The chiefs of the regional parties will meet the Chief Minister on Friday to arrive at a final decision on the current political crisis.

UDP, MDP and KHNAM, all partners in the ruling MDA government led by the Congress, met at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister and UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy on Thursday evening to discuss the current political situation in view of the AICC directive on change of leadership.

Besides the UDP President and party leaders, KHNAM was represented by its President Paul Lyngdoh and Lambor Malngiang. MDP President Martle Mukhim attended the meeting on behalf of the party. HSPDP leader HS Lyngdoh could not be present as he was in Nongstoin to attend a function.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KHNAM President Paul Lyngdoh said that the regional parties were against any change of leadership at this juncture. To a question on withdrawing support from the government and taking the issue to the floor of the House, Mr Lyngdoh said that the matter was not discussed in the meeting.

According to UDP President Dr Roy, the frequent change of leadership will affect development and peace in the State.

Earlier, eight UDP legislators and MDCs and other party leaders had another meeting to discuss the change of leadership issue. They reiterated their earlier stand that the party was not in favour of frequent change of leadership.

UDP leaders RL Tariang and Bindo Lanong said that with the election round the corner, it is too late to go for another change in leadership. The UDP also decided to send its views to the CLP and also write to the AICC for not effecting any more change of leadership.

UNI adds from Guwahati: Mr Rymbai in Guwahati said ''I am going to meet my loyalists in the Congress and then other supporting alliance partners as well as regional parties. Only after that I shall go to Governor M M Jacob to inform him about our decision.''

''Let me meet my loyalists,'' he said when asked whether he would defy the Congress high command's diktat if the loyalists asked him to do so.

In a memorandum to the Governor on Thursday, the BJP stated that the Congress-led MDA Government had been unstable since it had taken over in 2003.

"If the current situation is allowed to persist, Shillong by-pass and many more unfinished projects will not see the light of the day," the BJP said.

Leadership tussle draws ANVC flak: Frequent change of leadership in the State has evoked a sharp protest from the militant outfit ANVC, which is under cease-fire.

Talking to The Shillong Times over phone on Thursday, the Garo outfit said that developmental process had been severely affected by the ongoing political tussle in the Congress.

"We are against frequent change of leadership. The present situation has tarnished the image of the State and hampered developmental process," ANVC publicity secretary Arist S Sangma stated. Earlier, GSU and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) had threatened to resort to massive agitation in protest against the decision of the Congress high command to reinstate DD Lapang as the Chief Minister in place of JD Rymbai.

The State government recently promised to arrive at a decision before March 8 over reviewing the HSRP contract awarded to Shimnit Utsch India Pvt Ltd, but so far the matter is unsolved. The JACC may resort to agitation if the authorities fail to take any decision in this regard, JACC general secretary Aldrin Warjri said on Thursday.

West Garo Hills SP, Mr J F K Marak, informed The Shillong Times that police teams failed to trace the trio during a surprise raid on Wednesday. "They appear to have fled after getting the news about the FIR," he said.

The three BDOs, Dr A Roy of Selsella Block, John Lakiang and Mathias Sangma of Dadenggre Block, stand accused of handing over Rs 50 lakh to the NGO despite it having failed to construct a single house under the housing scheme.

The NGO was allegedly run by the wife of then C&RD Minister Beckstar K Sangma who had to resign after the issue came to the forefront during P A Sangma's surprise visits to the blocks in Garo Hills to scrutinise the use of central funds for various schemes, last year.

Meanwhile, sources reveal that the tainted BDOs are making attempts to secure anticipatory bail from the Gauhati High Court to stonewall their impending arrest. It remains to be seen if they get any respite given that there is a standing order from the Supreme Court which prohibits granting of bail for those involved in economic offences.

Though womenfolk in the state enjoy better status than in other parts of the country, but their participation in political and economic power does not commensurate due to lack of awareness, she opined.

