May 26th, 2016

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C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

thursDAY • MAY 26 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 143 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on — Robert Frost Public notice

C M Y K

Delivery Time Effective June 2016 Please note that The Morung Express has a new publication deadline of 8:00 p.m., for all documents including press releases, articles and other news items. Any documents received after the new 8:00 p.m., deadline will be published in a later issue. The implementation of the 8:00 p.m. deadline for submission of press releases has enabled us to go to print early. As a result, beginning in June 2016, The Morung Express will now be available in the early morning hours in Jalukie, Tseminyu, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Mao Gate and Senapati. This is in addition to Dimapur and Kohima. We appreciate your continued support. The Morung Express

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | May 25

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Kiumukam led NNC (Non Accord) declare formation of GDRN DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): Kiumukam led NNC (Non Accord) has declared “Government Democratic Republic of Nagaland (GDRN) as its Government” in a function held in Dimapur on Wednesday. The formation of the Government was declared by NNC (Non Accord) president, Kiumukam Yimchunger, stated a press note received from Rali Wali Kilonser (MIP). Prior, the NNC (Non Accord) was only a political group. The nomenclature of the NNC (Non Accord) will now read as -GDRN/NNC (Non Accord). In his declaration speech, Kiumukam said NNC (Non Accord) was formed in 2011 at Khehoi Camp after it condemned the Shillong Accord. The NNC (Non Accord) president also stressed on peace, unity and sovereignty of the Nagas while claiming that the “declaration of the Government is because of the prayer of the Nagas, which was answered by Almighty God.”

More committed to more visits to Nagaland

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nagaland Govt spent rs 47 lakh on HPc; Alcohol kills an indian every report still under ‘active examination’ 96 minutes – 15 people daily Morung Express News

Relax nothing is under control.

Myanmar: Poet’s jail term just ‘like from the old days’

Nagaland Government spent Rs 47, 88, 476 on the ‘High Powered Committee (HPC) on Illegal and Multiple Taxation’, which was constituted on August 5, 2014 after complaints from public and civil societies against various forms of illegal and multiple taxation. The HPC was headed by a retired Judge, Supreme Court, as Chairman and two other members. The Morung Express has obtained a copy of the RTI response available with the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum. According to the RTI response issued by the Political Branch of the Home Department, Government of Nagaland, the HPC was initially given 90 days from the date of constitution of the Committee to submit its report. However, owing to the volume and nature of the cases, the time frame was extended till May 31, 2015 taking the total time provided to the HPC to almost 10 months. The Government of Nagaland spent Rs 12, 00, 000 for the Chairman and Rs 6, 00, 000 each for the two members as their honorarium/salaries taking the total amount to Rs 24, 00, 000. Another Rs 99, 000 was spent for the Chairman and Rs 49, 000 each for the two members for their ‘Re-imbursement of POL.’ Further, an amount of Rs 67, 339 was spent for ‘repair and replacement of vehicles’ including a (Tata) Safari and a (Mahindra) Bolero. The grand total of all expenditures comes to Rs 47, 88, 476. As per the Government notification constituting the HPC, the Chairman was to receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 1 lakh plus vehicle while the other two members were to receive Rs 50, 000 each monthly as honorarium and travelling allowances etc. Whereas the HPC took 10 months, which means the monthly honorarium for the Chairman for 10 months should be Rs 10, 00, 000, it was shown as Rs 12, 00, 000 in the RTI response. The honorarium for the other two members, when calculated for 10 months with Rs 50, 000 per month, the amount comes to Rs 5, 00, 000 each but it was shown as Rs 6, 00, 000 each in the RTI reply. The HPC report was finally submitted on June 10, 2015 to the Chief Minis-

Break down of HPC exPenditure: 1. Chairman honorarium/salary— 2. Member 1 honorarium/salary -3. Member 2 honorarium/salary – 4. Chairman Re-imbursement of POL – 5. Member 1 Re-imbursement of POL— 6. Member 2 Re-imbursement of POL – 7. Repair & Replacement (of Safari)— 8. Repair & Replacement (of Bolero)— 9. TA/DA for Officers and Staff attached to HPC – 10. Telephone Bills – 11. Purchase of Stationeries – 12. Honorarium to Officers and Staff/District Representatives – 13. HPC tour to 3 Districts – 14. Printing of HPC Report – 15. Purchase Cartridge – 16. Hiring of Vehicle – 17. Food & Lodging –

