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ET CAPSULES
Swearing-in ceremony of Council of Ministers Itanagar, Mar 4: The swearing in ceremony of the council of ministers will held on 5 March,2016 at Darbar Hall , Rajbhavan Itanagar. (DIPR)
One killed in road mishap Rangia, Mar 4: One Sahib Ali was killed on the spot at NH-31 near Bhatkuchi, Rangia on Thursday night in a road accident. According to Rangia police the Motor cycle where he was riding, knocked with a speedy bus and he died on the spot. However the police have recovered the body and sent for the post-mortem. Eventually after the post-mortem the body was handed over to his kin today. (Correspondent)
Two ULFA linkman arrested Tinsukia, Mar 4: A joint team of police, army and CRPF arrested two persons in connection with cases of extortion. The accused was identified as Hiren Gogoi (24) and Hema Kanta Changmai (24), both of them are resident of Deughoria Lakhipathar under Digboi police station. The accused are sent to DBI police station and booked under case no 31/16 US 387 RE Sec 10/13 UA (P) Act. Police official said that, they have also recovered SIM cards from them which were used for the purpose of extortion. (Correspondent)
A mini truck carrying illegal coal seized Chanlang, March 4: A mini truck bearing registration No. 23B 1097 carrying illegal coal was seized on February 29 along with driver Rajesh Batti and Handyman Indrojit Gohain by a night patrolling team led by Taya Taksing, AMDO Kharsang and Umeshan C, OC PS Kharsang. FIR was lodged at Kharsang PS against the two and the owner of the truck one Asoyjo Chetia hailing from Kothalguri (Assam) who procured the coal illegally from one Khimey Ngemu alias Maggie Baido of Kharsang. The local administration, led by Shri N.L. Naam, CO Kharsang, police and department of Geology and Mining have been carrying out a joint rigorous patrolling 24X7 at all respective locations to curb illegal coal mining and transportation, in compliance to the executive order issued by District Magistrate Shri Wayong Khimhun on February 4. According to sources, efforts have also been made to check influx of illegal migrants through rigorous ILP drive in Kharsang Township from time to time. Those without valid documents and ILP have been deported beyond Namchik Police Check Gate. (DIPR)
Vol. 1
Issue 268
Dibrugarh, Saturday, March 5, 2016
Page 11
Pages- 12
FIGHT FOR 5 STATES
Statewide protests by students organisations ET Correspondent/PTI Jorhat, Mar 4 About 600 answer scripts of the Class X matriculation exam conducted by the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) were destroyed in a fire at a school in Jorhat town, prompting the government to order a CID probe into the matter. Out of the total 58,738 HSLC answer scripts received by Sankardev Seminary School Evaluation Centre nearly 20% were found to be burnt in the store room while 80 percent is stated to be safe, informed Solanki Vishal Vasant, the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat today. The incident has evoked statewide protests by student organisations, matric examinees and their parents and the public at large even as SEBA said the affected students may be required to write the test again in only one subject within this month.
20% of 58, 738 answer scripts of HSLC Examination burnt at Sankardev Seminary School Evaluation Centre, Jorhat. Pic - UB Photos.
June, 2011
May 30,2011 May 30,2011
Jan 6, 2011
Tenure Ends
June 2, 2016
May 6,2016
May 22, 2016 May 29, 2016
May 31, 2016
Assembly Party
30
Ruling Party
AINRC 15 SEATS
Seats in Lok Sabha
1
"Around 17 crore voters will cast their vote in assembly elections in these five states", Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election Commissioner said today at a news conference.
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 4
The Chief Minister Kalikho Pul decided to enhance the minimum salary of contingency staffs of all the departments from existing 4500 to 6000 for unskilled and 7000 for skilled workers to improve the living standard of working class and to create a strong work force in the state.
Various students organizations protested in front of Sankardev Seminary, Jorhat. Pic - UB Photos.
APCC says Kalikho Pul betrayed the mandate of the people Tuki says merger of Pul and team with PPA is illegal Vice president of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee, T.C. Tok today said that leaders who have gone outside of the Congress (indicating Pul) have cheated and betrayed the mandate of the people of the State. “The people had given a mandate for the Congress Govt. in 2014 but since the formation of the NDA Govt. in Delhi, there is match fixing right from the advance of the assembly, speaker impeachment, illegal ousted of Chief Minister, imposition of President Rule, swearing of Kalikho Pul as new CM and switch over of 30 Congress MLAs to PPA despite two MLAs were being
West Bengal Kerela Mamata Dommen Chandy
126 CONGRESS 63 SEATS
234
294
AIADMK TMC 150 SEATS 191 SEATS
140 CONG LED UDF 73 SEATS
14
39
42
20
7
18
16
9
He also stated that the number of polling stations has been increased in all five states. About 25,000 in Assam, over 21,000 in Kerala, 65,000 in Tamil Nadu, over 77,000 in West Bengal and 913 in Puducherry. Zaidi also announced that for the first time, Tamil Nadu will get to see an all-women polling stations. In terms of security, he said
that in West Bengal, all polling locations to have Central forces. He further added that EC would ensure conducive law and order and security situation in poll-bound states. This polling session 18,000 VVPAT-enabled EVMs will be deployed in 14,000 polling stations across 64 constituencies spread over 5 states. Zaidi also announced that for the first time, there will be a symbol for None Of The Above (NOTA).
Arunachal CM increases salary of contingency staffs
The incident occurred in a school in the upper Assam town of Jorhat, SEBA said.
Itanagar, Mar 4
Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa
Govt Elected to power June 3, 2011
Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election Commissioner, today announced election schedule in four states and one union territory at a news conference.
As irate crowds gheraoed the SEBA office in Guwahati and took out processions and burnt effigies in protest, a senior Jorhat district official said the fire which was discovered this morning was the handiwork of miscreants.
A Staff Reporter/PTI
Assam Puducherry N. Rangaswamy Tarun Gogoi
ET Bureau New Delhi, Mar 4
Results of the Board exams would be declared as per schedule for awarding of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC), it added.
Contd. on Page 4
State Chief Minister
Seats in Rajya Sabha 1
expelled by the party prior to their merging date. “All the hopes of the people of Arunachal has been washed away by the Governor on the behest of the BJP and RSS”, he said. The Vice President was speaking as the Chairman of an emergency meeting convened today at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan Itanagar where all PCC office bearers, frontal wings, senior party leaders and members of Congress party, informed a official release from the party. “PPA is only a landing ground but after taking oxygen from PPA they will go to BJP.” Contd. on Page 3
Kalikho Pul offered me the post of CM: Kiren Rijiju A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 4
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said he was offered the post of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh but he declined as he did not want to get involved in state politics.
lead the new government but I did not want to switch at this point of time because I have been given a mandate to represent people of the state in Parliament and I am doing my duty," he told reporters at the sidelines of an event at Rajiv Gandhi University at Doimukh, near here.
"Chief Minister Kalikho Pul offered me the post first but I declined...He wanted me to
Contd. on Page 3
ANI Silchar, Mar 4
cmyk
5.00
Answer scripts of HSLC exams Poll dates announced for Assam and other 4 states destroyed in fire at Jorhat
BJP, RSS imposing single ideology on nation: Rahul Gandhi Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of attempting to impose single ideology on the nation and create friction within the people.
Price -
Gandhi, who was addressing a rally in Barak Valley in Southern Assam, said the Congress Party wants a nation where everybody’s ideas and views are respected. “But the RSS and BJP want to impose a single ideology. Wherever they go, they make one Indian fight with another,” he added. AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi weaving hand along with Chief Minister TArun Gogoi & APCC President Anjan Dutta in Jana Jagaran Sabha at Silchar. Pic - UB Photos.
Contd. on Page 4
The enhanced salary will also affect the five yearly enhancement schemes of workers which have now been increased to 2000 from the existing Rs 500. These revised labour wages is much higher than the present wage of the National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW), which is at Rs. 160 per day. According to the Chief Minister, the idea behind the hike in wages is that while the regular government employee gets travel allowances, dearness allowances and medical reimbursements, the contingency and the casual staffs are deprived of such benefits. The thrust behind such initiatives for labour welfare policies is the Chief Minister's own first-hand knowledge of the hardships faced by the workers community. Pul made the landmark decision after consultation with work
SALARY ENHANCEMENT Salary of all the Contingency staffs of all the departments increases from Rs. 4500 to Rs.6000 for Unskilled workers Rs. 7000 for skilled workers Five yearly enhancement schemes of workers increases from Rs 500 to Rs. 2000 departments and shared his views to the Labour Commissioner on Thursday, who was asked to immediately work out modalities for its implementation. In a separate meeting with the department of water supply and sanitation, CM stressed for urgent improvement of water supply in the capital city. He opined for identifying alternate source of water like boring well to extract ground water in every sector to meet up the water need of ever burgeoning population of the capital cities. “Plans, policies and programmes of the government should be prepared by massive
exercise involving the field officers from ground zero where actual problem persists” CM emphatically said. While asking to plan out their strategies on short term, mid-term and long term basis, Pul pitched for preparation of comprehensive and result oriented projects. On the side line, he stressed for maintaining the existing infrastructure with augmentation wherever necessary. CM urged the department to ensure that every village, every household and every individual gets sufficient drinking water facility. He also stressed for construction of sanitary latrines in the rural areas and directed the department of PHED to plan out means to dispose of wastes. During discussions with the department of UD, CM reiterated for taking the clean Arunachal Campaign on a holistic manner. While directing for identifying waste dumping grounds in all the urban towns, Pul asked UD department to do a detail feasibility study for putting up solid waste management and treatment plants in all urban towns. He also directed to identify suitable lands for construction of burial grounds in all the urban towns across the state.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker, P.A. Sangma no more Condolences pour in from across the country ANI New Delhi, Mar. 4
Former Lok Sabha speaker P. A. Sangma breathed his last here on Friday following a heart attack. Sangma, who unsuccessfully contested the presidential election as an opposition candidate against Pranab Mukherjee, was 68 years old. The former Meghalaya chief minister was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times since his first entry to the Lower House in 1977. He was the Lok Sabha Speaker between 1996 and 1998. Sangma was expelled from the Congress in 1999 along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar for raising a banner of revolt against Sonia Gandhi over her foreign origin issue. Subsequently, the trio formed the Nationalist Congress Party
Late P.A. Sangma (NCP). However, he left the NCP in 2004 and formed a regional party, which later merged with Trinamool Congress. He later rejoined the NCP, but only to part ways with it later and un-
successfully contested the presidential election against Pranab Mukherjee. He was supported by BJP, BJD, AIADMK and others.
Condolences. on Page 5
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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
PAGE 2
ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You have decided to give more importance to your inner voice, and Ganesha feels it's a good thing. It supports you to strive for perfection in whatever you do. You will remain your sensible and realistic self. A little adventure will not hurt, says Ganesha. Taurus The three Es will rule your mood throughout the day: energy, exuberance and excitement. Such enthusiasm is always contagious and near and dear ones will be charmed by it. Things will get better as the day progresses. Take a break from work to relax and recharge if you feel weary, says Ganesha. Gemini God helps those who help themselves. Maybe. But He definitely helps those who help others. Support your colleagues and they will be grateful to you. This way, even your bosses will notice your talents, if they haven't already. They will shower praise on you, and favours too. An entirely enjoyable evening with your loved ones will serve as the icing on the cake, says Ganesha. Cancer You will be extremely eager and enthusiastic today, portends Ganesha. At work, your emotions will prevail over your common sense. Things, however, will change for the better as the day progresses. Loved ones will shower care and concern at night. Leo Something piques the demon within you today, says Ganesha, making you emotional and zealous. But then, we must all wage a war against our personal demons every time they rear their ugly heads. Ganesha foresees you emerging victorious in this battle today, and regaining your happy-go-lucky attitude in the latter part of the day. As for work, it is your expertise that will come in handy. And if you happen to be a public servant, then rest assured that your deeds shall have inspiring results. Virgo Helping your colleagues will bring loads of good will. Your superiors will be superiorly happy with your work. Interaction with friends will be special. Revel in the company of your loved one, says Ganesha. Libra It's all about family today. In fact, the bigger the better since Ganesha foresees it is quite likely that both close and distant relatives will fill your heart with glee today. It might be some good news worthy of raising a toast to. However, you might be doubtful about getting along with your peers at work. But rest assured, in all probability your business will make satisfying progress at the end of the day. All's well that ends well! Scorpio Today, you are likely to make a fine show of your knack of organising things, predicts Ganesha. At the workplace, you will develop a special liking for your job. Later in the day, you may find lasting solutions to pending problems. Take the trouble to research any decisions you make so that you are liable to make well-informed decisions about your future. Sagittarius Handicraft business is likely to draw your attention. People around you will marvel at your commitment and dedication to work and family alike. Ganesha advises you to bite the apple of love and share some romantic moments with your spouse. Capricorn Not many know how stupendous is your wealth of wisdom; today will be a good day to make a display of it, says Ganesha. You will have your wits about you and will impress many with your show of intellect. In the social circuit, you will indulge in spreading the message of love while at work, your excellent managerial skills will ensure that everything is under control. Peace is what you will look forward to at night, and peace will come to you, indeed. Aquarius A series of disappointments may drag you down today. But this is a temporary phenomenon, and a cheerful demeanour is the only solution. It is also best to avoid conflicts and differences at work in the larger interest of things. This too shall pass, says Ganesha. Pisces Carefully evaluate and analyse any monetary transactions that you undertake today. Running about heedless, like a headless chicken, does you no good. Slow down your pace at work, for later on it may be too late. You are likely to be engaged in shopping for or appreciating the fine arts later in the evening, says Ganesha.
Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 5-3-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Vidyarthir Anusthan 6-50 A.M-Naam 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Request Programme of Assamese Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raaijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 9-30 P.M-Kramasha (Serial Novel Reading) 10-00 P.M-Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P
LOST 1. Class XII School Certificate Govt. Higher Secondary School. Chngkham 2. Class XII Fail Certificate Govt. Higher Secondary School. Chngkham. 3. Class XII Transfer Certificate Govt. Higher Secondary School. Chngkham Lost in Lajpat Nagar Delhi on dated- 24/08/ 2015 Time- 10:30 am. Name. Ronjita Chakma S/D/W/O Tuntu Moni Chakma. Address - H no. 4642, Ashok B Uddha Vihar, Old Power House Road, Rajghat, New Delhi11000
Spaxmo-Proxyvon capsules seized at Bokajan ET Correspondent Bokajan, Mar 4: The 155/ E Bn CRPF seized a large consignment of banned Spaxmo-Proxyvon Capsules from a Twensang bound night bus in a regular check post over N.H 39 here on Thursday evening. The security personnel manning the check post was conducting routine check of a Twensang bound bus and recovered 1450 SpaxmoProxyvon Capsules from possession of Vighoto Sema (38) of Twensang, Nagaland. The accused was later handed to Bokajan Police and a case has been registered under provisions the NDPS Act.
A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, March. 4
Around four hundred activists of the Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) today protested seeking electrification and proper sanitation at Bokpara Tea estate under Lahowal constituency in Dibrugarh district. The people of the tea estate holding banners and placards shouted slogans and called for electrification and sanitation at the tea estate lacking in basic amenities. The Students' organisation alleged that four-time sitting MLA of Lahowal constituency Prithibi Majhi has failed to work for the people of tea tribe community despite holding many important portfolios while he was in the Congress ministry. "Even after 69 years of Independence there is no electricity connection at Bokpara Tea estate. The Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government always speaks about development of the tea tribe
ATTSA activists marching towards Deputy Commissioners office in Dibrugarh on Friday.
people. But still now they live in extremely pathetic condition,'' said Sunil Pator, Branch secretary of ATTSA, Dibrugarh. Bokpara Tea estate which has a population of more than two thousand people will play a crucial role in the election, Pator added while warning that the government should not take the people lightly. He said that despite the Chief Minister's announcement of providing
land pattas to landless tea tribe people, only a handful of people has actually received it. "It seems a fluke promise to get votes in the election. Why are we not getting the land pattas,'' Pator queried. The AATTSA also alleged that rampant corruption is also going on the Public Distribution system (PDS) at the Bokpara Tea estate. "Under the Food Security Act, BPL card holders of
the tea garden should get 60 kg of rice and 4 litres of Kerosene per family but they are being cheated by the PDS shops. Instead they are getting 25 kg rice and 2 litres of kerosene,'' alleged Lakhindar Kurmi, Publicity Secretary, ATTSA, Dibrugarh district. A worker of the Bokpara Tea estate said that less than 30 per cent of the housholds has proper sanitation facili-
BJP Margherita Sadar Mandal and Block Mandal Committee staged out a padyatra rally ET Correspondent Margherita, March 4: BJP Margherita Sadar Mandal and Block Mandal Committee today took out a Padyatra Rally from Margherita Changlang Tiniali to Margherita SDO(C) office where more than 500 BJP workers were present. Dilip Moran BJP Legislator from Doomdooma Legislative Assembly Constituency was also present at today’s Padyatra.Bhim Karmakar,
PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)
Advt.
ATTSA decries lack of basic amenities in tea estate
President of Margherita Sadar Mandal Committee said in a Margherita Constituency many Government schemes are now politicalized by Congress party. He alleged that many congress workers in the constituency have got two Ration Cards but many people are deprived of even a single Ration Card. He further alleged that Margherita LAC Legislator Pradyut Bordoloi who has been elected for the last 17
years no development work took place in Margherita only those who are Congress leaders and workers are benefited. He stated that those Congress leaders and workers who possessed two or three Ration Cards should be cancelled by Margherita Administration. Dilip Moran Doomdooma LAC BJP legislator alleged that only malgovernance and corruption was witnessed during the reign of
last 15 years of Congress Party in Assam. He also added that these are the sign of 15 years of trust and development for the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Assam. Many senior BJP leaders of Margherita such as Sanjay Kumar Deb, Santanu Borthakur, and Margherita Town Committee Chairperson Niru Borah were present. A memorandum was given to the Margherita Sub Divisional Officer
tates. "We have no toilets. We have to defecate on open field. Neither the garden management nor the district administration has not taken any steps,'' he said. It may be added that the state government in a bid to ensure sanitation facilities for all, has recently taken up a scheme to construct six lakh household toilets and earmarked Rs 860 crore to make the state open defecation free.
