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saturDaY • aPrIL 02 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 89 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon — Alexander Pope Myanmar’s ruling party, military clash over Suu Kyi role
Bulls rally to shock Rockets, boost NBA playoff bid
Clean Election: A social responsibility
PaGE 09
PaGE 02
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sc Jamir: spell out details of framework Agreement
A rescue worker cuts iron rods amidst the debris at the site of an under-construction overpass that collapsed on Thursday in Kolkata, April 1. (REUTERS)
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
ACAUT asks SVC to act on CAG reports
DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN):TheACAUT Nagaland has written to the Nagaland State Vigilance (SVC) Commissioner asking the State Vigilance Commission to act upon the several alleged anomalies in the CAG reports for the years 2013-14 and 2014-15. It asked the Vigilance Commission to file “necessary FIRs and charge sheets” against the officials /departments allegedly involved in “misappropriation/misutilisation of funds as laid out in the reports. Meanwhile, the ACAUT Nagaland welcomed the disciplinary proceedings against and the suspension of the Additional Director & HoD, Municipal Affairs He never returns home emp- Department, for his alleged involvement ty-handed from the office.
All food grains lifted by State Govt: FC DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has informed that all food grains allotted by the Government of India to the State for the Financial Year 2015-16 has been “fully lifted” by the Nagaland State Government. It added that the FCI releases food grains to the State Government and “further distribution to the beneficiaries is the responsibility of the State Government.”
NCSU demands completion of SARDP road projects
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DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) on Friday demanded that M/S Maytas & Gayatri (JV) immediately complete the stalled four road project of SARDP Phase-1 namely the Longleng-Changtongya road; Mon-Tamlu, Merangkong road, Phek-Pfutsero road and Zunheboto-Chakhabama road before taking up any new projects in Nagaland. In a representation addressed to Union Minister of Road Transport & Highway Nitin Gadkari, the NCSU stated that despite repeated pleas and representations submitted to the Prime Minister of India; President of India, Union Minister of Road & Transport, Union Minister (MORTH) and Governor of Nagaland, no action has been initiated against the firm Gayatri & Maytas (JV) as a consequence of which the projects remain abandoned till date. In this connection, the NCSU has urged the Union Minister to intervene into the matter at the earliest to complete the four projects by the concerned.
in misappropriation of funds under the 13thth Finance Commission Award, Rajiv Awas Yojana and BSUP Projects. Acknowledging the department for taking this measure, it further reminded that “this is just one case among the thousands of undetected corrupt activities happening in one of India’s most corrupted states.” It asked that the investigation agencies leave no stone unturned in “getting to the bottom of the matter and if the accused is found guilty then the government should not hesitate to give an exemplary punishment even to the extent of seizing the assets, thereby setting an example for all.”
DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): Governor of Odisha and former Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir today stated that time has come to spell out the details of the Framework Agreement signed last year between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. An article titled “Peace Accord Vis-A-Vis Future Challenges” by SC Jamir was released to the media today where he lamented that till date, the signatories have not shared the contents of the agreement, leading to “doubts and confusion.” He advised that there should be no ambiguity in an agreement which “promises to bring to an end decades of violence and bloodshed.” He said that the agreement “cannot be outside the ambit of the Constitution of India,” and added that this needs to be stated unequivocally by the Government of India. Jamir further urged that the contours of the Framework Agreement and the fine print of a final solution package should be discussed with and endorsed by representatives of all Naga tribes and the various Naga political groups. “In a democratic polity like ours, nothing should be done without the knowledge and consent of the people while deciding their political future...,” he said.
nurture and realize their unique socio-economic dreams and genuine political aspirations.” Jamir however cautioned that the Naga people cannot afford to undermine the changes taking place in the world. “They have to live and march with the times,” he said, while encouraging the Naga people to ensure that “our knowledge, ideas, thinking, attitudes and outlook are reoriented, reshaped, reenergized and refresh in consonance with the changing times.” Change, he reasoned does not mean “the death of the unique identity.” “On the contrary, change is synonymous with positive reorientation, intelligent reassessment, cogent revaluation and harmonious assimilation and seamless synthesis of the old with the new,” he added. While being “progressive” and “dynamic,” Jamir however affirmed that the Naga people need to also preserve the core values which “project our unique identity and place in the modern world” and “facilitate in our socio-cultural and political progress.” He stated that the younger generation of Nagas need to “shake off the dust of despair and frustration and take their destiny in their own hands ... and reshape our ideas and outlook to suit our present needs and future requirements.”