Grand total –

Rs 12,00,000 Rs 6,00,000 Rs 6, 00,000 Rs 99,000 Rs 49,000 Rs 49,000 Rs 31,112 Rs 36,227 Rs 12,8737 Rs 15,170 Rs 51,585 Rs 1,21,100 Rs 67,305 Rs 28,000 Rs 7,300 Rs 1,500 Rs 17,03,440

Rs 47,88,476

Data source: Government of Nagaland, Home Department: Political Branch RTI response to NPRAAF

ter. While it took 10 months for HPC to submit its time consuming report that involved travelling to different places, meeting varied sections of people, it is interesting to note that 11 months have lapsed since the final report was submitted yet the Government says that the HPC report is under “active examination” by a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. It may be recalled that ACAUT has demanded the Nagaland State Government to implement the HPC report and recommendations stating that the Naga people deserve implementation of the findings in totality.

Denial of info is denial of fundamental rights: NPRAAF

The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) informed in a press release from its Information & Publicity Cell that it had filed an RTI application to the Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland Information Commission (NIC) to issue necessary direction to the Home Department to furnish information to NPRAAF under RTI Act 2005 regarding the High Powered Committee on Illegal and Multiple Taxation which was constituted in August 2014 and submitted its report in June 2015. Since the HPC had submitted its report directly to the Chief Minister, the NPRAAF informed that it had also filed an RTI application to the Chief

Minister/PIO requesting a copy of the HPC’s full report. However, the application was re-directed by the CMO to the Home Department. The Home Department, through a letter dated May 12, 2016, reportedly “denied” the HPC report to NPRAAF stating that “the information cannot be furnished since the report is under active examination by a Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.” The NPRAAF viewed this “denial” of information as “denial of fundamental rights” under the Constitution of India. It noted that the HPC report was sought in recognition of Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act 2005 which states that “the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.” The Forum has now written to the NIC to issue necessary direction to the Home Department to furnish the required information and also to take “necessary action” against the PIO for “denying” information under RTI Act 2005. According to the NPRAAF, the NIC has “verbally informed” that it will conduct a hearing with the Home Department in the presence of NPRAAF members to give reasons why information sought under RTI Act was not furnished and necessary actions to be taken, if necessary. The date of hearing is to be fixed and intimated by the NIC, informed NPRAAF.

Unsatisfied with Nagaland Government’s response, teachers to continue agitation Morung Express News Kohima | May 25

The ongoing agitation of 21,000 teachers in Nagaland is likely to continue with the response from the State Government unsatisfactory. All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) and Nagaland Secondary Schools Field Officers Forum (NSSFOF) are spearheading the agitation, which began on May 24, 2016. The key demand is bifurcation

of Secondary/Elementary Education from Higher Secondary Education in the Department of School Education. “No conclusion was drawn even after meeting the Minister,” said Visasielie Suhu, Core Committee Convener told The Morung Express on Wednesday. Representatives of the agitating teacherswhomettheMinisterofSchool Education & SCERT Yitachu said they were assured that their demands would be reviewed, however was also told that

bifurcation may not be possible. Within one week, the education department is expected to bring out some notification, Yitachu is learnt to have told while requesting the teachers to suspend the agitation. However, the agitating teachers viewed that unless a written assurance is given by the government, the agitation would continue. In the next phase of the agitation, the teachers will begin an indefinite cease-work starting from June 1.

MP Kenye urges identification of heritage sites Our Correspondent Kohima | May 25

Nagaland’s lone Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye today urged Ura Academy, a Tenyidie literature body, to identify the historical and cultural importance sites across Nagaland state and declare the same as heritage sites or centres. Addressing the inaugural function of 46th seminar of Ura Academy here this evening, Kenye said that there are several organizations in Nagaland, but dealing with cultural, lifestyle and literature aspects are few. Lauding Ura Academy for their efforts in protecting and preserving the rich culture and identity of the community, Kenye wanted to see that cultural exchanges is initiated by Ura Academy to propagate the Naga culture and literature to abroad. By

Nagaland’s Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye lighting ceremonial lamp during 46th Ura Academy seminar on May 25 in Kohima. (Morung Photo)

doing so, he said, Ura Academy can project Nagaland image and build friendship with others. He also released four books on the occasion. The authors included Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Kelhoukhrienuo Sekhose, Kethosielie

