Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 278
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
PM pledges to rein in corruption, terrorism
Kotla ground renamed as Jaitley stadium
Trump warns Taliban on 9/11 anniv
national, Page 7
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
New MVA opposed in several states
NEW DELHI, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): The amendment in the Motor Vehicle law increasing penalties for violations of traffic rules multiple times has not gone well with the people. Several state governments including the BJP-led ones have either diluted the law or put it on hold. Gujarat: It announced to revise penalties and in certain cases, it has brought down the fines by almost 90 per cent. This was surprising given that PM Modi and Amit Shah continue to hold influence over the Gujarat government of Vijay Rupani. Poll-bound states: Among the poll-bound states of Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand, only the Manohar Lal Khattar government of Haryana has implemented it. Maharashtra, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in full election campaign mode, has not implemented it. Jharkhand too does not intend to implement the amended Motor Vehicle Act. One Jharkhand minister said the motor vehicle act is not in the interest of the people. He, however, refused to link it with the upcoming
Fuel prices hiked NEW DELHI, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): Petrol prices were increased by 5-7 paise across major cities of the country on Thursday while diesel prices, on the other hand, were increased raised by 5-6 paise. After today’s rate revision, in Delhi petrol prices climbed to Rs 71.82 a litre as against Rs 71.76 on Wednesday while diesel price rose to Rs 65.19 per litre as compared to Rs 65.14 on Wednesday, as per data from Indian Oil Corporation website. In Dimapur, the retail price of petrol price was increased to Rs.69.93 a litre on Thursday while diesel costs Rs 63.14 a litre. In the state capital Kohima, petrol was retailing at Rs. 70.70 a litre while diesel price went up to Rs 63.72 a litre. As per the country’s daily pricing mechanism, the pump price of petrol and diesel is dependent on the global crude prices and the rupeeUS dollar exchange rate as India imports 80 per cent of its crude requirements.
Vehicle emission checking in Dmu
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): As directed by DC Dimapur Kevekha Kevin Zehol, the checking of vehicle emission on vehicles plying under Dimapur would be conducted on September 19, 2019.
This is it!
“How do you expect me to meet your target when everybody buys second hand cars?” K Y M C
IYC members try to give away a motorcycle to the police during a protest against traffic fines near the residence of Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi, Wednesday. (PTI)
election but the real reason is anybody’s guess. Other BJP states: Karnataka, where chief minister BS Yeddiyurappa recently returned in to power in a very uneasy situation, has announced to follow the Gujarat model. The new Motor Vehicle laws will be implemented but penalties will be cut down significantly. Uttarakhand has done the same, implemented with cuts. BJP-ruled Assam and Tripura have said they will implement the Motor Ve-
hicle Act but Uttar Pradesh the political powerhouse of the BJP is noncommittal. Bihar, where the BJP is in power in alliance with the Janata Dal (United) of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Lok Janshakti Party of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, has implemented the amended Motor Vehicle Act but more on implementation. Bihar Police, forced violators to buy helmets, apply for driving license, get pollution tests done on the spot against payment of
fees or take similar measures depending on the nature of the violation of law. Imposing fines has been low, as per reports but the government has said it will fully implement the central law. Non-BJP states: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Punjab all ruled by the Congress have put the new Motor Vehicle Act on hold. Rajasthan, another Congress-ruled state, has implemented it only partially. The Madhya Pradesh government has said the
fines under the amended Motor Vehicle law are excessive. State law minister said even if the Kamal Nath government implemented the law, it would reduce penalties. West Bengal government of Mamata Banerjee has been the most vocal critic of the amended Motor Vehicle Act. Mamata Banerjee made it clear that her government would not implement the new Motor Vehicle Act as it would put additional burden on people. Kerala implemented it at first and then put the amended Motor Vehicle law on hold. It is likely to follow the Gujarat model of implementation with cuts in penalties. The Odisha government has announced a moratorium for three months over the implementation of the new Motor Vehicle Act. Though the state governments have discretionary powers to ease the penalties with respect to certain offences in the new MV Act, the Delhi government is not mulling diluting them because the stringent measures are meant to ensure road safety, said Kailash Gahlot, the transport minister.
