Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 324
DIMAPUR, sunday, october 29, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
Mattis warns North Korea of ‘massive military response’
England thrash Spain 5-2 to win maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup
Google to invest more in India: Sundar Pichai
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
business, Page 8
I would have quit if forced to PM calls for debate on implement demonetization: PC intra-party democracy RAJKOT, OCT 28 (PTI): Assailing Prime Minister, Narendra Modi over demonetisation, senior Congress leader and former Finance minister, P. Chidambaram on Saturday said he would have quit as finance minister if forced to implement the measure. “If my prime minister had asked me to do demonetisation, I would have advised him ‘please don’t’, and if he had insisted, then I would have resigned,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event where he delivered a lecture on ‘The state of economy’. Noting that demonetisation and “rushing through with the GST were two major mistakes” of the Modi government, he said, “demonetisation was a bad idea, full stop. GST is a good idea, but it has been hastily implemented. It should have been implemented with due care and attention.” Pitching for a cap on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 18%, Chidambaram flayed multiple slabs in the rate structure. Delivering the lecture on the economy organised by
the local trading community, Chidambaram said the PM’s ambitious bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai should not have been a priority. “Government has borrowed huge amount of money from Japan for this. Instead the government should utilise the money for health and education, which the people want,” he said. He also flayed the Gujarat model of development, saying “Vikas gando thayo che (development has gone crazy)”. The Congress has launched a social media campaign in the poll-bound state by the same name. Chidambaram criticised the Election Commission for not declaring the dates for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls simultaneously. “There was an unusual delay in declaring poll dates for Gujarat. The only conclusion is that the government wanted to prevent announcement of sops by the Congress government there (in Himachal) and wanted to do the same in Gujarat.”
Govt has much explanation to do on HC building project: ACAUT
NEW DELHI, OCT 28 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Saturday called for a debate on internal democracy in political parties, asserting that the growth of “true democratic spirit” within them is necessary for the country’s future. PM Modi made these remarks in a brief speech to the media at a ‘Diwali Milan’ event at the BJP headquarters as he pointed out that funding to political parties is often debated but not their values, ideologies, internal democracy and how they give opportunities to the new generation of leaders. The country, he said, is not much aware of the practice of democracy within parties and the media should turn its attention to it, he said. “Whether democratic values are a part of their (parties) core values or not, should be debated widely. I believe that the development of a true democratic spirit within political parties is necessary not only for the country’s future but also for democracy,” he said.
Though the Prime Minister made no reference to any rival party, his comments come against the backdrop of reports that the Congress may elevate its vicepresident Rahul Gandhi as party president in place of his mother Sonia Gandhi. The BJP has often accused the Congress of practising dynasty politics and juxtaposed that with the rise of its party workers to top echelons to project itself as a party with a difference. PM Modi also acknowledged that there are many voices within the BJP as he noted that when it was a small organisation earlier or during the times of Jana Sangh, its forerunner, there used to be “ideological harmony” from its central leadership down to workers in the bottom rung. The party’s expansion may be a reason behind divergent views, he said. He also praised the media for its support to ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India) project, saying it has spoken in one voice over the issue even if it might have been
meant for the construction of the building was misused or not. Lauding the action of five petitioners, ACAUT said that the chief justice of the Gauhati High Court had taken note of the petition and treated the letter as suo motu PIL. ACAUT stated that the petition/PIL should be an eye opener for the government with the court acknowledging the prayer of the petitioners -- Kito Achumi, Odi Jamir, Langwang Konyak, Kevito I Sumi and ST Yapang Jamir. According to the petition, the initial cost of the new high court building and complex at Meriema, Kohima, was Rs. 43.75 crore, with the foundation stone laid in 2007 along with Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya states. While those states have completed high court building construction and started working since 2013, the ACAUT said construction cost of the project was revised similar to all Nagaland government projects. ACAUT alleged that project construction cost revision was basically to loot the exchequer. “Thus, by 2017,
the estimated cost of the project had been raised to Rs. 161.10 crore,” it stated. ACAUT expressed shock that the department in its rejoinder to Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) claimed that it has already received Rs. 57.61 crore. However, it said that even after 10 years, only 35% of the project was complete. In addition, ACAUT said an amount of Rs. 22.42 crore had been drawn against construction of Judges’ bungalow. However, according to the petition “there is not even an area earmarked for Judges Bungalow at present”, it stated. Further, ACUAT said that an amount of Rs. 44. 24 lakh was drawn for electrification and water supply works against the non-existent building. Besides, an amount of Rs. 1.30 crore was paid as ‘consultancy fees’ against Judges’ bungalow, it stated. While expressing gratitude to the petitioners for taking up a very relevant issue at a critical time, ACAUT hoped that more such lawyers and conscientious citizens would come forward to fight against corruption.
