While replying to a call attention motion moved by Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope in the Assembly on Friday, Dr Pariong said NEIGRIHMS was facing crisis of doctors to run various departments in the hospital despite advertisements floated from time to time to fill up these positions.

"As a temporary measure, NEIGRIHMS has to explore the possibility of tying up with other agencies so that the needs of the people could be met. There is no attempt to privatise NEIGRIHMS as reported in a section of the media," Dr Pariong told the House.

He said an agreement had also been reached by the Ministry with National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore for running the neurology and neurosurgery departments.

"The question of privatisation of these departments does not arise. It is rather a short-term collaboration till such time these departments are able to function efficiently on their own," he said.

The Health Minister pointed out that the main objective of collaboration with Frontier Lifeline was to provide patients of the North-East with top class medical facilities in the departments of cardiology and cardiovascular thoracic surgery, saying once it was fully operational, patients would no longer have to go to other hospitals outside the region for heart treatment and surgery.

"Patients who are below poverty line will not be charged any money as per the agreement. However, standard charges will be made by the hospital," Dr Pariong said.

Stating that NEIGRIHMS had a total bed strength of 365 with around 50 senior resident doctors and 40 junior resident doctors, the minister said the hospital had eleven departments where only 30 out of the sanctioned specialised manpower of 141 had been filled up.

He also said despite repeated advertisements, the faculty positions in neurology, neurosurgery, nephrology and gastroenterology departments remained vacant as no doctors turned up to serve in the hospital.

While allaying fears of members of the House over the collaboration with Frontier Lifeline to run the two departments in NEIGRIHMS, Dr Pariong said he would ask the authorities concerned to ensure that the interests of the State as well as the region was not compromised.

For the uninitiated, there is a standing agreement between NEIGRIHMS and the State Government whereby the Health Minister and the Secretary Health of the Government of Meghalaya attend the Governing Body of the NEIGRIHMS by rotation. "Meghalaya being the host state which has provided land, water and power to the Institute does have a major say in its functioning. It is a different issue that the Government, particularly the Health Department of this state has not exerted itself thus far", quipped an MLA who did not want to be named.

The MLA said that even the expenditure incurred for street-lighting of the Institute is met with funds from the Urban Affairs Department. He added that it is wrong of the Health Minister to say that the State has no control over the affairs of NEIGRIHMS. If that is the case then why should the Minister defend the actions of the Union Health Minister, Ambumani Ramadoss? Also if the State has no say over NEIGRIHMS then what was the point of wasting the time of the House and the members over this issue?", the MLA asked.

A Minister of the MPA however queried as to why the Congress party MLA raised this issue now and not earlier when they were in the Government. If the Congress had shown more spunk NEIGRIHMS would not have come to the state it is in today", the Minister said.

Shillong: The NCP is likely to field former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma's daughter Agatha K Sangma to contest the by-elections to the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya.

The by-election, scheduled to be held on May 22, has been necessitated after Mr Sangma quit the Lok Sabha after being elected as MLA in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on March 8.

''We are still in a consultation stage. We will consult our coalition partners in the MPA government and decide our nominee for the by-election to the Tura Lok Sabha seat,'' NCP president Dr W Kharlukhi said.

The NCP president said a few names had already been figured out, including Agatha K Sangma, as the possible nominee.

He added that the party's consultative committee would convene a meeting on April 21 to finalise the candidate.

Chief Electoral Officer P Naik on Friday said filing of nominations would start on April 28.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress would meet on April 25 to finalise their nominee for the by-election. (UNI)

"The government has set up monitoring committees at State and district levels to review the situation arising out of inflation and steps have been initiated to streamline the public distribution system to ensure that subsidised commodities reach the target groups," Finance Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly while giving his reply to questions raised by Opposition members during the Question Hour on Friday.

Mr Sangma said the rate of inflation at the moment was around 7 per cent, while the norm for inflation rate considered conducive to economic growth was 3 to 4 per cent.

To a question on private investment in the power sector, Mr Sangma, who also holds the Power portfolio, said the additional income expected to be generated would be known after detailed project reports were finalised.

He also said the State would get 12 per cent free power from hydro-power projects, one percent share from project cost and one per cent free power and one paisa per unit of power to be contributed by the investor for development of the area where the project is located.

