Saturday, March 26, 2011

Auto graveyard born from Japan tsunami wreckage

 

Miyako: The destruction wrought by the tsunami that slammed Japan two weeks ago has given rise to graveyards for machinery pulled from the wreckage.
Cars mangled by the massive wall of water that destroyed into Japan's northeast coast are being removed by construction equipment, placed on trucks and laid to rest by the thousands on flood plains once covered with water.
The cars, many of which are marked with spray paint to indicate if bodies needed to be removed from inside, are laid in neat rows with license plates easily visible for license owners or family members hoping to find lost vehicles.
"I parked near the office, saw the tsunami from my window and after the water withdrew, my car was nowhere to be seen," said Motohiro Yamazaki, who was looking for his Suzuki among hundreds of wrecked cars at auto graveyards in the tsunami-devastated city of Miyako.
Workers are slowly clearing paths through the destruction with bulldozers, leveling land after fire fighters have checked and made sure there are no bodies buried in the debris.
The city of Sendai has used parks and baseball fields as dumping grounds for electronics removed from the debris.
Residents trickle into an open field of destroyed vehicles in Miyako to take off license plates and remove registration forms, which will make it easier for them to cut through red tape with insurance companies and the government to declare their cars dead.
"I left my drivers license, work license and health insurance card in the car. I can't go to the hospital without that."
Two weeks after the tsunami, electricity has been turned on again to many areas on higher ground near the devastation, mobile phones service is slowly being restored and goods have finally appeared on once empty store shelves.
Yamazaki's car, however, was nowhere to be found.
"I guess it's somewhere in the Pacific Ocean."
 
japan auto graveyard born from japan tsunami wreckage

ULFA calls strike against PM's Assam visit

Guwahati: The Paresh Baruah faction of ULFA has called a 12-hour Assam bandh on Monday to protest the visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to campaign in Assam for the Assembly polls. The Prime Minister has "failed" to keep his written promise to discuss all the core issues for political solution of the Assam-India conflict, the outfit said in an e-mail to the media. Accusing Singh of "being the Prime Minister after acquiring his Assam residency documents without following rules", the ULFA alleged, "under his leadership a new conspiracy has been hatched to divide Assam and make the Assamese community extinct". "Singh has divided the ULFA to destroy the organisation," also asserted the e-mail signed by ULFA central publicity wing convener Arunudoy Dehotia. The underground group also threatened to call such strikes even when other central ministers or leaders from any political parties come here as "colonial India has sown the seed of divisiveness among the indigenous people of Assam and the North-East region to continue its domination here". "Till the rights of the indigenous people here are established, such bandh calls will continue," the ULFA warned.

ULFA

Swedish supercar Koenigsegg coming to India

Koenigsegg is partnering with Gurgaon-based InterGlobe Enterprises for their India launch, say reports. The launch is expected to be on March 29, 2011. Koenigsegg's high-end cars carry a price tag of Rs 9.6-10 crore. The latest Koenisegg model, Agera R, was launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Koenigsegg Agera was awarded the Hypercar of the Year by BBC Top Gear. The Koenigsegg CCXR was chosen by Forbes as one of the ten most beautiful cars in history. The first car from the Koenigsegg stable was the Koenigsegg CC.

Govt funds non-existent schools in Assam

 

Guwahati: The election campaign in Assam is gathering momentum with politicians battling more for votes and less for issues. But education seems far from their agenda.
Government schools in Assam are in shambles. And an RTI filed by a student has revealed shocking revelations.
The BR Ambedkar School in Guwahati, which has apparently received Rs 4,01,450 for its 217 students - actually does not exist.
There is money trickling in for schools which exist only on paper and not in reality. For example, one such school is the Dr BR Ambedkar school in Lachitpur. You can see the list of students and the money that has been procured in their name. But go around Lachitpur and you will find no trace of this school.
The Mangal Chandi Hindi LP School is another example. The headmaster says that funds for the dalits were instead going to a school - which had ceased to exist since 1991. In 2009-10, this non-existent school received Rs 2,94,150.
Headmaster NP Singh said, "This school does not exist, I don't know who these children are. This signature is also fake and this headmaster doesn't exist."
When we confronted the Department of Welfare for SCs and STs, which sanctions these funds, they blame it on shortage of manpower, but promise to investigate.
None of the senior officials we tried to contact were available for comment. All saying they were busy with election preparations. They may not speak to us, but they definitely owe an explanation to the people of Assam, especially the children, who's future is under threat.