Zhale and Khriivolii Keyho. Tenyimi People’s Organization (TPO) president Timikha Koza in his speech stressed on the need to protect and promote the vernacular languages and literatures. He informed that himself

and Ura Academy president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu had recently met Union minister in New Delhi and urged him to recognize Tenyidie language. On May 26, Ura Academy Riipfhiinuo will organize a workshop for the school/college teachers. In the evening, there will be an award ceremony where Dr Neilhouzhii Kire Award for Tenyidie topper in HSLC exam, Riizhiikhrie Sekhose Award for the Tenyidie topper in HSSLC, A Kevichiisa Award for the Tenyidie topper in NU, Under Graduate Examination and certificates for the successful candidates in Ura Academy Tenyidie Examination 2016 will be handed out. Tenyidie Kephriinuoko Krotho will organize fashion show and song fiesta featuring Methaneilie Jiitakhrie, Menguii Suokhrie, LC Sekhose and Neisedelie Yaotsu and others on May 27.

Empty liquor bottles, some strewn around, others bundled in sacks and ready to be transported as seen in Dimapur. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 15 people die every day from effects of drinking alcohol. (Photo: Imojen Jamir)

Devanik Saha IANS and IndiaSpend

As the debate over an alcohol bans grows across India, 15 people die every day - or one every 96 minutes - from the effects of drinking alcohol, reveals an IndiaSpend analysis of 2013 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the latest available. The per capita consumption of alcohol in India increased 38 percent, from 1.6 litres in 2003-05 to 2.2 litres in 2010-12, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, which also revealed that more than 11 percent of Indians were binge drinkers, against the global average of 16 percent. The data explain the wide political support for crackdowns on alcohol, although experts point out that alcohol is a health problem - not a moral one. In Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa shut down 500 liquor stores on May 23, the first day of her fourth term as chief minister. In April, Bihar imposed prohibition - a ban on the sale, production and consumption of alcohol. In August 2014, Kerala restricted the sale of liquor to five-star hotels. Pre-poll surveys in Kerala and Tamil Nadu found wide support for prohibition, 47 percent of men and women in Kerala and 52 percent in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Express reported. The leading reason for the ban, respondents said, was alcoholfuelled domestic violence. Before the latest crackdowns on alcohol, Gujarat and Nagaland were the only Indian states with prohibition.

Maharashtra tops alcohol-related deaths

Maharashtra reported the most alcoholrelated deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, according to the NCRB data, with experts saying high rates of alcoholism correlate with high crime rates. “Major crimes and accidents are fuelled by alcohol, which also leads to sexual harassment of women and robberies,” S. Raju, of Tamil Nadu’s Makkal Adhikaram

(People’s Power) told the BBC. “Alcohol abuse is also the reason why Tamil Nadu has the largest number of widows under 30 years of age.” A quarter of all hospital admissions and 69 percent of all crimes in Kerala are due in part to intoxication, according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, an NGO, quoted in The Economist.

Five people died every day in 2014 after drinking spurious liquor

In 2015, consumption of illegally brewed liquor claimed more than 100 lives in Malwani, Mumbai, triggering widespread outrage. As many as 1,699 people died in 2014 after consuming spurious/illicit liquor, an increase of 339 percent from 387 in 2013. However, prohibition may not reduce addiction and deaths, Vikram Patel, a leading public health expert with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, argued in an Indian Express column. “Prohibition of substances which give pleasure to people does not work,” he wrote. “Addiction is a health problem, not a moral one, and there are many proven strategies which can reduce its burden. The desire to address the serious social problems caused by a minority of those who consume alcohol by prohibition is a travesty of the experience of history and public health science. Prohibition is rejected by most public health scientists who know this field; even the World Health Organisation does not recommend it.”

Notes:

The data for deaths due to alcohol influence nationally as well as state-wise has been stopped since 2014 and is included in sudden deaths overall; therefore, we have taken the 2013 figures and analysed accordingly. There is a possibility of more deaths due to alcohol influence under the heart attacks/epilepsy category; however, it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of deaths, and hence, we have just used the figures under “influence of alcohol”.


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May 26th, 2016 by The Morung Express - Issuu