More local news

Need to chalk out a comprehensive mechanism to arrest power crisis: CM

ITANAGAR, Sep 30: Taking serious note of repeated power failure in various districts including the State Capital Complex, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today convened a high-level meeting with the Power Department to address the issue.
“We need to chalk out a comprehensive mechanism to meet up the power crisis in the state and in this direction; we must constitute Circle Level Committees, District Level Committees and State Level Committees for effective power supply,” Tuki asserted.
He further advised to create immediate response team at all levels in order to promptly act on the reported power problems. Periodical convening of meetings at all levels should be made mandatory on the situation of power in their respective areas, Tuki said.
The Chief Minister also desired to have alternate provisions in the form of renewable energy like solar energy to cope the requirement in case of power failure. He directed the Secretary Power to work out the modality.
While discussing on power thefts and revenue leakages, the Chief Minister asked the department to put a foolproof mechanism in place to check it. He also opined for imparting training of the workers on capacity building besides stressing for re-distribution of casual workers for revenue realization at all levels.
The Department of Power assured to address the power issue of Passa Valley within two months and also disclosed that the defunct hydel power stations across the state are being taken up in phased manner.
Parliamentary Secretary for Power (Elect) Gojen Gadi said that the department is doing all out effort to address the power failure issue and has personally directed all the engineers to be alert 24×7.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Hari Krishna, Power Secretary, Planning Secretary, Chief Engineer and various other department officers. (PRO)

AAPSU, CCLAPF demands on ‘land issue’: CM ‘assures’
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: A joint team of All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and Capital Complex Land Affected People’s Forum (CCLAPF) met the Chief Minister at his official residence here yesterday to apprise him of their various demands.
AAPSU team was headed by its president Kamta Lapung while the CCLAPF team was led by its chairman Takam Dari Sojik.
After giving patient hearing to the 8-point charter of demands included in the memorandum submitted to him, the Chief Minister has given ‘assurance’ from the govt’s end.
On regularization of individually occupied govt lands in Capital Complex along with regularization of “genuine” pending cases in the area, the CM said, these shall be settled by the govt within two months as committed in the floor of the Assembly. Till then, he requested the joint team to wait and watch.
Regarding suspension of eviction drive, the Chief Minister told the joint team to wait for the report of the committee constituted by the govt for the same. However, he clarified that the eviction drive on RoW of NH and sectoral road shall be continued for which he sought the cooperation from public.
To this, the team agreed to cooperate for the same.
The Chief Minister further ‘assured’ to withdraw/revoke the order issued by Development Commissioner (Finance), GoAP pertaining to obtaining of NOC from concerned DC and CEO for settlement of retirement benefits and the promotion cases so as to give relief to the govt employees.
On inclusion of civil organizations as member in the govt constituted committee for regularization of land allotment cases, the CM did not agree to incorporate the member from public in the committee. He rather sought support and cooperation from them while identifying encroachers in the sectors to suggest for “acceptable” and “lasting” solution.
The joint delegation agreed to extend full cooperation to the committee for this purpose.
During the meeting, MP Takam Sanjay, local MLA Techi Kaso, Political Secretary to CM, Bamang Tago and OSD to CM, Dr Mai Tubin who were present, suggested the joint team to be vigil against the fresh encroachment in the sector till the govt give appropriate decision in this regard.
“Satisfied” at the response from the CM along with the MP, the joint team has decided to defer the proposed peaceful dharna slated for Oct 1. However, AAPSU and CCLAPF will convene a general meeting on Oct 2 next at Nikum Niya Hall to convey the ‘assurances’ given by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and MP Takam Sanjay besides discussing their future course of action.

Initiate step for early release of NHPC GM, BJP demands
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: The BJP, Arunachal Pradesh while expressing concern on “alarming” rise in crime in the State and the reported threat to its internal security, has termed the recent abduction of NHPC, Tawang General Manager Anil Kumar Agarwal as most shocking and unfortunate.
In this regard, the party demanded the State govt to clarify on the status report on action taken in respect of the kidnapped GM of NHPC and initiate immediate measure for safe release of the GM from the clutches of kidnappers for the larger interest of the State and for the sake of his family as well.
Despite the reported rise in crime in the State, the BJP, in a press note, while citing the rape and molestation of minor girls in private school, “cold blooded” murder of engineering student and jail inmates escaping from the cell alleged, “The ruling Congress govt is claiming rhetoric that peace and tranquility is prevailing in the State.”

