June 19
2016
Arunachal is answer to Modi’s dream of power connectivity: Pul
[ Rupesh Dutta ]
New Delhi, Jun 18: With over 140 hydro-power projects allotted to various PSUs and private power companies in Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul says the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having an electrified India can be fulfilled if all the allocated power projects in the northeastern state are completed on time.
Arunachal Pradesh had the potential to fulfil the entire country's requirement for power, Pul told in an interview.
He blamed "differences" among various ministries over clearance to a power project as the reason behind either stalling or slowing its commissioning during the last couple of years.
The 46-year old leader, who took over as chief of the state in February, said he feels the Central Government should set up a single window clearance system for companies participating in hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
"The upcoming hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh can fulfill Prime Minister Modi's dream of having a electrified India. However, there is a difference in ideas between the various central ministries, which stall or slow the work on a project's commissioning. There needs to be a single window clearance. There needs to be a push. There needs to be unanimity," said Pul.
Besides, Pul said the Government should also increase the time period for loan pay back by private developers from 10 years to at least 25-30 years.
"Currently private developers have been given time of 10 years to repay the loan. However, the duration has to be increased to 30 years, as a hydro project takes time for completion and functioning. At least 25-30 years should be given. Only then will they be able to carry out their work," said Pul.
According to the union Power Ministry, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has so far been allotted about 140 hydropower projects with total installed capacity (IC) of 41,500 MW that is to be developed on various rivers, rivulets and nalas in seven major river basins.
Most of the projects, whose commissioning got delayed either due to delay in forest or river board clearance, if completed on time can provide power supply to a large chunk of India, which the other sources of power generation such as thermal, and solar has not been able to do till now.
Pul has said that before starting giant hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh, there was need to start minor projects of 1,000-2,000 MW capacity, which would help the people to appreciate how power projects can change their lives, thereby giving way for bigger projects.
A mega dam is being constructed across river Siang, a tributary of river Brahmaputra and upon completion, the dam reservoir will hold 10 billion cubic meters of water. The hydro power project at Siang is touted to generate between 10,000 to 12,000 MW, making it the largest hydroelectric dam in the Indian Subcontinent.
Emphasising that China was using its hydropower potential very efficiently, Pul said the various hurdles for project clearance need to be done away with.
China's 22,000-megawatt, $25 billion Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric plant as far as generating capacity.
Expressing unhappiness at India's role in setting up power projects in foreign countries, Pul said: "There have been instances when the Indian Government has set up power projects in foreign countries but not in Indian states. This is why those countries are becoming rich, and not us. It's a shame for us."
Centre to sanction Gram Jyoti scheme for Arunachal soon
PANAJI (Goa), Jun 18: Union Minister of State for Power, Mines and NRE Piyush Goel said that the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Scheme (DDUGJY) in Arunachal Pradesh would be sanctioned soon and a formal sanction letter in this regard would be given shortly.
The union minister assured this when Power Minister T N Thongdok requested him to sanction the scheme during the two-day conference of Power, Mines and NRE Ministers of State and Union Territories here on June 16 -17.
Thongdok told the Union Minister that bids have already been invited based on assurance from the Union Ministry.
Responding to a request from Thongdok for setting up a coal base thermal plant at Kharsang, the Union Minister directed the Secretary, Coal & Power to assist the Government of Arunachal Pradesh in setting up of the thermal plant. The Union Minister also agreed to provide additional power requirement based on the demand and as requested by the State Government.
Goel further assured Thongdok that the issue of imposing ban on development of small hydro power projects by the Ministry of Environment & Forest would be taken up with the ministry.
Responding to another request, Goel assured to sanction IPDS schemes for towns having less than 5000 population and advised him to submit proposals immediately. He also agreed to sanction smart meters in all household and also agreed to supply LED bulbs at subsidized rate.
Responding to the Union Minister’s advice, Thongdok said that Arunachal Pradesh will soon launch campaign against power theft and the strong action will be taken against the persons involved in such illegal activities. He also informed the union minister that the state is targeting to provide electricity to every household by 2018.
