Barely two weeks after forecasting that the "mismatched" Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) would evaporate like the rain-bearing clouds hovering over the State, Lapang is back in the saddle. His return to power was aided by a "family feud" within the Nationalist Congress Party, days after it won the Baghmara seat to take the MPA count to 32 in the 60-member House.

It all started after father Purno Agitok Sangma had a spat with sons James and Conrad last week. According to James and Conrad, Sangma senior was "mothering too much" while teaching them the "tricks of the trade". What proved "too much" was the "Ten Commandments" of political do's and don'ts that the latter tried to "shove down our throats".

The inevitable happened. The younger Sangmas revolted against their father, quit the NCP along with three others and met Lapang late Monday night. Around 1.30 am, they met acting governor SS Sidhu to stake claim for forming a new government with 33 MLAs. The Congress already had 28 legislators including three Independents.

Sidhu, who was allegedly in a hurry to install Lapang's Meghalaya United Alliance government on March 10, took only an hour more to swear Lapang in as the Chief Minister. Though social norms demanded that the elder sibling be given more weight, Conrad was made the deputy CM in the new Congress-led Meghalaya Unshakeable Alliance government.

Sangma senior was furious when Conrad "broke" the news. But instead of admonishing, he broke down as he did not expect "my own blood" to backstab him. Lapang, on the other hand, was elated after "gaining two sons". Talking to reporters later, he said: "Some people are not destined to be in the Opposition. Maybe, I am one of them."

Lapang, though, was "somewhat disappointed" for not being able to ring up Sonia Gandhi to "present her" one more Congress-led government in the Northeast. "We thought it better not to wake up Madam at such an odd hour," he said.

The timing of the installation of the MUA government, however, was just appropriate for US President George Bush, who was the first head of state to congratulate Lapang. "We know how crucial your return to power is for the nuclear deal between Washington and New Delhi," he told Lapang.

Lapang assured Bush of ensuring that uranium mining gets under way at Nongbah Jynrin close to the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Khasi Hills district. Nongbah Jynrin, notably, sits on 16 per cent of India's uranium reserves, and the high-grade mineral in the area is key to India's nuclear programme.

Those appointed include NCP leader Purno A Sangma and former chief minister JD Rymbai as chairmen of State Planning Board and Meghalaya Economic Development Council respectively. Both the posts are equivalent to the rank of chief minister.

The others are - NCP's John Manner (Meghalaya Government Construction Company Limited) UDP's Ardent Basaiawmoit (Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation Limited), UDP's Metbah Lyngdoh (Meghalaya Industrial Development Council), NCP's Manson Sing Sangma (Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation), UDP's Donbok Kymdeit (Mawmlu Cherra Cement Limited).

Only two legislators, former Chief Minister EK Mawlong and newly-elected MLA from Baghmara, Satto Marak, remain to be accommodated in any capacity in the Donkupar Roy government.

Earlier on March 24, the MPA government appointed eight parliamentary secretaries --

Nihim D Shira, Philipole Marak, Marcuise Marak, James K Sangma, Desang M Sangma, Omilio K Sangma all from NCP and two UDP MLAs, Remington Pyngrope and M Ampareen Lyngdoh.

Besides, Bindo M Lanong of UDP had already been elected as Speaker and Sanbor Shullai and Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak are set to be nominated as Deputy Speaker and MPA Chief Whip respectively.

All these posts are of equivalent to the rank of a cabinet minister. (Agencies)

Informing this, Home Minister Hoping Stone Lyngdoh denied rumour regarding reinstatement of WR Marbaniang as DGP.

Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Monday, Mr Lyngdoh said that so far there was no move to replace present DGP Bijoy K Dey Sawian.

Mr Marbaniang was removed from the post of the DGP in 2007 after the dead body of his maidservant Rinehskhem Kharsohnoh was recovered from his residential premises and after all traces of evidence were removed.

Informed sources said that a big reshuffle of officers is likely to take place after the Budget Session of the Assembly, which is scheduled to end on May 8.

Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, Higher and Technical Education Minister Manas Chaudhuri on Monday said the State Government had decided to hike the salary of teachers of 139 ad-hoc schools under Plan outlay, with effect from November 1 2007.

According to the minister, under the new pay structure, an Arts stream teacher, now getting Rs 3000 per month, would receive a salary of Rs 5000, while monthly salary of a Science teacher would be enhanced from the present Rs 4000 to Rs 6000. Similarly, salary of teachers of 249 schools receiving grants-in-aid will be enhanced under non-Plan expenditure.

