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Vol. II
5 MUST-READ STORIES OF YOUNG INDIAN WOMEN WHO STARTED CHANGING LIVES WHILE STILL IN THEIR TEENS
First teacher from Damro Village, Kanggong Borang passed away Staff Reporter PASIGHAT, Dec 15: The first teacher from Damro village under Mariyang SubDivision in Upper Siang District who had entered into the teaching job sometime in 1964 as under metric teacher, Kanggong Borang passed away on 11th December last on the way back to Damro village after a failed treatment here at Pasighat and Dibrugarh. While informing about the incident to this reporter, Mariyang Area Intellectual Forum (MAIF), President, Advocate Tonning Pertin recalled late Kanggong Borang as most noble, honest and very professional in his teaching. “Besides as a Guru, he has always been a fatherly figure to all of us and today’s all the officers and government employees from Damro are his product. So, in recognition of his great contribution toward education, the MAIF had felicitated him during November 2015”, added Pertin. Late Borang who died at the age of 92 suffered a pressure stroke while on the way back to native Damro village from being treated at General Hospital, Pasighat and Dibrugarh. He did his studies from Sadia, Dambuk, Margereta and Pasighat, informed the sources. He was appointed as teacher during 1964 by the then Political Officer, Pasighat, North Eastern Frontier Agency with a pay scale of Rs. 40-1- 65 PM. Later Borang was also awarded with ‘Raj Puraskar’ by the state government during 1997. Late Borang is now survived by wife, five sons and five daughters with many grandchildren.
Dibrugarh, Friday, December 16, 2016
Rights for the rightful owners
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Indrajit Tingwa / Laxman Sharma Miao 15 Dec The joint security forces blew another jolt after 24 hours of encounter at Dharmapur village under Miao Circle thereby apprehending 2 more militant outfits belonging to Ulfa (I) here this afternoon at Wakhet Ghat near Gidding village under Bordumsa Police Station in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Acting on specific tip offs, the Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles, 11 Grenadiers based in Chongkham, Changlang Police,Tinsukia district police and CRPF in a joint operation at the Dharmapur area, a few kilometres from Miao was engaged in an encounter on the afternoon of 14 December wherein two cadres were eliminated on the spot while six including a girl were apprehended. Today, two more cadres who managed to flee the encounter site yesterday were apprehended and were identified as Mahendra Phukan (17) of Dighalipather in Bordumsa and Miss Pomi Moran alias Maina of Makum. Both the outfits were among the 11 members ULFA team allegedly led by one Jintu Gogoi who was the recruiter. One of the
members from the group has managed to flee. One mom pistol of Chinese make with magazine and two live rounds, one 9mm Beretta pistol with magazine two live rounds and one AK series M1 rifle were recovered from the cadres. It may be added here that Wakhet Ghat a distributery of Nao Dihing River shares a common marine boundary between Wakhet village in Bordumsa and Dharmapur village in Miao which provides an easy hideout belt for several militant organizations due to dense forest cover along the river courses. The slain cadres of the banned outfit were identified as Deep Moran of Puroni Motapung in Motapung near of Makum in Tinsukia and Noga Moran of Bordumsa. While, the apprehended militants were identified as Miss Punki Moran (19) of Digboi Lakhipather village, Lakhi Gogoi (26) of Dighali Pather, Pulok Jyoti Mahanta (16), Jintu Gogoi of Innao Pather, and Mojeeth Moran of Bishnupur area. Meanwhile, ULFA (I)
2 more militant outfits belonging to Ulfa (I) here this afternoon at Wakhet Ghat near Gidding village under Bordumsa Police Station in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Acting on specific tip offs, the Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles, 11 Grenadiers based in Chongkham, Changlang Police,Tinsukia district police and CRPF in a joint operation at the Dharmapur area, a few kilometres from Miao was engaged in an encounter on the afternoon of 14 December wherein two cadres were eliminated on the spot while six including a girl were apprehended
The cadres were reportedly brought to Arunachal Pradesh in smaller groups and assembled at Innao Pather at the residence of Jintu Gogoi before moving to Dharmapur village. The group spent the intervening night of 13-14 December outside the residence of one Mojagala Chakma having arrived in the wee hours.
ULFA (I) have stated that the gunned down militants Deep Moran of Motapong Village under Makum police station and Naga Moran of Bordumsa are not the members of “United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent)”. “On the other hand the rest six arrested including a woman are also not related to our organization”, ULFA (I) stated.
The apprehended ULFA cadres (INSET). The weapons recovered from the apprehended militants (RIGHT) through a press release disowned the apprehended and the slain militants. ULFA (I) have stated that the gunned down militants Deep Moran of Motapong Village under Makum police station and Naga Moran of Bordumsa are not the members of “United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent)”. “On the
other hand the rest six arrested including a woman are also not related to our organisation”, ULFA (I) stated. The press release also said that that the news item of ULFA (I) cadres being apprehended and gunned down at Dharmapur village is false and an outward
head Gaon Bura Bordumsa, Pisilu Singpho, the President Mahila Mandal Bordumsa and several HoDs and public leaders of Bordumsa. Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, the incumbent MLA, Kamin reiterated in a nutshell the very objectives and significance of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan programme across the nation and urged the people of his constituency to continue and cooperate with the local administration and other local voluntary organizations in the drive to create a healthy environment in the locality in order to ensure hygiene and clean surrounding for everyone to breathe in. According to him, “if we resolve to keep pour environment and our surrounding clean,
A large number of people participated the Mini Marathon making it a grand success.
Contd. on Page 4
Sewage disposal. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Utpal Bora complimented the Sasoni Merbeel Eco Tourism Development Committee for their efforts in conservation of the Merbeel and successfully converting it to a popular eco tourism destination. He assured that Oil India Limited is always committed to such meaningful environment preservation and community development initiatives and expressed his confidence that once all the Contd. on Page 4
explored including transitting through the Namdapha National Park in Changlang district.
2 GUNNED DOWN & 8 APPREHENDED OUT OF 11
OIL provides 40 KW Solar Power Plant at Sasoni Merbeel Eco Tourism Project
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“Militants killed in Miao Circle encounter not ours”, says ULFA as 2 more cadres apprehended by security forces
With an aim to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation and cleanliness in the Bordumsa town, the SubDivisional Administration organized a half marathon run here today at Bordumsa town. The half marathon run dedicated to create awareness as a part of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, was flagged off by the local MLA of 49th Bordumsa –Diyun Constituency, Nikh Kamin.
Utpal Bora, Chairman and Managing Director, Oil India Limited inaugurated a 40 KW Solar Power Plant in Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project, which has been provided by OIL under the Company’s CSR initiatives. OIL had sanctioned a financial package of Rs 1 (One) Crore, which included besides the Solar Power Plant, other components like 13 pedal boats, a four wheeler, two eco friendly green vehicles, construction of Jetty and a bio digester plant bio digester for
Vijender Singh goes from strength to strength before title defence
DHARMAPUR VILLAGE ENCOUNTER
Laxman Sharma BORDUMSA, Dec 15:
ET Bureau Dibrugar, 15 Dec:
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MLA Nikh Kamin shows the way for ‘Cleaner Bordumsa’ as he flags off half marathon race
The other galaxy of dignitaries present were Mika Nyori the Additional Deputy Commissioner Bordumsa, (APCS) Diwan Gamlin, the Block Development Officer, Sindunong Singpho the Chairperson Bordumsa Anchal Samity, Sikhetang Singpho the
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manifestation of the depression of the Indian Army. However reliable sources informed that the eliminated and apprehended ULFA (I) cadres besides Jintu Gogoi are said to be new recruits and were on their way to Myanmar for training. With this incident the new
recruitment drive of the ULFA (I) has come to light wherein techno savvy youths and girls are being targeted. One, Bhaskar Bora is said to be the incharge of the latest recruitment drive. Arunachal particularly the eastern belt has always been used as a sanctuary for the insurgent group. Now, new routes to reach Myanmar are being
In the afternoon the security forces were able to eliminate two of the members and apprehend six of them in an encounter lasting a few hours. All the dead and apprehended cadres are below thirty years of age with one at sixteen years being the youngest. Miao Police has registered a case in this regard vide Miao PS Case No. 38/16 u/s 121,122,123 IPC r/w 25 (1b) /27 Arms Act and r/w 10,13 UAP Act. The dead bodies of the stained cadres were taken for post mortem at the Community Health Centre, Miao after the inquest. Till the time of filing this report the guardians of the deceased had arrived to receive the corpses. The apprehended cadres have been taken under custody.
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Utpal Bora, Chairman and Managing Director, Oil India Limited inaugurated a 40 KW Solar Power Plant in Sasoni
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ET CAPSULES
Issue 147
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
P2 Aries Your natural warmth is enhanced by a new sense of self-confidence, Aries. Group activities and social events might bring you into touch with people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Whatever goals you've attempted to reach may finally show signs of materializing, possibly through the efforts of others who believe in you. This should be a very fortunate and enjoyable day for you. Make the most of it!
Felicitation of local youth for enrolment in the Army
Taurus Today you might pinch yourself to see if what you're experiencing is real, Taurus. Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations to complicate matters. Business, money, and career success are likely to be at an all-time high, although you might find yourself feeling a little fearful of what comes next. Don't worry about that. Go with the flow.
Gemini Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams, Gemini. Perhaps you've wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree, take a trip around the world, or try writing and publishing. Whatever it is, your schedule should be freer and more flexible than ever, so this is the time to go for it. Start planning today!
Cancer Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, Cancer, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests. Your intuitive and psychic abilities should be operating at a very high level, causing you to experience some vivid dreams and visions and receive the insights that come from them. Books and lectures might prove especially enlightening.
Leo Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now, Leo. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success, while personal relationships of all kinds, particularly romantic ones, should also be more rewarding. You might be thinking of expanding your horizons through new enterprises or study. Don't be shy - go for it.
Virgo Whatever you're working on at the moment, Virgo, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it's likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels. You're enjoying what you do, making a difference, and meeting new friends. Your health continues to glow. You may feel as if nothing can stop you. Watch out for minor upsets, but nothing that will burst your bubble.
Libra It's likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding, Libra. Your or another's artistic enterprises might pay off big today. You could be introduced to people who prove to be valuable contacts as well as new friends. Your love relationships are going well. Your new feeling of enthusiasm and self-confidence certainly doesn't hurt!
Scorpio A huge get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you, Scorpio. It's possible this may turn into more than just a fun party. You might become involved in conversations with people who become valuable business or social contacts. Expect to have a wonderful time no matter what you do today.
Sagittarius Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community, Sagittarius. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbors could move in, or some necessary repairs could finally get done. You might spend a lot of time in the car or on the phone and spreading the news. An exciting proposition may come to you or someone close to you through a letter, email, or phone call.
Capricorn You've probably had few periods when business and finance have gone well for you, Capricorn. Now this trend seems to be coming to a head. Today you might start or close some type of agreement that will make a big difference to your finances. Your money situation should not only improve but also stabilize at a level higher than it's ever been. As long as you're diligent, this growth should continue.
Winter Workshop on Dance, Music and Acting in Golaghat Golaghat, Dec15: Golaghat leading socio cultural organisation Sanyog is going to organise a winter workshop on dance,
music and acting from December 18 to December 27 in Golaghat. In the ten days long workshop special classes on personality
development skill will be provided by famous designer Garima Saikia Garg who is also associated with the organisation Sanyog .
Youth feared drowned in Golaghat Laipuli Army Camp presented the gifts to all the boys and encouraged all the parents and the youth to join Indian Army. ET Correspondent Tinsukia, Dec. 15: A Pre recruitment training for the youth of Assam was organized by Laipuli Army Camp at Laipuli in Tinsukia under the aegis of Dao Division from 20 Aug to 20 Sep 2016. Laipuli Army Camp endeavored to guide the youth to qualify the Army Recruitment Exams. Eleven aspirants of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district at-
tended the training. They were provided physical training, academic coaching, free stationary and competitive books. The comprehensive training and will of the indls to excel paid dividends and all eleven candidates were selected at Laipuli Army Camp organized a special felicitation function at Laipuli, Tinsukia on15 Dec 2016 to facilitate the selected boys. The
event was attended by the villagers, parents/guardians and youth. Laipuli Army Camp presented the gifts to all the boys and encouraged all the parents and the youth to join Indian Army. The villagers and parents appreciated this monumental goodwill gesture by the Laipuli Army Camp and requested the Army to organize more such programmes.
Deori Autonomous Council elections held today Mithun Baruah Margherita, 15 DEC: The voting for Deori Autonomous Council for 7 Number Margherita Constituency was held today with 76.51% voting turnout with no reports of untoward incidents. The polling took place at Mahatma Gandhi ME School, Sonapur LP School,Hulung Gutibari LP School,Naam Hulung Bijoypur LP School and Bhimbar
Deori LP School which falls under 7 Number Margherita Constituency for the Deori Autonomous Council Election. Three candidates who are in the fray are Sonia Deori INC,Junu Deori BJP and Rima Deori JPP (Independent).There are total 1853 Voters for the 7 Number Margherita Constituency Deori Autonomous Council Election.
Tanker Association Biennial Meet Golaghat, Dec15: Numaligarh Oil Refinery Tanker Association is going to organise a Biennial Meet at its office in Telgaram on December 18 as per press release issued. In the meet a new committee will be formed. The association has appealed all its officials and members to attend the same.
PGPR discuss Dibrugarh related issues with CM A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec. 15: A delegation of Policy Group for Peoples' Rights (PGPR), Dibrugarh, Assam led by its president Dr Aradhana Kataki met the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal at his office ,Assam Secretariat, Dispur on the 5th of December, 2016 to discuss wide ranging issues pertaining to the development of Assam and the whole of the North East in general and Dibrugarh in particular. The ideas and proposals placed before the Chief Minister has been endorsed by eminent citizens like Dr Nagen Saikia, Prof. Alak Kumar Buragohain, Vice-Chancellor Dibrugarh University, Sri Bhudev Phukan, President, Eastern Assam Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Sri Jnanendu (Ratan) Saikia. “The delegation placed before the Chief Minster suggestions pertaining to issues such as the development of the riverfront at Dibrugarh, restoration and conservation of the Dr John Berry White Medical School building, improvement of intra district road communication, ensuring that the green belt of tea garden within Dibrugarh is not converted to any other use but kept intact as it is the ‘lung’ of Dibrugarh and the need to set up a centrally funded state of the art research and development centre at Dibrugarh to exploit the potential for drug research that the rich bio-diversity of the region has. The delegation apprised the Chief Minister of the fact that in spite of there being provisions for illumination of the dyke in Dibrugarh and re-plantation of trees in the project, the dyke is not illuminated and trees have not been planted till date,’’ Dr Aradhana Kataki, President, PGPR said. She added, “ Chief minister has assured us that he would address all the issues and try to solve the issues as earlier,’’. Pointing out that the development of the river front at Dibrugarh would open up exciting possibilities as a tourist at-
Golaghat, Dec15: A youth named Forid Ali have been feared drowned in Dhansiri River in Golaghat. According to the report Forid Ali (17) from Halmiramukh area in Golaghat to-
day in the morning went for fishing along with his three friends. While all friends were busy in fishing, Forid Ali swept away in the heavy current in the Dhansiri River. His friends and local
people tried to rescue Forid but could not succeed. Later a rescue team of SDRF rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation . Till the time of filling this report Forid Ali is still traceless.
‘PH Deptt’s drinking water project non-functional,’ alleges villagers Manoj Kumar Ojha Doomdooma, Dec 15: “The Public Health Department’s pure drinking water project of Baghjan Gaon which was launched few years back is almost non-functional,” said one of the locals, while interacting with The Eastern Today correspondent. Thousands of Villagers of Baghjan Gaon which falls under Baghjan police station of Doomdooma Revenue Circle have been living for quite some time without reliable water supply from the said project. It
was constructed few years back at Baghjan Gaon Tiniali by Public Health Department and Technology Department with an objective to make pure drinking water accessible to Dighaltarang village , Dighaltarang Basti , 1Number Baghjan , 2 Number Baghjan , Koliapani and its greater areas. Alleging apathy into the sad state of affairs one local said that just one week into the completion of the project, the pipelines suffered faults and eventually it had to be shut down and since then there
has been no supply of clean water. Since the villages under the said belt undergo flood and erosion, the underground water table is usually muddy; hence it is imperative that the villagers depend on governmental aid to supply clean water for drinking purpose. Of late many villagers have been falling prey to water borne diseases, sometimes mysterious in nature. The local people are banking on Sarbanand Sonowal- led government to take immediate step to make the drinking water project functional.
Assam Sahitya Sabha row: Jorhat Assam Sahitya Sabha AGM Resigns Dr Aradhana Kataki along with members of PGPR met the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal at his office traction and consequently of employment and revenue generation, the delegation urged the Chief Minister to approve and sanction a project that is sustainable and cost effective and compatible with the character of the Brahmaputra and where greenery is given preference so that the town is compensated for the diminished green belt. The delegation expressed the hope that anti-erosion measures would be combined with beautification of the riverfront. “We have appealed to the Chief minister to take up the project of restoration and preservation of the Dr John Berry White building at an early date and urged that post restoration the building should be used as a museum and an archive (of Dibrugarh) which reflects and preserves the glorious history of Dibrugarh apart from being a memorial to the great philanthropist and pioneer of medical education and infrastructure and industrial development in Assam, Dr John Berry White,’’ she said.
Other issues placed before the Chief Minister included the need for dredging the Brahmaputra, developing National Waterway 2 and starting water transport facilities, addressing the perennial problems of Dibrugarh like severe water logging and taking a policy decision on freezing road levels, improvement of Infrastructure in Dibrugarh including the establishment of a state of the art auditorium and indoor sports facility in Dibrugarh , preserving heritage sites, improving Jokai Botanical Garden etc. Expressing happiness at the fact that the need for a greater push to develop the tourism industry in Assam has already been underscored by the government, the delegation requested the Chief Minister to take note of the need to improve intra and interstate road communication and also internet connectivity (fiber optic internet connection), to preserve historical and natural heritage sites of Assam, to establish a hospitality training institute in Upper Assam etc.
ET Correspondent Jorhat, 15 DEC: Adding fresh sensationalism revolving Assam Sahitya Sabha, the Assistant General Secretary of Jorhat Branch, Assam Sahitya Sabha, Heman Saikia had resigned from his post as a mark of protest against the ongoing turmoil that has hit Assam Sahitya Sabha following the suicide of Rajendra Nath Dutta. "As a show of protest against the scandal that is going on Assam Sahitya Sabha I am putting down my papers as Assistant General Secretary of Jorhat Branch, Assam Sahitya Sabha," said Heman Saikia while interacting with The Eastern Today on Thursday. Saikia,
who is an active member for the last twenty years, is also a former president of Jorhat District Sahitya Sabha. "I have known the organization for the last twenty years as a clean body, it is surprising how an apex organization’s image, like Assam Sahitya Sabha is shrouded with controversy,” added Saikia while interacting with The Eastern Today. He also alleged Jorhat District Branch Sahitya Sabha not taking any firm steps against Paramananda Rajbonshi. "Jorhat District Branch must be tough like Sivsagar branch while taking action against Rajbonshi," stressed, Heman Saikia. The im-
age of Assam Sahitya Sabha apparently has reached a low point following the alleged misappropriation of funds in its internal operation as accused by Rajendra Nath Dutta, thanks to his suicide note, who also blamed Paramananda Rajbonshi and Biren Goshwami as the main cause behind his suicide. As the controversy revolving around Paramananda Rajbonshi is heating up, and barely few days away from its centennial anniversary celebration, Saikia’s resignation could potentially create a quite a sensation in the Jorhat District Sahitya Sabha Committee.
