Arunachal Governor’s sacking imminent
New Delhi, Sep 7: Sacking of a Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa seems imminent after a meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh had with President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday.
During the 20-minute meeting Singh is believed to have conveyed to the President that Rajkhowa's continuance in the post has become untenable.
The Home Minister is learnt to have told the President that the central government has lost confidence in Rajkhowa and the only option left to remove him is to "withdraw the pleasure of the President".
The Home Minister's meeting with the President came after Rajkhowa refused to step down despite a nudge by the Centre to put in his papers after the Supreme Court passed serious strictures against him over the dismissal of the Congress government last year.
However, it is immediately not known what the President told the Home Minister.
Sources said Rajkhowa's dismissal may come as early as next evening when the two-day special session of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, which has been convened to ratify the Goods and Services Tax (GST), gets over.
A defiant Rajkhowa had said he would not step down but was ready to be sacked.
"I want the President to dismiss me. I will not resign.
Let the President express his displeasure. Let the government use provisions of Article 156 of the Constitution," the Governor had told a Guwahati-based TV news channel on Monday.
Rajkhowa said he had been asked to resign "on health grounds" weeks after the Supreme Court had restored the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh and censured him. PTI
Arunachal Legislative session starts, pays tribute to Kalikho Pul
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: The two day Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly session started on Wednesday.
The session will see the election of new Deputy Speaker. Congress MLA Alo Libang, who filed the nomination papers on Wednesday, is likely to be the Deputy Speaker.
On the first day on Wednesday, Arunachal Pradesh assembly paid tribute to former chief minister Kalikho Pul who was found hanging at his official residence on August 9.
Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok and Chief Minister Pema Khandu led the house in paying tributes to Pul during the inaugural day of the two-day special assembly session convened to ratify the GST Bill.
Initiating the obituary reference to Pul, Thongdok described him as a statesman and said in his death the state had lost a great personality.
Khandu termed Pul's death as 'shocking' and said the state government had already constituted a committee headed by an IGP rank officer to investigate it.
"As soon as the committee submits the report, the matter will be discussed with all the members of the house," he said.
Responding to criticism from opposition BJP members who alleged political turmoil as the reason behind Pul's suicide, Khandu said after the Supreme Court verdict on Arunachal government, all Congress members supported his leadership.
"Pul had helped my father Dorjee Khandu during his tenure as chief minister in taking important decisions. During the (November) political development I was with him and even I resigned from the ministry to support him," Khandu added.
Appreciating Pul's efforts in the development of Anjaw district, which he represented, Khandu appealed to the people to support the family members of the departed leader in the by-election to the constituency.
Participating in the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein termed Pul as a good parliamentarian and the transition of Anjaw district started in 1995 when Pul became its MLA for the first time.
"Today the district could be replicated by others as a model district in terms of best road communication and infrastructure."
"His death has created a void in the state's political arena," Mein added.
Obituary reference was also made of Tumpak Ete who died in his Aalo residence on August 13.
The speaker called him a popular writer and composer besides an able administrator, while the chief minister said he always worked for the state's socio-economic development.
Mien said Ete as a social activist who was instrumental in documentation of the indigenous faith and culture.
The house observed two-minutes silence as mark of respect before it was adjourned for the day. PTI
APCC hits back at BJP
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) hit back at Opposition BJP a day after the saffron party accused Congress party that the rumor about split in the State BJP was a handiwork of the party.
Reacting sharply to the news item, which was published in sections of local dailies on Wednesday, APCC stated that blaming the opposition party for the rift in their own party is very unfortunate and surprising.
“There have been differences between both the groups since installation of Tapir Gao as head of the State BJP, which everyone in the state and the BJP high commands know,” APCC claimed.
"There can't be smoke without fire," it said, adding without further elaborating that "one who lives in glass house should not throw stones at other's house."
Land donors cry foul, to move Court
[ Prafulla Kaman ]
RUKSIN, Sep 7: The land donors of Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) set up at Niglok in East Siang district have expressed strong resentment over alleged violation of terms of agreement and breach of confidence by the State government. They said that the authority was grabbing their cultivated land through unfair means thereby betraying the local people.
An agreement was made between Govt of Arunachal Pradesh represented by East Siang Deputy Director of Industries, Land Settlement Officer and Land Owners of Ngorlung, Niglok and Mikong villages on November 12, 1997. The land owners based on the agreement donated their cultivated land measuring more than 600 acres for the industrial centre with certain terms and conditions.
