers will open up more opportunities for employment and divert youth from joining any UG organisation. During various informal interactions and meetings, locals have been requesting these facilities for children.

Commanding Officer 19 Kumaon Regiment inaugurated the facility and during the interaction assured that the Army would continue to undertake such activities for the welfare of the people. Teachers and locals expressed their gratitude and satisfaction.

Subansiri hydel project underway amid protest

Gerukamukh, Assam-Arunchal border, Aug 21: The construction work of the South East Asia's biggest hydel power project, the 2,000 MW ''Lower Subansiri hydel project'', is continuing on amid growing protest by the locals.

The construction work of the gigantic project, located in a contentious area of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, was already 30 per cent completed, General Manager of the project Om Prakash said here today.

It was expected that the project would change the power scenario of the Northeast India, he added.

The project was planned in mid 70's while the Brahmaputra Board handled the early implementation work of the project in mid 80's but in 2002, the project was handed over to the NHPC after dividing the huge project into three projects.

''Now for the ecological consideration, there are three projects Upper, Middle and Lower Subansiri projects, each are independent. At present the lower Subansiri project has received permissions from all the concerned ministries as well as environment bodies and hence it is being constructed,'' said Prakash.

But the project has been facing constant criticism for ''ignoring the downstream social life''.

''In fact there has not been any downstream study and the NHPC or any of the government departments is not interested to know the downstream situation,'' said Keshav Krishna Chatradhora of the local resistance group ''Aikyamanch''.

The people of Lakhimpur, Goagamukh and Gerumaukh area were fearing that there would be catastrophic impact after the big dam comes up, Chatradhora said, adding they were specially concerned of a possible dam break situation since the dam site was on highly seismic prone zone.

''There are some genuine concerns, but ordinary people are not aware of technological advancement. First and foremost this is a run of the river project where storage capacity is not very high. We should have optimum storage of 190 m and during heavy monsoon we can increase it up to 205 m. Now any extra water coming through rain would spill over and there would be no extra dam-induced flood.

Whatever rain water comes will go through the river,'' said the Chief Engineer of the project R K Chaudhury. There is a problem of communication between the NHPC and local people and issue is getting emotive with both sides sticking to their point.

''The large dam in this ecologically and geologically fragile, seismically active and culturally sensitive region raises many concerns. However, the development of the past one year has seen the debate on dams. Growth in the region is being mostly influenced by downstream impact issue in particular,'' said noted environmental scientist Neeraj Vagholikar of ''Kalpavriksha''.

However, NHPC Chief Environmentalist Vipin Kumar allayed all such apprehensions.

''This is the first hydel project where downstream impact studies have been assessed. We find nothing alarming as this is not a storage project and we are not going to stop the water flow.

There will be water always in the river and there would be no danger to the aquatic creatures of the river,'' he said.

''Rather since we are holding capacity of 16 metres during the monsoon we shall have a flood mitigating option where to some extent we could regulate the flood water,''he added.

But Mr Vagholikar believed that NHPC was not telling the truth and whole project was based on series of lies.

''In February this year, the expert committee submitted the interim report and they expressed concern about the location and foundation of the dam and recommended that all construction work be stopped till the full study was over,'' he said.

''Neither NHPC stopped its work nor the Assam government stepped into enforce the recommendation of the expert committee which are critical to downstream areas in Assam,'' he added.

''Have patience. The interim report sought some clarifications and we replied them to their satisfaction. Wait for the final report and then you make the judgment whether this project is safe or going to harm the people in any way,'' Mr Prakash asserted. UNI

PPA to field candidates in selected constituencies

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (P.P.A) has decided to field candidates in selected constituencies in forthcoming Assembly Election in the state. The party may open it options for post-poll alliance with any likeminded parties after the election.

P.P.A is a party in the State that free from the Delhi High Commandism and this party can be only a truly people’s party in the state but not the national and regional parties of the other states, it said.

It has been observed many a times that there are some regional parties of the other States that bloom up only during the election times and disappear after the election. P.P.A appeals to the people to be aware of such parties and use their vote meaningfully only for those parties that can fulfill the aspiration and needs of the people and the State.

Youth Meet and Talent Search 2009

YINGKIONG, Aug 21: A Youth Meet and Talent Search 2009 was inaugurated by J.K. Panggeng at Mariyang today. Various Cultural, Sports and literary competitions amongst the youths will be held in the two days programme.

Speaking on the occasion J.K. Panggeng said that it is the first time that such meet is being held in the district. The talents in cultural, literary, arts, games and Sports can be unearthed in such meets. The traditional culture should be developed and improved, he said while adding that adventure tourism has great potential in the area which should be exploited. Communication will be improving in the near future. So the people have to exploit the Agricultural and Horticultural potential of the area as there are sufficient fertile lands, he added. This will bring livelihood for the people and raise the economic status of the society. He said that a beginning has been made and hoped that it will go a long way in developing the area.

