23 july 2015, thursday by THE EASTERN TODAY

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Issue 51

Dibrugarh, Thursday, July 23, 2015

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BJP terms Arunachal budget Former GMDA Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma threatens legal 2015-16 as narrow and hollow action against a section of media ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 22

ET Bureau Guwahati, Jul 22

The US department of justice will make available the names of the recipients of the Louis Berger bribes only if the government of India asked for them. Meanwhile, former GMDA minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma threatened to take legal action against a section

Contd. on Page 3

ET CAPSULES Illegal Bangladeshi nabbed in Ledo Ledo, Jul 22: Ledo Police Outpost incharge, Mr Dipjyoti Daodhara, and Ledo Village Defence Party (VDP) Members acting on a tip-off jointly nabbed an illegal Bangladeshi national from Ledo Masjid area on 21 July night when he was going to bed. The nabbed illegal Bangladeshi national has been identified as Mohammed Jahangir Alam, son of Bashar Alam, resident of Fatiksari Gaon, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A case has been registered at Margherita Police Station under the Passport Act. (Correspondent)

Buddha Mahasabha meeting Sonari, Jul 22: An executive meeting of All Assam Buddha Mahasabha will be held at Mahabodhi Pali Bidyalaya, Lachit Nagar, Titabor in Jorhat district on July 26 from 10.30 am, stated a press release issued by Alok Shyam Gohain, general secretary of the mahasabha. Organisational matters of the mahasabha, fund collection and felicitation of meritorious students will be discussed during the meeting. (Correspondent)

Committee formed Sonari, Jul 22: A meeting was held recently at Namtola LP School to constitute the new committee of the Namtola unit of the Brihattar Asomiya Yuba Mancha. The meeting was presided over by Jalal Choudhury, the secretary of the Charaideo sub division committee. Deba Tasa and Jogen Ghatowar was selected as the new President and secretary of the new committee respectively. (Correspondent)

Arunachal BJP condemns alleged provocation of JAC’s peaceful dharna by police personnel ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 22

The President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh, Tai Tagak condemned the manner in which the peaceful means of protest dharna staged by the State BJP unit under the banner of Jan Andolan Committee (JAC) at Naharlagun over alleged financial mismanagement in the state government was allegedly provoked. He demanded a thorough investigation by setting up an enquiry committee immediately to ascertain why Mahila Morcha workers were physically assaulted at the hands of male Police

(IRBn) personnel; why people sitting in the peaceful dharna had to be covered by parking 03 long police buses by the District Administration with party leaders reportedly assaulted apart from arresting JAC Chairman, Tame Phassang and the whole thing turning violent after the police lathi-charged the BJP workers and manhandled Mahila workers near State Assembly. Around 1000 supporters reportedly took part in the dharna. The Aruanchal BJP alleged that the said incident smacks of vindictive measures being taken by the state Congress government to cover up ille-

galities, financial mismanagement and to escape from their primary responsibility of delivering governance with accountability and transparency. It has also alleged the state Congress government to give priority to partisan politics rather than giving attention to the development of Arunachal Pradesh and its people with the state Chief Minister, Shri Nabam Tuki boycotting the NITI Ayog meeting despite the Chief Minister being in the standing Committee, and despite quantum jumps in the increase in funding flow from the centre to the state and the BJP led NDA government committing to be cooperative.

Rolling his commitment wagon to increase the forest cover percentage of the state from the existing 82% to 85% and above, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today enthusiastically took part in the 'Festival of Trees - Plantation' programme organised by the department of environment and forest here in Siddhartha Vihar today. He along with a host of parliamentary secretaries including C T Mein, Phurpa Tsering, former APCS Chairman Rinchin Dorjee, Chief Councillor of Itanagar Municipal Council Kipa Kaku, PCCF, DC capital, senior officers from the environment and forest departments and students from Kingcup school planted trees in the Gompa premises to mark the occasion. Complementing the depart-

Avik Chakraborty Dibrugarh, Jul 22

The catapult is humble yet deadly, often used by children to kill birds in the tea garden areas where the birds gather in flocks. Thanks to the efforts of the environmental group Society for Wildlife Conservation (SWC) the people of Hilika Tea estate have quit using the catapult which they have used since the time of their forefathers to kill birds. Digboi based environmental organization SWC has been organizing awareness programmes in the tea

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Contd. on Page 4

defamation cases against a section of media in a day or two,” said Dr Sarma. A visibly angry Dr Sarma said, “My name was figured in the Saradha scam. I received clean chit. Contd. on Page 4

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 22

A seven-day strike called by All Assam Civic Bodies’ Workers’ Federation (AACBWF) from July 20 to 27 have created a health hazard for the denizens of Dibrugarh. Garbage has been visibly dumped everywhere in Dibrugarh town due to the strike called by the All Assam Civic Bodies’ Workers’ Federation. The federation has been demanding that their salaries be on par with regular state government employees besides other benefits. Will the Dibrugarh Municipal Board wake up to this? Garbage littered roads are a common sight in every nook & corner of Dibrugarh town. Pic - Manoj Pandey Contd. on Page 4

ment of forest and the people of Arunachal Pradesh for preserving the rich forest which had convinced the 14th Finance Commission to recommend for higher grants for the state from the current year, CM appealed to all sections of the society to join hands to increase the forest cover so that the faith enthused by the FFC is upheld. Tuki reiterated establishment of Green Corps (Green Army) in every school which was started in the year 20002001 but somehow got discontinued. The green corps comprised of students who were directly involved in environment protection and organised plantation programmes in their respective areas. He directed the department to work out modalities in coordination with the department of education to restart Green Corps.

Japanese Encephalitis claims 6 in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 22

The deadly Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed six lives this year so far in Dibrugarh. Gagan Chetry, 62, resident of Santoshishima lane in Dibrugarh died of JE on July 15 at AMCH. Earlier, he was tested positive for the disease. Another lady, Sultana Khautun, 67, resident of Mulukubsha, Dibrugarh tested positive and is under-

going treatment at AMCH. “We have already collected blood samples from the area. The positive cases of Japanese Encephalitis are reported and sent to the Micro Biology Laboratory in the AMCH for tests," said Amrit Baruah, Joint Director of Health, Dibrugarh. He added a total of 28 cases of JE have been identified so far and out of them six have been identified as positive who died of JE. Contd. on Page 4

5 dead in Silchar landslide ET Correspondent Silchar, Jul 22 Five persons of a family were buried alive when a huge hillock collapsed on their house in Cachar district on Wednesday. The incident took place in the wee hours at Lakhipur are when a huge hillock slipped into the house where Zubeda Khatun along with her four children lived in. “It came to light at around 10 in the morning as the local residents had to keep themselves confined to their homes because of the incessant rains,” a local resident said.

Superstition leads to death of patient ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 22

A very strange incident took place at Golaghat Civil Hospital where a patient was seen being examined by a Zunab instead of doctors. As per the information received, one Mazid Ali of Kumarpatty Golaghat was feeling unwell today morning and as such his

Contd. on Page 3

Catapult surrender to save hundreds of birds in the tea garden areas

media for dragging his name to the Luis Berge scam. Talking to reporters at the Rajiv Bhawan premises on Wednesday, the former minister said that a section of media has been naming him in the multi crore scam bereft of any reason. “I will file criminal and

Garbage piling up everywhere in Dibrugarh owing to AACBWF's strike

Arunachal CM participates in 'Festival of Tress - Plantation' programme ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 22

Louis Berger bribery case

wife admitted him to Kushal Kunwar Civil Hospital around 4 am early morning. While the doctor there (as per the wife) examined and referred him to Jorhat, one of their family members believed in superstitions and as such a Zunab named Nuruddin Ahmed was called in from Merapani. The very ZUNAB started treating the patient in his own way sprinkling water and perform-

ing other odd activities in front of a large gathering. He said that Mazid cannot be cured by doctor as someone has entered his body and the Zunab was sure of curing him. Shortly afterwards he told the family members he will be fine now and there is no need to keep him in the civil hospital. The family members did so as told. As per the latest reports this evening Mazid has died.

Kharsang gas blow out case getting political colour ET Correspondent Changlang, Jul 22

The recent gas blow out case at one of the well of the Kharsang based M/s. GeoEnpro is getting a politi-

cal colour with the main opposition party of Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP, accusing the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government constituted State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee which functions under the Ministry of

Geology and Mining ‘for not seeking the views of several senior persons of the locality’. A meeting of the party’s Miao Mandal was convened on Tuesday at the Kharsang Inspection Bunglow to discuss the pros and cons of the gas

blow out and the situation which has aroused in the wake out of the incident. The meeting was convened by Chomjong Hadley and was presided over by its District President Mr. N. Tangha. Contd. on Page 3

Govt. forms five member committee for drafting MRVTMW Bill

Asia's Soft Power Deficit

In its inaugural "Soft Power 30" index announced on July 14, London-based commu-

Faced with disappointing revenue and profit going forward, Sun Pharma is mulling options of exiting

For the protection of indigenous people the State Government has

The Myanmar government and armed ethnic minority groups resumed critical talks on Wednesday The Myanmar government and armed ethnic minority groups resumed critical

BUSINESS

REGION

NEIGHBOURS

EDITORIAL

Ranbaxy's "low-margin" overseas geographies mainly in Europe, and is also evaluating discontinuing the anti-retrovirals (ARV) business and API (active pharmaceutical ingredients).

decide upon to constitute a five-member committee for drafting the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) Bill 2015.

talks on Wednesday to reach a nationwide ceasefire agreement that would end six decades of fighting before an upcoming general election that threatens to upend hardwon progress toward a deal.

nications consultancy Portland ranked Britain first, Germany second, and the United States third in its survey of soft power assets, based on data from 50 countries.

Part of Ranbaxy may be shed by Sun Pharma

cmyk

State BJP once again termed the budget for the financial year 2015-16 as narrow and hollow budget. In a press briefing today, leader of the opposition, Tamiyo Taga reiterated on the issue of rampant misuse of fund in the disaster management department and firmly asked for a CBI inquiry into the same. A first timer MLA Dr. Mohesh Chai who had given a befitting counter reply to the

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Leopard caged Massive operation by Excise Department in Golaghat in Jamguri ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 22: The Superintendent of Excise of Golaghat on 17 July along with local police raided many tea garden areas in

Furkating and seized huge cache of illicit country made liquor. The state government has set up two phone numbers 03612234395 & 9435036318 for

complaint against illicit country made liquor hubs. On receiving a complaint the Excise department of Golaghat had raided at Tungi Line of Doyang TE on

List Of Phone Numbers Of Nursing Homes Tinsukia City Hospital & Research Centre

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 22: A leopard became the reason behind chaos and fear in the Jamguri and adjoining areas of Golaghat district during the last month. It attacked cattle, people and domesticated animals every now and then. Afterwards a complain was lodged by the garden authori-

ties. Then the forest officials came their rescue. They set a trap by placing an iron cage with a goat as bait two days back. As luck would have it, the leopard got trapped in the cage and the joy of the people seemed to know no bounds as they took out a procession when the officials were taking away the caged leopard.

SMSS bi-annual convention on 26 July ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 22: The student and youth wing of Krishok Mukti Sangram Samiti, Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti (SMSS) is going to organise its 1st Bi-annual Convention on 26 July at Purabangla playground, Marangi in

Golaghat. The daylong programme will have several events. The new committee of SMSS will be formed in this convention. Akhil Gogoi, spokesperson, Gana Mukti Sangram, Assam will be present as Chief Guest in the programme.

1 drowns in Buridehing Erasuti in Naharkatia, body recovered

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

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

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

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

17 July and registered 7 cases under Assam Excise Act. Meanwhile, a total of 77 cases have been registered from 1 July to 16 July by the department

and 23 persons arrested. It is worth mentioning that Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Anwar Ul Haque has taken stern action to make tea gar-

den areas completely free from illicit country made liquor and the operations by Excise department are part of this initiative of Golaghat DC.

ASTRO FOR YOU A plain Jane day. Work goes on as usual, and there is progress. But it's an ordinary day. Hum, whistle, doodle, and sip your green tea. While day dreaming, start planning your dream home. After all, that's where the first plan takes shape. You are likely to be in a mood to get away from the daily grind and take a much need break. You would naturally try to stay free from future concerns and commitments and keep all your woes and worries aside for the day. An adventurous and fun filled outing or a trip to some happening resort, along with your friends and family members is a near certainty. Don't miss out on this opportunity. You will long for some privacy today. You may end up earning a large amount of money, mostly through some private venture. The day will be a greatly profitable one for cashiers, money lenders and those in retail business. Keep working hard to achieve success. Today, you will shift your entire focus on the problems plaguing your personal life. Your ability to nip a problem in the bud has helped you to have a good personal life so far. And today, you will have to use your skills to mend the strain in your relationship with your loved ones. You may realise that complete renouncement of your habit of staying in control is the only way out of this personal mess. Being good to oneself is not vanity. It seems as if you take this statement to heart, since it looks quite possible that you make your personal care number one priority today. On the flip side though, you become aware of the fact that the harder you try the more it seems you have to. But all that should be the least of your concerns today; just remember to take time out to entertain yourself and recharge your batteries. This will go a long way in keeping you going for the future. Issues regarding religious beliefs and spirituality will surface today. Pursue your goals single-mindedly to attain success in the field of your choice, and exploit your abilities and talents to the hilt. You will be more logical and calculative, rather than emotional, in matters of your relationships. Today you shall be very careful in money matters. It is nothing to do with miserliness at all. When buying things you will be careful while spending money and will stick to your budget. On the other hand when you are out with your loved ones you will not think about holding back and will spend lavishly. Take the balanced approach in everything in life and things will go well for you. There's always a first time, and today is the day when you would seal a profitable deal for your new business venture. However, close the deal only if it is beneficial for a long term. Be cautious and watch your steps carefully to avoid any unfortunate situation. Today, find yourself driving all your thoughts and actions towards your family. You will also spend some superb time with your dearie and discuss intimate matters. A relaxing day today as you spend time with your friends and family, chilling out and having a good laugh or two. The day will be of paramount significance as you are likely to meet someone who will be associated with you for life. Also, relationships and relatives will keep you busy for major part of the day. You may not find it interesting, but you will not have any options either. A visit to holy places for some peace of mind is also likely. Back home, you will do what you would have preferred doing the entire day - spend time with your family and loved ones. Today, you work hard and party harder! The morning sees you sweating it out at work, as you do your best to implement your plans. In the evening, you will don your best attire and get ready to have a gala time with your beloved. Of late, the harder you try, the more it seems you have to do. You are likely to put your foot down today and spend some time taking care of yourself and playing truant with your responsibilities.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Debojit Sonowal Naharkatia, Jul 22: A person drowned after falling from the Naharkatia Erasuti bridge connecting Naharkatia town with Puronigaon on Tuesday. According to information received, Dipak Mahatu, a fruit seller at Naharkatia daily market fell from the iron bridge at around 7 pm last evening. Local people and the police tried to rescue Dipak but failed. A team of experts from Dibrugarh and police managed to fish out the body today. It is not known whether Mahatu had committed suicide. The police is investigating the case. Meanwhile, one Duleswar Konwar, 52, has been reported drowned at Sasoni Merbil while fishing on Monday.

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

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

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 22-7-15 (THURSDAY)

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 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-"Karpumpuli" 7-35 P.M-Ujjwal Bhabishyat 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 9-30 P.M-Serial Novel Reading-"Mrityunjay", Written by Dr. Birendra Kr. Bhattacharya Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

ANSU conducts interaction cum mega counselling programme ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 22: The All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) has conducted an interaction cum mega counselling programme for Dr. K.N. Modi University, Newai, Tonk District, Rajasthan today at ANSU HQ. The chairman of the committee, Lokam Tagiam, Secretary (ANSU) briefed the attendant gathering about the counselling programme for admission of students under Ishan Udhan scheme of the Central Govt. He said so far 179 students from Arunachal have been benefited. He also said that as per the guidelines the students admitted through this scheme will not be entitled to get scholarship

benefit. Speaking on the occasion, ANSU General Secretary, Nanya Gollo said that "to encourage our young brothers and sisters for higher education we have also the collaboration and support of National Youth Welfare Association (NYWA) for sending our students to Dr. K.N. Modi University. The Ishan Udhan scheme is for providing technical education to tribal students in the North East Region of the country. We have no other intention but to deliver benefits from this scheme for our sisters and brothers of Nyishi Community". ANSU President Byabang Joram said that "we are lucky that

we have got opportunities and 70 students this year have been selected and would be pursuing their higher education in different courses of the said University out of which 35 students have enrolled in B Tech, and rest in BBA, BA, B.com, B.sc Agri/Forestry, B.A (LLB)." He said he will try to get stipend for those students from the Education Dept. “I appeal toall such students to be sincere, obedient and concentrate on their studies.” The ANSU team will visit on a half yearly basis to verify the status of the students and the educational atmosphere of the university. The train tickets are also being arranged by them for the students.

