The party had to face a tough time in finding a candidate for the by-election as many State Congress leaders rejected the offer of candidature "as, with the general election round the corner, it is not worth to be an MP for a few months."

MPCC president OL Nongtdu on Friday said, "Before Dr Sangma agreed to be in the race for the seat, about seven to eight leaders rejected the offer to contest."

The by-election was necessitated following NCP general secretary Purno A Sangma's resignation from the Lok Sabha after his election to the State Assembly.

When asked whether it was a correct move to field Dr Sangma who lost the last by-election from Tura Lok Sabha seat to PA Sangma, Mr Nongtdu said, "This election is a different ball game especially when Dr Sangma is fielded against a weak candidate."

"If Clement Marak can defeat Purno's son Conrad Sangma in 2003 Assembly by-election, then we are confident that Dr Sangma will repeat the same by defeating the MP's daughter Agatha Sangma," Mr Nongtdu said.

While admitting that the party's performance in the recently held Assembly polls was not up to the mark in Garo Hills, the MPCC chief, however, said majority of the Congress candidates lost by margins of 400 to 500 votes only.

SHILLONG: Congress, "with the hope of withdrawal of its candidate by the ruling MPA", has announced Lakmen Rymbui as the candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker, election scheduled to be held on May 12.

Speaking to reporters, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister DD Lapang said, ''We have decided to field Mr Rymbui as our candidate and we hope the MPA will withdraw its candidate as the House had unanimously elected their candidate Bindo M Lanong as the Speaker."

Ruling MPA comprising NCP, UDP, HSPDP, KHNAM, BJP and two Independents has nominated NCP MLA Shanbor Shullai as its candidate for the Deputy Speaker's post.

While the Congress has 28 MLAs in its MUA fold including three Independents, the ruling MPA has the support of 32 legislators in the House.

Earlier, the Congress had withdrawn the candidature of Charles Pyngrope for the post of Speaker to make way for MPA candidate Bindo M Lanong.

Lapang plays down statement on Rajiv: Meanwhile, Mr Lapang has played down the suggestions made by his party colleague Prestone Tynsong in the Assembly that the name of Rajiv Gandhi should be removed from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong.

Mr Lapang said Mr Tynsong's statement was a personal one and it cannot be taken as the party's view on the matter.

Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy assured Mr Tynsong of writing to the Central Government to do away with the name of Rajiv Gandhi from IIM Shillong.

After the matter was raised in the Assembly by the Congress legislator, Dr Roy observed that Rajiv Gandhi's name might dilute the status of IMM Shillong.

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, while replying to a call attention motion moved by UDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit on the shortage of cement in the market, admitted that during the last six months, cement production from MCCL had come down from 400 metric tonne per day to 200 metric tonne due to frequent breakdown of plant and machinery.

"The State Government is taking all steps to strengthen the MCCL and modernisation work is in progress", Dr Roy stated. He informed the House that the government was monitoring the situation including the availability of cement in the State.

While maintaining that the cement availability had improved after a meeting between the officials of the Industry Department and representatives of private cement industries, the Chief Minister however denied that there was any connivance between the authorities and cement industries leading to short supply of cement in the local market.

UDP legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit has asked the State Government to take urgent steps to save Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) from the verge of collapse adding that private cement industries in the State should not be allowed to exploit the cement market."The proposal for modernization of MCCL is hanging in the air and people of Sohra in particular and the State in general are uncertain if modernisation of the cement plant will ever take place" Mr Basaiawmoit said.

While stating that MCCL was the oldest public sector undertaking in the State, Mr Basaiawmoit said that the factory was suffering from frequent technical breakdown despite being a source of income for the people of the State. He also said that around 700 local people mostly from Sohra had got direct employment at the factory.

Mr. Basaiawmoit charged the State Government of abdicating its authority over private cement industries set up in the State. He said that most of the industries preferred to send their cement outside the State where the price was more profitable.

The UDP legislator also said that most of the industries invested in the State only to enjoy subsidies in capital investment, transport, and power besides tax holiday. According to him, the MCCL should be strengthened "so that it was not suffocated by the presence of big players in the cement market".

