Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 266
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Sikkim to achieve 100% literacy soon: Chamling
Asia Games: Indian eves settle for silver in hockey
Trump threatens to pull US out of WTO
northeast, Page 4
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Controversy over 4-lane road work
Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , AU G 3 1 (NPN): M/s ECI Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd which created a controversy by claiming that the fourlane work had been affected due to incidents like theft of vehicles, threats and disturbances by miscreants etc., has now come under the scanner for the controversies surrounding the ongoing project. After the Nagaland Post report, published on August 24, about the firm being compelled to halt works in some sections, the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio took serious notice and summoned a meeting. The meeting attended by the chief minister, chief secretary, DGP and intelligence officials along with the ECI official discussed the matter to ascertain the facts about the project. The very official who had informed Nagaland Post about the problems, then did an about turn to allege that his accounts were misinterpreted. The fact remains that
Rupee hits historic low of 71/USD MUMBAI, AUG 31 (PTI): The rupee today slumped by 26 paise breach the historic low of 71 level for the first time against the US currency due to firming crude oil prices and strong month-end demand from oil importers. At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency opened lower at 70.95 a dollar and slipped further to hit its lifetime low of 71 from its previous close of 70.74. The rupee pared some of the losses to touch a day’s high of 70.85 but slumped in late trade to close at its lifetime trading low of 71.00, showing a loss of 26 paise or 0.37 per cent over the previous close. Forex dealers said besides robust month-end demand for the American currency from oil importers, dollar’s strength against its rival currencies on expectations of rising interest rates amid lingering Sino-US trade tensions, weighed on the domestic currency.
Office shifted
N a ga l a n d Po s t Kohima Office Shifted to Mhoran Building top floor Old Taxi Stand, Near Bank of Baroda, Kohima. All are therefore requested to contact us at the new location. Kohima Bureau
This is it!
“Look, what’s the harm if I charge you double when you keep getting salary increment?” K Y M C
before the report was to be published, the staff showed the same to the ECI official and which was okayed. The issue was later picked up by a section of the media in which the report claimed that the work was affected not due to assault/threat by miscreants but because some of the sub-contractors were not paid by the firm, for which the labourers were also affected. When Nagaland Post contacted P.L. Rao of M/s ECI regarding the allegation, he straightaway dismissed it as baseless but did not venture to provide further details but promised to get back which was not done till the time of filing this report. Now the crux of the matter is that the amount of the contract work for the 4-lane construction between Dimapur and Kohima, happens to be perhaps the highest in the region. As per the rate, while work for the two-lane road in Nagaland was approved at Rs.13 crore per kilometre, the rate for the 4-lane highway between Dimapur to Kohima cost
around Rs. 34 crore per km (See table on p-7). It is believed that the firm M/s ECI has sublet the contract work and given them to some local contractors. The report in a section of the local press, claimed that non-payment of salary/ wages by the local sub-contractor had led to abandonment by the labourers. On the other hand, M/s ECI had earlier informed Nagaland Post that works were in danger of coming to a halt due to the problems caused by unknown miscreants. In a letter dated July 20, 2017 to DC Dimapur, the firm urged the administration to take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in order to enable the company to begin work by reposing its trust on the administration. Unless this issue is cleared to ensure that the 4-lane project does not fall into disarray and subsequently grind to a halt, the state government has to order a high level probe to identify and unmask the facts.
Governor moots award for agricultural entrepreneurs D I M A P U R , AU G 3 1 (NPN): Visibly impressed with the hard work and commitment of Lucy Ngullie Thomas as an educated agricultural entrepreneur, Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has mooted constituting a governor’s award of Rs 1 lakh for the State’s hardworking and committed agricultural entrepreneurs. He said he would meet officials of horticulture department and discuss the issue so that entrepreneurs like Lucy were encouraged and acknowledged. Acharya, who himself is a keen advocate of organic fruits and vegetables, interacted with ‘Dream Dragon Fruit Farm’ owner Lucy at Police Guest House, Chumukedima on August 29. He lauded the “bold” educated farmer for taking up farming with dedication and for being the
only dragon fruit cultivator on commercial basis from the entire Northeast. After learning about health benefits of the fruit, the governor encouraged all marginal farmers to plant at least three dragon fruit vines. Sharing her experiences as a farmer, Dream Dragon Fruit Farm proprietor, who is an Arts graduate, told the governor that she was very keen and passionate about farming, which made her take up dragon fruit cultivation since 2013. Explaining the numerous medicinal values of dragon fruits, besides providing high returns, Lucy felt that more farmers must take up dragon fruit cultivation, adding that Dimapur was the best place for cultivating the fruit.
