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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. II

Issue 164

Dibrugarh, Tuesday, January 3, 2017

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PAGE 8

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V APYC joins in Rahul Gandhi’s clarion call as it decides to go Shanmuganathan removes three Cabinet Ministers, Principal Advisor and Advisor to CM for a month-long agitation Staff Reporter Itanagar, 2 Jan

After Chief Minister Pema Khandu proved his numbers on the last day of 2016, the second day of the New Year bought in some more changes in the portfolios and additional charges of sitting legislators that were reportedly siding with MLA Takam Pario in his bid to lead the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal as the next chief minister. Acting on the advice of the Chief Minister, under Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V Shanmuganathan “withdrew his pleasure” in respect of three Cabinet ministers, which include Minister for Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development, Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affairs Rajesh Tacho; Minister

Parliamentary Secretary Geology and Mining Tirong Aboh, Parliamentary Secretary Art and Culture Dikto Yekar, and Parliamentary Secretary Disaster Management Nikh Kamin.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Tanga Byaling and Minister of PHE & WS, Disaster Management Takam Pario.

Similarly, the governor also discontinued the

services of Kameng Dolo as Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and Tapang Taloh as Advisor to Chief Minister with effect from 31st December, 2016. Chief Minister Khandu also “withdrew his pleasure”

in respect of five parliamentary secretaries from 31st December, 2016. These include Parliamentary Secretary of PWD Mutchu Mithi, Parliamentary Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Markio Tado,

This development came after PPA president Kahfa Bengia had temporarily suspended CM Khandu, Deputy CM Chowna Mein and five other legislators from the PPA for alleged “anti-party activities”, followed by the suspension of four more legislators on the same grounds. However, CM Khandu paraded his legislators in front of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on 31 December, 2016 to show his numbers, and consequently joined with the Bharatiya Janata Party with 32 other legislators on the same day.

against demonetization

Staff Reporter Itanagar, Jan 2

Joining in on the protest initiated by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetization, the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) today announced a month-long agitation spree.

Addressing reporters at Arunachal Press Club, the APYC president Jekke Tako come down heavily on the demonetization process and said that it has been over 50 days, but the PM has failed to reveal the names of black money hoarders, and has instead only harassed the common man.

Tako said that they would place their five-point demands before the central government and to the prime minister, which would include lifting all restrictions on withdrawal of money with immediate

effect and removal of additional charges on cashless transactions.

Unless these restrictions are not lifted, Taho said, a separate interest at the rate of 18 percent per annum should be given to all bank account holders.

Other demands included rate of ration distributed under PDS system be reduced to half for a year under provision of the food Security Act, and additionally a special onetime bonus of 20 percent be provided over and above the MSP of all Rabi crops.

It also asked that Rs 25, 000 be deposited in the account of at least one woman from each Below Poverty Line families as compensation for the suffering caused to women due to demonetization.

Doubling the number of guaranteed work days and wage rate under MNERGA for a period of one year, and Income tax and sales tax rebate of 50 percent for

small shopkeepers and businessmen were the other demands of the APYC. Tako said that we shall never forget the suffering announced the agitational activities to be undertaken which include the APYC from 4th to 8th January will distribute pamphlet to common people, from 16th to 17th January the same pamphlet will be given to all the BJP MLA /MP and shall ask those five questions, on 18th & 19th January all the answer and memorandum shall be submitted to all the Deputy commissioners of the state, from 21st to 25thJanuary we shall mobilise the public and common people, farmers at state level and a public platform while a ‘Delhi chalo’ programme is being organised after Republic day on 28th January next. APYC spokesperson Pani Arjun and Niglar Veo also elaborated on the problems of the common masses due to demonitization in the country.

Cm Khandu Expresses Shock over Sudden Demise of Youth Leader Techi Lama ET Bureau Itanagar, Jan 2

Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed shock over sudden and premature demise of a flourished entrepreneur and a youth leader Techi Lama who succumbed to a massive heart attack this morning. Paying his last respect to the departed soul, Khandu offered floral tribute and condoled the sad demise.

In his condolence message addressed to Late Lama’s wife Smt. Techi Aniya, Khandu said “With profound grief, I write to share the grief of losing one of the youth leader and a flourished entrepreneur who led from the front and left behind memories to cherish.”

The news of premature and untimely demise of Late Techi Lama, former Chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Mines and Minerals Development Corporation has come as a shock to me. I know this would be the most trying times for the family members and his close friends to cope with the irreparable loss. I hope my

humble words of consolation would ease the grief even if a little.

A renowned social activist, a youth leader and an enterprising entrepreneur, Late Techi Lama will always be remembered for his zest to usher development of Arunachal Pradesh.

Till his last breath, as an able

and conscious citizen, he has been relentlessly working and contributing to the sociocultural upliftment of the society he belonged to and took pride in. His loss has ended an era of dedicated service to humanity.

In this moment of grief, me, my family, colleagues in the Government and people of Arunachal Pradesh extend our

solidarity with you and share the pain inflicted on you and your family by one of the greatest truths of life.

“I pray Almighty God to bestow you with strength to bear the irreparable loss of your dear husband. May the soul of one of the youth leaders and an able son of the soil rest in peace in heavenly abode.

With deepest condolences!” the message further added.

18 Students and Two Civil Teachers on a National Integration Tour meet President ET Correspondent Dibrugarh, Jan 2

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Under the aegis of project Operation Sadhbhavana, a tour was organized by Dao Division to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Guwahati for 18 students and two civil teachers from remote areas of Upper Assam. It was flagged off by Barnali Bhuyan, Chairperson, Family Welfare Organisation, Dao Division on 26 December 16. The tour provided the students a rich exposure and opportunity to visit the National Capital, Jaipur and Agrac- the city of Taj Mahal.

During the tour, students got a golden opportunity to meet and interact with President Pranab Mukherjee.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P2 Aries You may feel a bit of a strain today as you try to figure out the best way to get to where you need to be, Aries. The happy, jovial approach tells you to let loose, be courageous, and strike out with conviction toward the things that mean the most to you. A sense of duty and restriction may be holding you back. Take the best of both worlds and come up with a unique plan of attack.

Taurus Your romantic side is powerfully charged today, Taurus.

The more you tune in to this side of your nature, the happier you will be. The one thing to watch out for is keeping at least one foot on the ground at all times. Work from a stable platform of honesty and practicality. Without this foundation, you will be hard pressed to establish any walls or windows.

Gemini Attend to your duties today, Gemini. There's a pronounced sense of time and a feeling that the days are slipping away. Make sure you fit love and romance into the equation somewhere. At first you may experience a bit of resistance in this department, but see that as an indication that this is an area of your life that you need to explore and ultimately feel more comfortable with.

Cancer Two different sides may tug on you today, and neither one may really make a strong case for pulling you one way or the other, Cancer. Realize that adjustments may have to be made for you to fit in with the scheme of things and fulfill your duties and responsibilities. A close loved one may distract you in subtle ways, so try not to get sidetracked if you can help it.

Leo Tension may be a bit high with everyone and everything you encounter today, Leo. There will be a strong need for stability and discipline, while others call for fun and frivolity. You may be caught in the middle. The worst thing is that no side, including yours, is going to want to compromise. Try not to take things too seriously.

Virgo Remember that you're here to have fun, and happiness is your true destiny, Virgo. Keep this in mind today, as forces may tend to pull you away from the fun you've been having. There may be a rather sobering tone to the day that's stubbornly trying to rain on your parade. Recognize the need for structure and stability, but don't let it bring you down.

Libra You will recognize and appreciate the need for structure and stability on a day like today, Libra. This practical energy may work to take away some of the fun out of the equation. You may not realize it, but the fun in your life may be getting chipped away little by little. Hold tight to the things that give you passion and purpose in life.

These are the keys to healthy living.

BP Sarma Takes Over Karbi Anglong District as Resident Chief Congress Committee sternly Executive of OIL opposes demonetization Sushanta Roy Diphu, Jan 2: Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee today formally registered protest against demonetization and resulted financial hardship the people of the nation had to undergo so long.

Speaking on behalf of the party, Member of Parliament representing two autonomous hill districts of Assam, Biren Singh Engti sharply criticized Narendra Modi led government for unlashing demonetization exercise aiming to crash black money, fake currency, corruption, cash hording and terror funding. Engti in his long press briefing mentioned that no cabi-

net decision was taken and other stake holders of the national financial regulatory authority were taken into confidence. He narrated in length about the hardship the common people of the country had to face for the ‘tyrannical’ step of the Prime Minister. However he fully avoided the monumental success of the government in curbing black money, fake currency, corruption, cash hording and terror funding. “We completely oppose cash less economy as it is not yet favourable for the rural and underdeveloped areas like Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao” Engti said. Congress straightway op-

posed the strike against black money cash hording and terror funding as it adversely effected the rural poor’s, service holders and those employed in unrecognized sectors, the right wing party also resented over the alleged deaths caused by cash crunch.

Other accusations of Congress include frequent alteration of RBI regulations and its effect on every sphere of national economy, restricted withdrawal etc. The party has demanded publication of white paper on the alleged bribery charge made by opposition leaders against the Prime Minister.

Hailakandi’s District Agriculture Office to sensitise farmers on impact of burning of crop residues ET Correspondent Karbi Anlgong, Jan 2: The District Agriculture Office, Hailakandi will embark on a drive to sensitise farmers on the impact of burning of crop residues on the soil leading to environmental degradation under the ambit of National Policy for Management of Crop Residues (NPMCR). District Senior Agricultural Development Officer, AR Ahmed said sensitising the farmers on the impact of burning of crop residues on the soil fertility is the crying need of the hour.

“Burning of crop residues has unfortunately become a common practice among the farmers to clear the fields for sowing of Rabi crops. This practice of burning the biomass has intensified in recent years, causing loss of nutrients and elevating soil temperature impacting soil properties. It also emits large amount of particulates with smoke which are hazardous to

health,” said Ahmed. Ahmed said only concerted efforts on the part of the state machinery, including the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture and State Pollution Control Board will go a long way in checking burning of crop residues in the interest of sustaining the soil nutrients and preventing environmental degradation.

“All the departments have to make an all-out effort to educate the farmers by taking up training and orientation programmes and enforce appropriate action to ensure that this pollution causing and soil disabiling practice of burning crop residue is stopped forthwith,” said the senior agriculture official. Necessary technological interventions and diversified uses to curb paddy residue burning resorted to farmers to get the paddy fields ready for sowing of Rabi crops have to be adopted to prevent loss of soil fertility and environmental degradation, said

Ahmed.

“The technological interventions encompass incorporation of crop residue into soil through adoption of conservation agriculture; preparation of compost/vermin compost and its utlisation as farmyard manure; use of crop residue for mushroom cultivation; incentivizing purchase of happy seeder, shredder, zero seed-cum-fertilizer drill etc, facilitation of in-situ management of crop residue and straw as surface mulching; and extending subsidy to the farmers for hiring machineries for resource conservation,” said Ahmed.

Other interventions for diversified uses of crop residues are fuel for power plant and production of ethanol, using straw in paper/board/panel making and also as packaging material, besides using it as fodder and in brick making, said the official.

Scorpio Tension may build today if you aren't careful about how you use your words, Scorpio.

Remember that forces are trying to push you one way and pull you another. You may encourage a focus on the collective while others seem too worried about themselves. Yet another force is calling for outdated remedies and traditional structures that no longer suit your purposes. Blaze your own trail.

Sagittarius Take a look at what's going on around you today, Sagittarius, and do some internal processing before you reach a conclusion regarding the best way to proceed. You may find that a combination of powerful forces is trying to win you over to their camp. Don't pigeonhole yourself into one way of doing things. Keep in mind that the best route is often a combination of several different paths.

Capricorn Watch out for a jolt in the action, Capricorn, as someone close to you puts on the brakes in a relationship. There could be conflicts based on a need for more structure and stability in the partnership. The imbalance between having fun and taking care of practical matters is currently working to slowly destroy the good thing that you have going. Nip this problem in the bud.

Aquarius Just when you thought you had everything planned and working smoothly, Aquarius, love comes in and clogs up the works. Suddenly your attention is diverted from work as the love of your life catches your eye. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you view it. Remember that both aspects of your life are important.

The key now is to find a healthy balance between the two.

Pisces Your heart is going pitterpat, Pisces, and you're tempted to escape into a romantic fantasyland in which you play the starring role.

The bad news is that something may be trying to hold you back today. It could be that your conscience is coming on the scene to remind you that work needs to be done before you can go off into your own little fairytale world.

Weaponry display by 149 Bn CRPF under the supervision of Commandant SK Srivastava at Charaideo on Monday. Photo by manoj pandey Dibrugarh

Rafique Uddin Ahmed Duliajan, Jan 2: Bedanta Prasad Sarma, Executive Director (Basin Manager) has taken over as Resident Chief Executive (RCE) of Oil India Limited with the effective from 1st January, 2017. Born on January 11, 1959, Sarma had joined OIL as Geologist in Geological Department on February 28, 1984. Sarma is an M Tech in Applied Geology from Roorkee University.

Prior to joining OIL, Bedanta Prasad Sarma worked as Research Assistant, Research Scientist and Lecturer in Roorkee University from November 1981 to September 1983.

During his tenure in IIT Roorkee he was the only Indian nominated to attend a training programme

Pradesh as Project Head.

During his stint at Kakinada Exploration Project, hydrocarbon (gas) was discovered in the NELP block operated by OIL in the 1st well itself.

organised by UNESCO on “Tectonics ,Seismology and Seismic Risk Assessments” at the Academy of Sciences of the German Democratic Republic. He also worked as lecturer in Dibrugarh University from September 1983 to February 1984.

A veteran geoscientist, Bedanta Prasad Sarma has worked in different projects of OIL with the most recent being in Kakinada, Andhra

Representing OIL, he has presented many papers in his area of expertise in various national and international forums.

Bedanta Prasad Sarma is actively involved with various technical universities under the Industry Academia initiatives.

Born to (Late) Dr. Guru Prasad Sarma, a renowned surgeon of yesteryears and Renu Devi Sarma, he is eldest of the four siblings in the family. An avid reader, Sarma is known for his love for sports as well.

Medical staff members felicitated by Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee

Suman Khalen President of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee feliciating Dr K C Das Superintendent of Margherita Civil Hospital by a Assamese Phoolam Gamosha on the eve of First Day of new year.Photo send by Mithun Baruah from Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Jan 2: As New Year beckons for a new beginning, members of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee showed their gratitude by felicitating all the doctors, nurses, ward boys, other staffs members of Margherita Civil Hospital.

All the medical staff members were given Assamese Phoolam Gamosha at Margherita Civil Hospital premises as a token of gratitude for their services to the people.

Suman Khalen and Alfaz Ahmed President and General Secretary of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee, Deepjyoti Taye and other Youth congress members were present during the Felicitation.

Superintendent of Margherita Civil Hospital, Dr K C Das, thanked all the members of Margherita Assembly Youth Congress Committee for the Felicitation programme.

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P3

Governor appreciates sheer Governor offer determination and dedicated efforts prayers to Donyi Polo of the farmers of Arunachal Pradesh ET Bureau ITANAGAR, Jan 2: Reaching out to the farmers, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V. Shanmuganathan met some progressive farmers at Ziro on 1st January 2017. In order to know the successes challenges towards their economic progress, the Governor had an hour long interaction session with them. The group of farmers, including two women progressive farmers briefed the Governor of their agricultural and horticultural products such as tomatoes, Kiwis, broccolis and cabbages etc.

The Governor was very much impressed by the spirit of the farmers. He advised

including public and bazaar representatives, educationists and health and security officials. He also enquired about Public Distribution System, Health indicators and Law and Order in the District.

them to form Self Help Groups and cooperative societies and avail assistance from agriculture and allied departments and banks. He assured them to take up their issues, espe-

cially transportation, quality seeds and marketing with concerned ministries and officials. He exhorted them to continue their effort to raise the standard of life in the rural areas through

their exemplary ventures by use of latest technologies in the field of agriculture and horticulture.

The Governor also met people from all walks of life,

The Governor expressed his concern on quality education, basic health services and road communication.

He advised the concerned officials to address the problems for the benefit of all, particularly the poor and uneducated.

Secretary to Governor, Talem Tapok, Lower Subansiri District Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen and Superintendent of Police Tage Habung were also present in the meeting.

HOPE Foundation of Deomali distributes relief materials for Wakka Fire victims ET Correspondent Deomali, 2 jan : H.O.P.E. Foundation, a Deomali based NGO initiated a noble steps to help the Fire Victims of Wakka with door to door collection of used winter cloths, blankets, baby clothes, shoes and other relief materials along with rice bags from foundation. The relief materials was collected from various areas from Itanagar Capital Complex, Doimukh and Ziro donated by generous individuals. These were transported from Itanagar and handed over to Shri Lungam Wangham, Chief of Wakka village on 29 December 2016. He ap-

preciated and send best wishes to all generous contributors and specially thanked Ms.Komna Moidam, Chairperson, H.O.P.E Foundation for the noble initiatives and it's concerned for social welfare.

