Jomin Tayeng passes away, leaves Arunachal in a state of mourning

ITANAGAR, May 8: Veteran bureaucrat turned politician, Jomin Tayeng passed away last night at InternationalHospital, Guwahati following multiple organ failure.

The mortal remains of Dambuk MLA, who breathed his last around 11.30 pm on Tuesday, were airlifted to Roing today and have been kept at his Midland house for family members, friends, relatives and well-wishers to pay their last respects. Tayeng had been suffering from prolonged illness due to old age since last few years.

His last rites will be performed on Friday.

Hundreds of people including govt officials, prominent public leaders of the district today thronged the Roing Helipad today to receive his body before being escorted to his residence.

Born on Feb 1, 1944 to Bapang Tayeng and Osor Lego at Dambuk, Jomin Tayeng was left alone due to early demise of his parents in his early childhood. He started his schooling from DambukMissionSchool and completed ME from Teacher’s DemonstrationSchool, an orphanage school at Margherita in 1955.

Then in 1960, he completed his matriculation from GovtSecSchool, Pasighat and finished his Intermediate from St Edmunds College, Shillong in 1962 and graduated in English honours from St Edmunds College, Shillong in 1964. After obtaining LLB from Law Faculty, DelhiUniversity in 1967, he cleared the civil service exam in his first attempt in 1968.

He was first posted as Assistant Commissioner, Jorhat, Assam in 1969, then Principal Secretary to Govt of Mikir Hills Autonomous District Council, Diphu, Assam in 1974 and transferred on deputation to Arunachal Pradesh as secretary to the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh in 1976.

He was instrumental in suggesting the then State Chief Minister of the state to write to the Govt of India in making the tribal job reservation quota raised from 15 to 80 percent. He was also the first Director of Industries of the state during which the Industries Department was made into a major department and the Industrial Estate in Naharlagun was established. He also served the Govt of Meghalaya in various capacities before lastly serving as the Chief Secretary in 2001 till his retirement in February 2004. He was elected to Dambuk constituency in 2009.

He is survived by his wife Gum Pertin Tayeng, a former school teacher, three sons, Raju Tayeng, Income Tax Commissioner posted at Jorhat, Bolin Tayeng, Executive Engineer in the state Power department, Mimum Tayeng Lego, a joint secretary in the state govt, Abu Tayeng, an admin grade APCS officer, elder brother Makpel Tayeng and 13 grand children.

Meanwhile, condolences are pouring in from various quarters on the demise of Jomin Tayeng with the State Governor Gen (retd) J J Singh and Chief Minister leading a long list of mourners.

In his condolence letter to the wife of late Tayeng, the Governor said, Late Tayeng was a dedicated and committed IAS Officer and a distinguished political leader of our State, who constantly worked for the socio-economic development of the weaker sections of the society in various capacities during his long and distinguished administrative and political careers.

We have lost an outstanding public servant and he will be remembered for his distinguished services to the people of our state and the nation as well, he said.
I join all Arunachalees to convey heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and give courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss, the Governor further added.

While expressing shock and grief over the demise of Tayeng, the Chief Minister, in his message, said, “Late Jomin Tayeng has left a void that would be difficult to fill in near future. He was not only an able administrator all through his life as a top bureaucrat but also a perfect people’s representative after his retirement.”

He hailed late Tayeng as the first generation bureaucrat produced by the state during the NEFA days, who rose to the position of Chief Secretary of Meghalaya after holding numerous top administrative charges in Govt of Assam, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh and Govt of India.

“Being the first direct recruit IAS from Arunachal Pradesh in its formative years, it is a stupendous achievement made by late Tayeng, who pursued his education through difficult times after losing his parents in his early childhood. He would always remain as an inspiration for generations to come and his name will be written in golden letters in the history of Arunachal Pradesh,” Tuki added.

He asserted that late Tayeng in all his capacities – as an administrator, as a people’s representative, as a responsible parent and as a senior citizen – has excelled and set a benchmark, which would be aspired by all in all times to come.

