Smooth passage move: NSCN-IM says no to Jamir?s offer

DIMAPUR, March 14 ? The National Socialist Council of Nagalim headed by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah while accepting the invitation of the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to visit the country so as to speed up the search for the honourable resolution to the age-old Naga political problem has flatly turned down the recent smooth passage offer by Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir. The publicity wing of the NSCN (IM) said ?The invitation we have received from the Prime Minister of India to come to India to speed up the search for the way to honourable solution to the Indo-Naga issue is, we think is a good gesture? However, the organization also expressed apprehension about the sincerity of the Central government towards removing all the obstacles that are on the way, and also make honourable exits in case of the failure to come to terms. It expressed optimism that India could make it. NSCN (IM) at the same time has turned down State Chief Minister SC Jamir?s decision to revoke the arrest warrant sanctioned on Isak and Muivah after the November 29, 1999 ambush on the former, near Piphema allegedly masterminded by the duo. However, the organization dismissed the charges. It may be mentioned here that recently Jamir had publicly announced while addressing a mammoth gathering of Sema tribesmen during a meeting at Pughoboto, the sub-divisional headquarter town under which Chishilimi village, the birth place of the chairman of NSCN (IM) Isak Chisi Swu falls, that he will withdraw the charges registered against the two leaders to pave way for them to visit the country and the state to let them study for themselves the nitty gritty of the situation. Jamir further asserted that this step is being taken in the larger interest of the Naga people who are yearning for peace and harmony and want to live like other citizens of the world. He also announced ?I am prepared to forgive everyone for whatever they have done to me.? The organization castigated chief minister Jamir, saying, ?He always resorts to hypocrisy and lay claims to all the good names and achievements of the people, nay, and he has even unscrupulously uttered dispensation of grace and forgiveness.? Stating that the organization steadfastly committed to the cause of the Naga sovereignty. It urged the Naga people to stand guard against being deceived by what it termed ?enemy of the people.? The NSCN also asserted that it would not beg for mercy nor help from the adversaries including the ?puppets?. Mizoram Pay Commission submits reports

AIZAWL, March 14 ? Mizoram Pay Commission, constituted to review and rationalise pay structures of State Government employees has submitted its report and recommendations, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said here Wednesday, reports PTI. Replying to a query from Congress members ?Zakhu Hlychho and R Lalzirliana ? in the State Assembly, Zoramthanga said that the Government would soon announce whether it would accept the recommendations or not. He said that the Commission was instituted to set right anomalies in the pay structure and also to rationalise the pay scales of the State Government employees. The State Government did not have any intention to constitute another pay commission, he said, adding Rs 9.15 lakh was spent for the working of the Commission. Replying to another question from Lalzirliana, he said that cases of acquiring wealth disproportionate to known sources of income were investigated against four government officials. Appropriate actions were taken against on state civil service official in connection with the offence, he added. Mizoram Minister for Public Works R Tlanghmingthanga said that the State Government has spent Rs 404.08 lakh against the original estimate of Rs 40 lakh for construction of Chief Minister?s official residence here. In a written reply to a query from leader of the Opposition Lalhmingthanga, and Congress member R Lalzirliana in the Assembly, Tlanghmingthanga said that a revised estimate was made during the construction period. He further informed the State Assembly that expenditure to the tune of Rs 16.26 lakh was yet to be incurred for furnishing of the bungalow while it was stipulated in the revised estimate. Air conditioning system in the Chief Minister?s bungalow costs more than Rs 19 lakh, he added. EC for EVMs in State : Election Commissioner, BB Tandon Wednesday suggested that Mizoram, which has a very high literacy percentage, should introduce electronic voting machines for the State Assembly election due in 2003, reports PTI. Tandon, who discussed with the top State Government officials about the introduction of voters photo identity card in the State, asked them to conduct intensive revision of electoral rolls by the last part of this year. Tandon also met leaders of all political parties, central committee of Mizo Association and members of the press.

NE to get 10 new power projects

From Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, March 13 ? Claiming that the Central Government has adopted an overall comprehensive strategy to develop the power sector in the North-east, Union Power Minister, Suresh Prabhu has outlined plans to set up 10 new power projects and to evacuate surplus power outside the region. The reason for the minister?s confidence in the ability to generate surplus, power in the region, currently reeling under acute power surplus, was North-east?s untapped hydro electric power (HEP) assessed at 58,971 MW, which accounts for 38 per cent of the country?s total assessed potential. As of now, however, only 927 MW of this potential has been developed. Sri Prabhu outlined his ministry?s strategy in the Rajya Sabha, here this morning during a question hour discussion, while responding to concern expressed by members over failure to develop the power sector in the region, despite it having a huge potential.

Members cutting across party lines also questioned the minister over the delay in executing the pending power projects in the region. The members also wanted the minister to draw up a specific time-frame for completion of the projects though Sri Prabhu managed to dodge it. The minister said he had taken stock of the situation in the region during his recent visit and that he proposed to visit North-east again in April to attend a meeting of the chief ministers convened to identify mini hydro projects. He said that he had already directed North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) to identify other opportunities to develop power sector in the region.

Responding to a question tabled by Mabal Rebello of Congress party, the minister held the adverse law-and-order situation responsible for the delay in execution of the projects in the region. He revealed that during the 10th Plan period 10 new projects would be taken up in the region. In Assam four projects including one in private sector are proposed to be set up, besides three projects in Meghalaya, two in Mizoram and one each in Tripura and Sikkim. In addition, NEEPCO and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) are also developing a few power projects in the region.