A CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) on Wednesday submitted a ten-point memorandum to the state government, demanding immediate consideration and action on it within twenty days; otherwise the union threatened a series of democratic movements.
The demands include repealing the Arunachal Pradesh District Based Entrepreneur and Professional (Incentive Development and Promotion) Act, 2015, revamping and reintegration of Government Schools, induction of moral education subjects in schools, involvement of private and public companies in school development, mechanism for clean election, etc.
Addressing the media here on Wednesday, ANSU President Nabam Dodum said that, besides demands, the memorandum also includes suggestions from the union to the state government for the betterment of education and other developmental sectors in the state. He said that the union is of the opinion that if the suggestions are taken positively, it will bring reforms in education and other developmental projects by involving the locals.
He said that the Union believes that the District Based Entrepreneur and Professional Act is not only creating regional imbalance but also providing a selective advantage to a certain community. Moreover, it is being misused and creating discrimination on the grounds of domicile. Therefore, the union demanded repeal of the Act by reviewing its future implications for the young entrepreneurs of the state.
"Likewise, we also demand the state government to restrict the non-indigenous contractors from participating in development projects in the state under MoRTH. Also, there should be an enhancement in the binding capacity of the class-I contractors registered under state government up to 200 crore capacity, enabling them to participate in upcoming projects," he said, suggesting to materialize the matter by implementing certain provisions of the BEFR Act, 1873.
On education, Dodum said that the union has visited most of the Nyishi- inhabited districts and has found out that the educational institutes are more or less non-functional due to various reasons. Therefore, the union demanded the state government bring legislation to revamp the government schools through public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
"We can't always blame the education department for the poor performance of students, the school infrastructure, lack of educational facilities, etc in block and circle levels. Hence, we suggest the revamping of the schools by involving the community-based organization through PPP mode," he said.
Besides, the government should ensure proper road connectivity, safe drinking water, medical facilities, tech integration, teacher training and development, and accountability and performance measurements of the teaching staff for the overall development of the education sector.
The union also demanded the compulsory introduction of moral education subjects up to class -VIII, the inclusion of Post-Graduate courses at Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, and compulsory involvement of private and public companies in school development.
Dodum said that as the general election approaches, there is a huge involvement of money and misuse of power. Therefore, to ensure a clean election, the union demanded the state government create an independent, transparent, and accountable finance commission.
He said that most of the time during elections, the non-plan funds are being poured down to gather votes for the candidate, be it any government in the state. The commission should ensure regular audits, public disclosure of information public participation in clean elections, etc.
Other demands of the union included the immediate suspension of OSD to CM, Lham Tashi, Dy SP Moyir Basar Kamdak, and CSLO Kirli Padu for alleged hatching conspiracy to frame the case against the union. Cancellation of MoA/MoU signed with the NHPC for questioning Article 371H and Unclassed State Forest (USF) and immediate adoption of the resolution to oppose the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023.
"Besides the ten-point demands, the unions also submitted a representation to the Secretary, APPSC for immediate and effective compliance of various amended rules and necessary recommendations from the state government to reform the commission," he added.
He said that the demands included, the mandatory requisite of the PRC to appear APPSC examination, the inclusion of regional topics, and the set up of a dedicated appraisal and grievances redressal cell, upholding a 1:3 ratio in Viva Voice and reviewing and revising physical efficiency test for state police service.
"We appreciate the state government to respond to the appeal of the union and accordingly act on it. Now that the cabinet decisions have been made in the inclusions of the points, we want the APPSC to enact it," he added.
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