22nd sept

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Issue 110

Alleged Police and illegal cattle-lifter nexus Golaghat, Sep 21: The recent activities of cattle-lifting gangs in Golaghat and its neighbouring districts have exposed the Dergaon police with regard to allegedly taking bribe to facilitate cattlelifting, according to Hindu Jagaran Manch, Assam. The organisation's unit of Golaghat District Committee has criticized such kind of illegal activities. In a press release, Hindu Jagaran Manch's Golaghat District Committee's President Jayanta Goswami and General Secretary Achyut Nath warned the police not to foster such an illegal nexus with cattle-lifters and appealed to the district administration to take strict action against cattle-lifting gangs otherwise the organisation shall initiate protest programmes. They also appealed to all the people and groups to come together against cattle-lifters. (Correspondent)

Local field commanders of the Indian and Pakistani armies on Monday decided to exercise restraint to respect the bilateral ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir between them, an army official said.

"A brigade-level flag meeting was held between the Indian and Pakistani army at Chakan Da Bagh cross-

ing point on the LoC in Poonch district today (Monday). The field com-

manders discussed a host of issues including the ongoing ceasefire violations,

Guwahati, Sep 21: On the occasion of World Rhino Day today, the Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Hon’ble PB Acharya has conveyed an important message. He said, the rhinoceros is a wonderful and magnificent animal. Assam is the home of the onehorned rhino. The state has adopted the animal as its State Symbol. But the most unfortunate thing is that it is in great peril. It is being mercilessly hunted down by unscrupulous elements for unfounded reasons. We must put an end to the indiscriminate killing of this rare animal and pledge to save it from extermination by all possible means. I have repeatedly been raising my voice against the ruthless killings of this marvelous species and have called for its preservation, conservation and proliferation in its natural habitats. On World Rhino Day I appeal to all to spare a thought for this wonderful animal and to stop its extermination by all means.

I urge all to take the pledge to save the rhino. (Correspondent)

Bishnu Rana Tezu, Sep 22

ment schools is a matter of grave concern,” observed Deputy Commissioner AK Singh while chairing the meeting of the District Level Steering cum Monitoring Committee (DLSMC) of mid-day meal programme today. “The de-

“Despite various provisions and facilities made available for the students of the government schools, the declining trend of enrolment in govern-

partment concerned and other stakeholders need to effectively deal with the issue at hand by way of raising the standard of education and ensuring timely services related to Mid-day Meal, nutritional items, health and hygiene pro-

brought good news to all its customers as new designer clothes are in store at both Jorhat and Dibrugarh at attractive prices for the upcoming Durga Puja. The franchise expects the people to support them like the last few years.

A Staff Reporter Jorhat, Sep 21

After a long gap, Maxmart Jorhat is now open again since the last three days. It has ○

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Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament 2015 Khonsa Nehru Stadium

cmyk

Page 12

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Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma today said the State Government is engaging with the Central Government and trying to restore the mining rights of the tribal people in the State. Replying to a Call Attention Motion today in the ongoing autumn session, Dr Sangma said that at least two Central legislations have caused problems, as far as the people’s

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About the attack on Dibrugarh based journalist on Saturday, the police are still clueless. Ripunjoy Das, the editor of The Eastern Today was attacked by some miscreants on Saturday night at 8.30 pm while he was going home on his scooter. Several organizations condemned the incident and demanded that the culprits be nabbed immedi-

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Will China and Russia's Partnership in Central Asia Last?

Leaders in Beijing and Moscow have both been making a concerted effort to extend their connections with Cen-

Kharif crops production estimates released by govt.

REGION

EDITORIAL

Limited's (UCIL) plan to open up new deposits in this third uranium state in India. "We at CSWO strongly oppose the move of the UCIL to open up new deposits in KyllengPyndengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) project in Meghalaya.

tral Asia in recent months. In July, Russia hosted the latest BRICS summit as well as a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Ufa near the border with Kazakhstan. Earlier, in May, on his fifth visit to Russia since becoming president

BUSINESS

Uranium mining receives opposition from Women's group against opening new deposits

The Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO), a powerful women's group in Meghalaya, has opposed Uranium Corporation of India

The cumulative rainfall during the current monsoon season has been deficient by 15 per cent (higher than rainfall deficit of 12 per cent in 2014-15). However, on account of timely onset of monsoon as well as Government's multiple interventions with contingency plans, timely advisories and regular monitoring of seed and fertilizer availability.

Contd. on Page 4

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21

ET Correspondent Margherita, Sep 21

Contd. on Page 4

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KMSS terms Union Govt's notification on entry and stay rights to Hindu migrants 'slow poison

AJYCP Margherita burns Food and Civil Supplies Minister's effigy

Contd. on Page 4 ○

Contd. on Page 4

According to members of an NGO who undertook investigation based on public allegation has informed that on January 15, 2014 Forester grade-I, D. Sangma posted at Northern Range Bakulia located around 60 kilometres from Diphu seized 300 Metric Tons

Involvement of a particular forest department official in smuggling of coal and plundering of social forestry has been alleged by a section of conscientious people of Diphu town recently.

Contd. on Page 3

Assam Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chaatra Parishad, Margherita Regional Committee today burnt the effigy of Dr Nazrul Islam, Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Assam at Ledo College Tiniali NH 38 under Tinsukia District as a mark of protest. Kanchan Bora, General Secretary of AJYCP, Margherita Regional Committee alleged that Public Distribution System (PDS) items of Margherita Samabhai Samity, Ledo Sambhai Samity and Tirap Samabhai Samity directly land up in

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rushed to the hospital to record the statement of Ripunjoy Das. According to sources, he instructed all the inspectors in-charge of Dibrugarh police outposts to nab the culprits who are behind the attack. In the meantime, Naba Kumar Bora, officer in charge of Dibrugarh police station has reportedly cooked up a story to save his skin. Bora in a statement to the press said that Das

Alleged involvement of forest official in coal smuggling Sushanta Roy Diphu, Sep 21

right over their mines in the State is concerned. He said that the Coal Mine (Nationalization) Act, 1973 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015 have superseded all laws of the State and under these two laws the mines belong to the Government of India and not the people. Stating that the State Government is actively engaging with the Central Government, the Chief Minister said, ○

Contd. on Page 4

ately. Police have thus far visibly failed in their investigation process and are reportedly making up a story to save their skin. It has been brought to the notice of The Eastern Today that DGP Kagen Sharma was in Dibrugarh on Saturday after hearing of the news of attack on scribe.

Sharma told SP Rana Bhuyan to investigate the matter. In turn, Bhuyan ordered Hiranaya Barman, Additional SP (HQ) to investigate the matter. Barman immediately

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 21

grams, regular supply of iron folic supplements etc.,” he said. Earlier, DDSE M. Kadu informed of the visit by the central team and of their positive remarks in connection

Meghalaya Govt to implore Centre for restoration of mining rights of tribal people Dmuising Khongjirem Shillong, Sep 21

sit in demonstration which is for 24 hours started today, and during the demonstration the BJP accused the state government of diverting funds

Cops clueless about attack on scribe

DC concerned over declining trend of enrolment in Govt. schools Bomdila, Sep 21

government in the state on all fronts. The demonstration was held at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati today, and was attended by all the MLAs in Assam, and all the MPs and senior leaders of the party. The

The Assam unit of the BJP organised a protest demonstration against the alleged failures of the ruling Congress

Contd. on Page 3

Maxmart Jorhat open again

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21

headed by its Chief Advisor Tobang Pertin, General Secretary Kaling Dai, President Women Wing Nami Lego Pertin, Secretary ABK Women Wing East Siang District Opak Takuk Ering and other executive members of the unit. Despite inclement weather and hardship, the team yesterday reached the affected villages, somewhere they ferried various streams, and at other places they rode on bikes to reach the villages. “The road is still horrible. People in inaccessible areas are still

In a philanthropic gesture to the flood ravaged Anpum and Loklung villages of Lower Dibang Valley, the LohitNamsai district unit of Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) distributed relief materials to the seriously affected families in the recent flood that ripped apart the entire villages and left a trail of devastation in the villages of Dambuk circle. The relief included essential commodities including clothes, household items, torch light, shoes, etc. The relief team was

Pages- 12

BJP State President Siddhartha Bhattacharya (second from left, front row) and Mahendra Singh (second from right), BJP secretary in charge of Assam along with other party MPs and MLAs staging 24-hour sit-in demonstration demanding resolution to the burning problems of the state in Guwahati.

Pic - UB Photos

Little respite to flood ravaged Anpum and Loklung villages

Governor urges everyone to protect ‘the Rhino’

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targeting of civilian areas and sniper actions on the LoC," Indian army`s northern command spokesman Colonel SD Goswami stated. "At the meeting that lasted for nearly an hour, the two sides decided to ensure restraint so that the bilateral ceasefire between the two sides is respected," he added. Police sources said that the India army was represented by Brigadier HS Sarin while Brigadier Usman represented the Pakistan side.

Agencies New Delhi, Sep 21

5.00

Assam BJP stages protest against alleged failures of ruling Cong Govt.

Indian, Pakistani army commanders agree on restraint on LoC

ET CAPSULES

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Price -

Dibrugarh, Tuesday, September 22, 2015

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The KMSS today took a swipe on the Modi led Union government and said that Assam would have to carry the burden of migrants from Bangladesh as a result of the Union Government’s latest notification on entry and stay rights to Hindu migrants.

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi, while addressing the media in Guwahati, termed the decision “slow poison” for the indigenous and linguistic identity of Assam and its socio-cultural fabric. Flaying the Modi-led Union Government’s decision, the State Government’s Contd. on Page 4 ○

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Tea Board of India looks to increase tea exports to Russia Kolkata, Sep 21

Tea Board of India is looking at increasing tea exports to Russia, especially from south India, according to its executive director (south), C. Paulrasu.

Contd. on Page 4

WITH THE VIEW TO GAIN LOST GROUND India was earlier exporting about 50 million kg tea to Russia and 60 per cent of it was from the south.

In the last six years, India’s exports have declined to 40 million kg.

There is scope to bring it to back to 50 million kg. Russia imports almost 160 million kg of tea annually, with Sri Lanka, India and Kenya being the three major exporters to that country and Kenya’s exports increasing.

cmyk

Vol. 1

Every Thursday & Sunday

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Myanmar's Suu Kyi campaigns in home constituency as poll battle heats up Yangon, Sep 21: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was touring her constituency on the outskirts of Myanmar's commercial capital of Yangon today, kicking off the third week of campaigning for the first free national vote in 25 years. In the run-up to the Nov.8 poll, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy has pledged to speed democratic reform,

scrutinize investment to limit environmental impacts and amend a junta-drafted constitution that bars her from becoming president. President Thein Sein's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party responded with a message on his Facebook page, flaunting incoming investment, economic growth and reforms carried out by his military-backed government,

which took power in 2011.The election marks a major shift in Myanmar's political landscape, giving a platform to democratic activists crushed during a halfcentury of military rule that ended that year. Suu Kyi is to meet thousands of supporters in Kawhmu, an impoverished, rice-growing area near Yangon, with an estimated 80,000 registered voters. She

List Of Phone Numbers Of Nursing Homes Tinsukia City Hospital & Research Centre Education Minister Sarat Barkatoky lighting the inaugural lamp at the programe of ‘Child Kukh’ At Sivasagar Natya Mandir under the banner of Sivasagar District Administration. Pic- Firuz Ahmed

Onam celebrated in the Dimapur Town Dimapur, Sep 21: Members of Dimapur Poura Samithi (DPS), a youth organisation of Malayalee, celebrated Onam-the most important and colourful festival, with traditional gaiety and fervour commemorating a mythical past of plenty, peace and equality at Town Hall, Dimapur on Sunday. The festival was organised on the theme: "Where the memories cherished." The celebration was inaugurated by ARTC & School commandant, Brigadier Narayanan K. ARTC 2nd IC lieutenant Somarajan while Don Bosco Provincial director Father Sebastian and Good Shepherd seminary, Dimapur Father Chacko attended the programme as

special guests. Series of cultural presentations was organized to mark the festival.

Jeevajaya Kalasamathy from Kerala mesmerized the gatherings with dramas, music and dance. Celebration also highlighted magic show by Raj Kalesh from Kerala enthralling the audience with his talents using glass, paper, coin, sword and robe etc. The programme was organized with an aim to uplift the values, culture and traditions of Malayalee community. More than hundreds from various community and organisations attended the programme. The programme was chaired by City College, Dimapur principal N. Kumar.

(Agencies)

HC rejects writ on medical admission Dhaka, Sep 21: The High Court has rejected a writ petition filed seeking seeking the scrapping of the medical and dental college admission test.An HC bench comprising of Justice Naima Haider and Justice JN Deb Choudhury passed the order after hearing arguments from Attorney General Mahbubey Alam on Monday afternoon.The attorney general told the journalists: "Now, there is no legal bar for the admission of the students who have passed in the admission tests."During the argument, he said an investigation will be conducted regarding the allegations of

One found dead Imphal, Sep 21: An unidentified male pe-destrian was reportedly knock- ed down by a Yamaha FZ motorcycle (MN-01Z0481) along Mayai Lambi at Langthabal Phuramakhong near Piyainu school yesterday at around 10.40 pm. According to the OC of Singjamei PS, the victim succumbed to injuries at the spot and the body is now being kept at RIMS morgue for identification.

The deceased body has wheatish complexion, with elongated face, black and short hair. He was thinly built and his ears were pierced. He is said to be about 5'5" in height and believed to be between 40-45 years of age.

The deceased person is wearing full sleeve man shirt with blue and white stripes, collared T-shirt (grey colour) and cotton long pant (dark grey), the police said. (Agencies)

question paper leak.Those who are found involved with the leak and have passed with its help will be dropped from admission, Mahbubey Alam said. The attorney general also added that the results of thousands of students cannot be cancelled for the sake of a few students who have allegedly passed the examinations with the help of leaked question paper. On the other hand, Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond said he would file another writ petition with the High Court regarding the matter. Akond filed the writ petition with the High Court on Sunday.

(Agencies)

will also deliver a 15-minute address on the state-owned television channel later in the day. The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize laureate faces four opponents from the ruling bloc and smaller opposition parties in Kawhmu, but is expected to win in a landslide. Suu Kyi, who led the struggle against military rule in the former Burma for two decades, was elected from the

constituency among 43 NLD candidates who ran in the by-election in 2012.That win marked a turning point in Myanmar's politics, paving the way for her party to fight the Nov. 8 poll and transforming Suu Kyi from a democracy campaigner into an active politician in charge of Myanmar's largest party. The NLD won an election in 1990 with a

landslide, but the junta did not recognize the result.

Though the party is expected to win most seats in the upcoming election, there are no guarantees it will lead the executive. The president, who is chosen in a parliamentary vote that includes the military, chooses his or her own cabinet, not necessarily from among political parties. (Agencies)

ASTRO FOR YOU

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

Today you will feel like displaying your power. If you find that people are awe-struck when you pass by, take it that your labours are doing the trick.

Otherwise, take it that you have to get things in better order. Either way you have more work to do.

Dr.Bawaris Nursing Home Jeevan Jyoti Nursing Home

You may spend a majority of your time on your health and well-being today. Business lunch may see some pending negotiations reaching a successful outcome. Research work will progress better than expected.

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

Pinewood Hospital

An auspicious and progressive day awaits you. Alongwith your daily work you will also be able to tackle your personal issues as well. You will establish an emotional bonding with some person, or will feel the need to. It is a good day to ponder over issues such as partnership or marriage. It is a profitable day to sell anything.

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

Today, you may have to do a lot of multi-tasking at work. And you are likely to do it with the dexterity of a juggler. You will finish your pending tasks with ease. You will make seemingly impossible tasks look as simple as blinking. You will do it all without even batting an eyelid.

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

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

G M Hospital

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

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

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

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

Today might be a good day to invest in that body armour you saw on the telly last night. At least find one that will shield you from being at the receiving end of your seniors and the daily grind of life. If you happen to be a job aspirant, be prepared to slog it out for your success. Put off auction bids and sealed tenders for a luckier day.

House renovation is in the offing. You may furnish it with portraits and artefacts. Today, you may also feel like playing the stock market game and stake your bets. Have a great time at home by hosting friends over.

Today is a curiously interesting day for you. While you are always wellgroomed, today, you may take that extra bit of care to look best and attract a lot of praise for that too, especially from those glam hounds around you. That immaculate charm you are carrying today will enhance your business fortunes.

You will prioritise your needs, and the most critical would be the need to manage finances to save for the future. Also, the company you choose to keep will reflect the kind of person you are. So, beware of who you befriend.

Today, you will have a lot of fun with your siblings! Though generally well-organised and methodical, you will enjoy going with the flow of what your siblings and friends plan for you. Sometimes, spontaneity is a good thing.

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

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

Your driving force will be a single-minded desire to take your destiny in your own hands. Your organisational abilities will be flawless, and a burning desire to succeed will motivate you to keep pegging at your tasks. Your managerial abilities will be enhanced by your decision-making and reasoning abilities.

A good day for those looking for romantic liaisons. You will seek the company of your sweetheart to fight feelings of solitude and boredom today. Those who are single ought to strike gold, considering how Lady Luck will be grinning at the efforts you make to win over your love.

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

You will have to bear more responsibilities in the office. You need to carefully weigh your alternatives before making a decision. On the personal front, you will need to watch against minor conflicts with your partner cropping up.