GOOD SAMARITAN
Aquarius You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, Aquarius, but the tremendous growth you've experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order to continue this trend. You're feeling upbeat and positive. You're likely to continue to feel this way. The only downside is that you're probably going to be working very hard. You will like the results, though, so go for it.
Pisces You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, Pisces, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn't know you had. This has been a time not only of success and good fortune but also of learning more about yourself. Don't fall back on old fears or underestimate yourself. You're capable of accomplishing more than you know.
About 60 Sipini were being felicitated by pride the Silkalaya on the occasion of 8th Establishment Day of the Silkalay at Tinsukia. Photo by Manoj Pandey
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
P3
Dambuk gone global as Orange fes- Udayan Chakma selected Headman of tival of adventure and music begins as legitimate Dumpather Village
ET Bureau DAMBUK, December 15: The 3rd Edition of Orange Festival of Adventure & Music 2017 begins at Akoko Village at Dambuk today. Inaugurating the four days Adventure & Music festival, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said, “The landlocked Dambuk has gone global with the Orange Festival”. He said that this fusion festival of music and adventure has made the name of Dambuk famous and he hoped that with the presence of 60 journalists covering the event this year, the place would become more popular. He said that the state has calendar events like Tawang Festival, Music Festival of Ziro, Mechuka at Adventure Festival and Orange Festivals at Dambuk which are being organized to promote tourism of the state. He added that Poi Pee Mau
Festival at Namsai is also being celebrated with same motto to promote cultural and religious tourism which become global with participation of cultural troupes from Thailand. He said that with tourism, economic activities must also follow. We can also promote river tourism as the state has many rivers and can interlink places which would be adventurous as well. We have also ample scope to bring in investment in the state but for that we need to create conducive atmosphere. From western most part of Tawang up to Kanubari at eastern most district at Longding we have scope for Home Stay which we must promote, Mein said. Dambuk though a landlocked area has favourable climatic conditions and soil for cultivation of agriculture and horticulture crops and
state govt is there to support it. We must encouraged the people to take up such crops like Orange and Arecanut which would give economic returns to the farmers. He expressed hope that with the completion of Dibang Bridge and TransArunachal Highway, the marketing of the agriculture and horticulture produce would be facilitated to a great extend. Deputy Chief Minister assured to provide fund for renovation of Dambuk township road, renovation of Bomjir to Paglam road and to incorporate construction of four rooms circuit house in the budget. He asked the PWD to prepare and submit estimate to face-lift the Community Health Centre, Dambuk and also informed that Govt is considering the construction of approach road to Sissiri Bridge and for early
Kerosine Dealers Association expresses displeasure over cut on allocation of the state quota ET Bureau NAHARLAGUN, 15 DEC : In a meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh Kerosine Dealers Association (AAPKDA), held on December 14, the house expressed its displeasure on the drastic cut in the recent past on the allocation of the state quota by the MOP&NG, despite repeated requests made by the subsequent state governments. Holding discussions on various SKO related issues in the state under the Chairmanship of Advocate Eken Riba, the membes also resented the “unfair” distribution by the state government to Whole Sale Dealers of the limited allocated quota from the ministry, and resolved to request the state government to distribute judiciously as per norms and requirement. Demanding immediate halt on the system of retail SKO dealership should to curtail the prevailing malpractices in the state, the house also
decided that all whole sale dealers become unviable economically as the number of whole sale dealers has increased and the quota of the SKO has not, as per requirement by the ministry. The AAPKDA demanded that the state government maintain at least 12KL to all the whole sale dealers for distribution to meet up various requirements and demands above the requirement of /retail outlet or Fair Price Shops. They also hoped that the state government would request to the ministry for enhancement of the required quota to 2720 KL from the present existing quota of merely 496KL. Fully endorsing the steps initiated by the All India Kerosine Dealers Federation (AIKDF) to request the MOP&NG to convert all SKO dealers of the country to LPG distributor/ petrol pump/ CNG pump (whichever is viable in different states), the AAPKDA
agreed that the SKO dealers are gradually becoming unviable and unsustainable businesses due to GOI's policies like Pradhan Mantri Udawala Yojna, which is promoting domestic LPG and replacing SKO as cooking fuel to provide clean fuel to household and heading towards a total SKO-free country. The house said that it would request the state chief minister, minister and parliamentary secretary of Civil Supplies to write to the MOP&NG on the lines of AIKDF in the larger interest of the state with a request to allow the continuation of the whole sale dealers of SKO for remote and unconnected areas of the state. Meanwhile, the AAPKDA also elected its executive members for the new term on the occasion, who would now take up the issues of state SKO dealers with the authorities concerned for a viable solution.
completion of bridge over Sisiri on priority to connect eastern part of Arunachal with Siang belt and other western parts of the state. Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, P D Sona in his speech said that it is a good sign that Arunachal is growing in the tourism sector. He said that Tourism can be the source for revenue generation as well as provide employment opportunities to the youth. He further said that the festivals like Orange Festival are promoting tourism through adventure and music together while festivals like Tawang, Ziro, Mechuka and Poi Pee Mau are promoting tourism through Culture, Music, Adventure and Cultural & Religious exchange respectively. He, however, opined that responsible tourism is to be a part of the economic development and expressed hope that the tourists would contribute in the economic activities of the people.
He said that Arunachal is blessed with diversity of climate & culture and rich environment, which we must protect. He said, “call of the time is eco-tourism and cleanliness”. He also called upon the people to show hospitality to the outsiders and to help them out in case of needs. He, however, said that for development and tourism industry to grow, support and collective effort of the peoples are essential. Parliamentary Secretary for WRD, Gum Tayeng while submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister on the oc-
casion said that Dambuk being a river locked area which remains cut off from all sides in major part of the year, development could not take place at a desired pace in all sectors. He submitted a four point memorandum including renovation of Dambuk township road, renovation of Bomjir to Paglam road, Bridge at 14 KM on Sisiri River and Sanctioning of Community Health Centre building. Deepak Shinde, DC Roing and Atul Tayeng, ADC Dambuk also spoke on the occasion. Deputy Chief Minister flagged-off J K Tyre 4 X 4 Fury Off-roading competition in which 22 numbers of cars/racers are participating. Tapu (War) Dance of Adi, Igu Dance of Idu Mishmi, Adi modern dance by the student of Kasturba Gandhi Girlls School Dambuk and song numbers from Delong Padung and Yugo marked the inaugural programme. The third edition of the festival include performance by Far Beyond, the star singer and metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who is performing for the first time in India. There will also be host of bands from the North East and other parts of the country in music. The adventure activities include Maruti Suzuki National Super League TSD (NSTSD) Rally Championship 2016, river rafting, ATV ride, dirt cycling, Burma bridge sky walk, zip-lining, elephant ride, birding and trekking.
down to main market or other places from JNC and GTC especially for poor has been tough,” added Moyong. Taking the opportunity, Moyong also told the JNC faculties and others that, the government is in discussion to broaden the JNC Upper campus road to double lane as there will be more traffic congestion when other institutions like Polytecnic and JNV starts functioning in full swing. While, Tayek Talom, Principal, JN College, Pasighat termed the installation of ATM outlet at his college campus as “dream come true.” “I have been approaching the concern banks like SBI and others from last 3 years for installation of an ATM counter here at JNC campus, but no attention was paid. “Even our JNC student union General Secretary had also ap-
proached for it, but we are contended today as Vijaya Bank came to our help finally,” said Talom. With the coming of ATM facility in the JN College campus, Talom breathed a sigh of relief saying that, other facilities like dispensaries, rural bank, post office, etc are already in place. Vijaya Bank team led by Senior Branch Manager, Sashi Kr. Sinha said that, he felt the need of the premier college and this installation could be possible with the cooperation of JNC Principal, Tayek Talom. On Bank’s part, Sinha appealed the college authority to bank with Vijaya Bank as a reciprocation of the initiative taken by the bank. Vijaya Bank with its catchline “a friend you can bank upon’ will always render its best services to its customers,” added Sinha.
that the selection of Udayan Chakma as Dumpather village illegitimate as it was not done in accordance with the Assam Frontier (Administration and Justice) Regulation Act 1945. Subsequently, Amal Kumar Chakma and Udayan Chakma filed their candidature for the post as per the direction and after thorough scrutiny by the Election/Selection Board, the candidature of Amal Kumar Chakma was rejected based on the ground that he was an government employee under the Department of
Post and Udayan Chakma was selected as the new Gaon Burah of the Dumpather village in which S.Tayang, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Diyun was also present as an observer. The whole selection process of Gaon Burah was conducted successfully under tight security and surveillance of CRPF and police personnel. The newly selected Gaon Burah of Dumpather village thanked everyone for choosing him to be their leader and pledge to work for the larger interest of the people.
Meet to discuss development of tourism in Siang District
NCP lauds Venkaiah Naidu’s decision to launch Itanangarbased new DD channel, “Arun Prabha” for NE ET Bureau, ITANAGAR, 15 Dec: The State Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) appreciated the noble step taken up by Venkaiah Naidu Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting that ‘Arun Prabha’ a new DD channel would be launched from Itanagar for catering to the needs of the N E region in the month of January 2017. It was announced during the 28th State Information Minister’s Conference (SIMCON) held at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi on 10th December 2016. This channel will show the richness, variety and diversity of the local culture and seamlessly integrate these states with the rest of the country. The state NCP view that Arunachal Pradesh has immense scope for becoming a favorite film shooting destination with its beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage of the varied ethnic tribes will be focus through new DD National
Channel “Arun Prabha”. This new channel will gives benefits youths of Arunachal Pradesh in the field of film making and documentary on socio cultural activities. It is worthwhile to mention here that former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister late Dorjee Khandu wrote a DO letter Vide No. CM (AP)-07/ 07 Dated 10th July 2007 and CM(AP)/07/2007 Dated 6th September 2007 to PR Dasmunshi the then Union Minister for I & B for launching of separate DD new channel from Arunachal Pradesh. His dream for this new channel has come true in the form of “DD Arun Prabha” channel which will be launched from Itanagar in January 2017. The State NCP extends our thanks and grateful to late Dorjee Khandu former Chief Minister who tirelessly initiated for this DD channel to come up for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Women trained on Moyong opens ATM counter of Vijaya Bank at JNC campus; Long pending empowerment and demand of JN College fulfilled: Talom availing basic Rights Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT, Dec 15: In a humble programme today, local MLA Kaling Moyong opened a new ATM kiosk of Vijaya Bank at Jawaharlal Nehru College lower campus in the presence of bank’s Senior Branch Manager, Sashi Kr. Sinha, JNC Principal, Tayek Talom, HoDs of JNC and others. Speaking at the sideline of new ATM counter opening, Kaling Moyong said that, one of his long demands for ATM counter at JNC campus, General Hospital, High Region has been finally fulfilled by Vijaya Bank by installing the much needed ATM outlet here at JNC campus. “Not only the students and faculties of this premier college will get benefit from this ATM outlet, but also the whole of GTC region will get the service from here as travelling
ET Correspondent Diyun, Dec 15: Adhering to the guidelines given by Election/Selection Board, Diyun Administration today conducted a public meeting to select/elect the Gaon Burah of Dumpather village, in which, Udayan Chakma was selected as the new Gaon Burah of the Dumpather village in the presence of Extra Assistant Commissioner of Diyun, S.Tayang. The post of Gaon Burah of Dumpather village was lying vacant following the orders of Guwahati High Court in which it observed
ITANAGAR, 15 DEC: Urban ICDS Project Itanagar conducted a training programme for ‘Sakhis’ and ‘Sahelis’ of its project area on Thursday at Don Bosco Youth Centre (DBYC) in Itanagar, under the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)SABLA. Attending the programme, Circle Officer Liken Koyu educated the girls about setup system of administration, role of magistrate and how to access it for services, while Father Cyriac, the director of DBYC informed the participants about the essence of life skill education. MO Dr Pumin Hiri and SI Pansam Mirip also took classes on ARSH, Nutrition and Health education and
various sections of provisions under Domestic Violence Acts and how to get access to the police during emergency hours. SI Mirip also cautioned adolescent girls present in the training to avoid unnecessary loitering at late night. SBI Regional Office Manager Bengia Tabb took classes on various provisions of banks and urged on participants to set an ambition to achieve the goal, and suggested that the young girls learn how to save money at the earliest. Giving an overview of the schemes, CDPO S C Tok mentioned various services of SABLA scheme, and advised the girls to take advantage of the knowledge they receive through the training.
ET Bureau BOLENG, 15 DEC : One day group discussion on community participation for development of tourism in Siang District was organized by the Department of Tourism of Siang district at Tourist Lodge, Boleng on December 14 last. The aims and objective of the group discussion was delivered by T K Kopak, DTO Siang district, where he emphasized on making conservation and tourism go hand in hand. He said that only community participation can make tourism successful in the
state and shared the benefits of introducing home stay to boost economy, where women participants requested him to provide them with home stay training. Calling on everyone to preserve the environment and still keep their indigenous identities intact, he informed how the Naga people changed themselves to conserve their flora and fauna and how the Nyishis replaced the beak of hornbill from original to artificial in order to save hornbills. During the discussion, the participants stressed on
conservation of flora and fauna and encouraged on reintroduction of traditional hunting system to protect the animal from mass killing. Further, the house resolved to celebrate Solung festival more vibrantly by introducing traditional games and sports and other traditional activities to attract the tourists. Supported by Ane Siang Tours & Expeditions, the group discussion was chaired by Tahung Tatak former minister, and participated by Taro Mize ADC Boleng, senior public leaders, PRIs and locals.
Several thousand people march through Ukhrul town R LESTER MAKANG UKHRUL, DEC 15: Several thousand protestors marched through the heart of Ukhrul township holding banners and placards to protest what they called 'arbitrary' creation of seven new districts and 'illegal' detention of UNC leaders as well as to demand early settlement of Indo-Naga peace process and immediate imposition of President's Rule in the State during a mammoth public rally held here on Thursday. More than 2500 protestors clad in traditional attire started from two end points of the town -- Dungrei junction and Kharasom junction simultanously at 10 am. They held banners and placards reading "Release UNC president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary SK Stephen unconditionally," "Don't play with people's land & future for political mileage," "Expedite settlement of Indo-Naga peace process," "We reject creation of new districts," "Enough division & suppression," "We'll never compromise with our lands" etc and marched through the main town areas which remained shutdown and finally converged at TNL ground at 12 pm for a public meeting. Objection to district creation Addressing the gathering, former TNL president Stephen Angkang exhorted that it is the right time for the Nagas to unite for the collective cause of their political rights and rights over their
lands. Stressing that the Nagas had existed before, during and after the British rule in India, he asserted that the whole world has duly recognized the Naga politics. "For a long time, Nagas have been scattered across the Indo-Myanmar boder by the then British rulers, but with God's purpose, all the Nagas will be united one day," he said. On creation of the Naga nation, Angkang said that Nagas have all the prerequisites of territory, population and governing body for creating a sovereign nation of their own, except that the process for attaining the sovereignty is still on. Calling upon all the Naga brethren to hold the principles of politics close to their hearts, the former TNL leader underscored that territory is the genesis and terminus for politics. Coming down on the state government for declaring seven new districts without consulting any stakeholders, he alleged that the motive behind the exercise is to create an international corridor for the Act East policy at the cost of the indigenous population. Vareimi chairman of Zingsho Longphang reiterated that the creation of Kamjong district is strongly opposed, and urged all zingsho villagers to understand the dissenting voices of the public and not otherwise. Declaration of stance P Peimi vice president of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) publicly proclaimed the declaration unanimously adopted
by TNL along with the Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong(TKS) and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL). According to the statement, the state government has dishonoured the Hill Areas Committee(HAC) and Article 371C through creation of new districts and hence the same stands rejected by the people of Ukhrul. "This exercise is nothing but a communal move by the state government to divide the Nagas and sabotage the Indo-Naga peace parley," it said. It further, declared that propagation of communalism, biased governance and "violence over dialogue" by the state government speaks volumes of lawlessness and it warrants imposition of President's Rule to end the hegemonic rule of Ibobi led government in Manipur. Burning of CM's effigy During the gathering the protestors led by TNL VP, and four zonal presidents burned the effigy of chief minister O Ibobi Singh along with several copies of new district declaration order. Minutes earlier, the protestors shouted the slogans "Release two UNC leaders", " Down with Ibobi led government", "We condemn creation of 7 new districts" and "Expediate settlement of Indo-Naga peace process." The mass gathering culminated with a mass prayer led by Rev. Ninglum Wungkhai, director IMBM.
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Majuli will be the first Carbon Neutral District in India
ON BRAHMAPUTRA LITERARY FESTIVAL
Project “Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development in Majuli” launched in the biggest river Island ET Bureau Garamur, 15th Dec.: The State Government has initiated a project to make the river island district Majuli the first ever Carbon Neutral District in India. To achieve this goal, the Department of Environment & Forest, Government of Assam has already launched a project “Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development in Majuli” ( SACReD, Majuli) in the river island. In a meeting held on 14th December at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Majuli, Sri A K Johari, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Biodiversity & Climate) & the Member secretary of the Assam State Biodiversity Board, announced the launching of the project for achieving carbon neutrality in Majuli. The project has been initiated to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is part of the French Development Agency assisted Assam Project on
Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) being implSri. Pallav Gopal Jha, IAS, DC (Majuli). Jha introduced the importance of climate-based decision making and highlighted the need for low emission development strategy for Majuli to ensure sustainable development. The Special invitee to the meeting, Sri Johari, APCCF, Assam and Member Secretary, State Biodiversity Board provided a background context to the project citing recent international development on climate change and India’s efforts and commitments at its mitigation. The SACReD project presents a vision and roadap for a carbon netural Majuli. Mitigation through forestry activities and biodiversity conservation will be the starting points for the carbon neutral agenda followed by other interventions over the next three years. Sri Johari IFS was present at the meeting and stated the need for Majuli to align all its development with ecological re-
sponsibility. The meeting was attended by heads of all departments in Majuli, including the Agriculture department, Water Resource department, PWD, Transportation, Animal Husbandry, Building and Housing and the representative of the Mising Autonomous Council. Discussions were held on the background of Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS), steps involved in developing an effective LEDS in Majuli such as development of emission baseline and prioritising focal areas for interventions. Discussions also were held on afforestation and forest enhancement/bio-engineering as means to curb incessant erosion of land at Majuli; which also act as a sink of Carbon and offsetting GHG emissions happening elsewhere at the district. The SACReD carbon neutrality roadmap for emissions reductions analysis and interventions is being developed by IORA Ecological Solu-
tions, which is assisting the Forest Department in developing the design of the project at Majuli. The technical sessions of the meeting were led by Mr. Swapan Mehra, Dr. Sumana Bhattacharya and Ms. Chhaya Bhanti; experts from IORA Ecological Solutions(IORA). This project will be designed and implemented in partnership with other Departments of the district for which a district level committee under the chairmanship of DC has been constituted. This will enable landscape planning for reducing emissions and improving forest health of Majuli, improved productivity of other lands and enhanced benefits for the communities. All these activities shall lead to Majuli being a Carbon Neutral District by 2020. With the successful implementation of the project in Majuli, the activities would be scaled up to other districts in Assam so as to reduce carbon emissions in the State.
