July 17, 2019

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 220

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Bad loans down at Rs 9.34 lakh cr: FM

Arsenal open pre-season with win

Trump and Democrats clash over ‘racist tweets’

business, Page 8

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

K’taka crisis: SC verdict today

NEW DELHI, JUL 16 (AGENCIES): Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict over the plea against Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar moved by rebel Karnataka MLAs over the delay in acceptance of their resignations on Wednesday. After hearing arguments from all three sides, the Supreme Court reserved its order till Wednesday 10.30 am. The rebel MLAs, represented by Mukul Rohatgi, told the Supreme Court that Speaker was infringing upon their rights by not accepting their resignations from the Legislative Assembly. During the hearing in the Supreme Court, Rohatgi urged the court to issue an order to the Speaker to decide on the resignations within a time frame. He referred to the May 2018 order passed by the Supreme Court to say “the order which your lordships passed on the first day, asking the Speaker to decide within a time frame”. Rohatgi argued that the Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar’s decision not to accept the resignations citing they are not according to the

NIDA clarifies

DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): Reacting to the issue of absence of medical officer (MO) at Community Health Centre (CHC) Shamator, the Nagaland In-Service Doctor Association (NIDA) has clarified that the doctor (MO) was transferred to Shamator CHC from Pangsha PHC, but since his relieving MO was on study leave and also on the request of the public of Pangsha, the doctor (MO) was retained back in Pangsha PHC by the department. In a press release, NIDA general secretary Dr John Kemp and secretary Dr. Ahu Sekhose disclosed that the department was in the process of posting a medical officer to Shamator CHC on priority. The association has, therefore, requested all concerned not to go to press relating to such issues in future without ascertaining the facts.

Rain intensity may drop

DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): The rain intensity is likely to go down over Nagaland during the next 48 hours. However, light rain with one or two moderate spills may continue until July 18, 2019. According to Skymet Weather report, the intensity would again increase between July 19 and July 22. During this period, one or two heavy spills may lash the state. Strong winds and chances of lightning strikes cannot be ruled out.

This is it!

“Seems he’s using this ride to woo voters instead of seeing the flood conditions.” K Y M C

BJP members display placards in the well of the Council demanding the resignation of the Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy Tuesday. (PTI)

set norms is wrong. He said that reasons for resignation could be Meanwhile, Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar’s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told Supreme Court that he cannot be asked to decide on resignation of MLAs in time-bound manner. Speaker to decide on resignations by today: Singhvi told the bench that the Speaker would decide on both disqualification and resignation of the rebel MLAs by Wednesday. “How can the speaker be directed to decide in a particular

manner?” Singhvi asked the court. “Such orders are not passed even to a trial court,” he said. Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy’s counsel urged the court to exempt 15 legislators from appearing in the house on the basis of the whip of the coalition government. HDK to seek trust vote on July 18: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will seek a vote of confidence of the state Assembly on July 18, against the backdrop of 16 MLAs of the ruling Con-

gress and JD(S) tendering their resignation. “I have directed the chief minister to hold the floor test in the Assembly on Thursday (July 18),” Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar told reporters after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the House here on Monday. There were also reports that the MLAs camping at a hotel in Mumbai may skip the confidence motion. The rebels are unlikely to fly to Bengaluru on Thursday when the Congress-JD(S) government faces the floor test, a source said.

Naga talks at advanced stage, Govt tells LS NEW DELHI, JUL 16 (PTI): Talks between NSCN (I-M) and the Central government are at an advanced stage, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said on Tuesday. Reddy also said any disclosure of the details of the negotiations will be premature and prejudicial to the final settlement. “Naga political negotiations are at an advanced stage,” he said replying a written question. A framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, by NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah and the government Interlocutor, R.N. Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Replying to another question, Reddy said negotiations between the government of India and NSCNIM have been going on since 1997. “Significant progress has been made in these talks. Other Naga groups have also joined the peace process. Adequate care is being taken to protect the interest of all stakeholders including the neighbouring states in talks with Naga groups,” he said.

Govt assures NSPMSA to take up its grievances Correspondent

NSPMSA meeting today

KOHIMA, JUL 16 (NPN): State chief secretary Temjen Toy has assured representatives of the Nagaland State Planning Machinery Service Association (NSPMSA) that the government would take up their grievances at the earliest at the next cabinet meeting. Meantime, he appealed to NSPMSA to call off the 3-day pen down strike which took effect on Tuesday. The chief secretary gave the assurance in a letter released addressed to NPMSA president Imlikokba Longkumer. In the letter, the chief secretary stated that NSPMSA’s representation submitted to the State government on July 9 was under active consideration. In the letter, while requesting NSPMSA to call off its proposed strike, the chief secretary maintained that the grievances of the association had been taken into account and assured that the government would take all steps to ensure that service interest of the members were not put at a disadvantageous position.