Lohit reels under lack of a District Commissioner ET Correspondent Tezu, Jul 22: The state of affairs with the District Administration meant to deliver public services paints a grim picture, with the absence of a regular DC and acute shortage of administrative officials paralysing the entire administrative service provider and posing a serious setback vis-a-vis the developmental activities in the Lohit district. The people have vehemently voiced their concern over the stepmotherly treatment meted out by the state government with regard to posting a regular DC. Due to non availability of a regular DC in the wake of the transfer of Dr B M Mishra and additional officers, public service has miserably failed with the public being not able to get their work done timely apart from being denied basic documents despite

repeated visits to the DC office resulting in harassment, waste of public time and money. "I have been frequenting the DC office since last month to get a document unfortunately due to non availability of the DC, my purpose could not be served”, rued one middleaged man. Before the election, there were a good number of officers but now in the wake of their transfer, the state of public services has deteriorated, he added. At the same time, the other Heads of Departments are allegedly taking undue advantage by escaping their regular office work in the absence of the DC, added another public. Compounding the problem, inadequate number of EACs and COs have largely hampered the public services. When enquired about the administrative officials

66th Vanamahotsava celebrated at Nafra Bomdila, Jul 22: The Higher Secondary School Nafra observed the 66th Vanamahotsava in its campus on 21st July 2015. On the occasion more than 300 tree saplings were planted and about 700 saplings were distributed among the students. The programme was attended by EAC Nafra T Padu, Range Forest Officer P Tali and his staff, Principal incharge M Rijiju with teachers and students. EAC Nafra urged the students to plant more trees to make the environment green and also to follow

APCC condemns JAC’s agitation and demands for Arunachal CM’s resignation ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 22: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today vehemently condemned the demands of the Jan Andolan of BJP and their agitation staged yesterday. The APCC stated in a press release that the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju is the main sponsor of the JAC agitation because the JAC Chairman, Tame Phassang, is his own brother-in-law. The APCC further alleged that Rijiju wants to promote his brother-inlaw vis-à-vis the top brass in the Arunachal BJP. APCC stated that people of the State have realized the reality that the opposition leaders particularly the Jan Andolan have been spreading misleading messages. While branding JAC’s demand as the joke of the century, APCC said that everybody has seen and understood the reality in the functions of the Government which is despite financial constraints the Govt. has been able to bring about a healthy and positive budget as appreciated by the economists. According to APCC, the State Govt. is working hard to serve the public and ensure that everybody gets equal opportunity in terms of service and development.

about the actual strength, one official said that the district should have at least 4 (four) Circle Officers, 3 (three) EACs, one SDO and an ADC, unfortunately one CO and two EACs are somehow managing the district and are overburdened

life opined that this can be achieved by planting more and more trees. He also appealed to the student community to create awareness on the ill ef-

fects of reckless cutting of trees. Medhi Rijiju i/c Principal asked the students to imbibe the habit of loving and nurturing trees and

also for planting more trees. The saplings so planted during the occasion need to be well taken care of, he added. (DIPRO)

Arunachal CM participates in 'Festival of Tress - Plantation' programme

regretted. On the other hand, Sunpura circle is also in want of a CO. Sensitively situated in the border areas, the public feel insecure and are anticipating law and order problem which is hampering developmental activities in the area.

BJP terms Arunachal budget 2015-16 as narrow and hollow Contd. from Page 1

the dictum of "each one, plant one". RFO Nafra while appraising the students of the importance of green environment in human

with work. Meanwhile, one official said that the district should have had a DC within a week or two after the transfer of Mr Mishra but regrettably it has crossed one month now yet there is no news of a new DC being posted here, he

members of the ruling party in the assembly said to the media, “There is a million dollar question in the current budget and that is whether it will be seriously implemented or not. All the provisions are well written in the budget document but it will be sad if it turns out like the previous 2014-15 budget.” Dr. Chai said this while commenting on various empty promises made in the budget document 2014-15. Being a doctor himself he however stressed on the health sector and its policies. He partially welcomed the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS) but in the meantime saying that the Govt. has failed to announce new sub-centres in the current budget. He also said that the Govt. has failed to equip those health centres which have been upgraded in the last financial year. The allocation of Rs.10 Cr. for purchasing of medical equipment in the hospitals in the State is not enough and another allocation of Rs.10 Cr. for purchasing of generic medicine is also lacking when com-

BJP'S POINTS OF CONTENTION ØBJP terms the budget for the financial year 2015-16 as narrow and hollow budget. ØLeader of the opposition, Tamiyo Taga, reiterates on the issue of rampant misuse of fund in the disaster management department and firmly asks for a CBI inquiry into the same ØMLA Dr. Mohesh Chai says there is a million dollar question in the current budget and that is whether it will be seriously implemented or not ØChief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS) was partially welcomed but the Govt. is alleged to have failed to announce new sub-centres in the current budget ØIt is also alleged that the Govt. has failed to equip those health centres which have been upgraded in the last financial year ØThe allocation of Rs.10 Cr. for purchasing of medical equipment in the hospitals in the State is not enough and another allocation of Rs.10 Cr. for purchasing of generic medicine is also lacking when compared to the previous budget which had set aside Rs.17 Cr. for the same ØTaga said the outstanding financial liabilities committed by the ruling Govt. until today is not less that Rs.8,000 Cr. expecting the money which will come for the current budget to be adjusted in the deficit while leaving the developmental work incomplete.

pared to the previous budget which had set aside Rs.17 Cr. for the same, Dr. Chai said. Taga said the outstanding financial liabilities committed by the ruling Govt. until today is

not less that Rs.8,000 Cr. and he said that the money which will come for the current budget will be adjusted in the deficit while leaving the developmental work incomplete.

Garbage piling up everywhere in Dibrugarh owing to AACBWF's strike Contd. from Page 1

Contd. from Page 1 While directing the department of Education to incorporate environment forest and wild life protection in the syllabus of the school curriculum, CM viewed “we have around 1.5 lakh students in the state and if each student plants a tree a month, imagine how much tree can be planted the whole year”. He categorically appealed to the young minds to adopt plantation of tree as a hobby and plant economically viable trees which can fetch them good returns when they grow up. Dwelling in length over tea, rubber and spices revolution taking

shape in the state, Tuki pinned hope that these viable sectors which are gradually gaining importance is expected to change the face of the state’s economy in the days to come. Besides weaning away the farmers from Jhum cultivation, these sectors have substantially contributed in increasing the green cover. Concerned over rapid urbanisation in the twin capital cities which has resulted in massive destruction of forest, Tuki appealed to the Itanagar Municipal Council to chalk out strategy to contain it. He asked them to prepare a realistic plan to plant more and more trees in every sector and

fill the barren hills and mountains of the adjoining areas of the city with afforestation programmes. “Planting of trees in the hills will provide us water and protect us from soil deterioration which will check landslides while the city will look green if we materialise plantations in town area” CM asserted. He asked the department of environment and forest to help the IMC with funds for the purpose. CM further appealed to the NGOs, Media Fraternity, Panchayat leaders and Environmentalists to create awareness on environment protection through all possible means.

Parliamentary secretary of environment and forest C T Mein in his address said that the department has been putting all out effort to preserve and protect the rich flora and fauna of the state and sought assistance and support from the people. “Having one of the largest forest cover in the country, we are one of the few states in the country to fight back the alarming global warming” he convincingly said. He further added that the state should take pride in its forest resource and each one should contribute towards its preservation and conservation.

The civic bodies’ workers across the state have been demanding provincilisation of their services and pension for the retired employees. “Garbage have been piling

up everywhere in the town which is causing problems for the people,’’ said Raju Sharma, a denizen of the town. All the workers and employees of the Dibrugarh Muncipal Board (DMB) here including sweepers have refrained from doing

their duties since Monday. The work boycott has affected the hygiene and sanitation of the city as it is all littered with garbage piling up at dumping spots. The federation said that if the state government fails to meet their demands they would not called off the strike.

Kharsang gas blow out case getting political colour Contd. from Page 1 The meeting was attended by various party dignitaries like Shri S. Ngemu, a former minister and who is also a National Council Member of BJP, Shri Gumjanong Singpho, a district General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party and other grass roots members of the same. The main objectives of the meeting was to discuss various issues pertaining to extension of the lease agreement

and recent gas blow out occurred on 30th June 2015 at well no.60 and its effect on the livestock and human, agriculture and horticulture areas. Speakers in the meeting expressed their dissatisfaction with the findings and ground survey of the vigilance team since they did not take into account the views of many senior most leaders of the areas during their visits. The party also urged before the state government to conduct immediate public hearing on lease grant to

GeoEnpro Petroleum Limited before 22nd August 2015 at Kharsang, immediate compensation to the affected people due to recent gas leakages and to re-conduct the ground survey by the Vigilance Team as it was inadequate and one sided survey. The BJP party workers demanded that the vigilance team should re-visit the sites taking all the communities residing in the circles into confident for its legitimacy in the whole episode.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Guwahati's NPS International School UOAP leaders submit memo to Arunachal tops CBSE film-making contest ET Bureau Guwahati, Jul 22: NPS International School of Guwahati has made the north-eastern region proud once again by securing the first position in the national-level film-making competition organised by the CBSE, the results of which were declared in Delhi on July 20, 2015. Showcasing the marvels of the north east, NPS students elaborated on the bamboo craft of Assam through their film “Assam Bamboo Craft”. Nikita Basumatary, a class 12 commerce student who directed the film, was appreciated

for her camera work. Aakangsha Das wrote the script, while it was edited by Parishma Saikia. The NPS team will get a trophy, a certificate and a cash award of Rs.10,000. The theme of the film-making competition was “Marvels of Northeast India”. All schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) across the country were invited to participate. Of the 290 entries received, 30 entries were shortlisted, said NPS director J.N. Das. The selected movies were screened one after the other, and panel dis-

cussions followed where students involved with the films faced questions from a panel of judges — journalist-cartoonist Barthav Bora and CBSE education officer Sandeep Seith. The documentary was also sent to the 5th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2015 in Delhi and the school won awards in two categories — best documentary and best cinematography. It was also sent to the 4th Bangalore Short International Film Festival 2015, where it won the best film award. It was also screened at the Indian Cine Film Festival

2015 and the Kolkata International Film Festival 2015, a jubilant Das added. The CBSE Schools Film Making Competition 2015 was organised to generate awareness among students regarding the culture and traditions of people in the northeastern region. The students were required to make a film of maximum five minutes on any of the given topics. On the competition, Das said it “will help students form an understanding of the lives and cultures of the people living in the north east”.

Decapitation of superstition through scientific temperament Manoj Kumar Ojha

Again an elderly woman, Purni Orang, 63, has been stripped naked and beheaded by villagers in Sonitpur district in the state of Assam. She was accused of practising witchcraft and blamed for illness in the tribal settlement. This is one of the major dreadful incidents which should be put an end to otherwise many other innocent victims particularly women would end up being sacrificed and their property snatched away. More than 90 people, mostly women have been beheaded, burnt alive or stabbed to death in the wake of such accusations over the last six years. Branding women as witches is particularly prevalent among tribal communities and tea plantation workers in the state. Last year also in the Tinsukia district 5 women had been tortured before the police came to their rescue.The villagers were baying for their blood. They were blamed for the sickness of some people. In Sonitpur district also the people were falling

sick and some of them blamed Purni Orang for their condition before they branded her a witch and killed her. Superstitious beliefs lie at the heart of these acts. Sometimes widows are targeted for their land and property. Last year an India athlete, Debjani Bora, a javelin thrower, who has won several gold medals was severely beaten up after being branded a witch in her village in the remote hill district of Karbi Anglong where she also makes a living as a farm worker and lives with her husband and three children. In an interview with a print press, she fears her injury may prevent her representing India in a forthcoming Asian contest. Note only in Assam but also in many parts of India malicious witch hunting is common. The worst thing is that in most cases villagers drag them to a public place and make them face a public trial on charges of being a witch. Ms Bora recounted her experience to journalists, "Instead of trying to find out why the death occurred, some village elders suspected a witch was driving the people to

death and organised a prayer. As the villagers were chanting hymns, one elderly woman identified me as witch and shouted that I should be punished". Later, she was blamed for all the deaths in the village, wrapped up in fishing nets and beaten up severely. She was taken to a local clinic where she regained consciousness. For personal reasons the villagers branded her a witch. The role of 'Ojha' or 'Ben' (witch doctor) is ghastly as part of this act. Many a time the village witch doctor brands a woman a witch and accuses her of practising witchcraft. In 2011, nearly 30 women had fallen ill after they were rounded up in Shivani village in central Chhattisgarh state and made to drink a poisonous herbal brew. Most of the witchcraft cases take place in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Except Assam, all the state governments have enforced strict laws against witch hunting. Meanwhile, the Assam govt. is also likely to place a Bill in the next

assembly session in this regard. In the lack of proper education and treatment and hospital facility the villagers call for an Ojha (witch doctor) to ward off so called evil spell. The fact is that if someone happens to live in a remote village, garden area or in a tribal settlement, the hospital there cannot provide adequate treatment. The workers mostly daily wage workers, cannot afford to take the patients out. There is also lack of awareness about issues related to women in these belts. Such incidents related to superstitions are often reported in Assam during Diwali, Durgapuja and Kalipuja. The NGOs should initiate massive campaigns to contain witch hunting. This is the only and the best effective step to curb it. Meanwhile in the absence of a strong law and concerted campaigns against these superstitious beliefs as well as intervention by the departments of social welfare, education and police, lives will be lost or women and men will face harassment and torture behind the veil of witch hunting.

Guv demanding CM's resignation

ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 22: The United Organisations of Arunachal Pradesh (UOAP) today submitted a nine page memorandum to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhawan. The delegation that submitted the memorandum comprised of Toko Obi, Chairman, Atung Tana, Secretary General, Ramjo Purdong, Secretary Finance, Bengia Tagar, Advisor, and Jalley Sonam, Chief Advisor. The team met the Governor and had a discussion which continued for more than one hour. The governor heard them pa-

Japanese Encephalitis claims 1 in Demow ET Correspondent Demow, Jul 22: One aged person has died owing to the deadly disease Japanese Encephalitis in Pothalibam Dehingia Gaon near Demow. The dead patient has been identified as Dugraswar Dehingia about 63 years old. He was suffering from the disease since a few days and was admitted in Assam Medical College Dibrugarh for further treatment.

Guahati High Court in PIL No. 39/2015 filed by Mizoram Chakma Students' Union (MCSU) wherein the Mizoram government had given written submission before the Honourable Court for inclusion of the Chakma students in Category I those selected for admission in higher and technical courses in colleges across India through Mizoram state quota. Earlier, in the STEE-2004 conducted under the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) Rules of 1999, a total of 38 Chakma students were selected under Category I for admission into various higher and technical courses including medical, engineering, nursing, forestry, veterinary, etc. The MZP held protests for days and picketed the office of the Higher and Technical Education at Aizawl forcing the government of Mizoram to enter into an agreement with the MZP to change the rules to exclude the Chakma from Category I which they wanted to reserve exclusively for Mizo people. On 24th March, 2015, the Mizoram government notified the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) (Sixth Amendment) Rules of 2015 which reserved Category I exclusively for “Zo-ethnicity people” who are “indig-

enous people” of Mizoram and Category II and III for Non-Zo ethnicity who are “non-indigenous people”. In the STEE examination held in 2015, 13 Chakma students were selected under Cateogry II as per the amended selection rules. The Mizoram Chakma Students' Union or MCSU, the apex body of the Chakma minority students, challenged the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) (Sixth Amendment) Rules of 2015 through a PIL (PIL No. 39/2015) in the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court. In a record of two hearings, on 16 July 2015 the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court ruled in favour of the MCSU and the Mizoram government gave a written undertaking before the Hon’ble Court that Chakma students would be included under Category I and there would not be any discrimination of students based on ethnicity. As per the judgement of the Hon’ble High Court, the Higher and Technical Education department started fresh counseling for Chakma students under Category I. The entire process was going on peacefully from 16th July 2015 onwards, but on 21 July 2015 suddenly a group of MZP activists appeared in the venue of the counseling and asked the

Chakma students and their guardians to leave immediately. The MZP members claimed that Chakmas are “not indigenous peoples of Mizoram” and that they refused to abide by the judgement of the Honourable High Court. The MZP members beat up a Chakma youth leader Mr Gambir Chakma who was leading the Chakma students in the counseling. Finally, the Chakma students were threatened and chased away. Upon intervention by Dr B D Chakma, MLA and Minister of the State Government of Mizoram with the appropriate authorities, the SDO Sadar Mr H Lalhmingthanga intervened and called the Chakma students to the office of the Higher & Technical Education. But even in the presence of the SDO Sadar, MZP leaders did not allow the Chakma students to take part in the counseling. The Chakma students were denied counseling and had to return home while counseling of the Mizo students continued without any problem. “After assaulting Chakma student leader and forcibly removing Chakma students from the venue of counseling, the MZP leaders made public statements that they would take 'some drastic measures' to resist inclusion of Chakma students in Category I by any means and that they will en-

Contd. from Page 1

DRDA non cooperation

ment conspiracy to deprive them of the due benefits. They alleged that they have not received monthly salary.

sure that Chakma students who had earlier been allotted seats would be cancelled. This is in total violation of the Gauhati High Court’s order of 16 July 2015 in PIL No. 39/2015. Yet, the Mizoram government is not doing anything to protect the rights of the Chakmas who are a minority community” – the Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union stated in a press statement. The Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union demanded immediate interventions of the Chief Minister Lalthanhawla and the Honourable Guahati High Court to ensure compliance with the judgement dated 16 July 2015 of the Hon’ble Guahati High Court in PIL No. 39/2015 by re-conducting the counseling session for the Chakma students who have been denied counseling because of the obstruction created by the MZP activists; to ensure that except those who are called for counseling, members of the MZP or any other private organizations are not allowed within the premises of the counseling centres during the counseling of the Chakma students; and provide security by deploying the Mizoram Police personnel to ensure that Chakma students can participate in the counseling without any fear.

