C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 310 • 12 PAGes • 5
www.morungexpress.com
FriDAY • November 11• 2016
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want Amur Falcon ‘Hakhizhe’ released in Dimapur
“Crashing waves” of jihadists fray soldiers’ nerves in Mosul PAGe 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Don’t tell me about taxes or penalties. Tell me how do declare them as income money!
One shot at in Kohima Our Correspondent Kohima | November 10
A cadre of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was reportedly shot at by an unidentified miscreant at around 11:00 am in Kohima today. Police said that the victim, identified as Kadingai Rongmei (37) of Noney village, Tamenlong district of Manipur, was reportedly shot on the chest from close range while sitting inside a shop in Mission compound here. He was rushed to the hospital and is presently in critical condition in ICU for observation.
State BJP accuses DAN govt of misgovernance, injustice
C M Y K
DIMAPUr, NovEMBEr 10 (MExN): Cracks in the DAN coalition came to the fore today with the State BJP submitting a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya highlighting “injustice and mis-governance of the DAN Government.” This is an issue confronting Naga people and the party cannot remain silent while the people in the State are facing utter misery, stated the BJP’s memo to Governor released to media here by its spokesman M Yanghose Sangtam. The State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier said that it will review its alliance with the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition led by Naga People’s Front (NPF) following the removal of MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon as Parliamentary Secretary. Accusing the DAN Government of crossing “all limits of corruption,” the Party memo said, “Unless corrective measures are taken urgently, the society is being pushed down to abnormally low level, where there is no law, development, vision or direction.” Citing “irregularities and rampant corruption” as detected by the Comptroller & Auditor General (A&AG) Reports, the State BJP accused the DAN of preventing “unbiased investigation” of corruption by State Vigilance Commission by rendering it “toothless.” It called for the Governor’s intervention with appropriate measures noting that people were suffering under the weight of mis-governance and injustice. The party, it stated, is committed to stand and work for corruption free governance as asserted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP Team was led by its President Visasolie Longue; Finance and Development Convener HK Khulu IAS (Rtd); Advisor BJP IK Sema, former President Dr. M Chuba Ao and State Executive Member Dr. Temsuwati Ao.
T R u T H — Muhammad Ali
Stokes punishes India as England amass 537
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People rush to ditch old banknotes
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, NovEMBEr 10 (rEUtErs): Indian banks called in thousands of police on Thursday to manage huge queues outside branches, as people tried to exchange bank notes abruptly pulled out of circulation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a crackdown on “black money”. Modi announced the shock move on Tuesday night to ditch 500 and 1,000 rupee notes - worth a combined $256 billion - that he said were fuelling corruption, being forged and even paying for attacks by Islamist militants against India. Lines formed before banks reopened after being shut on Wednesday to prepare for the change, as people tried to swap the worthless cash for smaller bills or new 2,000 rupee notes being rushed into circulation and made to be harder to counterfeit. Some people frustrated by the long wait got into arguments at Canara Bank near the parliament building in New Delhi, as people barged into queues that wound through the branch and on to the street outside. “Why is there no-one here to manage anything?” shouted one man, as he jostled with others in the line. Branch manager S.K. Verma, unable to get through to the local police station, called an emergency hotline for help. “I want two policemen deputed outside my branch!” he said. Twenty police stood outside a nearby outlet of the Reserve Bank of India, the central
Deposits above Rs 2.5 lakh to face tax plus, 200 per cent penalty on mismatch
NEW DELHI, NovEMBEr 10 (PtI): Further dangling the stick, government on Wednesday night warned that cash deposits above Rs 2.5 lakh threshold under the 50-day window could attract tax plus, a 200 per cent penalty in case of income mismatch. “We would be getting reports of all cash deposited during the period of November 10 to December 30, 2016, above a threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh in every account. The (tax) department would do matching
of this with income returns filed by the depositors. And suitable action may follow,” Revenue Secretary Hashmukh Adhia said on Wednesday night. Any mismatch with income declared by the account holder will be treated as a case of tax evasion. “This would be treated as a case of tax evasion and the tax amount plus a penalty of 200 per cent of the tax payable would be levied as per the Section 270(A) of the Income Tax Act,” he said.
