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ASSENG/2015/64205
Vol. 1
Issue 244
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND UNIVERSITIES
Dibrugarh, Wednesday, February 10, 2016
ACTION IN TATA STEEL, SAIL STOCKS MIGHT BE REVIVED BY ANTI-DUMPING DECISION
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Governors cannot pre-empt CM's powers: SC A Chief Minister's exclusive powers cannot be pre-empted by the Governor, whose powers are "limited" under the Constitution and should be exercised in a fair manner to ensure survival of democracy, the Supreme Court said today. "Under the Constitution, he (Governor) has not got so much of powers. He has limited powers which should be used in a fair manner, so that democracy survives," a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said while examining Governor's powers, an issue that has arisen in the wake of the political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh. Observing that the Governor "has no business to call the assembly session on his whims to test the majority of a Chief Minister and his government", the apex court asked "does it not amount to interfering with the
legislative functioning of the House." "The Governor cannot preempt the powers which are exclusively granted by the Constitution to the Chief Minister and his (council of) ministers," the bench said. The bench posed several questions during the hearing of a batch of petitions filed by various Congress leaders challenging the advancement of the assembly session by Governor J P Rajkhowa, when a lawyer of some rebel Congress MLAs justified the actions of the Governor. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, the counsel for rebels, said the Governor, being the administrative head, in his "wisdom thought that this (summoning of the House and subsequent business) may be one of the solutions". His submission was in regard to the advancing of the assembly session from this January to
December last year by Governor Rajkhowa. The bench, which also comprised Justices Dipak Misra, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, observed that the right of the Governor under Article 175 (right of the Governor to address and send messages to the House and Houses) of the Constitution was limited. "There is a problem. Messaging, he can do independently but the nature of messages is important. He needs to take the aid and advise of the Chief Minister and his council of ministers," the bench said, adding, "how far he (Governor) can act, is limited." Dwivedi submitted that the Governor can send a message and call for the assembling of the House as he has got such powers under the Constitution. Before concluding the day's hearing, the bench also opened the sealed cover containing dispatch records of the state assembly provided by the Secretary of the House.
Suspected suicide of medical student at Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 9
Runimi Kurmi, a 3rd semester student of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh was found hanging in her hostel room this evening. Runimi who was allegedly suffering from psychiatric problems had been permitted to have her mother stay with her in the hostel. However, her mother had gone out for a moment when she is suspected to have hung herself. The door of her room had to be broken down. Runimi had last consulted psychiatrist Dr H Goswami, who is also the principal of the College about a month ago. She has left no suicide note behind. Runima was living at Dr Sarita Toshniwal Hostel. The
ET CAPSULES
Road mishap, 1 dead Rangia, Feb 9: Nizamuddin Ahmed (39) of Rangia Kazigaon was killed on the spot at NH- 31 when a speedy mini truck knocked him down this evening. One infant of about 6 years was also injured seriously who has been shifted to GMCH by Rangia police with the help of local public. According to the eye witness, the truck dragged them when Mr. Ahmed with his daughter Suhana Yasmin were trying to cross the NH- 31. Killing Mr. Ahmed Rangia police rushed to the spot after being informed and rescued the girl child. Later police sent her to GMCH in a critical condition for better treatment. Police also recovered the dead body. Ahmed was the inhabitant of Bako under Kamrup district and residing at Rangia Kazigaon on rental House. (Correspondent)
Protest rally taken out in Sadiya
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Tinsukia, Feb 9 : Altogether 14 students organizations took out a rally at Sadiya on Tuesday demanding fielding of local candidate by all political parties including Congress and BJP. The protestors also demanded that all their demands towards development of Sadiya should be met immediately. The rally is largely seen as a protest against the siting MLA Bolin Chetia, who just few months back joined BJP. (Correspondent)
DEATHS AT AMCH May 9 2014, Sarita Toshniwal a first year PG student was murdered in cold blood early morning in the ICU of the gynae department. February 9 2016, Runimi Kurmi, a 3rd semester student found hanging in her hostel room. suspected suicide has once again raised the eyebrows of the denizens of Dibrugarh. According to source, she was living with her mother Nikunjo Kurmi due to psychiatric problem and today she committed suicide when her mother was not with her for sometime. After hearing the news people gathered in front of the hostel.
“If she is suffering from psychiatric problem then why the AMCH authority has permitted her for medical course,’’ said a source. She was the resident of Singelijan Tea estate under Ghoramara police outpost in Dibrugarh district. When the media team went to enquire about the incident, the students’ of AMCH misbehaved with them and told to go out from the AMCH premises. On May 9, 2014, Sarita Toshniwal a first year PG student found murdered in the intensive care unit of the gynae department of Assam Medical College while she was on night duty. This is the second incident after Sarita which rocked at AMCH. After hearing the incident ADC along with police personnel rushed to the place.
Rijiju's chopper makes emergency landing at Hindon airbase New Delhi, Feb 9
A chopper carrying Union minister Kiren Rijiju and a BJP MP on Tuesday made an emergency landing at Hindon airbase near here following engine trouble after being airborne for nearly 20 minutes. "We are all safe," Rijiju told PTI over phone. The
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NEW STRATEGIES TOWARDS EDUCATION-2016
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PTI New Delhi, Feb 9
Price -
minister, along with Lok Sabha member from TehriGarhwal Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, had taken off for Tehri on an Mi-17V5 helicopter from capital's Safdarjung airport. There were eight people on-board the helicopter, including officials of the ministry of home affairs and two television journalists.
SC upholds the decision of the speaker, dismisses SLP of two dissident Congress MLAs A Staff Reporter New Delhi, Feb 9
The Supreme Court today dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Guwahati High Court Judgement upholding the decision of Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in accepting the resignation letters of two MLAs, Wanglam Sawin and Gabriel D Wangsu. Breaking this news by the former political secretary to Chief Minister through a press release stated that the Supreme Court bench of Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice Adarsh K Goel heard the Senior Counsel for Petitioner Mr. L. Nageshwar Rao in length and did not agree with the contentions raised by him in their SLP and the oral submissions that the Speaker ought to have made an enquiry before accepting the resignation. The Hon’ble Court observed that after submitting the resignation letters on 16 September last year they had sufficient time to approach the Speaker to request him not to accept their resignation letters before 30 September 2015 when it was actually accepted. The request for withdrawal was submitted to the Legislative Assembly Secretariat only on 5 October 2015 once it was accepted and notified on 1 October 2015. Sawin and Gabriel from the Dissident Camp representing Khonsa East and Kanubari constituencies respectively given their resignation letters on 16 September 2015 addressed to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly stating “With ut-
ALL DRIVE TESTS DONE OBJECTIVELY, IN TRANSPARENT MANNER: TRAI CHAIRMAN Page 6
Kazaringa lost its fourth Rhino in this year Forest guard killed in Orang National Park
THE LINE OF FATE 16.09.2015 – The two MLAs resigned 30.09.2015–Speaker accepted the resignations
01.10.2015 – Legislative Assembly notified and declared their seats as vacant 05.10.2015–The Two MLAs request the Speaker not to accept the resignations 05.10.2015–Speaker informed nothing can be done now 07.10.2015–They approached the Guwahati High Court and obtained an interim stay of the Speaker’s order 07.10.2015 – Secretary, Legislative Assembly approached the Supreme Court which in turn remanded the matter back to the High Court 06.01.2016–High Court heard the matter in details 12.01.2016 – High Court upheld the decisions of the Speaker and dismissed the case 09.02.2016 – Supreme Court declined to interfere with the High Court judgment most respect, I am to state that owing to moral grounds, I hereby tender my resignation as member of Legislative Assembly, Arunachal Pradesh in full conscience and without duress or pressure from any person or community. I am tendering this resignation on the ground that I have not lived up to the expectations of my people and therefore don’t deserve to continue with this post and responsibility. Contd. on Page 3
ET Correspondent Mangaldai Feb 9 The carcass of the female rhino which being killed by poacher and taken away its horn in between Daflang and Borbill Camp of Bagori Range in Kaziranga National Park. Pic - UB Photos ET Correspondent Jorhat, Feb 9
Poacher killed another female sub-adult rhino in early wee hours on Sunday to the western most side of Bagori Range near the bank of the river Brahmaputra of the Kaziranga National Park informed SK Seal Sarma , Divisional Forest Officer of the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site National Park. According to Seal Sarma the carcass of the female rhino with its horn chopped off has been recovered from a pit where the rhino fell after being killed. The horn is estimated to be just half a kilogram as the female rhino was subadult in age wise, other body parts were missing and several number of cartridges of 3not3 rifle were recovered from between the camps of Daflang and Borbeel Forest Camp within the Bagori Range, with total number of rhinos killed by poacher has touched to four in just 40 days in the year 2016. The DFO further said that we were in mess following reports of poachers carrying confiscated arms and weapons; to fight with them our force is
quite poorly equipped. The fourth rhino was suspected to have been killed on Sunday, soon after hearing the sounds of gunshots petrol teams rushed towards the bank of the river side where they were suspected to have entered the Bagori range. Though massive hunt was started since Sunday morning it could not be located as the body of the rhino fell into a ditch and was covered tall grasses and water hyacinth said Pradip Phukan the forest beat officer of the Borbil-Daflang Beat of the KNP here. The KNP authority has intensified the security of the park on the eve of the ensuing Assembly Poll, as the poacher had changed their movement and they were suspected to have taken the water ways from the western most side of the Brahmaputra to enter to Bagori and Agaratoli, as the site where the carcass was recovered was nearly about 12 km from the Bagori Range Office. “We could not done the autopsy today because to lift the Rhino more than two to three elephants required or a JCB has to be pressed,’’ said DFO of KNP.
In an unprecedented incident in Orang National Park today, a forest guard on duty has been killed in an attack by rhinos. According to Chakarpani Roy , Ranger of the Park , the incident took place at around 11 am in jungles under Ramdas forest camp when a three member forest guard patrolling unit suddenly faced an attack by two female rhinos killing one forest guard on the spot while the two managed to escape. The victim , a casual forest staff has been identified as Safikul Islam ( 28) of village Bogoribari of Darrang district . The incident has cast a shadow of gloom among the forest guards of the Park who far away from their family members for years use to dedicate their service for the protection of pride of Assam one horned rhino and other wild animals amidst threats from poachers and wild animals , however they have allegedly been deprived of their due monthly remuneration and ration etc.
Tinsukia College and Doomdooma Fasten your safety belts from College blacklisted for misusing funds today, Joshi appeals towards CMSSTDC demands CBI enquiry against both the principals ET Correspondent Tinsukia, Feb 9
Two important Colleges of the district, Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College affiliated to Dibrugarh University are blacklisted by the University Grant Commission (UGC) for misusing funds meant for Infrastructural Development, alleged Lakhyjyoti Gogoi and Pappu Dutta, respectively the President and Secretary of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Committee.
In spite of knowing that the UGC have stopped granting funds to Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College the Assam Government has turned into a mute Spectator and hasn’t taken any action against both the tainted principals of these Colleges, blamed Lakhyajyoti Gogoi. The students are suffering without any fault of theirs, he added.
mands, that a Fair CBI Enquiry be immediately conducted at the two colleges, both Dr Bhuban Gogoi, Principal of Tinsukia College and Dr Prakashjyoti Borthakur, Principal of Doomdooma College be suspended immediately and If any of them found to be guilty they should be arrested and the funds be revived from them.
On 7 February a memorandum was submitted to Tinsukia District Deputy Commissioner by the activists of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Committee with three de-
Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity warned that if the demands are not fulfilled they shall intensify strong agitation in the coming days.
Arunachal-Assam Peace Committee Meeting held to ensure status- quo at border tween both sides.
Bishnu Rana Sunpura, Feb 9
A Peace Committee Meeting was called in urgency to ensure status – quo along the border of both Arunachal – Assam here at IB of Old Sunpura today, Sunpura being the oldest circle of Lohit district bordering Sadiya district of Assam which is in reports of frequent law & order problem due to minor scuffles or rumours affecting the age – old relationship be-
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The Peace Committee Members (PCM) formed in the year 2007 from both sides of the border areas to uphold peace and intra – state relationship got together to revive and restore peace and the spirit of brotherhood. Each counterpart of the member expressed in their collective voice to bury rumour and minor brawl spoiling the peaceful sanctity of the border. Arunachal-Assam Peace Committee Meeting held.
While highlighting the
main cause of misunderstanding, Bhabinath Deori President of the PMC Naugaon Assam alleged that following theft of cattle & fowl from Assam side and subsequently selling to weekly market led to the brawl and also today’s sensitive generation (Youths) involved in scuffle due to rumour without knowing the ground reality flare up the issue which should be nabbed instantly. Contd. on Page 3
party workers in Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, Feb 9
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in-charge of Assam Dr. C.P. Joshi called upon its party workers at the Jorhat Congress Bhawan to fasten their safety belts from today itself and asked them to leave no stone unturned to ensure victory for the Congress before the elections. The AICC general secretary flayed the BJP leadership at the centre for not co-operating with the state government in Assam as well as in Arunachal. “People of both the state are witnessing the developments and the role being played by the two agents of the BJP government JP Rajkhowa in Arunachal and PB Acharyya in Assam”, Joshi said. Both the governors cum BJP agents are enjoying the good offices of Raj Bhawan of both the states but on the other hand misusing their constitutional rights, Joshi alleged. He also said that the BJP will get a befitting reply its betrayal towards the people of Assam during the polls. “Unite yourself first and try to mobilize more people at the block level which will help you for the development at the Panchayats level”, he appealed towards the party workers. District committees under the leadership of the MLAs, president, secretary and other office bearers were asked to corporate and plan out programmes so that every house-
hold could be reached and explained about developmental and other works being done during the tenure of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, he said. “The people of Assam need not much references and example. They clearly know what they got during the NDA government and UPA government. During the UPA government development was evident while the present Narendra Modi government has proved its negative attitude not only towards the people of Assam but also towards the people of North East”, Joshi said. Driving his point, Joshi said that if the Centre was sympathetic towards the region then they would have inducted senior and experienced MPs from the region like Nephio Rio from Nagaland and P.A.Sangma from Meghalaya. “They are much more experienced than many ministers in Modi’s council of ministers? But yet they have been left out. This shows that Modi, his government and the BJP is totally against NE and its people”, he added. Former union minister and senior Congress leader Paban Singh Ghatowar, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Anjan Dutta, President of Jorhat District Congress Committee Dip Gogoi, former minister-cum MLA Majuli Rajib Lochan Pegu, Jorhat MLA Rana Goswami, parliamentary secretary Rujyoti Kurmi, parliamentary secretary and Dergaon MLA Arati Kachari were present during the meeting.
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Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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ASTRO FOR YOU Aries If you are a gadget freak, today you will have enough opportunity to flaunt your knowledge and impress everyone else. Students with a scientific bent of mind will excel in studies. Housewives are advised to experiment with their own recipes, and not to worry about the oven – it will not burst. Taurus This day, you need to watch out against your selfish and possessive tendencies. Do not be too determined or demanding. Try to not to be self centered. Do not impose your need and wishes on anyone. You should act generously towards one and all; particularly towards your spouse. This, you can be sure, will increase and enhance the love, warmth and intimacy you share with the others. Gemini You will be busy organising some religious function today or in visiting a place of religious significance. You will encounter expenses in religious and charitable work. However, you should guard against ignoring your daily work in pursuit of all these matters. Cancer Today, you will put your heart and soul into whatever task you take up. But the results may not be too forthcoming. However, that should not be a reason for you to get dejected or anxious. You will get your due sooner or later. Also, spending some time with your loved ones will be quite gratifying emotionally. Leo You will leave no stone unturned to satisfy and please your partner today. So your chances of slipping up are very slight. You will be able to impress your partner today. You need to be careful in all your financial dealings today. Virgo A renewed zest for life will bring in a transformation in you. It is a good time to let people know how important and intelligent – yes, you can be both – are. Your eminence will be obvious as you show how things are meant to be done. Libra Good news! You will be a people’s person today. Close friends, relatives and family — you seem to want to spend your time with all of them today. Your romantic brilliance will be at its peak today as your fancy takes wings and creativity flows freely in manners that seem irresistible. Scorpio A cascade of let-downs will dent your confidence and shake your determination. But don’t let these failures affect you as they are temporary. At work, your subordinates may force you to take drastic measures. Sagittarius A cheerful you, your energy level is on an all time high. You will enroll you name for a correspondence or a part-time course. This will boost your confidence and brush up your memory as well. People who are in legal profession will have a rocking day ahead. Capricorn After running about helter-skelter for getting your work done, you will sit back and spend the day planning the course of future action. Sudden and unexpected profits are on the cards, but you will need to be mindful of how best you utilise it. You can expect a few good opportunities to knock at the door, but open the door before they turn to look for shelter elsewhere. Aquarius You will remember this day for the rest of of life as today you will make some important decisions and give a new direction to your life. You are in for a windfall and cherry on the cake will be all the recognition and rewards you get for your sincerity and hard work.These positive vibes will help you make sure that you are on the right track. Pisces You would do well to make a to-do list today, if only to gain a realistic perspective of how much you want done and how much you can achieve in the time you have available. Making unreasonable demands from yourself will only lead to further delays.
PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)
Students’ protest for using their School field for political purpose ET Correspondent Nagaon, Feb.8: Tension prevails at Samaguri, about 22 km east of Nagaon when students of Samaguri Higher Secondary School protested against the use of their play ground by Congress workers for the purpose of holding a meeting for distributing yarn and blankets to the beneficiaries. Students urged the party functionaries not to indulge in such activities in educational institutions since it would vitiate edu-
10-2-16 (WEDNESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Vidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Highlights of 12th South Asian Games 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Request Programme of Assamese Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-10 P.M-Selfie from North East 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raaijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-35 P.M-Ujjwal Bhabishyat 9-30 P.M-Kramasha (Serial Novel Reading: Jangam) Sd-/H.O.P
ties.
It may be mentioned here that the school week is going on and the congress workers preferred the school field for two day as a venue for their activities forcing the students to discontinue games and sports activi-
He distributed recently 86 numbers of e-rickshaws among his constituency people at Amoni, a part of his constituency. While distributing rickshaws on the premises of SIRD he called upon the youths of
Rockybul Hussain, Minister for Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and Power e has started a spree of distributing rickshaws and other commodities in his constituency.
his constituency not to run after government jobs only as job seekers are many in comparison to jobs available. He urged them to engage in small trades and also in entrepreneurs that can help them to earn livelihood. On the day the minister inaugurated seven small industries at Sivsthan, Latani Chapori, Udmari, Tubuki Jarani, Bheleuguri, Hatigaon etc. He also opened a newly constructed wooden bridge at 2no.Bhatiakhali for public use.
A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 9: A ten days Craft Bazar was organized by Assam State Development Corporation for OBC LTD. which was sponsored by office of the Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) government of India, Ministry of Textile, New Delhi at Government Boys’ High school field, Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh. On Monday the ten day fair was inaugurated by Senior Journalist of Dibrugarh Ikbal Ahmed by cutting ribbon. Altogether, 100 entrepreneurs/ Self help group/ Handicrafts Artisan participated with their exclusive products from all over India.
