Inferno devours 7 Govt quarters
11 families rendered homeless
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: At least seven type-III government quarters and two private rented houses were burnt down in a devastating fire that broke out around 1: PM at Mowb-1 here on Sunday. Police informed that quarters of Take Garam, Hage Aka, Taniang Tama, Shantiram Thapa, Gopi Rao and Durga Lama were completely gutted. The fire left a trail of destruction and rendered 11 families homeless.
However, there was no report of any casualty or loss of live.
It is believed that the fire broke out from dwelling house of one Dipali Deka and short circuit could be the reason of fire mishap. However, the actual cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the police informed.
Just after the mishap, at least three LGP cylinders exploded causing ravaging fire which engulfed other quarters within a second.
Though three fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the raging fire; the first fire tender was sent back due to technical snag. Later, other two fire tenders arrived, though bit late. The fire fighters along with security personnel fought off bravely and managed to contain the fire from spreading.
Reacting to fire mishap, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has immediately deputed Parliamentary Secretary, Home, Pani Taram and Parliamentary Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Nyamar Karbak to assess the magnitude of loss in fire mishap.
Interacting with fire victims and media persons, Parliamentary Secretary, Home, Pani Taram assured to provide immediate relief to the fire victims. He also directed the police and relief staff to assess the loss at earliest so that fire victims could be provided relief assistance. Admitting that fire tender reached the spot lately, he however, assured to correct the technical flaws during the emergency and sought people' cooperation in the hours of crisis.
It is also believed that properties worth lakhs of rupees have been destroyed but the district administration is yet to assess the properties damaged in the mishap.
Daily wage earners forced to take payment in scrapped old notes
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: In what could be termed as an open exploitation of daily wage earners, labourers working under 82th Mountain Brigade of Indian Army at Lohitpur in Tezu under Lohit district were allegedly given rupees 1000 old scrapped currency notes in their payment by the contractor despite many of labourers do not have bank accounts.
Sources from Tezu informed that the contractor had forcibly dispensed demonetized Rs 1000 notes to workers despite knowing the fact that it has been banned since November 9th by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is said many workers do not have bank accounts and few of them had to deposit the old notes in their relatives' account to encash it.
"I had no choice but to deposit the old notes in my mothers' account to encash" said a labourer who do not wants to be named.
Adding woes, many workers have to bunk their daily routine work, as they had to stand hours in a queue in the bank.
"Supervisor (Santosh Thapa) called me to his residence and handed me Rs 1000 old notes as my husband's two-month pending payment," claimed a lady whose husband is working under an Assam based private firm which is being supervised by one Santosh Thapa.
When contacted by this daily Santosh Thapa, a supervisor at Assam based private firm admitted that two months' pending payment of thirty workers were disbursed with old currency notes of Rs 1000. Thapa further claimed that cash was handed to him by the 82th Mountain Brigade of Indian Army as labour payment.
Meanwhile, the 82th Mountain Brigade of Indian Army, Lohitpur had clarified that it has nothing to do with labour payment, as according to work agreement with contractor, the Army has to pay the contractor. Further, the official also clarified that there is no cash transaction between the Contractor and the Army, all payment is done through cheque.
Seminar on ‘disability rehabilitation’ organized
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: A seminar on Disability rehabilitation was organized at Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired at Chimpu here by the school authority on Saturday on the occasion of International Day for the persons with disabilities.
Speaking during its inaugural session, Director Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Pate Marik lauded the initiative of the School Management for conducting the seminar to sensitize the public on creating a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disability so that they can lead their lives happily with dignity.
He said that the seminar will serve its purpose and will go a long way in achieving the target.
Also speaking, former chief minister Gegong Apang, who is the founder chairman of the school, realized the need for a rehabilitation Centre in the state for therapeutic management of children with intellectual impairment. "These children have to go out for such trainings as there is no such Centre in Arunachal," he said.
He further said that he would continue to work for the cause of down trodden, the differently abled children and the under-privileged section of society.
The daylong programme was attended by various representatives from different NGOs, schools, Universities, Govt. Dept. health workers/ Anganwadi workers etc.
