July 02
Nature unleashes fury, leaves trail of devastation in Itanagar
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: Incessant rains triggered major floods and landslides in a matter of days, causing havoc in and around the Capital Complex.
The National Highway 415 road between Itanagar and Naharlagun is blocked as a large
portion of the highway near Dree Ground was washed away early on Saturday morning.
Traffic has been diverted to Papu-
More than 50 marooned families have been reportedly evacuated from Chandranagar area as Senki River is flowing above the danger level and affecting many houses located on the bank of the river. However, no human casualty is reported so far.
Gyan Mission Orphanage at Jollang is also on the verge of caving in as a major chunk of earth was washed away by Friday night's heavy rainfall.
The district administration has put high alert for residents located at vulnerable areas, such as river banks, streams and landslide prone zones, and have been suggested to move to safer locations.
The DA has set up a relief camp at Gyan Ganga Vidyapeeth School at Chandranagar for marooned residents and appealed to the affected people to take shelter in the school in case of any eventuality.
Residents also have informed that turbulent Senki River began to swell to danger level around 3 AM on Saturday. The portion of road leading to Government Primary School at Chandranagar has been swept away and damaged the land protection wall on the river bank, measuring more than 200 metres in height.
Landslide triggered by incessant rain also completely washed a dwelling house at Sanglo Potum near Gohpur (Itanagar) area on Saturday.
Members of the family had a miraculous escape from the landslide. The landslide hit the house just few minutes after the children had gone for school along with their mother around 7 AM.
In various locations, landslides reportedly blocked and damaged road. Mowb-
Water supply pipelines have also been hit hard at several locations.
Itanagar PHE and Water Supply Assistant Engineer, Debia Padang informed that the water supply pipeline between Itanagar and Naharlagun has been damaged at various points. Similar damages have been reported on pipelines from Poma, Lapu Nallah at Senki View and Pot Nallah at Lobi, he added.
Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner, Prince Dhawan, along with other officials inspected vulnerable locations around the Capital Complex and cautioned the people to remain alert and suggested them to move to safer ground.
He further informed that men and machineries have been pressed for early restoration. The NH 415 Itanagar to Naharlagun road has been closed until the damaged site is restored, Dhawan added.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu also inspected the flood damaged portions of Itanagar and directed the district administration to immediately evacuate people living in vulnerable areas to safer places.
The CM said that adequate stock of ration, medicine and other essential commodities should be ensured, and asked to keep round the clock watch on the situation in order to avert any catastrophe.
In the wake of warning issued by the India Meteorological Department of Ministry of Earth Sciences, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh starting 30th June to 4th of July, the Chief Minister has appealed to the citizens to stay in alertness and preparedness.
He also inspected the damaged Itanagar-
The CM has directed the departmental officers to start the work on war footing by
today itself so that the vital road is restored for vehicular movement within a day
or two, considering the heavy traffic in between Naharlagun-
He also directed Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso and the Secretary Disaster Management to take all measures for safety of dwellers along the stream below the damaged road as it was flowing in full spate. He also directed the Secretary DM and DC Capital to inspect all the damages and vulnerable areas in the Capital Complex and to submit a report immediately. The Secretary DM was also directed to monitor and report on rain damages in the entire state round the clock.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Department has been directed to monitor the situation and work out mitigation plans to deal with any eventualities.
HC directs state govt to repay housing money
[ Tongam Rina ]
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: Itanagar bench of Gauhati High Court has directed the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to repay the instalment/advance amounts paid by 74 individuals who had applied for government promoted affordable housing scheme in 2010.
Disposing two separate writ petitions on the same issue on June 29, Justice Ajit Borthakur has directed the Department of Urban Development and State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) to repay the amount along with 14% interest per annum within four months.
In 2010, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh had introduced a proposal to build hundreds of house of affordable homes but it never materialized, though the prospective buyers paid the basic prices quoted by the department as well as instalments for months.
One of the petitioners paid more than Rs 5 lakhs for a flat, according to the affidavit submitted to the court. But the state government declined further payment from the petitioners without giving any reasons in early 2015, Kemo Lollen, the counsel appearing for 75 petitioners told the court.
Some people, whom this daily spoke to, said that they stopped paying the instalments as the progress in construction was stalled half way.
