30th march

facebook.com/easterntoday

@easterntoday

For business, mail at: md.easterntoday@gmail.com

cmyk

cmyk

www.eastern-today.com

ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 5

Vol. 1

Issue 292

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Price -

Pages- 12

Page 12

4

3

2

1

5.00

1. The victim, Adesh Chandra Hajong taken to the Coomunity Health Centre at Diyun. 2. A villager sustained bullet injuries. 3. IRBn personnel unable to control the mob resorted to lathi charge. 4. The official vehicle of the EAC vandalised

Tension grips in Diyun as mob gheraos EAC office over alleged physical assault on a village headman A mob allegedly led by one Thina Nong Innao gheraoed the office of the Extra Assistant Commissioner at Diyun and afterward vandalized a vehicle and the office of the EAC here today around 2 in the evening. The agitated mob was enraged over alleged physical assault on one Adesh Chandra Hajong, a village headman of Madhupur II in Diyun Circle by the Extra Assistant Commissioner, D Gadi. As per the FIR lodge by the victim’s wife Beauty Rani Hajong, Adesh Chandra Hajong was allegedly hit with a bat when he was summoned for a hearing per-

ET CAPSULES

HC has allowed disqualified MLAs to vote: BJP to Cong New Delhi, March 29: BJP today took a dig at Congress after its leaders hailed Uttarakhand High Court order as a "victory" of party's stand, noting that the court had also allowed "disqualified" MLAs to vote in the floor test.

The party, however, chose to reserve its response on the order, saying it was still studying the judgement even as some of its leaders indicated that the Centre will appeal against the order.

"It is strange that Congress leaders have termed the order as a victory for their party.

They wanted disqualification of the rebel MLAs to prevent them from voting but the court has permitted them to vote," party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Citing the Speaker's decision to declare a "defeated" bill as passed and that the then Chief Minister Harish Rawat was allegedly caught on video offering allurement to MLAs to change the composition of victory, Kohli attacked Congress, saying "promoting such practices cannot be a victory of democracy".

cmyk

BJP sources said the court's order has not cleared the matter and the decision from a higher court if the Centre appealed against it may be of help.(PTI)

taining to a case against erection of fencing over the dry bank of Diyun River adjacent to his village, Madhupur II. Reportedly the victim was seriously injured and was referred to a hospital in Dibrugarh by the CHC, Diyun.

As per the FIR the EAC, D.Gabi accused Adesh Chandra of conspiring against him and then assaulted after locking the office chamber.

Subsequently hundreds of people gathered around the EAC office demanding for his arrest, pelted stones and broke the officer vehicle parked outside the office, according to an eye witness. The EAC was charged by the mob when he

was tried to be taken by the police. Later, unable to control the growing mob, the security personnel resorted to lathi charged and opened firing.

One person who was shot at the stomach was critical and

trol when the Indian Army reached the spot of the incident and the EAC was taken to the police station for enquiry.

The local MLA, Nikh Kamin condemned the incident strongly and ordered the

Three injured over police firing was taken to Dibrugarh for treatment, while two other person were shot at the leg and undergoing treatment at Diyun at the time of the filing of this news.

The situation was under con-

Deputy Commissioner of Changlang and Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Bordumsa to initiate an immediate enquiry and strictly punish the guilty under the provi-

Itanagar Police rejects Governor, Rajkhowa’s FIR against Tarun Gogoi A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 29

Itanagar Police has rejected the complaint filed by Osong Saroh, an advocate at the Itanagar permanent bench of the Guwahati High Court on behalf of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J. P. Rajkhowa against the incumbent Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi. While speaking to reporters, Additional Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Itanagar, T. K. Nath said that the alleged incident and ac-

cusation stated in the complaint happened in December 19, 2015 at Guwahati during a press conference. ‘In that case the complainant has to file an FIR within Guwahati jurisdiction.

Therefore we accepted the FIR but we are not entertaining it and the case will not get registered here’. He further stated that the FIR was received last evening (March 28), and there has been no communication so far from the complainant whether he

will withdraw the case from here and file in Guwahati.

ASP also said that the advocate has been informed about the non-registration of the case here in Itanagar PS. During a press conference in Guwahati inDecember 19 last year, Gogoi had accused Rajkhowa of acting like a ‘BJP agent’ and ‘RSS prachak’ for his role in the political crisis that eventually led to the collapse of the Nabam Tuki led Congress Govt.

Rahul Gandhi disparage Modi for not gratifying promise A visibly irritated Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launched straight attack on Prime Minister Narandra Modi for not fulfilling various promises made to the people of Assam during his 2014 Lok Sabha campaigning in the state. In his 25 minute speech Gandhi over and over appealed the people to make Modi accountable for not keeping his promises.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in his usual egotistical manner claimed that in last 15 years of Congress rule Assam has progressed tremendously

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bordumsa and DIG rushed to Diyun and summoned a peace control meeting after the incident where local public leaders was consulted to maintain peace within

the area.

Meanwhile, Chakma National Council of India (CNCI) raised concern about the prevailing situation in Diyun. “It has come to our notice that the Extra Assistant Commissioner of Diyun, D. Gadi has allegedly manhandled Adesh Chandra Hajong, VP of CCRCHAP and thereafter the mob vandalized Govt. office and vehicle”, stated the official communiqué from CNCI. “The prevailing law and order situation is a great concern for all. No one should take the law into their own hand. CNCI demands an immediate and through investigations about

the incident and aftermath.

Thereafter, law should be upheld and take its own course.

Violence in any forms, in any manner by anyone is not acceptable. We appeal everyone to maintain peace and calm”, stated Prahlad Chakma, Vice President of CNCI and incharge of Arunachal Affairs.

CNCI also request local leaders not to politicize the incident and make the Chakmas and Hajongs as scapegoat to their political rivalry. The Chakmas and Hajongs are peace-loving people and they are not yet ready for playing politics therefore the local politicians should not use them for their petty political interest, stated the press release.

The Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh (CCRCHAP) today condemned the brutal attack on Adesh Chandra Hajong and protested against the indiscriminate firing of the personnel of Indian reserve Battalion, a press release from the organization stated. “This criminal conduct of the EAC, who is a judicial magistrate himself, must be addressed. Nobody can take law into their own hands. There have been consistent allegations of illegal activities and repression by EAC Mr Gadi.” stated Santosh Chakma, General Secretary of the CCRCHAP in the communiqué.

Will BJP retain Dibrugarh seat?

Avik Chakrabortry Dibrugarh, Mar 29

Six days are left for the first phase of Assembly election in Assam. In Dibrugarh, campaigning has reached its peak with the contestants reaching out to the voters. In Dibrugarh it is going to be straight fight between the sitting BJP MLA Prasanta Phukan and Congress candidate Chandrakanta Baruah.

Phukan will be seeking his third straight win having won times in 2006 and 2011 against congress candidate Kalyan Kumar Gogoi.

Chandrakanta Baruah is a former chairman of the Dibrugarh Municipal Board. Both candidates have stepped up their campaign in the constituency.

BJP bigwig Himanta Biswa

Sarma recently organised a couple of rallies for Phukan while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also took part in a campaign for the Congress candidate.

Dibrugarh is a known

Tug of war congress bastion but BJP created history by winning the seat in 2006. This time the congress is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Baruah wins from seat.

For BJP too, retaining the seat has become a prestige issue. Dissidence among party workers have also plagued the BJP. Last year flash flood has created havoc among the people of Dibrugarh and it will be an important factor

for voters in deciding the fate of the candidates.

“It is very hard to say who will win from Dibrugarh as both the candidates have worked for the people in their own capacity. Baruah did a very good job while he was the Municipal board chairman. This is going to be a close contest,’’ said Ajanta Sharma, a resident of Dibrugarh.

The election fever has also gripped the people of the town. The topic among the denizens is who will have the last laugh. The candidates are going from door to door seeking votes while posters and banners have been placed in strategic locations around the town.

The other candidates are in the fray are Diganta

Phukan(CPI), Bipul Das(IND), Jugen Kachari(IND) and Padmeswar Phukan(IND).

On the other hand, both Prasanta Phukan and Chandrakanta Baruah broke the model code of conduct by indulging in meetings without informing the Election Commission They were issued warning from the EC. In 2011, Dibrugarh seat was the only seat among the seven seats in Dibrugarh district which was won by the BJP. The other six seats were won by the congress.

“This time the picture is not clear who will get more seats in because within the parties there are many divisions. Time will tell the real picture,’’ said Ramesh Baruah, a senior resident.

Vote for BJP to save ‘Jati-MatiVati’, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

ET Correspondent Diphu, Mar 29

Addressing the gathering at Karbi Anglong Sports Association Stadium of Diphu town, the district star campaigner of Congress urged the people to vote in favor of Congress candidate Bidyasing Engleng, contesting from Diphu legislative assembly constituency.

Rahul Gandhi did not mention anything on the issue of autonomous state which was the principle issue of the tribal district. Rahul claimed that under Congress rule peace is prevailing in Assam.

sion of law. “The incident is very unfortunate and demand a high level enquiry” he said over a telephone from Bangalore. “I also request everyone not to go violence and maintain peace “he added. He ordered the ADC to release a sum of Rupees Forty thousand for all the victims for their immediate needs and to provide complete financial support for all the victims for better treatment for their injuries.

Mr. Sarma heavily criticizes congress for doing nothing but corruption ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 29

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in the presence of CM Tarun Gogoi during an election rally at Diphu. Pic- UB Photos

in all front. “Modi has insulted me over my age, but he doesn’t know that I have dare to win this election and to ensure that I want the support of all women and men of Karbi Anglong” the glittered Chief Minister said.

As usual he announced economic package for the district without mentioning the quantity of the package, he also promised job for all unemployed, total infrastructure

growth and welfare of the farmers.

Significantly today’s rally organized by district congress encompassing Bokajan, Howraghat and Diphu legislative assembly part, failed to accomplish the usual assemblage of party supporters which consists of nearly five lakh voters.

According to official records of security agencies and district administration, the gathering was only around 7 to 8 thousand.

Himanta Biswa Sarma who campaigned for BJP candidate of Titabor LAC, Kamkhya Prasad Tasa in two election rally at Titabor today called upon the people of Titabor to vote for BJP to save ‘Jati-Mati-Vati’ from the eyes and hands of Baddarudin Ajmal-the AIUDF Chief, the power hungry Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Rockibul Hussain, cabinet minister from the congress government.

Himanta Biswa Sarma who attended five BJP election rallies at Marmora,

Tinkhong, Amguri, Borhula and Dholi assured the new generation voters that as soon as BJP comes to power, 25 lakh unemployed youths will be given jobs with free education for girls from college to university level and free scooty will be given to the girl students from class eleven. He also assured 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, 24 hours water supply and even assured to give pension to farmers.

Mr. Sarma heavily flayed the congress under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi that the congress did nothing but corruption and corruption everywhere in every department. He said that he was

with Tarun Gogoi for the past 15 years and he knew him very well as what kind of people he is.

Congress is known throughout the world for their family politics only but now it is the time to think for the future of Assam that we need to have a change or we have to go for a very serious agitational programme from Sadiya to Dhubri to save Assam from the hungry hands of AIUDF and Congress who had already finished the state with family politics and vested and personal interest which is looming large in the state of Assam, alleged Sarma.

Campaigning is yet to

take its peak as for the election barely five days left for the first phase of voting on April 4th as 32 candidates are in fray from six Assembly seats from Jorhat District, which includes BJP Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from 99-Majuli (ST) LAC, Congress Chief Ministerial candidate from 100Titabor LAC, KP Tasa, which also includes two Parliamentary secretary Arati Kachari Hazarika from 97-Dergaon (SC) LAC and Rupjyoti Kurmi contesting for the fourth time from 101-Mariani LAC are said to be the important picture for April 4th election from the district.

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Diyun, March 29

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will be very short-tempered today. Your temper is ready to burst at the drop of a hat. It would be better to exhaust all that energy in some vigorous swimming or any sort of physical activity.

Taurus You may have a care-free attitude in the afternoon. Those with government jobs will experience satisfactory results for all the hard work they put in. Your professional proficiency will come to the fore at the workplace.

Gemini You may go for an interview or start a new job later in the day. At work, you will get both encouragement and inspiration from seniors. Avoid confrontations with others as current planetary positions make you vulnerable to an emotional outburst.

Cancer A day of challenges, but you will be ambitious and bold to surmount them. Yet you will not cross limits. Your evocation to God will repel all hurdles and grant you energy. Health will be good.

Leo No matter what you do, on some days, you just can’t save the world, even if you were superman. Remember that, since it looks very likely that today you shall be bringing upon yourself the displeasure of your bosses, and a lackadaisical support from your colleagues.

Virgo The thinking cap is on your head, and a passionate pulse runs through you today.

Expect a laid-back, cavalier attitude to grip you in the afternoon. Government officials will have a inspiringly assenting day. Your professionalism will shine through today.

Libra Today, it’s a straight path to success, thanks to your straightforward manner. Some small things that may trouble you in a big way early on in the day. But negotiate around them, and then it’s all smooth sailing from there on.

Scorpio Your confidence level will be the vanguard of your character today, says Ganesha. On the career front, you are likely to complete things that are seemingly impossible. Your skill and determination will leave people asking for more.

Sagittarius Differences in opinion might just crop up at work, but don’t let them dampen your spirit. A romantic, candlelit dinner with your beloved could well be the high point of your day. You are set to make an impact on your near and dear ones.

Capricorn A lot of unexpected events may bring in happiness, and you may suddenly find yourself deliriously delighted. At work, finding answers to intriguing questions will consume most of your time.

Aquarius Excellence is the buzzword today! But that implies only to your work and not to the results. Nothing earth-shattering is on the cards, so slog away. Kids may howl or your spouse may yell in the evening, but you will simply pull your feet up and relax!

Pisces You are likely to meet up with old friends, or, pretty scandalously, hook up with an exlover. Expect to be the Queen Bee at social gatherings.

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 30-3-16 (WEDNESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-30 A.M-North East News Bulletin in English 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- Live Phone in Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Chah Sramikar Asor (Tea Garden Programme Programme) 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa (Sponsored

by BDHL) 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya-"Good Friday Songs" Sd-/H.O.P

BJP is against indigenous people of Assam: AATS and TYL ET Correspondent Sivasagar, Mar 29: “BJP election manifesto 'vision document' is against the indigenous people of Assam.

They made a deep conspiracy to destroy the fundamental constitutional right as well as political and reservation right of indigenous people of Assam” said All Assam tribal sangha and tribal youth league during media interaction at Sivasagar.

“Protesting to BJP's election manifesto these two organisations burn the effigy of 'Vision Document' at Sivasagar. BJP's 'Vision Document' have only mention about the six schedule and a package of thousand crore for BTAD. Except that there is nothing about the social, economic and fundamental issues for indigenous people of Assam, which

is an insult for us” added All Assam tribal sangha Secretary, Dipak panging.

Dipak panging and tribal youth league president Rahul gam also appeal to all indigenous people to avoid BJP in coming assembly election, which will deeply harm BJP's chief minister candidate in Majuli as there is a huge population of indigenous people at the island.

Acharya Shri Mahashraman clarion call of peace and unity among society ET Correspondent Kokrajhar,Mar 29: Shantidoot Acharya Shri Mahashraman, chief of Jainism has clarion called of peace and unity among society is the only to keep sustainable of development and people’s welfare in the world.

Acharya Shri Mahashraman, who has foot stepped along with his followers and sadhus in Kokrajhar, heart administration of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in lower Assam, on his part of ‘Ahinsa Yatra’ to spread peace messages among humans in the world. Acharya stepped in Assam for the first time ever in its Jainism on March 24 through Srirampur of Kokrajhar district after entering West Bengal.

The Assam State Mahashraman Swagat Samaroh has organized a grand occasion to make warm welcome to Guruji and his followers at Rashmela ground in Kokrajhar on Tuesday where over five thousand devotees and well-wishers’ thronged the occasion from various state and host Assam and worshipped to Guruji on his foot step in Assam,which was started from Rajasthan, organized by Jain Sethamber Teraponthi Samiti.

Kampa Borgoyary,Deputy chief of BTC graced the occasion as chief guest and

praised his holy step in Bodoland region through which ray of peace among society would be explored.

Borgoyary, on behalf of BTC administration expressed solidarity and thanked to all organizers to making a grand occasion to build a healthy integration and peace in the region among various communities.

A prayer session and cultural presentation was also presented on the occasion.Acharya said that he and his followers has been organizing Ahinsa Yatra to make healthy peace and integration among human society in the world.

The Ahinsa Yatra team has so far completed 15,000 kilometer walking beginning from Rajasthan via Red Port of New Delhi.

Sanju Badani, Priyanka Nahata,devotees and organizer of the occasion said, ‘We are very fortunate to give warm welcome to Acharjya Mahashraman in Kokrajhar of BTC on his part of Ahinsa Yatra,heading to Assam state and several states of Northeastern India. It is a Yatra to creating peace and harmony among humanity across the world, so Guruji has been travelling to spread messages of peace and integrity.It is the first time travelling in Assam state from Jainism Guruji in its religious, which has been keeping believers on bond of love and affection among human living. Let, it be brought of peace and unity in the region through the footsteps of Guruji in BTC area, besides getting a healthy living and fulfill-

ment of spiritual integrated,they said.

Bimal Nahata,president and Dilip Sethia, secretary of Assam State Mahashraman Swagat Samaroh told that we have got opportunity to offer worship of Guruji in our native place in BTC of Assam state during his Ahinsa Yatra mission. It is our lucky enough to organize a grand occasion on the auspicious presence of huge thronged of devotees from various states of the country and host Assam. This is a mission of building peace and integration across the world.

‘The yatra,which has been stressing to building peace as well welfare among various communities in the world would be encouraged to gain more integration in days to coming in the region’,the organisers said.

Admission to B.Com. (Hons.)

Programme at Tezpur University ET Correspondent Tezpur, Mar 29 : Considering the demand of commerce education and the recent outflow of students from the region for studying commerce in other parts of the country, Tezpur University has launched Integrated M.Com. programme starting with B.Com. (Hons) programme from the academic session 2014-15. The programme is meant for students who have passed Higher Secondary (10+2) in any discipline securing a minimum of 60 percent marks. Candidates who are in the final year and expect-

ing the result before 15 November 2016 may also apply. To ensure individual care in the State-of the Art classroom, the seats are kept limited to 30. The candidates will be required to sit in an Admission Test to be held on 05 June 2016 across 24 centres spread over the country. Candidates will be selected through their performance in the Admission Test. The programme is designed to provide the basis for developing the skills necessary to face the challenges of job market. The course structure supports the process of competency

building of the students in attaining success in NET/ SET and other competitive examinations that the pass outs may appear in, and the course structure also takes care of both practical and theoretical dimensions.