15,000 cases of IMFL seized in BIEO’s jiffy raid Sushanta Roy Diphu, December 15: Just two days after the recovery of 15 thousand cases of illegal IMFL by the Bureau of Investigation of Economic Offences (BIEO) from two warehouse in Khatkhati, a joint team of excise and police official in Karbi Anglong recovered another 15 thousand cases of illegal IMFL from various warehouse in Lahorijan under Khatkhati police station bordering Nagaland on Wednesdaymorning. The team of official raided Lahorijan Sunday Market, Sun City hotel and private
warehouses of Danny Chand and Firoz Khan. The team seized over 15,000 cases of illegally transported IMFL and detected relentless tax evasion by a section of unscrupulous traders involved in the mega scale bootlegging. The raid which was carried out in two different phases by the BIEO sleuths and the excise official made a total seizure of over 40,000 cases of liquor worth Rs. 6 Crore. Meanwhile, in another significant development, excise minister Primal Suklabaidya has directed the development to post-
pone license of nine bonded warehouses, including ANR Bonded Warehouse of Bokajan owned by Mool Singh Rathore, according to official sources Rathore has an overall outstanding arrear levy of over Rs. 20 crore and he is also the owner of Friends Bonded Warehouse and Friends Distillery. It is believed that the BIEO raid has brought the district excise and police department into action. The joint team raided another warehouse and found 11,000 cases of duty-free illegal IMFL stock. The team also
detected six trucks loaded with illegal liquor concealed at different parking lots along NH 39 bordering Nagaland on Wednesday morning. Sources said that the revenue collection of the state excise development will go up to Rs. 100 crore in the coming fiscal from Rs. 790 crore in 2015-16 fiscal. Considering the fall in revenue collection in Karbi Anglong district, the BIEO conducted raids at seven warehouse in Khatkhati on December 10 and 11 for storing duty free IMFL meant for selling in the open markets of Arunachal Pradesh.
Govt issues guidelines for Chief Minister’s functions Dispur, December 15: The Government of Assam has issued guidelines in respect of Official programmes attended by the Chief Minister of Assam at the invitation of various departments and agencies subject to strict compliance of all instructions regarding security arrangement. ?During the visit, the DC and SP shouldpersonally administer all arrangements of accommodation and convenience of the Chief Minister. After obtaining prior consent, date and time from the CM, a tentative minute to minute programme shall be prepared by the concerned department/agency with co-
ordination to the CM’s Office well ahead and submitted to the office of the CM for approval. When such functions are held in open areas the dais should be constructed under the supervision of an Executive Engineer of the PWD. There should not be more than 7 seats in the front row of the dais. There should not be more than two rows on the dais and the space between the first and second rows shall not be less than 4 feet. There shall be detailed security checks at the stairs to the dais. Due to enormous demand on the time of the Chief Minister, no programme should exceed one hour unless approved by the Chief
Minister. ?Not more than two persons shall speak or deliver addresses before the Chief Minister. Only safe drinking water, tea/coffee and biscuits or dry fruits and nothing else shall be served in the meetings. Food Safety Officer of Health and Family Welfare Department should be deployed by the concerned department. The route map should be ascertained properly so that the shortest and minimal time can be utilized for traversing/ navigation. Hygiene and sanitation should be given top priority and ensure good upkeep of Guest houses for stay of VVIP’s. Uninterrupted supply of electricity
should be ensured by the PWD (Electrical) Department. Information about the availability of helipads along with latitude and longitude coordinates. Fire fighting equipments and medical facilities should be made available at helipads. ?Medical team, fire fighting team and installation of telephones/ wifi facility in the meeting places and halting places should be ensured. For better dissemination of information, the media personnel need to be informed well ahead for better coverage of the programme. Concerned local MLA/ MP of the district should be informed of the Chief Minister’s programme in the districts.
Chief Secretary of Assam V.K. Pipersenia ,Chairman of National Book Trust Baldeo Bhai Sharma and Director of National Book Trust Dr. Rita Chowdhury in presence of other dignitaries addressing a press conference on Brahmaputra Literary Festival at Assam Secretariat, Dispur on 15th December, 2016
Tribal Protection Forum calls for 24 hour long district shutdown in protest against ST (H) status to Bodo Sushanta Roy Diphu, December 15: Hills Tribal Protection Forum, the umbrella organization with active support of HSDC, several factions of ethnic students organizations and women body has called for a 24 hour Karbi Anglong shutdown beginning from 5 a m of December 17 to 5 a m of December 18 in protest against constitution amendment bill to accommodate the Bodo tribes living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao autonomous hill district of Assam to be recognized as Scheduled Tribe (Hills).
The bill which has already been passed by Lok Sabha yesterday has also provided space for few lakhs Karbi tribes domiciled in plains districts of Assam for giving Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status. It may be mentioned here that the provision for granting ST(H) status to the Bodo community dwelling in the two autonomous hill districts whose population is around 70 thousand now was agreed in the clause 8 of the Bodo accord. Strong antagonism and resistance was demonstrated by Karbi politi-
cal leaders like Dr. Jayanta Rongpi who from the very commencement of the Bodo accord has remained skeptical particularly about the clause 8 said before the media that granting of ST(H) status to a recognized plains tribe is illogical and illegitimate. Dr. Rongpi mentioned that Karbi organizations will not oppose any other facility is given to them as plains tribe but granting them ST (H) status will not be tolerated. He also mentioned that this is a ploy of diluting the hill tribe’s constitutionally granted advantage. In the press conference or-
ganized at Diphu Press Club, ex. MLA of Diphu Bidyasing Engleng, student leader Leon Engleng and leaders of Karbi women organization were also present. “Personally I welcome the development that has taken place in the Lok Sabha, this is a step towards gratifying both Bodo doweling in autonomous hill districts of the state and Karbi community who lives in various other plains districts of Assam, I feel that both the community should welcome the move” Sarat Bramha ex. Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council said over phone.
Assam government on a new mission to discover affordable housing model ET Bureau GUWAHATI, Dec 15 : Assam government embarked on a new mission to discover an affordable housing model considering the local climatic conditions of the state. Launching the international collaborative project between Assam government and the University of Australia here , state education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the target of the ambitious project is to realize a path-breaking model for providing shelter to over one crore people of the state, who don't have proper housing facilities with basic ameni-
ties. "About 36 percent people of the state do not have good housing facilities with proper environment, sanitation facilities and other basic amenities. That's why our prime thrust should be to find out a sustainable and affordable model of housing to cater the housing needs of 1.3 crore population of the state who needs dignified housing facility," Sarma said. He added that the new housing model should be better than the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), which he said could not provide dignified housing to the needy people of the country despite
covering large populace in the country. Sarma urged the University of Melbourne team and the technical experts of Assam to search for a model that looks fit in the villages. "Affordable housing is the core area of thinking in this project to give a dignified housing to our people," he said. The education minister asserted that the leading technical institutions like the IITs should have an impact in changing the lives of the people living in the nearby areas. He insisted on collaborative ventures between the Assam Engineering
College (AEC) and the University of Melbourne for better output in future. "Our technical institutions should be excellent in terms of academics if we want more campus recruiters," the minister said stressing on initiating more collaborative works between the foremost universities of the world with the educational institutions of Assam. "We need to work together with the premier universities of the world for developing the standard of academics and work for community development through sustainable projects," Sarma said.
DIPR organized MLA Nikh Kamin shows the OIL provides 40 KW Solar Health check up way for ‘Cleaner Bordumsa’ as Power Plant at Sasoni camp at Guwahati Merbeel Eco Tourism Project he flags off half marathon race
ET Bureau Guwahati, December 15: The Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Assam has organised a free health check-up camp to create health awareness among its employees with the initiative of All Assam Janasanyog Employees Association at its office premises recently at Dispur. ?Health practitioners from three disciplines of Allopath, Homeopath & Ayurveda extended their services in the camp. Dr. Bishnuram Baishya, Senior Dermatologist, Dr.Sangita Chetia Chaudhary, Medical & Health Officer, Capital State Dispensary, Dispur, Dr. Surya kr. Sarma, BAMS, Dr. UtpalBordoloi, Dr. Dharmendra Das, Dr. Abdus SuthahanAli
Ahmed, Dr. Mirel Kuddus Ahmed, Dr. NargisAnowara, Dr. Mahbubul Bari extended their services where large numbers of officers, employees and staff enrolled themselves for preliminary check-up and consultations. ?The Director, Addl. Director, Joint Directors and Dy. Directors of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Assam also took part in the campand took remedial measures from the Doctors present in the Camp. ?Later, the Association felicitated the Doctors and health workers with the traditional Assamese Gamosha in a thanks giving meeting held at the end of the Camp.
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remaining infrastructure related components of the project which have been funded by the Government of Assam is completed, Sasoni Merbeel will be able to become a leading ecotourism destination in the country. The inauguration ceremony was also graced by Shri Pranjit Deka, General Manager (Public Affairs), OIL, Dilip Kumar Das, General Manager (CSR), OIL, Shri Moni Manik Gogoi,
President, Sasoni Merbeel Eco Tourism Development Committee, Shri Rameshwar Bora, veteran social worker, Shri Gajen Mahanta, Satradhikar, Bareghar Satra, Subhas Dutta, Spokesperson of State BJP, Shyam Kanu Mahanta, MD, MMS Advisory Pvt Ltd including senior officers from OIL and people of Sasoni and adjoining areas. The Sasoni Merbeel Eco Tourism Project located in the heart of the operational area of Oil India Limited, around 20 odd kms from
OIL’s Field HQs, Duliajan in Dibrugarh District is all set to become one of Assam’s most sought after natural retreat. Merbeel is an ox-bow lake in Naharkatia LAC in Dibrugarh district and covers an area of almost 1550 bighas including an island of around 933 bighas. Within 2KMs from the Island, there is another wetland called Gudhabeel, which is home to several varieties of local and migratory birds. The wetland is also famous for endangered species of fresh water turtles and various other aquatic life forms.
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we can greatly contribute to the realization of ‘Clean India’ and this requires each and everyone to do his or her bit.” The race which kicked off from Bordumsa Playground covered Dumsa, Gidding Tinali, Tinali and other important landmarks of the town. In a demonstration of sportsmanship spirit defying age, MLA Kamin, Mrs Nikh Meena, Nyori ,the ADC, Sikhetang Singpho the HGB,Tony Ete, Ex. Engineer PHE and Sindunong Singpho completed the half
marathon successfully. Earlier the participants cutting across different strata of age-groups, profession were categorized into male and female categories. Racing enthusiasts clearly were zealously determined to run for a cleanliness cause as one participant opined for ‘more such event’ in the near future. An open session followed thereafter at the playground which was marked by awareness talk addressed by different social activists. Speaking almost in the same vein, all the speakers stressed upon the need to maintain cleanliness in all aspects, not just at home,
but also the surrounding environment. Thus, making it easier for the society to spread the message of a clean and beautiful city. “We emphasized on the need to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation; we as citizens should understand the adverse health effects of filth lying around. Hence, we explained the impact and the need to maintain a healthy environment," said one of the speakers after the open talk session. The event summed up with giving away of prizes to the winners of the marathon race. The winners walked away with citations and trophies.
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World Bank on a BJP to campaign in favour of Modi's digital and cashless India concept mission for NE Agartala, Dec 15: The World Bank has embarked on a mission for employment generation for both male and female folks in the Northeast region, relatively backward region of the country. A three-member team of The World Bank headed by Sanjay Kathuria, the Lead Economist of the organization was a three-day visit to the state. During the visit, they met Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce N. Nagraju, Director of Industries and Commerce VJ Janner to know the state's priority sectors. They also paid a visit to the state's highly accessed news portaltripurainfo.com office at Lichu Bagan on Wednesday and interact with Jayanta Debnath, the Managing Director of the website. In course of interaction, Kathuria said, "The World Bank is on a scoping process for income genera-
Agartala, Dec 15: Bharatiya Janata Party's Tripura state unit has launched a special drive to popularise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's digital economic concept and to familiarise people with cashless payment systems. It also decided to campaign to remove all misgivings being spread by the opposition political parties against demonetization and to apprise people about the impending benefits of
The World Bank team that the state government is focusing on for sectors- bamboo, rubber, gas based industries and food processing. tion in the Northeast region. We are visiting three capitals of NE statesAgartala, Guwahati and Sikkim during the leg". "After initial feedbacks, we will submit a detailed report before the higher ups on which are the areas The World Bank could explore employment opportunity", he said. "Later, The World Bank will go for deeper study
before extending help to any state of the Northeast region", he said adding that Sikkim is doing well in some sectorstourism, organic farming and power generation. In course of the meeting, Janner told The World Bank team that the state government is focusing on for sectors- bamboo, rubber, gas based industries and food processing. (Agencies)
More effort required in education system: Yitachu
Minister School Education & SCERT, Yitachu releasing the jubilee souvenir on the occasion of GHS Sungo golden jubilee celebration at GHS Sungro.
Dimapur, Dec 15: Minister of School Education & SCERT, Yitachu graced the commemoration of GHS Sungro, Wokha golden jubilee on December 14 as the chief guest. According to DIPR report, addressing the jubilee celebration the chief guest said it was a joyous moment to recall and celebrate the visions and farsightedness of our forefathers and elders who had put in so much effort in establishing the institution despite having no proper infrastructure, communication and connectivity. He also lauded the pioneers of the school for producing many responsible citizens from the school.
He lamented that in spite of government effort in selecting the best top teachers for the government schools, only one third of the students were studying in government schools and appealed all to do away with this kind of attitude because we are losing the talents government was giving to mould the future generation. He opined that one should give more effort in developing the education system and give value based and quality education so that other government institution would emulate the success and good result the school. Stating that education must address the need of the hour, Yitachu appealed to the
teachers to give quality education and equip the students with knowledge where they would become an asset not only for the range people but for the state and nation. The chief guest also released the jubilee souvenir. Guest of honour, secretary of Food & Civil Supplies, Legal & Metrology and Consumer Protection, Ramongo Lotha (IAS) who also spoke during the occasion shared his experiences as to how GHS Sungo came to being and the responsible citizens the school has produced since its inception. Additional Director (HOD) School Education, Wonthungo Tsopoe while delivering special greeting said, Sungro GHS was one of the best government schools in the district and urged the teaching faculty to put more effort in order to bring out better result as the school has produced in the past. Asstt. development commissioner, Wokha, Mhonsao Ezung also spoke during the celebration. Headmistress GHS Sungro delivered the welcome address while vote of thanks was given by AHM GHS, Sungro. (Agencies)
Border haats may open gates for better trading Shillong, Dec 15: The State government is banking on border haats to promote trade and commerce with Bangladesh in a higher scale. The State government has already asked the Centre to examine the proposal to set up 24 border haats, including two operational ones and four which have been recently sanctioned. Addressing media persons on Wednesday after a meeting with various agencies over border management, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said more haats along the border can create positive results and that there have been talks to promote such markets. "We need to promote trade and commerce with Bangladesh in a much higher scale so that our border can be a transit point for import and ex-
port of raw and finished products to and from Bangladesh," he said and added that even security agencies can utilise the opportunity to collect more inputs from across the border. Stressing on the need for the Centre to revisit the Indo-Bangla border management in Meghalaya and develop multi-mode transport system and infrastructure, the Chief Minister said the State has urged the authorities in Delhi to examine its proposal to develop Hili in Bangladesh as a transit route, which will connect the northeastern part of India with the rest of the country. The potential of power sector's partnership with the neighbouring country was also discussed. On security, Sangma said
intensification of border patrolling, integration of technology and layering of border security by the State police were also highlighted in the meeting with the stakeholders. "We discussed about layering of border not only by border guards but there should be another layer of security by State police," he said. When asked about the delay in starting the four border haats which have already been sanctioned, Sangma said there were bilateral protocols for the same and the validity of those protocols have lapsed delaying the finalisation of locations for the haats. However, the agreement has been renewed and it is expected the entire process will now be fast tracked. (Agencies)
all these steps in the long run. The party workers will shoulder main responsibility to undertake all these activities in the state especially in rural and semi urban areas. They will demonstrate different modes of digital payments as well as campaign to create awareness among the people, said Subal Bhowmik, vice president of the party. In the first step the party has organised a seminar to cre-
ate awareness among the party leaders and the workers who subsequently will go door to door apart from organising meetings and seminars in different parts of the state. Chiranjib Pathak, senior manager of the HDFC Bank and Navendu Pal who hails from Tripura and presently a professor of economics from University of Lusiania of America spoke in the seminar on
utility of digital transactions in our daily life and benefits of demonetization in present Indian context. Mr Pathak also demonstrates how to handle different digital payment system in the seminar organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha. A spokeswomen of the morcha said their workers will go to the markets and other places and will demonstrate how to handle the payment systems. 'Our
main task will be to remove fear being spread by a section of the vested interest group among the people', she said. Subal Bhowmik said the ruling CPI(M) has launched an orchestrated campaign to keep people of the state out of the main stream of the country and spreading misgiving about the demonetizations. BJP will campaign to apprise people about the reality, he said. (Agencies)
Bill for protection of Rio urges PM to set alternate depositors interest date for 'Good Governance' tabled in assembly Dimapur, Dec 15: Lok
Agartala December 15 :Tripura government is amending the 'Tripura Protection of Interest of Depositors Bill' to protect depositors from fraudulent Chit funds or non-Banking Financial Companys (NBFC). The bill was placed in the state assembly today by minister for finance Bhanulal Saha. It will be passed after discussion in the assembly on Monday next. This bill had been passed in the year 2000 and was amended for the first time in the year 2011 after the exposure of multi-crore scams involving a large number of Chit funds and NBFCs . The second amendment bill was placed in the assembly today. Speaking to media persons on the contents of the bill , minister for finance Bhanulal Saha said that as per the latest amendment any Chit fund or NBFC interested in starting business here would be re-
quired to obtain trade licence from concerned authority like Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Bodies, Panchayats and Village Committees . But the issuance of trade licence would have to be preceded by a no-objection certificate from district magistrates who would have to have the application from Chit fund or NBFC cleared and certified by the SP of the district upon an inquiry. 'Many Chit Funds and NBFCs started business in the state earlier by producing cerficate of clerance from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and we could not do anything ; subsequently many of them fled the state by defrauding people ; with the latest amendment we hope to keep them in check ' said Bhanulal Saha. (Agencies)
PDS issue: NPCC takes a dig at NPF-led DAN govt Dimapur, Dec 15: NPCC launched scathing attack on NPF-led-DAN government on the failure to deliver PDS scheme, when the Government of India has been allocating PDS items for every house hold in Nagaland. NPCC president K. Therie claimed that every month the state has been allotted 13,000 MT of rice, 6,000MT of wheat, 1,196 MT of sugar and 14,25,000 litres of S.K. oil to be distributed to the people at subsidised rate. However, most of the people were not getting their monthly rations which led them to raise voice against the government. It also hit out at the government on corruption, claiming that despite the issue raised by the Congress before 2013 general election, the people elected the "corrupt government with even more of a thumping victory". According to Therie, even those members, who voiced against corruption,
have joined hands with those involved in corruption. "We are not innocent voters. 82% are literate and it is our social practice since time immemorial to choose clean, strong and self-content leaders that can help the community and individuals in times of need" he said. NPCC president contended that there are many people, who still worshipped money by keeping away from "Clean Election". He also stated that clean election has been defeated by bribery as most of the "corrupt politicians, imposters, thieve and traitors have money". Therefore, it was every citizen's duty and right to demand what was due to them. But since the DAN government has "absolute power on corruption" instead of addressing the issue, would continue to indulge in corrupt practices, NPCC said. (Agencies)
Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday appealed to the Prime Minister to choose an alternate day to observe the 'Good Governance Day' instead of December 25, the day of Christmas. While welcoming the initiative to observe Good Governance Day, Rio in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however said the date, December 25, fell on the birth day of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. By observing Good Governance Day on December 25, Rio said the sentiments of the people in Nagaland and the Christians would be hurt. He further said December 25 is also a state-wide official holiday and that majority of the population attend Christmas Church services and participate in events that commemorate and celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Nagaland being
Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio. a predominantly Christian state, Rio said the sentiments of the people have also been negatively impacted. He said the apex church organisations led by Nagaland Baptist Churches Council have strongly opposed it (Good Governance Day). "These Church organisations reflect the feelings and sentiments
Anger over cash crunch, SBI gets note of caution Tura, Dec 15: A day after angry customers of SBI's Kharkutta branch pelted stones when the bank ran out of cash, the North Garo Hills district administration on Wednesday issued a stern directive to the regional authorities of State Bank of India asking them to ensure that sufficient money is available in all its branches in the region. Hundreds of people who had been waiting for hours on Tuesday were told by the SBI branch that there was no cash. Piqued by this, the customers, who had queued up after three days of bank holiday, started pelting stones. Police had to rush in to control the angry mob. In the face of limited availability of the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes, rural bank branches are being
provided only a limited figure by the Reserve Bank of India even before Christmas. Sources in the SBI branch said it had only Rs 80 lakh. A similar situation began to unfurl at the SBI branch in the district headquarters of Resubelpara on the same day as agitated customers began to raise their voices over the slow pace of work and the limited resources available. Here too, police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. The district police have written a strong-worded letter to the SBI's regional office in Tura asking it to ensure that sufficient funds are available since Christmas is the biggest festival in Garo Hills.
