February 07
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Kamla district within this year, declares Pema
Golden Jubilee Boori Boot Yullo at Raga
RAGA, Feb 6: Attending the Golden Jubilee Boori Boot Yullo celebration at Raga on Monday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced that Kamla district will be created within 2017.
"I have come for the first time to Raga to join Boori Boot. I assure to come again within this year to inaugurate the new district," Khandu declared to a thunderous applause.
The Chief Minister admitted that personally, he is not against genuine creation of new districts as it brings the administration nearer.
"Arunachal Pradesh started with only five districts. Due to the need of the hour and to bring administration to the doorstep of each community today we have 20 districts. This is a process for welfare and development of each region," he said.
Khandu, however, appealed to the people to have patience as the process of creating a new district is lengthy and time taking.
The new district will be named after river Kamla that flows through the region before joining River Subansiri near Dollungmukh.
For years, people of Raga, Boa Simla, Tamen, Dullungmukh and several other hamlets, stretching right from the outskirts of Ziro in the lower side to Daporijo in the upper reaches have been demanding a separate district for overall development and efficient administration.
Congratulating the people on the joyous occasion of Boori Boot Yullo, the Chief Minister sought support, cooperation and blessings to run a stable government. "Our government is in full strength. We just need your support to run it smoothly and bring in development," he said.
Khandu also negated any misgivings on poor financial health of the state. He assured there is no dearth of funds and what is needed at the moment is patience and the determination to work.
"I agree, financial status was not good, but the times have changed, and if you do not believe me, wait for the announcement of our new state budget, which will be placed in the Assembly very soon," he said.
The Chief Minister called upon all, including sitting legislators as well as former and current leaders of all political parties not to compromise with development of the state and welfare of the people.
Earlier on his arrival, the Chief Minister inaugurated a road, audience gallery, podium and priest's house at the Boori Boot Yullo festival ground.
Home Minister Kumar Waii, Parliamentary Secretaries Chow Zignu Namchoom and Likha Sayaa, legislators Tage Taki, Paknga Bage and local representative Tamar Murtem, PPA Chairman Kamen Ringu and several former MLAs and dignitaries of the community were present during the day. (CMO)
Creation of Namdapha district opposed
KHARSANG, Feb 6: In a public meeting held at Community Hall Kharsang, Changlang district on Wednesday last, regarding the newly proposed Namdapha district, people from various sections of the society, including, NGOs, student unions, Panchayat leaders, gaon burahs, public leaders, women's organisations and youths expressed their strong resentment over the proposed creation of Namdapha district, saying that the decision was taken without prior consultation of the stakeholders of Kharsang and Namphai circles.
Informing this in a release on Monday, KCUYA General Secretary Munglong Ngemu said that the decision taken on January 28 last at Community Hall, Miao to create proposed Namdapha district was strongly opposed by a majority of people and they have decided not to be included into the newly proposed district.
Ngemu informed that majority of people were of the opinion that the decision should not be taken in a hurry, without taking in account the pros and cons of the issue.
Ngemu further said that the people of Kharsang and Namphai welcome the concept of creation of new district but not at the cost of the safety and security of the indigenous population.
SC quashes HC order for CBI probe against Tuki
NEW DELHI, Feb 6: In a relief to former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, the Supreme Court on Monday set aside the Gauhati High Court order for a CBI probe into corruption allegations related to his tenure as PWD Minister in 2006.
A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana asked the High Court to hear afresh the PIL, on which CBI probe was launched against the Congress leader.
Referring to the contents of August 21, 2015 order of the High Court, the apex court said the since the former Chief Minister had not been accorded the hearing a fresh adjudication was needed. The bench, however, accepted the submission of Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, representing CBI, that several FIRs had been lodged in pursuance of the HC order and the consequential proceedings and investigations be not stayed.
"If something has been initiated, they will remain, if he (Tuki) has not challenged them," it said the court, while disposing of the plea and remanding it back to the High Court.
Earlier, the apex court had on August 26, 2015 stayed the Gauhati High Court order for a CBI probe into corruption allegations against Tuki.
Tuki is alleged to have influenced the Arunachal Pradesh Government to give some contractual works to his relatives as PWD minister.