Stating that the salary enhancement would imply a financial commitment of Rs 5.19 crore, Mr Chaudhuri said social security scheme for college teachers was being worked out.

He said Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) would be instituted for college teachers and college management requested to encourage teachers to join the provident fund.

"This is a commitment made by the government on the floor of the House," he added.

He also pointed out that only trained teachers would be recruited in government-aided schools.

Mr Chaudhuri said the Education Department had asked NEHU to carry out a survey on the factors responsible for rising school drop-out rate and how to bring students back to schools in the State.

"NEHU has been entrusted with the task of carrying out a survey on the causes of school drop-out and how to bring students, who have left studies, back to schools. The survey report will be submitted to the Education Department within two months," the Education Minister said.

He said the government would take a proper decision to deal with the problem of school drop-out after receiving the survey report, adding he would visit various schools in the State in the coming months to sensitise teachers about the issue, besides taking other steps to activate the inspection staff.

The overall school drop-out rate in 2007 was 72.40 per cent. As per the 2003 Census, the drop-out rate at primary school level was 22.24 per cent, while it was 7.89 per cent at upper primary level.

Data collected by the Education Department also showed that gender-wise drop-out rates from Class I to Class X were 73.11 per cent among boys and 71.67 per cent among girls.

Drop-out rates among other students were: 29.91 per cent (boys) and 30.7 per cent (girls) from 

Class I to Class IV; 15.42 per cent (boys) and 15.52 per cent (girls) from Class V to Class VII; 59.27 per cent (boys) and 59.10 per cent (girls) from Class I to Class VIII; 14.88 per cent (boys) and 14.34 per cent (girls) from Class VIII to Class X.

The minister further said his department had decided to invite more suggestions and views from individuals, teachers, academicians and NGOs on the draft education policy in order to make it more complete. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in the State, Mr Chaudhuri said the Central Government had sanctioned Rs 60,000 for each school for construction of kitchen to cook the meal while allocating Rs 40 paise for each school child to ensure that he was supplied with cooked meal. It may be noted here that the idea behind the midday-meal scheme in India, which is the world's largest school programme, is to improve enrolment and attendance of students, build their nutritional levels and improve retention especially of the girl child. Studies conducted by District Institute for Educational Training (DIET) in six districts of Meghalaya have found that many schools do not have the infrastructure for cooking meals. Whereas in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh the mothers of students are themselves involved in cooking, this is not happening in Meghalaya. States have to spend Rs 1 per capita per day. The success of the midday-meal scheme rests largely on community participation.

In a day of hectic developments on Monday, GHPA moved a no-confidence motion against the Executive Committee headed by Ebelson A Sangma of Congress.

GHPA has projected former CEM and sitting Siju MDC Alphonse A Sangma as the next GHADC chief.

The no-trust motion, scheduled for Tuesday, is expected to be carried through as GHPA has sixteen MDCs on its side against Congress' 14 MDCs in a 30-member House.

Besides the eight NCP MDCs, including Larsen R Sangma who changed allegiance to Congress before the recent Assembly polls, UDP's Brigady Marak, Dolly K Sangma, Winison Ch Momin and Jose Burden Sangma and Independents John Leslee K Sangma, Roynath Sangma and Apurba Marak have expressed their support to GHPA. 

NCP also bagged the lone nominated-member seat in the Council recently. Ethelwithy Ch Marak (NCP) was sworn in as MDC by the Deputy Commissioner on Monday morning.

The provisional Budget of the Council up to July 31 was also presented in the House by the minority Congress Executive Committee in view of the financial year coming to a close on Monday.

SHILLONG: All MLAs of Shillong Municipal Area are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the controversial decision of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to hike tax on holdings.

The meeting, convened at the initiative of Education Minister Manas Chaudhuri, will be held at the chamber of Speaker Mr BM Lanong.

The MLAs are expected to oppose SMB's move to raise civic taxes at an abnormally high rate.

The initiative came after a delegation of tax payers called on Mr Chaudhuri to voice their concern over the "unsatisfactory" manner in which SMB has dealt with the issue of tax revision.

Meanwhile, ruling MPA legislator Sanbor Shullai has urged the State government to revoke the decision to ask the tax payers to pay their taxes immediately.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy here on Monday, Mr Shullai pleaded for revamping the review committee that was constituted for fixing the taxes by holding a public participation so that the grievances of the tax-payers are settled to the satisfaction of all.

