Saturday, 17 dc 2016 by THE EASTERN TODAY

facebook.com/easterntoday

@easterntoday

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

cmyk

www.eastern-today.com

Classified at Rs: 10/- per word

Call Jutish Kamal : 9863941475 Gourav : 8399934707

ASSENG/2015/64205

Ashok : 9706289816

Vol. II

KODAK HAS LAUNCHED THE ULTIMATE PHONE FOR CAMERA OBSESSIVES ET CAPSULES

Bangladesh celebrates 1971 liberation war victory Dhaka, : Bangladesh today celebrated the 44th anniversary of its victory against Pakistan in the liberation war with India's support.

Issue 148

Dibrugarh, Saturday, December 17, 2016

7th CPC implementation: impetus for greater work culture in offices

Price -

P10

OHC declared cleanest ward in Kohima town Kohima : Officers' Hill Colony (OHC) was declared as the cleanest ward in Kohima town this afternoon during the pre-Christmas celebration cum annual wards/shops felicitation program organized by the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) at the KMC conference hall.

Pages- 12

PAGE 12

Day 1: Moeen Ali leads England to 284/4

P12

Slow delivery of raw materials delays first phase of SARDP-NE road construction at Roing

Several men with machineries were seen mending the road day and night perhaps to please the CM.

Bishnu Rana Roing, Dec 16

Opp against antigraft effort, party above nation for Cong: PM

5.00

CM’s visit for ‘ Judima Festival’ a boon for Haflong Correspondent, Haflong, Dec 16 While offering heartfelt welcome the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal , who is coming to Haflong to attend the 2nd edition of Judima Festival as the Chief Guest on December 18th, the conscious citizens of Haflong termed the visit of CM as the boon for the people as it prompted the several departments to give a fillip to

the Queen Town Haflong. The road of the HQ of Dima Hasao were in a dilapidated condition since long, but the proposed visit of CM prompted the Public Works Department to mend the road from helipad the venue of festival a stretch of only 4 km . Several men with machineries were seen mending the road day and night perhaps to please the CM. The people were of the opinion that visits of by VVIPs or VIPs from the

Centre or the State should be more frequent so that department are encouraged in the development of the district. It is alleged that the people of Haflong had been approaching the concered authorities with the appeal to develop the road communication since communication has been playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the society. They were suffering a lot for the lack of good roads since long however

the visit of CM has compelled the concerned authority at least to mend the roads of Haflong, though it is being temporarily. A senior citizen of Haflong who did not want to be named said we are really happy that our Chief Minister has given his consent to attend the 2nd edition of Judima Fest on 18th as the Chief Guest at Haflong which has revoked the work culture in several departments. We should invite more VVIPs and VIPs from mainland on various occasions.

Road connectivity in North East is being given special thrust with the exclusive Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE) by the Central government, covering all the eight states in the region. The first phase of the road from Meka up to 16 Km point at Roing – Hunli road is being carried in full swing by 752 BRTF Roing. The road is proposed to be linked Anini headquarter of Dibang Valley a border district covering a distance of 200 Km deviating from the existing Roing- Hunli road. In the first phase of SARDP – NE connecting from Meka to Deopani River point of 5 Km, the BRTF has been finding tough time to complete its target in time due to M/S Sanjeev Kumar Agarwal’s sluggish means of delivering crushed chips materials.

The road is proposed to be linked Anini headquarter of Dibang Valley a border district covering a distance of 200 Km deviating from the existing Roing- Hunli road. “Under the Private Party Partnership (PPP), the central govt. involved private party to ensured quality and pace of the work however it failed miserably to furnish the required material in time resulting delay to complete the work. We have served several reminders to the firm to provide adequate materials in time regrettably the firm has already handed over the supply

work in sub contact to local contractor creating unnecessary hitches in completing work”, rues GK Rasikan Officer – in Charge 752 BRTF. He further committed to pursue the contractor to deliver adeqaute materials in time in order to accelerate the pace of work to avoid inconvenient being faced by the public of the Township.

Lakhimpur Milk Development Office under scanner with corruption charges; 40 lakhs siphoned off

P5 Nagaland Governor condemns ambush carried out by unknown miscreants

No official estimation of black money before or after demonetisation implementation: FM Arun Jaitley New Delhi, Dec 16: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the implementation of the demonetisation policy, had taken a major step to curb the flow of blackmoney in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, today asserted that there is no official estimation of black money either before or after the announcement of the antigraft policy, following which there had been a ban on currency notes of the denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

50,000 people still trapped in eastern Aleppo: UN envoy Paris : Around 50,000 people, the majority civilians, were still trapped in eastern Aleppo even as an evacuation deal was under way, the UN peace envoy for Syria and French foreign minister said on Thursday.

cmyk

P10

Addressing the Press Conference, Nitul Medhi, the President of Lakhimpur District body of the Anusuchit Jati Yuba Chatra Santha(AJYCS) told that the alleged scam had taken place in the Lakhimpur District Milk Development Office ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Dec 16 In what appears of an apparent case of corruption at the organisational level, a huge misappropriation of fund meant for Lakhimpur District Milk Development Office has been unearthed. According to the revelations revealed, thanks to RTI complaint approximately a tune of more than 40 lakhs rupees was siphoned off by the Lakhimpur District Milk Development Office. Addressing the Press Conference, Nitul Medhi, the President of Lakhimpur District body of the Anusuchit Jati Yuba Chatra Santha(AJYCS) told that the alleged scam had taken place in the Lakhimpur District Milk

Development Office in the name of building cowshed under Milk Village Scheme. According to his information, an amount of Rs. 40,00000 was allotted to the Office under the said scheme to enhance the milk production in the villages in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Dhakuakhona. The fund was meant for the stakeholders of Schedule Caste comprising a Self Help Group. As per complaint, the concerned Office released 3,48,300 rupees to Prayash SHG of Harmoti out of Rs.10,00000 which was allotted allotted to Lakhimpur. Similarly, Same amount out of Rs. 10,00000 was released to a nameless SHG of Dhakuakhona. Out of Rs. 10,00000 allotted to Dhemaji Sub-Division

3,48,300 rupees was given to Naba Prabhat SHG of Auniati Gaon under Bordoloni. "But when investigated by the activists of our organisation, the members of the SHG f Dhakuakhona and Harmoti denied of getting a single penny of the fund. “They even didn't apply for the scheme," said Nitul Medhi in the Press Conference. "Mintu Das, Bobita Das, Bishnu Das, Jitu Mala, Dipak Hajarika, Bhodro Das and Gonesh Das who were shown as the member of the nameless SHG of Ghilamora Bato Mari Puthi khati village of Dhakuakhona told that Madhab Saikia, Contd. on Page 3

Assam Sahitya Sabha Row

Open Meeting Held; Presses for immediate sacking of Paramananda Rajbonshi ET Correspondent Jorhat, 16 DEC: An open meeting was held in Jorhat Mukti Jujaru Bhaban by citizens of Jorhat in order to arrive at conclusions revolving around Paramananda Rajbonshi on Friday. Manik Saikia, former

Assistant General Secretary of Jorhat District Sahitya Sabha branch was in attendance. Many noted literally person and other people are also present in the meeting. "The reputation of an apex literary organisation of Assam has been hit to a rock bottom low due to involvement of people

like Paramananda Rajbonshi," said in his speech by Dr. Prashanta Kumar Boruah, President of Kenduguri Branch Sahitya Sabha. Expressing anguish over the row, Bhaba Chetia, a senior citizen of Jorhat stated that, Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

ImphaL : Dr Najma Heptulla has strongly condemned the ambush carried out by unknown miscreants at Lokchao and Thamnapokpi in Chandel district today where three police personel were killed and 11 others injured.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

P2 Kishan Mela at Haflong inaugurated

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!

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.

AJYCP asked Margherita Administration to take action against illegal gutkha traders; warns of more agitation if demands not met Mithun Baruah Margherita, 16 DEC: Activists of Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad Margherita Regional Committee today burnt gutkha and other tobacco Products worth Rs 10,000 at Margherita NH 38. “We have given 72 hours Ultimatum to Margherita Administration and Margherita Police to take strict action against the illegal Gutkha Traders of Margherita Region but till today both Margherita Administration and Margherita Police are in deep slumber,” Kanchan Bora

General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee opined. “Many Gutkha traders of Margherita Region such as Mona,Anup, Ganga Bishnu,BNB and many other have an unholy nexus with Margherita Administration and Margherita Police where huge amounts of Commission is given to Margherita Administration and Margherita Police by the Gutkha traders of Margherita Region,” alleged Kanchan Bora. Conveying stern message to the Margherita Administration and

Margherita Police, General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee warned if they do not take any strict action against the illegal Gutkha and Tobacco traders of Margherita region than AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee shall intensify more agitational programme at Margherita. On a serious note, Kanchan Bora made it clear if any untoward incident occurred during the agitational programme than Margherita Administration and Margherita Police shall be responsible for it.

Golaghat District Journalists’ Association Executive Meeting to be held on Dec. 18 Amit Nagori Golaghat, Dec16: The Executive Meeting of Golaghat District Journalists’ Association will be held on December 18 at Rengma Simanta ME School premises in Uriamghat of Assam - Nagaland Border. An

interactive session will be held with the public living in the border area to review the problems and sufferings they face during border dispute after the Executive Meeting. Golaghat District Journalist Association President

Apurba Ballav Goswami and General Secretary Rohit Gogoi have req u est e d a l l t h e o ff i c i a l s and member journalists of Golaghat District Journalist Association to attend the meeting.

Rasabari Tourism Festival to commence on Dec. 28 MANOJ KUMAR OJHA DOOMDOOMA, DEC 16: The third edition of Rasabari Tourism Festival, which is also known locally as Rasabari Paryatan Mela 2016 is all set to commence from December 28 to 30 at Rasabari - Hahkhati near the Tarani Reserve Forest in Tinsukia district of upper Assam. The three-day festival will be organised by Rasabari

Gaon Yuvak Sangha in collaboration with several other organizations with an objective to promote tourism in the greater Phillobari and Burhidihing areas. Several cultural competitions, ethnic food fair, art and craft exhibition, trade fair, cultural programs and poets' meet are on the card during the tourism festival. The organizers revealed that Doomdooma

Press Club will be honoured with an award acknowledging the efforts of the Press Club for highlighting various socio-economic issues of the people residing in this belt. All the members of the club will also be felicitated on the occasion. Assam State Tourism Minister, Hemant Biswa Sarma is likely to grace the festival.

Veteran Citizen Dies Amit Nagori Golaghat, Dec16: A veteran citizen of Golaghat Bhudhar Saikia (82) died today at a private hospital in Golaghat after battling a prolonged illness. Bhudhar Saikia a

retired branch manager of LICI Golaghat Branch was associated with several social and cultural organizations. His death is deeply mourned by Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society, Nagarik Mancha,

Correspondent, Haflong Dec 16: The Chief Executive Member of N C Hills Autonomous Council, Debolal Gorlosa inaugurated the two-day Kishan Mela by lighting the lamp in presence of BJP District President Deben Thaosen, Executive Members, Subrata Thaosen, Niranjan Hojai, Debojit Bathari, Biswajit Daolagupu, Ihuing Pame along with departmental officials and farmers from the district on Friday. The two-day Kishan Mela was held with the aims to provide modern technological knowhow to the farmers of Dima Hasao district of Assam through seminar, FarmerScientist interaction and training to farmers. Apart from training etc. an exhibition was also organised where in farmers put up stalls to show case their products. The exhibition was also participated by Fisheries and Soil Conservation de-

partments. Executive Member Subrata Thaosen who is the in-charge of Agriculture in his presidential speech said the department of Agriculture in Dima Hasao has been doing a lot for the development local farmers and local produces which is considered to be organic and much sought for in other places. To enhance the life style as well as the products of the farmers, the NCHAC, Central govt and the state Govt is very much committed but at the same time farmers should also be cooperative while implementing the govt schemes. They should avail the opportunity in the fullest form. CEM Gorlosa while appreciating the EM Thaosen for his active efforts towards the development of agriculture in the district of Dima Hasao where most of the people are agriculturists but discouraged the jhumming practice and

encouraged to adopt new and modern technique to enhance their production. In his enlightened speech he appealed to the farmers to avail all these government schemes in meaningful way. He also mentioned PM Modi and other who are advocating creating North East an organic hub in which farmers of Dima Hasao could also participate as they are also having more potentialities. Earlier S. Thangew, Addl. Director of Agriculture, Dima Hasao explained the aims and objective while appealing to the farmers to be more active in enhancing the productivity adopting scientific methods. Er Faijul Islam, Executive Engineer, Agril, Dima Hasao offered heartfelt thanks to all the guests and media persons hoping all the possible cooperation from them in future also. All the guests were felicitated with traditional gamosa and flower bouquet

Health-cum-Awareness on HIV/AIDS camp held

Mithun Baruah Margherita, 16 DEC: A free health-cum-awareGolaghat District Journalist Asso- ness camp on HIV/ ciation, Golaghat Press Club, AIDS and Sexually Chandan Nagar Naamghar and Transmitted Diseases several others. Bhudhar Saikia is (STDs) was today held at survived by his wife, a son and two HB Bricks Field Makum. daughters. The health camp was organised by Sanjeevani VHOP-104,Hapjan

Block PHC and Guide NGO. More than 120 people came for the free health camp. 5 peopleo who were suspected of TB were referred to Tinsukia Civil Hospital and 40 People were referred to ICTC Centre Tinsukia Civil Hospital for HIV testing. Dipti

Moni Das Area Manager of PSMRI-104 Tinsukia,Prakash Sharma Project Manager Guide NGO,Gautam Phukan ORW 3 Guide,Ripumoni Bhuyan OR11 Guide and the Field Staff of HB Brick Fields Makum were present at the Free Health Cum Awareness Camp.

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.

Congress leader and president of Assam Carrom Association Rakibul Hussain inaugurating the 22nd Assam Senior Inter-District Carrom Championship (Men & Women) with Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan at Govt Boys' HS School in Dibrugarh on Friday. Photo by Manoj Pandey Dibrugarh

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

CM Khandu briefed on Airtel’s rollout plan in Arunachal Pradesh ET Bureau, ITANAGAR, Dec16: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today met Sameer Anjaria, CEO, Airtel North Eastern States and Assam. Anjaria briefed the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the company’s telecom network rollout across the State under “Project Leap” – Airtel’s national network transformation initiative. CEO Airtel North East informed CM that Airtel is committed to expand telecom network in Arunachal Pradesh and therefore continuous efforts is being made. “Over the last 12 months, we have brought much needed mobile connectivity to many towns and villages in Arunachal, aiding the overall economic development of the state” he added. He requested Government of Arunachal Pradesh’s support to enable the requisite policy framework for the growth of telecom services in the

state. The team from Airtel also apprised the Hon’ble Chief Minister of the challenges in expanding the mobile network in remote parts of the State and his support and guidance was sought. Airtel is the largest mobile operator in Arunachal

Pradesh and its network covers close to 60% of the State’s population. It offers 2G/3G/4G mobile services to customers in the State and is deploying infrastructure to expand its network further, thereby, contributing to telecom connectivity in the State.

After giving a patient hearing, CM Khandu assured all possible support to the telecom giant to expand its reach in the state. He congratulated Airtel for their dedicated service and called for connecting to every nook and corner of the state.

Earlier in November 2015, Airtel launched its Rs. 60,000 crore network transformation and expansion program ‘Project Leap’ aimed at perceptibly improving network quality and delivering the best customer experience across India.

Parliamentary Secretary Indian Army conducts Siang Adventure – cum – Cultural Festival at Yingkiong Phosum inspects series of projects at Changlang

ET Bureau, YINGKIONG, Dec 16: Indian Army has organized ‘Siang Adventure- cum – Cultural Festival’ at Yingkiong, Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh from 09 Dec to 17 Dec 2016.Prior to commencement of the festival; a need was felt to provide a face-lift to Yingkiong Town. The Army proposed to conduct a ‘Swachchta Abhiyan’ as a joint effort between Army and the locals. The proposal was accepted by the District Administration. The proposal also received a positive response from num-

ber of civ officials, public ldrs and others during a coord meeting held at the DC office on 06 Dec 2016. Accordingly ‘Swachchta Abhiyan’ was conducted on 07 Dec 2016 at Yingkiong. The ‘Swachchta Abhiyan’ received a large support as around 130 locals including civil officials and local public alongwith 150 Army personnnel attended the drive from 0700h to 0900h. Main emphasis was given to areas of Upper and Lower Market, Football Ground and Community Hall, where activities related to ‘Siang Adventure – cum – Cultural

Lakhimpur Milk Development Office under scanner with corruption charges; 40 lakhs siphoned off Contd. from Page 1 the PA to former Dhemaji MLA Sumitra Patir took two signatures from each of them on blank papers in order to apply for the scheme. But Madhab Saikia had informed them nothing about the release of the fund thereafter. So they also denied of availing or applying for the fund,"Medhi added. On the other hand, Naba Prabhat SHG admitted to have applied for the fund, the members of the SHG are from the same family. Subsequently, Anusuchit Jati

Yuba Chatra Santha(AJYCS) filed an FIR against Monojit Duwarah, the Assistant Milk Development Officer terming him the mastermind of the corruption. Moreover, they raised a complaint that the officer did not provide the information on the utilization of Rs.10,00000 out of Rs. 40,00000 which was allegedly defalcated by him. Anusuchit Jati Yuba Chatra Santha(AJYCS) demanded the intervention of CM Sarbananda Sonowal on this alleged corruption charge against Lakhimpur Milk Development Office.

