September 26, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 292

DIMAPUR, tuesday, september 26, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Grohl all praises for Timberlake’s on his guest appearance

Federer leads Europe to Laver Cup title

Japanese PM calls for snap election

Infotainment, Page 10

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

PM launches ‘Saubhagya’ scheme FREE POWER CONNECTIONS TO OVER 4 CRORE FAMILIES BY DEC 2018

NEW DELHI, SEP 25 (PTI/AGENCIES): With an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a Rs 16,320-crore scheme- Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’ - to provide free electricity connections to over 4 crore families in rural and urban areas by December 2018. “Rs 16,000 crore will be spent to bring a monumental change in the lives of the poor,” Modi said while launching the ‘Saubhagya’ scheme here. The announcement was made at a function after taking the BJP National Executive into confidence as over 2,000 delegates endorsed the government’s fight against terror and black money, GST, its pro-poor programmes and lauded the handling of the Doklam military standoff with China. Modi that even after 70 years of Independence, 4 crore out of 25 crore families did not have access to power. All villages would be electrified by December this year ahead of the scheduled

CM becomes state chief ambassador for BBBP scheme DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang was on Monday officially made as the chief ambassador of ‘ambassador for Girl Child’under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) of Nagaland. A meeting in this regard was held with the State Resource Centre for Women, a Project Management Unit of BBBP at the chief minister’s office. The concept of ‘Ambassador for Girl Child’ revolves around underprivileged girls by giving her an opportunity to pursue higher education thereby ensuring her employability which is one of the main objectives of the BBBP. The ‘Ambassador for Girl Child’ has three teams-The Gover nor’s team; the chief minister’s team which includes ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs and the chief secretary’s team with HoDs and AHoDs. The three teams would look into sponsorship of Girl Education and awareness on the importance of the BBBP. It may be noted that Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya is the chief patron of BBBP while the chief secretary is the brand ambassador of BBBP in Nagaland.

This is it!

“This road will remain like this because politicians use it to get sanction and pocket the money.” K Y M C

Narendra Modi

deadline of May 1, 2018. “This is a reflection of working style and will power,” Modi said adding, power connection will be provided free of cost to all poor families under the scheme. He said that earlier there used to be breaking news regarding power outages and shortage of coal to power plants but now situation has changed and the nation is moving from a scenario of power shortage to surplus. The prime minister also called upon ONGC to use its Rs 100 crore start up funds to develop user friendly electric cooking appliances saying it would help in reducing the fuel consumption. According to an official statement,

the total outlay of the ‘Saubhagya’ project is Rs 16,320 crore while the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) is Rs 12,320 crore. The outlay for the rural households is Rs 14,025 crore while the GBS is Rs 10,587.50 crore. For the urban households the outlay is Rs 2,295 crore while GBS is Rs 1,732.50 crore. The Centre will provide largely funds for the scheme to all States/UTs. The beneficiaries for free electricity connections would be identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. However, it said that un-electrified households not covered under the SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs 500 which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 instalments through electricity bill. The solar power packs of 200 to 300 Wp with battery bank for un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas, comprises of Five LED lights, One DC fan, One DC

power plug. Beneficiaries shall be identified and their application for electricity connection along with applicant photograph and identity proof shall be registered on spot, the statement said. The Gram Panchayat/ Public institutions in the rural areas may be authorised to collect application forms along with complete documentation, distribute bills and collect revenue in consultation with the Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) will remain the nodal agency for the operationalisation of the scheme throughout the country. In his valedictory address at the National Executive, Modi said the battle against terrorism would continue and disclosed that 90 hardcore wanted terrorists have been deported to India from other countries. “My battle against corruption will be uncompromising. Anybody caught in this cannot escape. I have no relatives,” Modi said.

45 Hindu villagers killed by insurgents: Myanmar officials YA N G O N, S E P 2 5 (AGENCIES): Myanmar officials said on Monday that they have discovered at least 45 slain Hindus in three mass graves in the Southeast Asian country’s conflict-torn northern Rakhine state, The Associated Press report stated. The government blames Muslim insurgents for the killings. Two of the graves were found on Monday and contained the bodies of 20 females and eight males, Border Guard Police Major Zayar Nyein said. The government’s Information Committee said on its Facebook page that all eight males were boys, including six who were under 10 years old. It said another mass grave was discovered 200 meters away that contained the bodies of 17 more Hindu villagers. Police blame the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Ar my insurgent g roup (ARSA). Security forces say the bodies are among about 100 Hindus missing since ARSA attacked at least 30 police outposts August 25. There was no immediate way to independently verify the government’s assertions, the AP report said.