On the total amount in the State coffer that the present government inherited from the previous one, Mr Sangma informed the House that the treasury bill holdings with the Reserve Bank of India as on March 9 was Rs 339.51 crore. He also said the latest financial position of the State as indicated by the treasury holdings as on April 9 was Rs 456.94 crore.

Moreover, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy said during 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 the number of deaths due to elephant depredation was 24 and that Rs 24 lakh had been provided during 2007-2008 as ex-gratia payment to the family members of the victims.

Dr Roy also said man-animal conflicts took place due to various ecological problems. While saying a survey had been conducted from February 20 to 26 to verify elephant population in the State, the Chief Minister also said steps were being taken to minimise elephant deaths due to electrocution.

SHILLONG: NCP leader and State Planning Board (SPB) chairman Purno A Sangma has said that political stability is the need of the hour if the State has to achieve the annual growth rate target of 9.86 per cent till 2020.

Participating in the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the Assembly on Friday, Mr Sangma said as per report of the National Institute of Public Finance, the State had to achieve annual growth rates of 8 per cent, 10.75 per cent and 12 per cent during

Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Plans respectively.

"To achieve these targets is a gigantic task for Meghalaya, and we have to find out why we are still lagging behind in all spheres of development. I find that one of the reasons for slow growth rate is the problem of political instability," Mr Sangma said.

Stating that the present MPA Government was the twentieth government during the 36 years of Statehood, the SPB chief said on an average the State got a government every twenty months. He also said those at the helm of power had to sacrifice development in order to cling to power.

"I would appeal to all 60 members in the House that if Meghalaya has to catch up with the rest of the country, there has to be a stable government. The Opposition should avoid playing politics," Mr Sangma said.

The NCP leader also said people of the State wanted change, transparency and corruption-free governance and pointed out that both Government and Opposition needed to take equal responsibility to see that "we deliver the goods to the people."

Mr Sangma said he wanted to revamp the structure of the SPB by inducting experts in various fields in the Board instead of accommodating politicians as was done by the previous Lapang-led MDA Government.

Expressing concern over the threat of infiltration, Mr Sangma said

steps should be taken to deal with the problem through multi-purpose identity card system. He also said influx of other non-tribals to the State was not only a threat to local indigenous people but also to genuine non-tribals of the State.

The NCP leader called for early implementation of the Mining Policy to check ecological disaster due to unscientific mining. He further said steps should be taken to solve the problems being faced by parents due to hike in prices of textbooks.

Congress members Francis Pondit Sangma and Prestone Tynsong also took part in the debate.

SHILLONG: In the first ever case of disqualification since the passage of the Anti-Defection Act by KHADC, former KHADC Chief Executive Member HS Shylla was shorn of his membership on Friday. Mr Shylla represents Laitkroh constituency in the Council.

The decision to disqualify the rebel politician was taken by KHADC chairman Martamlin Pyrbot under the KHADC (Prevention of Defection) Act 2003.

Talking to newsmen after the landmark judgement, Mr Pyrbot termed as vague the statement of defence by Mr Shylla that he had not given up, resigned or relinquished his membership of the Congress party.

According to the ruling, another point that led to disqualification was Mr Shylla's refusal to abide by the decision of the party's whip during the session of KHADC on February 5 which, according to the Chairman, was a clear indication of Mr Shylla relinquishing his membership from the Congress party.

"I have also closely watched the proceedings of the Council and that the plea raised by Mr Shylla saying that no whip had been issued against him is also vague as the records indicate that the Congress Parliamentary Party chief whip has instructed Mr Shylla to attend the special session and support the decision of the party".

Mr Pyrbot also said if it was presumed that Mr Shylla had not received the notice, his conduct during the special session that was duly recorded, tantamounts to giving up his membership of the Congress party. Further, Mr Shylla's decision to contest the Assembly election from Nongkrem as Independent candidate against the official party nominee was termed by the Chairman as an act of defiance. "He was silent against the charge pertaining to his contesting in the recent Assembly election from Nongkrem constituency against the official party nominee" Mr Pyrbot said.

 Pyrbot further added that in his opinion Mr Shylla had voluntarily given up his membership of the Congress party by contesting against the official candidate of the political party of which he is a member. This action of Shylla's has attracted the provisions as laid down in Section 3 (1) (a) and (b) of the KHADC (Prevention of Defection) Act 2003. "During the proceedings of the Council Mr Shylla was fully aware of the directive issued by the party whip. He had openly stated at Paragraph-C of his written statement that he was not bound to support his own removal under the parliamentary system of democracy". Pyrbot said.

