Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 269
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
$300 mn not aid, it’s our money: Pak
Barcelona smash eight past Huesca
Probe Adani’s coal scam: Cong
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
national, Page 7
Fuel prices in India at record high
PETROL, DIESEL MOST EXPENSIVE IN ASIA ; RUPEE TUMBLES AGAINST DOLLAR MUMBAI, SEP 3 (PTI): Country Petrol (in Rs) Diesel (In Rs) Rupee plunges to new life low of 71.21 Vs USD Petrol and diesel prices India 86.6 75.54 climbed new highs across the country driven by combination of surging global crude prices and falling rupee value, stoking inflationary pressure in the economy. On Sunday, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had blamed “external factors” for the rise in domestic prices of petrol and diesel, but said the increase is temporary. “I would like to mention two points, and both these subjects are external. OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) had promised that it will raise production by one million barrels per day, which was not raised. “Apart from that, crises in countries like Venezuela and Iran are increasing. There is a pressure on oil prices due to a decrease in production. Secondly, global currencies have weakened against the US dollar,” he had said. Petrol price in Delhi rose to a record Rs 79.15 a
KSU opposes redeployment policy of teachers
Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh Malaysia Indonesia China litre and diesel climbed to a fresh high of Rs 71.15, according to price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. This follows a 31 paise/litre hike in prices on Monday. Rates have breached the previous high of Rs 78.43 a litre hit on May 28. On that day, the rate in Mumbai was Rs 86.24 per litre. A litre of petrol in Mumbai costs Rs.86.56 on Monday. Prices in Delhi are the cheapest in all metros and most state capitals due to lower sales tax or VAT. Diesel rates on Monday were hiked by 39 paise a litre, the steepest increase since the daily revision in
65.2 63.90 71.25 65.55 75.52 38.47 48.45 79.08
64.83 52.01 59.85 62.70 54.86 37.76 54.15 70.49
prices was introduced in mid-june 2017. Diesel now costs Rs.75.54 per litre in Mumbai. In Dimapur and Kohima petrol price stood at Rs. 76.91 and Rs. 77.67 respectively as on Monday. While diesel in Dimapur cost Rs. 68.96 and in Kohima Rs. 69.53. Since August 16, petrol prices have risen by over Rs 2 per litre. Diesel prices on the other hand have risen by Rs 2.42 a litre during this period. Diesel rates had hit Rs 69.31 a litre on May 28, but this record was breached on August 27 and on Monday they hit a fresh high. Fuel prices vary from state to state due to local levies.
Indian rupee Monday crashed to yet another historic low of 71.21, losing 21 paise at the close against the US dollar as nagging concerns over rising crude oil prices and trade war tensions continued to hurt forex market sentiment. It was a virtual collapse for the Indian unit during the late afternoon session despite a strong start as investors hit the panic button and even government’s efforts to calm investor nerves failed to yield any result. A sharp rally in global crude prices further dampened the overall trading mood. Benchmark Brent crude oil was trading at USD 78 a barrel. The domestic currency opened with strong gains largely helped by weekend robust macro numbers also some technical bounces after recent record fall. However, overall forex market sentiment suffered a sudden reversal of fortune contrary to expectation largely moving in line with local equities, reversing all
early strong gains. India’s economy grew at a delightful 8.2 per cent rate in April-June this year after the twin shocks of cash ban in 2016 and the chaotic introduction the GST last year, reclaiming its position as the fastest growing major global economy this year. The central bank has recently pulled several moves to support its currency including its foreign cash reserves along with raising its interest rate twice with the last in August to pre-empt any fresh bout of currency rout as the global trade war escalates. Heightened risk associated with the swelling current account deficit against the grim backdrop of surging global crude prices and global turmoil have all contributed to excess volatility on the trading front. Escalating global trade tensions could prompt further weakening the domestic currency along with exodus of capital from a nation also added excess volatility.