He pointed out that the evaluation was carried out in a "haphazard manner", where the assessors came to the holdings of the occupants at their own convenient time, adding that it was also found that they even entered the premises with hardly any regard for privacy of the occupants.

He said that they inquired about the size of the premises and arbitrarily arrived at evaluations fixed by themselves adding that such random fixation of rates were categorised into two types of commercial and residential rates.

"Apparently the Headman of certain localities of Shillong had been called and accordingly informed by the SMB authorities about its plans to carry out the said process of evaluation. However, the matter was never brought to the knowledge of the people who are tax-payers themselves. Hence the whole exercise was conducted in the most undemocratic 

and arbritary manner" Mr Shullai said.

He alleged that the taxes were being fixed according to the whims and fancies of the assessors and very often the residential premises were being evaluated at commercial rates requiring the holding owners to pay abnormally high taxes.

He pointed out that there is a general feeling among the public at large that the SMB is overstaffed. 'It has become a "white elephant" and the members of the public are being taxed at exorbitant rates for feeding this "white elephant", Shullai said.

Speakers at the workshop, organised by the Regional Office of Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura Region, Shillong, here recently, pointed out that field officers play a major role in disseminating information about implementation of the programmes to the grass-roots level.

The workshop also dealt at length about the new approach on National Rural Health Mission, which the Central Government has provided fund with the State Government to improve health services in rural areas of the State and in other selected states where the scheme was being launched.

Other areas deliberated at the workshop included AIDS awareness, mid-day meal for school students and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Director, Don Bosco Youth Centre Fr Joseph Celia, Joint Director MMT Region, Shillong Engam Pame and Dr Mrs PD Laloo.

Shillong: Meghalaya Rural Bank launched its first branch in Garo Hills at Tura Bazar on Monday. Chairman, State Planning Board PA Sangma graced the occasion as chief guest in the presence of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, officials of various line departments and banking institutions and customers were also present on the occasion.

The bank was opened in December 1981 under the name of 'Ka Bank Nongkyndong Ri Khasi-Jaintia', and so far, had it branches in various districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills only. With the direction of the Central Government to expand its area of operation to other parts of the State, the name of the bank was changed to Meghalaya Rural Bank in 2007 and ventured out to open its first branch in Garo Hills.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sangma said Meghalaya in particular and North East in general have to catch up with the rest of the world while stating that one should adhere to the following - change from dependence to self-reliance, change from reservation to competition and change from subsidy culture to banking culture.

He also called upon the bankers to teach the people of Garo Hills, particularly the rural people the art of banking in order to bring about a change in the attitude of the people.

Khliehriat police arrested Healding and remanded to judicial custody.

Shillong: Hundreds of Tibetans in Shillong took to the streets on Monday to protest China's "aggression" on Tibet. As part of the day known as "Global Day of Action for Tibet", a sit-in demonstration-cum-hunger strike, held in front of Glory's Plaza and Tibet Market in Police Bazar, was marked by chanting of slogans against China and demand for freedom of Tibetans in Tibet.

All shops and commercial establishments run by Tibetans, mainly at Glory's Plaza and Tibet Market, remained closed during the day. A memorandum was also submitted to Governor SS Sidhu and Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy to apprise them of the oppressive action by the Chinese Government in Tibet, especially in Lhasa.

Earlier in the morning, a prayer meeting was conducted by monks at the Tibetan monastery at Lumparing here, followed by a procession from the monastry to Police Bazaar. The protesters also displayed placards inscribed with slogans such as "No Right to Religion in Tibet, Stop Influx of Chinese in Tibet, No Human Rights in Tibet".

SHILLONG: In yet another operation against cattle smuggling to Bangladesh, troops of BSF's 121 Battalion have seized 36 oxen worth about Rs 3.60 lakh near Hat Thymmai, East Khasi Hills.

The seizure of cattle was made by BSF on Sunday following BSF Inspector General (Assam-Meghalaya Frontier) PK Mishra's directions to his troops to seriously deal with the crime of cattle smuggling which had seen a spurt in recent times.

According to BSF sources, the seizure highlighted the fact that despite several cattle seizures made by BSF in the past, illegal smuggling of cattle continued in connivance with criminals on both sides of the international border.

