March 20
One dead as heavy snowfall lashes Tawang
[ Nellie N Manpoong ]
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: A Bulgarian national, identified as Maria Dimitrova (25 years) was killed after she was hit by an avalanche while trekking in the hills of RA3, near Sela Pass on Saturday.
Speaking to this daily, Tawang SP, Manoj Kumar Meena informed that Dimitrova was reportedly thrown some 100 metres down the cliff following the avalanche, which caused her death. She was trekking the hills with a New Zealand national Tom Hanchet (27 years), who survived the fall and escaped with minor injuries.
The SP informed that he is looking into the case and Hanchet is making efforts to contact Dimitrova's family.
Meanwhile, the heavy snowfall in Tawang district has been causing several other hindrances. The heavy snowfall for the past few days has disrupted vehicular movement and on Saturday, several vehicles were stranded near Sela Pass. The Indian Army reportedly aided in safe evacuation of at least 127 passengers on the day.
UD Parking Lot remains a non starter
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: There is no sign of the chaotic traffic in Itanagar easing out any time soon; at least not for the next few months, as the 'Parking Lots' located at Bank Tiniali, constructed under the Urban Development Department is far from functional.
The four-
It was speculated that the new building would facilitate in systematizing the haphazard parking in the area and bring civic sense among the people. However, the said parking lot has been facing many technical glitches even before it is outsourced to a third party.
It was reported that there was a stalemate between the contractor and department
even before completion of the building over funding issues. Later, a group of local
daily wage earners -
The administration turned down their demand on the pretext that the said building was constructed only for parking purposes,
and the women's group was evicted by police forces for their illegal occupation of the building and were bought before the district magistrate to assure that such an offence would not be repeated in the future.
The four-
"It has been fully completed and we are now ready to outsource it to a third party," said UD Deputy Director Gyamar Tachung, before going on to add that "The process of outsourcing would be possible only after the end of the financial year, and we will be using three floors, including two basement floors".
Concretising IG Park
Monday Musing
[ Tongam Rina ]
Amidst the maddening chaos of an unplanned town, green IG Park in Itanagar gives some amount of solace.
While the nights see a completely different scene with police having to patrol the
place looking out for some people who do not necessarily conform to the expected
Arunachal societal codes, come dawn, it's a different place all together-
The park is the only place where children can play without parents and teachers having to worry about perpetually angry drivers. It's a place where young ones play football, health freaks, young and old alike go for walks, a place where young musicians busk, a place where one takes refuge when the dust and humdrum of daily life is too much to bear.
It's also a place, where all official programmes are held, where the organizers leave a trail of dirt and plastics, which even the friendly green park, cannot swallow.
After the Statehood celebration, the slope near the main venue is filled with plastics and other dirt while the little stream running through the park continues to be choked and dying a painful slow death.
At the rate the town is expanding from all sides without any respect for nature and laid down rules, in years to come, IG Park is going to be the only safe and green spot where we can spend our leisurely time. But at the rate, its being planned and encroached, perhaps, the park will vanish in a few years.
The citizens started encroachment while the government silently watched. Next thing
we know is government started encroaching by building office premises gloriously
applying the dictum-
Even the few green hectares left are being destroyed in the name of beautification. For the policy makers, beautification means concretising.
In February this year, government had announced that park will witness a massive facelift.
The government statement said that the department of state Environment and Forests, under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA) has chalked out a detailed proposal for landscaping and beautification of the park with all basic amenities.
As per the proposal, fund to the tune of Rs 6 crore from CAMPA was earmarked to upgrade the park.
In few hectares of land, there are hundred plans being made from separate paths for joggers and walkers, children's park, fountains, sitting benches to modern footbridges.
As part of it, railings are being built by digging huge holes just next to the trees on the main park path. The foundations of the railings are concrete, leaving no scope for the roots to spread.
What they did not say was facelift means concretising. IG Park certainly needs no Rs 6 crore worth of botox. Just leave as it is. Spend the money cleaning up the park and making it greener. Rs 6 crore can be spent making another park and not concretising the existing one.
