June 19
Indo-
BEIJING, Jun 18: India today said it looks forward to strengthen its strategic partnership and mutual dialogue with China as the two sides held talks here amid differences over a host of issues including the USD 50 billion CPEC and India's NSG membership bid.
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh met Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting being held here to finalise the agenda for this year's BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit to be held in September in China's Xiamen city.
They discussed steps to strengthen strategic relations on the directions laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting at Astana recently.
Wang referred to the fruitful and constructive meeting between Xi and Modi on the
sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on June 8-
In his opening remarks, Singh said that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wanted to visit Beijing but health and other restrictions did not permit her.
"She is looking forward to meet you," he said.
Xi and Modi have "laid down directions for us and both the countries to proceed with a path of mutual respect, mutual cooperation on how to improve the existing mechanisms so that more trade, commerce and people to people contacts can take place," Singh said.
"We both are Asian neighbours, two growing economies, people with ancient relations, we mark the path others to follow. India looks forward to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership and mutual dialogue with China," he said, adding he looks forward for many interactions with Wang.
Singh avoided making any reference to differences between the two countries including
India's sovereignty concerns over the controversial China-
India last month skipped China's high profile Belt and Road Forum (BRF) under which CPEC comes.
Beijing also opposed the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh which it considered as part of Tibet.
Officials said that both the governments are keen to find common ground on the contentious issues.
Singh later attended a banquet hosted by Wang for the Foreign Ministers of BRICS countries.
During the foreign ministers' meet, China is expected to outline the agenda for this year's BRICS summit which included efforts to seek common ground against terrorism.
The meeting is a precursor to chain of meetings of BRICS officials including the National Security Advisors (NSAs) meeting to be held later next month ahead of the summit.
China took over the rotating presidency of the BRICS from India after last year's Goa summit of the group of emerging countries.
China is also expected to outline its proposals for the BRICS summit.
At the Goa summit, India invited heads of the members of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative
for Multi-
Incidentally, this is the first time that the foreign ministers' meeting has been called by a host country holding the BRICS Summit. (PTI)
High court dismisses PIL, paves way for Greenfield Airport
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: In a major relief which may pave way for construction of the Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, the Gauhati High Court Itanagar Permanent Bench has dismissed the PIL filed in 2015.
While disposing off the case, the court directed the Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner, "To ensure that compensation that is payable on account of acquisition of land, is done upon due and proper verification of the claims of the genuine land owners and as per rates permissible under law."
The Court also noted the government advocate's submission that proposed land at Hollongi has already been deserved by the government and therefore question of it coming under forest reserve does not arise. The government advocate also made it clear that Chakma families are not being paid compensation and are only being rehabilitated.
Recently, the state Cabinet also decided to accept the recommendation of technical committee constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which selected Hollongi as permanent site for construction of a Greenfield Airport. However, the Cabinet put the condition that Hollongi will be selected subject to outcome of PIL filed by Tadar Takio.
With the disposing of PIL, the last hurdle in the coming up of the airport at Hollongi has been cleared. It is a bitter end to the legal hurdle which has obstructed Greenfield Airport project for the last five years.
In 2014, the Gauhati High Court dismissed the PIL filed by one Taniang Kipa maintaining Hollongi as feasible site based on technical recommendation made by a committee constituted by the High Court. The Greenfield Airport saga started in 2012 when the state government decided to shift the site from Karsingsa to Hollongi following a recommendation from the Airport Authority of India. In April 2013, Kipa Taniang filed a PIL challenging the move of the government. His PIL was later dismissed, but it took almost one year.
After dismissal of PIL, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry during its 17th steering committee meeting on 24th June, 2014 directed the state government to send revised land acquisition cost as per new land act 2013 instead of old land act 1894. This resulted in jump of land acquisition cost from Rs 451.8 crore to Rs 799 crore. The cost will cover construction of approach road to airport site, water connection, boundary wall and power supply. The project again got stalled when Tadar Takio filed a PIL in 2015. Unfortunately almost four years have been lost due to legal case and it has pushed airport project to almost a decade back.
The NDA Government constituted an inter-
In the PIL, Tadar Takio had alleged that proposed airport site at Hollongi falls under reserve forest area, price for land acquisition is exorbitant and that land acquired from Chakma families is government land and no compensation can be paid to them.
As Hollongi crosses all legal hurdles, the sincerity of political bosses of the state will be tested. All eyes will be on MoS Home, Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Political rivals have accused Rijiju of blocking proposed Greenfield Airport at Hollongi because of his rivalry with APCC President Takam Sanjoy, who is expected to make financial gains from the compensation package being a land owner at Hollongi.