clause D "breach of discipline" would be seriously enforced whenever there were such volitions. BJP also reminded members that the parameters of the provision was not confined to only print and electronic media but has wide interpretation including leakage of the party's confidentiality to others. All unit presidents and office bearers have been directed to take note, circulate and adhere to the notification. Meanwhile, BJP unit president has revoked the suspension order of Vethisa Lohe, state executive member with immediate effect. (Agencies)
"We have asked them to increase their cash holdings in view of the Christmas season and to avoid untoward incidents. We are prepared to provide the banks with all logistical support and security to ensure there is no disruption," said a senior Meghalaya police officer in the wake of the Kharkutta and Resubelpara incidents. Meanwhile in Tura, customers at SBI's Chandmari branch complained about the absence of banking staff even after the day's business had started. They complained that some employees were coming in late despite being aware of the situation. They are planning to write a letter to the higher authorities of SBI. (Agencies)
Modi ambassador of corporate houses: CM
State BJP unit issues gag order Dimapur, Dec 15: Nagaland State BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu, in line with the state disciplinary committee's advice, has notified all party workers in the state against taking party's dispute to any agency outside the party including print and electronic media with immediate effect. In a press note, BJP unit general secretary (media) & spokesperson, Jaangsillung Gonmei, said the order was issued after taking note of "irresponsible issue of press statements" of internal matters time and again. It stated that, henceforth, the party's constitutional provisions under
of the people at all levels of civil society," he stated. In this regard, Rio suggested PM to choose an alternate date as a means to respect the sentiments of minorities, especially Christians throughout the country or to permit the state governments to observe the event on an alternate day. (Agencies)
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Shillong, Dec 15: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma questioned the Centre's demonetisation move and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the "ambassador" of corporate houses. Reacting to the death of a farmer in Garo Hills, Sangma said the demonetisation move was for the benefit of a few corporate houses
rather than fighting corruption or curb the flow of black money or terror funding. "He (Narendra Modi) has become the ambassador of corporate houses," the Chief Minister told reporters. He criticised Modi for being "insensitive and arrogant" by not reacting to the deaths that occurred post scrapping
of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The farmer in Garo Hills committed suicide last week and his family has blamed demonetisation for the death. He could not withdraw money to pay back a loan of Rs 10,000 as the bank he had an account with was facing shortage of new currency notes. People from all walks of life, including farmers, are suffering due to cash shortage and the high denomination of Rs 2,000 is inconveniencing all, Sangma pointed out and vowed to flag the problems in a letter to the Prime Minister. "The demonetisation exercise has dislocated the whole momentum of economic activities at all levels and it was done with due diligence. The move was to please a few business houses," Sangma said. (Agencies)
EDITORIAL
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Rights for the rightful owners
Today's quote
“
How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think. – Adolf Hitler
Demonetization's deflationary shock? That the Centre's decision to withdraw highdenomination banknotes was going to impact economic activity in the short term was never in doubt. But the specific contours of the effects were probably a lot less understood at the time of that announcement. The deflationary shock has manifested itself in a deceleration in retail inflation, as demand for a range of goods and services have been damped. That the headline Consumer Price Index-based gauge hit a two-year low of 3.63 per cent for November is therefore no surprise, especially given the additional factor of a favourable base effect - the reading was 5.41 per cent in November 2015. The major contributor to the slowdown in price gains was the food and beverages group, where inflation eased to 2.56 per cent largely on the back of a slump in the prices of vegetables, a highly perishable commodity. But a closer look at the food group throws the spotlight on some trends that the Reserve Bank of India had flagged in its latest monetary policy review as areas of concern. Specifically, the prices of sugar and confectionery accelerated by 22.4 per cent while meat and fish and egg also reflected persistently elevated levels. The services sectors, including transport and communication and education, also manifested stickiness, underscoring the rationale for the RBI's cautious approach in keeping benchmark interest rates unchanged. Clearly, signals from the inflation data pose a conundrum before policymakers. With demand impulses taking a wide-ranging knock from the shortage of cash in the hands of consumers, proponents of policy accommodation would argue that the time is ripe for the RBI to cut borrowing costs to help impart some credit-fuelled economic momentum. But as the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee itself articulated it on December 7, "while discretionary spending on goods and services in the CPI excluding food and fuel" could have been affected by restricted access to cash, the prices of those items may weather the transitory effects since they are normally revised according to preset cycles. More importantly, the MPC cautioned that food inflation pressures could re-emerge as a consequence of disruptions in agricultural activity as a result of the currency withdrawal. The spectre of upward price pressures from key components including food and fuel - OPEC's output cuts are already pushing up crude oil - combined with the fading away of a favourable base effect could leave the RBI with little wiggle room to support growth. With the central bank's March 2017 target for retail inflation of 5 per cent clearly in their sights, the monetary authorities may be persuaded to keep the powder dry.
India's winning streak I
ndia's emphatic innings-and-36-run victory over England at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium has effectively broken a jinx. Among all its Test cricket rivals, discounting the hype around games against Australia or the history that permeates jousts involving Pakistan, England had been a bugbear. Twice, India lost Test series in England in 2011 and 2014; it also suffered the ignominy of losing at home in 2012. Redemption finally came in Mumbai as Virat Kohli's men secured an unassailable 3-0 lead with just the fifth and final Test remaining to be played in Chennai, starting Friday. The cobwebs of the past have been shed and a new order is in place. In its last 17 Tests, India remained undefeated, the highlight being 13 wins. This equals the purple patch from 1985 to 1987 that featured four victories, 12 draws and a tie across 17 games. India can do one better if it wins or at least draws at Chennai. The current winning streak includes five consecutive Test series triumphs: Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand and England have been vanquished. From shedding the pangs of transition to charting its own path, the present squad has shown that it respects the aura of Tests and is fiercely motivated to win. It is a trait Kohli shares with coach Anil Kumble. The squad's twin arms, Kohli and R. Ashwin, have worked in pulsating tandem. As a batsman with a concurrent average of 50-plus across all three formats, Kohli is poised to join the league of legends. He has led from the front. England wilted under the weight of his bat that yielded 640 runs at an average of 128. He even played peacemaker when Ashwin and James Anderson had a spat in Mumbai. Ashwin, meanwhile, has powered India's remarkable growth, with both ball and bat. He has bagged 27 wickets in this series, and the final contest at his home ground in Chennai may only enthuse him more. The team's glory is not just restricted to Kohli and Ashwin, the rest have all put their hands up at various times. Be it Jayant Yadav, an able understudy to Ashwin the off-spinner and an effective batsman; Parthiv Patel, called in as a replacement wicketkeeper; seamer Mohammed Shami; or the reliable Murali Vijay, opening with assurance. The squad's inherent strength hasn't waned even when personnel are lost briefly due to injuries (Ajinkya Rahane or Rohit Sharma) or when form deserts (Shikhar Dhawan). India still has a long road to traverse and overseas wins in Australia and England need to be secured. But for now Kohli and his men are enjoying a stupendous home run.
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On the tenth anniversary of the historic passage of the Forest Rights Act, tribal resistance to defend their rights is growing even as government after government tries to dilute its provisions. Brinda Karat On this day 10 years ago the historic Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act was passed in the Lok Sabha. Its conception and passage was the result of the decades of struggles and sacrifices of millions of tribals across India, of their organisations, of numerous activists and intellectuals working on tribal issues, and because of the commitment and efforts of the Left parties. Attempts at dilution A century ago colonial chicanery had turned tribal owners of the forests and its resources into encroachers. A decade ago, the Indian inheritors of this legacy of fraud were working against the Bill till literally the last moment. The real encroachers and plunderers of the forests, the mining companies, the private power sector companies, those involved in irrigation projects, the timber and paper industries, the forest resort tourist industry had high stakes in preventing the passage of the Bill. They were in the company of fundamentalist wildlife and environmentalist groups with their close links with the powerful forest bureaucracy. They made a motley though influential crowd and had the ear of very important people in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government hierarchy. They succeeded in diluting some important recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on community forest rights, access to minor forest produce and so on. The clause that Nontribal Traditional Forest Dwellers would have to show evidence of their occupation of the land for 75 years virtually negated the inclusion of these largely poorer sections, many of them Dalits, in the law. The Left had proposed that for
these sections the Supreme Court-proposed cut-off year of 1980 would be appropriate, while for tribal communities the cut-off year should be 2005. But at the last moment the government surreptitiously brought in the three generation or 75-year clause. The Bill with these obnoxious clauses was circulated and listed for immediate discussion and passage. As soon as we saw it, the Chairman of the Select Committee, Kishore Chandra Deo, and I rushed to the chamber of Pranab Mukherjee, then External Affairs Minister, who was the point person for the Bill on behalf of the government in the negotiations with the Left. There was a mini-drama and heated discussion which finally ended with the arrival of the Tribal Affairs Minister, P.R. Kyndiah, who had been summoned by his senior. In the discussions he assured us that he would move amendments to the Bill. At that time there was no choice but to accept the assurance at face value. It had taken more than a year of struggle to finally get the Bill included in the business agenda of Parliament and listed. The powerful lobbies against the Bill would have used our opposition to once again shelve it. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was playing a duplicitous role - its Adivasi MPs supported the Bill while others were dead against it. They ran a campaign among MPs from the Northeast that if passed, the law would legalise encroachment by "illegal Bangladeshis". This was utterly misleading, but anything was fair in the war against tribal rights. The missing amendments The Bill became law, but without the amendments promised. After much discussion and pressure, some of them were included in the Rules. This also was a big struggle and there was a strong group of activists who along with the Left
representatives could work out a fairly good set of Rules. It included giving prime importance to the role of the gram sabhas. In spite of its inadequacies, there can be little doubt that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) stands as a powerful instrument to protect the rights of tribal communities. It is a hindrance to corporate interests to their free loot and plunder of India's mineral resources, its forests, its water. But the Narendra Modi government is systematically implementing its plan to weaken and dilute the Act in several ways. New attempts at dilution First, it has brought a series of legislation that undermine the rights and protections given to tribals in the FRA, including the condition of "free informed consent" from gram sabhas for any government plans to remove tribals from the forests and for the resettlement or rehabilitation package. The laws were pushed through by the Modi government without any consultation with tribal communities. They include the amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act and a host of amendments to the Rules to the FRA which undermine the FRA. The requirement of public hearings and gram sabha consent has been
done away with for midsized coal mines. BJP State governments and partners in the National Democratic Alliance such as the Telugu Desam Party government in Andhra Pradesh have introduced government orders to subvert the FRA. In Telangana, in total violation of the FRA, the government has illegalised traditional methods of forest land cultivation. The Jharkhand government has brought amendments to the Chotanagpur and also the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts which eliminate rights of gram sabhas and permit tribal land to be taken over by corporates, real estate players, private educational and medical institutions in the name of development, without tribal consent. In Maharashtra the government has issued a notification of "Village Rules" which gives all rights of forest management to government-promoted committees as opposed to the gram sabha. This is the law-based offensive. Second, there is the policybased war. The Modi government has declared its commitment to ensuring "ease of business", which translates into clearing all private sector-sponsored projects in tribal-inhabited forest areas. The National Board for Wildlife, with the Prime Minister as Chairperson, was reconstituted,
slashing the number of independent experts from 15 members to three, packing it with subservient officials. In the first three months of assuming office, the Modi government cleared 33 out of 41 proposals diverting over 7,000 hectares of forest land. Of this the major share was for Gujarat companies. In two years the clearances for projects have included "diversion" - or more appropriately land grab - to the extent of 1.34 lakh hectares of forest land. In many areas this will lead to massive displacement of tribal communities. In the multipurpose Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh alone, now given a national status by the Central government, 2 lakh hectares of forest land will be submerged affecting around 85,000 families, more than half tribals, including 100 habitations of particularly vulnerable tribal communities. In almost all these projects, the affected tribal families have not yet received their pattas (land ownership documents), one of the conditions set by the FRA. This wilful disregard and blatant violation of the legal protections given to tribals has become the cornerstone of the policy. Third, there is the deliberate freeze of the actual implementation of the FRA. Neither individual pattas nor pattas for community forest resources are being given. During the UPA-II government the implementation of the Act was virtually hijacked by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and rejections of claims increased. However, now the situation has worsened, and the rate of rejections has gone up during the Modi regime. According to one analysis, between May 2015 and April 2016, eight out of every 10 claims were rejected. This is the 'Gujarat model' in operation. The State has one of the worst records in implementation of the FRA. Although 98 per
cent of the approximately 1.9 lakh tribal claims had been approved by the gram sabhas, the bureaucrats in the sub-divisional committee and above brought the acceptance down to just 38 per cent. This is in sharp contrast to a Left-led State such as Tripura, where 98 per cent of tribal claims have been recorded and titles given. Mixed signals from the judiciary The judiciary has also had a role to play. The same institution, which gave tribals hope through the Samata judgment, the historic Niyamgiri judgment, has also clubbed together a number of hostile petitions to the FRA and is giving them a sympathetic hearing. In January last year the court in an ominous intervention in a writ petition filed by Wildlife Trust of India and others issued notice to all State governments to "file an affidavit giving data regarding the number of claims rejected within the territory of the State and the extent of land over which such claims were made and rejected and the consequent action taken up by the State after rejection of the claims". This has rightly been taken by tribal communities and their organisations as a prelude to mass evictions. Maharashtra issued a notification dated April 23, 2015, directing the police to take action against "identified encroachers", namely those whose claims have been rejected. Till 1985, the department of "Tribal Affairs" was under the Home Ministry. Tribal rights and struggles for justice were viewed as a "law and order issue, always a problem". Under the present dispensation this retrograde approach seems to have been resurrected. On the tenth anniversary of the historic passage of the FRA, tribal resistance is growing all over the country to defend their rights under FRA and other related issues.
Choking is what choking does Nirmal Shekar He was a career choker, said a friend the other day as we were talking cricket and about men who looked like geniuses in domestic cricket but failed most of the time when playing for the country - Graeme Hick, the Zimbabwe born England batsman, for one. Is there a stereotyping of a sportsman worse than that anything physically draining and psychologically at once menacing and dreadfully nightmarish, however high the player might be in the pecking order in his sport? Players don't mind being called losers. They find consolation by saying that they had not lost to a superior athlete; nor do they care much about losing to competitors lower ranked than they are. They can always say that they had one bad day or that the opponent played the match of his life. But the choker tag is something different because it involves the mind more than any other manner of losing. It turns the spotlight into the deepest recesses of one's mind and is much more character-revealing
than anything you can think of. There you are, all alone, at the very last doorstep to victory, and suddenly something goes wrong. You have not even played the ball - all you need is a single good shot on a day when you've been on song for the most part. And the few seconds between what you might have imagined the last ball - a time when you should "Knock, knock, knocking on the heaven's door," as Bob Dylan sang - turns out to be hell on earth. Up 40-15 or 40-30 on serve at 5-4 in the decider in a Wimbledon tennis final; requiring one or two runs off the last ball in an ODI World Cup final; walking up to take the penalty that means everything - the World Cup itself - is the time when you must stay in a state of Zen mindfulness rather than think of what might happen if you failed. Of course chance plays a major role in such situations and the stature of the player or the popular heft of the tournament matters little. But that little makes a huge difference. Remember Roberto Baggio of Italy in the 1994 final against Brazil - arguably, the team's
best player taking the last kick. Then up goes the ball, way above the crossbar. The World Cup has been won and lost by the margin of a single shot. That is a statistic; for, more than that, I would never forget the face of a player displaying such deathly horror and distress. What might have been one of the greatest moments of his career, instead, turned into a nightmare for which he will always be remembered, as unfair as that may be? Did Baggio choke or was it just a part of the game? There are players who carry out the task routinely, as if nothing big were at stake; and there are those who think of the consequences of failure and stand there, shivering, hands shaking a bit, mind all over the place rather than focussing only on the job on hand. How many times have we witnessed these situations in sport! How many times have we seen a Pete Sampras or a Roger Federer hit two successive aces at 15-40 and 5-6 in the final set of a tournament final or semifinal. How many times have we witnessed Mahendra Singh Dhoni turn a seemingly hopeless situation
We are never alone Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His father takes him into the forrest...blindfolded...and leaves him....alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night...he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each boy must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified...could hear all
kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth... and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically...never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man. Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father...sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night. We are never truly alone. Even when we do not know it, our family and friends are watching out for us...sitting on a stump beside us.
and bring up a famous victory, prompting us to switch on our television once again? But for every Sampras, Federer, Dhoni or Virat Kohli, there are dozens of people who wish they would never have to be in such situations because they themselves are not sure that they'd be able to pull it off. "I always think what the consequence would be, how the world would laugh at me and how the shot I want to make may not fall in the court," a top-three tennis player told me long years ago. Of course, he got over his early career jitters and did not end his playing years as a choker. But he did confess that his career clearly fell in two parts - before he reinvented himself as a super-confident big match player, and after he unburdened himself of the choker tag. All this goes to prove that chokers are not to be found only among the also-rans; it is a disease that has affected the men and women at the very top. And every sport has its own well known athletes who carry the choker tag. You might want to think of South Africa in limited overs
cricket, or Jana Novotna in a Wimbledon final against Steffi Graf - when she famously cried on the shoulders of the Duchess of Kent - but there are too many examples and the names alone might fill this page. Crucial factor In sport, mental conditioning is as crucial a factor as anything else. Sometimes it is even more significant than great natural talent. This is because sport is played by men and women who are like us for the most part. They don't sport horns or wear a cloak of invincibility. "I think, therefore I am," said the great philosopher Rene Descartes in an entirely different context. But there are times in sport when thinking becomes suicidal. In the men's singles final of the Wimbledon tennis championship in July 2000, the talented Australian serve-and-volleyer Pat Rafter dominated Sampras for almost two full sets. In the second set tiebreak, Rafter opened up a 5-2 lead and the greatest Wimbledon champion was two points from defeat. "Pete, what were you thinking at that point," the American, who hit a second serve ace and
won the tiebreak and the match eventually, was asked at the post-match press conference. "Nothing. I thought of nothing," said Sampras. But what he really meant was that he was not thinking of what might happen if he had lost a point or two there. He had the great gift of emptying his mind of all the psychological trash. Living in the moment is not just a new age religious mantra. If you believe in evolutionary psychology, it may be a matter of life and death in sport. Finally, if you want to find out more about choking in this day and age, just look up the English football team's record in the penalty shoot-outs of major tournaments; Greg Norman's fourth round scores in the Majors when the title was almost in his pocket; Jana Novotna's record in the Majors; Jimmy White's record in world snooker finals - especially in 1994 - and many, many more. Finally, chokers are not pathetic jokers; it is just that they let their nerves get the better of them and the player cracks in pressure situations. Sometimes, wanting too much might lead to losing the whole lot.
