16 July, 2016, Saturday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 12

Vol. II

Issue 28

MARRIAGE: AN IMPORTANT CAREER DECISION FOR WOMEN?

Page - 11

Dibrugarh, Saturday, July 16, 2016

Price -

5.00

PAGE 5

Pages- 12

EXPERTS MULL OVER DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN NORTHEAST

DEFENCE EXPERT RUBBISHES PAK'S MOVE TO OBSERVE BLACK DAY, CALLS FOR POLITICAL DIALOGUE Page - 6

Page - 5

Power Play in Arunachal ahead of Crucial Floor Test on Saturday Tuki on his part has maintained that following the Supreme Court judgment, all legislators who had sided with Kalikho Pul were technically and legally Congress members.

Two days after the Supreme Court turned the clock back on the Arunachal Pradesh Government, a hectic tussle between the two main contenders – the Congress and People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) – is underway to grab power in Arunachal Pradesh, with some “outside” support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The floor test for the Nabam Tuki government to prove its majority in the house is scheduled on Saturday and this has only speeded up the power games in the state.

In fact, the countdown to this intense battle for the CM’s office began soon after the Wednesday’s apex court verdict. Congressman Nabam Tuki didn’t even wait to return to state Capital Itanagar to resume charge as the Chief Minister, a position he lost early this year to his former Health Minister-turned-rebel

ET CAPSULES

Blood donation camp held Golaghat, July 15: A Blood Donation camp will be held on 17th July, Sunday at Golaghat.

It is jointly organized by Auto World, Agarwal Yuva Sabha, Akhil Bharatia Marwari Mahila Sanmelan from 10:00 am onwards at Auto World (hero dealer). The organisers have requested all to join the same. (Correspondent)

Summer Children Camp at Sonari Sonari, July 15: Pathikrit Gosthi, an organisation for the development of hidden talents among children is going to organise its Summer Children Camp and the inauguration of its yearlong silver jubilee programme with a weeklong programme from Sunday at the BPB MHS School premises.

Competition like quiz, sit and draw, story telling, recitation, extempore speech etc will be held during the camp. For more details the organisers had requested to contact: Rajen Gogoi, President at 7086610453 or Biju Pradhan, general secretary at 94352-27664.

(Correspondent)

State Institute of Open Schooling in Golaghat Golaghat, July 15: There is a good news for the students of Golaghat who had passed Class IX in 2011 and also who could not succeed in the HSLC Examination can now take admission under State Institute of Open Schooling, Assam which is a part of Board of Secondary Education, Assam. The Golaghat centre of State Institute of Open Schooling has been opened. The centre is at the premises of Golaghat Government Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School.

The principal and course coordinator S. P. Rahman stated that the admission process is going on for the classes of Open School to be commenced from first week of August. (Correspondent)

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party man Kalikho Pul after a bitter fight.

From the Chief Minister’s suite at the Arunachal Bhavan in New Delhi, Tuki shot off a letter to the acting state Governor and BJP leader Tathagata Roy on Wednesday evening to apprise him of his “taking over” of office. He also telephoned the state police chief and the Chief Secretary on “the future course” of his government after his arrival at the state capital Itanagar on Thursday.

On landing at the Itanagar airport on Thursday, a confident Tuki drove straight to the CM’s office. He also rushed to Raj Bhavan on Thursday afternoon to meet Roy to seek “at least 10 days’ time” as per his party’s decision. Roy, however, refused to relent from his earlier decision and insisted that the floor test be taken on Saturday.

As the day wore on, the plot thickened with the focus

ARUNACHAL DRAMA CONTINUES The Arunachal Pradesh assembly has 60 seats, of which two are vacant. Mr Tuki needs 30 to win.

The Congress originally had 47 lawmakers, but 21 of them have turned rebel. If they do not support Mr Tuki, he cannot win the vote.

Nabam Tuki's request for 10 days' time before Arunachal floor test rejected by Governor Tathagatha Ray.

Yesterday, in a show of strength, Mr Pul held a press conference in Guwahati in neighbouring Assam, flanked by 40 lawmakers, including those of the BJP. "We are sure of our numbers and we are sure of defeating Tuki on the floor of the House," he said.

The BJP has declared that while Mr Tuki may have won the legal battle, he will not survive the trust vote. It has placed Himanta Biswa Sarma, Mr Tuki says that some Congress a former Congressman who switched to the BJP lawmakers are out of town; he wanted his and helped the party win the Assam election, in charge of its strategy. trust vote to be held after 10 days.

Mr Sarma has convened the nearly 30 rebel That request was refused today by officiating Governor Tathagatha Roy who Congressmen and all BJP lawmakers in a luxury says that the government appears to be in hotel in Guwahati to ensure they cannot be wooed

by Mr Tuki ahead of the vote. a minority. shifting from the “historic” SC verdict to the arithmetic of

numbers as it became clear that Tuki had to prove his majority

NSCN (K) camp busted in Changlang ET Bureau Changlang, July 15

A NSCN (K) hideout at Railung near Phenbiro village, Changlang district was busted

by Assam Rifles on Jul 15. One AK 47 with 30 live rounds and two pairs of uniform were recovered from the hideout of the outfit. Acting on a clue m, the AR troops were led deep into the jungle where the hideout was discovered and busted. The Assam Rifles in the district is on high alert following the incident and is extensively dominating the areas to maintain peace.

Assam Rifles busted NSCN (K) camp at Changlang

Gross anomalies of funds detected by UGC investigation team in implementation of funds

A serious allegeation has come up that six colleges in Sivasagar district had to return funds with interest sanctioned by the University Grants Commission (UGC) after the concerning colleges failed to utilise the funds properly.

Sources also said that investigation teams sent by the UGC had also allegedly found gross anomalies and corruption which amounts to shipponing of funds in implementation of projects sanctioned by the

UGC. According to information available, the UGC had sanctioned a sum of 2 crores for the six colleges for construction of amenities indoor stadium, swimming pool, girls’ hostel etc during the year 2003 and 2014 time period. A few among the colleges implemented the funds accordingly but some of them could not finish the projects. The UGC through its Guwahati based zonal office had sent a letter on March 13 No. F.No.2 – 37/2014 (Vlg) mentioning that Amguri College, Sonari College, Jhanji Hemnath Sarmah College,

Moran College, Swahid Moniram Dewan College, Charing and Sibsagar Girls College had defaulted in proper utilization of the funds sanctioned by the UGC. Kishor Kumar, Education Officer (Vlg), UGC through the letter has stated that untill and unless the colleges sent back the sanctioned amount along with interest, no further funds will be sanctioned by the UGC. The letter which the colleges had received during the first part of the current month had become a much discussed matter amidst academic circles of the district.

Congress MLA resigns’ to join BJP Sushanta Roy Diphu July 15

In a hasty political development Baithalangso MLA Dr Mansing Rongpi resigned from the primary membership of the Congress Party and as the Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly yesterday evening.

In a letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, MP and President of

He also claimed the support of 13 others – “Apart from these 30 from the Congress who have joined the PPA, two independents and 11 BJP MLAs are supporting the government from outside.”

By this arithmetic, Tuki, who began with 47 Congress MLAs when he took over office early 2014, now has the support of only 15 of them. He urgently needs to rustle up the support of another 15 to prove his majority in the 60-member assembly.

Contd. on Page 3

APCC warns BJP assures MLAs of three support lines wipe during floor test A Staff Reporter Itanagar, July 15

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Padi Richo today warned that if the floor test is held in the assembly, the chief whip of the party may issue a three line whip to its legislators to vote in favour or against the motion, which may attract the 10th Schedule as per the Indian Constitution, if not followed.

Stating that there is no permanent friendship or enmity in politics, Richo invited all Congress MLAs to stand united to fight against ‘divisive’ and ‘communal’ forces like the RSS and BJP. Opining that 48 hours of time to hold the floor test was unfortunate, Contd. on Page 3

the Indian National Congress, Dr Rongpi said that he has resigned as the primary member of the Indian National Congress. In another letter addressed to the Speaker of the Assam Assembly Mr. Ranjit Das. Later in the afternoon he formally joined the BJP in presence of Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma, MLA Sum Ronghang and MLA Dr Numal Momin

along with the Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang.

There were indications since past weeks that he would be switching political loyalty as he along with the CEM Tuliram Ronghang and Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma were seen together in New Delhi, Contd. on Page 3

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, July 15

Arunachal state Bharatiya Janata Party has adopted a resolution to extend full support to the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) during the floor test scheduled for July 16.

"The regional party, PPA is a core constituent to the North East Democratic Alliance, which is currently headed by the BJP”, said state BJP president Tapir Gao, while adding that the BJP shall extend outside support to the PPA during the floor test.

Further, a resolution was also adopted to seek graceful exit of incumbent Chief Minister Nabam Tuki as his government has been reduced to a minority.

ULFA (I) Deputy Commander-in-Chief along with 10 cadres likely to surrender Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, July 15

Ulfa (I) supremo Paresh Baruah is all set to get a strong set-back following reports outfits deputy commander-in-chief Colonel Drishti Rajkhowa alias Drishti Asom alias Manoj Rabha is set to come over ground anytime around August 15. Colonel Drishti Rajkhowa, right hand of Ulfa supremo Paresh Baruah, is likely to be joined by over 10 more trained cadres of the outfit while cutting off their relations with banned outfit Ulfa (I) to come

over ground.

Confirming this crucial development a senior official associated with security agencies said, that the grounds for the surrender of top Ulfa

Asom. The cadres are in touch with both police and the army and few of them may be arrested due to technical reasons.

Another reliable source said, the surrender may come at the hand of Tinsukia and Golaghat police while few cadres will come over ground at the hands of Dibrugarh army.

He added, Colonel Drishti Rajkhowa in all likely scenarios will remain at Bangladesh only, and through a letter will intimate Assam police of coming over ground by leaving the banned outfit Ulfa (I).

Eastern Today Exclusive

UGC orders six colleges of Sivasagar to return funds ET Correspondent Sonari, July 15

at the floor of the house to save his government.

Even as he held his first cabinet meeting with four of the original 12 ministers at the CM’s office, his nemesis, Pul, paraded 30 former Congress MLAs at a press meet held at a five-star hotel in Guwahati in neighbouring Assam. Pul told newspersons, “Legally, I am the Chief Minister of Arunachal and this is my Cabinet.”

leader and cadres is almost set.

On the condition of anonymity, the source said, the other cadres apart from Ulfa deputy C-N-C Drishti Rajkhowa include Corporal Vivek Asom, Sergeant Major Jantu Asom, Lahor Asom, Rupam Dutta alias Rupam

It is learnt that this is because of ideological conflicts between him and Paresh Asom over several matters. It is also claimed that Colonel Drishti Rajkhowa, one of the most trusted and senior leader of the militant outfit has been acting in the role of Deputy C-N-C of the outfit, only in namesake as he has been ignored in key decision in past few months. Once in 1996 he was given a free hand to take any decision and now isn't allowed to command eastern command forces.

On the other hand, security forces doubt that prior this surrender fake extortion case may rise.

Agriculture Minister agrees to CID request to prosecute 31 officers of agri dept on charges of corruption A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 15

The Assam government is continuing its crack of whip on corruption issues, and this time it is the turn of AGP MLA and Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora.

Bora has agreed to a request by the CID and has given sanction for prosecution of 31 officers of the state Agriculture department allegedly involved in corruption and irregularities.

The CID had sought the sanction as it is probing a slew of irregularities in the Agriculture department.

Agriculture minister Atul

Bora said that every case of allegation will be probed and added that the government will not give in to malpractices. He also said that the guilty will be punished.

Last year, as many as 343 Class I gazetted officers of the Agricultural department, apprehending arrests in connection with the scams, had secured anticipatory bails from the Gauhati High Court.

The Assam Public Works (APW) and Krishak Sramik Unnayan Parishad had lodged separate cases with the CID, alleging misappropriation of hundreds of crores meant for Central government schemes.

The APW has alleged that

distribution scheme and ‘Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)’, a sub scheme of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora crores of rupees of public money were misappropriated

by Agriculture department officials on the pretext of a lime

It had named former Agriculture minister Nilamani Sen Deka, director Kabindra Borkakoti, joint director Upen Borah, Khanapara agriculture development officer Majam Ali Akanda and contractor Sanowar Hussain in the case.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture minister said vacant posts of gram sevaks will be filled up soon. “We have also directed Agriculture officers to go the fields and not just sit in their offices,” Bora added.

Sonowal urges Assam Bhawan and Assam House staff to work with dedication A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 15

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today met the officials and employees of Assam Bhawan and Assam House and urged them to work with dedication and sincerity

for the well being of the people of Assam.

Interacting for the first time with officials and employees of Assam Bhawan and Assam House at the conference room of Assam Bhawan, Chief Minister Sonowal said that both the houses in the national

capital represent the life, ethos and culture of Assam. Sonowal exhorted upon the officials and employees to work with sincerity, devotion and dedication in the service of the people of Assam. “The people come all the way here for treatment, education and other

official and important works.

Hardly 5 to 10 per cent come here as tourists. We must look after them with care and concern and extend the warm hospitality during their stay here,” Contd. on Page 3

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ET Bureau New Delhi, Jul 15

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 2

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will be indecisive today, which is not usually the case with you. This could lead you to indulge in speculation, which is not so bad unless you risk all your money in it. Besides, when it comes to matters of the heart, you must exercise a great deal of caution.

Taurus Impulsive action kicks in as you work and interact today. Do not let the pressure and strain cloud your thoughts, and instead focus on acting on the things at hand. If you find things spiralling out of control, take a break and listen to some music that soothes your heart.

Gemini Today, you will decide to become a bit more conscious about your health. You may or may not join a gym or measure your calories, but you will definitely sit up and take notice of your lifestyle and unhealthy food habits. A new job is also likely, which will open a completely new chapter in your life.

Cancer Today, you will put your heart and soul into whatever task you take up. And, that's a great thing to do. Don't lose heart though, if despite the best efforts, the results of your efforts are not too forthcoming. Feeling dejected is only going to hamper your progress. Remember that you'll receive your due sooner or later. Spend some time with your loved ones to revive yourself. Alternatively, a quiet evening tucked in the bed with a nice book is also a great idea.

Leo If one were to put an earnest spirit and a frank attitude together, the result would be a Leo; it's like your hallmark. And with qualities like these in your kitty, don't be surprised if you happen to reach a milestone or two today. Will it be marital bliss or career success? No matter what the area is, be assured that your societal standing shall get a heady boost today.

Just don't let the success go to your head.

Virgo The booster rockets of your ambitions and spirit to work will kick in at the maximum today. Seek recreation after a hard day's work and look to relax at private parties, socialdos and even weddings.

Libra "Every man has specific natural abilities", said Aristotle. This seems to be true for you today. Your natural talents will be acknowledged and documented at work. This might prompt your equals to hold you up above the rest, and for your seniors to positively encourage you to scale greater heights. But as always, be careful to make sure that success does not make you heady with arrogance. Keep yourself firmly grounded, and remember that, 'pride cometh before the fall'.

Scorpio You will find yourself thinking with your heart rather than your head today. You may not be able to repress your feelings, and you should not even try. But you should be careful about how you express them, particularly in public as people may judge you wrongly on the basis of it.

Sagittarius Today, your superiors at work are going to trust you with many complicated assignments.

But, after exerting yourself, you are sure to come out with flying colors and have your work appreciated. Do not be surprised if cash incentives come your way. Such may indeed be your fortune.

Capricorn You will be a live wire, today. With amazing exuberance you have completed mammoth tasks and have spread the energy around. It will give you tremendous job-satisfaction.

Everything seems well and good the personal front, too. Spending some quality time your spouse will relax your mind and keep you in an upbeat mood.

Aquarius For a moment, it seems that you're swamped with problems. But you are brave enough to deal with any ugly issue that crops up suddenly. A romantic evening, which may just be time together in a jacuzzi, or simply preparing a meal together. Pure ecstasy!

Pisces You are fond of traveling and are always looking for an excuse to set off. Hence it comes as no surprise if you pack your bags and decide to embark upon a journey on a whim today.

It is a much needed break too, from the daily stresses of earning a livelihood. While you are seeking solitude, you will take your friends and relatives along with you on the trip.

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

Veer Naris felicitated during ceremony organised by army at Maibella ET Correspondent Sonari, July 15: A grand ceremony was organised by the army at its Maibella camp in upper Assam’s Charaideo district to felicitate the family members of the army personnel of undivided Sivasagar district who laid down their lives and made supreme sacrifice for the nation while fighting the enemy during various wars which India has fought in the post Independence era on Thursday. The programme was organised by the 63 Field Regiment of the army at the Lakwa Thermal Power Station auditorium. The welcome speech was delivered by Col. Rajiv Ranjan, the Commanding Officer of

16-7-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 2-30 P.M-Western Music 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 (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of K.K Handique State Open University) 9-30P.M-Radio Serial in Hindi-"Marudhar Ke Phool" Sd-/H.O.P

always remember the contribution made by the martyrs who laid down their lives while serving for the nation. “We also

should not forget the sacrifice and efforts of the ‘Veer Naris’ or the family members of the soldiers who always act as a source

Missing Chatra Mukti leader's dead body recovered ET Correspondent Golaghat, July 15: Sensation prevails in Golaghat today following the recovery of the dead body of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti Jorhat District Committee General Secretary Sundeep Bora was recovered from Singijan area in Golaghat.

Sundeep Bora along with Chatra Mukti's State Committee General Secretary Bidyut Saikia and several other activists were travelling

to Guwahati by train on Wednesday night. In the same train another group of activists of Kamal Medhi fraction who was former leader of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti were travelling to Guwahati. The two groups had a clash in the train. Suddenly in the area between Furkating Junction and Jamuguri Station some activists pulled the chain to stop the train and the clash got violent. Some activists from both the groups

tried to flee from the spot and Sundeep Bora went missing. Later Bidyut Saikia and Kamal Medhi fraction leader Haren Bora filed FIR in Golaghat Police Station separately. On the basis of Haren Bora's complain Golaghat police arrested Bidyut Saikia and later he was sent to jail.

But today after recovering CMSS leader Sundeep Bora's dead body the entire scene changed dramatically.

Golaghat police arrested

Kamal Medhi fraction leader Haren Bora.

Chatra Mukti alleged it to be a planned murder and raised allegations against Kamal Medhi fraction. However, two other members of Chatra Mukti Mrinal Nath and Manas Konwar who went missing along with Sundeep Bora are still untraced. Meanwhile KMSS Leader Akhil Gogoi condoled the death of Sundeep Bora and declared him as a martyr.

