Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXIII No. 99
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Champions League: Real, Napoli into QFs SPORTS, PAGE 12
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Opposition MPs form human chain; demand JPC probe into Adani issue NEW DELHI, MAR 16 (PTI): Opposition leaders on Thursday formed a human chain in the Parliament House premises demanding a probe by a joint parliamentary committee into alleged irregularities in the Adani Group. Carrying placards and raising slogans, opposition lawmakers, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader T R Baalu, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Arvind Sawant, also protested against what they called the BJP government’s “diversionary tactics”. “All opposition parties have come together to demand a probe against the Adani Group. It is unfor-
IMD predicts light-to-moderate intensity rain in NE DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light-to-moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in many states including the North East region between March 17-19. Fairly widespread light-to-moderate intensity rainfall activity with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph) is likely over East and North East during the period. IMD also issued yellow alert for Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura till March 17. The region may experience light to moderate rainfall at few places, thunderstorm/ lightning at isolated places. Between March 18 and 19, the region may witness light to moderate rainfall at many places, it added.
DC Chumou notifies on Aadhaar service
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chumoukedima has notified that SSUP (myAadhaar) service would be free of cost for document update for a period of three months w.e.f March 15, 2023 to June 14, 2023. In a notification, DC Chumoukedima Abhinav Shivam has informed that the facility for document update would be available free of cost through myAadhaar (SSUP) portal at https:// myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/
This is it!
“In our state, we treat all political parties equally. That’s why we have allparty governments.” K Y M C
Opposition MPs form a human chain to protest over Adani issue at Parliament House complex on Thursday. (PTI)
tunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to save his dear friend Adani,” Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said. He said the Delhi Police had prevented the opposition leaders from marching to the office of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday.
“Opposition leaders are not allowed to raise this issue in Parliament. Our microphones are turned off,” Gogoi said. The decision to form a human chain demanding a JPC probe into the Adani Group was taken at a joint meeting of opposition leaders convened by Kharge on Thursday morning.
Leaders of several opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, NCP, SP, RJD, BRS, CPM, CPI, Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, JDU, JMM, MDMK, AAP, VCK and IUML attended the meeting. The Congress has escalated its offensive, accusing the government of “undermining and weakening” democracy by stalling Parliament to save a businessman. It came weeks after Adani Group stocks took a beating on the bourses in the wake of US-based short seller Hindenburg Research making a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, on the conglomerate. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.
Two pilots die after Army helicopter crashes in Arunachal ITANAGAR/GUWAHATI, MAR 16 (PTI): Two pilots on board a Cheetah helicopter of the Army were killed when it crashed near Mandala in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday morning, a defence spokesperson said. The deceased officers have been identified as Lt Colonel VVB Reddy and his co-pilot Major Jayanth A, he said. Defence spokesperson Lt Colonel Mahendra Rawat said in Guwahati that the helicopter was on an operational sortie from
Wreckage of Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army. (PTI)
Missamari in Assam’s Sonitpur district to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The flight encountered “inconducive weath-
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er” and was returning to Missamari when it crashed, he said. “The helicopter lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) around 9.15 am. Five search parties of the Indian Army, SSB and ITBP were immediately launched. The wreckage of the aircraft was found near Banglajaap east village of Mandala,” Rawat said. “A Court of Inquiry is ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” he added. The Eastern Command, in a tweet, said the Army stands firm with the bereaved families.
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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
LOB of three Dimapur requires visionary villages want NMA amended plans to ease traffic congestion DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): The Land Owners’ Board (Ungma, Mokokchung and Khensa) has reaffirmed its earlier resolution and strong stand that until and unless the State government amended all sections and clauses regarding land and building tax under Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, election to urban local bodies (ULBs) would be banned within the jurisdiction of the three villages. This was resolved at the general meting held on Thursday on the issue of Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 and ULB election. The meeting felt that indigenous land holding rights of Ao tribe, which had been secured through the blood and toil of their ancestors, were safeguarded by Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India and that it should be ensured that these rights were not compromised in any manner.
Dumping garbage along NH-29 banned DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): In view of the G20 Business Summit scheduled to be held on April 5, DC Kohima has prohibited dumping of garbage/ waste along the stretch of Dimapur-Kohima National Highway and Old Dumping Site Kohima. In an order, DC Kohima Shanavas C also directed car servicing outlets operating along the Kohima-Kisama stretch not to allow spillage of water on the road. DC cautioned that failure to comply with the order would invite penalties.
