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ASSENG/2015/64205

Issue 149

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Arunachal Governor defends stand on Hollongi airport, makes a pitch for 3 airports A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Nov 3

Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa was irked by the news report published in the local and national media regarding his controversial letter to the Prime Minister over the Hollongi Airport in Itanagar, which he wrote on 28th September, 2015. The Governor questioned the report of the PTI (news agency) that first published the news online on 30th October, 2015. He said his letter was published selectively, ‘only the paragraph four

ET CAPSULES Assam winter session Guwahati, Nov 3: The winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly will begin from December 7, this is stated in a official press release. The five-day session will continue upto December 12, and several important government businesses will be conducted during the winter session. (Staff Reporter)

Demow Raisai rural stadium Demow, Nov 3: The reconstruction programme of the Demow Raisai rural stadium swimming pool was declared opened by parliamentary secretary of Home department, Assam government Susanta Borgohain today. In this programme, as chief guest, Birendra Mitral DC of Sivasagar was also present. The amount of money sanctioned was Rs.15 lakh, issued from the State development fund to reconstruct the Raisai rural stadium swimming pool, said Susanta Borgohain. Meanwhile, Tilok Khaklari, the president held a meeting with Chandanjyoti Phukon, the secretary of Demow Swimming Association present.

After, fulfilling the reconstruction programme of the swimming pool, the swimmers will be able to develop their skills, said DC Birendra Mitral. (Correspondent)

Life imprisonment Sonepat, Nov 2: The Additional district and Sessions Judge, Gagangeet Kaur today sentenced Kapil of Garh Mirakpur village to life imprisonment with fine of Rs 5000 convicting him in the murder of his wife Usha on November 7, 2014.

Usha of Moi Majri village got married to Usha in 2002 and they had three children.

However on November 7 last year, she was found dead with head injuries and a case was registered against the accused on the complaint of her brother Balram in Kundli police station. (Sachin Sehrawat)

RMSA celebrates Kala Ursav in the city ET Correspondent Shillong, Nov 3

As part of promoting living traditional art forms and culture of the different regions of the country, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Contd. on Page 3 Civilian killed alongwith Finance Secy of NSCN(K) in SF ambush Three persons were killed including a senior NSCN (K) functionary and a civilian in an 'ambush/operation' carried

REGION

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out by security forces in Aghunato sub-division, Zunheboto on Monday early morning. During the operation another civilian sustained bullet injuries. The operation was reportedly carried out by 5 Assam Rifles and 12 Para commandos.

and this has led to the turmoil, accusation and people have starting calling all sorts of names such as anti-Arunachal, Assam cover, anti- development, anti-tribal.’

The Governor was greatly disturbed with the news questioning that it was published to malign him or ‘provide some benefit to some people politically’. He agreed to the question asked by the media, that there might be a political conspiracy that led to the leakage of the letter.

THE GOVERNOR RESPONDS The PTI (news agency) first published the news selectively, ‘only the paragraph four and this has led to the turmoil.

The Governor said, his objective is not to scrap the Hollongi airport; that he wants not one airport for Arunachal Pradesh but minimum three airports.

The Governor stated his only agenda is to work for the development of the State, for good governance, towards corruption-free State.

He said he didn’t have any personal interest over the airport issue and that he was not appointed by any political party, ready to quit anytime when asked.

He said his intention is not to scrap the airport but instead he wants to advise the central govt. to conduct an enquiry based on the complaints he received from various organizations and from the leader of the opposition party over the land acquisition process for constructing the airport.

Contd. on Page 3

Rijiju is on whirlwind tour, visits Sansad Aadarsh Village, shares key issues with head of dept.

Aalo, Nov 3

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju who is on whirlwind tour to his constituency from 2nd to 4th Nov., visited Sansad Aadarsh Village Yigikaum amid rousing reception yesterday. Addressing the gathering, Rijiju said that

Aadarsh Gaon is a new concept and lot of time had to be spent to make baseline survey and preparation of estimates by all line departments with all type of experimentations. Appreciating proactive role of DC Aalo and all line departments in its development process, he assured that all budgetary support from

ULFA (I) linkman arrested

MPLADs for small schemes and planned allocation for big project will follow up soon to develop the village in a more realistic way. “All need based project for the state is being followed up in every Ministry to fulfill the will and aspirations of the people and centre has given much higher development packages through DONER

Ministry to make Arunachal more vibrant. We need to rise above political differences and coordinate at all levels as representatives of the people to start road connectivity by 2019 to dawn vistas of development in the nook and corner of the state especially in the border areas.

Contd. on Page 3

A low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered by police today at Borbaruah Bolai Road, 30 meters from Borbaruah Police Station in Dibrugarh district.

According to a local source, the unidentified thing was recovered from a house of a local resident at Borbaruah. It

was kept in a fruit bag. Police cordoned off the area. Out of fear, people have at one point abandoned their residences.

Police said that a lady informed about the unidentified thing which she found inside a fruit bag to the police. "We got the information about the thing at 3.20 pm and rushed to the spot." Police said. Meanwhile, sources said that an unidentified youth came to the house of the lady and later in-

As CRPF occupy site, venue of Singpho ethnocultural festival changed Indrajit Tingwa Innao, Nov 3

Sonitpur police last night arrested one United Liberation Front of Asom ULFA(Independent) linkman at Balipara while he was travelling by a Chevrolet Aveo

car bearing number AS-23 G 6000 towards Tinsukia. The apprehended ULFA linkman later identified as Kishore Baruah (42), hails from Tinsukia Panitula village, and had come here to collect Contd. on Page 3

The forthcoming annual ethno-cultural festival of the Singpho tribe was scheduled to be held at the permanent ground at Innao village in Changlang district but due to the B/186 Bn CRPF occupying the site of the festival ground and its facilities,

change in plans has been enforced. The Singpho Development Society (SDS), the apex body of the tribe has been approaching the District Administration seeking its intervention to shift the paramilitary camp from the Manau Wang (festival ground) Contd. on Page 3

Indira Gandhi's assassination, aftereffect riots, 2002 Gujarat riots equally condemnable: Gogoi A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Nov 3

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the assassina-

tion of Indira Gandhi and the riot that took place as an aftereffect are very condemnable.

Likewise, the 2002 Gujarat riot is equally condemnable. How-

Three child labour rescued Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Nov 3

A joint team comprising of administration officials, labour officials, police and NGO raided several restaurants in Tinsukia on Tuesday and rescued three child labour. According to sources, the restaurants raided include Hotel Salasar, Hotel Madhuri, Santoshi hotel and Gopala Can the Counterinsurgency Doctrine Be Saved?

With the apparent lack of progress and success in Afghanistan and Iraq, counterinsurgency (COIN) has fallen out of favor within

EDITORIAL the political and military establishments in the U.S. and elsewhere. Regardless of whether these failures were due to erroneous implementation or theoretical shortcomings, COIN is no longer considered "hot" in strategic circles.

sweets GNB road counter. During the raids, three child labour from Hotel Salasar were rescued, added sources and claimed it seems that the action was leaked to benefit a few.

However, it is yet to be ascertained what action is taken against the hotel owner for employing children as labour and what would be the future course of action to check child labour which is rampant in Tinsukia.

Festive October reports double digit increase in motor sale

October brought the muchexpected bonanza for passenger vehicle (PV) makers as most of the manufac-

BUSINESS turers reported double digit increases in their sales, aided by festive season demand as well as lower fuel prices and lending rates.

Total sales of top seven PV companies - Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra.

5.00

Pages- 12

Ph. No.-08471896580/ 08257013195

OIL officials become targets of mob assault ager – Barekuri QPS) and Sri S N Saikia (Installation Manager – Barekuri Gas field) were severely injured. Denouncing the incident, OIL, in a release, said, “The incident caused widespread resentment amongst the officers and employees of Oil India Limited who work hard day in and day out for production of crude oil contributing to growth of the country as well as providing

ET Bureau Duliajan, Nov 3

In an anomalous incident that followed when Oil India Limited (OIL) officials reached a leakage site of a flowline carrying crude oil near one of the company’s installations at Barekuri Quick Production Setup (QPS) in Tinsukia District, Assam to fix the leakage, they became targets of a mob assault. In the attack, Md. M S K Hussain, (Installation Man-

Contd. on Page 4

Assam CM urges immediate fund release from Ministry of DoNER A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Nov 3

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate necessary steps for immediate release of funds from the Ministry of DoNER. In a letter to Prime Minister Modi today, Chief Minister Gogoi said the State Govern-

ment is yet to receive Rs 118.51 crore despite submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) amounting to Rs 2195.01 crore. Gogoi also pointed out that the Ministry of DoNER has not sanctioned projects from the priority lists of 2014-15 though the State has already submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 19

projects against 20 retained projects amounting to Rs 296.17 crore. Gogoi said the State Government has completed 373 projects out of the 619 sanctioned projects under Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Contd. on Page 4

IED recovered in Dibrugarh Wages of employees, A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 3

ET Correspondent Tezpur, Nov 3

Price -

ever, there exists a fundamental difference between 2002 Gujarat Riot and 1984 AntiSikh Riot. In 2002 Gujarat Riot, it is alleged that State

Government fuelled it, while there is no such allegation against the involvement

side the fruit bag the unidentified thing was found. SP Rana Bhuyan told the media that right now they are unable to say anything and only after preliminary investigations, they would be able to comment. The residents of the area closed down their shops. After five long hours, the bomb squad arrived and defused the bomb and confirmed that the explosive was a low intensity bomb.

Scientists at Tocklai Tea Research Institute say that rainfall pattern in the past decade indicate growers were losing the first flush, as rainfall in winter months has shown a decreasing trend. It

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Nov 3

At the directive of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Labour and Employment Department has hiked the wages of the employees and workers engaged in different employments.

A move designed to provide

succour to thousands of employees and workers, the Labour and Employment Department today has hiked the wages of the highly skilled, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. As per the new notification, Contd. on Page 4

Robbers targeting ATMs at its peak in Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, Nov 3

With festivals round the corner, the Jorhat Police have been spending sleepless nights with cases of hijacking of vehicles and looting its goods, looting of ATM cash carrying vans being reported regularly in the past two to three days in the district of Jorhat here.

Again, last night, an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) of Allahabad Bank, its lower portion, was lifted off by robbers from near Dhekorgora Block Tin-Ali under Pulibor PS in Jorhat, and looted Rs 7,46,400, informed Tilak Hazara, the manager of the Allahabad

Bank, Jorhat. Three security guards of a private security agency ‘Safe Guard’ were detained by the police who generally were on duty at the said ATM counter at Dhekorgorh Block Tinali. The guards were identified as Biplob Borah, Ranjit Kalita and Dipak Borah.

The Allahabad Bank ATM at Dhekorgora Tin-Ali was strictly to be kept open 24x7 as instructed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and hence the bank entrusted the security responsibilities to the private security agency called ‘Safe Guard’ that offers 24-hour service.

Contd. on Page 3

Another 3 held in connection with Rs. 1.64-crore ATM robbery ET Correspondent Jorhat, Nov 3 Three more have been arrested in connection with the Rs. 1.64-Crore ATM-money robbery case that took place near Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary under Mariani Police Station on October 29th last, informed police here.

Contd. on Page 3

Contd. on Page 3

Malaria Tocklai worried over epidemic at erratic rainfall pattern Kharsang ET Correspondent Jorhat, Nov 3

workers hiked

has been observed that there is difficulty in applying fertilizers and pesticides, said Director of Tocklai, Dr N Muralidharan talking exclusively with this correspondent here today.

Contd. on Page 4

ET Correspondent Kharsang, Nov 3

Longtom I and II, Namchik Tea Plantation areas of Kharsang areas are said to be reeling under a Malaria epidemic since October.

is hiring! Ø Asst Manager - Media Ads. Ø Senior Execuitive Advertisment. Ø Online Editor.

For details Log in at: www . easterntoday.com/careers

Contd. on Page 3

Frosty debut for CCD stock, sinks 18% Bengaluru, Nov 3

Shares of Coffee Day Enterprises (CDEL), which runs the Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) chain, plunged about 17.5% on its debut recently in a falling market. Some investors attributed the fall to a hefty price tag and a complex corporate structure. The IPO raised over $175 million (more than Rs 1,100 crore) in

proceeds, after it was priced at Rs 328 at the top end of the expected price range of Rs 316Rs 328. The offering, which was open from October 14-16, was oversubscribed 1.8 times and constituted 17.02% of the company's post-issue paid-up equity share capital. Coffee Day, which competes with Starbucks and Barista in India, Contd. on Page 4

IN THE FACE OF ROUGH WEATHER Shares of Coffee Day Enterprises (CDEL), which runs the Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) chain, plunged about 17.5% on its debut in a falling market.

The IPO raised over $175 million (more than Rs 1,100 crore) in proceeds, after it was priced at Rs 328 at the top end of the expected price range of Rs 316-Rs 328.

The offering, which was open from October 14-16, was oversubscribed 1.8 times and constituted 17.02% of the company's post-issue paid-up equity share capital.

Coffee Day, which competes with Starbucks and Barista in India, saw its shares open at Rs 313 on the NSE and touch a low of Rs 266 in intraday trade.

The stock finally closed at Rs 270, valuing the company at about $849 million (Rs 5,570 crore), significantly lower than the $1-billion valuation it sought during the offering.

Coffee Day has more than 1,500 cafes in India and 14 overseas.

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Vol. 1

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Paratroopers’ blank bomb jolts Jorhat city ET Correspondent Jorhat, Nov 3: The 21 Paratrooper regiment known as the Flying Rabbits based at Rowriah beside the Indian Air Force Station under Rowriah Police station, today gave the people of Jorhat tense moments for about 3 to 4 hours due to the sound effect of one of their blank bombs that jolted the Jorhat city.

The intensity of the sound

of the blank bomb was so high that school children, patients in the hospital even professors of AAU were taken aback as it shook the ground. Vishal Basant Solanki, the Deputy Commissioner Jorhat said that it’s a regular practice on the part of the Paratroopers, an independent regiment under 41 sub-area, to conduct such drills after informing, the DC said adding that the

sound was quite high but no disturbance or damage of any property was reported. On the other hand, several organizations including teachers from AAU, doctors from JMC, senior citizens decided to call upon the district administration over blank bombing and demanded that the public also be informed before going for such programme, said a senior citizen Mr. Alok Sarma here.

DC imposes 144 CrPC for vehicles loitering at Umling checkgate ET Correspondent Shillong, Nov 3: The District Magistrate of Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has imposed a prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting all unauthorized persons, middlemen along with their private vehicles from stationing and loitering in and around the Umling Integrated Checkgate. Diversion of coal trucks away from the designated route viz. National Highway 40 shall be deemed illegal and any violators shall be prosecuted under the relevant section of the law.

In an official statement issued here on Monday, it said that the order has been issued in the wake of certain unscrupulous elements manifesting as middlemen who have been found loitering and operating in and around the Umling Integrated Check gate with an ulterior motive of diverting the ongoing traffic of coal laden trucks from the Integrated Check gate without

Three girls of dhubri and barpeta rescued Dhubri, nov 3: three girls of dhubri and barpeta were rescued by police from rajasthan and brought to dhubri last night. Initiative to rescue the girls was taken by barpeta nari suraksha samiti.

Four arms twisting youths arrested Dhubri, nov 3: four arms twisting youths who had demanded money from tet teachers, staying in hostel at fakirganj of dhubri district, at gun point were arrested by police last night. Police also recovered the pistol. They were produced before the dhubri judicial magistrate today and sent to jail, a police source informed.

Rapist arrested Dhubri, nov 3: chand mian, an auto rickshaw driver was arrested today from hatsinghimari under south salmara police station of dhubri district for allegedly raping a woman last night. Mian took advantage of the empty house after dropping the victim at her home and allegedly raped her.

Affidavit An affidavit in the dist Notary Sivasagar dt.

2.11.15, I Shri Khagen Gogoi.

Vill. Baghchu Khalua, P.O. Baghchu Mout, Dist- Sivasagar has changed the name of my son Shri Midu Gogoi to Shri Mridu Gogoi.

the mandatory payment of sales tax to the authorities concerned and thereby cause huge loss of revenue to the Government.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has imposed another Prohibitory Order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting plying of coal laden trucks through Nongpoh – Umden Road, Umling – Lailad Road, Lailad – 20th Mer Road, Umsning – Jagi Road and Nongpoh – Nartiang Road, Ri Bhoi District.

This order has been issued in the wake of coal laden trucks which are illegally plying through different routes avoiding the Umling Integrated Checkgate. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and will continue to remain in effect until further order.

The District Magistrate Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has also passed a Prohibitory Order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting all construction and operation of

the makeshift stalls all along the National Highway 40 in view of checking illicit stockpiling as well as sale of coal by all concerned.

This order has been issued after observing that a number of makeshift stalls have sprung up overnight all along the National Highway 40 catering to the stockpiling and sale of coal which has been offloaded from coal laden trucks en route to the integrated checkgate at Umling. Violations if any of these orders shall invite prosecution under the relevant sections of the law.

In another prohibitory order, the District Magistrate Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has prohibited parking of commercial vehicles like coal laden trucks on the ground of petrol pumps within the district and also parking of more than 2 (two) heavy vehicles at one place on the roadside of NH 40 from Pahamrioh to Umling.

Newly Elected Congress Panchayat Members Demand Right to Take Oath in ?Nepali?

Darjeeling, Nov 3: Bucking the trend, are newly elected Congress Panchayat Members from Atharakhai Gram Panchayat, Matigara block.

Yesterday Anchal Congress of Atharakhai GP submitted a memorandum to Matigara B.D.O. of Matigara under leadership of newly elected panchayat members of Indian National Congress Abhiraj Subba, Sunny Lama & Santana Roy, demanding their right to take oath (spath graham) in Nepali language.

The rally attended by Congress members from Durga Mandir, Kadamtala and Chiriyamore along with four Panchayat members demonstrated in front of the Matigara BDO's office and raised slogans in support of Nepali language. Corre-

sponding with TheDC, Panchayat member Mr. Abhiraj Subba said, "Nepali Language was recognized on 21st August1992 under Article 8 of the Constitution of India… but B.D.O. of Matigara react reluctantly to our request for allowing us to take the oath in Nepali. We gave her clear message that if our demand will not be fulfilled, then we shall go for a bigger agitation." The oath taking ceremony for new panchayat members is slated for 7th of November, 2015.

