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January 05

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State cabinet approves major decisions

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: The State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday cleared the deck for commencement of work for much awaited Itanagar-Banderdewa four lane highway. Cabinet, after minutely going through the cabinet note circulated by the Commissioner PWD on compensation estimate prepared by government constituted committee, approved the recommendation and directed for release of compensation amount to the beneficiaries through the deputy commissioner. With this the work on the four lane highway is expected to start soon.

Giving yet another new year gift to IAS officers, central service officers on deputation to state government and regular state government employees, pensioners as well as family pensioners, the state cabinet approved for release of 2% DA and DR w.e.f 1st January 2016 at par with the central government employees. Despite financial crunch, the state government under Chief Minister Pema Khandu had recently implemented the 7th CPC for the state government employees.

In order to reorient governance and make working structure more effective, cabinet in another major decision approved for amalgamation of Directorate of Supply and Transport with Directorate of Food and Civil Supplies. More such decisions are expected in the near future.

While the matter of renaming of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar to Arunachal University was referred to be tabled in the ensuing Budget Session for discussion, the cabinet approved for renaming of General Hospital Ziro after Late Gyati Takka, former Minister in lieu of Abotani Community Hall, Hapoli which was notified earlier. Cabinet further decided to upgrade Pongchau and Wakka circle headquarters to SDO headquarters respectively in Longding district. It may be mentioned that CM during his recent visit to Wakka had announced to upgrade the existing administrative headquarters of Wakka and Pongchau for effective administration.

Cabinet also approved regularisation of services of Contractual General Duty Medical Officers (Allopathy, Dental and Ayush). Their regularisation will be through a screening process by the APPSC. The selected GDMOs shall be on 3 years probation to serve in remote areas.

For every year of service rendered in remote areas, these GDMOs shall get 10% weightage for pursuing PG courses in the State Medical College in the near future.

Approval was also accorded to regularise services of contractual paramedical staffs, physiotherapist, staff nurse, laboratory technician, blood bank technician, pharmacist, health assistant (junior), refrigerator mechanic (RM) and drivers under the department of Health and Family Welfare.

These regularisation also shall be through a state level screening committee headed by Commissioner Health with members from Finance, Law, AR and technical members from health department.

For ensuring smooth functioning of government policies and programmes, the Cabinet also decided to hire technical manpower for various central as well as state government programmes.

Technical manpower would be hired for implementation of the Chief Minister's Dash Board, Ease of Doing Business and Direct Benefit Transfer.

 

 

 

Si-Donyi celebration begins

NAHARLAGUN, Jan 4: Si-Donyi celebration by Tagin community residing in Capital Complex began at Si Donyi Ground near Helipad, Naharlagun on Tuesday last. The main priest arrived at Naharlagun on Wednesday from Daporijo. He was accorded warm welcome by the people led by CCSFCC Chairman and MLA Tanga Byaling.

Parliamentary Secretary Karya Bagang and Managing Director, APIDFC, Tony Koyu will attend the celebrations on Jan 6. DIPR

 

 

 

NGOs outsourced for garbage collection urged to work harder

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: Chief Municipal Executive Officer, Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) Habung Lampung exhorted the 13 NGOs engaged for door-to-door collection of garbage to work with utmost sincerity and responsibility to make Capital Complex one of the cleanest cities in the country. The Chief Municipal Executive Officer (CMEO) on Wednesday in a meeting at IMC office reviewed the performance of the NGOs in few selected wards and urged them to work harder to achieve the goal.

A sense of responsibility for cleanliness can make a big difference, he said and appealed to each and everyone to develop a sense of belonging for public places. Informing that penalties are being imposed for haphazard and unmindful throwing of garbage into roads, nallahs etc, he requested the NGOs working in the field to report if someone is found doing so. Informing that Itanagar was ranked as third dirtiest city in the country last year, the CMEO Lampung expressed confidence that people's positive participation will help remove the 'dirty city' tag.

Representatives of various NGOs/ SHGs and officers of Itanagar Municipal Council expressed their views and discussed ways and means to improve garbage management in Capital Complex. Issues related to Swachh Survekshan survey were also discussed. All the representatives of NGO/SHG and officers present at the conclusion of the meeting took pledge to work harder to make Itanagar one of cleanest city in Swachh Survekshan 2017.

