March 28th, 2016

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C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • MArch 28 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 84 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child Myanmar army reasserts its key political role ahead of transition PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Easter sunday celebrated in Nagaland

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Is Public Silence and Public Indifference encouraging the continuation of corruption in Nagaland State government? Yes

no

others

Minister, legislators and senior officers have decided to voluntarily forego allowances for refreshments, newspapers and magazines. Is Nagaland government serious about austerity measures? Yes

06%

no

90%

others

04%

Details on page 7

INFORMATION The Morung Express now has an outlet at Nagarjan Junction Police Point, Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN) building, adjacent to the Dimapur Town Hall. It will make the newspaper more accessible to people living beyond the Railway flyover— press releases, advertisements, letters to the editor, articles and bill payments can also be submitted directly to the outlet from now on.

Kohli steers India past Aussies, enter semis PAGE 12

Governor orders inquiry into DAwn of A new liGht School Education department

KIPHIRE, MARCH 27 (MExN): On Easter Sunday, Fakim Village under Pungro Subdivision of Kiphire District became the first complete LED Light village in Nagaland. The village is situated near the Indo-Myanmar border in the remote eastern part of Nagaland State, tucked away in the rugged mountains. While villages in this area are blessed with rich biodiversity, their remoteness has deprived them of basic infrastructure like roads and electricity. The Nagaland State Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change took up an initiative with the help of the District Administration and the State Power Department in organising a programme during Easter Sunday service in the three fringe area villages of Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary. They distributed eco friendly materials and disseminated information on the benefits of using eco-friendly technologies like LED bulbs and Solar lamps. In Fakim village, Chumremo Odyuo, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire participated in the Easter Sunday church service and spoke about the advantages of adopting energy efficient and eco-friendly technology like Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and Solar lamps. SDO (C) Kiphire Hq, Lankonsen impressed upon the villagers that Fakim village being the first complete LED powered village should spread the message of “good light” to others. The villagers submitted their traditional 100 watt tungsten bulbs to Deputy Commissioner and received 15 watt LED

Kiphire DC, Chumremo odyuo handing over solar charged and lED lights to the Head GB Fakim Village, Phenunglam.

bulbs, making the village the first complete LED light village in the state. The Village Council also made a resolution to ban use of tungsten light. Considering that the use of LED bulbs with solar lamp is going to save around 90% of electricity consumption for domestic lighting, the Village Council submitted a representation to Daniel Yimchunger, Junior Engineer, Electricity Department urging an equivalent concession on their community electricity bill. Meanwhile, Lansothung Lotha, Range Forest Officer and John Yimchunger, Forest guard participated in the special Easter church services in Thanamir and Vongtsuvong villages

respectively. Solar charged lamps were distributed to every household in these two villages. Kamdi Hemant Bhaskar, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire Wildlife Division acknowledged Yatendra Agraval, Trustee of EcoSolutions, Mumbai for providing all the material and technical help. The NGO has so far distributed 7000 solar lamps in Nagaland State alone and is ready for expansion of the same along with Terafil (low cost water filters) technology for iron contaminated areas in other parts of Nagaland. He appealed to other government departments to replicate similar programmes. LED bulbs are long lasting (20 years with 8 hrs/day use), energy efficient (80-90%), eco-

friendly (no mercury, 100% recyclable), and can withstand roughest conditions, workable even during low and fluctuating voltage. Likewise solar lights are a boon in rural areas. They extend working hours and are health friendly unlike kerosene lamp and reduce fire chances particularly in wooden houses of rural area. They save energy, reduce maintenance and help in controlling local pollution and climate change. In the initial stage, switching to LED and solar technology may cost more but within one year, the investment can be recovered since the power consumption will be reduced and the technology is more durable.

KOHIMA, MARCH 27 (MExN): Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya has taken serious note of the Nagaland State Education Department’s reported “failures and scams” and has ordered a thorough enquiry. A press note from the OSD to the Governor stated that the Governor has made it clear that his government “will not tolerate any scam and corruption, and will take strict action as per the provisions of the law against the culprits irrespective of their position and rank.” The Governor made particular mention of the discrepancies in implementation of the Mid Day Meal Scheme as reported by the local media and termed this as “shocking, alarming and requires urgent, proper enquiry and action.” The Governor further took

notice of various controversies in the Department of Education, including issues such as Hindi teacher’s salary, appointment of teachers in Peren district and their absence, contractors locking up a school building due to non-payment of pending bills, proxy teachers in the remote village schools, and the alleged misuse of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’s (SSA) funds and schemes. The Governor has called for “proper enquiry and action” while also expressing his “shock and displeasure about the situation.” It was informed that the Governor has written to the Nagaland State Chief Minister and the State Education Minister to get the matters thoroughly investigated, take corrective steps immediately, without any lapse of time and report the same.