Committee seeks Union Home Ministry's intervention into Higio assault case
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: A delegation of Justice for Higio Gungtey Committee (JFHGC) on Saturday called on Union Ministry of State Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and sought immediate intervention of the Union Home Ministry into the Higio assault case for speedy justice.
Gungtey, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh and is a fourth-
While submitting a seven-
immediate arrest of accused B Hemanth Kumar under IPC 307 (attempt to murder), IPC 153(C) for racial discrimination and IPC 509 for using derogatory words against women.
The Committee further demanded immediate implementation of "Bezbaruah Committee" recommendation.
"It is a clear case of racial attack on North East people in general and Arunachal in particular", the Committee said and threatened to launch a mass protest rally if the Karnataka Government fails to arrest the accused within two days.
Rijiju has assured the delegation that he and his department would look into the case, adding that his ministry is also working to create mass awareness against racial discrimination among the masses, informed Committee Chairman Rikar Dini.
GSU to go ahead with bandh call
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Galo Students' Union (GSU) has decided to go ahead with its
proposed bandh call on March 27 in protest against non-
Earlier, on Friday, all Galo frontal organizations comprising of Galo Welfare Society, Women Wing (GWSWW), Galo Peoples' Front (GPF) and GSU, in a meeting convened by the Galo Welfare Society (GWS) unanimously decided to endorse the proposed 24 hours bandh called by the GSU in all the Galo inhabited areas on March 27.
The decision was taken because of the failure on the part of state government to make Lower Siang district functional till date, the GWS said in a release.
The GWS decided to endorse the democratic movement of the GSU owing to inordinate delay by the government to fulfill the repeated commitment given by the Chief Minister to immediately functionalize the already notified Lower Siang district.
It also said that the GWS will intensify the democratic movement further if the government fails to abide by the cabinet decision to functionalize the district.
Further, Health and Family Welfare Minister Jomde Kena and MLA cum Chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Marketing Board, Kento Rina were also requested to take up the matter seriously with the state government for immediate posting of DC and SP at Likabali, failing which, they should relinquish their respective portfolios on moral grounds, the release added.
On March 16, the GSU had said that if the state government fails to fulfill its demands
within the next 10 days, it would head for a 24-
The students' union, however, welcomed the government's move for sanctioning Science stream at DPGC, Kamki.
Labour board organizes mega health camp
Tawang, Mar 19: Speaking during the mega awareness camp conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board at Zomkhang Hall, Tawang, MLA Tsering Tashi hailed the contribution of the labourers in various fields.
Highlighting the important dimensions of labour welfare, he fondly remembered the contribution of his late father Dorjee Khandu, former CM of Arunachal Pradesh and the efforts made by him to improve the living conditions of workers.
He also highlighted the present government's initiative to take care of their well being, which he said is reflected in the Budget 2017 and includes enhancement of wages of contingency workers, increment of honorarium of Anganwadi workers, enhancement of National Old Age Pension, widow pension, disabled pension etc.
Further, he called upon the participants to avail various benefits like medical assistance, housing loan, death benefits etc being extended by the Board.
Tawang Deputy Commissioner Sang Phuntsok also requested the construction workers and labourers, including those in the unorganised sector to get registered under the Board.
Welfare kits consisting of LED TVs, blankets, solar lamps and gumboots were also distributed.
Zilla Parishad Chairperson Jambey Tsering also spoke on the occasion. The programme was attended by Labour & Employment Officer Dani Rikang, Registering Officer Phurpa Tsering, President AAPLU, AAPWU, BRO Labour Union Tawang and labourers from the entire district. (DIPRO)
Hillang Ruth and Mudang Omo win Run for Consumer Awareness marathon
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: Hillang Ruth and Mudang Omo were crowned champions of Itanagar
Mini Marathon-
The mini marathon that started from IG Park here culminated at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Naharlagun.
Yabang Tali and Nabam Yakar grabbed the second and third position in the women's category while Bamo Tannang and Karbu Kena won the men's second and third positions.
With the win where Ruth and Omo walked away with cash prize of Rs 30,000 along with certificates, the ones who came in the second and third positions were awarded Rs 20,000 and 15,000 respectively along with certificates.
