December 17, 2017

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 15

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Reliving that auspicious moment

Crystal Palace beat Leicester City 3-0

Doubling farm income to make farming sustainable: Jaitley

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

business, Page 8

Modi announces `90000 cr for improving roads, highways in NE Correspondent/PTI

SHILLONG, DEC 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced Rs 90,000 crore for improving roads and national highways in the Northeast in the next two to three years to facilitate better connectivity. Inaugurating the ShillongNongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road here in Meghalaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed on the need of connectivity to ensure development in the north-eastern states. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Public Works Department (Roads) minister, Martin M. Danggo, who received Modi at the advanced landing ground in Upper Shillong, however, did not attend the inauguration of the road project. After inaugurating the road project, which invited journalists were not allowed to cover, Modi said that the road will boost economic activity and establish a direct link between the important towns of the state

ENNWA support WC-GoI talks

DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): Leaders of the Eastern Naga National Workers Association of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) have resolved to wholeheartedly support the ongoing political talks till a final settlement is inked between the Working Committee (WC) NNPGs and Government of India (GoI). According to ENNWA secretary, Ritsa Sangtam, the members held a meeting on December 10 and discussed at length the ongoing political talks between the NNPGs Working Group and Government of India. ENNWA also acknowledged and appreciated the agreed position that was reached on November 17, 2017, where GoI recognised the historical and political rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity. It therefore appealed to all ENNWA members to stay committed till final solution was arrived at.

NBSE exam schedule

Narendra Modi

– Shillong and Tura. Noting that his government’s motto is ‘Transformation by transportation’, Modi said the National Highway Infrastructure Corporation Limited will construct 400 Km roads in Meghalaya with a budget of Rs. 5700 crore. “Over the next 2-3 years, an investment of about Rs. 60,000 crore is proposed under the Special Accelerated Road Development Project (SARDP) in the Northeast and an investment of Rs 30,000 crore under Bharatmala is proposed for development of national highways in North Eastern states,” Modi said while addressing a BJP rally here.

He said the central government has sanctioned around 4,000-km of National Highway (NH) across the Northeast at a cost of Rs. 32,000 crore. The Prime Minister said that over 1,200 km of NH was constructed at an expenditure of nearly Rs. 14,000 crore during the last three years alone. On Friday, the Union Cabinet approved a new scheme for infrastructure development for the North Eastern states with 100 per cent funding by the central government along with a capital investment subsidy amounting to Rs 264.67 crore. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the continuation of the existing Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme with funding pattern of 90:10 till March, 2020, with an outlay of Rs 5,300 crore to enable completion of ongoing projects, an official statement said. The cabinet approved the introduction of new cen-

6 sworn-in as cabinet ministers

Acharya and T.R. Zeliang with the newly inducted ministers at Raj Bhavan. (NP)

Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 16 (NPN): Against the backdrop of an unbridgeable gap between supply and demand of political offices, Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on Saturday reconstituted his council of ministers by inducting six– one BJP and five NPF MLAs into his cabinet. Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy as minister to the six at Raj Bhavan Saturday morn-

ing. The six newly inducted ministers include-- S.I. Jamir, P. Longon, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, C.L. John, P. Paiwang Konyak and Y. Vikheho Swu. Earlier, after a failed attempt to group dissidents at Hotel de Oriental Kohima, chief minister had dropped four NPF legislators from his cabinet-- Y. Patton, Tokheho Yepthomi, Dr. Niekiesalie (Nicky) Kire and Neiba Kronu on December 13. Then on December 15, the chief minister followed it up by dropping two more from

This is it! Women’s rights activists at DDSC stadium on Saturday.

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his cabinet-- E.E. Pangteang and BJP member, Mmhonlumo Kikon. Senior government officials including departmental heads and others attended the swearing in ceremony. Talking to media persons after the swearing-in ceremony, the chief minister informed that portfolios will be allocated after a day or two. It was also being widely expected that NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, MLA could be reelected as the chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).

Activists discuss women’s rights

DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has issued a notification declaring the HSLC, HSSLC and class XI promotion exam schedule for March 2018. (See Advt on p-9)

“I have been in power since 2003 but never experienced being swornin three times.”

tral sector scheme of North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) from 2017-18 with 100 per cent funding from the central government. The new scheme will broadly cover creation of infrastructure relating to water supply, power, connectivity and especially the projects promoting tourism, social sectors of education and health, the statement said. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by the Prime Minister, also approved the capital investment subsidy amounting to Rs 264.67 crore to four industrial units in the NorthEastern Region, including Sikkim, under the Central Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CCISS), 2007 of North East Industrial Investment and Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), 2007. The CCEA has revised financial powers for approval of capital investment subsidy claims up to Rs 500 crore which will be now approved by the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): Women’s rights activists held a time of sharing and prayer at DDSC stadium on December 16, the fifth anniversary of the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder. They were participating in the nationwide initiative called “Meet To Sleep” (#MeetToSleep), which called on all women to go to a park in the afternoon with a mat, pillow and a blanket, occupy the space

and take a nap. This was to be symbolic of women reclaiming public spaces, asserting their right to occupy public space without fear of being harassed or stared at. Blank Noise, started by Jasmeen Patheja, is a community project aimed at confronting sexual harassment and they were the ones who began the nationwide #MeetToSleep initiative. In Dimapur, the group

was led by Renemla Ozukum, who is actively engaged in women’s issues, and them occupying a small part of the stadium was a way of showing their demand for safe spaces for women. “We talk a lot about the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder in India but in Dimapur and Nagaland I am sure even more Nirbhayas are taking place”, she said. She said that for a majority of women, using public spaces without fears of harassment or molestation was a luxury and not a right and added that we need to reclaim such spaces. “By doing this we are also recollecting and remembering the vulnerable and helpless victims who were raped, murdered, shot dead and molested sexually by the dominant gender” she added. A similar gathering was reportedly organized at Kohima War Cemetery.