Two girls spending a few minutes to take their tiffin while remaining busy in their paddy fields in a village in Sonitpur. Pic - Saurav Borkataki.

Former GMDA Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma threatens legal action against a section of media

But a section of media did not tender apology before me for naming me in the scam. This time I will file defamation case against them.” Minutes after Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma took on a section of meET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Jul 22: The dia for naming him in the functionings in Kokrajhar watergate, BJP leaders in DRDA office came to a stand- New Delhi called him one still on Wednesday when the employees staged dharna rais- of the key suspects in the scam. BJP parliamentary ing a set of demands. At around 10 in the morning board members in New all employees thronged in Delhi released a booklet front of the office and started staging dharna demanding on the corruption cases in steps to bring them under the Congress ruled states Panchayat &Rural develop- naming Dr Sarma as one ment department with pen- of the key suspect in the sionary benefits. They further multi crore scam. BJP demanded immediate release of monthly salary with arrears. leaders said, “without the The non cooperation will con- involvement of the then tinue for the next seven days GMDA minister the huge if the authorities fail give in. scam could not have Talking to the reporters the employees called it a govern- taken place. Dr Sarma

Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union condemns denial of admission counseling to Chakma students in Aizawl in violation of the Gauhati High Court order ET Bureau New Delhi, Jul 22: The Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union (DMCSU) today strongly condemned the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students' Association) for allegedly beating up a Chakma student leader yesterday and forcibly removing the Chakma students from the venue of admission counseling conducted at the office of the Higher & Technical Education at Chaltlang, Aizawl, Mizoram. The MZP members physically assaulted an office bearer of Mizoram Chakma Students' Union, Mr Gambir Chakma, who was assisting the Chakma students at the venue of counseling. As many as 13 Chakma students were selected this year in the State Technical Entrance Examination (STEE)2015 conducted by the Mizoram Board of School Education and they were being given counseling, together with the other students in different batches, for admission into various higher and technical institutions across different parts of India. The seats have been allotted by the Central government to Mizoram under the State quota. Ironically, this incident has come to light in the wake of the recent judgement dated 16 July 2015 by the Hon’ble

tiently and said that he will verify the documents and would decide upon a further course of action. The demands include (a) Initiation of CBI enquiry into the whole gamut of financial mismanagement by the incumbent State Government since 2011 (b) Immediate resignation of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his council of ministers. They also submitted the details of mismanagement since 2011 in the Dept. of National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) obtained through RTI by some civil activists.

was the minister.” BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also present in the function. The department has not disclosed their identities and does not believe they will come out in the plea documents to be released by the trial court, or approved for release. Louis Berger International agreed last week to a $17.3 million settlement with the department of justice for bribing officials in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Kuwait. In India, the company admitted to bribing at least one Goa minister and several officials of that state — together almost a million dollars — and Guwahati over 2009 and 2010. The company had a project each in the two states, which, the settlement announcement by

the department of justices said, were both won with the help of bribes. US and Indian law enforcement may share information on any given case through informal or formal mechanisms. Speculation continues in India about the number of officials who accepted bribes and their identity — especially the minister. Manohar Parrikar believes there were two. Two senior Berger executives are named in the documents released so far, including Dubaibased James McClung, who was in charge of operations in India. These names and bribes — in all $3.9 million — were discovered during an internal investigation by the company, as the spokesperson said, and reported to authorities.

Japanese Encephalitis claims 6 in Dibrugarh Contd. from Page 1 According to WHO, the Japanese Encephalitis virus is transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Culex Tritaeniorhynchus and Culex Vishnui groups, which breed easily in flooded rice fields. The

virus circulates through birds like herons and egrets, while pigs act as the amplifying hosts. Baruah said that they have already completed fogging in the town areas. "Two cases have been reported this year from the town area with one person dying. Till now 11 cases of JE have been re-

ported from Nahoroni,’’ said the Joint Director. JE is characterised by inflammation of the brain and high fever and is a type of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Last year, 2,071 cases of AES and 347 deaths caused by AES had been reported between May and September.

Catapult surrender to save hundreds of birds in the tea garden areas Contd. from Page 1 garden areas to inspire the people there to surrender their catapults. “The main aim of the awareness programme is to encourage people not to use catapults to save hundreds of birds,” said Raj Sonowal, president SWC. Many a time, some rare species of birds have been killed by the people residing in the tea garden areas. During the winter season many migratory birds come to the tea garden areas to nest on the tress but sometimes they are poached by the

people. “Basically the children of these areas do not have much to do once they are through with their morning school and so they use the catapult to keep themselves busy,’’ said a wildlife activist. The people of tea garden areas have acquired this traditional hunting tool from their ancestors. But now the people of Hilika Tea estate have surrendered this traditional hunting tool. “The children have shown interest in the awareness programme who have collected the catapults from every household and later they burnt them,’’ said

Sonowal. On Wednesday, the children of Hilika Tea estate took out a rally and collected catapults from every household of that area. The main objective of the rally has been to discourage sale of items relating to hunting such as catapult rubber. “We have taken the initiative to create awareness in tea estate areas where the people use the catapult for killing birds and other wild animals. We are very happy to see that the people of Hilika Tea estate have surrendered the catapult,’’ further added Raj Sonowal.

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REGION

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Govt. forms five member committee for drafting MRVTMW Bill Imphal, Jul 22: For the protection of indigenous people the State Government has decide upon to constitute a five-member committee for drafting the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) Bill 2015. A Cabinet meeting held this afternoon adopted a resolution towards this effect. Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra is the chairman of the committee while Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul is the convenor, according to an order issued by the Home Department today. The other members of the Committee are Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA N Biren and MLA RK Anand. The committee may coopt representatives of

Search operation for the two drowned in Dzu resumes Kohima, Jul 22: The bodies of the two drowned in the river Dzu near Vzwu bridge resumed from Wednesday. A joint operation was conducted by fire department, public, police personnel, disaster management team on July 21 but no bodies could be tracked. Two persons were washed away in the Dzü River near Vzwü Bridge, around 20 km away from Kohima. The two missing persons were identified as Pinthang Yimchunger (30), son of Seshma Yimchunger of Chomi village, Kiphire district and Tarkal Bahadur (27), son of Mon Bahadur. According to sources, four persons including the two missing persons had gone for fishing at Dzü River. While two persons made a narrow escape, the missing persons, who were in the middle of the river, were washed away after sudden increase of flow of water in the river. Search on July 22 would be conducted under the initiative of Yimchungru Union Kohima (YUK) in collaboration with the neighbouring villages including Rüsoma, Tuophema, Gariphema, Chüziema, Kijümetouma and others. The union requested all concern to reach the spot Vzwü bridge area by 9 a.m. YUK president T. Kejingkhum and YUK press and information Secretary David H. Yimchunger sought the cooperation of the wellwishers and requested to contact 9862043255 and 9862767068 in case of any information. (Agencies)

GOVT.'S NEW INITIATIVE ASSUMES

The four MLAs who are in the committee : Th Debendra, Dr Ng Bijoy, N Biren and RK Anand. ØFor the protection of indigenous people the State Government has decide upon to constitute a five-member committee for drafting the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) Bill 2015. A Cabinet meeting held this afternoon adopted a resolution towards this effect.

ØLaw and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra is the chairman of the committee while Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul is the convenor the other members of the Committee are Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA N Biren and MLA RK Anand.

JCILPS as members and it should submit a draft Bill at the earliest so that

the State Government may introduce the Bill in the Manipur Legislative

ØThe State Cabinet has endorsed the decision of the Congress Legislature Party to institute a Judicial enquiry into the death of Sapam Robinhood (16) under Porompat police station. Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul has issued an order to this effect today. ØDeputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that the committee would start drafting a Bill from tomorrow and they would submit a draft Bill to the Government within 30 days before it is tabled before the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Assembly within a month, said the order. Meanwhile, the State

Cabinet has endorsed the decision of the Congress Legislature Party to institute a Judicial enquiry into the death of Sapam Robinhood (16) under Porompat police station. Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul has issued an order to this effect today. Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that the committee would start drafting a Bill from tomorrow and they would submit a draft Bill to the Government within 30 days before it is tabled before the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Appointment of a Judge who would enquire into the death of Robinhood would also be expedited. Claiming that most of the prerequisites for drafting a new

Bill have been fulfilled by the Government, Gaikhangam appealed to the JCILPS to take part in drafting the Bill in public interest. While conveying solidarity to the bereaved family of Robinhood, Gaikhangam appealed to all concerned to let the family perform the last rites of the deceased student. Rumours have been doing the round that police would bring and place the corpse of Robinhood at his home. But the Government has no intention to indulge in such mindless and forcible acts, Gaikhangam clarified. If necessary, the Government would invite JCILPS for a second time, stated that Deputy Chief Minister while exuding confidence that the Government would receive a positive response this time. (Agencies)

Trial of two alleged IAS officers gets the green signal from Chattisgarh Govt. Raipur, Jul 22: Regarding the prosecution of two IAS officers allegedly involved in a "scam" in the Civil Supplies Corporation gets the nod from Chattisgarh government which has also sent a proposal to the Centre seeking its approval to move ahead in the case. The senior bureaucrats, who were today shifted from their current posts, face cheating and criminal conspiracy charges, among others. "The State

Government has accorded sanction for prosecution of IAS officers Alok Shukla and Anil Tuteja (former Food Secretary and MD of Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation, respectively) under IPC Sections 109 (punishment of abatement), 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant)," an official release said here today. The approval was granted on

July 17, it added. "A proposal to prosecute both the officers under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was sent to the Government of India for approval. Power for granting sanction for prosecution (for all-India officers) vests with the Centre," it said. Meanwhile, the Government transferred Shukla and Tuteja along with two other IAS officials on Tuesday. As per the official order, Shukla, Secretary, Health

and Family Welfare and Medical Education Department, has been posted at Mantralaya as Principal Secretary. Similarly, Tuteja, Director in Panchayat Department, has been posted as Joint Secretary in Mantralaya. ACB had conducted simultaneous raids in the premises of the Corporation and it officials across 12 districts in February this year. During the raids, around Rs 4 crore in unac-

counted cash and evidences pointing to irregularities in the Corporation running into several crores had surfaced. Twelve officials of Civil Supplies Department (under which the Corporation works) were also arrested. At the time of raids, Shukla was Food Secretary, while Tuteja was Managing Director of the Corporation. Following the raids, Opposition Congress had sought a CBI probe into the "scam". (Agencies)

Ward member found dead in Bihar's Darbhanga district Darbhanga, Jul 22: A ward member of Narayanpur Panchayat was found dead on Wednesday near a bridge under Nehra police outpost in Bihar's Darbhanga district, a police officer said. The blood-stained body of 42 year-old Umesh Paswan, a native of Gaina village, was found lying near Godarhat bridge a day after he had gone missing, Nehra police outpost Inspector Ranjan Kumar said. The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said, adding a probe was on to find out motive behind the death of ward member under mysterious circumstances. (Agencies)

Accused Mujahideen Chief's escapade puts Bihar jail on high alert

Patna, Jul 22: After coming through a tip off from an intelligence report regading the planned escapade of Mujahideen Chief Yasi Bhatkal the Bihar jails are on high alert . According to the intelligence agency officials, Bhatkal could reportedly be in touch with operatives who are in different Bihar jails. The intelligence agencies had earlier intercepted a call made by Bhatkal from Hyderabad jail to his wife

Zahida in south Delhi's Jamia Nagar, according to news reports. During the phone call, which was being tapped, the 32-year-old hinted at getting help from the Islamic State, which now controls large swathes of territories in Syria and Iraq. Co-founder of Indian Mujahideen, Bhatkal was arrested from Bihar by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2013 in connection with the 2011 Mumbai serial blasts. (Agencies)

Heavy downpour renders Kolkata's landmark Victoria 1000 homeless in Tripura Memorial getting makeover Agartala , Jul 22 : Several houses were severely damaged and many left shelter less in the capital city of Tripura as persistent rain for a long period caused heavy floods making people to dwell without a roof. The most affected areas are Jaipur, Kashipur, Baldakhal, Chanpur, Kalikapur, Ranjitnagar, Aralia, Katashewla, Pratapgarh etc. The homeless people said their houses were totally destroyed and therefore they are compelled to take shelter in the relief camps along with their children. Around 3000 people were rendered homeless in the capital and its adjoining areas when the Howrah river crossed the danger mark, said a government official. Officials were directed to speed up relief and rescue operations in flood affected

areas. We are keeping a close watch on the situation and have put a team of divers on high alert, the governm e n t o ff i c i a l m e n tioned. It is worthy to be mentioned here that heavy rains in recent weeks have damaged crops across North India with farmers suffering heavy losses. Several farmers, who took loans for farming, were deprived at large from a minimum profit. During the last couple of

days rains have damaged the production of vital vegetables with the farmers keeps handhead across the rural areas of the state like, Sonamura, Kamalpur, Killa, Manu, Julaibari, Melagarh, Khowai, C h a r i l a m , Dharmanagar including others. The vital production like tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon cultivation and others have been damaged at large due to the monsoon rain. (Agencies)

Ex M'laya minister held guilty of numerous criminal events

Bangladesh National Party leader Salahuddin Ahmed appeared before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Shillong. Pic - UB Photos

Technical Director, NIC, New Delhi, Ram Kumar Matoria delivers speech at organized 3 Days Workshop on eGranthalaya Software for Automation and Networking of Government Schools in Shillong. Pic - UB Photos

New Delhi, Jul 23: Union minister PK Thungon has been convicted by a special court in a 1998 corruption case and sent him to judicial custody. Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge Ajay Kumar Jain has found guilty on Monday Thungon, also a former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, and three others in the corruption case. The order was made public on Tuesday. The court also remanded them in judicial custody. Thungon and others were held guilty of offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating by personation, cheating, forgery of valuable security), forgery for purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document under the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The other accused who were also convicted are Tali A.O., C. Sangit and Mahesh Maheshwari. The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on July 27. Thungon, then the minister of state for urban development and employment in the P.V. Narasimha Rao gov-

Thungon and others were held guilty of offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating by personation, cheating, forgery of valuable security), forgery for purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document under the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. ernment, along with the other accused, was involved in misappropriating money meant for an irrigation project in Nagaland. According to the CBI, Thungon connived with officials of Nagaland's irrigation and flood control department in placing a bogus order for sausage wire for a project during 1993-94. (Agencies)

Kolkata, Jul 22: Kolkata's iconic monument Victoria Memorial Hall is being given a makeover and will soon turn into an openspace cultural centre besides allowing access to hidden parts of the iconic marble edifice. The makeover will make the British era structure a unique combination of heritage, architecture and museum, VMH curator Jayanta Sengupta told the media. The authorities have decided to allow visitors access to all areas of Victoria Memorial Hall and make cultural events a regular affair on its campus. Sengupta told the media that as part of a Rs 60-crore renovation and modernisation programme funded by the Union Min-

istry of Culture, the authorities are carrying out a preventive conservation of the heritage structure of the British era. Parts of the architectural beauty inside the monument are now hidden under a false ceiling and false walls which are

used as galleries. "The windows and the large red sandstone walls were hidden so far. But now you will be able to see it as we will hang paintings on glass walls," the curator said.Victoria Memorial, as VMH is commonly known,

was conceived by Lord Curzon after the death of Queen Victoria. It was designed by famous British architect Sir William Emerson in Indo-Saracenic Revival architectural style. Construction began in 1906 and was thrown open to the public in 1921. The grand edifice set among its emerald green garden is a must see for all tourists coming to the city. The curator plans to convert VMH into an open-access cultural space where cultural events, film screenings, music concerts can take place on a regular basis. It already hosts the Kolkata Literary Meet each year in January. "Our target is to complete the entire modernisation programme by March 2017," he added. (Agencies)

