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CHANGLANG : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta reviewed the progress of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and various developmental projects during a review meeting at Changlang headquarters on Sunday. The meeting was attended by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Arunachal Pradesh-cum-Commissioner (Health & Family Welfare); Director of Health Services; Changlang Deputy Commissioner; Changlang Superintendent of Police; and senior officers and representatives of various line departments. The programme began with a mass singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by a welcome address by the Assistant Commissioner-cum-District Public Relations Officer, Changlang. Certificates of appreciation and mobile tablets were also presented to five girl toppers of the Class XII CBSE Examination 2026 in recognition of their outstanding academic performance. During the review of SIR, the CEO apprised the meeting of the progress and status of the exercise in the district. Chief Secretary Gupta stressed accuracy, timely completion and effective coordination among all stakeholders for successful implementation of the revision. The Changlang DC presented an overview of developmental projects being implemented across the district. Projects under key sectors including Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering, Urban Development, Education, Health and Power were reviewed. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects while maintaining quality standards and resolving bottlenecks through close inter-departmental coordination. He emphasised result-oriented implementation to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach people, particularly those living in remote areas. Health officials also briefed the meeting on various health initiatives, including HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness under the AIDS Suraksha programme. The meeting stressed the need to strengthen awareness, outreach and healthcare services in remote and vulnerable areas. The Education sector was reviewed with emphasis on improving learning outcomes and achieving a Gross Enrolment Ratio of around 90–95 per cent. Gupta also called for concerted efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics and plastic water bottles, promote environmental conservation and strengthen water conservation and sustainable water management practices. He called upon all departments to work in a coordinated manner towards sustainable development and effective delivery of public services. Appreciating the efforts of the district administration, police and line departments, he stressed regular monitoring, continued coordination and timely action on identified issues to accelerate development and improve public service delivery in Changlang district. (DIPR)  

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram extended greetings and best wishes to the office-bearers, leaders, workers and supporters of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on its 65th Foundation Day, with special greetings to the youth of Arunachal Pradesh. In his statement, Siram said that over the past 65 years, the Indian Youth Congress has remained a voice of young India and championed the ideals of democracy, secularism, social justice, equality and constitutional values. He said the organisation has produced generations of leaders who have dedicated themselves to national service and public welfare. He said that with India facing multiple challenges, the role of youth in safeguarding democracy, protecting the Constitution, defending the rights of marginalised sections and building an inclusive and progressive nation had become more important than ever. Siram called upon the youth of Arunachal Pradesh and the country to come forward with renewed energy, courage and commitment to strengthen democratic institutions, promote peace and harmony and contribute towards building a brighter future. He expressed hope that the Indian Youth Congress would continue to grow and remain a platform for youth empowerment and progressive change.      

PANGIN : The Kepang Welfare Society (KWS), Pangin Block, organised a Social Service-cum-Cleanliness and Plantation Programme at Pangin on Sunday, with active participation from its members. Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu, who is also a member of KWS, and Pangin Circle Officer Duyu Ongku participated in the programme, representing the district administration and Pangin General Administration respectively. As part of the programme, the PHED SE Circle Office Complex at Pangin was cleaned and a mass plantation drive was carried out within its premises. The initiative aimed to promote cleanliness and environmental conservation in and around Pangin town. The KWS members also undertook social service at the General Ground, where sand and gravel were dumped and levelled in the market shed area. The site had remained swampy and waterlogged, particularly during the rainy season, causing inconvenience to the public. The levelling work is expected to improve access to the market shed and provide a cleaner and safer environment. Similarly, the area near Pangin Gangging and the Community Hall was filled, levelled and cleaned to facilitate its use as a parking area. KWS Pangin-Boleng Zonal President Tagam Panggam appreciated the members for undertaking the initiative for the welfare of the community and encouraged them to continue such activities. Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu appreciated the efforts of the KWS members and urged them to continue community-oriented initiatives. He also stressed the need for proper care and maintenance of the newly planted saplings and highlighted the importance of cleanliness for a healthy environment and public health. Pangin Circle Officer Duyu Ongku also appreciated the initiative and called for sustained efforts to keep public spaces clean. She encouraged the KWS to organise more such social service and community welfare programmes in the future. The programme reflected the society’s commitment to community welfare, environmental conservation and maintaining a cleaner Pangin town.    

RUDRAPUR : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Congress will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the issue will also be discussed at the meeting of floor leaders of opposition parties on Monday. Interacting with ANI here, Kharge also said that his visit to Uttarakhand is aimed at energizing party workers ahead of next year’s assembly polls. The FCRA Amendment Bill is expected to come in the Lok Sabha in the last week of the monsoon session of Parliament. Kharge, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, addressed a public meeting in Haldwani on Saturday. During his visit, he will also interact with newly-appointed state and district presidents in Rudrapur today. “We will oppose the FCRA-related move. We will take a decision (about strategy) tomorrow after a meeting of floor leaders,” he said. Kharge said that Congress workers were making efforts to oust the BJP government from power in the next assembly polls in Uttarakhand. “I am the AICC President. I cannot come here every day, but our army is present here… Does PM Modi come here every day? Does Amit Shah come here? Does Nadda, even though he hails from this very region, come here? Does the new BJP President come here? We visit when and where it is necessary to energise our party workers. That does not mean we simply arrive and leave like tourists,” he said. Several opposition parties have expressed their opposition to FCRA Amendment Bill. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Friday said that the party will vehemently oppose the Bill and the “government cannot bulldoze this type of bill”. The Bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, with the stated objective of enhancing transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to present recommendations and register regional concerns regarding the FCTA. Lalduhoma later said that he had raised six issues with Shah. “The only thing that is very clearly mentioned to us is that it’s not going to be retrospective. That assurance was given to us, and the rest of the points will be given a paragraph-wise comment by him, and he (Amit Shah) is going to start the discussion on the 12th of this month in Parliament…”. Shah also held a meeting in Parliament with members and representatives of the Christian community, who have expressed their opposition to provisions of the bill. DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday urged the Union Government to withdraw the FCRA Amendment Bill and repeal Section 15 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. In a post on X, Stalin said a delegation of the Joint Action Forum on Minorities, led by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson and comprising religious leaders from various denominations, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 6 and pressed for withdrawal of the Bill. NCP(SP) has also opposed the Bill.In his speech in Haldwani on Saturday, Kharge expressed confidence that Congress would form the government in Uttarakhand in the upcoming Assembly elections. Kharge launched slammed BJP government “over the police crackdown on protesting students in Delhi”, flagged irregularities involving temple donations, unemployment, recruitment examinations and paper leaks in Uttarakhand. (Source: ANI)      

