dec15 20

2015

December 20

APHPM & PB team tours

villages under Nyapin

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Arunachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Board (APHPM & PB), chairman, Kipa Niya has called on the farmers and villagers to take advantage of the horticultural related Govt schemes from APHPM & PB to raise their living standard. He was speaking during an APHPM & PB tour to the villages of Nyapin Circle under Kurung Kumey from Dec 17th to 19th.

The chairman informed that APHPM & PB was to help the farmers for easy marketing of their produces and to fetch better prices. The team visited Sango and Pinchi villages, met the PRI leaders, farmers and held meeting to create awareness on importance of horticultural activities in income generation to raise the economic status of the people and horticultural marketing.

The tour team members planted Kiwi fruit, William Pear, Peach and Plum saplings at Pinchi village on trial basis to see its suitability. It was informed that if the saplings grow successfully, then the farmers should go for commercial plantation in near future.

Earlier, Managing Director, Tage Tatung demonstrated how saplings are to be planted in the field for better success. The MD also asked the people of Sango village to take up Large Cardamom plantation in commercial scale which is low volume high cost crop to earn better profits.

BJP wins Pasighat Municipal

ward bye-election

PASIGHAT, Dec 19: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kaling Doruk won the Pasighat Municipal Ward (No. 5) bye-election defeating INC candidate Geni Pertin.

A total of 514 votes were cast during the bye-election which was held on December 16, and 312 have cast their votes in favour of Kaling Doruk.

According to government source, 259 male (63.79%) and 255 female (65.89%) voters have exercised their right to vote during the by-poll.

Counting was done in Siang Hall in presence of East Siang Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer Isha Khosla and EAC cum Municipal Election Officer Oli Perme.

The bye-election was necessitated following the death of councilor of the Ward Atik Pertin in April this year. DIPRO

Tasong Tasing passes away

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Tasong Tasing of Riga village under Boleng circle of Siang district, who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 as member of the Indian Para-Military force, died at his native village yesterday.

Tasong, who retired from SSB in 1988, imparted Home Guard training to the people of erstwhile East Siang district.

He was also a renowned social worker of the region and had joined Janata Dal and served as Block President of Pangin-Boleng from 1989 to 1997.

He was the father of State BJP Secretary and former AAPSU general secretary Ojing Tasing.

Meanwhile, the rank and file of the state BJP today deeply mourned the passing away of Tasong and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

BJP reviews political situation

ITANAGAR, Dec. 19: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh in a meeting today reviewed the current political situation in the state and took few “important decisions” following the Gauhati High Court order staying the December 9 order of the Governor for preponing the assembly session and also other proceedings including removal of Speaker Nabam Rebia by a resolution of 33 legislators.

The party termed as confusing the date of an FIR mentioned in a sentence in clause 23 of the High Court single bench order wherein it has been written that “……..Understandably, the action of the MLAs are motivated by political exigencies and a manifestation of this can be seen from the FIR dated 20.12.2015….”

Science Exhibition at VKV Roing

ROING, Dec 19: A school level science exhibition was organised at VKV Roing today. A total of 165 science models were displayed by Middle, Secondary and Higher Secondary school level students.

Anchal Samiti Chairperson, Koronu, Monti Linggi inaugurated the exhibition. While interacting with the children he put thought provoking questions which were answered by the students.

Among others parents, well-wishers and the school children were present in the function.

AVP selects 142 players for National Tribal Sports Festival at Ranchi

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Arunachal Vikas Parishad (AVP) has selected a team of 142 players comprising both male and female for the national level Tribal Sports Festival to be held at Ranchi from December 25 to 31 organized by Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.

Arunachal will take part in Athletics, Archery, Kabaddi, Kho-kho and Volleyball in sub-junior, junior and senior categories.

The team including escorts and officials will leave for Ranchi on December 21.

Arunachal Vikas Parishad is celebrating the year 2015 as Sports Year throughout the state and around 118 circle level, 21 district level competitions were organized before the state level competition wherein more than 10,000 thousand youths participated, informed AVP.

Legal action against engineers sought

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: The people of Sikko-Bine (Adipasi) village have sought legal action against superintendent surveyor of works RWD, Hibu Tama, the then superintendent engineer of RWD Pasighat circle, and EE, RWD Dungkeng Sitek alleging negligence in the PMGSY road from Pasighat-Mariyang PWD road to Sikko-Bine (Adipasi).