Some in NDA don’t want Modi as PM again: Kushwaha
Nagaland among first States to start linkage child adoption Correspondent
Upendra Kushwaha (File)
PATNA, AUG 31 (IANS): Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RSLP) chief and Union Minister of State for HRD, Upendra Kushwaha on Friday said that some people in the BJP-led NDA did not want to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister again in 2019. Kushwaha refused to reveal the names of such people and said everything will be known at the appropriate time. “In National Democratic Alliance, there are some people who don’t want Modiji to become the Prime Minister again. Such people intentionally spread rumours to trigger conflicts within the NDA,” Kushwaha told the media here. He said his party wanted Modi to become the Prime Minister again after the 2019 polls.
KOHIMA, AUG 31 (NPN): Nagaland is among the first States in India to start linkage adoption from the over 60 childcare institutions linked to specialised adoption agencies (SAAs) spread across the country. Linkage adoption is where childcare agencies and adoption agencies work together to find homes for children who need one. Child Protection Services (CPS) director Chubainla Jamir stated this during the launch of radio and video jingles at secretariat conference hall here on Friday. The radio and video jingles, which was officially launched by social welfare advisor Noke Konyak, will be used in advertisements for radio and visual media, propagating legal and safe child adoption practices. In her presentation, the CPS director said State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) was the executive arm of the State government for promotion, facilitation, monitoring and regulation of adoption programme in the State. Jamir said some interventions and initiatives
Noke Konyak launching the video and radio jingles at Kohima, Friday (NP)
taken by the SARA included restoring children, who came under the childcare institutions, back to their biological parents. She claimed that children who were without proper parental and at risk of landing up in children homes or as domestic helpers and child labours were also assisted through the intervention of SARA under non-institutional care services, while several trafficked victims were also rescued and repatriated. Jamir added that SAAs in Nagaland, with the help of SARA, were also providing care, support and counselling to mothers, especially young girls, to give their children for adoption instead of aborting their foetuses.
SC stays construction in States & UTs Asks states to frame solid waste management policy first
NEW DELHI, AUG 31 (PTI): All states and union territories, including BJPruled Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, cannot have any construction activity until they frame a solid waste management policy. The Supreme Court on Friday stayed construction activities in these states, Chandigarh, and in all other states where the governments have failed to frame policy on solid waste management. “In case the States have the interest of the people in mind and cleanliness and sanitation, they should frame a policy (Cont’d on p-7) in terms of the Solid Waste
Management Rules so that the States remain clean. The attitude of the States/Union Territories in not yet framing a Policy even after two years is pathetic, to say the least,” said a bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur. The Court thus ordered: “Further constructions in the States/Union Territories are stayed until the Policy is framed.” The top court slapped a penalty of Rs 3 lakh each on states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh for not framing the policy and not complying with the orders of the bench. A cost of Rs 5 lakh was imposed on Andhra Pradesh for not being represented through a lawyer in the case. The bench said that fine will be deposited with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within two weeks for utilization of juvenile justice issues. “It is
unfortunate that some States and Union Territories have not yet framed any Policy under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016...if they want the people to live in dirt, filth and garbage, what can be done then,” lamented the Court, fixing October 9 as the next date of hearing in the matter. The court said costs imposed on these states and Union territory should be deposited with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee in two weeks for its utilisation for juvenile justice issues. It also noted that states including Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh have deposited the costs imposed on them by the court on July 10. The court had imposed the costs as some of the states had not filed affidavits while some of them were not represented through lawyers during the hearing on July 10.
Road KMC dumping site cut-off 2 Indians among Ramon D I M A P U R , AU G 3 1 (NPN): Following multiple landslides in Kohima in the recent past, the KMC administrator, Kovi Meyase on Friday informed that the road leading to Lerie and Dzuruzou KMC garbage dumping site has been completely cut-off at various locations. In a notification, Meyase appealed to all the citizens, business establishments and shopkeepers to cooperate in managing their waste at household level and not to throw/accumulate in any collection points both at ward and commercial areas till the restoration of road. Meyase said KMC and the district administration along with ward/colony were putting all efforts in restoring the road at the earliest. Until such time, Meyase reiterated and urged the citizens to cooperate in Road affected by landslide at Periezie colony, High School managing their wastes at household level. leading to KMC dumping site. (KMC)
Magsaysay Award winners
She revealed that 85% of adoption in Nagaland was by local Naga parents, adding that an adoption resource book would be published soon. Jamir said a child could be adopted from adoption agencies like Radiant Educational Society, Kohima Orphanage and Destitute home, John 3:16 at Mon and Wondang-Ki Charitable Foundation, Dimapur. In her opening remark, social welfare secretary and CPS chairman Sarah R Ritse said adoption was an act of love, but the legal process had to be followed. She added that according to the Juvenile Justice Act, adoption was the process through which the adopted child was (Cont’d on p-7)
Relief trucks reach Kiphire DIMAPUR, AUG 31: Seven trucks delivered 1,500 bags of rice to Kiphire Friday evening more than 24 hours after starting from the State’s commercial hub Dimapur, 265 km away. Kiphire, bordering Myanmar, had been cut-off after heavy rainfall on July 26-27 had damaged 300 metres of an arterial road in adjoining Phek district. A diversion was carved out for the trucks after a heavier truck from Jorhat had taken a longer alternative road to deliver rice a few days ago. “The State government arranged the transportation of the 1,500 bags of PDS rice on Wednesday. One truck reached Thursday evening, but six got stuck on the way to finally arrive by 6 p.m. Friday,” DC Kiphire Mohammed Ali Shihab told The Hindu. On August 30, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio along with his cabinet colleagues visited the district and provided Rs. 10 lakh from the CM relief fund. According to the State’s Disaster Management Authority, the rains have claimed 12 lives since July and displaced 3,000 families across some 400 villages.
