2 help AAP run ... SHILLONG ! SATURDAY ! MAY 23, 2015 VOL. XXVI NO. 137! RNI REGD. NO. 40948/90 Governor to do away with 'His Excellency' GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU SHILLONG, MAY 22: The newly-appointed governor V Shanmuganathan, in accordance with a directive from President Pranab Mukherjee three years ago, expressed his desire not to be addressed as "His Excellency", a British-era salutation still followed in the country decades after the British left the country. "The governor desires that during ceremonial and other occasions in the state where currently the salutation 'His Excellency' is used for the Governor, the practice should be to use the words 'Hon’ble Governor'," said a communique issued by the governor's office. The salutation “His Excellency” shall, however, continue to be used in interaction with foreign dignitaries, the statement said. In 2012, President Mukherjee had made a landmark review of the protocol practices and brought an end to the use British-era salutation "His Excellency" for the President and governors. He also directed that the word 'Hon'ble' will be used before the title of 'President' or 'governor'. British envoy calls on Rajnath Singh NEW DELHI, MAY 22: British High Commissioner to India James Bevan today called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues concerning India and Britain. During the 15-minute meeting, the High Commissioner also congratulated the Home Minister on one year completion of the NDA government, sources said. Agencies TODAY’S EDITORIAL Tale of Ri-Bhoi 10 Notification will 9 remove confusion, Jaitley thinks it's now time for rate cut 11 Critical NASA research returns to earth from ... Online edition: http://mg.glpublications.in Total Pages: 12 Rs. 5.00 " ‘State situation volatile since HC order against headmen’ NGT ban based on ‘half truth’: MIPRL GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU SHILLONG, MAY 22: The MIPRL today sought immediate intervention of the governor V Shanmuganathan for de-notifying the National Green Tribunal (NGT), claiming that the NGT’s order banning coal mining in the state is “based on half truth”. The MIPRL also expressed its resentment over delay by the state government in clearing district council Bills. A delegation of the Movement of Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL) handed over a memorandum highlighting the various issues confronting the state to the governor at the Raj Bhavan on Friday. “We request your intervention to obtain Government of India notification to remove the jurisdiction of the NGT from Meghalaya as the ban on coal and sand mining had had serious implication on the economy of the state,” MIPRL chairman Herald Son Dkhar said in the letter. He said that the unilateral ban has severely and adversely affected lakhs of people of the state who earn their livelihood Members of an MIPRL delegation during their meeting with Governor V Shanmuganathan at Raj Bhavan in the city on Friday. Guardian photo from coal mining and sand min17 last year. like Meghalaya, resulting in a ing. “Apart from this, the revenue loss of Rs 600 crore in revenues While the ban on sand mining generation of Government of to the government,” Dkhar said. was effected from October 2013, Meghalaya has been severely According to him, however the NGT imposed ban on coal curtailed which is a serious sitPara 12 A (b) provides that no mining in Meghalaya since April uation for a revenue poor state law of Parliament shall be ap- KHNAM burns Mukul effigy GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU SHILLONG, MAY 22: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) today burnt the effigy of chief minister Mukul Sangma to protest the government delay in giving its approval to the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014. The effigy was burnt right in front of the venue where former KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum and a youth supporter Goldy Warjri have been staging an "indefinite hunger strike", at Barik Point here on Friday. Before burning the effigy, Pyndapbor Saibon, president of the KHNAM, said, “The burning of the effigy is to show our protest and condemnation against the state government’s adamant attitude on the Bill, pending for the past ten months.” While Nongrum's hunger strike entered seventh day today, KHNAM members have also been staging a sit-in demonstration to express solidarity with him for the past two days. (Contd. on P-10) Village Admin Bill GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU SHILLONG, MAY 22: In yet another alleged job scam in the state’s education department, ‘favoritism’ has become the order of the day when it comes to recruitment of teachers in government schools, RTI findings revealed. There were two separate RTIs filed earlier this year which one was by a Dorbar Shnong of Mynkrem village and the other by Patrikstone Daw, an educated unemployed youth from Nongjngi village in West Jaintia Hills District. The RTIs had sought information about