Centre approves Rs 350cr for 9th phase of Bru repatriation
Aizawl: The Centre has approved an amount of Rs 350 crore for the ninth phase of Bru repatriation from six relief camps of neighbouring Tripura, a senior state Home department official said. The approval came during a Joint Monitoring Group meeting on Bru repatriation, chaired by Special Secretary (internal security), Ministry of Home Affairs, AP Maheswari, in Delhi on Friday, Mizoram Home Secretary Lalbiakzama said. The state had last month identified 4,447 Bru families for the exercise, scheduled to begin on October 1, he said. “The approved amount of Rs 350 crore would cover transportation and rehabilitation package expenses, which includes Rs 5,000 per month for each resettled Bru family in Mizoram and free ration for two years,” Lalbiakzama, who represented the state in the meeting, told PTI over phone. Among others who attended Friday’s meeting were senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, representatives of home departments of Tripura and Mizoram and organisations representing Brus. The Bru community, also called Reangs, is among the 21 scheduled tribes in the country. Thousands of Brus had fled to Tripura in 1997 in the wake of a communal tension triggered by the killing of a forest guard by militants inside Dampa Tiger Reserve. The Centre and the governments of Mizoram and Tripura have made multiple attempts since 2009 to repatriate the Brus to their home state, but many refused to return, citing inadequate rehabilitation package. The government has promised to deposit Rs 4 lakh in the bank account of every repatriated family. It has also assured a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh as housing assistance, free ration and Rs 5,000 for other expenses for two years. (PTI)
Manipur CM asks corporate houses to invest in state
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday invited the corporate houses of the country and abroad to come to invest in Manipur as the law and order in the state has improved tremendously in the past few years. He assured that their capital would remain safe and productive. The state government in collaboration with Fourth Dimension Global on Friday hosted the first ever Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave of the North East region at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound in Imphal East District. Addressing the convention, Biren said there were certain areas where developmental schemes had not penetrated adequately. With limited financial resources, the state government can reach its goals in these sectors only with supplementary funding through CSR route, the chief minister observed. He said that the Airports Authority of India has committed to providing CSR funds of Rs 4.95 crore for procuring equipment for new Accident and Trauma Centre at JNIMS. Likewise, IOCL is funding for construction of community bathrooms, he added. The chief minister further said that there is unlimited potential for private investment in different sectors in the State and all these sectors were also present areas of investment for CSR funds. (UNI)
Arunachal to develop power sector with focus on clean energy
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government is committed to all-round development of power sector with emphasis on clean energy, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has said. Calling upon engineers of the power and hydro-power departments to work in close coordination for optimally harnessing the hydro potential of the state, the deputy chief minister said, all forms of energy resources should be harnessed for developing the power sector. Mein, who also holds the power portfolio, was speaking to the engineers at a review meeting here. “Improved power scenario, evacuation of power and transmission line projects are of vital importance to the state,” he said. Concerted efforts have to be made to draw maximum power from the hydro power stations of the state, which would help in renewable energy accreditation, an official communiqu said on Friday. Highlighting that Kambang Small Hydropower Project has to be put to use immediately, the minister directed the officers concerned to restore the dedicated 33 KV line within 45 days. Rain had damaged several transmission lines of the project in July. He also asked the officers to prepare estimates for new projects with utmost diligence and improve the transmission system so that additional power is generated from hydro projects in the state. (PTI)
Khandu asks DC to verify reports of Chinese incursion
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that he has directed the DC and SP of Anjaw district to verify reports of Chinese incursion in the area. “I have asked the concerned DC and SP to verify reports (of Chinese incursion) with the Army,” Khandu told reporters. The Indian Army on Wednesday in a statement said that here has been no Chinese incursion in Anjaw district of the State. Earlier, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao had claimed that Chinese Army constructed a wooden bridge over ‘Doimru Nala’, 25 km away from Chaglagam in Anjaw district, bordering China, in the month of August. (UNI)