ITANAGAR : Governor KT Parnaik on Saturday reviewed the law and order situation in the state during a meeting with DGP SD Singh Jamwal at the Lok Bhavan here, officials said. The discussions focused on the prevailing security environment, crime prevention measures, public safety, disaster preparedness, and the overall readiness of the state police to tackle emerging challenges, an official communique said. Highlighting the importance of a secure environment for socio-economic development and the realisation of the ‘Viksit Arunachal’ vision, the governor shared details of ‘SURAKSHA APP’, a digital platform providing real-time security to urban citizens, and recommended studying its implementation in the state. Reviewing the security dynamics in the insurgency-sensitive Tirap-Changlang-Longding region, Parnaik directed officials to speed up fence construction to curb extortion and kidnapping incidents. He also advised the DGP to ensure police personnel remain alert, well-equipped, and trained for search and rescue operations during natural disasters like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. The governor emphasised maintaining quick reaction teams, conducting regular mock exercises, and strengthening inter-agency coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administrations, and local communities. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch) Dr Joy Tirkey was also present. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR : Cultural Affairs Minister Dasanglu Pul on Saturday appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to participate wholeheartedly in the fifth edition of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, being observed from August 9 to 17 as part of the celebrations marking the country’s 80th Independence Day. In her message, Pul said this year’s campaign assumes special significance as the nation is also commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, reflecting the enduring ideals of patriotism, unity and freedom. She said the State Government is committed to ensuring successful implementation of the nationwide campaign across all districts. Deputy Commissioners have been entrusted with coordinating the participation of Heads of Departments, while schools, civil society organisations, community organisations and citizens have been encouraged to actively join the campaign. Various activities are being organised across the State, including hoisting of the Tricolour at homes, offices and institutions, Tiranga rallies, bike and cycle rallies, public marches, patriotic cultural programmes based on the theme of ‘Vande Mataram’, exhibitions, patriotic rangoli and youth programmes, awareness drives and the ‘Selfie with Tiranga’ digital campaign. Appealing to youths, students, teachers, government employees, community leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and families to participate with pride and enthusiasm, Pul said, “Let us all hoist our Tiranga with pride, respect and dignity and inspire the younger generation with the values of patriotism, unity, integrity and service to the nation.” She called upon citizens to make ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ a people’s movement and celebrate the National Flag as a symbol of unity, pride and the collective spirit of the nation. Director of Art & Culture Ibom Tao informed that Indian flags are being distributed free of cost across all districts. Citizens can also upload their ‘Selfie with Tiranga’ on the official campaign website. Secretary of Art and Culture Mamata Riba was also present on the occasion.    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : Thousands of people from various walks of life on Saturday participated in the mass “referendum” rally organized by the Arunachal Frontier Tribal Forum (AFTF) here, reiterating demands for immediate scrapping of the existing 80:20 reservation ratio in recruitment conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), and making APST and Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) mandatory for all applicants to state government jobs. More than 38 organizations participated in the rally, which commenced from Akashdeep and culminated at IG Park, Itanagar. The participants carried banners and placards and raised slogans demanding abolition of the 80:20 reservation policy. Addressing reporters, AFTF chairman Tadak Nalo said the forum has given the state government time till August 15 to fulfill its demands, warning that the government would be responsible for any eventuality if it failed to act within the stipulated period. “The state government can resolve this issue in just a day. Unfortunately, the government has been dragging the issue for the last five years for whatsoever reasons,” Nalo said. Addressing the gathering, Nalo said the rally was organized as a “referendum” to mount pressure on the government over the forum’s long-pending demands. He said August 8 holds historical significance as the day the Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call. Drawing a parallel, Nalo said the AFTF would intensify its democratic agitation if the government failed to address its demands. “We hope the state government will not compel us to launch an extensive movement and instead act on our demands at the earliest,” he said. Nalo also termed the state government’s decision to constitute a six-member committee to examine the feasibility of scrapping the 80:20 reservation ratio as an “eyewash”, alleging that it was aimed at delaying a decision on the issue. The committee, headed by Industries Minister Nyato Dukam, was constituted on July 6 to examine the feasibility of abolishing the existing reservation ratio and making APST and PRC certificates mandatory for candidates appearing in recruitment examinations conducted by the APPSC and APSSB. Nalo alleged that a similar committee headed by then Education Minister Taba Tedir was constituted in 2022 to examine the issue. Though the committee submitted its report in 2024, the government has not acted on its recommendations, he claimed. Meanwhile, the six-member committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on August 10 to deliberate on the issue.