India offers a helping hand to quake-hit Myanmar

 

New Delhi: India on Friday expressed readiness to assist Myanmar in whatever way it can in the relief efforts following a strong earthquake there in which at least 75 people have been killed so far.
"We are saddened to learn about the loss of lives and damage to property in the recent earthquake in Myanmar. India has conveyed its deep condolences to the Government of Myanmar and expressed readiness to assist them in whatever way we can in their relief efforts," Ministry of External Affairs said in a release here.
India is in close touch with the Government of Myanmar in this connection, it said.
myanmar earthquake
At least 75 people were killed and over 110 injured so far when a strong earthquake struck Myanmar, officials said, with fears that the toll would rise as news filtered through from remote areas still cut off.
 

Jats to end stir, Hooda to set quota commission

 

New Delhi: The Jat protestors are planning to withdraw their three-week-long protest after talks with Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. An official confirmation is likely to take place on Saturday afternoon.
The Jats have been demanding reservation in government jobs under OBC quota. The meeting with Hooda has resulted in the setting up of the 'Haryana Backward Classes Commission' within a month.
The Jat agitation had paralysed rail traffic in many parts of northern India.
They have now agreed to lift all blockades, especially after the Supreme Court directed the Haryana and UP governments to immediately control the situation.
The Commission would consider the demand of communities of Roar, Jat, Jat Sikh, Tyagi, Bishnoi would come under the ambit of the Backward Classes.
The decision to withdraw the agitation comes a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Haryana government to immediately get the rail tracks cleared of protesters to restore normal movement of trains.
The high court had also directed all the groups spearheading the Jat agitation to exclude the blockades of trains from their agitational programmes with immediate effect.
Also, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to ensure that supply of essential commodities including water to the national capital was not disrupted in the wake of threats by Jats agitating for quota in central jobs.

Mysterious disease kills 5 in Mizoram

A mystery disease has killed five persons in a remote tribal village in southern Mizoram. A forum for the tribe has rapped local authorities for delayed response to the epidemic-like crisis. Officials in southern Mizoram's Lunglei district confirmed the death of five persons at village Thanzamasora during the past fortnight. They suspect the cause of the disease to be acute respiratory infections including pneumonia, but are not very sure.

Thanzamasora is a Chakma tribal dominated village.
 
Underlining the seriousness of the issue, the Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) on Friday sought Lunglei deputy commissioner M Zohmingthangi's intervention. It also asked the medical officers concerned to provide immediate medical facilities to prevent the epidemic from spreading.
 
"Apart from the five who died many others are sick but there is total lack of healthcare services. A medical team distributed some medicines but this is not enough. Worst, the superstitious villagers believe that deaths are due to black magic cast upon them. At least 13 families have already fled the village and more families are likely to flee if the situation is not brought under control immediately," said MCDF president Hemanta Larma.
 
He added, "Although the situation is taking a serious proportion, there is delayed response from the authorities. There seems to be some problem as Thanzamasora village is under the administrative control of Lunglei district but healthcare services falls under the chief medical officer of adjoining Lawngtlai district."

Manmohan Singh to watch Mohali match, invites Pak President, PM to join

 

New Delhi, Mar 25 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who will be watching the World Cup Cricket semifinal match between India and Pakistan on March 30, has invited President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to visit Mohali to join him and the millions of cricket fans of the subcontinent to watch the match.
 
"I propose to be at Mohali to watch the World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan to be held on 30th March. There is huge excitement over the match and we are all looking forward to a great game of cricket that will be a victory for sport. It gives me great pleasure to invite you to visit Mohali and join me and the millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match," said Dr. Singh in his letter to President Zardari.
 
Dr. Singh in his letter to Prime Minister Gilani said: "I propose to be at Mohali to watch the World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan to be held on 30th March. There is huge excitement over the match and we are all looking forward to a great game of cricket that will be a victory for sport.
 
"It gives me great pleasure to invite you and your gracious wife to visit Mohali and join me, my wife and the millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match," he added.
 