Day long workshop on Nursing and Nursing in clinical practice held ET Correspondent Tezpur, July 15 : A day long workshop was held at Tezpur Medical College today. The subject matter of the workshop was “Nursing and Nursing in clinical practice’ which was organized aiming at making nursing more practical with

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights

the unit. Speaking as the chief guest Maj. Gen. Ananta Bhuyia, the GOC of 2 Mountain Division said that the nation must

clinical effect and patients satisfaction oriented. Besides the nurses of the Medical college and the hospital the day long function was attended by attended by resources persons from various frontline medical institute including Dibrugarh Bsc Nursing

Memo submitted by Senior Citizen Association to DC ET Correspondent Doomdooma, July 15 : A two point memorandum was submitted to the deputy commissioner of Tinsukia Puru Gupta by Senior Citizen Association, Doomdooma on Thursday regarding shifting/closing the Tuesday Market from Doomdooma Railway station Area and for clearing the pavements and roads of Doomdooma Town.

It may be mentioned here that every Tuesday a market is held around Doomdooma Railway Station, particularly on both sides of the railway track leading to traffic snarls for hours which creates a lot of trouble for the students, office-goers

as well as the common people causing much delay for them. The traffic jams are caused by the parking of different sorts of vehicles of both the vendors and the customers on the NH-37. On the other hand most of the pavements and and the roads in Doomdooma and around Doomdooma daily market in particular, are used by large number of vendors as market - places, thereby causing much inconvenience to the common people compelling them to walk on the roads instead of pavements. It is noteworthy that the Doomdooma Press Club has also expressed concern over these issues earlier.

College who elaborately spoke on the importance of the subject matter and urged the nurses to be dedicated towards their duty and follow the ideology of celebrated English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale

thereby providing an satisfactory health care service to the common people who throng the Hospital. Medical Superintendent, TMC&H, Dr. RC Deka attending the occasion emphasized on how holy the nursing line if it is carried out sincerely.

Interstate fake currency racket busted, 2 held ET Correspondent Mangaldai, July 15: Police team from Dhula PS, led by Officer in charge, Sub-Inspector Ranjit Hazarika in Darrang today apprehended two members of an interstate fake currency racket, identified as Rasul Ali (52) and Wazed Ali (26) during search operation in the house and premises of one Abu Taher of Galandi Habi village under Daipam police outpost of the district.

The police seized fake currency amounting Rs.

5500 in the denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500, from their possession. The arrested persons have confessed before police that they, along with their accomplices in Karnataka, Kerala, Maldah in West Bengal etc. used to spread huge quantity of fake currency in Darrang and adjoining district of Udalguri.

Further investigations are on to nab absconding house owner Abu Taher and other identified members of the notorious racket.

2 policemen arrested for negligence of duty at Kokrajhar

A view of ONGCL colony, Sivasagar which was flooded due to heavy down pour.

Pic - Prasanta Das

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, July 15: Kokrajhar police administration arrested two police jawans for negligence of duty as well suspect of involving with NDFB militant organisation for helping 4 NDFB cadre to flee when they were on their

way back to Kokrajhar jail on Wednesday in Kokrajhar.

The incident claimed a NDFB cadre under trial, another Rajib Basumatary still fled and two others back to jail.

Police administration just after few hours of the incident yesterday

night arrested an ASI and UBC police men.

They were identified as Dilip Basumatary, ASI and Ukundwi Brahma, UBC. “Police has been investigating into incident and necessary stern measures would be taken to find out the faulty inci-

dent”, Shyamal Prasad Saikia, Kokrajhar SP said adding that search operation is continued to find out fled NDFB cadre in the district.

Police also investigating into Dahit Chandra Brahma attacked case yesterday at Chandamari in Kokrajhar.

of inspiration for their men”, Gen. Bhuyia said.

Thereafter, 15 mothers and wives of army men who attained martyrdom while fighting for the nation were feliciated and honoured by Smti. Barnali Bhuyia, Chairperson, FWO, 2 Mountain Division. Mamoon Borkatoky, SDIPRO, Charaideo also spoke on the ocassion.

Brig. Siddharth Chawla, Commander, 2 Artilery Brigade and Mrs. Arti Chawla, Anand Prakash Tiwari, SP, Sivasagar, Mohneesh Misra, SP, Charaideo were present as distinguished guests.

The GOC had commended the job done by the 63 Field Regiment in organisation of the ceremony.

UGS sponsored National seminar to be held in Duliajan College A Correspondent Duliajan, July 15: Duliajan College is organizing a two day UGS sponsored National seminar on 23rd and 24th September 2016. The theme of the seminar is “Democracy, Human right and National Building in India”.

It is expected that the seminar will provide a forum of scholars, researcher, academicians, and social activities as well as to interact and exchange views on this vibrant topic.

Therefore seminar organizing committee cordially invited all college students and faculty members of college to attend the seminar with papers on any sub themes.

Kalita’s book of poems unfurled ET Correspondent Rangia, July 15: A book on poems, composed by Jagannath Kalita of Rangia Murara was unfurled by Khairul Hussain Baruah, a notable poet and writer of the locality, in a function held at Rangia Press club auditorium on Friday night.

The function was attended by Rahimuddin Ahmed, Prakash Deka and Tariful Islam. The Book 'Pranipat' is a collection of total 36 poems.

In his speech, poet Jagannath Kalita expressed his feelings and details of his book. The inaugurator, Mr. Baruah praised the poems of poet Mr. Kalita.

Advt

AFFIDAVIT By an Affidavit before the notary public at Tinsukia on 06/07/ 2016, I, Smti Nandita Borkotoky @Nandita Borthakur, W/o- Late Jitumoni Borthakur and D/o- Late Kali Prasad Borkotoky, R/ o- Sector-7, Bordoloi Nagar, P/O, P/S & Dist- Tinsukia, Assam do hereby declare that after my marriage I took up my husband surname Borthakur & I write my name and known as 'Nandita Borthakur' both above mention name is same and one identical person i.e., myself.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 3

Norms of Eco-Sensitive zone in Sonai-Rupai sanctuary violated Shambhu Boro Misamari, July 15 : At a time when wildlife poaching cases have been looming large in the state posing serious threat to the very existence of wild life particularly to the world famous one horned hinoceros, the villagers inhabiting in the close proximity of Sonai-Rupai sanctuary along the Assam-Arunachal border area in Sonitpur District feel proud that because of their sentimental attachment and obligation towards the sanctuary, the wild lives including wild elephant and the greenery have been able to endure amidst numbers of constraints. Interacting with this correspondent the common people of about 50 villages including Jiagabharau 1,2

and 3, Rikamari 1, and 2 Kothalguri, Dhukubasti, Charidoria, Bengenajuli, Naharani, Ajarbari, Rupajuli, Owbari, Ramnathpur etc. who have mostly been depending upon the Sonai-Rupai sanctuary years after year giving a picture on it said that Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area covering about 220 sq. km. located some 52 km. away from district head quarter Tezpur along the foothills of the great Himalayan range. The area declared as a sanctuary in 1998 is enriched with dense forest and wildlife like elephant, tiger, lesser cats, elephant, quar, wild boar, hog deer and barking deer, white winged wood duck, hornbill, pelican, and

different kinds of migratory birds, reptiles like python, Russell's viper, etc. is one such place which finds place of pride in the itinerary of tourists. It is pertinent to mention here that ever considered as magnificent wildlife hub in this region and well-linked via air and surface communication has been a major attraction for the Indian Bison and elephant.

However people living in the peripheral of the sanctuary alleged that though about 2 kms. distance of the sanctuary is an eco-sensitive zone having concerned with the wildlife the alleged ongoing construction work of the boundary wall by army in the entire area has posed a serious threat to the bio-diversity resulting

in to the wild life menace to the people living nearby the sanctuary. A forest official who didn’t wish to be named in this report expressing total dissatisfaction over the army’s anti-wildlife activity said that according to the supreme court of India in no any eco-sensitive zone any kind of construction work can be executed.

“However, violating all this wildlife norms the army has been constructing boundary blocking the wildlife corridors for which manwildlife conflict is growing in the area day by day.” The forest official alleged. Another social worker of the area Rathindra Kumar Dey informed that for allegedly constructing

Sonowal urges Assam Power Play in Arunachal Bhawan and Assam House ahead of Crucial Floor staff to work with dedication Test on Saturday houses must go up in the eyes Contd. from Page 1

(The present strength of the house is 58 as two Congress MLAs, who also rebelled against Tuki, were disqualified by Speaker Nabam Rebia under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution much before the rebellion went beyond Tuki’s control.)

This has set off a round of power games. Both camps are blaming each other for ‘horse trading’ and poaching MLAs. Sources on Tuki’s side said that “Pul and the BJP have not allowed the MLAs to return to Itanagar after attending the inaugural meeting of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati on Wednesday to stop them from meeting Tuki”. Pul meanwhile told local media on Thursday that Tuki might try to seek more time to prove his majority at the floor of the house. “What would happen if a beleaguered CM, visibly reduced to a minority, refuses to call the House at the earliest and indulges in

horse trading?” Pul asked.

Amidst all the hectic goings-on, the Congress national leadership, however, is harking back to not only the July 13 SC verdict but also the recent Uttarakhand High Court verdict to save the Tuki Government.

“The SC verdict called for status quo. So going by that order, all the 45 MLAs continue to be Congressmen.

So the party is going to issue a whip to all of the MLAs. If they violate the whip, they face action from the party.

And if their group is not one third of the majority, they would come under the Tenth Schedule and attract disqualification from the house. If they have voluntarily given up the membership of the party, they should have to resign from the house,” said Kipal Sibal, who was the legal counsel for Tuki at the SC. The May 9 verdict of the Uttarakhand HC which dismissed the plea of the nine Congress rebel MLAs would apply in Arunachal too, he contends. (With inputs from Agencies)

Contd. from Page 1

he said, adding that no one should go back ‘disheartened and disappointed’ and must carry with them ‘fond memories’ of their stay here.

Sonowal said both the houses have come up with public money and they must accommodate the hopes and aspirations of the people, particularly the poor segments of society. “These houses are Assam’s pride and glory and they must continue to be in the service of the people,” he said.

The Chief Minister exhorted upon the officials and employees to maintain cleanliness of the office rooms, washrooms and surroundings in line with Prime Minister’s Swacch Bharat Abhijan. “Every department has to work with utmost sincerity and dedication. The pride and prestige of both the

of the people coming from Assam and elsewhere,” he said.

Sonowal also asked the officials and employees to work as per Government’s agenda and policies and ‘not with any political agenda’. “If you toe the Government’s agenda and policies so far so good, otherwise you will have to face the music,” he quipped.

The Chief Minister assured the officials and employees working here that he would listen to their problems and try to redress them. The meeting was attended, among others,

by Resident Commissioner, Rwitticka Kalita, DGP, Mukesh Sahay, Deputy Resident Commissioners, Joydeep Shukla, Tapash Deb and officials and employees of PWD, Tourism and Information and Public Relations departments.

APCC warns MLAs of three lines wipe Contd. from Page 1

he hoped that the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations on holding floor test, which has been followed by the Supreme Court in numerous

judgments, would be followed in this case.

He further warned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP party would be solely held responsible, if any unwanted situation arises in Arunachal Pradesh.

boundary wall by the air force in Tatshal Basti area blocking the elephant corridor, every year the herd of the wild elephant either break the boundary wall or damages dwellings of the poor villagers of the area and some time even it kill the people.

“Seeking government’s intervention in this regard we have already submitted several representation to the department concerned, but no any result is achieved till date, still we are optimistic that for the greater interest of the saving of the wildlife and the bio-diversity we will one day get a real judgement.” Rathindra Dey said adding the new forest minister will give interest towards this matter.

Women busy transplanting paddy seedling at cultivation field at Yazuli in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Pic - UB Photos

Congress MLA resigns’ to join BJP Contd. from Page 1

Obviously to arrange for his smooth entry into the BJP Party; the visit of Amit Shah, National president of the BJP to

Guwahati yesterday indeed facilitated the finalization of the arrangement which was necessary because of the eminent by-election to the seat he would be vacating,

and the President’s nod was necessary to ensure that Dr. R o n g p i g e t s reelected from the seat as t he BJP nom i nee.

The group from the Congress background in

BJP has welcomed the move, but the senior BJP leaders have expressed apprehension of regarded as virtual Congress takeover of the BJP.

Hindustani Mazdoor Sangh withdraws strike at Tinsukia Indrajeet Rai back tracks, says strike was not called by Sangh but labourers and truck drivers against assault on Mazdoor Sangh members and leaders Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, July 15 : Three days after Hindustani Mazdoor Sangh called strike at Siding - Chamber road - the galla Kirana hub of Tinsukia, the Sangh on Friday suspended the strike for 72 hours following criticism and pressure from all corners.

Back tracking from his stand the joint secretary of Hindustani Mazdoor Sangh Indrajeet Rai said, the strike had no official connection with Mazdoor Sangh. It is the labourers and truck drivers who were hurt and annoyed due to assualt on Sangh mazdoors and leader at railway yard on July 13

and called strike on their own, he added.

Responding to a question Rai said, "because the labourers and truck drivers on strike requested me today to take a decision of the ongoing strike, I have decided to postpone the strike for 72 hours to give time to police and adminsitration to act on our FIR." We demand that those involved in physical assualt and abuse of labourers and Mazdoor Sangh leaders including Bitu Hazarika, Nipen and Munna Kumar Yadav be adminsitration arrested and security be provided to labourers, added Rai and said, the

bike snatched by the assualters be returned to them.

It may be mentioned that on Thursday salt - businessman Suresh Jain had filed complaint with deputy commissioner of Tinsukia, superintendent of Tinsukia police, OC of Tinsukia police station, National Chamber of Commerce and Galla Kirana Committee stating that Indrajeet Rai with several of his men unlawfully, unleash trespassed his both private godowns at Basbari and Thanda Ghar and stopped unloading of salt by other labourers forcefully due to which the businessman could not get

salt unloaded from railway wagons, thereby attracting demurrage penalties.

However, after the complaint the unloading process of salt at godowns started on Friday bringing some relief to the businessman.

On the other hand representatives of National Chamber of Commerce met Tinsukia MLA Sanjay Kissan and complained against this hooliganism by one or two leaders of Hindustani Mazdoor Sangh. They also wrote letters to dc and sp to take appropriate steps so that businessman need not face such hooliganism in the future.

Virendra Mittal joins as Deputy Another gain for BJP in Assam as Congress MLA Mansingh Rongpi Commissioner Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, July 15: Virendra Mittal joined as new Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat district and called upon his officers, staff to work for the state for its betterment. He asked them to preach and practice to think positive which was discussed during the welcome ceremony held at the

DCs conference hall this morning, informed Bijendra Gogoi, the District Information & Public Relations Officer, Jorhat here today.

Mittal asked his staff, officers and employees to maintain discipline, punctuality and be more responsive to the public. He asked to follow the words of

Governor convenes a High Level Security Review Meeting A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Jul 15 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Tathagata Roy convened a high level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 15th July 2016.

The Governor, while reviewing the security issues advised the senior officers and police officers to take all precautionary measure to ensure that law and order prevails and no untoward incidents take place. He also advised that the State Legislative Assembly, important routes, private residences and other properties of all stakeholders are secured and taken care.

The Governor emphasised on adequate deployment of

Security Forces in all vulnerable points and pre-empt measures against anti-social elements.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary Smt Shakuntala Gamlin, Principal Secretary Home Shri Satya Gopal, Director General of Police Shri S. Nithiananadam, Deputy Commissioner (Capital Complex) Shri Sandeep Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police (Capital) Shri K. Aya briefed the Governor on the security arrangement in view of the political development aftermath of Supreme Court judgement.

Senior officers of Home and Police Departments were also present in the meeting.

Bhupan Hazarika hit number ‘Manuhe-Manuhor Babe’ then ‘ AmiAkhomiya Nahuh Dukhiya’…. should be in our mind set when we work in our office, if we carry both the message that was sang by Bhupan da, then automatically things inside our mind will get work done smoothly.

Mittal an 2007 AssamMeghalaya IAS cadre, first served as Assistant Commissioner of Dibrugarh, Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) Nazira, Project Director (DRDA) Kamrup, Secretary to Chief Secretary (Ghy), DC, Chirang, DC Sivasagar then took the charge as Deputy Commissioner, Jorhat today.

resigns, likely to join BJP soon

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 15: For the Congress it’s a major jolt, while for the BJP it is now just seems to be short by 3 MLAs to have full majority in the government. The half way mark required to for the government on its own is 64 in Assam, and the BJP has 60. The party’s alliance partners—the AGP and BPF has 26.

In a major development, another Congress MLA, Mansingh Rongpi on Thursday resigned from

Assam Assembly as well as from the Congress party as he is going to join the ruling BJP party soon.

Rongpi informed that he had also faxed his resignation from the membership of Congress to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He said he was going to join the BJP. State BJP leader and cabinet minister Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarma informed, “Rongpi had contacted the BJP for joining the party and he was advised to resign from the Assembly

and Congress party before joining the BJP.” The Speaker of Assam Assembly Ranjit Kumar Das has accepted his resignation. The by-election to Baithalangshu constituency will now have to be held within six months.

Rongpi had won from Baithalangshu constituency in Karbi Anglong hill district of Assam in the election held in April this year by defeating his nearest BJP rival with a margin of over 8000 votes.

With his resignation the

Assam Police sets up special cell to monitor social media Kamrup administration holds meeting A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 15: In a welcome step by the Assam police, the Assam government has set up an exclusive cell in the police department to monitor social media.

This is spurred by the realisation that young minds are being radicalised online, the Assam government has set up an exclusive cell in the police department to

monitor social media.

The cell will monitor the content of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter to take immediate action against any false propaganda.

Additional DGP (Law and Order) S N Singh said that police are constantly monitoring the various social media platforms that anti-social elements could not lure or misguide youths.

on preparation of Independence Day ET Correspondent Rangia July 15: Kamrup District Administration has chalked out a detailed programme to celebrate the Independence Day on August 15 next. The District level programme will be held at Numalijalah Parade Ground near Kamrup DC Office, Amingaon.

In this connection a preparatory meeting was held at the Conference Hall of Kamrup DC office on July

15 under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gita Sharma. Heads of various departments including Police and Para Military forces attended the meeting.

After detailed discussion it was decided to observe the Independence Day in a befitting manner in the District.

The District level programme includes organising various competitions like essay, debate and patriotic song

among the students which will be held on 13 and 14 August in all schools of the district. Along with Cleanliness Drive in all Government offices and institutions on 13 and 14 August, playing of patriotic songs through FLS system, Prabhat Ferry on the morning of 15 August, march past and colourful cultural programme showing the unity in diversity also to be held.

strength of Congress has reduced to 25 MLAs in the 126-member Assam Assembly.

According to BJP leaders, the saffron party is keen to get the magic figures of 64 on its own, so that it will then not be ‘blackmailed’ by its alliance partners on different issues.

“The BJP, to extend its base in Assam and the other states in the North East needs to take several decisive steps, and for that it needs absolute majority,” said a BJP leader in Assam.

