August 28, 2019

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 262

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Guterres tells Modi all sides should avoid escalation

India tops ICC World Test C’ship table

Indian economy set for weakest quarter of growth

international, Page 9

sports, Page 11

business, Page 8

Cong, BJP spar over RBI fund transfer Central bank approves transfer of Rs 1.76 lakh cr to govt NEW DELHI, AUG 27 (PTI): Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s decision to transfer Rs 1.76 lakh crore of its surplus reserves to the government triggered a political storm on Tuesday with the Congress accusing the government of “stealing” the central bank’s money to hide its economic failures and the BJP hitting back, saying looting is the Congress’ “expertise”. Asserting that the decision to take such a huge amount from the RBI reserves will have “catastrophic” consequences, the Congress alleged that the government was pushing the economy towards bankruptcy and an economic emergency. BJP countered these charges, saying the money is being used for national interest. The opposition party’s stinging criticism came a day after the RBI approved the transfer of a record Rs 1.76 lakh crore dividend and surplus reserves to the government

NSDMA clarifies to village councils D I M A P U R , AU G 2 7 (NPN): Reacting to the statement made by village councils of Chuchuyimlang circle with regard to on-going “relief rice distribution”, NSDMA (Home) commissioner secretary, Rovilatuo Mor clarified that relief rice distribution across the state was being provided under CM’s Relief Fund for disasteraffected victims of 2018 Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said it should not be confused with the regular relief provided under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) sanctioned by Government of India (GoI) with specific norms. Mor, explained that the circular for collection of relief rice issued by Chuchuyimlang EAC was for additional relief, besides normal relief already disbursed/yet to be disbursed sanctioned under SDRF and should not be construed as relief in lieu of SDRF sanction. In connection with the 2016 cyclonic storm damage, the victims were already provided relief under SDRF norms in 2016-17 by Mokokchung District Disaster Management Authority and for which the village council of Chuchuyimlang had already publicly acknowledged receipt through local dailies, Mor added.

This is it!

“Since we drive here every Sunday for marketing, I’ve decided to come here on weekdays too.” K Y M C

pushed the country towards an economic emergency,” he told reporters. Sharma said the RBI now has no money to tackle any economic eventuality as it cannot go below the benchmark of 5.5 per cent reserves. In a separate tweet, Congress chief spokesperson Surjewala said “ContinA file picture of a security woman standing guard at the RBI gency Reserve of the RBI is meant for extreme financial headquarters in Mumbai. (PTI) emergencies and war-like to provide fresh impetus to Gandhi was joined by the economy without widen- other Congress leaders, ining fiscal deficit. cluding Anand Sharma, In a strong counter, Reacting sharply to the Randeep Surjewala and RBI’s decision, the Congress Jairam Ramesh in his attack Finance minister Nirmala said on its Twitter handle against the Modi govern- Sitharaman said she does “when you strip the RBI of ment. Charging the gov- not care about such charges its reserves you’re leaving ernment with “monumen- and the opposition leader the Reserve Bank vulner- tal mismanagement” on should have spoken to the able to a series of disasters. economic front, Sharma finance ministers from his The contingency fund is for demanded a white paper party before hurling such emergency situations, not from the government on the charges. “Congress should have to cover up for the govt’s state of country’s economy consulted its finance miniseconomic failures.” within a week. “Prime Minister and He also asked the gov- ter and seniors before makFinance Minister are clue- ernment to come out with ing these allegations regardless about how to solve a report on the country’s ing the RBI. Yet, they have their self created economic export scenario and the become consummate in disaster. Stealing from the credit offtake by Micro, making such allegations of RBI won’t work - it’s like Small and Medium Enter- stealing and I do not want stealing a Band-Aid from prises (MSMEs), and the to pay much heed to this,” the dispensary and sticking agriculture sector within she said. Sitharaman also it on a gunshot wound,” two weeks. “The govern- said questioning the credCongress leader Rahul Gan- ment made wrong budget, ibility of the RBI, which had dhi alleged on Twitter, using it’s in loss. That’s why they constituted the Bimal Jalan the hashtag “RBILooted”. snatched RBI’s money and committee on determining

situations is being used by the BJP Government to bury its monumental mess on economic front! BJP has finished RBI’s credibility!” Jairam Ramesh said “the Government of India now usurps a huge windfall from the RBI going contrary to what the central bank’s own think tank CAFRAL had said. Fiscal breathing space but at what and whose cost?”

Nirmala Sitharaman dismisses criticism the excess capital, is a “worrying” sign. Attacking Gandhi, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said,”Rahul Gandhi is obsessed with stealing. That is where his expertise lies and this was visible during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government. Therefore, many Congress leaders are mired in corruption scandals and the Congress has become synonymous with corruption.” Asserting that funds from the RBI will serve national purpose, Rao said therefore, Gandhi’s comments are both “immature” as well as showed his “distorted” understanding of economy.