Fuel prices touch all-time high NEW DELHI, AUG 31 (AGENCIES/NPN): Petrol and diesel prices hit a record new high in four metros across the country on Friday. Fuel prices today hit their highest level, crossing the previous peak reached on May 29. The petrol price has been increased by Rs. 0.22 per litre since Thursday and diesel price by Rs.0.28 per litre in the national capital. Petrol is being sold at a price of Rs. 77.05 per litre in Kohima today and diesel at Rs. 68.61 per litre. In Dimapur, petrol is retailing at Rs. 76.29 per litre and diesel at Rs. 68.04 per litre. The revised rates are applicable from 6 am on August 31, 2018. LPG rates up by Rs 1.49: Subsidised LPG with effect from midnight tonight will cost Rs 499.51 per cylinder in Delhi as against Rs 498.02 currently, mainly due to the tax incidence on base price, a statement issued by Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation’s largest fuel retailer, said. All LPG consumers have to buy the fuel at market price. The government, however, subsidises 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg each per households in a year by providing the subsidy amount directly in bank accounts of users. This subsidy amount varies from month to month depending on the changes in average international benchmark LPG rate and foreign exchange rate. The subsidy transfer in customers’ bank account has been increased to Rs 320.49 per cylinder in September 2018 as against Rs 291.48 per cylinder in August 2018.
Diphupar village Hd GB clarifies
DIMAPUR, AUG 31 (NPN): Drawing attention to the news item “Diphupar village against outside interference”, published on August 30, 2018, the Diphupar village council (DVC) has clarified that it did not invite any organizations/individuals to interfere in the present crises within the village. In a press release, Diphupar village head GB Kekhwetsu stated that officials of Dimapur District GBs Association, Chumukedima GBs Union, Nagaland State VDB Association and Dimapur District VDB Union came forward to have a joint consultative meeting to find out “the alleged misuse MGNREGA fund by their respective bona fide members.” As per the EAC Chumukedima letter No. GA-CMA/DIPHUPAR/201314/219-18 dated July 11, 2018, the Diphupar village head GB stated that DVC was neither dissolved nor defunct. He said it was, therefore, normal to hold council meeting at its office.
Central teams to visit state
Sonam Wangchuk
Bharat Vatwani
MANILA, AUG 31 (PTI): Two Indians today received this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award. Bharat Vatwani and S o n a m Wa n g c h u k a r e among six individuals who received the award, regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize. Vatwani was recognised for “his tremendous courage and healing compassion in embracing India’s mentallyafflicted destitute...,” the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Foundation said in its citation for the winner. Wangchuk, 51, was recognised for “his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth...,” the citation said. The winners each received a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late president, and a cash prize.
DIMAPUR, AUG 31 (NPN): An Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) would be visiting Nagaland from September 4-7, 2018 to carry out an ‘on-the-spot-assessment’ of the disasters caused by landslides and floods in the State. In a press release, secretary Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home department, Rovilatuo Mor, stated that the team would be headed by MHA joint secretary, KB Singh. NSDMA along with DDMAs and officials from all the line departments will take the team to the worst affected areas for assessment of the monsoon damage, Mor informed.
Power outage in parts of Kma
DIMAPUR, AUG 31 (NPN): Department of power has informed that a jungle clearance of 33kV Botsa feeder will be carried out from September 3-20, 2018 in an effort to maintain stable power supply to Northern Angami and Botsa areas. In a press release, transmission division Kohima, executive engineer stated that the department would try to minimize the total shutdown, but added that there would be intermittent disruption of power supply in some pockets during the activity. K Y M C