Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 336
DIMAPUR, friday, november 10, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
IT hiring to be slower in future: V Balakrishnan
Aguero could leave Man City in 2019
Trump, Xi reach consensus to curb terrorism in S Asia
business, Page 8
sports, Page 11
international, Page 9
Corruption, a collective problem: CM
Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, NOV 9 (NPN): Describing corruption as a collective problem, the state chief minister, TR Zeliang, on Thursday asserted that the foremost step to tackle corruption was for each individual to change themselves first and be upright in what they do. Speaking as chief guest on the second day of the 18th Biennial Conference of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) at Fazl Ali College here, Zeliang said that corruption was the most talked about issue in the state today, saying the issue has not been tackled effectively despite efforts by successive government over the years. The chief minister, however, affirmed that his government would continue to vigorously pursue to set the goal of addressing corruption. He said corruption was an all-pervasive evil and not just confined to government alone. Commenting on the public distribution system (PDS) scams, the chief minister said those malpractices were prevalent from long before, but no tangible ac-
T.R. Zeliang releasing the ANCSU Biennial Conference magazine. (NP)
tion could be taken against the perpetrators. However, the chief minister asserted that in order to tackle the matter, the government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) and the accused persons were charge-sheeted and the matter was now in judicial magistrate’s court. Zeliang stated that the government has further issued stringent orders that no petrol pumps should deal in adulterated fuel. He said violators would be fined by cancelling the dealership licence and appropriate actions would be taken as per law. Further, the chief minister maintained that the government was fully committed to ensuring implementation of National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA)
in letter and spirit. On the issue of state’s crumbling infrastructure, the chief minister said that without adequate resources, it was “simply impossible” to develop the infrastructure of the state. “We are literally left with nothing but to seek help from the government of India,” he said. The chief minister, however, maintained that the face of roads of Nagaland would soon change as the Centre has approved many of the proposals in principle for sanction. Some important roads have already been accorded sanction, which combined together, amount to over Rs. 30,000 crore for road sector alone, he said. The chief minister also stated that one of the major visions of the state govern-
ment was to make Nagaland a hub of connectivity with South East Asian countries. He expressed confidence that this initiative would open up new opportunities for youths to actively participate in the growth and progress of the state. “We must be prepared to make use of these new openings when it comes to our door steps,” he added. Expressing concerns over the reported influx of illegal immigrants into the state, the chief minister said the government was putting every effort towards containing the menace of illegal immigrants. In this regard, the chief minister called upon the general public to also play their role. (Cont’d on p-7)
NSCN (K) losing Meghalaya Parl Secys resign en masse ground: Indian Army Correspondent
SHILLONG, Nov 9 (AGENCIES): Indian Army Thursday claimed that NSCN (K) is losing ground in areas along the Indo-Myanmar border while maintaining that the people are no longer fearful of them, a TNT report stated. According to PRO Defence (Guwahati) Lt Col Suneet Newton, people living in border areas are no longer fearful of the NSCN (K) and this is evident from the support rendered by locals of Niausa village in Arunachal Pradesh recently, whereby they came out in large number protesting against illegal activities carried out by NSCN (K) and decided to ban safe passage to the militants. “People are no longer fearful of them. They have come out openly. They want peace. Both the union and state governments are carrying out large amount of developmental activities, so people over there don’t want to miss the ‘bus’ of peace and prosperity,” he said. PRO also claimed that NSCN (K) is losing ground compelling them to adopt measures by striking fear in the hearts of the people. “Their aim is to propagate, spread lies, to create terror amongst the people over there,” he said. PRO said NSCN (K)’s aim at the tactical and sub-tactical level is to create fear so that they can continue with their illegal activities and extortion in inducing fear amongst the people. However, peace will prevail; he said, adding that people now are coming out to protest against the atrocities of the insurgent group.
