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thursDAY • MAY 05 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 122 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose SC: Tobacco industry packs must carry bigger warnings PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
‘Transcending boundaries & barriers’
Wholesalers may contact
CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 Fax : (033) 2271-2151 E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com
Army Personnel sexually assaults girl DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (MExN): A personnel of the Assam Regiment on Wednesday night allegedly sexually assaulted a girl at Eros Lane, Dimapur. The culprit – who had an accomplice – was then chased by the girl along with her friend. While the accomplice managed to give a slip, the culprit ran inside the gates of the MCO Dimapur, a military detachment in the premises of the Dimapur Railway Station. Despite appeals from the Dimapur Police, and the large number of people gathered to hand over the culprit, the Army refused. An officer inside was seen instructing jawans to keep strict vigil outside while saying, “He [culprit] has to be here.”
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Nagaland power sector collapsing? responded till date.” Distribution transformers from where LT lines are routed to endusers, according to the official, is at the top of the ‘worry list’ of the department. “We have a lot of over-loaded distribution transformers. These have to be replaced or upgraded too on priority,” the official said without providing figures. The cost of a distribution transformer can range from Rs. 1 lakh upto Rs. 7-8 lakh depending on load capacity. Transformers conking out have become regular affairs and continue to remain a recurrent fear of the department. Another important area that demands attention is the aging low tension (LT) lines. A good portion of the 3883 km of LT lines across the State needs replacing. According to the official, 50 percent of all LT lines in the State need replacement. Replacing 50 percent of the 3883 km of LT lines will require the department approximately Rs. 10 crore and nearly an equal amount for labour charge and ‘fittings’. LT lines cost approximately Rs. 65,000 a km.
It was in 2014 that the Nagaland Chief Minister talked of formulating a comprehensive power policy for the State. Addressing a function in Kohima commemorating 50 years of service of the Nagaland Power department in November 2014, the CM pointed to the need for a coordinated approach to augment and improve generation, transmission and distribution of power. A year later, the Nagaland Chief Secretary toed a similar line speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Power Engineers, Nagaland, saying that the proposed power policy was being formulated. As the ‘power policy’ ferments indefinitely, Nagaland’s power sector is heading in a downward spiral. The annual fund apportioned to the department is a good indicator of this. As published by The Morung Express in an earlier report (http://morungexpress.com/nagaland-budget-2016-rs-12-cr-proposed-for-power-sector/), government funding to the department has dwindled significantly since 2008-09. It was Rs. 7 crore in 201516. This has marginally increased to Rs. 12 crore for 2016-17. However, the department’s requirement falls short by a whopping 95 percent against a projection of Rs. 265 crore. The impact of the dwindling allocations during the past 8 years is evident. In
the midst of soaring costs and growing demand, the issue of meter tampering and theft notwithstanding, replacing equipments as basic as an electric pole has become a gargantuan task.
Growing demand and system constraint
According to the department, electricity demand is growing at the rate of 10 percent per annum whereas there have been no systematic equipment upgrades to meet the demand. This is pushing the existing distribution system to the brink of breaking. While the problem of power shortage is comprehensible, distribution equipments performing in over-loaded conditions remain at the core of the state’s electricity woes. “Aging and over loading of equipments are the major factors plaguing the distribution system,” said one official speaking on the condition of anonymity. Distribution system/equipments include power lines, poles, transformers and other paraphernalia that combines to supply electricity. “Keeping up with the growing demand for electricity requires coordinated and proportionate upgrading of distribution equipments to prevent over-loading and blackouts.” Citing Kohima as a classic example of system constraint, the official explained that the existing
Electric poles in various stages of corrosion, some already, standing unattended. This type of aging poles can be found dotting the landscape all over Nagaland. (Morung Photo)
‘distribution set up’ is below capacity to sustain and supply the quota of power allocated to it. To prevent equipment ‘burn outs’ load-shedding is imposed sector-wise. Ruling out unforeseen snags, if the system in place is upto capacity, Kohima would get electricity uninterrupted.