India is all set to encounter archrivals Pakistan in the semi-final stage at Mohali on March 30 following their five wickets victory against Australia in Thursday''s quarterfinal in Ahmedabad. (ANI)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Jat community continues stir, rail affected

Hisar, Mar 25 (PTI) Notwithstanding the Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing Jats not to disrupt movement of trains, activists of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti today continued to squat on various rail tracks in Haryana.The ongoing three-week-long stir by Jats has badly affected rail traffic in northern India, forcing the Northern Railways to cancel several trains, divert routes of some others.Train services on 14 mainlines in Haryana, including Mumbai-Delhi-Rewari, Bhiwani-Delhi-Rohtak, Delhi-Ludhiana-Jind, Narwana-Kurukshetra, Rohtak-Panipat, Rewari-Loharu, Loharu-Jaipur, Hisar-Jaipur, Bhiwani-Hisar, Hisar-Bathinda, and Delhi-Jind-Ludhiana continue to remain disrupted due to the blockade of rail tracks by the Jat activists.Jat protestors have been demanding inclusion of their community in the OBC list so as to avail the benefit of reservation in government jobs.

UDF in Kerala promises Re 1 a kg rice to BPLs

Kochi, Mar 25 (PTI) Congress-led UDF in Kerala has promised 36 lakh jobs, Re one a kg rice for BPL families, farm loans at three per cent interest and free bi-cycles to class X students in its manifesto for the April 13 Assembly elections, released today after ironing out differences with two of its partners over seat allocations.The manifesto promised to provide 25 kg of rice at Re one to Below Poverty Line families and at Rs two per kg to other ration card holders.The grievances of the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) led by former minister M V Raghavan and Socialist Janata (Democratic) of M P Veerendra Kumar have been "amicably" sorted out, front leaders told reporters here.CMP would be contesting in Nenmara, Kunnamkulam and Dharmadam seats after it surrendered Nattika, offered earlier.

AI to start Chennai-Paris flight from March 27

 

Chennai: National air carrier Air India on Thursday said it would introduce a new hub and flight connecting Chennai and Paris from March 27.
The new service, operated on an Airbus A320, would depart from Anna International Terminal in Chennai at 8:45 am and arrive in Delhi in the forenoon.
It would leave Delhi at 1:10 pm and reach Paris at 06:50 pm (local time), Air India said in a statement.
 
air india
The flight to Paris would be operated on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, it said.
"Passengers from Chennai (bound for Paris) can now complete their immigration formalities at Chennai Airport itself," the statement added.
The service also offers convenient connection from Delhi to passengers bound for Frankfurt and London, it said.
The company said its flights to Paris, Frankfurt and London are operated with Boeing 777 aircrafts "offering comfort and luxury".
Connections are also available for passengers from these cities in the return direction on arrival at Delhi to reach Chennai, the statement added.

MAJOR SETBACK FOR NAGA RECONCILIATION

 

In a major development which could jeopardize Naga reconciliation move, the NSCN-K has announced its decision to shy away from the highest level meeting of FNR until the NSCN-IM withdraws hostilities against the outfit. 
GPRN/NSCN chairman SS Khaplang has reiterated that they will not participate in the Highest Level meeting proposed by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation until and unless the NSCN-IM withdraws their forces and cease their intrusion into Eastern Nagaland for territorial expansion. He was addressing the 31st Republic Day of the outfit. The speech of the chairman was read out by NPAC Convenor Azheto Chophy at the 31st Republic Day celebration at Camp Khehoi which was attended by all rank and file of the group along with NGOs and members of the public. Stating that it makes no sense in having a courtesy meeting, Khaplang also sought ‘thorough explanation to all recent terrorisms in the NSCN’s administered Tesari Region, UT-1, Lotha Region, Yimchunger Region, Khiamniungan Region, Thengnung Region, Konyak Region, Pangmi Region and elsewhere.’ On the occasion, the GPRN/NSCN also appreciated the Herculean task of the FNR, the Quakers, North American Baptist Peace Fellowship, Jimmy Carter and others for shouldering the uphill task to restore peace and reconciliation among the Nagas. Ato Kilonser of GPRN-NSCN, N Kitovi Zhimomi in his presidential address said the ongoing territorial expansion in the eastern part of Nagaland by NSCN-IM has rendered the proposed Highest Level Meeting a complete waste of time. Accusing rival NSCN/GPRN Chairman Th Muivah of sabotaging the reconciliation process, Kitovi said Miuvah had, in the presence of FNR members, ruled out ‘inclusiveness of all Naga inhibited areas’ as a condition for the ongoing Naga political talks with the GoI. He maintained that by ruling out the inclusive aspect in the talks, Muivah had excluded himself from the Naga political process.
Kitovi further insisted that the GPRN-NSCN does not in any way oppose the ongoing talks between rival NSCN-GPRN and GoI. Azheto Chopy, NPAC Convener was the chief guest of the day.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Bomb explosion during President's visit to Manipur

