Nagalim.NL News

Home » Archives » January 2009 » DAN institutionalised corruption: Cong Eastern Mirror

[Previous entry: "Expedite Naga peace process, Rio to Delhi morungexpress"] [Next entry: "Naga group against Centre imposing its will(Page News Service)"]

01/17/2009: "DAN institutionalised corruption: Cong Eastern Mirror"



DAN institutionalised corruption: Cong Eastern Mirror

KOHIMA, JAN 14: The Nagaland unit of the Congress party today alleged that corruption has been institutionalised in Nagaland under the reign of Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.
Chairman of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Media Cell R. Paphino said that in the realm of conducive atmosphere for fast growth of corruption, rampant indulgence has now developed into an epidemic form, creeping into all the vital parts of the entire apparatus of the state.
“The NPF/DAN government is well known for framing slogans and, therefore, in developmental activities, for pursuing projects and related works amounting to lakhs and crores of rupees, a catchy sentence ‘maximum profit and minimum quality work’ can fit well in their system,” he said. The Congress also said in matters of funds sanctioned for developmental activities for the welfare and interest of the people, there was nowhere in the whole country where funds are cut as high as Nagaland.
The culture of heavy cuts/commissions on funds meant for development projects and programs is directly responsible for scanty developments in Nagaland, he said, and adding that even in the marginal developments that were carried out, the workmanship are ‘awfully poor and sub-standard’.
The undesirable convention of realising heavy commission is gradually turning the entire state to the brink of barrenness and, at this rate, people’s expectation of delivering tangible and positive development by the NPF/DAN government is a matter of deception and far fetched, he claimed
The NPCC said, in the light of all these, it has been left with no option but to take up the matter with New Delhi. (Newmai News Network)
Preserve traditional judicial system: Yitachu
DIMAPUR, [NPN] : Parliamentary Secretary for tourism, art & culture and law & justice, Yitachu said Nagas have a good and strong legal system, therefore people practice Naga customary law in court of government right from the time of British rule in India and "we must preserve our traditional and justice system".


He was speaking at the inauguration of Panchayat Hall at Sohomi village on January 15. He expressed hope that the Panchayat Hall would be 'a seat of justice and a place for delivering justice'. Yitachu was of the opinion that freedom should be within the legal law and that one's freedom should not affect other's right but should enjoy freedom within the legal right by respecting other's right, and therefore unless "we understand the real sense of freedom we cannot expect to deliver freedom for people of our society".

In reply to demand for construction of a rest house in Sohomi village, Yitachu assured to set up an eco-camp instead of a rest house so as to promote eco-cultural tourism preservation in near future. He asked the villagers to extend corporation in brining development for the area. Parliamentary secretary was accompanied by ex-minister Vejoyi Vero, ex-MLA Chiehutso, a host of public leaders and officials of Phek district.
Ceasefire Tension Eases morungexpress
Dimapur | January 11: The timely intervention of the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) General Mandhita today averted the tense situation around the NSCN (IM) GHQ from going out of control even as troops of the Rashtriya Rifles were directed to move out of the immediate vicinity of Camp Hebron after several hours of a tense face-off between the Indian armed force and the outfit. According to available information with The Morung Express, General Mandhita led a joint inspection over the area of tension and verified the same, giving clear instructions to the Rashtriya Rifles to withdraw.

CFMG Chairman Mandhita steps in to avert collision

The chairman of the CFMG reportedly advised both the parties not to go for any confrontationist approach but to show restraint. According to highly-placed sources, General Mandhita has also instructed the Assam Rifles not to intrude into NSCN territory unnecessarily to provoke the activists without reason. While addressing both sides, the CFMG chairman also suggested that there should be no communication gaps in the event of any incident as there is “friendly peace talks” going on.
According to military sources at Hebron, the Rashtriya Rifles have withdrawn to the Assam Police camp, which is around 1500 yards away from Hebron. According to ADC, ‘deputy commander-in-chief Naga army’, the chairman of the CFMG had given assurance that troops will be withdrawn phase by phase from the area near Camp Hebron. General Mandhita was accompanied by Nagaland IGP, Colonel Sahni, Commanding Officer of 24 Assam Rifles and Maj Rajeev of the Rashtriya Rifles besides top NSCN (IM) functionaries.
The NSCN (IM) has however expressed reservation over the frequent movement of Indian armed forces in and around the designated camps across the state. The latest incident comes in the backdrop of the detention of some Assam Rifles personnel by the NSCN (IM) for alleged intrusion near the outfit’s designated camp at Pfutsero under Phek district. It was disclosed that the recent incidents between the NSCN (IM) and the Indian armed forces has become a matter of concern for both sides of the leadership even as peace talks have been taking place for the last ten years.
It may be mentioned that the NSCN (IM) had claimed movement of security forces personnel on the opposite side of the river near Camp Hebron since early Saturday morning and that by late evening, they had crossed the river and were seen on the periphery of the outfit’s designated camp. The army on the other hand, claimed that the security forces were on routine patrol.