Meanwhile, NSPMSA has convened an emergency meeting on July 17 (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. to decide on whether to call off the ongoing agitation. The association had announced the launch of its firstphase of the agitation in the form of pen down strike from Tuesday since there was no response from the government to the July 9 NSPMSA representation as the government. In the representation, NSPMSA has demanded removal/expunging the post of OSD (Skill Development) from the cadre post appearing in schedules I and II of the Nagaland Planning Machinery Service Rules, 2019. The NSPMSA had gone to court to challenge the 2017 cabinet decision by which the post of OSD(SD)was to be treated as a regular post in the rank and pay of Assistant Development Commissioner and to prepare a draft Service Rule of the department to facilitate eligibility for promotion of the OSD(SD).

The High Court had however, ruled that the post of OSD(SD) and Asst.Development Commissioner were “completely different, nor inter-transferrable and are not of the same cadre.” While not differing with the cabinet decision for equating status of OSD (Skill D)evelopment with Assisrtant Development Commissioner (ADC), the court however, termed the eligibility for promotion in advance of OSD as “illegal.” Further, the court had ruled that though the 3rd decision of the cabinet on framing draft service rules was in accordance with the law, however, this has to be “without any specific reference to the second decision of the Cabinet.” In the light of the court judgment, NSPMSA had submitted a representation to the government to remove the OSD (Skill Development) from Schedule I&II of the department service rules by July 12,2019. In view of the nonresponse, NSPMSA had decided to launch its agitation beginning with a 3-day pen down strike from July 16.

Oppn NPF legislature to abstain from attending meet on RIIN today DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): NPF Legislature Party (NPF-LP) has announced that it would abstain from the consultative meeting convened by the government Wednesday on Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) in view of the “indifferent attitude” of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in dealing with sensitive issues such as- Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland. Disclosing this, NPF spokesperson Imkong L. Imchen said the NPF legislature deliberated on the July 15 bulletin issued by Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) secretary K Sekhose inviting legislators to the consultative meeting on Wednesday at State Banquet Hall in Kohima on the proposed RIIN. Imchen stated that the NPF legislature took “umbrage at the propensity of the PDA government” to invite public organisations and civil societies for consultations after adopting resolutions and issuing

Over 45 lakh affected by flood in Assam; 17 dead

G U WA H AT I , J U L 1 6 (PTI): The flood situation in Assam turned critical on Tuesday with all 33 districts of the state coming under the grip of the deluge, which has so far claimed 17 lives and affected over 45 lakh people, officials said Tuesday. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level in most of the affected districts, including in Guwahati. More than 45 lakh people have been affected in 4,620 villages of the state, with 1,01,085 people taking refuge in 226 relief camps. As many as 562 distribution centres have been set up for providing relief to the affected people, it said. Besides, NDRF and SDRF, officials said Army, BSF have been helping in rescue operations .

notification(s). NPF termed this as an “irresponsible attitude” and a “sheer disregard and insult to the sentiments and opinions of the people.” The opposition party reiterated that enumeration process as prepared by the government cannot be accurate or wholly reliable without contribution from village councils and GBs of respective villages including the student community as opined by NPF party president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu in his press release on July 15. The opposition NPF instead asked the ruling PDA government to “deliver on its promise to implement ILP in Dimapur district “instead of diverting the attention of the people with Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland”. In view of the above mentioned, NPF spokesperson said that the NPF legislature resolved to abstain from the consultative meet to be held on July 17, as the very purpose was defeated the same day the government notified that Register of Indigenous In-

habitants of Nagaland process would be undertaken and completed within three months. NPF was of the view that if the government was serious about consultation with public organisations and civil societies then it should “immediately cancel/revoke all notification/ orders for implementation and first issue invitation for a threadbare deliberation on the matter.” Otherwise, imkong L. Imchen said the NPF legislature will not be a party to “some damage control and image-saving exercise in the form of a consultative meet as was done in the case of Citizenship Amendment Bill”, where only , after three cabinet decisions, a consultative meeting was convened at Chümoukedima. NPF therefore, expressed deep disappointment with the treatment meted out to NPF by equating the party legislature and principal opposition in the state, to that of a civil society even in matters of utmost importance to the state.