Golaghat Festival Kicks Off Naharani army inugrated toilets blocks ET Correspondent Golaghat , Feb. 9: The seven day Golaghat Festival Kick started from today at at Samannay Pathar in Golaghat . With a view to give a platform and popularize the traditional culture of different tribes and communities of Assam and the North Eastern region as well the festival would play a vital role. This week long event is organized by Srimanta Sankardev Foundation, Golaghat . On Tuesday morning the festival was started with flag hoisting by the president of the Golaghat Festival Organizing Committee Suvansu Bora. In the afternoon Golaghat Festival was officially inau-
gurated and an exhibition was opened by the Principal of Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya Achinta Goswami . In this grand event lots of program and competitions will be held. The organizers have arranged air show for the first time in Golaghat . An award ceremony will also be held where more than fifty personalities from different fields will be awarded with the Golaghat Gaurav 2016 award for their achievement in respective fields. Cultural evening programme and fashion shows are some of the attractive events in the festival. The festival will be end on February 15.
Second day of budget session at NCHAC held today ET Correspondent Haflong, Feb 9 : The budget session of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council parliament continued for the second day on Tuesday. The session began with the detail submission of account by the Chief Executive Member Niranjan Hojai.
Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights
cational atmosphere and disturb teaching-learning process and other extracurricular activities. Some of the teachers also alleged that no prior permission from the school authorities was taken by the organizers to hold such gathering.
10 day Craft bazaar kick start
The first question placed in the house was regarding the recent hike of dearness allowance of the employees under normal sector of NCHAC which was made at par with the employees of the state 119% recently. This was followed with discussions on budget of the transfer subjects i.e entrusted departments of the council. The house decided the issues to be further taken up in the
Naharani army inugrated toilets blocks ET Correspondent Naharkatia, Feb 9: Besides vigorously executing their operational tasks, officers and men in the Counter Insurgency areas have been making sincere efforts to give a human face to their role in the insurgency.In January 1992, when army operations in Assam were ordered to be suspended temporarily, it was decided to get more
closer to the people under operation sadbhavana which included activities as eye camps, immunization melas, adult education, setting up of hand pumps, screening and preparing young men aspiring to join the army .The army in Naharani too carry out such operations now and then, keeping this in view the DAO division of Naharani army camp today inugrated
2 toilets blocks and hand pump in Deodhari L.p.school and 4 toilets block and hand pump in Rangoli pather M.E.School. It may be noted that the request for toilet blocks and hand pump was a vital need in this two schools which was fullfilled by the Naharani based army camp bringing a sense of relief for the students and teachers of this schools.
Tribute Paid to Madan Khetan
next session which will be held on 11 February next at 10 A.M. NCHAC Chairman Ngamrothang Hmar also directed the newly formed committee termed as parliamentary committee on appointment to submit its fact findings in its next session. It may be noted that in the previous parliamentary session held on 5 February last a decision was passed to constitute a parliamentary committee on appointment with chairman as Mihir Gorlosa, member of Autonomous Council with three more members to attend any public grievances and complaints in connection with the appointment process held in various departments recently.
Tribute Paid to Madan Khetan ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 9: The people and various organization today paid tribute to one of the jewel of greater Golaghat Society who departed yesterday. The people thronged into the house of Late Madan Khetan today. Today Maheswari Sabha ,NETA ,ATPA, Brahman Samaj , Agarwal Sabha and Yuva Sabha, Jalan Sewa Sadan ,AJYCP, AGP ,Lengree Tea
Estate officials ,Hindi Vidyalay Golaghat Sakha Sahity Sabha, BJP, LIONS Club, Tax Bar Association, Muslim Kalyan Parishad paid their floral tribute to the departed soul . Meanwhile Golaghat United Chambers of Commerce and Municipality Golaghat arranged a Tribute ceremony amidst town. Then many organisations
gathered in Amateur Theatre Society to pay the tribute. Many people took part in the Ritual ceremony. Dip Kalita from United Chambers of Commerce said “He was like a guardian to the organization. His death has brought extreme loss to the society." The Business organisations remained closed from 1 to 4 pm in the honour.
NETA Chief Bidyanand Barkakoty elected Tea-Board of India Vice-Chief ET Bureau Jorhat, Golaghat, Feb 9: The 227th Board Meeting of the Tea Board of India held at Kolkata today has elected B i d y a n a n d a Barkakoty as the Vice Chairman of the Board for one year as per Rule 9(1) of the Tea Rules, 1954. The tenure is from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017.
As per the Tea Board Manual which is a compilation of the Tea Act 1953, the Tea Rules 1954 etc., the Board shall elect from among its members a Vice-Chairman who shall exercise such of the powers and discharge such of the duties of the Chairman as may be delegated to him by the Chairman. Tea Board of India is
a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Barkakoty is a mechanical engineer by qualification and a tea planter by profession having his own plantations at Golaghat, Assam. He was Chairman of North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) for six years.
Presently he is Advisor of NETA, an executive committee member of Assam Tea Planters’ Association (ATPA) and President of Tea Vision (an NGO). He belongs to one of the oldest tea planters’ families of Assam and is the fifth generation to continue in tea plantation. Bidyanand Barkakoty
Chairman Bidyananda BarKakoty committed to focus on five areas, which would be on Price realization as the price of the tea has not kept pace with the rise in cost of production. This issue will have to be resolved for survival of the Assam Tea Industry.
Moreover more benThe newly elected Tea efits and facilities to Board of India Vice- tea plantation workers
has to stressed , as proper transportation and handling of green leaf which plays a deciding factor for the revolution for the unemployed youths, which will eventually and parallel help in improving the quality of made tea. Proper schemes for Small Tea Growers (STGs) and ensure that the STGs get proper price of their green leaf, as in
recent years the STG gets stable price only for just four months. And on the other hand the strengthening the Research & Development Centres, like the Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) and UPASI Tea Research Foundation (UPASI, TRF), Borkakoty further informed from Kolkotta here today.
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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Governor emphasises for Rajya Government Not To Rush To Ratify Sainik Board in the State President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh PTI New Delhi, Feb 9: Unlike other Presidential proclamations, government will not rush to ratify President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in the Budget Session of Parliament, with the matter pending before the Supreme Court. It will wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict in the matter before moving for the ratification in the session beginning February 23.
Governor emphasises for Rajya Sainik Board in the State
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9: A Delegation of Ex Servicemen (ESMs) of Arunachal Pradesh led by Wing Commander Gyati Kago (Retd) called on the Governor Shri JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 9th February 2016. The Governor felicitated the ESMs for the valuable service they had render during their active service in the armed forces and for continuing to contribute towards the socio-economic progress of the State. He advised them to motivate youth of the State towards service in armed forces. Responding to the memorandum submitted by them, the Governor instructed for constitution of the Rajya Sainik Board in the State at the earliest. He opined that having the board will facilitate the Ex-Servicemen and their families to avail benefits from the welfare schemes of Kendriya Sainik Board. Calling for update on the War Memorial Project at Itanagar, the Governor em-
phasized that complete names of the martyrs should be meticulously collected and reflected in the War Memorial, which could also become a much sought after tourist attraction. If required, Rajya Sainik Board should also be consulted apart from consulting expert architects and other stakeholders and agencies. The Director, Relief and Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Smt Y.W. Ringu, who is the Ex-officio Director, apprised the Governor that the Rajya Sainik Board for the State has been notified and already construction of Sainik Aram Ghar at Tawang, Khonsa and Itanagar has been taken up.
issued for Grievance Redressal Cell for the Serving and Retired Soldiers at State Level.
The Director further informed that proposals have been sent to the State Government for allotment of land for construction of Office Building for Rajya Sainik Board in the State Capital and for fund allocation for construction of office building of Zilla Sainik Board at Tawang and Khonsa. She also informed that notification has been
Lt Col Bruce Jilee, Major Tabo Maling, Capt Mimar Ete, SM & Hony Capt Lobsang Monpa and NK K. Yangfo were present in the meeting.
Banshidhar Sharma, a new advisor to the Governor allocated departments to look upon A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9 : After the resignation of YS Dadwal as the advisor of the Arunachal Governor, Banshidhar Sharma a new appointment is allocated all the departments previously allocated to Dadwal. The Governor request that all files and correspondences meant for Advisor (Home & Political) may be put up to Shri Sharma hereupon. The departments are District Administration, Elec-
tion, Home & Inter-State Border Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Political (excluding Vigilance), PWD, Disaster Management, Transport & Civil Aviation, Youth Affairs and Sports, General Administration, Department of Development of Tirap and Changlang, Secretariat Administration, Excise and Narcotics, Culture Affairs, Mines, Labour & Employment, Land Management and Information Technology & Science & Technology.
Earlier, the ESMs delegation submitted a memorandum, which included establishment of RSB, proper inscription of War Martyrs in the War Memorial and welfare schemes for next of kin of martyred ESMs. While highlighting the grievances of the Ex-servicemen of the State, they said that in absence of Rajya Sainik Board, the welfare activities are not being taken up in the way which it is expected to be. They requested the Governor for his personal intervention to expedite the pending issues.
It is to be noted that there are 559 ESMs with total family members of 1380 with Longding and Tirap Districts having the largest number of 309 ESMs.
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9: As a part of ‘Clean Arunachal Campaign’ regular social services are being carried out in Khonsa as well as in Roing Township of Arunachal Pradesh. A press release from the DIPRO, Roing stated that the cleanliness drive are being carried out in different colonies/sectors of the Roing Township. Employees of various Govt. Departments, PSUs & other private establishments, NGOs, Bazaar Committee and School Children are seen participating in large numbers in Clean Arunachal Campaign which is being observed with the theme “My Pride, My City, I will Clean it”. The DIPRO informed that social services are being done ev-
The 3rd Edition of the 1st State Level Chief Minister’s Trophy commences today Result 1st Day Football Men:
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9: The opening ceremony of the third edition of the State Level Chief Minister’s Trophy on Football and Volleyball (Men & Women) 2015-16 was inaugurated today at Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy Sports Complex, Itanagar. In the football men’s category, Kurung Kumey district won against Siang district by a score of 4-0, while the match between KraDaadi district and Longding district came to a draw with 1-1 goals each. In the women’s category for football, Lower Dibang Valley district defeated
Changlang district with a score of 5-2 goals, while Lohit district won against Papum Pare district by a score of 1-0. The Inaugural function was attended by B D Sharma, Advisor to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, along with N Payeng, IGP, Arunachal Pradesh Police, Dani Salu, IDAS, Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, presidents and secretaries of various state sports associations and other officials. Altogether, 1300 participants, including officials and technical officials from all districts of Arunachal Pradesh will be seen participating in the mega sports event.
As per Article 356 of the Constitution, the proclamation of President's Rule will cease to operate within two months unless "it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament". President's Rule was imposed
"Passage of resolutions in both Houses to ratify the proclamation of President's Rule is our priority. But we will have to wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on the issue," a senior government functionary said. "When the matter is before the apex court, we cannot get a resolution ratifying President's Rule passed," he said. If the resolution is moved, the government will face challenge for its passage in the Rajya Sabha where it lacks the numbers. The Law Ministry, meanwhile, is in two minds on whether to go for an ordinance or bring a Bill in the coming session to amend two electoral laws to allow the Election Commis-
sion carry out a limited delimitation exercise in West Bengal to accord voting rights to people who came to live in the country following exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. The term of the 294-member West Bengal Assembly ends on May 29 and elections are likely to be held before that. EC wants a month's time for undertaking delimitation exercise. This has made the Law Ministry jittery on whether the bill to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Delimitation Act, 2002 could be passed by March. The Parliamentary Affairs Ministry is learnt to have suggested against bringing an ordinance at a time when the session schedule has been announced. Since the bill is not controversial and extends vot-
ing rights to people who have just become Indian citizens, it feels that the bill can be passed in the initial days of the Budget Session. The government will also push for the passage of a bill to replace the ordinance to amend the Enemy Property Act, which was promulgated on January 8. As per the Constitution, an ordinance lapses 42 days/6 weeks from the day a session begins unless a Bill to replace it is cleared by Parliament. The ordinance amends the 47year-old Enemy Property Act to allow custodians to continue to retain control over such properties. Meanwhile, at a meeting of top government officials of various ministries convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, 26 ministries came up with 74 items to be
1. Kurung Kumey District Vs Siang District Won by Kurung Kumey District by (4-0 goal) 2. Kra-Daadi District Vs Longding Match drawn (1-1 goal)
Football Women: 1. Lower Dibang Valley District Vs Changlang District Won by Lower Dibang Valley by (5-2 goal) 2. Lohit District Vs Papum Pare District Won by Lohit District by (1-0 goal)
included in the list of 'government business' for the session. It was decided to give 26 items 'top priority' as the ministries wanted them to be introduced and passed in the Budget Session itself. A total of 16 bills, including the GST Bill, Lokpal (amendment) Bill, Factories (Amendment) Bill and the Anti-Hijacking Bill are pending in Parliament -- five in Lok Sabha and 11 in the Rajya Sabha. Besides Mr Naidu, Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prakash Javadekar, Najma Heptullah and Jayant Sinha were also present in the meeting. The first part of the session is from February 23 to March 16, while the second part is from April 25 to May 13.
Arunachal BJP releases General Manifestoes Itanagar, Feb 9: Amidst political crisis and subsequently Presidency Rule in the state, today Arunachal BJP releases its policies and stated that it have no outlook in the matters of normal and routine transfer and posting, making payments of Contractor’s bills to genuine cases and awarding work orders etc. Rather, the party is working on and is committed to good politics and going ahead with positive agenda of “SABKA SAATH SABKA VIKAS”, BJP stated. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the pro-
cess and It is not a process that can be completed within only five years, the policy statement says. The party said that all kinds of press matters – Publicity and propagandas in the banner of the party especially party policy and major decisions are carried out through authorized party functionaries and therefore the Party shall not be responsible for any unauthorized news item (s) till the fresh arrangements are effected. The sub-Committees constituted in the party objec-
tively functions within the frame work of the party and all such sub-committees are automatically expires with the announcement of party organization elections, and the State Office Bearers remains functional till new team assumes office also.
BJP claimed that power is not the big issue for them and that Party leaders and workers shall put country before self and work relentlessly and to bring positive changes in the state to be one of developed states in the committee of developed
states of the nation. The party has ensured accelerated development of the state and wellbeing of its people, and it is the only and lone principal opposition party in Arunachal Pradesh with true and strong internal democracy. The BJP is the only party where strong internal democracy has prevailed throughout. Because of its internal democracy, there has been no factionalism within the BJP since its inception, while all major political parties in the country have broken into factions.
Clean Arunachal Campaign continues in Khonsa and Roing
SPORTS NEWS
Match between KKD and Siang, Photo by: Sanajay Mosing
Generally, such proclamations as also Ordinances are taken up on a priority basis for consideration.
in Arunachal Pradesh on January 26 following political instability in the state.
Cleanliness Drive in Khonsa Town ery morning from 6:00 to 7:30 AM as per the schedule chalked out by the District Administration. The allotted teams clean the road side jungle, garbage and drain which falls under their respective sectors. Departmen-
tal Vehicles of DUDA, PHED and Horticulture are being engaged for disposing of accumulated garbage. Team of Officers headed by Ruchika Katyal, IAS, ADC Roing, M Dirchi, DPO, Tao Tadap, UPO and Admin
Cleanliness Drive in Roing Officers are regularly monitoring the social service. In Khonsa, it is being done since February 2 last. The Tirap District Administration has been working overtime and connection, a series of Cleanliness
drives have been organized in and around Khonsa. In a mass social service at Khonsa township people from all walks of life actively participated in cleaning the township, says a press release.
Arunachal-Assam Peace Committee Meeting held to ensure status- quo at border Contd. from Page 1 Baburam Chaitom senior citizen from Sunpura felt to mutually resolve any dispute by PMC themselves or complicated issues should be handed over to police for impartial judgement. He also raised the improper demarcation of border areas leading to erratic relationship. Bakhim Chikro from Sunpura also pleads to upgrade police strength. Chow Onika Mein felt the necessity to organise cultural exchange
programme, Sports and inviting member from both side during festival to ensue normalcy in the border. At the same time other members also spoke about dissuading rumours, maintaining constant vigil against any individual involving in stealing & creating disturbances at both sides for their vested interest and lastly single out the criminal and initiate punishment under certain section of IPC to avoid communal colour. Earlier VP Surya SP (IPS) Lohit termed the initiative as fruitful taken by the PCM of both side to ensure status – quo
at the border. “Participation of communities from both sides to maintain peace & harmony and upholding the age – old relationship between two sides is the right concept”, he appreciates. The SP also appealed both sides to dissuade from rumours or to avoid minor scuffle to ensure peaceful co – existence. I H Bora SP Sadiya Assam counterpart said that all issue related to both the state was acted immediately to curb further repercussion since his joining as SP. “Our age-old brotherly heritage carried forward since beginning need to uphold in ensuring peace in the border”, he pleas further.
Among other member from both sides those spoke were Anand Kumar Tripathi Deputy Commandant CRPF, Rintu Chandra Boro CO, Macmohan Gurung Headmaster, Lockin Chetia Advocate Sadiya. Meanwhile, both the PCM also praised H L Tabyo (SI) and Tankeswar Das (SI) who is the Officer – in – Charge from both Sunpura and Sengchap Charali of Sadiya in holding border meeting to promote the spirit of age – old brotherhood, peace and harmony in the border. Later they also exchange gifts and joined together in dining to strengthen the long standing relationship.
“The supreme sacrifices of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, Pundit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Sundar Singh Bhandari and Kushabhau Thakre, shall be guiding spirit on party leaders and workers to consider”, said the press release of the party. “What you have given to the party, not whether the party made you MLA or Minister. The party is committed to its core ideology, principle and philosophy in strengthening the party with our established working system without any breach of party discipline”, the release concluded.
Governor congratulates Konia A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has congratulated Shri Nishu Konia, the reigning Mr. Arunachal on being crowned the Mr. India title (in junior section) in the 6th National Body Building Championship recently held in Telangana. The Governor said that the achievement is not only a matter of pride for the people of Arunachal Pradesh but also a source of inspiration for the younger generation of our State. He hopes that Shri Konia will excel further and bring more laurels to the State and the Country in future. Impressed by recent sporting accomplishment of Shri Sambo Lapung, winning a gold medal in the ongoing South Asian Games in Guwahati and now by Shri Konia in National Body Building Championship, the Governor said that these successes reflect the huge pool of sporting talents hidden in Arunachal Pradesh.
SC upholds the decision of the speaker, dismisses SLP of two dissident Congress MLAs ceptance of resignations.
Contd. from Page 1
I would therefore like to earnestly request you to accept my resignation with immediate effect.” The resignation letter was handed over to the Speaker by the Whip of the Congress Party later and the Speaker accepted the resignation on 30 September 2015. Subsequently, on 1 October 2015, the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly notified the same and declared their seats vacant in pursuance of the ac-
On 5 October 2015, the two MLAs submitted a letter to the Assembly Secretariat which was dated as 1 October 2015 since 2nd, 3rd and 4th October were public holidays, requesting the Speaker not to accept the resignations and same may be treated as null and void. The Speaker, however, said, that he had already accepted their resignation letters on September 30 and notified it on October 1, and therefore, no further action was possible by him with regard to the matter. Both MLAs thereafter approached the Gauhati High Court and obtained an interim
stay of the Speaker's order on October 7 from the then Acting Chief Justice Mr. K. Sreedhar Rao even before issuing the notice to the Speaker Legislative Assembly and without looking into the original records. The Secretary, Legislative Assembly, immediately approached the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the Gauhati High Court to hear the matter on merit and dispose the matter in two months time i.e. before January 14, 2016, the proposed date for Sixth Session of Sixth Arunachal Pradesh Assembly. The Secretary, Legislative Assembly immediately thereafter approached the Hon’ble Su-
preme Court and the Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the Gauhati High Court to hear the matter on merits and dispose the matter in 2 months time i.e. before 14th January 2016, the proposed date for Sixth Session of Sixth Arunachal Pradesh Assembly. After deliberating on the matter, the Gauhati High Court bench consisting of Justice T. Vaiphei and Justice M. R. Pathak ruled on January 12, 2016 that "when the resignations were accepted there was nothing on record for the Speaker to raise a needle of suspicion pointing towards possibility that resignations letters of the petitioners were not tendered voluntarily."