They have written a complaint letter to the Upper Siang DC claiming that the work carried out was not according to the DPR as per inspection report submitted by the junior engineer (site engineer) on April 26 last, it also asked for blacklisting of the executing agency M/S Dongru Siongju.

They further claimed that two people were seriously injured during the collapse of a bridge over Sinyan river built under the project.

Meanwhile, they expressed disappointment that the DC Upper Siang is yet to initiate any action against the erring officers despite their complaint.

And now the work is yet to re-start and the work season is running out, it stated in their release.

Wayside market shed open at Parbuk

ROING, Dec 19: A wayside market shed along NH-37 was inaugurated by Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Sipi Elapra Linggi at Parbuk today.

Speaking on the occasion, Linggi said that she would pursue the Deputy Commissioner for provision of a toilet near the wayside market shed. She also assured cooperation in pursuing other developmental activities as proposed by the Bukkong ZPM.

Earlier, ZPM 8-Bukkong, Starson Saring informed that it was a long felt demand of the village women and added that local organic vegetables will be available in the wayside market shed. He further proposed for provisions of 49 Ring wells and barbed wires for the farmers under 8-Bukkong Anchal Block.

M Dirchi, DPO, Anchal Chairperson, 8-Bukkong Anchal Block, Maman Ratan and public leaders of Parbuk also spoke on the occasion.

ZPM Saring also provided wooden furniture for the nine Anganwadi Centres and also distributed clothes to the disabled persons of the area during the function.

The Wayside Market Shed was built under Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojna (RKVY) 2014-15. Plantation of avenue plants was also done in the premises of the market shed. DIPRO

Free eye camp cum anti-tobacco awareness prog at Tuting

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Cataract surgeries were performed upon eight eye patients during a free eye camp organized by Itanagar Mori Rotga Banggo Welfare Society at Tuting CHC on December 17 and 18.

Around 300 eye patients availed the benefit of the camp conducted by a team of doctors from Arunachal State Hospital (ASH), Naharlagun and General Hospital Pasighat led by Eye Specialist Dr. Kaling Darang of ASH.

An anti-tobacco awareness campaign was also organized simultaneously.

Explaining the ill effects of tobacco use, Dr. S Tsering, Radiation Oncologist of ASH, said consumption of tobacco in any form can cause cancer in human body. He appealed to all to abstain from using tobacco.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tuting, K Apang inaugurated the eye cum anti-tobacco awareness camp and advised people to take advantage from it.

Parliamentary Secretary Alo Libang provided necessary support and assistance for the camp besides others.

Clarification

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: The residential house/quarter of NERIST, which was gutted in a fire in the wee hours of December 15, is allotted to Suren Tana Tara, an employee of the institute.

The victim of the fire accident Tara today clarified that it was his residential house/quarter, which was gutted in the fire, and not that of one Tana Nime as published in a section of local dailies, including The Arunachal Times, on Saturday.

He urged the Toru Panchayat Welfare Association not to give this kind of misleading press statement without knowing the fact.

The victim also said that he was not seeking any kind of relief materials or assistance from any associations/organizations for it.

News Impact

Home

Governor has acted within constitutional powers: Pul

Rajkhowa acted like BJP agent, RSS pracharak: Gogoi

GUWAHATI, Dec 19: Dissident Congress MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh today said that Governor J P Rajkhowa has acted within his constitutional powers by summoning the session of the state Assembly.

"BJP MLAs in the House had moved a proposal to impeach Speaker Nabam Rebia and no notification regarding this was issued by the Speaker during the stipulated period of 14 days. It was only after the stipulated period was over that the Governor summoned the House," dissident MLA Kalikho Pul told reporters here.

The Governor has summoned the House under Article 174 (Clause 1) of the Constitution and he has the power to summon the House as and when he deems fit, he said.

"The Governor has both discretionary and guiding role and he is protecting the integrity of the Constitution," he added.

The Gauhati High Court had stayed the decision of the Governor to advance the Assembly session from January 14 next year to December 16 and the proceedings of the House in the makeshift premises.

"The matter is sub-judice and we will not say much about it but will appeal against the order in the High Court. We want the Court to give us a chance to explain and we have full faith in the judiciary," he added.

Pul also alleged that the Governor is "under threat and is not safe in the Raj Bhawan. The state DGP and Chief Secretary are not listening to him and so how can the common people be safe in the state?

"The whole world has seen how the ministers owing allegiance to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki have misbehaved with the Governor and used unparliamentary language inside the Raj Bhawan. Their supporters have held dharnas and blocked roads," he said.