The consolation prize winners which included Dare Rungchi, Soni Nalo, Yaro Maying, Rupa Bayor and Muni Leya in women's category and Bomjo Kena, Tarh Tame, Rakesh Jomyang, Anondo Menjo and Gallo Joseph in men's category took home certificates and Rs 5000 each.
Earlier while flagging off the marathon, Capital DC in-
He said that every consumer should know and have access to its rights by knowing actual price of every commodity, adding that such awareness programmes would check menace of corruption and price rise.
Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs Controller Hoktum Ori informed that the purpose of organizing the mini marathon was to create awareness among the consumers.
He further asserted that the department would very soon create Consumer Care Centre in various places of the state.
Terming the participants as messenger of the consumers, Ori called upon them to spread the awareness messages among the society.
More than 500 people participated in the mini marathon.
Govt declares one-
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Arunachal Pradesh Government has declared one-
The government has announced that the national flag will be flown at half mast during the period of state mourning throughout Arunachal Pradesh and state government offices as a mark of respect to the departed leader, according to a government notification.
Meanwhile, the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) deeply mourned the untimely demise of Tazap. Expressing profound grief and sorrow over his sudden demise, the NES in a condolence message said that Tazap's death is a great loss to the Nyishi community in particular and the state as whole.
Tazap played a vital role in the creation of Papum Pare district, bifurcating Lower Subansiri district in 1992. During his tenure as an MLA, several infrastructure development, educational institutions, road connectivity,
administrative and health centers were established in Doimukh Assembly Constituency. An active social, he has contributed immensely to uplift the downtrodden people, which would always be remembered, the condolence message said.
The NES prayed to the almighty to rest his departed soul in eternal peace and also to give courage and strength to the bereaved family to withstand the tragedy.
Students protest grant of bail to alleged rapist
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The All Mishmi Students Union and All Anjaw District Students Union of Anjaw and Lohit have expressed their displeasure over the bail granted to an alleged rapist by the Circle Officer of Hayuliang.
On Friday last, a peaceful rally was organised by the unions in Lohit and Anjaw protesting the grant of bail to the alleged accused.
The unions demanded stringent punishment of the culprit under appropriate section(s) of the law and to give justice to the victim's family.
Hepatitis-
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Mar 19: A total of 287 villagers were given vaccination against Hepatitis-
Reportedly, one patient detected with Hepatitis-
The programme was conducted mainly for the weaker section of the society, who cannot afford the expensive checkups and vaccines, said programme coordinator Dr S K Sinha.
The remaining two doses of the vaccine will be administered in the next two months at Ruksin FRU, informed the organizer.
The camp was conducted under the supervision of Dr K Jonnom and assisted by 23 medical staff, including laboratory technicians, nurses and ASHAs. At least 25 student volunteers from JNC were also actively engaged in the programme.
Principal of JNC, Dr T Talom, Assistant Professor Enuk Libang and College Student Union Assistant Secretary Tel Tayeng attended the programme.
The camp was organized by the college under the UGC sponsored community welfare programme.
Khandu attends swearing-
LUCKNOW, Mar 19: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu attended the swearing-
Khandu shared the attendance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP Party President
Amit Shah. Khandu had left for the national capital on Saturday from where he air-
The CM hoped that the new team in Uttar Pradesh would excel in every given field and live up to the people's mandate.
Also, he congratulated Trivendra Singh Rawat for being sworn-
Vocational training programme for rural women ends
[ Maksam Tayeng ]
PASIGHAT, Mar 19: A two-
Resource persons, including Dr R C Shakywar, Dr N G Pillo, Dr K Momin and Inty Ering
imparted training on fruit preservation, flower dehydration, mushroom cultivation
and preservation, candle making, etc to the 50-
Coordination cum review meeting of AWs
BALIJAN, Mar 19: Balijan ICDS Project conducted its project level coordination and review meeting of Anganwadi workers at Balijan on March 17.
Anganwadi workers from various centres of the project attended and gave presentation of activities carried out at their respective AWCs.
Attending the meeting, ICDS functionaries of the projects and PRI members of Balijan CD Block also advised Anganwadi workers to discharge their assigned duties with utmost sincerity and responsibility.