“After examining the case from all angles, we are satisfied that the Speaker has not violated any mandatory provision of law in not rejecting the resignation letters of the petitioners, and is rather correct in accepting the resignation letters of the petitioners. In any case, by such omissions, no prejudice is caused to the house or the public.” Today, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the high court judgment and dismissed the SLP. Mr. M. N. Krishnamani and Mr. Ranji Thomas, Senior Counsels appeared on caveat for the Speaker and the Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Arunachal Pradesh.
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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CM Tarun Gogoi congratulated Manash Jyoti Changmai A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 9: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday has congratulated Manash Jyoti Changmai, Compound Team archery Gold Medal winner in the 12th South Asian Games being held in Guwahati and Shillong respectively. In a statement Gogoi said, “Your achievement
has made us really glad. Best of luck for all your future endeavours.” Gogoi also congratulated Jayanta Talukdar, Recurve Archery Team Gold Medal winner for his exhilarating performance too. Gogoi also announced Rs. 10 lakh as a cash reward for any player from Assam who gets gold medal in the 12th South Asian Games.
Govt. rolls out well laid out network of drinking water supply in Guwahati A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 9: Government of Assam has taken up several projects for rolling out a well laid out network of drinking water supply to the city dwellers. At present, the water supply facilities in Guwahati Metropolitan area are being operated by three Departments, viz., Guwahati Munici-
pal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (AUWSSB) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). Since the present system could not cater to the demands of all the households, the State Government has taken up four projects namely ADB funded Trache-I drinking
Laptop distributed among students under AR Barooa award at Mangaldai ET Correspondent Mangaldai Feb 9 : The distribution of Laptop under the state government's Anundo Ram Barooa award to as many as 2099 students of Darrang district who came out successful in last HSLC , High Madrassa , Senior Madrassa and Sankrit Tol leaving certificate examination from the district has been started today. Along with Laptop , distribution of Tablet PC under the Chief Minister's Special Scheme to a total of 1826 students who passed the same examination with an aggregate percentage of 51 and above has also begun today . In connection with both these occasions a ceremo-
Laptop distributed among students under AR Barooa award at Mangaldai nial distribution function was organized at the district library auditorium today where Basanta Das , Minister for Water Resource , Fisheries etc as the chief
guest ceremonially gave away Laptops , Tablet PCs along with certificates of appreciation. The function chaired by
Ranjit Kalita , District Development Commissioner cum Chief Executive Officer , Darrang Zilla Parisad was also attended by many distinguished guests including veteran academicians Dr Biren Deka , Phulendra Nath Saharia, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Darrang Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati, Circle Officer , Mangaldai Revenue Circle Prashanta Barkakoti , Election Officer Rahul Das along with several hundreds of students, teachers and guardians . Earlier the chief guest lightened the ceremonial lamp before the portrait of Anundo Ram Barooa while Sadulla Khan , Inspetor of schools , Darrang outlined the objectives of the function .
water project by GMDA which will cover South East Guwahati, ADB funded Trache-II drinking water project that will cover South East Guwahati both are being implemented by GMDA.
All the households of West Guwahati will be covered under the project. It may also be mentioned that the Zoo Road Water Supply Scheme, Rukminigaon Water Supply Scheme, Rupnagar-Jatia Water Supply Scheme etc are providing lakhs of households well-treated drinking water to maintain
health and hygiene for all.
Colleges blacklisted by UGC
Rangia Unidentified dead body recovered
ET Correspondent Margerita, Feb 9: Under Dibrugarh University two important Colleges such as Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College where University Grant Commission (UGC) have granted many Infrastructural Development Funds but both the Principals of these College have misused the funds by which University Grant Commission (UGC) have Blacklisted both Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College alleged Lakhyjyoti Gogoi and Pappu Dutta both President and Secretary of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Committee. Lakhyajyoti Gogoi said
ET Correspondent Rangia Feb 9: One identified dead body was recovered by the Rangia Railway police lying beside the rail line on Tuesday. The dead body was lying between Goreswar and Khoirabari. The Railway police rushed to the spot when the local public informed them. According to the police the one about 40 years old tribal faced dead body was lying by the rail line wearing Blue Gamocha and Red White shirt. Police recovered the body and kept in Rangia Railway Morgue for 72 hours for identification.
Other two projects are being implemented by Guwahati Jal Board will cover North and South
Sarbananda completes whirlwind KA tour ET Correspondent Diphu, Feb 9: The President of Assam Pradesh BJP and Central Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended the closing ceremony of the Phuloni Rangbonghome Seba Swarm Bidya Nikaton, Phuloni located in east Karbi Anglong today. The school’s silver jubilee function was also attended by MP of Jorhat Kamakhya Prasad Tasa along with the minister.
Sarbananda Sonwal reached Diphu around 2.00 PM and reached Joysing Doloi memorial auditorium where around one thousand young boys and girls greeted him. The interaction scheduled between the tribal youths and the minister had to be cut short due to bad weather which forced the minister to fly back early from Diphu to reach Phulony.
Central
In the Nehru Youvak
Minister
TET teacher’s demands selection on merit ET Correspondent Diphu, Feb 9: Around five hundred TET (Teacher’s Eligibility Test) passed teachers of Karbi Anglong staged a sit in demonstration against the Education department administered by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council at a primary school located near the PWD colony of Diphu town yesterday. The teachers who are either engaged in government jobs or currently unemployed protested against one advertisement published by Education department concerning appointment of TET teachers of Karbi Anglong which is allegedly is erroneous. The teachers have demanded publication of the selected candidate on the basis of merit, notification of the enhanced pay scale and publication of fresh advertisement with honest information. Till filing of this report Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council authority has not divulged anything about rolling back its controversial notification.
Kendra (NYK) sponsored programme the minister earned standing obviation and thunderous clap from the youths during his spirited and uplifting speech. Sarbananda Sonowal while mentioning about the potentiality of the youth power in India called on the youths to achieve success through hard work and dedication. He upheld the teachings of Vivekananda, Sankar Deva and Gandhi for the development of youths.
He spoke about the Government of India’s thrust on skill development through numerous schemes; he urged the youths to take the advantages of all the imitative of the government. Sarbananda Sonowal announced that a skill development centre will be established at Phulonie’s Rangbonghome Seba Swarm Bidya Nikaton before departing from the function. The straight jacketed official programme forced
Guwahati. The total cost involved in the implementation of the projects is around Rs. 4863 crore.
the young BJP leader from taking part in any political meeting including his get-together with the Bodo leaders of Karbi Anglong, however at Diphu he told before the media that Assam Chef Minister Tarun Gogoi should get rid of the bad elements of Congress before sermonizing other; he also mentioned that Ram is the symbol of Raj Dharma and Gogoi should retrospect whether he is doing justice towards his Raj Dharma.
Moreover, another project for drinking water for an amount of Rs. 389.53 crore is at advance stage of completion with the progress of 95 per cent and can go for trial run in March 2016.
that University Grant Commission (UGC) have stopped granting funds to Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College where the students are suffering a lot. While Assam Government has turned as mute spectator without taking any action against both the Tainted principals of these Colleges alleged Lakhyajyoti Gogoi. On 7 february a memorandum was submitted to Tinsukia District Deputy Commissioner by the activists of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Committee with three demands such as that a Fair CBI enquiry should be immediately
conducted at Tinsukia College and Doomdooma College, both Dr. Bhuban Gogoi Principal of Tinsukia College and Dr. Prakashjyoti Borthakur Principal of Doomdooma College should be suspended immediately and if both the principals are found guilty than both should be arrested and the fund should be return by both the principals if demands were not fulfilled than Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity shall intensify strong agitation in the coming days said Lakhyajyoti Gogoi and Pappu Dutta both President and Secretary of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Committee.
HSDC declares candidature for 16(ST) Haflong LA ET Correspondent Haflong Feb 9 : Sri Mayasing Daolagupu, a retired officials and an active member of Hills State Demand council of Dima Hasao has been declared as the HSDC candidate by Sri Kebaran Naiding, convenor, HSDC, Dima Hasao in a press meet held at the office of the HSDC, Haflong on Tuesday. Declaring the name of Daolagupu, Naiding said Sri Daolagupu has been active in the movement of separate state comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao since long and people are also very much wanting him to be the candidate for HSDC in the ensuing assembly election
from Haflong 16 (ST) constituency. Talking to the media Daolagupu said in the name separate state the people of both the district of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have been very much enthusiastic to support the HSDC party. They believe that only the HSDC party can solve the problems of the mass people which the congress has failed miserably. People are aware of the fact that during the ASDC tenure the people benefitted much more than that of now. Therefore ' I am confident enough that people of Dima Hasao would extend their support in the ensuing election as HSDC candidate.
All these projects were initiated by the current Government not only to ensure the city dwellers get 24X7 water supply but also global standard drinking water quality and sewerage system taking the requirements of the city till the year 2040.
HSDC announce list of candidates ET Correspondent Diphu, Feb 9: The Hills State Demand Council has announced Mayasing Daulaguphu as its nominee for the Haflong legislative Assembly seat. The retired government officer’s candidature was announced by the party at a press conference held at Diphu yesterday. With this the party has announced the names its 5 candidates for the constituencies of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. Dr. Jayanta Rongpi will contest from Diphu while Jagatsing Engti from Bokajan, Chomong Kro from Howraghat and Holiram Terang from Baithalangso. All the seasoned political leaders will contest from the party banner devoid of any alliance with any political party. Till now the HSDC is maintaining distance from all parties and is harping on the subject of statehood as their main political issue,
Silver Jubilee Celebration of North Lakhimpur Press Club CEM opens packaged drinking ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Feb 9: "Journalism is the first rough draft of history. Their working jurisdiction is expanding day by day as time proceeds. They now play the major roll for the change of the society watching the fact instead of fake"-said Dr. Khiradhar Baruah, an eminent science essayist of the State today in a Silver Jubilee Celebration of North Lakhimpur Press Club (NLPC). The program was kicked off with the unfurling of the flag by the President of NLPC Surajit Bhuyan at 9am. Followed by 'Shradhanjali'-the tribute paying event to the deported soul was administered by Dr. Manoranjan Pandit, the President of
the Celebration Committee. It was then headed by a special program dedicated to the students for the popularization of science and to make better their hand writing. Dr. Khiradhar Baruah took part in the program as a Resource person of 'Dhemalir Chalere Bigyan'. "All children are born scientist. Each of them can be shaped to grow to be a scientist"-he stated. He elaborated different activities of Bharnuli's Principle, static electricity, potential electricity, Center of Gravity etc. in front of the students. On the other hand Tulasipriya Bordoloi, an eminent calligrapher of the state
AJYCP cries political conspiracy Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Feb 9. AJYCP in a press meet on Tuesday reiterated that there is a political conspiracy against their leader Surojit Moran who has been arrested by police for his alleged
links with Moran Tiger Force. The students body said that they have already identified the person behind conspiracy and have set up an internal committee who will submit it's report on February 12.
could attract the students and the gathering of the program participating as the Resource Person of Hastakhsyar bhal karo ahan (Let's improve Handwriting). She conveyed different scientific tips to the students with regard to the improvement of their handwriting and to increase the concentration level of their brain. On the other hand, resolutions of the different problems of fields were tried to take out through the program. Several eminent personalites of these fields like Dr. Amarendra Gogoi, Najim Ahmed, Rajeev Gogoi, Mahesh Mahanta, Paresh Bhuyan, Hiranya Sabhapandit, Mukut Gogoi, khagendra Nath Bhuyan, Nibedita
Lagashu, Gobin Chandra Borah, Tilak Bhorali, Mridul Baruah, Jiten Baruah along with more than hundred took part in the program. Every one of them prioritized to work for the betterment of the district in united form. Internationally famous innovator Uddhav Bhorali, Taekwondo Player Darshanjeeta Bhorali, Founder Secretary of NLPC, Harnul Rashid were given warm felicitation in the program. The trio delivered inspiring and innovative lecture in the program. Uddhav Bhorali declared opening his dream project the 'Institution of Innovation, Motivation and Skill Development' within six month in Lakhimpur.
water plant of AHSIDC
ET Correspondent Diphu, Feb 9: Second production unite of packaged drinking water of Assam Hills Small Industries Development Corporation was formally inaugurated by Tuliram Ronghang Chief Executive Member Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council yesterday located inside the industrial complex Manja, 16 kilometre from Diphu. This drinking water unite has been set up at an amazingly low cost of 90 lakhs rupees, it’s a 7 stage filtration component including reverse osmosis and UV treatment. The plant will initially produce 1400 litres of water per hour. “Presently we do not produce the packaging bottles, we collect
water from our underground source inside the industry then canalize it through various stage of filtration, we have installed the best machineries certified by ISO and has meet all the norms required. We could establish the plant at low cost because the existing infrastructure of the industry complex has provided the working shed, power facility rooms for installation of various apparatus” said Dhansing Lakthey Managing Director of AHSIDC. The Assam Hills Small Industries Development Corporation manages separate fruit processing unit, sugar mill, oil expeller, turmeric pulveriser within the same complex. Yesterday Tuliram Ronghang also formally
launched the production of mango fruit juices in the fruit processing unite. “ The seasonal fruit juices are produced on its availability but the production capacity of our semi finished pulp is nearly 1500 hundred bottles per hour which will increase gradually depending on various condition” Lakthey mentioned after the meeting. It may be recalled here that the factories of the AHSIDC located in remote area of Karbi Anglong like Deithar and those located closed to Diphu is presently functioning from its own resource but a huge financial liability of the defang period of the AHSIDC production units is still looming large on the path of its progress.
Governor reviews sporting activities, announced cash award for Lapung A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 9: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa reviewed all the Sports activities in the State including State Level Sports events organised by the Department of Sports at Raj Bhavan,
Itanagar on 9th February 2016. Shri Dani Salu Secretary Sports and Shri Tadar Appa, Director Sports were present in the meeting among others. After discussions with Sport department, it was decided that State level Sports event has to be
held to encourage sportspersons in T20, Archery and Martial Arts as well. Therefore, the State Government shall conduct Governor’s Martial Arts Championship, Governor’s trophy T20 Cricket and Governor’s trophy in Archery. The winners will be
given Trophy as well as cash awards. The Governor will soon have one to one meeting with the State Level associations for Archery and Martial Arts to fine tune the events. While expressing his happiness
on the achievement of Shri Sambo Lapung by winning a Gold medal in weightlifting in ongoing South Asian Games 2016, the Governor announced an award of Rs 10 (Ten) lakhs to Shri Lapung and said that he will inspire generations of youth.
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REGION
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Mizoram govt Banks should open new branches to keep pace with increases tax on all increased economic activities: Manik Sarkar vehicles Imphal, Feb 9: The Mizoram government has raised the tax on all vehicles and fixed it at six per cent of the cost with a compulsory payment of life-time (15 years) payment.A notification issued by the state transport department said that the six per cent tax would be payable on ex-showroom rate (before payment of the value added tax).The decision follows the instructions of the Centre's Transport Development Council to
all states to implement the new tax regime at the rate of minimum six per cent of the rate of vehicle. Mizoram assembly has already amended the Mizoram Vehicles Taxation Act, 1995 last year authorizing the state government to hike the tax on vehicles. The state government also revised and hiked the passengers and goods tax for which the notification was issued on Monday. (Agencies)
The Mizoram government has raised the tax on all vehicles and fixed it at six per cent of the cost with a compulsory payment of lifetime (15 years) payment.
Saradha scam: CBI questions Bapi
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Saradha scam
Kolkata, Feb 9: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Saradha scam quizzed Bapi Karim, the former confidential assistant of Madan Mitra, at its regional headquarters in Salt Lake. Bapi Karim was already interrogated earlier in connection with the ponzi scam in 2014. He had reportedly told CBI that the former transport minister Madan Mitra frequented Saradha Group's Midland Park office and returned with "brown packets". This claim was corroborated by some Saradha staffers and suspended
Trinamul MP Kunal Ghosh. The apex agency had seized some documents from Bapi's residence soon after questioning him in 2014. He also told the sleuths that the former transport minister had forced Sudipto Sen, Saradha boss, to donate around Rs.1 crore for the renovation of Swaminarayan temple near Saradha Garden in Bishnupur. "The officials after scrutinizing the documents seized during the raid have decided to question him. He could he summoned again for further investigation," said a CBI official requesting anonymity. (Agencies)
Manipur's Kourouhanba Spices Industry proves boon for jobless Imphal, Feb 9 : Fifty five-year-old Potshangbam Kulachandra, who hails from Haobam Marak, is a qualified B.Tech in Food Technology and M. Tech in Bio Technology. Potshangbam Kulachandra served in Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation but he resigned from his job and started his own venture. In 2015, he set up 'Korouhanba Spices Industries' at Keithelmanbi village and produces different food spices items. All the raw materials used for the spices are from forest products which are free from inorganic chemicals. The unit is a source of em-
ployment for local youth, as it employs around 25 local youth. The industry produces several spices items like Masala paste, Garam Masala, Vegetable Masala, Chilli powder, Ginger powder, Jeera Powder, Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Mustard powder and coarse mix spices. The products are now in high demand both in the state and outside. Workers are happy to get better job opportunities. Achievements of young entrepreneurs like Potshangbam Kulachandra will inspire many educated unemployed youth in the region to explore new innovative ideas and become self-reliant. (Agencies)
Agartala, Feb.9 : To cope up with Tripura's growing economic activities, result of the existing peaceful situation as insurgency has waned from the state, banks should come up with new branches throughout, said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.He said this after opening of the new Agartala branch of the State Co-operative Bank here. Sarkar viewed that a time was there when due to the militant activities,
many branches of nationalized banks particularly in the remote areas, had to be shutdown but at present, the situation is different and peaceful which is leading to growing economic activities in the state and hence banks should open their facilities at the doorstep of people.He added that Tripura is so peaceful that around a year back the state government has decided to withdraw the Arm Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and after that there has been
Minister Manik Sarkar no official record of any militant activity in the state.The Tripura Chief Minister said, "We have now withdrawn AFSPA,
the special power given to military to counter insurgents. It is around a year back we had withdrawn the AFSPA from our state
and during this one year period militants could not conduct any submissive act but there is no room for complacency. Existing peaceful and democratic situation is leading to economic development, agricultural improving, business is growing, small and medium industries are coming up, rail connectivity is moving up to Sabroom. We are taking the project for a substitute national highway and widening of the existing national highway is going on. Air con-
UDP chief blames Cong for MPA fall Shillong, Feb 9: At a time when Congress both at the Centre and in Arunachal Pradesh is blaming BJP for the President's rule in that state, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has pointed out there is no reason for Congress to bank on clean politics, since the same party at the Centre with the support from the state Congress leadership had engineered defections, splits and imposition of President's rule twice in Meghalaya. Speaking to the media, UDP chief Donkupar Roy said that while he was the Chief Minister
from 2008 March till 2009 March, he tried to control corruption. "The state was peaceful, and there was no unrest in Garo Hills," he said. Roy was sworn in as Chief Minister on March 19, 2008. A year into his term on March 19, 2009, the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government consisting NCP (14), UDP (11) HSPDP (2), KHNAM (1), BJP (1) and Independents (4), was dismissed after the Congress engineered defections leading to imposition of President's rule in May 2009 when RS Mooshahary was the Governor .
