August 23, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 257

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

AAP prominent face Ashish Khetan quits party

Sarnobat strikes gold in 25m pistol event

Natalie Portman to direct Lander sisters biopic

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

Infotainment, Page 10

Multi stadium nowhere near completion WISH LIST OF CONTRACTOR

Billed as Nagaland’s largest sports project the MDSC looks like a ghost stadium. Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 2 (NPN): After almost 12 years since work began on it, the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Centre (MDSC) near DC Court here is still nowhere near completion. After constr uction began in 2006, the sports centre was scheduled to be completed by 2009, but it is still only about half-way complete. Considered one the first major sports projects in the State and the largest of its kind initiated by the Youth Resources and Sports department, non-release of funds has been cited as the primary reason for the delay

Twin assembly bypoll in M’laya today

in its completion. With a seating capacity of 30,000 people and spread over 64 acres of land, the project includes provisions for a 15-acre Sports Authority of India’s Special Area Game Centre for outdoorindoor sports training (to be established and maintained by SAI) with an approved master-plan for a national games-level sports centre. On Wednesday, media persons along with Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) members visited the construction site and later met the contractor, Neibu Nagi at Hotel Tragopan. Nagi also issued a

Gurudas Kamat

of 30 and was the Union minister of state for home affairs from 2009 till 2011, when he resigned. Congress leaders expressed shock at the demise of the leader who was at the AICC headquarters yesterday and had held meetings with senior party leaders. Kamat had wished people “Eid Mubarak” on Twitter last night. His last tweet was at 11.44 pm wishing happiness on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha. The body was being taken to his residence in Mumbai and the cremation will take place tomorrow in the city, the family sources said. U PA c h a i r p e r s o n Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital and paid her last respects to the departed leader. Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed sadness over Kamath’s death, saying it was a “massive blow” to the party.

NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): Centre has prepared a draft policy proposing compulsory genetic screening of all pregnant women to prevent inherited disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia, along with putting in place advanced facilities for comprehensive care of such patients. The policy advocates for provision of medicines, including iron chelating agents, leukocyte filters and infusion pumps free of cost to the poor patients. In line with ‘Make in India’ initiative, the draft policy also advocates for promotion of manufacture of the equipment and chemicals in the country and “waiver of GST and custom duties to reduce cost of treatment for the affected families”. Titled “Policy For Prevention and Control of He-

moglobinopathies – Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease and variant Hemoglobins In India”, the draft note has been put up on the website of the health ministry seeking comments and suggestions from various stakeholders till August 30. The policy recognises that for prevention, the focus should be on creating awareness of these disorders in the community for better acceptance of carrier screening. “This is recommended for all pregnant mothers, based on automated red cell counts with confirmation by HPLC analysis for Hb A2 and other hemoglobin variants. “For women identified to be carriers, their husbands will be screened and in couples where both the partners are carriers, prenatal diagnosis will be offered to

cannot handle the crisis, reports India Today. In a note to the Indian missions, the Ministry of External Affairs has asked the envoys to express “appreciation” but point out that early indicators show that India has the “capacity” to meet the requirements of the people of Kerala. “If a foreign government makes an offer of help, you may kindly express your appreciation for the sincere sentiments and willingness to assist. The initiative shown by the people of Kerala, other states and from Indian citizens from almost all walks of life who have come together in the time of crisis to supplement the efforts of the government machinery maybe highlighted”, the note says. Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, Wednesday said that the state government will hold a discussion with the Centre about India declining foreign aid for Kerala floods. He said that the National Disaster Management Plan of 2016 has provisions to accept foreign aid if it is voluntarily offered by another country in times of severe calamity.

ensure that they have a baby unaffected with a clinically significant hemoglobinopathy,” the draft read. Carrier screening could also be undertaken for high school and college students. As per the draft policy, all subjects screened would be given a card indicating their status, whether normal, carrier or diseased through systems of colour-coding. For sickle cell disease, policy recommended newborn screening to be initiated in areas of high prevalence. “Thalassemia and sickle cell diseases are two common genetic disorders that are chronic, life-restricting and require long and specialized treatment. They cause severe distress and financial loss to the family and are a great drain on the health resources of the country.

Patton hands over financial aid to a Kerala BJP official.

