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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 52
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www.morungexpress.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4
Light can come into this world only as love, and love can enter only by suffering Key takeaways Oscars from speeches filled President’s with political Budget speech activism, pet issues [ PAGE 8]
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‘We should work and eat’ [ PAGE 2]
Ronaldo scores to help Madrid win 2-0 at Elche
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 10]
Death toll rises to at least 70 in Bangladesh ferry disaster
[ PAGE 11]
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– Wendell Berry
the long winding road to the tuli Paper Mill—ii Morung Express News Dimapur | February 23
Naga women wear protective masks as they wait in queue to get free Swine Flu preventive medicine at a Homeopathic clinic in Dimapur, Nagaland on Monday, February 23. Photo by Caisii Mao
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Swine Flu: Health department convenes meeting on Feb 24
Kohima, February 23 (DiPr): Commissioner and Secretary for the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare department, Sentiyanger Imchen has notified that there will be a meeting on H1N1 with all stake holders including private practitioners, medical officers from para military forces, police and home guard on February 24 at 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Director“We brought him here to be ate of the Health & Family questioned about the scam. Welfare conference hall. Told him not to sign on all Meanwhile, the Chief papers but he prided himself with being efficient.”
NSF calls for rigorous probe into misuse of funds
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DimaPur, February 23 (mexN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for rigorous investigation into the “misappropriation of Rs 12,79,50,000 Crores by officials School Education Department and also allegedly by certain individuals which was meant for disabled children.” A press note from the NSF “strongly condemned the Department of School Education (DoSE) particularly those officials involved in the Scam for commiting such a deceitful act.” It urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to “rigorously investigate the scam.” “What more treacherous act could be there than to snatch away the livelihood and future of ‘disabled children’? If this Scam is not unearthed then the entire government functionary will be more encouraged and determined to play with the career of innocent students...” the NSF said. It appealed to the SIT to investigate without “fear or favour” and assured that the entire students’ community is willing to extend every possible support. The NSF further directed its federating units to extend full cooperation to the SIT in their respective districts and at the same time cautioned that “no individual, group, organization, political parties or politicians should interfere and hamper the process of investigation in any manner.”
Public urged not to panic
Medical Officer for Mokokchung, Dr SS Akaba has informed that a Rapid Response Team (RRT) has been set up as precautionary measure to check any emergency cases of Swine Flu (HINI). An isolated room has been arranged at IMDH (district hospital) for admitting suspected cases of Swine Flu. Doctors in the hospitals are on alert
for diagnosing the case and to send blood sample to Dibrugarh and also the lab in the hospital is well prepared for the needful, the CMO assured. Anyone having high fever, cough and generalized body ache, with history of contact with an infected person can report to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) office in the hospital. The CMO further advised the public not to panic but to report at the hospital in case of any untoward emergencies.