SHILLONG, NOV 9: Hours after the Meghalaya High Court on Thursday held invalid the state law providing for appointment of parliamentary secretaries in the state, 17 parliamentary secretaries quit their post. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who accepted the resignation of his parliamentary secretaries, defended that the appointment of parliamentary secretaries was based on the Act. “This law has been enacted based on this mandate of the provisions of the constitution by which we can prevent the members of the august house from getting disqualified from holding an office of profit wherein law says such office will be deemed as not as office of profit,” Sangma told journalists. It may be recalled that on August 30, seven parliamentary secretaries in Mizoram resigned in the wake of the Supreme Court’s July 26 ruling on The Assam Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The same issue also hangs over the AAP government of Delhi after the High Court had in 2016 quashed their appointments. The EC is to take a call on the matter. Thursday’s verdict by a division bench of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Ved Prakash Vaish came on a PIL filed by state resident Madal Sumer, challenging the “extra constitutional and illegal” appointment of Parliamentary Secre-
taries in the state. However, the Court left it to the Governor to determine the disqualification of the post-holders from the assembly. The Court struck down and held the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005 invalid for want of legislative competence of the state Legislature. “As a necessary corollary, the notifications appointing the parliamentary secretaries and other follow-up actions are declared void, for having been issued and carried out under an invalid enactment,” it said, adding that the challenge to the validity of the 2005 Act has to succeed in view of the law declared by the Supreme Court in Bimolangshu Roy’s case. Citing the July 26 SC verdict, the High Court said: “This declaration of law by the Supreme Court, on want of legislative competence of the state Legislature, is binding on all the courts and obviously, if the said law is applicable to the present case, it shall have to be applied, irrespective of the pleadings of the parties.” Madal Sumer said he would also appeal the Governor to dismiss the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government as it has been “reduced to a minority with the disqualification of those legislators, who were appointed as parliamentary secretaries”. He also demanded that the government should direct these legislators to return all the salary and perks from the date of their appointment for serving in the unconstitutional office.
GoI serious to solve P&C deptt asked to reveal names of beneficiaries ENCSU launches phase-I agitation Naga issue: Madhav D I M A P U R , N OV 9 (NPN): Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has again exposed questionable practices in the government where transparency and accountability have long been forced to become extinct so that those in power could freely dispense favours to their favoured few or indulge in blatant corruption without any fear of the law. In the latest revelation, NPRAAF has raised serious doubts over the genuineness of projects undertaken by the department of Planning & Coordination (P&C) against which huge amounts of money were released by the Finance Department (Budget & Monitoring Cell), In a statement, NPRAAF media cell has urged upon the Department of Planning & Coordination to clarify on the matter
by providing proper details of the projects, locations and list of beneficiaries. According to Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum, the Finance Department (Budget & Monitoring Cell) had on July 13 , 2017 released Rs 8.98 crore to the Department of Planning & Coordination for providing financial assistance to 41 unnamed beneficiaries under capacity building for the year 2017-18. The Forum said the amounts shown as released against many of the projects by drawal authority were doubtful as they had vague descriptions and without detailed locations of the projects. The statement pointed out that Rs 18 lakh was shown as released to an unnamed NGO for purchase of a mini bus, Rs 70 lakh was released for tree plantation in Nagaland,
DIMAPUR, NOV 9 (NPN): BJP national general secretary (I/c North East), Ram Madhav, a former member of the national executive of the RSS, said government of India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi was serious to resolve the vexed Naga political issue, “which would be a win-win situation for Nagaland.” “Towards this, the “Prime Minister initiated dialogues with the NSCN (I-M) and subsequently with the other six NPGs,” Madhav said. According to BJP state general secretary Eduzu Theluo, the national secretary said this, while addressing media persons at The Heritage, Kohima on November 8, during his twoday visit to the state. Madhav further expressed hope that the dialogues would “ultimately lead to lasting
solution” to the longstanding vexed Naga issue. He was also optimistic that NSCN (K) would make up their minds towards resumption of ceasefire with the Centre for larger peace. With regard to NPF severing ties with the BJP, Ram Madhav said that they had been in alliance for the last more than two decades. On the current crisis within the NPF, he said it was internal matter of the party. “At the same time, we are in Government here in Nagaland,” he said. He, however, stated that the people of Nagaland were looking for an alternative to the present government. Madhav also called on chief minister TR Zeliang at the latter’s official residence on November 8. He also reviewed the overall situation in the state and was briefed by the party on the party activities in the state.