Earlier, Thongdok requested Goel to authorize the State Government through the PCCF for forest and environment clearance of small hydro power projects. On request for development of power in the state, the Union Minister directed the MNRE to conduct a study on feasibility.
Over 15 houses demolished in Tenga Pani Reserve Forest
NAMSAI, Jun 18: In a drive to evict encroachers from the Tenga Pani Reserve Forest area adjacent to Diyun circle, more than fifteen houses were demolished by a team of forest officials on Saturday.
The drive was conducted under the provision of Arunachal Pradesh (Ejectment of unauthorised person from reserved forest) Rule 2013.
It is reported that the Chakmas, who had allegedly encroached upon the forest reserve area and build houses, are refusing to clear the encroachments.
When authorities tried to evict them, the encroachers offered stiff resistance and Chakma women with daos grouped to protest the eviction.
With strong number of security personnel and forest officials the eviction drive team managed to get the encroachers evicted.
The team included EAC Wakro Dakto Riba, mobile ACF Deomali, Dobin Doke, DFO Namsai, R Riba, ACF Jairampur, Doge Basar and Diyun RFO, K Singh.
DFO Namsai Riba said, “No further encroachment irrespective of tribes will be tolerated in the area.”
Fire at Puak Gumin affects 21 families
AALO, Jun 18: Twenty-one families were rendered homeless after their dwelling houses and rental barracks were devastated in a fire accident at Puak Gumin here in the wee hours of Thursday.
An official report on Saturday confirmed that six rental barracks, one SPT, MIBT and OBT houses were reduced to ashes in the blaze.
The infuriated mob reportedly damaged the fire tender. The mob did not even spare the firemen and allegedly assaulted them, the report said.
Expressing grave concern over repeated fire accidents at Puak Gumin, MLA Jarkar Gamlin advised all to adopt fire safety and precautionary measures to avoid such incidents in future. He also suggested for CGI sheet roofing of houses in the thickly populated area to avert fire accidents.
Jarkar contributed Rs. 10,000 each to owner of the houses and Rs. 3000 each to 17 families, who were on rent. The district administration also provided immediate relief of Rs. 3800 each to all the victims, who were on rent, through the Circle Officer and the DDMO, Aalo.
President of Aalo Town Peoples’ Welfare and Development Society (ATPWDS) and APAWS, Kento Ete also donated Rs. 40, 000 on behalf of ATPDWS and Rs. 8000 to tribal victims from APAWS side. DIPRO
CM proposes plans to develop Itanagar parks
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Friday inspected the Indira Gandhi Park along with Yachuli MLA Likha Saaya, Mechuka MLA Passang Dorjee Sona and Ziro MLA Tage Taki and a team of officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for beautification of the park.
Pul has laid special focus on beautification of various public parks in the capital city with a view to develop Itanagar as a model city with all modern amenities and recreation centres.
In view of the IG Park gaining notoriety because of late night assembling of drug addicts, the Chief Minister emphasized the need to convert the park into green spaces for nature lovers.
To provide recreation activities to get people moving and improving their health and fitness, Pul discussed on plans to develop jogging trail along the park boundary wall.
He directed the officials to construct the jogging track of high quality material, which would also be used as walking path and for cycling.
Pul discussed on having recreation centres, children’s park to provides fitness classes, sports programs, and recreation activities.
Since IG Park provides a place for citizens to gather for festivals, as well as public and private events, the Chief Minister planned to construct a permanent structure for the general ground inside the park. Such facilities would incorporate stadiums, toilet, guest houses, hostels, etc. Such permanent structures would cut down the recurring cost of erecting temporary structures during an event, which costs crores of rupees, said the CM.
He further said that the small streams flowing inside the park could also be cleaned up and maintained to give a natural touch to the park.