You will be able to take part in entertaining and fun activities.

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

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

22-9-15 (TUESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-25 A.M-Employment News 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-15 P.M-Teachers' Broadcast 12-45 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Ei Path Hoise Bikashar" 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 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 7-15 P.M-Chah Shramikar Aasor 8-00 P.M-Bijnan Jeuti 8-20 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 9-30 P.M-Sahitya Kanan-1.Self Composed Poem Recitation by Jitumoni Saikia, 2.Short Story by Golap Lahan Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Khasi and Jaintia headmen stage one day sit-in demonstration ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 21: As part of its intensified agitation for immediate assent of the Village Administration Bill (VAB) passed by both the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to empower the headmen of Khasi and Jaintia hills, they staged a one day sit-in demonstration at the premises of the Additional Secretariat today in Shillong.

The demonstration is organized under the banner of Ka Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U H y n n i e w t r e p (KKNSKBUH) to convey a strong message to the Governor V Shanmuganathan on the need to give his immediate assent to the said Bills.

Earlier, the headmen had staged a silent protest

march around the Governor’s resident at Raj Bhavan, Shillong.

KKNSKBUH chairman Dr Werlok Kharshiing said that this is the second phase of agitations demanding immediate assent of the VAB to empower the headmen in Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

He said the sit-in demonstration is also to demand the state government to revoke the ordinance and withdraw its move from bringing the new bill to empower the traditional institutions; the group asked the government to stop encroachment by the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority of areas under the jurisdiction of the district councils for implementing the building bylaws.

“We will be compelled to take another agitation if the Governor further delays his

assent to the Bill”, said Dr Kharshiing.

Many speakers said that it is unfortunate that the governor has not assented to the Bills for so long despite the State government sending it to him two times. “As per procedures, the Governor cannot decline to give his assent on any Bill after sending for the second time”, said Dr Kharshiing adding that, “I don’t know what is the hidden agenda behind the prolonged assent of this Bill”.

Meanwhile, Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD) chairman Mr SD Khongwir said that the present governor is not acceptable to the people of the State and the centre should call him back.

“Mr Governor you better take your all luggage to your own place”, said Mr Khongwir.

Training imparted in connection with Special Summary Revision Roing, Sep 21: EROs/ AEROs of Lower Dibang Valley District were imparted training in connection with Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll w.r.t. 01-01-2016 as Qualifying date at Anchal Samiti Hall here today.

Mary Nanom Taloh, CO (Election) imparted the training with power point presentation regarding draft publication of E/roll, Filling of claims and objections, Disposal of claims and objections and also highlighted the Manage-

ment Information System.

Altogether 47 BLOs cum DOs were also imparted training on September 15 last regarding filling of claims and objections, proper verification of forms 6, 7, 8, 8A and their enclosures viz. documents. (DIPRO)

DC urges villagers in Lazu to shun opium cultivation, support survey teams Khonsa, Sep 21: An awareness meeting on eradication of opium was held at Lazu EAC HQs bordering Myanmar about 40 KM away from Khonsa on 20th September.

While passionately appealing to the people in the meeting to shun the vice of opium cultivation and its consumption, Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha who is spearheading the crusade against opium, told the huge gathering to extend their full cooperation to the survey teams that would visit the opium affected- villages of Lazu area. He said that the survey teams would visit to assess the situation and find out feasibilities for alternative crop cultivation. Jha urged the HoDs posted at Lazu to be stationed at Lazu to efficiently monitor all the development activities. The Deputy Commissioner admitted that mere destruction of the stand-

ing poppy crops would not yield a long-term solution but the destruction would continue as a punitive action that would discourage the villagers to cultivate opium. He later distributed salt packets, tea packets, torches, umbrellas and mosquito nets to the chiefs, GBs and the participants. Tirap Superintendent of Police Jasmeet Singh in his speech asked the villagers to help the survey teams and also told them to take the help of the OC, PS and his men whenever required. The Project Manager, NERCORMP in her deliberation threw light on the various schemes being implemented by the NERCORMP in the district and asked them to attend the meeting conducted by NERCORMP from time to time. She said that the schemes under NERCORMP must be implemented under technical guidance and exper-

tise. A number of HoDs also spoke in the meeting. Earlier, in his welcome address EAC, Lazu highlighted the problems, scopes and challenges in Lazu area.

The awareness meeting held at Lazu was a follow up action of the earlier meeting held at Khonsa on 4th September in which 12 survey teams were constituted to survey the 13 opium-af-

Shillong witnesses bike rally to register demand for article 371 ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 21: The HSPDP youth wing organised a bike rally in and around Shillong distributing pamphlets to the public on the need for implementing Article 371 of Indian constitution in Meghalaya. The bike rally was led by youth wing president Pyniad Sing Syiem on Monday afternoon from the Nongthymmai football

ground to different places of Shillong city.

The bike rally was to generate awareness among the people on the need to implement Article 371 of the Indian constitution. The HSPDP's bike rally is also to seek support from people on the motion to be raised by its vice president Ardent Basaiawmoit during the ongoing assembly session on Tuesday.

Hynniewtrep A’chik Na-

tional Movement (HANM) extends support to the HSPDP for demanding implementation of Article 371 for the protection of the indigenous community of the state. HSPDP vice president Mr. Ardent Basaiawmoit said that he is demanding implementation of Article 371 in the state of Meghalaya to protect the customary law and practices, protecting its land and resources.

fected villages in Lazu area.

During the interactive session, the villagers said that the de-addiction programmes held earlier had failed due to various factors.

Some public leaders said that people’s mindset must change adding that saying opium was the only source of income could not be an excuse to grow it. They urged the government to

supply more large cardamom saplings to the people as the whole Lazu area was conducive for cardamom cultivation.

They thanked the district administration for holding the important meeting at Lazu. Chiefs, GBs, Religious Heads, PRI leaders and NGO representatives attended the meeting.

(DIPRO)

Free health camp conducted ET Correspondent Bomdila, Sep 21: For two days (18th and 19th September, 2015), free health camps were organized for the students of Government College Bomdila (GCB) by the Women’s Cell, GCB in collaboration with the District Hospital Bomdila in the College premises. During the inaugural function on Saturday, Principal Government College Bomdila, S Khandu in his address while impressing upon the students the importance of a healthy body and a healthy mind urged them to take full benefit of the health camp which has been organized for the first time. He assured them to take up such beneficial works in and outside of the College campus for the larger interest of the society. Earlier Coordinator Women Cell GCB Kime Mamung highlighted the activities of the cell and said that welfare activities would continue to be carried out. Separate lady doctors for the girl students and male doctors for the boys were arranged with a view to impart sex education in addition to consultation and prescription of medicines.

PB Acharya calls on President Arunachal Governor congratulates Karatekas of India, Pranab Mukherjee ET Bureau Itanagar, Sep 21: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has warmly congratulated Karatekas of the State for their brilliant performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Karate Championship 2015 at New Delhi. He also congratu-

lated the coach and officials of Arunachal Pradesh Karate Do Association for the splendid success. The Governor said that they have made the State, Region and Nation proud by winning six gold medals, three silver and three bronze medals at the prestigious International Competition.

Reposing his faith in the inborn potential for martial art sports and adventures amongst the youth of the State, the Governor expressed the hope that the martial art practitioners will maintain the same competitive spirit and clinch medals in the Olympics also in the future. The

Governor exhorted the youth of the State to draw inspiration from the exemplary performance of the Karatekas and excel in their chosen fields. He said that there is no substitute for sheer determination, hard work, dedication and commitment to achieve success.

Charity football match for flood affected families of Assam ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21: The performing artistes and media persons of Assam will play a friendly football match to generate funds for the flood affected families of the State.

The charity match, scheduled for next Saturday (26 September 2015) at Nehru Stadium Guwahati and starting at 6 pm, will be played between Artistes Eleven and Media Eleven. Glorious singer

Zubeen Garg will be the captain of the Artistes XI comprising of Partha Pratim Goswami, Pradhan Deori, Sasanka Samir, Mahadev Deka, Shekhar Goswami, Achinta Shankar, Pabitra Rabha, Rohit Sonar, Hemanta Gogoi, Shiddharth Sarma, Bhaskar Dutta, Hitesh Gogoi, Manash Phukan, Dhanjeet Kalita and Bhabesh. On the other hand, senior journalist Pranay Bordoloi will lead the media

team, which has been initiated by the Electronic Media Forum Assam with the inclusion o f j o u r n a l i s t s f r o m both the print and electronic media. The practice session has been organized at Nehru Stadium from Tu e s d a y o n w a r d i n t h e morning hours (around 7 am), where the aspirant players from the media houses are requested to join and help the organiz-

Guwahati paralyzed in the wake of 3-hour continuous rain ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21: Guwahati was paralyzed by flood fury today after incessant rain for over 3 hours over the city, and this led to flash flooding in the city.

The rain today also inundated many vital areas of the city, creating problems for residents. Zoo Road, GS Road, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Tarun Nagar, Beltola and several other

localities in the eastern part of the city went under water. Besides this traffic was disrupted for hours as massive traffic jams took place in many areas of the city.

“We were lucky that today was a Sunday and there was no office, and schools and colleges for the children.

Otherwise if it was a working day, a lot of problems could have occurred,” said Sabita Devi, a housewife.

Kamrup Metro DC Angamahu said that the district administration is fully prepared, and said that the flood situation started to recede immediately after the rain stopped.

“This shows that with eviction and clearing of the drainage system, the situation will improve further,” said a senior official of the Kamrup Metro district administration.

ers to select the ideal team. The city based Dispur Hospitals will extend the emergency medical supports to the players.

Meanwhile, the State based artists and t e c h n i c i a n ’s f o r u m h a s urged everyone to contribute financial aid for thous a n d s o f f l o o d a ff e c t e d families in Assam through Kalaguru Artiste Foundation.

Round Table India distributes edibles to flood affected people ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Sep 21: An all India level volunteer service organisation, Round Table India's Tinsukia branch yesterday distributed necessary food items to the flood affected people of Saikhowa area. More than 350 people were benefitted from it. The officer in charge of Dholla, Ranjan Dalai was present on the occasion.

CII-ACORE signs MoU to bolster partnership New Delhi, Sept. 21 (ANI): Piyush Goyal, Minister of State, Power, Coal and Renewable Energy, addressed the CII-ACORE organized gathering in Washington, D.C raising the concerns and challenges faced by investors in India.

In particular, Piyush Goyal addressed concerns relating to the fiscal health of distribution companies in India and mentioned that the government was looking for a long term and sustainable solution to the issue. He also laid out the Modi government's vision for getting to the ambitious target

of 175 GW of clean energy by 2022.

In addition to this, he also talked about tackling the issue of the rupee's stability by pointing out that the Indian rupee has never depreciated more than 3.5% CAGR in 25 years.

While acknowledging constraining factors, he also urged the US and it's constituent companies to be a partner in this process and to help come up with innovative solutions so as to not miss out on the tremendous opportunity in India, which is set to become the largest clean energy market in the next 10

years.

The event also saw Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII who praised the Modi government's efforts in scaling up the clean energy sector. He said "Indian industry stands ready to partner and work with the government to achieve the ambitious target set by PM Modi".

The US companies that attended the meeting included SunEdison, Bank of America, First Solar, Credit Suisse, Apex clean energy, Sun Power, Deutsche Bank and others.

A high powered CII CEOs

delegation also participated with big faces such as Dr Preetha Reddy (Apollo Hospitals), Kiran Mazumdar Shah (Biocon), Shiv Khemka (Sun Group), Rajan Navani (Jetline Group), Pranav Tanti (Suzlon), Rahul Munjal (Hero Future Energies), Kishore Nair (Welspun Energy). The meeting came just before the US-India Energy Dialogue and the US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, which are further expected to help boost the bilateral partnership days before PM Modi's much anticipated second visit to the US at the end of the week.

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21: Hon’ble Governor of Assam and Nagaland, PB Acharya, who is one of the Brand Ambassadors of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, met Hon’ble President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on 10th September, 2015 along with First Lady, Kavita

Acharya where all the Brand Ambassadors of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” were invited for High Tea by the President. The Governor and the First Lady also gifted the President with a Tulsi sapling. In the one-on-one discussion that followed, Governor, P. B. Acharya discussed about the devastating flood situation of Assam with the President.

He apprised the President that out of the Annual Allocation of Rs. 460.00 crores, out of which Central Share is Rs. 414.00 crores and State Share is 46.00 crores, the fund released by the Centre was only 207.50 crores. In the meantime, however, the Hon’ble President of India has expressed his concern over the recent flood situation in Assam. In a

letter addressed to the Governor of Assam, Hon’ble P. B. Acharya, the Hon’ble President has said, “I am sad to learn about the heavy rains leading to floods in Assam, which has resulted in loss of lives, injuries, damage to property, destruction of crops and thousands being rendered homeless.” The Hon’ble President further states, “I am glad to know rescue and relief operations are currently underway. I call upon the State Government and other authorities to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured and shelter to homeless.” The Hon’ble President concludes his letter by saying that his thoughts are with all those affected by this calamity and has requested the Hon’ble Governor to convey his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and has wished speedy recovery to the injured persons.

Little respite to flood ravaged...

Contd. from Page 1

suffering from want of potable water, medicine, shelter and adequate relief. The government has to speed up relief and rehabilitation work at the earliest to avoid a looming epidemic like situation”, Tobang Pertin said. He

further encouraged the people not to lose hope and comforted the victims that the ABK is always there to help and aid them in times of need. He also advised the people to follow cleanliness like hand washing with soap and maintain hygiene in their daily lives and urged them to avoid open def-

ecation for a healthy and disease free living. It needs to be mentioned that on 13th and 15th September a fund raising drive was organized by the District Unit of ABK to aid the flood affected people; individuals, civil societies and NGOs in Tezu and Namsai came forward enthusiastically to donate for the cause.

The General Secretary on behalf of LohitNamsai District Unit of ABK thanked all the individuals and civil society organizations of Lohit and Namsai District for extending their support during the two day fund raising drive.

"Their support is the main reason we could help the victims," he said.

DC concerned over declining trend of enrolment in Govt. schools Contd. from Page 1

with the successful implementation of the mid-day meal program in the district. He appealed the stakeholders especially the PRI members to closely monitor and supervise the program in

their respective areas for better result and delivery.

Block Education Officer (MDM) L. Chhudup in the power point presentation dealt at length on the achievements made during 2014-15 and the progress and target for the year 2015-16. Constraints like delay in re-

lease of MDM rice from FCI, transportation issues and conditions of the Kitchen sheds and storage rooms of the various schools were also highlighted. District Coordinator NRHM Dr. DK Lama informed of the regular programs being conducted in the schools

under RBSK. Besides the members of the DLSMC, PRI members, Block education officers and representatives of the district unit All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) and All West Kameng Students Union (AWKSU) attended the meeting. (DIPRO)

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Settlement of Hindu refugees should start from Gujarat: Hindu Yuva Chhatra Parishad ET Correspondent Golaghat, Sep 21: The central government's recent move with a view to give shelter to non Muslim refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan has evoked sharp reactions in the state of Assam.

Various organisations in the state have criticized the Centre in this connection.

Today in Golaghat, Hindu

Yuva Chhatra Parishad in a press meet criticized the central govt in this regard.

The organisation's central committee president Bolen Baishya stated that the central govt's policy in connection with giving shelter and settlement to Hindu refugees should first start with Prime Minister's home state Gujurat and not with

Assam. He added that due to the migration of non Muslims from Bangladesh, around 2 lac bighas of agricultural land will remain vacant in Bangladesh. Also about 10600 acres of land had gone to Bangladesh in the wake of the recent land swap agreement. Illegal migration continues to be a threat to the inhabitants

of the state. Hindu Yuva Chhatra Parishad has vowed that it will never allow the state to be a dumping ground and appealed to the Modi govt to give shelter to the refugees first in Gujurat. Targeting AIUDF's Baddrudin Ajmal, Mr Baisya said, "AIUDF is a political organisation which supports Bangladeshi nationals."

Meghalaya House in Delhi turned into wedding hall: Paul Lyngdoh ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 21 : UDP legislator Mr. Paul Lyngdoh accused the State government for misusing the Meghalaya House in New Delhi by turning it into a wedding and birthday celebration hall. Raising the issue inside the Assembly session today, Mr Lyngdoh said the Meghalaya House which has been meant for accommodating people of the State who have gone outside the State for pursuing important matters is being misused by officers for wedding, birthday celebrations. “I am not making wild guesses. It is a total lie on the part

of the General Administration Department (GAD) minister that there was no such function”, said Mr Lyngdoh.

He added, “On May this year, I was told that wedding celebration for a daughter of one officer was organized at the Meghalaya House New Delhi and due to that, people who went for medical and educational purposes were denied accommodation.”

The UDP legislator went on to say that Meghalaya Houses in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata have been turned into office clubs.

“If the government allows this, then I will or-

ganize a circus mela there”, said Mr Lyngdoh.

He recalled during the Chief Ministership of DD Lapang, when all VVIP rooms in Meghalaya House in New Delhi were utilized for wedding celebration, even the room of the Meghalaya Governor.

According to Mr Lyngdoh, the Public Account Committee (PAC) recently had called on the Officer for Special Duty (OSD) of the GAD department and he assured that no more celebrations will be allowed in near future.

