April 11, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 125

DIMAPUR, tuesday, april 11, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Govt to take more steps on black money, says Naidu

Everton end Leicester’s unbeaten run

Egypt declares 3-month state of emergency

business, Page 8

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

Oppn parties demand ballot papers NEW DELHI, Apr 10 (AGENCIES): Opposition parties on Monday approached the Election Commission expressing their “complete loss of faith” in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and demanded using VVPAT (paper trail of voting) and paper ballots in upcoming polls. Sixteen Opposition parties on Monday urged the Election Commission to revert to the paper ballot system, claiming the faith of the people in the EVMs has “eroded”. Representatives of parties including Congress, BSP, DMK, Trinamool Congress and the Left met top EC officials to demand reintroduction of the ballot paper system. “Going by what happened in the recent polls, be it the people or political parties, all have lost faith in EVMs. Therefore, the Election Commission should revert to using the old system of paper ballot instead of EVMs,” senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the meeting. “Representatives of 13 parties put forth their views about the EVMs to the EC.

TASU urged to withdraw blockade D I M A PUR , A PR 1 0 (NPN): PWD (Works & Housing) department has urged the Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) to withdraw its proposed indefinite blockade on Namtola-Mon road. In a press release, the commissioner & secretary, works & housing, stated that repair works (IRQP) on Mon-Namtola Road (141-155 Km, 160-177 Km) would be taken up once the tender formalities were completed, which would take about two-three weeks. Further, the commissioner & secretary informed that the chief minister has committed an amount of Rs.5 crore on April 4, 2017 for Mon-Namtola road. The commissioner & secretary also stated that department has taken serious note of the delay in implementation of various works awarded to contractors under Tizit-Mon area and decided to review of all the road projects and necessary action would be initiated to resume those projects. In the light of the above, the department has urged TASU to review their decision and withdraw the blockade.

This is it!

“In our old age, we have to start the day by first deleting unwanted messages on whatsapp.” K Y M C

We told them that free and fair polls cannot be ensured unless EVMs are taken out of use,” he said. The poll watchdog, which has vouched for the reliability of EVMs, said it would soon convene an all-party meet to discuss the issue, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal and DMK leader T Siva told reporters after the meeting. The opposition leaders decided to put forth their demand before the EC for simultaneous use of VVPAT (paper trail of voting) and ballot paper in 50

per cent constituencies each for elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh slated later this year. “This will help check the voting system and dispel all doubts about their use in elections,” said a leader. Another Cong ress leader, Anand Sharma said: “The EC heard each political party patiently and the grievance was unanimous -lack of faith in EVMs. The EC assured that an all-party meeting will be convened soon and it will seriously examine our grievances.” Opposition leaders

have been demanding that VVPAT be introduced in all future elections. The Congress has also been pushing for use of ballot papers instead of EVMs in upcoming elections in view of the alleged tampering. The parties are demanding that the EC dispel the apprehensions they have and reassure the people of the country and voters on the serious issue. The opposition parties observed that free and fair elections are the basic founding blocks on which the entire edifice of country has been maintained. “Any erosion of these basic principles which sustain this edifice needs to be addressed forthwith and in the right earnest,” said another leader. Among those present at today’s strategy meeting held at Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad’s chamber in Parliament included Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha, besides JDU leader Ali Anwar Ansari, TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, BSP leader Satish Misra and SP leader Neeraj Shekhar.

ACAUT cautions NE states most dependent on central goods transporters assistance; Nagaland tops the list

DIMAPUR, APR 10 (NPN): ACAUT on Monday warned goods transporters of police action in the event they were found entertaining the Naga Factional Groups (NFGs) on the matter related to taxation. ACAUT media cell claimed that the transporters have been approached by some factions to deduct tax at the godowns after wholesalers of footwear items remained firm on the stand of ACAUT not to pay tax. However, some cadres aligned themselves with the “baadmashi transporters” and decided to impose Rs. 150 per every carton or crate of footwear at the transport godowns, failing which the goods would not be released. ACAUT stand was that by aligning with the NFGs, the “goods transporters have become anti-social elements, criminals and extortionists whereby they will not release the goods if money is not paid”. ACAUT also reminded NFGs that due to burden of taxation in Nagaland, many business houses have migrated to Lahorijan and Khatkhati and have grown rivals to Dimapur. In the light of the above, ACAUT has asked NFGs to seriously rethink on this issue if they consider that the Naga movement was based on love for the land. It also urged Dimapur police to remain vigil for such activities by the transporters.

