Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 273
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Taliban claims to ‘fully capture’ Panjshir
FOLLOW US ON
nagalandpostofficial
Watch us on YouTube
@Nagaland_Post
INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
India thrash Eng by 157 runs in 4th Test; lead series 2-1 SPORTS, PAGE 12
Centre ‘testing patience’ on Dimapur to have parking complex by 2022 tribunals, SC warns of contempt
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Dimapur city faces huge problem for vehicle parking in the heart of the city shopping zones such as NL Road, GS Road and the entire stretch from NL Road-Circular Road junction to Dhobinalla. In order to solve vehicle parking problems, the Shopping Mall-CumParking Complex in New Market was mooted and was eventually provided sanction by the Centre in 2008. Construction started in 2009 but came to an abrupt halt after the contractor abandoned the project midway sometime in 2013. In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post, Executive Engineer under Urban Development Department Er. Ketouzo disclosed that the Centre had accorded sanction to the project estimated at Rs.22.3 crore in 2008. He said work was awarded to
Construction of City Shopping Mall-cum-parking complex in New Market area. (NP)
M/S Vascon and construction work for the project began in 2009. He said the work was scheduled to be completed in 36 months or three years (i.e.2012). However, he said the company abandoned work after four years (2013) as it apparently faced financial crunch. Er. Ketouzo also
said the department had at several times, asked the company to complete the project. As the project remained in limbo, Er. Ketouzo said after a gap of five years, it was re-retendered. He attributed the time lag of five years to procedural requirement since the department had to proceed
as per terms and agreement of the contract order. He mentioned that cancelling the contract and floating a new tender also took additional time. He said the project was then awarded to M/s Golden Traders at a revised cost of Rs 14.35 crore. When contacted, engineer in-charge M/s Golden
Traders said the company took over the project in 2019 and it was likely to complete the works by March 2022. He said the project would have been completed earlier had it not been for the Covid-induced lockdown. He was also apprehensive that in the event of another lockdown, completion of the work could take more time. Er. Ketouzo, when asked why the project was not completed by the first contractor even after four years, cited several reasons. One of them being location of the project in one of the busiest parts of the city which hampered work. In addition, he said rampant encroachment had also hampered work. On reports about litigation filed by the first contractor over alleged non-payment of bills, Ketouzo clarified that there was no court case as the department had cleared all dues.
NEW DELHI, SEP 6 (AGENCIES): Supreme Court on Monday rapped the government over a large number of vacancies in tribunals, or quasi-judicial bodies, across the country. Chief Justice NV Ramana said “we feel the government has no respect for this court” and warned “you (the government) are testing our patience”. The court issued a notice to the government, giving it a week to make the appointments. Further hearings on this matter will be on September 13. Asserting that it did not want any confrontation with the government, a special three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said, “It is clear that you don’t want to respect the judgments of this court. Now we have the option to stay the Tribunal Reforms Act or close down tribunals or we ourselves appoint the people or the next (Cont’d on p-8) option is initiate contempt
of courts act. These are 3 options.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, also told the Court that the Centre “doesn’t want confrontation either” and sought time on the grounds that Attorney General K K Venugopal, who has been assisting the bench in these matters, has been facing some personal difficulties. “There are around 250 posts lying vacant at various key tribunals and appellate tribunals such as NCLT, DRT, TDSAT and you are emasculating the tribunals by not making the appointments, said the bench,” also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao. The court’s irritation was linked to the Solicitor General saying that the Finance Ministry had said a decision on appointments would be taken in two months. “But there are vacan-
cies pending for two years. Why have you not made appointments yet? You are weakening the tribunals by not making appointments,” Justice L Nageswara Rao said. The court expressed displeasure over the Tribunal Reforms Act and referred to a “pattern”. “We strike down one act and a new one comes... has become a pattern,” Justice DY Chandrachud said. “We can’t give credence to new legislations when earlier instructions are not being paid heed to... We hope you (the Solicitor General) are not telling the government to make legislations one after the other... Maybe bureaucrats do that... but we are very upset,” the court stressed. The notice was issued by a three-member bench - Chief Justice Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Rao - on a plea by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh.
Amended MV Act with enhanced penalties Governor releases special cover on ‘Naga Tree Tomato’ to be enforced in Dimapur from October DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Dimapur Traffic Police has informed all drivers and vehicle owners that the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, as amended by the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019 and notified by the State government on November 12, 2020 for compounding of various offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, with enhanced penalties would come into force in Dimapur district from October this year. Mentioning that traffic officers would be enforcing the amended Act in letter and spirit, deputy commissioner of police (traffic)– DCP – in a press release reminded all concerned to be aware and conversant with the amended Act so as to avoid conflict with law (See table). To know the complete list of offences and penalties, he requested all con-
SECTION
PARTICULARS
177
General penalty
177 A 181
Violation of road regulation Disobedience of orders of authorities and refusal to give information Driving without license
183 (1)
Over-speeding
184
Penalty for dangerous driving
185
Drunken driving
194 (D)
Penalty for not wearing helmets
199 A
Offences by juveniles
201
Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic
179
cerned to follow the official Facebook page and Twitter handle of Dimapur Police or check with the government notification of November 12, 2020. Further, as Supreme Court has prohibited use of any visual light transmis-
FINES IN INR • First offence — fine up to Rs.500/• Second offence — fine up to Rs.1,500/• Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/• Fine up to Rs.2,000/• Fine up to Rs. 5,000/• Rs.1,000/- to Rs.2,000/- for LMV • Rs.2,000/- to Rs.4,000/- for medium/heavy passengers or good vehicles • Second subsequent offence —impounding of driving license • First offence — imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year and/or fine up of Rs.1000/- to Rs.5000/• Subsequent offence (within 3 years from first offence)- imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to Rs.10,000/• First offence — Fine up to Rs. 10,000/-and/or imprisonment up to 6 months • Second offence — Fine up to Rs. 15,000/and/or imprisonment up to 2 years Fine of Rs.1,000/- and disqualification from license for 3 months • Guardian/owner deemed guilty • Fine of Rs.25,000/- and imprisonment up to 3 years, and cancellation of registration of motor vehicle used by the juvenile in the offence, for 12 months • Juvenile ineligible to obtain learner's license until the age of 25 years • Fine of Rs.500/- along with towing charges
sion (VLT) percentage or any other material on safety glasses, windscreens (front and rear) and side glasses of all vehicles throughout the country with effect from May 4, 2012 keeping in view the alarming rise in heinous c r i m e s , (Cont’d on p-8)
State logs 31 fresh cases, 5 Covid deaths DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Nagaland on September 6 recorded 32 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while five more patients succumbed to the infection. Of the fresh cases, 13 were from Mokokchung, Dimapur-10, four in Kohima, two each in Mon and Peren and one in Zunheboto, taking the total caseload to 30388.