Picking up the pieces A lakh trees have been uprooted in Chennai after cyclone Vardah hit the city.In some villages where there are large trees in front of houses, there are people who dress the branches. The trunk is kept intact after branches are trimmed. They almost resemble a skeletal structure. This prevents the tree from being uprooted. Perhaps civic authorities and local bodies should think of such steps to minimise damage. In cities, we must also remember what an environmental activist based in Chennai has said: "I wish those in the administration come up with a tree health management system. Trees need to be considered as environmental infrastructure and looked after...." Sudip Nath Bagchipara, Dibrugarh
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
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5 Must-Read Stories of Young Indian Women Who Started Changing Lives While Still in Their Teens Sanchari Pal
Across India, young women are increasingly leading and empowering communities through their innovative work. From creating free organic wigs for cancer patients to educating street kids, these confident young ladies are using their courage and creativity to ensure that India sees a brighter future. They may be young, but their passion for making a difference would inspire even the cynics! Here are 5 stories of young Indian women taking chances and changing lives of people near and far. Get ready to be amazed and inspired by these champions of change!
Meera Sharma - Off with their tresses, for cancer!
Avani Singh - A rickshaw of hope!
Anjali Chandrashekhar When a brush is mightier than the sword! Meera Sharma runs Tangled, an organisation that provides organic wigs to women fighting cancer. It all started when Meera found out that real hair wigs for cancer patients were prohibitively expensive (as high as Rs. 30,000) and that synthetic wigs were itchy and extremely uncomfortable. As the chairperson of the Rotaract Club of Women's Christian College, Chennai, Meera decided to do something about this. Along with her dedicated team at the club, Meera started by donating her own hair for the cause. Next, they partnered with the salon chain, Green Trends, and a wig-maker, Raj Hair Intl. Pvt. Ltd, who agreed to make natural hair wigs for them at a price of Rs. 4,500 per wig. These wigs are then distributed for free to the underprivileged cancer patients of the Cancer Institute. The cost of wig-making is borne by the sponsors whose generous contributions make this possible. Today, Tangled is working across India to provide free, organic wigs to cancer patients and boost their self-confidence.
An aspiring industrial designer with passion for painting and sculpture, Anjali Chandrashekhar was just 16 when she raised funds for causes such as natural calamities, child abuse, and rehabilitation of underprivileged children through her artistic creations. In 2008, she used her artwork to raise around 3 lakh rupees at an International Diabetes Charity and used that money to provide insulin and medication to many poor diabetic children. She also won the third prize at the United Nations Poster for Peace Contest for her disarmament posters, Break Free and Cutting a Peace Deal. A firm believer in the philosophy that art transcends barriers of age, language and literacy, 22-year-old Anjali has been working silently on her global social project, Picture It, for over a decade. Through it, she has been using her art to raise funds for various health, humanitarian and environmental causes.
A Delhi girl, Avani founded Ummeed, a program that trains women from the slums of Delhi to become taxi and rickshaw (electric rickshaws) drivers, when she was just 17. She started this initiative with a single electric rickshaw, donated by the local manufacturer, Green Wheels. To find a driver, Avani collaborated with the Delhi-based NGO CEQUIN to put out a call for volunteers in the Jamia area of the city. Soon, she had her first e-rickshaw driver, Kohinoor, who was delighted by the opportunity. Today, Ummeed is giving many women a way to earn both a living and a level of physical and social mobility that was previously nearly impossible. Other than training underprivileged women to drive, it also provides and maintains the e-rickshaws.
Varsha Varghese - For the love of words! Rashi Anand - A better childhood for street kids!
It was Varsha Varghese's love for books and her experience as a teaching volunteer in Make A Difference (MAD) that made her initiate the The Wordsworth Project. Along with college batchmates, Priyanka Roychowdhary and Rahul Sreekumar, Varsha decided to improve language competency in children. The trio firmly believed that since
language is the medium through which all subjects are taught, better language skills would directly lead to better learning outcomes. The Wordsworth Project works to create interactive reading spaces in low resource schools and learning centres, by equipping them with books catering specifically to the children's reading level. Mindful that books alone cannot make language accessible, they have also recruited and trained volunteers who teach kids basic grammar through interactive activities. The volunteers also help map the individual progress of each child's progress to help the team analyse the outcome of their efforts and take the necessary steps.
Seeing the plight of children on the streets of Delhi compelled Rashi Anand to make a difference in their lives. Worried about how vulnerable these kids were to exploitation, Rashi set up Lakshyam, an NGO working for street and underprivileged children in Delhi when she was just 18. Her next step was to set up a Toy Library programme that provided pictorial books and educational toys to street kids. Till date, this programme has donated books and toys to over two lakh underprivileged children in India. Today, Lakshyam has established several schools (called Sakshyam) for street kids in
Small Loans Make Big Entrepreneurs out of 10 Women in the Heartland of UP Since 2002, the Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana, through a network of 1, 31,175 SHGs across 43 districts, has transformed the lives of many women by making them entrepreneurs. Take the story of Usha Singh, an SHG member from Naraini village of Amethi District, who, with two loans of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 and some money saved by her father-in-law, was able to buy two bighas of land and construct and run a co-ed school for 470 students. It was a struggle, but the Sarvodaya Bal Vidya Niketan, set up in 2011 in Nanha Bartoli, adjoining Naraini, is a recognized school with 11 rooms and 11 teachers. As the money came in from admission and tuition fees, rooms were added and teaching scaled to secondary level. Usha Singh, who had studied till graduation, is the headmistress of the school; her husband and father-in-law, qualified and experienced teachers, help run the school. The construction is basic but the teaching standards are high, attracting students. Of the Rs 85,000 a month that comes in as fees every month, Rs 45,000 goes towards teachers' salaries. At Phoolwari village, in the Phoolwari block of Lakhimpur Kheri, Manisha, Rekha and Preeti Gupta of the Ekta Mahila Gram Sangathan, all related by marriage, took loans and helped their husbands open and run Chandan Sweet House at Monu Chat Corner on the main road of Phoolwari. Eight years ago, the shop they ran had been closed and their husbands were out of the village in search of livelihoods as electrician and bus conductor. In 2013, they took their first loan of Rs 10,000, and with Rs 1,000 the family could pool together, started the business. Then, with a second loan of Rs 10,000, they
purchased the required kitchenware. In two years the eatery is doing well and the loan has been repaid with 2% interest. Its samosas, mithai and puri bhaji are in demand and often orders are received in advance. While the women manage the back end of the business, making the products for sale at home between 7 am and 9 am, the sales counters are managed by the men. Sales are brisk and the daily profits range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. A family member, Chandan Gupta, who was in the catering business, groomed them for the enterprise, to bring that extra zing to their samosas. The 20 ft by 20 ft shop caters to 10 to 15 people at a time. Rekha, who has studied till Class 5, keeps the books, ensuring that purchase, sales and profits are neatly recorded. Rekha has taken another loan of Rs 15,000 and bought a freezer for keeping cold drinks. Adding to the business, in 2015, Manisha took a loan of Rs 2,000 and her husband bought a machine for packing namkeens. He buys 3-4 varieties in bulk and makes small packets. Not only
have the women been the backbone of the business but their children are going to private schools too and life is looking up. Forty-year-old Kiran, a mother of three, also from the SHG of Phoolwari, had never worked. But seeing the transformation in the lives of other women of her samooh, she took her first loan of Rs 5,000 in 2015 and started a bangle shop from a room in her home in the busy marketplace. Her husband takes her to Lakhimpur and she buys a variety of bangles in wholesale, keeping in mind the latest trends. Having repaid the loan, she has taken another of Rs 10,000 and is now also selling artificial jewellery, mehendi and other decorative items used at weddings and special occasions. Her daily sales are Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 and, during festivals and weddings they shoot up to Rs 4,000 a day. Bypassing money lenders, a large number of the SHG members across the state are taking loans and opening grocery stores, investing in goats, pigs and buffaloes to improve their
economic status. There is no looking back for them. However, two stories that need to be told are of the mother and daughter team of Anju, a 45-year-old widow of Ekta Mahila Samooh, and her 21-year-old daughter Sandya, who, with SHG loans, have been able to take back eight bighas of land they had kept in mortgage. Sarita, 30, of the same samooh, was able to recover five bighas of land that a landowner had grabbed taking advantage of her alcoholic husband. Anju's husband had blood cancer and she kept taking loans from the money lender keeping her eight bighas on mortgage. However, he could not be saved. In 2013, she and her daughter, who is now doing her MA in political science, joined the samooh, took a loan of Rs 20,000 and got back the mortgaged land. The mother and daughter toiled on the land and paid back the loan. Then they took another loan of Rs 10,000 and started running a general store; Rs 5,000 of the second loan too was repaid. Sandya's 12-year-old brother, who goes to school in the morning, runs the shop in the evenings. Sandya, who wants to become a teacher, says, "We have crawled back from hell. We are happy now and don't depend on anyone. The mahajan (money lender) is losing a lot of his clients!" Sarita, mother of 15- and 10year-old boys, joined the samooh in 2013. Her husband worked as a casual labourer and blew up his earnings in booze. A landlord claimed her husband had borrowed Rs 20,000 and grabbed the fivebighas of land the family owned. So she took this amount as loan and recovered her land. A hard working woman, Sarita grows sugarcane on her five bighas, as well as on two more bighas she farms on. After paying off the initial loan she has taken two more loans of
Rs 15,000 and Rs 12,000 and bought two buffaloes. She does farming, looks after the buffaloes and sells milk to improve her earnings. Her husband, living separately, continues to be an alcoholic. "He can no longer bully and beat me," she says. Due to economic empowerment, women are now investing in better, private education for their children. Like Anju and Sarita, five other women of Phoolwari have been able to release their mortgaged land with loans from the SHGs. Lakshmi and Babli of the Pooja Mahila Samooh are big league entrepreneurs. With extremely supportive husbands, th n fact, this samooh got a cash credit limit of Rs 3 lakhs from the Allahabad UP Grameen Bank. Lakshmi took two loans of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 in 2013 to buy utensils, tables, chairs, gas, and basic necessities for running a big dhaba that could cater to over 100 persons every day. The dhaba is conveniently located opposite a cooking gas depot and there is an assured stream of customers from among those who come to collect gas as well as those working in the depot. Lakshmi's husband, Krishna Gopal, has worked at Sheri-ePunjab restaurant as a cook and makes good desi and Chinese cuisine. A plate of dal, channa, sabzi and roti (quantity unlimited) costs Rs 50. Chicken and meat are made to order by Lakshmi at home and bring in more money. Lakshmi says with pride, "Mai gaddi per baithi hoon (I handle the cash)". In addition, she runs a sweets shop where 15 to 20 items of peda, burfi, jalebi, samosas, etc., are made by hired cooks who are paid Rs 220 daily. Lakshmi's five children study in a private school and the couple works hard, saving every day to return the loans.
the slum areas of Delhi. The organization also conducts workshops with street children under flyovers, in red light areas and at railway stations to provide basic education and create awareness about issues like drug addiction. Thanks to Rashi's efforts, Lakshyam has also expanded its work to states like Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Most of us nurture a passion but few translate it into action. These 5 young women didn't just dream about making a difference, they also built an effective social venture around a cause they were passionate about. Old or young, these go-getters are an inspiration to us all! (Source: THE BETTER INDIA)
Don't worry, Be happy Chetan Bhagat Alright, this is not cool at all. A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed. What are we doing to our women? I'm biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends - we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies? It would be a universe full of messy, aggressive and egomaniacal males running the world, trying to outdo each other for no particular reason. There would be body odour, socks on the floor and nothing in the fridge to eat. The entertainment industry would die. Who wants to watch movies without actresses? Kids would be neglected and turn into drug addicts or psychopaths by age 10. Soon, allmale world leaders would lose their tempers at the slightest provocation, and bomb the guts out of each other's countries. In short, without women and their sanity, the world would perish. Yet, look at how we Indians, a land of spiritual people, treat them. At an extreme, we abort girls before they are born, neglect them in their upbringing, torture them, molest them, sell them, rape them and honourkill them. Of course, these criminal acts are performed by a tiny minority. However, a majority of us are involved in lesser crimes. We judge, expect too much, don't give space and suffocate our women's individuality. Imagine if you did this to men won't they be stressed out? At a broader level, this isn't just
about our women. We Indians have a habit of exploiting anyone without power. As a flip side, we are suckers for anyone with power. We look up to corrupt politicians, keep voting them back, and feel they have an entitlement to loot us silly, because they are in power. In fact, we love power so much that when power comes to a woman, we automatically begin to regard her well too. Goddesses, female politicians, senior mothers in a household with a firm grip on family power - they all get our respect. Anyone else doesn't. This kind of society, which values power above equality and justice, doesn't achieve too much. These societies remain like backward tribes, because they do not allow people without power to come up, even though they may have many talents. When we don't allow our women to come up, or create stress for them if they do, we are not allowing half of India to come up. When we abuse our power, we kill the exploited person's will to contribute to society. When we believe powerful people are always right, and the less powerful should be crushed, we resemble a jungle of animals. And animals don't progress, humans do. These regressive attitudes will take a while to change. For now, i want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels. One, don't ever think you are without power. Give it back to that mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn't like you? That's her problem. Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn't value you - tell him that, or quit. Talented, hardworking people are much in demand. Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network - figure out ways to be economi-
cally independent. So next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-inlaw, you can tell him to take a hike. Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can't score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC, of course). It is okay if you don't make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don't work until midnight and don't get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day. Five, most important, don't get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrapbook for her school project than you. Another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make a six-dabba tiffin for her husband, you don't - big deal. Do your best, but don't keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don't expect to top the class. There is no ideal woman in this world, and if you strive to become one, there will be only one thing you will achieve for certain - stress. So breathe, chill, relax. Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you. Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, i don't want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother-in-law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
NATION Assault on varsity staff slap on govt's face: Mayawati
Lucknow, Dec 15: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati today said the alleged manhandling of staffers at an agriuniversity in Allahabad by Samajwadi Party candidate Atiq Ahmed was "a slap on the state government's face". "The Chief Minister makes tall claims about law and order, and development but the entire nation knows that since this government came to power, 22 crore people of the state have been living under threat and fear of criminals," she alleged in
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati. a statement here. Mafia don-turned-politician and candidate for the 2017 state Assembly polls, Ahmed was booked yes-
terday for allegedly assaulting Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS)
staffers, who opposed his unlawful entry along with supporters. Harping on the incident, she took a dig at the Chief Minister over his claims of cutting down response time of the state police. "The government has put up advertisements of 'UP100' (the helpline number) cutting police response time to 20 minutes, and in this regard the 'goondagardi' of Atiq Ahmed in Allahabad, as reported by the media, is a slap on the SP government's face," she said.
Challenging the Chief Minister to send 'goonda' and mafia elements associated with his party to jail, Mayawati said if he had any faith in rule of law, he should give some respite to the people from the terror of criminals. Referring to Akhilesh as a "babua chief minister", she said BBC (babua broadcasting corporation) has again said all the oft-repeated things in Bundelkhand today and warned Muslims not to fall prey to the SP designs and indirectly help the BJP. (PTI)
Mandate is for doing what is good 'Thank You Advani Ji for people: Shah on note ban For Fighting For Shah told the meeting of Democratic Values,' office-bearers on a day when Parliament saw another day of washout with Rahul Gandhi Tweets
BJP president Amit Shah New Delhi, Dec 15: Rallying around the government over the demonetisation issue as it faces attack from a united Opposition, top BJP leaders today asserted that there is wide spread support from people for the decision and the criticism is merely confined to rival parties. Chairing a meeting of office-bearers, BJP president Amit Shah said here that the mandate the party has received is not for doing what merely looks good to people but to do what is good for them and hailed the note ban as a "visionary" step and a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political will to change the fundamentals of Indian economy.