(L) Traffic jam along NL Dimapur. (C) Ramp to (R) Car parking on first at New Market.
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Solving Dimapur’s perennial traffic congestion problem poses a stiff challenge to effect better traffic management overwhelmed by haphazard parking and rising number of two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers. Traffic congestions at various points of the roads under Dimapur City are becoming a daily harassment and the need for construction of flyovers is being felt. Another contributing factor for traffic congestions, is that roads have very little space for parking and at the same time, not having enough space to allow vehicles to pass by. A case in point being the daily problem faced in the heart of the city at N.L.Road (Old Church Road), M.P. Road, GS Road etc. In order to solve parking problems the Urban Development Department (UDD) had obtained sanction for parking lot in 2008 estimated at Rs.22.3 crore located at New Market. The work began in 2009 and was expected to be completed by 2012. However, after four years in 2013 the work was abandoned by the contractor due to financial problems. The half completed work was re-tendered and awarded to another contractor with a revised estimate of Rs.14.35 cr. Work began
NLA session from Mar 20-28 PM-DevINE: 11 projects selected for sanction
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly at a meeting held on March 16, 2023 under the chairmanship of protem speaker Mhathung Yanthan has finalised the provisional programme for the first session of the 14th NLA. According to a NLA secretariat statement, the committee discussed the business to be transacted during the forthcoming session to be held from March 20-28, 2023. The following business would be taken up during the session: oath/affirmation by the members of the 14th NLA; obituary refer-
ence; election of speaker; governor’s address; motion of thanks on the governor’s address; discussion of the motion of thanks on the governor’s address; presentation of budget for the year 20232024; discussion and voting on the budget etc. Election of speaker on March 20: NLA protem speaker has fixed for holding the election of the speaker by the members of the NLA. According to NLA secretariat, the date of filing nomination papers with immediate effect till 12noon of March 18, 2023; date of withdrawal from 1pm to 4pm on March 18, 2023 and date of election, if any, on March 20, 2023.
Spl. Correspondent
NEW DELHI, MAR 16 (NPN): Eleven projects worth Rs. 1503.44 crore including seven projects announced in Budget 2022-23 have been selected for sanction for FY 2022-23. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G Kishan Reddy, informed that livelihood projects relating to special development of Eastern Nagaland by Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA), Government of Nagaland, has been selected at an approved cost of
Rs.180 crore. The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PMDevINE) Scheme was announced as a new Central Sector Scheme in the Union Budget 2022-23. The Cabinet approved the PMDevINE Scheme on October 12, 2022. The Scheme with 100% Central funding, will have a total outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore for the four year period from 202223 to 2025-26 (remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission period). PMDevINE scheme will be implemented by the DoNER Ministry through North Eastern Council or Central
Ministries/agencies or State Government agencies. To limit construction risk of time and cost overrun falling on the Government, projects would be implemented on EngineeringProcurement-Construction (EPC) basis, to the extent possible. To ensure sustainability of PM-DevINE projects, adequate arrangements for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the assets will be made. It will be ensured that there is no duplication of project support with any of the other schemes of MDoNER or those of any other Ministry/Department.
in 2019 and after the work was completed by 2022, the parting lot-cum-market centre was open on a trial basis from February 13,2023. Talking with Nagaland Post, DMC Administrator W.Manpai Phom said DMC would first observe how things work out and changes needed would be implemented with help of traffic police. Manpai said the entire parking facility has a capacity to accommodate 100 cars. Presently since only the first floor was operational, 50 cars will be accommodated currently. He said the ground floor for parking would also been made operational soon. However, the paths to the parking lot at both ends, are very steep and may prove quite risky for vehicles, if the paths become slippery during monsoon. In order to ease traffic congestion, DMC and Traffic Police should restrict parking of two, three or four wheelers of shop owners and business firms along NL Road and direct that they park in the parking lot. DMC can charge parking tax from shoppers who park their vehicles at NL Road initially for a duration of 15 minutes. The fee can be doubled for the extended duration of 15 minutes. Dimapur has only one parking lot for thousands of vehicles while Kohima has three parking lots- at Old
NST Complex, Old Medical department office and one proposed at the cemetery below Midland. Speaking to Nagaland Post, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Traffic, IM Chenth said that the police were trying their best to manage the traffic by taking a very holistic approach, but lamented that with the increase in the number of vehicles, lack of wide roads, the problem was only getting compounded. He said the traffic personnel were putting all their efforts to manage traffic. He pointed out that the parking space along the Nyamo Lotha Road (NLR) stretch was very less, while the new parking facility of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) would not be sufficient to ease the traffic congestion. He maintained that priority should be given in setting up more parking facilities around the town. He disclosed that he had approached Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) officebearers and shop owners of the area for a meeting to discuss the issue, adding that this was likely to be held before elections to urban local bodies (ULBs). He stated that only after the meeting, new guidelines like road marking at certain locations for separate two and four-wheeler parking and no parking zones would be adopted.
