16 july 2015, Thursday

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Vol. 1

Issue 44

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Dibrugarh, Thursday, July 16, 2015

Arunachal CM presents Rs. 12,533.62 crore budget estimation for 2015-16 MAJOR HEADS OF BUDGET ESTIMATE 2015-16

5.00

Pages- 12

Every Thursday & Sunday

Ulfa faces public wrath for killings in Tinsukia

The total amount of expenditure both in the plan and the non-plan stands at Rs. 12,563.21 Cr while the deficit stands at Rs. 29.59 Cr Govt. will spend Rs.74 Cr for the FY 2015-16 for encouragement of girl child education and other development of quality education.

For development of Sports, more than Rs. 11 Cr have been earmarked

Another Rs. 100 Cr has been earmarked for the total development in the education sector For industries, an amount of Rs. 10 Cr has been earmarked ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 15

A whooping budget estimation for the year 2015-16 presented by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki stood at Rs. 12,533.62 crore.

ET CAPSULES 1 dead in police lathi charge Tinsukia, Jul 15: One Dinabandhu Sarma, 50 yrs, succumbed to his injuries he received during a lathi charge by the police in upper Assam's Makum today. Sarma was taking part in a public protest in Makum this morning against the police inaction against ulfa.

(Correspondent)

M.J.Mahanta new Tsk SP Tinsukia, Jul 15: In a quick damage control exercise, the state government today transfered Arnab Deka, Superintendent of Police, Tinsukia to 4th Assam Police Battalion, Kahilipara, Guwahati. Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta, SP, Karbi Anglong, will be the new SP of Tinsukia. (Correspondent)

5 lakhs for the deceased Tinsukia, Jul 15: Puru Gupta, the DC of Tinsukia today announced that the state government will pay Rs. 5 lakhs each against the deceased of Philobari in Tinsukia district. Gupta also informed that the government will also bear all the medical expenses of the injured. (Correspondent)

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CM condoles death of 3 persons at Seppa landslide Itanagar, Jul 15: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has expressed shock and grief over the reported death of three persons of a family due to landslide at Seppa in East Kameng district.

He has directed the concerned department to release ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 4 lakhs each to the deceased as per relief norms for deaths caused due to natural calamities.

(Correspondent)

Rs. 5,980.06 to be spent under the non-plan category and another Rs. 6,583. 15 Cr to be spent under the plan category A tentative allocation of Rs. 1941.19 Cr is to be spent in the social sector Govt. has earmarked Rs. 15 Cr to enhance rubber cultivation and Rs. 5 Cr for tea cultivation

For health and family welfare, an amount of Rs. 13.58 Cr has been earmarked. Another Rs. 30 Cr has been allocated separately for effective implementation of the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS) For tourism development an amount of Rs. 8.5 Crore has been earmarked

This was the estimate fund which will be kept in two accounts, i.e, the Revenue Account and Capital Account.

The revenue account will hold Rs. 11,635.68 Cr and capital account will hold Rs.897.94 Cr.

From this total budget estimation, the State Govt. is going to spend an amount of Rs. 5,980.06 under the non-plan category for 2015-16 and another Rs. 6,583. 15 Cr will be spent under the plan category for the same financial year

This estimated fund to be kept in two accounts, i.e, the Revenue Account (Rs. 11,635.68 Cr) and Capital Account (Rs.897.94 Cr) 2015-16 respectively. The total amount of expenditure both in the plan and the non-plan stood at Rs. 12,563.21 Cr and the required amount of money to fill in the estimation bag is Rs. 29.59 Cr. Contd. on Page 3

People protest by burning tryes and blocking roads in Makum. Pic - Arjun Mishra Prasanta Saha Tinsukia, Jul 15

Slogans against the Ulfa (Ind) and its military chief self styled Major General Paresh Barua once again filled the skies and air in various places in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district, as people mostly belonging to the hindi speaking community lodged a strong protest against the killing of two persons in an attack carried by the cadres of the outfit last evening. Since early

Normalcy restored in Bordumsa following temporary agreement between tea growers and garden workers

morning people from various areas in Tinsukia district like Doomdooma, Kakopathar, Makum, Tinsukia etc assembled in good numbers and staged angry protests against the militant outfit. It might be mentioned that after a brief lull, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) struck once again at Bijuliban Philobari in Tinsukia district on Tuesday night killing 2 members of a family and injuring 3 others.

A joint team of police and army arrested an ulfa (Ind) cadre along with two hand grenades during an operation conducted at Balijan grant in Kanubari which is close to

Contd. on Page 4

Contd. on Page 4

Ulfa (Ind) cadre arrested from Sonari ET Correspondent Sonari, Jul 15

Kanu Khanikar and the grenades recovered from him.

Coal pilferage in Margherita due to lack of skilled security personnel

Incidence of violence reported at Wakhetna and Kherempani villages Bordumsa, Jul 15

Following a week-long continual standstill and 'no work' agitation in the tea gardens in Bordumsa circle marked by tussle between the owners' association and garden workers, temporary peace has been restored after both the parties reached an agreement here during a meeting organized at the Inspection Bungalow this morning.

The meeting organised to settle the dispute arising out of the demand for the hike in the labour wages was attended by both the parties in question and the dispute is being me-

diated by the administrative officials delegated by Solung Miji, the ADC Bordumsa.

After prolonged debate and discussion, a temporary settlement to this effect was reached after the Small Tea Growers' Association agreed to pay rupees 95 per day against 32 kg of plucking. The representatives of the Tea Tribes Association accepted on condition that the demanded wage should be implemented as per the norms of the minimum wages Act of the government of Arunachal Pradesh within a short span of time.

It may be added here that while the Narendra Modi led BJP government is all set to

extend cash and kind to all the deserving as per the proportion and laid down norms of the wages across industries, the tea garden conflict between the garden workers and the owners have been gaining significant momentum in the green tea states like Assam and Arunachal.

It may also be mentioned here that in the wake of continual agitations, dharnas, demonstrations and strikes by tea garden workers across the state of Assam for fulfillment their various demands including wages enhancement, the same is being reported from Bordumsa in Changlang Dis-

trict of Arunachal Pradesh which shares common physical boundaries with Tinsukia District of Assam where the garden workers had been on strike for nearly a week demanding implementation of the minimum wages act as per the laid down norms of Arunachal Government.

However, following futile meetings and earlier discussions between the parties seeking amicable resolution through the 12-member core committee thus formed, both the sections seemed adamant with regard to their decisions Contd. on Page 3

Amid tight security, UOAP activists march to Raj Bhavan, demand CM's resignation ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 15

The United Organization of Arunachal Pradesh (UOAP) activists marched to Raj Bhawan in Itanagar to submit a two-point memorandum to His Excellency, The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, JP Rajkhowa.

The memorandum includes demands for initiation of CBI enquiry into the whole gamut of alleged financial mismanagement by the incumbent state Government since 2011 and immediate resignation of the Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his Council of Ministers on moral grounds.

Contd. on Page 3

Dibrugarh University which has been offering undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in Engineering through its Institute of Engineering and Technology (DUIET) since 2009 entered into a Memorandum of

North Eastern Coal Fields, Coal India Limited, Margherita is reportedly reeling under skilled security crunch. Many local unemployed youth of Margherita are recruited as security guard

in Tirap Colliery, Tikok Colliery, Ledo Colliery, Borgolai and Tipong Colliery.

A source told to this correspondent that NECF, Coal India Limited, Margherita is incurring heavy losses due to coal pilferage daily helped by the handiwork of local coal thieves from Margherita Coal Mines Region. At present in

Ledo there are 22 active coke coal bhatta; in Margherita there are 12 coke coal bhatta and if NECF, Coal India Limited, Margherita provides skilled security guards than coal pilferage shall be reduced, said a source.

Contd. on Page 4

Missing People Justice Forum demands rehabilitation of flood and erosion affected homeless families within 2 Months ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Jul 15

The Missing People Justice Forum raised a strong demand before the District Administration and Govt. of Assam to rehabilitate the flood and erosion affected homeless families of Lakhimpur within two

DU and JEC join hands for academic collaboration A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 15

ET Correspondent Margherita, Jul 15

Understanding (MoU) with the Jorhat Engineering College, for academic collaborations between the two institutions of higher learning and research in the field of Engineering and Technology. The MoU was formally signed in a meeting organized at ‘Chintan’ the Conference Hall of the Registry, Dibrugarh University by Professor Mrinalendra N.

Dutta, Registrar, DU and Professor Reeta Sarmah, Principal, JEC. In his opening remark, Professor Alak K. Buragohain, the Vice-Chancellor of the University expressed his hope that the MoU shall facilitate synergy between the two institutions towards continuous teachers’ Contd. on Page 4

months. Otherwise the forum has threatened to initiate an agenda of strong democratic agitation in support of its demand. Holding a press conference in North Lakhimpur Press Club at 1 pm today, Jarbom Kutum, the Secretary of the Forum declared, “If something happens unusual on account of this agitation, only

the District Administration and the State Government will be responsible for it”. In the conference the forum alleged that the then revenue Minister Prithivi Majhi revealed on the floor of the Assembly on the 27th of March, 2012 that altogether 2, 17,819 bighas, Contd. on Page 4

Emergence of regional parties in Assam: Significant insights

Tamil Nadu investor friendly: US ambassador

Spl status: AICC criticizes Modi govt. for providing inadequate time to NE

Bangladesh arrests prime suspect in boy`s lynching

US ambassador to India Richard Verma

The AICC of Shillong today took a sharp blow to the Modi govt. blaming

Bangladesh police said today they had

Plural character of India's North East, with diverse socio-cultural

BUSINESS

REGION

NEIGHBOURS

EDITORIAL

that the latter refrained from giving more than three months to the NE Chief Ministers on taking up and analyzing the restoration of special satus category situation.

arrested the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a 13-year-old boy that provoked public outrage after video footage of the killing went viral.

communities, is often not taken into consideration when the region is categorized as one homogenous administrative, political and geographical entity.

said that the climate for investment in Tamil Nadu has been positive as many American companies have opened up their purse in the state.

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Rs. 12,533.62 crore presented as budget estimation 2015-16

For Swachch Arunachal Mission, the State Govt. has proposed to spend Rs. 17.66 Cr. Another Rs. 112.00 Cr has been earmarked as a continued funding for women and child development in the State.

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Normal life comes to a halt under JCILPS bandh, effigies burnt Imphal, Jul 15: As the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) called on for a 14 hr general strike on Tuesday demanding the implementation of ILPS, normal life here completely came to a standstill, highly interrupting normal life. The general strike came into effect from 5 am and wound up at 7 pm today. All business establishments, offices, markets and shops in four valley districts remained closed during the stir. Bandh supporters came out in large number and blocked vehicular movements on important Highways and roads by burning tyres, placing logs, boulders, tree branches, bamboos and other hard objects and hanging phaneks (woman's loin cloth).

All the passengers and private vehicles were off the roads during the bandh which was effective from 5 am to 7 pm.

All the shops and business places at Paona bazar, Thangal bazar, Ima markets remained shut during the bandh. No vehicle except security, medical and essential service vehicles could be seen on the highways and important roads. A large number of State and Central security forces were seen deployed at important places to thwart untoward incidents. The general strike also affected normal life at Thoubal district, our correspondent reports.

Markets and shops remained closed and passenger services were halted. Large number of protesters from different parts

at Yairipok and adjoining areas of Thoubal district came out to support the JCILPS' general strike by holding protest rallies and sit-ins at different places. Supporters burned tyres and effigies, suspended trees trunks and clothes line along Thoubal roads during their protests.

However, the bandh passed off peacefully without any unwanted incident. Effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi were burnt by bandh supporters at different places. At Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, womenfolk staged sitin-protest by blocking Lamlong bridge. Similar protest could be witnessed at Nongmeibung as well where the bandh supporters blocked the road by burning tyres and hanging phaneks. Sit-in-protests and road blockades could be seen at different localities from Wangkhei to Kongba bazar as well. On the other hand, police fired teargas shells at Lamphel Sanakeithel to disperse bandh supporters. The rallyists shouted slogans like 'punish student's killers', 'revoke anti-people Bill' and 'step down incompetent MLAs and Ministers'. Similar torch rally taken part by around 5000 people of 50 localities of Wabagai, Hiyanglam, Lamjao, Keirak, Tera Pishak and Tejpur areas was staged last night.

The general strike also crippled normal life in Bishnupur district as well.

(Agencies)

Fifth Annual Talent Development Camp 2015 of Lakhimpur begins in a befitting manner A platform for the children to develop their innate and latent talents ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Jul 15: “The 5th Annual Talent Development Camp-2015” of Lakhimpur Anchalik Moina Parijat held at the premises of Madhya Telahi High School located at Kalita Gaon under Telahi Mouja of Lkahimpur district began today in a befitting manner. The programme was jointly organized by Jyoti Moina Parijat of Kalita Gaon and Sanskritik Mohasobha, Lakhimpur with a five-day long agenda on 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19th July. The programme began with the registration of names of the participant representatives at 1 pm. Then after the lunch at 4 pm, the Camp was inaugurated by Naram Borah, the President of the Reception Committee at 5 pm. Ikheswar Borah, a prominent literary figure of the district lit the ceremonial lamp at 6 in the evening and the children took part while offering prayers. The Mou Mel was held from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

It was inaugurated by Deepjoti Saikia, an Ex Moina of Jyoti Moina Parijat and chaired by Satyanath Phukan, an artist of All India Radio, Dibrugarh.

Bipul Sarmah Baruah, the Assistant Secretary of Sodou Asom Moina Parijat participated in the programme as resource person. The Parichalak Sanmilan held at 9.45 pm was inaugurated by Bitu Goswami, the State Member of Sodou Asom Moina Parijat. On the other hand, the flag hoisting will be conducted by Umananda Borah, the President of Lakhimpur Anchalik Moina Parijat at 7 am according to the agenda of 2nd Day. Then it will be followed by Smriti Tarpan, Spritual and Moral Lesson with the practice Yoga, Training on Music, Sundar Jivanar Sadhona, Training on Games and Sports, Training on Borgeet, Cutural Programme, etc.

Similarly spiritual and Moral

Name Change I, Muskan Deori, daughter of Sri B i k r o m j i t Bikomiya will be known as Muskan Bikomiya now onwards for all legal purpose. Both the names are of one and same person.

Lesson with Practice of Yoga, Training on Reception, Training on Music, Seuji Dhoroni Dhuniya – a programme on environment, Training on Games and Sports, Training on Borgeet will be held on 17th July. On July 18, Spritual and Moral Lesson with Practice of Yoga, Training on delivering lecture and personality development, acting, music, games and sports, Borgeet will be held at the stipulated time. On the concluding day on July 19, besides Spiritual and Moral Lesson at 7 pm, Moina Mel aru Antoranga Alap, the open meeting and the concluding ceremony will be held at 11 am. All this programmes will be conducted by several prominent personalities who have excelled in their respective fields. It is here to be noted that the Lakhimpur Anchalik Moina Parijat has held this programme for the past years in order to pave way for the children so that they can develop their innate and latent talents.

Eight youths from Doomdooma selected for Indian Army ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Jul 15: To motivate the young generation to join in the Indian army, the army camp, Rupai Siding has been organising recruitment training camps since April, 2015 and interested candidates were

imparted physical training and free medical check-ups. 110 candidates appeared in the recruitment rally held at Mariani on April 28.

Forty three candidates qualified in the physical fitness test and primary medical test. These 43

candidates were shortlisted for written examination and they were given further coaching for written examination which was held on May 31 at Mariani. Out of the 43 candidates eight passed in the written examination. They all hail

List Of Phone Numbers Of Nursing Homes

from Doomdooma and its neighborhood. The successful candidates are: Rahul Borsaikia (Chengeli Gaon, Dangari), Rintu Moran (No-1 Lajum Pathar Village), Biju Sonowal (Mulatgaon), Anup Mech (Dighal Pathar

Gaon), Dandeswar Deori (Hallong Barali Gaon), Ragam Thapa (Kothasema Gaon), Bishal Chetri (Hahkhati Gaon) and Prakash Chetri (Upar Laopani Gaon). To felicitate the successful candidates, a programme was orga-

nized at Army Camp, Rupai Siding recently where they were congratulated on their achievements. The successful candidates also expressed their gratitude to the army authorities for their help and guidance.