Moreover, possible care has been taken to ensure that the students acquire relevant skills and knowledge expected of a successful graduate in case anyone opts for lateral exit after completion of the sixth semester with a required B. Com. (Hons.) degree, enabling him/her to pursue any professional

programme of his/her choice. This course structure attempts to ensure that the students are equipped with necessary soft and behavioural skills, which are expected to distinguish this programme from the typical B.Com. programmes usually offered. The pass-outs of the Integrated M. Com. Programme are expected to fulfill all the requirements of careers in teaching, research, industry and consultancy, apart from becoming a selfemployed professional or a successful entrepreneur.

Said in a university press release.

Golaghat administration to host awareness programme for voters ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 29: Golaghat administration and Election officer is going to organise an Election related Awareness Campaign for the voters to come out and vote freely on 4th April in Golaghat LAC and Khumtai LAC. In this context an EVM awareness drive will be held on 31st March and 1st April in the places where voting percentage is low.

Along with this an awareness rally will be held on 2nd April regarding free and fair vote for 4th April.

District Election Officer, Bornali Deka and Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate, Rumi Saikia have appealed all the people of Golaghat and Khumtai LAC to take part in all the awareness program and make it a successful one.

Sonia Gandhi to attend election campaign at Amguri ET Correspondent Sivasagar, Mar 29: Along with rest of the state the election scenario in Sivasagar too heated up with high profile leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including its President Amit Shah went whirlwind electioneering in Sivasagar and Sonari on Friday. Now it's turn for Congress. Aiming to retain power in Sivasagar district which is considered as a stronghold of Congress party, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will launch the poll campaign in Sivasagar.

According to sources, Sonia Gandhi is arriving in the district on March 30 and on her arrival she will campaign for the party at Amguri. She will be addressing an election rally at Amguri which is represented by APCC President, Anjan Dutta.

It needs to be mention that the Congress has projected Angkita Dutta, daughter of Anjan Dutta this time from Amguri constituency against BJPAGP allied candidate Pradip Hazarika.

Tough fight between Congress and BJP candidates in 75 No- Sootea LAC ET Correspondent Sootea, Mar 29 : A scene of tough contest between the Congress Candidate Praneswar Basumatary and BJP Candidate Padma Hazarika is going to be witnessed here in 75 No Sootea Legislative constituency as the election campaign is getting momentum among the common voters. Besides these two heavy weight candidates contesting from the very important LAC representing two important national political parties other candidates alongwith the independent candidates are also trying to woo the voters mind giving priority on various developmental issues.

There are 6 candidates in the fray for the seat falling under the Tezpur Election District. To mention the name of the candidates other than the Congress and the BJP candidates fighting for the seat are Mahendra Orang (VPI), Khemraj Chetry (CPI (M), Jyoti Subba and Arun Nath (Ind.) The seat was dominated by AGP MLA Padma Hazarika for three consecutive terms. At first Padma Hazarika won the seat in 1996. In 2001 he was defeated by Praneswar Basumatary contesting from a Congress ticket while Padma Hazarika again returned from the seat in 2006

and 2011 assembly elections.

However, while talking with the common voters of the assembly segment it is understood that for them though AGP MLA Padma Hazarika ruled the constituency for three consecutive terms he couldn’t do any notable developmental works despite crorse of funds were allotted for the development of the constituency. Siphoning off large scale funds from different schemes including IAY house is alleged during his regime. On the contrary people of the constituency want say that Praneswar Hazarika who was MLA for only a single term could implement many developmental works in the constituency including road communication, electrification in many remote rural areas under the Rajib Gandhi Rural electrification project etc.

Meanwhile, people here say that a straight fight between the Congress and BJP candidates is likely for the seat, even though Jyoti Subba wife of former Tezpur MP, lottery baron Mani Kumar Subba contesting as independent candidate and the CPI (M) candidate Khemraj Chetry may also influence a section of Voters. Here the BJP Candidate is banking on the join force of AGP-BJP alliance

while the Congress is demanding mostly on the issues of developmental works, corruption during the regime of AGP’s MLA Padma Hazarika to woo the voters.

It seems that Padma Hazrika though expected a good atmosphere for regaining the seat after joining in BJP is facing a tough challenge this time. The Congress is presenting an assessment of Padma’s performance during his long stint in the seat to it’s advantage.

The voters from different communities which were earlier divided into many divisions are this time united only to return their candidates seeking an adequate development in the constituency. Moreover, as tribal students body ABSU has a strong hold among the Boro voters here it will play a vital role in this regard following the UPP-Congress alliance boosting up it’s prospect in the constituency. Here also the dispute among the BJP workers (who have turned from the AGP camp) following the non implementation of developmental works in the constituency during the 15 years of Padma’s rule due to rampant corruption and the issue of Padma’s horse trading case in the then Rajya Sabha election, are well known fact. After all the BJP

candidate Padma Hazarika is losing his popularity here which will impact on his fight. To the election of the Congress contrary to the BJP Candidate Padma Hazarika’s Propaganda, the socially aware voters and the senior citizens of the constituency have made an appeal to the voters to vote for Congress candidate Praneswar Basumatary. The congress candidate Praneswar Basumatary is busy these days holding election meeting across the LAC. Talking to this correspondent, one of the election advisers of Praneswar Basumatary, Sayteswar Mech said that the citizens of the segment sought a strong candidate from the Congress party and accordingly party has nominated Praneswar Basumatary to represent all sections of the people of the constituency in the Assembly and this will definitely attract a sizable section of the voters towards the Congress.

He said, “Though an atmosphere of change is blowing across the state against Congress, situation in Sootea LAC is something different which will not go in favour of Padma Hazarika.” He said adding there are about 1,75000 voters in Sootea LAC majority of which are

of Assamese and Nepali communities which will this time favour the congress candidate. And the voters particularly the Boro, Adivashis, Hindi speaking, and the few amount of Aadi voters will also play a crucial role towards winning the congress candidate Praneswar Basumatary as he has a strong hold among these people.

The anti-Padma stand represented by the independent candidate Arun Nath may also affect the electoral prospect of BJP in the constituency. Arun Nath was one of the AGP workers who sought tickets from the BJP after it’s alliance with the saffron party, but he was denied for which being displeased he is now standing as a major constraint against the BJP candidate as a major portion of voters from the AGP-BJP camp will go in favour of Arun Nath. All these factors have made the Congress camp happy. The statement – “We will win by a big margin” given by the people who are very seriously getting involved in the election campaign here reflects the mood in the Congress camp. Yet the intelligent sources eyeing on the scene are of the opinion that Padma Hazarika would leave no stone un-turned to overcome all these obstacles.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 3 Governor congratulates progressive farmer ET Bureau Itanagar, Mar 29 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa has congratulated the former army man and progressive farmer of Ziro Valley in lower Subansari district Tilling Tadi, for his honorary “ICARIARI innovative farmers Award” Conveying his appreciation to the 65 years old farmer, the Governor said Tedi, who has followed the legacy of his father is a pioneer in paddy cum fish culture. This award will certainly encourage the younger generation and the fellow farmers to adopt integrated modern techniques in agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry in the days to come.

Governor congratulatesNixon Bui ET Bureau Itanagar, Mar 29 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa has congratulated the Arunachal Pradesh designer Nixon Bui who presented his collection ‘Urban Tribal’ at Copenhagen, Denmark.

A native of the Tagin Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, Nixon blends the ancient tribal and the minimal Scandinavian, the old and new. The essence of the brand can be described as an urban expression of tribal energy, implementing the tribal philosophy into modern world.

His label NIXONBUI is a readyto-wear menswear brand funded in 2014, based in Copenhagen.

The collection comprises of TShirt, sweatshirt, hoodies, pants and caps and also pieces inspired from tribal lifestyle of the north-east region.

Conveying his gratitude to the young tribal designer from the State, the Governor said Nixon Bui is the young talent who is making the State Proud his matchless creations that are is highly applicable and wishes him continue success in his future endeavours.

Muskan Welfare Society donates music instruments to Donyi Polo mission school for the hearing and visually impaired

MLA distributes piggery units and cgi sheets in Dadam

Muskan Welfare Society donates music instruments to Donyi Polo mission school ET Bureau Itanagar, Mar 29: First Lady of the State, Rita Rajkhowa also Chairman of Muskhan Welfare Society along with Secretary Muskan welfare Society, Kobby Jirdo Bagra today donated musical instruments containing, 1 guitar, 1 mandolin, 1 keyboard and 1 violin to Donyi Polo Mission School for the Hearing and Visually impaired.

While, attending the small dance and music programme organise by the student, the first lady said music makes people very

happy therefore, she advised the students along with music and Art they need to concentrate in their studies too.

The First Lady hoped that the students would learn more music from the new instruments and explore their talents.

Earlier, Secretary of Muskan Welfare Society, Kobby Jirdo Bagra while appreciating the cultural presentation of the students termed the Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and visually impaired the only genuine institution where

the differently abled students can peruse their talents. She promised the welfare society will extent their helping hand in future also.

The secretary further advised the students along with music and art they have to exhale in academic field also which will liberate them.

The first leady was accompanied by Secretary Muskan welfare Society, Dr. Jennifer Tayeng, Noni Boje and Tumken Angu former Secretary Muskan Welfare Society.

Motorbike theives arrested Naharlagun

Governor announces ex-gratia grant to Payum fire victim ET Bureau Itanagar, Mar 29 : Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa expressed deep shock over the Payum fire mishaps at Siang District on the intervening night of March 26 and 27 where 42 houses were completely gutted down.

In this regard, the Governor has sanctioned Rs. 50,000/- per household out of Governorâ•™s Relief Fund as Ex-gratia grant to rebuild houses, buy food item, clothing items etc supplementing the grant of around Rs.1 lakh per house sanctioned by Chief Minister, Kolikho Pul. The Governor directed, the amount is to be placed at the dispose of DC, Siang District to immediately distribute to the affected families and further directed the DC to order magisterial enquiry into the devastating fire incident and suggest preventive measures against recurrence of such incidents.

Motorbike theives arrested Naharlagun A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 29 : The capital police, headed by SI S S Jha, under the supervision of Inspector C Longri and SDPO Naharlagun Jummar Basar today arrested a gang of bike lifters active in the Capital Complex area and recovered six motorbikes.

The motorbikes have been recovered from different areas in Arunachal Pradesh ranging from Yazali, Yachuli, Doimukh and Naharlagun.

“With the arrest of Aftab Shiekh, Sahil Khan, Gollo Tajik and Lishi Niya, the Naharlagun Police team not only recovered the stolen bikes but this would also certainly

curb the menace of bike lifting that has plagued the city to some extent”, said Capital SP Devendra Arya.

Earlier, a case was registered on the night of March 12 last vide 54/16 u/s 379 IPC on receipt of an FIR from a student from E-Sector, Naharlagun.

Accordingly, the City Police has been seriously pursuing the case and subsequently a breakthrough was achieved when the said stolen bike was recovered from Naharlagun leading to the arrest of Gollo Taji and Lishi Niya –both of them allegedly involved in selling stolen bikes.

After further interrogation of the arrested accused, the bike

lifters, namely Aftab Sheikh and Sahil Khan were arrested following an operation by Naharlagun PS team at Doimukh area. Both accused are also wanted in another registered case.

With the arrest of accused Naharlagun PS Case No. 54/ 16 u/s 379 IPC and Naharlagun PS Case No. 22/ 16 u/s 379 IPC stands detected.

More arrests and recovery are expected soon.

Besides, with the arrest of Aftab Sheikh, WPS Case No.10/16 u/s 341/376/392/ 34 IPC also worked out. Aftab Sheikh was avoiding arrest and was on the run since commission of the crime.

CBNAAT unveiled, MLA vows to fill up the shortfall of ZH Tezu, Mar 29 : Much to the delight for the citizens of Lohit, a new concept of technology Cartridge Based Nuclic Amplification Testing (CBNAAT) is facilitated to the Zonal Hospital (ZH) Tezu for treating Tuberculosis which was unveiled here at the TB ward by Dr Mohesh Chai local MLA amidst Tamiyo Tatak DC, Dr S Chai Pul DMO, Dr U K Nath DTO, Dr S Towang, Dr S Nayil DRCHO, Dr A Wailong MS and other TB official and staff.

Lauding the facility of CBNAAT, the MLA said that the hi-tech technology would largely help the underprivileged patient to treat the disease freely. He also promised to procure more equipment, other required amenities through his MLALAD Fund and early posting of adequate manpower for the proper functioning of the hospital.

The MLA expressed delight over the joining of Dr K Padu General Surgeon which was felt desperately for years. He also hoped that Anaesthesia which was

MLA distributes piggery units and cgi sheets

absent for the last two years is joining by next week of April which would improve the health services radically.

While interacting with Doctors he affirmed to fill up the shortfall. The MLA further vowed to make functional incomplete OPD building, Maternity Ward and Eye Wards after his physical visit.

Earlier while highlighting CBNAAT significance, Dr U K Nath District TB Officer said that the Lohit district has reported 172 cases of Tuberculosis under DOTS and 114 as detected positive Sputum Test which

is alarming. “The treatment under DOTS has been firmly taken up following every patient with proper medication which sometime failed. However this CBNAAT new technology enable patient for proper & early diagnose and treatment of TB free of cost, it treats Multi Drug Resistance TB (MDR – TB) and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB). If availed this facility privately it cost two lakhs each which is beyond the reach of common man”, he says. Presently the CBNAAT is being intro-

duced in Upper Siang, Tomo Riba General Hospital Naharlagun, West Kameng and Lohit.

Meanwhile, citing the health sector as pivotal, DC also exhorted the doctors and paramedic staffs to deliver their best services with utmost sincerity and dedication and maintain a clean and hygienic surrounding to build the Zonal hospital a model. Dr S Chai Pul DMO also spoke about the strength of the hospital and urged the MLA & DC to give their best to improve the health scenario of the hospital.

Dadam, Mar 29 : The 56Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh distributed 40 units of Piggery and 40 CGI sheets each to 20 beneficiaries under MLALAD 20152016. The MLA as promised during his election campaigns, identified the poorest of the poor in his

constituency including women's group and widows to cover under his MLALAD. The schemes will not only sustain the livelihood of the villagers but will also help them augment their source of income. The MLA assured to cover the uncovered vil-

lages in the next financial year and urged the beneficiaries to utilize the schemes gainfully by implementing them sincerely. He further cautioned the villagers from selling the CGI sheets as practiced earlier.

ICAR - NRC on Yak distributed some basic amenities and yak breeding bulls to the Tribal Farmers under TSP ET bureau West kameng, Mar 29 : ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh has conducted three different programmes under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for supporting the tribal community of West Kameng Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

On 28 March 2016 at Nyukmadung, ICAR-NRC on Yak provided three yak breeding bulls to the farmers of three villages of Dirang circle of West Kameng district to improve the productivity for their livestock under TSP programme on "Enhancing yak productivity by reducing inbreeding in field by supplying yak breeding bulls/females to the tribal yak rearers". Yak rearers of Lubrang, Mandala and Nyukmadung villages requested Dr. S. M. Deb, Director of ICAR - NRC on Yak to help them by providing breeding bulls for enhancing the production performance of their animals that is declining due to inbreeding in field. Yak breeding bulls were handed over to the progressive farmers of these three villages by the programme coordinators Dr. S.S. Hanah, Scientist and Dr. Vijay Paul,

Senior Scientist of ICARNRC on Yak. In another, two programmes that were organised on 28 March, 2016 by ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh for the farmers of West Kameng district to motivate them for encouraging livestock farming for their livelihood support.

During these programmes the farmers were educated on the benefits of adopting scientific ways of livestock rearing. In total 200 tribal farmers of different villages of West Kameng participated in these programmes at Nyukmadung, West Kameng. The participants learned the preparation of concentrated feed from the raw feed ingredients like maize grain, deoiled cakes, salt and mineral mixture.

They were also educated for basics of livestock healthcare. Each participant was benefited with 50Kg concentrated feed, 50Kg common salt, 1 HDPE Tarpaulin (4 x 6 m), Mineral mixture (3kg), Calcium preparation (2L) and Veterinary medicines (wound healer, fly and tick repellents, dewormers etc.), some of the basic amenities distributed during the programme conducted by ICAR-NRC on Yak under TSP. Dr. Vijay Paul, Senior Scientist and Dr. S.S. Hanah, Scientist were the coordinators of the programme. The participants appreciated the programme and requested ICAR-NRC on Yak for organizing more such kind of programmes for their support in near future.

The above items were distributed by Smti Chakat Aboh on behalf of 56Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh in presence of CO, Dadam Asan Kri, JE(RE) A.K. Tiwari, ASMC Dadam Block Heydam Kamhua, Dadam ASM Chamo Hakhun.

Dc urges multiple license holders to club their licenses ET Correspondent Khonsa, Mar 29: Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha in an official order on 21st March'2016 asked all the multiple arms license holders to club their licenses and directed them to submit the applications in the prescribed format along with the original licenses for clubbing and uploading on the NDAL on or before 31st March2016.

He lamented that 45 multiple license holders whose names are mentioned herein are yet to club their licenses Are Wangjen, Bengia Taniang, Bewang Lowang, Boken Pao, Chopney Chimyang, Dr. Hangkham Tangjang, Dinwang Lowang, Hatwang Lowang, Hira Arangham, Honchun Ngandam , Honpa Tingkhetra, Howang Lowang, Jankai Wangsu, Jumdo Diyum, Kamlung Mosang, Kayang Pertin, Laichat Arangham, Manjo Basia, Marpak Chiram, Matwang Chimyang, Lupha Inkongchang, Varsha Rajkumar, Newlai Tingkhatra, Niamwang Lowang, Nirendra Nath Mitra, Nokram Wangham, Noksong Boham, Rajesh Panyang, Raplom Kanglom, Sijen Kangkong, Sompha Wangsa, T.L. Rajkumar, Tayu Gara, Tediap Bangsia, Thangwang Wangham, Tingne Tangjang, Wanghua Lowang, Wangkap Lowang, Wangkhon Medam, Wanglow Mophuk, Wangnyoum Chotoo Raja, Yudul Kishor Singh,Karken Riba and Khunyok Wangcha.

Preliminary District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting held at Anjaw Anjaw, Mar 29 : The Preliminary District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting 2016 of the Medical Department of Anjaw district was held on 28th March 2016 with ZPC H. Tawsik, in chair.

Dwelling of difference between higher registration of pregnant ladies for ANC care vis a vis lower no of institutional deliveries observed in the district the ZPC called upon the Medical Department to increase it's iec and out reach activities.

