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Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All East Kameng Youth Forum (AEKYF) has urged the state government to urgently address the shortage of doctors and teachers and improve healthcare, education and civic infrastructure in East Kameng district by acting on a charter of demands submitted to the authorities. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, AEKYF general secretary Raja Khora Neri said the memorandum was prepared following a public inspection conducted on July 21, during which the forum identified several shortcomings in the functioning of the Health Department and other public services in the district. He said the forum had sought government action within 30 days of submitting the memorandum, asserting that the demands were aimed at improving public welfare and ensuring transparent governance. Among its key demands, the forum sought the deployment of two government ambulances and an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines at District Hospital Seppa. Highlighting the acute shortage of specialist doctors, AEKYF called for the immediate posting of a paediatrician, radiologist, anaesthesiologist, ENT specialist and ophthalmologist at the district hospital. It also demanded the appointment of three General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) and adequate nursing staff to strengthen healthcare services. The forum said the shortage of medical personnel had forced many patients to seek treatment outside the district and urged the government to expedite the transfer and posting of the required doctors to ensure accessible and quality healthcare. AEKYF also drew attention to the shortage of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) and Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) in government schools and urged the government to fill the vacant posts at the earliest. In addition, the forum demanded the establishment of a scientific waste management and garbage recycling facility in the district and sought separate power feeders for all Assembly constituencies of East Kameng to improve electricity distribution.      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) on Thursday announced that it will organise a mega rally-cum-signature campaign in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) on August 3 to press the state government to act on its three-point memorandum. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, UAPF convenor Charu Govind demanded immediate government intervention on the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the ICR, and a probe into the alleged misappropriation of over Rs 121 crore sanctioned for the Dari-Chambang road project in Kra-Daadi district. Charu sought a thorough investigation into the road project, arrest of officials allegedly involved in the irregularities, and blacklisting of the firms responsible for its execution. On the power issue, the forum demanded withdrawal of the Smart Prepaid Meter System, restoration of the conventional postpaid billing system, and free electricity of up to 1,000 units per month for domestic consumers. It also urged the government to introduce a power subsidy for economically weaker sections, alleging that the prepaid system has adversely affected poor and rural consumers. The forum further called for early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries in the Capital Complex, claiming that the existing reserved forest status has delayed land-related services and public infrastructure projects. Charu said that despite a round-table meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein following the forum’s 14-day ultimatum, no concrete outcome had emerged. The rally will commence at 9am from Akashdeep and conclude at IG Park, Itanagar. Appealing for public support, Charu urged the government to address the three demands at the earliest in the interest of public welfare and accountability.      

ITANAGAR : The women wing of the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday staged a protest against BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut over her controversial remarks on Gen Z and students protesting the NEET paper leak and irregularities in competitive examinations, demanding an unconditional public apology. Ranaut on Tuesday referred to young protesters as “Generation gutter” and questioned “who is birthing and raising them”. Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (APMCC) workers also burnt an effigy of the actor-turned-politician during the demonstration at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here. The protest was led by APMCC president Chukhu Nachi, who accused Ranaut of insulting students, unemployed youth and their families instead of supporting their demand for transparency and accountability in the country’s examination system. The comments of the Mandi MP triggered widespread criticism from political parties, student groups and social media users. Addressing reporters, Nachi said the real issue was the repeated failure of the examination system and not the students protesting against it. “The youth of India are not the problem. The real problem is the failure of the BJP government to protect the integrity of the country’s examination system. Students demanding accountability cannot be branded as a useless generation,” she said. Nachi added that Ranaut, as a public representative, should show responsibility and respect for democratic dissent instead of making personal remarks against students and their families. The Congress said no public representative had the moral authority to insult an entire generation striving for education, employment and a better future. It alleged that attempts to humiliate students would only strengthen their resolve to fight against examination scams, paper leaks and corruption. The organisation demanded that Ranaut issue an unconditional apology to students, youth and parents across the country for her remarks. It also appealed to student organisations, women’s groups and civil society to unite in defending the dignity and democratic rights of young people. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National General Secretary and North East Youth Congress Coordination Committee Chairman Tarh Johny on Thursday criticised Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju over his remarks against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during Parliament proceedings, alleging that the Union minister was acting as a political defender of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instead of discharging his constitutional responsibilities. In a statement, Johny said the Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s primary responsibility is to facilitate democratic debate, ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament and provide equal space to both the Treasury and Opposition benches, rather than function as a political spokesperson for the ruling party. He alleged that instead of responding to issues raised by the Opposition, particularly those concerning students, examination-related matters and protests, the government had resorted to personal attacks. “The answer to an allegation cannot be a personal attack on the person raising the question. Answer the question, do not attack the questioner,” Johny said. He asserted that the Leader of the Opposition has every democratic right to question the government and that disagreement should not be used to undermine the Opposition’s role in Parliament. Johny also said Parliament belongs to the people of India and not to any political party, adding that every elected representative has the right to raise public issues while the government has a responsibility to respond. He further stated that if any remarks were considered unparliamentary, established parliamentary procedures should be followed instead of resorting to what he described as “selective outrage, political grandstanding and personal attacks.” Referring to Rijiju’s role as the Member of Parliament from Arunachal West, Johny said the people of Arunachal Pradesh had elected him to represent the interests of the state, raise the concerns of the Northeast and uphold democratic institutions. He alleged that Rijiju appeared more focused on defending the Modi government than safeguarding the dignity and democratic functioning of Parliament. Stating that the central issue was the government’s accountability, Johny said Parliament needed answers to questions raised by the Opposition, while students deserved justice and democratic institutions required greater accountability.      

ITANAGAR : The Directorate of Health Services’ Drugs Control Administration has ordered a statewide inspection of pharmacy establishments to ensure compliance with legal, professional and quality standards governing the sale of medicines. In an order issued on Thursday, Assistant Drugs Controller-cum-Controlling Authority Gebomb Tayeng directed all Zonal Licensing Authorities (ZLAs) and District Drug Control Officers (DCOs) to inspect retail pharmacy outlets within their respective jurisdictions. The inspections will verify ownership records, statutory documents, appointment of registered pharmacists, adequacy of infrastructure and storage facilities, and compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and relevant state rules. Officials have also been instructed to examine the validity of drug licences, medicine storage conditions, including cold-chain requirements, stock registers, invoices and purchase records. The exercise will further check for the presence of expired, counterfeit or unapproved medicines, verify the qualifications and registration of pharmacists, and ensure that registered pharmacists are present during operating hours wherever mandated. The Drugs Control Administration has directed all concerned officers to submit their inspection reports by August 14. According to the order, the inspection drive aims to ensure that medicines sold across Arunachal Pradesh are safe, effective and of prescribed quality, while strengthening compliance with statutory pharmacy regulations to safeguard public health. The directive comes amid recent concerns over pharmacy operations and enforcement of drug regulations in parts of the state. (With inputs from Hornbill News)    

ITANAGAR : The Tagin community is grieving the loss of one of its most revered spiritual figures, Gogyam Gumja Tamin, a veteran Si Donyi priest whose life was devoted to preserving the faith, customs and cultural identity of the Tagin people. His passing marks the end of an era for a generation that looked to him for spiritual guidance, wisdom and leadership. Born to Pugo Gumja and Jamnu Gumja of Dignium village under Giba circle, Tamin later settled in Lejirijo village under the Sigin-I Assembly segment of Upper Subansiri district. Over the decades, he emerged as one of the most respected custodians of the Si Donyi faith, earning admiration not only for his mastery of sacred rituals but also for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding Tagin traditions. Tamin began practising shamanism at a remarkably young age, dedicating his life to the service of the community. His spiritual journey reached a historic milestone as he served