With little relief for people from standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs to get cash, BJP's rivals have closed ranks to target the government but its top leaders exuded confidence that they can sell the decision to masses as something that is in the country's interests. "Demonetisation is a visionary decision of political will aimed at curbing black money and corruption. The parties criticising it are doing so out of political malice. But the mandate we have received is not for taking decisions which merely look good to people but which are good for them. "We will not remain confined to small reforms but bring about fundamental changes in the economy,"
treasury benches and opposition trading charges. A senior party leader quoted Shah as saying that it is imperative to kill parallel economy running on black money to boost the country's resources so that it can invest heavily in education, health and other sectors. He also said that Indian youths should be holding many global patents and it can be done only with massive investment in education and research. Its National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said the office-bearers, which included state in-charges, also shared ground feedback on demonetisation. "People have appreciated the move and the feedback is very encouraging for the party. Villagers and farmers are happy. Its opposition is confined to our political rivals," he said following the meeting. The party leaders also decided to push their awareness drive across the country on less cash transaction underpinned by digital mode of payment. (PTI)
IT dept seizes Rs 10.80 cr cash from bank lockers in Pune New Delhi, Dec 15: Income Tax department has seized Rs 10.80 crore cash, of which Rs 8.8 crore is in new notes, after searches on several lockers of a bank in Pune. Officials said the searches were conducted at 15 lockers, belonging to one person, in the Parvati area branch of Bank of Maharashtra of the city yesterday and the seizures were effected today. The department has also found alleged irregularities in the operation of these lockers, acquired in a single name in August, which it feels is a fit case for tax evasion. "Search on 15 lockers of the said branch of Bank of Maharashtra yielded
65-yr-old man dies in bank queue in MP Shivpuri, Dec 15: A 65-yearold man, suffering from asthma, died while standing in bank queue in Gudar village in the district, police said. The deceased was identified as Kamal Vanshkar, police said. Talking about the incident, son of the deceased, Shaligram, said, "My father, who suffered from asthma, had gone to the branch of a public sector bank yesterday to withdraw Rs 4,000 at Gudar village under Khaniadhana police station area, which is around 100 km from here." "He reached the branch around 10 am and after standing in the queue for around one and a half hour he collapsed and died on the spot," he added. According to Khaniadhana police station inspector Jagmohan Tomar, Vanshkar was unwell and he was brought to the bank by his sons and one other person. "After the post-mortem, we handed over the body to the family members. We are now waiting for the autopsy report," Tomar said. (PTI)
Rs 9.85 crore (39896 notes of 2000 which is 7.97 crore and rest in mainly 100 notes). Other premises yielded another Rs 94.50 lakh of which Rs 80 lakh in new currency. "Total seizure was 10.80 crore out which 8.8 crore was in new currency," a source in the I-T department said. "As per bank records, two lockers were shown to be operated 12 times each, post demonetisation on different dates in November and December and all operations were found to be done by a single person who was acting as the authorised signatory," the source added.
The CCTV footage in the bank showed big bags being carried in and out by the person who operated the lockers along with other same set of people accompanying him. The tax sleuths have brought to the notice of the bank authorities about the CCTV footage they "shows difference in time from the time shown in the bank records". Probe in the case was still continuing, they said. The department, in the same context, also searched Axis bank branches in Noida and in Connaught Place in the national capital. No seizures have been made in these cases till now, they added. (PTI)
Children are the changemakers: Dia Mirza Bhopal, Dec 15: Actress Dia Mirza, who is Unicef's celebrity advocate, says she wants to use her stardom for the good of children as they are not only the future but also the present of a country. "We often tell our children that they are the future of the country, let us tell them that they are our present and we should nurture them that away," Mirza said at the 'adolescent and young people meet' here. "It is their present contribution, which should be valued," she said while speaking at the gathering that was
organised last evening to commemorate 70th anniversary of Unicef. The 35-year-old actress, a former Miss Asia Pacific, said that the progress of a society is difficult unless the aspirations and basic requirements of the children are fulfilled. "There is no point of my stardom or celebrity status if it cannot be used for the good of children. It is a blessing for me that I am associated with Unicef. There is a lot of work that is yet to be done and I am sure we would collectively do it for the children," she added. (PTI)
Rahul Gandhi. New Delhi, Dec 15: Hours after senior BJP leader and MP LK Advani expressed disappointment over the continuing deadlock in the Parliament, after proceedings were adjourned on Day 21 of the Winter Session, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted thanking Advani for fighting for democratic values within the BJP. "Thank you Advani ji for fighting for democratic values within your party," Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Earlier in the day, after the Lok Sabha was adjourned on Day 21, the BJP veteran said, "I feel like re-
signing." "If Atalji (Vajpayee) would have been in the parliament today, he would have been very unhappy. Whether someone wins or loses, it is ultimately the loss of the Parliament." Advani also told Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that he should tell the Lok Sabha Speaker that there should be a discussion on demonetisation in the Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following heated exchanges between the Opposition and BJP benches over demonetisation. (PTI)
Arvind Kejriwal rakes up issue of PM Modi's degrees Arvind Kejriwal said: People believe since Modiji is less educated he has taken the decision to demonetise currency without discussing it with anyone.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal questioned PM Narendra Modi's educational qualifications. New Delhi, Dec 15: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday raked up the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degrees yet again saying he was not able to grasp the "devastating consequences" of demonetisation due to "less education". Addressing a press conference, he said it was essential that the "truth" about Prime Minister's degrees is disclosed as it is the "fundamental right" of people. "People believe since
Modiji is less educated he has taken the decision to demonetise currency without discussing it with anyone. Now that it has jeopardised the lives of people he is not being able to tackle the situation," Kejriwal told reporters at his residence here. The AAP chief, who had earlier sought rollback of the note ban measure, also demanded that the money deposited by people be used to waive the loans of farmers and small traders. (PTI)
P8 Prez greets King, people of Bahrain on eve of National Day
President Pranab Mukherjee. New Delhi, Dec 15: India and Bahrain have enjoyed close and cordial relations and extensive people-to-people contacts, and this partnership will continue to strengthen in
the years to come, President Pranab Mukherjee said today. Greeting King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the people on the eve of their National Day, he
said in a message, "I have great pleasure in extending to Your Majesty and the friendly people of the Kingdom of Bahrain warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your National Day." The two countries have historically enjoyed close and cordial relations anchored in their shared interests and extensive people-to-people contacts. "I am confident that our mutually beneficial partnership encompassing various spheres of engagement will continue to diversity and strengthen in the years to come," he said. Bahrain celebrates its National Day on December 16. (PTI)
JD-U serves ultimatum to BJP over land purchase Patna, Dec 15: The JDU today served an ultimatum to the BJP seeking answers to questions raised by it over large-scale land purchase it had made ahead of demonetisation, failing which it would approach the Income Tax department for a probe into the source of money used for buying the plots. The one-day ultimatum was served by three state JD-U spokesmen Sanjay Singh, Niraj Kumar and Rajiv Ranjan Prasad at a joint press conference here. "We will wait for answers from the BJP on questions raised by us on the land deal only for one day and after that we will approach the Income Tax department giving details of the large-scale land purchase under section 133 of the IT Act," they told reporters. The JD-U leaders said they have collected details
about purchase of land in 31 places in Bihar. Instead of giving categorical answers to the questions, some BJP leaders opened their mouth but only made "baseless statements", the three claimed. Stepping up its attack on BJP after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar questioned the silence of the saffron party on land purchase, the JD-U had recently rejected the defence of senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and new state party chief Nityanand Rai that payments for land purchase were made through bank RTGS, and issued details of area of land bought, registration, name of sellers and sources of payment. The JD(U) had claimed that for buying 22.38 decimal of land in Bagaha at a cost of Rs 66 lakh from Ravindra Nath Tiwari onethird payment was made in cash.
Similarly in case of purchase of 31.25 decimal land in Bhabhua in Kaimur district at Rs 48.75 lakh the entire payment was made in cash. In Kisanganj, for 35 decimal of land a sum of Rs 15 lakh was paid in cash, the statement claimed, adding in Chapra the entire payment of Rs 48.90 lakh for 56.198 decimal land was made in cash. In Sitamarhi the total amount of Rs 17.80 lakh for four decimal land was paid in cash. In case of 42 decimal land in Sasaram out of a total payment of Rs 1.5 crore a sum of Rs 40 lakh was paid in cash. The spokesmen also slammed the BJP over allegations of corruption against Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in a hydel power project in his home state Arunachal Pradesh. (PTI)
BJP leaders arrested for taking out rally against Imam Kolkata, Dec 15: Several top BJP leaders were arrested by Kolkata Police today while taking out a rally to condemn the comments of a Muslim cleric who had issued a "fatwa" against state party president Dilip Ghosh. The rally was organised against the fatwa issued by Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque, Maulauna Noorur Rahman Barkati, against Ghosh for his comments against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The rally started from Central Avenue near BJP state office and was scheduled to reach Tipu Sultan Mosque in Esplanade area in the heart of the city. Police cordoned off Central Avenue and asked BJP workers not to proceed but when they tried to move ahead, police used force to stop them from crossing the barricade. "Some of the BJP leaders and workers have been arrested. We tried to stop them but they tried to force their way, so we had to arrest them. But at this moment we can't give the figures and names," a Kolkata police official said. BJP claimed that Ghosh was injured during a scuffle with police when it tried to stop the rally. It also said senior
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh. leaders, including MLA Swadhin Kumar Sarkar and state BJP general secretary Deboshree Chowdhary, were arrested. Ghosh said, "This is inhuman and undemocratic. We are not being allowed to take out a rally peacefully. We condemn this autocratic rule of TMC. They (TMC) are so much busy with appeasement politics, that we are not allowed to take out a rally." The Imam had on Monday issued a fatwa against Ghosh for making "filthy comments" against the chief minister. "From where does he (Ghosh) get such audacity to make filthy comments against our beloved chief minister who is the most secular leader of our country? I issued the fatwa which
states that he should be pelted with stones and then kicked out of Bengal. He does not deserve to stay in Bengal," Barkati had said while issuing the fatwa. Reacting to the charges, Ghosh lashed out at Barkati and said this country is neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh that he could issue a fatwa and go scot-free. "What does Barkati think? Is this Bangladesh or Pakistan that he will issue a fatwa against me? He can issue a fatwa against TMC, they will listen to him, but not BJP. It seems that Barkati no longer wishes to stay in Bengal or India. I think he is planning to migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh," Ghosh had hit back.
Narasingha Mishra brings privilege motion against CM Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: Privilege notice against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was brought by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday. Mishra alleged Patnaik has cheated the house over Mahanadi issue. He said BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb had admitted that false information re-
garding Mahanadi water was presented in the Assembly. Narasingh demanded probe into the matter by privilege committee. Earlier on November, Deb while talking to media persons over the disparity in the data presented in the Assembly in 2010 with the data submitted to the Union Government for formation of tribunal on the Mahanadi water dispute
with Chhattisgarh had said that the government departments at times present false information in the Assembly and it has happened many times before. Mishra had condemned the remarks of BJD spokesperson alleging the CM has disrespected the august house by telling lies and presenting false information inside the house. (PTI)
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
BUSINESS
P9
Sensex feels Fed rate hike ripple, slumps 84 pts
India sees oil touching $60 a barrel before retreating
Mumbai, Dec 15: A global panic rubbed off on stocks here today as the Sensex dropped 84 points to close at 26,519 trying to figure out the impact of US interest rate hike on India and other emerging markets amid feelers that more are on the cards. This sent the rupee steeply lower by 42 paise to 67.85 (intra-day) against the dollar, which fed the nervous cycle. The session saw strong spells of volatility amid sustained foreign funds outflows. The quarter percentage point rate increase -- the first this year -- was a virtual certainty although investors were caught offguard after the Federal Reserve indicated that the pace of the tightening will be quicker in 2017. The 30-share barometer started on a negative note, fell further but somewhat recovered to end at
In sync with the trend, the small-cap index rose 0.21 per cent and mid-cap ended almost flat. 26,519.07, down 83.77 points, or 0.31 per cent. It moved between a low of 26,407.58 and a high of 26,737.86. The gauge had lost 95 points in the previous session. The NSE Nifty fell 28.85 points, or 0.35 per cent, at 8,153.60. Intra-day, it hovered between 8,121.95 and 8,225.90.
The benchmark indices contained the losses on the back of buying in IT stocks supported by a strong dollar against the rupee. Sentiment took a hit as fears grew that a rate hike in the US would mean higher pace of capital outflows from emerging markets, including India, into US bonds that are consid-
ered as safer investment options, brokers said. Major losers that dragged down the indices included Sun Pharma, NTPC, Tata Motors, ITC, Bharti Airtel, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Asian Paints, Coal India, Hindustan Unilever and RIL, falling by up to 4.36 per cent. But TCS, the country's leading IT exporter, continued its upward journey for yet another day and ended 2.34 per cent higher on expectations that a rising dollar against the rupee will improve its earnings. Out of 30-share Sensex constituents, 18 ended lower, while 12 finished in the green. Global markets also ruled mixed after the US Fed, as expected, hiked rates by 0.25 per cent. Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.77 per cent and Shanghai Composite shed 0.73 per
cent while Japan's Nikkei was up 0.10 per cent. London's FTSE dropped 0.07 per cent. Paris rose 0.70 per cent while Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 0.53 per cent. The BSE healthcare index suffered the most by falling 1.36 per cent, followed by FMCG 0.80 per cent, consumer durables 0.79 per cent and auto 0.32 per cent. In sync with the trend, the small-cap index rose 0.21 per cent and mid-cap ended almost flat. Shares of Gitanjali Gems climbed 6.70 per cent to close at Rs 66.85 after the company said its September quarter net profit jumped 48 per cent and its subsidiary Nakshatra World notified the decision of raising up to Rs 650 crore through an IPO. Meanwhile, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 632.29 crore yesterday, showed provisional data. (PTI)
The rise not only threatens fiscal maths of a nation that is 80% dependent on imports to meet its oil needs but may also spur inflation cent, to $53.90 a barrel. "We expect oil prices will reach $60 and then it will come down," the official said. The slump in oil prices has been a bid factor that has helped Indian economy notch up big gains by cutting its import bill and reining in inflation. India, which depends on imports to meet 80 per cent of its oil needs, will Brent fell $1.82, or 3.3 per cent, to $53.90 a barrel. have to spend Rs 9,126 crore ($1.36 billion) more New Delhi, Dec 15: With corded in January to every year for one dollar crude oil prices more than hover at $55. per barrel increase in doubling in one year and The rise not only threat- crude oil. Besides, the posing a threat to emerg- ens the fiscal maths of a rising crude oil trajecing economies, world's nation that is 80 per cent tory impacts inflation third biggest oil consumer dependent on imports to and growth. India sees the the rates meet its oil needs but also India spent $63.96 biltouching $60 a barrel be- may spur inflation. lion on crude oil import fore retreating. A top official said the gov- in 2015-16, about half A deal between Opec and ernment does not see any of $112.7 billion outgo non-Opec members to cut immediate sense of alarm in the previous fiscal output for the first time as oil prices have retracted and $143 billion in 2013since 2008 has led to a 15 from the 17-month high 14. per cent surge in crude oil following the US Federal For the current fiscal, prices in last two weeks. Reserve raising interest the import bill has been Brent crude oil prices have rates for the first time this pegged at $66 billion at more than doubled from a year. an average import price low of $27.88 a barrel re- Brent fell $1.82, or 3.3 per of $48 per barrel. (PTI)
Rupee may depreciate further, Bill to allow firms to to be in range of 67-71/USD pay salaries thru fundamentals should lead the currency to fare bet- cashless mode in LS India very well cushioned to ter than most of the emerging market curren- New Delhi, Dec 15: industrial or other estab-
Image for Representation purpose Mumbai, Dec 15: The rupee is expected to depreciate further and be in range of 67-71 against the US dollar, but still it will fare better than most of the emerging market currencies, says a report. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, global policy divergence would strengthen the dollar dominance against other G-4 majors in the coming months. Moreover, market adjustment to the Fed and US
political realities, among others will likely position investors against emerging markets, the report said. "Factoring in possible realignment of global risk appetite along with expectations of further accommodation by the RBI, we expect INR to depreciate further and be in the range of 67-71 against USD," Kotak Institutional Equities said in a research note. However, even as the rupee weakens, its relatively strong macroeconomic
cies. Rupee today tumbled by 42 paise to 67.85 against the dollar due to appreciation of the American currency globally as the US Fed hiked interest rate by a quarter percentage point and indicated more to come next year. Regarding the FOMC raising the Fed funds rate by 25 bps, the report said, investor aversion for emerging market assets may continue as markets adjust to Fed moves. The Federal Reserve has increased its key interest rate by 0.25 per cent for the first time in a year in response to a strengthening US economy. This is only for the second time in a decade that the Fed has raised its rate. The other one was in December 2015. (PTI)
With the government focusing on cashless transactions post demonetisation, a bill seeking to allow employers of certain business and industrial establishments to pay salaries to their employees either through cheque or electronic means, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today. Once passed by Parliament, The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will amend Section 6 of the principal Act to enable employers to pay wages to their employees also by cheque or crediting it to their bank accounts. The Bill was introduced by Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya amid din over demonetisation issue. It will also allow state governments to specify
lishments "which shall pay to every employed person the wages only by cheque or by crediting in his bank account." The bill states that by adopting the new procedure, complaints regarding non-payment or less payment of minimum wages. It will also serve the objective of "digital and less cash economy", the bill states. By making state-level amendments to the Act, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala and Haryana have already made provisions for payment of wages through cheque and electronic transfer. As of now, with the written authorisation of an employee, wages can be given through cheque or transferred to his or her bank account. (PTI)
Withdrawal limit to ease after 80% new notes Maruti Suzuki to re-channelised: Govt launch premium HIGHLIGHTS Govt said restrictions on cash withdrawals will ease once 80 per cent of new currency is re-channelised through bank deposits
Image for Representation purpose. New Delhi, Dec 15: The government will start easing restrictions on cash withdrawals once 80 per cent of the new currency introduced following the demonetisation is rechannelised through bank deposits, a top official said today. Queues at banks have reduced substantially and are visibly longer only in poll bound states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, he said. The official added that the restrictions on cash withdrawals will be first eased in case of cooperative banks and then for all the scheduled commercial banks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced junking of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and replaced by new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes. Along with demonetisation, restrictions were placed on bank counter as well as
ATMwithdrawals. The official said the government is re-monetising the scrapped currency, which made up for 86 per cent of bank notes in circulation by value. "We could not print all the currencies in one go because we wanted the money to be channelised in the system first," he said. As of now, 50 per cent of the deposits in banks are in the new currency which shows gradually money is remonetised, he said implying that half of the new currency withdrawn has found way back into banks by way of deposits. "When 80 per cent of new currency is rechannelised in the bank deposits then withdrawal restrictions will be eased," he said. "Withdrawal restrictions will first be relaxed for cooperative banks and then for all banks. And over time as remonetisation is
Restrictions will be first eased in cooperative banks and then for all the scheduled commercial banks completed they will be removed totally." Before the announcement of demonetisation, the government had already arranged for the printing of 200 crore Rs 2,000 notes, or roughly about Rs 4 lakh crore in value. They were the first set of notes to be circulated. Thereafter, a new Rs 500 note was introduced and now all the four printing presses of RBI at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik in Maharashtra, Salboni in West Bengal and Mysuru in Karnataka are working overtime to replenish the exhausted currencies. The official said the restrictions will be withdrawn once the situation stabilises. "Remonetisation has substantially happened and as and when it (stabilisation) happens, restrictions will be eased," he said, adding that there will be no cap on deposits made in the bank from January 2017. (PTI)
hatchback 'Ignis' next month
New Delhi, Dec 15: The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India will launch its premium hatchback 'Ignis' in the second week of January targeting the millennial consumers. The new model will be sold through the company's Nexa premium outlets. "The population of millennials has grown over the years in India. They are unique in their approach and consumption pattern. So far, nobody has designed a car for them. With the Ignis we are targeting them," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Executive Director (Marketing and sales) R S Kalsi told reporters here. The car will be available in 1.2 litre petrol- and 1.3 litre diesel-engine options. It will also offer automatic gearshift option on both fuel options. This will be the entry level car for the premium Nexa chain, which also sells the Baleno and S-Cross models of the company, he added.