Mirik administration caught in unwanted dilemma Darjeeling, Jul 22: The administration in Mirik is having a tough time convincing landslide-hit people on various issues, including distribution of relief materials and government aid. The over 3000 people are presently living in relief camps in Mirik after their homes were either buried, swept away or damaged in the landslide that hit different areas in Mirik block in Darjeeling on 1 July. Apart from the hard hit, the relief camp also shelters others whose houses have been partially damaged, and even those whose houses are intact. All of them fear another landslide hitting the area anytime soon. "We are here (camp) as we fear for our lives, given the rainfall and chances of another landslide taking us off guard," one person said at

the camp. Meanwhile the administration is trying to solve the problems of all the people staying in relief camps. Some of the families are, meanwhile, complaining that their names are not in the government list of landslide victims. Samir Gurung, a resident of Bhir Gaon, Tingling Division, Singbuli Tea Estate, who is living in one of the camps,

AMFA notifies Imphal, Jul 22 : In connection with All India Football Federation (AIFF) U-15 and U-18 ILeague to be held from September, the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has notified to all the intending

clubs/academies to collect the AIFF Academy Certificate Application form and other documents for onward submission to AIFF within July 30, informed a statement issued by AMFA.(Agencies)

said that though his house is not damaged, the same is in a danger zone now at Bhir Gaon. "As such, our names must also be included in the list of victims prepared by the administration," he said. "We do not want relief materials being distributed by various organizations, but our names should figure in the government list for the different

forms of aid the government is giving," he added. Asked about such problems, a senior government official said that from the administration's side they have been providing all possible aid to all the people in the camps according to their needs and condition. It is learnt that this latter group of people are staying in the relief camps because they feel that they will be deprived of the government aid in the future if they go back to their houses. According to government officials, there are many procedures to be followed when it comes to distributing the ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the deceased. According to them, they can neither deny nor grant some people in the camps the government aid. (Agencies)

URF cadre held Imphal, Jul 22: Troops of 45 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of Hqs IGAR (South) launched an operation at Pangei and apprehended one URF cadre on July 19. He has been identified as

PT Jordan alias Regan Singh (19). The apprehendee has been handed over to Heingang police station, said a press release issued by PRO Hqs IGAR (S). (Agencies)

BJP targets Congress, claims proof of Harish Rawat's involvement in flood scam New Delhi, Jul 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday claimed it had proof of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat's involvement in a liquour scam and loot during the devastating 2013 floods. "The Uttarakhand Chief Minister and his Personal Secretary were involved in a liquor scam and loot during Uttarakhand floods. We have a video proof which shows involvement of Uttarakhand Chief Minister and his powerful close confidante in the scam," said BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman. Rawat had earlier ordered an inquiry into the flood relief scam, adding that strict action would be initiated against those responsible. According to reports, during the disaster in Uttarakhand, when

lakhs of people went hungry, officials of the state government were busy utilizing the Rs. 7000 per day allowance given to them for supervising relief efforts. When the state was struggling for two meals in a day, the officials had a normal day diet of mutton chops, chicken, milk and cottage cheese. An RTI reply has revealed a scam in the allowance claims made by the officials involved in the rescue and relief works. (ANI)

Royals release new picture Prince of George on 2nd b'day London, Jul 22: Prince William and Kate Middleton's son Prince George has turned 2 on Wednesday and in honour of this the royals have released a fresh picture of the first baby of Kate-Wills. The image was pictured by photographer Mario Testino after Princess Charlotte's christening on July 5 at Sandringham House, on the Queen's Norfolk estate, and the tiny royal is seen smiling in the arms of his father, Duke of Cambridge. A Kensington Palace source said that the royal couple was very happy sharing the picture as it depicts a sweet memory the family shared on Princess Charlotte's baptism ceremony. It was also speculated that the royal couple will celebrate George's birthday privately at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk home, as William is still settling into his new job as an East Anglian Air Ambulance helicopter pilot. (ANI)

Tainted BJP ministers should resign on moral grounds: JD (U)

New Delhi, Jul 22: Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav on Tuesday said tainted Bharatiya Janta Party ( BJP) ministers should resign first on the moral grounds, and then, explain themselves. "When my name and Advani ji's name came up in Hawala scam, we not only gave our resignations, but also decided not to enter the house till our names were cleared. If Sushma ji resigns first, and then talks about the issue, then, she will emerge stronger. On the basis of morality, these people should resign first,

and then, explain themselves," Yadav told media persons. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. following the logjam over the Vyapam scam and Lalit Gate. The Lalit Modi issue figured in the Rajya Sabha for the second day on Wednesday with both the opposition and the government sticking to their stands. The House witnessed an unprecedented uproar with the Congress demanding that nothing short of the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, will satisfy them. (ANI)

Nation will oppose Congress if it obstructs GST Bill: Jaitley New Delhi, Jul 22: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the nation will oppose the Congress Party if it obstructs the passage of the GST Bill, and claimed the latter was against the development of the nation. "If the Congress opposes this bill, then the nation will oppose Congress, every citizen and every busi-

ØIf the Congress opposes this GST Bill ,then the nation will oppose Congress, every citizen and every businessman will oppose Congress . ØCongress is against the development of the nation, and they have established it by issuing a dissent note.

ØCongress fixes their irresponsible behavior ØWe want the constitutional amendment on GST to be passed.

nessman will oppose Congress. Congress is against the development of the nation, and they have established it by issuing a dissent note," Jaitley told media persons. "I hope Congress fixes their irresponsible behavior. Never have I seen a party giving a dissent note on something they proposed. We want the constitutional

amendment on GST to be passed. Dissent note by Congress is hardly a dissent," he added. The select committee on Goods and Services Tax submitted its report in the Rajya Sabha earlier on Wednesday with a proposal for three modifications to the Bill. The second day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament was marred on

A new front against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat's personal secretary Mohammed Shahid New Delhi, Jul 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opened a new front against the Congress by releasing a video of a purported sting operation against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat's personal secretary Mohammed Shahid, in which he is seen as negotiating with middlemen to change the excise policy in the state. Releasing the video at the party headquarters, Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "The excise policy of Uttarakhand under Vijay Bhauguna was to have the wholesale distribution of foreign liquor (FL-2) through Garwhal Mandal Vikas Nigam and Agricul-

ture Marketing Council. These two then distribute to the smaller retailers and the third layer was the retail outlet." Sitharaman said that after the Congress replaced Bhauguna with Harish Rawat in view of the Uttarakhand floods, among the first thing the new CM did was to change the liquor policy of the state. "Harish Rawat's priority was to change the policy in such a way that the liquor distribution would happen through agencies which they will bring in and only transportation would happen through GMVN," he said. The minister added that the distribution was removed from government agency GMVN... the public body

was sidelined and private agencies at the convenience and through the pick and

chose policy of the Chief Minister and his PS Mohammed Shahid and

passed on to private agencies. "There was an understanding of several hundred of crores (of rupees)...let us bargain how much you will give me, the PS sits and negotiates with these people saying how much are you giving now and the payment would be made in Delhi or Dehradun. 25% now, 75% later all this comes through in that sting operation," she said. "Very clearly, with a clear intention of making money in a state like Uttarakhand which is crying for help, the chief minister and his handpicked and chosen PS, an IAS officer from Gujarat cadre who was brought in even when he was a union minister," he added.(Agencies)

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy asked the congress to first look within before blaming others Jodhpur, Jul 22: In a controversial claim, Swamy had last week alleged that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was caught by Federal Bureau of Investigation officials for holding USD 1.60 lakh and white powder in the US in 2001. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy has asked the Congress to first look within before blaming others. Congress president Sonia Gandhi had then called up then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was Vajpayee who rang up then US President George Bush and got Rahul Gandhi released, Swamy said. Swamy then called Raje 'Jhansi ki Rani', who is "capable of sailing through

any controversy on her own". "Raje is Jhansi ki Rani, who has the capability to protect herself from any odd and if the need arises, I would help her," he said, while comparing the minister to the popular freedom fighter. Responding to questions on why no party leader has so far issued any statement in the Chief Minister's support like in the case of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is also facing allegations pertaining to Lalit Modi, the leader said, "I know her (Raje). She is capable of protecting herself very well. She does not need the support of any party cadre." "What Raje did was just a small favour to an old friend on humanitarian ground, which was not

a crime," he said. When questioned about allegations on Jhalawar MP and Raje's son Dushyant Singh for illegal transactions, wherein an amount of over Rs 11 crores was allegedly transferred to

the account of Niyant Heritage Hotels Pvt Ltd owned by him, Swamy challenged Congress to take a legal route and face the court. "If Dushynat has done anything wrong, why did the Congress not go to

the court against him and prove that he was guilty?" he asked. Swamy was here to appear in the court to plead on the bail application of Asaram Bapu, jailed in a sexual assault case.

Wednesday by opposition uproar amid demands for the sacking of tainted BJP ministers. Following the logjam, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 p.m on Wednesday. The Rajya Sabha could function for just eight minutes, after reconvening at 12:30 p.m. for a third time. (ANI)

Two Turkish policemen killed in another border town London, Jul 22: Days after a suicide bombing killed 32 activists in the Turkish border town of Suruc, at least two policemen have been killed in another town close to the Syrian border in the same province, the region's governor said. Governor Izzetin Kucuk said that the officers died in the town of Ceylanpinar in an 'attack,' adding that the authorities were trying to ascertain if the incident had any terror links, reported. The two officers were found dead inside a building. The incident took place a day after Turkish authorities identified a suspect in Monday's suicide bombing, who is believed to have links to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ( ISIS). (ANI)

UK woman dies in Spain while bungee jumping London, Jul 22: A woman from London has died while bungee jumping in Lanjaron in Spain, police have said. According to the report, a police spokesman said that the woman's aunt had been watching her as she took part in the jump from Tablate Bridge when the incident took place. Klyo De Abreu, 23 died on Tuesday in Granada in Spain, according to the Guardia Civil. A Guardia Civil spokesman said that it one of the lines of inquiry was that there was a "miscalculation with the rope," adding that it was too early to draw conclusions. The Tablate Bridge in Spain has a drop of 80m and is extremely popular for bungee jumping among several adventure sports films. (ANI)

Barring sporadic incidents the situation in the steel city remained peaceful: Jamshedpur Jamshedpur, Jul 22: Curfew was relaxed on Wednesday for four hours, with no major incident of violence reported in Jamshedpur, Barring the af-

fected places which witnessed clashes between two communities on an alleged incident of eve teasing. "We have extended four hours of relaxation in the curfew

Delays in the disposal of cases in Information Commissions New Delhi, Jul 22 : A study, conducted by RTI Assessment and Advocacy Group ( RAAG) and Samya - Centre for Equity Studies ( CES) has reported that there are huge and growing delays in the disposal of cases in many of the Information Commissions, with pendency of cases growing every month. This was disclosed in reply to a question in Parliament by Minister of State, Jitendra Singh on Wednesday. According to this report titled 'Peoples' Monitoring of the RTI Regime in India',

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

mainly due to inadequate support. The government has, however, taken several steps like capacity building through training and issue of guidelines for Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities, to enable them to supply information/dispose of first appeal effectively, resulting into less number of appeals to the Informathe main reasons behind tion Commission. The the delays seem to be the government,apart from a paucity of Commission- number of clarificatory ers in some of the Com- orders has also issued an missions and the low pro- OM No. 1/18/2007-IR ductivity of some of the dated 21st September, other Commissioners, 2007 and 1/6/2011-IR

dated 15th April, 2013 impressing upon the public authorities to disclose maximum information proactively so that citizens need not resort to filing of RTI applications to access information available with the public authorities. The Central Information Commission has been granted autonomy in recruitment of staff. Further, Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner have been appointed in the Central Information Commission in June 2015. (ANI)

from 1 PM to 5 PM in Jamshedpur, but not in the affected police station areas of Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM," Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Kaushal said. The curfew clamped in Jamshedpur and its peripheral areas following violent clashes between members of two communities over eve-teasing at Mango on Monday last, would be reimposed after 5 PM, he said. Barring sporadic incidents, the situation

in the steel city including Mango area remained peaceful which prompted the administration to take the decision, he said. Deputy Superintendent of Police P Jascinta Kerketta said that situation was well under control as no fresh incident had taken place since last night. "We have adequate forces including para-military forces which have already arrived from Patna," she said assuring that the situation would re-

turn to normal soon. Earlier in the morning, CRPF staged a flag march in the affected areas to inculcate confidence among the people, even as schools remained closed in view of the tense situation since the last two days. District Superintendent of Education, Indra Bhusan said the administration would take a decision about further extension of closure of schools depending on the

situation. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Kaushal and SSP Anoop T Mathew told reporters last night that six FIRs had been lodged and 103 people arrested in connection with the clashes. An enquiry has been ordered to probe the clashes, Kaushal said adding that the probe would be done by the Kolhan Division Commissioner Arun and DIG R K Dhan.

US officials release 'African-American' Sandra Bland's arrest video London, Jul 22: U.S. officials have reportedly released a police dashcam video showing the arrest of an African-American woman in Texas, who died three days later in custody. The footage of the July 10 arrest shows Sandra Bland's car being pulled over for failing to signal, which is then followed by a confrontation with the officer, as reported. The video clip shows a policeman issuing a ticket and then asking Bland to stub

out her cigarette, which she refuses. When she declines to step out of her car, the policeman tries unsuccessfully to pull her out and then appears to threaten her with a Taser and says, "I will light you up". She then gets out of the car and the two of them move out of vision but the audio suggests that the confrontation becomes physical during the arrest before more cops arrive. The video, released by the Texas Department of Pub-

lic Safety, however, has abrupt breaks in continuity and is looped in several places, suggesting that it was doctored prior to release. Social media users, including award winning film director Ava DuVernay, have questioned the video's authenticity. The arresting officer claimed that he was kicked and has been put on administrative leave. The coroner said that Bland hung herself in her cell but her family has demanded

an independent autopsy. State authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are both investigating her death. The 28-year-old's death is the latest in a series of such incidents in the U.S., in which a black person has died while in police custody. Other incidents, including the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, touched off massive protests and unrest across the country in the past. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

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NEIGHBOURS

The Myanmar government and armed ethnic minority groups resumed critical talks on Wednesday Yangon, Jul 22: The Myanmar government and armed ethnic minority groups resumed critical talks on Wednesday to reach a nationwide ceasefire agreement that would end six decades of fighting before an upcoming general election that threatens to upend hard-won progress toward a deal. More than a dozen ethnic minority groups and government representatives have been in talks for more than 18 months and a key negotiator warned that failure to reach an accord could trigger a fresh round of fighting if the military takes action. The general election, which would usher in a new president, takes place in November. "If negotiations fail and the military believe that the

Pak SC stays 'blasphemy convict' Aasia Bibi's execution Karachi, Jul 22: Pakistan's Supreme Court has reportedly stayed the execution of blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi, admitting her petition for full hearing. A three-member bench at the Supreme Court asked for all records pertaining to the case to be presented before it, as reported. In her petition, the death row prisoner claimed that she had not made any blasphemous remarks and the allegations levelled against her by her neighbours were based on a personal feud. She urged the court to strike down her death sentence. A high court in Lahore had upheld her death sentence last year. She has been on death row since November 2010 after being convicted of making derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a Muslim woman over a bowl of water. Two high-profile politicians, the then Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer and federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, were killed in 2011 after they called for reforms in blasphemy laws and described Bibi's trial as 'flawed'. (ANI)

nationwide ceasefire agreement cannot be signed under the present government, they will have no choice but to launch military operations," said Hla Maung Shwe, of the Myanmar Peace Center. The center, funded by the European Union, was set up in 2012 to help with ceasefire negotiations and the ethnic peace process. The prospect of reaching a deal as soon as possible, however, was uncertain. Key details were still up in the air Wednesday, including which ethnic groups will participate. Negotiations hit a snag in June when minorities attending a summit asked the government to allow three other groups still at odds with the government to participate in the

ceasefire signing. When President Thein Sein assumed power in 2011, the armed groups operated in 55 townships across the country but that number has grown

to 110 townships in 2015, according to research conducted by the European-funded center. Some ethnic armed groups like the Ta'ang National Liberation

