Back issues - October '03 - vedanti.com, the only doorway...

Back issues - October '03

News on 31st October '2003

AASU may float new party to 'save Assam':

Guwahati: After crossing swords with the Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in recent weeks, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Oct 29 hinted at formation of a new regional party to protect the interests of the indigenous people of the State.

Mumbai firm bags capital construction project, gets 18 months:

Guwahati: The Assam Government on Oct 29 selected Mumbai-based Unity Infra Project Ltd to carry out the rest of the construction of the Secretariat building at the permanent capital complex in Dispur, according to official sources. Construction of the secretariat has remained half-done for the past four years.

Horrific tales of ULFA runaways:

Guwahati: ULFA cadres are underfed, illtreated, not provided basic necessities and are frequently punished brutally by their superiors for minor infractions. Two ULFA members who have escaped from the outlawed organisation's training camps in Bhutan recounted shocking incidents of cruelty by their leaders. They accused their leaders of being 'dictatorial'.

ASDC, BJP oppose Council seat increase:

Guwahati: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) represented by Holiram Terang, Prakanta Warisa, Chomang Kro and Elwin Teron and representatives of the North Cachar Hills unit of the BJP met Assam Governor Lt Gen.(retd) Ajai Singh at the Raj Bhavan on Oct 29 and presented a joint memorandum to him, opposing the attempt of the State Government to increase the number of seats of the Autonomous Council to 40 and the size of the executive committee by another 4 members in each Council. The joint delegation said that only the Parliament could increase the number of seats above the limit already set by the Sixth Schedule, as the amendment of the Constitutional provisions would be required to give effect to such a move.

Anti-Erosion Schemes

State Govt not co-operating: Bijoya

Chhaygaon: Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Bijoya Chakraborty lashed out at tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government for not co-operating with the Centre regarding anti-erosion schemes. The State Government is yet to submit a detailed project report to the Centre covering all the areas which are severely affected by erosion and need immediate attention, she alleged.

KRA warns UPDS, HNLC active in border areas:

Diphu: The Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) has warned the UPDS against its antisocial activities against the non-karbis and has demanded the release of one Thangpao Sitlhou, who was abducted on Oct 6 from Singhason area under Diphu PS. Expressing concern over the abduction of various Kuki persons by the UPDS, Mr Zet Kuki, publicity secretary of KRA asked to the UPDS to release the abducted persons on or before Oct 30 on humanitarian ground. "Otherwise the KRA would carry out 'operation volcano' in order to trace out the persons and the KRA won't accept any blame for the probable consequences," the KRA threatened.

News on 30th October '2003

AGP presents united front, not to allow outside interference:

Guwahati: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Oct 28 sent out a strong message at the special meeting of its executive body that no outside interference in the party's internal matters will be tolerated. Presenting a united front, the executive body also resolved to work together for the interests of the party. The meeting has been called by nearly 50 members of the executive body close to former Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta, to discuss 'outside interference' in the party's functioning, internal matters, as well as other issues.

Mahanta is pro B'desh says AASU:

Guwahati: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on October 28 stated that the pro-Bangladeshi stand of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has been exposed with his remarks on the implementation of the Assam Accord which are no different from those of former Congress Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia on the foreigners' issue.

Forest Dept top guns flay Nature's Beckon chief over claims

NGO in Assam 'forest fire':

Guwahati: A front-ranking environmental group of Assam is in the midst of a raging controversy, with State Forest Department refuting its claims about discovery and rediscovery of rainforests in the State. Department officials have also accused the NGO, Nature's Beckon, of plagiarizing maps and texts on reserve forests. High-ranking Forest Department officials also demanded an apology from Saumyadeep Datta, president of Natures's Beckon, for "giving false and misleading information leading to disrepute and wrong image not only in the minds of the people of Assam but also amongst the international conservation community".

City Science Congress to have global touch:

Guwahati: Once again, the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) will be holding the 12th National Children's Congress (NCSC) in Guwahati. After the landmark success of the third NCSC organised by ASTEC in Guwahati in 1995, this is for the second time that the mega science event is going to be held in the city from December 27 to 31, 2004.

AJYCP stir against Bangkok flight withdrawal:

Guwahati: Police and paramilitary forces on October 28 prevented hundreds of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) members from entering the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here to register a protest against Air India's decision to withdraw the Guwahati-Bangkok international flight.

US professor to deliver talk on 9/11 in city:

Guwahati: Dr Stephen P.Cohen, senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Programme of the Brookings Institutions in Washington DC and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, will deliver a talk '9/11- New Research Agenda' at Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, the city on Oct 30 at 5.30pm. it may be mentioned here that two of Dr Cohen's works, The Indian Army and The Pakistan Army, are acclaimed as highly scholarly works on armies.

Half holiday for Chhat puja:

Guwahati: The Assam Government, by an order on Oct 28declared half holiday for the State Government offices at 2pm on Oct 30 on account of Chhat puja.


Naga solution chances bright, says NSCN (IM):

Guwahati: The NSCN-IM on October 27 said hopes for an end to 56 years of insurgency in Nagaland had brightened with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to the State. "We hope the Prime Minister would listen to the Nagas and then implement and recognise the voice of the people," said V.Horam, self-styled deputy home minister of Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).

NSCN(IM)-Delhi deal can't bring Naga peace: NSCN(K)

Guwahati: The Khaplang faction of the NSCN on Oct 27 made it clear that New Delhi will be making its 'greatest mistake' if it is hoping to bring about a solution to the Naga problem by entering into a deal with only the NSCN(IM). In a statement, coinciding with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to Nagaland, the NSCN (K) said that the "problem itself is a Indo-Naga-Myanmar issue" and cannot be solved without the mandate of the Nagas.

Assam ULB polls on December 2:

Guwahati: The Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) has advanced the election of 58 urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State. The ULB elections, which were earlier scheduled to be on December 5, will now be held on December 2. The ASEC said that the polls had to be advanced to avoid any impact of the results of the Assembly polls in Mizoram, Chattisgarh, MP and Delhi upon the electorate of Assam ULBs. According to the new schedule, the date for counting is December 3. There will be no other change of the schedule which was notified on October 23.

Electoral roll publication on Jan 20:

Guwahati: The Election commission of India has ordered a summary revision of electoral rolls of all the 126 Legislative Assembly Constituencies in Assam with January 1, 2004 as the qualifying date. According to Assam Chief Electoral Officer, the date for publication of draft roll is November 11. While the reading of relevant parts of electoral rolls in gaon sabha/urban local bodies and resident welfare association meetings and filling of complaints will be between November 17 and December 8, the special campaign will be from December 6 to 7. Disposal of claims and objections will be on January 15 next year and the final rolls will be published on January 20.

Assam environment at the click of a mouse:

Guwahati: As a part of its efforts to increase awareness about environment and technology-related issues in the State, the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) on Oct 27 launched a website, www.envisassa,.org. The website was launched by Assam Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Pradyut Bordoloi. The website is a part of the nation-wide Environment Information System (ENVIS), a project which was started by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. ENVIS has been intended to provide information and requisite date on environment related topics. ASTEC is the nodal agency for the Information System in Assam.

Quake alert: expert panel to survey city high-rises

Guwahati: The State Government and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), with the technical help of the Guwahati IIT, Roorkee IIT, Assam Engineering College have formed a core committee for retrofitting of the existing high rise buildings in Guwahati, which is situated on very sever seismic zone V, where probability of earthquake magnitude is more than eight on the Richter Scale.