Need for overhaul and govt apathy
The problems point to a phase-wise, if not total, overhaul of the existing power distribution infrastructure. Government apathy continues to remain a stumbling block to that course. For instance, a proposal to replace 4000
church in Zunheboto set to be one of Asia’s largest
• Capacity: 8500 people • Height: 8-storey building • Labour: 2000 workers • Space: 27 rooms • Budget: Rs. 25 Crore 30 Lakh Morung Express Feature Zunheboto | May 4
No matter where you are in Zunheboto Town, you will see much of the sky, and a bit of a church. The blue dome and white turrets of the Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ), can be seen from, they say, around 20 villages in Zunheboto district alone. On a clear day, you see it as you enter Tseminyu Town. Currently under construction, and slated to be completed by early 2017, the new SBCZ is touted to be, in some ways, one of the largest church buildings in Asia. Sitting atop a hill at nearly 1,800 meters, this Sumi church at the centre of Zunheboto Town has attained the height of an eight-storey building. “Our old church could accommodate only 3000 people but membership increased, which is why we felt the need for a new building,” notes HK Yepthomi, Chairperson of the SBCZ construction Planning Board. In late 2004, thus, Ar-
Atletico oust Bayern to reach Champions final
PAGE 02
Imkong Walling, Dimapur | May 4
CITIZEN UMBRELLA
T R u T H
— Lyndon B. Johnson
A meagre 12 crore budget, rickety transformers, rotting poles & aging lines threaten electricity blackout
True, in Nagaland streets the thugs have the same power that Obama has. But, I want you to go to college, son.
o F
A view of the new Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto. (Morung Photo)
chitect Honoholi K Chishi-Zhimomi, of the firm akitektura, was commissioned to design the church. On May 5, 2007, the construction began. Egg shaped, the church has a maximum length of 197 feet, combined with a maximum width of 140 feet. It stands at a height of 156 feet, from its underground floor to the pinnacle of the cross (97 feet from ground floor to top floor). Its outer shell is gothic/ classical architecture infused with contemporary architecture. “The church sanctuary features a comfortable seating with good viewing capability for 8000 church goers,” informs Architect Honoholi. This, she observes, would make it “one of the
largest churches in Asia,” in terms of a church building built specifically for Baptist Christian religious purposes with an at-a-time seating capacity of 8000-8500 as opposed to convention halls/theatres/stadiums used for religious gatherings, but not in terms of monumentality. Watching over Zunheboto Town, more than 2000 workers have been issued Inner Line Permits in the past nine years to build the church. One of the main challenges for the building’s construction was its precarious site, atop a hill, in Seismic Zone V (earthquake prone). The architect assures that the best of engineering technology available at the time was used through close collaboration and consultation
with a structural engineering firm, Map Project Services Pvt. Ltd. The church will have 27 rooms including the main sanctuary, a 300-seater chapel, offices, conference room, training room, bride and groom dressing rooms and sick room. An underground library-cum-cafeteria will make room for people to meet and interact after service. Two elevators in the building will, reportedly, be the first ones to ever be operated in Zunheboto. The sanctuary’s stage will be equipped with a (hidden) baptism pool. The church’s bell—500 kg, 93% brass, 7% tin with a 1.5 km radial sound outreach—has been imported from Poland. Only the bell cost Rs. 15 Lakh. The whole construction currently stands
at a budget of Rs. 25 Crore 30 Lakh. “Initially, as per Nagaland PWD schedule of rates, our budget was Rs. 10 Crore 50 Lakh. But there was a price rise and by 2009, we had enhanced the budget to Rs. 16 Crore. Now, it is more than Rs. 25 Crore. God knows if this will suffice,” says an unruffled Yepthomi. Zunheboto’s remote location increased the costs manifold. 50% of the construction funding came from SBCZ, 10% from well wishers and 40% from its members. “We divided the members into five categories based on their financial capacity,” explains Nikheto Jimomi, Secretary of the Planning Board. Officers, businesspersons, daily wage earners—all were accommodated. Every member gave. “People want to come together in congregation. Many old people who were anxious for this have already died. This is the purpose of the new church building,” observes Rev. Yevito Sumi, Pastor of SBCZ. For the past nine years, people affiliated to the SBCZ have been praying in separate fellowships in each of their colonies in Zunheboto Town. “When we come together in big groups, people are encouraged through the fellowship which is a great joy for all of us,” highlights the Pastor. The overall inspiration, for all involved, came from faith. Architect Honoholi acknowledges God and says, “All glory and honour go to Him.”