Kaito launches farmers’ pension scheme KOHIMA, SEP 12 (NPN): Nagaland agriculture minister G Kaito Aye launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PMKMY) -- pension scheme for farmers -- in the conference hall of the directorate of agriculture here Thursday. The scheme which was launched Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday at Ranchi, the Capital of Jharkhand would secure the lives of 5 crore small and marginal farmers by providing a minimum pension of Rs 3000 per month, to those who attain 60 years of age. Speaking at the launching the programme, the agriculture minister said that the Centre has introduced an old age scheme for all the land holding small and marginal farmers in the country, a voluntary contribution pension scheme for the age group of 18-40 years after which they will be provided with Rs 3,000 monthly pension after attaining the age of 60 years. While informing that the state has 1, 95,784 farmers registered under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the minister suggested that the same farmers to also opt for pension scheme. He stated
Agriculture minister G Kaito Aye speaking the PM-KMY launching programme in Kohima on Thursday. (NP)
the scheme would not only benefit the farmers at the old age, but also would encourage and boost the farmers morally to work harder when they are young and active. Kaito opined that the scheme would benefit the farmer as well as the state in general in the agriculture sector. In this regard, the minister impressed upon the department to work sincerely in registering the farmers of the State so they benefit from the scheme. Principal Secretary and APC, N Hushili Sema, also said the scheme was to create a social security for the farmers during old age. She, therefore, urged upon the of-
ficers to ensure visibility and transparency in implementing the scheme. Further, she suggested that the officers should monitor at the district, block and village levels in creating awareness to the farmers to avail the benefit. Additional director agriculture, S Kivikhu Achumi, said that various activities of sensitization programme have been conducted. He said that campaigns and melas would also be carried out in all the districts and subdivisions to create awareness among the targeted group of the farmers. He informed that registration of the beneficiary would start when the Centre sends the details to access the portal.
SH debars 2 members for 6 yrs Bank unions threaten 2-day strike NNQF reiterates demand
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Sümi Hoho (SH), the apex body of the Sümi community, has debarred two of its members from all the social/religious organisations and activities of the community for a period of six years with immediate effect. According to Media Cell of SH, the debarment of two of its members was in pursuance of the decision at the executive meeting on September 4, 2019 in Zunheboto which deliberated on the issue pertaining to those individuals who participated in the Naga Hoho meeting on August 28, 2019 in Dimapur against its clarion call to refrain from attending the meeting. SH said it viewed their participation as a defilement to the endeavour and resolution of Sumi Hoho and also demeaned the dignity and prestige of the Sümi people. In the light of its September 4 meeting, SH said it issued an ultimatum on HK Zhimomi and Toniho Sheqhi to resign from their respective posts in the Naga Hoho while other two members, who spoke at that meeting, were
directed to tender written apologies within a period of seven days (on or before September 12, 2019). SH in its ultimatum also warned that failure to abide by its directive would invite debarment from participation in all social, religious organisations and any activities/functions of Sumi people for a period of 6 years. SH said it acknowledged in good faith the written apologies tendered by the two who spoke at the NH meeting. However, SH said that HK Zhimomi and Toniho Sheqhi have failed to resign from their posts as office bearers of the Naga Hoho. In the light of its ultimatum, SH said the two have been debarred from all the social/religious organisations and activities of the Sumi people for a period of six years with immediate effect. In order to uphold the sanctity and dignity of the Sumi Hoho, the Hoho has directed all the Sumi social organisations not to engage the debarred persons in any social and religious activities for a period of six years.
NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, SEP 12 (PTI): Four unions of officers of public sector banks have threatened to go on a two-day strike from September 26 to protest against the announced consolidation of 10 state-run lenders into four. In a notice serviced to the Indian Banks’ Association, the officers’ unions said that they propose to go on strike to protest against mergers and amalgamations in the banking sector. The government on August 30 announced consolidation of 10 large public sector banks into four. A union leader also said that the nationalised banks will further observe indefinite strike from the second week of November to press for their demands. All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC), National Or-
ganisation of Bank Officers (NOBO) have jointly served the strike notice. Among other demands, the unions are also seeking immediate introduction of five-day week in full and reduction of cash transaction hours and regulated working hours. They have also demanded halting of undue interference in the existing procedure of vigilance cases by outside agencies, settlement of issues pertaining to retirees, adequate recruitment, scrapping of NPS, reduction of service charges for consumers and harassing of officers under specious plea of nonperformance. Nationalised banks across the country will observe strike from midnight of September 25 to midnight of September 27 to protest merger and amalgamation in the banking sector by the central government and other demands of employees, the general secretary of AIBOC
(Chandigarh), Deepal Kumar Sharma, said in Chandigarh. The unions will further observe indefinite strike from the second week of November, he added. In the biggest consolidation exercise in the banking space, the government on August 30 announced four major mergers of PSBs, bringing down their total number to 12 from 19 in 2017, a move aimed at making state-owned lenders the global-sized banks. According to the consolidation exercise, United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce are to be merged with Punjab National Bank, making the proposed entity the second largest public sector bank (PSB). Syndicate Bank is to be merged with Canara Bank. Allahabad Bank will be merged with Indian Bank. Andhra Bank will be amalgamated with Corporation Bank and Union Bank of India.