Sharpening his attack against Nabam Tuki, Pul said that the political crisis is "not just a political struggle", but a culmination of several months of protest against the alleged financial irregularities committed by Tuki. "This is just not a case of political struggle or who will become the chief minister but the state is facing a financial crisis following various irregularities and scams involving Tuki and his family members," Pul alleged.

Pul said he, along with 21 Congress MLAs, have come to Guwahati to appeal for vacating the stay order against the Governor's decision to advance the Assembly session and present their explanation before the Court as "we have not been given a chance to explain".

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today accused Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa of acting like a "BJP agent and RSS pracharak" during the political crisis in the hill state.

"J P Rajkhowa behaved like a stooge. He acted like an agent of BJP and a RSS pracharak. He has lowered the dignity and respect of the Governor's office. He has turned the Raj Bhawan into a RSS office," Gogoi alleged at a press conference here.

The Chief Minister said Rajkhowa should have behaved as the Constitutional Head of the neighbouring state by following the rules only.

"He (Rajkhowa) was a Chief Secretary. It is not like that he does not know the rules. He knows the rules. He should have followed the rules as per the Constitution," Gogoi said. PTI

The mistake that could have been avoided

Anirudha Bhakat Chutia

The political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh is boiling at its peak and it has been echoed in the Parliament too. Though some critics have dubbed it as a constitutional crisis, I don’t find anything logical in dubbing it as a constitutional crisis. For, we all know, there is a political motive behind it which is clearly visible even to the layman’s eye.

The happenings in Itanagar have been so bizarre that the court had to intervene at last. Serious questions of law have been raised with the issue rocking Parliament and reaching the President. The Congress is loudly protesting 'murder of democracy' in Arunachal, training its guns against the Governor for 'destabilising' the State government.

This is not the first time. Arunachal had witnessed such unsavory happenings in the past when Gegong Apang split from the Congress, formed the United Democratic Front and then merged with the BJP in 2003 to form the saffron party's first government in the frontier State. However, national parties in Delhi need to consider the bad precedent created in Jammu Kashmir in 1984, when the Congress government at the Centre toppled Farooq Abdullah's National Conference government by allying with GM Shah's dissident faction. That was the point when Kashmiris began hating Delhi durbar politics. The mistake must not be repeated in a sensitive border state like Arunachal Pradesh.

The crisis in Arunachal Pradesh has now reached such a point that the Governor and the Ministers led by Nabam Tuki indulged in a verbal fight in the Raj Bhawan on the night of Dec 15. When the matter reached Assam, the State BJP president, who is also the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Sarbananda Sonowal said that abusing Governor JP Rajkhowa by a minister of Tuki Cabinet is an insult by the Congress to Assam and the Assamese society. I think he said it as the governor hails from Assam. But, to my simple understanding Rajkhowa is not representing Assam in Arunachal Pradesh, but he is instead representing the President of India as the Constitutional head of the State. So, I personally don’t find any point which justifies that Rajkhowa’s action or what happened with Rajkhowa will deteriorate the Assam-Arunachal relationship. I raised this particular topic here because after interacting with many friends from the media and political fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, I sensed that there is a fear among the people in this regard.

Divisive forces are working hand in hand at this point of time. These particular forces which have an inclination towards a particular political party of the country are trying to divide the society on religious and communal lines, people will have to differentiate them.

Advancing the State Assembly session by Governor JP Rajkhowa by almost a month from its scheduled date of January 14 to December 16 was probably the last nail in the coffin of democracy in Arunachal. In his message, the Governor cited Article 175 (2) of the Constitution which deals with a 'bill pending in the Legislature or otherwise', and which stipulates the House to consider any matter required by the message with all convenient dispatch. The Governor also invoked Article 181(1) to summon the Assembly session to decide on the resolution to remove the Speaker.

However, on Thursday the Gauhati High Court put a stay order on the resolutions passed as well as the order of the Governor till Feb 1, 2016.

This was something which could have been avoided by the Governor, had he acted neutrally. The High Court order came as a major blow to a person who is respected as a very sincere and hardworking officer who always took the side of the right back home in Assam. What happened in Arunachal Pradesh will remain a nightmare for Rajkhowa. And if you ask me to answer honestly as who is to be blamed for this, I would blame the central government which appointed him without giving a second thought. (Anirudha Bhakat Chutia is a Guwahati based journalist and can be reached at anirudhanetv@gmail.com)

Siang turns muddy

GUWAHATI, Dec 19: River Siang has turned unusually muddy, triggering fear that it could be the outcome of the damming of Yarlung Tsangpo in China-controlled Tibet upstream.