Border dispute: Megh-alaya is keen to have an "amicable" solution to the border dispute with Assam, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Hopingstone Lyngdoh told Assembly on Friday. "All members of the House would be consulted while solving the dispute," Lyngdoh said while replying to Congress MLA FPR Sangma's question during the Question Hour.

SHILLONG: Unemployment problem in the State is going to take a serious turn in the coming years if the census figures have anything to say. Only eight lakh people of the State's total population of 23 lakh are employed, either full time or part time, in various sectors including agriculture.

These figures project a grim future of the State and the only way out is to address the unemployment problem through development of industries in the State, according to former Chief Secretary HWT Syiem.

Mr Syiem, while inaugurating the State-Level Conference of Industries and Training Institues here on Friday, said the successive governments have neglected the agriculture sector, the backbone of India's economy, and now the only way to bridge the economic gap with the rest of the country is to lay stress on industrial development in the State.

"At present, the industrial sector shares only 6.67 per cent of the total work force of the State," Mr Syiem said adding, "The State has enough potential to multiply this ratio by accelerating the investment in the industrial sector."

He also observed that the State has a huge potential in power sector which could be developed to meet the power shortage in the rest of the country besides the State.

Meanwhile, he mentioned that placement through the State Employment Exchange has dwindled in the recent years. In 1993, the Exchange registered 27,404 unemployed youth of which only 237 were given jobs; in 1994, 170 placements against total registration of 27, 282 and of 27,584 registered youth, only 190 were employed in 1995.

The conference aimed at bridging the gap between demand and supply in industries was organised by the Don Bosco Technical School.

All government departments, ITIs, polytechnics, Don Bosco Vocational Institutes of the North-East, Skills for Progress (SKIP), Bangalore, local financial institutions and Rangbah Shnongs of Greater Shillong area attended the conference.

Shillong: Mait Shaphrang Movement convener Michael N Syiem has said that District Councils had become redundant in present day scenario and that the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission to do away with their existence was a welcome move.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr Syiem who had spearheaded the movement for abolition of District Councils, said that if the Councils had to be retained, Paragraph 12 (A) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution first had to be removed.

"Our stand is that less of government is the best government. We cannot have several power centres. If the State has to develop, political reforms are needed" Mr Syiem said adding the presence of different strata of authority exercising their own powers right from the State Government to the grass-roots level had complicated the democratic system of governance.

Mr Syiem also said that each District Council was incurring around Rs 1 crore for establishment cost and that none of them were doing anything to protect the political and economic interest of local indigenous people as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

"Devolution of power has to come directly from the State Government to the people through the traditional institutions" Mr Syiem said while stating that the function and role of the traditional heads had to be properly defined so that it was made fully democratic and transparent.

Mr Syiem felt that the people of Meghalaya should seriously debate the relevance of District Councils and their functions.

Sharing his thought on the matter, he said that a Department of Traditional Affairs of the State Government should replace the District Councils. He however said that before this, the traditional heads should be elected through secret ballot with a fixed tenure. He also said that the accounts of the traditional institutions should be audited and made transparent.

Mr Syiem also said that even Mizoram had abolished the District Councils when it attained Statehood in 1972 and that District Councils were only retained for three minority tribes such as Pawis, Lakhers and Chakmas.

He also said that though Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh had no District Councils, yet their culture and tradition continued to flourish without hindrance.

They also demanded a stay order on further payment of all pending installments of land compensation, CCPITL spokesperson Erwin K Sutnga said.

Earlier, a section of the land owners of the area raised their opposition to the land acquisition move.

The minister assured the delegation of inquiring into the matter before taking any step in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nongdhar called upon every villager to plant trees for every tree felled for usage in the biomass plant, so that the future generations will not suffer. Director of MNREDA RC Agarwal informed that the project, which was constructed at the cost of Rs 24.17 lakh will benefit around 80 houses in the village.

With the availability of modern technology, Mr Agarwal underlined that other sources of energy such as the sun and wind could be easily harnessed for the purpose of the society while stating that for this it requires the cooperation of the community.

KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling on Friday said Dr Roy had assured the student body of taking up the matter with the concerned authorities.

The NEIGRHIMS recently recruited 57 out of 129 local candidates as staff nurses against 209 total vacant posts.

"Though NEGRHIMS, being a regional institute, has to reserve some posts for other States of North-East, it does not mean that the local youth should be overlooked," the KSU leader said.

Referring to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, he said 85 per cent of the vacancies at RIMS were filled up by local candidates.

"The KSU is not expecting on the line of RIMS, but at least 50 per cent posts in NEIGRIHMS should be reserved for Meghalaya," he added.

Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Friday, one of the college students who attended the fest, Balari Nongtdu said that it was a wonderful experience as she could interact with people from various renowned colleges in the country right here.

"The interaction with proved to be a huge bonus for me personally as it has helped me get some valuable inputs on how to choose a career suitable to my taste," Miss Nongtdu said, while pointing out that it would be an uphill task to visit all the different universities across the country on one's own to get all the detailed information on the courses available.

She further stated that she is yet to decide on what career she would opt for as she needs her parents' consultation.

On the fee structures, the fee structure differs from one university to another - some are charging high and some at nominal prices, that too, depends on the courses they offer.

Meanwhile, another college student, Blessy N Suting said that she was overwhelmed by the ranges of courses offered by the universities in the country, many which are not available here in Meghalaya.

Ms Suting, who aims to pursue a medical career, said that the experience at fest was wonderful as she was exposed to the varied courses provided by other universities from other states, which would ultimately help her make her career choice.

Another college-goer, David Nongrum felt that this was a great thing to happen for the student community of the State.

Meanwhile, Director of Lynchpindia Company Kaushik Barua, organiser of the fest, said the basic objective was to equip the students with the information about the colleges in the country and courses available.

Stating that majority cannot afford to go to Bangalore, Delhi and other parts of the country to collect such data, the fair acts as an platform where all information about the colleges and courses offered are gathered under one roof.

He also said that the organisers have conducted screening of the colleges and affiliation to AICTE and UGC before they are allowed to take part in the fair. He further added that only college or university faculty were allowed to represent their respective institution.

Altogether, 55 colleges from various parts of the country participated in this fair.

"Small is beautiful" and that is Meghalaya, a land endowed with beautiful landscape,lush green hills, spiralling serpentine rivers,cascading water-falls and nature blessed by the Creator.It has earned the sobriquet 'Scotland of the East'. Every visitor into the State would desire to know more about the place,the people and the rich traditions of the Khasi-Jaintia and the Garos-their culture, customs, unique matrilineal society which crowns each of these tribes. Beautifying the Urban towns/cities namely Shillong,Tura,Jowai and others to revive the old treasures of the State is to be prioritized and in my brief stint as Secretary-Urban Affairs and CEO-Shillong Municipal Board,it is observed that providing basic amenities and development of Urban infrastructure is a demanding task under urban governance. The trend of urbanization is a global phenomenon which India registers 28 percent of the total population in 2001 census and is likely to touch 40 percent in this decade . Urban sectors in India accounts over 60 percent of the naton's GDP. In Meghalaya, augmenting basic amenities is being discussed and talked time and again but is yet to see the light of the day. On Meghalaya day ,21st January 2008, the Chief Secretary , Shri Ranjan Chatterjee, organized a 1-day cleaning drive of Motphran and Iewduh with the cooperation of the Shillong Cantonment Board and the Syiem of Mylliem. It was well appreciated by the public and what we need next is a series of special drives to augment the quality of basic services in sanitation with 100 percent garbage clearance regularly. A week long special sanitation drive, locality-wise, may be organized in all the big cities/towns of the State to identify issues to enable to envisage short-term plan and long-term plan. For Iewduh area, Mawlonghat, Barapathar etc, a special committee may be formed with the Urban Affairs Department to lead and the Cantonment Board,Syiem of Mylliem and other agencies as members .