Political flux adds uncertainty in Nagaland Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): With the term of the present 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly going to end by February/March 2018 and before which election to the 60–member house has to be held in accordance with the constitution of India; yet uncertainty looms large over the horizon of state politics. The present 12th NLA is besot with a series of litigations within the divided NPF legislature and party organisation. The current house is also awaiting court ruling on which of the two chief whips of NPF has locus standi and which would also influence disqualification cases pending in the court. Two parallel NPF parties-one headed by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü and the other by Neiphiu Rioare also vying to be the genuine party before the Election Commission of India. The present 12th NLA also has the unique feature of having two leaders of NPF legislature party and two rival chief whips. The political stalemate has also largely contributed to the inhibition among present MLAs going ahead in launching their initial re-election campaigns since

no one can be sure about the outcome of the legal battle between rival factions of NPF. Despite the battering and bruising going on within NPF, the BJP itself is also not free from factionalism that had recently come out in the open over the issue of party president. Several party leaders were suspended from the party for rebelling against the president. If the political flux in the state has send confusing signals, the other issue that has been at the top of the political agenda- ‘Naga Solution’- is also showing little signs of nearing the final stage. The issue of ‘solution’ to the protracted Naga political issue has been oft repeated even during the UPA regime. The 11th and 12th House of NLA had fully backed the resolution for urging upon the government of India to bring about early solution that is acceptable and honourable to all sections of Naga society. The elected members have also assured that they would resign en masse if solution was inked between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) in order to pave way for “an alternative

arrangement.” That has also brought up formation of an “interim/provisional government” comprised of representatives of the Naga group and leaders of civil society groups etc, though this aspect has yet to be explicitly mentioned. It may also be recalled that this issue “interim government” had also been raised during the UPA-II. However, then Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told news persons that as per the constitution, there would be no such ‘Interim Government’ as in the case with Nagaland. Shinde’s statement came close on the heels of the trip to Delhi in 2013 by a 60-member legislators from Nagaland before the March 2013 assembly election, who had gone to impress upon the Centre for an early solution and informing about their willingness to step down. What is more significant is that after the BJP under Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 it had given the final touch to over 70 negotiations between the NSCN (I-M) and the Government of India’s Interlocutors to Naga Peace Talks. (Cont’d on p-8)

SSSUD asks govt to clarify on royalty CEO holds special summary revision with pol parties trucks or hike sand rate. In a press release, SSSUD president, Viniho Shohe, and general secretary, Nito Sumi, stated that the union arrived at this decision during an emergency meeting held at its office on September 25, 2017. They said the meeting discussed the matter concerning imposition of Rs.300 royalty per trip on both routes (New Field Check Gate and Dilai Gate) w.e.f. September 25, 2017 by G&M department and EF&CC department. According to SSSUD, the G&M department, when contacted, claimed that the department was following the notice/order issued by chief secretary, which authorised the department to collect revenue from sand. Also, the union said the department of EF&CC claimed it did not receive any notice/order from the higher authority/ chief secretary, adding that the principal secretary has already issued order to continue collection of revenue. Reiterating its appeal, the union has urged the state government to clarify which department was authorised to collect royalty. SSSUD added that it was not in a position to pay double royalty on a single item. Meanwhile, the union has appealed to all its members and suppliers to extend cooperation till the issue was amicably resolved.

and proposed for creation/ change of location of polling stations, would be captured and details of the same would be updated in the dashboard. CEO urged ERO/DEO to use the e-mail facility for prompt and accurate exchange of communication. Sinha told the gathering that the ECI has decided to take up revision of electoral rolls with reference to January 1, 2018 as the qualifying date. He said the revision would be a special summary revision in all states and union territories (except Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh) in accordance with Manual on Electoral Roll. No change in the dates in the schedule approved by the ECI would be permitted, CEO added. Adequate publicity and awareness drive would be ensured by DEOs and CEO regarding the summary revision programme, Sinha said. He added that all the

DEOs and CEO would get the revision schedule properly disseminated to media, political parties and social organizations to reach out to electors/eligible population extensively well before the date of draft publication of electoral rolls. To make the publication of draft rolls effective, CEO said series of SVEEP events, like periodic meetings with political parties at Taluk, district and state levels and regular press meets would be organized. Sinha informed that all DEOs and CEO would separately call meeting with different political parties and the copies of draft rolls would be handed over to recognized political parties in public meeting. CEO also urged the recognized political parties to identify and appoint booth level agent (BLA) for each polling station.