 

A powerful bomb explosion took place near the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, where President Pratibha Patil is staying, officials said on Friday. The bomb, allegedly planted by militants, went off at 11pm on Thursday night at Ananda Singh Academy, about 2 km from Raj Bhavan, where the President was staying, they said No casualty was, however, reported in the blast.

Patil is on a two-day visit to Manipur.

Police and central forces are conducting round the clock patrolling and forces were deployed at all vulnerable points.

President will on Friday lay the foundation stone of an Information Technology Park at Mantripukhri near here, officials said.

Patil would also meet representatives of some social organisations before leaving for Delhi at 11 AM, the sources said.

Meanwhile, normal life was paralysed in the city following the 40-hour strike called by Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) to boycott the President's visit.

The MPLF, formed by three major insurgent organisations of the United National Liberation Front, Revolutionary People's Front and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak has been fighting for an 'independent Manipur'.

Main accused arrested in Radhika Tanwar murder case

New Delhi, Mar 12 (PTI) The main accused in the murder of Radhika Tanwar has been arrested from Mumbai, four days after she was killed in broad daylight on her way to college.

A team of Delhi Police officials arrested 25-year-old Ram Singh alias Vijay in connection with the killing of the girl outside Ramlal Anand college in Shantiniketan area of south Delhi's Dhaula Kuan.radhika tanwar

The murder of the 20-year-old second-year degree student had triggered protests in Delhi.

Investigators had zeroed in on Singh, who introduced himself as Vijay in Delhi, after investigators detained his two friends -- Tabrez and Ashraf -- from UP's Sitapur. The duo allegedly harboured and helped him flee the capital on March 10, two days after Radhika was shot dead.'

Veena Malik not to seek asylum in India over Taliban threat

 

Islamabad, Mar 12(ANI): Pakistani artiste Veena Malik, who has reportedly been threatened by the Taliban, has said she will not seek asylum in India.
 
Malik, who is currently in India appearing on television shows for the ICC World Cup 2011, said she had received a letter from the Taliban a few days back via a media house in Pakistan.
 
She had spoken to representatives of the media house, who confirmed its legitimacy, she added.
 
Malik said the letter has been sent from a Ahmed Masood of the Taliban, The Express Tribune reports.
 
The letter threatened to give Malik ‘exemplary punishment for her work in India’, and also threatened her family, said the Pakistani actress, adding that she would hold the government responsible if anything happened to them.
 
Malik, who became a household name in India following her stint on reality TV show Bigg Boss, said she will not seek asylum in India.
 
She will return to Pakistan as running away is not an option, she added.
 
Malik also said that Indian authorities had provided her with security, and that she was getting in touch with Pakistani authorities to inform them of the situation. (ANI)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Bihar 1st state to make officials' assets public

 