Pragya- Assam to host 51st birthday of Nilim Kumar ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 4: The newly formed social, cultural and environment organisation in Golaghat under the name Pragya - Assam is going to celebrate 51st Birthday of the famous poet Nilim Kumar on March 9 with a daylong unique program. On that day a programme on poetry and lyrics entitled ' Monoloi Phagun Ahe' will be held at the Amateur Theatre Society Auditorium in Golaghat. In the programme ten popular poets of Assam along with poet Nilim Kumar will be present. The Secretary of Pragya - Assam seek presence of poets and poem lovers in the programme.
Panchayat level meeting of Congress held at Nagaon ET Correspondent Nagaon, March 4: A meeting of the Panchayat level representatives of Cong (I) was held here today at Nehrubali in Nagaon where Rahul Gandhi, Cong (I) VicePresident also took part. The meeting programme was organized by Nagaon Zilla Parishad and where CM Tarun Gogoi, Pawan Singh
Ghatowar and other Congress leaders attended the said meeting. Addressing the panchayat representatives who came from various districts of Assam, Rahul Gandhi hit at NDA government led by BJP and termed it one man show. In his speech he lambasted at RSS alleging that the organiza-
Army encourages the youth of Tinsukia to join in Indian Army Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Mar 4: “Laipuli Army Camp today organised a special felicitation function at Laipuli, Tinsukia where Laipuli Army presented the gifts to all the boys and encouraged all the parents and the youth to join Indian Army” informed by an Army personal in a press release. Release also stated that, a pre-recruitment training for the youth of Assam was
organised by Laipuli Army Camp at Laipuli of Tinsukia District under the aegis of Dao Division from 2 Nov, 2015 to 27 Jan, 2016 where three aspirants from Tinsukia district attended the training and were provided physical training, academic coaching, free stationery and competitive books and also all three candidates got selected through the recruitment rally held at Shillong.
tion is influencing the government in decision making. He too alleged that the government at the centre is imposing RSS ideology on educational institutions in the country. He opposed the action of the government in its bid to choke the right to freedom of speech. He said arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, JNU Student’s Union presi-
dent was arbitrary and the government should not have done this. Rahul Gandhi also urged the panchayat representatives to work hard and sincerely in the next Assembly election so as to put the party in power and also stated that Cong (I) party pays more attention to poor people. He lamented that the present NDA government at the
centre is not pro-poor, its programmes are against the interests of poor people. Sources said that, Gandhi will lead a padayatra tomorrow at 10 am from Sahid Bhawan to Bargahat and will address a public meeting there at about 1pm from where he is likely to go to Tezpur.
AGP-BJP alliance: AGP to contest 24 out of 126 seats in Assam Guwahati, Mar 4: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), who yesterday formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming assembly polls in Assam, will contest on 24 out of the 126 seats. The BJP and the other allies will contest the elections on the remaining seats. "BJP-AGP has similarity on one issue in Assam illegal infiltration from
Bangladesh," said BJP leader and Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing a press conference here. “Next we need to take down the corrupt Tarun Gogoi government in Assam," he added. Yesterday, former Chief Minister and AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had announced that the BJP and AGP would jointly fight the coming
Assam Assembly elections. The announcement had come after top AGP leadership had an hour-long discussion with BJP President Amit Shah. The election to the 126member Assam Assembly is expected to be held in April-May. The BJP and AGP had an alliance in 2009 Lok Sabha polls in which the saffron party bagged four seats and AGP just one.
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
PAGE 3
District Hospital at interior Anjaw not in operation even after 3 years of its completion Bishnu Rana Tezu, Mar 4: The much awaited District Hospital at this far flung border district of Anjaw is yet to see light of the day depriving quality health system. The functioning of the hospital is pressing need of the inhabitants regrettably after 3 (three) year of completion, the hospital is still to be made functional. This eye catching infrastructure built at the left bank of mighty Lohit River adds a picturesque view of the Hospital. Regrettably it still remained in lifeless state due severe scarcity of adequate Medical equipments and man power. The Hospital if made functional will cater better health services to 21096 populace, 305 villages and 8 administrative circles including to those heroic soldiers guard-
ing the toughest border area. Put-up at 4 Km distances from Hayuliang towards
Khupa the place known as Sapliang which is also commonly called Swami Camp. Sufficient staff’s
quarters both for Doctors and other paramedic staffs were already completed including Type – I, II, III, IV
CM suggests corrective measures for the CMUHIS A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 4: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Thursday suggested corrective measures for the Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS), to make it more relevant to its desired objective of providing free medical treatment.
While urging the party cadres Tok said, “We must not be afraid and discouraged and work to further strengthen the party to bring back to power.”
pital.
The Chief Minister enquired the matter with the hospital authority, to which he was informed that medical expenses were covered in a package, as per the agreement between insurance company and the hos-
The package may include consultation fee, medicine, cabin charges, food and all other charges during the treatment. But despite all these benefits, patients may be charged separately because certain services may not be covered under the insurance scheme, informed the authority. Pointing out the lacunae, the
Chief Minister questioned the effectiveness of the scheme if it did not cover the entire medical expenses. “The benefit of the scheme should be complete, and not in piecemeal manner. If there are any shortcomings with the schemes, the hospital authority should suggest corrective measures, and if the contract doesn’t suits them, they should not accept it,” the Chief Minister said. “Once they accept it, they
should implement it in its totality. The scheme is for poor people and not for the benefit of the hospital,” he said. The Chief Minister, however, termed the scheme as a novel initiative and assured to carry it forward. He also informed that he will call all the stakeholders, insurance companies and the health officials for valuable inputs in effecting strategies and operations essential for leveraging full potential of the health insurance scheme.
Meanwhile, Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday termed the switch over of 30 Congress MLAs led by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to the Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) as "illegal" and "unconstitutional". "How can they do this when a five-bench constitutional bench of the Supreme Court is hearing the case and the judgement is being reserved? They don't have the required quorum for defection as the Speaker had disqualified 14 members and the case has been referred by the Apex court to the Gauhati High Court directing it to dispose it within two weeks time, which will end on March 6 next," Tuki told PTI. "Moreover, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee yesterday expelled two mem-
Likha Saaya and Gojen Gadi says their expulsion letter carries no weight A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 4 : Dwelling on the expulsion letter from membership of Indian National Congress (INC), the legislator duo of Likha Saaya and Gojen Gadi maintained that the letter carries no weight since it lacks signatories of the proper higher authorities and in that, of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President, Vicepresident or even the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President.
Addressing the media persons at the press club today, both Saaya and Gadi while divulging on the loopholes therein, maintained that they were not given any prior show cause notice which comes with a fourteen days timeline. Adding that there was no any conveyance of the same through verbal communication whatsoever and that the ‘un-official’ letter reached them a day after their merger to the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) along with the majority, both Gadi and Saaya went on to asserted that, “The letter no
longer carries any effect to its subject matter.” It is to be noted here that, on March 3, the APCC released a letter with notification of expulsion of Gojen Gadi, MLA 29 Basar (ST) Assembly Constituency and Likha Saaya, MLA 16 Yachuli (ST) Assembly Constituency with undersigned, Tamchi Tahar, General Secretary-cum-Chairman, Disciplinary Action Committee, APCC. Meanwhile, expressing disgust on the development, Gojen Gadi lambasted on the APCC President Padi
Richo saying that his biased attitude towards certain group within the party has led to the debacle in the Congress party. Adding that AICC should have stepped in to pacify the matters when the fight was within the Congress party itself, Gadi in a bid to justify their merger to the PPA added that the lack of communication from AICC led to their eventual merger to PPA. Reiterating the same, Likha Saaya maintained that, he along with other former Congress legislators were a loyal party men until their merger to the PPA which he
added, came as a result of the party high command’s failure to grasp the reality of incumbent CM Kalikho Pul enjoying the majority support while Nabam Tuki had lost the confidence. Later, the duo also heaped praises on the leadership capabilities of CM Kalikho Pul and stressed that the state would benefit immensely under his dynamic leadership. Further, hailing Pul as a master planner and also a finance wizard, the duo maintained that the incumbent PPA Government would focus only on development of the state.
Rijiju appeals for 'Pan Arunachal' identity among its youths PTI Itanagar, Mar 4: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today asked youths from Arunachal Pradesh to opt for a 'Pan Arunachal' identity instead of one related to clan or community to create an image of the state in the world outside.
"Simply blaming others will not help. We must create popularity of our state so that people from other parts know our rich diverse culture and tradition," he said while addressing the 11th inter-college youth festival at Rajiv Gandhi University, near here.
"If we can create our own brand to market our state to the outside world, there will be no racial discrimination of our people in other parts of the country.
"My concern is for the state's future. We are still in search of identity based on clan and community instead of Pan Arunachal identity. Our society is not monoto-
nous. We are a conglomeration of cultural mosaic and with this brand we have to make our state popular in the country," he said. He criticised political leaders in the state saying they use the youth force during elections with money power for which youths do not want to struggle in life. "We are lacking in cohesiveness to make our youths more active," he said and lamented that their energy
has been misused by a certain section of the people for their vested interest. Rijiju asked the youths to respect dignity of labour and they should make efforts to contribute to the state's development. Criticising the political leaders of the state for wasting time in amusement and playing cards till late night, he said they should devote their entire time for the people.
Tezu, Mar 4: “About 500 numbers of Chakma families allegedly constructed huts in Wakro of Lohit District and have cleared huge junk of forest land for cultivation” an official press release stated. Release further stated that, after reports received from the villagers of Wakro circle in Lohit District on huge encroachment of forest land by Chakmas, a team headed by Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Gautam Hazarika and ASP Guni Pertin visited the affected area in Wakro-Changlang border where they found that there is rampant encroachment in Tengapani and Khamlang Forest Division.
An operation was carried out with the help of CRPF and IRBn Jawans. During the operation PRI members and villagers also extended their help, where DFO Namsai and representative from DFO Jairampur were present, informed SDO. The Committee headed by SDO has taken up the matter with the concerned Authority for immediate eviction of the encroachers. Meanwhile the villagers of the surrounding areas are also putting pressure on the Administration for early and immediate necessary action so as to save their forest land from unwanted and illegal encroachments. (DIPRO)
APCC says Kalikho Pul betrayed the mandate of the people Contd. from Page 1
On interacting with indoor patients here at Samaritan Hormin Hospital, he was informed about the shortcomings in the insurance scheme that wasn’t entirely cashless. Much of the medical expenses were pocketed from the insurance beneficiaries, while only a minor portion was covered by the scheme, the Chief Minister observed.
and Type – V building respectively plus strong boundary wall.
“Almost 90% of work is finished. If remaining pending funds receive to procure the requisite equipments the medical will start functioning. The Hospital urgently need to made functional as the underprivileged miserably failed to get better health services in such remote border pocket”, says Heyomai Tawsik Zilla Chairperson Anjaw district. Deteriorating health services owing to lack of adequate amenities is common scene out here, immediate functioning of the hospital will fulfilled long cherished dream to benefit superior class of health services at cheapest rate in such interior pocket evading 200 KM tiring distances and exorbitant cost of Nursing Home at Tinsukia / Dibrugrah in Assam”, utters a local in the state of anonymity.
Chakmas encroaching lands in Wakro, alleges administration
"Despite abundant natural resources, the state is still lagging behind due to certain lacunae in us in managing our resources which will have an adverse effect in the future," he added. He assured to take care of the immediate pressing needs of the state's lone central university and said the voice of Arunachal Pradesh cannot be crushed in Parliament as long as he remained as the MP and he would leave no stone unturned to raise the state's issues.
bers Likha Saaya and Gojen Gadi... where is the quorum? All these activities are against the 10th schedule of the Constitution," Tuki alleged. Unless the Supreme Court and the High Court decide the merit of the case, such a move is not possible, he said adding, "This is a subject for judicial review. Whatever verdict the court pronounces, we will abide by it." He said the defected MLAs should respect the party and should respect the people of the state who voted them to power. At the Emergency Meeting in Itanagar today, Tako Dabi, former minister while sharing his views said ‘today the Congress must play a constructive and strong role as an opposition’. Former Minister Bosiram Siram said in the ocean of democracy, many governments come and go and Congress party is the oldest and the biggest party in the country. He
encouraged the party cadres to stand strong and fight back. Tara Bagang, Chairman Kissan Cell APCC said we must educate the leaders and the candidates about the party principles and ideologies before we give them tickets for election. He encouraged the party cadres saying ‘in adversity also we must be leaders, in peace we must be leaders’. “We are expecting complete justice from the Supreme Court in this matter,” he added. Tamchi Tahar, general secretary and Chairman of APCC Disciplinary Action Committee conveyed that CLP leader Nabam Tuki and APCC President Padi Richo have directed him to call for an emergency meeting today to send the message to the party workers to remain vigilant, strong and united. He said the merging of 30 Congress MLAs is purely illegal and has no quorum and against the 10th schedule of the Indian Constitution. “What-
ever verdict the court pronounces, the party will abide by it.” Among others who spoke including general secretary Minkir Lollen. A constructive resolution has been taken during the long hours meeting. In the resolution the Chairman asked every member present to concentrate in the party works and appeal the people who have given their mandate to the Congress, not to fear or lose hope. “All the workers of the party residing in every corner of the State including Panchayat and municipal elected leaders, senior congress leaders, District Congress Committees, Block Congress Committees, Frontal Wings must stand together to condemn this present illegal and unconstitutional govt. They must be informed that the Congress party is strong and it will fight back against it,” the Chairman said.
Kalikho Pul offered me the post of CM: Kiren Rijiju Contd. from Page 1
"I politely turned down the offer of Kalikho Pul and his team and said I don't want get involved in the state politics, so I declined to become the chief minister and said that I will not come back to the legislative assembly's affairs and I will continue to be in Delhi," he said. Rijiju also appreciated Pul saying that he is not a selfish person. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him responsibility as a minister which he had to discharge for the country and he would get the maximum benefit for Arunachal Pradesh. The union minister was responding to media queries on allegations by Congress that he was the mastermind behind the political crisis in the state. "The Congress was saying that we (Centre) imposed the President's Rule (in Arunachal Pradesh) because I wanted it. "In fact the MLAs and the Governor were unhappy with me because the Governor recommended central rule on the night when the Raj Bhawan was gheraoed on December 15. But we delayed it. We said let the state government handle the state affairs," Rijiju said. "President's Rule was finally imposed on January 26 after the Cabinet recommended it on January 24," he said, adding the sequence of events was "opposite" of what had been said (by Congress).
"The Governor and the dissident group were unhappy with us because we did not agree to impose President Rule. "But when the Governor said his and his family's life were under threat and when for the second time the Raj Bhawan was gheroaed and the road was blocked, the Cabinet took the decision. "Initially we were reluctant as we were not interested in imposing it," he added. Rijiju said he is not interested or involved in state affairs but only interested in the welfare of its people and asserted that all possible help would be provided by the Centre to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. "Who became the chief minister and who runs the state is not important for me. I have been given mandate by the people and I care for them. Which party rules the state does not make any difference to me. My perception is my conduct," he said. On rumours that he had appointed his brother-in-law as secretary to the Governor to gain political mileage, Rijiju said an IAS officer cannot be stopped from being appointed. "I have not made any IAS officer. They must be appointed somewhere or the other. I have so far not appointed any OSD, PS or PA from my family. This is my principle," he said. On whether there is possibility that the new Arunachal government would merge with
BJP, he said he is not interested. "When I became MP, people across party line voted for me. I am not concerned for MLAs or parties. My concern is for the people of the state. "All ministers, including the former chief minister, tried their best to defeat me but people supported me. So my primary concern is people's welfare," Rijiju said. On a query over the law and order scenario of the state, he said, "Law and order is a state subject and we (Centre) can only supplement. Whenever the state asks for necessary support of the central armed forces, we will provide." The Centre, he said, is providing additional money specially for Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. Money was also being provided to the state for modernisation of police forces, police stations and for procurement of arms and ammunitions. "We will give extra money for other necessary requirements. For non-plan and capital expenditure which is required for the basic welfare of the Arunachal civil police, I want to extend best possible help to modernise state police," he added. "There is nothing like special package...Whatever is required will come from the Centre. The government should submit proposals and we are ready to help," Rijiju said. The union minister said besides normal budget he would try to get some extra for Arunachal.
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
PAGE 4
KPLT strike cripples normal life in hill ET Correspondent Diphu Mar 4: Due to an unexpected indefinite period strike call given by little known Karbi ultra organization KPLT (S) from today morning, public life in maximum parts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district has been thrown out of gear. The unanticipated strike (bandh) call was published in a Diphu based vernacular daily few days back and later on many social organizations and the chief faction of the otherwise fragmented KPLT ( Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger) appealed to call off the strike but the KPLT(S) has still now remain adamant.
Various ongoing board examinations, emergency election works and regular public occupations has been severely affected in the hilly districts due to the sudden strike. Railway services between Lumding and Dibrugarh is going on as per schedule, traffic in national highway 39 is going on with time to time police escort. Bank and other financial institutions have remained closed. The Secretariat of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Deputy Commoners’ office ( Karbi Anglong district) has remained functional. Till filing of this report no report of any untoward incident has come.