The DC is most thankful to Congress Panchayat Members and wholeheartedly supports their stand, and we request our readers to extend the same by sharing this report so that it reaches the ears of Bengal administration. (Agencies)

get their problems solved. But there is no additional staff with the Corporation to attend to the complaints. The Corporation has been managing with the same staff which was available with the Sonepat municipal council before Corporation’s inception on last July 16.

The Corporation had submitted proposal to the urban local bodies department for enrolment of the additional staff including one Superintendent Engineer, three Executive Engineers, 18 Junior Engineers, 20

ET Correspondent Shillong, Nov 3: The application of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) on a number of areas in the north east region has at times evoked strong opposition from certain quarters.

PBM Basiawmoit who extended his strong support to Irom Sharmila said today that even the United Nations had urged the government of India to repeal this controversial law. “The United Nations (UN) special rappoteur Christof Heyns in 2012, had urged India to repeal the controversial law that allows military special powers in troubled areas”, said Basaiawmoit adding that AFSPA had become a symbol of excessive state power

and has no role to play in a democracy’.

Under the AFSPA, army is given a free hand, he said who is leading the North East Indigenous Forum (NEIF). “The UN had recommended for repealing of the AFSPA in India, but still it continues to be.” Said Mr. Basaiawmoit. The entire north eastern states were affected by the AFSPA and the civilians have been the worst affected as a result of this.

“Army cannot rule in democracy. Has AFSPA removed all ills of the society?

The answer is No.” He said adding that AFSPA should be repealed. He said that mobilization of people participation is important for repealing the AFSPA.

clerks besides several other employees for different posts. However, no permission has so far been received from the department. Under the prevailing circumstances, the development works in these villages had also come to stand still for want of the staff required for planning, executing and monitoring of the development works. Moreover, the residents of these villages had expressed apprehensions that under such circumstances, the cash amount transferred

from gram panchayats in Corporation’s account would be utilized for development works in Sonepat town only.

When contacted, executive officer of the Corporation, Rohtas Bisnoi confirmed that the Corporation had sent the demand for sanctioning of additional posts to the department; but permission was still being awaited. He also explained that the development works in the villages are being executed with the existing staff though not sufficient in numbers.

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

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

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

26th IGG College’s annual day celebrated

UN had urged India to repeal controversial AFSPA

Sonepat Municipal Corporation upgraded with merger of 26 villages Sachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Nov 3: After merger of 26 villages in the upgraded Sonepat Municipal Corporation with their cash amount of more than Rs 162 crore and landed property of around 4000 acres of land, the shortage of staff in the Corporation has become a problem for the residents of these villages for redressing of their grievances and solving of the common problems.

As the gram panchayats in these villages stand dissolved legally, the villagers had to go to the Corporation’s office to

Today Sivasagar Book Fair-2015- Function Chief Guest Felicited By Program Organizer N.G.O " KHUG " Workers From Left Mukha Silpi National Award Holder Rebakanta Mohanta { Middle ) News Live Editor In Chef Jarir Hussain (Right ) Famous Singer Also Film Director Manash Robin. Pic - Firuz Ahmed

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

Bishnu Rana Tezu, Nov 3: Amid a huge crowd of students, public, district’s officials and teaching faculty, IGG College's 26th Annual College Day was kick started

by Dr Mohesh Chai, local MLA after hoisting the flag from the podium of the college’s playground. “The 29th year milestone of the college is testimony to the excellence achieved by the students in academic performance who topped the Rajiv Gandhi University in Hindi and Commerce departments while the college has been ranked third in the state after JNC and DNGC which is a matter of pride. The college at the same time proved to be a living example where the students of this college are themselves Assistant Professors. This young brigade has literally brought widespread change in the academic scenario and excellence to this institute”, said Dr. Chai. He also announced Rs 1 lakh worth of cash prizes to those students passing out of Class– XII from Tezu–Sunpura constituency and cracking the UPSC main examina-

tion. As a guest of honour, Tamiyo Tatak DC expressed delight over the way the students showcased their best and advised them to inculcate discipline and hard work to accomplish their cherished goals and dreams of their parent. “Instil confidence to compete in the APCS and UPSC, also learn to respect elders to succeed in life”, the DC suggested. VP Surya Superintendent of Police Lohit as a special guest also motivated the student to excel in life as future of the state and nation lies with them. He further advised them to groom themselves and to be competitive to face the stiff competition which could be possible if hard work and perseverance is ensured. Highlighting the annual achievement of the college and other prerequisite amenities needed, Dr Tashi Taloh Principal IGG College said that college is remarkably doing well in the academic field and performances of the student have become better. “The college is catering to higher education of Dibang, Lower Dibang

Valley, Lohit, Anjaw, Longding, Changlang and Tirap districts. Presently, Science, Commerce and Arts are three major streams offered by the institute”, the Principal informed. He also rued the shortages of classrooms, staff quarters and poor link road connecting the campus and rampant encroachment of land and easy trespassing of miscreants during night hours spoiling the sanctity of the college campus. While submitting memorandum to MLA, Asendo Miti General Secretary IGG College requested the MLA to address their long pending demand for the greater interest of the college. An entertaining band show by NCC Girls from Govt Hr. Secondary School Tezu, unveiling of ‘Horizon’ a souvenir of the college by MLA, distribution of merit certificate to students, march past display by Army, Marine, Air Force and Navy Houses, colourful ethnic and modern dances, games and sports and dress rehearsal

by NCC cadets were the other major attractions of the daylong celebrations.

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

ZPC inaugurates Smart City Lab DC visits agricultural fields Pasighat, Nov 3: ZPC Kaling Dai inaugurated the Smart City Lab, setup in the Panchayat office, Pasighat in the presence of DC In-charge Deepak Shinde among other officers. Speaking on the occasion, Dai informed that Internet service along with 20 computers and other accessories have been spared by the Panchayat department aiming to mobilize the people to participate and register them into “mygov.portal” smoothly. Dai added that public maximum participation will not only help to prepare our best Smart City Proposal but will also help score good marks which is essential for the second stage of selection. (DIPRO)

GAIL registers turnover of Rs 14,088 crore in Q2 of FY 2015-16, PAT at Rs 441 crore Half-yearly turnover at Rs 26,607 crore, PAT Rs 865 crore New Delhi, Nov 3: GAIL (India) Limited registered a turnover (net of Excise Duty) of Rs 14,088 Crore in the second quarter of Financial Year 2015-16, as against Rs 14,063 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The Gross Margin stood at Rs 1,146 crore in the second quarter of the current financial year as against Rs 2,311 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. GAIL’s Profit after Tax for the second quarter of FY 2015-16 was Rs 441 crore as against Rs 1,303 crore in the corresponding period of previous year while the Profit before Tax stood at Rs 660 crore as against Rs 1,983 crore earlier.

During the second quarter of the current financial year, the revenues from Natural Gas Transmission business increased by 38% to Rs 1,060 crore as against Rs 767 crore in the corresponding period of previous year while the sales from Natural Gas Marketing increased by 3% to Rs 12,218 crore as against Rs 11,819 crore earlier. The net sales from Petrochemicals business stood at Rs 798 crore, as against Rs 1,281 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The revenue from LPG and Liquid Hydrocarbons business was Rs 748 crore, as against Rs 1,704 crore earlier.

The revenues from LPG transmission during the second quarter of the current financial year increased by 14% to Rs 112 crore as against Rs 98 crore in the corresponding pe-

riod of previous year.

During the second quarter of the current financial year, the Natural Gas sales increased by 8% to 74.25 MMSCMD as against 68.95 MMSCMD during the corresponding period of previous year. The Natural Gas transmission during the second quarter of the current financial year was 90.26 MMSCMD as against 91.18 MMSCMD in the corresponding period of previous year.

The LPG transmission during the second quarter of the current financial year was 687 TMT as against 701 TMT earlier. The petrochemical production was 85 TMT as against 119 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year. The petrochemical sales during the second quarter of the current financial year stood at 84 TMT as against 110 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year. The LPG and Other Liquid Hydrocarbon production during the second quarter of the current financial year was 256 TMT as against 322 TMT earlier. The LPG and Other Liquid Hydrocarbon sales during the second quarter of the current financial year stood at 255 TMT as against 322 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year.

GAIL registered a turnover (net of Excise Duty) of Rs 26,607 crore in the first half of FY 2015-16 as against Rs 27,400 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. GAIL’s Net Profit after tax for the first half of the FY 2015-16 was Rs 865 crore as

against Rs 1,924 crore earlier.

The Gross Margin stood at Rs 2,269 crore in the first half of the current financial year as against Rs 3,528 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The Profit Before Tax was Rs 1,311 crore as against Rs 2,873 crore in the corresponding period of previous year.

The decrease in profit was mainly due to lower price realization of LPG, other Liquid Hydrocarbons and Petrochemicals products, increased interest and depreciation charges after commissioning of Petrochemical expansion plant.

The revenues from Natural Gas Transmission increased by 39% to Rs 1,985 crore as against Rs 1,427 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The revenues from LPG transmission during the first half of the current financial year increased by 19% to Rs 249 crore as against Rs 209 crore in the corresponding period last year. During the first half of the current financial year, the revenues from Natural Gas Marketing stood at Rs 22,799 crore as against Rs 23,488 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The net sales from Petrochemicals stood at Rs 1,314 crore as against Rs 2,274 crore in the corresponding period of previous year. The net sales from LPG and Liquid Hydrocarbons business during the first half of the current financial year was Rs 1,677 crore as against Rs 2,964 crore in the correspond-

ing period of previous year.

During the first half of the current financial year, petrochemical production was 136 TMT as against 217 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year while the petrochemical sales were 134 TMT as against 197 TMT earlier. The LPG and Other Liquid Hydrocarbon production during the first half of the current financial year was 534 TMT as against 649 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year. The LPG and Other Liquid Hydrocarbon sales during the first half of the current financial year stood at 532 TMT as against 645 TMT in the corresponding period of previous year.

The LPG transmission during the first half of the current financial year was 1,376 TMT as against 1,533 TMT in the corresponding period of the previous year. The Natural Gas transmission during the first half of the current financial year was 88.88 MMSCMD as against 94.03 MMSCMD in the corresponding period of previous year. The Natural Gas sales during the first half of FY 2015-16 were 71.58 MMSCMD as against 72.72 MMSCMD in the corresponding period of previous year.

The decrease in production was mainly due to stabilization of petrochemical plant after annual shut down and integration of GPU-I & II at Pata and partly due to low availability of feed gas.

Another 3 held in connection with Rs. 1.64-crore ATM robbery Contd. from Page 1

The three were identified as Nilabhro Borah, a medical department employee, Babu Borah,

Arunabh Baruah, all residents of Sunalijayanti Nagar situated opposite the ISBT within Jorhat city. All were picked up from their residences for allegedly helping Prasanta

Bhuyan, the mastermind of the robbery case that rocked the state. Prasanta, the kingpin is still absconding who is said to have instigated the five FIS Payment and Solu-

tions employees including the two gunmen, two operators and the driver to loot the money meant for two ATM’s in Debarapara and another at Teok both under Jorhat district.

Robbers targeting ATMs at its peak in Jorhat Contd. from Page 1

However, in the wake of the recent case of ATM robbery involving an amount of Rs. 1 crore and 64 lakh

that rocked the entire state, the district administration asked all the ATM counters to close by 10 pm. In this connection, this ATM too has closed at 10 pm since

the past three days, and after its closure the robbers took advantage and opened as well as removed the lower portion of the ATM machine, where the money

is stored within the machine three quintals in weight. On the other hand, police suspect it to be handy work of an skilled, expert and an experienced person.

Malaria epidemic at Kharsang Contd. from Page 1

The Malaria department had conducted a survey as part of the State's vector borne disease control programme by the district medical administration and detected 34 positive cases as on October 30, 2015. The director health services had taken note of the outbreak while some officials from Itanagar and Naharlagun

visited the affected areas to assess the ground reality of the epidemic. Medical team comprising of District program officer, Dr. Das, district Malaria consultant, Mr. Linjir Chisi, Doctor K Ngemu, ZMO, east zone, Dr. SM Singh, SMO, Kharsang and DHV Mr. James Kimsing, IRS team incharge, PHC, Kharsang and their malaria staff Mrs. Bicho Sena, have initiated a Malaria control programe.

There have been DDT spray programmes through RFW staff since the detection of the positive cases of Malaria in these regions with a view to curb the epidemic. The district medical officer Mr. Basar has taken the matter very seriously and ordered his subordinates to work selflessly to check the spread of the malaria in the Kharsang areas. Dr. Sharma, monitoring and evaluation, Mrs. Chakraborty incharge of the

state vector borne disease control program, Naharlagan, Dr. RC Das district vector borne disease control programme officer and Mr. Linjir Chissi, district Malaria consultant are the key officers who have been assessing the situation. The government must ensure that the epidemic does not spread to other areas. This is first case of such high frequency of Malaria outbreak this season.

RMSA celebrates Kala Ursav in the city Contd. from Page 1

Government of India, through Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikshya Abhiyan (RMSA) conducted a series of competitions called Kala-

Utsav for Secondary and Higher Secondary students in all the states of India.

RMSA Meghalaya conducted Kala Utsav, a regional competition, at Tura on 16th October, 2015, at Baghmara on

the 26th October, 2015 and at Shillong on 29th October, 2015 for the schools from East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District and on 30th October, 2015 at Jaintia Hills to select students for State level finals to be held in

Shillong on the 9th and 10th November, 2015.

The selected students from the state level shall be nominated for the national level competitions to be held in Delhi in December 2015/January 2016.

Roing, Nov 3: Ravi Dhawan, Deputy Commissioner of Lower Dibang Valley District visited various agricultural fields to see whether tea and rubber saplings and other agricultural inputs like seeds provided by the govt under various schemes are actually grown in the field or not. He visited Tea and Rubber Plantations, Ginger and Maize fields near Balek, Meka and Jia Village. He also visited the Oil Palm Nursery raised by 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Pvt Limited at 8 km point along Meka-Shantipur Road. During his visit, he interacted with the farmers to know about their grievances and expressed satisfaction on the growth of Tea and Rubber Planta-

tions in the area. The Deputy Commissioner also inspected the Weekly

APMC Market at Jia Village to take first hand information of the weekly

market affairs. He was accompanied by R D Singh, ADO Roing. (DIPRO)

Arunachal Governor defends stand on Hollongi airport, makes a pitch for 3 airports Contd. from Page 1

He said he had asked the Prime Minister's Office to conduct an enquiry into this matter. real landowners,” the Governor stated.

To bring down the blame game war, the Governor said he wants minimum three airports in Arunachal.

He said he will try his level best to pursue the central

govt. to grant minimum three airports, eight new advanced landing grounds, 30 new helipads and to upgrade the existing helipads as well.

The governor also lambasted the State Govt. saying, “What happens to the road, I have been told by the PWD minister Gojen Gadi that the tender has been called and road construction will start soon. I travel

to Doimukh and Nirjuli area and there is no road there.” “There is a fall of 40% of Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh in one year,” the Governor informed. He said whether the State Govt. and the society observers know about this. “I have asked the political authority here that if they have got any development problems with the Govt. of India, kindly let

me know and send me the copy of the proposals so that I can consult with the central govt. I am sorry to tell you that till now not a single letter or proposal has been sent to me. I am here for the State. You can use my service to the fullest,” the Governor added. He also narrated to the media many of his works towards development of Arunachal Pradesh.

Rijiju is on whirlwind tour, visits Sansad Aadarsh Village, shares key issues with head of dept.

Contd. from Page 1

Home Ministry is overburdened with issues concerning the entire nation but problems of state, official, group or individuals are being given priority at Delhi,” he said. MLA Tumke Bagra who accompanied the minister said that the behavioral changes among the people of Yigikaum after its declaration as Sansad

Aadarsh Village is a great thing to happen and appealed the Minister to develop the village as a model one through necessary fund provision.

Nyato Ori, HGB, Doli Ori ASM and Binduk Ori also spoke on the occasion. Later while addressing the HODs at conference hall of DC office, the Minister stressed on timely submission of schemes that need central

assistances. The West Siang Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu said that time to time visit by the minister is a source of inspiration to address major problems faced by the HODs. EE Electrical, Er. Yater Padu Doji, DMO Dr. Marbom Basar and AE Highway, Gemar Padu pointed out their immediate problems. The Minister was accompanied by Nyato Rigia, Ex. Minister, DIGP

and Commandant ITBP, West Siang ZPC, DC, SP and HODs. Rijiju will visit border Tada Dige and Monigong to inspect the ITBP BOP, arrive at Sago village under Basar Subdivision and join with Union Railway, Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari who is laying the Foundation Stone of 2 lane Akajan-Likabali-Bam Road Construction. DIPRO

As CRPF occupy site, venue of Singpho ethno-cultural festival changed Contd. from Page 1

which is a solemn site not to be intruded by any group or used for purposes other than celebrating the Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi festival but without any positive results till now. It was in 2007 that the last time,theShapawng Yawng Manau Poi festival was celebrated at the said ground.

The festival is celebrated at various locations in the Singpho inhabited areas on rotational basis. The CRPF occupied the festival ground after the festival was held in

2007 and ever since it has remained under their occupation. Ongyun Maio, Secretary General of the Singpho Development Society has written two letters to the Deputy Commissioner Changlang district seeking the District Administration's intervention to shift the CRPF camp from the festival ground. The first letter was submitted on 19thJune and the then Deputy Commissioner, Chanchal Yadav had issued a directive dated 23rd June to the Extra Assistant Commissioner Diyun to do the needful and shift the camp to another lo-

cation. Ongyun Maio informed that on enquiry, the EAC Office had denied receiving any letter or direction from the DC in this regard. Again on 29th September, the Secretary General SDS shot another letter to the DC Changlang seeking the same redressal but it is learnt that no results have come out of it. The festival for the year 2016 will now be held at the Singpho Heritage Centre, Bordumsa which also has a permanent Shadung, the sacred and ceremonial set ofpillars for the Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi celebration. The

lackadaisical attitude of the district and local administrations in shifting the CRPF camp in order to facilitate the celebration of the Singpho cultural fiesta has hurt the sentiments of the community, rued the Secretary General of SDS. Innao shall be given the opportunity to host the 2017 edition of the festival and he hoped that by then the administration will be making sure that the festival ground is vacated by the CRPF. The Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi of the Singphos is an annual festival celebrated in the mid of February every year.