Fragrance Of Roses In Nagaland

Rose Cultivation is the new venture trend in Nagaland, with an area of 500 square meters under cultivation. The state's Department of Horticulture is supervising the cultivation and the technical know-hows provided by the various private companies.

This new venture has offered a new hope to the local entrepreneurs, Watienla Jamir, Joint Director, Horticulture Dept, Nagaland, said: "We wanted to find out the potentiality of growing rose in Nagaland, whether the quality would be good. So, around one hectare area was initiated in the Yisemyong government farm, and we found that the quality was good and of International standard and it was serving as an eye opener and model for entrepreneurs."
Anungla, one rose exporter, said: "I want to encourage the youth in Nagaland that being a part of this is very profitable for us and been engaged in something is a wonderful experience and beneficial for each and everyone of us."

The state boasts of over 12 lakhs (1.2 million) stems of cut roses till now with annual sales in 2008 standing at crores of rupees. Over 20 self-help groups have taken the rose cultivation project and is also helping the youth in employment by keeping them involved in productive activities.
Yach beiu, a rose cultivator, said: "The state government directive to display roses is a good encouragement to us beneficiarixes. I believe it would rope in good money and promote rose cultivation. An idle mind promotes anti-social activities and ill thoughts, so I believe being engaged in whatever constructive activity, would usher in peace in our land."

Neisakuono, a local resident, said: "Rose has good market value as it is bought for all special occasion, to decorate houses, to gift others and in programmes. People buy a lot so it has a good market generating income."

The cultivation of rose is implemented by the Department of Horticulture and was initiated in 2004-05. Since then Nagaland has received various awards for its remarkable achievements in the floriculture sector. This is sure to boost the economic development sector of the state with the demand for top quality roses increasing globally.
Nagas Lose Out On Biggest Employer Al Ngullie Morung January 16
Dimapur : Out of the Rs. 450.60 Crore yearly income made by non-locals in the non-government service sector in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung, an approximate Rs. 250. 60 Crore is the yearly turnover made by the said workforce in the private service sector (public facilities, domestic essentials and goods). The report of the Evaluation Directorate, Government of Nagaland, said the biggest employer in the state is the service industry sector, with the construction and tertiary service heading the list (The Morung Express, Wednesday, January 14 edition).
Non-govt service turnover: 250 Cr
The service and entrepreneurial sectors – with Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung acting as the yardstick for the government’s survey – are manned by huge numbers of non-locals, the Evaluation report said. This finding virtually points to the service sector as the main support of the state’s local economy.
The government’s report highlighted the four biggest non-government employers that the approximate 45,000 to 50,000 non-Naga workforce are engaged in and generating a staggering yearly turnover/income of Rs. 250 Crore in the survey period year 2007 alone. In comparison to the extreme percentage of non-Nagas engaged in the service sector, Naga workers form barely few percentages, the report shows.

Construction/ Subsidiary sector income: Rs. 55 Crore
In its sector-wise findings, the report said the construction sector has the highest number of non-Naga workforce forming an approximate number of 4,000-5, 000. This non-Naga workforce are engaged in infrastructural activities, generating a total yearly earning of Rs. 22 Crore and registering an annual per Capita Income of Rs. 53402. The growth of this sector in Nagaland has been capitalized to the maximum by the non-Naga workforce, the report stated.
The construction sector is followed by the “loading-unloading” (subsidiary or associated) sector. In fact there are an approximate 4,000 non-Naga persons engaged in “loading and unloading” activities at public transport stations (railways, airport, bus stations, ‘godowns’, storehouses etc) in the three districts. This group earns an annual income of an estimated Rs. 33 Crore with an annual average Per Capita Income of an impressive Rs. 82192. The construction and subsidiary sector account a total revenue/income of Rs. 55 Crore per year. The report had this to observe: “(These) service industries, is predominated by non-Nagas. Not a single Naga is engaged in the loading/unloading sector while the construction sector has traces of few Nagas in Dimapur”. The report further stated that the said services in fact do not require any specialized skill, training or “education”, but only requires physical ability and willingness to work.

