27th april 2016 ,wednesday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 6

PAGE 12 Vol. 1

Issue 318

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, April 27, 2016

80 families lost their dwellings in recent pre-monsoon flood

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Pages- 12

RAMP WEARING

PM Modi sends high-level central team to landslideaffected areas in Tawang ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 26

Responding to the woes of the people of Bordumsa-Diyun Lac of Changlang District in Arunachal Pradesh suffering due to incessant pre-monsoon downpour, thunderbolt and hailstorms, the local MLA together with his administrative team have been relentlessly visiting the affected areas of his jurisdiction taking stalks of the situations thereby ensuring the early government relief to be rendered to the needy and hapless lot of his constituency.

Following his visit to the

ET CAPSULES

Ammunitions recovered Kokrajhar, April 26: A person identified as Jahidul Islam was apprehended by security forces in a joint operation from Rupsi in Kokrajhar district on Tuesday. A 7.65 pistol, magazine and three live ammunitions were recovered from him.

(Correspondent)

Cop killed due to speeding car

worst flood hit victims of not less than 80 families in Diyun Circle, Mr. Kamin today visited Bordumsa Village where around several hundred acres of agricultural field was under flash flood affecting few households, domestication, leaving almost no hopes for carrying the agricultural operation if the rain continues till next fortnight.

According to Sikhetang Singpho the Government Head Gaon Bura of Bordumsa Village who accompanied the Mr. Kamin told the Journalist that the entire the agricultural filed has been under water affecting

some of the nearby families badly due to continuous pre monsoon disastrous spell. He lamented that the village being prominent and located at a very economically strategic location within Bordumsa Circle lacks well planned drainage network with outlet resulting in such flash floods that remain confined with the huge agricultural field thus affecting the produce and hitting the farmers severely on their belly.

However, talking to this journalist, Roitop Singpho the ASM of the concerned flood, Contd. on Page 4

The team will comprise of a senior advisor in the Niti Aayog and a joint secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Prime Minister has directed the team to make an assessment of the nature of relief and compensation package, after holding discussions with the State and District officials and to submit a report, as per PIB.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 26

Authority (ASDMA), nearly one lakh people were suffering in Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Cachar and Charaideo districts.

Authorities have opened 40 relief camps in Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and

Charaideo where 7,412 inmates were taking shelter.

So far nearly 5,000 hectares of crop area have been inundated by flood water, the release said.

Army, NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed for search and rescue operations in flood

affected areas of Charaideo district. The floods caused by tributaries of the Brahmaputra river, Burhi-Dihing and Disang, have destroyed at least 200 villages displacing around 74,000 people in Sivasagar and Charaideo alone.

Chief Secretary Assam V.K. Pipersenia, in presence of the Secretary DBT Cabinet Secretariat and Joint Secretary GOI DBT and Senior State Government officials of the concerned Departments here it has been decided that the State Government shall immediately constitute a DBT cell in the Finance Department for further reforms and initiatives of Government of India in modernizing the delivery process.

The Joint Secretary DBT Peeyush Kumar, with his presentation on the DBT loaded

with illustrative examples of the areas where DBT platform could be used and enlightened the officers present in the meeting. He stressed on achieving the basic objective of the DBT i.e. to reach the people by way of electronic transfer of benefits minimizing the levels involved in benefit flow in a time bound manner.

ments by providing technical support. In his concluding comments, the Chief Secretary Assam wished that the results of the meeting will drive home the actual thought of the Mission to all the officers present and the State will be able to create its own DBT platform very soon. It is note worthy that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is a system under which Government uses modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for delivery of various services to the citizens.

CM Kalikho Pul hands over cheque of Rs 30 lacs for Assam achieves above national treatment of Miss Gollo Namper average in MNREGA and NSAP ET Correspondent Dispur, April 26

Assam is ahead in terms of providing directs benefits to its citizens in some major areas.

In case of PAHAL (Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG subsidy) the achievement is more than 92 percent which is above the national average in case of MNREGA and NSAP, the performance is almost 100 percent. Discussing the various issues involved in the DBT, under the Chairmanship of

15 children rescued from the child trafficking racket

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First wave of flood to affect almost 1,00,000 in Assam : ASDMA Almost one lakh people have been affected in the first wave of floods in Assam. As per an official release by the Assam State Disaster Management

Guwahati, April 26: An Assam Police constable was killed after being hit by a speeding car at Dispur Super Market area in Guwahati today. The constable identified as Mustak Hussain who was guarding the Gate No. 6 of Assam Secretariat. The errant car driver fled the spot after the incident. Later, the car (AS01 BP 2521) was seized and the accused driver Shruba Baishya was nabbed by police. (Staff Reporter)

Tezpur, Apr 26 : Following adequate inputs the people of Dhekiajuli town area last night managed to rescue as many as 15 children belonging to Ghoramari village in Singri area under Dhekiajuli PS in Sonitpur district from the clutch of a child trafficking gang. According to the information available here the 15 children who were taken to Rangyia train station by a Bollero bearing No-AS-12-C4692 for sending them to Delhi.

However, the movement of the vehicle in Dhekiajuli town carrying the children under age group 10 to 16 years created an air of doubt among the people of the town. Meanwhile, people who were following them for a good while later intercepted the vehicle and asked the two persons traveling by the vehicle about the motive of taking the children with them. As they couldn't give clear cut reply people gathered at spot informed the Child Development Project officer (CDPO) of Barchala CDPO office, Rupa Bora. On receiving the information the CDPO accompanying with one of her co-officers, Pabitra Sharma rushed to the spot and alongwith the Bollero, captured the two child traffickers Pitar Orang and Rebanti Kheria and handed over to the Dhekiajuli Police station.

After the interrogation police later arrested the two accused persons involved with the incident and this morning sent back the children to their homes.

Models walk the ramp wearing traditional dress during Miss Moh-Mol in Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh. Pic - UB Photos

CM Pul handing over cheque to victim’s father Mr. Gollo Tango A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 26

As committed during his first "Janta Darsan" conducted on Saturday, Hon'ble Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today handed over a cheque of Rs 30 lacs for breast transplant surgery of Miss Gollo Namper (6) to her father Mr. Gollo Tango

in presence of Health Commissioner Hage Kojeen, Director Health Dr Moji Jini, and the District Medical Officers (DMO) from various districts of the state.

"I hope that this will enable you to take her for advanced medical care for the complications she is facing, leading to scar contracture. I am hopeful

that with the expert care that you are seeking for her, she will recover speedily," the CM told the girl's father.

Also the CM asked the father to inform about the girl's condition and progress of the treatment with assurance that the government would further support in her complete recovery.

The Secretary, DBT while addressing the meeting stated that the DBT Mission of Government of India is always ready to help the State Govern-

Of all states, the poll outcome in Assam is most crucial ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 26

Of the four states and a Union Territory whose election results will be declared next month, the outcome in Assam is the most crucial.

A myth about the Assam elections is that the BJP is in a

good position there because Sarbanda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma, the two front-ranking leaders in the BJP in Assam, do not have an RSS background and had cut their teeth in the politics of the student movement of the 1970s and the 1980s. Nothing can be further than this from the truth.

For long, the RSS has been targeting the North-East to Hinduise the region. Sonowal and Sarma are just pawns in the big game.

Assam is an ethnic, cultural mosaic with a colonial and precolonial history. Post-independence India took it upon itself the task of managing this soci-

ety. In the Assam assembly, an MLA can take an oath in Assamese, English, Hindi, Bengali and a tribal language.

The assembly polls of 2016 and the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 have introduced a new element not there earlier in a strong way.

Contd. on Page 4

Arunachal Govt decides to implement NFSA across state A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 26

The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet has decided to implement the National Food Security Act immediately throughout the state, an official release said here today.

As per the Act, 35 kg rice would be allocated to AAY

household and the rice would be made available at the rate of Rs 3 per kg per person to all priority households.

For the rest of the households, rice would be available through FPS at prices on a differential scale, to be paid and settled directly by the consumers.

In areas served by the banking channels, options were kept for direct cash transfer model.

For this to happen, DCs would be instructed to undertake an exercise and finish it within three months.

All priority household would get roughly Rs 22 per kg per person per month di-

rectly in their bank account and they could purchase rice from the market. It was also decided to start this model well before December.

For rest of the households located in villages connected with roads, the cabinet decided to make the rice available through fair price shops.

The cabinet further de-

cided to stop transportation by head load system and to opt for air dropping in remote areas.

It was also decided to clear pending bills of small and marginal contractors and cooperatives, who have completed their work in time, the release added.

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ET Correspondent Bordumsa, April 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed a two-member central team on Tuesday to go to Arunachal Pradesh for an on-the-spot-assessment of damage in the wake of the recent landslide in Tawang District.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today, you will turn an attentive ear to your inner voice. As a result, you will able to execute all your plans with precision. Besides being cheerful, you will even take disappointments with a pinch of salt.

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

Gemini You will receive unprecedented love and affection from all your friends and family members today. It is a good day to conduct important personal or professional meetings. A lot of joy and happiness awaits.

Cancer Today, you are likely to remain open-minded while dealing with others. However, it doesn’t mean that you will always be soft on others. Later in the day, your approach may be different and stubborn. In the evening, you will enjoy the company of family and friends.

Leo A fun-filled day awaits you. You will enjoy all the activities that you take up today. At the work-place too a progressive day awaits you. You will be worried about the fruits of your labour, but they are likely to be sweeter than you thought they will be.

Virgo You will pen down the things to be done today. However, just making a note of them is not enough; you need to set practical goals according to priority.

Libra Your day today will be extremely busy and as a result you will be agitated today. Your happy nature will have to bear the brunt of the sad circumstances and situations that life will shower on you but you will be able to face the situation with your inner strength.

You will have to be careful about your health today and will need to watch your diet.

Scorpio Negative thoughts are likely to surround you today, try to avoid it. You may feel lonely and left-out when the day begins. However, a long list of activities and responsibilities will keep you occupied throughout the day. There are possibilities that you may land up in tricky situations, but you have the knack of handling things gracefully.

Sagittarius Beauty therapies or a new hair do, pick one; makeover and personal grooming is on your mind. Once you decide to shop, nothing in the world can stop you. You have decided to de-stress yourself with shopping. Clothes and jewellery is what your wardrobe is awaiting for.

Capricorn Generally, it is difficult for you to maintain a cool head over your shoulders, especially during the stressful times. But, to everyone’s surprise, you will display remarkable composure while dealing with challenges today.

Aquarius With no major highs or lows, you will have a balanced day today. You will handle everything with great efficiency and Ganesha gives you a pat on your back for that.

Continue to work hard for the day as your efforts will get noticed and not only that, you will also understand the value of your hardships.

Pisces Well begun is half done. With this in mind, you will set out to actively seek the cooperation of your colleagues and the sanction of your seniors to tackle some important projects. The evening should find you heading out to watch a movie or doing something creative, like painting.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 27-4-16 (WEDNESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Vidyarthir 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 Satosori (Request Assamese Songs Programme) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Mizu Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Karpumpuli (Mishing Language Programme) 7-35 P.M-Ujjal Bhabishyat (Career Related Talk) 8-00 P.M-Parikrama (Regional News Unit's Programme) 9-30 P.M-Kramasha (Serial Novel Reading: Jangam) 10-00 P.M-Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P

Commuters crossing the flood affected area on a makeshift banana raft on outskirts of Demow. Pic - UB Photos

BCSBI, SBI and CIBIL hosts Customer Awareness Meet in Guwahati A Staff Reporter Guwahati, April 26: The Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI), an independent and autonomous institution set-up to create and monitor the banking codes as adopted and committed by member banks, organized a Customer Awareness Meet jointly with CIBIL at Rabindra Bhawan, Guwahati on April 21.

The customer awareness meet provided a platform for bank officials, Banking Ombudsman and senior functionaries from RBI & CIBIL to interact

with over 500 Retail and Micro & Small Enterprise (MSE) customers.

The elaborate educative session was aimed at enhancing consumer ’s knowledge of their banking rights.

The meet hosted an interactive session wherein customers raised queries around various banking products and services.

These queries were addressed by Anand Aras, Chief Executive Officer, BCSBI; Anand Prakash Banking Ombudsman, Guwahati; PVSLN Murthy Chief General Manager, SBI and

Gopika Arora, Asst. Vice President, CIBIL. They also educated the participants on importance of banking codes and its role in protecting consumer rights, the need for banks adherence to codes to enhance customer banking experience, Banking Ombudsman Scheme, grievance redressal mechanism and CIBIL scoring mechanism.

Speaking about the banking codes, Anand Aras, CEO, BCSBI added, “We are an independent institution with an objective to set up, develop

and monitor these comprehensive codes which ensure that consumers are treated fairly and in a transparent manner.

BCSBI also ensures member bank’s adherence to the codes, while delivering services to its customers. We review and revise the codes in discussion with RBI, IBA, and member banks after considering the suggestions of various stakeholders to address the evolving needs of the consumer and enhance their banking experience.”

He further added, “The

key insight behind this meet is to enhance awareness of these Codes adopted by member banks and engage with the community to address their queries and concerns. Over the years there have been significant efforts to improve banking penetration in the North Eastern region.

Simpler banking products and better consumer experience will encourage propagation of banking channels amongst the community and help achieve the objective of financial inclusion in the country.”

AASAA to hold strong agitation programme against Philobari Tea Estate management if demands not fulfill ET Correspondent Margherita, April 26: The Educated Local youths of Philobari Tea Estate which falls under Tinsukia District has been deprived by the management from many basic amenities, alleged Ramanus Lakra, General Secretary of All Adivashi Students Association of Assam Tinsukia District Committee.

“Israel Kumar- an Edu-

cated Person of Adivashi Community who has been appointed as a teacher in Philobari Tea Estate LP School since last 14 years, now he has been given duty as Hazira Mohri at Field duty. We demand that the management of Philobari Tea Estate should take back Israel Kumar as a teacher at Philobari LP School” warned Ramanus Lakra.

On 23 April a Memorandum was given to Assistant Visiting Agent, Margherita by AASAA Philobari Branch Committee with Four demands such as Israel Kumar Should be taken back as the Teacher of Philobari LP School, Graduate Local Youth of Philobari Tea Estate should be given job at the lying vacant post at Philobari Tea Estate,

electricity, firewood and other compensation should be given to permanent workers of Philobari Tea Estate and electricity deduction should be done through Individual Meter System.

“If the Demands were not fulfilled than All Adivashi Students Association of Assam Tinsukia District Committee along with All

Adivashi Students Association of Assam Philobari Branch Committee shall intensify strong agitation programme against the Management of P h i l o b a r i Te a E s tate”, said Ramanus Lakra General Secretary of All Adivashi Students Association of Assam Tinsukia District Committee.

AIC registered case against Home deptt for violation of RTI Act. ET Correspondent Mangaldai, April 26: The government has introduced the RTI , Act , 2005 to bring transparency and check corruption in governance but due to a section of corrupt and motivated bureaucrats and officials the very purpose of the Act has often stated to be threatened. Not to talk about the officials of any other state government departments , it is the most sensitive Home department which has been entrusted the responsibility of looking after the Law and order situation of the state and that too led by none other than Chief Minister himself has been found to be ignoring repeated petitions

under the Act since 2013 , thereby violating the provision of the Act . But thanks to the Assam Information Commission (AIC) who has taken the matter very seriously and served notice to the Home department seeking explanation as to why penalty u/s 20 (1) of the RTI Act shall not be imposed after registering a case on the basis a complaint petition by the RTI applicant, Mayukh Goswami of ward no-1, Mangaldai.

The Commission by its letter (No. SIC/ KP(M) 200/2013 /11 Dtd. 19th March , 2016) addressed to the SPIO of Home Department not only asked explanation but also directed him to appear be-

fore the Commission for necessary hearing.

Meanwhile as the hearing on the first day of April 5 last could not be completed the Commission by its order (No. SIC.KP(M).200/2013/15 Dtd. 20th April ) has fixed May 4 as the next date of hearing.

It needs to be mentioned here that applicant Mayukh Goswami under the provision of the RTI Act on 11th January, 2013 filed a petition before the PIO , Home Department , Govt of Assam seeking information regarding the promotion of police officers in Assam Police to the rank of DSP ,ASP and SP in the year 2012 and if any case of criminal nature pending

against any of the said senior police officials enjoying promotional benefits .

Unfortunately the Home department denied information even after first appeal before the first appeallate authority of the department on 25th Feb , 2013 which led to the applicant to raise complaint before AIC on 19th April , 2013 . In the meantime the applicant received three copies of letters from M.C.Deka , Deputy Secretary , Home Department respectively with memo nos HMA.59/ 2013/2 Dtd. 22/1/2013 , HMA.59 / 2013 /5 Dtd. 15-3-2013 and HMA.59 / 2013 / 7 Dtd. 22/3/2013 which were addressed to Joint Secretary of the department M.P.Sharma

twice and Joint Secretary S.Shah once .

Meanwhile according to the information received from the Director General of Police . Assam Police as many as 85 nos of officers have been promoted from the rank of Inspectors to the Superintendent of Police have been promoted in Assam Police including 52 nos from Inspectors to Deputy Superintendent of Police , 26 nos to Additional Superintendent of Police and other 9 nos to the rank of Superintendent of Police or Commandants. Significantly some of the senior law enforcers enjoyed officials benefits even though cases of criminal nature allegedly been pending against them .

Ledo Shankardev Challenge to Police by criminal in Tezpur. Bidyapith High Secondary ET Correspondent Tezpur, Apr 26 : Defying existence of police in Tezpur the burglar's gang has been carrying out burglary and car-lifting activities in and around the Tezpur town for the last many days snatching peace of the common citizens.

However, today in the morning around 10.30 am a two men gang snatched an amount of Rs. 1.5 lacs from one Dhrubajyoti Saikia of Kalibari area here while he was waiting to pay the amount to a person in front of the Vijaya Bank. The victim, an employee of garment shop "Vastram" denoting the unwanted inci-

School of Ledo to organise Golden Jubilee

dent said that the two culprits who were following him for quite a good while diverted him saying something was fallen from his hand and ET Correspondent snatched the bag con- Margherita, April 26: Ledo Shankardev taining the amount.