Film ban due to Hindi belt threat: Deka

Guwahati: Pranati Deka has said that screening of Hindi films needs to be banned in the State and the entire region because of the threat to the indigenous culture in Assam and the rest of the North-east from the 'mainstream Indian culture'.

Ganja in flames: city set for record

Guwahati: Officials of the Customs and the Directorate of revenue Intelligence (DRI) will set more than 31,000kgs of contraband ganja on fire in the city on October 31 in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Valued at Rs 6.2 crore, this will be single largest destruction of seized contraband ganja anywhere in India. Highly placed sources from Customs and the DRI said that the stock of ganja comprise those seized by the DRI during March 1999 to December 2002. "This will be a pre-trial disposal related to several long-time-pending cases of DRI. The instructions for the disposal was issued a year back", the sources said. Till now, 41 persons belonging to different parts of the country have been arrested in this connection.


DGP: Arrest proves ULFA presence in B'desh

Top ULFA leaders are in Bangladesh, says Pranati:

Guwahati: Arrested ULFA top gun Pranati Deka has told police interrogators that most of the top leaders of the outlawed outfit are currently based in Bangladesh, and that she was 'looking after' the central headquarters in Bhutan in addition to her job as the group's cultural secretary. "During interrogation, Pranati revealed that ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, C-in-C Paresh Barua, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika and several other top leaders of the outfit are currently in Bangladesh", the sources said. She is said to have told her interrogators that senior ULFA leader. Bening Rabha has been temporarily put in charge of operations by the group's hit squads in Bhutan following the shifting of deputy C-in-C Raju Barua to Bangladesh on some 'important work'. The police suspect that Barua has been assigned with the job of shipment and procurement of weapons.

Mahanta a traitor, Goswami a failure: AASU

Guwahati: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Oct 26 lambasted AGP leaders Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Brindabon Goswami for 'undermining' the supreme sacrifices made by the people of the State during the days of the Assam agitation, and doing precious little on issues for which the State had had to witness a 'bloodbath'. AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the then Mahanta-led AGP Government in the State literally cheated the people of Assam on a number of issues like Assam on a number of issue like Assam Accord implementation, IM(DT) Act repeal, etc. "Mahanta's successor in the party, Goswami has also failed utterly to act as an active Opposition leader," Bhattacharya said.

Mahanta: some AASU men enlisted to terrorize party:

Guwahati: Former Chief Minister and founder president of the AGP Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has, for the first time in his 18-year-old political career, accused a section of AGP leaders of misutilising some AASU leaders to terrorize the democratic forces in the party.

Mechanization, Assam agri dept's new mantra:

Guwahati: The Agriculture department has concluded that the agricultural sector in the State has been severely hit by the "infant stage of mechanization". Admitting that this gap needs to be bridged immediately, the department has been pushing ahead with a series of measures, including putting in place a massive agriculture mechanization plan. With this objective, the department has already distributed 105 tractors to farmers in different parts of the State with involvement of 50 percent subsidy with fund from ARIASP during 2001-2002, while during 2002-2003, the plan got a further boost with the

distribution of 998 tractors, 1500 power tillers and 300 power threshers costing Rs 24.52 crore.

'Law & order situation has improved'

Rocybul's Bangkok trip had my approval: Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Oct 24 came out in defence of the State Home Minister Rockybul Hussain's trip to Bangkok, which had landed the State Government in the middle of a raging controversy. Mr Gogoi also denied reports that the AICC general secretary and in-charge of Assam Ms Mohsina Kidwai had been in touch with him regarding Hussain's trip and the State's law-and-order situation.

Sikkim group fears influx, opposes Nathula reopening:

Guwahati: Leaders of an indigenous ethnic group in Sikkim have urged New Delhi not to reopen the Nathula trade route, linking this north-eastern State with China's Tibet region, saying that it would lead to an influx of outsiders, alter Sikkim's demography.

ULFA cultural chief lands in police net on way to B'desh:

Guwahati: ULFA cultural secretary Pranati Deka on Oct 24 fell into the hands of the police when she was arrested from a bus near Phulbari on the Assam-Meghalaya border, highly placed policed sources said. Deka, wife of Chitraban Hazarika, finance secretary of the baned outfit, was on her way to Bangladesh. It may be recalled that Pranati Deka had been arrested in Mumbai in 1997 and brought back to Assam. She was later released on bail. Soon thereafter, she jumped bail and had once again rejoined the ULFA in the same capacity as the outfit's cultural secretary.

Borgohain's condition stable:

Guwahati: The health of noted litterateur and former president of Axom Xahitya Xabha Homen Borgohain is stated to be stable. He was admitted to the GNRC Hospital here in the night on Oct 23 following a mild heart attack. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Oct 24 visited the GNRC and enquired about the health of Mr Borgohain. He announced that all the expenditure of Borgohain's treatment would borne up the State Government.


Denudation: NDFB charges Govt, BLT:

Guwahati: The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has blamed the BLT and the officials of Assam Forest Department, Bongaigaon for cutting down the valuable trees like sal, gamiri and titachap from Longchung reserve forest under Ultapani and Bishmuri range and forcing the people to carry those logs to Runikata BLT office.

AGSU opposes move to shift IIB, raps Gogoi:

Guwahati: The All Guwahati student's Union (AGSU) has vehemently opposed the "move to shift" the north-eastern regional office of the Industrial Investment Bank (IIB) formerly known as Industrial Reconstruction Bank (IRB), to Kolkata and demanded the Bank authority to rescind the "anti-Assam" decision. A delegation of the AGSU led by its adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya recently submitted a memorandum in this regard at the office of the Bank at Bhangagarh here and demanded a reply within a week.

Preservation of manuscripts gets a fillip:

Guwahati: To locate and identify manuscripts collection, document them through cataloguing, facilitate conservation and preservation of the manuscripts, the KK Handique Library of Gauhati University has been selected as Manuscript Resource Centre for Assam and Meghalaya by the National Mission for Manuscripts. The library has been entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out various manuscripts related activities of the Mission. It may be mentioned here that Assam is a State where hundreds of institutions, organisations and individuals posses manuscript collections. For cataloguing these manuscripts, it is important to locate and identify the collections first.

NEEPCO staff oppose divestment:

Guwahati: The employees of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) have criticised the recent recommendation of the Disinvestment Ministry to disinvest the stake of the Central government in NEEPCO and said that the organisation has achieved consistent growth during the last couple of years. The Confederation of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited Trade Unions (CONTU) said that the NEEPCO's growth has been reflected by the earning of regular profits and payment of dividend to the Government of India.

ADSU, ABSU appeal for peace, justice:

Diphu: The All Dimasa Students' Union (ADSU) has expressed serious concern over the October 8 incident here where a group of UPDS cadres raided Daldali and Kathalbari areas and raped three young girls. The students body has requested both-UPDS (pro-talk) and DHD- who are maintaining a ceasefire, to strictly abide by the ground rules of ceasefire and not to indulge in kidnapping or harassing the common people. The Union has called upon the leaders of DHD, UPDS and NDFB to come to the negotiation table and settle the differences, as they are all aborigines of Karbi Anglong. In this respect, they have also requested the political leaders to extend co-operation to bring back peace and harmony in that area.


