jul16 17

July 17

2011

2016

Dramatic turnaround in Arunachal, Tuki steps aside for Pema Khandu

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: In a dramatic turnaround in Arunachal Pradesh, the Congress party today replaced Chief Minister Nabam Tuki by choosing a new leader Pema Khandu, who staked claim to power on the basis of support of 45 party MLAs along with two Independents.

In fast-changing developments, Khaliko Pul, rebel-turned chief minister, who was unseated by the Supreme Court, returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs.

Hours ahead of a scheduled floor test in the Assembly, which Tuki was directed by Governor Tathagata Roy to take, the Congress Legislature Party met and elected 37-year-old Pema Khandu, son of late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, as its new leader.

Tuki proposed the name of Khandu, which was unanimously accepted by 44 MLAs who were present. Speaker Nabam Rebia did not attend the meeting while ousted chief minister Khaliko Pul attended the meeting with the rebel MLAs.

In the 60-member House with an effective strength of 58, Congress now claims the support of 47 MLAs, including two independents.

Ahead of the CLP meeting, Tuki met the Governor and told him of his intention to resign as CLP chief and as chief minister and of the Congress party's decision to elect a new leader.

He told reporters in the presence of Khandu that in view of these developments he told the Governor that he would not be taking a floor test.

Khandu also told the media that he has staked claim to power with the Governor on the basis of support of 47 MLAs, including two independents, and that he should be sworn in.

He said the Governor has not given any commitment yet as he told them that he has to go through records and process their claim.

"Right now the Governor has not commented (on their claim). No time has been given for oath taking," said Khandu, who has been a minister in the state earlier.

Today's developments have come as a major boost for the Congress in the state which was rocked by dissidence since November last year, which led to the toppling of its government and ushering in of a new one headed by Pul with the backing of rebels and outside support of 11 BJP MLAs.

Khandu said, "Now there are no differences and the Congress is united at the intervention of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi."

Tuki, who went to the Governor along with Khandu and handed over his resignation, acknowledged that there were problems in the party and compared them to differences within a home.

"I was repeatedly asked in the last few days and I used to say that Congress is strong in Arunachal Pradesh and is united. Now 47 out of 60 MLAs are with us," he said.

The outgoing chief minister said the BJP sought to break Arunachal Pradesh and divide and finish the Congress party.

Asked about Assam minister Himanta Biswas' statement that the north east would become Congress-free, Tuki shot back saying, "how can a leader in a democracy talking of decimating another party. That shows BJP's intolerance of opposition."

On his election as CLP leader, Khandu said "it's a big challenge as expectations are high". Swearing-in ceremony of Pema Khandu is likely to be held tomorrow. PTI/Source

CM Tuki tenders resignation

ITANAGAR: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Tathagata Roy at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on July 16 and tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister of the State. The Governor has accepted the resignation. (PRO to Governor)

BJP demands apology, Congress reacts

[ Amar Sangno ]

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: Jolted by latest political turn of event, the state unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday demanded public apology from Congress party blaming Congress for 'political high drama' what it called 'unnecessary and self-created one.'

The state BJP President Tapir Gao said, "Congress party should apologise to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for creating unnecessary political high drama over the past six months".

The drama has been created by Congress and now brought to an end by Congress; Congress was unnecessarily blaming BJP for their internal tussle, whereas BJP was not a part of it," BJP state unit President clarified.

Gao further claimed that no BJP central leader was part of the political instability and infighting among the Congress legislators, rather he shifted blame on Congress high command for it. "Infighting and political drama was due to negligence of Congress High Command towards people of Arunachal Pradesh and BJP has nothing to do with it," Gao added.

However, BJP state President's statement is contradicting the statement given by its leader Tamiyo Taga wherein Rumgong MLA said, "Arunachal government is going to be BJP Government. We have succeeded in toppling Tuki government" during a two-day state BJP Executive Meeting in Itanagar on April 16.

Rumgong MLA also claimed that BJP was instrumental in dethroning Nabam Tuki-led Congress government.

Reacting to the statement of state unit BJP President, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Padi Richo said, "Instead of demanding apology, the BJP should apologize to the people of Arunachal for its abortive attempt to destabilize popularly elected Congress government through Centre".

