Green house association brings ray of hope in Morigaon
MORIGAON, Sept 7: The name, Green House Association, is now a name not unknown among the people of the Morigaon district.
This social organization has undertaken several novel initiative, since its inception, to aid the needy people of the district.
The most recent enterprise of this organization is what is popularly known as the ‘‘Griha Lakhi Scheme’’. This programme was launched on, August 28.
As the name suggest, under the scheme, the organization has been providing building materials to the poor section of the population including, tin sheets, tube wells etc.
Momi Nath, president of the organization while speaking to The Sentinel said that the beneficiaries are charged a nominal cost, amounting Rs 150 during the time of filling up of the application and, finally, they are required to contribute Rs 250 at the time when the materials are distributed.
She further exclaimed with satisfaction that at present as many as 2,200 beneficiaries have registered under the ‘‘Griha Lakhi Scheme’’.
In the first phase, teen sheets were distributed among 200 beneficiaries and the second phase which will be conducted on September 18, more beneficiaries will be provided with tin sheets.
The organization also distributed tube-wells to 580 applicants which was carried out separately on June 5 and June 25.
To help the poor fight against the deadly disease, malaria, the social organization distributed mosquito nets among 300 beneficiaries.
‘‘Griha Lakhi Scheme’’ scheme has been covered under 10 gaon panchayats of the Marigaon district.
This organization has been working in close cooperation with Peoples Welfare Society, another social organization known for its development activities in this region.
The president when asked about their future initiative, said that they are waiting for the flood to recede, and as soon as the weather is conducive enough, they will start their venture on buildings and sanitation.
Conforming the sincerity of the project, the president said that, in case, the applicants don’t receive their dues on time, as promised, the organisation are incumbent to return the full amount on being produced the registration receipt.
Another initiative of the organization is the ‘‘Gyan Jyoti Asoni ”, of 2007, under the pretext of which they provide assistance to BPL meritorious students of the region. Till now they have helped 70 students in respect of their college admission as well in the purchase of books. Under the scheme, they have recently distributed blackboards among a number of private Madrassas and ME schools.
In order to encourage self-employment, the organization has formed 450 Self Help Group (SHG) under its umbrella.
It has been organizing training and exposure visits on various self-employment oriented activities. Last month, such a training-cum-workshop was undertaken under its enterprise on Jute.
In the programme, an elaborate discussion was conducted on how jute production and making of jute products can be reared in a more market-oriented manner.
The president further informed to The Sentinel that the trained beneficiaries are also provided with the most needed assistance in the procurement of raw materials and the exposure of the finished products to markets.It is worth mentioning that the organization apart from the services hitherto mentioned, has also provided immense possible help to the flood-affected victims reeling in misery.

Sit-in-demo by AASU, SC body against ‘inadequate flood relief’
From a Correspondent
JORHAT, Sept 7: The Asom Anusuchit Jati (SC) Yuba Chatra Santha and the Jorhat District Students’ Union (JDSU) staged separate sit-in demos in front of the office complex of the Deputy Commissioner here yesterday in protest against the neglect of the State’s flood-affected in general and Majuli flood–hit in particular.
The SC student’s body demanded adequate supply of food and clothes for flood-affected, food for cattle, health and medicine, rehabilitation and land for those who had been displaced.
The students’ body stressed on special below poverty line status for those who had suffered losses in floods  at Jhanjimukh, Kokilamukh, Nimatighat, and Majuli.
The students’ body further demanded that those who had been rehabilitated should be issued miyadi pattas by the government so that their land remains secure in future.
Meanwhile, JDSU leaders have called  for national focus on the flood problem of Asom and criticized national newspapers and TV channels for failing to highlight the misery and suffering of the people of Majuli.
The students’ body alleged that although relief had been provided to those who were displaced to elevated roadsides or embankments in Majuli, those in very interior places were yet to be given any food. These people were feeding on edible ferns and roots and tubers.
“Due to inaccessibility of many areas because of heavy flooding, the district administration has failed to make its way into these places and the condition of the people had become pathetic,” Nilofer Rahman of the JDSU said.  The AJYCP also added their voice to these by demanding flood relief by the Centre at par with that provided to Bihar and condemned the stepmotherly attitude of the Central government towards Asom.

