Citizens’ panel demands civic bodies in Mizoram
The Mizoram Municipal Steering Committee, a group demanding creation of municipalities across the State, has accused the government of delaying formation of municipal bodies. The Mizoram Municipality Bill was drafted by the government only after the Centre insisted that the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission could be implemented only in the cities having municipal bodies. “We are happy that the State Government has finally agreed to have municipalties even as the draft bill had been delayed for some time,” MMSC leaders said. They demanded that the municipal body should not be formed only in the State capital but also in all the headquarters of seven other districts. Meanwhile, official sources said that the Mizoram Municipality Bill is ready for Cabinet nod and would first be implemented in Aizawl

Meghalaya to adopt bamboo policy
With a view to boost bamboo production in Meghalaya, the State Government has decided to adopt a bamboo policy and also to set up a Bamboo Development Agency, Chief Secretary, SK Tiwari said. Mr. Tiwari said the adoption of the bamboo policy and setting up of the State Bamboo Development Agency would give add value to bamboo production. Mr.  Tiwari said giving more stress on the development of bamboo was in tune with the national bamboo mission. He informed that the Cabinet has decided to go ahead with the second phase of golden handshake scheme for the employees of Meghalaya State Cooperative Marketing and Consumers’ Federation Ltd

Tourism Ministry launches contest on NE
With a view to promote tourism in the north-eastern region, Union Ministry of Tourism has launched a North East contest recently. Winners of the contest will get a free trip for seven days with a family of four to the NE. The contest is open to Indian nationals residing in India and entries for the contest will be accepted only online. Willing contenders have to click www.incredibleindia.org to enter the contest. He or she has to answer a few simple questions like –1. Loktak Lake is situated in which Northeastern State? 2. Name the only Lake Palace of North East 3. What is famous dance of Mizoram called? 4.Only place in India reputed for the mystery of the annual mass suicide by birds 5. Name the trade route between India and China opened recently from one of the North Eastern States and 6. Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth is situated in? The contest closes on March 31, 2007. Winners will be contacted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and will have to avail their prizes within the specified period

Ayush to work in Arunachal
The Centrally-sponsored Northeast Regional Institute of Ayush at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh is ready to start operations to exploit the vast herbal medicine potential of the state and its neighbours, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho. Singpho said the State Government has allocated Rs 5 crore for procurement of medicines and an ambitious plan has been chalked up to bring a sea change in the health delivery system

DA for Mizoram Govt employees
Mizoram Government has agreed to merge 50 per cent of the employees’ DA into dearness pay with effect from January 1, 2007, prompting the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers to call off their agitation. A decision to this effect was made during a meeting held between government representatives led by acting Chief Minister Tawnluia and FMGEW leaders.

Army officer killed in blast
An Army officer was killed when a grenade exploded accidentally in Chandel district of Manipur. A Lt Col of 14th Maha Regiment was killed on the spot when the grenade, which he was checking, exploded accidentally in Molcham area of the district, they said, adding his name could not be ascertained. Army and Assam Rifles personnel have opened posts at Molcham and surrounding areas since they launched ‘Operation Khengjoi’ on December 5 last to flush out insurgents from the district, they said. There have been frequent gunbattles between security forces and insurgents of Manipur People’s Army, armed wing of United National Liberation Front, since the operation was launched, they said.

Public information campaign held in Garo Hills
The fourth and final day’s programme of the Public Information Campaign in West Garo Hills district on Bharat Nirman programmes of the Central Government was organised on Kherapara Secondary School premises, Kherapara, under Dalu Development Block. Around 500 villagers, including Nokmas, school teachers and self-help group (SHG) members participated in the campaign. The Block Development Officer, Dalu Block, LCh Marak, while speaking on the NREGA scheme, said that the people of the district were lucky to be included among the 200 districts in the country under this scheme. He highlighted the procedures and categories of work permissible under this scheme and called on the people to work hard as they may never get another scheme better than NREGA in the future. Child Development Project Officer, Barengapara ICDS Project, Silje A. Sangma highlighted the objectives of the ICDS programme and the activities of the Anganwadi workers with an emphasis on Supplementary Nutrition Programme of the government. District MCH Officer, Tura Dr. Minakshi A. Sangma deliberated on the National Rural Health Mission and informed that under this programme every village in the district has to fix one day in a month as ‘Health Day’ and urged all the self-help groups and mothers present in the campaign to participate in these health days and also to motivate their people to bring their children regularly for immunization. The Nokma of the area, Rimjan Marak while participating in the campaign, urged the villagers to render all support and cooperation to make all Centrally-sponsored schemes a success in their area

Young scientist awarded
Dr Mohan Mondal, scientist, Animal Physiology, National Research Centre on Mithun, has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Young Scientist Award’ (2005-06) by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, for his significant contributions in the field of animal sciences. Mondal has done various research works in the field of ‘Mithun physiology and endocrinology’ at National Research Centre on mithun, located at Jharnapani, Medziphema of Dimapur district and Porba in Phek district of Nagaland. Some of his research works have already been acclaimed internationally through publication of more than 30 high-quality research articles in reputed international journals and placed Mithun in a prestigious position in the scientific field. Dr Mondal is also a recipient of Jawahar Lal Nehru Award - 2003 of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Young Scientists’ Award - 2006 of Society of Animal Physiologists of India.

 When IAS officers go to ‘school’ !
Back from school after training and assessment by management gurus from IIM, Ahmedabad, and experts from the Harvard University, senior ‘babus’ from Indian Civil Service are anxiously waiting for their grades. This was the first instance such a training programme was conducted for mid-career IAS officers, from January 1 to 25. It was held under direction from the Prime Minister’s Office and would be conducted annually. IAS officers from the Joint Secretary level, who had put in at least 26 years of service, were directed to attend this ‘mandatory’ training cum assessment programme from all over India at IIM, Ahmedabad. Six officers from the 1979-80 batches from the Assam-Meghalya cadre also attended the month-long training programme. Principal Secretary, Power, BK Debbarma was one of them. He termed the programme as a ‘good experience’. The officials were taught issues relating to ‘governance challenges in India.’ Non-formal classes were held on good governance, policy analysis and political economy mainly emphasizing upon problem-solving skills, session on case studies and building new models for a changing India. Four observers constantly kept watch on the ‘students’. The chief instructor for the programme was Mary Joe Ben, faculty from the John F Kennedy School, Harvard University. It was again for the first time a foreign instructor was called upon for the programme together with their Indian counterpart. Deb Barma when asked if he was worried about the assessment part, he smiled and shrugged his shoulder casually. “The duration,” he diverted, “was a bit long” adding “The programme should have been condensed.” Nonetheless, a good grade from the in-service training cum assessment programme would spell promotion. A bad report card from the programme and someone is in for real disappointment

 Expand trade through Nathula’
The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce has asked the Centre for enhancing the volume of trade through the Nathula Pass, which was opened for border trade with China last year. The Chamber would submit a memorandum of this note to the Centre through the State Commerce Ministry, Chamber president S K Sarda said. The demands include revision and expansion of the list of items approved for import and export through the route. Other steps suggested in the memorandum include permission to Sikkimese traders to stay longer at the Chinese trade mart in Renquinggang and removal of the current ceiling of Rs. 25,000 on daily transaction per trader, he said.
Terming the existing list of items for import and export ‘outdated’ Sarda said it must be changed to suit the present day needs. The chamber wants the list of trade to be enhanced by including iron and steel, cement, paint, hardware, readymade garments, cosmetics, processed food and medicinal herbs to the revised list of exportable items. It has also asked for the inclusion of manufactured products and consumer goods in the new list of items for import.

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