"Majority of the said contracts were of Kendriya Vidyalayas of Government of India at Shillong, Kolkata and Rohtak, Haryana and another one was of housekeeping in newly constructed Arunachal House in Delhi, and two other small contracts in the state capital of Arunachal Pradesh," the petition said while listing out the allegations against Tuki.
The former CM has alleged that the High Court acted in a "hot and haste manner" and got all the PILs transferred from Itanagar bench to principal bench in Guwahati.
"The present SLP raises important questions as to whether the High Court, without
hearing the parties should have passed an order ordering a CBI inquiry into various
ten-
Army denies teacher assault
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: The army has denied that a teacher, Ngamtai Wangsu was assaulted by the 4th Sikh Regiment at Ngamding Army Camp area.
Reacting to a news published on February 3, where it was reported that the teacher was assaulted by the 4th Sikh Regiment at Ngamding Army Camp area, Longding, the army in a statement said that the report was malicious and baseless.
"A check post was established on Ngamding-
The army said that after a thorough search and detailed inquiry, the teacher was let off. The report of beating up the teacher in a state of intoxication by troops deployed at the check post is malicious and baseless, it added.
Govt announces Arunachal Civil Service Awards
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has introduced the 'Arunachal Civil Service Awards' for excellence in public administration.
In a release, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) informed that this has been started to encourage good governance in the state and to recognize the extraordinary services rendered by the government employees in the state.
"It aims not only to boost the morale of the state government employees by recognizing their hard work and innovative work done by them, but also is expected to bring in a productive work culture. The awards, which will acknowledge the outstanding and exemplary performance of civil servants, consists of a medal, a scroll, and cash award of Rs 1 lakh for an individual and Rs 5 lakhs for an organisation/ group/ team," the CMO informed.
Nominations for the awards will be considered on the basis of implementation of innovative schemes or projects, showing innovation and adaptation to meet the stakeholders' requirement, building up perceptible system changes and institutions.
It also aims to honour civil servants and government employees who make public service delivery system efficient, corruption free, including speedy and judicious execution of work. Extraordinary performance in emergent situations like floods, earthquakes etc shall also form the basis of being eligible for this award.
The awards will be given for setting high standards of leadership quality, improving employees' motivation and setting high standards of services and continued improvement, and also acknowledge the mission mode implementation of schemes prioritized by the state and central governments, the CMO added. (CMO)
Water supply disrupted
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: Water supply was disrupted in Naharlagun and Nirjuli townships due to breakdown of the main pipe line at Borum village on February 6.
Normal water supply is expected to resume by the evening of February 7, according to a departmental release.
CBSE to conduct NEET for MBBS, BDS courses
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: Following a Supreme Court order, the Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) will conduct the National Eligibility-
All the candidates interested in taking admissions in MBBS and BDS courses under
central pool and regional quota during the session 2017-
Details of the entrance examinations are available at the CBSE website: www.cbseneet.nic.in
The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy, Shillong has allotted three seats each in Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery and Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery for the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
For more information, aspirants may visit the college website: www.neiah.nic.in.
ATMA review meeting held
AALO, Feb 6: The governing body meeting of ATMA was held under the chairmanship of West Siang Deputy Commissioner, Gamli Padu at the DC's Conference Hall on Monday to review all activities and proposals taken up in the previous fiscal year.
Initiating the discussion, Padu stressed on implementation of all proposals and activities that were taken up in the previous fiscal and insisted on conducting regular meetings as per mandated guidelines by the governing body members.
Stating that the state government is all set to push for making Arunachal an organic state, he said that it is quite essential to provide awareness on use of weedicides and pesticides to the farmers. "Demonstrations, trainings and awareness should be intensified by the nodal and line departments in all ten blocks in the district", he added.
ATMA DDA-
Scientists from ICAR Basar and officers from all line departments also spelt out their activities, ground problems and put forth their suggestions. (DIPRO)
Longding takes a major leap towards mobile connectivity
LONGDING, Feb 6: In a major leap towards telecommunication, Airtel has installed 10 towers in eight different locations under Longding district, covering several villages like Pungchau, Wakka, Longphong, Senua, Chanu, Wanu and Kannubari under mobile connectivity.