Pradip Chaliha no more:

Guwahati: Noted folklore scholar, recipient of Sangeet Natak Academi Award and Xatriya dance exponent Dr Pradip Chaliha passed away at 12.30pm on Oct 24 at his Uzan Bazar residence here. He was 84 and left behind his wife and a son. He was cremated at the Nabagraha crematorium here on Oct 25 in presence of a large number of people.

Cabinet on local elections:

Guwahati: The State Cabinet on Oct 25 approved the introduction of an ordinance, according to which the district authorities, including DCs and magistrates, will oversee elections to local bodies under the guidance of the State Election commissioner. Sources in the Cabinet told that the ordinance is aimed at ensuring free-and-fair elections to the local bodies.

Industrial Policy, 2003

Gogoi Govt relents, retains tax sop:

Guwahati: Bowing to pressure from trade and industry bodies of Assam, the State Cabinet on Oct 25 decided to offer sales tax exemption as part of the new Industrial Policy. The decision was taken in the Cabinet's first sitting since the return of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from his trip to the United States. It may be recalled here that several industry bodies, including the Federation of Industries of the North Eastern Region (FINER), North East Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NECCI), Kamrup Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and Assam Scale Industries Association (ASSIA) had protested that the removal of sales

tax exemption in the Industrial Policy and said it would lead to revenue drain and repel investors from Assam. They had also pointed out that neighbouring north-eastern States had provisions for sales tax exemption. The New Industrial Policy for Assam had become effective from October 1.

Relax NCTE norms: BEd staff:

Guwahati: All Assam B.Ed. Colleges' Employers' Association on Oct 25 demanded relaxation of norms and standards laid down by the National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE), the apex body of teachers training and education, due to poor infrastructure and condition of the B.Ed. colleges in the States.


Manipur politicians held, drug cartel exposed:

Guwahati: In a major breakthrough that indicates the extent of the nexus between politicians and drug cartels in the region, a former minister of Manipur and a member of a political party were among three individuals caught smuggling heroin by sleuths from the Central bureau of Narcotics and Customs in the city on Oct 22. "Heinam Lokhon Singh, caught with a kilogram of high-grade heroin worth Rs 1 crore, is a former Finance Minister of Manipur and legislator for four terms in the State Assembly. He is also an active member of the Manipur State Congress Party. Oinam Netrajit Singh, his partner in crime, is an executive member of the Manipur State Congress Party," revealed D D Ingty, Commissioner of Customs, North Eastern Region. Acting on a tip-off, officials from the Narcotics Bureau, the Excise Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, led by Assistant Commissioner M Marbaniang conducted a joint raid at Hotel Ritz at Manipuri Basti area in the city early in the morning on Oct 22, Ingty said. A city youth named Bitu Ramchiary was also arrested in the raid.

Dhaka to demolish rebel camps if given location:

Guwahati: Bangladesh on Oct 22 said it would not hesitate to target or liquidate any Indian militant camps found inside the country if New Delhi provided specific information, authorities said. Dhaka made this statement at the bi-annual Inspector General border Security force (BSF)and Deputy director General Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Border Coordination Meeting held at the BSF's Frontier Headquarters at Umpling in Shillong.

Goswami has failed as Opp leader: AASU chief

Guwahati: All Assam Students' Union (ASSU) president Prabin Boro today lambasted Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) chief Brindabon Goswami, accusing him of having failed to perform the role of an active Opposition leader. According to Boro, Goswami has 'utterly failed' to highlight the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government's failure or 'misdeeds' like 'open killings', and inefficient handling of tea workers' bonus issue that had led to the killing of labourers in police firing, etc.

FINER no to alternative revenue plan:

Guwahati: The Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) on Oct 22 rejected the Assam Government proposal to find alternative sources of revenue in the absence of sales tax exemptions in new Industrial Policy.


Homen Borgohain hospitalised:

Guwahati: Former Axom Xahitya Xabha president and noted litterateur Homen Borgohain was

admitted to the GNRC here in the night on Oct 23, following a mild heart attack. Mr Borgohain was taken to the GNRC from his Hengerabari residence at around 8.10pm Doctors attending him, however, stated his condition to be out of danger.

Civic polls on Dec 5, expense ceiling fixed:

Guwahati: The State Election Commission on October 23 announced December 5 as the date for the elections to 58 Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in the State, excluding the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas. The last date for filing nominations is November 12. State Election Commissioner NG Barooah stated that of the Rs 1.71 crore proposal placed before the State Government towards expenses, the Commission has received only Rs 71lakh till date for the civic elections. The election for the State's ULBs is going to be held after seven years. The last elections were held in 1997.

ULFA, NDFB bent on Hindi film ban:

Guwahati: The outlawed ULFA and NDFB have issued a reminder on the ban on screening of Hindi films in theatres across the North-east from November 15, warning that "all possible measures will be taken up to put the ban into effect", according to a statement issued by the coordination committee of the outfits. The two organisations had earlier declared a ban on Hindi films in the region, alleging that these films were a means of cultural aggression of the Indian state and that they endangered the indigenous cultures of the region.

1st phase to produce 120 MW at a cost of Rs 180cr

3 PSUs to bring BTPS to life:

Guwahati: In what could be a big boost for Assam's power scenario, Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS), which has not been functioning since last year, will be revived through the joint efforts of three public sector enterprises, according to the sources at the ASEB. BTPs was set up with four units producing a total of 240 MW of electricity. However, since the last decade, production had declined and the units had been shut down one after the other. The Station has not been producing any electricity since last year. No private party had expressed interest in taking over the plant. Now, after extensive discussions, the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), and the Central Electricity Authority have stepped forward to revive the BTPS.

Assam health sector in crisis - Just one doctor per 5,000 people:

Guwahati: The healthcare scene in the State is dismal and is a real challenge for the State Government. According to the Planning Commission's norms, there should be at least one doctor for every 1,250 people. In Assam, the ratio is 1:5000. According to official statistics, the bed-population ratio in Assam is 1:855. Similarly, there is only one primary health centre amongst 32,200 population. Similarly, the State has just one sub-centre against 3,800 persons. Assam commissioner Biren Dutta admitted that the State is facing a severe crisis of specialised doctors that has affected the healthcare sector in the State. Similarly, lack of teaching staff in the three medical colleges and other educational institutions has become a major problem.

News on 23rd October '2003

Assam to host world tea meet, NRIs to be linked

Non-performing ministers may have to go: Gogoi

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Oct 21 presented himself as a tough administrator and a 'chief executive' with a shrewd business acumen when he said in no uncertain terms that non-performing ministers will be sacked and that the State Government would come up with a concrete

strategy to attract foreign investment by establishing liaison offices in the West to link up with NRIs.

Tea industry behind George visit: ULFA

Guwahati: The outlawed ULFA has warned Assam's tea industry saying that the outfit would 'not be a silent spectator if it continues to 'make money' and deprive the garden workers their due. The ULFA has made this statement in the latest issue of its mouthpiece 'Freedom', circulated through the internet.

Mahanta camp forces meet on Oct 28:

Guwahati: The Mahanta camp in the Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) achieved a victory of sorts on October 21 with the party accepting the demand by at least 44 central executive committee session to discuss, among other things, outside interference in party affairs. The special executive committee session will be held in the city on Oct 28.