This had led to Congress forming a government under the leadership of DD Lapang on May 13, 2009, after a nearly twomonth long spell of President's rule. "The President's rule to oust our Government engineered by Congress was not warranted. Everyone knows that the former Governor RS Mooshahary was a Congress agent," Roy said. The UDP leader said that ironically, Congress now is blaming the BJP for imposing the President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh. "The Congress should remember that the party had toppled our
Government in 2009. The Congress had also engineered split in APHLC in 1972 with majority of its MLAs merging with Congress", Roy said. According to Roy, even in 1991, the Congress used the Speaker ( PR Kyndiah) to disqualify five legislators including him resulting in imposition of President's rule from October, 1991 to February 1992 in the state."Who was behind the agitation to oust the then Chief Minister and UDP leader EK Mawlong over the Meghalaya House deal in 2001 even after the cancellation of agreement? It was the Congress and
the same party was instrumental in splitting UDP at that point of time. When the Congress came into power, the same company was allotted the Meghalaya House project with double amount", Roy said.He also referred to the case of present cabinet minister AL Hek who contested and won from BJP after the Assembly polls in 2008. "Hek voluntary gave up his membership in 2009 to join the Congress which was in power and the Speaker was also from the Congress, but he was not disqualified though it was a fit case for disqualification, Roy added. (Agencies)
Nagaland Mob Violence, Curfew Remains Enforced in Kiphire Dimapur,Feb 9:A sense of uneasy calm returned to Kiphire town in Nagaland yesterday following Sunday's mob violence. The day passed without any untoward incidents as security was tightened, while most civilians chose to remain indoors."As of now, the situation is under control but tense," informed the Additional SP of Kiphire on yesterday evening. The funeral of the two victims, who were shot dead on February 6, was held during the day. The DC Kiphire, Chumremo Odyuo stated that prohibitory orders enforced under Cr. PC 144 was temporarily re-
laxed for the duration of the funeral, which was held at 11:00 am. The order, prohibiting assembly of 5 or more people was promulgated at 3:30 pm on February 7 and will be in effect till further notice. The DC also stated that the situation was "under control, still very tense." He further expressed apprehension of violence resurfacing in the town as incidents of arson were reported from Pungro late on yesterday evening. The DC quoting the ADC Pungro informed that at least 2-3 houses were targeted in the incidents which occurred around 9:00
measure had assisted in their evacuation and safe passage.
Curfew Remains Enforced in Kiphire town in Nagaland pm.Anticipating trouble, one platoon of armed police was deployed to Pungro from Kiphire earlier in the evening, while level of alertness was heightened in Kiphire town. Kiphire town had in station 4 companies of NAP (IR), out of which
one platoon was sent to Pungro, the DC added.Members belonging to a community were reported to have left Kiphire town following Sunday's violence. Confirming this, the DC said that the district administration as a precautionary
Meanwhile, Home Minister, Y Patton in press release received late Monday night appealed to all the communities "particularly Yimchunger and Sangtam to avoid any kind of mindless acts as it will only escalate problems and as we know that violence can never be the means to bring peace and solution." Assuring that the state police is "on the job to nab the culprits," he stated "this is the time we all have to play our parts to restore peace and tranquillity."(Agencies)
GJM, BJP, JMM (John Barla), KPP and DMI to Contest 2016 Elections together in North-Bengal Darjeeling,Feb 9:Bimal Gurung today said the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha would forge an alliance with a few regional forces in north Bengal to contest the coming Assembly polls.The Morcha president, who was in Sibchu today to observe "Balidaan Diwas," organised to remember three party supporters who had lost their lives in a police firing on February 8, 2011, also said such an alliance would help defeat Trinamul."We will tie up with regional forces, including some political parties, ahead of the coming Assembly polls. We are already an ally of the BJP and will field candidates in Assembly constituencies in the Dooars and Terai, apart from the Darjeeling hills, to defeat Trinamul. Soon, our party will hold a meeting in Siliguri where we will formally announce the
names of our allies," Gurung told journalists this afternoon. Morcha sources said the prospective allies include the Kamtapur Progressive Party's Atul Roy faction, the John Barla faction of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad and the Dooars Millat-e-Islamia (DMI).The Atul Roy group of the KPP, which wields clout in the Terai and some pockets of the Dooars, and Barla were with the BJP-Morcha combine in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Barla enjoys support in tea gardens in the Dooars and Terai. The DMI is the most influential organisation of Muslims in the Dooars and is not averse to the tie-up with the BJP. Barla and Moktar Khan, a leader of the DMI, were present at today's programme and said in unison that they were with the Morcha and would strive against
alleged step-motherly attitude towards the Dooars by the state government."A number of Morcha leaders in the Dooars are sitting idle. As the polls are round the corner, they should wake up and initiate consistent political activities in the region," Khan said at the event. Gurung had said earlier that unlike the 2011 Assembly polls when the Morcha had fielded candidates in only three hill constituencies and supported Wilson Champramari, the Independent in Kalchini, the party would field candidates in around 15 seats across north Bengal this time.At today's programme, Gurung criticised the state government and chief minister Mamata Banerjee. "Mamata Banerjee is doing 'use-and-throw' politics. She is using people for her own political interests and throwing them
away once her interests are fulfilled. She is trying to play politics and divide different communities in the hills. However, she will never succeed in her intentions," Gurung said. "I have also decided to come down from the hills ahead of the Assembly polls and campaign to defeat Trinamul."He also demanded a probe into the sources of funds for development boards formed by the state for different hill communities."The state government is using the money meant for the GTA to pay the development boards. We demand a complete investigation to find out from where the state is getting funds to pay the boards which the chief minister has created to divide the people in the hills," the Morcha president said."The state has endorsed the term Gorkhaland (by inserting it in the GTA agreement)
but now it is interfering in the functioning of the GTA and speaking against our demand for a separate state. We have taken up the matter with the Centre. The state is, however, acting in a detrimental manner and even delaying tripartite meetings on the GTA," Gurung added.He also trained guns at former Morcha leader and Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri. "He should prove himself by winning the coming polls. He does not have even the minimum support base in the hills," Gurung said. Chhetri, who resigned from the Morcha last year, has recently formed the Jan Andolan Party.Senior Morcha leaders, including Roshan Giri, Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma, Ramesh Alley and Binay Tamang, were present at the meeting. (Agencies)
nectivity is improving and tele-connectivity has reached up to the remote villages." Sarkar asked the banks to come up with new branches throughout the state and viewed that State Co-operative Bank should take initiative in this."All these have lead to a demanding economic engagement in our state. Banks keeping pace with it has to come up with new branches and co-operative bank has to play a leading role in this," said Sarkar. (ANI)
Nagaland MLAs to meet political leaders for peaceful solution Dimapur, Feb 9: The Parliamentary Working Committee of the Nagaland Legislators' Forum on Naga political issue will seek support of various political parties in New Delhi for an early peaceful settlement of the issue. The decision was arrived as part of the Committee's meeting held today in the state Assembly complex under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo and Chief Minister T R Zeliang. The Committee resolved that all members would go to New Delhi on February 15 to meet the leaders of various political parties to apprise them of the issue and seek their support for an early peaceful settlement, stated a resolution. Further, the committee comprising all 60 members of the House, acknowledged and appreciated the joint efforts of the Naga Hoho and Eastern Naga People's Organisation for going to Myanmar recently and meeting the authorised representatives of NSCN (K) and conveying the desire of the state government, Nagaland Legislators Forum and Naga people for resumption of the ceasefire agreement with the Centre. The two apex tribal bodies of the state had gone to Myanmar in between January 24 and February 2 on the request of the Parliamentary Working Committee of NLF. (Agencies)
State may constitute 5th Pay panel Shillong, Feb 9: The State government is contemplating to institute fifth Pay commission to increase the salary and other allowances of the government employees."There is a thinking on the part of the state government to increase the salary of the staff after the recommendation of the seventh central pay commission," an official source said on Monday.It was in September 2009 that the state cabinet had announced an overall pay hike of 32 per cent for all its employees, with retrospective effect from January 1, 2007 following the recommendation of the 4th Pay Commission.As per norm, every ten years, a new pay commission is instituted by the government. (Agencies)
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All drive tests done objectively, in transparent manner: TRAI chairman New Delhi, Feb. 9: After telecom companies went into near chaos after TRAI's regulation ordering equality on data prices, Chairman R.S. Sharma on Tuesday said that all drive tests were done objectively and in a transparent manner. "Telecom road tests are regularly being done by TRAI. Since last time, the telecom companies started telling us that you don't consult us as to which roads you are using. So we started this process also. Whatever drive test that we have done have been done very objectively and in a transparent manner. And
if there are any more suggestions on transparency, we are open for that," he said. "We have in the last 20 years of our existence issued a number of regulations and tariff orders. This is a decision which has not been taken now; it was taken some time back. Where we were saying that let us remove these things and see which one of them are still relevant, which one of them need upgradation or change. That's the whole purpose. We are reviewing the old laws also," he added. Sharma further said that there was a consultation
Chairman R.S. Sharma process put in place by the TRAI and thanked the people who participated in it. He, however, pointed out that considering everyone's opinion took much longer than the
stipulated time. "Initially, we had thought that we would give the recommendation by January 31. We overshot that by about nine days. But they are happy with the decision, that's all,"
he said. After TRAI's regulation, telecom companies will need to eliminate nearly hundreds of tariff plans that offer free or subsidised access to numerous popular websites and applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. Almost all the telecom service providers, including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications and Telenor, offer internet pack options with subsidised or free plans for certain popular apps. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckernerg also expressed disappointment over the new regulations
by the TRAI. "Today India's telecom regulator decided to restrict programs that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet.org's initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programs by other organizations that provide free access to data," said Zuckerberg in a post on his Facebook page late Monday night. Monday's verdict by TRAI was hailed by internet activists, startups and companies alike. Some even likened it to the squashing of the controversial Section 66A in India. (ANI)
Goat pays price for ISI provides financial, military support to LeT: Headley grazing in judge's Mumbai, Feb. 9: nexus with each other. "I Pakistan's spy agency ISI did ask him on what provides financial, moral grounds he was saying garden as well as military sup- that. He said the ISI proKorea, Feb.9: In a bizarre incident, a goat was detained for grazing in a judge's house in Chhattisgarh's Korea district. nThe incident followed the earlier warnings given to the goat owner. Along with the owner, the animal has been booked under charges which carry a two to seven year prison term and a fine. The police arrested the goat and its owner Abdul Hasan, around 350 km from state capital Raipur. The police said that the goat had committed this offence repeatedly. "The judge's bungalow has an iron gate and the goat used to jump over it and
enter," said Assistant Sub-Inspector R. Srivastava. "The peon, who maintains the garden, had warned the owner of the goat many times. So, today he filed a complaint and we arrested the goat and its owner. A case has been registered under Sections 447 and 427," he added. Recalling the series of events, the owner of the goat said that his animal was taken to the police station after she entered the premises of the judge's house. "She had grazed flowers and vegetables from the garden. They brought me to the police station today and told me to take the goat," Hasan told. (ANI)
Two arrested for using fake ID to enter Gwalior base, investigation on Gwalior, Feb. 9: An investigation of the two suspicious men, who were caught on Sunday while trying to get into the Maharajpur Air force Station in Gwalior, is currently
underway. They were attempting to get into the station using fake ids claiming to be labourers. Air force officials yesterday handed them over the police. (ANI)
PM Modi sets aside security protocol to meet Siachen survivor New Delhi, Feb. 9: In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday set aside his security protocol to meet Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here. The Prime Minister, who travels in a BMW convoy, took the front seat on a Range Rover car which did not even a have a beacon light. Moreover, there was not adequate security at the Research and Referral Hospital during the Prime Minister's silent visit. It appeared that even the Delhi Police was not informed about the same. The ambulance and jammers, which are part of the Prime Minister's cavalcade, arrived five minutes later. Prime Minister Modi after meeting the survivor said that no words are enough to describe the endurance and
indomitable spirit of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. "He is an outstanding soldier. Team of doctors is attending to Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. We are all hoping & praying for the best," he tweeted. Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh earlier met the Madras regiment soldier, who is said to be in a "critical" condition. Late last night, a rescue team that had been chipping away at ice for days, found Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. After an avalanche on February 3, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa and nine other soldiers were buried deep under the snow. A wall of ice, a kilometer wide and 800 metres high, came crashing down on their post. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was trapped in an air bubble, which saved his life. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
port to terror outfits like the LeT, Jaish-eMohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen, said David Coleman Headley while revealing more information in the Mumbai court with regard to the26/11 terror attacks. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who took the examination of the Pakistani-American terrorist, said, "David Headley has given certain sensitive revelations. Firstly, he disclosed his close association with the ISI and said that he was working for them also." "He said that he knew Brigadier Riaz, Colonel Shah. He also said that he knew Lieutenant Colonel Hamza and Major Samar Ali," Nikam added. Nikam further said Headley in his testimony confirmed that the ISI and LeT have a close
vides financial, moral as well as military support to the LeT," he said. The public prosecutor said that Headley, in his examination through video conferencing from an undisclosed location in the United States, said that during his continuous visit to Mumbai, he surveyed various places like the CST Railway Station as well as the Naval airbase, police headquarter building, Hotel Taj, Hotel Oberoi and Siddhivinayak Temple. "Clearing my query as to why did he video graph the second floor of Hotel Taj, he said that LeT wanted to attack on the particular day when the Indian Scientist Conference was going to be held," Nikam said. He however, said that they were not successful in
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam implementing their plan as they could not get the weapons in time. Continuing his deposition for the second consecutive day, Headley said that he was asked by the ISI to recruit Indian army men to spy for them. Headley said that he also advised the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack, Hafiz Saeed, and Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi to 'legally challenge' the US ban on Lashkar. Headley testified for over five hours yesterday
and described the role of ISI officers in collaborating with the Lashkar for the terror attack, which left 166 people dead in Mumbai. In his first deposition yesterday, Headley said that Pakistani terrorists attempted to attack Mumbai twice before the 26/11 strike but failed both times. Describing himself as a 'true follower' of the LeT, he also admitted that he joined the ranks of LeT after getting 'influenced and motivated' by the speeches of Hafiz Saeed. (ANI)
Headley's deposition: Defence experts say ball in Pak court to act or not to act Bhopal, Feb. 9: The onus is on Pakistan to continue to remain in denial mode or to take action against the perpetrators of 26/11 post the revelations made by one of the jailed accused David Coleman Headley, said defence experts on Tuesday. Major General P.K Sehgal (retired) said that based on Headley's revelation in the Mumbai special court with regard to the 26/11 terror attacks, Pakistan has two options - either to continue to be in denial mode, or take action against the perpetrators. "His statements also corroborate what Kasab had indicated. Hence, the evidence is virtually clinching. Pakistan has only two options-continue to be on a denial mode, alternatively accept it and proceed against 26/11 perpetrators and handle as demanded by India, which will go a long
way in bringing about a certain amount of cordiality in the proposed talks that are likely to take place between the foreign secretaries and the NSAs," Serhgal told . He further stated that Headley's statement would help India to nail Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari aka Abu Hamza aka Abu Jundal, the Indian national affiliated to the Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba, as there is evidence against him. "It gives a very major opportunity to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government to use this evidence to marginalise the army and the ISI to the extent visible and possible," he added. Expressing similar sentiments, Major General S.R. Sinho (Retired) said, "There is evidence that 30 dossiers were earlier also provided regarding the Bombay blast to the Americans. Also, Hafiz Saeed is
an international terrorist and prize has been declared by the Americans. But, Pakistan has been negating." Sinho alleged that Pakistan is producing insurgents by not taking timely action. "Even in Lakhvi's case also, it has been proved beyond doubts that he was also involved in the planning. But, the court in Pakistan has given a decision that his voice sample will not be given to India, because there is no clause in the Constitution or in their law. Pakistan is producing insurgence," he said. Sinho said Pakistan won't take any action and India has to be prepared and draw a long-term strategy to deal with terrorist activities from across the border. Deposing before a Mumbai court in connection with 26/11 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives and left scores of people injured,
Headley, named Major Ali and Major Iqbal of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Lashkar commander Sajid Mir as his contacts in Pakistan. He admitted that he had met both Lashkar-eTaiba(LeT) commander Hafeez Saeed and then operational commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. He told the court that Lashkar had planned to attack at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Headley described Lashkar as "a militant organisation in Pakistan whose goal is to fight the Indian Army and assist the people of Kashmir." Saeed and Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi would give religious speeches and speak of 'jihad,' defined as "fight against enemies of Islam." They, Headley said, treated India as their enemy. (ANI)
Siachen survivor admitted to RR Hospital in critical condition New Delhi, Feb. 9: Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, the lone survivor among the 10 soldiers who were buried alive by an avalanche at Siachen, is presently being treated at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Dhaula Kuan. The condition of the soldier from Madras regiment is said to be critical. Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, has arrived at the Research and Referral Hospital to take stock of his health. He is undergoing a primary test at the hospital's Intensive
Bassava told ANI in Dharwad, Karnataka, that her son came in her dream and told her that he would return. Meanwhile, army source said the rescue teams have located mortal remains of all the remaining nine soldiers and they are being brought out from the avalanche site. The condition of the soldier from Madras regiment is said to be critical.