ASTRO FOR YOU

Tinsukia City Hospital & Research Centre Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Gnb Road Near Bujhuri-786125, Assam Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :0374-2333349 Fax :0374-2350026/2339974

Dr.Bawaris Nursing Home Jeevan Jyoti Nursing Home Category: General Hospital Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Parvathiya Road Hospital Address: Parbatia,Opp Hindi Girls High School-786125, Assam Tinsukia-786125, Assam Pin Code :786125 Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :(0374)2339756 Phone Number :0374-2336319 Fax :0374-2335334 Fax :0374-2350131

Pinewood Hospital Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Subothoni Road Moniam Dewan Nagra-786125 Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :0374-2300730 Fax :0374-2339730

Help-Line APST BUS SERVICE Ph: 0360-2212338, 0360-2351490 NIGHT SERVICES Name of Routes Departure Distance(km) Bus Fare 1) Itanagar- Shillong ( Daily service) 5:00 pm 510 460/2) Itanagar-Nyapin(Mon, Thu, Sat) 2:00 pm 325 400/3) Itanagar- Aalo (Daily service) 2:30 pm 325 350/4) Itanagar-Daporijo (Daily service from Nlg)12:00 noon 432 470/5) Itanagar - Yingkiong (Alternate day) 01.00 pm 436 550/6) Itanagar - Seppa (Alternate day) 12:00 noon 385 420/7) Itanagar - Khonsa (Sun, mon, wed, thur) 1:00 pm 677 620/8) Itanagar - Namsai (Daily service) 1:00 pm 655 580/9) Itanagar - Koloriang (Alternate day) 2.30 pm 334 400/DAY SERVICE 10) Itanagar - Guwahati (Daily service) 6.00 am 395 350/11) Itanagar - Pasighat (Daily service) 6.00 am 270 250/12) Itanagar - Tirbin (Mon, thu & sat) 5.30 am 328 330/13) Itanagar - Bomdila (Daily except Fri) 6.00 am 346 320/14) Itanagar - Aalo (Daily service) 5.30 am 325 350/15) Itanagar - Sagalee (Sun, Tues & Thur ) 7.30 am 121 135/16) Itanagar - Pakke Kessang (Mon, Wed & Fri)7.00 am 160 200/17) Itanagar-Mengio (sun, tue &Thur) 6.00 am 198 230/18)Itanagar-Kimin/ H-Camp (Daily except Sat)12.00 noon 94 80/19) Itanagar-Gerukhamukh (Daily except Fri)12.00 noon 134 120/20) Itanagar- Balijan (Daily except Sun) 12.30 pm 105 105/21) Itanagar - Sonajuly (Daily except Sun) 01.00 pm 70 80/22) Itanagar - Jote (Daily except Sun) 07.00 am & 01.00 pm 22 30/23) Itanagar- Lakhimpur (Daily Service) 3.30 pm 64 70/-

Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

Shrishti Hospital & Research Centre Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2300024, 2302099

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2302100, 2302099

Assam Medical College

Marwari Arogya Bhawan Hospital Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2302872, 2302051

Graham Bazar, A.T. Road Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2322547

Jalan Nagar, Dibrugarh - 786 002 List of Phones numbers: Emergency Room : 0373 - 2300627 Labour Room: 0373 - 2300022 Drug Deaddiction Centre: 0373 - 2302952 Community Medicine: 0373 - 2302994 RIA Centre: 0373 - 2302093

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2303448, 2303458, 2301904

Sankardev Hospital Mancotta Road, Chowkidinghee Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2327717, 2327715, 2326960

Today is an auspicious and fruitful day for you. You will become excited by every very small accomplishments. You will need to fulfill the demands made upon you by your family and friends. You will probably find yourself balancing the cheque book at home, or buying appliances for the house.

The health of a kin may cause anxiety. Your lack of enthusiasm will influence you on family matters. So you will have to focus on family members.

New ties and contacts are in the offing. Over-all, a hectic and profitable day.

There are good days, bad days, and then there are days like today, which is a mixed bag of fortunes for you. Make your family the centre of your world, and show them the love and affection that they deserve. Early in the day, you may make an attempt to severe ties with your spouse or life partner. Proceed cautiously and deal with this in an open manner. Just make sure that the tension does not escalate within the family.

Today is a bright day. The focus will be on you and you can count this among your most excellent days. Opinions might differ at the workplace, but Ganesha says you may bypass them. In the evening, a candle-light dinner will make your spirits soar. You will impress people today.

Some private possessions are close to your heart, and you may want to keep them that way. Let your mind walk the hidden alleyways of mysticism in the afternoon as you seek peace of mind. Also, do not discount a trip to a sacred place.

Health issues are on top of the list today. Spend more time working out those muscles than working. Those in marketing and advertising shall have a golden day today. The correct dose of marketing mix will help reap maximum profits.

Self-righteousness, and a sense of duty set the mood for the day today. You’ll be a miserly scrooge in the afternoon. But later in the day, expect dinner with your sweetheart to be extravagant and blissful.

You mark dates on calendar to sneak away for a small vacation near by, but because of the heavy workload, you always have to cancel the plans. You don’t need to plan, in fact, you can take an impromptu vacation. Take one now! Get a roadmap and drive away from the hassle of the city.

Time is money, and you need to understand it fast! Scrap your old schedules and plan new ones that work. The good old planner will work wonders in organising your work. Remember the old adage? A stitch in time saves nine.

So get going.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Near Indian AirLines City Office Paltan Bazar Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2303476

Today is the day of showing care and concern to all family members. There is a possibility that you may feel estranged from your spouse and your relationship might be in danger of hitting the dead end. Stay calm and avoid escalating the tension, for the sake of your family, if nothing else.

Friends are the subject of all your activities today. You will make new acquaintances that will prove to be helpful in times of need. A loved one will make you happy like you’ve never been before. A candlelight dinner with your sweetheart is probably in the offing.

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals

The stars today may play some tricks, which may land you in some sort of problem. But by mid-day, things will calm down and you will forget it. In the evening, you will be calm and pensive which is an excellent thing.

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

Dr Damani's Nursing Home Near Circuit House, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2300928, 2302873

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 16-7-15 (THURSDAY)

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 6-50 A.M-Dihanaam 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Bhajan , Artist-Dolly Ghosh Shadhya, 12-30 P.M-Ghar Jeuti(Women's Programme)-Intetview with Jogya Probha Gogoi,Interviewer-Dr. Aparna Mahanta 3-30 P.M-Mishing Geet by Sadananda Doley and Party 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 Raijor Anusthan 8-00 P.M-Gyanmalini (Sponsored Programme of Directorate of Distance Education, D.U) 9-30 P.M-Moor Anubhavar Geet Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Central government de-links RGPSA ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 15: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki informed the floor of the house today that the central govt. led by the BJP has delinked the UPA scheme RGPSA (Rajiv Gandhi P a n c h a y a t Sashaktikaran Abhiyan). This has come to be after Arunachal bagged the award for having the best panchayati raj system particularly in the devolution of powers to the panchayat. The CM

Train runs over 2 boys ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 15: In a shocking incident, two young boys sitting on the railway track were killed by the Up Intercity Express in Golaghat on 15 July early this morning. According to reports, two young boys named Rohit Bora and Aminul Haque were sitting on a railway track near Don Bosco School in Golaghat. Suddenly the Intercity Express came on that track and ran over the boys. Both the boys were suspected to be drug addicts and they were under the influence of overdose of drugs at the time of accident as dendrite tube and cloth were recovered from the spot.

informed the house during the calling attention motion raised by BJP MLA from Ziro Tage Taki. Tuki also said that he has talked about this during the sub-group meeting in the Niti Ayog and requested the Central Govt. to consider again since this will be a burden on the State.

He said, “any scheme sanctioned by the Central govt. should not be wiped out all of a sudden if so do it in a phase wise manner so that the State will take up the burden in a phase wise

manner.”

The State Govt. has received Rs. 7,72,13,000 from the ministry of Panchayati Raj Govt. of India under RGPSA for the year 2014-15, the CM informed the house.

This is the 90% released amount from the centre and Rs. 1,62,58,000 which is the State matching share has been borne by the State Govt.

The total amount comes up to Rs. 9,34,71,000 which has been drawn in March 2015 and being kept in Civil deposit as directed by the finance

department. The finance dept. has released an amount of Rs. 5,94,94,412 on 8 May, 2015 as salary of contractual staff under the said scheme. The staff includes 591 computers cum account assistant posted in the Gram Panchayats and 177 Panchayat Technical Assistants (JE civil) posted in 177 Anchal Samitis. The balance Rs.3,39,76,500 is still in the civil deposit which is meant for construction of Gram Panchayat buildings and others, the CM further asserted.

3 persons killed in landslide in Seppa ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 15 : Continual heavy rain between 8 PM and 6 AM yesterday has claimed the lives of three members of a family in Type IV Colony of Seppa, the District Headquarters of East Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.

In fact, the heavy rainfall is comparable to the combined rainfall that occurred in the last last one month, Deputy Commissioner East Kameng, Sandeep Kumar Singh, IAS said over the phone. The continual rain has disrupted the only lifeline road which connects Tezpur

with Assam with blockades on the road at several locations. Power supply has been totally disrupted since then. The Hydel Channel has also been washed away about 25 meters. The landslide has drowned the nearby roadside dwelling houses in mud and soil erosion has taken place at many locations.

The three persons who died include Sushil Das, 35 years, wife and small child of 3 years. Due to darkness and heavy rainfall the rescue operation could start only at around 10.30 PM whereby several other people at the site have

been evacuated.

The wall of a RCC building was washed away, fell on the OBT house in which this family resided submerging it with the mudslide. The DC said, "We are having an emergency Meeting of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) at around 3 PM to check out other ways and means of rescue and rehabilitation operation in the District." Loss and damage of properties and houses have been reported across different parts of the state due to heavy rainfall and landslide.

District level monitoring committee meeting held Pasighat, Jul 15: The district level monitoring committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Nidhi Srivastava DC East Siang, attended by Kaling Dai ZPC, ZPMs, ADCs, representatives of executing agencies, etc.

While reviewing the ongoing schemes, Nidhi Srivastava exhorted the executing agencies to maintain quality of material and works. “There should be more co-ordination amongst the executing agencies, PRIs and administration so that there is more transparency and

work. Lamenting the poor road conditions in some parts of the district, the ZPC appealed to all to improve the quality of work.

He appealed to the concerned department to take care of the drainage of Pasighat market. “Due to stagnant water, the bazaar area is very dirty and unhygienic,” he informed.

Oling Perme ZPM Mebo appealed for improvement of water supply in Mebo township. He also wanted flood protection works to be carried out wherever it is necessary and feasible.

Osi Tatak and Namut Taloh

ZPMs (Bosing I & II) said that Pasighat-Ledum-Tene (PLT) road is the lifeline of the area. They appealed to keep it through until RCC Bridge over Poklek River is constructed.

Kenyom Dabi, ZPM Nari said that the Pasighat-LedumTene road links a huge area and population of the district.

Due to its deplorable condition, people are facing lots of hardship. He appealed to the departments to pursue the matter for its proper maintenance. Threadbare discussions on various ongoing schemes were held in the meeting. (DIPRO)

Felicitation ceremony for physically handicapped students in Lakhimpur on July 25 ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Jul 15: The Lakhimpur Zila Badhagrasta Sishu Abibhawak Sangstha is going to hold a felicitation ceremony to felicitate the physically handicapped students who have passed the HSLC, AHM and HS final ex-

amination this year. The ceremony will be held at the premises of North Lakhimpur Town MV School on July 25 at 10 am.

Santanu Kardong, the President and Md. Mujibur Rahman, the Secretary of the Sangstha have requested the concerned students

and their guardians to be present at the ceremony. Moreover, the kind co-operation and the good wishes of all citizens and institutions of the district towards the success of the venture are highly solicited by the president and the secretary.

Arunachal CM presents Rs. 12,533.62 crore budget estimation for 2015-16 Contd. from Page 1

During the budget speech the Chief Minster has announced enhancement of money allocation in almost every department. Tuki said that his focus in this budget is on Self Employment Generation for all the young unemployed Arunachalee boys and girls. An ambitious target to create 30,000 jobs is set and his main objective is to touch one lakh jobs created by the end of the 12th year plan.

For health and family welfare, an amount of Rs. 13.58 Cr has been earmarked in the budget.

Another Rs. 30 Cr has been allocated separately for effective implementation of the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme Dramatist Prasanta Sharma delivering his speech during a programme of Drama & Recitation Workshop held on the ocassion of Centenary Celebration of Fuleswari Girls H.S.School in Sivasagar. Pic - Firuz Ahmed (CMUHIS) and the grant which is Rs. 2 lakhs per household, per year, to be given to the people of the State has been enhanced up to Rs. 3 lakhs.

Another Rs. 100 Cr has been earmarked for ation on Wednesday last. hicles carrying perish- parties amicably without Contd. from Page 1 According to them, the able green tea leaves, jeopardizing the peace in the total development in earlier demand of the even assaulting physi- the area. But no parties the education sector whereby the owners workers was agreed upon cally the vehicle staff came forward for ami- which includes the had decided to rather hire at Rs 96 and ironically with sticks and spears in cable negotiation. workers from different the workers have been their hands.

Advocating the ideollocations to run their gar- seeking Rs 134.52 which Meanwhile, when ogy of the rule of law and dens while the agitated is not feasible for the asked about the distur- right to work and minigarden workers had been small growers given their bances created by the tea mum wage as per norms, all but determined to ob- limited resources. tribes workers including Mr Miji urged the parties On the other hand, men, women and chil- in question to look for struct the smooth functioning of the tea gardens Umakanta Samasi, the dren for the owners and amicable solutions and unless their demands secretary of the Labour the vehicles while carry- work together for the deAssociation Bordumsa ing the green tea leaves velopment of the place were met.

Meanwhile, an active Circle had told that they on the road, Mr Samasi without coming into conmember of the small tea would not return to work said that there are 1500 flict or taking the laws in Contd. from Page 1 garden growers of unless the owners agree workers in all and they into their hands.

Bordumsa circle la- to pay the wage as sought are monitoring all tea Meanwhile, the leadmented that after several and neither would they garden locations to en- ers of the tea garden days of meaningless de- allow any outsiders or sure 'no work in the gar- workers said this afterNearly 300 protesters bate and discussions, the other communities to den'. He added, 'We are noon that following the shouted slogans bearing growers had finally de- work and reap the ben- prepared to face all the temporary settlement, placards and banners, cided in a meeting held efits in the Bordumsa consequences arising out the strike has been with- gathered near Hotel recently at Bordumsa Circle where the tea of our democratic drawn and the workers Todo on NH 52 A where Shapawyong ground un- tribes have spent more struggles for getting would continue to work the convoys of all the der the presidentship of than 20 years for the up- rightfully what we de- for the new wages fixed VIPs passed through.

Senai Wangno to run bringing and nourish- serve." today. The aggrieved From there they their business by any ment of their respective Sensing chaos in the workers who had earlier marched towards Raj means for the sake of gardens. given situation, Solung gone violent in several Bhawan where they Sources from Goju Vil- Miji, ADC Bordumsa, garden areas have now were stopped by the their livelihood. The strike-affected owners lage also added that a said from Guwahati that agreed to work peace- Itanagar Police having had also sought the ad- group of tea tribe work- he has made several at- fully maintaining peace fool proof security arministrative help in case ers forcibly restrained tempts to facilitate recon- in their respective tea rangement under the of any law and order situ- the movements of ve- ciliation between the two garden areas. guidance of SDPO

Normalcy restored in Bordumsa following temporary agreement between tea growers and garden workers

works are completed smoothly,” the DC said.

She directed the head of work department to pursue the pending or delayed schemes so that development works are not affected. She also urged them to take such meetings seriously and attend the meeting themselves. “In unavoidable circumstances their representatives should be well informed with records.” The DC appealed all to shun negative publicity.

Kaling Dai appealed to all the ZPMs to be more proactive in development

smooth flow of mid-day meal system, SSA, construction of teacher’s quarters, hostels, repair of schools, procurement of school furniture, other items, etc. The Govt. will spend Rs.74 Cr for the FY 2015-16 for encouragement of girl child education and other development of quality education. CM’s Talent Award Scheme has also been constituted and Rs. 1 lakh for those who qualify the preliminary exam of UPSC besides, Rs. 50,000 for qualifying the main UPSC exam.

Chief Minister’s Best School Award has also been launched.

For Swachch Arunachal Mission, the State Govt. has proposed to spend Rs. 17.66 Cr at Rs.9,200 per household for latrine construction.

Another Rs. 112.00 Cr has been earmarked as a continued funding for women and child development in the State. Rs. 1 Cr has been allocated for the Chief Minister Disability Scheme and another Rs. 128.00 Cr for schemes under MSDP, NSAP. Rs. 5 Cr has been earmarked for

providing soft loan to skilled persons for self employment.

For development of Sports, the Govt. under the leadership of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has kept a provision of Rs. 4 Cr for Chief Minister Football and Volleyball Trophy, Rs. 25 Lakhs for supplements, diets for players during coaching camps and Rs. 1 Crore is to be kept for Mission Olympic.

Rs.1.05 Cr is proposed for conducting sports by the Sport Authority of Arunachal. A modern six court badminton hall at Itanagar will be constructed with a fund provision of Rs. 10 Cr. A tentative allocation of Rs. 1941.19 Cr to be spent in the social sector has been earmarked in the current budget. In this sector Rs. 778.25 Cr for education, Rs. 346.18 Cr for Health Sector, Rs. 279.38 Cr for Water Supply. Another Rs. 35.68 Cr has been earmarked for upgrading the Agricultural Sector.

Rs. 15 Cr for horticulture development and Rs.10 Cr for animal husbandry, veterinary and

dairy development. The State govt. has enhanced the fund of development of irrigation and flood management up to Rs. 279.00 Cr. In total the State is going to spend Rs. 630.57 Cr for agriculture and allied sector including water resources which is 20% increase over last FY 2014-15.

For industries, an amount of Rs. 10 Cr has been earmarked for providing subsidy to unemployed engineers for setting up manufacturing units/small scale industries with support from the Apex bank. For the Chief Minister Indigenous Textile Promotion Scheme, an amount of Rs. 5 Cr has been allocated and other Rs. One Crore for sericulture activities. The State Govt. has earmarked Rs. 15 Cr to enhance rubber cultivation and Rs. 5 Cr for tea cultivation. For tourism development which include construction of Home Stay, Bakeries, purchase of adventure equipment, construction of small hotels, an amount of Rs. 8.5 Crore has been earmarked.

Amid tight security, UOAP activists march to Raj Bhavan, demand CM's resignation Itanagar, Techi Henyir supported by OC Police Station Itanagar, Mahila Police Station and heavy deployment of IRBN personnel around the Raj Bhawan campus. Nobody was allowed to march into Raj Bhavan area. Afterwards, the timing for submission of memorandum was scheduled at 11 AM and a representative was allowed in including Toko Obi, President, Jalley Sonam, Advisor, Ramjo Purdong, Convenor and

Bengia Tagar to submit the memorandum through the secretary to the Governor.

It was informed that the memorandum was submitted and the Governor would meet them after two days who gave the assurance to look into their grievances. Meanwhile, the protesters alleged mismanagement to have s t a r t e d f r o m 2 0 11 since Tuki took over as Chief Minister "and there is no body to blame. "He is solely

responsible for the mismanagement of Rs, 6000 crore. We have been watching since then and now we have organised this protest under the banner of United Organisation of Arunachal Pradesh comprising of 11 likeminded organisations of the state voluntarily for the greater cause of Arunachal Pradesh," Obi said. This would be the 2nd memorandum submitted to the Governor with a 10day ultimatum.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

APBN jawan swept away ET Correspondent Sonari, Jul 15: Phuleswar Gogoi, an APBn jawan was swept away after a boat mishap in the Towkak river in Sonari today. Sources said that Gogoi and three other jawans has come to Namtola for market and while returning to their camp inside Abhaypur reserve forest the boat met with a mishap. The other three jawans managed to swim across the river and saved themselves, however, Gogoi, 50 yrs, was swept away by the strong currents of the river. Police is searching for the dead body till the filing of this report.