The Foundation shall continue the collection till all affected villagers get minimum required materials and also expressed sadness over the unfortunate fire incidents and spread awareness among the villergers to be careful and cautious about fire disaster in future and put forward steps to prevent such incidents.

Aboh urges to strengthen nocte village council Khonsa, Jan 2 : A male dormitory morong locally called Paa was inaugurated by 56-Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh on 2nd January,2017 amidst huge gathering of Chief of Dadam, Chief of Huakan, PRIs members from different villages of Dadam area, GB of Laho village, various Public leaders from 56-Khonsa West Assembly Constituency, Circle Officer, Dadam Asan Kri, Dadam Block JE Ashosk Kumar Tiwari, Public of Laho village. The Paa (Morong) has been constructed under BADP funded by local MLA-Tirong Aboh.

While wishing a Happy New year 2017 to the gatherings 56-Khonsa West MLA-Tirong Aboh said that village council in some villages of Noctes are seems disappeared and defunct in this modern era adding that in the past “Morong” a male dormitory locally known as ‘Paa” or “Pang” was considered to be supreme authority wherein every criminal cases within the village jurisdiction was settled by the village council or village authority consisting of Lowangdong/ Lowang, Ngoawas (Ngoa-wang). He said that no doubt Tirap District in particular, Arunachal Pradesh and Northeastern Region are been influenced by different denominations / religions but adoption of different denominations does not mean that we have to abolish or vanish our aged old traditional system which were left by our fore-fathers fort posterity and village council and tra-

ditional system is the only way to recognize our own identity “ Who’s who”.

The MLA said that in early days under the control of village council led by Chieftainship locally called Lowangdong or Lowang, there were less crime cases in compare with present days as such elite, scholar and researchers of Nocte must research thoroughly about “Nocte Paa (Morong)” system which is one of most important institutions in nocte society stating that the upcoming young generation of Noctes may not be able to understand the importance of male dormitory “Paa” or “Paang” so as to keep alive Nocte village council, young researchers, scholar and elite must consult with nocte elders, expert oral historian for keeping in records through written “Booklet Nocte Village Council” like Adi-Kebang has done which will help upcoming generation of Noctes in the days to come. He said that some rigid law under village morong system can be modified as in the past all male folk used to sleep in Paa but now it can be used as guest house for visitors. Aboh added.

Aboh further urged work agency and contractor of his constituency to implement the government scheme properly stating that bill should not be passed till the completion of scheme work as per government guidelines.

While replying to Laho public demand Aboh announced 40 Nos. plastic chairs against newly inaugurated Nocte Paa (Male dormitory). He urged vil-

ET Bureau ITANAGAR, Jan 2: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V. Shanmuganathan visited Lempia village after touring Bamin, Michi, Hija and Old Ziro villages in Lower Subansiri District on 1 January 2017. Local MLA Tage Taki along with Gaon buras and Gaon Buris received the Governor at Lempia Vil-

lage and ushered him to Tajang Meder Nello- Danyi Piilo Prayer Hall.

The Governor, joined by local villagers offered prayers to Danyi Piilo in the Meder Nello on the occasion. Interacting with the villagers, the Governor advised them to preserve their indigenous faith and cultural heritage. He ap-

Governor visits Ziro ALG ET Bureau ITANAGAR, Jan 2: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri V. Shanmuganathan visited the Advance Landing Ground at Ziro, Lower Subansiri District on 2nd January 2017.

On the final leg of his district tour, the Governor along with local MLA Tage Taki, Secretary to Governor Shri Talem Tapok, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen, Superintendant of Police Tage Habung and other Indian Air Force officials went around the ALG compound to get the comprehensive picture of

the facility.

While deeply appreciating the enlightened public of Ziro for wilfully donating the high prized land for such an infrastructure, the Governor was wholly optimistic that they will continue to do so if required for more in greater public interest and common good. He advised the district authority to address the issues related to the ALG by availing assistance of the local public representative.

Earlier, the local MLA and Deputy Commissioner briefed the Governor on the ALG and the issues related to it.

preciated the villagers for continuing their age-old good traditions and practices. Earlier on the day, the Governor paid obeisance at Sidheswar Nath Temple, 6 km from Ziro.

Accompanied by people from all walks of life, he offered prayers for welfare of the State and its people on the first day of the New Year.

Chief Minister calls on Governor ET Bureau ITANAGAR, Jan 2: The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu called on Governor V. Shanmuganathan at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 2nd January 2017. They exchanged New Year’s pleasantries and also discussed various development issues of the State. The Chief Minister briefed the Governor on recent political development in the State. The Governor, who has returned today from his three-day tour to Lower Subansiri District, shared his observations with the Chief Minister. He advised Khandu on issues related to farmers and common citizens of the District.

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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 lage leaders of Laho to list out the left out household by name to ensure cover up all household for issuing of CGI sheet and other government schemes in various sector like agriculture & horticulture base scheme for sustainable income source. While appreciating the District Administration led by DC Ravi Jha, IASand CO Asan Kri for the immense support to Dadam area Aboh for posting ministerial staff Aboh told the gathering that Circle Headquarter Dadam will be full functional office within 2ndweek of January as DC tirap has already posted 1 UDC, 1 PI and 1 Peon against Circle H/Q, he has assured for procurement of one vehicle against Dadam CO with a consultation with DC Tirap in the next financial year. Earlier, Aoh was accorded with a warm reception by villagers of

Laho.

In his speech Dadam Circle Officer Asan Kri appreciated MLA-Tirong Aboh for his keen interest in implementing various scheme in his constituency including roads connectivity from Dadam to Moktowa, Dapdong to New Kothin and Chinkoi to Old Kothin, Upgrading Secondary School from Upper Primary School at Dadam, Construction of Community Hall, Classrooms inalmost all villages of Dadam area.

Speaking on the occasion, Dadam Block JE Ashok Kumar Tiwari said that now Govt. of India has introduced Geo tagging of the assets being taken up under various centrally sponsored programme viz :-BADP, MENEREGA etc and especially the schemes to be completed as per specification in time so

that it could be uploaded in the concerned authority office for timely upload.

In his speech Chief of Dadam Wangchu Lowang highlighted in length about development been taken place in 56-Khonsa West Constituency under the able leadership of MLATirong Aboh adding that no society can be identified without culture as such society without culture is called animal.

Lowang was speaking during inaugural programme of Paa (Male Dormitory) at Laho.

Earlier, ASM Laho village Sunwang Hakhun, Jalian Kamhua, Ex-ASM, Jalan Nokbi, Public leader also appreciated the 56-Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh for various developmental schemeshas been taken place in Laho village.

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P4

‘Demonetisation’ a surgical strike on Swearing-in Ceremony of India’s poor section: APCC Spokesperson Judges and Addl. Judges Babita Sharma Tezpur, Jan 2: Coming down heavily on BJP government’s various steps including the demonetisation, APCC, Spokesperson, Babita Sharma today in a press meet organized at the Congress Office here said that ‘Demonetisation’ is nothing but a surgical strike on the India’s poor section including the farmers, labour, shopkeepers, small businesses, middle class people etc.

“By wiping away 86 percent of currency in circulation on November 8 last, Narendra Modi has hit at 99 percent of honest hardworking Indians, while presumably targeting 1percent black money hoarders following which India’s ‘wheel of development’ has come to a standstill plunging the entire country in a state of ‘economic anarchy.” The state congress

spokesperson alleged adding demonetisation has turned out to be the biggest scam of independent India.

Slamming BJP is not doing in favour of the needy section of the country she also alleged that a BJP leader of Kolkata Unit was caught while depositing Rs. 500 and Rs.1000 notes running into Rs. 3 crore on the day of demonetisation. “However, despite repeated demand BJP and RSS have not made the money deposited in its bank accounts across the country between March 1, 2016 and November 8, 2016 public. In the run-up to the decision of demonetisation, BJP and RSS purchased properties running into hundred crores across the country. Congress has released details of 8 properties of Rs. 3.41 crore in Bihar and 18 properties in Odisha. Actual market value of these properties is much higher. De-

spite this Modi and Amit Sah have refused to make public the details of properties purchased by BJP and RSS during last one year.

Does it not prove that BJP had advance knowledge of the decision of demonetisation and was converting its black money into assets immediately before demonetisation?” She questioned.

She also questioned the BJP that in September last bank deposit in scheduled bank saw an additional increase of Rs. 5, 88, 600 crore. Out of this fixed deposit made between September 1 to September 15, 2016 along with over Rs. 3 lacs crore. Thus it not proved advance knowledge of the decision of demonetization and conversion of money?

For her Modi government has not been unable to explain it nor has made public names of everyone who

had deposited Rs. 25 lacs or more. She also questioned that BJP president Amit Sah who is a director of Ahmadabad district Cooperative Bank, Ahmadabad where as much as Rs. 500 crore was deposited within 3 days of demonetisation.

Why Amit Shah is not investigated yet?

Likewise putting question on many BJP leaders’ doubtful stand in this regard including Mahesh Shah of Ahmedabad, Ramesh Gowda of Karnataka, Subhas Deshkukh of Maharastra she further mentioned that a number of BJP leaders were caught with stashes of cash. But we have not seen any action taken against them. Also mentioned that Sanjib Kamboj, coconvenor of legal cell of BJP in Panjab put up photographs in social media with wards of new Rs. 2000 currency notes. “Manish

Sharma a BJP a leader from west Bengal, closed to a union minister, was caught with RS. 33 lacs of new currency notes. In Tamil Nadu Arun a BJP youth wing leader was caught with new currency notes worth Rs. 20.55 lacs. BJP leader Sushil Baswani was raided in Madhya Pradesh and a lot of ill gotten money was recovered. But these people are yet to be punished.” She alleged. She also said that during the 50 days of demonetisation over 115 innocent individuals have embraced. PM Modi should unconditionally apologize and pay compensation to these families. “Till date RBI has changed their rules for 126 times confusing the people paralyzing every sector including the agriculture, small industries, and the national income. So Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi rethink over the issue,” She maintained.

Chief Minister Sonowal inaugurates 4th TG Baruah Memorial Media T20 Tournament ET Correspondent GUWAHATI, Jan 2: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the fourth edition of the TG Baruah Memorial Media T20 Tournament at the Judges’ Field here. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set the ball rolling by playing a perfect cover drive and thereby inaugurating the 4th T.G. Baruah

Memorial T-20 Tournament at Judges’ Field on Monday.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was here to inaugurate cricket tournament organised exclusively for the media fraternity. Inaugurating the tournament, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Sports can forge universal brotherhood and camaraderie and it is played cutting all barriers.”

He said, “Our Government has set an objective of transforming Guwahati as a sports capital of the country. Assam and North East is a treasure trove of sports potentials and these vast pools of sports resources can play the role of a forcemultiplier in converting Guwahati as a sports capital of our Nation.” Terming that sport has great role to

play in nation building and character building, Sonowal said, “Government is taking several initiatives of inculcating love for sports among the youths”. He also urged upon the media of donning the role of a mentor for popularising sports among the young minds. Parents can also play the role of catalyst in nurturing the love of sports among their kids.

Police Commissioner of Guwahati City Hiren Nath, Chief General Manager North East Circle of State Bank of India PVSLN Murty, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) Dr. M. Angamuthu, Senior Advocate Bijan Mahajan, Sanjeev Narain a sports enthusiast and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

At least 60 inmates killed in Brazil prison riot Rio De Janeiro : Brazilian state authorities say at least 60 inmates have died during a prison riot in the northern state of Amazonas. State public security secretary Sergio Fontes says it’s the biggest prison massacre in the state’s history. And an unconfirmed number of inmates also escaped during the riot that extended from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

ET Bureau Dispur,January 2: The Swearing-in-Ceremony ofAddl. Judges, namely, Justice Monojit Bhuyan, Justice Michael Zothankhuma, Justice Suman Shyamas Judges

and of Justice Paran Kumar Phukan and Justice Rumi Kumari Phukan, as Addl. Judges of the Gauhati High Court, will be held on January 3 next at 10:30 A.M in Court No.1 of the

Principal Seat of Gauhati High Court (Old Block).

The oath will be administered by Justice Ajit Singh, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court.

Senior advocate, founder of Tezpur Law College Heramba Prashad Sharma breathes last ET Correspondent Tezpur, Jan 2: Senior advocate of Tezpur Court, a resident of Kalibari area here and founder of Tezpur law college, Heramba Prasad Sharma passed away this morning at GNRC, Guahati. He was 88. A talented lawyer followed by everyone from both the civil society and law field, late Heramba Prasad Sharma was suffering from prolonged illness and following worsening of his condition he was admitted to the GNRC on December 18 last. However, he died

at the hospital this morning. Late Sharma, a path finder of frontline Youth Organization popular as “Youth Emergency Organization” during the 1962 Chines aggression was also associated with various government and non-government organizations.

He was the founder president of the Tezpur law college, Ex-President of Governing Body of Darrang College, founder secretary of Tezpur College, Expresident of Ban The-

ater and Asomia Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha besides many other known and unknown social platforms here.

M a n y o rg a n i z a t i o n s including, Tezpur Bar Association, Ban Theatre, Tezpur Law College, Darrang College, Tezpur College and local MLA Brindaban Goswami mourned and paid rich tribute to him. Paying last honour to the departed soul of the noted lawyer, taking his body a funeral procession was taken out throughout the town.

Service charge by hotels/restaurants not mandatory: Govt

Two of the biggest crime gangs of Brazil began fighting last year over control of several prisons and authorities in Amazonas believe that’s the reason behind the first riot of 2017.

Similar incidents happened in Brazilian prisons in October. (Source: Google Maps)

Fontes says the inmates made few demands to end the riot, which hints at a killing spree organized by members of a local gang against those of another that is based in Sao Paulo.

Rahul Gandhi emerged from mother’s shadow, Congress struggled in 2016 After continuous electoral debacles in over two years, Rahul Gandhi pitchforked himself to the forefront in the party in a bid to galvanise the rank and file by stepping up his offensive on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a gamble he hopes will pay off in the new year and after. The year gone by saw Rahul adopting an aggressive position against the ruling BJP on all major issues, from demonetisation and surgical strikes to Rohit Vemula’s suicide and JNU sedition row.

While Rahul’s emergence from the shadows of his mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi gave the party some reasons to cheer, unabated electoral descent remained a cause of concern throughout 2016. Congress lost Assam and Kerala to the BJP- and Left Front- led coalitions respectively in May, failing to revive its sagging fortunes having seen a solitary election win in Bihar in 2015.

Even in Arunachal Pradesh, Congress, after an initial respite from the Supreme Court, suffered a major setback when its entire state unit and all but one of its MLAs defected to a regional party to form a government with BJP’s support.

On the political front, Uttarakhand was the sole reason for solace to Congress, with the court intervening to restore its government after the imposition of President’s rule by the Cen-

of the Gauhati High Court

tre.

Although in West Bengal, Congress made marginal gains, a section of its state leaders were deeply shaken by what they claimed as an “unholy alliance” with the Left, against which the party was pitted directly in Kerala.

On the organisational front, an ailing Sonia Gandhi withdrew herself consciously from leadership role, getting her son and Amethi MP to step into her shoes in the year gone by.

This resulted in many firsts for Rahul. In November, Rahul chaired his first meeting of the Congress Working Committee which even passed a resolution recommending his elevation as party president.

Later on December 28, Rahul chaired the Congress foundation day celebrations for the first time, addressing his colleagues. In between, while Sonia stayed away from public roles, Rahul emerged as the leader of Congress’ strategy in Parliament managing to work with the larger Opposition on the issue of demonetisation.

Rahul’s ability to carry the Opposition together, however, remained under question when on the last day of Winter Session of Parliament, senior Opposition leaders from Left, SP, BSP, NCP, JDU and DMK, pulled out of a joint visit to the President on the matter of demonetisation after he

unilaterally went and met the prime minister on farmers’ issues.

The Opposition leaders had withdrawn after several days of opposition unity which was evident from the unprecedented coordination on the issue of demonetisation as the year drew to a close.

Every day of the Winter Session, 16 Opposition leaders including arch rivals Left and TMC, SP and BSP met every morning to discuss ways of cornering the government. This unity suffered a blow with Rahul’s move of meeting Modi.

It could not be redeemed despite the best efforts of Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Sonia, who attempted to get all Opposition leaders together for a joint appearance in a press conference on demonetisation on December 27. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saved the day for Congress by attending this meet with Rahul, at a time when SP, BSP, Left, JDU, and NCP stayed away.

While Opposition unity had its highs and lows, Rahul consistently kept the pressure on Modi post demonetisation even accusing him of accepting bribes from industrialists. By citing 2013 Sahara and Birla diaries, he pitched his stakes too high, as he dared Modi to face an independent probe and come clean.

While BJP accused him of

practicing hit-and-run politics, Rahul made sure he was everywhere from roads to headlines.

