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Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Trade Union Council (APTUC) has urged the state government to take immediate measures for the welfare, protection and social security of workers across the state. Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club on Tuesday, APTUC president Jalley Sonam said the union had submitted a memorandum to the Labour Commissioner on May 4 highlighting several long-pending demands concerning organised and unorganised workers in Arunachal Pradesh. Among the key demands, the union sought establishment of the Dattopant Thengdi National Board for Workers Education and Development in the state to promote workers’ education, awareness and skill development in rural and urban areas. Sonam said the initiative would help workers better understand their rights and improve livelihoods under the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The union also demanded immediate implementation of the Shop and Establishment Act and Rules, which were reportedly tabled in the state Assembly in 2016. According to Sonam, implementation of the Act would ensure benefits such as provident fund, Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), gratuity, bonus, compensation and minimum wages for workers employed in shops and commercial establishments. Alleging that delay in implementation had adversely affected workers, he said many employees continue to face long working hours, denial of weekly offs, non-payment of minimum wages and lack of social security benefits. The APTUC further sought constitution of a Minimum Wages Advisory Board under the Code on Wages, 2019, for revision and regulation of minimum wages in both organised and unorganised sectors. The union also demanded formation of the Arunachal Pradesh Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Advisory Board under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, to monitor workplace safety standards and workers’ welfare. Expressing concern over the condition of unorganised workers, Sonam said the council had proposed creation of the Arunachal Pradesh Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board under the Code on Social Security, 2020, to extend social security coverage, maintain workers’ databases and promote skill development and employment opportunities. The memorandum also sought mandatory labour licences for private agencies, contractors and interstate migrant workers operating in the state. Sonam said the union had proposed strict verification procedures and mandatory Inner Line Permit (ILP) checks before issuing work permits to migrant labourers. Highlighting wage-related issues, he appealed for revision of minimum wages for graduate and postgraduate employees engaged as casual or contingency workers, stating that remuneration should be linked to educational qualifications and skill levels. The union also demanded mandatory implementation of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) provisions in all private, public and government establishments, including for contractual, casual and contingency employees. Raising concern over the non-functioning of the State Advisory Committee under the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB), Sonam called for immediate reconstitution of the committee to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes. The council further pressed for formation of the Arunachal Pradesh Motor Transport Workers Welfare Board under the Code on Social Security, 2020, to provide insurance, pension, medical assistance and emergency support to transport workers. Appealing for prompt government action, Sonam said the demands were raised in the larger interest of workers’ welfare and social security in Arunachal Pradesh.      

ITANAGAR : The State Level Coordinator for Oil Industry, Itanagar, has assured that the supply of essential petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), remains normal and uninterrupted across Arunachal Pradesh. He stated that Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies—Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)—are maintaining adequate stocks and smooth distribution across the state. According to the coordinator, the entire fuel supply chain from terminals and depots to retail outlets is operating efficiently without disruption. Regular monitoring of stock levels and continuous replenishment is being carried out to ensure steady availability of fuel across all locations. LPG supplies to domestic consumers are also being maintained normally, with deliveries progressing smoothly across the state. The oil industry stated that coordination on logistics, stock movement and retail operations is being strengthened to ensure seamless fuel availability and uninterrupted energy access to consumers. It further assured that there is no cause for concern and appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying and continue normal consumption patterns. Meanwhile, IOCL reiterated that fuel dispensing continues without restrictions across Arunachal Pradesh despite global uncertainties affecting the oil and gas sector. The oil marketing companies also advised the public to rely only on official communications for verified information regarding fuel availability.      