Hollow political promises and lack of accountability
[ Monday Musing ]
[ Taba Ajum ]
Politicians of Arunachal are the luckiest lot who never have to give report card of their performance. For some strange reason, people of Arunachal never bother to hold their politicians accountable for their poor performance. There are sections of Arunachalees who are totally dependent on politicians for livelihood and will never ever question them even if they do not perform, while majority of the Arunachalees are totally disconnected with the political class and have to learn to survive on their own.
Taking advantage of this situation, politicians enjoy and plunder the state without
any worry. As the Pema Khandu-
When Khandu assumed the office of the Chief Minister, much was expected considering the fact that he is young, and educated from a metro city. He has been talking about the need to shed corrupt practices and concentrate on development agendas, but he himself has been found wanting on several occasions.
Most recently, as two major tribes of Arunachal indulged in highly volatile public slugfest over the issue related to Lower Siang district, Khandu was seen finding solace in the company of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Even as situation was turning extremely volatile in East Siang and West Siang districts, the CM chose to remain in Tawang with the Dalai Lama. Being the local host, he definitely needs to welcome international guests, like His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, but at that moment his leadership was needed to resolve conflict over Lower Siang district. After all he has been elected to serve the people of Arunachal and not an outsider, even if he/she is a revered figure.
Also, the promise of creating job opportunities remains elusive. Though few odd government jobs are advertised, not much has moved ahead in the job sector. Unemployment remains high in the state and there is growing restlessness among the younger generation. Allegations are being levelled that major chunk of funds are being diverted towards his home district.
But in one area where Pema Khandu has shown reasonably strong leadership is by standing up to the might of the RSS. In the matter of beef ban, the CM made it clear that it is against the interest of tribal states like Arunachal Pradesh. He also reportedly did not listen to the RSS while choosing his cabinet colleagues, even though there was pressure on him to induct certain leaders who had the backing of the RSS.
The Minister of State for Home and Member of Parliament from Arunachal, Kiren Rijiju has also completed three years of tumultuous tenure. Rijiju promised much, but the reality seems very different.
Two of his biggest ambitious road projects-
He also landed himself in controversy regarding the surging debate on intolerance. There is a growing fear that in order to demonstrate his loyalty to the RSS, he is overdoing and is hurting his own prospects in tribal dominated states like Arunachal where people are generally secular and do not appreciate religious fundamentalism.
But to his credit, Rijiju has managed to raise the profile of Arunachalees in particular and North East in general in the eyes of mainland Indians. Further in the area of rural connectivity, he has done laudable work by bringing in massive fund under the Pradhan Matri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Students’ orgs fight against drug addiction
[ Indrajit Tingwa ]
NAMSAI, Jun 18: The first of a series of drug de-
The camps are organised in collaboration with the All Tai Khamti Singpho Students' Union, All Namsai District Students' Union, All Namsai Area Youth Association and Chongkham Youth Association. The camp is supported in cash and kind by local MLA Chow Zingnu Namchoom and public of the locality.
On behalf of the Health Department, Namsai DMO, Dr Nani Rika provided essential medicines for treatment of the patients undergoing detoxification.
The Community Health Centre, Namsai will also be extending services of doctors and
nursing staffs as and when the need arises, informed Chairman of ADAC and de-
A private doctor has also been engaged for the purpose, he informed.
The camp with a capacity for 20 persons has registered over 15 people and more people are expected to get admitted.
Besides providing medicinal intervention for detoxification, the camp is also conducting awareness counseling, spiritual counseling, yoga, prayers, group discussions and games and sports activities.
It was informed that people from neighbouring districts can also avail the services of the camp.
Manpoong informed that after the ADAC became active, cases of theft, robbery and snatching of valuables by miscreants have comparatively lowered. Many drug peddlers have been put behind bars but rued that they were let free soon.
A student leader also highlighted the need to revive the de-
Since many addicts' families cannot afford treatment outside the state, the ADAC
requested that the government hand over the Lathao De-
Rains disrupt water line
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Itanagar has been hit by water woes again as incessant rainfall caused massive disruption of water line from Poma and Senki rivers.
PHE&WS Itanagar Division Executive Engineer, Tadar Mangku informed this daily that 50 workers and an excavator (JCB) were deployed in the restoration work at Rillo village near Poma. Even though water supply to water treatment plant was restored by this evening, the water supply to Itanagar is expected to be affected on Monday.
Reportedly, the Lapu Nallah (Senki) water source 150 and 100 MM diameter were snapped by landslide on Saturday evening and the disruption of pipeline has triggered major water scarcity in Itanagar. It will likely take a few more days to restore normal water supply from Lapu Nallah.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer Tadar Mangku has appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the department.
Consultative meeting suggests renaming hospital at Pasighat
Reporter
PASIGHAT, Jun 18: In a final consultative meeting of the district administration, it was resolved that General Hospital, Pasighat would be renamed as Bakin Pertin Memorial Institute of Health, Training & Research Centre, Pasighat.
