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Govt plan to improve quality education

in rural areas

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: “My government is planning to come out with a policy to improve the quality of education in the rural areas so that the students coming from far flung schools could compete and pass out the CBSE board examinations with flying colours”, said Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today.

He was addressing a mammoth gathering at Banquet Hall here as chief guest on the occasion of Teachers’ Day celebration.

While consolidating the role of teachers in shaping the society, Khandu said that the students follow what a teacher tries to teach them. “If a teacher maintains outmost sincerity and devotional to duties, the students follow the same line”, the chief minister said.

“No nation can develop its resources to fullness unless its citizen is educated. It is the education that opens the mind and enhances the mental development which breeds civilization and leads the path of progress and prosperity”, Khandu said while urging the teachers to impart the education putting their heart in it.

Khandu appealed the teaching fraternity to include such social importance topics in their school curriculum activities like preservation of wild life, HIV/AIDS, drug menace etc. in order to educate the children in such alarming issues. Reiterating that education had been a top priority sector for his government, Khandu appreciated the steps taken up by the education minister Bosiram Siram in improving the standard and quality of education in the state. He further urged upon all to put hands together to improve the literacy rate of the state and make it par to the highest literate states like Kerala and Mizoram.

Dwelling in length on the initiatives of his government especially on education sector, Khandu made mention on Flagship programme of Central Government and its effective implementation in the state.

He congratulated the teachers who were recognized for their meritorious job and appealed the teaching fraternity to follow the suit.

30 teachers from all over the state were conferred with state Teachers’ Award for their meritorious service in state and for education by the chief guest on the day.

Speaking as guest of honour Education Minister Bosiram Siram termed the students as a bank and teachers the depositors of most precious treasure- knowledge.

He mentioned about National Foundation for Teachers Welfare (NFTW), which undertakes a voluntary campaign for collection of funds on this day every year. He further disclosed that an amount of Rs. 83 Crores (aprox). has been contributed till date which would be utilized for providing financial assistance for construction of Shikshak Sadan, financial support for education of school teachers’ children, gratuitous relief to the teachers in case of serious accident and teachers health insurance etc.

But Siram lamented that not a single financial assistance was availed by our state despite the fact that the NFTW was constituted way back in the year 1962. He however revealed that a state working committee of NFTW would soon be constituted so as to ensure that the benefits under NFTW could be given to teachers in the hour of need.

He also informed the house about enactment of Arunachal Pradesh Education Act, Arunachal Pradesh Higher education Act and Arunachal Pradesh Technical Education Act. These efforts will certainly serve the noble purpose for planned and systematic development of Educational Institution in the state, Siram emphatically said.

Among others, Education Commissioner Hage Khoda and Director School education also spoke on the occasion.

MLA Namsai, Nang Sati Mein, Principal Secretary to CM Yeshi Tsering, Commissioners, Secretaries, Directors, Teachers and students were present on the occasion.

Kri felicitates 620 teachers

Lohit DIPRO adds: Teachers Day was also celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr S. Radhakrishnan, the second President of India at Tezu.

Altogether 620 teachers including five retired teachers from various public and private schools, professors and assistant Professors of I.G.G.College, Tezu were felicitated by MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary Karikho Kri on the occasion.

Dorongsi Kri (Tamai), Asstt. Proffessor, I.G.G.College, Tezu was also felicitated on her achievement of having got the distinction of being the first ever Mishmi to have cleared the UGC net. All the teachers under Tezu and Sunpura circles and Lohit DDSE participated in the celebration.

Kri lauded the teaching community for their relentless efforts in imparting education to the students of the state. However, he appealed the teaching community to give their best and put more efforts for value based education to the students so that they can face the challenges of the life ahead.

Presiding over the function Lohit District Deputy Commissioner R.K. Sharma praised the sincere efforts of the teachers and cautioned them not to waste their time and energy in creating and mitigating personal differences, but to use their energy and intellect to produce good and meritorious students by their efforts, sincerity and dedication.