Man gets 21 years jail term for rape on minor DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Fast Track Special Court Dimapur has convicted one Abul Kasem for penetrative sexual assault, unnatural offence and criminal intimation and sentenced to 21 years rigorous imprisonment in total and fine amounting to Rs.18,500. In a press release, special public prosecutor Dimapur, Imlimongla, stated that the case was registered at Women PS for raping of a minor girl of 7 years on February 23, 2022. The special public prosecutor stated that the case was investigated by UBSI
Gloria Jami. She said that the accused was found guilty by the Fast Track Special Court, adding the prosecution ensured that justice has been served. The special public prosecutor hoped that this conviction would send a strong message to those who attempt to commit similar offence. She also urged the public to maintain vigilant and report any such activities to the authorities without hesitation, as sexual offences on women especially children of tender age were on the rise in the State.
UDID mandatory to avail D I M A P U R , M A R 1 6 lages during village council sion due to Supreme Court Naga custom in the spirit their leaders and manifestos. benefits of schemes for PwDs
NPCC calls for non-partisan election to urban local bodies
(NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has called for a non-partisan democratic election to urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State. In a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio, NPCC president K Therie explained that this meant that political parties would not be nominating their candidates and the wards (constituency) concerned would be allowed to choose moral leaders through consensus and cooperation. He claimed that nonpartisan election was an inherent custom in Nagaland and followed at many vil-
polls. He pointed out that non-partisan elections were generally held in municipal, county offices, school boards and also common in the election of judges. He said there were a few nations too that followed this system. According to him, the idea in India was moved by MN Roy, Mahatma Gandhi promoted it and it was put into action by Jayaprakash Narayan. He further appealed to the chief minister to do away house and property tax and explore other resources. Acknowledging that ULB election was a compul-
directive, Therie noted that the reminder memorandum by three bodies indicated that the State government was sleeping over the contentious issue after the 2017 protest in which two precious lives were lost and the heritage Nagaland Legislative Assembly complex was burned, forcing then chief minister TR Zeliang to resign. He claimed that Congress had always stood for women reservation in ULB election and women contributed to home and to advancement of nation. The NPCC president also called for reviewing gender inequality found in
of their faith and progressive civilisation. He insisted that women should be at liberty to participate in the process of making decisions to secure maximum justice and equality. He pointed out that Article 371(A) was not to prevent liberty, justice and equality and progressive life, but to safeguard and protect inherent properties and virtues of Nagas. “Allowing women to participate was only doing justice,” he emphasised. Therie alleged that elections in Nagaland were purely fought over money, while other nations chose
Hence, he feared that the outcome of ULB election would be no different from Assembly elections with political parties. As there were 416 wards/constituencies under 60 municipal and 356 town councils, Therie said if three candidates contested in ULB polls like Assembly election, the economy of over 1,200 candidates could get impacted, which would lead to economic chaos in the State and corruption at the grassroots. Further, all tribes, including non-Nagas, resided in towns and municipal areas.
NEW DELHI, MAR 16 (PTI): Persons with disabilities will have to mandatorily provide centrally issued Unique Disability Identification (UDID) number from April 1 to avail benefits under 17 government schemes for them. The government said those who do not have a UDID card will have to provide UDID enrolment number (generated from UDID portal only) along with certificate of disability. “It may be noted that physical copy of disability certificate or uploading the disability certificate is not required, in case of availability of a valid UDID number,” said an office memorandum of the Department of Disability Affairs. In the memorandum, the department said the move aims to bring transparency and to reduce the burden of paperwork on the people with disabilities, the UDID will be mandated for various schemes of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and its associated organizations. The schemes include post-matric scholarship for students with disabilities, pre-matric scholarship for such students, and Nirmaya Health Insurance Scheme, among others K Y M C