In 2015, the story of the revival of the Tuli Paper Mill stands where it did in 2013. Despite promises made through years, no real ground work has been seen. Responding to allegations of fund misappropriation and delay of work execution, Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd. (NPPC) PRO, Ashirbad Roy, told the media in August 2014 that whatever the Government of India (GoI) approved in revival packages in 2007, the “NPPC Management has spent the money as received from Govt. of India in accordance with DPR as approved in 2007.” Cost overrun was attributed to adverse logistic, prolonged monsoon, poor law and order situation and inadequate infrastructure etc. In September 2014, the management of NPPC told The Morung Express that the Mill would resume its full capacity by “February 2016, give and take 2-3 months” (See. Tuli Paper Mill to resume ‘full capacity’ work in ‘24 months’) and its revival was in “full swing.” Now, the target has been raised to November 2016. Confronted with the never ending saga of the revival plan, NPCC Mill Site CEO, Mohan Jha informed that February 10 announcement by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise, Anand G. Geete, was not part of another ‘new’ package but the reiteration of the same package announced by the GoI in June 2013. Now, the Government’s approval has to be re-approved by the Board of Industrial and Financial Restructuring (BIFR) and it takes time, the CEO maintained. “This time around, the BIFR, ‘on paper,’ has approved the pro-
Seen here is a part of the Tuli Paper Mill photographed on February 10, 2015. Given the string of unfulfilled promises made about the Mill, it is unclear when it will finally begin to function again. (Morung Photo)
posal, though we are yet to receive the order,” he added. He further clarified that the equity share of the Centre and State government will be 90:10 and not as mentioned in media reports. As promised by the Union Minister, 100% preference would be given to locals for unskilled jobs and priority will be also be given to them in technical fields, Rao informed. In technical fields, the Mill, among other things, needs paper technologists, chemical & electronic engineers and electricians. He informed that 20 local apprentice are already being trained on its plant in Jagir Road, Assam. The current strength of the plant is 200, and the first phase would require a man power of 600 while the second phase will require 750 employees. Interestingly, the Employment & Craftsmen Training, Nagaland, last week invited applications for a total of 93 ITI, Diploma holders and Graduate
Engineers and other Professionals for employment in various fields at NPCC. Concerned about prolonging of the actual implementation of the revival plan, the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) submitted a representation to the Union Minister, appealing ‘immediate execution’ of work at the site. The AKM stated this to be a ‘peace process package’ after signing the first cease-fire agreement between the GoI and the Nagas (in 1964). It also assured to intervene and solve any issue arising due to local situation for smooth functioning of NPPC Ltd. Tuli. There are issues, no doubt, mostly of Crores of rupees being sanctioned and utilised without result, the project consistently delayed. What have they been utilised for? No one knows. When will the Tuli Paper Mill take off then? We can either wait and watch or take a guess.
WHO calls for worldwide use of ‘smart’ syringes 1.40 lakh government
GeNeva, February 23 (iaNS): The World Health Organisation (WHO) released new injection safety guidelines here Monday, providing detailed recommendations highlighting the safety features for syringes, including devices that protect against accidental needle injury and consequent exposure to infection. As part of the effort to help all countries tackle the pervasive issue of unsafe injections, WHO is recommending new “smart” sy-
ringes for injections into the muscle or skin, which have features that prevent re-use, Xinhua news agency reported. Some models include a weak spot in the plunger that causes it to break if the user attempts to pull back on the plunger after the injection. Others have a metal clip that blocks the plunger so it cannot be moved back, while in others the needle retracts into the syringe barrel at the end of the injection. Syringes are also being
engineered with features to protect health workers from needle stick injuries and resulting infections. According to WHO, the use of the same syringe or needle to give injections to more than one person is causing the spread of a number of deadly infectious diseases worldwide. A 2014 study sponsored by WHO, which focused on the most recent available data, estimated that in 2010, up to 1.7 million people were infected with hepatitis B virus, up to 315,000
with hepatitis C virus, and as many as 33,800 with HIV through unsafe injections alone. In the newly released guidelines, WHO also stresses the need to reduce the number of unnecessary injections as a critical way of reducing risk, saying that in many cases these injections are unnecessary or could be replaced by oral medication. “Adoption of safety-engineered syringes is absolutely critical to protecting people worldwide from be-
Tuensang: no fresh violence but curfew remains Morung Express News Dimapur | February 23