The Chairman also informed that as per his findings , Mr Shylla had intentionally violated the direction and the whip issued by the Congress and that there was nothing on record to show that his action had ever been condoned by the party.

''We are on the process of examining the papers forwarded by the district police,'' DIG in-charge CID, B R Rana told UNI here on Friday.

Infact, 16 villages had filed an FIR against a Block Development Officer and Dr Khonglam's agent after the Sohra People's Movement (SPM), an NGO, filed a RTI and found the embezzlement of public funds by the former Chief Minister.

The previous government had instituted a magisterial inquiry headed by A Nikhla into the matter and found financial irregularities involving the former Chief Minister, former BDO of Shella-Bholaganj, Israel Ingti and P Mawkhiew, the agent of Dr Khonglam from 2000 onwards.

According to the RTI findings, Mr Sawian alleged, the former Chief Minister, who failed to retain the Sohra Assembly seat, had misappropriated the SRWP funds of atleast Rs one crore.

Dr Khonglam, who is representing the Sohra Assembly constituency, for the three consecutive terms, was also facing corruption charge from the 11 traditional village heads. (UNI)

SHILLONG: Increasing population and industrial growth are two major factors responsible for power crisis in the State.

Talking to The Shillong Times on Friday, Principal Secretary (Power) BK Dev Verma said Meghalaya could generate only 315 MW of power against its requirement of around 600 MW.

He pointed out that in 2007 the State Government had to buy power worth Rs 170 crore from companies like NEEPCO and Power Grid Corp of India Ltd (Powergrid) to meet the growing demand for electricity.

"Though Meghalaya purchases power from outside the State at a very high rate, we are giving power to the consumers at subsidised rates," Mr Verma said, adding MeSEB had even sought Rs 22 crore as subsidy from the State Government to clear the outstanding dues for power purchase.

He said a good number of industrial units set up in the State were planning to close down due to shortage of power. According to him, most of the industrial units are getting power supply only for six to eight hours a day.

Mr Verma, however, said the State Government was hopeful of meeting the demand for power in the State by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan.

"To meet the power demand in the whole State, we are planning to upgrade transmission lines and increase generation capacity," the Principal Secretary said. 

Work is in progress for two major transmission lines -- Agia-Nangalbibra in Garo Hills and Misa-Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district -- to augment power generation for the State.

The Ministry of DoNER has already approved the Misa-Byrnihat project at a cost of Rs 120 crore. The Misa-Byrnihat transmission line will be directly connected to the North-East power grid.

"Having a direct transmission line to the North-East power grid would benefit the State as it would help Meghalaya get power at cheaper rates, especially after so many power projects have come up in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland," Mr Verma added.

It may be mentioned that Mr Syiem, besides being an active social worker and educationist, was also a former minister of the state who had held several portfolios like agriculture and others. Meanwhile, Mr Syiem thanked Union Minister for Tribal Affairs PR Kyndiah, who was instrumental in his induction as member of the Commission.

JOWAI: The annual Chad Sukra (sowing festival) was celebrated with pomp and splendour in several villages of Jaintia Hills district. The festival is celebrated during the middle of April or early May every year by the Pnar people.

Pnar people believe that a farmer could start sowing the seeds on his land only after the festival is over. The festival is observe to invoke God, the Creator, to protect their crops from all forms of natural calamities besides ushering in peace and harmony among the people.

Thousands of people descended in Jowai on Thursday to witness the colourful festival, organised by the Sein Raij Jowai through its art and culture committee. Traditional dances in colourful dresses were performed by young members of the Niamtre - Sein Raij, Jowai among other groups.

Earlier on Wednesday, Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner FR Kharkongor graced the inaugural function of the festival at Panaliar Community Hall, Jowai. A drama titled 'Kune Ya Ka Dustur' was staged on the occasion. The play conveyed a message to all followers of Niamtre to preserve and protect the culture and tradition of Pnar people, which has been passed on from one generation to another.

Another celebration was inaugurated by JHADC Chief Executive Member Hambertus Nongtdu at Mynkoi Pyrdi-Iongpiah, Jowai in the presence of Jowai P Lyngdoh and MB Rymbai, both MDCs, Sein Raij elders from Ummulong and Sein Raij, Shillong.