China's maritime activities were carried out in line with international law: Chinese foreign ministries Shanghai, Jul 22: China has described Japan's annual defence review as misleading and malicious, saying it overplayed the "China military threat" and stoked tensions between the two East Asian powers, and stuck resolutely to its claims over a disputed island chain. In a paper issued on Tuesday, Japan called on China to halt construction of oil and gas exploration platforms close to waters in the East China Sea claimed by both countries. Tokyo is concerned that Chinese drills could tap reservoirs that extend into Japan's territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the review ignored that China's maritime activities were carried out

in line with international law, according to a statement posted on the Chinese foreign ministry's website late on Tuesday. "The Diaoyu islands

have belonged to China since ancient times ... China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and Japan

should not hold any unrealistic illusions," he said, referring to a disputed chain of islets, also known in Japanese as the Senkaku. The de-

fence review had expressed worries that the platforms being built by China could also be used as monitoring stations near the islets. The report also commented on the disputed South China Sea, where Japan and other countries have criticised Chinese land reclamation projects as a threat to regional security. "China's construction activities ... are not entirely within the scope of its sovereignty, and neither impact, nor is it directed at, any country," Lu said. "We solemnly urge Japan to stop stoking tensions, provoking with contradictions and instead undertake more activities that are conducive to regional peace and stability."(Agencies)

Islamabad and Beijing are ready to ensure compliance Islamabad, Jul 22: Pakistan and China - are ready to become "guarantors" of a possible peace deal, as a alks between the Taliban and Afghan government officials move ahead, the key facilitators - a media report said here on Wednesday. The two sides met openly on July

7 in Pakistan's hill resort of Murree for talks in the presence of officials from Pakistan, China and the US. Islamabad and Beijing are ready to ensure compliance by both parties to end the misgivings between the negotiators. "We are ready to go the extra mile. We are even willing to become

guarantors for any peace agreement," said a senior Pakistani official. He said Pakistan has been facilitating Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace talks, "but if talks make progress and all sides agree, then Pakistan has no problem in playing its role beyond that of a facilitator". The Chinese

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is all set to raise the monthly salary bar to at least SGD 5,000: Singapore Singapore, Jul 22: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is all set to raise the monthly salary bar to at least SGD 5,000 from September 1 in order to qualify for dependant passes (DPs) for their spouses and children joining them in Singapore. The current minimum figure stands at SGD 4,000. Singapore will hike the minimum salary amount for foreign workers seeking to bring their families over to live with them. Those who want to bring their parents to Singapore on Long Term Visit Passes (LTVPs) face an even higher minimum sal-

Army have increased their strength, Hla Maung Shwe said, quoting from the center's work. He and Aung Min, the vice chairman of the government's Union

Peace-making Working Committee, were taking part in the Wednesday talks. Ethnic rebel group Karen National Union's vice president Naw Zipporah Sein led the negotiations on the ethnic minority groups' side. In his opening remarks at the talks, Aung Min told ethnic leaders that the nationwide ceasefire agreement should be signed before the end of the tenure of Thein Sein government. Peace negotiators suggested the agreement could be signed by 15 ethnic groups, but the ethnic leaders have insisted on a deal that also includes buy-in from the Shan state's Ta'ang National Liberation Amry, the Kokang group and the Arakan Army. (Agencies)

ary bar of SGD 10,000 a month, up from SGD 8,000 previously. The Government updates the DP/LTVP qualifying salary from time to time, to ensure that sponsors will be able to upkeep their dependants. The mentioned changes are in line coupled with tougher rules which will be imposed from October 1, 2015, for employing foreign professionals. However, the spokesman assured that the government continues to welcome highly skilled foreign professionals who wish to bring their dependants to stay with them. The move for raising the qualify-

ing salary will affect foreigners on S Passes and Employment Passes (EPs). There were 178,900 people on EPs and 170,100 on S Passes as of December 2014 in Singapore. "It is a necessary rationalization as hiring one foreign professional can open the door to, say, four others in his or her family, which can impose a cost on society."By reviewing the benchmark, the door remains open but there is a more judicious management of the inflow," The Straits Times quoted Singapore Management University law don, Eugene Tan as

saying. Meanwhile, David Leong, MD of a recruitment firm, P e o p l e - Wo r l d w i d e Consulting cautioned that such a move might make Singapore less attractive to foreigners in the long run. "When senior managers relocate to another country, they would want to bring their family, it will make people who are moving to Singapore think twice about doing so," Leong said. "It discourages them from bringing their families and sends a signal to come alone, which may make other countries more attractive," Tan added. (Agencies)

foreign ministry also said in a statement that Beijing was ready to work with relevant parties and play a constructive role in achieving broad and inclusive peace. The two sides are expected to meet again for a second round of talks but the time and venue has not been an-

nounced as yet. It is expected that they will discuss modalities for a ceasefire as Kabul is anxious to end the bloodshed sooner than later. The peace process got a tremendous boost when the Afghan Taliban's reclusive chief Mullah Omar in his Eid message supported the talks. (Agencies)

12 killed and 32 were injured in the suicide bomb attack: Afghanistan

Kabul, Jul 22: In the attack at least 12 people were killed and 32 others were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that took place in the morning at a market in Almar district."The attacker detonated an explosivesladen motorcycle when a security forces convoy was passing by the area," police said. A majority of the victims were civilians. The injured were taken to the district hospital. The attacker also died on the spot, Yaqobi said adding that "the number of casualties is expected to rise further as several of the injured are in critical condition". "The attack could be retaliation by militants to the latest military operations in Almar, during which several militants were killed and injured," he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far. The province is 425 km northwest of Afghan capital Kabul, and has been the scene of heavy clashes between the Taliban militants and security forces over the past couple of weeks. The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched its so-called annual spring offensive in different parts of militancy-plagued Afghanistan. The violence has claimed hundreds of lives including militants, security personnel and civilians. (Agencies)

More rain expected to lash 'flood-hit' north Pak

Pakistan, Jul 22: More rain is expected to lash north Pakistan after flash floods submerged several villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. According to Pakistani media, at least three people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced, as reported.

Flash floods washed away roads, bridges and water schemes. Over 100 villages in various districts of Punjab were affected by the calamity, whereas about 200 villages along the River Indus were evacuated. Floods, triggered by torrential rain, kill scores of people in Pakistan every year. (ANI)

Mild tremor hits Nepal again Kathmandu, Jul 22: A mild tremor shook eastern Nepal on Tuesday as aftershocks continued to hit the country nearly three months after the deadly earthquake. The tremor this morning

measuring 4.3 magnitude on the Richter scale and was recorded at 8.09 am with its epicentre located near Charikot, the headquarters of Dolakha district, 75 kms east of

Kathmandu. It was the first tremor of 4 or more magnitude that the National Seismological Centre recorded in an interval of four days. The tremor was felt in neighbouring districts

also. A total of 353 aftershocks of 4 or more magnitude have been recorded after the devastating earthquake of April 25, that killed nearly 9,000 people. (Agencies)

Prime Minister Sharif has sent a box of mangoes to Prime Minister Modi New Delhi, Jul 22: Prime Minister Sharif has sent a box of mangoes to Prime Minister Modi through official channels on Eid even as his forces along the border gave a miss to the customary exchange of sweets with BSF on the occasion. Sharif's mango diplomacy

comes in the backdrop of a row between two countries over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and International Border in which both sides have suffered casualties. India had warned Pakistan of "effective and forceful" response to unprovoked firing and cross-

border terrorism. Following the row, Pakistani Rangers refused to accept the sweets offered by the BSF on the occasion of Eid last week. Border guarding forces of the two countries have been practising a tradition of exchanging sweets on festivals at the Interna-

tional Border in Jammu and along the AttariWagah border in Amritsar in Punjab. Last year also Sharif had sent mangoes to Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee which were delivered soon after India withdrew from foreign secretary talks.(Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Demon turning into a monster

Asia's Soft Power Deficit The Asia-Pacific may be racing ahead economically, but it still lags the West in soft power, according to new research. Anthony Fensom

Poverty in India - A giant barrier to overcome The spectacular growth of cities has made poverty in India incomparably more visible and palpable through its famous slums. Although there are less urban poor nowadays, their sheer number on the other hand has been increasing. They spend 80% of their income on food and the waning of public services creates new unbearable costs that in the end lead to extreme situations where Indians are denied basic services they once were able to access easily. At present, 29.8% of the Indian population lives below the poverty line. In the category of poor falls the people whose daily income is less than 28.65 rupees (56 cents/35p) a day in cities and 22.42 rupees (44 cents/33p) a day in villages. This means, the actual number of people living below the poverty line is much higher, as according to the statistical data, anyone earning 30 rupees won't be considered as poor but must be facing the same difficulties in life. But in spite of all the efforts, overall number of poor in India is increasing and becoming a hurdle. Poverty is just like a disease to which many other problems such as crime, low-paced development, etc. are associated. There are hordes of people in India who still live on the streets and beg for the whole day to eat a meal. Poor children are unable to attend school and, if they do attend, they tend to leave the school after a year or so. People below poverty line live in unhygienic conditions and are prone to many health problems. With this, the vicious cycle of poor health, lack of education and more poverty keeps on increasing. According to the Global Hunger Index Report 2012 by the International Food Research Institute, India ranks 65 in the Global Hunger Index. Though there is no shortage of food production in India, our nation still has the highest percentage of underweight children under five. As India works hard to become a superpower by 2020, these poor in India are a cause for concern as our nation still lags behind in terms of improving its position in the GHI. India at present has a greater share of the poor around the world. Thirty years ago, India was home to one-fifth of world's poor but now it is home to one-third of the poor people. This means we now have more poor in India as compared to thirty years ago. International poverty line stands at $ 1.25 per day and in 2010, 32.7% of the total population in India was below poverty line. India's government is well aware that poverty is a giant barrier to overcome if it is to fully develop as a nation. A wide range of anti-poverty policies have been introduced since the 1950s, which nonetheless appeared to bear fruit after 20 years of their implementation.

The fastest growing criminal industry Enforcement of strict prosecution of human traffickers is called for Human trafficking can be described as forcing a person into any kind of exploitation, sexual or labor or both, which is a human rights violation and the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It is the third largest profitable industry in the world. Child trafficking unlike many other issues is found in both developed and developing nations. Trafficked children are used for prostitution, forced into marriage, illegally adopted, used as cheap or unpaid labour, used for sport and organ harvesting. India is a source, destination and transit country for trafficking for many purposes including commercial sexual exploitation. Majority of the trafficking takes place within the country but there are also a large number trafficked from Nepal and Bangladesh. Children are trafficked to Middle Eastern countries for sport such as camel racing. There are no national or regional estimates for the number of children trafficked every year. But 40% of prostitutes are children, and there is a growing demand for young girls in the industry. NGOs estimate that 12,000-50,000 women and children are trafficked into the country annually from neighbouring states for the sex trade. Thousands of girls are trafficked from Bangladesh and Nepal. 200,000 Nepalese girls under 16 years are in prostitution in India. An estimated 1,000 to 1,500 Indian children are smuggled out of the country every year to Saudi Arabia for begging during the Hajj. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have the largest number of people trafficked. Intra state/inter district trafficking is high in Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Delhi and Goa are the major receiver states. Trafficking from north eastern states is high but often overlooked. In 2008, 529 girls were trafficked from Assam alone. Falling sex ratios in Haryana and Punjab has led to a need for trafficking of brides from villages in Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal. Though poverty-stricken communities are more likely to face crime, unemployment, and other vices that create a trafficking-prone environment, poverty alone does not explain the occurrence of trafficking. Poverty can heighten one's vulnerability to becoming a victim, but even if poverty is eradicated, trafficking will remain a problem as long as the industry is one of low-risk and high profits for the traffickers themselves. This is especially problematic because the traffickers face rapidly increasing demand; both the commercial sex industry and the industry for cheap, dispensable labour are growing around the world. Therefore, governmental and nongovernmental initiatives against trafficking should, in addition to implementing poverty alleviation measures, focus on enforcing strict prosecution of the perpetrators of human trafficking.

In its inaugural "Soft Power 30" index announced on July 14, London-based communications consultancy Portland ranked Britain first, Germany second, and the United States third in its survey of soft power assets, based on data from 50 countries. Contrasting with the "hard" power of military and economic might, soft power was first coined in 1990 by Harvard University's Professor Joseph Nye to explain the use of "positive attraction and persuasion" to achieve foreign policy objectives. Portland's survey ranked nations based on six categories comprising government, culture, education, global engagement, enterprise and digital, including both objective metrics and subjective international polling data. According to the report, Britain ranked top with "an unmatched combination of strong assets across all categories of soft power," particularly culture, digital and global engagement, while Germany "benefits from a higher level of trust from the global public to 'do the right thing in foreign affairs' than any other major power." For third-ranked the United States though, "perceptions of American foreign policy" dragged it down, despite leading the world in education, culture and digital. Yet although Australia ranked sixth, Japan eighth, and New Zealand 16th, Asia's next highest nation was South Korea in 20th place, followed by Singapore (21st), while China ranked 30th, despite its status as the world's second-largest economy. Scenery Shines Down Under Australia benefitted from its "domestic stability, areas of natural beauty, easygoing citizens, and an overwhelmingly pleasant climate," complimented with its "Koala Diplomacy" goal of taking "a more prominent role in international affairs." The nation's actions on the MH17 disaster and in combating international terrorism were cited as examples of its diplomacy also having claws, with the nation earning its highest scores for engagement and enterprise but lowest scores for culture, digital and polling. However, the report said "a cuddly koala will

only get you so far," with the "lucky country" needing to redouble diplomatic efforts to reinforce its "laid back" image and capitalize on its advantageous position in Asia.

digital, earning praise for its "unique" culture and "pursuit of perfection, most notably in its cuisine, technology and luxury goods." The nation ranked third globally for enter-

World Cup and 2020 Olympics to help promote itself to the world. South Korea's Cultural Power Neighboring South Korea polled highly, earn-

to "engage global audiences." Singapore Slinging High Ranked a notch below South Korea, Singapore "punches above its weight"

Neighboring New Zealand also ranked particularly highly in engagement, culture and education, with its "great quality of life, beautiful scenery, love of all sports and generous hospitality." These assets were only slightly negated by its "obvious geographical disadvantage" that made influence projection a challenge. Nevertheless, with the OECD's "Better Life Index" ranking New Zealand ahead of the United States in traditional soft power areas such as civic engagement, life satisfaction, health and safety, the Kiwis appear to be enjoying "overwhelming happiness," perhaps helped by recent sporting success. Japan's Sun Still Rising Despite having faced "difficult times of late," Japan gained high scores for government, culture and

prise, with its companies "admired around the world for their innovation, precision, and excellence in design." "Despite two decades of recession, [Japan] remains a major aid donor, and a source of global credit and capital. Japan was a founding member of the Asian Development Bank and is the largest historical contributor to infrastructure development in the region," the report said. However, it questioned whether there was a role for harnessing Japan's "considerable" soft power assets in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent push for a more "proactive pacifism" in response to China's "regional posturing." The report also said Japan needed to improve its foreign language capability, while taking advantage of the 2019 Rugby

ing high scores for engagement and government as "an early adopter of soft power among Asian nations." South Korea has "invested heavily in its culture and creative industries," becoming a "consumer electronics powerhouse" based on the rise of "KPop" music and companies such as LG and Samsung, currently the "second most valuable brand in the world." The nation also has become "a bigger player in major international networks" such as the United Nations, although it also faces challenges including "a more assertive China, a hostile and nuclear-armed neighbor to the North, and perennially tricky relations with Japan." South Korea was also dragged down by perceptions of its foreign policy, with the report recommending it ramp up efforts

in soft power, with the small but wealthy city-state "an attractive place for business and tourists alike." "Boasting an open and globalized economy, Singapore is often referred to as one of Asia's economic 'tigers' - [a] fact recognized by the World Bank, which ranks Singapore as the easiest country in the world in which to do business," the report said. Singapore ranked highly for engagement, government, culture and education, coming second only to Switzerland in the field of enterprise due to its "business friendly" approach and its g o v e r n m e n t ' s "multicultural inclusivity." Yet with weaknesses including the "negative global attention" placed on its "harsh punishment" against anti-social acts, the report suggested Singapore "not place all of its eggs in the business basket."

China: Economics Trumps Politics China gained 30th place from its economic power, scoring highest for government and digital due to its large population and economy that give it greater "business and political leverage." "Foreign companies are willing to make concessions on intellectual property rights and knowledge transfers to gain access to the Chinese market, while foreign governments temper their responses to Chinese territorial aggression or state-sponsored computer hacking to avoid destabilizing their relationships with the economic superpower," the report said. However, while the Chinese economy continues to transition from public to private ownership, the report noted "growing pains for both China's business leaders and the Communist Party," including its recent seesawing stock market. "China has a wealth of soft power assets when it comes to culture, history, cuisine, as well as sparks of innovation. But the lack of democracy, free press, and access to information many people around the world take for granted weighs heavily on perceptions of China," the report said. The authors said the nation's political system "has not kept pace with the nation's economic dynamismâ&#x20AC;ŚOpening up at home and abroad would make China a much more attractive nation in the eyes of the world." But does "soft power" matter when it comes to economics? According to the report, the "megatrends" of the rapid diffusion of power, including from West to East, the digital revolution and the mass urbanization of the world's population are making soft power "critical to prosperity, security and international influence." "Opportunities still exist for states of every size to achieve their aims, but success depends more than ever on the ability to attract, persuade, and mobilize others," the report said, including in the pursuit of economic objectives such as export, investment or trade. For Asia's emerging giants such as China and India, mastering soft power could be the next great challenge in assuming a global influence that matches their economic might.

