'Illegal Immigration in Assam Ignored'

Pune, Oct 4 : Former chief minister of Assam Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Saturday said that infiltration of illegal immigrants into Assam was never taken up as a national issue. Mahanta said that the need to cease influx of foreigners and prevention of insurgents have remained challenges before the government and several organisations operating in the troubled state.

Mahanta was speaking at a function organised by Sarhad', a city-based organisation. Former MP and wife of Mahanta, Jayshree Mahanta, was also present.

Mahanta said, "Besides illegal immigration and insurgency, Assam and northern states lack in basic infrastructure like road, rail connectivity. Absence of educational opportunities has become a major concern for youngsters." He also threw light on the effects natural calamities and flood-like disasters have had on Assam over the years.

Mahanta said there is influx of a large number of foreigners into the state, mostly from Bangladesh. "The border with Bangladesh is about 3,000 km running through Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal. The work to construct a wall on the Assam-Bangladesh border is still incomplete," he said.

Mahanta said that the issue of illegal migration was never taken up as a national issue. "Many top political leaders don't feel like visiting Assam to understand the situation there. They feel alienated." He also criticised the Congress party on its stand on illegal immigrants. Mahanta alleged that illegal immigrants are used by the Congress during elections.

The former chief minister said that the state of Assam has a rich history of art and culture, besides a well-developed flora-fauna. "The people here need opportunities to bring about development using these resources."

At the beginning of the function, Mahanta was honoured with a Puneri pagadi' by Abhay Firodia. Sarhad's founder president Sanjay Nahar delivered the welcome speech.

Shillong’s Got Talent

Shillong celebrates after choir group wins India’s Got Talent

Shillong erupted in wild celebrations Saturday night after Shillong Chamber Choir won the reality TV show India's Got Talent Khoj 2 at the grand finale in Mumbai.

People chanted Ka jingjop! ka jingjop! (We won! We Won!)" on the main thoroughfares in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, after the results were announced Saturday.

The group won the title after defeating Teji Toko, a drummer from Arunachal Pradesh who came second and Bir Khalsa, a Sikh Martial Arts Group from Punjab that came third. It received Rs.50 lakhs in prize money and a Kawasaki 250cc Ninja bike.

Fireworks lit up the sky in Shillong, dubbed as "India's Rock Capital", as people herded out onto the streets. Supporters honked their car horns before gathering at a place in downtown Shillong.

The finale, aired on Colors, consisted of nine acts, including by Fictitious Dance Group from Mumbai, Harihar Das - the popping and locking professional from Orissa, Sonjoy Mondol group from Kolkata, Manas Sahoo and group - sand artists from Orissa, Diwakar and Sonia - the dancing twosome from Mumbai and a rock band from Kolkata - the Underground Authority.

People from all walks of life watched the show in their respective homes and on giant screens put up at several places in the city.

The show, which went on air about three months ago, was judged by actresses Kirron Kher and Sonali Bendre along with director Sajid Khan.

Congratulating the victorious choral group, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, said: "It is a big achievement for Meghalaya. We have created history and this achievement has shown to the world of our potential."

Sangma, who attended the finale in Mumbai to cheer for the group, told IANS that the youth from Meghalaya have enormous talent and "we just need opportunities or platforms to reveal such talent".

Conrad K. Sangma, leader of opposition in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, said: "They (Shillong Chamber Choir) truly deserved to win and they have made every Meghalayan proud."

"Shillong Chamber Choir's victory is testimony to the inherent musical talent of the people of Meghalaya. The victory is also a tribute to the unified spirit of the people of the state," said Larsing Ming Sawyan, owner of Shillong Lajong Football Club.

Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times, the largest circulated daily in Meghalaya, said: "They have shown they are not only talented but versatile. They are a pride of India and have shown the country something new."

Earlier, the Shillong Chamber Choir had won India's first gold at the World Choir Olympics held in July at Shaoxing in China. The group made their debut at Shillong's Pine Wood Hotel in January 2001. Their repertoire includes works of western classical greats like Handel, Bach, Gershwin and Mozart, as well as Khasi folk songs.

