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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 220
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Lalu, Nitish are together again -after 20 years [ PAGE 8]
Dwayne Johnson’s mother and cousin hit by drunk driver [ PAGE 11]
NSMDC Ltd plants around 500 saplings
By Sandemo Ngullie
[ PAGE 2]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 12]
Negotiators begin new talks to end Gaza war
Dimapur | August 11
Naga Hoho and GRSX will not be attending, but GRF,D BN,HJNS,HJSUN,AJSH,STY, JKDJHS, JSXX,SDEJK,AKK ,SJD,JASHD,HNJS,DKMN...
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 11 (MExN): The Yimchunger Union Dimapur (YUD) has expressed concern over the July 7 incident, where a “random mob representing Chendang village” had allegedly “slashed” standing crops at Tsundang Saddle village. A press note from the YUD alleged that the “mob with pre-mediated plan ravaged the field assuming that no one would be on guard during.” It further alleged that “three watchmen, detailed to check from Mithun entering their field, were assaulted off-guard by the mob.” “According to Yimchunger customary tradition and culture, intentional damage to standing crops is tantamount to life attempt. It is indeed shocking to witness such barbaric act in this civilized society. This lowly act has deeply hurt the sentiment of all the Yimchungrer’s, particularly in this festive season,” stated the YUD. It urged the concerned authorities to solve what it termed is a “long standing issue between the two neighbouring village, and grant compensation for crops damaged and the injured person.” It further demanded that the culprits be brought to book at the earliest. The YUD cautioned that failure to take appropriate action would compel the union to “intervene using our set of cultural land laws.”
CLOU demands security for oil fields WOKHA, AUGUST 11 (MExN): The Changpang Land Owners Union (CLOU) today apprised the Nagaland state government to deploy additional police personnel in order to ensure adequate security measures for the oil filed under its jurisdiction, in which exploration is scheduled to begin. A press note from the CLOU informed that this request was made to the Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and Home Minister, Y Patton on August 9. The CLOU further submitted a memorandum to the CM expressing its commitment to extend cooperation to embrace development in the area in particular and Nagas in general. “The land owners on whose land and village oil is extracted appeal every Kyong intellectual to come together with a positive motive and curb the act of prejudice from our soil,” it added. It asserted that the union would not “bear responsibility whatsoever of any defaulters within the oil field if found guilty and would continue to resist tooth and nail for a better cause in the near future.”
–Jenny Shipley
Fired-up Tsonga stuns Federer to win Toronto Masters
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YUD expresses concern over July 7 incident
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lADP objective in nagaland was defeated: cAG report
reflections
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Peace is a fragile thing. It takes courage to secure it. It takes wisdom to maintain it
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A man, carrying liquor in a black polythene bag, is seen emerging from a shop in Dimapur town, while a Naga couple passes by after attending devotional service at noon, Sunday, August 10. The issue of total alcohol prohibition in Nagaland state has given rise to points and counter points being raised frequently in recent weeks. (Photo by Imojen I Jamir)
Nagaland needs neutral interlocutor: Naga Hoho DIMAPUR, AUGUST 11 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today stated that it is “seething with multiple questions and tension over the appointment of RN Ravi, a retired Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau as the Centre’s new Interlocutor for political negotiations with Naga political groups.” A press note from the Naga Hoho stated that, at this point of time, “Nagaland needs a neutral Interlocutor without any prejudices.” It referred to the newly appointed interlocutor’s “recent article - Nagaland: decent into chaos,” which it informed was published in The Hindu on January 23, 2014.” The Naga Hoho stated that the article “clearly affirmed his bent of mind and his preset notions of different Naga underground groups.” It viewed that “such a person will never strive to bring political settlement, rather sacrifice the hard earned ongoing peace process by using its mighty Indian forces, which has always been advocated by different Indian Intelligence.”
The Naga Hoho stated that the Naga people have “happily accepted the signing of Cease-fire between the Government of India (GOI) and different Naga political groups,” and “appreciated” the GoI and its leaders for “realizing the futility of the military way of solution.” It reminded that the GoI has also “recognized the Indo-Naga political problem as a political issue and not a law and order problem.” However, it lamented that despite various mutual steps taken by both the sides through political dialogue, the Government of India has “wasted the last seventeen years without bringing out any tangible solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem.” As such, the Naga Hoho appealed to the Government of India and its leaders to “seriously ponder on this matter and appoint another Interlocutor who does not possess military or IB background and cares for the Naga people in particular and the people of North East in general.”
