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Vol XXVI No. 236
DIMAPUR wednesday, august 3, 2016
GoI offer should be accepted: CM
Mokokchung, Aug 2 (NPN): On the occasion of Tsungremmong Festival, Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang paid rich tributes to the Aos for being pioneers in various fields among Nagas and its leaders for having great responsibility who should also guide Naga society as elder brother. Speaking as chief guest at the celebration of Tsungremmong sponsored by the NEC at Imokongmeren Sports Complex Mokokchung Tuesday, the chief minister said as the festival was a pre-harvest sanctification of the individual and society to receive blessings of the Almighty, it was also time for Nagas to sanctify themselves in order to gain favour with the Lord for a political destination favourable and acceptable to all. According to a communiqué from the CMO, while stressing on the Naga political problem, the chief minister said solution can only come from India and not from the US or Britain. Further, he said what India can provide to Nagas should be accepted because, what India cannot give Nagas today, cannot be possible even after a hundred years. Zeliang reiterated that Nagas should accept the realities of the changed times and circumstances and therefore, need to work out a solution that was acceptable to them
NPSC declares results DIMAPUR, AUG 2 (NPN): Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) on Tuesday declared the final results of the NCS, NPS, NSS and Allied Services Examination 2015. In a notification, NPSC secretary Khrupi Sothu stated that on the basis of marks obtained in the main written examination, viva-voce and medical and police fitness examinations and options exercised by the candidates, the commission has declared the list of successful candidates for various posts under government of Nagaland. (Advt. on page-4)
West Bengal to be renamed Bengal
Kolkata, Aug 2 (IANS): The Mamata Banerjee government on Tuesday proposed to rename West Bengal as “Bengal”, dropping “West” from its name, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee said. “For the sake of the people of the state, its heritage and culture as well as to promote and protect its interests at the national level, we have proposed to rename West Bengal as Bengal in English and ‘Banga’ or Bangla in Bengali,” Chatterjee told the media. In Bengali, the state is currently referred to as “Paschim Banga” or “Paschim Bangla”. Chatterjee said a special session of the assembly will be convened to discuss the renaming of the state. “The assembly session begins on August 26. We will put forth the proposal of renaming the state for discussions.
This is it!
“Ah, so selling chicken without routing through me. I’m afraid you’ll have to pay fine to the syndicate.” K Y M C
Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang in Ao traditional regalia at Tsungremmong festival Mokokchung.
as well as the government of India. He welcomed the Framework Agreement signed on August 3,2015 as a major development which should be appreciated by all. Zeliang asked Naga leaders to remain true to the people. He said former NGO leaders presently holding responsible positions not to change their tune just because today they were holding office. The chief minister also asked people to seek clarification instead of wild speculations since an opportunity is being offered after 18 years of cease fire and negotiations. He reminded that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had passed four resolutions on
integration of Naga contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella. Further, Zeliang added that the plea of Naga people was that solution should be inclusive of all Nagas and not for a particular tribe or community only. Zeliang praised the NDA government under the leadership of Narendra Modi for the positive approach towards solution after 70 years of struggle. When all factions have stopped killing each other, the public leaders should also appreciate this and work together to pave way for early solution instead of criticism, he added. ROADS On deplorable roads in
Nagaland which have been widely blamed on the government as reported in the media, Zeliang explained that after the funding pattern was changed, Nagaland was left with very little fund for development and so maintenance of roads also suffered. He informed that the state has 14,377 kms of roads excluding 237 kms of National Highway but that no funds were provided for maintenance. Zeliang said after he raised the issue on numerous occasions with the Centre, sanction for construction of roads, beginning with the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane highway includes the condition that the contractor(s) will be responsible for maintaining the roads for five years. The chief minister also disclosed that, in addition to current three subdivisions(NH) under Mokokchung ; the cabinet had also approved two more sub-divisions with offices in Mokokchung and Zunheboto. He also praised the Ao Senden and Ongpangkong Mungdang for initiating construction of the road from Mokokchung to Dimapur via Doyang Hydro Project that will directly benefit Mokokchung as well as Zunheboto, Tuensang, Longleng, Wokha and even Mon. Zeliang said the state government was actively pur-
suing with MoRTH for taking up the road during the current year itself. G u e s t o f h o n o u r, Alemtemshi Jamir IAS(Retd) former chief secretary in his speech, spoke on the traditional culture of hard work among Nagas. He also spoke on the significance of the day and called on Nagas to preserve their cultural heritage. On the occasion, Tsungremmong message were delivered by Minister Nuklutoshi, Parliamentary Secretary, C. Apok Jamir and Director NEZCC, Lipokmar Tzüdir. President Ao Senden, Imolemba Jamir delivered the welcome address, Significance of Tsungremmong festival was said by PEC member Ao Senden A.Bendang Pongen and Pastor MTBA, Rev. Ponen Longchar said the invocation while vote of thanks was proposed by vice president Ao Senden O. Shilu Jamir. Cultural items were presented by Cultural troupes of Assam, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Union Mokokchung, Sumi union, Lotha union, Tenyimia union, Gorkha union Mokokchung and Aosungkum cultural club Mokokchung while Tug-of- war was presented by the Ungma village council. The Chief Minister was accompanied by a host of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, party leaders and high officials.