Siang runs 2,900 km from its source in Tibet to Bay of Bengal.

The district administration said that there is no reason to panic but not everyone is convinced. While some believes that it could because of earth cutting because of Trans Arunachal Highway, but there is apprehension none the less.

“This has never happened before. The river remains crystal clear at this time of the year, but it has turned the colour of mud,” said lawyer and activist Vijay Taram from Pasighat.“The water of the river wasn’t so muddy even in 2001, when an earthen dam in Tibet gave way and caused flash flood,” said Taram, whose group – Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD) – has been crusading against mega dams on Siang.

There are similar reports from Yinkiong town, about 120 km upstream of Siang from Pasighat.

Earlier this year, China commissioned the Zangmu Hydropower Station in south-eastern Tibet’s Gyaca county of Lhoka (Shannan) prefecture. Believed to the world’s highest, the station is expected to produce 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

China is scheduled to complete five other sections of the dam on the river next year. The Central Water Commission had last year recommended 15 of these 44 dams with a total capacity of generating 18,293 MW of power.

Workshop on Sustainable Sanitation and Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

ZIRO, Dec 19: A block level workshop on Sustainable Sanitation and Drinking Water Quality Monitoring for PRI members, NGOs, students and public was organised by PHE &WS Division Ziro at Govt Hr. Sec. School, Hija.

Attending the workshop, ZPM Kalung-Reru, Nani Takha stated that implementation of individual household latrine (IHHL) in Ziro is not a success due to lack of proper coordination between department and the panchayat members. He suggested for making a joint plan after discussing irregularities of drinking water supply being faced in villages and entrusting a departmental person against each Zilla segment to attend the complaint in time.

ADC Nending Chatung, who is also the DPDO cum Member Secy DWSM, lauded the PHE & WS for organizing the workshop and suggested all present to utilize the monetary incentives provided to them by the department especially for construction of IHHL. He also cautioned beneficiaries not to misuse the financial aid received for the sanitation.

Informing that the communicable diseases prevalent in the area are water borne, PHE & WS, EE, Lod Tanyo suggested the people to use boiled drinking water, proper toilet, clean drainages etc to maintain healthy life. Many aquatic lives are found missing from Ziro Valley which is solely due to pollution of water sources, added the EE. He also suggested PRI members to sensitize the matter in their respective villages.

Attending the programme, Apatani Youth Association (AYA) president, Taku Chatung said that improvement of sanitation and cleanliness of an area is to be made a social movement else the desired result is difficult to achieve.

Taking reference to AYA's movement of Clean Ziro, Green Ziro, he said that they have banned use of disposable plastics in Ziro for which it required moral support and mental preparedness of its citizens.

ZPM Dani Buker appealed the department to entrust specific officer only to look after the sanitation in the area.

Resource person, Er. Bharat Sonam highlighted on Swatch Bharat Mission and also on the target of construction of individual household latrine, while Er. Dani Lampung presented a presentation on water quality monitoring and its importance. Consultant, Hage Okka gave a presentation on information, education and communication (IEC), while SMO, Dr. Pura Hailyang highlighted on water sanitation and health linkage.

Later, laboratory assistants demonstrated on testing of water quality with field testing kits.

Orgs demand President’s Rule in Arunachal

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: The Conglomeration of organisations such as All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students Union (AAPBSU), Arunachal Students Federation (ASF), Nyishi Youth Welfare Association (NYWA), Arunachal Youth Organisation (AYO), All Galo Youth Organisation, Save Arunachal Youth Association (SAYA) etc, today demanded the Governor to impose President’s Rule or install new government in Arunachal within four days.

In a joint representation called “public memorandum ‘submitted with the Raj Bhawan which was received by ADC to Governor, the organisations threatened that failing to fulfill their demands within stipulated time, will lead to series of agitation in state Capital.

Addressing the press conference, the organisations under the banner of Joint Action Committee said Arunachal is reeling under unprecedented breakdown of constitutional machinery under Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, citing locking down of the State Legislative Assembly allegedly by the Tuki-led legislators.

It also condemned the blockade of national highway which was allegedly headed by Home Minister Tanga Byaling on December 17 at Papu Nallah here. The organisation claimed that the home minister himself brought a truck and blocked the highway and guarded at the spot for few hours. The organisation also added that later the Home Minister allegedly led the people and scarified a mithun near Raj Bhawan which is highly condemnable. “Home Minister himself made mockery of Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act” added organisation alleging him of leading the unlawful activities.