Open Meeting Held; Presses for immediate sacking of Paramananda Rajbonshi Contd. from Page 1 all the members of Assam Sahitya Sabha dance to the tune of Rajbongshi. Former Chief Election officer Iswar Prasad Borthakur said that the manner in which Rajbongshi was elected as Chief Secretary is unjust. He also stated that around 75 percent of Assam Sahitya Sabha's members are of Paramananda’s company. The open meeting made some demands. it called for immediate sacking of Paramananda

Rajbongshi from the post of Chief Secretary of Assam Sahitya Sabha. Secondly along with Rajbongshi the working committee should be dissolved and a new committee should be formed. Thirdly, if these two demands are not fulfilled before the centennial celebration than an appeal will be made to all the twenty two former secretary of Sahitya Sabha to filed a case in the High Court. Fourthly, Jorhat District Branch must act tough like Sivsagar branch while taking action against Rajbonshi

Festival 2016-17’ and ‘Army Adventure Challenge Cup 2016-17’ have been planned. Drawing Competition was conducted for school children of all age group on 09 Dec. Competition was conducted at Government Higher Secondary School, Yingkiong in two categories, namely Senior Group (Class 9th to Class 12th) and Junior Group (Class 8th and below). Results of the competition will be declared on 21st Dec 2016 during closing ceremony of Siang Adventure-CumCultural Festival 2016. Winners will be awarded with attractive

prizes.Biathlon Competition was conducted on 1011 December 2016 at Yingkiong. The event included 5 km of cycling followed by 5 km running. Children of minimum 15 years of age were allowed to participate in the competition. The Football Tournament commenced on 10 December 2016. The tournament is being conducted on knockout basis with a total of eight teams participating in quarterfinals. The inaugural match was played between RISING STARS SIMONG and YOUNG RISING CLUB, YINGKIONG with RISING STARS SIMONG

winning the match with the score of 2-0. On 11 December 2016, two matches were played. The first match between Government Higher Secondary School and Yingkiong FC was won by Yingkiong FC with the scoreline of 7-0. Second match between Avenger FC And Palling FC was won by PALLING FC with 5-4 penalty shootouts. On 12 December 2016, ‘Run for Fun’ held at 0700h. The event was open for all. Large number of locals participated with enthusiasm. Also, last quarterfinal will be played between United Simong and Friendship United.

Coordination meeting for Art and Culture Officers held; setting of Model Culture to boost cultural tourism proposed ET Bureau NAHARLAGUN, DEC 16: A Coordination meeting for Art and Culture Officers under Government of Arunachal Pradesh was conducted at the conference Hall of Chandni Hotel Naharlagun on 16/12/2016. It was attended by the Hon’ble Parliamentary Secretary (Art & Culture) Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Dikto Yekar. It was chaired by Nyabin Ete APCS(AG) Director of Art and Culture Government of Arunachal Pradesh . The Parliamentary Secretary (Art & Culture) in his address said that the pay enhancement of DACO’s and AACO’s to be sympathetically taken up at the highest level. He also assured to take up the procurement of vehicles for all the districts from the highest level. Proper

guidelines for community halls, Festival Grants to be formulated by the government. He also exhorted all the officers to work sincerely and dedicatedly so that “loss of culture is loss of identity” is preserved for which the department was created. The Director, Nyabin Ete highlighted the aim and object of the Coordination meeting. He informed that the government has proposed setting up of Model Culture villages in each district to boost cultural Tourism; Proper record keeping with documentation of the cultural activities of their respective districts and to organise state level folk dance festival at Itanagar. He further informed that district level committee under Deputy Commissioner with DACO as four Executive agencies to be

Constituted to scrutinize and select Community halls to be forwarded to the State level Committee head by Secretary (CA) as Chairman Director (Art &Culture) as member Secretary, DIPR as member along with Chief Engineer as member will be constituted to finally select community halls for grant of Financial assistance. J. Siram Jt. Director(Art & Culture), T. Dupit Assistant Director(Art &Culture), Tanya Siga DACO, Daporijo, Augusti Jamoh, DACO Pasighat, Sri Donik Lamang, AA&CO Kraa Daadi, Ajay Sidasow I/C DACO Bomdila also participated in the technical session. S. Mam DACO(HQ) submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble Parliamentary Secretary(Art &Culture) on the occasion.

ET Bureau CHANGLANG, Dec 16: Parliamentary Secretary (Hydro-Power) Phosum Khimhun inspected the ongoing construction works of EAC Office, Khimyang being implemented by the Department of PWD, Changlang on Thursday. He examined the work qualities being maintained by the executing department and expressed his satisfaction over the progress of the work. Hoping that all the construction works will be finished by the month February 2017 the Parliamentary Secretary urged all the

Officers and Officials posted against the Circle to shift and station at Khimyang as soon as the construction works are finished who are presently camping at Changlang Dist Headquarters. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Parliamentary Secretary inspected PWD road connecting remote Songkhuhavi village located near Myanmar Border with Khimyang EAC Headquarters which was completed in all respects recently. In a brief meeting Shri Phosum interacted with the villagers assured to attend to their griev-

ances appraised before him by the villagers. Phosum also visited the proposed site for TaritTara MHS (1.75 MW) under Khimyang circle which will be coming up soon. He also inspected work qualities and progress of the under construction VIP Suite near Khimyang inspection bungalow being executed by PWD under SIDF. The parliamentary Secretary was accompanied by ZPM, ASMs, Khimyang CO, HOOs of PWD, Power Department and Hydro-Power Department.

N. K. DESIGN & PRINTERS OFFICE: Sharda Complex, New Market, Tinsukia (Assam)

8811073544, 7002514537 E-mail: ntdptsk1996@gmail.com I Website: www.nkdesign.weebly.com

Designing, Paper Printing Works, Advertising, Flex Banner, Sign Board, Photography, Photo editing, Graphic Design, Pre–Ink Stamp, Self–Ink Stamp School Projects, Carry bag Printing, Visiting Card Wedding Card, New Year Card & Calender Diary, Key Ring, Name Plate & Many More

SPECIALIST IN : ID – CARD, SMART CARD, BADGES.

KHALSA TRADERS OFFICE : Sharda Complex, New Market, Tinsukia (Assam) H.O. : Bholanath Nagar, Tezab Mill Shahadra, Delhi – 32

08285654314 E-mail : kskanna4@gmail.com Mfg. Of: School Uniform, T. Shirt Tie, Belt, Sweater, Blazer Badge, School Bag, Coat, Track Suit, Shocks, School Shoe Medals & Many More School Items…

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Skill trainees graduates given send-off with pre- Christmas celebration at DBSTI

ASSAM STATE BODY BUILDING CHAMPION

Correspondent, Tezpur, Dec 16: A graduation programme for the last batch of the skill trainees was held at DBSTI on Thursday evening. The graduation programme also coincided with pre-Christmas celebration for the skill trainees. The colorful programme began with a skit on the nativity of Jesus Christ enacted by the trainees. The Director of the Institute father Cletus welcomed the guests. In his welcome address he said that the institute in its second year of existence has made great achievement by imparting skill training to more than 2000 deprived and underprivileged youngsters. He added that the mission of the institution is to give the

best to the least and make them the best. It is to be stated here that the Institution came into being in 2014 at Dekargaon near here has been imparting training on skill development like Tourism, Spoken English, Para-Nursing, Hospitality, Computer, Music (guitar, drum etc.) besides Primary Teachers’ training and Tailoring to the school dropout and disadvantaged children coming from across the state since its inception. Placement officer of the institute, Pranjal Bhattacharya stated that till date six batches comprising 2000 trainees have graduated from the institute and they have been engaged in various fields. The Chief Guest of the occasion Dr. Joysankar

Hazarika, the principal of the Darrang College Tezpur congratulated the trainees for acquiring the skills to face the future. He stressed need for targeting the underprivileged to bring them to the streamline. Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo, the bishop of Tezpur diocese in his Christmas message highlighted the coming of Jesus as the best for the least. He invited everyone to follow Jesus’ example to bring justice and equality in the society.Many eminent personalities from different walks of life were present in the occasion. President of Tezpur Medical association Dr. Lakheswar Bhuyan among others were also present in the programme. The carol singing enthralled the audience.

Karbi Anglong Distt. Excise Department comes down heavily Tarun Gogoi loses NSG cover, on illegal liquor business; raids will retain Z+ category security one more warehouse

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Prize Distribution Ceremony of 44th Assam State Body Building Championship 2016 in Guwahati.

NCC National Integration Camp will go on floors on December 19 at Tezpur University Correspondent, Tezpur, Dec 16: The National Cadet Corps (NCC), under the aegis of Group Headquarters, Tezpur is going to conduct a twelve-day National Integration Camp from December 19 in Tezpur University. Outlining the programme in a press meet held today at the office of the 5 Assam Battalion of NCC located at the Darrang College Campus here Commanding Officer, Major Aniruddha Bhuyan, informed that more than 600 cadets from across the nation will take part in the mega event. “A host of dignitaries includ-

ing Governor of Assam Banwarilal Purohit, Gajraj Corps Commander Lt. AS Bedi, Chief of Staff Major General K Ravi Prasad and the ADG of NER Directorate, Major Gen RGR Tiwari will grace the occasion.” Major Bhuyan said adding brigadier MS Jodha, Group Commander, NCC Group Headquarter (B) Tezpur will be the Camp Commandant of the National Integration Camp. During the programme e vents like Drill, Cultural, NIAP Debate Competition among other host of programmes will be organized with the motto “Unity in diversity”.

BSF apprehends cattle smuggler at the International Border ET Correspondent Guwahati, Dec 16: Troops of Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force apprehended one Indian cattle smuggler yesterday near the International Border under Dhubri District of Assam. The cattle smuggler identified as Amir Amja Molla, (22 yrs), S/o Ismail Molla, r/o Vill –Mollapara, PONilokhiya, PS- Sukhchar, District – South Salmara, (Assam) was apprehended by the troops of BOP M M Char, Ex-174 Bn. BSF while he was trying to smuggle the Cattle from

India to Bangladesh. Troops also seized 14 cattle heads & 0/1 Horse from his possession. He has been handed over to local police for further legal action. Besides, BSF troops of Guwahati Frontier also seized 136 cattle heads, having an apprx value of Rs.8,53,620 /and miscellaneous value Rs.1,61,585 /-, on the intervening night of 15/16 Dec 2016. BSF troops are always alert towards the issues of trans-border crimes and illegal infiltration and are making all endeavours to contain such trans-border crimes.

National Book Trust to host literary fest from January 28

Guwahati, 16 Dec: The National Book Trust (NBT) in association with the state publication board will jointly organize a first-ofits-kind literary festival in the region from January 28. The festival, titled Brahmaputra Literary Festival will see the participation of literary figures from the region and different parts of the country, upcoming and new talent, women litterateurs, and others. The festival will also rope in young and new writers

from other countries as well. The event aims to provide a platform to writers and bibliophiles, facilitate literary exchanges and encourage debate among writers from the northeast. The festival will also help foster an understanding among writers from the region, country and other countries. The first meeting of the organizing committee of the literary festival was headed by education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday.

ET Bureau Guwahati, 16 Dec: The Centre has withdrawn the National Security Guards (NSG) attached to former chief minister Tarun Gogoi with effect from Friday, six months after BJP dislodged Congress from power ending its 15-year unbroken rule. A source said the protection review group of the Centre recommended pulling out Gogoi's NSG cover in July but the approval of Union home minister Rajnath Singh was awaited. Every year the NSG cover for a protectee is reviewed by the protection review group. Depending on the threat perception, the security cover is extended or withdrawn. In the case of Gogoi, the withdrawal order does not mention reduction or withdrawal of the Z Plus level of security. A source said the threetime former chief minister will continue to remain in the Z Plus security level without NSG cover until the state security review coordination committee finds his threat perception has changed. Till then, Gogoi will have the state commandos guarding him as in the case of his successor Sarbananda Sonowal,

Gogoi said, “Only the genuinely displaced people will be rehabilitated

who is also in the Z Plus security level but is protected by state guards and not the NSG. The state government has already recommended NSG cover for Sonowal but the Centre is yet to approve of it. The octogenarian former chief minister was put in the Z Plus security category with NSG cover 10 years back after his threat perception was reported to have increased because of his tough stand against militant groups and jihadi elements. On Thursday, he said he was shocked by the Centre's decision. "The chief minister's office gave me a fax, sent from the NSG headquarters yesterday, saying the NSG men have been withdrawn. I am out of office but I am still active. Has my threat perception diminished in six months?" Gogoi asked. When he called up the DGP, he was told the po-

lice had no information. He alleged that the Centre has taken this decision arbitrarily without consulting the state police and local intelligence agencies. State additional DGP (special branch) Pallab Bhattacharya said, "We are writing to the home ministry for instructions. If the NSG cover has been withdrawn, the state police will provide security to the ex-CM." Gogoi's predecessor Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, continues to enjoy the Z Plus security after he was confronted with a similar situation in 2010 when the then UPA government decided to withdraw his NSG cover. Mahanta had cried foul saying the Congress wanted to restrict his movement ahead of the assembly election and put him in the risk of being eliminated. He moved the Gauhati high court, which ruled in his favour.

ET Correspondent Bokajan, December 14: It seems like the BIEO raid against duty free IMFL at Bokajan in Assam-Nagaland border has finally brought the district Excise Department under action. The otherwise oblivious Karbi Anglong district Excise officials with help of police team and local administration on Tuesday evening raided another warehouse stored with 11,000 cases of the same duty free illegal IMFL. The team also detected 6 trucks loaded with the same illegal liquor concealed at different parking lot along NH39 in AssamNagaland border today. It needs to be mentioned that the state excise department have collected revenue of Rs 790 crores in 2015-16 and is now expecting over 1000 crore revenue in the present fiscal year. The state ex-

cise department have detected pilferage of revenue in the Karbi Anglong district and hence the BIEO sleuths on December 10 and 11 raided as many as 7 private warehouses used for storing duty free IMFL to be sold in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The team seized over 15,000 cases of the illegally transported IMFL and detected major irregularities and severe tax evasion by a section of unscrupulous businessman involved in the liquor trade. The raid which was carried out in two different phase by the BIEO sleuths and the district excise officials, made a total seizure of over 40,000 cases of the illegally transported liquor estimated to be over Rs. 6 crores in value.

that these corrupt practices have been carried out by greasing the palms of the corrupt officials which have in turn caused a severe loss of revenue to the state exchequer. They are of the opinion that an enquiry be constituted and those found hand-in-glove be booked under section of law.

Meanwhile, in another significant development, the state excise minister has temporarily suspended the license of 9 bonded warehouses including the ANR Bonded Warehouse of Bokajan owned by Mool Singh Rathore. Sources in the department states that Rathore has an overall outstanding arrear levy of over 20 crores and he is also the owner of Friends Bonded WareThere has been a con- house and Friends Disstant murmur amongst tillery here in Karbi the concerned citizens Anglong.

Poachers kill Kaziranga rhino

SOLAR-POWERED MOBILE ATM

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a solar-powered Mobile ATM of United Bank of India today at Assam Secretariat with an intention to help the common people.