But, it is alleged by the land owners/donors that the government has utterly violated the terms and conditions of the agreement, by failing to provide supply works and other opportunities to the land donors as they agreed to do.
The agreement clearly mentions that the government through local administration would provide supply/contract works and job opportunity to the land donor besides giving them trading license and allotment of land. This however have not been implemented during the last 20 years.
The IGC land donor committee led by its president Tonggeng Panyang repeatedly moved the Industry department regarding the issue. The committee in a representation submitted to East Siang Deputy Commissioner stated that the authority is depriving the basic rights of the innocent land donors.
"Such unbecoming act and breach of contract on the part of Industry department by dishonestly grabbing the ancestral land of the innocent farm families is totally unfortunate and condemnable", the representation read.
As such, para-3 of the agreement clearly mentioned that, in case of any violation of the terms and conditions such as failure to provide supply works, contract works, job opportunities and allotment of plot to the land donors, the donors will have the right to claim as matter of privilege and they can approach legal Court for redressing their grievances.
According to land donors, the State's Industry department has already violated the terms and conditions of the agreement dated November 12, 1997, so the agreement is liable to be revoked.
The IGC land donors on Tuesday conducted a meeting to discuss the issue of violation of agreement by the government. The meeting finally adopted unanimous decision to move the Court.
DC insists on linking Aadhar with bank accounts
ROING, Sep 7: Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Ravi Dhawan insisted on linking Aadhar with bank accounts of beneficiaries under various schemes.
The Deputy Commissioner, who chaired the monthly coordination meeting to review the progress of works under various line departments, urged all the departments implementing various schemes/programme to link Aadhar card with bank accounts of the beneficiaries. He also sought the list of contractual and contingency employees of all government departments in the district for registration and issuance of Aadhar card.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed Agriculture,
Fisheries, DUDA, Horticulture to prepare presentation on various schemes related to NGOs and SHGs.
Regarding Land revenue drive, DC directed LRSO to issue demand notices for recovery drive. He also asked all HoDs to depute officials from the department for Rice Day duty which is scheduled next week.
Taking note on the reports of absenteeism by doctors for OPD duty in the District Hospital, Dhawan directed the DMO to report/prepare duty roaster of all the doctors.
He also directed the PWD to repair the damaged CC roads of township area.
The meeting was attended by all Head of Departments of the district. DIPRO
AIMSU says no to highway without compensation
[ Karyir Riba ]
ROING, Sep 7: All Idu Mishmi Students Union (AIMSU) has demanded immediate stop to the ongoing National Highway work from Hunli to Anini until payment of compensation to the people against their lands acquisitioned for the highway.
AIMSU general secretary Eha Mili informed that a construction company, namely MADHUCON, has already started the road construction work from Arzoo to Ranli without permission from of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The General Manager NHIDCL, in a telephonic conversation with Mili, reportedly said that the NHIDCL has not yet given green signal to MADHUCON to start the work.
Although the Deputy Commissioner is claiming that land assessment has been done and his office is ready to pay the compensation in a short period, no property assessment has been done by the administration so far, the student leaders said quoting the affected people.
On what basis is the administration prepared the compensation without property assessment and how can the company start work without paying compensation, the student leader questioned.
The AIMSU has also written to the Dibang Valley DC regarding the matter.
DC invokes No Work No Pay policy against absentee teachers
PASIGHAT, Sep 7: East Siang Deputy Commissioner has directed the DDSE to deduct salaries of 21 teachers, who were absent from duty for two months without notice.
Twenty-one teachers of KGBVs were found absent from their duties unauthorized, the DC said, and instructed the DDSE to deduct their salaries for the months of June and July under "No Work No Pay" policy.
The DC also directed the concern authority not to disburse one month's salary of a SSA teacher, who was also found irregular in his duty.
The Deputy Commissioner advised the teaching community to be punctual and not to leave the station without proper and prior permission.
The state government has provided highly qualified teachers but academic performances of students in many schools were found not up to the mark due to teachers' absenteeism and negligence of duties, opined Khosla.
The DC has instructed the DDSE to conduct frequent visits of educational institutions and submit the findings, which according the DC would go a long way in maintaining punctuality and efficiency of educational institutions. DIPRO
Chongkham demands transfer of EAC, OC
[ Indrajit Tingwa ]
Chongkham, Sep 7: Citizens of Chongkham took out a peaceful protest rally on Wednesday demanding the transfer of EAC and OC, Police Out Post. The people of Chongkham have been demanding immediate transfer of the two officers alleging them of not cooperating in the fight against rising drug menace.