the appointment of teachers in the two schools – Mynkrem Gov- ernment Lower Primary School and Nongjngi Khliehshnong Government LP School by the office of the Sub-Divisional School Education Officer (SDSEO) Jowai and Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL). Further, the applicants were forced to seek information through RTI Act, 2005 after there were alleged ‘practice of favoritism’ by the authorities concerned who at the behest of politicians’ recommendation are recruiting teachers depriving deserving and qualified candidates of their rights. Addressing newsmen here on Friday, Mynkrem village secretary Hes- perly Khyriem said, “The DI of School Jowai has failed to conduct job recruitment based on merit to a vacant post of Asst LP teacher in Mynkrem Gov’t LP School.” The post was lying vacant since 2012 after teachers appointed were transferred of and on. “The RTI reveals that the candidate recommended by the SDSEO to the DSEL for the post on March this year, is however found to be less qualified from among the other candidates who applied for the same post,” Khyriem said while alleging that recruitment was based on political recommendation. (Contd. on P-10) HNLC threatens to call 48-hr bandh GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU KHNAM members burn an effigy of chief minister Mukul Sangma in protest against the state government's delay in passing the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014, in the city on Friday. Guardian photo RTI detects 'anomalies' in teacher appointment plied to the state of Meghalaya except with such modifications or exemptions as may be deemed necessary to protect and preserve our unique tribal systems, customs and traditions. Quoting the order of the NGT on March 25, this year which states-‘that it is not impressed by the state government’s decision to seek exemption under Para 12 A (B)’, Dkhar said, “These are dangerous trends which are giving birth to a serious sense of alienation and discrimination which may have serious consequences.” While appreciating the NGT’s concern about the environment, he said there is no basis for the assumptions made by the NGT about the extent of environmental and health degradation adding, “Using Mr Modi’s, the Prime Minister, analogy, these observations by the NGT are ‘perception driven’ and not based on whole facts but half truths.” Further, the MIPRL has also apprised the governor of the current situation arising out of the delay (Contd. on P-10) SHILLONG, MAY 22: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) today threatened to call for a 48-hour ‘total shutdown’ next week to protest the government's "failure" to bring out an acceptable solution to the crisis arising out of a high court order on "powers" of traditional chiefs. “In view of all the harassment caused to our Rangbah Shnongs and public by the government, the outfit shall declare a 48hour shutdown from 6 pm of May 26 in the entire Khasi-Jaintia Hills if the government failed to come up with a solution by May 25,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued here on Friday. Tension along border over kidnapping of traders GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU After the incident, the kidnappers stayed in constant with the family members and demanded Rs 5 lakh each for their release, sources said, adding that the “deal” was finally fixed at Rs 2 lakh, sources said. The money was paid to the gang on May 18, sources said adding, since then the families failed to contact the kidnappers. All along, the families did not file any FIR after being threatened by the kidnappers not to do so. As the victims are yet to be released there have been apprehensions that they might have been killed already. (Contd. on P-10) MTDF plans Autumn Festival 'with a difference' GUARDIAN NEWS BUREAU SHILLONG, MAY 22: The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) is gearing up to hold the Autumn Festival 2015, tentatively in the first week of November. Moving away from the usual festival that has been held throughout the years, MTDF will devise a different format to cater to the desire of the genuine tourists, while the usual entertainment for local residents may be held with more vigilance to avoid serious public inconveniences. In this regard, research work is being formulated to associate with professional team and ensure a meaningful endeavour to promote Tourism in the State. Government departments concerned along with the apex body under the Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society (MVDPTCS) has approached MTDF for partnership in certain aspects of cultural, rural, adventure and eco-tourism. Therefore, apart from the Autumn Festival, MTDF had facilitated to guide the cooperative societies working in various tourism sectors. According to the outfit, the state of affairs at the moment is all the "fruits of a failed Congress government and its inability to come out with solutions". “It is a government which is specialised in manufacturing problems rather than