From courting arrest on the one rank one pension (OROP) issue to standing in a queue outside a central Delhi bank ATM, Rahul did all he could to be visible and aggressive.

On demonetisation, Rahul fielded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take on the government and dub the move as “organised loot and legalised plunder”. On surgical strikes, too, the Congress led by Rahul, changed a few goalposts by first supporting the government action and then ending up accusing Modi of “hiding behind the blood of soldiers”.

Earlier in 2016, Rahul was seen dictating Congress strategy on the JNU sedition row wherein he personally went to the JNU campus to express solidarity with the arrested students.

Similarly after Vemula’s suicide, Rahul visited the campus of Hyderabad University to stand with the students. His political critics, however, questioned his absence from Haryana in the aftermath of the Jat agitation which left behind a trail of fear and destruction in the state.

Overall, while Rahul was seen coming into command position and moving closer to his long expected elevation as Congress chief, the party struggled for impact, and continued to lose vet-

erans.

Exodus of top guns from Congress continued, be it ex- Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, exUttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, former Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi or party’s Bengal strongman Sudip Burman.

Amid organisational challenges, Rahul led the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh with a historic 2500-km kisan yatra from Deoria to Delhi.

Indicating Congress’s willingness to raise election stakes, Rahul even approved, for the first time, hiring Prashant Kishor as a party strategist for poll bound Uttar Pradesh and Punjab besides naming exDelhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as the Congress CM face in Uttar Pradesh.

Supporting him in Uttar Pradesh strategy was sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who attended her first ever official Congress meet comprising state leaders signaling her involvement in the process. Priyanka’s much anticipated campaign launch, however, did not happen in 2016.

With elections round the corner in five states this year, all eyes will now be on Congress’s first family, which had, in the wake of the 2014 Lok Sabha loss, promised its cadres and people of the country serious introspection and course correction.

The government has said that a consumer can now have the service charges waived off if his/ her dining experience is not satisfied. (Photo for representational purpose) New Delhi, Jan 2 : New Year comes with good news for food lovers across the country! In the wake of a number of complaints from consumers that they are being forced to pay service charge in the range of 5-20 per cent, in lieu of tips, irrespective of the kind of service provided to them, the government has said that a consumer can now refuse to pay the service charge if he/ she is not satisfied with their dining experience.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 stipulates that a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or the supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts

any unfair method or deceptive practice, is to be treated as an unfair trade practice and that a consumer can make a complaint to the appropriate consumer forum established under the Act against such unfair trade practices.

In accordance to the act, the department of Consumer Affairs called for clarification from the Hotel Association of India, which in response stated that the service charge is completely discretionary and, therefore, it is deemed to be accepted voluntarily.

The Central government, in a press release, has also directed the state governments to “sensitize the com-

panies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.”

In addition, it has asked state governments “to advise the Hotels/Restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels/ restaurants that the ‘service charges” are discretionary/ voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can have it waived off.”

So the next time you’re at a restaurant or a cafe and you’re not happy with the experience, remember — you have the right to say no to that service charge printed on your bill.

Record turnout at Assam zoo ET Bureau Guwahati, Jan 2 : A total of 20,218 visitors visited the Assam State Zoo on Sunday. The figure surpassed that of the previous January 1 by 7,511. The zoo earned a little over Rs 5 lakh from ticket sales alone on Sunday.

The Assam State Zoo houses close to 120 species across 170 hectares of land.

"Sunday's footfall was over 20,000. In the last financial year, the zoo had earned a total of Rs one crore and 82

lakhs," said an official..

People from different walks of life were seen having a good time within the premises.

"I have come from the outskirts of the city to spend time with my family.

Spending the first day of the year at the zoo has become a sort of ritual for me.

I have been doing this since I was a school boy. I used to come here with my parents and I have developed a deep attachment with this place. I simply love it," said

Dimbeshwar Kalita from Baihata Chariali.

For many, including residents of the city, a visit to the zoo invokes a sense of nostalgia.

"This place draws me in a way that cannot be explained. I love the animals and the terrain here.

When I was a student, I would come here during school picnics. I remember drawing images of the animals," said Babita Das, a mother of two and a resident of the city.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

REST OF

APO, Senden, ENPO, KVC oppose civic polls Dimapur, Jan 2 : In a big blow to the decision of chief minister T.R.Zeliang and his government to conduct elections to Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) with 33% women reservation, several organisations including village councils, opposed holding of civic polls and cautioned of enforcing the boycott within their respective jurisdictions.

In the latest development , Angami Public Organisation (APO), Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Kohima Village Council (KVC) and Ao Senden (Mokokchung) have reaffirmed their stand against holding civic polls with 33% women reservation within their respective jurisdictions.

APO: Angami Public Organisation (APO) through its president Dr.Vilhusa Seleyi and vice president K.T. Vilie, pointed that since it was the primary and moral responsibility of the state government to “maintain peace and harmony in the state” and the bounden responsibility of the “right thinking people and organisations” to make

suggestions and proposals to those in power “ for the maintenance of this duty”; it (APO) therefore submitted its communication to the government.

APO accused the government of having gone ahead and announced elections to municipal and town councils “in utter disregard of the wishes of the Naga people” and for which it (APO) “resolved to uphold the coexistence of all gender with mutual respect and love without discrimination” at a meeting on December 30, 2016.

APO has therefore, appealed to the state government to provide “ a space for the people of Nagaland” to come to an understanding “in sharing with views and suggestions.” It reiterated, that till such time the needed space was provided for amendment and necessary and clear-cut safeguard to Article 371A, the APO resolved “ not to allow the conduct of election to municipal and town councils in Angami territories (Dimapur & Kohima district)” Further, APO has appealed to “ all political parties, in-

tending candidates and individuals to refrain from filing or nominating any candidate for the aforementioned elections”. APO has cautioned that “any action of violation of this resolution shall be viewed as a direct challenge to the APO”.

It also appealed to the people’s representatives to “listen to the voice of the people.” KVC: Kohima Village Council (KVC) discussed the forthcoming municipal election at its general meeting on December 30,2016 and reaffirmed its previous stand on 33% women reservation. KVC Secretary Zeneizo Rutsa disclosed, that KVC reaffirmed its earlier stand and to “boycott the election” and entrusted its youth (Kohima Village Youth Organisation) “to take care of it, in case any unwanted situation arises”.

Racting to an agency report from Kohima, KVC clarified it was not an organisation “to rely on insider” and the report appearing on December 31,2016 was “null and void and misleading”.

ENPO: Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation

(ENPO) has issued its ‘Noklak Resolution on Nagaland Municipal Act” deliberated at en emergency joint consultative meeting with six federating tribal units-- CKS, KTC, PPC, USLP, YTC on December 29, 2016 in Noklak town.

ENPO unanimously adopted the “ENPO Noklak Resolution” with regard to Nagaland Municipal & Town Council elections, according to a joint statement issued by Khoiwang Konyak president ENPO; M.P. Noksang president CKS; Mongchua, president KTC; Manlip Konyak, president KU; P. Chingan, president PPC; Y. Sangtam, president USLP and Throngso, vice president YTC. ENPO has demanded (i) clarification from the state government as to why the government had declared the date for Nagaland Municipal & Town Council elections, without responding to ENPO-Naga Hoho joint ultimatum submitted to the Nagaland chief minister on December 10,2016(ii) demanded written assurance from the state government that the Nagaland Munici-

pal Act (Third Amendment) Bill 2016 “does not infringe/ implicate Article 371A of the Indian constitution in any manner now and in the future and (iii) a written clarification and assurance as mentioned above, which should be submitted through the office of ENPO “on or before 2nd January 2017”. Ao Senden: Ao Senden also reaffirmed its earlier resolution to oppose the conduct of election to ULBs in the district at a meeting with land owners (Lika board) of Mokokchung at the MMC conference hall.

Disclosing this to Nagaland Post, presidential council member of the Ao Senden Chubawati said the Senden remained firm with its earlier stand against 33% women reservation in civic bodies. He said the land owners also reaffirmed to oppose elections to ULBs in Mokokchung district.

In this regard, Chubawati disclosed, that the Senden has convened another meeting on January 2,2017 with all ward authorities within Mokokchung to “chalk out further course of action”.

MGNREGA awareness, mandays among lowest in Wokha district Imphal, Jan 2 : A recent survey on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) carried out in Wokha district as part of a European Union (EU) funded project has revealed that 80% of respondents were unaware of the processes involved in the flagship scheme. It was also revealed that less than 20% job cards were with beneficiaries themselves while more than 60% were with village authorities.

EU-funded project on ‘Improving access to information and delivery of public service schemes in remote and backward districts of North East (NE) states of India’ covering seven backward districts across five NE states, namely, Goalpara and Cachar in Assam, Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya, Churachandpur and Chandel in Manipur, Lawngtlai in Mizoram, and Wokha in Nagaland carried out the survey in the later part of 2015 in 28 villages from two blocks of Wokha district.

The survey revealed that in most districts surveyed, respondents said their states

had provided less than 35 days of work, the highest being Lawngtlai (75 days) and the lowest being Wokha (25 days) and that complaint redressal was a meagre 5% across the districts surveyed.

Survey also revealed that less than 30% had received their Job Cards within the prescribed 15 days across the districts surveyed, while less than 25% of respondents from Chandel, Wokha, Goalpara and Churachandapur districts were partially satisfied with the timeliness of service delivery.

It was further revealed that 95% of Wokha respondents were paid in cash, while more than 60% of respondents from across the districts surveyed claimed there was no pattern in receipt of wages and that in most cases beneficiaries received MGNREGA payments as and when money was released.

EU-funded project is being implemented by Paris-based French NGO Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED)

along with Guwahati-based North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD) which in partnership with local NGO Team Metamorphosis (TM) is responsible for field implementation. Bangalore-based Public Affairs Centre (PAC) is tasked with the research component, and the Guwahati-based Nanda Talukdar Foundation (NTF) as its media advocacy component.

The project seeks to achieve three main results - to encourage demand for improved service delivery, improved access to and quality of public services particularly for the most marginalized and women, and to enhance transparency of service providers for 10 central government flagship schemes: IAY, JSSK, ICDS, MDM, MGNREGA, RKVY, NBA/ TSC, RGGVY, NSAP, and TPDS. MGNREGA was launched in August 2005 through an Act of Parliament with the objective of ensuring social protection for the most vulnerable living in rural India by providing employment

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opportunities; strengthening decentralised, participatory planning through convergence of various antipoverty and livelihoods initiatives; deepening democracy at the grass-roots by strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions; and effecting greater transparency and accountability in governance.

Under MGNREGA, all adults (18 years of age and above) of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work and who have Job Cards may be provided not less than 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.

Other entitlements include safe drinking water, rest breaks and access to a firstaid box that is adequately stocked, and free medical treatment from the state government in case of any accident during work.

In case of hospitalization, the state government shall provide complete treatment, medicines, hospital accommodation without any charge and one will be entitled for daily allowance which shall not be less than 50% of wage rate appli-

cable, and in case of death or permanent disability due to accident at work site, the Job Card holder will be given Rs.25,000/- or such amount to be decided by Central Government to the legal heir of the deceased or to the person in case of the later.

Other essential entitlements of MGNREGA wage seekers include the right to register and get a job card; the right to demand work, and get dated receipt and get work within fifteen days or entitlement for unemployment allowance if work is not given in time; the right to get work within a five kmradius from home or entitlement to get 10% extra; the right to select the work in the Gram Sabha; the right to minimum wages; the right to payment within fifteen days or else entitlement for compensation; the right to worksite facilities - water, shade, medical kits, and crèches; the right to transparency and proactive disclosure of all records; and the right to audit works and expenditure in social audits/ public audits.

Election likely to be held in second week of February CEO pledges to enforce code of conduct stringently

IMPHAL, Dec 31: Chief Electoral Officer VK Dewangan has vowed to enforce the election model code of conduct most stringently once due notification is issued for the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Briefing media persons at the Old Secretariat conference hall today, CEO VK Dewangan categorically stated that no political party or candidate would be allowed to violate the model code of conduct.

It is reported that the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election is most likely to be held in the second week of February 2017.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken up all necessary measures to ensure that the election is held in a free and fair manner, he said.

The State’s total number of voters is 18,94,000 and they include 42636 youngsters

who have been enrolled in the electoral list for the first time.

FIRs have been registered against people who submitted fake birth certificates for enrolment in the electoral list.

No political parties should use official vehicles for nonofficial works. Ministers and MLAs should not use official vehicles except for official works and travelling between their residences and offices, Dewangan stated.

Ministers should not summon any Government official except for law and order related works and relief measures in the event of natural calamities.

No candidates should use official vehicles while going for submission of nomination papers.

No political party or candidate should address election rallies which can hurt sentiments of another com-

munity, religious group etc.

No political party/candidate should deface or misuse Government properties, public spaces and private properties.

The CEO further informed that the election notification may be issued in the next couple of days.

No political party or candidate should make election related advertisements in media at the cost of public exchequer, he added.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election is most likely to be held in the second week of February 2017.

Even though most political parties suggested that the election should be held in a single phase, the election is likely to be held in two phases due to security reasons and shortage of vehicles for transportation of election officials and security forces.

AMUCO welcomes 2017 IMPHAL, Dec 31: While welcoming the new year 2017, the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) has called upon all the communities to forget and forgive all the past hatchets and animosities.

A press release issued by AMUCO president Ph Deban remarked that different communities have been living together for centuries and they would continue to

co-exist together in future too.

However, different external and internal forces have been conspiring to create distrust and enmity among different communities and this has been further compounded by ethno-centric political aspirations.

The end of 2016 may do away with all the artificial walls of division being erected among different

communities by some forces inimical to Manipur, prayed the AMUCO president. He further wished that the new year may bring a peaceful and egalitarian Manipur where all the communities, big and small, respect each other.

“Let’s join hands and fight back all external forces inimical to Manipur, live together and prosper together”, Deban added.

Cotton in the life of rural people

Closing day function of Nupi Great expectations Lan celebration month held for a better 2017

IMPHAL, Dec 31 : The closing day function of the 77th Nupi Lan celebration month was held today at Nupi Lan Memorial complex, Sanjen-thong under the aegis of Nupi Lan Memorial Association, Manipur (NLMAM).

Speaking at the event, Longjamba Meitei (State Awardee, secy Steering Committee, NLMAM) said that the real objective of organising the function and the month long Nupi Lan memorial by the association is to tell the real story of Nupi Lan to the future generations.

“On March 3, 1973, the Indian Government officially recognised Nupi Lan as a freedom struggle but unfortunately it was revoked through an official letter on September 2, 1976”, he said.

Senior Advocate (High Court), Khaidem Mani Singh said that just like the historic Nupi Lan of December 12, 1939, the present day women of Manipur have a huge responsibility regarding the prevailing situation in the State.

He said that the function was held in order to honour and remember the numerous accounts of the contributions and sacrifices of women in the State like the first Nupi

Lan of 1904, the second Nupi Lan of 1939, establishment of anti drug association in 1975, launching the Meira Paibi movement in 1980 etc.

“I believe that women and mothers of Manipur will fearlessly take the lead role in bringing peace and stability in the State which has been ravaged by many evils like lack of law and order, incompetent Government administration and economic blockade”, he added.

SHILLONG, Jan 2 : People from all walks of life are looking forward to a change that is expected in 2017.

The Shillong Times spoke to a cross section of people to extract their opinion for the year that will be.

Politician and former KSU leader Paul Lyngdoh expressed confidence that 2017 and 2018 will be historic for Meghalaya as the Assembly will have a new set of legislators after the downfall of the UPA Government and post demonetisation.

He further said there will be a steady shift of electorate looking for change and better accountability in the State even as he added that the electorates have learnt the importance of choosing legislators with skills.

Cabinet Minister Prestone Tynsong said his resolution for the upcoming year would be the same as it was all these years. “I will try to and continue to give best services not only to my constituency but to the entire State,” he said.

Former Cabinet Minister

and MLCU VC RG Lyngdoh said 2017 will be the year when there will be hectic efforts by all to get close to the people. He also hoped that the situation will turn around in 2017 as people are suffering in the present situation.He also said that as leaders of pressure groups and people from business families are gearing up to contest the 2018 Assembly elections, there should be some space for rational leaders who really want to do something for the State and its people.

KSU president Daniel Khyriem expects the State to make progress in terms of healthcare, education and other sectors in 2017. “However, strong political will is needed to bring about strong policies and to implement policies that will be beneficial for the State as a whole. We expect that in 2017, the elected representatives, be it in the District Council or the Assembly, should be more active to address issues of the people,” he added.

Dimapur, Jan 2 : The soil and climatic condition of Nagaland is suitable for cultivation of cotton. Nagas since time immoral cultivated cotton. Nagas are also expert in spinning and weaving of cotton. Different designs of clothes are made from cotton. However, in recent times with the change time, people have turned for easy and more decent dress available in the market.

Thus, the traditional method of cotton cultivation is losing popularity in the state. However, cotton is still popular in some rural areas in the state. Pathso

village under Noklak Block, Tuensang district is about 70 km from Tuensang town.