Retired headmaster of Jawahar Hindi High School passes away ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Jul 15: Surya Narayan Jha, retired headmaster of Jawahar Hindi High School, Doomdooma breathed his last at 11.00 am on June 29. He was a diabetes patient. The 74year-old academician is survived by his wife, four sons and a host of relatives.

PM Modi chairs meeting with CMs from North-Eastern states New Delhi, July 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern states, which was attended among others

by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Vice Chairman NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya, Chief Ministers of Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and Finance Minister of Mizoram.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized and reiterated the resolve of the Union Government to ensure rapid and sustainable development of the region.

The Chief Ministers were briefed on infrastructure initiatives taken up by the Union Government in the North-Eastern region through a NITI Aayog presentation.

There has been a significant ramp-up in infrastructure investments by the Government of India in the North East since Prime Minister Modi assumed office.

Under SARDPNE (Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North-East), Rs 35,000

Crore is proposed to be invested to develop the Trans-Arunachal Highway and for connecting all district headquarters by a 2 lane highway (about 6400 Km). New rail network is being created in addition to strengthening the existing network at a cost of Rs 57,000 crore.

Similarly, investments are being taken up by the Telecom, Power, Civil Aviation and Shipping ministries in order to improve the connectivity – air, road, rail and internet – of

the region, internally as well as externally under the Act East policy of the Union Government.

It was agreed that the Empowered Committees (led by the State Chief Secretaries) constituted pursuant to the decision of the NITI Governing Council need to be even more proactive in monitoring the implementation of these infrastructure projects and remove bottlenecks in order that time and cost overruns can be avoided. (ANI)

36-hr Tinsukia District Bandh ET Correspondent Ti n s u k i a , J u l 1 5 : The Bhojpuri Parishad and the Bhojpuri Yuba Chatra Parishad has called for a 36-hr Tinsukia

district bandh starting 5 am from Thursday in protest of the killing of hindi speaking people by Ulfa (Ind).

It might be mentioned that there has been

widespread protest against the outfit for the killing of a trader and his daughter at Philobari in Tinsukia district on Tuesday night.

Coal pilferage in Margherita due to lack of skilled security personnel Contd. from Page 1

When this correspondent contacted North Eastern Fields, Coal India Limited, Margherita, an officer on condition of

anonymity told to this correspondent that NECF, Coal India Limited, Margherita have already sent proposal to the higher authorities of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to work out

the modalities for the recruitment of CISF personnel for NECF, Coal India Limited, Margherita. The officer also said that in the regular meeting of District Level Co-ordination

Committee meeting at Tinsukia District Deputy Commissioner office, the issue of recruitment of CISF personnel at NECF,Coal India Limited, Margherita was discussed.

Missing People Justice Forum demands rehabilitation of flood and erosion affected homeless families within 2 Months Contd. from Page 1

3 lessas of land was under encroachment under three Revenue Circles, namely Kadam Revenue Circle, Subansiri Revenue Circle and Dhakuakhana Revenue Circle in the district of Lakhimpur, The process of encroachment started in the said Revenue Circles, especially in Tarioni Reserve Forest under Kadam Revenue Circle in 1998 by flood victims who were rendered homeless and land-

less by the great perennial flood caused by the Matmara dyke. The then Minister of Water Resource, Assam, Bharat Chandra Narah and his wife Rani Ranarah cast their greedy eyes on the lands occupied by thousands of flood victim families in the said Reserve Forest under Kadam Revenue Circle and they misused political power to conduct eviction operation against these rootless flood victims by the Civil Authority leading them to undergo second stage of

homelessness. It is a grave cause of concern that in the wake of eviction operation, the same plots of land measuring 192 bighas 4 kathas and 7 lessas of land were encroached upon by the Narah Family under the designation of M/S Narah Tea Plantation Company Ltd. In the same manner, a numbers of influential individuals and other establishment have encroached upon lakhs of bighas of land.

Under the circumstances stated above, thousands of flood victim

families have been deprived of fundamental needs like food, shelter, cloth, health, education, etc. by a few influential individuals and other establishment. This task of encroachment by capitalists and political leaders must be stopped and the home less families should be rehabilitated soon. Jiten Mili, the President, Jarbom Kutum, the Secretary of the Forum and Budhindra Doley, the Dhakuakhana Block President were present in the Press Conference.

Big dam may bring catastrophe to the NE region: Dr. Manik Kar ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Jul 15: "The soil of the NorthEastern region is very soft and the quantity of rainfall in the region is very high. Moreover, the region is highly earthquake prone. Hence, big-dams in the region may bring catastrophe to the region," said internationally acclaimed geomorphologist and natural hazard specialist Dr. Manik Kar. Addressing a seminar as resource person organized by Doomdooma Press Club (DPC) at the auditorium of Doomdooma Girls' High School on July 5 on the topic 'Earthquake, Flood and Big dam: Geohydrological Prospective', Dr. Kar who is also an Associate Professor of Geography of Nagano College made this comment. He also

said that the government had already made legal agreement with big corporate groups for construction of big-dams in the North-Eastern region and so it can't change it's decision. He urged the masses of the region to raise their voice against this. Dr. Kar further said that development, power, etc. are required for human civilization. But, if

civilization does not exist, then what is the use of these.

The seminar was chaired by DPC President Anuj Kalita. Chandan Gogoi, a youth of Sadiya who along with people from his village could successfully control the bank-erosion of the Kundil river of Sadiya by applying local technology, also shared his expe-

rience in the seminar. He also showed a documentary of his work. Earlier, DPC secretary Manoj Dutta delivered the keynote address.

Local scribes, teachers, students, senior citizens and representatives of different organizations participated in the seminar. The resource person Dr. Manik Kar gave replies to the queries of the participants.

Ulfa faces public wrath for killings in Tinsukia Contd. from Page 1

Nandlal Shah (55) and his daughter Kajol (18) were killed while Shah’s wife Manti Devi (48), son Manoj (20) and nephew Akshay (21) were injured in the indiscriminate firing by the heavily armed rebels. Confirming that the proscribed Ulfa (I) were behind the attack, Tinsukia Additional SP Lamhao Doungel said that an intensive combing operation has been launched by security forces to nab the militants. People in the Bijuliban village came out in good numbers in and around the Shah house and expressed their grief mixed anger. “Television channels are saying that the ulfa carried out the killing since the family did not pay extortion. This is totally incorrect. The family was not served any extortion note.

The family has only been targeted since it is a hindi

Security forces take position during the people’s protest at Makum. Pic - Prasanta Saha

arms”, a local leader of a hindi speaking organization said. “The militants fired at least 15-20 rounds from AK-81 rifles resulting in the death of two persons. We’re investigating whether there was any extortion demand to the family.

Troops of the 2nd Madras Regiment, 2nd Assam

members, the militants test against the attack. The asked for his identity and protestors blocked the busy as soon as he uttered his NH-37 at Makum for sevname they started firing eral hours leading to masfrom their automatic sive traffic jam. Police had rifles. Shah collapsed and to resort to lathi charge to died on the spot while his disperse the crowd who also daughter died on the way resorted to stone pelting. to the hospital. The in- Earlier, Tinsukia Deputy jured were taken to the Commissioner Puru Gupta Tinsukia civil hospital had to face the wrath of the from where they were enraged crowd when he

Ulfa (Ind) cadre arrested from Sonari Contd. from Page 1

the Assam-Nagaland and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh interstate border.

Ghanakanta Bhuyan, the Officer-incharge of Sonari police

station said that the joint team of police and army personnel from the Maibela camp conducted the search operation in the village after receiving a confirmed input that five armed ulfa cadres had taken

shelter in the village after entering from Nagaland’s Mon district. “Sensing the presence of the security forces entering the village, the ulfa cadres started to flee and during the chase one ulfa

cadre was arrested”, Bhuyan said. Later, Khanikar revealed during interrogation that ulfa leader Sergeant Major Pradip Gogoi alias Akon Gogoi had sent the five member group to Assam to carry out operations.

DU and JEC join hands for academic collaboration Contd. from Page 1

training, teaching and research at DUIET with the much experienced teachers of JEC. On the other hand, the students

of the JEC shall have the benefit of using the facilities available at DUIET. Professor Reeta Sarmah, Principal of JEC and Professor Rupam Baruah of the JEC expressed happiness that

this academic collaboration shall open up avenues for more innovative ideas by the young students and faculty members of both the institutes.

The meeting was attended by Prof. L.K.

Nath, Dr. Mukul Chandra Bora, Associate Dean, School of Science and Engineering, faculty members of both DUIET and the JEC besides all important officers of the University.

Villagers gather at the residence of Shah at Philobari after Tuesday night massacre. Pic - Prasanta Saha speaking family”, a member of the family said in an angry outburst. He also added that the family was also attacked by Ulfa in 2007 and 2009, however, there was no casualty then. “How long we will be dying like cats and dogs? The police is afraid of ulfa, the army does not comes out of its camp during the night hours and the politicians only come for votes. We have been left with no other option but to defend ourselves by picking up

Regiment and the police are combing the area,” Doungel said. Giving details about the incident, police said that on Tuesday at around 8.40 pm, a group of 3 militants arrived on foot at the house of Nandlal Shah located in the remote New Maithang village under Pengeri police station.

The militants knocked on the door of Shah and one of the children opened the door and let them in. As soon as Shah came out along with other family

later shifted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh.

The condition of Shah’s wife and son is said to be critical.

Shah was the owner of a rice mill and a bicycle repair shop. He also owned a small tea garden of 10 bighas in the area. Shah’s deceased daughter was a HS 2nd year student of Philobari College.

Thousands of people hit the streets in pro-

went to visit the victim’s home. He was greeted with various slogans against the district administration for its failure to safeguard the lives of the people. Locals alleged that for several hours after the incident the police didn’t arrived at the spot. The protesters also shouted slogans against the Ulfa and its chief Paresh Baruah for taking innocent lives. Gupta said that the victim’s family will be provided monetary compensation and full medical treatment as per government rules.

Governor meets Bravery award recipient Kohima, Jul 15: Recipient of the National Bravery Award 2014, Mhonbeni Ezung called on Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya accompanied by her mother and National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) officials. In a press note, NCCW president & director Social Welfare, Merangtsungba Aier and NCCW general secretary Dr. P. Ngully stated that the Governor congratulated the 9-year old for her exemplary bravery and

presence of mind even at such a young age.

The report 'Brave girl saves grandma in Wokha' was published in Nagaland Post on August 10, 2014.

Mhonbeni, then 8-year old saved her 78-year old grandma who suffered a sudden cramp, followed by a stroke and fell unconscious while fishing in a river. On being apprised of the activities of the NCCW in Nagaland, the Governor assured to support the NCCW. (Agencies)

Kalimpong area badly damaged by severe landslide

Kalimpong(Darjeeling), Jul 15: Incessant rains triggered landslide in Kalimpong area which caused a house to collapse and badly damaged the main road, snapping its surface communication with Sikkim.

There was no report of any casualty or injury to anyone. The landslide following incessant rains in the area for the past few days damaged about 300 meters of the Kalimpong main road last night, Darjeeling District Magistrate Anurag Srivastava said today. He said since the road was the only route of Kalimpong to Sikkim, its damage had snapped its connectivity with Sikkim. One house in 6 mile area of Kalimpong also collapsed, but there was no report of any injury to people. Efforts were underway to repair the road as early as possible, he said. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Spl status: AICC criticizes Modi govt. for providing inadequate time to NE Shillong, Jul 15: The AICC of Shillong today took a sharp blow to the Modi govt. blaming that the latter refrained from giving more than three months to the NE Chief Ministers on taking up and analyzing the restoration of special satus category situation.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the AICC General Secretary incharge Meghalaya V. Narayanasamy said that BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and the Prime Minister neglected the Northeastern region by way of doing away with the special category status and making the share of funds for projects under DoNER from 90 per cent grant to just 50 per cent.

He said that that though at individual level the Prime Minister prom-

ised several things for the North East , on the contrary, the region was ignored and sidelined by the NDA government. "To discuss the issue of restoration of Special Category status to the affected North East states , Himachal Pradesh, and Utttarakhand, the Chief Ministers especially those from the Congress-ruled states of the North East wanted to meet the Prime Minister collectively and they also prepared a joint memorandum, but they could not meet him for more than three months, though individually some Chief Ministers met him. The AICC general secretary said that the special category status is required for the region since there is a need to develop the infrastructure in the re-

THE SPL STATUS ANONYMITY ØThe AICC general

secretary said that the special category status is required for the region since there is a need to develop the infrastructure in the region. He also said that during the UPA regime, the tribal welfare schemes under DoNER were funded with 90% grant from the Centre, but now the same was reduced to 50%. Ø Furthur the AICC leader notified that the various initiatives undertaken by the govt. works against the tribal cultures as they want to impose Hindu culture and customs by insisting on a particular way of lifestyle.

AICC General Secretary in-charge Meghalaya V. Narayanasamy (3rd from right), MPCC president DD Lapang along with other senior leaders after a party meeting at the Congress Bhawan in city on Tuesday.

Ø The AICC General

Secretary in-charge Meghalaya V. Narayanasamy said that BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and the Prime Minister neglected the Northeastern region by way of doing away with the special category status and making the share of funds for projects under DoNER from 90 per cent grant to just 50 per cent.

Physical assault over a Manipuri health worker Imphal, Jul 15: A Manipuri staff-nurse working in Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi has been allegedly strangulated and physically assaulted by one patient named Mr Amit on the night of 13th July 2015.

According to sources, the victim was on night duty when the accused grabbed her neck and

smashed at her face. The doctors and nurses who were present didn't help her. Surprisingly the CMO on Duty, who was informed, didn't bother to examine the victim after the physical assaults. The CMO didn't make police complaint to nearby Police Chowki located in RML Campus. Many of the Northeasterners won-

dered the attitudes of the Chief Medical Officer, Police on duty, and the other Sisters (Nurses), who does not render any help to the victim during the incident. The Sister incharge loged complaint to the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Dr RML Hospital on Monday morning. One of the staff-nurses from North-

east told our reporter that the CMO on duty was informed but he didn't bother to examine the victim after the physical assaults.

The CMO didn't make police complaint to the Police Chowki which is located inside RML Campus. The accused is still at large and no arrest made so far. Police are investigating the case. (Agencies)

Bihar lawyers refrain from duty to support their demand against corruption Patna, Jul 15: To support their demand of curbing down corruption it seems the law sector has taken their stand to fight pretty seriously as around one lakh lawyers on Wednesday decided to abstain from work. It was in support of their demand to allow state vigilance in subordinate judiciary to curb 'prevailing corruption.' Due to the one-day stir, over 10,000 lawyers in Patna High Court did not attend courts today while the situation was similar in district courts

across the state. Bihar State Bar Council Chairman Akhouri Mangla Charan Shrivastava told the media that the agitation has been called in support of their demand for allowing state vigilance in subordinate judiciary to curb prevailing corruption as was the arrangement till 1977. He said two days back, the Patna High Court administration acting on our memorandum had intimated us about the decision to set up a Rules Committee to look into the matter. The

Chairman of Bar Council said that inspite of request of Council several times, the Patna High Court administration did not act forcing State Bar Council to resort to agitation. Officiating Secretary of the Bar Council Ashok Kumar said that vigilance should be allowed in the Subordinate courts to deal with cases of corruption which has tarnished the image of the judiciary and failure of their demand would certainly intensify their agitation in future.

(Agencies)

BLP strives to win the Lok Sabha polls in Tripura and Kerela New Delhi, Jul 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have failed to win even one Lok Sabha seat in Tripura and Kerala, but it continues to make efforts to challenge the incumbent opposition, the Congress in Tripura and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, in Kerala, as part of its plan to become a true national party. In the past two years, the BJP has won the Lok Sabha polls and also assembly elections in key states, replac-

ing the Congress as the principal pole of Indian politics. If it succeeds in gaining a political toehold either in Kerala or Tripura, it would have taken a significant step in expanding its national footprint and providing an alternative political choice in what is otherwise a two-party contests, say analysts. In the results of assembly bypolls declared on 30 June, the BJP made inroads in Tripura by securing the second position in two seats-ahead of the Con-

gress. The electoral plans of the BJP in Tripura and Kerala are a cause for concern to the Congress, especially as it seeks to regroup and rebuild after the humiliating defeat in the last general election.

Tripura has a significant tribal population and BJP leaders are tapping the network created by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Party leaders along with members of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, another affiliate of the RSS, are working to

increase the voter base.

Sunil Deodhar, a full-time worker of the RSS, has been hand-picked by Modi and Shah to manage the affairs of the party in Tripura. Deodhar worked closely with Modi in Varanasi during the Lok Sabha elections. Tripura is one of the last remaining strongholds of the CPM; the party, under the leadership of chief minister Manik Sarkar, has been in power in the state since 1998. In Kerala, the opposition is led by the Left

Democratic Front, of which the CPM is the largest constituent. The CPM, which is in power only in the north-eastern state of Tripura, has seen a sharp fall in its representation in Parliament, with its total seats in the Lok Sabha dipping from 24 in 2009 elections to 11 last year.

The CPM is also struggling to keep its voter base intact in its erstwhile bastions of West Bengal and Kerala, both of which go to polls next year. (Agencies)

Ø The Chief Minis-

ters especially those from the Congressruled states of the North East wanted to meet the Prime Minister collectively and they also prepared a joint memorandum, but they could not meet him for more than three months, though individually some Chief Ministers met him.

gion. He also said that during the UPA regime, the tribal welfare schemes under DoNER were funded with 90% grant from the Centre, but now the same was reduced to 50%. While stating that the NDA government is arm-twisting the Congress-ruled states, the AICC leader said that though many central ministers who visit the North east states promise many things , they have no power to sanction them as they have to depend on the PM. Furthur the AICC leader notified that the various initiatives undertaken by the govt. works against the tribal cultures as they want to impose Hindu culture and customs by insisting on a particular way of lifestyle.