Highlighting the importance of correct data recording and reporting the Deputy Commissioner Anjaw Mamata Riba, urged the District Medical Officer for revitalising the activities of ASHAS and Block Data Managers and for placing of preliminary findings of the DLVMC Chairman and the Committee at a later date so that detailed discussion in presence of full house can be taken up. Dr. Tayi

Taloh D.M.O. Anjaw while ensuing necessary action, bemoaned that while lack of connectivity was an impediment towards data entry, shortage of medical personnel was another impediment in implementation of Programmes.

Nodal Officer for the event Dr. L. Moyong, DRCHO Anjaw making a power point presentation capsulized the various the various programmes and activities being conducted under NRHM. Dy. Director ICDS and Project Director DRDA Anjaw, were amongothers attending the meeting. Meanwhile on 26th March the 1st Scientific Advisory Committee meeting of KVK Anjaw was held with the DC, Anjaw, Mamata Riba as Chief Guest and B. Towsik as guest of Honour.

The DC while congratulating the efforts of Anjaw KVK unit of the ICAR established in

2015 in achieving tremendous outreach and districtbution of benefits to the farmers, thanked.

Dr. R. Bhagawati, Joint Director ICAR, Research Complex, NEH Region for his vision and guidance. The dyanamic work by Dr. Manish Kanwat Sr. Scientist and his team of Research Scientists has augmented efforts of development departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Vetenary she said nothing the presence of rich treasure house of indigenous pulses and other edible plants in the district. she requested the ICAR for facilitating designing of a processor for grinding dried maize corns which would be beneficoal across tge state as most tribes of the state uses maize as on form of food. B. Towsik, ADC of Hayuliang, who has been associated with the KVK since initial stage, emphasised on the preservation of traditional knowledge of farmers.

He also assured that the KVK being located in Hayuliang, he will always be present assist in any programme required.

Dr. Bhagwati Joint Dir. ICAR-RC for NEH Region providing expert guidance to the SAC session appreciated the various field and iec activities the being taken up by the team lead Dr. Manish Rawat.

While advising the Scientist it's on various areas of focus beneficial for farmers, he cautioned the farmers, he cautioned the farmers in maintaining absolute diligence in checking of viral diseases seen among cash crops like Cardomom.

The meeting was attended by representatives of farming community as well as District Agriculture Officer Pertin, Dist.

Horticulture Officer Sh. T. Richo, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer Sh. N. Nyodo and PD, DRDA M. Dirchi.

(DIPRO)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 4

Gogoi alleges BJP used moneybags in attempt to topple his govt A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 29: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today accused BJP of spending "hundreds of crores" of rupees in an attempt to topple his government with the help of Governor, echoing allegations of his Himachal counterpart that BJP was trying to destablise Congress governments in states.

"BJP spent lots of money.

They wasted hundreds of crores before the Bihar elections to topple the government in Assam. They tried it by taking Himanta (Biswa Sarma) and other MLAs, but they could not do it," Gogoi told a press conference here targeting the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had launched a blistering attack on the Congress leader during the re-

Govt. of Assam bans fishing under Assam Fishery Act from April 1st to July 15th ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 29: Department of Fishery, Government of Assam has banned fishing under Assam Fishery Act from April 1st to July 15th, 2016, informed Dijendrajit Gogoi, District Information and Public relation Officer, Jorhat here today. Dijendrajit Gogoi further stated that according to Government notification received from fishery that by no way and no means fishing, catching and netting of fish will not be allowed from April 1st to July 15th as it is the time for the breeding of fish and for its production and preservation of fish, the ban has been imposed. If anyone found to be involved in such activity to trespass fish from any types of natural and in artificial lowlands like tank, pond, lakes, rivers etc., he or she will be fine or send to jail depending upon the nature of the crime. (DIPRO)

He further said if the 35 MLAs, whose support was shown to be withdrawn from Gogoi's leadership in front of the Congress High Command, had really shifted their allegiance to BJP, the government would have fallen instantly.

Gogoi also regretted his decision to trust Sarma during his tenure with the Congress.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi cent poll rallies in Assam.

Sarma, once a trusted Congress minister of Gogoi who is presently in BJP, had almost garnered the support of 35 MLAs and tried the same tactics used in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand of shifting the base to BJP, he claimed.

"The Governor (Padmanabha Balakrishan Acharya) was also involved in this. Without his support how is it possible? That is why, the Centre is not appointing a permanent Governor in Assam. That is why they are appointing all RSS people as Governors," Gogoi alleged.

More than 40,000 votes of char an area of the constituency is become a deciding factor. The congress is getting the support of the char areas for long time. In the last election the AIUDF candidate got support from a part of these voters. The constituency has 1,65,065 voters including 2,22,958 woman voters. It may be mentioned here that after the Barkshetri constituency was declared in 1978 the Congress won the seat for five times while AGP won

Talking about the Uttarakhand crisis, the Chief Minister said the en-

"You did it in Arunachal and now Uttarakhand. The government was to test its majority next day and you (Centre) toppled it. (This is) Hitler in India! This is dictatorial and a murder of democracy," he alleged.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had accused the Modi dispensation of trying to "destabilise and topple" his government by using central agencies. He alleged the Centre has been destabilising Congressruled states one by one and cited examples of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where President's Rule was imposed.

AIUDF Chief addressed poll rally at Mangaldai ET Correspondent Mangaldai Mar 29 : As the first star campaigner in Darrang district , AIUDF Chief and Member of Parliament Badaruddin Ajmal this afternoon addressed a election rally organized for his party candidate Hiren Kr Das in SC reserved 67 Mangaldai at Gadhowa near here . Even though the meeting was scheduled at noon , however much to the frustration of the party workers Ajmal arrived at the destination late at around 4-45 pm by a heli- AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal with others during an AIUDF election campaign in copter and stayed only for Mangaldai. Pic - UB Photos few minutes before left.

Biswa Sharma unlike vote for his party candi- come winners in all the Before flying away he ad- Narendra Modi in previ- date he claimed that his three other seats of the disdressed the gathering of ous occasions and declared party candidate not only trict. Party candidate around three thousand that he would not allow capture the Mangaldai seat Hiren Kr Das along with people in which he strongly their dream of gaining po- from Fishery Minister few senior party leaders Basanta Das by a margin including Dr Aditya criticized BJP particularly litical power come true . of more that 30,000 votes Langthasa also attended targeting Sarbananda Sonowal and Dr Himanta Appealing the voters to , his party candidates be- the rally.

Barkshetri to witness a straight fight between Congress and BJP ET Correspondent Nalbari, Mar. 29: Electioneering in the No 60 Barkshetri Assembly constituency in Nalbari district is gradually picking up as the contesting candidates have been trying to woo the confidence of voters in the religious minority dominated constituency. Though the constituency has 12 candidates in the poll battle a straight fight between congress candidate Diganta Barman and BJP nominee Narayan Deka is on the card here. The other candidates from the constituency are Akram Hussain Talukdar (AIDUF),Mantu Baruah (Ind),Bipul Goswami (Ind),Manomati Das (Ind),Raju Barman (Ind),Raju Deka ( I n d ) , D i p a k Kalita(Ind),Kamalesh Deka (Ind),Bhumidhar Barman (Ind) and Raju Deka (Ind).The minority voters of the constituency will decide the fates of the candidates in Barkshetri LAC.

"Yes, I trusted him a lot. He betrayed a simple man like me. Himanta and all his supporters were not original Congressmen. They come and go. Himanta was with ULFA, then AASU, AGP, Congress and now (a) BJP man," he said.

tire development is "just a murder of democracy".

two times and one time went in favour of JNP.In 1978 JNP candidate Chand Mahammad for the first time won the seat with 24,717 from the constituency.He defeated congress candidate Ramesh Ch Choudhury who got only 8,782 votes.In the Assembly poll of 1983 Chand Mahammad contested as Congress candidate and elected to the Assembly with 7,631 votes.After the conclusion of Assam Movement in 1985 a wave swept the voters of Barkshetri LAC and AGP candidate Pulakesh Baruah won from the seat getting 43,590 votes.Independent candidate Sonabar Ali captured only 19,213 votes.However in the Assembly poll of 1991 senior congress leader Dr Bhumidhar Barman who migrated from the Dharmapur LAC won the seat with 30,243 votes defeating his nearest rival Pulakesh Baruah who got 28,336 votes.Pulakesh Baruah who has a strong hold in the constituency retained the seat in 1996 poll capturing 46,928 votes.In that election Congress candidate Dr Bhumidhar Barman got only 40,166 votes.During second term of AGP Government was deprived of getting a ministerial berth and the constituency suffered a major setback in development works.In 2001 Assembly election Baruah was defeated in a big margin of 36,000 votes in the hand of Dr Bhumidhar Barman .Dr

Barman got 64,748 votes while Pulakesh Baruah was restricted at only 28,823 votes.Since the 2001 poll Dr Bhumidhar Barman never seen back as he won the seat in 2006 and 2011 Assembly elections.In 2006 Dr Barman got 55,210 votes while Pulakesh Baruah captured 38,001 votes.Accordingly in the poll in 2011 Dr Bhumidhar Barman captured 53,958 votes and AGP nominee Pulakesh Baruah got 47,618 votes.Both the leaders have been contesting from the constituency for a long period.They have dominance among the supporters in their own pockets .However it is unfortunate for the voters of the Barkshetri LAC that both the leaders Dr Bhumidhar Barman and Pulakesh Baruah are no more in poll battle in the present election.Dr Barman who completed 85 retired from the active politics while Pulakesh Baruah who joined the BJP was denied party ticket.The Congress issued party ticket to the son of Dr Bhumidhar Barman from the constituency.It needs no mention here that the Barkshetri constituency will witness a straight fight between Congress candidate Diganta Barman and BJP candidate Narayan Deka.Both the candidates have been trying to woo the confidence of Barkshetri voters by holding street corner meetings,public meetings,and house to house drive.

Darrang session court sentenced one for life imprisonment ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar 29: The court of District and Session Judge, Darrang, G. Baruah on Monday has sentenced one Billal Hussain of village Khokjani under Kharupetia Police Station for rigorous life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000. The verdict directed another six months rigorous imprisonment on failure to repay the fine.

The court as stated in its verdict found Billal guilty in the organized murder of one Muslim Ali (22) S/O Hormuj Ali of the same village in the broad day light of January 4, 2014 attacking with a sharp weapon when the victim was on his way to local bazaar from his residence. The victim suc-

cumbed his injuries in the hospital on the very date.

The father of the victim then lodged an FIR in Kharupetia PS against Billal Hussain, Ainul Haque and Ali Hussain.

Police registered a case (No. 8/ 14 U/S 120(B) /302 / 34 IPC ) and arrested the accused persons but submitted charge sheet only against Billal Hussain due to lack of sufficient evidence against the other accused duo.

The court observed that the accused person committed his murder without any fault of the deceased, only because the father of the deceased Hormuj Ali stood as a witness regarding a loan taken by the accused Billal in a local “Raij mel”.

Centre for Education and Communication organises two day workshop in Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 29: Centre for Education and Communication of New Delhi organised two days residential workshop with a theme of 'Naturally Organic Tea Cultivation’ at Pesco resort Bokakhat recently. In the very program more than 35 small tea growers of Golaghat, Jorhat and Karbi Anglong took part.

It is to be known that the program was running since 2011 and 50000 beneficiaries were able to establish themselves.

The program is running on in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. In Assam it was first took place in Tinsukia district.

The Project Officers namely Sujit Hazarika, Minto Goswami, imparted their lectures by using Digitech technology.

An officer of Kharagpur IIT named Dr. Shoumen Palit was

present as a resource person.

Palit have served as a Chief Scientist and Research & Development head of various industries. He have developed and discimated modern agricultural technology related to Agriculture and Tea Industry in National and International level.

He addressed small tea growers on the topic ‘Naturally Organic Tea Cultivation’ by giving practical as well as theoretical knowledge. He discussed and practically gave training on vermicomposting, nadet composite, cow pet pit manufacturing etc.

The Workshop was arranged in Educative cum creative way which was appreciated by all the tea growers who were present in the said workshop.

They were given participating certificate by the Centre for Education and Communication.

Gogoi accuses Modi of lying, making statements without basis A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 29: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of lying and making statements against him "without basis".

Rubbishing Modi's claim that the state had not given account of Rs 1.8 lakh crore to the Comptroller and Auditor General, the chief minister said, "This is just a lie. I never got so much money from the Centre in my entire tenure. I challenge him to prove it. The PM is making statement without any basis."

The CAG has never said there is any misappropriation of funds in Assam. It has only said that some funds are being utilised and they suggested some corrections. If the Assam

government is misusing funds then why was the Centre sending more money without reducing the state's share as claimed by the Prime Minister in his rallies, he told reporters.

"Have you ever seen a PM making statements with lies, lies, lies and full of lies? I have not seen it in the world. He has lowered the dignity of the PM's post. There should be a limit of telling lies by a PM. "Modi alleges that there has only been destruction in Assam in the last 15 years. That means, the condition of Assam was better in 2001 and it has worsened since then," he added.

Referring to the issue of infiltration raised by BJP, he said it is the Centre's duty to stop it and it was the Congress government which took up fenc-

ing and installing flood-lights on the Indo-Bangla border.

"When (L K) Advani was the (union) home Minister, why did you (BJP) not do anything?

What have you done in the last two years? They (BJP) raise this issue every time before election. They raised it in 2014 Lok Sabha polls also," he said.

Gogoi also questioned Modi over his silence on withdrawal of special category status.

"If you care for Assam so much then why was there nothing for the state in the Budget? Now you are announcing everything for Assam.

"What have you done in the last 22 months? You sought 60 months for India's development," he said, adding there was only price rise and inflation.

Mahesh Sharma releases 50 declassified files on Netaji New Delhi, Mar. 29 (ANI): Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Civil Avialtion, Mahesh Sharma, on Tuesday released second batch of fifty declassified files relating to late freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The documents consist of

ten files each from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Home Ministry, and 30 files from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pertaining to the period 1956 to 2009.

In January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put the first lot of 100 files in the public domain on the occa-

sion of the 119th birth anniversary of Netaji.

The present release of files will further meet the continued public demand to access them and it will also facilitate scholars to carry out further research on the doyen of the freedom movement.

My mission is to wipe out corruption and poverty from Lakhimpur: Dr. Joy Prakash Das

Dr. Joy Prakash Das addressing a Press Conference held in North Lakhimpur ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 29: "I have a dream to frame Lakhimpur in a new shape. I want to do something different for the people of the LAC. My sole mission is to wipe out corruption and poverty from the LAC if I am elected as MLA" said Dr. Joy Prakash Das addressing a Press Conference held in North Lakhimpur Press Club at 8.30pm overnight.

In the Press Conference the MLA candidate of No 111 Lakhimpur LAC highlighted his mission and vision with regard to his candidature in the State Assembly Poll-2016. He announced that he would leave no stone unturned to create an exemplary academic environment not only in the LAC but also in the district so that the talents of the district would

sparkle nationally and internationally. He hoped that he could do so by 2030.

"I want to ensure a job or an employment in every family along with peace, progress and prosperity"- he added. It is noteworthy that the candidate announced a fifty eight fold objectives with regard to the development of the constituency. Out of them the chief objectives are- planning of constituency development as per suggestions of the intellects, farmers, businessmen etc., rehabilitation of flood and erosion victims, resolving of drainage, communication problems through scientific way, construction of Lakhimpur-Majuli Connecting Road, Luit-Khabolu Bridge, Ghagar Ghat-Ghunasuti Bridge, Up-gradation of North

Lakhimpur College to a Deem University, establishment of a management academic institution of national standard, development of tourism and health sector, eradication of unemployment, poverty problem, strong and active role in Assembly for constituency development etc.

He commented that his contest would be with AGP-BJP-BPF alliance candidate Utpal Dutta.

He commented that Ex-Congress MLA Ghana Burhagohain, who is also in fighting line, being dissident of the party, would not be a factor. In the conference, he was associated by Lakhimpur District Congress Vice President Suprabha Medhi, Secretary Opel Hajarika, Organizer Jyoti Gogoi along with many other Congress activists.

Assam Rifles provides community hall and water supply scheme in Haflong ET Correspondent Haflong, Mar 29: Continuing with its endeavor to work for the betterment of local populace of Dima Hasao, Haflong based 43 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters 22 Sector Assam Rifles constructed Community Hall at Longkai village, Haflong, Dima Hasao.

43 Assam Rifles handed over the community hall to the village authorities in the presence of villagers of Longkai village. Assam Rifles also assured the local populace that Assam Rifles will continue to work for the people in future. The village authority and villagers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the 43 Assam Rifles for extending the urgently needed assistance.

A water supply scheme was also provided by 43 Assam Rifles under the same aegis at Hereilo village, Haflong, Dima

43 Assam Rifles handed over the water supply scheme to the village authorities in the presence of villagers.

Hasao.

43 Assam Rifles handed over the water supply scheme to the village authorities in the presence of villagers.

The gesture of 43 Assam Rifles under Directorate General of Assam Rifles Civic Action Programme (CAP) and under OP Sadbhavana (MCA) will

help in further strengthening the bond between the locals and the Security Forces. Construction of Water Supply scheme and Community Hall will go a long way in improving civic amenities for the villagers and local people of far flung areas of the district. The villagers of Hereilo also assured their whole hearted support to the Assam Rifles.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Irani confers hony degree to Mary Kom

Union Minister Smriti Irani Shillong, Mar 29: Union Minister Smriti Irani today conferred honorary degree to Olympian and five-time Boxing World Champion M C Mary Kom and first woman Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission Rose Millian Bathew for their contributions in respective fields.

The pugilist from Manipur, who is also coaching the underprivileged children in boxing and an animal rights activist, was conferred with the degree in absentia while 85 year-old Rose received the award in person.

"The degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) is

hereby awarded by NEHU to M C Mary Kom ... in recognition for her outstanding contributions in the field of sports," the citation which NEHU VC S K Srivastava conferred on Kom, said.

For Rose, the citation read, "... in recognition of her invaluable contribution in teaching, public administration and towards the society at large," she was honoured in person by the HRD Minister herself during the 23rd convocation of the Central University.

Over 10,000 students were conferred with degrees in various disciplines in the university.

(Agencies)

Mother sent to jail for killing threemonth-old daughter Agartala, Mar 29: A mother was sent to jail by a local court in Belonia of South Tripura for allegedly killing her three months old daughter and dumped the body in the septic tank.

The court on Sunday asked police to submit case dairy and detailed investigation of the case for further proceeding and directed the police to produce the accused mother to the court on Monday.