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Govt trying to accredit more colleges Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUG 2 (NPN): Stressing on imparting of quality education in the state, the chief secretary, Pankaj Kumar, has said that the government was trying to get more colleges accredited and expressed hope that more colleges would obtain accreditation in time to come. State chief secretary was speaking at the 37th Foundation Day programme of the All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) at Zonal Council Hall here on Tuesday. The chief secretary said the central and state governments have been emphasising more on expansion of education, be it school or college, but maintained that now there has been a distinct change with government concentrating more on quality education to help the student community do better. Suggesting setting up of educational institutions that could provide quality education, Kumar said he was optimistic that the setting up of private university in the state, which was recently passed by the assembly, would provide quality education to the students. Exhorting the students, the chief secretary said the amount of time and effort that students invest in their studies would lead them to a level of competency and efficiency, which would ultimately improve the chances of qualifying in competitive examinations vastly. He reminded the
students that personal effort was the main requirement to become an icon for state or national or international. Taking note of the issues raised by various speakers, Pankaj said state government was reviewing the administration of ILP and what policies were to be introduced to strengthen the issue. On the removal of powers and jurisdiction of the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) by state government, raised by former president of ANCSU, Theja Therie, the chief secretary informed that “we have to deal with this problem collectively to bring transparency and justice in the society.” Pankaj Kumar also asserted that he has taken note on the timely release of scholarship. On the issue of backdoor appointment, the chief secretary said government was serious on the issue and as notified on June 6. Stating that instructions have been issued to all departments, he said there might be some violations but government would respond to it. Former president of ANCSU, Theja Therie, said ANCSU was formed representing college students of Nagaland with an objective to promote the society through higher education and professional studies. He said the union must stay focused and be more specific so the specific needs were addressed from time to time.
Lamenting that corruption cases in the state were mushrooming, Therie said that government has “callously dismantled” the one and the only anti corruption bureau that could check corruption at all levels. He said removal of powers and jurisdiction of the SVC and doing away of suo motu power to raid and investigate corruption has reduced the SVC to a mere paper tiger allowing corrupt leaders to escape from the clutches of laws. Therie also stressed the need to review the backward reservation periodically, saying the existing reservation policies were outdated. On the issue of Illegal Bangladeshi Immig rants (IBIs), Therie said the state has a protective law like Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873, but since the regulation covered only from Chumukedima, he called for brining the entire state. Therie also said that the state was legitimizing the Assam claim of 1925 British inner line as the demarcated boundary between Assam and Nagaland, which, he said was far from truth. Further, he claimed that Nagaland has over 5 lakh illegal immigrants, Assam has 70 lakh (if NCR is taken on the basis of 1951 as cut-off year) and Meghalaya with over 3 lakhs illegal immigrants. On the occasion, NSF president Subenthung Kithan and ANCSU tribunal general Kezhazer Angami also delivered greetings.
NSF plans phase-wise stir 2.16 crore bogus ration Anthony Shimray granted bail against AFSPA, DAA imposition cards detected: Government Staff Reporter
KO H I M A / D I M A P U R , AUG 2 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has announced that it would be launching phase-wise agitation against the imposition of the “draconian law in the guise of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA).” In this regard, the NSF has directed all its federating and sub-ordinate units to display/wear black badges in all the educational institutions in Naga inhabited areas from August 3-5, 2016 as part of phase-I agitation. Further, Naga Students’ Federation directed all the federating and sub-ordinate units to supervise the implementation of the proposed phase-I agitation in their respective jurisdictions. In the press release, N S F ge n e r a l s e c r e t a r y Boveio Puokai Duo stated that this was resolved during the consultative meeting held between Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association
(NMA), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), NPMHR and units of NSF. At the meeting, the house noted that despite apex organisations on many occasions appealed and sent petitions for repealing the Act, the government failed on its part to address the matter.
DNSU directs
Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU), as directed by the NSF, has requested all the students of educational institutions within the jurisdiction of Dimapur Naga Students’ Union to wear black badges as a sign of protest and resentment against the Government of India for imposing the “draconian laws” DAA and AFSPA in the state of Nagaland. In a press release, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union president, Sungkum Aier, and finance secretary, Akherio Lazio, have appealed to all the educational institutions to adhere to the said directives from August 3-5, 2016.