Meghalaya Urban Development Authority and the Urban Local body are highly responsible to civic problems. The treatment plant of Solid Waste Management at Mawiong need special attention for upgradation of technology. Regular visits of this dumping ground by Senior bureaucrats is very important so as to understand the urgent need to have an efficient system in place to redress public grievances.Waste segre-gation at source by way of coloured bins in the main commercial areas should no longer be delayed as it is one of the important measures in the Solid Waste Management Process. Recently a cleaning programme of Umshyrpi river with the help of students without protection kits like gloves,masks,gumboots,etc was quite unsafe for their delicate skins and bodies. Every original citizen of Shillong knows the two main rivers of Shillong, that is, the Umkhrah and the Umshyrpi which are full of broken bottles, carcasses and also the animals' blood drained from the slaughter houses.

Involving traditional dorbars in all sanitation programmes will be the most effective processs as they are the best office for a sustainable cleaning and sanitation of the towns. Some years ago, the Jaiaw Shyiap Dorbar was adjudged the cleanest locality in Shillong and the area continues to be so. With the cooperation and service of the dorbars, 5 to 6 dorbars can be selected each year as model localities for sanitation programmes under the close supervision and guidance of the Urban Development Authorities and Urban local bodies. The traditional institutions or dorbars can at least be provided with tool kits, garbage transportation, three-tier bins,etc. The State traditional institutions are a boon to urban governance and perhaps the State government should be a boon companion to the dorbars as they are well organized and concerned for the welfare of the people. The traditional institutions has a democratic set up which is considered the best in India and perhaps in the world. The 74th amendment of the constitution is intended to increase the participation of the people and accountability in administration, but late Rajiv Gandhi,the then Prime Minister of India, while presenting Panchayati Raj Bills in the Lok Sabha on 15th May 1989 stated that "the bill recognizes that in 3 other states of the North-East- Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram- there are the traditional systems of self government akin to panchayati raj, which must be preserved……………………". In these 3 states the traditional systems will be left undisturbed"

Outsourcing road sweeping, drain clearance and garbage collection to the dorbar shnongs/traditional heads will ensure quality and a certain degree of efficiency towards providing better service to the public and keeping Shillong, Jowai,Tura and other towns clean throughout the year. To avoid retrenchment of experienced hands of the Conservancy wing of Shillong Municipal Board and other municipalities in the state, their services may be utilized by the concerned local dorbars. Outsourcing of garbage clearance is aimed at improving quality of service provision in terms of regularity, efficiency, community participation and net cost savings of the service providers.

Urban development requires projects on traffic decongestion by constructing fly-overs, grade separators,widening of roads wherever possible,Bus terminals,Sewage plant, rehabilitation of local hawkers under JNNURM schemes, 24x7 water supply with meter system, a well planned sweepers colony etc. The Army has agreed in principle to part with the Defence land by way of exchanging the cantonment land all along the adjacent vacant land of Lady Keane College and Lum Survey for a fly-over from Raps mansion to Sweepers line. What they want for in return is a small plot of land by the side of Umiam lake for a water sports complex which may be acquired by the State government. As the then Chairman of the Special Committee on Defence Land for the flyover, an inspection along with the senior Army officers was conducted at Umiam Lake and they have assured that there will be no residential buildings except half a dozen barracks for the sports complex . Flyovers,grade separators in Shillong,Tura and Jowai are the crying need of the hour to ease traffic congestion. Local hawkers in Shillong may be rehabilitated in the three urban market complex lying unused for years at Malki point, Mawlai Nonglum and first floor Laitumkhrah Market which is yet to be constructed including reconstruction of the support-base of the ground floor structure. In the the cities/ towns of the State there will be a need to move towards 24 hours water delivery (24x7 water supply) with metering system but this is a big task and a major challenge. Currently, water availability is two hours every day on an average. Of course equal water distribution is yet to be streamlined and achieved as wastage of water though not accounted for is roughly 50-60% in many urban pockets.