(Agencies)

'Jan Adalat' gives its verdict, abducted personnel faces their bloody death Raipur, Jul 15: Adding another horrifying and bloody chapter to the epic long fight between the government and the Naxals in the jungles of Chattisgarh the four police officers abducted on July 13 from Kutru in Bijapur district had to meet with their fatal ends following the 'Jan Adalat' verdict of finishing their lives. "Bodies of the four assistant constables have been found on a road near Gudma village under Kutru Police Station limits near the spot from where they were kidnapped by Naxals on Monday," Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela said. As per a senior police official, the rebels had killed all the four jawans by holding the so-called 'Jan Adalat' (peoples' court), near Gudma village last night. Soon after getting information of the bodies lying abandoned on the road that passes thorough a dense forested patch, security forces were rushed to the spot. "The cause behind the death will be ascertained after the bodies will be taken to a nearby hospital," he said.

However, media reports said that the jawans appear to have been killed using a sharp weapon. The deceased personnel - Jaydev Yadav, Mangal Sodhi, Raju Tela and Rama Majji - were auxiliary personnel, inducted to assist state police in conducting antiNaxal operations. The auxiliary policemen are also called 'followers'. They were abducted on Monday evening from a civilian bus plying in the Kutru police station area in Bijapur district. The state police and paramilitary forces had rushed to comb the jungles where the incident was reported but failed to trace them. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has strongly condemned the killing of police officials. "Condemn this, shows how inhumane the Maoists are,they are frustrated and losing ground," Singh said. State Home Minister Ram Sevak Paikra said, "This is a unfortunate incident, government will look into the matter." Bijapur's Kutru region is considered as one of the strongest bastions of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in Bastar region. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, armed rebels had ambushed a polling party on April 12 near Ketulnar village and had killed six persons. (Agencies)

Mizoram tops the list with the highest number of landless farmers Aizawl, Jul 15: In a recent survey conducted it was found that Mizoram are among the tribals in Northeast in India which has the highest number of rural residents. According to the Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011, a whopping 80 per cent of the state's Mizoram's rural dwellers are landless, compared to the national average of 56 per cent of villagers without land. Mizoram tops the rest of NE states in terms of landless villagers as 88,757 of the total 1,11,626 families living in the rural areas do not own an inch of agriculture land.

Of the total 80,43,896 families in the Northeast region living in rural areas, 1,007,77,240 are without arable land, constituting 59 per cent of the total rural population, the Census revealed. Sikkim, the smallest state in the NE region, tops the rest of the NE states as 53,339 of the total 88,727 rural families are owning arable land. Northeast tribals are worse than their mainland Indian counterparts as 59 per cent of families living in the rural areas in the hilly region are without land, compared to 56 per cent among tribals in mainland

India. While 80,43,896 families of ST/SC in the NE region are living in rural areas, 13,60,207 of them are living in urban areas. About 80 per cent of farmers in Mizoram still practice the slash-and-burn system of cultivation or jhumming, that involves clearing of forest and burning the slashed trees and leaves for cultivation.

The land used for jhumming cultivation cannot be reused until the next five years. Most of the forest used for cultivation belong to the concerned village councils, who distribute land to the villagers on yearly basis. (Agencies)

Mamata unlikely to meet Cameron in July Kolkata, Jul 15: In the much hyped UK trip of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee which is scheduled at the end of this month the former will miss out on meeting the British Prime Minister David Cameron. State finance minister Amit Mitra said Cameron was eager to meet

Banerjee but will be on an Europe tour in the wake of Greece debt crisis at that time. Instead, Banerjee will call on the Duke of York Prince Andrew at the Buckingham Palace, where she has been invited on 27 July. Banerjee is scheduled to reach London on 26 July on a four-day trip, leading

a delegation comprising some of her Cabinet colleagues, senior bureaucrats, artists and industrialists.

Sources said her office has a list of 67 names, from which 47 names has so far been shortlisted to be part of the delegation. They include 17 industrialists. The state government would be

spending around Rs 1.5 lakh on each of the delegates, sources added.

Mitra said that during Banerjee's visit to the Buckingham Palace on 27 July, the Speaker of Britain's House of Lords will be present. "This trip will not only focus on projecting Bengal as a pro-

spective investment destination but also pave the way for trade agreements on a host of sectors namely education, health and others," he said. On the same day of her Buckingham Palace visit, Banerjee is scheduled to hold a meeting with UK's employment minister Priti Patel at the

UK foreign office. This will be followed by signing of a few memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation. Prior to the visit, the UK India Business Council and Ficci have jointly organised a business summit at George Street, where the Chief Minister will be the key guest. Dis-

cussions will be held on various sectors and scopes for investment. The next day, Chief Minister Banerjee will hold a meeting with officials of the delegation and their UK counterparts on the mode of implementation of the MOUs signed. An all-party Parliamentary meeting is

also on the cards. Banerjee will offer floral tribute to the statues of Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi. She will visit the Natural History of Museum that will be followed by a cultural evening. The galaxy of artists accompanying Banerjee will stage perform at the event. (Agencies)

PAGE 6

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Centre, states must move together to end poverty: PM Modi New Delhi, Jul 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the second meeting of the governing council of Niti Aayog here on Wednesday, said that Centre and states must move together to end poverty. Prime Minister Modi said the political deadlock over Land Acquisition is seriously impacting rural development, including the creation of schools, hospitals, roads and irrigation projects. He reiterated that

as far as paying enhanced compensation is concerned, there are no differences in the stands of the Centre and States. Reiterating the vision of his government that state units should be the focus of all development efforts, as part of 'Team India', the Prime Minister recalled that the Chief Ministers had always felt that development policies at the Centre should be framed in consultation with the states. Prime Minister Modi said that the

last one year had been a good beginning, with states

AAP targets Centre over Land Acquisition Bill New Delhi, Jul 15: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday alleged that the sole aim of the Land Acquisition Bill is to grab the farmer's land and hand over them to the powerful people. Singh, who was talking to media after the meeting of the NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence, said the Land Acqui-

sition Bill is opposed by the farmers and the common people. "The only aim of this bill is to grab the land of farmers and hand over them to the powerful people. We are opposing it from the beginning and today our Chief Minister had raised this issue in the meeting," Singh said. "Due to the dictatorship of Modi government, this bill can't be passed through the Parliament and is repeatedly be-

ing passed in the form of ordinance," he added. Prime Minister Modi, who chaired the second meeting of the governing council of Niti Aayog earlier, in his opening remarks said the Centre and states must move together to end poverty. He said the political deadlock over land acquisition is seriously impacting rural development, including the creation of schools, hospitals, roads and irrigation projects. (ANI)

DCW chief appointment: AAP taking forward 'jijaji parampara' of Congress, alleges BJP New Delhi, Jul 15: Criticising the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government for appointing Swati Maliwal as the new Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief, Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) leader Satish Upadhyay on Wednesday alleged that the people of the city want to know whether the AAP supremo is taking forward the 'jijaji parampara' of the Congress Party. "The people of Delhi want to know whether Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is taking forward the 'jijaji parampara' of the Congress. Media reports are saying that Naveen Jaihind is the brother-inlaw.someone else is saying that he has other personal relations.," Upadhyay told the media. Upadhyay also questioned whether Swati Maliwal, who was Kejriwal's political advisor, fulfills the qualifications required to become DCW chief. "When the AAP came into power, Arvind Kejriwal

had strongly protested against the appointment of Barkha Singh to the DCW. He had said that the chief of DCW should be non-partisan. He had said that it is below his morality to appoint a political person. What has happened to that morality now?" he asked. "Does your political advisor fulfill the criteria required of a DCW chief?" he added. The Aam

Aadmi Party ( AAP) has appointed party leader Swati Maliwal as the new chief of the DCW. Maliwa, would be replacing Barkha Shukla, whose tenure ends later this week. Her appointment has however run into controversy, with the opposition targeting Kejriwal for giving space to people from the party in the government.

(ANI)

being taken on board in the planning process and the Chief Ministers taking the lead in sub-groups of the Niti Aayog. The Prime Minister said that after formation of his government, several states had raised concerns with regard to the implementation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

He said many states had felt that development work was

faculty have joined the institute," Nadda said while launching the 'Clean and Green AIIMS campaign' here. The campaign launched as a part of the 'Kayakalp-clean hospital campaign' is aimed at improving the sanitation in high-risk and other areas of the hospital. AIIMS has classified the hospital in three risk categories high, moderate and low. To achieve clean and green AIIMS during the first phase of the campaign, which will continue till March next year, the authorities have identified eight key result areas. To

achieve the desired results, it has formed a core committee and sub-committees for each key result area. Elaborating the expansion plans at AIIMS, Nadda said, "I have also agreed to the creation of a new Department of Rheumatology and for the setting up of Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit." "Government has supported the major expansion programs of AIIMS with a new Mother and Child Block at a cost of Rs 202 crores, an OPD block with a cost of Rs 275 crores, a National Cancer Institute with a cost of Rs 2035 cores.

New Delhi, Jul 15: Union Finance Minster Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that all the Chief Ministers, who had boycotted the second meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog on Wednesday, should introspect that not attending it is against the spirit of co-operative federalism. "The

states were not able to implement the Land Acquisition Act passed by the previous government.

The common view raised by many states was that the Land Acquisition Act needs to be amended.

Land is needed for development and there were no two views about that," he told the media here.

The Finance Minster stressed that the development of states has been stalled due to the land concerns. "Many Chief Ministers stated that the delay in implementing land acquisitions slowed down the projects. The

governing council of NITI Aayog met today, chaired by the Prime Minister.

Those who boycotted the meet should introspect that not attending it is against the spirit of co-operative federalism," he told the media here. According to reports, nine Congress chief ministers boycotted the NITI

Aayog meet, including West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, Odisha's Naveen Patnaik and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa also skipped the meeting and was represented by former chief minister, O Paneerselvam. (ANI)

Indian among 20 tourists arrested in north China over 'alleged' terror links London, Jul 15: An Indian national is reportedly among a group of 20 tourists arrested by China on the suspicion of having links to terror outfits. A post on Facebook by Gift of the Givers, a disaster relief organisation, said that a total of 20 tourists, including nine Britons, 10 South Africans and one Indian national, had been arrested at Ordos airport in the autonomous Chinese region of Inner Mongolia on Friday, reported The Guardian. The tourists were on a planned 47-day tour of the country, the South African humanitarian organisation said.

While China has agreed to release 11 tourists, the rest will remain under custody without charge at a detention centre in the region.

The tourists' cellphones have been confiscated and no reasons have been given for their arrests. Gift of the Givers said that they were being held without charges, with no access to any communication or to legal representation. Those held currently include, five South Africans, three Britons and one Indian na-

Proposals for expansion of Trauma Centre and Development of Western Campus of AIIMS are also underway," he added. Assuring government's moral and financial support to the institution, the health minister said, "The establishment of an AIIMS endowment fund will provide significant resources to high-end research and collaboration in coming years". We have also decided to extend all necessary financial and policy support for expeditious establishment of the National Cancer Institute.

(Agencies)

Niti Aayog meet: States for amending Land Acquisition Act New Delhi, Jul 15: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that the Chief Ministers, who attended the second meeting of the governing council of NITI Aayog, have communicated that the Land Acquisition Act needs to be amended. The meeting was chaired was Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein consultations were held on how most states were not able to implement the Land Acquisition Act passed by the previous government. "The Prime Minister talked about how most

facilitate development of the rural areas and greater prosperity for the farmers. He said the matter is now before the Parliamentary Standing Committee and, therefore, ahead of the upcoming Parliament Session, it was appropriate that the suggestions of the states be listened to, once again. Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked the Chief Ministers for their participation and said that their suggestions would be welcomed.

(ANI)

'Boycotting NITI Aayog meet is against spirit of co-operative federalism': Jaitley

Expansion of positions at AIIMS: Nadda New Delhi, Jul 15: As the number of patients at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the government is "actively" considering major expansion in faculty and nonfaculty positions at the institution, Union Health Minister J P Nadda saidon Wednesday. "Government is actively considering a major expansion in faculty and non-faculty positions to cope with the rising patient loads. As a major step in this direction, 96 faculty appointments have been approved and Director AIIMS has informed me that a large number of new

suffering due to the provisions of the 2013 Act; and some Chief Ministers had requested for changes in the Act, and sent letters to this effect. The Prime Minister said that the ordinance was brought about in response to these development concerns of the states and also to ensure that farmers continue to receive their legitimate due. Prime Minister Modi appealed to everyone that political considerations should not come in the way of a solution that would

AIADMK rebuffs reports of Jayalalithaa's ill-health

Chennai, Jul 15: The AIADMK on Wednesday refuted all reports about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's failing health and attacked the op-

Before ministers' 'report cards', PM Modi should furnish his: Congress New Delhi, Jul 15: Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for asking his ministers to submit a 'report card' on the work done in the past one year, the Congress party on Wednesday said that the former should first submit his own progress report.

"First of all, the Prime Minister needs to give his report card because others were not allowed to function, take any decisions or initiatives. Every ministry is busy in launching the propaganda events. He wants to be an event manager. He is not initiating anything new. Even the Skill India programme is not a new one," said Con-

that they cannot at the same time wait indefinitely for a consensus. If the Centre cannot manage to get the consensus then the states should be given flexibility to develop their own law regarding the land acquisitions," he added. (ANI)

gress leader Veerappa Moily. According to reports, Prime Minister Modi has written to all ministries and the NITI Aayog to furnish details of progress on the commitments made last year and submit a report card on the same ahead of his Independence Day speech. (ANI)

Protest going on against Lokayukta

tional. The charity quoted Chinese authorities as saying that those caught were

watching 'propaganda videos' in their hotel room.

(ANI)

Bengaluru, Jul 15: Activists on Wednesday protested against the Lokayukta's supervision of the criminal case against Y Ashwin, the son of Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, stating that the anti-graft body does not have any role to play in the matter. "The prevention of corruption act says any investigation can be conducted only by a police officer not below the right of deputy superintendent police. How did the Lokayukta get the jurisdiction to look into the criminal case?" said former lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde. "Lokayukta has no power. Under the Lokayukta

act, to interfere in a criminal investigation: the cases registered against Ashwin are cases of extortion under IPC 384, Cheating under section 420, Trespass and section 8 of the prevention of corruption act - in none of these offences does the Lokayukta have any power to interfere," he added. According to reports, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police had registered an FIR against Ashwin Rao, who was accused of being a part of an extortion racket, on July 1. The members of the racket used to contact contractors and builders posing as Lokayukta officials and demand money. (ANI)

Maharashtra: Farmers who sought permission to kill self get their dues

Vyapam scam: Madhya Pradesh CM misled state assembly over FIRs, alleges Congress

cases with similar seriousness before more lives are lost," said Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti president Kishore Tiwari. The seven farmers, including three women, of Wadad village wrote to the authorities seeking 'permission' to commit suicide as they were not given the aid money since January. The bemused district officials not only accepted the letter, but gave acknowledgement which was submitted to the collector office, with copies to high-ranking officials in Mumbai. The farmers are: Kishore Ingale, Bhanudas Wadadkar, Pankaj Gawandi, Shankar Khadse, and the women - Kundabai

New Delhi, Jul 15: Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for asking his ministers to submit a 'report card' on the work done in the past one year, the Congress party on Wednesday said that the former should first submit his own progress report.

"First of all, the Prime Minister needs to give his report card because others were not allowed to function, take any decisions or initiatives. Every ministry is busy in launching the propaganda events. He wants to be an event manager. He is not initiating anything new. Even the Skill India programme is not a new one," said Congress leader Veerappa Moily. According to reports, Prime Minister Modi has written to all ministries and the NITI Aayog to furnish details of progress on the commitments made last year and submit a report card on the same ahead of his Independence Day speech. (ANI)

Nagpur, Jul 15: Seven farmers who sought permission to commit suicide have been cleared, an official said on Wednesday. "We have disbursed the amounts and deposited them directly in their bank accounts," Wardha collector Ashutosh Sahil told a news agency.

He said that the problems arose mainly because the district administration did not have the correct bank details of the seven farmers, but the entire issue has now been amicably resolved.

"We welcome the collector's prompt steps in the matter which has helped save the lives of these seven distressed farmers. We hope they take up other pending

Lonkar, Kamala Warhade and Vasanta Gingavkar.

Collector Sahil said that as per norms, these farmers have been disbursed an average of Rs 9,000-Rs 13,000 depending on the crop losses they suffered in the hailstorms last year.

Tiwari, however, pointed out that around Rs 300 crore amounts is lying undisbursed within the Amravati division which should be cleared immediately to prevent more farmers from ending their lives. In July so far, the number of farmland suicides in the states stands at 27 and activists fear the situation may worsen if the existing dry spell continues in the state.(Agencies)

US urged to cancel Xi Jinping visit amid China's 'ferocious' human rights crackdown

general thought was that the Centre should try and get a consensus on this.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concluding thought was that the concerns of all the states will be kept in mind," Jaitley said. "But the Chief Ministers added

position parties for spreading false propaganda about the leader.

"She is all right. All the work is being done properly she is doing people's work. DMK and others, they want to create something against our leader.

They are saying Amma is going to America, Singapore, what is this?" said AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi.