Meanwhile, in a reply to the query, GAD min-

ister HDR Lyngdoh said that as per the official records, there was no wedding, birthday celebrations in Meghalaya House in New Delhi or in Mumbai, Kolkata.

On the other hand, Ass e m b l y S p e a k e r AT Mondal informed the House that he received letter from legislator complaining about the misuse of the Meghalaya House and as such, the Assembly Committee had suggested certain amendments regarding the criteria for accommodation of people from the State. “I request the government to expedite the process at the earliest”, said Mr Mondal.

Contraband narcotics seized, 2 held ET Correspondent Diphu, Sep 21: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) manning the police check gate over National Highway 39 adjacent to Cement Corporation of India, Bokajan unit seized large quantity of contraband narcotic drugs

by intercepting one auto rickshaw during regular search operation yesterday at around 7.45 pm.

According to the arrested auto driver, 700 Nitro-glycerine tablets and 6200 Spysmo Proxivon tablets were kept in the auto by one Satyandra

Kumar Mahato at Dimapur city of Nagaland and directed the former to take the consignment to Saharijan, around 20 kilometres from Bokajan. The driver also confessed that the drugs were supposed to be delivered to one

the people of Balsrigittim, Dobasipara, Tura or any NGOs due to the continuation of a BSF firing range.

Replying to a question, she said that there has been no incidences of causalities of civilian as adequate precautions have been taken in the firing range. Earlier, South

Tura legislator Mr John Leslee K Sangma said that the presence of firing range of BSF posed danger to people and nearby villages situated only at a stone's throw from there.

“There was a playing ground at about a distance of only 40 meter from fir-

was not attacked on that day, rather he met with an accident as a consequence of which he sustained injury on his forehead. “Newly appointed DSP (HQ) Pradip Saikia

and IC of Milan Nagar Dinanath Mili met with me at the hospital on Sunday and recorded my written statement and collected photographic proof of my injuries,’’ said Ripunjoy Das. Afterwards, Pradip Saikia said that a case has already

been registered in this connection after an FIR was lodged by the wife of the journalist. A case has been registered 765/15 under section 325/34 IPC at Dibrugarh police station. Ripunjoy Das clarified that normally when he returns to his home

ing range. Children are playing every day and it will be a danger for them if measures are not taken by the government”, Sangma said. He demanded that the state government take steps to shift the firing range to another area to ensure safety of the people.

after duty around midnight on a few occasions he has had altercations with drug addicts. “I suppose they might be behind this attack on me,’’ Das added. He further appealed to the police administration to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.

KMSS terms Union Govt's notification on entry and stay rights to Hindu migrants 'slow poison Contd. from Page 1

silent endorsement and the mute submission of the BJP MPs, Akhil maintained that the elected rep-

resentatives of the State and the Centre have cheated the people of Assam. Gogoi also alleged that the policies of the State and the Union governments are di-

rected towards hampering the NRC update process in Assam. “The ploy to reduce the Assamese people to a minority in their own land will not succeed in Assam. The

historic Assam Movement was a secular movement which accepted both Hindu and Muslim migrants who came before March 24, 1971,” said the KMSS leader.

Meghalaya Govt to implore Centre for restoration of mining rights of tribal people Contd. from Page 1

and request have been made to rescind some of the provisions of the Central Acts so that the rights of the people over their mines are restored.

He said the State Government will bring in a resolution in the current session of the Assembly to request the Centre, that under Para 12 6 (AB) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, some of the provisions of the Central Acts be re-

scinded through a Presidential notification.

Sangma also said that the State Government has held several meetings with different departments of the Central Government and working together so that the problem of the mining rights of the people is resolved.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that the State Government is trying to get the National Green Tribunal’s ban on coal mining and transportation lifted from the State.

According to Dr Sangma, the Government has taken action in line with the NGT’s direction and is constantly in touch with central government departments and the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Asserting that the State Government is not working in isolation, he said, when the State Government notified the Mine and Minerals policy and was about to implement the NGT ban on coal mining came in and the policy got entangled

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 21: The Assam state unit of the BJP, in a show of strength, will hold a 24-hour sit-in 'dharna' on September 21 against "anti-people" functioning of the Congress government in the state.

Assam BJP unit president Siddhartha Bhattacharya alleged that Congress government is diverting all funds for development for poll-related issues. The government had also failed in providing relief to flood affected people despite

having sufficient funds.

Bhattacharya alleged that the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated drastically in the recent times and charged Congress with being soft on jehadi elements in the state. BJP sources have

told The Eastern Today, that in the next phase over the next month, the Assam unit of the BJP, will also hold demonstrations on the issues to the flood problems in the state, and also the urban flooding in Guwahati city.

Assam BJP stages protest against alleged failures of ruling Cong Govt.

Assam unit of the party also accused the state government of failing to take up advance planning to meet the annual flood problem and demanded adequate monetary compensation for next to kin of those

killed in floods and for farmers who lost their crops and land. “The law and order situation is of grave concern in the state, and the growing incidents of rape, murder and other crimes have put the

people in a state of panic and fear,” said a BJP leader at the protest. The BJP further accused the Congress government of selecting beneficiaries for social welfare schemes based on party leanings.

Alleged involvement of forest official in coal smuggling

Cops clueless about attack on scribe Contd. from Page 1

Assam BJP to hold 24-hour sit-in dharna on Sept 21

Dharmendra Mahato, alContd. from Page 1 legedly the kingpin of a drug racket, at a stipumeant for development tolated location. Later the wards payment of salaries, CRPF arrested both bringing all development to a Satyandra Kumar standstill. Besides this, the Mahato and Dharmendra Mahato and handed them over to Assam police for further investigations.

Contd. from Page 1

Issue of BSF firing range raised in Assembly ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 21: Meghalaya Home Minister Smt Roshan Warjri said today inside the Assembly session that so far there were no complaints or reports received by the Police regarding threat to the life and property being faced by

Jorhat college professors stage a sit-in demonstration demanding basic education facilities at Jorhat.

Pic - Nekib Ahmed

in legal hurdles.

Earlier, Mr. Witting Mawsor from the Opposition Hill State People Democratic Party calling the attention of the Government said that people of the State were facing numerous hardships due to the ban on coal mining and transportation of the ore in Meghalaya. He urged the State Government to take necessary steps so that the rights of the tribal people are restored as far as mining activities are concerned.

of coal inside Disama Reserve Forest which is a part of Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary; the seizure was made by a group of forest staff engaged in protection duty.

According to investigation report the consignment of seized coal was mentioned in the records of Northern Range, Bakulia as illegally mined from inside sanctuary area. As alleged, D. Sangma on the instruction of the then Range Forest officer of Northern Range, Bakulia Arovinda Talukdar placed the safekeeping of the whole seized coal under the custody (Zima) of one Joyandra, the village headman of Tissom gaon on the ground that the village is located within close range of the place of seizure.

The matter was not notified to the nearest police for protection of the seized material.

“Under normal practice this type of seizure should be brought to the notice of police station which commands

the area, whether custody is given to any village headman or not,” said senior forest officer, on condition of anonymity.

Allegedly the whole seized coal was sold to some coal smugglers who are involved in illegal mining inside Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary, under the shield provided by the Range Forest officer of Northern Range Bakulia, Arovinda Talukdar; coal worth several lakhs of rupees vanished into thin air overnight. When the whole matter was reported to higher authorities by a certain section of local people of Bakulia the nippy Range Forest Officer in order to sidetrack the core issue filed an FIR at Manja police station which commands the Tissom gaon village in July 2015. Till today neither the Divisional Forest Officer of Karbi Anglong West Division Forest nor the Northern Range Bakulia has come out with any satisfactory conclusion about the whole matter.

Arovinda Talukdar the officer whose activities are un-

der question is presently posted as Range Officer of the Central Range located in Diphu town under Karbi Anglong West Division Forest, bizarrely enough the forest officer whose primary duty includes protection and propagation of forest and environment carried out massive destruction of newly planted forest inside Dhansari Reserve Forest near Chorsory village around 12 kilometres from Diphu with the help of his loyal staff on July 15, 2015 for unknown reason; the plantation was done by the local people of nearby Panbari village which was organized by Divisional Forest Officer of Karbi Anglong West Division Forest and the previous Range Officer of Central Range Diphu, Mondol Engleng, while devastating the green forest also demolished a number of huts used by planters. All the incidents which took place inside interior areas and in absence of any conscientious people in the affected locality, the incident didn’t come to the notice of

higher Forest officials.

Strangely enough nearly 10 to 15 hotels (eating joints) and bakery located at the heart of Diphu town burns tons of illegally procured firewood every day, the load of firewood is delivered to these hotels and bakeries in trucks and bicycle each day under broad daylight. “Maximum number of these hotels and bakeries where hundreds of tones firewood are consumed are located within 2 kilometre radius of Diphu Central range whose controlling officer is Arovinda Talukdar, but we have never seen him taking any action like seizing of firewood from hotels or truck till now, in few cases a few three wheelers were seized just to dupe the main issue, a thorough investigation is needed to probe various past and present allegations pending against this forest officer and till now he should be kept out of active duty; if the situation is allowed to go on we shall be compelled to take legal action against this officer,” said an influential leader of a political party.

AJYCP Margherita burns Food and Civil Supplies Minister's effigy Contd. from Page 1

the blackmarkets owing to which Assam government is bearing heavy losses. A few days ago, they had submitted a memorandum to the Margherita Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) regarding blackmarketering of PDS items from Margherita, Ledo and Tirap Samabhai Samity but Margherita Sub Divisional

Officer (Civil) has not shown any interest to check this, added Kanchan Bora.

Meanwhile, although there is a permanent office of Ledo Samabhai Samity at Hamukjan, Ledo near Kalibari which was built 15 years ago, the Ledo Samabhai Office is still temporarily functioning at Ledo Bazaar which indicates that the PDS items directly land up in the blackmarkets, Kanchan Bora analysed.

There are many fake fair price ration card holders deriving undeserved benefits from using these fake cards with the Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Department and Margherita Department unaware, alleged Kanchan Bora. There are many corrupt officials at Margherita Sub Divisional Office and at Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Department and that is why the Public Distribution System

items are directly ending up in the blackmarkets at the Margherita Region, alleged Kanchan Bora.

If Margherita Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) does not conduct proper enquiry into these then AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee shall intensify its agitation against Margherita Administration and Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Department, warned Kanchan Bora.

Tea Board of India looks to increase tea exports to Russia Contd. from Page 1

Tea Board of India looks to increase tea exports to RussiaA delegation, which included 11 major tea producers and three distributors, was on a four-day visit to Russia recently. Mr. Paulrasu, who was here on

Saturday to participate in the annual meeting of Tea Trade Association of Coimbatore, told presspersons that India was earlier exporting about 50 million kg tea to Russia and 60 per cent of it was from the south. In the last six years, India’s exports have declined to 40 million kg.

There is scope to bring it to back to 50 million kg.

Russia imports almost 160 million kg of tea annually, with Sri Lanka, India and Kenya being the three major exporters to that country and Kenya’s exports increasing. With regard to support to small growers, he said they are encour-

aged to form groups with at least 30 members in each. They get assistance for mechanisation. Individual farmers can get support for improvement of the plantations. In the south, 130 groups have been formed in the last one-and-a-half years, he said. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Uranium mining receives opposition from Women's group against opening new deposits Shillong, Sep 21: The Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO), a powerful women's group in Meghalaya, has opposed Uranium Corporation of India Limited's (UCIL) plan to open up new deposits in this third uranium state in India. "We at CSWO strongly oppose the move of the UCIL to open up new deposits in KyllengPyndengsohiongMawthabah (KPM) project in Meghalaya, as it will destroy lives of people of our state for generations to come and the organisation will not allow this destruction," CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said. "If UCIL pursues to put pressure on mining and discreetly mines, we shall file a

EC to issue notification for second phase of Bihar polls today New Delhi, Sep 22: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will issue a notification for the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar today. Voting of this phase will be held on October 16 in 32 constituencies out of 243 assembly seats.

Last day of nomination paper is 28th September. Scrutiny will be on next day 29th September. Candidates can withdraw their nomination paper till 1st October. Polls to the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in five phases between the 12th of next month and the 5th of November. The counting of votes will take place on November 8. The term of the current Assembly expires on 29th November. (ANI)

Dalmiya's body taken to Eden Gardens, people pay last tributes Kolkata, Sep 21: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya's mortal remains has been taken to Eden Gardens for people to pay their last respects. Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur and veteran cricket administrator Ratnakar Shetty paid their tributes to the late Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Dalmiya passed away last evening following a massive cardiac arrest. He was 75 years old. He was admitted to BM Birla Heart Research Centre on Thursday due to a heart problem (ANI)

Bomb found at Ukhrul Imphal, Sep 21: A Chinese made hand grenade labelled as 10.78 power points was found buried in a mass of sand at a construction site near Gandhi Chowk, Phungreitang, Ukhrul at around 10:30 am today. According to reports, Ukhrul police and 41 AR were carrying out joint operation in the town when the security forces discovered a bomb planted at the crowded area of Ukhrul town. Later it was disposed off. Even though Ukhrul police have registered a suo motto case, no organization/ individual has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb. When this correspondent, interacted with the owner of the building, he said that there was no case of threat or intimidation from any group/ organization. Nonetheless, seeing the bomb planted at the construction site of his building, he expressed dismay and insecurity. He further appealed to all concerned to shun violence and respect human life.

(Agencies)

criminal case against them for trying to kill the people of the state knowingly.

People in these areas and in the state as a whole, should be told and made aware of the danger of uranium mining and its waste which will cause rise in cancers," she asserted. The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) has proposed to set up an opencast uranium mining and processing plant at Mawthabah. Meghalaya has an estimated 9.22 million tonnes of uranium ore deposits. The CSWO also expressed surprise at the government-owned UCIL pre-project activities like construction of road and bridges from Wahkaji to Mawthabah, healthcare and

schools in the proposed mining areas. "It is surprising that the UCIL is providing the road, health care and schools in these areas.

Why is it that the government cannot make roads, cannot provide health care and schools in these areas and intentionally leaves the

rural areas underdeveloped so that companies can come to exploit the tribal people by providing the assistance," Kharshiing asked. Moreover, the CSWO said the state legislators and the government should be accountable for the back-

dation. The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had pegged Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah project in Meghalaya for Rs.1,100 crore. In the past, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said his government would not bulldoze the uranium mining project in the state after various civil society groups including political parties opposed on health and environmental grounds. However, Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh recently said scientific studies even in the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre on those working there, found no adverse health effect. (Agencies)

wardness in these regions.

However, the proposed open-cast uranium mining in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district has been hanging fire since 1992 after several groups expressed fears of radiation impact on human health and environmental degra-

Northeast Frontier Railway starts broad gauge "Mega Block" conversion in Tripura Dharmanagar (Tripura), Sep 21: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) authorities have started converting meter gauge railway tracks into broad gauge ones from September 20 under what they call a "Mega Block" scheme. Hundreds of people gathered at the Dharmanagar station, the first railway station near the TripuraAssam border, to enjoy the last metre gauge train ride from North Tripura to state capital Agartala over the weekend. People played drums and danced before the decorated engine as an act of emotional farewell to the meter gauge

train and expressed hope that for a better tomorrow. "We are expecting a new dawn with the broad gauge train service in the state. To get something better, we have to tolerate a little pain. But, we are also very sad today over paying farewell to the meter gauge train which will go into history," said Shan Das, a passenger. NFR sources said that it is expected that all train services in Tripura will come to a halt for about six months to facilitate the railway track conversion. After the completion of the Silchar-Lumding Track conversion, railway services between Badarpur in Assam and

Agartala would be withdrawn from Sunday. The mega block would be enforced in the Badarpur Kumarghat-Agartala section and the entire

Duty of EC to prove its impartiality, says JD (U) Patna, Sep 21: The Janata Dal (United) on Monday said that it is the duty of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prove its impartiality after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that it has its control over the EC. "It is the duty of the Election Commission to prove its impartiality. It should ask Manjhi to vacate his residence for holding press conferences in government residence. An un-

clad game is going on here," JD (U) leader Ajay Alok told ANI. "He said right. Correctly he said that Election Commission is in grip of BJP. PM is sitting there so Election Commission is in the grip," Alok said while commenting on Bengal BJP leader's statement on the EC. "It's quite evident in Bihar. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has been conducting press conferences at his official resi-

dence. Who will bear its expenses? No notice is given to Manjhi after that," he added. West Bengal BJP leader Joy Banerjee on Sunday said that his party has control over the EC and that it would ensure there were enough central forces to oversee the poll process in the state next year. He further said that if the BJP wins the Bihar polls, it would run a bulldozer in Bengal in the next elections. (ANI)

Another GJM leader, Trilok K Dewan tenders resignation

Darjeeling, Sep 21: On Monday, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) legislator Trilok Kumar Dewan quit the party, which has threatened to revive the separatist movement in northern West Bengal. "I am resigning from the party from today. I have already prepared a letter. I have also tendered in my resignation of the seat in the house," Dewan said.

Dewan's move comes after Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chettri quit the GJM on Friday blaming the "autocratic" attitude of the party leadership. Accusing

the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government of interfering in the affairs of the autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) governing the Darjeeling hills, the GJM had announced its three MLAs would resign from the assembly in protest. GTA chairperson and GJM supremo Bimal Gurung also threatened to revive the agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland. Chettri had claimed that the decision on the resignation of the MLAs was taken unilaterally and charged the party

leadership including Bimal Gurung of being autocratic.