State moves Centre to list Health sector as industry:

Guwahati: Industry Minister Bhubaneswar Kalita on Oct 21 said that the State Government has placed a proposal before the Centre to declare the health care sector, too, can avail all the facilities enjoyed by the other industrial sectors in Assam. Proposals are coming for investment in the State's health sector from outside Assam as well as from foreign investors, he said.

Assam has 70 lakh B'deshis, BJP expects 4 Ls seats: Bora

Guwahati: The newly elected State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Indramoni Bora on Oct 21 said that to prevent a demographic change in the region in general and the State in particular, the Assam unit of his party would mount pressure on the Centre to ensure that the Bill to repeal the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal), Act 1983 be passed in Parliament during the next session.

News on 22nd October '2003

Tea body asks MLA to quit politics:

Chabua: Rift has widened between Mr Raju Sahu, MLA of Chabua LAC and All Assam Tea Tribe Students' Association (ATTSA) over cholera disease that has erupted in Chabua Tea Estate of Tata Tea Limited. The ATTSA has not take too kindly the remarks made by the MLA in a health awareness meet held at Chabua Tea Estate against voluntary organisations recently. In the meeting Mr Raju Sahu blamed these organisations for exaggerating the number of deaths due to cholera in newspapers and making unnecessary hue and cry over the matter. Replying to the MLA's remark, Mr Ranjeet Thakur, organising secretary of ATTSA central committee, Mr Sunil Nayak, secretary of ATTSA, Chabua unit said that it was only ATTSA which has been protesting against unhygienic condition in labour enclaves and lack of proper medical facilities which led to death of 20 labourers due to cholera in the garden. The student leaders asked the MLA to step down from the post of MLA and exit from politics, owing moral responsibility for the loss of life tea garden labourers in Chabua TE due to Cholera.

Recruitment drive for the blind:

Guwahati: The Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped, directorate General of Employment and Training, Ministry of Labour, Government of India, Rehabari has taken up a special recruitment drive to fill up the one percent reserved posts for visually handicapped in Central Government establishments and undertakings.

No state-level committee for registration of births & deaths in Assam since 1996

Births & deaths listing low priority for State Govt:

Guwahati: Registration of births and deaths is compulsory under the registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and the National Population Policy, 2000 has set the target of achieving 100 percent births and deaths registration by 2010. But, the performance of the successive Governments in Assam in this area is abysmally poor. It is strange but true that since 1996, the State is without a state-level committee for registration of births and deaths, indicating that the Government was not attaching much importance on the issue. Awareness of the common people on the need for such registration is another matter.

Withdraw stir: Bora to teachers

Guwahati: Assam Education Minister Pankaj Bora on Oct 21 urged the members of the All Assam Government Permitted Higher Secondary Schools' association to withdraw their ongoing hunger strike in order to create an atmosphere to solve their demands. Mr Bora assured the representatives of the association, who called on him, of solving their demands in a phased manner.


Assam civic elections in December:

Guwahati: The wait is finally over. With the forwarding of the file to the Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh on October 20, the State Government is expected to issue a notification on October 27 for the holding of the civic polls in the State in December. The code of conduct for the polls in the State for 67 municipal boards and town committees, including the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, will come into force as soon as the notification is issued. The civic polls in the State have been pending since May. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had announced tentative dates of the polls on as many as five occasions.

DCI guidelines not met, fresh deadline expires next month

Now, Dental College faces de-recognition:

Guwahati: The Regional Dental College, Guwahati, the only dental college in the region, is facing the threat of de-recognition as the Dental Council of India (DCI)'s deadline to fill up the vacancies of teaching and non-teaching posts of staff by the State Government expires next month. A five-member DCI team inspected the regional college in May this year and directed the State Government, which is responsible for all the administrative matters of the college, to fill up seven posts of professor, assistant professor and associate professor within a month. Later, the State Government requested the DCI to extend the time limit up to six months which is also expiring in November.

AGP envoys meet Mahanta, try to defuse party crisis:

Guwahati: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) big guns have moved into high gear in a bid to defuse a crisis in the party following a demand by known Prafulla Mahanta loyalists for a special central executive meeting to discuss, among other things, 'outside interference' in party affairs.

Bora returns as Assam BJP chief, eyes tea community:

Guwahati: Senior BJP leader and MP Indromani Bora has staged a comeback to head the state unit of the party as the president for the second term on October 19 as the party high command, in a last-minute effort, succeeded in making his competitors Ramen Deka withdraw his nomination. Earlier, Mr Bora was the president of the State unit of the party from 1995-97.

UPDS warns DHD not to make false accusations:

Guwahati: The United Peoples' Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) on October 19 warned the Dima Halom Daoga (DHD) of making false accusations against its cadres. The DHD had issued an ultimatum to the UPDS to tender an apology for the gang rape at Doldoli village on October 8 allegedly by UPDS cadres.


Sumant in, to push anti-ULFA drive in border:

Guwahati: Newly-appointed Director General of Assam Police P V Sumant on October 20 said that plans are being finalised to unleash a joint campaign with Arunachal Pradesh Police in the border districts to corner and trap the ULFA rebels in the area.

Mahanta camp in no patch-up hurry:

Guwahati: Mahanta loyalists in the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) on October 20 gave enough indications that they are in no hurry for a rapprochement with the party bosses led by Brindaban Goswami to defuse the crisis that has arisen following their demand for a special central executive meeting to discuss, among other things, outside interference in party affairs. The Mahanta loyalists, however, said that they would meet soon to take a decision on the Goswami camp's plea for an amicable solution to the crisis.

Assam Govt working out tax waiver mechanism:

Guwahati: Assam's new Industrial Policy announced last month, had come under fire from business organisations because it had not contained provisions for exemption of sales tax for investors. Now, the State Government is working out a system to provide exemption in an indirect manner. As per the MoU on fiscal reforms signed between the State Government and the Centre in March this year, the State Government cannot provide sales tax exemption directly to industries. State authorities, after several rounds of discussions, have decided that the provisions of the Industrial Policy will mention the term 'sales tax deferred payment' instead of 'sales tax exemption'. Under the deferred payment system, sales tax is collected from industries and is refunded to them after a specific period.


Capt. Bordoloi in focus over DFO's disappearance:

Guwahati: Assam Sports Minister Capt.Robin Bordoloi is in the midst of a controversy with the Forest Department planning to bring his role in the escape of arrested DFO PP Changkakati to the notice of the Chief Minister. Forest Department officials informed that they will meet Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi upon his return from the US and will submit a file containing details of the Changkakati incident.

Arms shipment from B'desh

Barpeta man in gun-running net:

Guwahati: Transshipment of arms from Bangladesh to Assam via West Bengal for supply to the militants in the state, including some religious fundamentalist outfits like the MULTA, had been a continuous process, at least for the last eight months. The network, which has its roots in Bangladesh, had members from Barpeta in Assam and Coochbehar in west Bengal. Besides professional gunrunners, the network also had a wholesaler of consumer goods, an omnibus conductor as its gang members.

NE summit

NE perceptions must change, says ICC chief:

Guwahati: The president of the Indian chamber of Commerce (ICC) Mr Vikram Thapar has said that the current perception about the North-east needs to be changed and the region should get the attention it "truly deserves". The ICC is organising the two-day 2nd North-east Business Summit, in collaboration with the Department of development of the North Eastern Region (DONER), in New Delhi from October 21. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will inaugurate the summit.