NEW DELHI, Aug 2 (PTI): As many as 2.16 crore bogus ration cards have been detected and around Rs. 13,000 crore, which would have otherwise been diverted, would now be available for the beneficiaries, government said Tuesday. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs CR Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha that in 34 states and union territories, about 60 per cent of the ration cards have been linked with Aadhaar. During the Question Hour, he said that as many as 2.16 crore fake, bogus or duplicate ration cards have been detected. Around Rs. 13,000 crore, which would have otherwise been diverted, would now go to the beneficiaries. The government has completed digitisation of ration cards, Chaudhary said in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. Responding to a query on concerns about adulteration of milk, Mr Chaudhary said it was “really a problem” and steps were being taken to deal with adulteration. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the government has already moved a Bill to amend the Consumer Protection Act, which is many decades old. In a written reply, Mr Paswan said grant is given from Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF) to the states and union territories for setting up corpus fund of Rs. 10 crore towards undertaking consumer awareness activities. Centre provides 75 per cent share of the corpus fund and the rest is taken care of by the state. In case of special category states/union territories, the funding ratio is 90:10. So far, corpus fund has been set up in 11 states/union territories viz. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Nagaland, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Haryana,” the minister said.
To ensure GST bill passage, 1% additional levy scrapped New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS): The amendments proposed in the Goods and Services Tax bill scheduled to be moved by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday are expected to sail through with the government scrapping the additional levy of 1 percent proposed earlier. Technically called the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment) Bill, 2014, it has proposed to delete Clause 18 of the original bill that intended to compensate the manufacturing states with one per cent additional duty for a period of two years or more for revenue losses. The additional levy was also among the main objections of the opposition Congress party, whose support is necessary for the bill’s passage since the National Democratic Alliance government lacks a clear majority in the upper house of parliament. Also Clause 19 dealing with compensation to states for a period of five years or more towards the losses they may suffer due to a shift to the new regime, has been made more specific. It now says parliament by law “shall” compensate states, as opposed to the word “may” that was used earlier. Then Clause 12, which deals with dispute resolution between and among
the Centre and states and again was a bone of contention since the original bill left this to the GST Council -- has been reinforced. The amendment now calls for a standing mechanism to adjudicate disputes. However, another Congress demand, to specify the GST rate in the statute, has not been accepted. Last week, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra chaired a GST panel meet in which all states agreed to keep the GST rate out of the bill. The GST bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 19, 2014, and was passed by the Lok Sabha around five months later on May 6. It was then referred to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha which submitted its report on July 22. These amendments will need to get the nod of the Lok Sabha again, following which at least 50 per cent of the states need to ratify the bill for it to become a statute. This again could be a long-drawn process, since states will have their own sets of issues and queries. The new regime, termed as the most radical tax reform since Independence, seeks to subsume all central indirect taxes like excise duty, countervailing duty and service tax, as also the state levies like value added tax, entry tax and luxury tax to create a single, pan-India market.
DIMAPUR, AUG 2 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) ‘major general’ Ningkhan Shimray aka Anthony Shimray who has been jailed since 2010 at Tihar Central Jail Delhi has been granted bail on Tuesday by NIA Court Delhi. His bail comes just a day before one year of signing of “Framework Agreement” between government of India and NSCN (I-M). According to reliable sources, NIA did not raise any objections on Tuesday against granting bail to Shimray as it felt that the latter had a role to play in the ongoing peace process.
It may be mentioned that before his arrest, Anthony Shimray was part of NSCN (I-M) delegation for peace talk with government of India and had participated in several rounds of negotiations. On March 26, 2011, NIA filed a chargesheet against Shimray and three others in the NIA Special Court, New Delhi. NIA charged Anthony Shimray of being the main arms procurer for NSCN(IM) and involved in a “conspiracy to procure a huge consignment of arms and ammunition from foreign countries to be used for committing activities to wage war against the Government of India”.
1 killed, 8 injured in Kiphire road mishap Correspondent
PUNGRO, AUG 2 (NPN): One person was killed on the spot and eight others injured when the vehicle they were travelling plunged into a deep gorge around 40 feet below the road near Tutheze village under Kiphire district on Tuesday. According to sources, the incident took place at around 8:30 am. The taxi (tata sumo- NL-03-0991) was proceeding towards Dimapur from Pungro. The deceased has been identified as Nongdila, daughter of Tomuku of Pungro. The injured persons were identified as Ritsu GB (70) Pungro town, son of Mukhe of Salomi village, Thsesumong (51) son of Mujongmong of Amikioro village, Tsamongchi (45) wife of Thsesumong of Amikioro village, Runa Devi (24), wife of Udai Singh, Happy ( 4), son of Udai Singh, Shulila (22), daughter of Kiusangthong of Pungro village, Sukhela (24) daughter of Pensukiu of Pungro village and the driver, Pihoto (28), son of Koshu of Old Vongti village. Later, Runa Devi and Ritsu GB were airlifted to Dimapur after first aid at Pungro hospital. The conditions of the others were stated to be normal. The cause of the accident was suspected to be due to technical failure, sources added. Pungro police, public leaders from various organizations rushed to the spot and retrieved the dead body while the injured persons were admitted at the Pungro hospital. K Y M C