Shillong: The ninth edition of the International Shillong Trade Fair (ISTF), a popular trade exposition for development of international trade relationship with the northeastern states, which began here on March 28 at Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah here, has attracted a large number of people for the last few days.

As in previous years, key international exhibitors and visitors have been roped in to take part in the fair. A wide range of products from the participating countries and neighbouring states are sold at the fair.

Thailand, for the second consecutive time, under the banner of Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Royal Thai Government, is participating in this global fair. More than 19 Thai companies are exhibiting and selling products at the fair.

Countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Kenya and Nepal have been regular participants at the fair.

Twenty-five selected entrepreneurs from North East are also participating in the Techmart 2008 pavilion sponsored by National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC).

For food lovers, restaurant christened as "Purani Dilli K Khana" in the fair has become a great attraction. Special chefs from Old Delhi are preparing exclusive chole bhaturas, chaats, jalebis and many other famous delicacies. The famous Ravi Raj Kulfi of Delhi is dishing out mouthwatering kulfi (stick ice scream) for the first time in Meghalaya.

Now days when you see someone holding his nose you don’t know whether it’s pollution or politics. Either way the net result is the same. Increasing political pollution. Replete with contaminated smog, toxic waste and sleazy fumes. The latest in an ever-growing series of political skullduggery was on full public display in the just-concluded Rajya Sabha biennial elections. A gory account of money and more money. Epitomising as never before that polls are all about sleaze and surrogate galore baby!

The ‘cash-and-carry’ Madhu Koda UPA Government in Jharkhand last week set a new record in smutty politics when its MLAs cocked a snook at the Anti-Defection Law and indulged in a three-way voting for candidates who entered the fray as UPA nominees for the lone seat it could win. One UPA nominee backed by Shibhu Soren’s JMM was Delhi-based Kishori Lal who got the least number of votes (8), no matter that 11 MLAs had signed his nomination papers. The second UPA candidate, RK Anand backed by the Congress and RJD won 17 votes. The third UPA candidate backed by a section of JMM MLAs and independents was Ahmedabad-based Parimal Nathwani, Group President, Corporate Affairs Reliance Industries who got 16 votes.

Who won? No guesses, it was the Reliance man Nathwani who got five second preference votes from the Marandi group while his rivals got none. Never mind that till two months ago he had never set foot in Jharkhand and no MLA knew him. But paisa pakro vote becho politics is not all. Another new dimension made its political debut in the Rajya Sabha: surrogate MPs.

True, we are accustomed to high-profile industrial tycoons like UB breweries and Kingfisher Airline’s Vijay Mallya, Bajaj Scooter’s Rahul Bajaj, Videocon’s Venugopal Dhoot and BPL’s Chandreshekhar who might sneak in their respective corporate agendas.

However for the first time these corporate czars have got political parties to nominate their "delegated trusted lieutenants" for the Rajya Sabha. While the JD (U) nominated N K Singh, chairperson of the Bihar Planning Board and a fellow at the Reliance-backed Observer Research Foundation, Sharad Pawar’s NCP backed YP Trivedi, an independent director on Mukesh Ambani’s RIL board and the JMM Nathwani

Throwing light on the issue, asserted a senior CPM MP, "The nomination of these three persons is an indication how business interests are now operating in a new way in Parliament." Plainly they have been hand-picked to take care of the boss’s corporate interests. Added another MP, "During Nehru’s time corporate houses would get individual MPs to get their work done and later pay them for it.

What is happening now is that they directly get their nominees in through parties to serve their interests, both overtly and covertly in Parliament. One way is by getting themselves attached to Standing Committees and Parliamentary Consultative Committees which serve their business interests. This enables them to work directly with the Minister or the ministry thus they are in an advantageous position to influence decisions. Not a few of the 'surrogate' MPs also succeed in dodging public scrutiny about their links with business houses as they do not occupy corporate positions but are firmly ensconced with such groups to promote their interests," he added.

Worse, this trend of surrogate MPs in the Council of States has become more pronounced because of the Office of Profit Bill. The Bill bars a MP from occupying any Government position but does not restrict him from holding a position in a corporate. Clearly, there is a need to plug this lacuna and include the private sector as well in the Office of Profit Bill.