Classified I, Shri Rameswar Panika, S/o, Lt. D h e n g r a Panika,resident of Nimonagarh T.E., P.S. Mathurapur, Dist.Charaideo, Assam has disowned our daughter Smt. Rikimoni Panika from 13th July 2016 and she will be debarred from performing ritual and religious rites as our daughter and even after our death.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 4

BTC Chief expresses sadness over limited Customary law resolves fund received from the government criminal offense ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, July 15: BTC Chief, Hagrama Mohilary, said his council has not been received satisfactory fund from government of India, by which facing hardship while maintaining in healthy administration.

Mohilary, talking reporters on the side lines of a programme on Friday in Kokrajhar said that, BTC council is receiving only 425 crores from government, which is not satisfied for the region. “The council was to get 12.19 percent as per population pattern, but this council is getting only limited fund from governments”, he said.

Assam government has been getting limited

fund from government of India that is why we are getting limited fund.

The council still has to receive over 1100 crores from state government, I

do hope this fund will be received immediately”, added Mohilary.

“BTC is getting limited fund from government, but it is not satisfied to

lead the council. Funds allotted to the council are lesser than previous government in the state.

We have yet to receive huge funds from state

government”, said Mohilary.

On the question of implementation of NRC, Mohilary said that the NRC update should be completed as soon as possible with good implementation in the state.

Mohilary also laid foundation stone for constructing of multi-steroid super market complex at JD Road near Assam Oil depot on Friday. The super market complex would be constructed at an amounting of 3.75 crores under Non Lapsable Central Pool Resources (NLCPR) scheme in Kokrajhar town, covering 243.87 Sq.m to facilitate commercial hub in the district.

Sushanta Roy Diphu July 15: Traditional Karbi social judiciary system resolved a criminal offense which could have lead to critical legal process and strict punishment if proven guilty. The incident according to the people of the locality, a domestic helper staying in a doctor ’s house at Rongchingthut near Don Bosco HS School of Diphu town was physically assaulted by the doctor and his wife who blamed her of stealing a pair of earrings.

The girl reportedly escaped on Wednesday night and took shelter in a nearby house fearing for more beatings.

According to sources, the girl child a resident of Moza Rongpi village in Den Arong, was staying

with the doctor’s family against a monthly wage of Rs. 3000. The doctor and his wife had reportedly alleged the girl of stealing golden earrings and had beaten her black and blue accusing her of stealing.

Villagers gathered on Thursday morning along with the village Headman and decided to provide protection to the girl until her parents arrives from Den Arong. The girl’s arms, legs and the back of the body are covered with burses of whipping, which the doctor and his wife confessed. They admit that she was whipped with her hands tied behind with rope to prevent her from running away.

The girl mentioned that she did not steal any gold earrings before the

public; she has alleged that she was beaten with an iron rod and wooden plank. The matter was amicably resolved through traditional Karbi social judiciary system.

After discussions between the girl’s parents and the doctor’s family in presence of villagers and the village headman, the doctor has agreed to pay Rs. 50,000 as medical expenses for treatment of the victim.

Apart from the village and for being guilty of a crime, the guilty party is required to pay Rs.5000 and three bottles of liquor (arak) one for the village Headman, one for the village older and one for the village youth as honor (Kachingduk).

The girl has been taken back to home by her parents.

APL runs in financial hardship, seeks NG allocation 'Non-students lead the Nowboicha AASU'GB President of Nowboicha College in 40% concessional rate for its sustainability ET Correspondent few Nowboicha AASU crores of fund was misap-

ET Bureau Namrup, July 15: Assam Petrochemicals Ltd (APL), a state govt. undertaking, located at Namrup is a premiere Petro-chemical industry of the entire NER and first of its kind in India to use Natural Gas as feed stock for producing Methanol, is now facing a serious financial hardship owing to the price hike of Natural Gas (NG) used as feedstock to a considerable extent along with power which has escalated the production cost. This situation is further aggravated by the downward trend of the International Price of petroleum products including Methanol and the availability of the low price imported Methanol in Indian Market.

The price of APL’s prod-

uct is based on the International price of the petroleum products which fluctuates time to time.

The current price of per tonne imported Methanol is Rs 15000 which was Rs 35000 per tonne during financial year 2013-14.

As a result APL compels to sell its product at a price which is lower than the production cost incurring heavy loss per month. This decline of Methanol price in the international market has been continued for the last 18 Months affecting company’s gross turn over severely. Sources said that APL management has already initiated various austerity measures as well as action plan to tide over the ongoing financial hardship & business challenges as soon as possible.

APL is considered as one

AAMSU holds torch procession against militant organization at Mangaldai ET Correspondent Mangaldai, July 15: The AAMSU of Darrang district unit on Thursday evening here took out a long torch procession against the barbaric killing and attack of innocent people by the name of terrorist and Jehadi organizations like ISIS. The procession was started from Kharupetia to Dalgaon public bus stand at ward no 2 and passed through the main thoroughfares of the township while shouting slogans against ISIS, Jehadi and terrorism in the name of Islam.

Later in a press release, Saiful Islam, President and Nazir Uddin Ahmed, General Secretary of the AAMSU, Darrang strongly condemned the barbaric activities of ISIS and said that terrorism has no religion.

They appealed to people of the religious community to remain vigil against all possible acts of terrorist activities and co-operate the authority to root out them. They also appealed to the authority to refrain from harassing any innocent people in the dominating terrorism in the district.

of the profit making PSU of the state Govt. accumulating net profit in almost every fiscal year till F/Y2013-14. It also contributes substantial amount of revenue per annum to the state and Central government exchequer.

It is pertinent to add that for the sustainable running and survival of APL’s existing factory and to make its new proposed plants (500 TPD Methanol & 200 TPD Acetic Acid) more viable and profitable, the allocation of Natural Gas to APL at 40% concessional price which is applicable to other consumers of NER has become essential & imperative.

It is further learnt that APL had enjoyed NG subsidy till June 2005 which discontinued from July 2005 following the notification

of MOPNG. Since then several pleas have been made by APL praying for the NG allocation to APL at concessional price without any fruitful result. In the recent notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) there is a specific clause for the allocation of NG in 40% concessional rate to the consumer of NER. Of late, the matter has already been taken up by the Management with the Cabinet Minister of State (I) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, through Govt. of Assam.

The employees as well as the general public are hopeful that the newly formed Assam Govt. would take step to resolve this long pending matter of APL for its sustainability & Survival.

AASU, AJYCP, KMSS threatens to intensify stir against the BJP's decision to privatize oil fields of Assam A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 15 : The All Assam Students Union (AASU), the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), the Krishak Mukti Samgram Samiti (KMSS) and several other organisations have intensified protests against the BJP's decision to privatize oil fields of Assam. AASU demanded withdrawal of the decision taken by the BJP-led Union government, failing which it threatened to further intensify its movement.

Since Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a press meet in Guwahati on June 25 that 12 small oil fields of the

state are among the 67 fields across the country which the Centre would let open for international bidders on July 15, all the political parties, including coalition partners of the Sarbananda Sonowal government, BPF and AGP, have been raising questions.

The protest was also attended by 11 Left and democratic parties who tried to march to Dispur in Guwahati against the privatization of oil fileds of Assam. However security forces detained all protesters at Guwahati Club as protesters took out rally by defying prohibitory order.

Lakhimpur; July 15: "The Nowboicha Regional body of All Assam Student Union, who accused the Nowboicha College authority of dishonouring the martyrs of the State, is actually unable to appreciate the supreme sacrifice of the noble souls. A part of nonstudents have led the Nowboicha AASU sponsoring social harassment in the local area through seeking only donations"thus commented Haren Sarmah, the President of the Nowboicha Governing Body in a Press Conference held in North Lakhimpur Press Club today. It is to be noted that the conflict between the Nowboicha AASU and the College Authority has uprised to the highest point during a period of almost two months. This anomalous situation came into being the two parties on June 30 last regarding a 'Citizen and Guardian Conference' organised by the College. Addressing the Conference Haren Sarmah expressed that a

activists unauthoritatively entered to the hall at a time when the meeting was about to begin. They began to question why the Nowboicha AASU was not invited to the meeting and thus created a chaotic situation. The GB president and the Principal of the College Dr. Dilip Kumar Hazarika cleared them that no organisations were invited to the meeting but it was organised among the citizens and the guardians attempting academic upgradation of the College. Those AASU activists did not acknowledge this clearance and created an unprecedented situation. Later the College Authority had to take the help of police to control the situation and the meeting commenced. On the other hand, Nowboicha AASU brought some new allegations against the College and the Governing Body.

Principal Dr. Dilip Kumar Hazarika and GB President Haren Sarmah sacked these allegations. Dr Hazarika cleared that no

propriated and defalcated by the Principal and the GB President as the organisation alleged because fund amounting crore was not sanctioned to the college. Once such an amount was released in 2013 by Directorate of Higher Education. This fund was appropriated in constructing virtual class rooms, Girls' Common rooms etc. These were constructed under the sharp supervision of PWD Executive Engineer. On the other hand, although an amount of Rs 70 lack, not one crore as alleged by Nowboicha AASU, was sanctioned for the construction of Indoor Stadium, Rs. 7 lack has not been released till the date after the completion of the work. "At present UGC has granted another amount of Rs One crore for the construction of a Multi-Facility Gym and Rs. fifty lack is already deposited in the College Account, but the College cannot utilise this fund for the lack of appropriate piece of land to construct

a the gym building of 118 by80 feet as per UGC estimate. A piece of such land was searched out between the Library Building and Indoor Stadium where their are a Swahid Bedi and Broken House in abandoned mood.

Nowboicha AASU claimed the house to be the Swahid Bhawan. We decided to rebuilt the Swahid Bedi in an another venue with the interest of constructing the gym. But the AASU's body has stood as obstacle on this purpose alleging us dishonouring the martyrs"- said the Principal of the College. Besides these, the duo brought some more complaint against Pulak Borah, the Secretary of Lakhimpur District AASU. "Nowboicha ASSU harassed the people of Nowboicha area hunting donations under his leadership. The body initiated no activities for the welfare of the student community, for the resolving of flood problems of Nowboicha eradication of addiction etc.''-they said.

South Kamrup DC Road mishap held impose prohibition at Dhemaji under 144 CrPC Act ET Correspondent Guwahati,.The vehicle ET Correspondent Rangia July 15: The District Magistrate of Kamrup, Rajib Prakash Baruah, under section 144 CrPC, has prohibited meeting of 5 or more persons at any public places, carrying of arms, ammunitions, explosive and weapons of any nature in any public place or vehicles, vehicular traffic and rally meeting etc in the entire District of South Kamrup.

The order also prohibited processions and shouting slogans in any places, highways, roads and shouting slogans inciting communal violence at any place of the District.

The District Magistrate further prohibited gambling in any public places and use of loud speakers throughout the District of South Kamrup with immediate effect and until further order.

Dhemaji, July 14 :In a road accident near 12 miles of Laluk town under Lakhimpur District, two ladies Martina Tirkey (30) and Mousami Gogoi (28) died on the spot when they were ran over by speeding Maruti 800 bearing Registration number AS 07 A - 9577 .

The vehicle was on the way to Lakhimpur from Laluk and the accident occurred 30 km at around 9.30 am, ahead of Lakhimpur town towards

after running over the deceased dashed in a tree by roadside and overturned, however driver of the vehicle fled away, people blocked NH 15 by burning tires and demanded apprehension of driver and making speed breaker on the spot.

Protester blocked the road for four hours uptil 2 pm on initiative of administration and construction of speed breaker vehicles moved from the spot

Flood situation Public life hit by severe grim in Lakhimpur: Minister Pallab Lochan Das stresses power cut during hot Relief distributed sunny working day

ET Correspondent Mangladai, July 15 : The public life in Mangaldai town went almost out of gear today due to excessive heat followed by severe power cut without any prior public announcement by the authority of the Mangaldai Sub Division of the APDCL . Just as the mercury level touches 36/37 degree Celsius load shedding started at around 11 am and it almost continued for about 8 hours at a stretch until it was restored at around 6-15 o' clock in the evening if we ignore two breaks of just minutes in between . The massive power cut made life

of people both outside and in side the house measurable as AC s and other alternative power supply instruments stopped functioning . The services of bank , postal service , internet , health institutions, media and other business establishments are stated to be effected .

Meanwhile the reason of such unprecedented power cut during an official working day could not be ascertained as the authority of APDCL at Mangaldai Sub Division as the several attempts of this correspondent to contact them over phone went in vain.

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; July 15: The flood situation of Lakhimpur District has been trim till the date.

Several areas have been still submerged by flood caused by the rivers Subansiri, Ranganadi and Dikrong due to incessant rain. Affected people and the livestock have to suffer a lot being deprive of adequate food and fodder as well as pure drinking water.

However, the District Administration distributed relief to some extent among the severely af-

fected people in Lakhimpur and Telahi Mauza under North Lakhimpur Revenue Circle. 780.41qt. rice, 144.56qt. lentil, 43.37qt. salt, 148nos. tube well were supplied to them. it is note worthy that the MLA of Lakhimpur LAC, Utpal Dutta and Circle Officer Monjeet Bor Kakati visited these sites on Sunday last. According to administrational source, a total of 53 villages and 7810 families have been affected by flood.

upon opening of Skill Development Department in the state

ET Bureau Guwahati, July 15: On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day on 15th July, an interactive session on skill development to improve Youth Employment was held at ITI of Rehabari, Guwahati today.

Pallab Lochan Das, Minister, Labour and Employment, Shyam Lal Mewara, Addl Chief Secretary, Labour & Employment, Nitin Kumar

Shivdas Khade, Secretary, Labour & Employment, and other officials of the Labour and Employment Department, Government of Assam graced the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Pallab Lochan Das, Minister, Labour and Employment, said that, more than 20 lakhs unemployed youth exits in the state. Such a huge number of unemployed youth of the state will

have to be employed soon in a planned way, as part of the governments’ prior agenda, so that the per capita income can be increased. During his speech, the minister stresses on the opening of a Skill Development Department in the state.

Earlier, in his welcome address, P. Rabha, Director, Employment and Craftsman Training, Assam stated the purpose of the meeting and ap-

pealed the new generation youth to earn knowledge on skill development so that their capacity can be fully utilized.

Representatives from other organisations such as Lakme, Hyundai Motors, Gram Tarang Employability Training Service, Tata Motors and others shared their experiences and assured of cooperation in the field of skill development in future. (Janasanyog)

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

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Experts mull over disaster risk reduction in northeast Kohima , July 15: A workshop-cum-seminar on disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change was recently held in Kohima, where experts discussed measures to deal with natural disaster.

The need to strengthen disaster preparedness in the Northeast along with mass involvement of the public and allied departments was stressed at the recently held workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Dimapur.

No NSCNIM cadre to be recruited in BSF: Govt Imphal, Jul 15: The Government on Thursday dismissed the suggestion that 5,000 cadres of Naga militant group NSCNIM would be inducted into Border Security Force (BSF).

A Home Ministry spokesperson said there have been reports that interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi had assured NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah that about 5,000 cadres of the militant group would be drafted into BSF as part of the rehabilitation process.

"It is clarified that these reports are false and have no basis," the spokesperson said.

Ravi is at present holding peace parleys with NSCN-IM, led

by Muivah.

In August last year, the NSCN-IM signed a framework agreement with the government which Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a "historic" step to usher in peace in the state.

The pact was signed

by Muivah and Ravi in the presence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval at Modi's residence here.

The signing of the agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 18 years with first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed.(PTI)

Nagaland Chief Minister T.R Zeliang graced the event and asked the people and authorities concerned to remain prepared to deal with any disaster.

He also expressed concern over increasing frequency and intensity of natural disaster due to climate change.

The workshop was also aimed at creating awareness and promoting peoples' action to ensure that natural hazards do not take the shape of disasters.

Community, Coordination, Collaboration, Capital because without capital there is no talking," P.D. Rai, Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim .

Mass awareness and participation of people will be a game changer in disaster risk reduction.

Climate Change remains a global concern and prevention will help to reduce the risk of disasters like floods, earthquakes and tsunamis. (ANI)

'Edu Scam': HLSC report gathers dust Shillong, July 15: Two years after their services were terminated following the 'Education Scam', the affected LP school teachers are yet to know the content of the report of the High Level Scrutiny Committee based on which the government had acted against the 'tainted' teachers.

Though many RTI applications were filed by the affected teachers and others, the Education department is yet to make the report public.

It was on February 28,

2014 that the Education department had terminated the services of as many as 246 'tainted' teachers following the recommendations of High Level Scrutiny Committee which probed the 'Education Scam'.

The task of the Committee was to segregate the 'tainted and non tainted teachers'.

After the CBI unearthed anomalies in the teachers' recruitment scam, the State government had insisted on the formation of

the High Level Scrutiny Committee which finally got the nod of the then Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court.

Though the Supreme Court through an interim order on April 2, 2014 had made the formation of the Scrutiny Committee non-operational by staying the order of the Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court which facilitated the formation of the Scrutiny Committee, the State government has not revoked the termination.

However, the special leave petition filed by 40 'tainted' teachers in Khasi Hills is still pending with the Supreme Court.

What shocked the teachers whose services were terminated is that the Education department had cited that they had a role "in getting their appointments through unfair means".

However, the 107-page CBI report said, "It was felt necessary to examine J.D. Sangma, the then Director DEME. In

course of his examination by the CBI, Sangma has stated that under the instruction of the then Minister of Education Ampareen Lyngdoh - he had to change the score sheets as prepared by all the five boards duly applying white fluid on the original marks, as awarded by the members of the Board".

Sangma had also reiterated the same in the lower court under section 164 CrPC during the initial investigation of the police.(Agencies)

'Campaign against AFSPA to continue' Imphal, July 15: Days after the Supreme Court held that the army or police cannot use excessive force under the provisions of AFSPA or the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, a civil organisations group said on Wednesday that the campaign against the Act would continue in Manipur.

Phunindra Konsam, President of the Working Committee on Apunba Lup (WCOAL) said that it will continue to demand for justice for

the victims.

The WCOAL was formed by over 30 civil organisations to demand justice for the victims of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

The apex court has started hearing cases of 1,528 persons who are missing or killed in fake encounters.

He said: "Thangjam Manorama, who was arrested from her home, was found dead the next day. Till date the security personnel respon-

sible for her torture and death have not been booked. It's disconcerting that the security personnel have not been punished."

There had been some magisterial and judicial inquiries into the alleged excesses of the security personnel. However, security forces objected the inquiries saying that according to the AFSPA a state government cannot take steps to prosecute a personnel without a sanction of the Union government.

All but one inquiry commission failed to submit reports. The Das commission of inquiry was the only one which could submit its report on the massacre of one medical student from Arunachal Pradesh and eight others innocent persons on the campus of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.

But the report is gathering dust as any action is yet to be taken against the responsible.

In a landmark judgment,

the Supreme Court on Friday said the largescale killings in Manipur in the guise of self defence while dealing with insurgency or militants was unacceptable.