Indira Gandhi's assassination, aftereffect riots, 2002 Gujarat riots equally condemnable: Gogoi Contd. from Page 1 of Rajiv Gandhi led Central Government in 1984 AntiSikh Riot. In a statement here on Tuesday, Gogoi said that initially the needle of suspicion of Gujarat Riot was towards Modi Government, however, later it was proved evident. Gogoi said that the CBI charge-sheeted the then Home Minister of Modi Government Amit Shah and another ministerial colleague Maya Kodnani was arrested for their involvement in or-

chestrating plot against religious minorities. Alleging direct complicity of Narendra Modi in the infamous Gujarat Riot, the USA denied him VISA. Chief Minister Gogoi said that after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, AntiSikh Riot that broke out as an after affect, no allegation has been levelled of the involvement of the Central Government led by Rajiv Gandhi. On the day of her (Indira Gandhi’s) assassination, Rajiv Gandhi summoned the leaders of the AICC to contain and

control the situation to maintain peace and tranquillity in all the States. After he took charge of Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi initiated ‘special line of action’ to maintain peace and tranquillity and peaceful co-existence in the country. He even asked the then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi about his ‘action plan’ to restore normalcy and help the riot victims. Gogoi said that while the leaders of the AICC were summoned, he was also present there and he himself was aware of the devel-

opment when the then Lieutenant Governor was asked about his action plan. He got the opportunity to witness Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s sincerity and commitment to restore peace and normalcy in Delhi and help the riot victims. Gogoi also said that allegations about BJP’s involvement in fuelling Anti-Sikh Riot were also surfaced in the chronology of events that followed after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in the Capital.

ULFA (I) linkman arrested Contd. from Page 1 a cash amount on behalf of ULFA-I from various places for sending to their base camp.

Police recovered an amount of Rs 2.5 lakhs and another 16 thousand rupees along with five mobile phones and three Press identity cards. Police briefing the media here revealed that Kishore Baruah was involved in many extortion cases on behalf of the ULFA-I for the last six years which were being monitored by Po-

lice and security forces. On Monday he was collecting money which was coming from Udalguri and Mangaldoi area for ULFA-I while Baruah was to receive the money at Tezpur Mission Chariali. Parashar also said that Kishur himself identified ULFA-I Chief Paresh Baruah as his uncle. He was associated with the media houses and had visited Myanmar. There is a direct link to Paresh Baruah via phone and e-mail. He was a correspondent of Prime News and NE Television; three press Identity cards

have been recovered from him.

However, Kishore Baruah a kin of the ULFA-I Supremo Paresh Baruah used to come to Sonitpur for collecting money.

“Though there is no base of the outfit in the northern part of Sonitpur District besides its adjacent districts like Udalguri, Mangaldoi and Lakhimpur, the banned organization tried to maintain a link with various sources including businessmen.” Senior Police officials said that further information would come through after a thorough investigation and in-

terrogation of the apprehended ULFA linkman. “After scrutinising the mobile phones used by the accused the links that he maintained will become more clear.” Police said. It is pertinent to mention here that earlier he was arrested in Tinsukia but due to insufficient evidence he had to be released. “Moreover, he could roam everywhere as he availed himself of press cards and introducing himself as a media person he availed easy access everywhere to work for the outfit.” Police maintained.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Newsletter released and students felicitated at Kanoi College ET Bureau Dibrugarh, Nov 3: In its continuous effort to encourage and boost morale of students and to sustain imparting quality education, the department of Political Science, DHSK College felicitated and encouraged its 2nd batch students of semester system who secured first class in the last final examination held in last May 2015. It may be noted that Dibrugarh University introduced semester system in the under graduate courses since 2011. Following felicitations of special invited guests, formal congratulating ceremony and felicitations of first class holder students with phulam gomoshas and proficiency certificates immediately took place. Soon after the second issue of the departmental newsletter “The Ideal” published biannually

New Margherita Officer in Charge

ET Correspondent Margherita, Nov 3: Police Inspector Debojit Mahanta has taken charge as the new Officer in Charge of Margherita Police Station on 1 November, 2015. Earlier Hiranyo Kumar Borah served as the officer in charge of Margherita Police Station.

Debojit Mahanta earlier served as a Sub Inspector at Margherita Police Station during the year 19981999 and again in the year 2001, Debojit Mahanta took the Incharge of Ledo Police Outpost. When asked about growing insurgency problems, extortion demands from various extremist groups, increasing vehicle thefts, illegal coal business which are rampant at Margherita Sub Division, Police Inspector Debojit Mahanta said that he will try his best to bring down these anti social elements. "I urge all the people of Margherita to fully cooperate with me so that I can keep Margherita crime free," said Police Inspector Debojit Mahanta.

was formally released by Dr.Sasi Kanta Saikia, Principal of the College. Dr. Lamkholal Doungel, former Head of the department and the Chief Editor and architect of the newsletter expressed his happiness and satisfaction over the publication of the newsletter for the second successive time despite besieged with heavy load of duty under semester system and the demanding complex nature of modern life. Illustrating the complexity of modern lifestyle further, he said, “we are enslaved by our ultramodern outlook and lifestyle with full of gadgets and social networking sites like Internets, Whatapps etc. that made us virtually uncreative and almost always preoccupied”. Underscoring the need for quality newsletter and to provide proper platform to the students he

also said that “it will act as a springboard to take them off to higher level of learning and skill development”.

Addressing the gathering Dr.Saikia, Principal of the College, expressed his happiness and appreciation for the initiative taken up by the department of Political Science and said that “this is a right positive approach in moulding the students to inculcate knowledge and equip them for their future”.

He also expressed his openness to patronise all kinds of innovative ideas and activities accompanied by physical fitness. In the same breathe Dr. Attikuddin Ahmed, Vice Principal(Academic) also highly spoke of the department of Political Science and expressing his satisfaction he said that “the department of Political Science has always been a

trendsetter for all of us to emulate”. Mrs.Kalpana Sengupta, Vice Principal (academic), who was also at one time popular radio artist conveyed her message to the audience through a song that enthralled one and all with her beautiful voice. Dr.Bharati Dutta, Head of the department of Geography also highly appreciated the department of Political Science and said she has always been a friend and well-wisher of the department. Earlier on the occasion, Mr.T.Bhengra, Head of the department of Political Science who chaired and presided over the meeting extended his warm welcome and regards to the gathering present in the function.

The program came to close with vote of thanks from Dr.B.Dutta, who had ably anchored the programme.

GNLA likely to release abducted Chokpot BDO ET Correspondent Shillong, Nov 3: The banned outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is likely to release the abducted block development officer (BDO) of Chokpot Jude Rangku T. Sangma tomorrow.

The self-styled Western area commander of the outfit Hedio C. Momin alias Karak said that the government official would be released tomorrow. The rumour pertaining to the official's release had gone viral today on social networking site. Superintendent of police South Garo Hills Lakador Syiem said,

“We are hopeful the BDO would be released. So far we are yet to get any confirmation about his release.

However, many have called us to enquire about his release. He is yet to reach Chokpot or get in touch with his family”.

The outfit had earlier asked the government to withdraw its operation against militants in Garo hills, or else the official would be executed. However, police cautiously continued its operation without giving out details. The outfit had stated that there are certain difference between the GNLA and the BDO, which were

to be sorted out. The outfit claimed that Jude had told the chief minister that Rs 40 crore, meant for blacktopping of Chokpot road, was taken away by the outfit and the situation was not conducive to initiate development works.

In a release issued last week, the outfit denied taking any money from the BDO. “We have abducted him to find out why he lied to the chief minister”, the release had said.

The GNLA cadres abducted the official on Tuesday last, while he along with two others was en route to Tura from Chokpot.

Five-day global ITM food event starts in Shillong city ET Correspondent Shillong, Nov 3: The fiveday International Terra Madre (ITM) or International Mwei-Ramew, a mega food festival, has kick started in Shillong here with participants from across the globe assembled to showcase the rich and diverse indigenous culture of different tribes.

The mega event was formally inaugurated by the Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. The event has been rendered more special with the presence of US vice presidential candidate of 1996, Ms Winona Laduke, video message from Prince of Wales among others.

The inauguration commenced at NEHU Conven-

tion centre with cultural items and traditional drumming as the 41 host communities of Meghalaya and Nagaland welcomed the 600 delegates and dignitaries from over 100 tribes living in 58 countries.

In his inaugural speech, Meghalaya Chief Minister said that Meghalaya means abode of cloud is a place where nature loves and even the clouds love it. “Two places—Sohra and Mawsynram—are the two wettest places in the world and they are in Meghalaya”, he said.

He said that it is a privilege to welcome people coming from across different places of the world to come together

in Shillong at this mega event. “This is a platform to enrich knowledge to make way of life sustainable”, he said.

According to Sangma, the event is also an opportunity to share and enrich traditional knowledge. He also informed that the government will commit to making rural areas more remunerative by sustainable agriculture. “The government will try to make living more remunerative in rural areas”, added Sangma.

The five-day long food festival will be concluded on November 7 at Sacred Grove in Mawphlang which is about 25 km from Shillong city.

Gang of thieves get away with Rs 2.7 lakhs Sachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Nov 3: A gang of three thieves had managed to carry away a cash amount of Rs 2.70 lakh from the counter of Gur Mandi branch of State Bank of India here last Saturday. However, their entire exercise had been captured in the CCTV cameras installed in the bank and a case was registered against

the unidentified accused in the local city police station last evening. According to reports, Sahib Singh, a class IV employee of the Excise and Taxation department came to the bank to deposit a cash amount of Rs 2.70 lakh on Saturday.

When he put the cash amount on the cash counter, the counter clerk was looking at the count-

ing machine.

However, in an act, one of the gangsters dropped some currency notes near Sahib Singh and informed him that currency notes had fallen off. No sooner, Sahib Singh bent down and started collecting the dropped currency notes, other two gangsters carried away the cash which Sahib Singh had kept on the cash

counter. The SHO police station, Praveen Kumar said that on receiving complaint, police reached at the bank on Sunday and after preliminary investigation, took the possession of the CCTV camera’s footage.

All activities of the gangsters had been captured in the CCTV camera and they would be arrested soon, he added.

Frosty debut for CCD stock, sinks 18% Contd. from Page 1

saw its shares open at Rs 313 on the NSE and touch a low of Rs 266 in intraday trade.

The stock finally closed at Rs 270, valuing the company at about $849 million (Rs 5,570 crore), significantly lower than the $1-billion valuation it sought during the offering.

Market players said it was a signal to forthcoming issues to price their offer reasonably. "Proof of the pudding is in the eating: Coffee Day's price performance amply demonstrates the same. A mega issue, extremely overpriced and subscribed primarily by QIBs (institutions), has shown what over pricing

can do to an issue," Arun Kejriwal, director of investment advisory firm KRIS, said. What was surprising was the stock got a drubbing despite being backed by renowned investors such as Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Radhakishan Damani and Ramesh Damani. Private equity firm KKR and former Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani are also shareholders of the company. "They probably got the timing wrong. The global cues have a negative impact and there is uncertainty on account of the Bihar elections outcome.

But we do not think the first day price is an indication of the long-term value of the stock," an investor, request-

ing anonymity, said. Apart from coffee, the company is also involved in technology parks, logistics, financial services, and hospitality business. It also has a stake in mid-tier software services company Mindtree. Coffee Day has more than 1,500 cafes in India and 14 overseas.

Net proceeds from the offering would be used to expand the Cafe Coffee Day chains, repayment of debt and for general corporate purposes, according to the IPO filing.

The company's net loss widened to Rs 87.23 crore, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, from Rs 77.02 crore, in the previous year. Revenue rose 8.3% to Rs 2,548.71 crore. Siddhartha said he

expects the company to be profitable in the current fiscal. Siddhartha's stake dropped to 31.04% from 37.41% after the offering, while KKR's stake fell to about 10.5% from 12.77%.

Major anchor investors such as Blackrock, Merrill Lynch Capital, ICICI Prudential and Axis Mutual Fund took part in the book building process.

Bengaluru-based Coffee Day's IPO comes ahead of the listing by InterGlobe Aviation, which runs budget carrier IndiGo Airlines.

InterGlobe's $465 million was subscribed more than six times last week, making it the biggest IPO in nearly three years. (Agencies)

Nalbari KVK promotes pisciculture in the district Ramen Kalita Nalbari, Nov 3: The Nalbari Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) under the Assam Agriculture University (AAU), Jorhat has given greater emphasis on the promotion of pisciculture in the district. KVK, Nalbari identified a good number of progressive fish farmers in the district and provided them specific technical support for pisciculture. The Deputy Commissioner of Nalbari, Dr Om Prakash recently visited the fish farms of those youths with a team of sci-

entists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. With the view to increase fish production besides generating self employment in the district, the deputy commissioner of Nalbari decided to facilitate as many as a hundred poor and scheduled caste farmers to dig small ponds for pisciculture. The deputy commissioner under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme will provide the selected farmers up to Rs 1.5 lakhs to develop the ponds. Thereafter, he will also facilitate the

farmers to get KCC loan up to Rs. 50 thousand from banks with which the farmers can purchase seed and feed. While talking to this correspondent, the Deputy Commissioner Dr Om Prakash said that he instructed the KVK Nalbari to identify genuine farmers under BPL, SC community or widows to provide these facilities. According to him, this type of effort will culture a habit of fish rearing among the common people.

The deputy commissioner himself visited the leading fish farms of the district to

get first hand experience about fish farming. He also discussed with the farmers to know the problems and prospects of pisciculture in the district. The deputy commissioner with the scientist team of Nalbari KVK visited the farm of Tapan Dutta Baruah of Kendukuchi, Sambhu Barman of Porakuchi and Amal Medhi of Sondha.

During his visit, the deputy commissioner also discussed with the coordinator of Nalbari KVK Dr Mridul Deka about his new plan.

Haryana CM reviews arrangements in anticipation of PM Modi’s visit Sachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Nov 3: Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar today visited the sites in Sonepat district to review the arrangements being made for the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit on November 5 at Rai for launching of three mega development projects estimated to cost more than Rs 10,000 crore. After reviewing the progress in a meeting of the officers of state government and district administration, CM inspected all the sites earmarked for laying stones of the projects, helipads, pandals, vehicle parkings, media centre, press and VIPs gallery, audience arena, etc. Talking to media persons on the occasion, CM claimed that the completion of these three projects – KundliManeshar-Palwal and

Kundli-Gaziabad-Palways Expressways and widening to 12 lanes of National Highway-1 (GT road) from Delhi to Panipat would give momentum to development process in the state in general and Sonepat district in particular. The PM will also address a largely attended public meeting at the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Education City near Rai on the occasion,” he added. “As

the metro train service is already proposed up to Kundli during 2016, efforts will be made to get it extended up to Sonepat,” he said adding that around 50,000 passengers commute to Delhi every day from Sonepat. In reply to a question on the comments of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh, the CM remarked that Junior Badal should take care of

the development of his state.

He (Badal) should not worry about Haryana where the development process was going on speedily, he added. Replying to a question on the demands and grievances of the farmers, CM said that every legitimate demand of the farmers would be accepted and fulfilled and the government had also accepted a number of such demands of the farmers. Sonepat MP Ramesh Kaushik, Rohtak MLA Manish Grover, BJP’s state vice president, Rajiv Jain, Haryana Chief Secretary, D.S. Dhesi, Principal Secretary to CM, Sanjiv Kaushal, DG, Public Relations Haryana , Abhilesh Likhi, IGP Rohtak police range, Srikant Jadhav, DC Rajiv Ratan, SP Abhishek Garg were also present on the occasion.

'Unity Walk' to observe Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary on Nov 19 A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Nov 3: Government of Assam has decided to organise ‘Unity Walk’ to observe the Birth Anniversary of Indira Gandhi on November 19th, 2015 as a mark of tribute to the efforts of the Prime Minister to unite India. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today convened a meeting with senior officers at his office chamber to chalk out a detailed programme to observe the

day. The meeting decided to organise the ‘Unity Walk’ eliciting participation by the people from cross-section of the society symbolising the glorifying age-old bonding of the Nation cutting across of all caste, creed and religion. Moreover, there will be a day long programme showcasing women entrepreneurship where women achievers will be felicitated along with a host of other programmes.

The meeting also discussed to chalk out a programme to observe the 126th Birth Anniversary of the first Prime Minister of the Nation Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a befitting manner. Chief Minister Gogoi directed to include games and activities showcasing unique mosaic of greater Assamese Society in sync with the Children’s Day celebrations. Local tribal games, speech, science exhibition, extempore

speech have been lined up along with other host of programmes for the day.

Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MGVK Bhanu, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati Mukesh Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M) Dr. M. Angamuthu, Director Information and Public Relations Ranjit Gogoi were present at the meeting.

OIL officials become targets of mob assault Contd. from Page 1

service to society through natural gas supply for power generation, Tea production and fertiliser industries in Upper Assam Districts. Oil India Limited takes pride in being called the People’s

Company but incidents like these demotivate the employees deeply and impact their persistent contribution towards the growth of the nation.” Adding that OIL received information about the leakage at about 8:30 pm on 2nd November, 2015 following which the concern

wells were immediately shut in with the help of the personnel stationed at nearby Barekuri QPS, thereby checking the leakage and in the meantime, officers of OIL including those attacked and injured reached the site from Digboi, Assam along with security person-

nel for inspection and repairing of the leakage. After the OIL officials reached the site, a mob started creating unrest and verbally abused the OIL officials, and prevented them from carrying out their duties.

After sometime, the officials were physically assaulted.

Assam CM urges immediate fund release from Ministry of DoNER Contd. from Page 1

amounting to Rs 2643.81 crore with fund utilisation being remarkably 83 per cent. “As

completion of the projects now under different stages of implementation being crucial for the development of the State, non-release of

funds on a timely basis not only hampers the progress of these vital projects but also leads to cost overruns,” he said.

The Chief Minister re-

quested the Prime Minister to issue necessary instruction to the Ministry of DoNER for streamlining the process of release of funds on priority basis.

Wages of employees, workers hiked Contd. from Page 1

wages for the skilled workers has been hiked from Rs 208 per day to Rs 350 per day, for semi skilled from Rs. 150 to Rs. 280 and

for unskilled from Rs. 130 to Rs. 240. Moreover, the Government has introduced a new segment called highly skilled job and Rs. 450 per day has been earmarked for this class of workers. Over and above, the notification

entitled the employees and workers to Variable Dearness Allowance at 100 per cent over the rise and fall of index point in the All India Consumer Price Index.