Jorhat, 16 Dec: Poachers shot dead an adult male rhino near Tunikati anti-poaching camp in the Burapahar forest range of Kaziranga National Park late on Wednesday. Forest officials said poachers had fled with the animal's horn and tail before they could reach the spot. This is the second rhino

to be killed in the area in the past 28 days. The first was killed, but not de-horned, on November 16. Divisional forest officer (Kaziranga) Subhasis Das said, "Wednesday's incident took place at around 10.55 pm. Our staff found some empty shells and the live cartridge of an AK47 rifle

from the spot." He added, "The incident took place near the Moridifolu river, about 1.5 km from the highway inside the park. The poachers managed to escape by crossing the river." With this, the total number of rhinos killed by poachers in Kaziranga this year has gone up to 17. tnn

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

REST OF

OHC declared cleanest ward in Kohima town Kohima, Dec 16: Officers' Hill Colony (OHC) was declared as the cleanest ward in Kohima town this afternoon during the pre-Christmas celebration cum annual wards/shops felicitation program organized by the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) at the KMC conference hall. P.R Hill colony and and agri/forest colony was declared as second and third cleanest ward in Kohima. Commissioner and secretary of Home (RR & NSDMA) Khrienuo C. Metha who graced the occasion as chief guest lauded the winning wards for being able to inspire

OHC representatives with the cleanest ward awardees in Kohima. the residents and help them understand the importance of cleanliness. Metha also highlighted the KMC's effort to keep Kohima clean and noted

that the trash pickers were the unsung heroes in Kohima and said, they were the ones who came in trucks and picked the garbage and disposed

Garo Hills reels from Rs 500 currency shortage Tura, Dec 16: Christmas shopping has become much harder for the people of Garo Hills in the wake of a massive shortage of Rs 500 currency change as banks have been left with no option other than to hand out Rs 2000 currency notes as the smaller denomination failed to find room in the latest release of money by the Reserve Bank of India for Garo Hills region. The State Bank of India is now hoping against hope that the situation would normalise by next week when the new notes of Rs 50 and Rs 20 are released for Garo Hills. The hoarding of the new 500 currency notes by some traders and members of the public has resulted in the new denomination virtually disappearing from circulation. Angry customers could be found in almost all bank branches on Wednesday and Thursday as they were

able to withdraw only the 2000 currency notes from ATMs and bank counters. When contacted by The Shillong Times on Thursday the regional branch manager for Garo Hills acknowledged the gravity of the situation. "Yes there is a shortage of the Rs 500 notes because this time RBI had released only the Rs 2000 notes," said the Assistant Regional Manager. The SBI had dispatched its indent to the RBI last week seeking sufficient supply of Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes as it was found that the two denominations were the biggest requirement for trade and commerce. However, when the cash arrived early this week there were no new 500 and 100 notes. "We are hoping to tide over the situation by next week when sufficient new Rs 50 and Rs 20 notes are released for Garo Hills," claimed the

bank official although many are not buying the assurance given since the currency shortfall is taking place at the RBI itself. Meanwhile, SBI officials have clarified that the Kharkutta incident where some angry customers pelted stones after not being able to withdraw cash took place towards the evening hours. "The bank staff attended to the customers throughout the day and several lakh rupees transaction took place but towards the closing hours the money was exhausted and only a few customers could not withdraw which led to the incident," said SBI officials. The SBI has approached the RBI, Guwahati, to ensure sufficient cash in smaller denominations is released to the Garo Hills at the earliest in view of the upcoming Christmas season. (Agencies)

them. In this regard, she said it was the duty of every individual to dispose garbage, unusable items in a civilized manner. With litter becoming a huge environmental issue, Metha pointed out the complacency and indifference of residents in Kohima who continued to litter despite fully understanding what litter does to the environment. "Our greed for land has narrowed our rivers into drainages" said Metha and added that the main causes of littering were laziness and ignorance which could be attributed to poor parenting and education. She appealed the ward leaders to set the example

to its residents to go back to walking as much as possible and expressed a much cleaner and better town to live in. KMC administrator Kovi Meyase said for 2016, the basic requisites for choosing the award were not just the Christmas decorations and illuminations but sanitation and cleanliness in the wards year round. The award for the cleanest shop was awarded to K. Florist Taxi Stand followed by United Traders, main town bagging the second prize and City Grains, Themezie bagging the third prize. (Agencies)

Nagaland Governor condemns ambush carried out by unknown miscreants

Nagaland Governor Dr Najma Heptulla ImphaL, Dec 16: Dr Najma Heptulla has strongly condemned the ambush carried out by unknown miscreants at Lokchao and Thamnapokpi in Chandel district today where three police personel were killed and 11 others injured. The Governor, in a statement, expressed deep shock, anguish and grave concern over the killing. She has appealed to all the concerned to desist from

committing such violent acts stating that nobody's interest is served by killing people. "All issues can be and should be resolved through dialogue", the Governor said in the statement. She further appealed to all the sections of the people of Manipur to stand firmly against such terrorist actions. The Governor also conveyed her heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families. (Agencies)

Dimapur, Dec 16: Apropos Pochury Hoho press statement concerning the plight of NST service at Meluri substation, which was published in local dailies on Novembe, the Pochury Hoho and NST Meluri yard master have jointly clarified that NST department has been facing acute shortage of runner buses to operate the scheduled services due to over aged fleet position. Against this backdrop, the Pochury Hoho president Penthu Pochury and NST Meluri yard master, Akielie Terhujah, in a joint press statement, said Meluri sub-

station has been allotted four buses to operate the seven schedule services. Of the four buses, the statement said three buses were at NST central Workshop Dimapur for major repair/replacements, which had led to suspension of services from Meluri substation. Meanwhile, NST Meluri station yard master has tendered apology for his absence at posting place. Assuring his regular attendance in future, the yard master has sought cooperation for rendering best possible services to the public. (Agencies)

Braving bullets, threats and blockade, CM inau- Plight of Meluri gurates Kpi, Tpl districts 'Hero Ibobi Singh' NST service slogan rends the air at Kangpokpi district

Nagaland Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Kangpokpi, Dec 16 : The more than four decades dream of Sadar Hills, now Kangpokpi, ultimately became a reality today with the much awaited official inauguration of Kangpokpi district here at the DC complex a standing ovation to the State Chief Minister and his colleagues of the Manipur Congress Government. Thousands of Sadar Hills people, young and old, men and women as early as 6 am congregated at the fascinatingly decorated Deputy Commissioner Complex for the historic and official inauguration of Kangpokpi district by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. With the chopper carrying the Chief Minister landing at the helipad at around 1.30 pm, the mood of the people shot up and cheers from thousands of people gathered at the helipad (located around 100 metres from the main inaugural venue) rend the air. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; Revenue, Forest and Environment Minister, I Hemochandra Singh; Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam and MLA O Landhoni, wife of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi district received the Chief Minister and his team at the Helipad and moved towards the main venue at DC complex where the three MLAs of Kangpokpi district namely IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, MLA Yamthong

Haokip and MLA Nemcha Kipgen, with thousands of cheering crowds, welcomed them heartily. The Chief Minister officially inaugurated Kangpokpi district by unveiling the districthood plaque in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and other Ministers and subsequently inaugurated the Deputy Commissioner Office by cutting the ribbon along all the other Ministers and MLAs. The mammoth crowds raised the slogan, "Long Live O Ibobi Singh, Long Live Congress Government", right after the Chief Minister unveiled the districthood plaque and cut the ribbon as a mark of officially inaugurating Kangpokpi district. Kuki cultural troupe, Nepali cultural troupe and Meetei cultural troupe exhibited traditional dance after the lighting of the candle by the Chief Minister and his colleagues. Nepali community also presented traditional items including a 'Khukri' to the Chief Minister and his Ministers including MLAs as a mark of appreciation and happiness. The three MLAs of Kangpokpi district presented traditional shawls to the Chief Minister and his team while MLA Nemcha Kipgen presented a Thadou traditional phanek called "Khamtang" to MLA Landhoni, the first lady of the State. JAC, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Autonomous District Council expressed thanked Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his Government for the historic declaration and

once again raised the slogan, "Long Live Ibobi, Long Live Congress Government". Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills named Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as 'Hero Ibobi Singh' and wished him and his Government success in future. In his very short speech, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that new districts are created not in the interest of one community and not against another community and creation of new district does not mean that the Government gives away land to the any community but is for administrative convenience. He also said that among other districts, declaration Kangpokpi district may have come a little late but added that this is not intentional and urged the people of Kangpokpi district to accept it as a "Christmas and New Year gift." Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam in his motivational speech said that violence has no room in society and it is time the people of Manipur inculcate the culture of a "Violence Free" State by eschewing anti- social activities, elements, etc. Visibly disappointed over the non-participation of Naga cultural troupe at the historic occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that all communities living together in Kangpokpi district except Nagas have come together to participate in the cultural display. Probably the Naga people stayed away due to threats, he added. Noticeably excited Revenue Minister, I. Hemochandra Singh exclaimed that Manipur is a beautiful place with a mixture of various ethnic communities and Kangpokpi district symbolizes such fine-looking combination of all communities. S h o u t i n g "Li……Li…..Li…..Ho… ..Ho….Ho….", the Revenue Minister enthused the people of Kangpokpi district. It is worth mentioning that with nine sub-divisions, Kangpokpi district has the highest number of sub-divisions in the State. (Agencies)

NORTHEAST

YC goes for booth cholo abhiyan Agartala, Dec 16: Aiming to restructure the organization aftermath of en-masse exodus of its leader, All India Youth Congress Committee (AIYCC) declared Block Level Youth Congress Committees for the Marxist ruled state. Block Level Committees are considered backbone of the Congress's young brigade. Roselina Tirkey, AIYCC secretary, who visited the state to revive the organization, declared the full-fledged committees for Block Level. During the visit, Ms Tirkey, who is also an MLA of Assam Assembly held meeting with YCC leaders including Sushanta Chakraborty,

the president of YCC state unit on how to strengthen the organization in the state. Speaking to the media, Ms Tirky said' 'Tripura has not witnessed development as it was supposed to experience during the Marxist regime. Women are not safe in the state as CPI(M) leaders are involved in nasty works". She told the AIYCC would launch booth cholo abhiyan from today highlighting the people's demands. "AIYCC plans to organize a training programme next month for budding young leaders", she added. (Agencies)

ANPSA Zbto silent protest march Dimapur, Dec 16: All Nagaland private schools' Association (ANPSA) Zunheboto unit on Thursday staged a silent protest march at Zunheboto town against the multi-crore PDS scam, which was recently unearthed by a joint team of ACAUT and Concerned Citizens of Nagaland (CCN) in Dimapur. Extending

strong support to the just cause initiated by ACAUT, the ANPSA unit alleged that the government of the day "chose to suppress the people's movement with an iron hand" by arresting the ACAUT activists. It further called upon citizens to voice out the truth as indifference tantamount to complicity. (Agencies)

Tripura assembly demands restoration of normalcy in monetary market Agartala, Dec 16: Tripura state assembly today unanimously passed a resolution demanding immediate restoration of normalcy in monetary market and urging upon Centre to take appropriate and urgent action to ensure this. A priviate members resolution on the issue had been moved by veteran Congress MLA Gopal Roy who pointed out the suffering of people due to sudden demonetisation and non-availability of adquate quantum of small currencies in the market. The CPI (M) chief whip Basudeb Mazumder moved an amendment asking cen-

tre to let old and demonetised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 be used till full replacement with appropiate amount of new currencies. Finally the chief minister Manik Sarkar wrapped up the discussion with a speech critical of the massive failure of the Narendra Modi government in centre to alleviate the suffering of people, specially labourers and farmers. 'This government has failed on all fronts and has been working for the big capitalists and bank defaulters; this demonetisation is a diver-

sionary tactics which has brought upon people suffering; I feel that the resolution brought in by Gopal Roy should be passed with the amendement moved by Basudeb Mazumder' said the chief minister. Speaking before the chief minister Trinamool MLA Biswa b a n d h u Sen launched an all round broadside against the demonetisation in keeping with the political line of his part and its supreme leader Mamata Banerjee and demanded a complete roll-back of the demonetisation. (Agencies)

Two truckers hurt in Manipur firing Imphal, Dec 16: The UNC sponsored economic blockade has taken an ugly turn when miscreants opened fire towards vehicles moving with security escort, injuring two truckers late Monday. Barely a day after the firing incident, a Tamenglongbound taxi service Tata Sumo was torched along the same highway in Imphal West district on Tuesday evening. Reports said miscreants opened fire towards the goods loaded trucks heading towards Imphal from Jiribam along NH-37 at two places in Tamenglong district late Monday night. The first incident, in which a driver of a Tata Dipper (MN01AA-0164) was injured, took place between Awangkhul and Langkhong in Tamenglong district around 10.30 pm. Miscreants fired several rounds toward the trucks taking advantage of the gap of security escorts. The driver identified as Khullem Ibochou, who was hit on his right armpit, managed to drive the vehicle upto the Noney (Tamenglong district) from where the police rushed him to a nearby healthcare centre before evacuating to

The Tata Sumo which was burned by counter blockade supporters a hospital in Imphal. A handyman was injured in a second incident that took place at Tupul area around 11 pm. Salou Rahman, the handyman of a loaded truck (MN01A0169) sustained injury on his hand. The firing incident took place even as Central paramilitary security forces which include four companies of SSB have been deployed on ROP duty along NH-37. In the backdrop of the last night attacks on loaded trucks, residents of Khumbong area along NH-37 in Imphal West district imposed a counter blockade banning transport of all kinds of goods to Tamenglong district. A

large number of people came out on the streets along the stretch of the highway early Tuesday morning and frisked vehicles heading towards Tamenglong district. Goods found in the vehicles were dragged down and destroyed by the counter blockade imposers. Meanwhile, a Tata Sumo (MN01X-7438) trying the cross the Khubong area through diversion route (inter-village road) was torched by some villagers at Ngairangbam village. The vehicle has been almost reduced to ashes before police team could arrive. The driver and passengers were, however, left unharmed, reports added. (Agencies)

3 cops killed in militant ambush ahead of inaugural function of Tengnoupal dist

Two police personnel were killed in the attack while 11 others were wounded. ImphaL, Dec 16: A least three police personnel were killed and 11 others wounded when they were attacked by militants at two different places along Imphal-Moreh highway this morning. A police team of Moreh station went to sanitise the highway ahead of the Chief Minister's visit to Tengnoupal when they suddenly came under heavy fire near Lokchao at around 6.20 am. Another police team was attacked between Thamnapokpi and Bongyang around two hours after the first attack, sources informed. Incidentally, both the ambush sites are located within the newly created Tengnoupal district. While the first ambush site is under the jurisdiction of Moreh police station, the second falls under the jurisdiction of Tengnoupal police station. A police team led by the OC of Moreh police station was moving in one Gypsy and two mini-trucks and they were negotiating a steep slope past Lokchao bridge when they were attacked by militants at a place known as Leingangtabi.

Two police personnel were killed in the attack while 11 others were wounded. Around two hours later, a police team coming from Imphal was attacked between Thamnapokpi and Bongyang in which one police personnel who was on ROP duty was killed. The two police personnel killed in the first attack have been identified as LS Lungrei Charanga (25) s/o late Leirung Charanga of Kharou Khunou, Rilam Centre and Md Ayub Khan (35) s/o Sallaudin of Yairipok Ningthounai. They were Constables posted at Moreh police station. The third police personnel killed in the second attack has been identified as Yengkhom Jiban (50) s/o late Angou of Thoubal Leishangthem. He was a 2nd IRB personnel attached to Thoubal Commando. He succumbed to bullet injuries on the way to Jiban Hospital, Kakching. The injured police personnel have been identified as SI Laishram Pratap (37) of Khabam Makha Leikai, Head Constable Khangembam Saratkumar (41) of Kumbi, Constable

Md Lukuman (26) of Thoubal Moijing, Head Constable Jangkholun Baite (39) of Lamlai Chingphei, VDF Nasir Ahmad (30) of Moreh, Head Constable Bashir Ahmad (40) of Yairipok Changamdabi Mathak, Constable Md Ayush Khan of Yairipok Ningthounai and Jangmingthang Touthang of Moreh. While eight of them have been brought to Shija Hospital after first aid at Moreh Hospital, one has been taken to Jiban Hospital, Kakching. The police team led by the OC of Moreh police station included 15 police personnel who were travelling in a single mini-truck. They slowed down and stayed back at Leingangtabi when they were attacked by militants. Lathode cells and spent bullets of M-16 rifle were recovered from the ambush site. Notably, a camp of the Territorial Army is located near the ambush site. Even as they were informed about the attack, they reached the site only after a gap of 30 minutes. There was no Assam Rifles troop on ROP duty along the highway section. It was only the police team led by the OC of Moreh police station which returned to the ambush site promptly and retaliated the gunfire. Moreover there is an AR camp at Bongyang near the second ambush site. Even though the first ambush site was not on the Chief Minister's route for the day, the Chief Minister and his entourage went past the second ambush site with additional security forces led by the DGP. (Agencies)

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Today's quote The only rock I know that stays “steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.