At present MSI has 197 Nexa outlets in about 115 cities in India. "By the end of the ongoing fiscal it will be around 250 outlets in 150 cities," Kalsi said. The Ignis will be produced at MSI's Gurugram plant and meant mainly for the domestic market. It would be exported to South Asia and South East Asia also, he added. The car will be launched on January 13, while online bookings on the company's website will start in the first week of January. Initially the Ignis was planned to be launched this year but the company decided to postpone in order to meet demand for its Baleno and Vitara Brezza models. When asked about the impact of demonetisation, Kalsi said it has had a temporary effect but trends are reversing again and "our factories are running on full capacity". (PTI)
absorb Fed rate hike: CEA Arvind Subramanian
New Delhi, Dec 15: The interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve will bring volatility and uncertainty in capital flows into emerging market economies, but India is very well cushioned to absorb the impact, Chief economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian said. He said that the 0.25 per cent rate hike by the US Fed was on expected lines and India with strong macroeconomic fundamentals is "less anxious" than other markets. "The US interest rates are rising and dollars are rising. Of course, there will be some reassessment and money will flow from emerging market to US at least for some time. But in that, we will be less affected than other countries," he said at an Assocham event here. With economic growth picking up since the middle of the year, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rate yesterday - the second time in a decade. It had last hiked rates in December 2015. "This was anticipated and expected. The Indian economy is very well cushioned to absorb the impact of that. I think the RBI policy also took an account of this in a sensible way. I think there will be some short-term things, but we need not
Arvind Subramanian worry on that," Subramanian said. The benchmark BSE Sensex fell 141 points in opening trade today, but later recovered and was trading 42 points higher in post noon trade. "The RBI took the right call on this. In this period of volatility and uncertainty, we need to have a strong macro economy which we have. I am a little bit less concerned about that," he said. Last week, the RBI maintained a status quo on interest rates, saying it wants to wait and see how the impact of demonetisation and US Fed rate hike play out. He said that there has been a big flow of funds from emerging markets, but given that India is a bright spot, the impact will be much less. Asked about spike in oil prices after OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed to cut production
for the first time since 2008, he said that the oil market has evolved in the last 5-7 years and there is a natural kind of ceiling on how high the price can go because of shale oil and shale gas. "If the prices go up and down, there will be some implication, but I don't think the oil prices are going to surge to a level which is difficult for Indian economy to handle," the chief economic advisor said. Oil prices rose to a 17month high after a deal between OPEC and nonOPEC members but tumbled after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time this year. While West Texas Intermediate oil dropped $1.94 to $51.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent fell $1.82, or 3.3 percent, to $53.90 a barrel. (PTI)
Taken various steps to boost e-payments at toll plazas:Govt New Delhi, Dec 15: The Centre has taken various measures to resolve issues raised by transporters and encouraged electronic payments at various places, besides introducing coupon system and exempting tolls at plazas, Parliament was informed today. "The Ministry has received representation from Transporters' Association attracting the attention of this Ministry towards the crisis faced by them due to demonetisation," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
He added that the concerns of the transporters have been appraised by the Competent Authority. To overcome the impact of demonetisation, he said that the government is promoting the usage of digital transaction at various places, including toll plazas and petrol pumps and added that the toll tax was also exempted at toll plazas from November 9 to December 2. "Further, coupon system has been introduced at toll plaza to overcome the difficulty of change of high denomination c u r r e n c y , " Radhakrishnan said. In a separate reply, he
said the government has notified the use of prepaid payment instruments for collection of user fees from road users. "This is to permit the road users to opt for available cashless modes of payment," he said. He also added that the government has facilitated the concessionaire/ contractor to introduce the mobile wallet service at their toll plazas for efficient operation. "NHAI...Has facilitated the concessionaire/contractor to use PoS (Point of Sale) machines for collection of user fees through credit and debit card," he added. (PTI)
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
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INTERNATIONAL
Russia says it foiled IS- S. Korean Presidential Hopeful linked attacks on Moscow Casts Doubt Over US Missiles
Moscow, Dec 15: Russia's domestic intelligence agency said it arrested four people and foiled extremist attacks allegedly orchestrated in Turkey. The FSB said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies that its officers on Thursday arrested citizens of the former Soviet republics of Moldova and Tajikistan who were "planning a series of high-profile terrorist attacks in Moscow with the use of improvised explosive devices." The attacks were said to be plotted by a Turkey-based warlord of the Islamic State group who is wanted in Tajikistan for unspecified crimes. The agency said it made the arrests in and around Moscow and found automatic weapons and ammunition as well as unspecified explosives. Russia is providing air cover for Syrian President Bashar Assad's ad-
Russian special force soldiers during an antiterrorist operation in Makhachkala, the regional capital of Dagestan, Russia, on January 20, 2014. vance against Syrian rebels and Islamic State fighters, with the latter having previously threatened to carry out attacks in Russia in response to Putin's staunch support of the Syrian regime. Many foreign fighters from Russia's Muslimmajority Caucasus republics such as Chechnya and Dagestan have gone to Syria to
fight on behalf of the Islamic State, who could return to Russia to carry out terrorist attacks. The Islamic State has a local branch in Russia known as the Caucasus Province, which broke off from the al-Qaeda linked Caucasus Emirate in 2014 and has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Russia. (Agencies)
Baloch leader seeks B'desh's help to raise Balochistan issue
Ahmedzai has been staying in Britain since 2007 to gather international support for their cause of an independent Balochistan. Dhaka, Dec 15: Equating atrocities in Balochistan to the massacre of Bengalis by Pakistan Army during the 1971 liberation war, a self-exiled Baloch leader has sought Bangladesh's support to raise the issue at the UN and help liberate the restive region from "Pakistan's occupation". "They (Pakistan) are committing the same atrocities that they had committed with you," Mir Suleman Dawood Jan Ahmedzai said here yesterday, referring to Bangladesh's independence struggle during which 3 million Bengalis were killed. "The family of the present prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) went through the same crisis and even worse," he said, referring to Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
who led the independence movement. He said 'Pakistan occupied his country' in March 1948 and since then has been carrying out atrocities to suppress public uprisings. Ahmedzai said Balochs are expecting "cooperation and diplomatic understanding of the situation they are going through" from Bangladesh so that Dhaka can take it up to the UN. "We, Balochistan, cannot speak in the UN as we are not a member. We want members to speak for us," bdnews24.com quoted him as saying. In Balochistan, they are committing atrocities on a daily basis, he said, adding that Pakistan has adopted 'kill and dump' policy in Balochistan. "More than 25,000 people
are missing and over a million displaced. First, people go missing and then they are found in the wilderness....tortured, bullet-ridden bodies." "Our only plan is to regain independence for Balochistan. We are optimistic," he said. He accused Pakistan of "spreading terrorism from Manila to California with its army intelligence". "Only difference between normal terrorists and Pakistani army is that they are wearing uniforms while the others are not. Both are terrorists. One has a shield of the government and the other one is a non-state actor," he said. "Going to the background as to who they back or finance, you will trace them in every terrorist link from Manila to California". Ahmedzai has been staying in Britain since 2007 to gather international support for their cause of an independent Balochistan. He was in Dhaka to take part in a seminar organised by the Centre for Genocide Studies at the Dhaka University. The Balochistan issue returned to the spotlight in the region after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in August pointed at human rights violations in the province. (PTI)
Seoul, Dec 15: A possible South Korean presidential contender said Thursday his country should reconsider plans to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system to cope with North Korean threats, a move Washington is likely to see as disruptive. Liberal opposition politician Moon Jae-in said the security benefits of having Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, would be curtailed by worsened relations with neighbors China and Russia. He downplayed concerns that South Korea backtracking on the plans would cause tension with the United States, which he said was the "most important country" for South Korea in face of nuclear-armed, rival North. "The issue of whether or not to deploy THAAD should be pushed to the next government," Moon said in a news conference. "Reconsidering THAAD would have to be preceded
with diplomatic efforts, including diplomatic efforts with the United States. I don't think that the reconsidering of THAAD would harm the South Korea-U.S. alliance," he said. Recent opinion polls have shown Moon as a presidential favorite amid the popular anger over conservative President Park Geun-hye, whose powers were suspended after lawmakers last week voted to impeach her over an explosive corruption scandal. South Korea's Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether Park should permanently step down. If Park is formally removed from office, the country would hold a presidential election within 60 days. Moon, who conceded the 2012 presidential race to Park, said he expected the court to rule on Park's impeachment sometime between late January and early March, setting up a
tary John Tsang, considered more moderate, has resigned from the government and is widely expected to declare his leadership bid. But he has been beaten to it by Regina Ip, who today announced her "Win Back Hong Kong" campaign. Instrumental in the government's failed 2003 attempt to push through a hugely unpopular antisubversion law, Article 23, Ip is a divisive figure seen by opponents as a Chinafriendly hardliner like Leung.
She said she still wants to implement the controversial legislation at the same time as striving for social harmony in Hong Kong. The deputy of Ip's New People's Party, Louis Shih, said Ip would be the "iron lady" that Hong Kong needs as she announced her candidacy at the city's harbourfront convention centre. Ip said she was willing to work with non-establishment parties "as long as they faithfully uphold national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Basic Law. (AFP)
Saeed slams Aziz for visiting India Lahore, Dec 15: Jammatud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed today criticised Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for visiting India, saying he brought insult to the country and Kashmir. "Aziz brought insult for Pakistan and Kashmir," the Mumbai attack master-
mind said while addressing a gathering in PoK's Muzaffarabad. Saeed said Aziz should spend his time intelling the world about alleged Indian atrocities. Aziz had visited Amritsar earlier this month to attend the Heart of Asia conference on Afghanistan. Saeed asked the people of
PoK to stand by the "struggle" of Kashmiris. He also urged the government to fully support the Kashmiris as its duty. Abdur Rehman Maki, SyedSalahuddin, Abdul Aziz Ali and Jamaat-iIslami secretary general Liaquat Baloch also addressed the gathering. (PTI)
Seoul should put dialogue over sanctions in persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions. He rated the Park government's hard-line stance against North Korea as a "complete failure" because it "didn't function in any way" to prevent the North from expanding its nuclear weapons and missile programs. "It has been confirmed that pressure and sanctions alone would not be enough to influence North Korea to give up on its nuclear weapons," said Moon, calling for a "twotack approach" of sanctions and talk. "We need strong punitive measures against North Korea's nuclear tests and missile launch tests, but the purpose of such strong pressure and sanctions should be bringing North Korea to the negotiation table for denuclearization." Moon, a former human rights lawyer and aide to late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, also pledged
to fight income inequality and push business reforms to curb excesses of "chaebol," or familyowned conglomerates that dominate the country's economy, to create a level playing field for smaller companies. The opposition Democratic Party's primaries could shape into a showdown between Moon and Lee Jae-myung, the outspoken mayor of Seongnam city whose popularity rose rapidly in recent months amid rage over the Park scandal. The conservatives appear to be pinning their hopes on outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after Park's scandal complicated politics for her Saenuri Party. In a visit to South Korea in May, Ban told reporters that he would "think hard about what to do as a citizen" after he returns home on Jan. 1, which was seen by the local media as a clear hint on a presidential bid. (Agencies)
Egypt executes 'High hopes' for trade deal convicted jihadist with India: Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull
Cairo, Dec 15: Egyptian authorities on Thursday executed a jihadist convicted of involvement in a 2013 gun attack on police in the Sinai Peninsula, state media reported. Adel Habara was hanged in a Cairo prison days after a court upheld his death sentence. He was convicted of involvement in a shooting that killed 25 policemen, days after police killed hundreds of demonstrators in Cairo protesting against the army's overthrow and detention of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi. His execution came days after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a deadly Cairo church bombing that sparked renewed calls for speedier punishment of Islamist militants. ISIS is waging an insurgency in the Sinai that has
killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since Morsi's overthrow. Egyptian courts have sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death in the past three years, but many, including Morsi, have appealed and won retrials, frustrating government hardliners. Habara had become a symbol for them of a slow appeals process. He had been sentenced to death in an initial trial but was granted a retrial on appeal. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who toppled Morsi when army chief, had ordered changes to the law to speed up the judicial process after a car bomb killed the country's top prosecutor in 2015. Habara is the eighth convicted militant whose execution has been announced since Morsi's overthrow. (Agencies)
Beijing issues red alert for severely high air pollution due to incoming smog
'Iron lady' runs for Hong Kong leader Hong Kong, Dec 15: A former Hong Kong security chief who stepped down after mass protests and is loathed by the city's pro-democracy camp said today she will run for leader, as opponents warn she would be a Beijing puppet. The race for chief executive was thrown open when unpopular hardline leader Leung Chun-ying declared last week he would not seek reelection after a term marked by political crises and antiBeijing protests. Since then, finance secre-
presidential election around April or May. "It would be a huge honor for me if I can take part in the next presidential election," Moon said. South Korean military officials in September picked a private golf course in the country's southeast as the site for THAAD, which was slated to be deployed by the end of next year. They originally chose a nearby artillery base in the rural farming town of Seongju as the site for the system, but changed locations following fierce protests from locals who expressed concern over potential health hazards they believe the system's powerful radar might cause. The plan to deploy THAAD in South Korea has angered not only North Korea but also China, which suspects that the system would allow U.S. radar to better track its missiles. Russia also opposes the deployment. Moon also argued that
Industrial pollution remains a persistent problem in China's cities Stringer. Beijing, Dec 15: Beijing city government has issued a red alert for severely high levels of air pollution in the city for three days from December 17 to 21, according to a post on the Beijing environmental protection bureau's official Weibo account. The incoming smog was due to an accumulation of air pollution in Beijing and surrounding areas, including Tianjin city and Hebei, Shandong and Hunan provinces, the post said, citing forecasts from the China Environmental Monitoring Center. A colour-graded warning
system of alerts was introduced in China's capital city last year as part of the government vow to crackdown on environmental degradation following decades of unbridled economic growth. Beijing's first ever red alert was issued in December last year, temporarily closing schools and halting construction in the city. The government has since been tweaking the system, raising in February the threshold of issuance to a higher average daily air quality index reading. (PTI)
Negotiations were started in 2011 to seal an agreement to cut tariffs, improve trade in services and make it easier to invest. Melbourne, Dec 15: Australia has "high hopes" of concluding a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement with India next year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said. Turnbull, who agreed to visit India next year when he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China in September, told business leaders recently that the government had "high hopes" of concluding the AustraliaIndia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, Australian Associated Press reported yesterday. Speaking to a business forum in sydney, Treasurer Scott Morrison yesterday reiterated that the
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull. government was keen to conclude trade negotiations with India. Negotiations were started in 2011 to seal an agreement to cut tariffs, improve trade in services and make it easier to invest. So far the two sides had almost nine rounds negotiations on Free Trade Agreement.
The 9th round covered key issues including market access for goods, services and investment, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, techinal barriers to trade, legal and institutional matters and dispute settlement. (PTI)
US interest rate rise 'vote of confidence' in economy: Yellen Washington, Dec 15: The US economy is in decent shape and the Federal Reserve's decision to raise the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 per cent, the second time in a decade, is a reflection of the confidence over the state of the world's biggest economy, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said. Her remarks came as the Federal Reserve increased its key interest rate for the first time in a year. "In doing so, my colleagues and I are recognising the considerable progress the economy has made towards our dual objectives of maximum employment and price stability. The committee judged that a modest increase in the federal funds rate is appropriate in light of the solid progress we have seen toward our goals of maximum employment and two per cent inflation," she said. "Our decision to raise rates should certainly be understood as a reflection of the confidence we have in the progress the economy has made and our judgement that progress will continue," she added.
This is only for the second time in a decade that the Federal Reserve has raised its rate. The other one was in December 2015. Asked whether the president-elect Donald Trump's proposals influenced the decision, Yellen said there was some discussion in that respect. "Some of the participants but not all of the participants did incorporate some assumptions of the change in fiscal policy into their projections," she said at her quarterly news conference. "That may have been a factor that was one of several that occasioned these shifts." Trump had criticised Yellen on the campaign trail, claiming that she kept interest rates low in order to help the Obama administration. The billionaire-turned-politician plans to grow the economy through a surge in public spending. Yellen said economic growth has picked up since the middle of the year. Household spending continues to rise at a moderate pace, supported by income gains and by relatively high levels of con-
sumer sentiment and wealth. Business investment, however, remains soft despite some stabilisation in the energy sector, she said. "With the federal funds rate only modestly below the neutral rate, we continue to expect that gradual increases in the federal funds rate will likely be sufficient to get to a neutral policy stance over the next few years," Yellen said adding that this view is consistent with participants' projections of appropriate monetary policy. Responding to questions, Yellen emphasised that this is a very modest adjustment in the path of the federal funds rate, and involves changes by only, some of the participants. "So, in thinking about the paths and the revisions, there are a number of factors that were taken into account by participants. The unemployment rate is perhaps a touch lower than previously you have seen some modest downward revisions in that - in that projection. For this year, there was a slight upward revision to inflation," Yellen said. (Agencies)
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SPORTS Jr Asia Cup: India colts thrash Malaysia by 235 runs in opener
Abhishek Sharma PTI Colombo, Dec. 15: Talented Mumbai boy Prithvi Shaw hit 89 while skipper Abhishek Sharma produced an all-round performance as India U-19 trounced minnows Malaysia counterparts by 235 runs in the opening group league encounter of the Junior Asia Cup tournament in Colombo. Opting to bat, India U-19 scored 289 for 8 with opener Prithvi struck 12 boundaries and a six in 79 balls.
Malaysia were bundled out for 54 in 22.3 overs. Prithvi added 89 for the opening wicket with Himanshu Rana (31) and 74 for the third wicket with skipper Abhishek, who hit seven fours and a six for his 59 in 66 balls. Wicketkeeper-batsman Het Patel (58) and Rahul Chahar (34) added 70 runs for the seventh wicket. In reply, Malaysia were never in the match with
seamer Kamlesh Nagarkoti grabbing 4 for 12 in 7 overs. Skipper Sharma capped off a fine match taking 2 for 9 in 5 overs. Off-spinner Yash Thakur took 2 for 19 in five overs. Brief Scores: India: 289/8 (Prithvi Shaw 89, Abhishek Sharma 59, Het Patel 58) Malaysia: 54 in 22.3 overs (Kamlesh Nagarkoti 4/12, Abhishek Sharma 2/9). India U19 won by 235 runs.