This is it!
"Price is not fixed by me but by too many illegal taxes. They're squeezing you indirectly." K Y M C
Further, five more patients succumbed to the infection-- two in Dimapur and one each in Kiphire, Kohima and Peren, pushing the death toll to 631 (including 14 non-Covid deaths). PTI: I n d i a l o g ge d 38,948 new coronavirus infections and 219 fresh fatalities, the lowest in 167 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data up-
dated on Monday. With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 3,30,27,621, while the death toll has climbed to 4,40,752. The case fatality rate has declined to 1.33 per cent after 48 days, according to the data updated at 8 am. India had reported 199 deaths in a single day on March 23.
DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Nagaland governor, RN Ravi, released a special cover on the “Naga Tree Tomato-- a Geographical Indication (GI) tagged product of Nagaland-- at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima on Monday. According to a Raj Bhavan statement, Ravi thanked the department of posts for their interest and initiatives. He said that GI tagging not only helps in rec- RN Ravi releasing the special cover on the GI tagged ‘Naga ognition of the product but Tree Tomato’ on Monday. (Raj Bhavan)
brings enormous benefits in terms of economic gains to the producers. Though crafts of Nagaland catch the eyes of many people around the world, Ravi stressed on the need to promote its visibility and urged the state government to identify the unique and special products of the State and push for their GI tagging. Also, speaking at the programme, he chief postmaster general (NE circle) Amitabh Kharkwal, said that GI tag was important as
it prevents unauthorised use of registered GI products. He said that the special cover would be put on display at the National Philatelic Museum in New Delhi. At the programme, postmaster general (NE-II) Som Kamei, proposed the vote of thanks. Special covers are released by the department of posts to mark a significant event or highlight important products. Two special covers on “Naga Mircha” and “Chakhesang Shawl” were released last month.
NFHRCC meet to discuss plans for indefinite protest DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has reminded that a follow up consultative meeting would be held on September 7, 2021 at 3 p.m. at its base office, Kher Mahal, Dimapur. In a press release, NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir, general secretary W.Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe informed that the meeting would work out steps on the proposed indefinite agitation, which would commence September 13 onwards, in the event the state government failed to comply with its assurance. The committee has invited all the stakeholders including the individual
well-wishers to attend the proposed meeting. Meanwhile, NFHRCC has expressed appreciation to all Dimapur-based tribal hoho, apex hohos, various student and youth bodies-Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Chang Union, ENPO, Konyak Union, Khaimniungam Union, Apex Lotha Hoho Wokha, Phom Union, Sangtam Union, Western Sumi Hoho, Western Yimchunger Union, Northern Sumi Hoho, CNSA, DAYO, Phom Students’ Union and Zeliang Students’ Union for their unconditional support extended to its ultimatum served on the state government to make foothills road pliable while waiting for the approval of mega trans Nagaland expressway from the Government of India.
Oil Palm: CMs of NE urged to withdraw NMEO-OP DIMAPUR, SEP 6 (NPN): Eastern Himalayan Youth Coordinating Committee on Climate Change (EHYCCoCC) has urged the chief ministers of the North Eastern states to stop and withdraw the proposed Palm Oil plantation in all the North Eastern states under the National Mission on Edible Oil - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). In a representation to the chief ministers of the North Eastern states, the committee requested the states to withdraw all the laws passed by the respective
legislative assemblies with regard to palm oil plantations and urged the chief ministers to encourage farmers to produce large scale vegetable oil by planting and producing mustard oil. The committee reminded that large scale forest areas had already disappeared due to construction of mega dams, mining, oil exploration, expansion of highways, etc. giving serious negative impact on the people, environment, animals, flora and fauna, etc. “Yet another project of destruction is observed to have
been proposed and approved by the Prime Minister for the large scale Plantation of Palm Trees for the production of Palm Oil in the region which is yet another doom proposal for the people of North East under NMEO-OP,” it added. The forum reminded that the world witnessed the negative impact of palm tree plantation and learning from the same, the Sri Lankan government totally banned the plantation of palm oil trees and also import and export. It said that large scale negative impact of palm
oil plantation was already witnessed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Colombia and others. However, they said the proposal of Prime Minister for large scale plantation of palm oil trees across the region was not a people friendly and environment friendly step. The joint representation was issued by EHYCCoCC members-- Kangbura Timung and Ajay Dole (Assam), Pritam Debbarma (Tripura), Marina Konsam (Manipur), James Tungoe (Nagaland) and James Hitler Mawphniang (Meghalaya). K Y M C