7th CPC implementation: impetus for greater work culture in offices

– Lee Iacocca

A law for equality By passing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, the Rajya Sabha has adopted a radically transformative piece of legislation that addresses the concerns of arguably the most marginalised section of Indian society. The Lok Sabha should lose no time to approve this Bill in the winter session, bringing to fruition a process that started with India's ratification of the relevant UN Convention in 2007. A measure of the expansive reach of the Bill that the Upper House passed unanimously is that it is covers as many as 19 conditions - nearly three times the number of disabilities accorded legal protection under the 1995 law. Included are a large number of individuals with multiple impairments, who are the most disadvantaged sections among the disabled. Another welcome provision is the power to notify additional disabilities, a clear recognition of the need to factor in conditions that may arise as a result of an ageing population, an inevitable part of the demographic transition. Relaxation of the upper age limit to access primary and higher education is clear evidence of foresight, given the disproportionately low and delayed enrolment of disabled children in formal schooling. In addition, the incorporation of penal stipulations, a major omission in the predecessor Act, should go some way towards ensuring more effective law enforcement. The increase in the proportion of reserved positions in public employment and incentives for the private sector to hire disabled candidates are other important departures. The discretionary powers for authorities to determine appropriate avenues of occupation for the disabled would have to be exercised with sensitivity and openness. Experience shows that new technology enables people with disability to undertake tasks that may once have been outside their reach. In this regard, the decision to drop the proposal for the establishment of statutory disabilities commissions at the national and State levels is a lost opportunity. To vest in an advisory body the responsibility to monitor enforcement and violations of the law, as well as financial supervision, is not the most effective approach to promote equal opportunities and combat discrimination. The number of the disabled in India is anywhere between 5 and 10 per cent of the population. Their integration into the mainstream is a developmental and economic imperative. The Vision 2030 blueprint on sustainable development that is in the works is an opening for the Centre to spell out its priorities on disabilities.

Well-oiled diplomacy In nominating Rex Tillerson, Chief Executive of the oil and gas conglomerate ExxonMobil, to the post of Secretary of State, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has provided another glimpse into his world view and decision-making process. Similar to Mr. Trump, Mr. Tillerson has no formal experience in political office, yet brings impressive heft in terms of deal-making across 52 countries over six continents. On his watch, the stock market value of ExxonMobil, the U.S.'s largest oil company, soared to over $360 billion. Yet the vast global reach of Mr. Tillerson's work and the sheer complexities involved in drilling for oil, especially the sometimes messy geopolitics at play, have meant he has often been at odds with the agenda of the U.S. State Department. In Nigeria, for example, his company faced flak for lack of transparency in dealings with the government. Nowhere is the potential divergence from the hallowed traditions of Foggy Bottom's diplomatic norms more visible than in Mr. Tillerson's decade-plus engagement with Russia to secure oil drilling rights. Under him, ExxonMobil since 2006 signed a plethora of drilling agreements including through partnerships with the Russian oil behemoth Rosneft. Yet, as Mr. Tillerson's star rose in the eyes of the Kremlin, U.S. President Barack Obama's fell, especially since early 2014 when he authorised sanctions against certain Russian individuals and entities for violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Thus, reactions to Mr. Tillerson's nomination have been divided between relief, among those who would welcome the likely thaw in Washington-Moscow diplomatic ties, and alarm, of critics who fear that as in Mr. Trump's case, Mr. Tillerson may find it difficult to disentangle his personal and official interests. In his confirmation hearing in the Senate he will be grilled, in all likelihood by John McCain and his peers, on his views on whether Russian hackers had interfered in the presidential election, as the U.S. intelligence community suggests they did, and whether these hackers could still launch cyberattacks on U.S. targets. His answers will provide clues about how he might carry out his duties as America's top diplomat. They will also supply clarity on his apparent belief, contraTrump, that human activity does cause climate change, necessitating mitigation and adaptation efforts. To India, the nomination of Mr. Tillerson, if successful, may smooth military cooperation with Moscow as Obama-era hostility towards Russia softens. ExxonMobil also has extensive oil business assets on Indian soil, so New Delhi may have reason to be sanguine about bilateral détente, especially in trade and investment terms.

Denhang Bosai It goes without saying that the announcement of implementation of the Pay Commission Reports is the most eagerly awaited event in the life of the government employees. And why not, after all this comes once in a decade. Little wonder then, the announcement of implementation of the 7th CPC by the Arunachal Pradesh state government has come like a breath of fresh and has brought smiles on the faces of the state government employees. Many of them are grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of the enhanced emolument that they would draw soon. Some of them have already planned in advance as to how they would gainfully utilize the increased salaries they would get. All the government employees are, as expected, singing a sweet tune of praises for the state government led by the

young and dynamic Chief Minister Pema Khandu who is ably assisted by the patriarch DCM Chowna Mein and senior and seasoned politicians in his Cabinet including Nabam Rebia, Wangki Lowang, Tamiyo Taga, Honchun Ngandam, Rajesh Tacho and others. Needless to say that Pema Khandu government has amply proved to be a truly people-friendly government and Pema Khandu has emerged as the people's Chief Minister. The state government has taken this bold decision of implementing the 7th CPC against the backdrop of a not so sound financial health of the state considering the tremendous contributions the state government employees are making towards the all round growth of the frontier state. Some people in the state have this utterly wrong notion that only the government employees would be benefited. The fact is that the whole state would gain from this 7th CPC implementation. The family members and relatives of the employees will be the first benefiaries undoubtedly but it should also be kept in mind that Arunachal economy being 'salarybased' in the absence of any

industry worth its name, most of the households in the state boast of at least one family member serving in the state government. So, essentially the whole state is going to reap the sweet harvest of the 7th CPC thanks to the audacity and generosity of the Pema Khandu-led state government. Interestingly, even the shopkeepers and those in various small business sectors will gain from this watershed decision of the state government because the buying power of the government employees will increase with the increase in their payment. This buying power will automatically help the people in business sector. The CoSAAP also deserves appreciation for demanding implementation of the 7th CPC in a dignified and mature manner without resorting to unnecessary moves and methodologies that would tarnish its image. This should be the spirit of other organizations also. We cannot afford to antagonize and exert unnecessary pressure on our state government. It's our government and our daily bread and butter come from our government. To hammer out any contentious issue, dialogue and only dialogue is

the best way. Resorting to strikes and bandh calls are detrimental to the healthy growth of our developing state. People from all walks of life should contribute their mite towards building a strong, vibrant and selfreliant state. Everybody in the state should be ready and willing to travel the proverbial extra mile to assist and support the state government in carrying out the development schemes and projects without any hiccup or hitch. Having said and done, the state government employees may not have a windfall gain from the 7th CPC unlike they got from the 6th CPC ten years ago. The gain from the 6th CPC was so much so that many government employees started buying cars and built their dream homes. When I asked a senior government employee who has a good knowledge of financial transactions as to how much we would be gaining from the 7th CPC, he told me, "Look, unfortunately for the government employees and fortunately for the whole country, we have a very shrewd Finance Minister in Arun Jaitly who knows too much. So, we may not gain

too much." However, an enhancement in pay structure is an enhancement for the government employees whether the amount involved is big or small. Some government employees including yours truly who had served for a long time with utmost sincerity and unwavering devotion are eagerly waiting to see the financial gain we are likely have. If the retirement benefit is good and attractive then many of us will apply for VRS to pave way for the young and better educated unemployed youth of the state. The best way in which the state government employees can express their gratitude to the Chief Minister and his Cabinet calleagues for implementing the 7th CPC is by improving the work culture in the offices. To call spade a spade, the work culture, especially among most of the tribal government employees needs a lot to be desired. When the payment of the government employees had been enhanced, the employees are dutybound to provide better services to the people. They are basically service providers and they should spare no effort to provide

the best services to the people. They are being paid for the services they give to the state and the people. In fact, the government employees should consider themselves to be the chosen ones to serve the state. The government employees are the real strength of any government. The Ministers and the public representatives only formulate rules and take decisions on vital development projects. The actual execution is carried out by the government employees. So, it can be concluded that the government is only as good as its employees. The onerous onus of building the state is on the government employees. The state government has done its duty by implementing the much-hyped and most eagerly awaited 7th CPC. Now, it's the turn of the government employees to pay back by working with utmost sincerity, devotion and honesty. The destiny of the state depends upon them. Together they can do it and give the state of Arunachal Pradesh a pride of place in the country. (The writer is Deputy Director, IPR and can be reached at denhangbosa i@yahoo.co.in)

Death in Aleppo For too long, we have been a passive society, deaf to Rwanda, Somalia, Syria. Our foreign policy is a piece of empty piety. Maybe Aleppo can be a first step to a more humane India Shiv Visvanathan It began in a simple banal way. I had just spent a wonderful winter's day suffering a faculty meeting and was blaming myself for having lost a sunny afternoon. I went back to my room and found my usually ebullient student stunned and in tears. All she could say was, "Aleppo. People are dying in Aleppo and no one seems to care. I was reading the messages on Facebook and could not face the suffering of the people. How can 50,000 children be killed in Syria? Is this what they mean by evacuation? Why is it that no one in India is responding? Don't lives matter?" Grading genocides The cascade of questions and the sheer spontaneity of emotions moved me. My student was mourning, mourning for the people in Aleppo and mourning for the death of conscience in India. India, for all its global aspirations, is illiterate about Aleppo. I read all the newspaper reports which are titrated and even sanitised by the Indian press. There are filters in our mind that diminish international tragedies. We want to respond only to the biggest and most devastating. Aleppo seems a middlerange tragedy; the Syrian death toll of 4,50,000 seems a day's work in a genocidal calendar when dictators like Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin, Hitler have eliminated millions. The number 4,50,000 shrinks in modesty before these larger statistics and in

fact disappears from memory. It is a hiccup in today's violent world. The very act of comparison becomes a failure of ethics. It is almost as if the small and the minuscule do not deserve attention. There is a second fear that accompanies this and many countries have become cautious of media reports. George W. Bush triggered the Iraq war by planting irresponsible reports on the Iraqi nuclear effort. Countries feel that genocide has become a global imaginary, a giant Rorschach of fear that distorts foreign policy. There is a genuine fear about exaggerations in media given the recent American efforts to demonise certain countries. However, such scepticism which fails to do its homework becomes an alibi for indifference. While one-sided narratives have created triggerhappy wars, indifference has been equally catastrophic in letting people die. There is a confusion here between foreign policy as etiquette and foreign policy as ethics. Etiquette tells you about how to eat, it is a ritual of table manners. Ethics tells you to look out for the starving and impels you to share your meal. When false propaganda silences the power of ethics, something seriously becomes amiss. There is a third filter that is equally devastating. The demonology of terror, the idea of failed states in Africa creates a web of stereotypes where Indians and other nations feel Islamic territories are volatile and

The two brothers Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother.

immature and therefore deserve what they got. Adding to the power of these stereotypes to immobilise the mind is the nature of memory today. Failure of the failed Memory as so many bytes, so many discrete but disconnected pieces of information is skin-deep. It soon yields to erasure, indifference and triage, the argument that a failed society deserves to fail further. In the new global history of aspiration and success, failure does not seem to deserve a response. The logic of sociobiology works in a Darwinian world where Syria does not fit the model of the fittest. I was just recollecting the irony that 2015 was the year Svetlana Alexievich got the Nobel Prize in Literature. It was the first time a journalist had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her classic Secondhand Time was an attempt to create a quilt patch of memories,

"I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighboor. In fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I w o n ' t need to see his p l a c e anymore. Cool h i m d o w n anyhow." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and

which showed how the Soviet dictatorships had corroded everyday life. The irony is at the very moment a journalist is awarded a Nobel, there is a crisis of journalistic integrity. The legend of great war journalists who wrote the truth about war has evaporated. The Syrian violence has not produced a Seymour Hersh or Julian Assange. There is little of that sense of disclosure in a year which prides in 'post-truth' being its new linguistic achievement. Even the narratives in the newspaper have a tone of strategic inevitability, as if mass death is a logical step. The pace of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's battlefield advances is praised and as a potential victor he is hailed as soon having "control of all the major cities". This sense of inevitability, an anticipated gloating over his victory, hides the nature of tragedy. The word evacuation has a double meaning. Evacuat-

then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work - handrails and all - and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, " but I have many more bridges to build." Every day we have the choice of building fences or bridges. One leads to isolation and the other to openness.

ing the city earlier meant rescuing people in a city. Now it has become a sanitised act of violence which decimates a city along with a policy of exterminism - the total elimination of a population. While war is getting to be technocratically lethal, ethics has taken a deeper downturn. The great Western ideal of humanitarianism, which created legends like Henry Dunant of the Red Cross and Albert Schweitzer who was awarded the Nobel for Peace for his work in Africa, has become a diminished exercise. It is as if ethics has not been able to cope with the technocratic and political logic of war. A lone voice like Pope Francis is not enough. Humanitarianism has become a side show to war, a cubbyhole next to it rather than an ethical challenge to war. The work that groups like Médecins Sans Frontières did in challenging the passive nature of humanitarianism needs to be deepened and thickened. The logic of war sometimes paints a situation with broad brushes. To paint an entire city as terrorist allows for mass violence, permits one to ignore the innocent living helplessly within it. Even the poignancy of Facebook messages falls on deaf ears, disappearing into the silences of the global world. Syria and Russia operating in tandem read it as the march of history. Sadly, there are few to write about the causalities of history. Inevitability is a word the

victor uses to hide his lack of fairness and discrimination. It is a time of impunity and brutality where victorious armies will be executing civilians without an afterthought. Shooting down families in houses by labelling them militants is a mere prelude to genocide. Watching the destruction of some of the world's heritage cities reminds me of two stories. The first is about the great Russian artist Nikolai Roerich who spent years in India. Roerich suggested the establishment of the Green Cross to complement the Red Cross. Its role was in protecting the cultural heritage of the world. One wishes a Green Cross had been instituted to save these cities. Dubbing cities as world heritage sites is useless if we make no genuine effort to protect them. The second story is about the scholar Edwin Reischauer who later became American Ambassador to Japan. Kyoto was picked as the original site for the nuclear bombing. Reischauer was flabbergasted. He rushed before General Leslie Groves and began shuddering. He was so stunned by the prospect that he started weeping. Groves, embarrassed to see a man weep, promised to pick another city, Hiroshima, so he could get rid of the scholar. I wish some scholar had wept for the cities of Syria or the children trapped in the city. The sheer fatalism that war created and the hollowing out of ethics is one of modern wars' greatest casualties.

Rahul on Modi When stories of corruption appear in the media every now and then, why is Rahul Gandhi insisting that he will reveal the Prime Minister's "personal corruption" only in Parliament and not outside of it?. The public has a right to know what is going on behind the scenes. Mr. Gandhi's hesitancy to reveal details only raises doubts. One has no other choice but to believe that his accusations against the Prime Minister are wild and baseless. Rahul Das Nalbari, Assam

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Kodak has launched the ultimate The technology phone for camera obsessives sector's record year Kodak, the iconic camera company that famously failed to adapt to the world of digital and smartphone cameras, has unveiled a smartphone with a highpowered camera aimed at photography fanatics.

niche segment but there are hundreds of thousands of people [in the UK] this would appeal to,” said Charlie Henderson, Bullitt’s product manager. “This stands out in a sea of black or white metal phones”

The company has teamed up with Bullitt, a Readingbased manufacturer that specialises in building unconventional handsets, to release the Ektra, a premium phone to go on sale this year. The two hope to carve out a niche in the brutally competitive smartphone market by focusing on camera obsessives, rather than trying to challenge Apple, Samsung and Google directly. It is aimed at those who may already own a DSLR but want the convenience of having a quality camera with them at all times. The Ektra – named after Kodak’s ground-breaking 1941 camera that ushered in an era of accessible photography – claims to far surpass the cameras on mainstream smartphones.

The Ektra, which will cost £449 when released in December, is going on sale first in the UK and Europe, with Bullitt holding off on a launch in the US where sales are dominated by mobile networks. The company is in discussions with a number of retailers and operators about selling the device.

It features a 21-megapixel camera, advanced menus for tweaking shots and Google Snapseed, a de-

tailed editing app, as well as a dedicated shutter button and styling more reminiscent of a retro photography age than the glass and aluminium designs of modern handsets. The Android handset is shaped like a camera, features a lens that dominates the rear of the phone, and comes with an SD card slot for extra storage. It has a powerful processor that allows it to instantly process the high-definition shots. While it is the second Kodak smartphone pro-

Government school teachers served notice for using mobile phones

duced by Bullitt, it is the first that truly aims to capitalise on the company’s photography credentials. A previous device, released to a low-key launch last year, was aimed at novices. Bullitt, founded in 2009, does not build self-branded handsets that compete with bigger manufacturers but designs electronics for niche areas of the market by licensing well-known brands.

and headphones for Ted Baker and Ministry of Sound. It is also developing a Land Rover smartphone.

It builds ultra-rugged handsets for JCB and Caterpillar, as well as speakers

“Millions of people identify themselves as keen photographers. This is clearly a

According to accounts filed at Companies House, Bullitt saw a 25pc increase in handsets sales last year, although revenues were flat at $99m (£80m) due to a lower average sale price and it swung to a $2.8m loss as margins decreased and investments rose.