As per the agreement signed in September 2010 between the State Government and the M/s Ishvakoo (India) Pvt Limited, the builder, the construction of 3000 flats was to be completed within three years. Seven years later, none of those who applied for the affordable housing were given the promised flats.
The petitioners had submitted a joint representation in September 2016 requesting allotment of the flats or repayment of advanced money paid. The department did not act on the representation leading to filing of the writ petitions.
The Court ruling, which is with this daily, states that "in response to the contentions
of the petitioners in both petitions, the State Respondents by way of filing an affidavit-
According to the response filed by the state government, the builders have decided to close the project and have authorized the SUDA under the Director of Housing, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, to auction the fixed assets to repay the petitioners and other buyers.
In July 2015, the Arunachal Pradesh Government had informed the Legislative Assembly that New Delhi based Ishvakoo India Pvt Ltd, the company executing construction of 3000 flats at Jollang, had assured the government to complete 60 units of flats by December 2016.
But it appears that those who applied for flats will be deprived after years of waiting.
As of now, the housing complex has been abandoned and there are reports of encroachment within the complex. Even the few flats that have been completed are not fit for accommodation because of extremely low standard of construction, said one of the petitioners, who did not wish to be named.
She said that her dream of having an affordable home is not going to be fulfilled and that she wants her money back from the government.
'Pre and post matric scholarships from first week of July'
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: The Director of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA) would release the pre and post matric scholarships from the first week of July.
This was informed by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) in a press statement on Saturday, after the Union held a meeting with the Director of SJETA on June 9 last. The AAPSU also appealed to the student community to steer clear of unnecessary provocation and hue and cry as the scholarship would be released soon.
An AAPSU team headed by Education Secretary, Prem Tallang and IPR Secretary, Techi Mupu had called on Director of SJETA Yumlam Kaha for the immediate disbursement of the scholarship for the students.
On June 29, the department had issued an order that an amount of Rs 28, 50, 10,000 has been accorded administrative approval by the state Governor.
The Director clarified the since there was delay in the release of scholarship money from the central government,
the state government took note of the hue and cry among the students and made an intermittent arrangement till the scholarship money was released from the centre. However, soon after, the central government released the scholarship amount on the same date, the AAPSU said.
The Department also clarified that the students would not be able to avail double benefits of state stipend and scholarship for ST/SC, and that such claims would not be entertained as it would be against the prescribed norms. If any student finds a lapse in the scholarship, they may obtain NOC from the concerned head of institution or Director of Higher and Technical and should submit it to Director of Social Justice & Empowerment and Tribal Affairs.
Speaking to his daily, department sources also refuted rumours that the department is indulging in fund mismanagement and assured that each student with proper documents will be provided their share of the scholarship amount.
Further, the Union informed that verification under process for three colleges, namely Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat, Government College Doimukh and Dera Natung Governmen College, Itanagar to categorise the student beneficiaries into state stipend and pre and post matric scholarship.
The AAPSU has been pursuing the scholarship issue since 13th December, 2016 and has been writing to the concern authority for early release of the scholarship amount.
APCC demands improvement of alternative road
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: Stating that the Itanagar-
The Itanagar-
Further, these two roads will serve as alternatives to NH-
The APCC President blamed unplanned development of town, illegal earth cutting for natural calamities, like landslide and premature damage of drainage system for causing great difficulties to the common people.
3 LDCM cadres arrested in connection with Doley murder case
[ Prafulla Kaman ]
RUKSIN, Jul 1: The Assam Police arrested three members of Liberal Democratic Council
of Misingland (LDCM) in connection with the killing of Congress leader Hiranya Doley,
who was shot dead at his residence at Dekapam near Assam-
The three members of the outfit, identified as Amitab Patir (28), Satya Kumbang (34)
and Kangkan Morang (30) of Dekapam under Jonai sub-
A 7.65mm pistol and six live cartridges were seized from their possession.
The trio has reportedly confessed their involvement in the crime before police with Amitab Patir being the shooter.
The Assam police have arrested nine members of the outfit, including three linkmen, so far.
Last month, the police of Dhemaji unit had arrested three LDCM cadres, namely Kumar Kutum, Govinda Pegu and Harish Pegu from Simenchapori area.
They served extortion notices to three officers, including a junior engineer serving under Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) at Gogamukh.
According to police, there might be 30 to 35 cadres in the outfit, who are positioned in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Majuli and Jorhat districts.
