Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 284
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Moon, Kim hold talks in Pyongyang
Pan Pacific Open: Konta hammers Dabrowski
Centre to hold workshop for effective implementation of Street Vendors Act
international, Page 9
sports, Page 11
national, Page 5
NLA session: Oppn corners PDA govt Chief Minister replies to opposition
Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 18 (NPN): With the gloves off after the recent 2018 assembly election, the PDA coalition government came under scathing attack from a determined and seasoned opposition NPF over alleged irregularities in various departments. The second session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly began on a high note after the customary obituary references made to former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee given by chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and leader of opposition, T.R. Zeliang. Speaker Vikho-ü Yhoshü was taken to task by opposition leader T.R. Zeliang for not ensuring the tabling of proceedings of the previous session held in March this year. Before the list of starred questions began, leader of opposition TR Zeliang pointed that reports of previous sessions vital for conducting the following sessions were yet to be tabled in the house. Zeliang claimed that when he had inquired from
JLF on Naga political issue reconstituted DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue was reconstituted on September 18 with NLA speaker, Vikho-o Yhoshu as the chairman. According to CMO media cell, a consultative meeting of all 60 legislators was on September 18 under the chairmanship of Yhoshu at NLA conference hall. The house decided to reconstitute the forum and to pursue the Naga political issue to its logical conclusion.
NIDA plea on transfer, posting
DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA) has appealed to the VIPs, civil society groups and NGOs not to interfere in the transfer and postings of doctors since the department has a clear cut policy. In a press release, NIDA president, Dr. Ritu Thur and general secretary, Dr. John Kemp, also appealed to “such bodies” to support and cooperate with the department and its staffs for efficient health care delivery. “Positive criticism and suggestions towards this end is always welcome,” NIDA added.
This is it!
“I flagged off brand new buses for public. Now it’s upto the minister of R&B to make motorable roads.” K Y M C
the assembly secretariat on the evening of September 17 about the reports, he was told that these were still being compiled. He asked whether six months was not enough to compile them. Zeliang also reminded the speaker that reminders should have been sent to the secretariat to prepare and submit the reports in time. Zeliang said that as per Assembly rules, the members should have received the accepted questions by evening, a day prior to beginning of the Assembly session. Claiming that he himself received the accepted questions (list of business) at 9:40 p.m., while other opposition members received theirs at 10 p.m. Zeliang stressed that legislators ought to know the list of business to prepare for the session. He said the issue should not be repeated in future. Zeliang also expressed displeasure against the government reducing the list of questions put up by the opposition. Zeliang claimed that while opposition placed 50 questions for discussion, only 20 were admitted. On the issues of “status of agreement” with Civil
Engineers Enterprise Pvt. Ltd (CEEPL) North East Handloom and Handicraft and Hind Xerox, Zeliang demanded a separate onehour discussion as reports dating back from as far back as 1982 needed to be referred to. He said since there was no government business, the issue should be discussed at length and sought one-hour discussion, to which chief minister Neiphiu Rio agreed to hold discussion on the issue on September 20. Speaker asserted that there was no provision for a one-hour discussion while allowing half an hour of discussion. Opposition member and former speaker Chotisuh Sazo also backed Zeliang’s point over the issue of the government not tabling reports of the previous session and on the delay in circulation of the list of business. Speaker Yhoshü assured the House the reports of last session would be prepared and circulated as soon as possible. He also assured that the delay in dispatching the list of business too would be looked into. Even as the entire op-
position was clamouring for more time for discussions, the Speaker adjourned the hose after two starred questions were taken up. The house was reportedly adjourn in view of two major meetings scheduled in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the inaugural day of the Assembly session witnessed introduction of government Bills, laying of administrative reports, assent to Bill and presentation of House committee reports. Opposition legislators also took the opportunity to question Road and bridges (R&B) minister Tongpang Ozukum over the total length of roads covered during the recent repairs taken up by the Nagaland public works department (NPWD). NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Neinu asked the minister to furnish details of funds allocated to all the divisions and districts for restoration of all district headquarters roads as per the commitment made by PDA government to repair them within 60 days, whether the works had been executed and how many kilometre was covered.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 18 (NPN):