 

 

 

DC flags off APST's Tata Sumo and bus service

AALO Jan 4: Two Mechuka bound Tata Sumos and an Aalo to Itanagar Night Super bus introduced by the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport (APST) were flagged off by the West Siang Deputy Commissioner Gamli Padu at the APST premises here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Padu insisted on passenger-friendly service with utmost sincerity and punctuality. He urged the staff to properly maintain the vehicle from time to time. APST Station Superintendent, Jumbom Dirchi said that objective behind starting the service is to provide transport facilities to the poor and needy people of far-flung area at cheaper rate. He further sought cooperation of the passengers for smooth plying of the vehicles. The Sumos will travel to and from alternatively to facilitate passengers along Aalo-Mechuka road. (DIPRO)

 

 

 

Hornbill to turn centre of attraction at ‘Pakke Paga Festival’

ITANAGAR, Jan  4:  After overwhelming response  on  its first edition of  ‘Pakke –Paga  Festival -2016’ the Department of  Environment & Forest in collaboration with local people of Seijosa is all set to organize its second edition  with a motive  to create awareness on conservation of  wildlife from  January  16 to 18 next  at Seijosa.

“Pakke Paga Festival is the lone festival of the state celebrated in Pakke Wild life Sanctuary and Pakke Tiger Reserve to create awareness on conservation of wildlife,” informed Festival Director, Tamo Dada at Arunachal Press Club on Wednesday. Further elaborating on festival, Dada added that Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary offers the visitors to witness four species of Hornbills; the Great Indian hornbill, Wreathed hornbill, Oriental Pied hornbill and Rufous- necked hornbill claimed to be found only in the area. Moreover, beside hornbills the visitors can also witness the 270 species of trees and more than 300 species of birds during the festival, he added.

Further, Dada also informed that, the endeavour to create awareness on conservation of wild life makes Pakke-Paga Festival different from other festival in the state. Indeed over 16 NGOs from across the country like Wildlife Conservation Trust, WWF, and Wildlife Trust India are supporting the event.

The other underline of the festival is the adoption of hornbill nest; one can adopt any hornbill nest with minimum contribution of Rs. 5000 for a year for its caring and rearing. Indeed, we will provide monthly report of adopted nest to the concern person, said Chief Auditor of Festival Jerjo Tana while appealing people to adopt hornbill nest for its conservation.

While briefing on other parallel activities of the three-day festival, event incharge, Techi Raga informed that one can enjoy local sports and cuisine, Jeep safari, Elephant safari, bird watching, butterfly walk, family rafting and others during the fest along with cultural programme of over 11 communities both from Assam and Arunachal.

 

 

 

Union opposes shifting of Pakke-Kessang PWD division

ITANAGAR, Dec Jan 4:  The All Pakke-Kessang Pijerang Dissing-Passo Seijosa Students' Union (APPDSSU) has strongly  opposed the shifting of Pakke-Kessang PWD division office under Sagalee Circle (Bobia Circle) of Western Zone to Yachuli circle of Central Zone-A.  In a letter to Chief Minister, APPDSSU termed the order of the Secretary PWD as an "arbitrary decision" for benefit of some vested interest.

The union demanded for early revocation of the order. It is said that Secretary PWD issued an order with letter Memo order No-SPWD -03/2009/48-27 dated Itanagar 21st September 2016. The Union stated that Pakke-Kessang PWD division under Sagalee Circle (Bobia Circle) was functioning smoothly. It alleged that shifting was done under the direction of few people with vested interest, which is causing inconvenience to people of the area.

 

 

 

APCC chalks out strategies for anti-demonetization campaign

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in its extended meeting on Wednesday last chalked out strategies for anti-demonetization campaign in Arunachal Pradesh.

The meeting, which was attended by Rajya Sabha Member and AICC State Coordinator of Arunachal Pradesh for Anti-Demonetisation Campaign Dr. Ranee Narah, constituted a state level committee headed by former minister Tako Dabi as chairman. The committee will coordinate with AICC for nation-wide protest against demonetization and the alleged anti-people policies of Narendra Modi government.

APCC President Padi Richo instructed all the party workers and cadres to remain united while fighting against demonetization as per the programme chalked out by AICC.

Dr. K Jayakumar, Secretary AICC, I/c Arunachal Pradesh, who was also present in the meeting, criticized Modi for the demonetization and categorically termed the Prime Minister as anti-people.

Nabam Tuki, former chief minister and AICC State Coordinator of Mizoram on protest against demonetisation, also flayed Modi for allegedly failing to fulfil his poll promises and commitments.