The outfit was reportedly formed in October 2009 to demand "free Mising land". A
month later, Self-
The Assam Police arrested LDCM chief, Patir at Tezpur (Sonitpur) in 2012 along with some incriminating documents.
Meanwhile, emergence of Mising rebel organization demanding Mising land without community support has evoked massive concern among the people.
Reacting to the recent arrests of the LDCM members and their involvement in killing
of innocent people, Takam Mising Porin Kebang President, Naresh Kumbang said that
peace-
Universities to offer scholarships to Arunachal students
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: In a bid to provide opportunities to the students from Arunachal Pradesh, the Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka and the D G Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, under Mumbai University have announced seats in their institutions for students from the state.
This came after Arunachal Pradesh Governor P B Acharya approached numerous premier universities of the country, including those whom he had invited as special guests during the Statehood Day celebration this year.
SNDT University in Mumbai and Alva Education Foundation, Mangalore have also agreed to provide opportunities to the students of the state and will announce their programmes soon.
The DG Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce has informed that the college has arranged for a sponsor for the tuition fees of the students and will also provide accommodation in the hostel of the college free of cost. However, the boarding expenses as well as other expenses shall have to be borne by the students.
The college will offer courses in B Sc Computer Science, M Sc Computer Science, B Sc in Information Technology, M Sc in Information Technology, Bachelor of Management Studies, M Com (Advance Accountancy), B Com Div III & Div IV Unaided and M Sc in Analytical Chemistry.
Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka has also announced seats where 50 percent of the total course fee will be borne by the University, which will be a part of the scholarship to the students. The University will be offering seats in each of the following courses to the students from Arunachal Pradesh, which includes Bachelor of Physiotherapy, B Sc (Medical Imaging Technology), B SC (Health Information Management), B Sc (Medical Laboratory Technology), B Sc (Exercise and Sport Science, BA (Humanities) and MA (Geopolitics and International Relations)
The Governor's Office informed that recommended students will be admitted to DG Ruparel College on merit basis, subject to the fulfilment of the admission criteria specified by the University of Mumbai. Interested students may submit an application stating the course they want to apply for in the college or university, along with a copy of their mark sheets and Indigenous Inhabitant of Arunachal Pradesh Certificate to Raj Bhavan, Itanagar.
A selection committee will select the students based on merit.
GST will curb black money, corruption :CM
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: Chief Minsiter Pema Khandu was positive that the launch of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) in the country will improve the working system of the government and obliterate the bad culture of black money, laundering of income tax and corruption.
"Only good culture of honesty will exist," said the Chief Minister and appealed to the people of Arunachal to do away with old corrupt culture and enter into culture of honesty and sincerity.
Attending an Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organised programme on the occasion of 68th Chartered Accountants Day, the Chief Minister welcomed the launch of GST, saying that it was result of collective efforts from different governments at the centre, though it became possible only with the strong leadership displayed by Narendra Modi.
He said the state GST bill was passed on 8th May this year and expressed confidence that the new taxation system will immensely benefit the state.
"However, the state may face hurdle in migrating from VAT system to the new GST system, he said and added that the state's difficult topography and challenges in IT connectivity pose another big hurdle in full implementation of GST", he added.
Pema informed that the matter has been conveyed to the centre which received positive response through a team from centre visiting the state to address the implementation challenges.
He also informed that the process of laying optical fibre cable is underway in full swing and wherever there are internet connectivity issues it is being taken care of through VSAT.
The CM informed that five regional offices of Tax and Excise are being set up for GST implementation in the state with officials already posted for these centres. He further informed that trainings are being imparted to officials to equip them to work on migration to GST system.
Hello July !
Flights Of Fantasy
[ M Panging ]
The month of July is named after the Roman Ruler, Julius Caesar. On an average July is the hottest month in most of the Northern hemisphere.
The previous month has been marked by violent protests by farmers in many parts of the country. The agrarian crisis which has been building up for many years has been paid lip service by almost all political parties. It appears that the only solution available to the politicians is waiver of farmer loans. Luckily in our state, the land is endowed with natural richness that most farmers do not take loans for farming. If farmers and their products are not cared for, we may not have anything to eat. As a state we are already importing most crops and vegetables. After all, we cannot eat plastic, money or metal. There are already frightening reports of synthetic rice and synthetic eggs.