NSCN-IM flays Rahul Gandhi for LS statement PTI Guwahati, Mar 4: The NSCN (IM) on Friday condemned Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi for his statement in the Lok Sabha on March 2 that the "Framework of Agreement" signed between the outfit and the centre on August 3 last ignored the interest of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur and insulted the citizens of these three states. The NSCN (IM) stated, "Nagas are shocked to learn that the Vice President of the Congress party of India Rahul Gandhi could not still fathom the seriousness of Indo-Naga political conflict which has been dragging on for more than seven decades. The manner in which he expresses his position to the long pending political issue between India and Nagalim is but sadly deplorable." The outfit stated that Nagas have been quietly observing Rahul Gandhi who has been rigorously campaigning against 3AFA wherever he goes by undermining the undefeatable sentiment attached to the long pending political issue. "However the latest avoidable remark
made in the Lok Sabha on 2nd March 2016 does not augur well with the Nagas." "Rahul Gandhi should know that major period of the 18 years long political talks between Nagas represented by NSCN and government of India was under congress led govt. His great grandfather Nehru, Grandmother Indira Gandhi, his father Rajiv Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi were all part of the Indo- Naga conflict in search for a political solution. How can he feign ignorance? Six consecutive prime Ministers of India have committed on resolving indo-Naga conflict through peaceful means," the NSCN (IM) stated. "We request Rahul Gandhi to leave aside electoral politics and not take sides with the Congress ruling two states of Manipur and Assam but show statesmanship as an upcoming leader of India. NSCN reiterate our firm commitment to the 3AFA signed between the Governments of India under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and competent interlocutor RN. Ravi," the statement said.
Bengali Youth Students' Federation burns CM's Effigy ET Correspondent Golaghat , Mar 4: All Assam Bengali Youth Students Federation of Golaghat District Unit protested today against CM Tarun Gogoi for his insulting comment on Bengali people and burnt his effigy in the heart of Golaghat town and demanded apology from
the CM. Chief Minister had recently made a comment on Bengali people which creates sharp reaction among the Bengali community in Assam. Bengali organisations criticised CM's statement and protests are seen everywhere.
Separatist militants abduct Meitei film director ET Correspondent Imphal, Mar 4: A popular Meitei film director M. Raghumani was abducted by separatist militants from his residence at Imphal on the night of 2 March and tortured him near the Ngaina Ching locality. Badly injured Raghumani was in unconscious condition, when the locals found him next morning. He was shifted to a private hospital and still undergoing treatment in a critical condition. Expressing serious concern over a brutal attack on a Manipuri film-maker by separatist militants, the Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) urged the authority to take serious note of the situation where the banned armed militant outfits continue targeting civilians for not entertaining their extortion notices. The local media, quoting the responsible police sources, also reported that
Raghumani was targeted by militants for not obeying their demand to offer the ‘protection money’. A former office-bearer of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) Raghumani received the extortion notice from the underground militants, though he could not entertain them on time. The FFM members have already reacted angrily to the incident without naming the culprits. The PPFA, while denouncing the militants’ attack on unarmed civilians just for not paying the demanded amount of money, called on the Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh to take prompt actions against those goons so that they cannot run a parallel government there. The forum also appealed to the civil society groups including the media fraternity of Manipur to stand behind Raghumani at this time of crisis.
PPFA expresses serious concern over a brutal attack on a Manipuri film-maker A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 4: Expressing serious concern over a brutal attack on aManipuri film-maker by separatist militants, the Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) urged the authority to take serious note of the situation where the banned armed militant outfits continue targeting civilians for not entertaining their extortion notices. According to Imphal based media outlets, popular Meitei film director M. Raghumani was abducted from his residence at Imphal on the night of 2 March 2016 and tortured him near the Ngaina Ching locality. Badly injured
Raghumani was in unconscious condition, when the locals found him next morning. He was shifted to a private hospital and still undergoing treatment in a critical condition. The local media, quoting the responsible police sources, also reported that Raghumani was targeted by militants for not obeying their demand to offer the ‘protection money’. A former officebearer of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) Raghumani received the extortion notice from the underground militants, though he could not entertain them on time. The FFM members have al-
ready reacted angrily to the incident without naming the culprits. The PPFA, while denouncing the militants’ attack on unarmed civilians just for not paying the demanded amount of money, called on the Manipur chief minister O. Ibobi Singh to take prompt actions against those goons so that they cannot run a parallel government there. The forum also appealed to the civil society groups including the media fraternity of Manipur to stand behind Raghumani at this time of crisis.
All Assam Bengali Parishad Over 6.75 lakh demands Gogoi’s apology first-time youth voters in Assam polls PTI Guwahati, Mar 4: Over 6.75 lakh youths will cast their votes for the first time in Assam in the forthcoming Assembly elections due in April. "In the age group of 1819 years, there will be 6.76 lakh voters. They will be the first-time voters in the state," Assam Chief Electoral Officer Vijayendra said at a press conference here.
voters, 31 per cent are under 30 years and 76 per cent are under 50 years...," Vijayendra said. Earlier during the day, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said Assam will go to polls in two phases, on April 4 and April 11, while counting of votes will be held on May 19.
The state with 126 constituencies will have a total of 1.98 crore voters, of which 95 lakh are women, he said.
The notification for the first phase will be out on March 11 and last date for filing of nominations will be on March 18, while a candidate can withdraw the nomination till March 21.
"Of the total number of
In the second phase, the
Tribal welfare and development Society organises Free medical camp in Changlang ET Bureau Changlang, Mar 4: Tribal Welfare & Development Society, a NGO based in Changlang has organised a four days Free Medical Camp in Changlang District in collaboration with Seva Bharati Purbanchal & National Medicos Organisation were 560 patients has been given treatment. The camp was organised successfully with the help of the District Administration, District Hospital Changlang and Geo-Enpro Petroleum Ltd Kharsang who has extended financial support, stated a communique from the NGO. The Free Medical Camp were organised in Khuchep-I village, Kengkho and Simrang village, Longran village and in Namtok circle last month from 23 to 26.
notification will be issued on March 14, while the last date for filing of nominations will be March 21 and last date for withdrawing the same will be March 26. "In total, we will have 24,888 polling stations. In the first phase of polling in 65 constituencies, elections will be held in 12,190 booths in 8,887 locations, while there will be 12,698 poll stations in 8,169 places in 61 constituencies in second phase," Vijayendra said. Of the total polling stations, 12 per cent fall in urban areas, while the rest are in rural places. PTI
ET Correspondent Diphu Mar 4: All Assam Bengali Parishad’s President Ashis Dev and Administrative General Secretary Kishor Chudary has vehemently condemned the derogative remark against Bengali community made by Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam on last Monday in a press conference held at Guwahati Press Club. Both the leaders have describing the derogative remark of Gogoi as an outcome of insane mind. “By making such statement he has deprecate the whole Bengali community of the world and has outraged their self pride, he has also deplored the legends like
Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and scores of world leaders including present president of India” Kishor Chudary said. Both the leaders have sought unconditional and public apology from the Chief Minister of Assam for making such grimy statement against a community who are known for its broad-mindedness and moderation. “ If the Chief Minister do not request for forgiveness various global Bengali organizations including that of India and Assam will shape up a democratic agitation against Gogoi to even the score and restore the pride of the Bengali community” Chudary maintained.
Answer scripts of HSLC exams destroyed in fire at Jorhat Contd. from Page 1
Pinky, the wife of the night chowkidar, Bipul Kakoti saw smokes coming out from the store room at around 7 this morning and informed the Headmistress Bina Gogoi Borbaruah who immediately called the fire brigade. Few bundles of scripts were spoiled by flush water by the fire brigade. There were answer scripts coming from various places throughout the state apart from Jorhat. Sankardev Seminary School had received 459 packets of answer scripts for safe-keeping and 98 of those were destroyed in the fire, it said. Officials are trying to ascertain from which examination centres these
answer scripts were collected. The affected answer scripts are of the subjects of English, General Mathematics, Assamese MIL, elective papers of Sanskrit, Additional Maths, Geography and Computer Science. SEBA said that its Examination Committee today decided that the affected examinees may need to take the test again in only one subject within this month. For those not willing to sit for a retest, the average of the marks obtained in the five other major subjects will be taken as the score in the affected script, it said. Meanwhile, describing the incident as an act of sabotage, Jorhat district Deputy Commissioner
Solanki Vishal Vasant said the fire was started by miscreants via a sky window near the table on which the scripts were kept. He said the room in which the answer scripts were kept was a "safe one" and ruled out suggestions that a short circuit having caused the fire. A CID inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Vasant said. Members of the influential All Assam Students Union (AASU) led a gherao of the SEBA head office demanding that it immediately take a call on whether retests would be held for the affected students. The protesters slammed the officials concerned for their "slackness" and demanded action against anybody found responsible for
lapses in the case. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi expressed concern over the incident and asked Additional Chief Secretary, Home, TY Das to constitute a CID probe into the incident, a government release said.
Gogoi also directed Principal Secretary, Education, Paban Kumar Borthakur, to immediately submit a detailed report in the matter. He directed the Deputy Commissioner, Jorhat, to visit the school to monitor the situation and asked the district administration to take stern action against anybody found responsible in the matter.
Bihottar Akhomiya yuva Mancha sets BJP, RSS imposing single ideology on nation: Rahul Gandhi deadline to use Assamese language Contd. from Page 1
ET Correspondent Moran, Mar 4: Bihottar Akhomiya yuva Mancha, Moran regional committee sent a memorandum to Saraideo district Deputy Commissioner that within seven days Assamese language should be used in ev-
ery govt. or non-govt. Assamese language office, sign board, Ban- was approved by the ner i.e. in everywhere. Court. Committee's President Sanjeev Gogoi and General Secretary Digvijoy Boruah say that without a mother language no nation can alive. In 1960 the
In 2007 the organization appealed to use it everywhere. In 18 January 2010 the Honorable Court passed an ordinance in support of the organization also.
The Congress vice-president also used the occasion to counter Prime Minister Modi’s criticism of the grand old party in the Lok Sabha yesterday. “In his one-hour speech yesterday, the Prime Minister made personal attacks on me, read out quotes of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi but did not respond to my queries. You must have seen how we are putting pressure on the government in Delhi,” he said.
He further said the Congress Party believes there should be space for every religion, individual, caste and creed in the country. The Congress vice-president also criticised the government over the promise of bringing back black money
stashed in safe havens abroad.
“Prime Minister Modi launched a ‘Fair and Lovely scheme’ to help tax evaders turn black or untaxed money into white. The government promised to jail all those who are found guilty in black money, but Arun Jaitley has brought this 'Fair and Lovely' scheme. The Indians can convert black money into white with the help of this scheme,” he
said.
The Congress vice-president, who is presently on a two-day visit to the state, had earlier last month addressed four rallies in northern and upper Assam. Gandhi’s visit assumes significance as Assam votes in two phases on April 4 and 11 to elect a new government.
Labour trampled by wild Elephants ET Correspondent Dhubri, March 4: Jiaul Haque (35) of Borbila village under Mancachar police station of South Salmara-Mancachar district was trampled by a herd of wild Elephants at Tangaon under Garobada police station of West Garo Hills of Meghalaya today. According to sources, Haque tried to flee from there but he was trapped and crushed. Though villagers tried to stray away the herd of Elephants but by the time Haque sustained serious injuries and after that he was immediately brought to Hatsinghimari Civil Hospital of South SalmaraMancachar district but unfortunately he was declared dead.
Police arrests 400 teachers in Dhubri ET Correspondent Dhubri, Mar 4: 400 teachers of venture schools under South Salmara educational block of Dhubri district d e m a n d i n g provincialisation of their school , were arrested at Fakirganj by police today. Teachers alleged that they have been working in the venture schools for over 20-25 years but despite assurance by the successive government at Dispur schools yet to be provincialised.
CM's effigy burnt by Bengali Youth Students Federation ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 4: Today in Golaghat the All Assam Bengali Youth Students Federation of Golaghat District Unit protested against CM for his insulting comment on Bengali people and burnt his effigy in the heart of Golaghat town and demanded apology from the CM. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had recently made a comment on Bengali people which created sharp reaction among the Bengali community of Assam. The Bengali organisations have criticized CM's statement and protested everywhere.
Illegal Saasi tree log recovered at Moran ET Correspondent Moran, Mar 4: A smuggling AC truck full of Saasi tree timber or logs were captured yesterday by the Tai Ahom students union, Gozpuria regional committee and it handed over to Moran Police station under the Dibrugarh district. The truck's number is AS 06 AC 6014. Now Moran Police Station sent it to Khowang forest office for the further investigation. The union alleged that such type of smuggling is spreading at the state forest Minister, Atuwa Munda's hometown and illegal Shaw Mills are running in front of the socalled minister.
REGION
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Japan pledge Rs 5,700 Cr loan for highways in NE
Former Lok Sabha Speaker, Teacher’s death: Protestors block P.A. Sangma no more Tributes and Condolence Contd. from Page 1
Chandra Nose.
Lok Sabha ad- Condolence from journed till March Union Transport Minister Nitin 8 Gadkari
Japan pledge Rs 5,700 Cr loan for highways in NE New Delhi, Mar 4: The government today said JICA has pledged an overseas development assistance (ODA) of 96,457 million (about Rs 5,700 crore) for strengthening the highways in North Eastern regions of the country."Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged ODA loan of 96,457 million JPY (yen) in two tranches for widening and upgradation to 2-Lane with paved shoulder and geometric improvements of…NH-54 in Mizoram and NH-51 in Meghalaya," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan told Lok Sabha in a written reply today.Interest rates on the loan for construction works & procurement of goods & services are 1.4 per cent per annum and for consulting services is 0.01 per cent, he said. Re-payment of 'principal'
will be made in 20 years after the disbursement period of 10 years, he added. Government has taken up various road improvement projects under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) for better connectivity in the entire region.In order to expedite road construction in the region, the government has set up the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to augment the capacity of the agencies involved in the development and maintenance of NH in the Region."Further, the Ministry has adopted the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode of contract for major NH works in the region, wherein the contractors are required to complete the work within a fixed cost and time," the Minister said. (Agencies)
The government today said JICA has pledged an overseas development assistance (ODA) of 96,457 million (about Rs 5,700 crore) for strengthening the highways in North Eastern regions of the country
Student from Manipur selected for workshop in US White House
Farooq Alam (15) a student from Manipur with US Senator Kirsten E Gillibrand. Imphal,Mar 4: Farooq Alam (15 years), a student from Imphal, Manipur who is presently studying at 11th Standard (Arts) in Olean High School, New York, has been selected for a workshop called "Civic Education Week" programme conducted by AFS (American Field Service) from March 1 to 7.It is a workshop programme held in the White House, Washington D.C for a week, to give awareness to the students on how the American government machinery works and their overall administrative role, sightseeing in Washington D.C. and public places of US government. This workshop is funded by the Department of State: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.The students are being taken from New York to Washington D.C. and given opportunities to meet and discuss with the State of Representatives and the Senators of a particular State of America where the students are placed in the same for a week. Furthermore, the students are being taken to Capitol Building, Supreme Court of USA, House of Represen-
tatives Building, Senate Building, etc. From among 40 countries that applicants applied for this workshop programme, Farooq Alam was selected as top 13th rank holder from the New York State, where only 100 candidates were to be selected by the AFS from different schools and colleges from different countries around the world. The selection process was made through an Essay with a topic "Political or social problem of the applicant's country" where Farooq Alam wrote prioritizing Poverty and Unemployment in India and secured 13th position.He is an alumnus student of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi and was the topper of Jamia in his 10th examination in the year 2015 and thereafter has been at the Olean High School, New York State, USA to continue his study from 11th Standard through YES Fellowship.Presently, he is at Washington D.C. and also had a meeting with Representative of New York State, Tom Reed (RE2437) and Senator, Kirsten E. Gillibrand (SR-478). (Agencies)
PAGE 5
New Delhi,: The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till March 8 after paying tribute to former speaker P.A Sangma who breathed his last here on Friday following a heart attack. “We deeply mourn the passing away of PA Sangma ji, I had learnt how to run Lok Sabha with a smile from him,” Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said.
President says nation has lost an 'eminent public figure' New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjeeon Friday condoled the demise of former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, saying the nation has lost an eminent public figure and multi-faceted personality who made immense contribution for the greater good of the country. "His distinguished service as former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Union Cabinet Minister, Union Minister of State and Union Deputy Minister will always be remembered. In his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent public figure and multi-faceted personality who made immense contribution for the greater good of our country," said President Mukherjee. In a condolence message to his wife, Soradini Sangma, the President said, "I am sad to learn about the passing away of your husband, P.A. Sangma. Sangma was a veteran Parliamentarian and able administrator who served the nation in different spheres."
P.A Sangma was a ‘self-made leader’: PM Modi New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the sudden demise of former Lok Sabha speaker P.A Sangma and described him to be a ‘self-made leader’, who made a monumental contribution towards the development of the north-east. “Shri PA Sangma was a selfmade leader whose contribution towards the development of the Northeast is monumental. Saddened by his demise. Shri PA Sangma's tenure as Lok Sabha Speaker is unforgettable. His down to earth personality and affable nature endeared him to many,” he said in a series of tweets. The Prime Minister also said that Sangma was deeply influenced by freedom fighter Subhash
New Delhi: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Sangma’s tenure as the Lok Sabha speaker was praiseworthy and it can’t be forgotten by the Parliament and the people of this country. “He was a very good friend of mine and a very good human being. His work as the Lok Sabha speaker is praiseworthy and it cannot be forgotten by the Parliament and the nation. He was always working for the development of the north-east. His demise is a very big loss for the Indian democracy. The Parliament has lost one of its ideal speakers,” Gadkari said.
liked,” said Tharoor. ” Our thoughts, our prayers go out to him and his family. This is a tragic development and India has lost a very important north-east leader. The whole country should mourn his passing,” he added.
Condolence from R e n u k a Chowdhary New Delhi: Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary on her part said Sangma’s memories would always remain with the people of this country. “He was a wonderful orator, who always had a smiling face. His memory will always be with us,” Chowhdary said.
Condolence from Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Condolence from Pul Sonia Gandhi and Itanagar: In his condoFormer PM lence message to former Union Minister of State Ms Manmohan Agatha Sangma, daughter New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and on Friday condoled the demise of former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, saying the north-east has lost an important voice. Dr. Singh said India has lost one of the tallest leaders from north-east who represented India in various forums as the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Recalling his contributions as a public representative, the Congress president said that the nation had lost a tall leader.