Kodak, which had failed to adapt to the rise of the digital camera and then the smartphone, declared bankruptcy in 2012. It sold its portfolio of patents to a group of technology investors including Apple and Google for $525m and reemerged a year later.

The notices were served to seven male teachers of three schools yesterday, Chief Educational Officer, P Ayyannan said. “During a surprise check carried out recently in these schools, it was found that the teachers were using mobile phones in classrooms, in the presence of students despite a ban. The district education de-

partment had already given instructions to all the headmasters and headmistresses of government and its aided schools not to allow teachers to use mobile phones in the class rooms,” he said.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 full specs and price leaked ahead of Oct 25 launch

The official made a visit to Kavindapadi Government Boys Higher Secondary school, Anthiyur Pudupalayam Government High school, and Erode Manickkampalayam Government Higher Secondary school and found a few teachers using mobile phones inside the class rooms. A notice has also been forwarded to the respective headmasters in this connection, he added.

The alleged Xiaomi Mi Note 2, as per the leak, will come with a 5.7-inch QuadHD Super AMOLED display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with up to 6 gigs of RAM under the hood. The phone will further come with up to 128GB of internal memory and a 4,100mAh battery powering the whole thing. Just like the Mi 5s launched recently, the Mi Note 2 will also support Qualcomm's new Ultrasonic fingerprint sensing technology and come with the Snapdragon Sense ID built right in to the home button. The technology essentially allows manufacturers to embed the fingerprint

sensor within frames or panels, instead of relying on dedicated areas, like the home button. Moving on, just like the Mi 5s, the Mi Note 2 will come with a dual camera setup on the rear: one consisting of a 23-megapixel IMX 318 sensor and another consisting of a 12megapixel IMX 378 sensor. The Mi 5s comes with two 12-megapixel cameras on the rear, where one shoots in standard RGB (colour) while another shoots in monochrome. While the RGB sensor captures colour details and

The twelfth annual TIN100 Report, produced by the Technology Investment Network (TIN), was launched this week and managing director Greg Shanahan says that growth is set to continue, with positive signs across all sectors and regions. "This is easily the best year in the tech sector that we've ever seen," Shanahan says. "Growth is over 1 billion dollars, which in the

context of New Zealand's GDP is massive - and that's up from around $600 million last year. "In no previous year since the launch of the TIN100 Report 12 years ago has change been so dramatic or widespread," he says. "This year's data signals that an inflection point has been passed as the industry hits critical momentum, reflecting longer term acceleration of technology growth and a significant closure of the export earnings gap between dairy and tech." The annual report tallies earnings in three major sec-

tors - high-tech manufacturing, biotechnology and information and communications technology (ICT) - for the year to 2016. In line with last year's trend, all three sectors are on the rise. More positively, growth was seen across every region of the country as well as all overseas markets, with seven of the report's 12 secondary sectors reporting double-digit growth. In the regions, Wellington led revenue growth with 15.3 per cent - thanks largely to activities such as digital media and augmented and virtual reality.

New Galaxy S8 Leak Recycles Note 7 Technology

Jeff Clarke, Kodak's chief executive, said: “Kodak has a rich history in imaging technology and the launch of the Kodak smartphone today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bringing the latest advances in photography to consumers."

Xiaomi will launch its next flagship phone, the Mi Note 2 on October 25. Ahead of launch, its full hardware specs and price have found their way to the World Wide Web, much to Xiaomi's dismay. The purported slide deck for the phone shared on Chinese social media website Weiboleaves nothing to the imagination. Seven teachers of government and aided schools in the district have been issued showcause notices by the district education office here for allegedly using mobile phones in the classrooms, despite a ban.

New Zealand's technology sector has cracked $1 billion in growth for the first time, with revenue up 12 per cent in the space of a year.

information, the monochrome sensor captures more light (and higher contrast) according to Xiaomi. Xiaomi is using the Sony IMX 378 shooter in the Mi 5s. It would be interesting to see how Xiaomi incorporates the dual-camera setup in the Mi Note 2. Other features include: Quick Charge 3.0, NFC, and USB-C. The Mi Note 2, as per the leak will start at $415 (roughly Rs 27,705) for the base 4GB RAM and 64GB memory option and will go all the way up to $445 (roughly Rs 29,717) for the top-end 6GB RAM and 128GB memory option.

While Samsung continues to address the damage the Galaxy Note 7 is causing to its public perception, others are looking forward to the release of the Galaxy S8. This will be the moment when the South Korean company can start to rebuild its reputation with the public. A recent leak suggests that we’re going to see the S8 pick up some of the technological advances that the doomed Note 7 proudly promoted. One of Samsung’s suppliers has spoken to the Korea Herald about a key feature that the Galaxy S8 will be adopting from the Note 7 platform. Iris recognition added an extra layer of security to the Note 7. It was destined to be a particularly strong selling point as Samsung pushed the phablet towards the enterprise market. I have no doubt that the visual security aid was always coming to the Galaxy S8, it’s a technology that is relatively new in the smartphone space, it is easy to understand while feeling futuristic and it’s a unique selling point of the Galaxy range when compared with chief rivals Apple and its iPhone devices.

The only difference is that rather than building on the success of the Note 7's security profile, the Galaxy S8 will effectively start from scratch and have to build up the confidence of the enterprise and consumers sectors in this new technology. Samsung is in a delicately balanced situation over the Galaxy S8. Under normal circumstances, the fourth calendar quarter would see most of the attention placed on the phablet device, and as interest on that started to peter out after Christmas, the speculation on the new S flagship would take over. This year the Galaxy Note 7 is getting a lot of attention placed on it but for all the wrong reasons, and the Galaxy S8 is receive the attention some three months ahead of schedule. In a quixotic quest to reduce spoilers and leaks, Samsung has asked suppliers and employees to not talk about the Galaxy S8 (reports Android Authority). Given the pressure that the Galaxy S8 team will be under to deliver not just a successful phone, but a company-saving slice of wonder, it’s no surprise that DJ Koh and the rest of Samsung Mobile’s execu-

tive team will want not want to smother those working on the S8. Not that I think it will make a blind bit of difference to the volume of leaks and rumors that the internet will cover. The Galaxy S8 is the natural firebreak in the company’s portfolio to move on from the Note 7 nightmare. The use of iris recognition is a great example. If all had went to plan it would be an evolutionary step, and ease the smaller S8 into the enterprise space following the Note 7's success. Now the Galaxy S8 will have to make a revolutionary jump. Although iris recognition was promoted with the Note 7, that handset is going to be remembered for something else. While there may be a latent memory in tech circles, the S8 will have to do the heavy lifting and reintroduce much of the Note 7's advances as if it was the first time. Iris recognition will not be the last time the S8 faces this challenge. The handset is going to have to be sold as revolutionary in many more areas than was planned if it’s going to successfully rebuild Samsung’s reputation.

Tesla releases video of fully autonomous Model X electric car It’s an impressive feat for a car that shows no visible signs of the typical paraphernalia required to pull off the stunt. Google’s car, for instance, has a large spinning lidar on the top and various other visible signs of automation. Musk said that the release of the video was the cause of Tesla’s delay announcing the inclusion of the eight cameras, 12 ultra-sonars and radar being embedded in each new Tesla car. Tesla announced on Wednesday that from now on all of its electric cars will be built with the components required to turn them into fully autonomous vehicles at a later date. Now chief executive, Elon Musk, has re-

leased a video showing what that really means. The video shows a Tesla Model X driving out of a garage, picking up a human driver – who is required to be in the driving seat for the car to legally self-drive in the

US – and then driving itself around some public roads, navigating junctions and highways before returning to a parking lot, letting out the human driver and then going off to park itself.

Talking about the video, Musk said: “When searching for parking, the car reads the signs to see if it allowed to park there, which is why it skipped the disabled spot.” The Tesla chief execu-

tive also said that a software update to enable self-driving beyond what is currently enabled with the company’s Autopilot wasn’t possible because “retrofitting to full selfdriving hardware is very difficult. The cost delta [difference] is more than buying a new car. I wish it weren’t.” Tesla has been bullish

on its ability to produced technically superior cars and update them with software giving them new features, including semiautonomous driving functionality, releasing its Autopilot software under a so-called beta tag. This attitude, which is markedly different to traditional automotive

manufacturing, has ruffled feathers with some concerned about the release of unproven automation. Germany recently told Tesla to stop the use of the word Autopilot within its marketing and reminded existing Tesla owners that they must have full attention on the road at all times when behind the wheel, even with driving aids active. The death in May of a Tesla driver using the company’s existing Autopilot systemalso prompted an investigation by safety regulators. While self-driving cars are evidently capable of piloting themselves around public roads most of the time, the times when unpredictable situa-

tions occur and the cars must take action are still areas of concern. Legislation is also far behind allowing more than basic testing on public roads in most places, meaning self-driving cars owned and operated by members of the public are years away. But with the announcement of the bundling of self-driving hardware into every new Tesla, and demonstrations of fully autonomous driving, the electric car company has placed another stake in the ground that could put it ahead of both technology companies such as Google and automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Mercedes and Audi.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

NATION Opp against anti-graft effort, party above nation for Cong: PM

New Delhi, Dec 16 : Prime Minister Narendera Modi on Friday ripped into the Opposition over Parliament logjam, saying unlike earlier when opposition parties stalled the House against scams, Congress-led parties are now doing so against government's steps to curb black money and corruption Modi's remarks at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting came on the last day of the Winter Session, which has been a washout due to impasse over demonetisation Targeting Congress, the Prime Minister alleged that it has always put its interest over that of the country while for BJP the nation's interests are supreme He again pitched for digital economy as he appealed to the masses to

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. adopt it as a "way of life" to rid the society of corruption and black money Attacking former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been unsparing in his criticism of demonetisation, Modi said he advocated strong measures against corruption and black money but did

"nothing" during his rule of 10 years He also cited late Left stalwart Harkishan Singh Surjeet to support his government's action "Earlier the ruling side, especially Congress, would commit scams like 2G, coal-gate, Bofors and the Opposition would then

unite and fight against it on the principle of honesty "But now the ruling side, the BJP-led NDA, has started a campaign again black money and corruption and opposition parties are standing against it," he said Modi also noted that the Wanchoo Committee in early 70s had recommended demonetisation when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, recalling that the then senior Left leader Jyotirmoy Basu had demanded its quick implementation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters following the meeting "The Wanchoo committee had said it will boost economy Now after 45 years we have done demonetisation but Congress is opposing

it. The Left has also joined hands with Congress," he said Painting Congress as a "votary of corruption", he said it had made a law against benami assets in 1988 but never notified it or framed rules and regulations, ensuring that the legislation never came into force "For us, the country's interests are always above the party's. For Congress, party's interests are above the country's," the PM said On a day that marks the anniversary of Bangladesh's liberation, Modi also targeted the opposition over its remarks on the army's surgical strikes The Opposition in 197172 did not seek evidence of the army's valour unlike that of today, he said. (PTI)

India among most generous Temp hovers betowards refugees: UNHCR low freezing point in Kashmir Valley

New Delhi, Dec 16: India is one of the most generous countries for refugees, ensuring safety and employment to the displaced people in the best of her capacity, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today. Yasuko Shimizu, the chief of mission for UNHCR in India and the Maldives, who was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2015, said that the country has helped refugees by providing work permits and issuing long term visas. "India is one of the most generous countries for refugees. The country has given opportunities for such people to go for jobs by providing work permits. Although we give refugee cards to displaced people but the government here issues long term visas for them which is very helpful," Shimizu said. She said that the UNHCR has taken several initiatives

in collaboration with governments and local bodies on ground, to address issues concerning proper education for children belonging to such communities. "Education is one of the most important issues for refugee families. We should have assistance for refugee children so that they can easily access education at local schools," she said. Shimizu, who has served in various capacities at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva and for many field operations in Afghanistan, Russia and Uganda, took up her current post in June 2016. According to UNHCR Global Trends report, 65.3 million people (1 out of 113), were displaced from their homes due to conflict and persecution in 2015. "Refugees are a result of political consequences in any country. We have been raising issues at the UN that humanitarian assistance cannot replace political concerns.

"India has been tolerant with people of different backgrounds, ethnicity and cultures which is not the case with many other countries," she said. When asked about recent incidents of atrocities against African nationals in the capital city and the role of UNHCR during such incidents, Shimizu said, the lack of knowledge about culture in a different country sometimes creates problems. "The body keeps advocating with NGOs, police, university students on ground to sensitise people about the backgrounds and cultures refugees come from. It is important to see how individuals react to them in society. There needs to be an atmosphere where one can understand about the exchange of cultures. "It is not only the legal status that one should look at for refugees in other countries. Support to protect their life is also very important," she said. (PTI)

Goa MLA Mauvin Godinho quits Congress, joins ruling BJP

Senior Congress Goa MLA Mauvin Godinho.

Panaji, Dec 16: Senior Goa Congress leader Mauvin Godinho, today quit the party after resigning as a member of the state legislative assembly, and formally joined the ruling BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar here. The fiveterm legislator from Dabolim constituency in South Goa and former state Minister, said he decided to join the BJP as he felt "suffocated" in Congress. "This morning I submitted the resignation to Congress party. I also submitted my resignation as member of Legislative Assembly to

the Speaker. I am a free person now," Godinho told reporters. BJP organised a special function here to welcome him. Interacting with reporters later, the Chief Minister described the 57year-old outgoing legislator as "studious" and "down to earth". "Today, Godinho resigned as an MLA and also from the Congress party. He has formally joined the BJP," Parsekar announced here. The Chief Minister said Godinho is known for his well-studied speeches in and outside the state assembly. "Common man

has always been the focus of Godinho. He is the politician, who is down to earth," Parsekar said. "Some time back, I had the privilege of joining BJP whose form I have filled. I have just entered that party. It is a known fact that I am going to contest from Dabolim," he added. Godinho said supporting the BJP should not come as a surprise to anyone. "In the past I had amply made it clear how suffocated I felt in the Congress party," he said. "I did not resign earlier just because I did not want to impose mid-term elections on my voters, that is how I continued in Congress. I could have waited till the end, but I decided enough is enough and now I am member of BJP," the former power minister said. "I always felt suffocated while in Congress, they don't even allow high command to have their will. The local leaders always put me in the dock. Despite being in politics what is important for me is my honour and dignity. They compromised even on that," he added. (PTI)

Srinagar, Dec 16: Leh was recorded as the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir as the mercury plummeted to the season's lowest of minus 13.2 degrees Celsius there, while the night temperature across the Valley also remained several notches below the freezing point. The town in the Ladakh region was the coldest recorded place in the state while the nearby Kargil also shivered at a low of minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest night temperature the town has experienced so far this season, an official of the MET department said here. Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir - which serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra - recorded a low minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, the official said, adding it was the coldest night of the season at the resort too.

The mercury at the famous skiresort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, he said. Srinagar - the summer capital of the state - recorded the minimum temperature of minus 3.6 degree Celsius - down by over three degrees from previous night's minus 0.4 degree Celsius, the official said. Kokernag town in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 1.2 degree Celsius, while the north Kashmir town of Kupwara recorded a low minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, he said. Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir Valley - registered the minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather in the state over the week ahead, which could lead to further drop in the night temperature. (PTI)

Two packets of 'heroin' seized form Punjab border Chandigarh, Dec 16: The BSF has seized two packets of a powdery substance, suspected to be heroin, from the fields in the area under the Border Out Post T-Bundh in Ferozepur sector of Punjab. "Based on specific information on December 15, a joint search operation was carried out by BSF and Counter Intelligence Staff Jalandhar in the area of responsibility of Border Out Post T Bundh, Ex191Bn BSF, Sector Ferozepur in between fence and dhussibundh.

"During search in the fields, two packets (weighing around 1 kg) of contraband suspected to be heroin wrapped in plastic cover were recovered," a BSF official said. One person identified as Chamkaur Singh, resident of Mehndipur has also been apprehended by the search party, he said. The enhanced vigil of BSF troops has once again thwarted the attempt of smugglers or anti-national elements to smuggle contraband items into India, the official said. (PTI)

P8 No official estimation of black money before or after demonetisation implementation: FM Arun Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, today asserted that there is no official estimation of black money either before or after the announcement of the anti-graft policy.

FM Arun Jaitley claimed that the Income tax department searches between April 2014 and November 2016 on 1,356 groups of assesses had led to the admission of Rs31,277 crore of undisclosed income.

