C M Y K
C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 316 • 12 PAGes • 5
www.morungexpress.com
ThursDAY • November 17• 2016
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other Hundreds of Rohingya flee Myanmar army crackdown to Bangladesh - sources PAGE 12
RSBY- health protection scheme for the poor
o F
T R u T H
— Walter Elliot
Messi magic sparks Argentina, Brazil march on
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nagaland Govt consults on Municipal Act • Says it will go ahead with 33% reservation for women • Agrees to amend clauses on taxation of land and buildings Morung Express News Dimapur | November 16
A consultative meeting on the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 and Amendment Act was held on November 16 at the Capital Convention Hall, Kohima. The meeting was held to discuss issues which have been raised by the different Hohos and to bring about a solution. The Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Tribal Hohos attended the meeting. The Chief Minister in his speech thanked the different Hohos for their positive response to the meeting which was held in such short notice. He stated that the meeting was based on the suggestions given by the Angami Public Organisation (APO) and Ao Senden. The first proposal was to omit or delete the provision for reservation of seat for Schedule Caste in the Municipal Department. As per the Nagaland census report 2011, there is no recorded Schedule Caste in
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Aww.. Stop panicking like the villagers. There’s enough time to exchange our 500 notes. now let’s go to the next village!
Nagaland and also there is no Presidential Order under the Constitution of India that specifies who are the SC of Nagaland. Therefore, in practice there will be no reservation for SC in the Municipal bodies. He further added as a preventive measure and to clear the doubt, the government is open to the idea of removing the reservation of SC as suggested by the APO. The Chief Minister also mentioned the two suggestions given by the Ao Senden on 33% reservation for women and taxation of land and buildings. On women reservation, he stated that a series of meetings were held with the Naga Mothers’ Association and other women organizations but they have decided to wait for the verdict of the court. Therefore, he stated that on this issue the state cabinet has already decided to go by the existing provisions of Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 as amended in 2006. Regarding the second suggestion on taxation of land and buildings, the Chief Minister said
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang with participants of the consultative meet held in Kohima today. (DIPR Photo)
palities are well established in consultation with Naga tribal bodies. Another option was retaining the provision for taxation of lands and buildings, but deleting sub-section 182 (d) so that lands and buildings cannot be attached and sold off through auctions for recovery of tax dues on lands and buildings. He concluded by saying that in view of the 33% reservation for women, unless the petitioner (the women organization) agrees, there is no question of compromising. Hence, he stated that the cabinet decided to agree with the reservation of women. With regard to taxation, the government is willing to let the municipal body propose the rate of tax. The CM further assured that that the government would always protect the land holding system or the customary system. Meanwhile, he cautioned that if the municipal elections keep getting held back, neither men nor women would benefit and the people would lose ground on development.
that the government has taken taxes which may be levied and not sanctioned by the serious note of the pressing isunder sub-section clause 2 government. sue and has brought about a few shall be levied at such rate as (iv) Similarly in Section 123 options. He added that the state may be proposed by the muclause 2 the word ‘determine’ government appears to have taknicipality and with the apmay be replaced by the word en upon itself most of the powers proval of the government to ‘approve.’ This is because and responsibilities on tax. be conveyed to government the rate of taxes on land and He said that municipalities notification buildings as may be probeing elected bodies of the peo- (ii) The taxes shall be collected posed by the municipality ple may be given the power and in accordance with the proviwill only be approved by the responsibilities to decide what sions of this Act and the rules government and not detertaxes or fees they want to impose and provisions made under mined by government. to raise their own resources and Section 120 clause 4 and SecRegarding the provisions at such rate as may be proposed tion 120 clause 5 may be de- for attachment and sale of deby them, subject to the approval leted. faulter’s immovable property, of the rate by the government. (iii) In Section 121 clause 7 and the CM provided one option Meeting termed ‘inconclusive’ Naga Hoho President, Therefore, the government is Section 121 clause 8, the word that that auction for sale of mulling lines of action by amend‘sanction’ may be substituted land may be open only to the Chuba Ozukum meanwhile ing Section 120 clause 3 through by the word ‘approve.’ This is Naga indigenous people of termed today’s meeting as “inthe following proposals: because of the tax proposal the state. Or section 120(1)(a) conclusive” and lamented that (i) The taxes provided in the submitted by the tax com- may be deleted for now, and enough time was not given for a sub-section clause 1 and the munity will only be approved revisited when the munici- proper discussion between the