Patna: Bihar has become the first in the country to make assets of government employees public by uploading the details of 80,000 officials on the government website, a step in line with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's anti-corruption initiatives.
Ten days after majority of the 450,000 government officials, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) officers in the state, submitted their assets' details to the state government as per an official directive, they were uploaded on the government official website late on Wednesday.
"As of now, details of the assets of nearly 80,000 government officials are available online, it is first of its kind in the country," Deepak Kumar, principal secretary of general administration department, told IANS.
nitish kumar
He said it will take a month's time to upload details of all the officials.
According to him, asset details of 190 IAS officers, 169 IPS officers, 29 Indian Forest officers, 2,800 BPSC officers and 350 Bihar Police Service officers are online.
"It is part of (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar's initiatives to weed out corruption," an official in the chief minister's office said.
Soon after assuming office following a historic poll verdict last November, Nitish Kumar had announced that corruption will not be tolerated in the state.
Setting an example, the chief minister and his Cabinet colleagues had declared their assets on December 31, 2010. The details are posted on the state government's official website.
The state government in its circular earlier this year warned officials that their salaries would be withheld if they fail to furnish the details of their assets within the stipulated time frame.
Bihar is also working to confiscate the properties of corrupt officials and turn them into primary schools.
Moreover, the state cabinet Tuesday approved introduction of the much-publicised Right to Service Bill to check rampant corruption and red-tapism in Bihar.
The move is seen as Nitish Kumar's commitment to hasten the service delivery system like issuance of caste certificate to ration card holders, police verification report for passport and new electricity connection to new ration card holder within a stipulated time.
The proposed act is likely to come into effect by April this year, officials said.
Nitish Kumar said the motive behind the legislation was to help people in getting work done within a given timeframe.
During the election campaign last year, Nitish Kumar had promised voters that the corrupt will be sent to jail and their property seized if he gets to rule for five more years.

Tight security measures in Imphal before President's arrival

 

Security and police forces were today deployed at all strategic and vulnerable points in Manipur capital complex here before the arrival of President Pratibha Patil, official sources said. She is expected to arrive here late afternoon from Kohima. Sources said extra precautionary measures were taken in view of the boycott of President's visit by Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), formed by three major insurgent organisations of United People's Liberation Front, Revolutionary People's Front and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak.
Patil would lay the foundation stones of some institutions tomorrow before leaving for Delhi. Sources said round-the-clock patrolling of security forces was on in view of the general strike called by the MPLF which has been fighting for what it called an 'independent Manipur' for decades and called for a general strike today saying president's visit would not bring 'anything good'.

Assam CM, Ulfa chief's communities, seek ST status

Guwahati ruled Assam for 600 years before the British took over in 1830s. They have been reigning since 1947 too, heading both democratically elected and underground governments. Still Ahoms are demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa are from Ahom community. Ethnic cousins Mataks, the community of Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Barua is not far behind.

Seven ethnic groups are seeking ST status, including Morans, Koch-Rajbongshis, Chutiyas, Karbi (Plains) and 'Tea Tribe'.
 
The six million Koch-Rajbongshis were a ruling community too. "The political parties promise us ST status before the elections .... We won't rest until we get what we deserve," said All Koch-Rajbongshi Students' Union president Biswajit Ray.
 
The four million Ahoms, dominate eastern Assam, are wealthier and politically potent. But Ahom student leader Moyur Borgohain disagrees. "We should be incorporated in the list of ST (Plains)," he said, adding that the constitutional safeguard was necessary against illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
 
The 'Tea Tribe' has been the most vocal and violent in its demand. Comprising 87 groups, such as Santhals, Kols, Bhils, their association with the tea industry gave them a 'tribal' identity.
 
At seven million they hold the key to at least 25 of the 126 seats. "All parties depend on us to be in power. How long can they ignore our demand?" said Adivasi leader Justin Lakra.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ex-women prisoners allege being abused in Jail

 

Madurai: Three former women prisoners have alleged that they were subjected to verbal and physical abuse including sexual assault, beatings, threats and intimidation by authorities.
The women, now out of prisons, spoke to reporters at a meeting organised by Campaign for Custodial Justice and Abolition of Torture, an NGO.
The women said their life behind the bars in Nilakottai and Tiruchi was horrible and there was violation of human rights and denial of adequate rights in prisons.
They alleged that detainees were often abused verbally and physically by jail authorities. Many in the prison were deprived of food, sleep, and medical care and they had no proper access to family members or to free legal counsel.
They said that some guards also demanded payment for food or better facilities.
Office bearers of the NGO said they would file a case shortly to implement a 2007 Madras High Court order to prison officials and government on the facilities to be provided in jails.