It said if members of the armed forces are deployed and employed to kill citizens of the country on the mere allegation or suspicion that they are the 'enemy', not only the rule of law but also democracy would be in grave danger.

(Agencies)

Nagaland's Sumi tribe celebrates Tuluni festival Dimapur , July 15: A festival of feast and merry-making to mark the end of dry season and the beginning of new fruits, known as the Tuluni festival in Nagaland, is celebrated by different clans of Sumi tribe across the state on July 8.

Organised by the Highway Area Sumi Public Organisation, the festival was celebrated with pomp and grandeur at NER Agri Expo site in Dimapur.

The festival was marked by prayers and offerings to Litsaba the deity of fruitfulness who gives life and pro-

Pro-ILP groups ask Mukul to clarify on entry, exit points Shillong, July 15: The consortium of 13 pro- ILP pressure groups have asked Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to convene a meeting at the earliest to give a clarification on the status of the move to set up entry and exit points in the State, besides certain clarifications on the Tenants Verification and Regulation Bill and the Amendment of the Benami Transaction Detection and Prohibition Bill.

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister, the KSU, FKJGP and HNYF, on behalf of the group, expressed concern over the slow progress in setting up of entry and exit points and the delay in implementation of the Ten-

A workshop-cum-seminar on disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change was recently held in Kohima, where experts discussed measures to deal with natural disaster.

"Nagaland is one of the most proactive states in Northeast India. The quality of the boys and manpower is worthy. I rate them as best because if you give them any direction, they learned it very quickly.

In that sense, introducing technology and get prepared for the risk in disaster, I think Nagaland will be the best," said Sanjiv Nair, Director General, NECTAR. "There are four Cs that we need to think of. i.e.

ants Verification and Regulation Bill and the Amendment of the Benami Transaction, Detection and Prohibition Bill, aimed at regulating influx.

The pressure groups sought clarification on the status report of the exit and entry points, currently being referred to the SIA (Social Impact Assessment) besides a clarification on the Tenants Verification Bill which has been referred to the Select Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

"To our knowledge, there has not been even a single meeting to discuss the draft Bill," the pressure groups claimed.(Agencies)

A festival of feast and merry-making to mark the end of dry season and the beginning of new fruits, known as the Tuluni festival in Nagaland, is celebrated by different clans of Sumi tribe across the state tection to the crops.

Originally celebrated

for seven days, the Tuluni festival is cel-

ebrated to rejoice the most abundant and fruitful season of the year in Nagaland.

"This is a premier festival of Sumi Naga tribe and it is held on July 8 every year. This festival is marked primarily after the sowing season over so that the people who are expecting the olden days, the people who are rich, it's a time to give out and reach out to the poor and share with them," said Akavi Zhimoni, Convener, Organizing Committee.

Thousands of Sumis in their traditional fineries joined the celebrations,

which was marked with folk songs and a Tuluni feast.

Besides this, youths also participated enthusiastically in the indigenous games and cultural dances.

During the festival, while reviving the traditional practices, young women engaged in weaving while humming traditional folk songs.

The Tuluni festival symbolizes fraternity, solidarity, sharing and oneness not only among the Sumi community but Nagas as a whole.

(ANI)

NEDA doors open for other parties: Paul Shillong, July 15: Though HSPDP president Ardent M. Basaiawmoit is not keen to be part of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the door is still open for other non Congress parties in the region to be associated with the alliance, said UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh.

Lyngdoh, who attended the launch of NEDA in Guwahati on Wednesday, said the meeting was of the view that more non- Congress political parties should join the forum.

"The door is not closed for other parties to join the alliance as the meeting decided that there will be more co-ordination within NEDA and more political parties will be invited to join the forum," Lyngdoh said on Thursday.

Asked whether HSPDP will be requested to be part of NEDA, Lyngdoh said, "The door is still open, but we cannot compel those political parties which flatly refuse any pre poll alliance."

Commenting about the

NEDA meeting, Lyngdoh said it was a good beginning as most importantly NEDA provided the much needed co-operative federalism in the North East.

Without directly referring to the Congress, Lyngdoh said, "All along we had the culture of the 'high command' issuing decrees and diktats to those at the lower level."

However, Lyngdoh said in a change from the past, there is a paradigm shift with NEDA focusing on cooperative federalism and added that

even BJP national president Amit Shah had made it clear that all the political parties which are part of NEDA will get the same status. According to Lyngdoh, non- Congress political parties now have a common ground under NEDA banner to focus on the growth and development of the region.

He said that once the growth and development is achieved, this will automatically result in achieving installation of non- Congress governments in the North East.(Agencies)

PM Modi speaks to President Mukherjee, asks about his well being post Darjeeling accident

PM Modi speaks to President Mukherjee, asks about his well being post Darjeeling accident Darjeeling, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee and asked about his well being after an escort car for the latter fell into a gorge in Gorabari near Sonada in Darjeeling hills.

All six security personnel traveling in the car were rescued in an operation that was overseen by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Thank you for your cooperation. The President is also waiting at Kurseong. He called me twice. We will head there

after rescuing everyone," she said.

"I declare that the rescue team will be rewarded by the state government," she added.

Banerjee's convoy of cars was just behind that of President Mukherjee's as they drove downhill to Bagdogra from Darjeeling, where the West Bengal Government had hosted a reception for him during his three-day visit.

The incident took place when the convoy was on its way to the Bagdogra Airport. (ANI)

Mamata Banerjee, President Mukherjee survive scare after car of their convoy falls off in gorge

Mamata Banerjee Darjeeling , July 15: At least six people were injured after a car in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's convoy fell into a gorge in Gorabari near Sonada in Darjeeling hills on Friday.

President Pranab Mukherjee was also accompanying Mamata Banerjee when the incident took place. State governor Kesarinath

Tripathi was also in the convoy.

However, both of them did not sustain any injuries and are reported to be safe.

It is reported that five security personnel of President Mukherjee, who were in the first escort, are among the six injured in the accident.

The incident took place when the convoy was on its way to the Bagdogra Airport. (ANI)

Settle arrears, salary within four weeks: HC to SMB Shillong, July 15: The High Court of Meghalaya has granted four weeks to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to settle the matter pertaining to pending arrear and salary of its employees.

During the hearing on Thursday, the counsel for the Board's CEO prayed before the court that the matter was still under process to find ways and means to pay the arrear and salary as per the judgment of the Court on September 9, 2015 and sought further time to decide on the issue.

The Court granted four weeks' time to settle the matter failing which the court will go ahead with the contempt matter.

The matter has been listed after four weeks for response of the petitioner.

Inquiry into fund misuse in school projects in West Khasi Hills The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the State government to conduct an inquiry into an alleged case of misuse of fund sanc-

tioned for development of two schools in Nongstoin.

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the State government has allotted a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh for the development of Mawthungkper LP School and Kynroh LP School in Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, but the amount has not reached the managing committees of the respective schools.

The counsel for the petitioner further contended that 50 per cent of the amount under the scheme of SRWP of 2012-2013 had been withdrawn using forged documents.

In this regard, the school authority had filed a representation before the Block Development Officer, but no action was taken by the concerned authorities.

After hearing the views on Thursday, the Court directed the State government to conduct an inquiry and to take necessary steps in accordance with law and to dispose of the representation within a month.(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 6

Defence Expert rubbishes Pak's move to observe SC asks Govt. to bring clarity to rules on pension black day, calls for political dialogue New Delhi, July 15: Rubbishing Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's assertion that black day must be observed on July 19 in wake of the killings in Kashmir, Defence Expert Raj Kadyan on Friday said that political dialogue between the two nations must start.

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has just concluded holding a Cabinet meeting, basically has highlighted three things.

Firstly, next Tuesday they will observe a black day in solidarity with the Kashmir militancy. Secondly, they will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the militancy in Kashmir.

Thirdly, he has asked all the instruments of Pakistani state to highlight the situation of Kashmir in all the international fora," Kadyan told.

He said what Sharif has said is nothing new, adding it makes no difference to New Delhi.

"Pakistan supports not only political, moral, diplomatic, but also material and financial including human material like Jihadists. So, what he says now is nothing new, it makes no difference to us. We have to ensure that our people in Kashmir who for the last six days now have been upset over the death of terrorist leader calm down and accept the reality so

Rajnath reviews Kashmir situation at high level meeting

Home Minister Rajnath Singh New Delhi, July 15: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday thoroughly reviewed situation in the Kashmir Valley at a high-level meeting attended by National Security Advisor, Home Secretary,chief of intelligence security agencies and senior officials.

The meeting is also being considered significant in the backdrop of terror attack in France, which claimed at least 84 lives and injured dozens of people.

Meanwhile, curfew remains imposed in eight districts in Kashmir valley.

Normal life across Kashmir is paralysed since last Saturday.

Instructions have been issued to security forces to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further loss of lives or injuries to the people.

Except BSNL post paid service, other mobile telephone services have been snapped.

The mobile Internet services continue to remain suspended across the valley for the past seven days now.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the valley so far. (ANI)

MP Govt. sets up 'Anand' Vibhag for prosperity

Defence Expert rubbishes Pak's move to observe black day, calls for political dialogue that further talks can carry on," he added.

Asserting that political dialogue ultimately must start, Kadyan said India must talk to the people, who matter and find an

amicable solution.

"Till that time the security forces will continue to do their jobs. Very unfortunate that 37 people have died. Today is Friday today is a crucial day

when a last congregation is expected. Whether they will do their congregation peacefully or they will again resort to some kind of stone pelting or violence, we are yet to see," he added.

Sharif has said that Pakistan will observe July 19 as a 'black day' to protest against what he described as 'Indian barbarism' in Jammu and Kashmir following the protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Sharif proposed the observance of 'black day' while chairing a special meeting of his Cabinet in Lahore to discuss the situation in Jammu and

Kashmir. His proposal was accepted by the Cabinet, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Sharif and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry recently angered India by referring to Wani, a commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, as a 'Kashmiri leader' and describing his death as an 'extrajudicial killing'.

At least 37 people have died in the protests following Wani's killing last week.

India dismissed Pakistan's criticism of its handling of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and accused the Asian neighbour of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. (ANI)

Calcutta HC adjourns Saradha bail hearings to August 4 Kolkata, July 15 : Bail hearings for four accused in the Saradha Chit Fund scam were adjourned by the Calcutta High Court to August 4, 2016 at the request of lawyers of the accused.

An elderly senior advocate representing one of the accused came to court and complained of high blood pressure and requested for an adjournment. In a gesture of camaraderie not usually seen in courtrooms, the other well known senior advocate representing two other matters said he would also take adjournment and would rush his colleague to the emergency room. The court agreed.

The four accused had been preparing for bail and it was the first time that the court would have heard in full the application of Manoranjana Sinh, whose case was partially heard for the first time on June 23 last but was then adjourned at the request of the Special Prosecutor of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

It has been Manoranjana's plea that she was detained as an accused on October 7, 2015 and filed an application for bail on January 19, 2016 in the High Court, which according to sources close to her, is yet to be heard.

Manoranjana won a little reprieve when the Supreme Court directed the Calcutta High Court on May 25 to expedite the hearing at the earliest.

Sinh appealed on the basis of merits of her case, saying she has fully cooperated with investigation

by Justice Sen Commission, SIT Bidhannagar Kolkata, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and she is a woman allowed under special provision of law to be considered for bail and that she has suffered from multiple ailments for more than nine months.

In the chargesheets filed

by CBI on January 4, 2016 and the Enforcement Directorate on March 31, 2016, the partial investment made by Bengal Media of the Saradha Group into her companies is recorded, identified and has also be filed by her company and her duly in taxes.

Manoranjana case made headlines also because her estranged husband Matang Sinh, an ousted from Congress party former Union Minister was found to be influencing investigation.

Manoranjana has been in acrimonious disputes with him in Guwahati and Delhi courts all the way up to the Supreme Court since she filed an FIR against her estranged husband in September 2008.

Her lawyers allege that there is a misconception that still links Manoranjana with her estranged husband.

Today's postponed hearings included former Saradha legal advisor Naresh Bhalodia, entrepreneur Shantanu Ghosh

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Bhopal, July 15: The Madhya Pradesh Government on Friday cleared the proposal to set up 'Anand' Vibhag (Happiness Department).

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the state government was thinking about forming 'Anand' Department since many days.

"Usually, a state's prosperity is measured with economic growth, but that alone can't be a factor to measure people's satisfaction," Chouhan told media.

"So, the Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to set up 'Anand' Department which will be used as a platform initially.

Food, clothing, housing,

education and health are the basic needs of humans, but there are other needs also which include, positive outlook towards life, level of satisfaction and support of society during times of crisis," he added.

It is reported that the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has initially allocated a sum of Rs. 3.80 crore for setting up Anand Vibhag that will carry out regular research and experiments.

With this move, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to announce such a department, which will coordinate among other departments and craft polices in a way to increase the level of happiness among its citizens. (ANI)

meeting called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Sunday to discuss all issues ahead of the Monsoon Session.

"We also have Medical Council of India ordinance, Dental Council of India ordinance, both of them have to be approved," Naidu said, adding there are important legislations before the Parliament. Stating that the government is keen to have a fruitful and meaningful Parliament session, Naidu said he is hopeful that the important legislations pending for long will be approved in this session. "The Parliamentary Affairs Minister is consulting all other ministers and we'll be able to know

by Sunday what are the important bills," he added.

Naidu further said that he had a telephonic conversation yesterday with the

New Delhi, July 15: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the government to bring clarity to the pension rules of government employees, paramilitary forces and the army.

The apex court asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to re-look into the rules that concern service terms related to disbursement of pension.

"There is too much confusion regarding pension related rule. The government must assess implications of rules for the army, paramilitary, other

services," the apex court observed.

The Attorney General, however, appealed for three months time from the apex court to address the issue.

"Similar issues pertaining to pension are arising in the army, paramilitary forces and other government services. We will sit with the relevant authorities and see if any immediate action can be taken.

It is true that rules are confusing and there is a need for more clarity," Rohatgi said. (ANI)

Zakir Naik pleads innocence, accuses media of ulterior motives Calcutta HC adjourns Saradha bail hearings to August 4

and one Ramesh Gandhi said to be a consultant to Saradha head Sudipto Sen. Meanwhile, the accused have been constantly pressing various courts to conclude their investigation and give them a chance to go to trial.

Sources said Manoranjana's lawyers will fight for the right to liberty, life and justice for a single woman with a young child who has been victimised as she had signed an agreement with Bengal Media to not interfere with her ongoing dispute with her estranged husband on her rights to marital property, jointly owned businesses from which he had ousted her and even out in the agreement that Bengal Media (Sudipto) will not invest with and help her fight against Matang Sinh.

Quite surreptitiously, she alleges that Sudipto was pressurised by Matang

Sinh and stopped investing in her companies in end 2011 and around the same time invested more into Matang Sinh companies than in Manoranjana's.

Manoranjana received Rs 25 crores in accounted investment as claimed by Sudipto in his investigation and as fracked and identified by ED and CBI. Lawyers claim that in the unique case of a woman accused, with charge sheets already filed, money tracked and cooperation with investigation she stands on merit for bail. CBI is alleged to have introduced an element in recent months of not wanting courts to release accused on bail pending completion of investigation which is now only trying to include certain regulatory authorities officials who may also be involved.

(ANI)

GST Bill passage: Govt. reaches out to Congress New Delhi, July 15: With the BJP-led NDA regime leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in the upcoming Monsoon Session, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today met opposition leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma in the Parliament premises to discuss the same. Earlier in the day, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu asserted that the Centre is keen to have a fruitful and meaningful discussion in the upcoming Monsoon Session and expressed hope that the GST)Bill would be passed this time in the larger interest of the country. Naidu said the GST Bill will be an important initiative in the all-party

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the government to bring clarity to the pension rules of government employees, paramilitary forces and the army

opposition leaders Gulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, adding the duo appeared to be positive about the GST Bill. "They said they will discuss in their party forums. I may recall, earlier Shri Narendra Modi ji, honorable Prime Minister, had called even Sonia ji and Manmohan Singh ji for discussion on GST. They raised some three issues and those issues are mostly addressed by the Finance Minister," Naidu stated. The Urban Development Minister said the Finance Minister also had a number of rounds of discussions with the Chief Ministers of various states, adding most of them are on board with regard to the GST. "And I also in between as the Parliamentary Affairs Minster have talked to all the parties earlier and

most of them are positive.

When you are going for a major reform, there will be some problem or the other but these problems can be addressed during the course of time. And I only appeal to all the political parties to see in the larger interest of the country that the GST Bill is passed," he added. The proposed tax reform, India's biggest revenue shake-up since independence, seeks to replace a slew of federal and state levies, transforming the nation into a Customs Union. The Congress Party, the original author of the tax reform, has said that it would back the GST if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at 18 percent and create an independent mechanism to resolve disputes on revenue sharing between the states. (ANI)

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik Mumbai, July 15: Pleading innocence that he never encouraged terrorism, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Friday alleged that the Indian media started trying him just because one of the Bangladesh newspapers reported that one of the terrorists involved in the Dhaka cafe attack was inspired by him.

"I am seeing that there is an India media cry on me just because a report came in one of the Bangladesh newspapers 'The Daily Star' that one of the terrorists who was involved in the attack was inspired by me, and the media trial started. On July 29, the newspaper corrected themselves that they never said that Dr Zakir inspired him and Dr Zakir did not inspire any terrorist to kill innocent people," Naik told a press conference in Mumbai via Skype from Medina.

He said that his answers were altered and misguided people, adding those who did that shall be held responsible.

"Media for ulterior motives change meaning of my statements," he said.

Naik said he condemns all terror attacks anywhere in world and will speak for hours if needed.

"Suicide bombings where innocents are killed is 'haraam'. But as tactic of war it is permitted say many scholars," said Naik, who began his press conference by condemning the France terror attack.

He said, "Verse 32 in Chapter 5 of the Quran says killing innocents is crime. No scripture other than the Quran says one innocent killed is killing of the humanity."

"Knowingly I have never met any terrorist, but if some people stand next to me to take photographs, I smile. I don't know who they are? I am a messenger of peace. I do not criticise any sect of Islam, I may disagree on interpretations," he said.

Meanwhile, there was utter chaos during the press conference after Naik accused a reporter of Zee News of not having 'tameez' (discipline) after he posed a question to the controversial Islamic preacher.

He said he has replies to all allegations made on TV, adding they are available on pen drives for reporters.

"I challenge you to show me any unedited answer of mine where I have not condemned suicide bombing of the kind that is happening. Why are you relying on a doctored clip or an answer which is out of context? I challenge you to show my any unedited clip," said Naik.

Naik claimed that no official or government authority has approached him with any question, adding that he has no problem with the Indian government or police so far.

"I will cooperate 100 percent with any government authority, which wants to speak with me," he said.