PCC suspends hunger strike DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): Public Coordination Committee (PCC) has suspended its hunger strike on an assurance given by chief minister, T.R. Zeliang, on December 16 that the October 26 office memorandum (OM) would be considered for revocation in the next cabinet meeting to be held before Christmas. In a press note, PCC media cell said that the chief minister and his colleagues had also agreed to direct NPSC to declare answer keys for all stages of examinations (both civil service and technical exams), as per their demands. It warned that the PCC, comprising of ACAUT, PSAN, CTAN and various other organisations, would resume the hunger strike if the October 26 OM was not revoked. PCC also issued a stern warning to all departments to keep the departmental exams in abeyance until the issues were resolved. Meanwhile, PCC expressed gratitude to the youth organization and residents of Phezoucha for providing blankets, chairs, firewood, etc. and also to every individual who extended material, moral and prayer support.

PMS issue: ENCSU demands disclosure of SIT findings on DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) has asked the state government to disclose the SIT report on misuse of Post Matriculation Scholarship (PMS) funds. A press release from ENCSU president M. Longre Chang and general secretary WanGnei C. Jessuhu questioned why the government was trying to protect the guilty which makes setting up of the SIT a mockery. “Perhaps, the state government wants ENCSU to go ahead and file a criminal case against those involved” they wondered. They asked why the government was hesitant to reveal the SIT report after having admitted that the PMS funds were misused, and reiterated that they would not compromise or sit silent should the government fail to deliver justice. ENCSU said they have all the facts and findings and the erring would be held accountable “at any cost”. Pointing out that thousands of students were placing immense faith in the SIT and anticipating its report, they urged the SIT to present its findings without any biases. ENCSU also asked the department to clarify how they could quote the total number of student beneficiaries on their official website when some students were yet to receive the first quarter of the scholarship amount. ENCSU said this was the final call to the department to release the full scholarship amount as per the assurance of the Chief Secretary given on December 7. They said that Ministry of Tribal Affairs has already sanctioned half the amount, for the 2nd & final instalment, to the state government.

Rahul takes charge as Cong president NEW DELHI, DEC 16 (AGENCIES): Amidst celebration and loud cheers, Rahul Gandhi formally took charge as the Congress president at a function where he was handed over the certificate of victory. The 47-year-old is the sixth member of the NehruGandhi family to occupy this post and replaced his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who was in office for 19 years. Speaking soon after taking charge, the newly elected president launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. “The Congress took India into the 21st century while the Prime Minister today is taking us backwards, to a medieval past where people are butchered because of who they are, beaten for what they believe and killed for what they eat. This ugly violence shames us in the world. Our country, whose philosophy and history is born out of love and compassion, is tarnished by such horror and no amount of hugs can repair the damage done to this great country of ours,” said Rahul Gandhi. “This vision belongs to a time where people did not have the rights and freedoms that have made our country the profound entity it is — a time when people did not have voice, did not have the right to dissent, to disagree, to differ, to be,” he said. Calling himself an idealist, Gandhi said current day politics in India is “devoid of truth and kindness and politics is being used

M. Ramachandran hands Rahul Gandhi the certificate of his elevation to Congress president. (PTI)

to crush people. Politics belongs to the people, it is their greatest weapon in dismantling the structures that oppress, silence and disempower them. But today, politics is not being used in the service of the people, it is being used to crush them, not to lift them up,” said Gandhi. In his speech, Rahul Gandhi invited the youth to join him in building India and promised to make Congress a grand old and young party. After a bitter campaign in Gujarat, the Congress president attempted to show his idealism when he called BJP members his brothers and sisters. “We consider the BJP our brothers and sisters, even though we do not agree with them. They want an India free of Congress, they want to erase us but the Congress’s inclusion and respect for all Indians extends even to the BJP. We do not fight hate with hate.” Before Gandhi spoke, outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi ad-

dressed her party members for the last time as the party president. S h e r e c a l l e d h ow tragic circumstances like the assassination of Indira Gandhi and her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, forced her to enter the world of politics. “At that time, as far as I remember, we had only three State governments and were far away from the Centre. Meeting this challenge was not the achievement of one individual but the continued efforts of all of you. We regained strength and formed governments in more than two dozen States,” said Sonia Gandhi Praising her son’s patience, she said Rahul Gandhi had experienced violence from childhood, he has faced vicious personal attacks ever since he joined politics and that it has made him braver. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh saluted the outgoing President’s leadership and told Rahul Gandhi, “May your path be blessed.” (NPCC fetes Rahul, on p-7)

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December 17, 2017 by Nagaland Post - Issuu