During the last MLA election campaign, every candidate expresses concern of the plight of the poor families. Are they really serious about them or just a promise for their votes? Do the poor families have BPL card or do they belong to the BPL families? Many genuine urban poor came to Shillong Municipal Board for a certificate for subsidized anti-rabies injection for dog bites of the children. Almost all of them do not have BPL Card. Extremely poor families have to pay Rs. 900/- for the actual cost of the anti rabies push. We are responsible for poverty reduction strategies in the urban areas for upliftment of the economic conditions of the urban poor, identification and determination of genuine urban poor families called for intensive and extensive inquiry through BPL survey and to achieve this, cooperation and active participation of traditional institutions will ensure correct information and genuineness of such deserving families. Change the face of the slum areas in Shillong city by providing basic urban infrastructure under JNNURM and Urban Infrastructure Development for Small & Medium Towns (UIDSMT).United Nations Commission of Human Settlements (Habitat) stressed on environmental improvement of urban slums, poverty alleviation and quality of life in urban settlements. Chief Minister of Haryana-Sh.B.P.Hooda has recently declared that there will be no more urban poverty in Haryana in 5 years time and the Union Finance Minister, Sh. P. Chidambaram indicated 17 years period in removing poverty in the country

Are we fully utilizing the 75% Central funds and 25% State share for poverty alleviation? Urban unemployed or underemployed poor are encouraged under centrally sponsored schemes to set up self-employment ventures namely urban Self Employment Programme ( USEP), Urban Wage Employment Programs (UWEP). Viable projects including micro-enterprises and skill development are to be identified according to local situation and the Thrift and Credit society in Shillong have come up with promising group activities. These societies need market outlets that can be tied up with companies from other parts of the country. Under USEP there is a scheme for Development of Children and Women in the Urban Areas(DCWUA) to provide assistance to women groups of urban poor for setting up self employment ventures. I wish the newly elected MLAs will lead the unemployed urban poor in the right direction by utilizing the maximum of the central funds earmarked for the urban poor.

Rural folks of Meghalaya throng into urban areas for higher studies, employment and to earn their livelihood. Commercial activities is one of the area which generate employment. Let us develop Shillong city,Tura,Jowai into vibrant cities with an array of planned glittering shopping malls and commercial complexes dotting the skyline. As the former CEO of the Shillong Municipal Board ,I have submitted a project design of 4- Storied Municipal Complex-cum-Shopping mall at the existing Shillong Municipal Office covering an area of a little less than 2-acres and the project is to be taken up under BOT through private-public partnership(PPP). The estimated revenue to be generated from the complex will be of the tune of not less than Rs 20 lakhs per month with basement and ground floor as parking lot, the first and second floor for shopping malls and the office of the Board/Corperation will be housed at the top floor. The design of the building is within the permissible height of 42 ft as per Bye.laws of MUDA. Necessary red tapism process of State Govt.Dept concerned is perhaps still pending.It is estimated that more than 2000 jobs can be created from this complex.

Accelerating the development process of Urban Governance for sustainable urban water supply, sanitation service, poverty alleviation, traffic decongestion for the citizens of Shillong, Tura, Jowai and other towns requires a concerted effort by the government, the traditional institutions, local self government namely the District Councils, Syiems of the Himas, the NGOs and all others involved in the urban scenario. In the present era, perception and understanding are changing, there is a need to revise and amend the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority Bye-laws and the Meghalaya Municipal Act (1973 Amendment) which is the adopted Assam Municipal Act 1956 to motivate tangible results. State Govt. may declare 2009 or 2010 as CLEAN MEGHALAYA MISSION. (The author is former Secretary-Urban Affairs & CEO-Shillong Municipal Board)

Yet another assault has been mounted on the secular fabric of our country. A convention of Muslim Congress leaders in Rajasthan has now demanded ‘political quota’ for "political empowerment". Smacking of dangerous overtones, the gathering of Muslim MLAs, former MPs, Zila Pramukhs, Sarpanches and retired government officials in Jaipur on Sunday want Muslim candidates to be fielded in both the Assembly and General elections "in proportion to the community’s percentage in the population." It demanded that the Congress take concrete steps for the ‘political empowerment’ of the community and not merely indulge in meaningless promises. In fact, a resolution to this effect listed a number of demands that included fielding of at least 30 Muslim candidates for the Assembly election and three for the Lok Sabha; a Muslim secretary in the AICC, more office-bearers in the PCC, two Muslim members in the selection committee and one Muslim president of one of the front organisations of the party.