Resource persons SPO, National Programme for Control on Blindness, Dr. Taba Khanna , ENT Specialist, RKM Hospital Dr. K. Zaman, HOD, I/c Special Education, Himalayan University Anuj Srivastava and principal DPM School for Hearing and Visualy Impaired H Sharma spoke on various topics related to rehabilitation of all types of person with disabilities.
DC takes stock of developmental activities at Hunli and Desali
ROING, Dec 4: Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Deepak Shinde visited Hunli sub- division and remote Desali circle to gather first hand information on developmental activities undertaken in those areas.
During his three days tour from 1st to 3rd December, he held public meeting at Hunli and Desali.
Addressing a public meeting at Hunli on December 2, the DC sought cooperation from public leaders and Government officials for all round development of the area.
He asked all the Government officials to stay in their respective places of posting and discharge dusty sincerely. Action like deduction of salary followed by suspension will be initiated against those government employees, who are found to be absent from duty and their places of postings in Hunli Sub- Division.
He also urged the general public of the area to facilitate and coordinate with the Government officials for smooth execution of developmental activities.
The DC directed the executing agencies to provide proper guidance to the contractor in every step of implementation. Regarding illegal sale of liquor and other forms of drugs, he urged the public to be pro active and help the District Administration and Tax & Excise Department to curb the menace.
He also urged for dissemination of information regarding demonetization and provided possible helps to the public living in remote areas of the district.
Touching upon road connectivity from Hunli to Desali, electricity, water supply, PDS items,
shortage of staff and police personal, the DC assured to take up the matter with the concern authority in consultation with SDO Hunli and other line departments.
He also urged the public to use BADP schemes and other Govt. schemes judiciously for development of the area.
During his three days tour, the Deputy Commissioner also visited various schools and public health centre and took stock of availability of medicines and staff position at Hunli and Desali.
ZPM, Mama Miso, Gao Bura, PRI leaders highlighted various problems of the area.
While responding to public grievances on various developmental issues, T.Tado, PD DRDA, Aduk Paron, DFO, M.Dirchi, DPO, Moto Gara, E.E PWD and other HoDs clarified their queries and urged them to report any discrepancies in implementation and execution of works undertaken in the area.
The DC was accompanied by J. Umpo , SDO Hunli, PD DRDA, DPO, departmental engineers, and other officials from line department and public leaders. DIPRO
Ex-Service Men Rally held
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: The Annual Ex-Service Men (ESM) Rally for the Veterans, Veer Naries and their families of North Assam districts, undivided Subansiri and undivided Siang districts was organized at HQ 56 Infantry Division, Likabali on December 4.
The General Officer Commanding, 56 Infantry Division, Major General Ashok Dhingra, SM, who attended the programme asked everyone to utilize the occasion to sort out various issues related to pension benefits and Healthcare Schemes. He reiterated that such EMS rallies would be organized at various different locations and more frequently for the benefit of the ESMs and their families in future.
He felicitated 'Veer Naris' who included the families of Late Naik Tajo Yate, 17 Guards & Late Lance Naik Pate Tasuk, 1 Assam Regiment from Arunachal Pradesh which was followed by 2 minutes silence in honour of the Veer Jawans, who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
The Team of ESMs, Veer Naries & families from AP was led by Wing Commander Gyati Kago (Retired), President ESMAAP (Ex Service Men Association of Arunachal Pradesh) along with M. Tayeng, Deputy Director, Disaster Management, GoAP, the Nodal Officer, RSB (Rajya Sainik Board).
Speaking on the occasion, Wing Commander Kago highlighted on various issues and grievances of the ESM fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh and lamented the fact that RSB is yet to be established in the State which is hampering the activities related to Pension and other benefit schemes for the ESMs, Veer Naries, & their NOKs (Next of Kin). Further, he apprised the huge gathering that all out efforts are being made by the ESMAAP office bearers to establish the RSB at the earliest and has submitted Memoranda to all the Governors and the Chief Ministers of the State since last four years which has led to GoAP issuing in-principle agreement in the year 2015 for establishment of RSB. Presently, it is awaiting financial clearance.
Kago expressed the hope that RSB would be established at the earliest by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu since this was initiated by his father and former chief minister Late Dorjee Khandu, who himself was an ESM.