He claimed that Peace TV had in 2008 applied for downlinking permission, which was denied by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

"The only reason I can think of why I&B Ministry had not given permission to Peace TV for downlinking in India is because it is a Muslim channel," he added. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

Pak calls Burhan Wani 'martyr', to observe July 19 as 'Black Day'

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Lahore, July 15 : On the call of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Federal Cabinet today decided that the country will observe July 19 as 'Black Day' against the Indian "barbarism in the Kashmir Valley."

The decision was made at a special Cabinet meeting preceded over

by Prime Minister Sharif, who on Friday termed the movement of Kashmiris as a 'movement of freedom' in Lahore, reports the Radio Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support for Kashmiris in their just struggle for "right to self-determination."

He added the "Indian brutalities" will give impetus to the freedom

struggle, which even the seven hundred thousand Indian soldiers deployed in the Indian side of Kashmir could not suppress.

He went on to call the 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani as "martyr" of the independence movement.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Kashmiris will get their right to self-determination for which the whole Pakistani nation is standing behind them.

He also directed all the relevant departments to highlight " Indian atrocities" by armed forces in the valley at international fora.

The meeting also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in France, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Turkey and Indonesia. (ANI)

Track 2 diplomacy in Nepal to discuss ways to prevent Pak roadblock to SAARC trade

Track 2 diplomacy in Nepal to discuss ways to prevent Pak roadblock to SAARC trade Kathmandu, July 15: South Asian nations holding a Track 2 diplomacy meeting in Nepal will discuss ways to prevent Pakistan from becoming a roadblock for the regional trade, specifically for India.

The South Asian countries, mainly SAARC nations, are holding a two day Track 2 Diplomacymeeting in Kathmandu which kicks off on Friday.

During the meet, security and economic issues of the South Asian region will be discussed by the participating members.

According to the sources participating in the diplomacy meet, SAARC nations would discuss on ways to not allow Pakistan become a hurdle for South Asian trade, specifically for India as Islamabad has already created a huge roadblock and prevented the establishment of direct connectivity between New Delhi and Afghanistan.

Despite having potential, the trade in the South Asian region is affected due to security issues like terrorism.

Track 2 will also put effort to bring along Pakistan for the development process, if it is willing to do so. Else, they will figure out ways to make sure that Islamabad does not become a roadblock for others.

India will also take part in the Track 2 meet, which is being coordinated by the European Organisation FES. The meet is important for India to boost its trade lines with other South Asian countries considering the constant road blocks created by Pakistan.

India holds 90 percent of the total economy of South Asia and has the potential to lead the region in terms of economy.

Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relation will put forward some points tomorrow in Kathmandu, to explore solutions of economic and security issues.

SAARC nations will also discuss security and economic challenges and propose solutions for the same. (ANI)

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Expedite action against perpetrators, sponsors of terrorism: Hamid Ansari Ulaanbaatar, July 15 : Condemning the terror attack in Nice, France, that claimed 80 innocent lives, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Friday called for expediting action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror to erase the scourge of terrorism.

Addressing 'Plenary Session II on 'Promoting ASEM Partnership for Greater Connectivity' at the India Asia-Europe Meeting-11 (ASEM-11) Summit here, he urged the ASEM member nations and representatives to support early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the aegis of the United Nations.

"Let us pledge today to work together to erase the scourge of terrorism by taking speedy action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror. I join others in offering my condolences to the Government and people of France on Yesterdays happening in Nice," said

the Vice President.

"Early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the aegis of the UN is an imperative today. I urge ASEM support for it. All our societies today face unprecedented levels of threat from terrorism in all its manifestations. The most recent example is what has happened, most unfortunately in France. We need to cooperate meaningfully to deal with this threat," he added.

With China acquiring aggressive posture after the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration nullifying Beijing's 'nine-dash line' territorial claim over much of the South China Sea, Vice President Ansari said, "Let us also collaborate to protect our global commons such as the seas and oceans in accordance with international conventions. Let us resolve disputes peacefully, without threats or use of force, and exercise self restraint in the conduct of activities that could escalate disputes effecting peace and stability. As a State Party to the United Nations

Hamid Ansari Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans."

Hailing ASEM as a "dynamic bridge" between Asia and Europe, he said, "Our shared endeavour has been to promote multi-dimensional connectivity between our continents. The theme of ASEM 11, '20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity', is, therefore, pertinent."

"Connectivity is an en-

abler for development, for improving the quality of life of people, for encouraging greater people-to-people exchanges, for stimulating trade and investments, and indeed for building peace, stability and security. The networks of connectivity that we build must be all-encompassing- not merely physical. It must also include institutional, digital, economic and sociocultural aspects," he added.

Calling upon the members to facilitate trade and commerce, and build integrated production net-

works and value chains for mutually beneficial development, the Vice President said, "Let us create energy alliances, such as the International Solar Alliance of solar rich countries, to enable energy security for all. Let us build networks of partnership between our business communities as also among our universities, cultural and civil society organisations. Above all, let us create connections of the heart and mind, to make ASEM a shared space of peace and harmony."

"For us in ASEM, democracy and liberal human values is an important ingredient. Our host, Mongolia, is a recent and successful example of the democratic experience and we congratulate them on their success," he added.

Noting the 11th ASEM Summit marks two decades of multilateralism between Asia and Europe, he said, "As we step into the third decade of ASEM, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that ASEM remains a responsible and positive forum."

Pakistan misusing US fund to promote terrorism, reveals ex-Afghan spy Kabul, July 15 : A former Afghanistan spy has disclosed classified documents, which reveal that the money provided by the United States Government to the Pakistan military for fighting terrorism is being spent by the country's intelligence agency, ISI, for promoting and supporting terrorism.

According to documents released by Rahmatullah Nabil, former chief of Afghan Spy Agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Islamabad "strikes only those insurgents who threatens its interests".

According to Tolonews, Nabil has claimed that the ISI systematically supports terrorist groups, while pointing out that Pakistan has for long been funding terrorist organisations, particu-

larly the Haqqani network.

According to one of the documents leaked by Nabil, an "official letter dated July 2014 from the central office of the ISI in Islamabad was sent to MI-422 office in Swaba and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in which it directed the office to thank that the people that succeeded in plotting the attack on Kabul Airport (now Hamid Karzai International Airport) and gave 2.5 million Pakistani rupees to every one of the following: Haji Khalil Haqqani, Haji Hakim Woluswal, Qari Zahir Shah and Mawlawi Hakim. Moreover, the office was directed to donate 1.5 million Pakistani rupees to the families of those that were involved in the attack."

Reportedly, insurgents had attacked the Kabul International Airport a day before this letter was

issued.

According to another document, the ISI 945 office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in an official note dated April 6, 2015 to the central office in Islamabad wrote, "Officials of 945 office, in a meeting with Toryalai, the head of the network and his cofighters on April 5, 2015, were tasked to kidnapped and kill Afghanistan's Shia leaders in Herat, Kabul and Farah. In addition, they gave 2 million Pakistani rupees to the participant in that meeting."

In the note, it was mentioned that 23 people from Toryalai's group, who were busy with military training in Cherat, had completed their training.

According to another document from regional office in Peshawar to central command center in Rawalpindi, a Paki-

Pakistan misusing US fund to promote terrorism, reveals ex-Afghan spy stani colonel wrote, "I want to inform you that a meeting was held between Hafiz Gul Bahaduri of Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group with the commander of Afghan Taliban Maulavi Hamdullah. The main purpose of the meeting was to provide rented houses to leaders of Afghan Taliban in Hayat Abad and Tahkal of

Peshawar who have been deployed from remote regions of Miran Shah. In addition, armored vehicles and guards should be provided to secure their lives and activities."

According to Nabil, thousands of Madrasas in Pakistan are only involved in brain-washing, terrorism and extremism. (ANI)

Bangladesh clerics deliver anti-terrorism sermon at Friday prayers Dhaka, July 15: Clerics on Friday delivered an identical sermon in hundreds of thousands of mosques across Bangladesh condemning terrorism as part of a beefed-up campaign to combat extremism in the wake of recent terror attacks in the country.

The clerics read out a two-page special sermon ahead of the weekly Friday prayers denouncing violence and extremism in the name of religion citing verses from the Holy Quran and sayings of the Prophet, officials said.

"Whoever kills a person unjustly, it is as though he has killed all mankind," it read, citing a verse from the

his directive," it said.

The move comes after the deadly attack in an upscale Dhaka cafe in which 20 hostages, including an Indian girl, were brutally hacked to death in Bangladesh's worst terror attack by suspected Islamist militants.

Clerics on Friday delivered an identical sermon in hundreds of thousands of mosques across Bangladesh condemning terrorism as part of a beefed-up campaign to combat extremism Quran.

It quoted the Prophet as saying the killing of a human being is the biggest sin and urged parents to take good care of their children so they cannot be "brainwashed".

"A human being, no mat-

ter what his faith is, has been secured with the right to live a safe life...the Prophet says the greatest of all sins is to kill a human being while he made no distinction between Muslim or non-Muslim in

A subsequent army-led security clampdown killed six militants next morning.

The state-run Islamic Foundation earlier said it prepared and disseminated the special sermon in Arabic and Bangla to be read out alongside the routine Friday sermon.

"We have distributed the special sermon both in Arabic and Bangla to more than 300,000 mosques...We requested the police and district

administrations at grassroots to encourage imams to deliver it properly during the Friday prayers," an Islamic Foundation spokesman said.

On the Eid day, the terrorists tried to attack the country's biggest Eid congregation at northern Sholakia where they killed 2 policemen before one of the attackers was gunned down.

A high-level cabinet committee last week decided to enforce a vigil on sermons during Friday prayers in mosques so no provocative sermons were delivered inspiring extremism while the government issued a clarion call on imams and religious leaders to use their influence in uprooting militancy.(Agencies)

Vice President Ansari further said that ASEM must not only shape the global agenda, but also move towards concrete action.

"A start, in this direction, was made at the New Delhi Foreign Ministers Meeting in November 2013. India will continue to be a constructive partner in this endeavour. As we look ahead, ASEM's inherent strengths in the diversity of its membership, the complementarity of its capacities, the strength of its political leadership and robustness of its economies, must reflect in its ambition for the third decade," he said.

Expressing his confidence that the members would together elevate the ASEM's role to harness the collective capabilities of our two dynamic continents for the shared peace, progress and prosperity of their respective countries and regions, t h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t t h a n k e d t h e C h a i r, Mongolia, for the gracious hospitality and the excellent arrangement made for this conference. (ANI)

US concerned over Hafiz Saeed's free movement in Pakistan Pak, July 15: The US has expressed concern over the free movement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan despite his being designated as a terrorist by the UN. "As we've said from this podium many times, we remain concerned about his activities," Elizabeth Trudeau, Director in the US State Department press office, said at the daily press briefing on Thursday.

She was responding to a question on Saeed moving around freely in Pakistan and giving interviews.

Saeed reportedly said the US was giving India a free hand by not condemning the ongoing violence in Kashmir.

At least 38 people have died in large-scale violence in Kashmir following the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, 22, in a gunfight on July 8.

Trudeau pointed out that Saeed has been listed by the UN Security Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee and is also on the US rewards for Justice Program.

"Obviously we disagree with his premise (Saeed's statement on US position on India), but we've also been very clear with the government of Pakistan that they must target and root out these extremist groups, all militant groups and Taliban," she stated.

On the current situation in Kashmir, Trudeau reiterated that the US would "encourage all sides to make efforts to finding a peaceful resolution".

"The situation on the ground from what we understand is very complex, it remains fluid," she said.

"In terms of clarity on what's going on, in terms of the protests as well as the security force reaction, we're still trying to get it," she added.(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

Supply Chain Business Intelligence - Stay Informed Part I India's Challenge Kashmir's Insurgency The Kashmir dispute has its genesis during India and Pakistan partition in 1947. Because of its geographic importance, Kashmir became a disputed territory and, India and Pakistan fought two (Photo: dw.com) wars over its ownership.

The Indian state has a massive military presence owing to the feelings of separation among youths in Kashmir. The present chaos in Kashmir encapsulates the differing priorities that define New Delhi's troubled relationship with Kashmir. The fresh violence in Kashmir has jolted the central government, which was gradually receding into complacency. In the absence of an overarching strategy under the People's Democratic Party (PDP)- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, there seems to be confusion at the highest echelon as to which policy tools should be accorded primacy. The result has been a stalemate in counterinsurgency strategy, unable to fully succeed in reaching the desired objectives. The current turmoil in Kashmir over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani and the subsequent death of more than 30 protesters in violent clashes with police and security forces will have crucial implications for the way in which many Kashmiri people have come to see themselves and the Indian state. Voices calling for peace and dialogue must prevail over those insisting on confrontation and conflict. Terrorist Burhan Wani, the socalled poster boy of Hizbul, had become a cult figure in the new insurgency in Kashmir. His psychological warfare tactics were aimed at delivering threats to the security forces and attracting more youth into insurgency, partly because 60 percent of the valley's population is below the age of 30. The new wave of insurgents, primarily from Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian, are mostly educated and come from reasonably good socioeconomic status.

Also in the wake of the revival of insurgency and a spike in terrorist incidents in the valley, the Modi government is reported to be planning to replace Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with the Border Security Force (BSF) in some areas of restive Kashmir. The BSF was used to implement counterinsurgency in Srinagar in the 1990s. Constituted and suited for guarding the borders, the BSF gradually adapted to the situation and played an active role in decimating the insurgency. In 2005, the BSF was replaced by the CRPF. Whether the BSF is re-inducted or not for counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir is for the government to decide, but it undeniable is that counterinsurgency operations are always a dirty business. Indian military and paramilitary forces in Kashmir often find themselves in an alien environment, invariably surrounded by an unfriendly population. But the Kashmir conflict is not a security issue alone. It is a political problem that needs a political solution. The only mantra for conflict resolution is to talk, and talk to everybody without condition. The prolongation of the armed conflict in Kashmir has resulted in unspeakable sufferings for the Kashmiris as well as the security personnel posted in that extremely volatile region. Besides diverting scarce resources from much-needed development projects to an extraordinary arms buildup in the region, an entire generation has grown up in Kashmir for whom killings are a routine affair.

Remains Unchanged Assam: Flood situation The flood situation in Assam remained unchanged in the deluge-hit Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Morigaon, Barpeta, Biswanath and Jorhat districts where 1.11 lakh people are affected. A report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority revealed that 162 villages and localities were submerged by the floods that also overran 8,685 hectares of crop land. Incessant rains have wreaked havoc in Assam with its villages, towns and cities situated in the low foothills of the state reeling from floods for over a month.

Though authorities have come up with series of initiatives to provide relief to thousands of affected people. Jorhat district is said to be the worst-hit. It is estimated that around 86,000 people have been affected by the floods and a majority of them are living in the worst-affected districts of Lakhimpur and Jorhat. The Jorhat District administration has set up seven relief camps in the affected areas and is providing all basic requirements like medicines, food items etc to the victims. Search and rescue teams have been deployed in the worst-hit villages along the Bhogdoi river.

The Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level in Guwahati. Predicting the volatile trend of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are positioned in the vulnerable areas. Besides that relief material like medicines, foods, and relief camps are also provided to the affected people under the initiative of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in collaboration with National disaster Respond Fund (NDRF). The Central Water Commission officials are also keeping a close watch on overflow of rivers in the state. Over 1 lakh people in 213 villages in Gohpur , Nagaon, Golaghat, Morigaon, Biswanath and Barpeta districts were marooned by floods till date. Assam, with its vast network of rivers, is prone to natural disasters like flood and soil erosion which leaves a negative impact on overall development of the state.

The pace of change is ac- they are going to respond celerating. Keeping up and adapt to these changwith that pace of change ing rules to succeed movis becoming a very big ing forward. challenge for executives Many companies are still in terms of being able to operating with silos, modify and adapt their where logistics and proprocesses. Some of the curement for example do pressures that are impact- not communicate and coling executives across dif- laborate effectively with ferent industries include: each other. Leading comcapacity, regulations, panies are looking to walk technology and narrower the talk of breaking down time windows. Increased functional silos. Moving risks, for example, the away from an environport ment strikes Pranjal Kumar Phukan where that every took place on the West function is driven by its Coast can form capacity own metrics where those constraints. Technology, metrics are not aligned whether its cloud technol- with one another. Instead ogy or drones or driverless drive organizational trucks or 3D printing that changes in a more syncan have a growing im- chronized, collaborative pact today and in the years faction. The first step is to ahead. recognize that the time has Supply chain logistics ex- come to find ways to ecutives are faced with break down those funcincreasing risks and in- tional silos. creasing complexity and Collaboration with your they have a more com- vendors, customers, 3PLs pressed timeframe in or- and external trading partder to make smarter deci- ners is very important as sions faster. Leading com- supply chains have bepanies are no longer view- come more global and ing logistics as a cost cen- more dispersed. Growth ter. Today logistics can be depends on the success of viewed as a competitive external partners to advantage. The leading achieve the ultimate obcompanies are looking for jective. The difference beways to leverage logistics tween cooperation and to increase their sales and collaboration can be conto increase market share. fused. Cooperation can inLogistics now has a seat clude sharing data and at the strategic table. participating in the same The biggest risk for mar- meetings. True collaboraket leaders is the risk of tion is where you are recomplacency. If it isn't ally defining a joint objecbroken, why fix it? This tive that is focused on the can be a very dangerous end customer and you are mindset to be in. The lead- aligning your processes ing companies stay rest- and your KPIs toward that less, they recognize that joint objective. there is growing risk out Companies have to transthere from a competitive form their decision makstandpoint. From a busi- ing processes. It is taking ness point the rules are companies and teams' continuously changing months to make decisions and the leading companies that ideally these days need to figure out how should take hours or days.

There is a lot of organizational inertia to enable faster decision making.

Endless internal debate and the weight of giant teams culminate in very long, drawn-out decisions.

Leaders have real-time access to supply chain data. They know what is happening in their supply chain today. They can predict what is going to happen in their supply chain tomorrow or over the next two weeks. Some of the relevant data that is important to supply chain leaders are: orders, shipments, inventory, sales, operating costs and asset utilization.

Data coming from different systems resulting in a lack of an enterprise solution to visibility is no longer an option. Data being distributed in batches or not in real-time is unacceptable today.

Perhaps not all the trading partners in your supply chain are connected to you and information quality may continue to be a hurdle. The adage garbage in, garbage out holds true in this instance. Only a third of retailers have realtime inventory visibility and less than a third have visibility into their true landed cost.

If the visibility that you have is not effective, digging into process, technology and people is important. Time spent quantifying financial impacts is important here.

What happens when you don't have visibility or you have ineffective visibility?

What happens when you have lost sales?

What happens if you encounter increased transportation costs?

What happens if you have excess inventory because you do not have visibility into it?

Image for representational purpose (Photo: media.licdn) Understanding those financial impacts will allow for a business case to invest in and improve your visibility. The alignment of traditional ERP based functions which is forecasting, planning and sales with supply chain functions like inventory, transportation planning and execution provide the ability to move your company in a positive direction.