The group, mentored by its pianist Neil Nongkynrih, was formed in 2001. The singers are Ibarisha, Donna, Jessica, Patricia Doren Kevi, Sandon, Daman, Riewbankit, Johanan, Kynsai, Ryan and Banlam. Nongkynrih's composition "Sohlyngngem", earned rave reviews in several European nations.

Shillong Choir in India’s Got Talent

Meghalaya CM to attend ‘India’s Got Talent ’ show Finale

Shillong, Oct 2 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will attend the grand finale of the reality show 'India's Got Talent Khoj 2' tomorrow to cheer for the Shillong Chamber Choir.

The national sales head of Colors TV has invited the Chief Minister and he is also expected to deliver a short speech during the show tomorrow.

Sangma left for Mumbai today, official sources said. Flawless rendition of western chorals and effortless Hindi classics by Shillong Chamber Choir has caught the imagination of not only the people of the region but of the entire country, taking them into the finals of the reality talent show.

Amidst various organizations rallying behind the choir, a government sponsored motorcade rally to muster mass support for the band was taken out in Shillong today.

"The choir has shown that in this part of our country, we have enormous talent and we just need opportunities or platforms to reveal such talent.

It is the duty of the people to encourage and support the group," Sangma said in a public appeal published in newspapers. He said government has taken steps to garner support to the choir.

Opposition leader Conrad Sangma is also hosting a dinner for the choir in Mumbai this evening. Loud speakers have been put up across the capital city, playing renditions of the choir and appealing for votes.

The choir group from Shillong, led by Neil Nongkynrih, has created waves in the region singing to the soul the popular number of yesteryear 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne jo dil ko' in between classic oldies such as 'Nina pretty ballerina'.

Rallies were organized in various parts of the state in support of the choir over the last few days. This is the second time Shillong has sung its way to the finals of a reality TV show, the first being the popular Amit Paul in the Indian Idol contest 2008.

The nine finalists of the 'India's Got Talent Khoj 2' include six performances chosen by votes and three by the judges' choice.

Trouble Looms For 100 Dam Contracts in Arunachal

By Nitin Sethi

New Delhi, Oct 2 : More than 100 contracts that the Arunachal Pradesh government has signed to build dams across the hilly north-eastern state could be in for trouble.

PM Manmohan Singh will soon hold a meeting of select ministers to decide if these hydro-electric projects should be put on hold till comprehensive studies are conducted to understand their impact on the state's environment as well as the consequences downstream in neighboring Assam.

Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, environment minister Jairam Ramesh, water resources minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and external affairs minister S M Krishna along with deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia will attend the meeting.

The meeting, sources in the PMO said, would consider the ecological implications for more than 100 dams for which the Arunachal government has signed Memorandum of Understandings with various public and private companies.

With Assam elections due in six months, the issue has also gathered political momentum in the north-eastern state.

Sources told TOI that the meeting is expected to consider the impacts of the existing dams in Arunachal Pradesh such as Lower Subansiri and Tipaimukh in Manipur. The Centre could review whether to persist with work on these dams till further studies are conducted.

Earlier, environment minister Jairam Ramesh had stated that some of the dams in Arunachal Pradesh are important both from the geo-strategic and power generation points of view.

The meeting could discuss about dams on River Siang since there has been local resistance against them. Talks are also likely to be held about the haphazard manner in which the dams are being constructed across Arunachal, with a lack of coordination over the overall impact on the river basin.

Though most of these dams are yet to be operational in Arunachal, the Centre has received reports about local protests along with the impact on Assam.

The meeting is likely to consider putting a moratorium on any new dam as well as stop work on some existing dams till a cumulative impact assessment, a comprehensive biodiversity impact assessment and a downstream impact assessment is conducted, a source told TOI.