According to sources, Chad Sukra was not celebrated by the Pnar for more than five decades. The festival was revived three years ago.

At the conclusion of the triennial congresses of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), it's time to ask how they assess their recent performance, and where they're headed. The CPs' highest decision-making bodies met at a crucial juncture, when their support to the United Progressive Alliance, based on the Left's greatest-ever representation in the Lok Sabha, is critical to its government's survival; and when they're expected to draw up strategies to move from the political margins to the centre-stage.

The CPI congress, held at Hyderabad, and the CPM congress, held at Coimbatore, reviewed their parties' working, debated policies in the light of the Nandigram crisis and special economic zones (SEZs) and other UPA initiatives, discussed internal differences, and decided on leadership succession.

To their credit, the CPs maintained their tradition of open, vigorous and democratic debate, and discussed hundreds of amendments moved by delegates to their draft political resolutions. Indeed, the CPI put its draft on its website and invited comments even from non-members. Going by numerous reports, the debate at the CPM congress was also frank and lively.

This only confirms the proposition that nearly two decades after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the CPs continue to be uniquely relevant in India as a political current of relatively high integrity, which retains a degree of vibrancy, largely adheres to principles, commands moral authority in excess of its numerical strength, and speaks for the disadvantaged and underprivileged in ways that no other mainstream parties do. They generally exert a healthy influence on Indian politics. If the CPs didn't exist, we would have to invent them!

Yet, sober reflection suggests that their congresses fell short of achieving a breakthrough on issues of policy and political strategy, including the forging of alliances, through which to stem membership erosion, expand their base, draw in young cadres, augment their pool of ideas, and extend their influence. If this assessment sounds harsh, consider the following.

Both parties failed to reconcile their major mutual and internal differences on approaches to industrialisation, on acquiring land for SEZs, on permitting organised retail trade, and on formulating coherent alternative economic policies to the UPA's basic neoliberal orientation, which they rightly criticise. The CPM's West Bengal unit in particular remains obsessed with promoting industrialisation at any cost, on terms laid down by private capital, as in the case of the Tatas' car factory at Singur and investment proposals of nearly Rs 100,000 crores for other industries including steel and chemicals.

The CPM has no principled quarrel with SEZs as a method of industrialisation, involving massive tax-breaks, sweetheart deals with promoters, and large-scale displacement of people, which bleeds the exchequer, and produces less than one-fifth the number of jobs in relation to the livelihoods it destroys. Its reservations are largely confined to the number of SEZs, and their potential contributions to attracting advanced technology and promoting exports. West Bengal enacted its SEZ law in 2003, two years before the Centre.

As West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee put it, citing China's "success", there's a "mad rush" in India to set up 400 zones: "There should be some restriction on setting up SEZs. There should be some ceiling on allotting land…. A minimum of 50 percent …should be earmarked for industry, another 25 percent for related infrastructure and the rest for other purposes… SEZs are not for the real estate business…"

However, an analysis of the SEZs approved so far shows they're located in only 53 of India's 600-plus districts. Just 20, mostly urban, districts account for 71 percent of all SEZs and 82 percent of their land area. Two-thirds of SEZs are in information technology or IT-related services. These are hard to distinguish from, and easily converted to, high-value real estate. Thus, a large proportion of SEZs might be land scams, with their worth mainly in property rather than investment in plant and machinery, which is minimal in IT.

The CPI has a far better position on SEZs. But in practice, it goes along with the CPM. This is also true of organised retail, which is proving extremely predatory upon poor hawkers, vegetable vendors and petty shopkeepers. The CPs lack an ideologically consistent policy on this. In Kerala, they oppose organised retail, irrespective of ownership. In West Bengal, they only oppose multinational retail chains, not those run by the Ambanis or Birlas, although these too are ruining the poor.

The CPI and CPM expressed their disillusionment with the UPA's neoliberal policies and termed the Congress conservative and elitist—for the CPM, it's a "bourgeois-landlord" party. They're right to demand course correction, especially, measures to redress agrarian distress and control prices. But they need to ask why, despite the National Common Minimum Programme, and their own leverage over the UPA, they failed to stop/reverse some policies.

Again, the CPs are right to say that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is the UPA's only significant pro-people economic achievement. But they cannot claim exclusive, or even a large part of, the credit for this. Nor have they been able to hold the UPA down to the NCMP's promises to unorganised workers or on the Sachar committee.