Killer monsoon: Over 1,400 lives lost due to rains, floods across India NEW DELHI, SEP 3 (AGENCIES): Over 1,400 people, including close to 500 in Kerala, have lost their lives due to rains, floods and landslides in 10 states so far in the monsoon season, the Union Home Ministry said Monday. 488 people have died, 15 are missing in Kerala floods and 54.11 lakh in 14 districts have been severely hit by rains and floods, the worst in a century, according to the ministry’s National Emergency Response Centre (NERC). As many as 14.52 lakh flood-displaced people are living in relief camps across the state. Standing crops on over 57,024 hectares of land were damaged in the southern state. Meanwhile, an outbreak of water-borne diseases in Kerala has claimed seven lives since August 29, prompting the state government to issue an alert to the people to maintain extra vigil. Three people died of leptospirosis (rat fever) Sunday, health officials said adding number of fever cases were also on the rise. As many as 254 people have died in Uttar Pradesh,
Meanwhile, in Nagaland the state government said it requires around Rs 800 crore immediately for the restoration of the damages caused by landslides and flash flood. Home and State Disaster Management Authority, secretary, Rovilatuo Mor said the unprecedented series of disaster in Nagaland has affected at least 13.19 per cent of the total population of the state and severely affected 48,821 families in 532 villages while an area of 5,408.57 acres agricultural sector has also been impacted.Mor said that the series of disasters during this monsoon season have disrupted the roads in multiple locations, rendered many people homeless and damaged agriculture. He said Kohima, Tuensang, Kiphire and Phek were the most affected. Tuensang, Kiphire and Phek were cut off from the rest of the state for about 15 days since the rains became incessant from the July 26, he said adding that about 359 locations of roads have been totally cut off sending the state into an SoS situation.
One-nation-one-card for public NE region faces 27% Landslides damage farmlands in Kasha area transport soon, says NITI Aayog shortfall in rainfall DIMAPUR, SEP 3 (NPN): Recent devastating landslide has reportedly damaged large extent of farmlands in Kasha area under Tseminyu sub-division, Kohima district. In a press release, Kasha Lowrin Youth Organisation (KLYO) president, Kegwayhun Tep, said landslide affected vast land mass from Yapatsu valley till Shu River measuring approximately 1000 meters breadth and 7000 meters in length. In the landslide, KLYO said extensive damage was caused to cultivated area affecting more than 40 paddy fields including jhum cultivation and fishery ponds, which it claimed were worth more than Rs.1 crore. Pointing out that people of Kasha area have been practising paddy cultivation in Yapatsu valley for many decades, KLYO said the landslide has destroyed livelihood of the villagers posing a serious threat to the economy. It also expressed apprehension that damage caused to farmlands could further lead to famine. Further, KLYO stated that the natural disaster besides affecting the standing crops has rendered agricultural land unfeasible for future cultivations. The organisation said the villagers
AGARTALA/GUWAHATI, SEP 3 (IANS): NEW DELHI, SEP 3 (IANS): Systems”. India will shortly unveil a The road transportation North Eastern region comprising eight hilly states one-nation-one-card policy for segment alone contributes to is witnessing a rainfall deficiency of 27% in the first public transport that will bring around four per cent of India’s three of the four-month-long monsoon season, the seamless connectivity between GDP with the segment still Met said on Monday. According to India Meteorological Departvarious modes of transport, being heavily dependent on ment (IMD) officials in Guwahati and Agartala, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh fossil fuels. Kant said on Monday. In the wake of the worsen- the seasonal monsoon (June to September) rainfall He said a robust trans- ing air quality in the country’s is likely to be 93% of the long period average over portation sector was the back- major cities, rising concerns the region comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Asbone for the development of of climate change and an ever- sam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, any economy, especially for a increasing oil import bill, mo- Sikkim and Tripura. According to IMD report, available with densely populated developing bility is a crucial piece of the country like India, and the development