October 22nd, 2016

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www.morungexpress.com

SaturDaY • OctOber 22• 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 290 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

Today the real test of power is not capacity to make war but the capacity to prevent it — Anne O’Hare McCormick BSF jawan injured as Pak violates ceasefire PaGe 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | October 21

Naga students of Arunachal urge NSCN (IM) to stop ‘tax collection’

Dimapur, OcTOber 21 (iaNS): A student body has urged the NSCN-IM to stop its unlawful “tax collection” from various educational departments in Arunachal Pradesh. At a meeting with the NSCN-IM, the Arunachal Naga Students Federation (ANSF) said the tax collection was creating hurdles in the development of education in many districts, according to an ANSF statement. It pointed out that the tax collection by NSCN-IM in three economically and socially backward districts of the state -- Tirap, Changlang and Longding -- has led to financial problems in the operation of several schools and colleges. “This appeal got necessitated due to problems faced by the teaching staff, department’s officers and authorities of schools and colleges in Tirap, Changlang and Longding. Not just that, the lives of the upcoming youths is also getting ruined due to lack of education,” the statement added.

PaGe 05

The Court hearing on the educational qualification row regarding Nagaland State MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio was held today at the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Kohima under Judge Tuccuno Vamuzo. Former Chief Minister and current MP, Rio was present at the hearing along with supporters and family members. Hundreds of supporters lined up outside the court to show solidarity with the MP. Senior Advocate for Rio, BK Mahajan today informed that the complainant had filed an application before the court seeking time since the transfer application was pending before the court. Mahajan further stated the defense has not submitted an objection on what has been made from the complainant’s side. The next hearing has been fixed for November 11 for consideration of the charges against the accused. A brief press conference with Rio and his lawyer was held outside the DC’s office. While briefing the media on the case, Mahajan stated: “We are all citizens of India having respect for the laws of the land, hence because the cases were fixed for consideration today, our client, ex-CM of Nagaland has appeared before the court being a law abiding citizen. But as students of law we are of the understanding that these cases are politi-

• Defense advocate claims case is ‘political vendetta’ • Nagaland MP says he has ‘no political war with anyone’ • Assures he will come back to Nagaland state politics

Nagaland MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio speaking to the media after appearing before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kohima on October 21. (Morung Photo)

cally motivated and results of political vendetta.” In his defense, Rio said the public knows that the college authority has already rectified the “error” in his educational certificate, and that a public apology was also extended. “So since I have been accused, as an accused person in this regard, I have come personally as summoned by the court to appear personally to show that I am innocent, I am not guilty,” Rio added. On being questioned why he had not noticed the error in his certificate in the first place, the Nagaland MP replied: “I don’t want to go into detail and it is not proper. And I think if you go through the records … the letter of this controversial certificate was issued on the 12th December 2012

and when I went to general election in 2013, my affidavit was correct as BA and not as honors. And only this mistake occurred in the Parliament [elections] in 2014.” This, he stated, was made by “people, who had the file,” and must have seen the paper and recorded as it was found. He asserted that his appearance today is to clear his name and to prove his innocence. Replying to a query as to whether the case is part of a political war between him and the Nagaland Chief Minister, the MP stated: “I have no political war with anybody. If they have any, then I don’t know.” During the gathering, the MP’s supporters urged Rio to come back to the state. To this, the MP said he will be coming back to State politics since he “is for the

people and coming back to the wishes of the people.” Transfer of case It may be noted that the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kohima, had passed an order on September 23, 2016, transferring the complaint case no 1/16 and GR 33/16 to the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Kohima from the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Kohima. The complainant, had subsequently, filed an appeal in the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court against the order passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kohima. The Advocate for the complainant informed that the High Court had today impugned the September 23 order passed by the Session Court.

Crime against wildlife continue despite awareness

32 wild birds (dead) seized by Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Dimapur from different stalls along NH-29

Dimapur, OcTOber 21 (mexN): The Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Dimapur on October 19 during routine highway patrolling along NH-29, seized 32 numbers of wild birds (dead) from different roadside stalls between Medziphema Town and Pherima Village. However, the culprits fled on seeing the patrolling party, leaving behind the illegal wildlife items.

