C M Y K
C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 197 • 12 PAGes • 5
www.morungexpress.com
TuesDAY • julY 19 • 2016
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ESTD. 2005
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Revolutions don’t happen easily. The poor are powerless, the middle class doesn’t have time and the rich doesn’t need it Ex-U.S. Marine kills 3 policemen in racially tense Baton Rouge PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
it is not applicable to four wheels drivers ... two wheelers only.
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Do you think that Nagaland is a failed state? Yes
no
others
2 officials arrested in ‘pension fraud’ Morung Express news Kohima | July 18
Two officials from Treasuries and Accounts Department at Zunheboto were arrested last week in connection with pension fraud in the State government. An FIR was lodged by the office of the Accountant General after detection on manufacturing of false pension orders. This was confirmed by V. Kezo, OSD (Budget), Finance Department, in a telephonic conversation with The Morung Express. He stated, “Our officers and directorates will be asked to carry out inquiries. We are beginning to start official inquiries from our end. We will find out (details) in a short time.” The fraud, which is said to have scammed the exchequer of more than Rs. 100 crore, emerged as a result of a special audit carried out by the Accountants General’s office, and is said to involve bank officials, national workers, retired officials among others. Further investigation is currently in process, stated an official source.
MTLT and AKM take stock of Mokokchung power outage
T R u T H — A Kannada meme
No minister, bureaucrat can serve in BCCI: Supreme Court
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restore sVc’s legal authority
DimapuR, June 18 (mexn): Accusing the State government of “decimating” the power of State Vigilance Commission (SVC) to a mere “paper tiger” without any legal authority, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) today urged the government to restore its power within two weeks time. In a representation to the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, which was released to the media here through its President Lendinokdang Ao and Convenor, Committee on SVC, Theja Therieh, NTC flayed the State Government for decimating the lawful authority of Nagaland SVC by a resolution passed on June 8. The June 8 resolution is found to be “detrimental” to the interest of the general public as there should “always be an authority acting as a deterrent to corrupt activities in the State,” NTC argued demanding urgent restoration of adequate powers and jurisdictions to the anti corruption bureau. “The NTC expects the Government to rectify the anomalies committed in the resolution in question within two weeks time,” NTC stated adding that it will be will be compelled to take the issue to the next level if the government remains “insensitive to the demand tabled.” Justifying its demand, the Council drew the Chief Secretary’s attention to the first formation of Nagaland SVC through a resolution passed on April 9, 1976 in line with the Union Home Ministry’s establishment of Centre Vigilance Commission on February 11, 1964 based on the recommendation of K. Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. Subsequently, Nagaland Government through a notification on June 15, 1976 declared the Office of A vendor holds up a string of frogs at supermarket area in Dimapur. The frogs will be sold the Directorate of Vigilance as Police for consumption. As per naga traditional food practices, frogs are considered a delicacy Station, it maintained adding that the as well as known to possess therapeutic properties. (Morung Photo) Director of Vigilance was conferred
the authority to be in-charge of the Police Station (Vigilance) through another resolution passed on December 9, 1976. NTC also pointed out that through another notification on August 21, 1999 the State Government streamlined the power of inquiry and the jurisdiction of SVC with specific reference to Indian Penal Code Rules. Again, the State government empowered the Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings in the SVC as per clause of the April 9, 1976 resolution as the Special Judge within its jurisdiction through on order passed on
ernment and public corporations, statutory bodies and undertakings of the State, NTC maintained. “The amended provision keeps the private individual or private firm immune from the purview of Vigilance Commission” defeating the very purpose the Commission was constituted, NTC stated. It further questioned amended resolution which modified the power of inquiry of the Commission to the extent of removing the power of “suomoto” provision. Though not “specifically referred,” the Council thus alleged that the June 8 resolution has also “emasculated” the clauses 2 and 5 of the April 9, 1976 Resolutions which stated that the SVC “will not be subordinate to any department and will have the same measure of independence and autonomy as the State Public Service Commission.” However, the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Nagaland, has the overriding authority over the Commission “arbitrarily” in the amended version, NTC said. “Such dilution of the powers of the Commission will definitely hamper the efficiency of the investigative authority.” In this connection, NTC further observed that the June 8 Resolution has subjectively “divested the legal powers of the only investigative establishment in Nagaland for corruption.” The Commission has now become a “showpiece,” it noted, adding that reducing it to a ‘tiger paper’ is as good as winding up as “there is no necessity to have such Commission without legal investigative powers.” The NTC, therefore, urged upon the Government of Nagaland to restore the legal powers to the SVC by revoking the erroneous resolution without delay.