Bidyapith High SecMentionable that the so- ondary School, oldest cially aware people here Assamese School of expressed their total dis- Ledo region is going satisfaction over the to organise Golden Jucontinued unlawful ac- bilee. tivities that have been carried out by the cul- On Sunday Jagat prits taking the advan- Changmai, President tage of police's reluctant of Ledo Shankardev Bidyapith High Secto the issue. ondary School organised a Public People here from every meeting for the comwalk of life urged the district administration ing Golden Jubilee to take necessary mea- celebration at the Premises. sure against the culprits School involved in these cases. Nang Chupati Singpho

Mili, Headmistress of Ledo Shankardev Bidyapith High Secondary School delivered her speech where many renowned persons of Ledo Region such as Someswar Neog, Former Headmaster of Ledo Shankardev Bidyapith Higher Secondary School, BisaRaja Bisanang Singpho, Lakhi Baruah, Kankan Mukherjee were present at the Public meeting.

dent, Sharifuddin Sheikh as Vice-President, Dheeraj Sonowal as Working President, Nang Chupati Singpho Mili as Chief General Secretary, Rana Jyoti Neog as General Secretary, Amiya Khataniar and Jivan Biswas as Assistant General Secretary, Achutyanand Sengupta selected as Treasurer with 21 executive members for the event.

Also 30 members SubCommittee for recepAt the meeting Jagat tion were formed at the Changmai as Presi- Public meeting.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

PAGE 3

District Level Implementation Committee meeting held at Tezu ET Correspondent Tezu, April 26: The District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) Meeting of Lohit District Arunachal Pradesh was held on 25th April at the Deputy Commissioners conference hall, Tezu. The meeting was chaired by Danish Ashraf Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman of DLIC, Lohit and all the members of DLIC as constituted by Govt. for the District to implement “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana” (PMKSY) attended the meeting. Highlighting the Govt. flagship programme PMKSY Ajit Pao, DAO Cum PD, ATMA, Lohit who is also member Secretary of DLIC requested full cooperation from concern department for preparation of District irrigation plan (DIP), informed administration, in a press release.

Er. Jaling Mannow EE (WRD) and convenor DLIC suggested that a preliminary DIP should be prepared at

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, April 26: As reported by Assam Rifles, they nabbed a NSCN (R) militant from Old Changlang early Sunday morning. Acting on specific intelligence

inputs, the Jawans of Assam Rifles under the aegis of 25 Sector cordoned off the general area of Old Changlang and launched search operations which led to the apprehension of SS Ser-

geant Major Nanghap Jugli (35) from Old Changlang according to army sources.

A Chinese made 7.65mm pistol, 3 rounds and magazine were recovered from his possession. The

apprehended NSCN ultra was handed over to the Changlang Police Station and a case has been registered against him and further investigation launched, the report added.

Lohit concludes ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’

the early and submitted to the Govt. for official proceeding and actual DIP should be prepared with actual survey and field visit which will take at least 2 months time. After prolong

discussion and the exigency of the DIP preparation the Deputy Commissioner directed all the department concern to furnish required data by Friday next and a meeting was fix on the day

to formulate further course of action. Meeting concluded with vote of thanks from A. Gamre, ADO Incharge PMKSY with request to furnish the data in time.

NFSA to be implemented in East Siang all the FPS owners to start implementing the NFSA. He assured that back log commissions will paid to them. After which there will regular payment of commission. The DFCSO also informed that everything will be streamlined.

Instruments will be installed to record daily sale and departmental staffs will collect the records of coupons. Checking of multiple holding of cards is already going on.

ET Bureau Pasighat, Apr 26 : A meeting regarding the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) with the FPS owners of Pasighat was held under the chairmanship of Bani Lego , i/c DC. While welcoming all, Bijoy Pertin ,DFCSO informed that NFSA will be implanted from the month

Assam Rifles apprehends another NSCN

of April. There will three kinds of customers/ beneficiarie namely-(A) Priority Households(PH), who will get 5 kg rice per head at the rate of Rs. 3 (three) per kg. Maximum number of household members can go up to seven.(B)AAY will get 35 kg/month @ Rs. 3(three) and(C) APL will get 35 kg/month @ Rs.10 (ten).

Regarding the complain by the FPS owner that they get rice bags which are short on weight, Pertin instructed them to be strict and receive the items after proper weight and measurements. Since the Govt. is working on the modalities of payment of commissions, it will take around 3 (three ) months.

Till then Pertin appealed

Addition and deletion of cards and transfer of FPSs will also be taken care of, he added. He appealed all not leave any room for public complain and come to office for any help.

Pertin also instructed them to lift the NFSA allotments immediately. If we can implement the NFSA successfully, we will be one of the first districts to so the DFCSO informed.

After threadbare discussions, all the FPS and multipurpose co-operative owners agreed to implement the NFSA.

ET Correspondent Tezu, April 26: ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ which began on 14 April on the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar was concluded under the guidance of Lohit Deputy Commissioner, Danish Ashraf, IAS on 24 April- National Panchayati Raj Day – in a befitting manner par-

ticipated by people from different walks of life.

Gram Sabhas were conducted on 23 April and trainings were imparted on ‘My Village’, ‘My Development in the GPs of Lohit district’. The resource persons from SIRD (Itanagar) were engaged to discuss the development plans in the Gram panchayats and focus was made on local

economic development, optimal use of funds, clean drinking water, sanitation, women empowerment, poverty reduction mechanisms, social and economic inclusion. The Line departments gave information regarding major Government schemes such as PMGSY, MGNREGA, PMVKVY, NRHM, ICDS, NSAP, PMKSY

and PMFBY etc. to the villagers. Earlier district level programmes were organised in which Dr. Jajati K. Pattnaik and Dr. Madhusudan Sharma, Associate Professors of I.G. Govt. College, Tezu provided inputs as resource persons.

All the programmes were coordinated by Gautam Hazarika, SDO, Tezu. (DIPRO)

The Kishori Shakti Yojana and Awareness CUM sensitization camp regarding the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence at Pangin ET Bureau Pangin, Apr 26 : The Kishori Shakti Yojana was conducted on 25th/April/ 2016 at Community Hall Pangin Town ( Initial Training for Adolescent Girls) with all the Anganwadi Worker's & Helper's of Pangin/Riga ICDS Project, all total of 97 Adolescent Girls and 132 Anganwadi Worker's and Helper's , were present, Smti.Omang Tangu, CDPO Pangin /Riga informed the important of KSY Scheme and highlights all related activities and how to care Adolescent period i.e.11 to 18 years and resource person from Health Department, Dr. A. Darung, Medical Officer, Community Health Centre, Pangin advised all the participant to take all necessary steps of how to remain hygienic in the Adolescent period and also informed that Adolescent period is very sensitive period so every parents play active role for care the Adolescent Period and on behalf of Mahila Mandal resource person Smti. S. Panor, President Women Wing, Siang District, Pangin delivered power points presentation about the Adolescent Girls

in our society and said that every parent /society should take care of Girls child in the age group of 11 to 18 years which comes under caring period members present were all staffs of Pangin/Riga. on 26/04/2016,an Awareness CUM sensitization camp regarding the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,2005 (PWDV) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offence, Act,2012 (POCSO) was conducted at Pangin

Smti. Omang Tangu, District Nodal Officer, Siang District, present and informed all members about the important of the Awareness Camp, Dr. R. Mibang, CO, Pangin presiding as Chairperson of the programme informed the participants regarding the special attention given by Government towards Women & Children and enactment of these Acts especially to tackle the rising incidences of women & children related crimes in the Society, designation of

special Courts especially for trial of such crimes. She emphasized on the significance of NGOs& Women based welfare groups including the Government functionaries in reaching out and imparting awareness to the Victims of such incidents for reporting to concerned Authorities and legal expert Shri.Tate Mize, Advocate elaborate about the Domestic Violence against the women and Sexual Office against the Children ,under Siang district.

Block level brainstorming session on MVMDP " World Malaria Day and Switch of tOPV to bOPV immunization guidelines held for Pasighat CD block ET Bureau Pasighat, Apr 26 : The

process of environment building for smooth and timely preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) by the Gram Panchayats in East Siang district commenced today at the Conference Hall at Siang Guest House here at Pasighat.

Inaugurating the programme, DC I/c Bani Lego appreciated SIRD Arunachal Pradesh for timely conduction of the programme for creation of necessary awareness amongst the Anchal Samiti Members, Gram Panchayat Chairpersons, Gram Panchayat members, member secretaries and concerned official functionaries. He called upon the delegates to appreciate the difference between a training programme and a brainstorming session and to utilise the opportunity to actively participate in the session. He said that he was hopeful that the issues and concerns raised during the process of brainstorming would be discussed at the proposed 'District level Brainstorming Session on Participatory Planning under MVMDP Guidelines

2015' scheduled to be held at DC Conference Hall on 28th April 2016.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson of Zilla Parishad East Siang District, Kaling Dai, briefed the delegates on the importance Government of India and State Government is giving on proper understanding of the MVMDP Guidelines. He said that SIRD Arunachal Pradesh has aptly termed the intervention as brainstorming, as it would allow open discussion by all concerned in a transparent manner. He also called for conduction training programmes covering all Gram Panchayats in East Siang district. He said that conduction of training programmes would create required awareness and not strain the relationship between Anchal Samities and Gram Panchayats because of possible lack of awareness. He expressed his desire that that Tamar Baki, TA DRDA East Siang District cum Master Trainer are more utilised for conduction of training and awareness programmes so that the district can utilise his wide experience all over the State in conduction of training.

He expressed that consti-

tution of Gram Panchayat Development Committees (GPDCs) would be done by the District Administration at the earliest. These GPDCs will have to properly analyse the GP level development needs in reference to a proper thorough analysis of living condition and development indicators at the GP level, and accordingly decide on development priorities. The corresponding GPDPs would be accordingly based on these development priorities as approved by the concerned Gram Sabhas. He also informed that as per guidelines of MVMDP, notified by the State Government, the GPDPs would be forwarded to corresponding Anchal Samiti and Anchal Samities would forward it to the Zilla Parishad. The Zilla Parishad would be forwarding the plans to the District Planning Committee for final approval. He called upon the delegates to make the best possible use of opportunity extended by SIRD Arunachal Pradesh and the resultant presence of Dr. Rakesh Srivastava, Dy. Director cum Course Coordinator SIRD Arunachal Pradesh and Tamar Baki, in the district

programme." Launched in Namsai District On 25th April 2016

for another few more days.

Addressing the delegates, Dr. Rakesh Srivastava informed the delegates that under the provisions of MVMDP Guidelines 2015 and the corresponding provisions of 14th Finance Commission Grants the funds, including first instalment of FFC Grants for 2015-16 have been released to be released to concerned District Panchayati Raj Development Officers (DPDOs) for onward release to concerned Gram Panchayats.

Consequent to the notification of MVMDP Guidelines 2015, all the 1776 GPs in the State are required to develop proper GPDPs as per provisions of MVMDP Guidelines 2015. The implementation of important rural development programmes such as MG NREGA and PM Awas Yojana (Grameen) etc. have also been linked to these Gram Sabha based plans.

He also informed that a brief report on the issues discussed during the brainstorming session would be shared with the District Administration and Department of PR Govt of Arunachal Pradesh for needful action by concerned authorities.

ET Bureau NamsaI, Apr 26 :District Health society (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programe and National Health Mission) has observed and celebrated the World Malaria day throughout the district in a befitting manner with the Theme "End Malaria for Good" along with the State level Swich Programe of Trivalent OPV to Bivalent OPV . R . K .

Sharma Deputy Commissioner Namsai Inaugurated the function by giving two drops of bOPV to a child in a gathering of Medical officials and ASHAs workers at CHC Namsai. DC directed all the staffs present to be sincere in discharging duties in service to humanity mainly in preventive measure and maintaining cleanliness in the society, make public aware on health related issues mainly malaria and gastro intestinal diseases and vaccine preventable illness in the society. He further emphasized the health field worker to take advantage of any public gathering weather it is religious or nonreligious place, villages health & sanitation meeting, schools & teacher parents meeting etc by taking the advantages of public gathering and asking the organiser to give few minutes to talk on health related preventive awareness and importance role of public involvement and PRI members, in controlling diseases like malaria in the society.

Earlier, District Task

Force (DTF) meeting on Mission Indradhanush phase III and the SWICH programme was held on 20th April 2016 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner. The meeting was attended by all the Medical Officer in charge of PHC and CHC, ICDS officers, PRI leaders and Health staffs of Namsai district. In the said programme it was briefed about the aims and objectives of forming and conducting regular DTFI meetings at district level to monitor the immunization activities at district level. The DC Namsai took special care about the performance part of the MI and IPPI and also the attendance in the meeting and directed all DTFI members to be present whenever called for. He also directed all MO in charges to take spe-

cial care while preparing micro plans before each immunization round, because he said, achieving unrealistic targets leads to over or under performance, which , if we try to minimize will create a better picture of immunization coverage of Namsai district. He also appeal to all stake holder departments like Education, ICDS, and PRI leaders to cooperate wholeheartedly in any health related programs, especially in child immunization programs in order to improve the health delivery system in the district and assured to provide all possible help from his office whenever intimated.

Prior to this Dr. C. L Manchey Medical Suptdt. Cum DMO I/C welcome the gathering and brief about the SWICH of

tOPV to bOPV in the district along with whole state of A.P and introduction of injectable OPV in the Routine Immunization programme.

Dr. C.M.Thamoung DPO (NVBDCP) gave elaborate the importance of Wold malaria Day celebration and role of field workers in controlling and containment of Malaria disease in the district. And He appreciates the involvement of ASHAs in survey and distribution of LLINs along with the Health worker in the recent month. He further appeal to all para medical staff for whole hearted cooperation in successful conduct of field work of National Vector Borne disease control programme beside other NHM activities.

Dr. Pill Depen DRCHO Namsai while giving the votes of thanks, appreciate the active participation of ASHAs and Medical staffs in National programme like OPV immunization and SWICH activities.

In the evening, DVBDCP in Collaboration with Seva Kendra of East Arunachal has organized & conducted a street play on End malaria for good at Namsai bazaar tinali where students of Ven. Uktra Bethani College of Manmow and also shown Movie on Malaria in the public gathering. A awareness rally was organized at Chowkham.

In the same line World Malaria Day was also observed along with SWITCH of tOPV to bOPV in all the CHC and PHCs of the Namsai District.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

PAGE 4

The Funny Rascals to help build school for the underprivileged Comedians Nitin Rivaldo and Appurv Gupta to perform at Round Table India’s Fund Raising Event A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 26 : Guwahati Round Table 235, under Round Table India, has yet again taken up an initiative to help the underprivileged children of the society. On Tuesday, the Table announced first of its kind Hinglish Comedy Show – The Funny Rascals – to be held at ITA Machkhowa on May 8. This will be a charity fund-raising programme for building the infrastructure of Shankardev Shishu Niketan in Dadara, near Hajo, informed in a press release.

For the show, Guwahati Round Table 235 will be hosting noted comedians Nitin Rivaldo and Appurv Gupta, who are widely popular for Hinglish standup comedy acts. Stand-up comedy is a comic style in which a comedian performs in front of live audience, usually speaking directly to them. “The stand-up comedy scene in India is rapidly growing. We thought to bring it for the first time in

the North-East for a noble cause. The proceeds from the show will help us undertake the Phase 2 of the Shankardev Shishu Vidya Niketan, Dadara project,” said Rajat Sureka, Chairman of Guwahati Round Table 235. Guwahati Round Table 235, with its present 20 members, adopted the school in Dadara under Round Table India’s flagship “Freedom through Education” project. The Table aims to redevelop around 10~500 sq. ft. of the said school and on February 7 this year, bhoomipujan for the development of phase 1 (around 2,000 sqft) was done.

The Show, to be held at ITA, Machkhowa on Sunday, May 8 from 5 pm onwards will see around 800 guests participating to help in the building of the school infrastructure. Performing in the evening will be stand-up comedian Nitin Rivaldo who has done around 500 shows across the country and is a famous Hinglish comedian

2nd annual confidence of AASCA held

ABSU hails Sarhad institute for educational uplift to poor background students for free of cost

ET Correspondent Nazira, April 26: The 2nd annual confidence of the All Assam Senior Citizens Association was held at the premises of Nazira Shankari Sangha on last 23rd April.

Above 150 No delegates from different parts of the state were present in the conference.

1 trampled to death ET Correspondent Diphu April 26: One woman was trampled to death by wild elephant yesterday night in the village Tengralangso located within the command of Baithalangso police station in West Karbi Anglong district.

According to information received, Ram Phangcho with his family members along with his wife- Basapi Engtipi, was hiding from view of the elephant inside the house but their luck gave up when the domestic pigs begin blaring seeing the giant in rage, the folks sensing danger came out from their hiding place and ran in different direction.

Basapi became the target of the famished elephant which ventured the village for fodder; she dash for about 50 meters before the elephant caught her. She was rescued by the family members after sometime but Basapi succumbed to her injury before she could be brought to hospital.

Wild elephant attacks couple at Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 26: Herd of wild elephant attacked a couple of Fulbari region of Golaghat district.

As per the reliable sources around 80 wild elephants were seen passing through the village in search of food.

The herd attacked a couple of Munda family.

They were identified as Birsa Munda and Rajeshwari Munda who are now at Kushal Kunwar Civil Hospital.

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, April 26: The All Bodo Students Union hailed the Pune Sarhad institute for taking up student's welfare activities means educational uplift for poor background students on free of cost.

Altogether 18 students, age group of 4-15 years, 16 from Saralpara of Kokrajhar and two from Bilasipara of Dhubri district left for Pune in June of 2015 to take higher studies under Sarhad institute through the guidance of the students union and they complete one year stay at Pune where they are taking higher studies at various classes. Most of the students who are taking higher studies at Pune are violence victims, poor family backgrounds in their living. The students completing their annual examination observed holiday and reached their respective home after a year and expressed their gratitude to the institute organizer and students union.

Aqib Shafi Bhat and Ilyas Khan, senior student and organizer of Pune Sarhad in-

in the college festival circuit. He will be joined by Appurv Gupta who was called India’s leading Hinglish Comic by Comedy Central besides being listed in Forbes India Celebrity 100 Nominees List for 2015.

