24th March 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 80

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Karisma looks younger than any Bollywood actress: Kareena

[ PAGE 8]

State Health Society to observe World TB Day in Kohima today [ PAGE 2]

World leaders gather for Hague nuclear summit

[ PAGE 11]

Ayaah! Get active; It`s election time

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Are Nagas ready to forgive their past hurts and reconcile for a better future? Others

Do you feel that nagaland should have more Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha? Yes

47% 43%

no Others

10%

Details on page 7

‘Don’t politicize Foothill Road’

Technicians maintain engines on a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion after its arrival to help with search operations for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 at Royal Australian Air Force Pearce Base in Perth, Australia on March 23. France provided new satellite data Sunday showing possible debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet as searchers DIMAPUR, MARCH 23 combing a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean tried without success to locate a pallet (MExN): The Central Na- that could be a key clue in solving one of the world’s great aviation mysteries. (AP Photo)

galand Tribal Council has appealed for different organizations/associations, particularly the Lotha Hoho and the NCSU to maintain the “status quo of the agreement made by various Naga tribes and organizations,” with regard to the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Project and to not politicize the project. A press note from the CNTC stated that the “Naga people need to realize and understand that this long felt needed road is the only option out to liberate the Naga economy and to avoid from unnecessary harassment of the Naga public by Assam.” The CNTC also reiterated its support to the NFHRCC and the NPWD. With regard to the situation in the Dimapur-KA border, it appealed against creation of any unwanted situation. It urged all to “cooperate with the district administration to maintain peace.”

AMPWDWCEA for service regularization

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MON, MARCH 23 (MExN): The All Mon District PWD (R&B) & (H) Work-charged Employees’ Association (AMPWDWCEA) has reminded Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the Chief Engineer PWD of their demands for regularization of services for employees, who have completed 15 years or more of service. The Association, in a press note, informed that it had demanded for the same to the said authorities in 2012. It however lamented that the demands have not been addressed by the authority and that “nothing was done for the cause of the aggrieved authority.” It stated that the association’s demand is genuine, “as per the Government’s standing order, vide No.R3/GEN-67/2001 (PT), dated Kohima, the 22nd September, 2004.” It therefore, reiterated its demand for the authority concerned to look into the demand.

–Charles Stanley

[ PAGE 10]

india still home to quarter of global tuberculosis cases

By Sandemo Ngullie

no

Serena and Maria advance in Miami

[ PAGE 9]

reflections

Yes

Monday, March 24, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It’s impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God Sunanda death: Viscera report hints at drug overdose

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NEw DElHI, MARCH 23 (IANS): Despite having a strong public sector programme to contain the disease, tuberculosis still remains a cause of concern for India, which has nearly a quarter of the global burden of TB, health experts said. Experts said measures which can help strengthen the fight against the disease include involvement of the private sector, more political commitment to create awareness and containing risk factors like malnutrition. “TB is still a cause for concern. It is the sheer numbers in India and the associated problems like poverty which are responsible for this,” Soumya Swaminathan, director, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, an organization under the health ministry, told IANS. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 2.2 million tuberculosis patients in India, which makes it the world’s highest TB-burden country. TB killed 1.3 million people worldwide in 2012 and India alone accounted for 26 percent of

the total cases. She said that China and Brazil have done better in controlling TB in their respective countries and India needs to do more. “In eight years, India has made tremendous progress as far as containing TB. But it needs to do much more,” she added. But R. S. Gupta, deputy director general (TB) in the health and family welfare ministry, said: “Treatment

free of cost, quality anti-tubercular drugs across the country. More than 1.5 million people avail the facility at 13,000 centres. Gupta said that the private sector should be involved more as most patients are being treated in private clinics. Agreed Swaminathan, who said that the government needs to work in tandem with the private sector. “Standard procedures need to be followed for