Leaders visualize their supply chain network. Do you have the same relationship you have with your Tier 1 suppliers with your Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers? Are your product flows not transparent throughout your supply chain? Is your business lacking technical resources to map out and visualize your data?

Leverage visualization and mapping to identify least-cost sourcing options to understand transportation mode opportunities and optimization.

Draw your supply chain out and place it on your desk or wall. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Leaders establish resiliency in their supply chain. Understanding risk allows leaders to control their supply chain. You can't control what you can't control. Natural disasters, labor strikes at the ports and political and economic events take place frequently throughout the world. A study coordinated by the Business Continuity Institute in 2014 stated, "Only 27% of companies surveyed actively track and report supply chain disruption in their organization." This indicates that many companies are not paying attention to it.

Supply chain leaders proactively take measures to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions.

They take a full-spectrum approach to risk management. A risk management team can monitor risk

metrics. A few examples of risk metrics are time-torecover, if a company experienced a power outage, they would be able to identify what their time was to recover and they would set themselves up with a metric for that. This company may measure revenue-at-risk, so if they had a system crash, how much revenue would they be risking in that one to six hour crash. The team quantifies potential risk impact. To be contd (Author is Regional General Secretary of CaSI Global at US. He is research scholar at IIT, Guwahati. He can be contacted for visiting or guest lectures on entrepreneurship development, Sustainability, educational projects and technical knowhow on plastics industries. His email address is p r a n j a l _ x l r i @yahoo.com)

Women play vital role in agrifood systems across Latin America and the Caribbean In terms of food production, processing and marketing, women play a significant role in agrifood systems across Latin America and the Caribbean, a new Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study says.

The report examines the value chains of cassava (Belize), quinoa (Bolivia), corn (Guatemala) and the regional cultivation of cotton from a gender perspective.

"In rural areas, the contribution of women is mostly invisible although they perform a large part of the activities at farm level as well as domestic work and unpaid home care," Claudia Brito, the FAO gender officer, said.

Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals promises gender equality.

With the Blue Growth Initiative, the FAO is trying

to strengthen the role of women in the fisheries sector. According to experts, the sector has enormous potential to strengthen and nurture women as they have a big stake in fish processing and marketing.

The State of Food and Agriculture 2015 report released by the FAO said that expanding social protection programmes in rural areas across the world and linking them to inclusive agricultural growth policies will ensure reduction in the number of poor people.

According to the study, a great side of social protection schemes is that they can empower women and make them self-sufficient.

One of the most important things behind the success of such programmes is the inclusion of women and the degree of assistance

(monetary or otherwise) they receive.

In most rural households, women play a definitive role in agriculture and other allied activities.

Thus, including women under the social protection network is more likely to ensure its success worldwide.

Women in agriculture A new FAO study says that participation of women is more pronounced in activities that involve time as well as physical labour in the agriculture sector.

However, they are less represented in those links of the productive chain associated with increased revenue generation and active participation in markets.

According to the FAO, the strategic integration of the gender perspective in national agrifood systems

can lead to a substantial improvement in the competitiveness of markets.

"If men and women had the same opportunities and benefits in the production, processing and marketing of food, we would take a giant step towards the eradication of hunger and poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean," Brito added.

Bridging gender gap According to the study, women in Belize have an important role to play in the value chain of cassava.

While the role of men is limited to production, transportation and sale in open markets, women participate in all the processes.

The FAO study recommends updating cassava technical training programmes from a gender perspective and the development of marketing

tools and business management under the same approach.

It also suggests encouraging the formalisation of women's cooperatives to achieve greater access to financial and non-financial services for productive projects.

Bolivia has taken important steps towards gender parity. Women involved in the cultivation of quinoa require new technologies and tools that meet their needs, facilitating greater efficiency in their production and transformation processes and alleviation of workload.

According to the national agricultural survey of Guatemala (2008), a big gap in land tenure exists between men (85 per cent) and women (15 per cent).

Less than 40 per cent of female-headed households have their own

Plight of Police SI And Financial Crunch

Image for representational purpose (Photo: rlv.zcache)

Sir, A serious predicament awaits Assam Police if news paper reports are anything to go by. It is reported that as many as 12 Sub Inspectors of Assam Police (48th, 49th and 50th batch) have resigned their service in a body and another few are in the offing. The causes that prompted them to resign are many.

Their salary, they allege is just half of what their counterparts in the neighboring states draw. Moreover, the span of time for promotion to the higher cadre is much more in Assam Police (21 years) compared to their counterparts in the neighbouring states (7 years) what is shocking is even the constables of the neighbouring states get more salary than what a sub inspector gets in Assam Police, the reports further suggest. Obviously qualified persons having self-respect find it beneath their dignity to serve a department under

lands.

Women in the corn value chain of Guatemala have excessive workload, ranging from 12 to 16 hours a day. According to the FAO study, women also face difficulties accessing financial services, lack technologies and tools, have low levels of training and low decision-making power.

"We cannot end hunger in the region, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, without achieving gender equality," said Brito.

Currently, the FAO is supporting the community of Latin American and Caribbean State (CELAC) to develop a gender policy for CELAC's Food Security Nutrition and Hunger Eradication Plan which seeks to end hunger in the region by 2025. Courtesy: Down to earth

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.

inimical atmosphere with a low salary.

From the reports published in news papers, it further transpires that the NDA government in the centre maintains a close fisted notion in releasing funds to Sarbananda Sonowal led state government, as a result, many development works of the state have come Letters to the to a halt and the state government is passing through a tough phase finan- editor and articles cially. By degrees, BJP led government should be sent to : in the centre is unfolding its PseudoThe Eastern Tolove for Assam, particularly for those day flood-affected people. Lessons inculChowkidingee, cated to BJP M.L.As and Ministers are of no use without adequate funds, Amit Near Sankardeva Shah, BJP's national President should Hospital Mancotta realize the gravity of the situation.

Road, DibrugarhYours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Email : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

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This Adivasi Village Is Fighting For Its Livelihood Against A Giant Power Coporation In the Gadchirolli district hectares of forest land in of Maharashtra, a first of 2012. The village formed its kind people's movement a Vanhaq Sahniyantran has been brewing. An Samiti (Forest Rights Coadivasi village, Lavari has Management committee) stalled the construction of comprising of 7 men and a transmission line for 5 women. The village is nearly six months now. dependent on collection The project requires cut- and sale of MFP for its susting down hundreds of Mi- tenance. Lavari gram nor Forest Produce sabha has been harvest(MFP) tree species, a ing and selling bamboo major source of liveli- and other MFP species, profitably, hoods for the adivasi Shruti Agarwal since the community recognition in Lavari. Lavari is not of its community forest saying 'no' to the project; rights (CFR). The gram it is asking to be compen- sabha has a bank account sated for the loss in in- and its own Permanent come that will arise from Account Number. the removal of these trees Livelihood Loss From and use the amount to The Transmission Line plant more than double the The forest department has trees in their forest. estimated that 961 trees Power Grid Corporation belonging to different of India Ltd (PGCIL) re- MFP species in Lavari's ceived forest clearance CFR will be removed for for its 765KV transmis- the transmission line. Afsion line project from ter carrying out a survey Raipur to Wardha in De- along the stretch of the cember 2015. Being a lin- transmission line through ear project that has been their village, Lavari gram exempted from obtaining sabha recalculates this Gram Sabha consent for number at 1,675. "The deapproval, the work com- partment has not included menced, soon after ap- the trees that would grow proval. The first step was to the height of the transfelling trees, which lay mission wire the next along the length and year, which would be cut breadth of the proposed down eventually", says Rahul, the secretary of transmission line.

Lavari received Commu- Lavari's Vanhaq nity Forest Resource Sahniyantran Samiti.

(CFR) rights over 536.03 The gram sabha has also

calculated the loss in income that would result from the removal of these trees for every species.

There are 204 Mahua trees identified for removal. Each Mahua tree would fetch the village atleast Rs 2000 in one year, resulting in a loss of Rs 4.08 lakhs. There are also 70 trees of Char, where each tree brings revenue worth Rs 1000 per year to the village.

Then there is tendu, jamun, amla, hirda, behra, the losses from which have been enumerated as well. Interestingly, all calculations have been made for the entire village and not for households. According to Rahul, even the most conservative estimate suggests that the village would lose nearly Rs 5.56 lakh per year from the loss of these trees.

The forest department officials have a different perspective. "The trees that would be cut down will regenerate in a few years. In fact, for some species like tendu, cutting them periodically ensures that new leaves come sooner. In any case, only a small area in the CFR would be diverted for the transmission line. The losses will not be significant. Additionally, medicinal plants will be grown

under the transmission line which will provide employment to the locals," says a forest official.

No Policy On Compensation Lavari is not willing to settle for a seemingly 'feel good' model. "Our livelihoods have improved significantly since we received CFR rights. People in the village have started to realise that they do not need to migrate to nearby towns and cities, if forests are providing them sustained income. We have been planting bamboo every year in our CFR now since 2013. This year, the plan is to increase the bamboo plantations in the CFR by 20,000. We will use the compensation amount towards raising these plantations. This way, our forests will be healthy and our people happy," adds Rahul.

Sadly, the gram sabha's demand for compensation finds no legal backing in the current scenario.

"There is no provision in any law or rule to compensate communities for such losses. Compensation is provided when a project displaces people.

That is not the case here", say the forest department officials, without commenting on whether or not these demands were fair.

"As part of their mandate under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), PGCIL has offered solar lights and other benefits to Lavari, but the village is not agreeing to them."

In addition to depositing funds for Compensatory Afforestation (CA), project developers require to pay for the loss in ecosystem goods and services from forest diversion, till the afforested area starts to provide comparable benefits. This is called Net present Value (NPV) of forests, which almost always, forms the largest share of the total funds received from developers. Based on estimates of proportion of benefits of all forest goods and services, an IIFM study in 2013 estimated that about 50 per cent of the economic losses of forest diversion occur at the community level. The study sponsored by the environment ministry, recommended that 50 per cent of the NPV funds should be allocated for affected communities, while 34% and 16% should accrue to the states and the centre respectively.

The recommendation has no mention of forest diversion or utilisation of CA funds. The Compensatory

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: 3.bp.blogspot) Afforestation Fund (CAF) Bill 2015, which awaits the decision of the Rajya Sabha in the upcoming monsoon session, has been widely criticised for lacking provisions to benefit communities. While the Bill provides utilisation of funds for a range of services including artificial regeneration (plantations), assisted natural regeneration, protection of forests, forest related infrastructure development, Green India Programme, wildlife protection, it has been completely silent on involving or benefiting communities.

The draft National Forest Policy of 2016, which has been disowned by MoEFCC for reasons unknown, has added utilisation of NPV funds for establishing wildlife corridors around diverted for-

ests, but maintained silence on compensating affected communities.

Need For A Fair Model The argument against compensation is that communities find gainful employment when 'development' projects come to their villages. Such employment opportunities are often in the form of wage labour, which treat local communities as recipients or beneficiaries of a scheme, and not as rightholders. In most cases, when the number of jobs created is measured against the loss of livelihoods, the latter outnumbers the former significantly. This explains to some extent why such models, which have been in existence for years now, have done little to improve the lives and livelihoods of

forest-dependent communities. Perhaps it is time to think more creatively.

Lavari's demand for compensation is centered on reviving forest livelihoods and keeping migration in check, through a rights-based framework. Perhaps we can all learn from what the gram sabha's long term vision in demanding compensation has to offer for our forests and the people dependent on them. While policy makers debate on 'state-of-the-art' ways of eliminating poverty in forest fringe villages of India, a small adivasi village in Maharashtra is offering solutions. With PGCIL working directly under the Prime Minister's Office, will government pay heed?

Note: This article has been republished from Down To Earth.

Why Being Muslim In India Has Become A fusion of art and bonsai A Matter Of 'Great Anxiety' The gloomy prospect unfortunately so, dewhich presents itself to serves to be deliberated the eye of the Indian upon is my Indian-ness.

Muslim today creates The problem with our great anxiety and little country is not the lack of gratification. Since free- constitutional guarantees dom of expression and but, rather, the overtly liberty of thought are easy ways to mute free cardinal values under our speech. There has to be Constitution, I an acceptance want to share Saud Khan of thoughts we with you midetest, cultures nor details about the ex- different from ours and perience I had in the religious behaviour notcapital recently. in-synchronisation with When I vacated my flat our own have to be aclast month, I wasn't re- knowledged and apprecially prepared for what ated, for that is the true was to come. In fact, indicator of democracy any person born and and freedom. raised and belonging to But, when the same freethis country will find it dom is misused in the appalling to believe that name of nationalism and on the basis of my reli- patriotism, democracy gion, my identity as an agonises.

blasts verdict and the likes of Sadhvi Prachi and her "Muslim-mukt bharat" mantra.

Well, terrorism does exist, but why do we not feel ashamed or bothered by the fact that our whole country is at the risk of being terrorised intellectually at the moment?

Why is our collective social consciousness struggling to condemn the wrongdoings of those who want the damnation of Dalits, Muslims and other minorities?

A society's treatment of those in the minority speaks of its performance on human rights. In that respect, reservations and quotas don't suffice.

My worry is that I can

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: chdmart) individual and an Indian was forthrightly dismissed.

I was homeless for a good 25 days and the cause of it - Islam.

If a certain section of society is not worthy of this nation then this nation is poor indeed. I will not deliberate upon the fragments of my identity which are, currently, being rebuked; but, the part which is not but, quite

A certain faction of our society has created the impression that they alone are the protectors of India's ancient values and peace. In this way, they have acted vigilantly and conquered one position after another. Although to the surprise and relief of many, I want to present a worthy argument without innocently ranting about the Dadrilynching case, Malegaon

see a proliferation in the ever-dissatisfied and terrified group of people who can no longer be reckoned as belonging to their own nation. To eliminate the causes of such a development is an action that surely deserves the attention of the country. For it is in the interest of the nation to safeguard the allegiance and faith of its people, as much as the need to safe-

guard other features of public life.

The needs and sentiments of Muslims, therefore, should be prioritised. My objective here is to make you aware that anti-social and dishonourable treatment of human beings provokes resistance but a feeling of belongingness and brotherhood will, with certainty, promote social harmony.

It is getting hard for Muslims to find good jobs, to find accommodation in good localities and send their children to good schools. Some sources claim that there are only eight Muslim police chiefs in India's 591 districts. If so, that is a dismal 0.1% compared to the 14% of India's population who are Muslims.

According to a member of the Sachar Committee, Muslims make up only 2.5% of higher levels of the bureaucracy and the situation is little better in other departments. It indicated that Muslims were subject to conditions poorer than that of the SC/STs. The report also revealed a significant prejudice against Muslims in private and public sector employment. Similarly, living in religious pockets is maleficent and largely un-Indian in its approach.

We must not allow for such religious frontiers to be born within the confines of our nation.

The nation needs a strong moral voice at the helm of affairs. If the barbaric acts of discrimination are not condemned today, we cannot expect much in the days to come. In these times of social unrest, it is critical for the leader to condemn the wrongdoings of religious sects and

radical forces with conviction and clarity.

Moreover, factually speaking, intolerance of any kind will interfere with the geopolitical exhibitions India is doing at present. Therefore, in more than one way, the current state of affairs is an impediment to intellectual India, developed India and educated India.

There are times when it is simpler to take part in activities which are evil and unjust, but in such moments, standing alone with the courage to do what is right is far greater than being a part of the unruly mob that is hell-bent on doing the opposite. In such times, as compatriots, your participation and concern for the oppressed can make all the difference. The day you do that, you can be proud of making your own little contribution to the welfare of this nation, just like I did today, in finding the courage to pen my thoughts down.

It is rightly said that the business of the philosopher is to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people. In compliance with the aforementioned, I cannot impose my ideas on you just as the 'rightwinged' cannot impose their ideas on all of us.

Besides, the fact that I was apprehensive of writing the above statement shows the cautiousness one has to bear in mind while voicing their concerns openly. Very respectfully, I urge you all to show solidarity and explore peaceful measures to make these times easier for people of this country.

Jai Hind! Courtesy: Youthkiawaaz

They work with different forms fuse to present ab- figurative forms and furmediums, one with ink, stractions, and yet stand niture, while his Bonsai paper, pen, and seldom wonderfully independent. connects him in time and with brush and colours The beauty of experienc- space to nurturing nature with which he is no less a ing creations, whether as into creative objects of genius of tonal dynamics independent or collabora- spiritual reverence. In the and forms. The other with tive, can be best experi- deft hands of Senapati nicely curved out wood he enced through the spirit the functional derives adcollects from the bosom of of life both forms share, mirable aesthetic relnature, with roots of which incidentally binds evance. Here, too, the plants, its renowned essence of what's folk branches Maulee Senapati a r t i s t connects the two artists, and leaves B e n u more subtly in the case which represents a plant's Mishra's sharp strokes of Benu Mishra, and health. From a distance the and dynamic forms more pronouncedly commonalities between which evokes a sublime functional in the case of their creations aren't par- lyricism, with the lyricism the other. ticularly evident, nor would achieved on wood and In both the forms life reone ponder much about through the rhythmic mains the ultimate winner what lies similar between curves and spreading through means life and the mediums they love to arms of Bonsai plants by nature alone can offer to creatively, and most passionately toil with as tireless vocations. Peep deeper into what both creates and one would be mesmerized by a common thread binding two artists' interests to present an essentially single realm bedecked by vignettes of life and nature's concentrated spirits of expressions.

The human urge to spontaneously respond to one's Image for representational purpose. (Photo: reality and seek repose thethumbprintmag) through the interplay of the dynamic forms of repre- Labu Senapati, another man. Together, they porsentation is as old as the passionate man. SRISTI, tray through their respeccave paintings are, as hu- 2016, is how both the art- tive mediums a remarkmankind have known. If ists have named their joint able spectrum of celebraart is about dynamization of exhibition held from July tion of life and what time and space to give vent 2 to July 4, 2016, at spirit of life alone can to one's creation, to por- Surjya, Chenikuthi, por- present. As one of my tray the spirit of the real; traying life of the com- favourite teacher, a noted Bonsai with roots in Con- mon man and his timber man of literature and aesProfessor fucianism and Taoism is no and plants deriving im- thetics, less a creative representa- mensely creative expres- Pradeep Acharrya, detion. Bonsai is not dwarf- sions transcending time fined by calling the collaborative endeavour of ing of nature, it is in meta- and space. phorical sense a spiritual In most of Benu Mishra's Benu Mishra and Labu realization of the figurative drawings there have been Senapati as "Lifescape", spirit of nature achieved attempts to build the aes- "the urge to know is inthrough a new entity, a new thetics of landscape as a nate and in art, this decreation. When the draw- representational strategy mands an urgency of inings of a pioneer of his art to unveil the subtext, the volvement as it aspires to in Assam is exhibited with invisible essential. In his grasp the ungraspable, the creations on and out of indefatigable journey of life". This is precisely timber and plants by an- searching beauty-truth in what Sristi, 2016, helped other pioneer in his field of the frame of historical one to experience. After interest, streams of con- factuality, image of the all, "Art does not reprosciousness and creation native landscapes, as well duce what we see; rather, seamlessly coalesces with as what in its most intri- it makes us see" is what each other to present an cate sense defines an in- the renowned Swiss amazing asymmetrical to- triguing mosaic of life, painter Paul Klee said. getherness bonded by the finds subtle, yet, force- Maulee Senapati is a film tranquillity of time, and ful expression prolifi- maker and a former subtle profundity of one- cally and significantly Head-of-the-Department ness shared between the with defined folk pres- of Film Direction, apparently more subtle ence. Labu Senapati's Annapurna International drawings of a maestro with oeuvre, on the other School of Film and Methe more palpable Bonsai hand seems more pal- dia Studies, Hyderabad. thethum pable as he tirelessly Courtesy: foliage.

