The Arunachal Times - Archives

Arunachal Pradesh Education Bill passed

SSA under fire from legislators

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The second day of the third legislative assembly saw passing of five bills. Those are Arunachal Pradesh Education Bill, Arunachal Pradesh Colleges and Other Institutions of Higher Education (establishment and regulation), Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Technical Education Bill, Arunachal Pradesh Goods Tax (Amendment) Bill and Arunachal Pradesh Entry Tax Bills.

The day, however was dominated by discussion on Arunachal Pradesh Education Bill which the members passed by a voice vote. Cutting across party lines, the members took part in the discussion and gave their recommendations even as the discussion at times went out of track as many members instead of discussion the pros and cons of the bills expressed their displeasure at education scenario in the state. Lack of quality education, reluctance of teachers to teach in interior places, uncompetitive recruitment and gap in urban-rural posting of teachers were the main grudges of the speakers.

The day also saw severe criticism of functioning of Sarva Shiskha Abhiyan in the state. Even the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu rued the poor delivery of SSA in the state and said that educational quality had further gone down after the implementation of SSA. Responding to legislators demands, the Chief Minister said that government will put efforts to build teacher quarters at all rural areas. He further called for promotion of teachers on merit after conduct of in-service exams.

Education Minister who had earlier held meetings with representatives of the NGOs, legislators and officers of the department said that suggestions would be incorporated in the Subordinate Legislation. He further said that his department would work towards improving the literacy rate and revamp the whole education scenario in the state.

Many speakers including Tamiyo Taga, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Alo Libang, Nabam Rebia, Laeta Umbrey called for continuation of Central Board of School Education to ensure quality education. Setting up of State Education Board is one of the clauses of the AP Education Act.

Ralom Borang called for regulating teacher-students ratio and need of playgrounds in all schools of the state while Tamiyo Taga questioned the lack of accountability by teachers and recruitment policy while Wangki Lowang called for clear cut government policy on postings.

Jomin Tayeng while calling for compulsory training of teachers said that DIETs in the state are not equipped to train teachers. He further called for creation of engineering wing in the Education department

Tapen Siga questioned the disproportionate rural-urban ratio of teachers while Posum Khimhun called for improving the existing schools instead of opening new ones. Tani Loffa, Dr Tangor Tapak, Takam Tagar Markio Tado called for quality education in the state and upgrading the standard of interviews for selection of teachers to ensure quality teaching.

Almost all the speakers stressed on improvement of elementary school education.

CT Scan: Believe it or not, a C T Scan Machine purchased way back in 2004-05 at a whopping Rs 1,24,95,000 have not been put to service. The machine meant for Roing District Hospital is yet to be installed! The machine supplied by M/S Erbis Engineering Co Ltd, Kolkata is still with them as there was some damage at the time of transit. These revelations were made by Health Minister Tanga Byaling while responding to a question from MLA Jomin Tayeng. The Minister further said that installation could not be carried out because the CT scan room lacked the specifications as required by the engineers. He informed that room is ready and correspondences are being made for installation. Better late than never!

Organic Policy: A taskforce has been constituted under the Chief Minister to monitor the progress of finalizing the policy frame work and decide upon the plan of action to translate the state organic farming policy into action. This was in response to a query by Tamiyo Taga. The state is yet to be declared an organic state. Private member resolution : MLA Punji Mara withdrew his resolution after the CM said that due to financial constraint the state government will not afford to enhance MLALAD fund from Rs 70 lakhs to 150 lakhs per annum.

Heard today:

Wangki Lowang: Those people who don’t want to go to rural schools citing medical grounds should be discharged from their duties on medical ground.

Laeta Umbrey: Those unfit for other jobs pick up teaching jobs in schools.

Umbrey: In my district during visits to Government English Medium Schools, all meetings with teachers were conducted in Hindi because these teachers can’t speak English.

Nabum Rebia: The CGI sheets in Schools are so thin. It makes one wonder.

