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May 22

City police deports 60 ILP defaulters

ITANAGAR, May 21: City Police today held a total of 60 persons from Capital Complex for not possessing Inner Line Permit (ILP). All the defaulting persons were produced before the local court before they were deported through Banderdewa check gate, informed city SP Seju P. Kurruvilla.

 

Water supply disrupted

ITANAGAR, May 21: Drinking water supply here and adjoining areas has been disrupted again following damage caused to 450mm dia main supply line connecting Poma water treatment plant (WTP) due to landslide triggered by heavy rain last night. Repairing work has been started after assessing the damage.

But incessant rain is hampering the restoration work, the EE, PHED, said in a release.

While informing that it could take two to three days to fully restore water supply, the EE appealed to the consumers to bear with the inconvenience caused to them.

 

RS poll on June 19

ITANAGAR, May 21: Election for lone Rajya Sabha seat in Arunachal Pradesh will be held on June 19 next.

While the notification will be issued on June two, the last date of filing of nomination paper will be June nine. The candidates can withdraw their nominations if needed by June 12.  The tenure of the Rajya Sabha member in the state will expire on May 26.

 

Meeting on Govt land encroachment held

ITANAGAR, May 21: A high-level meeting was held on May 7 last under the chairmanship of chief secretary regarding encroachment of government land/accommodation by government servants.

After threadbare discussion, preparation of detailed list of encroachers, no loan to be granted to any individual without NOC for non-encroachment of Govt. land/accommodation by them, detailed list of officers against whom SIC has charge-sheeted and help line number to be installed in the office of CEO for information and prevention of unauthorized construction were decided among others.

 

CMPVY beneficiaries selected

ITANAGAR, May 21: A total of 11 beneficiaries under Chief Minister's Paryatan Vikas Yojna (CMPVY) in Longding district have been selected through draw of lottery by a Board of Members under the chairmanship of Longding ADC G Singpho today.

 

DPGC  re-accredited as 'B' grade college

ITANAGAR, May 21: Donyi Polo Govt. College, Kamki has been re-accredited as a "B" grade college with 2.35 CGPA (Cumulative grade point average) point by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India.

The assessment of the college was carried by UGC NAAC Peer team on March 10, 11 and 12, 2014 for second cycle of accreditation, informed principal of the college Dr. Rejir Karlo.

 

Rly Sramik Union stages dharna

ITANAGAR, May 21: All Arunachal Section Divisional North Frontier Railway Construction Loading and Unloading Sramik Union (AASDNF Rly Const, L&ULSU) staged a peaceful dharna jointly with its North Assam counter part in the office premises of the Assistant Divisional Engineer at Lakhimpur, Assam on May 19 to protest the alleged recruitment of as many as 103 candidates from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in "C" and grade "D" posts at the cost of local people from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The protesting groups demanded immediate termination of all the 103 appointments made by the Railway Authority and also demanded 80% job reservation exclusively for the locals of both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

 

 

Teaching aids distributed to 10 Anganwadi centres

ITANAGAR, May 21: Teaching aids and educational toys were distributed to 10 Anganwadi centres under Tawang and Jung ICDS programme by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Dev from his untied fund today.

The beneficiary centres include Shyo Melth, Shyo Toth, Lebrang, Changbu, Damgin,  Khremethang, Seru Meith and Seru Toth under Tawang ICDS and Kharsa and New Kharsa under Jang ICDS.

While distributing the items, the Deputy Commissioner, advised the Anganwadi and community workers to pay special attention towards the preschool educational needs of the children so that they do not face any adjustment problem when they join regular schools.

Tawang EAC (GA), CDPO. DO DUDA and panchayat leaders were present on the occasion. DIPRO

 

ATMA general body meeting held

CHANGLANG, May 21: A general body meeting of Agriculture Technology & Management Agency (ATMA) was successfully conducted at DC's chamber in presence of chairman-ATMA G.B, Chanchal Yadav, DC, Changlang, ATMA Monitoring  and Evaluation team from Agriculture Finance Corporation India Ltd. Eastern regional centre Kolkata, HODs of Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery, Industry, Textile & Handloom, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jairampur, ATMA functionaries, progressive farmers and SHGs.  

It was quite an interactive session as the expert team enlightened each and all about ATMA and its role in the district. Finally a resolution was made for proper functioning of ATMA activities in every block of the district.