The village still depends mostly on their own source of income from farming and rearing domestic animals.

Cotton cultivation is still popular in the village and surrounding area. To uplift the economy of the women in the village, Agricultural Technology Management Agency opened a cotton farm school in the village.

The school was opened with the aim to impart training to cotton growers. With the support of ATMA the cotton growers have in-

creased the production of raw cotton. The activity of spinning and weaving has also increased. Different designs of clothes and dress are made by women self help groups known as cotton farmers. The product of this SHG is not only used by the villagers, but they are selling their products to outsiders as well. The main attraction of their work is fine and skillful finishing with attractive designs. They also use locally available dyes and colors. This humble beginning of the women group is gaining income and popularity day by day.

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

Today's quote

“

Don't walk in front of me… I may not follow Don't walk behind me… I may not lead Walk beside me… just be my friend"

Albert Camus

Split wide open W

hat began as a family feud is now a fight for the very soul of the Samajwadi Party. If power and position were all that mattered, SP supremo Mulayam Singh might have been able to more evenly distribute the loaves of office and quickly end the crisis engulfing his party. But his son Akhilesh Yadav has now taken the fight to another plane, debunking the old guard and projecting his own actions as those taken in the interest of the larger public good. This time the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's revolt is directed at the very manner in which the SP is being run and, by implication, he is challenging what he perceives as the subversion of the party's founding values. But if he is going to 'liberate' the SP from the feudal old guard, he will need to do much more. When Akhilesh Yadav objected to the party leadership's proposal for the merger with the SP of the Quami Ekta Dal, led by the gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, he was not questioning the mobilisation of votes on communal lines but the building of support blocks at the risk of being perceived as a party that is soft on crime. Similarly, his opposition to the re-entry of Amar Singh into the party was not - as it arguably should have been - an attempt to delink the SP from the perils of corporate funding, but an effort to distance it from seeming to be close to wheeler-dealers. On both occasions his interventions seemed little more than a part of an image-building exercise.

Akhilesh Yadav may have become the new, urbane face of the party, at the head of a generation of technology-savvy youth that speaks the language of progress and development. But he has so far not been able to change it in any substantive way. The Chief Minister knows he cannot do without the SP's organisational structures in an Assembly election, just months away. But he also seems to have realised that he could not possibly benefit from the brand of brash politics characterised by his father and uncle Shivpal Yadav without being tainted by it. By striking out on his own, Akhilesh Yadav is now hoping he would gain acceptance beyond the traditional vote banks of the SP. But the intra-party quarrels are unlikely to have inspired confidence among the public of the SP's ability to provide stability and good governance. Yadav Jr will be judged not on how he distanced himself from the lathi-wielding criminal elements of the SP, but on how he maintained law and order. Similarly, not on how he managed the SP's leadership, but on how he governed for five years. After all, in the Assembly poll, he will be fighting against the BJP's Narendra Modi and the BSP's Mayawati, not his father and uncle.

Obama's parting shot at Russia resident Barack Obama's decision to slap more sanctions on Russia and sack 35 dip lomats from the U.S. is the latest flashpoint in the bilateral relations of the former Cold War foes.

Though the immediate trigger for Mr. Obama's action are the cyberattacks on Democratic Party systems, which U.S. intelligence agencies believe were carried out by Russians to influence the results of the presidential election, the action must be seen against the deteriorating relationship between the two countries. Ironically, Russia-U.S. relations have hit the lowest point since the collapse of the Soviet Union under a president who had promised a "reset" of ties.

At home Mr. Obama faces criticism for not acting decisively against Russian interventions that go against American interests. The sanctions the U.S. and its European allies have imposed on Russia after it annexed Crimea had little impact on Moscow's foreign policy decisions. In Syria, Russia made a military intervention to boost the regime of Bashar al-Assad against armed rebels who had U.S. support. Mr. Obama remained largely a spectator when Russia reshaped the Syrian conflict, first through a brutal military campaign and then through multilateral diplomacy. Ties plunged to a new low with the allegations of hacking into the Democratic Party systems. By taking the toughest actions yet against Russia in his final weeks in office, Mr. Obama may be trying to mute criticism of his Russia policy.

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But Mr. Obama's policy will have long-term implications for U.S.-Russia ties. The rising tensions have reignited fears of a new Cold War. Though today's Russia doesn't have the economic resources of the Soviet Union, its actions in Syria and Ukraine show that Moscow is not afraid of upping the ante in a "unipolar" world. Second, Mr. Obama is further complicating matters of foreign policy for his successor.

Given that President-elect Donald Trump had promised during the campaign to have better relations with Russia and closer coordination in the fight against the Islamic State, Mr. Obama's last-minute intervention is being interpreted as an attempt to tie Mr. Trump's hands. The Washington establishment is also happy with the President's decisions. For now, Mr. Putin has deftly avoided a tit-for-tat response, saying that Moscow will assess the policies of the next administration. The question is, what will Mr. Trump do? If he goes completely against the Obama administration's policies, he will upset the establishment, including leaders from his own party. If he doesn't, he will fail on his promise of reshaping ties with Russia and potentially raise tensions further. Either way, Russia is back as a top challenge on the U.S. foreign policy landscape.

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Fire poses greatest dangers to Arunachal villages Come winter, the news of fire gutting down houses in Arunachal Pradesh is not uncommon at all. Traditionally, the tribes of the state have been living in thatched houses for ages.

In fact, the tribals are so deeply attached to the thatched houses or chang ghar that even the officers, public leaders and businessmen residing in the state capital and the district headquarters prefer to have their meals inside the chang ghar sitting around the fireplace. They also love to spend their evenings in the chang ghar, especially in the winter. A number of fire mishaps have been reported in the state capital and the district headquarters wherein the fire had emanated or started from those chang ghars or SPT buildings which catch fire easily.

No places are free from fire accidents in the state.

However, the oldest town Pasighat, Wakka, Lazu, Ziro, Daporizo etc are infa-

mous for frequent fire mishaps. The reason is not difficult to find out. In these places, houses are constructed closed to each other. In 2014 also a devastating fire accident broke out in Wakka in which many dwelling thatched houses were completely gutted. So also in Lazu village, a number of fire mishaps were reported during 2015 in which many villagers were rendered homeless. Recently also a devastating fire accident gutted more than 50 houses at Wakka village in which an adult woman was killed. These fire accidents are mostly due to callousness of the villagers. Had they taken proper precautionary measures such unfortunate mishaps could have been averted. Unfortunately, the people don’t care to learn from their past mistakes and they continue to build their houses closed to one another, almost touching each other. There is absolutely no dearth of land to open new habitation

areas in the villages to ensure that there is enough space between the houses to prevent spread of fire in case of outbreak of fire in the villages.

The aids and reliefs provided by the governments, NGOs, Churches, individuals and other organizations can never ever compensate the loss. During such unfortunate fire mishaps, artefacts and traditional items having historical values are lost forever. In the past, the tribals had the practice of appointing some youth to keep vigil on the village during the day time when all the adults would be busy in their agriculture fields. This practice was more pronounced amongst the Noctes and Wanchos of Tirap and Longding districts wherein the youth from the respective boys’ dormitories called Paang were engaged to guard the village turn-wise. However, this useful practice has been done away with for no ap-

parent reason (s).

The government, NGOs, Schools and Colleges should make an extra effort to create awareness campaigns on not only dangers posed to the tribal villages by fire but also on preventive measures to arrest the frequent fire accidents in the state. Such campaigns should not be for an ornamental dressing only but should be carried out frequently, say once or twice in a week. Something drastic has to be done today and now. The people of the state cannot afford to helplessly watch their life and property being ruined by fire. Fire accident is preventable. It’s not like an earthquake or a flash flood about which we can’t do much. What is required is the will to protect thatched and SPT houses which are very vulnerable to fire. The time has come for the many ethnic entities in the state to realize that fire is the greatest threat to the tribal villages. Let the

Wakka incident not repeat again. Prevention is the one and only mantra.We are wary of hearing such unfortunate news of outbreak of fire in which properties worth in crore are gutted every year. In many cases precious lives have been lost. I had said it before and re-iterate that fire is the single most potent danger that poses to the tribals of this frontier state who have been living in thatched houses for centuries. My birth place Kaimai village under Khonsa Circle in Tirap district has been destroyed by fire mishaps many times and I have been a witness to some of the major ones that had devoured all the original and precious traditional items including the rare ones. The villagers have to be extra cautious, especially in the dry winter months. They must learn a lesson from their past mistakes. It has been seen that most fire mishaps had occurred due to carelessness and callous atti-

tude of the people. These calamities are manmade which means they can be prevented by adopting precautionary measures. In the past Nocte and Wancho villages had the practice of keeping the villages on guard, especially from fire wherein youth from the male dormitories would keep a hawk like vigil during the day when all villagers go to the cultivation field. But this practice no longer exists. So more incidents of fire accidents are being witnessed.

For the victims of fire mishaps who had lost everything, life can never be the same again. The Chiefs, GBs, PRI leaders and village elders should be made accountable and answerable so that they took more interest in safeguarding their villages from fire

The writer is Deputy Director, IPR and can be reached in his WhatsApp 8415023508.

2016: The Supreme Court's report card Suhrith Parthasarthy Collectively, the court's choices this year have shown us that any independence it enjoys hasn't guided it towards concerted courage in decision-making The Supreme Court finds itself at a curious juncture.

It has spent much of the year lodged in a widely broadcast battle with the Union government over judicial appointments. Led by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, who retires on January 3, 2017, the court has fought this contest presumably to assert its independence from executive and legislative control.

But, somewhat counter-intuitively, the wrangle has had a deleterious impact on the court's moral authority.

The court has not only been intransigent in allowing the executive no say in matters of appointments, despite the Constitution's clearly contrary mandate, but it has also failed to make the existing system - selections through a "collegium" of senior judges - more transparent and democratically justifiable. What's worse, while constantly stressing on its apparent autonomy, the court has often appeared to cave in to the very majoritarian impulses that it is tasked with refuting.

While it is no doubt difficult to make grand assertions about the Supreme Court given that it doesn't sit en banc, as one, and given that it comprises judges who can be disparate in their outlook and attitudes towards what constitutes a proper judicial role, collectively the court's choices in 2016 have shown us that any independence it enjoys hasn't guided it towards concerted courage in decision-making. On the contrary, particularly in enforcing fundamental rights - which it ought to see as its most important function the court has, barring a few

notable exceptions, scarcely served as the keeper of the country's conscience.

Tussle between judiciary and executive The present battle lines between the judiciary and the executive were drawn in October 2015 when the court delivered its verdict in Supreme Court Advocateson-Record Association v.

Union of India. Here, the court struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment and consequently the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which had been created to replace the collegium. Four of the five judges who heard the case (Justice J. Chelameswar dissented) found that the primacy the collegium enjoyed in choosing the country's judges was a part of the Constitution's basic structure. According to the majority, the NJAC - a body that was to comprise the law minister, two eminent laypersons, and the three senior-most judges, including the CJI - in removing the primacy that the judiciary enjoyed in selecting its own members infracted the basic structure, and, therefore, had to be quashed.

Although this is a decidedly bizarre conclusion when you consider that the collegium finds no mention in the bare text of the Constitution, many political observers believed that it was a verdict that was necessary to ensure the independent functioning of the judiciary. But not even the most ardent supporters of the judgment backed the existing status quo. The collegium system indisputably required reform. To this end, in December 2015, the Supreme Court, after receiving a slew of suggestions on how to improve the collegium's functioning, di-

rected the executive, whose sovereign power to make appointments it had divested in its verdict, to prepare a draft memorandum that would lay down the procedure for the collegium's functioning.

Since then, there has been a constant back and forth between the two wings, with no end apparently in sight. But if the court were so loath to giving any leeway to the executive in the process, it makes one wonder why the task of preparing the draft memorandum was assigned to the government in the first place.

Making things worse, one of the collegium's members declined to participate in a meeting of the group in September this year, on grounds purportedly of a lack of transparency in its working.

Whatever one might think of Justice Chelameswar's methods in expressing his demur, his objections only made it clearer that there was something broken at the core of the system: the collegium, in his assertion, was simply functioning in a manner beyond the remit prescribed for it by the court's own judgments.

Two flawed decisions While enshrouding the process of appointing judges from any reasonable standard of candour and accountability, the court has simultaneously made choices that only show that the present system doesn't necessarily produce the kind of counter-majoritarian judiciary that a democracy requires. Two decisions from the past year exemplify the court's remarkably unflattering outlook on fundamental rights. The first, rendered in May - Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India rebuffed a challenge to the colonial-era criminal defamation law and upheld Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.

Judges, under any sensible interpretation of their

The black dot One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.

The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.

To everyone's surprise, there were no questions-just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone's faces, told them the following: "I want you to write about what you see there." The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.

At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.

All of them, with n o e x ception, d e fined t h e black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain: "I'm not going to grade you on this,

role, are required to apply rules derived from precedent, statutes, and the Constitution, in checking legislative or executive excesses.

But the court in Subramanian Swamy did none of this. It brushed aside legitimate concerns about the chilling effect that the criminal defamation law has had on speech with a frightening disdain for tradition and precedent. Justice Dipak Misra, who wrote the judgment, in holding that the law constituted a reasonable restriction on the right to freedom of expression, made no effort whatsoever in relying on any of the constitutionally sanctioned limitations to free speech. Instead, he appealed to his own distinct sense of what ought to constitute the law, by carving out of the ever-malleable Article 21, which guarantees a right to life and personal liberty, a "right to reputation." Worse still, he conceived a concept of "constitutional fraternity," hitherto unknown to Indian law, which, he ruled, demanded an "assurance of mutual respect and concern for each other's dignity." This reasoning is flawed on many counts. But chief among them is the fact that neither of the precepts relied upon

by Justice Misra finds mention in Article 19(2), which contains the legal basis for restricting speech. The consequence of the judgment is vastly damaging: it has the effect of placing values that rest on individual predilections above the right to freedom of speech, which, by any equitable interpretation of the Constitution, ought to stand on firmer footing.

The second decision, delivered on November 30, extraordinarily takes rights even less seriously. In an interim order on a public interest litigation filed by a supposed social activist from Bhopal, the court di-

I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot - and the same thing happens in our lives.

However, we insist on focusing only on the black dot - the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your the eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with love!"

rected that all cinema halls in India play the national anthem before the screening of any film, and that persons present in the hall compulsorily stand up to show their respect for the anthem.

Quite apart from indulging in rule-making that ought to be the prerogative of Parliament, the order sidesteps its complete disregard for basic liberties by offering no reasons whatsoever. In doing so, the court simply assumed the role of a super legislature, having tasked itself with the power to impose its own brand of distorted nationalism.

There have been other instances in 2016 of the Supreme Court using what it perceives to be a power to do complete justice to achieve precisely the converse - among other impacts, these verdicts set a poor example for high courts which are concomitantly tempted to extend the use of their writ to perform what are principally legislative functions. But what's been even more damaging to the Supreme Court's legitimacy has been its dithering under pressure. Despite issuing interim orders as early as in 2013 making the securing of the Aadhaar card optional, the court has failed to adequately enforce its directions - seemingly every day the government and its various agencies appear to extend the use of the unique ID linking it with the provision of a number of essential services. The court can be excused for failing to haul up the government for contempt of its orders were it to expedite its hearing of the basic challenge to the UID scheme.

But the Constitution Bench established to determine whether India's citizens have a fundamental right to privacy, which the Aadhaar policy quite clearly appears to contravene, is yet to hear concrete arguments on the issue.

C h a l l e n g i n g demonetisation In similar vein is the challenge to the policy of demonetisation. A number of petitioners have not only questioned the procedural validity of the government's and the Reserve Bank of India's various notifications, but have also contended that the policy infracts significant fundamental rights. Early this month, in "Contours of a challenge" (The Hindu, Dec.2), I had said that the manner of the Supreme Court's treatment of these petitions "will tell us a great deal about the checks and balances that our democracy purports to provide."

We now have a very quick answer, and it's not a good one.

After many false beginnings, on December 16, the court directed the establishment of a five-judge bench to rule on the constitutional validity of the demonetisation notifications and on the legality of the policy's implementation.

If we were to go by the example of the Aadhaar case, it is entirely likely that this policy too would be rendered fait accompli by the time the court gets around to hearing the challenge. In many ways, these acts of wavering in the face of public pressure showcase a Supreme Court lacking in moral courage. The harm in consigning to the academic challenges to laws that have an immediate bearing on our lives, which invade into our cherished liberties and into our ability to function as equal beings, is enormous.

An independent judiciary, properly understood, far from being one that appoints its own members, is one that possesses the will and the conviction to resolve swiftly hard cases, uninfluenced by societal perception, in a manner that enriches the finest values of our constitutional tradition.