Ravi raises air connectivity issue

Dmu to have flights to GUA, IMF and DIB BY OCT

DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): In a boost to regional air connectivity under UDAN scheme, Aviation ministry has assured Nagaland Governor, R.N. Ravi that flights to three sectors from Dimapur toGuwahati, Imphal and Dibrugarh would be made operational by October next. Informing this in a press note, PRO to Nagaland Governor said Ravi met Union Civil Aviation minister, Hardeep Singh Puri Tuesday at New Delhi and raised the issue of air connectivity of Nagaland with the country and the North East region. Ravi had requested the minister to help early operationalization of Dimapur–Guwahati, Dimapur-Imphal and Dimapur-Dibrugarh air services under UDAN scheme. Accordingly, the minister directed the concerned officials of the ministry and airlines and assured the Governor that the flight services for these sectors will begin by October this year. Ravi thanked the minister for his prompt action.

RN Ravi during the meeting with (L) Hardeep Singh Puri in Delhi.

PRO stated that improved Air, surface and digital connectivity of Nagaland was a priority concern of the Governor. It may be mentioned that the aviation ministry had launched the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme in October 2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity. On August 21, Union minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh had informed Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio that Centre has made a proposal for sanction of Rs. 1,000 crore towards setting up of an

SC extends protection to Chidambaram LH bars members from

P Chidambaram after being produced at a CBI court in the INX media case, in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, AUG 27 (PTI): The Supreme Court Tuesday extended till tomorrow protection from arrest granted to former finance minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media money laundering case. A bench of Justices R Banumathi and A S Bo-

panna said it would hear the arguments of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Chidambaram’s two petitions, including the challenge to remand orders, on Wednesday. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, filed an application

seeking direction to the ED to produce the transcripts of the questioning conducted on December 19 last year and January 1 and January 21 this year in the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for ED, said he would like to reply to the fresh application during the course of his arguments. The transcripts will show whether Chidambaram was evasive during his questioning, as alleged by the ED, Sibal said. He also told the bench that the ED cannot place documents in the court randomly and “behind the back” for seeking Chidambaram’s custody. “They are just producing documents at random and saying this is part of the case diary,” Sibal said, adding, “They cannot place the documents behind the back and seek custody of accused.” Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also

appearing for Chidambaram, referred to the constitutional and legal provisions and said that fundamental right of citizens under Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended. Singhvi argued that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was amended in 2009 whereas the allegations in the case are of 2007-2008. “You try and paint a person as a kingpin when these alleged offences did not exist at that time,” he told the court during the arguments which will continue in the post lunch session. The apex court had on Monday extended till Tuesday the protection from arrest given to Chidambaram in the INX Media money laundering case lodged by the ED. Chidambaram was the Union minister for finance as also home during the UPA-I and UPA-II government from 2004 to 2014.

attending NH meeting

DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NP): Lotha Hoho (LH) has directed all Lotha members not to attend the proposed Naga Hoho meeting scheduled to be held at Agri Expo, Dimapur on August 28, 2019. In a press release, LH chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary S Aben Ngullie affirmed that any Lotha attending the meeting would be considered as “personal and with vested interest” and LH would not be responsible for any consequence. LH said it was “ashamed to know” that Sulanthung Humtsoe and his “outlawed organisation, the so called Lotha Public Organisation”, was to attend the proposed NH meeting. LH clarified that the attendance of LPO members in no way represented the Lotha tribe. LH reminded that it was the first Naga organi-

State govt effects major bureaucratic reshuffle D I M A P U R , AU G 2 7 (NPN): Exactly two months after the last transfer and posting of over 50 IAS, NCS and NSS officers, the state government, in another major bureaucratic reshuffle, Tuesday ordered transfer and posting of IAS/NCS/Ex-cadre/NSS officers with immediate effect. According to a government notification, at least nine commissioner & secretaries, four secretaries, five additional secretaries and six joint secretaries have either been transferred or given additional charge. Kevekha Kevin Zehol, NCS, additional secretary, W&H (designate) has been retained as deputy commissioner, Dimapur while Anoop Khinchi, IAS, DC Dimapur (designate) has been transferred and posted as additional secretary,

school education. I Himato Zhimomi, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, would hold additional charge of municipal affairs. Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to Governor & Higher & Technical Education Deptt is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, W&H. Rovilatuo Mor, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary W&H is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, PHED. Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Land Resources Deptt is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources with additional charge of Geology & Mining. Imjung M Panger, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Geology & Mining Deptt

is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Higher and Technical Education Department. V. Maria Yanthan, NCS, Commissioner & Secretary, IPR Deptt shall hold additional charge of Economics & Statistics. Motsuthung Lotha, NCS, Commissioner & Secretary, Parl Affairs Deptt shall hold additional charge of Justice & Law Deptt vice R. Ramakrishna, IAS relieved of Justice & Law Deptt. Kelei Zeliang, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Economics & Statistics Deptt is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Deptt. Alan Gonmei, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, AH&VS Deptt shall hold additional charge of Wom-