How did the CPs deal with differences over Nandigram, Singur, etc? The CPM's political-organisational report mildly reprimanded Mr Bhattacharjee. Just as the Left governments' achievements have a positive countrywide impact, it said, their "weaknesses … have a negative impact". It admits Nandigram is an embarrassment—"an important weapon in the anti-CPM propaganda". So "it's important that the entire party has a unified understanding" of the policies its state governments adopt.

Nevertheless, the CPM's governmental wing succeeded in carving out autonomy for itself. It got the party to agree that governments in its bastions cannot function mainly as "a tool for people's struggles", and that people there cannot "wait indefinitely for their problems to be addressed" until radical national-level changes happen. Simply put, "pragmatic" considerations of "governance" and neoliberal policy-making will prevail in the Left-ruled states—although nationally, the CPM will oppose US imperialism and Right-wing economic agendas.

There are other dualities too. The CPs have successfully blocked the India-US nuclear deal. But they failed to prevent India's drift into a "strategic partnership" with the US, or to resist pressures on India's independent foreign policy—witness Iran, and earlier, Nepal.

The key to the CPs' failure, whether on economic or political-strategic issues, lies in a lack of mass mobilisation, which they've neglected because of their preoccupation with parliamentary politics. Wherever the CPs have taken to the streets, or joined hands with grassroots people's movements, they have had far greater success. But their congresses haven't quite drawn this lesson. They're content with bland statements vaguely pledging a commitment to "struggle".

The CPs rightly see communalism as the greatest danger facing India, and want to defeat the BJP's bid to return to power. They yearn for an alternative non-Congress non-BJP Third Force. But CP leaders, including Mr Prakash Karat, admit it's nowhere in sight. They say they want to create a Third Force. To do so, they have joined hands with parties of the United National Progressive Alliance in a campaign centred on rising prices.

However, the UNPA's core is disintegrating. Barring the Telugu Desam, all its constituents are making overtures to other parties—the AIADMK and Indian National Lok Dal are talking to the BJP, the Samajwadi Party is making amazingly friendly gestures to the Congress, the National Conference and Asom Gana Parishad too are exploring tie-ups.

In its anti-price rise campaign, then, the Left will effectively join hands with the SP and TDP. It must consider the political costs of this. The SP is communally compromised. It recently cut shady deals with the BJP in UP, including continuing with its Speaker, and helping Mr Advani in the Babri demolition suit. The TDP is tainted by its long association with the BJP.

If the Left's alliance-building strategy remains uncrystallised, its approach to organisational problems has turned conservative. The CPI has made very few changes in its decision-making structures, barring the induction of Mr S Sudhakar Reddy as General Secretary AB Bardhan's deputy. The CPM has gone through a full generational change. With the retirement of Messrs HS Surjeet and Jyoti Basu, none of the 9 founding members sits on its politburo—for the first time. Its politburo has no members from the North either.

The induction of three new members into the CPM politburo—Messrs Mohammed Amin, Nirupam Sen and Kodiyeri Balakrisnhnan—sends the wrong message. Although a trade unionist, Mr Amin opposes strikes—except as a weapon of last resort. Mr Sen, W Bengal industries minister and architect of its industrial policy, is staunchly neoliberal. Mr Balakrishnan will tilt the Kerala balance further in Mr Pinarayee Vijayan's favour, aggravating party factionalism. None of this augurs well for the CPs.

The election scene in Karnataka is hotting up in more ways than one. NDA partners, the BJP and the JD(U) are suddenly at loggerheads over seat-sharing. Worse, the stand-off may even have a fall out in Bihar, ahead of the May Assembly poll in the southern state. The sticky point? The BJP does not want to give the JD (U) even 25 seats it had contested in 2004 whereas the latter wants more. Confident that it was "leading the race", the BJP has declared its first list of 136 seats, inviting the charge by JD (U) President Sharad Yadav of "tearing to shreds coalition dharma". The BJP is also facing a mini revolt from its own party cadres over the distribution of tickets. Its leaders are being accused of selling tickets to the "land mafia". Besides, nine sitting MLAs have been denied tickets and ten more may face the same fate. A sitting Lok Sabha member has threatened to quit to protest against the denial of ticket to a deserving candidate. To top it all, a woman close associate of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has been given a ticket when she doesn’t belong to the area!