ASI's on-site 'museum' at Surya Pahar:

Guwahati: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Guwahati circle, is putting up an on-site display of artifacts recovered at its excavation site in Surya Pahar in Goalpara district. Sources at the ASI told that the display will include terracotta figurines as well as stone sculptures, including a thirty cm idol of Mahishasura Mardini (Durga). The display will be open to the public shortly.

Historic past locked in make-shift shelters:

Guwahati: District museums in the State are facing an uncertain future due to lack of funds. Most of these museums are housed at temporary premises and the measures taken to preserve and display valuable historical artifacts are inadequate. Out of 23 districts in Assam, only nine have museums at their respective headquarters.

Tezpur University convocation

Mashelkar for new social, eco structures:

Guwahati: the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr RA Mashelkar has emphasized the need for building new social, legal and economic structures that would support innovation if India was to assume its rightful place in the present global scene.


EC orders putting off NE business meet, PMO angry:

Guwahati: In what appears to be an afterthought, the Election Commission on October 17 directed the Centre to put off the two-day North-East Business Summit, that was to have been inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi on Oct 14, on the ground that the mega event could impact on the ensuing elections in Mizoram and other States. The directive by Chief Election commissioner JM Lyngdoh has angered officials at the Prime Minister's Office, besides the two organisers of the event, the Department of development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) and the Indian chamber of Commerce (ICC). The PMO was quick to give the organisers the fresh date of January 16 when the Prime Minister could be available to associate himself with the event. Highly placed sources told from New Delhi on Oct 17 that the PMO has asked the Cabinet Secretary to take up the issue as it is generally felt that the EC 'exceeded its brief' by asking for a scheduled business meet to be put off at the last minute.

No consensus yet over BJP's Assam chief:

Guwahati: The State unit of the BJP is in a turmoil over the election of its State President. The Core Committee of the Party met in the evening on Oct 17 to sort out matters, but no decision has been reached till now. Party sources informed that it is a straight contest between Rajya Sabha MP Indramoni Bora and the President vice-president of the State Unit Ramen Deka. The core committee

on Oct 17 attempted to arrive at a consensus candidate, but to no avail.

Assam tax scene : Less than 2% pay direct tax:

Guwahati: Less than two percent of the total population of Assam pays direct taxes, said Mr Dibakar Chatterjee, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Guwahati, while inaugurating a day-long tax-payers' awareness programme, organised by the department here on Oct 17. He said that the exemption of income tax to the tribal people in the region, and industrial backwardness are the main reasons behind such a low number of tax payers. The national average of tax payers is 3.5 percent.

35 dead, State on cholera alert; sars, TEs worst-hit:

Guwahati: Cholera and similar diseases have caused the deaths of nearly 35 persons in Assam in the last six weeks, State Health Minister Bhumidhar Barman told on Oct 17. While 21 persons succumbed to the disease in various tea gardens in Upper Assam. In view of this, the administration including concerned DCs and officials in sar and tea-growing areas have been put on high alert.

Armed DHD, NDFB militants threaten Karbi villagers not to shelter UPDS cadres

Tension prevails in Dhansiri after ultra raid:

Diphu: Tense situation is prevailing in various Karbi dominated villages in Dhansiri area under Diphu police station. As reported by a local NGO, a group of DHD and NDFB militants raided the village Loringlangso, 3.5 km from Diphu, in the wee hours of October 14. Later the same group raided Hanse village.

'Govt should allocate funds to Karbi Anglong, Hills on a 60:40 basis'

Reserve MP seats for NC Hills: AGP

Guwahati: The Haflong district AGP committee has submitted a representation to the AGP president Mr Brindaban Goswami listing out demands for the development of the backward NC Hills district recently. The charter of demands was issued by Mr AC Haflongbar, president AGP, Haflong district committee. The charter demanded the creation of a legislative council in Assam. It also demanded the creation of MP seats for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for NC Hills district. Earlier both NC Hills and Karbi Anglong were united as one district, but as the districts got separated, the people of NC Hills fell that proper representation of NC Hills will be achieved only when one MP seat is reserved as a quota on special ground. The charter pointed out that earlier there were 5 MLA seats for the united hill districts. But after the separation of the districts there are 4 MLA seats in Karbi Anglong and only 1 seat for NC Hills. To remove this disparity, the charter demanded the creation of 4 MLA seats for NC Hills.


College flouted guidelines, have no infrastructure: CCH

Assam homeopathic colleges derecognised:

Guwahati: The Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) has withdrawn the temporary recognition to the three homoeopathy colleges in Assam. By a letter (16-6/99-CCH/20233) dated September 15, the CCH has cancelled the recognition of Swahid Jadav Nath Government Homoeopathy Medical College, Nagaon and JK Saikia Medical college in Jorhat. Meanwhile, the admission process to the degree courses in homeopathy for 2003-04 in Assam have been stopped.

Hindustan Lever's executives under Army security:

Guwahati: The state government on October 15 claimed that the Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) was indeed served with an extortion notice by the banned militant outfit ULFA and the State had arranged for the proper security of the executives of the tea giant. However, on the reported comment of the Union defence Minister George Fernandes that the Army would be deployed to ensure proper security to the tea major's executives in the State, the State government refrained from making any direct comment that may lead to a bout of diatribe between the Governments in the State and at the Centre.

Tripartite sub committee meeting on Assam Accord on Oct 16:

Guwahati: The meeting of the tripartite sub-committee on the implementation of Clause 6 and 7 of Assam Accord scheduled for October 14 in New Delhi was posted to October 16.

ACTA set deadline for State Govt, threatens fresh stir:

Guwahati: The steering committee meeting of Assam College Teachers Association (ACTA) held o Oct 13 set a deadline for the State Government to fulfill its long-standing demands before October 31, failing which the college teachers threatened to resort to agitation course.

Assam may be deprived of benefits from Subansiri project:

Guwahati: Assam may be deprived of the benefits from the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric project because of the lack of foresight on the part of the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB), which will seriously affect the power scenario in the State in the long run. The Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project, being executed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) will be the biggest hydro-power project in the north-eastern region of the country so far but unfortunately, Assam facing serious power crisis, may not get any benefit from the project and in fact, States from other parts of the country will get maximum benefit from it. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this decade.


Minority body opposes IMDT repeal:

Guwahati: The All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU), has opposed the move to repeal the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act by the Centre. Deposing before a parliamentary standing committee constituted to elicit views of different organisations in Assam on the IM(DT) Act, an AAMSU delegation, led by its president Haroon al Rashid, said the Act should continue to safeguard genuine Indian minority citizens from harassment in the process of detection and deportation of illegal migrants from Assam.

Cash crunch hits Assam Police modernization:

Guwahati: Combating terrorism and maintaining ethnic and communal harmony in the State are the main challenges listed by the Assam Police in the year ahead. Stopping illegal migration from Bangladesh, bringing down the rising cyber crimes and traffic management etc., are in the State Police Department's list of priorities. The success of the State police force in its avowed goal depends largely on the execution of its modernization plan, which, so far, has been utterly slow, mainly because of non-release or part release of the matching grants by the cash-starved State.

GU launches cash-generating schemes to boost resources:

Guwahati: Guwahati University, Assam's premier centre for higher learning but currently facing financial constraints, is in the process of initiating a multi-pronged strategy to shore up its finances and utilise existing facilities. The University is currently facing a shortfall of Rs 40 lakh per month under recurring expenses. It expects to recover a sizeable portion of this shortfall through these new schemes and projects, including consultancy services and making the University library accessible

through the internet.

Patent info centre in State by next month:

Guwahati: The Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) here is going to set up a patent information centre (PIC) in the city, sponsored by the Technology Information and Forecasting Council (TIFAC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Dr R.K.Barman, Head of the Science and Technology Division of the ASTEC said that the centre is expected to be inaugurated in the first week of next month. The ASTEC has got the first instalment of Rs 5.59 lakh out of the total allocation of Rs 14.62 lakh for the project and is busy in developing the infrastructure in this regard.


AGP claims that Congress Govt has lost its moral right to stay in power:

Guwahati: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP claimed on October 13 that the Congress Government in the State has lost its moral right to stay in power after the right to stay in power after the assurance of the Defence Minister George Fernandes to provide Army security to the officials of the Hindustan Lever Limited.

BJP president election of the State on Oct 19:

Guwahati: With its leadership failing to arrive at a consensus choice on the next president of the State unit, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to hold election to the post on October 19 next.

AJYCP staged protest demonstration at LGBI airport:

Guwahati: Hundreds of picketers from Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on October 13 staged demonstration at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport here demanding withdrawal of the move to ground the Guwahati-Bangkok flight. The AJYCP demonstrators on October 13 warned of intensive agitation if the Air-India authority decides to ground the only international flight through the region, which was inaugurated with much fanfare on April 4 last year.


CPI accuse State Congress Govt of having failed to keep poll vow:

Guwahati: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has accused the state Congress government of having "miserably failed to keep its commitments as made in the election manifesto" and alleged large scale irregularities and corruption in the matter of implementation of rural development schemes.

AASU teachers' organisations preparing draft academic calendar:

Guwahati: With the failure of the State Government to come up with a comprehensive academic calendar right from primary to university level, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), in consultation with the teachers' organisations, has started the process of preparing a draft calendar and the students' body is hopeful that the government would accept the same for the benefit of the student community of Assam.

Decks cleared for 2,000-MW Lower Subansiri project:

Guwahati: Reiterating its commitment to harness the immense hydro-electric power potential of the North-east, estimated to be an astounding 63,000 MW, the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) on October 12 asserted that it was equally concerned about not distributing the rich

biodiversity of the region, as also maintaining the strictest safety norms. Revealing that the decks have been cleared for the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Project on the Assam-Arunachal border, NHPC chairman-cum-managing director Yogendra Prasad on October 12 said the NHPC would help in every possible way in recreating the lost forest.

Kanakeswar Narzary is no more:

Guwahati: Former Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) chief and founder general secretary of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), Kanakeswar Narzary passed away at the Woodland Hospital in Kolkata at 11-30am on October 12 after protracted illness. He was 60. He was suffering from diabetes and other related diseases.


'IM(DT) Acts were more favourable for illegal migrants':

Guwahati: Former Advocate General of the State Pachu Gopal Baruah has said that the provisions of the controversial IM(DT) Act were more favourable for the illegal migrants to stay in India than to deport them from this country. The Act is not at all tenable so far as its legality is concerned, he said. Mr Baruah was making his observations on the recent campaign launched by certain quarters to get the Act amended and thus to keep it effective.

APOL to be revitalised:

Guwahati: The High Power Committee has made several recommendations to bring the APOL to vitality, while some vital steps have also been initiated to make the Society sail through its present difficult situation. In order to make the revival plan of the Society effective, the Committee suggested that it (Society) should be declared a Relief Undertaking for a further period of three years, up to August 16, 2006.

Indian minority citizens favours retention of IM(DT) Act:

Guwahati: Making a strong pitch for retention of the IM(DT) Act as a safeguard to the genuine Indian minority citizens, the North East India Emarat-e-Shariah and Naduatut Tameer on October 11 called upon the State Government to honour its election manifesto and fulfill all the promises it had made regarding uplift of the minority.

Implement the Notaries Act in the State: AALA

Guwahati: Urging the State Government to immediately implement the Notaries Act in the State, the All Assam Lawyers' Association (AALA) on October 11 said appointment of notaries will diminish greatly the burden on the litigant public as well as the government employees, agencies, etc., in terms of expenses and time consumption.


Postal, telecom employees made a strong pitch for stalling Centre's privatisation move:

Guwahati: Denouncing the Centre's move to effect a further disinvestment of Rs5,000 crore and allow private operators in the postal and telecom services, the employees of the two departments of the north-eastern region on October 10 made a strong pitch for stalling this 'heinous process' initiated under the pretext of liberalisation.

National Expo postponed to Oct 12:

Guwahati: The much-awaited 4th National Expo 2003, which was supposed to start at the Judge's Field from this afternoon, has been postponed by a couple of days. The mega-shopping festival will now begin on October 12.

State Sales Tax detected tax evasion by Hindustan Lever Limited of Rs45cr:

Guwahati: The State Sales Tax authorities have detected massive tax evasion by the Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), the Indian subsidiary of the multinational Unilever, to the tune of around Rs45 crore. Revealing this, State Finance Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka on September 30 said legal proceedings will be initiated against the errant company and they have already been served with a notice in this regard.

NEC plans to establish Single tourist circuit for NE on the cards:

Guwahati: The North eastern Council (NEC) is planning to establish a single tourist circuit covering all important destinations of the North East to give a fillip to the potential sector in the region.

Congress rally in city against NDA Govt:

Guwahati: As part of the Congress party's nation-wide campaign against the alleged "misdeeds" of the BJP-led NDA Government, the part's state unit on Sept 30 organised a rally in the city with slogan shouting supporters marching towards the Raj Bhawan to submit a memorandum drew the President's attention to the 'failures' of the NDA Government.

Transport Employees protest against appointment of ASTC chairman:

Guwahati: The State Transport Workers Association (STWA) has warned an agitational programme to foil the attempt of the State Government to appoint any of the ruling party MLAs and leaders as its chairman.

CBI probe demanded into murder of Ranabir Roy:

Silchar: The staff and the editor of Sonar Cachar Publication Private Limited have demanded a CBI enquiry into the brutal murder of its managing director and former editor Ranabir Roy.

ACMS for judicial probe into Khobong TE firing:

Dibrugarh: The general secretary of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, Madhusudan Khandait, while condemning police firing at a tea garden near Talap in Tinsukia district told that his association demands a judicial probe into the firing incident at the Khobong tea estate, where five persons have been killed and three injured. He also demanded adequate compensation to the next of kin of those killed and the families of the three injured.


STEA prevent Tanti from taking charge:

Guwahati: State Transport Employees Association (STEA) today resisted the newly appointed chairman of Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), Bhimananda Tanti, MLA from assuming charge at the Corporation's headquarter at Paltan Bazar here.

Assam Polyester Cooperative Society Ltd struggling for survival:

Guwahati: The much talked-about textile sector venture Assam Polyester Coorperative Society Ltd (APOL), which once used to boost the morale of the prospective entrepreneurs as a torchbearer, is in mire. However, efforts are on to lift it out of the quagmire it is in at present. The high Power committee

appointed by the State Government to look in to the APOL affairs, has in its report shown Rs39.25 crore as the Society's accumulated loss as on March 31, 2002. The Rs23 crore mill of the Society "has been running at a loss since 1993-94 and its working capital was continuously eroding leading to the current state of affairs forcing the mill to virtual closure in July 2002," said the Committee in its report.

Islamic militant outfits posing security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operation in State:

Guwahati: Even as the banned ULFA and NDFB continue to remain in the focus, growing activities of Islamic militant outfits have raised concern among the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operation in the State. Security forces are very concerned over the Islamic militancy in this corner of the country for the reason that insurgency indulged in by Muslim fundamentalist elements hardly have a saturation point which is plausible in case of outfits like the ULFA, NDFB, NSCN etc.

Implementation of MoS has not started:

Guwahati: Eight months have passed since the day a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Central and State Governments and militant outfit Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) for creation of Bodoland Autonomous Council (BTC) under the provisions of amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India but till date, the actual process of implementation of the MoS has not started. The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), which extended full support to the MoS and formally withdrew the agitation for creation of separate state of Bodoland, has strongly criticised the State Government for delay in implementing that the Government was deliberately delaying the process of implementation of the MoS.

Anesthesia services in State's three medical colleges dismal:

Guwahati: While anesthesia services have assumed great importance world-wide with rapid advancements being made in the field of surgical operations, the three medical colleges of the State present a picture in stark contrast. Absence of proper anesthesia services and facilities as also the lack of trained anesthesiologist have ensured that thousands of patients in need of critical care have no access to the required treatment.


Cabinet accorded National Games 2005 as one of the top three priority areas of the State government:

Guwahati: The Cabinet today decided on Oct 8 to raise a loan of Rs 3908.44 lakh by the Government of Assam from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under RIDF VIII for 16 rural bridge projects. It also accorded the National Games 2005 as one of the top three priority areas of the State government.

Scarcity of funds to repair damages:

Guwahati: Scarcity of funds to repair the damages caused to the flood control structures by flood control structures by floods this year may aggravate the situation next year, and if the Central Government does not come in a big way to bail out the State, the situation will turn for the worse in the days to come. Highly placed sources in the Department of Water resources told that about 40 big and small breaches on the flood control structures occurred in floods this year and according to an estimate, an amount of Rs 246 crore would be required to repair the damages, which is beyond the capacity of Assam Government. Sources said that this year, the rainfall started early and if the same condition prevails in the next year, there would be very little time to repair the damages, in which case, the devastation would be much more.

Prafulla Mahanta not among special guests in AGP's Foundation Day:

Guwahati: Former Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Prafulla Mahanta's name is missing from the list of special guests invited to attend the celebrations of the 18th Foundation Day of Dhemaji on October 14 next.

State Government involving private investors to boost State tourism:

Guwahati: In tune with the growing realisation that Government efforts alone are not enough for sustained growth of tourism, the State Government has embarked on a drive to rope in private investors to boost the sector. A number of projects being run jointly by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) in association with private parties are under various stages of implementation, with several more in the offing.

AITUC strongly protest against IOC bifurcation:

Guwahati: The Assam state unit of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has strongly opposed the Centre's move to spilt the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) into two parts as a strategy for privatisation. The AITUC said that the IOC bifurcation will adversely affect the interests of Assam and will be an 'injustice' for the region.

Chaka bandh on Oct 13

Transport Minister failed to break the impasse arising out of the employees' opposition:

Guwahati: The meeting between the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) employees and Transport Minister Anjan Dutta on Oct 8 failed to break the impase arising out of the employees' opposition to have a new chairman, with the workers standing firm on their demand to rescind the appointment of the new chairman.


Lever gardens in security net

HLL executives in TEs, no plan for evacuation:

Guwahati: The Assam Government has thrown in a massive security ring around all the 14 tea gardens owned by Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) following a Rs 2 crore extortion demand made to the company by the outlawed ULFA. The ULFA's latest demand has triggered off fresh panic across Assam's beleaguered tea industry, which is yet to recover from serious labour unrest over the Durga Puja bonus issue. A company of Assam Police battalion is camping at Samdang and Bisakupi from where all of HLL's tea estates are easily approachable.

ATPSF in demand yet again:

Guwahati: Stung by the ULFA's recent extortion demand of Rs2crore from the Hindustan Lever Ltd, the company has requested the Government of Assam to deploy the Assam Tea Plantation Security Force (ATPSF) in all the 14 tea estates owned by it in the State. Earlier, ATPSF was deployed only in HLL's Bokel and Panitola Tea Estates. The process for the deployment of ATPSF, which was formed exclusively for the security of the tea gardens that have requested for security.

Border should be safe, influx halted: APYC chief

Guwahati: Newly-elected Assam Pradesh youth Congress (APYC) president Rekibuddin Ahmed joined issue on October 7 with the AASU and the AJYCP on 100 per cent employment opportunities for

locals. The APYC leader, however, said that his view on the issue differs sharply with those of the AASU and AJYCP leaders.

Business summit from Oct 21

Atal to push NE as business destination:

Guwahati: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will inaugurate the two-day 2nd Northeast Business Summit in New Delhi on October 21, a mega event that is aimed at showcasing the business possibilities in the region, besides providing the governments in these eight states an opportunity to network with business leaders and senior government officials.

Dept of Atomic Energy, NEC release funds, but State Govt does not

Assam Govt chokes cancer hospital funds:

Guwahati: Non-fulfillment of promised financial assistance by the State Government has compelled the B.Borooah Cancer Institute, the region's premier cancer treatment centre, to cut corners in purchase of sophisticated equipment and vital modernisation efforts. A tripartite agreement had been signed by the Centre, State Government and the North Eastern Council (NEC) to share the financial liabilities of the Revitalisation Scheme of the Institute. The total recurring expenditure was to be shared equally by the Central government, represented by the Department of Atomic Energy, the State Government and the NEC. Percentage distribution of various other expenses had also been determined between the three parties. Whereas the Department of Atomic Energy and the NEC have made required funds available on time as per the Institute's requirements, the Assam Government has been irregular in its payment to the tune of Rs4 crore.


CM urges NRIs to invest in Assam:

Guwahati: Assam chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has appealed to the Assamese community living abroad to invest in the State. He was speaking at a meeting organised by the San Francisco Bay area Assamese Community at California, the USA. Mentioning that his government has focused on key sectors such as tourism, tea, natural gas, silk and plastics, Mr Gogoi invited prospective investors and entrepreneurs to visit the State.

Congress ministers dare Mahanta:

Guwahati: In response to the allegations leveled against them by AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta recently, Minister of State for Home Rockybul Hussain and Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswa Sarma have challenged the former Chief Minister to prove the allegations in an open forum.

MoU with IDFC by Nov

NEDFi ropes in top agencies to boost NE:

Guwahati: Acting as a facilitator, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) is trying to rope in two top funding project structuring agencies in a bid to bring about a massive infrastructure development in the North-east that could eventually boost investment. NEDFi is currently negotiating with the Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) and the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (ILFSL) to try and involve them in funding and structuring projects in the industrially backward region.

Gogoi meets investors in US:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had a discussion on developmental issues at a luncheon meeting organised by Tea Board's New York office recently. The meeting was attended among others by Asian Studies Director Nirupam Bajpai, US-India Business Forum president Rajiv Khanna, Taj Group and Tata Tea chairman Krishna Kumar and US Tea Association chief Joshep Simrany. Most of the industrialist expressed their willingness for investment in Assam.

Assam centres in Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata soon to woo investors:

Guwahati: The single window system proposed in the State's new Industrial Policy will do away with usual delay faced by entrepreneurs in obtaining clearance to set up a new enterprise. Prior to the new Policy, applicants had to obtained permits and certificates from several departments. Under the new policy, permission will be required from six departments.

