Page 15 - Assam

Himanta creating ISI-link controversy in fear of losing 2026 polls: Gogoi

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is afraid he will lose his post and will have to face justice from the people of the state after the 2026 assembly elections. On Monday, the Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate a case against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh for his social media comments on India's internal affairs. Sarma had alleged that Gogoi's wife Elizabeth Gogoi had worked with Sheikh in Pakistan. "The BJP government in Assam can conduct their enquiry. Every Assamese person knows the real reason behind recent developments. Himanta Biswa Sarma is afraid that he will lose his chair and will have to face justice from the people of Assam after the 2026 assembly elections," Gogoi said in a post on X. He alleged at a press conference on Monday that Sarma had been changing his stance every day. "(But) we are clear from the first day and know where we stand. Earlier, the chief minister h

Foreign links, blackmail & conspiracy? Himanta targets Gaurav Gogoi's wife

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife may be part of a larger 'anti-India' conspiracy, alleging foreign links and blackmail

Cong asks Assam CM's info source on allegations against Gaurav Gogoi's wife

Congress leader Rashid Alvi further stated that the level of politics should not stoop so 'low' and there was a limit to everything

Assam cabinet approves mega industrial park, new policy for green energy

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the state cabinet has approved a mega industrial park and a new policy for green energy. Addressing a press conference after chairing a cabinet meeting here, Sarma said the state government has resolved to allot 569 bighas of land (over 188 acres) in Morigaon district for a mega industrial park. The cabinet also approved the Assam Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2025 to promote solar, wind, mini and small hydro, hydrogen and other green energy projects in the state, he added. "We have also decided to notify a new national park in between existing parks Raimona and Manas. It will be Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, spread across 316.29 sq km in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts," Sarma said. Besides, the cabinet has approved Post Graduate increments to Ayurvedic doctors, who have successfully completed the 3-year PG course, he added.

No FIR against Gaurav Gogoi, Assam cabinet to file case against Pakistani

Amid hullabaloo over Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife's alleged ISI links, the Assam cabinet on Sunday decided not to register any case against the parliamentarian or his British spouse but instructed the DGP to file an FIR against Pakistan national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government will write to the Centre to probe Gogoi's wife Elizabeth Colburn's participation in Lok Sabha campaigns in erstwhile Kaliabor constituency, which was won by the Congress MP twice, despite being a British citizen. "Multiple news reports, social media posts and other information in the public domain have surfaced regarding certain comments made by a Pakistan national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Assam," stated the cabinet resolution, read out to the media by Sarma. Sheikh's social media activity includes exhaustive commentary on India's internal affairs and parliamentary ..

BJP, Assam CM launching smear campaign against Gogoi: Jairam Ramesh

The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of indulging in an "atrocious smear campaign" and "character assassination" against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, adding that legal action is being initiated in the matter. Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said this is being done as Gogoi won the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat and is exposing the Assam chief minister's corruption. "The Assam CM and the BJP have begun an atrocious smear campaign targeting my colleague Gaurav Gogoi. This is character assassination of the worst type. Legal action is being initiated right away," Ramesh said in a post on X. "The smear campaign is because Gaurav Gogoi won the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in June 2024 in spite of the Assam CM and other ministers camping in Jorhat and campaigning against him. It is also because the Jorhat MP has been in the forefront, revealing the blatant corruption and blackdeeds of the Assam CM," he said. Ramesh added, "the Assa

Assam govt to move court against Gogoi's wife's 'links' with Pak: CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday welcomed Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's planned legal action over the controversy surrounding his British wife, Elizabeth Colburn, and said the state government is also initiating legal proceedings. Responding to a post by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, Sarma reminded the opposition of its electoral losses, saying, "I wholeheartedly welcome legal action against me. In fact, the government of Assam is also initiating legal proceedings from today." Gogoi on Friday accused the BJP of attempting to defame him and his family, asserting that he would take appropriate legal steps. On Saturday, he penned a letter in Assamese addressed to his wife, which he shared on Facebook, assuring her that "truth shall prevail." "...as long as we hold office, we are bound by our oath to protect the nation's security. Therefore, I also advise the concerned MP to move court at the earliest so that at the very least, this issue can be discussed on

NDA committed to empower Bodo community, fulfil their aspirations: PM Modi

His remarks came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a historic one-day assembly session in Kokrajhar, the heart of the Bodoland agitation, on February 17

Travel advisory against Assam by foreign govts a hurdle to investment: CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that travel advisory against the northeastern region by several countries is a major challenge in attracting investments, even as the state gears up for a mega business summit here later this month. Sarma said he has requested the countries to view Assam in isolation and not club all the North Eastern states together. He said talks are already underway with Japan, Australia and other nations to persuade them to withdraw the adverse advisory as the local government is pushing for viewing Assam "in isolation" from the other states of the region. Addressing a press conference in the run-up to Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit', Sarma said, Most embassies have marked Assam in grey' and have a statutory warning for its citizens against visiting Assam, as the state is clubbed together as North East'. Removing these advisories is topmost priority for us. He said countries like Japan and Australia are being ..