The Chief Minister later visited the proposed central park in the state secretariat building. (PRO to CM)
AAPSU urges Govt. to initiate corrective measures to improve education scenario
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) urged the State Government to take immediate corrective and remedial measures to improve the performance of students in examinations conducted by CBSE.
Saddened by the dismal performance of government schools in the CBSE examination this year, AAPSU, in a release, stated that the Education Department must adopt zero tolerance policy against absenteeism by teachers. Proper training should be given to teachers to update the teaching knowledge according to changing patterns of education.
If followed in a proper way, there is a very small chance of failure in class IX and X examinations under the present system of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), said AAPSU president Kamta Lapung.
The school conducts four Formative Assessments and one Summative Assessment in an academic session.
The four formative assessments carry 40% and the summative assessment carries 30% of marks. Thus, 70% of the marks of the students are sent by the schools only for the promotion of a student. If the school conducts and follows all the instructions as laid down by CBSE, there are very less chances of any students failing in class IX and X, Kamta said.
The AAPSU president also demanded proper implementation of RTE in the State.
Welcoming the step taken by the Department against a principal and headmaster of two poorly performing schools, AAPSU opined that the decision may seem harsh but it was necessary.
This would serve as a wake-up call for the other to give their 100 percent to their noble profession, added AAPSU.
AASSATA attributes poor CBSE performance to teacher shortages
KHONSA, Jun 18: All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers Association (AASSATA), Tirap district unit attributed poor performance of the students of Government schools in Tirap district in the CBSE examination this year to non-posting of sufficient teachers in schools.
The association, after thorough discussion with teachers and collection of relevant datas, came into conclusion that inadequate number of teachers in the district was one of the main reasons for the poor results.
The association claimed to have found that Tirap district has the least number of teachers as compared to other schools in Arunachal West.
There are more than 115 villages under Tirap district. At present there are 203 SSA teachers, 6 RMSA teachers and 216 regular teachers with only countable numbers of senior subject teachers in Higher Secondary Schools in the district, the AASSATA unit said.
Many primary schools in Tirap district are being run by single teacher, who also have to perform the duties of BLO, census/ survey, etc. which is directly affecting the teaching-learning process.
There is no vice principal and senior teacher for Economics, Hindi, Geography in Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Khonsa.
The Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Borduria has only one senior teacher in History while there is no senior teacher in Lazu Govt. Hr. Sec. School, the association informed.
Deomali Govt. Hr. Sec. School is running without senior teachers for Mathematics, Physics, Biology, English and Geography.
AASSATA unit claimed that some newly posted teachers in Tirap hardly stay in the district for one year, get immediately transferred thereafter without any relievers with backing from influential person at Capital.
Lack of proper guidance from parents, irregularity/absenteeism by teachers, unhealthy activities, like addiction to tobacco and alcoholism and excessive uses of mobile phones and social networking sites by the students were some of other reasons for the poor performance.
The Association also blamed the system of Continues and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) which, according to it, is inapplicable in state like Arunachal Pradesh. The CCE with no detention system is adversely affecting the academic study of students, it opined.
FIRE, FIRE, FIRE...!
FLIGHTS OF FANTASY...
[ Group Captain Mohonto Panging Vayu Sena Medal (Retd) ]
Recently there have been a spate of fire accidents in many towns and villages of Arunachal Pradesh. Fire accidents in our towns and villages have accounted for many houses, shops, property worth crores of rupees and importantly led to loss of precious lives. Many houses, schools, offices and shops have also been totally burnt by fires. As of now it seems there are no ways of preventing these fire accidents!
Fires are caused by variety of reasons. Fires are caused by electric short circuits, fire ignition from unattended lit candles, unattended fires from fire places in traditional tribal homes, casually thrown un-extinguished cigarettes/ bidis, kitchen fires etc. The initial fire sparks are flared up due to the presence of inflammable material like wood, bamboo, paper, clothes near the spark. Sometimes fire accidents occur due to fire from unattended lit candles sparking nearby inflammable material like wood, bamboo, paper, clothes etc.