The hike will be appli-

cable for the employees and workers engaged in various employments like bakery, industry, carpentry, earth-filling, L.P. Gas Distribution, petrol pump workers, hotel, restaurant etc.

Tocklai worried over erratic rainfall pattern Contd. from Page 1

The Tocklai Director said, due to erratic rainfall pattern the fertilizer could not be applied and for that reason the process of production and the first flush are being affected.

He said, the average annual rainfall has decreased by more than 250 mm in the past 98 years and the temperatures have increased by 1.5 degree Celsius in the same period. Assam, Bengal and Darjeeling all the three belts are

reeling under the same problem that is because of the extreme climatic conditions observed in the past one and the half decade when it had rained too much sometimes too less, with distribution of rain being not equal, the Director

further said. "We are in the process of finding ways for tackling the erratic weather pattern and rainfall for tea bushes in case something artificial could be done to tackle the erratic rain supply," Dr Muralidharan said.

PAGE 5

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

CBI challenges Madan Mitra's bail Kolkata, Nov 3: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday moved the Kolkata High Court against the bail granted to Trinamool Congress leader Madan Mitra. The matter has been listed for today as the High Court has accepted the plea against Mitra's bail. The CBI had asserted earlier that it would do 'everything in its power' to get Mitra back in custody.

The district and sessions judge at the Alipore Court had on Saturday granted conditional bail to Mitra on a personal bond of Rs. 2 lakh in the Saradha Chit Fund Scam after over 11 months of custody. Mitra was arrested by the CBI on December 12, 2014, in connection with the Saradha Chit Fund Scam. He was suffering from several diseases and was admitted to a hospital for a long period during his jail custody. The court also granted bail to Sandhir Agarwal, another accused in the case, on a personal bond of Rs. 3 lakh.

(ANI)

Former Mizoram minister Lal Thanzara files nomination Aizawl, Nov 3: Former Mizoram health minister Lal Thanzara of the ruling Congress today filed his nomination papers for the Assembly bypoll to the Aizawl North - III seat. Lal Thanzara was the first and the only one who filed nomination for the by-polls till today.

Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) sources said that the party candidate and main opponent K. Vanlalvena would file his nomination papers by tomorrow, the last date for filing of nomination for the by-poll. Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) and its electoral ally BJP were yet to announce the name of its candidate though a top ZNP leader told PTI that the NDA intended to contest the by-election.

The by-poll, necessitated by the resignation of Lal Thanzara on August 18 over alleged 'conflict of interests' case, would be held on November 21.(agencies)

Enjoy your power till Nov. 8: Paswan tells Nitish Patna, Nov 3: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday fired a salvo at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that he should now enjoy the power as November 8 will bring an end to his delight. "It's a matter of five days, let him say what he wants to say. Let Nitish Kumar enjoy the happiness of being in power. Everyone will get to know their capability on 8th," Paswan told the media here. "Lalu Yadav talks about reservation.

What has he done for that?

Nitish Kumar always says 'I am a true Bihari', is there

something fishy in that? Are we fake Biharis?," he added.

The Union Minister also asked the duo of Nitish and RJD boss Lalu Prasad to stay in limits and stop comparing themselves with BJP president Amit Shah or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A record 57.59 per cent turnout was registered in the fourth phase of assembly elections in Bihar for which polling was held on November 1. The fifth and the final round of election will be held on November 5. The counting of votes will take place on November 8. (ANI)

Poll campaign begins in Cooch Behar Kolkata, Nov 3: Having failed to bring in industrial development in Cooch Behar, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged industrialists to invest in "such an industrially backward district," where the state has decided to provide 50 per cent subsidy to entrepreneurs. At a government programme here, Banerjee repeatedly spoke of her government's decision to provide the 50 per cent subsidy. "We tried hard to set up industries in Cooch Behar like the Jute Park. We are working with the FICI, CII and other organisations for industrial development in the state," she said. "There is a lot of scope for Jalpaiguri and people are engaged in the tourism industry. But there is no scope for Cooch Behar," she added.

At the programme, Chief

Minister Mamata Banerjee also kicked off her campaign for the 2016 Assembly elections with the slogan 'Bangla Egiye' (Bengal leads).

Banerjee sought blessings from the mammoth crowd that had gathered here so that she can "continue development work for Cooch Behar as well as for the entire north Bengal in the coming days." Like a school teacher, the CM asked students: "Name the Assembly segment in Cooch Behar which is on top of the list of the Assembly seats in West Bengal?" Satisfied with the answer-Mekhliganj Assembly segmentshe asked the students to become the numero uno in Cooch Behar and said that she also started touring north Bengal from the "number one."

(Agencies)

REGION Civilian killed alongwith Finance Secy of NSCN(K) in SF ambush Nagaland, Nov 3: Three persons were killed including a senior NSCN (K) functionary and a civilian in an 'ambush/operation' carried out by security forces in Aghunato sub-division, Zunheboto on Monday early morning. During the operation another civilian sustained bullet injuries.

The operation was reportedly carried out by 5 Assam Rifles and 12 Para commandos. The deceased have been identified as NSCN (K) finance secretary, Lovito Tuccu son of Kheshito of Itovi village under Satakha and his bodyguard reportedly from the army wing (PAN) identified as Kihoto, a resident of Tukuliqa village under Ghathashi.

According to police sources, the civilian, reportedly the younger brother of L. Tuccu was also killed in the ambush. The injured ci-

NSCN (K) members were travelling in a Tata Sumo at the time of the incident. After the incident, security forces seized one AK-47 rifle with magazine, assorted ammunition, radio sets, military grade pouches etc., PRO stated. Later, upon interrogating the apprehended person, the security forces were led to a farm house belonging to L. Tuccu where another over ground worker was apprehended with a 12 bore rifle along with large quantity of ammunition, PRO said. PRO said that a labourer from Assam was also rescued from the farm house. He was abducted by L Tuccu from a truck owner in Kohima in February 2015, PRO added.

Narrating the incident, PRO said that the security team after receiving specific inputs launched a patrol in the Hoshepu village area. On

reaching the spot, PRO said that the Tata sumo was asked to stop. However, the occupants fired at the security forces and in retaliation three NSCN (K) cadres were killed, PRO stated. Security forces have been put on alert after receiving several inputs of infiltration by NSCN (K) cadres from across the Indo-Myanmar border to carry out nefarious activities and extortion, PRO said. NSCN (K) cadres equipped with bombs, rocket launchers and heavy weapons have infiltrated into Tuensang, Mon, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Phek, Kohima and Dimapur districts, PRO said. Meanwhile, PRO appealed to the public to provide information of any suspicious movement of unknown people in their areas to the nearest Police Station or Assam Rifle unit for timely preventive action. (Agencies)

'Disappointed' PM not talking 'tantra mantra' anymore: JD (U)

Kalimpong district will soon become a reality: Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri

Patna, Nov 3: Days after releasing an old photograph of the meeting between the Prime Minister and selfstyled god man Asaram Bapu, the Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and questioned Narendra Modi's silence on the saffron camp resorting to the tactics of 'tantra mantra' and black magic. JD (U) leader Ajay Alok said that the latest developments clearly indicate that the BJP has accepted defeat in Bihar.

"Prime Minister Modi is having a good chat with

vilian has been identified as one Juvito Yeptho of Viyelho village under Aghunato subdivision. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, police sources said. The dead bodies, after completing all formalities, were handed over to the family members, police sources added. Soon

Asaram Bapu. Asaram is calling him the 'Shiva'. What will happen if we have gods like him ( Narendra Modi)?"

Alok told ANI. "The Prime Minister is now disappointed and stressed. He did

after the incident, Zunheboto Police led by SDPO and CO 5 AR visited the spot to assess the situation. Meanwhile, PRO IGAR (N) in a press note claimed that the security forces neutralized three hard core members of the NSCN (K) and apprehended two over ground workers. The

three rallies yesterday, but after we released the video he didn't talk about black magic and ' tantra mantra'.

Why he is not answering on Bejan Daruwalla? Why is he not answering as to why he gave 50 acres of land to Asaram in Gujarat?" he asked. The JD (U) leader alleged that the BJP formed the government at the Centre in 2014 by taking donations from Pakistan but the Prime Minister has not issued any clarification in this regard.

"Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu have said that Amit Shah will continue

his term as party president even if the BJP loses in Bihar.

It all shows that the party has accepted its defeat in Bihar.

On November 8, the people of Bihar will throw them (BJP) out of the state," he added. Earlier on Sunday, the JD (U) showed an old photograph of Prime Minister Modi meetingAsaram Bapu, who is currently lodged in jail in connection with a rape case. The BJP had earlier released a video which showed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar meeting and hugging a tantrik.

In the video, the tantrik is heard saying 'jindabad, Lalu murdabad' to Nitish. (ANI)

Govt performs Hiamkhaam, outcome of talks yet uncertain Imphal, Nov 3 : The Government of Manipur has today fulfilled the pre-condition of adhering to the tribal tradition of conducting Hiamkhaam that was set by the JAC for holding talks, demonstrating that talks between the Government and the JAC is now imminent. "We have accepted the path taken by the Government and accordingly sat with them to sort out when we will be able to talk over the table.

They proposed to have the talks on November 7, at 10 am but we have told them that our decision on the talk schedule will be intimated later as we have to first consult the entire tribal

apex bodies before taking a decision," H Mangchinkhup, the JAC convenor said. The Government, represented by LM Khaute, ADGP; Ramthanga, Principal Secretary; KT Vaiphei, IG; Thangkhanlal Guite, IG; and top officials from the district slaughtered a fourlegged animal for both the parties to dine, to break the ice in accordance with the tribal tradition, and set the talk process rolling. As part of the tradition, the Government representatives also presented a traditional shawl each for the nine martyrs to their respective tribe leaders. With both the parties eating the tradi-

tional dinner, it signifies that they have now agreed to hold talks but today's dinner is no indication of its likely outcome, according to a source, as the

talks could still be a success or a failure. After the State Legislative Assembly passed the three Bills on August 31, Churachandpur has been

in a state of siege, following massive protest against the three Bills, which have been dubbed as 'anti-tribals'. Nine people died in the uproar

on August 31 and September 1 and since then the JAC constituted against the said Bills has been spearheading a series of protest agitation. Schools were closed for a protracted period of time and it was only recently that the schools started reopening. Even today, all schools open at 7 or 7.30 am but wind up before 12 pm, as the JAC sponsored bandh and mass sit-in-protests start at 2 pm and carry on till 5 pm. After 5 pm, it is up to the Village Authorities to stage the sit-in-protests further. Shops and commercial centres also down shutters before 2 pm and vehicles stay off the road. The situation in Churachandpur is still restive and there is widespread fear psychosis. (Agencies)

AFSPA soon to be implemented in Garo Hills Shillong, Nov 3: Anguished over the spate of kidnappings and killings in Garo Hills with specific reference to the abduction of Chokpot BDO Jude Rangku T Sangma, who is the brother-in-law of SP in-charge High Court security, Bobby Momin, the Full Bench of the High Court of Meghalaya on Monday asked the Centre to enforce Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) 1958 in Garo Hills. The direction of the Full Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh, Justice TNK Singh and Justice SR Sen was following a hearing related o the pending case of militants calling bandhs in the state.

The Court while observing that there is no end to violent incidents perpetrated by GNLA and other militants including calling bandhs in Garo

Hills, said that, in the instant case, as the police and civil authorities, despite the best of their efforts, are not able to control the incidents of kidnapping for ransom and killings on non-fulfillment of illegal demands and the native population is totally exposed to the influence of militancy, and as the funds allocation by the Central Government has not helped in ameliorating the decline of law and order, "we have no option but to direct the Central Government to consider the use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in the Garo Hills area and deployment of Armed and Para-military forces to control the situation in the aid of but certainly not under the command of civil and police authorities till life becomes normal and the incidents of rampant kidnapping and killing totally stopped".

The Court further observed that the Centre can enforce Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for the purpose of deployment of armed forces in the aid of civil administration in order to restore public order and maintain the law and or-

der. According to the Court, such deployment of armed forces of the Union would be only for the purpose of enabling the civil authorities in the state to deal with the situation effectively so that there is a regime of rule of law. " Even under the

ideal federal system of United States of America, whereas ours is only quasi federal under the Insurrection Act, the President can deploy Armed Forces under certain circumstances including terrorist activities in the states", the Court

observed. The Court also directed the Union Home Secretary and the Defence Secretary to ensure compliance by placing this order before the Central Government to consider the use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and the deployment of Armed and ParaMilitary Forces in the Garo Hills area of Meghalaya to control the fast deteriorating law and order situation. The Court further directed the Principal Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister to place this order before him for perusal and consideration. The Full Bench also observed that even the Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court are also getting veiled threats that they would have to face the consequence after their retirement. "It may not be proper for us to say anything about our security which is, for the present,

being looked after by the State. Generally, we put all such anonymous letters into shredders but since two of us are to lay our office in January and February, 2016 and third one in March, 2019, and one cannot claim to be fully safe and secured in the wake of incident of kidnapping of the BDO, brother-in-law of the Superintendent of Police, who is In charge of High Court security, we expect the Central Government to give its response on this issue as well", the Full Bench said. The Court said that the order will have to be communicated by fax on Monday to Principal Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister, Union Home Secretary, Union Defence Secretary, State Chief Secretary, and DGP for compliance. The matter will come up for hearing on Nov 18.

(Agencies)

Darjeeling, Nov 3: Claiming that Kalimpong district will soon become a reality, Kalimpong MLA Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri asserted that he has already received green signal from Bengal on this issue. Speaking at a public meeting in Kalimpong Town Hall, Dr. Chettri said that "if there was no understanding on the Kalimpong district issue then people would prevent us from attending such programs it would be difficult for me to meet CM when I go to Kolkat. They have welcomed me with open arms… this is an indication that the Bengal government is sold on the idea of forming a separate district for Kalimpong.

"Heaping praises on Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the renegade MLA from Kalimpong said, "there may be numerous Harka Bahadur like me in the future… But you won't find anyone like Mamata Banerjee ever…"

He stated that when Kalimpong district is formed, then it will have to continue with 1 MLA and no MP seat till 2025 as it requires redrawing of constituencies at the Central level and the next such meeting is only slated for 2025. (Agencies)

JAC suspends curfew at JNIMS Imphal, Nov 3: The JAC Against the Closing of Pong Lambi by JNIMS authority has decided to suspend the agitation after MLA Ksh Biren assured the JAC of apprising the JAC's demand to the Chief Minister today. Public curfew imposed at JNIMS campus has also been suspended for some time, the JAC added.

Earlier before the suspension of the stir was announced, JNIMS Director Dr Deben Laishram urged the protesters not to cause inconvenience to people who are in need to medical services. Speaking to media persons, Dr Deben Laishram said that doctors, nurses and staff members of JNIMS are relentlessly discharging duties for the welfare of the people and protesters should consider the medical needs of the people and refrain from causing any inconvenience. Protesters who have been agitating since October 26 have shut down JNIMS gate and imposed public curfew in JNIMS campus, said JNIMS Hospital spokesperson Dr Y Mohen. He said that around hundred students who were attending classes were locked up by protesters from outside the classroom.

The matter has been brought to the notice of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh during a meeting wherein a suggestion to provide an alternative route was put forward, said Dr Y Mohen.

Protesters should empathise the people who require medical emergencies and other related services, added Dr Y Mohen. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

PAGE 6

Chhota Rajan not making correct preposition, says former cop Ghaziabad, Nov.3: Former IPS officer Y.P. Singh on Tuesday rejected Chhota Rajan's claims linking some Mumbai cops with India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and said that the arrested underworld don was speaking half truth.

"Chhota Rajan is just speaking the half truth.

He is not speaking the full truth. Dawood Ibrahim indeed might be having connections with the Mumbai Police because no gangster can flourish till the time they get permission from the local police, but by the same reckoning Chhota Rajan and his gang mem-

bers can have intimate connections with the Mumbai Police," said Singh. He asserted that Rajan's claim that only people linked to Dawood have connections with the Mumbai Police and not his men was not the correct preposition. He also said it was not legally right for the Delhi Police to take up Rajan's case as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Police. "When an FIR has been registered, it has to be investigated by the local police. He has to be sent to remand to the local magistrate. The trial of the case shall be conducted by the local ses-

sion court which is having jurisdiction over that specific area," he added.

Singh pointed out that it was legally necessary to seek permission from

India needs to maintain 'friendly terms' with Pak: J-K CM Rajouri, Nov. 3: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday asserted that if India wants to grow and become a 'superpower' in the future, then it was crucial to maintain 'friendly relations' with Pakistan. "For Jammu and Kashmir and India, it is important to maintain good relations with Pakistan. The breakthrough that Atal Behari Vajpayee had in 1999 must be worked upon," Sayeed told the media here. Stressing on the need for a good relation with Pakistan, Saeed added that is India wanted to become a superpower, it was fundamental that the broken bridges between the two hostile neighbours be mended. However, Pakistan troops in a fresh ceasefire violation on Monday killed two army jawans at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of north Kashmir's Bandipora district. The

army troopers, who were attacked with 36 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), were killed when Pakistan Rangers targeted forward posts at Tarbal in Gurez sector. The ceasefire violation comes five days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled to visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7. A crackdown has been ordered on the Separatist leaders in the valley ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Syed Ali Geelani,

who continues to be under house detention since he returned from New Delhi this April, has announced a 'Million March' on November 7 the same day when Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Srinagar. All prominent separatist leaders, including JKLF chief Yasin Malik, senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have been either detained or put under house arrest. (ANI)

Nirbhaya case: Law adhered, unsure about justice, says Maneka New Delhi, Nov.3: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has asserted that she was not sure if justice was served in the Nirbhaya case, and added that the authorities need to 'keep an eye' on the juvenile once he is released next month. "Let us not confuse justice with the law. The law said that he could only go to a children's home ...

That's the anomaly we are trying to correct. So, he served his sentence and as per the law he is coming out. There is nothing we can do about it until or unless he commits another crime. So, that is all we can do," Maneka said in a press conference. "As far as justice is concerned, I don't know if justice has

Mumbai Police have links with Dawood.

"Mumbai Police has committed a lot of atrocities on me and I don't trust them. There are some in the Mumbai Police who are working with Dawood. The Delhi government should do justice with me keeping that in mind.

I am not scared of Dawood and I will continue fighting against him and terrorism," said Rajan. The deportation process has already bethe Supreme Court in gun and the Rajan will case this matter has to be taken to Delhi first. be shifted to Delhi. The six-member joint Rajan in an explosive team from the Mumbai claim earlier alleged that crime branch, Delhi Posome officials in the lice special cell and the

CBI were at the Bali Police Headquarters yesterday here to meet Rajan and continue the deportation process.

