2nd April 2014

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 89

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later

Kejriwal questions Modi wave, attacks Sonia

‘I appreciate both men and women’

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West stumbles as autocratic force trumps economics

Yes

no

Others

April 9 declared paid holiday KOHIMA, APRIL 1 (MExN): Under Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Section 135B), the Governor of Nagaland has declared April 9 as a Paid Holiday for all the Government Employees serving in the state of Nagaland to enable them to cast their vote in the General Election to the Lok Sabha.

R&B urged to issue pending work orders Morung Express news Dimapur | April 1

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The approaching monsoon is posing another problem for the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). Work orders for a number of segments remain pending, leaving the work completed thus far, vulnerable to the rains. The NFHRCC has urged the department concerned to issue work orders for the remaining sectors. At a meeting on April 1, NFHRCC disclosed that work in the Mokokchung sector was halted as no fresh work order was sanctioned. NFRCC maintained that earth cutting should be done before the onslaught of the monsoon. Some 3.7 kilometers of fresh cutting was completed in the Longtho segment of Mokokchung sector in January, after work begun in December, 2013. No fresh work order was sanctioned after that, leaving personnel and machinery idle for two months. It further roused the question of reimbursing the contractor, for leaving the machinery left idle during the period. The department is said to have responded that no fresh work order was issued, due to the Lok Sabha polls and the election code of conduct. So far, the PWD (Roads & Bridges) has sanctioned work in the Wokha sector and at a portion (Longtho segment) in the Mokokchung sector; while, Mon, Longleng and Dimapur sectors remain untouched. Interestingly, the original work order for the Longtho segment was 2.5 kms but at completion, it stretched 3.7 kms.

Anand should add strategist to core team: Susan Polgar [ PAGE 10]

climate change ‘responses’ nagaland state coal, oil and to shape the future of Asia natural gas policies enforced

YOKOHAMA,

Do you support the NLA decision to set up Nagaland Special Development Zones?

–Og Mandino

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Our Correspondent Kohima | April 1

APRIL

It has come to our notice 1 (AP): Extreme weather, that you`re planning to rig rising seas and worsening the 2014 poll like you did scarcity of drinking water last election! True?

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Empowering students through education and vocational training

‘Just as colonialism determined much of Asia’s past, climate change will determine the region’s future’

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

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are forcing many Asian governments to confront the changes being wrought by a warming planet. Millions in the region have already been displaced by floods and droughts thought related to global warming, a United Nations scientific panel said in a report meant to guide policymakers and form the foundation for a new climate treaty due next year. Scientists who back the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change say there is overwhelming evidence that carbon emissions from industrialization and energyintensive modern lifestyles have increased the world’s average temperature over the past century. Failed global efforts to significantly reduce emissions mean that nations are now focusing efforts on adapting to a hotter earth. Just as colonialism determined much of Asia’s past, climate change will determine the region’s future. Adapting to profound disruptions from climate change will determine the region’s future, said Rajendra Kuma Pachauri, a co-chairman of the climate panel.

FILE - In this May 31, 2009 file photo, water flows back as villagers dig earth to rebuild an embankment at Protap Nagar in Shatkhira, Bangladesh. Experts say Asia and the South Pacific, home to 4.3 billion people or 60 percent of all humankind, faces rising risks from climate change that threaten food security, public health and social order, in a report given on March 31, 2014 by a United Nations scientific panel. (AP Photo)

Asia’s growing economic importance and rapidly urbanizing populations will give it a pivotal role in humanity’s handling of climate change, said Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development at the Independent University in Bangladesh. In Myanmar and Bangladesh, coastal farmlands are tainted by sea water from storm surges and rising sea levels, making soil too saline in key rice producing regions. In Nepal, fast melting Himalayan glaciers are triggering floods as overburdened dams collapse. Even in wealthy, indus-

trialized Japan, changing climate is expected to double the risks from floods and deaths due to heat and expand the areas affected by disease-carrying mosquitoes. Progress is mixed, and it does not always depend on the wealth of the societies involved. Experts at the climate talks praised Bangladesh, one of Asia’s poorest nations, for its efforts to reduce flooding risks by capturing silt to raise ground levels in its lowlying coastal areas and for building sturdy, multi-storied storm shelters that are credited with saving many lives from surging sea waters during cyclones. India has begun to in-

crease use of renewable energy, doubling its solar generation capacity in 2013 and aiming to generate 15 percent of its power through renewable energy by 2020. China has swiftly increased its wind and solar power generation, retrofitting older power plants with emissions controls and rapidly expanding its use of nuclear power. Regardless of who is to blame for the legacy of carbon emissions in the industrial world, in Asia policymakers understand that carrying on with business as usual is just too risky. “I think they’re on the verge of realizing that’s not in their best interest,” said Huq.