Once started, the fire spreads rapidly due to the inflammable material with which our houses are constructed in the villages. Sometimes entire villages are lost! In our towns also buildings constructed earlier with wood and bamboo are more vulnerable to fire accidents. Most shops in the market area are congested with inflammable material dumped in most houses. Another reason is the use of sub standard material for electrification of our buildings. Use of substandard material to save money, loose/naked wires, overload of electric appliances leads to electric short circuits leading to fires. Many short circuits are also caused by direct connections tapped from the wires!
Our fire tenders are inadequate and are of poor quality. They are small in size (contents finish quickly) and are not multi-purpose. There is lack of supporting infrastructure for a robust fire fighting system. What happens after using up the fire extinguishing agents in the fire tender? We must have a supporting infrastructure of quick refilling the fire tenders by large disposal pipes and static tanks at critical points of the town.
Another aspect is the unplanned construction in our towns. In many places there are no roads for fire tenders to enter/ get into position to douse the fires. Town planning/expansion should cater for access by emergency services like fire tenders, ambulances etc.
There are also suspicions that many of these fires are started by miscreants. Vulnerable areas like schools, offices, bazaar areas must employ chowkidars, especially by night. These miscreants need to be caught and dealt with strictly.
The other aspect is insurance. Since there are frequent fire accidents, all important shops, offices, schools etc must opt for fire insurance. These are easily available with many insurance companies.
Another step is to have a separate fire fighting department. Fire fighting is a specialised subject. World over, fire fighters are specially trained, motivated and maintained. Presently the fire fighting services are placed under the police.
We must learn from the many past fire accidents which have led to loss of property worth crores of rupees and precious lives. Fire accidents lead to the destabilisation of the lives of the victims with losses of means of livelihoods. As responsible citizens we must help in developing awareness to prevent fire accidents. All citizens, social organisations, NGOs and of course the State Administration must recognise the seriousness of this menace and act immediately.
It takes a life time to build businesses and livelihoods...fires destroy them in few hours! We should not be ‘Penny Wise Pound Foolish’!
BROS conducts sanitation awareness meet
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Jun 18: An awareness meeting on ‘Sanitation and Health’ was organised at Ngorlung village on Saturday by BROS in collaboration with Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department.
The day-long programme started with plantation at Ngorlung village roadsides, which was followed by discussion on sanitation issues, felicitation of eminent persons and meritorious students and a cultural presentation.
Speaking in the function, ZPM Ruksin, Tonggeng Panyang said the cleaning effort initiated by BROS forum was supported by the rural people of the area. He requested the team members to take up developmental issues of the area.
Discussing on Swachch Bharat Mission and solid waste management, PHED Assistant Engineer Kaling Taki urged the villagers to use sanitary toilets and dispose the domestic waste in scientific way. He informed that his department gives one-time sanction against waste management and urged the PRI leaders to avail the scheme benefit.
Resource persons from health department, Dr. K Jonnom discussed on hygienic way and urged the villagers to destroy every potential mosquito breeding source to prevent vector born diseases such as malaria, encephalitis and dengue etc. Dr Jonnom, who is the in-charge of Ruksin CHC, received 10 pieces of Patient-bed sets donated by BROS for his hospital.
Veterinary Officer, Naku Taloh, who discussed on communicable diseases transmitted from domesticated animals to human body, suggested the people not to let the pets go astray and keep them within safe distances.
Attending the function, Miss Earth India contestant (finalist) Chum Darang motivated the youngsters to work hard for success. She appealed the parents not to discriminate children by sex.
Topa Taying, oldest man in the village, ideal farmers-Ojing Aje and Otok Panggeng along with the meritorious students of the last CBSE examinations Class X and Class XII examinations were also felicitated in the function.
Among others, Dr. Kabit Ratan, Public leader, Tayor Radeng, retired Director, Tapang Taloh spoke on the occasion and suggested BROS members to carry forward their social welfare activities.
