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friDAY • September 16 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 255 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right From duped maids to rice farmers, Asian women lead the way in businesses to aid society
P o W e R
T R u T H
— Victor Hugo
Women Helpline 181 receives 14,535 calls since launch in June
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o F
Madrid avoids setback as Aguero scores hat trick for City
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pAGe 12
illegal immigrants issue!
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
• NSF concerned by lax implementation of BEFR Act • Seeks new modalities for implementation of ILP • Asks Nagaland Government to empower local bodies
Deposit the money in my account. Look, it’s a lot of money; I hope you’re not thinking of running away with it... and joining some NPG.
ASU, LSU & AKM keep ultimatum in abeyance DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 15 (MExN): On the expire of its 5 days ultimatum submitted by The Angami Students’ Union (ASU), Lotha Students Union (LSU) and Ao Students’ Conferance (AKM) to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, on issue regarding NSSEE-II, the three apex students bodies held a meeting with the Department of Technical Education on September 13 at Secretary Chamber, Kohima. A joint statement from the three organizations informed that as requested by the concerned department to wait till the September 19 cabinet meeting, the three apex student bodies would keep their ultimatum in abeyance. They however cautioned that failure to “deliver justice” would compel them to take their own course of action.
Supporters of Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi hold a painting of her which they plan to present to her as a gift, as she visits the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (REUTERS)
Nuklutoshi cautions companies against subletting work without dept’s knowledge
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 15 (NEPS): Minister for National highways, Mechanical Engineering & Election, Nuklutoshi has informed that work on National Highway 29, Kohima-Dimapur under SARDP-NE Phase A (4 lane) was allotted to ECI Engineering & Construction Company Ltd & Gayatri Company under the supervision of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL). In a release issued today, the Minister, however, said there was rumor that one of the construction companies had sublet a portion of the work to some local Naga contractors under a MoU which was initiated by the NHIDCL
and some individuals. Nuklutoshi further stated that they came to know that “some misunderstanding has come up between them leading to the cancellation of the MoU.” “All these developments have occurred without the knowledge of the concerned department, and hence if any consequences arise, it will be solely the responsibility of the NHIDCL and the mentioned company,” he warned. “Hereafter, if any portions of works allotted are sublet to anyone else, it must be done after informing the Nagaland PWD (National Highways) and including the department as a witness in the MoU.” The Minister also re-
vealed another declaration of new Highways by NHIDCL without the knowledge of the Nagaland PWD (National Highways). This new National Highways declared by NHIDCL without the knowledge of Nagaland PWD (National Highways) is connecting Ramani Ali in Simalguri up to Bihupar in the State of Assam going up to Mon. He however, clarified that there is an existing newly declared National Highways between the two States via Changtongya-Longlen-Aboi-Mon up to Namtola in the State of Assam. “Therefore, the said declaration of new National Highways by the NHIDCL is not on concurrence with the present existing one,” the
Minister pointed out. Henceforth, according to protocol, any declaration of new Highways or handing over of responsibility from PWD (National Highways) to NHIDCL or BRO and any kind of correspondence with the concerned department in Delhi must be done only through PWD (National Highways) and the Minister concerned as the technical know-how of making new roads and maintaining the existing ones are solely the concerns of PWD (National Highways), Nuklutoshi said. He warned that in the event of anyone going ahead with the same practices, “all the consequences will be borne by them.”