Police said Archana Debnath of Krishnanagar village under Hrishyamukh area was arrested on Saturday night based on circumstantial evidence of killing her daughter and later during interrogation she admitted the crime.

According to report, the couple had daughters and they did not wanted second girl child in the second time. Accused husband Biplab Debnath reportedly quarrel with his wife for giving birth to a girls child.

On Saturday evening, Archana killed the infant

Arpita by strangulation and dumped the body into the septic tank behind the house. Her husband was absent during the incident but her 3-years-old elder daughter was present there but could not understand the crime.

“Later, Archana made drama and started shouting that her younger daughter was stolen from the house when she was in the toilet. The villagers gathered and started questioning her and suddenly out of suspicion one of her neighbour checked the septic tank and then he found the body covered by cloths. We recovered the body and sent for postmortem,” said police.

Immediately, police had arrested Archana and during interrogation she admitted the crime and sought mercy.

She told police that the situation in the family had compelled her to kill the infant as her husband tortured on the ground.

(Agencies)

76 cases of theft of govt money in State: CAG Agencies Shillong, Mar 29: The Comptroller and Accountant General (CAG) report has revealed that there have been 76 cases of theft, misappropriation and loss involving government money in the State.

The CAG said that according to Rule 112 of the Meghalaya Financial Rules, 1981 any defalcation or loss of public money or other property discovered in Government Treasury or other office or department, which is under the audit of the Accountant General, should be immediately reported to the Accountant General, even when such loss has been made good by the person responsible for it.

The CAG further stated that the State government reported 76 cases of theft,

misappropriation and loss involving government money amounting to Rs 2.15 crore up to March 2015 on which final action was pending.

According to CAG, during 2014-15, three cases of theft in respect of Health and Family Welfare department involving Rs 4.94 lakh and one case of misappropriation in respect of Agriculture department involving Rs 0.44 lakh were written off by the government.

CAG further said that out of Rs 2.15 crore, the highest amount of theft and loss of Rs 1.02 crore pertained to the Finance department involving two cases, while the highest amount of misappropriation of Rs 44.08 lakh pertained to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly involving two cases.

PAGE 5

CPI-M challenges Congress to prove murder allegation against Tripura CM Agartala, Mar. 29 : The ruling CPI-M has rubbished the opposition Congress party's allegation on Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar being either directly or indirectly involved in the assassination of his former cabinet colleague and Health Minister Bimal Sinha.

CPIM spokesperson Gautam Das, in presence of state secretary Bijan Dhar dismissing the allegation of the Congress and said, "Completely wild allegation, baseless, false and politically motivated. They can't prove their allegations in the Assembly; they will face privilege motion if they raise wild allegations in the Assembly. Knowing well they made the wild allegations outside the Assembly. We have challenged, they shall have to prove otherwise they shall have to resign from the Assembly."

Responding to the Congress party demanding

for a fresh investigation by the CBI, the CPIM leader said, "why now they are demanding investigation by the CBI, why they did not go to the Yusuf Commission?

The judicial commission is more than CBI, we shall have to have faith on the judiciary."

"In this murder there is direct or indirect support of the Chief Minister because Bimal Sinha was a threat to the chair of the Chief Minister. I have said this in the House that the conspiracy was laid to murder him using the militants or people would understand the reason behind it. Hence he was murdered in militant encounter. And that is the reason no CBI investigation was declared, the Yusuf Commission was not co-operated," said leader of the opposition in the Tripura Assembly Sudip Roy Burman He also alleged that to hush up the real truth, the

wife of the deceased Minister was very much aware of those who were involved in her husbands murder but as she had death threat she could not open up the issue to the Commission.

Demanding a fresh inquiry by CBI into the former minister's killing, Barman accompanied by former opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath, state party president Birajit Sinha and other leaders alleged that Sinha was killed as he wanted to be the chief minister.

The report allegedly holds that Sinha had maintained relation with the militants and their overground and was himself responsible for his death as he used to avoid taking security personnel with him on his visits to militants.

Sinha and his brother Bidyut were gunned down by the banned outfit NLFT on March 31, 1998.

The Tripura state assem-

bly on Monday witnessed bedlam over assassination of former Tripura health minister Bimal Sinha and his brother in 1998, with the opposition Congress demanding a fresh probe in it.

The pandemonium started after Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath rejected an adjournment motion moved by opposition leader Sudip Roy Barman. The house had to be adjourned twice due to the uproar in the house.

(ANI) The Yusuf Commission was appointed by the Left Front government in 1998 and submitted its report on January 31, 2000 but till now it was not published.

Recently following a writ petition filed by advocate Kalyani Roy, who heads the state Congress' women's wing, the Tripura High Court recently asked the state government to publish the report.

'Best film critic award tribute to Manipuri culture'

World War II era mortar shells found

Imphal, Mar 29: Having been deemed 'Best Film Critic' in the 63rd National Film Awards, Meghachandra Kongbam, a Manipuri, says the honour he has received is actually a tribute to his state's rich culture and arts.

"It is a great honour that I have been thus selected.

India has taken note of the rich arts and culture of Manipur which is reflected in the films," Kongbam told IANS. An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University, Kongbom is additional director in the public relations department of the Manipur government and a regular contributor to

mass circulation vernacular publications in his state.

The jury of the National Film Awards was impressed by the perspicuity of Kongbam's film writings.

"Meghachandra Kongbom interprets the world of Indian cinema for his readers in Manipuri. His lucid understanding and love for cinema makes him the ideal 'Film Whisperer' in Manipur, where access to Indian films is often limited," said the jury in its citation.

This limited access to films has actually become a strength of the Manipuri artistes, direc-

Manik Sarkar Left Front government has not cooperated with the inquiry commission.

The state government, headed by Chief Minister Sarkar that time, had rejected the Congress' demand to probe the assassination by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and judicial probe of which political parties are involved in hand-in-gloves with the militants.

Congress demanded that the Left Front govern-

tors and technicians, Kongbam believes.

"Most of the Manipuri artistes, directors and technicians have not undergone any formal training; they are rather self made. And yet they have made commendable inroads. Many of them will bring laurels if there is adequate exposure to films and formal training," he said.

Kongbam himself was fortunate to have received formal training when he needed it.

"I got a degree in journalism in 1979 from BHU. I got knowledge of films after attending a film appreciation course in 1985. The same year I

ment had formed the Yusuf Commission to investigate the murder of Bimal Sinha under acute pressure from the opposition and submitted it to the government some sixteen years back but it was not tabled in the Tripura Assembly till last Wednesday as the part in power was apprehensive that the actual murder involved in the case will come to light will the report becoming public.

Barman added that the

started writing about films," he says.

Kongbam manages to find time as a film critic despite shouldering responsibilities as a 'one man show' of sorts at the Manipur Information Centre in New Delhi that he is currently in charge of.

He has long experience of covering film events, including the International Film Festival of India (IFF).

Kongbam has a good opinion of films from his home state.

"The Manipuri films occupy a respectable place in the Indian cinema. It is no mean achievement that this

small state bagged various national and international awards. The films merely showcased the rich culture of the state," he says.

He was the founder member and president for two terms of Cine Artistes and Technicians Association which was established in 1998. He was the board director of the Manipur Film Development Corporation from 2002 to 2004.

The 'Best Critic Award' of the 63rd National Film Awards carries a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) trophy and a purse of Rs.75,000.

(Agencies)

Tripura House witnesses uproarious scenes Agartala, Mar 29: Tripura Assembly on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes over the Yusuf Commission report with opposition Congress demanding adjournment of the House immediately for a full discussion over the assassination of former health minister Bimal Sinha by insurgents.

During the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Sudip Roy Barman demanded suspension of all business for a discussion over the contents of the judicial inquiry commission headed by Justice (retired) M A Yusuf over Sinha’s assassination on March 31, 1998. When Speaker Ramendra Debnath turned down the plea suggesting the proposed discussion be taken up later, entire Opposition bench stood up in protest, accusing the ruling CPI(M) of having suppressed the report for

Tripura Assembly 16 years as the party had been involved in the conspiracy leading to Sinha’s killing. Amid the din, the Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour.

When the House re-assembled at 12.40 PM, the Opposition again started shouting demanding adjournment of all other business for discussion on the Yusuf Commission report.

With members of the Opposition and treasury bench both having started shouting, the noise con-

tinued unabated and the Speaker adjourned the House again till 2.00 PM, making an announcement that the matter could be discussed on April 7, the last day of the budget session.

The House functioned normally after lunch break from 2.00 PM. Later, Barman told reporters that assassination of Sinhawas the result of a “deep-rooted conspiracy”. Reading out portions of the report, the LoP said Sinha had close contacts with the NLFT

militants and had secured release of many abducted by acting as mediator.

“The special investigation team constituted by the state government under the stewardship of the then IGP K Saleem Ali had not made its findings available to the commission, in fact Saleem Ali had kept mum when asked by the commission whether he was suppressing the report at the instance of the state government,” Barman quoted the commission’s report as saying.

“It clearly shows who did what,” he added.

“All 27 accused are now free because they secured acquittal from the high court while the three National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants are safely sheltered in government quarters with monthly stipends. It shows clearly what happened in the case of assassination of Bimal Sinha,” Barman said.

Tripura government had constituted the judicial inquiry commission under Justice (retired) M A Yusuf to probe the assassination of Bimal Sinha.

Even though the commission had submitted its reports in January 2000, the Left Front government sat over the report for 16 years and only acted following a directive issued by the Tripura High Court in January this year.

(Agencies)

Mizoram having civil deposit of Rs 1602.34 cr Aizwal, Mar 29: Mizoram government was having civil deposit to the tune of Rs 1,602.34 crore during 2014-15, state Finance Minister Lalsawta informed the assembly on Tuesday.

In a written reply to a query from Lalruatkima of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Lalsawta said different department's under the

state government were compelled to deposit certain amount of money in civil deposit to avoid fund lapse and overdraft with the Reserve Bank of India.

He said that the state government had civil deposit amounting to Rs 1,168.84 crore during previous fiscal of 201314.

The government has been attempting to

avoid stashing large amount of money in the civil deposit and rather tried to implement the recommendations of the committee constituted by the government to study civil deposit, he said.

He added that the public debt and liabilities of the state government during 2015-16 was to the tune of Rs 6,977.13 crore. (Agencies)

Imphal, Mar 29: Three mortar shells, believed to be from the World War II era, were found in Motbung area in Senapati district, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.

The objects, which include two M3 Lee Tank and one US M2 60 mm shells, were found by the locals at Motbung, located some 30 km from the state capital on Monday, the officer said.

The villagers then informed the Sapermeina Police Station and the shells were taken in custody by police, the officer said.

The mortar shells might have been used during the Battle of Imphal when the Allied forces were locked in intense military engagement with the Japanese army in 1944, he said.

(Agencies)

Irani to attend three functions in city today Agencies Shillong, Mar 29: Union Minister of Human Resources Development Smriti Zubin Irani will attend three functions during her day long visit to Shillong on Tuesday.

The Union minister will attend the 23rd convocation of NEHU, Shillong at 11.30 AM and thereafter, at 12.50 pm, she will attend the Bhoomi Poojan and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Central Institute of Hindi, Shillong Centre, at Mawdiangdiang.

Later at 3 PM, Irani will attend the seventh convocation of IIM, Shillong, to wind up her day long visit.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 6

Jaitley arrives in Sydney, calls for FDI in infrastructure and manufacturing Sector New Delhi, Mar. 29 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrived in Sydney on a four day official visit to Australia today morning, where in the opening remarks during his meeting with the Premier of New South Wales Mike Baird he said that the Indian Government has opened various sectors for Foreign Direct Investment including railways and defence among others and invited businesses in NSW to invest and make

in India.

Jaitley said that India needs a lot of FDI especially in manufacturing and infrastructure sector and said that the State Governments too are taking keen interest and competing among themselves to have foreign investments in their respective States.

The Finance Minister said that present Government has opened various sectors for FDI including railways and defence among others.

eign wealth funds to be part of NIIF, pension and insurance funds.

Jaitley also highlighted the various initiatives and reforms measures undertaken by the present Government to boost the Indian economy which is growing at the rate of above 7.5%.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Inviting businesses in NSW to invest and make

in India, he said that India wants foreign sover-

Speaking on the occasion, Baird expressed keen interest about the investment opportunities in India particularly

in the infrastructure sector.

He highlighted the importance of communicating the information to larger business community in Australia to enable them to understand the opportunities available in India.

He also informed the Finance Minister that he intends to visit India during the next Vibrant Gujarat which is planned to be held in India in January 2017.

(ANI)

Telangana Assembly 10 convicted, 3 acquitted in Mumbai passes bill to hike 2002-2003 blasts cases legislators' salaries Mumbai, Mar. 29 : A in three different parts of special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court on Tuesday convicted ten accused and acquitted three in the triple bomb blasts case that took place in Mumbai between December 2002 and March 2003.

The three acquitted by the court are Nadeem Paloba, Harun Lohar and Adnan Mulla.

The ten accused are convicted under various secTelangana Chief Minister tions of the POTA, Arms Hyderabad, Mar. 29 : The wards allowances will now Act, Explosive subTelangana Assembly on be getting a salary of Rs. stances Act and the RailTuesday passed a bill to hike 20,000and allowances of ways Act. legislator's salaries and al- Rs. 2.30 lakh.

The quantum of sentence lowances of the state legis- The Chief Minister's salary lators including the Chief has increased from Rs. in the matter will be proMinister, Speaker, deputy 16,000 to Rs. 51,000 per duced on March 30.

Speaker of Assembly, Coun- month, although the allow- Three bombs exploded cil of Ministers, chairman and deputy chairman of Legislative Council, Leader of Opposition in Assembly and Council, Government Whips, MLAs and MLCs. The bill was introduced by the Telangana Government yesterday in the Legislative Assembly.

The MLAs and the MLCs who are paid Rs. 12,000 as salary and Rs. 83,000 to-

ances remain the same.

In the state, where several debt-ridden farmers have ended their lives since June, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao last year announced that the salaries of all the legislators will be doubled.

Following the hike in the salaries of the Telangana MLAs and MLCs, lawmakers in Andhra Pradesh are now demanding a similar increase. (ANI)

Hijacked Egyptian airline with 81 onboard lands at Cyprus on board. The hijacker has allegedly allowed women and children to leave the plane.

Cairo, Mar.29 :An EgyptAir passenger aircraft en route from Alexandria to Cairo has been hijacked and has landed in Cyprus, according to sources in Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry .

Cyprus State Radio said that the Airbus A320 has more than 80 passengers

News agencies quoted airline and Egyptian government sources as saying that the domestic flight travelling from Alexandria to Cairo was taken over by at least one armed hijacker.

They asked for the flight to land in Cyprus , an EgyptAir spokeswoman is quoted as saying.

Reports say the Airbus A320 has more than 80 passengers on board.(ANI)

Falkland part of 'Argentinian waters' says UN Commission London, Mar.29 : Argentina's government is celebrating the historic decision of the United Nations Commission to expand its maritime territory in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35 per cent to include the disputed Falkland islands and beyond.

The UN Commission sided with Argentina on the limits of the continental shelf , ratifying the country's 2009 report fixing the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast, reports Guardian.

In 2013, a whopping 99 percent of Falkland islanders voted to stay as a British overseas territory.

Despite that referendum, Argentina still holds out hope of owning the territory which it calls the Malvinas.

The decision by UN chiefs

could allow Buenos Aires to claim natural resources in the sea around the British island.

Britain fought Argentina for the islands in 1982 and has since been responsible for its defence and foreign affairs.

Argentina minister Susana Malcorra last night hailed the "historic" decision.of the U N Commission.

The UN commission's finding included the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.

The Falklands are internally self-governing, but Britain is responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The British government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentinian sovereignty against their will.(ANI)

the city of Mumbai in a span of a little over three months.

The first blast took place on December 6, 2002, at McDonald's restaurant on the main building premises of the Mumbai Central railway station.

The second blast occurred on January 27, 2003, in a crowded market in Vile Parle East, while the third blast took place in a jam-packed Karjat-bound local train at the Mulund railway station on March 13, 2003.

As many as 12 persons died in these blasts and 27 were seriously injured.

The Mumbai Police had said the blasts were the

10 convicted, 3 acquitted in Mumbai 2002-2003 blasts cases handiwork of Students Islamic Movement of India activists who were led by Saquib Nachan, the former general secretary of the banned outfit.

A total of 16 persons were arrested in the case.

Apart from Nachan, those arrested include Muzammil Ansari, an engineer, and Dr Anwar Ali, a PhD degree holder who taught Urdu at National Defence Academy, Pune. (ANI)

Jat Quota Bill passed in Haryana Assembly

Jat Quota Bill passed in Haryana Rohtak (Haryana), Mar. 29 : The Jat Quota Bill was unanimously passed in the Haryana Assembly on Tuesday.

The Haryana cabinet yesterday tabled the bill which provides six percent reservation for Jats and four other castes in Class 1 and 2 government jobs.

The bill also agreed for 10 percent reservation for the five castes in educational institutions and class 3 and 4 government jobs.

The Jat agitators had declared that they will resume the agitation for the reservation should their demands not be met by the 31st of March which is last day of the Budget Session for the Vidhan Sabha.

Apart from the Jat Sikhs,

Bishnois, Tyagis and Rors will also get reservation.

In Haryana under backward classes category 1 and 2 already there is 27 percent reservation.

The Jats were demanding reservation in the existing backward classes category. BC-1 category has 16 percent quota and BC2 category has 11 percent quota.

In a meeting on March 19, the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister O.P. Dhankar met khap leaders and assured them to bring the Jat reservation Bill during the Budget session.

A committee headed by Chief Secretary D. S. Dhesi to review the Jat reservation had earlier submitted its report to the state government. (ANI)

Brussels attack: PM Modi condoles Infosys Efforts on to ensure that UN proscribes employee's death

Masood Azhar: India New York, Mar. 29 : India, who is passionately following its quest for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has hardened its stand on the Jaish-eMohammed and will call on the UN to proscribe its commander Maulana Masood Azhar.

With the developments on the Pathankot attack taking a concrete step as the Pakistan JIT team is set to visit to the site of the attack today, India is stepping up its crackdown on the terror outfit, whose involvement in the attack on the Air Base is the focus of the probe.

"As regards the attack

by JeM, we assure you that we will pursue the cause for justice. It is not a cause that we will leave or have forgotten about. I can assure you that we are proceeding with our efforts to ensure that this

UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin organisation which is already proscribed by the UN also has its leaders proscribed and that is the primary effort right now," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told ANI here.

Asserting that India's efforts are focused on having Masood as a listed entity, he added that there are certain terrorists that needed to be named and shamed.