"These opposition parties don't have the guts to meet Amma in the political ground," she added. (ANI)

London, Jul 15: With over 145 human rights lawyers and campaigners detained in China as part of a government-led campaign against civil society, activists are urging U.S. President Barack Obama to cancel the upcoming visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping. A petition sent to the White House claimed that China's human rights record had worsened since President Xi came to power, reported The Guardian.It also urged the U.S. to sus-

pend all official exchanges with the Chinese government until this matter was resolved. Wen Yunchao, a prominent pro-democracy blogger, said that the U.S. and the West had a moral responsibility to react against China's crackdown, adding that it was the only power in the world that could counterbalance China. The petition, which has garnered almost 1,500 of the 100,000 signatures required to receive an official response, was filed after Chinese se-

curity officials began what activists have called an 'unprecedented' crackdown against human rights lawyers, dozens of whom have been taken into custody in less than a week. Those arrested include some of China's most respected rights lawyers.The detentions, which form the latest episode in an already severe crackdown on perceived Communist party foes that followed Xi's rise to power in 2012, has drawn international condemnation. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Bangladesh arrests prime Taliban chief Mullah Omar suspect in boy`s lynching hails Afghan peace talks Dhaka, Jul 15: Bangladesh police said today they had arrested the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a 13year-old boy that provoked public outrage after video footage of the killing went viral. Authorities said they arrested Moyna Chowkidar, 38, on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Sylhet the previous night, after receiving a tip-off from local residents."Moyna is the prime accused in the murder of Samiul (Alam Rajon).

He caught the boy and

PM Modi meets Myanmar's Foreign Minister in New Delhi New Delhi, Jul 15: Myanmar's Foreign Minister, U Wunna Maung Lwin, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval. Maung Lwin, who arrived yesterday night, is on a four-day visit to India. The Myanmar minister would co-chair the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting along with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on July 16.

He is also scheduled to visit the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi. Maung Lwin's visit comes a month after the Indian Army struck down militants who had killed 18 of its soldiers in an ambush along the IndiaMyanmar border. (ANI)

brought him to other culprits," local police chief Akhter Hossain told media.

He is the seventh person to be arrested over the July 8 killing of the boy, who was tied to a pole and then subjected to a brutal assault in which he pleaded for his life. One arrest was made in Saudi Arabia after officials received a tip from members of the large Bangladeshi expat community in the country.The 28minute video of Samiul, which was widely circulated

after being posted on social media, has prompted deep soul-searching among Bangladeshis as well as a series of protests.Thousands of people demonstrated in Samiul`s home city of Sylhet and in a dozen other cities and towns including in the capital demanding that the killers be sent to the gallows. Samiul was accused by his attackers of stealing a bicycle, although his family says he was innocent.

Police said their investigation had found "no evidence

of theft"."The accusation was baseless. He did not steal anything," Hossain said. In the video, the terrified youngster can be heard screaming in pain and repeating: "Please don`t beat me like this, I will die." At one stage he is told to walk away. But as he tries to get to his feet, one of the attackers shouts: "His bones are okay. Beat him some more."An autopsy found 64 separate injuries had been inflicted on the teenager.

(Agencies)

KIA of Myanmar launches rocket attack on gov't forces Yangon, Jul 15: The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) of Myanmar has launched rocket attack on the government forces in northern Shan state leaving one civilian death and two others injured, the militaryrun Myawaddy media reported today. The KIA's rocket attack was conducted when the government military columns were patrolling near Kaungkha village in Kyukok Township Monday. The attack involved the using of remote control landmines and heavy weapons, the report said.

Counter-attack by the military killed one KIA member, seizing some electric circuits in using remote control landmines, the report added.The fighting took place amid planning of an

him Tamil and Muslim people of this country will not vote for you," Sirisena said, explaining how he tried to dissuade Rajapaksa from running. "There is a wave sweeping all over the world against corruption. I told him that educated people, the middle classes, expect me to bring good governance and you are lacking in that area. So please don't come forward at this election and defeat this UPFA party."Rajapaksa plans to represent his United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) for a seat

They agreed to meet again in the coming weeks, drawing praise from Kabul, Islamabad, Beijing, Washington and the UN.But while some commanders voiced optimism, many others interviewed by media were deeply wary. The split in responses, with some

commanders openly questioning the legitimacy of the Taliban negotiators in Murree, underscored the potentially dangerous faultlines within the movement, particularly between the older leadership and younger.In the statement, Omar sought to dispel any notion of a

Nepal to train 50,000 workers for reconstruction informal meeting between negotiators of Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups in Chaingmai, Thailand to further negotiate on formal signing of a draft nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA).The draft NCA was preliminarily signed between the

government's Union Peace-Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic groups' Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) at the end of March after conclusion of more than one year's negotiation on the NCA. (Agencies)

Maithripala Sirisena tells Mahinda Rajapaksa not to run for parliament as he will lose again

Colombo, Jul 15: Sri Lanka's president Maithripala Sirisena today said his party was set to lose upcoming parliamentary elections and blamed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa - who lost the 8 January presidential election - was formally accepted as a candidate the previous day to stand in the upcoming polls, ending weeks of speculation .But Sirisena said his predecessor could not get the support of minority Tamils and Muslims crucial to winning the 17 August vote."I told

Kabul, Jul 15: Taliban leader Mullah Omar today hailed as "legitimate" peace talks aimed at ending Afghanistan`s 13-year war, in his first comments on the nascent dialogue."If we look into our religious regulations, we can find that meetings and even peaceful interactions with the enemies is not prohibited," the reclusive figure said in his annual message on the eve of Eid, the festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan."Concurrently with armed Jihad, political endeavors and peaceful pathways for achieving these sacred goals is a legitimate Islamic principle," he said in a statement posted on the Taliban`s official website.Members of the Afghan High Peace Council sat down with Taliban cadres last week in Murree, a tourist town in the hills north of Islamabad, for their first official talks to try to end the militants` bloody fight, now in its 14th year.

in the 225-member assembly."Young people will not vote for you due to the big wrongs you committed during your period, your feudal behavior and nepotism," Sirisena said referring to allegations that Rajapaksa siphoned billions of dollars from state coffers

Maithripala Sirisena predicts his UPFA party will lose upcoming elections and blames former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa for seeking to be a candidate

during his nine-year rule.

Sirisena said party stalwarts had pressured him to allow Rajapaksa to stand.About 15 million people are eligible to vote in the election held under a system of prop o r t i o n a l representation."Mahinda Rajapaksa who was defeated at the January 8 election will be defeated again at the parliamentary elections," Sirisena told reporters in Colombo.Rajapaksa received 47.58% of the vote in January's presidential elections, beaten by former ally Sirisena who was supported by the then opposition United National Party (UNP).Sirisena, who is actually a member of the UPFA, made the then opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe the prime minister of a minority government. Wickremesinghe is the prime ministerial candidate from the UNP which has also secured the support of a broad coalition that backed Sirisena in January.

Rajapaksa, an ethnic Sinhalese, remains popular among big sections of the island's largest community for overseeing the defeat of the Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009. (Agencies)

Kathmandu, Jul 15: Earthquake-hit Nepal will train 50,000 workers to help carry out reconstruction, the finance minister said, the biggest skill development program in the country`s history as economic growth is expected to fall to the slowest rate in eight years.

The impoverished country says it needs $6.6 billion to rebuild after twin earthquakes in April and May killed almost 9,000 people in the country`s worst natural disaster. Delivering the annual budget yesterday, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat Mahat said

the government will train tens of thousands of people to work as carpenters, plumbers, electricians and masons. This will help plug a labour shortage as millions of young Nepalis travel to the Middle East and other Asian nations to work, particularly on construction sites. Mahat said the economy is likely to grow at 3 percent this fiscal year, the lowest rate since 2007. Finance ministry officials said the reconstruction will help boost growth to 6 percent by next year.

The government will spend $910 million this year to

rebuild infrastructure, public buildings, monuments, and private homes destroyed by the earthquakes. The earthquakes required a massive international rescue and relief operation, which Nepal called off in June to focus on helping victims and reconstruction. But many Nepalis still living in refugee camps say they are yet to receive aid from the government .The UN says 2.8 million people are still in need of urgent humanitarian aid like shelter, food, healthcare and protection. (Agencies)

Indian among tourists arrested in China for 'terror videos'

Beijing, Jul 15: A group of 20 foreign tourists including Britons, South Africans and an Indian national, have been arrested in northern China, according to reports

by Britain's Foreign Office and a South African charity, on suspicion some had ties to a "terror group".

China has agreed to release 11 of the tourists, but the rest will continue to be held without charge at a detention center in Inner Mongolia, the South African charity, Gift of the Givers Foundation, said. Chinese authorities said some

of those arrested had been watching propaganda videos from a banned group in their hotel room, the charity added in its statement.

Five South Africans, three Britons and one Indian national make up the nine being held, it said. "Consular staff have visited the group to provide assistance and we are liaising with Chinese authorities," a British foreign office spokesman told media.The Chinese foreign ministry and the South African embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An In-

dian embassy spokesman told media he had no information on the matter. Chinese law enforcement authorities could not be immediately reached for comment. The group was on a 47-day tour of the country when they were detained at an airport in the Inner Mongolian city of Erdos. Their tour operator realized something had gone "horribly wrong" on Sunday, two days later, the foundation said, when he hadn't heard from them. "These individuals have no terror links, no criminal record in their country," said Gift of the Givers, which has negotiated hostage releases."The families thank the South African government for their unwavering support and call upon the Chinese government to release the d e t a i n e e s immediately."Several of those detained are relatives of Shameel Joosub, chief executive of telecoms company Vodacom Group Ltd., the charity added. (Agencies)

split."All mujahidin and countrymen should be confident that in this process, I will unwaveringly defend our legal rights and viewpoint everywhere," he said, adding that the purpose of talks was to "bring an end to the occupation" of Afghanistan. (Agencies)

Sheikh Hasina reshuffles cabinet

Dhaka, Jul 15: In a major cabinet reshuffle, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently inducted three new faces into her cabinet and promoted two junior ministers as full ministers.President Abdul Hamid administered the new ministers and state ministers` oath taking at Bangabhaban, his office-cum-residence, around 6.30 p.mState Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman were sworn-in as cabinet ministers to their respective ministries.Of the new faces, Nurul Islam Bsc was sworn in as a full minister of the expatriates` welfare and overseas employment ministry while Tarana Halim and Mohammad Nuruzzaman as state ministers. Halim was given the charge of post and telecommunications ministry, while Nuruzzama got the ministry of food.

(Agencies)

Free meals offer comfort to Nepal quake victims Ashraf cancels London tour Kathmandu, Jul 15: As volunteers unload huge metal containers from the vehicle, hundreds line up to fill empty bowls with rice, lentils and vegetable curry. "It is good warm food and they are always on time," said Nuchhe Laxmi Prajapati, a tailor who lost her home and livelihood in the April 25 The arrival twice a day of a white van holding the promise of a hot meal provides rare comfort to thousands of homeless quake victims in the Kathmandu valley.

quake, which killed more than 8,800 people in the Himalayan nation."This meal is a relief at a time like this," the 40-year-old told media. Every day, the kitchen is up and running before sunrise, as workers chop potatoes and boil rice to feed some 8,000 people living in camps around the capital after the disaster destroyed more than half a million homes. The initiative, set up in mid-June by Indian non-profits Jamsetji Tata Trust and Akshaya Patra Foundation, as well as Nepal's Sipradian Sahayata Sanstha, will run for at least six months, organizers say. The strictly

vegetarian menu was designed in consultation with Nepalese staff and accommodates locals' preference for rice over other grains.

To that effect, the 2,500 square foot temporary kitchen is equipped with three 600-litre capacity cauldrons to boil rice as well as machines to grind spices and cut massive quantities of vegetables.

According to Hindu mythology, "akshaya patra" refers to a magical vessel which holds an inexhaustible supply of food, and the foundation is known for its contribution to the Indian government's free school lunch scheme, feed-

ing 1.4 million children a day. Organizers kicked off operations in Nepal by feeding 1,100 people at a single camp housing displaced villagers from badly-hit Sindhupalchowk district before going on to serve up meals at locations across the valley."It is a way to ease the pain of the people," said Jeetabarta Ningthoujam, the foundation's senior communications manager."At least if they don't have to worry about two meals a day, they can think about rebuilding their homes and lives," Ningthoujam added.

(Agencies)

for Hasina's request

Dhaka, Jul 15: Recently removed LGRD and cooperatives minister Syed Ashraful Islam has canceled his London tour after his party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's request yesterday.Earlier, he was scheduled to go London today 10am to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr with his family.

Gonobhaban sources told the media last night that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called Syed Ashraf at her offi-

cial residence Gonobhaban yesterday evening, and the primer has also held a meeting with Ashraf around two hours. Ashraf has entered in Gonobhaban at 7pm and leaves at 10pm.Ashraf's personal secretary Syed Tofajjal Islam said: "Syed Ashrafhas informed his protocol that he would not go to London."Tofajjal also said Earlier Ashraf also joined a programme at Ramna Officers Club in

the capital. Ashraf, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 10am on today, earlier confirmed sources in the party to the media.

On Thursday last week, Ashraf was made minister without portfolio after removing him from the LGRD ministry. He had been serving the ministry since the party came to power in 2009.After three days of rumor centering his removal, the government

finally adopted the decision and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was replaced to the post while the new minister will exercise his previous onus as excess duty.

The sudden removal created huge uproar in the country although the AL leaders claimed that it was not punishment, rather a very simple matter in a democratic government to engage him more actively in the party activities.

(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Emergence of regional parties in Assam: Significant insights The super rich Indians stand in stark contrast to the rural poor The graduation model, a global experiment, could become an anti-poverty guide for India It is quite ironical that when a few high class Indians live in their air conditioned apartments and spend thousands of money on their food or shopping, there live another class of people who think even a hundred times before spending a single penny.

The only thought which rules their mind is: will spending that single penny bring in or rather give rise to another night spent with an empty stomach.

Recently released data reveals that seventy-five per cent of rural households in India have a monthly income of less than Rs. 5,000 ($79), out of which 51 per cent of households make a living from manual labour and 28 per cent (over 50 million) of households do not have mobile phones or any form of communication. More than 70 million rural households face some form of exclusion, either from assets or socio-economic benefits, according to data released by the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) survey as many as 833 million Indians, or 69% of the population, live in rural areas. The SECC report comes at a time when global credit rating agencies such as Moody's have warned that slow growth in rural India may cripple the overall economy. Rating agencies have laid stress on speeding rural reforms.

These people living below poverty lines are generally overlooked by the media, and the numbers are very close to the estimates of poor and vulnerable derived from other estimates based on the consumption surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). And with Rs. 5,000 per month income of per household with an average household size of five would also mean an income of Rs. 33 per person per day in the rural areas. Although it is not meant to be a comparison of poverty estimates, the SECC data reveals that about 670 million Indians in rural areas alone live on Rs. 33 per day (75 per cent of rural households is around 134,373,569 households; five members per household gives us a total of 671,867,845 people).

Interestingly as published by IndiaSpend it clearly depicts how rural India has more illiterate people than the population of Indonesia. With 74 per cent of families living on less than Rs. 5,000 a month, the resultant grim picture is not going to change overnight, which in turn will keep economic standards depressed. Projects such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) and Swachh Bharat Mission are the major schemes for rural development in India. Rural India continues to be trapped in a vicious circle of poverty.

A clue to the first step to break out of that cycle comes from what is called the graduation model, a global experiment that could become an anti-poverty guide for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For the greater good of Cricket with due respect to the sentiments of passionate fans Lodha committee's judgement a landmark one in doling out severe punishment Dealing a stunning blow to a showpiece event which introduced glamour and big bucks to the gentleman's game, the two-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals have been suspended for a period of two years by Justice Lodha, as the decision looks to uphold the paramountcy of the game. The three-member committee which was appointed by a Supreme Court Bench on January 22, headed by former chief justice of India RM Lodha, also slapped a life ban on Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of International Cricket Council (ICC) president N Srinivasan, and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra from any cricketing activity for their involvement in betting, which is illegal in India. Srinivasan, who headed the BCCI when the scandal hit the sixth edition of the IPL in 2013 and grabbed the headlines, won't step down as ICC chief despite the verdict.

Moreover the actions of Meiyappan and Kundra had damaged the image of their teams as well as the game of cricket, which is followed in the country by millions of passionate fans. But however the teams as well as Meiyappan and Kundra have the option to appeal the verdict in the Supreme Court, which the panel had read out. The outcome will have major financial consequences for some of cricket's biggest names as CSK is captained by India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while Australia's star batsman Steve Smith is at the helm of the Rajasthan Royals, coached by Indian great Rahul Dravid.

Meanwhile, players have not been attached to a franchisee which has been suspended, and the committee has ruled that if cricket is bigger than individuals then financial loss to players and franchisees is not of significance. The 2013 IPL season was embroiled in controversy too after police launched legal proceedings against several officials and cricketers, including former test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.

But the BCCI will now have to decide whether it can afford to run the next IPL tournament with six teams, which many feel will be financially unviable. With the teams only suspended, the board will also have to decide whether it can bring in fresh teams. The Lodha committee's judgement is certainly a landmark one in doling out severe punishment.

The ball is now in the court of the administrators to do whatever it takes to ensure that it doesn't happen again. Restoring the faith of fans will be a long drawn out affair and will need continuous and an almost religious zeal to maintain the sanctity of the sport. The actions of people concerned in the coming days will provide all the answers.

Plural character of India's North East, with diverse socio-cultural communities, is often not taken into consideration when the region is categorized as one homogenous administrative, political and geographical entity. There are differences and differentiations on the basis of race, religion, language, political opinions and geographical features - each state having its own characteristics unique to itself.

An interesting manifestation of ethnic politics in this region is the division of the country into administrative units. In spite of these differences, however, most of the states and their inhabitants have nurtured a sense of unity against policies followed by Central Government towards this region. Each ethnic community seems to have its own world-view and have always attempted to be independent from other ethnic communities, and hence urged for autonomy - within or outside the constitutional framework.

The strong urge for autonomy and independent existence has led to the formation of regional political parties for the articulation of their aspirations by a specific ethnic community or group of communities. It is believed that since the national parties have failed to represent the particular needs and aspirations of the people of the region, regional political parties have been formed with ethnic considerations.

Ethnic dimension, therefore, has been one of the most important components of regionalism in India's North-East as almost all regional outfits stand for preservation of ethnic identity of one ethnic community or the other. Formation of the All Party Hill Leaders Conference, which was the outcome of ethnic consideration against the imposition of Assamese language as the official State language, is a pointer towards the trends of ethnicisation of politics in India's North East. Sajal Nag describes party politics in the North East as "contest for marginal space".