Tayi Taggu The Siang River is the lifeblood of our people through the ages. For generations, its flow has delineated our borders, inspired our songs, and molded our culture, embodying the very essence of the Adi community. Today, our valley’s surroundings are changing rapidly. From climate shifts causing unprecedented floods to large infrastructure projects just across our borders, the Siang faces challenges our ancestors never encountered. There is growing discontent and concern over the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a significant issue for the district administration. The community worries about losing land and property they cherish. Yet, as administrators, we see a different threat: making life-changing decisions based on shadows, falsehoods, and rumours instead of scientific facts is dangerous. This is why the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) is more than just a technical requirement—it serves as our district’s most vital tool for self-determination. The discussion around the Siang has long been filled with “what ifs.” To progress, we must focus on “what is.” The PFR serves as our scientific blueprint, uniting top hydrological, geological, and environmental experts to analyze the terrain with precision. They are here to assess the mountains’ strength and the river’s nature. Without this data, we remain uninformed. Designing effective flood-mitigation systems—crucial for downstream communities—depends on understanding the river’s exact volume and flow. Additionally, addressing regional security along the border requires a robust infrastructure plan. I fully understand the community’s worries about what lies ahead for our valley. Let’s be clear: such a large project will inevitably change our area. However, the key point is that the PFR is the only phase where we set the precise boundaries of that change. It’s where we define protections for our most treasured sites, assess the real worth of every hectare of land, and develop a rehabilitation plan that is not only equitable but also truly transformative for our community. Supporting the PFR doesn’t mean giving up our future; it means securing our role. Information is key to negotiations. By enabling scientists to gather facts, we shift from resisting the unknown to negotiating on the basis of known data. This gives us the leverage to insist on the highest safety standards, fair compensation, and strong environmental protections. The district administration assures complete transparency during this study. Our scientists are here to observe and analyze under careful supervision. This period is for inquiry, not closure. It is an opportunity to ask important questions: How can we protect our crops from severe floods and handle droughts? How can we use our river to create sustainable economic growth for young people? And how can we strengthen Siang’s crucial role in safeguarding India’s eastern borders? We cannot afford to be a district that makes decisions driven by fear. Instead, we must be guided by strength—the strength that comes from understanding our exact position. Let science inform our strategy. We should collect the facts, assess the impact, and then, with clarity and courage, determine how to shape the next chapter in Siang Valley’s history. Our river has always supported us. Now, it is our responsibility to support the river—and our children—with a future built on the bedrock of truth. The future of the Siang lies in hope, wisdom and collective action. Development should preserve nature while creating  prosperity for future generations. As Barack Obama said “some other or some other time.”  The time to act is now. (The writer is the Deputy Commissioner of Siang district)      

BOMDILA : The District Town Planning Committee meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s chamber on Monday under the chairmanship of West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar. During the meeting, the Town Planner made a PowerPoint presentation on the district’s Urban Master Plan, outlining planned development initiatives and the future roadmap for urban growth in the district. The committee deliberated on various challenges related to urban planning and implementation, with discussions focusing on key regulatory frameworks, including the Arunachal Pradesh Land and Ecological Sites (Protection and Management) Act, 2018, Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises Act, 2013, Arunachal Pradesh Building Bye-Laws, 2019, and other relevant legislations. Members also discussed strategies for effective implementation of the Master Plan and neighbourhood development initiatives in Bomdila township. According to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the meeting emphasised coordinated planning and regulatory measures to ensure systematic urban development in the district. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR : The Reading Promotion Endowment Trust for Arunachal (RPETA), a public charitable trust founded in Delhi to promote reading and educational advancement among reading-deprived youth of Arunachal Pradesh, has announced two fellowships for 2026-27. The third “Mandakini Khandekar Memorial Fellowship for Educational and Professional Advancement” 2026 has been awarded to wildlife student-artist Behelti Ama of Wakro, who is also a senior youth library volunteer. The fellowship carries financial assistance of Rs 35,000 to support her advanced professional training in digital art during 2026-27. Late Mandakini Khandekar, who passed away in Pune in March 2023 at the age of 94, was a committed patron of RPETA and actively supported reading promotion activities and the youth library movement in Arunachal Pradesh. She had expressed her wish that her contributions to RPETA be utilised for the educational advancement of deserving youth from the state. The second “Capt KK Venkatraman Memorial Fellowship for Professional Enhancement” has been awarded to Ashapmai Dellang, lead member of the Carnatic music group Wakro Sisters. The fellowship, carrying Rs 30,000, will enable her to attend advanced training workshops in Carnatic music during 2026-27. Late Capt KK Venkatraman, who passed away on May 27, 2024, was a pioneer educational administrator of the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas (VKVs) in Arunachal Pradesh and a dedicated patron of RPETA. In a statement, RPETA president Dr Ngilang Taley expressed gratitude and respect to late Mandakini Khandekar and late Capt KK Venkatraman for their generous patronage and commitment towards the advancement of Arunachal youth.