Bosiram Siram, responding to Rebia: Since I took over the department, we have not procured any CGI sheets!

Siram: Education department cannot be transit department.

No additional burden for traders: Pul

NAHARALGUN, Mar 19: The Arunachal Pradesh Goods Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and Arunachal Pradesh Entry Tax Bill, 2010 which was passed today will be compensatory by nature but will not impose any additional burden on the traders, said Tax & Excise Minister Kalikho Pul, today.

Prior to 2003 there was no tax and the state was earning a meager Rs 2 to 3 croroe from excise duty, Pul said adding the Sales Tax was introduced in 2003-04 that had yielded a revenue of Rs 28.24 crore. However, the introduction of VAT in 2005-06 enriched the coffer by Rs 26.09 crore while in 2007-08 the introduction of TDS had increased the tax revenue to Rs 122.48 crore during the last fiscal, Pul said.

With this amendment, TDS will be charged only on taxable components, like cement, rods etc, while the labour cost, consultation fee, contingency charges and other miscellaneous expenditure have been excluded from taxation. This is in the interest of the contractors and traders, he said.

He said the other amendment on industrial policy aimed at providing 99% VAT/entry tax exemption to eligible industrial unit under section 7.1 to encourage local entrepreneurs as well as outside investors for speedy industrialization.

The third amendment aimed at giving tax waiver of 25% on interest and 50% on penalty amount to industrial units, particularly petrol depot owners subject to payment of 100% outstanding principal amount. This would give relief to our people and help earn more revenue, he said.

While tax exemption was given to life saving drugs and articles and food products for students earlier, time tax on tobacco will be 20% with the objective of earning more and discouraging their consumption. Arunachal has only single tax - VAT, while the TDS is to check flying traders and government contractors. The VAT and TDS is adjusted during the final VAT payment, he clarified, adding the bills would bring in reforms to check tax evasion and revenue leakage by installing CCTV camera and installing electronic weigh bridges at all entry gates and introducing e-payment of tax, e-filing of return and registration of dealers through internet.

Anti-Dam committee welcome environment clearance for Demwe lower hydro project

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Anti-Dam Committee of Lohit – Anjaw District (ADCLAD) has welcomed the ‘Environmental Clearance’ for the Demwe Lower HEP (1750MW) on Feb 12 by the union environment and forest ministry.

The committee general secretary Suraj Tayang said the committee had earlier opposed the project, which is proposed to be executed on the Lohit Valley. The committee raised apprehensions with the authorities concerned considering the proximity of the proposed dam with the holy Parsuram Kund and inadequate downstream impact study beyond 10 KMs, and other adverse impact of the project, he said.

“Eventually the project proponent had agreed to adopt appropriate problems measures to mitigate them and Ministry of Environment and Forests had acknowledged our grievance by directing the project proponent to enhance the financial allocation for the protection and development of the Parasuram Kund from 2 crores to 10 crores”, the general secretary further added.

Tayang further informed that Environmental clearance also mentioned a separate downstream impact study (beyond 10 Km) area from the dam site along the river course covering area up to the confluence of major tributaries of river Lohit, i.e. Noa-Dihing which will be carried out in a time-bound manner at the cost of the developer.

However, Committee will act as the watchdog to ensure that the terms and conditions incorporated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), viz. Compensatory Afforestation, Treatment of the catchments area and command areas to preserve bio-diversity, Environmental Management Plan, development of the Parasuram Kund etc. are not violated. We’ll ensure that the provisions of the state’s Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy – 2008 are honoured and the project affected families are compensated adequately for their lands, he said.

However, the committee general secretary informed that their anti-Dam movement in the up-streams of the Lohit river will continue, where the proposed dams are likely to submerge several villages and displace the local population at large.

Waii visits SFRI, Poma; foresees state’s future in bamboo based industry

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Parliamentary secretary Environment and Forest, Kumar Waii has visited the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), A.P. Forest Corporation Ltd and Bamboo Processing Centre at Poma in order to review the activities being undertaken by these agencies and assess the feasibility for making the SFRI the premiere institute in the north east.