"The BJP is now making this statement out of frustration after its grand plan to lure Congress legislators to merge with BJP was spoilt by the Supreme Court (SC)'s historic judgment", APCC president retorted.

Terming the SC judgment as victory of democracy Richo further maintained that BJP should learn lesson from it and stop playing with fire.

"Arunachal is the Land of the Rising Sun. Congress will rise again, and Gujarat is sun-setting state, Modi will fall," Richo said.

Peace rally against extortion & anti-social activities

[ Maksam Tayeng ]

PASIGHAT, Jul 16: Members of ABK East Siang Unit, ABK (Apex), ABK WW East Siang, ABKYW, AdiSU (Apex) district unit, Adiland & Upright Peoples' Organization, officials of various departments, students and business communities took part in a mass peace rally conducted here on Friday to protest against extortion and anti-social activities.

The peace rally which began from D. Ering Higher Secondary School ground and culminated at Gandhi Chowk Rostrum, was conducted in view of the recent extortion bid upon an engineer.

Meanwhile, the members of Women Against Social Evils (WASE) along with a police team seized over 87 bottles of IMFL from two grocery shops from Lower Banskata here on Thursday.

WASE General Secretary, Joya Tasung Moyong said that small grocery shops are illegally selling IMFL even in the wee hours violating the directives of the district administration.

An FIR was also lodged by the WASE. It further appealed to the district administration to take strict action against such shop owners.

Man washed away by mudslide

ZIRO, Jul 16: Continued torrential rains for last two days triggered a series of landslide along the Itanagar to Ziro road. Both the routes to Ziro via Kimin and Potin remained blocked today stranding hundreds of passengers both ways.

In an unfortunate accident one Amit Lama was washed away by mudslide when he came out of his car to inspect the block point in the Hoj-Potin Highway.

The district administration immediately pressed men and machines to recover the body. Till the filling of this report the body could not be recovered. However roads have opened for vehicle movement late in the evening. DIPRO

DC inspects township roads

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: West Kameng DC, Dr. Sonal Swaroop along with EAC (Jud) Sang Khandu, PHED JE, Tashi Namgey Thungon and BRTF Commander on Saturday inspected roads and drainages of Bomdila township and the BCT road in particular.

During inspection, it was found that major drains had been blocked due to unauthorized encroachment and extension. The DC said that the administration shall be taking strict action against encroachers in order to clear the drainage and widen the road.

She directed the locals to clear the drainage to help prevent damage to the township's roads during heavy rain.

She also discussed the issue with CO 42 BRTF and directed him to clear the drains which were blocked due to heavy rain. She further directed PHE JE to remove water pipes found inside the drain to ensure proper flow of drain water.

Later, the DC also inspected Govt. Higher Secondary School Bomdila where CBSE compartmental examination was being held.

Change of leadership in Arunachal internal issue of Cong: Rijiju

NEW DELHI, Jul 16: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today sought to distance BJP from developments in Arunachal Pradesh where the Congress made a dramatic turnaround by changing its leadership in a bid to save its government.

"The BJP and the central government have nothing to do with whatever is happening in Arunachal Pradesh. The political instability has been happening in last seven months due to the division within the Congress.

"We have nothing to do with the internal matter of Congress," Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home, told reporters here.

"Change of Chief Minister in Arunachal Pradesh is an internal matter of Congress, BJP has nothing to do with it. It was not a BJP government. BJP only supported the government. Whatever has happened it was due to the tussle over leadership among Congress leaders," Rijiju, MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said.

The Union Minister said he just wished that there was a political stability in Arunachal Pradesh as it is a sensitive and important state. PTI

‘Need to sensitize people on waste management’

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: Saying that waste management is becoming an issue of serious concern in Capital Complex, Chief Engineer cum Director (UD and Housing) Taba Tedir emphasized on the need to sensitize people on solid waste management and the threat posed by hazardous waste to human health and environment.

Addressing the inaugural function of the two days training programme on 'Solid and Liquid Resource Management" here, Tedir, who also is Director SBM (U), said that waste management is becoming a great challenge posing serious health and environment hazards. He highlighted the action so far taken by the Mission Directorate, SBM [U] to solve the waste management problem.

He advised the trainees to sincerely attend the programme and to learn as much as possible from the resources persons on various aspects of solid and liquid resource management [SLRM].