"India is a remerging entity and a power that is trying to get its rightful place in the world.

Nothing and no power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.

Our time has come," Akbaruddin said.

Earlier, India showed Pakistan the evidence that establishes the involvement of Maulana Masood Azhar and his brother Muhammed Rauf Asghar in the Pathankot attack.

India has also sought voice samples of Rauf Asghar, who is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack on a website.

Meanwhile, the chopper carrying the Pakistan probe team and the NIA landed at the Amritsar's commercial airport.

The NIA yesterday gave a detailed presentation to the visiting Pakistani probe team on the evidence collected with regard to Pathankot airbase terror attack case.

Well placed NIA sources told ANI that the JIT held talks with the NIA members on the Pathankot attack investigation and NIA also gave presentation on facts and evidences.

As far as Jaish-eMohammed's (JeM) involvement in Pathankot attack was concerned, the Pakistani JIT did not deny the evidence furnished by the NIA, sources said. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi, Mar. 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his condolences to the family of Infosys employee Raghavendran Ganeshan, who was reported dead, after he went missing since March 22 during the Brussels attacks.

"A young life, full of hope and promise cut short by mindless violence. Condolences to family of Raghavendran," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

According to reports, his body was found by the Belgian authorities in the metro train at Molenbeek

station where one of the bombs went off.

Blasts at the Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station killed more than 30 people from some 40 countries.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "He was a victim of the blast that took place in the metro at Maalbeek station in Brussels."

Infosys in a condolence message to the media said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Raghavendran's family and with those who were injured or lost a loved one in these attacks."

(ANI)

Two residential towers engulfed in flames in UAE Abu Dhabi(United Arab Emirates), Mar. 29 : Two residential towers have been engulfed in a huge blaze innorthern UAE emirate of Ajman.

The fire had reportedly erupted at a building in the Ajman One residential cluster of 12 towers and spread to at least another tower yesterday.

The residents were evacuated and the blaze was brought under control.

The Emirati Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, rushed to Ajman to help co-ordinate the response to the

blaze, Ajman police said, reports news.com.au.

Those who sustained injuries were immediately given medical assistance.

The image of the fire surfaced in social media showing bright yellow flames spreading up the side of a building.

Ajman is home to many commuters who work in the Gulf commercial hub of Dubai. Like Dubai, it is one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE federation.

Tenants braved the situation as they rushed for safety. They later gathered

around the complex as the buildings burned.

The UAE has been facing series of tower fires in the past.

During the 2016 New Year's celebrations, a fire broke out in a luxury 63storey hotel near Dubai's tallest building.

In February, a huge fire gutted one of the emirate's tallest buildings, destroying luxury flats in the Torch tower and triggering an evacuation of nearby blocs in the Dubai Marina neighbourhood.

Last year too in November and October, two dif-

Emirati city of Sharjah were engulfed with fire.

Building and safety experts say that material commonly used to cover the buildings known as aluminIum composite panel cladding is the reason for the fires.

Some panels used in buildings in the Emirates contain a flammable core that can burn rapidly one ignited, allowing fires to spread quickly on buildTwo residential towers engulfed in a huge blaze in ings. northern UAE However, it was not clear if the skyscraper in the ferent fires in three resi- Dubai and high-rise resi- Ajman fire had similar dential blocs in central dential tower in the cladding. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Aggrieved kith and kin bury Lahore bomb attack victims Lahore, Mar. 29 : A day after, the suicide bomb attack on Lahore park rose to 72, including 29 children, aggrieved families in Lahore spent Easter Monday burying their dead.

More than 350 were injured in the deadly suicide bomb attackat a Lahore park on Sunday, when explosives packed with ball-bearings ripped through the crowds where many had gathered to celebrate Easter.

Out of the 63 bodies that were brought to the mortuary at Mayo Hospital, 58 were identified and handed over to their families for burial after post-mortem examinations yesterday. While it was said that Christians were targeted, officials said that only 14 of the dead had been identified as Christians and the rest

501 'religious leaders' booked under anti-terror act in Pakistan Lahore, Mar. 29 : Separate cases have been filed against 501 religious workers, including their leadership, under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in Pakistan for creating terror and violence in society.

According to the Dawn, those who were booked in Rawalpindi on Sunday during clashes between workers of religious parties and police were formally arrested.

The move came after more than 24 hours as the decision to make the arrest was being pondered on following the outcome of efforts by the government to persuade the marchers to disperse peacefully from D-Chowk.

But after their efforts proved unproductive, it was decided to register cases against the protesters who were picked up by police during the show down in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The arrested people were detained in different police stations of Rawalpindi and Gujar Khan. All of those arrested would be sent to Adiala jail on Tuesday. (ANI)

Lanka to have new, equal education system by May Colombo, Mar 29 : Sri Lanka's Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe has said that the Government is committed to provide equal education opportunities to all students in the country and will introduce a new education system by May this year.

Ranil made these remarks while participating in the opening ceremony of the Royal MAS Arena at the Royal College in Colombo last evening.

Speaking at the event, the Premier said a new ' Post School Education' program would be introduced under this new system to cater the needs of the 21 century, reports Lanka page.

He pointed out that the country's development depends on the education system and the government plans to develop the school network providing all required facilities to achieve this objective.

The Premier said present government will ensure all students receive a compulsory 13 year school education and he had discussed the new system of education with the subject minister and other stakeholders.

The Prime Minister recalled that a promise was made to allocate 6 percent of GDP for education when the Maithripala Sirisena was elected as the new President and therefore, the economy should be further developed in order to keep the government's promise.(ANI)

were Muslim, reports the Express Tribune. Five bodies are yet to be identified.

Those who suffered injuries were admitted to various hospitals in the city, while 198 were discharged after being treated for their wounds.

172 people who suffered serious injuries were still at treated.

Authorities have registered the FIR for Sunday's attack. The report was lodged against four unidentified suspects on the complaint of Allama Iqbal Town SHO Nasrullah Khan.

The report added that the attacker and his three accomplices were stopped at the entrance by a security guard but managed to sneak into the park while the guard was distracted by his accomplices. The sketch of the

Aggrieved families of Lahore bomb attack victims

suspected attacker has also been released by the investigation team.

A counter-terrorism department (CTD) team, separately has raided the house in Muzaffargarh which was listed on a CNIC card recovered from the blast site. Tow relatives of the card holder have been detained by the officials for questioning.

The card belongs to Muhammad Yusaf, who is believed to be the bomber.

In a separate location in Ichhra, the team raided a temporary residence mentioned on the card, and seized belongings of the suspected bomber including a laptop.

Meanwhile, mourning in the region continued yesterday as major markets

and recreational places in Lahore remained closed.

The Traders' associations have vowed to extend full support to the armed forces in its ongoing crackdown against extremist outfits, while some even urged law enforcement and intelligence agencies to improve surveillance to prevent future attacks.

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had even cancelled all its events including the ongoing Spring Festival in solidarity.

The Sunday's attack has brought the people of the nation together in fighting terrorism. The response to calls for blood donation was overwhelming in the hospitals, as people lined up in long queues to donate blood.

Irrespective of any reli-

gion, donors said that both Muslims and Christians who said that both communities had suffered from the attack and religious differences should not hamper relief efforts.

The Punjab government had announced three days of mourning .

Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab and brother of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also promised compensation payments of 1 million rupees (Ă‚ÂŁ6,700) to the families of the dead.

The Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif has called on the military and paramilitary Rangers to lauch joint overnight raids against militants in central and southern regions of Punjab leading to the arrest to dozens of terror suspects and their facilitators.(ANI)

Japan lends Rs 56 billion to Lanka to expand Colombo airport

JICA official Colombo, Mar 28 : The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

has announced that it has signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to lend Rs. 56

Four-year-old girl beheaded in Taiwan Taipei, Mar. 29 : A four-year old girl was beheaded by a man when she along with her mom was on their way to a metro station in Taipei, the island's capital, yesterday.

The 33-year-old man attacked the girl with a cleaver in full view of her mother.

The child had been riding her bike about a meter away from her when it became stuck.

The mother saw the man approaching and thought that he was going to help her daughter but, instead he drew a knife and decapitated her.

"I saw the suspect slashing my daughter with a cleaver. I immediately grabbed him but I could not pull him away," CNN quoted the mother as saying.

The mother screamed

for help and bystanders rushed to restrain the attacker until police arrived.

According to initial investigation, the suspect has been identified only by his surname Wang.

He had waited near the metro station after allegedly purchasing the knife at a supermarket earlier that day.

Reports say that the man had a history of mental illness and had received treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

He has been detained at a police station for further interrogation.

In a similar kind of incident, a 21-year-old Taiwanese man Cheng Chieh in 2014 , went on a mass stabbing spree on the Taipei metro system, killing at least four people and injuring 24 others. (ANI)

Four-year-old girl beheaded in Taiwan

billion to expand the country's main international airport in Colombo.

The agency said it will fund building a new passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport which suffers congestion from growing tourism, reports Lanka page.

The new passenger terminal building is planned to be opened in 2020 and will enable handling of 15 million passengers a year, more than doubling the present capacity and ease the congestion.

The terminal would use solar energy and recycled water from a sewage plant for the flushing of toilets. It will be built according to modern and international as well as civil aviation services standards.

The project would be developed based on the concept of (an) eco-airport with Japanese advanced technology and knowhow, JICA said.

The Bandaranaike International Airport handled 8.5 million passengers in 2015 and exceeded its capacity of 6 million passen-

gers per annum while tourist arrivals to the country steadily increased since the end of the war in 2009, reaching nearly 1.8 million in 2015.

Vice President of JICA Hidetoshi Irigaki and the Chairman of the Airports and Aviation Service Company S. Saman Ediriweera in the presence of Minister of Transport Nimal Siripala de Silva signed the agreement to provide a Rs. 49 billion line of credit for the project which is estimated to cost Rs. 82 billion.(ANI)

Kerry takes on Trump, says 'anti-Muslim rhetoric' in polls an embarrassment Lahore, Mar. 29 : Hitting out at the current election season's antiMuslim rhetoric, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the prevalent expression this polling season was an "embarrassment" to the United States.

Quoting Kerry from an interview to CBS News "Face the Nation" show, the Dawn reported Kerry saying that such statements had baffled every overseas leader he met this season.

"Everywhere I go, every leader I meet, they ask about what is happening in America. They cannot believe it. I think it is fair to say that they're shocked. They don't know where it's taking the United States of America." He said.

When asked if world leaders were viewing the rhetoric as part of the election circus Kerry said: "It upsets people's sense of equilibrium

John Kerry about our steadiness, about our reliability."

"And to some degree, I must say to you, some of the questions, the way they're posed to me, it's clear to me that what's happening is an embarrassment to our country."

He added.

Earlier, following the deadly attacks in Brussels, United States President Barack Obama urged Americans not to stigmatise the Muslim community while stating

that doing so is counterproductive in the fight against radical Islam.

Obama's remarks came following the controversial remarks made by two Republicans, who are vying to succeed him in the White House.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz Cruz called for increased surveillance of Muslim neighbourhoods while Donald Trump reiterated that Muslims should be temporarily prevented from entering the US. (ANI)

23 Insurgents killed in Afghanistan's military operation

Afghanistan's insurgents Kabul, Mar. 29 : At least 23 insurgents have been killed in the past 24-hours in a military operation in Afghanistan's northeastern Kapisa province.

The 201 Selab Military Corps in a statement of Tuesday confirmed the account, reports Tolo news.

The statement said that in addition 27 others

were injured.

While the statement said that the security forces have recovered weapons from the area during the operation, details about any casualties among Afghan security forces during the operation have not been mentioned.

Meanwhile, the military operation to overthrow the insurgents in the area is underway. (ANI)

Lahore attack: Pak Army chief orders massive counter-terror operations

Karachi, Mar. 29 (ANI): Following the deadly suicide bomb attack at a Lahore park, Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif called on the military and paramilitary Rangers to lauch joint overnight raids against militants in central and southern regions of Punjab leading to the arrest to dozens of terror suspects and their facilitators.

According to the Express Tribune, security forces launched operations against members of banned outfits in various cities of Punjab including Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Kamoki, Sialkot, Narowal, Jehlum, Bahawalpur and Muzzafargarh arresting over 350 suspected terrorists and their facilitators.

"Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif chaired a high-level security meeting at the

General Headquarters (GHQ) today to review progress of operations in Punjab to nab terrorists in the aftermath of Lahore blast.," tweeted Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa, director general of the military's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Monday.

Following the blast, the army chief had chaired a high-level meeting including heads of the Inter Services Intelligence of the military's top brass and called for another meeting within 24 hours and directed them to launch operations to find linkages and perpetrators of the attack.

As many as 72 people were killed, including 29 children, and 370 people were injured when a bomber targeted Christians celebrating Easter at the Gulshan-eIqbal Park in Lahore on Sunday. (ANI)

Lahore attack: Pak authorities to address joint press conference today Islamabad, Mar.29 : In wake of the deadly Lahore attack, Pakistan Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid and InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) head Lt Gen Asim Bajwa will address a joint press conference today.

The announcement comes a day after the military launched a crackdown against militant elements in Punjab, in response to the suicide attack at a Lahore

park that killed 72 people including women and children, reports Dawn.

Bajwa said on Twitter that a number of suspects had been nabbed in five operations across Punjab after the Lahore carnage, but did not officially announce that a widespread operation similar to those underway in the country's northwest and Karachi had been launched in the province.

ISPR head Lt Gen Asim Bajwa

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's 'resolve to fight the menace of terrorism till it is rooted out from our society.'

However Sharif did not announce the initiation of a 'security operation' against militant elements in Punjab inviting political observers to speculate the government and military are not on the same page.

(ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Informalization of Employment And Inclusive Growth President's rule Imposition in Uttarakhand The imposition of President's rule in the state has brought the focus back on Article 356 of the Constitution used and misused for decades by successive governments irrespecPhoto: files.wordpress tive of their political ideology. Capping a nine-day high-voltage political drama, the Centre on Sunday brought Uttarakhand under President's Rule citing a Constitutional breakdown in the wake of a rebellion in the ruling Congress, which slammed the decision calling it a "murder of democracy" and a "black" day. President Pranab Mukherjee signed the proclamation under Art 356 of the Constitution dismissing the Congress government headed by Harish Rawat and placing the Assembly under suspended animation this morning on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet.

The Centre was of the view that continuance of the Rawat government was "immoral and unconstitutional" after 18 March when the Speaker declared the Appropriation Bill "passed" in controversial circumstances without allowing a division pressed for by 35 MLAs, including nine rebel Congress legislators. The crisis started earlier this month, when nine Congress lawmakers, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, rebelled and siding with the BJP, demanded a division of votes on the finance bill. Once President's rule is imposed, the assembly ceases to function and the state comes under the Central government's direct control. The assembly is generally kept in suspended animation. The powers of the state assembly become exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. The executive power shifts from the council of ministers to the governor. Once imposed, President's rule must be approved by Parliament within a period of two months. It can't last for more than six months unless its extension is approved

by Parliament.

The BJP had used the same strategy in Arunachal Pradesh last month. It imposed President's rule in the North Eastern state but ensured that a new government was in place before Parliament convened for the budget session on February 23. The BJP did not form the government in Itanagar. Instead, its 11 legislators extended outside support to dissident Congress MLAs to enable them to form a new government. The Congress dragged the BJP to court in this matter but the apex court rejected its plea that it should be allowed to go in for a floor test in the assembly to prove its majority.

Suicide blast Easter bombing kills 70 Pakistan has suffered regular incidents of Taliban-related violence, sectarian strife and criminal gang activity. At least more than 70 people mostly women and children - have been killed at a crowded park in Pakistan in a suicide blast that also wounded more than 300 people, officials said.

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, later claimed responsibility for the attack in the eastern city of Lahore and said that it was aimed at Christians. The brutality of the attack, Jamaat-urAhrar's fifth bombing since December, reflects the movement's attempts to raise its profile among Pakistan's increasingly fractured Islamist militants.

It was Pakistan's deadliest attack since the December 2014 massacre of 134 school children at a military-run academy in the city of Peshawar that prompted a government crackdown on Islamist militancy.

Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, which is a popular with families, when the bomber blew himself up a few metres from a children's play area. The group claimed responsibility for several big attacks after it split with the main Pakistan Taliban in 2014. It declared allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant but later said it was rejoining the Taliban campaign. In 2014, Pakistan launched an offensive against the Taliban and affiliated groups in the North Waziristan region, seeking to deprive them of safe havens from which to launch attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Lahore is the capital of Punjab, which has normally been more peaceful than other parts of Pakistan. Last year, a bomb killed a popular provincial minister and at least eight others when it destroyed his home in the region. Earlier this month, an explosion on a bus carrying government officials in the north of the country killed at least 15 people.

And a suicide bomber killed 13 people on March 8 after blowing himself up outside a court in Charsadda, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 30km from Peshawar. Lahore, in Punjab province, is Pakistan's second-largest city and historically the country's cultural capital.And Islamists have attacked it regularly over the years, but for many months Pakistan's army and security services have been carrying out a big military operation against militant groups - especially aimed at the Taliban in the mountains bordering Afghanistan.

Informalization of Em- from having no social proployment And Inclusive tection, most of these inGrowthIndia has wit- formal workers have low nessed a high growth rate earnings and low labour of over 6 per cent per an- productivity. As such, alnum during the three de- though the incidence of cades from early 1990s to poverty has declined, still 2012. Due to both inter- its level is high. The India national and domestic fac- labour and Employment tors, the growth rates con- Report 2014 (Institute for siderably slowed down for Human Development, two years thereafter. How- 2014) has estimated that as e v e r , per the presently Pranjal Bezborah current ofit seems ficial povthat the economy is well erty line, one fourth of the on the path of recovery Indian workers are poor. If and the growth rate has the current poverty line is shown an increasing trend. enhanced to about $2 Now, India with a growth (PPP), nearly 58 per cent rate of around 7 per cent of the workers would be is the fastest growing large poor. This shows that more economy in the world. than unemployment, low There has been consider- earning s of the majority of able decline in the inci- the workers in the informal dence of poverty as well as employment is the crux of improvement in other in- the problem. dicators of well being such Some other important as education and health. concerns also indicate that Despite these achieve- the high growth in India ments, poverty is still has not been inclusive over widespread and employ- the period. First concern is ment has grown slower the concentration of good than the earlier periods employment in the formal with increasing sector in some regions. informalization.

