By Pradeep Kumar
ITANAGAR, Aug 27: Responding to a query from Gabriel D Wangsu during question hour: – if there is any move to solve boundary dispute mutually as suggested union home minister? – during, Chief Minister Pema Khandu intervened to inform that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during CMs’ conference in 2019 had referred to many inter-state boundary dispute involving court litigation and advised to solve mutually. Home Minister Amit Saha during his visit to Guwahati had also repeated the same request.
Thus, a letter was sent to Assam governor in 2019 but no response has been received, he said, adding that he would speak to CM and the process would be accelerated with the BJP ruling in Arunachal and Assam, both very good neighbours.
His statement came in response to question raised on the issue by Doimukh MLA Tana Hali Tara, who said that Assam forest department in the name of inter-state border dispute have been looting Arunachalees and plundering their cultivated areas.
Home Minister Felix termed that the matter is sub-judice in Supreme Court of India, which has been holding trails as it involves 716-km inter-state area where cultivatable land villages are located.
Zero hour discussion: Member Ninong Ering raising “fund provision for model residential school under Mukhya Mantri Adhunik Pathshala Yojana (MMAPY) by state Govt” said that closing down MMAPY amounted to GoAP’s failure. It should continue as a pilot project as fund has been sanctioned.
In response, Education Minister Taba Tedir said that though education started seriously in 1968 but first education police came in 1986 and new education policy (NEP) came only after 34 year in 2020. The GoAP has formed a task force to implement the NEP, he said and highlighted various aspects terming it as revival of guru-shishya tradition.
Sarba Sikshya Abhiyan was not successful for which pre-primary education started last year while teachers’ posting was streamlined to make teachers available in all schools; he said and urged MLAs to build accommodation for teachers under their MLALAD fund. Due promotion of teachers through DPCs and their training, the school showed excellent results. Moreover, model schools have been built under BADP while many defunct schools have been closed, he said.
Insisting on quality, Ering sought continuation of Pasighat and Mayo model schools for which funds were allocated. But, Tedir denied fund provision when Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte, on chair, intervened to hope that the GoAP decision would be fruitful.
Bills -Arunachal Pradesh Salaries & allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2020; Arunachal Pradesh Speaker & Deputy Speaker Salaries & Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2020 & Arunachal Pradesh Salary & allowances and Pension of Member of Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bamang Felix); Arunachal Pradesh Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) (Amendment) Bill, 2002; The Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Disputes Bill, 2020 & Arunachal Pradesh District Based Entrepreneurs & Professions (Incentive, Development & Promotional) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (moved by Chief Minister Pema Khandu) and The Arunachal Pradesh Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (moved by Industries Minister Tumke Bagra) – were so passed by voice votes.
The house commenced with obituary reference in respect of former members Passang Wangchuk Sona and Nido Techi.
Late Sona, my father born in 1951 breathed his last on 03.04.20 after prolonged illness. Educated from Mechuka, Tawang and graduated from Shillong St Edmund’s College, he was elected from Mechuka seat in 1980 of the then West Siang district and now Shi-Yomi district, to serve as deputy speaker, elected again in 1990 to serve as Dy Chairman of state planning board, elected again in 1995 to serve as MoS and cabinet minister since 1996.He was a student leader, associated with all socio-cultural organizations. With his death the state has lost a tall leader, he said.
Sona became emotional while recalling instances to teach him how to respect elders and concluded that “I am whatever today is because of lessons taught by him.”
The speaker also recalled Nido Techi, who was born on 02.02.1945 and died on 26.04.20, had represented Raga seat.
Terming Sona as a very simple man, Ninong Ering said he will always be remembered for his invaluable contributions.
Member Tarin Dakpe also recalled Sona’s contributions and lauded chief minister for permitting to name Kamle district hospital at Raga after late Techi as a tribute.
“You have made your father proud by learning whatever late Sona taught you by hand holding which are lessons for younger generations,” said Mutchu Mithi.
Minister Tumke Bagra termed late Sona as a veteran leader of West Siang district. He deeply mourned passing away of both leaders. Minister Honchun Ngandam recalled the great personality of late Sona and joined other mourners.
Describing late Sona as a very strong and brave man with greatness, Nyato Rigia said that it has been reflected in presence of his son as Speaker today and all his children are well placed. Late Techi was loving personality; he said and lauded their contributions to the state.
“Late Sona was my friend,” said Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, adding “he was a disciplined but good human being”. Contributions of such personalities are unparallel, he said.
“He had told me about quitting politics and I am lucky for working with his son now”. He said that Chowkhaman Gohain, Daying Ering, Chowchandrit Gohain, late Sona and late Techi were first generation politicians along with agency council members. Techi was a member of agency council, he recalled.
Arunachal has undergone sea changes since NEFA days, he said and stressed on political will power with transparency for heralding the much desired change slowly but steadily, he added.
Remote Mechuka is perhaps only constituency which has produced a deputy speaker (late Sona) and present Speaker, Phosum Khimhun said.
“We have lost to senior leaders in April 2020,” CM Pema Khandu said. Late Sona was downtrodden personality and present Sona is continuing his legacy.
Though I never met late Techi but he was a veteran leader to serve as agency council member and elected in 1978. The CM appealed to all members to rename institutions after such veteran leaders.
After 74 minutes, the house observed two minutes silence to pray for the departed leaders as a mark of respect.
20