Care Unit (ICU), as he battled for life for six days under 25 feet snow mound
in temperatures close to minus 40 degrees. The Lance Naik's mother
After an avalanche on February 3, the soldiers were buried deep under the snow. Hanamanthappa was trapped in an air bubble, which saved his life. (ANI)
Shamli incident: BJP demands CBI probe, calls SP party of 'Mughals'
BJP leader Srikant Sharma New Delhi, Feb. 9: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into the Shamli incident, where two journalists were allegedly attacked by Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Nahid Hasan and his aides. Calling the Akhilesh Yadav-led government in Uttar Pradesh a party of the ' Mughals', BJP leader Srikant Sharma said that there was 'gunda raj' in the state. "Akhilesh Yadav is responsible for the deteriorating condition of Uttar Pradesh's law and order. They have issued a license for hooliganism. The condition of law and order is so bad in the state that at least ten rapes happen each day. There is a murder
every half an hour. Each day, there are 17 communal incidents. In crimes against women, Uttar Pradesh tops the list. Two journalists of a news channel were allegedly attacked by Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Nahid Hasan and his aides. They had gone to cover the incident in which an eight-year-old boy was killed in celebratory firing by party workers in Shamli district on Sunday. The party workers were celebrating the victory of party candidate Nafisa in the local body polls from the town. BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit has alleged that the attack on media persons was a planned assault. (ANI)
Sushma to visit Nepal to attend Koirala's last rites
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj New Delhi, Feb.9: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will lead a delegation to Kathmandu on Tuesday to attend the last rites of former Nepal prime minister Sushil Koirala, who passed away early this morning. "Leaving for Nepal with S/ Shri Anand Sharma Sharad Yadav SR Yechuri and Ajit Doval for homage to Sushil Koirala ji," Swaraj tweeted. Cutting across party lines, the leaders of various political parties condoled Koirala's demise and hailed his contribution to politics of Nepal. President Pranab Mukherjee in his condolence message said Koirala worked tirelessly to foster the close relations between India and Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his part said India has lost a valued friend. "In Sushil Koirala ji, NC has lost a big leader who served Nepal for decades & India lost a valued friend. Pained by his demise. RIP," Prime Minister Modi said in tweet. "Sushil Koirala ji's simplicity holds lessons for all of us. My condolences to the Koirala family & people of Nepal in this hour of grief," he added. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled Koirala's demise. "Saddened by the death of former Prime Minister of Nepal & Nepali Congress President, Sh. Sushil Koirala. May God bless the departed soul," tweeted Jaitley. "The news of Sushil Koirala ji's demise is deeply saddening. He was Nepal's one of the most seasoned politician and also a true statesman.With
Sushil Koirala ji's demise Nepal has lost a powerful voice and a wonderful human being. My condolences to the bereaved Koirala family," Singh said in a series of tweets. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi also expressed their condolences. "My heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal on the passing away of former PM & Nepali Congress President Shri Sushil Koiralaji," Rahul tweeted. "A committed democrat Sushil Koiralaji had a long association with India. His loss will be deeply mourned," he added. Koirala will be cremated on Wednesday and will be honoured with a state funeral and public holiday. The government also decided not to organise any formal programmes for the next three days and condolence books will be opened for Koiral at Nepalelse embassies in foreign countries on February 12 and 13. Koirala was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Born on August 12, 1939 in Banaras, Koirala was the cousin of former prime ministers Matrika Prasad Koirala, Girija Prasad Koirala and Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. Koirala also spent three years in Indian prisons for his involvement in a plane hijacking in 1973. He entered politics in 1954 and was in political exile in India for 16 years following the royal takeover of 1960. He joined the Nepali Congress in 1952 and served in various capacities prior to becoming its president in 2010. (ANI)
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Former Nepal PM Sushil Koirala passes away Kathmandu, Feb 9:Former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, a moderate figure in Nepal's unsettled politics, died today .The death of Sushil is presenting a potential hurdle in attempts to win greater rights for minorities in a new constitution .Koirala, 78, a senior figure in one of Nepal's biggest political dynasties, stood down as prime minister in October. He died overnight of respiratory illness, one of his doctors said, at his nephew's home in Kathmandu. He had helped prepare Nepal's first republican constitution that, its authors hoped, would take the Himalayan nation closer to stability and peace after years of conflict and the abolition of
the 239-year-old monarchy.Koirala was head of the centrist Nepali Congress party, the largest opposition group in parliament, and had been expected to face a leadership challenge next month.Others said his death presented a succession problem for the Koirala dynasty. He never married."More crucial will be who will carry the legacy of the Koirala dynasty that has produced four prime ministers in the past and dominated the Nepali Congress party in the past six decades," said Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the Annapurna Post daily. The Congress will hold a leadership election next month, with some in the party saying it could then
Bangladesh-Thailand to launch direct coastal shipping D h a k a , F e b 9:Bangladesh and Thailand have decided to start direct coastal ships to boost export and import between both the countries. Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem made the statement in a press conference held at the Shipping Ministry on Tuesday afternoon.She said: "Both the countries are planning to start direct coastal ships. We will have to study about the possibility of establishing the direct communication and if we get a positive result, then we will sign a Memorandum of Understanding." The coastal communication between the two countries takes place
with the help of Chittagong and Ranong ports.However, ships have to take a long route via Malaysia and Singapore to reach the respective countries which increases the transport coast.Replying to a query about the export and import ratio, Saida said: "Around 90% of the export and import takes place from Bangladesh's end while less than 10% takes place from Thailand's side."The ratio is expected to rise once the countries use direct shipping."Earlier in the day, a 12-member Thai delegation meets the authorities of the Shipping Ministry regarding the matter. (Agencies)
Hindu Marriage Bill 2015 cleared by Pak parliament panel Islamabad, Feb.9: A parliamentary panel in Pakistan has cleared the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, paving the way for regulations on registration of marriage and divorce for the Hindu community.Five Hindu MNA's (Members of National Assembly) were specially invited to the deliberations of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice on the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015. Chaired by Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice took up the bill for which resolutions have been passed by the provincial legislatures of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkwa.
The committee unanimously agreed that the act has been made applicable to the whole of Pakistan. The Ministry of Law and Justice along with Ministry of Human Rights briefed the panel on the bill to codify the law for regulating the marriages and termination of Hindu families in the country.The panel recommended following amendments in clauses 2 to 25.Clause 12 sub-section (2)(C) that a spouse may also apply for termination of his/her marriage on the grounds that the other partner has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of four years instead of three years.The committee also agreed to delete clause 12(2d) that relates to termination of marriage.(ANI)
More than 40 refugees in India to return Colombo,Feb 9: Forty three Sri Lankans who fled to India as refugees will return to the country today. V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement said that such individuals who sought refuge in camps and in the homes of relatives in India will return to the country today. The arrival of the Sri Lankan nationals will be facilitated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees office in Colombo.
The Sri Lankan nationals are residents of Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Trincomalee. The Secretary further noted that the Sri Lankan nationals will be provided with dry rations for a period of six months since their arrival.Meanwhile, close to 100, 000 Sri Lankan nationals are living as refugees in India of which 64,000 are being sheltered in refugee camps, while 109 persons are found to be living with their relatives. (Agencies)
Former Nepal PM Sushil Koirala seek to engineer the downfall of Prime Minister K.P. Oli, whose tough line against Madhesi protesters has angered India.The front runner to take over as party leader is Sher Bahadur Deuba, a threetime former prime minister who comes from the
same social democratic tradition as Koirala and would likely show little sympathy towards the constitutional protesters.Although talks have made scant progress on meeting the grievances of minority Madhesis, who live in Nepal's southern plains
and have close ties to India, tensions eased when they lifted a border blockade on Monday.That could pave the way for Oli to visit India later this month after Nepal's finance minister met government leaders in New Delhi over the weekend. Thousands of mourners, many carrying bouquets of flowers, gathered outside the house where Koirala's body lay."He was a good-mannered and
a moderate leader. I feel very sorry," said Chabilal Tamang, a Kathmandu vendor.Congress General Secretary Prakash Man Singh told state television a funeral would likely be held on Wednesday.Koirala had undergone treatment for tongue cancer in the United States and was given a clean bill of health in November before succumbing to pneumonia and bronchitis, aides said. (Agencies)
Former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, a moderate figure in Nepal's unsettled politics, died today .The death of Sushil is presenting a potential hurdle in attempts to win greater rights for minorities in a new constitution
Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots in bloody street clashes Beijing, Feb 8: Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots on today during angry clashes that erupted when authorities tried to remove illegal street stalls set up for Lunar New Year celebrations, the worst street violence since pro-democracy protests in 2014.Protesters pulled out bricks from the sidewalk to hurl at police, while others toppled street signs and set fire to rubbish bins in Mong Kok, a gritty neighbourhood just across the harbour from the heart of the Asian financial centre. As many as 48 police were injured in the clashes, a police spokeswoman said. Hong Kong television showed police officers being beaten with poles and sticks as they lay on the ground.
Riot police move forward to charge at protesters during a clash at Mong Kok district in Hong Kong Many protesters and police were also shown with blood streaming down their faces. The police spokeswoman also said 24 protesters were arrested. Police said two warning shots were fired into the air, with pepper spray and batons also used to disperse the crowd. The clashes broke out after police moved in to clear "hawkers", or illegal ven-
dors who sell local delicacies, trinkets and household goods from makeshift street side stalls.Hong Kong Indig-
enous, a "localist" group that is fielding a candidate in a Legislative Council by-election in a few weeks, was involved in the protest.Many socalled localists remain deeply embittered by the lack of any concessions from Beijing or Hong Kong authorities during the pro-democracy protests.Radical protesters and "localists" demanding greater Hong Kong autonomy have vowed to keep fighting even as China shows signs of tightening its grip. (Agencies).
Dhaka,Feb 9:The government has installed thermal scanner in Dhaka airport for the people coming from the 30 Zika-affected countries, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim has said.The minister made the disclosure in a press conference held in his Secretariat office on
Tuesday."There is no concern over the potential for Zika virus to spread in the country. As part of precautionary steps, we have set up thermal scanner in Dhaka Airport for the people coming from the 30 Zika-affected countries. In case of spotting any suffering from fever, we will conduct further
investigation to detect the virus. "Until we have been confirmed that he or she is not carrying the virus, we will keep him in Isolation Ward, a special room set up inside the airport for the purpose," Nasim also said. Zika, an emerging Aedes-mosquito-borne virus, is spreading throughout the Americas recently and it could reach Bangladesh anytime, health experts warn.Concerns have grown even stronger inside country after news media in Thailand and Taiwan in January reported cases of the virus infection among locals. Both places are popular destinations for Bangladeshi travellers, increasing the risk of the
virus also spreading here.Aedes aegypti, the carrier of the virus, is also responsible for spreading dengue fever throughout the Indian sub-continent region, especially in Bangladesh and India.At the moment, the Central and Latin Americas have been hit the hardest, with more than three million reported cases of infection last year, according to the Pan American H e a l t h Organisation.BBC says the virus has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains and some countries have advised women not to get pregnant. There is currently no vaccine available. (Agencies)
7 Indonesians jailed for joining IS, facilitating terror activities Jakarta,Feb 9: Seven Indonesians were today sentenced to prison for being part of Islamic State (IS) or promoting the terror organisation.They were handed between three to five years' jail, lower than the eight years demanded by prosecutors. Tuah Febriwansyah received the heaviest sentence of five years in jail
for promoting the IS cause in Indonesia. He co-founded AlMustaqbal.net, a website that promoted news and videos of IS including Indonesian IS members in Syria. He also actively participated in IS activities in Indonesia including the declaration of the terror organisation in the capital in 2013.Meatball
UN rights chief meets Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena
Colombo, Feb 9: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, who is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the government, called on the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today.The UNHCR envoy also called on the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at his official Temple Trees residence this morning.During the meeting, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and High Commissioner Zeid focused attention on current challenges and opportunities for strength-
ening the rule of law and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka. During the meeting, the Chief had emphasized that any matter among communities should be solved through a domestic mechanism and the present Government led by the President and the Prime Minister has the ability to carry out that process.The UNHCR envoy also pointed out that the current issues of the country should be addressed based on Buddhism. He said the visit to the Temple of the Tooth was a moving experience and a very rare privilege for him.(ANI)
Pak PM to visit Qatar to sign multi-billion dollars gas deal
Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots on Tuesday during angry clashes that erupted when authorities tried to remove illegal street stalls set up for Lunar New Year celebrations, the worst street violence since prodemocracy protests in 2014.
Zika threat: Thermal scanner installed at Dhaka airport
Thermal scanner installed at Dhaka airport
UN rights chief meets President, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
seller Ahmad Junaedi was found guilty by the district court under the country's terrorism law and was sentenced to three years in jail for joining IS in Syria.Prosecutors had asked for five years, but the panel of judges said Ahmad has shown remorse. Ahmad had claimed he was duped into leaving Syria with a
big payout and had spent five months there before returning to Indonesia in early 2015.Another Indonesian Helmi Mohamad was sentenced to threeand-a-half years' jail. He was found guilty of raising funds and facilitating the departure of 39 Indonesians to join IS in 2014. Helmi also spent two weeks in Syria. (Agencies)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Islamabad, Feb 9: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Qatar from tomorrow to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields and sign a mega USD 15 billion natural gas deal that will enable the energy-starved country to import the nontoxic gas for 15 years. Sharif will be accompanied by a high-level delegation on the two-day visit beginning tomorrow and have meetings with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. The two sides would also hold wideranging delegation level talks. "A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of Health, Radio & Television, Education & Research and a Long-term Sale/Purchase Agreement (SPA) of LNG would be concluded by both sides," FO said. An official of ministry of petroleum and natural resource said that USD
15 billion LNG agreement will enable Pakistan to import gas for 15 years. "The agreement will help address energy shortages in the country and play an important role in economic development," he said. The FO said that the main focus of the Prime Minister's visit and interaction with the Qatari leadership will be on further enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields, including energy cooperation, trade and investment, defence and increase in employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar. Both leaders would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Qatar hosts more than 115,000 Pakistanis. "Pakistan gives great importance to its ties with Qatar. The two countries enjoy friendly and fraternal relations marked by close cooperation. Both sides share perception on various regional and international issues," it said.(Agencies)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Qatar from tomorrow to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields and sign a mega USD 15 billion natural gas deal that will enable the energy-starved country to import the non-toxic gas for 15 years
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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Voting is a right Why Should We Vote? Voting is not only a right; it is a responsibility. Voting is a spiritual action because by exercising the option to express your opinion on who should assume powers of governance, you are, in good faith, vesting that someone with the power to transform your life and that of others. In that sense what you intend to achieve by voting is to help infuse higher values source: in matters of governance. indiastudychannel Voting in India is a Constitutional right if one is a citizen over 18 years of age. However, that also makes it optional. It has been a tendency among voters, especially in the urban areas, to treat the voting day as a day of rest. While skipping the vote may not seem to cause any harm,the long-term consequences are disastrous. Voting is the agent of change. If the people of India think that the ruling government is not performing its duties satisfactorily, they can show it the door by voting against it. Refraining from doing so can result in the same party, or a worse one, being elected for the next five years. In a country so populous, a voter might feel that a single vote does not make any difference. However, the balance tilts when this becomes a national attitude and lakhsperhaps crores-of votes are not cast. By casting their vote, citizens may not necessarily be able to get the best candidate elected-politics being what it is-but by avoiding casting their vote they improve the chances of the unsuitable ones winning the polls. At the end, it is only the voter who has to suffer through poor governance. Also The process of voting allows every citizen to have a say in what should constitute the matters of importance by voting for the candidate he or she deems fit for the purpose. While it is true that the outcome of elections is seldom predictable, by not casting one's vote, that citizen is giving up on the chance of getting heard. Also it can be considered as an honor conferred on the citizens by the founding fathers. By exercising their right to vote, citizens demonstrate their respect for the history of the country. It can't be denied that the recent democratic experience in India has not been encouraging. For the past several years, India has been struggling with rampant corruption, unsure economy, and unclear foreign policy. Election after election has seen ineffective governments come to power that have done more harm than good. However, not casting one's vote will only worsen the condition. It is our duty as responsible citizens of India to make informed decisions and choose the best candidate from those presented.
Net neutrality Zuckerberg disappointed Despite aggressive efforts to promote universal connectivity in India, Facebook just struck out. India's telecom regulator has blocked the company's Free Basics service as part of a ruling that supports net neutrality. Net neutrality says that all web traffic should be treated equally and technology companies cannot be allowed to price certain kinds of content differently from others. Facebook's Free Basics plan would violate this principle as it offered access to parts of the Internet, including its social networking site, free and without a data plan. The decision follows nearly a year of escalating conflict between Facebook and the country's net neutrality activists, who argue Free Basics violates neutrality by favoring some services over others. It also undermines founder Mark Zuckerberg's larger Internet.org efforts to bring the entire world online. Still, it is not the end for Zuck's grand plan. Although India remains an essential market, it's not the only place where Facebook offers Free Basics, which provides access to a host of Internet services like Wikipedia, the BBC, health sites and weather reports, and, of course, Facebook. The services are lightweight versions of the originals that load quickly and perform well on less robust 2G and 3G networks. It's available in 36 countries, and Facebook claims it has brought the Internet to more than 19 million people who wouldn't otherwise have been able to afford access. During the past two months, net neutrality activists in India registered their opinions while Facebook sunk resources into online polls and offline ad campaigns to sway public opinion. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ultimately said in its ruling that no service provided can "offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content." In effect, regulators are banning "zero-rating," the practice of exempting some Internet-usage from the data cap that covers other services. Regulators say that by working with telecom companies to make some services free, and not others, Facebook's Free Basics unfairly helps some Internet services while disadvantaging others. India is Facebook's second largest market by the number of users. With some 300 million mobile Internet users expected to be on board by 2017, it's a big market for companies in that business. For starters, in a country like India, Net Neutrality has vast implications, especially for start-ups many of whom are dependent on the medium for the success of their business. A neutral Internet means a level playing field. Well after the Indian government said a big no to Facebook's Free Basics, the social networking giant's founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg conveyed his disappointment in a post but conveyed his commitment to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India.
Good Governance and Universities Good Governance is as- them into fine human velopments with refersociated with efficient beings. The universities ence to three aspects and effective administra- cannot stand isolated; quality initiatives, quality tion in a democratic they should be active sustenance and quality frame work. Open, participants in develop- enhancement. Basically, democratic and ac- mental activities, which good governance in unicountable systems of are benevolent and ben- versities may be equated governance based on eficial for the people. It with QUALITY, which respect for human rights is unfortunate that the consists of seven letters and the rule of law are hopes, aspirations and and each letter has its own e x p e c - potentialities to lead the preconditions for Pranjal Bezborah t a t i o n s universities towards good Thus of stu- governance. sustainQUALITY may be abd e n t s able development of any breviated as: Q-quest of are not fulfilled to the organization or instituinnovation, U-upgradation extent expected. tion. Good governance has been defined as a The role of universities of curriculum, A- active high level of organiza- in this emerging sce- student support, L-leadertional effectiveness in nario of knowledge ship and governance, I-inrelation to policy-formu- economy is very crucial frastructure, T- teachinglation and the policies and multifaceted. They learning and evaluation actually pursued. It also have to keep learning and Y-yield for research, implies accountability, about creation of knowl- consultancy and evaluatransparency, participa- edge, its dissemination, tion. tion, openness and rule its application and proof law. In good gover- viding access to knowl- The universities should nance the administration edge technology. The work as provider of basic is moving from rule to agenda of the universi- needs, facilitator of assoresult-orientation, from ties in this scenario may ciation and promoter of system to enterprise, include opening new vis- participation. There obedience to reward, in- tas of learning, new fron- should be Public-Privateaction to action, central- tiers of researching, aca- People-Popular participaization to decentraliza- demic restructuring, tion and from duties of Good governance is supposed to administration to the exist if three objectives are rights of citizens. achieved. The first is there Good governance is supposed to exist if three should be quality of law and objectives are achieved. effective implementation of laws. The first is there should Secondly, there should be opporbe quality of law and eftunity for every individual to fective implementation of laws. Secondly, there realize his full human potential should be opportunity for and thirdly, there should be efevery individual to realfective productivity and no waste ize his full human potential and thirdly, there in every sector. Kautilya says in should be effective prohis Arthashastra, "In the happiductivity and no waste in ness of his subject lies the king's every sector. Kautilya says in his Arthashastra, happiness, in their welfare his "In the happiness of his welfare. He shall not consider as subject lies the king's good only that which pleases him happiness, in their welfare his welfare. He but treat as beneficial to him shall not consider as whatever pleases his subject." good only that which pleases him but treat as sharing of expertise, in- tion in the teaching, rebeneficial to him what- novation, technology search and extension i.e., ever pleases his sub- transfer, knowledge apart from public and priject." management, training, vate participation, there is employability, entrepre- need of awakening of There is a need for neurship, media conver- civil society at large. For change in the perception gence and meeting so- good governance in the and attitude of universi- cial, cultural and eco- universities, there should ties and higher education nomic challenges also be decentralization, institutions realizing that thrown by the forces of democratization, delegatheir field is wider, task globalization. tion and de-bureaucratizais greater and goal is tion. higher in national devel- Indeed, good goveropment. Universities are nance in universities is to The process of revision not merely places of make quality the defin- and redesign of curricula conferring degrees and ing element of higher should be based on recent distinctions. They, be- education through a trends and developments, sides being places of combination of self and the feedback from all the learning, are also centers external quality evalua- stakeholders and catering of service, and whole- tion, promotion and sus- to the needs of the socisome development of tenance initiatives. Good ety, economy and envihuman personality; of governance lays focus ronment. While redesignmen and women, turning on the institutional de- ing any curriculum local-
1. Good companies will meet needs; great companies will create market. Philip Kotler 2. Failing organizations are usually overmanaged and underled. Warren G.Bennis Good management is what creates results. Anonymous
4. Choose a job you love, and you will have to never work a day in your life. Conficius
global relation should be the hallmark of the process and any course of study should b as per the global requirement with local resources. Universities should provide necessary assistance to students, to acquire meaningful experiences for learning at the campus and to facilitate their holistic progression. The university should ensure clear information to students about admission, completion requirements for all programmes, the fee structure and refund policies, financial aids and support services. Facilitating mechanisms like guidance cell, placement cell, grievance redressal cell and welfare measures to support students should be there. As we know the most fertile land on this earth is the human mind, so the governance and leadership of any university should be based on "bottom up" approach instead of "top down" approach. The functions of the university and its academic and administrative units should be governed by the principles of participation and transparency. The university should be affective in resource mobilization and planning development strategies. Auditing proce-
dures and the follow up actions should be systematized and university should have sustainable practices for governance and leadership leading to good governance. Infrastructure relates to adequacy and optimum utilization of the facilities available in the university to maintain the quality of academic and other pursuits. The universities should have adequate physical facilities for the conduct of the educational programmes efficiently. The growth of the infrastructure should be in pace with the academic growth of the university. The university should have effective mechanism for maintenance and optimal use of infrastructure. The university should have adequate library, computer facilities and other learning resources, with easy access to all its stakeholders. Good Governance through teaching-learning process includes learner-centered education through appropriate methodologies to facilitate effective learning outcome. Effective teaching-learning technique serves the students of different backgrounds and abilities. For effective teachinglearning strategies, there should be approach of
'Right Man for the Right Job' and teacher-student ratio should be as per the 'span of attention'. Research, consultancy and extension work as a bridge between the university and the community at large. It deals with the facilities provided and efforts made by the universities to promote a 'research culture'. The universities should have the responsibility to enable faculty to undertake research projects useful to the society. The process of promoting research culture among faculty and students is ensured by facilitating participation in research and related activities, providing resources and other facilities. The university should promote faculty participation in consultancy work and the university should be responsible to community needs and should conduct relevant extension programmes. To conclude, the universities and the higher educational institutions should be linked with various components of QUALITY in order to improve institutional performance and develop organizational cultures that foster good governance. Pranjal Bezborah is a Professor in the Department Of Commerce, Dibrugarh University. Email id: pranjalbezborah@yahoo.com
A Gloomy Scenario
QUOTES
3.