Gaming Bill over lokayukta Bill? asks AcAUt nagaland

DIMAPUR, MARCH 27 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today questioned whether the passing of the Prohibition of Gaming and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill (NPGPROGS) Bill, 2015, took precedence over the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill “at the behest of a single legislator.” The passing of the NPGPROGS Bill, the ACAUT alleged “only shows the kind of individuals the Naga people are electing to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.” “The precedence given and the urgency with which the Gaming Bill was passed, gives rise to the picture that the entire NLA was hijacked by a Parliamentary

Secretary representing the interest of an outside gaming company,” the ACAUT alleged. It questioned how the NLA “came to the conclusion that passage of the Gaming Bill was deemed more important than the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, introduced at the same time as the Gaming Bill during the last Monsoon session.” It urged that the legislators “should not be afraid of the Lokayukta; rather, the Act should be viewed as progressive, allowing for transparency and a merit society to thrive.” It however informed the government that unless the ACAUT is made privy to the contents of the Lokayukta Bill, “passage of it will only lead to unwarranted situations.”

PSU, PYA urges govt employees CNSA asks State Govt to fulfill to discharge duties with sincerity demands of Ao senden and AKM

DIMAPUR, MARCH 27 (MExN): The their posting place. “This trend of some Pochury Students Union, (PSU) and the few irresponsible employees corrupting Pochury Youth Association, (PYA) have the department concerned and the govasked all concerned government employ- ernment as well is creating untold miserees posted under Meluri Sub Division to ies and inconveniences to the mass genreport to their posting place (station) and eral public,” they stated. They expressed hope that henceforth discharge their duties with sincerity as asconcerned officers and staff would dissigned with immediate effect. A press note from the two organiza- charge their duties in the best interest of tions said that they would not tolerate any the people of the area. “The department irresponsible employee not reporting and concerned or employees on non compliperforming their duties. The two organiza- ance to this appeal shall be held responsiNEw YORK, MARCH 27 tions expressed shock that some employ- ble for any inconveniences so shall arise,” (IANS): Pregnant women ees/ officers are yet to report even once to the two organisations further cautioned. with higher blood levels of a common plastic chemical used in the coatings of food containers are more likely to deliver their babies early compared with women with DEHRADUN, MARCH after meeting Governor of “breakdown of goverlower levels of that chemical, says a study led by an 27 (IANS): President’s K.K. Paul, the chief minis- nance”. “I believe there cannot Indian-origin researcher. Rule was imposed in Ut- ter did not spare the central government and Prime be a better example (for tarakhand on Sunday after The researchers investigatimplementing President’s ed the role of Bisphenol A, days of political uncertain- Minister Modi too. Modi had the “blood Rule),” Finance Minister or BPA, blood levels on risk ty triggered by a rebellion of preterm birth. “Women in the ruling Congress, of the aspirations of the Arun Jaitley said in New are continuously exposed to prompting Chief Minister people of Uttarakhand on Delhi. “For the last nine BPA because it’s used in the Harish Rawat to accuse his hands”, he said, alleg- days, the constitution was construction and coatings the BJP-led central gov- ing that the BJP-led cen- being violated in Uttaraof food containers and its re- ernment of murdering de- tral government slashed khand.” lease into food is increased mocracy. the budget for his state and The crisis in the state by microwave or other heat A Rashtrapati Bha- even cut funds for the res- began when nine Congress sources,” said Ramkumar van source said President toration of the Kedarnath legislators, including forMenon, assistant professor Pranab Mukherjee ap- temple, devastated by the mer chief minister Vijay at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at proved the union cabinet’s 2013 flash floods, and the Bahuguna, who Rawat replaced, revolted against the Galveston, US. “In fact, BPA decision to dismiss the Kumbh Mela. He hinted that the chief minister and turned Rawat-led Congress govis so widely used that nearly all women have some level ernment. The cabinet met Congress may move court to the Bharatiya Janata Parof exposure,” Menon point- Saturday night with Prime against the decision to im- ty (BJP), which was happy to support them. ed out. Conducting in col- Minister Narendra Modi pose President’s Rule. “We will take support to On March 18, things laboration with Winthrop in the chair and recomUniversity Hospital and Kai- mended central rule in the all legal options. This will came to a head when the ser Permanente Southern hill state. be decided by our advo- assembly passed the budCalifornia, the UTMB invesThe president signed cates. I was heading a very get appropriation bill by tigators analysed blood sam- the proclamation, which delicate majority. If Con- voice vote even as more ples from pregnant women also recommended plac- gress comes back to power, than half the members in when they were admitted to ing the state assembly in we will increase the Vidhan the house sought a divithe hospital for labour and suspended animation, the Sabha seats from 70 to 90.” sion, which would have led delivery and from the amniThe central govern- to recorded voting. otic fluid of the fetus collect- source said. This is Uttarament justified the UttaThe rebel Congress lawkhand’s first experience ed during labour. Increased BPA concentration is associ- with President’s Rule since rakhand decision, saying makers supported the BJP’s ated with an increased risk it was carved out of Uttar the state was “a textbook demand for a conscience case for enforcing Presi- vote. Speaker Govind Kunfor preterm birth, the find- Pradesh in 2000. Speaking to reporters dent’s Rule” on grounds jwal declined the request. ings showed.