Stating that 70% of the people in most of the tribal dominated states do not have bank accounts, Tuki opined that poor tribal people have been the worst sufferers of demonetization.  APCC general secretaries

Minkir Lollen and Hina Camder Tok also spoke in the meeting. The meeting was attended among others by KC Mittal, Legal Advisor AICC, Jarjum Ete, General Secretary AIMCC, I/c North East, Ex-Ministers, former MLAs, senior Congress leaders, PCC office bearers and executive members and all the frontal organizations.

 

 

 

Quake rocks Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: A low-intensity quake shook Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. According to reports of National Center for Seismology, the epicenter of the quake, which measured 4.3 on the Richter scale was reported at Kurung Kumey district of the state. The tremors were felt at 1:20 AM.

There was no report of any casualty or damage to property.

Another moderate quake of magnitude 5.4 was recorded along the India-Myanmar border region at 12.20 AM. Tremors were felt across Assam and North East, as an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 rocked Tripura, near the India-Bangladesh border on Tuesday.  PTI

 

 

Khehar sworn in as 44th CJI

NEW DELHI, Jan 4: Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, who led the five-judge constitution bench in the Supreme Court which had struck down the controversial NJAC Act for appointment of judges, was on Wednesday sworn in as the 44th Chief Justice of India (CJI).

President Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Khehar at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Then CJI, T S Thakur had last month recommended the name of Justice Khehar, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to be his successor.

Justice Khehar will hold the tenure for over seven months till August 27.

Besides heading the bench in NJAC matter, Justice Khehar has also headed a bench which had set aside the imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh in January.

He was a part of the bench which sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to jail while hearing the matter relating to the refund of money invested by people in his two companies. PTI

 

 

 

Thousands take out ‘Anti-Drug Rally’ at Diyun

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: Over a thousand students from various schools participated in a peaceful mass awareness rally against drugs which was organized by Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union  APCSU) at Diyun in Changlang district on Wednesday.

During the rally, which began from Diyun General Ground and culminated at Dumpathar village, the students held placards displaying messages aimed at creating awareness on the harmful effect of drugs. The participants shouted slogans against the sale and use of drugs and demanded a crackdown on drug peddlers.

Earlier, while flagging off the rally, Commandant of the 2nd IRBN, S Singpho, in his address urged all to fight against drug addiction and peddling which is a dangerous social evil increasing rampantly in various parts of the state.

Recalling the recently concluded career counselling programmes organized by the APCSU, he added that programme on education as well  as awareness campaigns against drug are equally important to eradicate social evils. He briefed about the effects of drug addiction stating that once addicted, a person start to sell everything and later indulge in theft for acquiring drugs. He urged the students to make their friends, relatives and neighbours aware about the consequences of drug addiction.

‘Over the years, drug abuse has become a serious social problem under Diyun Circle, due to peddling of narcotic drugs from other places including Assam. Drugs destroy lives and communities, undermine sustainable human development and generate crime’, stated Supon Chakma, General Secretary of APCSU.

Later, the students were also informed about provisions of the NDPS Act which provides strict punishment for drug peddling, possession, purchase, consumption, abetment etc.

The organizers of the rally also submitted a memorandum to the DC, Changlang, local administration, police, IRBN and Indian Army demanding crackdown on drug peddlers/traders, organizing awareness campaigns by involving schools, pan-chayat, NGOs, etc at regular intervals, implementation of the special provision (Section 64A) under the NDPS Act by enforcement agencies to encourage the drug addicts to come out from hiding and establishing a drug de-addiction centre at Diyun with all the required facilities.

 

 

 

Student bodies condole Lama’s demise

ITANAGAR, Jan 4:  Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of late Techi Lama, former Chairman Geology & Mining, GoAP, who died on Jan 2 last due to cardiac arrest, the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) in its release on Wednesday prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. “Techi Lama was a humble and hardworking man and his demise is a great loss to the society and the state as whole,” stated ANSU.

Members of the ANSU led by its President Byabang Joram and General Secretary Nyanya Gollo also paid floral tributes to the Techi Lama during his funeral service held at Jully village on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the All Kra Daadi District Students Union (AKDDSU) has also deeply mourned the sudden demise of Techi Lama.  In a condolence message AKDDSU President, Gora Rikam Bhai stated that Techi Lama always worked for the social development of the people of Kra Daadi district and his demise is a great loss to the society and the state as a whole.

