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ITANAGAR : The third sitting of the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) of the 8th Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (APLA) was held here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of COPU chairman Jikke Tako. The meeting focused on the examination of audit observations relating to state public sector undertakings (PSUs). During the sitting, the Committee summoned representatives of the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited and the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Limited to furnish oral replies on Audit Para 5.3 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report for 2015-16 and Audit Para 5.3 of the CAG Report for 2016-17 respectively. The deliberations formed part of the Committee’s continuing review of audit findings, implementation of audit recommendations, operational performance and compliance issues concerning the corporations following its recent spot visit. Among those present during the sitting were MLA Ealing Tallang, Senior Deputy Accountant General, APLA Secretary Tadar Meena, Additional Secretary Agaab Mossang and Under Secretary Kheto Lowang.      

YUPIA : The Office of the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Papum Pare on Tuesday organised a felicitation programme to honour the top three meritorious students of the district from Classes III to XII under the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Award 2024-25. Altogether, 29 students from various private, government and government-aided schools were felicitated with cash prizes, mementoes and certificates for their outstanding academic achievements. Addressing the programme, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering urged students to move beyond mere literacy and strive for knowledge. “All avenues open up through knowledge. The award instituted by the government is aimed at motivating students to set higher goals, work harder and excel academically,” he said. Emphasising the importance of discipline and moral values, the DC advised students to stay away from drugs and other bad habits. “Students should inculcate good manners and values and become responsible citizens through education,” he said. Highlighting the importance of reading habits, he urged students to regularly read newspapers and books. “Reading improves language skills, enhances intellectual growth and helps reduce excessive screen time,” the DC added. Addressing parents, Tsering said, “Parents play an equally important role as schools in the holistic development of children and must actively monitor and guide them.” Papum Pare Deputy Director of School Education T T Tara informed that the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Awards were instituted as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh to encourage academic excellence among students. He said government schools today have significantly improved infrastructure and highly qualified teachers compared to earlier times and encouraged students to seek admission in government schools. During the programme, Class X district topper and state fifth-rank holder Lisa Leyu Sikom shared her experiences and dedicated her achievement to the teachers of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) Balijan. Among others, District Project Coordinator ISSE Tang Moromi, BEO Academics Sanjiv Chetri, parents and officials of the DDSE office attended the programme. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR : The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Capital Region on Tuesday reviewed preparedness measures for the ensuing Southwest Monsoon during a meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Camp Office at IG Park here. The meeting, chaired by Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu, was attended by officials of various departments and disaster management stakeholders. Preparedness strategies and precautionary measures to minimise the impact of monsoon-related disasters were discussed in detail during the meeting. Addressing the officials, the DC said, “All departments must work in close coordination and maintain readiness with adequate manpower, machinery and essential resources to respond promptly during emergencies.” Capital Region District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) informed the meeting that departmental roles and responsibilities had already been assigned through earlier orders. She urged departments to submit updated contingency lists of manpower and machinery for incorporation into the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) and updation of the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal. She also apprised the members about the Arunachal Pradesh Disaster Management Information System (APDMIS) portal. The District Food and Civil Supplies Officer informed that sufficient stocks of essential commodities, including rice and LPG, are available and supply chains remain unaffected. Open grounds suitable for emergency operations and landings during exigencies have also been identified. The District Medical Officer informed that Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been divided into five groups to cover the entire Capital Region during emergencies and to provide medical assistance in relief camps. Adequate stock and management of medicines have also been ensured. Directing the Health Department to intensify awareness campaigns on monsoon-related diseases, the Deputy Commissioner said, “Public awareness on symptoms, preventive measures and health precautions during the monsoon season must be taken up extensively.” The DC directed the Divisional Forest Officer and Itanagar Municipal Corporation authorities to undertake pruning and felling of vulnerable trees posing risks to human life and property. Work departments were instructed to ensure regular clearance of clogged drains and nallahs and keep men and machinery ready for emergency response. The Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department was directed to continuously monitor water levels in vulnerable rivers, while the Electrical Executive Engineer was asked to ensure protection of power infrastructure and uninterrupted electricity supply to relief camps. The Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering Department, Itanagar-Naharlagun, was directed to identify vulnerable areas prone to pipeline disruptions and make alternative arrangements for water supply. The DC also instructed all concerned departments to immediately report illegal earth-cutting activities and illegal constructions over drains. Administrative Officers were directed to supervise designated relief camps and ensure proper water and electricity facilities. DDMA Co-Chairperson and Itanagar Mayor Likha Nari assured full cooperation and support in tackling any disaster-related eventualities during the monsoon season. (DIPR)          