What is of concern is that the meeting was presided over by the vice-president of the Pradesh Congress Committee and MLA A A Khan, suggesting a brazenly communal line of thinking emerging within the party. Muslim candidates, it was noted, were by and large unable to win elections on their own and needed the requisite support from "other sections of society." However, this support was missing when needed most and was assessed as the reason for the decline in the number of Muslim MLAs in the Assembly.

The ball of speedy and inexpensive justice is back now in the States’ court. At a conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of the High Courts held in the Capital last Saturday, the verdict was clear: there was need to set up new courts as well as family courts, raise budgetary allocation, increase working hours, make video-conferencing of under trials legal etc. if justice was to be delivered to the poor. Setting the tone, the Chief Justice of India, K. G. Balakrishnan pleaded for creation of new courts to deal exclusively with "59-lakh petty cases." If States are prepared to give "budgetary allocation for starting new courts," then special magistrates could be appointed and all these cases, pending for long could be disposed off, he said.

Interestingly, Punjab’s Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, disclosed that his State had earmarked Rs 35 crore for upgrading the judicial infrastructure in the past year alone as compared to Rs 45 crore spent by the Congress governments in the past five years. He, however, regretted that 60 years after Independence the common perception was that "law was a handy mistress in the hands of the rich and mighty." His State had accordingly asked the Centre to speed up Rs 59-crore grant for its judicial infrastructure. His counterpart in Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, however, sought a separate High Court for his State by bifurcating the existing premises, staff and judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi is pushing ahead vigorously and imaginatively with his claim that "Gujarat is the best!" Inaugurating an Assocham-organised Summit in New Delhi over the weekend, he disclosed that his Government was building a hundred storeyed nano city and the Gujarat International Financial Tax City (GIFT) at Gandhinagar. Importantly, the proposed GIFT will be built by the company that developed Shanghai in China as a globally unrivalled metropolis. Gujarat, according to the CM, had already become number one IT power in entire Asia and number two in the world. Plans were underway to connect all the State’s villages with broad band facilities in the next two months. Modi is surely concentrating on creating infrastructure. Within a span of 700 days, the State had laid a water pipeline measuring 1400 km to supply drinking water to 800 villages. Plans are underway to connect the entire State with a network of gas pipelines.

Faced with a severe food grain shortage crisis, the Centre has asked four States--Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal to import wheat from the global market. Accordingly, this is supposed to help them meet about half of their food grain requirements under the PDS and other welfare schemes. However, the wheat price internationally is about one-and-a-half times or twice more than the Minimum Support Price of Rs 1,000 per quintal in the country. But, a subsidy equal to what would have been given by the Food Corporation of India for import of wheat, would be given to the States by the Centre. Another two States—Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have too been asked by the Centre to consider importing wheat. Is it abdicating its responsibility of procuring and providing grains for PDS, as accused by its ally, the CPM? And, isn’t the Centre shifting its responsibility to the State governments?

Like its rival, the BJP, the Congress too seems to have ruffled feathers in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly polls. In nearly 10 of the 89 constituencies going to the polls in the first phase, on May 10, the Congress is facing unrest from its rank and file, soon after it released its first list of candidates. Some of the workers had threatened to walk out of the party, forcing the High Command on Sunday to opt for a review of those selected for certain constituencies. The disappointed ticket aspirants have thus been pacified for the time being that their request is "under consideration." In addition, there is confusion amongst party workers as to why former Chief Minister S M Krishna had not been given a ticket, even though it had been pointed that he had not indicated his desire to contest. While the Chairman of the Central Screening Committee Digvijay Singh, has finalized the list for the second and third phase too and sent it for approval to AICC President Sonia Gandhi, the Congress do not rule out rebellion.