The central and eastern India is among those coun- regions with high concentries in the world where tration of tribal and other informalization of vulnerable groups account workforce is one of the for only 27 per cent of all highest in 2011-12. Only organized private sector 18 per cent of the jobs of the country. On the workforce was regular in other hand, the southern, formal sector out of which western and northern reonly around 7.5 per cent gions with 49 per cent of was with regular formal the country's population employment with social account for close to three security. Even in the for- fourth of all private sector mal sector, the share of in- jobs. The regional excluformal workers has been sion in the process of high increasing over the years growth is thus, a matter of and now it stands at real concern. The unequal around 58 per cent. Apart access of women to em-

Image for representational purpose (Photo: hcamag) ployment and discrimination in the labour market poses yet another challenge. Much larger proportion of women workers are engaged in low productive and less remunerative activities than their male counterparts. An important reason for the declining participation of women in work is the lack of appropriate employment opportunities for them. In the wake of rising educational enrolments, coming years will witness a big surge in the number of educated women. The educated female unemployment rate in the country is 23 per cent which is double than the corresponding rate for males. Thus, the challenge for creating suitable employment opportunities for the young bulge is likely to accumulate sharply in

future. This will be much more daunting for females because unlike most of the males, they are unable to migrate freely in search of jobs due to patriarchal nature of the society.

Although India has been able to make significant dent in absolute poverty, it has not been very successful in creating sufficient quality employment. Addressing the challenge of devising appropriate strategies and policies for employment intensive inclusive growth is indeed a very formidable challenge before the country. There is no doubt that sustained growth is necessary for attacking unemployment, underemployment and poverty. However, at the same time it is not suffi-

cient.

In this context, more important is reorienting and restructuring the growth process. The appropriate macroeconomic policy in combination with monetary and fiscal policy can play an important role in this regard. The employment goal should be included in the country's macroeconomic and fiscal policies. Similarly, the backward regions should be an important focus of these policies by suitable investment, and other incentive mechanisms.

We cannot expect that market-led growth process will correct these imbalances. An active state intervention with robust and appropriate macroeconomic policies and strategies is absolutely necessary for reducing regional

imbalances. The low level as well as poor quality of education and skills in the country is an important factor responsible for the low earnings and poor productivity of workers. So, large investments in human capital by the governments, particularly in education, skills and health, are important. The backward regions like North Eastern Region are considerably lagging behind the relatively advanced states in terms of the physical infrastructure. Thus, as a whole it is absolutely necessary that the process of growth is reoriented as to take care of the disadvantaged groups and regions so as to create better jobs.

The employment intensive pro-poor growth strategy and the improved and reoriented employment generation programmes will go a long way in achieving social inclusion. But even then given the nature of political economy and functioning of the market, vulnerabilities and exclusions, although declining, are likely to persist. Therefore, the government has to play an active role by some other effective measures. The most important measure to address them will be providing a minimum level of social protection which can take care of their unemployment, illness, old age and similar such contingencies.

Pranjal Bezborah is a Professor in the Department of Commerce, Dibrugarh University. Email id: pranjalbezborah@yahoo.com

Once Again, Pakistan Scuttles South Asian Regional Connectivity Pakistan cannot hold the future of the region hostage to its paranoia regarding India.

It's dĂŠjĂ vu all over again.

Just ahead of the South Asian Association for Regional Coopreation's (SAARC) Foreign Ministers meeting last week, Pakistan backtracked from its support for the transSouth Asian road connectivity project. Suggesting that it needed more time to consider the implications of this project, Pakistan has managed to scuttle a pact that would have allowed free movement of passenger and cargo vehicles between the SAARC nations.

After Pakistan refused to sign this pact at the Kathmandu summit of SAARC in November 2014, India along with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh decided to move ahead of their own accord. In June 2015, these states signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the Regulation of Passenger, Personnel, and Cargo Vehicular Traffic among the four South Asian neighbors in Thimphu, Bhutan. This major initiative is expected to pave the way for a seamless movement of people and goods across their borders for the benefit and integration of the region, thereby galvanizing economic development in South Asia at large. India only has

bilateral motor vehicle agreements with Nepal and Bangladesh, but a multilateral pact would go a long way in boosting trade in the region.

The agreement opens up the possibility of turning border roads into economic corridors, which could increase inter-regional trade within South Asia by 60 percent.

Taking note of the finding that transforming transport corridors into economic corridors could potentially increase intraregional trade within South Asia by almost 60 percent, and trade with the rest of the world by over 30 percent, the joint statement read, "We acknowledge that apart from physical infrastructure, the development of economic corridors within and between our countries requires the implementation of policy and regulatory measures, including the BBIN MVA, which will help address the nonphysical impediments to the seamless movement of goods vehicles and people between our four countries."

A broader SAARC-wide agreement would have allowed the free movement of vehicles for each country cargo as well as passenger vehicles - in the territory of

Harsh V. Pant

other member countries through authorized operators.

After Pakistan's obstructionist stance could not be cleared, India decided to tap its eastern neighbors and the framework of the new agreement was finalized at the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) - another grouping of south Asian countries which includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is notably not part of this grouping.

SASEC was set up in 2001 to bring together these six countries to promote regional prosperity and boost trade by improving cross border connectivity.

India is now pursuing a similar framework between itself, Myanmar, and Thailand in order to get access to the larger ASEAN market through seamless passenger and cargo movement. Among other measures is the standard operating procedure (SOP) India and Bangladesh have signed to operationalize an agreement on coastal shipping last year. The pact is aimed at promoting bilateral trade and bringing down the transportation cost of exportimport cargo. India is also working on operationalizing a 3,200 km road link from

South Asian Association for Regional Coopreation's (SAARC) Conference,2014 (Photo: media.newindianexpress)

Moreh (India) to Mae Sot (Thailand). According to the India-Bangladesh SOP, both countries will have to treat each other's vessels as per international sea transportation norms.

Pakistan's paranoia is also evident in its repeated attempts at denying the use of the land route for trade between Afghanistan and India.

This has resulted in growing ill-will for Pakistan in Afghanistan, even as bilateral Afghan-India relations have continued to grow. Allowing the use of the land route for transit goods between India and Afghanistan would have

opened up new possibilities for more extensive contacts in other areas, with the Pakistani transport sector directly benefiting from the transit trade.

Every day that ordinary Afghans lose opportunities of easy, direct trade with India, Pakistan generates ever more resentment from them.

Covering at least 1.6 billion people across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985, is one of the largest regional organizations in the world. But its achievements to

Proverbial Chameleon And Student Leader

Himanta Biswa Sarma (Photo:thehindu.)

Sir, The lid over the crust has been blown off from the faces of the students leader who recently join congress. AASU's ex-leader Shankar Prasad Roy, who joined BJP couple of months back and when he sensed that he would be deprived of a ticket for fighting assembly polls from Bongaigaon, he immediately resigned from BJP to join congress. These student-leaders took the platform of the student union to amass money which they want to continue uninterrupted to remain in politics either as an M.L.A or a minister. One thing they understand well how to fatten their personal coffers, for them suffering of people is of secondary importance. Common people are of conviction that student-union itself is a profitable business. Behaviour of Shankar Parasad Roy is a glaring example. Of

course, long before him Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bharat Narah exemplified by joining politics to earn more money. Some other great leaders like Prafulla Kr. Mahanta and his associates formed AGP only to destroy the party spurning the aspiration, emotion and sentiment of the people. People are now simply disillusioned.

So is the case with Biswajit Roy the AAKRSU leader who also joined congress.

All the student leaders joining some party or other know very well about the party where their bread will be buttered. What else we hapless people can do but to wish all our aspiring student leaders. "Best of Luck".

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

date have been so minimal that even its constituents have become lackadaisical in their attitudes toward the organization. Improved connectivity in the South Asian region, both through road links and waterways, should be leveraged by regional states as a means to enhance regional cooperation and foster intraregional trade.

This can move the region beyond the blinkers created by Partition, whereby the region has more often than not missed the larger picture of mutual prosperity in pursuit of short-sighted rivalries. In South Asia, the security dynamics between a large India and its smaller neighbors have ensured that the road to economic and political cooperation will be a bumpy one.

And after the emergence of China, that road has become an even more difficult one to traverse. So it is all the more imperative for New Delhi to resolutely push the project of greater regional economic cooperation forward. If Pakistan persists in its obstructionist agenda, New Delhi is right in signalling that Islamabad would find itself marginalized in the larger South Asian dynamic. Pakistan cannot hold the future of the region hostage to its India paranoia.

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

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Page 9

ed

ABITA implements social welfare programs in Assam with its decade old partner UNICEF. Part II Enlisted are some of the programs constituted by the ABITA in association with UNICEF, district administrations and other agencies that continue to positively impact the lives of tea garden workers and their families.

Joyful Learning Program initiated in 2001 2003 and implemented across 63 tea gardens where school teachers were trained on joyful learning methods Crèche Attendant Program which was initiated in 2003-2004 where a large number of crèches were developed and crèche attendants were trained in counseling parents, mothers as well as lactating mothers on malnutrition Young Child Survival Program which was initiated between 2008 and 2011 wherein 315 demo toilets were constructed in 63 tea estates, 58 Sishu Rakhsha Committees were formed and 63 Tea Estate Doctors and Health Assistants were trained on IMNCI (Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness). The IMNCI is an integrated approach to child health that fo-

cuses on the holistic well-being of the child. It focuses primarily on the most common causes of child mortality namely diarrhea, pneumonia, measles, malaria and malnutrition which usually affect young children aged 1 week2months and 2 months5 years (Water Hygiene & Sanitation) WASH Advocacy - This program has been initiated in collaboration with UNICEF and the district administration to improve sanitation facilities in tea estates across 5 districts of Assam. Under the initiative 334 community people were sensitized on the use of water handling and safe drinking water. 737 teachers and AWWs (Anganwadi Workers) were trained on safe drinking water, 6110 trained community people were sensitized on sanitation and hand washing practices, 605 mothers club members were trained on health nutrition and sanitation issues, 67 masons were trained for construction of sanitary toilets, 107 community people were sensitized on diarrhoea

prevention, 227 schools were covered through the WASH awareness campaign.

Formation of Child Protection Committee Under this program, 116 Child Protection Committees (CPC) were formed in 116 member estates, with representatives of the tea management, members, teachers, adolescent members, mothers' club members, labor union leaders etc. building synergy between the representatives of different government schemes, local governance and tea estates to create a protective environment for children and adolescent girls.

Through this initiative, a significant number of social vices were contained. As a result of this program 66 cases of child marriages were stopped, 135 cases of child labor contained and 555 school drop outs were mainstreamed.

Promotion of Protective Environment for Adolescent Girls - Under this program, 187 Adolescent Girls Clubs (AGC) were developed, with a total registered membership of 12301

adolescent girls aged 1019 years. The formation of AGC at estate level has not only helped in providing a formal space for the girls for interaction with their peers and community members, but has also played an important role in empowering the them by increasing their visibility, confidence levels and life skills.

Iron and Folic Acid Supervision program - To reduce wide spread anemia among adolescent girls, the ABITA has directly supervised weekly Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation and biannual de-worming to adolescent girls of 15 tea estates. At the end of the project almost 96% of the adolescent girls were consuming IFA supplements bringing about 13.5% reduction in anemia during 2011 - 2013.

Vulnerability to disease and fatality - Diarrhea and dysentery which assumed endemic proportions were controlled via this initiative.

Tea estate workers are now under the surveillance of the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment under the Revised National Tuberculosis

Women plucking tea leaves (Photo: swadeshiayurvedic) Control Program which is a state run tuberculosis control initiative of the Government of India) where TB medicines are provided free of cost.

Awareness of TB cure campaign has been launched by the Association towards ensuring that workers complete the medication.

Health and SafetyProtective gears are provided to the spraying squads to cover health and safety aspects of workers. Training and

Awareness programmes are conducted regularly at the tea gardens.

The ABITA has also undertaken some innovative approaches such as promoting nutritional security and food diversity by establishing community and individual kitchen gardens for improving the consumption of green leafy vegetables and fulfilling the additional nutritional requirements of adolescents. In order to promote healthy dietary and cooking practices at the house-

hold level, various types of nutritious recipes and cooking demonstrations were done.

It has also established Health Food Shops in tea estates for the benefit of the tea estate families, especially for the targeted women and adolescent girls.

Snapshot 2015 2015 witnessed some significant work undertaken

by ABITA. The Swachch Cha Bagan Program was launched under which the Singlijan and Lankashi tea

estates were declared as an Open defecation free (ODF) tea estate with support from the government department and gram panchayat. 212 Anganwadi & ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers and 612 mothers Club members and service providers were trained on Water, Sanitation & Hygiene issues. In association with tea garden management, 542 toilets were constructed by the management of the respective tea estates and 460 toilets were constructed by the Government. 50 hand pumps were installed and 371 hand pumps were repaired by the tea estate management.

All these welfare schemes have contributed significantly towards better quality of life for the tea garden worker and his family - a life that no other industry in the agricultural sector provides to its workers in India. Going forward, the ABITA endeavours to continue with its good work for the upliftment of Assam's tea workers and ensure better opportunities for the next generation. Concluded

This Non-Violent Method Of Protecting How A Group Of Changemakers Cows Could Also Benefit Our Economy Is Trying To Improve Quality Of It wasn't very long ago to look after the cattle that Mr. Arvind would make him look at Subramanian, the Chief cattle as an asset, rather Economic Adviser while than as a liability. The interacting with students money that the farmer of Economics at the would be able to pocket M u m b a i after the upkeep of the University,declined to an- cattle could act as a deswer the question when terrent. The state only asked if the beef ban needs to ensure that for a would have an fixed period of adverse imset of Prem J Das amonths, pact on farmthe ers' income or on the ru- cumulative sum of money ral economy. He declined he makes by holding on to to answer the question cit- each bovine, would be ing his fear of losing his more than what the farmer job but expressed thanks stands to make if he sells for the question. But in the it to be slaughtered. This question raised lies hidden would make it profitable an alternative means for for the farmer to hold achieving the objective of onto both the bulls and the the cow protection bri- cows that have stopped gades. producing milk.

high price dictated by the markets. This would save the need for providing special permits for visitors in states like the one recently contemplated for an investor meet to be held in the state of Haryana where beef is banned.

The law for implementing the scheme could be expanded by accommodating funds for the construction of biogas plants in local households to ensure that the energy needs of the rural sector are met partially. Utilising the resources of MNREGA to this effect along with the scheme would ensure that the bovines which would have otherwise been a liability turn into an asset

Image for representational purpose (Photo: Flickr) A reverse approach, namely to address the impact on the farmer's income in a positive manner would help achieve the protection of cows without the associated violence of the current approach.

Making use of incentives, taking a cue from the populist programs of the earlier government would turn out to be the best means to protect the cow.

Incentivising the farmer to hold on to bovines that are not productive would serve to protect the interest of both the farmers and the bovines.

An incentive for the farmer that provides for an additional source of income besides helping him

As a result of the farmers holding on to the cattle, the market price for cattle would increase. The butcher would end up having to pay a higher price for the cattle which would, in turn, make the price of beef exorbitantly high in the market. A very high price would turn off many people from beef.

This would ensure that cows would be protected across the country. This would also include states that do not have a law in place banning beef. In case of tourists and dignitaries visiting the country to attend investor meets or other events, they could still consume beef, by paying the very

not just to the farmer but to the entire community.

Training the farmers to make use of agrarian and other organic wastes to produce biogas would contribute to the efforts towards cleanliness. The byproduct of fertilisers from the biogas plants would also help the farmers. Overall, this would end up being an initiative that helps not just the farmer, but the community and the nation.

The fallout of the current approach of banning beef consumption would be the best advocate for the alternative approach. The ban on beef has led to violence and even the death of many people. The emergence of

vigilante groups that violate the privacy of many citizens across the country under the guise of implementing the ban is another reason. The climate of fear that is being created could eventually lead to something even more sinister. In addition, the videos attributed to these organisations circulating on social media do not confirm to the standards that we ought to set for the modern nation that we aspire to build.

In contrast to the beef ban, the approach for incentivising farmers would be a modern approach that addresses not only the religious sentiments of a significant section of the population but also helps the farmers suffering from adverse climate change. This approach could also find support to be made into a law cutting across party lines in a Parliament that is quite often divided.

This would satisfy the stated objectives of most political parties, be it farmer protection or cow protection. It would also ensure the objective of protecting the bovines, without the state dictating as to what the citizens could or couldn't eat.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the approach would be the government. This would help stop many of the headlines that have been causing it a headache recently.

It would help the government to move on from this issue by turning this into an opportunity for rural empowerment. It could finally move on to addressing other issues that need its attention.

This would enable many of our youth to be relieved of their activities related to vigilante groups and move to more constructive ones. It would help many citizens live free from the climate of fear and the possibility of being killed in the name of the cow.

Education In Rural India

It all started in a small After completing engi- So, we started our first test questions. 52% town called Dhule where neering with a campus IT campaign called the failed to answer acaI studied till 10th standard, job in hand, I started an 'Brainovention Talent demic questions which in an atmosphere where NGO called 'The Change Search Exam'. were set from the middle students were more used Foundation' at the age of This exam aimed at of chapters in their to 'Guides' and 'In My 21 in 2014. Our objective searching for students in course work. But 81% of Pocket' books for study- was to change the way rural areas who have the the students managed to ing instead of academic students are educated as capability of doing some- answer 90% of the acastate board books. These these were, we felt, inef- thing innovative but are demic questions which were not f i c i e n t unable do so due to insuf- were from the end of the only for Sandip Wankhede ways of ficient sources of educa- chapter. studying increas- tional material and weak Based on those results but came in handy inside ing talent. In 2014-15, the financial conditions. and analysis we designed the examination hall for Global Talent Competi- We managed to conduct our question papers to be copying answers. The tiveness Index put India the exam in 2015 January more precise. This year, same issue still persists in at the 78th position for its in 10 rural schools where we conducted this exam small towns and villages where marks have more importance than the skill set you develop.

Books are more often used to read and learn readymade questions at the last of every chapter.