NEW DELHI, APR 10 (AGENCIES): While other major states in India depend less on the centre for monetary support, states in Northeast on the other hand, depends largely on the centre’s support. The north-eastern states and J&K are the most dependent on central assistance, but Bihar, among the major states, too leans on the Centre’s shoulder. Delhi on the other hand, generates more than 90% of its own revenue and so expects the least financial support from the central government among all states. Among the more self-reliant states are Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. In 2016, Prime minister, Narendra Modi based on the report of the Committee of Chief Ministers, said that the Centre has decided to continue to provide assistance in the ratio of 90:10 for core Central schemes and 80:20 for non-core schemes to the North Eastern States. Earlier, the Northeastern states claimed that under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime funding pattern for several

schemes in the region was 90:10 where Centre contributed 90% and state share stood at 10% was discontinued. Eight Northeast eastern states including Sikkim which are members of the North Eastern council (NEC) had adopted a resolution stating that from the recommendation of 14th finance commission it appears that the special category state status of Northeastern states is going to discontinued. Tripura chief minister, Manik Sarkar took lead in drafting the resolution which stated that changes in the funding pattern will drastically affect the Northeastern states.

`18L cash looted from SBI Dmu Lok Sabha passes MV Amendment Bill Senden excommunicates NH

(In circle) Suspect decamps with cash from SBI counter on Monday. (CCTV)

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 10 (NPN): Cash amounting Rs.18 lakh was reportedly looted inside the SBI main branch Dimapur on Monday during banking hours. PRO Dimapur police confirmed that the bank had filed an FIR with the police in this regard. In the complaint, the bank informed police that Rs. 18 lakh in cash went missing from the

counter of SBI Main Branch Dimapur. PRO however did not divulge more information since the case was under investigation. The CCTV footage of the bank, that went viral, supposedly showed the suspect in blue shirt decamping with the cash from behind the counter. When contacted, AGM, SBI Main Branch Dimapur, refused to comment.

NEW DELHI, APR 10 (AGENCIES): A bill to unleash radical reforms in the transport sector by ensuring 100 per cent e-governance, checking bogus driving licenses and vehicle thefts, slapping heavy penalty on traffic violators and protecting the good samaritan was approved by the Lok Sabha on Monday. All efforts would be made to eliminate corruption in the sector, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said while replying to a discussion on the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016, claiming that “no bogus driving lincenses would be made and there would be no theft of the vehicles once there is e-governance.” The bill was passed by a voice vote after several opposition amendments were rejected, including one moved by a CPM member on enhancing the compensation in case of accidents, was defeated by

37 votes in favour and 221 against. There should be uniformity in the rules concerning issuance of driving licenses, the minister said, adding that through “e-governance, there would be provision of electronic registration.” The bill seeks to “save lives” by ushering in radical reforms in the motor vehicles law to slap heavy penalty on traffic violators, protecting good samaritans and making vehicle-makers responsible for design defects to cut road accidents. The basic aim of the bill is “to save human lives”, as a whopping five lakh accidents take place every year claiming around 1.5 lakh lives across the country. “Once we (BJP) complete five years, we would be able to save 50 per cent lives lost due to road accidents. We are working towards it,” Gadkari said. The minister said once

the changes are incorporated in the law, it would be impossible for anyone including VIPs like politicians to obtain driving license without tests. “Even as a minister I would not be able to obtain driving license sitting at home,” Gadkari stressed. On a specific opposition amendment on compensation which was defeated by 221 votes against to 37 in favour, Gadkari said it would not be possible to increase the compensation in case of death to Rs 20 lakh as it would entail substantial hike in insurance premium. The amendment was moved by CPI-M member Sankar Prasad Datta. Stressing that any kind of corruption would not be tolerated in the transport sector, he said “we will have to bring online governance to put an end to the corruption. Corruption would not be tolerated and we are firm on this.”

president P. Chuba Ozukum

Correspondent

Mokokchung, Apr 10: Ao Senden during its Federal Council meeting on Monday resolved to excommunicate P. Chuba Ozukum, president of the Naga Hoho with immediate effect. Ao Senden acting president C. Angang Jamir and acting secretary L. Tally Lkr further made known to all the P. Chuba Ozukum has been stripped of the rights to represent Aos in any platform. The decision to this effect was made based on the November 14, 2016 Federal Council meeting wherein the Senden had resolved to inform P. Chuba Ozukum to relinquish from the post of president Naga Hoho in order to safeguard the rights and prestige of the Aos. However, the Senden said P. Chuba Ozukum failed to listen to the federal council’s resolution till date. Further, the Ao Senden Federal Council also strongly condemned the views and decision of Naga Hoho for not allowing its president to step down, terming it as an act against the decision of the Aos. In this regard, the Senden categorically pointed out that “no tribal hoho has the right to interfere in other tribal hoho’s resolution and legitimacy.”