The joint team is carrying all the relevant documents needed for Rajan's deportation, including his crime history and a court warrant against him. Rajan, one of India's most wanted criminals and a leading figure in the Mumbai underworld, was arrested on October 24.

He is wanted for at least 68 cases in Mumbai alone, including over 20 murder cases and other serious offences under MCOCA, POTA and the Arms Act. (ANI)

300 militants waiting at launch pads near LoC: GOC 15 Corps Srinagar, Nov. 3: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar based 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Satish Dua, on Monday said that over three hundred militants are waiting at the launch pads near the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate. "I don't think the intent of infiltration has been decreased from their part because we are continuously getting inputs that more than three hundred terrorists are waiting at the launch pads across the Line of Control and there are a lot of pressure on them to infiltrate," said Lieutenant General Dua. He

said the militants are finding it difficult to infiltrate due to coordinated efforts and multi-tier counter infiltration grid.

"We have been saying all along that this year infiltration has been next to nil. And it is all the efforts of our multi layered counter infiltration, which was in place.

Frustrated at the attempts to infiltration and not able to succeed, sometimes they come inside just across LoC do some firing and go back," he added. Two army jawans were killed in a fresh ceasefire violation

by Pakistani troops, ahead of Prime Minister

First phase of civic polls held in Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 3: The first phase of the civic polls across seven districts of Kerala was held on Monday in which nearly one crore voters exercised their franchise. Campaigning in the seven districts of Kollam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasaragod, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, ended on a peaceful note on Saturday evening. In the first phase, a total of 31,161 candidates, including 582 in district panchayats, 2,844 in block panchayats,

22,788 in village panchayats, 1,315 in corporations and 3632 in municipalities are in the fray. Around 38,000 security personnel, including women officials, were deployed for the smooth conduct of voting in the initial phase.

The polls in the remaining seven districts of Alappuzha, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Malappuram and Palakkad will be held in the second phase on November 5. The counting will be held on November 7. (ANI)

Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7. According to army officials, the Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on the LoC in Gurez's Eizmarg area in North Kashmir.

The Pakistani troops fired at many Indian positions with light and medium caliber weapons, including rockets. (ANI)

Chhota Rajan to be deported to India tonight: Interpol

Bali, Nov. 3: Jakarta Interpol has confirmed that underworld don Chhota Rajan who has been arrested in Bali will be deported to India tonight. The decision comes after Denspar Immigration Chief along with the Jakarta Interpol questioned him at the Bali Police Headquarters and a clearance for his deportation was issued. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that security has been beefed up for Rajan's arrival and he is likely to be kept in Anda Cell of Arthur road prison. In an explosive claimed on Tuesday, Rajan alleged that some officials in the Mumbai Police are working with India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.

"Mumbai Police has committed a lot of atrocities on me and I don't trust them. There are some in the Mumbai Police who are working with Dawood. The Delhi Government

should do justice with me keeping that in mind.

I am not scared of Dawood and I will continue fighting against him and terrorism," Rajan told the media. He also appealed to the Indian Government to do justice with him while asserting that all 'cases' against him are false and baseless. The sixmember joint team from the Mumbai crime branch, Delhi Police special cell and the CBI presently in Indonesia is carrying all the relevant documents needed for Rajan's deportation, including his crime history and a court warrant against him. Rajan, one of India's most wanted criminals and a leading figure in the Mumbai underworld, was arrested on October 24.

He is wanted for at least 68 cases in Mumbai alone, including over 20 murder cases and other serious offences under MCOCA, POTA and the Arms Act. (ANI)

Govt. asks SC to make collegium system for appointment of judges more transparent New Delhi, Nov. 3: The government has told the Supreme Court that collegium should not act without recording reasons why a particular individual was appointed a judge. The government during a hearing today also stated that there should be prescribed criteria in the public domain on the appointment of judges. The government contended that there must be minimum eligibility criteria for appointment as a judge in addition to the nominations made by the Chief Justice of the High Court. Applications should also be invited for appointment as High Court judges and names of people who are being

considered for appointment as judges should be made public. The apex court heard suggestions put forth by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar and senior advocates including K K Venugopal, who had argued against the collegium system during the hearing of the matter re-

lating to National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act which was held unconstitutional by the apex court on October 16. A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Justice J S Khehar, asked the parties to file written submissions by compiling the suggestions.

(ANI)

BJP, RSS promoting, propagating intolerance: Congress been served but certainly the law has been adhered," she added. She also asserted that the juvenile should be kept under watch. "We can't just let him go and wait for him to do something else," she said. The juvenile convicted in the brutal gang-rape of a 23year-old female physiotherapy intern on the night of December 16,

2012, will be released next month as his threeyear term in the rehabilitation center is set to end.

Although he is scheduled to be released on December 15, the Delhi Government is pondering setting him free a week in advance fearing public outrage as he fears that he may be "lynched" after his release. (ANI)

New Delhi, Nov. 3: The Congress on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of promoting, propagating and preserving the culture of intolerance in the country.

"Arun Jaitley ji must know that it is Shri Narendra Modi and his government including Shri Jaitley, BJP and RSS and their manifestations who are promoting, propagating and

preserving the culture of intolerance as also the politics of hate communal polarisation and division in this country. It is, therefore, that 125 crore people of India are worried at this systematic attack on the core of India's ethos," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Commenting on the Congress' proposed march to the Rashtrapati Bhawan to highlight the 'growing in-

tolerance' in the country, Surjewala said that it was a reminder for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow the 'raj dharma'.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi will lead a party delegation to the Rashtrapati Bhawan today to appeal to President Pranab Mukherjee to use his constitutional powers to end the atmosphere of intolerance in the country. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Pakistan describes JuD as wing of LeT; bans outfit's media coverage Islamabad, Nov 3: Pakistan has acknowledged for the first time that the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed- led Jamaat-ud-Dawah is a wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba and asked broadcasters to refrain from covering such terror groups. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a notification banning all TV channels and FM radio from coverage of 72 banned groups including LeT, JuD and Falah-eInsaniat Foundation (FIF) under UN restriction.

"The Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat

Foundation are the other wings of Lashkar-eTaiba," the notification said. This is for the first time Pakistan has admitted that JuD and FIF are "other wings of LeT".

The move comes days after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's assurance to US President Barack Obama last month to take "effective action" against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including LeT and its affiliates, as per its international commitments and obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. According to the notification, 60 pro-

PM leaves for Netherlands Dhaka ,Nov 3:Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left Dhaka for Amsterdam on a threeday official visit to the Netherlands at the invitation of her Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte.A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 8:15am todayThe flight is scheduled to reach Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Centre in the Dutch capital at 9pm (Netherlands time) via Abu Dhabi where the premier will make a five-hour stopover.After a reception at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Centre, the prime minister will be taken to Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus in The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands, through a ceremonial motorcade where she will stay during her visit.The prime minister will hold bilateral talks with Dutch Premier Mark Rutte on November 4.The talks would be followed by signing of a number of bilateral instruments, officials said.Before that, Sheikh Hasina will join a discussion on "Bangladesh

Delta Plan 2100" with Dutch ministers.She will also call on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at the Royal Palace. Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen and Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Melanie Schultz will call on the prime minister at her hotel suite .The prime minister will join a dinner to be hosted in her honour by Mark Rutte. On November 5, the premier will join a business seminar and attend a community reception to be accorded

by Bangladeshi diaspora in the Netherlands.She will visit Koornstra & Co that trades in fruits and vegetables with selected growers and importers all year round, and Tomatoworld, a greenhouse that produces 50 varieties of tomatoes.

(Agencies)

Pakistan again rakes up Kashmir issue at UN United Nations, Nov 3: Raking up the Kashmir issue at the UN, Pakistan repeated its call for Security Council resolutions to be implemented in the state and said fulfilling promise of self-determination to the Kashmiri people is "indispensable" to establishing lasting peace and stability in South Asia. Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said that the right to self-determination must be exercised freely without use of coercion or repression, "for instance under foreign occupation" and the legitimate struggle of peoples for self-determination cannot be obfuscated or cast aside by deliberately trying to conflate it with terrorism.

"In my region, South Asia, the decades old dispute of Jammu and Kashmir needs to be resolved in accordance with these fundamental and universal principles," she said in a statement to the Third Committee of the General Assembly on 'Right to self-determination' yesterday. "The

continued suffering of Kashmiri women, children and men should shake the collective conscience of the international community," Lodhi said. "The 70th Anniversary of the United Nations ought to be a catalyst to spur this body into action, and not just more words. Fulfillment of the long-held promise of selfdetermination to the Kashmiri people is urgent as well as indispensable to establishing lasting peace and stability in South Asia," she said. She cited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's statement during the General Debate in September in which he reiterated his call for the peaceful resolution of the issue, in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Sharif had also said that the Kashmiri people were an "integral part" of the dispute and consultations with them were essential to reach a peaceful settlement. He had characterized Jammu and Kashmir as the most persistent failure of the United Nations. (Agencies)

scribed organizations and 12 others have been placed under a watch list.

It said the action has been taken against these organizations as part of the National Action Plan.

"The Pakistani satellite TV channels and FM radios should strictly follow the direction and in case of breach of code of conduct fine may be imposed or license be

revoked," it warned.

The authority also has banned the electronic media from running any advertisement of these three organizations for collection of funds "in the name of social work". Meanwhile, some local channels quoting PEMRA officials said the interior ministry had not directed them to ban these three outfits. The order follows the introduction earlier this year of the "National Action Plan" aimed at reining in militancy in the wake of the Peshawar Army Public School massacre in

which over 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.

The UN declared JuD a terror organisation and also individually designated Saeed as a terrorist in December 2008. The US has already put USD 10 million bounty on his head.

Saeed, who orchestrated the November, 2008, Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed, roams around freely in Pakistan despite being a designated terrorist and has made many anti-India remarks and speeches. (Agencies)

atch China's role in Asia-Pacific: UN report United Nations, Nov 3: India has a "long way" to go before it matches China's role in the Asia-Pacific region's trade and investment flows and the country's success will depend on its ability to speed up implementation of necessary structural reforms, a UN report said.The AsiaPacific Trade and Investment Report 2015 by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific said India faces various structural bottlenecks, including delays in project approval, ill-targeted subsidies, a low manufacturing base and low agricultural productivity, difficulty in land acquisition, weak transportation and power networks, strict labour regulations and skill

mismatches."India still has a long way to go to match China's role in the region's trade and investment flows.

India's success will depend on its ability to accelerate the implementation of necessary structural reforms in order to improve its business and investment environment," it said.The report added that in 2014, India attracted FDI inflows amounting to USD 34 billion, a 22 per cent increase.While this development is encouraging, the amounts received are about a quarter of total FDI received in China in 2014, the report said.The Narendra Modi-led government has liberalised FDI in sectors such as defence, railways, construction development, medical devices and insur-

ance since coming to power in 2014, it said adding that the government is pursuing simplification of the business environment by reducing excessive regulation and increasing predictability in the country's trade and investment regimes.The 'Make in India' programme could attract some new FDI in the manufacturing sector, the report said.FDI outflows from India picked up from very low level in 2013, bouncing back to USD 9.8 billion in 2014.In South and SouthWest Asia, India accounted for more than 50 per cent of trade by that region.The improved growth momentum of India amidst China's economic slowdown leads to the expectation that India

may offer a new hope for regional and global economy.IMF expects that India will overtake China as the fastest growing economy in the world in 2015.It is expected that the growth momentum of India will be sustained by economic reforms, a consequent pickup in investment and lower oil prices.In addition, population growth adds to India's growth potential.The report cited IMF projections that India is expected to have the largest labour force in the world by 2030, with about one billion people of working age.However, India is still not in a position to support global and regional trade and investment flows as China did, it said. (Agencies)

18 Indian fishermen jailed for fishing in Pak waters Karachi, Nov. 3 : 18 Indian fishermen have been remanded in judicial custody by a Pakistan judicial magistrate for illegally fishing inside country's territorial waters.Earlier, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) de-

tained these fishermen along with their three boats after they were caught fishing inside the Pakistani waters. They were then handed over to police for further legal action.However, Secretary of Indian National Fishworkers' Forum

Pak security forces killed over 860 militants in Karachi ops Karachi, Nov 3:Over 860 militants and criminals have been killed by Pakistani security forces in over two years as part of an ongoing operation to improve the law and order situation in the country's financial hub. The security forces launched a massive operation on September 5, 2013 on the orders of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had taken over power in June and announced to create peace in the city. Rangers announced that it has embarked on the second phase of operation after dismantling the network of terrorists in the financial hub of the country. Rangers said in an overnight statement that during two-years, it arrested 10,353 suspects in 5,795 raids.

"The detainees include 826 terrorists, 334 target killers and 296 extortionists," it said. The paramilitary force also said that "364 terrorists" of banned

outfits and groups like alQaeda, different factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were also killed in gunfights.

A police official said that over 500 terrorists and criminals were killed and more than 70,000 arrested in two years.

Both police and Rangers suffered heavy losses in the running gun battles with outlaws, as 250 policemen and 27 Rangers soldiers were killed in fights and terrorists attack by the militants and criminals.

Launching the next phase of operation, Rangers said that it will go after terrorists, criminals and their facilitators. Karachi has been in the grip of violence over several years. The complex cobweb of interests involves criminals, militants, target killers, extremists, land grabbers and extortionists, some of them patronised by political parties and religious groups. (Agencies)

Myanmar Closes River ports ahead of Nov 8 elections

(NFF) has stated that PMSA has allegedly abducted the fishermen from a location close to the International Maritime Boundary off Jakhau coast in Gujarat.On October 3, PMSA had apprehended 65 Indian fish-

ermen along with their 12 boats off the Gujarat coast.In April this year, PMSA had detained 47 Indian fishermen along with their boats, while in January they had detained 38 Indian fishermen.

(ANI)

Time not right for Afghan peace talks: Aziz Karachi, Nov. 3: Pakistan Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has stated that it is not the right time for resumption of talks between Afghanistan Government and Taliban.Aziz during his visit to the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) said that right atmosphere needed to be created to convince both stakeholders about the usefulness of the process, the Dawn reported. Reconciliation is the best option to bring peace in Afghanistan, he added.

He also appreciated Iran Government for their participation to promote dialogue to achieve peace and stability in

Afghanistan. Pakistan had earlier facilitated and hosted the first round of peace process between Afghanistan Government and Taliban, but was later stalled after death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar. Pakistan has appealed the Afghan Government for resuming the process.However, Afghan Government has criticised Pakistan for "promoting insecurity" in the country. (ANI)

Chhota Rajan to be deported to India tonight: Interpol Bali, Nov. 3 : Jakarta Interpol has confirmed that underworld don Chhota Rajan who has been arrested in Bali will be deported to India tonight.The decision comes after Denspar Immigration Chief along with the Jakarta Interpol questioned him at the Bali Police Headquarters and a clearance for his deportation was issued.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that security has been beefed up for Rajan's arrival and he is likely to be kept in Anda Cell of Arthur road prison.In an explosive claim today, Rajan alleged that some officials in the Mumbai Police are working with India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim."Mumbai Police has committed a lot of atrocities on me and I don't trust them. There are some in the Mumbai Police who are working with Dawood. The Delhi Government should do

justice with me keeping that in mind. I am not scared of Dawood and I will continue fighting against him and terrorism," Rajan told the media.He also appealed to the Indian Government to do justice with him while asserting that all 'cases' against him are false and baseless.The six-member joint team from the Mumbai crime branch, Delhi Police special cell and the CBI presently in Indonesia is carrying all the relevant documents needed for Rajan's deportation, including his crime history and a court warrant against him.Rajan, one of India's most wanted criminals and a leading figure in the Mumbai underworld, was arrested on October 24.He is wanted for at least 68 cases in Mumbai alone, including over 20 murder cases and other serious offences under MCOCA, POTA and the Arms Act. (ANI)

China fires 2 top military officers Jing, Nov 3: China's ruling Communist Party today expelled two top military officers from Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia on corruption charges, while a former legislator was jailed for 12 years for accepting USD 1.75 million bribes.

Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) today said that 20 other military officers from Beijing, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Shanghai and Hebei have been punished for "disciplinary violations", in the continued crackdown on corruption in the military.Zhang Genheng, former head of Yangon, Nov 3: Myanmar has closed all of its temporary border ports and checkpoints along the Moei River opposite Thailand's Mae Sot, Phop Phra, Mae Ramat and Tha Song Yang districts of Tak province ahead of the Nov 8 elections, reports said.Only the official border checkpoint at the Thailand-

the frontier army regiment under Xinjiang's public security bureau, and Li Wenli, former director of the military service office of the Inner Mongolia regional public security department were removed from CPC.They were found to have "severely violated Party discipline" and are suspected of accepting bribes, the CCDI said in a statement.Zhang and Li took advantage of their positions to help others gain promotions in the army and seek other benefits. Li was also found to have been involved in gambling, it said.Their cases have been transferred to judicial Myanmar friendship bridge between Mae Sot and Myawaddy remains open.About 20 temporary river ports are affected. The transport of goods through these ports has been suspended, starting Nov 3, until after the elections at various levels in Myanmar on Nov 8 have been con-

bodies.In one case, Yin Zhishan, former deputy director of the guard bureau under the Ministry of Public Security, was removed from his post and reduced to the rank of senior Colonel from Major General, among other punishments.

Top CPC officials as well as thousands of middle and low ranking bureaucrats were prosecuted and punished in the biggest anticorruption campaign launched by President Xi Jinping after he took over power in 2013.The biggest crackdown was also carried out in the military in which over 40 top officials including two Vice Chairmen of

China's top military body, Central Military Commission, besides a number of Generals were removed to face anti-graft investigations. Meanwhile, former head of Sichuan province's political advisory body Li Chongxi was today sentenced to 12 years in jail for taking bribes worth about 11.1 million yuan ( USD 1.75 million), staterun Xinhua news agency reported. Li's personal assets worth one million yuan will be confiscated, according to the verdict that was meted out by a court in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi Province. (Agencies)

cluded. Only local people residing along the river can cross the border through these ports.As a result, the friendship bridge at Mae Sot has become unusually congested with a lot of cargo stalled on the Thai side of the border.It was reported that the temporary closure of the river ports is to pre-

vent some ethnic minority groups from crossing the border to disrupt the elections.Security has been stepped up on the Thai side of the frontier with patrols deployed by the 4th Infantry Regiment and 35th Rangers Regiment and border patrol and provincial police. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Can the Counterinsurgency Doctrine Be Saved?