Centre plans to set up AYUSH hospitals in every district
Akato inducted as NSCN (R) VP Linking of NE capitals by railway to be deferred
Naga student drowns in M’laya
INDORE, OCT 28 (PTI): The Centre is working on a plan to open AYUSH hospitals in every district of the country in the next 10 years, Union Minister Shripad Naik said today. “We want to expand AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) health facility in every nook and corner of the country,” he said at the inaugural session of an RSS-linked organisation Arogya Bharti’s two-day meeting graced by Sangh Parivar chief Mohan Bhagwat here. “Under AYUSH Mission, the work of setting up a 50 bedded hospital in each district of the country in next 10 years has begun,” Naik, the Union Minister of State for Ayush, said. He said that his ministry has cleared 66 proposals from different states and sanctioned funds for opening AYUSH hospitals. Besides, the minister said, work of constructing 992 yoga wellness centres has begun. Naik said under AYUSH Mission, Rs 1,117.34 crore has been given to states and union territories. In his address, Bhagwat stressed that medical care was a necessity for humans and it should be easily accessible and cheap.
This is it!
“It’s a miracle itself that now he feels the need for a miracle healing.” K Y M C
critical of the government over other matters. The media has joined the scheme in “mission mode”, he said, adding that the country has still a long way to go to achieve international standards of cleanliness but the campaign has built an atmosphere in its favour. On the occasion, the Pime Minister also made some light remarks recalling his initial days as a party office bearer in its headquarters when at times he had to look for journalists and fondly remembered his regular interactions with the media. He said both the ruling party and the media may have expectations as well complaints from each other but they have to get along happily amid these differences. In his remarks, BJP chief Amit Shah noted that Diwali marks the beginning of the new year in Gujarat, a state from where he hails from, and said the country has met various challenges successfully during the last year and moved ahead under the Modi government.
NSCN(R) president, Wangtin Naga and (L) Akato Chophi.
DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Akato Chophi who had recently quit the GPRN/NSCN group, was inducted as the vice president/vice chairman of the NSCN (Reformation) on Saturday. It may be recalled that Akato announced his resignation as kilonser in-charge of NGOs and Public Relations, and also as an active member of the GPRN/NSCN on August 6, 2017. When contacted, highly placed sources confirmed about Akato’s induction as the vice president/vice
chairman of NSCN (R). Sources however did not wish to divulge any further information. Meanwhile, a resolution was reportedly adopted and approved by NSCN (R) “council of cabinet kilonsers” at Mon on Saturday with regard to the induction of Akato. The resolution stated that “the prevailing situation and political necessity expedited for the creation of the post of vice president/vice chairman of NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) to be filled by a senior most worker among the present cabinet kilonsers.” It further stated that the authorities for the past two months had been in constant consultations with all regions, senor most workers including army setup. After thorough and transparent deliberation among the workers, NSCN(R) said it “unanimously moved the resolution to induct Akato Chopy of UT-1 region to the post of vice president/vice chairman.” With his appointment, it said Akato would “enjoy the power sharing with his excellency, president of the NSCN/GPRN (Reformation).”
AGARTALA, OCT 28 (IANS): Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain on Saturday gave two versions about the railway’s target for linking the remaining northeastern state capitals by railway network. The Minister while addressing a function to flag off the Agartala-Delhi Rajdhani Express said that all the remaining state capitals of the northeastern states will be connected with railway network by 2019. However, after the event, speaking to reporters on the sidelines, he gave a different date. “All the capitals of the remaining northeastern states will be linked with Broad Gauge railway network by 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given priority for the infrastructure development of the northeastern states,” Gohain said before flagging-off the Rajdhani Express between Agartala and Delhi’s Anand Vihar station. Later, while speaking to the media after the function, he said that after the Assam, Tripura
DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): A little over ten years after its foundation stone was laid, the High Court building project at Meriema, Kohima is still incomplete with only 35% of works been completed. Aggrieved by the inordinate delay in progress of the works of construction of High Court building, five social activists from Nagaland had submitted a petition to the chief justice of the Gauhati High Court urging to take cognizance of the letter and pursue appropriate course of action. The activists pointed out that construction works had been delayed even after drawing the entire estimated amount and availing loan from HUDCO exceeding the estimated costs of the project. It may be mentioned that the foundation stone was laid on May 21, 2007 by the then Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan. Expressing concern over the delay, ACAUT through its media cell Saturday asserted that the state government had much explaining to do before the high court as to whether crores of rupees
and Arunachal Pradesh capital cities, Manipur capital Imphal would be connected by railway network by 2022. “Due to land related problems, the expansion of railway network in Sikkim and Meghalaya has turned into a nonstarter. Work is on to increase the railway network in Mizoram and Nagaland,” he said, without providing any target to link the state capitals of the two states. Earlier, the railway authorities and ministers had announced on a number of occasions that all state capitals of northeast India would be linked with broad gauge railway track by 2020. With the extension of the metre gauge track up to Agartala through southern Assam, Tripura became the first state capital in the northeast in October 2008 to be brought on India’s rail map after independence. Subsequently, the metre gauge line was converted into broad gauge. Arunachal Pradesh’s Itanagar was put on the railway map of India in April 2014.