This partial modification to the earlier notification was suggested to the state government during a meeting held with members of various organisations, senior citizens, legislators and MP with regard to renaming General Hospital, Pasighat as Bakin Pertin Memorial General Hospital.
The meeting, which was held at the DC's conference hall recently, finally resolved for partial modification by renaming the General Hospital, Pasighat as Bakin Pertin Memorial Institute of Health, Training & Research Centre, Pasighat, as notified earlier.
It was also noted in the meeting that renaming of any institute or installation of any statue in government establishment or road naming should be made by the government after obtaining popular public mandate and duly forwarded by concerned Deputy Commissioner of the district in the near future.
Also clarifying the stance of the Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK) on the renaming issue of General Hospital, Pasighat, General Secretary Mongol Gao said that they are not against any individual, but against the process by which notification was issued without the knowledge of local bodies, including the MLA and MP.
The BBK has agreed upon partial modification of the name which was also widely accepted during the consultative meeting.
Meanwhile, in a recent submission of three-
Gao claimed that Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said to have agreed and accepted
the three-
Arunachalee "Super 30" students shine in IIT-
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Altogether, 14 students, who underwent free 11 months coaching
under OIL India Super 30 centre, Nirjuli have achieved success in the IIT-
"14 out of the 18 students in the batch, who underwent the free coaching at OIL India
Super 30 Centre in Nurjuli, have qualified the IIT-
Under the project "OIL Super 30", 11 months free residential coaching is given to the selected students under the sponsorship of Oil India Limited.
The selection is made through written test, followed by viva-
The selection process is started right from the month of September onward every year at various schools in the state.
Project Officer Tasso D Bida is taking the responsibility of the selection process of entire CBSE Affiliated 12 science schools in Arunachal Pradesh.
The OIL Super 30 project is fully supported by the Oil India Limited and is implemented by CSRL New Delhi across six centres of Guwahati, Jorhat, Nagoan and Dibrugarh in Assam, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
It is also one of the most impactful CSR projects of OIL under education, the release added.
Drug peddler arrested with brown sugar
TEZU, Jun 18: The police on Saturday arrested a drug peddler and seized 10 gms of suspected brown sugar from her possession in Tezu town.
Acting on a tip off that drugs were being sold in a house in ALC Line, a team of police from Tezu Police Station, along with the Magistrate raided the house and found two small packets of suspected brown sugar, weighing 10 gms approximately in the possession of one Meena Towang (20), informed the Tezu SP.
The suspected drugs were seized in presence of the accompanying Magistrate.
The police have launched further investigation after registering a case against the alleged accused under section 21 (b) of NDPS Act.
ISS blames previous governments for poor sports performance
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Addressing the inaugural programme of the state unit Indian Sports Sangh (ISS) on Sunday, ISS National President, Sunil Gupta blamed previous governments for the slow progress of games and sports in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said that the organisation will check the working of the district sports associations,
and informed that the BJP-
Gupta also informed that a proposal for issue of free rail pass to meritorious sportspersons is under process and hoped that it would be completed soon to promote sports in rural areas as well.
DoTCL Parliamentary Secretary Tesam Pongte, who launched the state unit, hoped that it would help traditional sports receive more recognition in the national arena as well, so that players from the state would in turn bring laurels.
"Though cricket has many fans, our own traditional games need to be promoted as many of them are attached to our culture, identity and tradition", Pongte said.
He also hoped that indulging in games and sport would curtail drug usage and benefit the youths to opt it as a career. He also requested the ISS President to take the state's sports issues at the national level for a healthy resolution.
LM&CA Parliamentary Secretary Laisam Simai also highlighted on various traditional sports played in the state.
Also, 21 meritorious sportspersons were felicitated on the occasion, which include Techi Tangum, Gumpe Rime, Kaling Naung, Khumpung Wangcha, Tadung Dada, Sinne Mekhu, Tarak Pinky, Anjali Sagroo, Gammpung Gangsa and several others.
AKA provides karate mats worth Rs 6 lakh to 3 dist associations
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: The Arunachal Karate Do Association (AKA) on Sunday provided karate mats costing around Rs 6 lakhs to its three district associations of East Siang, Tirap and West Kameng on its own, without waiting for the government's assistance.
These mats were purchased with money collected as registration, coaching-
Karate mats are the basic need for karate practice and training. It provides safety and protects the practitioners from any unwanted accident during practice, said AKA President Shihan Likha Tara, while handing over the items to the representatives of the three districts at the Karate Headquarters, Naharlagun on Sunday morning.
Informing that a set of such karate mats cost around Rs 2 lakhs, Tara advised the karate associations to use them properly for the benefit of karate practitioners.
"We had been approaching the authorities, local representatives and even the MP for providing us with few mats. But, all of them turned a deaf ear to our pleading," a visibly disappointed member from East Siang Karate Association, who requested not to be named, said.