Leader of the house and chief minister, Neiphiu Rio Tuesday responded to several starred and unstarred quesitons put up by the opposition NPF legislators. Replying to unstarred questions raised by Y Vikheho Swu, MLA, during the ongoing second session of 13th NLA, Rio said 99 government schools in Nagaland were without maths and science teachers. He said there were a total of 1660 maths and science teachers. In response to a starred question by Yitachu, MLA, whether the department of school education has appointed any untrained graduate and primary teachers since March 2018, Rio said 43 untrained teachers (both primary and graduate teachers) have been appointed since March 2018. Out of the total appointed, he said 39 were on compassionate grounds and four PTs were appointed on ad hoc basis. Rio also disclosed that there were 9155 PTs and 3361 GTs under state creation, adding that there were 249 posts of PT and 66 posts (Cont’d on p-5) of GT vacant under state
Neiphiu Rio, speaking on the first day of the second session of the 13th NLA on Tuesday. (DIPR)
creation. Rio said that vacancies would be filled up through the department selection board as per rule 6 B of the NBSE service Rules 2017. Minister for higher education and technical education, Imna Along, said 11 assistant professors have been appointed w.e.f January 1 till date in an unstarred query by MLA Kezhienyi Khalo. Minister said that on exigency need basis the assistant professors have been appointed on contractual fixed pay due to shortages in government colleges. Tuli Paper mill revival: Replying to a starred question by opposition member, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, on
the status of the paper mill and the work executed since 2013, Rio said on march 21, 2018, the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) secretary convened a meeting to decide on future course of action on Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd. (NPPC). He said decision was that a cabinet committee of economic affairs note for closure of NPPC be prepared expeditiously by DHI. Then on May 14, 2018, the NITI Aayog convened a meeting with Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC), DHI and chief secretary, Nagaland. Rio said the first phase of revival process started with the production of bamboo chips, with the release of
Rs.100 crore on September 19, 2013 to HPC by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & public Enterprises, DHI. He said state also provided its equity share amounting to Rs. 23 crore in two instalments (Rs. 12.00 cr in 2014-15 and Rs. 11.00 cr in 2015-16) and out of the Rs. 100 crore sanctioned for the NPPCL, Rs. 60 crore was diverted by the HPC, adding that the government of Nagaland had to infuse a loan of Rs 1.20 crore for payment of salaries to prevent serious law and order situation. He said that the payment of salaries and wages was pending since July, 2017. On a query on steps taken for diversion of funds by HPCL, which was meant for revival of the paper mill, Rio replied that “in connection to the diversion of fund by HPC and revival and rehabilitation of NPPC, numerous letters have been issued by the chief minister of Nagaland to the Government of India”. Rs. 1750 lakh sanctioned for BADP: State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, disclosed that the Centre has sectioned Rs. 1750 lakh under Border Area Development Project (BDAP). (Cont’d on p-8)
Dimapur district issued highest ILPs Fuel rates scale new highs MR vaccination campaign Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 18 (NPN): Dimapur district recorded the highest number of Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued from the deputy commissioner office from January 2015 till date followed by Peren and Kohima. Replying to a starred question by opposition members Kuzholuzo Nienu and Dr. lmtiwapang Aier on the total number of ILP issued from the DC office in all the districts from January 2015, Deputy chief minister, Y Patton, said Kohima issued 7271 ILPs, Dimapur 54574, Mokokchung 720, Tuensang 157, Mon 416, Zunheboto 462, Phek 321, Wokha 500, Longleng 550, Kiphire 552 and Peren 1371. Query on steps taken by state government to check influx of illegal immigrants, Patton replied that periodic checks were done by the administration and police in the districts. He said state government has in the past years set up committees
to suggest means to improve the ILP system and had even sent a team to nearby states where ILP was implemented to study the ILP system. Recently, he said a committee was set to examine the reports of the previous Committees and recommend a more robust system for implementation of the ILP. Altogether 505 ILP defaulters were caught by the administration/security till date since January 2018 and Mon has the highest total numbers of 107 defaulters caught by the administration followed by Kohima district with total number 107 and Kiphire has the lowest ILP defaulters. 11 NAP (IR) Bn Aboi will be functional soon: Patton: State deputy chief minister, Y Patton, who also holds the home portfolio, informed that the 11 NAP (IR) Battalion Headquarters at Aboi would be functional upon completion of the basic functional infrastructure.