Poll in-charge and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley has since been rushed to Bangalore for damage control as also to tackle the popular clamour for film stars in addition to the usual ‘political heavyweights’ All major political parties appear to be one on exploiting celluloid glamour. In fact, the Congress, JD (S) and the BJP are vying with each other in roping in film industry folks, either as candidates or as star campaigners. Many estimate that in about 15 constituencies the tinsel world may upstage party hopefuls. Meanwhile, the Election Commission too has been put on the alert. It has received complaints from some political parties that "breweries in neighbouring Goa have got overwhelming orders and are working overtime." It has promptly alerted its observers and asked them to be on the vigil and prevent any flow of liquor. Importantly, the Election Commission has also decided to deploy a large members of micro-observers inside polling stations to ensure a free and fair vote and to reduce dependency on the para military forces. During the Gujarat poll, about 9,000 micro-observers were deployed. In Karnataka more will be deployed.

Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, asserted his leadership last Sunday with a massive mid-term reshuffle of his 28-month old Ministry. The main aim of the exercise, he later said, was "to tone up governance during the remaining period of the NDA Government" and fulfil its promise of "giving good administration and pursue development vigorously". It was also made known that the ten Ministers dropped were those whose performance was found to be "far from satisfactory". Moreover, the reshuffle was preceded by meticulous perusal of the performance of all the Ministers, which itself was preceded by on massive reshuffle of the State bureaucracy and the police department. But in acting tough and dropping Ministers, Nitish Kumar appears to have rubbed both his coalition partner, the BJP, and his own partymen on the wrong side. The BJP is upset that two of its senior Ministers have been dropped without a word. His own party Ministers are angry for being labeled as "non-performing". Nitish Kumar has now tried to pacify those dropped that they were needed for party work. But it is a pill not many will swallow easily.

The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) continues to get clandestine support from Bangladesh in its war against India. Dhaka, no doubt, keeps denying this. Nevertheless, there are reasons enough for India to believe that its neighbour both harbours and helps the insurgents. On Saturday last, the Director-General of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), Shakil Ahmed, formally confirmed India’s suspicions during his visit to New Delhi for the India-Bangladesh Border Coordination Conference. In reply to a question by the media, he said: the ULFA chief, Paresh Barua was "no longer staying" in the country. But his choice of words only confirmed what India has been claiming for long, namely that Paresh Barua was at one time in Bangladesh. Shakil Ahmed’s comment on Barua came even as the BSF handed over a fresh list of 117 camps of Indian militant groups operating in Bangladesh. He kept saying that Dhaka would hand over Indian criminals staying in his country but they had no knowledge of any such camps. Not just that Shakil Ahmed took the cake when asked about India’s request for handing over ULFA General Secretary, Anup Chetia. The DG simply put up his hands to say that the militant was under trial for cases in Bangladesh and that there was no extradition treaty between the two countries! Ironically India has so far handed back seven Bangladeshi criminals! Some irony.

West Bengal’s Accountant General is seeing red in the State. And, the timing couldn’t be worse for its CPM-led government. Weeks before the panchayat polls, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government has been accused of "alleged corruption and fraud," in implementing the Indira Awas Yojna—housing for the poor. Of the 3354 gram panchayats in the State, about 70 per cent of these are controlled by the CPM. The latest audit report of the Panchayati Raj institutions ( 2004-2005) by the State AG, placed in the Assembly, has exposed scandalous irregularities, such as::of the Rs 37.67 crore spent on building pucca dwelling units and upgrading huts, in as many as 1,573 gram panchayats not a single beneficiary was from a BPL family. In 1,328 Gram Panchayats, 68,245 sanitary latrines and in 1,592 panchayats, 78,766 smokeless chullahs were not constructed though the entire amount of Rs 259.54 crore was shown as spent. Worse, the Minister for Panchayat and Rural development is alleged to have diverted funds for two local clubs, which double as CPM offices, from beneficiaries who are dead and gone! Guess, the CPM doesn’t even spare the dead in its greed to retain power. .

