SECOND SESSION

KOHIMA, FEB 19 (NPN): National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India led by chairman Manhar Valjibhai Zala during its two-day visit to state capital held state level review meeting to check the implementation of welfare schemes/programmes for safai karamcharis /manual scavengers in Nagaland on Tuesday.

Briefing the media after the meeting, chairman NCSK Zala informed that the safai karamcharis are to get their due rights as per the Manual Scavenging Act 2003. He directed the state government that the safai karamcharis (cleaners) are to get facilities like health check up, leave, assurance, separate dress changing room for men and women, assurance, education and also other various central schemes. Chairman informed that the commission had visited 26 states in the country and remaining 4 states would be visited before March 31. He also informed that commission has sanctioned Rs. 5 crores to see the welfare of the safai karamcharis and Rs. 4.69 crores has already been sent to the state.

Chief secretary Temjen Toy said that this was the first time that NCSK wasvisiting the state for which he expressed gratitude to the commission for clarifying many doubts and confusion in regard to safai karamcharis. Toy informed that there was no proper survey to know the data of manual scavengers in the state and now the state government would work out for the welfare of the safai karamcharis as targeted group.

Earlier, the chairman NCSK launched social work “Swachhata Abhiyan Programme”, the prime minister of India Narendra Modi programme from Old NST to Razhü Point Kohima, with the objective to bring improvement in the general quality of life by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation across the country. The launching was held in the presence of Kohima Municipal Council, Green Team Kohima and Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Later, the chairman also launched the awareness and medical check up camp for the safai karamcharis at KMC office. In the programme, five best sanitary workers for the month of January 2020 were awarded with cash prize and certificate by chairman NCSK.

Representatives from Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Skill Development department, lead bank office Kohima, chief medical officer Kohima, Labour department, Kohima District Legal Service Authority, School Education department and other line departments addressed the gathering to inform the various scheme available provided by the government for safai karachamris and also the facilities made available to them.

Deputy commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie and the administrator KMC & CEO KSCDL, Kovi Meyase also addressed the gathering. One of the awardees receiving best sanitary worker award for the month of January from chairman NCSK. (NP)

DIMAPUR: Ko n ya k Union (KU) branch Aboi has called for an inquiry and investigation on the problems faced by students and parents of Aboi area and neighbouring areas in getting admission into the only Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Aboi and other government schools in the area.

In a press release, KU branch Aboi president, Pangao Konyak and general secretary, Phongnyei Changkhu said due to lack of proper and adequate infrastructure in government schools students wanting to acquire quality education in these schools have been “denied” making the admission process an “unpleasant one”.

KU Aboi said GHSS Aboi has been running in a hostel building built in the year 1975 and that classes XI and XII were functioning in a “bifurcated building”, which has faced “serve criticism due to its shoddiness”.

The branch pointed out that Aboi Town has three Government Primary School (GPS) and one Government Middle School and that the due to the pressure of parents, the only GMS had to build a temporary class room to admit students for the academic year 2020.

KU Aboi said in the year 2019, the Aboi Area Students Union (AASU) built an additional class room for class XI students and that owing to shortage of class rooms, GPS-D from 2018 till date has built three additional class rooms.

With an increase in students seeking admission to government schools, KU Aboi asked for better infrastructure and urged upon the advisor of school education and the department to immediately “put up the issues and send investigate officers” for verification.

Meanwhile, KU Aboi has extended support to the agitation carried out due to shortage of lecturers at Wangkhao College Mon Headquarters. DIMAPUR: Digital soil testing (DST) mini laboratory and soil health card (SHC) scheme was launched by deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi on February 17 at district soil conservation office, Dimapur. A press release by the department stated that the DC Anoop Khinchi said the scheme would not just benefit the farmers but even the public as it promotes soil test based nutrient management, which will reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and its hazardous effect on public health.

Meanwhile introduction of Pusa STFR meter kit was done by DSCO Dimapur, Limasunep and soil testing demo was given by SCA, Mantick. KU-Aboi laments inadequate school infrastructure DC Dimapur launches DST mini lab & SHC scheme DC Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi along with other officials at the launching programme.

CKS and NSCN (I-M) Chang region holds meeting

DIMAPUR: Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) with its apex body held a meeting with Chang region NSCN (I-M) at CKS hall on February 17.

A press release from CKS president Nungsanglemba stated that, the Chang region NSCM (I-M) shared views and opinions on the issues of Pan Naga Hoho at the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiation. The release stated that many leaders of Chang community also deliberated over the issue on the basis of present context of Nagas in general and in particular of Nagas in Nagaland.

Chang Khulei Setshangreiterated that it will continue to remain committed for an acceptable and honourable solution to the Naga political issue at the earliest possible.

Department of Home Guards & Civil Defence Dimapur conducted mock drill and disaster management training on February 17 at Full Nagarjan Dimapur.