Patton was replying to a starred question raised by opposition MLA, EE Pangteang, on the status of 11 NAP (IR) Battalion and whether construction was abandoned. Patton informed that establishment of 11 NAP (IR) Battalion HQ at Aboi was sanctioned under Special Planning Assistance (SPA), but the ministry stopped sanctioning the SPA fund w.e.f. 2012-2013 works leading to temporary suspension. However, he said the works resumed after release of fund from the Centre. Patton said the home department has approached Ministry of Home Affairs to release fund to complete the sanctioned project. Patton also informed that there were 33 approved police outposts in the state. Replying to a starred question by Yitachu, MLA, on the number of police outposts, Patton replied that there were 31 police outposts with police personnel posted and two police outposts without police personnel.
NEW DELHI, SEP 18 (PTI): After a one-day hiatus, petrol and diesel prices Tuesday were hiked again to new highs. While rates were not changed on Monday, a 10 paise per litre hike in petrol price and a 9 paise a litre increase in diesel was effected Tuesday, according to a price notification of stateowned oil marketing companies. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 82.16 per litre and diesel is priced at Rs 73.87 a litre. In Mumbai, petrol priced touched an all-time high of Rs 89.54 per litre. It costs Rs 83.91 in Kolkata and Rs 85.31 in Chennai. A litre of diesel in Mumbai costs Rs 78.42, Rs 75.53 in Kolkata and Rs 78 in Chennai, according to the notification. Delhi has the cheapest fuel rates among all metros and most state capitals because of lower taxes. Mumbai has the highest sales tax or value added tax (VAT). A combination of a dip in rupee value against the US dollar and rise in crude oil prices has led to a spike in fuel prices since mid-August. Petrol price has since risen by Rs 5.02 per litre and diesel by Rs 5.15. Rates vary from city to city and from pump to pump depending on local taxes and transportation cost. Price of Brent crude, benchmark for half the world’s oil including India’s, was hovering around USD 80 per barrel while rupee traded at 72.8112 to a US dollar Tuesday, nearing a record low of 72.9138 touched last week. India is 81 per cent import dependent to meet its oil needs.
from Oct 3; minister appeals
DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): As part of India’s resolve to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020, Nagaland would launch measles-r ubella (MR) vaccination campaign from October 3, 2018. During the campaign, all children from 9 months to 15 years of age would be covered and vaccinated in schools both government and private and at the community level for out of school children, health centres and Anganwadi centres. All children of this age group would receive this one-dose of vaccination even if they have received these vaccines earlier. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has initiated MR vaccination campaign in a phased manner across the nation. The campaign aims to cover approximately 41
crore children and is going to be the largest ever vaccination campaign worldwide. Measles and Rubella are viral contagious diseases which are known to kill. Rubella infection in pregnant women can cause abortions, still births and babies born with congenital defects. Till date, 17 states have completed the campaign and over 10 crore children have been vaccinated. In this regard, health and family welfare (H&FW) minister, S Pangnyu Phom, has sought full participation and continuous cooperation of all heads of schools, teachers, parents, community leaders/members, public representatives, religious leaders and civil societies. “It is with your support that we can make this campaign a success –the biggest ever campaign in our state and country,” Phom said.