APSCW conducts legal awareness camp at Bana
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: A team of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) headed by its chairperson Mitali Tingkhatra conducted legal awareness campaign at Bana circle of East Kameng district on December 2 and 3 sponsored by the National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi.
The basic aim of the programme was to help build legal awareness among villagers about their rights in issues pertaining to child marriage, polygamy, bonded labour and child labour, domestic violence, Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act, 1987, compulsory marriage registration, POCSO Act 2012 etc.
Highlighting on ill effects of social evils, like polygamy, forced marriage and child marriage, APSCW chairperson Tingkhatra appealed to all to discourage people from practicing such evil practices.
Speaking on the importance of marriage registration, she said that it is mandatory for couples to register their marriage. She further urged the villagers to approach the Commission, Childline or Women Helpline, if there were incidences of child marriage.
In her keynote address, Member Secretary (APSCW) Yame Higio informed that as per Socio- Economic Survey,
about 62% of the women in Bana areas do not know about their legal rights for which Bana circle was chosen for conduction of the legal awareness programme.
She highlighted on the powers and functions of the APSCW in details.
Labour Officer Ashok Sonam informed that East Kameng has the highest numbers of bonded labourers and the main cause of prevalence of bonded labourer is poor economic status. He said that the government should take prompt initiative to set up Rehabilitation Centre for them.
Bimon Sonam, Advocate DLSA highlighted on Domestic Violence Act, 2005, its various provisions and implications in details.
Circle Officer Abu Taba spoke on the importance of Horticulture to improve the rural economy and suggested the public to avail the govt. scheme "My village, my development plan" for the welfare and upliftment of the society.
Ripe Bagra, Resource Person, Assistant Professor from Himalayan University, Itanagar highlighted on Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act, 1987.
Other team members were Duma Yekar, Oter Ering Tayeng.
The commission also conducted legal awareness programme for the school children at Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Bana.
Chairperson (APSCW) Tingkhatra interacted with the children and informed about various laws related to children. She advised the school children to avoid drugs and concentrate only on their studies to become a responsible citizen and serve the society and nation as a whole.
Resource Person, Ripe Bagra from Himalayan University highlighted on POCSO Act 2012, its various provisions and sections of the Act.
ZPC Tagik seeks actions against rivals
There should be no fight among same party leaders:PPA
ITANAGAR, Dec 04: Kurung Kumey Zilla Parishad chairperson Sangha Tagik, who won the no-confidence motion moved against him by Sangram ZPM Tamchi Kache on November 29 last, today announced to initiate democratic steps to get justice.
Claiming that he did not receive the notice served by ZP member-secretary Yowa Tapu but learnt it from local newspapers, Tagik said that he had started to move to district HQs Koloriang on Nov 28. But to his great dismay, he had found the Pongrong-Pani village road blocked at many places with bridge at Kush and Panyu damaged by removing their iron sheets to make them unusable, huge tree felled, boulders kept and Tata mobile kept on the road.
"But I managed to reach Koloriang by 6 am on Nov 29 and attended the no-confidence motion at DC's conference hall at 10.30 am where of the total eight ZPMs, four each voted in favour and against leading to my victory as declared by Tapu," he claimed further.
Any state or national road is meant for the commuters and blocking it would amount to halting socio-economic activities of the masses. In a democratic country, such activities should not be encouraged and action should be taken against those involved as "I have already filed an FIR against Kache group with Koloriang police station', Tagik said.
PPA president Kahfa Bengia today said that in a meeting on Nov 23 last he had welcomed six ZPMs including Tagik and Pisa Yaha to PPA. Thus he had written to the member-secretary about non application of whip issued earlier regarding no confidence motion. There should be no fight among same party leaders, he told and castigated those who were misinterpreting his move for political gain.
17 SSA staff suspended
KOLORIANG, Dec 4: Taking drastic action against absentee SSA staff, Kurung Kumey Deputy Commissioner cum District Project Director, SSA Kangki Darang has suspended 17 teaching and non-teaching staff posted under SSA in various educational institutions of Damin and Parsi-Parlo Administrative Circles for remaining absent from their duty for a very long period.