Needless to say, over the years the Rajya Sabha polls, like elections to the Lok Sabha have become big business. The figures for ‘buying’ the required number of votes range from Rs.10 crores to as much as Rs.25 crores. The going rate per vote was said to be Rs. 10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh. Not a few consider this as a good investment as once elected the MP has a sum of Rs 2 crore annually (Rs 12 crore for 6 years), to spend under the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). But unlike his Lok Sabha counterpart he can spend it any way he wants as he has no particular constituency per se. Recall, the controversy wherein BSP Chief Mayawati reportedly openly extolled her MP’s to "donate" their MPLADS if they wanted her to nominate them to the Rajya Sabha.

Unfortunately, the Rajya Sabha is not what it was intended to be. The quality of the members and the complexion of the House has undergone a sea change --- for the worse. Personal loyalty to the leader, monetary considerations and political connections have largely got precedence over competence and experience. Often enough shouting has replaced serious debate.

True, every Party is entitled to choose its candidates for the House, according to its long-term interests. But the powers-that-be in doing so have not cared much for the basic character of the House and its purpose. Recall, our Constitution-makers wanted the Rajya Sabha to consist of persons of greater experience and eminence than those in the Lok Sabha. They therefore, deliberately opted for three things. First, indirect elections from the State legislatures. Second, a minimum age for membership at 30 years as against 25 for the Lok Sabha. Third, nomination by the President of 12 persons "having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literatures, science, art and social service."

The original concept was spelt out by Sir Gopalaswamy Ayangar on July 28, 1947. The second chamber, he said, was intended to "give an opportunity, perhaps, to seasoned people, who may not be in the thickest of political fray, but who might be willing to participate in the debate with an amount of learning and importance which we do not ordinarily associate with the House of the People". What Sir Gopalaswamy advocated was sought to be implemented by Nehru and Maulana Azad, both in letter and in spirit. Politicians defeated at the polls were firmly kept out and efforts made to bring in "seasoned" persons.

Indirect election to the Rajya Sabha was intended to help induct experienced and seasoned persons from different walks of life in the House --- Stalwarts who would normally be disinclined to face the rough and tumble of a poll battle.

Sadly, however, the House is today functioning more and more as a parallel (and competing) political chamber to the Lok Sabha. To this day it has not cared to discuss in detail and at length the Sarkaria Commission’s report on Centre-State relations. In fact, the Rajya Sabha as the Council of States should have by now held a special session to discuss the Report in all its various aspects.

Tragically, today the Rajya Sabha has failed to evolve a distinct role for itself as the Council of States. The States’ voice over the years has got lost in the din of the power brokers who strut about like peacocks in the Rajya Sabha kaleidoscope. A situation has clearly arisen over the past five decades which was largely unforeseen. Even though records show that a Communist MP, Sadhan Gupta, prophetically expressed the fear in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 1954 that the Rajya Sabha would one day "stunt the voice of the representatives of the people."

Where do we go from here? One way out could be to abolish the chamber, as advocated by leading MPs at different times. Significantly, Dr. Ambedkar himself went on record in 1949 to say that the Rajya Sabha was being introduced "purely as an experimental measure" and there was provision for "getting rid" of it. Morarji Desai, for his part, was one with Harold Laski’s view that "a single chamber best answers the needs of modern states." But such an extreme step is not necessary yet.

The Rajya Sabha could still be made to play a more useful role as the Council of States instead of a parallel, competing chamber. Jayaprakash Narayan strongly favoured a partyless Council. The Rajya Sabha members should be those who have put in at least one stint in the State Assembly or in the Lok Sabha and no more than two terms should be given to anybody. Interestingly, we have had persons happily enjoying three to four terms of six yeas each in the Rajya Sabha without ever fighting an elections to either State Assembly or the Lok Sabha.

It’s time the Elders set their House in order, or else the coming months will decide whether the Rajya Sabha will make Indian politics more messy and unworkable. --- INFA

Eyebrows went up when BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate L.K. Advani landed at 10 Janpath to greet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the occasion of Holi. The unexpected gesture from Advani kept both the NDA and the UPA guessing his real intention. But everyone who knows the BJP leader asserts that Advani never does anything on impulse.

There are, however, many in the BJP as well as the Congress who appreciate his efforts to behave like a statesman. Some are critical of the ungracious response of the Congress. At the end of the visit, Advani left Sonia wondering about his audacity to present his recently released book "My country, My Life" in which he has made scathing criticism of her. What went unnoticed was that he also visited 7, Race Course Road on the same day and handed over a copy of the book to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Advani’s gesture is seen as part of his efforts to gain wider acceptability. After all, if he becomes the Prime Minister after the next elections, should he not have good relations with other parties? The BJP leader had begun the friendly gestures to the Gandhi family a few weeks ago when he had a chance meeting with Rahul Gandhi at an airport. Then, he had told Rahul that they should not be treated as enemies but as political adversaries.