‘New Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 1,000 notes soon’ Police patrol as people queue outside a branch of the State Bank of india to exchange old high denomination bank notes in Old Delhi, November 10. (REUTERS)
Trading of farm combank, letting in customers modities around the couna few at a time. try was disrupted for the second day on Thursday CASH CRUNCH Although a few people and in many markets farmwere able to exchange their ers were struggling to sell old money for new notes, their produce. Prices of perishable there were strict caps on account withdrawals and fruit and vegetables have most came away with bun- fallen by up to a quarter as dles of lower-denomina- traders were unable to sell them to vendors, who pay tion bills. People were allowed to in cash. “Most transactions of make a one-time exchange of 4,000 rupees in cash and farm commodities are conone-time account with- ducted in cash and since drawals of 10,000 rupees, cash is not available we are capped at 20,000 rupees not able to sell,” said Rohan Ursal, a trader based in per week. Cash dispensers re- Pune in the western state of mained closed and were Maharashtra. due to reopen on Friday. It was the same story for CLEANER SYSTEM In television interviews, senior bureaucrats in the capital’s government dis- Finance Minister Arun Jaittrict and daily labourers in ley defended the switch, Old Delhi, where youths saying India was moving reserved places in lines to to a “cleaner system”, and rebutting criticism that the earn some cash.
government was resorting to arbitrary and authoritarian methods of running the economy. But he said it would take two or three weeks for new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes to be put into circulation, replacing old notes worth 17 trillion rupees ($256 billion) that can be exchanged until December 30. One economist said that Modi, by fixating on black money in the form of physical cash, had failed to recognise how tax evasion and financial crime works - for example by underinvoicing to create illicit wealth, using informal hawala networks to move offshore or buying gold and real estate. “This very conception of ‘black money’ is absurd,” left-leaning economist Prabhat Patnaik wrote in The Citizen, an online daily.
NEW DELHI, NovEMBEr 10 (IANs): After demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes, the government on Thursday said new Rs 50 and Rs 100 notes, having new design and security features, will soon be issued without withdrawing the existing ones. “Design of Rs 50 and Rs 100 notes will also be changed. These notes with new design features will be slowly infused (into the system),” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters at the twoday Economic Editors’ Conference that started here on Thursday. “The existing Rs 50 and Rs 100 notes
will continue to be legal tender,” he added. Das said new Rs 1,000 denomination notes having new design and security features will also be issued soon. New notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination are being issued starting Thursday in banks and post offices. No new Rs 1,000 notes are being issued immediately. All banks have been directed to work for 12 hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to clear the rush of desperate customers for exchange transactions and, if required, remain open even next Sunday (November 20).
Old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes can be used for utility payments NEW DELHI, NovEMBEr 10 (IANs): Old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes can be used by people towards making payment for utility services like water and electricity till November 11 midnight, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday. “Such old notes to be accepted for payment of utility charges like water and electricity till November 11 midnight. Records to be maintained,” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said in a tweet. The old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes will also be accepted for payment of fees, charges, taxes, and penalty to central and state governments, including municipal-
ities and local bodies, Das tweeted. A government notification had earlier said that the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes can be used for making payments in government hospitals, pharmacies in government hospitals, at railway ticketing counters, ticket counters of government or public sector undertaking buses and airline ticketing counters at airports for purchase of tickets till November 11. The notification specified that all establishments allowed to carry transaction till November 11 will have to maintain a complete account of record of stock and sale of transactions made with old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes.
DBs & GBs are the eyes, ears, NNagaDAO protest non release of grant & mouth of the district admin NACO’s failure to release funds puts 30,000 people at risk in Nagaland
Kejong Chang asks DBs & GBs to honour the institution at Dimapur District Dobashi Golden Jubilee Morung Express News Dimapur | November 10
Nagaland State Parliamentary Secretary for DB & GB Affairs and Horticulture, Kejong Chang, today stressed on ‘Revival’ of the institution of the DB (Do bashi) or ‘interpreter’, introduced during the British time, to strengthen the hands of the district administration. Ninety-four-year old Kejong, the oldest member in the present Nagaland Legislative Assembly, said as in the past the role of a DB is not only confined to being an interpreter but, most importantly, to act as guardian of Naga customary laws and practices. “DBs and GBs are the eyes, ears and mouth of the districts administration and therefore the role and duties of the DBs and GBs are enormous and powerful,” Kejong said in his address at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the ‘Dimapur District Dobashi’ held at DDSC Stadium here today. Kejong, who represents Tuensang Sadar-II, said he was at home with the DBs and GBs as he too served as a DB for 44 years beginning 1945 till his retirement as PA to deputy commissioner, travelling the length and breadth of the Eastern Nagaland and Mokokchung in the than Naga Hills and under NEFA. “When I first joined as a DB in 1945, my salary under British Raj was Rs. 35, which was huge money during that time with Rs. 1, you can buy 8 kilo rice,” he said to the applause of all DBs present. The Parliamentary Secretary however reminded the present-day DBs that in earlier times, the DBs un-