Witch huntingâ&#x20AC;Śit's high time to react Sir, The crime of witch hunting is increasing at a fast pace in Assam. It is a social evil which needs to be eradicated soon from our society. In a recent yet another gruesome incident of witch-hunting, an elderly woman was beheaded by villagers at Bhimajuli village close to the Assam-Arunachal border. Villagers executed 65-year-old Purni Orang after she was proclaimed a witch by another village woman Anima Ronhangpi who claimed to have been possessed by a goddess. The main reason behind the occurrence of such an incident is only poor education and health system in the State. These remote villages lack education and health facilities. The education system in the State has become certificate and job oriented. It has little to do with enlightenment. It is my earnest request to the state government of Assam to pass the new anti witch-hunting law in the coming session of the Assembly. In fact all MLAs and political thinkers should cooperate and put pressure on the government to expedite passing of the law as soon as possible. The proposed Act will have more punitive penalties to check the menace. The State government is also planning a special court to conduct trial of such cases related to witch-hunting, owing to which 82 people have died in the last five years. A draft bill prepared by the State Home department proposes punishment ranging between three years to life imprisonment for those found

guilty of branding someone a witch and abetting suicide, apart from taking care of the victims. All this clearly proves that even our very own state government knows very well how destructive can the results of witch hunting be. So we all should put in all our efforts to remove this crime from our society. Yours etc. Deepty Borah Dibrugarh

Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing. Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Asstt. Professor posts vacant at B. H. College, Howly, Barpeta (Assam) Application with all testimonials from H.S.L.C. onwards are invited from the candidates having the latest UGC norms with NET/ SLET/ SET as mandatory qualification for appointment of Assistant Professor in the following vacant sanctioned posts. Candidates who have obtained M. Phil degree (not from off campus) on or before 10.07.2009 may also apply for the post. However, the candidates who are or have been awarded Ph. D. degree in accordance with the UGC (minimum standards and procedure for award of Ph. D. degree) regulation, 2009, shall be exempted from the requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/ SLET/ SET for requirement of Assistant Professor in the revised pay Band- AGP, 15600-39,100 + AGP 6000 with other allowance as per rule as admissible from time to time. The age of a Candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01.01.2015 and relaxable up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates. The candidates must have a Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) and must know local language. Candidates in service must apply through proper channel. Applications along with a Demand Draft of Rs.1500/- (Rupees one thousand five hunfred) only drawn in favour of Principal, B. H. College, Howly payable at SBI, Barpeta Road Branch, must reach the undersigned within 10 days from the date of publication of this advertisement. Posts: 1. Assistant Professor, Economics - 1 (One) Post, Reserved for OBC/MOBC. 2. Assistant Professor, Mathematics - 1 (One) Post, Un-reserved. 3. Assistant Professor, Commerce - 1 (One) Post, Reserved for Physically Handicapped. 4. Assistant Professor, Assamese - 1 (One) Post, Reserved for ST (P). 5. Assistant Professor, English - 1 (One) Post, Reserved for ST (H). 6. Assistant Professor, Finance - 1 (One) Post, un-reserved. 7. Assistant Professor, Accountancy - 1 (One) Post, Reserved for OBC/MOBC. Sd/- Dr. Bhushan Chandra Pathak Principal/Secretary, B. H. College, P.O. Howly, Dist. Barpeta (Assam) PIN - 781316, Mob: +91 9435513261

Vacancy at Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chirang (Assam) Applications are invited for the post of Asstt. Professor at Dhemaji College, Assam Applications are invited from the candidates having qualification MCA from a recognized University for a post of Asstt. Professor, (Contractual) in Computer Science Department in Dhemaji College within 10 (ten) days from the date of publication of the advertisement. Sd/- Dr.D.K.Neog Principal, Dhemaji College

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Career

Media Manager & JTO (Automobile & Civil/Electrical) posts vacant at Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Panbazar, Guwahati (Assam) Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) invites application from intending candidates for recruitment against the position of Media Manager, JTO (Automobile) and JTO (Civil/Electrical) on purely contractual basis. \ Interested candidates may send filled up application form in the prescribed format via e-mail to interviewgmc@gmail.com upto 5 pm of 25.07.2015 with subject of the email as the name of the position. Prescribed application format, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions etc. are available in GMC website www.gmcportal.in Sd/- Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Panbazar, Guwahati-01

Applications are invited for the post of Asst. Professor at Bahona College, Jorhat (Assam) Applications are invited for the following sanctioned posts of Assistant Professor from candidates having U.G.C. norms with NET/SLET/SET/M. Phil (obtained before 10-07-2009 and excluding off campus Degree)/ Ph. D. (as per latest U. G. C. guidelines), in the pay band of Rs. 15,600- 39,100 + AGP 6000 with other allowances as per rule as admissible time to time. The age of candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01-01-2015. The candidates must have a Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) and must know the local language. 1) Assistant Professor, Botany-1 (One) post, unreserved, (As per Roster point No. 77) 2) Assistant Professor, Assamese-1 (One) post, unreserved, (As per Roster point No. 78) Applications with Bio-data and all other relevant documents along with a Bank Draft of Rs. 1000 (One Thousand Only), payable to Principal Bahona College, Jorhat, should reach the undersigned within 5 (five) days of the advertisement. Sd/- Principal & Secretary, Bahona College P. O. Bahona, Jorhat-785101

Applications are invited for the posts of Asstt. Professor at Basoi BaniKanta Kakati College, Nagaon, Barpeta (Assam) Applications with complete testimonials from H.S.L.C. onwards are invited from the candidates having the latest UGC norms with NET/SLET/ SET as mandatory qualification for appointment of Assistant Professor in the following vacant sanctioned post in the UGC Scale of pay of Rs. 15600-39100 + GP6000. Candidates who haveobtained M. Phil degree (notfrom off campus) on or before10.07.2009 may also apply for the post. However, the candidates who are or have been awarded Ph.D. degree in accordance with the UGC (minimum standards and procedure for award of Ph.D. degree) regulation, 2009, shall be exempted from therequirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/ SLET/SET for requirement of Assistant Professor. The ageof a candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01.01.2015 and relaxable up to 5 years for SC/ST candidate with valid NOC. The candidates must have a Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) and must know local language. Candidates in service must apply through proper channel. Applications along with a demand Draft of Rs. 1000/-(Rupees one thousand only) drawn in favour of Principal, BBK College, Payable at UBI Bank, Nagaon Branch, Barpeta must reach the undersigned within 12 days from the publication of this advertisement. Sd/- (Dr. U.C. Deka) Principal, BBK College, Nagaon, Barpeta PIN- 781311

Asstt. Professor posts vacant at Koklabari Chapaguri College, Baksa, B.T.A.D, Assam Applications with full Bio-data from H.S.L.C. onwards are invited for the following posts of Asstt. Prof. and one Librarian from the eligible candidates having latest U.G.C. norms with relaxation for SC/ ST candidates as per Govt. rule. The application must reach the office on or before 12 days from the date of advertisement. Subject: Political Science-1, English-2, Assamese-1, Economics-1, Education-1, Philosophy-1, Bodo-1 and Librarian-1. Sd/- Principal, Koklabari Chapaguri College, Hazuwa, P.O.- Koklabari, Pin- 781330, Dist: Baksa, B.T.A.D, Contact No.: 9435103980, 9435320741. Website: www.kcdegreecollege.org.in

Required Asst. Prof. and one Office Asst. at Chaiduar College, Sonitpur (Assam) CHAIDUAR COLLEGE GOHPUR 784168, SONITPUR Requires Asstt . Prof. in Mathematics, Chemistry, Zoology, English, Political Science, History and Education and an Office Assistant (Graduate with Computer Knowledge) on contractual basis. Interested candidates may apply within 5 days. - Principal Chaiduar College Phone: 9435187475 Email: chaiduarcollege@gmail.com

Career in Acting and Modelling

The Eastern Today has taken an initiative to present questions and answers on a weekly basis to help the aspiring students in their competitive exams (Banking, SSC, Insurance, etc.) Q. After K V Kamath, the next two heads of BRICS bank would be from _______ and ______ respectively. a) Brazil and Russia b) China and Japan c) China and South Africa d) Russia and South Africa Answer:c) Q. Ramalinga Raju is related to which of the following company? a) Wipro b) CTS c) TCS d) Sathyam Computers Answer: d) Q. CBDT stands for: Central Board of _______ Taxes. a) Direct b) Disclosed c) Debit d) Deducted Answer: a) Q. Which among the following country has emerged as World's top crude buyer? a) Japan b) Russia c) China d) USA Answer: c) Q. Namaste Russia Festival has recently started at which of the following city? a) Samara b) Saint Peterburg c) Moscow d) Vladimir Answer: c) Q. Who is the author of the book- Planter Raj to Swaraj: Freedom Struggle and Electoral Politics in Assam. a) Manoharan Barauh b) Amalendu Guha c) Amit Vats d) Ajit Joshi Answer: b) Q. Vikas Gowda is related to which of the following sports? a) Wrestling b) Shot put c) Javelin d) Discus Thrower Answer: d) Q. Elizabeth Wilson, who died recently, was a famous___________. a) Child Story Writer b) Hollywood Actress c) English Rap Singer d) English Comedian Answer: b) Q. According to the census 2015 report, the total number of Lions in_______ has gone up to 523. a) Gir Sanctuary b) Corbett National Park

c) Kaziranga National Park d) Kanha National Park Answer: a) Q. Who is the first President of New Development Bank of BRICS Nations? a) Sudhakar Pandey b) Deepak Parikh c) Ratan Lal d) K V Kamath Answer: d) Q. International Nurses Day is observed on_________. a) May 9 b) May 10 c) May 11 d) May 12 Answer: d) Q.National Florence Nightingale Awards is given to which of the following professionals? a) Singers b) Nurses c) Scientists d) Teachers Answer: b) Q. How many numbers of teams are taking part in IPL 2015? a) 13 b) 12 c) 8 d) 10 Answer: c) Q. Which of the following city is yet to host the Indo Global Expo and Summit 2015 in July? a) Hyderabad b) Pune c) Bangalore d) Surat Answer: a) Q. Government of India has granted in principal approval for setting up of _________ Green field airports in the country. a) 18 b) 15 c) 10 d) 09 Answer: b) Q. Niramaya is a scheme which is related to________. a) Child birth b) Insurance c) Medicine d) Education Answer: c) Q. BHEL has commissioned Bijlee Utpadan Thermal Unit in which state? a) Madhya Pradesh b) Bihar c) Karnataka d) Maharashtra Answer: b) Q. Who is the New Chairman of National Safety

Council? a) Ratan Tata b) Deepak Lal c) Ajay Tomar d) K Sathish Reddy Answer: d) Q. Which of the following company has got approval from the US Department of Interior to explore oil in the Arctic? a) Chevron b) Shell c) BP d) Exxon Answer: b) Q. Who has painted the famous painting- "Women of Algiers"? a) Vincent Van Gogh b) Leonardo Da Vinci c) Pablo Picasso d) Michelangelo Answer: c) Q. Who is the first Indian Origin Lawmaker in Australia to take oath on the Gita? a) Andrew Bhatia b) Nitesh James c) Rahul Bajaj d) Daniel Mookhey Answer: d) Q. The Union Cabinet has cleared 5% disinvestment in______ and 10% in_________. a) ONGC, Indian Oil b) SAIL, CIL c) NTPC, Indian Oil d) Indian Oil, CIL Answer: c) Q. Who is the author of"The Lives of Others"? a) Sumit Sharma b) Ankit Desai c) Neel Mukherjee d) Sidhartha Gonde Answer: c) Q. Name the committee which was formed to look into the issue of minimum alternative tax on Foreign Institutional Investors? a) S K Laal b) A P Shah c) G K Devan d) Vijay Kelkar Answer: b) Q. Which of the following state has signed a MoU with Google to build biggest campus outside US? a) Gujarat b) Andhra Pradesh c) Telangana d) Karnataka Answer: c) Q. Among the following which state has decided to lift ban on transfers of state employees? a) West Bengal

b) Karnataka c) Andhra Pradesh d) Rajasthan Answer: d) Q. Which among the following state has approved rupee 400 crore for bonus on paddy? a) Haryana b) Bihar c) Assam d) Gujarat Answer: b) Q. Which is the first state to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers? a) Punjab b) Assam c) Madhya Pradesh d) Maharashtra Answer: a) Q. Bunkar Sajha Suvidha Kendra has been set up in________. a) Varanasi b) Mathura c) Indore d) Moradabad Answer: a) Q. Under Namami Gange Programme, how much money has been allocated? a) 5,000 crore rupees b) 20,000 crore rupees c) 10,000 crore rupees d) 15,000 crore rupees Answer: b) Q. Which among the following organization will provide assistance for Tourist Circuit of Mathura-Vrindavan Braj Areas? a) Asian Bank b) WTO c) World Bank d) IMF Answer: c) Q. Who is Suchitra Bhattachary? a) Marathi Singer b) Marathi Writer c) Bengali Singer d) Bengali Writer Answer: d) Q. Lok Sabha has passed the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which amends the Negotiable Instruments Act_______. a) 1881 b) 1990 c) 1998 d) 2001 Answer: a) Q. What is the name of the first Asian Women who has been elected as the Mayor of the UK? a) Jitu Desai Verma b) Harbhajan Kaur Dheer c) Swati Verma

d) Preeti Narang Answer: b) Q. Among the following which state has launched the sports awareness campaign? a) Punjab b) Andhra Pradesh c) Karnataka d) Kerala Answer: a) Q. Tejaswini Sagar is related to which of the following sports? a) Archery b) Swimming c) Shooting d) Chess Answer: d) Q. Indian Government has planned to invest $250 billion in coal, power and _______ in next 5 years. a) Renewable energy b) Bio fuel c) Latent energy d) Rain water harvesting Answer: a) Q. Which among the following state has banned to dig bore wells deeper than 200 feet? a) Rajasthan b) Uttar Pradesh c) Maharashtra d) Madhya Pradesh Answer: c) Q. For the project of Green India Mission in _______, Union Government has allocated 113 crore 58 lakh rupees recently. a) Assam b) Punjab c) Haryana d) Bihar Answer: b) Q. Where was the Ustad Yojan has been started? a) Varanasi b) Bhopal c) Lucknow d) Agra Answer: a) Q. Gagan Narang is related to which of the following sport? a) Kabbadi b) Archery c) Swimming d) Shooting Answer: d) Q. Which has launched XOLO Chrome book recently? a) Compaq b) Microsoft c) Yahoo d) Google Answer: d) Q. Among the following which company has started selling trucks in Vietnam?

a) Maruti b) Ashok Leyland c) Tata Motors d) Mahindra Motors Answer: c) Q. What is Opah? a) Name of the military mission b) It's a mobile application c) It's a fish d) It's a mobile virus Answer: c) Q. USTAAD Scheme was recently launched in__________. a) Uttar Pradesh b) Assam c) Bihar d) Manipur Answer: a) Q. Reserve Bank of India has allowed transactions up to rupee_______ without second factor authentication? a) 1000 b) 2000 c) 3000 d) 5000 Answer: b) Q. Which of the following PSU has started contactless credit and debit cards? a) Bank of Baroda b) Canara Bank c) SBI d) Bank of India Answer: c) Q. Which among the two countries has decided to resume Cyprus reunification talks? a) Greece and Belgium b) Turkey and Greece c) France and Greece d) Belgium and Turkey Answer: b) Q. The Bicameral Central Legislature was established during the British period for the first time under which act? a) The Indian Council Act 1853 b) Government of India Act 1898 c) Government of India Act 1919 d) Government of India Act 1915 Answer: c) Q. Among the following which is oldest landmass of India? a) Northern Plains b) The Himalayas c) Island Group d) Peninsular Plateau Answer: d) Q. DD and CCTV of _____ has signed an agreement for exchange of art, culture programmes? a) Korea

b) South Africa c) Cambodia d) China Answer: d) Q. Pt Haridutt Sharma Award is related to which of the following field? a) Journalism b) NGOs c) PWD d) Bravery Answer: a) Q. Which of the following organization has published a report on Making Growth More Inclusive for Sustainable Development in Asia and Pacific? a) World Bank b) WTO c) UNESCAP d) IMF Answer: c) Q. Among the following countries which observes Nakba Day? a) Bhutan b) Iraq c) Palestine d) China Answer: c) Q. 6th Edition of National Conference of Nuclear Energy was held at_______. a) Bangalore b) New Delhi c) Bhopal d) Goa Answer: b) Q. Who is appointed as the New Controller General of Accounts of India? a) M J Joseph b) D P Narayan c) Soumya Das d) Pavan Negi Answer: a) Q. Canada has planned to reduce the Greenhouse gas emission by ______ within 2030? a) 20% b) 50% c) 30% d) 40% Answer: c)

Q. Which of the following telecom company has received $2.5 billion Chinese financial deals? a) Tata Docomo b) Aircel c) Vodafone d) Bharti Airtel Answer: d) Q. Mohammed Morsy, the former president of _____ has been awarded death penalty. a) Indonesia b) Singapore c) Egypt d) Syria Answer: c) Q. Which of the following bank has opened its first branch in China? a) ICICI b) Axis c) SBI d) Bank of India Answer: a) Q. Who is the winner of Men's Singles Rome Master 2015? a) Andre Agassi b) Novak Djokovic c) Rafael Nadal d) Roger Federer Answer: b) Q. World Hypertension day is observed on_________. a) May 15 b) May 16 c) May 17 d) May 18 Answer: c) Q. Where the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly was held? a) Sydney b) Rome c) New York d) Geneva Answer: d) Q. __________ has started its awareness campaigns across Delhi on Prime Minister's three latest social security schemes? a) Canara Bank b) ICICI c) HDFC d) SBI Answer: a)

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

Microsoft's love for windows led its way towards loss Jaipur, Jul 22: Microsoft Corp reported a $3.2 billion quarterly net loss, its biggest ever, as the company wrote down its Nokia phone business and demand fell for its Windows operating system. The company took a charge of $7.5 billion in the fourth quarter related to the restructuring of its Nokia handset business, which it bought last year. Microsoft's shares fell 4 percent to $45.38 in extended trading recently. Under Chief Executive Satya Nadella, the company has been shifting its focus to software and cloud services as demand for its

once-popular Windows operating system slows. Sales of Windows to computer manufacturers to install on new PCs fell 22 percent in the quarter. The company is scheduled to roll out Windows 10 on July 29, a much-awaited launch after a lackluster response to Windows 8. Microsoft wants to generate revenue by building search and gaming into the Windows 10 interface, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said in April. Bing, the company's online search engine, will be profitable in the year ending June 2016, Hood said on Tuesday.