However, this long-
Last year, the Arunachal Shito-
Karate, practiced by more than 100 million people around the world, is one of the most popular sports in Arunachal Pradesh. Karate, for the first time, has been included as one of the sports disciplines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Career counseling for UPSC, APCS aspirants held
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: A two days career counseling programme for the UPSC, APCS and other
competitive examinations aspirants from Hong Village was organized by All Hong Employees'
Welfare Association, (AHEWA) Ziro, in collaboration with Delhi based NGO -
In total, 245 aspirants attended the programme.
The key resource persons, including the first IPS Officer from Arunachal Pradesh, Robin Hibu, IGP, Delhi Police, Habung Lampung, CMEO cum EAC, Tame Yajum, EAC and Sanjay Kedia, Personality Consultant cum Corporate Trainer gave tips on method of preparation for general studies, choosing correct optional subjects, methods to score more marks and time management while preparing for the Civil Service Examinations.
During interactive session, the resource persons emphasized on hard work, dedication, persistence and to focus on the aim to achieve success in any competitive examination, as there is no short cut method to achieve success.
Dr Nani Tamang Jose, Joint Registrar, Rajiv Gandhi University, who is also General Secretary, Apatani Career Guidance Forum, advised the participants to be focused on the destination they set.
Elders from Hong village, Dr Hibu Tagyung, engineers Hibu Tama, Tapi Tai, Tilling Taker and Punyo Tangu also spoke on scope of careers in various levels and bottlenecks in progression of careers.
In his address, AHEWA Chairman, engineer Punyo Gambo disclosed future plans of the organisation to promote careers of young aspirants.
CCDFT: Senior FC pound Patw FC 11-
QFs line up complete in Ziro
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Senior FC pounded Patw FC 11-
Tanyang Tada almost single-
The consolation goal for Patw FC was scored by Budhi Habung.
Tanyang won the 'Hero of the Match' title, and deservedly so.
Earlier, Nyime Yaru FC piped Tajung Tana FC 1-
Kime Pakah FC will face Tajung Tana FC in Monday's first match and Ball Tula FC will meet Patw FC in the second match.
In Golden Jubilee Central Dree Football tournament in Ziro, defending champions Sojang
Lapang Sports Club beat High Definition Football Club (HDFC) 2-
Mihin Pullo and Rubu Tachang scored one goal each in 6th and 21st minutes respectively for the winning team.
HDFC also advanced to the last eight on better goal difference.
HDFC entered into the field with a match condition that it must not concede the game
with a margin of 0-
Other quarterfinalists are Hari Sport Club and Laji Bogia Sporting Club from group
'B', Diibo Sports Club and Hello Football Club entered from Group 'C' and All Hija
Sports Association-
Sojang Lapang Sports Club will meet Hello Football Club in first quarterfinal match and the second quarterfinal will be played between Hari Sports Club and Miichi United Football Club on June 20.
The third quarterfinal match will be play between Diibo Sports Club and High Definition
Football Club. All Hija Sports Association-
Over 700 attend healing prog
ITANAGAR, Jun 18: Over 700 people attended the first two-
On the occasion, Rangfra Faith Promotion Society Changlang Secretary, Latsam Khimhun spoke about the philosophy of Rangfraism and other indigenous faiths. He also presented the holy book of Rangfraism "The Great Third Coming of Rangfraism" to the guests.
Parliamentary Secretary Phusum Khimhun also spoke about the mythology of Rangfra, while IFCSAP Secretary General Bai Taba spoke about the importance of indigenous faith and urged for its promotion and preservation.
Among others, MLA Dikto Yekar and Swami Vishwesthananda, Secretary RKM Hospital Itanagar, former ministers Daklo Nidak and Talo Mugli, and many indigenous believers attended the programme.
Plantation drive
BANDERDEWA, Jun 18: The Arunachal Pradesh Christian Revival Church Council and its organisational wings held a plantation drive on Saturday at New Life Bible College Dobam village near Banderdewa
Around 400 saplings were planted on the occasion by the members under the guidance of APCRCC President, Reverend Dr N Tasar and Principal of NLBC Dobam, Evangelist Dr Techi Anand with the message to plant more trees for future generations.
Correction
The name of Tebw Lappa Welfare Society president, Tad Tana was wrongly published as Tada Tana in a news item published in this daily under the headline "Meritorious students recognized" on June 18. The inadvertent error is regretted.
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Give priority to road sector
The government of Arunachal decided to repair the road leading to Rajiv Gandhi University
(RGU) after Students’ Union (RGUSU) in a meeting with the other unions and associations
of the RGU decided to boycott the official admission procedure of the academic session
2017-
Every year thousands of students take admission in RGU with the hope of better future.
It is the duty of state government to extend every possible support to educational
institutes like RGU. The government of Arunachal also needs to urgently repair the
Itanagar-
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