The training programme mainly focussed on general environmental issues, current waste disposal methods, municipal waste management - organic and inorganic, segregation of resource [waste] and its collection, identifying recyclables and non recyclables wastes and types of composting and importance of decentralized resource management, ways and means to keep Govt. buildings, educational and health institute, public places, residential areas neat and clean and free from garbage.

Further, topics like roles of self help groups, marketing, project designing, proposal writing and IEC activities were also discussed in the training programme.

Project Director, Indian Green Mission, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan, who is a renowned specialist on Solid and Liquid Resource Management, through PowerPoint shown how solid waste can be processed into new products.

"The training programme has opened up a new ideas for solid waste management," Tedir said during the concluding day, and urged Srinivasan to impart more such training to DUDAs and ULBs.

IMC Councillor Takap Tagru shared his experiences in dealing with solid waste management and urged all the participants to implement whatever they have learned from the training programme in the field level.

Chief Councillor of Pasighat Municipal Council Kaling Duruk, who also participated in the programme, said that the training programme will immensely help in dealing with solid waste management as well as to control vector borne diseases.

Debasish Nath, Technical Director and Devender, Scientific Assistant from National Informatic Centre, Govt. of India, Itanagar demonstrated on SBM portal while Anupal Saikia, Senior Manager, ICICI Bank Itanagar imparted training on Govt. internet banking, online payment to beneficiaries under SBM [U].

A presentation on "Solution to Zero Garbage" was presented by Chinmoy Sharma of NEGT Private Limited, Guahati

The training programme was sponsored by Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India, and attended by field functionaries--Deputy Director, Urban Programme Officer, Assistant Urban Programme Officer, Municipal Councillors, Official from Itanagar and Pasighat Municipal Councils, besides senior officers and official from the Directorate of Urban Development and Housing.

The two days Master Trainers' Training Programme was coordinated and conducted by Nixon Lego, Deputy Director [UD]-cum-Nodal Officer, SBM [U].

Public utility infrastructures for Mandlaphudung

DIRANG, Jul 16: A series of public utility infrastructures were inaugurated at Mandhlaphudung under Dirang circle by West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sonal Swaroop amidst a huge gathering here on Friday.

Among the infrastructures inaugurated were a road from Inspection Bungalow to Phudung Gonpa and an approach road to proposed Circle Officer's Office constructed by PWD under TFC, and a Cultural Hall at Menchang constructed by UD Department under SPA.

Speaking on the occasion, DC hailed the departments concerned for timely and successful completion of the long-felt much needed infrastructures and asked for its regular up keeping and maintenance.

While acknowledging the efforts of local MLA Phurpa Tsering in facilitating the demands of remote Mandhlaphudung located 35 kms away from Dirang Township,

Dirang ADC D. Riba also appreciated the warm reception accorded to visiting officials by the local people of Mandhlaphudung and Khellong Bamrock.

Meanwhile, local people also submitted a memorandum which included among others raising of old-aged pension quotas, enhancement of PDS ration items, revival of lone and almost de-funct Residential School, maintenance of BRTF road from Mandhala to Morshing, opening of a Sub-Post Office and APMC Marketing outlet for fruits and vegetables which were assured to be looked into by DC.

The function was attended among others by former Dirang ZPM Dor Tsering, Dirang Block Anchal Chairperson Smti Lanjom, HoD's from Dirang and public of Mandhlaphudung and Khellong Bamrock.

NSCN (K) hideout busted

CHANGLANG, Jul 16: The Assam Rifles busted the hideout of NSCN (K) at Railung near Phenbiro village, Changlang district here on Friday. As per a report received from the AR, Changlang, one AK 47 with 30 live rounds and two pairs of uniform were recovered from the hideout.

Acting on a tip-off, the AR troops went deep into the jungle where the hideout was discovered and busted. Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles in the district is on high alert following the incident and is extensively dominating the areas to maintain peace. (DIPRO)

Seminar on waste management

PASIGHAT, Jul 16: Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) in association with Mebo Range Forest Office organized a seminar to create awareness on waste management among people at Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Mebo auditorium.

While addressing the students on the occasion Mebo ADC Yemling Tayeng urged them to take part in waste management for a clean and tidy surroundings, which has a direct bearing with health condition of human beings.