The ATMA monitoring and evaluation team came to Changlang on a three day visit. The two experts Dr S  Bhattacharjee, senior consultant AFCIL and J K Chakarborty, State co-oridnator, AFCIL visited two ATMA recognized blocks - Changlang and Bordumsa where they interacted with the local farmers and SHGs to discuss about the significance of ATMA and their activities. DIPRO

 

ASSU seeks renovation of Kheel-Leporiang road

ITANAGAR, May 21: The All Sagalee Students' Union (ASSU) has requested for immediate repairing of Kheel to Leporiang road.

In its letter to its executing agency, while pointing out that the road is in deplorable condition owing to the monsoon season, it urged for maintaining the quality of the road.

 

AAPLU appeals for early release of  labour wage

ITANAGAR, May 21: All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) today requested the chief minister to release pending labour wages at the earliest. In a representation AAPLU claimed that workers in the state are not receiving  their wages since last four months. The non-disbursement of monthly salary caused untold problems to working community, added the union.

 

APCC remembers Rajiv Gandhi

ITANAGAR, May 21: The 23rd anniversary of Martyrdom of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was observed by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here today.

The programme began with floral tribute paid to the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi by Congress leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, Spokesperson APCC, Vishal P Nabam referring to Rajiv as pioneer of modern India appealed everyone to work tirelessly and dedicatedly to fulfill his dream.

His love and special attachment with the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh will always be remembered, he said.

Recalling various policies and programmes initiated by Rajiv, he urged all to spread his message in every nook and corner of the society. Senior Congress leaders, PCC office bearers, representatives from frontal wings of INC including Mahila Congress attended the programme.

 

CYO expresses concern over scarcity of LPG

ITANAGAR, May 21: Expressing concern over the scarcity of LPG cylinder in the Capital Complex, Capital Youth Organization (CYO) today called on deputy commissioner Capital complex Mige Kamki and sought his intervention in managing the crisis. CYO claimed that black marketing and selling of gas cylinder in higher rate are the main factors for scarcity. It further claimed that a LPG cylinder is sold at Rs 2000 (approx.)

 

Heavy landslide causes blockade of Doimukh-Potin road

ITANAGAR, May 21: Heavy rainfall have caused massive landslide at Hoj area leading to blockade of Doimukh-Potin road. According to the report 60 metre road near Hara Hapa, Hoj has been blocked due to landslide. The report further added that it may take innumerable days to clear the road for public use. Meanwhile officials of TK Engineering Company which is constructing Doimukh-Potin Trans-Arunachal highway project has appealed to the public to avoid travelling through the said stretch of road till it is reopened for use and also sought people's cooperation in road construction.  

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News Impact

Power ministry asks Arunachal to scrap hydro projects in limbo

'State power dept yet to receive any official direction'

ITANAGAR, May 21: In a news which can have severe implication for various ongoing hydropower projects of Arunachal, the power ministry has suggested Arunachal Pradesh to scrap as many as half the nearly 100 hydroelectric projects awarded to private and state-run developers in the state due to inordinate delay in execution of project. According to the report published in The Economic Times newspaper, ministry has also offered assistance to Arunachal Pradesh for fast-tracking 13 projects with 13,600 MW of capacity as it wants to utilize the vast potential of the mountainous northeastern state for generating hydropower.

It has offered to expedite issues related to clearances and road infrastructure to move equipment in the state where most project locations are in difficult-to-reach places. The ministry is also rationalizing the process for approval of project reports by the Central Electricity Authority and other watchdogs to speed up the execution of hydropower projects. Some of the proposed projects by Patel Engineering, Sew Energy, Athena Energy, Reliance Power BSE 1.20 %, Jindal Power and Jaiprakash Associates will be put on fast-track while the fate of their other projects is unclear.

Among other developers, Abir Infra, Coastal Infra, Navayuga Engineering, Mountain Fall India, L&T Power, Sai Krishnodaya Industries, Meenakshi Power, Velcan Energy and Adishankar Power have not been able to progress with their projects on schedule and some of them may be cancelled, an official said. The government had allocated 35,000 MW of hydroelectric projects to developers in the state. A majority of them are stuck due to issues ranging from delayed forest clearance and lack of infrastructure to opposition from locals.

According to power department source in Itanagar they have not officially received any such direction from the ministry yet. However they did agree that in the past ministry had expressed concern over undue delay in implementation of hydropower projects in Arunachal. "During our review meeting with ministry officials, they did advise us to scrap the project of those developers who are not serious enough. But it remained there only and was never made official," said the source. It is also believed that developers are not able to pump in money as Indian market has been sliding down in recent past. "Most of the MOUs/MOAs were signed from the year 2006 to 2008 and that time Indian market was booming with cash inflow. However scenario has changed in the last few years and it is directly affecting hydropower projects in Arunachal," the source continued.

