Author name: OnlineAge

DAPORIJO : Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner on Thursday chaired a review meeting at the District Secretariat here to assess monsoon-related damage reporting, disaster preparedness and the district’s response mechanism. The meeting was attended by administrative officers, heads of departments and other concerned officials. District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) presented an overview of the functioning of the District Disaster Management Office and briefed participants on the funding provisions and guidelines governing disaster response and relief. The officer also explained the prescribed norms for assessing and reporting damage caused by landslides, floods, damage to public infrastructure, agricultural losses and private property. Heads of various departments presented reports on damage sustained in their respective sectors during the ongoing monsoon season. The meeting discussed discrepancies in damage reporting and stressed the need for uniform, accurate and timely submission of verified reports to facilitate prompt relief measures and government assistance. Departments also highlighted challenges in carrying out damage assessments in remote and affected areas due to disrupted road connectivity and adverse weather conditions. They further expressed concern over the limited availability of funds for immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure and essential public services pending the release of disaster relief assistance. Addressing the meeting, the DC directed all administrative officers and heads of departments to remain stationed within their respective jurisdictions during the monsoon season and maintain close coordination with field-level functionaries. Emphasising the importance of timely information, the Deputy Commissioner instructed all departments to immediately report incidents of landslides, floods, road blockages, infrastructure damage and other emergencies to the district administration to enable swift response and coordinated action. The DC further directed that all damage assessments be based on proper field verification and submitted in the prescribed format to ensure transparency, accountability and consistency in reporting. He also called upon all departments to remain vigilant, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and work proactively to safeguard lives and public infrastructure throughout the monsoon season. The meeting concluded with a resolve to further strengthen the district’s disaster reporting mechanism through timely, accurate and coordinated reporting to ensure effective disaster response, prompt restoration wherever feasible and speedy assistance to affected communities. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has directed all government departments to accord top priority to the timely and effective implementation of key proposals announced in the state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal. Reviewing the status of several budget announcements across various departments here, Mein, who also holds the finance portfolio, evaluated the progress of ongoing projects. He emphasised the need to fast-track flagship initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Rural Development Programme and the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Power Development Programme. In a post on social media, Mein stressed that parallel focus must be maintained on critical sectors such as education, healthcare, drinking water supply, physical connectivity, and skill development to ensure holistic development. The deputy chief minister instructed departmental heads to submit revised guidelines wherever necessary to streamline execution, and to communicate any additional fund requirements at the earliest. The Arunachal Pradesh government had earlier presented a Rs 36,607-crore budget for the 2026-27 fiscal, with emphasis on infrastructure strengthening, governance reforms, and people-centric development. (Source: PTI)    

BOMDILA : A meeting-cum-sensitisation programme on the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 was held at Kameng Club here on Thursday under the chairmanship of West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar. Organised by the Special Cell Committee for the implementation of the SWM Rules, 2026, the programme focused on strengthening awareness and grassroots implementation of the new waste management framework. Addressing the gathering, the DC observed that waste management was once regarded as an urban concern but has increasingly become a challenge in rural areas due to improved road connectivity, changing lifestyles and the growing influx of tourists. He said the SWM Rules, 2026, introduced with stringent provisions and judicial oversight, are aimed at tackling the rising problem of waste pollution. Emphasising the role of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) leaders, Dr Kumar urged them to sensitise their respective villages and communities on scientific waste management practices, stating that effective waste management requires active public participation. He cautioned that violations of the new rules would invite strict action. The DC informed that Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) have been proposed for 33 villages in the district under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) 2.0 and urged Panchayat leaders to establish at least one MRF in every village. Referring to the district-wide ban on single-use plastics and plastic water bottles below two litres, he appealed to businesses, residents and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices and support the administration’s cleanliness drive. District Panchayat Development Officer Ashok Tajo explained the provisions and objectives of the SWM Rules, 2026, and stressed the need for awareness at the grassroots level. He urged PRI leaders to discourage open dumping, promote the use of four-colour waste segregation bins and ensure that waste management components are incorporated into both the Zilla Panchayat Development Plan (ZPDP) and Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by the coming Monday. Founder of the Northeast Waste Collective Ittisha shared the organisation’s experience in implementing waste management initiatives in West Kameng since 2020. She highlighted best practices, emphasised community participation and pointed to the challenges of transporting recyclable waste to collection centres and buyers. She appealed to the district administration for continued support and cautioned against certain alternatives to plastic carry bags, noting that some could be more environmentally harmful than conventional plastics. West Kameng Superintendent of Police Dorjee Wangdi Thongon lauded the efforts of the Northeast Waste Collective and advocated expanding similar initiatives across the district. Referring to the increase in tourist footfall, he also highlighted its impact on waste generation and environmental pollution. Thongon encouraged citizens to make use of digital public service platforms, including Yodha Bandhu, which supports youth facing substance abuse and emotional distress; Choo-Man-Tar, an interactive application that educates children about good touch and bad touch; and Tele-MANAS, the Government of India’s 24×7 tele-mental health service. He also appealed to the public to assist the police in combating drug abuse by acting as vigilant members of the community. Representatives of the District Urban Development Agency, the Rural Development Department and Zilla Parishad Members also addressed the programme. The meeting was attended by administrative officers, heads of departments, PRI leaders, representatives of gompas, members of the business community and other stakeholders. (DIPR)