Pray for China, urges NNC

PPVC warns against illegal tax collection

DIMAPUR: Pa d u m Pukhuri Village Council (PPVC) has expressed concern over “multiple taxation” on business community “without the knowledge of village council and business association”.

In a press release, PPVC chairman, Vitoka Katty and secretary, Sanjay Mech informed that the a joint meeting of PPVC, Business Association of Padum Pukhuri Village and business community/shop owners was held in this connection on February 17.

The release said the meeting resolved not to allow any individual, organisation or faction to impose any kind of taxes within Padum Pukhuri Village jurisdiction.

The meeting also resolved to take action against the defaulters and requested all to cooperate with the village council.

PBCD anniversary: Police Baptist Church Dimapur (PBCD) would be celebrating its 25th anniversary on February 22-23. The church has invited all former workers, members, officers and jawans to be part of the celebration. DNNRE executive committee meeting: Dimapur Nkonjan Nyiro Range Ekhüng (DNNRE) has convened its executive committee meeting on February 21, 10 a.m at the residence of its chairman, Chiporao Ngullie, Notun Bosti Dimapur. All members have been requested to attend the meeting. NPGN/NNC UT-I informs: NPGN/NNC has informed to all business establishments under UT-I jurisdiction not to entertain any individual without the knowledge of UT-I chairman, NPGN/NNC. Anyone doing so will be at their own risk. For further queries, one may contact at 6909148029. ZAPO 47th general session: Zuketsa Area Public Organisation (ZAPO) has convened its 47th general session on February 22, 11 a.m at ZAPO hall Zuketsa. All the units of ZAPO, Dimapur, Kohima, Pfutsero & Phek, gazetted officers, retired officers, public leaders and well wishers of Kuzha Netho Ketshü are invited to attend the general session. Seluophe village Chakhesang community meeting: Seluophe village Chakhesang community has convened general annual meeting on February 22, 10 a.m at amphitheatre (local ground) Seluophe village. All the bonafide members and plot owners of Chakhesang community have been requested to attend the meeting. AKM emergency meeting: Ao Students Conference (AKM) has convened a seniors and executive emergency meeting on February 21, 11 a.m at the AKM conference hall, Mokokchung, to deliberate on the illegal remove of the AKM Reserve Forest Signboard at Aokum village, Mokokchung district. All the seniors, tribunals, seniors executives, executives and unit officials have been requested attend the meeting without positively. State level workshop on gender budgeting: State level workshop on gender budgeting for gender equality in rural areas will be held at ladies common room, Meriema campus Nagaland University on February 19, 10:30 a.m, organized by Nagaland National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, North Eastern Regional Center (NIRD & PR-NERC) in collaboration with the women’s studies center and department of Education, NU. The workshop is sponsored by ministry of Women & Child Development, India and will be held from February 19 to 21. Handloom expo at Dimapur: Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. Dimapur, is organizing a special handloom expo at Dimapur town, from March 3 to 16. Interested co-operative societies, NGOs, apex societies, SHGs may apply to the project cell, NHHDC Ltd, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur, along with the copy of detailed address, mobile number, bank A/C No with IFSC code of the participants on or before February 28 during the office hour. The event is purely for handloom sector and participants with handicraft products shall not be allowed. Stall will be provided free of cost with lumpsum daily allowance to all exhibitors.

Reconstructed bridge inaugurated

Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA inaugurating the bridge.

DIMAPUR: A reconstructed bridge connecting Boro Lingri to LRC Colony and Notun Basti was inaugurated by Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA 2 Dimapur II AC on February 18.

A press release from the organisers informed that, Moatoshi Longkumer in his short speech thanked God and all the people who had sacrificed their time for the success of the project. He stated that this bridge was for the comfort and benefit of the people and should not be used for illegal activities. He then urged the councils of the various colonies and villages to keep a strict vigil.

It must be noted that the bridge is the lifeline for at least five villages across the river in Assam, used by people living on either side of the bridge who are mostly daily wage workers and individuals from low income households. They commute everyday to go to work or business, the children go to school and was also the closest route to the railway station and all the important markets and facilities. In this regard, in the year 2019, the respective council members approached the MLA with a proposal to build a reinforced concrete bridge large enough for two vehicles to ply.

The inaugural programme was organised by the Bagan Bridge Construction Committee Bor Lingri. Kazheto Sukhai was the chairman and Rev. L. Bendang, pastor, UBC said the invocation prayer. Holuto Awomi, GB, Adivasi Tea Estate Gaon expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MLA. He added that they had approached many authorities to repair the bridge in Nagaland and Assam but without success until now.

APO condolence DIMAPUR: Angami Public Organisation (APO) has expressed sorrow at the demise of late Talinungsang, former minister from Kangtsung village. APO in a condolence by president Dr. Kepelhusie Terhuja and secretary information and publicity Neithono Sothu stated that, in the demise of late Talinungsang, Nagas have lost a committed and zealous leader whose void will be difficult to fill. APO conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and pray that the departed soul rest in peace.