Explaining the objective of BROS forum, John Pada said the activities of the mission are incorporated with Swachch Bharat Abhiyan under Clean India Mission. He called on the educated youths to play important role in socio-economic upliftment of the area.
Presentation of a series of Katak (classical) dance by the young artiste of ‘Karpung Karduk Folk Music Academy’ led by noted singer Delong Padung was a special attraction of the day-long programme.
The team-BROS is a non-political forum of conscious citizens including doctors, government officers, public leaders, PRI leaders, businessmen, NGO activists and student leaders of Bilat, Ruksin and Oyan-Sille circles, under East Siang.
Union appeals for teacher posting
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Stating that Govt. Higher Secondary School, Palin lacks teachers in many subjects, the All Kra-Daadi District Students' Union (AKDDSU) has appealed to the Director, School Education to post the teachers.
In a release, AKDDSU stated that retired teachers have not been replaced in the school and requested for posting of Senior Teachers for Geography, Hindi and English subjects.
The union had visited all the middle schools in Palin circle and the Govt. Higher Secondary School, Palin this week, added the release.
Further informing that both boys and girls hostels are dilapidated, the AKDDSU has requested the authorities to take up the issue at the earliest.
Stating that RTE Act was not being followed in some government middle schools and admission fees were being charged from the students, the union has also appealed the state Govt to release appropriate aid to the schools and support the students.
While visiting the schools, the union found that some middle schools were charging admission fees to accommodate various miscellaneous costs like desk-benches, black boards, chalks and other stationary needs. The head masters expressed their hopelessness and compulsion in charging admission fees to procure funds to meet the needs of the schools. The union came to know that release of inadequate fund by the Govt which is distributed to various schools has compelled the school authorities to collect fees from the students.
The union further requested the DDSE to check for equitable distribution of uniforms in the schools and to provide quality mid-day meals.
K-POP contest
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: The grand finale of K-POP Contest India, 2016 will be held in Chennai on July 30 at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall.
K-POP contest - India 2016 comes under the banner of K-POP World festival organized by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign affairs.
The upcoming K-POP Contest India 2016 in its 5th edition will be targeting a larger audience with auditions spreading across India. The cities which will witness the grandeur and craze of K- POP will be Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Patna, Mumbai, Chennai and Sikkim.
Implement Govt order: AACWA
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Stating that the Power Department was neglecting the notification for one percent Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) for tribal contractors at any tender and quotation issued to all departments of Arunachal Pradesh, the All Arunachal Contractors Welfare Association (AACWA) has urged the department to implement the Govt order in the tender process under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.
Informing that many departments like PWD, WRD, RWD and other executing agencies are implementing the Govt order, AACWA questioned the non-implementation of the order by the Power department.
Meeting of guardians, students & teachers held
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Guardians of 158 girl students belonging to remote villages attended a meeting with the teachers and students organized by R.K. Mossang Memorial Society, a local NGO at RMSA/KGBV, Maganton village, Bordumsa on Friday.
Relief to fire victim
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: A team of All Tirap District Students’ Union accompanied by All Tutsa Students’ Union visited the family of fire victim at Lapnam village and provided some relief materials to them.
The house of one Khunhang Chimyang was gutted in a fire accident on June 14.
ATC, PHCFC draws in Pasighat Dree Football Tourney
PASIGHAT 18 June: In the league match of Pasighat Dree Football Tournament played here on Saturday at JN College Play Ground, PHC Football Club and Achie Takar Club drew 3-3goals in a toughly contested match.
The goal scorers for PHC Football Club were Mihin Rakesh with two goals and Pura Sai with a single one. For ATC, Tailang Bukar scored one goal whereas Pura Nanii scored two goals.
Earlier in Volleyball match, Ato Piilo Club (APC) defeated Ayo Danyi Club (ADC) by 25-13; 25-20.