Bagilu Kri, wife of Parliamentary Secretary expressed her delight to have the honour to felicitate the teaching community for the 6th time on the Teacher’s Day at Tezu.

Winners of state award - 2010

District Name & Deisgnation Name of Institute

1. Lower Dibang Valley S. Sankaran, S/T Govt. H. S. School, Roing

2. Lower Dibang Valley Mamang Ratan, A/T (B) Govt. Middle Schoo, Roing

3. Lower Subansiri Peil Milli Tutu, A/T(A) Govt. Middle School, Kamporijo

4. Lower Subansiri Ajit Chandra Medhi, S/T Govt. H. S. School, Raga

5. Lower Subansiri Konpona Hazorika, J/T Govt. S. School, Hapoli

6. Lower Subansiri Narender Verma, S/T S/T OSD (Edn), C/O PRC

Arunachal Bhawan, New Delhi

7. Lohit Nang Monorama Jeinow, A/T Govt. Sec. School, Lathao

8. Yingkiong Samten Lama, A/T (A) Govt. Middle School, Gelling,

9. Yingkiong Bhuwan Chandra Upreti, J/T Govt. Sec. School, Jenging

10. East Siang Bhola Prasad, A/T(A) Govt. Pry. School, Yingku

11. East Siang Kakong Rome, A/T Govt. Middle School, Silluk

12. East Siang Kripamaya Das, A/T (A) Govt. Middle School, Berung

13. East Siang Pradip Kumar Deb, J/T Govt. Sec. School, Mirku

14. East Siang Rana Awadesh Kumar Singh, J/T Govt. Middle School, Paglek

15. West Kameng Bhawani Shanker Pant, S/T Govt. H. S. School, Rupa

16. West Kameng Nagina Singh Yadev, S/T Govt. H. S. School, Bomdila

17. West Kameng Tripti Sarkar, J/T Govt. Middle School, Bomdila

18. West Kameng Sang Khandu Khrimey, A/T(A) Govt. Middle School, Pedung

19. West Kameng Wangmu Sinjaji, A/T(A) Govt. Middle School, Jigaon

20. West Kameng Indreshwar Baruah, A/T (A) Govt. Pry. School, Liphakpu

21. Anjaw Jai Prakash Sharma, S/T (Geog) Govt. Pry. School, Hayuliang

22. Anjaw Raghunath, S/T (Maths) Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Hayuliang

23. Kurung Kumey Kusum Singh Rathi, ST (Eng.) Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Koloriang

24. Kurung Kumey Harish Singh Paramer, S/T (Eco.) Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Palin

25. Kurung Kumey Takam Taram, A/T Govt. Sec. School, Lumba

26. Kurung Kumey Mukund Mohan Kalita, A/T Govt. Middle School, Jamin

27. Papum Pare, Yupia Surendra Nath Rai, S/T Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Arunodoya

28. Papum Pare, Yupia Sorang Sonari, A/T Govt. Pry. School, Shyaro

29. Tawang Birendra Singh Yadav, J/T Govt. Pry. School, Rono

30. Tawang Jogamohan Kalita, A/T (A) Govt. Middle School, Melongha

Prosecution sanction from govt awaited: SP Chauhan

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: In the headlines after his dramatic arrest of former Chief Minister Gegong Apang in the Rs 1000 Cr PDS scam, SP Special Investigation Cell (SIC) M S Chauhan today addressed a press conference in which he divulged that prosecution sanction from the government is pending with regard to 44 government employees while the prosecution sanction has been obtained for a few IAS officers involved.

He further said that 19 people were arrested including 4 sitting MLAs who are on bail, while adding that learned District Court Judge Bidol Tayeng had granted them bail. He however refused to give the names of the people arrested.

He further informed that 41 persons have been charge sheeted under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act.

SP Chauhan who has been under fire for poor handling of arrest of former Chief Minister and questioned about his integrity even at the floor of the Legislative assembly said that there was no case pending against him nor was he suspended as alleged by certain organizations with vested interests.