 

 

FAC rejects forest clearance for DMP

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, May 21: In a major setback to 3000 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP) on river Dibang in Lower Dibang Valley district, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has rejected the proposal for forest clearance of the DMP for the second time. This decision was taken in the FAC meeting held on 29th April.

Earlier also this proposal was rejected by the FAC during its meeting held on 12th July, 2013 on the grounds that huge forest area with very good forest cover will be lost and there will be adverse impact on general eco-system of the area by felling of more than 3.5 lakhs of trees. Later this proposal, along with the recommendation of FAC was also discussed in the meeting held between Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Secretary, Ministry of Power on 13.08.2013. After detailed deliberation on the proposal, it was decided that the User Agency shall explore the possibility to reduce the requirement of forest land for the project and a revised proposal may accordingly be submitted to the MoEF for further consideration.

The State Government reported that NHPC Limited vide letter no. NH/DMP/GM/14/381 dated 10.02.2014 have proposed two alternatives for reduction of forest area to be diverted by reducing the dam height by 5 m and 10 m, which will reduce the requirement of forest land by 300 ha and 445 ha respectively. The above reduction in dam height will lead to reduction in power generation to the tune of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively. It is also anticipated that number of trees to be affected will marginally come down from 3.55 lac to 3.24 lac by reducing forest area to 4577.84 ha. On discussion with the NHPC officials stationed at Itanagar, it is revealed that NHPC may not be in a position to reduce the height of the dam any further, as it would significantly affect the power generation from the dam. It was also brought to the knowledge of the committee that earlier NHPC had submitted three alternatives directly to the ministry wherein reduction in dam height by 10m, 30m and 40m was proposed. However these alternatives have not been mentioned in the revised proposal from the State Government. Also corresponding details pertaining to the revised proposal, such as suitable map (SOT toposheet, DGPS map, forest cover map, etc) have not been submitted by the State Government. In addition to this compliance of Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has also not been submitted by the State Government. The committee observed that proposed dam is the major habitat of scheduled 1 flora and Fauna. All the major Schedule -I species like Elephant, Hollock Gibbon, Mishmi Takin, Clouded Leopard, Tiger, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Mithun Slow Loris, Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear etc are found in the area. If proper steps are not taken these animals will be severely affected by coming up of Dibang MP Project.

The committee was also not happy with marginal coming down of trees to be felled for project from 3.24 lakhs to 3.5 lakhs. Further they felt that this project is most likely to have considerable downstream impact including impact on the Dibru-Saikowa NP in Assam which has not been studied yet. The 3000 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project has been battling problems after problems since the foundation stone for the dam was laid on 31st January 2008 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The project was bitterly opposed by locals in the initial days. Public hearing was postponed many times and it was only in March 2013 that public hearing could be completed.

 

 

Anti-terrorism day observed in state

ITANAGAR, May 21: The state of Arunachal Pradesh today joined the rest of the country in the observance of the Anti-Terrorism Day. The day was observed in all the district headquarters, ADC headquarters and all administrative centres of Arunachal Pradesh by organizing pledge taking ceremony.

In the state capital, Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi administered the pledge to all government employees at Banquet Hall. The objective behind observing the day is to wean the people, especially the youth away from the cult of terrorism and violence. It is also observed to generate awareness in the country amongst all sections of people about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.

Meanwhile, commemorating the Anti-terrorism day today, the staffs of Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Naharlagun joined the rest of the country in taking the anti- terrorism pledge.

Director C M Longphong administered the anti-terrorism pledge to the employees of the directorate in its office premises this afternoon to abide the faith in the country's tradition of non violence and tolerance and affirm to oppose with strength, all forms of terrorism and violence.

The pledge also reads to uphold and promote peace, social harmony and understanding among all fellow human beings and fight the forces of disruption threatening human lives and values.

The officers and staff of Miao ADC office also took pledge to promote peace and social harmony to mark Anti-terrorism day today.

The pledge administered by Miao ADC Isha Khosla read, "We, the people of India, having abiding faith in our country's tradition of non-violence and tolerance, hereby solemnly affirm to oppose with our strength, all forms of terrorism and violence.

We pledge to uphold and promote peace, social harmony and understanding among all fellow human beings and fight the forces of disruption threatening human lives and values".