“The show is being organized to raise funds to build a school for the under-privileged children. We will uti-

stitute while reaching Kokrajhar along with students told that there are 130 students from different states of the country, included BTAD are giving free of cost education at Pune. Eighteen students from Kokrajhar and Dhubri district got selected to take study in the institute and they attended their annual examinations. “The institute organisers have been managing higher education facilities for the students who got selected in the institute”, they said.

Kastom Brahma, education secretary of the ABSU hailed the institute said that “it is a laudable initiative taken from the Sarhad to giving free of cost education for poor background students. He said that the students union sent 18 children, coming from poor family through consulting and deep communication institute organisers on June last year”.

“The students gathered their education and got opportunity to take higher studies at Pune, was a thanked job for the society”, Brahma said.

Of all states, the poll outcome in Assam is most crucial Contd. from Page 1

It was the introduction of a party, the BJP, which has been spreading the cause of Hindutva. The designing of the BJP’s campaign was to pit the Hindu Assamese versus the Muslim Bangladeshis. But this is not a very neat equation. One look at the contours of the Assam students’ movement of 1979-85 shows that it sought to play off the Assamese Hindus against all Bengalis, including Muslims from Bangladesh. This politics of targeting led to the Nellie massacre of February 1983. And this time too such targeting is being practised. The top leaders of the BJP have said if the NDA wins in Assam, the Bangladeshis would be thrown out. In other words, ethnic cleansing.

By forming an alliance with the Bodoland People’s Front, the BJP thinks it can capitalise on the anti-Muslim sentiment among the Bodos. It is true that the

Bodos and the Muslims have been on the warpath since 1952, and the riots of 2012 are fresh in people’s minds. But the Bodos did not fight just the Muslims.

The Assamese-speaking people were among their first targets. In 1996, Bodo militants killed about 100 Santhals and other adivasis (brought by the British from central India more than 150 years ago for tea plantation work). In July 1997, at least 33 Bengali Hindu settlers were killed. About 300 nonBodos (including the victims of a train blast in 1996) were killed between 1993 and 1997.

The political scientist Paul Brass has written that in Assam there have been many interstices of confrontations: Bengalis vs Assamese, Hindus vs Muslims, plainspeople vs tribal hill people, tribals in the plains vs non-tribals, etc.

The BJP is unmindful of this and wishes to drive cart and horse through this tapestry of ethnicity.

lize the funds to build classrooms at Shankardev Shishu Vidya Niketan, Dadara and we are happy to announce that many people are helping us in this initiative,” said Manish Singhal, Fund raising Convener of Guwahati Round Table 235.

Guwahati Round Table 235, a part of Round Table India, is a non-religious,

non-political organization.

The first Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927 and in India; the first Table was formed in 1957. The organization has members (referred to as “Tablers”) aged between 18-40 years and every chapter (referred to as Table) comprises of a maximum of 25 Tablers.

Round Table India has now

Hindu Chah Jangosthi Sanskriti Suraksha Parishad Purvottar organizes marriage ceremony at Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 26: In a unique marriage ceremony held at Thurajan Tea Estate Public Durga Mandir in Golaghat today a total 170 pairs of young men and women got married together. The marriage ceremony was organised by the Hindu Chah Jangosthi Sanskriti Suraksha Parishad Purvottar Golaghat District Committee with a view to help the financially backward young men and women belonging to tea tribes and other such community. Today more than thousand people gathered at the Durga Mandir premises

at Thurajan Tea Estate for the marriage ceremony.

Traditional rituals were performed by Anand Gopal Dasji Maharaj from Govardhandham in Uttar Pradesh where he performed all the Vedic rituals to be got socially recognized as husband and wife of all the 170 pairs. The newly wedded couples were seen very happy and satisfied as they could not fulfill their dreams due to poor economic condition. The initiative taken by the Hindu Chah Jangosthi Sanskriti Suraksha Parishad Purvottar Golaghat District Committee was appreciated by all.

Kamrup DC reviews NFSA ET Correspondent Rangia, April 26: Vinod Seshan, DC Kamrup has requested all the officials of GPSS, dealers and agents to lift the earmarked rice under National Food Security Act (NFSA) for the month of April immediately, informed in a press release.

Speaking on a review meeting held on Tuesday in regards allocation, lifting, distribution of rice, payment of transportation costs and dealers commission under NFSA, MMSY, AAY and MDM at Amingaon today

DC Seshan has informed that necessary communication was already made with the Government regarding various demands of the Coordination Committee of the Gaon Panchayat, Samabay Samiti (GPSS) of Kamrup. Speaking on the occasion DDS of Kamrup Debo Prasad Goswami also clarified various objections and quarries raised by the members present. The meeting was attended by the Chairman and Secretaries of various GPSS of Kamrup and representatives of Dealers association.

80 families lost their dwellings in recent pre-monsoon flood Contd. from Page 1

hailstones and storm affected village of Bordumsa apprised that the MLA acting swiftly on the disastrous impact of the flash floods in the area called on the concerned engineer and asked him to prepare and submit an effective proposal to drain out the accumulated stagnant water so that the agricultural operation does not suffer any setback.

According to Mrs. Singpho who accompanied the engineer in carrying out the survey and drawing the plans today itself, the villagers are basically farmers and if early steps are not taken to ensure smooth growing of crops in the said field, the farmers would not be able to meet their both ends meet. She further added' Mr. Kamin who assured full support to the multiple cause of the villagers and beneficiaries

for all cornered development of the village has responded promptly to the cause of the affected people and the villagers including the panchayat leaders and GB have appreciated the local MLA for his soothing involvement during the hours when the calamities hit people needed encouragement, hope and motivation.

Meanwhile, an official source told that a partial and time being relief fund to thunder, storm and hailstone affected victims of various locations of Bordumsa circle would be distributed from Wednesday on different scales.

It may be recalled here that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has released relief fund amount one crore to flood - affected District of Changlang besides additional relief fund of Rs.30 lakhs to the DC concerned and Rs. 10 Lakhs to ADC Headquarter.

around 4,200 Tablers in around 280 Tables located across 80 cities and towns, comprising of businessmen, entrepreneurs, technocrats and professionals.

In Guwahati, there are 4 Tables whereas, there’s a solitary Table each in Shillong, Tinsukia and Jorhat. More Tables are coming up in Dibrugarh, Tezpur and other places.

Besides the adoption of the Dadara School, the Guwahati Round Table 235 has also renovated an abandoned classroom at Harijan Prathamik Vidyalaya, Fatasil. The Table, which was inaugurated on March 30, 2013, also organized a super specialty free health check up camp in association with Medanta Medi-City, Gurgaon and Downtown Hospital, Guwahati where 892 people participated.

The Table also organized a free surgery & mega heath check up camp at Mirza where 1,046 people participated.

Dadam celebrates Hoju with enthusiasm ET Correspondent Khonsa, April 26: The most important and colourful festival of the Dadam circle; the 24th Hoju was centrally celebrated at Dadam CO headquarters on 25th April with traditional fervor and gaiety. Addressing a huge gathering of festival revelers Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha who graced the festive occasion as the chief guest while greeting the people said that a number of permanent infrastructures had come up at Dadam and hoped that in a few years Dadam would function smoothly as a CO administrative unit. He appreciated the local MLA for initiating construction of a number of roads, Police Station, school buildings, play grounds, IB, helipad, CD Block, BADP and other development projects. While speaking as the guest of honour Tirap Superintendent of Police Jasmeet Singh said that a few years ago there were no proper road connectivity and other facilities and thanked the

local MLA Tirong Aboh for his development initiatives adding that Aboh was keen to usher in more development in the area and urged the people to cooperate with him. Tirong Aboh the local MLA and the chief patron of the Hoju festival while thanking the DC, SP, HoDs and public for partaking in the Hoju celebrations, asked the people to maintain unity adding that festivals fostered love and unity. He said that the silver jubilee celebration of Hoju in 2017 would be a 3-day affair and would be celebrated in a befitting manner for which all the people, especially the youth should be prepared from now, the MLA added.

Earlier, in his welcome address Gawang Hakhun highlighted the significance of Hoju festival. Colourful folk dances, modern dances and community feast marked the day-long celebration. EE, PWD, EE, PHED, EE, WRD, DFCSO, chiefs, GBs, PRI leaders and prominent public leaders of Dadam ja actively participated in the festival. (DIPRO)

Dc inaugurates 3- week capacity building training programme Khonsa, Apr 26 : Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha inaugurated the 3 -week capacity building training programme under BADP at Khonsa on 26th April amidst a huge gatheing. In his inaugural address the Deputy Commissioner while appreciating the training providers said that the training they impart should be strictly as per the proposals made under the BADP and asked them to increase the number of computer sets and other equipments required to impart training.

While expressing his desire to see more trainees in the importantant training programme being organized at Khonsa, the DC urged the DDMO and the administrative Officers-cum-BDOs in the outposts to rope in the services of chiefs, GBs and PRI leaders to get more trainees from the far-flung border areas. He further asked the trainees to take the training programme seriously to get maximum benefit out of it and gainfully utilize the practical knowledge and skills acquired during the training that would help in earning their livelihood. Earlier, in

his welcome address DDMO Papang Duggong threw light on the salient features of the training and thanked the Deputy Commissioner for his initiative and constant guidance in order to conduct the training programme smoothly without any hiccups. The Coordinator of GPTI Nanyok Lowang while briefing the participants threw light on the objectives of the training programme and highlighted the advantages of having basic skills in computer, painting, tailoring, beauty culture and hair dressing adding that these skills could be acquired only through

trainings imparted by the professionals. She passionately appealed to the trainees to actively participate in the training. The EAC-cum-BDO of Lazu, DDI, ADTH and others also spoke in the meeting.

The training programme is being organized by the Tirap district administration and sponsored by the MHA (Border Management, GOI). The trained professionals from Gorgeous Parlour Training Institute (GPTI), are providing the training on various trades.

The inaugural function was attended by ADC, Khonsa, HoDs, Resource persons and the trainees. (DIPRO)

Dc convenes disaster preparedness meeting

Khonsa, Apr 26: Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha on 26th April convened a disaster preparedness meeting in the DC's conference hall, Khonsa in which ADC, SP, CO, 16 Assam Rifles, CO, 36 CRPF, CO, BRTF, administrative officers and HoDs attended. The Deputy Commissioner while underscoring the importance of the meeting highlighted the main points that arose during the Disaster Management meeting held at Itanagar on 16th April which was chaired

by HE the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and urged all the participants to share their views and suggestions to make the district fully prepared to tackle any eventualities due

to natural calamities. He reminded the responsibilities assigned to the officers notified by the government of Arunachal Pradesh under the district level incident response team (IRT) and asked the rapid action teams, search and rescue teams and the incident response teams to remain vigilant, alert and fully prepared.

The Deputy Commissioner requested the BRTF, PWD and other agencies to keep their JCVs in readiness to press into service during emergency situations. He asked the concerned departments to clear the water logging in the drains in Khonsa Township roads which could trigger landslides. While asking the DDMO and HoDs to

identify temporary centres block and anchal-wise for use during unforeseen disasters like floods, landslides, cloud bursts etc , Jha told the participants that suitable steps were afoot to improve the power scenario in the district. The DC further said that equipments for search and rescue operation would be procured as per need and availability of funds.

In the meeting discussions took place on preparedness measures to tackle emergency situation due to heavy monsoon, earthquake, fire etc and other issues pertaining to natural calamities. All the participants elucidated their views and put forth their suggestions during the discussion. (DIPRO)

REGION

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Train services between Lumding and Silchar disrupted

Agencies Guwahati, April 26: A bogie of the Poorvattar Sampark Kranti Express derailed on Tuesday in Assam, disrupting train services between Lumding and Silchar.

There were no casualties, an official said.

The incident took place at about 2 a.m. between Mahur and Phiding stations, about 85 km from Lumding, a Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official said.

"All passengers on board are safe. There is absolutely no injury to any passenger and the train is

being taken back to New Haflong station," NFR Chief Public Relation Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said.

Railway officials immediately started restoration work at the site, he said.

The weather continues to remain inclement in the affected areas and roads to the Barak Valley are obstructed.

Landslides had disrupted train services in the Lumding-Silchar hill section earlier last week.

It was only on Monday that the movement of trains had resumed.

Manipur launches Food Security Act, people unaware of scheme

PAGE 5

Manipur's rain-hit await relief as govt gathers reports Agencies Imphal, April 26: People affected by torrential rains in Manipur in the last 10 days are sore over the alleged sloth in official response to their plight as the government awaits district collectors' reports before disbursing relief.

The state cabinet at an emergency meeting on Monday evening decided the relief would be given as soon as comprehensive reports are received from the district collectors. Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore confirmed this.

Official sources said most collectors have collated reports on the extent of damages in their districts.

Meanwhile, traffic on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway-37 was disrupted after multiple landslides in Tamenglong district.

Hundreds of buses, trucks and private vehicles were stranded and causing hardships to travellers.

The Border Roads Organisations' workers were trying to clear the debris amid fears of more landslides.

Officials said they feared that traffic on the National Highway-2, which snakes through

Nagaland, may also be affected soon, cutting off supply routes to Manipur.

Already, the prices of consumer items in Manipur have been raised by traders on the pretext that supply of consumables from Assam has been disrupted.

Congress leaders, including Manipur Pradesh Congress president T.N. Haokip, party legislaors, ministers and parliamentary secretaries have since joined in the relief efforts from Monday night.

Congress lawmakers Y. Surchandra and K. Ranjit supervised the distribution of relief material in Thoubal district, and Min-

Cases of violation of order galore Agencies Shillong, April 26: Several wine stores in parts of the city are still doing brisk business even after the implementation of a notification which bars operation of wine shops close to national and state highways, hospitals, educational institutions and places of worship.

Another restriction was on setting up of liquor shops within a distance of 50 metres from the mid-point of national/ state highways within the city/town limits, and 100 metres from mid-point of national and state highways on the outskirts.

Meghalaya High Court recently upheld a notification on the implemen-

tation of amended excise rules issued by the state government. The rules disallow operation of such shops close to national and state highways as well as hospitals, educational institutions and places of worship.

Although a few stores have pulled down the shutters as witnessed in some busy market places in Polo, Laitumkhrah, Police Bazar and other areas, some stores around the city are doing their usual business especially those near Anjali tourist taxi stand and parking lot adjacent to Cantonment beat house where a Gurudwara is located.

Liquor stores near Gurudwara at Punjabi

lane, at Demseiniong, 4th Furlong, Rynjah and at Happy Valley near Assam Rifles Mandir are thriving despite their questionable locations.

During a spot visit to some of these areas, it was found that there are cases of violations of the government order.

Moreover, in some of the letters to the editor to this newspaper, readers have mentioned of a wine shop at Rynjah Bazaar which continues to run its business and alleged that the shop is located within the stipulated distance of 200 meters from Pohkseh Presbyterian Church.

Another letter mentioned that a liquor shop is also within 200 meters from

the Pohkseh Presbyterian Church and the Umpling (R) L P School located in R & R Colony which was setup in 1960.

The BJP local unit at R & R colony has demanded immediate closure of the liquor store.

It may be mentioned that several liquor stores were shut down in parts of the State on April 1 after the High Court of Meghalaya upheld the prescribed limits notified by the State government under the Excise Rules for setting up of liquor shops.

The case will come up again for hearing in the Court on May 2. When contacted, an official with the Excise Department said that the liquor

shops cannot operate violating the order of the state government.

There are as many as 581 liquor stores all over the state and as per official reports over 60% of the shops were closed down. The official added that out of the total 74 liquor shops in RiBhoi, only 8 are functional. As far as Garo Hills is concerned, the Excise officials from Shillong carried out a visit to the region to assess the situation. While the state government earned a revenue of Rs 166 crore from the sale of liquor in the state in 2015-16, the earning will be significantly reduced following recent restriction.

Campaigning gains momentum Agencies Imphal, April 26: The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, was on Monday formally launched in Manipur by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

However, some people said they were unaware of the scheme.

At a brief function at the office of the consumer, food and public distribution department at Sagaiprou in Imphal, Okram Ibobi flagged off some truckloads of rice to other towns in the state.

Under this provision, a consumer will get 5 kg of rice in a month at the rate of Rs.3 per kg, and flour at Rs.2 a kg.

In Sadar Hills sub-division of Senapati district, the scheme was launched by Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Ngamthang Haokip.

Distributing ration cards to beneficiaries, the minister said the scheme initiated by the erstwhile Congress government at the Centre will benefit the poor.

Officials said that out of over 28 lakh people, at least 24 lakh will be covered under the scheme in Manipur.

IANS met some of the residents to inquire whether they received their ration cards and whether they know about the fair-price

shops from where they could buy the items.

The residents, however, said they had no idea about the scheme.

Some officials, meanwhile, told IANS that ration cards have not been distributed "fully" to the people in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

The BJP's Manipur unit president Thounaojam Chaoba slammed the Congress government over the scheme.

"The Congress government in Manipur is going to spoil the scheme meant to benefit the poor. These ration cards should be issued by local body members as specified by the Act itself," Chaoba said.

"Flouting this rule, some Congress MLAs, ministers and parliamentary secretaries have been issuing the cards to selected people," he said.

"Some people were recently injured and hospitalised in Bishnupur district when clashes took place when one parliamentary secretary was distributing ration cards to his men and women," he said.

Chaoba also said that in Manipur, there was no fairprice shop that functioned properly, and ration card holders were not informed where to go to buy the subsidised rice and wheat.

State BJP leaders’ wait prolongs Agencies Shillong, April 26: The national council member of BJP for Garo Hills Edmund Sangma and other leaders from Garo Hills are still camping in Delhi to know the response from the Central leaders regarding contesting Tura by poll scheduled to be held on May 16.

While the state leaders are keen to put up a candidate for the Tura seat, there is divided opinion on the part of central BJP leaders on the matter.

Since NPP is supporting the BJP-led ) NDA at the Centre, some top leaders of the party wanted the state BJP to support the NPP candidate Conrad

Sangma, the son of late Tura MP PA Sangma.