This is how different toils on timber to sculpt bprintmag

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

BUSINESS

Govt taking steps to organize prices of pulses New Delhi, Jul 15: With pulses still ruling as high as Rs 200 per kg, the government said it is taking several measures to boost domestic output and imports, besides taking action against hoarders to control rates. "The central government is taking several measures to control the price rise of pulses," Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

"On one hand, the government is trying to give relief to citizens by importing pulses from foreign countries or taking action against hoarders, on the other hand the government has taken several steps to increase pulses production and to incentivise pulses grow-

ing farmers," it added. Dal prices have soared up to Rs 198 per kg in the retail markets due to fall of production in last two crop years at about 17 million tonnes in view of drought. The government has recently announced a sharp increase in MSP of kharif pulses for the 2016-17 crop year to encourage farmers to grow lentils, the ministry said, adding that a committee under the Chief Economic Advisor has been set up to frame a longterm policy and review MSP and bonus for farmers. The ministry said that the size of buffer stock has been raised to 20 lakh tonnes from the earlier 8 lakh tonnes.

Essar to tender for small fields

15 % stake sale in NBCC given a nod by cabinet

Dehradun, Jul 15: Essar Oil plans to bid for the Discovered Small Fields (DSF) being offered by the government, Manish G Maheshwari Chief Executive Officer E & P, said.

"This offers an opportunity to industry players to hunt for exploration upside, whilst monetising existing discoveries‌we will go for it," he said. He also said that the bidding procedures have been simplified. Now, there are only two bidding parameters: the minimum work programme to with 20 per cent weightage and revenue sharing conditions, once production starts, with 80 per cent weightage. He said that the bids would be for conventional and non conventional fields. "Conventional fields include sandstone and limestone reservoirs, while unconventional ones include coal bed methane, shale and tight (granite) reservoirs." "The Uniform Licensing Policy allows an operator to explore for and produce all types of hydrocarbons from an acreage", he noted. Mr. Maheshwari was talking to The Hindu ahead of a site visit to Essar's Ranigunj (East) block which recently crossed one million standard cubic meters per day (scmd) of CBM production. He said that there were now plans to ramp up production to 3 million scmd by mid 2017-18. While Rs.3,000 crore has already been spent on the project, it may be possible to hem in the wrap-up cost at under Rs.4,000 crore. "Renegotiation of contracts may make it possible to keep the total cost below the earlier level," he said.

(Agencies)

FindMyStay raises capital Kolkata, Jul 15: FindMyStay, a reverse bidding platform for hotel booking, has raised undisclosed funds in its pre-series A round led by the Indian Angel Network and its individual members Rishi Parti and Yogesh Bansal.

FindMyStay CoFounder Simran Sial said: "With the new round of funding, we are now in a position to invest more into developing products and technology focusing on improving customer experience further." Started

by Rohit Khetrapal and Simran Sial, FindMyStay through its platform 'Your Stay at Your Price' enables customers to bid their price for the hotel they would like to stay in. Then, the hotels that accept this price offer are shown to the customer. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Jul 15: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the disinvestment of 15 per cent paid up equity of National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) out of its 90 per cent shareholding, Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "It would result in estimated receipts of Rs.1,706 crore approximately to the government," according to an official statement. "However, the actual realisation amount will depend upon the market conditions and the investor interest prevailing at the time of actual disinvestment." "In order to inculcate a sense of belongingness amongst the employees

FOR THE BETTERMENT With pulses still ruling as high as Rs 200 per kg, the government said it is taking several measures to boost domestic output and imports, besides taking action against hoarders to control rates.

Dal prices have soared up to Rs 198 per kg in the retail markets due to fall of production in last two crop years at about 17 million tonnes in view of drought.

Stating that the government is procuring pulses from local market to build

of NBCC, it has also been decided to allot additional shares to the eligible and willing employees at a discount of 5 per cent to the issue/discovered (lowest cut off) price of the OFS (offer for sale)." The government expects to earn Rs.56,000 crore through the sale of its stake in PSUs this financial year, with Rs 36,000 crore of this coming from minority stake sales and the remaining Rs.20,000 crore from strategic stake sales. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also approved a proposal of the Department of Telecommunication regarding the transfer of shares by ITI Limited to the Special Na-

On one hand, the government is trying to give relief to citizens by importing pulses from foreign countries or taking action against hoarders, on the other hand the government has taken several steps to increase pulses production and to incentivise pulses growing farmers.

The government has recently announced a sharp increase in MSP of kharif pulses for the 2016-17 crop year to encourage farmers to grow lentils.

The size of buffer stock has been raised to 20 lakh tonnes from the earlier 8 lakh tonnes.

To boost pulses production, the ministry said that all 638 districts of 29 states have been included in the National Food security Mission plan. Goa, Kerala and 8 north eastern states and 3 hilly states have now been included in this mission.

buffer stock, the ministry said that 69,000 tonnes of pulses have been pro-

cured so far against a target of 1 lakh tonnes.

"Chana and masoor

Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

(Photo: newindianexpress ) tional Investment Fund (SNIF) to meet Securities and Exchange Board of India's minimum public shareholding requirement. ITI Limited will be allowed to meet SEBI's requirement of minimum 25 per cent public

shareholding by August 2017. The Cabinet also approval the revised cost estimate (RCE) of Rs.7,290.62 crore for the ongoing 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Bhutan. The total cost es-

were procured at the rate of Rs 4,900- 7,000 and Rs 5,400-8,500 per quintal, respectively. The purchase of pulses is still in progress," the release said. The government procured more than 50,000 tonnes of pulses in Kharif season last year.

To boost pulses production, the ministry said that all 638 districts of 29 states have been included in the National Food security Mission plan. "Goa, Kerala and 8 north eastern states and 3 hilly states have now been included in this mission."

The government has also enhanced allocation under this mission to boost pulses production, the ministry said. (Agencies)

calation for the project, at this stage, is Rs.3512.82 crore, according to the government. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the disinvestment of 15 per cent paid up equity of National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) out of its 90 per cent shareholding, Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "It would result in estimated receipts of Rs.1,706 crore approximately to the government," according to an official statement. "However, the actual realisation amount will depend upon the market conditions and the investor interest prevailing at the time of actual disinvestment."

(Agencies)

100% rise in equity MFs this year Ahmedabad, Jul 15: Can you guess which is the best performing asset in the last one year and so far in 2016? If you think it is gold, you are slightly off the mark. The answer is equity mutual funds (MFs) that invest in global funds which, in turn, own shares in gold mining companies.

These 'feeder funds' have surged over 100% so far in 2016 and gained in excess of 80% in the last one year. This is about four times the returns generated by gold during the period. Stocks of global gold and silver mining companies have more than doubled in 2016 on the back of a

Lakshmi Iyer, chief investment officer (debt) and head (products), Kotak Mahindra MF. (Photo: i.ytimg)

sharp rise in prices of precious metals. While the Detour Gold scrip has soared 123% so far this year, Agnico Eagle Mines stock has jumped 102%. The Pan Ameri-

can Silver scrip has zoomed 171%. The Kotak World Gold Fund has emerged as a top performer so far in 2016.

The fund has invested 99.7% of its corpus in

Falcon Gold Equity Fund, an open-ended investment fund that invests mainly in gold mining stocks worldwide. Falcon, which is incorporated in Switzerland, counts Detour Gold, Agnico Eagle Mines and Pan American Silver as its major investments.

"Their (feeder funds) fortunes have improved a lot now. Miners can post huge profits when gold prices rise," says Lakshmi Iyer, chief investment officer (debt) and head (products), Kotak Mahindra MF. "These funds would do well if the increase in gold prices sustains," she says. The DSP BlackRock Gold

Fund, which invests in BlackRock Global Funds World Gold Fund, has more than doubled in value during the period.

Incidentally, the FTSE Gold Mines Index has gained 91% over the past year and 120% year-todate. The last one year has been the best for funds that have exposure to gold mining stocks. But these funds are also very volatile. They typically fall and rise at a much faster pace than the yellow metal. "The category has given poor returns over the long term," says Suresh Sadagopan, founder, Ladder7 Financial Advisories. (Agencies)

Reliance Jio 4G to offer "freedom from call charges" on August 15 Nagpur, Jul 15: Reliance Jio plans to start offering its fourth generation (4G) voice and data services on August 15, by offering "freedom from call charges" where users won't be charged for local and STD voice calls. "The company is working out plans to offer free voice to get a large numbers of consumers to migrate," a source familiar with the development said. "All local and STD calls will be free. However, the consumer will have to pay for international calls and international roaming."

Billionare Mukesh Ambani initially started Reliance Jio services for his employees on De-

cember 28, 2015 and then extended the offer to their friends and families by offering 5 Jio sim cards.

Now it is offering free Jio simcards with Reliance Lyf handsets for a price of Rs.2,999. The offer comes with free unlimited data for three months, another source said. The company already has 6 million consumers using Jio network, about 1.5 million of its own and 4.5 million of Reliance Communications consumers who migrated from CDMA to 4G (RCom has a network sharing pact with RJio). Reliance officials are tightlipped about the intro-

PAGE 10

Up to Rs 520 cr investment secured by Kwality from KKR India

Kwality MD, Sanjay Dhingra. (Photo: media2.intoday) Kochi, Jul 15: Dairy firm Kwality Ltd has secured up to Rs 520 crore investment from private equity firm KKR India to fuel its growth plans by entering new product categories. "Kwality Ltd has received capital commitment of up to Rs 520 crore via structured finance from KKR India .to fuel its aggressive growth plans as the company continues to rapidly shift its business model towards B2C/retail segment," the company said in a BSE filing.

"The proceeds shall be utilised to fund capex to further strengthen milk procurement infrastructure solely for high-margin value-added product categories including cheese, paneer, table butters, tetra-packs, flavoured milk and yoghurt among others. The company intends to roll out a series of such products in the near future," it added. Kwality said

funds will also be deployed for part repayment of debt to improve cash flows and augment brand building activities.

"We are in a critical stage of growth where we are shifting our business model from B2B to B2C, which encompasses revamp of all business functions across the value chain. This investment would support a giant leap in this direction, enabling faster growth and achieving high profitability," Kwality MD Sanjay Dhingra said. The dairy firm said it is taking steps including appointing firms such as McCann, Zenith Optimedia and Digital Quotient for brand building initiatives and signing actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. It has also roped in EY as its IT transformation partner.

ICICI Securities PD acted as the financial advisor for the transaction.

(Agencies)

Cotton production approximates revised downwards by 4% Mumbai, Jul 15: The Cotton Advisory Board, which met in Mumbai, has brought down its estimates for domestic cotton production for the current season. In February, the board estimated cotton production in the country in 2015-16 (October to September) to be 352 lakh bales and it was revised downward to 338 lakh bales. Imports are estimated to be 15 lakh bales.

But, they could go up by two lakh to three lakh bales, said Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta. On cotton prices going up, she said, "Cotton prices went up because China declared lower stocks and may be because of speculation too. But, the board estimated the closing stock for the current season to be 43 lakh bales. So, the situation should not be bad." Consumption by textile mills is expected to be 274 lakh bales. Though there are reports of delayed monsoon, Ms. Gupta said cotton crop for the next season (2016-2017) is expected to be almost the same as this year. Industry sources said production estimates were reduced for the current season because of pests like

Pink Bollworm and Whitefly problems in major cotton producing States such as Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and part of Maharashtra.

According to chairman of Southern India Mills' Association M. Senthil Kumar, the association foresees a comfortable cotton position for the rest of the current season and prices are likely to soften. However, imports might be even 10 lakh bales higher than the current estimates as many textile mills are buying from different countries. Apart from African countries, "They are buying from countries such as Australia." Indian cotton prices this year are 10 per cent more than international prices. The Textile Commissioner said three sub-committees were formed in February and two of them have recommended a format to compile prices, indicating minimum, maximum and average monthly prices and price reporting to be gradually shifted to the metric system. The sub-committee on best practices on cotton farming will submit its recommendations at the next meeting of the board.

(Agencies)

FALLING DOWNWARD The Cotton Advisory Board, which met in Mumbai, has brought down its estimates for domestic cotton production for the current season.

Image for representational purpose. duction of the service and the offerings to be made by Jio during its rollout. A company spokesperson declined to comment and an email sent to Jio seeking comments failed to elicit a response. The company now plans to offer

(Photo: telecomtalk)

free Jio sim cards to all 4G-enabled smartphone users in India, currently at less than 10 million, and expected to reach 50 million by the end of this fiscal. "Most of the 4G-enabled handsets in India have dual sim slots. The idea is to give

free simcards to all the users with 4G-enabled smart phones. The user may use our high-speed voice and data services and am confident that with unmatched service experience, he will be a Jio consumer," a third source said. (Agencies)

In February, the board estimated cotton production in the country in 2015-16 (October to September) to be 352 lakh bales and it was revised downward to 338 lakh bales.

Imports are estimated to be 15 lakh bales.

But, they could go up by two lakh to three lakh bales.

Cotton prices went up because China declared lower stocks and may be because of speculation too. But, the board estimated the closing stock for the current season to be 43 lakh bales. So, the situation should not be bad.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

Features

PAGE 11

WOMEN’S

Get fit with these simple tips All of us dream of having a great summer body but, for most of us, it remains a dream! This is because, sometimes, you just need that little extra push (from a friend, family member or partner) to get on the fitness bandwagon. Having said that you don't really need an expensive gym membership and a personal trainer to get fit. It's almost as simple as finding what you love to do.

One word - Yoga!

Yoga is a great way to get fit and you can practice it at home! There are various free apps you can use on your phone to learn the positions. There are also apps like FitStar Yoga, that allow you to personalize your work-

out depending on your skill level and to the amount of time you have to practice. So even if you are new to yoga or an expert and have 10 minutes or 1 hour, you can fit the workout, around you. Some yoga instructors also arrange free classes in public parks on weekends, so be on the lookout!

2. You can keep your own pace The best and worst part about joining a gym is the personal trainer. They push you to do just one more set or run one more kilometer! It's a good thing but it's quite impossible to have the same enthusiasm every day.

When you work out on your own, you can move

according to your pace and enjoy every bit of it.

It's easy to track your active minutes One of the best ways to stay fit and healthy is to track your active moments throughout the day, and not just your workouts. Gone are the days when your weight was the only thing you could track! Nowadays, along with tracking your weight, you can keep a tab on your steps and distance you've walked as well as calories burned.

How? With the Fitbit Alta, of course. It has great features like reminders to get you moving each hour so you don't forget to stay active, plus, vibrating alarms to wake you up and text and

calendar notifications via your wrist. It even automatically monitors your sleep and records it in the Fitbit App for you to review, encouraging you to have a rested night's sleep so that you are ready to take on the next day.

Take advantage of outdoor gyms Outdoor gym equipments have been installed in almost all public parks in some cities.

They're easy to access AND they're free to use!

Not to mention, they're out in the open so it's a great way of getting fresh air while getting fit. They consist of simple equipments like sit-up benches, pull-up rods and chest press ma-

chines. Why aren't you using them already?

You can work out with besties Your besties are probably all levels of broke, just like you! And we all know that gym memberships can be costly. So what better excuse to get together and workout at home or in parks? You guys can push each other when the other is feeling lazy and the competition makes it even more fun.

Friends who sweat together, stay together!

You can change your routines Following the same workout routine everyday can get boring and might even push you to stop exercising completely. But when work-

Tips to finds that perfect Lehenga Brides do dream to find that perfect lehenga, the kind that she stares at a bit longer when she spots something close to what she fell in love with in pages of a magazine or on the web. She collects these thoughts, images and saves them and hopes they help her find

something close to what you want your dream lehenga to look like, save those pictures. They can be magazines cuttings, pictures you spot online or something you saw at the store. Save these images so that when it's the right time, you've got images to explain what

you've done your research well, you'll know exactly where to get what you want!

Fix your budget before you set out It's a difficult thing to put a cap to it, but planning an estimated outer limit is advisable so that you aren't in for a rude shock

Representational image (Photo: bollywoodshaadis) what she wants when the time comes! There are always a few doubts and questions about how to make that dream come true, and we're here to help you make that a bit simple! Read to find out...

Collect reference pictures Whenever you do find

you're looking for!

Follow your favorite designers/ stores on social media To find out what the latest collection looks like, what the new trends are, whether there are sales going on, or what is going to be in vogue. You need to stalk them designers. We kid you not, once

later. After all, the lehenga isn't the only thing you're going to buy, right? If you really like something and it's turning out to be way beyond your budget, go with that idea to designers who work on lower budgets (or even a really good tailor). I'm sure they'll be able to create

something spectacular for you!

Time is important Given all the other things that need to be planned, this actually is essential.

Your makeup, jewellery, shoes, the rest of your outfits - these follow after you've chosen this one! The key is to give yourself ample time so that you get what you really want and not compromise on anything!

Sometimes, tailors do mess up, so keep a margin! Don't rush things and try to get your lehenga done in a week that way lies disappointment and stress.

Are your measurements likely to change?

Planning to get a lehenga made 6 months before the wedding isn't ideal if you're planning to change your fitness regime for the wedding. If you are exercising, going on a diet, etc., obviously your measurements will change and the fit of the lehenga will go for a toss. So keep this in mind before setting out to get the perfect lehenga.

Start doing your research early, but don't actually buy or have it tailored until you're confident that the lehenga

won't need major alterations right before the wedding.

Handpick a few options only It can get very confusing and hectic if you make a list of 20 stores to check out. You'll feel harrowed by the sheer number of choices available, and this will not be productive at all. So choose some of the best options and go for it. It's going to make this journey less tedious and more exciting! Make sure not to get too many opinions from people as well - discuss your options and get feedback from a specific few people whose opinions you want and trust.

Be flexible Having said all of the above... While it's very important to have an image in mind about what you want your wedding outfit to look like, it's not always possible to get exactly that in reality.

Bend a little, you might actually find something more beautiful if you're flexible and willing to looking at new things.

Sometimes what we're looking for isn't always the best for us - better things might be in store!

