State News

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)