Condolence from Rahul Gandhi New Delhi: The Congress vice-president said Sangma’s demise is a great loss to the nation. “Deepest condolences on the passing away of veteran leader & former LS Speaker Shri PA Sangma. His demise is a great loss to the nation,” he tweeted.
Condolence From Shashi Tharoor New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also expressed grief at Sangma’s demise, saying he was admired by all. “It’s deeply saddening and shocking news for all of us because he was in the house till two days ago. He was a very popular figure whatever the political differences the people may have with him, everyone used to like and admire him because he always used to laugh and was universally
of the veteran leader, Pul said “with profound grief, I on behalf of the people of Arunachal write to share the grief of losing a true son of the soil, a patriot, a veteran politician of all time, and a man who led from the front and left behind a legacy to cherish”. In his demise, we have lost a great leader, a tall political figure who served the country in different capacities. Besides, proving his calibre in governance by holding the helms of Meghalaya as Chief Minister, the Congress and later Nationalist Congress Party and National People’s Party stalwart went on becoming the first North-eastern to hold the coveted chair of Speaker of Lok Sabha. He also has the credit of remaining the Member of Parliament for eight terms.
Condolence from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Guwahati: In a statement here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said that Purno A. Sangma strode like a colossus on the political firmament spanning several decades and worked relentlessly for the development of Meghalaya in particular and the North East region in general. “A nationalist to the core and a man for all seasons, I have had met him on umpteen occasions when he was a Congress leader for many years and during his eventful stint as a Speaker. We’ve attended many programmes and discussed many issues confronting the region and the country as a whole. Sangmaji’s amiable and affable nature endeared him
to everyone who met him,” he said, adding that the void created by his death would be hard to fill.
Condolence from Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee while expressing deep condolence said the late P. A. Sangma will be always remembered for his immense contribution for the development of Northeast Region and his sudden demise was a great loss to the society.
Condolence from the Arunachal Governor Itanagar :The Governor expressed pain on the sudden demise of Shri Sangma and said that with his death, the Nation, particularly North East Region has lost one of the most popular, effective and astute parliamentarians of the region. The Governor said that Late Sangma was an outstanding parliamentarian and a profound statesman who made immense contribution towards the nation in various capacities during his long and distinguished career. Known for his pleasant nature, Late Sangma will be always remembered for his highly successful tenure as Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Hailing from a very humble background, late Shri Sangma through his eventful career would remain a source of inspiration to the young generation.
Condolence from NCP Itanagar : The State NCP President Gicho Kabak and Vice President Nima Sangey Saling alongwith State office bearer expressed its deep sense of condolence on the sudden demise of veteran Political figure P.A Sangma former lok sabha speaker who died of heart attack in his New Delhi residence. Gicho Kabak spoke about late PA Sangma’s contribution for all round development of the country as union Ministers in various capacities. He was also Chief Minister of Meghalaya from1998 to 1990. He was also the co-founder of NCP. His untimely demise is a great loss for the country. He was one of the best parliamentarians. His contribution for national development in all aspect will be always remembered by the people of India.
NH 102
Manipur, Mar. 4 : Vehicular movement along the Imphal - Moreh Section of National Highway 102 came to a grinding halt from Pallel area due to the indefinite shutdown imposed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the murder of TS. Thongkhogin Haokip, an assistant teacher of Molnom Junior High School.
tee formed in connection with the alleged killing of Thongkhogin alias Ts Agin Haokip has reacted against the caretaker Khurmi Region of the NSCN (IM)’s clarification regarding the outfit’s involvement in the incident leading to the death of the teacher.
A large number of supporters, including women folks blocked the Imphal Moreh road at H. Kotlenphai near Pallel, Senam and Chahmol Village today.
JAC member Minlal Touthang said that the indefinite shutdown was imposed in protest against the failure of the state government to nab and book the culprits involved in the teacher’s killing.
They prohibited plying of vehicles, including two wheelers, four wheelers and trucks, buses etc. Vehicles belonging to Assam Rifles personnel were also not allowed to pass along the route during the shutdown. The Joint Action Commit-
He further said that the JAC will intensify the agitations and impose a state-wide agitation with support from the general public and like-minded CSOs of the state if the government fail to nab and book the culprits at the earliest.
Imphal hosts North East Festival of Plays Imphal,Mar. 4 : A five-day long North East Festival of Plays being organized jointly by Banian Repertory Theatre and Art and Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture is presently on at Maharaj Chandrakriti Auditorium, Palace Compound. Art and Culture CommissionerK. Radhakumar Singh, who was the chief guest, speaking at the inaugural function said intrinsic Manipuri theatre has earned wide recognition at the international level.He, however said, there is apprehension on downfall of theatre in the state which the people should be aware of.The Commissioner called upon the people to develop and promote the rich art and culture of the state.
"The last two months have been filled with theatre festivals to showcase the state art and culture which is needed," Singh added.Acclaimed plays 'Punshi Kang-Khong', 'Shri Tomba amasung Kei', 'Imaan Imaan Paani', 'The Hunter' and 'Amamba Leikaki Mathong Huktraba Ningthou' is being performed during the festival.Panthoibi Natya Mandir's 'Punshi KangKhong' (Wheeling of life) scripted and directed by Y. Rajendra was showcased on the first day of the festival.And Deal Repertory Theatre's 'Amamba Leikaki Mathong Huktraba Ningthou' directed by P. Khogendra Singh will be showcased on the last day. (ANI)
Imphal hosts North East Festival of Plays Imphal, Mar. 4 (ANI): A five-day long North East Festival of Plays being organized jointly by Banian Repertory Theatre and Art and Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture is presently on at Maharaj Chandrakriti Auditorium, Palace Compound. Art and Culture Commissioner K. Radhakumar Singh, who was the chief guest, speaking at the inaugural function said intrinsic Manipuri theatre has earned wide recognition at the international level. He, however said, there is apprehension on downfall of theatre in the state which the people should be aware of. The Commissioner called upon the people to develop and promote the rich art and
culture of the state. “The last two months have been filled with theatre festivals to showcase the state art and culture which is needed,” Singh added. Acclaimed plays ‘Punshi Kang-Khong’, ‘Shri Tomba amasung Kei’, ‘Imaan Imaan Paani’, ‘The Hunter’ and ‘Amamba Leikaki Mathong Huktraba Ningthou’ is being performed during the festival. Panthoibi Natya Mandir’s ‘Punshi Kang-Khong’ (Wheeling of life) scripted and directed by Y. Rajendra was showcased on the first day of the festival. And Deal Repertory Theatre’s ‘Amamba Leikaki Mathong Huktraba Ningthou’ directed by P. Khogendra Singh will be showcased on the last day.
Rio seeks support for Naga peace process D i m a p u r, M a r 4:Nagaland Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio sought the support of all Members of Parliament to make the Naga peace process a success. Participating in the motion of thanks to the President's address, Rio appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a bold step to resolve the Naga political issue by signing the historic framework agreement on August 3, 2015. He also lauded Home minister Rajnath Singh for his efforts in making the framework agreement a reality. According to a press note
issued by his PS, Rio told the house that since he was the only Naga MP present, his voice was for all Nagas not just in Nagaland but in Manipur, Arunachal and Assam."We deserve peace and we desire that we be given equal opportunity to be partners in our great country's development", he stated. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, Rio stated that "the Naga courage and commitment are legendary and equality they represent the highest levels of humanity". While reminding that suc-
cessive Prime Ministers had met and held talks with the Naga leaders, Rio however noted that it was former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who recognized the uniqueness of Naga history. He also acknowledged that it was during the Congress government under Prime Minister Narashimha Rao that the Naga problem was recognised as a political problem. Stating that Naga issue was a pre-India independence issue, Rio called upon all MPs to support the peace process and re-
solve the issue especially when Naga nationalists are willing to be peaceful citizens. He also took the opportunity to highlight the plight of the tribals in Manipur in the aftermath of the Manipur Assembly passing the three Bills on August 21, 2015. He lamented saying that the agitations against the three bills had resulted in the death of nine lives. Even after 184 days, the dead bodies are yet to be given the last rites and buried, he said. For this, he urged
Centre to resolve the issue through consultations so that the burial of the departed persons could take place. On President of India's address, Rio highlighted some of the successful initiatives of the NDA government under Prime Minister Modi like Make in India, skill India, smart cities, digital India, start-up India, rurban mission, PM Mudra Yojana and Swachh Bharat amongst others. He also highlighted the plight of the Northeast-
ern states, suffering from huge infrastructure deficits particularly in the sectors of education, health care and connectivity coupled with the challenges of insurgency, difficult terrain, and limited economic activities. Rio hoped that the PM's concern and commitment to develop North East would be fulfilled.Supporting the motion of thanks, Neiphiu Rio welcomed the President's statement saying: "we will all be partners in the progress and development of our great country". (Agencies)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
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Sangh Parivar has problem not just with 'Azadi', but all words having Urdu, Persian origin: CPI (M) New Delhi, Mar. 4: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohd. Salim on Friday said the Sangh Parivar has a problem with the word 'Azadi' and all words which originate from Urdu and Persian. Mohd. Salim, who responding to a question on JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar emphasizing on the word 'Azadi' in his speech, advised theSangh Parivar to learn from the agitation in the varsity. "If they keep on attacking universities and students in the manner they are doing it now, every university in
India will become like JNU," said Salim. "If a person doesn't understand what Kanhaiya wants to say, he should go to a school, as he is simply saying that we the people want to live with freedom (a free life) in India," he said. "Only those will criticise Kanhaiya's delivering a speech who don't believe in the Right to Freedom of Speech. The people, who don't respect the Constitution and make mockery of law will say this," said Salim. "Left parties have been saying that speech is not something that comes
Delhi HC quashes plea to cancel Pachauri's bail
Delhi HC quashes plea to cancel Pachauri's bail
New Delhi, Mar. 4: The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed the plea filed by a former woman research analyst, who has accused environmentalist R.K. Pachauri of sexual harassment, to cancel the bail granted to him. The High Court had reserved the order on February 11 after hearing arguments of lawyers representing 29-year-old woman research analyst, Pachauri, and the Delhi Police. The Delhi Police recently chargesheeted Pachuari
under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation and word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. The police have cited around 23 prosecution witnesses and several SMS texts, e-mails and WhatsApp messages exchanged between the accused and victim as evidence to support their case. (ANI)
SC issues notice to CBI on raid at Kejriwal's office New Delhi, Mar.4: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a plea by the Delhi Government seeking the return of documents that the agency had taken from the office of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following a raid at the office of the principal secretary Rajendra Kumar. During the raids at Rajendra Kumar's office, the agency had taken into its possession the documents in the wake of the allegations
of wrong doing on the part of the said officer. Kejriwal had claimed that this was done to scuttle the DDCA probe against Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and others and many of those documents seized related to that investigation. The lower court had directed the CBI to return some documents following which the investigating agency had appealed against this in the High Court which stayed the lower court's order. (ANI)
said that he saluted the soldiers guarding the country.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohd. Salim from speech writers, from twitteratis posting comments, or by adding some idioms so that there is Modi...Modi...Modi..., but it is something that
comes out from the heart of a person. And, today's generation's aspiration was expressed in Kanhaiya's speech," he added. The 28-year-old
"But the soldiers, who die at the border are the sons and brothers of those who die within the country," he said, while referring to the farmer suicides. Kanhaiya further said the crackdown on JNU was planned because the university students spoke out against the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohith Vemula. "This attack is to delegitimise the UGC protest and to prevent justice to Rohith Vemula. The fight which was initiated
by Rohith Vemula, all of you and peace-loving people in the country, will be pursued by us and we'll win this battle," he said. "I would like to thank everyone at the JNU. All the people , whether media, political people, non civil society , who stood for saving JNU and those who want justice for Rohith Vemula, I want to salute them," he added. In a sarcastic tone, he said, "I want to thank the people sitting in Parliament deciding wrong and right, the police and those few media channels." (ANI)
Parties face daunting task in WB as EC set to announce dates on Friday New Delhi, Mar. 4: The Election Commission of India is likely to announce the dates for elections to 294-assembly seats representing 20 districts of West Bengal this afternoon as the tenure of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC regime comes to an end in May. With the announcement of the dates, the Model Code of Conduct will automatically come into force in the state till the election results are declared. The state is bracing for an action-packed assembly election as all political parties are going full throttle to lure the electorates, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces a tough task of con-
fronting incumbency factor in view of her stormy and eventful tenure. Her key opposition, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is offering pre-poll partnership to like-minded parties to corner Mamata to take revenge for its shameful defeat in 2011. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is, on the other hand, working hard to make inroads into Bengal, with its party brass busy doing permutation and combination to set the course right. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delivering on his promise of declassification of files concerning Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been seen by many as an attempt by
the BJP to reach out to electorates in the state. The Congress Party seems to be equally determined to gain its lost ground. With Mamata greeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her birthday, political pundits saw her move as the Trinamool Congress' attempt to cosy up the Congress for a pre-poll alliance. The TMC had a tough tenure with opposition parties leaving no opportunity to attack the government over Saradha scam, rising crime and violence in the state. To say the least, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury faces a herculean task to restore the party's lost glory. The
tectonic shift in the electorates' verdict that made B u d d h a d e b Bhattacharjee to bite the dust will still be lingering on his mind. Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi has declared that paramilitary forces would be deployed in the state at the time of voting in order to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. Winning the elections will be a daunting task for all parties even as some opinion polls giving an edge to the TMC over others, whereas some others are predicting the BJP as the surprise winner. However, a Congress-CPI (M) alliance has potential to send all speculations to the trash. (ANI)
Stay away from politics: Govt. cautions Kanhaiya New Delhi, Mar.4: In an apparent attack at the Left Parties, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday advised JNU students' union presidentKanhaiya Kumar to help the concerned authorities to see that activities similar to the February 9 event are curbed in the university rather than enjoying the publicity. "He is enjoying the publicity. What is there? The question is let him condemn those slogans and distance himself from that. Let him help the authorities to see that such activities are curbed in the university," Naidu told . "They must study and stay away from politics. If they are interested in politics, they can leave studies and join politics. He can join any political party. His favourite party is now in single digit in the Parliament. Let him join that party. Let him not use the grab of students and stu-
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu dents union to take up the cause of Afzal guru, Yakub Memon and Maqbool Bhatt. All these three people are anti-nationals," he added. Kanhaiya, who was released last evening after being granted a six-month interim bail by the Delhi High Court, led a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA regime at the Centre. "I am not asking for freedom from India, I am asking for freedom in India," he said.
"I have many differences with the Prime Minister but I agree with his tweet - Satyameva Jayate. I also say Satyameva Jayate, the truth shall triumph, because it belongs to the country and the Constitution," he added. The 28year-old said that he saluted the soldiers guarding the country. "But the soldiers, who die at the border are the sons and brothers of those who die within the country," he said, while referring to the
farmer suicides. Kanhaiya further said the crackdown on JNU was planned because the university students spoke out against the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohith Vemula. "This attack is to delegitimise the UGC protest and to prevent justice to Rohith Vemula. The fight which was initiated by Rohith Vemula, all of you and peace-loving people in the country, will be pursued by us and we'll win this battle," he said. "I would like to thank everyone at the JNU. All the people , whether media, political people, non civil society , who stood for saving JNU and those who want justice for Rohith Vemula, I want to salute them," he added. In a sarcastic tone, he said, "I want to thank the people sitting in Parliament deciding wrong and right, the police and those few media channels." (ANI)
SC issues notice to CBI on raid at Kejriwal's office
Meanwhile, Lakshmi Singh Meerut Zone DIG said that prima facie it does not appear to be a case of kidnapping. He, however, said that the police is investigating the matter further to get to the bottom of this case.
Tunnel in Jammu sector points to big terrorist attack plan: BSF R.S. Pura (Jammu and Kashmir), Mar.4: A day after the Border Security Force (BSF) discovered a tunnel near Nikki Tawi river in Jammu sector, they suspected that a big terrorist attack was being planned through the tunnel in near future. BSF IG Rakesh Sharma told reporters that it appeared that a big terrorist attack was being planned after infiltration through this tunnel in near future. He said the BSF has contacted the Pakistani Rangers and brought it to their notice, adding that they would now present the evidence before the Pakistan Rangers, requesting them to come forward for an investigation. "We have conducted a detailed investigation of the tunnel that was detected yesterday. We have also contacted Pakistani rangers and brought it to their notice.
We will present them the proof and the evidence," Sharma said. "We expect them to initiate an investigation and take action. We have requested them to come forward for investigation. They said that they would take action," he added. "When we looked at it carefully we found a tunnel. A detailed examination revealed that attempts were made to dig a tunnel from Pakistan side. The entry point of the tunnel is from Pakistan side and the opening in the India side was not yet ready, as we got to know about its existence," Sharma had said last evening. "So, a possible infiltration attempt by Pakistan was foiled. It is around 20-22meters long. We will probe the matter and take it to a logical conclusion," he added. (ANI)
BSF shoots down Pak intruder at Ferozepur sector Amritsar, Mar 4: The Border Security Forces (BSF) on Friday morning shot down one Pakistani intruder while sneaking into the Indian Territory in the Ferozepur sector. "There were exchange of fire between BSF jawans and two Pakistani intruders, in which one was killed, but the other one escaped and ran back to Pakistan," Anil Paliwal, BSF Border Range IG, told. Infrastructure will boost nation's development: PM Modi New Delhi, Mar. 4: Stating that his government has taken a comprehensive and integrated approach on the country's infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modion Friday said the Setu Bharatam Project will boost development. "We have taken a comprehensive and integrated approach. We know the problems and we want to change them with strength, not incremental change. The rural roads have got a lot of resources in this year's Budget and this infrastructure
will give speed and strength to the development of India," Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating the Setu Bharatam Project here. "Earlier, trains were just announced to please some MPs and get applause, many projects lie incomplete," he added. Prime Minister Modi further said that the NDA regime has taken effective steps to bring a change in the country's railway sector. "When it comes to roads, we need to also think about facilities for the people and how our roads can help the people in rural areas. The development of roads in the rural areas is a focus area for us," he added. The Setu Bharatam project, worth Rs. 10,200 crore, aims to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Saradha chit-fund scam: CBI HQ denies sending summons to Nalini Chidambaram
Shipra had left her home on Monday afternoon for Chandni Chowk.
was found abandoned 500 metres away from her home in Sector 37.
