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Vol XXXIII No. 135
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focused on developing NE: Dr Murugan Rahul vacates official bungalow, says Centre Says 2-lane road till Avangkhu paying the price for speaking truth workto begin soon
NEW DELHI, APR 22 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was paying the price for speaking the truth and vowed to continue to raise people’s issues as he vacated his official bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi and shifted to his mother Sonia Gandhi’s residence on Saturday. Gandhi, who was disqualified from Lok Sabha last month following his conviction in a defamation case, was asked to vacate the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow by April 22. “I have paid the price for speaking the truth, I am ready to pay any price,” he said, adding he would continue to raise issues of price rise and corruption with double the force. Saturday mor ning, Gandhi moved out all his belongings from the bungalow where he had been staying for almost two decades. Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the bungalow in the morning. He handed over keys of the vacated house to officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). He also shook hands with CPWD officials and thanked them. Talking to reporters while leaving the bungalow, he said, “I have no problem even if it has been snatched away from me. This house was given to me by the people of India. I will stay with the former Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) at 10, Janpath for some time and then find some other way.”
Rahul Gandhi hands over the keys of 12, Tughlak Lane bungalow to a CPWD official after vacating the bungalow, Saturday. (PTI)
Asked that he could have requested for more time to vacate the bungalow, Gandhi said, “I do not want to stay in this house.” Before his disqualification, Gandhi represented Wayanad in Kerala in Parliament. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her brother was very courageous and “not scared of anyone and he will continue his struggle”. All this is happening because he spoke the truth about this government, she said. In a tweet in Hindi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “We are the Congress party. The entire country is our home and India lives in our homes. A dictatorial government is happy to snatch his home under a conspiracy. Rahul Gandhi’s official residence has gone but not the urge in his heart to fight for the truth. That urge can never be erased or vacated.” The Congress said the government may “evict”
Gandhi from a house but he occupies a place in the hearts and homes of crores of Indians. The party also launched a “MeraGharAapkaGhar” campaign on social media with party leaders offering their homes to Gandhi. The Congress said on its official Twitter handle in Hindi that “this country is the home of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul who resides in the hearts of people.” “Rahul’s relation with the public is unbreakable. Some see in him their son, some brother, some their leader.... Rahul belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to Rahul. This is the reason why today the country is saying- Rahul ji, my house-your house,” the Congress said, using the hashtag “#MeraGharAapkaGhar”. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said, “They may evict you from a house, but you will always have a place in all our homes and hearts, Rahul ji. We know
that such episodes won’t deter you from raising the voice of the people and speaking truth to power.” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said Rahul Gandhi is neither worried about the post nor about the government house. “He did not compromise on his principles even after risking everything,” he said. He also took a swipe at former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who continues to be at his official residence allotted to him as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, saying Rahul Gandhi is not a “Ghulam”. Another Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate, said, “A house is not made of four walls and a cement roof. Home is a feeling - of peace, of love. And when crores of people open the doors of their hearts and homes for you, then it is even better.” “Rahul ji vacated his official residence today - his goal and destination is much higher than a house, much higher. No one can scare or silence this satyagrahi of truth because he is ready to pay any cost. #MeraGharAapkaGhar A small proof of this country’s love for you Rahul ji,” Shrinate said on Twitter. “Today Rahul Gandhi vacates his home at Tughlaq Lane in response to the LokSabha Secretariat’s order. The Court gave him 30 days to appeal and the HC or SC could still reinstate him, but his exemplary gesture to move out shows his respect for the rules,” said party MP Shashi Tharoor in a tweet.
DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan Saturday said that the Central government’s vision was to develop the Northeast with railways and highway connectivity, communication network and DTH connectivity, which are being currently undertaken in the State. According to PIB report, Dr Murugan, who flew to the remote village of Avangkhu, became the first union minister to visit India’s first village on the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district of Nagaland. He was given a rousing traditional welcome by the villagers, leaders and
Dr Murugan addressing a gathering at ITC, Avakhung village. (Twitter)
womenfolk. Speaking at the public interaction programme held at the International Trade Centre in Avangkhu, Dr L Murugan recalled about Modi government’s commitment towards developing the North East including the border areas of the region. He again reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that the last village is India’s first village. Highlighting India’s seriousness towards the Act East Policy, the minister an-
nounced that the two-lane road upto Avangkhu border has already been sanctioned and work will start soon. He said this will pave the way for the development of border regions. He expressed the hope that the International Trade Centre at Avangkhu will also witness increased business activities due to increase in trade volume and better connectivity. Dwelling on the piggery development in the state, Dr Murugan said National Livestock Mission (NLM) has been supporting entrepreneurs of the state and strengthening farm infrastructure and technology. He informed that in the last nine years, around Rs 1,770 lakhs have been provided to the state government as assistance under the NLM in the piggery sector. The minister along with other officials also visited the India-Myanmar border to take stock of the exact situation prevailing there. During his interac-
tion with the villagers of the border village Avangkhu, the minister expressed happiness to see development activities taking place in the North East region. During his three-day tour, he also visited Chesezu village in Phek district where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had reportedly camped in the village during World War II. The minister also paid a visit to Vezo Swuro who was associated with Netaji during the reported stay in the village. He later interacted with officials of DIPR, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and units of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting based in Kohima. The minister also announced that a grant of Rs 14.99 lakh had been allocated to Phek district for exhibition of children’s films in the district. Murugan was accompanied by advisor Civil Administrative Work department & Taxes Kudecho Khamo.
NSSB CSRE viva-voce to commence from April 24 DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): The Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) has rescheduled the vivavoce for the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination, 2022 to April 24. This follows a directive from the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms. The revised schedule for the viva-voce will be available on the official website of the board at https:// nssb.nagaland.gov.in. The candidates have been asked to check the website and strictly comply with the instructions accordingly. Meanwhile, chief secretary (CS) has requested Naga Students’ Federation
(NSF) to let the viva-voce by NSSB proceed as scheduled and provide support for its smooth conduct. In a letter, the CS conveyed that the federation’s demand had been looked into with utmost seriousness and assured that after completion of the present cycle of recruitment by NSSB, the State government would hold detailed consultation with them to examine the entire matter pertaining to the proportion of the total marks to be kept for the vivavoce component in the next cycle of recruitments to be conducted by the board and arrive at an agreed suitable solution to the matter.
It may be noted that NSF had been demanding reduction of personal interview marks to 5% against the current 12.5% of the total marks in the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination.
NSF cancels protest
On the other hand, the Naga Students’ Federation cancelled the proposed democratic agitation in connection with the current cycle of CSRE exam 2022 to be conducted by the NSSB. Acknowledging the chief secretary’s letter, the NSF appreciated the State government under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio for exercising
the political will to ensure a free and fair recruitment process in the government job by making the NSSB functional in the State and also for the assurance to address the lacunas within the Nagaland Staff Selection Board Regulation, 2020 before the next cycle of examination. NSF president Kegwayhun Tep and education secretary Medovi Rhi also expressed their sincere gratitude to the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies, aspirants, parents and the general public for their continued support towards their movement to uphold the aspirations of the student and youth and for posterity.
India logs over 12k AAP MP Sanjay sends legal notice to ED ENSSU flags proxy teachers issue fresh Covid cases NEW DELHI, APR 22 statements” against Singh ogy within 48 hours of its D I M A P U R , A P R 2 2 proxy teachers, lack of things around for the better.
NEW DELHI, APR 22 (AGENCIES): India recorded 12,193 fresh Covid cases on Saturday, with the number of active cases going up to 67,556, the health ministry said on Saturday. The death toll due to the viral infection has climbed to 5,31,300 with 42 more fatalities, including 10 reconciled by Kerala, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
Clarification
DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): Apropos “APO proposes temporary legislation of NM Act” published on April 22, it is to clarify that due to miscommunication, the statement of APO issued in 2016 and sent to the office for reference, was inadvertently published as news item. The error is regretted.
This is it!
“Every five years we vote for a change but somehow we end up voting for the same change.” K Y M C
(PTI): AAP MP Sanjay Singh sent a legal notice to the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday asking it to issue an apology or else face civil and criminal proceedings for allegedly making false and derogatory claims about him in the Delhi excise policy case. According to a statement issued by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the legal notice stated that the agency’s associates, agents and employees have attempted to tarnish and mutilate the leader’s public image by popularising “a perverse, false, motivated, wild, malicious and base-
Issue public apology within 48 hours, or else face civil and criminal proceedings - Sanjay Singh less campaign” against his alleged involvement in Delhi excise policy case. T h e o f f i c i a l s h ave “knowingly and intentionally” made certain “untrue, defamatory, and incriminating
in the Delhi excise policy prosecution complaint, the legal notice, addressed to ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra and Additional Director Jogender, charged. “In the conspiracy to defame...Sanjay Singh, the ED has deliberately and maliciously defamed him by imputing his involvement in some liquor policy on the basis of an alleged statement of Dinesh Arora recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on October 1, 2022,” the legal notice stated. The notice called upon the ED to “immediately” issue an open and public apol-
receipt for “the mental agony and harassment” faced by the Rajya Sabha member. “Please note that ED is severely liable for such misdeed done with malicious intent. If you fail to comply with the above within 48 hours of the date of receipt of this notice, I have instructions to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you before the competent court, and in that event, you shall be fully responsible for the same and related cost and consequences,” the AAP statement quoted Singh’s lawyer Maninderjit Singh Bedi as stating in the legal notice.
