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  DAPORIJO : A District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting was held at Daporijo on Friday under the chairmanship of Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, with participation from administrative officers, Heads of Departments (HoDs) and Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs). During the meeting, departments presented PowerPoint presentations on the status of ongoing developmental works and schemes being implemented across the district. Officials also highlighted various challenges affecting project execution and sought cooperation from public representatives, community leaders, the administration and the public for smooth implementation of developmental activities. Among the major issues discussed were shortage of land for infrastructure projects, delays in formal handover and takeover of completed buildings and damage to roads caused by unauthorized speed breakers. Departments pointed out that lack of suitable land, particularly for educational infrastructure, has delayed several approved projects. Officials also noted that delays in taking over completed buildings often result in neglect, deterioration and underutilisation of public infrastructure. Concerns were also raised regarding illegal speed breakers constructed by residents, which have reportedly damaged roads, created traffic hazards and increased accident risks, especially for two-wheeler riders. Upper Subansiri Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) strongly stressed the issue of inadequate departmental consultation during execution of education-related projects. Concerns were raised over land availability, project cost estimation, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and quality of execution of educational infrastructure. The official stated that insufficient coordination among departments often creates complications during monitoring and handover processes, affecting quality standards and resulting in underutilised or defunct school infrastructure. She appealed to all stakeholders and public representatives to prioritise the education sector and ensure quality implementation of projects. DC Tasso Gambo advised all departments to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and resolve issues through collaborative efforts at every stage of project implementation. Several ZPMs also expressed concern over water quality and availability in different parts of the district and alleged inadequate field monitoring and poor accessibility of officials for addressing public grievances. Responding to the concerns, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Executive Engineer Kodokha acknowledged the shortcomings and stated that shortage of manpower has adversely affected service delivery in the vast district. He proposed deployment of additional officers to improve monitoring and public services. The PHE and Power Departments further highlighted inadequate funding for maintenance works, stating that insufficient funds have led to frequent equipment failures and recurring power disruptions. Daporijo Division Power Executive Engineer informed the meeting that Aerial Bunched Cable (ABC) wiring is being introduced in Upper Subansiri for the first time and is expected to significantly reduce electrical accidents in the future. Assistant Engineer of the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), Daporijo, raised concerns regarding solid waste management, shortage of staff and repair requirements of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) building. The official also stressed the need for inter-departmental collaboration for effective town planning and discussed future waste management initiatives in partnership with NGOs for Daporijo township. District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) reviewed monsoon preparedness measures and sought cooperation from all departments to minimise accidents and prevent loss of lives during the monsoon season. Concluding the meeting, DC Tasso Gambo thanked all officers and members for their cooperation and cautioned that repeated absence of officials from such meetings would be viewed seriously. He directed all Heads of Departments to attend future meetings regularly with proper presentations for effective coordination and follow-up action. (DIPR)

LIROMOBA : In a move aimed at strengthening administrative functioning in Liromoba, local MLA Pesi Jilen on Friday flagged off an official vehicle for the office of the Assistant Commissioner, Liromoba. The flag-off ceremony was attended by Assistant Commissioner in-charge Dr Jumri Romin, Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) of Liromoba and Yomcha, public leaders and local residents. Addressing the gathering, the MLA emphasised the importance of providing adequate logistical support to the administrative machinery for efficient delivery of public services, particularly in remote and rural areas. Recognising the long-pending requirement of an official vehicle for the Assistant Commissioner’s office, Jilen sponsored the vehicle from his personal resources. The initiative was appreciated by public leaders and residents, who lauded the MLA’s commitment towards strengthening grassroots administration and improving governance in the constituency. Assistant Commissioner in-charge Dr Jumri Romin expressed gratitude to the MLA for the timely support and stated that the vehicle would significantly enhance mobility and administrative outreach across Liromoba Circle. The programme concluded with appreciation from public representatives and residents for the MLA’s continued efforts towards the welfare and development of the constituency. (DIPR)

    PASIGHAT :  As part of the run-up to the 12th International Day of Yoga, the Indian Army under the aegis of the Spearhead Division conducted a morning yoga session along the banks of the Siang River at Pasighat on Friday. Around 50 participants took part in the session, performing various yoga asanas and breathing exercises amidst the serene surroundings of the Siang Valley. The programme aimed to promote physical fitness, mental well-being and a healthy lifestyle among the troops. Set against the backdrop of the Siang River and verdant hills, the session highlighted the Indian Army’s commitment towards fostering wellness, resilience and operational readiness. The initiative forms part of a series of activities being organised in the lead-up to the 12th International Day of Yoga. (DIPR)

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR :  The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) on Friday served a 30-day ultimatum to the state government, demanding immediate scrapping of the existing 80:20 reservation ratio in the state recruitment system and stricter eligibility criteria for examinations conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB). Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AFTF president Tadak Nalo termed the existing 80:20 ratio policy, introduced in 1990, as “obsolete” and said it no longer reflects the present socio-economic realities of the state. Under the existing system, 80 per cent of government posts are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates of Arunachal Pradesh, while the remaining 20 per cent remain unreserved. Nalo informed that the organisation had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), demanding that Scheduled Tribe certificates and Permanent Residential Certificates (PRCs) of Arunachal Pradesh be made mandatory for candidates appearing in APPSC and APSSB examinations. The organisation also sought mandatory knowledge of tribal dialects of Arunachal Pradesh during viva voce examinations. Highlighting similar provisions in other Northeastern states, Nalo stated that states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland have stringent eligibility conditions for recruitment examinations, including domicile certificates, indigenous inhabitant certificates and local language requirements, thereby restricting participation of non-residents. He argued that Arunachal Pradesh, being a sensitive tribal state with a fragile demographic structure, should adopt similar safeguards to protect the interests of indigenous communities. According to Nalo, unemployment among indigenous youths has increased significantly, and unrestricted participation of outsiders in recruitment examinations could adversely affect the socio-cultural, economic and political fabric of the state. He further stated that when the 80:20 ratio policy was introduced in 1990, literacy levels in Arunachal Pradesh were comparatively low and there were limited qualified Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) candidates available for recruitment. However, he said the situation has changed considerably over the years with a growing number of educated indigenous youths now competing for government jobs. Nalo also informed that the organisation conducted a public awareness and signature campaign on January 28 this year, during which more than 25,000 people reportedly supported the demand for scrapping the 80:20 ratio system. The organisation urged the state government to address the matter before June 30, 2026. “The movement seeks to protect employment opportunities for the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh and ensure that recruitment policies give priority to local tribal candidates,” Nalo said, while urging Chief Minister Pema Khandu to address the issue before the APPSC calendar examinations scheduled for September this year.    