New Delhi, Mar.4: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Headquarters on Friday denied sending any summons to Nalini Chidambaram, the wife of former union minister P.Chidambaram, in the Saradha chit-fund SCAM.
Last call made by victim's mobile phone was to 100. The victim's last location was found to be Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi.The victim's Maruti Swift car
Shipra Malik is a resident of Noida and runs a boutique. She is married to a local builder. Her husband had filed a missing complaint with the Noida police. (ANI)
Reports earlier suggested that Nalini has been asked to be present at the CBI office in Kolkata on March 10. Earlier, the CBI had named Nalini, in the sixth supplementary
Fashion designer missing from Noida found in Gurgaon Gurgaon, Mar. 4: Fashion designer Shipra Malik, who went missing on Monday in Noida under mysterious circumstances, has been found in Gurgaon. The Inspector General of Meerut, Sujit Pandey, said that she has been found in Gurgaon.
Tunnel in Jammu sector points to big terrorist attack plan: BSF
chargesheet filed in the Saradha scam. Nalini was named neither as witness nor accused, but as one privy to certain information on the controversial channel deal. The CBI said it might look into the information she was privy to "at a later stage". Nalini's name first cropped up in the purported letter from Saradha boss Sudipta Sen to CBI in April 2013, where it was claimed that she had been paid from Saradha accounts. (ANI)
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
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NEIGHBOURS
4-day Cong General Convention begins Kathmandu,Mar 4: The 13th General Convention (GC) of the Nepali Congress formally began on Thursday with the inaugural session at Khula Mancha in the Capital, where party presidential hopefuls projected their visions as to how they are going to lead the oldest party of the country.Party Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel inaugurated the jamboree attended by hundreds of NC leaders and cadres and well wishers, along with political leaders from various parties from home and abroad. Around half a dozen leaders aspiring for the major positions in the Central Working Committee utilised the opportunity to woo their voters publicly, claiming that each of them were the most capable to lead the party in the changing context. All of the leaders claimed that implementation of the new constitution; reconstruction of the earthquake wrecked struc-
tures, addressing the concerns of the Tarai/ Madhes and improving ties with the neighbouring countries would be their main agenda if they were elected.Each of them, however, sought to project themselves as better leaders than the others when it came to implementing those agendas.Addressing the session, Poudel, party's presidential candidate from the establishment faction, said that the image of the party leadership has been tarnished after failing to keep up with the changing context. He said some selfcentred leaders who put personal interests above the party and the country is responsible for the deteriorating image of political parties.
Nepali Congress leaders and leaders of political parties from home and abroad at the inaugural session of the party's 13th General Convention at Khula Manch in the Capital
sentatives to evaluate the contribution of the leaders and provide them with the opportunities they deserve.Around 3,500 participants of the party, including 3,170 delegates, have gathered in the Capital for the GC which will elect the new CWC with party president, general secretary and treasurer.Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also running for party presidency, said the challenge for the new leadership is not only uniting the NC but also taking all the political parties together for
the implementation of the constitution and taking the country towards the path of prosperity.Stating that the new constitution has laid the foundation for stability, Deuba said it's now time for economic revolution. "Only strong leadership in our party can accomplish the twin tasks of constitution implementation and economic revolution," he said. He added that the new leadership in the NC will address the grievances of Madhesi people and strengthen the relation with the southern
neighbour. General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who is another aspirant for the post of party president, during his address, came down heavily on other leaders, terming them "petty". He cautioned voters, saying "these petty leaders will not only ruin the party but also the country".He stressed on the need to review the party policy and asked the party cadres to play a decisive role. "The age of imposing decision from the centre has ended. Now, we should listen to the
bottom (cadres) and adapt ourselves," he said.Sitaula offered himself as the true heir of the late leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala. He also took the opportunity to reiterate the role he played in the 12-point agreement to bring then rebel Maoist party into mainstream politics.General Secretary Prakash Man Singh and Treasurer Chitra Lekha Yadav also urged the cadres to elect the leaders who can lead the party and the entire country. The four-day NC convention will conclude on Monday, electing its 74-member CWC for the next four years.Leaders from various parties, including CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said they wanted to see a new leadership in the NC, which is committed to the betterment of country both in words and deed. (Agencies)
Paudel files candidacy for Nepali Congress president's post
Paudel files candidacy for Nepali Congress president's post Katmandu, Mar 4 : The acting president of Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel, has registered his candidacy for the post of party chief. Poudel registered the candidacy along with Shashank Koirala for the post of general secretary and Sita Devi Yadav for treasurer at Sanepabased party office on Friday, reports The Himalayan Times.Party leader Sujata Koirala on Thursday withdrew her candidacy for the top post and announced that she
would lend her support to Paudel in the elections. Nepali Congress' 13th National General Convention began yesterday with fanfare amid a grand function at the Khula Manch in the presence of thousands of supporters, leaders of political parties, including those from neighbouring countries.The candidates wishing to fight for the party's Central Working Committee's elected posts will have to file their candidacy by this afternoon. (ANI)
Kabul-Taliban talks in 43 Chinese lawmakers resigned for graft: Official a few days: Pakistan Beijing, Mar 4 : Forty- their involvement or sus- announced an investiga- Party or stand trial in line military officials were
Sri Lanka to build elevated highway network in Colombo
Islamabad, Mar 4 : The Pakistan foreign office announced the inaugural round of reconciliation dialogue between the Afghan government and Taliban would be held in a few days in Islamabad.Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said the agreement reached at the last meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) countries for possibly opening direct peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban groups by the first week of March, Dawn online reported. Zakaria said that efforts for holding the meeting were continuing, but noted that he did not have "any confirmation of the
"We need to change that perception, and only the NC can do that," he said. "Therefore, I request you to elect a competent person." He spent a considerable amount of time urging the party repre-
dates of the talks".The spokesman said that convening the meeting was a "shared responsibility" of the four countries participating in the quadrilateral process: Afghanistan, Pakistan, US and China."The quadrilateral process is continuing satisfactorily and progressing well. All countries have expressed their satisfaction with the quadrilateral process," he said. Zakaria added that QCG efforts for reconciliation in Afghanistan were aimed at ending violence in Afghanistan and establishing lasting peace there.Last year, Afghanistan witnessed worst violence since 2009 and the trend has continued in 2016. (Agencies)
The Pakistan foreign office announced the inaugural round of reconciliation dialogue between the Afghan government and Taliban would be held in a few days in Islamabad.
three Chinese lawmakers had resigned and 27 others dismissed in the last three years for graft charges under President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption in the Communist nation, a senior official said today. Some of the lawmakers were dismissed because of violating codes of conduct and laws, while some others resigned for
pected involvement in graft, said Fu Ying spokesperson of the China's legislature the National People's Congress (NPC) which will begin its annual session tomorrow. Earlier on Friday, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI)
tion in Wang Min, vice chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the NPC, for suspected violation of Party codes of conduct."These cases show that anti-corruption campaign leaves no blind spot. Any NPC deputy who violates Party codes of conduct or laws will face punishment from the
Islamabad,Mar 4: A 30metre-long tunnel from Pakistan to the Indian side was on Thursday detected by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the international border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district.This is the fourth tunnel unearthed by the BSF in the region since 2012. "We were carrying out our regular clearing operations, done monthly , when we found a wellconstructed tunnel," a BSF officer said, adding that it was being dug out
ments. People used to come late in night to the post across".The tunnel is approximately 10 feet below the ground and has a length of 30 metres from the Pakistan end to the Indian side, he said."But it was blocked on our side. It was dead end. It had no exit as they could not complete it further. A 30-metre-long tunnel from Pakistan to the Indian side was on Thursday detected by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the international border in the RS Pura
with JCB."We were suspecting some activities
across the border.There were late night move-
probe report on Khaleda
Beijing, Mar 4 : The US is militarizing the South China Sea, a spokesperson for China's national legislature said on Friday.Fu Ying, spokesperson for this year's annual session of the National People's Congress, said that currently most of the advanced aircraft and warships passing through the South China Sea belong to the United States.Fu made these remarks when answering questions about China's construction of military facilities on the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, Xinhua news agency reported. She said that according to
its strategy of pivot to AsiaPacific, the US has decided to deploy a larger part of its naval force in this region. It is also strengthening military presence in the Asia Pacific region with its allies, she added."Isn't it militarisation?" she asked in a reply, adding that wrongly accusing China's militarisation in the waters is a "hegemonic act" in language which will also mislead the situation.The US said it did not take sides in the South China Sea disputes, however, its acts and rhetoric make people feel that it is raising tensions in the region, Fu added. (Agencies)
Besides large number of officials, a number of high level leaders including the former national security chief, Zhou Yongkang and high level
prosecuted and jailed in the anti-graft drive launched by Xi.Since Xi took over as president and Party chief in 2013, thousands of officials have been punished in massive anti-corruption campaign.The campaign also attracted criticism that Xi made use of the campaign to consolidate his power base in the CPC. (Agencies)
Tunnel from Pakistan found in J&K
US militarising South China Sea Court asks cops again to submit
The US is militarising the South China Sea
with law," Fu said.The national legislature will step up efforts in legislation related to anti-corruption, in a bid to root up the source of corruption, she added.
Dhaka ,Mar 4:A Dhaka court yesterday again fixed May 2 as the day to submit a probe report in a case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and three others. They are charged with killing 42 people in violence committed during the hartalblockade of the BNP-led 20-party alliance in January 2015.Metropolitan magistrate Asaduzzman Nur fixed the fresh date for submitting the report since the OC of Gulshan police station yesterday failed to submit it before the court on the scheduled day.The other accused are BNP standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah, Khaleda's adviser Prof Emajuddin Ahmed and her ex-advisor Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury.
Parishad, a pro-Awami League organisation, filed the case with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court against the four people .After recording the
three instigated the pogrom," Siddique said in his case statement.He added that the BNP-led coalition activists blasted petrol bombs during the frequent
Court asks cops again to submit probe report on Khaleda
complainant's statement, the court directed the officer-in-charge (OC) of Gulshan PS to investigate the case and submit a probe report before the On February 2 last year, court."Khaleda Zia masAB Siddique, president terminded the killings of Bangladesh Jananetri while the remaining
hartals and blockade, leaving 42 people dead, and hundreds of others wounded from January 5 to February 1 that year. The case was filed under sections 302, 109 and 120 (B) of the Penal Code. (Agencies)
It came close to the border fencing," the offi cer said."One person can sit and easily move inside the tunnel which has came up in the vicinity
of Allah-Mai-Di-Kothi border outpost of ours from Pakistan Post of Afzal", he said, adding that a probe was on. Earlier, BSF had detected a 400-metre long cross-border tunnel along the International Border in July 2012 in Samba sector.In May 2014, it found a caved-in portion of the tunnel in Chillyari border belt in Samba district, which was found 23 metres inside the Indian territory. (Agencies)
Colombo,Mar 4:The cabinet nod has been given to construct an elevated highways network in Colombo to reduce the traffic congestion and to build the road connectivity suburbs and expressways.It has been proposed to construct a road of 6.9 km long with 4 lanes from New Kelani Bridge to Rajagiriya. It will be connected with the Outer Circular Highway in the second phase and the northern end will connect to the Katunayake Expressway. It has also been decided to build an elevated highway of 5.8 km long at an estimated cost of 36 billion rupees, from New Kelani Bridge to Colombo Fort connecting the Colombo Fort area with the expressway network.It will facilitate uninterrupted transportation of cargo and containers from Colombo and suburbs to Colombo fort and reduce the traffic congestion in Colombo urban area. (Agencies)
Four nations ink deal for 10 billion TAPI gas pipeline project Islamabad, Mar.4 : In a move aimed at updating and finalising the pipeline route in Afghanistan, the four nations Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) have signed an initial 10 billion agreement. The agreement was signed by representatives of the four nations and the TAPI Pipeline Project Company in Istanbul.They had already registered the company in November 2014 in which Afghanistan, Pakistan and India would have five percent shareholding each and the remaining 85 percent stake would be held by Turkmenistan.
"We have initialed an investment agreement in Istanbul and the final deal will be signed soon," The Express Tribune quoted Interstate Gas Systems Managing Director Mobin Saulat as saying. Pakistan would contribute five percent of the financing for different activities of the
project, he said.The TAPI pipeline is expected to bring peace and stability in the region in the wake of regional cooperation as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will be depending on each other. This project will also connect South Asia and Central Asia. (ANI)
In a move aimed at updating and finalising the pipeline route in Afghanistan, the four nations Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) have signed an initial 10 billion agreement.
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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Dialogue, not violence, can tackle Maoist insurgency Evidence of Rise Elephant Poaching In India The Asian elephant was once widely distributed across the country, including in states like Punjab and Gujarat. Currently, they are found only in 14 states, in four fragmented populations, in south, north, central and north-east India. The Photo: cliparts.co elephant has been accorded the highest possible protection under the Indian wildlife law through its listing under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, of India. The current poaching hotspots are the similar to what they were about two decades ago, in the elephant-rich habitat of Western Ghats, spanning the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as in Odisha and Assam. There is clear evidence of increase in poaching of elephants in the last few years, Kaziranga National Park, according to the latest official census, has a significant elephant population of 1200, which are forced to migrate to higher grounds in the Karbi Anglong hills on the south during the monsoon months when the national park gets inundated by floods. With most of the land to the south being settled and is either under tea cultivation or paddy, free movement of the elephants becomes highly restricted. Moreover, heavy traffic on the national highway that runs parallel to Kaziranga's southern boundary increases their risk. WPSI (Wildlife Protection Society) of India has recorded the loss of over 121 elephants due to poaching in a period of four years from 2008 to 2011. During this same period, WPSI has records of 781 kg of ivory, 69 tusks, 31 cut pieces of ivory, 99 pieces of ivory carvings and 75 ivory bangles that have been seized from across the country. From 2008 to 2011, a further 50 wild elephants died in road and train accidents and a shocking 111 elephants died from electrocution. But poaching remains the major cause of death for wild elephants. The endangered pachyderms are facing the threat of extinction in the wild in many countries, including India, with poaching for illegal trade being one of the major drivers of its decline. Noting that in the case of captive elephants, the ivory is generally scrapped at the tip of the tusk, which takes about a year to grow back, the lack of effective intelligence could be a stumbling block towards ending elephant poaching. Domestic demand is one of the drivers for elephant ivory in India, with a few communities of Western India using it for bangles and decorative ornamental purposes. Poaching for meat and other products like tail hair also pose threats, especially in north-east India.
Rising food prices It has been high in India India experienced one of the highest rates of food inflation among emerging economies at an average rate of more than 9% during the period 2006 to 2013. Moreover, the rate of increase in food prices during this period was nearly double that witnessed in the previous decade. While India has witnessed sporadic spurts in food inflation, episodes of such persistently high inflation have been rare. The welfare impact of such high rate of food inflation is bound to be significant given that on average, food accounts for 48.6% of overall expenditure in rural areas and 38.5% in urban areas. The proportion is significantly higher for 362 million or 29.5% of the population living in abject poverty. On average, the bottom three income deciles in rural areas devote 60.4% of their total expenditure on food products while food accounts for 56.5% of total expenditure in urban areas. Given that this section of population already spends a large proportion of their income on food, they are generally unable to divert additional expenditure on food to neutralise the impact of food inflation, thereby aggravating food and nutrition deficiency. It was one of the highest among emerging market economies, and nearly double the inflation witnessed in India during the previous decade. Also Cost of food in India increased 6.85 percent in January of 2016 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in India averaged 8.72 percent from 2012 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 14.72 percent in November of 2013 and a record low of 2.15 percent in July of 2015. Food Inflation in India is reported by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), India. A heady mix of factors - from lack of investment in supply chain, increase in farm inputs as well as a tightly-regulated market - is behind the persistent food inflation India has witnessed over the past many years, according to analyses by experts.
Genesis of this problem lies in the denial of natural rights to the tribes that inhabit these areas. After more than six decades of Independence, the greatest threat our Indra P nation faces today is not external but 'internal'. This threat is posed by Maoist insurgency that affects almost one third of our country. Genesis of this problem lies in the denial of natural rights to the tribes that inhabit these areas.
they were left in relative peace and isolation. But as industrialization picked up pace, the value and demand for minerals that lie buried deep in these jungles inNarang c r e a s e d e n o r mously. This resulted in their habitat becoming hunting ground for exploration and mining by large mineral corporations.
One such example of The company was given ruthless exploitation is rights by state governbauxite mining by ment to mine 150 million Vedanta Resources Plc tons of bauxite, the main in Niamgiri hills area in row material for refinery, The tribespeople are the Kalahandi and Rayagada producing aluminium. It original inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent who One such example of ruthless were pushed into the forexploitation is bauxite mining by ests by Aryans who came Vedanta Resources Plc in Niamgiri in wave after wave hills area in Kalahandi and crossing Himalayan passes beginning 4000 Rayagada districts of Odisha. years ago and eventually Vedanta Resources Plc is a metal dominating almost the enand mining giant headquartered tire subcontinent. Aryans in London. It grew at scorching were pastoralists and agpace by acquiring some large riculturists whereas the metal and mineral public sector original inhabitants, who were later labelled as enterprises in India. The company various tribes, were huntwas built from scratch by a person ers and food gatherers who started as a scrap dealer in who drew their susteMumbai. Vedanta set up an alunance from the forests mina refinery in Kalahandi disthey lived in. Even today, they continue to follow the trict in the year 2006. same practice. districts of Odisha. was not to mine the hills For thousands of years, Vedanta Resources Plc since Dongria Kondh and
Image for representational purpose (Photo: static.dnaindia)
Kutia tribespeople, living in that area, believed that their deity resided on top of the hills and they had been worshiping these hills since time immemorial. But the Vedanta management threw all caution to the winds and started mining the hilltops. The tribespeople then started agitating. After an outcry in international media, the Union ministry of environment and forests withdrew environmental clearance for mining. The Odisha government took up the matter to Su-
preme Court that gave the ruling, under forests rights act 2006, directing state government to take opinion of 12 gram sabhas in the affected area. All gram sabhas unanimously gave the verdict in 2013 that they do not want any mining operation, in spite of a lot of inducements from Vedanta. Now the mining operation has come to a halt. Vedanta is just one such example. This kind of large-scale destruction of tribal habitat has been going on for many years in several parts of the country in the name of development.