Image for representational purpose only. Source: pittsburghartscouncil
Image for representational purpose only. Source: livemint
Sir, A report published in a section of the press suggests that in respect of number of cases pending in the court, Assam's position is second in the nation. As per national crime record bureau, in 2013, 58.8% cases were pending in different courts of Assam. The report further suggests that the graph of crimes against women in Assam is alarmingly on the rise and tops among all the states of the northeast. It transpires from the report that in 2014, there were 19,139 criminal cases committed against the women. Our 'Home' ministry owes an explanation to the people for its inertia. Home minister is leaving no stone unturned to confirm his 'seat' for the fourth time in a row. In health sector, too, the scenario is quite gloomy. It is reported that in the mortality rate of infants, Assam occupies a distinctive position in the country. Health ministry is busy raining sops in different constituencies. Recently the minister declared that more than 800 corer rupees are earmarked for the proposed medical college in Nogaon, when the existing medical colleges in Assam are not well-equipped, reports are rife about shortage of doctors, nurses and other members of staff, one must welcome setting up of yet another medical col-
lege, but the existing colleges must not be ill equipped. As assembly election is nearing, the ministers holding different portfolios become restless, lest they should lose their lucrative portfolios, as all these ministers remain with avidity to make hay while the sum shines, come what may.
Yours etc. Ashok Bordoloi. Dibrugarh
Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing. Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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New strategies towards education-2016 An interview with Dr. Tilak Chandra Saikia, MA, Phd, AES, Inspector of Schools, Dibrugarh What is the present educational scenario in the high as well as higher secondary schools of your district? TCS: The educational scenario in the context of secondary education is better than before. We have around 147 secondary schools in the district. Altogether we provide education to around 147 schools in the district. My personal endeavour is always to provide quality secondary education to the students. The present scenario in the context of infrastructure is definitely better than before but still we are to go miles ahead. Do you have any new resolution with regard to the educational development in your district? TCS: Well, the new resolution is that in 2016, I along with all the teachers of 147 schools must ensure that every student in the school is able to receive quality secondary education and for that our academic council is carrying forward. My heartiest
wish is that everyone in the school is learning to create a learned society believing that every student is learning to create quality educational atmosphere. Would you like to throw some light on the slow learners programmme initiate by you a year back? Is that programme going to be continued in the present year? TCS: The enhancement of writing skills will be continued this year too as I am told by many of the heads of the institutions that writing enhancement mission is creating an enthusiastic environment not only among the students but also among the teachers to meet the growing demands for attaining quality education. Normally, the situation was that during 2015 more than 8000 students were identified by different schools as slow learners and I am very happy to say that more than 7000 students were benefitted. This is indeed a good
achievement which helped our teachers to be directed for a goal to achieve in the classroom transactions. What measure can be taken to bring about a qualitative change in the academic performance of the government as well as provincialised schools? TCS: Teacher straining programme which has been initiated by the government will play an active role in the development of education. Students absent from class is a major blockade on the process acceleration of attaining quality education. This blockade is seen generally in the tea garden surroundings areas and we must pay adequate attention to this factor. Teachers also need to be motivated to create learning schools-where everyone will be learning. Personally I feel that motivational camps for teacher is of paramount importance. Being the inspector of schools what kind of work culture have you noticed in the govern-
ment and provincialised schools of your district?
in Government run or provincialized schools?
TCS: The environment nowadays is very positive
TCS: Teachers themselves are the changing agents.
“Teachers themselves are the changing agents. Without them development of quality education is not possible. Therefore, teachers must be motivated to work for the betterment of quality education in the schools. Teachers should start thinking globally.� but we should not be complacent. With the introduction of the educational programme "DRISTI" we are sending assistant resource persons to all the schools in the district with a view to develop the work culture as well as smooth functioning of the school both academically and financially. Would you like to bring about a change in the role played by teachers
Without them development of quality education is not possible. Therefore, teachers must be motivated to work for the betterment of quality education in the schools. Teachers should start thinking globally. How would you like to contribute in making your district lead in the field of education? TCS: My personal ambi-
tion is that with the help of academic council and their constructive support our schools should transform themselves into learning schools where everyone will be learning and performing. By way of initiating writing enhancement mission I have already started contributing although in a small way. Further I would like to contribute by organising intellectual discussions on poetry relevant to school curriculum. However, another small contribution I have made is towards the development of competitions spirit among the students and creating awareness towards great legends of Assam. With regard to that recently an essay competition was organised on the life and work of Dr.Bhupen Hazarika and Mahapurush Sankardeva among all the students studying in 147 schools of the districts. Do you have any suggestions towards the head of the institutions
in your district? TCS: I firmly believe that all the head of the institutions should be constructively co-operative and they must believe that they are destined to lead the institution to develop their schools as a learning school where everyone will be learning and create innovative things but it is noteworthy that the head must himself be creative. Do you think that the present young generation can be torch-bearers in near future? Do you have any suggestions for them? TCS: The present generation must be torch-bearers to light up our society but merely being a young man in the present society will not be sufficient. Every student must be able to ignite themselves create new ideas in our society. They must develop to fit to the changing globe. According to you how can the students of present generation build up a moral character?
TCS: Without moral character of the people the destruction of the world is certain. The present generation must cultivate a sound moral character and must be able to see that a humanistic society is our goal and realise that a mere materialistic society will reach nowhere. Therefore, every youngster must be morally equippedthe reservoir of religious, wisdom is the reservoir of morality. At last, would you like to throw some light on the use of mother tongue? TCS: It is easy to learn things through our mother tongue. Everything we learn through borrowed second language will be half-baked. Therefore, our mother tongue should be strengthened in our school. At the same time the students should also take interest in learning English which happens to be the international link language. Collected by Beauty Lekharu Saikia
When will we stop blaming depression for student suicides and address the real problem?
How applying for a passport turned into a 7 month long nightmare for me
"Did clinical depression kill Rohith Vemula or did a cultural cartel? There are reasons why 'both' does not make for a robust answer," writes Manu Joseph in a recent article in Hindustan Times. According to him, it can't be both and he argues that those who insist Natasha that he was pushed to suicide by the blatant and sickening caste discrimination in the University are denying him the right to his personhood, the right to be 'clinically depressed'. "Is a Dalit activist allowed to be 'clinically depressed'," he asks. The underlying assumptions of his argument are imagining one's inner and outer worlds as water tight compartments and seeing clinical depression as a disease stemming from somewhere within the so-called inner world of a person's mind. Is a 'clinically depressed' person allowed to be oppressed, one may ask Mr. Joseph. But he is not alone in his arguments and assumptions. The same logic was applied when 22year-old medical student Jaspreet Singh in AIIMS, who was routinely failed in exams by one professor, committed suicide in January 2008. College authorities tried to put his suicide down to depression despite Singh explicitly mentioning said professor's name in his suicide note. Manish Kumar Guddolian, a 20-year-old Dalit student at IIT Roorkee, jumped to his death from the fifth floor of his hostel in 2011. The police again put the cause of death down to depression, but his family members had another story to tell of the many months of bullying he faced in college from a group of students who tried to put him down by calling him names like 'chamar' and circulating a video of his photos to be laughed at. In all these cases, depression is cited as the 'cause' of suicide in order to absolve everything else and shift the blame on a person's individual psyche. The point is not to deny the existence of depression and its linkages to suicides (which cannot be captured by a simple cause and effect relationship), but rather to understand its very existence where it is not located only as an illness in someone's individual psyche and 'personal problems'. Though the equation of depression with a disease or an illness seems to give some relief to the people
Though I did not take in Bhubaneswar on 23rd birth in a 'well to do' fam- of January 2014. I ily and thus received little reached the passport ofwealth as my inherit- fice on time, produced all ance, what I did receive the required documents, during my upbringing is went through all the necsomething that very few essary procedures and fortunate 'new lives' get. was finally issued an Yes, I am talking about 'Acknowledgement Letvalues and ideals without ter'. This letter informed which, in my opinion, life me, "Application Status Granted" but is humdrum and futile. I that it was to have been Rohit Kumar subject "Police verifione of those fortunate beings to re- cation." This brings us to ceive principles in my the main part of my story. patrimony. I was brought The fact of my two adup in a family where dresses created a legal there was no culture of necessity for double pocorruption and my father lice verification, one by has always had a firm the concerned police stastand against it. It, how- tion at my temporary ever, has been the rea- residence and one by the son of endless turbulence concerned police station in my life and applying at my permanent resifor a passport is one of dence. The passport ofthem.That is the story fice, Bhubaneswar, which I am going to transferred my passport application for police share with you. verification to both jurisBeing deeply familiar dictions and consewith the corroded system quently the story of my and its functioning, I was real struggle in getting a quite certain that getting passport issued began. my passport without bribing police officials One evening, a few days during the physical veri- after the passport office fication process would transferred my applicanot be child's play. But, I tion to both the police stawas determined not to tions, I received a phone buckle under their illegal call from the Bihta Podemands. My numerous lice Station. I was in experiences of dealing Bhubaneswar at that with the corrupt system time and my internal exhad prepared me for the aminations were going huge delay I would have on. The person who was to face in getting a pass- on the other side of the port issued if I were to line instructed me to be receive it without bribes. physically present in the I decided to apply for it Police Station next mornlong before I actually re- ing as if I possessed some magical powers to quired it. disappear from Though I hail from a Bhubaneswar and apsmall village under the ju- pear in Bihta Police Starisdiction of the Bihta tion the next moment. I Police Station in Patna politely conveyed to the District of Bihar, when I official that it would not applied for the passport be possible for me to I was staying in the reach Bihta from 'temple city' in Odisha Bhubaneswar at such where I study Law from short notice and pleaded School of Law, KIIT with him to extend the University in date but he refused to Bhubaneswar. I applied entertain my request online for a passport in claiming that the next Bhubaneswar itself by day would be the last for paying the requisite fee sending the report to the of Rs.1500/- on 4th of passport office. He said December 2013. I was that if I didn't turn up, an allotted a slot at the "Absent Report" shall be 'Passport Seva Kendra' sent. I was flabber-
going through it as they can be relieved of the burden and stigma of being 'weakwilled' or 'not being strong enough' to be suffering and disintegrating thus. But ultimately it locates the problem within the person which one gets one fine day and which can be diagNarwal nosed and 'treated' and then one can be successfully reintegrated into 'normal' society. Depression does not emerge in a vacuum but from the very pressures and travails of the 'normal' society with its codes of normative behaviours and expectations and life conditions. Higher education institutions today have become hubs of depression and suicides are only a very small
People attempting or committing suicides are often mental patients. Source: previews.123rf and extreme manifestation of it. Though there aren't any statistics available for Indian Universities yet, during the journey to an M.phil degree, what I have seen in my time at university is an epidemic of students struggling with what are called 'mental health' difficulties, every third person slyly looking for 'help' (counselling/medication) filled with guilt, shame and a sense of personal failure. To understand this epidemic of depression among students, we need to look at and question the conditions of education in our higher education institutions. The constant pressures of scoring well, meeting deadlines, increasing workload, ideas of excellence, competition, alienation, lack of space to share or even understand the stresses and despair generated from such pressures are making students walking bundles of nervous wreck ready to break down at any moment. Add to these the rising fee, cutting of scholarships, pressures of funding one's education (student loans), precarious
futures (all part of the neoliberal reorganisation of Universities) and you will get the recipe for a nervous breakdown. One can only imagine the emotional condition of students belonging to various marginalised and under-privileged backgrounds facing discrimination at so many levels in our Universities. Now, there will be people who would say that these are very mundane problems of life and one's got to deal with them. So thought the girl in my class who could not cope with the pressure of writing so many assignments, missed a few, started keeping ill most of the time, gradually stopped attending classes, had a nervous breakdown and left her education as the doctor deemed her 'unfit' for continuing. So thought a friend whose assignments were repeatedly given back to him because they were not within the prescribed word limits until he could not write any more, could not bear to go to classes out of shame, started failing exams, gave endless repeats and became suicidal. There will also be people who would say that if these conditions in the Universities are responsible for pushing people into depression then why do some people suffer from depression and others don't. Of course, depression is a very complex phenomenon and cannot be reduced to only a few causes. Its sources are multiple, layered, difficult to discern, but there are sources nonetheless located in our lives and its conditions. Succumbing to depression, or not, also depends on one's coping mechanisms but they are also not created in a vacuum and are products and markers of the kind of support system one has, the kind of life one has led which very much depend on the socio-cultural and economic condition of one's self and family. It is high time that we stopped locating depression in personal failures or alternatively pathologising and seeing it as disease to be cured in a person's psyche only. It is high time that we created space for even bringing out and discussing these emotions and traumas and understanding their linkages with conditions in higher education institutions (though of course, they are not confined to it). It is high time we saw Depression as a political story.
gasted. I couldn't believe how a state agency could be so slapdash in performing its duties. They informed me just few hours before the report was to be sent. For the obvious reason, I couldn't turn up and the police submitted an 'Absent Report' to the passport office, Bhubaneswar. Let me tell you about what happened on the other side. A month and a half since my application, the Bhubaneswar Police had not come for physical verification to my temporary address, nor had it informed me through any medium to appear at the concerned police station. This was particularly odd because, as per the 'Odisha Right to Public Services Act 2012', police verification in passport matters is to be completed within a maximum period of 30 days. Finally, I went to the concerned police station in Bhubaneswar to find out the status of my application but in a bizarre response the officials told me that no such application had come to them for verification. I wrote a letter to regional passport officer, Bhubaneswar, dated 18th of March 2014 requesting her to direct Bhubaneswar Police to complete the verification process in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations and to direct Bihta Police to initiate a re-verification process. Almost a month passed but I received no response from the regional passport officer. As a last resort, I filed an RTI (Right To Information) application dated 24th of April, 2014, seeking a detailed 'Action taken report'. This trenchant tool immediately set the stagnant system into motion and I got a reply from CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) dated 7th of May, 2014 that an 'Absent Report' had been
received from the Patna police but no report had been received from Bhubaneswar police by then. The reply said that a reminder had been issued to the Bhubaneswar Police and that the passport would be issued on the receipt of a 'clear' police report from DCP Bhubaneswar and SP Special Branch, Bhubaneswar. It meant that there was no necessity for re-verification by Bihta Police. However, the problem did not end there. A few days after I received the RTI response through which the passport officer claimed to issue a reminder to Bhubaneswar Police, I went to the concerned police station in Bhubaneswar even though I hadn't received any communication from them. They told me that no such reminder had reached them. I came back despondently. Then, I started paying frequent visits to the police station but failed to get any useful information. At this stage, I decided to file a second RTI but kept visiting police station regardless. After a month of incessant visits to the station, I finally received good news one day. Perhaps it was because of my RTI application. The lady in the police station who was in charge of dealing with passport matters told me that my passport application had been with them for the last 4 months. When I enquired why the same was not duly processed, she shot back, "there are so many applications being transferred by the passport office on a regular basis and it is not possible for us to deal with each of them in a definite time frame. Your application was there in a bundle of documents, so it took time for me to locate it." Realising that any counter comment by me might simply make things worse, I politely
requested her to complete the process now and to send a report to the passport office as soon as possible. Upon this request of mine, she replied, "there are so many passport applications already pending before us, and if you want your application to be processed expeditiously then you will have to pay Rs.1000/- to me." When I responded that this was illegal she said, "then you wait for your application to be processed through the legal procedure." She rejected any further requests outright. Then I decided to complain to higher police officials and contacted the DCP over the telephone telling him the full story. He patiently listened to me and asked me to visit the police station next day. I reached the concerned police station the next day. The lady I had interacted with earlier was sitting there and started staring at me with angry eyes. However, she reluctantly completed all the necessary procedures. I returned from the police station feeling like I had conquered an invincible enemy. My passport was subsequently issued on 2nd of September 2014, more than 7 months after I had applied for it. During this entire period of fighting the system, what kept me inspired and motivated were the values and principles which I had received in my patrimony and an inspiring quote by Swami Vivekananda that, "Those who grumble at the little thing that has fallen to their lot to do will grumble at everything. Always grumbling they will lead a miserable life but those who do their duty putting their shoulder to the wheel will see the light and higher and higher duties will fall to their share."