Rift in the SP The high voltage political drama that has unfolded within the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh is only a continuation of the intense, bitter and desperate power struggle that happened a few months ago in the party. The incidents are reminiscent of the adage that kingship knows no kinship. Rather than being done out of a spirit of genuine political reconciliation, the revocation of the suspensions of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has resulted from a realisation of ground-level political realities - that Akhilesh Yadav has outgrown him and has a tall political stature. Despite the political stock of the Chief Minister being made evident, one wonders whether the "Akhilesh factor" alone will be sufficient enough to help the party win back power in the upcoming Assembly elections. The inner feuds have certainly sullied the party's image as a disciplined and coherent one in the public eye.

Wasim Khan Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

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This is how BSNL plans to take on Reliance Jio's free services Mobile phone customers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will soon be able to make unlimited local and national voice calls to any network for Rs 149 a month.

The new monthly tariff plan, expected to be introduced on January 1, will help the state-run telecom service provider compete with Reliance Industries' telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm, whose entry is seen causing disruption in the country's telecom sector. Mumbai-based Jio's Rs 149 plan includes unlimited voice calls, 300 MB data and 100 local and national SMS for a 28-day period.

"We are working on a plan to allow unlimited voice calls to mobile subscribers at any network across India at Rs 149 a month," BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava told media, adding that the plan would also include 300 MB of data.

On September 5, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Jio

unveiled free voice calls and free data under its 'Welcome Offer' for the first three months. The company has now extended the offer till March 31, 2017.

While other private telcos too have started offering unlimited voice calling, these are part of highervalued plans. With the new plan BSNL will be second only to Jio in offering un-

limited voice calling in lowvalue packs.

"Jio has come up with disruptive strategy and we are ready to match whatever tariff is being offered by our competitors," Shrivastava said. BSNL is also building up capacity to accommodate voice traffic by making use of its underutilized fibre-based broadband network, which

consists of nearly 7-lakh route kilometres of fibre across the country. Its existing broadband network serves merely 12 million customers.

By offering unlimited voice calls at Rs 149 amonth over its existing broadband network, the telco, according to Shrivastava, will also aim to reduce interconnection us-

age charge (IUC) impact.

BSNL's average revenue per user (ARPU) is Rs 88 per month.

Shrivastava said BSNL's strategy is aimed at not only retaining existing customers but also enhancing subscriber base in the wake of Jio's tactical pricing, competitive tariffs by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. Close on the heels of Jio's commercial rollout, BSNL had, in September, launched an entry-level, unlimited broadband plan for Rs 249 and Rs 1,099 3G data plan without any daily data cap, and doubled the data limit in all existing tariff plans.

In 2015-16, BSNL posted a nearly six-fold jump in year-on-year operating profit at Rs 3,855 crore, and also narrowed its nloss to Rs 3,879 crore from Rs 8,234 crore in 2014-15, with a 15 per cent increase in total income (including revenue from operations and interest on refund of spectrum) to Rs 32,918 crore.

Now, catch criminals on cop app public in this regard. Arrest alerts will send alerts to cops across state of anyone close to a suspect is picked up anywhere in the state.

For the Bengali who loves his detective novels, here is a chance to play sleuth and help police track down real-time criminals. A year after experimenting with the Crime Criminal Search mobile application within the police circles, DGP Surajit Kar Purkayastha on Thursday inaugurated the app - along with a dedicated website - through which the public can gain knowledge about crimes and criminals in the state and help cops nab them.

The app can be downloaded from Google Play.

At present, 1,663 officers of city and state police are using this app with a centralized database of 2,44,538 crimes and 2,01,682 criminals. "This will be a big tool for integrated police investigations and increased interaction with citizens," said Purkayastha.

The app will share clues collected by the police in crimes and ask the public for more specific identifications. For example, a CCTV grab might be shared where the public can help CID by

FOR THE COPS FOR THE PUBLIC The app will share clues collected by the police in specific crimes and ask the public for more specific identifications. For example, a CCTV grab might be shared where the public can help CID by trying to ascertain the identity of the person shown in it trying to ascertain the identity of the person in it. Alternately, they might share a name and address and ask if a photograph of that person is available. In addition, details of cars involved in crimes will be shared on the app.

There will also be an interactive map of all police stations in Bengal, with details about the telephone numbers and the name of the officer-in-charge in each of them. For the first time, a heat map showing the most crime-prone zones in the state will also be available.

This will help a person as-

Microsoft is testing a fix for one of the most annoying things about Windows 10

Hey, Windows 10 is pretty great! ... Except for the part where it sometimes just downloads and installs updates on its own, requiring an immediate PC restart.

That part is less than ideal, especially when you're in the middle of something important.

Well, as Winaero's Sergey Tkachenko has noticed, Microsoft is testing out a fix for the upcoming Windows 10 Creators update, dropping in March 2017: A leaked, in-progress version of Windows 10 for Windows Insider beta testers contains a new "pause updates" option.

prone zones will also be available. This will help a person ascertain which roads to avoid at night.

certain which roads to avoid at night.

The cop on the other hand will require a lot less paperwork since name, alias, address or telephone numbers of criminals can be searched in real time on the app. thus saving a lot of paperwork. Advanced search can include keywords like dacoity and bank to end up with more specific results. Similarly, key words from FIRs can also be searched along with time chart. The Daily crime reports too are getting updated. IOs can upload pictures and seek help from the

This is still a work in progress, and was never really meant for public viewing. It's both possible and likely that this feature will take a different form in the final version of the Windows 10 Creators update.

Still, it's good to know that Microsoft is at least taking the feedback and coming up with a compromise.

Details of cars will be shared (their involvement in crime) An interactive map of all police stations in Bengal and allowing the search of any police station. This will also give details about the telephone numbers and the officer-in-charge of each police station.

Heat map showing the location of the most crime

Advanced search can include keywords like dacoity and bank to end up with more specific results.

Key words from FIRs can also be searched along with time chart.

The Daily crime reports too are getting updated.

IOs can upload pictures and seek help from the public in this regard.

Arrest alerts will send alerts to cops across state of anyone close to a suspect is picked up anywhere in the state.

App can be downloaded from Google Play.

Increasing mobile network and affordability of internet would led to healthy growth of online video advertising this year, a report today said.

"2017 will observe a more aggressive approach from social media and video giants. YouTube, Facebook and Twitter will promote video consumption and associated advertising," the report, by online video advertising solutions firm Adomantra Digital, said.

According to the report, the segment's revenue last year jumped around twofolds.

"The online video advertising industry had a very impressive 2016 with growth of 200 per cent. The increase in consumption of video content enabled a shift in gears and growing demand," it added.

"The accelerating rollout of mobile network and easy availability of affordable internet access, suggest that 2017 will be the 'Year for Online Video Advertising," it added.

Commenting on the report, Vikas Katoch, CEO, Adomantra Digital, said that amidst the different online video advertising durations and formats, the

key focus for 2017 would be on long format video ads (45 to 90 seconds) for a stronger brand engagement with the audience.

"Brands and publishers will reap huge benefits because of high viewability in rich media formats as users cannot avoid viewing these ads," he said.

He added that due to easy and widespread availability of 3G/4G services, the ongoing surge in internet penetration in the country will be on the rise in 2017, leading to an exponential increase in video consumption.

Smartwatch boom reaps rich dividends for Swiss luxury watch sector: LVMH Switzerland's luxury watch sector can profit from a smartwatch boom as more consumers seek high-end versions of the technology, an industry veteran was quoted as saying.

Swiss watchmakers, who once dismissed smartwatches as a fashion accessory, are racing to grab a share of a fast-growing market via technology partnerships and stepping up investments.

"If it is true that Apple has sold around 20 million Apple Watches and has a market share of around 50%, then the potential is enormous," said Jean-Claude Biver, head of LVMH watch brands including TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith.

"A luxury market arises as soon as people want to differentiate themselves from the masses. That is the case here as well. With our know-how, Swiss quality

and prestige we have the best preconditions to master this segment too," he told Swiss paper SonntagsBlick.

TAG Heuer, for instance, partnered with US technology firms Google and Intel for its TAG Heuer Connected watch, whose first units offered at just under 1,400 Swiss francs ($1,375) apiece sold out quickly last

year.

The Swiss watch industry, which includes Swatch and Richemont, may overall be selling fewer timepieces as exports decline 15 months in a row but it is not facing an existential crisis as in the 1970s, Biver said.

He said the industry was instead consolidating as top brands boost market share.

Motorola's first all-metal smartphone Moto M launched in India, price starts at Rs 15,999 The very-first all-metal smartphone from Lenovoowned Motorola, Moto M, is here. Moto M will be available on open sale starting 15,999 (32GB+ 3GB model) exclusively on Flipkart e-commerce website. The sale starts from tomorrow at 11.59PM.

Flip that switch, and you can pause Windows 10 updates for up to 35 days though crucial pieces of the operating system, like the Windows Defender antivirus, will keep updating themselves in the background as a security precaution.

Cops will share a name and address and ask if a photograph of that person is available.

IOs will help search basic searches like name, alias, address or telephone number in real time thus saving a lot of paperwork.

Why 2017 may be the year for online video ads

Motorola and Flipkart are offering some exclusive launch day offers as well.

Users who buy the Moto M on the day of the launch will get special exchange offer of up to Rs 2,000 on the old smartphone.

Citibank credit card users will get Rs 1000 off on the handset. Other offers include Rs 1000 off on the Moto Pulse 2 headset and EMI options starting Rs 776 per month.

On the looks front, the allnew Moto M sports a design similar to the company's existing Moto X line-up. It has a rearmounted fingerprint sensor and a splash-proof

metal unibody design coated with water-repellent nano-coating.

Moto M smartphone features a 5.5-inch Full HD 2.5D curved glass IPS display with 1080x1920 pixel resolution and a pixel density of around 401ppi.

The dual-SIM handset is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P15 CPU, paired with 3GB RAM and 32GB of on-board storage. There is also a 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant. The inbuilt storage can be expanded using a microSD card of up to 256GB. For imaging duties, Moto M has a 16MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and dynamic Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) dual LED flash. There's also an 8MP selfie-shooter on board.

The smartphone is backed by a 3,050mAh battery with 10W 'Rapid Charger' support. In addition, the smartphone comes with Dolby Atmos-powered

tions: Processor: Unlike other Motorola phones, the Moto M comes with a MediaTek processor instead of Qualcomm. The phone is powered by MediaTek's latest processor, Helio P15, running at 2.2GHz speed.

RAM: The processor is backed by 4GB of RAM. Internal storage: The Moto M smartphone packs in 32GB of internal storage.

Screen: 5.5-inch display with 1080P resolution.

Rear camera: The Moto M has a 16-megapixel camera on the back. The camera has dual-LED flash and PDAF (phase-detect auto focus).

audio technology.

On the connectivity front, the Moto M features Bluetooth v4.1, 4G VoLTE support, USB Type-C port, NFC and Wi-Fi 802.11ac. The device weighs 163 gram and

m e a s u r e s 151.35x75.35x7.85mm.

For reference, the flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge measures nearly the same as 7.7mm.

Moto M full specifica-

Front camera: It also carries an 8-megapixel camera up front.

Software: The phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Battery: The Motorola Moto M has a 3,050 mAh battery and also supports fast charging technology.

Special features -- The Moto M is Motorola's first phone to carry a fingerprint scanner on the back, which is welcome move since fingerprint sensor on the back cover is more convenient and is a more elegant design.

-- The phone features a full metal body, a design element which was limited to company's premium phones so far.

-- The Moto M is also water and dust proof, bringing the popular feature back after Motorola axed it in the Moto G4 series.

-- It is also the first Moto phone to come with Dolby Atmos sound, something that we had earlier seen on the Lenovo phones.

Expected India price: The phone has been priced around $290 in China, which means in India, if and when it arrives, may cost around Rs 19,000 to Rs 20,000.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P8

NATION

PM to inaugurate Indian Mulayam loyalists in Delhi to secure cycle symbol Science Congress at Tirupati

PTI New Delhi, Jan 2: Loyalists of Samajwadi Party patriarch this morning started up lining in the national capital to ensure that the 'cycle' symbol remains with Mulayam Singh Yadav against the backdrop of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav seeking to take control of the party Amar Singh and Shivpal Singh Yadav, who were expelled from the party by the Akhilesh camp, have reached Delhi to fine tune the strategy to ensure that the symbol remains with Mulayam ahead of assembly polls in the state

likely to be announced any day now Talking to reporters after returning from London, Amar said, "I was and will remain with Mulayam Singh Yadav. I was a hero. But I am now ready to become a khalnayak (villain) for him."

Asked about his expulsion from the party by the Akhilesh camp, Amar said he will feel "hurt" only if Mulayam says anything against him "Once Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Amar Singh is not in our 'dal' (party) but in our 'dil' (heart). If Mulayam

Mulayam loyalists in Delhi to secure cycle symbol.

Singh Yadav expels me from his 'dil' then it will be regretful There is no importance of party for me," Amar said

Taking a dig at some leaders, he said, "I never demanded Rajya Sabha seat from the party unlike other leaders who, with folded

hands, pleaded for a berth in Rajya Sabha" Meanwhile, Shivpal, who has been removed as the UP unit chief of SP by the Akhilesh camp, said he would continue to be with Mulayam. "I will be with Mulayam till my last breath," he said upon his arrival in Delhi The two, along with Mulayam and a few other leaders, will meet in the afternoon before approaching the Election Commission to ensure the symbol remains with Mulayam and is neither frozen or given to the Akhilesh camp.

Posters on Fadnavis' LS deputy speaker Thambidurai appeals to comments evoke BJP ire Sasikala to become CM

Senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai.

PTI Chennai, Jan 2: Senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai today appealed to the newly appointed party general secretary V K Sasikala to become Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, saying the leadership in both the party and governance should be with the same person.

Speaking to reporters after calling on Sasikala, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker also cited the ongoing political tussle in the Samajwadi party in Uttar Pradesh to drive home his point that the control of government and party should vest in

the same person.

"Now you see problem has cropped up in Uttar Pradesh, the party was with father and government with son that is why the leadership of both the party and governance should be with the same person," he said replying to a question.

Thambidurai met the AIADMK chief at Poes Garden residence of her mentor J Jayalalithaa and gave her a representation urging her to take over as CM. Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister was only "natural and just", he said.

Sasikala, appointed as General Secretary by the AIADMK's top decision-making body General Council on December 29, took charge of the post on December 31, pledging to take forward the legacy of Jayalalithaa.

Already, almost all state ministers, part of the O Panneerselvam cabinet, have made similar appeals urging Sasikala to take over as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Thambidurai said he appealed to Sasikala to become Chief Minister just like her mentor.

He said "Chinamma", as Sasikala is called by partymen, was a "deserving and eligible person" and that was why she was appointed party general secretary.

"Only on that basis (she is the eligible person) we are appealing again to her to take on the reigns of governance too... This is because the responsibility of governing the party and the government should lie with the same person," he said. .

India successfully test fires Agni-IV ballastic missile PTI Balasore (Odisha), Jan 2: India today successfully test-fired its nuclearcapable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV with a strike range of 4000 km as part of a user trial from a test range off Odisha coast.

Supported by a mobile launcher, the surface-tosurface missile was flight tested from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, at about 11.55 hours, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said.

Describing the trial as successful, they said this was the 6th trial of the indigenously developed AgniIV missile which met the mission objectives. The last trial conducted by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) of Indian Army on November 9, 2015 was also successful.

The sleek missile having 4000 km strike range is a two stage missile. It is 20 meter-long weighing 17 tonnes.

"The sophisticated surface-to-surface missile is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability," DRDO sources said.

Agni-IV missile is

India successfully test fires Agni-IV ballastic missile.

equipped with state-ofthe-art Avionics, 5th generation on board computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.

The most accurate Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant Micro Navigation System (MINGS), ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two digit accuracy, they said.

The re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the range of 4000 degree centigrade and makes sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 de-

gree centigrade. Ballistic missiles like Agni-I, II and III and Prithvi are already in the arsenal of armed forces, giving India an effective deterrence capability.

Radars and electro-optical systems had been positioned along the coast of Odisha for tracking and monitoring all the parameters of the missile, the sources said, adding two Indian naval ships anchored near the target area to witness the final event.

The successful trial of Agni IV came close on the heels of a similar test on December 26, 2016 of long range missile Agni 5 which was successfully carried out from the same launch site.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

PTI Mumbai, Jan 2: Ahead of the crucial BMC elections due next month, posters in Mumbai about Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' comments on city's development have prompted BJP to react sharply.

The posters mock Fadnavis over his statement that "a person from Nagpur (read Fadnavis) will transform Mumbai."

"The person from Nagpur should instead keep Maharashtra united," one such poster says.

"On the other hand, a person from Mumbai will ensure that Maharashtra is kept united, along with

Mumbai," the poster added.

The poster does not mention name of any party, amid speculation that it may be work of bickering ally Shiv Sena which is seeing to thwart BJP's ambition of wresting control of India's richest civic body.

"This (the posters) is the work by someone who is afraid of our party's development agenda," Mumbai BJP unit president Ashish Shelar said.