Common plastic chemical ups risk of premature delivery

President’s Rule in Uttarakhand

C M Y K

T R u T H

— Cicero

PAGE 02

Fakim Village in Kiphire becomes Nagaland’s first complete LED light village

Gained anything from the decades old cease fire with Goi? Yes, we have independence, sovereignty, integration, reconciliation and peace accord. These are some of the new words we gained.

o F

DIMAPUR, MARCH 27 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) today expressed deep concern over the imbroglio between the Ao apex organizations – Ao Senden and AKM – and the Nagaland State School Education Department over the implementation of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhijan (RMSA) in Nagaland with regard to the recruitment of language teachers. A press note from the

CNSA lamented the “apathetic attitude” of the concerned authority over the RMSA recruitment drive in Nagaland. It stated that “blunders” were committed by the concerned authority while advertising the posts for language teachers (MIL) under the RMSA in 2014, and that declaration of the recruitment results in 2015 was a “shock to many people, a disappointment to many aspiring candidates, and a total injustice to the

Ao, Sumi and Lotha tribes.” Questioning the functioning of the concerned authority over the implementation of the RMSA in Nagaland, the CNSA stated “this is nothing but incompetence at its highest point, if not corruption, at its lowest level, putting the education of thousands of students at stake.” The CNSA expressed support to the decision of the Ao Senden and the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) over their rejec-

tion of the March 22, 2016 advertisement calling for fresh application to the RMSA Language teacher recruitment. It further appealed for the state government to fulfill the demands of the two Ao apex organizations at the earliest. The CNSA further demanded that the RMSA language teacher recruitment issue be resolved at the earliest, failing which it would be “compelled to take its own course of action.”

Nagaland State Government’s ‘austerity measures’ declared ‘joke of the year’ Morung Express news Dimapur | March 27

The people of Nagaland State have declared the current “austerity measures” supposed to be taken up by the Government of Nagaland (GoN) as the “joke of the year.” A poll conducted by The Morung Express asked: Ministers, legislators and senior officers have decided to voluntarily forego allowances for refreshments, newspapers and magazines. Is Nagaland government serious about austerity measures? Why? The decision to the effect was tabled by the Government of Nagaland at the recently concluded 11th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. 6% of the respondents to the poll said ‘yes,’ while 90% said ‘no’ and 4% chose ‘others’ by way of a response. Studied closely, though, almost all respondents shamed the Government over its decision. In the section of those who felt that the GoN is serious about the measures, while someone noted that this is a “manifestation of public outcry,” another reflected more of the common

sentiment among the 6%. “Yes, if by refreshments they mean all the Gold Label, Blue Label and the fancy wine they drink.” To extrapolate, “I am quite sure this indulgence must be making quite a dent in the exchequer. So, if our honorable legislators are meaning that they will stop using the State exchequer’s pocket to finance their indulging imported refreshments, then I support their move.” It is in the ‘No’ section that the “absurdity” hits home. “They are not serious about austerity measures at all. Just look at the cost of the CM residential place which is crossing more than 400 crores. In a state like Nagaland that lives on a begging bowl from Delhi it is completely absurd and is a crime. Our leaders are overindulging while the majority of the people are languishing in misery,” stated a commentator. Terming the proposed measures a “mockery” and even citing the Comptroller & Auditor General’s report (2014-15), respondents suggested that they “forego all their assets which they acquired through embezzling funds the GOI had given for running offices and public funds. Then we will talk about whether they are serious

about austerity measures or not.” No wonder that a respondent found the measures should be “nominated for the joke of the year.” However, “if they are serious about austerity measures, they should tone down the number of vehicles, the servants they employ, the number of bodyguards etc. for these cost a huge sum to the State exchequer,” suggested a commentator. Referring to the “austerity measures” as the “best hand wash” legislators and bureaucrats have used so far, people in the ‘others’ section did not spare them either. Flabbergasted by the announcement, and the continuing State deficit running into millions, one commentator found that “hooligans” of Somalia and Mogadishu manage better governance than the “obnoxious” GoN. Another graciously offered to “generate” the funds for newspapers, magazines and refreshments by “doing labour work” if only the legislators and officers “stop stealing money meant for development.” Without the latter, the measures are“the biggest joke of the year.” Read the poll results on page 7


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