The objective of the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) in Nagaland state has been “defeated,” reveals a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for the year ending March 31, 2013. With a view to decentralize planning process at the grassroots level, the Nagaland Local Area Development Scheme was introduced in 199394. The name of the programme was changed to the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) from 2003-04, covering all sixty assembly constituencies in the state. The objective of the programme was to take up developmental programmes in critical areas through mass participation of people and to create durable community assets, particularly in the pockets which are relatively less developed. The CAG report stated that instead of decentralizing the entire planning process by involving the Village Development Boards (VDBs) in identification of projects, “the department mostly relied on recommendations of elected members. The CAG stated that village profile was not created to identify the critical areas wherein developments were required and that there was random selection of projects by elected members. This, it stated, not only resulted in “duplication of projects but also
• 146 projects worth Rs 5.18 Crores found to be ‘non-existent’ • Several instances of ‘unexecuted’ projects detected
cAG recommenDs • Village profiles need to be framed to identify critical areas to bridge development gaps to eradicate poverty in villages. • Identification and selection of projects should be streamlined in order to ensure inputs from the grassroots level as envisaged in the guidelines. • Guidelines need to be devised to structure planning process, selection criteria of beneficiaries and technical estimates at appropriate levels to achieve fruitful results. • Quantity and quality control mechanism of the projects needs to be strengthened. • Monitoring and evaluation mechanism needs more attention • Impact analysis of the scheme needs to be undertaken. defeated the objective of the planning mechanism.” It added that despite preparing technical estimates of the project, the estimates were “either incomplete or deficient. The CAG reported that the technical estimates were prepared without appropriate inputs and that “the inadequate technical estimates approved by the DPDB resulted in short execution, diversion of projects and overlapping of projects.” The report added that the heads of development departments neither furnished any works programmes to the DPDB nor discussed in the meeting to avoid duplication of works. It further revealed that the Nodal Officer for LADP programme did not collect annual works plan/ action plan from other allied departments. Various “deficiencies” were detected by the CAG while test checking 430 Technical Estimates (TEs) prepared and approved for implementa-
tion of LADP projects. The report stated that specific locations of the projects to be implemented were not available in the TEs. They neither disclosed the background nor history of the required projects to describe the intended benefits out of the projects, it added. The TEs, according to the CAG, were not approved as per the financial powers delegated to the competent authorities and did not provide separate data for material cost to be procured and issued to the work by the DPDB. It further detected that the TEs were not prepared in accordance to the standardized funding scale of schemes in respect to 43 items of model schemes under individual based schemes. It informed that during 2008-13, an amount of Rs 270.42 Crores was spent on four categorized LADP programmes in Nagaland state. While conducting joint physical verification of proj-
ects in 15 constituencies, the CAG revealed that 146 projects, which were taken up at a cost of Rs 5.18 Crores during 2008-13, were “nonexistent.” This, according to the CAG report, pointed to “possible misappropriation.” It further detected “overlapping of four works valued at Rs 0.73 Crores under the Roads and Bridges.” The CAG stated that several instances of unexecuted projects were noticed and that execution of non permissible projects outside the purview of the scheme guidelines had defeated the purpose for which the scheme was created. The CAG further stated that the verification committee had certified works without recording measurement to support the nature of assets created. It further lamented that the nodal department and the implementing department was “deficient” and that monitoring and evaluation was also “not effective.”
ACUAT affirms support for Naga National Movement nagaland BJP concerned by state’s financial quandary DIMAPUR, AUGUST 11 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today stated that it is “in support of the Naga National Movement fighting for sovereignty, which is the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas.” ACAUT, in a press note, clarified that it “at no point of stated that it is against the movement.” It further stated that ACAUT is not against paying tax towards the Naga National Movement and reminded that the “One Govt One Tax adopted on
October 31, 2013 clearly states that the Naga people will pay tax once the NPGs come together under a common platform and form One Government.” The ACAUT further questioned whether it is “anti- national or a crime to ask the NPGs to come under one umbrella?” It further questioned why the “NPGs are so much against One Government One Tax or in other words refuse to come under one umbrella?” Clarifying that ACAUT is “not for or against any particular NPG,” it stated: “it is totally wrong to in-
terpret the ACAUT movement as ACAUT versus NPGs.” It appealed to the Naga Political Groups “not to misunderstand or undermine the ACAUT movement since it is working towards strengthening the Naga National Movement so that a Naga political solution is arrived at the earliest.” ACAUT, while expressing support for the cease fire between the GoI and NPGs, also demanded that the FNR initiative for reconciliation and modalities for One Naga National Government be “heeded to by
all the NPGs.” It further stated that the “refusal of the common man not to pay tax unless the NPGs unite should not be misunderstood by the GoI to undermine the Naga National Movement.” “The GOI should know that the Naga National Movement is dear to every Naga and the Historical and Political rights of the Nagas are at the core of our identity,” it added. As such, it called upon the Government of India to resolve the Indo-Naga Political issue at the earliest. Full text on page 4