Waii was accompanied by B.S. Sajwan, PCCF & Principal Secretary (Environment & Forests) during his visit.

During his visit to the SFRI, SFRI director G N Sinha through power point presentation highlighted the activities and prospects of SFRI in the areas of forestry projects, Medicinal Plants Board, Biodiversity Board and National Bamboo Mission.

He also spoke about UNDP funded project and mainstreaming medicinal and aromatic plants currently being implemented by the State Medicinal Plant Board.

Mrs. Hanspriya Bhardwaj through a PowerPoint presentation highlighted the final aspects of the UNDP funded project.

B.S. Sajwan lauded the efforts of SFRI and expressed the desire that full potential of SFRI should be explored so that meaningful forestry practices may be demonstrated to the farmers for conservation of our natural resources.

Kumar Waii expressed his happiness over the activities of SFRI and expressed his desire that SFRI should concentrate on creating awareness and capacity building of the local farmers. He interacted with G.N. Sinha, Mission Director, National Bamboo Mission, Arunachal Pradesh during the course of PowerPoint presentation and suggested that there is need for bamboo based industrial enterprises to be established in the state.

During his visit to the APFC Ltd along with PCC, Sinha, Managing Director of APFC highlighted the current status of the Corporation and future prospects through power point presentation.

Kumar Waii stressed upon the necessity to undertake rubber plantations in ecologically suitable areas. He also laid emphasis on establishing bamboo based industrial enterprises and other activities like tea factory and mineral water paints etc.

During the visit to the Poma Bamboo Processing Centre, Kumar Waii expressed his happiness to see the activities of the Centre and stated that this model should be replicated at other places in Arunachal Pradesh.

Mrs. Techi Anna, Chairperson, Poma Village Development Society in her address informed that local craftsmen are being continuously trained by A.P. Forest Corporation Ltd. and they have also been sent to other state for exposure visit.

Kumar Wall in his address expressed his happiness on the Poma Project and expressed satisfaction seeing the women folk working in the production of bamboo based utilities and bamboo handicrafts. Parliamentary Secretary has donated Rs.20,000 to Poma Village Development Society as a token of appreciation and enhance activities in Bamboo Processing Centre at Poma, according to an official release.

AAPSU finds supporter in ASUD

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Arunachal Student’s Union Delhi (ASUD) has extended support to AAPSU demand for renaming Rajiv Gandhi University as Arunachal University. ASUD felt naming of RGU as Arunachal University will convey good message about state to the outside world.

Meanwhile ASUD has requested state civil service commission to extend APPSCC mains exam as it clashes with various exams of Delhi based students.

Subsidiary airport projects will enhance tourism prospect in state

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command Air Marshal K K Nohwar called on state Governor Gen J J Singh at Raj Bhavan here yesterday.

Interacting with Nohwar on the eight advance landing grounds (ALG), which were handed over to Defence, Governor called for completion of the works within a time frame. These subsidiary airports, once completed, will not only help in transportation of essential commodities to those interior areas but also help in exploiting the huge tourism potentials of Arunachal Pradesh, the governor said.

When tourism picks up, whole world will descend here. Therefore, I will be keeping a close watch on all the projects, he added.

‘Your projects in Arunachal Pradesh should help in the development of the difficult and interior areas of this Frontier State. It should generate jobs for the local population and as always help in their economy. Your projects should be a ‘Force Multiplier,’ said the governor.

Gen Singh also suggested that Indian Air Force adopt some schools or primary health centres in the project sites. You have to instill the feeling amongst denizens that you are their armed forces, he added.

Air Marshal Nohwar, who left for Ziro in the morning in his onward tour of the State, gave the latest and details of the projects. He also apprised of some problems in the implementation of the projects. PRO to Governor

19th AR apprehends NSCN (K) Laju town commander

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: In yet another major breakthrough, 19 Assam Rifles apprehended Self Styled Sergeant Major Jenlong Wangbia, the Laju Town Commander of NSCN (K).