Personal motive behind Radhika killing: Police

 

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday said that there was personal motive behind the murder of second-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) student of Delhi University's Ram Lal Anand College Radhika Tanwar.
"Property was not the motive of the crime, it was some personal reason. We have tried reaching out to her friends, classmates, family to know more about what happened," said DCP (South Delhi) HGS Dhaliwal.
The police also claimed that the assailant knew about her movement completely - knew what time she leaves her residence, takes the bus, gets dropped at Satya Niketan bus stop. And the foot over bridge has been carefully selected to murder Radhika.
"It's almost certain that she was observed by the assailant," said Dhaliwal in a press conference.
Informing that Radhika's friend who accompanied her everyday didn't accompany her on Tuesday, Dhaliwal said, "It can be a case of obsession".
Radhika was shot by a 315 bore pistol and medical aid was not provided to Radhika soon after the shoot happened, he claimed.
"Duty constable reached within no time, he tried to stop many rickshaws which didn't stop and then he had to force one rickshaw to carry Radhika to the hospital," he said.
The police have constituted different teams, which worked in different areas of Delhi in Radhika Tanwar murder case, informed Dhaliwal.
Emphasising that there was no intention of loot in the case, Dhaliwal said, "She was shot from a close range and he knew her movement".
"College students stand on the ramp she was standing at, it's generally crowded at this time," he informed.
"There were too many witnesses of the murder but everyone denied seeing anything. It's unfortunate that witnesses did not cooperate with us," he said.
The police had received two different kinds of calls when the incident happened. "The description given to us is approximate, we have not come across anyone who has seen this incident happening," said Dhaliwal.
But Dhaliwal acknowledged that the family of Radhika Tanwar has cooperated with the police completely. "Family and friends are in a better mental state today to cooperate with us," he said.
There was somebody from the vicinity who saw an individual running away from the spot.
The police have made a portrait with the help of information given to them from different people. "We have a vague idea about this person who followed Radhika yesterday," Dhaliwal said.
"We request people to come forward and share with us any information on Radhika case," appealed Dhaliwal.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Mary kom

 

There was a time when Mary Kom, 27, didn’t know whether boxing was a risk worth taking, or if she’d ever make it in the big bad world outside Manipur. The doubts have cleared since, with Mary having bagged almost every national and international boxing medal. But she still remembers the woman who gave
her the strength to go on. It was in 1999 that I first saw Laila All. When I watched her boxing match with April Fowler on TV, I had been thinking about boxing. I’d been told that my physique was appropriate for the After mary komwatching Laila, I decided give it a shot. I had been a great fan of her father, Mohammed All, but Laila was my star.
 
“Coming from a small village, I faced a lot of opposition from parents and relatives", My father felt that boxing was a very harsh sport and I’d get cuts and bruises on my face, spoiling my chances of finding a good husband. I was surprised to find out that Laila had faced similar resistance from her father too. She was a boxing legend’s daughter, brought up in the US, and yet she faced opposition. And here I was, in a small village, trying to get into a sport that was not even remotely popular in my country. 
 
 
“I decided to wear my dad down. I promised him that one day I’d make him proud, but he needed to trust my decision. I enrolled myself for training under Coach Ibomacha. Once I started winning, my parents came around. They were finally convinced.
 
 
“Laila may have gotten some negative press, but her strong personality still inspires me’

Assam tops NREGA complaints in NE

 

Assam has topped the list of complaints related to implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the north east. The list covers all complaints that the ministry of rural development received till 31 March 2010. According to the ministry, Assam has 30 complaints, followed by Manipur with seven, Nagaland with five, Tripura with two and Mizoram and Sikkim with one each. All complaints have been forwarded to the states concerned for appropriate action.

 

"MGNREGA is a demand based legislation. Funds are released to the states and union terrotiries based on the labour demand arising at the field level," said minister of state for rural development Pradeep Jain Aditya.
 
The north east comprising eight states, Jain said, was provided Rs 1882.30 crore under the MGNREGA during the 2010-11 fiscal. Assam was the largest beneficiary with Rs 532.71 crore, followed by Nagaland with Rs 392.47 crore and Tripura with Rs 303.07 crore.
 
Manipur received Rs 236.32 crore, Mizoram Rs 187.54 crore, Meghalaya Rs 163.07 crore, Sikkim Rs 37.72 crore and Arunachal Pradesh got Rs 29.40 crore during the current fiscal.