"Education of women is a priority as it will enable them to acquire the basic skills and abilities for equal participation in the process of brining a social change," she added.

However, Mrs Lyngdoh said that it is only in Meghalaya that women are free from social and cultural evils such as caste system, dowry and female infanticide. (UNI)

Our Reporter adds:International Women’s Day was celebrated at NEEPCO Corporate Office on Thursday, where a seminar on the theme, "Working Women and Time Management" was organised by NEEPCO Women Welfare Association. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Mrs. D.Syiem, regional Coordinator, North East Network, dwelt at length on the different roles that women have to play and also spelt out practical tips on how to help working women manage time.

Mr.P. Bhattacharjee, ED(C&P), while speaking on the occasion, appreciated the efforts made by women ingeneral and working women in particular in contributing to the well-being of the society.

Official sources said the scheme aims at establishing convergence and synergy among numerous ongoing governmental programmes through horizontal and vertical integration of these programmes, to ensure adequate, appropriate, timely and concurrent attention to all the links in the production, post-harvest and consumption chain. India is today the second largest producer of both fruits and vegetables in the world.

The National Horticultural Mission (NHM) aims at doubling horticultural production by 2012. Under the NHM, action plans for the States, Union Territories and various agencies have been approved during 2006-07. (UNI)

SHILLONG: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has fixed new fares of local taxis plying in city routes from Demseiniong, Polo, Nongmynsong and Iew Mawlong.

According to the statement issued here on Thursday, the fare from Demseiniong to Governor's House road via Chief Secretary's residence is Rs 7 per head, from Demseiniong to IGP Point Rs 8 per head, Demseiniong to Civil Hospital Rs 10 per head, Demseiniong to Polo point Rs 5 per head and Demseiniong to IGP point via Polo and Wards' Lake Rs 10 per head.

Moreover, the fare from Polo to Khyndai Lad is Rs 10 per head and Nongmynsong Market to NEIGRIHMS Rs 8 per head. The RTA also fixed the fare from Iew Mawlong to DC's office at Rs 5 per head, Iew Mawlong to Old Chief Minister's Residence Rs 7 per head, Iew Mawlong to Polo Market Rs 7 per head and Iew Mawlong to Demseiniong Rs 10 per head. The fare for other routes of the city will remain unchanged.

While her male colleagues are busy working out the political jigsaw puzzle in Meghalaya, Kong Irene Lyngdoh the lone lady minister in the Congress led MDA Government spent quality time with other women as they celebrated yet another milestone in their struggles. This time, women's day was celebrated in quite a unique way by the pioneering women NGO, North East Network (NEN). They organised a meeting where their partners in progress from the rural heartland of Meghalaya shared bitter-sweet stories of triumph and struggle to carve out a space for themselves in what used to be a man's world.

Meghalaya is touted as the paradise for women's liberation. Those who believe this illusion and spread the feel-good notions do so out of ignorance and bliss. Normally it is the outsider who is ignorant about the deep-seated male biases that continue to exist particularly in the political domain. But most of us are blissfully unaware of the prejudices that guide our day to day lives. As in every part of the world, men here too believe that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Today there is a realization that the additional income that women bring home is a welcome addition to the family kitty and that it is useful to meet family exigencies. But look at political participation and you see a huge vacuum. Women in Meghalaya are light miles away from enjoying political space equal to that of men. It is here that the struggle should begin.

North East Network has been working tirelessly yet silently to spread a catalytic change in women's understanding of their reproductive health and rights. The NGO has taken several women from the periphery of Meghalaya on exposure trips to Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. These exposure trips have opened the eyes of rural women to opportunities that exist and the way in which women in other parts of India who suffer greater suppression and male domination are accessing government schemes and working to empower themselves economically and socially.