Chettri has also decided to work as an independent legislator. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said the party was yet to receive a formal communication about the legislators' resignations. "We have not yet received any formal communication of resignation either from Dewan or Chettri.

We can comment on the issue only after we get that," Giri told the media. Reacting to the development, Trinamool Congress leader and North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb said that both Chettri and Dewan were able legislators and administrators. "Since it's a matter concerning another party I am not supposed to make a comment.

But both Chettri and Dewan are able legislators and administrators," said Deb. Speculation has been rife about Chettri joining the Trinamool. However, he has refused to comment on the matter. (Agencies)

work is likely to be completed by March 2016 to connect Agartala with the broad gauge railway map of the country. "On behalf of Dharmanagar Railway staff, I con-

gratulate all, as we are finishing a great chapter of our journey which is coming to an end," said S.Das, a railway official. Agartala found a place on the railway map in 2008. Earlier in the first phase, 220-km-long gauge conversion was completed on the LumdingSilchar route. In the second phase, the 217-km-long Badarpur-Agartala section would be converted. An amount of Rs.5,338 crores has been allocated in the current fiscal for development of railway infrastructure in Northeast India, with initiatives to develop railway infrastructure and connectivity to all state capitals of the region. A 15.6 km railway link between Agartala and Akhaura in Bangladesh is also in the pipeline. (ANI)

Bihar polls: RLSP announces first list of candidates

New Delhi, Sep 21: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) led by union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Monday released its first list of 17 candidates for the coming Bihar assembly polls. The RLSP also expressed displeasure with the BJP over its third list of candidates released on Sunday. "I strongly object to the third list released by the BJP on Sunday. We were kept in the dark while the Minapur assembly constituency in Muzaffarpur district was allotted to one of the family members of the sitting BJP MLA," Kushwaha told reporters here. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which on Sunday announced another 11 candidates in its third list of candidates, has fielded Ajay Kushwaha from Minapur. In the last assembly elections, Dinesh

Kushwaha won from Minapur on a Janata DalUnited ticket but rebelled against the party and joined the BJP in August. "We wanted the seat for one of our founding members but categorically said that the RLSP won`t have any problem if the ticket is given to the sitting MLA. We were assured by the BJP leadership that the ticket will be given only to the sitting MLA but the party on Sunday fielded one of his family members," Kushwaha said. The minister said he would soon meet BJP president Amit Shah and discuss the issue. The RLSP has fielded Lalan Paswan from Chenari, Ashok Verma from Kurtha, S.S. Thakur from Dhamdaha, Vaidyanath Kushwaha from Hoshiarpur and Ram Bihari Singh from Dumraon. According to the seat-sharing agreement among the National Democratic Alliance allies, the RLSP has been allotted 23 seats. The BJP would contest 160 seats in the 243member Bihar assembly, the Lok Janshakti Party 40 seats and Hindustani Awam Morcha 20 seats. Bihar will have five-phase elections between October 12 and November 5, with counting of votes slated for November 8. (Agencies)

LJP plays safe, withdraws candidate from Chakai seat New Delhi, Sep 21: The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Monday withdrew its candidate from the Chakai seat to avoid friction within the NDA ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls. Declaring the second list of candidates for the Bihar polls, LJP parliamentary board chairman Chirag Paswan said that his party wanted to contest on both seats but it compromised in order to avoid infighting within the NDA. "We wanted both the seats but there are certain problems of the parties of the grand alliance. Our mission is to form a strong NDA Government. If we create problem then all the parties in alliance will have to bear its responsibility," Paswan told the media here. "We

decided that a candidate from HAM party will fight the election from JamuiChakai seat and Vijay Singh from Lok Janshakti Party will fight election for another seat," he added.

Hindusthani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi had sought Chakai Assembly seat for HAM (S) leader Narendra Singh's son Sumit Kumar Singh, the sitting MLA from Chakai for which LJP had also staked its claim given that it falls under Lok Sabha constituency of Chirag Paswan, an MP from Jamui. Polls to the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in five phases starting on October 12 and ending on November 5.

Counting of votes will take place on November 8. (ANI)

Complete extermination of militancy, govt. will not rest Kohima, Sep 21: In addition to exerting military pressure on various North East militants who are not in ceasefire with it, the Government of India (GoI) has also sent a strong message that the army will continue in hot pursuit even up to the IndoMyanmar border. The recent ban imposed on the NSCN (K) for five years was a setback for the government of Nagaland and various organizations who have been urging both the Centre and the outfit to reconsider their stands and review the abrogation of the cease fire. To make its stand clear, that it will not be swayed by public pressure, Centre had also announced a bounty of Rs.17 lakh on the NSCN (K) supremo S.S. Khaplang and the outfit's military chief 'Lt. Gen' Niki Sumi. In Nagaland, the army has decided to curb activities of armed elements and reserved its right to retaliate when confronted. Ac-

cording to defence sources, security forces have resolved to take a tough stand especially in the light of attacks during the past few months following the unilateral abrogation of cease-fire by NSCN (K) and subsequent casualties suf-

fered during attacks. Even in Assam, the Army along with state police have launched intensive proactive operations directed at the NDFB (S) and ULFA (Paresh Baruah faction).

While PMO hoped that finalization of the framework

agreement would be achieved 'shortly' (possibly by end of 2015); resentment from various NPGs and other organizations in Nagaland appear to have sent a message that it would not be a smooth affair.

(Agencies)

Computer course for SLA staff concludes Gangtok, Sep 21: The 12day long computer course on MS Office for the staff of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat concluded on Saturday. The course was conducted by IT cell of the secretariat headed by OSD, Jigmee W. Bhutia, informs a press release. Deputy Speaker Sonam Gyatso Lepcha and senior officials of the assembly secretariat attended the valedictory session in the assembly banquet hall. Lepcha ap-

preciated the initiative and congratulated all the participants. Prizes were distributed to good performers of the training. Bhutia opined that there is a need of a series of such kind of courses as the Assembly Secretariat has conceived the idea of paperless E-vidhan.

Therefore, more advanced computer courses will be given to all staff and officers in a phased manner, the release mentions. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

V.K. Singh rubbishes media report of intel documents being destroyed before his retirement ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and former chief of army staff General (Retired) V.K. Singh on Monday categorically rubbished a report appearing in a leading Indian daily that dozens of documents on a military intelligence unit that he had created had been destroyed on his orders before his retirement. Referring to the report that has appeared in The Hindu today, General (Retired) V.K. Singh said, "This was a scripted story and was given to this journalist (of The Hindu). This reporter has been sold out

RLSP announces first list for Bihar polls ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), which announced the first list of 17 candidates for the Bihar Assembly polls, expressed disappointment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the candidate selection for the Meenapur seat. "We wanted our party founder to fight from the Meenapur seat in Muzzafarpur. But the BJP refused saying that the seat is their sitting seat.

There was a prior agreement between us that if not our candidate, only the sitting candidate would be the one to fight from that seat," said RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha. "But the party has announced a different candidate. We object to it completely," he added.

Meanwhile, Kushwaha hit out at the grand alliance of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, saying the state is witnessing a turbulent phase. "Especially after the friendship between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav, the corrupt and criminals feel strengthened.

There is no law and order in the state," he added.

Indradev Khushwaha (Navada), Himanshu Patel (Sultanganj), Shiv Kumar (Barbigha), Sanjay Mehta (Jagdishpur) and Praveen Kumar ( Jahanabad ) were among those whose names were announced by the RLSP.

NCP bats for IndoPak talks

and is a pawn in someone else's game. It is possible that the person who scripted this story and gave it to the journalist was part of Jorhat dacoity case" "If there is any truth to this story, something would have come out in the court martial. This journalist belongs to that category of journalists for whom I have a word maybe worse. I have always stood by my convictions, and have never given or will give wrong orders.

The army ethos that I propagated was, if something is wrong, stand up and say so," he added. "If you are trying to slander an organisation that works in

the national interest, then I question your patriotism," General (Retired) Singh said further. General (Retired) Singh said, "There must be a reason behind this story and he (the reporter) must

answer. I have complained against him to the PCI (Press Council of India) and would like to know what action has been initiated against him."

He maintained that the reporter of The Hindu would have had some "profit motive" to write such a story.

General (Retired) Singh's rebuttal came on a day when The Hindu came out with a lead story that said that the former was just days away from retiring as army chief in 2012, and had ordered the destruction of dozens of documents on a military intelligence unit that he had created and whose activities and funding had attracted

Terrorism, infiltration should be stopped by neighbours: Rajnath Singh ANI Samba, Sep 21: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singhon Monday said that terrorism, infiltration and border transgression should be stopped by the neighbours for better relations with India. Singh said that the ITBP is guarding 3,488 km long IndiaChina border which is one of the most inhospitable and difficult borders.

"There are issues of road connectivity and telecom connectivity and the Ministry of Home Affairs is working for improving these issues, he added while addressing the jawans after inaugurating the newly constructed Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Camp in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Home Minister, who is

Dengue menace: Delhi HC issues notice to AAP Govt.

ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: In response to a petition filed by Congress leader Ajay Maken, the Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP Government to submit a report regarding the releasing of funds for dengue. "We were told that Rs. 81.4 crore was allocated for the Dengue Control programme. The funds have not yet been released to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The

MCD is using this as an excuse for not working," said Maken's lawyer Aman Panwar. He further said that the funds were not being released due to internal tussle between the AAP Government and the MCD. "We have told the court that this huge sum would become useless if not put to use now as the dengue season will last only for a few more weeks," he added.

The case will be next heard on September 24.

presently on a three-day visit to the state, said that India has always been a peaceful neighbour willing to maintain good relations with all its neighbours.

Singh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it very clear to China that resolving all outstanding issues, including border disputes, is the key to improved bilateral ties. The Union Home Minister said

ANI Mathura, Sep 21: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said farmers across the country were abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling promises made during the 2014 general elections. "Prime Minister Modi had promised to raise MSP (Minimum Support Price) to the farmers. He (PM Modi) also said to farmers not to worry as 'Acche Din' will

India wants better relations with Pakistan and China, says Rajnath ANI Samba, Sep 21: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that India wants better relations with Pakistan and China. Addressing jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Samba in Jammu and Kashmir today, Singh said India has always been a peaceful neighbour and willing to maintain and have good relations with all its neighbouring countries.

The Home Minister said India has always extended a

hand of friendship and Pakistan should reciprocate and take steps to improve that relationship. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly conveyed to China that resolving all outstanding issues, including border disputes, is key to bilateral ties. Singh said that ITBP has been guarding 3,488 km-long Indo-China border which is one of the most inhospitable and difficult borders. He said that the Home Ministry is working

ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: A 36year-old woman died of suspected dengue on Sunday evening, taking the toll from the disease in the national capital to over 20. According to the family members of the deceased Anita, she was admitted to Max hospital in Saket after moving from one hospital to another.

"The Max hospital asked us to pay more than Rs 5 lakhs to claim the body.

We had already paid one

on issues of road and telecom connectivity on Indo-China border. Applauding the ITBP jawans, for carrying out rescue operations during natural calamities in Himalayan region, he said that they are not only the Himveers (the warriors of snow) but also Himalyaputras (sons of the Himalaya). Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly-constructed building of the camp of the 47th battalion ofITBP at Samba.

lakh fifty thousand when she was admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) on September 16. Her husband is the only breadwinner in the family, so we all helped him accumulate money for her treatment," said a family member.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Sunday said that there could be more cases of dengue with fresh spell of rain and asked the people not to cause panic on the viral disease.

Woman murdered in West Delhi's Raghubir Nagar ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: The Delhi Police on Monday informed that a lady and her two kids were murdered in West Delhi's Raghubir Nagar area and said that the investigation into the case is presently underway. "It's a murder case of a mother and her two kids in West Delhi's Raghubir Nagar.

Prima facie, we have found the strangulation marks in the bodies. The husband of the deceased was out of station when the incident happened.

Further investigations are on," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Pushpendra Kumar told the media here. Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased woman said that he

that the ITBP is not only guarding the borders but also protecting India's assets in countries like Afghanistan. He lauded the role played by ITBP in defending the Indian Consulate at Herat from a terrorist attack last year. Terming ITBP as the first responders to natural calamity situation in the Himalayan region, Singh hailed the force's role in saving lives.

Mukherjee receives first copy of book on ex-foreign secretary Muchkund Dubey ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: President Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of a book 'Building a Just World: Essays in honour of Muchkund Dubey' on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan from Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Trustee, India International Centre, who formally released it. Speaking on the occasion, President Mukherjee said he was happy to receive the first copy of the publication.

"The book speaks of the desire of billions of people who aspire to have the

dream of a just world fulfilled some day. The volume will help us in understanding complex problems in the world today, "he said. Quot-

suspects his landlord's involvement in the murder. "I was in Jaipur and came to know of the death of my wife and children at 6 a.m. on Monday. The landlord may be involved in the murder. The landlord was in love with my wife and had proposed her. I have reported his name to the police," he said.

come. And now, in every state, farmers are committing suicide. I want to tell

ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's unwarranted criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reveals the fact that he does not understand the language of the rural people, who have immense love and affection for the latter. "Maybe, he ( Rahul Gandhi) does not understand the Hindi of the rural people and that is why he considers it abusive.

Modi ji is the biggest leader of the nation. People love him a lot and that can be

seen in his rallies," BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya told. "It does not matter what he says. People have shown its consequences from time to time to the Congress Party," he added.

Gandhi had earlier today said that farmers across the country were abusing Prime Minister Modi for not fulfilling the promises made during the 2014 general elections. "Prime Minister Modi had promised to raise the MSP (Minimum Support Price) to the farmers. He also told the farmers not to worry saying 'Acche Din' will come. And now, the

you that when I am visiting the farmers, they are not criticising, but abusing Narendra Modi," Gandhi said while addressing a ' Chintan Shivir' here. "He promised to the youth that 'achche din' will come and that they will get employment. Not even a single youth got job. He even promised ex-servicemen that he would implement OROP (One Rank One Pension). Even today, ex-ser-

vicemen are asking for written orders from the government. This only shows the damage Narendra Modi is doing to himself, perhaps, we all together cannot do it," Gandhi added. A chintan shivir (brain storming session) of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress Party is being held in Mathura, which is being chaired by Gandhi and attended by around 700 party leaders.

Flag meeting at LoC will raise confidence between India, Pakistan says Rijiju ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the brigadier-level flag meeting at the Line of Control (LoC) will give a further boost to confidence measures between India and Pakistan. "The flag meeting is the follow up of the Director General (DG) level meeting. This will raise the confidence between the two countries. There should be a good balance between both countries, and lets hope for a possible outcome," Rijiju told here. India and Pakistan are holding a brigadier-level flag

ing Mahatma Gandhi, President Mukherjee said that the earth has enough resources for our need but not for our greed. He said that "we will have to pay for the greed of a few who indulge in wanton destruction of nature which is adversely affecting climate all over the globe." He stated that those who desire the creation of a just world deserve a salute from us.

"Professor Dubey, who has endeavoured in this regard through purposive action in the form of policy and scholarship, is surely one of them," President Mukherjee said.

Rahul Gandhi doesn't understand language of rural people, says BJP

Farmers are abusing PM Modi, claims Rahul Gandhi

Another suspected dengue death in Delhi, toll reaches over 20 ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday said that the talks between India and Pakistan must go on as any matter can be solved only through dialogue and discussion. "Talks must go on between India and Pakistan.

Any matter can be solved through discussion. One should not look for solutions in haste," NCPleader Tariq Anwar told. India and Pakistan will hold a flag meeting at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district to discuss peace issues on the border. Ceasefire violations have escalated in the last few days and resulted in large number of civilian casualties and collateral damage to properties.

widespread scrutiny. According to documents perused by The Hindu, between May 22 and May 25, 2012, the Southern Army Command based in Pune moved very quickly to assemble two different boards of officers to carry out the complete destruction of all documents in its custody on Technical Services Division (TSD) - the controversial military intelligence unit Gen. Singh had set up in 2010. General Singh retired on May 31, 2012 and later joined the BJP, and is now Minister of State for External Affairs in the Narendra Modi government.

PAGE 6

meeting today on the Line of Control in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kash-

mir in a bid to restore the "sanctity" of the border ceasefire.

farmers in every state are committing suicide. I want to tell you that when I am visiting the farmers, they are not criticising, but abusing Narendra Modi," Gandhi said while addressing a 'Chintan Shivir' in Mathura.

2002 hit and run case: Salman Khan's hearing adjourned for two weeks

ANI Mumbai, Sep 21: The Bombay High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of Bollywood actor Salman Khan for two weeks in connection with the 2002 hit-and-run case.

The court had earlier fixed the hearing of Salman Khan's appeal against conviction on a daily basis from September 21. Salman, who is currently out on bail was convicted by a sessions court on May 6 this year on various counts, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

LJP plays safe, withdraws candidate from Chakai seat ANI New Delhi, Sep 21: The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Monday withdrew its candidate from the Chakai seat to avoid friction within the NDA ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls. Declaring the second list of candidates for the Bihar polls, LJP parliamentary board Chairman Chirag Paswan said that his party wanted to contest on both seats but it compromised in order to avoid infighting within the NDA. "We wanted both the seats but there are certain problems of the parties of the grand alliance. Our mission is to form a strong NDA Government. If we create problem then all the parties in alliance will have to bear its responsibility," Paswan told the media here. "We

decided that a candidate from HAM party will fight the election from JamuiChakai seat and Vijay Singh from Lok Janshakti Party will fight election for another seat," he added.