The state BJP delegation led by Edmund had met the national spokesperson of the party Nalin Kohli in this regard on Sunday and they will meet the party president Amit Shah on Tuesday, a party source said. The BJP members could not meet Shah on Monday as he was out of station. A decision whether to put up a candidate will be known either on Tuesday evening or the next day, a party leader said. The last date for filing nominations is on Friday and Edmund was projected to be the candidate of BJP for Tura seat by the party functionaries in Garo Hills.

Agencies Tura, April 26: The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Conrad K Sangma kick started his election campaign in true Purno Sangma style by holding his first public meeting from Adokgre village in North Garo Hills on Monday.

The village of Adokgre, nestled on the foothills and forming a part of Kharkutta constituency, was the launch pad of Late P A Sangma’s every election campaign to Parliament.

“It gives me immense honour to begin my campaign from Adokgre the place which had always been close to my late father,” said Conrad Sangma while speaking to the gathering on a hot and windy afternoon.

Dwelling on the legacy of his late father P A Sangma he said, “My father always had love and affection for the people of Garo Hills and development was always his priority. Today we have Doordarshan, tea, rubber

The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Conrad K Sangma during campaigning and coffee boards present in Garo Hills to help us and these are some of the development aspects of my father’s tenure,” said the NPP candidate and now its national president.

Responding to the opposition charges that labelled him as a defeated politician following his loss in the 2013 assembly elections from Selsella, he said “My opponents criticise me as someone who could not retain an Assembly seat,

but defeat is also a part of learning. We learn from our failures and it only strengthens us in the future.”

The young NPP leader was magnanimous in his gratitude to those who helped at his father’s funeral and offered gratitude to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Mukul Sangma for all their help.

“Prime Minister Modi gave all help to ensure our late leader’s mortal remains was brought to

Tura at the earliest and also sent a high level delegation of union ministers to accompany the final journey from Delhi to Tura,” said Conrad.

On Mukul Sangma, the NPP leader expressed gratitude to the state government for pulling out all stops to ensure the funeral service went off successfully.

Former union minister Agatha Sangma, younger sister of Conrad, also addressed the gathering. Speaking about her brother she said, “he is a bright leader who if given a chance can raise the voice of the people of Garo Hills in Parliament. I hope others share a similar thought and view as mine.”

The NPP election campaign team held three meetings on MondayAdokgre, Chibonga and Mendipather.

At Chibonga, Conrad Sangma’s mother and Widow Soradini K Sangma addressed the public where she ex-

pressed gratitude to the people for reposing their faith on her late husband every successive election.

“I have only words of gratitude to give to the people of Garo Hills for the many years of support given for my late husband. As a human being he may have made mistakes sometime for which I seek forgiveness,” said Mrs Sangma.

On the decision of Late P A Sangma to bing his youngest daughter Agatha and sons James and Conrad into the political field, Mrs Sangma revealed that the family had discussed the issue a long time back.

“My late husband always said we must never forget the love and support bestowed upon us by the people of Garo Hills.We have a very big debt to repay to the people. That is why the three children decided to join politics and serve the people of Garo Hills,” said Mrs Sangma.

Man kills younger sibling, scuffle over autopsy of woman PTI Imphal, April 26: 27year-old Thotrei Muivah allegedly shot dead his younger brother at a place in Ukhrul district on Monday, the police said.

Muivah used his 12 bore licensed gun to shoot his younger brother Ngamlei Muivah (18) from point blank range that hit him on his abdomen following which he succumbed to his injuries.

The incident happened at New Cannan in Ukhrul district around 10.30 PM, the police said.

Though the body of the

victim has been claimed by family members after autopsy was conducted at JNIMS on Monday, the culprit is on the run and yet to be arrested though a case has been registered against him at Litan Police Station.

Elsewhere in the state, a major scuffle broke out between two groups at the premise of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after autopsy of a deceased woman was carried out yesterday without the presence of maternal family members of the victim Mutum Anjali

who allegedly hung herself to death on April 23

at Yumrembam in Imphal East district.

The scuffle occurred between the side of the husband s family of the 21-year-old deceased woman and the maternal family members along with their supporters, numbered around 50 persons, who claimed foul play over the death.

The side of maternal family of the victim also refuted the claim of the husband s family who said the victim was found hung to death in her room.

The matter is yet to be resolved, the police said.

ister K. Ratan and parliamentary secretary Amin Shah in Mayang Imphal areas.

Ranjit said: "We have brought rice, edible oil and salt for the affected people.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has directed for all possible help to the affected. Several houses have been damaged by rains and hailstorms in Manipur."

Opposition parties say the Congress is extending a helping hand to the people with an eye to the coming elections to the Imphal Municipal Corporation and the assembly.

Seven militants give up in Garo Hills Agencies Tura, April 26: Altogether seven cadres of two different militant groups surrendered have in Garo Hills.

Five cadres of the Liberation of A’chik Elite Force (LAEF) surrendered before North Garo Hills Police at Resubelpara on Monday.

The LAEF cadres — Jim G Momin alias Walku, Sengnang G Momin alias Nikrak, Salseng Momin alias W a n t e d , Sengtingberth K Sangma alias Sanggra and Sengsil G Momin alias Dakchak, however, did not deposit any arms and ammunition at the time of surrender.

All the surrendered cadres hailed from Baringre Chibilbang Village under Rongjeng PS in East Garo Hills.

Meanwhile, two GNLA cadres surrendered before East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police at Williamnagar.

The duo — Simple Ch Momin alias Saljepa and Clever Ch Marak alias Dompa — surrendered at Williamnagar Police Station without arms.

According to police, Clever Ch Marak alias Dompa was recruited to help Sohan in providing logistic support as well as to spy on police teams entering Durama.

Clever revealed that NSCN cadres were responsible for selling weapons to militant groups in Garo Hills and that a majority of the AK rifles, pistols and grenades of the GNLA were procured from Dimapur through NSCN cadres at rates ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 6 lakh.

He claimed that Sohan had kept a huge bulk of the weapons including AK rifles buried at Durama forest where no one except his close relatives were allowed to go. According to Clever, Sohan plans to sell these weapons to other militant groups after coming overground.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

PAGE 6

Congress blasts 'soft' BJP for surrendering before Pak New Delhi, Apr. 26 : Former union minister and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday accused the ruling BJP of retracting from its earlier stand on Pakistan and alleged that the latest political development between the two Asian neighbours is a clear indication that there has been a toned down approach on part of the ruling dispensation.

Azad also used the occasion to take a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making tall claims before the nation during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"When the BJP was contesting the (2014) Lok Sabha polls, they had said and in fact Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that vote for us as the Congress government is weak and is not able to hold talks properly with Pakistan and we will look into their eyes and talk.But the fact now is that their position has become soft towards Pakistan and China," said Azad.

"Our Prime Minister went to Pakistan to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday and attend his granddaughter's wedding but a week later an attack took

Nuclear collaboration with Canada to grow further: Jitendra Singh

Dr. Jitendra Singh New Delhi, Apr. 26 : Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh today said the nuclear collaboration with Canada has proved mutually beneficial for the two countries and is bound to grow further in the years to come.

Dr. Singh was speaking to Canadian High Commissioner to India, Nadir Patel, who called on him to brief him about the current status of collaboration between India and Canada in nuclear science/power and other areas of bilateral interest.

"There has been a consistent, comfortable and compatible relationship between India and Canada, as a result of which, even today, a large number of youth migrating overseas from India, prefer to choose Canada as their destination," he said.

The Minister of State for DoNER also recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau during the former's visit to Canada last year.

"As a follow up of an agreement finalised during that visit, the Uranium collaboration between the two countries has shown significant rise," he said.

The Canadian High Commissioner to India, Mr Nadir Patel also discussed the possible timing and dates of the visit of Prime Minister Trudeau to New Delhi later this year with the Minister of State for DoNER. Patel also offered to provide inputs to boost various developmental activities going on in the northeastern states of India and said he may like to undertake an exploratory visit to north-east in the months to come.(ANI)

Human Rights Watch urges Lanka to be transparent in implementing UN resolution New York, Apr 26, : New York-based Human Rights Watch has asked Sri Lanka to step up efforts in building trust among communities and be more transparent on measures it is taking to deliver on its promises.

"As the next UN discussion in June approaches, it is critical for the government to confirm publicly the steps it has taken toward delivering on its promises. Failure to do so has already eroded the trust of some segments of society, particularly Tamil and Muslim groups in the north and east. The government would do well to wipe away the fog of rumor and make clear public statements about what it is doing and how to implement its obligations," the Colombo Page quoted the group as saying.

Asserting that Colombo has made progress in handling

consultations on constitutional reforms,Human Rights Watch said there was less progress made towards fulfilling the resolution agreed to at the UN Human Rights Council.

"With less than two months to go before the next Human Rights Council session, it is critical for the government to be more open about who the members are and what they have been doing. Even some international bodies that are supposed to be engaging with the working group say that they do not have the most basic information about its structure," the Colombo Page quoted the group as saying.

While public consultations on the "four pillars" are to be opened, the workings of the task force appointed to conduct them remains opaque, the group said.

(ANI)

Human Rights Watch urges Lanka to be transparent in implementing UN resolution

Former union minister and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad place on the Pathankot air base. We thought that our government would initiate tough action against Paki-

stan post the Pathankot attack, but their attitude towards Pakistan has become flimsy," he added.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry today held bilateral talks in New Delhi focusing on a range of issues.

The two Foreign Secretaries are also believed to have deliberated on ways to take forward the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD) between both sides.

India has been pressing for action against terrorists responsible for the audacious attack on the premier IAF base to move ahead in the talks.

During the meeting, the

Pakistan Foreign Secretary emphasized that Kashmir remains the core issue that requires a just solution, in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Pakistan Foreign Secretary is in New Delhi on a day-long visit to attend the senior officials meeting of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.

It was the first such formal meeting between the two top diplomats after the talks were deferred in January following the strike by Pakistani terrorists at the Pathankot Airbase. (ANI)

Chernobyl marks 30th anniversary of nuke disaster in Ukraine London,Apr.26 :Ukraine has begun commemorations to mark the 30th anniversary of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

A series of events is being held to commemorate the tragedy which remains the worst nuclear accident in history.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko is due to attend a ceremony near the site and a church service will be held in Kiev for the families of victims, reports Guardian.

Some former residents returned to the area, now derelict and overgrown,

ahead of the anniversary.

In the early hours of April 26, 1986, a botched test at the nuclear plant in thenSoviet Ukrainetriggered a meltdown that spewed deadly clouds of atomic material into the atmosphere, forcing thousands of people from their homes.

Sirens were sounded at the same moment as the first explosion at the reactor, on 26 April 1986.

Over the past three decades, thousands more have succumbed to radiation-related illnesses such as cancer, although

the total death toll and long-term health effects remain a subject of intense debate.

The anniversary comes during the final stages of the completion of a giant 1.5billion Euros steelclad arch that will enclose the stricken reactor site and prevent further leaks for the next 100 years.

The project was funded with donations from more than 40 governments. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said lessons learned from Chernobyl

should be heeded all over the world.

The disaster and the government's reaction highlighted the flaws of the Soviet system with its unaccountable bureaucrats and entrenched culture of secrecy as the the evacuation order only came 36 hours after the accident.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has said he considers Chernobyl one of the main nails in the coffin of the Soviet Union.

The meltdown at the plant remains the worst nuclear disaster in history. (ANI)

Ensure Constitution meets aspirations of all: Kerry to Thapa Washington, Apr 26 : US Secretary of State John Kerry met Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa and asked him to ensure that the country's new Constitution meets all the aspirations of the Nepalese people.

"While recognising the significance of Nepal's constitution, he (Kerry) urged Nepal to continue working to ensure it meets all the aspirations of the Nepali people," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.

Nepal had been in political turmoil as the Indianorigin Madhesi people are opposing the seven-province model of federalism which was introduced in the country through the promulgation of the new Constitution.

Madhesis led a nearly sixmonth-long violent protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure

State Department Spokesman John Kirby of the new Constitution.

Newly-elected Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba this month said "flaws" in the new Constitution could be rectified as he appealed to Madhesis and other stakeholders to resolve the statute-related issues through dialogue.

During the meeting yesterday, Thapa also briefed Kerry about reconstruc-

tion works undertaken by Nepalese government in the aftermath of the April 25, 2015 devastating earthquake.

Kirby said the Secretary and the Under-Secretary encouraged Nepal to keep up the pace on earthquake reconstructions.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, displaced tens of thousands and caused wide-

spread devastation.

"On this anniversary we commend the courage of the many individuals who provided assistance to those in need and we pay tribute especially to those who lost their lives doing so, including the six US marines and their Nepali counterparts that were killed in a helicopter crash while trying to help victims," Kirby said.

"The American people continue to offer our sympathy to the families of all of those who perished in the earthquake and we continue to stand right beside the people of Nepal," he said.

Since the earthquake, the US has provided approximately USD 130 million for relief, recovery and reconstruction operations, which include search and rescue deployments, emergency shelter, drinking water, food, aid and support to protect survivors against gender-based violence and human trafficking, Kirby said. (PTI)

Congress asks why is NDA crawling when asked to bend in talks with Pak New Delhi, Apr 26 : The Congress on Monday castigated India and Pakistan Foreign Secretary talks and said the Centre seems to succumb to every possible pressure from those countries who are engaged in axe-hostile to New Delhi.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari questioned as to why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government entertaining Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary after Islamabad sent a spurious Joint Investigative Team (JIT) to probe the Pathankot attack, which later on rubbed India's nose in the mud by alleging that New Delhi perpetrated the infamous terror event to discredit Pakistan.

"The government's foreign policy mantra is that you crawl when you are ask to bend, they seem to succumb to every possible pressure from every country which is engaged in axe-hostile to India. Nothing has come out

of the Pathankot probe the JIT which was invited to India went back and the rubbished India through newspaper leaks, saying that the attack has been perpetrated by Indian agencies to discredit Pakistan and not withstanding that fact that Masood Azhar the person who masterminded the attack is rooming free in Bawalpur and in such situation India is ready to engage with Foreign Secretary of Pakistan," said Tewari told ANI. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer the country. The Ufa process was also rubbished by Pakistan, UFA was followed

by Pathankot, after which Pakistan rubbed India's nose in the mud by sending a spurious JIT after all this why is the Indian government entertaining Foreign Secretary of Pakistan? This a legitimate question needed to be answered by the Narendra Modi government," he added.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari The Pakistan Foreign Secretary met his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar today on the sidelines of the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul process' conference.

The two said to have discussed all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute'.

"The meeting provided a useful opportunity to ex-

change views on recent developments in bilateral context. In line with our Prime Minister's vision of peaceful neighbourhood, the Foreign Secretary underscored Pakistan's commitment to have friendly relations with all its neighbours, including India," Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul said in a statement. (ANI)

'Telcos only interested in filling their coffers': TRAI tells SC

Supreme Court of India

New Delhi, Apr.26 : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the telecom companies should have enforced call drop regulation before challenging it in the court.

During the hearing of the call drop compensation matter, the TRAI said, "Telecom companies are only interested in filling its coffers. They are responsible for majority of call drops."

The hearing would continue tomorrow.

Arguing for the regulatory body before the apex court, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had earlier on Thursday said there is a cartel of fourfive players in a country of a billion, which earn huge revenues and couldn't be bothered about consumer satisfaction.

He had also said the companies were earning up to 61 percent profit but only

investing five percent in infrastructure and were only interested in signing up more subscribers without fixing call drops.

Refuting to his accusations, the telephone service providers said that the authorities should not use such harsh language at any forum.

Calling the remarks "misplaced, baseless and rather misleading", the telecom companies in a statement on Friday said they are 'surprised and are deeply dismayed' by the fierce attack on them by the regulator while arguing against a petition filed by carriers against a Delhi High Court ruling upholding TRAI penalties on call drops.

At the heart of the issue is TRAI's order on October 16, 2015, regulation that mandated the telecom companies to pay Rupee one to the users for each dropped call capped a maximum of three a day, starting January 1, 2016. (ANI)

"France ready to help Libya govt with naval security" Paris, Apr 26 : France said today it was ready to help Libya's new unity government with maritime security as the fledgling administration seeks to assert its authority over the chaoswracked country.

"We must wait until the prime minister (designate Fayez al-Sarraj) tells us what security measures he is planning on taking and what he is hoping to get from the international community to ensure Libya's maritime security. We are ready" to help, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told France's Europe 1 radio.

His remarks came a week after the European Union offered "concrete" support to Libya's unity government to boost the economy and security, including training for the Libyan coastguard to stem the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean.

The EU is concerned by the Islamic State group's expansion in Libya, and also by a new increase in migrant arrivals in Italy from Libya since the start of spring.

European leaders are seeking to expand the mandate of a maritime mission in the Mediterranean dubbed Sophia which aims to combat people trafficking off the Libyan coast.

Sophia's area of operations is currently restricted to international waters, as the EU has neither a Libyan nor a UN mandate to patrol the Libyan coast.

NATO is now three months away from launching its own patrols off Libya as part of a plan to stop migrants arriving in Italy, Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said yesterday.

The mission, which is expected to be approved at a NATO summit on July 7, would be part of a broader Italian plan to close the Western Mediterranean route into the European Union based on the return of so-called economic migrants to their countries of origin.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said earlier this month that France does not plan to deploy ground troops or launch air strikes in Libya.

Oil-flush Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

The country has had rival administrations since mid-2014 when a militia alliance took over Tripoli, setting up its own authority and forcing the recognised parliament to flee to the remote east.

A UN-backed powersharing deal in December was approved by some lawmakers on both sides.

But Sarraj has not yet received the endorsement of the internationally-recognised legislature, and the head of the rival Tripoli-based administration, Khalifa Ghweil, has refused to recognise his authority.

(AFP)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Anti-Drug Day march observed in Myanmar Naypyidaw, Apr. 26 : Over 600 people took to the streets in Myanmar's Kutkai city in northern Shan State to mark the Kachin Anti-Drug Day. Organised by the Kutkai All Christian Group, pastors led the march in a bid to spread drug-related problems in the region.

"We often see and hear about the troubles related to drugs and opium from the people in the region.