The development took place after Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Gupta invited the private telecom company, Airtel to the district and formed a committee comprising of the circle officer, DLRSO and mandal to identify suitable sites.
Necessary security was also provided to the team so that there was no hindrance in installing the towers, the DC informed.
Further, DC Gupta informed that he had simultaneously approached the BSNL General Manager of Itanagar to install more towers in Longding district. However, due to bureaucratic delays on the part of BSNL, not even a single tower could be set up.
Reportedly, the existing installed towers of BSNL are dysfunctional as BSNL authorities have not repaired them in months.
Over the years, Longding district has been struggling for reliable telecommunication connectivity.
20 days intensive coaching for state karate team concludes
Sports Director asks players to aim for Tokyo Olympics
Staff Reporter
NAHARLAGUN, Feb 6: The 20 days intensive coaching camp for players selected to represent the state in the ensuing KAI National Senior Karate Championship concluded at Naharlagun on Monday.
Altogether, 19 karate players, who won gold medals in the last State Karate Championship held in Ziro attended the coaching camp.
The main objective of the camp was to prepare the state karate team for any future
national as well as international level karate events by fine-
The coaching camp was conducted by Technical Director of AKA Shihan S Deben Sharma, who was assisted by Rakesh Gamnu.
The AKA will be sending all the 19 players comprising 11 male and 8 female karatekas to Goa to participate in the upcoming two days national karate championship, scheduled to be held in Panaji on February 25 and 26.
The coaching camp was solely sponsored by AKA, and the karate players that attended the camp were provided free food and lodging facilities.
Director of Sports Tadar Appa, who attended the concluding function, hailed AKA for its futuristic plans and activities for development of karate in the state.
In his brief speech, the Sports Director advised the players to aim for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and practice hard to fulfill their dreams.
It is pertinent to mention here that AKA President Shihan Likha Tara, along with his dedicated team of officials have already geared up activities to produce future Olympians in karate and this coaching camp was also part of it.
AKA President Tara also spoke and delivered few pieces of advice to the players, while AKA Technical Director Sharma highlighted on the 20 days intensive coaching camp.
AKA vice presidents Shihan Yarda Niki and Dr Marli Ete, General Secretary Bulang Marik, Treasurer Tai Hipik and other AKA officials were present on the occasion.
Disaster awareness prog at Yazali
YAZALI, Feb 6: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and District Fire Service Department jointly organized disaster awareness cum management programme at Yazali General Ground on Saturday.
Mock drills on earthquake preparedness and rescue operations were demonstrated, while important tips that can keep one safe during fire, flood and other natural disaster were also provided to the people by the NDRF team and personnel from Fire Service Department.
A rally was also taken out to generate public awareness on disaster management and preparedness.
A large crowd of public and Panchayat leaders, government officials, NGOs and students participated in the programme, which was an initiative of the Yachuli ADC and the Yazali People's Forum.
Training on medicinal and aromatic plants conducted
ZIRO, Feb 6: Over 100 villagers, including the Gram chairperson, goan burahs, teachers and forest officials participated in a daylong training on 'Management and Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants' at Kalaptukor village, Lower Subansiri district on Saturday last.
Organised by the Department of Forestry, NERIST, under an R&D project funded by NEC, Shillong, GoI, the programme was aimed at creating awareness and developing knowledge among rural people about the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants, which could help in upgrading the economic status of the villagers.
During the programme, Dullungmukh Anchal Chairperson Nido Yapop shared her knowledge on medicinal and aromatic plants with the villagers, while NERIST Research Scholar, L Bhuyan spoke on medicinal plants and livelihood support to the state's rural people.
The research scholars of the department gave demonstration on uses and management of various medicinal and aromatic plant resources. Propagation and cultivation techniques were also demonstrated to the villagers.
About 300 seedlings of 10 different species of medicinal and aromatic plants were also distributed to the villagers.
AAPLU seeks early release of salaries
[ Mingkeng Osik ]
PASIGHAT, Feb 6: The East Siang district unit of All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Textiles, Handloom and Handicraft on February 4 last, seeking release of wages/salaries of contingency labours working in the Sericulture Department of East Siang district.
The memorandum stated that the casual/ contingency employees in the Sericulture Department have not been paid their salaries for the past eight months, which has resulted in hardships in providing for their families and other daily needs.