New Delhi, Dec 16: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the implementation of the demonetisation policy, had taken a major step to curb the flow of blackmoney in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, today asserted that there is no official estimation of black money either before or after the announcement of the anti-graft policy, following which there had been a ban on currency notes of the denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. In a written reply to the

Lok Sabha, the Finance Minister mentioned, "There is no official estimation of the amount of black money either before or after the government's decision of November 8, 2016 declaring that bank notes of denominations of the existing series of the value of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 shall cease to be legal tender with effect from November 9," Jaitley claimed that the Income tax department searches between April 2014 and November 2016 on 1,356 groups of as-

sesses had led to the admission of Rs31,277 crore of undisclosed income aprt from the seizure of Rs 2,164 crore of undisclosed assets. Besides, 14,044 surveys conducted during the period, resulted in detection of undisclosed income of Rs 30,492 crore. In a strong stand against black money in the country, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, today announced that the tax disclosure scheme will be opening tomorrow and close on March 31, 2017 and the disclosures will attract 50 % tax and penalty. The declarations under the new black money disclosure scheme will be kept confidential. Replying to another question on whether the government has received any proposal from the employees of LIC to provide another opportunity to those who have not chosen pension option earlier, Jaitley replied in affirmative. "The proposal was examined and a view has been taken that no more options for pension may be extended to employees of public sector insurance companies," he said. (PTI)

Indian Airlines yet to integrate cyber security with biz plans: SITA Bambolim, Dec 16: Indian airlines are yet to integrate cyber security into their business plan even as the majority of the carriers see the issue as a board level priority, according to an industry report. However, cyber security is an area earmarked for major IT investment by every Indian airline, the 2016 India IT Trends Benchmark report released by SITA here said on Friday. Geneva-based SITA, a leading player in air transport solutions and information technology, also said there has been some progress made in terms of developing cyber security plans in the past three years. "While the majority of airlines in India see cyber security as a board level priority, they have not made the same level of progress as global airlines where 28 per cent have already fully integrated it into their company's business plan. No airlines in India have achieved this yet," the report said. According to the report,

Image for Representation purpose. today a quarter of airlines in India said they were fully prepared to deal with any cyber threat, whereas there were none three years ago. The remaining threequarters of airlines in India admit to only being in the early stage of developing plans. According to the report, security around mobile devices is another area of increasing importance that airlines in India are lagging behind as only 25 per cent have implemented a specific cyber

security initiative for the same compared to 40 per cent of airlines globally. Observing that the Indian airports have made good progress on cyber security in the last three years, the report said at that time, most airports (60 per cent) were just building out their critical defences. However, today nearly the same number say they are now prepared to deal with common threats and 14 per cent say they are ready to deal with any threat. (PTI)

Parliament passes Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill New Delhi, Dec 16: Keeping aside the acrimony over demonetisation issue which paralysed the Winter session, Parliament today passed the Disabilities Bill which stipulates up to two-year jail term and a maximum fine of Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons. The Lok Sabha passed the bill within two hours after a short debate on the last day of the session with the treasury and opposition benches, who have been at loggerheads over demonetisation and other issues, joining hands to clear the legislation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House during the passage of the bill. Earlier on Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha too had witnessed similar bonhomie for passage of The Rights

of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016. Replying to the debate, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot announced that a scheme of 'universal identity card for the disabled' is on the anvil and an agency has already been finalised for the purpose. The proposed card would also be linked to the Aadhar card to help the disabled all over the country in a seamless fashion, he said. Gehlot said the universal identity card is being acted upon to overcome the problem of disability certificate being faced by those affected. He said the government has joined hands with German and British firms for making available state-of-the-art limbs to the disabled wherever possible. The Lok Sabha witnessed a

division on an amendment by Congress and TRS members seeking to raise the reservation in the bill from 4 to 5 per cent. It was defeated by 121 to 43 votes. K C Venugopal of the Congress who had given the amendment pressed for the division. Members from both sides supported the bill but suggested certain changes to improve the measure. Interestingly, the bill had been originally moved in 2014 in Rajya Sabha by then Union minister Mallikarjun Kharge who is now Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha. The bill, which aims at securing and enhancing the rights and entitlements of disabled persons, also gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and related matters.

It provides for imprisonment of at least six months up to two years, along with a fine ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons. Moving the bill for consideration and passage today, Gehlot said out of 82 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, 59 were accepted by the Government. The bill, he said, has increased the number of categories of disabled persons to 21. The Union Cabinet had earlier approved these amendments to the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (RPWD) Bill, 2014, that had replaced the 1995 Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act. In the bill, disability has been

defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept and the types of disabilities have been increased from existing seven to 21. The Centre will have the power to add more types of disabilities to it. The types of disabilities now include mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions. It also strengthens the office of chief commissioner and state commissioners for Persons with Disabilities which will act as regulatory bodies. The bill was examined by the Parliamentary Standing Committee last year. Then, a Group of Ministers, headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, examined its provisions and sent their recommendations to the Prime Minister's Office. (PTI)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

BUSINESS P9 India remains one of fastest-growing countries: WH No woman director

PTI Washington, Dec 16 : India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, the White House has said even as it underlined that inefficiencies persist in the country's public sector with the poor still lacking healthcare coverage and access to financial services. "India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, with real GDP expanding at 7.3 per cent in the four quarters through 2016:Q3," said the Economic Report of the President for the year 2017, which was sent to the Congress. The voluminous report running into nearly 600

India remains one of fastest-growing countries: WH

pages says that economic growth in India continues at a solid pace of a projected 7.4 per cent over the four quarters of 2016. "Private consumption has been a major driver in economic growth, contributing 4.3 percentage points to its 7. 3 per cent real GDP

growth rate in the four quarters through 2016:Q3," the report said, adding that lower inflation and fiscal consolidation over the past year has created additional policy space for India to stimulate growth should a crisis occur. "Macroeconomic risks re-

China urges calm on yuan after US rate hike AFP Shanghai, Dec 16 : The mouthpiece of China's Communist Party said today there was "no need to worry too much" about downward pressure on the yuan as the currency wallows at more than eight-year lows against the dollar. China has been struggling to prop up the falling unit in the face of a huge flight of capital from the country as the prospects of better and safer returns in the United States entice investors away. And the central People's Bank of China faces further headwinds after the Federal Reserve on Wednesday hiked borrowing costs and indicated three more next year, leading to warnings from analysts of further outflows of cash. However, in a commentary on Friday the People's Daily said many fear the US hike "will put further depreciation pressure on the yuan, increasing the capital outflow", but "there is no need to worry too much". The call for calm came as

the PBoC set the value of the yuan at 6.9508 against the dollar, down 0.32 percent from Thursday's fixing, according to data from the Foreign Exchange Trade System, marking the lowest level since May 2008. The yield on China's 10year sovereign bonds has surged 30 basis points so far this week, the most since January 2009, according to Bloomberg News. Nevertheless, the People's Daily cautioned against concern, noting that the dollar is no longer the sole factor affecting the market. "The days of 'when the US sneezes, the whole world gets a cold' have drifted away. Liquidity in the world market nowadays is no longer simply all in US dollars," the piece said, adding the market can choose euros instead. The PBoC has let the unit depreciate by more than four percent since October, compared with the 2.8 percent fall in the first nine months of this year. China also faces an uncertain 2017 as Donald

Trump moves into the White House, having won an election in which he promised to battle China on trade and claiming the country is a currency manipulator looking to give its exporters an unfair advantage. But while the yuan will face short-term downward pressure, the commentary said, "in the long run, it's China's economic fundamentals that will decide the direction of the renminbi". It added that China's economic performance "can provide strong support" for the yuan to remain "basically stable", echoing language authorities have used all year to reassure jittery investors, despite the currency's continued slide. A raft of positive recent data have raised hopes China's economy -- a key driver of global expansion -- may be stabilising after years of slowing growth, while a Bloomberg survey of experts showed they see a better-than-forecast performance this year and next.

volve around inflationary pressure stemming from increasing commodity prices, which could weigh on the current account and fiscal deficit," it said. "Inefficiencies remain in the public sector, with India's poor still lacking healthcare coverage, educational attainment, and access to financial services. Further, inequality in India remains high," the White House report said. The report also noted the countries that export to China and the advanced economies have suffered due to the slowdown in those important markets, the report added. "Economic growth in China has been on a downward trend since a

brief rebound after the global financial crisis. China has been attempting to re-balance from an investment- and exportdriven economy to an economy driven more by private consumption," it said. The White House said as China's economy grew to 15 per cent of global GDP in 2015, targeted industrial policies have made it the world's largest manufacturer and the dominant producer of some key goods in the global marketplace, as well as a major source of demand for an array of goods, magnifying the effects of changes in its domestic economy on global prices and growth.

SC to pass order on use of demonetised Rs 500 notes

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant

PTI New Delhi, Dec 16 : Cash shortages following the demonetisation of high value currency notes will end by midJanuary, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant today said. Disruption in the economy was inevitable after this step, taken as India aspires to have become a USD 10 trillion economy, said a statement by industry body Ficci, quoting Kant. He heads the high-level committee set up the government to identify all possible modes of digital payments across sectors as it pushes on with its drive towards a

cashless economy. "The committee is well on its way towards establishing and monitoring an implementation framework with strict timelines to ensure that nearly 80 per cent of the transactions in India move to the digital-only platform," Kant said. According to the statement, he emphasised that for sustaining a 7.5 per cent growth, digitisation is important as India cannot afford to have a parallel economy generated by high level of cash transaction. India is the only economy in the world with 1 billion biometric authentications and 1

Image for representation purpose. PTI New Delhi, Dec 16 : As many as 15 public sector firms including ONGC and Indian Oil Corporation have failed to comply with regulator Sebi's norms to appoint at least one woman director on their respective boards till December 13, Parliament was informed today. All listed firms were required to have at least one woman director on their boards from April 1, 2015 , as per a new Sebi directive, as also under the

Companies Act, 2013. These rule are aimed at ensuring gender diversity in boardrooms. As on December 13, 2016, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, GAIL, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation, Chennai Petroleum Corporation, Scooters India, MMTC and Fertilisers & Chemicals Travancore have not appointed women directors on their board, Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley said in a writ-

ten reply to Lok Sabha. Other non-complaint firms are State Trading Corporation of India, Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company, Bharat Immunologicals & Biologicals Corp, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers and Neyveli Lignite Corporation, he added. The Minister said that 169 and 1,106 companies listed on the NSE and BSE respectively had not appointed women directors as on September 30, this year. Acting against listed firms without a mandatory woman director, Sebi in April 2015 had announced a minimum Rs 50,000 fine and warned of further action, including against promoters and directors, if they remain non-compliant beyond six months. The markets watchdog announced a four-stage penalty structure wherein fines would increase with the passage of time. It had asked the stock exchanges to levy the fines as the violation relates the Listing Agreement.

Battle in China became global: Uber CEO on exit Supreme Court. | (File Photo/PTI) PTI New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Supreme Court said that it may pass some orders on Friday on a plea seeking that demonetised Rs 500 currency notes be allowed to be used for some more time at places like hospitals and petrol pumps. "We will see whether we can pass some orders today," a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice D Y Chandrachud said when

senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an interim order on the issue. Sibal said that the use of demonetised Rs 500 notes has come to an end and some order needed to be passed. On Thursday, the court had said that the Centre should adhere to its notification that allowed withdrawal of Rs 24,000 per week from bank accounts after demonetisation of high-value currency notes.

HUL arm sells some leather biz assets to Hindustan Foods

Cash shortage to end by mid-Jan: Kant billion mobile phones, Kant said, adding that it has the digitisation infrastructure to leverage the JAM trinity -- Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile. Noting that Aadhaarenabled payments was the biggest disruption in India, he said nearly 30 crore people who are without mobile connections can use Aadhaar and thumb impression or Iris connection for digital payments. In the next 6-7 months every smartphone user would be able to make Aadhaar based payment using a device based on inter-operating system, Kant said, pointed out that as India moves towards digitisation transaction costs would come down. Highlighting various incentive schemes taken by the government to promote digital payments such as 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and 'Digi Dhan Vyapari Yojna', the NITI Aayog CEO assured merchant-traders that in their move towards digitisation there would be no harassment by tax official by way of scrutiny of the previous years of books of accounts.

at 15 PSUs: Govt

Image for representational purpose. PTI New Delhi, Dec 16 : FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) today said its subsidiary Pond's Exports Ltd will sell certain movable assets and inventory of its leather business to Hindustan Foods for an undisclosed sum. "Pond's Exports Ltd (PEL), a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Ltd, engaged in the business of manufacturing of leather products, has entered into an agreement

with Hindustan Foods Ltd for sale of certain movable assets and inventory with respect to the leather business of PEL," Hindustan Unilever Ltd said in a BSE filing. Hindustan Foods said, "This marks the entry of Hindustan Foods Ltd in the leather shoes exports space with a global clientele". Shares of Hindustan Unilever Ltd were trading 0.88 per cent higher at Rs 824.40 on BSE.

"The battle in China had become global. We had sovereign wealth of China being invested in our competition globally. We had American tech companies that were being compelled to invest in our competitor in China. And so China battle had become a global battle," Kalanick said at the TiE Global Summit here. New Delhi, Dec 16 : Months after selling its stake in China, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick today said it sold its stake to rival Didi since the "battle in China became global", prompting the US-based company to focus on other areas such as Ubereats, driverless cars and markets like India. "The battle in China had become global. We had sovereign wealth of China being invested in our competition globally. We had American tech companies that were being compelled to invest in our competitor in China. And so China battle had become a global battle," Kalanick said at the TiE Global Summit here. In August, the Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing announced acquisition of Uber's operations in China in a USD 35 billion deal. While Didi acquired Uber China's brand, business operations and data, Uber received 5.89 percent share of the combined entity, totalling 17.7 percent economic interest in Didi Chuxing. Interestingly, Didi is an investor in Uber's rival Ola in India as well as Lyft, a competitor to Uber in the US. "At

Battle in China became global: Uber CEO on exit some point we realised that we can't do everything ourselves. So we partnered in China so that we can focus on other interesting things we are doing worldwide like Ubereats, what is going on in India, driverless cars. There are whole bunch of things that we needed to focus on. We could not do everything ourselves. We did put our heart and soul in that effort (China operations)," he said. Kalanick, who is on a fiveday trip to India, yesterday said the company was losing USD 200 million a month in China and that merging was a "great strategy". The billionaire entrepreneur started Scour (a file sharing service) with four other cofounders and then went

Honda to hike car prices by up to 3% from January

Rupee moves up 2 paise against dollar Mumbai, Dec 16 : The rupee edged higher by 2 paise to 67.81 against the US dollar in early trade Friday at the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange on fresh selling of the US currency by exporters. Forex dealers said apart from selling of the American unit, a higher opening in domestic equity market and the dollar's weakness against some currencies overseas also supported the rupee. The rupee, on Thursday took a sharp plunge of 40 paise against the US dollar to close at 67.83 as the US currency gained strength

after the Federal Reserve announced a rate hike of 25 bps to 50-75 bps. The US Central bank hiked interest rates for only the second time since the financial crisis even as hawkish outlook signalled more rate hikes in 2017. World financials and currency markets too reacted vehemently to the landmark outcome, ending months of lingering confusion and uncertainty. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex too recovered by 75.48 points or 0.28 per cent at 26,594.55 in early trade Friday.

on to set up another file sharing platform, Red Swoosh before starting Uber with Garrett Camp in 2009. Asked about his views on the ideal number of co-founders for a successful startup venture, Kalanick said: "The thing is when you have too many co-founders...it takes too long to arrive at a decision. Solo, likewise, is a tough road too." In India, many of the Unicorn Club members (private companies with valuation of over USD one billion) like Flipkart (Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal), Snapdeal (Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal), Ola (Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati) and Zomato (Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah) have two co-founders.

Honda to hike car prices by up to 3% from January

PTI New Delhi, Dec 16 : Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) today said it will hike prices of its vehicles across models by up to 3 per cent from next month.

"Due to the increasing pressure on input costs and fluctuating exchange rates, we are forced to consider increasing the car prices across our line-up," HCIL President and CEO

Yoichiro Ueno said in a statement. The increased price will be effective from first week of January 2017, the statement added. The company's product range includes Honda Brio, Honda Jazz, Honda Amaze, Honda Mobilio, Honda City, Honda BR-V, Honda CR-V and the recently launched all-new Honda Accord Hybrid. These are priced between Rs 4.69 lakh and Rs 37 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Other car makers including Hyundai Motor India, Nissan, Toyota, Renault, Mercedes-Benz India and Tata Motors have also announced they would increase prices of their vehicles from January.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

Bangladesh celebrates 1971 liberation war victory PTI Dhaka, Dec 16 : Bangladesh today celebrated the 44th anniversary of its victory against Pakistan in the liberation war with India's support. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the National Memorial at suburban Savar in a predawn ceremony with army bugles playing the last post while thousands followed them as the nation also bowed in gratitude to the 1971 martyrs and heroes. Hamid later joined as the chief guest a parade of armed forces and other state-owned organis ations at a ceremony, also attended by the premier at the National Parade Square in the capital. Streets and buildings at the capital and other major cities were illuminated overnight of buildings in Dhaka and other major cities marked the anniversary.