 

 

 

Training for DMOs and DRCHOs held

NAHARLAGUN, Jan 4: One day orientation workshop for DMOs and DRCHOs on Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation 2017 (IPPI) and Mission Indradhanush (MI) phase IV was held at RCH training hall, Naharlagun under the chairmanship of DHS Dr. Moji Jini in presence of DFW Dr. M Lego and MD NHM PN Thungon.

State Immunisation Officer Dr. D Padung ad Surveillance Medical Officer (WHO) Dr. T Taka as resource persons, addressed all the DMOs and DRCHOs on IPPI program (IPPI) and Mission Indradhanush Phase IV (MI).

While detailing the background of IPPI and MI, the resource persons stressed on the preparation of proper micro plan and due lists, communication plan, training plan, monitoring plan and proper coordination with DC and other stakeholders in the districts.

Mission director NHM PN Thungon stressed on proper orientation of all stakeholders specifically the mobilisers so that proper due list is prepared for effective implementation of IPPI and MI. DHS pointed out that unless a proper micro plan is in place, target children will be missed.

He also requested all DMOs and DRCHOs to provide services to hard areas where regular RI sessions are non –existent. He also reminded everybody about the effect of complicacies as has happened in Nigeria recently.

DFW exhorted all participants to work harder, put in place a good micro plan, good cold chain and logistic assessment and proper training to vaccinators. He further stated that good RI coverage is the only answer to good protection among children, urging all the districts to adhere to guideline and timelines issues for state headquarter.

 

 

 

AR constructs water tank at Sanliam village

KHONSA, Jan 4:  A water storage tank was constructed for the villagers of Sanliam by the Assam Rifles Khonsa Battalion under its Assam Rifles Civic Action Programme (AR CAP) project here recently.

The AR also organized a medical camp wherein a total of 76 people were given medical treatment. The army also provided a computer to the villagers to augment the process of digitization. Lauding the initiative of the AR, the people of Sanliam village further expressed hope that more such programmes will be conducted in future.

 

 

 

BFT training concludes

ITANAGAR, Jan 4: The three-month-long Barefoot Technician training (BFTs), which began on Oct 1, 2016 at SIRD, Itanagar, concluded here on Jan 3 last.

All the 30 BFT candidates, who had undergone the training, were assessed through three stages viz. theory assessment, viva-voce and field test. The result of qualified candidates will be declared by ASCI, New-Delhi partner Organisation of SIRD, Arunachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the 3rd and final batch of similar programme for candidates of Tirap, Changlang, Lohit and Kurung Kumey districts has already begun at SIRD, Itanagar.

 

 

 

Traditional dance & drama competition

YINGKIONG, Jan 4: A circle-level traditional dance and drama competition was organized by the Vivekananda Kendra (VKV) at the VKV campus, here on Wednesday, wherein cultural troupes from four villages took part. It was aimed at spreading the message of preserving, protecting, promoting and practicing the indigenous faith of the people.

  Similar competitions were also conducted at Mariyang, Geku and Jengging. The winning troupe shall take part in the district and state level competition. (DIPRO)

Roing: Koronu village won the circle level traditional dance competition while Injono Village came in second.

The competition was organized at Govt. Secondary School, Koronu by Vivekananda Kendra, Roing  as a part of the Samarth Bharat Parva. The winner will participate at the district level competition to be held on January 12 at VKV Roing.

 

 

 

 

‘Si-Donyi’ - the festival of Arunachal Pradesh

[ Tagia Pakba ]

Arunachal Pradesh prides itself over its myriad tribes woven together in the diverse but right cultural fabric, the tribes maintain and express its sense of joy, harmony and spiritual satiation in the forms of festivals celebrated in different seasons in the year.

The Tagin are considered to be descendent of Abotani. They are one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Independent and predominantly inhabiting the lush-green mountainous district of Upper Subansiri, the Tagin community celebrates "Si- Donyi" festival from 4th to 6th January every year with grandeur and religious fervour. They flock together during the festival and pray for the well-being of the community and mankind as a whole by worshipping the nature i.e Si Donyi (Sun and Earth) along with various deities. All these religious prayers and ceremonies are conducted by offering animal sacrifices with the warding off of evil spirit by prevailing Si Donyi which is believed to be supreme God or authority of the existence of life.

The belief, cultural fabric and the philosophy of life of Tagin community has been expressed in the religious festival which has been observed since time immemorial from generation to generation through folklore, hymns and oral literature from the priest. Moreover, the hymns chanted by priest in the celebration of the festival are religiously done to convey the message of the Tagin community (mankind) to Si-Donyi so that all the evil spirits do not carry out activities harmful to human beings. Besides, display of rituals and rhythmic dances such as Chungne, Riabu, Takar Ghene, other traditional folk dances like Konyi Bokar and Hoyi Penam are also performed in the celebration to please the Si Donyi.