Hindusthani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi had sought Chakai Assembly seat for HAM (S) leader Narendra Singh's son Sumit Kumar Singh, the sitting MLA from Chakai for which LJP had also staked its claim given that it falls under Lok Sabha constituency of Chirag Paswan, an MP from Jamui. Polls to the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in five phases starting on October 12 and ending on November 5. Counting of votes will take place on November 8.

PAGE 7

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

NEIGHBOURS Pakistan Considering US Request China hosts media summit to to Join Anti-ISIS Coalition enhance awareness on Silk Road

Beijing, Sep 21: As China began implementing its mega Silk Road initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and expanding its influence, ruling Communist party's mouthpiece People's Daily today held an international media cooperation forum set up to enhance awareness about the multibillion dollar projects. The forum had large scale participation with number of foreign media organizations present officially known as the "One Belt and One Road" (OBOR), it involves a maze of roads and sea routes and infrastructure projects connecting different ports in the world to improve trade and connectivity. The ambitious initiative involving billions of dollars in investment was mooted

by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The OBOR involves the revival of the ancient Silk Road connecting China and Europe through the Central Asia, construction of the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through the Paki-

stan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and 21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) connecting different ports in the neighbourhood and world to improve trade. The Forum has invited 160 journalists from 60 countries, including India, to interact on various aspects of the OBOR initiative which

evoked mixed reactions from the world. India is taking part in the BCIM projects while objecting to the CPEC which is being built through the disputed region of PoK. India is yet to pronounce its stand on the MSR over its strategic implications of enhancing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region.

China offered to link its MSR with India's initiatives like Mausam. In order to implement the projects, China has set up a $40 billion Silk Road Fund and floated the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank with subscribed capital of $50 billion in which India and 56 other countries joined. (Agencies)

Islamabad, Sep 21: Pakistan is considering a US request to join a multi-nation coalition against the dreaded ISIS terror group which has become the most formidable threat to peace after al-Qaeda, officials said.The US has requested Pakistan to join the Sahel to South Asia alliance, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said, adding that Pakistan is waiting for "details". ISIS or IS is an al-Qaeda splinter group and it has seized hundreds of square miles in Iraq and Syria. It emerged from a one-time Iraqi affiliate of Al-Qaeda. But both civil and military leadership is in a fix as joining the coalition will bring domestic backlash. "Joining a new war will be difficult to sell in the country due to opposition from political and religious groups," a security official said. But remaining out of the new group may increase isolation of the country which already faced international criticism for "not doing

Nepal violence continues dayafter adoption of new constitution Kathmandu, Sep 21: Police in Nepal said they shot and injured at least three protesters today, a day after the Himalayan nation adopted its first democratic constitution, the violence dashing hopes that the historic event would put a stop to weeks of clashes.The demonstrators were in critical condition after police opened fire at an anti-constitution protest in the city of Biratnagar, said Pramod Kharel, a deputy police superintendent in the Morang district of southern Nepal.

"The confrontation between police and anti-constitution protesters is ongoing," he added. President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday promulgated Nepal`s new constitution, despite fierce opposition by minority groups in the southern plains whose homeland will be split up under the charter.The two earthquakes that killed more than 9,000 people in Nepal this year galvanized politicians who had squabbled for seven years to finish

165 Students Remain in Hospital after Botched China Fire Drill Beijing, Sep 21: Around 165 students continued to be in hospital, 10 of them in critical condition, after inhaling smoke during a fire drill at their school in China's northwestern Gansu Province.The 165 students of the junior middle school in Tianshui City are at four hospitals, with 90 of them under less intense medical observation, an official statement said today. The government said 412 students participated in the drill yesterday, which used smoke guns to simulate fire.Many of them began to cough and vomit after inhaling the smoke.An expert panel dispatched by the National Health and Family Planning Commission arrived in Tianshi early today to assist in the treatment.

(Agencies)

the charter.It creates seven states in a secular, federal system, but is opposed by some groups who wanted to re-establish Nepal as a Hindu nation, and others who feel it is unfavourable to people in the plains, near India.More than 40 people, mostly protesters, have been killed in recent weeks

in clashes over the plan.

Giant neighbour India, which shares a border with Nepal, has watched the violence with concern.On Sunday, New Delhi issued a frosty statement offering its "best wishes to the people of Nepal," but stopped short of congratulations on the new

constitution."India has supported a federal, democratic, republican and inclusive Constitution," the Ministry of External Affairs said in the statement."We are concerned that the situation in several parts of the country bordering India continues to be violent."Nepal`s govern-

Belhiya/ Marchwar, Sep 21 : The reason why Madhesi people in Nepal have taken to the streets is that the agreement that had been reached between the Government and the Madhesi people, that the rights of Madhesis would be safeguarded in the Constitution, has not been implemented, said a Nepalese local living on the Indo-Nepal border."The government is again and again urging us to hold talks. There is no need of talks. There would have been a need if our demands and rights were safeguarded in the Constitution as per the agreement that was reached," he added.He also said that the people would not have taken to the streets if the demands and rights were safeguarded in the newly adopted Constitution.He said that the

be followed for electing a new prime minister and when to convene the next session of parliament. Yadav, on Sunday, announced the adoption of a new 'secular

Beijing,Sep 21:Bracing for its ambitious plan to land an unmanned spacecraft on the Moon before returning to Earth, China has shipped a carrier rocket from Tianjin port for a rehearsal of a scheduled Chang'e-5 lunar mission around 2017.It will be the first drill carried out in a launch site that involves both the carrier rocket and a probe, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence said.

It did not locate the launch

government does not have the right attitude towards Madhesis, Tharus, Adivasis and Muslims."The government also over-looked the pressure from other countries that pressed Nepal to safeguard the rights of all the citizens in the Constitution," he said. Another Nepalese local said, "Many people have died in the process of bringing the Constitution.""Violence is of no use. Protests have never resolved anything," he added.President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, on Sunday announced the adoption of a new 'secular and democratic' Constitution. The protests, which have been going on for weeks, are severe in southern part of the country where certain ethnic minorities are opposing the proposed boundaries of the new provinces. (ANI)

and democratic' Constitution amid protests by various sections of society.The protests, which have been going on for weeks in the country against the adop-

tion of the new constitution, are severe in south where certain ethnic minorities are opposing the proposed boundaries of the new provinces. (ANI)

meet President Barack Obama. According to sources in the government, he is expected to have something to show the Americans that Pakistan is not a reluctant ally as it is generally perceived in Washington. "The war against ISIS is different from Yemen conflict as several countries are involved in it like Turkey which is very close to Pakistan," a government official said.It does not mean join the war, as in principle both Prime Minister Sharif and army chief Gen Raheel

China to rehearse new carrier rocket for final lunar mission

Nepal Govt. has violated agreement reached with Madhesis, say local residents

PM Sushil Koirala to meet Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav Kathmandu, Sep 21: The Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, will meet President Ram Baran Yadav this evening in Kathmandu to discuss the modalities to

ment says an imperfect document is better than nothing, and it can be amended to reflect the aspirations of dissenting groups.In the capital, Kathmandu, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai lamented that the document failed to unite the country."I am not completely happy with the announcement of the constitution," Bhattarai told the Annapurna Post daily. "We were not able to involve half of the country`s population in this process of creating the constitution." Kathmandu was preparing for a celebration rally on Monday, but officials in the south were watching for further violence. Thousands of people in Morang attended competing rallies on Sunday held by supporters and opponents of the new document. A curfew stayed in place on Monday in nearby Parsa, lifted only briefly in the morning after police shot three protesters on Sunday for defying orders to keep off the streets.

(Agencies)

enough" against the war on terror.Pakistan is also keeping in mind the attitude of the Saudi Arabia as Islamabad refused to join a coalition led by Riyadh in Yemen."Now joining the new group may further anger Saudis who are already not happy with Pakistan over the issue of Yemen," the official said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is travelling to New York this week to attend the UN General Assembly annual session. Next month he is expected to again visit the US on an official trip to

Sharif are against opening any new front until the domestic mess of militancy is cleared. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf of Imran Khan and hardline Jamaate-Islami party are expected to protest against any move to coalition led by the US.Overall mood in the country is also against any war being waged for any reasons. Experts believe that the decision to join anti-IS alliance would need support of the parliament where any move to sanction it is unlikely to succeed. However, strategically Pakistan would not gain much by sitting outside as it will deprive itself of any opportunity for joint trainings, meetings or monetary assistance like the Coalition Support Funds (CSF) under which it has received billions of dollars, experts say. The government sources said that by joining the new coalition, Pakistan can expect that funds under the CSF may continue to flow, which otherwise are expected to be stopped after 2015.

site. The Long March-5 carrier rocket was designed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is scheduled to make its first trial flight in 2016.With a payload capacity of 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit, the largest carrying capacity in China, the rocket will greatly increase China's ability to enter space.China plans to launch its Chang'e-5 lunar probe carried by the Long

March-5 carrier rocket around 2017 to finish the last chapter in China's threestep (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration programme.The final phase involved landing the rover and return back to earth.Chang'e-5 is expected to achieve several breakthroughs, including automatic sampling, ascending from the moon without a launch site and an unmanned docking 400,000 km above the lunar surface.

(Agencies)

Government assures political solution for Tamils Colombo, Sep 21:The Government has assured that a political solution for Tamils will be implemented through proposed constitutional reforms.Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said that the Government will hold talks with the Tamil political parties to reach a political solution for the North and East issue.He said that once the political solution is agreed upon it will be included in the constitutional reforms which will be presented to Parliament for approval."We will seek a 2/3 majority from Parliament for this," he said.The Minister noted that the reason the United National Party (UNP) decided to work with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in a National Government was to address key National issues.He said that without the majority support of Parliament it is difficult for a Government to provide solutions for matters which are of National importance.The Minister also noted that to face international pressure on the war crimes issue, both main political parties need to work together."If the main two political parties are together then we can tell the UN the two main parties and the public have one stand on the issue. We can tell them to listen to what we want to say as well," he said.The Minister said that the new Government wants to set a policy where in future there is no change in the National issue even if there is a new Government.He recalled that in the past when one Government looks to resolve the National issue, the Government which follows has other ideas."Then some claim that the country is going to be divided. This is what happened for 30 years. This actually happened after independence. That is why this war continued," he said.He said that over the next two years the UNP and SLFP will work together and at the end of the two years they will decide if to continue or go their spate ways. (Agencies)

Lanka notes importance of ties with Bangladesh Colombo, Sep 21: Sri Lanka says it attached high importance to its relations with Bangladesh, the Bangladesh media reported.

Newly appointed Sri Lankan

High Commissioner in Bangladesh Yasoja Gunasekera had paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. They discussed issues

of mutual interest, the foreign ministry said today. Ali highlighted the prospects of exporting pharmaceuticals to Sri Lanka, and sought cooperation in ship-build-

ing. Gunasekera thanked the minister for receiving her, and said Sri Lanka attached "high importance" to its relations with Bangladesh.

(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Unemployment scenario in India 23 lakh applicants for peon jobs in UP The unemployment scenario in India has always been quite acute. With a huge population and slow growth of job opportunities, unemployment has been widespread in India. Large scale unemployment has led to several socio-economic problems like poverty, malnutrition, antisocial and criminal activities, drug and substance abuse, etc.

In a bizarre incident over 23 lakh candidates, including 2.22 lakh engineers and 255 Ph.D. holders have applied for 368 posts of peon in the State Secretariat. Thousands of candidates with Masters degree in Commerce, Humanities and Sciences are also among the applicants, something which indicates the gravity of the unemployment situation in the State. Although the recruitment to the posts was opened after a gap of 12 years. The selections were scheduled to be made through interviews. The population of Uttar Pradesh is 21.5 crore. Going by the logic of numbers, every 93rd person in the State applied for the post which carries with it a salary of Rs.20,000, along with the perks of a government job.

Whereas opposition parties have attacked the Samajwadi Party-led government of Uttar Pradesh over its promise of providing employment to youngsters and have raised questions about the Samajwadi Party's claims of creating jobs in the state. Another important factor in the unemployment scenario in India is underemployment. There exists very high underemployment in various sectors of the labor force in India.

Disguised unemployment also exists in various sectors of the Indian economy. Regional imbalances in the unemployment scenario in India are another important factor. While some areas have higher employment opportunities, some areas have very low opportunities of employment. This has led to inter-state labor migration in the Indian economy.

Studies have also revealed the fact that growth of unemployment in India at current rates can lead to devastating results. At this rate, India is expected to have a 30% unemployment rate by 2020. This would mean that there would be 21 crore jobless people in India. The decline in job creation in agriculture has been identified as one of the important reasons behind the increasing unemployment in India.

Various government schemes have been undertaken in India to tackle the problem of unemployment.

Specific programs have been adopted for rural areas.

Many people have migrated from rural areas to urban areas in search of employment in the last few decades.

Schemes have been undertaken to provide proper training, guidance and financial assistance to needy people under self employment schemes. Focus on education and training has also been increased to increase employability of the people.

National Herald case reopened Trouble returns for Sonia, Rahul The decision by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to reopen the National Herald case, which allegedly involved Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi have bought in signs of fear and worry among the elite class of political leaders of our country. This comes a month after reports had suggested that the ED may close the case due to lack of evidence against the two leaders. Surprisingly last month, ED director Rajan S Katoch was removed from service, reportedly after he chose to close the National Herald case. Katoch was working as the head of the ED in an additional capacity since August 2014 after he was promoted and appointed as the Heavy Industries Secretary.

According to the agency, a private non-profit company 'Young Indian' was formed in March 2011, with Sonia and Rahul holding 38 percent shares each, allegedly with the specific aim of taking over the liabilities of Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL). AJL is the parent company which owned National Herald and its Urdu version, Qaumi Awaz, all with money spent from the Congress coffers. The two newspapers folded up on 1 April, 2008. AJL's liabilities of Rs 90.21 crore have been taken over by Young Indian for Rs.50 lakh, the entire amount paid by the Congress. Another Rs 1 crore was allegedly spent

by Young Indian in renovating the newspaper's headquarters, Herald House, at 5A, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. This amount too has been allegedly funnelled by the Congress as loan. Associated Journals is said to own real estate valued at over Rs 1,600 crore, including Delhi's Herald House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. In June last year, a metropolitan magistrate, while issuing summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, had said that the petitioner, Subramaniam Swamy, had established a prima facie case against them under sections related to misappropriation of property and criminal breach of trust. Swamy had alleged misappropriation of assets worth Rs 2000 crore of the National Herald newspaper. Among the other leaders who had received summons include Congress leader Motilal Vora and senior party member Oscar Fernandes.

While Gandhi's counsel Kapil Sibal had argued before the High Court that there is no criminal breach of trust and no criminal conspiracy and neither any cheating took place and it is a simple company matter where Young Indian (YIL) has taken over the Associated Journals (AJL). The counsel had also challenged the locus standi of Swamy saying it was a company matter and "no stranger can question the company's transactions". Now it will be interesting to see that how the how profile political leaders of our country react to this sudden wave of big bad days awaiting for them.

Will China and Russia's Partnership in Central Asia Last?

Beijing should approach its partnership with Moscow in Central Asia with a degree of caution Tao Wang and Rachel Yampolsky

Leaders in Beijing and Moscow have both been making a concerted effort to extend their connections with Central Asia in recent months. In July, Russia hosted the latest BRICS summit as well as a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Ufa near the border with Kazakhstan. Earlier, in May, on his fifth visit to Russia since becoming president, President Xi Jinping reached an agreement with President Vladimir Putin to coordinate China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in Central Asia. While both countries have clear economic incentives to cooperate in this region in the short term, they will need to overcome a number of hurdles to set their partnership on a path that can be sustained further into the future.

In the past year, Russia and its Central Asian neighbors have faced sobering economic challenges. Russia's GDP contracted by almost 2 percent in the first quarter of 2015, at least in part as a result of the falling price of oil and Western sanctions, and the ruble lost nearly half of its value against the dollar in August 2015 compared with one year earlier. The impact was felt in Central Asia too, given its close economic interdependence with Russia. Both the oil- and gas-exporting nations of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan saw declining oil and gas revenues, currency devaluation, and reduced gas exports to Russia, a market that is now oversupplied given weak-

ened European demand.

Remittances are another source of income suffering strong disruption the World Bank has estimated that remittances of some Central Asian countries have fallen by as much as 30 percent since last year. This has a dramatic impact when seen in the context of the share remittances that make up of these countries' GDP, half in the case of Tajikistan.

Meanwhile, China's trade with the region reached $50 billion in 2014, a figure that exceeded that of Russia for the first time. According to calculations by the authors based on figures from the Heritage Foundation, total Chinese investment in the region reached $30.5 billion between 2005 and the first half of 2014, including an extensive network of oil and gas pipelines, oil and gas exploration, power plant financing, and even electric grid construction in Tajikistan. The China-Central Asia network of pipelines could supply up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China every year, or more than half of China's total gas imports.

Central Asia is critical in China's OBOR initiative, because it holds the immediate entrance of China's Silk Road Economic Belt, and is itself a significant destination of Chinese investment.

But China's huge investment, especially those in oil and gas in Central Asia, is far from risk free.