Withdraw notification on RIIN: NMA DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has expressed deep concern over the state government notification with regard to setting up Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and demanded that government notification be withdrawn and public consultation be held without any preconditions recognising the rights of Indigenous people to determine what was best for the people. In a statement, NMA maintained that it had supported the stand of many other public organisations for extension of ILP to Dimapur to check illegal immigrants/migrants into the state. The Naga mothers, however, expressed surprise that while successive committees set up the state government recommended the extension of the ILP to Dimapur and foothill areas, the state government has not implemented those recommendations till date and instead issued a notification “for almost a census like exercise in the form of RIIN.” It stated that backlash of Assam’s NRC

needed to be taken into perspective so a larger awareness and public discourse and sensitisation were done before RIIN was undertaken. It also stressed the need to hold a larger discussion within the State Legislature as well as with various stakeholders before an immediate implementation of such massive exercise. NMA stated that they were equally concerned for the future and protection of the rights of younger generation, but not at the cost of stifling public discourse and consultations, which, it maintained, was the inherent right of Indigenous People of the state. Further, NMA has demanded the extension and implementation of the ILP at the earliest to Dimapur and foothill areas. NMA maintained that pressures from the Central Government for early implementation, be it in the form of NRC or RIIN, should not override the age old democratic process of consultations, both at the state and grassroots levels for such policies, in the interest of Indigenous People of the state.

Tokheho raises road issue in Parliament PSAN reiterates demand for setting up SSB DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): Lone Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland, Tokheho Yepthomi, Tuesday raised issue of several road projects that were being undertaken in the state and urged the government to look into the quality of the roads. MP raised the issue while participating in the budget discussion and voting on demands for grants on July 16, 2019. Tokheho lauded the initiative of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the fourlane road between Dimapur and Kohima. He pointed out the work commenced 12 years after the commitment of the former prime minister in 2016 and a period of three years was given to the two contractors M/s RAMKYECI (JV) and M/s Gayatri Projects. MP brought to the notice of the house that there were potholes in three

of the four locations under M/s RAMKY-ECI (JV) where blacktopping was already done. In this regard, MP urged the Ministry of Highways and Road Transport (MoRTH) to look into the quality of the roads being constructed and direct the contractors follow the specifications of the Ministry. MP also urged MoRTH to provide funds for maintenance of NH-702, which has previously a defence road. Though NH-702 was an important road connecting Phek and Mokokchung districts, MP said the condition of the road was so deplorable that heavy vehicles could no more ply on that road due to non-maintenance. He suggested that instead of giving contractors a lump sum amount for maintenance of roads, the Ministry should provide funds according to the length of the road.

Further, MP urged the government to improve the road leading from Kohima to International Trade Centre at Avangkhu village under Meluri sub-division in keeping with the ‘Look East Policy’. He said that the road from Myanmar was nearing completion, but the road in Nagaland side leading to the Trade Centre has still not been taken up for improvement.

LS passes Road ministry demands

Lok Sabha Tuesday passed the demands for grants under Road Transport and Highways for 201920 by voice vote. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari assured the Parliament that his ministry would continue giving a thrust to building world class transport infrastructure in the country.

Highlighting the achievements of his ministry in the last five years, Gadkari said that the budget allocation for his ministry has increased by about Rs 5000 crore. The Minister also reiterated the government’s resolve to provide special focus on road safety. Gadkari further informed the House that Rs 7000 crore has been sanctioned by ADB for adopting safety measures on highways. In this regard, he called upon all members to lend support to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 in which stringent laws have been proposed for ensuring safety on roads. Gadkari further said, within four months, electronic toll collection process will be put on fast track and mandatory for easy passage of traffic, avoiding long queues in the toll plazas.

DIMAPUR, JUL 16 (NPN): Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) has reiterated its demand for setting up Staff Selection Board (SSB) for conducting a common yearly examination for recruitment to all posts that did not come under the purview of Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). Mentioning that it had been pursuing the matter with the State government for the last three years, the body in a statement regretted that it had not found any takers till date. It claimed that numerous representations had been submitted to successive governments to set up SSB for free, fair and open recruitment and encourage meritocracy so as to instil a sense of competition among the educated youth of Nagaland. Pointing out that a bigger problem with numerous departmental exams being

conducted was that the aspiring candidates and their families had to bear huge financial burden, PSAN once again appealed to the PDA government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio to pay heed to the hardships faced by thousands of educated youth of Nagaland and set up SSB at the earliest. According to PSAN, a candidate coming from a far-flung district had to spend a minimum of Rs 5,000 per exam in order to apply for and write the examinations, which usually took place in Kohima. This added to the physical, mental and financial burden on the already-beleaguered aspirants and their parents, it stressed. Meanwhile, PSAN said RTI queries in nine departments that conducted exams in 2018 have revealed that a total of 25,131 applications were received, out of which

14,847 candidates appeared in the examinations for 183 vacancies. It was also revealed that the nine departments had spent Rs 36,46,320 to conduct the departmental examinations. Further, examination fee of Rs 200 on an average was paid by each candidate in each department. PSAN said it could not file RTI queries in some departments due to nonavailability of concerned officials and various technical issues, adding the RTI replies revealed just the tip of the iceberg, viz. unemployment problem in Nagaland. While PSAN appreciated the departments for conducting the examinations to recruit new staff, it pointed out that departmental exams were usually marred by allegations of unfair practices and did not have the trust of aspiring candidates. K Y M C


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