He said that he would quit his job if the allegations were proved correct.

"On the other hand, the SIC officers are receiving threatening calls from contractors, politicians and student Unions ever since it began investigation into the PDS scam," Chauhan said flanked by officers of SIC, adding that he takes full responsibility in the ongoing investigation.

He however did not mention if a police case was registered.

He further called on the media to refrain from publishing unfounded stories while denying that he had any role in arrest of former chief minister.

The SP further said that there was a nexus of underground elements-politicians-contractors in the whole PDS scam.

Chauhan arrested former Chief Minister Gegong Apang on August 24 last, leading to widespread criticism by various organizations on the conduct of the investigation by the SIC and the treatment meted to Apang.

Govt announces welfare measures for working class

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: The State Cabinet has given its seal of approval on several welfare measures worked out for the working class as recommended by a govt-constituted Committee.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu informed the house on the first day of three day Legislative session that from now on, there would be two categories of casual/ contingency employees—skilled and un-skilled and the category semi-skilled would be merged with the skilled ones.

Accordingly, the wages structure of the contingency employees has been upgraded: the un-skilled and skilled employees serving from 0-5 years will get monthly wages of Rs 3,500 and Rs 3,800 respectively, likewise employees working for 6-10 years will get Rs 4,000 (un-skilled) and Rs 4,300 (skilled), 11-15 years- Rs 5,000 (un-skilled) and Rs 5,300 (skilled) and beyond 15 years - Rs 6,000 (un-skilled) and Rs 6,300 (skilled), including Rs 250 per month as medical allowance for each category.

The same wages structure should apply to the Auxiliary Labour Corps (ALCs) in the districts, informed the Chief Minister, adding that an additional allowance (difficulty allowance) of Rs 500 per month will be provided to the contingency/ casual staff working in Area II (difficult areas).

The total annual financial liability of the above decisions would be Rs 80 crore (approx). For the current financial year, assuming that the recommendations are adopted from 1st October 2010, the liability would be about Rs 40 crore, divulged the CM.

He further said the recruitment rules for the group ‘D’ posts like peons, sweepers etc and for work charged (W/C) employees in case of works departments should be amended to reserve atleast 25% seats by promotion from contingency employees who have completed 20 years of service, after a qualification test.

He, however, said any future post creation of any contingency worker for any department should be only with the prior approval of the Chief Secretary and after obtaining no objection from Finance Deptt (for Non-Plan category) and Planning Department (for Plan category) at the level of respective Secretaries of the departments concerned. Any future post creation for WC employees in works department shall follow the same procedure as is being followed for regular employees. The CM told the House that recruitment of all group ‘D’ posts – peon, sweeper, cook, chowkidaar, washerman, gardener, dak-runner & handyman, all non-technical group ‘C’ posts including driver, UDC, LDC etc and all vacant WC posts (for works departments) will be done at district level under a Board with concerned DC as chair. The concerned departmental head (at Director/ Chief Engineer level) would be a member of the Selection Board and the parent department shall continue to be the appointing authority as well as the disciplinary authority and the employee shall be liable to be transferred anywhere in the State.

Arunachal Boogie Woogie

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: The best dancers from Arunachal Pradesh will gather at State Capital for a fortnight and compete with each other for top honour in the main rounds of the ‘Arunachal Boogie Woogie’-- a dance competition-- beginning at National Cinema hall, Naharlagun from September 15.

Participants will be seen performing all types of dances, including local traditional, Bollywood, Indian folk/classical etc. during the eight rounds of the competition. While Round One and Two will witness danseuses performing all types of dances and local traditional dances on September 15 and 19 respectively Round Three will see participants performing on Bollywood themes/beats.

Classical Dance round (Round Four) will be held on October Four while the Round Eight or the grand finale will be held on October 31, according to organizing committee release.

Lower Siang projects debate continues

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: Expressing doubt over the selection process of participants in the proposed official meeting on Lower Siang Hydro Electrict project at Itanagar on Sept 7, Mebo Area Bachao Committee said that selection was done by the East Siang deputy commissioner and a few delegates selected by Govt cannot be true representatives of the project affected people.