solving them,” Nongtraw said. The HNLC also extended its full support to the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong, Shnong Syiems, Dolloi and the pressure groups who are raising their concerns for the approval of the village administration Bill by the governor at the earliest. It also urged all the Rangbah Shnongs, Syiems pressure groups of the Hynñiewtrep to come out and support former KHADC chief (Contd. on P-10) " Traders not released even after ‘paying ransom of Rs 4 lakh’ TURA, MAY 22: Tension ran high around the Assam – Meghalaya border kidnapping of after two traders about a week ago even as the respective families have allegedly paid the ransom money but yet to secure their release. Akidul Islam (19) and Humayun hailing from College Nagar area of Mancachar in Dhubri district were kidnapped on May 15 while they were returning from Tura. The armed group stopped the victims’ vehicle at Ghoramara under Garobadha police station in West Garo Hills district around 7 pm and took them away at gunpoint. The MVDPTCS has already set up tourism infrastructure at eight villages of Kongthong, Mawphanlur, Mawlongbna, Umden, Nonglang, Mawsmai and two developing tourist destination villages in War Jaintia, which are expected to function soon. The general meeting of the MTDF held recently has elected it's new office bearers to undertake fresh assignments in tourism sector. The Vice Chancellor Martin Luther Christian University and former Chairman R G Lyngdoh retained his top posi- tion in the Forum; Kishen Tibrewalla of Hotel Polo Towers was elected vice-president, Ian Khongmen of Imagenation as secretary, Kunal Mordani of VLCC as joint secretary, Keith Wahlang of Springboard Surprises as finance secretary, William Diengdoh of Meattreat as treasurer, Raphael Warjri of Riti Academy of Visual Arts as publicity secretary, while Lionel Nongkhlaw of Sanshnong Tourism Society as the executive secretary. Some of the main and founding members of the Forum like Larsing Ming, DD Laloo, Sonny L Khyriem, (Contd. on P-10) Solo travellers: Research before packing your bag Jaitley disapproves Naqvi’s beef remark NEW DELHI, MAY 22: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today disapproved of his ministerial colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's remark that those who cannot live without eating beef should go to Pakistan or any other country, saying people should be aware of their responsibilities. Jaitley, one of the senior ministers in the Narendra Modi Cabinet, however, insisted that such comments would have no impact on the government or its policies. Asked about Naqvi's remarks at a press conference held to highlight achievements of the Modi government in its first year, Jaitley said, "It is natural that people should realise their responsibilities. The Prime Minister has also said so time and again." He also took a dig at news channels for playing up such remarks, saying, "It is a different thing that these comments have their own attraction in your channels". Naqvi, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, had sparked a controversy yesterday by saying that "If a certain section (of people) is dying because they can't sell or eat beef then this is not the country for them. Let them go to Pakistan or an Arab nation, or any other part of world where it is available." The BJP-led government in Maharashtra has banned slaughter of cow and its progeny and made sale and possession of beef unlawful, providing for imprisonment upto five years and fine of Rs 10,000. The decision has invited criticism from several sections. A few ministers in the past have trigerred controversies with their comments targeting a community or their political rivals, inviting rebuke from Narendra Modi and BJP.Agencies " COAL SCAM Naveen Jindal, Rao, Koda & 7 others get bail NEW DELHI, MAY 22:Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, ex Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao and seven others were today granted bail by a special court which asked them not to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. The court granted them the relief after they appeared before it and sought bail on the ground that they have joined the (Contd. on P-10) Sanjay urges Centre not to issue passport to Geelani GUWAHATI, MAY 22: Amidst the controversy surrounding the issuance of passport to hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, AICC spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam today urged the Centre to desist from such a move. "If activities of Geelani and other Hurriyat leaders' are anti-India, then the central government should take a decision to stop issuing passport to Geelani," he told reporters here. The issuance of passport to Geelani has kicked off a controversy in Kashmir with PDP and BJP, the coalition partners in the state, having diametrically opposite views on it. While PDP said Geelani should be given passport on "humanitarian" (Contd. on P-10)
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