Mukti Jodhas of Bangladesh lay wreaths at the War Memorial during Victory Day celebrations at Fort William in Kolkata on Friday to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. | Photo Credit: PTI

The premier last night hosted a reception in honour of 29 Indian and Russian war veterans, who fought for Bangladesh s 1971 independence from Pakistan. Retired lieutenant general G S Sihota led the Indian delegation at the function while Kozhurin Victor led the Russian veterans, who took part in sweeping mines at Chittagong Port after the country's independence. "Bangladesh will always remember your contributions," Hasina

told the reception. The war in 1971 broke after the sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25, 1971 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by the Pakistani troops and ended on December 16. The same year Pakistan conceded defeat and unconditionally surrendered in Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian soldiers. Officially three million people were killed during the nine-month long war.

EU to seek summit with Turkey next month AP Brussels, Dec 16 : The European Union will seek to hold a summit meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the first half of next year to discuss the testy relations between the two, the 28-nation bloc's president has said. EU President Donald Tusk yesterday said at the end of the EU summit that he was given "a mandate" to set up a meeting between the leaders of EU institutions and Turkey over the next months. He said no date or place had been set. The 28-nation EU and Turkey have a deal under which Turkey makes sure to stem the flow of migrants into Europe in return for billions of euros to take

care of them there. However, Turkey and the EU have been at loggerheads about Turkey's security crackdown since a failed coup in July. Tusk office said that the summit would likely be held after a regular EU summit in March. Earlier this week, EU countries expressed deep concern about Turkey's crackdown but stopped short of officially freezing membership talks with the country, a move that is favored by Austria. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, one of the migrant deal's main architects, stressed the importance of keeping lines of communication open. "I don't think threats are the right answer," she

P10

INTERNATIONAL

said. While EU members don't currently plan to open any new chapters in the long-running membership negotiations, "everyone was aware that even if we have very critical remarks to make about some developments in Turkey, Turkey is our neighbor and we want to keep talking in the spirit of neighborhood," Merkel said. Merkel's Austrian counterpart, Christian Kern, reiterated his country's position that "there is no question of EU accession for Turkey." But he stressed that "Turkey is an important partner in dealing with the migration question, from a security policy point of view ... but also from an economic point of view.

Pak marks 2nd anniv of school carnage; Sharif vows action PTI Peshawar, Dec 16 : Marking the second anniversary of the Peshawar army school carnage today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to take the war against militancy to its "logical conclusion" to ensure a peaceful and stable Pakistan for future generations. About 150 people, mostly school children, were killed when Taliban gunmen in army uniforms stormed the Army Public School (APS) here in 2014. Sharif said in his message that Pakistan took a clear and categorical decision for an indiscriminate action against terrorists after the APS incident. "We decided to act with our full might for elimination of terrorism and ex-

tremism from our society; showing no mercy for those who martyred our little angels. The world has seen that we have dismantled the terrorists' networks and broken their back by rendering matchless sacrifices in this war of our survival," he said. "I assure the nation that we will take this war to its logical conclusion to guarantee a peaceful and stable Pakistan for our future generations," he said. Sharif extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the martyred students and all those who became victims of the tragic incident. "I share the pain and grief with the bereaved families. The entire Pakistani nation feels and shares the pain of the tragedy and stand by the mourning families,"

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the Prime Minister. He said December 16 reminds of the most painful tragedy of "our lives when our innocent students were mercilessly killed at the place of their studies". "It was a day when the heartless enemy committed an act of barbarism and

savagery against defenceless school boys. We cannot forget the agony of this day," he said. A solemn memorial service was held here to mark the tragedy which was attended by families of the victims, politicians, military leadership and others.

Moving scenes were also witnessed as several parents were seen crying on the occasion. Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa laid a wreath and offered prayers as he attended the memorial service. "We can never forget these children, I have photos of them in my office and keep looking at them periodically to remind me of our losses," he said later in a brief address. He said the armed forces were working hard to make the country safer. APS Principal Tahira Kazi recalled it was a difficult day for the country as everyone felt as though "we would never be able to come out of this pain. But we came out of that time better and stood strong in front of the enemy".

S Korea issues 50,000 people still trapped in top bird flu alert eastern Aleppo: UN envoy

AFP Seoul, Dec 16 : South Korea today issued its top bird flu alert for the first time, giving officials extra powers to contain an outbreak that has already triggered the slaughter of more than 10 percent of national poultry stocks. Since the first case of the highly pathogenic H5N6 virus was confirmed in mid-November, it has rapidly spread nationwide, leading to a record 16 million chicken and ducks being culled. Previously, the worst outbreak to hit the South was recorded in 2014 when nearly 14 million birds were slaughtered. "We raised the alert level to the 'grave level' in a bid to contain the spread of the avian influenza," Agriculture Minister Kim Jae-Soo said. "Grave" is the final step on the four-level alert system, and means officials can ban movements of vehicles carrying birds, close poultry meat stores or animal slaughterhouses, vaccinate all poultry, or disinfect

any vehicles on the road. "We raised the alert level because of this reality in which we are witnessing the growing speed and infection rate of the outbreak," Kim said. The move can potentially cause a sudden hike in poultry and egg prices in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Current egg prices are around 30 percent up from a year ago, Kim said, warning of a potential disruption in future poultry supply. Health authorities have come under fire for failing to respond properly to the outbreak, which coincided with a political crisis that paralysed the administration of recently impeached president Park GeunHye. There have been no cases of human infections from H5N6 in the South, although the virus killed six people in China between 2014 and 2016. The World Health Organization warned earlier this year that the strain has caused "severe infection" in humans.

India ‘sabotaging’ efforts to normalise relations: Pakistan

Paris, Dec 16 : Around 50,000 people, the majority civilians, were still trapped in eastern Aleppo even as an evacuation deal was under way, the UN peace envoy for Syria and French foreign minister said on Thursday. "There are 50,000 people, including 40,000 civilians unfortunate enough to live in that part of the city. The rest are fighters, numbering between 1,500 and 5,000, and their families," the UN's Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Paris, alongside France's JeanMarc Ayrault. Turkey had earlier said 80,000 to 100,000 civilians were likely still trapped in eastern Aleppo. "Our priority is for our UN colleagues to be present with the people (who have been evacuated) and that the fighters be respected under the terms of this deal," De Mistura said. Under the terms of the evacuation agreement negotiated by regime backer Russia and rebel supporter Turkey, the people currently being evacuated from eastern Aleppo will be taken to the northwest-

50,000 people still trapped in eastern Aleppo: UN envoy

ern province of Idlib, an opposition bastion. "We don't know what will happen in Idlib. If there is no political agreement and a ceasefire, Idlib will become the next Aleppo," De Mistura said. Ayrault meanwhile repeated France's call for "the deployment, as quickly as possible, of UN observers, of all UN personnel who are already on the ground, and who can be deployed in the coming hours." A UN Security Council meeting requested by France, and which is expected to take place on

Friday, "will specifically examine the deployment of observers in order to ensure there are no abuses, no acts of revenge, and that the civilian population is protected". He added: "This can be done extremely quickly." Ayrault meanwhile urged "a ceasefire for the whole country and for a return to negotiations". Hundreds of people were evacuated from eastern Aleppo on Thursday, after a devastating monthlong regime offensive carried out with the backing of Russian war planes.

Greece approves pension handout defying eurozone

'Have declared unilateral moratorium on nuke testing'

“India has tried to do everything to sabotage every goodwill gesture that we made towards normalising relations,” Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said. (Source: AP)

control regime, harmonised with those of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). "We have declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing and have been forthcoming in offering to translate this into a bilateral arrangement on non-testing with India," he said. He claimed that Pakistan's credentials clearly establish its eligibility to become a mem'Have declared unilateral moratorium on nuke testing' ber of the NSG. "The grant of waivers to actors," Pakistan s Deputy long held non-proliferaPTI United Nations, Dec 16 Permanent Representa- tion norms and rules car: Pakistan said it has de- tive to the UN Nabeel ries obvious proliferation clared a unilateral morato- Munir said at the Security risks and also undermine rium on nuclear testing and Council debate on prolif- regional strategic stabilhas been forthcoming in eration of weapons of ity. It is critical that an offering to translate this mass destruction by non- equitable, nondiscriminainto a bilateral arrange- State actors here yester- tory and criteria-based ment on non-testing with day. approach to promote Listing the steps taken by civil nuclear cooperation India. "It is in the interest of all Pakistan to fulfill its non- and membership of exstates to prevent prolifera- proliferation obligations, he port controls regimes, in tion of Weapons of Mass said Pakistan has elabo- particular that of the Destruction (WMDs) to rated and implemented a NSG, is adopted," he states as well as non-state comprehensive export said.

Islamabad, Dec 16 : Pakistan has accused India of “sabotaging” efforts to normalise relations and using “flimsiest of reasons” to avoid talks, as it called on New Delhi to show “seriousness” in resolving the Kashmir issue. “The trajectory (of ties) has been down the slope. India has tried to do everything to sabotage every goodwill gesture that we made towards normalising relations,” Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria told PTI. Asked about why the two countries could not resume talks in 2016, Zakaria alleged that India was using “flimsiest of reasons to avoid talks”. “Every time there is prospect for talks, they come up with a new excuse. They want to suppress Kashmiris and use Pakistan card and border tension to hide their crimes against humanity” in Kashmir and also for “playing domestic politics”, he claimed. Asked if 2017 will be better for bilateral ties, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said it depends on the “Indian attitude, Indian intransigence and Indian behaviour to improve the security situation in the region”. “Most importantly, they should also immediately stop the bloodshed in Kashmir,” he said. “India should show that it is ready for talks. It should show seriousness to resolve Kashmir,” Zakaria said. Noting that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said on the sidelines of Heart of Asia summit in Pakistan last

year that peace process would continue and no incident would be able to derail the talks, Zakaria said since the Pathankot attack, India has been using it as a pretext to “run away from talks”. “Though, they have no proof against Pakistan,” he added. Zakaria said Pakistan is not using issues like the arrest of “RAW operative” Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has allegedly confessed involvement of India in “perpetrating and financing” terrorism, to avoid dialogue with India because it believes that all contentious issues can be resolved through dialogue. Responding to a question about calm at LoC following Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz’s India visit this month, Zakaria said, “the LoC calm was temporary. It was due to the international pressure after the UN, the US and several other countries urged for lowering tension.” Zakaria claimed that Pakistan has done everything to create a conducive atmosphere for revival of talks. “On the contrary, India remained busy in vitiating the atmosphere and always scuttled the efforts. It did so in November by sabotaging the SAARC summit. The summit was not about politics but about improving the socio-economic condition of the entire region. Then it showed same attitude during the Heart of Asia conference,” he alleged.

Greece approves pension handout defying eurozone AFP Athens, Dec 16 : Greek lawmakers have approved a pension handout that has set the country on a collision course with hardline European creditors who accuse the struggling eurozone member of defiance. A total of 196 lawmakers out of 257 present from across the party divide approved the bill deepening a row that has also brought simmering EU disputes over austerity to the fore. The handout measure, announced by under-pressure leftist Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras last week, earmarks 617 million euros (USD 656 million) for a oneoff payment to poor pensioners. Athens says the pension handout will come out of a one-billion-euro tax surplus, but European creditors yesterday said the Greek move raised "signifi-

cant concerns on both process and substance" regarding the country's bailout obligations. In the joint statement, representatives from the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the European rescue fund said they would now decide whether to uphold a Eurogroup decision granting Greece short-term debt relief earlier this month. Tsipras yesterday said as he arrived for an EU summit in Brussels that the situation had to be resolved "without blackmail" on the part of Greece's creditors. "I believe that we can have a breakthrough without blackmail and with respect of the sovereignty of each country," said the leftist leader, who fought with his European peers to within an inch of taking Greece out of the euro last year. Germany "is the only country, the only eurozone fi-

nance ministry, that raises an issue," he told reporters, adding that halting the debt relief "is outside the borders of reason." The issue will inevitably come on the agenda later today when Tsipras meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks in Berlin. After the EU summit Merkel said "a critical discussion has already begun" on the matter, but insisted "it is not my intention to negotiate with Greece about the Greek package" leaving that to the finance ministers. France weighed into the debate with uncharacteristic force, led by President Francois Hollande who insisted that Greece be "treated with dignity" in the ongoing dispute. A spokesman for Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday said the eurozone was suspending the recentlyannounced debt relief scheme for Athens in retaliation at not being fully briefed on Tsipras's handout plans - which also include a lower sales tax for Greek islands sheltering migrants. The actions "of the Greek government appear to not be in line with our agreements," said the spokesman for Dijsselbloem, who heads the 19-nation eurozone, which oversees Greece's massive 86billion euro bailout.

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

SPORTS

P11

Not concerned with underdogs Will Vijender defend his WBO middleweight title on Saturday? tag: ATK coach Molina

IANS Kolkata, Dec. 16: Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) are not bothered about the "underdog" tag that has been thrust upon them ahead of their semifinal first leg tie against Mumbai City FC on Saturday. "I don't think about that too much. Maybe to you (pointing at journalists) but I don't know," ATK coach Molina said. "I am not worried about that. It doesn't matter if we are favourites or not. I don't lose my sleep thinking if we are favourites or not. My aim is to play in the best way

and try to win the final," the Spaniard added. ATK finished fourth while Mumbai topped the league table en route to the semifinals. Molina said he doesn't have any special plans to contain Mumbai's marquee footballer Diego Forlan. "No special plan for him. Forlan will not play alone on the pitch. He will have 10 team-mates. Then we have to defend as a team and not against one player. We will try to defend even if they are strong players," Molina said. ATK have drawn eight of their 14 league games. But Molina said

they never play for a draw and they will go all out for a win at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium on Saturday. "We never play for a draw. We play to win always. If we can't win, we will try to draw. We don't want to lose but we try to win every time we go to the pitch." Molina said there are no injury concerns bar India centre back Arnab Mondal who has a slight "problem". "Today we have no injury worries. Only problem is with Mondal. He is the only problem we have right now."

French court rejects Benzema's request to drop blackmail case

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema IANS Paris, Dec 16 : The Versailles court of appeal rejected the request of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and other defendants to drop the case of alleged blackmail over a sex tape featuring his France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena on Friday. The case is now expected to go to trial next year, reports Efe. A spokesman for the prosecutor's office said the court's investigation chamber refused to overturn the case as requested

by the defendants' lawyers, who believe that there were irregularities in the case. According to the prosecutor's office, the Real Madrid player tried to persuade his team-mate to pay the blackmailers, something that Benzema denies as he claims that his sole objective was to help Valbuena. Karim Benzema has had his appeal to be allowed to make private calls from his phone rejected. The French striker remains under investigation with regard to an alleged

blackmail attempt against Valbuena. Police have tapped Benzema's phone, and the 28-year-old had hoped the condition would be revoked. Benzema, currently in Japan, scored in Madrid's Club World Cup semi-final 2-0 win over Mexico's Club America on Thursday. Benzema and Valbuena haven't appeared for France since news of the case broke. They were not picked by France to play at Euro 2016 on home soil.

Khinchegashvili, Kurbanaliev, Stadnik big buys at PWL auction

cmyk

IANS New Delhi, Dec 16 : Georgia's Rio Olympic gold medallist Vladimer Khinchegashvili emerged as the costliest buy till the halfway mark of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) auction, joining CDR Punjab Royals for a whopping Rs 48 lakh ($70,790), while Magomed Kurbanaliev of Russia and Mariya Stadnik were bagged for Rs 47 lakh ($69,326) each. Kurbanaliev, the 70kg reigning world champion, was sold to Haryana Hammers, as Mangalayatan University Dilli Veer splurged Rs 47 lakh ($69,326) to include threetime Olympic medallist Mariya Stadnik (48kg) of

Ukraine in their roster. Another Georgian, 2016 Olympics bronze medallist Jabrayil Hasanov (74 kg) went for Rs 43 lakh ($63,426) to Revanta Mumbai Garuda. Apart from 57kg exponent Khinchegashvili, Punjab bagged another experienced campaigner in 2012 Olympic gold medallist Togrul Asgarov from Azerbaijan for Rs 35 lakh ($51,618). Three-time world champion Sofia Mattsson from Sweden moved to Haryana for Rs 41.50 lakh ($61,214). Meanwhile, young Indian Bajrang Punia was signed by Delhi for Rs 38 lakh ($56,043). Indian Amit Dhankar went to Uttar Pradesh Warriors team

for Rs 32 lakh ($47,200), while compatriot Rahul Aware was bagged by Mumbai for Rs 31 lakh ($45,715). Georgian Elizbar Odikadze, who was a key member of Mumbai's title last term, this time went to Jaipur for Rs 25.50 lakh ($37,613) to Jaipur. Indian 97 kg champion Satyavart Kadian will play for Delhi after being fetched for Rs 18 lakh ($26,550) All teams have been given a purse of Rs 2 crore ($2,94,964) to assemble a nine-member squad that includes five men and four women -- comprising five Indians and four foreigners.