Earlier on 2 September, a petition was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Namsai demanding the transfer of the officers within the next 48 hours. Initially the people were irked for granting bail to an alleged female drug handler who was arrested by the police in a joint raid along with Mahila Mandal.
However, the demand was not fulfilled by the government and the deadline too lapsed.
About thousand people participated in the rally which included the members of Chongkham Village Council (CVC) the apex body of the village, the mahila mandal, villagers, youths and members of the business community. Shopkeepers downed their shutters and joined the rally.
The leaders of the CVC when asked to comment on the clarification made by the EAC and OC which was published in a section of the media on 6 September said that they were not satisfied with their clarifications and informed that if their demand for transfer were not heeded by the government, then they will continue with more aggressive democratic movement.
Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Namsai. The three demands put forth were transfer of the two officers, up gradation of Chongkham Police Out Post established in 1980 to a full scale police station and posting of more efficient police officer at Chongkham.
The memorandum was signed by the Deputy Chief of CVC and all the GBs of Chongkham village.
GSU seeks arrest
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: The Galo Students Union (GSU) has condemned the delay in arrest of Lizen Gyadi, who assaulted Mebom Jilen at his Chimpu residence on September 3 as it demanded immediate arrest of the accused and a punishment as per provision of law.
The GSU endorsed the five days ultimatum served by Kargu Kardi Students' Union (KKSU) to the police department on September 3, demanding immediate arrest of the accused.
A criminal is a criminal and he/she does not belong to any particular clan, community or tribe, GSU said as it requested all not to communalise the case.
Meanwhile, GSU demanded the state government and Home department to increase the manpower in Itanagar Police Station. The GSU also condemned the delay in achieving any breakthrough in the Dy SP Bomto Kamdak's case.
Three students missing
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: Three students of Government Secondary School, Leel under Sangram Administrative Circle of Kurung Kumey District are reported to have drowned into Kurung River on Sept 6.
Kurung Kumey administration has launched a search operation, said CO Nangram Pingkap.
Car-free day
TEZU, Sep 7: Lohit District Administration has observed 4th one-day monthly car-free day on September 7 at Tezu.
The state Govt. employees came to office either on foot or bi-cycle.
Car-free day is an effort to maintain pollution free environment and minimize Govt. expenditure on POL items.
NGT moved on violation of environment guidelines
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: While hearing the case no O A 117/2016/EZ, filed by Tapu Mibang, spokesperson of the Adi Baane Kebang Youth Wing, and others against the respondents - Union of India and 14 others, the National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone bench, Kolkata, on Sept 1 issued notice which is returnable in three weeks and listed the case for next hearing on Oct 4.
Petitioners in its complaint alleged that mandatory and essential environment guidelines issued by the competent authorities have been violated while implementing the projects, particularly trans-Arunachal highway.
The applicants said that construction agencies involved in construction of Trans-Arunachal Highway (package no 1& 3) from Pasighat to Pangin and other respondents are deliberately violating the standing guidelines, rules and undertakings with malafide intention.
The respondent authorities have never acted in accordance with the environmental guidelines and have dumped the debris/muck/garbage in mountain slopes and into the rivers leading to the extinction of several rare species of aquatic lives. Dumping of garbage also resulted in rising of river bed which might lead to flood, the applicants said.
CM, Governor for 100 percent literacy rate
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has extended his greetings on 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day.
Initiated by UNESCO the day is celebrated worldwide to increase literacy rates around the world.
In a message this evening, Khandu welcomed this year's celebration under the banner "Reading the Past, Writing the Future".
"We need to plan and achieve hundred percent literacy rate," he said.
The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa expressed his hope that the Day will remind all the importance of being literate and motivate them to strive towards a 100% literate society.
To realize a literate society, it is not only the duty of the Government, Policy makers and educational fraternity but of every member of the society to contribute towards education for all, he said. There must be special focus with special educational programmes for girl-child, women, downtrodden and differently abled persons, he stressed. The Governor expressed confidence that the Day will remind all to review and take more initiatives toward well educated society.
DC inspects markets
Itanagar, Sep 7: DC Capital complex who is also the Chairman of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) visited all the markets under his jurisdiction.
Starting early for the visit, DC Sandeep Kr. Singh took stock of the market yard at Gohpur Tinali. He urged the committee to allot more space for vendors of Agriculture and allied produce. DC suggested APMC to start No plastic/polythene campaign in the market yard.
He also took stock of land encroachments cases.
Singh emphasized on up-gradation of the old and unscientific structures of the markets at Ganga and Gandhi Markets and asked the Secretary APMC Okit Palling to pursue with state government.