Tuensang remained under curfew on Monday after prohibitory orders were relaxed for a few hours on February 21 and 22. While there were no fresh reports of violence following the February 16 killing of a boy and the subsequent mob violence, a ‘forest fire’ on February 21, about 15 kilometres away from Tuensang town, heightened tension. The fire, according to the Tuensang Police, erupted in a forested area overlooking Wongthu village but its cause remained unknown to the Police. The Fire & Emergency Services responded to the fire after it received information around 9:30 am, the police said. The blaze was eventually controlled. There was no report of any casualty. On the situation in Tuensang, the police said that it was quiet but an air of uncertainty prevailed. Stating that security personnel are maintaining round the clock vigil in the dis-
Ao Senden calls for collective approach to peace in Tuensang moKoKChuNG, February 23 (mexN): The Ao Senden on February 21 convened a joint meeting of the Chang and Yimchunger communities of Mokokchung town and deliberated on the prevailing situation at Tuensang. A press note from the Ao Senden informed that it had offered the readiness of its office to facilitate the peace process. It further expressed “deep anguish” at the “unfortunate incidents” in Tuensang. The joint meeting further discussed how to initiate a concerted effort to find a peaceful amicable settlement, while affirming that the turmoil should not be allowed to escalate and spread. It further assured both parties that the Ao Senden “is interested to have a collective approach to ensure peace in Tuensang area.” trict and Tuensang town in particular; it was informed that no less than five companies of the NAP (IR) are deployed in the district headquarters. At least ten companies of the NAP (IR) are deployed in the district at present in addition to the Assam Rifles. The police said that it is strictly enforcing Section 144 CrPC as promulgated by the district administration. On Saturday last, curfew was relaxed for three
hours from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, allowing the public to get essential commodities, and for another three hours on Sunday. As the district administration’s effort to impound personal (licensed) weapons continue, the police said at least ten people were arrested for possessing illegal firearms during the past week. It further informed that a third person has been arrested in connection with the February 16 mob violence.
coming infected with HIV, hepatitis and other diseases. This should be an urgent priority for all countries,” says Gottfried Hirnschall, director of the WHO’s HIV/ AIDS department. The organisation is also calling for policies and standards for procurement, and the safe use and disposal of syringes that have the potential for reuse in situations where they remain necessary, including in syringe programmes for people who inject drugs.
AcAUt demands nst bus rates be reduced by March 2 DimaPur, February 23 (mexN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has censured the state transport department for its “failure to reduce the passenger fares of NST buses in Nagaland.” In view of the cuts in fuel prices and tyre rates in recent months, ACAUT Nagaland had submitted a representation to the Transport Department on January 28, followed by a meeting with NST officials requesting for reduction of passenger fares of NST buses for the benefit of the public. However, a press statement from ACAUT Nagaland today lamented that “the department paid no heed to the demand.” As such, ACAUT Nagaland “called on the common people to protest against unresponsiveness of the department.” It further demanded that the department take this matter seriously and reduce the passengers fare before March 2. Failure to do so, ACAUT cautioned would compel it to impose an “indefinite bandh on all NST buses across the state.” It further urged the public to cooperate “in case the department fails to meet the demand.”
employees in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | February 23
Highlighting the structure of government employees in the state, Finance Secretary, Y Kikheto Sema, today informed that Nagaland has a total of 1,40,000 state government employees. This includes 96, 000 regular government employees and the rest are work charge and fixed pay employees. Addressing a workshop on “Education and Employability/skill development” here today in Kohima, he informed that possibility of employment in the government sector is very limited now. He further said the number of employment opportunity in the government sector is more than that of what the state should actually have. In addition, employment avenues in the private sector, he stated, is very limited owing to the lack of raw materials, skilled personnel and high labor cost to run industries. Kikheto pointed out that the 13th Finance Commission (2010-2015) had recommended the state should spend only 35% within revenue expenditure on salary of government employees. However the expenditure
on account of salary to the total of revenue expenditure during the period was to the tune of 60%. According to the 13th FC, he informed that the state was supposed to reduce about 46,000 employees. However, the government was not in position take decision to terminate or reduce the said employees during the specified period of time. He added that the state government has already made appeals to the 13th Finance Commission to treat Nagaland as a special category state as there is limited scope for employment generation and revenue earning. In the absence of national and regional institutes in the state, Kikheto lamented that parents are compelled to spend a lot of money outside the state for their children’s education. He further regretted that not a single national and regional institute has been set up in the state despite 50 years of existence. Kikheto then stressed on the need to facilitate a peaceful environment in the state, so as to attract investors, good institutions and help currency flow within the state. If money is circulated within our people we will be able to survive, he said.
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