Balijan EAC Mindo Loyi urged the participating AWs to be dedicated towards their duties and responsibilities as frontline workers.
CDPO In-
EAC refutes allegations
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Extra Assistant Commissioner in-
In a press statement, the EAC in-
"There is a proper procedure to address any issue", the EAC added.
He went on to state that there are Panchayat leaders in Mengio and Silsango circles
to look after the welfare of people by highlighting any discrepancy in works or
non-
APPMU extends support to APMU bandh
[ Pisi Zauing ]
NAHARLAGUN, Mar 19: Arunachal Pradesh Petroleum Mazdoor Union under the chairmanship of president Gollo Yapung Tana has decided to support the indefinite strike starting March 20 called by the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union demanding payment of minimal wages and PF among others. The APMU has been requesting the managements of Assam for payment to mazdoors by deducting from the employer's bill if need be. Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union will continue their strike till demands are met.
Arunachal Pradesh Petroleum Mazdoor Union decided to support the bandh as problems faced by mazdoors of Arunachal working in Oil Depots and Gas Agencies are similar.
House gutted in Sagalee
SAGALEE, Mar19: An SPT building of one Nabam Pekhi of Nimte village, under Sagalee ADC headquarters was gutted down in a fire accident that broke out on Saturday, informed ADC Jalash Pertin in a release here this evening. The house was reportedly burnt to the ground, and no belongings could be retrieved from the building. The fire mishap is suspected to be caused by a short circuit.
The ADC Sagalee has inspected the site and requested the authority to provide immediate relief.
6-
NIRJULI, Mar 19: The six days on-
At least 29 beneficiaries from Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, West Kameng and Tawang districts attended the EDP training, which was sponsored by Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the MoMSME, GoI, New Delhi.
Certificates to all the 29 trainees were distributed in a valedictory function on the concluding day.
APRB-
Gram Sabha approves schemes
ITANAGAR, Mar 19: The Gram Sabha of 11 -
The meeting approved for flood protection work at Rono Nallah, construction of drain
from market area to fish pond, Gram Sabha Panchayat office and water supply for Rono
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Attending the Gram Sabha, Special Secretary (RD&PR) Nyali Ete emphasized on the need for an intensive planning exercise under MVMDP to realise the gram swaraj dream of Mahatma Gandhi.
He exhorted everyone to participate in the process for a developed gram panchayat.
Papum Pare District Panchayat Development Officer, Toko Babu also insisted upon proper planning as per guideline and timely updating of plan in plan plus for release of further installment of the 14th FC grants.
Doimukh BDO, Nibya Taya also spoke on the occasion.
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All rights reserved.
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Reward for spreading hatred
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which won massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh has decided to appoint controversial religious leader turned politician Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister of the state. Mr Adityanath who was sworn in on Sunday has several pending cases against him including that of attempt to murder, rioting etc. Though party won election on development agenda but appointment of controversial leader as CM sends out a wrong message. There will be voices who will urge the nation to give Adityanath a chance. They will cite familiar arguments, such as power having a moderating influence on its wielder. People will be reminded about the Union Minister Uma Bharti, who in her more exuberant days between 1989 and 1993, breathed fire, became Madhya Pradesh chief minister ten years later, was ejected from power, and is now a shadow of her fiery self.
But today’s India is not of the 1980s and 1990s, when Hindutva was slowly on the rise. Today, it is increasingly India’s dominant ideology. Adityanath is its most vituperative, bellicose articulator. He might still change but his appointment is a signal to all that his rise is a reward for the heat of hatred that has been generated by his rhetoric and actions. His appointment also suggests that the BJP is wary of waging the battle of 2019 on the plank of development. Party obviously feels that it cannot ride its economic performance to victory. It must surf the tide of communal polarisation under the leadership of Adityanath to ensure it wins the largest chunk possible of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha seats.
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Letter to APPSC
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, we would like to pen down an open letter to the Chairman APPSC. With the news of appointment of Tajom Taloh as the chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission in December 2016, the unemployed youth of the state and job aspirants were overjoyed, as he being a person of clean image and integrity beyond doubt, it was expected that he would bring back the old lost glory of the commission.