DC also stressed the need to stabilize the prices of agriculture commodities.
Paling informed that there will be display of prices of agriculture commodities across all strategic locations across the capital city.
Tadar Akap Vice-Chairman APMC and Khyoda Tanik, Member APMC were also present in the visit along with official of APMC.
BSC edge past Mongku FC 3-2 to enter final
PASIGHAT, Sep 7: Bogong Soccer Club (BSC) came from a goal behind to stun Mongku FC 3-2 in the first semifinal of the Mega Solung Football Tournament, 2016 at JN College, Pasighat playground here on Wednesday.
The match started on a high note with both the teams trying to find an early lead but it ended 0-0 in the first half.
However, it was Mongku FC, who took an early lead with a goal from Onyok Pazing in 49th minute. But the lead was short-lived as Kamin Darin of BSC restored the parity with a fine header in 67th minute before Rokom Tasung scored the second and third goal for BSC in 69th and 71st minute.
Mongku FC went out with all guns to equalize the score, and in the process, General Modi scored a stunning goal from a free kick near the goal area to reduce the margin to 2-3.
Debong Kayin Mengu of BSC was adjudged the "Player of the Match" and awarded a cash prize of Rs. 2000 sponsored by the faculty members of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat which was given away by senior citizen Obiyak Ering.
Capital Complex Soccer Club will meet Pasighat Sporting Club in the second semifinal on Thursday at the same ground at 2 pm.
Health check-up camp
ITANAGAR, Sep 07: Around 288 students of class IX to XII got their health check up done during a medical camp conducted by a team of doctors at VKV Nirjuli on September 7.
The health camp was organized under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakam (RBSK) under (NRHM), Govt. of India by the NSS unit of the school.
Medical Officers Dr. Lishi Yalu, Dr. Toko Papu, Dr. Achak Bagang and Dr. Taba Yayu and their team carried out the health checkup.
Principal Subhash Chandra Dixit, and NSS Programme officer Sanjay Kr. Yadav of VKV Nirjuli played the proactive role in conducting the camp.
Toru-Ompuli road closed
ITANAGAR, Sep 7: The road from Toru to Ompuli remained totally snapped for vehicular movement and pedestrians after a culvert at Sudum Lane has collapsed a month ago.
While informing this to Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner through a representation, Toru Panchayat Youth Welfare Association (TPYWA) appealed him to take up the matter with appropriate authority for early sanctioning of fund for road restoration work.
It was also informed to the DC that PWD Division Sagalee, when approached, had expressed its helplessness on the matter due to paucity of fund.
Solung celebrated with fanfare at Nari
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Sep 7: The government employees of Nari Sub-divisions and local residents of Nari town celebrated Solung Giidii, the main agricultural festival of Adis with various programme on Tuesday.
Various cultural programmes, like songs and dance presented by Nari Town Ane Ope and Volcano youth team were the some of the main highlights of the celebration.
Executive Engineer of Nari PWD division Gobo Yirang highlighted the significance of Solung mythology.
Assistant Engineer (Power), Pinki Lego, Nari EAC Jummar Bam, SVO Jumdak Bam, Koyu BEO Kanya Ringu, Nari CHC in-charge Dr W. Taku attended the day-long celebration.
Security arrangements for Mega Solung in Pasighat
PASIGHAT, Sep 7: Special security arrangements have been made in Pasighat in view of the ensuing Mega Solung celebration here from September 9 to 13.
Nearly 100 volunteers will be deployed in the entire township in addition to CRPF, IRBn and APP personnel on duty to ensure smooth conduct of the festival, informed DSP A Taying.
Every possible step will be taken to ensure fool-proof security during the event. Police will install barricades in various locations for easy movement of pedestrians as well as vehicles so that everyone can reach the venue (Gidii Natko) without facing any trouble, said Taying. DIPRO
Awareness programme under Swachh Bharat Mission
ITANAGAR, Sep 07: A team of PHE & WS Longding division conducted a mass awareness programme under Swachh Bharat Mission-G and signature collection campaign for an open defecation free district at Ranglua Gram Panchayat on September 4.
The consultants of PHE & WS highlighted the importance of launching Swachh Bharat Mission-G and construction of IHHL.
Speaking on the key topic, they informed the villagers about the model of improvised sanitary toilets wherein the brick walled super structure with CGI sheets roofing is connected to single or double pit disposal system.
The programme ended with "Swachchta pledge" followed by signature campaign wherein head of each family were asked to construct toilet.