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 2 (NPN): Nagaland deputy chief minister, Y Patton, Wednesday landed in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of flood-ravaged Kerala. BJP Nagaland through its media cell said Patton, on his arrival, visited BJP Kerala party state office and extended financial assistance for the flood relief. Patton was accompanied by Nagaland BJP legislators including V Kashiho Sangtam, minister for soil & water conservation, woman & child development and Dr Longriniken, advisor for law & justice, border affairs (Cont’d on p-7) and treasuries & accounts.

Patton, on behalf of Nagaland government and also on behalf of BJP Nagaland, expressed deepest condolences to the families that lost their loved one in the natural disaster. State deputy chief minister-led delegation also met Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, later in the evening handed over a donation Rs 1 Crore, on behalf of Government of Nagaland. BJP delegation from Nagaland, who received warm welcome from BJP Kerala, would be officially meeting their counterparts on Thursday, media cell informed.

Muslim community celebrates Eid in Nagaland NRMSATA 2016 flays govt, demands clarification

Luizinho Falerio appointed AICC in-charge of NE

NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): Congress veteran Gurudas Kamat, a NehruGandhi family loyalist who was known for his forthrightness throughout his career spanning over four decades, died here today after suffering a heart attack, family sources said. He was 63. K a m a t wa s t a k e n to Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri at around 7 am after he complained of breathlessness, but he died on the way, they said. A five-time MP from Mumbai, he was first elected to Lok Sabha at the age

Members of Muslim community offer namaz on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha in Dimapur’s Idgah ground (L) and at Kohima local ground (R) on Wednesday (Photo: Social media)

K Y M C

dives, a country with which India’s ties have nosedived recently, stepped up with an offer of $50,00. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also landed up at the United Nations’ doorstep in Geneva to ask for aid. Ambassador of Thailand also took to Twitter on Wednesday to mention that he had been ‘informally informed’ that India will not accept foreign aid. “Informally informed with regret that the Government of India is not accepting overseas donations for Kerala flood relief. Our hearts are with you, the people of Bharat,” Thailand’s Ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi tweeted. According to some reports, even the previous UPA-2 government had declined foreign aid in 2013 when floods struck Uttarakhand. India, through emails, has instructed all its missions abroad to decline offers of aid from foreign governments for the state of Kerala. Sources say that India, for now, has decided to stick to its 2004 policy -won’t accept aid unless India

screening of pregnant women

This is it!

“Your names are not in NRC so you aliens have to be thrown back to where you belong.”

NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (AGENCIES): As Kerala is battling the worst flood in close to a century, the Union government is keen to display to the world its selfsufficiency in handling such disasters, with New Delhi refusing to accept aids offered by various countries. The UAE, Qatar and Maldives have all pledged assistance to India for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the state. But high-level sources said that while India was extremely grateful for the offers, its own resources would be used to rebuild Kerala. India will say “thank you” but “no thank you” as internal resources are mobilized. This does not, however, extend to private contributions pouring in from all over the world, given the huge diaspora from Kerala. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s prime minister, offered almost Rs.700 crore to Kerala. It was seen as an acknowledgement of the connection between Dubai and Kerala as well as the close ties between UAE and India. Qatar has offered almost Rs.35 crore while Mal-

Cong leader Gurudas Kamat dies Draft policy: Compulsory genetic State BJP in flood-hit Kerala

Correspondent

SHILLONG, AUG 22: Stage is set for Thursday’s twin assembly by-elections to South Tura seat and Ranikor seat in Meghalaya with four companies of central police armed forces have been deployed in both the constituencies. Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Sangma, who is also the national chief of the National People’s Party (NPP), is contesting the byelection and hopeful to win the South Tura assembly seat in order to retain his chief ministership. Agatha Sangma resigned as member from South Tura Assembly seat to pave way for her brother Conrad to contest the byelection. Conrad is pitted against Congress candidate Charlotte W. Momin, John Leslee K. Sangma and Kris Kabul A. Sangma who are contesting as Independents. The Ranikor assembly seat fell vacant after former PWD minister and five-time Congress legislator from Ranikor constituency, Martin Dango resigned as member of the State Assembly and joined the ruling NPP. Danggo will face Congress’ Jacquish A. Sangma, UDP’s Pius Marwein and PDF’s P.N. Syiem.