puzzle and the IANS, said that during the first three months (June focus of the nation’s mobility key to unlocking the potential to August) of the monsoon season the Nagaland, strategy was on sustainable of India’s economy and people, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura sub-division recorded 1,013.1 mm (actual) of rainfall against the modes of public transport, the NITI Aayog CEO said. transport-oriented planning NITI Aayog Advisor Anil average rainfall of 1,227.9 mm. Though there is a and digitisation. Srivastava said the government 17 per cent deficit in monsoon rainfall, according to “The objective of the was working towards achieving the IMD standard this is considered as normal. IMD director Dilip Saha said: “Rain producstrategy is to plan for the citi- a robust mobility ecosystem zens first, rather than focusing across India. “The citizens, on ing systems, including deep depressions, were not on vehicles alone, by provid- their part, should work towards very much evenly active in the entire North Eastern ing sustainable mobility and sharing a ride, not owning region.” However, the huge deficiencies in rainfall accessibility by switching to the ride. The government has were likely to be covered in the later part of the mon(Cont’d on p-7) cleaner mode of transporta- integrated many stake holders soon in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” he said, tion,” Kant said at the “Future across departments to drive adding that frequency of movement of monsoon Clarification Mobility Summit-2018-India’s India’s mobility vision,” he factors were also slightly favourable in Nagaland, DIMAPUR, SEP 3 (NPN): Move to NextGen Transport added. Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura sub-division. Apropos the news item ‘Longleng teachers’ bodies demand appointment of DEO, SDEO...”, Longleng unit ANSTA president, Henshong Phom; ANGPTA president, K. Phaulem Phom and NAHTU president Correspondent together, 639 teachers would Shumei Antony clarified that participate in the sit-in on DIMAPUR, SEP 3 (NPN): SSA teachers of the third para should read KOHIMA, SEP 3 (NPN): Tuesday, he added. 2010 & 2013 batch have affirmed that as per as, “the associations will not Despite restriction by KoMeanwhile, when conWith the State govern- the nature of their appointment they were tolerate to observe black day hima district administration, tacted, School Education ment assuring to appoint by wearing black badge on Nagaland RMSA Teach- principal secretary Menokhul DEO and SDEO in Lon- appointed as regular employees. In a press release, Nagaland Sarva Sikhsha Sept 5- Teachers Day”. ers’ Association (NRM- John informed Nagaland gleng within two weeks, Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) SATA), 2016 has decided to Post that the department was Phom Students’ Conference go ahead with its proposed sticking to guidelines and the (PSC) has decided to sus- president, Penthungo Y Yanthan, and general peaceful sit-in protest at terms and condition of the pend its stir with immediate secretary, Vinoka Sohe, said that as per appointment order of SSA teachers 2010 and directorate of school educa- contractual appointment. effect. PSC president Mane tion here on Tuesday. It may be mentioned Phom informed Nagaland 2013 batch, the teachers were endowed with a NRMSATA-2016 pres- that RMSA teachers of 2016 Post that PSC had received pay scale, with all other allowances/rates preident Sao Venuh informed batch had rejected outright a letter late on Monday eve- scribed by the Government of Nagaland from Nagaland Post that they August 17 office memoran- ning from school education time to time with effect from the date of joining were aware of the restriction dum, pointing out that the director Wonthungo Tso- and deduction towards NPS and GIS. They also pointed out that as per the RTI of the district administra- “manipulative document” poe, stating that the file was tion. He, however, assured was nothing short of “im- under process and that the reply to Ponchulo Wanth, it was clearly stated that the teachers would not posed slavery and discrimi- matter was expected to be that “post creation is not done by the SSA, it resort to any violence and nation”. The association settled in about two weeks’ is a Government of Nagaland undertaking. Hence teachers are appointed on a regular express their grievances said documents of the new time, if not earlier. through peaceful means. scheme of Samagra Shiksha On receiving the letter, basis and their service is not co-terminus with Clarifying that the Abhiyan (following merger Mane said the executive SSA