government and participants from the tribe organisations. He felt that a proper review of the act needs to be done, and said that one way would be to set up a committee for this purpose. Ozukum hoped that the government would convene more consultations with the tribe bodies before coming to a concrete decision. While lamenting that the issue of women’s reservation was not a part of the discussions, the Naga Hoho President affirmed the position that it is against women reservation through election. However, he stated that the Naga Hoho would agree to the reservation of women through nomination. Advisor to the ENPO, Toshi Wuntung meanwhile asserted that protection of the interest of Nagas under the hard earned Article 371 (A) is of paramount importance. “We first need to safeguard our rights. Then we can fine tune the other issues. Development will come but our rights need to be protected,” he stated. While appreciating the government for holding the meeting, he hoped that more consultations would be conducted. He further called for unity and solidarity among the public, the government and the civil society to ensure the protection of rights under Article 371 (A). (With DIPR inputs)
Two crore illegal Bangladeshi ‘Journalists are confronted with living in India: Minister Rijiju the dilemma of truth and fact’ New Delhi, November 16 (PTi): Inanannouncementwhich maystartapoliticaldebate,government today said that around two crore illegal Bangladeshi migrants are staying in India. “As per available inputs, there are around 20 million illegal Bangladeshi migrants staying in India,” Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed Rajya Sabha replying a written question. Rijiju said there are reports of Bangladeshi nationals having entered the country without valid travel documents. Since entry of such Bangladeshi nationals into the country is clandestine and surreptitious, it is not possible to have accurate data of such Bangladeshi nationals living in various parts of the
country, he said. Rijiju said deportation of illegal staying foreign national is continuous process. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had said that “Bangladeshis” will be deported if he comes to power. “They have been given the red carpet welcome by politicians just for votes. You can write it down. After May 16, these Bangladeshis better be prepared with their bags packed,” Modi had said at an election rally in Serampore in West Bengal, which shares a porous border with Bangladesh. Assam and West Bengal are considered to be the worst hit due to the alleged illegal infiltration from Bangladesh.
Assam had witnessed a sixyear-long agitation between 197985 against the illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration from Bangladesh has been a major issue for many students, social and political organisations in the Northeast. The 2014 election manifesto of BJP said that the party will review and improve the border management and “punitive measures will be introduced to check illegal immigration”. The BJP said it will address the issue of infiltration and illegal immigrants in the Northeast region on a priority basis and this will include clear policy directions and effective control at the ground level. Bangladesh and India share a 4,096-kilometer long international border.
NCS officers raise fund for needy HSLC students Morung Express News Mon | November 16
In an effort to encourage students preparing for the HSLC Exam 2017, two NCS Officers posted in the remotest part of the state raised funds and distributed solar lamps and other stationeries to HSLC Exam students under Monyakshu-Mopung Sub Division, Mon. “Many of the students couldn’t study properly at night and had to resort to dimly lit kerosene lamps because of the irregular power supply. So we started a small solar lamp project, raised a small fund from friends and wellwishers and in no time we were able to procure a solar lamp and other stationeries for every student,” said Sentilong Ozukum, EAC, Monykashu Hq. “Our sub divisions have very low literacy rates and hardly two or three students from the Government High Schools pass the HSLC Exams. So this year, we along with the teachers of the schools are trying our best to help the students pass the HSLC exam which will certainly go a long way in determining the future of the students,” added Yanithung Ngullie, EAC Mopong Hq. Monyakshu-Mopung circle
Sentilong Ozukum, EAC, Monykashu Hq and Yanithung Ngullie, EAC Mopong Hq with the students and others during the distribution of solar lamps and other stationeries to HSLC Exam students under Monyakshu-Mopung Sub Division, Mon.
located in the Indo-Myanmar border is more than 120km away from Mon Hq and has one of the lowest literacy rates in the state. “We are trying our best to sensitize the people about the importance of education and the development of human resources,” added EAC Monyakshu, who along with his colleague and teachers is on a special mission to improve the educational scenario in the subdivision. Apart from their official duties, the two NCS officers are also actively engaged in teaching in the schools and providing tuitions and coach-
ing to the students after school hours in the evening. A small prayer programme was held at Monyakshu Town for the HSLC Exam students from all the schools under Monyakshu-Mopung circle, which included Government High School Bumei, Government High School Mopung, St. Xavier High School Changlangshu and Baptist High School Monyakshu Hq. Speaking at the occasion, Lichio Yanthan, Headmaster, Government High School Bumei thanked the District Administration for their noble effort and encouraged the
students to leave no stone unturned to make their dreams come true. The two NCS officers further appealed to the parents, leaders and other stakeholders of the sub divisions to give utmost importance to the education of a child in order to help build a brighter future. Along with the students and teachers, the programme was attended by Village Council members of neighbouring villages, GBs, Church Officials, NGO leaders and two EAC Probationers Tumben Tsanglao and Rohbi Sangtam, who also delivered motivational speeches to the students.