Awareness on Drug abuse, AIDS and the ill effects of indiscriminate deforestation, hunting and fishing was also held on the occasion.

Industrial motivation campaign

ITANAGAR Aug 21: Branch MSME Development Institute under the ministry of Micro, small and medium enterprises organized an industrial motivation campaign and inaugural function of six weeks ESDP on basic of computer applications at the Hall of Manipal Institute of Computer Education, Namsai in association with DIC Namsai recently.

MSME-DI Itanagar Branch Assistant Director In charge Vivek G Nikhade explained about the support services for educated unemployed youths to take up for self employment ventures.

He further suggested the participants to think about quality service and quality manufacturing while venturing out to establishing food processing units, tailoring and readymade garments, beauty parlour, DTP and screen printing, computer hardware, mobile repairing, bakery units besides others.

P Arangham ADI, DIC Namsai urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by ESDP training programme to start their own enterprise.

MICE Namsai Centre Coordinator B Gogoi appealed the participants to step forward in self employment ventures.

Restoration of service demanded

ITANAGAR, Aug 21: All Kimin Youth Welfare Association highlighting the flood affected people’s grievances appealed the concerned department particularly Power, PHE, PWD and GREF to take up immediate steps for the welfare of the people and restore services. It thanked state government for immediate sanction of relief fund of Rs 20 lakhs for the victims of flash flood.

IFCSAP appreciates DC

ITANAGAR Aug 21: Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) appreciated the Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner for taking steps and measures to stop the ongoing problem due to the construction of water tank over Donyi-Polo ground Ziro.

The society endorsed the suspension of the construction of the over head water tank till November 7, keeping in view of the ensuing assembly elections.

It hoped that a concrete solution will be sorted out during the next two months to avoid further confrontation between the authority concerned and the people.

The society further hoped that the construction work will be shifted to safer sit in the interest of the common people and keeping in mind the religious sentiments of the Indigenous Faith believers.

Akshay Urja Diwas

PASIGHAT, Aug 21: The Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas was observed in befitting manner at Pasighat on August 20.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest Deputy Commissioner Onit Panyang highlighted the objectives of the celebration and Rajiv Gandhi’s emphasis on development of Science and technology.

Essay writing, Quiz, Drawing and painting competition were organized for the students, and a documentary film on Global Warming was also screened by APEDA to mark the occasion.

Earlier, prabhat pherry was organized by officers, teachers and students around the Pasighat township in the early morning, which was flagged-off by DC, Pasighat at Gandhi Chowk. Later, officers, officials of various departments, teachers and students took Sadbhawna and Renewable Energy Pledge at Town Club, Pasighat.

Observer satisfied

ROING: H. Lollen, Secretary APPSC Itanagar visited Lower Dibang Valley District as Roll Observer to verify the increase or decrease of voters in 43rd AC, Roing in the present Summary Revision of Electoral Roll. Lollen took stock of the under going Revision process at District Election Office today and expressed satisfaction on the recent inclusion/deletion of the voters.

PR member reacts

ITANAGAR: Panchayat leaders of 5-Kalaktang Assembly constituency while reacting to a statement made by D K Thongdok demanding disqualification of R K Khrimey from State Legislative Assembly termed it motivated. The leaders said that instead of welcoming Khrimey who has lead the area and the state to the party fold, Thongdok criticized him for mere self interest ignoring the larger party interest.

The leaders further said that Khrimey was made the Chairman of Congress Campaign Committee of his constituency which he shouldered admirably by ensuring the victory of the Congress.

BSNL cornered

ITANAGAR: BSNL customers of Tuting Sub Division under Upper Siang district are seeking justice from the District Consumer Redresal Forum for not getting Cellular and landlines service in the area for the last five months.

Anchal Chairperson of Tuting Anchal Block said that consumers have been forced to knock the door of justice as there is no service since the last five months. Despite no service, the BSNL however charges rentals of both the services in the area, he added.

ATU calls for reduction on rate

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Tribal Students Union called on the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission to reduce the rate of application form from Rs 500 to Rs 100 for APST canddaites and Rs 200 for Non APST candidates.

The rate for the application forms for Combined Competitive Exam 2009 Prelims is fixed at Rs 500.

R K Khrimey resigns

ITANAGAR: R K Khrimey who represent Kalaktang constituency has resigned from the membership of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The resignation was sent today to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

(Readers’ Forum)

Punji Mara got the support too

Madam,

Apropos the letter under the headlines "Payeng does not have right to speak on our behalf " by Pata (Ratha) Dagiam, General Secretary, DYCC(I), Upper Subansiri District and published in your esteemed daily on August 17, I would like to inform that, Dagiam, may not know who is Punji Mara, because he belongs to the same constituency but never stayed in his own constituency. He may not know the problem which the villagers are facing nor understand the expectation of the villagers.

Tara Payeng is not only the supporter, many present and former panchayat leaders and former MLA of the constituency support Punji Mara to get the INC Party ticket.