The committee in is emergency meeting held at Pasighat yesterday nullified and rejected the proposed meeting and also appealed the MLAs of project affected area in general and Mebo MLA in particular to abstain from participating in it.

The committee unanimously condemned the Govt attitude towards the anti-dam people. Instead of coming up with convincing points, they are in hurry in declaring anti-dam people as anti-development, the committee said.

Meanwhile, expressing unaware of any conspiracy or political implication in the proposed official meeting on Sept 7, Abor Hills People’s Forum has said that it will represent the feedback of people of Siang belt and use the meeting as platform to enquire about the details about the project including pre-feasibility report, geological study and development initiatives etc.

If the project is feasible after preliminary investigation, the Forum will endorse the project, said a release. The Forum will look into the fact that the project commence only after the effected people both upstream and downstream are compensated and their interested are looked into.

The Forum said, it will shoulder the responsibility even if it is a non-descript as the people of Siang deserve a better tomorrow.

Lower Siang Project Affected Welfare Society while welcoming the meeting called by the Chief Minister said that AdiSU should have registered its protest when the DC has called a meeting in August for selection of delegates. The Society said that representatives will attend the meeting.

Students need to exhibit political skills

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: With new academic session starting, colleges across the state will witness frenzy activities to elect new student bodies.

Positions like general secretary, assistant general secretary and numerous others posts will be vied by many students. Often it is said that student politics is the first step towards entering the world of politics. Some of the famous universities of world like Oxford, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Osmania University, Delhi University and many more are considered to be centre of student political activism.

They have witnessed many famous students movement in their illustrious history. Many of the present day politicians are product of these universities.

Even the 1989 infamous Tiananmen Square protest saw participation of larger number of students from Beijing University. During my days at Delhi, I had opportunities to interact with student union leaders of Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU). In these two universities, all the major political party’s student wing is very active. They vigorously oppose each other’s political ideology in public and always indulge in heated campaign inside university campus.

Despite their political differences, like seasoned politicians, they do respect each other’s political principles. There is a sense of maturity in the way they conduct themselves and many attribute this to their political training gained by being affiliated with one particular party. Some of the politicians like Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat are product of JNU and leaders like Arun Jaitly, Kapil Sibal are from DU school of political education.

In Arunachal majority of current politicians has come through rank of student bodies like All Arunachal Pradesh Student Union (AAPSU), All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) and from numerous tribe and district based student bodies. However there is a lack of proper political activity in all the colleges of state and also at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU). There is a need to channelize and bring the student bodies under certain forum where they can exhibit their political skills in true sense. Often we say students are the future of country and if we want to groom future politicians, then colleges and universities is the best place to do so.

There is certain lacuna in present system of student union activism in Arunachal. Most of the present student bodies are being used as puppet by few select politicians. There is an urgent need to change this trend. Certain professionalism need to be inculcated to student unions. Also our colleges and university, besides providing academic education, should encouraged students to take part in other curricular activities.

Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), situated at Rono Hill Doimukh, apart from being education hub should also become centre of political activism. Being the highest intellectual group of state, people expect RGU students to have a say in every matter which can change the fate of this state. There should be extensive political debates at university level on various issues and our authorities should also offer them all helping hands. Being the future citizen of this state, everybody look forward to student communities to be more vocal on those subjects which directly or indirectly can affect their future.

It is the duty of student communities to enlighten the poor and uneducated public of this underdeveloped state about all the important subjects. For example at present there is huge debate going in state regarding dams. Why can’t student group organize debate on such issue?

History speaks that whenever student community has intervened in any burning issues, a new chapter is always written. Time has arrived for our students to be more vocal on all issues and if they keep silent now, may be one day they have to pay heavy price for their silence.