MICROSFT LOSING MORE Microsoft Corp reported a $3.2 billion quarterly net loss, as the company wrote down its Nokia phone business and demand fell for its Windows operating system. The company took a charge of $7.5 billion in the fourth quarter related to the restructuring of its Nokia handset business, which it bought last year. Microsoft's shares fell 4 percent to $45.38 in extended trading recently. Sales of Windows to computer manufacturers to install on new PCs fell 22 percent in the quarter. The company is scheduled to roll out Windows 10 on July 29, a much-awaited launch after a lackluster response to Windows 8. Revenue from Microsoft's commercial cloud business, which includes offerings such as Office 365 and Azure, rose 96 percent, excluding the impact of a strong dollar. Microsoft said it added 3 million subscribers for Office 365 in the quarter, taking the total number of subscribers for the product to 15.2 million at the end of June. Microsoft reported a net loss of 40 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. The company had posted net income of $4.61 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier. Microsoft also took a charge of $940 million related to job cuts announced this month and last year. Sales of Windows to businesses fell 21 percent from the year-earlier quarter, when demand for the operating system had surged after Microsoft discontinued support for Windows XP. Revenue from Microsoft's commercial cloud business, which includes offerings such as Office 365 and Azure, rose 96 percent, excluding the

impact of a strong dollar. Microsoft said it added 3 million subscribers for Office 365 in the quarter, taking the total number of subscribers for the product to 15.2 million at the end of June. The company said this month that it would cut 7,800 jobs, or nearly 7 percent of its workforce, mainly in the phone hardware business. Microsoft

reported a net loss of 40 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. The company had posted net income of $4.61 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier. Microsoft also took a charge of $940 million related to job cuts announced this month and last year. Excluding items, the company earned 62 cents per share. (Agencies)

Part of Ranbaxy may be shed by Sun Pharma Mumbai, Jul 22: Faced with disappointing revenue and profit going forward, Sun Pharma is mulling options of exiting Ranbaxy's "low-margin" overseas geographies mainly in Europe, and is also evaluating discontinuing the antiretrovirals (ARV) business and API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) operations as part of its overall efforts to "discontinue certain non-strategic businesses" to fast-track growth. All this will not happen at one go but will "take shape" over a period of time said sources. The

API business is small, valued around $40 million, while the ARV tender business centred around Africa may only continue till the obligation is met, analysts said. Most of these businesses will be divested as closing them down incurs expenses. "Certain lossmaking geographies like France have been a damper on Ranbaxy's sales for some years, while others like Australia estimated at $35 million are not sustainable," two sources close to the development said, adding that these markets could be the first ones which the

company could exit. Ranbaxy's API business and ARV tender business for Africa would be part of this exercise. While no break-up is available for the specific markets in which Ranbaxy had a presence in Europe, it is estimated to be around $150200 million, analysts said. India's largest drugmaker warned on July 20, weeks ahead of its first quarterly results, that its revenues and profits will be adversely impacted after its merger with Ranbaxy, which closed in March this year. (Agencies)

Call drops: Telcos told to file report by month-end

Hyundai steers in Creta SUV to give tough competition to Renault Duster, Mahindra Scorpio New Delhi, Jul 22: Hyundai drove in Creta recently to fuel more competition in the compact SUV segment. The car will be pitched mainly against Renault's Duster, Mahindra's Scorpio and Ford's Eco Sport. The Creta sports an entry price of Rs 8.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the 1.6-litre petrol variant, though the diesel version - which is expected to see high action as well as competition starts at Rs 9.46 lakh. There are two engine options in diesel - 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre. The small SUV category was among the fastest-growing segments in the domestic car market just some time back, though it has slowed down recently. Lack of new products and narrowing gap between petrol and diesel prices are among the reasons behind the slowdown. However, analysts expect that new compact SUVs coming from Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, Toyota, General Motors and Tata Motors, along with existing models, will

boost growth in this segment."We are confident that the Creta will help us establish a strong position in the compact SUV segment," Hyundai India MD B S Seo said. Creta is the first low-cost SUV from the Korean manufacturer and

has been developed on the platform that gave birth to 'ix25' SUV, which is being sold in China. "We have taken heavy inputs from the R&D team in India before driving the product here," Seo said. Sales of Hyundai have gone up 7% in the first

quarter of this fiscal on the back of new launches, mainly the Elite i20 compact. The company now intends to drive in a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), the only category where it does not have a product, Seo said. The compact SUV

market in India was originally created by the Duster, which witnessed strong growth for Renault brand. However, Duster has failed to keep pace with its initial success as competition became steep. Ford's Eco Sport also had a good run in this segment, though the company played heavily on the pricing front by keeping the vehicle's length under 4 meter to enjoy the benefit of a being a small car and avail lower excise duty. The Scorpio is one of the oldest models in the low-cost SUV segment, though its big size and relatively-rugged driving characteristics had seen other players emerge strongly in the category. Industry officials said the desire for SUVs remains high for a variety of reasons. "Improvement in the road infrastructure and aspirations of relatively-young buyers have led to a surge in SUV sales. I feel that the launch of new products from strong players will only fuel this trend further," a top official with a rival brand of Hyundai said, requesting anonymity. (Agencies)

Hindustan Unilever registers flat profit growth in Q1 Mumbai, Jul 22: India's largest consumer products company, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), whose financial results act as a barometer to the consumer sentiment in the country, failed to meet market expectations on its June quarter performance as it reported a flat growth in net profit at Rs 1,059 crore on a 5% growth in net sales at Rs 7,973 crore. A negative price growth with HUL passing on the benefits of lower commodity costs to consumers, phasing out of excise duty benefits and a higher proportion of exceptional item arising out of sale of surplus properties in the corresponding quarter were factors that impacted the company's performance in the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The company maintained its underlying volume growth at 6%, but value growth was affected as HUL took price reductions in

soaps and detergents, a category that contributes nearly half of the company's sales. Analysts said the company resorted to price reductions to maintain its market share

BUMPY ROAD TO SUCCESSS Hindustan Unilever (HUL), on its June quarter performance as it reported a flat growth in net profit at Rs 1,059 crore on a 5% growth in net sales at Rs 7,973 crore. A subdued rural market growth, which contributes around 35-40% to HUL's turnover, resulted in urban markets growing faster than rural. Further, with no respite on competitive intensity, which remained high across categories, HUL's spend on advertising and promotion was up 22% at Rs 1,153 crore during the quarter. However, operating margins improved by 2% during the quarter

in the category where it is a dominant player. Input costs during the June quarter were benign resulting in a 380 basis points or bps (100 bps is equivalent to 1%) reduction in cost of goods sold. With commodity costs expected to remain low, HUL said it would focus on a volume led growth in the quarters ahead and improving market development. This marks a clear shift in the focus of the company whose brands like Dove, Lipton, Lux, Wheel and Vim cut across the price segments to cater to both the popular, mass and premium end of the market. The sentiment is

not expected to reverse anytime soon. Commodity costs are expected to continue to remain benign going forward. PB Balaji, CFO, HUL, said price growth will be an area where the company will see deflation in the quarters ahead. Phasing out of fiscal benefits too would continue in the next couple of quarters, which means HUL will have to focus on sustainable volume led growth, said Balaji. A subdued rural market growth, which contributes around 35-40% to HUL's turnover, resulted in urban markets growing faster than rural. Future growth, said analysts, would

be contingent upon a good monsoon and rural growth. Further, with no respite on competitive intensity, which remained high across categories, HUL's spend on advertising and promotion was up 22% at Rs 1,153 crore during the quarter. However, operating margins improved by 2% during the quarter. Harish Manwani, chairman, HUL, said in a statement: "In a subdued market environment, the business delivered another quarter of healthy volume led growth and strong improvement in operating margin. We are particularly pleased with the stepped up momentum in personal products and the sustained double digit performance in packaged foods. With the near term outlook largely dependent on pickup in rural markets and commodity costs expected to remain benign with little or no price growth across select categories, our focus will be to drive market development and simultaneously deliver cost efficiencies to sustain profitable volume led growth.'' The HUL stock was down 2% or Rs 21 to Rs 891 on BSE on Tuesday. Most of its leading brands in categories which include laundry, household care, skin care, hair care, oral care and colour cosmetics delivered a strong double digit growth during the quarter. (Agencies)

Pune, Jul 22: With no improvement in the problem of call drops, the government has asked telecom companies to address the issue on an 'urgent' basis and file an action-taken report on the matter by the end of this month. The fresh warning to telecom operators comes days after telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked companies to improve their network quality, while also ordering a special audit of their services. Sources said the Department of Telecom (DoT) has asked telcos to

make investments in towers and in-building solutions to improve their network quality. The letter was sent on July 17. "It was felt that there is an urgent need to address the menace of call drops," the letter said, asking the companies to carry out a special drive to look into the matter. It is necessary that service providers go for radio frequency optimisation, analyse the reasons for call drops and take appropriate steps like installation of more sites, in-building solutions, augmentation of

radio frequency resources etc, as the case may be," the DoT letter said. Mobile phone companies often cite lack of adequate spectrum and difficulty in installing towers -considering radiation concerns among the public - behind the poor services. However, those in the government as well as a section of the civil society feel that new investments in alternate solutions, especially those within buildings and in congested areas - can give some respite. (Agencies)

IRCTC joins hands with KFC

Nashik, Jul 22: Passengers used to stale fare on Indian trains may finally get some relief as some of the top fastfood chains in the country are boarding the band wagon. After pizza maker Domino's, American chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), has tied up with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to serve consumers on trains. At present, the facility is available on 12 trains passing through New Delhi railway station and will be expanded to Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad (Kacheguda) and Bangalore (Yeshwantpur)

stations over the next 10 days. The service will initially be limited to trains, which lack pantry cars and subsequently be expanded to trains such as, the Rajdhani and Duronto. Consumers will have to visit the IRCTC website or call a toll free number to place their order. "It's still early days and we will take time to scale up," Dhruv Kaul, CMO at KFC India said. "The sheer number of people that travel by train is an interesting proposition for us." The Indian Railways operates around 12,500 passenger trains every day with nearly 1.3 crore passengers. In contrast, the largest burger chain in the

country, McDonald's, serves 32 lakh consumers annually. Despite the potential, the logistics of train delivery - late trains and crowded platforms - is something that fast-food chains are still working on. Domino's, which began train deliveries in February and has expanded the service to around 200 trains, has managed to sell only around 350 pizzas. "The operations have to be worked on. But we are used to entering new areas," said Kaul. It has also been learnt that IRCTC is in talks with other chains such as, Pizza Hut and Subway for similar services. (Agencies)

Beverages and Drive Thru to be McDonald's key drivers Chennai, Jul 22: Hardcastle Restaurants, which holds the development, licence franchisee for McDonald's in south and west India has earmarked an Rs 150-crore capex this fiscal. Hardcastle which operates 210 outlets in the region is looking to add 50 more restaurants by the end of this year. "On an average, investment at every new outlet ranges from Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore," vice-chairman of Hardcastle Restaurants Amit Jatia said. Drive thru outlets is expected to be a growth driver for McDonald's in the near future. Currently, 50 joints are in the drive thru format. "Our delivery business has registered a 30% year on year, growth," Jatia said. This growth was also aided by the launch of an online delivery platform in 2013. In addition, beverages would be a major focus area for McDonald's in the near future. Recently, the company launched McCafe (a store in store format) where the beverage section co-exists along-

side the main eating joint. "Food with good beverage is the next logical step for us," Jatia said. McCafe will offer a range of frappes, coffee, iced tea and smoothies to customers. Currently, 40 McDonald's joints have a McCafe and the company is looking to add 30 more McCafe outlets by the end of December. "A cup of cappuccino is priced at Rs 90 at our outlet and this is 20 to 30% lower than our competitors. Our aim is to bring in a premium beverage for the masses," Jatia said. McDonald's is also pushing healthier options to the table. In May, it introduced focaccia buns, with olive oil as the main ingredient. Customers have the option to choose this over the regular bun, but this will cost an additional Rs 15 over the regular one. "In the last couple of years, we have introduced salads and other grilled options both in our vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian menu," Jatia said. (Agencies)

‘‘In this moment we need a left back because I think we are selling Filipe Luis now or tomorrow.’’

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

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Jose Mourinho

Formula One bids farewell to Jules Bianchi Nice: Formula One world champions past and present paid their respects to Jules Bianchi and mourned one of their own at the French driver's funeral. Lewis Hamilton, the current champion for Mercedes, attended the service at Nice's Sainte-Reparate cathedral along with former champions Alain Prost, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel. Bianchi, 25, died in a Nice hospital on Friday after suffering critical head injuries when he skidded off the track and hit a recovery tractor in last October's Japanese Grand Prix. The Marussia driver, who had been tipped as a likely future star with every chance of racing for Ferrari, had been in a coma since the accident at Suzuka. He was the sport's

Bairstow replaces Ballance in England squad

London: Batsman Jonny Bairstow will replace Yorkshire team mate Gary Ballance as England made one change to their squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia beginning next Wednesday at Edgbaston, the England Cricket Board said. Ballance paid the price for laboring to 23 and 14 in his two innings during England's heavy 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's, which allowed Australia to level the series at 1-1. Bairstow has played 14 Tests, his last appearance coming in 2014 against Australia in Sydney. "The break ahead of the third Test will give the squad time to reflect on the series so far," national selector James Whitaker said. "Ian Bell will move up the order to bat at three followed by Joe Root with Jonny Bairstow coming in at five. Jonny has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself. He fully deserves this opportunity." (Agencies)

first driver fatality as the result of race injuries since Brazilian triple world

champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger died at the

San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the

cathedral, where large portraits of Bianchi in racing overalls were displayed above floral tributes, and applauded the late driver as the coffin was carried in by his peers. His helmet was placed on top. French media said parish priest Sylvain Brison told the congregation that, while Bianchi's death was 'profoundly unjust', the driver had been 'happy because he had made his dream come true'. "Jules never stood on a Formula One podium, so I ask you to applaud him now." Friend and compatriot Jean-Eric Vergne, the former Toro Rosso racer and current Ferrari test driver, said Bianchi was 'an extraordinary man, as beautiful inside and outside and now he is in heaven with F1's biggest names'.