‘NTC accuses the Nagaland State Government of decimating the Commission to a mere ‘paper tiger’ March 23, 2007, it added. “By the aforementioned notifications, the legal status and the jurisdiction of the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission had been shaped and equipped with the legal Paraphernalia to act as watchdog and checkmate corruption in the State of Nagaland.” NTC said the recent June 8 resolution was purportedly made to add more provision to the existing resolution, stating first that it was“to lay down the following additional provisions to the Resolution No. CON58/75 dated, Kohima, April 9, 1976.” However, NTC alleged that a complete contradiction was presented as all previous resolutions, and notifications concerning SVC stood “modified” as per the same resolution. While any private individual or group of private individuals can cause offense against the interest of the State, the June 8 Resolution also confined the jurisdiction of the SVC to just the employees of State Gov-
Wuzu Firing: JIC says question of delay ‘does not hold water’ still waiting for post-
DimapuR, July 18 (mexn): The December 9, 2015, reportedly “de- luri, all the Administrative and Police Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) sired” that the Report of the Dimapur officers, Public leaders of Pochury for the Wuzu Firing Incident that led Jail Breaking Incident and lynching Hoho, Pochury Mothers’ Association, to the death of two minors has now case be submitted first pending the Phokhungri Area Public Organisation, clarified that the “question of delay Wuzu Firing Incident. It may be men- Pochury Students’ Union, Pochury in submitting the report” by the JIC tioned that the Government of Naga- Youth Association, Village loaders of land chose the same judge to preside both Wuzu and Phor and parents of the “does not hold water.” deceased victims/ injured woman atWhile lamenting the loss of lives of over both the inquiries. This is why the inquiry into the tended besides media persons from the the two minors, the JIC requested all stake holders to “bear with the Com- Wuzu incident was held off till the Di- State, informed the JIC Secretary. At the press conference, the Commission and extend co-operation for mapur jail break and lynching inciearly submission of the Report.” It has dent’s report was submitted on March mission “sensitized” everyone present to “come forward with Written Stateset the deadline for filing written state- 9 this year, informed the press note. However, in April, the Secretary to ments in the form of affidavits.” Acments for July 20. The press release, sent by Secretary the Commission resigned, with a new cording to the JIC Secretary, “all leaders to the JIC, K. Naben, explained that the one posted for the job only by May. It was assured full co-operation to Judicial InCommission was only constituted vide not until June 17, almost a year after the quiry Commission.” Accordingly, a Public Notice was Nagaland Govt. Notification NO.CON/ Wuzu incident, that the Commission LOR-3/2012 on November 13, 2015. This could visit Meluri, close to the affected served vide No. JIC-WFUNS/2016/032 newmai news network initiated the process of enquiry and some villages of Wuzu and Phor. It is unclear if on June 20 last that within a period of witnesses filled Written Statements, the JIC has yet visited the site of incident. one month, witnesses are supposed to Imphal | July 18 A press conference was held at the file their Written Statements in affidawhich were received by the JIC but found Dobashi’s Court of Meluri Headquar- vits to the office of the JIC. The date for A new species of flower has that they were “not in proper order.” Meanwhile, the Government vide ter on June 18, stated the Secretary, filing Written Statements has been set been discovered in Ukhrul district’s Mushroom Hills letter NO. CONILOR-312012 dated explaining the chain of events. In Me- for on or before July 20. located some 7,000 meters above sea level. Mushroom Hills, located under Singcha village, is now home to the new species of flower which blooms in the upper reaches of the hills, according to The Sangai Express. The flower, which blooms Kohima, July 18 “co-terminus” was not found School Education (DoSE), “acknowledged the nature only in the second week of (mexn): The Nagaland SSA mentioned in the recruit- Government of Nagaland, of our appointment as at par July for two weeks, was first Teachers’ Association (NS- ment norms. “with no interference by SSA with the rest of the state teachsighted by Singcha villag- SATA), particularly the SSA As per their appointment Mission Authority.” er employees and are entitled ers two years back, accord- teachers of 2010 and 2013 orders, it was “clearly” stated Further, during a joint for equal service benefit,” ining to Yumnam Rajeshwor, batch numbering around that in the event of discontin- meeting held on May 16 at formed the NSSATA. founder of Second World 2600 (both PT/GT), have uation of SSA programme, the Chief Secretary’s conIn May 2014, when BanWar Campaign Founda- ‘strongly refuted’ the state- “their pay and allowances ference hall, the Chief Sec- uo Z. Jamir was Chief Secretion. The state flower Shirui ment made by Nagaland shall be borne by the state.” retary, Finance Commis- tary and M. Patton was the Lily, a rare species of plant Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang As per a 2013 appoint- sioner, Commissioner & Commissioner &Secretary is found only in the upper that SSA teachers are “bound ment order, deduction to- Secretary School Education, School Education, “they reaches of the Siroi hill rang- to be co-terminated along wards pension and other Additional Director (HOD) also had acknowledged that es in Ukhrul at an eleva- with projects and schemes.” services was also made. DoSE, all Additional Direc- SSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 tion of 1,730–2,590 meters The NSSATA stated that tors DoSE, Mission Director batch were regular state em“The SSA teachers of (5,680–8,500 ft) above sea 2010 and 2013 batch were SSA teachers appointed in SSA, various subordinate