as the chief priest of the Si Donyi Hilo festival nine times, a distinction achieved by very few. He first led the sacred rituals during the Si Donyi celebrations in Naharlagun in 1989 and returned for his final service as chief priest during the 2022 Si Donyi Jaaring, also in Naharlagun, spanning more than three decades of devoted service. Apart from his spiritual stature, Tamin was celebrated as an eloquent orator and a living repository of Tagin customary laws, oral traditions and indigenous knowledge. Those who knew him remember him as a humble, compassionate and approachable elder who generously shared his wisdom with younger generations and worked tirelessly to ensure that the community’s age-old customs remained alive. He is survived by his son, Gyamde Gumja Tamin, assistant general secretary of IFCSAP and Sampark Ayam Pramukh of the Jagran Shreni of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Arunachal Pradesh. Community members described his death as an irreplaceable loss. “The Tagin community has lost a precious gem. His legacy will continue to inspire generations, and the void left by his passing will be difficult to fill,” they said. The family informed that the last rites of the late spiritual leader will be performed on August 1 at Lejirijo village, where he had made his home and served his community for decades. (Source: NewsFY)  

KHONSA : Emphasising that development should be measured by tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than the completion of projects alone, Tirap Deputy Commissioner (DC) Badonlum Tawsik on Thursday called on implementing departments to strengthen coordination, uphold quality standards and focus on measurable outcomes while executing government schemes across the district. Chairing the District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting for July at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Tawsik reviewed the progress of Centrally and State-sponsored schemes implemented in the district up to June 30. Earlier, District Planning Officer L.R. Roy outlined the objectives of the DLMC and presented an overview of projects being implemented under various schemes, including the State Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SADA), North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), North Eastern Council (NEC), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Border Area Development Programme (BADP), National Health Mission (NHM), Samagra Shiksha and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes monitored through the e-Pragati Saturation Tracker. Addressing the meeting, Tawsik said the DLMC had been constituted to ensure effective monitoring of developmental works and timely submission of progress reports. He stressed that future review meetings should move beyond routine reporting and instead focus on the status of ongoing and newly sanctioned projects, their impact on the ground and issues requiring policy or administrative intervention. “Development should not only be visible on paper but should also be visible in the lives of the people,” he said, urging departments to execute every project with accountability, transparency and strict adherence to quality standards. To improve inter-departmental coordination, he directed the Agriculture and allied departments to make a joint presentation at the next DLMC meeting, reflecting an integrated approach to rural development and livelihood generation. The DC also instructed that Circle Level Monitoring Committee (CLMC) meetings be held before every DLMC meeting so that issues could be resolved at the circle level before reaching the district forum, making the review process more effective and solution-oriented. During the review, Public Works Department Executive Engineer Taro Jeram briefed the committee on major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s Office at Deomali, the library building at Wangcha Rajkumar Government College, Deomali, and a bridge near Khonsa Club Colony on the Old Khonsa-Longding Road. Rural Works Department Executive Engineer Walat Hondiq presented the progress of road connectivity projects under PMGSY and other developmental works, including the San Paa Kong View Point at Kheti village. Urban Development and Housing Executive Engineer Lienwang Hosai reviewed the status of ongoing urban infrastructure projects under various schemes. Assistant Engineer (Power) Kipa Kame informed the meeting that the breakdown of a transformer near the Superintendent of Police’s Office had resulted in temporary load shedding in some areas. He said nearby villages were currently receiving electricity from hydel projects as an interim arrangement and stressed the need for coordinated efforts to address recurring power disruptions in the district. The Agriculture and allied departments also highlighted achievements under various Central and State schemes while pointing to challenges such as manpower shortages and limited public participation in rural extension programmes. Speaking during the meeting, Tirap Zilla Parishad Chairperson John KK Matey urged departments to ensure transparent and effective implementation of government schemes. He also stressed the need to keep Panchayati Raj Institution representatives informed about ongoing developmental works to facilitate effective monitoring at the grassroots. Concluding the meeting, Tawsik appreciated the efforts of all departments and called upon implementing agencies to improve both physical and financial progress before the next review. He reaffirmed the district administration’s commitment to ensuring timely, transparent and people-centric development across Tirap. (DIPR)