This has alienated tribespeople, forcing them to take up arms against the State. The government has deployed paramilitary forces to crush these insurgents. This has led to bloodbaths and there is no solution to the problem as yet. To find a lasting solution to this insurgency, legitimate grievances of the tribespeople need to be addressed, their habitat protected and some autonomy to be granted so that they can decide their own fate. Dialogue is the only way forward. Courtesy:dnaindia
Rail budget a deft move to camouflage risks True to his characteris- did not deter the feisty tic auditing profession, Prabhu to paint yet anthe savvy accountant in other rosy picture for the him has trumped the un- next fiscal. For the curseemly ground reality. rent fiscal, the IR had The more things change, budgeted a big jump in the more total earnings G Srinivasan to Rs1, 84,000 they remain the crore, as comsame, is an adage that pared to Rs1, 63,000 crore works for the rail bud- in 2014-15. get for the next fiscal, Even as more than 62% presented to Parliament was to flow from freight, by the smart railway the incremental volume of minister Suresh Prabhu. 85 million tonnes for the True to his characteris- whole year having been tic auditing profession, reduced to a midget, the the savvy accountant in Railways had to reset the him has trumped the un- target to Rs1,11,853 seemly ground reality. crore, against the budBy consciously desisting geted Rs1,21,423 crore from fare and freight from freight earnings. hike to repair the ram- Having pitched an unreshackle system, he has alistic freight target, the done a disservice to the authorities compounded health of the Indian Rail- their folly by enhancing ways (IR) in the long the freight rates by 10% term. effective from April 1, 2015. With the boldest vision Similarly passenger earndocument he had laid out ings fell substantially, warin his last budget been ranted by the persistent blown to the winds with negative growth trend the domestic economy since 2013-14 in the face and traffic volume show- of the widespread apathy ing tepid growth, it still of the system to the con-
venience, comfort and ease of commuters. The steep drop in revenue this fiscal could hit the internal resource generation and gross budgetary support from the government being none too adequate, the Railways have been left with little option other than tying up unconven-
lic-private partnerships (PPP), scouting international markets for rupee bonds or engaging with multilateral and bilateral agencies". Well-nigh these tacks of funding entail heavy borrowings with substantial interest cost to be forked out in the long-gestation projects.
self into a commercially run body to recoup cost of services and provide frills and thrills sought by the youthful population India. A modest beginning on this might definitely go a long way in inculcating new managerial practices in governance if only the railway minister has demonstrated how he is go-
Image for representational purpose (Photo:picstart)
tional routes such as formation of "joint ventures with states, developing new frameworks for pub-
IR is deliberately pushing itself into an internal and external debt trap if it does not transform it-
ing to entice investors. It is a widely known fact that no other public
Politics of 'Adharsila'
QUOTES If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user. Bill Gates
is a metal and mining giant headquartered in London. It grew at scorching pace by acquiring some large metal and mineral public sector enterprises in India. The company was built from scratch by a person who started as a scrap dealer in Mumbai. Vedanta set up an alumina refinery in Kalahandi district in the year 2006.
Image for representational purpose (Photo: files.prokerala)
Sir, One cannot but laugh at the way our Politicians befool the people by the politics of laying stones (Adharsila). Two national parties are vying to overtake each other in the game of laying foundation stone. The state ruling dispensation is going crazy not only in respect of laying foundation stone but also grabbing all other means possible to allure the voters. BJP of course, despite engaged in the race, is yet to show its mettle. The congress, showed lethargy or lack of sincerity in completing a work (despite the specific work declared a National-Project by the then Prime Minister Monmohan Singh). The BCPL and the Bogibeel Bridge are two glaring examples. The construction of the structures of the BCPL received momentum only after NDA led by the BJP took over charge in the centre. In the
construction of the Bogibeel Bridge, during UPA led by the congress the scenario was still more appalling. But thanks to the initiative taken by the NDA (BJP) here, too, the construction work received momentum and as committed by the BJP, hopefully, the bridge will be completed by 2017. The congress on most counts failed to live up to the expectation of the people. The congress, in the last Lok Sabha election was reduced to a minnow in parliament. The people, as such, no longer can be befooled by the politics of laying foundation stone. Now, last resort left is mud-slinging and hurling of abuse. Let us wait and watch.
organisation has been the subject of innumerable Committees as the IR over the past three decades and the saddest part of all these exercises is that they remain uncared for lest it should upset the army of 1.3 million employees of the system. The latest Railway Reform Committee was headed by Bibek Debroy which submitted its report last year. Its sensible suggestions, among others, include the focus on running trains and not peripheral activities such as running schools and hospitals. The Committee also plumped for corporatising the manufacturing of coaches, wagons and locomotives and setting up the Railway Regulatory Authority of India. While the last one was announced in the last budget, the authorities are yet to put in place the regulator to the public transport monopoly. Courtesy: dnaindia
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How education in India has just become an endless effort to collect "official stamps" How would we define our I am restating it for we relationship with educa- have forgotten it. We are tion? It is a means and ends doing fine in education relationship. We want to because we know English score 95% and secure our and we write good Enfuture. And how do we do glish, what with all the this? Exams. Those three fancy words, and therehours decide our fate. But fore, we have 'merit'. A can those three hours test mofussil educated person our education and our ca- might be more knowledgepabilities? For one thing, able than us but that we know that what doesn't do him much good comes in because most useParnika Agarwal he does ful during not know exams is our retention English or, in other words, powers during those three does not have merit! hours for we do not get In fact, has anyone ever time to think. Once it's thought how the best colover we tend to forget leges become the 'best'? most of it. To begin with, they take But then, we learn so in the 'best' students much beyond our syllabus (based on the current sysas well. Are not the values tem of 'merit'). No wonwe learn from our parents der these colleges get the education? Are not our tag of being the 'best'! hobbies education? Is go- Of course, I like to study ing out and experiencing and if that secures me a the world not education? job, very well. But imagThey are, but they do not ine that I have to get up at get an official stamp and 7 in the morning and come so do not count and do back from formal educanot matter. At least not in tion at around 4 in the afour selection for a job etc. ternoon. But the formal Education indeed is a education does not stop tricky concept. for I have to do 'self-study' So, after securing good to keep up with the expecmarks we secure our fu- tations of the system. ture and become 'intellec- That is not an issue for a tuals'. We enter college person who wants to get because of what is called educated. The problem 'merit'. But then, is this not arises when I have to saca very exclusionary pro- rifice other activities simcess? Academicians have ply because they will not realised and said this, but receive the official stamp.
Besides, there is anyway not much time to pursue them when classroom academics takes up much of my time. When I say that I am sacrificing a lot for academics, I do not mean that I do not want to engage in academics. The point is that academics is as important to me as other things. Education is a life altering experience for everyone. At the same time, what we must not forget is that this life altering experience called education seeps into us through other means as well. For instance, reading newspapers and novels, watching movies, attending events, etc. can be equally educational. But we also want as many official stamps as possible. So, we do internships, extracurricular activities, certificate courses, etc. to make our CV more impressive, to increase the number of things we've done along with academics. Yes, that is what people tell me. These are not blank statements. After all, that is what is desirable since that is what is taken into consideration. So, if I read thrillers, I do not have a competitive edge in terms of securing a job. If I listen to BBC's informative podcasts, that
does not give me an edge either. If I write in my diary my critical reflections of the world, it does not matter. However, if I am interning as a freelance writer I will get a certificate and that will add to my CV and give me an edge. If I join a 'society' in my college and become its president, I will have an official recognition of my talent. So, this is what I do and any other way of engaging my mind, well, that I do not think of. It all boils down to one thing - pursuit of the official stamp! And when this happens, we must realise that there is something wrong. Education is for the sake of learning, for the sake of enlightenment, for the sake of education itself. That is its spirit. Of course, I cannot talk about a problem without providing an alternative. But this is just one of the possibilities, one which will only contribute to a small part of the larger issue. Let's look at a particular aspect of education to understand my argument. So take the semester system in colleges, for example. Actually, the problem is not so much with the semester system but in the manner of testing knowledge - through exams.
Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: examswatch) We can look at some foreign universities for instance in the United Kingdom. They have a trimester system but why that is not taxing for either the students or the teachers is because they do not necessarily have end-of-semester exams. They might have one at the end of the year. Some courses do not have even that. And in the semesters (sans exams), then, they have ample time to test students through essays and presentations which students prepare by going beyond the prescribed core syllabus.
Do cartoon shows encroach on your child's innocence? Are you relaxed about the ferentiating between the and kids is the violent con- violence at home and have fact that your kid enjoys real and the artificial but tent shown in these hurt themselves and/or watching cartoons on tele- his perception of the real. shows. Whether it is people in and around them. At an age, about 'Tom' trying to kill But many also argue that vision? That s/ when person- 'Jerry' or about 'Dexter' such acts depend on the he sticks to P. Asha Ritu a l i t i e s , conducting dangerous ex- perception of the child, the television and jumps at the very sight choices, tastes begin to get periments, kids take it all! and not alone on the conof 'Tom and Jerry' or developed in kids, the car- Obviously, at such a ten- tent of the show. This can 'Dexter'? All this might seem normal to any parent raising a kid/s but some deep thinking might ring a bell! Today, children have become addicted to cartoon shows and follow them rather rigorously! They begin watching cartoons at an age as early as six months and by the age of two or so; the kids become 'loyal customers'! But are cartoons just some characters on the screen doing things that make your kids laugh and applaud or do they affect the kids on psychological, behavioral, and mental levels? Research says that although kids enjoy cartoons on a very conscious level, their subconscious is equally affected. Gradually, they begin to act and reciprocate as the cartoons on the television would. Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: cartoondistrict) They begin to perceive the real world as the cartoon character's world and en- toons have a deep effect der age, the mind is unable be considered keeping in act accordingly. The on them. So the natural to comprehend that the act view that parents play stunts done are imagined question here is whether is fictional and not meant their role of shaping the to be real and performed this effect is positive or to be enacted in real life. child's perception parallel by kids in real life. The negative? This in turn results to the to their viewing experiunderlined fact here is not The most common con- 'n' number of cases where ence. the kid's ignorance in dif- cern regarding cartoons kids have tried engaging in Some researchers have
also put forward certain long lasting effects of such content on kids. Apart from the visible immunity to violence, kids are proven to be less sensitized to the pain caused to the other/s, and are likely to grow into violent and aggressive individuals who are excited by any form of violence. Contrary to such shows, there are shows like Bob the Builder or Noddy or Oswald, or even the Indian cartoons of Tenali Raman, Panchatantra tales, where the content is light and in sink with the mental condition of any kid. Simple stories with a message are something many kids love to watch where their entertainment is mixed with a pinch of value added message. So, don't these stories excite? Yes they do. Do they help in shaping personalities? They do. Do they help the kids to grow in a better manner? They do.
They refer to as many books as possible. They discuss their thoughts with their teachers. The idea is to have an open mind, to experiment with their approach and to engage in a conversation with the text. Do you know what happens as a result? All students come up with different perspectives, which is exactly what our system seems to proscribe. Ask our teachers and they will tell you what a nice time they have checking our answer scripts! So, please, tax our thinking
ability and not our memorising powers. And there is no shame in adopting other countries' ways of doing things. If Ambedkar embraced western clothes, the reason being given that it will mark the liberation of Dalits, we should realise that we will not be perched on a lower position if we adopt others' systems by discarding ours. On the other hand, not all foreign systems are worth copying as is evident from the trajectory of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme in India. It
is high time that we pause and reflect on what we are doing and where we are going with our 'unthought out' decisions. We have good core readings, good teachers, good students and better ways of educating ourselves apart from our classrooms. Then what do we need? To make them interact in a sensible way. Not that the current system is bad. The idea is to strive for betterment. And if that is possible, then why not? I can see that capacity in our education system. Please do not dismiss this as an individual case or consider it madness. It is a social issue. Some people have realised this, some have not. It is our responsibility to break the spell that binds us. We have to find a place for our own thinking and engagement, which education should facilitate. Finally, all of this is not directed at any one particular individual. It is directed at the education system of India in general, and in particular. The idea is not to play the blame game but to play a part as a citizen of this country who is experiencing the system as an everyday reality. Otherwise, I would have just derived sadistic pleasure from the issue.
Online Journalism: Come a long way‌ a long way to go Online Journalism is a Tehelka and the new phenomenon which Cobrapost - which in itis revolutionising the self is more of portal way news is being dis- with myriad links to sites seminated throughout with news. our nation. The present scenario of The internet with itself online journalism is a figbrought ure of emabout this Tarusha Mittal powerment feature and has which had had already also given the denizens been its infancy stage a platform to voice their abroad, it is recent phe- opinions on the various nomena in India and news pieces. It has there has been tremen- news dissemination more dous growth in this area interactive in nature in the last ten years. which is hugely successful in projecting and It started out with Sify, venting emotions. Rediff, Headlines India and Samachar in the A healthy interaction beearly 21st century and tween the readers and these web portals were journalists is a relatively unique for they were not new trend wherein reoff-shoots of any news- nowned names in media paper or news channel. have created their Blogs They were solely Indian or accounts on various portals with news avail- socio-networking sites in able at a click, making it order to make their perpossible for people to spective clear on the keep track of events on various mundane, as
TImesnow, etc. Online journalism and its power can be gauged, simply, by looking around the number of applications available on mobile phones and RSS feeds subscriptions for news agencies. Moving into the future, one can easily forecast that online journalism is a field with immense potential because the number of people who have access to the internetMobiles, Laptops, iPads etc - is increasing by the minute and as the notion goes, the more the consumers - so, to say- the more would be the number of choices that the producers would dole out. It is a field with immense competition with everincreasing power being
It's very important to understand that by merely keeping the kids away from provocative cartoon shows is not the solution, but that even though s/he is exposed to such content on the television, the kid must essentially develop a conscience that will help him/her to make well informed choices in future!
The good old days! I still remember the good old days, when we were in school and the only channel on television was Doordarshan, the very Sangeeta Indian channel. The special day used to be Wednesday and it was special because of "Chitrahaar," the once in week program airing half a dozen awesome Hindi movie songs! Yes! The oldies, the melodious songs! So, we Indians have these Hindi movie songs running through our veins! Honestly speaking, most of us think, eat and sleep these songs. We have anthems earmarked for each
and every emotion, feeling and thought of ours - well embedded in some minute cells in our brain, the think tank. Chowdhury Ts oh ne gs es g i v e that extra edge to the Hindi movies across the globe. My Sinhalese friends from college days were in love with the DDLJ hero and though they could not understand, read or write much of the Devnagri lipi, the songs were always on their lips. I miss the old days and the magical voice of Ameen Sayani, the Binaca Geetmala and the list of "faujibhais" and their re-
Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: filmykeeday)
quest for songs. There is no dearth of resources now, just by the click of a mouse we can download any of our favourite numbers from the plethora of websites giving it for free or otherwise. Now we can listen to any song anytime, anywhere but still nothing like the old Hindi movie songs and the inherent nostalgia attached. What we lack today is the time and state of mind to sit back, close the eyes and enjoy a beautiful song. The speed of life has taken away a lot form us and the reality is that we do not even have the time to realise this truth. Come what may, the Hindi movie songs are still an integral part of us and I feel it would always be so.
Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: multimedia.journalism.berkeley)
the go. With the springing up of journalism on such sites, the news channels and newspapers also scrambled to make their presence felt in the virtual world and hence begun the era of online journalism A few individual sites, too came up like -
well as, glass-shattering, news. Online journalism has gone a step further by journalists, news agencies, channels and papers having their own pages that keep their readers updated of the latest on-goings.Ă‚ Facebook has various pages, for NDTV,
given to the people who would want someone to listen. There might be a need, later, to fish out the experts from the amateurs. Online journalism is a field that has evolved to a great extent and that too, in just ten years of seeing light in the nation. Online journalism has, finally, come of age.