Cyber crime on the rise Assam witnesses 146% jump in cyber crimes With easy access to internet, nowadays criminals, all over the world, have latched on to the web world and have made it their new domain of crime. In Assam, too, the scenario is no different. As per reports, the latest home department figures show that the number of cyber crime cases in Assam, registered under the provisions of Information and Technology Act, 2000, leapfrogged from 154 in 2013 to 379 in 2014, with a whopping increase in rate by 146.1%. The records highlighted how the cyber criminals hacked internet users' personal details to break the security walls of their banks' e-accounts. Over 58 fraud cases were reported last year. Details of these cases highlighted that on most occasions, the criminals duped public money by floating fake websites and luring people to invest in some schemes.

Records said that last year, over six cases of cyber crime were registered in which the offenders tried to take revenge on the victims in the web world. Also three cases were registered on charges of blackmailing and only one in which the accused tried to outrage a woman's modesty. In most cases, the intention was personal and the criminals used social media as a major tool. Sadly, the state police are yet not wellequipped to arrest tech savvy criminals.

Also in India the numbers of cases registered under the IT Act and IPC have been growing continuously.

The cases registered under the IT act grew at more than 50% in 2012 and 2013. The cases registered under the IPC in 2013 more than doubled from 2012.

Similar trend is observed in the number of persons arrested. The government also accepts that with the introduction of technologies, devices including smart phones and complex applications, and rise in usage of cyber space for businesses, cyber crimes are on the rise in the country.

The list of states with the highest incidence of cyber crime for the period 2011 to 2013 throws no surprises.

Maharashtra tops the list with more than 1800 cases in the 3 years while Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) is a close second with about 1500 cases.

Karnataka stands third while Kerala is fourth. The top states in this list are the ones with the highest internet subscriber base. They are consistently in the top when it comes to internet penetration. The government says that use of social media has also emerged as a key tool committing cyber crimes and attacks that affect nation and society and is conscious of increase in cyber crimes. It has taken various steps in the form of awareness, training, legal framework, emergency response and implementation of best practices to prevent occurrence of such cyber crimes

Prolonged yet gritty fast 15 years of a selfless, unparalleled protest The fasting of the iron lady of Northeast India, Irom Sharmila completed 15 years recently. The reason behind her fast was to abolish AFSPA from Manipur.

But the 15th anniversary of her herculean yet peaceful protest went by quietly without hardly any article published in her support. The 42-year-old Manipuri started her fast in 2000 when she was about 28 years old, following the death of 10 Manipuris at the hands of the Assam Rifles in Imphal. Sharmila decided to register her protest because incidents of torture and killings were common in Manipur and under the provisions of the powers under AFSPA; nothing could be done against security personnel. She started her fast and continued ever since. She has only one demand, 'Repeal AFSPA', as it provisions extraordinary powers to security personnel operating in Manipur and other such areas while these powers have been misused widely.

AFSPA has provisions of shoot to kill on mere probability. But it does not stop here; it goes beyond and says that no case can be lodged against security men without prior sanction from central government. Sadly, in all such years, no approval was given by central government and despite hundreds of reported cases of fake killings, torture and rapes; nothing could be done to punish culprits. Further, as Irom Sharmila continued her fast and did not give it up, Manipur police registered a case against her under section 309 of 'attempt to suicide' and put her in jail.

Undoubtedly, Sharmila is an ordinary woman whose protest representing people's ordinary desires, to live as equal citizens with rights and dignity, is extraordinary. How she has carried on her protest is extraordinary; she practices non-violence "philosophically" not strategically. Hers is the declaration that life cannot be lived unless the state accords an equal right to life to all its citizens. But unfortunately the state or the entire NE for that matter does not seem to listen. According to a section of the observers, these are the most peaceful times the north eastern states have seen in the recent past. Meanwhile, despite repeated calls to withdraw the AFSPA on the part of UN experts as well as national and international groups, the Act continues to be enforced and continues to cause flagrant human rights violations.

Even after 15 years and in the face of suppression through putting her behind bars, her faith in democracy and non violence could not be broken. She always smiles, and tells, 'I have faith in democracy. Government will listen one day'. Sadly, government is not even listening, and even one of her demands to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been accepted yet. She thinks the Prime Minister does not want to meet her as probably the government has no reply to all her demands and questions about suppression of people through AFSPA. But normally human beings would want with all their heart and soul for AFSPA to get repealed.

After failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's time for a new understanding of counterinsurgency.

Karsten Friis With the apparent lack of progress and success in Afghanistan and Iraq, counterinsurgency (COIN) has fallen out of favor within the political and military establishments in the U.S. and elsewhere. Regardless of whether these failures were due to erroneous implementation or theoretical shortcomings, COIN is no longer considered "hot" in strategic circles. However, one should be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. There are elements of COIN worth preserving and retaining for future operations. By modifying our understanding of COIN using insight from security and peace-building literature, a revised concept can be developed which could inform future irregular wars more efficiently than current doctrine. We call it the stakeholder-centric COIN. An insurgency is first and foremost a struggle for political power over the allegiance of the population in a given territory. It is a method employed by a non-state actor to challenge the existing political authority. Counterinsurgency, on the other hand, is defined as "military, paramilitary, political, economic, psychological, and civic actions taken by a government to defeat insurgency," as stated by the U.S. Field Manual 3-24. The concept of legitimacy is clearly the centerpiece of FM 3-24 and defined as the primary objective of any operation. A legitimate government is understood as one that rules with the consent of

the governed, providing security and basic services. This has inspired the term populationcentric COIN. COIN has been widely criticized both for its theoretical shortcomings and for its failure to provide victory in Afghanistan and Iraq. Critics have called for a more traditional military approach, arguing that the focus should be on the insurgents, not the causes of insurgency.

This has been termed the enemy-centric approach. However, as we see it, the enemy-centric approach is unsustainable: by seeking a purely military solution it ignores the local politics at play and its importance for a future peace.

Others criticize COIN for being Western-biased in its understanding of governance and legitimacy. The attempt at imposing state structures (such as the infamous "government in a box") from outside was unrealistic at best. More fundamentally, COIN's focus on the "the population" as the source of stability and legitimacy is problematic. The idea that the power and legitimacy flows from the civilian population and up to the leaders is na誰ve - at least in traditional or patrimonial societies.

The power is not in the hands of the civilian population but in their various societal leaders.

Hence, a middle ground is needed between the population- and enemycentric approaches. To this end, we can find insights from outside the traditional military and strategic scholars.

Professor Mads Berdal at the Department for

War Studies at King's College London, specializes on post-war settlements. He argues that if there is one overarching lesson from the post-conflict interventions from the 1990s on, it is that stability cannot be imposed on war-torn societies from the outside.

Professor Alex de Waal at Tufts University similarly criticizes the very idea that "Western" state institutions are a necessity for peace, a premise shared by both COIN and UN peacekeeping doctrines. He questions if state-building is the right remedy for war-torn societies with limited historical experience with centralized states. In such places, he argues, both rebels and the government tend rather to utilize kinship, patronage, and licensing proxies to achieve political ends.

The key for any political solution to the conflicts lies in these various relationships and their fluctuating evolution, de Waal continues. He calls this as a "patrimonial marketplace," governed by socio-cultural rules.

Recognizing that military victories are unlikely to be decisive in such societies, de Waal provides us with an approach that retains the crucial element of legitimacy recognized by COIN. However, instead of seeking to build the legitimacy of the political system in the eyes of every single individual ('the population'), he focuses on the relevant stakehold-

ers in the marketplace.

And instead of building legitimacy through government structures and provision of services, de Waal emphasizes the power-relationships between the stakeholders in the political marketplace.

Acknowledging the crucial significance of the stakeholders, we propose the end-state for a COIN operation as: apolitical agreement between the main stakeholders in the conflict that is regarded as legitimate and ensures a stability acceptable to all.

The goal is to enable a political process that leads to an agreement between the main stakeholders that will allow the external forces to withdraw.

A counterinsurgency operation should therefore be stakeholder-centric, meaning that the focus of the effort should be on all the relevant military, political, social, religious etc. stakeholders in the society that may impact on a future political agreement. This will help shore up the legitimacy of the political agreement while it does not require a full-scale COIN operation aimed

ister tarnish the image of BJP beyond measure.

These ministers far from helping the party maintain their majestic image and keep embarrassing the party.

Unless Narendra Modi led ministry gets rid of such a minister by dropping him from the ministry, the particular minister will make the country get rid of Narendra Modi led ministry. This minister, erstwhile Chief of army, taught the then UPA government a lesson. Now, this minister is up in arms to teach Narendra Modi, the Prime-minister a lesson. The sooner this minister is dropped from the ministry the better.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Pakistan's Hostility

Embarrassment to BJP Sir, Some ministers of Narendra Modi led NDA government prove to be a nuisance to the party.

By making some shallow comments these ministers, prove to be a liability, a source of embarrassment not only to the ministry but also to the party. At a time when the campaigning for third phase in Bihar assembly election reaches a point of crescendo, such comments by a min-

Sir, Since the day Pakistan came into being, it has been maintaining a hostile notion towards India. Just in the wake of the invasion by the tribal mercenary sponsored by Pakistan in October 1947, Hari Singh, the then Maharaja of Kashmir sent SOS to Delhi for help. The most astute, the greatest ever 'Home' minister Sardar Ballavbhai Patel along with V.K. Krishnamenon, astute defence minister lost no time in sending forces and eventually became instrumental in saving Kashmir. The Maharaja simultaneously agreed to the conditions of the 'Treaty of Accessation' whereby the Kashmir state came under the domain of Indian union, a fact Pakistan was never ready to accept. The ghost centering round Kashmir still keeps on haunting Pakistan and it remains their obses-

at protecting the population, reforming governance, and delivering services.

In stakeholder-centric COIN, the military objective is not limited to protecting the population or defeating the enemy but to facilitate a political process, adapted to the local political marketplace, that is deemed legitimate to all parties in the conflict. The intervening forces' military objective is to stop violent conflict and create the conditions for a political process. This is based on the argument that an intervening force can neither protect the population nor achieve unconditional surrender from the warring parties. Thus a negotiated solution is the best one can hope for.

Leaning on Professor Stathis N. Kalyvas at Yale, we also go on to argue that in stakeholder-centric COIN, military force is instrumental in influencing the decision-making calculus of the different stakeholders in order to compel them to enter into negotiation and eventually compromise. In this sense, military force becomes

instrumental in changing the balance of power on the battlefield and induce action that is desirable to the peace process. This change in turn has to be followed up by a concrete plan of negotiation that must acknowledge the need to offer the stakeholders more than just an opportunity to disarm.

This means that one must appreciate that the establishment of order is central for a strategic victory and must be viewed as part of war itself. Any use of force must be applied to attain political goals rather than tactical military aims.

Karsten Friis is a Senior Adviser and Head of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs' Research Group on Security and Defense. The full text is entitled "Revising COIN - The Stakeholder Centric Approach"and is published in Scott Gates and Kaushik Roy (eds.): War and StateBuilding in Afghanistan: Historical and Modern Perspectives.

A working paper version of the chapter can be found here.

sion how to destabilize India. Surprisingly, it is always Pakistan that fires the first shell little caring for the civilians killed, but Pakistan keeps blaming India of having fired first in the borders, with a 'Holier than thou' attitude. In the Mumbai attack Pakistani militants brutally killed more than 100 innocent civilians. As if all these misdeeds are not enough. Now, Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned to destroy the economy of India, detection of counterfeit currency notes from time to time worth crores of rupees are printed in Pakistan routed to India mostly through Bangladesh. Recently a Pakistan based racket was busted with the arrest of six persons in Guwahati and Malda with 2.1 lakh worth of fake Indian currency notes.

This instance of detection is only the tip of the iceberg. There are umpteen numbers of such cases.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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

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

Op

Page 9

d e 6 Smart Solutions For The Government To Act On As Dal Prices Touch The Roof

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Dr. Amrit Patel Despite India being the largest producer [18.5 million tons] and processor of pulses in the world, it is also importing around 3.5 million tons annually on an average to meet its ever increasing consumption needs of around 22.0 million tons.

According to Indian Institute of Pulses Research's Vision document, with the estimated increase in India's population to 1.68 billion by 2030, the pulse requirement is projected at 32 million tons with anticipated required annual growth rate of 4.2%.

This article suggests areas that need focused attention to make pulserevolution in the country.

Areas That Need Focused Attention When already proven and demonstrated technologies are available to increase the productivity of pulses, there is immediate need to launch a massive 'Grow More Pulses Campaign' focusing on motivating and incentivizing farmers to: [i] include chickpea in rice-fallows, pigeon-pea in rice-wheat cropping system and pigeon-pea at high altitudes [ii] bring more area under pulses, raise pulses under irrigation, use high-yielding varieties of

pulses and adopt efficient crop production technologies [iii] disseminate the technology along with making available on time quality critical inputs at affordable prices to farmers.

Research: Adequate financial and other resources must be committed to research and development efforts exclusively for pulse crops in proportion to currently provided to cereals and cash crops. Research needs to be intensified to: [i] develop high-yielding, short-duration strains which escape terminal drought. These short duration varieties can facilitate farmers to include them in a given cropping systems [ii] develop varieties with significant amount of diversity in maturity-durations of pulse crops that can facilitate their cultivation in different locations and under different production systems to increase production.

Improved varieties with drought tolerance: Since pulses are raised in rainfed conditions, the development of drought tolerant/resistant varieties of pulses is a must to provide long-term solution against adverse effects of recurrent droughts being witnessed in one or the

other part of the country every year. Economic returns on financial investment in research on evolving/breeding drought-proof or drought-tolerance varieties of pulses would be significantly higher compared to spending huge amount of financial and other resources on drought management programs every year and import of pulses.

Seed production and distribution: A well-organized institutional infrastructure in each agroecological region is necessary for multiplication and distribution of seeds of drought-tolerant varieties to farmers on time.

Acknowledging the importance of quality seeds in crop production as a sine qua non the Government has established National and State Seed Corporations which have been implementing seed production projects to enhance seed availability of improved varieties.

Private accredited seed companies engaged in production, processing and marketing of seeds of other crops can be encouraged to include pulses in their business and create effective demand among pulse-growing farmers. These companies should have easy access to breeder and foundation seed and insti-

tutional credit and be encouraged to expand their capacities. This should help them put in place appropriate marketing strategies including delivery systems targeting remote areas and small farmers. Public-PrivatePartnership mode can facilitate to increase the availability of breeder and foundation seeds to meet the current and emerging needs of seed producer-companies.

Field surveys show that in the recent past, a number of improved varieties of pulses have been released for cultivation.

However, the seed replacement rate by improved strains in India varies from 14% in chickpea to 35% in soybean whereas other farmers still use their own saved seeds. Thus, a strategic action plan is necessary to motivate farmers to switch over to using improved seeds by replacing the use of traditional/home preserved seeds in next three years.

Programs need to be designed to ensure availability of quality seeds of drought/pest-resistant and high-yielding varieties accompanied by postharvest technology that can motivate farmers of all sizes of land holdings to allocate fairly reasonable area and resources under pulses. For this,

What will be the top engineering courses in the next 5 years?

Beulah Pereira Over the past decade, educational institutions have witnessed a spurt in the growth of students leaning towards engineering courses. It comes as no surprise then, that this field offers great promise over the next five to ten years.

The current scenario While this field has a lot of potential, one can only wonder how much further it could expand. As of now, areas of high interest and demand stem from the easy placement value. "Computer engineering, mechanical engineering, information technology and civil engineering are the streams that offer relatively easy job placements," says Dr. Vinayak Bharadi, Principal, Thakur College of Engineering and Technology.

A collaborative future While it was difficult for Shubha Pandit, Principal, K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering, to pin down the exact courses, which could crop up in the future, she believes, "It is important to pay attention to the development of neglected ar-

eas like agriculture and instrumental development, to name a few. Such areas are fertile for development and have a lot of scope for new courses."

When it comes to education, the possibilities are endless.

As India is largely a service-sector economy, our strength lies in courses like computer engineering and information technology, which will always remain constant. But the future could hold much more. R. K. Sarangi, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Don Bosco Institute of Technology, predicts that future demand would focus more on inter-disciplinary courses. "Automation, micro mechanical electrical systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology are are some of the

courses that will make a mark in the field of engineering.

Biomedical and genetic engineering will also come to the forefront because medical and engineering professionals are coming together to carry forward research these fields," explains Sarangi. Experts agree that these new courses will add value to existing fields.

A vocational edge Dr. Bharadi states that there is an increasing demand for vocational courses, which will help the Indian economy manifold. These courses provide more job employment opportunities, along with the scope for the industry to carry out research.

In addition, this will serve as a breeding ground for potential entrepreneurs. "I hope that future courses have a practical aspect to it, rather than just

theory," says Pandit, stressing that the current engineering scenario is largely theoretical. "Engineering is an applied knowledge base.

So, it is crucial that future courses equip students with hands-on experience," she continues.

Infrastructure hurdles With anything that is newly introduced, there are bound to be challenges. While the courses that are likely to be popular in the future have more advantages than disadvantages, experts say that institutes may not have the infrastructure to support the more advanced courses. Moreover, the more advanced a course is, the more expensive it is likely to be, making affordability an issue.

Top 5 Future-friendly Engineering Courses Data Analysis Cloud computing Biometrics Nano Technology Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

investment in financial and human resources is a must to create a needbased institutional mechanism to create demand of seeds from farmers and cost-efficient seed delivery system and simultaneously augmenting the production of required amount of quality seeds [ breeder, foundation, and certified seeds] under the supervision of the seed regulatory body.

Effective coordination is called for among various village PRIs, departments of the State and Union Government.

Micronutrients: Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen. Arrangement needs to ensure provision of quality Rhizobium inoculum. A recent study

by ICRISAT indicated that soils in many states in India are deficient in micro-nutrients such as boron, sulphur, zinc and magnesium. Application of small quantities (0.5 to

2 kg /ha) has resulted in 40%-120% increase in grain yield. Under a mission to boost productivity of rain-fed agriculture through science-led interventions in Karnataka (called the Bhoochetana project) the improved management practices (including application of micronutrients) have increased the yield by 31%57% in green gram, 26%38% in pigeon-pea and 27%-39% in chickpea during 2010-11. Similarly, in 2011-12 black gram and green gram grain yields increased by 33%-42% in response to improved management practices as compared to farmers' traditional management practices.