NP Kohima office shifted
Re-tendering for 329 km roads by Dec
This is for information to all that the office of the Nagaland Post, Kohima has been shifted to Razhu Point, above Vijaya Bank Ltd (2nd Floor). All interested are hereby informed about the change of location. Kohima Bureau
This is it!
“I think the line became dead because of too frequent power cuts.” K Y M C
NEW DELHI/KOHIMA, NOV 9 (IANS): A private firm that had spent about Rs 1,000 crore for laying 329 km of roads in Nagaland, with little visible results on the ground, will again be in the running when the project is re-tendered next month, with the cost having tripled to Rs 3,000 crore, according to officials. The project -- part of the central government’s Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDPNE) -- was to be executed by the Nagaland PWD in 2010 at a cost of Rs 1,130.66 crore. However, private company Gayatri Constructions, which was awarded the work, spent six times more than the estimated cost just for earthwork and almost ran through the original budget. This had led to a dispute between the authorities and the contrac-
tor, following which the latter abandoned the project. The matter remained in various courts till last year, when the Supreme Court ordered the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to re-tender the project. The court also directed MoRTH and Nagaland government to ensure project completion within 42 months. The stretches include the 35-km Longleng-Changtongya Road, the 100km Tamlu-Merangkong road, 66-km Phek-Pfutsero Road and 128-km ZunhebotoChakambama road. The fresh tenders will now be issued by NHIDCL. As part of the re-tendering process, officials from Nagaland government and the ministry recently held several deliberations and finalised the formalities, including a fresh DPR for the four roads, which will also ease connectiv-
ity between Nagaland and other NE states. “We have got a fresh DPR made and are in a position to issue the tenders either by December 2017 or January 2018,” a senior official said. Emphasising that road projects can become lifelines in remote parts of Nagaland, the government says that stretches will also boost trade in the state. Sources in the ministry have said that after tendering process, the government will monitor every phase of the work and will fine the contractors if the work is delayed. “We do not want any type of dispute this time like what had happened earlier. There has been a huge loss to the exchequer as the project cost has risen from Rs 1,100 crore to Rs 3,000 crore...” the official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Rs 41 lakh was released for setting up of flower nursery in five places without mentioning their locations, Rs 80 lakh was released for setting up of eight dairy development projects without naming their locations, Rs 20 lakh was released for a seminar on global climate change without mentioning to which NGO or individual it was released, Rs 10 lakh each was released for construction of hostels at Dimapur, Peren, Kohima and Mokokchung, Rs 20 lakh was released for construction of office in Dimapur without mentioning what office, location, etc. Under the circumstances, Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum asked the department concerned to come clean on the issue by providing proper details of the projects, locations and the list of beneficiaries.
DIMAPUR, NOV 9 (NPN): As announced on November 7 last, the Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) on Thursday launched phase-I protest against the failure of the state government and higher education department to release the scholarship. ENCSU through its media cell said with active participation of college students from across Nagaland the first day protest passed off successfully. Students
wore black badge as a sign of resentment against the state government and the higher education department, it stated. The union stated that positive response from students irrespective of their jurisdiction and affiliation has encouraged it to stand firm and fight against “injustice policy” of the government and the department. Affirming that it was sincerely committed to fight until due share of students (Cont’d on p-7) was credited to their
NPF central youth wing suspends stir Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOV 9 (NPN): After vainly trying to force the NLA speaker to act on the demand to recognise the party chief whip appointed by the party and recognition of the leader of the NPF (SL) legislature party and disqualification of NPF (TRNR) legislators after fourteen days of continuous protest, the NPF central youth wing on Thursday decided to suspended its indefinite dharna outside Civil Secretariat, in view of the forthcoming General Convention (GC) slated to be held on November 22 at Kohima. Considering the appeal made by the NPF central office and legislators, in view of the party’s GC, the protest was suspended, NPF central youth wing stated. (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C