of- ployees.” level. This shade-loving lily appointed as regular state 2010 and 2013 were recruit- ficials “acknowledged” that On the basis of these, the has pale bluish-pink petals government employees and ed “with the approval of” SSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 “the question of SSA teachbut has seven colours when are not co-terminus in any three channels of the State batch are “regular state gov- ers being co-terminus along observed through a micro- case,” the NSSATA noted to- Government, namely the ernment employees.” The with the end of projects and scope. In the wild it flowers day in a press release from State Cabinet, Personnel DoSE has also included SSA schemes as per the Chief in the monsoon months of its President Aliba Sang- & Administrative Reforms teachers in the seniority list Minister’s statement does June and July. According to tam and General Secretary, and Finance Department, prepared in 2015, it was in- not arise in the context of Rajeshwor, the height of the Thungchamo Lotha. as “regular state employees” formed. SSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 flower is over one meter and Besides, the Minister of batch. Thus being among Further, by way of justifi- through open competitive can be seen blooming with- cation, they presented a few examination on merit basis. School Education & SCERT, the regular employees of in a radius of 4-5 kilometers. points. The examination was con- Yitachu, during a joint meet- the state government we are The villagers are planning As per advertisements ducted by SCERT and ap- ing of different associations of also entitled to get our salary to name the flower as “Prin- for their jobs in 2009 and pointment orders were is- teachers under DoSE, held on regularly,” maintained the cess of Flower,” he said. 2011 respectively, the word sued by the Department of May 28 at Hotel De-Oriental, NSSATA.
New flower species discovered in Ukhrul
ssA teachers 2010 & 2013 not ‘co-terminus’: nssAtA asserts
matric scholarships Morung Express news Dimapur | July 18
The Eastern Naga Students’ Union Dimapur (ENSUD) has stated that it is likely to agitate against the Nagaland State Government for its “non cooperative attitude” towards the full release of post-matric scholarship, a scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. This was resolved at a joint meeting convened by ENSUD with students from eastern Nagaland affected due to non-release of scholarship, and their parents, held here at Town Hall on Monday. The students are currently studying in institutions such as University of Mewar, Divya Jyoti College, Adhunik College, International Group of Institution and Mewar Girls College. It may be mentioned the ENSUD had, in the last two years, admitted some 300 students from eastern Nagaland to undergo various technical and other courses in some private institutions and universities by assuring them that their admission and hostel expenses would be realized from the scholarship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and that the students did not have to pay any money. However, many students were compelled to leave the institutions as they did not receive the assured scholarship to pay their admission and hostel fees. Earlier, ENSUD in a representation to Nagaland Chief Minister dated July 6, 2016, stated that ENSUD Education Initiative Committee in the year 201415 and 2015-16 had admitted Eastern Naga students in four colleges and one university under the post matric scholarship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. “But due to non-release of full amount of scholarship, the students are facing lots of hardship and since all the students are from economically weaker section of the society, they are fully dependent on the early release of their scholarship and without that their studies will be jeopardized,” the representation stated. The Union also reminded that under the post-matric scholarship scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
any Scheduled Tribe (ST) student whose parent’s annual income is below Rs. 2.5 lakh is eligible to apply for scholarship provided she/he studies within India. They mentioned that the ST students from Nagaland have not received the full amount whereas ST students from other states in the same colleges and universities have received their full scholarship. Further, student representative from Mewar University, T. Thomas Konyak, said during their meeting with officials of Ministry of Tribal Affairs GOI, the officials had held the State Government responsible for not showing interest in the matter unlike other states and remarked that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was willing to assist if the State Government shows interest. ENSUD in the representation had given July 9 as deadline for the Chief Minister to respond—while the CM had assured them of a reply within 10 days, no response has been forthcoming to date. Now, the Union has said it will be compelled to take its own course of action. At the meeting, the ENSUD also furnished copies of a communiqué of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs dated February 4, 2016, which stated that an amount of Rs.26, 46, 34, 161 (Rupees twenty six crore forty six lakh thirty four thousand one hundred and sixty one only) was to be sanctioned and released to the State Government of Nagaland as “full and final” installment under the scheme of post-matric scholarship to ST students for the year 2015-16. ENSUD expressed resentment that despite the representation to the CM and release of scholarship fund by the Centre, the affected students were yet to get their full share of scholarship. Both the former and present president of ENSUD briefed the parents and affected students on the steps taken so far by the Union in the fight for justice. Affected students and parents also gave suggestions on how to resolve the issue keeping in mind the welfare of the students. They questioned the State Level Committee set up for this for not coming up with any findings and reports. In the face of further silence, the students concluded that they were liable to agitate.