Every citizen know well about Mara, who has served the people of Taliha since the period of NEFA. It is not false that Punji Mara was elected as Ind. candidate in 1994 and joined INC, people elected Mara even as Ind candidate because they like his service towards the people of the Taliha, towards the reformation of the society and for his developmental activities.

Regarding joining in the INC, it is only because he is a senior leader who has been involved in politics since the period of NEFA. INC needed a senior leader, hence offered him to join INC.

It is not possible to form a Party by a single person. During formation of the Arunachal Congress Party most of the then INC party members were involved. So, how can Dagiam claim that Mara had played vital role in formation of AC by toppling then ruling INC Govt. Pata, who joined recently in politics, should be ashamed on his claim.

During his period without modern facilities Punji Mara had done lots of social works like creation of schools, road connectivity work to link one village to another village. The general people know how much work he has done to build today’s Taliha.

Yours,

Nyato Dukom

Vice president, DYCC

-cum-vice chairman, DEC(INC)

Upper Subansiri district

Developments talk

Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to express our gratitude to the State Government led by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for according Nari as an independent A D C headquarter and Koyu as an EAC headquarters including CO at Kora under East Siang district.

As Nari is the vanguard for the day- today work of local area for all round developmental activities, it is the mission of the state Govt to bring the civil administration to the door-steps of the common masses.

Tako Dabi as the guiding force of Ramle-Banggo deserves a reward for his tireless efforts for the up-gradation of Koyu circle to EAC and Nari SDO to ADC headquarter, besides creation of new post of circle-officer (CO) at Kora. It is hoped that such steps will boost the pace of development in this neglected interior part of Arunachal Pradesh.

It is to be noted that the creation of an independent ADC HQ is the need of the hour in the highly sensitive region of Assam- Arunachal border. Hence, the postings of excellent and efficient administrators are demanded who can tackle sensitive issues tactfully in the hour of need.

I would also like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the problems being faced by the the poor unfortunate dwellers of hyper-sensitive Assam-Arunachsal border. The people of the entire foot-hills areas including Kanku-Likabali circles, Seren- Nari circles are leading a life of uncertainty with fear psychosis as the different forms of border crimes in the form of arson, looting, intimidation, burglary etc, is common phenomena.

Dabi has been steering the boat of both upper and lower Ramle Banggo, invariably trying to elevate the minds of the energetic youths. The establishment of administrative headquarters citadel of the people of the sensitive foot-hills areas is utmost important at this stage. It is said, “Blue skies are not a guarantee of continuing fine weather”. So, it is to be noted that, unabated influx of illegal migrants from neighbouring states threatens to swamp minority population. As a matter of facts, the people of the border villages are looking for dynamic personality, able leaders with the ability to deal with serious situation or constant external threats from across the border.

I would also take this opportunity to mention here that the condition of kuccha road leading to bus stand starting from Telam medical to Telam Railway station is miserable, during emergency situation, movement of light or heavy vehicle on the road is not possible. I fervently appeal local MLA and minister Dabi, Panchayat leaders to initiate prompt steps for blacktopping/ construction of pucca road from Talem-PHC connecting Telam railway track.

Yours,

Tari Kaye

Telam Village

Nari-Seren circle

Right to equality

Madam,

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to know from the chief warden of hostel and other Rajiv Gandhi University authorities that why there is discrimination between APST students and ST students from other state in providing hostel accommodation in this central university. Why in the university hostel only APST students will get accommodation, other ST students should also have the right to accommodation in the hostel.

In the prospectus of RGU also it is written that in order to maintain national integration 1-non-APST student from each department should get hostel accommodation but it is just in paper only. So I request the higher authority and education ministers of both the Central and State Govts to look into this matter and maintain the decorum or rule of central university.

Just think what will happen if NEHU, JNU, BHU IIT,TEZPUR UNI,DU and all other central universities follow the same rule. I hope that the higher authority will take care upon this matter this year while giving hostel accommodation to the student.

Yours,

Samita Rai

LLB student

Via – email

Consider us too

Madam,

Regarding the APYC demand for party ticket for Rumgong Assembly constituency, I would like to mention here that justification of the genuine and winnable candidate is totally depend on the people of the constituency concerned. While awarding party ticket, the higher authorities should keep in mind that Romgong is a BJP strong hold. DYC and APYC should take the Block Youth Congress into consideration while seeking party ticket.

Yours,

Tadik Pame

President

Youth Congress,

Rumgong Assembly segment

Genuine candidate

Madam,

I, being a bonafide citizen of 25th Raga Assembly constituency, would earnestly appeal the various political parties to issue party tickets to only genuine candidates who have been working for the interest of common public, unemployed and proper development of Upper and Lower block of 25th Raga segment. Raga assembly constituency is still lagging behind in comparison to other constituencies of the state. Therefore, people should get opportunities to elect only genuine candidate to remove the backwardness, bring development and solve unemployment problems of the constituency.

Yours,

Tadi Lomdak

Raga