Trading, entrepreneurial activities: Rs. 13 crore to Rs 24-Crore
The third-largest sector the non-local workforce, about 2, 800 persons, is engaged in is trading and entrepreneurial activities, making a yearly income of Rs 24 Crore.
This is followed by about 2, 000 persons running ration/small shops but earning around Rs. 79 Crore yearly in total. Here’ the report remarked that amongst the various classifications of enterprises, grocery/ration trading activities earn the highest average annual income of Rs. 3 Lakhs per year per unit. The fifth largest work force is the manual transport sector (good carriers, wagons, carts) with an approximate more than 2, 500 non-Naga persons engaged in it, and earning about Rs. 9 Crore in total yearly. The hospitality/hotel sector is the sixth largest service sector with about 2, 800 non-Naga persons employed in it. The hotel/catering service sector is the third highest revenue earning sector with about Rs. 13 Crore annually with a non-Naga workforce of about 2257, the report said. Employment in the automobile servicing (garages, workshops etc) account for an annual income of about Rs. 9.5 Crores while those engaged in operating automobiles (For instance, auto drivers and contract drivers) earn an annual income of about Rs. 8.7 Crore from about 1271 non-locals.

Business income: Rs. 300 Crore
Out of the total Rs. 450.60 Crore income made by non-locals, the government report said their entrepreneurial activities alone account for a colossal income of Rs. 300 Crore approximately. The high turnover enterprises are mainly those dealing in cosmetics, textiles, domestic essentials, shops, hardware, electronics, consumer durables and automobiles. More than 50% of the workforce is non-Nagas, the report said. In fact the yearly income of non-Nagas engaged in domestic essentials/grocery supplies touch a staggering Rs. 78 Crore. This is followed by the cosmetic enterprises with Rs. 45 crore as their yearly income. The textile entrepreneurial sector generates income of about Rs. 42 Crore for the non-Naga workforce. Electronics and consumer durables figure at about Rs. 11 crore as total yearly income; hardware business at about Rs. 9.0 Crore and automobile parts dealership at about Rs. 5.2 Crore annual income for non-Nagas engaged in them, the report said.
‘There’s room for reconciliation’ morungexpress January 15
Dimapur : Querying “what is wrong if he/she belongs to NSCN-K, NSCN-IM or FGN”, Nagaland’s Home Minister today said political ideologies may differ but there is room for reconciliation, rather than ‘killing each other’. “I see killing in this way. What is wrong if he/she belong to NSCN-K, IM or FGN. Belonging to such factions doesn’t justify to be executed their life, after all they’re all belonging to Naga family,” Imkong Imchen explained in a message today.
According to him, bloodshed between the different Naga factions should be stopped. “If this factional killing is (did) not stop in the last few months, how many precious lives belonging to different factions must have gone?” he stated and expressed gratefulness to the factional leaders, NGOs and forums “for working tirelessly”. Imchen expressed hope that the underground leadership would “continue to maintain this good gesture”.
Home Minister expresses hope in dialogue
Also, stating that human life “should not be eliminated so easily because, life is the ultimate value,” Imchen said there is still room for reconciliation. “Political ideology may differ but there should be room to reconcile each other on such given diverse political ideology instead of killing each other. Violence begets violence and therefore this should be avoided as far as possible,” he stated. “In the name of New Year”, Imchen appealed to the Naga underground leaders to “keep up their peace mission” in the larger interest of the Naga people.
CM calls for emotional integration Nagarealm
KOHIMA, JAN16 [NPN] : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday called for emotional integration of the people to pave way for peace, understanding and oneness. Addressing the 45th general conference of Khaimniungan Students Union in Thsoiphu village under Thonoknyu sub-division., chief minister said people needed to consider the welfare of Nagas not just in Nagaland but across international boundary in Myanmar where condition of the people was much worse.


He emphasized that though physical integration may be out of immediate reach, there was no reason why Nagas could integrate emotionally. Rio challenged students' community to undertake studies and education in technical fields and self employment oriented studies by availing the government scholarships and support which, he said was available even under DUDA department. Rio lauded the hardworking nature of Khaimniungan people and expressed satisfaction that the sub-division was progressing well under the guidance of elected representatives, P. Longon and Heno. He thanked the gathering for electing him for a second term in office.

The grand programme was attended by a host of public leaders, high ranking civil and police officers, student leaders and the public of the area. Parliamentary Secretary Heno was also present in the function.

Next battle against Karen rebels soon by Daniel Pedersen Mizzima

Maesot (Mizzima) - Soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army's Special Battalion 103 are reinforcing troops of the KNLA's Sixth Brigade's 201st Battalion just south of Thailand's border town of Mae Sot.

The Special Battalion 103 in the past week has lost its base camp and for the past seven days has been moving constantly, deflecting their enemies - Burmese Army soldiers - with terrestrial mines and directional Claymore mines.

The vicious battle for the region surrounding Thailand's Phop Phra district has see-sawed back and forth across Thailand's northern border with Burma since June 30 last year.

Last week government troops overran - then destroyed - 103's base camp, a significant settlement equipped with solar power, fish holding tanks, a huge granary and a medical clinic that serviced 800 people living in two nearby villages. The KNLA has lost and won back the base repeatedly since last year. Now there is nothing to win back.