Innovative schemes needed to ‘promote tourism’ in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | August 11
Nagaland state Commission & Secretary for Tourism, Himato Zhimomi today stressed on the need to build up innovative schemes to promote tourism in the state. He stated this while addressing a ‘Bed & Breakfast scheme’ workshop here today at Hotel Grandeur. The workshop was conducted to highlight the advantages of the ‘Incredible India Bed & Breakfast/ Home stay Establishments,’ envisioned by the Ministry of Tourism to provide comfortable home stay facilities of standardized world class services to tourists, and to supplement the availability of accommodation in the metros and tourist destinations. The idea, under this initiative, is to provide a clean and affordable place for foreign and domestic tourists
alike including an opportunity for foreign tourists to stay with a local family to experience their customs and traditions and relish authentic cuisine. Addressing the workshop, Zhimomi felt this scheme to be very interesting and a different sort of activity. “The benefit that is going to come from this will revolutionize hospitality in our State,” he stated. Zhimomi said the government is trying to improvise, streamline, structure, institutionalize and augment the hospitality sector, which he stated is booming in the state of Nagaland. Zhimomi further expressed optimism that the ‘Bed & Breakfast’ initiative of the Tourism Ministry would be beneficial for the state’s tourism industry and enable tourists to experience the local culture and life. “I have strong faith in the capacity of the Nagas and people in Nagaland to latch on to this
scheme because Nagas are very hospitable by nature,” he said. He further hoped to implement this scheme at the earliest and opined that this push from the government of India will take the state to the next level in attracting tourists. Sanjay Shreevats, Deputy Director General/Regional Director (NE), India Tourism, Ministry of Tourism felt that most of the tourist inflow in the state is during the Hornbill festival only. He expressed hope that the state will begin to work towards making itself a 365 days destination. “It should not only be limited to the Hornbill festival or a certain season where tourist flow in and leave a vacuum after that”, he remarked. In this, he said that the Bed & Breakfast scheme, when it comes into play, would prove helpful and at the same time generate revenue, while offer-
ing an alternate accommodation other than merely hotels. As per the Ministry of Tourism, government of India, the Regional Classification Committee will inspect and assess the Bed & Breakfast/Home stay Establishments based on facilities and services offered. The Establishments, once approved by the Ministry of Tourism, will be duly publicized and a directory of all such approved establishments will also be prepared. This will enable domestic as well as foreign tourists to live in a homely environment and to take advantage of the scheme. In addition, efforts will be made to organise short term training in hospitality trade to those who would opt for such training. The workshop was chaired by Tourism Director, P Angami; while the vote of thanks was proposed by Additional Director, KT Thomas.
Calls for judicious utilization of funds
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 11 (MExN): The Nagaland State Unit, BJP has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing precarious financial situation of the state. In a press note, Dr. M. Chuba Ao, the State Unit President, however asserted that, the present crisis is not “something out of the blue” but “cumulative in nature” and singled out the “changed funding pattern since 1989” as the main culprit. The state ceased to the enjoy the ‘special category States’ in funding pattern since then and the incumbent Congress government of Nagaland of that time had failed to protect state interest, it stated. It further added that “UPA government in its decade rule had meted out step-motherly treatment in fund allocations to the State” and “the adverse Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC) award was a glaring example of utter neglect” of the state by the previous UPA regime and its ramification was felt by “the entire population in Nagaland alike and not necessarily the nonCongress government only.” The erstwhile UPA government, it continued, had done “little or nothing” to help the state tide over the huge balance of current revenue (BCR) deficits, other than the normal allocation under State plan and centrally sponsored schemes (CSS). Despite having differences in principle, the DAN-II government had extended unconditional outside support to the UPA-II but such support was taken as granted and
the plight of the state was not addressed, the BJP further noted. The State BJP unit, however, was optimistic that the present NDA government will be sympathetic to “to the plight of the people of Nagaland” and stated that “the question of neglect does not arise only if we are honest to ourselves.” As a pre-poll alliance partner of the DAN-III government, it assured that the BJP is doing everything under its power to ensure that the state’s finance position is stabilized soon and expressed hope that the state would receive generous fund from the Centre soon. However, the BJP cautioned that such generous funding will materialize only if the centre was convinced that it was judiciously utilized for the intended purposes. It further assured that the state BJP would ensure such developmental funds do not disappear before reaching the beneficiaries at the grass root level. It stated that the release of pending installment for ongoing projects is entirely dependent upon judicious utilization of the installments received already and urged the “DAN-III government to discharge its duty in timely submission of utilization certificate for those installments due, so that development activities are not stalled.” The BJP further asserted that the present NDA government will pursue zero tolerance policy on corruption. It urged the people of Nagaland “to be vigilant and work as the government’s watch-dogs on utilization of development funds” and stated that “misappropriation of public funds takes place in an unresponsive society.”
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