Principal, GHSS Mebo Apak Megu said that waste management programme organized by AdiSU and forest department are praiseworthy and appealed every student to learn about how to manage waste to bring cleanliness.

Earlier, resource person and columnist Maksam Tayeng threw light on how youth can lead the waste management from the front.

He said that youth are the backbone of the society and the nation, and by using their youthful energies, they can bring huge changes in the society.

Mebo Forest Range Officer Obang Tayeng advised the students to have the willingness and desire to stay cleaned and tidy so that a healthy atmosphere could be created for better living.

Oge Mitkong, Cultural Secy. Adi Students' Union and All Mebo Constituency Students' Union leaders also spoke on the occasion.

Students from various schools under Mebo Sub-Division like KGBV Kiyit, KGBV Motum, UPS Borguli, UPS Ngopok, UPS Siluk, GSS Kiyit, UPS Romdum and GHSS Mebo attended the programme. DIPRO

Seminar on potential of Kiwi and exotic fruits

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: A day-long seminar on "Cultivation and Export Potential of Organic Kiwi Fruit and Exotic Fruits and Vegetables" was organised by Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University, Ziro, sponsored by National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, at S.S.B Gate Campus, Hapoli on Saturday.

Progressive and prospective farmers from farmer organisations discussed issues to evolve coordinated approach for development of agriculture and horticulture in the area.

Jt. Director National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. R. S Bhati attended the function. He spoke on the difficulties faced by the kiwi growers in detail and assured them of complete support.

Among others, Deputy Director Agriculture, Boriya Hakim, SDHO, Pura Obing, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Head Agriculture, Dr. N K Pruthi, and Kiwi Growers Cooperative Society, Ziro also attended the programme. DIPRO

District level football tourney begins

Correspondent

PASIGHAT, Jul 16: A District-Level Football Tournament organized by District Football Association (DFA), of Siang district began at Pangin general ground on Friday with participation of a total 19 teams.

Speaking during the inaugural function, T K Kopak advised the players to maintain discipline and true sportsman spirit during the tourney. He said that games and sports is an inseparable part of youths and is necessary for their physical and mental development.

DFA, President, John Jamoh in his address appealed the Sports & Youth Affairs department to initiate steps for development of sports in the district.

The inaugural match was played between Mori Youth Club and Lokpeng-XI wherein, the former beat the later by 2-1 goals and entered the next round.

The winning team of the tournament will get a trophy, certificate and a cash prize worth Rs. 25,000 while, the runners up team will given a cash prize of Rs.15,000 along with the trophy and certificates.

Sukh Rono village cut off

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: Massive landslide at Sukh Rono village under Doimukh circle due to torrential rain on the nights of July 14 and 15 has disrupted the link road of the village cutting off the village from the rest of the state. OBT house of Nabam Tallam was also damaged.

Skill development training concludes

ROING, Jul 16: The skill development training under BADP Hunli Border Block and MLALADS concluded at the Multipurpose Community Hall, Roing on Saturday.

Speaking in the valedictory programme, ADC Roing, Ruchika Katyal called on the participants to keep in touch with the activities learnt during the training to upgrade skills. ZPC, Sipi Elapra Linggi and ASM Mayu-II, Misa Linggi also spoke on the occasion.

Certificates with tools and equipments were distributed to the participants. The training programme was organised by DRDA Roing in collaboration with Change Foundation (NGO). A total of 173 beneficiaries participated in the training which had commenced on June 27.

AAPHSVF for early constitution of Town Vending Committee

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: The All Arunachal Pradesh Hawkers & Street Vendors Federation (AAPHSVF) has requested the state government for early constitution of Town Vending Committee (TVC) which is pending before the Urban Development Department for final approval.

In a release, the AAPHSVF expressed hope that the new government would implement the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014 in the state.

It called upon the state government to look into the grievances of the hawkers and street vendors who are trying to live a dignified life by selling small items on the streets despite many hardships.

Extempore competition on drug and road safety

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: An awareness programme on Drug and Road Safety was conducted through extempore speech by the Biley Science Club at VKV Itanagar on July 16.

The competition was conducted on the themes "Demerits of drugs and importance of road and safety on road."

A total of 20 students participated in the competition and five out of them were selected to participate in the state level competition which will be organised later by All Arunachal Pradesh National Highway Development Committee.