Steps Taken to Ensure Adequate Foodgrains in Northeast India

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution today said it had taken various initiatives to ensure continuous, regular and adequate supply of foodgrains to all States in the North-East in view of their remoteness, inaccessibility, difficult terrain and special requirements.

An official press release said that, considering the requests of some of the States and the conditions prevailing in NE Region, the Government has increased the above poverty line (APL) allocation to 35 kg per family per month to Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim with effect from August this year.

At present, all the NE States are being allocated maximum foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at the rate of 35 kg per family per month.

A total additional allocation of 2.93 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice to this area has been given so that in every state the APL allocation also becomes 35 kg/month /family . This has benefited States, especially Assam , Manipur and Meghalaya, where earlier the APL quota was only 19.9 , 13.2 and 22.1 kg per month only 43,000 tonnes had been already lifted.

Under open market sales scheme for sales by State Governments to retail consumers, a total of 3.38 lakh tonnes has been allocated, out of which 1.08 lakh tonnes has been lifted by State Governments. Now this scheme has been extended up to March 31, 2011 so that the States may take full advantage of this.

In May 2010, the Centre had given additional allocation of 1.25 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice to all card holders at a subsidized rates of Rs. 8.45 per kg and Rs 11.85 per kg, respectively. About 62,500 tonnes have been lifted by State Governments.

On September 7, below poverty lines (BPL) families were given an additional allocation of 1.08 lakh tonnes which is to be lifted in 6 months.

In addition, 49,683 tonnes of wheat have been allocated to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for sale to traders and bulk consumers so that availability in the market increases. Of this, 14,300 tonnes have been already lifted . Thus, a total of more than 9 lakh tonnes of foodgrain have been allotted to the NE region in the last few months, the release said.

According to the release, the region has inadequate storage facilities, which creates problems in ensuring regular supplies to the PDS system from time to time . The present storage capacity of FCI in NE States is 4.58 lakh tonnes, which is insufficient to meet PDS and OWS requirements.

The Ministry said it was constructing godowns in the NE States under plan funds. It has made a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the construction of godowns totalling 5.25 lakh tonnes of storage capacity at an estimated cost of Rs 568 crores, taking into consideration the specific difficulties of the region.

The Ministry urged the State Governments to identify suitable land in all the selected locations for this purpose.

Northeast India Farmers Fail to Avail Loan: Pawar

Guwahati, Oct 2 : Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar today expressed unhappiness over non-availing of agricultural loan by the farmers of the North-Eastern States in the way it was expected, which he feels has hampered investment and finally the overall agricultural production of the region.

"Though the Centre has doubled the agricultural credit amount recently and Centre has been able to disburse Rs 3, 50,000 crore this year, the North Eastern States have not been able to reap the maximum benefits from the schemes. The rate of interest of which too has been slashed from 12 per cent to six per cent," Pawar said during a press conference today.

The Union Minister has assured to introduce special measures in this regard by discussing the matter with the banks operating in the region.

"The Centre is bearing a huge subsidy burden and steps would be taken to ensure that the benefits of the subsidy reach to the poorest of the poor," Pawar stated.

Pawar was addressing the media after the two-day conference held in the city on Agriculture Strategies, Policies, and Practices for Northeast India.

Pawar also divulged that as per a demand from all the NE States, the Centre has sanctioned another regional office of the Food Corporation of India(FCI) in Itanagar.

"Moreover, three additional district offices would also be set up in Arunachal Pradesh and a total of 172 posts have also been sanctioned for the new set ups," Pawar pointed out.

He also opined that North-eastern states should increase agricultural production to ensure food security of the region, and the Union Ministry for Agriculture would be keen to extend its support to the efforts.

He referred to a sum of Rs 380 crore that has been earmarked for improving marketing infrastructure for agricultural produce in the NE region. Additional funds worth Rs 300 crore have also been allotted for creating warehouses in rural areas.

"Funds are no constraints. What we want is proper utillisation of funds and timely submission of utilisation certificates," he remarked.