March 24 is World tB Day success rates have been above 85 percent for several years in the country.” Gupta told IANS that the overall quality of TB services, including human resources and systems for financial management are being strengthened. To achieve the National Tuberculosis Programme’s (NTP) ambitious goal of universal health care access for all people with TB by 2017, financial commitments must be maintained by all partners, including international agencies, he said. The state-run tuberculosis control initiative of the government, NTP provides

notification of the disease and diagnosis, especially by private practioners,” Swaminathan told IANS. In 2012, India declared TB to be a notifiable disease. It means that with immediate effect all private doctors, caregivers and clinics treating a TB patient had to report every case to the government. According to a recent WHO report, India has achieved the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) target for TB which says that the incidence of the disease should be falling. It is on track to reach the 2015 targets for reductions in TB

prevalence and mortality. But it added that India accounts for 31 percent of the estimated 2.9 million missed TB cases -- people who were either not diagnosed or diagnosed but not reported to NTP. It is estimated that about 40 percent of the Indian population is infected with TB bacteria, the vast majority of whom have latent rather than active TB. Listing the other steps needed, Swaminathan said: “Getting more political commitment and activism from civil society to create awareness about TB like it was done in the case of HIV/ AIDS would be a great help.” India also needs to contain the risk factors associated with the disease. The biggest among them is malnutrition, which makes people more susceptible to the development of active TB. Tuberculosis patients have lower Body Mass Index (BMI), muscle mass and subcutaneous stores of fat. “Malnutrition is the biggest risk factor and it has been overlooked,” she said, adding that the “disease needs to be fought on a common platform by all stakeholders.”

Heavy taxation affecting timber trade: NTTU Regulating medical practices in Nagaland

KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has expressed concern that unless “concerned taxation authorities” take concrete steps to check “rampant taxation,” they will have to account for “loss of livelihood of hundreds of Naga families who depend on timber trade” caused thus. This was noted in a press release issued by the NTTU. It stated that this release has been published in view of “heavy taxation imposed by the Nagaland political groups as well as Forest department, which is forcing the timber farmers and traders out of business.” Furnishing details on the tax levied per trip from Kiphire to Dimapur (see box), the NTTU informed that “taking all these taxation into account and the vehicle hiring expenses and other miscellaneous expenses and risks involved during transportation, where then is the point of tree farmers and timber traders

in practicing their trade as their profit is reduced to almost zero.” The NTTU questioned the Naga political groups whether the route to “sovereignty” or “independence” lies through “heavy taxation imposed on their own brothers who are tree farmers and plantation owners and who are trying to make an honest living by the sweat of their brow. If such taxation continues unabated, then where is the future of Naga entrepreneurs and businessmen?” It reminded that as per a Supreme Court order, Nagaland has been declared a “non-forest” State and individual farmers and community owning plantation and trees have the right to “dispose their produce for their livelihood.” The tree/timber farmers and traders, the NTTU stated, are also “not encroaching upon any government (whether overground or underground) land or forest but engaging in timber business with consent of individual or community plantation/tree owners.”

Taxes paid by Timber Traders in Nagaland (Kiphire to Dimapur) NSCN (I-M) tax (Per trip): Pungro town command (Rs.500), JC Battalion, Salomi (Rs. 1,000), Kiphire junction (Rs. 5,000), Longmatra (Rs. 8,000), Meluri town command (Rs. 500), Meluri Region (Rs. 500), Jessami gate entry fee (Rs. 500), Pfutsero gate entry fee (Rs. 500); Total = Rs. 16,500. GPRN/NSCN: Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire (Rs. 4,500), Azetso (Rs. 4,500), Meluri region (Rs. 1,500), Lalmati (Rs. 1,000), Purana Bazar (Rs. 1,500); Total =Rs. 13,500. NSCN (K): Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire junction (Rs. 4,500), Longmatra (Rs. 5,000), Azetso (Rs. 2,500); Total = Rs. 12,500. FGN (Federal): Rs. 4,000. Taxation at various Forest check gates: Rs. 9,000. Total taxation: Rs. 55,500 In addition to these, the Forest minister charges Rs. 3 lakh per tree felling wagon as his “personal commission” and DFO Dimapur charges Rs. 10,000 per wagon as commission. Issued by: NTTU

NLA passes Nagaland Medical Council Bill Our Correspondent Kohima | March 23

The Nagaland Medical Council Bill, 2014 was passed during the 4th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) here on Saturday. The Bill is to provide for the constitution of a Medical Council for registration of medical graduates and for the registration of institutions imparting training to such technicians in the State and to regulate their qualification. In a statement regarding the objectives and reasons for the Bill, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Imkong L. Imchen, stated that in the interest of safety of life, it is deemed appropriate that health care system in the State is properly regulated. The modern medical care cannot be provided without the help of medical personnel, he stated. The Minister added that whereas, there are laws for laying down standards and creating bodies for enforcement in the

‘It is beyond our capacity to work without salary’