‘No poor will be deprived by making Aadhaar mandatory’ PWD (NH) clarifies on NH-2 widening work New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI): Accusing the Congress of painting Aadhaar as a curse, the government Monday asserted that no poor person would be deprived of the subsidy benefits by making the Aadhaar mandatory and that privacy of individuals will be protected. Minister of IT and Law Ravi Shankar Prasad stated this in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a discussion on Aadhaar against the backdrop of concerns expressed by the opposition over making the biometricbased identification system mandatory for availing of government subsidies. “I want to make it very clear on the behalf of the government that no poor shall be denied his subsidy rights at all. Be very clear about that. Whether it is, a mid day meal or any other benefit, we have said that you come on Aadhaar but

no denial will be there,” he assured the House. “The right of privacy of individual must be respected... The question to be considered is, are we invading privacy through the Aadhaar law, the answer is ‘No’,” he said. Observing that at present, over 113 crore residents in India have Aadhaar, Prasad said that “Aadhaar is safe, let me say proudly that the data is secure”. He said that in the last six years, the government has cancelled and blacklisted 34,000 operators who tried to pollute the system or tried to make fake Aadhaar cards. “Since December 2016, we have taken action against 1,000 operators. We have a proper oversight system available which we do at all the authority at our command,” he said. Accusing the Congress of trying to paint Aadhaar

as a curse, Prasad outlined several benefits associated with it. “You need to come on Aadhaar but the benefits will not be denied to you, you can come with alternative identity proof be it ration card, MNREGA Card, driving licnse or others. But please apply for Aadhaar, that is the whole essence,” he said. “Fake bank accounts is a known phenomena. We cannot wish away that poor people have lost their savings. So these realities are known,” Prasad said. To back his assertion of Aadhaar data being secure, the Law Minister reasoned that minimum data is collected by the authorities, and information related to an individual’s religion, caste, language, medical history or ethnicity is not profiled. “Let me outline minimum data is being taken for preparation of Aadhaar card, the authorities are

under strict instructions to maintain that secrecy and if they flout they can also suffer three years of imprisonment and prosecution,” the Law Minister argued. Pointing out that national security is important, he said that even in cases of national security, a highlevel mechanism has been put in place whereby a designated officer of the Home Ministry shall for reasons to be recorded in writing certify disclosure of a person’s Aadhaar data. Further, he said that a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary will ascertain and confirm that a person’s Aadhaar data needs to be disclosed in such cases. “This is the kind of safeguards we have given that the biometrics of an ordinary person even in case of national security cannot be opened unless certified by this level of higher authorities,” Prasad said.

D I M A PUR , A PR 1 0 (NPN): Responding to Lotha Hoho and Rengma Hoho “open ultimatum”, which demanded immediate start of the road widening work along NH-2 for the two sectors by April 18, chief engineer (CE) PWD (NH) clarified that the project “widening to 2-Lane from Km 40.00 to Km 72.40 of NH-61 under NH Division Kohima in the State of Nagaland” was sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on June 18, 2010 for an amount of Rs. 9368.08 lakh. The CE said tenders were invited and work was awarded to M/S Meenakshi Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. However, a case pertaining to award of works of the project was filed in the Court and the case went through a long process of litigation. Finally, the MORTH foreclosed the project on February 19, 2015, said CE.

Thereafter, the CE said the project under the nomenclature “strengthening and widening to 2-lane with paved shoulder of NH-61 from Km 40.00 to Km 72.40 under EPC mode in the State of Nagaland” was sanctioned by the MoRTH on October 31, 2016. According to CE, the ministry allowed the project to be split into two packages (Package I –from Km 40.00 to Km 56.00 and package II –from Km 56.00 to Km 72.40. Bids were invited and technical bids for both the packages were opened on January 20, 2017, said the CE. With regard to package I, CE said bids had to be invited two times since one bidder (out of two bidders) was found to be ‘non-responsive’. CE however said the tender evaluation was in progress and was likely to be awarded by last part of April. With regard to Package II, the CE said Letter of Ac-

ceptance (LOA) has already been issued on March 31, 2017. CE said the tender process was delayed by three weeks due to the State wide ‘Bandh’ in the month of February, 2017. Unlike other con tract procurement systems, which take about one to two months, the CE said in the case of Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode adopted for the instant project, it will take a considerable period of time to complete the tendering process. However, the CE said once the process was completed, the progress of work would be smooth and would be strictly completed within the stipulated time. Acknowledging the problems faced by the general public due to poor road condition, the department has appealed to all responsible to bear with the inconveniences and wait for the tender process to be completed. K Y M C


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