‘Nagas need to march with the times’
‘Do not repeat past mistakes’ Make Article 371-A clear
Jamir further lamented that each Naga political group is claiming the mandate of the people for their own. He said “historical fact should be accepted ungrudgingly by all.” He asserted that as a “distinctive people,” Nagas have the “fundamental right to protect, preserve and promote their inalienable social, political and cultural endowment and to
The former Nagaland Chief Minister reminded that the Government of India had made mistakes in the past by treating the Naga issue as merely a law and order problem. This, he said should not be repeated. Meanwhile, he also advised the people of Nagaland to “take a practical view of things instead of deluding themselves with lofty ideals.” Acknowledging that an oppor-
tunity has been presented to shed past ideological baggage and confront reality, he stated that “a sense of pragmatism and benevolent accommodation by the big brother at this juncture will go a long way in resolving a problem that has defied solution for over six decades.”
Central assistance ‘necessary’
Jamir listed out the issues of concern in Nagaland state, from its complex socio-political and economic problems, to its underdeveloped economy, unemployment and the disproportionately large number of government employees. He deemed its “necessary” for the Government of India to provide a special financial dispensation for the overall development of Nagaland. He advised that within the Framework Agreement, there needs to be a comprehensive and detailed blueprint for development of Nagaland, drawn up jointly by the Government of India and the Nagaland Government fully funded by the Government of India as Central projects. “At the same time, the Central Government will have to vigorously monitor the expenditure of the State Government so as to prevent leakages and ensure efficient utilization of funds,” he added. He added that the “cloud of ambiguity” over some provisions of Article 371-A also needs to be cleared. “For instance, the phrase ‘land and its resources’ should unambiguously be interpreted to include natural gas and its by-products. Their exploitation by the State would, without doubt, add to its resources and make it economically more viable,” he claimed. Full text on Page 10
environmental hazards caused by NPCC hits out at NPF for stone crushers, sewage: cAG reveals campaigning for the BJP Morung Express News Dimapur | April 1
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its Audit report have identified unmonitored operation of stone crushers and lack of sewage treatment facilities as two environmental hazards causing unabated air and water pollution in the State and thereby posing serious health threats to citizens. The CAG Audit took care to mention in its report that Silicosis, a lung disease, caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock and mineral ores such as quartz emitted from the stone crushing units affects the workers and resident exposed to silica dust. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which harm the ability to breathe. There is not cure for sili-
Says 84% of stone crushers identified by NPCB operating without renewing their expired CFO
cosis, but it can only be prevented, it further informed. According to the Audit, 90 stone crushers (84%) out of 107 identified by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) were operating without renewing their expired Consent for Operation (CFO) from the Board. As per the guidelines issued by the NPCB in 2010, the stone crushing units should have valid license and should not be located close to residential areas. Further, the crushing machine is to be surrounded with wind breaking walls, growing of trees (green belt) along the periphery and labourers should be provided with protective gears including mask and must undergo regular health check-ups.