Planning deptt clarifies on double drawals allegation NSF for timely distribution

Former Home Secy Mehrishi takes over as CAG

DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): With both the department of Geology & Mining (G&M) and the department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (EF&CC) claiming jurisdiction and authority over collection of revenue on sand, the Sand Stockist and Suppliers’ Union Dimapur (SSSUD) on Monday maintained that it was left two options - impose chakha bandh of sand-laden

DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): The Planning & Co-ordination (P&C) department has issued clarification in response to the statement of Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) with regard to “double drawals” published in the local dailies on September 18, 2017. On the allegation that amount of Rs. 1002.50 lakh was drawn twice by the Planning department for construction of 17 hostels on different occasions and under different Drawal Authority (DA) letter and that the total amount for the project doubled to Rs. 2005.00 lakh, commissioner & secretary (Planning), M. Patton clarified that the construction of 17 hostels was funded under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the year 2015-16 with an estimated cost of Rs. 2005.00 lakh and during 2015-16

the Ministry had released Rs. 1002.50 lakh as 1st instalment and released another Rs. 1002.50 lakh as 2nd and final instalment during 2016-17 and as such this cannot be taken as double drawal. For the hostel at Arabil, Patton said it was a clerical error and should be read as Eralibill. However, he said that the location of the hostel was shifted to Longritong Colony, Dimapur. This was done since there were more educational institutions within the vicinity and to serve the interest of the students in a better way, the official stated. With regard to the ST girls hostel at Longsa, Patton said that the hostel was located at Longsa village under Mokokchung district and that the hostel was already completed. As asked, the department has given out the

details/names of contractor/firms, expected date of completion of the projects. (See table on p-7) On whether Planning department was qualified to take up construction works such as hostels, the official clarified that the hostels were funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and that the Planning & Co-ordination, being the Nodal department for dealing with matters pertaining to the Ministry, the works were taken up under the supervision of the Engineering wing of the Department.

Clarification on CMCF

The department has issued another clarification with regard to the allegation of drawal of funds without list of beneficiaries under Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund (CMCF), published in the local dailies on September 18.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, SEP 25 (NPN): Special summary revision of electoral roll 2018 with different political parties was held at Hotel Japfu here on Monday. In his opening remark, CEO Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, said that revision of electoral rolls starts with draft publication of electoral rolls well before the actual commencement of revision of electoral roll with special focus to have a clean electoral roll. Sinha informed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to use voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) in all the future elections, adding that no relaxation/deviation would be allowed in the upper limit of 1200 and 1400 electors in both rural and urban polling station respectively. CEO said that electoral

According to OSD Planning, Kevileno Angami, the Drawal authority for an amount of Rs. 2.40 crore was issued by Finance department on the basis of the list of individuals/entrepreneurs/NGOs furnished by the Planning & Co-ordination department. In this regard, the department has given the list of individuals/entrepreneurs/NGOs who have been provided financial assistance under Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund 20162017. (See table on p-5). Drawal authority for Rs. 5.98 lakhs was issued for purchase of computers/ printers/ photocopiers and other logistic requirements of the department, the OSD said. Further, a list under ‘miscellaneous expenditure under CMCF during 201617’ of Rs. 651184 was also made available.

rolls with draft publication of electoral roll were carried out with the sole intention of achieving high fidelity electoral rolls and accordingly, pre-revision activities like training and orientation of EROs/AEROs were carried from time to time. Sinha also informed that appointment of booth level officers (BLOs) and their training and orientation, identifications of critical gaps/deviations in electoral rolls and strategy were carried out to remove and delete the identified multiple entries/dead electors. He said de-duplication campaign was to remove duplicate entries in the electoral roll, and preparation of improved digital maps of polling areas, photography campaign for residual electors, whose images were not available in the roll. Further, Sinha said that longitude of all polling stations, newly identified

of textbooks and uniforms

DIMAPUR, SEP 25 (NPN): Expressing serious concern over the delay in distribution of free textbooks and school uniforms, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has cautioned the department of school education that failure to redress the issue would compel the federation to resort to its own course of action. In a representation addressed to the minister school education, the NSF president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, and general secretary, Imtiyapang Imsong, pointed out that NSF along with all its federating units undertook several rounds of physical verification to various government schools. It was found that in the past few years and for the current academic session, there had been serious delay in distribution of textbooks, NSF stated. NSF said it was found

out that several schools had faced problems due to shortage of supply of study materials to the students. In addition, NSF said the uniforms were distributed in the middle of the academic session in almost all the schools. On verification, NSF said it was discovered that the students were not distributed with proper readymade uniforms but just cloth materials. In this regard, NSF has urged the minister to make necessary arrangements on distribution of study materials and readymade school uniforms/materials with stitching cost so the students would be able to avail the facilities on time before academic session started. Further, NSF urged the department to take cognizance of the issue and initiate measures in the larger interest of the student community.

(Cont’d on p-8)

NEW DELHI, SEP 25 (PTI): Former Home secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi took over as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on Monday. Mehrishi succeeded Shashi Kant Sharma, who demitted office on Friday, officials said. President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mehrishi (62) at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was attended by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other dignitaries, they said. Mehrishi, a 1978 batch (retired) IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, will have a tenure of about three years. The CAG is appointed for a term of six years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. K Y M C


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September 26, 2017 by Nagaland Post - Issuu