Sports Minister keeps mum on SC's criticism of BCCI chief Thakur AGENCIES Mumbai, Dec. 15: Sports Minister Vijay Goel has refused to comment on the possibility of Supreme Court initiating contempt proceedings against BCCI President Anurag Thakur, saying that his ministry has nothing to do with the matter. "My ministry has nothing to do with the case at the Supreme Court relating to the BCCI and Lodha Committee. It is a matter between the BCCI and the Supreme Court. I have nothing to say on that," Goel said at
the sidelines of an event to train sportspersons on digital banking and use of mobile banking as a means of cashless transaction in New Delhi on Thursday. Goel was asked about his views in the wake of the Supreme Court holding both Thakur, also a BJP Member of Parliament, and BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke "prima facie" liable for contempt and perjury for not implementing Lodha Committee recommendations pertaining to reforms in cricket administration.
"We have formulated a Code of Conduct by all the sports federations and many of them have been following it. The Sports Ministry expects all the sports federations to follow this Code," he said without elaborating, when asked further on the SC coming down hard on Thakur on Thursday. Cricketers Unmukt Chand, Parvinder Awana, Deepak Hooda, Pawan Negi and wrestler Sandeep Tomar were among the sportspersons who were present at the event.
BCCI chief may have committed perjury, observes SC ANI New Delhi, Dec. 15: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman Anurag Thakur prima facie appears to have committed matter of perjury in relation to demanding an intervention via a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to sidestep the implementation of the Justice (Retd.) R M Lodha-led committee recommendations. The apex court, which is hearing the Lodha panel's third status report that asked for the removal of top brass of the BCCI, asked Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam whether Thakur committed perjury or not in the case. In reply, the Amicus Curiae revealed that the BCCI chief, in his affidavit submitted to the top court, had said that he sought Shashank Manohar's opinion as BCCI chairman, which was denied by the latter saying that it was asked in the ICC meeting. It should be noted that if Thakur is found to have committed perjury then he might land in jail. The three-member apex court-bench, headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, also asked the country's
Anurag Thakur cricket board to suggest if there is any name for post of administrator and also granted them oneweek time for the same. Meanwhile, the top court also reserved order on replacing BCCI top brass with a panel of administrators. The final order on Thakur's purported misdemeanour will now be taken on January 3 when the court returns after the winter break. Earlier in December, the BCCI had conducted a Special General Meeting (SGM) to discuss as to how they would respond to the Lodha committee's demands for radical changes in the Indian cricket board. Following the meeting, the BCCI's firm stance
Benzema, Ronaldo book Real's place in Club World Cup final
Missing nets not important‌people lost their lives: Alastair Cook Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Lucas Vazquez during their FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan on Thursday.
Missing nets not important‌people lost their lives: Alastair Cook
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PTI Chennai, Dec. 15: England captain Alastair Cook said missing his career's first prematch net session did not seem too important considering the sufferings that the people of city had to endure in the wake of Cyclone Vardah. The southern metropolis has been ravaged by the cyclone that left in its wake, large-scale destruction. The catastrophe did not spare the iconic Chepauk either. But fortunately the square and the outfield have not been damaged.
Training sessions were cancelled both the days before the Test owing to a wet ground, despite the stadium boasting of one of the best drainage systems in the country. "Cricket players face all kinds of situations. I think it is my 140th game, and I have never played in a game where we haven't had nets but sometimes you have to remember what happened in the cyclone, people lost their lives," said Cook on the eve of the fifth and final Test between India and England. "So, a nets session a day
before doesn't seem quite as important as what people have gone through. We are only driving from hotel to here, airport to hotel. Looking around, it is a reminder how lucky we are," he added. In their quest to get the venue ready in time, the ground staff were on Wednesday seen using burning coal to dry the pitch to be used for the match, which was rendered inconsequential after India wrapped up the five-Test series in the last match in Mumbai by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.
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Agencies Madrid, Dec. 15: Real Madrid booked their place in the Club World Cup final by beating Club America 2-0 on Thursday, although FIFA's new video technology was again the talking point after confusion reigned following Cristiano Ronaldo's injury time strike. Real will play Japanese champions Kashima Antlers in Sunday's final in Yokohama, looking to become world champions for the second time in three years and earn a record 21st international title. Karim Benzema's classy one touch finish put Real ahead in first half injury time, easing their nerves after they had struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes against the Mexican side. Newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo rounded off a far stronger performance from Real after the break with pow-
erful finish in the 93rd minute. The goal looked to have been ruled out as offside by Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres before, in consultation with the video referee, eventually giving the goal. Real initially struggled to break down the CONCACAF champions in a tight first half and the only opportunity before Benzema broke the deadlock was a Ronaldo header which struck the post. Zinedine Zidane's side took full control after the break and hit their opponents with frequent counter attacks. Benzema spurned a free header and Ronaldo saw his stinging effort repelled by goalkeeper Moises Munoz, while substitute Morata wasted a late chance to kill off the Mexicans before Ronaldo's late strike.
opposing Lodha panel recommendations continued, with Honorary Secretary Ajay Shirke revealing that the board members will abide by the decision they had taken during the first SGM on October 1. On October 1, the board had accepted many of the "significant recommendations" of the Lodha Committee, but excluded the important ones which have been a bone of contention between the cricket body and the Lodha Panel. The recommendations, which have still not been accepted by the 30-member committee, include one-state one-vote, age limit of 70 years, coolingoff period of three years which include the tenure
Ajay Shirke to meet the Lodha Committee within two weeks from the date of that order and submit an "affidavit of compliance", elaborating on the recommendations already implemented by the BCCI and what it had done to persuade the state associations to adopt the remaining recommendations. The three-member Lodha Committee was appointed by the Supreme Court after the 'conflict of interest' issue sparked a controversy in Indian cricket. The Lodha Committee, in of the administrators, its first status report subcontinue with the five-se- mitted to the apex court lectors and retaining the on September 28, had powers of the president asked for the removal of and secretary as per the the present set of BCCI earlier constitution of the office-bearers, to be replaced by a group of inboard. The cricket board has dependent administrators. consistently argued that In its third status report they have implemented submitted on November many of the Lodha 14, the committee altered Panel's recommendations the demand a bit, asking but their members have for the disqualification of problems in implementing office-bearers of the BCCI and all state assoonly some of them. On October 21, the top ciations, who become incourt passed an interim or- eligible as per the apex der asking the BCCI to court's July 18 order, and "cease and desist" from dis- the appointment of former bursing funds to state as- Union home secretary G sociations until the associa- K Pillai as "observer". tion gave a written resolu- The apex court-appointed tion that it would adopt all Lodha Committee had on the recommendations ap- January 4 recommended sweeping reforms and an proved by the court. The court also asked administrative shake-up in Thakur and secretary the troubled BCCI.
Profile of Indian football set for exponential rise: AIFF PTI Doha, Dec. 15: Hosting marquee tournaments such as the U-17 FIFA World Cup next year and possibly, its U20 version, in the near future will "exponentially enhance" the profile of football in India, feels AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. India's football-loving, urban youth will relish the prospect of a FIFA World Cup almost on their doorstep in Qatar, according to the All India Football Federation official. "Over the last few years, football has emerged as a popular sport for city-based youngsters and India's hosting of some key competitions in the years preceding the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will exponentially enhance the profile of the sport among them," Das was quoted as saying by 'www.sc.qa'. Das spoke on the sidelines of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)partnered Soccerex 2016 Asian Forum in the city. Das, who became the AIFF secretary in 2010 after serving as the chief financial officer of the International Cricket Council, added that the first ever FIFA World Cup in the Middle East can directly reap the benefits of its geographical proximity to the world's second most populous country. "The Honourable AIFF
President Praful Patel has expressed his interest in bidding for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, and chances are very high that India would host the tournament before Qatar hosts Asia's second ever World Cup," he said. "The potential hosting of the Under-20 World Cup will give India further impetus to ramp up football infrastructure and broaden grassroots initiatives such as Mission Eleven Million, which, in turn, will help to reinforce the new metropolitan football culture." Das added that the sport is fast gaining in popularity in the urban cities. "I-League champions and AFC Cup finalists Bengaluru FC have a huge fanbase that includes travelling support as well," he said. "The Indian Super League team from Chennai, Chennaiyin FC, has consistently had attendances of over 20,000 across all three seasons of the league. Delhi Dynamos have had reasonable crowds this year and Mumbai City FC has had capacity turnout in their new stadium. "A substantial number of these new fans are the urban youth and they are a peaceful, fun-loving audience, with women accounting for nearly 50 percent. The emerging urban Indian football demography therefore fits
in nicely with the family-oriented Middle East World Cup that is being envisaged in 2022." Das is confident that the recent strides made on the pitch, such as Bengaluru FC reaching the 2016 AFC Cup final and the national team's creditable performances at the AFC U-16 Championship in Goa in September, will help popularise Indian football further. Das said that the 2022 World Cup will be the culmination of urban India's changing public perception of the sport. "In Mexico 1970, when I was 10, there was no television and I listened to a live radio broadcast in Spanish of Pele playing against Italy in the final and could understand only when the commentators shouted 'goal'. "In Mexico 1986, some of my friends watched the magic of Maradona on colour television as 10-year-olds, but watching the greats live in the stadium was a distant dream. "However, for Indian k i d s born in 2012, watching Neymar in 2022 will be almost like travelling from one Indian city to another. Living in one of the fastest growing major economies of the world, their parents will have the disposable income to travel to Qatar and the Middle East, a region with many similar cultural traits."
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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
P12 Kohli plays down team's success, Sonowal Kachari looks at next 7-8 years beat Singlijan 4-1, Khowang FC win
Kohli plays down team's success, looks at next 7-8 years PTI Chennai, Dec. 15: The top-ranked Indian Test team is on a roll having triumphed in five straight series under Virat Kohli but the captain insists his side will have to keep winning consistently for the next 7-8 years to leave a mark on the world stage. With the win in the Mumbai Test, the Kohliled team secured the fivematch series against England and the emphatic performance came after India got the better of New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the previous rubbers. Asked about the air of invincibility surrounding the team ahead of the fifth Test starting tomorrow, Kohli replied in the negative. "Not really, we still understand we have got to play a lot of cricket everywhere in the world. It's not only about this one period we are going through," said Kohli. "It (the phase) looks really good because we have come out of transition and immediately started winning games. But I wouldn't take this as overconfidence. "As I said, it's an ongoing process which needs to be sustained for the next fiveseven or eight years for us
to become a top quality side and leave a mark on world cricket; maybe known as one of the best teams to have assembled on the field." Kohli asserted that focus is on doing well in all formats and not just Tests. "We want to do it across formats and make that mark for Indian cricket on the world stage. But it requires a lot of persistence and skill, lot of hard work on your fitness and those are the key factors which will decide where we go as a unit. "We don't feel invincible to be honest, we respect every opposition, we admit every time we are put under pressure, and we know teams are going to put us under pressure. We appreciate that, we accept that and we try to find a way out of it. "I think that's been the key for us and as I said it's a process that should go on for another seven-eight years," said the skipper, who has played an important role in the team's success. Talking about the dead rubber beginning tomorrow, Kohli said the match remains an important one for the hosts. "I don't think we are looking at a collective series as 4-0. For us every game is separate from the other
and the intensity and the motivation to win a Test match remains the same, whether we have won the series or haven't won the series, or it's drawn. "We are not looking at a scoreline as such. We just want to continue what we have been doing. It takes a lot of hard work to win a Test match and to put a number to it, I think it would be unfair to the players and the series as well," Kohli added. The Indian spinners led by Ravichandran Ashwin have not just delivered with the ball but have also made valuable contributions with the bat, allowing Kohli to play five specialist batsmen and as many bowlers. In the media interaction, Kohli again showered praise on Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and rookie Jayant Yadav, who scored a hundred in Mumbai batting at number nine. "Their contributions with the bat have been outstanding. Hasn't taken much from me at all to motivate them. I think Ashwin has set a benchmark for the other spinners to contribute with the bat as well. "Jadeja has come of age with the bat in this series, we saw his knock in Mohali, where he went out with lot of confidence and
scored 90 runs for us. Jayant Yadav as well. He gets inspired seeing Ashwin the way he improves his cricket every time. Jayant always has been a keen learner. "All the fast bowlers as well. Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh (Yadav) have become so much better with the bat and they understand the importance of those runs. "So as a captain it gives you more freedom to play five batsmen rather than thinking of another batsman when your bowlers contribute 120-130 runs in every game for you," said Kohli. Kohli said Jayant's approach reminded him of the great England spinner Graeme Swann. "Jayant, what he has done, he has come in and has his plans. Has a lot of control as well and he rushes the batsman. If you saw the way he got his wickets in Vizag he rushed Stokes, in Mohali he rushed Root where he got LBW. "So he doesn't give much time to react after the ball has pitched and he has those revs on the ball and the strength in his shoulder to keep pitching the ball in the right areas and not give you too much. I think Graeme Swann was very similar, the way he bowled.
"The pace control was magnificent without giving the ball too much air and that's why he was so successful. That's what I see with Jayant as well. "So as a captain I know that the third bowler is one against whom the batsmen cannot independently go after and that brings him into the game at any stage whenever you want a wicket, Jayant is always there on the spot, making things happen and creating doubt in the batsman's head," said the star batsman who himself has been in top form in the series amassing 640 runs in four games. Kohli's knock of 235 at Wankhede was a treat to watch as he piled on the runs without taking any risk. He hit only a single six in the 511-ball innings. Kohli said he did not feel the need to play aerial strokes. "It has been a conscious effort (to curb the six hitting instinct). Many times I felt like I can go after the spinners but I understand that I need to go in that extra hour or two hours for the team. I don't feel the necessity to hit sixes, it is just an excitement of the batsman crossing 150, 160, you feel like expressing yourself. "But then I realise that if I am scoring at 3 or 4 an over without trying to hit the boundary, I can rotate strike and do that for the team. I don't necessarily need to take that big risk at any stage and cost the team some momentum," he said further. Kohli also praised the opposition players especially Joe Root, who is tipped to replace Alastair Cook as England captain. He, in fact, backed Root for the captaincy job. "Joe is an outstanding p l a y e r. I h a v e b e e n very fond of the player and the way he goes about things, he is very positive, always thinks of any situation as an o p p o r t u n i t y. I d o n ' t know what captaincy would do to that (approach).
Viswanathan Anand draws with Wesley So in London Chess Classic PTI London, Dec. 15: Former world champion Viswanathan Anand used a cracker of a Novelty to hold Wesley So of United States to an easy draw as black in the fifth round of London Chess Classic. It was a striking new idea by Anand that caught Wesley So completely off guard and the American took a safer route to equality rather than test the Indian in any complex variations. After a rather busy two days, the next three rounds have produced an identical one decisive game and the winner in the fifth round was local favourite Michael Adams, who outwitted Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria. In other games yesterday, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia came up with a sen-
sational stalemating idea to hold Hikaru Nakamura of United States while Naka's compatriot Fabiano Caruana came close but not enough in his draw with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France. Armenian Levon Aronian was in a slight trouble but came out unscathed against Anish Giri of Holland. Going in to the only rest day of this super tournament, Wesley maintained his slender half point lead on 3.5 points out of a possible five. Just a half point behind are Kramnik, Nakamura, Aronian and Caruana while Anand remained joint sixth along with Giri on 2.5 points while Vachier-Lagrave and Adams share the eighth spot on two points apiece. A luckless Topalov is in last spot with
Former world champion Viswanathan Anand four losses and a solitary draw so far in the tournament. Anand's super idea was celebrated with an applause as he explained, "When my second showed me this move I had to do a double take
to see it was legal." It was a Queen's gambit declined wherein Wesley admitted he was taken aback by Anand's startling piece sacrifice. "When you are out-prepared, you have two choices: either go all out
or play quietly," was how Wesley summed up his response as Anand was nicknamed the age-less wonder by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley in the commentary room. In the next round, Anand will have white pieces against Anish Giri after the rest day and the Indian ace is expected to come all guns blazing. Giri has drawn all his games so far in the tournament. Results round 4: Wesley So (Usa, 3.5) drew with V Anand (Ind, 2.5); Michael Adams (Eng, 2) beat Veselin Topalov (Bul, 0.5); Levon Aronian (Arm, 3) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 2.5); Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 3) drew with Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 3); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 2); drew with Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 3).
A moment of the match between Khownag FC(red) and Jokai Rupjyoti Sangha on Thursday. Pic: Manoj Pandey Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec. 15: Sonowal Kacharai Autonomous Council Football Academy and Khowang Football Club registered victory in their respective matches of the 13thJintu Gogoi memorial football tournament organized by Dao Division in association with Dibrugarh District Sports Association at Chowkidinghee playground here today. In the first match, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Foot-
ball Academy thrashed Singlijan Tea estate 4-1. Gunjan Saikia opened the floodgates for SKACFA in the 4th minute through a pass from the left flank. Gunjan scored his second salvo in the 20th minute. Debraj Jamitia scored the third goal in the 53rd minute and the fourth goal was strike by Manjit Tigia in the 60th minute. In another match, Khowang Football Club beat Jokai Rupjyoti Sangha 3-0. Striker Gunjan Konwar scored the open-
ing goal for Khowang FC in the 26th minute. Eklabia Sonowal scored the second goal through a conversion fro0m the right flank in the 59th minute. Jiten Karmakar scored the third salvo in the 79th minute. Manjit Chetri of Khowang FC was showed yellow card. Tomorrow, Tamulbari Football Club will play Cricket Club of Dibrugarh while 17 Garhwal Rifles will lock horn with Dibrugarh Railway Divisional Sports Club.
Vijender Singh goes from strength to strength before title defence
Vijender Singh goes from strength to strength before title defence PTI New Delhi, Dec. 15: Confident but not complacent ahead of his WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title defence this Saturday, Indian boxing star Vijender Singh has been working with a strength coach John Joyce - to prepare for the face-off against former world champion Francis Cheka. Vijender will take on Tanzanian Cheka in a 10round contest in a fight night which will feature five undercard bouts. "Joyce has been working with me for over month and a half. He helps us out in training because a 10round contest requires immense physical fitness," Vijender told PTI. Vijender's British trainer Lee Beard revealed that Joyce has had the experience of working with even football players back in UK. "He is a professional coach and has worked with professional Premier
League soccer players and other professional boxers. He has been a great addition to the training camp and has plenty of experience to offer," Beard said. Vijender kicked off the year with a third round stoppage win over Hungarian Alexander Horvath at Liverpool's Echo Arena before claiming another knockout win over experienced Frenchman Matiouze Royer at London's Copper Box Arena. He earned his first professional title in the WBO Asia Pacific SuperMiddleweight Championship against Australia's Kerry Hope in July and entered the WBO World rankings in 10th place. The undefeated Vijender has a 7-0 record so far. Cheka, on the other hand, is a veteran of 43 fights with 32 wins including 17 KO's. In a career spanning close to 17 years, he has tested himself against top Super-
Middleweight talent including former WBA World Champion Fedor Chudinov and three-time World title challenger Mathew Macklin. "Cheka is a highly-experienced boxer, he has many bouts under his belt but I am the younger, stronger and hungrier fighter," said Vijender of his opponent. "I am confident of getting another win, I feel my stance is becoming better with every training session and on top of that I feel more powerful than ever. On December 17 you will all see the results of the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes. "This is my title and I'll be protecting it with pride. The support that I receive both here in the UK and back home in India is overwhelming. I'll pay back everyone's support and retain my title for the people of India!" he added.
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