In other words, regional political parties in India's North East compete

within the region with very little scope of extending their scope and ideology beyond 'regional aspirations'.

Assam Gana Parishad is a direct product of Assam movement against settlement of foreigners and exploitation of Assam's natural resources by the 'outsiders'. Assam Accord was signed in 1985 and a new regional political party, namely; Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) was formed. But the main reason behind was the failure was intra-party conflict on personal basis, lack of organizational strength and trust deficiency upon the leadership. Because of factionalism in AGP, the NAGP was formed in 1991.To counter the activities of AGP, United Minorities Front was formed.

Assam's political party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) had promised a lot when it was born in 2005 but years after it has failed to live up to the expectation of the people. Later it was relaunched in other states of India in 2009. In 2006 state assembly the party won 10 seats in its maiden electoral fight. Even the All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU), a students' body of the state has also brought serious allegation on the party.

After months of willit-won't-it, Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday announced a new political party. He said the party will usher in "the actual politics" and will fight for the basic rights, foods, accommodation and fresh air for the common

Pranjal Kumar Phukan people.

The 40-year-old founder of IT cell in BJP Prodyut Bora launching his own party called the Liberal Democratic Party in Assamwhich will stand for liberalism - both economic and social - and social democracy as told by him.

LDP's ideological document, interestingly, plots the ideological structure of political parties in terms of social and economic freedom.The idea behind LDP is that wherever it operates, it shall fit into the local culture and tradition.

Similarly, in which ever state LDP will operates, it would be its local party. It would identify local issues, and develop a local leadership to solve them. It can be perceived as a positive hope for the people of Assam after a long gap of absence of socially sensitive political parties.

Studies have suggested that political parties create democracy by enabling the masses to participate in political life. It is also suggested that democracy in ethnically-diverse societies is likely to be strengthened by the development of broad-based, aggregative and multi-eth-

nic political parties, rather than fragmented, personalized or ethnically-based party systems. In India's North East there has been rapid growth of ethnicbased political parties, which may make operation of democracy problematic as each group presses for politicization of identity issues.

Assam, a cauldron of ethnic tensions saw an interesting transformation of Hagrama Daimary's Bodo Peoples' Front from armed struggle to parliamentary democracy. Will political parties, as democratic instrument, ensure entry of the leaders of National Socialist Council of Nagaland and United Liberation Front of Assam in mainstream politics?

Advantages 1. Multi-Party system protects the Constitution and the democracy by preventing the authoritarian intentions of the single party dominance.

2. The coalition government which is most of the times inevitable due to Multi-party system, helps those states in which the ally parties head the government to get more funds for their state and

hence their development.

3. In the instances of disputes between the central and the state governments, the provision of Union, State and Concurrent lists will be of little use if the State leadership is impotent to challenge the Central authority against the interests of its people.

Disadvantages 1. The local parties which are part of the coalition government at the center use their power to stall the development activities of the Centre that are genuinely intended for the growth of the country.

2. The local parties for their political benefits divide the people of different states on the lines of language, culture, traditions etc.

3. The local parties that are part of the ruling coalition government will influence the government to divert more annual budget funds to their states at the expense of other states that are ruled by the Opposition parties.

Conclusion By weighing the advantages and disadvantages, we can clearly say that multi-party system does more good than harm.

The major concern emerging from the multiparty system is its inherent threat to the unity and security of the country. This can be curbed only through banning of those parties and other extremist outfits which incite communal and regional hatred or propagate the secession ideals.But the authority to ban a particular party or an organization should be

vested in Supreme Court and even SC should carry out the process meticulously by consulting the major political parties, Election Commission and President. This banning of Political Parties is not new in India, CPI and RSS were banned in the past.

People are the masters in Democracy, they decide how they want to be governed. The Congress monopoly for first 30years after independence proves that as long as the party had good intentions they supported it, it was only after Emergency that they seriously contemplated for an alternative party. Emergency proved that over popularity of single party will place wide powers in narrow minded people who will exploit the power for personal deeds.

Every system will have the loopholes, it's the number and the plug ability of loopholes that distinguish each system from the other in terms of efficiency. Surely, the multiparty system fares well in both the requirements compared to single-party system.

Emergence of the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) did cost the Congress a portion of immigrant Muslim votes, but the Congress regained its lost strength reasonably well by wooing Assamese-speaking Muslims and some Assamesespeaking Hindus who had earlier allied with the AGP and the BJP respectively.

Thus the gains of the Congress were across all sections, making it a catch-all party in Assam. AGP has failed to play its role of strengthening democracy by being a strong opposition political party; because of which the trend in Assam is such that 'democratic polity may turn into cult of majoritarianism'. The vicious cycle of factional politics has made the political future of Asom Gana Parishdad (AGP) bleak.

(Author is Rotarian, Chartered Engineer and Regional General Secretary- CaSI - A Global certification body headquartered at New York, USA. He can be reached a t Pranjal_xlri@yahoo.com)

Game lost or glimmer of hope? tect the integrity of the game? Betting by team owners is not as big a malaise as fixing games but larger implications still lie. What the BCCI does to restore the image of IPL remains to be seen.

There are questions also on certain players who deposed before the investigating committee and seemed to have given evidence in support of those who have been found guilty by the Supreme Court now. The average cricket fan no longer sees the game as only a sport. A series of controversies regarding fixing, spotfixing and now betting by team owners has seen the sport being reduced to nothing more than a TV show.

That the fans still watch it and the coffers keep filling up is something that has kept the administrators happy.

Is there time still for cricket to be seen only as unscripted drama? That is the biggest question for those running the game.

Yours etc.

Nisha Gogoi Tengakhat

Ufa helps India's Pakistan policy Sir, Termination of two highly successful IPL franchises raises the question of the integrity of the game.

BCCI is expected to react to the decision soon. But what of the days gone by? An organization that was quick to terminate two other franchises (KTK and Pune Warriors) for other financial misdemeanors was forced to do a clean-up act by the directions of the Supreme Court on a significantly larger issue.

Can they still be trusted to take decisions that pro-

Sir, The Modi government's year-long search for a Pakistan policy appeared to have found some feet in Ufa, Russia, last week. The measured outcome took the approach closer to that of PM Manmohan Singh, a realignment that underlined the compulsions that inform any Indian PM's options when dealing with Pakistan.

The short statement out of Ufa showed that when it comes to engagement with Pakistan, there is little scope to redraw the lines that confine political actors

on either side. At the same time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh showed that a lot is possible within that frame.

Modi appears to have recognised this and decided to take things forward. That may be the most important message to come out of Ufa, one that is necessary to fix one of the Modi government's weakest spots so far: the Pakistan policy.

Yours etc.

Priyanka Gogoi Jorhat

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, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Assistant Prof. posts vacant at JDSG College, Golaghat, Assam Applications are invited from the eligible candidates with full Bio-data having UGC norms with NET/SLET/SET qualification for the following sanctioned posts in the pay band of Rs. 15600-39,100- AGP 6000 with other allowances as per rule admissible from time to time.

Candidates who have obtained M.Phil degree on or before 10.07.2009 may also apply for the post excluding the candidates who have obtained M.Phil/Ph.D. Degree from off-campus centre. However, candidates. who are or have been awarded a Ph.D degree in accordance with the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulation. 2009 shall be exempted from the requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/SLET/SET. The age of a candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01.01.2015 and relaxable up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates.

The candidates must have a Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) and must know local languages.

1. Assistant Professor in Accountancy: 1 (one) post. Reserved for OBC/MOBC (As per Roster Point No. 62).

2. Assistant Professor in History: 1 (one) post. Unreserved (As per Roster Point No. 63) 1. Assistant Professor in Assamese (Commerce): 1(one) post. Reserved for ST (P) (Backlog) Applications with all relevant documents and testimonials should reach the college within 15 (fifteen) days from the date of publication of the advertisement along with a non refundable bank draft of Rs. 1000/- (one thousand) only to be drawn in favour of the Principal, JDSG College payable at UBI, Bokakhat Branch. OBC/MOBC and ST (P) candidates must submit their relevant caste certificates from the appropriate authorities.

Those who are in service must apply through proper channel.

Sd/- Dr. Jayanta Gogoi Principal, JDSG College P.O.: Bokakhat, Dist: Golaghat.

Assam, PIN Code: 785612.

Head Assistant post vacant in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Assam) In pursuance of the approval of the Commissioner, Lower Assam Division, vide letter No. PA. 39/2011/84, dated- 11.06.2015, applications in Standard Form as published in Assam Gazette in Part-IX are invited from the eligible candidates for filling up of a vacant post ofHead Assistant (Sadar) in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup in the Pay Band (PB-2) Rs. 5200 -20,200/- + Grade Pay Rs. 3100/- per month plus other allowances as admissible as per rules.

The applicant must have rendered at least 10(ten) years of continuous service as Senior Assistant including Supervisory Assistant and gathered experiences of working in different branches of the amalgamated establishment of the Deputy Commissioners of the State of Assam.

Application stating Age, Educational Qualification, experiences of working in different branches supported by attested copies of certificates along with ACR of last 5 years should reach the office of the undersigned on or before 20th July, 2015, together with a Treasury Challan of Rs. 5.00, in case SC/ST candidates Rs. 2.50 as application fees to be deposited under the Head of Accounts "0070 Other Administrative Service etc." Application should be submitted through proper channel.

Sd/-Vinod Seshan, IAS. Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup : Amingaon,

PAGE 9

Career

Job posts vacant at Tezpur Gurukul Joymoti Pothar Campus, Assam

Vacancy at Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati (Assam)

1. Academic Head (Female for Tezpur Gurukul Joymoti Pothar Campus.

Qualification: Minimum Graduate in any field, having B.Ed or Montessori Training.

First preference will be given to the candidates having Teaching and Administrative Experiences.

2. Asst. Warden (Male).

Qualification: Minimum Graduate in any field, candidates having experience of hostel warden will be given first preferences.

3. School Bus Vendor: School buses required as perthe guidelines given by theSupreme Court of India.

Experience Bus Vendors will be given preferences.

Mail your completeresume/quotation toborahgautam40@gmail.com,nirvoy.s@gmail.com or contact immediately:- 9706438078, 9435181537, 8486039680.

A walk-in-interview will be held on the date and time mentioned below in the Department of Medicine, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, at Narakachal Hill Top for selection of the candidates to be engaged on contractual basis for National Programme for the Health Care of' the Elderly (NPHCE) in Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati.

Vacancy at Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chirang (Assam) RECRUITMENT NOTICE JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, Vill-KHAMARGURI P.O. Borobazar, Dist. - CHIRANG, ASSAM - 783393 Application are invited from Eligible Candidates for the following post at JNV, Chirang (Assam), Pay Scale 5200- 20200+1900 (GP) Name of the post: Electrician-Cum-Plumber (ECP).

No. of post/category: 01, Unreserved (UR), Group-C. Educational Qalification: Essential: 10th passed and Certificate course (ITI) in trade of Electrician/wireman from a Central/State /Training Institute or equivalent.

Desirable: 2 yrs Experience, Handling Electrical/plumbing jobs in Govt/Govt aided institute.

Age limited: 18-40 yrs as on Ist Jan'15.

Interested cacdidates may apply In a standard form of Bio-data To the Principal at above address from 25/ 06/ 2015 to 15/7/2015 On all working days. Application may be submitted long with the Xerox Copies by Post/in person by 13/07/2015 (4.00 pm)

Interested candidates may appear before the selection committee along with original Certificates & Mark sheet and a Standard Form of application duly filled in.

Note that these are not Govt. job.

Sd/- Principal-Cum-Chief Superintendent, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati-32.

Various job posts vacant at Biswanath College of Education Biswanath Chariali, Sonitpur (Assam) Application are invited for the following posts with full bio-data and attested copies of all documents and will be received by the undersigned upto 25.07.2015. (The College is recognized by N.C.T.E and having Govt. Concurrence) 1. Pedagogy - 3 posts (English-1, Assamese-1, and Social Science 1) Qualification: M.A in the concerned subjects with 55% marks and M.Ed with 55% marks. (M.A B.Ed with qualifying marks may also apply) 2. Perspective in Education - 2 posts Qualification: M.A in Education with 55% marks and B.Ed/ B.El.Ed with 55% marks or M.A in Psychology/Sociology/ Philosophy with 55% marks and B.Ed/B.EI.Ed with 55% marks and 3 years teaching experience in Secondary school.

3. Physical Instructor -1 post Qualification: M.P.Ed with 55% marks 4. Visual Art - 1 post Qualification: M.F.A with 55% marks 5. Performing Arts (Music/Dance/Theatre) - 1 post Qualification: Post graduate degree in Music/Dance/ Theatre with 55 % marks K. Koch Secretary, G.B Biswanath College of Education Biswanath Chariali Sonitpur (Assam) PIN-784176

(K.SRINIVASULU) PRINCIPAL i/c

The Eastern Today has taken an initiative to present questions and answers on a weekly basis to help the aspiring students in their competitive exams (Banking, SSC, Insurance, etc.)

1).International Labour Day was celebrated on_______. a) May 1st b) May 2nd c) May 3rd d) May 4th Answer: a) 2).What is venue of Asian Banker Summit 2015? a) Delhi b) Tokyo c) Bangkok d) Hong Kong Answer: d) 3).MAT stands for_______. a) Maximum Alternate Tax b) Minimum Alternate Tax c) Maximum Average Tax d) Medium Alternate Tax Answer: b) 4).Which of the following company has launched Edge Web Browser? a) Mozilla b) Yahoo c) Microsoft d) Google Answer: c) 5).Where was the first meeting of Sub-Group of CM's on Swachh Bharat Mission was held? a) New Delhi b) Goa c) Bangalore d) Bhopal Answer: a) 6).What is the India's growth percentage projected by Fitch for 2015-16? a) 7% b) 9.5% c) 7.5% d) 8% Answer: d) 7).Which of the following organization has launched its first data on TV viewership in India? a) India Rates b) TRP India c) BARC d) ITVD Answer: c) 8).Which of the following organizations has formed a partnership to offer Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana insurance? a) Oriental Insurance and LIC b) NICL and LIC c) Canara Bank and Life Insurance Corporation d) HDFC and SBI Answer: c) 9).Headquarters of World Trade Organization is _______. a) Berlin

b) Geneva c) New York d) Manila Answer: b) 10).Which of the following country is 161st member of World Trade Organization? a) Afghanistan b) Bangladesh c) Pakistan d) Seychelles Answer: d) 11).NASA has stopped the operations of MESSENGER Mission, which was launched to study the atmosphere of_______. a) Saturn b) Mars c) Venus d) Mercury Answer: d) 12).Spring Imperial Decorations Award is given by which country? a) Japan b) Germany c) France d) Spain Answer: a) 13).Which of the following e-Commerce company has got legal notice for selling of Drugs without prescription? a) Paytm b) Amazon c) Filpkart d) Snapdeal Answer: d) 14).Among the following which is recognized as the New sports under National Sports Federation? a) Golf b) Horse Riding c) Motor Sports d) Beach Volley Ball Answer: c) 15).Who is the author of the book- "China Confucius in the Shadows"? a) Karnan Mishra b) Poonam Surie c) Vijay Gupta d) Varun Gandhi Answer: b) 16).Madhya Pradesh Government has approved to build the world's largest solar power plant with capacity of _____MW at Gurh Tehsil in Rewa District? a) 750 b) 850 c) 950 d) 1050 Answer: a) 17).Which of the following company has recently ac-

quired the Makaan.com? a) Asian Tiger b) Prop Tiger c) 99 acres d) Magic Bricks Answer: b) 18).Among the following, who has won the RedInk Award for Lifetime Achievement? a) Prannoy Roy b) Rahul Shivshankar c) Sreenivasan Jain d) Arnab Goswami Answer: a) 19).What is the name of the DRDO Scientist who has awarded with the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Navigation? a) Narendra Vats b) Satheesh Reddy c) Kiran Sharma d) Praveen Das Answer: b) 20).Which of the two states have introduced 5 lakhs rupees Accident Insurance Scheme for Transport Drivers? a) Kerala and Karnataka b) Tamil nadu and Bihar c) Andhra Pradesh and Telangana d) Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Answer: c) 21).Who is the New Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)? a) Narendra Kumar b) Ramdev Sharma c) Surender Singh d) Akilesh Kumar Answer: c) 22).MNP stands for: Mobile ________ Portability. a) Native b) National c) Numeric d) Number Answer: d) 23).India has targeted to have Manual Scavengers Free within _______. a) 2019 b) 2018 c) 2020 d) 2022 Answer: a) 24).Who is the author of"Seal of the Surya"? a) Anuradha Devi b) Shri Amritanshu c) Sourav Ganguly d) Dev Verma Answer: b) 25).Who is the winner of Japanese Government High-

est Civilian Award 2015? a) J N R Khattar b) Yogesh Narayan c) Narendra Modi d) C N R Rao Answer: d) 26).What is the name of the Joint Naval exercise between India and France? a) KARUNA b) THARUNA c) VARUNA d) INDIRA Answer: c) 27).Floyd Mayweather Junior is related to which of the following sports? a) Boxing b) Tennis c) Wrestling d) Hockey Answer: a) 28).What is Great Indian Bustard? a) Name of the Military Mission b) Name of a Nepal Rescue Project c) Name of a Bird d) Name of a Festival Answer: c) 29).Among the following which state has allotted Rs. 12 crore for the Project Great Indian Bustard? a) Gujarat b) Madhya Pradesh c) Assam d) Rajasthan Answer: d) 30).World Press Freedom Day is Observed on_________. a) May 2 b) May 3 c) May 4 d) May 5 Answer: b) 31).Weibo is a _______ based social media platform. a) American b) Russian c) Japanese d) Chinese Answer: d) 32).Who is Baleshwar Ram? a) Scientist b) Writer c) Sports Person d) Politician Answer: d) 33).Among the following which country has implemented new punishments for the foreign investors those who are breaking the rules by purchasing the property in the country? a) Singapore b) Australia c) Austria

d) China Answer: b) 34).Who is the winner of UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2015? a) Baleshwar Ram b) Suman Sharma c) Mazen Darwish d) Maniram Patel Answer: c) 35).What is the venue of 19th Federation Cup National Senior Athletic Championship? a) Mangaluru b) Kochi c) Bangalore d) Hyderabad Answer: a) 36).Who is the author of the book- "From Doon with Death"? a) Rafael James b) Ruth Rendell c) Windhoek Vands d) Jack Russel Answer: b) 37).Who is the winner of the 5th National Hockey Championship title? a) Punjab b) Madhya Pradesh c) Railway d) Services Answer: c) 38).In UCB, 'C' stands for________. a) Cooperative b) Correspondence c) Common d) Connectivity Answer: a) 39).What is the venue of 48th Annual Meeting of Asian Development Bank? a) Japan b) Azerbaijan c) China d) India Answer: b) 40).Among the following which state has released Rs. 72.50 crore to cooperative sugar mills? a) Bihar b) Maharashtra c) Haryana d) Himachal Pradesh Answer: c) 41).Which of the following has recently launched EduCloud? a) Facebook b) Microsoft c) CBSE d) Google Answer: b) 42).The Union Cabinet has approved constitution (119th Amendment) Bill on