"When I leave the CM's post, people of Mumbai will have to remember that a person from Nagpur transformed the city," Fadnavis had said at an event in Nagpur yesterday.

Fight over SP's cycle symbol; ball in EC's court PTI Lucknow, Jan 2 : The battle in the Yadav clan today shifted to Delhi with rival camps planning to approach Election Commission to claim control over the 'cycle' symbol even as SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav postponed the January 5 party convention called by him.

"Cycle symbol is ours," asserted Mulayam and asked party cadres to focus on winning the assembly elections likely to be announced any day now Mulayam, who postponed the SP convention scheduled in Lucknow on January 5, said, "No one can accuse me of wrongdoing.

I have never indulged in corruption or betrayed anyone. Cycle symbol is ours."

The Mulayam camp is likely to meet senior EC officials between 4 PM and 5 PM in Delhi.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who yesterday sought to take control over the SP, remained closeted with his confidants and is expected to meet party leaders and legislators at this residence in Lucknow.

Sources said Ram Gopal might represent Akhilesh when he takes up the symbol issue with the EC. In a series of tweets, SP leader Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh, maintained that Mulayam is the SP national president

even now.

Shivpal gave no reasons for the abrupt postponement of the party convention, but insiders said perhaps the Mulayam camp was apprehensive of a poor turnout compared to the massive gathering at the "convention" held by Ram Gopal Yadav yesterday. The convention was declared illegal and unconstitutional by Mulayam.

The Samajwadi Party yesterday split down the middle with the faction headed by Chief Minister Akhilesh removing Mulayam as party chief and appointing him in his place at a convention in which the group claimed support of the majority of legislators and district units.

The two sides had engaged in mutual recriminatory expulsions with the convention called by Ram Gopal removing Akhilesh's warring uncle Shivpal as state party chief, and showing the door to "outsider" Amar Singh, who has been blamed for the feud in the Yadav clan.

Mulayam had retorted by again expelling his cousin Ram Gopal for six years along with national vice president Kiranmoy Nanda, who chaired the convention, and general secretary Naresh Agarwal for taking part in it.

Amar and Shivpal this morning reached Delhi to fine tune the strategy to ensure that the symbol remains with Mulayam ahead of assembly polls in the state. .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PTI Tirupati, Jan 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fiveday annual Indian Science Congress at the Sri Venkateswara University here tomorrow.

'Science and Technology for National Development' would be the focal theme of the Indian Science Congress, Prof D Narayana Rao, General President of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), said.

The main venue for the Science Congress is the Srinivasa Auditorium in

the University where the Prime Minister would address the gathering of eminent scientists including Nobel laureates, he said.

Six Nobel Prize winners from different countries such as the US, Japan, Israel, France and Bangladesh would also take part in the event besides about 14,000 scientists and scholars from across the country, he said.

The Nobel laureates would also be felicitated with gold medals by the Prime Minister at the ISC venue, he said.

After his inaugural address, Modi, at a tea ceremony at the varsity, would hold a brief conference with about 50 people, including the Nobel laureates, eminent Indian scientists, other dignitaries and top officials, he said.

It is the second time that Tirupati is hosting the Indian Science Congress, the first being in 1983 when the 70th ISC was held. This is the 104th conference, he said.

Later in the afternoon, Modi would offer worship at the Lord Venkateswara shrine atop Tirumala hills near here, temple sources said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Governor ESL Narasimhan would receive and accompany Modi during his six-hour visit here.

A thick security blanket has been thrown over Tirupati and Tirumala in view of the Prime Minister's visit and the Science Congress.

Invisible, anti-government forces at work : Gilua PTI Jamshedpur, Jan 2: Jharkhand BJP chief Laxman Gilua today said some "invisible, anti-government forces" were engaged in disturbing the state, which was "marching" on the path of development under Raghubar Das-led government.

He reacted sharply on the hurling of shoes and slippers and showing of black flags to the Chief Minister at Kharswan where he visited to pay tribute to the tribals killed in police firing during separate statehood movement on January 1, 1948, described it as "cheap politics aimed to gain publicity".

Asked whether he saw any political conspiracy behind the incident, the Member of Parliament, pinpointed JMM for triggering the trouble.

"JMM has dishonoured

Jharkhand BJP chief Laxman Gilua. the martyrs by raising anti-government slogans at Shahid Park, the memorial of the martyrs, as it was not the right place to raise slogans against the government," he said.

"Everyone has the right to raise their voice against the government and BJP is not opposed to it. However, the occasion was to pay our tributes to those who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of separate statehood," Gilua said.

The incident took place on Sunday when adivasis and moolvasis in large number led by JMM were protesting against Jharkhand government for bringing in amendment in the decades-old Chhotanagpur and Santal Paragana Tenancy Act (CNT and SPT) as well as the domicile policy.

Asked whether there was any administrative lapse that resulted in the incident, Gilua said "Certainly, there was administrative lapses, which will be probed and action would be initiated against the culprits."

There is no question of reconsidering the amendment in the CNT and SPT, Gilua said when asked whether the government has any plan to roll back the amendment in view of the protest over the issue in Kharswan.

Nitish parries queries on demonetization PTI Patna, Jan 2: With opposition parties waiting to see if JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has changed his views on demonetisation after completion of 50 days of the move, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today parried queries on the topic.

At the end of "Lok Samvad" (Public Interaction) programme, Kumar greeted mediapersons on New Year and Prakash Parva, the celebration of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh which is underway here.

But before the reporters could ask him about demonetisation, he asked them to highlight the good things about Bihar so that devotees coming to the state on the occasion of Prakash Parva return with good memories.

The Prakash Parva which started on December 25 would end on January 5 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend a function in Patna on January 5.

Though, Kumar did not talk anything on demonetisation, the JD(U) has hinted that the party would conduct review of the scrapping of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes to fight black money, after Prakash Parva ends on January 5.

Nitish Kumar.

Kumar, who has backed demonetisation, recently said he would speak his mind on the matter after the end of 50 days of the drive, which ended on December 30 last.

Allies Congress and RJD had hoped that Kumar would join their rank in criticising the scrapping of high value notes which caused hardship to common masses across the country.

While supporting demonetisation, Kumar, however, had highlighted the "poor arrangements" in place for implementing the drive, resulting in hardship to citizens.

During his "Chetna Sabha"

as part of "Nishchay Yatra" he had on numerous occasions pointed towards long queue outside banks and ATMs due to demonetisation in sharp contrast to arrangements made by his government under which an applicant gets a token and his registration is done in quick time to avail benefits of his "seven resolves" programme.

Kumar had also stated that the desired results of fight against black money could have an immediate impact on benami property and liquor ban which generates a lot of black money.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

BUSINESS

Rupee down 5 paise in subdued start to new year

Rupee down 5 paise in subdued start to new year.

PTI Mumbai, Jan 2: The rupee depreciated by five paise in early trade today to quote at 67.97 against the US dollar on the first trading day of 2017 due to fresh buying of the American currency by importers at the Interbank Foreign Ex-

change.

Dealers said, increased demand for the American unit from importers and a lower opening in the domestic market weighed on the rupee. Besides, dollar's gain against major world currencies and a weak trend at the domestic equity market also left its

mark on the rupee.

The rupee had closed 18 paise higher at 67.92 against the greenback in the previous session on December 30, 2016.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell 132.37 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 26,494.09 in early trade.

India, Indonesia key areas of focus for DBS in 2017 PTI Singapore, Jan 2: India and Indonesia will be the Development Bank of Singapore's "big" areas of focus for this year, its chief executive officer Piyush Gupta has said.

"We also remain focused on building leading regional cash management, foreign exchange, debt markets and wealth management franchises," Gupta said here.

"So India and Indonesia will be our big areas of focus in 2017," Gupta was quoted as saying by The Strait Times.

DBS leads foreign banks with expansion plans in India.

DBS' wealth management business has qua-

drupled over the past six years, and now accounts for to 13 to 14 per cent of group revenue.

"Over the next five years, we think it could get up to 20 per cent," he said in a report on Singapore banks' prospects during this year.

"The world will have to grapple with massive consequences behind technological disruption on jobs displacement, both blue-collar and white-collar workers.

My own bet is that you will find a lot more entrepreneurship, or what people call the gig economy," he said.

"It is likely that there will be a new wave of redistributive economics.

NRIs need to show old notes to Customs at airport.

PTI New Delhi, Jan 2: NRIs and Indian nationals abroad can deposit up to Rs 25,000 of the demonetised currency during the 3-6 month grace period, but only if they show the junked notes to Customs officials at the airport and get declaration form stamped.

The declaration will have to be submitted at specified branches of the Reserve Bank while depositing the junked currency, a finance ministry notification stated.

While the 50-day window for such deposits at banks or post offices ended on December 30, the government has of-

fered a grace period for those who were abroad.

The window for Indian nationals who were travelling abroad is till March 31 and for NRIs, it is June 30, 2017.

This facility, however, is "subject to the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015.

As per these regulations, bringing back such currency into the country is restricted to Rs 25,000 per person".

Those returning from Nepal and Bhutan are not permitted to carry specified bank notes (SBNs) of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

"For the period from up to March 31, 2017 or June

India allows 8,424 tonne raw sugar exports to US

India allows 8,424 tonne raw sugar exports to US

PTI New Delhi, Jan 2 : The government has permitted export of 8,424 tonne raw sugar under its tariff-rate quota (TRQ) to the US, S, which enables shipments to enjoy relatively low tariff.

TRQ is a quota for a

volume of exports that enter the US at relatively low tariffs. After the quota is reached, a higher tariff applies on additional imports.

"The quantity of raw sugar (8,424 tonnes) to be exported to USA under TRQ up to Septem-

ber 30, 2017 has been notified," Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a public notice.

India enjoys duty-free sugar exports to the US for up to 10,000 tonnes annually under preferential quota arrangement.

India, the world's second biggest producer and the largest consumer of sugar, has a preferential quota arrangement for sugar export with the European Union as well.

The country had exported 1.1 million tonnes of sugar in the 2014-15 marketing year (October-September).

Sugar production is estimated to decline to about 25 MT in 2015-16 marketing year, from 28.3 MT in the previous year.

India, Indonesia key areas of focus for DBS in 2017.

Governments may prove inadequate to do this entirely under their own steam, and the private sector will have to play a meaningful role," said Gupta.

DBS's top priorities for this year is to be prepared for volatility as

markets will continue to be choppy.

An increase in US dollar rates could also create negative impact, he added.

"Step up the pace on transformation of the bank that is re-imagine banking, and be a

22,000-person start-up," stressed Gupta.

"The third priority is to continue our steady business expansion," he said.

But he also cautioned that uncertainties over US President-elect Donald Trump's policies will be a headache for Asian strategies and could result in heightened market volatility in the short-term. At the same time, global growth is expected to remain subdued, said Gupta.

"To navigate these uncertain times, we need to remain watchful and vigilant, as well as disciplined about costs and the risks we take," he advises.

Sensex begins 2017 L&T set to convert Pune on negative note, into smart city, gets LoI down 132 points

NRIs need to show old notes to Customs at airport 30, 2017, as applicable, a declaration form will need to be filled by resident Indians and nonresident Indians coming to India and carrying SBNs for depositing these SBNs in the specified offices of RBI in India," the notification said.

"At the airport/land Customs stations etc on entry, Customs stamp on the said forms shall be affixed and the same shall be submitted along with other documents to RBI offices."

A one-page form has been worked out for the purpose.

Since the form to be filled in by the passenger bearing the Customs stamp will be crucial in subsequently facilitating the deposit of SBNs at the specified issue offices of RBI, the finance ministry asked the Customs formations to keep a copy of the same, preferably in a scanned format.

"The Customs officer shall strictly count the number of notes and tally the total amount mentioned before stamping the form submitted by the passenger," the notification said.

P9

Sensex begins 2017 on negative note, down 132 points.

PTI Mumbai, Jan 2: Stock markets opened on a subdued note on the first trading day of 2017, with the benchmark BSE Sensex falling over 132 points in early trade on profit-booking after recent gains.

The 30-share index, which had gained 415.78 points in the previous two sessions, fell 132.37 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 26,494.09 in early trade today.

Stocks of FMCG, teck, IT and auto were major losers, dragging the key indices down.

Bucking the trend were stocks of realty companies, which were in demand after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 31 announced that loans of up to Rs 9 lakh

taken in the new year under the new scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will receive interest subvention of 4 per cent and loan of up to Rs 12 lakh will get a 3 per cent interest waiver.

Shares of Unitech, DLF Ltd, HDIL, Oberoi Realty, Sobha Ltd, Godrej Properties, Indiabulls Real Estate and Omaxe Ltd trading in positive zone with gains of up to 5 per cent.

The broad-based NSE Nifty was down 44.80 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 8,141.

Brokers said that profitbooking in stocks that logged gains recently, and absence of cues from other global markets which are closed today, left an impact on the markets.

PTI New Delhi, Jan 2: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today said it has been chosen as the implementation partner to convert Pune into a smart city.

The letter of intent (LoI) was handed over to representatives of L&T Construction's Smart World and Communication business unit, which will be executing the project, by Municipal Commissioner of Pune Kunal Kumar, the company said in a statement.

The scope of work includes enabling Wi-Fi at around 200 strategic locations across the city, setting up emergency call boxes and public address systems, environmental sensors, variable messaging displays, network connectivity and video analytics integration, the statement said.

The project intends to set up a state-of-the-art Smart City Operation Centre (SCOC) to integrate all its services and applications on a single platform.

This single-point interface will be a holistic platform with the poten-

L&T set to convert Pune into smart city, gets LoI.

tial to accommodate all future needs through integration of various citizen-centric applications.

The project includes a revenue monetisation model, a first in the country for smart cities.

"After having set up the country's largest surveillance project in Mumbai involving 5,000 plus cameras across 1,500 locations and being in the process of developing Nagpur into India's first large-scale inte-

grated smart city, we consider this mandate to make Pune smart as a reaffirmation of our capabilities in the area of creating a smart world," said S N Subrahmanyan, Deputy Managing Director and President, L&T. "As a Master Systems Integrator, we will use cutting-edge technology to provide solutions capable of high-end analytics on a futuristic and eminently scalable platform," he added.

Market marks 2017 start with a 31-point loss PTI Mumbai, Jan 2 : In a listless trading on Monday, the Sensex closed with a marginal loss of over 31 points at 26,595 on the first trading day of 2017 as banking stocks felt the heat due to worries that the lending rate cuts will hit their bottom line.

Investors started taking profit that made mood downbeat.

There was accelerated selling after the manufacturing sector contracted in December, hit hard by demonetisation, and fresh weakness in the rupee.

The Nikkei Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 49.6, down from 52.3 in November.

Opening on a weak note, the Sensex shuttled between 26,720.98 and 26,447.06 and settled lower 31.01 points, or 0.12 per cent, at 26,595.45.

The gauge had gained 415.78 points in the previous two straight sessions.

The 50-share Nifty edged down by 6.30 points, or 0.08 per cent, to close at 8,179.50. It shuttled between 8,212 and 8,133.80 intra-day.

Market marks 2017 start with a 31-point loss

"The new year got off to a rocky start, with markets trying to gauge the impact of the Prime Minister's credit sops and bank rate cuts. Lenders, including NBFCs, recovered though and the weak PMI figures could not rein in the pullback, presumably having already priced in soft macros pertaining to the note ban period," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

In the banking space, HDFC Ltd emerged as the top loser by falling

3.45 per cent, followed

by SBI 2.46 per cent and ICICI Bank 1.37 per cent. Axis Bank shed 0.73 per cent and HDFC Bank 0.57 per cent.

Other prominent names that lost were Infosys, GAIL, Cipla, Wipro, HUL, NTPC and TCS. Most global stocks, including those in Asia and Europe, were closed on Monday for the New year. The near-absence of overseas cues meant investors scrambled for direction.

In contrast, investors created fresh positions in second-line stocks, with

small-cap and mid-cap indices beating the Sensex with gains of 1.20 per cent and 0.83 per cent, respectively.

Bajaj Auto fell 1 per cent after a 22 per cent decline in total sales in December. But the largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki gained 2.69 per cent even as it reported 1 per cent decline in total sales for December 2016. M&M rose 3.42 per cent after 9 per cent increase in total tractor sales at 14,047 units while Tata Motors climbed 3.37 per cent.

Stocks of realty companies stole buyers' imagi-

nation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that loans of up to Rs 9 lakh under the new scheme of Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana will receive interest subvention of 4 per cent and those of up to Rs 12 lakh will get 3 per cent waiver.

Unitech, DLF Ltd, HDIL, Oberoi Realty, Sobha, Godrej Properties, Indiabulls Real Estate and Omaxe soared up to 6.65 per cent.

The FII sell-off continued as foreign funds net sold shares worth Rs 585.64 crore and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought worth a net Rs 824.84 crore on the last trading day of 2016 on Friday, provisional data showed.