The day is observed with the objective of weaning the Staff away from the clutches of terrorism and violence.

 

 

NERPF reacts to statement against Rio

ITANAGAR, May 21: The North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) claimed UPA hand behind the Press statement issued by an NGO working for indigenous causes against the Chief of NERPF Neiphiu Rio, who is also the chief minister of Nagaland and an MP elect.

"It is a known fact that Rio has completely decimated the INC in Nagaland Assembly reducing it to a single digit identity in 2013. He also contributed towards the defeat of UPA candidates in the North East during the recently concluded general elections to the Lok Sabha. Under his leadership the National People's Party led by PA Sangma has also joined the NERPF to commonly highlight the issues of the North Eastern Region with the new NDA Government led by Narendra Modi," said NERPF in a release.

It also said that Rio had given a great speech in the Central Hall of Parliament during the recent NDA meeting and was the only member from the North East to go to Rashtrapati Bhavan to stake claim in the formation of the Government of India.

"Before giving rhetorical canards, NGOs should at first look at their own constitution whether they can indulge in politics or give political statements, the NERPF said without mentioning the name of the NGO which gave the press statement.

"In fact they should give a public report card to the indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh," it added.

 

 

Take a look who gets what !

[ Amar Sangno ]

It's been a long tradition of Arunachal political history, after get elected the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders invariably rush to New Delhi to decide the fate of other cabinet ministers who would shoulder the responsibility along with the chief minister in governing the state.

Five days have been passed since Nabam Tuki sworn-in as eight Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, after he had been unanimously chosen as CLP leader by fellow party MLAs. Even before properly resuming the office of the chief minister, Tuki wrestles with conundrum to choose his generals, thus he takes the matter to  party High Command in New-Delhi for a cross-checking.

A highly placed source in the CMO informed The Arunachal Times that hundreds of representations have already been submitted by different groups (community based organizations, sympathizers and party staunch supporters) and they are making bee line in CMO while lobbying for a cabinet berth to their respective MLA.

Presumably in order to escape opprobrium from the fellow senior party leaders, Tuki leaned on the party high command and referred the impending decision to them. Interestingly as soon as he landed in New Delhi on Wednesday with a burden to decide the fate of fellow legislators, other elected MLAs also followed him immediately. Sources from Delhi informed that Tuki has already prepared his cabinet ministers' list and he would disclose it to the Congress high command on May 22 for approval.

Unconfirmed sources, however, informed that former Tourism Minister and Mukto (Tawang) MLA Pema Khandu is likely to retain cabinet berth. It is said that Tenzing Norbu Thongdok of Kalaktang is a front runner for cabinet post from West Kameng while Phurpa Tsering of Dirang and Kumsi Sidisow of Thrizino-Buragaon are strongly lobbying for portfolios in Tuki ministry. Thongdok  may be inducted in Tuki ministry on seniority basis, source added.

From East Kameng Kumar Waii, 8th Bameng MLA is reportedly emerging as front runner for the ministerial berth, however it is  said that hectic parley is on to accommodate former Deputy Chief Minister Kameng Dolo who was elected unopposed from Pakke-Kessang Constituency. Political observers feel that Palin MLA Takam Pario (Tagar) could possibly get the cabinet post. Former power minister Tanga Byaling who was elected unopposed from Nacho  constituency may  retain  a ministerial berth, sources claimed.

It is also said that Chief Minister is facing insurmountable pressure from the high command to bury the past differences within the elected INC leaders specially after facing crushing defeat in just concluded Lok Shabha election at Centre. The Congress high command is not in a position to take another blow in terms of dissident activities. To suture up the cracks within party Tuki have to take back Jarkar Gamlin and Chowna Mein on the board, political pundits observed.

Sources also informed though there is a strong protest from former Education Minister Bosiram Siram who lost the assembly election, Pangin MLA Tapang Taloh and Mebo MLA Lambo Tayeng may be inducted into the ministry. There is also possibility for former Speaker Wangling Lowangdong to be inducted in Tuki's team. Clamour is also high for induction of Wangki Lowang by people of 54-Namsang ST Assembly Constituency. In a representation submitted to CMO, people of Namsang felt that Lowang had been denied cabinet berth though he is senior and experienced legislator.

Tuki's worst kept secret of ministerial berth is yet to be opened, as of now take a look who gets what !