Land Boundary Agreement between India and______. a) Bangladesh b) Nepal c) Sri Lanka d) Bhutan Answer: a) 43).Among the following which state has started a cow urine refinery for research on cow products? a) Punjab b) Uttar Pradesh c) Rajasthan d) Gujarat Answer: c) 44).What is the venue of the International Shooting Competition 2015? a) Italy b) France c) Belgium d) Germany Answer: d) 45).Who is the author of the book- "Dances with wolves"? a) Michael Bay b) John Harper c) Michael Blake d) Kevin Costner Answer: c) 46).Who is the author of the book- "Indian Bumblebees"? a) M S Saini b) Supriya Dutt c) Amit Nagpal d) Ved Sharma Answer: a) 47).Union Government has made PAN number as mandatory for the private firms seeking _________. a) TDS Registration b) Central Excise Registration c) Marriage Registration d) Central Revenue Registration Answer: b) 48).Name the Chinese diplomat who oversaw Hong Kong's transition from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, who died recently? a) Lu Ping b) Chang Ping c) Lee Kuan Yew d) Lee Chang Answer: a) 49).Among the following which state has formed a separate law for marriage in the Buddhist Community? a) Rajasthan b) Assam c) Bihar d) Maharashtra Answer: d) 50).Which among the fol-

lowing country has approved a controversial law strengthening the intelligence services to prevent terrorist attacks? a) France b) Dubai c) Germany d) Poland Answer: a) 51).National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has signed an agreement with which of the following state to set up 4,000MW Power Plant? a) Maharashtra b) Jharkhand c) Gujarat d) Assam Answer: b) 52).What is the name of the Surface-to-air Missile which was indigenously developed in India? a) Thanush b) Agni-III c) Akash d) Pranov Answer: c) 53).Recently Union Cabinet has approved the 119th Constitution Amendment Bill on the Land Boundary Agreement between India and _________. a) Pakistan b) Nepal c) China d) Bangladesh Answer: d) 54).Name the Bollywood actor who has been jailed for 5 years recently? a) Salman Khan b) Amir Khan c) Amitabh Bachchan d) Shahrukh Khan Answer: a) 55).GST stands for______. a) Goods and System Tax b) Goods and Service Tax c) Goods and Speed Transmission d) Goods and Server Tax

Answer: b) 56).Indian Government has recently signed 11 MoUs with which of the following firms? a) US b) Italy c) France d) Germany Answer: d) 57).FIIA Stands for________. a) Former Indian Investigation Association b) Foreign Investment Implementation Association c) Foreign Investment Implementation Agency d) Foreign Investigation Implementation Agency Answer: c) 58).World Asthma Day was observed on_______. a) 3rd May b) 4th May c) 5th May d) 6th May Answer: c) 59).Which of the following state was associated with the BHEL GVK's Hydro Power Plant? a) Uttrakhand b) Bihar c) Madhya Pradesh d) Rajasthan Answer: a) 60).What is the name of the two communication satellites which was proposed to build by India that supports the telecommunication and television services? a) TSAT- 17 and TSAT- 18 b) GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 c) Telecom- 11 and Telecom12 d) INSat- 11 and INSat- 12 Answer: b) 61).Which of the following country has launched new surveillance law? a) Pakistan b) Japan c) Germany d) France Answer: d)

PAGE 10

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

Spinning mills to be shut during Tamil Nadu investor friendly: weekends to arrest plunging prices US ambassador Coimbatore, Jul 15: With losses mounting following the sharp fall in prices, textile spinning mills, which produce blended yarn including polyester cotton by using synthetic material, have decided to shut their units during the weekends.

"There has been a huge fall in yarn prices in the past few months due to poor demand. We are incurring losses of Rs 15-20 per kg (for yarn)," said Naresh Devaraj, coordinator, Indian Texpreneurs' Federation (ITF), Synthetic Spinners' Group. "Our immediate aim is to reduce the losses," he stated. The stoppage of production during the weekends would result in a 25%-30% reduction in output, which mills hope would be able to reverse the continuing fall in prices.

The decision to close the units during weekends was taken at a meeting of the managing directors of nearly 90 mills organised

by ITF. Prices of 56's count polyester cotton yarn, which was ruling at Rs 190 per kg (ex-mill), is now quoting at around Rs 158

Flipkart's new execs include Yahoo veteran Two quit while two other joins in Bengaluru, Jul 15: Flipkart and its subsidiary Myntra's hiring of senior talent from Silicon Valley continues apace. Recently Flipkart announced that Yahoo veteran Eric Lange has joined Flipkart as the vice-president of product management for its customer experience. Previously, Lange served as the vice-president of product management in the ads division for Yahoo and spearheaded Yahoo's acquisitions of the mobile advertising and analytics company, Flurry, and the video advertising platform, BrightRoll.

Flipkart-owned, Myntra similarly announced that Google Chromecast cofounder, Ambarish Kenghe has been appointed as its senior vicepresident and head of product. Punit Soni, Flipkart's chief product officer said, "We are very excited to welcome Eric and Ambarish to the Flipkart team." This comes four days after Flipkart's CTO, Amod Malviya, and its engineering head, Sameer Nigam, quit. (Agencies)

per kg. Mills in the state account for nearly 90% of the supply of fine count yarn to upcountry markets, ITF officials said. Spinning mills, which usually have 7-20 days production as stock, have seen it increase to 40-60 days following the poor off-take of yarn. Synthetic and blended textile spinning mills are spread across the state and provide

direct and indirect employment to nearly 3 lakh persons. Workers in these mills will however perform maintenance work at the units during the weekends, ITF officials said. The closure would result in a production loss of about 10,000 tonnes per month.

Out of the total installed capacity of 2 crore spindles in the state, about 40 lakh

spindles produce blended items such as polyester cotton, used mainly by fabric markets in Ichalkaranji, Malegaon, Bhiwandi and Bhilwara, ITF officials said. More than 200 spinning mills in the state produce about 40,000 tonnes of blended yarn per month, which accounts for about 20% of the total yarn output in TN. (Agencies)

Volvo buses manufactured in India being exported to Europe Hyderabad, Jul 15: Swedish commercial vehicle major Volvo is exporting buses manufactured in India to Europe. The madein-India buses will be unveiled in Europe later this year, giving a fillip to the government's ambitious Make in India initiative.

These buses would give Volvo an entry into the inter-city bus segment in Europe competing against rivals like Daimler. Currently, inter-city coaches and city buses from the Indian facility are being exported to countries in South Asia and South Africa. Volvo's India facility in Hoskote has a complete bus manufacturing unit that includes chassis inhouse, full-fledged proto

shop for development of new products and technologies and a skill development centre to impart training to personnel.

Volvo Buses president Hakan Agnevall said exporting buses from India is fairly cost competitive.

"This was a driving thought in starting the Asia leverage programme to utilise the efficient engineering and manufacturing expertise in India to meet demands of other global markets," he said.

(Agencies)

FSSAI now subjects wine to scrutiny

Yes Bank receives green signal to set up IBUs in GIFT Mumbai, Jul 15: Yes Bank has received a nod from the banking regulator to set up IFSC banking units (IBUs) in Gujarat International Finance TecCity (GIFT) and would be among the first to have an office there. IBUs are a new category of branches akin to foreign branches with dollar balance sheets, but are located in an international financial service centre in Indian territory.

The bank's MD & CEO Rana Kapoor said that, following approval from RBI, the IBU could be launched in 45 days. The bank has already acquired office premises on lease in an IFSC area and has identified staff from its international finance desk.

Kapoor said that the IBU will be capitalized with $20 million which would be used to leverage and raise long-term foreign currency in the form of medium-term notes.

Keeping this in mind, Yes Bank has decided to go in for an additional international credit rating from Standard & Poor's. The bank already has a rating from Moody's. (Agencies)

Mumbai, Jul 15: It's not only Maggi which faces the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) heat in India. The food safety watchdog pulled the plug on imports of Jacob's Creek wine, Australia's largest wine brand, which the company is now battling against. The import ban was on a shipment which the food safety regulator said contained tartaric acid. Recently the Bombay HC heard a petition filed by

Pernod Ricard India, which imports the spirit, challenging the lack of noobjection certificate from FSSAI for a shipload of Jacob's Creek wine bottles.

Iqbal Chagla, counsel for Pernod, which also distributes some other leading international brands, said, "Tartaric acid is not a prohibited additive under the regulations." He said the shipment has been lying at the Mumbai docks since last October or November

when the NOC was refused. He said for the last ten years, the wine has been imported without a hitch and added that tartaric acid is found even in fruit juices. Mehmood Pracha, counsel for FSSAI, argued that samples of the shipment, when tested as part of legal safety requirement, were found to contain tartaric acid which is not permitted in proprietary food. The HC has reserved its order. (Agencies)

DIAL criticized by IATA for high charges Nashik, Jul 15: International Air Transport Association (IATA) has slammed Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) for not reducing aeronautical charges as directed by the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) last year. In 2012, AERA had given DIAL 340% hike in user charges, which it had implemented immediately, while last year the author-

ity had sought 78.4% reduction in charges which the airport operator challenged and did not implement. IATA DG Tony Tyler said: "Airport charges in India, especially at Delhi, are very high. Delhi airport raised charges by 340% earlier. But when charges were to be lowered, they did not allow that. I hope for a rapid reduction in charges." IATA terms Delhi as among the costliest air-

ports in the world. Tyler stressed for action to overcome legal challenges, which prevent AERA's recommendation for a 78% reduction in Delhi's airport charges from being implemented. According to IATA India could become the third largest aviation market in the world by 2029 when the the number of travelers to, from and within the country will near 280 million annually.

(Agencies)

Chennai, Jul 15: US ambassador to India Richard Verma said that the climate for investment in Tamil Nadu has been positive as many American companies have opened up their purse in the state.

Speaking on the second day of his two-day visit to Chennai, he said, "There are hundreds of US companies here that employ thousands of workers and there is quite a strong set of commercial connections in the state." He mentioned that many states in the country were competing to show that it is a safe place for investment. "My experience in southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu, shows that investment is wanted here. Once we have a conversation we can get a lot of things done," he said. He also mentioned that if there are disputes between governments, it could always be resolved

through dialogue. We are trying to ensure that there is a sense of confidence among investors in the ease of doing business in India, he added. "In all sectors, we could increase our trade numbers. We see no shortage of US investors showing interest in India. Increasingly, I am encouraged by the number of Indian companies going to US," he said. The ambassador, who has made at least 19 trips across India since he took charge in December, visited a couple more spots in the city recently. "Chennai is a hub for transit and commerce, defense and education. So it's an important place to visit. Besides, we also have a consulate here," he said.

The visit included the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis and an ATM manufacturing factory of NCR Corporation, a Georgia-based com-

pany. However, for him, the most inspiring meeting during this visit was meeting women belonging to self-help groups under the NGO Hand-in-Hand in Maraimalai Nagar. The

ambassador spent a long time chatting with the women as they shared their backgrounds and work experiences, and also bought two necklace pieces made by the women. (Agencies)

Fall in Indian wholesale prices New Delhi, Jul 15: Wholesale prices fell for the eighth consecutive month in June largely due to the impact of weak fuel prices but some food items displayed signs of firming up.

Data released by the commerce department showed inflation measured by the wholesale price index (WPI) fell 2.4% in June compared to the previous month's contraction of 2.36% and an increase of 5.7% in the corresponding month of the previous year.

While vegetable prices remained in the negative territory, prices of onions rose 18.5% in June although pace of increase was slower than the previous month.

Prices of pulses continued to be under pressure and rose 33.7% in June, reflecting the same trend in retail

inflation data. Economists said overall food inflation was higher at retail level.

In case of vegetables, prices have declined in case of WPI but increased at the

thorities watch closely for rate decisions, rose to an eight-month high of 5.4% in June on the back of spiralling food prices, data released recently showed.

in the monsoon, output and inflation before taking any decision in interest rates.

The WPI number may not matter much," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist

WEAK FUEL PRICES TRIGGER PRICE FALL Data released by the commerce department showed inflation measured by the wholesale price index (WPI) fell 2.4% in June compared to the previous month's contraction of 2.36% and an increase of 5.7% in the corresponding month of the previous year.

While vegetable prices remained in the negative territory, prices of onions rose 18.5% in June although pace of increase was slower than the previous month.

Prices of pulses continued to be under pressure and rose 33.7% in June, reflecting the same trend in retail inflation data. retail level. In case of fruits, retail prices have risen at a lower rate than at the wholesale level. Retail inflation data, which the au-

"As CPI (consumer price index) inflation has inched upwards to 5.4% for June, the RBI would probably wait for some more trends

at Care ratings. But India Inc has pressed ahead with its demand for a cut in interest rates, citing weak industrial output data. (Agencies)

Venugopal is the CEO of Axilor 2,000-crore fund-of-funds planned by Sidbi for start-ups Mumbai, Jul 15: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) on Tuesday said it has set aside Rs 2,000 crore for a fund-of-funds to pick-up equity in startups under the Rs 10,000-crore corpus announced in %the budget.

Sidbi will use a part the remaining Rs 8,000 crore of the budgetary allocation to extend soft loans to micro, small and medium units at concessional rates, Sidbi CMD Kshatrapati Shivaji

told reporters here. "We will be utilising a part of the money allocated in the Budget for a fund-of-funds which will take equity interest in startup enterprises while the rest (Rs 8,000 crore) will be for soft and term loans," Shivaji said.

The contribution towards the fund of funds will be around Rs 2,000 crore, he said, but didn't give exact details of the amount to be devoted for lending or the number of beneficiaries.

The lending will be done to companies which are taking the 'Make in India' initiative ahead, he said, adding the lending scheme has been given the acronym 'SMILE' which centres around lending to small units. The Budget had announced the setting up of the Mudra Bank, which is under Sidbi and aimed at refinancing the debt of micro-enterprises.

Shivaji, who also heads Mudra Bank, said there is no issue of over-lap between

the two institutions - Sidbi and Mudra Bank. "We will not be competing. In fact, they will be playing a complementary role to us," he said, adding given the large number of micro enterprises, there is a need to develop the entire ecosystem which will support to such companies. Mudra Bank has already given out over 5,000 'Mudra cards' to beneficiary enterprises and over Rs 120 crore has been refinanced," he said. (Agencies)

Former Infosys CEO SD Shibulal invests in child security tracker Falcon Bengaluru, Jul 15: Former Infosys CEO SD Shibulal has invested an undisclosed sum in child security tracker Falcon. Falcon is a dashboard that enables school administrations to track the safety of its students by recording information about child's boarding and disembarking points from the bus from home to school and back.

It is the flagship product of Bengaluru-based Purnatva Solutions, which is part of Shibulal co-founded startup incubator Axilor Ventures' entrepreneur-inresidence programme.

"The foundation we run has many schools and they have been looking for a solution that will bring together all the parties transport provider, schools and parents. So recently some entrepreneurs came up and said they were interested in building it and the investment happened through Axilor," said Shibulal. The Falcon

tracker works when its software, loaded on a tablet, is carried by the school administrative staff with details of all the students' boarding and disembarking points along the bus route.

The data is stored in the cloud and can be accessed by schools through an online portal. It also equips parents to know the location of the bus and the route, real-time. Axilor Ventures, founded by former Infosys trio - Kris Gopalakrishnan, Srinath Batni and Shibulal - helps early stage startups in areas like e-commerce, healthcare, life sciences, sustainability and clean technology. Recently, the trio invested $1 million (Rs 6.4 crore) in Bengalurubased e-commerce platform SellerworX Online Services and $2 million (Rs 12.8 crore) in Mysurubased clean energy company Vigyanlabs. Axilor runs three programmes accelerator, entrepreneur-

in-residence and earlystage funding. For the selected startups, the Axilor founders will co-invest through their individual funds. The size of funding will range from Rs 30 lakh in the accelerator programme to Rs 6 crore

for early-stage companies.

It has other co-founders including Tarun Khanna, professor at the Harvard Business School, and Ganapathy Venugopal, former head of strategy & planning at Infosys.

(Agencies)

"I will miss chances but I can promise you I will keep trying until it goes in. It is my dream to score goals for Fenerbahce."

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 11

Robin van Persie

Gold Cup: Jamaica, Costa Rica advance Jamaica scored a late winning goal while Costa Rica needed only a scoreless draw as both teams advanced from Group B to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday. Jamaica's Garath McCleary tapped in a rebound in the 72nd minute to help his team beat El Salvador 1-0 and clinch the group with seven points. McCleary's second goal of the tournament set up a quarter-final clash against Haiti. El Salvador could have clinched a berth to the quarter-finals with a win but could not score. The Jamaicans prevailed despite needing

BCCI likely to include two new franchises in the next IPL season Mumbai: With the Supreme Court appointed three-member panel, headed by former Chief Justice of India Rajendra Mal Lodha, banning Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) for two years in the Indian Premier League spot-fixing case, it is speculated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India may now come up with two new franchises in the upcoming editions of the tournament. According to sources in the BCCI, the Board is likely to introduce two new franchises.