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
BUSINESS
Action in Tata Steel, SAIL stocks might be revived by anti-dumping decision Mumbai, Feb 9: Shares of steel companies such as Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and others are expected to bounce back after the government set a minimum import price for steel products to check dumping from countries such as China and South Korea. The BSE Metal Index had surged 3.5% on Friday, ahead of government announcement as traders bet aggressively on steel stocks, anticipating a revival of sorts. Jindal Steel & Power jumped 10.5% to Rs 63.45 on BSE, while SAIL climbed 6.1% to Rs 40.85, and JSW Steel advanced 2.86% to Rs 1,039. Tata Steel reversed
early losses to end 3.5% higher at Rs 234. "The implementation of the minimum import price will definitely revive sentiments in the steel sector," said Tirthankar Patnaik, chief strategist and head of research-India at Mizuho Bank. "We expect domestic demand to remain higher than global demand, but it's still early days to expect a major turnaround in the sector." The duty on various steel products ranges between $341 per tonne and $752 a tonne, the government said in a statement and the floor price on steel imports will be valid for six months. Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel & Power have been
urging the government for quite some time now to take stringent measures to protect their margins, after an increase in import duty last year failed to cut shipments from China. "Investors who believe in contra strategy should buy metal stocks with a long-term view," said Kunj Bansal, CIO, Centrum Wealth Management. "We would like to recommend names like Tata Steel and Hindalco for long term as the sector is almost bottoming out." These measures will provide a level playing field for Indian steel companies, which have been adversely affected by dumped imports
A REVIVED DECISION Shares of steel companies such as Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and others are expected to bounce back after the government set a minimum import price for steel products to check dumping from countries such as China and South Korea.
Jindal Steel & Power jumped 10.5% to Rs 63.45 on BSE, while SAIL climbed 6.1% to Rs 40.85, and JSW Steel advanced 2.86% to Rs 1,039. The duty on various steel products ranges between $341 per tonne and $752 a tonne, the government said in a statement and the floor price on steel imports will be valid for six months.
Tata Steel reported a net loss of Rs 2,127 crore for the December quarter. Tata Steel Steel declined 38%, SAIL tumbled about 45%, Jindal Steel & Power lost 56%, and all these companies have underperformed the ET Metal Index that has dropped over 25% in the same period.
from various countries, said analysts. Profitability has been impacted due to the onslaught of cheap imports from China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. Reflecting the mood,
Tata Steel reported a net loss of Rs 2,127 crore for the December quarter. Steel stocks have been languishing for the past year. Tata Steel Steel declined 38%, SAIL
tumbled about 45%, Jindal Steel & Power lost 56%, and all these companies have underperformed the ET Metal Index that has dropped over 25% in the same period. (Agencies)
Gold prices up RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, bankers busy in big liquidity debate by Rs 171
Image for representational purpose only. Source: classfmonline Chennai, Feb 9: Gold prices were up by Rs 171 to trade at Rs 27,695 per 10 gram in futures trade on Monday as speculators covered-up positions even as the metal weakened overseas. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in February month rose by Rs 171 or 0.62 per cent to Rs 27,695 per ten grams in business turnover of 231 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in far-month June contract traded higher by Rs 147 or 0.53 per cent to Rs 27,887 per ten grams in 4
lots. Analysts attributed the rise in gold prices to covering-up of positions by speculators. They said, however, a weak global trend where gold fell from the highest level since October after the US jobless rate slid to a 2008 low and hourly earnings rose more than estimated, bolstering the case for the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy, capped the gains. Globally, gold lost 0.8 per cent to USD 1,164.50 an ounce in Singapore. (Agencies)
New Delhi, Feb 9: Why is liquidity so uncomfortably tight? That seeming lack of enough cash in the banking system is what Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan and his colleagues discussed with bankers on Tuesday, said three people with knowledge of the plan. While no one's talking about a liquidity 'crunch' just yet, finding a way of resolving this squeeze is a key element of policy transmission ensuring that the cumulative 125 basis point reduction of 2015 is reflected in yields, which remain stubbornly where they were a year ago. One basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point. The central bank has been maintaining "sufficient" cash in the system and repeatedly pledged to do so, ensuring that overnight call
money rates are in alignment with the policy rate, which is 6.75%. The meeting will examine why yields on other securities are out of sync with the repo or policy rate, said those cited above on condition of anonymity. "There is an issue if even the most liquid of the bonds haven't managed to reflect the rate cuts,'' said
Pune, Feb 9: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) a new open source platform for mobile-to-mobile fund transfers without account details - will bring about a disruption, Nandan Nilekani, former chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), said. The launch of the platform will facilitate transactions between mobile apps of different banks by bringing about interoperability. "Currently, mobile wallets are not interoperable. You cannot make payments from one to another. Increasingly with UPI coming in and wallet companies becoming payments banks, their coming on to the UPI platform will make them interoperable," said Nilekani. The co-founder of Infosys and adviser to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on the UPI was speaking in a video discussion, which was part of the SISA summit - a seminar on payments security. Work on the UPI platform started last year and it is
expected to be launched in a couple of months. In the second phase, UPI will plug into UIDAI for biometric identification. According to Nilekani, while NPCI's IMPS (immediate payment system) - a mode for instant online fund transfers - has captured 30% market share, it is largely used for transferring money. The UPI will enable merchants to send debit requests to account holders, which is the equivalent of swiping a card but without having a physical card or even the customer's account details. The customer will have to authenticate the debit using his PIN, which would result in a funds transfer. UPI is expected to be a game changer because unlike other competing platforms, it is promoted by NPCI which is owned by banks and operates as a cooperative. NPCI is making UPI open source, so that it is available to all banks. What this means is that while banks will design their own apps, these can communi-
Raghuram Rajan, Governor of RBI. Source: dnaindia a banker who did not want to be identified."If one looks at the rates on commercial paper, or other bonds, one wonders whether we have moved to an interest rate 'up-cycle' in recent months.'' Commercial paper is at 9%, while threemonth treasury bill yields are nearly 50 basis points higher than the 6.75%
repo rate, at which the central bank lends to banks. Yields on the benchmark, 10-year, government bonds are higher than what they were a year ago. On 30-year government bonds, these are 60 basis points higher than last year, indicating that policy rate cuts have not impacted even longterm rates. RBI has expressed its displeasure several times over banks not passing on interest rate cuts to borrowers. Banks counter that by saying liquidity has been inadequate, forcing them to borrow an average of more than Rs 1.3 lakh crore from RBI to conduct day-to-day operations. To this, RBI has said that banks should manage their positions better and the central bank's job is to ensure overnight rates are close to the policy rate. (Agencies)
P&G profit surges to 7% New mobile payment platform to link banking apps by NPCI
Mumbai, Feb 9: Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care (P&G) surged 7% to Rs 5,890 on the BSE after the company posted a strong 62% year on year (YoY) jump in net profit to Rs 148 crore for the second quarter ended December 31, 2015. The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company had profit of Rs 91 crore in the same quarter last financial year. Net sales during the quarter under review increased 10.7% at Rs 713 crore as against Rs 644 crore in the year-ago period. The company said both the feminine care and healthcare business continued to deliver
strong double digit sales growth in the competitive market environment behind superior value propositions and strength of product portfolio. The company continues to focus on productivity and cost efficiency, it added. Total expenditure of the company during the quarter under review declined 3.7% YoY at Rs 512 crore due to lower raw material cost, which fallen 13.6% at Rs 140 crore over the previous year quarter. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) margin improved to 30.3% in Q2against 16.17% in Q1 and 19.9 in the year ago quarter. (Agencies)
INCREASING PROFIT Ø P&G surged 7% to Rs 5,890 on the BSE after the company posted a strong 62% year on year (YoY) jump in net profit to Rs 148 crore for the second quarter ended December 31, 2015. Ø The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company had profit of Rs 91 crore in the same quarter last financial year. Ø Net sales during the quarter under review increased 10.7% at Rs 713 crore as against Rs 644 crore in the year-ago period.
$8M raised by FirstCry's logistics arm from SAIF, Vertex Bangalore, Feb 9: E-commerce logistics firm Xpressbees has raised around $8 million or about Rs 54 crore from early-stage investor SAIF Partners and Vertex Ventures, the venture arm of Singapore government's investment fund Temasek, said a source familiar with the development. Xpressbees, is the logistics arm of the Ratan Tata backed startup FirstCry-an e-commerce portal for baby and maternity products. Both Vertex Ventures and SAIF Partners are investors in FirstCry as well. "Logistics is still a problem that most e-commerce players are struggling with and everyone is trying to build their own fleet. Xpressbees which started as a logistics support provider for FirstCry is now cashing in
on the growing investor interest around this space. It has other e-commerce players as its partners including Snapdeal," said a person directly aware of the development. Most of the leading ecommerce companies including Flipkart, Myntra and Amazon have their own lastmile logistics support to feed the growing demand of online shopping. Snapdeal picked up a minority majority stake in GoJavas last year. "Given India's complex geographical infrastructure logistics firms will always be in focus because e-commerce companies are continuing to grow their business multiple times. To tap into that need, players like Xpressbees have got a good opportunity," said an e commerce analyst tracking the sector closely. As per a re-
port by Goldman Sachs India's online retail market is expected to swell into $36 billion during 2016-17, up from $11 billion in 2014-15. While companies like Xpressbees are getting on board third party e-commerce companies, online retailers like Flipkart are also adding more muscle to their in-house logistics services. According to reports, Flipkart has invested Rs 666 crore into its logistic arm Ekart with plans to open it up for rival e-commerce companies as well. Xpressbees' parent FirstCry raised $69 million in capital so far from investors including IDG Ventures India, SAIF Partners, Vertex Ventures, Valiant Capital and NEA. Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, invested in First Cry late last month. (Agencies)
Nandan Nilekani, former chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Source: indianbillgates
cate with the apps of other banks. According to security experts, UPI will change the dimensions of security. "In the card environment, there were only four players - the consumer, the merchant and the two banks. Here the number goes up manifold. Unlike the point of sales terminal, which is a dedicated device, the consumer could be asked the PIN when he is surfing a website. The threat landscape therefore becomes magnified," said Dharshan Shantamurthy, founder and CEO of SISA - payment se-
curity specialists. "The way you think about security in the open internet world is different from the way in which you view security in the card world," said Nilekani. He said that UPI would bring the concept of virtual payment address. While in the card payment world the merchant stores card details, which raises the risk of a breach, in UPI the payment is based on tokens without the merchant receiving any credentials like account number. (Agencies)
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Times Auto Awards celebrate the best
Images for representational purpose only. Source: indiatimes Mumbai, Feb 9: The star power from the automotive industry made the Times Auto Awards 2015 in partnership with ZigWheels a great success. With the kind of growth shown by the Indian automotive industry, the country is gradually becoming a global hub for all things automotive. 2015 was a classic example, with cars like Mercedes-AMG GT S, BMW i8 being brought to the Indian shores, and more importantly, products like the Renault Kwid being developed in India. The story is pretty similar when it comes to twowheelers as well. Bike makers like Triumph, Benelli and Ducati coming to India is testimony of the country's potential. As the industry steps forward, some top-end cars and motorcycles have made
their Indian debuts. In the eighth year since its inception, the Times Auto Awards 2015 in partnership with ZigWheels celebrates that excellence. In the course of these years, the awards have become one of the most coveted recognitions in the Indian automotive sector. To maintain high standards and transparency, a panel of eminent jury members put each of the nominated cars and bikes through an exhaustive testing process to choose the best. The Jury Round was held at the Madras Motor Race Track in Sriperumbudur, Chennai. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Greater Noida played host to the who's who of the Indian automotive world on February 4 for the Times Auto Awards 2015 in partnership with ZigWheels. (Agencies)
Investment in B2B marketplace Moglix by Tata Jamshedpur, Feb 9: Leading industrialist Ratan Tata has invested in Moglix, an e-commerce company specialising in B2B procurement of industrial products, continuing his slew of investments in startups across the world. This is Mr. Tata's sixth investment this year after investing in five companies - DogSpot.in, Tracxn, CashKaro, FirstCry and Teabox in January. Mr. Tata has invested an undisclosed amount in the company and with his expertise and keen interest in the sector, he will play an important role in mentoring Moglix on business growth, global expansion and leadership, Moglix said in a statement. Founded in August 2015 by former Googler Rahul Garg, Moglix is focused on technologically disrupting the B2B Industrial products space for suppliers and buyers across the globe. It specialises in B2B procurement of industrial products such as MRO, fasteners and industrial electricals. It is partnering manufacturers and distributors across these categories in India, China and other Asian countries. Tata Trust Chairman and Senior Advisor to IDG Ventures India, Tata has made personal investments in startups, ranging from e-commerce firms to cab aggregators. The top
industrialist is an investor in firms like Snapdeal, Kaaryah, Urban Ladder, Bluestone, CarDekho, Sabse Technologies, China's Xiaomi, Ola and DogSpot.in. Moglix recently raised pre-Series A funding from Accel Partners and Jungle Ventures and the funds are being used to enhance the technology platform, build a deep supplier base as well as increase marketing spends across Asia. "We are extremely pleased to have an icon of Indian manufacturing as our advisor. Mr. Tata's contribution to the manufacturing sector has been inspirational and we look forward to his guidance as we steer the company towards transforming the buying and selling process for manufacturers in the country," Mr. Garg, CEO and founder of Moglix, said. He added that globally, top manufacturers have evolved towards adoption of technology for procurement and sales but Indian manufacturers have been slow to adopt technology, leading to process inefficiencies and limited marketing exposure. "Moglix strongly believes that the unorganised supply chain in India can only be solved with a technology-first mindset," he said.(Agencies)
40% aimed in DLF by GIC, Blackstone Hyderabad, Feb 9: Blackstone, GIC, Canada Pension Plan and Qatar Investment Authority are among the 25 global investment firms that have shown interest in buying DLF promoters' stake in its rental arm, a deal estimated at about $2 billion. DLF, the country's largest realty firm, had in October last announced that its promoters will sell their 40% stake in the DLF Cyber City Developers (DCCDL). DLF owns the remaining 60% stake in DCCDL, which holds its bulk of office and retail complexes. The
DLF's senior executive director (finance), Saurav Chawla.Source: d1s8mqgwixvb29
promoters will re-invest a significant part of the amount realized from the sale into DLF. GIC recently invested nearly Rs 2,000 crore in DLF's two upcoming projects in the national capital. In 2011,
DLF had sold its stake in IT SEZ at Pune to Blackstone. "We expect to sign term sheet by end of March or mid-April," DLF's senior executive director (finance) Saurav Chawla had said last week. DLF is targeting to complete this deal by July. Market sources had earlier said that the deal size could be about Rs 12,00014,000 crore. DLF has a net debt of about Rs 21,400 crore at present. DCCDL's debt is expected to be around Rs 12,000 crore by end of March. (Agencies)
A SHOT IN THE ARM ¨ Blackstone, GIC, Canada Pension Plan and Qatar Investment Authority are among the 25 global investment firms that have shown interest in buying DLF promoters' stake in its rental arm, a deal estimated at about $2 billion. ¨ DLF, the country's largest realty firm, had in October last announced that its promoters will sell their 40% stake in the DLF Cyber City Developers (DCCDL). ¨ DLF owns the remaining 60% stake in DCCDL, which holds its bulk of office and retail complexes. ¨ GIC recently invested nearly Rs 2,000 crore in DLF's two upcoming projects in the national capital.
Features
DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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SERICULTURE Revival of the lost fabric Re Chokodo of the Tiwas Re Chokodo- revival of name is Umesh. As I enthe lost fabric tered the compound Amkhalam is a small bounded by beautiful hamlet nestled in the hills bamboo poles and guided of the scintillating Karbi by the light of full moon, Anglong district of 'Baidew' gracefully welAssam. Situated in the comed me with warm Umswai area which falls hands. 'Baidew' in under the Baithalangso Assamese means Elder police station, Amkhalam Sister. This is the name is about 32 odd km from that Lashti Mithi became t h e synNH-37 Prabir Kumar Talukdar o n y t h a t mous connects Guwahati and with the region. As the Nagaon. My journey to night progressed sans Amkhalam started from electricity whose abthe annual traditional sence haunts the growth Joonbeel Mela of Tiwa of the village, Baidew tribes near Jagiroad. It made me feel like home was the month of Janu- with her warm hospitalary and the sun had just ity. She lit a fire in the started its descent to- woods and as warmness wards home. I struck-off engulfed us in the room, a wonderful deal with discussion gradually some of the Tiwa men turned into stories. and boarded a mini truck Lashti Mithi is a weaver at the back. The commu- of Tiwa garments. Her nication that connects this journey into weaving part of Karbi Anglong to started young under the Guwahati is very poor. expert guidance of her My mission was to meet grandmother, mother, and a septuagenarian lady her elder sister, Rufati whose works on a rec- Mithi. She was 25 when reation of an already ex- she got married to Late tinct garment of Tiwa Biren Bordoloi. It is notehave earned her the dis- worthy to mention that tinction of National Tiwa is a matriarchy Award in Handloom in community. So, the newly 2013. Her name is Lashti wed couple stayed at the Mithi. bride's home. Baidew's After grueling 3 hours of parents were from spiraling around the hills, Tharakunji village in I reached Amkhalam vil- Karbi Anglong. That is lage. It was already dark. where she was born. Her One of the four children' Elder sister, Rufati Mithi of Lashti Mithi was ac- continues to stay over companying me. His there. Baidew and her
husband choose to start a new life of their own and shifted to their present location in Amkhalam. ''It was 1998 when he died and I was left with the job of growing up my four children'', Baidew said. Weaving is a part of her life but it doesn't guarantee a natural flow of income. So she started doing farming. Jhum cultivation is practiced by many tribes in the hilly regions of Karbi Anglong. Time passes by, now Baidew was joined by her children in doing daily chores. With weaving on their genes already, her two girls started learning to weave and soon was able to help Baidew. It was morning the day after and the sun was at its best. I saw Baidew working on her handloom humming this very beautiful lines: Ne Ma Mayali Khora Limati Sotonga Khamtine Nangil Tale Osong K h e l a l a n g a i Muikhurin Ne Nangil Tale Osong Laha Khojane Nangil Hal Gaido Laha Pari Huna Lina Naw.... This song roughly translates the life of a weaver who is saying ''I will make you a Takla (Tiwa garment) and help you design it. If you want the
red color, you have to accompany me to the field and clean it''. Tiwa has mainly four garments for the men namelyTagla (Jacket), Thana (wrapped around legs, below abdomen) and Muffler(wrapped around the head). For women, there are another three namelyKasong, Phaskai and Nara. But apart from all these, Baidew is credited with recreating an extinct garment of Tiwa community which was completely lost with time. It was ReChokodo. Saying about the garment, one of Assam's best-known photographer of ethnographic research, Mr. Samir Choudhury '' As I traveled and followed the Tiwa community from such a long time, I was avidly surprised to see how people have lost touch of their ancestry, their rich culture, and tradition. I met Baidew during Joonbeel Mela and that's where I asked her about this special cloth and where can I click it. She nodded with a no. It's extinct''. Re-Chokodo is a very special cloth worn by the Tiwa men as a wrapper during the festival of Yangli. It's made of Eri thread and consist of heavy design or 'Chaneki' in Tiwa language. Baidew was then entrusted by Samir
Choudhury to recreate this marvelous piece of garment. It took her almost 6 months to carefully remember the design and another 3 months to prepare the ReChokodo. ''It was hard for me as I couldn't find a single piece of Rechokodo to prepare a pattern. I saw it when I was young. It was all in the memory. I had to dig right into it'', said Baidew. Her perseverance and Samir's belief have finally paid off. Lashti Mithi was awarded National Merit Certificate in 2011 and finally the National Award in Handloom in 2013 after she sent a piece of ReChokodo to Ministry of Textiles. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi himself awarded Lashti Mithi at a glittering ceremony on 7th August 2015 in Chennai. A piece of Re-chokodo will cost you INR13,000. As I was sipping hot tea and clicking pictures, Baidew was showing me the extraction of different colors from different sources for the design and surprisingly, everything is organic. The black color is derived from the leaves of Nelli. Dark Orange is derived from the root of Hajo tree. Dark green is derived from the leaves of Urung plant.