There is no stopping BSP leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati in achieving her ambition-- of becoming the first "Dalit Prime Minister" --given her latest actions. The stage for the future appears to having been set last Tuesday in Bhim Nagri celebrations in Agra. A huge replica of India Gate greeted the visitors and as they walked through to enter the Sammelan grounds, they were awestruck by a 100-feet high scale-model of Parliament, flanked by Blue elephants (BSP’s symbol) and a tall plaster statue of B R Ambedkar. Mayawati’s supporters are ecstatic about their leader’s "vision". In fact, Behenji is going all out to undo the damage done by "another prime ministerial candidate" Rahul Gandhi, to her vote bank, by his "pro-Dalit overtures" as eating in their homes. The Bhim Nagri celebrations should send a message to them—that Delhi is not far. Till then, "she can derive satisfaction" from her own statue, which she unveiled in Lucknow on Tuesday last next to that of Kanshi Ram on the plea that her mentor, Kanshi Ram, wanted this done!. (INFA)

Madam,

Your column "The non-tribal- demonised or victim; dated 11.4.2008 is another outstanding expression, reflecting with clarity your total understanding and an unflustered depiction of the vexed social issue. There have been significant changes for the better in the new millennium. The article has assumed importance for the effort to bring out certain hard facts, unsaid till now. Political mileage by exploiting the real issue of infiltration by a select few and influence of Assam agitation must have led to the situation of distrust. The beginning of the end of Congress political supremacy in the country from 1977 is believed to be another reason. All such factors in combination, shattered in matter of months, the age-old tradition of peaceful co-existence and bond between the majority and minority communities. Mutual trust and faith on each other has to be restored.

It is rational to hold the majority community responsible to protect and look after the welfare of minorities. However, the minority communities of the state also have distinct responsibilities to safeguard the interests of the state and the majority community. It is a question of reciprocal overtures- extended with sincerity and dedication.

Infiltration & illegal migration is an issue which at present is posing a much larger threat. Any danger to the demographic status of the indigenous population of the state is bound to have far reaching implications to the genuine minorities as well. Minorities cannot hope to survive in isolation, indifferent to social, cultural and economic aspiration of the majority. The majority community on their part will have to encourage and endorse such genuine moves with an open mind. The process which has started in right earnest is to be sustained and taken forward.

The genuine non-tribal, who has been a resident of the state for generations, has also suffered and borne the brunt of influx. Most were seen as infiltrators though majority were either born here or migrated immediately after partition, due to circumstances beyond their control. Many left the State thereafter - some under compulsions others due to fear. The vacuum thus created has been filled by quantity and not quality. The silent "invasion" of illegal migrants, mostly parasitic in character, spreading their tentacles both in urban and specific rural areas is not a forbearer of good tidings for the majority and genuine minority community alike. The "virus" of floating population is extremely dangerous and if left unattended will disintegrate the demographic canvas in no time. A genuine non- tribal will have to emerge from the cocoon of apprehension to identify with the majority community in all issues related to welfare, development and aspirations of a cosmopolitan society. The majority community, in turn will have to encourage the extended hand of support without any delusion to march forward in unison.

Yours etc.,
Naba Bhattacharjee
Shillong-4

AGARTALA: Tripura Government on Friday ordered a CID probe into the alleged nexus of former Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sahid Chowdhury with a HUJI operative - Mamun Miah -- who was arrested recently from Ramnagar area.

In the face of sharp criticism from various quarters, Mr Chowdhury resigned as Food and Civil Supplies Minister on Thursday after his alleged nexus with the HUJI activist was disclosed.

A day after the resignation of the minister, the State Government ordered the CID to conduct an inquiry into the case.

A case under sections 468 (forgery), 420 (cheating and fraud), 471 - for using forged documents of IPC and Foreigners' Act were registered against Mamun at West Agartala police station.

The CID is expected to start the investigation within a few days, a senior police officer of the West Agartala police station Priyalal Das said.

Talking to media persons, party's central committee member and Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury on Friday said that Sahid Chowdhury had resigned on moral ground.

When asked whether a new minister will be inducted to replace Mr Chowdhury, he said, at the moment, there is no such plan.

"The Chief Minister will take decision in this regard in due course of time," he said.

Based on confessional statement, sleuths of West Bengal CID apprehended Mamun Miah, a hardcore HUJI activist from Ramnagar area under West Agartala police station on March 27. Later, he was taken to Kolkata on transit remand for interrogation.

It has been alleged that the Minister and his wife had close relation with the HUJI activist during his stay at a rented house at Ramnagar area. The minister was also alleged to have helped the HUJI operative to get permanent certificate and passport under the Tripura state.

Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has demanded for a CBI probe into the case. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, the Opposition leader said that CBI probe was required to unearth the truth.