Drug trafficking and sex escapades in Goa, take a turn for the worst. A peaceful village, Morjim, in Pernem taluka appears to have virtually been taken over by the Russians. In a population of 12,000, the Russians could be anywhere between 500 and 1000. This is because the foreigners are on a buying spree. Land and houses are being bought on a big scale, forcing the locals to look for a home elsewhere. During the tourist season, huge Russian banners and flags are seen fluttering at prominent places. Worse, they are openly carrying our major drug peddling and other illicit trade activities, as a result of which the locals allege a police-Russian nexus. While it is understood that shacks selling drugs and holding of rave parties are quite common in Morjim, the order of closing these down at midnight does not apply to the Russians. So far a large chunk of the 26 properties owned by foreign nationals in and around this village belongs to the Russians. (INFA)

Madam,

Should we not consider ourselves fortunate that we shall be having an institution for Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, "Construction of Ayurveda & homeopathy institute soon" (ST, 10 April) in our state as well? I think it is a step towards enlightening our ignorant people that we have ways to escape the onslaught of fatally harmful drugs and irresponsible and greedy doctors of Allopathy. Truly, Ayurveda is a life-giving science that aims at teaching how best one can prolong his life remaining hale and hearty and thus be able to discharge his worldly duties towards mankind. This ancient science is more popular now in the western countries than in India. Do you know the genesis of the present well-packed jar of aloe-juice imported from USA? Yes, the knowledge of unique therapeutic properties of the aloe plant has gone from no other country than India. Dhanvantri, Charak, Susrut were a few sages who discovered the basics of our uncanny body, types of illnesses and their harmless remedies. Now it is recognized that the principals and methods of Ayurveda are scientifically perfect and many facts and concepts in it are beyond the comprehension of the simple mind.

As to homoeopathy, it is an inexpensive remedy based on the principles of "like cures like" where the medicine is administered in infinitesimal degree. An example: a person suffering from a burn may be cured by using an extremely diluted dose of cantharis ---- a heat generating noxious substance produced by a particular kind of beetle. A noted German chemist Samuel Hahnemann, being too dissatisfied with the conventional practice of medication that has undesirable side effects, had taken up the strenuous task of discovering an alternative course to cure diseases by causing near-no harm to the body. There are certain diseases that are easily cured by homoeopathic medicines but not by any allopathic drugs. Well, yoga and acupressure are other alternative remedies fast catching the attention of major populations in the western countries. Let our government too explore all such alternative remedial courses such that the pain and pangs of our poverty- stricken masses be cured inexpensively and harmlessly.

Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2

You can e-mail your letters to the Editor at: letters@theshillongtimes.com

NEW DELHI: The North East MPs forum has urged the Prime Minister to make the DoNER Ministry a full fledged one with more powers and budget instead of abolishing it altogether as suggested by the Administrative Reforms Commission recently.

"While opposing the recommendations of the Commission, we also strongly urge upon your good office to upgrade the Ministry of DoNER to a full fledged Ministry with all powers vested in it and with adequate financial and coordinating powers for the development of the North Eastern Region", the MPs who met Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday night said, adding that the entire fund accumulated in the consolidated fund of India, as accruals in the NLCPR should be kept at the disposal of the Ministry of DONER so that it could exclusively play the role of a nodal Ministry for planning and all round development of the Region.

"The Ministry of DoNER has so far only been distributing the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) funds placed with them by the Finance Ministry every year. This was not the vision of the Central Government when the Ministry was formed," the Forum said in a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

The seventh report of the ARC, headed by Mr Veerappa Moily, had recently recommended that the "DoNER Ministry may be abolished and the responsibility for the development of the region including infrastructure development and utilization of the non-lapsable funds should be restored to the concerned ministries, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acting as the nodal agency".

Such a recommendation without going into the ground realities obtaining in the region and the true spirit behind the creation of a separate Ministry for it has created serious misgivings and grave doubts about the sincerity of the present Government towards the North Eastern region, they said. The Chief Ministers of the North East will also be protesting to the Centre against the ARC recommendation.

The Forum also said that the implementation of NEC projects in the 11th Plan has suffered greatly due to its inability to clear past liabilities amounting to Rs. 2203 crore and because of which the NEC has been asked to stop taking up new projects. This will not only limit the role of NEC as a regional planning body but would make the vision document 2020 a meaningless exercise.

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has formulated a draft National Tribal Policy which has been referred to the Group of Ministers but no time frame has been fixed for its approval.