Any stone crushing operating without valid consent shall attract legal actions as per Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, it stated. However, the Audit reported that there was no effective monitoring by the Board on compliance of the standards for operation of the stone crushers in the State as prescribed in the guidelines. It also observed that the Board did not take any preventive measures on the stone crushers located near the residential areas nor did it conduct regular inspections of the stone crushers. On the reply from the Board that it was inspecting and issuing guidelines to the stone crushing units by publishing advertisement
on the awareness on Silicosis disease caused by pollution from stone crushers in the newspapers and through distribution of pamphlets, the audit termed it as ‘not acceptable’ and ‘insufficient.’ It recommended that the Board should consider taking legal actions as per the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986. The CAG Audit also expressed concern that no Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) has been set up in Nagaland and there was no information relating to estimated waste water generated per day with the Board or the Municipalities. The NPCB replied that it had highlighted the pollution level of River Dhansiri in Dimapur to the Nagaland Government in 2011 and had suggested to take up a STP. However, no action has been taken to set up the same, the Board stated.
DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): Alleging that minorities are being persecuted all over the nation under the aegis of the BJP, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Friday criticized the NPF leaders for campaigning for the same political party in Assam. On Thursday, NPF leaders led by Chief Minister TR Zeliang, Home Minister K Patton and others had campaigned for a BJP candidate at an election rally held at Bokajan, Karbi Anglong where Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smriti Irani attended. Expressing distaste that the NPF leaders were all out with the BJP, the NPCC president K Therie in a press statement said the Assam election pictures will be another set of evidences in the context before
the world. Therie recalled how about a decade ago when LK Advani was asked by a foreign journalist that under his government Christians are persecuted and forced reconversions carried out, Advani replied it was not true and that in a Christian State like Nagaland, the government had a BJP Home Minister thereby defending themselves before the world. “Yes, UPA had the Look East policy and the state received enough funds. NDA has the Act East policy and the state is bankrupt. We are all for amicable settlement to the boundary issue and it all depends on the initiatives form both sides. What is important now is to stop from persecuting Christians, Minorities and Dalits,” he pointed out.
Asia likely to face severe water crisis by 2050: Study
NEw YoRk, APRIL 1 (IANS): Asia, the continent that houses roughly half the world’s population, will face a “high risk of severe water stress” by 2050 if the current environmental, economical and population growth persists, warns a new study. The study points out that water shortages are not simply the results of climate change and environmental stress. “It’s not just a climate change issue. We simply cannot ignore that economic and population growth in society can have a very strong influence on our demand for resources and how we manage them,” said one of the researchers Adam Schlosser, a senior research scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in US.
“And climate, on top of that, can lead to substantial magnifications to those stresses,” Schlosser added. The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, showed that the median amounts of projected growth and climate change in the next 35 years in Asia would lead to about 1 billion more people becoming “water-stressed” compared to the present time. To conduct the study, the scientists built upon an existing model developed previously at MIT, the Integrated Global Systems Model (IGSM), which contains probabilistic projections of population growth, economic expansion, climate, and carbon emissions from human activity. They then linked the IGSM model to detailed
People collect drinking water from a supply line in Dimapur, Nagaland. Photo by Caisii Mao
models of water use for a The scientists then ran In what they call the large portion of Asia en- an extensive series of re- “just growth” scenario, they compassing China, India, peated projections using held climate conditions and many smaller nations. varying conditions. constant and evaluated the
effects of economic and population growth on the water supply. In an alternate “just climate” scenario, the scientists held growth constant and evaluated climatechange effects alone. And in a “climate and growth” scenario, they studied the impact of rising economic activity, growing populations, and climate change. The study gave the researchers a “unique ability to tease out the human (economic) and environmental” factors leading to water shortages and to assess their relative significance, Schlosser said. The IGSM model also allowed the team to look at how, under the same variables, scenarios change according to countries. This is particularly useful to come
up with country-specific strategies, in order to avoid water stress. “For China, it looks like industrial growth (has the greatest impact) as people get wealthier. In India, population growth has a huge effect. It varies by region,” explained lead author Charle Fant, researcher at MIT. Other variables, such as water supply networks into and out of the different areas, and the way population is distributed around said supplies should be examined, the researchers said. “We are assessing the extent to which climate mitigation and adaptation practices - such as more efficient irrigation technologies - can reduce the future risk of nations under high water stress,” Schlosser said.