Despite heavy rains and abundant rivers, many of our towns and villages are facing water crisis. There were water crisis in many district HQs and the capital Itanagar itself. It all points to poor planning and execution of water supply system in our towns and villages. There is acute water shortage in many parts of the country and the world. One scholar has predicted that the next world war will be fought over water!
There were some good news also. Three of our women, Mamu Hage, Chajat Lowang and Duyu Kampu did us proud by qualifying for the Civil Services with good rankings. It was followed by the good news that Pasighat has been included in the latest list of approved Smart Cities. Approval for Smart City is just the beginning. The actual work of transforming Pasighat into a truly Smart City will be arduous and will require meticulous planning and strict implementation of projects. One of the most important components of a truly Smart City is smart and responsible citizens.
Then came the announcement by the state govt that the retirement age of all state govt employees has been raised to 60 years from 58 years! The decision is being opposed by the AAPSU and unemployed youth of the state. Despite the increment of retirement age, CoSAAP has decided to go for a pen down strike across the state. It seems it is a fight between parents and
aspiring children.
The nation also worked up towards the implementation of the so called ‘revolutionary’ GST or Goods and Services Tax from 01 Jul. There are many changes in the tax slabs on various goods and services. One immediate affect is the likely increase in phone bills.
The movie Tubelight, with our own smart, young actor Matin Rey Tangu was also released
in the month. Despite the accomplished Salman Khan, young Matin Rey turned out to
be the star of the movie. However, the audience was left wondering that if Rey could
be drafted as the child actor, why didn’t the producers look for a local girl from
north east to be the heroine instead of a Chinese girl? Hindi-
Candle light march at Pasighat over murder of student leader
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Jul 1: The East Siang District Students' Union (ESDSU) and various other local organizations have demanded early arrest of the culprit(s) involved in the alleged murder of student leader, Ojing Taying.
The ESDSU along with various other organizations took out a candle light protest march in and around Pasighat Township on Friday evening over the alleged killing of Ojing, starting from Daying Ering Memorial Government HSS playground to Gandhi Chowk.
Addressing the gathering, ESDSU President Tabit Gao criticized the police's negligence and failure to arrest the accused despite having material clue.
Alleging that the eye witnesses of the incident and other associates of the victim were not properly inquired by the police, the Boring Olung Welfare Society demanded that the state government institute a SIT to probe the case with proper analysis of the CCTV footage.
Condemning the killing of Ojing, BBK (Youth) President Aling Pinggam and President of ABK (W) Yalem Taga Burang said that criminals have no caste, community or religion. They appealed to all sections of people not to give them shelter or safeguard the criminals as they are enemy of mankind.
Among others, MP Ninong Ering, retired DDSE Tapang Taloh and members of various organizations, including AdiSU, ABK (Youth), ABK (W), Adiland & Upright Peoples' Organization, WASE, All Bogong Students' Union, Legong Banggo Students' Union, All Bogong Students' Union, Boring Olung Welfare Society, and others joined the candle light march.
Evaluation cum refresher training for DBYC skill trainees
TRIVANDRUM, Jul 1: An evaluation cum refresher training was held on Saturday at the Tranvancore Heritage for 41 youths, trained and placed by Don Bosco Youth Centre in the hospitality sector, with support from the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs.
T C Paul, President of South Kerala Hoteliers' Forum, Trivandrum assured the trainees to do whatever possible to make their life at Travancore a good experience, while Father Cyriac, Director, DBYC Itanagar requested the participants to work in collaboration with the management and to hold the name of Arunachal high through exemplary behaviour.
Apatani community appeals for deferment of bandh
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: The Tanw Supuñ Dukuñ (TSD), Apatani Apex Council appealed to the
RHEP MoU Demand Committee, Yazali to defer its 36-
Stating that it respects and supports the genuine and legitimate demands of the project affected people/committee, the TSD said that the proposed bandh from July 5 would cause great inconvenience and dampen the festive spirit, if not deferred, as the main celebration will be on July 5 and 6.
The Central Dree Festival Committee also made the same appeal to the RHEP MoU Demand Committee.
The Community is celebrating the golden jubilee of the festival this year. Moreover, Dree celebration begins from July 1 in various parts of the district and lasts till July 10.
Free ENT surgery camp by VKAJ
Margherita, Jul 1: Around 171 patients from Changlang, Tirap, Longding and Margherita (Assam) areas have availed the opportunity of free ENT surgery camp organized by the Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti (VKAJ), Arunachal Pradesh at Central Hospital, Margherita, Assam from June 28 to 30.