Stocks of state-run oil marketing companies such HPCL, BPCL and IOC ended higher by up to 1.78 per cent following hike in fuel prices.

Sectorally, the BSE banking sector index suffered the most by falling 1.18 per cent, followed by IT (0.33 per cent) and technology (0.15 per cent) while realty rose 4.32 per cent and auto 1.95 per cent. .

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P10

INTERNATIONAL

Donald Trump plans Enhance cooperation to protect 'many big things' and common interests: Xi to BRICS lots more tweeting Washington, Jan 2 : Donald Trump is planning to do "many big things" after being sworn in as President, his communications director said on Sunday, adding that his boss has no intention to stop using Twitter.

Asked by ABC News what "one big thing" the public should expect from the president-elect once he takes office on January 20, spokesman Sean Spicer replied: "It's going to be not one big thing.

It's going to be many big things."

Mr. Spicer said the Republican billionaire would immediately sign a series of executive orders to "repeal a lot of the regulations and actions that have been taken by this administration over the last eight years that have hampered both economic growth and job creation."

He also confirmed that Mr. Trump would institute a five-year ban on senior officials leaving government to become lobbyists, and a lifetime ban "on anyone who wants to serve a foreign government."

When ABC interviewer Jonathan Karl asked whether he would continue his highly unusual -

Donald Trump will take the office of President on January 20.

- and deeply controversial -- approach of making major policy statements over Twitter, Mr. Spicer replied, "Sure, why not."

"With all due respect," he continued, "I think it freaks the mainstream media out that he has this following of over 45-plus million people that follow him on social media, that he can have a direct conversation."

Spicer added: "Business as usual is over... There's a new sheriff in town."

Mr. Karl asked the spokeperson repeatedly whether Mr. Trump might reverse President Barack Obama's steps --

including the expulsion of 35 Russian agents -aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the U.S. election.

While suggesting that Barack Obama's action might have been "political retribution" and thus too harsh, Mr. Spicer would only say that Donald Trump would delay any decision until he receives an intelligence briefing on the matter.

The president-elect, still working to fill out his new administration, was to return on Sunday from his Florida resort to his Trump Tower apartment in Manhattan.

PTI Beijing, Jan 2: BRICS countries should enhance solidarity, cooperation and safeguard common interests as they face growing uncertainties and instabilities in international situations, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who assumes the Presidency of the fivemember bloc this year.

Facing growing uncertainties and instability in international affairs, BRICS countries need to enhance solidarity and safeguard common interests, Xi said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia President Vladimir Putin, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Michel Temer, official media reported.

"In accordance with an open, inclusive and winwin BRICS spirit, China

will work with other BRICS countries to make the Xiamen summit a success and move forward BRICS cooperation to a new level," he said, staterun China Daily reported today.

Briefing fellow BRICS leaders about China's blueprint for promoting cooperation among the member states during China's presidency of the bloc this year, Xi said Beijing will host the ninth BRICS leaders' summit in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern China's Fujian province in September this year.

The summit will focus on four aspects, deepening pragmatic cooperation for common development, enhancing global governance to jointly counter challenges, carrying out people- to-people ex-

China flags off 1st goods train to London

Police to question Netanyahu over 'gifts': reports

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

AFP Jerusalem, Jan 2: Israeli police are to question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today over whether he illegally accepted gifts from wealthy supporters, media reports said, in a probe shaking the country's political scene.

The long-running inquiry has looked into whether Israeli and foreign businessmen have offered gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars, among other issues, according to the reports.

Attorney general Avichai Mandelblit has reportedly

approved upgrading the inquiry to a criminal probe, though he has yet to confirm this.

Police and Netanyahu's office declined to comment today.

Public radio said Netanyahu has agreed to be questioned at his residence.

In a Facebook post at the weekend, Netanyahu rejected all allegations against him and said his political opponents and some news outlets wanted to bring down his government.

In July, Mandelblit said he had ordered a preliminary

examination into an unspecified affair involving Netanyahu.

No details were given on the nature of the preliminary examination and Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

He has acknowledged receiving money from French tycoon Arnaud Mimran, who was sentenced to eight years in prison over a scam amounting to 283 million euros involving the trade of carbon emissions permits and the taxes on them.

Netanyahu's office said he had received 40,000 in contributions from Mimran in 2001, when he was not in office, as part of a fund for public activities, including appearances abroad to promote Israel.

He has also come under scrutiny over an alleged conflict of interest in the purchase of submarines from a German firm.

Media reports have alleged a conflict of interest over the role played by the Netanyahu family lawyer, David Shimron, who also acts for the Israeli agent of Germany's ThyssenKrupp, which builds the Dolphin submarines.

Nepal receives 40 mega watt of electricity from India PTI Kathmandu, Jan 2: Nepal has received 40 mega watt of electricity from India, taking the total import of power from the country to 340 mega watt, as part of the Himalayan nation's efforts to end load-shedding.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire expressed hope that the country will become free from loadshedding now.

"We have started importing an additional 40 MW of electricity from India since Saturday midnight," Republica quoted Ghimire as saying.

"Also, 13MW of electricity has been added to the na-

tional grid from the Madi hydropower project," he said.

With the addition of 53 MW of electricity to the national grid, there is no possibility of load-shedding, Ghimire said.

"We have already made the Kathmandu Valley a loadshedding free zone," Ghimire said, "We have launched a campaign to end load-shedding outside the Valley as well".

"Forty MW of electricity has been imported from India this month," he said, "From next month, an additional 40 MW will be imported from India."

According to the officials at the Ministry of Energy, despite the import of 40

MW of electricity from India on Saturday, an additional 40 MW of electricity needs to be imported to end load-shedding.

Last week, a team from the energy ministry had gone to India to sign an agreement with Power Trade Corporation, India to import a total of 120 MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Transmission Line from January 1 to May 2017, the paper said.

He said that load-shedding can t come to an end unless additional electricity is imported from India.

Now, a total of 350 MW of electricity is being imported from India through the 132 KV transmission line.

China flags off 1st goods train to London.

PTI Beijing, Jan 2: China has launched its first freight train to London over 12,000 kms away as part of efforts by the world's second largest economy to expand rail links to different areas across the globe to improve its dwindling exports and stabilise slowdown.

The train departed from China's international commodity hub Yiwu in Zhejiang Province yesterday.

It will travel for about 18 days and more than 12,000 kilometres before reaching its destination in Britain, the China Railway Corporation (CRC) said.

Yiwu is known for producing small commodities, and the train mainly carried such goods, including household items, garments, cloth, bags and suitcases.

It will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and

France before arriving in London, state- run Xinhua news agency reported.

London is the 15th city in Europe added to ChinaEurope freight train services.

The service will improve China-Britain trade ties, strengthen connectivity with western Europe, while better serving China's Belt and Road Initiative, an infrastructure and trade network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes, the CRC said.

China's exports totalled to USD 2.27 trillion in 2015 slowing down from USD 2.34 trillion in 2014.

Its economy grew at 6.9 per cent in 2015, slipping below seven per cent in a quarter of century.

As part of its efforts to stabilise its exports and economy, China has embarked on multi-billion dollar global connectivity project called the 'One Belt One Road' (Silk Road).

Chinese President Xi Jinping. changes to consolidate public support for cooperation and promoting mechanism-building to construct broader partnership, said Xi, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi attended last year's summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and

South Africa (BRICS) in Goa under India's Presidency. The Presidency goes on rotation every year.

In the first decade of its existence, BRICS has moved forward on the economic front establishing BRICS bank called the New Development Bank (NDB),

which was established with initial subscribed capital of USD 50 billion with total paid- in capital of USD 10 billion.

The Shanghai-based bank headed by Indian banker K V Kamath has started disbursing loans for various green infrastructure projects in the five countries.

Xi's letter comes ahead of US President-elect Donal Trump taking over as President later this month amid apprehensions that he would pursue hardline US centric policies which Beijing avers will affect the current order of globalisation benefitting the emerging economies.

China hopes cooperation among BRICS grouping will move forward to a new level during its 9th summit, Xi said.

IS claims nightclub carnage as Turkey hunts attacker AFP Istanbul, Jan 2 : The Islamic State jihadist group today claimed the shooting rampage inside a glamorous Istanbul nightclub on New Year's night that killed 39 people, as police hunted the attacker who remains on the run.

With foreigners making up the majority of those killed in yesterday's attack, families were due to reclaim the bodies of more than two dozen non-Turkish and mainly Arab victims.

The shooting, which unleashed scenes of carnage and panic among party-goers at one of Istanbul's swankiest venues, took place just 75 minutes into 2017 after a bloody year in Turkey in which hundreds of people were killed in violence blamed on both IS jihadists and Kurdish militants.

In a statement circulated on social media, the jihadist group said one of the "soldiers of the caliphate" had carried out the attack on the Reina nightclub.

It accused Turkey, a majority-Muslim country, of being a servant of Christians, in a possible reference to Ankara's alliance with the international coalition fighting IS in neighbouring Syria and Iraq.

The statement said the assault was in response to Turkey's military intervention against IS in warravaged Syria.

Turkish troops are press-

IS claims nightclub carnage as Turkey hunts attacker.

ing on with a four-month incursion in Syria to oust IS jihadists and Kurdish militants from the border area.

In the last few weeks, the forces have encountered fierce opposition from the jihadists around the town of Al-Bab. The army said Turkish war planes launched new air strikes around Al Bab. Arriving by taxi at the plush Reina nightclub on the shores of the Bosphorus, the gunman produced a weapon, reportedly a Kalashnikov, and shot dead a policeman and civilian at the entrance.

According to the Hurriyet daily, the gunman then fired off four magazines containing a total of 120 bullets around the club, as terrified guests flung themselves into the freezing waters of the Bosphorus in panic.

But after changing clothes, the gunman left the nightclub in the ensuing chaos and has managed to evade security forces.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said yesterday that intense efforts were under way to find the gunman, and expressed hope that he would be captured soon.

Late yesterday, police rushed to Istanbul's Kurucesme district after a tip-off but the operation did not produce any arrest.

"The danger continues," wrote columnist Abdulkadir Selvi in Hurriyet.

"So long as this terrorist is not seized we do not know when and where a massacre could take place."

Hurriyet said investigators believe the attacker may be from the Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan.

Investigators also consider it possible that the attacker is linked to the same cell that in June carried out a triple suicide bombing and gun attack at Istanbul's Ataturk airport blamed on IS that left 47 people dead, the paper added.

Russian diplomats expelled from US arrive in Moscow AFP Moscow, Jan 2: A plane carrying 35 diplomats expelled from the United States over Russia's alleged meddling in the US presidential election arrived in Moscow early today, Russian state television reported.

A Russian Il-96 plane carrying the diplomats and their families landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport at 2:05 am local time after having taken off from Washington yesterday, state television said.

State television showed the diplomats and their families gathering their luggage on the tarmac in

Russian diplomats expelled from US arrive in Moscow. the rain before heading inside the terminal.

US intelligence says the Kremlin ordered a hackand-release of Democratic Party and Hillary

Clinton campaign staff emails in a bid to put Donald Trump in the White House.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed the allegations.

The expulsions of the diplomats -- described as intelligence operatives based at the Russian embassy in Washington and the consulate in San Francisco -- were part of a package of sanctions ordered by President Barack Obama Thursday in the final weeks of his administration.

Obama also ordered the closure of two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland that the United States says were used "for intelligence-related purposes."

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week rebuked the outgoing president for "unfriendly

steps" amounting to "a provocation aimed at further undermining Russian-American relations."

The Kremlin strongman warned that Russia reserved the right to respond but refrained from ordering the tit-for-tat expulsion of American diplomats from Russia, saying that Moscow's next move will be "based on the policies pursued by the administration of president Donald Trump."

Putin's decision has been interpreted as a sign he is looking to Trump to rebuild US-Russian ties after the US presidential inauguration later this month.

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P11

Indian women enter SAFF Women's Football final.

Siliguri, Jan 2 : India produced a clinical display as they beat Nepal 3-1 to enter the final of the SAFF Women's Football Championship at the Kanchenjunga Stadium here on Monday.

India, who led 1-0 at the interval, scored through Kamala Devi (45th minute), Indumathi (58th) and Sasmita Malik (83rd). For Nepal, Sabitra Bhandari scored the lone goal in the 75th minute from a penalty.

The first-half was totally one-sided with India

dominating and setting the pace of the match.

However, India were made to wait and Kamala Devi's strike at the stroke of interval was perhaps most sweetly timed.

It allowed India to plan the proceedings in the second half. The second goal came in the 58th minute when Indumathi followed a long ball from Bala, beat the off-side trap and placed it into the Nepal goal.

The last goal came in the 83d minute. Nepal goal-

keeper Anjila, who impressed today with her interceptions and reflexes, fumbled to collect a routine corner from Sasmita and saw the ball helplessly roll into the net.

India coach Sajid Dar described the win as a "team effort".

"It is hard to single out any single player. Right from the goalkeeper to our defenders to the midfielders to the strikers, everyone played their part. It was a team effort," Dar said at the postmatch press conference.

IOC refuses to reverse Kuwait sports ban

In a letter addressed to the Kuwaiti government on Saturday, the IOC said it “will not be in a position to reconsider the situation” until the country complies with a number of steps. (Source: AP) Lausanne, Jan 2 : The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected a call by the Kuwaiti government to temporarily lift a 14-month sports ban while the Gulf State amends a controversial law.

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World sports bodies led by the IOC and football governing body FIFA suspended Kuwait in October 2015 for the second time since 2010 over alleged government meddling in sports.

Kuwait’s public sports authority had on December 23 written to the IOC and FIFA urging them to “lift the ban on Kuwaiti sports activities temporarily until relevant local laws are revised”.

But in a letter addressed to the Kuwaiti government on Saturday the IOC said it “will not be in a position to recon-

sider the situation” until the country complies with a number of steps to become fully compatible with the Olympic Charter.

Kuwait’s sports authority had said it was making “serious and relentless efforts” to have the ban lifted and said parliament would set up a panel to draft amendments to the relevant laws.

But their efforts failed to convince the IOC. “The situation has significantly deteriorated over the past months due to a number of decisions taken in violation of the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter which has constrained the IOC to react accordingly and to reiterate its position,” the letter to Kuwait’s Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-

Sabah read.

The IOC also demanded the authorities immediately reinstate the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee and dissolve or dismiss any “parallel bodies/officers appointed by the Kuwait authorities that are not recognised by the IOC.” The IOC decision could impact one expected by FIFA on January 9 or 10 with the final deadline for Kuwait to be eligible to compete in the 2019 Asian Cup on January 11.

The wealthy emirate has already missed out on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Analysts say the crisis was partly caused by a political struggle involving senior ruling family members and politicians.

Bengaluru Blasters defeat Delhi Acers 4-3 in PBL tie Hyderabad, Jan 2 : Bengaluru Blasters defeated Delhi Acers 4-3 in a keenly-fought Premier Badminton League (PBL) clash between the two sides at the Gachibowli indoor stadium at Hyderabad.

Bengaluru’s Cheung Ngan Yi pulled off a thrilling 11-9, 6-11, 11-2 win in her women’s singles match (the last and deciding match of the tie late last night) against Delhi’s Tanvi Lad to give her side two points as it was the Trump match of Bengaluru Blasters.

Yi, ranked 20th in the world, was expected to sail through easily, but the little-known Lad proved to be a tough nut to crack. Lad, currently ranked 57th, put up a stiff fight in the first set and went on to win the second set.

Lad’s win in the second set rekindled hopes for Delhi as it was the deciding game, but Yi brushed aside any possibility of an upset and won the third set 11-2.

Earlier, the tie began with the first men’s singles match between Bengaluru’s Viktor Axelsen and Delhi’s Jan O Jorgensen. It was expected to be a clash of equals and it did turn out to be a closely-fought

Jorgensen and Axelsen, both from Denmark and ranked two and three respectively, are familiar with each other’s game as they often train together. (Source: PTI) one.

Jorgensen and Axelsen, both from Denmark and ranked two and three respectively, are familiar with each other’s game as they often train together.

In an evenly-poised competition, Jorgensen finally won 11-9, 11-9.

The second match saw Ko Sung-Hyun-Sikki Reddy of Bengaluru and Delhi’s Jwala GuttaVladimir Ivanov cross swords in mixed doubles.

Though the Gutta-Ivanov duo put up a resistance,

it was not enough to prevent the Bengaluru pair from winning the match 11-6 11-6. Bengaluru and Delhi were at par with 11 points after the second match.

The third match of second men’s singles between Bengaluru’s Sourabh Varma and Delhi’s Son Wan Ho, which the Delhi side chose as its Trump match, saw a stiff resistance from Varma.

Varma, ranked 45, began his campaign aggressively and made life dif-

ficult for the world number fourth Son Wan Ho. The two were engaged in long rallies, making it enthralling for the viewers, and Son eventually pulled off a hard-fought win.

The tie was then in Delhi’s favour with a 3-1 lead.