The Nagaland Coal Policy and Nagaland Coal Mining Rules are being enforced in the State. Toward this, the Department of Geology and Mining has issued 17 coal mining leases, and 9 small pocket deposit licenses to individuals and coal companies. 17 mineral check gates at various exits, two weigh bridges and a rest house has so far been constructed, according to the annual administrative report of the Department tabled in the recently concluded Nagaland Legislative Assembly session by Minister for Geology & Mining, T.R. Zeliang. The report said the royalty on coal has also been enhanced to Rs. 290 per ton for licensees. The Nagaland State Government has introduced a new system for payment of ‘Naga Commission’ to the land owners through the village council. The district-in-charge concerned is authorized to collect and deduct 10% ‘Naga Commission’ directly from the licensees and coal operators, and deposit the same into the Department’s account. The ‘Naga Commission’ has to be released to the land owners through the district administration. The report also stated that the Department had already drafted a new Nagaland Coal Policy 2014 and the same is under consideration of the Government for implementation.

as a response to which 23 oil companies expressed interest. Three “oil zones” in Nagaland have now been awarded to two companiesM/S Metropolitan Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd (Wokha and Peren Zones) and M/S Assam Company India Limited (Mon Zone). The Department has conducted several public awareness programmes on oil and natural gas issue during 2013 -14. The report stated that civil construction work at Changpang oilfield, Wokha district, was taken up during 2013-14. 23 oil wells got brick wall fencing for curtailment of oil spillage, minor soiling and metalling of oil well link road had been done, as well as the construction of a bridge over Sotsulangta River at Changpang oilfield. Two oil spillage wells at Changpang oilfield were inspected, reports of which were submitted to the Government. Referring to works related to exploration and mining of petroleum and natural gas, the report stated field and site visit works in the foothill areas pertaining to petroleum and natural gas deposits, surface occurrences of petroleum and locations of village covering the districts of Mon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Wokha and Peren. More emphasis was given to Changpang Oilfield, Wameken and Singpahn area. Ground geological records and data were generated. Map and data plotting for Wokha district on 1:50,000 scale covering 1615 sq.km area was completed while map plotting for occurrences in all of Nagaland is under completion. The report stated the mining section is looking after mineral administration, mines management, implementation of coal policy and oil and natural gas activities in the State.

New system to pay ‘Naga Commission’ comes into play

Nagaland Oil and Natural Gas Rules and Regulations, 2012

The State Government has also notified the Nagaland Oil and Natural Gas, Regulation 2012 and Nagaland Oil and Natural Gas Rules, 2012. In this regard, the State Government has floated Expression of Interests (EOIs),

Nagaland Govt assures to nagaland prepared for lok sabha election Police Observer arrives in Nagaland release Rs 8 Crores to NCSU

KOHIMA, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Nagaland State Finance Department has assured to release Rs 8 Crore, under D.NO. 27 – Planning Department, for clearance of pending liabilities to the Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU). In a communiqué to the President of the NCSU, the Finance Department informed that the file for release of the said amount was received by the department on March 28 and the matter was intimated to the Chief Minister on the same day. It stated that although the CM had initially approved for release of the amount, the decision for payment to NCSU and several government departments had to be reviewed due to short receipt of Rs 624.90 Crores of the anticipated Central Assistance to the State Plan, during 2013-14, from the Government of India. In addition, there is a short receipt of Rs 90.52 crores under the state’s share of Central Taxes from the Government of India during the current year 2013-14, added the Finance Department. As such, it lamented that the government has “no other option but to withhold the release of Rs 8.00 Crores until such time the resource position of the state improves.” However, it assured

that the state government would accord top priority in releasing the amount, “as soon as we receive the expected pending grants from the Government of India.” The communiqué further informed that despite resource constraints faced by the state on account of the adverse recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission, the state government has, from 200506 till date, released an amount of Rs 59.59 Crores for payment of pending liabilities to the members of the NCSU. It also said that in order to determine the genuineness of the ever increasing pending liabilities of the NCSU, the state government had, in November 2013, set-up a Committee. The Committee recommended an amount of Rs 35.84 crores as the outstanding amount towards pending liabilities of the members of the NCSU. Out of that amount, Rs 10.00 Crores have since been released, leaving a balance of Rs 25.84 crores. NCSU informs members Meanwhile, the NCSU head office Kohima has appealed for all bonafide members of the union to wait patiently till the department fulfills its assurances. This was stated in a press note from NCSU President Pele Khezhie and General Secretary John Kath.