derwent a lot of risks and hardships, especially during the peak of the Naga movement. “I don’t know about other districts, but in the then Tuensang district, 44 DBs died in the line of duty between the Naga undergrounds and Indian Army,” he said, adding that the present-day DBs and GBs should take inspiration from the sacrifices of their past counterparts, whose motto was to safeguard public interest and safety. In the same vein, Kejong said DBs and GBs, being the custodian and protector of Naga customary law and usages, should never accept bribes as it would erode the respect and honour of their institutions, which are the backbone of Naga society as well as district administration. ADC Dimapur, Elizabeth Ngully, in her address, said Dimapur being a cosmopolitan district with all Naga tribes and other communities residing in the district, the DBs of Dimapur need to be more alert, sincere and alive to various problems and situations which other districts may not encounter. As a reminder, Elizabeth also asked whether the present-day DBs are living upto the expectations of the public and whether the respect for DBs have diminished or not. President, All Nagaland Dobashi Association; President of GBs Association (Sadar) Dimapur and PA to DC Kohima, also greeted and exhorted the Dimapur DBs. Cultural troupes from Pihekhu (Sumi), Old Showuba (Yimchungrü) and Bamun Pukhuri (Kachari) presented their respective traditional dances on the occasion. President, Dimapur District DB Association, L Nokremba Yimchungrü, delivered the welcome address and Convenor, jubilee planning committee, Khekuto Sema, proposed vote of thanks.
Workers in the field of HIV/AIDS seen here at a rally in Kohima protesting the non payment of salaries to NGO staff by the National AIDS Control Organisation, thereby affecting 30,000 people in Nagaland State. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent Kohima | November 10
In protest against the National AIDS Control Organization’s (NACO) non-payment of work done for HIV and AIDS intervention in Nagaland State, the Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organization (NNagaDAO) today staged a protest rally here. Expressing resentment towards NACO for non release of grant for the last fiscal year, the rally started from NNagaDAO office, making its way to the Chief Minister’s residence. Among the many protest placards, some read: ‘Employee not slave,’ ‘Pay our rightful dues for the work done for prevention of HIV, care and support,’ ‘Prevent HIV/AIDS by timely release of fund,’ ‘We have worked, give us our salary,’ ‘No pay no work,’ ‘We demand immediate government intervention.’
“We are gathered here to show our resentment,” NNagaDAO President Abou Mere told the media persons adding that they are representing more than 30,000 people, “because it is not just the staff or the families but we also represent the key population.” NACO’s intervention is critical in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland. So, when the intervention is hampered, then more than 30,000 people are going to suffer, said Mere. In the last financial year, many staff had suffered because they had to take loans at high interest rates in order to pay their children’s school fees and house rent; more so house owners have been complaining for them to vacate houses, he informed. Mere said NNagaDAO was hopeful that the State Government will come to rescue as it has an obligation to protect the citizens. “HIV is
a health issue and it is a State subject therefore we are confident that the Government will act accordingly,” he said. “The non release of HIV grants to NGOs working in the field of HIV and AIDS field has left its grassroots staff without a salary for the last fiscal year (December 2015 to March 2016),” stated the NNagaDAO President in a representation addressed to Nagaland State Chief Minister TR Zeliang, requesting his intervention to resolve the issue. The representation further noted that the NACO and the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) have been constantly engaged in blame-game while the NGOs and its staff continue to suffer. This delay in payment of its staff is causing huge burden to their family and to the organization and to the critical work of HIV in the field, it stated. “Your timely intervention
will not only help to protect the rights of the HIV and AIDS grassroots workers and will go a long way in ensuring the effective implementation of HIV and AIDS programme in the State in future,” the representation stated. NNagaDAO also requested the CM to take measures that prevent third parties to exploit its citizen, particularly when s/he belongs to the weaker section of the community. It informed that majority of the grassroots workers in the field of HIV are People Living with HIV and People who Use Drugs. Stating that the Constitution of India guarantees, Protection of life and liberty (Article 21), Equality before law (Article 14) and Non-discrimination (Article 14 & 15), NNagaDAO asserted that the Nagaland State Government has the constitutional obligation to take legislative and administrative actions for realization of the right to life and protect its citizen. It appealed the Chief Minister to intervene with all the influence “under your command and to facilitate the release of the pending grants to all the organizations affected by this crisis.” Further, it requested the CM to address the barriers and take measures to ensure that the backlog funds from the last fiscal year be released at the earliest by NACO. A copy of the representation was also submitted to Nagaland State Governor PB Acharya, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar.