Regarding the shortage of power leading to load shedding, Mr Lapang said that there is a need to generate more power through private investment.

"The MeSEB is overburdened with too many projects and we have to invite more private investment for exploring more power projects," he said.

He also said that the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) system should be implemented in various sectors of the State. If BOT is implemented, many projects could have been cleared by now, Mr Lapang said.

"If we wait for the money coming from Centre, it will take a long time", Mr Lapang said adding that while other north-eastern states have more private investment, Meghalaya is lagging behind.

Reiterating the need to change the mindset of the people, Mr Lapang recalled that in the past due to the opposition from some quarters, the State Government failed to get Railway project at Bynrihat, which would have brought more development. 

He also said the people of the State should have an open mind to welcome the policies to be implemented under the Look East Policy. On road connectivity, Mr Lapang said that the survey of Shillong bypass took a long time due to the land tenure system of the State.

However, the land compensation has been already paid in 2003. He hoped that with the construction of the by pass, congestion in the city will be reduced.

Regarding boundary problem with Asom, Mr Lapang said that the government had made efforts to solve the boundary dispute. "There are 12 areas of controversies. "We are negotiating with the Assam government to solve the matter, but the response from Assam government was not encouraging, Mr Lapang said

He also wanted other Northeast Chief Ministers to discuss the matter as many neighbouring states are affected by the border problem with Assam.

Stating that the intervention of Centre is also needed to solve the matter, Mr Lapang said he had also talked to Union DoNER Minister Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to have a discussion on the issue. He also said that in the meantime, he has asked the department to solve the areas of differences one by one.

Commenting on the health care facility in the State, Mr Lapang said that necessary instructions will be issued to the young doctors to serve in the rural areas as many prefer to work in urban areas.

The Chief Minister admitted that there is a shortage of doctors in the state. He deplored that in the past there were instances of doctors who had signed the bond to serve in the rual areas, were even willing to refund the bond amount to the government , refusing to serve in the rural areas.

"I urge the young doctors to change their mind set", Mr Lapang said adding that the government was willing to give additional incentives to the doctors who are willing to serve the rural areas. He said the Shillong Civil Hospital will be improved to make it a State hospital.

"We feel that the facilities in the Civil Hospital should be more than the private hospitals so that the public will not run from one hospital to another for treatment.

On the functioning of PHCs and CHCs, Mr Lapang said that there is a need to have a coordination between various departments like PHE, and MeSEB to have water connection, electricity as very often the PHCs are non-functional due to the lack of basic amenities.

Mr Lapang said by restructuring MBoSE, there is scope for improving the education sector. "We are also trying to upgrade MBOSE so that its standard will be at par with CBSE and ICSE", Mr Lapang said He said the government was also concerned over the improvement in the field of technical education. 

The Chief Minister also informed that the state government has already allotted land for setting up of IIM.

Earlier, on Wednesday, legislators-Mr M Suchiang (UDP), Mr Boldness Nongum (Cong), Mr Monindra Rava and Mr Edmund K Sangma (NCP) took part in the discussion on Governor's address.

SHILLONG: Does Congress and UDP have any fundamental policy difference? Perhaps, no! Or for that matter do HSPDP, MDP and KHNAM see eye-to-eye on all basic matters with Congress and UDP? Perhaps yes!

Hard to believe, but it's time that the 50-month government of which all of these parties are partners, has no common minimum programme (CMP) to work for even though the coalition has the national party Congress at one end and these disparate regional parties at the other.

In the State Assembly Chief Minister DD Lapang tried to justify this absurdity by stating that since the coalition partners had much in common, there was no felt-need for a CMP.

While replying to a question from Independent MLA Manas Chaudhuri as to what were the major achievements of the MDA so far, Mr Lapang could not name anything specific. Instead, he said the achievements of the coalition were reflected in the Governor's address, Budget speeches and Annual Plan documents of the past four years.

Unsatisfied, Mr Chaudhuri said that since the government was functioning "without any direction", there was no need for asking further questions.

Mr Lapang went on to add that though MDA does not have a common minimum programme, it was not correct to say that the government does not have any achievement.

Trying to point out some of the achievements of MDA, he said that the government could pull down insurgency to the extent that there is a sense of security among the people.