Few teachers understand what teaching really means. Despite having 83% marks in my Class X exams, it became difficult for me to survive in the urban competitive world when I came to Pune in the search of good IIT JEE coaching institutions. The minimum cut-off percentage for admission to any reputed Image for representational purpose (Photo: The Change Foundation) college was 93%. It was tough but I somehow managed to get into a talent competitiveness more than 3000 students for more than 500 stugood college. despite having the second participated. The exam dents in rural areas. SeWhen I was searching for largest population. This was conducted at two lev- lected students from this IIT JEE coaching institu- can only be improved if els where 48 were se- exam will be made a part tions, I met one of my we focus on learning and lected at the first level and of programmes like comfriends' sister's teacher not memorising. then 15 in the final. With puter literacy, science who taught Mathematics Another important issue help from the Idea Foun- projects, smart study and for the IIT JEE. He asked we looked at was the dation along with e-learning for better unme and my friend to ex- state of rural students. GiveIndia Foundation, we derstanding. plain one simple law of a We worked in many ur- provided these students Our work is resulting in scientist from our Class X ban schools and got to with materials that would improving child education course. We explained it to know that many of them help them study better. standards to develop him, but we had failed to have parents who can We also enrolled them in skilled manpower and properly understand the them help them move in computer literacy pro- sustainable efficient eduword 'explain'. We simply the right direction. In ru- grams in their respective cation in rural areas. To read it. This man told us ral areas and small towns, areas for more than three reduce unemployment is the same thing. We were and some urban munici- months for free. our long term goal. We do told that we had pal schools, students not Around 80% of the stu- realise that we are not memorised the law and only have inadequate in- dents failed to answer reaching out to all stunot learned it. This formation and educa- simple general aware- dents. We hope that we thought was a turning tional material but also ness questions. 78% can slowly broaden our point in my life. lack vision and guidance. failed to solve intelligence reach.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

BUSINESS

10% fall in onion exports fall in Apr-Dec New Delhi, Mar 29: The country's onion exports declined by 10 percent to 6.95 lakh tonnes during April-December period of the ongoing fiscal due to restrictions on outbound shipments. However, exports rose by 44 percent in value terms to Rs 1,961.60 crore in the first nine months of financial year 2015-16 on higher realisation, according to the data compiled by National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF).

Onion exports stood at 6,95,231.32 tonnes during the nine-month period as against 7,76,291.13

Kia Motors set to enter India Korea, Mar 29: Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Korean auto giant Hyundai, is all set for an India entry. The company, which sells cars across Europe, China, US and in home market Korea, feels that a play in India is critical as the country gains volumes and races towards becoming the third-biggest car market globally by 2020, as projected by many agencies. Kia sells cars such as 'Sportage' compact SUV, 'Soul' cross-over and 'Rio' hatchback. It has already started preliminary work on identifying land for its factory and is looking at possible models and suppliers. "Once completed, the factory may even be used by Hyundai to manufacture of some of its models," said a top source. Hyundai is about to reach peak output at its factory near Chennai and has been cutting back on export shipments to make space for new models.

"Kia has completed numerous reports on the Indian market, including a detailed feasibility study," a source in the know of the developments said. Kia, which sold a little over 3 million vehicles last year, has been eyeing the Indian market for many years, but has so far refrained from making investments here.

The slowdown here over the past few years and its own expansion projects in many other markets, including top-seller China, resulted in a delay in investments. The source said it may take at least two to three years before Kia starts selling cars in India. "Apart from identifying land for the factory, the company will need to take a lot of permissions and clearances from various authorities.

Also, the project work for localizing some of the global models needs to be taken up," the source said. (Agencies)

On retrospective tax cases Vodafone, Cairn Energy will never forced: Arun Jaitley New Delhi, Mar 29: In the latest, the government has said that it will not be coercing Vodafone and Cairn Energy to take up its one-time offer so as to settle the pending retrospective cases. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that it was up to these companies to take their call on the issue. "This is an alternate route which I have suggested. The option is theirs. Nobody is being coerced to accept one route or the other. If they want to continue with the litigation, so be it‌the outcome of the litigation will determine (the fate of tax demand)." Jaitley said.

The option before such companies was either to accept the offer of paying principal tax amount and get waiver from interest and penalty, or continue litigation, he said during an interaction with journalists. (Agencies)

tonnes in the corresponding period of the last financial year, according to the data. The exports dipped in the volume terms as the government had hiked the minimum export price (MEP) to USD 425 per tonne in June and then to USD 700 per tonne in August last after prices skyrocketed on lower output due to unseasonal rains.

The government had on December 25, 2015 scrapped the onion MEP to push exports as domestic prices crashed. MEP is the rate below which no trader is allowed to export. In value terms, however, the exports increased to Rs

FALL IN EXPORT The country's onion exports declined by 10 percent to 6.95 lakh tonnes during AprilDecember period of the ongoing fiscal due to restrictions on outbound shipments.

The exports dipped in the volume terms as the government had hiked the minimum export price (MEP) to USD 425 per tonne in June and then to USD 700 per tonne in August last after prices skyrocketed on lower output due to unseasonal rains.

India had exported 10,86,071.85 tonnes of onion for Rs 2,009.94 crore in the full 201415 financial year.

Onion exports stood at 6,95,231.32 tonnes during the nine-month period as against 7,76,291.13 tonnes in the corresponding period of the last financial year.

Onion production stood at 189 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (JulyJune). In the 2015-16 crop year, production is estimated at 206 lakh tonnes.

1,961,60 crore in the first nine months of this fiscal from Rs 1,364.76 crore in

the corresponding period of 2014-15 fiscal due to higher sales realisation, the

data showed. The average price realisation stood at Rs 28,215.12 per tonne so far

The average price realisation stood at Rs 28,215.12 per tonne so far this fiscal as against Rs 18,506.56 per tonne achieved in the entire 2014-15.

this fiscal as against Rs 18,506.56 per tonne achieved in the entire 201415. India had exported 10,86,071.85 tonnes of onion for Rs 2,009.94 crore in the full 2014-15 financial year. Onion production stood at 189 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June). In the 2015-16 crop year, production is estimated at 206 lakh tonnes. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are the top three onion-producing states in the country. Onion prices are currently ruling at Rs 20-25 per kg in the retail market of the national capital. (Agencies)

75 lakh MT wheat for Rabi season 2016-17 to be bought by Haryana Ludhiana, Mar 29: Haryana government recently said it has made all arrangements for the procurement of 75 lakh metric tonne of wheat for Rabi marketing season 2016-17, starting from April. "All arrangements for smooth procurement of wheat and other grains during the Rabi season2016 have been made," a spokesman of Haryana Food and Supplies Department said here. The procurement agencies have also made necessary arrangements for packing material for procurement of 75 lakh MT of wheat, he said. The state government was committed to making payments to the farmers within 48-72 hours of their grains being procured, he said. This year, about 75 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of wheat is expected to arrive in the mandis. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat has been fixed at Rs

Image for representational purpose only.

(Photo:agricorner) 1,525 per quintal. As many as 379 mandis or purchase centres have been set up across the state. The Food and Supplies Department and HAFED would purchase 33% each of the wheat in the mandis. Similarly, the Food Corporation of India and the Haryana Warehousing Corporation will purchase 12% each, and the

Haryana Agro Industries Corporation 10% of the total arrival of wheat.

Steps have been taken to ensure that mandis are equipped with such basic amenities as drinking water, electricity, pucca platforms, sheds and parking place. The mandis have been so spaced as to ensure that the farmers are not required to travel more

than one km to sell their produce, the spokesman added. The production of barley is likely to be about 1.5 lakh MT and about 10,000 MT of barley is likely to arrive in the mandis. The MSP for barley has been fixed at Rs 1,225 per quintal. In the event market prices of barley fall below the MSP, the state procurement agencies would effect its purchase on MSP in the mandis allocated to them.

The spokesman said that the production of gram was likely to be about 1.05 lakh MT this year. Its MSP has been fixed at Rs 3,425 per quintal. Since the trend has been that the market prices of gram generally rule higher than the MSP, the need to purchase at MSP may not arise. In case the market prices tend to fall below MSP, HAFED would make the purchases at MSP on behalf of NAFED. The spokesman said that

over and above the MSP, bonus of Rs 75 per quintal would also be payable on gram and mustard.

Similarly, in case the price of mustard falls below the MSP, which has been fixed at Rs 3,350 per quintal, HAFED would affect purchases on MSP on behalf of NAFED. The Managing Director of HAFED would issue necessary guidelines, allocation of mandis and specifications prescribed by the Central Government for the purchase of mustard to the district managers. The procurement agencies would ensure that the farmers do not get a price lower than the MSP, and that they do not resort to any distress sale of their produce. The spokesman said that the Food and Supplies Department would set up control rooms at the state and district headquarters well before the commencement of the season. (Agencies)

Nandita Bakshi appointed as President, CEO of Bank of the West Wahington, Mar 29: Indian-American Nandita Bakshi has been appointed the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of the West, a unit of French banking giant BNP Paribas. Bakshi, 57, will replace Michael Shepherd as Bank of the West's next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is expected to join the bank as a CEO-in-training on April 1 and will take the helm officially on June 1.

She earned a bachelor's degree in History at the University of Calcutta and a masters in International Relations and Affairs at Jadavpur University. A New England News 'Woman of the Year' award recipient in 2002, Bakhshi also serves on the board of the Con-

sumer Bankers Association. "I am excited to join Bank of the West, one of US' most reputable banks.

Bank of the West is well positioned in the US market, and I am thrilled at the prospect of leading an organisation with such a strong focus on customer service," Bakhshi said in a statement. "We are pleased to welcome Nandita Bakhshi to Bank of the West. Her extensive experience in product and distribution, coupled with her visionary thinking, relentless customer focus and values-driven philosophy will serve us well in taking Bank of the West to greater heights," head of international retail banking for BNP Paribas Stefaan Decraene said. Bank of

Indian-American Nandita Bakshi has been appointed the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of the West. (Photo: politicalmirror) the West's parent company BNP Paribas is revamping its US operations to meet new regulations. "I am very pleased that Nandita Bakhshi is

joining Bank of the West.

Her energy, innovative ideas and proven record of accomplishments are a great combination with our strong franchise and

corporate culture," Shepherd said. Bakhshi previously held several leadership roles at TD Bank, the most recent being executive vice president and head of North American direct channels where she was responsible for driving innovation in direct and electronic channels to improve digital adoption and provide customers a unified banking experience. She also held executive positions at Washington Mutual in Seattle which is now JP Morgan Chase; FleetBoston, which is now Bank of America; First Data Corp, Home Savings of America and Banc One Corp.

(Agencies)

Stake in Sakra Hospital sold by Kirloskar

Sakra's former chairperson Geetanjali Kirloskar.

(Photo: asiaone) Bengaluru, Mar 29: The Kirloskar Group has sold

its majority stake in Bengaluru-based Sakra

Hospital to the two Japanese companies who were part of the joint venture, making it perhaps the first hospital in the country to be owned fully by foreign entities since India permitted 100% FDI in the sector in 2000. Kirloskar started the hospital in 2013, partnering with Toyota Tsusho, the trading arm of Toyota Group, and Secom Medical System, the medical arm of Japanese security company Secom. It was the first hospital in India to be operated jointly by Japanese and Indian companies. Toyota Tsusho owned 18%, Secom 32%,

while Kirloskar owned the remaining 50%. Sakra's former chairperson Geetanjali Kirloskar confirmed the move, saying that she and the two other directors, Vikram Kirloskar and Kailasam Jayavelu, who represented the Kirloskar Group, resigned from the board on Thursday. "My vision of running the hospital was diverging from the way Secom wanted to run it and they were keen to get more control of the management and administration," Geetanjali Kirloskar said. She added that they did not make any profit from the stake sale.

Post the sale, Secom will

own 60% and Toyota Tsusho the rest, Sakra managing director Toshimasa Yashima said, declining to comment further. Secom, which operates 5,500 hospital beds across 18 hospitals in Japan, has a market capitalization of about $20 billion. The joint venture was set up with an investment of about Rs 200 crore, including equity of Rs 120 crore and Rs 80 crore in debt. The plan was to create 20,000 hospital beds in India.

Geetanjali said the lack of clarity regarding the hospital's vision could be the reason for the exodus of doctors and executives.

(Agencies)

PAGE 10

Jet Airways starts flights to Amsterdam, its new European hub

Jet Airways chairman, Naresh Goyal. (Photo: asianenterprise) Amsterdam, Mar 29: Private carrier Jet Airways recently commenced operations to Amsterdam with the launch of nonstop services from Mumbai, Delhi and Toronto, making the Dutch capital its new European gateway for its international operations. The airline's first flights to Amsterdam departed from Mumbai and Delhi with a full complement of Premiere and Economy guests on board an Airbus 330-300 aircraft. Jet Airways flight 9W 232 from Mumbai departed at 0225 hours on Sunday, followed by flight 9W 234 from Delhi at 0235 hours. Meanwhile, the first flight from Toronto, 9W 233, departed at 1935 hours (local time), the airline said in a statement. "Today marks the start of our new service connecting three continents, together with our code share partners KLM and Delta Air Lines.

We are happy to operate daily flights to Amsterdam from Mumbai, Delhi and Toronto, thereby providing greater choice and connectivity to our guests and facilitating trade and cooperation between India and the Netherlands," Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said. Through Amsterdam as Jet Airways new European gateway and along with its code share partners, the airline will now offer seamless connectivity to over 30 destinations in Europe and 11 destinations in the United States and Canada to our guests, he said. Guests flying from Amsterdam will be able to access Jet Airways network of 48 destinations within India as well as destinations in the Indian subcontinent and Asia via Mumbai and Delhi, the airline said. All three flights landed at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on schedule, it added. (Agencies)

Indian Railways to launch new technique for cancelling train tickets New Delhi, Mar 29: Indian Railway is set to launch a facility next month for the hassled passengers who find it hard to reach its counters within the stipulated time to cancel their confirmed tickets and claim refund.

"One has to dial 139 giving details of the confirmed ticket for cancelling it and the sender will get a one-time password (OTP).

Passenger has to reach the counter the same day and reveal the OTP to claim refund," said a senior Railway Ministry official. After the change in refund rules, a lot of passengers are now finding it difficult to reach counters to cancel the reserved tickets within the stipulated time and as a result they are losing money. According to the new refund rules, railway has doubled the ticket cancellation charge with the

aim of helping genuine passengers get confirmed tickets. "The refund rules were revised to discourage touts and ticketing agents who engage in black marketing of tickets," said the official, adding "however, it has also resulted in inconvenience in some genuine cases.

So we are now providing the 139 facility for cancellation." Coming to the aid of harried passengers, railways will launch the cancellation facility through 139 service so that one does not have to rush to the counter to cancel confirmed tickets.

The tickets which are booked online can be cancelled on the ticketing websites. The 139 facility is for those who bought tickets from counters. The software is ready and the facility is likely to be formally launched in the second week of April. (Agencies)

JUST A CALL AWAY Indian Railway is set to launch a facility next month for the hassled passengers who find it hard to reach its counters within the stipulated time to cancel their confirmed tickets and claim refund.

One has to dial 139 giving details of the confirmed ticket for cancelling it and the sender will get a one-time password (OTP). Passenger has to reach the counter the same day and reveal the OTP to claim refund.

After the change in refund rules, a lot of passengers are now finding it difficult to reach counters to cancel the reserved tickets within the stipulated time and as a result they are losing money.

According to the new refund rules, railway has doubled the ticket cancellation charge with the aim of helping genuine passengers get confirmed tickets.

Coming to the aid of harried passengers, railways will launch the cancellation facility through 139 service so that one does not have to rush to the counter to cancel confirmed tickets.

The tickets which are booked online can be cancelled on the ticketing websites. The 139 facility is for those who bought tickets from counters.

The software is ready and the facility is likely to be formally launched in the second week of April.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Features

PAGE 11

HORTICULTURE Rays of hope for the 'local' in Meghalaya Even as many pockets of to miss some of the modthe state, including its ern day calamities of 'decapital, battle the ravages velopment'. Shillong, the of development and con- capital city, is bursting at sumerism, a couple of its seams. There are wavillages visited by the ter shortages in some arauthor stand as examples eas in the dry season. of resilient local econo- As I travelled to the mies and lifestyles. countryside, I noticed Aditya entire Vikram Aditya Vikram Rametra h i l l Rametra slopes describes what he saw being chopped off for quarrying of limestone, here.

Meghalaya is a delight- and quartz. There is a ful, hilly state carved cash crop (in fact a wild from the erstwhile state grass, that quickly of Assam in 1972. Fabled spreads over the entire for its waterfalls, and the landscape!), called lush green landscape, the 'Bromus' (generic name), state is rather sparsely which is used to make populated; the popula- brooms. This menace has tion density being just a spread like wildfire, with little over 100 people per the potential of every sq. km. Bounded on the poor household earning north and east by Assam some quick money acting and on the south and west as a powerful incentive. by Bangladesh, Holding their ground Meghalaya is spread against such evident colover an area of 22,429 lateral damages of develsquare kilometers, over opment are a couple of one-third of which is still villages that spell hope pristine forests. for the ecology, The state is rich in min- localisation and sustainerals and resources - able progress.

Coal, Limestone, Silli- Nongtraw manite, Dolomite, Fire- Nongtraw is a picturclay, Felspar, and Quartz. esque village nestled in The major forest produce the East Khasi Hills, includes timber, bamboo, some 45 kilometres from reed, cane, ipecac, and the state capital, other medicinal herbs Shillong. The village, and plants. which is situated at the As one travels through bottom of a steep valley, the state, one is struck by can only be reached by the natural beauty of the climbing down 2,500 landscape, but it is hard steps. It takes a good one

hour to get down to the village, and longer to get back up. And while the visitors crib and groan, the local lads go up and down as if it's a piece of cake!

To survive in a difficult terrain in all the different seasons is a remarkable achievement. While climbing down the steps, one stops every now and then to catch the beautiful, awe-inspiring views!

The village is not very old; it all began in 1963 with three families. The people of Nongtraw are deeply connected to their lands, and their primary occupation is agriculture. " Organic vegetable garden in school: Nongtraw has one Government School up to class V. The School has an organic vegetable garden attached to its premises. Pius Ranee, a local youth who now works with NESFAS, was instrumental in setting up the organic garden. Both the teachers and the students in the School take pride in (and have fun) growing their vegetables. " Revival of traditional food and agriculture: The village takes the lead in the revival of millet cultivation, in the traditional way of planting the crop. The traditional way of agriculture

in this region has been the 'jhum' cultivation.

While there are fierce debates on the pros and cons of 'jhum' cultivation, what often gets ignored is the community's perspective and learning over the years. NESFAS has been working closely with the communities to improve on the 'jhum' cycles and methodology, rather than junk the whole ideology in one go! The current fallow cycle followed is nine years; and while preparing the fields for cultivation, only the branches of the trees are cut, leaving behind the trees.

One of the women pioneers in the revival of millet cultivation is Kong Bibiana Ranee, a community leader who hails from the village, and is now a Board Member with NESFAS. Kong Bibiana is an active advocate of local food and traditional agriculture.

She was invited for the international Terra Madre event in Turin in 2010 and 2012 and also participated in the first Indigenous Terra Madre held in Jokmokk, Sweden. Today her village grows several varieties of millets, the finger millet being the most popular.