He was caught after 19 Assam Rifles launched a search operation in Laju area on March 16 after reports of massive extortion activities by cadres of NSCN (K).

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the town commander of NSCN (K) and admitted his involvement in extortion, issuing threats to locals and recruitment of locals youths in NSCN (K). Self Styled Sergeant Major Jenlong Wangbia was actively involved in the inter-factional clashes between NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) last year. Thorough search of the apprehended cadre led to recovery of one extortion letter of NSCN (K) and approximately 150 grams of Opium.

Traders down their shutters

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Markets of Capital region were closed today after the ultimatum to the government to book the killers of trader Rajendra Chaudhury failed to yield any results. The trader, who hailed from Rajasthan, was killed on Tuesday by four masked gunmen inside his Lagun Hardware Shop in Naharlagun.

The traders had given time till yesterday to book the culprits behind the murder. While the Police maintain that it is working on the case, the Chief Minister had also assured that state government would leave no stone unturned to book the culprits involved.

However that assurance failed to restore confidence among the traders as they choose to down their shutters today. This was the third time market was closed after the death of the trader.

The shutter down was complete in Itanagar and Naharlagun. Even the Pharmacies were closed during the initial hours of the day.

In the last two months, there have been instances of robberies and attempted robberies in the Capital region but the murder of a fellow trader prompted the traders to shut their shutters.

Meanwhile, Kishore Singh, a trader in Mebo in East Siang is reported missing. He allegedly was picked up from his Shop by two people today and reportedly taken away in a car. The Police said that it’s working on the case but was tightlipped when asked for details.

AAPSU not happy with SSA explanation, reiterates enquiry

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union AAPSU has said that it is not at all satisfied with explanations provided by State Project Director, SSA Rajya Mission on alleged mismanagement of funds. Rubbishing it as round-about explanation, with no meaning, the Union reiterated the demand for immediate suspension of all officials involved till enquiry is completed. It also called for shifting out of officials in Finance and Accounts department who have been holding their posts in gross violations of Ministry of Human Resource Development guidelines.

On Alleged misappropriation of Rs.4.33 Crores from KGBV/SSA accounts, Union said that State Project Director should furnish communication letters between SSA Rajya Mission and MHRD. “Merely sharing the details of ‘ping-pong’ game would not help. SSA must furnish the signed, certified true copy of the revised Balance Sheets of SSA Rajya Mission and KGBV. Additionally, SSA must furnish the revised audit report, based on rectified financial statement too” it said.

Rejecting the clarification on Violation of accounting norms while closing the balance sheet for fiscal 2006-07, Union asked Why did the authorities sign the balance sheet under their seal when difference between ‘Assets’ & ‘Liabilities’ were not Rs 35 or Rs 35000 or Rs 35 lacs but Rs 35 CRORES!

On the role of Auditor on items related to procurement amounting to Rs.84 lacs by Teledata Informatics Ltd, the Union asked “When M/s Teledata Informatics Ltd does not figure in neither in the financial statement nor in the books of Accounts, how could SSA pay Rs 84.0 lacs? Or else, who was paid Rs 84 lacs? Why has SSA Rajya Mission employed, in their version, an incompetent Audit firm who provides opinion without material records? Why has Auditor certified ‘certificate of Procurement Audit’ and why has Teledata Informatics Limited’s contract was terminated on the basis of very same audit report. SSA Rajya Mission must come clean on the name of the owner of this firm too, it said

On CGI sheets procured at Rs.1000/- higher than market price, AAPSU wanted to know why payment was released to the supplier despite request from couple of district headquarters’ not to release the payment in purview of violations of standards.

Allegation, clarification and counter allegation continues.

District level training on census and NPR

BOMDILA, Mar 19: The personnel of the Census Operation Shillong today conducted a district Level Training on Houselisting and Housing Census as well as National Population Register at Bomdila.