Unlike other annual celebrations of women's day, this time there were no boring lectures from politicians and bureaucrats about how much they have done to address the imbalances in financial allocations to women-specific issues. The audience listened with rapt attention as women from Khat-ar Shnong, Nongstoin, Nartiang and Kyndon Tuber animatedly shared their stories and all the experiences they have gained by working in collaboration with NEN and other funding agencies. Even Government departments are seeing these vibrant women's organizations as viable units for implementing all kinds of schemes.

It was very heartening to learn that a section of rural women are today well aware of what constitutes domestic violence. They are knowledgeable about the values of personal health and hygiene. NEN has deputed several rural women to train in traditional healing systems through the use of herbal medicine. Now they are training others to become effective barefoot health workers in the most neglected parts of this State. NEN has, through networking with other institutions, enabled rural women to acquire livelihood skills. Women are engaging in basket-work, in broom-making, knitting, tailoring, embroidery and a host of other activities. These products find a ready market in different exhibitions held across the country. That semi-literate rural women are today traveling to different places and selling their wares without any diffidence is indeed a sign of empowerment and newly-acquired confidence.

The government's literacy campaigns are also being run by these rural women's organizations. But what is perhaps more effective are the functional literacy campaigns launched by these empowered women. Along with NEN the State Resource Centre, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is also rendering excellent service in enabling empowerment of rural women. The patronage system of governance makes villagers hesitant to enter a government office, much less to demand their rights. NEN has played a positive role in mentoring and hand-holding these groups, so much so, they are now able to enter the Deputy Commissioner's office and look for livelihood schemes for themselves.

In rural Meghalaya, women are still wary about immunizing their children. It is a tough call to make them understand that polio vaccines are a preventive against poliomyelitis which is a life-threatening and disabling disease. These rural women's organizations have been able to convince their peers the importance of immunity from preventable diseases. Initially they faced stiff opposition as village women thought that the health camps they are organizing in collaboration with NEN are actually birth control exercises. It took some explaining to make the women, especially those in the child-bearing years, to accept iron tablets and other vitamins, which were distributed free of cost.

Sientimai Phanbuh who heads the Women Development Council (WDC) which is an offshoot of the Khat-ar Shnong Socio Organisation was in an advanced state of pregnancy yet she took the floor to share what her organisation was able to do. According to her, men were today more than willing to allow women to take part in activities outside their home and to share in child rearing. They were not averse to doing chores that used to be classed as essentially women-centric such as feeding pigs and looking after poultry. Phanbuh said that even the Sordars and Rangbah Shnong are ready to consult women in development planning.

Michelta Lyngkhoi of Nongstoin who leads the Nongstoin Women Welfare and Economic Development Association (NWWEDA) is, by all counts, a leader in her own right. Articulate and spunky she listed out a range of activities that she and her associates are involved in. About 27 women's organizations are federated to the NWWEDA. Lyngkhoi has visited Kathmandu to attend a woman's conference and she has taken other women to Pune, Kolkata and Delhi. There is really no dearth of women leaders in Meghalaya. All they need is a bit of push and mentoring from NGOs like NEN which are committed to women's empowerment and have gone the extra mile to make that happen.

Meghalaya goes to the polls in 2008. It is rather a sad commentary on our matrilineal society that women still believe they should be campaign managers and polling agents for male candidates. It is sadder still that men should actually say that if they have women voters on their side then they are sure-shot winners. Women have proven to be reliable constituents and camp followers but still shy away from contesting elections. NEN has accomplished much in spear-heading a campaign for the socio-economic empowerment of women. It is time they launched a revolution to prepare women for electoral politics. It is in the legislature that laws are made and it is also in the legislature that laws which impinge upon women's rights and perpetuate gender inequality can be aborted.

I could barely make out the words in the din of the commotion that accompanies Indian weddings. "Incidentally, did you know that Komal uncle finally died about three and a half years ago?" I had not known. We had missed his annual visits preceding Holi, with his bagful of sweet-scented gulal that he always prepared for us ever since the time we were little children. Genuine, unadulterated gulal that left no scary reminders of a happy festival on protesting skins.

As little children, we were always too engrossed in feeling the satiny-smoothness of Komal uncle’s gulal as it gently sifted through our little fingers to think that he might have enjoyed, once in a while, a pat of his own gulal on his old, wrinkled face. His visits were looked forward to for yet another reason. His jhola was always full of miracles. From the common cold to receding hairlines, he had ready home-made remedies for all ills that befell the human body.

The only miracles he could not work were the ones that could make his amputated right arm grow back again, his leg walk and his ears hear again properly. He, however, never cared to inflict his "minor" problem on his "patients" of falling hair and drooping spirits. The only time I saw anger in Komal uncle’s time-worn myopic eyes was on his last visit, when he was not allotted his humble, long-awaited quarter by the DDA when he should have been. God alone knows where under the benevolent blue skies he breathed his last.

Presumably, his end came in one of the dharamshalas or temples he had spent his long, hard life. There was nothing komal about the world’s treatment of Komal. Life had been one long battle, with no compromises on the self-respect front, no stooping to beg for assistance. But yes, the gulal he brought for us every year had indeed been komal and so was his concern.

Remedies were handed out with the same generosity as the gulal, which always came with an accompanying bottle of sweet home-made sherbet which went by the name of "a little something for the children". I wonder, who had bagged, ultimately, his only long-cherished dream of a four-walled living quarter all his own. (By arrangement with The Times of India)

The question doing rounds in Bangladesh these days is about the political fortunes of Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of founder of the country, 'Bangabandhu' Mujibur Rehman. Will she and her Awami League led 15- party alliance win the election? No body has any clue but the general consensus is the odds are not against her despite the entry of poor-man's banker, Mohammad Yunus, who has floated his own political party after he received the Nobel Prize.

Hasina has managed to her way in respect of two of her demands after her betenoire Khaleda Zia's term ended and President Iajuddin, who is known as Khaleda's proxy took over as the caretaker advisor (Prime Minister). Her campaign resulted in a new caretaker advisor and a new chief election commissioner. Her third demand is elections with in six months. But Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former head of Bangladesh central bank, who has taken over as the new caretaker advisor, does not appear to be in any hurry. It remains to be seen whether the country will need to be plunged back into chaos to achieve the demand

For Ahmed the immediate priority appears to be crusade against corruption. He has won endorsement from the much-politicised Bangladesh Army. Several top leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Awami League have been rounded up and their 'ill-gotten' wealth confiscated. The new Chief Election Commissioner Dr A.T.M. Shamshul Huda has indicated that elections can only take place after about an year because that is how long it will take to brush up the three laws-the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, the Political Party Representation Act, and the Electoral Roll Ordinance. More time may be required if the caretaker government decided to introduce photo identity cards before elections could take place.

Earlier a person convicted for a criminal offence and serving a jail term could stand for elections pending appeal of his or her conviction. Under a new decree, no one convicted of crimes would now be allowed to enter the fray. A welcome move but the problem is most parties in Bangladesh have leaders, big and small, who could fall foul of the amendment. This clause, coupled with disqualifications for corruption could unleash a trend that is bound to unsettle the established political order. In fact, the only ones no one dare raise a finger at would be the Bangladesh Army.

It is not without significance that the Army is leading teams that have arrested more than 100 politicians including a dozen former ministers. Judicial magistrates have been authorised to freeze or attach bank accounts, vehicles and houses of anyone who does not produce a statement indicating the source of wealth. A minimum of three years in jail and fines have been prescribed for the defaulters. Caretaker Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed has issued instructions that the corrupt leaders, land grabbers and their political "godfathers" should be ruthlessly pursued and all "obstacles to democracy" be removed.

A leading US Congressman on a recent visit to Dhaka also spoke against corruption in Bangladesh. "Corruption in Bangladesh is a hindrance to US investments", he told both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. Earlier (before the BNP-appointed Caretaker was forced out by nationwide strikes) the European Union made a harsh comment. It ticked off President Iajuddin's for the way he had handled the opposition to his rule. The EU also insisted that it would send election monitors five-six weeks prior to the elections as a long-term measure to ensure free and fair elections. Such messages from abroad had the effect of the cards falling favourably for Sheikh Hasina and her coalition.

Hasina is quick to demand that elections be held at an early date but the Election Committee enunciated a caveat that it would be on the basis of the electoral roll prepared in 2001. The catch is that this list has as many as 12.2 million bogus entries and the 2006 list has 14 million fake voters. The irony is that the Awami League chief had earlier demanded cleansing the voters list as the first step to free and fair elections. She believes with some justification that the Begum Khaleda Zia government had padded the rolls to the advantage of her BNP party. Even western observers have voiced these fears.

For India, the situation is particularly worrisome though Delhi will be doing business whoever comes to power in Dhaka. The return of Khaleda Zia will bring with it its own flipside to the bilateral relations. Sheikh Hasina surprised her Indian friends and secular parties at home when she included a fundamentalist Islamic party, Khelafat-e-Majlish, into her coalition. This induction was made just before the January 22 poll date. That poll schedule has since been rescinded. And she has also scrapped that poll tie-up. The alternative to the Begums as of now is Army rule by default. That would be an unmitigated disaster though military rule is not new to Bangladesh.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee walked the tightrope when he went to Dhaka to invite Caretaker Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed to attend the forthcoming Saarc summit in New Delhi. Bangladesh, like Pakistan, is becoming thoroughly fundamentalised and the natural proclivity is to become assertive towards a "Hindu" India.

The fact that Sheikh Hasina should think it politically expedient to forge a tie-up between the Awami League and an Islamist party and agree to the demand that Shariat would be enforced if the alliance was voted to power exposes the deep faultiness in the Bangladesh polity. She would be riding a favourable tide if the elections are held within six months as the banker turned politician Yunus will not be able to put his act together so quickly. That is why she has taken a calculated risk to ask for an early poll timetable knowing full well that the voters' list is fudged. (Syndicate Features)

Sir,

With the current state of affairs as who should stake claim to governance it is a sorry tale that the founding fathers of our state did not expect such a twist in Meghalaya's political history. With so many MLAs holding various posts in the government in fact there should have been something realistic happening, but this is not so. Many a times money from the Centre is returned without being utilised. This is because most MLAs, except for a few, have no vision, charisma, ethics and sense of responsibility. They think by donating water drums, CGI sheets, ambulances to even inaugurating pavements and cowsheds, they have done enough for the state's "development". What the masses really need is not heard, and so they continue to take the electorate for a ride. Take for instance is there any thing realistic or constructive happening in the Industrial Area at Byrnihat? The resources of the state continue to get exploited without any contribution, not a single local entrepreneur is visible. Is this what Meghalaya is all about? Or is it for the welfare of its people?

Yours etc.,
Dominic S.Wankhar
Via e-mail

Sir,

Apropos to the newsitem, 'Meet on atrocities against women'(ST, March 1) while thanking Mrs Biloris Lyndem, Chairperson, State Women's Commission, Meghalaya, for her collective efforts against atrocities upon women, I would like to ventilate my feelings and anguish over the heinous barbaric activities of the culprits. Refer to the the newsitem 'Body found' where Mrs Ailen Sohsang, 29-year-old, mother of four children was gangraped and later killed, and the husband is arrested on suspicion, if husband himself is the killer, then where does lie the consolation! How a husband being father of four children could be so cruel and inhuman to his wife as well his children. This is not an unique incident of brutality of the husbands upon wives in the state. Almost in all the cases, police enquiries are initiated as usual, suspected culprits are also nabbed; but eventually with the passage of time the cases are hushed up. If we go by statistics, can the concerned authority cite even a single example where the nabbed culprit has been stringently punished? How many verdicts have been served against them leading to a stringent punishment? Apparently, it is an absolute indulgence of the Legal authority to indirectly encourage the scoundrels to commit the crimes repeatedly and hang around in the broad daylight. How much time does it take to put an end to these heinous activities on women if minimum law and order exists in the state?