(2000 each in Kohima and Dimapur) rusting electric poles remains unreciprocated by the government. The project proposal, estimated at a cost of around Rs. 3 crore, approximately Rs. 7500 per pole that time, was forwarded to the government back in 2007-08. “The government has not
Budgeting, govt’s response and maintenance
“It is a big challenge. Have to prioritise,” said the official, uncertainty palpable on the prospect of budgeting with Rs. 12 crore. Citing an instance of maintenance expenses, the official said that transformer oil alone costs Rs. 1 crore annually. Around 100 kilo (1 lakh) litres of transformer oil is required annually, which costs Rs. 110 per
litre. “Moreover if something breaks down, suppliers will not be forthcoming as the department already has huge bills pending.” On paper, maintenance is clubbed under a separate non-plan component but the boundary between plan and non-plan gets blurred in a situation of fund paucity. The government’s response to the department’s appeal to enhance the year’s allocation was limited to the State Chief Secretary asking the department to prepare a report detailing the year-wise allocation of fund (plan, non-plan and revenue generated) to the department during the past ten years.
Consequence and urgency
The circumstances and the government’s unrelenting stance point to bleak times ahead sooner or later. If the distribution system is allowed to perform in its current state, department engineers forecast more frequent and costlier system failures. With no consolidated fund to meet exigencies, sourcing replacements or spares will become lengthy affairs, which would translate into extended periods of black outs. Further, the official said that allowing it to continue would mean expenses quadrupling if at all attempt is made to revitalise the power sector in future. The gravity of the predicament calls for urgency on the part of the State Government to give priority to the power sector, a sector essential to economic growth and industrialisation.
Tragedy for all Nagas if the ongoing negotiation with GoI fails: Gen Kholi DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (MExN): “If the on-going negotiation with Government of India (GoI) fails, it is not only the loss or problem for NSCN or any individuals alone. It will be a tragedy for all Nagas whatever the differences in ideologies or principles we may have,” Gen (Rtd) Kholi said on Wednesday. In a message to the Naga people, Gen (Retd) Kholi said opportune moment is in the hand of the Nagas either to decide for a prosperous future or to repeat the bitter past. “I say that our ambitious mind and greed should not rule us over to ruin and murder our political future. I am convinced and confident that every right thinking Naga citizens will not fail to act, admit and accept for an honorable and acceptable solution. I strongly believe the honorable political solution can only bring about the unity among the Nagas,” he voiced out. Gen (Retd) Kholi also asserted that his ‘bold
decision’ to join the NSCN (IM) under the leadership of Isak Swu, and Th. Muivah was only to “serve the purpose for all Nagas.” “There was no other options left to blink but to safe-guard our historical rights, protect our territorial integrity from grave danger and to build people’s competence for future, that in unison to expedite the talk in unequivocal,” he said, while making an appeal the Naga people not to bear any ill will against his decision, “but to wisely think and contribute for the glorious moment where all Nagas can live together with harmony and prosperity.” According to Gen (Retd) Kholi, his decision to move to NSCN (IM) was the only way to “prevent ourselves from conspiring against each other by deviating us from solving our difference but to reconcile mutually from our bitter past towards common future.” Full text on Page 10
ACAUT Nagaland serves ‘final appeal’ to the NHIDCL on land compensation
DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (MExN): Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has served a final appeal to NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) to immediately release the compensation money to the affected landowners of the 4-lane highway project from Patkai/ Chumukedima Bridge to Kushiabill village under Dimapur district. A press statement received from Media Cell, ACAUT Nagaland on Wednesday said the compensation must be paid as per the 2016 revised rate, which is the demand from the landowners. It noted that the price of the land has gone up since the last time the rates were fixed while the NHIDCL played “hide and seek with the lives of the landowners” for the last 2 years. ACAUT said the concerns of the affected land owners are genuine and is a matter of serious concern as they had agreed to part with their property in the larger inter-
est of the State at a very nominal rate. It said the delay in the payment of compensation have victimized the landowners who now have to settle for a lesser value than they have actually bargained for visà-vis their counterparts in other districts and even Assam. In this connection, ACAUT said it have so far not carried the issue of non-payment of compensation beyond a certain level other than file a few RTIs related to the matter. “However given the misery of the affected landowners it would be compelled to adopt confrontation as a method which may not bode well for any of the parties,” it stated. Pointing out that the careless attitude and apathy on the part of NHIDCL is a classic case of corporate irresponsibility guided only by profit factor, ACAUT, while making a final appeal for immediate release of the compensation money, has cautioned that the corporation would be held “solely responsible for any compounder problems.”