Claiming that Director General of Police and Deputy Commissioner Capital Complex were helpless during mid-day crisis, the organisation sought action against the DGP, DC Capital Complex and SP Capital saying that they failed to instill sense of security to people. It further said the concerned officers should tender public apology for failing to protect common people. The organisation termed the incidents occurred on December 17, 2015 last as state-sponsored.

NCP reiterates Governor’s dismissal demand

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Holding Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa completely responsible for the current political mess in the state, the Arunachal Pradesh unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded his immediate dismissal.

“As per the provisions of Article 174 of the Constitution, the Governor can summon session of the Legislative Assembly only on the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers,” the party claimed, and accused the Governor of violating the Constitutional provisions by advancing the session of the assembly from the date notified earlier.

“The Governor has violated the Constitutional provisions by not only advancing the session of the assembly but also issuing agenda of the business to be transacted by selectively taking up the business of removal of the Speaker to be chaired by the Deputy Speaker whereas the notice for removal of the Deputy Speaker was already submitted to the Assembly Secretariat,” the party claimed.

By doing so, the Governor has made mockery of his own and belittled the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who nominated him as Governor, it said. NCP also criticized the Prime Minister for nominating a person like Rajhowa as the Governor of a sensitive state like Arunachal Pradesh and held him equally responsible for the present volatile political situation in the state.

ABK advises AdiSU not to go ahead

with proposed agitation

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) has advised Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) not to go ahead with its proposed agitation against the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa and Union MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju on the festival greeting issue, especially in view of the present state of affairs.

“AdiSU has not taken the consent of the ABK before taking the decision,” ABK clarified and stated that it has already taken cognizance of the matter and will pursue it appropriately.

It further clarified that “any views expressed by any Adi individual or any organization in the name of Adi may not be treated as the views/decision of the ABK unless concurred by the apex ABK.”

“The present turmoil, if any, is purely political in nature and the ABK has no role in this present political situation in any manner,” the ABK statement added.

AdiSU has threatened to launch agitation against the Governor and Rijiju for not apologizing for mentioning Libo, Ramo and Bokar in their Podi-Barbi Festival greetings instead of Adi.

APCC expresses solidarity with AICC

on National Herald case

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has expressed solidarity with AICC President, Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on the National Herald case hearing held today at Patiala House Court, New Delhi.

In a meeting held today at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Itanagar chaired by APCC President Padi Richo, General Secretary, Minkir Lollen, APMCC President, Kamala Lingi, APCSD Chief Organiser, Kipa Kaha, Spokesperson, Niglar Veo spoke about the National Herald case. They further stated that the Congress party is united across the country against the Modi-led NDA Government for their political vendetta against all opposition political parties.

In his speech, Richo expressed anguish for creating an atmosphere of intolerance in the country by BJP, as a result of which numerous national awardees had to return their awards in protest, which is the first of its kind in the history of India.

Ministers, MLAs, senior party leaders, PCC office bearers and members of all frontal organizations were present in the meeting.

Loopholes in Statehood Act root cause

of present impasse : PPA

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) today said the ‘unfortunate’ controversies revolving around the status of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh are mainly because of our ignorance about the demerits and content of the Article 371(H).

PPA president Kafha Bengia in a release today said that the Statehood Act which was passed during the Congress regime in 1987 was root cause of today’s controversy. “This Act contains the genesis of Article 371(H) that gives overriding power to the Governor,” the PPA said and questioned the Congress party as to why they have been keeping quit against the demerits of the Act?

Pointing out the loopholes in Statehood Act, the PPA reiterated for repealing of Article 371(H) that gives extraordinary power and function to the Governor of the State.

Referring the special provisions accorded to Nagaland and Mizoram under the Constitution, the PPA said while Mizoram was placed under Article 371(G) and Nagaland under Article 371 (A.), Arunachal was placed under Article Article371 (H).

“It is natural for the Governor to act as a guard of the state administration when the Tuki-led Congress government has been reduced to a complete minority,” the PPA said adding “Governor has rightly acted in a manner that is stipulated under the Constitutional provisions conferred upon him as per Article 371(H).”

PPA further said that the alleged rude behavior shown by some senior Congress legislator against Governor at Raj Bhawan recently has put the Nation to shame.