Further with the cabinet decision of all recruitments to be conducted through the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, it was expected the nepotism and money power in recruitment process would come to a standstill.
However, with the announcement of the final result of the Arunachal Pradesh Engineering
Service(AE/Civil 2016-
1. The commission called 102 candidates in the ratio 1:3 to fill up 34 vacant A.E. civil post in the viva interview. But, after viva they declared the result of only 30 post (i.e. 29 post for APST+1 Post for physically challenged). When we enquired about remaining four post, they told that the remaining four seat was for PwD(Person With Disability), as no PwD candidates qualified the written exam, the remaining four post will be carried forward for PwD candidates in the next exam. Our question is why did they absorb other candidates in place of PwD candidates in earlier recruitments and why did they altered this time?? If that is the case they should recall earlier candidates who were absorbed in place of PwD in earlier recruitments; OR they should declare the remaining four posts as per earlier norms like in 2014.
2. If they had to appoint only 30 candidates (i.e. 29 post for APST+1 Post for physically challenged) they should have called 87(29X3) candidates plus 1 PwD i.e total 88 candidates for viva, why excess 14 candidates were called for viva?
3. Some brilliant candidates have been selected, whose talent is beyond doubt and no one have the right to question their credential. However, there are some candidates in the selected list who were not bright during their school and college life. Now our question is, if such candidate has changed drastically and performed well in the exam that too in their first attempt, then they are pure genius and every technical student should pray them daily and treat them as their GOD. But it is any technical students’ guess that changing drastically without the basic concept is not anyone’s cup of tea. So are they pure genius or Arunachalee Ruby Rais?
4. Some candidate filed RTI and IPOs on 10.03.2017 for merit list of 102 viva qualified candidates and individual marks. But even after a week, the commission is yet to give a reply. Now if they can declare result of viva voce within two hours of completing the viva i.e they had already prepared merit list of 102 candidates, why they are taking too long to give the merit list of all 102 candidates.
5. With due regards to the Incumbent Chairman, APPSC, whose integrity is beyond doubt, we request him to introspect this whole recruitment process. The written examinations were conducted before his appointment and like earlier history of paper leakage during APCS exams, this time also it cannot be ruled out since come selected candidates’ credential are really doubtful.
Yours,
Some candidates
who did not qualify
Harsh analogy
Dear Editor,
While I am big fan of the writings of Madam Tongam Rina’s column of the ‘Ringside View’ of the Arunachal Times, especially on her crusade against corruptions and other evils eating our State by the corrupt Politicians and their powerful Government Servants and their Corporate World, her views on a highly sanctified Constitutional Body such as the Arunachal Pradesh Service Commission as being a Lesser Evil than the Government Department is bit too harsh and sweeping generalization. Although Tongam is entitled to take any view on anything, but the analogy drawn between APPSC and the Government Department is bit too incomparable. As we all know, the one man Magisterial enquiry followed by an investigation by SIT has proven nothing against any member of the Honourable Commission, therefore, to say or level the Commission as a lesser evil is bit hurting not only to the moral of the thousands of educated unemployed Youths who look up to the Commission as the last hope for free and fair recruitment but also for the newly appointed team of Chairman and the Members who have nothing to do with the alleged clerical errors committed by the lower rungs of the Commission.
We must also bear in mind that our APPSC has done a laudable job in the past and our APCS Officials, many of whom are now nominated IAS and placed as Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors and Deputy Commissioner are because of the Arunachal Public Service Commission’s endeavour of selecting the best and the most meritorious.
I further appeal the media to go after the SIT and the Government for early disclosure of their findings in the much alleged Question Paper Leakage Episode and action taken thereof by the Government.
Yours,
Mizum Lollen
Naharlagun
Let APPSC conduct exam
Dear Editor,
Through your esteem column, I would like to draw your attention towards another departmental recruitment of Group A, B and C posts under Department of Agriculture, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.
Since the state cabinet has already decided to let the APPSC conduct the Group A, B and C recruitment, the department is not following the directives of Govt.
So my appeal goes to department and chief Secretary to let the APPSC conduct the exam through written tests, not by walk in interview for the sake of transparency and wellbeing of student community.
Yours,
Taa Yaa,
Itanagar
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