IIT's technology-transfer projects have few takers:

Guwahati: Schemes to promote business using technologies developed at IIT Guwahati have found few takers among the entrepreneurs in the region. The Institute has been actively developing techniques and process under what are known as techno-transfer projects.

NEROWCC against Govt move to spilt IOC:

Guwahati: The North Eastern Region Oil Workers' Coordination Committee (NEROWCC) is strongly opposing the Centre's move to spilt the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to isolate the Assam part from the Corporation. The NEROWCC alleged that isolation of Assam part from the IOC would be the precursor for its privatisation. It is of the view that the logic which prompted the Supreme Court to ban the privatisation of the HPCL and BPCL is applicable in case of the IOC also.


'Workers meet with Anjan Dutta meaningless'

ASTC staff threaten stir over Tanti posting:

Guwahati: Reacting sharply to the decision of the State Government to appoint Mr Bhimananda Tanti, MLA as the Chairman of Assam State transport corporation (ASTC), the State Transport Workers' Association (STWA) has severely criticised Assam Minister for giving consent to the appointment of Mr Tanti ignoring the demand of the Association. The Association also expressed apprehension that the meeting convened by the minister with the STWA to discuss the issue on October 8 will not be able to bring any solution due to the dual standard of the minister in this regard.

90% employees of West Forest div smugglers: MLA

Mirza: Almost 90 per cent employees of the West forest division of the Forest Department are associated with illegal timber smuggling. This was stated by Mr Pranab Kalita, MLA of Palashbari constituency, on Oct 6 while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting organised by the West Kamrup Forest Division on the occasion of Wildlife Week. Criticising the corrupt Forest employees, Mr Kalita urged them to stay away from such illegal

practices.


Introduction of 5-yr LLB course demanded:

Guwahati: The All Assam Lawyers Association has said that to cope with the present reoriented legal education as introduced availed in the other parts of the country, it is high time to introduce 5 years degree course of law in universities of the north eastern states. In this regard, the Govt of Assam specially the Law Minister should take endeavour to introduce 5 years law course from this academic year in any of the law colleges of Guwahati as pilot project, and in doing so financial crunch should not be a barricade for introduction of this novel project of legal education from this academic session.


Safety aspects of railways discussed:

Lumding: On the initiative taken by the Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, the 'safety samwads' were organised here at Lumding division with all sections of staff including the grass root level workers on September 25. First seminar of this kind was organised in Delhi by Ministry of railways in July 2003, followed by safety Samwad at Maligaon on September 7, 2003.


Popular film actress Ila Kakati is no more:

Guwahati: Popular film actress Ila Kakati who stole the hearts of thousands of cine lovers with her sterling performance as Ajoli Nabou in the 1980 blockbuster by the same name, is no more. Kakati who has been ailing for quite some time, breathed her last at the International Hospital in the city at 11-25pm on Oct 2, creating a void in the State's cultural arena that will be very hard to fill. She was only 49 and leaves behind a son and a daughter. Her husband and noted actor and director Prasanta Hazarika had predeceased her a few years back. Her last rites were performed at the Navagraha crematorium in morning on Oct 3 in the presence of a large number of her fans, fellow artistes, family members and relatives.

SSIs sore over new Industrial policy:

Guwahati: All major small scale industries organisations of the State have regretted the failure of the State Government to announce anything specifically in the recently declared Industrial Policy for the exemption of sales tax and uplift or rehabilitation etc. of the SSI, tiny, power loom and handicraft sectors, particularly for the NPA units.

NDFB observed 12th raising day:

Guwahati: The banned NDFB beleaguered by a string of setbacks in recent times including the arrest of several of its top leaders observed on Oct 3 its 12th raising day at its bhutan camps centrally. NDFB camps at the Garo Hills also observed the raising day proceedings.

News on 3rd October '2003

Police caught DFO red-handed for taking bribe:

Guwahati: In a dramatic incident, City Police caught red-handed the Kamrup East division DFO, Prasanta Pran Changkakati on Oct 2 while he was receiving Rs 20,000 as bribe from a city-based timber trader, but the DFO somehow managed to give police the slip and is untraced.

State Govt extended Term of Panel public sector:

Guwahati: The State government has extended by two years the term of the Committee on State Public Sector Enterprises through a notification dated October 1. The committee was constituted for studying the feasibility of reviving the State Public Sector Enterprises under the management of the employees without any burden on the State.

Convention of representatives on IM(DT) Act in November:

Guwahati: Swaraj Mission, Guwahati is holding a convention of representatives of those organisations that have demanded repeal of the IM(DT) Act. 1983 on November 01 in the auditorium of the Vivekananda Kendra at 10.00am. Swaraj Mission has published the book "IM(DT) Act 1983: A report to the nation" and it was released simultaneously in Guwahati and New Delhi.

News on 2nd October '2003

Khobang TE firing

AHRC called Govt for report:

Guwahati: Acting on a complaint filed by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and on newspaper reports regarding the death of seven tea workers in police firing at Khobang Tea Estate on September 29, the Assam Human Rights commission (AHRC) on Oct 1 called for a report on the incident from the State Chief Secretary, State Home Commissioner, and the Deputy Commissioner, and the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Tinsukia district within a week.

Tea executives fled from three estates:

Guwahati: Panic stricken tea executives from at least three Upper Assam tea estates fled on Oct 1 along with their families fearing labour trouble over the on-going bonus disputes even as the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi sent a message from New York asking the tea gardens to settle the bonus issue with utmost restraint to avoid recurrence of Khobong Tea Estate tragedy.

NEPF advocate for delinking Army from counter-insurgency:

Guwahati: The newly floated regional political platform, North East People's forum (NEPF) has advocated for delinking the Army from counter insurgency operations in the region. The recently held first conference of the NEPF which was attended by non-Congress, non-Left political leaders from different States of the region, resolved that insurgency should not be construed as a problem to be addressed merely by police or military action.

Hindustan Paper corporation's (HPC) mills evade sales tax worth Rs 68 lakh:

Guwahati: The Hindustan Paper corporation's (HPC) Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills at Jagiroad and Panchgram respectively, are duping the State Government through unfair

trade practices and have been detected to have evaded sales tax worth around Rs 67,48,701 during the past five years.

FINER's new office-bearers elected:

Guwahati: The newly-elected board of directors of the Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) elected on Oct 1 the new office-bearers for the session 2003-05. Sri Subhas Agarwala was unanimously elected as the new president of the FINER for the next two years while R S Joshi and Dr NN Dutta were elected vice presidents and Ramesh Pasari as treasurer.


Problems of higher education delineated:

Sipajhar: the students should be more aware in selecting their career and every move in life should be regarded as a challenge to be a winner said the retired principal, Sipajhar College and Siksha Ratan awardee and leading social activist Reban Chandra Nath while addressing a largely attended felicitation function organised under the auspices of Sipajhar regional unit of all Assam Students' Union (AASU) at Sipajhar College on September 20 under the presidentship of Samudra Sarma. Inaugurating the function, Bidya Ram Nath, principal, Sipajhar College while lauding the efforts of the AASU, dwelt at length on the problems of different aspects of higher education and also expressed concern over the governments' policy on this regard.

Back issues - October '03 - vedanti.com, the only doorway...

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