According to a press statement received from the Department of Forests, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife, the seized wildlife items includes 2 Red Jungle Fowl, 12 Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, 3 Red Vented Bulbul, 1 Blue Throated Barbet, 2 Myna, 1 Asian Pied Sterling, 1 Golden Fronted Leafbird and 10 Larks. All the seized wildlife items were disposed off by burning and burying in the presence of officials of the department at Forest Office Complex, Dimapur, the same day, the press statement informed. The department lamented that even after extensive awareness and repeated warning to abstain

from wildlife crime; certain individuals have been involving in these unlawful activities. This is a serious offense under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and arrested offenders can be penalized with fine up to Rs. 25,000 or imprisonment up to 7 years or both. It also reminded that hunting (killing, poisoning, capturing, snaring, coursing, trapping, driving, baiting, injuring, destroying and damaging or disturbing eggs or nests) of wildlife is prohibited under Section 9 of the said Act. Additionally, as per State Govt. Notification CSO/1/GEN/2013 dated June 12, 2013 and No.DRD/

eesl to distribute over 25 lakh leD bulbs in nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | October 21

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PAGE 12

Education Qualification Row: Now pay your power bill online neiphiu rio appears in court Morung Express News

I’m not buying. The smell tells me this pig died of natural cause.

MDFA tournament suspended

MBBS Seat Allocation: ENCSU seeks Governor’s intervention

Nagaland today connected with energy efficient domestic appliances with EESL plans to distribute over 25 lakh LED bulbs, 1.5 lakh fans and 2.5 lakh tube lights. Over 6 lakh consumers will get benefit from this scheme. The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, energy efficient fans and tube lights programmes are being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a JV under the administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India. Under this scheme, consumers will be able to buy high quality 9W LED bulbs at a discount rate of Rs. 70 each (against a market price of Rs. 350), energy efficient fans at a price of Rs. 1, 150 each and tube lights at a subsidized price of Rs 230. Launching this Energy Efficient Nagaland by switching on of LED bulb and fan in the DC’s Conference Hall, Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire said the distribution of LED bulbs, energy efficient

fans and tube lights in Nagaland will not only help ensure energy access for all but will also help consumers in reducing their electricity bills. The minister wanted to see that the whole state is covered by this scheme at the earliest and introduce in all households, wards and colonies. Kohima Deputy Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor said Energy Efficient Nagaland is a Kohima district administration initiative, taken up to effectively tackle with the problem of wide gap between high demand and short supply of power. The grim scenario of power status in Kohima district is that while the installed capacity is 24 MVA with 132/33KV (maximum), the demand for power is 26 MW with an increase of 2 MW/ every year, and with the festive season approaching it is expected to cross 30 MW which will only invite more frequent load-shedding. Kohima district administration has already framed guidelines for implementation of District Initiative Towards Energy Efficient Kohima (DITEEK) in partnership with EESL company and village council/ward panchayats of Kohima district under the centrally sponsored scheme UJALA.

NR/P-1/2002 dated Kohima June 18, 2013, the various assistance given to the villages under whose jurisdiction the wildlife offence has been detected, will be curtailed, the press statement pointed out. In this connection, the Wildlife Warden, Dimapur has appealed to the public to refrain from the sell and/or purchase of illegal wildlife items in order to avoid any legal action. Further, the Wildlife Warden sought cooperation of the public to bring about conservation and protection of wildlife and to reduce wildlife related crime throughout the State.