"The progress of Myntdu-Leshka power project is wonderful and the project will be completed on time," Mr Lapang said.

The Chief Minister also said that there was increased road connectivity besides the implementation of SSA programmes and Meghalaya Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and boost in horticulture. 

The AMCSA will hold a meeting on Thursday to decide their agitational programmes against the government's "adamant attitude".

"The Chief Minister assured us of clearing all the pending bills in a phased manner," AMCSA president Dino DG Dympep said.

The PWD alone has a due of Rs 400 crore to the contractors, he said.

The Finance department recently instructed all the departments not to make any payment of bills under Non-Plan schemes through the State Treasury. "Both the Planning and Finance departments have not yet processed any bills for payment to contractors," he alleged.

Besides, PWD and other departments are making payments to some contractors in small installments, which according to Mr Dympep, was not commensurate with the long wait for payment after completion of the work.

Informing this here on Wednesday, the state Transport Commissioner B Purkayastha said that people of the area were not willing to part with their land.

"This problem has been persisting for the last five years," he said adding that his department at present was trying to identify a suitable alternative for a railway line to Garo Hills.

However, as far as Khasi Hills is concerned, the Union government recently approved the railway line from Azra in Asom to Byrnihat for goods train. "Even as the project was announced in this year's Railway Budget the modalities regarding the project is yet to be finalised by the Railway Ministry," he said.

SHILLONG: Newly-appointed DGP Bijon K Dey Sawian has admitted a rising trend in crime against women in the State. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Sawian stressed the need for proper investigation into such crimes and that at no cost the culprits should go scot-free.

"The police should see that every investigation ends in a chargesheet against the real culprit," the DGP said adding, "it will definitely act as a deterrent in many cases."

On the recent alleged murder of a housemaid of his predecessor WR Marbaniang he said, "Despite the government decision to hand over the investigation into the alleged murder of Mrs Kharsohnoh to the CBI, the State Police will continue its own investigation."

Mr Sawian, who was placed at the helm of State Police removing Mr Marbaniang over the alleged murder, said, "I hope that I will be able to continue the good work of the State Police for the past five years."

On the insurgency front, Mr Sawian said that insurgency is no longer a matter of concern in comparison with the situation five years back when the State was undergoing a volatile situation.

While mentioning about arrest of cadres of outside militant groups like UNLF and ULFA in the State, he said, "Problem of insurgency in Garo Hills and other parts of the State is under control."

Incidents of looting and robbery have also considerably come down for which the continuous effort of State Police should be recognized, he said.

On police reforms, Mr Sawian said that modernization of the police is not an overnight affair but it is an ongoing process. Replying to a question regarding the State Police's strategy to tackle cyber crimes, the new DGP said that cyber crime has not taken a serious proportion yet in the State comparing to the metros.

However, the State Police is all prepared to face any such future threat for which some DSP-level officials already underwent special trainings in Delhi and Hyderabad on how to tackle cyber crimes, he said.

A revolver and a rubber stamp were recovered from their possession.

The arrested persons were identified as Benjamin Thabah, Shaibor Kurbah, Espilin Jana and Donboklang Lyngdoh.

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister in Charge Power Dr Mukul Sangma said that at least Rs 70 to 90 lakh per week is saved from load shedding.

Replying to a question by PM Syiem (Ind), Dr Sangma said that the average power saved from the load shedding is around 15-20 MW daily. He said the energy saved has resulted in lower power purchase. He said the State Government is in the process of formulating a power policy aimed at increasing power generation.

Replying to a supplementary question, Dr Sangma said that resorting to load shedding is a temporary measure till there is sufficient rainfall.

"We are also exploring other means to tap the total power potential of 3000 MW in the hydel sector in the State," Dr Sangma said adding that thermal power production is also in the offing.

Answering a supplementary question of Boldness Nongum (Cong), Dr Sangma said that as there is load shedding, the consumers have to pay the bill as per the consumption of energy. Wherever there are no meters, especially in rural areas, a flat rate will be realised.

Replying to a question by Manas Chaudhuri(Ind), Dr Sangma said that the load shedding has enabled MeSEB to have some relief in not resorting to further purchase of power.

Answering supplementary questions by TC Lyngdoh, Edmund Sangma (NCP), AL Hek (BJP), PT Sawkmie(MDP), KK Dkhar (Cong) and Sengman R Marak (Ind), Dr Sangma said that the government is exploring the possibility of private partnership to tap the power potential.

He said at least Rs 197.85 crore was spent in 2006-07 for purchase of power. According to Dr Sangma, the Board is incurring loss as it has to purchase power at Rs 4.20 paise per unit though the domestic sale is at Rs 2.70 paise per unit thereby incurring a loss of Rs 1.50 paise per unit.

SHILLONG: Former Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary of Education Mr Ranjan Chatterjee will take charge as the new Chief Secretary on March 31.

Mr Chatterjee, a 1976 batch of IAS officer, was on Central government deputation after the last posting as State Commissioner and Secretary of Education several years back. The present Chief Secretary Mr SK Tewari retires on March 31.

SHILLONG: Health Minister Mrs Deborah Marak on Wednesday assured the State Assembly that the Health Department was making efforts to provide the anti-rabies vaccine to the most needy especially the BPL families at a reduced cost.

Replying to a zero hour notice tabled by Mr PT Sawkmie (MDP), regarding the plight of poor people who are unable to purchase rabies vaccine, Mrs Marak said that the government will try all means to look into the problems faced by poor people.

Earlier, Mr Sawkmie narrated the case of 12-year-old Albinesh Thongni, who died at Pasteur Institute without availing the anti-rabies vaccine. He also said the certificates provided by the legislators are not accepted by Pasteur Institute for providing vaccine. At present only the BPL certificates of BDOs are accepted by the Institute.

The Health Minister however assured that the department will see to it that the poor are not deprived of the medicine.

She said anti-rabies vaccine are sold at Rs. 350 per dose in the open market. Five doses are required in the case of mad dog bite. The Pasteur Institute Shillong procures the anti-rabies vaccines from the Pasteur Institute Conoor. The amount spent during the year 2005-06 is Rs. 10 lakh and Rs.17 lakh for the year 2006-07 for purchase of anti-rabies vaccine. The department has no option but to assign high priority for providing these vaccines to the below poverty line population (BPL) who cannot afford to buy from the open market. The doses are provided to BPL category at a nominal rate of Rs. 30. Some doses are provided at the office of the DM&HO, Tura and Jowai.

In order to confirm the claim under BPL category, documents such as BPL Certificates from the Block Development office in case of rural areas and certificates from Municipal Boards, Family Identity Cards issued by the Food & Civil Supplies Department in urban areas are considered. However, in the absence of any such certificates or documents, the Director of Health Services (Research) is authorized at her level to consider the merit or genuineness of the case based on the justification produced by the claimant. The justification may include certificate from public representatives and head of traditional institutions.

The Health Minister reiterated that it was the responsibility of the Department to ensure that the genuine people who are the poorest of the poor are not deprived of this facility at the cost of others who can afford it. She also said prevention of rabies is always better than cure.

Coordinated approach among various Government departments, public representatives, NGOs and the media is necessary for creation of awareness, control of stray dog population and immunization of pet dogs.

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister-in-charge Planning Dr Mukul Sangma informed the State Assembly on Wednesday that the economy of the State has improved in the 10th Plan period. The Plan investment during Tenth Plan for the State is likely to be around Rs 3009 crore as against Rs 1824.39 crore during the Ninth Plan.

Replying to a question by PM Syiem (Ind), Dr Sangma said that foodgrain production increased from 214.96 metric tonnes at the end of the 9th Plan to 248.40 Metric Tonnes during 2005-06. Horticulture production also increased similarly.

He said that the number of villages electrified at the end of the 9th Plan was 2763 which increased to 4232 during 2005-06. Dr Sangma also said that Meghalaya’s contribution to the National Gross Domestic Product at current prices during 2004-05 was 0.21 per cent.

SHILLONG: Information and Technology Minister Mr RG Lyngdoh told the State Assembly on Wednesday that the IT policy of 2004 was formulated to speed up economic development.

Replying to a zero hour notice tabled by Mr PM Syiem(Ind), Mr Lyngdoh said that IT mission is to make the State an IT destination. He also said that computers are being distributed to various schools as part of comupter literacy programmes.

At least 62 secondary and high secondary schools were provided with computers, Mr Lyngdoh said. He also informed that as part of e-governance, the State is making efforts to set up IT related units. "The State software technology park is almost ready", he said.

Mr Lyngdoh also said that the level of efficiency of the youth is evident since so many youth from the State get employment elsewhere in IT-related services. Mr Lyngdoh admitted that the State is yet to attract IT companies to set up their units in Meghalaya. He hoped that IT companies from outside will set up their units in state which would benefit the youth of the state.

SHILLONG: Planning Adviser North Eastern Council (NEC) Mr PS Thangkhiew said that the statistical data on the planning process in the region is collected by untrained sub-inspectors at the block level.

Inaugurating the one-day workshop on Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithm here on Wednesday, Mr Thangkhiew said that the sub-inspectors on whom the responsiblity of collecting data has been assigned by the government are untrained persons, resulting in statistical data becoming inaccurate which will showcase a false scenario about north-eastern region as the statistical data formed the basis of the planning process.

"It is more than 25 years since the bifurcation of Meghalaya from Asom, but it is shocking to note that the compensation to the farmers has not been revised," Mr Thangkhiew said. He said that even the fish production figure of the State was being shown as 5,500 tonnes for the past 25 years, with increase of not even a kg!

"All these drawbacks will definitely have a bad reflection on the Planning Commission," Mr Thangkhiew said.

He said that the NEC has been continously supporting efforts made by different organisation in order to remove the loopholes, which will assist in expediting sustainable development of the region. Mr Thangkhiew was confident that the recommendations coming out from this workshop will definitely benefit the society at large if practiced and applied in our everyday life.

It may be mentioned that the three-day workshop was being organised by the Statistics and Computer Science departments of St. Anthony’s College. The main objective of organising this workshop was to popularise mathematical science and statistics, to bridge the gap between mathematical science and physical science, and also to create awareness on the topic.

SHILLONG: Two organizations of truckers and farmers have claimed that cause behind the mass death of fish in Lukha and Luna rivers in Jaintia Hills was not the effluents of a particular cement plant.

They have urged the NGOs not to "mislead" the people on the issue.

In its preliminary report, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) after conducting tests on water samples of both the rivers stated that death of fish was due to the flow of coal-mixed water through Lunar river which later became acidic after getting mixed with limestone rocks along Lukha river.

Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners' and Operators' Association (MCTOOA) and Farmers' Association of Meghalaya (FAM) on Tuesday claimed that according to local villagers fish in the two rivers die under mysterious circumstances every year during rainy season.

In a statement issued here, MCTOOA president A Shanpru and FAM general secretary A Lyngdoh said that while rivers close to factories like Ummutha and Umsoh are not at all affected, as to how the effluents of the factory of Cement Manufacturing Company Limited (CMCL) located at Lumshnong 13 km away from the river can cause contamination.

The NSCN (Issak-Muvaih) has threatened to abrogate the ceasefire agreement with the Centre, and resort to jungle warfare if their demand for an independent Nagaland is not conceded by June-end. One false step by either party can destabilise the strife-torn north-eastern state, which will have a negative impact for the whole region. If the right decision is taken, a momentum would gather for a permanent resolution of the problem. Certainly the Centre under no circumstances is willing to grant independence for Nagaland. At best the Nagas can enjoy a little more autonomy as granted to some other groups of people in the north-east.

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru devoted plenty of time how to resolve the Naga issue. A Naga delegation also called on Mahatma Gandhi seeking his support that their culture, tradition and way of life should be protected.

Gandhi told the members of the delegation that he believed that the Naga Hills belonged to India just as much as to the Nagas. When the Nagas complained to him about the veiled threat of force against them, Gandhi declared, "I will come to Kohima and ask them to shoot me before they shoot the Nagas." As for Nehru, he is alleged to have threatened that he would plant a soldier for every tree in Nagaland to ensure that the Nagas do not get independence.

Nehru described the Nagas as a people who were "sensitive and proud". He urged Medhi to recognise that these were tough people who had "internal democracy and sense of discipline." He said that the government had to be "careful" in dealing with them "lest we produce a problem which may pursue us for long years later." Arguing against the use of force, Nehru wrote: "I am sure that.our approach should be friendly and not coercive".

The letter may have several lessons for the present Congress leadership on how to deal with the Nagas. Our present leaders seem to believe that there ought to be a uniformity of administration for all people and all states of India, and the aim should be to reduce the exceptions to the rule.

Nehru, therefore, advocated a "middle way". He suggested three principles for doing so: Interfere as little as possible with their natural way of living and customs; protect them from the exploitation. And open out ways of advance to them through educational and other social methods. However, he warned, "There should be no attempt to break up their social structure and adequate protection should be given to them from aggressive elements in other regions." Nehru concluded, "They should have a considerable measure of autonomy within large limits."

What is equally noteworthy is that Nehru was not advocating a rigid constitutional approach. Nehru saw the Constitution as a citizen's charter, which was flexible. Thus he wrote: "The present position is that Sir Akbar Hydari and (Gopinath) Bordoloi gave their assent to a nine-point agreement with the Nagas and signed it.This agreement does not wholly fit in with the Sixth Schedule. Personally, I think, this is not a very important matter. If necessary we can even make a special provision in the Constitution, provided we consider it desirable."

He underlined the importance of commitments given and criticised attempts to wriggle out of the nine-point agreement, which he said was seen by the Nagas as a charter. He argued, "They would consider it a breach of faith on our part. It is true that the government of India never agreed to it and subsequently we passed a new Constitution. But this argument will not convince the Nagas in the slightest."

However, Nehru was clear that the Nagas could not get independence. "We are anxious to preserve as a large a measure as possible of their autonomy and their way of living and have no desire to interfere with it. Our desire is to help. But to talk of independence has no meaning and we cannot accept it."

Under the influence of Christian missionaries, the Naga leader Phizo started independence movement. Nehru did not have any other option except to deploy the army to contain the insurgency. Neither the past nor the present Naga leadership has shown flexibility in its approach towards an amicable settlement offered by the Centre over the last 59-years. It should be clear to the Nagas that their future is secured if they abide by the Constitution: and not in being misled by some of their leaders who still claim to be fighting for an independent Nagaland.INAV

The thin Brigade is uncharitably ignoring an entire middle kingdom as it recognises only the far ends of the spectrum, the thin and the obese. There is so much pressure on women to "look good" — a euphemism for "starve yourself" — as visual appeal is given far more importance than even personal health or mind-space. We're forced to ask ourselves: Can a fat person be an object of desire?

That weighty existential question has been haunting a majority of youth in the upper and middle classes throughout the thinomaniac years. The generator of this angst was none other than sixties' model Twiggy, who, with her matchstick figure completely rewrote the desirable dimension requirements of models the world over. And, by extension, that of half the world's population.

Thank God Twiggy came after Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. And all those Renaissance sculptors and painters. Soft contours emanate a grace and sensuousness that an angular figure can never match. If Botticelli had painted an anorexic Venus rising from the sea, would the work of art evoke the same kind of rapture that it does?

If only more people were less obsessed with being thin, we'd have more happy people around. Have you noticed how today's gaunt constitution has an obligatory add-on, the sullen look? Ramp models don't smile any more. How can they when they subsist on practically nothing?

Most of the weight-watchers' time and energies are expended on making a conscious effort to deprive themselves of good food and punish their bodies in the modern, sanitised version of a torture chamber, the gym. After constantly shunning the goodness of life, what else can one feel but miserable?

The entire south Indian film industry would have gone bust, so to speak, if it were not for its imperviousness to the thin-is-in syndrome. Jayalalithaa moved from cut-out to all-out. Here's a challenge: Try making a life-size cut-out of a Julia Roberts or Aishwarya Rai and make it look appealing. A Simran or Jyothika would win hands down, while a Mallika Sherawat might barely pass the grade. Fat tomatoes, fat potatoes, fat pay cheques, fat burgers and fat burghers have made the world go round all these years. Don't straighten it, please. (By arrangement with The Times of India)

The Nandigram episode in West Bengal has highlighted all the unfortunate characteristics of Indian politics - the government's dependence on a habitually insensitive police force which recalls colonial rule, the opposition's cussedness, and a lack of consensus in the political class and among intellectuals on economic policies because of opportunistic and doctrinaire reasons.

If one adds to this mess Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi's pro-active role, whose constitutional propriety is doubtful, then the situation seems almost irretrievable.

Yet, the problem needn't have arisen at all. When Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya initiated a process of industrialization to undo the harm done to the state's economic and industrial scene by the militant trade union tactics of the Left in the past, his endeavours should have been welcomed.

This is exactly what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did when he lauded in parliament his "friend" Bhattacharya's industrialization drive and echoed the latter's argument that farming operations have reached a dead end. Instead of a further subdivision of agricultural land among peasant families resulting in a growing number of small and marginal farmers, steps have to be taken to develop industries to provide jobs and take the pressure off the land.

But Bhattacharya's opponents had other things on their mind. First, they tried to exploit the inevitable dislocation caused during a process of transition from agriculture to industry to embarrass the government. Then, they used the violence, sparked by the provocative tactics of the agitators and highhandedness of the police, to say that a popular movement was being crushed.

Nandigram provided the worst manifestation of these factors. By digging up roads and destroying bridges and culverts, the demonstrators, claiming to act on behalf of the villagers, virtually barricaded themselves against the state authority to register their protest against the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the area.

There was clearly an element of nihilism in such destructive politics. The protagonists looked neither to the past to assess what led to West Bengal losing its primacy in the industrial field, nor to the future to analyze what needed to be done to remedy the situation. All that they were concerned about was to needle the government.

Little wonder that a motley collection of parties and individuals banded together to oppose the SEZ and the proposed car factory by the Tatas in Singur. They ranged from the far Left to the far Right - from Naxalite sympathizers like the Akademi award winning writer Mahasweta Devi to avowed leftists like historian Sumit Sarkar and Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy to perennial do-gooders like Medha Patkar to minuscule Left parties like the Socialist Unity Centre of India to politicians who fared poorly in the last assembly elections like Mamata Banerjee to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which does not have any base at all in the state.

The similarity with the Luddities, who opposed the Industrial Revolution in England, is obvious. The comparison with the anti-industrial Narodniks of Czarist Russia, as has been made out by Prakash Karat, general secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), is also apt.

The West Bengal Congress too has jumped into the fray, believing that it is the duty of an opposition party to oppose the government, irrespective of the issues although the party's own prime minister has praised Bhattacharya as a "model" chief minister because of his support for economic reforms.

While the opposition parties seemingly played their self-allotted negative role, some of Bhattacharya's allies in the ruling Left Front also took up the cudgels against him because they believed, like Sumit Sarkar, that he was violating pristine Marxist tenets by supping with the capitalists. They also did not want to lose this opportunity to corner Big Brother CPI-M.

While the government apparently managed to bring the situation in Singur under control, the cutting off of Nandigram from the outside world was a godsend to the Naxalites since this is exactly the kind of "liberated" area which is their ideal environment.

Since no government can allow an entire region to be cordoned off in this manner, the police moved in on Wednesday (March 14) after nearly two months. But this is where the government's own follies came to the fore.

For a start, like a genuine communist party that makes no distinction between the police and party cadres, the CPI-M apparently used both groups to intimidate and evict their opponents in the area. Undeniably, these are the tactics the CPI-M and the Left Front have used through the 30 years that they have been in power in West Bengal to virtually pulverize the opposition.

But apparently because of the division in even the CPI-M as a result of the lack of conviction about the pro-private sector policies, the old methods of sweeping aside the opponents did not work this time. The fear among the farmers about losing their land also evidently emboldened the agitators.

The police, too, acted in the only way that they know - brutally. Hindsight suggests that the police would have been better advised to keep away from Nandigram for another few months, leaving the area alone till the inconveniences of the breakdown of transport and communications with the rest of the state made the local residents change their minds.

In any event, since the government has already announced that it would not set up the SEZ there, there was no need to hurry. But the CPI-M, long used to exercising unchallenged authority, evidently could not accept the humiliation of having been virtually thrown out of Nandigram. The eviction of its sympathizers from the village must have also forced the government's hand. The resultant turmoil may well dissuade the industrialists from investing in the state.

West Bengal experienced a flight of capital in the 60s because of communist depredations. Now, when sections of the Left have at last seen sense, their opponents, including the ultra-Left, are trying to ensure that the earlier mistake is not rectified.

Sir,

It is appalling to see to what extend a politician can go to take sweet revenge. It appears to the common man that all the unearthing of various scams in Garo Hills were made with one intention i.e. to catch Beckstar Sangma. Incidentally, Mr Sangma was a minister during NCP-led government when he pushed for bringing the Innovative Rural Housing Scheme (IRHS) -- a fact wellknown to the Tura MP. That is why the Tura MP specially targeted implementation of this scheme in Dadenggre and Selsella Block and turned a blind eye towards Songsak and Baghmara where the state of affairs is more or less the same. Despite the fact that he unearthed scams in DRDA, Tikrikilla, the matter was hushed up perhaps because these matters didn't matter to him or perhaps the Deputy Commissioner realised that it might cause embarrassment and problem to many officials. Otherwise, how can a scam of such a magnitude just fizzle out and how come no one filed a PIL regarding these. In case of IRHS, despite the money having been refunded and the implementation being started, the government is yet to file the FIR. And in all the scams so far it has been the Officers who have been made scapegoats, whereas the politicians who are the real culprits have gone Scot free. The BDOs are being blamed, but in a hieratical set up the BDOs are the lowest rung officials. What was the role of the Chairmen, the Project Directors, the monitoring agencies and the other block staff like the junior engineers I wonder? Or do they remain untouched because their role is of no interest? Why are some being systematically harassed and some being protected? One must not forget that in Garo Hills most of the Khasi Officers have been harassed or abused? Whatever the reason Purno Sangma should desist from playing dirty games and stop acting like a candle which is about to blow out. His days are numbered too and the people of Garo Hills will celebrate his downfall.

Yours etc.
Ben Lyngdoh
Via e-mail

Sir,

Teachers have been considered as the 'back bone of a Society', but now the teachers under Meghalaya government are left only with 'bone' and no 'back'. However, college teachers under the active and relentless efforts of the Meghalaya College Teachers' Association (MCTA) are successful in streamlining their salary and have received all the pending arrears. But the teachers of Deficit School are deprived of the 8 per cent arrears, which came into effect from the mid year of 2005. 50 per cent merger seems to be a mirage for the teachers. The so-called teachers' association - KJDSTA -- is still silent over the matter.

The government of Meghalaya expects 100 per cent dedication from teachers and often its ministers speak of poor quality education imparted in schools of the State. It is apparent a teacher who is unable to make both ends meet can not deliver 100 per cent in the classes.

At last, teachers now should not rest any hope upon KJDSTA, since it is a defunct body!

Yours etc.,
A Lyngdoh
Shillong.

The Government of India has sanctioned 3,286 km of fencing along the Indo Bangladesh Border.This information was given by the Minister of State for Home, Mr S. Regupathy in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Meghalaya has received stiff oppostion to border fencing in several areas since homestead land and farm land falls on zero line and on the other side of the fencing. The State Govenrnment is likely to take up the matter with the Centre.

The State-wise figures where fencing have been completed are – West Bengal – 1177 km, Assam – 189.97 km, Meghalaya – 371.12 km, Mizoram – 85.01 km and Tripura – 654.49 km.

There is also a proposal to start fencing on Indo-Myanmar border in Moreh area of Manipur in an area of approx. 10 km.

New Delhi:The Minister of Environment and Forests, Mr A. Raja today dispelled fears that Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 would cause harm to the hill people and said it is rather a tool to provide occupational and habitational rights to such poor people. Addressing ‘World Forestry Day’ celebration here, the Minister said empowering people, particularly assigning the ownership of minor forest produce for the purpose of access, processing and trade would definitely enhance their livelihood. This step would be a milestone in reducing the poverty of the people living in and around forests, he said.

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang on Wednesday expressed concern over the large-scale smuggling of timber on the Asom-Arunachal border and urged the Centre to solve the contentious boundary dispute.

''Asom had no dearth of resources but they have resorted to smuggling of valuable timber species from our state. They are not needy but greedy,'' Mr Apang said, while responding to Zero Hour discussion on deployment and patrolling of para-military forces on the inter-state boundary to prevent such illegal operation raised by R K Khrimey.

He said Arunachal forest department was helpless due to lack of resources and trained manpower. Suggesting to construct permanent high boundary walls along the border areas, Mr Apang said though the state shares a long and porous boundary with Bhutan and Myanmar, no such problems have been reported from there.