Pawar mentioned that the Ministry will meet every six months to assess the agriculture scenario of the region, to initiate corrective steps and to boost crop yield. "The Northeast is endowed with enormous potential in the agri-horti and allied sectors and these have to be tapped to the optimum level to step up production in a big way," the Minister said. He added that the region could act as a catalyst towards ushering in a second green revolution in the country, an official release stated.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi mentioned that 85 per cent of farm families of Assam fall in small and marginal category with an average land holding of 0.63 ha. The overall agriculture scene will improve if strategies and policies are oriented towards them and landless farmers.

Watchdogs For Loktak Lake

Firms to ensure proper implementation of funds

Loktak lake in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 2 : The Manipur government has engaged two agencies to properly monitor the implementation and timely completion of work at Loktak lake so that the next phase of development can be taken up.

The Planning Commission has provided Rs 374 crore for the Loktak development project, work on which is in full swing.

The project covers phumdi (floating bio-mass) clearing, catchment conservation, water management, capacity-building of Keibul Lamjao National Park as well as sustainable development and alternative livelihood for people living on the phumdi and on the fringe of the lake.

The task of monitoring the development work has been entrusted to the Delhi-based firm, Development Alternatives, and the Water Institute of Karunaya University, Coimbatore. The government and the two agencies signed the terms of reference recently.

“The monitoring works is to be done in two phases. The first phase is expected to done by November or December this year and the second during the final phase of the project, which is March 2012,” the director of Loktak Development Authority (LDA), Th. Ibobi, told The Telegraph.

The LDA was constituted by the Okram Ibobi Singh government to take care of Loktak lake, which covers Bishnupur, Imphal West and Thoubal districts.

Th. Ibobi said the two agencies had already assessed the lake and the ongoing development activities.

The state government took up the project to save the Loktak environment, which has been polluted because of increasing phumdi and human interference.

This has poised a threat to the flora and fauna in and around the lake, including sangai, a threatened deer species. Keibul Lamjao, a swamp of floating phumdi located on the southeastern side of Loktak, is the only remaining natural habitat of the sangai.

To check pollution, the project will also take care of the pollutants that are brought in by the Nambul river that flows into the Loktak lake.

The Planning Commission wanted a third party to monitor the development at Loktak to ensure that funds sanctioned for the purpose were used properly.

“The Planning Commission has assured us that it will provide more funds after the ongoing project is completed, but this will depend on whether it is satisfied with its outcome. So monitoring is an important part of the project,” Th. Ibobi said.

Government spokesperson and irrigation and flood control minister N. Biren Singh said, “The chief minister, who is the chairman of the LDA, is taking a keen interest in the ongoing project because the government has ambitious plans to set up a water sports complex and an eco-tourism park at the lake.”

AFSPA Extended in Arunachal

By Nishit Dholabhai

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Centre today extended the “disturbed areas” notification under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six months.

The decision was taken on basis of inputs that the NSCN (I-M) and the NSCN (Khaplang) are actively involved in anti-social activity. The two outfits have presence in the Arunachal Pradesh districts that border Myanmar. Nagaland, Manipur and parts of Assam are under the army act.

“There are also inputs that suggest the presence of the Kachin Independent Army in this area,” said a source. The outfit’s cadres were also found to be involved in the Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh late last year.

The NSCN (K) has been active in Changlang region for a long time and has steadily increased its power. The NSCN (I-M) has been a “competitor” for the Khaplang group here, too, though inter-factional clashes have reduced over the past two years.

The armed forces believe that they would need powers to keep the situation in check.

The NSCN (I-M) includes the two districts in its map of “Nagalim”, which is the integrated “Naga homeland”. Tirap is dominated by the Nocte and Wancho communities while the outfits are active in Singpho-dominated areas of Changlang district.

The Centre is in talks with the NSCN (I-M) and both sides are coming closer gradually over the past 12 years since the outfit signed a ceasefire pact.

“A delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) called on me on September 14. Following the meeting, at my request, the economic blockade of Manipur by the UNC was lifted on September 18,” Union home minister P.Chidambaram said today.