NSSATA begin second phase of agitation

KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has reacted sharply to the statement issued by the Department of School Education (DSE), regarding demands made by the former. The NSSATA affirmed “not to accept any second party negotiating with the government on its behalf,” and further demanded that responsible authorities “solve the present issue at the earliest.” It further declared that the Association’s second phase of agitation, in the form of ‘indefinite boycott of classes,’ will start from March 23. The NSSATA, in a press note, termed the DSE’s statement that “the actual pending salary for release was for the months of January and February, 2014 only” as “totally misleading.” It stated that “the actual pending dues are that of the salary from December 2013 to Feb-

ruary 2014 and arrears of 2013.” Referring to the DSE’s statement that salary for December 2013 “is in the process of release,” the NSSATA termed it as “yet another dissatisfactory assurance.” “In the process, does not mean that it is released, which every literate person understands,” it said. Stating that the Association has “received such assurances time and again,” it further informed that the salaries for January and February 2014, including arrears of 2013 are “still not under process” and “may then take months or even a year or two for its release.” It questioned the DSE as to whether “March 2014 is the right time for processing the salary of December 2013.” The DSE had informed, in its earlier statement, that the State Government has released 100% of the State’s 10% share, which has been utilized for payment of salaries. To this, the Association queried, “Do you mean to justify that the state has done its part but the centre has not sanctioned

enough? Or is the centre not in a position to make the sanction on time?” it posed. The Association further demanded that the Government “stop new appointments/filling up the vacant posts of retiring state government teachers, to accommodate SSA teachers (2010-2013 batch) on the basis of seniority and merit.” It asserted that this is necessary to avoid “future inconveniences in the department, as the said category of teachers has to be absorbed sooner or later under the state government.” It then informed that on March 13, the DSE had summoned the NSSATA “for negotiating on the recent development, with the conditions not befitting any of the demands put forward by the association.” As such, the association conveyed to the DSE officials that the stir would continue unless the demands are fulfilled with written assurances, it informed. Stressing the association’s concern for the student community, it

stated that its members had “patiently bore the untold hardships that it went through despite the continuous mismanagement and consequent irregular payment of dues.” It asked the DSE that “if they are truly concerned about the welfare of the students — why have they (DSE) not performed their duties for timely release of teachers’ dues, distribution of textbooks, uniforms etc.” It added that the association was “disheartened” with the department’s statement that the issue faced by the SSA teachers was “an issue beyond the control of the State Government and the Department.” “Who is then, the responsible and competent authority to resolve the issue? Was it not the State Government and the concerned Department who signed the MoU in regards to the appointment and funding with the MHRD?” it questioned. NSSATA reminded the government that “It is also beyond our capacity to go and work empty stomach without salary.”

case of medical education, yet there is no law or machinery to lay down standards and enforce them in case of medical personnel. As such, he said that the best way to regulate medical personnel is through the State Medical Council Act. Imchen stated that in recent years, there has been a rapid growth of private medical institutions in the State. There is no regulation by any professional body over laboratory and diagnostic centres. Accordingly, the medical minister said, it is felt expedient to establish a Medical Council to superintend over the allied health professionals and its institutions with the powers to recognize, register, laying down norms and standards for various courses and training, uniform curricula, physical and infrastructural facilities, staffing pattern and staff qualification, quality instruction, assessments and examination system. On financial memorandum, the proposed introduction of the Nagaland Medical Council Bill 2014 shall be administered by the existing administrative set-up of the health and family welfare department, and will not entail any extra expenditure from the consolidated fund of the State.

63,733 educated unemployed in nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | March 23

There are 63,733 applicants remaining on the live register of employment exchange as on December 31, 2013, out of which 41,306 are men and 22,427 are women. This is according to the annual administrative report 2013-14 of the employment and craftsmen training, tabled by Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, in the assembly session on Saturday. As per the report, the number of post graduates stand at 3,415, graduates – 17, 637, pre-university- 13, 713, matriculate- 10, 930, below matric- 16,696, degrees (Tech)- 717 and diploma- 625.

Ganja seized at railway station DIMAPUR, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force, Dimapur arrested one man with 50 kilograms of ganja at the railway station. The man, identified as Sankar Sarma (34), was arrested at around 9:30pm on March 22. According to the officer-in-charge of the RPF, Dimapur, the man was at the platform with the contraband, waiting to board a train to West Bengal. An unidentified woman was with him but she escaped, the OC said. The contraband estimated to be worth around Rs. 2.5 lakh was concealed in five polythene bags. Its origin could not be established.

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24th March 2014 by The Morung Express - Issuu