The suspended officials were found to be absent from their place of posting since long time. Some of them were reported to have not joined their duties since the beginning of the current academic session, thereby affecting the smooth functioning of the schools located in remote outposts.
Further, the Deputy Commissioner cum-District Project Director, SSA has directed the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE), Kurung-Kumey District to carry out enquiry against all the suspended officials individually and submit the report before December 20 for further necessary action.
Darang become the first Deputy Commissioner to reach Ruba-- the last village on the Indian side of the Indo-China International border in Kurung-Kumey sector-- after trekking for several days and also the first Deputy Commissioner to reach Damin on foot and visited various Government establishments and institutions during his week-long tour recently. DIPRO
NES tour to Tali
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: The maiden tour of Nyishi Elite Society (NES) to Tali in Kra-Daadi district from December 3 to 6 is poised for a massive social awareness camp on December 5.
The NES team started the tour on Saturday with formal reception of the team at Potin by the NES' Lower Subansiri District Unit at 7am.
At Yapap-Bogu, the administrative boundary line of Lower Subansiri and Kra Daadi districts, a local clan based organization Shree Abu Welfare Society (SAWS)-TASSAR accorded warm reception to the touring team.
At Palin, local MLA and Minister, PHE and Disaster Management Takam Pario, ZPC, Kra-Daadi Rido Meena, the Kra Daadi district unit of NES, Palin Employees Welfare Association (PEWA) and local clan based organizations, Biri Welfare Society (BWS), Shree Abu Welfare Society (SAWS)-TASSAR,
Gerchi Welfare Society (GWS)-TECHI and Garku Abu Welfare Society (GAWS)-TAKU led the luncheon reception with banners and placards of their respective organizations with reverberating slogans of Long Live-NES; Long Live-Nyishi.
At Yangte, the team was accorded rousing reception with colourful cultural team at Yangte general ground led by ZPM Tarh Monika and Yangte Block NES unit in thick attendance of Panchayat leaders, Gaon Burah, students and youth; wherein the enroute first episode of the social awareness programme was conducted on wide range of topics of social importance.
From Yangte, the team proceeded for Tali to reach by late in the evening of December 4 by foot-march for the maiden and historic NES programme at Tali the next day, wherein all the social stalwarts would participate.
The touring NES central executive team is led by its president Bengia Tolum while its frontal organizations like ANSU is led by its general secretary Gollo Nyanya and East Kameng Socio-cultural Welfare Organization (EKSWO) by its chairman Khya Safar Pao.
World Vasectomy Day Fortnight
SEPPA, Dec 04: East Kameng District Health Society organised a series of campaigns to generate awareness among public on Vasectomy in various places of the district as part of World Vasectomy Day Fortnight from November 21 to December 4.
The campaigns were organized particularly at village level with an objective to generate mass awareness and cover more and more ill-informed villagers.
The campaign covered all total 27 villages falling under the three blocks of the district, namely Bana, Pakoti and Sebibo.
During the campaigns, Dr. Kapu Sopin explained about male sterilization, its procedure and advantages, and family planning. He allayed misconception about the sterilization programme. He explained that the method is safe and detached of any complication. He impressed upon that a person can live a healthy life like any other normal person after the vasectomy.
He informed that there is no cost attached with the vasectomy process. Operation can be done free of cost. He also informed about other health benefits provided by the government.
Taking part in the campaigns, DANO Dr S K Suman talked about the village health programmes besides family planning programme. He also illustrated about the importance of cleanliness, hygiene, nutritional diets and proper method of hand wash. Large number of villagers, PRI members, ASHAs, AWWs, health staffs and others have attended and benefitted from the campaign. DIPRO
State BJPMM president attends National meeting
ITANAGAR, Dec 4: President of BJP Mahila Morcha state unit Bengia Yayang Tadar attended the All India Mahila Morcha meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.
In the day-long meeting, various schemes and policies, particularly for the womenfolk, of the Modi government and its implementation were discussed. It was pointed out in the meeting that active participation and role of Mahila Morcha will be important in the outreach programme of the party to generate awareness about the benefits of the developmental schemes of the NDA government to women section in all the states.