Uniform Civil Code not applicable and acceptable in Nagaland: NPCC

Dimapur, OcTOber 21 (mexN): The executive committee of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today resolved that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) “is not applicable and acceptable in Nagaland.” A press note from the NPCC Working President, P Ayang Aonok informed that this was resolved in a meeting on Friday to examine and deliberate on the questionnaires put forward by Dr. Justice B.S Chauhan, Chairman Law Commission of India to all concerned to engage with them on the comprehensive exercise of the revision and reform of family laws, as Article 44 of the Indian Constitution provides that ‘the state shall endeavour to provide for its citizen a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India’. The NPCC meeting resolved that Nagaland is “part of the Union of India with special provision under Article 371A of India Constitution, which quotes that “notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, - No Act of Parliament in respect of (i) Religious or social practices of the Nagas; (ii) Naga customary law and procedure; (iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decision according to Naga customary law and procedures; and (iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. In light of this, the NPCC stated that any violation in the provision by Government of India in respect of Nagaland would mean breach of agreement that the GoI and Nagaland has arrived at under Article 371A.

Theft and non-payment make up 40 percent of the total loss of revenue for power department Morung Express News Dimapur | October 21

Wedged in between stinging public criticism, crumbling infrastructure and growing expenditure-revenue gap, the Department of Power, Nagaland has made a bold move into the online world of billing. The department on October 21 put into place an online facility – www. dopn.gov.in - for payment of electricity bill. With this, the Power department becomes the first utility department in the state to provide online payment facility for services rendered. State Power Minister, C. Kipili Sangtam officially launched the portal at a programme held at the Electrical Office complex in Dimapur. Sangtam also became the first consumer to make bill payment through the portal. With the launch, the department seeks to ease bill collection while aiding revenue generation and doing away with long queues. The online payment portal is part of a larger Central Government funded project - Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme (R-APDRP), the primary objective of which is to reduce losses and improve service delivery. For a start, this facility will be available to consumers of SDO -I and III under Dimapur Electrical Division and in SDO- II, Chumukedima and Kohima by year-end. This facility will then be implemented in 6 other towns by June 2017. Er. Keviletuo Yiese, SE (Revenue) & Nodal Officer, R-APDRP during the launch today held that insufficient payment counters and long queues discourage consumers from paying. He added that with the facility consumers can now comfortably pay from home.

Power Minister, C. Kipili Sangtam, in his address, highlighted the loss incurred by the department in revenue during 2015-16, which stood at 68 percent. This, he said is like the state is providing electricity almost free. Holding power theft and non-payment as the main factors responsible for revenue loss, he termed it “a moral issue” that deserves introspection. Theft and non-payment is said to make up 40 percent of the total loss. According to him, the department despite the many challenges has been doing a commendable job. While urging the consumers to make good use of the facility, he said, “I believe many of our consumers will be having access to the internet.” The payments can be made through debit/credit cards or net banking. His speech though fell short of mentioning how the state government intends to revive a power sector crying for vital governmental financial support. Er. Yiese presenting an overview of the commercial aspect of the department informed that rapid demand growth has widened the demand-supply gap. At present, the department can hardly meet 120MW of the peak demand of 145MW due to infrastructural constraints. Demand is projected to exceed 265MW by 2019. Following a steady growth between 1961 and 2003-05, statistics point to a 2-fold increase in demand over the past one decade. At 60MW during 2003-05, the demand has shot up to 145 at present. “Revenue generation is showing an increasing trend every year” but it does not correspond with the spending and energy consumed, said Er. Yiese. Nagaland was said to have the highest Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses in the country at almost 70 percent in 2015-16. The R-APDRP promises a slew of changes and upgrades in the billing and revenue mechanism, which includes in the list a dedicated Customer Care Centre (hotline) centred in Dimapur, self help kiosks and importantly, stricter energy auditing.

Bill Vs ReVenue Particulars

Unit

Amount Billed Revenue Collected T & D losses (%) AT&C Loss (%)

Rs.Cr. 55.07

75.33

103.84

113.88

138.52

180.34

174.98

2016-17 (1st Qtr) 47.59

Rs.Cr. 44.76

52.02

64.50

67.72

83.88

96.5

104.56

24.31

% %

50.32% 65.69%

46.33% 66.67%

46.77% 45.85% 68.34% 67.21%

41.48% 48.0% 68.69% 68.93%

46.8% 72.8%

2009- 10 2010- 11 2011- 12 2012- 13 2013- 14 2014- 15 2015- 16

42.78% 53.49%

Source: Department of Power Nagaland


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