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
BUSINESS
IDBI Bank to pay attention on retail Chennai, Mar 4: Staterun lender IDBI Bank has unveiled plans to transform the institution by increasing its retail presence while cutting down on corporate lending by 2019 amid Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stating the government will consider bringing down its stake to below 50 per cent. "We are transforming the business, moving the balance towards retail from corporate," said Mr.Kishor Kharat, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank, while unveiling the plan. According to the plan, which will be implemented from 1 April, 2016, the share of retail business will be increased to 21 per cent by 2019 from 14 per cent now. Consequently the share of corporate lending in the overall loan portfolio will come down to 37
Huge budget slash for ICDS New Delhi, Mar 4: For the second year in a row, the Modi government has reduced fund available to child health interventions, with a massive cut - from Rs. 15,483.77 crore last year to Rs. 14,000 crore in the latest budget. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)4 data for 15 States shows that 37 per cent of children under the age of five are stunted; 22 per cent are wasted while 34 per cent under the age of 5 are under weight. The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has seen a 7 per cent reduction in fund. The scheme, implemented by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry, is the country's flagship intervention to improve child nutrition in the country. "This is the largest programme in the world for children and the ICDS is fundamental to marginalised children in India," said Thomas Chandy, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children. That's not all - the percentage share of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme in the total Union Budget allocation has gone down from 0.74 per cent in 2014-15 (BE) to 0.49 per cent in 2016-17 (BE). The allocation for the MDM scheme for 2016-17 stands at Rs. 9,700 crore (2016-17 BE). The budget comes a week after the Economic Survey states that India needed to increase investments on child nutrition programmes if it were to capitalise on the demographic advantage offered by its young population. The total amount spend on child health by the government would be Rs. 65,758 crore. Over the last two years, allocations for ICDS has seen a sharp decrease, maintain experts. (Agencies)
Government approves UDAY bonds Mumbai, Mar 4: The Finance Ministry has approved the issuance of Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) bonds by four states, according to Minister of Power Piyush Goyal. "The Finance Ministry has approved the issuance of UDAY bonds by four states. They are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh," Mr. Goyal told reporters on Wednesday. He did not, however, specify when the bonds will be issued. Manipur and Tripura have agreed to join UDAY, he said. This takes the total number of states that have agreed to join UDAY to 16. So far, six states have signed the UDAY contract. State governments can take over 75 per cent of discom debt and pay back lenders by issuing bonds. The scheme provides for the remaining 25 per cent of the debt to be paid back through discom-issued bonds. Total discom debt in the country amounts to Rs.4.3 lakh crore. (Agencies)
per cent from 43 per cent. On the liabilities side,the bank will take the share of current and savings deposits, which are low cost, to 35 per cent from the present 25 per cent while the proportion of bulk deposits would be cut to 32 per cent from 44 per cent now. The lender is looking to double its business by 2019 to Rs. 10 lakh crore. Though these announcements come a day after the finance minister's budget speech indicating at reducing the government's stake to below 50 per cent making the bank a private sector entity, the bank's top management said the transformation plan had been in the works for sometime and was inalized few weeks ago. "We are transforming IDBI to a string bank. The
IDBI STRATEGIES On the liabilities side,the bank will take the share of current and savings deposits, which are low cost, to 35 per cent from the present 25 per cent.
State-run lender IDBI Bank has unveiled plans to transform the institution by increasing its retail presence while cutting down on corporate lending by 2019. According to the plan, which will be implemented from 1 April, 2016, the share of retail business will be increased to 21 per cent by 2019 from 14 per cent now.
The bank will need equity infusion of Rs. 20,000 crore till 2019 to support its business plan.
The bank is planning to raise Rs. 3,771 crore by way of qualified institutional placement (QIP) in one or more tranches which will bring down government stake by about 16 per cent.
transformation process has nothing to with ownership," Mr. Kharat said. It is easier for the government to divest stake in IDBI Bank as compared to other public sector banks as the institution is not governed by the Bank
Nationalisation Act but by the Companies Act. At present, the government stake in the bank is 80.16 per cent. The bank is planning to raise Rs. 3,771 crore by way of qualified institutional placement (QIP) in one or more
tranches which will bring down government stake by about 16 per cent. The QIP, though valid till August, is, however, on hold for the time being due to weak market conditions. The bank's board recently cleared a proposal for
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: s.graphiq)
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: shutterstock)
Secretary RN Choubey told. The civil aviation secretary said that despite the duty hike on aviation fuel, it is "significantly cheaper" than petrol and diesel at present. But the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents key airlines IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways and
GoAir, demanded a rollback in the hike and sought the constitution of an independent regulator for ATF pricing. "In March 2016, FIA members have been informed of a 12 per cent increase in prices without any explanation. No response has been received from oil
companies regarding this price revision and oil pricing continues to be nontransparent, to the detriment of consumers and citizens," the FIA said in a letter to Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said a 35 per cent drop in aviation fuel had helped airlines to offer over 18 per cent lower passenger fares in 2015. An analysis of ticket pricing in 23 centres conducted during October-December last year showed that air fares were 18.5 per cent lower as compared to the same period last year, Mr. Raju said. Aviation experts had said that this hike in excise duty will lead to a four-five per cent increase in raw material costs for airlines. "The increase on
This will also bring down government stake to some extent. The government is also in talks with multilateral agencies like International Finance Corporation and GIC - the investment vehicle of Singapore government -for possible stake sale. The bank will need equity infusion of Rs. 20,000 crore till 2019 to support its business plan, Mr. Kharat said. "In addition, we can raise tier-I capital of Rs. 4,000 crore and tier-II capital of Rs. 9,000 crore," he said. The bank is also planning bring down its net NPAs to 'near zero' levels by 2019 from 4.6 per cent and gross NPAs to below 3 per cent from 8.94 per cent. (Agencies)
account of excise duty is only 6.5 per cent and not more than that and this is something which airlines can very easily absorb (after the dip in prices last year)," aviation secretary Mr Choubey had earlier said in a press conference. The civil aviation secretary, however, told this newspaper that the airlines will likely pass on some hike in aviation fuel announced by oil companies on to customers. Making a case for revising aviation fuels, FIA said the average price per barrel declined by 22 per cent in February compared to the previous month and during this period the exchange rate went up by one per cent. 'Regional airports are exempt from the incidence of the higher excise duty of 14 per cent announced by the finance minister in the Budget for 2016-17. (Agencies)
Rs 47k crore LNG ship tender postponed by GAIL India New Delhi, Mar 4: State gas utility GAIL India has again postponed its $7-billion (nearly Rs 47,423.25 crore) tender for hiring nine newly-built ships to ferry Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the US by one month. Bids for the tender, which was refloated in September, were to close on February 29, but the last date of bidding has now been postponed to March 31. "The postponement has been done at the request of bidders to allow them time to finalise their bids," GAIL Chairman and Managing Director B C Tripathi said. "There are no changes in tender conditions," he added. GAIL is seeking 9 LNG ships of the cargo capacity of 1,50,000-1,80,000 cubic metres to help transport Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) it has tied up with Sabine Pass and Cove Point LNG projects in the
US, with supplies slated to start from December 2017. Bids were earlier to close on December 17 but were postponed to February 29 to allow Indian shipyards to tie up technology for building the specialised vessels. GAIL is seeking quotes in three lots of three ships each. One ship in each lot is to be built at an Indian shipyard. After postponing the deadline thrice, GAIL had in February last year scrapped the tender to hire nine LNG carriers to ferry gas from the US, with a caveat that three of them be made in India. At that point, no foreign shipyard was willing to share LNG shipbuilding technology. Negotiations that followed saw Cochin Shipyard strike a deal with Samsung Heavy Industries to cooperate in the construction of the vessels. It has also been licenced by GTT of
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: static.dnaindia)
France to build LNG carriers with the Mark III membrane containment system. However, L&T Shipbuilding, which had a deal with Hyundai Heavy Industries, has pulled out of the bidding as it turns its focus to defence projects. Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering has teamed up with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea for shipbuilding. The tender was re-floated on September 15, 2015. Sources said
while two ships will be built in the shipyards of their foreign collaborators, one carrier has to be built in India. Other Indian shipyards are looking at a similar tie-up for the same. The tender document provides for Indian shipyards taking 5-13% in the LNG carrier that it will build. This condition was missing in the original tender floated last year. Also, GAIL has a right to take up to 10% equity stake in any or all of the nine ships. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), which is to
operate the carriers, will have a right to 26% interest, according to the document. GAIL and SCI had last year signed an agreement wherein the stateowned shipping company has the step-in right to take at least a 26% stake in each of the nine LNG carriers hired by GAIL. GAIL plans to time charter, or hire, the carriers for 18 years from fleet owners without directly ordering the vessels at shipyards. Overseas shipyards have been given time till May 31, 2019, to deliver their ships while those built at Indian shipyards are to be delivered between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, the tender document said. All carriers will be operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). GAIL has tied up 5.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG from the US which the newly built ships will ferry. (Agencies)
Maruti Alto achieved sales of 3-million units New Delhi, Mar 4: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) has asserted that it's Alto, India's largest selling car that has just achieved sales milestone of three million units, would continue to maintain strong leadership position amid competition's attempt to crack the tricky entry segment market, according to a top company official. "We are confident of sustaining the current sales rate of 2.5 lakh units a year for Alto and are hopeful of increasing it further once the sentiments improved," Vinay Pant, Gen-
ALTO'S GREAT SUCCESS Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) has asserted that it's Alto, India's largest selling car that has just achieved sales milestone of three million units. The company would continue to maintain strong leadership position amid competition's attempt to crack the tricky entry segment market. It has taken 15 years and 6 months to achieve this record and is the only Indian auto brand to cross this milestone. The company feels that Alto's all-round package by way of competitive pricing, track record of low cost of maintenance and widespread sales and service network set itself apart from competition.
eral Manager - Marketing, MSIL told. Maruti's hatchback Alto has achieved cumulative sales of three million units in the Indian market. It has taken 15 years and 6 months to achieve this record and is the only Indian auto brand to cross this milestone. The company feels that Alto's allround package by way of competitive pricing, track record of low cost of maintenance and widespread sales and service network set itself apart from competition and
Motorcycle taxi service to be launched in Bengaluru
preferential issue of capital to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of Rs. 1,500 crore.
Airlines protest against rise in fuel price Mumbai, Mar 4: Leading domestic airlines demanded a rollback of a sudden 12 per cent hike in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices announced by oil companies on Tuesday and warned that they would be compelled to approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on such "non-transparent" changes. Aviation fuel costs account for over 40 per cent of an airline's cost of operations, and hence could impact air fares. The government said that part of the hike in ATF prices was due to an increase in excise duty on aviation fuel, announced in the Union Budget. "Out of the total 11.5 per cent hike, five per cent increase is on account of an increase in the input costs of ATF and the rest 6.5 per cent is on account of excise duty (hike on ATF)," Civil Aviation
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helped maintain the leadership position. When Alto was launched in 2000, the price of LX variant was Rs.2.99 lakh. Today's price is Rs.3.94 lakh. "We have been able to maintain the price in the sub-Rs.4 lakh range through a lot of indigenisation and improved fuel efficiency," he said. While the entry segment is expected to witness more competition, Maruti expects the lower car penetration levels in the country to offer huge potential for growth in the entry segment. (Agencies)
uberMOTO service app (Photo: static.dnaindia) Bengaluru, Mar 4: Appbased taxi service Uber will be launching its on-demand motorcycle taxi and sharing service, uberMOTO, in Bengaluru. The move comes soon after the service was first rolled out in Thailand recently. Commenting on the development, Amit Jain, President, Uber India, said "Uber has always been at the forefront of innovation across the world. We are very excited to pilot uberMOTO in Bangalore -- pairing our on-demand technology platform with motorbikes, the predominant mode of transport in India. Enabling transporta-
tion at the push of a button, uberMOTO will offer another affordable mobility option that will help people save time and money while helping cut congestion in our cities over time." A statement from the company said that the service will work in the same way as the other options -- uberGO, uberX and UberBLACK. Uber has said that persons who own motorcycles or scooters can also sign up as drivers The minimum fare has been set at Rs 15. Currently, this is the area in Bengaluru that the company will cover. (Agencies)
100 % FDI in marketing of food products opposed by small retailers
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: indiatribune) Mumbai, Mar 4: Several small retailers, street vendors and farmers' organisations have opposed permitting 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in marketing of food products and questioned the government's claim that the move will benefit farmers and reduce post-harvest crop loss. The Centre, as part of its FY'17 Budget proposals, said 100 per cent FDI will be allowed through the government approval route (through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board) in marketing food products produced in India. Organisations including Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the India FDI Watch Campaign, the Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (Federation of All India Traders and Industries or BUVM), Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM), The Hawkers Federation and Janpahal (an organisation
working with small farmers) have sought stakeholder discussions before the decision is implemented. Some of them, including CAIT, told that they will meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and demand a roll-back of the decision. Pointing out that according to a recent report of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana, the post-harvest losses of several food items were very low (at below 10 per cent), CAIT National Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal said allowing 100 per cent FDI in marketing of food products on the basis of "high postharvest losses of around 30-40 per cent" was wrong. He said the move amounts to permitting big food companies and MNCs into multi-brand retail trade through the backdoor. (Agencies)
Samsung Mobiles acquires the position of India's mosttrusted brand Chennai, Mar 4: South Korean smartphone maker Samsung Mobiles has emerged as the most trusted brand in the country followed by Sony and LG, while Tata Group is the only Indian corporate to figure in the top five, a survey said. The survey was conducted among 2,500 respondents, aged 21-50, across 16 cities and its findings have been compiled in 'The Brand Trust Report, India Study 2016'. The report is issued annually by TRA (formerly Trust Research Advisory). As per the study, the top five most trusted brands are Samsung Mobiles, Sony, LG, Nokia and Tata. Samsung Mobiles was ranked second in last year's report which was topped by LG. Sony moved up a position from third last year. Trust ranking of Tata brand slipped from fourth last
year to fifth this year, while Reliance dropped to 22nd position from 14th last year. "Samsung Mobiles is India's most trusted brand of 2016 as a result of its constant efforts in bringing consumer value through conscious pricing, great quality and exquisite designs. "Samsung's strategy of focusing on the core intangibles of its brand is evident from its climb to the leadership," TRA Chief Executive Officer N Chandramouli told reporters. Chandramouli said in the diversified FMCG space, Cavinkare has emerged as the most trusted brand, followed by Nirma, while Patanjali claimed the fourth position. Interestingly, Maggi leads the FMCG food category, gaining 42 ranks from 2015 to occupy the 65th position in the overall trust rank list. (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Features
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WOMEN'S 7 ways to wear pink The colour pink has always been associated with girls. Pink for the girl and blue for the boy…that was the idea that was driven into our minds for decades. With changes in the mindset of the people and the blurring of gender lines in the fashion front, pink is now accepted as a universal colour. However, the history of pink and its association with dolls and all things that define "girly" have made some women steer away from it. If you fear wearing pink will make you look a Barbie doll, then you shouldn't…because here are some favourite ways you can wear pink without looking "too girly"! 1. Choose the correct shade
Like every other colour, pink has a number of different shades you can choose from. If a vibrant hue like magenta or hot pink is not your thing, then opt for more muted pink tones like peach, azalea or blush. Know what shade you are most comfortable with and work it. 2. Add a bold but the right print Adding a bold print and pattern to any colour takes the focus away from the background colour. It's also a great way to wear pink for those of us who are not comfortable wearing a solid pink top. However, you have to be careful while choosing pink printed tops or dresses because it is very easy to veer into a bubblegum,
childish look if you go wrong. For instance, if you wear pink with white polka dots, it might make you look a little too "dolled-up". Choose more mature prints in darker hues like a deep floral pattern or an abstract one. 3. Go the androgyny way A nice way to wear pink without even curving into the "girly" category is to mix it with men's wear. A pair of jeans paired with brogues and a peach top…or rock the pantsuit with a pink shirt inside. It also keeps your androgynous outfit from looking too boyish. 4. Add a leather accent We all have and love our statement leather jackets
and skirts. Whether you have the classic motorcycle jacket or a leather skirt…pairing them with pink is a great way to look trendy and take the focus away from the pink altogether. Leather has a certain kind of rock 'n' roll vibe to it, so wearing it with pink will make you look glam and not girly! 5. Pay attention to the fit The right fit will always make any and every outfit look more polished and neat. Make sure you prevent any sartorial blunders while wearing pink to avoid flashbacks of your childhood pinafore. A sleek pink pencil skirt reads formal while a voluminous pink skirt may come off as a little too
candish. You have the freedom to wear oversized clothes in other darker colours, but with pink…it's always best to stick to what fits you best. 6. Wear it against darker colours Sometimes we tend to overlook the obvious. Toning down a pink top by wearing it with black or a deep blue creates an outfit that is not only chic but also works in the professional arena. Pair a peach dress with a thin black summer coat or wear your pink top with your favourite black skinnies…and you're good to go! 7. Accessorize using the colour instead And if you're still not convinced, then wear pink as an accent instead of
Styling with pink (Photo: cdn9.lbstatic) the background. Don't think of pink as the main-
stay of your ensemble but add subtle accents in
the form of a belt or a scarf or even a shoe.
Amazing tips to make your Simple steps for glowing, blemish-free skin hair grow faster! Want envy-inducing, long locks but wish your hair growth would just hurry up already?! Try these simple tips to help your hair grow faster for mermaid-worthy locks. Get ready to make those long hair dreams come true! 1. Split up with split ends Ironically, scissors are your friend when it comes to growing your hair long and healthy. Regular trims help get rid of dry and damaged tips, which would otherwise make their way up the length of your strands and prevent them from growing nicely. Avoid split ends from getting worse and visit your stylist every few months for a trim. Not getting one simply because you want to grow your hair isn't the wisest decision. 2. Brush love Over-brushing your mane is bad for hair growth, but make it a point to brush those locks before going to bed at night. Giving them some brush love helps spread your scalp's natural oils across your strands, which keeps them naturally moisturized, healthy as well as shiny. Use a boar bristle brush as those are the most gentle on your strands. And remember to start from the ends and work your way up to the roots to prevent ripping out your hair. 3. Don't try the towel turban ever again! It causes so much friction that leads to weakening
and breakage. The tighter your towel the worse it is for your strands. Get your hands on a microfiber towel - or even a cotton Tshirt will do - to gently pat your strands dry. Remember you need to handle your locks with care. 4. Skip the shampoo but not the conditioner So many girls skip conditioner during a hair wash when they're running late. It's fine to skip the shampoo since it dries out your
is dry and lackluster. 5. Long hair needs extra TLC Hair that is at your shoulders or longer is a few years old, so it needs some more love and moisture than from just a normal conditioner. Try a hydrating mask and leave it on for 10 minutes, or an oil treatment. You don't necessarily need to oil your hair overnight; instead, try using coconut, almond, olive or jojoba oil on damp
Healthy diet is essential for hair growth Photo: healthyfoodspace hair, but never conditioner. If your hair is wet, then conditioner is a must to nourish damaged strands and hydrate them. How else will they grow? Remember not to shampoo too often to avoid drying out your hair and messing with the natural pH balance of your scalp. When you do shampoo, lather up at the scalp only and let the suds slide down when you rinse, especially if your hair
strands for 10 minutes before shampooing and conditioning. This will help prevent the oil from leaving behind a residue, which takes multiple rounds of shampoo to get rid of, which only dries your hair further. 6. Switch your cotton pillowcase All that tossing and turning at night creates friction and hair breakage. What's worse is that it's something we
never really think about, right? Ditch your regular pillowcase for a satin one that is so much softer and smoother on your strands. It will prevent your hair from weakening and help it grow stronger. Plus, it will help cut down on frizz too. 7. Try a cool rinse Steamy showers are actually super harsh on your hair. Hot water helps strip it of moisture, which is super bad for your hair's health. You can't expect unhappy hair to grow longer fast! Lower the temperature and try a cold-water rinse at the end of your shower. This tiny step over time can help lock in moisture and help your locks grow stronger. 8. Don't abuse it Don't rip your hair brush through your hair carelessly; don't try super tight hairstyles too often and don't torture it with excessive heat styling if you want your mane to grow beautifully. Pamper your hair with a head massage ever so often to increase circulation to your scalp to strengthen the roots and give you longer, shinier strands. 9. Healthy from the inside Just like your skin, your hair is what you eat too. Load up on oodles of proteins, zinc and iron, which are essential for hair growth, and to cut down shedding. Pop a vitamin tablet daily too to help with overall health as well to keep your locks long and strong!