handout raising several points with regard to the project (See box). During interaction with media persons, Nagi said the State government had not released any fund since 2013. He said as it was a special project, where he continued working at his own expense despite nonrelease of funds. According to him, the Central government had released its share of Rs 57 crore as per the budgetary provision to start the construction. He remarked: “The Centre had kept its promise. It is now up to the State government to come up with its share of the

1. Concerned department to first decide on the full and final specifications and requirements for completion of the stadium and its surroundings, including roads and parking, landscaping, power supply, water supply etc. 2. Following this, a complete design and estimate to be prepared. 3. Budget should follow a proper time-line for smooth and timely execution of all remaining work. funding.” site with approved masNagi was confident ter plan was for a national that once the funds were games level sports centre. released, he would be able Since the construction to complete MDSC in three began when Neiphiu Rio years. He said as per the was the chief minister, with contract agreement, he was a vision that Nagaland too supposed to get payment bill would have a proper staevery month, but that had dium, Nagi hoped that the not allegedly materialised. present government under And the last payment he re- Rio’s leadership would take ceived was on December 20, the matter on top priority. 2013. Nagi said the project, Meanwhile, ACAUT in line with the Planning has appealed to the State Commission, provision was government to release the Rs. 10 crore per year for 5 funds at the earliest to expeyears (lump sum). dite the construction work. However, he said total The organisation laprovision had been further mented that even though enhanced to approximately the State government was Rs. 100 core to cover basic observing 2018 as the birth civil work. For this, he said centenary year of Dr T Ao, the department was in the the first Naga Olympian, process to work out a con- Nagaland was yet to get solidated budget to complete a full-fledged stadium. It the project with all required urged the government to exinfrastructure and installa- pedite the work, and not just tions. He said the 64-acre announce new projects.

No policy bars foreign aid, but India keen to display self-sufficiency

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 2 (NPN): Muslim community in Nagaland Wednesday celebrated Eid ul-Adha (also known as festival of sacrifice or Bakrid) with religious fervour and also made sacrificial offerings. Eid ul-Adha marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrim-

age to Mecca. Members of Muslim community residing in and around the state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur marked the day by performing special namaz at idgahs. Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, and chief

minister, Neiphiu Rio, have extended greetings to the people on the occasion. The governor conveyed his greetings to the people of Nagaland and wished for harmony and brotherhood in the society. Achar ya expressed hope that the sacred occa-

sion would usher in goodwill and harmony and further strengthen the values of composite society everywhere. “May this Eid bring you cheer, peace and happiness and may it foster goodwill and brotherhood”, Rio tweeted.

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 2 (NPN): Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA) 2016 batch has condemned the State government for allegedly having gone back on its assurance to ensure that the teachers’ salary was not reduced. In a press release issued by its president Sao Venuh and general secretary Haisoliabe Ndang, NRMSATA 2016 said, in response to its seven-day ultimatum demanding release of four months’ salary, a consultative meeting was called by school education principal secretary involving RMSA officials and its office-bearers on Monday. The association claimed that in the meeting, both the principal secretary and RMSA mission director maintained that the controversial office

memorandum notifying reduction of RMSA teachers’ salary by Rs 6,315 as per the directive from the Union ministry of human resource development following the merger of SSA and RMSA into Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was “unofficial” and assured to do their best efforts to ensure that the teachers’ salary was not reduced. However, the NRMSATA alleged that, contrary to their assurance, RMSA teachers from different districts were served the office memorandum, dated August 17, and asked to go to their respective DEOs and sign the bond agreement for accepting the reduced salary with the threat that their services would be terminated, if it was not accepted within a month’s time.

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 2 (NPN): All India Congress Committee (AICC) president, Rahul Gandhi, has appointed former Goa chief minister, Luizinho Falerio, as AICC general secretary, in-charge of North East States (excluding state of Assam). Faleiro replaces Dr. CP Joshi, who has now been divested of all the states he was made in-charge of, including Assam and Bihar. In a press release, AICC general secretary, Ashok Gehlot, stated that the party appreciated the hard work and contribution of Dr. CP Joshi as AICC general secretary in-charge of North East states. Two-time Goa chief minister Falerio, who had been in-charge of NE states earlier also, faces a difficult task as Mizoram goes to As(Cont’d on p-7) sembly polls later this year. K Y M C


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