SEPPA : The Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission (APSFC) on Tuesday reviewed the implementation of food distribution and welfare schemes under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in East Kameng district during its visit to Seppa. The commission team, led by Tarh Tarak, held a meeting with East Kameng Deputy Commissioner and district officials to assess the functioning and monitoring of food supply systems under various government schemes. Key issues related to the Mid-Day Meal scheme, proper distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS), storage facilities and public grievances were discussed during the meeting. Officials also reviewed challenges concerning timely supply and effective distribution of essential commodities to beneficiaries across the district. The team examined the implementation of the National Food Security Act and the overall functioning of the Public Distribution System in the district. The APSFC team is currently on a four-day tour of western Arunachal Pradesh to review implementation of the NFSA in Tawang, West Kameng, Bichom and East Kameng districts. Earlier on Monday, the team also held a review meeting on the implementation of the NFSA at the office chamber of West Kameng DC Dr Dilip Kumar in Bomdila. During the meeting, officials reviewed key schemes and programmes linked to the Act, including PM Poshan, Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), the Public Distribution System (PDS) and National Health Mission initiatives for pregnant and lactating women. Addressing the meeting, Tarak said, “All concerned officers must ensure seamless implementation of the schemes to prevent public grievances and ensure that benefits reach the genuine beneficiaries.” He also stressed the need for proper monitoring of food allocation and food safety measures across the district. (DIPR)        

NAHARLAGUN : A two-day capacity building programme aimed at strengthening financial management of cooperative institutions in Arunachal Pradesh concluded at Naharlagun on Tuesday. The programme was jointly organised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. (APSCAB). The training programme was conducted for officers and staff of APSCAB and 34 Large-Sized Adivasi Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) to enhance their capabilities in understanding and analysing financial statements and improving financial governance. The programme was inaugurated by ICAI Cooperation and NPO Committee chairman Pankaj Shah in the presence of NABARD General Manager and Officer-in-Charge S V Ranga Rao, Arunachal Pradesh Registrar of Cooperative Societies Jummar Bam and APSCAB Managing Director Bittu Kri. More than 60 participants attended the programme on both days. Addressing the participants, Pankaj Shah highlighted the activities and initiatives of ICAI and appreciated the role played by cooperative institutions in rural development. “Cooperative institutions in Arunachal Pradesh have a crucial role in extending credit for agriculture and rural development. ICAI will continue to provide knowledge-based support to cooperatives in the state,” Shah said. Explaining the objectives of the programme, S V Ranga Rao urged APSCAB and LAMPS to effectively utilise the training for strengthening their accounting and financial management systems and for proper implementation of computerisation initiatives. Bittu Kri appreciated the initiative taken by NABARD and ICAI in supporting capacity-building interventions for cooperative institutions in the state. Jummar Bam underscored the role of cooperatives in achieving the goals of the ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiatives. In his address on the opening day, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies Michi Gambo highlighted the responsibility of cooperatives in implementing various initiatives of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. Chartered Accountant Sunil Nagaonkar conducted technical sessions on financial management for effective governance of cooperative societies, interpretation of financial statements, banking and credit operations, and digital transformation in cooperatives.