Courtesy: popxo

Things to know about Safra Catz, the highest paid US female executive of 2015 Safra Catz, Co-CEO of Oracle Corp, found herself on the very top of the list of highest-paid US female executives in 2015. She has had an incredible journey up to this pinnacle.

Here are few things you should know about this achievement and how Safra does it all: Safra in Numbers Safra snagged a $US56.9 million salary package last year, which catapulted her to the top of the list of women rounded up by the Bloomberg's Pay Index a list of the 200 best-paid executives at companies that trade on US exchanges. However, on the list overall, she came in at no. 18, after 17 men. She was awarded $US10.5 million in special equity that accompanied her promotion in addition to an-

nual stock grants, apart from her salary.

Safra's background Safra was born in Israel, and spent her life's first six years there. Thereafter, she moved to Massachusetts, USA. She graduated in 1983 from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Joint Degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1986. She is also a Harvard Law School alumnus. She started her career as a banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 1986, and served the company as a Managing Director from 1997 to 1999 and a Senior Vice President from 1994 to 1997, before she joined Oracle Corp.

Safra and Oracle, her main role and responsibilities Safra was 54, when she

joined Oracle in 1999, as their senior vice president, and became a member of the company's Board of Directors two years later, in October 2001. She escalated to becoming the President of Oracle Corporation in early 2004, and captained Oracle's 2005 acquisition of software rival PeopleSoft in a $10.3 billion takeover. In 2010, Mark Hurd joined her as Co-President, and in 2014, the duo was announced as the new CoCEOs for the company following the stepping down of Founder and CEO Larry Ellison. She is now tasked with overseeing finance, manufacturing and legal operations, and is holding the fort at a time when Oracle is further expanding its

operations in Romania beyond the capital city of Bucharest. Apart from being Co-CEO, she is also the company's CFO, serving temporarily in the role first November 2005 to 2008, and then, from 2011 to the present.

Her overall contribution to the American Corporate sector Safra has served as a Director of PeopleSoft Inc. since December 30, 2004 and Stellent Inc. since December, 2006. She has also been an independent non-executive director of Hyperion Solutions Corp. since April, 2007, and most recently, a member of executive council of TechNet since March 2013.

Laurels Forbes and Fortune ranked her as the 16th and

12th most powerful woman in business respectively, in 2009. An Equilar analysis published

by Fortune also declared her the highest-paid woman among Fortune 1000 companies in 2011, receiving a total remuneration of nearly $51.5 million.

Even as Oracle Corp has managed to close their internal gender pay gap by awarding Catz equal compensation as her co-CEO Mark Hurd, USA as a nation is yet to catch up. Her figures are a far cry from the highest-paid male executive of the country Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder of cancer-research firm NantKwest Inc. who took home nearly five times the amount $329.7 million, in 2015.

Courtesy: yourstory

A yoga posture (Photo: bloomyoganj) ing out on your own, you're able to build regimes that you can stick to and enjoy! Having the

flexibility to try different exercises each week or month means you can be kept interested and moti-

vated rather than avoiding your workout sessions.

Courtesy: popxo

Marriage: an Important Career Decision for Women?

"The single most important career decision that a woman makes is whether she will have a life partner and who that partner is." ? Sheryl Sandberg, and author of Lean In The facts According to World Bank data, if women participated in the formal sector at equal rates as men, there would be India.

Comprising those who have never worked and those who have chosen to leave the workforce, these "missing women" would boost the country's GDP by as much as 27%.

Of the women who have entered the workforce, 48% chose to leave their jobs mid-career. Childrearing, inequitable division of household responsibilities, social mores, gender bias in the workplace and safety concerns are among the most prevalent reasons women leave their jobs.

According to the WEF...

"India's gender chore gap, the difference between the amount of housework done by women and men, is the largest of any country..."

And while choosing the right partner can't solve all the challenges Indian women face, it does make a drastic difference in how they approach their careers.

An unfair burden Despite the progress India has made, a substantial number of women are not able to enter the workforce due to cultural mores and familial restrictions. Ranjana Kumari, author of Gender, Work, and Power Relations, and director of the think tank Centre for Social Research explains, "Even if women are highly educated, they aren't allowed by in-laws and husbands to do any job outside the home. Women are graduating to get a good groom not a good job."

If a woman is able to work, she must still shoulder the bulk of household responsibilities. According to the World Economic Forum, reports The Wall Street Journal, "India's gender chore gap, the difference between the amount of housework done by women and men, is the largest of any country for which data is available..."

A real partner is not just supportive of your career, but is happy to take on his fair share of household responsibilities so that you

both can thrive.

And though Indian women have made strides and are increasingly entering the workforce to embrace meaningful careers as challenging and fiscally rewarding as their husbands', the majority if not all of the domestic obligations (cooking, cleaning, raising children and looking after elders) remain on them. We see this fact manifest in career plateaus for women once they begin their families and high rates of women leaving their jobs to fulfill household duties.

And while the government and private companies are adopting pro-women policies to make it easier on women to balance their work and home life, the

area? Society, your family, your spouse and your job will all have conflicting demands on your time. Balancing these demands with your own inner voice will be an ongoing challenge, but having a strong sense of who you are and what you want before committing to another person will help you navigate the day to day.

Keeping in mind that not all women have the luxury to choose their life's companion, whenever possible, it's critical that we ask the uncomfortable questions; some examples include, "Are you a feminist? Would you support my career? If I had to move for my job, would you be willing to

Representational image (Photo: newsroom)

current reality for women is that who we choose as a partner is just as critical to our career as what we do.

If you are searching for the right partner, consciously make an effort to find a real partner. A real partner refers to a spouse who shares completely and equitably the responsibilities undertaken together in marriage. A real partner is not just supportive of your career, but is happy to take on his fair share of household responsibilities so that you both can thrive.

Before committing to another person you should know if you want a career or if you are more interested in [fitting] meaningful work around your family life.

Choosing the right kind of man The first and most important step in any life decision is asking you, "What do I want?" Before committing to another person you should know if you want a career or if you are more interested in learning how to fit meaningful work around your family life. Are you unwilling to compromise in either

relocate the family?

Would you support me working after we have kids? Are you willing to do half the housework (cooking/cleaning) on a regular basis?" Really listen to his answers and see how they align with your own values. Finally, observe how he interacts with his family -- his mother, his sisters. Do any of them work outside the home? What is the family dynamic? Is he the kind of son who offers to help his mother in the kitchen, or is he always served?

While this won't tell you everything about a man, it will certainly reveal part of his truest self.

It's critical that we ask the uncomfortable questions: "Are you a feminist?

Would you support my career? Are you willing to do half the housework...?"

Finally, as difficult as it may be a last piece of advice is to wait. Wait for the partner who will prioritize your ambitions, wants, and needs alongside his own.

Be willing to walk away from someone who won't value you or your work.

Courtesy: huffingtonpost

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JULY 16

PAGE 12 India to host England for five Tests, three ODIs, T20Is

Cricket in India (BCCI) ANI Mumbai, July 15 : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced that it will host a five-match Test series against England, starting in Rajkot from November 9.

In addition to the five-Test series, India will play three one-day internationals and as many T20 internationals against England.

Vishakhapatnam will host the second Test from November 17, with Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai to host the third, fourth and fifth Tests starting November 26, December 8

and December 16 respectively.

England will return to home for a break over Christmas and New Year after completing the Test leg of the tour and will come back to India for the limited-overs games in January.

While Pune will host the opening ODI on January 15, Cuttack and Kolkata will be the venues for the second and third match respectively.

The T20 series will start from January 26 and will be concluded on February 1. The series will be played in Kanpur, Nagpur and Bengaluru.

I am gradually returning to Test mode, says Ravindra Jadeja

Portugal hero Eder reveals Dibrugarh Railway share points with Jokia Rupjyoti Sangha his dad is a killer ANI London, July 15 : Days after guiding Portugal to their historic Euro Championship triumph, star forward Eder has made the astonishing revelation that his dad is currently serving a 16-year jail term in England for the murder of his stepmother .

The 28-year-old exSwansea footballer said that his father had been sentenced to jail when he was 12, the Mirror reported.

Eder, who started his professional career in 2008 with Portuguese side Academica, also disclosed that he used to visit his dad during holidays.

The Guinea-Bissau-born footballer became a hero in his adopted nation af-

Eder ter his thunderous strike inspired Portugal to their first-ever international trophy last week in Paris.

Despite playing 15 games for Swansea City last season, Eder had

managed to keep the revelation about his dad a secret. He was later loaned to French club Lille with whom he has now signed a permanent contract.

Sporting fraternity, Bollywood join forces to support Vijender Singh in historic title bout ANI New Delhi, July 15 : The much-awaited "Singh vs Hope" titanic tussle has caught the eye balls of the nation and the world of Bollywood and Sports will come together once again for a first of its kind pro boxing championship in India to support Vijender Singh as he fights for the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Championship title on Saturday.

Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh, Mary Kom, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir, Sushil Kumar are just the few that have confirmed their attendance to be present in full fervor for the historic fight. Along with them other sporting names such as, Rajiv Shukla, and Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij will be completely committed to supporting Vijender.

The stars of Bollywood that will add to the power packed performance and the glam quotient of the event are Irfan Khan, Randeep Hooda, Neha Dhupia, Diljit Dosanj, Rannvijay, Baadshah, Jimmy Shergil, Raghu and more that have yet to be confirmed.

The rising star of Punjab, Guru

Vijender Singh Randhawa not only will be present to support King Singh in the fight but also will be performing for the opening event to pump the crowd with his hits, of the "Yaar Mod Do" fame.

Other prominent personalities that will be at the event are, Finance Minister of Haryana, Captain Abhimanyu Singh, the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, BJP President Amit Shah, Smriti Irani, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Baba Ramdev and Anirudh Chaudhary are

just some of the names that will surely be there.

This iconic day is the moment of truth for the Indian Boxing sensation Vijender Singh as he is pitted up against Kerry Hope from Australia who is confident that his experience in Pro Boxing will give him an edge over the newly turned professional Vijender Singh.

Singh has lived up to a very successful run in the amateur boxing circuit and has been unbeaten in the 6 fights that he has competed after turning professional in 2015.

Brathwaite identifies patience as key to succeed against India Ravindra Jadeja ANI Basseterre, St.Kitts, July 15 : After delivering an impressive performance on the opening day of the second warm-up game against West Indies Cricket Board President's XI, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja stated he felt he was gradually settling himself to bowling long spells in challenging conditions. "We are playing the longer format after a long time and match fitness is important. I am working towards bowling 15-20 overs in a day. The way I bowled, I felt like I am building towards it and getting back to it. The wicket was turning and it had bounce too, so I was bowling as per my line and length," Jadeja was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

The 27-year-old, who played his last Test against South Africa in December, bagged three wickets and bowled nine maiden overs to put constant pressure on the WIBP XI, who were eventually bowled out for 180 in 62.4 overs. Jadeja further stressed that his side need to be mentally strong while facing the

hosts. "Mentally you have to be prepared for hot and humid conditions. Opposition batsmen building a long partnership is also a possibility. We bowled as a unit didn't give away too many runs, which has been our focus," he said.

In reply, India were 93 for three in 25.3 overs at stumps with KL Rahul remaining unbeaten on 30.

Openers Murali Vijay (23) and Shikhar Dhawan (9) were dismissed in the space of nine balls while Cheteshwar Pujara (28) was bowled out at the end of the day's play. He also believes winning an away series in West Indies will bring about a change in public perception that India could only win games in their home conditions.

"Now both in Test and One-day cricket the performance is measured on the basis of your show overseas," he said. "Our focus will be to win the series. Whenever we do well, people say we always win in India. This is an away series and we want to change that thinking. This is an away series and we want to win.

The fitness level of this team is high and everyone has prepared well,"

ANI Kingston (Jamaica), July 15 : Underlining the importance of playing spin better, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has insisted that patience will be a key factor to succeed in the forthcoming four-match Test series against India.

"The pitches are slow here and the Indians will attack with spin, unlike Australia who went with pace. So it's about being patient for us," Brathwaite was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The 27-year-old, who made his Test debut against Australia in Melbourne last December, ad-

mitted that playing against spin had been their weakest link over the last few years but asserted that special emphasis was laid on rectifying their inadequacies in that regard.

"Spin has plotted our downfall over the last two years, but I think we've gotten better," Brathwaite said. "The coach has done a good job by getting a few batters in even during the off season, and the focus has been on playing spin better. It's a matter of us having a few options to each delivery, being patient and playing the waiting game."

While acknowledging the Indian batting as one of the strongest and formidable in the world,

Brathwaite has, however, warned that the hosts have made separate plans for each Indian batsman.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, conditions here aren't too different from India now, but we have our plans for each batsman. It's about executing the plans and keeping at it even if things don't go our way," added Brathwaite, who will be part of an inexperienced pace attack alongside Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and uncapped Miguel Cummins.

The first of the four-match Te s t s e r i e s w i l l s t a r t i n Antigua from July 21.

Sports Reporter Sangha equalized the goal and found the back of the Dibrugarh, July 15: The through striker Kunel net. At lemon break both match between Dibrugarh Sonowal in the 25th teams locked 2-2.

Railway Divisional Sports minute. Kunel collected a Jokai Rupjyoti Sangha Club and Jokai Rupjyoti pass from the midfield and strikes their third goal Sangha ended in a through Midfielder 3-3 draw in the Senior Division Football Indrajit Thapa in league encounter of the 68th minute. the first Monuj Patra and found the back of the net. Dibrugarh Railway Boga Das senior division Anup Cheta of Dibrugarh player came strongly in football tournament orga- Railway came strongly the 79th minute and nized by Dibrugarh District from the behind and scored the third goal Sports Association at the strikes the second goal for through Anup Chetai.

DDSA stadium here today. his team in the 29th Both the teams toiled Dibrugarh Railway minute. Left winger hard for their score and opened their tally through Bhaskar Gogoi of Jokai showed wonderful atMidfielder Dilip Umesh Rupjyoti sangha again tacking skills. in the 22nd minute equalized the goal in the Tomorrow, Jeyoti Sangha through a pass of Anup 33rd minute. Bhaskar col- will take on Arunuday Chetia from the right lected a pass of Indrajit Unnayan Sangha Footflank. Jokai Rupjyoti Thapa from the midfield ball Club.

Nadal will be ready for Rio, insists Spanish Olympic chief ANI Johannesburg, July 15 : Amid increasing speculation surrounding his participation at the Rio Olympics, the Spanish Olympic Committee chief has confirmed that 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will represent his nation at the global spectacle.

The 30-year-old, who is chosen as Spain's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony in Rio on August 5, still awaits the nod from the International Tennis Federation after he failed to meet qualifying criteria.

Alejandro Blanco stated that he had no doubts over Nadal's participation while insisting that the Spanish maestro was training regularly to secure a medal in Rio, Sport24 reported.

Nadal won the Gold medal at

Rafael Nadal the 2008 Beijing Olympics but missed the London Games with a knee injury four years later.

The Spaniard's participation at the Rio Games was thrown into turmoil when he suffered a wrist injury which forced him to pull

out of the French Open prematurely and ruled him out of the Wimbledon.

He is due to play singles and also the mixed doubles with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza at Rio.

Working on my half smashes to get closer to my goal: Saina PTI New Delhi, Jul 15 : Bolstered by Australian Open triumph, India ace shuttler Saina Nehwal says she is now working on her half smashes under the watchful eyes of coach Vimal Kumar to get closer to the goal of winning a gold medal at next month's Rio Olympics.

"The victory in Australia came at just the right time. I was really looking forward for some change and nothing boosts confidence like winning. I needed a win to keep believing that I am on the right track," the 26-year-old told PTI. "I am working hard on my half smashes to get closer to my goals. It is wonderful to win Australian Open prior to the Olympics. It is very satisfying to beat two world champions and a junior world champion in one tournament," added the girl from Hyderabad who clinched the Australian title last month.

Set to play in her third Olympics, Saina said she is completely fit and the key will be

Saina Nehwal to "reach the peak" in that particular week.

"I take each tournament as it comes. Rio Olympics will also be like any other games.

My approach to the game is very positive and I would like to keep it like that and focus on my game. I feel that on the day that I am 100 percent fit, I have the potential to defeat anyone," said the London Olympics bronze medallist.

"I feel I am fit. I am running nicely. At the end of the day, it's important that you reach the peak and play your best

during that particular week. That's what will count ultimately and will be the key."

It has been a year and a half that Saina has been training under Vimal Kumar in Bangalore and she said the former national coach was the one who made her believe that she can be a champion.

"Vimal Sir's influence is the biggest change. I really want to thank him for making me believe every day that I am a champion, I can be number one. Vimal Sir is helping me work on my half smashes and get closer to my goals," said Saina, who had reached the World No. 1 under Vimal's guidance last year.

"It's not easy to play at the highest level. I would like to give my best and like all the players my goal is also to come back with a gold medal. It's a big contingent going from India this time, so we hope to have a triumphant return with lots of medals.

Davis Cup: Ramkumar puts India ahead versus Korea PTI Chandigarh, July 15 : Youngster Ramkumar Ramanathan made a winning Davis Cup debut with a hard-fought victory over Seong Chan Hong in the opening singles as India took a 10 lead in the Asia/ Oceania Group-I tie, here today.

After battling for two hours and 36 minutes, the 21-year-old Ramkumar, ranked 217 in ATP singles list, was serving for the match when Hong suffered a thigh injury and conceded the match.

Ramkumar was leading

6-3 2-6 6-3 6-5 (15-15) when Hong suddenly clenched his right thigh, grimacing in pain. It brought a sudden end to the match, taking a bit of sheen out of Ramkumar's victory at the Chandigarh Club.

The hot and humid conditions coupled with a tough surface took a toll on the Korean. Saketh Myneni will now play against Yong-Kyu Lim in the second singles.

The persistent showers that lashed the city, also affected the grass courts as it was a bit soggy from the outset.

It was a dry but dead at

Ramkumar Ramanathan

the centre court where the ball hardly rose above knee level.

It prevented the match from rising to a quality

level.

There was no pace at all and mere keeping the ball in the court was a struggle for the players. The sun

was not exactly blazing but the humidity made the playing conditions more challenging and the Korean was clearly wilting.

Ramkumar, who relied mostly on backhand slice, was also struggling but he broke the Korean in the seventh game when Hong netted a backhand and the Indian converted the breakpoint with a trademark inside out forehand winner.

The 21-year old Indian tried to up pace with his serve but that resulted in four double faults. Despite so many errors, Ramkumar managed to hold and broke Hong in

the next game to sit pretty at 5-3.

Ramkumar hardly approached the net and kept hitting backhand slices for his returns from the back of the court.

Hong capitalized a bit on that by hitting a few unreachable drop volleys but could not stop Ramkumar from serving out the set in the ninth game.

The Korean fared better in the second set, well aided by Ramukmar's unrelenting unforced errors. A double break -1st and fifth games -- put Hong ahead 4-1.

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