The fourth match of men’s doubles was between Sung Hyun KoYeon Seong Yoo (Bengaluru) and Vladimir Ivanov-Ivan Suzonov (Delhi).

The reigning All England Champions Ivanov and

Suzanov lost the first set 10-12 to the Russians, but the former fought back brilliantly and won the remaining two sets 113 and 11-6. Delhi still had an edge of 3-2 over Bengaluru.

However, with Cheung Ngan Yi winning the final and deciding match, Bengaluru got a total of four points (it was Bengaluru’s Trump match), while Delhi’s campaign stopped at three points. A win in the Trump match of its choice gives a team two points.

Current and former players pay their tributes to Somdev Devvarman

Federer makes smooth return to action in Hopman Cup

PTI Chennai, Jan 2 : Indian tennis fraternity today came together in acknowledging the “tremendous contribution” Somdev Devvarman made to the game in the country and the fitness benchmarks he had set for the younger generation.

Counter-puncher Somdev, at the age of 31, announced his retirement from tennis on Sunday, having represented India in the Davis Cup in 14 ties with 14 wins and 10 defeats in singles.

After turning Pro in 2008, Somdev reached a career-high rank of 62 in July 2011. He ended runner-up in ATP 250 events in Chennai (2009) and Johannesburg (2011) and those were his best results in his career apart from many wins on the Challenger circuit.

“Indian players can learn from him how to be so fit.

He was a fitness freak.

He played some great matches in Davis Cup. People can take a leaf out of his book. He also played some great matches at the Asian Games as well. His contribution to Indian tennis is tremendous,” SP Misra, under whose captaincy Somdev played many Davis Cup ties, told PTI. Asked to pick a few memorable moments, Misra mentioned World Group first round tie against Serbia in 2011 and also against Taipei and South Africa.

“During the tie against Chinese Taipei, he beat Lu, and against Serbia, he beat Janko Tipsarevic and also had a great singles win against Brazil. We made to the

Counter-puncher Somdev Devvarman, at the age of 31, announced his retirement from tennis on Sunday. (Source: PTI) World Group twice and that was his major contribution,” Misra said.

When reminded that his ouster from the Indian Davis Cup support staff was a result of a revolt led by Somdev, Misra said he “won’t comment on the past.”

India’s current top singles players, Saketh Myneni, Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan said Somdev will definitely be missed in the Davis Cup team for the sheer passion he brought into the game that rubbed off others as well.

“For me he is the best Davis Cupper in singles that I have seen. There are greats like Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes but when I started playing I have seen him. He pushed us and showed us the way.

We now how difficult it has become today when the courts are slow the balls are heavy and he sustained there. He set a benchmark for us,” Yuki said.

Myneni said he was a “bit surprised” with Somdev’s retirement decision.

“But when you are mentally drained it’s difficult to continue but the kind of champion he is I thought he will give it one more shot. It’s a challenge for us also now to fill in those shoes,” Myneni, the current India number one at 192, said.

“The motivations and work ethics he brings on the court. I have known him since my college days. From his junior days to Davis Cup, tournaments outside, he brings the same energy.

It’s tough to replicate.

One of the best in the game.”

Ramkumar Ramanathan said, “the players will come and go but having Somdev around was very encouraging. He always helped me with his advice. He was very easy going.”

Myneni said it will be difficult to train the way Somdev trained but they surely learnt from him.

“He is more physical and

I can’t do the same thing he did. My body type is different but seeing him certainly helped me in the last three years. His slugfest is amazing, I have not seen that in Indian tennis.”

Yuki said now that Somdev will not be there to battle it out during Davis Cup, they understand the sense of responsibility.

“I was always relaxed when he ws around during the Davis Cup. Now responsibility shifts but we still have strong core team. He was whole lot of fun off the court, great leadership role he played. He was different on court. He built his game on fitness. He pushed me to work harder.

We have not seen many players like him, he will be definitely be missed,” Yuki said.

Asked what is one thing which will be missed with Somdev not around in Davis Cup, Myneni said, “The teasing part will be missed.

The chemistry in the team was great. He treats us like younger brothers.”

French, Jan 2 : Roger Federer showed no signs of rust in his first competitive match for six months when he outclassed Dan Evans 6-3 6-4 at the Hopman Cup on Monday.

The 17-time grand slam winner underwent knee surgery in February and, after missing the French Open with a back injury, announced in July that he needed extensive rehabilitation and would be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Federer walked out to a standing ovation from more than 13,500 fans at the Perth Arena and breezed to an easy win over Evans, putting Switzerland 1-0 ahead in their match against Britain in the mixed team event.

"The standing ovation coming in, it was very special. I'm here now enjoying and looking forward to the week of course," the 35year-old said in a courtside interview.

Asked what keeps him going, Federer said; "I guess it depends also on how you get hurt. I got hurt filling up a bath for my children.

It's not really the way I wanted to leave this game."

The former world number one, who has slipped to 16th in the rankings, said he enjoyed the time out but had started to miss tennis.

"You can't be more happy to return back on a Centre Court, taping your ankles, tying your shoes and walking out and getting that kind of welcome," he said.

Federer has not won a grand slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.

"It would be nice to win another one, of course I'd even take two-three-four," he said.

"It's tough at the top. A lot of good guys are there right now, a lot of young guys are coming up too.

The gap's definitely not very big but I gave it chance. Let's see what happens."

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Indian women enter SAFF Women's Football final

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

P12 RP Singh's triple strike helps Gujarat seize control

RP Singh picked up three wickets to give Gujarat the upper hand at stumps on Day 2.

Jharkhand, Jan 2 : RP Singh dismissed the dangerous-looking Ishan Kishan late in the day to swing the balance of the second semi-final clash between Gujarat and Jharkhand in the former's favour on Day Two at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

Resuming the day on 283 for 3, Gujarat's lowermiddle order failed to take advantage of a strong start and lost wickets at regular intervals on Monday (January 2). Priyank Panchal, who was unbeaten on 144

overnight, added only five runs to his tally before being snared by Ajay Yadav.

Soon after, Yadav took his second wicket of the day when he had Manpreet Juneja, the other overnight batsmen, caught by Pratyush Singh on 22. The double blow reduced Gujarat to 299 for 5 within the first half an hour of play.

Rujul Bhatt and Chirag Gandhi added some valuable runs, but two more wickets in quick succession had them reeling again. While

Gandhi became Yadav's third victim, Rush Kalaria followed him back to the pavilion five balls later, trapped legbefore by Shahbaz Nadeem.

RP Singh, who joined Bhatt in the middle, hit some lusty blows - five boundaries and a six - to add 40 crucial runs lower down the order and put on 62 runs for the eighth wicket with Bhatt. However, Rahul Shukla, in a space of eight balls, dismissed the last three batsmen and bowled out Gujarat for 390.

In reply, Jharkhand got

off to a shaky start, losing opener Sumit Kumar to RP Singh in the first over of the innings. Pratyush Singh and Virat Singh combined to consolidate the innings and added 45 runs stand for the second wicket, before RP Singh had the measure of Pratyush and had him caught for 27.

Even as Jharkhand had good partnerships going, they kept losing wickets regularly. Virat Singh (34) and Saurabh Tiwary (39) too got off to good starts, but gave their wickets away in the 30s. At 121

for 4, Gujarat seemed to be in control, but there were still two in-form batsmen in the middle.

Ishank Jaggi and Kishan combined to attack the Gujarat bowlers and wrestle the initiative.

Kishan, in particular, meted out a severe treatment as he struck nine boundaries and three sixes to dominate the bowlers. Together, they added 92 runs in only 106 balls, with Kishan scoring 61 of those runs in only 59 balls. However, his innings came to an end when RP Singh had him caught by Jasprit Bumrah.

Jharkhand went to Stumps on 214 for 5, trailing Gujarat by 176 runs. Given the nature of the pitch, the difference in the first innings score will prove to be a massive difference as batting is expected to get tougher with each passing day. Jaggi holds the key for Jharkhand, who don't have the deepest of the batting order. If Gujarat manage to take a lead in excess of 50, they will be far ahead in the game.

Brief Scores: Gujarat 390 (Priyank Panchal 149, Parthiv Patel 62; Ajay Yadav 367, Rahul Shukla 3-71) lead Jharkhand 214/5 (Ishan Kishan 61, Ishank Jaggi 40*; RP Singh 348) by 176 runs

Harmanpreet Singh: Olympian, World Cup winner and a goal machine

Harmanpreet Singh New Delhi, Jan 2 : D r a g - f l i c k e r Harmanpreet Singh has been one of the brightest stars to have emerged for Indian hockey in the recent years. At 21 years of age, he counts being an Olympian and a World Cup winner among his career achievements.

Harmanpreet's rapid rise as a disciplined and relentless performer has

seen him shuttle between the senior and junior sides in major tournaments across the globe.

Harmanpreet first gained attention on the junior circuit in 2014 at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, when he scored nine goals and followed it with a rich haul of 15 at the 2015 Junior Asia Cup. For his impressive performances, he was included

in India's squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics and by the time the year came to a close, had played a key role in bringing home the Junior Hockey World Cup after 15 years.

TOI Sports caught up with Harmanpreet, who is gearing up for Hockey India League 2017 beginning January 21 where he will turn out for Dabang Mumbai.

Tamil Nadu claw back with late wickets

Ferrer, Muguruza Christian's five-fer sinks break Australian Adelaide Strikers hearts in Brisbane

Garbine Muguruza.

Brisbane, Jan 2 : David Ferrer sent local favourite Bernard Tomic packing with an easy 6-3 7-5 win in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Monday.

The eighth-seeded Spaniard capitalised on Tomic's poor serve, breaking the flat-looking Australian three times to clinch the first set at the Pat Rafter Arena.

They traded service holds through the second set until the final game when Tomic's eighth double fault sealed Ferrer's comprehensive win.

"All tennis players have pressure, but at this moment of my career, I need to enjoy these types of matches on Centre Court," Ferrer said.

"I am 34 years old, 35 next month, so I hope I will play a little bit longer," added the Spaniard who faces another Australian, wildcard Jordan Thompson, in the second round.

Nicolas Mahut staged a brilliant comeback against Stephane Robert to win the

all-French contest 4-6 6-3 64. He will meet the winner of the clash between seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov and Steve Johnson.

In the women's event, fourth seed Garbine Muguruza staved off Samantha Stosur's spirited comeback, prevailing 7-5 67(2) 7-5 in a three-hour battle that ended in disappointment for the partisan crowd.

The 2016 French Open champion saved three set points to surge ahead and broke Stosur twice early in the second set.

Stosur mounted a strong reply, racing into a 4-2 lead in the decider before Muguruza staged a comeback of her own to book her place in the second round against Daria Kasatkina.

Sixth seed Elina Svitolina eased into the second round with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Monica Puig.

"My game was quite solid.

I didn't do so many unforced errors, which is good, because with couple of changes it can happen," the world number 14 said.

Oval, Jan 2 : Daniel Christian bagged his career-best Twenty20 (T20) figures of 5 for 14 to help Hobart Hurricanes secure an emphatic eightwicket victory over Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2016-17 game played at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

In pursuit of a modest target of 144, D'Arcy Short (60) and Tim Paine (41) joined forces to provide Hurricanes a bright start. Short combined selective power with placement to unfurl a stream of shots. He was particularly severe on Chris Jordan by thumping him for three boundaries in the sixth over.

Short also clobbered Michael Neser for three sixes in the 11th over to reduce the required target to just 44 runs off nine overs. Paine, on the other hand, was more circumspect as he collected runs with a diet of singles and twos.

Despite Billy Stanlake and Travis Head snaring the scalps of Short and Paine, respectively, Kumar Sangakkara (15 not out) and George Bailey (6 not out) steered the hosts home with more than two overs to spare. Head and Stanlake bowled with disci-

pline, but rest of the bowlers weren't penetrative enough.

Earlier, Hurricanes had won the toss and inserted the opposition into bat. However, for a while, the opening duo of Ben Dunk (31) and Jake Weatherald (14) shared a breezy 40-run stand off 23 balls to put Hurricanes' bowlers under pressure.

Dunk, in particular, showed his ability to land powerful blows by checking in two fours and two sixes off Simon Milenko in the fourth over. Milenko, however, had the last laugh when he dislodged Dunk off the final ball of that over. The lefthander tried to flick the slower one into the on-side, but couldn't make the connection and was cleaned up.

Christian and Milenko then teamed up to send Jono Dean and Weatherald back to the pavilion in a space of seven deliveries. Brad Hodge and Head tried to resurrect the innings with a timely stand of 48 for the fourth wicket. At that crucial stage of the match, Christian landed the decisive blow by snaring the scalp of Head.

Even after Head was dismissed, Hodge continued to show the required batting nous to keep

the scorecard moving over.

The way he picked the length quickly and smashed Cameron Boyce over the midwicket fence in the 16th over gave an inkling that he was looking to up the tempo.

Hodge also skipped down the track to loft Clive Rose over long-on for a six in the 18th over. Rose, though, castled Kieron Pollard (11) in the same over to make the crucial breakthrough. Pollard's wicket also triggered a collapse as Christian used slower ones, sprinkled with the yorker to pick up the wickets of Hodge, Ben Laughlin and Liam O'Conner and snuff out the hosts for 143. Christian's impressive returns of 5 for 14 turned out to be the second best figures in BBL's history.

Hurricanes have won two of the four matches they have played so far, while Strikers just have one victory to their name in four games.

Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers 143 in 20 overs (Brad Hodge 55, Ben Dunk 31; Daniel Christian 5-14) lost to Hobart Hurricanes 144/2 (D'Arcy Short 60, Tim Paine 41; Billy Stanlake 1-17) by eight wickets

Christian's impressive returns of 5 for 14 turned out to be the second best figures in BBL's history

Shardul Thakur picked up four wickets to keep Tamil Nadu to 305.

Mumbai, Jan 2 : If Mumbai were just ahead at the end of the opening day of the first semifinal against Tamil Nadu, for most parts of the second day it seemed they would slam the door open and drive home the advantage, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association ground in Rajkot on Monday (January 2). However, a late burst from the Tamil Nadu bowlers pegged them back as the defending champions ended the on 171 for 4 in reply to their 305.

Suryakumar Yadav stroked a pleasing 116-ball 73 while Praful Waghela made 48 to take their team forward before they lost three wickets for three runs an hour after Tea. Mumbai endured a frustrating first hour but that was as good as Tamil Nadu's performance got in the day before the bowlers helped them claw their way back in the game. Vijay Shankar and Aswin Crist made a sedate start but ensured the Mumbai bowlers were kept at bay. However lapse in concentration led to their downfall.

Soon after, Shankar got to his fifty. He tried to play a drive on the up to Shardul Thakur, to a delivery well wide outside off, and edged the ball to the wicketkeeper.

The scorecard then read 280 for 7. Aushik Srinivas (4) and Crist (31) followed soon after before K Vignesh became the

last batsman to fall. Tamil Nadu restricted to a modest score on a good batting surface meant Mumbai had already gained the upper hand.

Thakur and Abhishek Nayar picked shared eight wickets between them to prop up their side.

Basics don't change in cricket.

No matter what the surface has to offer, early wickets play a key role. Prithvi Shaw made a promising start by stroking a lovely boundary but fell the very next ball, caught behind, playing a loose drive.

Suryakumar was positive right from the onset and slammed a 14-ball 17 before Mumbai went to Tea at 34 for 1.

Both Suryakumar and Waghela looked at ease for most parts of the day and played well to swell their association to 121.

There was a staunch grind from Waghela while Suryakumar played with a certain panache, the flair we are used to seeing in the Indian Premier League. He didn't hold back and was quick to pounce on wide deliveries and played the pull and the hook with authority to flay the bowlers. When Mumbai reached a healthy 125 for 1, it seemed as it Tamil Nadu will give in and wait for things to happen. One loose shot, one poor stroke can turn the game and that's what Suryakumar

did.

He chased a wide from Shankar only to edge it behind the stumps. Waghela was the next one to go. Aditya Tare stroked the ball to the off side and took off for a non existent single, forcing Waghela to go for it. As a result, the left-hander fell short to make it and was run out leaving Mumbai well in the middle of a wobble.

'One brings two and two brings three' isn't just a cliche used by commentators. Siddesh Lad, the tenacious batsman who has time and again lifted Mumbai to a position of strength, then gently lobbed a full ball from Srinivas to hand a catch to Mukund. Mumbai from 125 for 1 had been reduced to 128 for 4. All the good work done

by Suryakumar and Waghela had been undone.

Tare now had to shoulder the responsibility of guiding Mumbai through a tricky period with Shreyas Iyer. The duo did well to see off the 16-over period and add 43 to the total.

They not only kept Mumbai afloat, they ensured that the scales were even after the second day.

Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 305 (Baba Indrajith 64, Vijay Shankar 50; Abhishek Nayar 4-66, Shardul Thakur 475) lead Mumbai 171/4 (Suryakumar Yadav 73, Praful Waghela 48; Shankar 1-14) by 134 runs.

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Editor: Prahlad Hammey

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