Hence, it is necessary to [i] replicate these studies in different agro-ecological regions and [ii] through massive demonstrations make farmers aware of the importance of micro-nutrients and

improved management practices and make available micronutrients in remote areas to enhance productivity and production of pulses.

Irrigation: Pulses often experience severe moisture stress since they are largely grown in rain-fed conditions. Soil water is limiting the growth and yields of cowpea, pigeonpea, and chickpea in particular. Field studies suggest that application of small quantity of water as supplemental irrigation to rain-fed pulses during critical stages of growth can substantially improve yield. Studies showed that [i] by increasing the availability of soil moisture from 150mm to 300mm increased yield by 100% to 3.52 ton/ha. [ii] yields in chickpea and lentil increased linearly with the amount of water applied. Since there is significant scope for providing supplemental irrigation systematic efforts need to be made to educate, incentivise and encourage farmers.

Mechanization: As the currently available varieties of pulses are not suited to mechanical harvesting pulses are harvested manually. In developed countries, such as Australia, Canada and

USA, pulses like chickpea, lentils etc. are harvested mechanically which have distinct advantages. In India, with continuously increasing labour cost, farmers find manual harvesting of pulses very expensive and they would like to increasingly opt for mechanical harvesting. The farmers in Andhra Pradesh are anxious to switch over to chickpea cultivars suited to mechanical harvesting and they voice their demand for evolving and supplying such varieties.

Experts, also, suggest that research should focus to reduce cost of cultivation substantially by promoting the use of post-emergence herbicides in controlling weeds by developing herbicide-tolerant cultivars.

This is necessary since pulses in general, are sensitive to herbicides which compel manual weeding to control weeds. Research, therefore, needs to be pursued to evolve herbicide-tolerant cultivars that offer opportunity of controlling weeds through needbased applications of herbicides. Weed management through the application of herbicides can be economical and facilitates zero-tillage or minimum tillage methods.

A Liberal Arts education gives you an all-round perspective towards life Jayadev Calamur lished by Richard is still a bit one-dimen- holds you in good stead In a South Asian environment, every parent hopes that their child becomes an engineer, a doctor or a lawyer. If they do become an engineer, it's typically followed up by an MBA. Yet, there are institutions in India such as St. Stephen's in New Delhi and St. Xavier's in Mumbai that have higher cut-offs for the Arts than Sciences. Several surveys conducted by various firms or even media organisations have always listed these two colleges as part of the top 10 colleges for liberal arts.

So, what exactly are liberal arts? In ancient Greece, studying liberal arts involved equipping oneself to participate in debates, defend oneself in court, serve on juries and even offer military service. Grammar, logic and rhetoric were the core liberal arts, while arithmetic, geometry, the theory of music and astronomy played a (somewhat lesser) role.

Today, premier institutions such as Harvard University offer liberal arts programmes that cover biological and social sciences as well as the humanities. Clearly, liberal arts implies far more than aesthetic or artistic pursuits. This observation is corroborated by a paper pub-

Sigurdson, former Acting Dean of Arts, Thompson Rivers University in Canada, which states, "If you want to get a solid, broad-based, general education, which will improve your analytical, communication and learning abilities, then liberal arts may be for you." Tazeen Canteenwalla, a retired Professor of English, Sophia College of Women,Mumbai, suggests that students with a liberal arts background tend to be better equipped to deal with real-life situations.

"They are well-read and through the curriculum, tend to understand society better. This can help them in the long run," she says.

Canteenwalla adds that throughout the course of history, a number of scientists have loved the liberal arts, and were students of not just subjects like sociology, but also fine arts and music.

"The Indian career path

sional, but students in the West do opt for subjects that interest them, even whilst pursuing engineering or medical degrees," she says.

George Joseph, Director of South Asia, Yale University, explains that in the case of an Ivy League college, the student first has to get in.

"They go through several classes before they decide what they want to focus on and eventually major in. This way, they are better prepared, as choosing a major is a life-altering decision," he says.

Benefits The biggest advantage that liberal arts have is that they equip students with skills that employers value in an employee. These include effective communication, cultural understanding and analytical abilities.

Most importantly, reading so much during your years in the educational system,

in professions that demand a lot of reading.

The future...

In its latest report on the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), the Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society tells us that literacy means more than knowing how to read, write or calculate. It involves understanding and being able to use the information required to function effectively in the knowledge-based societies that will dominate the twentyfirst century.

While a majority of graduate and postgraduate programmes in India are still rigid in terms of their curricula (science students are not allowed to study history, and vice versa), the awareness that students in this digital age possess could hold them in good stead as they prepare to launch their careers in 2025.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

Festive October reports double digit increase in motor sale

Security clearance received by 1,500 foreign and domestic firms

Mumbai, Nov 3: October brought the muchexpected bonanza for passenger vehicle (PV) makers as most of the manufacturers reported double digit increases in their sales, aided by festive season demand as well as lower fuel prices and lending rates. Total sales of top seven PV companies - Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda, Tata, Toyota and Ford - stood at 2.48 lakh units when compared with 1.99 lakh units in October last year, posting a growth of 24 per cent. While Toyota saw a marginal decline in sales, all other companies reported growth in the range between 11 per cent and 52 per cent. Top car maker Maruti's domestic sales in October 2015 were up 25 per cent at 121,063 units (97,069 units in October 2014).

Barring mid-size segment (Ciaz), all other segments saw sales rise for the company. Compact and utility vehicle (UV) categories posted 38 per cent and 57 per cent growth respectively.

Hyundai's domestic sales rose 24 per cent at

Mumbai, Nov 3: As part of its "Ease of Business" programme, the National Democratic Alliance government has given security clearance to at least 1,500 foreign and domestic firms since January this year, a senior government official said. Of these, 22 are Chinese companies. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is the nodal authority for granting security clearance to any foreign or domestic company before it starts business in India, said they were in the process of expediting the pending applications. The official could not provide the number of companies that have been running on the ground following the security clearance, as there are other steps involved. Last week, Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, convened a high-level meeting to review the proposals of foreign companies that were pending a clearance by the Home Ministry. The government is also revisiting its policy to grant security clearance to

47,015 units. All-time high sales of Grand i10 and continued strong performance of Creta & Elite i20 helped achieve highest monthly number, said Rakesh Srivastava, Hyundai's Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing. October also provided the much needed fillip to the UV major Mahindra & Mahindra, which has been struggling to arrest fall of volumes. The company attributed the double digit growth in October to strong response to recently launched TUV300 and other brands such as XUV500, Scorpio.

Honda Cars India reported the highest growth among PV makers in October. While City and Amaze fetched strong sales, new Jazz has also clocked volumes of about 4,500 units. Tata Motors' PV sales growth was driven by its cars, specifically the new launches. Car sales were higher by 15 per cent at 11,049 units, while UV continued to see decline. Ford also reported significant growth of 49 per cent in

FESTIVITY AUGMENTED MOTOR SALES n Total sales of top seven PV companies - Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda, Tata, Toyota and Ford - stood at 2.48 lakh units when compared with 1.99 lakh units in October last year, posting a growth of 24 per cent. n While Toyota saw a marginal decline in sales, all other companies reported growth in the range between 11 per cent and 52 per cent. n Top car maker Maruti's domestic sales in October 2015 were up 25 per cent at 121,063 units (97,069 units in October 2014). n Barring mid-size segment (Ciaz), all other segments saw sales rise for the company. Compact and utility vehicle (UV) categories posted 38 per cent and 57 per cent growth respectively. n Hyundai's domestic sales rose 24 per cent at 47,015 units. n Mahindra & Mahindra attributed the double digit growth in October to strong response to recently launched TUV300 and other brands such as XUV500, Scorpio. n Honda Cars India reported the highest growth among PV makers in October. While City and Amaze fetched strong sales, new Jazz has also clocked volumes of about 4,500 units. n Tata Motors' PV sales growth was driven by its cars, specifically the new launches. n Car sales were higher by 15 per cent at 11,049 units, while UV continued to see decline. n Ford also reported significant growth of 49 per cent in its total domestic sales, aided by new launches such as Figo Aspire, new Figo and new EcoSport. its total domestic sales, aided by new launches such as Figo Aspire,

new Figo and new EcoSport. To boost its sales further, Ford

Credit India commenced vehicle retail financing last month. (Agencies)

Pharma firms breaking drugs pricing norms Hyderabad, Nov 3: Pharma manufacturers and others dealing with sale of bulk drugs in the state are increasingly flouting the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), which makes it mandatory for them to sell essential life saving drugs at an affordable price. So rampant is the violation that the Telangana Drug Control Authority, in a state-wide raid on retail and bulk pharma outlets and manufacturers, identified 65 instances where the prices charged were found to have exceeded the ceiling fixed by DPCO. For the record, prices of these essential drugs - totaling 509 -- are listed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in a book published by it

(titled 'Compendium of ceiling prices of essential medicines') in April 2015 and are subject to annual revision. The NPPA is the implementing authority of DPCO in the country.

"We have issued show cause notices to all the 65 outlets found flouting the DPCO. Those found overpricing the drugs would be penalized, but action would be taken only after they respond to our notices," said a senior official at Telangana Drug Control Authority.

For instance, the latest DPCO says that 30 ml of Cetirizine syrup (used for treating cold and allergy) should be priced at Rs 17.70. However, the Telangana Drug Control Authority found that retail and wholesale pharma outlets were sell-

ing it at Rs 26. Similarly, 500 mg Ciprofloxacin tablets (used to treat typhoid and respiratory tract infection) has a fixed price of Rs 4 per tablet, but authorities found it being sold at Rs 6.67 per tablet. However, retail pharmacists maintained that their roles are limited with regard to implementation of DPCO. "Our role is limited as the maximum retail price (MRP) is printed by the drug manufacturers before they are released into the market. However, we can return the batches of drugs to the manufacturers as and when the DPCO revises the ceiling," said Dr Surendra Mantena, chief operating officer of MedPlus Health Services, which

runs a chain of online pharmacy. Echoing a similar view, Ch Paramathma, secretary of Telangana Pharmacists' Association, said that no pharmacy outlet can be held guilty for flouting DPCO. "At

Over 40 per cent of China's online goods substandard, counterfeit, says report Beijing, Nov 3: In a big setback to China's e-commerce giants such as Alibaba, an official report submitted to the Chinese lawmakers said only 58.7 per cent of items in online trades were genuine or of good quality last year with the remaining 40 per cent shoddy or counterfeit. According to the report on implementation of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Consumers, Commerce authorities across the country received 77,800 complaints last year concerning online orders, a staggering increase of 356.6 per cent. The report, heard at a plenary meeting of the NPC Standing Committee presided over by top legislator Zhang Dejiang, urged tightened management on online trade, state-run Xinhua news agency said. The report said China has overtaken

the US as the world largest online retail market with USD 442 billion compared to US nearly USD 300 billion last year. While turnover of the country's online retail increased by 40 per cent annually to 2.8 trillion yuan (USD 442 billion) last year, the manufacture and sale of shoddy or counterfeit goods has become a key concern in the sector, the report cited the Ministry of Commerce as saying. The Internet has become a critical element of China's economic progress in the past five years, accounting for seven per cent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), a percentage point higher than the US, China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) said.

The decision by the Chinese government to publicise the report in a rare move came amid rising discontent over in-

creasing supply of fake goods through online retail, raising questions over credibility of the online ecommerce giants like Alibaba which has emerged as e-commerce giant world wide becoming one China's iconic companies in recent years.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma has been reiterating that his company has focused a lot on the scrutiny of its suppliers but complaints continued to mount. According to CNNIC, there are so far 328 listed Internet companies in China, which ac-

count for 25.6 per cent of the nation's market capitalisation. Four of them have made their way to the top 10 world Internet companies, including Alibaba.

The number of online shoppers climbed to 361 million, representing 55.7 percent of the nation's shoppers last year. Online shopping represents 20 per cent of all consumer demand, the report said. For the first time mobile phones have become the most commonly-used platform to access the Internet, followed by computers. (Agencies)

the most, we can give evidence against the drug manufacturers when enforcement agencies detect violation of DPCO in case of overcharging of essential drugs," he said.

(Agencies)

this year, the Home Ministry framed new guidelines for assessment of proposals received from various Ministries for national security clearances. The guidelines were aimed at streamlining the procedure in the context of 'Make in India' and 'Ease of doing business' programmes of the government. The policy has 15 laid down parameters on which inputs from security agencies will be sought. (Agencies)

GIC likely to invest $50m in deals app Little Bengaluru, Nov 3: Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC is in talks with deals discovery app Little for a possible $50-million financing round, sources privy with the matter said. The development comes close on the heels of the company having announced a $50-million fund-raise in July this year, which was led by the Alibababacked Paytm, Tiger Global and SAIF Partners along with an undisclosed investor. "This is one of the significant bets by GIC in the new economy space in India besides its large backing in Flipkart. The discussions are under way and they are looking to put a big cheque in the company," a source familiar with the development.

It's not clear if the existing investors would participate in the new round being planned. GIC participated in Series G

Infrastructure sector push yet to translate into real growth Chennai, Nov 3: The Modi Government's big infrastructure push is yet to translate into a pick-up on the ground, data released recently shows.

Growth of the eight core infrastructure industries slowed to 2.3 per cent in the first six months compared with 5.1 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

The performance does not reflect the more than 60 per cent jump to Rs.82,818 crore in the Government's capital expenditure during AprilSeptember this year. This year's Union Budget sought to shift the thrust of government spending to capital expenditure, particularly in infrastructure, to boost growth.

Led by fertilisers and electricity sectors, output of the eight core infrastructure industries improved in September to 3.2 per cent from 2.6 per cent in August. This growth, however, was not broad-based, with the two main industries, steel and cement, contracting in September. The output of steel shrank 2.5 per cent and that of cement declined 1.5 per cent. The tepid performance

companies in sensitive as well as non-sensitive sectors. The meeting was attended by secretaries of Home, Defence and Shipping. "The government is keen on promoting business in India and we have given clearances to at least 1,500 foreign and domestic firms till now. Only few applications are pending with us, which includes two Chinese firms. We are in the process and will clear them soon," said a senior government official. In June

could be a drag on India's overall industrial growth in the first half of the current year as the core industries comprise almost 38 per cent of the index for industrial production. India's industrial production had picked up in August with growth at 6.4 per cent, the fastest pace since October 2012. The data for industrial output growth in September is scheduled to be released next week. The data released on Monday showed that the production of fertilisers grew 18.1 per cent in September, ahead of the rabi sowing, which is to have started from Octoberend and will go on till December. That followed the sector's robust growth of 12.59 per cent in August.

Almost 11 per cent more electricity was generated in September than in the comparable period in 2014. The growth in the sector was 5.6 per cent in August 2015. Output of natural gas and refinery products increased less than a per cent in September and crude oil production declined marginally, shrinking 0.1 per cent in the period. (Agencies)

round funding in e-commerce major Flipkart.

Little's founder & CEO Manish Chopra declined to comment on the development. An email sent to GIC's spokesperson remained unanswered.

Little was founded by Chopra and Satish Mani who had together started the online fashion brand Zovi which they continue to run. Zovi had both SAIF and Tiger Global as its investors. Little app helps consumers discover deals across services like restaurants, movies, salons, spas among others while also acting as a sales channel for merchants. It competes with players including MyDala, Groupon and Coupondunia. Deals by Little are also shown on Paytm's platform. Interestingly, SAIF Partners which is already an investor in Little is also a key shareholder in

Paytm. GIC's keen interest in Little may have come in the backdrop of claims that the O2O commerce (online-tooffline) market is expected to be worth $64 billion by 2016. Little is aiming to clock a gross merchandize value of about $170 million by end of March 2016, as reported earlier. For Paytm, GIC's potential investment in Little could augur well as it would further enhance the Noida-based company's grip over the mechanism of discovery to delivery. The app's services are operational in 11 cities and the funds being raised are in line with company's plan to feed its expansion needs and hire requirements to fulfil the expansion. It has about 400 people at present while plans are afoot to add another 600 by end of March next year. (Agencies)

Sistema's India unit acquired by RCom New Delhi, Nov 3: Indian telecoms operator Reliance Communications (RCom) has agreed to buy Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian mobile phone business with a share swap that marks the first major deal in seven years in a crowded and indebted sector. The agreement will see Sistema take a 10 per cent stake in billionaire Anil Ambani's RCom, worth about $290 million at current prices, in exchange for its operations. RCom has also agreed to cover payments for mobile airwaves to be allotted to Russian billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov's Sistema, it said. RCom and Sistema did not provide a value for the deal, but one person with direct knowledge of negotiations put the total at close to

Rs.4,500 crore ($686 million). The recent announcement comes at a critical time for a fast-growing but hugely competitive industry: just weeks ahead of the long-awaited launch of telecoms operations by Reliance Industries, the conglomerate controlled by Ambani's brother, Mukesh Ambani. India's mobile phone market is the world's second-biggest after China by number of customers, but its phone carriers operate on wafer-thin margins and cut-throat competition that have dented their balance sheets. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Features

Page 11

HORTICULTURE A new fast-yielding jackfruit Shrikrishna D Jackfruit from the farm of Maharashtra's Prakash Sawanth yielded fruit in a record two years, an unheard of agricultural phenomenon in the country. How quickly can we get fruits from a jackfruit plant? 'J.33', a Malaysian variety is probably the one with the shortest gestation period. According to reports, this variety also known as 'Tekam yellow' - starts yielding fruits in just eighteen months after planting. J33 jackfruit is also very sweet. Its latex content is low. The Malaysian Agriculture Department recommends this variety for export. Commercial or-

chards that have planted this variety have already started marketing the fruit in their domestic market.

Now, a variety that yields fruits nearly as fast as 'J33', if not faster, has come to light in Maharashtra. Prakash Sawanth, a 61-year-old farmer at Nane in Thana district has this unnamed cultivar that yields fruits in eighteen months. Such performance has rarely ever been recorded in the whole country.

India boasts of being the motherland of jackfruit.

But unfortunately, we still haven't started commercial cultivation of this

fruit. We just dibble a seed or plant a seedling and then forget about it.

Jackfruit remains largely a 'naturally growing' crop in homesteads or a scattered border crop for which farmers do nothing except harvest the fruits.

Harvesting also is not done as a matter of routine. The fruits are often allowed to fall and rot!

But Prakash Sawanth clearly thought otherwise.