(NPN): The Eastern Nagaland Sumi Students’ Union (ENSSU) have flagged the issue of proxy teachers and warned of stern action against those involved. ENSSU president Isukha Sumi and general secretary Tonika G Aye in a press release reiterated their strict warning against the illegal practice of proxy teaching, besides directing all heads of departments and ministerial staff posted at Kiphire, Seyochung and Sitimi towns to be stationed at their places of posting and discharge their duties and assignments properly. With problems like
teachers, lack of proper infrastructure and non-performance by some teachers, they lamented the poor performance of government schools under ENSSU jurisdiction. They directed all teachers to refrain from any form of proxy teaching and warned that violation of the directive would lead to the union charting its own course of action. They also declared their unwavering support to the School Education Department for elimination of proxy teachers and expressed the hope that collective work could turn
XBB.1.16 is now a Covid ‘variant of interest’: WHO NEW DELHI, APR 22 (IANS): The World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 to a Covid-19 “variant of interest” (VOI) due to its “sustained increase” and “growth advantage” reported from several countries. XBB.1.16 is a descendent lineage of XBB, a recombinant of two BA.2 descendent lineages. XBB.1.16 was first reported on January 9, this year and designated a variant under monitoring (VUM) on March 22. So far, 3,648 sequences of the Omicron XBB.1.16 variant have been reported from 33 countries, including India, on open research
XBB.1.16 now VOI due to its ‘sustained increase’ and ‘growth advantage’ platform Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, the global health body, said. “Following a sustained increase in the prevalence of XBB.1.16 and growth advantage reported from several countries, WHO classifies XBB.1.16 as a VOI,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, technical
lead for Covid-19 response at WHO on Friday. Van Kerkhove noted that XBB.1.16 has shown “growth advantage and immune escape”. While “no changes in severity have been reported, it can cause full range of disease”, she said, adding for the
need to “be vigilant”. The World Health Organization noted that although there has been a “slight increase” in XBB.1.16-related hospitalisation in India and Indonesia, the levels are “much lower than seen in previous variant waves”. Further, “available information does not suggest that XBB.1.16 has additional public health risk relative to XBB.1.5 and the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages,a the WHO said. “However, XBB.1.16 may become dominant in some countries and cause a rise in case incidence due to its growth advantage and
immune escape characteristics,” it added. A ‘variant of interest’ or VOI simply means that it may be more difficult to treat, be at risk for more severe symptoms and the rate of transmission could be more than previous variants. Meanwhile, some experts nicknamed XBB.1.16 as Arcturus, after the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. However, the WHO has not named it yet. WHO assigns Greek labels only for variants of concern (VOC), and not for VOIs. “We are not using nicknames for these sub variants, and I would kindly encourage you not to. Please,” Van Kerkhove said.
The duo cautioned that they would be keeping a close watch on the functioning of all government establishments within their jurisdiction to curb malpractice and underperformance. To check proper functioning, they disclosed that ENSSU executives would initiate surprise visits to government offices and educational institutions. They said strict action would be taken against teaching staff and government officials found absent from their duty, as per the Government Service Regulation Act. (Cont’d on p-8)
Cyclist run over by truck at Dimapur; driver held Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): In a horrific incident, a cyclist, aged around 48 years, died on the sport after he was hit and run over by a truck near Hotel Tragopan here at around 5:30 am on Saturday. Commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie informed that the cyclist had been identified as one Chandrika Rai from Garopatti area, Dimpaur. CP said the truck (NL07AA 1565), was driven by one Jhunna Kumar who had since been arrested and was now in police custody. After observing all legal formalities, the body of the deceased was shifted to the District Hospital, Dimapur morgue and later handed over to family members. CP said a case had been registered at East Police Station and the incident was now under investigation. K Y M C