AAPLU East Siang unit President Maksup Yomso called on the concerned department to resolve the issue within 14 days of the submission of the memorandum, failing which, the union would head for a democratic movement.
Meanwhile, the East Siang unit of AAPLU recently conducted a registration programme in Engo Takar Dere, wherein all working class labourers in the district were felicitated.
Donggin celebrated with enthusiasm
[ Maksam Tayeng ]
PASIGHAT, Feb 6: Donggin, the festival which marks the beginning of New Year (for the Boris), was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Sunday.
Donggin is a festival of abundance and richness, where pigs and mithuns (gayal) are sacrificed to worship and appease gods and goddesses for peace and prosperity of humankind and to seek protection from natural calamities, diseases and evil spirits.
Coordination meet for NDD held
BOMDILA, Feb 6: The district level co-
The programme, which was launched by the Government of India in 2015, aims at complete
deworming in pre-
The mop-
Chairing the meeting, ADC in-
Earlier, DRCHO cum DFWO Dr T D Namsa in a power-
A Tuberculosis screening camp was held at Demachang under Shergaon administrative circle on February 1 by the DTC Bomdila comprising of Dr R D Thongchi, DTO (TB), Dr P Kobin and Lab Technician J Maro.
A total of 45 patients were screened for tuberculosis and other ailments. Four sputum samples were collected from the presumptive TB cases and tested on CBNAAT at DTC Bomdila. None of the samples tested positive.
However, the major ailments diagnosed during the camp comprised of gastritis, hypertension, heart disease, alcoholic liver disease, CCF, cervical lymphadenitis, URTI and ear infection.
In the sensitization programme, Dr Thongchi and CDPO Kalaktang spoke about personal hygiene, household and village sanitation, food habits, abstinence from alcohol and the role of Anganwadi workers in the healthcare of villagers.
The villagers were also sensitized on TB, its signs and symptoms, diagnosis with
hi-
PS urges CBOs to unite
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Feb 6: Horticulture Parliamentary Secretary Punji Mara urged members of clan based organizations to unite and render their selfless services for the welfare of the society, district and state as a whole.
Attending the Cherom Welfare Society conference, the parliamentary secretary advised the members of the society to maintain cordial relations with each other and promote peace and communal harmony in the society.
He also asked the parents and guardians to educate their children and make them responsible citizens.
Various developmental issues were discussed during the three days conference, which concluded on Monday.
Association asks PCCF to withhold advertisement
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: The Forestry Students' Association of Arunachal (FoSAA), in a letter to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest requested to withhold the Range Forest Officer (RFO) advertisement.
Stating that it would be gross injustice and denial to Forestry graduate applicants if they are not allowed to compete with other science graduate applicants for the remaining 17 posts, the association demanded necessary correction(s) and to come up with Recruitment Rules guidelines for the said examination.
Association seeks early fulfilment of demands
ITANAGAR, Feb 6: In a representation to the Minister for Animal Husbandry Veterinary and Dairy Development, Art and Culture on January 30 last, the Lohit unit of All India DRDA Staff Welfare Association (AIDSWA) has appealed to him to take early steps for addressing their long pending demands.
AIDSWA President, Kanu Nalo claimed that their demands, which include absorption
of direct recruited staff of DRDA into line department without any loss of their
past service and with all retirement service benefits at par with other government
staff, regular disbursement of and drawl of salary through treasury bill under non-
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Correction
In the news item titled 'CBOs call for Pan Arunachal promotion', the designation of Taring Dakpe has been wrongly mentioned as NES Vice President. It should be read as Chairman of Nyishi Festival Committee. The advertently error is regretted.
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Extend every possible support
The people of insurgency affected districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding have made serious allegation against state government of neglecting them. The statement of Arunachal Naga Students’ Federation (ANSF) which was widely published in local dailies on Monday once again reminds us how the people belonging to three troubled districts are caught up between army and underground groups. Sadly the state government seems to have turned blind eye to the problems affecting them.