The other major crops cultivated by the village people are Tapioca,

Methods and techniques of Bay Leaf farming Introduction of Bay Leaf:Bay leaf also known as sweet laurel leaf is a dried leaf or ever green shrub that belongs the family of "Lauraceae" and whose botanical name is "Laurus

healing wounds. *Bay leaves may help in controlling blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetes. *Bay leaves may help in preventing kidney stones. *Bay leaf and its berries

ganic matter. They thrive best in the soils with the pH of 6.0 to 8.0.

Land Preparation in Bay Leaf Farming:- Make the main field weed free and tilth by giving couple of

Dried Bay Leaves (Photo: agrifarming) nobilis L". Bay leaf is indigenous to Asia and reacts the shape of elliptical and the size of bay leaves vary from 2.5 to 8 cm in length & 1.5 to 2.5 in breadth. In India, bay leaves are popularly known as "Tej patta" in Hindi and mainly used as culinary herb. It works as a flavouring agent especially in "biryani", soups, meat, stews and sauces. It is also being used in confectionaries. Apart from the culinary use, the oil extracted from the bay leaves are used for many medicinal purposes. Bay leaves contain about 1.5 % to 2.5 % of essential oil. In India, It is usually grown in Northern regions of the country.

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses of Bay Leaf:- Following are some of the health benefits of Bay Leaves. *Bay leaves may help in

have plenty of medicinal uses. It has great appetite stimulant properties, astringent and diuretic. *The oil extracted from the bay leaves (Essential oil) contain mostly cineol. *Bay leaves contain the lauric acid which has insect repellent properties.

High Production States in India:- North east India Mountains, Himalayas southern slopes, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

Climate Required for Bay Leaf Farming:- These trees require full sunlight and needs to be protected from cold winds and frost when they are young. They grow well in warn and moist climates like of Mediterranean region.

Soil Requirement for Bay Leaf Farming:- Bay leaf grows well in fertile welldrained soils with good or-

ploughings and hoeings.

Supplement the soil with well rotten farm yard manure for better yield of bay leaves.

Propagation in Bay Leaf Farming:- Propagation done through from cuttings of side roots (or) by layering shoots.

Planting and Spacing in Bay Leaf Farming:- Best time to plant the bay leaf is summer as it requires good sun light.

Spacing of 4 to 6 meters should be maintained.

Manures and Fertilizers in Bay Leaf Farming:Supplement the soil with well rotten farm yard manure for enhancing the soil richness.

In organic fertilizers like nitrogen, potash also applied for any soil nutrient deficiency.

Training, Pruning and Thinning in Bay Leaf Farming:- For proper growth of the bay leaf tree, training, thinning and pruning should be carried out in

the bay leaf plantation, Mulching in Bay Leaf Farming:- As these trees need constant moisture in the soil mulching is very important operation that needs to be carried out. It can be accomplished by dry grass or dry leaves.

Inter-Cropping in Bay Leaf Farming:- For an extra income, farmers can practice inter cropping with vegetables or pulses for initial 1 to 2 years. Later any shade loving crops can be cultivated.

Irrigation in Bay Leaf Farming:- Constant soil moisture is recommended for better growth, avoid over irrigating the plants. Drip irrigation can be adopted for efficient water use.

Weed Control in Bay Leaf Farming:- Weeding and Hoeing is needed in the yield. Land should be free from any weeds. Weedicide application can be used for controlling any weeds.

Pests and Diseases in Bay Leaf Farming:- The common insects and pests found in bay leaf farming are aphids, hard shelled scales and mites. These can be prevented by applying neem oil.

It may also require several applications to control the block spots caused by these insects. A fungal infection may also create bay leaf spots, in this case destroy the affected leaves and apply sulfur spray to control further infection and black spots.

Harvesting in Bay Leaf Farming:- Leaves will be ready for harvesting in couple of years, hand picking of undamaged and healthy leaves should be practiced.

Yield of Bay Leaf :- Yield depends on the soil moisture holding capacity and the weather conditions. An average yield of 6 tonnes per hectare can be obtained.

Sweet Potato, Maize, Cucumber, Wild Vegetables, Black Currant/ Berry (Sohiong) and E l a e a g n u s latifolia(Sohshang).

Besides agriculture, the people are also involved in Beekeeping, Piggery, Local Poultry and Bamboo Handicraft. While honey and most vegetables find an easy market, it is quite a challenge to work on the processing and marketing of millets. Changing consumer tastes add to the challenge. NESFAS is currently working with the communities to market their produce more effectively.

Khweng . Khweng is a village in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, and is situated at a distance of 40 kilometres from the capital city, Shillong. Mainly inhabited by the Khasi community, the village is comprised of a hundred households with a total population of six hundred.

Agriculture is the main vocation and the preferred method is 'jhum' cultivation. Biodiversity mapping exercises have revealed a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown / found in the region: ginger, turmeric, yam, tubers, pumpkins, beans, wild vegetables,

Local seeds produced in Meghalaya (Photo: indiatogether ) cereals, lentils, roots, several varieties of local fish and fruits, etc. There are some 20 varieties of yam alone! Similarly at one point of time, there were some 17 varieties of rice grown in the village; a few varieties have now disappeared.

Like everywhere else, there is a threat to traditional and subsistence agriculture; therefore the need to strengthen the community and its linkages to food and farming practices. This is precisely where creative, non-imposing, and empowering collaborations with the local communities can make a difference.

NESFAS has identified two custodian farmers -

Kong Redian Syiem and Kong Diamond Sakra (Note: In Khasi language, 'Kong' means sister, and 'Bah' means brother). These 'custodian farmers' are trained to preserve, promote and adapt the traditional crop varieties to the local ecology. Between them, the two grow over 80 varieties of crops in their fields!

There are also some active self-help groups (SHGs) in the village, who are involved in food processing activities.

Using the local produce imaginatively, the SHGs have come up with products like ginger candy, bamboo pickle, local fruit syrups etc.

Another hallmark of the

village is the active 'Eri' silk rearing and weaving culture. Eri rearing is very common in the community, with most households rearing the worm during the autumn season i.e. the months of September and October, before the harvesting of paddy. Weaving provides an additional source of income for some families.

'Mei Ram-ew' café, or the 'Mother Earth' café.

The café is the initiative of one of the active community members, Kong Plantina. The concept of a 'Mother Earth' café is simple but powerful - it links the local natural produce to tasty, wholesome food on the table.

Courtesy: Indiatogether.

ART AND CULTURE

Popular Dance forms of North East India The North East is a melting an impression of fluttering Dance is performed to ap- to the beat of the music. pot of cultures and many butterflies in which young pease the Goddess Ka Blei The lyrics mainly relate to custom and festival is cel- women perform slow steps Synshar for a rich bumper Krishna and Radha. ebrated. Dance is an inte- with outstretched hands. A harvest and prosperity of Dhamail is an integral part gral part of the region and group of girls dressed in the people. Young girls of almost every occasion one would be in awe of most colourful traditional wear traditional wear and and claps are the only dress usually gold ornaments for this rhythm for this dance as not them. There this dance. While the young many musical instruments is so much Paulami Dutta perform dance with men carry swords with are used. variety and the accom- them. The dance is a treat Cheraw color that it Cheraw is a popular dance is difficult to choose be- paniment of traditional mu- to watch. form of Mizoram. Popular tween dance forms. We sical instruments of Bodos Dhamail listed five of the popular like serja (a bowed instru- Though it has its origin in known as 'bamboo dance' ment), sifung (flute), the Sylhet district now in due to the use of bamboos, dance forms here.

Ras Lila This Manipuri dance is one of the major classical dance forms of India. Ras Lila is the epitome of the Manipuri classical dance and is interwoven through the eternal love story of Krishna, Radha and the Gopikas.

Characterized by its gentle, rhythmic and slow delicate movements, the performers a wear elaborate costumes.

The skirts of these female dancers are cylindrical in shape and are very attractive and also one of the reasons why this dance form stands out. A number of instruments like Pung (small cymbals), a string instrument called Pena and a flute Ras Lila, a popular Manipuri dance form (Photo: staticflickr) is also used.

Bagurumba The Bagurumba dance is tharkha (a piece of split Bangladesh, the Dhamail the dancer moves by stepdear to the Bodos of bamboo), kham/madal a folk dance is an integral ping alternatively in an out Assam. It is a spring time long drum made of wood part of the Barak Valley from between the pair of culture. Radha Raman horizontal bamboos. They dance. . The dance is the and goatskin.

Dutta, who was a composer tap the bamboos, open and usually performed during Shad Nongkrem Bwishagu festival of the The Shad Nongkrem dance of Sylheti folk music is close in rhythmic beats.

Bodos in the Bishuba is held during autumn at considered to have contrib- The bamboos, when Sankranti or in Mid-April. Smit. The five-day long re- uted a lot to this dance clapped, produce a sharp It is a graceful and capti- ligious festival of the form. Dhamail dance is sound which forms the vating dance form and has Khasis is known for show- performed by a group of rhythm of the dance. It also rhythmic moves as well as casing the rich culture of ladies. Ladies move in a indicates the timing for the vivacity. The dance gives the Khasis. The Nongkrem circle clapping their hands moves of the dancers.

cmyk

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PAGE 12

King Kohli reclaims number- Evergreen one T20 batting ranking in semifinal ANI New Delhi, Mar 29 : Indian batting star Virat Kohli, who single-handedly steered his side into the semifinals of the World Twenty20 after defeating Australia, has replaced Aaron Finch as the number one batsman in the latest ICC T20 rankings.

Kohli, who averages 92 after scoring 184 runs in four matches at a strike-rate of over 132, had entered the tournament 24 points behind Aaron Finch, but has now opened up a 68-point advantage over the Australian.

England's Joe Root has rocketed 38 places to career-high 11th after scoring168 runs in four matches at a strike-rate of 150. The Yorkshireman has gained

Indian batting star Virat Kohli 105 points in the tournament to date as he now has Zimbabwe's eighth-ranked Hamilton Masakadza firmly within his sights.

Martin Guptill is New

Serena beaten by Kuznetsova in fourth round of Miami Open ANI London, Mar 29 : World number one and defending champion Serena Williams' hopes of winning her ninth Miami Open title were crushed on Tuesday after she suffered a three-set defeat to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round .

The 21-time Grand Slam champion failed to sustain momentum after se-

Zealand's highest-ranked batsman after the opener has moved up two places to third following his contribution of 125 runs in three matches at a strike-rate of

over 162.

West Indies' flamboyant Chris Gayle has gained one place and is now ranked sixth after scoring 104 runs in two innings at a stunning strike-rate of 208.

In the bowlers' table, West Indies' Samuel Badree has returned in number-one position. Badree has taken six wickets in four matches to date, while India's Ravichandaran Ashwin has dropped from number-one spot to third after managing just four wickets in as many matches.

Meanwhile, Number-one ranked India will go head to head with third-ranked West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday, while in the first semifinal in Delhi on Wednesday, second-ranked New Zealand will square-off

Serena Williams

Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar. 29: Evergreen Club defeated Dynamic Club by six wickets in the quarter final match of the Rajanu Bora second division Cricket tournament organised by Dibrugarh District Sports Association at DDSA stadium here today.

In contrast, New Zealand, which has been the only unbeaten side in the competition to date, has earned six points to rise to 122 and has consequently moved up two places to second. Its semifinal opponent and 2010 champion, England, has also collected three points and is now seven points behind on 115 after winning three of its four matches.

Batting first, Dynamic Club piled up 138 for 8 in 20 overs. Rishikant Sharma top scored with 47 off 45 balls, hitting seven boundaries and one maximum. Kalamu Ahmed contributed quick fired 42 off 27 balls laced with three boundaries and three

Becks to Shuttlers Saina, become Srikanth out to defend `Sky Sports` India Open titles pundit?

curing the opening set and went on to lose 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 to her Russian opponent on a sweltering afternoon, the Guardian reported.

Williams produced an error-strewn performance in the game, making 55 unforced errors as compared to 18 by Kuznetsova in addition to nine double faults.

against fifth-ranked England.

India has retained its pretournament ranking as well as points, while the West Indies has gained two points to move to 120. This means both the former champions, who each won three of their four second round matches, are now separated by seven points.

Saina Nehwal ANI New Delhi, Mar 29 : With the Rio Games fast approaching, ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth will look to hit top gear by retaining their respective titles at the India Open Super Series, which gets underway with the qualifiers at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Tuesday.

Saina, who bagged a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the women's singles event, will enter the premier event after a quarterfinal and semifinal finish at the All England and Swiss

Open respectively.

Srikanth endured a mixed season so far, winning the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in January before losing in the second round of All England and third round at German Open last month.

P V Sindhu, HS Prannoy, Ajay Jayaram, B Sai Praneeth are among the other Indians who will feature in the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa will lead the Indian challenge in the women's doubles event and will square off against Korea's Go Ah Ra and Yoo Hae Won.

@gallacherkirsty can't believe @skysports is nearly 25 years old. It's been the home of many incredible sporting moments and some very personal ones for me also."

Beckham announced his retirement in 2013.

Australia's Pat Farmer due to finish 4600 KM run through India ANI New Delhi, Mar.29 : Australian ultra-marathon legend Pat Farmer is due to finish his epic 4600km run through India on Wednesday 30 March 2016, at approximately 11.30pm IST or 5pm AEDT. Pat will reach the official finish point of his 65 day run at Srinagar in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The Spirit of India run began on January 26, 2016 (Australia Day and India Republic Day) in the southernmost point of India at Kanyakumari.

Pat has run an average of 80 km every day for 65 days, heading north along the west coast of India before turning in-

land to pass through Agra and Delhi, then continuing north through Chandigarh and on to Srinagar.

The Spirit of India Run's purpose has been cement relations between Australia and India, inspire and connect with the citizens of India and to raise money for the education of girls in India through the Nanhi Kali foundation.

Along the way, Pat has: - Run through deserts, beaches, jungles, mountains, cities and highways, high humidity, drenching rain and thunderstorms.

- Collapsed on Day 2 from severe dehydration but insisted on visiting a school at the end of the

patfarmer day before going to hospital for an IV drip to replace fluids - Run hundreds of kilometres with an inflamed left Achilles tendon

- Run through smoke in areas where burning was taking place, affecting his breathing and throat - Dodged traffic including buses and trucks, stampeding cattle and

car crashes - Visited Gandhi's home, the Taj Mahal, Golden Temple and India Gate - Visited many schools to meet and talk to students - Been welcomed into villages and cities/regions with formal ceremonies and informal celebrations - some with thousands of people gathered to see him run - Had the support of anywhere from 20 to 200 people running with him at any given time - Been greeted by entire schools lining the road to cheer and greet him - Been mobbed by Indian media - Seen his own face and name on posters and truck billboards throughout the run.

ANI London, Mar 29 : World number two Andy Murray produced an error-strewn performance as he crashed out of the Miami Open after suffering a three-set defeat to Grigor Dimitrov in the third round in Florida.

The Briton also failed to contain his temper as he violently smashed his racket against his bag eight times during his 76, 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Bulgaria's Dimitrov, the Guardian reported.

Murray, who was also eliminated from the Indian Wells Masters in the third round, has only two wins on the ATP World Tour since reaching the Australian Open final.

Lehmann expects India to lift World T20 title

ANI Johannesburg, Mar. 29 : Is David Beckham becoming a Sky Sports pundit?

The 40-year-old former footballer recently hinted that he might become a regular guest on ' Sky Sports' after he uploaded a snap from his interview with Kirsty Gallacher for a special episode to mark the channel's 25-year anniversary, reports News24.com.

Along with the Instagram post, he wrote, "Enjoyed visiting the @skysports studio today to do a special show with

David Beckham

sixes.

For Evergreen Club, Umesh Raut picked up three for 29 in 4 overs while Krishna Sundas claimed two for 16 in 4 overs.

In reply, Evergreen Club scored 140 losing four wickets in 15.4 overs.

Manash Dutta remained unbeaten on 68 off 41 balls, hitting thirteen boundaries and Umesh Raut chipped in with 26 off 28 balls with two boundaries and one six.

Moshin Hussain took two wickets for 33 in 3 overs for Dynamic Club.

Dibrugarh City Cricket Coaching Centre will play Friends Club in the last quarterfinal.

Frustrated Murray sent packing at Miami Open

Australia coach Darren Lehmann

ANI Sydney, Mar 29 : Australia coach Darren Lehmann believes that hosts India will lift the coveted World Twenty20 title for a second time after they ended the Steve Smithled side's hopes of making it to the semifinals on Sunday.

Star batsman Virat Kohli smacked an unbeaten 82 as India defeated Australia by six wickets in a tense quasi

quarterfinal clash in Mohali to set up a semifinal showdown against West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday.

"I can't see them losing, that's my personal opinion," Lehmann was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I think whoever won (between Australia and India) would go a long way in the tournament ... everyone thinks that around the world," added the Australia

coach.

India, who claimed their maiden World T20 title in 2007, entered the pinnacle event as favourites but were stunned in their opening game against New Zealand.

However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men bounced back with three successive wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia to seal their spot for the semis.

Du Plessis rues costly mistakes after early World T20 exit ANI New Delhi, Mar 29 : South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis has attributed his side's failure to reach the semifinals of the World Twenty20 to costly mistakes committed during league games against England and West Indies.

Despite entering the tournament as one of the favourites, South Africa once again failed to live up to their reputation as they lost a high-scoring game against England before losing a low-scoring affair against West Indies.

South Africa finished third in Group 1 after claiming an eight-wicket consolation victory over defending champions Sri Lanka in New Delhi on Monday.

"It is very bittersweet to be going back to South Africa after the World T20.

It was not where we wanted to be. We've only got ourselves to blame,"

South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis du Plessis was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"We played good cricket leading up to the tournament and we were consistent in the subcontinent, but a World T20 is a door-die tournament "If you make mistakes, it's not like a series where you can come back into the series. We made one or two mistakes against En-

gland and they punished us for it. Against West Indies, we made one or two mistakes as well. The teams in a T20 world cup are so close to each other, if you're not on top of your game, teams will punish you. Tonight was a good example. Sri Lanka made one or two mistakes in their batting, and we capitalised," he said.

Printed, Published and Owned by NIKH KHOPI and Printed at PEE GEE(India) Ltd., C/O Asomiya Khabar Pulibor, Jorhat-785006 and Published from T.C Borah Building, 1st Floor, Next to Sankardeva Hospital, Mancotta Road, Chowkidingee Dibrugarh-786001, Assam. Email: editor.easterntoday@gmail.com. For advertisement: advt.easterntoday@gmail.com

Editorial Adviser: Subir Bhaumik

Editor: Ripunjoy Das

cmyk

cmyk

Tele : Dibrugarh, 0373-2328944, for circulation contact: 8471896580, Telephone & Fax: 0373-2328944.