NEW DELHI : Arunachal Pradesh raised key concerns relating to seed systems, indigenous germplasm and organic farming during the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2026 held in New Delhi. The two-day conference was chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and attended by Union Minister of State Ram Nath Thakur, Agriculture Ministers from various states, senior officials of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Government of India. Representing the state, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu highlighted several issues concerning the agriculture and horticulture sectors in the Northeast, with special focus on strengthening seed systems and promoting sustainable farming practices. Addressing the conference, Wangsu stated that quality seed remains the most critical agricultural input for enhancing productivity and ensuring food security. He urged the Centre to ensure timely allocation and release of funds under seed-related components and called for development of more certified seed varieties suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the Northeastern region. The minister stressed that locally adapted and indigenous germplasm often perform better under local conditions than externally introduced varieties. He proposed greater flexibility in the use and promotion of indigenous germplasm suited to the region. Wangsu also advocated promotion and multiplication of indigenous seed varieties through Government Seed Farms, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farmers’ Training Centres (FTCs) and ICAR institutions. He further proposed empanelment of local and regional seed companies for production of seeds tailored to local agro-climatic conditions. Highlighting challenges faced by farmers in remote areas, the minister sought enhanced support under the Seed Village Programme and the Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP) for strengthening seed infrastructure, farmer training and seed distribution systems. He also requested enhanced financial assistance considering the high cost of certified seeds and the limited purchasing capacity of farmers in remote Northeastern states. On sustainable agriculture, Wangsu said Arunachal Pradesh, being “largely organic by default,” intends to promote organic and bio-based crop protection measures in line with the Mission Organic vision of the Government of India. He called for greater emphasis on the promotion of bio-pesticides, bio-fungicides, sticky traps and light traps for environmentally safe and sustainable crop protection. The minister noted that bio-based crop protection measures offer long-term sustainability benefits while reducing health hazards associated with chemical pesticide residues. Wangsu further proposed the introduction of a dedicated Organic Bio-based Crop Protection Scheme under Government of India programmes. Expressing optimism, he said the state government remains hopeful that the concerns and proposals placed before the conference would receive due consideration in the interest of farmers, sustainable agriculture and inclusive national development. In his concluding remarks, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed satisfaction over the active participation and constructive deliberations during the conference. He urged all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the discussions at the grassroots level. Emphasising environmentally responsible farming practices, Chouhan stressed the need to safeguard agricultural land and ecological balance through the “Khet-Bachao Mission.” He also appealed to the Centre, states, ICAR institutions, agricultural universities and KVKs to work collectively towards balanced fertiliser use and sustainable farming practices. Senior officials from Arunachal Pradesh, including Secretaries of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, also attended the conference.      

ITANAGAR : Elephants in Arunachal Pradesh have been recorded at elevations above 3,000 metres above sea level, marking the highest known elephant presence documented anywhere in the world, according to a new assessment conducted by WWF-India and the state Forest department. The findings were presented in a report titled ‘Managing Human–Elephant Conflict in Arunachal Pradesh: A Strategy and Action Plan’, released by Advisor to the minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Wanglin Lowangdong. Describing the publication as timely and significant, Lowangdong said human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving elephants, remains a serious concern in the state. The statewide assessment, carried out between December 2024 and March 2026, documented elephant distribution, human-elephant conflict (HEC) hotspots, habitat pressures and landscape connectivity across Arunachal Pradesh. It is the first comprehensive effort to assess the scale, intensity and trends of human-elephant interactions in the state. The study also provides the first baseline data on crop losses, property damage and human casualties caused by elephants. Information on conflict incidents was compiled from elephant-bearing forest divisions using forest department records and consultations with local communities. According to the report, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are among the major drivers of conflict between humans and elephants. It proposes measures to reduce human casualties, compensate for crop losses and promote community-led approaches to create safer shared spaces for both people and elephants. WWF-India’s national lead for Elephant Conservation, Dr Aritra Kshettry, stressed the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity to reduce conflict. He said fragmented landscapes often push elephants into human-dominated areas, increasing the chances of encounters. Kshettry expressed hope that the action plan would serve as a valuable tool for strengthening coexistence between people and elephants in Arunachal Pradesh. State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force P Subhramanyam said human-elephant conflict has become a growing concern in the state, and that promoting coexistence is essential. He said the action plan would help guide interventions aimed at reducing conflict and improving human-elephant coexistence. Besides recommending immediate management measures, the report highlights the need for a stronger scientific understanding of human-elephant conflict in the state. It was observed that with evidence-based planning and locally driven action, Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a model for managing human-elephant coexistence in rapidly changing landscapes. (Source: PTI)