Some people came out [when they saw us] and

AQIS claims responsibility of Kalabagan twin murders Dhaka, Apr. 26 : The Bangladesh unit of alQaeda in the Indian SubContinent (AQIS), Ansar Al Islam, has reportedly claimed responsibility of murdering a LGBT magazine editor Xulhaz Mannan and his friend in Kalabagan.

The suspected militant group in two separate messages, one in Bangla and the other in English, claimed the responsibility, Daily Star quoted a tweet from handle 'Ansar Al Islam' as saying.

The claim comes almost a day after Mannan and his friend was brutally found murdered in a machete attack in their Kalabagan flat in the capital.

Some youth stormed into the house and hacked the two dead. They also attacked a security guard and a policeman.

The group has in the past also claimed responsibility for the killings of secular activists, including those of Nladri Chattopadhyay last year and Nazim Uddin Samad this month - both in Dhaka.

Earlier in the day, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque said that Kalabagan's double murder was "planned extensively and the victims were being followed" for days.

The Dhaka Medical College, which conducted an autopsy, confirmed chops to the head as the reason of death.

A case accusing anonymous assailants was last night registered with the Kalabagan Police Station.

(ANI)

Pak army chief conferred Jordan's prestigious medal of merit Rawalpindi,Apr.26 : Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has been awarded Jordan's most prestigious medal of merit in Amman for displaying remarkable courage in leading the Pakistan Army in the face of multiple threats, including terrorism, and above all, for his great efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

The army chief was given an unprecedented reception on his arrival in Amman and was received by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Jordanian Armed Forces,General Mashal Al Zaben,reports the Dawn.

General Sharif met senior members of the royal family and high-ups of Jordanian armed forces along with his Royal Highness Prince Al HasÂ-san bin Talal.

During the meetings, regional security, military-tomilitary relations and matters of mutual interest including enhanced defence collaboration and military training exchanges were discussed. (ANI)

loudly shouted our slogan or applauded," Myanmar Times quoted Zt Lum Nyoi, a spokesperson of the Kutkai All Christian Group as saying.

Asserting that that planting, producing and trading of opium and other narcotics was not only illegal but it also destroyed peoples' lives, relationships, businesses and education; the group urged the government to take aggressive stance in

Anti-Drug Day march observed in Myanmar

combating drugs.

The group also said it

would join forces with other groups fighting for

the same cause.

In January and February, dozens of anti-drug activists from Christian vigilante group Pat Jasan were injured in Kachin State while destroying poppy fields which they alleged are under the control of pro-government militias.

Meanwhile, about 500 people also marched to celebrate the second anniversary of Kachin Anti-Drug Day in Muse and Lashio.

Myanmar today is the second largest producer of raw opium in the world.

According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, though opium production in Kachin State was estimated to have decreased by 17 percent last year - from roughly 5100 hectares in 2014 to 4200ha in 2015 - it still accounts for 7.6pc of the nationwide total.

(ANI)

Mother of paraplegic death row inmate pleads for pardon in Pakistan

Mother of paraplegic death row inmate pleads for pardon in Pakistan

Islamabad, Apr. 26 : Nusrat Perveen,the mother ofparaplegic inmate Abdul Basit on death row in Pakistan

convicted of murdering a man in a financial dispute has urged President Mamnoon Hussain for his pardon.

Basit, 43, since contracting meningitis in prison in 2010 has been paralysed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair.

He has been on death row since 2009.

Perveen said that the President had on January ordered authorities to halt the execution of her son Abdul Basit , hours before he was to be hanged but the stay of execution order has now expired.

She said that her son had lost a lot of weight and looked skeletal as she met him a prison in Faisalabad city.

"I wept and cried on see-

ing him in fragile health," she said. "My son is like a dead man already, do they want to hang a dead man?," the Guardian quoted her as saying.

However, the jail officials said that they were initiating a new process to obtain a death warrant for Basit's execution.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had last year said that Basit's execution must comply with the country's prison rules governing execution procedures.

However, there is no rule that contain any provisions for the hanging of prisoners in wheelchairs.

Maya Foa, Director at the anti-death penalty NGO Reprieve, expressed her concern about the authorities were gearing up to try and execute Basit.

She urged that international community should urgently call on Hussain to halt "this cruel spectacle."

Basit was given a stay of execution in September 2015 after officials remained uncertain on how a man who couldn't stand without any support could be hanged. Following that plans to execute him was again postponed in November last year. (ANI)

Eight suicide bombers Lankan President commutes killed in Afghanistan's death sentences of 83 inmates Kunduz province Kabul, Apr. 26 : At least eight suicide bombers were killed after their suicide vests went off p r e m a t u r e l y inAfghanistan's northern Kunduz province on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) in a statement said that all eight would-be bombers were fully equipped with the suicide vests and were looking to carry out coordinated attack in Kunduz before their explosives went off, reports Khaama Press.

Highlighting that the bombers were on their way from Dasht-e-Archi

to Kunduz city when the incident took place, the Ministry of Interior said that the group belonged to Mullah Wali, a commander of the Taliban group.

So far, the insurgent group has not commented on the report.

This incident is not the first where anti-government armed militants have become victims of their own bombing.

In the past, a group of 10 militants in Ghazni province were blown up by their own explosives as they were busy making Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).(ANI)

Rangers arrest killer with links to MQM Karachi, Apr. 26 : Akiller associated with theMuttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was arrested Tuesday by the Pakistan Rangersduring a search operation.

"Mohammad Kashif alias David, who belongs to the MQM, is a most wanted criminal in multiple targeted killing and terrorism incidents," the Dawn quoted Rangers official Colonel Faisal, as saying.

Rangers also recovered a

cache of weapons and ammunition, including Kalashnikovs, light machine guns (LMGs) and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG-7), and their uniforms during the operation.

Faisal said the operation was carried out on a tipoff close to MQM's Nine Zero headquarters.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.(ANI)

Rangers arrest killer with links to MQM

of Law and Order and Prisons Reforms and Justice to review the death sentences, reports Lanka Page.

The Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Danasinghe said they expect more death rowinmates to receive the same concession in future.

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena Colombo, Apr.26 : Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to commute the death sentences of 83 prisoners who are either on death row or serving life. imprisonments.

President Sirisena has taken the decision to spare the lives of the prisoners based on the recommendations made by a committee appointed following a request by the joint committee of the Ministries

Although Sri Lankan courts give death penalty in serious crimes such as murder, rape and drug trafficking, no executions have been carried out since 1976.

All death penalty cases have been commuted to life in prison.

Sri Lanka last year decided to vote in favor of a UN resolution for moratorium on death penalty. (ANI)

Qatar based Taliban delegation in Karachi for words with Afghan govt Karachi,Apr.26 : An AfghanTaliban delegation based in Qataris in Karachi for direct talks with the Afghan government.

The Dawn reports that the Foreign Office has denied knowledge of the delegation's visit.

Following a deadly insurgent attack targeting a security services office in the heart of Kabul, observers have said that Pakistan is pressuring the Taliban to join peace talks, BBC Urdu reported.

Taliban representatives in Pakistan will join the Afghan government at the table during the negotiating process.

The development comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani threatened diplomatic reprisals against Pakistan if it refuses to take action against the Taliban.

Ghani's remarks reflect his frustration after he expended substantial political capital since com-

Pak says not solely responsible for bringing Taliban on dialogue table

Nafees Zakaria Islamabad, Apr. 26 : Emphasizing its commitment for peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan on Tuesday said it wasn't solely responsible for bringing the AfghanTaliban on the dialogue table.

Asserting that peace in Afghanistan is the best interest of Pakistan, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria today said the country condemns terrorism in all forms and does not differentiate between terrorist groups, reports Dawn.

The response was apparently made after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's speech yesterday in which he said Afghanistan "no longer expects Pakistan to bring the

Taliban to the negotiating table".

Zakria reminded that Pakistan itself was the biggest victim of terrorism as thousands of its citizens and security forces personnel lost their lives in the war against terror.

He also maintained that a quadrilateral group was formed in an effort to bring peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan should not be held solely responsible for the failure of talks.

The statement comes after Afghan President in a new hard line stance threatened diplomatic reprisals against Pakistan if it did not take action against the Taliban in wake of the recent Kabul attack. (ANI)

JKLF founder Amanullah Khan passes away in Rawalpindi

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Amanullah Khan Rawalpindi, Apr.26 : Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Amanullah Khan passed away at a Rawalpindihospital this morning. He was 82.

Khan, the father-in-law of Kashmir's regional party People's Conference President Sajjad Gani Lone, breathed his last at 8:30 a.m. this morning.

The deceased leader, who was born in the Astore area of Gilgit on August 24, 1934, was also the co-founder of the Kashmir Independent

Committee in 1963. He was elected Secretary General of the JK Plebiscite Front (PF) in 1965 and Co-founded the JK National Liberation Front (NLF) with Maqbool Bhat.

JKLF chairman Yasin Malik had earlier this month expressed concern over Khan's deteriorating health and appealed to the people of Kashmir to pray for his speedy recovery.

According to reports, his funeral would be held tomorrow. (ANI)

Alleged ISIS facilitator arrested from Peshawar Qatar based Taliban delegation in Karachi for words with Afghan govt

ing to power in 2014 in courting Pakistan in the hope of pressuring the militants to the negotiating table.

"I want to make it clear that we no longer expect Pakistan to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table"Ghani said in a sombre address to both houses of the Afghan Parliament.

"But we want Pakistan to fulfil its promises and take military action against their sanctuaries

and leadership based on its soil" added Ghani.

"Despite our sincere efforts for regional cooperation, we will be forced to turn to the UN Security Council and start serious diplomatic effort," Ghani said.

The Afghan president vowed a tough military response against the insurgents and pledged to enforce legal punishments, including executions of convicted militants.(ANI)

Peshawar, Apr. 26 : An alleged facilitator of a commander of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group in Afghanistan was arrested from Regi Lalma area in Peshawar on Tuesday.

The suspect Musa has close links with Afghanistan-based Abdullah alias Cheeta, a commander of ISIS, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saifullah as he produced the suspect before the media, reports Dawn.

The officer said the suspect was wanted by the local police for various crimes and was arrested during a search operation in Regi Lalma last night.

The alleged criminal belonged to an inter-provin-

cial criminal organisation, the DSP said, adding further investigation is underway.

The Director General of the Intelligence Bureau, Aftab Sultan, informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior earlier in February that the ISIS was emerging as a threat in the country because several militant groups had a soft corner for it.

Though ISIS and Afghan Taliban were rivals, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) coordinated with it, he added.

The Interior Ministry has been denying the presence of ISIS in Pakistan, saying that it was an Arab organisation. (ANI)

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Is The Worst Over For Emerging Markets?

Save Kaziranga Illegal settlers around Kaziranga on the rise At the time when there has been uproar in the entire country regarding illegal migrant and encroacher in Assam from neighbouring Bangladesh, neither the Central nor the state government has clariPhoto: fied their stand as yet. Esimg.en.eenaduindia pecially a lot of concern has been displayed from several indigenous organizations of the state regarding the presence of large number of illegal Bangladeshi migrant in and around Kaziranga National Park, one of the oldest protected areas in the world and Assam's pride and identity. But ironically the state govt. blatantly denied the issue as baseless rumour.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India have found that there has been rapid increase in settlement of migrants along the periphery of the protected Kaziranga National Park. These people do not have voting rights in the local constituency.

In its performance audit report on the national park for the financial year 2013-14, the CAG said there are 110 villages, with a population of more than 2.6 lakh, surrounding the park. After meeting six presidents of the eco-development committees (EDCs) that have been formed to provide sustainable development to fringe villagers, the CAG's audit team confirmed that the population of the fringe areas is burgeoning; a fact long denied by the Assam government. It is quite astonishing and shocking at the same time the Assam government is doing nothing to put a full stop on this illegal settlers settling around Kaziranga. Moreover, the park authorities are yet to involve the youths of the fringe villages in wildlife protection, unlike in Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka, where local youths are deployed in forest camps to encourage participation of the fringe villagers in conservation and protection of wildlife. In the absence of conviction, the villagers are scared of providing inputs to the authorities. Doing so is fraught with risk as the poachers return to the villages after getting bail.

According to an official source, rhino protection in the Park has become challenging task of late because of growing numbers of settlements of encroachers in new additions to the Park. These encroachers of suspect nationality as they are suspected as illegal Bangladeshi migrants, have been working in favour of poaches by providing shelters and giving information about rhinos straying out of core area of the Park. In view of increase in the population of rhinos, tigers, wild buffaloes etc, new additions (areas) were officially added to the 430 Square kilometer Kaziranga Park recently. The first addition in Burapahar area is of 43.79 sq. km., the second addition of 6.47 Sq.km is in Sildubi, the third addition in Panbari area is on 0.69 sq.km, the fourth addition in Kanchanjuri area is of 0. 89 sq.km, , the fifth addition is Haldhibari area is of 1.15 sq.km and the sixth and largest addition of 376.50 sq.km is comprised of Brahmaputra sand bar islands to the north of the National Park. The areas under the first, fourth and sixth additions to Kaziranga Park are now under heavy encroachment of suspected illegal migrants from Bangladesh who have travelled upstream the Brahmaputra River on search of greener pastures. These encroachers are creating problem of protection of the Park and its resources. Besides resorting to illegal fishing in wetlands inside the Park, felling of trees, these encroachers are suspected to be hand in glove with rhino poachers on the prowl.

If we do not take steps against it now then it will be very late. And that time is also not far away when our Kaziranga will be turned into one mini Bangladesh.

Global warming Time to act upon There is great debate among many people, and sometimes in the news, on whether global warming is real (some call it a hoax). But climate scientists looking at the data and facts agree the planet is warming. While many view the effects of global warming to be more substantial and more rapidly occurring than others do, the scientific consensus on climatic changes related to global warming is that the average temperature of the Earth has risen between 0.4 and 0.8 째C over the past 100 years.

The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities, are believed to be the primary sources of the global warming that has occurred over the past 50 years. Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate carrying out global warming research have recently predicted that average global temperatures could increase between 1.4 and 5.8 째C by the year 2100. Changes resulting from global warming may include rising sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrence and severity of storms and other severe weather events.

Over the last century, global average temperature has increased by more than 1째F (0.7째C). The 2001-2010 decade is the warmest since 1880-the earliest year for which comprehensive global temperature records were available. In fact, nine of the warmest years on record have occurred in just the last 10 years. This warming has been accompanied by a decrease in very cold days and nights and an increase in extremely hot days and warm nights. The continental United States, for example, has seen record daily highs twice as often as record daily lows from 2000 to 2009. While the record shows that some parts of the world are warming faster than others, the long-term global upward trend is unambiguous. Of course, land and ocean temperature is only one way to measure the effects of climate change. A warming world also has the potential to change rainfall and snow patterns, increase droughts and severe storms, reduce lake ice cover, melt glaciers, increase sea levels, and change plant and animal behaviour.

Individual, regional, and national actions can all add up to global solutions, slowing and eventually halting the upward climb of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.

Following the doomsday scenarios of early 2016, there has been a slight uptick in sentiment.

Forecasters are far from bullish, but analysts suggest the worst may be over for emerging markets following a rally in commodities and currencies.

In its latest "World Economic Outlook" report, the International Monetary Fund revised down its f o r e Anthony casts for global growth to just 3.2 percent this year and 3.5 percent in 2017, citing only a modest pickup in advanced economies and mixed prospects across emerging and developing economies.

"While emerging markets and developing economies will still account for the lion's share of world growth in 2016, prospects across countries remain uneven and generally weaker than over the past two decades," the Wa s h i n g t o n - b a s e d lender said, projecting only a modest rise in their growth rate to 4.1 percent this year and 4.6 percent in 2017, down 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points from its January forecasts.

The IMF warned of slowing growth in oil exporters, China's "modest" slowdown, deep recessions in Brazil and Russia and diminished growth prospects in many others.

However, it said India remained a bright spot, with strong growth and rising real incomes, while the "ASEAN-5" economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam were also "performing well."

While China is seen slowing from 6.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2015 to 6.5 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2017, the IMF actually increased its projections by 0.2 percentage point compared to its previous forecasts.

India is seen posting 7.5 percent GDP growth this year and next, while the ASEAN-5 should improve to 4.8 GDP growth in 2016 and 5.1 percent next year, unchanged from the January forecasts.

Similarly, the World Bank suggested in its latest projections that growth in developing East Asia and the Pacific "has remained resilient and is expected to ease only moderately

during 2016-18." It said the region's growth rate would ease from 6.5 percent in 2015 to 6.3 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2017, reflecting China's slowdown to an expected 6.7 percent this year and 6.5 percent in 2017.

"Developing East Asia and Pac i f i c Fensom c o n t i n ues to contribute strongly to global growth. The region accounted for almost two-fifths of global growth in 2015, more than twice the combined contribution of all other developing regions," the World Bank's Victoria Kwakwa said, pointing to policymakers' "careful macroeconomic policies."

Across the region, the Philippines and Vietnam are seen as having the strongest growth prospects, with both forecast to post more than 6 percent GDP growth this year. However, the report noted the risk of slower than expected global growth, a sharper slowdown in China and high corpo-

more gradual approach to monetary tightening, boosting stocks and currencies of commodity producers including Malaysia. As noted by Pacific Money, Beijing's credit binge has helped steel and iron ore prices surge, while the oil price has also moved higher for three straight weeks amid signs of an easing in the global supply glut.

"The current rally is driven by a market sentiment that is becoming more and more convinced that the worst is over and the global oil market rebalancing process is already in play," Energy Management Institute's Dominick Chirichella told Reuters.

Chinese speculators reportedly have rushed back into commodities, sparking warnings from Chinese stock exchanges to investors.

According to Bloomberg News, contracts on more than 223 million metric tons of rebar were exchanged , more than China's fullyear production of the concrete-strengthening

While China is seen slowing from 6.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2015 to 6.5 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2017, the IMF actually increased its projections by 0.2 percentage point compared to its previous forecasts. India is seen posting 7.5 percent GDP growth this year and next, while the ASEAN-5 should improve to 4.8 GDP growth in 2016 and 5.1 percent next year, unchanged from the January forecasts. rate and household debt in some of the larger economies.

Nevertheless, buoyed by the U.S. Federal Reserve's apparent slowing of its interest rate hikes and China's stimulus efforts, emerging economies have shown signs of a turnaround.