“I pray the Almighty to bestow eternal peace to the departed soul and also provide strength to the bereaved family members to bear the loss. Let’s take consolation that his demise is a loss to the entire state and each and every citizen of the state shares the pain and grief at this moment,” the CM added.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has expressed its condolences on the demise of Tayeng. Terming Late Tayeng as one of the pioneer of social work, who made immense contribution for all round development of the state as the first IAS officer and a politician, the APCC stated that his demise was a great loss for the party in particular and the state as a whole. It also conveyed its prayers for the departed soul.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh today mourned the sad demise of Jomin Tayeng.

In a condolence meeting presided over by State BJP president Tai Tagak, the party expressed shock over his demise and termed his death as an irreparable loss to the state saying his life time contributions towards the state is unforgettable and would always be remembered.

The party observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul and prayed for his eternal peace and for bestowing enough strength to the bereaved family to overcome the trauma.

“We have lost a member who through his quality inputs in the house had enriched democratic practices. He was an inspiration to the young law makers,” Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong said in his message.

Rajya Sabha MP Mukut Mithi, in his message, termed Tayeng a human being with a difference who worked for the greater welfare of the people till his last breath. A void has been created in his death as the state lost a proud son who carved a niche for himself not only as an able administrator but as a politician who won the hearts of the masses.

“I’ve lost a guardian,” said Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy, who was associated with him for over a decade during his schooling and college days in Shillong. He was the fatherly figure and guide for all purposes for the Arunachalees, particularly students studying in Shillong. He had endeared himself to one and all by his amiable nature and down to earth quality. The state will be deprived of his vast knowledge and experience of a first generation pioneer,” Sanjoy said in his message.

Expressing sadness over the demise of Tayeng, the Adi Baane Kebang and Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang Itanagar stated that it was great loss to the community and the state. The ABK and DPYK conveyed their condolences to the family members and offered prayers for the departed soul.

The LowerDibangValley district administration held a condolence meeting at the DC office Roing today and mourned the demise of Tayeng. The second half of the office was declared closed after the condolence meeting.

Former Lok Sabha MP and BJP national general secretary, Tapir Gao and former MP cum BJP national executive member, Kiren Rijiju also expressed deep shock over the sudden demise of Jomin Tayeng.

The State NCP president Kahfa Bengia also expressed deep condolence on the sad demise of Jomin Tayeng. The party prayed for eternal peace for the departed leader and for giving strength to the bereaved family to bear the grief.

Arunachal has lost an experienced and visionary leader and his death is an irreparable loss to the state, said party spokesperson Tsering Naksang.

Meanwhile, the Director of Research, Dr Tage Tada has deeply condoled the sad demise of Jomin Tayeng saying “his immense contributions towards development of the State will be remembered for days to come.”

Further, the All Libo Ramo Bokar Welfare Society has deeply mourned the demise of Jomin Tayeng. Describing his demise as great and irreparable loss not only to the entire Adi community but also the state, the Society prayed to the almighty god for eternal peace of his departed soul and also to give enough courage to the bereaved family to bear the great loss.

DIPRO Pasighat adds: The body of Jomin Tayeng was flown here from Guwahati in an Global Victra (VT-AZC) helicopter on Wednesday afternoon to enable the Pasighatians to pay their last respects before proceeding to his native place for the completion of the last rites in accordance with the tradition, to which he belonged.

Hundreds of mourners including Commissioner District Administration Bandana Deori, DC R K Mishra, SP Pushpendra Kumar, govt officers, prominent leader Kaling Moyong, Nanom Jamoh and leaders of various political parties and religious heads thronged near the Pasighat helipad to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader and pay tributes.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Ninong Ering and Education Minister Bosiram Siram, in their messages, expressed profound grief on Tayeng’s demise stating that the nation has lost a great son of the soil. Late Tayeng’s administrative contributions in different capacities besides social and political contributions will be remembered for long time, they felt.

They prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and for giving strength to the bereaved family members to bear the loss.