What is Advani’s plan for acquiring wider acceptability? As a first step he would like to shed his hardliner image. He would rather be known as a statesman. The Jinnah controversy could be seen as the beginning of this exercise. Now that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is almost out of the scene, Advani has the space to project himself within the party as well as outside.

To be fair to Advani, no one would deny that he built up the party. He is perhaps one of the few leaders who pick up young talent and groom them to be the second-rung leaders. Advani has allowed himself to remain under the shadow of Vajpayee all his life, and has come to the forefront only now. Why should he not make use of this occasion?

Looking back, Advani crossed many a hurdle to reach where he is today. He secured the party’s nod for being made the Prime Ministerial candidate a few months ago. Secondly, he managed to get the approval of the Sangh parivar which realised that Advani was perhaps their best bet, under the circumstances, to lead the party. Thirdly, the NDA, which may have had some reservations earlier, is now ready to accept his leadership. To consolidate his position as the NDA chief, Advani may even convene a meeting of all NDA chief ministers.

Secondly, he is not enamoured of the growth of the regional parties although he has to do business with them. Remember his speech in the 2004 election campaign at Palwal in Haryana where he asked the voters not to vote for regional parties? He has made no secret of his view that the decline of the national parties is not good for the country.

Even the timing of the release of his book, "My country my life" fits into the design. Much to the relief of the BJP, the book has not created any major controversy. Even on the Kandahar issue, Advani comes out as a person who opposed handing over the terrorists which improves his image while former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh is left to take the blame for escorting the terrorists.

Advani, however, faces major challenges. First of all, he has to boost the morale of the party in the coming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Rajasthan. The presence of NDA chief ministers, big industrialists like Anil Ambani, Sunil Mittal and C.K. Birla, besides film stars like Sanjay Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Aiswarya Rai and others was meant to create an impression that Advani is indeed the leader who could get them the gaddi. At the book release functions both in Mumbai and Delhi, he moved around like the Prime Minister in waiting. All these leave an impact on party workers.

The second challenge is to keep the NDA in tact. Advani has succeeded in his efforts to pacify the Shiv Sena when it was almost on the verge of leaving the NDA some time ago. He called Uddhav Thackeray and assured him that the ties will continue in the same way as before. Recently, when the JD (U) had some problem with the BJP in Karnataka, he called the JD (U) leaders for a meeting and reached a ‘no-poaching’ pact with them. Advani is also trying to get new allies. Channels have been opened to Chautala in Haryana, Marandi in Jharkhand and AGP in Assam. The AIADMK is also being wooed.

Advani is trying to position himself for the post-poll scenario by assiduously building his image. So far, he has succeeded. Karnataka elections may initiate a trend if the BJP wins the state on sympathy vote. But the real test will be the Lok Sabha elections. (IPA Service)

Madam,

There are times when our histrionics come back to haunt us. We strongly and vividly remember the 1971 war which signaled the most decisive military victory since our country's independence. As a result a new country Bangladesh was born. India went out of its way in the process of the liberation of Bangladesh and a great amount of tax payers money was spent! But for what and for whose benefit? Since then, till today, the worst sufferers are our people living alongside the borders. They have been subjected to all sorts of anti-social and criminal activities perpetrated by Bangladeshis resulting in loss of mineral wealth and even lives too. The brutal killing of our BSF soldiers along the border, says it all. Yet now, the situation hasn't changed but has worsened. I really wonder what our MLAs and MPs are doing since there is no reaction whatsoever to the brutal killing of Bosting Nongbri of Lumjyrmi village in the Bholaganj area of the Indo-Bangladesh border. The poor family lost their property too.

Now, the Govt. of India is in the process of presenting General Moean K. Ahmed, the head of the Bangladesh's Armed Forces, horses and mares, worth Rs.360 crore to encourage equestrian sports in that country! What a farce! We facilitate the sporting hobbies of a country that has all along shown contempt towards our country. How do we explain the magnanimity of our deeds and actions? Admitted, that we are living in a country which is progressing through its economic forces and its revolutions, big and small and the world is taking note of large middle class market of our English speaking work force and most of all our energetic business community, but are our coffers over flowing and that also in plenty, to present internationally valued animals to another country, free of cost.