This was informed by Union Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah in Lok Sabha while replying to a question moved by Dr M Jagannath..

The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, meanwhile, has expressed strong disapproval at the long delay in formulating the national tribal policy which would have benefited lakhs of tribals in the country.

"After extensive consultation with various stakeholders, the final draft of the Policy was placed before the Union Cabinet for approval in May last year. The Union Cabinet has referred it to a Group of Ministers for harmonization with the National Rehabilitation Policy," the Minister said.

"Three meetings of Group of Ministers have already been held. Since the Policy is required to be finalised following the laid down procedures, and no specific time frame can be stipulated at this juncture," Mr Kyndiah observed.

The National Tribal Policy is to address crucial issues concerning tribals like lower Human Development Index (HDI), poor infrastructure, diminishing control over the natural resource base, persistent threats of eviction from their natural habitat, exclusion from mainstream society, inequality in distribution of wealth and opportunities, non-empowerment, and inadequate implementation of Constitutional provisions, and their exclusion from informed participation in development.

The Parliamentary panel has expressed "regret" over the "inordinate delay" in formulation of the national tribal policy. The Committee also lamented the fact that the Policy is still under consideration by a Group of Ministers," it added.

The Committee noted that for 2008-09, the Ministry had been allotted Rs 2121 crore against their demand of Rs 2921.33 crore.

This will adversely affect the implementation of ongoing schemes/programmes, it said.

The microchips, imported from Germany, are injected on the left side between the neck and shoulder of the prized mithuns under a programme sponsored by the deputy chief wildlife warden, Naharlagun and have no side effects, a government veterinary doctor Jikom Panor told PTI. The mithuns, which cost Rs 40,000 each, are offered as bride price in the tribal state and are sacrified at feasts during festivals. (PTI)

Guwahati: Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has invited three regional parties, including its breakaway faction AGP(P) to explore the possibility of unification and forming an united forum against the ruling Congress. "The 11-member committed formed by the party to discuss the unification of regional parties have decided to invite the three regional parties for talks on May 5," AGP spokesman Apurba Bhattacharjee told PTI here on Friday. Apart from the breakaway AGP(P) of Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the other local parties are Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) and Purbanchal Loka Parishad (PLP). When contacted, Mahanta confirmed that his party was invited to discuss the matter but refused to divulge details. (PTI)

Police said the troops of 21 Assam Rifles gunned down two ultras at Khoirupat near Wabagai farm in Thoubal district on Friday. The deceased have been identified. In another incident, three suspected militants were gunned down by police commandos last night at Langol Games Village here.

Police said three pistols were recovered from the three people, who were yet to be identified. The bodies were kept at RIMS morgue for postmortems. (UNI)

Guwahati: Tea giant — Williamson Magor — has made a firm step towards production of jatropha, a low-cost, sustainable bio-diesel feedstock, under the banner of D1 Williamson Magor Bio-fuel Limited, a joint venture between D1-BP Fuel Crops and the frontline tea producer in Assam.

The joint venture company has finished planting Jatropha over 15,000 hectares of unutilised land in Assam to achieve its goal of making sustainable bio-diesel feedstock available commercially.

The company currently has its operations in different districts of Assam including Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji involving 12,000 local farmers. A company source informed that it believed in growing Jatropha, which is a non-edible energy crop on unutilised or waste land sans encroaching upon the space suitable for cultivation of food crops.

The company is also helping the farmers develop the plantation in a sustainable manner and have created local teams to liaise with farmers and monitor the cultivation of Jatropha in the State.

D1 Williamson Magor Bio-fuel is currently operating in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Jharkhand and Orissa in India. The company has crossed 65,000 ha of jatropha plantation by the end of the 2007 and is in the process of setting up expelling units.

D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited is a joint venture between British Petroleum and D1 Oils plc (UK-based global producer of bio-diesel), formed in October 2007. The partnership aims to make sustainable bio-diesel feedstock available commercially through the planting and cultivation of jatropha.

The partnership combines D1 Oils’ unique experience in the plant science and commercial planting of Jatropha for the production of bio-diesel with BP’s commercial strength, fuels technology expertise and access to major international fuel markets.