Summer Cup Invitational Football

Championship begins

MVFC draw 1-1 with NERIST; BT XI hammer

Young Star XI 14-0

M. Doley

NAHARLAGUN, Sept 5: NERIST team and MVFC battled out a spirited 1-1 draw in the opening match of the Summer Cup Invitational Football Championship in a soppy Rajiv Gandhi stadium here this afternoon.

Both the goals were scored in the second half as players continued to struggle to control their moves as well as the ball in the first half due to rain soaked ground. NERIST took the lead for a brief when Jumy Taba’s well measured shot from right flank curled into the net in 68 minute. However, Loie Kena restored parity two minutes later taking chance of a goal-mouth melee.

In another match of the day, BT XI hammered Young Star XI 14-0.

Earlier, attending the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, Local MLA Techi Kaso called upon every sport lover to encourage not only football players but also other sportspersons who have shown their talent in their chosen event. Reiterating his support for the sportspersons, Kaso asked them to strive for becoming a good sportsman and bring glory to the state.

AAPSU convenor Chuku Ringu was the guest of honour of the occasion.

The tournament organised by Model Village Football Club under the aegis of Arunachal Pradesh Football Association aims at encouraging young players and giving them a platform to show their latent talents.

CCSC will play against AUSE in tomorrow’s first match at 2 pm while IRBn team will take on GHSS, Polo Colony in the second match at 4 pm.

Awareness by Worker Welfare Board concludes

Ojing Tayeng

YINGKIONG, Sept 5: The third phase of the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Awareness cum Meeting concluded at Yingkiong yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Board Chairman Jalley Sonam called upon the labourers and construction workers of the Upper Siang District to avail the benefits under Building and Other Construction (Regulation of Employment & Condition of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Others Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 which provides them housing loan of Rs 50,000, tools advance Rs 5,000, medical assistance Rs 5,000, marriage assistance Rs 2,000 each for two children, maternity assistance Rs 1,000, educational assistance, old age pension and disability pension Rs 150 per month. Besides financial assistance of Rs 15,000 against normal death, Rs 50,000 against accidental death and Rs 1,000 for funeral purposes, the board is also planning to provide school admission fees, school uniform, bag and free exercise book to two children of each family from next academic session, Sonam said.

He advised the labour community to help each other in time of need and cut unnecessary expenditure for the welfare of their families. He also urged the HoDs and Officers to extend help to the labour community of their respective department. He appreciated the District Administration and Departmental heads of the Yingkiong for their cooperation during the awareness camp.

All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation Secretary General Dobing Sonam while briefing about the interdependency of AAPPTF and AAPWU, urged all the members of the AAPPTF, Yingkiong unit to extend their cooperation and support to the labour community and also advised them to get registered their name with Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board so that they can avail the above mentioned benefits.

Meanwhile, responding to a memorandum regarding modification of freight charge of transportation, Sonam being a Public Transport Federation General Secretary, assured AAPWU, Yingkiong unit to inform the matter to the Department concerned. He further informed that if any Driver meet with accident, his nominee should immediately claim for compensation through the office of the District Labour Officer of the concerned district, and the compensation will be paid within a week. However, the vehicle and the driver’s document should be up to date to claim the compensation, he added.

APB&OCWWB Secretary Ojing Darung informing about the penalty imposed by the Board against the concerned department advised all the department and private companies to deposit 1% cess to the Board.

Speaking on the occasion, AAPWU Women Wing Aalo unit President Yajum Bogo lamented less participation of women community in social activities and appealed to the womenfolk of the rural areas to come forward and gear up activities. She urged elected women panchayat leaders not to depend much on their husbands in official activities and advised all the departmental women labourers to work sincerely.

EAC Yingkiong Kabit Apang appreciated the Board for organizing the labour awareness meeting in the district.

Earlier, AAPWU President and General Secretary Yingkong submitted a five-point memorandum to the Chairman highlighting its various grievances which includes construction of Labour Shed and an Ambulance for labourers of the district.

Free exercise books were also distributed to all the workers on the occasion.