Russia's longstanding influence in this region offers the potential to build a mutually beneficial partnership among China, Russia, and the countries of Central Asia. Having Russia in the partnership is especially valuable in securing existing regimes in these former Soviet Union countries, safeguarding China's longterm investment, a lesson learnt from setbacks in places like Myanmar and Libya. Making it a lasting framework that aligns the political and economic interests of all three parties, however, may prove to be a difficult process. First, Beijing and Moscow may not share the same vision for Central Asia or for their partnership.

At the core of Putin's ideology the partnership with China is a brand of anti-Western rhetoric, which was particularly

acute during the SinoRussian gas deal and negotiations over the Power of Siberia (POS) natural gas pipeline route to deliver gas from Chayanda oil and gas field to Khabarovsk with a connection to North China. Along with China and Central Asia, Russia is eager to promote the EEU as an alternative to the West, even more so now with the prospect of channeling Chinese capital. But that may not be in line with China's official position on OBOR and the role of Central Asia. Despite the tensions between the United States and China, China is far from comfortable being in direct confrontation with the United States and the West, and prefers to stay behind Russia's waving hammer. More importantly, Russian sees Central Asia its own backyard, to be defended against Western expansion in favor of keeping the existing order. China, by contrast, sees Central Asia as a strategic corridor of its OBOR initiative linking the Europe, sharing prosperity and conveying inclusiveness in a changing international order.

Another challenge stems from the geopolitical circumstances under which this partnership was formed. The Ukraine crisis and Russia's economic difficulty gave China an upper hand in the POS gas route negotiations and in its bid to access Russia's upstream energy resources. The partnership is formed at a time of Russian economic weakness, and could become a source of resentment. China's economic support comes into play when Russia's economy is in peril, but it may not be fully appreciated by the Russian oil industry and politicians once the hard days pass. CNPC, China's state-owned oil and gas firm, certainly still remembers how, about a decade ago, its two attempts to purchase Russian oil assets and the long expected Angarsk-Daqing oil pipeline agreement went south due to the opposition of Russian politicians and the Russian government's swing game between China and Japan.

The potential competition for natural gas market share in China between Russia and Central Asia is another potential risk to sustaining this partnership over the long term. Given declining European demand for natural gas since the Ukraine crisis, Russia is inclined to deliver gas from the proposed west Altai route instead of the high profile east POS route, so its surplus production in existing West Siberian fields could be sold, but this would be in direct competition with existing Central Asia-China gas imports. The POS route, awaiting new field development in East Siberia, is what China prefers but is more difficult in terms of construction and operation. However, once

completed it could supply exclusively to the northeast Chinese market and even the Far East market of Japan and South Korea without competition from Central Asia. China is already facing a shortterm oversupply of natural gas due to slowing growth in demand.

Even though many are still confident about China's long-term demand for natural gas, direct competition between Central Asia and Russia on the western route may not be in the best interests of the partnership.

Finally, there are risks in further engaging Central Asia. This region has enormous security challenges, among them narcotics trafficking, religious radicalism, weak governance, and the threat of terrorism. There are also growing concerns over the successors to the aging leaders of the region's authoritative regimes. Russia has been the key security partner for these post-Soviet states, but China risks becoming more directly involved politically with a continued deepening of economic relationships. In the context of a continued economic contraction, Russia may have to focus more on securing its own interests and domestic security without regard to those of China. After the Ukraine crisis, how much room Russia still has in the international community to wield its power in Central Asia when needed is questionable. China would do well to approach the partnership with a bit more caution and less fantasy. Wang Tao is a resident scholar at the C a r n e g i e - Ts i n g h u a Center for Global Policy, where Rachel Yampolsky was a research assistant during the summer of 2015.

Illicit liquor

Sir, With the drinking population rising every year, there is a huge demand that illicit liquor manufacturers are meeting. Farmers, daily wage and agricultural labourers, hawkers, construction workers and many others drink illicit liquor that is sold locally in or

near their villages. The liquor goes under various names, depending on the part of the country it is made in. Like most of us who aren't teetotalers, a poor person wants to enjoy a drink or two after a hard day's work. Unfortunately, legal liquor is priced way beyond the means of the poorest in India.

Given that the cheap and potentially hazardous liquor is all he or she can afford, the poor person takes a calculated risk that the pleasure gained from drinking will outweigh the small but real probability of getting sick or dying. Conceptually this is no different from the smoker who weighs the enjoyment from a cigarette against the risk of increasing his or her chances of getting cancer or lung disease.

Deaths from illegally brewed alcohol are common in India because the poor cannot afford licensed liquor.

Illicit alcohol is often spiked with chemicals such as pesticides to increase its potency.

Many states (the southern states and Maharashtra) have now banned the sale of country liquor, but implementation of this is far from perfect. But makers of illicit liquor operate clandestinely, often out of village homes, warehouses and forests, making it difficult to prevent production and sales. In most parts of the country, making illicit liquor is almost a cottage industry, with practically every village having one or two illegal operations. The whole operation is kept

low key to avoid visibility. India is one of the few countries that has prohibition (the banning of all alcoholic/intoxicating beverages) incorporated in the Constitution as part of its directive principles of state policy.

Yours etc Dinesh Sharma Tinsukia

Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing.

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Page 9

OP-ED

The Obsession With English: Why Are Local Indian Languages A Matter Of 'Shame'?

I studied in an English medium school since the beginning. For me, learning to communicate in English was an utmost necessity as a child, because it was a sign of me being 'educated'. Many Indians of my generation have faced a similar situation - they belong to a generation where private schools have mushroomed up and their parents, having 'suffered' after being educated in the vernacular, decided to put their children in an English medium school. With economic liberalisation in the 90s, English became a language learnt by most privileged young children in 'English medium' schools.

Currently, according to the latest data compiled by theNational University of Education, Planning and Administration (NUEPA), the number of children studying in English-medium schools has increased by a staggering 274% between 2003 and 2011, to over 20 million students.

After two decades of rapid

Ankita Mukhopadhyay economic growth, landing employment has also become equated withknowing English, especially due to the software boom and the expansion of the service sector.

English was handed to India by the British along with colonialism. It is a remnant of our colonial past, much like the railways. But unlike the telegraph, it is here to stay.

The hegemony of English around the world has propelled upper and middle-class Indians to pursue education in English with a vengeance.

Knowledge of the language makes us more coveted in the job market, more acceptable as educated individuals in society. It is not a new trend to see youngsters talking to each other in English to appear cool and distinctive from the 'local' population. In schools,

if children talk to each other in Hindi, or another local language, it is not uncommon for parents to say, "I send you to English medium to talk in Hindi?

Wasting your parent's money!"

Coaching classes have sprung up to capitalise on our new obsession with learning English. It is not uncommon for us to be embarrassed by a family member who can't speak English 'correctly'. Why has knowledge of English become a social status? Is speaking in an Indian language a matter of shame?

India is a country of myriad languages and it is difficult to pin down one as the official language. Hindi is one of the working languages of our country alongside English, but our national language isn't just Hindi. There are still many schools in India imparting education in the vernacular,

and it is sad to see the lack of social mobility in vernacular educated students.

Studying in the vernacular is treated by the average Indian youth today as a sure shot method of escalating down the society's ladder of progressivism. Students who don't know English are demotivated so much by society and by the education system that they lose confidence and begin doubting their value addition to the academic atmosphere. Even speaking in any other language in the workplace, school or college apart from English is becoming a bane for teachers, administrators, children and parents alike.

English has created opportunities, and its adoption for all major examinations like the JEE Advanced, AIPMT, UPSC has cemented its status as the dominant language of the country. It is not surprising to see many Indians today who claim to be monolingual. In a country that speaks 780 languages, 220

As The Race For Bihar Heats Up, The Responsibilities That I Want The Media To Uphold

have already been lost in the past 50 years, according to the People's Linguistic Survey of India. And we are on the road to losing the other 560 too.

Our vernacular education is dying, languages like Sanskrit are considered the most 'atrocious' subjects to study at University. I remember seeing young students choosing languages like French over Hindi/ Marathi as a second language in school - because it was more "global". The fascination of integrating with the 'Western world' motivates us to discard our heritage and shun those who are sticking to it. Despite not having English as its first language, China has outrun India in every area of economic endeavour in the last 35 years, except in computer software industry and agricultural research. Why? Because the language of a country isn't directly proportional to development.

We shouldn't let the vernacular die for something

that isn't even our own. Our feeling of accomplishment of knowing English is dangerous, and unfortunately, we all feel that just because we speak a particular language, we own it. Yes, English is a universal language. And we should learn to live with the fact that most of us aren't the topmost speakers of the language. No language can be perfectly mastered, but no master of a language should deter another person

from trying to speak it. You can know your vernacular language, yet learn a foreign language. The logic of Indians who speak to their children in English is absurd. I once heard a lady tell her son, "Don't talk in Hindi. It is crass." I was amused at the fact that she decided to shun her entire heritage at one go by labelling her identity as 'crass'.

Education in the vernacular isn't a disgrace - it is a source of empower-

ment. It is an assertion of our culture. Just because a foreign language helps us stand out on a world forum, doesn't mean it's a sign of civilisation. If this were true, Japan, Germany or France wouldn't have been functional countries today.

It is necessary to know English, but it shouldn't be a hegemonic language.

Speaking, writing or communicating in our mothertongue shouldn't be a matter of shame

'Just A Housewife': The Deep Roots Of Patriarchy That Breed On Women's Unpaid Labour

Salman Faheem The Election Commission of India declared the election dates for Bihar on 14th September, an election which Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi has termed as the "mother of all elections". It is to be conducted in five phases, starting from 12th October, and the results are to be announced on 8th November. Every tea-stall, canteen, office and home in Bihar as well as India will be echoing with the same tune, which was being played during the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 - 'Modi Magic', Sushasan, Grand Alliance, etc.

While all the politicians would be vying to prove to the common man that their respective party is winning, there would be another similar contest between all the news channels to flaunt opinion polls, surveys, etc, asserting that their respective surveys are 100 percent correct. Now, there is very little understanding and a great deal of ambiguity about whether these news channels and their respective opinion polls are biased or unbiased, correct or incorrect.

The Lok Sabha elections of 2014 proved how much impact media has on the outcome of an election. In the 2014 elections, Times Now-CVoter predicted 200+ seats for the BJP and less than a hundred for the Congress party. It also predicted that no single party would be able to form the government. While the former claim turned out to be true when BJP came out victorious and Congress was reduced to 44 seats, the latter appeared contradictory as BJP with 282 seats easily formed the government. Opinion polls are a very fine tool to analyse the support base of a political party and the chances of it winning or losing the election. With polls being influenced so heavily by political opinion, the question arises whether these opinion polls are free

Tinku Paul

from political interference, ulterior motives, and biases. The question is whether such polls are used by politicians to create a wave of support or opposition. The question altogether is on the credibility of opinion polls.

It is often observed that some news channels forecast a sure win for a party in their opinion polls while others predict a certain defeat for the same party in theirs. This in general displays the hypocrisy of today's media, which I believe is the result of intimate relationships shared between media houses, corporates, and politicians. Now these opinion polls don't bother people who have already made up their mind to vote for their respective parties, but it has a very notable and enormous effect on people who tend to go by the 'wave', often termed as 'Lahar'. These people don't have any criteria for voting and blindly vote for the candidate who is successful in creating his/ her 'wave'. Media is responsible for the image of a person and they can in no time portray someone as a hero or a villain. It plays a very crucial role in changing and influencing the thought process of these people and they very much do as seen in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.

The Wave factor is nothing but an amalgam of media image, activity on social media, combined with a positive opinion poll and various other factors which have

nothing to do with development or agendas of the common public. The 'NaMo Wave' is a perfect example of this phenomenon where people didn't vote for a party or its agendas and were more or less swept and deluged by the NaMo Wave. In the 2014 general elections people didn't vote for BJP, they voted for Narendra Modi who was portrayed as the epitome of development and growth. All opinion polls, in general, showcased him as the most liked candidate for the post of the Prime Minister although he had no prior experience of national politics and hadn't held a central ministry earlier. For Bihar, the media would certainly play an important role in deciding the share of votes for a candidate, their party, and indirectly the outcome of the election.

Visuals can be deceptive, and our ability to infer a particular image differs from person to person. We Indians have an uncanny ability to form an opinion on what we see, without being aware of the facts. It is, therefore, the responsibility of media to not misuse its position. Media should clearly ascertain the facts behind an opinion poll, the sample size of people surveyed, the way the responses were recorded and framed into a percentage. There should be a clear mention of how many people were surveyed and what the extent of the opinion poll in terms of area, popula-

tion, and other parameters is. It should abide by their oath of transparency and telecast opinion polls only after their credibility has been assured.

The ethics of journalism clearly state that media should be free from bias and should have no inclination towards any group, party, ideology, etc. The Bihar election in some aspects would be a test for the media too. In my opinion, it is on the broad shoulders of media to assess and present the true picture of a party and its candidates. Instead of focussing too much on opinion polls, they should throw some light on the candidates, their qualification, their track record, criminal cases, etc. Politicians visit their respective constituency only at the time of elections and so do reporters, sadly. It is the responsibility of the media to visit these very constituencies after the elections too and present a ground report annually or biannually so that people are aware of the real situations. That way opinion polls will be required less because then people would know beforehand who has done work for them and who is entitled to their precious votes. I have no qualms with opinion polls, but for a country like India where media is regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, it is imperative for them to go beyond such polls and raise valid points and arguments that would help the common man in choosing a good and able government.

I recently came upon an article that talked about the unique custom of 'water wives' in the drought affected village of Denganmal, in Maharashtra. This village has no taps. It has two wells at the foot of a hill, the only sources of water. The journey to and fro can take hours in the sweltering heat. For this reason, the village has developed a tradition of polygamy. For Sakharam Bhagat, aged 66, and many others in the hamlet some 140 km (85 miles) from Mumbai, the answer is a contract upon which women are entitled to the designation of a 'married woman' while men get an unpaid servant to run all chores. Two of Bhagat's wives were married solely to bring water to drink while the third takes care of the house.

The famous statement of Alfred Marshall about the housemaid and the housewife is pertinent here. Many tasks of the housewife have alternate market prices and hence every housewife is performing work in the economic sense of the term irrespective of the fact of direct payment. Instead, real income is generated in the household by several tasks and this could not find its way into the national income estimates due to its operational limitations. Most of the women's work at home is economic in nature as many studies on time use pattern reveal. The deep roots of patriarchy in our

Indian cultural system have stemmed out in forms of cultural alterations that breed on women's unpaid labour. The irony is that women have internalized this culture of patriarchy, holding that it is their duty to obey and serve men, accepting arguments that their aptitudes are inferior to those of men.

Women enter the labour market experiencing many inhibitions. Literature on women and work are flooded with articles on feminization of the workforce that may create misconceptions. Feminization may occur in two ways, firstly with more females entering the labour market, and secondly there may be opening up of more

sectors for female work. But interesting revelations from national data sets reflect the fact that these women entering the labour markets are vulnerable to poor social security norms as well as skewed wage gaps. Also neo female specific sectors like hotels, restaurants etc. capitalize on women's state of acute vulnerability.

Therefore, when we talk about women empowerment and their emancipation through increased employment participation, we need to be very cautious as to what parameters of empowerment we are considering. This article focuses on the vulnerabilities in the labour market that may challenge the thesis of

positive impact of female employment, considering the nature and quality of employability. There are simultaneously other issues that need to be looked upon like whether women, who work, have control over their resources, whether they have autonomy to take their own decisions etc. The entire nature of empowerment or disempowerment is conditioned by sociocultural and economic context, unique to each individual woman. Further, it is a deeper issue of research how the urban and rural socio-cultural set up governs her status of empowerment or her status in the family and society at large.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

$37.5 m raised by Portea

Bengaluru, Sep 21: Home healthcare startup Portea Medical has raised $37.5 million (Rs.246 crore) in a funding round led by Accel Partners, the venture capital firm that was one of the first investors in Facebook. International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Qualcomm Ventures, the venture capital arm of the mobile phone chip maker, and Ventureast also participated in this second round of funding. Portea will use the money to expand in India and Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia. The firm, which has over 3,000 staff, plans to recruit an additional 5,000 employees over the next 18 months. "This investment from marquee investors recognizes the rapid strides Portea has made as well as points to our prospects as we build the company into India's leading consumer healthcare brand in the coming years," said Meena Ganesh, chief executive at

Portea. A physics graduate from the Madras University, Ms. Ganesh cofounded Portea two years ago. The startup which provides a wide range of healthcare services at patients' homes now operates across 24 cities in the country. It handles about 60,000 visits in a month to patients' homes. "There is a tremendous need to offer an in-home healthcare option for millions of people in India and other emerging markets," said Arun Mathew, an investor at Accel, who will now join Portea's board of directors. Pravan Malhotra, IFC's venture capital lead for South and Southeast Asia, said Portea's model of providing affordable and quality care for patients in their homes ensures that hospital infrastructure can be utilised for more critical medical cases and procedures.

"Our investment in the company will also help them create jobs and a skilled workforce," said Mr. Malhotra. (Agencies)

BUSINESS

Kharif crops production estimates released by govt.

New Delhi, Sep 21: The cumulative rainfall during the current monsoon season has been deficient by 15 per cent (higher than rainfall deficit of 12 per cent in 2014-15).