Raga holds training for BLOs
DAPORIJO, Sep 30: A training for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of Raga Assembly Constituency was held at the Circuit House, Raga on September 28 last under the chairmanship of Hage Ruja, ADC cum ERO, Raga.
Inaugurating the programme, the ADC dwelt a length on election machinery and emphasized on the preparation of an error-free electoral roll. BLOs being the grassroots workers have a great responsibility to carry out their duties, he added.
Rayom Lomdak, district nodal officer for BLOs cum DLMT, was also present as observer for the training and advised BLOs to be sincere and pay keen attention to their duties and also guide the voters/villagers. He also spoke on the model code of conduct, district election management plan and vulnerability mapping, poll day arrangement.
He informed that the entire process of claims and objections will start from 1st October 2013 and end on 21st October 2013. He also advised the trainees that while exercising their duties as BLOs, they should not neglect their normal duties as govt employees.
The assembly level master trainer Kina Takka (CDPO) provided the training on the role of BLOs and the filling up of different forms. (DIPRO)
KVK conducts training for practicing farmers
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tawang conducted a day long training programme for practicing farmers of Audung village today.
Bipul Kumar Kakati, SMS (Fisheries) dwelt at length on all the technical know-how of seed production of common carp – a suitable candidate species in aquaculture in hilly region. He also discussed all possible solutions of problems faced by the practicing fish farmers in the region.
In all, 23 farmers from the area actively participated and interacted with the scientists present. Dr Aswini Tiwari, SMS (Horticulture) briefed on nutritional aspects of vegetables while Lakshi Priya Borah, SMS (Plant Protection) interacted with the farmers on early diagnosis and disease management in rice and other vegetable crops.

Misuse of fund in DYSA alleged
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: Alleging misuse of funds in the department of Sports and Youth Affairs in 2007 to 2009, the 12 Pakke Kessang Indigenous Youth Organisation has demanded resignation of the present Health & Family Welfare Minister, who was the concerned minister during the period.
According to documents revealed through RTI, five playgrounds and a rostrum were sanctioned and subsequently payments were made to the respective contractors under Pakke Kessang in East Kameng district. When contacted with the contractors, the organisation found that they were not aware of the work done in their names.
On further enquiry through RTI for the cheque numbers, utilization certificates and name of the contractors and agencies paid to, the Sports and Youth Affairs department APIO stated the concern documents with the original signatures were damaged by termites, added a release. “The money amounting to Rs 17 lakh must have been drawn by some powerful person and the department was trying to hide the facts,” reasoned the organisation.
Further, the Organisation has appealed the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to intervene in the matter of the govt officials making “avoiding tactics” like documents being damaged by termites, torn, lost or burnt etc, and also called for furnishing the proper documents.
Meanwhile, it has requested for posting sufficient teachers at schools of Pakke Kessang area. Stating that the East Kameng LRSO and SK who have allegedly done injustice to the “genuine” affected people of the area, the Organisation urged the East Kameng DC to direct the LRSO and SK to verify and take new measurements of the lands affected by the Trans-Aruanchal Highway in Pakke Kessang area.

Awareness program
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: A training and awareness programme on various Labour Laws for female workers were conducted by Abu Apa Tribal Welfare Society at Seijosa and Bhalukpong on Sep 27 and 28 respectively. Resource persons, Nazrul Haque an advocate of Gauhati High Court and Labour Officer, T Jerang, spoke on various labour laws, legal provisions and remedies available for female labourers.
‘Consider our demand’
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: The All Arunachal Pradesh BSNL Civil Contractor Welfare Association has requested the state govt to consider its demand for removal of the deduction of two percent as income tax during works related to civil items.
Citing that the state as a cent percent tribal state and the neighbouring Assam has also adopted policy for welfare of tribal contractors by adopting one percent Earnest Money Deposit during tender process, the Association has urged the Chief Minister and the MPs of the state to take up the matter with department of Telecom, GoI for continuation of Universal Service Obligation as regards to mobile towers station phase-II.
The scheme was discontinued after the 2G scam and the scheme has started in some states of the North East and West Bengal, it added.

‘Post CO’
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: The Silsango Circle Headquarter Development Committee has requested the state govt to post a Circle Officer at Silsango and provide C and D grade jobs for the land donors. Currently a CO is carrying out dual charges of Mengio and Silsango circles while the CO posted at Silsango has yet not joined the post, claimed the Committee.
It added that the state govt had “agreed” to provide C and D grade jobs to family members of the land donors for the establishment of the circle headquarters but till date it has not been fulfilled.

‘Protect school building’
ITANAGAR, Sep 30: The School Management Committee, Govt Primary School Sood has threatened of returning back the school land to land donor if the Trans-Arunachal Highway and Education department authorities do not take necessary steps to protect the school building from the damage done by the highway work.
The artificial stream and pool created due to the blockade of drainage of the Highway on Yupia road has badly damaged the school, added the Committee. Further, in this regard several appeals were made to the executing agency to divert the stream water to the other side, while a report was also submitted to the DDSE, Papum Pare, it claimed.