Underscoring the need for an error-free compilation based on the ground factors, Deputy Commissioner Swati Sharma reiterated that the entire planning process depends on the datas collected and compiled in the process. The Supervisors and particularly the Enumerators need to take up the job with all sincerity, she said.

Conducting the training on HHC and NPR, the Deputy Director of census operation Shillong, Bharati Chanda called for having a clear understanding of the basic concepts for a free, fair and genuine enumeration.

Making a detail power point presentation, she dealt at length on the various aspects of the census. Definition, objective, Usages, Time line, Census Hierarchy, Training Cascade, Historical Background, Legal Provisions, duties of enumerators and supervisors etc were among the many topics taken up during the training programme.

Earlier, Capt. Gagandeep of the Maratha Light Infantary of 5-Mtn Division made a detail presentation on the Arunachal Scouts Recruitment which would be operational in the coming financial year and called for wide publicity and awareness generation on this account from the side of the civil administration.

The day long training on the Houselisting & Housing Census and National Population Register was attended by all the Administrative Officers of the district with representatives from the Army, Border Roads Organization and SSB. DIPRO

Extortionist arrested

PASIGHAT, Mar 19: Ruksin police team led by OC O. Paron Ruksin Police Station and C. Joseph (ASI) arrested Santosh Kr Sah, resident of Bihar and presently staying in Durga Tinali, Jonai of Dhemaji district Assam while he attempts to extort money from a businessman of Ruksin Market, East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh recently.

The police sources informed that for last one week the businessman had been receiving SMS and repeated threatening calls on his mobile from Sah demanding an amount of Rs 1 lakh.

After receiving complain from the Businessman at Police station Ruksin, Paron and Joseph (ASI) after pain staking efforts by developing criminal intelligence and taking help of technical surveillance arrested Santosh.

During police interrogation, Sah has confessed his crime and the SIM card used by him for making extortion calls has also been recovered from his possession.

Meanwhile, the traders’ community of Ruksin market, general public appreciated the immediate action of Ruksin Police Station, while SSP D.C.Srivastava congratulated the police officers for their success. DIPRO

Villagers allege trespassing, looting in their vegetable gardens

Correspondent

ROING, Mar 19: The residents of Mayu and Bomb Godown located in the adjoining township have expressed irked over the perpetual practices of illegally plundering of bamboos, logs, leaves, firewood and vegetables etc from the garden cultivated by the residents of Police Colony.

In a complaint letter to the DC & SP, the villagers alleged that the ‘Man in khaki’ from Police Colony have been indulging in unlawful practices by entering the villager’s kitchen garden and looting materials. Despite regular cautioning they paid least respond to their words and still continues the practices, the letter added.

Narrating the incident, one villager complained that when he came across one policeman at the site he accused him for illegally trespassing the garden, instead of accepting the fault committed by him he reacted and escaped saying ‘Hum Police ka Admi hai’. “This sort of statement shows the nerve of police personnel involving in this kind of unlawful activities under the pretext of the word ‘police’ to gets cheap shield which is unfortunate”, rues the villager.

Mentioning these practices as nuisance, villager lodged a complaint to the law enforcing agencies to look into the matter as urgent to avoid conflict that will be looming in the near future.

East Kameng ZPMs pass resolution

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) of the East Kameng district unanimously decided to urge upon the Govt not to consider any schemes under any head in the rural areas without the consent of ZPMs of the concerned area. The decision was taken as one of the 10 resolutions in a meeting of the ZPMs on Mar 15 last in view of the failure of schemes undertaken by many departments in the rural areas.

The meeting also resolved that state Govt should consider the schemes passed by the ZPMs in the district planning board meeting on priority, the departments concerned should not release payment of works without quality certificates to be issued by ZPMs of the concerned areas. While urging the Govt to transfer the IAY schemes to Zilla Parishad for implementation, the meeting also resolved that appropriate action be recommended as per rule against the officer who refuse to perform PRI related works.