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 15 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has written to the Nagaland State Chief Secretary expressing concern over “the influx of non-locals and illegal immigrants into Nagaland and the lax implementation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act of 1873.” The NSF, in its letter reminded that the purpose of BEFR Act 1873 was to protect the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland, the land and its resources from exploitation by outsiders. It however lamented that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Nagaland is not enforced in letter and spirit in line with the BEFR Act 1873. It stated that the present ILP system in Nagaland lacks stringent terms for application, while adding that “issuing of ILP and penalization of ILP defaulters had made it liberal, porous and ineffective, thus negating the very purpose for which the Act was enacted.” The NSF observed that the present ground reality is such that “there is an impending threat of the Naga indigenous inhabitants being out-numbered by the illegal immigrant populace.” It therefore asked the Government of Nagaland to immediately frame a strong modality which can tackle the present challenges of “incessant influx of nonlocals and illegal immigrants.” Towards this, the NSF listed a series of terms and conditions to be incorporated into the new modality for implementation of the BEFR Act of 1873. It asked that Dimapur District come under the purview of Inner Line Permit Regulation and that documents to be produced while applying ILP should include: (a) Applicants (Main Land Indians): Voter’s ID Card, Permanent Residential Certificate; (b) Applicants (Assam): Voter’s ID Card, Permanent Residential Certificate, Land Patta, Electoral Roll enrolment duly signed by the District Magistrate and Election Officer, National Citizen Register (NCR) (issued
before 1963); and (c) Local Guarantor: i. Indigenous Certificate, Residential Proof Certificate and Identity Proof Certificate, ii. A joint photograph with his/ her ward should be produced. The NSF also proposed that ILP applicants should produce two local guarantors (Employer and House Owner). Both the guarantors, it said should sign an undertaking (Local guarantors and the applicant should be physically present while applying for ILP; that he/ she should deport his/her ward on the expiry of ILP and report to the ILP Monitoring Cell; that he/she should be held responsible if legal cases against his/ her ward arises. The NSF also stated that validity of ILP should be a maximum of 15 days. Regarding administrative mechanisms, it proposed the setting up of separate ILP Monitoring Cells in each district headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner; main entry and exit point should be installed with CCTV; periodical orientation course for administrative officials in the ILP Monitoring Cell and police personnel manning the main check gates; and proper records of ILP holders, Guarantors and deportation should be maintained. It also asked that any kind of Permits/ License/Certificates should not be issued to ILP holders, and that a person should be limited to act as guarantor of two ILPs only. The NSF then advised upgrading the present Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to Skill Development Institutions and adding of more relevant trades/courses in all the districts. It said that the Government of Nagaland should initiate sensitization programmes with the Village Councils, Town/Colony/Ward leaders and apex tribal bodies in all the districts. Moreover, the government should empower the above local bodies for the successful implementation of the ILP system in Nagaland, it added.
Protect the environment! End social exclusion to develop smart cities
Nagaland Engineers urged to contribute to environment protection Our Correspondent Kohima | September 15
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Retired Chief Engineer (R&B) Y. Chuba today appealed the engineer fraternity of Nagaland state to undertake massive tree plantation so as to contribute to environmental protection and mitigation against climate change. “We are the biggest agent for development and improvement of the state,” he said and at the same time stated that while undertaking road constructions, electrification or other infrastructure development many trees used to be cut down thereby disturbing the environment. In this, he urged the engineers to go for massive tree plantation to ensure greenery of the developed areas. This, he said, will contribute towards environmental protection. He said this during Engineer’s Day here at NPWD Conference Hall organized by the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Services Association (FONSESA). Also stating that Kohima used to get rainfall for five months in a year, Chuba suggested that engineers can think of innovative ideas by storing rain water, which would sufficiently address water problems in Kohima. Stating that engineers now have better service rules, he said time has come for engineers to emphasis more on workmanship, quality control and sincerity. He also stressed on the need to work out proper systems to address the compliant from many quarters about the bad road condition in the state. Stating that financial constraint should not be the only excuse, he encouraged the engineers to go and see the roads. Roads & Bridges Chief Engineer, Er.
Krosii Rhetso urged the engineering fraternity to be more sincere and attentive to their duties. He also asked them to be well versed with the latest developments taking place in society and improve efficiency. “Let us do good things besides our technical knowledge so that people around us will surely appreciate us,” he said. He also urged the engineers to keep on learning and pick up what is good for the people and what is advantageous for the society. FONSESA Advisor, Er Khose Sale stressed on the need to have team work and collectively do good things for the people. He also urged the engineering fraternity to have a sense of integrity, responsibility and accountability. Further, Er Sale called upon them to introspect what they have done so far and what more is to be done for the people. Also speaking during the occasion, Retd Chief Engineer, Housing, Chumben Lotha urged the engineers to come out with innovative ideas. Later, a technical presentation was made by Er Kavito Chishi, Additional Director NRE and Er Emnameren, EE PWD. The function was chaired by FONSESA Secretary General, Er Sobu Angami while welcome address was delivered by FONSESA Vice President, Er. Shikato Sema. Vote of thanks was proposed by FONSESA Joint Secretary, Er Dzuvichutuo Khale. FONSESA President, Er R Temsutemjen stated that engineers play a major role for development of many key sectors – road & transportation, building and construction, power, public health etc. “We are a group of professionals on whom a lot of things depend on how progress can be achieved. The Government and the people today expect a lot of contribution and effort from the engineers for overall development of the state,” he stated. It is pertinent to mention that September 15 is celebrated as Engineer’s Day in India to commemorate the birthday of Sir Mokshagundam Vivesvaraya.