Dr P S Pradeep Kumar and his team of five doctors and an OT nurse from MENTS Hospital, Bengaluru examined the patients during the camp and conducted 20 ear, nasal and tonsil surgeries, most of which were micro surgeries.
The medical camp was inaugurated by North Eastern Coal Fields, Coal India Ltd, General Manager, Jugal Chandra Borah.
The mobile medical team of VKAJ conducted seven ENT screening camps in various places of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, which benefitted about 250 patients.
APTOA adopts resolutions for growth of tourism
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: The Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operator Association (APTOA) in its annual general body meeting held here on Saturday adopted some important resolutions for the growth of tourism in the state.
After marathon deliberation, the meeting presided over by APTOA President John Panye decided to pursue the Protected Area Permit (PAP) issue rigorously with the state government for three consecutive months till the end of September 2017. The association shall also approach the state government to pass an order for issuance of PAP through local tour operators only.
It further decided to observe 'World Tourism Day' at Namsai in the month of September
2017 with the theme -
APTOA President Panye and General Secretary Bengia Mrinal stressed on mass community participation for the growth of tourism in the state. They also gave emphasis on conservation of flora and fauna and promotion of eco tourism in the state.
APTOA Vice President Tapan Gap spoke on the PAP and ILP issues and also called for organizing tourism promotional events in the state.
Society demands clarification from PD Sona
MECHUKHA, Jul 1: The Boh Ramo Bokar (Adi) Elite Society of Mechukha sought a clarification from their local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary (Tourism) Pasang Dorjee Sona on allegation levelled against him by the Mere Vichar Andolan Committee (MVAC).
In a release, the Boh Ramo Bokar (Adi) Elite Society stated that the MVAC has time and again accused their local MLA of taking Rs 4 crore from former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, which the Society felt a great insult to entire people of the constituency.
"Why did he prefer to remain silent on the allegation if he did not take the amount, and instead file a defamation case against the MVAC for the allegation?" the society questioned.
This is not only a mere allegation but a big slap on the face of more than 16,000 innocent people of the area, the Society said and demanded Sona to clarify on the allegation within 15 days.
BJYM meeting
BOMDILA, Jul 1: West Kameng unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) President Longli Chongroju described the youth party workers and cadres as backbone of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state and the nation as well.
Addressing the executive body meeting of the district BJYM at Bomdila on Saturday, Chongroju exhorted the youth leaders and workers to play an important role in further strengthening the party organization.
"We would make the age-
District BJP President Sambu Siongju advised the youths to go to remote and far flung areas and spread at the grassroots level about various centrally sponsored schemes, like Dulhari Kanya Yojana and Atal Pension Yojna.
Weeklong Vanamahotsava underway
BOMDILA, Jul 1: The weeklong Vanamahotsava, with the theme 'Each one plant one', began on Saturday morning at district headquarters Bomdila.
To commemorate the 68th Vanamahotsava and the birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, 150 saplings of maple and oak trees were planted at the entry point of Bomdila, which has been identified as a slide prone zone.
Various activities have been charted for the week long celebration, including plantation in and around schools by school children, drawing and essay writing competitions for school children, and plantations in the erosion prone areas as identified by the district administration and around the monasteries, besides awareness campaigns in villages.
Similar activities would be carried out in the ranges situated at Nafra, Dirang and Khuppi in the district by the concerned Range Forest Officers. (DIPRO)
Death mourned
PALIN, Jul 1: The All Kra Daadi District Students Union has condoled the sudden demise of popular social worker Tadar Vijoy of Palin town in Kra Daadi district.
Late Vijoy was serving as Kra Daadi district BJP unit Vice President and Development
Chairman of Hinda -
Terming his demise as a great loss for the people of Kra Daadi district, the Union extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
DM prohibits obstruction and diversion of drains
AALO, Jul 1: In an executive order under section 133 of CrPC, the West Siang District Magistrate prohibited obstruction of drains or ditches, diversion of natural drains and erection of boundary wall, fencing without maintaining a distance of 4.5 mt from the centre of the road by any individual or government quarter allottees.
The order has been issued following complaints from DUDA regarding illegal constructions, diversions and occupation of township roads in various colonies and sectors. (DIPRO)
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