Blatter prankster charged by police after FIFA complaint Zurich: The British comedian who showered FIFA president Sepp Blatter with fake dollar bills has been charged by Swiss police after being arrested and interrogated, a police spokesman said. Simon Brodkin, who performs as the character Lee Nelson, was taken away by police from the headquarters of soccer's world governing body after Blatter's security escorted him out of the press conference room where he carried out the stunt on Monday. "He was arrested and interrogated by the police," a spokesman for the Zurich police said, without

identifying Brodkin, who has been involved in previous stunts, by name. "There is a possible complaint about trespassing. We don't know if there will be a trial or not, that is to be decided by the prosecutor and that will take some time." The spokesman added that FIFA had made a complaint to the police about the incident. Dan Lloyd, a spokesman for Brodkin's agents Avalon, said the comedian was back in Britain and had not been held overnight by Swiss police. Brodkin has been involved in similar stunts in the past, including going on stage

with rapper Kanye West at the Glastonbury Festival and, in 2014, attempting to infiltrate the England World Cup squad as they flew to the United States. In 2013, Brodkin found himself in a British court after another football-related prank. Dressed in full soccer kit, in the guise of another of his characters, footballer Jason Bent, Brodkin warmed up on the field with Manchester City players before their game at Everton's Goodison Park. The comedian was charged with entering the playing area under the Football Offences Act but was let off with a caution in court. (Agencies)

Montreal: Chelsea's Brazil left back Filipe Luis is poised to return to Atletico Madrid after one season at Chelsea where he failed to hold down a regular first team place, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has said. The 29-year-old made a mere 26 appearances in all competitions in 201415, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho preferring to use Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta, and Mourinho confirmed that Filipe Luis was on his way. "In this moment we need a left back because I

think we are selling Filipe Luis now or tomorrow," Mourinho said at Chelsea's pre-season training camp in Montreal, Canada. "We need to go to the market... and we are going for a left back. In other positions we have no space," added the Portuguese. Cerezo was quoted in Spanish media as saying that for the Atletico squad that 'it would not take long' for Filipe Luis to return to the side with which he won the 2013-14 La Liga title, the Europa League in 2012 and the King's Cup in 2013. (Agencies)

Schweinsteiger's performance Federer inaugurates 81st pre-school in Malawi does not cut it for Van Gaal California: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has slammed new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger's 'bad' performance despite claiming a comfortable 3-1 pre-season win over Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes. The Dutchman was unhappy with United's careless second half display, labelling German midfielder Schweinstieger's performance as 'bad'. Schweinsteiger moved to Old Trafford after signing a three-year deal with United for a fee of 15million pounds last week. Van Gaal said that United played very badly in the second half. However, he insisted that players could play bad, especially when they only have six days training in their legs and they have to play 45 minutes. Van Gaal also said that they gave the ball away unnecessarily after half-time, insisting that their positions in midfield were not as good as

in the first half. Juan Mata had earlier put United ahead in the 32nd minute before Depay, who was signed for 31million pounds, doubled the lead four minutes later.

Although Fatai Alashe pulled one back for the hosts, Andreas Pereira scored the third goal after half-time to guide the Louis van Gaal's side to victory. United have

so far won both games of their United States tour and will take on Champions League winner Barcelona in Santa Clara on Saturday. (Agencies)

Korean golfer ordered to quit PGA tour; finish military service Seoul: South Korean golfer Bae Sang-Moon, who has won twice on the PGA Tour, is to return home to complete his military service after losing a legal battle to defer his conscription on Wednesday. The 29-year-old, who was granted US residency in 2013, was charged in February with violating South Korea's military service regulations after failing to secure an extension to his overseas travel permit. Bae was allowed to stay in the United States while his lawsuit against that decision was pending but a court in his home city of Daegu on Wednesday backed the Mili-

"He will stay a champion forever in our hearts." Bianchi had made his Formula One debut with Ferrari-powered Marussia in 2013, scoring that team's first and to date only points in Monaco last year when he finished ninth. Formula One's governing body, the FIA whose French president Jean Todt attended the funeral, announced on Monday that Bianchi's chosen number 17 would be retired from the world championship. "Formula One is a complicated job... but he always remained humble, nice with everybody," said Todt's son Nicolas, Bianchi's manager, outside the cathedral. "So I think this gentleness he had made the difference between him and the others." (Agencies)

Filipe Luis poised for Atletico return

tary Manpower Administration (MMA). Bae, who was contesting the MMA's assertion that he had not spent enough time out of South Korea in 2014 to qualify as an overseas resident, said he would join the army soon. "I completely respect the court's decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law," he said. "I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety." With the country still technically at war with the North after the 1950-53 Korean War, all South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years of

military service. The court had ruled that his refusal to sign up with the military ran "counter

scription is necessary to deter North Korean aggression and the public backlash towards high-profile figures such as actors, musicians and sportsmen who seek to skip military service can be fierce. Bae secured his second PGA title at the Frys.com Open in Napa, California last October and has secured exemption for 2016 after winning $2,047,187 so far in the 2015 season. Bae, who will earn around $130 a month as a private in the army, took home $15,209 from his last outing on the PGA Tour to the principle of fairness" in after tying for 54th at the regard to other conscripts. Greenbrier Classic earlier this Most in the South agree con- month. (Agencies)

Malawi: Tennis ace Roger Federer has launched a childcare centre in impoverished southern African nation, Malawi, funded by his charity foundation, saying that he was determined to help the children of one of the poorest countries in the world. Federer's charity foundation had been working in Malawi since 2011 and has already opened 80 pre-schools across the country. On his first visit to the African nation, the World No. 2 said that the new pre-school is an important milestone in the lives of the children. At the inaugural function, the 17- time Grand Slam champion said that there are many children who are still waiting for good pre-

schools and early child development centers. About $13.5 million have been invested into the project which Federer hopes would provide support to about 150,000 Malawian children by 2021. Federer,

however, urged the politicians to lay more emphasis on early education of children, saying that the government of Malawi needs more efforts and more funds to improve the situation. (Agencies)

Women stars to make debut on FIFA video game cover Vancouver: American World Cup champion Alex Morgan will be one of two women football players to score a first by featuring on the front cover of FIFA, the world's most popular football video game, the game's publisher has said. Morgan, 26, helped bring the US football team victory against Japan in the 2015 Women's World Cup final earlier this month. The forward will be pictured on the US version of FIFA 16 alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi, EA Sports said. A Canadian version of the game

will feature Messi and Canada's captain, Christine Sinclair. EA Sports unveiled plans in May in the lead-up to the Women's World Cup to include women in the FIFA videogame franchise for the first time. Only men's teams had featured in the game since it was first released in 1993. Morgan said it was an honour to be one of the faces of the 12 international women's teams which will play in FIFA 16 and include England, Germany, the United States and Brazil. "I know people all over the

world play this game and I'm really excited that FIFA 16 is putting such an important spotlight on women's football," Morgan said. FIFA is the world's most popular football video game and the latest installment, FIFA 15, sold more than 16 million copies, according to video game research firm VG Chartz. The Women's World Cup, played in six cities across Canada, put the spotlight on the women's sport, which is gaining in popularity but still lags far behind men's football. (Agencies)

Barca get back to work with 2-1 win over LA Galaxy Pasadena: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was pleased they got straight back into their stride with Tuesday's 2-1 friendly win over the Los Angeles Galaxy but saw plenty of room for improvement before the season begins next month. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergi Roberto struck either side of halftime at a packed Rose Bowl

Stadium in Pasadena in the Spanish and European champions' opening match of their pre-season tour. "Considering it was the first pre-season game, after seven days of training with some double sessions, I have good feelings," Luis Enrique said after the match. "I liked the team a lot because we played with intensity and we did not make any serious errors but

we can still improve in everything," added the former Barca and Spain midfielder. "Without doubt, we are going to be the team to beat and we have to keep improving every aspect of our play. We did things well today but we have to do it again and better. And we are working on that." Luis Enrique and his LA Galaxy counterpart Bruce Arena made a host

of changes at halftime to give some of their younger players a chance to impress, with Tommy Meyer scoring late on for the Galaxy. The Barca coach admitted his knowledge of the MLS was patchy but said it was clear the quality of soccer in the United States was improving. "A lot of European players are coming with the idea of contributing and I liked

what I saw here," he said. "Teams that play us usually sit back and defend and the Galaxy I think did some great defensive work which stopped us from creating many chances." Barca's next Champions Cup game is against Manchester United in Santa Clara on Saturday and they play Chelsea in Landover on July 28 before returning to Europe to take on Serie A

club Fiorentina in Florence on Aug. 2. Their first official match of the 2015-16 season is the European Super Cup against Europa League winners and La Liga rivals Sevilla on Aug. 11. They then play Athletic Bilbao over two legs for the Spanish Super Cup before starting their bid for a sixth La Liga title in eight years against the Basque club on the Aug. 2223 weekend. (Agencies)

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 23

RNIASSENG00425/TC

Rath Yatra…A celebration of Lord Jagannath's journey

Yatra is the celebration of Jagannatha is worshipped Lord Jagannath's journey along with his brother lord towards his aunt's house Balabhadra and sister and Lord Jagannath is be- Devi Subhadra. lieved to be the Lord of the The spiritual significance, Universe. Though this as mentioned in the Katha chariot festival is a Hindu Upanishad, is associated festival but is not associ- with the chariots used durated with any ing Rath Yatra Sushmita Jena particular deare built every nomination of year. Carpenters Hinduism entirety, though begin construction of there are several common chariots on the Akshaya aspects with Tritiya day. The chariots Vaishnavaism, Saivism, are painted with bright Shaktism, Buddhism and colors and the tops are Jainism. Jagannath Rath covered with red, black, Yatra is more than five yellow, or green canopies. thousand years old and the Lord Jagannath uses red celebrations follow the and yellow, Lord Balaram same rituals as those uses red and green, while which used to be followed Goddess Subhadra uses when it first started. Tra- red and black. All the ditionally the Rath Yatra chariots have separate feafestival is celebrated an- tures to distinguish them nually in Puri, Odisha. from one another. During this world re- On the celebration day nowned festival, Lord devotees pull the chariots

till the Gundicha temple. This year's Rath Yatra Puri was also celebrated with much enthusiasm. However, there was additional excitement as it was

the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra where all the Lords got new avatars after nineteen years. The return journey of the Lords is also celebrated as Bahuda yatra. The deities reach the Puri temple on Ekadasi day, attired in new costumes and this new form of the idols is known as 'Suna Vesa'. Rath Yatra celebrated at Jagannath Temple, Dibrugarh Shree Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra was organised last Saturday, i.e., July 18 at the Jagannath Temple of Dibrugarh. Though it was for the first time that Rath Yatra wass celebrated in Dibrugarh's Jagannath Temple, yet by seeing the crowd one could hardly say that it was being celebrated for the first time. The temple was inaugurated on December 6, 2014 and in a very short span of time it has been able to become one of the major tourist attractions of this town.

Former Governor JB Patnaik was behind establishing the temple at Khanikar. It is touted to be the second-biggest temple in the country after Puri. Thousands of devotees pulled the Rath with a rope. All the idols of Prabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were taken out in a beautifully decorated Rath. The Yatra, however, came to a sudden halt once near the Khanikar Children's Park reportedly due to some problem in the Rath because of the road condition, being pot-holed. A small fair was also organized outside the temple where vendors sold various hand made products. Khicdi was served to all the devotees outside the temple and people had it wholeheartedly. And with the sunset, the grand celebration of Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple came to an end.

Dibrugarh's unexplored Eco-Tourism potential In Dibrugarh, there are a number of tourist places at a short distance from the city, a visit to which will definitely add to the traveller's experience. In fact, a trip to Dibrugarh without visiting these nearby exotic destinations is almost futile. The city of Dibrugarh is well connected with the other regions of Assam as well as with the rest of India by well maintained airways, railways and roadways. The city is, in fact, regarded as the major gateway of Upper Assam and as such the airport, the rail station and the bus stand remain crowded all throughout the year. Dibrugarh city is one of the popular tourist destinations in Assam. To promote the Eco-Tourism potential in Dibrugarh district of Assam, rainforest festival is being organized at Jeypore, Dibrugarh. The highlights of the festival are to display ethnic artifacts and cuisines of various communities. The visitors engage themselves in elephant rides, boat rides, trekking and bird watching trips.

Within the Dibrugarh district of Assam, Nam-Phake village is an exotic destination for witnessing EcoTourism which is four Km away from Naharkatiya and

Nam-Phake Buddhist Monastery

65 Km from Dibrugarh pillar, Nong Mungchringta town in Assam. Spread (Musilinda Tank), tradiacross three-odd kilometers tional stilt house, traditional along the bank of river dances like Kakong (Drum Dehing, a tributary of the Dance), Kapan (Welcome m i g h t y D a n c e ) , Brahmaputra, the Jahnabi Pachani Kachong (Umpicturesque vilbrella Dance) lage has an enticand Ka-Feefai ing old-charm. It is the larg- (Diamond Dance). est of the Tai-Phake villages In the Dibrugarh district in Assam, boasting of 70 another excellent destinaodd families, which trace tion for Eco-Tourism is Tai their ancestry to the great Phakey Eco-Tourism Camp Tai race. The people of the which is considered to be village provide excellent the ultimate destination for hospitality to the visitors. wildlife lovers. Away from The salient features of the the concrete structures and Eco-Tourism project at the crowds, the camp offers Nam-Phake village are sun- plenty of opportunities to set watching, boating in the refresh one's mind and get river Buri-dehing, Pagoda thrilled with the unfolding built in 1937, Buddhist mystery of Nature. A group Monastry, symbolic Ashoka of young entrepreneurs are

running this venture. There is yet another important mega Eco-Tourism project in the Dibrugarh district which is the SasoniMerbeel project and it is considered to be the first Community Based EcoTourism (CBET) project of the State inaugurated in July, 2011. For the development of this project Rs. 2 Crores has been earmarked under the MNREGA scheme and also it has been partially financed by Oil India Ltd., Duliajan with active involvement of the local community. The horse shoe shaped Merbeel wet land is a habitat of different species of birds and reptiles including Siberian crane and python, and is also endowed with rich aquatic flora and fauna. Spread over five square kilometers, the wetland is located in the Sasoni Mouza and is connected to the nearby Buri-Dehing river. The salient features of this Eco-Tourism project at Sasoni-Merbeel are bird watching tower, environment camp, boating, etc. Conservation of wild life is also an integral part of the plan. Despite certain problems, there is every reason to believe that Eco-Tourism has brought improvements in the sustainability standards of commerce in areas that traditionally have had few development options, and with such initiatives it can help governments diversify and strengthen their Tourism economies, and also it can assist communities by finding new formulas for gaining social contracts that respect their culture, intellectual property and legal rights.

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'I do not agree that private schools are better than government schools' - Tilok Ch. Saikia, IS, Dibrugarh Tilok Chandra Saikia, Inspector of School, Dibrugarh in an exclusive interview with Avik Chakraborty, Staff Reporter, The Eastern Today talks about a plethora of school developmental issues in the Dibrugarh district and the problems faced by the education department. Q. How do you react to the allegation that private schools are better than government ones? A: I do not agree that private schools are better than government schools. Initially, the government sector had 145 schools in the secondary section, 1450 schools in the primary section and 300 Middle English schools. In comparison to what we have in the government sector, government schools are very less in the Dibrugarh district. Meanwhile, there are about 127 private schools and 122 elementary schools. Well, in certain cases, in some junior colleges, the pass percentage with good rank is higher than government colleges. But that also has some important aspects about them. Students having secured a percentage more than 80% in the government sector also join the private sector junior colleges. These students are offered certain basic facilities by the private institutes so that they continue to study there. And, I stick to the same point that private schools cannot be judged as being better than government schools. Q. What are your plans to improve both performance and infrastructure of Bengali medium government schools in Dibrugarh? A: The Bengali-speaking people residing in Dibrugarh town send their wards to private schools. It has now become a trend that nowadays, the Bengali people like to send their children to English me-

dium schools. So, it means that the guardians emphasize on the point that their children should learn English better. Therefore, the students are decreasing in the Bengali medium schools. I have discussed this issue with some of the principals of Bengali Government Boys, Naliapool Government School, Victoria Girls' High School, etc. We have good facilities and good faculty but we do not have students. So I have suggested the principals to have a talk with their governing bodies. Q. What are the problems that your department is faced with? Many schools in the rural areas do not have modern educational tools. Can you please comment on it? A: Frankly speaking, we have certain basic problems. 35% of students in the elementary section cannot read and write. They even lack skills of simple addition and subtraction of numbers. Faced with these problems, we are taking measures to resolve them. I have started a mission to combat these problems and named it as 'Writing and Enhancing'. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) is also gearing up to ensure that everyone in the class is able to read and write by 2015.

Again, I have also asked the teachers of elementary and secondary schools that the classroom should not be left alone and the teacher must be present in the class. So we are doing this with utmost sincerity and all the principals and teachers are also responding to my request. Q. Apart from aiding students with computers, laptops, cash, etc. what other measures are required to enhance students' performance? A: With the help of RMSA, we are ensuring that laboratories in higher secondary schools are made available to students and necessary measures taken so that the students in the government sector are not faced with these problems. Q. What have you noticed by and large across schools during your inspection trips? A: As of now, I have examined the playgrounds across higher secondary and elementary schools. As far as secondary schools are concerned, they do not have their own playground. Meanwhile, I have observed that primary schools take adequate measures to impart quality education. Yet, I have warned them to improve the quality of education wherever there was a need.

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