In March, emerging market currencies had their best month in 18 years due to the Fed's

material.

"The great ball of China money is moving away from bonds and stocks to commodities," Tebon Securities analyst Zhang Guoyu was quoted saying. "We've seen a lot of people opening accounts for commodities futures recently."

Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) has projected gains in both Japanese and other

Image for representational purpose (Photo: blogs-images.forbe)

Asian equities in 2016, forecasting rises in both Hong Kong and Australian stocks as confidence increases in the Chinese economic outlook.

Peter Sartori, head of Asian equity at Nikko AM, told Morningstar that Asian equities could see further gains by year-end despite gloomy sentiment by overseas investors.

"The starting point is pretty depressed with a lot of bad news priced in. I think there could be a few surprises in terms of the benefits finally flowing through from lower oil and commodity prices, and if China can get back on the front foot in implementing reforms, then that could be a real positive surprise," he said.

'Slow And Painful' While stating that the recovery in emerging markets (EM) will be "slow and painful," BMI Research has suggested that they have at least reached a turning point, with commodity prices having "bottomed out" and seen heading higher.

"The U.S. dollar has topped out, alleviating pressure on EM currencies, commodities have based, and a range of EM assets have rallied significantly in recent months. Furthermore, in several EM bellwethers there are undercurrents of political crises - most notably in Brazil and South Africa - which could precipitate muchneeded policy changes and lay the foundations for future growth," the international forecaster

said.

BMI Research said India, Indonesia and the Philippines were among those emerging markets in an "upswing phase of the economic cycle," appearing "relatively robust in terms of growth prospects and macroeconomic fundamentals."

However, it said "the commodity exporters and reform laggards are still locked into a slowdown to a greater or lesser extent. The oil exporters are suffering severely depleted government budgets and debt issuance is being ramped up as a consequence."

The research group rated India top in its reform progress with an eight out of 10, with Indonesia earning a six.

"India is one of our favored EM economies and is by far the strongest of the BRICS. The economy will continue to benefit from the Modi administration's gradual reforms and demographics will remain a major tailwind. But stateowned banks are plagued by weak asset quality and cautious lending could keep credit growth subdued," it said.

However, China, Malaysia and Thailand earned only a five out of 10 for their reform efforts, with BMI Research criticizing "excessive government-led credit growth" and "unproductive stateowned enterprises" in China and elsewhere. "[Emerging market] corporate debt levels have surged over recent years, and China is in a league of its own in this respect.

If companies get into

Plight of the hapless Police

Image for representational purpose (Photo: mpjobs)

Sir, Of late, it is observed that people become restless, impatient on the slightest provocation. Moral policing is on the rise alarmingly. Even when a thief is caught stealing a pair of slippers or a goat instead of handing over the thief to the Police, the thief is beaten to death by the mob. Sometimes it so happens that some innocent person too gets killed merely on suspicion. Level of rationality is fast disappearing from human being. Interestingly, the Police force becomes a soft target as the force cannot resort to reprisal for fear of punishment from their political boss. Attacking a police station on this pretext or that has become a common sight.

Even a dreaded dacoit when caught and kept in the police custody, the police is not free from danger nowdays. The mob turns up to the police station to free the dacoit from the Police custody.

Recently, twenty nine Jehadis were caught by the Assam police, among

distress, a feedback loop would likely run between corporates, banks and the sovereign. In China's case, the highest risks lie in the sectors suffering overcapacity such as coal, steel and cement. Many of the companies involved are rated 'AA' and above by domestic rating agencies, but transparency is lacking at the stateowned enterprises and there could be skeletons in the closet," it said.

BMI Research said China needed "sweeping structural reforms" but they were being blocked by political imperatives.

Over the next five years, it said there was a 50 percent possibility of a severe downturn in China, but with a 30 percent chance of continued stimulus exacerbating structural deficiencies.

Overall though, the forecaster said it did "not see the case for a sustained bull market in either equities, bonds or currencies. Macroeconomic fundamentals will improve at a slow pace and it is difficult to identify EMs that do not have considerable structural weaknesses such as gaping fiscal deficits, current account shortfalls and rising debt levels."

In the meantime though, Asia's emerging economies are enjoying the improvement in sentiment following the doomsday scenarios of early 2016, when warnings of another global financial crisis rocked markets. The challenge now for policymakers is ensuring the pickup continues. Courtesy: The Diplomat

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.

them Madrasa's teacher and Mosque's Imam also were there. When these jehadis are kept in Police station, angry mob immediately turns up demanding release of the Imam within 24 hours. The comment of an M.L.A from A.I.U.D.F. in this connection is unfortunate. Political interference in the Police force has come to such a pass that Letters to the the Police have to accept derogatory terms from the mob and sometimes are editor and articles compelled to free a criminal. What hap- should be sent to : pened in the Pengeri incident is really The Eastern Tosaddening. The police station was atday tacked by angry mob who demanded Chowkidingee, handing over the culprits who had murdered two persons. The mob attacked Near Sankardeva the Police - station who ransacked the Hospital Mancotta station. As a last resort, the Police had Road, Dibrugarhto fire. Here too one cannot blame the 786003 (Assam) innocent police.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Ph: 0373-2328944 Web :

editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

p O

ed

Dietrich Bonheoffer (1906- 1945) Dietrich Bonheoffer was a pastor, theologist and the founder of the 'confessing church.' His thought on Christian role in the secular world influenced greatly. While studying at Tubingen University and University of Berlin, he was influenced by Karl Barth's thought, which gave him sense of responsibility to develop theology that is relevant to the Christianity of the world. He earned doctoral in theology at the age of 21.

Barth described his brilliancy and fresh ground breaking thesis Communion of Saints as a 'theological miracle.'

During his training under senior church leader, he saw many weaknesses in the preachers. He remarks, 'the church is burying Christ in the

heaps of religiosity.

Many times they are insensitive to the needs of the world.'

In 1930, he went to United States and observed that their theology is less, when he compares it with the German standards. So, he urges that there is no theology in America. For post doctoral course, he studied under Reinhold Niebuhr. In the US, he spoke on peace at different places. There he changed himself from phraseology to reality.

He returned to the University of Berlin in 1931 and taught systematic theology. He led ecumenical work which later on germinated for the formation of World Councils of Church. He was ordained at the age of 25. However, his

bright ecclesiastical and Führer is the head of the theological career was church.' In which they altered with the induc- refused their military tion of Hitler as Chan- support to Nazi rule. He cellor of Germany. Two used splendid theological days after Hitler's in- armory to challenge the stalled, in Radio an- amalgamation of Nazi nouncement, he warned racism in Christian comGerman people that munity in which Hitler Führer prohibited (leader) non-Aryan Yumri Taipodia to may turn hold parout as ish offices.

Verfürer (mis-leader); He came to India and later on, his speech came studied non-violent true. Along with Barth, method of Gandhi in his he resisted the ashram. As suppression Nazification of pastoral on confessing church ordinance such as the was intensified; in august baptism, wedding and fu- 1936, he was declared as neral.

'Pacifist and enemy of In May 1934, he formed the state.' Debarred him the Confessing Church. from teaching in univerThey were the breeding sity and using mass meplatform for Christians to dia, yet secretly, he conoppose the Nazi regime; tinued teaching and writthey adopted Barth's. ing.

Barmen's Declaration in- He was arrested on sisted that 'Christ, not the 06.04.1943, just after

Darkness behind the candle The shocking incident of like Aamir Khan and suicide by TV star Amitabh Bachchan, she Pratyusha Banerjee, 24, hung herself in her resihas led to a lot of soul- dence in Mumbai in 2013. searching as to why ce- Her mother revealed a six lebrities put a full-stop to page note where Jiah their lives despite success wrote about being hain their fields. probes rassed and mentally torPratyusha tured. As Banerjee's Shoma A. Chatterji all evisudden dence d e a t h pointed (some of her friends to her boyfriend, Sooraj refuse to believe that she Pancholi, he was arrested killed herself) is the latest and booked on charge of in a string of incidents of abetment to suicide. Later, this nature in the glamour forensic reports confirmed world. The question of that the actress was drunk 'why' hangs in the air par- when she committed suiticularly if one does not cide. Pancholi has been leave behind a suicide out of jail and his film Hero note as in Pratyusha's was released last year. case. Sometimes, friends People still talk about and relatives of the de- Divya Bharati, 19, a hit ceased also cast asper- star with short life span. sions on people associated Her early success sucked with the departed, specu- her into the vortex of allating whether they com- cohol and probably drugs, mitted suicide or were and she is said to have murdered by boyfriends or jumped off the parapet of husbands. a high-rise in Mumbai in

Juhu apartment in 2006.

Her close friend Nafisa Joseph, a former beauty queen and also a VJ, had earlier committed suicide in 2004. She was to marry businessman Gautam Khanduja. But the wedding was called off after she learnt that he was already married. He had told her that he had been divorced for two years.

Popular fashion model Viveka Babajee, who shot to fame with the Kamasutra condom ads in the 1990s, committed suicide in 2010. Different reasons were cited for her suicide ranging between breakdown in professional career, failed love relationship and financial losses.

Mental breakdowns also afflict many stars and it needs strength to bounce back. Susmita Sen broke down during a press conference soon after she

attach to the families they come from. Many young women cannot cope with this social stigma, the sense of alienation from the family and the instability of their love relationships. Many of them also live alone ,come from small towns in search of stardom and are vulnerable to pressure, in career and relationships.

Edwin Shneidman, cofounder of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Centre points out four common factors: the first is inimicality, hostility against oneself. The second is perturbation, a state of extreme anxiety, with the feeling of being closed in, with no way out. The third is constriction, with the suicide's perceptions narrowing into a tunnel vision where the mind focusses only on the one unendurable emotion. The last is cessation, death as

three months of his engagement. Just before his arrest, he published The Cost of Discipleship.

He was kept in Tegel military prison and Flossenburg Concentration Camp. There too, he continued his spiritual outreach to his fellow prisoners and guards.

Some kind hearted guards helped him to pass his letter out of prison, which was posthumously published as Letters and Papers from Prison. In 09.04.1945, he was given drum head court martial for his participation in attempt to assassinate Hitler. It was without any witness, proper verification and gave them no chance for proper defense. His clothes were stripped and he was hanged with a tiny wire. Bonheoffer

Page 9

was a martyr for his deep theological conviction which entirely led him to submit to the will of God till his last breath.

He is commemorated as a theologian and a Christian martyr. Gallery of 20th century martyrs at Westminster Abbey includes his name along with Mother Elizabeth of Russia, Martin Luther King and Oscar Rome.

His ideologies influence generation across the globe. Focal point of his theology is Christ, in whom God and the world are reconciled.

Bonheoffer's God is a suffering God, whose manifestation is found in this worldliness. He advises that Christians should not withdraw from the world but oblige to act within it. For him the word 'Christian' means 'disciple.' Believer should not merely have faith in Christ but experience Christ even in His suffering. He in-

Dietrich Bonheoffer (1906- 1945) (Photo: d.grassets) sisted, 'to be a true church of Christ, church must share suffering of God at the hands of a godless

world.' But church will not scum , since it is founded in Christ who has overcomes the world.

Here's how an autorickshaw run by three strangers will help 50 orphans in Shillong Their charity run com- this journey in an lage in Shillong. They menced on April 4 at autorickshaw!

The braved flat plains, bumpy Jaisalmer.

Khiladis' perception of the hills, crowded cities and The getting together of vehicle is of a "tuna can several breakdowns of three strangers at a ke- on wheels". They lovingly the rickshaw in a country bab stand at the Sziget named the rickshaw Lily. 30,000 km away from Music Festival in Their charity run com- their home to help children Budapest menced they've never met before. will beno n The online crowdfunding efit 50 Lamya Karachiwala April 4 for their initiative will go orphaned a t on till June 29. The children in Shillong's SOS Jaisalmer and ended on money raised will be used Children's Village- a tes- April 16 at the SOS Vil- to meet the education, tament to the greatness of kebabs and music.

The trio which calls itself Kohinoor Khiladis consists of Denmark's Bram Schuurmann (32), Switzerland's Daniel Künzle (32) and Paraguay's but currently residing in Switzerland's, Ernie Bergen (36). In 2014, they met at the music festival for the first time, struck a friendship and decided to have travel 2,700 km across India (with a quick stop in Behind: The trio which calls itself Kohinoor Khiladis Nepal) to raise funds for consists of Denmark's Bram Schuurmann (32), Switzerland's the kids of the orphanage. Daniel Künzle (32) and Paraguay's but currently residing in Switzerland's, Ernie Bergen (36). (Photo: static.dnaindia) That's not it. They made

healthcare and other living costs of the kids, aged between 3 and 19 at SOS for an entire year.

The NGO works towards protecting the rights of abandoned and orphaned children of the city. "At the start, this was all an adventure for us. We didn't know that there could be a charity aspect to it. However, once we found out that we could use this opportunity to help someone, we decided that it would be children in a place we could visit. SOS Children's Village in Shillong met these criteria," says Ernie.

Though Ernie confesses that they cannot wait to get home to recover from the past two weeks, he does share that the three of them have discussed the possibility of doing another such run next year with an even bigger fundraising goal.

The Betting Mafia Is Active In Indian Cricket, But Why Is No One Crying Foul?

Pratyusha Banerjee, Jiah Khan, Divya Bharti: 3 untimely deaths which SHOCKED the showbiz (Photo: a1.am) Observes psychiatrist Sanjay Chugh, "Suicide as an option would normally be considered when all doors seem closed and one feels trapped. It's a last resort for those who think that their lives have no meaning and purpose left. The celebrity might feel totally dejected and perhaps embarrassed to face the world which might push him or her to contemplate suicide."

Was it the case of Shikha Joshi, 40-year-old modelturned actress, who slit her throat in 2014? She had told her friend before dying that her career was not going anywhere and so she had decided to end her life.

Take the case of Jiah Khan, the beautiful girl who came from London to make a career in Bollywood. Despite starting out big with co-stars

1993. It is still unclear if she fell off the fifth floor or whether she was pushed by someone, or if she was drunk and lost her balance.

People associate showbiz with glamour and stardom. Some become icons and some lose themselves haunted by failure and fade-outs. There are more failure stories than success ones in this fiercely competitive world and those who cannot cope with failure, give up on their lives. The lack of psychological counselling within filmdom is another reason as those facing problems do not have anyone to fall back on.

Kuljeet Randhawa, a model-turned-actress who appeared in serials like Special Squad, Hip Hip Hurray and CATS hanged herself at her

was awarded the Miss Universe title and was flooded with film offers.

She reportedly went into deep depression but came out of it subsequently. Recently, Dipika Padukone publicly confessed of going through psychiatric counselling during phases of depression and nervous breakdown.

According to world statistics, more men than women commit suicide while more women than men attempt suicide. But the celebrity suicides in Indian film and television world prove otherwise.

Probably it's because women in the industry begin to break the moral codes of how a woman should behave at work, in private life and in relationships. This leads not only to gossip but also to the social stigma that tends to

the only way out. Each of these suicides could be fitted into either of these descriptions, thus blurring beyond recognition, all attempts to identify and focus on specific causes.

More than failure in one's vocation is the feeling of being left all alone in the big bad world of entertainment where relationships are as fragile as popularity, the glitz and the glamour of a star among his/ her fans that drives a celebrity to suicide. Marylyn Monroe was found dead in her bed, all alone, on a morning, holding the receiver of the phone in one hand. Did she die of an overdose of sleeping pills as the media reported?

Or, was she deliberately poisoned? Or was the overdose an accident?

The jury is still out. Trans World Features (TWF)

Lalit Modi, the Indian cricket even demonstrates how this czar, in an interview to is done through detailed Rajdeep Sardesai a few mathematical calculation and months back, categorically rational analyses in an article stated that international titled 'How cricket matches cricket was being run by are scripted'. mafia and betting syndicates A lot has been said and writcontrolled by Dawood ten about match-fixing over Ibrahim and Chota Shakeel. the years. Veteran journalist Modi, the star Mr. Shantanu Atul Kumar Guha Ray's insider, must book 'Fixed! have known what he was talking about, Cash and Corruption in for the accusation was also Cricket'; an article in The substantiated in the report of Statesman titled, 'Cricket in the Mudgal Committee.

Massive Fix?'; another book How would betting syndi- with a thrilling name, Bettors

Lalit Modi, the Indian cricket czar (Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz) cates run international cricket? They would likely do so by ensuring that the matches were fixed from start to finish, in order to get maximum proceeds from the bettors fooled by fixing - something called Session betting (betting on number of runs scored in a bracket of overs).

No bookie would do what they do if matches were not fixed. In fact, ex-Pakistani wicket keeper Rashid Latif

Beware (Match-fixing in cricket decoded) - the sources are plenty but an uncomfortable hush always seems to envelop anything which barely mentions betting. India seems to be talking about cricket corruption while diplomatically not talking about it at the same time.

In another related development, a SIT on black money informed the Supreme Court of India that about rupees 3

lakh crores in black were being transacted annually through cricket betting in India. Further, 1.9 lakhs crore rupees were being remitted from at least one crore Indians in India to one foreign betting website betfair.com alone as found out by our Enforcement Directorate.

Putting such pieces together would mean an international fraud worth tens of lakhs of crores of rupees per year, unfettered.

Mudgal and Lodha committees appointed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India have meant nothing as far as stopping cricket fixing is concerned. Petitioning to the highest authorities under the Constitution of India has resulted in nothing (appeals to Supreme Court of India, Prime Minister of India, and President of India by me remain acknowledged without any action for years). Members of Parliament have also been sleeping over this immensely relevant public issue, both for its sensitivity to the masses and continuous generation of large scale black money.

Are cricketers the only ones responsible for this fraud?

Even though Lalit Modi himself isn't such a reliable source, yet it is hard to ignore a man who had been so involved in this process when he repeatedly alleges the involvement of a number of Indian politicians like Arun Jaitely, Rajiv Shukla, Anurag Thakur, Jyotirditya

Scindia in the betting mafia.

However, the Indian media seems to have developed the art of side-stepping crucial matters. It does bring out stray incidents of match-fixing now and then but forgets them in a hurry.