So much so for stallion, steeds and mares!

Yours etc.,
Philip V.P. Lyngdoh
Shillong-8

Madam,

It is the first time in the States of India in which there are equal member of parties between the national parties and the regional parties to play the game of politics on 3rd March 2008, i.e. five parties from both sides.

The name of the parties from the national scenario are Congress I, which claims to be Indian National Congress, NCP, BJP, Communist Party of India and LJP. The regional parties are HSPDP, KHNAM, (3) UDP, (4) MDP and (5) GNC.

The election symbol of the Indian National Congress since the beginning upto 1976 was the cow and its calf. It was in the year 1976-77 the National Congress split in to Congress "I", Congress "J" and Congress "K". The Congress got the election symbol by "the hand" in the year 1977 in which (late) Mrs. Indira Gandhi lost her seat and regained her seat in the by-election in the year 1978-79.

In this connection, it is really marvelous how the Congress (I) became the Indian National Congress. Let the competent authority clarify on this matter.

Yours etc,
Kler Singh Longdohtdong
Shillong-14.

The fund would help in clearing the backlog and speed up the much needed industrialization in the region, an official release said. "An amount of Rs 766 crore has been released up to March 31 out of which Rs 541 crore have been released only last Saturday for industrial units in the north eastern region," it said.

With the announcement of Transport Subsidy Scheme, the industrialisation in these states did get an impetus but the pace was quite slow.

Ever since the inception of the scheme, only Rs 507.61 crore were released in 31 years for North East, the release said.

In order to promote industrialisation in the remote, hilly and inaccessible areas, the Central Government introduced the Transport Subsidy Scheme (TSS) way back in 1971. The scheme provides for subsidy up to 90 of the cost incurred on transportation of raw material and finished goods, for a maximum period of five years.

One of the reasons for slow progress of industrialisation in the region was flight of capital to other special category states like Himachal Pradesh, who also availed the same benefits.

But later, the Centre through its industrial promotion and development policy last year had made special provisions for the region to attract the investors.

There were also reports that some investors availed the tax subsidy but did not invest in the region. They fudged the production figures to take the incentives without investing much in the region for which the Government took some corrective measures.

Guwahati: All Assam Students Union (AASU) has expressed anguish over the failure of the Centre as well as Assam Government to meet the deadline for fencing the India-Bangladesh border stretch in Assam as agreed upon in the first and hitherto only Prime Minister level tripartite meeting held in New Delhi on May 5, 2005.

The AASU leaders Dr Samujjal Bhattacharrya, Sankar Prasad Rai and Tapan Gogoi on Monday informed that the PM level tripartite talks among the Government of India, Assam Government and the AASU had set December 31, 2006 deadline for completion of border fencing along the 272 kilometers long India-Bangladesh borders in Western and Southern Assam sectors.

However, because of sluggish progress of the work in the project that is being implemented by the NBCC, the deadline was extended to March 31, 2207 and again to March 31, 2008.

"However despite extension of the deadline for three times, the border fencing works have remained incomplete in 158 kilometer stretch out of the total 272 kilometers. This has exposed that let alone the Assam government, even the PMO doesn't have sincerity to seal the India-Bangladesh border in Assam to prevent illegal migration from the neighbouring country," the AASU leader said.

He said the tripartite talks on Assam Accord implementation held on May 5, 2005 at the presence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh raised hopes about implementation of unimplemented clauses of Assam Accord signed in 1985 between the Government of India and the AASU, but in vain.

"Sealing of India-Bangladesh border by erecting barbed wire fencing was one of the principal clauses of Assam Accord, yet the government of India has shown no sincerity to complete the fencing work," the AASU leader said.

The AASU warned that it would be left with no other option but to take agitational course in a vigorous way in consultation with the people of Assam to press for its demand for implementation of Assam Accord in toto and sealing of the porous India-Bangladesh border in particular.

The AASU demands resignation of Assam Accord Implementation Minister of Assam, Dr Bhumidhar Barman for his "nonchalant attitude" towards implementation of clauses of Assam Accord including the border fencing works.

Meanwhile, Assam According Implemenation minister Dr Barman told the State Assembly that fencing of India-Bangladesh border stretch in Assam would be completed by March 31, 2009.