We've all been through our fair share of acne, dark spots, skin scarring and lost glow. Puberty hit us with acne, our late teen years hit us with dark spots and scarring left over from multiple sessions of pimple-popping. How is it then that celebrities seem to be born with flawless skin and maintain it right into their 30s and 40s? It's easy. These 6 miracle tips will transform your skin from just OK to absolutely stunning! 1. Give your skin some TLC (Tender Loving Care) Right from the time you're a teenager with random breakouts on your face, there's a few things to keep in mind. Your genes play a large role in the kind of skin you have but with proper care, you can have the kind of skin you want. Your skin health depends on how it has been treated in its formative years but with proper care it can transform into beautiful skin that is aglow with health. A regular cleansing and toning pattern keeps your skin balanced and protected. Never underestimate the power of sunscreen. And always keep wet tissues handy for when you need to wipe the sweat and grime off your face but you can't wash it. Don't have time for a routine so detailed? Use one product that does everything for you - which protects and works against ageing at the same time. 2. Be a happy person When you're happy, it reflects on your skin. This is because of the endorphins released in your body when you feel happy. Stress can
cause your skin to breakout which in turn can cause bad skin health and lost glow. A happy outlook in life helps your skin relax and rejuvenate itself and both are as important for your skin as they are for your body and mind. From now on, change things around, do things that make you happy and smile as often as you can. 3. Mother's advice is gold, follow it! The next time you dismiss what your mother has to say about skin care, think again. She has been through the stages you're going through and her skin has transformed over the years. Yes, junk food will ruin your
your face. And when she tells you to get your hair out of your face, she doesn't only mean it will make you look tidier. Hair on your face means oil from your scalp and chemicals from the products you use on your hair will end up on your face. This can cause breakouts and serious skin disorders. 4. Hydrate well for an everlasting glow It might sound impossible but getting the kind of fresh-faced glow you had as a teenager is possible. And while twenty is the new thirty and anti-ageing needs to start early, you need to use a product that hydrates your skin and
Woman with glowing, blemish-free skin Photo: atozhomeremedies skin. Even though in your 20s your skin might seem invincible, the results of abuse show when you're in your 30s. Keep a constant frown on that brow? Mom's advice against doing so was spot on! Constant frowning will cause permanent lines on
boosts collagen levels as well. 5. What you eat is very important Skin health is not only determined by the routine you follow or the products you use. Your diet plays an important role in how your skin looks and behaves
too. Incorporate ginger in your daily diet. Ginger contains around 40 antioxidant compounds that protect against ageing. It improves the appearance of skin by removing toxins and stimulating circulation, resulting in the delivery of more nutrients to the skin. The antioxidants prevent damage from free radicals, thus preserving the youthful appearance of the skin. In this way, it slows down the signs of ageing. The other superfood to include in your diet is ginseng. It contains a large number of phytonutrients. These phytonutrients can stimulate and activate the skin's metabolism and blood flow to regenerate and tone it. It is also thought to promote skin cell regeneration by increasing oxygenation of skin cells. It also has the effect of boosting blood circulation as well as detoxifying the blood. 6. Get enough sleep This has been said enough times and you already know it, getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day is important to keep your skin in top condition. Sleep deprivation can cause the skin under your eyes to dry out which in turn leads to dark circles. While sleeping a minimum number of hours a day is important, oversleeping is not recommended. Oversleeping can cause low energy through the day and is also associated with depression. Depression and stress can in turn wreck havoc on your skin.
The beginner's guide to makeup - products Buying and wearing makeup can be really intimidating for any beginner. And with the plethora of options we have available today, picking the right shades for your skin can be a nightmare. Fortunately, you've got us! We've put together this easy to follow list of makeup products that you should have in your starter makeup kit. These products will cover all your basics and help you begin exploring the world of makeup. 1. Non-Negotiable Moisturizer Before you get into an elaborate beauty routine, remember to moisturize! For problematic skin, it works well when worn under
makeup and costs less than your fancy Starbucks coffee and sandwich, we assure you! 2. A Super Chic Makeup Bag You didn't think you were about to buy a whole bunch of envious make up without having an adorable bag to flaunt, did you?! 3. Flawless Foundation For all you foundation virgins, choose a formula that is easy to blend and breathable. Always, always, always test your foundation along your jawline and neck. If it blends in flawlessly, you've got your shade. Foundation that is a few shades lighter will look
cakey and unnatural. 4. Magical Concealer A concealer is that magical product that can transform your appearance. If you are blessed with blemish and dark circle free skin, we urge you to skip this step. If you do, however, have problems in that area, a lightweight, color correcting concealer (that matches your skin) is all you need to wake up looking like you had tons of sleep. 5. Compact To The Rescue Look for a lightweight compact to set your foundation and concealer in place. A compact can especially come in handy for those through the day touch-ups
Essential makeup products (Photo: cdn.skim.gs) if you have oily skin and for days when you just want some light coverage.
6. Blush, Blush! Blush can really brighten your appearance and give
you that healthy flushed glow. After foundation your skin may look very even toned and flat. A hint of color on your cheekbones is the perfect finishing touch to your makeup routine and can add that pretty rosy flush. Look for a peach blush; it works well for all skin tones without looking too extreme.
A quality eyeliner pencil is one that doubles up as a kohl pencil. It is that tiny black line that gives your eyes an instant boost of energy. Your ideal pencil is one that will get you through rain and storm. Pencil liners are the easiest to use and give you great precision for drawing those lines.
7. Love with Lipstick Find yourself a bold red or a coral lipstick to fit your needs from day to night. These colors work well with all skin tones. If you like variety; look for a lip palette so that you can experiment and find your go-to shade. 8. Kohl + Eyeliner
9. Mascara - Open Up Those Peepers! After that kohl pencil, mascara is that one product you absolutely must not and shall not skip. It is unbelievable what the right kind of mascara can do for your face and eyes. Mascara will open up your eyes, make
your lashes look fuller, and gives you an instantly glam effect. There are a lot of mascaras out there, try each one and see the effect you like best. 10. Blending Tools for a Professional Finish In order to achieve that flawless finish, a good blending tool is a must. Remember, the goal is to look like you aren't wearing any makeup. To blend your foundation, concealer and cream blushes, we recommend investing in a makeup sponge. It gives you an airbrushed clean finish, makes it look natural and is far easier to use than a foundation brush.
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Jitu Rai bags gold at Guwahati defeat shooting World Cup Duliajan by 99 runs ANI New Delhi, Mar.04 : Ace Indian shooter Jitu Rai clinched gold medal in the men's 50m Pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cupbeing held at Bangkok on Friday. Jitu trounced China's former World and Olympic Champion Pang Wei to second placeshooting 191.3 to Pang's 186.5. Wang Zhiwei, also of China and an Olympic Bronze medalist finished third with a final round score of 165.8. Jitu, who had been nursing a serious injury on his right palm for some months,
reached the final by finishing third at the end of the 60 shot qualifying series with a score of 562. He did not start as strongly as he would have wanted to in the final however he maintained a top three position throughout.
Ace Indian Shooter, Jitu Rai
Hakim Ali Wins Double Crown
Hakim Ali of Oil India Limited (OIL) won double crown New Delhi, March 4: Hakim Ali of Oil India Limited (OIL) won double crown by winning the Veteran’s Singles and Doubles Titles respectively in the 35th PSPB Inter-Unit Tennis Tournament 2015-16, hosted by Engineers’ India Limited (EIL) in Delhi Lawn Tennis Association’s (DLTA) court at New Delhi from February 29 to March 4, under the auspices of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB). Hakim Ali clinched the Singles Title defeating Bhushan Akut of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) 6-2, 6-3 in the final while in the Veteran’s Doubles final Ali partnering Kalyan Kumar Das of OIL beat Santosh Kumar and Narayan Rao of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGCL) 6-0, 6-1.
The Veteran Team, represented by Kalyan Kumar Das, Hakim Ali, Debashish Bora and Gyan Prakash Saha also became the Runner-Up in the Veteran Team Event of the tournament. In the closing ceremony, Ajoy Deshpande, Director (Technical), EIL attended the function as Chief Guest and while S. Haldar, Member Secretary of PSPB attended as Guest-ofHonour amidst a huge gathering. Prizes were distributed by them to the winners and runner-ups.
that the board had to think over the matter wisely. Earlier, Pakistan selectors included fast bowler Mohammad Sami and batsman Sharjeel Khan in the World T20 squad following the dismissal of Babar Azam and Rumman Raes due to injuries. Shaharyar, however, did not rule out the possible changes in the squad in the coming future. Shaharyar also expressed his views on Shahid Afridi's desire to continue as a skipper after the T20 pinnacle event, saying that the former would continue to lead Pakistan and would not be forced to retire unless he himself pulls out of the job. The ICC World T20 is slated to be held from March 8, with Pakistan likely to play their opening match against the hosts in Dharamsala if they get clearance from the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh about the appropriate security to their players.
Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, March. 4: Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre defeated Duliajan Cricket Academy by 99 runs in the match of the first JKM JKM Trophy of Excellence All-Assam PrizeMoney Cricket Tournament at Dibrugarh District Sports Association Stadium here today. Electing to bat, GCCC scored 175 in 29.5 overs before being bowled out. Sunzow Brahma top scored with 52 off 45 balls, slamming nine
boundaries and Nipon Deka scored 41 off 20 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.
bundled out for 76 in 18.4 overs. Manashjyoti Gogoi scored 16 off 32 balls with a lone boundary.
Riyan Parag chipped in with 35 off Trophy 40 deliveries smashing eight boundaries and two maximums and Hrishikesh Tamuli contributed 20 runs.
For GCCC, Riyan Parag claimed four wickets for nine runs in 2.4 overs while Chanakya Sarma took three for 16 in 5 overs. Bikash Chetry took two wickets for 17 in 6 overs.
Dulijan bowlers Sanjib Dutta and Dipankar Banerjee shared two wickets a piece by giving away 39 and 13 runs respectively. In run chase, DCA were
Riyan Parag was adjudged man of the match. Tom o r r o w, C r i c k e t Club of Dibrugarh (Blue) will take on Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre.
Shuttler Sindhu lone Indian Negi credits `Captain Cool` Dhoni for easing pressure on debut survivor at German Open ANI Mulheim an der Ruhr (Germany), Mar.04 : Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has emerged as the lone survivor at the USD 120,000 German Grand Prix Gold after storming into the quarterfinals of the women's singles event. Seventh seed Sindhu claimed a 21-9, 21-17 win over Michelle LI of Canada in a one-sided second round encounter and will next face fourth seeded Wang Shixian. However, it turned out be a disappointing day for other Indians, including Parupalli Kashyap and Kidambi Srikanth and men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Re.
PV Sindhu Commonwealth Games champion Kashyap was forced to retire when he was trailing 12-21, 11-16 to Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the pre-quarterfinals clash. Meanwhile, sixth seed Srikanth crashed out of the tournament after going
down 21-18, 18-21, 18-21 against NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong. On the other hand, men's doubles duo of Attri and Sumeeth Re was beaten 1021, 10-21 by Chinese Taipei's Lee Sheng Mu and Tsai Chia Hsin.
ANI Mirpur, Mar.04 : Indian spinning all-rounder Pawan Negi, who made his first international appearance against the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup on Thursday, revealed that he overcame a nervous shaky start after receiving a sense of calm from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "Before walking out to the field, our captain MS Dhoni walked up to me and asked me not to think too much about the fact that I was making my debut. He asked me to relax and treat the game as a normal game and go about things normally," the 23-year-old told bcci.tv. The left-arm spinner was negotiated with ease by the opposition before he overcame a jittery start by claiming his first international
Mahendra Singh Dhoni wicket in the 13th over of the match. "But once I got a wicket, I got a lot of confidence," he said. "MS Dhoni came up to me and told me that I was bowling under pressure. He asked me to loosen up and bowl freely. That really boosted my confidence and I
am glad I could get over that initial phase and comeback with a better show with the ball in the next two overs. A wicket on debut is huge for anyone and I felt really great." India will play hosts Bangladesh in the summit clash of the Asia Cup on Sunday.
Messi treble inspires Barca to Lydia Schiavello negates 5-1 rout of Rayo Vallecano Shane Warne affair rumours
It may be mentioned that in the ceremony Kalyan Kumar Das of Oil India Limited was specially felicitated by PSPB and EIL for participating in the tournament for last 34 years out of 35th edition of the tournament.
PCB chief slams Pak's `painful` performance in Asia Cup ANI Johannesburg, March.4 : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has slammed his side's disappointing performance in the ongoing Asia Cup T20 and also hinted at making sweeping changes in the management system ahead of the World T20 in India. Pakistan were knocked out of the Asia Cup after suffering a humiliating fivewicket defeat at the hands of hosts Bangladesh on Wednesday. The Shahid Afridi-led side also suffered a defeat against fierce rivals India in their opening match. Labelling Pakistan's performance as 'painful,' Shaharyar insisted that everyone who was involved in the selection process would be held accountable for his side's disappointing display, Sport24 reported. The 81-year-old also stressed the importance of changes in the electoral process and leadership, adding
Former Olympic and World Champion Pang Wei of China led the field of eight top qualifiers with a score of 564, while Olympic medalist and compatriot Wang Zheiwei followed him in second place scoring 563. Pang Wei who was also having a strong consistent show finally conceded the
lead to Jitu after having below par 13th and 14th shots. The following two shots also saw a similar pattern for Pang and from then on, it was Jitu all the way as both the Chinese challengers had a tame end to the 20shot final. Tomoyuki Matsuda after briefly lying in the top three was eliminated in 5th place. Saturday will see the finals of the Men's 50, Prone and 10m Air Pistol events. Jitu Rai will look to increasing his medal tally in the pistol event while Gagan Narang and Chain Singh will lead India's charge in the Rifle event.
Barcelona A file photo ANI London, Mar.04 : Lionel Messi scored his 35th hattrick as Barcelona extended their record un-
beaten run to 35 matches with 5-1 win over nineman Rayo Vallecano in La Liga clash. Ivan Rakitic put the
Catalan giants ahead in the 22nd minute before the Argentine talisman levelled Cristiano Ronaldo on 35 trebles in all competitions, the Guardian reported. Alberto Manucho also pulled one back for Rayo before Arda Turan scored his first goal for the club to complete the rout. Rayo also saw Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra given marching orders for their tackles on Rakitic and Sergio Busquets respectively. With the win, Barca restored an eight-point lead at the top over Atletico Madrid.
ANI Melbourne, March 4. : ' Real Housewives of Melbourne' star Lydia Schiavello has branded her romance rumour with cricket legend Shane Warne as "all crap." The 46-year-old star, who is an ambassador of Warne's besieged foundation, further said that if he texts her for a booty call, she would "slap him in the face," reports News.com.au. It is because of her alignment with his charity that Schiavello has been linked with the Aussie cricket great. She even added that RHOM's new girl on the block Susie McLean had wrongly tied her with Warne in public and that
Shane Warne had the potential to derail her marriage. McLean first raised the possibility of Schiavello, whom she has known for years, and Warne, whom she also knows well, having an affair in epi-
sode one. The subject was broached after it was mentioned that Warne had texted and asked her back to his place one night, which was interpreted as a "booty call."
BCCI firm on hosting Indo-Pak World T20 in Dharamsala: Rajiv Shukla ANI New Delhi, Mar.4 : Amidst the growing uncertainty over the fate of the India-Pakistan clash in the forthcoming World Twenty20, senior BCCI functionary Rajeev Shukla on Friday categorically said that the much-anticipated clash will be held in Dharamsala as scheduled on March 19.
the match there (Dharamsala) as per schedule because there are interest of commitments which requires to be fulfilled. Otherwise, the ICC will take a stern action against the venue. The state government is also willing to cooperate," said Shukla, the Indian Premier League chairman.
Earlier, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had ex"As far as the match is pressed his aversion to concerned, we are firm the Indo-Pak match in that we will be hosting his state after the ex-ser-
Rajiv Shukla
vicemen and families of slain army officials opposed to stage a
match involving Pakistan in the wake of the recent Pathankot at-
tacks. However, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur asserted that a decision was taken that any bilateral match between India and Pakistan will not be held in Dharamsala following a meeting with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister but the World T20 game must take place as the state and country's image is at stake. On Thursday, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan had threatened to pull
out of the T20 format's pinnacle event if they failed to get clarity about the security situation from the Indian government. Dismissing all such concerns, Shukla assured that the visitors will be given foolproof security. "We will be providing foolproof security to the Pakistan cricket team. All the players will be safe. Now, it is for Pakistan cricket board to take a decision."
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