Ranveer Allahbadia moves Supreme Court over FIRs on controversial remarks

A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justice Sanjay Kumar, has acknowledged the request made by Ranveer Allahbadia's lawyer

Assam Budget session to commence on Feb 17, will unite people: Dy speaker

Numal Momin further mentioned that several important bills are likely to be introduced in the session

'Are you waiting for muhurat to deport foreigners': SC slams Assam govt

"Are you waiting for some muhurat", the Supreme Court remarked on Tuesday as it came down heavily on the Assam government for keeping people declared as foreigners in detention centres indefinitely rather than deporting them. A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said once the detained persons are held to be foreigners, they should be deported immediately. "You have refused to start deportation saying their addresses are not known. Why should it be our concern? You deport to their foreign country. Are you waiting for some muhurat (auspicious time)? "Once you declare a person foreigner, then you have to take the next logical step. You cannot detain them till eternity. Article 21 of the Constitution is there. There are many foreigner detention centres in Assam. How many have you deported?" the bench told the counsel appearing for the Assam government. The top court directed the Assam government to start within two weeks the deportation of 63 persons kept in detention cent

Assam CM welcomes Union Budget 2025, hails tax relief for middle class

CM Sarma expressed gratitude for the income tax exemption for individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually, calling it a 'huge relief'

17-year old dies in Guwahati, first suspected case of GBS in Assam

A 17-year-old girl died at a private hospital here due to suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the first such case in Assam in the current season, doctors of the health facility said on Saturday. However, there was no official confirmation from the hospital and the state health department. "The Class-12 girl was admitted to Pratiksha Hospital around 10 days ago and she was diagnosed with GBS," a paediatrician of the hospital told PTI on condition of anonymity. GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe weakness in the limbs and loose motions. "The girl's condition worsened and was put on ventilator support. It was a very severe variety of GBS and she expired last night," the doctor said. He said it is the "first known case of GBS in Assam" this season, although it is a very common bacterial disease, affecting the nervous system. "In the last six months, no GBS case was detected. All over India, there has been a wave

Assam, Bihar households big food spenders in 2023-24, shows NSO data

Among the food items, households in these states spent the highest share on consuming 'beverages & processed food' which includes purchased food items

Dibrugarh to become Assam's second capital in 3 years: CM Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the district headquarters of Dibrugarh will be developed as the second capital of the state within the next three years. Unfurling the national flag here on the occasion of Republic Day, Sarma said the government will construct a permanent building of the assembly in this city on the southern bank of Brahmaputra in Upper Assam. "Today is an important day in Dibrugarh's journey to become the second capital of Assam. For the first time, state celebrations are taking place in this historical city," he said. From 2027, one session of Assam assembly will take place in Dibrugarh every year, the CM announced. "From January 25 next year, the construction work for a permanent building of the Assam assembly will begin. In the next three years, Dibrugarh will become an important city in India," he said. As part of the government's urbanisation plan, Tezpur and Silchar will also be developed along with Dibrugarh, Sarma said. "Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh to be developed as second capital of Assam, says CM Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the district headquarters of Dibrugarh will be developed as the second capital of the state within the next three years. Unfurling the national flag on the occasion of Republic Day, Sarma said the government will construct a permanent building of Assam assembly in this city on the southern bank of Brahmaputra in Upper Assam. "Today is an important day in Dibrugarh's journey to become the second capital of Assam. For the first time, state celebrations are taking place in this historical city," he said. From 2027, one session of Assam assembly will take place in Dibrugarh every year, the CM announced. "From January 25 next year, the construction work for a permanent building of the Assam assembly will begin. In the next three years, Dibrugarh will become an important city in India," he said. As part of the government's urbanisation plan, Tezpur and Silchar will also be developed along with Dibrugarh in the coming period, Sarma

Explosives recovered in Assam amid preparations for R-Day celebrations

A cache of explosives buried in a jungle was recovered in Assam's Sonitpur district on Saturday, even as security was tightened across the state for 76th Republic Day celebrations, police said. The explosives, including 36 grenades and three detonators, were found wrapped in a polythene bag during a search operation, they said. On 25/1/2025, based on a reliable information regarding the secret storage of illegal arms and ammunitions buried underground in the jungle area near Khwbra village, Batashipur under Dhekiajuli Police Station, a search operation was conducted, the Sonitpur Police said in a post on X. One of the grenades had damaged pin/lever. So it has been kept in a secured area under guard, it police said, adding, the bomb disposal squad of the army is being contacted to dispose the explosives. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been heightened throughout Assam to ensure peaceful and smooth Republic Day celebrations, police said. Regular search of vehicles and patrolli

SC orders Assam govt to pay Rs 70 cr to clear dues of tea corp workers

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Assam government to pay Rs 70 crore in two equal installments of Rs 35 crore each to cash-strapped Assam Tea Corporation Ltd to clear long-pending dues of its workers. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said, "It took some time till the state government came around. It accepted the proposal of the state government to pay the amount in two tranches and said the first installment would be paid by June 30. The second installment would be deposited with the competent authorities of the ATCL by June 30, 2026. "We make it clear that as and when the amount is deposited with the ATCL, it will disburse the same on 'pro-rata' basis," the bench said. The top court said it would decide whether the state government should be absolved of any further liability only after it deposits Rs 70 crore. On December 9, last year, the state government said Rs 70 crore will be paid by two yearly installments and sought four weeks' time to file an

Assam to revamp infra of 252 rural govt schools for over Rs 1,800 crore

Aiming to revamp the infrastructure of prominent rural schools, the Assam government is developing new buildings for 252 such state-run educational facilities at an expenditure of over Rs 1,800 crore, officials said. Director of Secondary Education, Mamata Hojai, told PTI that the 252 government vernacular schools have been selected from each of the 126 assembly constituencies as per budget announcements last year. "We are upgrading the infrastructure of these schools as part of a project under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The selection of the schools is done according to suggestions of the respective MLAs," she said. The construction work in most of the schools has begun and will be complete by next year, Hojai said. Asked about the expenditure, she said: "The construction cost for each school will be Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore. The total outlay is of Rs 1,827 crore." In the 2024-25 budget, Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog had announced an initiative to impro