for recruiting asst profs
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) has reiterated its longstanding demand for advertisement of the 110 assistant professor and librarian posts in the higher education department. In a press release, NNQF said that as per RTI it obtained 63 assistant professor posts out of the 68 were requisitioned to the NPSC for advertisement. The forum also stated as per government notification dated August 9, 2018 and office memorandum dated July 5, 2018, 110 assistant professors were created and approved to be recruited within the year 2018-2019 (68 posts) and 2019-2020 (42 posts). It said that 68 posts even received approval for recruitment from the Governor on August 9, 2018. In the light of the above, the NNQF has demanded that 63 posts requisitioned to the NPSC be advertised at the earliest Further, the forum demanded that the remaining 42 posts along with five withheld posts (from the 68) from the higher education department be requisitioned to the NPSC for advertisement and recruitment within the stipulated time. Besides, NNQF has requested the NPSC to declare the results of the Common Education Service Exam held on March 9, 2019, at the earliest.
Dangerous misuse of mandate by BJP: Sonia Gandhi Never deviated from core NEW DELHI, SEP 12 (PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday expressed concern over the “grim” economic situation in the country and accused the BJP government of misusing its mandate in the “most dangerous” fashion. Sources said, Gandhi, while addressing Congress leaders at a meeting at the party headquarters here asserted that the BJP government was testing the resolve and resilience of the Congress, which must now embark on an agitational agenda to reach out to the masses in exposing the BJP. She noted that the democracy was at peril under the Modi government and alleged that it was misusing and abusing its mandate in the “most dangerous” fashion, the sources said. Sonia Gandhi’s remarks came while chairing
Sonia Gandhi, with former PM Manmohan Singh, chairs a highlevel party meeting at AICC HQ in New Delhi, Thursday. (PTI)
a meeting of top party leaders from across the country to finalise plans for Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations. The meeting was attended by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, AICC general secretaries and incharges of various states, state government chiefs and Congress’ Legislative Party leaders, among
others. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was not present in the meeting. “The Congress party must have an agitational agenda. Our resolve on resilience is being tested now,” she was quoted as saying by the sources. Sonia Gandhi also expressed concern over the economic situation prevail-
ing in the country, saying losses are mounting and the general confidence of people is shaken. All that the government is indulging in is “unprecedented vendetta politics” to divert attention from the mounting losses on the economic front, she said. The Congress president, the sources said, accused the government of appropriating the legacy of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambedkar. The BJP is “misrepresenting” their true messages to further its “nefarious agenda”, she said. At the meeting, former prime minister Singh talked about the poor state of the economy. “We are in the midst of dangerously protracted slow down and the economy was
going from bad to worse,” he was quoted as saying by the sources. Singh said the government is not realising this and the worst could happen in the employment sector. While Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy were present at the meeting, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel did not attend. Kamal Nath is battling infighting in the MP Congress. Party general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia was, however, present at the meeting. Among other leaders present were Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, A K Antony, K C Venugopal, Mallilkarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
values of Naga right: WC
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) Thursday said that it has never deviated from the core values and principles of Naga historical and political right. WC, NNPGs through its media cell said that the “Agreed Position” signed on November 17, 2017 between the WC, NNPGs and Government of India as two entities entrenched, in spirit and essence, the Naga Plebiscite of May 16, 1951. After signing the “Agreed Position”, WC said wide range of consultations was held with tribal bodies, GBs, civil society groups, intellectuals, Churches, past and present legislators, legal and constitutional experts etc., seeking opinions on major issues. It said the responses and opinions on
historical, political, social, cultural, economic, administrative, constitutional and legal matters were all absorbed and systematically formulated into a blueprint and added to charter points for negotiations. “In all these extensive exercises, the WC has never deviated from the core values and principles of Naga historical and political right. What is agreed upon in principle, thus far, is therefore a people’s negotiation, a people’s charter, will remain a people’s historic document,” it added. WC said that any unresolved contentious issues needing political and democratic process and consensus would continue in the future, with greater participation of the Nagas and people to people dialogue with neighbours where necessary. (Full text on p-6) K Y M C