However, on account of timely onset of monsoon as well as Government's multiple interventions with contingency plans, timely advisories and regular monitoring of seed and fertilizer availability, estimated production of most of the crops during current kharif season has been higher in comparison to the first advance estimates for 2014-15, according to the

KHARIF PRODUCTION Ø Total production of kharif foodgrains for 201516 is put at 124.05 million tonnes, which is higher by 3.78 million tonnes compared to production of 120.27 million tonnes of foodgrains as per first advance estimates for 2014-15. ØProduction of kharif rice estimated at 90.61 million tonnes is higher by 2.59 million tonnes. Ø Total production of kharif coarse cereals is estimated at 27.88 million tonnes, which is higher by 0.83 million tonnes compared to production of 27.05 million tonnes of kharif coarse cereals estimated in 2014-15.

Ø Increase in area under urad and moong has led to increase in production of kharif pulses estimated at 5.56 million tonnes against their production of 5.20 million tonnes. Ø Among pulses, production of tur is estimated to decline by 0.13 million tonnes compared to the previous year. ØAs per first advance estimates for 2015-16, production of kharif oilseeds is 19.89 million tonnes, compared to production of 19.66 million tonnes. Ø Production of sugarcane, estimated at 341.43 million tonnes, is lower by 1.36 million tonnes.

Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare. The government has released the first advance estimates of production of major kharif crops for 2015-16. As per these preliminary estimates, total production of kharif foodgrains is put at 124.05 million tonnes, which is higher by 3.78 million tonnes compared to production of 120.27 million tonnes of foodgrains as per first advance estimates for 2014-15. Production of kharif rice estimated at 90.61 million tonnes is higher by 2.59 million

New Delhi, Sep 21: Faced with falling exports, the commerce department has sought fresh government support to prop up the flow of goods from the country. Sources said more funds have been sought for the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) in addition to Rs 9,000-10,000 crore for reviving the interest subsidy scheme for select sectors. The scope of the interest subvention scheme is almost identical to the one announced by

UPA although the coverage is proposed to be expanded to cover more engineering products, processed food items and electronic goods. The interest subsidy scheme is expected to cost around Rs 2,000 crore annually but funding has been sought for five years to provide policy certainty, said sources. The request for more assistance comes at a time when exports are down over 16% during April-August and have registered a decline for

ADDITIONAL EARNINGS ØHike in clean energy cess from Rs 100 to Rs 200 per tonne of coal, etc, which was announced in the Budget, has helped the government garner more than Rs 3,000 crore during the period.

Ø Four hikes in excise duty on petrol and diesel between November 2014 and January 2015 have generated an additional revenue of Rs 30,000 crore in the first five months of the current fiscal.

cise duty concessions on automobile and consumer goods have yielded addi-

tonnes. Total production of kharif coarse cereals is estimated at 27.88 million tonnes, which is higher by 0.83 million tonnes compared to production of 27.05 million tonnes of kharif coarse cereals estimated in 2014-15. However, the production estimate for maize is marginally lower this year as compared to the corresponding period. Increase in area under urad and moong has led to increase in production of kharif pulses estimated at 5.56 million tonnes against their production of 5.20 million tonnes. Among pulses, production of tur

is estimated to decline by 0.13 million tonnes compared to the previous year.

As per first advance estimates for 2015-16, production of kharif oilseeds is 19.89 million tonnes, compared to production of 19.66 million tonnes. Production of sugarcane, estimated at 341.43 million tonnes, is lower by 1.36 million tonnes. The output of cotton estimated at 33.51 million bales (of 170 kg each) is also lower by 1.12 million bales. Production of jute, estimated at 10.28 million bales (of 180 kg each), is marginally lower than in 201415. (Agencies)

Commerce minister seeks sops for exports Food safety issues nine months in a row.

With commodity prices continuing to fall, analysts are already lowering the forecast for the current year and say exports will be significantly lower than last year's level of $310 billion. A revival of exports is also critical for a pick-up in the industrial production. Despite a slight improvement in demand in Europe and other parts of the globe, non oil exports too are witnessing a decline although a large part of the contraction is

due to a fall in the value of petroleum products shipped out of the country.

The global export outlook too is not buoyant and pressure is mounting on traditional sectors such as engineering and textiles too. For a government that has been trying to get the economy back on the rail, trade has been off the radar with the commerce department unable to convince the finance ministry about loosening its purse strings so that some benefits can be added. (Agencies)

Rs 30k-cr additional excise in AprilAugust contributed by petrol, diesel New Delhi, Sep 21: Additional revenue initiatives have yielded rich dividend for the government as it has mopped up an extra Rs 36,500 crore in excise collections from April- August, with bulk of the amount coming from petroleum sector. Four hikes in excise duty on petrol and diesel between November 2014 and January 2015 have generated an additional revenue of Rs 30,000 crore in the first five months of the current fiscal, a senior official said. Besides, the hike in clean energy cess from Rs 100 to Rs 200 per tonne of coal, etc, which was announced in the Budget, has helped the government garner more than Rs 3,000 crore during the period. Besides, the withdrawal of ex-

PAGE 10

ØBesides, the withdrawal of excise duty concessions on automobile and consumer goods have yielded additional excise revenue of Rs 3,500 crore in April-August. ØThus, the total excise duty realization during AprilAugust jumped 69.7 per cent to over Rs 1.02 lakh crore.

tional excise revenue of Rs 3,500 crore in April-August, the official added.

ØIt was Rs 60,663 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal. ØThe indirect tax revenues during the five month period is over Rs 2.63 lakh crore. ØTax on petrol and diesel was raised by Rs 1.50 a litre each from November 12, 2014. ØThen again from December 2, the excise duty on petrol was increased by Rs 2.25 per litre and by Re 1 on diesel. ØIt further raised by Rs 2 per litre on January 2 and by a similar amount on January 16.

Thus, the total excise duty realization during AprilAugust jumped 69.7 per

cent to over Rs 1.02 lakh crore. It was Rs 60,663 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal.

However, after discounting for the additional excise collection on account of change in duty structure in petroleum and other sectors, the increase in excise duty collections works out to be 9 per cent. Excise duty has contributed around 40 per cent of the total indirect tax collection during April-August. The indirect tax revenues during the five month period is over Rs 2.63 lakh crore. The government had raised excise duty on petrol and diesel in view of the declining crude oil prices in the international market. Tax on petrol and diesel was raised by Rs 1.50 a litre each from No-

vember 12. Then again from December 2, the excise duty on petrol was increased by Rs 2.25 per litre and by Re 1 on diesel. It further raised by Rs 2 per litre on January 2 and by a similar amount on January 16. Besides, in Budget 2015, the clean energy cess was doubled to Rs 200 per tonne of coal, etc to finance clean environment initiatives. The UPA government, in order to boost the consumer durable and automobile sectors that were struggling in the wake of economic downturn, had cut excise duty on cars, SUVs, two-wheelers and consumer durables in the interim Budget in February 2014. The concession, however, was withdrawn from January 1, 2015. (Agencies)

faced by Wendy's New Delhi, Sep 21: Wendy's, one of the world's largest burger chains, has run into foodsafety issues here after opening its first restaurant in Gurgaon. After a customer allegedly found a worm in a Wendy's burger a few months ago, the USbased chain recently had another customer, who allegedly discovered a pin in a burger patty served at its store in Gurgaon.

Wendy's said the issue was brought to their notice and was resolved.

"Nothing is more important than the quality and integrity of our food, we follow stringent procedures and supplier protocols. This was brought to our attention some time ago and was fully resolved at that time," said a Wendy's spokesperson.

After the worm issue, problems for Wendy's started when a 24-yearold man ordered two burgers at its store in Gurgaon's Sector 29. He said he had discovered the pin when he bit into one of the burgers. "The pin was in my mouth and by the time I realised, it had broken into two," he said.

"The Wendy's management was very nice and they assured me that such an incident would never happen again. They were in touch with me even after the incident." When asked whether it has overhauled its back-end operations after the twin x incidents, Wendy's did not respond. It also did not

answer queries on its sourcing procedures in India.

International burger chains operating in India usually have third party vendors from where they source their ingredients. Sanjay Chhabra, director of Sierra Nevada Restaurants, the franchisee for Wendy's in India, had said the company is looking to open 40-50 restaurants in India at a cost of Rs 2 crore each. India's burgeoning $13-billion branded QSR (quick service restaurant) market has attracted nearly all major international burger chains including Johnny Rockets, Carl's Jr, Fat Burger and Burger King, who have come in and opened their stores here. The sector is expected to grow by around 26% year-on-year, according to Crisil. While Nestle's recent Maggi ban has sparked off foodsafety issues here, in markets such as the US, QSR chains have had to pay hefty compensations to consumers for lapses in food-safety. The most memorable incident is the Liebeck versus McDonald's case. In 1992, 79year-old Stella Liebeck bought a cup of take-out coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru in the US and spilled it on her lap. She sued the burger chain as the coffee was not having the prescribed temperature and was awarded around $2.5 million by the jury for punitive damage (burns).

(Agencies)

MegaBrew: Bud may be India winner Air India goes for a renovation Bengaluru, Sep 21: A potential 'MegaBrew' b e t w e e n AnheuserBuschInBev and SABMiller will give Budweiser, one of the world's largest selling beers from the AB InBev stable, a promising Indian summer. The deal may also provide SABMiller a chance to discard the tag of being a perennial laggard in the country. The $275-billion merger in the making between the world's top brewers - some are calling it the end of history in brewing M&A will create a combine which is either a leader or a strong number two in most markets. But India is perhaps an exception here. ABInBev and SABMiller will together have 26% share of domestic beer sales, nearly half of market leader United Breweries (UB), makers of Kingfisher beer. Industry data suggests that India's beer

market, reporting compounded annual growth rate of 8% in the past years, is around 280 million cases (of 6.8 litre each). UB, jointly owned

by Heineken and Vijay Mallya, sells about 140 million cases.

SABMiller's depletions were approximately 65 million cases, while ABInBev's at slightly over 6 million cases.

But the silver lining is Budweiser with a potential to fire up SABMiller in search of a big winner. Budweiser has waited patiently on Indian beer racks to emerge as the largest

selling international lager, and can thrive on wider distribution and manufacturing footprints. It fits well with SABMiller's Indian portfolio, which includes Haywards 5000, Knock Out, Foster's, Miller and Peroni. Gaining access to SABMiller's 10 owned breweries will help Budweiser, which has also rolled out a stronger brew in sync with local preferences, in managing inter-state operational complexities, which holds back many global brands in India.

"ABInBev is a global leader backed by savvy

investors. SABMiller has pan-India distribution and an experienced team.

The combo will straddle portfolio of global brands and claim the right to win in huge Indian market," said Sanjay Jain, director at Taj Capital, a New Delhi-based investment advisory. The possible merger will help SABMiller fend off the challenger in Carlsberg, the most aggressive global brewer in the country. The Danish beer giant has made heavy greenfield investments tracking volume sales of 32 million cases annually, most of which coming from Tuborg, which possibly counts India as its biggest market. "With 90% of Indian beer market falling into the hands of global companies, we can expect fundamental changes including move towards premiumization and improved profitability," Taj Capital's Jain added. (Agencies)

Mumbai, Sep 21: Air India, which has been recently in news for technical glitches in its aircraft, is now trying to ensure safety and cleanliness of its aircraft through surprise checks by senior engineers.

Recently, an Air India aircraft faced a tyre burst at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and only a day later passengers of the airline's Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi flight had a close shave after the aircraft faced a hydraulic leak and made an emergency landing in Delhi. An airline spokesperson said that the

public carrier has started a dedicated programme to offer its passengers enhanced cabin experience, with increased emphasis on improving and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety on its aircraft. "The programme would be managed by dedicated senior management of Executive Director level and immediate action will be taken on the feedback shared by the passengers, cabin crew and cabin engineers," he said. Senior executives will undertake surprise checks to monitor and supervise the safety and

cleanliness inside and outside the aircraft, he added.

"They will ensure increased servicing of equipment onboard the aircraft. A senior officer of engineering will closely monitor cleaning service providers for quality of cleaning in the cabins," he said. The airline also promises to deploy more manpower on each aircraft for cabin upkeep. The airline's new Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani recently visited all the engineering bases of the airline in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi,

Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The airline is also evaluating its cabin upholstery, curtains, carpets and inflight entertainment system.

"Cabin crew and all concerned with aircraft ground operations like engineers, technicians, helpers, cleaning staff, catering and commercial staff are being sensitised to collectively ensure cabin cleanliness and maintain high standards of service, with the primary objective to make flying on Air India a memorable experience for passengers," he said. (Agencies)

Declination in merchandise exports by over 13 % in FY16 New Delhi, Sep 21: India's merchandise exports in 2015-16 are forecast to decline to $265268 billion, significantly lower than $310.5 billion in the previous fiscal, mainly due to sharp erosion in commodity prices globally, according to a study by Assocham. The country's outbound shipments stood at about $314.4 billion in 2013-14, $300.4 billion 2012-13, and $306 billion in 2011-

12. "Indian exports had achieved a landmark of $300 billion in 2011-12 for the first time making the country a sizeable player in global exports…But the fall this year is going to be very steep," authors of the study - Export outlook in the face of commodity meltdown - wrote. Bulk of India's export basket comprises commodities, be it engineering goods (mostly iron ore/steel and

other metals), or petroleum products, which have been hit in value terms. However, the entire export drop is not on the back of fall in demand for Indian goods only, according to the study. The global merchandise economy has moved away sharply from a very high cost, ultra bullish commodity situation to a bearish and low cost situation where demand relates mainly to the actual consumption

which is rather low key. The pricing power as was being mirrored in the futures trading markets all over the world turned out to be rather myopic and has totally disappeared, it said. "There is no sentiment build-up around commodities and thus the demand is actually restricted to the real consumption. "Nobody is willing to bet for futures and thus there is a meltdown in prices," the study noted.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Features

Page 11

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Longer the school lunch periods, more the healthy eating A recent study has linked short lunch periods in schools to less healthy eating among kids. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study states that students with less than 20 minutes to eat school lunches consume significantly less of their entrees, milk, and vegetables than those who aren't as rushed. Lead author Juliana Cohen said that many children, especially those from low-income families, rely on school meals for up to half their daily energy intake so it is essential that we give students a sufficient amount of time to eat their lunches.

Senior author Eric Rimm added that every school day the National School

Lunch Program helps to feed over 30 million chil-

dren in 100,000 schools across the U.S., yet little

5 Tips On How To Take Care Of Your Clothes People usually talk about being stylish and fashionable but do not know the importance of taking care of the clothes they wear.

Those who can afford to buy new clothes frequently, can also afford to be careless about the upkeep of their clothes, but for people who are on a budget and cannot really shop very often, it is necessary to protect the clothes they already possess. Style, grooming, and fashion all fall into place if the clothes you are wearing are properly maintained and taken care of. We suggest taking care of the clothes you already have than buying new ones and just adding more to that unending pile in your cupboard.

1. Giving Them A Timely Wash. Adhere To The Guidelines Written On The Inside Tag Of

Clothes!

1. Washing clothes timely and adhering to the washing guidelines is very important for the shelf life of your clothes. If you wash your clothes too frequently, then they might shrink or lose their shape.

2. Dry Cleaning Is Essential For Some Clothes Some clothes, like a leather jacket or a formal suit, are meant to be ONLY dry cleaned and not subjected to regular wash. If you toss them in the washing machine, you will surely lose some of your best-looking pieces.

3. Ironing Will Maintain The Crease And Shape Of A Particular Piece Of Clothing Wearing wrinkled

clothes will not only make you look shabby or untidy, but the clothes will also wear out before they

acter. And if it's a net sari, you can get the tailor to use some lining cloth for the body, but can let the net remain for the sleeves.

This way, you could design your own kurtas from the saris discarded by your mother or grandmother.

Cushion covers: Cotton saris with zari borders are ideal for making cushion covers. silk and silk-cotton with gold work can also be used if you are looking for a bright and grand cushion set. If you think one sari will not suffice for your cushions and bolsters, you could use one colour for all the cushions and a contrasting shade for the bolsters. This way, you have a vibrant and brand new ethnic diwan set.

Keychains and bookmarks: Puzzled? Here's the trick: Cut out the bor-

to eat were significantly less likely to select a fruit (44 percent vs. 57 percent). Also, there was more food waste among groups with less time to eat. Waiting in serving lines or arriving late to lunch sometimes left children in the study with as little as 10 minutes to actually sit and eat. The researchers acknowledged that while not all schools may be able to lengthen their lunch periods, they could develop strategies to move kids more quickly through lunch lines, such as by adding more serving lines or setting up automated checkout systems.

The study appears online in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (ANI)

Regular smokers have a higher risk of losing teeth

should actually do. Iron or steam your clothes for proper creases and shape!

4. Polishing Your Shoes To Maintain Their Shine.

Some Shoes Even Support Washing!

We all know what a pair of polished shoes does to our outfit. It just makes for an even better looking outfit! So what are you waiting for? Go get your shoes out and polish them right now! Also, you can wash your running shoes and, to some extent, your sneakers too.

5. Repairing And Altering Clothes If Necessary Just keep a check on your old clothes starting to wear out. If they have, then you should take them out to the tailor and get

them repaired for a longer life because nobody likes losing their favourite clothes!

Tips to reuse old saris Saris, irrespective of the material, are used by many for a long period of time.