Extortion and kidnapping have almost become the part of daily life. Government officials and villagers are regularly extorted by the members of various UG group operating in the three districts. This has been going on for years. Police and district administration have utterly failed to control the extortion rackets. The local people often get caught between army and underground groups. The security forces also unnecessarily harass the local citizen. In such situation people looks upto state government to save them. But unfortunately government has been always been found wanting. The usually vocal civil society groups of Arunachal also seem to have forgotten their brethren from Tirap, Changlang and Longding. It looks like everyone has come to a conclusion that this is the fate of people of three districts, which is absolutely wrong. It’s time state government as well as people of Arunachal come forward and extend every possible support to the citizens of Tirap, Changlang and Longding.
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Screening test of its kind
Dear Editor,
I would like to share a bizarre example set by APPSC yesterday by having differentiation in the screening test conducted for the post of inspector, legal meteorology. This was perhaps the ugliest screening test by any commission ever!
There were different question papers for candidates who opted for physics, civil engineering, mechanical etc in the mains exam, whereas there was no mention of this type of discrepancy in the advertisement or in the call letter. Such was the discrimination and difficulty level in the question papers that only one candidate with physics as optional for mains exam qualified for the next level. If this is not injustice and nepotism then what is? Sheer injustice to us!
We had screening test for FAO/TO, UDC etc but not this type of discriminating screening test ever! Screening test should apply same to all, it should provide same level playing field but in this case something horrible was made to appear normal.
Even if, the commission wanted to have this type of draconian screening test they should have informed the candidates early through advertisement or at least in the respective call letters, but no! Our esteemed commission is good at attracting controversies!
Commission must rectify its mistake. Let the marks of English and GK be counted
to make the selection list or let there be re-
We have one of the most sincere man as our chairman. I hope he would understand our pain and make some sensible decision.
Yours,
Frustrated physics candidate
“Union Budget 2017” and implications for Arunachal
Dear Editor,
In a historic precedence the “Union Budget 2017” was presented by the Union Finance Minister on the 1st of February 2017 shifting tradition from the colonial era practice of presentation at the end of February. This gives the Government a month’s head start for schemes and policy implementations before the next financial year starts which should be seen by many as a potently pragmatic step. In many ways this year’s budget has introduced changes which are pragmatic in the context of nation building. There are a few takeaways for an Arunachalee from the Union Budget 2017.
Contrary to the “Suit Boot Ki Sarkar” tag for BJP coined by the Congress the FM delivered
a masterstroke by slashing Income Tax rates from 10% to 5% for the low income bracket
of 2.5 to 5 Lakhs for individuals. Whereas companies with revenues upto 50 lakhs
will have to pay tax at 25% of income from earlier 30% which basically cover around
96% or companies in the country. Although tribals are exempt from IT, these benefits
shall be enjoyed by Non-
The FM has tried to contain the cascading negative growth effect from demonitisation
by increased spending in infrastructure and rural sector. The total outlay for Rural
infrastructure has been pegged at Rs. 3 lakh crore with highest ever input for MGNREGA
at Rs. 48,000 crore rupees. If used judiciously by the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh
many of the rural households will gain from this infusion of capital. The Govt will
spend Rs. 19,000 Crores for PMGSY which may find its footprints in our state. The
budget allocation of Rs 10 lakh crore as credit to farmers with a 60-
The Railway Budget has sanctioned survey of construction of new lines from Doom Dooma to Wakro via Simalguri, Namsai and Chowkham (96km), Dangri to Roing (60km), Lekhapani to Deban via Nampong (75 km), besides Tinsukia to Pasighat via Deomali Lekhapani Jairampur Kharsang Miao, Roing and Dambuk (300km). These are in addition to the train routes from Guwahati to Tawang at 10,000 feet and from Silapathar to Bame. This would be the highest ever allocation in terms of railway development for Arunachal Pradesh.
In another first, the Government has limited the total cash donations to political parties at Rs. 2000. This may bear very little or no affect on Arunachal Pradesh as citizens are hardly known to donate to political parties. The Govt has introduced a threshold of Rs. 3 lakhs for any cash transaction which means you will have to pay or receive through cheque or Bank transfer for amount over and above this value. This move is concurrent with the Governments war on black money.
Overall the budget looks pragmatic for our state with greater spending on road infrastructure, railway connections, skill development of our youth, increased budgetary allocation for DONER.
Yours,
Doni Riba
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