“For expansion of railway networks in the northeastern states, there is no dearth of funds. The present NDA government has asked the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) to speedup the works of the ongoing railway projects in the northeast,” the Minister added. Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy along with PWD and Revenue Minister Badal Choudhury, Transport Minister Manik Dey, two CPI-M MPs Jitendra Choudhury and Sankar Prasad Datta, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Dilip Sarkar and NFR General Manager Chahatey Ram spoke at the event. Tripura ministers and MPs have demanded a railway division and a railway recruitment board in Tripura and to shift the Rajdhani Express’ destination to New Delhi Railway Station instead of Anand Vihar. “The size and railway network in Tripura does not permit setting up a separate railway division in the state,” Rajen Gohaintold reporters.
TURA, OCT 28 (AGENCIES): A picnic turned tragic for one student of Nagaland identified as Benlo Kent of Kohima after he drowned in Ganol river in Meghalaya, TNT news reports. The 2nd year student of Agri-business and food technology was reportedly with his friends from the same university when they decided to take a dip in the Ganol river in the popular picnic spot of Chibagre, about 12 kms from the town of Tura. The body was later retrieved with the help of Meghalaya Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) and villagers. The body was then taken to Tura Civil Hospital where a post mortem was conducted. It was suspected that the victim may have hit his head on a rock while swimming leading to his death, though the same could not be independently verified.
‘Breakfast with CM’ to strengthen govt-citizen relationship: CMO Mobile Aadhar can now DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): With the objective to strengthen the government-citizen relationship, Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on Saturday held an interactive session with young entrepreneurs and students of Nagaland over breakfast at the CM’s official residence, Kohima. CMO media cell said 11 young bloggers, who had been posting positive suggestions, ideas and opinions on a regular basis with regard to local governance were hand-picked for an interactive discussion with chief minister. The 11 youngsters were Jenpu Rongmei, a social worker and chief functionary of CAN Youth; Temsusenla Kichu, an entrepreneur and proprietor of Fusion Store, Dimapur; Imtisunep Longchar, entrepreneur and proprietor of e-commerce website www. Ilandlo.com; Lovi Chophi, Mumbai based entrepreneur; Khrolo Lasushe, a student; T. Amen Jamir, a government employee; Tsalila Rudy, a fresh graduate; Vikato S. Aye, an activist; Steve Chophy, a student leader serving as DSSU general secretary; Inaka Achumi, a
TR Zeliang with the invitees after the ‘breakfast with CM’ on Saturday. (CMO)
young advocate; Mughabeto Ayemi, young visiting lecturer at IFCAI University, Dimapur and Jacob Thuu, a student leader. The interactive session lasted for nearly three hours. The ‘breakfast with CM’ initiative was a modest attempt to deliberate on issues constantly raised by youths on social media and to allow youngsters to share information, opinions and ideas with the chief minister himself for improvement of local governance in the state, CMO stated. CMO expressed regret that the
image of Nagaland in social media “is being adversely affected due to irresponsible criticism, rumors and statements posted and circulated without proper authentication in recent times.” However, on the other had there were also several bloggers who come up with ideas and suggestions worth utilizing for good local governance, it added. CMO maintained that the present day Government under the leadership of chief minister, T.R. Zeliang was determined to streamline government working system and work tooth and nail while allowing
youths to interact and participate in the governance process. “Youths are the backbone of society and they are our assets, our future and our leaders for tomorrow and to inculcate in them, the importance of integrity in governance while giving them the privilege to understand its functioning will go a long way in choosing the right approach to build a vibrant society,” it said. The interactive session covered various topics pertaining to the state ranging from roads, power, art, sports, education and tourism to youth policies, students’ scholarship and mid-day meals. CMO assured that the government was putting-in its best effort in addressing various issues. While appreciating the moves of its citizens in airing grievances, CMO called upon all to inculcate a practical and democratic approach in solving issues at any given point of time. The need of the hour was to guide and lead the youths into the mainstream of society by educating and inculcating in them the true spirit of leadership and integrity, CMO said. (Cont’d on p-7)
be used to enter airports
NEW DELHI, OCT 28 (AGENCIES: Mobile Aadhaar can be used as an identity proof to enter airports, while identification documents will not be required for minors accompanied by parents, according to a circular issued by aviation security agency BCAS. Passengers entering airport premises need to produce any one of the ten identity proofs listed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in its latest communication, which include passport, voter ID card, Aadhaar or m-Aadhaar, PAN card and driving licence. “In order to ensure that a bonafide passenger is travelling on a valid ticket issued in his/her name as well as to avoid any controversy/argument with the security staff, any of the following photo identity documents shall be
carried in original,” according to the BCAS circular issued on October 26. A passbook issued by a nationalised bank, pension card, disability photo identification and service photo ID card of central/state government, PSU, local bodies and private limited company will also be acceptable. The order, however, exempts a minor accompanied by a parent or a guardian from producing an identity proof. “There shall not be any requirement of identity proof in respect of infant/ minor accompanied by their parents/guardian who is a bonafide passenger having a valid identity proof,” the order adds. If a passenger is not able to furnish one of the ten documents, then there is also an option to provide an identity certificate issued by a group A gazetted officer of central/ state government. K Y M C