APCC to take up cudgel against drug abuse

James Jugli felicitated

Tom Simai

JAIRAMPUR, Sept 5: AIDS and drugs is detrimental for society and youths should participate to uproot these from society, suggested Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress General Secretary Likha Benjamin in a programme held to felicitate the newly appointed Changlang District Youth Congress (DYC) President James Jugli here today.

We will soon launch state wide anti drugs campaign to create awareness among the youths about its harmful effects, he informed.

Further he added that that newly appointed Changlang District Youth Congress President James Jugli will mobilize the youth yo engage themselves in nation building.

A lot of responsibility has come my way after being appointed as DYC president, said newly appointed DYC president James Jugli adding ‘I won’t be able to shoulder it without the support of our young brigade who has a vision like I have and who are optimistic like I am.

He also agreed to accept new ideas from the youths and confirmed to implement it if the idea benefits a community rather than an individual.

He appealed the public to come forward to inform him if certain department or agency practices inappropriate things so that he can communicate with the concerned authorities to find a solution.

He also requested the youths of the area to come forward and participate in the progress of the district and the state.

Lamenting the Tangsa youths disinterest in active politics, ZPM Khingra Nong Tikhak expected that Jugli’s participation will encourage the young brigade to come forward to participate in active politics. He also believed that his leadership will lead the youths in right direction.

Applauding the achievement of Jugli, Ex-Zilla chairman Izmir Tikhak said that it’s a good sign that the youths have begun to comprehend their responsibilities and they will have to rectify the mistakes committed by the elders.

Further he deplored about the drugs menace shattering the fabric of many societies across the state and expected the youth’s intervention will find a better solution in days to come.

Tirap DYC president Kungam Sumnyan also lauded the achievement of Jugli and expected him to excel in all arenas.

The felicitation programme was an initiative of District Youth Congress Committee and Namchik Valley Society for Eco-Tourism & Wildlife Conservation.

AAF conducts awareness tour

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: Executive members of Arunachal Artistes Forum led by its general secretary Kipa Robniang have conducted its first phase of 8 days long awareness tour to East Siang, West Siang, Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri districts with an aim to constitute its district level units in 16 districts of the state.

The main motto of the AAF is to promote, preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people with involvement of all artistes of the state. The AAF will cover the ramining districts in its 2nd and 3rd phase tour.

Training of ASHA district trainers

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: The NRHM Arunachal Pradesh is organising 12-days first phase of training of ASHA district trainers on modules 6 & 7 at Administrative Training Institute Naharlagun from Sept 6.

The training is the first of about 18 month continuous cascading training program for ASHAs of the state upto the block level. It is expected that training will enhance the skill of ASHAs in their health care service. On completion of this training, these trainers will further train the ASHAs at the district level.

32 participants (2 participants per district) from the districts will take part in the training wherein 3 Master Trainers who were trained on the same modules at Gadchiroli, Maharastra, namely Yaman Darang, Staff Nurse, Yaran Talom, Staff Nurse and Milan Rani Sen, Staff Nurse will impart training to the would be district trainers.

JTS observes National Nutrition Week 2010

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: Jhil Takking Society (JTS) observed the on-going “National Nutrition Week from Sept 1 to 7 Sept with their link volunteers and local ASHAs at Naharlagun.

As a part of the nutrition week the Society conducted a day-long capacity building training programme for the Link Volunteers / ASHAs on Sept 4 so that they can create health awareness in their local areas to reduce the prevalence of under-nutrition and micro nutrients deficiencies. The whole programme was guided by coordinator C Magar.

Chairman of the Society B. Yabang requested the health workers and volunteers to perform their duty with dedication to improve the health scenario of the state.

Hunting, fishing banned under Shalleyi panchayat

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: The executive members of Shalleyi Anchal Welfare Society (SAWS) along with the Panchayat leaders conducted a joint survey of Shalleyi area recently and found unnecessary tree felling. The society also seized charcoal and timber from the area and strictly prohibited hunting, fishing and use of bleaching powder in their area. They warned that violators of ban order will face punishment under relevant laws of the Govt.