V I S A K H A PA T N A M , SEPTEMBER 15 (IANS): Policy makers and experts from BRICS countries on Thursday emphasised the need to focus more on bringing people in urban areas together by ending social exclusion while developing smart cities and using technology only as a tool. Participating in the BRICS smart cities conclave, they stressed that the adoption of technology can’t be the ultimate goal of smart city development. BRICS is an association of five countries -- Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa. Expressing concern over the growing social exclusion in cities, D Alvaro de Oliveira from Brazil suggested setting up of a ‘BRICS human smart cities institute’ to mount collective efforts for integrated - both social and economical -- urban development in the context of smart cities. Citing initiatives taken in Brazil to end social conflicts by creating integrated neighbourhoods in Brazil’s capital Rio de Janeiro, he stressed the need to give pri-
macy to the human aspect of smart city development. IIT-Roorkee Director Pradipta Banerjee noted that the smart city development is not all about technology but about meeting the needs of people. He said urban development approaches should address trust deficit between the people and governance institutions. South Africa’s Philip Harrison asked BRICS nations to ensure that urban development with focus on smart cities does not further increase existing inequali-
ties in urban areas. He said governance should not be allowed to become more technocratic and less responsive. Lie Tie from China said that given huge mobile and Internet penetration in his country, the government is making Internet the cornerstone of enhancing efficacy of municipal governance and employment generation. Georgy Antsev of Russia gave an account of the technology-based initiatives taken in his country to effectively respond to natu-
ral disasters and ensure immediate and timely relief to the affected people. During a discussion on ‘Financing Urban Infrastructure’, the experts referred to the strong correlation between inequality in access to infrastructure and inequality in incomes in urban areas. The participants stressed the need to make urban local bodies self-reliant through enhanced resource allocations, including issuance of ‘municipal bonds’ for which, they said, cities have to become credit worthy.
Over 50% of tribal land acquired in India
RANcHI, SEPTEMBER 15 (IANS): More than 50 per cent of the land owned by tribals has been acquired for a variety of reasons over the years, displacing and marginalising lakhs of them, besides not compensating them adquately, the head of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs), Rameshwar Oraon, has said. “The main woe of the tribals is land acquisition. More than 50 per cent of tribal land has been acquired for setting up industries, mining, irrigation projects and other works, while gradually displacing lakhs of the tribal population,” Oraon, who belongs to Jharkhand, told IANS in a telephonic interview from New Delhi, adding: “Their plight cannot be expressed in words.” “All over the country, tribal land is acquired for
economic development, which is wrong. There is a law to protect tribal land but the law is not implemented properly. This is the reason why tribals are being marginalised,” Oraon, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs in the UPA-I government added. “It is a matter of serious concern that tribal people were landlords when the country became independent. Over the years, their condition changed for the worse,” Oraon, who quit the Indian Police Service to contest the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, said. “In almost every state there is a provision to protect tribal land. Despite this, lands were acquired,” he added. cited the examples of the Rourkela, Bhilai and Bokaro steels plants, Ranchi’s
Heavy Engineering Corporation and the Narmada and Sardar Sarovar projects for which only tribals were displaced. Oraon said not enough has been done for rehabilitating tribal people and they have not been taken care of. “The situation of displaced tribals was the worst in undivided Bihar. Land acquisition hit the tribal community and its culture,” he said, adding: “When a tribal loses his land he loses his culture and tradition.” “There is a big question mark on the survival of the tribal people and culture due to land acquisition in the country.” Oraon also came down heavily on the Raghubar Das-led Jharkhand government for proposing changes in two land acts -- the Chotanagpur Ten-
ancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act in contravention of a central law passed in 2013 that said if tribal land had to be acquired, the consent of the Gram Sabha, or village council, was a must. “The proposed changes in the two acts challenge the act passed by Parliament. As per the changes, land can be acquired without the Gram Sabha’s consent and without seeking approval of the Deputy Commissioner,” he said. The proposed changes -- through and ordinance -are now pending with President Pranab Mukherjee. “The 2013 act was formulated at a suggestion of the National ST Commission. Tribal land can only be protected if the act is impended honestly. The sad part is that Gram Sabhas have been ineffective in the country.
There is need to strengthen the Gram Sabhas,” he said. Oraon also expressed his unhappiness over the ST quota not being filled in central government services, saying that though the ST population increased from 7.5 per cent in 1971 to 8.30 per cent in 2011, their share in central government services is just around five per cent. “The vacant tribal posts in the central government should be filled by launching special drives,” said the ST commission chairperson. He also expressed concern over Jharkhand’s declining tribal population. “It was 32 per cent in 1951, which reduced to 22 per cent in 2001,” Oraon said. He said it was “the arrival of outsiders in the state” that caused the decline.