Skill development prog on cane and bamboo

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The 35 days skill development training programme on cane and bamboo conducted by the National Youth Project of Arunachal Pradesh at Maryiang on Mar 18 last. The programme sponsored by NABARD, Itanagar started on Feb 10 at Damroh village.

25 trainees were trained on selected master crafts under the guidance of Bamkang Borang of Maryiang. The successfull trainees were awarded certificates and honorium and the best artisans were enlisted with the National Youth Project for the marketing of the products in all parts of India.

The concluding function was attended by gaon burahs, ASM and public leaders and appreciated the NABARD and NYC for conducting such beneficial programme in remote area.

Mopin festival

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Parliamentary secretary, cooperation, health and family welfare cum MLA Nido Pavitra and Pakde Uli, ZPM of Gussar circle, Upper Subansiri district have consented to be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively during the Mopin celebration at Daporijo General Ground on April 6 next.

NMK School celebrates Annual Day

Correspondent

ROING, Mar 19: The school fraternity of the Nani Maria Kindergarten School, including the little children, teachers and staffs celebrated the Annual Day of the school in a befitting manner here yesterday at the Cheta-II village.

The parents, guest invitees and villagers were fascinated by the performance of the little kids who displayed mixed cultural ethos of being Indian to befit the celebration. Clad in modern and traditional outfits, the tots well showcased the rich culture of the state.

The students were also felicitated for their best academic performance and were also awarded for the feat in literary activities. The best parent was also felicitated on the occasion.

The chief guest of the celebration Muchu Mithi, who is also Proprietor MM Hyundai and MM Project expressed his fascination toward the performance of the student, advised them to respect the elders and to be sincere and hard working in study.

Desia Linggi, proprietor presented the annual report of the school and lauded cooperation of all.

There are 104 students in the school in which 76 are boarders right from Nursery to Class-II standard, school sources said.

ITPB conducts free medical camp

ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Altogether 128 patients including 37 female and 44 children of Ganga village and its surrounding areas were examined and treated in a free medical camp organized by the ITBP force, Sector HQ Itanagar under Civic Action Programme at Ganga village here yesterday.

A team of doctors who conducted the camp included Dr A.C.P. Tripathi, CMO (S.G.) and Medical Staff of Sector Hospital. Tripathi, also delivered lecture on HIV/AIDS to the villagers and students.

The Ganga village was adopted by ITBP as a ‘model village’.

It had earlier donated five sets of computers along with accessories, one TV, DVD player and water purifier (RO System). School books, Stationery items and Yoga mats were also provided to Govt. S.S. School, Ganga last year. In addition, a community hall and two rain shelters for villagers had also been constructed in Ganga village. The villagers highly appreciated the good work done by ITBP.

2 houses gutted in fire

PASIGHAT, Mar 19: Two private houses were completely gutted down in a fire accident at Jarku village, Pasighat on Mar 17 morning at around 3 am.

The DC O Panyang along with SSP D.C. Srivastava, DIPRO and DRRO rushed the spot immediately. The DC Panyang sanctioned Rs. 2000 each as immediate relief to the fire victims. Meanwhile, Education Minister in a message expressed shock over the incident and informed that concerned departments have been directed to extend all possible helps to the victims. DIPRO

E-Recruitment in Police Dept.

ITANAGAR: For the first time in the history of information technology in Arunachal Pradesh, the state police department introduced e-recruitment with latest know-how for transparent and merit based recruitment in police force.

It helps the department to make transparent the recruitment system with the key-features of the e-recruitment including the videographer of all events of recruitment process -- physical, written, answer script evaluation and interview, objective test using Optical Mark Recognition(OMR) technology, randomized coding (using software) of answer script for impartial and fair evaluation of subject paper and then decoding for preparation of marksheet and IT bio-metric finger print for verification during all stages of recruitment process, among others features, according to an official release.