National Chamber of Commerce submits memo to Governor, Chief Minister
From our Reporter
TINSUKIA: Sept 7: The National Chamber of Commerce (NCC) , Tinsukia has sent memorandum to the Governor and Asom Chief Minister.
In the memorandum the trade organization has demanded setting up of Tinsukia District Police Accountability Authority as per provision contained in section 84 of the New Assam Police Act, 2007. For providing for impartial and efficient Police Service safeguarding the interests of the people making the police force professionally organized, service oriented and accountable to the law.
In the memorandum signed by Suresh Khaitanp, president National Chamber of Commerce, has expressed that grievances of public against the excesses / arbitrariness of police are too many mechanism is locally available for the people of Tinsukia to register their protests against the same. People of Tinsukia have long suitable alternate remedy available to them to have that grievance to be redressed.
The memorandum further added that it has become outmost necessary that one District Police Tinsukia in terms of the provision aforesaid.It is more so in view of the fact that Guwahati where state police accountability is located is functioning 500 km away from Tinsukia and cost time act as a major deterring factor for the sufferers to approach the State Police Accountability Commission at Guwahati.
The National Chamber of Commerce in view of Tinsukia being a densely populated town and important trade centre the NCC has demanded immediately establishment of the district Accountability Authority at Tinsukia to enquire into the cases of complaints of serious misconduct against police personnel.

NEDFi’s new initiative for self-employment of youths
GUWAHATI, Sept 7: NEDFi has set up a Centre for Practical Livelihood Training (CPLT) at the ITI Campus in Nalbari. Under its Rural Innovation Fund (RIF), NABARD will extend support to NEDFi for running this centre. This was stated in a press release.
The centre is the first of its kind in the entire North East. The main objective of CPLT is to identify, orient, motivate and train youths and impart in them the knowledge and skills required for taking up self-employment ventures.
Inaugurating the centre, renowned economist and Economic Adviser to the Asom Chief Minister, Dr Jayanta Madhab said, “Unemployment is a big problem in Asom in general and in Nalbari in particular. Moreover, more than 90 per cent of the work force in the State is unskilled.
I have a firm belief that the CPLT will help in providing the much needed skill to the unskilled youth which will eventually help them to get self-employed as the Government cannot provide employment to all.
I wish good luck to the CPLT.”
KN Hazarika, CMD, NEDFi is of the view that rural based North East India has not been able to create the expected employment opportunity for the huge number of unemployed already existing in the region.
According to him, self-employment is one of the most rewarding avenues in this region which is agriculture-centric and where the marginal productivity of labour is negative.
Thus NEDFi has taken this bold initiative to set up this dedicated training institute which should be able to address this issue.
KK Mittal IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Labour & Employment, Government of Asom, in his presidential speech, said, “This is the first collaborative step between NEDFi and the Labour & Employment Department.
The special feature of the programme is that the training here will be of short term nature and cater to need-based activities only.”

Majulians feed stray dogs in unique ‘feast’
From our Correspondent
JORHAT, Sept 7: In a thoughtful gesture today, a few animal lovers in flood-ravaged Majuli fed stray dogs languishing in the streets of Kamalabari.
In the devastation wreaked by the worst cycle of floods in the river island, hundreds of dogs have fled to the township from the neighbouring villages which have been submerged.
Nature activist and bird watcher Tilak Chandra Sarmah, who spared a thought for these hungry dogs in the streets, enlisted the help of Mukut Saikia and Jugal Hazarika – both animal lovers – in the activity.
“More than 10 people came to us later and actively helped us in feeding the dogs,” Sarmah told The Sentinel.
The ‘food’ was cooked in a large pan in the open and carried in handcarts for distribution. “We got 10 kilograms of rice, one kilogram each of dal and soya beans and other condiments,” Sarmah said.
About 50 stray dogs within a seven-kilometre radius of Kamalabari were given the food cooked for the unique feast.
Sarmah had resorted to the same activity in 1998 when Majuli reeled under a similar deluge.
Voicing concern over the welfare of the stray dogs, he called for a vaccination drive and examination by the Veterinary Department. “People are more worried about cattle, but the island’s pet and stray dogs also deserve attention in the face of a natural calamity of this magnitude,” he stressed.
The veterinary checkup is necessary as several dogs have become so weak and worn out after days of starvation that they could not even properly eat the food offered to them, Sarmah pointed out.
He said that the dogs should not go neglected even under such trying circumstances.
Everybody should help in the task in whatever manner possible, Sarmah appealed.  
A large number of local residents came out in support of today’s gesture of feeding stray dogs.