As usual, this year also, preparation is on full swing for the festival especially, at district headquarter, Daporijo and other places. People from all walks of life including children, men and women will take part in the festivities. The Tagin community also welcomes each and every community of the state to enjoy and witness the festival whenever they get the opportunity. (The writer is a DIPR)

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

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---- Editorial ----

 

Prioritize defence sector

India is set to finalize $660 million deal for mobile heavy artillery weapons -- its third major gun purchase in the past year and a sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defense spending spree is far from over, according to people with knowledge of the matter. As per the media report the deal is expected to be approved in a cabinet decision soon.  This is a major step taken by the Modi to address the lacuna affecting the armed forces. The latest move is part of Modi’s $250 billion push to modernize the armed forces and overcome a 30-year lapse in its firepower procurement program, as India prepares to counter potential threats from Pakistan and China.

Plans to buy new equipment from overseas have been held back by bureaucratic delays and the military’s desire to balance the needs of troops against efforts to have equipment built domestically. Also in recent year several major defence deals have collapsed due to the corruption allegations. This has badly affected the defence preparedness. Government will have to really push hard to meet growing requirements of armed forces. Hostile neighbours China and Pakistan have been collaborating in the defence sector with an eye on India. The outgoing Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha has already warned that acquisition of 40 Rafale jet from France will not meet requirement of IAF and there is urgent need for large scale acquisition of fighter jets. Likewise there are several other areas where there is urgent need for major defence acquisition which has been pending for years. Modi government should prioritize these sectors.

 

 

 

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---- Readers Forum ----

 

 

 

 

 

Truth is something else

Dear Editor,

The clarification given by Secretary Education regarding the Govt.’s decision to carry out 50:50 teachers’ recruitment for the posts of more than 349 PGT/TGT by resorting to one time relaxation of the RR is not at all convincing. It can at best be termed as a frank admission of violation of the laid down rules and procedures derived directly from the Constitution of India.

While it is clear even to a layman that constitutional authority vested with power to recruit all Group-A and Group-B posts is Union Public Service Commission at the Centre and State Public Service Commission in the State. By no stretch of imagination can the Deptt. of Education or for that matter the State Cabinet can override the Constitutional provisions. As per Arunachal Public Service Limitation Act 1988, the State Govt. has the power to relax the RR of Group-C and Group-D categories and that too under the rarest of the rare circumstances. But in case of all Group-A and Group-B post; it is one and only the Constitutional body of APPSC which is the competent authority and therefore the cancerous germ of snatching the powers of the APPSC by using the clause of urgency of the situation or one time relaxation of RR is nothing more than slapping Constitutional provision and the very spirit of free and fair competition.

Here it would not be wrong on the part of the guardian of the Constitution i.e. the Office of His Excellency the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to seek clarification from the Govt. as to why the Govt. Dept. such as WRD, RWD, UD, PHE, APEDA, Education and many more have always resorted to the method of one time relaxation of RR of all Group-B posts of Junior Engineer which is a Group-B posts and are bought and sold at a varying cost of Rs. 25 Lakhs and above and the post of JT at a price of Rs.15 Lakhs and above.  Therefore, to say that there are no qualified tribal candidates in Science and Maths and hence the decision to recruit on 50:50 is an absurd. The fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of tribal boys and girls who pass out every year in Science and Maths and even outshine the competitive non-Tribal candidates in both graduation and post graduation exams. In this context please refer to letter Caption “I want my answer sheets back” which appeared in almost all the state dailies of 25th December, 2016 highlighting how a Tribal girl with 1st Class in B.Com Honors exam, 1st Class in M.Com, topper in Accountancy and 1st Class B.Ed was eliminated in the written exam. The fact of the matter is that everything is fixed and exams are mere an eye wash. Since the non-Tribal are more desperate, secretive and pay more; therefore the Govt. decision to resort to 50:50.

So, what is required is the immediate realization of the error committed by the dept and handing over of exams to APPSC. Hope that the Chief Secretary being the advisor and Cabinet Secretary realizes the mistake and rectifies it at the earliest and well before somebody files a PIL against the Govt. authorities.

Yours,

Mizum Lollen

Naharlagun

 

 

 

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----Editor