A lady weaving Tiwa garments. Source: blog.coxandkings Olive green is from the 'Khilika'(Myrobalan) and yellow is derived from the Turmeric. For example, the coloring of the yellow thread is done by first grinding the Turmeric into a fine powder and then mixed with the threads poured with hot water. The thread is then let to dry off. In the second process, the bark of the local tree named Thembor is used. It will be grinded and mixed with the threads already lapped with turmeric and then hot water is poured. The process is continued for 4-5 times. Trust me, the color will never wear off. Cotton farming has literally died down in the hills as it requires huge farming place and time. Extracting Eri from the Samia Cynthia moth and
turning into fine threads also requires a huge amount of time before they are colored but its quality is second to none. In the time of globalization, gradually the emergence of 'Thai' threads have engulfed the weaver's market. These threads are already colored and weavers can directly put it into loom thereby cutting down cost and time. Weavers like Lashti Mithi don't want to use it for its inferior quality in comparison to Cotton or Eri but have no other options. As I was winding up my story and journey, Baidew handing over me a bag full of Myrobalan fruit and said ''I don't know if you will return again but I have plans to set up a handloom cen-
tre where girls can learn to weave. You will find it interesting. I don't want it to die. It's painful to see people neglecting their own culture. Help me to save it''. Her words were deep and sentimental. Her views echoed the pitiable conditions of the weavers devoid of support from our own Government and neglected by our own people. ( Prabir Kumar Talukdar is a freelance journalist. He travels around the country to capture stories. He is a recipient of 2015 Trust Women Photo Award by Thomson Reuters Foundation and Microsoft. He can be reached at prabir008@gmail.com.) Courtesy: Nezine
FLORICULTURE
HORTICULTURE
Crossandra Flower Farming
Black Cardamom to give economic boost to Sikkim Farmers
Introduction of Crossandra:- It is one of the famous and an important commercial flower crop cultivated throughout India. This flower also called as "Firecracker flower". This flower is also grown in other countries like tropical areas of Africa and Madagascar. This flower became popular in India due to its bright attractive colour and light weight. These flowers are used for women hair adornment and making garlands. Normally women mix these flowers with jasmine flowers and use them as hair adornment. Crossandra belongs to family of "Acanthaceae". Climate Required for Crossandra Flower Farming:- Crossandra cannot tolerate low temperatures and frost since it is a tropical plant. The required temperature for its optimal growth is about 28 째C to 35 째C. Soil Requirement in Crossandra Flower Farming:- Crossandra thrives best in well drained sandy loam and red soils with pH value of 6 to 8. Soils, rich in organic matter are best suited for its cultivation. It is good idea to perform the soil test for nematodes before plantation. Soils alkaline or saline in nature should be avoided. Land Preparation in Crossandra Flower
Farming:- Main field should be ploughed 3 to 4 times till the soil attains fine tilth stage and incorporate 30 tonnes farm yard manure in last plough. Planting Season in Crossandra Flower Farming:- Usually, seeds are sown in raised beds at 12 to 15 cm apart in lines. Irrigation should be carried regularly and the seedlings become ready for transplanting in the main field after 2 months. Propagation in Crossandra Flower Farming:- Propagation in Crossandra is done through the seeds and cuttings or seedlings. Seed rate required in this cultivation for optimum plantation is about 5 kg/ hectare. 2 months old seedlings should be ready for transplanting in the main field. Seedlings are raised in poly bags in the month of April to May and Aug to Sep. For Crossandra variety, rooted cuttings of 10 to 15 cm length should be used for planting. These cuttings would be ready for transplanting in the main field when their roots are developed properly. Approximately 42000 cuttings can be accommodated in one hectare land. Planting Method and Spacing in Crossandra Flower Farming:-
Beautiful Crossandra. Source: agrifarming Seedlings or rooted cuttings should be treated with fungicide before planting. Dip the seedling roots in Carbendazim (1 gram/liter of water) and should be planted on sides of ridges at spacing of 30 cm and keep the 60 cm distance between ridges. Make sure the planting is done in moist soil. To obtain higher yield of flowers, one should provide partial shade to the plants. Manures and Fertilizers in Crossandra Flower Farming:- First fertilizers application should be carried out after 7 to 8 weeks planting. Apply 20 to 30 tonnes of farm yard manure/ha. * Apply 50 kg of Urea/ ha *Apply 100 kg of super
phosphate/ha. *Apply 50 to 60 kg of Muriate of potash/ha. These fertilizers should be given twice at 6 months interval. Irrigation in Crossandra Flower Farming:- This plant requires frequent irrigations especially at the time of planting and flowering stage. In hot summer or long dry spell season, daily irrigation should be carried out for better flower yield. Weed Control in Crossandra Flower Farming:- 1 or 2 hand weeding are preferred and spraying of preemergence weedicide at 2.5 kg per hectare will control the weeds in Crossandra cultivation. Pests and Diseases in
Crossandra Farming:Following are the pests and diseases control measures Crossandra farming. Flowering and Harvesting in Crossandra Flower Farming:These plants start flowering after 2 to 3 months of planting. Fully opened Flower picking should be done on alternate days. Hand plucking can be done in morning or late evening hours. These plants continue to bear flowers throughout the year and production will be less in rainy seasons. Total crop duration of Crossandra is 3 years. Yield of Crossandra Flower:- An average yield of 2000 kg/hectare can be expected.
Sikkim's famed black cardamom has of late been giving its farmers a major economic boost. The price of the crop has soared more than six-fold in five years owing to intelligent intervention and grassroots efforts, according to officials. The tiny hill state, which grows 90 percent of India's black cardamom, commonly called 'badi elaichi', currently sells it at around Rs.1,600 a kg - as against Rs.250 a kg in 2010 - through auctions of the crop facilitated by the Spices Board every fortnight at the market hub of Singtam in east Sikkim. From November 2015, the Spices Board has been supplying the crop's growers information about the prevailing price in Sikkim, thus helping them avoid local middlemen who customarily pay them less. "To ensure fast spread of the price information among the farmers, we text them market price all weekdays over mobile phones which all of them have these days," said Spices Board chairman A. Jayathilak. "We have a database of over 500 growers of black cardamom across Sikkim, where it is called 'thulo elaichi'," he says, referring to the Digital India spirit of the mission. "Even as that number is increasing swiftly, we also put up the changing prices on our website. That is in English, but the SMSes are in Nepalese language as well."
Black Cardamom. Source: thespicehouse The price rise has had a cascading effect to the benefit of large-cardamom growers in other states in the northeast, besides Uttarakhand, said Jayathilak, who was here to attend the digital launch of the 'Sikkim Organic'. The board has also organised a buyer-seller meet (BSM) to facilitate selling of products by Sikkim's farmers directly to exporters. Over 40 spice farmers and 22 exporters and traders from across the country are taking part in the BSM which provides a platform for the spice growers of Sikkim to establish direct trade links with exporters and traders by avoiding middlemen. The major spices grown in Sikkim have been tested for intrinsic qualities and pesticide residue in the board's laboratory in Mumbai. The results confirm that spices grown in Sikkim are rich in intrinsic parameters and has vast export potential as
organic products, he said. The Spices Board-facilitated auctions at Singtam, 30 km south of Gangtok, have buyers converging from across Sikkim as well as cities outside the state such as Kolkata and Siliguri (West Bengal) and Guwahati (Assam) to even as far as Indore (Madhya Pradesh). The average quantity of black cardamom auctioned is 1.5 tonnes per auction which is conducted on a fortnightly basis. The auction generally results in sales of minimum 50 percent of the production in the state, said Chandra Shekhar Ghatani, assistant director for marketing at the Spices Board. The 1987-founded board, under the union commerce and industry ministry, next plans to facilitate e-auctions in Sikkim, says Jayathilak. "It should be on in six months or so." (Agencies)
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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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India colts steamroll Sri Lanka Shooters take aim at SAG tomorrow, gold rush expected to enter fifth World Cup final PTI Mirpur, Feb. 9: Threetime champions India continued their invincible run to enter the ICC Under-19 World Cup final for a fifth time with an emphatic 97run win over Sri Lanka in the semifinals here today. India did well to reach 267/ 9 after a shaky start before putting up an impressive efWinning moments fort with the ball to dismiss Sri Lanka for 170 in 42.4 Indians, put in to bat on an overs. overcast morning, were put The batting stars were under pressure right away Anmolpreet Singh (72 off with its formidable opening 92) and Sarfaraz Khan (59 pair of Rishabh Pant and off 71), who amassed his captain Ishan Kishan falling fourth cheaply fifty plus to leave Under-19 World Cup scores in their five innings player in the team at 27/2 in the 10th over. tournament. Batting was not easy but The three time champions Anmolpreet and the in form now await either West Sarfaraz steadied the ship Indies or hosts Bangladesh with a 96-run stand off 126 in the final to played on balls for the third wicket. February 14. While Anmolpreet's was a
Pak proposes to play World T20 at neutral venues amidst security concerns Karachi, Feb 9 : Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB ) chairman Shahryar Khan has said that they have given a proposal to play the upcoming World T20 at neutral venues as the country's participation to tour India is subject to government clearance. Shahryar revealed that they made the proposal during the recent ICC Board meeting in Dubai, saying that they were ready to play the matches at neutral venues in case the Pakistan Government did not give the permission to tour India due to security concerns, the Dawn reported. Shahryar said that there had been many incidents in the
recent times which suggested that there were indeed Pakistan-specific threats in India. The 81-year-old said that there were more chances of attacks on the cricketers than any other sportspersons, adding that he hopes the ICC would hold the matches in Sri Lanka or United Arab Emirates in case the government's decision is negative. Earlier, Australia also withdrew from the Junior World Cup in Bangladesh due to safety and security concerns. The T20 pinnacle event is slated to be held between March 11 to April 3 in India.
Ronaldo not planning to leave Real until 2018
gritty 92-ball knock, powerhitter Sarfaraz too played a measured innings considering the circumstances. The 18-year-old IPL recruit, who came into the match with scores of 76, 21*, 74, 74, still managed to pierce the field for six fours and a maximum. Anmolpreet, who struck half a dozen fours and a six during his stay at the crease, stitched another handy 70run partnership with Washington Sundar (43 off 45) after Sarfaraz's departure. India needed a move on in the last 10 overs and the late burst came courtesy Sundar and Armaan Jaffer, who smashed 29 off 16 balls before Mayank Dagar's 17-run cameo off 10 balls took his team to a competitive total in a crunch match. Defending the target, the Indian bowlers did not allow
the Lankan chase to take off. India missed quite a few chances on the field but the bowlers were still good enough to keep things tight for the opposition. After a batting cameo, Dagar did his bit with the ball as well, grabbing 3/21 in 5.4 overs of his left-arm spin. Pacer Avesh Khan, India's leading wicket-taker in the tournament, struck in the very first over, dismissing Avishka Fernando leg before wicket even though the ball appeared to be drifting down. Soon after, the run out of Kaveen Bandara made it 13 for 2 in the fourth over. The chase was not a huge one but Sri Lankan batsmen failed to rotate the strike and a regular loss of wickets meant the asking run rate kept going up.
AGENCIES Guwahati, Feb. 9: With as many as six Rio Olympics bound shooters in the fold, India are expected to clinch most of the gold medals on offer when the event kickstarts in the 12th South Asian Games here tomorrow. The 29-member Indian team, which features Olympic medallists Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar among others, is the most star-studded team in the Games and is expected to walk away with almost all the 13 gold medals at the Kahilipara Shooting Range. Apart from Narang, other Rio-bound shooters in the squad include Chain Singh, Prakash Nanjappa, Gurpreet Singh, Apurvi Chandela and Heena Sidhu. Gagan and Chain are participating in all three rifle events and both are expected to win most of the medals up for grabs. The quality of competition is also expected to play
ANI Johannesburg, Feb 9 : Portugal star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he will stay with his current club Real Madrid for at least another two years. Ronaldo, who joined Real in 2009, was continuously linked with a switch to either former club Manchester United or Paris SaintGermain. The 31-year-old striker said that he had a contract of two years with Real and would
take the decision, whether to continue or not with the club, after 2018. Ronaldo, who guided his side to Champion League glory in 2008, further said that he wanted to see all his teammates to stay at Real for several years, Sport24 reported. Earlier, Ronaldo lost his two year grip on the FIFA Ballon d'Or award after Barcelona rival Lionel Messi grabbed the prestigious award for the fifth time.
`Retired` Symonds mulls over T20 cricket return ANI Sydney, Feb 9 : Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who retired from international cricket in February 2012 citing family reasons, has been mulling to make a return to the T20 format of the game. Symonds is currently representing his side Capricorn Commanders in the Masters Champions League ( MCL) in Dubai, which is aimed at giving retired players a
chance to take the field again, ESPNcricinfo reported. Expressing his views on the same, the 40-year-old said that although it was challenging for him to play the sport at this age,he added that he was enjoying doing so. "I suppose I'm in a situation where I could go back, try and get really fit and engage again. Or just be happy doing what I'm doing. That's something I've got to work out in the next six months or so."
a part in India's expected dominance. The Indian shooters are way ahead of competition in South Asia and it would be nothing short of a shock if they flounder in what seems to be a stroll in the park awaiting them. Speaking of competition, Bangladesh had done well in the 2010 Games but they failed to build on that in the last six years and are not expected to give any stiff fight to the Indians.
Even in 2010, India dominated both the men's and women's events, bagging 19 out of 22 gold medals along with 8 silver medals. Bangladesh had won the remaining 3 gold medals with 6 silvers. It is unlikely to be any different this time as well despite the home side missing some big names. The prominent shooters missing from the Indian team are Abhinav Bindra, who has already started preparing for
India bags 12 gold as Warne, Fevola go wild on `I'm a Celebrity` weightlifting event ends
Sushila Panwar PTI Guwahati, Feb. 9: Indian lifters bagged one gold and a silver on the concluding day of weightlifting event in the 12th South Asian Games to end their campaign with 12 golds and one silver and sweep aside all their oppo-
nents here today. Out of the 15 events in the weightlifting competition, Indians won gold in 13 of them and a silver in another in an overwhelming display of domination. The Indian men weightlifters bagged six gold and one sil-
ver out of eight events while their women counterparts won six gold out of seven on offer. Sushila Panwar secured the lone gold medal for Indiatoday in women's +75 kg category as she lifted a total of 198kg. Ishani Annushka Kaluthanthri of Sri Lanka won the silver with a total effort of 173kg. Tara Devi Pun ofNepal took the bronze with a total lift of 165 kg. In men's +105 kg category, Gurdeep Singh finished in second place with a total lift of 345 kg. Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt of Pakistan won the gold with a total lift of 360 kg (160 + 200). Saman Gedara of Sri Lanka won the bronze with a total lift of 275 kg (120 + 150).
Van Gaal `deeply frustrated` post Man U's draw against Chelsea
Cristiano Ronaldo
Indian shooters
the Olympics with his training and competition stints in Europe, and Asian Games gold-medallist and World Championship silver- medallist Jitu Rai, who has also sought to preserve himself for the bigger challenges ahead. The team, however, does feature pistol ace Samaresh Jung along with his wife Anuja Jung. Many of the Indians in fray are fresh from a reasonably good performance in the Asian Olympics Qualification event in New Delhi last month and they would look to continue the impressive form here as well. Tomorrow, Om Prakash, Prakash Nanjappa and Omkar Singh will be seen in action in the men's 50m pistol event. In the women's 10m air rifle, Apurvi Chandela, Pooja Ghatkar and Elizabeth Susan Koshy, who narrowly missed a Rio Olympics berth in New Delhi last month, will be taking aim.
ANI Johannesburg, Feb 9: Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has admitted that he is deeply frustrated to see his side slip further by two points following their 1-1 draw against Chelsea in their Premier League clash at the Stamford Bridge. Considering his side as the better team than Chelsea, the Dutchman said that it was quite disappointing that United again failed to win despite having number of chances, Sport24 reported. The 64-year-old stressed that United played a superb game until the last quarter, but added that they failed to display their best attacking football against Chelsea.
ANI Melbourne, Feb 9: Things got heated up between Shane Warne and Brendan Fevola during a camp-fire tiff on a reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" During the episode, the Australian Rules Footballer suggested that someone other than designated cooks Jo Beth Taylor and Anthony Callea should take on cooking duties, however, Warne said rules do not allow this, News.com.au reports. Shortly after this, Fevola fired up, saying "Don't f*** tell me to zip it,'I'm not snapping." Hitting back at him, Shane said , "Don't snap' 'Mate, if you want to be picky every time someone holds the fry pan, then there's going to be
Van Gaal called on his side to remain composed while defending, insisting that there was a need to win the matches in order to keep their league title hopes alive.
United are currently fifth in standings and are trailing surprise leaders Leicester City by 12 points. They will next lock horns with Sunderland on Saturday.
issues.' 'I don't make the rules, Shane', Brendan griped. After the incident, Fevola was heard saying in the camp Tok Tokkie,, "I stood up for myself, It was just over rules. I was right and he was wrong." Others Laurina Fleure and Jo Beth Taylor went headto-head over the campsite
mirror, while Anthony Callea and Havana Brown previously locked horns over Anthony's rudeness toward Laurina. Eleven celebrities are staying in the South African jungle camp competing for the series title after ironwoman Courtney Hancock got eliminated in show first eviction.
Craig replaces injured Santner in Test squad against Oz ANI Wellington, Feb 9: New Zealand off-spinner Mark Craig has been named in the Test squad as a replacement for injured Mitchell Santner for the upcoming twomatch series against Australia.
Louis Van Gaal
Shane Warne
Santner experienced soreness in his right foot following the second ODI of the three-match series against Australia, which New Zealand went on to win by 2-1.
Reflecting on Santner's exclusion, coach Mike Hesson said it was quite unfortunate to lose a key player, adding that he hoped the former would recover ahead of the second Test. "It's unfortunate for Mitch, as he has been a key player for us so far this summer.The positive news is that we picked it up early and hopefully Mitch can make a quick recovery." Hesson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
New Zealand will play a two-match Test series against Australia in Wellington, starting from Friday. The New Zealand squad for the opening Test is as follows: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mark Craig , Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Kane Williamson.
Smith replaces Finch as Australia's skipper for World T20 ANI Johannesburg, Feb 9 : Australia have chosen one-day skipper Steve Smith over Aaron Finch to lead the upcoming World T20, which will be played in India next month.
2014. National selector Rod Marsh said that Finch had led the team extremely well in T20 cricket and would remain a highly-respected leader for the entire squad, Sport24 reported.
The 29-year-old Finch, who suffered a hamstring injury during the second game of the three-match series against India in Melbourne, took the job of captaincy in October
Marsh further defended their decision, saying it is right time for Smith to take over as Australian captain in all three forms of the game and insisted that it would offer the team with more continu-
lia have also brought in Peter Nevill to replace Matthew Wade as a wicketkeeper.
Steve Smith
ity in the long run. Jubilant with the announcement, Smith said
he is looking forward to the challenge ahead. Besides Smith, Austra-
Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, both yet to represent Australia in T20 cricket, have also been included in the squad and they would be complemented by parttime off-spinner Glenn Maxwell. Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Faulkner, who were suffering
from their respective injuries, have also been included in the 15-man squad after proving their fitness. Australian squad: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Shane Watson, Steve Smith (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Peter Nevill, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Nathan CoulterNile, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye.
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