The Karen National Union is the one of some significant groups yet to sign a ceasefire deal with the junta and the KNLA is its armed wing. Colonel Nerdah Mya, a commander said his base camp was lost and his men were redeploying further north to defend 201st's Wah Lay Kee base camp. That camp has stood since 1998 and was briefly overrun in early July last year, but won back after three days of heavy fighting.

In the last week's fighting SPDC troops suffered significant casualties from landmines and the corridors of Thailand's Mae Sot General Hospital were for a few days crammed with injured Burmese soldiers perched on stainless steel trolleys.

The battle is on over a region opposite Thailand's Umphang region, a tourist spot for its spectacular mountain scenery.

On Thursday, SPDC troops were positioning themselves around Wah Lay Kee camp for an all-out offensive and followed lobbing a few shells at the military encampment, but missed.

They have managed to occupy some high ground around the camp and are lugging 81mm mortars with them.

The KNLA has a Browning 0.5 inch machine gun, a formidable weapon usually mounted on top of armoured vehicles.

The KNLA desperately wants to hold the camp not only because it represents its last significant regional outpost, equipped with training halls and a medical clinic, but also because a military cemetery is maintained there. The rebel claims that SPDC wants "full economic control", to wrest control of the region for its significant deposits of gold, tin, zinc and wolfram (from which antimony is refined).

Taiwanese and Thai mining companies are waiting in the wings, ready to strike a deal with whichever side can guarantee security for their capital investment. For the KNLA, whose footprint in the region has always been somewhat precarious, this latest outbreak of fighting represents the most sustained series of attacks around Phop Phra for years.

Aid workers report that even Thai farmers have given up trying to harvest the hundreds of hectares of corn standing in field on both sides of the border and are heading for Karen refugee camps. At least there they will probably get a meal. The Thai Army has reinforced troops on the border in the region and is keeping a close eye on comings and goings. This weekend will be a critical time for the KNLA's future in the area.

Heavy fighting now looks inescapable barring a withdrawal, and that would mean the assured destruction of Wah Lay Kee. On Monday before dawn a British photographer was escorted along jungle trails hidden underneath a blanket to safety in Thailand.

On Wednesday a foreign volunteer was asked to cut short a training programme and depart before hostilities broke out. The trolleys look set to be wheeled into the corridors of Mae Sot General Hospital again this weekend.
Indian Vice President to visit Burma to strengthen bilateral relations door indoadmin Sources: Mizzima News

January 16, 2009: New Delhi, India's Vice President Hamid Ansari is set to visit neighbouring military-ruled Burma, in a bid to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries, according to reports.
Ansari's trip will focus on consolidating India's energy interests in Burma and cooperation in infrastructure development, an official source was quoted as saying by the Indo-Asian News Service.

"Ansari will go on a goodwill visit to Myanmar [Burma] early next month. Preparations are under way," the report said.

Ansari's visit to Burma, which is a first for Indian leaders in 2009, is seen as a part of India's growing efforts to strengthen bilateral relationship with the gas-rich Southeast Asian nation.

Dr. Tint Swe, a minister of the Burmese government in exile – the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma – said Ansari's visit is part of India's efforts to appease the Burmese military government in order to gain wider foothold in the country.

However, he said, "It has been about 15 years now, but India's Look East Policy has still not been a success," adding that it was time for India to reconsider its policy on Burma.

India, which is Burma's 4th largest trading partner after Thailand, China and Singapore, is competing with China, Thailand, South Korea and Japan to tap natural gas from offshore gas reserves on Burma's western coast.

However, in December 2008, Daewoo International Corporation along with it's four other partners - Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE), ONGC, GAIL and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) signed a deal with the China National Petroleum Corporation, to supply Burma's offshore gas to China for 30 years from 2012.

India's ONGC and GAIL both held 20 % and 10 % respectively in Burma's offshore A1 and A3 gas fields, and has been appeasing the junta so that it awards the right to import gas. The Shwe gas fields on Burma's western coast are estimated to hold a reserve of 4.53 tcf (trillion cubic feet) of gas.

India, which lost out to China in its race to buy gas from Burma, however, is also looking for other energy cooperation options, with Burma including the building of hydro-electric projects. The two countries recently signed a pact on the development of Tamanthi and Shwezay hydropower projects on the Chindwin River, in Burma's northwestern Sagaing division. But Dr. Tint Swe, who is based in New Delhi and monitors Indo-Burmese relationship said, "The two countries' bilateral relations does not help the Burmese peoples' aspiration for democratic change."

"But it helps the junta in strengthening their rule," he added. Indo-Burmese bilateral trade reached a record of 995 million US dollars in the fiscal year 2007-08, while Burma's exports to India accounted for 810 million US dollars and its imports from India touched 185 million US dollars, according to Burma's official statistics.



News: Main Page
News: Archives
Nagalim: Home

Powered By Greymatter