Nothing has ever been followed up to reach a logical conclusion. It is this behaviour of the Indian media, politicians, activists, crusaders, and celebrities that seems most worrying since it means that there can't be any hope for a country where everyone prefers to turn a blind eye to the greatest proven fraud of all times impacting and affecting hundreds of millions of citizens.

A striking example of this is how the media is currently dealing with the captain of the Indian Cricket Team. M. S. Dhoni's name has surfaced for fixing in the media time and again, and he was clearly found guilty of making a false statement under oath to Mudgal committee about Gurunath Meiyappan not being a CSK team official. Yet, he continues to be the captain, glorified with highly publicised biopics.

When we choose to keep quiet or ignore an openly massive fraud involving the who's who of India, it feels naïve to pour into streets for candle light marches protesting against crimes committed by lesser mortals readily in the grips of the law of the country. Courtesy: Youthkiawaaz

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Discounts on chocolates and biscuits may no longer be available Mumbai, Apr 26: The additional sweetener of a discount on sugary foods including chocolates, soft drinks, ice-cream and biscuits could disappear as FMCG companies battle rising sugar prices, made worse by projections of the lowest sugar output in five years. FMCG companies have been passing on benefit of lower commodity prices, which dipped in the range of 10 per cent to 25 per cent, through discounts. But sugar prices, which were hovering at Rs 30 a kg last October have crossed Rs 40 a kg last week. With Maharashtra, a key sugarcane growing state hit hard by drought, all-India sugarcane output is predicted to fall 10 per cent in 2016, according to a

Future of electric cars market to be decided

by China, say experts Beijing, Apr 26: Electric cars have their highestprofile prophet in USbased entrepreneur Elon Musk and their widest adoption in Norway, but China's vast auto market will decide their worldwide future, experts say. The country is already the world's largest auto market and took the number one spot for electric models last year, with some 247,000 "zero emission" cars sold -- quadruple the number in 2014 -according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. So far only around one percent of cars owned in China are electric, but authorities are pushing them as a potential solution to the country's crippling air pollution health crisis. The central government gives buyers subsidies of up to 55,000 yuan ($8,500) for each car and electric vehicles are exempt from traffic restrictions in China's congested major cities. While electric cars are becoming more popular worldwide, particularly highend brands like Tesla, their hefty price tags and restricted driving range mean they are still only a niche market.

Their evolution has been mainly state-subsidised, as in Norway, which has the world's highest penetration at 17 percent of new sales in 2015. But experts say winning even a small chunk of Chinese sales -- which totalled 24.6 million last year -- could be a gamechanger for electric cars. "Given the size of the market, it would be a powerful driver" at a global level, said Flavien Neuvy, auto expert at Observatoire Cetelem.

Jean-Francois Belorgey, an expert with consultancy EY, predicted that by 2020, up to 750,000 electric cars will be sold in China every year. "China is perhaps the one place in the world where the automobile industry can achieve the economy of scale needed to bring down costs," he said.

(Agencies)

report from credit rating firm ICRA. "Last year was for consumer promotions, with price-offs, bundling, freebies and adding extra weight to packs. But with sugar and even edible oil prices moving upwards, the first step will be to get promotions out of the way, instead of upfront price increases," said Varun Berry, MD of biscuits and dairy firm Britannia. "Hidden price increases - which means decreased promotions and offers - will be the first step to mitigate higher commodity costs which directly impact us," Parle Products marketing head Mayank Shah said. Despite hedging risks by bulk procurement, companies said the lag effect of sustained increase of sugar

NO MORE SUGAR COATED The additional sweetener of a discount on sugary foods including chocolates, soft drinks, ice-cream and biscuits could disappear as FMCG companies battle rising sugar prices, made worse by projections of the lowest sugar output in five years.

FMCG companies have been passing on benefit of lower commodity prices, which dipped in the range of 10 per cent to 25 per cent, through discounts.

But sugar prices, which were hovering at Rs 30 a kg last October have crossed Rs 40 a kg last week.

With Maharashtra, a key sugarcane growing state hit hard by drought, all-India sugarcane output is predicted to fall 10 per cent in 2016, according to a report from credit rating firm ICRA.

prices is likely to kick in by later this quarter. "We won't be doing immediate course correction because

it's peak season for us. But we will review the situation by June," said Mother Dairy MD S Nagarajan. A

Last year was for consumer promotions, with price-offs, bundling, freebies and adding extra weight to packs.

But with sugar and even edible oil prices moving upwards, the first step will be to get promotions out of the way, instead of upfront price increases.

Excise duty on sugary aerated drinks was hiked to 21 per cent from the existing 18 per cent in the Budget this year. beverage industry official said if sugar prices stayed high, it could result in curbing discounts instead

of hiking drink prices.

Sanjeev Aggarwal, chairman of Moon Beverages, top bottler of beverage giant Coca-Cola said: "Taking up prices further is not an option because we already did that after the excise hike in March."

Excise duty on sugary aerated drinks was hiked to 21 per cent from the existing 18 per cent in the Budget this year.

Aggarwal added: "The Coca-Cola system takes a long-term view of consumer pricing and shortterm commodity fluctuations wouldn't impact consumer prices upfront."

The retail trade is gearing up for managing discounts on beverages as they account for at least 15 per cent of the shopper's bag. (Agencies)

Govt working on suggestion to invest Rs 6,000 crore on airports New Delhi, Apr 26: The aviation sector is set to get a leg up with the government working on a proposal to invest Rs 6,000 crore this fiscal year to revive and develop 75 regional airports, which currently see little activity.

The civil aviation ministry will soon send a formal proposal to the finance ministry and both have already discussed the matter at a recent meeting, a senior aviation ministry official said. "The project will be implemented by the Airports Authority of India," the official told, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The proposal is in line with the government's stated plan to take flying to the masses, by boosting air connectivity to small cit-

ies and towns, and subsidizing fares to such destinations. In his budget announcement in February, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said the central government would partner with states to develop some of these airports to improve regional connectivity. These facilities "can be revived at an indicative cost of Rs 50 crore toRs 100 crore each", he had said. But the aviation ministry official said the government's estimate is a little low. "Even AAI (Airports Authority of India) feels that each airport cannot be revived in just Rs 100 crore and the allocation should be more." Analysts said the government should look at the viability of an airport before investing money in reviving it.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. (Photo: upload.wikimedia) "The government would want to provide infrastructure for air connectivity to as many points as possible, which is a laud-

able objective," said Sanjay Sethi, who runs Nector Consulting and was head of the infrastructure group at Kotak Invest-

ment Banking. "But at the same time, it would not make sense to develop or revive airports in areas which do not have the potential for new flights.

Only those airports should be developed where there is a viability."

The proposal is in sync with the plans outlined in a draft of the aviation policy made public late last year. The government wants to fix fares on regional flights, to a maximum of Rs 2,500 for flight lasting an hour, to attract more people to fly. The rest of the cost would be met through a viability gap fund. The National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 is likely to be taken up for clearance by the Union Cabinet this week. (Agencies)

Chit fund scams: Rs 80,000 crore and counting Mumbai, Apr 26: Chit fund companies have duped thousands of gullible depositors of at least Rs 80,000 crore, according to estimates of CBI which is probing such cases across the country.

Agency sources said the amount is likely to be higher than the initial estimate as the probe is still on. These companies with operations across the country lured people by offering attractive interest

rates and, in the case of Pearls Group, land. Over Rs 30,000 crore has allegedly been collected from small investors by the chit fund companies operating in four eastern and northeastern states -- West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura, while Pearls Group which operates in Punjab and other north Indian states duped investors to the tune of Rs 51,000 crore, they said.

The deposits mobilised

by the companies was allegedly used to purchase land, open media outlets, hotels and other businesses, denying depositors their dues. The sources said the figure of Rs 80,000 crore is an estimate based on investigation so far and quantification of deposits collected from investors is still going on. CBI has so far registered 76 cases, based on over 253 FIRs in these four states with

31 charge-sheets being filed by the agency in connection with the scam. The agency has filed three cases against Rose Valley Group and seven against Saradha Group in connection with the fraud, called Saradha scam. The sources said over six crore people have been duped by the companies across the country with majority of them allegedly being trapped by Pearls Group

which has been operating for last 20 years before being busted by the agency. The sheer sweep of the scam makes it one of the most difficult cases to be investigated by the agency in which several big operators including a former Union Minister, a state minister, an MP, a former journalist and politicians are being probed by it, they said.

(Agencies)

TECHNOLOGY

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: laptopmag) sleek XPS 15 (14.01 x 9.23 x 0.45-0.66-inches and 4.4 pounds).

Keyboard and Touchpad With a travel distance of 2.1 millimeters, the ZenBook Pro's keyboard features a long stroke, which, when combined with the keyboard's 62 grams of required actuation force, makes for a comfy typing experience.

However, if you're used to boards with short key travel, like I am, it can take a little while to adjust to pressing down all the way in order for keys to register. I hit 76 words per minute on 10fastfingers.com's typ-

ing test, which is was on the slow side of my typical 75-80 wpm range, but not annoyingly so. The one trade-off Asus makes on the keyboard is a halfsize Right Shift key in return for a set of full-size arrow keys. While this can make typing a little slower at first, it's a sacrifice that really benefits video pros, who often use those keys to navigate to different frames of while editing.

Display With its 15.6-inch 3840 x 2160 UHD touch screen, the ZenBook Pro's display is ideal for photo and video editors who aren't wedded

to Apple. Aside from a very subtle blue tint, both videos and pictures looked almost exactly the same on the ZenBook Pro's display as they do on professionally calibrated NEC desktop monitor.

Ports & Webcam The left side of the UX501 has the proprietary power port, a Thunderbolt 2.0 port, an HDMI port and a USB 3.0 port. On the right side of the notebook are two USB 3.0 ports, a 2in-1 card reader and the headphone and microphone jack.

Performance Powered by a 2.6-GHz Intel Core i7-4720HQ pro-

India's GDP growth lauded by China

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: odishasuntimes) Moscow, Apr 26: China has complimented India for "doing a good job" in maintaining an impressive growth rate despite a global slowdown and is keen on working together to push for reforms in the international financial system. Stating that his country was keen to ramp up investments in India, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the two emerging economies can contribute significantly in helping the world

economy by keeping up their growth momentum.

"First of all, we both need to grow our own national economies. On this front, we want to commend India for doing a good job in promoting economic growth," Wang said. H ere to attend foreign ministers' meeting of RIC (Russia, India, China), he said, "We need to join hands in playing a positive role in improving the global economic and financial governance." (Agencies)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 in open sale on April 27 New Delhi, Apr 26: Now you do not have to get disappointed when you attempt to buy the Redmi Note 3 in a flash sale, and the stock gets over in a matter of seconds. One would be able to buy the device on April 27 at 2 pm, on the Mi.com without registration. The company announced through a tweet recently. Right from its launch in India, the Redmi Note 3 has been available only on flash sales at the price tag of Rs 9,999. The Redmi Note 3 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 650 chipset and will come in two variants - 16 GB (with 2 GB of RAM) variant which

has been priced at Rs 9,999 and 32 GB (with 3 GB of RAM) variant which has been priced at Rs 11,999.

The Redmi Note 3 is a 4G dual SIM handset which comes with a 5.5-inch display and runs Androidbased OS MIUI 7. It also has a fingerprint sensor. It also has a 4,050 mAh battery and measures just 8.65 mm at its thickest point. It also has a reading mode to help prevent eye fatigue. Armed with a 16 megapixel rear camera and 5 MP front camera, users can click selfies with the rear camera using the fingerprint sensor to shoot the image.

(Agencies)

OPEN SALE One would be able to buy Redmi Note 3 on April 27 at 2 pm, on the Mi.com without registration.

Right from its launch in India, the Redmi Note 3 has been available only on flash sales at the price tag of Rs 9,999.

The Redmi Note 3 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 650 chipset and will come in two variants - 16 GB (with 2 GB of RAM) variant which has been priced at Rs 9,999 and 32 GB (with 3 GB of RAM) variant which has been priced at Rs 11,999.

The Redmi Note 3 is a 4G dual SIM handset which comes with a 5.5-inch display and runs Androidbased OS MIUI 7.

It also has a fingerprint sensor. It also has a 4,050 mAh battery and measures just 8.65 mm at its thickest point. It also has a reading mode to help prevent eye fatigue.

Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW Price: Rs. 99,953.25/(approx) Design On the 15-inch ZenBook Pro, Asus takes a simple, almost stately approach to design. The machine features an all-aluminum chassis topped by the company's signature concentric ring finish on the metallic gray lid, with subtle, polished edges on the sides. When you pry open the lid, there are more concentric rings set near the rear of the keyboard, and an ample, brushed metal deck where you can rest your palms. While the ZenBook Pro's lid and palm rest have a little more flex than you get from other aluminum-bodied systems, like the 15-inch MacBook Pro, it's not enough to cause concern, and overall the UX501VW feels quite solid. Weighing 5 pounds, Asus' ZenBook Pro (15.1 x 10 x 0.8 inches) is about half a pound heavier and slightly larger and thicker than other 15-inch multimedia machines. That includes the 2015 MacBook Pro (14. x 9.7 x 0.71 inches and 4.49 pounds), the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Pro (14. x 9.8 x 0.70 and 4.45 pounds) especially Dell's

PAGE 10

cessor with 16GB of RAM, the UX501 thrived.

The UX501 scored a 11,887 on the Geekbench 3 performance test, besting the mainstream average (10,539), as well as the Core i7-5500Upowered Inspiron 15 (6,380). However, the Asus finished behind the Core i7-4710HQ-powered Aspire V15 (12,843) and the Core i7-powered MacBook Pro (14,423); the latter costs about $1,000 more than the UX501. The UX501's 512GB SSD duplicated 4.97GB of multimedia files in only 10 seconds, at a blindingly fast rate of 508.9 MBps. That's faster than the category average (182 MBps), the Inspiron 15 (195.7 MBps) and the Aspire V15 (203.6 MBps).

Only the MacBook Pro delivered a faster rate (636 MBps).

Configurations The UX501 comes in only one configuration: the $1,499 model that sports a 15.6-inch IPS 4K UHD display, powered by a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-4720HQ processor with 16GB of RAM, a 512 SSD and Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M graphics with 2GB of video memory.

Armed with a 16 megapixel rear camera and 5 MP front camera, users can click selfies with the rear camera using the fingerprint sensor to shoot the image.

Persistent Systems net profit up over 6% at Rs 80 crore in Jan-March

Persistent Systems CMD Anand Deshpande. (Photo: thehindubusinessline)

Bengaluru, Apr 26: IT player Persistent Systems Ltd recently posted 6.24% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 80.80 crore for the quarter ended March 31. The company crossed the $100-million revenue mark in the fourth quarter with an annual revenue growth of 22.3%. The company had posted net profit after taxes, minority interest and share of profit of associates at Rs 76.05 crore in the year-ago period, Persistent Systems Ltd said in a filing to BSE. The total in-

come of the company increased to Rs 701.74 crore, over Rs 515.78 crore in the year-ago period, it said.

"Our 25th year has been monumental with significant strategic acquisitions, partnerships and the new alignment of the Company into four key growth business lines Digital, IBM Alliance, Services and Accelerite. This transformation positions us for our long-term success," Persistent Systems CMD Anand Deshpande said in a statement. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Features

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ART AND CULTURE Mask Dance of Arunachal Pradesh Dance has always been an outer expression of the inner soul. Dance is a celebration of the soul.

It can be spiritual as well.

Dances in many forms appease Gods, forces of Nature or evil spirits or serve to keep them away.

Dance is also used to herald spring or to celebrate a good harvest. Handed down since millennia, the art of dance sur- Moupee vives and gets refinement along the way. You will find highly evolved dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kuchipuri and at the same time, the raw, primeval dance of the tribes.

Travel to the North East and you will find that folk and tribal dances are a regular part of the cultural landscape. Go to Arunachal Pradesh in the North East and you can enjoy a variety of dances during dance festivals.

Types of mask dances in Arunachal As in any tribal society, Arunachal's many tribal people use dance for a variety of purposes.

Dances can be ritual dances to appease deities. Then there are fes-

tive dances in which whole communities join.

You will also find recreational dances as well as dance dramas that narrate stories based on legends. Dancers may wear simple headgear, ceremonial dresses and ornamentation in some cases. In other cases, dancers put on masks with specific significance in Debroy tune with the theme of the dance.

Idu Mishmi Dance The tribals perform the Rren ceremony of fertility. On the last day of this ceremony the officiating priest and priestess perform a dance to appease the deity of fertility. The priest may or may not wear elaborate ornamentation and mask.

Khampti Dance Where a dance involves telling a story based on mythology or legends, dancers don masks. The Khampti tribes celebrate festivals like Khamsang, Sankian and Potwah with dance being one part of the activities. It is usually in the form of dance drama with actors playing roles and telling a

story with masks chosen to suit the storyline.

Aji Lamu Dance If you want to watch a dance form of Arunachal that is lively and highly entertaining, you must watch the Aji Lamu Dance. The Monpa tribes are famed for the Aji Lamu dance. This is usually performed by a group with dancers wearing various animal masks, supported by props and backdrops to suit the story. The dance is lively, entertaining, tells a story and keeps the audience engaged.

The Lion and Peacock Dance If the Aji Lamu dance is highly entertaining, the Lion and Peacock dance is equally enthralling.

Dancers take to the street in a carnival like atmosphere and people also join in. The Monpas celebrate this dance form with dancers donning masks of lion and peacock as ell as other animals and mimic the animal's movement while weaving in a story.

Igu Dance The Idu Mishimi Tribes of Arunachal are strong believers in evil spirits

and forces of nature. The Igu Dance is a ceremonial dance that is performed to keep evil spirits at bay and prevent sickness. Where evil spirits are concerned, you will find that dancers wear masks, either representing a God or animals that evil spirits fear.

Yak Dance The Buddhists of Arunachal put on yak costumes and yak masks and perform the Yak Dance to honor the yak.

The yak promotes wealth and prosperity and receives its due place through the Yak Dance.

The dancers are very skilful and can dance on cohesion despite the rough and rocky terrain or they may perform in an arena I front of an audience. Watching this dance would remind you of Chinese dragon dance.