NEW DELHI: In view of rapid rise in air traffic in the North-East, both in terms of passengers and cargo, the Centre has decided to upgrade at least ten airports in the region at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Work at seven airports has been completed so far.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for funding of ten airports in the ratio of 60:40, the Government said in a report tabled in Parliament.

Work for seven airports has since been completed and is in progress in three other airports, according to a report tabled in the Parliament.

The NE region recorded the highest growth in total aircraft movements (39.2 per cent) followed by southern region (37.9 per cent) during the reporting month of April 2007. The total passenger traffic grew at 27.7 per cent in April last year compared with the same month last year.

Freight traffic also showed a modest growth of 9.2 per cent in the comparable period.

An amount of Rs 50 crore had been earmarked for ongoing upgradation works of airports in the region in the annual plan during 2007-08.

In addition to existing airports, upgradation of non-operational airports is also proposed to be undertaken during the 11th Plan, the report said.

The NEC has kept provision in its annual plan for supporting detailed project report (DPR) preparation and the AAI has been requested to prepare the DPRs for upgradation of five non-operational airports at Kalashar and Kamlapur in Tripura, Pasighat and Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and Tura in Meghalaya.

The Planning Commission has granted "in principle" approval of upgradation of airport at Pasighat and Tezu, the report said.

Recently, the newly-appointed CMD of the Air India also met the Meghalaya Planning Board Chairman Purno A Sangma and gave a detailed presentation about the developments of airports in the region including Meghalaya.

Aizawl: Mizoram Government is distributing paddy seeds free of costs to rural farmers through district administrations of all the eight districts as majority of the farmers lost all their crops due to Mautam or gregarious bamboo flowering last year.

Officials said that around 546.70 quintals of unhusked rice were distributed to the farmers in Aizawl district for paddy seeds while more would be distributed in 18 villages.

In South Mizoram's Lunglei district, the officials said that the paddy seeds would be distributed in all the villages during next week while half of the villages in Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district have been covered.

Distribution of paddy seeds is also being undertaken in other districts with an effort to complete the task during sowing season.

The State Government purchased paddy seeds from the local farmers who managed to salvage some of their harvest to be distributed to the other farmers who were not so lucky. (PTI)

Mumbai: Goa Governor SC Jamir, who also functions as Acting Governor of Maharashtra, said the Biblical Tower of Babel has been enacted in Nagaland where people have started to talk in many "political languages".

Interacting with a group of Naga students of Mumbai on Friday evening at the Raj Bhawan, the Governor said in the past "Nagas had only one voice, that of the NNC under the leadership of AZ Phizo".

"But now, we have so many groups in the underground movement as well as over ground politics where several national political parties have been embraced by the Nagas as was evident in the recently concluded elections."

Commenting on the identity of the Naga people, the Governor rued that the same has been distorted and misinterpreted and warned that the identity will be destroyed not by anyone else but by the Nagas themselves.

Substantiating his point, the Governor pointed out how intending candidates fought "tenaciously" for party tickets and had no qualms or hesitation to embrace any national political party just for the sake of party ticket even without knowing anything about the ideologies of that party!

"Nagas have started to speak in many political languages and I am reminded of the Biblical Tower of Babel," he said. "We now speak many political languages and we also have multiple identities."

He also said that he is reminded of the broken walls of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah when the thousands of Jews, who were there in the city, did not care for the many ills prevailing at that point of time even though they were directly affected.

The Lord had to ask Nehemiah to reform the people of Jerusalem.

Likewise, Jamir said Nagas too should have Nehemiahs who really care for the Naga society and called upon the youths to come forward to re-build the Naga society.

Jamir regretted that nowadays, Naga people really do not care about the manifestoes or programmes or policies of the political parties and that voters cast their votes to the highest bidder.

"In the process, we have sent many bankrupt legislators to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly who are now burdened with debts," he said and lamented that manifestoes and ideologies have lost meaning and that votes have been devalued.

Regretting the violence in the State, the Governor said even though he is comfortably placed, he is not happy.

"My comfort does not give me peace of mind since my home is burning," he said. A group of 25 Naga student leaders representing the Naga Students' Union, Mumbai paid a courtesy call on him this evening and had a lengthy interaction with him.

This was the first time that the Naga community had called on him since he took over the additional charge of Maharashtra on March 9, 2008.