ACAUT demands immediate setting up of Lokayukta Cop murder: AYO demands capital punishment DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): ACAUT has demanded that chief minister Neiphiu Rio immediately constitute Lokayukta in the State. In a memorandum to the chief minister, ACAUT chairman Tia Longchar, co-chairman Simon Kelio and secretary Hetoi Chishi asserted that Lokayukta would go a long way in curbing corruption, bring about transparency in the system, make administrative machinery citizen-friendly and establish the rule of law. Referring to his public statements on bringing transparency and accountability in governance, they hoped his government would not miss the opportunity of implementing the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, 2017 at the earliest. Pointing out that the Nagaland government had in April 2018 this year filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that
the process for appointment of Lokayukta was on, the ACAUT said no appointment had been made by his government. The apex court had on July 10 granted three months to the States, including Nagaland, to appoint Lokayuktas (by October 10, 2018). ACAUT suggested the government not to wait for the Supreme Court deadline, but go ahead and appoint Lokayukta at the earliest. After the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, 2017 was given assent by the governor on December 21 that year, the Nagaland Gazette issued a notification publishing the Act for general information on January 31, 2018. However, till date the Act remains only on paper. Referring to the NDPP election campaign that promised change and reform, including fighting against “corruption, centralisation of power and
restoration of rule of law in the State”, ACAUT urged Rio to immediately set up Lokayukta in Nagaland. ACAUT also recalled how the mammoth rally under its aegis at Kohima in 2014 had adopted a public resolution demanding passing of Lokayukta Bill. And in the following year, “Walk Against Corruption” was organised in which more than 70 volunteers and led by ACAUT leaders walked from Dimapur to Kohima to submit a representation to then chief minister TR Zeliang demanding passing of the Lokayukta Bill in the Assembly. Following consistent pressure, the NGO claimed that the Zeliang government formed a Standing Committee on Lokayukta, headed by MLA Er Levi Rengma and including four other legislators, in 2015. Though the committee had submitted draft Lokayukta
for discussion in the Assembly, the bill was kept in cold storage and not introduced in the Assembly for almost two years. Left with no option, the stakeholders formed Public Coordination Committee (PCC) in 2017 comprising ACAUT, PSAN and 16 other like-minded organizations, which took to the street and undertook hunger strike between October and December 2017. One of PAC’s charters of demands was the demand to pass the Lokayukta Bill in winter session of the Assembly in 2017. Following this, the Standing Committee on Lokayukta invited ACAUT leaders for discussion on the final Lokayukta draft on two occasions and a consensus was arrived at, following which a green signal given to the committee for passage of the final draft Bill in the winter session of the Assembly in 2017.
DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): While asserting to defend society, land and honour at all cost from a culture of threat and killing, Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has strongly condemned the murder of police inspector Neiphretuo Metsieo by Yuireingam Ronra Shimray and Ringthingchon from Manipur on September 7. In a statement issued by its president Neinguvotuo Krose and general secretary Kekhrie Pfukha, AYO appealed to the investigating agencies and prosecutors to press for maximum penalty and declared that they would not accept anything lesser than capital punishment to serve as deterrent for future generations. The organisation further warned that anyone trying to bail out the two accused or act as their bailer(s) would be held equally responsible for the crime, adding that the Angamis would
boycott them socially along with the tribe they belong to till the “barbaric” murder case was settled. AYO also appealed to every Angami, especially the youth, to participate in the public procession to be organised by it on Wednesday. While expressing its profound gratitude to all people and police forces of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland, besides Railway Protection Force personnel, all of whom were involved in the prompt identification and subsequent arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime, the organisation also resented the statement issued by Tangkhul tribe to which the perpetrators belonged for trying to justify the crime even as the bereaved family was still under deep mourning. AYO also warned other tribes not to shelter any such criminals in Angami
jurisdiction. It said, if anyone sheltered criminals, the Angamis would hold the entire tribe equally guilty While vehemently condemning the “calculated and cold-blooded murder” of Neiphretuo Metsieo for robbery, the organisation alleged that it was a pre-determined crime meticulously executed by the two accused, resulting in the “barbaric murder of an officer, a husband, a father and above all a fellow human being”. It asserted the crime fitted into the category of “rarest of rare” case and deserved “befitting punishment”. According to AYO, the accused deserved social boycott and stigma. Recalling that many precious lives were wiped out and silenced in the guise of Naga movement, the organisation further said the murder of “our officer” reminded everyone about the “dark days” that still haunted many. K Y M C