project”. teachers did not have any of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan council convened an emerUnlike other SSA and RMSA contractual intention of confronting and Rashtriya Madhyamik gency meeting and decided and ad hoc fixed teachers, they said SSA teach“The problem in the the government or depart- Shiksha Abhiyan) did not to temporarily call off the ers of 2010 & 2013 batch along with RMSA ongoing 4-lane works ment officials, he clarified distinguish SSA and RMSA protest, respecting and heed- 2013 batch were regular employees as per appear to be a man made that they would gather to teachers and their salary in ing to the assurance of the the advertisement and the nature of appointcalamity.” express their resentment. Al- anyway. (NRMSATA 2013 clarifies, on p-7) director. (Cont’d on p-7) ment. DIMAPUR, SEP 3 (NPN): Opposing redeployment policy of teachers in the middle of academic year, Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) has appealed to Department Of School Education (DoSE) to retain the post-graduate teachers of Mon district, which had been affected by the recent policy. KSU president Bumang Phaiba and education secretary Abo Wangsu, in a release, expressed resentment over introduction of the redeployment policy in the middle of academic session, claiming it had adversely affected and victimised the student community of Mon district. KSU alleged that many teachers had been transferred without replacement in the district.
210 in West Bengal, 170 in Karnataka, 139 in Maharashtra, 52 in Gujarat, 50 in Assam, 37 in Uttarakhand, 29 in Odisha and 11 in Nagaland. 43 people have been missing -- 15 in Kerala, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, six in Uttarakhand and three in Karnataka, while 386 have been injured in rain-related incidents in the 10 states. Rains and floods have hit 30 districts in Odisha, 26 districts in Maharashtra, 25 in Assam, 23 each in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, 14 in Kerala, 13 in Uttarakhand, 11 each in Karnataka and Nagaland, 10 in Gujarat. In Assam, 11.47 lakh people have borne the brunt of the rains and floods, which have also hit crops on 27,964 hectares of land. In West Bengal, the deluges have hit 2.28 lakh people and damaged crops on 48,552 hectares of land. In Uttar Pradesh, 3.42 lakh people have been impacted and crops on 50,873 hectares damaged. In Karnataka, 3.5 lakh population have been hit and crops on 3,521 hectares of land damaged.
Farmland damaged by landslide in Kasha area.
have, therefore, appealed to the state government and responsible authority to intervene and provide assistance.
Various teachers’ organizations at loggerheads with state govt
SSA teachers are regular RMSA teachers to stage sit-in today PSC suspends stir; govt assures to govt employees, says NSSATA appoint DEO, SDEO
This is it!
K Y M C
RMSA claims teachers informed of clauses prior to appointment
DIMAPUR, SEP 3 (NPN): In the backdrop of ongoing strike by Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers in the State, Nagaland Education Mission Society, RMSA has clarified that their appointments were purely on a contractual basis and subject to several clauses, including liable to be terminated with one month notice, as and when deemed fit by the appointing authority. A press release issued by state mission director, Limawabang Aier, claimed that it was specifically mentioned that the tenure of their engagement was co-terminus with RMSA and that payment of salary would be subject to release of fund for the purpose by Union ministry of human resource development (MHRD). Aier said that another clause stated that the RMSA teachers would not resort to any kind of agitation over salary. Similarly, he said clause 4 specifically
mentioned “The appointments are through funding under RMSA programme” and that in clause 6 it was stated “That the state government will not be responsible for their salaries including future service career of the appointees.” The mission director explained that MHRD had integrated the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan into a single entity and christened it as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan from 2018-19. Following this merger, GoI had issued guidelines fixing salary payable to RMSA subject teachers at Rs 25,000 per month from 2018-19, he added. Therefore, Aier said notice was served to this category of teachers to accept the salary of Rs 25,000, which was a drop from the earlier Rs 31,315. He said, on being served this notice, the current agitation had started. (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C