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

Reiffel replaced by Simon Fry in 5th India-England Test PTI Chennai, Dec. 16: Umpire Paul Reiffel, who suffered a concussion after being hit by a Bhuvneshwar Kumar throw during the fourth Test between India and England, has been replaced by fellow Australian Simon Fry in the fifth and final match of the series here. "Paul Reiffel was scheduled to stand in the Chennai Test. However, on medical advise, he was replaced by Simon Fry during the Mumbai Test following the conclusion of which he returned to Perth. Paul is fine and will resume duties after Christmas in the ODI series between New Zealand and Bangladesh," an ICC official told PTI. The unusual incident took

place in the post lunch session on the first day of the penultimate Test of the series when Reiffel, standing at the square leg, was struck on the back of his head by a throw from fielder Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the deep. The former Australia fast bowler was hit flush on the back of his head when the ball was thrown by Bhuvneshwar from deep square leg, resulting in his fall on the turf. Play was halted for a while as on-field medical attention was administered before the dazed official left the ground to go into the pavilion for further rest and recuperation. Later he underwent MRI scan in a nearby hospital.

Dybala says first time playing with Messi was unforgettable experience IANS Rome, Dec. 16: Argentine forward Paulo Dybala has said the first time he played with his compatriot star forward Lionel Messi for their national football team was an unforgettable experience. In an interview published on Thursday by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the Juventus player said that Messi was his idol and he dreamed of playing with the FC Barcelona talisman. "The first time (with Argentina) was an unforgettable experience, the top was an exchange of passes when I set him up to shoot," Dybala recalled. The 23-year-old considers

that Messi and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo are the best footballers in the world, reports Efe news agency. Dybala did not rule out that he himself could reach the level of Messi and Ronaldo, and even be a nominee for the Ballon d'Or. He revealed that he thinks about the Ballon d'Or and it was "amazing" to be shortlisted among 30 nominees for the award, although he did not get any votes in this year's edition. Dybala added that he now wants to "go higher," noting that it is a unique feeling to wear the Argentine national team jersey. (IANS)

Argentine forward Paulo Dybala

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh 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. The bout's guest list features names from the world of politics, sports and Bollywood. The list from the sporting arena includes Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan, Yogeshwar Dutt, Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, Mary Kom, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar. Also there will be Vijender's friends from Bollywood -- Neha Dhupia and Rahgu Ram join in cheering for him. The list of the politicians includes Minister of State Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Designer Rohit Bal, Sports Minister Vijay Goel, Chief Minister Haryana ML Khattar, Deputy Chief Minister Delhi Manish Sisodia and former CM Haryana Bhupinder Hooda.

Pakistan suffer early loss after Handscomb ton

Pakistan suffer early loss after Handscomb ton AFP Brisbane, Dec. 16: Pakistan hit early trouble chasing Australia's first innings of 429 on the second day of the day-night first Test at the Gabba on Friday. Pakistan lost their first wicket in the fifth over when Azhar Ali was well caught by a diving Usman Khawaja at third slip off Mitchell Starc for five. At the interval, Pakistan were 20 for one with Sami Aslam on three and Babar Azam not out on nine. Peter Handscomb earlier posted a maiden century and the tail wagged as Australia extended their first innings to frustrate Pakistan. Handscomb made the most of his opportunity and followed up a half-century on debut against South Africa in Adelaide last month with a polished 105. Tailenders Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird hit out in a crowd-pleasing last-wicket stand of 49. Handscomb was out in the third over after tea when he chopped a Wahab delivery on to his stumps, one ball

after Josh Hazlewood was caught at first slip in Mohammad Amir's previous over. Bird smoked a lusty six in his unbeaten 19 and Lyon cracked 29 off 24 balls to stymie Pakistan's efforts to quickly mop up the Australia first innings. It mitigated Pakistan's hard work in the first session when they claimed four dismissals but were left to rue yet more dropped catches. Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir both finished with four wickets each. The Australians, who resumed at 288 for three, lost skipper Steve Smith for 130, Nic Maddinson for one, Matthew Wade for seven and Mitchell Starc for 10. Smith was finally out to a wild shot in the 100th over when he slashed at Wahab Riaz and gave wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed a regulation catch. It ended a 172-run stand with Handscomb and he departed with his side in command at 323 for four. Smith had some luck along

the way with his 16th Test century, offering three chances during his 222-ball knock. The Australian captain was dropped on 53 by Ahmed off spinner Azhar Ali, and on 97 he survived in bizarre circumstances when a faint outside edge off Amir was taken by Ahmed, but there was no appeal. According to the infra-red imaging system Hot Spot, the pink ball registered a faint contact on the bat and Smith later admitted he had nicked it. On 129, he jumped down the wicket to luckless legspinner Yasir Shah and skied to long-off, where Amir made a hash of the catch. Maddinson was dropped by Azhar at short leg before scoring but was out soon after, caught behind off Wahab. The tentative Maddinson lasted just eight balls, coming on top of his 12-ball duck on debut against South Africa in Adelaide last month to put his Test place in peril.

Kenya's Korir eyes Boston marathon crown IANS Nairobi , Dec. 16: Kenya' s former Boston marathon champion Wesley Korir and Caroline Rotich will return to the US to try and reclaim their titles on April 17, 2017. However, Korir is not considering competing at the World Championships in London, irrespective of his performance in Boston, reports Xinhua news agency. "I will focus on winning in Boston. The other races are not important. I had my

chance in Rio and as you all know, a mix-up of water caused me to exit the 42kilometer race at the Olympics," said the athlete, who is also a Member of Parliament in Kenya. However, Korir will face stiff challenge from reigning champion Lemi Bernahu while Atsede Baysa will lead the women's quest. Having never finished outside of the top five in Boston, Korir also returns after winning in 2012 in one of the warmest Boston

Marathons in race history. "When six athletes who have so richly enhanced the history of the Boston Marathon are returning to compete again, it's very exciting," said BAA chief executive officer Tom Grilk. "These are some of the world's finest runners, and we can't wait to welcome them back." Moeen Ali of England during day one of the 5th test match between India and England held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

cmyk

ATK coach Molina

Agencies New Delhi, Dec. 16: 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 said. 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

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

P12

Day 1: Moeen Ali leads England to 284/4

Moeen Ali of England during day one of the 5th test match between India and England held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Agencies Chennai, Dec. 16: A solid 146-run stand for the third wicket between Joe Root and Moeen Ali on day one of the fifth India v England Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai allowed the visitors build on the luck England skipper Alastair Cook enjoyed at the toss as England opted to bat first and finished day one with 284 for four on the board on Friday. Root compiled his 11th fifty plus score against India in as many matches with an 88-run knock that had fluency written all over it. At the other end, Ali made survival his ally en route to an unbeaten 120.

After the early loss of the openers Keaton Jennings (1) and Alastair Cook (10), that seemed to have nullified England's advantage, Root and Ali steadied England slowly in the first session before playing with intent in the second. Four days after cyclone Vardha ripped through the city, ground staff at the Chepauk managed to get the ground ready and what was on offer was a good batting wicket that will eventually slow down as the game progresses. The slowness of the pitch made stroke-making tough, but the same slowness did allow the batsmen enough time to recover if they misread the length of

Jr Hockey WC:

Belgium stun Germany to enter final

Agencies Lucknow, Dec. 16: Belgium stunned six-time champions and title holders Germany 4-3 in the shoot out to progress to their maiden final of the men's Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow on Friday. Belgium rode on their goalkeeper Loic van Doren's superb display in the shoot-out to register the upset win after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation 70 minutes. Van Doren made two brilliant saves in the shoot-out to deny Germany's Philip Schimid and Tim Herzbruch. The Germans came into the match as favourites but it was Belgium who controlled the proceedings and created more chances for most part of the game. If not for goalkeeper Lennart Kuppers, Germany could have lost the match in regulation time as he made some brilliant saves in the match to keep away the ever-charging Belgians. In the shoot-out, Germany replaced their regu-

lar custodian Kuppers for shoot-out specialist Niklas Garst, but it did not help the defending champions as he could pull off just one save. For Belgium, Nicolas Poncelet, Arthur de Sloover, Henri Raes and Robbert Rubens scored in the shoot-out while Johannes Grobe, Ole Thies Prinz and Constantin Staib were the successful converters. Earlier in the day, Japan eked out a narrow 2-1 win over Asian rivals Korea in the 13th-14th place classification match, while Egypt defeated Canada by identical margin to avoid the wooden spoon. For Japan, Kota Watanabe (55th) and Koji Yamasaki (70th) scored for the winners while Seyong Oh found the net for Korea. In the match to avoid the wooden spoon, Canada surged ahead in the 35th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Rohan Chopra before Egypt found the net twice in the second half through Mohamed Gadelkarim (58th) and Ahmed Elganaini (67th).

the delivery. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (3/ 73) beat Ali on numerous occasions but once he gauged the nature of the pitch he got going. Root did not have any of that trouble at all as he kept to the backfoot and pounced on to the loose deliveries well. He employed the sweep shot to full effect to the ball that were bowled at an outside off stump line. The pitch eased out in the second session, meaning Jadeja became much easier to negotiate as compared to the first session. Ishant Sharma, playing his first match of the series provided the

first breakthrough when he scalped Jennings. Jennings went after a wide delivery and a healthy edge was taken easily by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, after Cook became the 10th batsman in Tests to reach 11,000 runs in the first ball of the match. Ishant (1/25) bowled well in tandem with Umesh Yadav early on, giving away nothing and that disciplined line induced Jennings to go for a false stroke. Spin was introduced as early as the eighth over and Jadeja immediately got purchase from the black soil laden pitch. Some balls turned prodigiously, some didn't and that bothered both Cook and Root. In his third over, Jadeja got

the wicket of Cook - for the fifth time in the series when the England skipper came forward to a wide delivery and played for the spin. The ball didn't spin as much as Cook expected and a thickish edge was pounced by Virat Kohli at first slip for his 50th Test catch. Ali lived a charmed life throughout the day as he was dropped on naught when KL Rahul mistimed a jump at midwicket after Ali had flicked one from Jadeja uppishly. Ali went on to survive two DRS decisions - one against Jadeja and other against Amit Mishra. However, Root perished for 88 late in second session. He attempted a sweep off a fullish delivery from Jadeja five overs before tea but got a faint under-edge that was gathered by Parthiv behind the stumps. Jadeja and Kohli, at slips, appealed instantaneously but umpire Marais Erasmus turned it down. Kohli went for the DRS and the original decision was reversed. Jonny Bairstow played a good hand of 49 off 90 balls, combining for an 86-run stand for the fourth wicket, and he too played the sweep shot to good effect. He took three sixes all with the sweep before falling to Jadeja. Soon after, Ali brought up his fifth Test hundred with a single towards point and in company of Ben Stokes (5*), took England to 284 for 4 when stumps were drawn. Brief Scores : England 284/4 (Ali 120*, Root 88; Jadeja 3/73) vs India

Anand survives scare against Anish Giri Agencies London, Dec. 16: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand survived a scare before eventually holding his position together to escape with a draw against Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in the sixth round of London Chess Classic in London on Friday. Trying to invade early into Giri's position, Anand found that the former was adequately prepared and while it was an extremely wild game the chances were only for Giri in complexities. Wesley So of United States cemented his position at the top of the table by handing Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria his fifth defeat in the tournament. The Filipino turned American Grandmaster took his tally to an enviable 4.5 points out of a possible six and now remains a half point clear of compatriot Fabiano Caruana. Caruana defeated Hikaru Nakamura, also of United States, to remain within striking distance of Wesley So.

This was another adrenaline rush for the players as well as spectators and Caruana justified why he is world number two and bridging the gap between him and world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The other decisive battle of the day went in favour of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave who overcame Levon Aronian of Armenia after a keenly contested battle while the game between Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Michael Adams of England ended in a draw. With Wesley So in command and Caruana on his heels, Kramnik is the other player in with a chance on 3.5 points while Anand, Nakamura, Giri, Aronian and Vachier-Lagrave have an identical three points apiece for a shared fourth spot. The battle lines are now drawn as the top three finishers from here get a direct seeding in to the next year's Grand Chess tour and Anand will have a tall task on hand with two black games lined up out of

the final three but the Indian ace has been in fine form and trying hard which might just prove enough. Playing white, Anand went for one of the topoical lines in the Sicilian Najdorf and found Giri in fine fettle. The 'Tiger from Madras' was tempted by a piece sacrifice that netted him three pawns but at the same time made his king's position a little vulnerable. Giri did everything right for the next few moves but he too faltered as it was not easy for a human mind to keep playing correctly amidst wild complexities. Anand escaped with a draw showing perfect poise in a difficult situation. Results round 6: V Anand (Ind, 3) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 3);Veselin Topalov (Bul, 0.5) lost to Wesley So (Phi, 4.5); Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 4) beat Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 3); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 3.5) drew with Michael Adams (Eng, 2.5); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 3) beat Levon Aronian (Arm, 3).

CCD & Dibrugarh Railway emerge victories

A moment of the match between Tamulbari FC and CCD on Friday. Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec. 16: Cricket Club of Dibrugarh and Dibrugarh Railway Divisional Sports 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,

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh beat Tamulbari Football Club 2-0. Umesh Gogoi opened the account for Tamulbari in the 22th minute converted a kick from the right flank. Chanchal Hazarika fired the second salvo for his team in the 37th minute through a pass from the midfield and found the back of the net. In another match, Dibrugarh Railway Divisional Sports Club defeated 17 Garhwal Rifles

6-5 via tie-breaker. The regulation time was ended in a goalless draw. Both the teams tried hard to break the deadlock in the 90th minute affair. Tomorrow, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Football Academy will play Belogoni Tea estate while Khowang Football Club will take on Tenagkhat , Sonowal Kachari studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; union Football Club. Altogether, 16 teams participated in the tournament.

CCD beat Auranodoya Sports Reporter Jyotiaditiya Chetia Gupta scored 29 off 39 Dibrugarh, Dec. 16: scored 46 off 66 deliv- balls laced with five Cricket Club of eries with four bound- boundaries and Bipin Rai Dibrugarh defeated aries and Ishan Ahmed contributed 16 runs. Auranodoya Unnayan chipped in with 40 off 39 For CCD, Kamakhya Samity by 97 runs in the balls. Saikia scalped four for senior division cricket For Auranodoya , Amit 39 in 7 overs. Arfat league tournament orNazir and Dipak ganized by Dibrugarh Senior division cricket Gohian shared two District Sports Assowickets each respecciation at DDSA stadium Das and Bipin Rai picked tively giving away 12 nad up two wickets a piece 26 runs respectively. here today. Put into bat, CCD scored conceding 27 and 50 Kamakhya Saikia was 222 for losing seven runs respectively in their adjudged man of the wickets in stipulated 35 allotted overs . match. overs. Saurav Bhagwati In reply, Auranodoya Dibrugarh Cricket smashed 47 off 30 balls, Unnayan Samity were Coaching Centre will play hitting seven boundaries bowled out for 125 in Jhalukpara Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club and one maximum. 27.4 overs. Dindayal tomorrow.

PV Sindhu faces Olympics victor Carolina Marin in must-win clash

PV Sindhu

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand

PTI NEW DELHI, Dec 16 : Olympic silver medalists PV Sindhu will on Friday clash with the Spanish opponent who beat her during the Rio Games when the pair meet in the prestigious BWF World Super Series Final in Dubai. Tenth-ranked Sindhu goes up against Marina, the world No 2, having lost her second Group B match to China's Sun Yu on Thursday. Sindhu, who recently won the China Super Series Premier, needs to win to

stay in the competition. If Sindhu beats Marin and Japans's Akane Yamaguchi, who Sindhu beat in her first match, wins her last match, then there will be a threeway tie between Sun, Sindhu and Yamaguchi. In this scenario, the games and points will come into play. However, if Marin beats Sindhu and Yamaguchi loses, the three-way tie will be between Marin, Sindhu and Yamaguchi and the second semi-finalist will be decided on games and points won.

In August, during her first trip to the Olympics, a red-hot Sindhu had run into then world No 1 Marin in the women's singles badminton final in Rio de Janeiro. On the biggest day of her career, Sindhu never stopped fighting until the Spanish champion won gold. And yet in Sindhu's hands was the biggest prize in the history of Indian badminton - an Olympic silver, to go past Saina Nehwal's bronze from 2012. In head-to-heads, Marin leads Sindhu 5-3.

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

Editor: Prahlad Hammey

cmyk

Tele : 0373-2327517