Ka Fifai Dance Some tribes of Arunachal believe that ghosts sweep down and kidnap nubile girls. The Ka Fifai dance is performed using elaborate headgear and even masks. The dance recreates the drama of a ghost kidnapping a girl and the

A living tradition- A peek at the customary ornaments that Karbis wear If you travel by road from more ornaments than men, silAssam's first city Guwahati ver is abundantly used, unlike towards the rest of the North the use of gold in jewellery by East on the National High- many other Indian communiways 37 and 39, a picturesque ties. district of the State presents it- A distinct piece of ornament self in the that Karbi form of verwomen wear KacheTeronpi around their dant valleys bordering on necks in sila line of blue hills. ver is Lek. Leks are made of The district of Karbi Anglong coins and colourful beads too is close to one of the most glo- and are locally known by the bally well-known addresses of name of Ser Alek Pongting, Assam - the Kaziranga Na- Lek Pengkhara, Lek tional Park, the prime habitat Bonghom, Lek Waikom, Lek of India's one-horned rhinos. Jingjiri, etc.

Needless to say then how well Men too wear Leks - in gold. ensconced Karbi Anglong is The traditional names of lek in nature. sthat men wear are called Lek The Karbis, largely populat- Ruve, Lek Sobai and Lek ing the district, is an important Manduli. Many of these ornatribe of Assam. The Karbi ments are unfortunately no people have a distinct visual longer commonly found. identity that comes through Like women in any other com-

in gold or silver.

The rings that Karbis wear are called Arnan. ArnanKeet, Arnan Kelop, Rup Bonda, Ser Bonda and Vokapardon Arnan are some of the rings that Karbis commonly flaunt on their fingers. Interestingly, Karbi priests wear arnans only made of copper.

Both Karbi men and women traditionally carry a small knife. The one that women carry are called Nokek or Tari. These weapons usually have handles made of ivory or buffalo horn and are decorated with coins. The knives that men carry are larger in size than those used by women. Called Nokanti, they also have ivory handles and are also decorated with silver coins, etc.

Like all other tribes of Assam,

Customary ornaments of Karbis (Photo: nezine ) not just the colourful dresses they weave and wear but also an array of ornaments made to complete the quintessential Karbi look.

To throw the spotlight particularly on the ornaments that Karbis wear, one will have to keep in mind certain basic rules that the tribe follows. For instance, Karbi women are usually not allowed to wear gold ornaments, only their men are. Since women wear

munity, Karbi women too wear bracelets, called Roi. A variety of Rois are in use such as Roi Pengkhara, RoiKe-er, Roi Kelok, etc.

The ornaments that women wear to adorn their ears are called No Thengpi. Again, there are different types of No Thenpis, such as Thengpi Angrongkatengbai, Angrong Kangchim, etc. Men of the tribe too wear ear ornaments.

They are called Norik, made

Karbis too are betel nut eaters. The older women use a small mortar to grind the nuts to suit their weak teeth. Since most old women carry such a mortar called Kove Longtok, the usual definition of ornaments can be widened to include this ubiquitous accessory. Some old women use silver Kove Longtok for the purpose too.

Silver also is used to store limes. Karbi women carry a

small silver box called Saini Hem to store lime. A small spatula is attached to it with a chain for the ease of taking out lime when taken with betel nut.

Going back to talking about Karbi ornaments, it should be mentioned here that the topic is incomplete if the ancient tradition of Duk Keduk is not included in it.

Duk Keduk is a tattooed line on the face of women from the forehead down to the chin.

There are various theories explaining the origin of the tattoo, one being a deterrent for other invading tribes to take away the beautiful womenfolk.

However, it slowly became a mark of fashion though the practice has more or less vanished from the Karbi society now.

Yet another fashion that Karbi women practiced in the olden times was that of blackening their teeth. The practice was called So-ik. The wood of a tree called phar-ik was burnt to extract a sticky juice which was used for blackening the teeth.

It was commonly believed to prevent tooth decay too.

With modern methods of preventing tooth decay now commonly available, this ancient practice has disappeared from the Karbi society, like so many other things used by them then.

Those customary things that continue to be used in a Karbi household have also undergone changes over the years as per their use and need. Their slight variations can be seen in different parts of the State for such reasons. The variations can be seen in attires and ornaments too.

Since, all of these elements come together to represent the Karbi identity, there is now an increased sense of awareness among Karbis that effort must be on to maintain their continuity and usage. This sense of preservation rests on the important understanding that if they are lost, the identity of the community can get lost too. ( Kache Teranpi teaches English at Rangsina Junior College, Donkamokam. She coedited Karbi Studies Vol. 4 with Dharamsing Teron) Courtesy: Nezine.

tribe members rescuing the girl with the ghost receiving just desserts.

The Bardo Chham Dance Perhaps the Bardo Chham dance is the most colorful. Dancers wear masks, headgear and clothes to mimic animals. The storyline is about fight between good and evil with good eventually triumphing. What makes it worth watching is the choreography and sinuous movements of dancers when they mimic animal motions and seemingly turn into the animal they represent.

Torgya Festival Dance The tribes of Arunachal, as elsewhere in the North East, celebrate festivals with a variety of dances to thank the gods, make their offerings and hope for happy times ahead.

The Torgya dance is quite impressive. Performed by the Monpas living around the Tawang Monastery, the distinguishing feature of the Torgya dance is that Buddhist monks join in wearing highly stylized and elaborate masks. This dance usually takes place in January. The Torgya

Popular Mask Dances of Arunachal Pradesh (Photo: nelive) dance festival lasts for 3 days and includes religious elements as well as symbolizes protection against evil spirits and their destruction. Torgya, in the local languages, means appeasement or propitiation of Gods. A group of monks, elaborately dressed in robes,

headgear and masks perform the dance in the courtyard of the Tawang Monastery.

While these dances are enacted during various seasons, you might get an opportunity to view all these various masked dance forms of Arunachal Pradesh when the State

ritually celebrates its Statehood Day. The grand celebrations include presentations by various tribal groups and, as you may expect, masked dancers draw the most attention and with reason.

Their dance is energetic, vibrant, earthy and powerful. Courtesy: Nelive.

HORTICULTURE

Assam's bowl of success Cultivation of the Early Farmers in Nalbari district Nalbari, explains why, last part of the month or Ahu varieties of rice is have replaced the tradi- "The Early Ahu rice vari- early April. But that's not helping many farmers in tional summer rice variet- ety is risk free cultivation been happening. Rains in Assam to make better ies like Joya. The cultiva- with lesser irrigation de- April-end or May affect earnings tion of Early Ahu is mand, but good yield." harvesting. That hits our In these times of drought quickly spreading. Farm- Dr. Mridul Deka, coordina- production," says Latif. He and scarcity in many parts ers in Khalihamari, Barni, tor of KVK, Nalbari, says and other farmers took adof the country, improved Da Barni villages of there are plans now to vice from agriculture exrice varieties are bringing Kamrup district have also spread cultivation of Early perts to combat that. One hope to got in- Ahu variety to newer areas. way out, says National farmers in spired.

And there is good reason. Food Security Mission Arup Shandilya S a h j a h a n Take the case of Abdul State Consultant Dr. t h e Nalbari Ali, a Latif. In 2015, Latif got Arunima Devchoudhury, district of Assam. What farmer in Sungarbari, is a nearly 3000 kgs of rice "is to go in for System of makes it so special is the pioneer of sorts, cultivat- from just two acres of land. Rice Intensification." SRI short duration that it takes ing it first in 2000. "Our "Some years ago we were needs less water and results to harvest. farmland is in a low lying very poor, didn't have rice in higher production. In In the villages of area. So we can't harvest to eat three times a day. this method instead of Sungarbari, Galdighla, long term summer rice va- Today, the scenario has planting the seedlings in a Adabari in Nalbari dis- riety like the Joya or win- changed," says Latif. clump of two, three of trict, farmers are reaping the benefits of growing Early Ahu rice varieties like Luit, Disang, Kamal and Nabin. All it takes is between 90 and 130 days to grow these varieties as against five to six months for the traditional types of Ahu rice ( Autumn rice; Feb/March to June/July), which means quick income for farmers.

In KhalihamariAndhupara, KurihaSungarbari and AdabariBalabari alone, more than 1600 acres of land is under cultivation of this fastAhu rice of Assam (Photo: blogspot) growing rice, thanks to the efforts of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), ter rice. Our farmland gets Latif is not the only one to more, they are planted sinNalbari, and the Regional flooded in the month of feel happy.

Atikur gly which ensures wider Agriculture Research Sta- May. Joya is ready for har- Rahman, another farmer, gap between individual vesting only in June. So got 1500 kgs of rice from plants for healthy growth. tion, Titabor.

While Early Ahu rice cul- we started Early Ahu rice less than an acre of land, After experiencing success tivation began in variety which can be har- planting the Kamal and in cultivation of early ahu Sungarbari village of vested in April-end or be- Luit varieties. Sahjahan Ali rice varieties these farmers Nalbari in 2000, its popu- ginning of May." Similarly, says cultivating traditional too are highly enthusiastic larity has increased only in winter rice season for the summer rice variety costs about new ideas and exthe last four years. The Early Ahu is Feb-March more than Early Ahu. To periments. advantage is that while it while traditional rice is cultivate Ahu in less than ( Arup Shandilya is a staff comes in the early summer grown in December-Janu- an acre of land, it costs him reporter of the oldest category, its harvesting ary.

Rs 1500 whereas he needs Assamese Daily Dainik time is before the tradi- Farmer like Abdus Subbur, to spend Rs 2500 to grow Asam, and a recipient of tional variety. Besides, Abdul Khalek, Atikur traditional rice. journalism awards -- RN Khurseed But the going is not always Barooah and Prativa cultivating Luit, Kamal, Rahman, Nabin and Disang is cost Ali,Samsuddin, Ganesh good for Early Ahu farm- Barooah memorial awards effective in the lowland Boro, Bani Deka, Madhu ers. Climate change is the and Ladli Media award at areas ravaged by floods by Kalita are among those new problem. Abdul Latif the Eastern regional level. the Brahmaputra and the who have benefitted from says for the last five years, He is also a recipient of Pagladiya, Puthimari and cultivating Luit, Nabin and monsoon has been very er- NFI Media fellowship. He Koila river during the Disang. Sashya Bigyan ratic. "We planted seed- can be reached at summer and winter rice (sees science) expert lings in March in the hope shandilyaarup@gmail.com) Ranjita Bezbarua of KVK, that we will get rains in the Courtesy: Nezine. seasons.

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

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Parthiv lauds partnership with Rayudu in Mumbai Indians' win ANI Chandigarh, Apr.26 : Mumbai Indians opener Parthiv Patel has heaped praise on Ambati Rayudu, saying that a solid partnership with his teammate made his job easier in his side's 25-run win over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League clash in Chandigarh.

Parthiv (81) struck a scintillating 137-run stand with Rayudu (65) for the second wicket as Mumbai made 189 for six in their stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Punjab

Parthiv Patel could only make 164 for the loss of seven wickets.

"In last few games, we

have lost too many wickets early on, so we had to make sure we didn't repeat the mistake.

We knew that if we have wickets in hand we can score a lot of runs. Having an in-form batsman with you makes your job easier. Rayudu took a bit of pressure off me.

We were talking about getting to 180 because we felt the wicket was on a drier side," said Parthiv in a post-match press conference.

Relishing his on-field clash with Mitchell Johnson, the left-handed batsman admitted that he enjoys playing against the former Australia pace spearhead.

"I like to have pace on the ball. He bowls quickly so it is easier to use his pace. Even last year, I had smashed Johnson for 28 runs in one over. When you are fast and not accurate you can go for runs," added Parthiv, who smacked Johnson for back-toback fours after he was caught off a no-ball in the sixth over.

This was Mumbai's third win in seven matches. They have also moved to fifth in the points table with six points.

Kallis `embarrassed` to call himself South African

Jacques Kallis ANI Johannesburg, Apr.26 : While expressing his disappointment over the increasing political interference in sporting affairs, former all-rounder Jacques

Kallis has stated that he was 'embarrassed' to call himself a South African.

On Monday, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had announced that Cricket South Africa had been sus-

pended from hosting or bidding for any major international events after failing to meet its transformation targets.

Rugby, athletics and netball federations also received the same punishment and the decision will be reviewed next year.

"So sad that i find myself embarrassed to call myself a South African so often these days #no place for politics in sport," tweeted Kallis, who is the only player to have scored over 10000 runs and taken over 250 wickets in both forms of the game.

South Africa is not scheduled to host any major ICC events until the end of June 2019.

Kompany warns Cricket Australia slashes ticket Kiwis `receptive` to playing Man City to be prices to boost shrinking crowds twilight Test against India wary of Ronaldo ANI Wellington, Apr.26 : In a bid to revive dwindling crowd figures in both Test and ODI formats, Cricket Australia has decided to slash the ticket prices for this year's blockbuster summer.

After witnessing a poorlyattended home Test series against New Zealand and the West Indies in stark to hugely successful Big Bash League, CA launched a review into ticketing and consequently streamlined pricing for all venues except Hobart, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Entry-level tickets for all Tests and ODIs will not cost more than 30 dollars for adults, 10 dollars for children and 65 dollars for

families.

Australia are scheduled to host South Africa and Pakistan in the upcoming summer season.

Shahzad triggers controversy, breaks dressing room glass in Pakistan Cup

Vincent Kompany ANI London, Apr.26 : Ahead of his side's Champions League semifinal firstleg encounter against Real Madrid, Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has warned his side to be wary of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo if they want to keep alive their title hopes.

The Portuguese international has already netted 16 goals in this season's Champions League and is just one goal short of his personal best.

He had also guided his side to the semi-finals after scoring a hat-trick in Real's 3-0 win over Wolfsburg in the second-

Cricket Australia team

leg of the quarter-final clash.

Suggesting ways to outclass Ronaldo, Kompany called on his side to play as a unit if they want to prevent him from scoring, the Mirror reported.

Kompany, however, insisted that City have their own match-winners, who have the ability to play at the top level of the game.

Describing the semi-final match as `massive`, Kompany said that his side had fought a long hard battle to reach this stage, adding that it the time has come to show that they genuinely deserved to win the title.

Ahmad Shahzad ANI Karachi, Apr.26 : Pakistan opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad has sparked yet another controversy by breaking the dressing room glass of the Faisalabad's Iqbal Stadium

on Sunday.

The incident took place during a Pakistan Cup clash when stand-in captain Shahzad failed to score a century for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was dismissed for 79 against

Balochistan.

Venting his anger, a furious Shahzad broke the dressing room glass by hurling his bat, the Dawn reported.

Reflecting on the matter, the 24-year-old insisted that it was not an intentional act and that what happened in a dressing room was just a reaction to his dismissal before reaching the three-figure mark.

Ahmed, however, assured to bear all expenses to replace the damaged glass.

Earlier this year, Shahzad was fined 30 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of making 'inappropriate and deliberate physical contact' towards pace bowler Wahab Riaz during the Pakistan Super League.

ICC suspends Cricket Association of Nepal over government interference ANI New Delhi, Apr.26 : The Cricket Association of Nepal has been suspended by the International Cricket Council due to a 'vacuum of cricket leadership' in the country and also in view of government interference in the board.

The ICC Board held its second meeting of the year at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai on Sunday and called for the suspension of the CAN among many other outcomes.

"In light of the ongoing court case involving the

ICC Cricket Association of Nepal and the Ad hoc Committee established by the Nepalese National Sports Council (NSC), which has led to a

vacuum of cricket leadership in Nepal, the Board suspended the Membership of CAN for breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC's Articles of As-

sociation, which prohibits government interference and requires free and fair elections," the ICC said in a statement.

The ICC board asserted that the membership of the CAN will remain suspended until it 'becomes free of government interference and is properly structured to begin exploiting the tremendous cricket talent and opportunities that exist in Nepal'.

The Nepali cricket has been mired in crisis after the NSC had formed an ad-hoc committee to run the CAN in December.

This follows after Chatur Bahudur Chand was elected as CAN's president without the support of NSC, which is the country's supreme governing body of sports.

Subsequently, the Chandled faction moved the court challenging the NSC's decision, which is still pending.

However, the board has ruled that the Nepal cricket teams would be able to continue to feature in ICC events though they will not be entitled to receive any funding from the world cricket's governing body.

ANI Johannesburg, Apr.26 : New Zealand Cricket has stated that it is receptive to the idea of playing a day-night Test match with pink ball in its upcoming tour of India.

Last week, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had announced that India would play one day-night Test with pink Kookaburra ball against New Zealand, adding that the Duleep Trophy would act as a rehearsal for the twilight Test match.

However, a New Zealand official had suggested that several factors like playing conditions, venue and the quality of its lights needed to be solved before the dates are finalized.

New Zealand Cricket team According to Sport24, the first day-night Test in India is likely to be held in Mumbai if both the boards go ahead with the plan.

NZC chief executive David White discussed the issue with Indian of-

ficials during the International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai on Sunday.

New Zealand and Australia had created history by playing the game's first ever day-night Test in Adelaide last year.

Van Gaal blames injuries for Man Utd's struggling season

Louis van Gaal ANI Johannesburg, Apr.26 : Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has cited a lengthy injury list as the reason behind his side's

struggles in the ongoing season.

United endured a topsyturvy season, with the Old Trafford club reaching the finals of the FA Cup and

standing only five points behind the Premier League's top four with four games remaining.

The Dutchman stated that United have played in three competitions and are the team who have played the most number of matches this season with a small group with 14 injuries, Sport24 reported.

He pointed out that United were leading the points table when everybody was fit, insisting that the club has performed considerably well despite the injury challenges they had to face throughout the season.

Leicester one win away from title glory post Tottenham draw ANI Johannesburg, Apr.26 : Leicester City need only one more win to cap off their remarkable season with the Premier League title after second-placed Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Leicester escaped relegation last season and saw a renewed spirit under the tutelage of Claudio Ranieri. They will script history if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

JamesVardy Craig Dawson scored a 73rd minute header for West Brom after the defender's own goal put the hosts in the lead in the first half, Sport24 re-

ported.

Leicester are now seven points clear of Tottenham with each team only having three games left.

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