KOHIMA, APRIL 1 (PTI): Nagaland Election Department is prepared for the conduct polls in the state, CEO Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen said. Altogether 33 companies of additional forces of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have already reached the state and have been put on election duty. The forces include 10 coys of Tripura State Rifles, seven coys of Mizoram Armed Police; eight each coys of BSF and CRPF. Official sources also revealed besides the CAPF, the available battalions of Nagaland

Armed Police (NAP) and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) would also be utilized for poll duty. The sources also maintained that due to shortage in sanctioning of central forces for the poll duties, the service of about 500 Home Guard personnel and 3000 Village Guards would also be utilised. He said that two each general observers and expenditure observers, and one police observer are also in the state. He also said that SVEEP campaigns are being conducted in every part of the state while distribution of plastic EPIC,

which is to be used in Assam and Nagaland only for the first time, is also in progress. Nagaland has a total of 11,74,663 electors’ spread over 2059 polling stations in 12 electoral districts, including Pughoboto electoral district of the state. Three candidates are on fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is contesting from Naga People’s Front, former Minister KV Pusa is official Congress candidate while Akhei Achumi is contesting from Socialist Party (India) ticket.

KOHIMA, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Police Observer appointed by the ECI, Sudheer, arrived in the state capital on March 31, for assessing the situation, in relation to the 16th Lok sabha polls. Sudheer an IPS officer of 1993 batch informed that he has already interacted with the CEO Nagaland, Commissioner and senior police officers and that he would be visiting some of the districts in due course of time. The Police Observer sought the cooperation and coordination of all concerned in carrying out free, fair and peaceful elections. The Police Observer can be contacted at 8014468158.

Leaders urged to be ‘more’ committed towards reconciliation

MOKOKCHUNG, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Concerned Senior Citizens Forum Mokokchung (CSCFM), while welcoming the signing of the Lenten Agreement between the NSCN (IM), GPRN/ NSCN and the NNC/FGN, has called upon all political leaders “to be more committed and firm to the God given opportunity of one united Naga people.” While appreciating the “tireless spirit” of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, it urged all the Naga organizations, churches and citizens to partake in the unity and reconciliation move. A press note from the forum stated that the Lenten Agreement is “yet another welcoming steps towards our most desired aspiration.” It added that since the initiative of the FNR, “we have seen all the different Naga Groups pledging to undertake the journey of common hope; we have also seen formation of Naga National Government in the Naga Concordant.” “Having committed to bury all the differences and unitedly fight for the Naga rights, we the Naga citizens fully endorse faith and support

‘Extend support for a shared Naga future’

Lenten Agreement has lifted spirits: BAN

DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Lenten Agreement between the NSCN (IM), GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN, under the initiative the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and expressed hope that this will translate into action towards Naga Reconciliation. NMA, in a press note, acknowledged the effort of the FNR and “the courage for putting forward something significant and inspirational progress which offers prospect of hope.” It further encouraged all signatories of the Lenten Agreement to honour and respect the commitment and extend full support to the Naga Reconciliation process for a shared Naga future.

DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has lauded the Naga Political Groups for their decisions to reconcile and termed the signing of the Lenten Agreement as “welcome news.” A press note from the BAN stated that the agreement is “another landmark step, toward the Naga aspiration for a shared future and a comprehensive strategy for achieving a common goal.” BAN further extolled the initiatives of the FNR and expressed optimism in the “maturity and seriousness in the efforts of the NPGs.” “Realization has dawned, that the solution to the protracted Naga issue can only be achieved when Nagas become one,” it asserted. BAN further said that these positive developments have lifted spirits of the business community and the public, with expectations for a new era of community stability and economic development.

for Naga reconciliation. But only to be baffled in the Naga public reconciliation meet February 29, 2012, where some of the Naga leaders had clearly shown their ulterior motives against the interest of the Nagas and against the commitment they have made for our Nation,” the forum

lamented. It stated that the “leaders of the Indian nation have time and again demonstrated their noncommitment to resolve the Naga political issue.” “Naga people cannot be fooled for all the time in the name of ceasefire and peace so as loyalty,

support and prayer cannot be just wasted in the name of many declarations and reconciliations unless it is a genuine one,” it asserted. The forum further declared that “no government or leaders can have the ultimate right for the Naga people but the Naga people only.”

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