Sawanth got a jackfruit graft 4-5 years ago from a fellow farmer, Babanchuri of Dahanu.

According to him, this variety came from Singapore a few years ago, which is why his family has named it 'Singapuri'. Babanchuri has a bigger tree of this variety. Prakash pays a lot of attention to the management of his jackfruit plants. He digs a 56 feet deep pit, fills it with a mixture of farmyard manure and loose soil and plants the graft on top.

Except for monsoon, water soluble fertilizers are applied directly or

through drip irrigation periodically.

The efforts bore fruit in the second season itself, as the new jackfruit plant gave fruit. Hailing from a farming family of Kankavli, Konkan, Sawanth was quick to realize the specialty of this variety. He started multiplying the plant through grafting. "Two-three grafts would turn out to be successful out of the ten odd that we used to make," he recalls.

According to Sawanth, with the exception of hand-counts of progenies of the mother Singapuri tree, all others have given yield in the second calendar year itself. "This is the tastiest jackfruit I have eaten so far," hails Sawanth. The carpels have an unusual saffron colour. When it is properly ripened, the characteristic latex disappears making it easier and more comfortable to cut and clean the harvest.

What makes it thrive?

Sawanth Farm, spread over 17 acres, is situated 80 kilometres from Thane

city. It is just 25 kilometres from the Palghar railway station.

The nearest town, Wada is twenty kilometers from this farm. Banana and Papaya are the main crops of this farm. Coconut and Mango are also present in small quantities.

Sawanth's mother jackfruit tree is planted in a shaded area. So its growth and yield is less.

But the new grafts made from the mother tree are planted in better places.

Now the farm has a total of 25 to 30 jackfruit plants of this 'Singapuri' variety. "Out of these," points out Sawanth, "ten plants are seedlings.

Seedlings start yielding from the third year. Interestingly, seedlings too have retained the mother characters whereas seedlings being true to type are very rare in Jackfruit."

Another outstanding character of this variety is its twice-bearing habit.

The staggered bearer gives fruits in a phased manner - December to

March is the main season which continues till May. After a short break over June-July, it starts yielding again from September. "This year, due to heavy rains, a good number of fruits rotted. We got only two fruits in October. Now there are many tender jackfruits and it is still flowering."

Jackfruit trees are very rare in Thane district.

Over the last four years, this family might have harvested about 200 to 300 Singapuri jackfruits.

All these years, they have mostly gifted the fruits to friends and relatives.

Very few were sent to the market. When the crop yield is very high, they resort to 'thinning' by cutting off the excessive fruit just after pollination.

The soil is very fertile.

This farm is located on the banks of Vaitharna river. "Our soil is so finegrained that you won't even get a small stone in this," says Sawanth; "such fertile alluvial soil is the blessing of our river Vaitharna." A lot of organic material is depos-

ited on the land with every rising flood in the river. Sawanth's management is also intensive.

Very few Indian farmers have provided drip irrigation, mulching and periodic manuring in the manner in which he has.

"I look after these plants," he says, "as my own children."

Apart from the Singapuri variety, Sawanth Farm has jackfruit trees of other varieties too. A seedling brought from the owner's native village of Kankavli is one. This too started bearing fruit in its fourth year, much faster

than the usual 6-7 years that seedlings take. But seedlings of other varieties that Sawanth has planted here have taken the usual gestation period of 6-7 years before yielding fruit.

The Singapuri fruit weighs anything from 5 to 15 kg. "In the second year, it gives just one or two fruits. We get 5-6 fruits more in the third year. I haven't seen or heard of a jackfruit variety in the entire country that yields so well and fast," says Sawanth proudly.

Courtesy: indiatogether.org

Good food from dry land Ajitha Menon Across 20 villages of Bankura and Birbhum districts in West Bengal, 800 families are learning to farm dry land anew in a sustainable manner, resulting in increased income, better health and nutritional outcomes, and food security.

Tribal families in Bankura, West Bengal, living on a staple diet of potato and rice and occasionally some 'daal' (lentils), are now consuming a variety of vegetables, cereals, fruits and animal protein with relish on a daily basis, marking a significant change in the nutrition parameters in one of the most backward districts of India.

The credit for this dramatic transformation goes to the dry land 'sustainable integrated farming system' (SIFS), introduced two-and-a-half years ago in the area by the Development Research and Communication Service Centre (DRCSC), a local nong o v e r n m e n t organisation, with support from Germanybased Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and its Fight Hunger First Initiative (FHFI).

The initiative covers 800 families living in drought, flood and water-logging prone zones across 14 villages in Bankura district and six in Birbhum district. Of the total 897 acres in the project area, 83 acres

used to be fallow land at one time. Today, 25 acres has been converted to fertile crop land.

Furthermore, of the 803 acres of single crop land, 84.4 acres has been converted to double crop land, and of the 33.6 acres of double crop land, 15 acres now is triple crop land.

"In the fallow land alone, the villagers are cultivating over 12 types of crops through mixed cropping.

These include legumes like cowpea and cluster beans, pulses like pigeon pea, black gram and horse gram, oilseeds like ground nut, niger and roselle, cereals like maize and vegetables like okra and bottle gourd," informs Sujit Mitra, Coordinator, Natural Resource Management, DRCSC. Earlier, agriculture was non-remunerative due to the high cost of production, erratic rainfall, mono-cropping and no assured harvest.

"The situation was so dire that we faced three crop damages in five years.

Our market dependency was high as we had to buy chemical fertilisers and

seeds - and, at times, food, too. Most of us were in the clutches of moneylenders," shares Paanmukti Soren, 26, of Beriathol village under Jhunjka gram panchayat in Bankura.

The turnaraound Paanmukti is a member of the Jaher Aayu Marshal Mandwa Group, one of the 65 groups set up in the area. Of these, 29 comprise only women and they carry out activities such as setting up grain banks, seed preservation, neem oil production, preparing puffed rice and making 'saal' leaf plates.

Paanmukti and her husband, Subodh, have put in a complete SIFS in place.

She grows soyabean, maize, lentils, beans, bitter gourd and other seasonal vegetables in her nutrition garden on the homestead land. On the one bigha fallow land, the couple does mixed cropping, cultivating pulses, mustard, niger and a host of vegetables, while their three bigha low land is used to farm paddy and oilseeds.

In addition, the couple

uses dung from their livestock - both poultry and cattle - to create bio-fuel and vermi-compost. "Our four member family is eating four-five different home-grown vegetables daily. Earlier, I used to spend Rs 150 weekly just to buy potato and rice.

These days we get animal protein from our own chicken and goat meat and there are plenty of eggs.

My seven-year-old daughter is much healthier. Both my husband and I have greater immunity to diarrhoea, fever, cold and cough that were common earlier," remarks Paanmukti, adding, "The surplus vegetables that I sell brings in some much needed cash."

A useful technique that the duo has learnt is 'bosta' (sack) cultivation wherein sacks filled with mud are used to grow vegetables.

"These are placed at the borders of the paddy fields and even in between the rows. The sack absorbs water from the field and vegetables grow very well.

This way even if the paddy crop is damaged, we get a harvest of vegetables," says Subodh Soren, 32.

Adds his wife, "Even the bio-gas is a blessing as I don't have to scrounge for firewood. I cook in peace without the smoke going into by lungs. My utensils and kitchen are so much cleaner."

Like Paanmukti, Padmavati Mandi, 38, of Chingri village in Bankura, is a happy woman. This year, al-

though she was unable to plant paddy on her three bigha land due to erratic rains, she has an alternative to fall back on.

"My 14-year-old son and I have learnt to make jaggery from date palm juice. We consume it and also sell it. It brings in some income. Moreover, I took a loan of grains from our Chingri Marang Buru Mahila Dal's grain bank to see us through the year, which is much cheaper than going to the moneylender," she says.

Sahadev Murmu, 37, of Beriathol village, Bankura says, "I did not even know that date palm and palmyra palm juice could be used to make jaggery.

The training by the DRCSC opened our eyes.

My group, Suluk Srijan Marshal Dahar, made five quintal jaggery last year.

We sold four quintals for Rs 33,000 and used one for our own consumption to distribute free in the village."

SIFS is being put to good use by the tribals in the area in different ways. "I use palash leaves as mulch in my kitchen garden. It prevents water from hitting the land directly and has controlled soil erosion that used to be a common occurrence. I also grow papaya, pumpkin, amaranth, okra, turmeric, yam and green chilli in my garden. I had never imagined I could produce so many varieties," says Purnima Murmu, 35, of Chingri village, Bankura.

Purnima talks of her

'group' that has a 'saal' leaf plate-making machine that it acquired with the help of the DRCSC. "We go to the nearby Susuniya hills to collect leaves every alternate day and then make plates for sale. It's a good source of income," she says.

Several villagers are, in fact, using the mulch system - creating mulch from different leaves and agriculture waste - to grow red potato. It saves labour as the potato grows on the mulch, not underground.

"The farmers don't have to put in too much labour to harvest the crop and the mulch absorbs moisture and retains it so that irrigating the land twice or thrice is enough, instead of the usual 6-7 times," points out Sujit Mitra of DRCSC. Mitra points out that Bankura and Birbhum register good rainfall averaging 1300 mm every year. But most of it comes

down as high intensity rain over a short period, which often destroys standing crop and causes severe soil erosion.

Of course, the locals have learnt many ways to utilise this excessive waterfall to their advantage.

Rainwater harvesting is one. "I have a polymer tank in which I collect rainwater. In it, I grow azola and use the water in my kitchen garden," says Paanwati.

Another trick they have learnt is cutting 'happas' or ditches to collect water in the paddy fields. "We use this water to irrigate the paddy as and when required. It extends our growing season as we can use the water to grow mustard, wheat, tomato, grams, potato and onions.

We also cultivate fish mostly Indian carp and mud fish - in the ditches," informs Lakhiram Mandi, 29, of Rangagoda village in Bankura, who is helped

by his mother, Padamoni, 55, and sister-in-law, Panmoni, 35.

The results of the dry land SIFS project have been quite amazing so far. Significantly, the availability of vermi-compost has led to a shift from inorganic to organic farming. "Some 279 acres have semi-organic paddy farming and organic paddy cultivation is taking place in 35 acres of the project area. From nothing, it has grown to 11 acres of nutrition gardens, with the average size of the gardens at 40 sq mt. This has improved the health of women, as incidence of anaemia has especially gone down," says Sulekha Laha, 36, Senior Organiser, DRCSC. From an average of three to four months of food security to having their homes and granaries wellstocked all year round, these families have certainly come a long way.

(Agencies)

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"South Africa have been unbeaten in nine years and India has the great opportunity to upstage them and do something special. If India beat South Africa they will go up two or three places up in the Test rankings. I see a huge positive can happen for India if they play to their potential."

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

PAGE 12

Ravi Shastri

Lunglong FC edge past Ngechang on penalties Lomhom Tangha Changlang, Nov 3: Lunglong FC defeated Ngechang FC on penalties in a match of the football tournament organized by the All Changlang district

Students’ Union (ACDSU). Seventeen teams are participating in the tournament from across the district. The Champions and Runners up teams will receive trophies and cash

prize of 1 lakh and 50,000 rupees respectively. ‘The Eastern Today’ has been roped in by the organizers as the media partners for the tournament. The first goal of the match

came in the 29th minute when David Mizo of Lunglong FC put the ball at the back of the net from long range. After the goal, Lunglong FC players kept possession of the

ball. With the match, heading for a draw, Palong Ngemu scored with a header from a corner to put the match on level terms and push the match into extra time. There were no

Sundar Raman resigns as IPL COO

goals in extra time. In the penalties, Lunglong FC scored in all their attempts while Ngechang FC managed to score four goals, thereby losing 5-4 on penalties.

ANI New Delhi: Sundar Raman on Tuesday tendered his resignation as Indian Premier League Chief Operating Officer amidst investigation into the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. The 43year-old embattled cricket administrator, who is accused of wrongdoing in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, will leave the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had appointed CBI superintendent of police Vivek Priyadarshi to head the investigating team that is as-

Holder gets 14th T Tang Memorial Football Tournament into 2nd day one-match Bishnu Rana Nov 3: On the secsuspension Tezu, ond day of the ongoing 14th Tadar Tang Memorial for slow Football Tournament, four have been played over rate matches in two of which Namsai

ANI Colombo: West Indies captain Jason Holder has been given a one-match suspension for maintaining a slow over rate for the second time in the year, the International Cricket Council has said. The decision was taken after West Indies fell two overs short of the target during their one-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the opening ODI in Colombo. In addition to the suspension, Holder was fined 40 percent of his match fee while his team mates received 20 per cent fines. Holder was found guilty of the same offence against South Africa earlier in January.

beat Dibang Valley 2-0, while in a much exciting game, Lower Dibang Valley defeated Longding 21. In the afternoon session, in a one-sided match played between Lower Subansiri and Anjaw, the former crushed the latter 3-0 while the last match played between hosts Lohit team and Upper Siang, the former thrashed the latter 2-0.

Mamol Sports club enter quarters Altab Hussain memorial football tourney ET Correspondent Sonari, Nov 3: In the third day of the Altab Hussain memorial football tournament which is underway at the Sonari public playground under the aegis of Charaideo District Sports Association. The tournament is organized in memory of Altab Hussain, who was a noted sports organiser of the state. In today’s

the start, both the teams looked to dominate each other with FC Karbi Anglong boys employing man-to-man mark-

Hockey India announces 18-men squad for Junior Asia Cup ANI New Delhi: Hockey India on Tuesday announced an 18member squad for the 8th Junior Men's Asia Cup to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia from November 14. The Junior Men's Asia Cup is the largest Asian Tournament for Junior Men and will feature the top eight countries from the continent. The 18 member Junior India squad which has been announced in the midst of the ongoing national camp at the

SAI centre in Bengaluru will be led by the talented Harjeet Singh, who also was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded 5th Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. The Indian goal posts will be guarded by Suraj Karkera and Vikas Dahiya.

The defensive wall of Dipsan Tirkey, Varun Kumar, Anand Lakra, Vikramjit Singh and Harmanpreet Singh will be adding that extra layer of security for the Indian goalkeep-

ers. The Midfield will see Captain Harjeet Singh alongside Nilakanta Sharma, Santa Singh, Manpreet and Manpreet Singh Mangalsingh Chahal. Mandeep Singh, Sumit Kumar, Arman Qureshi, Gurjant Singh, Mohd Umar and Ajit Kumar Pandey will be the forwards for India in the upcoming tournament. India will play their opening match against Japan in Pool A on November 14.

Belogoni Tea Estate steamroll Jokai, Rupjyoti Sangha 7-1 match, Mamol Sports club defeated Dipling United club 2-1. Dipling United club took the lead early in the first half. However, in the second half, Mamol Sports Club scored two quick back-to-back goals in the 55th and 60th minute. Tomorrow, Teok Deepjyoti club will take on Bahemora Navajyoti Sangha.

ASEB Guwahati overcome FC Karbi Anglong, enter into semifinals ET Correspondent Jorhat, Oct 3: In a closely fought match, played between defending champions ASEB Guwahati and Karbi Anglong Football Club, the former managed to thwart the challenge of the latter by defeating them 3-1 via a tiebreaker after playing out the regulation time for a 33 draw to move into the semifinals of the 52nd ATPA Shield Football Tournament being held at the Jorhat stadium near here today. From

sisting former chief justice RM Lodha in determining the role of BCCI official Raman in the 2013 IPL betting and spot fixing scam. In a sensational verdict, the three-member Supreme Court appointed committee found Chennai Super Kings (CSK) official Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals (RR) co-owner Raj Kundra guilty, and imposed life suspensions on the duo in July. The committee also suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from participating in the IPL for a period of two years.

ing. FC Karbi Anglong's first goal was scored in the 11th minute of regulation time, second in the 38th minute by for-

ward Ajoy Basumatary and Upen Basumatery respectively while ASEB netted in the 30th and 41st minutes in the first half of the match with the scoreline reading 2-2. In the second half, Karbi Anglong FC scored again through Ringdhar Jizdung only to be equalised seven minutes after through Syed Ansari of ASEB team. The regulation time ended in a 3-3 draw. In tiebreaker, ASEB netted three goals while FC Karbi Anglong

netted one by virtue of which ASEB now moves into the semifinals. The match was conducted by Referee: Hiren Gogoi (Nazira), Assistant Referee 1: Biman Borgohain (Jorhat), Assistant Referee II: Ranjit Dutta (Jorhat), Fourth official: Raju Borah (Jorhat) while the match commissioner was FIFA official Mr Nirmal Chetia.

Tomorrow's match will be played between Bongaigoan FC versus Assam Police (Blues).

Sports Correspondent Dibrugarh, Nov 3: In a onesided match, Belogoni Tea Estate, Chabua steamrolled Jokai, Rupjyoti Sangha 7-1 in the first Gunaram Dhekial and Subha Baruah All Assam Football Championship 2015 organised by Khowang Sports Association in association with Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council at Burikhawang playground in Khowang today. Altogether, 16 teams participated in the tournament. Sanju Munda opened the account for

Belogoni Tea Estate in the very 1st minute. Sanju fired another salvo in the 8th minute. Shortly after, Amar Rajowar of Belogoni scored their third goal in the 10th minute by converting a pass from Sanju Munda from the left flank. Sanju Munda yet again came strongly in the 18th minute successfully netted their fourth goal.

Midfielder Satyagen Gogoi converted a corner kick by Amar Rajowar in the 30th minute. Bipin Munda then scored their sixth goal in the

40th minute. In the post lemon break, Belogoni Tea Estate were leading 6-0.

Meanwhile, Jokai, Rupjyoti Sangha managed to pull one back in the 72th minute through Kamal Maji before Arjun Karmarkar of Belogoni Tea Estate scored their seventh goal in the 78th minute by converting a pass from the midfield by Amar Rajowar.

Tomorrow, in the second quarterfinal, Gorgaon Football Coaching will lock horns with Tengakhat, Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union.

Morningstar FC, Barak FC locked in a draw

ET Correspondent Haflong, Nov 3: Morningstar FC and Barak FC played out a highly competitive draw in a match of the 11th CEM’s Cup Carnival invitational foot-

ball tournament, 2015 organized by Dima Hasao Sports Association here today at N.L. Daulagupu Sports complex in Haflong.

The match saw both teams create a lot of

oppurtunities but neither team could score.

The match was officiated by Hasmat Ali. Tomorrow, Rongmei Youth Club will lock horns with Rolling FC.

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