It is also believed that both CSK and RR can now appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. Sources also disclosed that the BCCI's Disciplinary Committee will study the report submitted by Justice Lodhaheaded panel and then the board will initiate action accordingly. (Agencies)

Under-performing Haddin ruled out of Lord's Test

three goal keepers and lost Darren Mattocks to a sec-

ond yellow card in the 81st minute. Starting goal-

keeper Jermaine Taylor was injured in the opening

minutes, while replacement Dwayne Miller went down in the 23rd minute after taking a hit in the head.

In the late match, Canada continued their offensive struggles in front of a partisan crowd in Toronto.

Canada had a great chance to end that drought in the 24th minute when Dejan Jakovic's throw-in set up an attempt by Marcus Haber that was saved. The Canadians failed to score in their three games at the tournament, allowing Costa Rica to advance to the quarter-finals with just three points. (Agencies)

Lack of popularity sees end of Champions League Twenty20 Mumbai: The Governing Council of the Champions League T20 confirmed on Wednesday that the Twenty20 cricket competition will be discontinued with immediate effect. The tournament was run since 2009 by the cricket boards of India (BCCI), Australia (CA) and South Africa (CSA). The 2015 edition, which would have been the seventh and was scheduled for September-October, was cancelled because of the tournament's "limited public following", organisers said. Since its inception in 2009, the CLT20 found itself in trouble. They were unable to acquire title sponsors and television ratings also dipped progressively.

The amount of money spent on the tournament didn't make much financial sense to the Indian Board either.

Anurag Thakur, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said: "This has been a difficult decision as the Champions League T20 provided added context to a number of domestic Twenty 20 competitions around the world, such as the Indian Premier League in India, Big Bash League in Australia and South Africa's Ram Slam T20. It was a fantastic platform for players from around the

Navratilova and Sania hold joint tennis Masterclass in Hyderabad!

Hyderabad: When two champions of tennis share their knowledge of the sport they most love and excel, everyone is keyed in. That is exactly what happened on Wednesday evening when Indian ace Sania Mirza hosted the legendary Martina Navratilova at a tennis 'Masterclass' in Hyderabad. Organised by the WTA, the 'Future Stars Masterclass', at a popular city hotel, was a learning session for young tennis talent. "@MirzaSania & @Martina at Sania's Tennis Academy for #WTA Future Stars Tennis Masterclass", the WTA tweeted. The ocean of knowledge shared by both, Sania and Navratilova, must certainly have been worth more than a hundred

training sessions. They also did a video chat on Twitter and took questions from their fans. Navratilova's trip

to the city allowed Sania an opportunity to take the legend to her tennis academy. (Agencies)

US Open prize money hits a record $42.3m

world to showcase their talent, and the participating teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience over the last six seasons. Unfortunately, off the field, Champions League T20 wasn't sustaining the interest of the fans as we had hoped. This decision was made, after consultation with all our commercial partners and meeting the contractual obligations of all parties involved.

The Governing Council would like to thank everyone involved with the CLT20 and all those who participated in the tournament. Further details associated with winding down

the league including settling with the three nations that had invested time and effort in the competition, will be completed very soon." Launched by the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa in 2008, the competition offered a highly-lucrative prize pool of $6 million, with $2.5 million going to the winners. It brought together teams from the India Premier League, Australia's Big Bash League, South Africa's Ram Slam T20 Challenge and Caribbean Premier League along with other qualifiers. The inaugural

event was cancelled after the death of 164 people in coordinated attacks on Mumbai in November 2008. The tournament failed to gain any real traction thereafter. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings were the most successful teams in the competition; both won it twice, Super Kings securing what will be the final title in Bangalore last year. Australia, India and South Africa were the primary stakeholders, while the tournament also saw participation by teams from the West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. (Agencies)

Washington: The US Open leapfrogged Wimbledon as the richest Grand Slam event in tennis as the United States Tennis Association announced a 10.5 per cent prize money increase for next month's championship. The purse for the US Open will hit $42.3 million (£27 million), with the men's and women's singles winners each pocketing $3.3 million. The All England Club upped the Wimbledon prize money this year by seven per cent to 26.75 million pounds ($41.82m).

Singles winners Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams each received 1.88 million pounds, just under $3m at the current exchange rate. With this announcement, the US Open has inched ahead, based on the current exchange rate, in what has

become something of a wage race. Additionally, the top finishers in the Emirates Airline US Open Series of events leading up to the Grand Slam are eligible for bonus prize money. In 2014, women's singles champion Serena Williams took home $4 million, the biggest single payday in tennis history. She earned $3 million as the US

Open singles champion and a $1 million bonus as the Open series champion. "We continue our commitment to ensure that the US Open offers one of the most lucrative purses in all of sports," USTA president and US Open chairwoman Katrina Adams said in a statement. "As we have stated, total player compensation at the US Open will reach $50 million by 2017." For 2015, the singles remuneration for each round will increase by at least 10 percent. All 128 singles entrants are guaranteed $39,500, with prize money almost doubling with each victory.

The payout for the doubles competition will increase by 8.4 per cent overall, with the men's and women's doubles champions earning $570,000, the most ever at the US Open.

(Agencies)

Fenerbahce fans give Van Persie rapturous welcome

London: Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will not play in the second Test against England at Lord's due to family reasons, Cricket Australia has said. Peter Nevill will make his Test debut on Thursday at the age of 29. Australian newspapers reported earlier that 37-year-old Haddin would miss the match after sitting out practice. Haddin had a poor first Test in Cardiff, dropping England centurion Joe Root on nought and failing twice with the bat. Australia left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc is expected to be fit despite struggling with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old Starc, who took seven wickets in the first Test which England won by 169 runs, has been battling an ankle problem.

"Starcy got through well today, bowled out in the middle off the long run, both ends, he's feeling good," said fast bowler Peter Siddle, who did not play in the Cardiff Test. "I guess it's just a waiting game at the moment for myself.

Everyone's fit at the moment which is nice."

(Agencies)

Istanbul: Netherlands striker Robin van Persie vowed to rekindle his goal-scoring prowess and help Fenerbahce win trophies as he joined the Turkish club from Manchester United on a three-year deal. Donning the blue-and-yellow striped kit of the Turkish league runners-up, van Persie stepped out in front of thousands of cheering fans, a few setting off flares, at a signing ceremony in their stadium on the Asian side of Istanbul. "With this team we can win trophies. My aim is to win as many trophies as

we can over the next couple of years and to do really well in Europe," he was quoted as saying.

"I will miss chances but I can promise you I will keep trying until it goes in. It is my dream to score goals for Fenerbahce," he said.

Financial details of his deal were not disclosed.

The 31-year-old joined United from Arsenal for 24 million pounds ($36.92 million) in August 2012 and had an impressive debut season, finishing as the Premier League's top scorer as the Old Trafford side won the title. But the

Dutchman, who was entering the final season of

his contract with United, struggled for form and

fitness under Louis van Gaal last term and slipped down the pecking order. He said he now needed a couple of weeks to be in perfect condition with pre-season training. Asked about his emotions on leaving Manchester, he said: "From my side there are no hard feelings." "You see that everyone really appreciated my time there. That was important for me," he said. Van Persie struggled with an ankle injury through last season. He blamed a hectic pre-World Cup training programme, as he

Boca Juniors unveil returning idol Carlos Tevez Buenos Aires: Carlos Tevez was officially unveiled as a Boca Juniors player in a 6.5 million euros ($7.15 million) transfer from Juventus.

Thousands of fans of the popular club from the port district of La Boca packed La Bombonera stadium to welcome Tevez home from a decade abroad the day after the team went top of the Argentine league championship. "My heart's exploding with happiness! Thanks for braving the cold and waiting for me. I'm already back home," Tevez said on his Twitter feed. Juventus, the last of Tevez's overseas clubs that began at Corinthians in Brazil in 2005 and included English sides West Ham United, Manchester United and Manchester City, revealed the terms of the deal

on their website (www.juventus.com). On top of the fee for Tevez, the Italian champions get the loan until June 30, 2017 of Boca teenager Guido Vadala with an option to buy him for 9.4 million euros and also first choice to sign three other young players. "I'm returning in my prime, really that's now. At 26 or 27 I was fatter than anyone. I feel better than ever, physically and mentally," the 31-year-old told a news conference after signing his contract. Tevez will wear the number 10 shirt previously worn by Diego Maradona and Juan Roman Riquelme. "Riquelme is one of the greatest, an idol of the club," Tevez said. "I'm not here to better him, I'm here to write my own history." Boca went top of the

Lorenzo drew 1-1 at Union and River were also held 11 by Temperley at El Monumental as they rested first choice players for Tuesday's first leg of their Libertadores Cup semi-final against Guarani of Paraguay. Sunday was also a good day for former Argen-

table with a 1-0 win at Sarmiento on Sunday, a point ahead of San Lorenzo and three in front of River Plate. Tevez, who missed the resumption of the championship because he was on holiday after playing for Argentina at the Copa America, said he would train all week to be ready for his comeback in next weekend's home match against Quilmes. San

tina defender Gabriel Heinze, who made his coaching debut with Godoy Cruz in a 3-0 home win over Crucero del Norte in Mendoza. Another coach Mauricio Pellegrino began his tenure at Independiente with a 3-1 home victory over Olimpo. (Agencies)

Under-13 football match ends in a draw ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 15: The Sujit Narzai under-13 Inter District State level football match held at Bongaon yesterday between Sivsagar and Dibrugarh ended in a

draw with the scoreline reading 1-1. For the Sivsagar team, Chandra Deuri scored the lone goal while for Dibrugarh Suraj Karmakar scored the equalizer.

battled to get fit for Brazil, and then a lack of a break after the tournament last summer. He spoke enthusiastically about his rapturous welcome in Istanbul, saying he had always liked the passion in Turkey from the fans and players.

Van Persie said his Dutch compatriot and former Fenerbahce player Dirk Kuyt had spoken positively of the club and his time in Turkey. "We spoke with other clubs but this club gave me the best feeling and I am very happy that we are here now," he said. He was also asked

about potential rivalry playing against his fellow national team player Wesley Sneijder at Galatasaray. "He's a very good guy, he's a friend and colleague. I'm looking forward to that challenge because I respect this league a lot.

You have many good teams here. It is a very hard league to win," he said. Van Persie followed his former United team mate Nani to Fenerbahce after the Portugal winger completed a move to the Turkish club last week for six million euros in a three-year deal. (Agencies)

Summer camp closing ceremony A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 15: With the sixteen-day summer cricket coaching camp organized by Cricket Club of Dibrugarh (CCD) from July 3 nears its conclusion, its closing ceremony slated to take place on July 18. Fifty local youngsters from Dibrugarh district and thirty outstation youngsters from upper Assam have enrolled for the ongoing summer cricket coaching camp which

has been progressing smoothly, under the guidance of our NCA level ‘B’ coach Gautam Dutta, NCA level ‘A’ coach Pabitra Dutta, NCA level ‘A’ coach Dipankar Banerjee and overall fitness camp by Ranji Trophy player Arnel Konwar. “The youngsters have immensely benefited from our ongoing summer cricket coaching camp,’’ said Tridip Das, General Secretary of CCD.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 16

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Lifeline of Dibrugarh

If you've ever been to my hometown: Dibrugarh, you are sure to have seen scores of auto rickshaws running all over the place.

Unlike most cities in India, Dibrugarh doesn't have a network of city buses. Yet these auto rickshaws (or just Autos as we call them) more than make up for the lack of it. Running almost from everywhere to everywhere, painted in black and yellow colours, they can rightfully be called the "Busy Bees" of the town; not only for their colour but more so for their usefulness to the public.

Whether you are a regular student who needs to attend tuitions at 5 in the morning or a travelling serviceman who needs to return back home safe late at night or just a random tourist who needs to drop by his relative's house, you can always ,YES always rely on these convenient means of public transport.

This Lifeline of Dibrugarh has two main routes: one on which the larger ones i.e. Vikrams ply, spiralling the entire town in a well knit criss-cross; and the other shorter route on

which their smaller coun- stops. terparts i.e. Autos run Oh! This brings us to the about the main bazaar. next regular face: THE However , rather than de- PRETTY GIRLS! You scribing their utility I more than often come would like to bring out the across one or two such most common and fasci- girls usually on their way nating faces that one is to shopping, tuitions or likely to come across while their workplace. They are travelling in these. mostly the hesitant kind Firstly, you come across who often look and think the most significant friend twice before sitting inside you will have on the vehicles. this journey: Ashish Kejriwal They slowly have THE CONDUCa look at most TOR or HANDYMAN (I fellow passengers often frankly have no idea of staring a little too much if what they are actually a handsome boy (Yes, even called). There is a mind girls stare. Don't they?) is boggling variety in this sitting opposite to her. class; young lads of all However, they immedishapes and sizes work, oh ately look away if you stare wait, I should rather say back at them, often enjoy themselves at this slightly combing their hair job. They are the most ea- with their brightly ger ones to help you com- coloured nails. mute using their service. Brace yourselves for THE However, they are equally COOL STUDS! At most generous at voicing their stops, you encounter a anger if you have even a bunch of these cool guys, moderately worn out Rs5/ or at least who like to be 10 note. Skinny boys with called as such. Usually in gutka stained teeth, hang- small groups, they wait till ing at the sides of most they find a vehicle where Vikrams or sitting by the a girl and her friend have driver's side, they try their already picked their seats, best at stuffing their ve- often grinning ear to ear hicles full of passengers, on seeing them. Stamping often slyly glancing at on peoples' feet carelessly, pretty girls standing at the they pull up their falling

low-waist pants while getting inside. Then stroking their spiked hair in a cool (read as clumsy) manner, they generally pick up their cell phones flauntingly and yell at the guy on the other end in unintelligible slang, attracting considerable attention from their fellow passengers.

THE ADULTS: This category is the most diverse.

From irritated men returning from work in their stinking shirts to irritating middle aged women with beads of sweat on their faces and shopping bags full of veggies in their hands. The women often gossip endlessly on a myriad of matters from household to the weather to the young daughter of their neighbour. Men however, prefer to keep their mum unless they have had a nice fight with their wives at home. In such cases they can be equally annoying as the women.

Often while getting inside the vehicles I've personally come across a few who never make space for anyone else while at times I've also encountered few who are ready even to harbor a

school going boy on their laps. Sometimes, I am really overwhelmed by their sheer sweet kindness and sometimes by their annoying arrogance. However, the latter variety is fortunately less in number.

THE ELDERLY: Often you also get to see a lonesome old man or woman patiently sitting by your side eagerly glancing outside to look for their destination or for someone from their family probably waiting for them at their destination. Their wishes, I'm afraid often die unfulfilled. I have often found them looking for something to hold on when the Vikrams or Autos passes over a speed breaker, sometimes they hold my hand willingly or unwillingly to maintain balance and then open their lips in a smile that is no less than a divine blessing.

THE SCHOOL SCHOLARS: During week days you'll also find a large number of school students waving their hands at the vehicles. Often auto drivers ignore them for they tend to pay a little less than the other passengers. This causes big trouble to them during exams when they have their hands full of notes and faces full of stress. Quite ironically, these youngsters turn into the tuition going class in the evening and provide regular opportunities of livelihood to the same auto drivers.

THE CONFUSED TOURIST: Not that we've got many but once in a while you find a random visitor who is not acquainted with the streets of the town. Sitting next to you with a heavy bag, they will certainly ask you how far is so and so road from the stop. Then he'll ring his relative that he has arrived safely and the town has just given the example of a warm welcome. However, the naive ones often get overcharged by the few shrewd drivers. Well, I bet you'll encounter at least one of these interesting characters on your next trip. But even if you don't; do not despair. For who knows you might be able to discover a new one.

All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU) felicitates by HSLC & Higher Secondary rank holder students at Dibrugarh Hahitya Sabha Vabon. Pic - UB Photos

Mr & Miss Brahmaputra beauty contest winner Risha Sharma (Middle) 1st Runners Up Aatryee Gogoi and 2nd Runners Up Monmee Narah at District Library, Dibrugarh . Pic - UB Photos Readers are requested to contribute articles relating to Dibrugarh Metro page. Articles can be sent to: editor.easterntoday@gmail.com with the subject line mentioned as 'Metro page'.

Dibrugarh footpaths, death traps for pedestrians Kankana Baruah Walking on the roads in Dibrugarh has become a nightmare for pedestrians as the town is gripped with the issues of unruly traffic, potholed roads, encroachment and non-existent footpaths. As these basic problems continue to be neglected there has been a rise in the number of road accidents as well as instances of injuries resulting from accidental falls on footpaths and drains. At a time when death traps in the form of uncovered drains and manholes continue to endanger the lives of the citizens, all the tall talks of the government about transforming Dibrugarh into a model city are falling flat on its face. In the past couple of months, there have been reports of at last 8 persons sustaining serious injuries after falling in uncovered drains and potholed footpaths. As per

Barely 7 km of footpath along 87 km road

records, the total length of all the roads under Dibrugarh Municipal area stands at 87 km but surprisingly the total length of the footpaths in the city is less than 7 km. Over 80 per cent

of the footpaths which are maintained by the PWD have been encroached upon by shopkeepers, carts, makeshift vendors, roadside automobile workshops, hotels and private

hospitals while the authorities continue to prefer to look the other way. The encroachers virtually elbow the pedestrians onto roads which are also equally congested and unsafe. The

footpaths which are comparatively encroachment free too are unsafe as at some places manholes have been left uncovered with thieves having filched the lids. Most of the footpaths of Dibrugarh violate the Indian Road Congress Standards which specify footpaths should be at least 1.5 meters in width. "There is not a single footpath in the city which is in proper shape or safe to walk on.

Most of them are narrow, encroached and uncovered.

We find it extremely dangerous to walk even on the major roads like RKB Road and KC Gogoi Road. The strategic Mancotta Road has almost no covering throughout its entire stretch. The same can be said of the road from Chowkidinghee Chariali up to Amolapatty," said Jyoti Rekha Baruah, a resident of the town.

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