''The vexed boundary problem with Asom is not only a regional but a national problem,'' the Chief Minister said adding the Boundary Commission appointed for the purpose should immediately resolve the issue.

Earlier, Mr Khrimey had alleged Asom Police personnel were harassing the dwellers in these foothill areas and also threatening the state police personnel.

''Small plantations of our people in those areas are destroyed. The water and electricity supply are also disconnected very regularly,'' he said. Mr Khirmey suggested that the deployment of adequate para-military forces in these areas would help protect the vast natural resources.

The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to help in creating Armed Forest Protection Force to protect the rich flora and fauna of the state. (UNI)

Myanmar last week told an Indian delegation that it wants to sell gas from off-shore block A-1 and potential discoveries in A-3 block to China, highly placed sources said.

India's ONGC Videsh Limited and GAIL have 30 per cent stake in A-1 and A-3 blocks, while South Korea's Daewoo is the operator with 60 per cent stake. South Korea's KoGas has the remaining 10 per cent interest.

MPYCC general secretary Lalrozara said, ''There is no hope for farmers in the 2007-08 budget, which suggested to hike the taxes. We believe the state's deficit will increase to Rs 3011.70 in 2008 from the present Rs 2808.21 crore.'' The MPYCC also lamented over hike in taxes. (UNI)

By Atin Das

One hundred years ago, Baidyanath Nath was born at a populous but backward habitat of Cachar district named Boaligram. His father Manohar Nath’s ancestral residence was tucked away in Tarapur locality, which is now on the fringe of Silchar township, on its western part. The preparations to get Silchar town included in the railway map of the country were set afoot in the last part of the nineteenth century. To make way for the setting up of the railway station at Tarapur, Manohar Nath had to suffer the mortification of deserting his homestead. He decided to strike new roots at far-away but quiet and scenic Boaligram, nestled in the lap of sylvan farmlands, ringed on all sides by the shimmering hills. Baidyanath was born in such a scenic panaroma at Boalipar village. 

Cachar district hundred years ago presented a dismal picture of stunted economy and social landscape. The opportunities of education as well as the social uplift and mobility for everybody was limited, mainly because of its inherent limitations. Only a few schools had sprouted here and there in the district. The means of transport at that time was either the boat or long treks through the countryside. Such hazardous initiatives were always replete with adventures. But Baidyanath was a spirited person. Defying all odds, he charted out his goals of life with firm conviction. 
When Nath was born, the country was convulsed by the freedom struggle. To achieve freedom, luminaries like Bipin Chandra Paul, Aurobindo Ghosh and Rabindranath Tagore were engaged in struggle. When Baidyanath reached his adulthood the world was aflame with the ambers of World War II. The freedom struggle had also reached its zenith. These were the times for the grooming of Baidyanath Nath. 

Nath was a meritorious student from his childhood. He passed his normal examination in 1928 and became a teacher. He was bound by the rules of job and life since his formative period. Added to it was his infatuation for the Gandhian ideals, particularly his devotion to wear the Khadi. He started his teaching career in Silchar Government Secondary School as a drawing teacher. After some time he switched over to a primary school at Rongpur and then rose to become the headmaster at a primary school at Salchapra under Cachar . As a teacher he excelled.

Nath demonstrated his proficiency and skill in writing when he branched out into editing a journal named Aloker Pathe. His handwriting was immaculate. He brought out a drawing primer for the primary school pupils named as Rooplekha. It was then included in the syllabus for the primary standard. Nath soon branched out into journalism. He first brought out the Mukti Pradeep. He then floated the Jugasankha in 1950. This tabloid, through its journey over a large span of time had now become a multi-edition newspaper corporate establishment. He was devoted passionately to his nascent weekly newspaper. To run this newspaper in a more efficient way he took a calculated risk and gave up his job as a teacher. 

Nath was a brave commentator on current topics and problems. His editorials were always highly acclaimed for their accomplished language as well as brevity.  He was also the government nominated member of such boards and committees as Press Advisory Committee of the State government, Local Board, School Board and Cachar District Journalists’ Association. He was posthumously conferred the honour of being the Barta Bhagirath for his pioneering role in popularising newspapers among the reading public.