In fact, they are passed on to future generations and even treasured for years on end. However, maintaining them can be quite a task.

So, if you're finding it difficult to throw away or keep some of your saris or those of your mother's or grandmother's, don't fret.

Here are some easy ways to save all your wonderful saris in style. Kurtas If you've ever desired to wear one of your mother's saris, but have been unable to because of a small tear in one corner of the sari, here's a way you could wear it. Take the sari to the closest tailor and ask them to stitch up a kurta or short top from it, for you. If it's a plain sari, you could use the borders for sleeves and the neck in order to give it some design and char-

research has been done in this field. While recent

federal guidelines enhanced the nutritional quality of school lunches, there are no standards regarding lunch period length. Many students have lunch periods that are 20 minutes or less, which can be an insufficient amount of time to eat, according to the authors. The researchers found that students with less than 20 minutes to eat lunch consumed 13 percent less of their entrĂŠes, 12 percent less of their vegetables, and 10 percent less of their milk than students who had at least 25 minutes to eat. While there were no notable differences between the groups in terms of entrĂŠe, milk, or vegetable selections, those with less time

ders of saris you like into fairly narrow rectangles.

To make bookmarks, glue these borders onto pieces of cardboard, punch holes on one end of each of them and loop small satin ribbons through the punched holes. A keychain is easier to make: Take a strip of your chosen border, put a tiny brass bell and a key ring through one end of the strip and join the ends with stitches. So, one end can be your keychain and the other, a tiny bell.

Patchwork frame: If there are a bunch of saris you would not want to throw or even put to use in any manner, here's an ideal way of treasuring them. Take a bunch of your favourite saris and pick out the best parts in all of them. Stitch each of those parts on a thick cotton cloth to give it firmness. Then stitch all these

Diabetic women 40 pc likelier to suffer from heart attack than diabetic men

A new study of approximately 11 million patients shows that diabetic women are around 40 percent more likely to suffer from heart attack than diabetic men.

In the study, the authors undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the relative risk for acute coronary syndrome associated with diabetes in men and women.

A total of 9 case-control and 10 cohort studies were included, with data for 10,856,279 individuals and at least 106703 fatal and non-fatal acute coronary syndrome events. The pooled maximum-adjusted relative risk of acute coronary syndrome associated with diabetes was 2.46 in

women and 1.68 in men. In patients with diabetes, women therefore had a significantly greater risk of acute coronary syndrome, with a 38 percent increased risk for women. According to author Xue Dong of the ZhongDa Hospital of Southeast University, women with diabetes had a roughly 40 percent greater excess risk of acute coronary syndrome, compared with men with diabetes.

They said that people should take all necessary steps to diagnose diabetes early, and control risk factors comprehensively to guarantee the most suitable treatments and best possible outcomes in female patients. (ANI)

Mediterranean diet with olive oil may lower breast cancer risk

A new study has found that people who smoke regularly have a higher risk of losing their tooth. The study conducted by University of Birmingham explained that male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely. Thomas Dietrich, the lead author professor, said that most teeth were lost because of caries i.e. tooth decay or chronic

periodontitis i.e. gum disease, but smoking was a strong risk factor for periodontitis, that enables the higher rate of tooth loss in smokers.

The study also informed that smoking can mask gum bleeding, a key symptom of periodontitis, because of which the gums of a smoker can appear to be healthier than they actually are until it is quite far down the line. Also, the link between smoking and tooth loss was stronger among

younger people than in the older groups and heavy smokers had higher risk of losing their teeth than smokers who smoked fewer cigarettes.

On a positive note, the research highlighted that quitting smoking can reduce the risk fairly quickly, although an ex-smoker would have the same risk for tooth loss as someone who had never smoked.

The study is published in the Journal of Dental Research. (ANI) bits together to make your own sari patchwork. If you want to treasure this, you could frame it and place it under a spotlight on the wall, but if you want to use it, you could turn this into a curtain.

Quilt: There's nothing more comforting than sleeping on your mother's lap like a baby and these saris will help you doing so. Take about four or five old saris that you want to get rid of and arrange them one on top of another ensuring the borders are all aligned. If the lengths of the saris are too long, fold the base sari to a particular length and align the rest accordingly.

Stitch them all up at the borders and then also stitch across the width horizontally to keep them in place. Then, place your favourite sari over the pile of stitched saris and cover them with it. Use your needle and thread to firmly attach this sari to the others and your quilt is ready.

A new study has revealed that the Mediterranean diet, which is supplemented with extra virgin olive oil, reduces the risk of breast cancer.

The study led by JAMA Internal Medicine authors explained that diet has been extensively studied as a modifiable risk factor in the development of breast cancer, but epidemiologic evidence on the effect of specific dietary factors is inconsistent.

The researchers noted that the Mediterranean diet is known for its abundance of plant foods, fish and especially olive oil, moreover people who eat this diet showed a 68 percent rela-

tively lower risk of malignant breast cancer than those allocated to the low-fat diet.

Miguel A. MartinezGonzalez, co-author of the study, mentioned that the study concluded a beneficial effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil in the primary prevention of breast cancer that is the most preventive strategies for breast cancer. The experts concluded that their study results need confirmation by long-term studies with a higher number of incident cases. The study is published online in JAMA Network Journal. (ANI)

Ways to protect your leather items Here are a few ways you can waterproof and take care of those expensive and oh-so elegant leather items.

Your leather shoes, belts or jackets look classy and sophisticated and needless to say must have taken a hit on your wallet.

With the chaotic rains playing havoc in our daily lives, it's important to know how to take care of these expensive leather products. Leather is resilient and can last long provided the proper precautions are taken. Despite it's durability, if it is not looked after, especially during the monsoons, it can get spoiled way before it's time is up. Here are a few ways you can protect your leather items and make them last longer.

Quality of leather: Be sure of the quality of your product.

If the leather is not original and if it's soft, it tends to lose its shine and toughness faster than actual leather. Buying products from a reputed brand or store will give you the value of money that you deserve.

Waterproofing compound: A waterproof compound is interesting to combat the rains for your leather shoes. Depending on the kind of leather you wear, go for a waterproofing compound. To make sure that it doesn't affect your leather shoes, consult a cobbler and spray it generously over your shoes to form a sort of protective layer.

Dry out the water: If your leather product has gotten exposed to the rain, gently brush off the dirt and dry off the water in room temperature. You can take out the moisture from the shoes with the help of a newspaper or a towel.

Storage area: Moisture is a common element during the monsoons. Even if your leather products are safely kept, they are susceptible to being affected by the moisture. Storing your leather in a completely dry place is important.

Dry cleaning: Make sure you keep your leather clean, it is important to regularly wash your leather and get it done professionally instead of at home. Clothes like leather jackets need ample space to breathe so it is advisable to hang them on a hanger.

Condition: You can use a leather conditioner to ease out your leather product. Make use of your fingertips and focus on areas that have gotten wet. Start by applying a small amount and gradually move to using more.

cmyk

cmyk

"It must be one of my best races. It was pretty intense."

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Sebastian Vettel

RNIASSENG00425/TC

PAGE 12

Exciting football on display on third day Raina ton helps India 'A' Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament Khonsa, Nehru Studium

clinch three-match series

Results Upper Chinkoi FC defeated Hakhunthung FC 2-0 Bazar FC thrashed Lower Chinkoi FC 4-1

Today’s Matches Pullung FC Vs Sanliam FC 1 pm

Pic - Dr. Chanwang ET Correspondent Khonsa, Sep 21: In the third day of the ongoing first ever Thansen Wangchadong memorial football tournament, 2015 at Nehru Stadium in Khonsa, Upper Chinkoi

defeated Hakhunthung FC by a margin of 2 goals. The goals were scored by Damwang Tekwa for Chinkoi FC. It was an exciting match where both teams were seen playing an aggressive brand of foot-

ball. The second match of the day was however a onesided affair with Khonsa Bazar FC taming Lower Chinkoi FC 4-1. In both the halves, Khonsa Bazar FC dominated the proceedings.

The goals scorers for Bazaar

FC were Logan L.Medam, Damphiak Moita, Phongwang kungkho and Moinang khutsia. Altogether, 29 teams participated in the tournament.

The tournament is being sponsored by Shri W.

Khunnu Youth FC Vs Khela 3 pm Lowangdong, Minister of WCD, Tribal Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment and DoTCL and Family.

The Eastern Today an English daily has been roped in as media partner for the prestigious tournament.

Bengaluru: Senior batsman Suresh Raina hit a strokeful century to help India 'A' outplay Bangladesh 'A' by 75 runs via Duckworth/Lewis method in the third unofficial rain-hit ODI and clinch the series 2-1 in Bengaluru. Electing to bat, the Unmukt Chand-led side rode on Raina's 104-run knock to post 297 for six in 50 overs. The bowlers then restricted the visitors for 141 for six in 32 overs when rain halted play for the second and final time.

The first rain interruption saw the chasing target being revised to 290 runs in 46 overs, while the second and final rain halt saw a

mathematical revision of 217 runs in 32 overs.

Karnataka left-arm seamer Sreenath Aravind celebrated his India seniors call-up with two crucial scalps. But it was the batting that did the trick for India 'A' as Unmukt stitched an 82-run secondwicket partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson to give the team a solid start after losing opener Mayank Agarwal early. Raina, who is getting ready for the South Africa series, was under a bit of pressure after getting 16 and 17 runs in the first and second match respectively, rose to the occasion with

his 94-ball knock, laced with 9 fours and a six. The left-hander's 116-run thirdwicket partnership with Samson also stood out.

This was Raina's sixth List A century. The team saw a bit of a stutter in the middle but No 7 batsman Rishi Dhawan fisnished off the innings in style. In reply, the Mominul Haque-led side were never in the chase, as they lost regular wickets. The middle-order tried to play savior, but the batsmen failed to convert their starts into bigger scores.

Sabbir Rahman top-scored with an unbeatan 41, but the match was already lost by then. (Agencies)

Vettel claims victory in TRDSC narrowly defeats Milan Sangha Tepuram Buragohain and Puneswari Buragohain Singapore Grand Prix Lt.Memorial Super Division Football League 2015

Singapore: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel won an incident-packed Singapore Formula One Grand Prix after world champion Lewis Hamilton retired early for the first time this season and an intruder set heart rates fluttering when he strolled on to the track. Hamilton was running fourth approaching the halfway point of the 61-lap race when he lost engine power, rapidly dropping back through the field before he was told to return to the garage and call it a night. Starting from pole position, Vettel had no problems, leading all the way to take the chequered flag for the fourth time at the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit, despite twice losing the big advantage he had built up when the safety car was deployed. Australia's Daniel Ricciardo finished second for Red Bull, his best result of a frustrating year, while Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line third. "It must be one of my best races. It was pretty intense," Vettel said. "Lots of pressure from behind; Daniel had a very good race looking after his tyres. Second stint I was dictat-

ing the pace. From then, I was trying to control the gap. We had a really great weekend." Nico Rosberg finished fourth for Mercedes to cut Hamilton's championship lead to 41 points with six races remaining. Vettel trails Hamilton by 49 and Raikkonen is 145 adrift with a maximum of 150 available. No other driver has a chance of winning the championship. "If we have more weekends like this, yes we can catch Mercedes,"

Vettel said. "Massive attack.

Maybe we can make the impossible possible - we will definitely go for it." Vettel's win was the German's third this season and the 42nd of his career, enabling the quadruple world champion to overtake the late Ayrton Senna into outright third place for the most lifetime wins, trailing only Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51). A proven master on the slow and twisty Singapore track, Vettel gave his

rivals no chance when he planted his foot on the accelerator and made a flying getaway from the front of the grid. The 28-year-old opened up a three-second lead over Ricciardo on the opening lap and was never seriously challenged even when the safety car was introduced. Its first appearance came on the 13th lap when Felipe Massa exited the pits and was hit from the side by Nico Hulkenberg who speared into a wall, wrecking his Force India car and ending his race. The second came when a spectator walked on the circuit before climbing back though a hole in the fence. "If there was no safety car we could have been close for the undercut but the two safety cars came at pretty crucial times," Ricciardo said. Hamilton, who needs one more win to draw level with his childhood hero Senna, endured his worst weekend of the season.

The Englishman struggled with his tyres in qualifying, starting fifth on the grid, and his race came to an end just when it looked like he might be able to challenge for a spot on the podium. (Agencies)

Teenager Martial scores twice as United go second London: French teenager Anthony Martial, having scored as a substitute on his Premier League debut in Manchester United's last game, added two more goals to earn his team a 32 win at Southampton. The victory took Louis van Gaal's side into second place, two points behind neighbours Manchester City. Graziano Pelle put Southampton ahead in the 13th minute but Martial, who cost 36.3 million pounds ($56.39 million) from AS Monaco on the last day of the transfer window, equalised 10 minutes before halftime. His second goal followed a dreadful backpass by Southampton's Japanese defender Maya Yoshida. Juan Mata added United's third midway through the second half before Pelle gave his team late hope by heading in Sadio Mane's cross. Danny Ings scored his first Liverpool goal within three minutes of coming on as a substitute but promoted Norwich City fought back to draw 1-1 in the Premier League at Anfield. The home side had started the game in the bottom six and the point lifted them two places to 13th, two places behind Norwich and level on eight

points with their opponents.

Liverpool, with their England striker Daniel Sturridge back for the first time since April,

the South Korean international who honed in on goal before powering a shot that went through goalkeeper Alex

Liverpool held at home by Norwich; Son shines to give Spurs victory brought on Ings for Christian Benteke at halftime and the former Burnley man scored a fine goal almost immediately.

But Norwich central defender Russell Martin equalised with his third goal of the season after a mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Son Heung-min scored the only goal on his home Premier League debut as Tottenham Hotspur beat Crystal Palace 1-0 and moved into the top half of the table after a well-deserved victory in an end-to-end London derby. Son, who scored twice when Spurs beat FK Qarabag 3-1 in the Europa League on Thursday, scored again after Spurs broke up a Palace attack in the 68th minute. Erik Lamela released substitute Christian Eriksen, and the Dane, who had only been on for three minutes after a month out injured, played the ball into space for

McCarthy's legs and into the net. Spurs dominated possession for most of an entertaining first half without breaking down the Palace defence or se-

riously troubling McCarthy.

But Palace, despite being continually penned back twice came close to scoring before the break. Hugo Lloris's acrobatic dive kept out a thunderous Bakary Sako free kick after 38 minutes and Yohan Cabaye smashed an angled shot against the far post just before halftime.

The result lifted Spurs up to ninth with nine points from six matches, with Palace eighth on the same total. (Agencies)

ET Correspondent Tinsukia, Sep 21: In today's match, Tinsukia Railway Divisional Sports Club beat Milan Sangha 43 to bag all 3 points.

For the winning team, Shyam Mura (7th minute), Satyajit Gogoi (29th minute), and Santosh Chutia (36th & 49th minutes) have scored while for

Milan Sangha, Mahendra Moran (45th minute), Uttam Saikia (55th minute) and Harish Chutia (67th minute) found the net.

The referee of the match

had shown yellow card to Satyajit Gogoi of TRDSC for foul in the box area. Today's match would be played between Barekuri FCC vs Barekuri FC.

La Liga: Messi strikes as Barca sweep aside Levante Celta Vigo, Villareal, Sporting Gijon & Rayo Vallecano also register victories Barcelona: Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as his double helped Barcelona sweep Levante aside in the second half in a 4-1 victory which helped them maintain their perfect La Liga start. Last season's treble winners lead the standings with 12 points ahead of three teams, including arch rivals Real Madrid, on 10, having won all of their four games so far. Defender Marc Bartra showed composure to open the scoring by converting a Messi cross after 50 minutes with Barca having been frustrated in the first half by a well qualizer Levante side. With the game having opened up, Neymar finished clinically after 55 minutes and won a penalty on the hour which was converted by Messi. At the other end, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen flapped at a cross that allowed Victor to slot the ball home after 65 minutes. Messi blazed a second penalty over the bar after he himself was fouled but the Argentine did score again with a drive from the edge of the area a minute from time. Youth players Sandro

Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi were both given their chance in the Barca attack with coach Luis Enrique resting Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta, while in a tactical change Messi began in a deeper role behind the front three. Earlier, Nolito hit the opening goal for Celta Vigo who took advantage of a lethargic first half from Sevilla to win 21. Sevilla went behind when the defence gave Nolito time in the box to pick his spot after 15 minutes and Daniel Wass extended Celta's lead after 26 minutes with a low drive into the corner. Sevilla came to life in the second half and substitute Fernando Llorente got his first goal for the club but they could not find an qualizer. A Bruno Soriano penalty followed by goals from Mario Gaspar and Leo Baptistao gave Villarreal a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao who got a late consolation through Aritz Aduriz. An Antonio Sanabria double helped Sporting Gijon to a 3-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna and Javi Guerra gave Rayo Vallecano a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas. (Agencies)

CM congratulates Karatekas winner Itanagar, Sep 21: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has congratulated all the Karate players from Arunachal Pradesh who brought laurels to the country by winning 12

medals in the recently concluded Commonwealth Karate Championship at New Delhi. In a message to the players the Chief Minister said that “Your efforts

against all odds to perform and win so many medals will inspire more talent from our state. You have made all of us proud. I wish for your continued success in the future.”

It may be mentioned that Karatekas from Arunachal contributed 6 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 bronze medals to the overall tally of the Indian contingent.

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