Arunachal to set up varsity regulatory commission
Itanagar: The state government has approved in principle setting up of the Arunachal Pradesh University Regulatory Commission (APURC) to regulate activities of all private universities. “Respecting the concern expressed by various corners about private universities and their quality of education, the state government has decided to set up the Commission to leave no scope for the universities to turn into commercial ventures in contradiction to the basic objectives of education,” Education Minister Tapang Taloh said here on Friday. In the absence of an effective monitoring mechanism to check the mushrooming of private universities, a high level meeting, under the chairmanship of chief secretary on February 5 last, had a threadbare discussion for framing necessary rules and regulations for their effective functioning, the minister said. While North East Frontier Technical University (NEFTU) is scheduled to start functioning at Aalo in West Siang district in May next, the Assembly approved the amended form of the Global University Bill on March 11 last. (PTI)
75 Rhinos killed by poachers since 2013
Guwahati: At least 75 rhinoceros have been killed by poachers across different forests in Assam since 2013, the state Assembly was informed on Friday. In a written reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Ali Hossain, Environment and Forest Minister Atuwa Munda said 37 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2013, 32 in 2014 and 6 in this year till March 8. Poachers have killed 54 rhinos in Kaziranga National Park, while 6 were poached in Manas National Park and 5 in Orang National Park, he said. Four rhinos were also killed in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. During this period, forest guards and security forces have arrested 124 poachers, Munda said. The Minister also said 146 rhinos died due to natural reasons since January 1, 2013 across the state. In this period, 12 tigers and 115 elephants also died due to natural causes in five forests across Assam. Munda informed the House that the government is taking various steps to protect the wildlife of the Assam. (PTI)
Roadmap needed to boost Arunachal-Myanmar ties: Ambassador
Itanagar: A road map is needed to boost trade and cultural ties between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, Indian Ambassador in Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhyay has said. Mukhopadhyay, who met with the state Chief Minister Nabam Tuki at New Delhi Thursday, said he would lead a high level delegation from that country to the state likely in April to explore possibilities of collaboration, a communiqué from the CMO said here today. Asserting the state government’s priority to eradicate poverty and backwardness in different parts of Indo-Myanmar border, Tuki urged the Ambassador to initiate confidence building measures and help create meaningful synergies between the people of both the countries. He also cited the need for making functional the Land Customs Station (LCS) at Nampong which would benefit not only Arunachal Pradesh but also the entire north eastern region. “If one considers a catchment area with a radius of 1000 km, the region would be central to at least 10 countries. This geo-strategic concept gains eminence in the light of the country’s ‘Act East Policy’,” he said. He also reiterated the importance of opening Indo-Myanmar connectivity through Pangsau Pass on the historic Stilwell Road, the communiqué said. (PTI)