Even in the 21st century, I can see women being treated as a puppet in the hands of the men and tortured inhumanly, how can we ever think our nation to prosper where the vital force, the women, are treated as beasts? No matter how technology-savvy and civilized we have been, yet it seems to me that we are still living in the barbaric age.

I being a woman and a mother feel absolutely agitated to see the torture and the humiliation of womanhood, and strongly urge upon the concerned authorities to give exemplary punishment to the culprits so that such incidents don't recur in future. I know my cry would remain unheard as some greedy lawyers would always be there to save these culprits well knowingly that they are defending a criminal and a day might come when their daughter or sister could succumb to the very act of barbarism, yet prove them innocent by taking a handsome fees.

Last but not the least, I wholeheartedly condemn this heinous act of barbarism and strongly call upon the woman organisations to take this matter to the highest authority and not to stop till these criminals are punished stringently.

Yours etc,
Uma Purkayastha,
London, Ontario
Canada.
Via e-mail

"At the outset, let me say that I have always condemned violence and extremism in Asom and elsewhere and never hesitated to say that we can negotiate only with those who want peace, not with those who kill innocent people," he said replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha.

"We will never hesitate to sit down and talk to a fellow Indian - howsoever misguided he or she may be - if such conversation can bring peace to our people," Singh said referring to Asom and ULFA.

But at the same time, the government would never compromise with the unity and integrity of the country or allow those who killed innocent people to go unpunished, he said.

It was with this in view that his government began a dialogue with the People's Consultative Group so that it might gradually extend to ULFA as well, he said adding as talks did not make headway, action by security forces continued. "Mere mention of one insurgent group or the other will not serve any purpose. What is required is the will and resolve to maintain peace and order and defeat any terrorist design. About this, there should be no doubt whatsoever about the firmness of our resolve," he said. (PTI)

Agartala: The Tripura Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes with the Opposition members insisting for resignation of the state women commission’s chairperson, Tapati Chakraborty over the alleged attempts to influence judicial proceedings in a particular woman related case.

During zero hour, Leader of the Opposition, Ratan Lal Nath raised the issue afresh and started demanding immediate removal of the Ms Chakraborty, who had allegedly tried to influence Chief Judicial Magistrate of West Tripura District (CJM) Udit Choudhury in case.

Nath wanted to know whether she was served show cause notice or not.

In reply, Chief Minister said that Law Secretary has been asked to seek a report from the Women Commission’s chairperson.

Accordingly, Ms Chakraborty has sent a statement saying that she did not meet any judge to influence him. Giving full backing to Nath, former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Samir Ranjan Barman alleged that Chief Secretary Sashiprakash Das has been trying to safeguard the Chief Minister on the issue.

In the meantime, Finance Minister Badal Choudhury alleged that the Leader of the Opposition has raised the issue illegal way that has angered the opposition members.

The opposition members vehemently protested the Finance Minister’s allegation and started shouting slogan. As the house was slipping out of control because of noisy protest by opposition members, Speaker Ramendra Debnath adjourned the house for half and hour.

Recently, the CJM in an order transferred the trial of a case relating to atrocities on a woman to the Additional CJM, as he felt the Women Commission chairperson was trying to influence the trial in his court. The order sparked off a major row and the opposition was demanding removal of Chakrabarty from the chairperson’s position of the Women Commission.

The chairperson allegedly met the CJM with commission´s lawyer Subrata Roy, in his chamber to discuss certain issues. But during the discussion she allegedly brought up a specific case of atrocities one housewife and hinted at her keenness for punishment of the accused.

Guwahati: The Asom Assembly on witnessed uproarious scenes, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings for 10 minutes on one occasion and the Opposition staging a walkout over another issue later. The uproar erupted during the Zero Hour, when Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) legislator Kamala Kanta Kalita said many panchayat members were continuing in office even after completion of their term.

Panchayati Raj Minister Chandan Brahma while replying said though some panchayat members had completed their five-year term in late February and early March, elections can not be held for a few seats. Moreover, panchayat elections were due in May this year, he added.

However, the Opposition memebrs wanted to know under what provisions they were continuing in office after the expiry of terms and questioned the delay in holding panchayat polls.

When the minister's reply failed to satisfy them, the legislators of AGP, BJP and the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) stormed into the well of the House, and also shouted slogans. The treasury benchesalso rushed into the well. (UNI)

Agartala: The relay hunger strike by the people of Sonamura sub-division in Tripura's West District, along the Bangladesh border, who were affected due to fencing, entered the 27th day on Thursday. Police told UNI that people of Sonamura, affected following the erection of barbed wire fencing along the international border, started a relay hunger strike from February 10 demanding financial and rehabilitation help.

On the other hand, fencing resumed in the sub-division despite the strike, officials said.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has appealed to agitating families affected by the fencing to withdraw their strike as the state government had taken necessary measures to solve their problem.

The state government also informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Union Home Ministry about the problem of barbed wire fencing due to which 7500 to 8000 families living in the bordering areas, were badly affected. ''The crisis is not only limited to Sonamura but it is our state's problem as well,'' the Chief Minister said adding that talks with the Planning Commission were also held in this regard.

The state government also requested the Union Government to take urgent steps for rehabilitation or construction of houses for the affected families, Mr Sarkar said.

The Chief Minister also claimed that Bangladesh was unnecessarly 'creating problems' in the border areas. (UNI)

Itanagar: Fish lovers in Arunachal Pradesh are finding it difficult to savour their palates following scarcity of fish in the markets, particularly in the twin capital cities of Naharlagun and Itanagar.

The fish vendors continued to suspend bringing the delicacies for the fourth day on Thursday following the 12.5 per cent tax levied on it.

Though the tax was on tin fish, the tax department here had started levying the tax on fresh fish, which aggravated the situation. The Bazaar Welfare Committee (BWC) of Naharlagun has even threatened to launch a movement if the government failed to resolve the tax disparities. In a memorandum to the state tax and excise commissioner, the BWC has pleaded to remove the 12.5 per cent tax levied on fish, meat and other aquatic products.(UNI)

Itanagar: The common adage ''selfless work never go unrewarded'' is true in case of Lama Thupten Phuntsok, a Buddhist monk, from far-flung Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, as he was chosen for the prestigious Padma Shree Award.

He would be the third recipient of the award from Arunachal Pradesh after former minister Dying Ering and APCC president Omem Moyong Deori. The Buddhist Lama will receive the award from President A P J Abdul Kalam at an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on April 5.

''It is unexpected and a pleasant surprise which will serve as a source of inspiration to work with vigour and dedication in the greater welfare of the society'', the 42-year-old monk said on Thursday.

Born in 1965 in a poor peasant family in non-descriptive Dharmakang under Tawang district, Phuntsok, was selected in his adolescence for monkhood after an exhausting customary test by Gyumed Tantric University, a highly reputed Buddhist monastery in Hunsur near Mysore, when he made his mark among 500 classmates for his inclination to serve the underprivileged lot of the society.

He also served the university as a lecturer in Tibetan Language and Buddhist studies. His visit to Tawang twice and the depth of poverty and hopelessness of the tribal society left a deep scar in his mind.

The relentless struggle of the poor children for their survival forced him back to his native hill town to start a residential school in 1993 for them and Manjushree Vidyapith Orphanage in October 1998 to help orphaned, destitute and physically challenged children of the region.

The orphanage, run on donation, provides food, shelter and lothing to the poor children. The Army authorities, particularly 190 Mountain Brigade were liberal in with donations. (UNI)