 

 

Remarkable performance of Pasighat VTI despite fund crunch

Correspondent

PASIGHAT, May 21: Despite severe fund crunch and shortage of necessary equipments, the Veterinary Training Institute (VTI) at Pasighat has recorded spiral increase in cow milk production during the last three years.

The Deputy Director cum in-charge of VTI, Mito Nyodu informed that the rate of revenue collection by the diary unit of the institution is on increasing trend during the last three years. Revenue collection from cow milk in the year 2010-11 was about Rs 2 lakh, which was increased up to Rs 4 lakh in the next year and during 2013-14 the amount of revenue generated from cow milk touched Rs 9.80 lakh. The office had collected additional revenue amounting to Rs 2 lakh from auctioning dairy cattle in the year.

Presently, the unit has 25 milch cattle out of a total 70 cattle population, which give daily average milk production of 90 litres. The department is running a milk van to distribute the row cow milk in and around Pasighat on daily basis.

Officials said that the institute is receiving limited fund from the government which is not adequate to maintain regular activities, including vehicle maintenance. Acute shortage of fund for renovation of building of different units within the office complex has become major impediment of the institute.

Set up in 1984, the VTI has been passing through pathetic and awful phases for the last several years as the state government is not taking any step to provide necessary infrastructure. The main building with auditorium, library sections are in dilapidated condition. Moreover, lack of proper boundary wall around the VTI complex has created concern. Illicit trespassing by traders, roaming of domestic animals like pig and stealing of precious item are common phenomenon in the VTI complex.

The Poultry unit equipped with a hatchery of 15,000 incubating capacity has been lying defunct for the last seven years due to want power supply.

 

 

'Kiren deserves berth in union council of ministers'

ITANAGAR, May 21: The East Kameng district unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appealed to the party's central leadership to give state's BJP MP elect Kiren Rijiju a Cabinet berth in the Modi-led NDA government in the Centre.

Rijiju deserves a cabinet berth not only to the fact that he has been able to highlight the various problems of the North East and voicing for the people of this region at the Centre, but also to fulfill his poll commitment and people's aspiration, said district BJP president Loku Sono in a release.

Giving Rijiju a berth in the council of ministers, who proved himself as "voice of North East', would not only benefit the people of Arunachal Pradesh but also entire North East, the district BJP president said and appealed to the party's central leadership to fulfill the hopes and aspiration of the people of the region by inducting him the council of ministers.

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2012

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

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---- Readers Forum ----

 

 

It’s a serious issue

Dear Editor,

This is in response to article published on 21 May in Readers Forum section of your esteemed daily by one Ronme Dongging. As I am one of the candidates among those 12 Arunachalee qualified for the post of Transmission Executives and Programme Executives under Prasar Bharati, I extend my deep gratitude and appreciation to Ronme Dongging for his kind gesture. His words should be taken seriously by the government of Arunachal Pradesh in toto.

Yours,

Benjamin Tabing

Pasighat

 

 

 

Consumer being fooled

Dear Editor,

Stop selling or buying market goods which are sold at higher rate than  original MRP. Shopkeepers in our capital city are selling goods in their own regulated MRP's since decades. It violates the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices act and consumer rights act under consumer protection act, 1986. It would be better if our people checks MRP and buy product at the same certified MRP. I request concern authorities to regulate consumer rights act throughout the city to stop this little common scam.

Yours,

Kipa Ribu

Convenor

Ward 5 youth welfare association

 

 

 

************************************

 

All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.        

----Editor

---- Editorial ----

 

A good example

Arunachal is often considered to be the most difficult place to execute developmental projects. One of the main reasons attributed for it is supposedly hostile attitude of local citizens. However this perception will be thing of past as people of Pangin area in East Siang district has taken a major step to be partner in development. Setting an important example of how to support developmental activities, the people of Pangin area recently gave punishment to the two youths who had beaten up General Manager of T K Engineering Company on April 7. The said company is engaged in construction of Pangin to Pasighat section of Trans Arunachal highway.

As per the report on April 7, the two youths physically assaulted GM of T K Engineering Company at Pangin over petty issue. As a result of this incident all the employees of company fled from site and work remain halted. This not only caused loss to the company but also became obstacle in construction of Trans-Arunachal highway. However with the initiative of EAC Pangin and local PRI leaders on May 7 a meeting was held wherein elders clamped both the youths with thirty thousand fines and also made them to apologize.  The step taken by PRI leaders of Pangin should be an example for the rest of the Arunachal to follow. They punished their own youths for hampering developmental activities, which deserves round of applause.