On Sunday, Ato Piilo Club will meet Ayo Danyi Club in Football while PHCFC will meet ATC in Volleyball.
Eye awareness camp held
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: An eye awareness camp was organized by the IGSSS (SMILE), Ziro unit under its SOUL-SMILE project in Dutta Middle School in collaboration with Dutta Youth Association on Saturday.
During the camp resource persons, District Blindness Control Society, Ziro, Technical Advisor, Dr. Dusu Grayu and senior Ophthalmologist of general hospital, Ziro briefed on eye care.
Vision testing was also done on a total 80 people while, severe cases were referred to medical and for further medication.
ATHYWA cries for development in Tapiaso area
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: The All Tapiaso- Habia Youth Welfare Association (ATHYWA) has drawn attention towards the lack of development in Tapiaso area of Sangdupota circle of Papum Par district.
In a release, it has apprised of the dilapidated condition of Govt Middle School Tapiaso, Govt Primary School Rushi, damaged water supply at Rishi village, lack of infrastructure at Tapiaso health sub-centre.
Also talking of irregular supply of electricity in the villages of the area, it further said that the area which is about 40kms from the state capital doesn’t even have a decent road.
The existing road has never seen any kind of repair or renovation work, it added.
Medical camps by VKAJ
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Around 669 patients were either treated or examined for various ailments and medicines distributed free of cost to the needy patients during medical camps conducted by Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti (VKAJ) in collaboration with Namsai CDPO.
The camps were organized at Krishnapur and Kumari Khamti of Mahadevpur circle, Nongtaw Shyam of Piyong circle, Bhogamur and Mengkang Miri village of Namsai circle from June 14 to 17.
Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets were also distributed to the anemic girls under SABLA scheme in Namsai and Piyong circles.
Pregnant women were encouraged to receive antenatal care and also to go for institutional delivery for safety of both mother and child.
Plantation drive by Army
BOMDILA, Jun 18: The Ball of Fire Division of Indian Army organized a massive plantation drive in Bomdila, wherein a large numbers of sapling were planted by the jawans of the 28 Battalion of Madras Regiment along with the local people and students.
The Indian Army also conducted numerous activities to create awareness amongst the people, especially children like painting, essay writing and singing competition on ‘Clean and Green India’ theme.
On this occasion, Brigade Commander, Brig. Shailendra Singh said that "Indian Army is always there with local population to preserve the environment.
This effort aimed at saving the precious life and land from soil erosion and consequent flash floods caused by the incessant rains and also to make the people aware about the importance tree plantation.
“It is our solemn duty to conserve the flora for future generations,” said.
Saplings were also provided to all the children to plant in their neighbourhood.
MLA Japu Deru, DC, Dr Sonal Swaroop, DFO Tasso Sera and other army officers and civilian attended the programme.
Construct bridge over Peing River
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: In a representation submitted to the Lower Subansiri DC on Thursday, the All Peing Welfare Association (APWA) has appealed to him to direct the concern authorities to immediately construct a bridge over the Peing River as the log bridge over it had been swept away in the recent heavy rainfall.
The people of Loth, Linia, Tadarko, Tayo, Tajgi Anchal segment, Upper Ziro-II area under Yachuli administrative circle of Lower Subansiri and Kra Daadi district are facing problem after the log bridge, which served as a lifeline of the people was damaged, the Association claimed.
It has further urged the DC to direct the departments of PWD, DHO, DAO to conduct early assessment of damages caused to dwelling houses, agriculture and horticulture produce, irrigation channels etc. of the said villagers and provide them adequate compensation at the earliest.
Seva Dal chalks out strategies
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal (APCSD) in a meeting on Saturday discussed various strategies for strengthening the party organization in the state.
The meeting presided over by Seva Dal Chief Organizer Kipa Kaha and attended by State, district, city and block level Seva Dal office bearers and organizers, adopted resolutions, among others, to conduct training for its cadres and workers in every block and district, to work with dedication and sincerity for the betterment of the Congress Party.
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