en Resources vice Smti N. Hushili Sema relieved of Women Resources Deptt. Senti Ao, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources is transferred and posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Land Resources Deptt. L h o u c h a l i e Vi ya , NCS, Secretary, YRS is transferred and posted as Secretary, Home, NSDMA, SAB & GAB and Nodal Officer, Census Operation. Orenpomo Kikon, NCS, Secretar y Excise Deptt shall hold additional charge of Sericulture Deptt. Alun Hangsing, NCS, Secretary, Geology & Mining Deptt is transferred and posted as Secretary Youth Resources & Sports Deptt. S e h j a n g D o u n ge l , NCS, Secretary, Lokayukta is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary, Soil &

sation to disassociate from NH in 2008 and reaffirmed it on September 6, 2016. O n M o n d ay, t h e Sumi Hoho, Western Sumi Hoho and Naga Council Dimapur have also asked their members not to attend the NH meeting. Besides, five Tenyimia tribes –Angami, Chakhesang, Rengma, Pochury and Zeliang – have also endorsed the decisions of CNTC and Ao Senden. It may be recalled that CNTC had on August 18 directed its constituent units not to attend the meeting called by NH in Mokokchung on August 23. Subsequently on August 20, the Ao Senden debarred NH from holding its proposed meeting in Mokokchung. NH had to defer the meeting to August 28, 2019 and changed the meeting venue to Dimapur.

CTYO warns against rash driving, speeding DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): Chümoukedima Town Youth Organisation (CTYO) has warned vehicle owners including private dumper owners against over speeding and reckless driving along the ongoing construction of NH-29. C T YO p r e s i d e n t D i ethosilie Shüya and general secretary Sekho Thakro said several complaints were received against rash driving, underage drivers and flouting of traffic rules. It further asked auto drivers under its jurisdiction to be prepared with driving licence and uniforms within ten days from the day of publication. Those without valid documents, uniforms and charging own fares and driving under influence of intoxicant, would be penalised besides seizing their vehicles. Further, urging the responsible contractors for quality workmanship and to expedite the work, CTYO assured full cooperation to the contractor for the smooth execution of the work.

NST Wokha LOU serves deadline

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 7 (NPN): Land Owners’ Union (LOU) has served a seven-day deadline on the general manager (GM) NST department to appoint grade IV as per the agreement dated March 30, 1968, failing which they would lock up general manager (GM) office and business establishment within the department jurisdiction of Wokha indefinitely. In an ultimatum, LOU chairman Phyanyamo Murry and secretary Yankhosao Murry said they had served one month period for appointment of (IV grade), but the department failed to address the issue. After the expiry of the memorandum, the union said AGM office Wokha was locked on April 29, 2019 as a mark of protest. Subsequently, GM staff and land owners met on May 2, 2019 to discuss the (Cont’d on p-7) issue. However, since there

Water Conservation. Martha Ritse, NCS, Addl. Secretary, H&FW is transferred and posted as Addl. Secy Agri and Team Leader NHBM vice Imtiwapang Aier relieved. Athel O Lotha, NCS, Addl. Secy, RD & MD, NSRLM is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary, W&H Deptt. Hokhuli K. Chishi, Addl. Secretary, Art & Culture is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary, Rural Development Deptt. Amenla Sashi, NSS, Addl. Secretary, Rural Development is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary, Art & Culture Deptt. Sarita Yadav, IAS, Joint Secretary, Home Department, SAB & GAB and Nodal Officer, Census Operation is transferred and posted as DC Kiphire.

airport at Ciethu, about 50 kms away from the state capital, Kohima. Rio informed DoNER minister that the total estimated cost to set up the airport could be around Rs. 6,000 crores. For which, he requested that a part of it could be funded by DoNER ministry or NorthEastern Council (NEC). During a recent video conference meeting with states and UTs, Hardeep Singh Puri said that effective implementation of UDAN is not only crucial to the growth of North Eastern states but also provide affordable aviation to the citizens.

was no positive outcome, both the parties decided to meet again on or before May 20, 2019 to resolve the issue, but the GM office failed to turn up for talk. On June 3, 2019, the land owners said they meet GM in his office chamber, wherein he assured to convene a meeting of senior officers on June 11, 2019 and communicate the outcome of the meeting to land owners at the earliest. However, the union lamented that even after a lapse of more than two months, there was total no response. Therefore, LOW said they have left with no option, but to lock up GM office and business establishment within the department jurisdiction of Wokha indefinitely till their demand was met. LOU cautioned that any untoward incident arising out of locking up the office, the department would be held solely responsible. K Y M C


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