Nagaland observes the National Press Day
Morung Express News Dimapur | November 16
“What is our ethical and professional framework at a time in Nagaland State where truth is suppressed, mercy has been blinded, justice has been kidnapped and peace remains elusive?” questioned Dr. Aküm Longchari, Editor of The Morung Express to the Nagaland press fraternity today. He said this as the theme speaker of the National Press Day, which Nagaland observed along with the rest of country at DABA Elim Hall in Duncan Bosti, Dimapur under the theme: ‘Professional Ethics in Journalism.’ Organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and hosted by the Dimapur Press Club, the event witnessed participation from Kohima Press Club and Mokokchung Press Club – the first time all three press clubs in the state and the IPR got together for such an event. Journalists are confronted with the dilemma of “truth and fact,” Dr Longchari said, asking the gathering to partake in a simple paper-tearing exercise to expound his point. Despite the same set of instructions, all 70-odd gathering came up with different patterns. “We all interpret the world around us from where we come, through our own experiences,” he explained. “Sometimes we are too focused on the truth that we forget the facts,” he added, stressing the need to “qualitatively differentiate” between the two issues. Seeking to highlight the creative tension between “internal and external factors”, Dr Longchari maintained that it is essential for journalists to develop self‐understanding and self‐definition in fluid working conditions. Citing a working paper by Dr Henrik Örnebring, Professor of Media and Communications, Karlstad University, Sweden, where he posits that “journalists seem to be perpetually concerned with the decline of their
occupation,” Dr Longchari mentioned two broad reasons identified by Dr Örnebring for the decline of journalism. [The working paper is entitled “The two professionalisms of journalism: Journalism and the changing context of work”] The first, he pointed out are “internal factors” in which journalists as a collective are to blame for the decline of their profession, while the second points to “external factors” where the decline of journalism is the result of pressures from outside journalism. To raise the standard of journalism in Nagaland, the theme speaker urged for examination of ethics and professionalism in journalism. Toward this, Dr. Longchari focused on four areas: (1) The competing notions of professionalism which are: organizational professionalism or occupational professional, (2) Negotiating journalism: between business and vocation, (3) The social role of journalists in these changing times, and (4) A peace lens for journalism. In “Organizational or occupational professionalism”, the employer and the employee, the media house and the journalist have different ideas and expectations about what professionalism means, he explained. Elucidating “Negotiating journalism between business and vocation”, Dr. Longchari mentioned Dr Örnebring’s reminder that, “Journalism is and always has been part of a business enterprise – and journalists have always been aware of this.” In essence the business component of media houses is exerting more power and influence over journalism as a profession, to the detriment of journalistic quality and independence, he explained. “In other words, Dr Henrik is pointing out that organisational professionalism is weakening occupational professionalism,” he stated and voiced the need to address the growing commercialization of journalism. “The healthy growth of jour-
nalism,” Dr. Longchari insisted, “can only happen in an environment where the press can function independently and unobstructed allowing it to maintain journalist expression and professionalism.” Truth, he further maintained is the touchstone of journalism and getting the facts right is the cardinal principle. He also expounded on the pertinence of fairness and impartiality “We need to be aware that our words and images impact the lives of others. Very often we do not live with the consequences of our reports, but people do.” Advocating the use of journalism as “a peace lens” he said that journalism contributes in breeding violence and supporting forces that lead to violent conflict. It however also has the power to prevent and stop violence and influence activities that promote peace, Dr Longchari said. Earlier, Director, IPR Nagaland, Limawati Ao, in a short speech urged for better coordination and cooperation with the media fraternity. He also informed that the Nagaland Journalist Welfare Scheme is in operation and lauded the former Secretary IPR, T. Ao, IAS, for coming up with the scheme. The scheme is a onetime ex-gratia relief on urgent basis for journalists and their families. Editors from three Dimapur-based newspapers – K. Temjen Jamir of Tir Yim Yim, Monalisa Changkija of Nagaland Page, and Wapongtemjen Longkumer of Eastern Mirror – all shared their experiences with a common appeal to improve the standard of journalism in the state. During the programme, Editor of Nagaland Page, Monalisa Changkija, espousing the Nagaland Baptist Church’s “Clean Election campaign” reaffirmed the daily’s pledge to refrain from publishing news/advertisements from village councils endorsing candidates. The Editor of Morung Express also joined the pledge and affirmed to do the same.