Page 60 - Assam

Floods hit over 33,830 people after heavy rains in 3 districts of Assam

Heavy downpour during the past 24 hours in Assam's Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur districts has led to the inundation of many areas of 46 villages, affecting over 33,830 people, officials said

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Assam for 1st time on October 13-14

President Murmu will be in Assam for a two-day tour from October 13, in her first visit to the state after taking over the top post, state Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced on Tuesday.

BJP aims 12 of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam for 2024 polls: Himanta

The BJP has set a target of winning 12 out of 14 seats in Assam in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. Addressing a party workers' meet here, Sarma said the BJP will start working from now to make Narendra Modi India's prime minister for the third consecutive time. "Assam has 14 Lok Sabha seats and we won nine last time. This time, we will have to win at least 12 seats," he said in presence of BJP president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "We will not stop till the Lok Sabha polls. We want to see Narendra Modi as prime minister for the third time," he added. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, three seats were won by Congress, one by AIUDF and one was bagged by an Independent. Referring to the recent ban on Popular Front of India (PFI), he said that the government has resolved to permanently eliminate fundamental groups from the soil of Assam. He announced that an "ambitious scheme" worth Rs 5,000 crore will be rolled out ov

No party has ideology, intention, strength to fight BJP: J P Nadda

BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday claimed no other party in the country has the "ideology, intention and strength" to fight the might of the saffron party, which is "on the rise". Addressing a party workers' meet here after inaugurating the new office of the Assam BJP, Nadda asserted that his party is fighting against all the "family-led parties" in every state. "No party has the ideology, intention, and strength to fight the BJP. No party can organise such a large public rally as what BJP is doing with only its workers' meet. Nobody can stop this party," he added. BJP Assam president Bhabesh Kalita had on Thursday announced that around 40,000-45,000 booth workers would assemble at Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara to listen to their leaders. Giving examples of dozens of states and Union Territories like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Nadda said, "We are fighting against family-oriented parties everywhere."

Will remove AFSPA only after installing peace: Amit Shah in Assam

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government would remove Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) only after installing peace in northeast India."Rahul Gandhi gave Congress an agenda to remove AFSPA from the northeast if they came to power (in 2019), for the sake of appeasement. When it was asked of me, I said we will first bring peace in the northeast and then only will remove AFSPA, which would not happen just for appeasement," Amit Shah said addressing a public gathering at the inauguration of the newly built BJP office-- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati, which is spread over 95,000 square feet and is the party's biggest office in the northeastern region, expected to be full of all modern amenities.The Ministry of Home Affairs recently extended the AFSPA, an act that empowers the armed forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas," in some parts of the northeast for another six months.In an order on October 1, the ...

Protection from flood key for further development in Assam: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the Assam government to devise a long-term plan to protect the northeastern state from flood so that more development can take place. Almost every year, three to four waves of flood ravage Assam. The average annual loss due to the disaster is to the tune of Rs 200 crore, according to a state government website. "Protection from flood is a key requirement for the development of the state and attracting significant private investment. The state government must go beyond short-term plans and come up with a long-term plan, which would provide protection from flood for decades to come," Shah said chairing a meeting here on Friday. The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers with more than 50 tributaries feeding them, cause devastation in the monsoon each year. The union home minister, who is also the chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC), directed the state government to prepare a concrete action plan to protect wetlands in the state. "The wetlands mu

Amit Shah on 3-day Assam visit, to check flood regions, address BJP workers

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Assam for three days beginning Friday during which he will attend a meeting on floods, inaugurate a state-level SPs conference and address BJP workers. Shah will also attend a meeting of chief ministers and DGPs of northeastern states on narcotics, review the functioning of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) and inaugurate the newly built office of the BJP's Assam unit during the visit, sources said here. After arriving from Sikkim, the home minister will attend a meeting on 'Flood Free Assam' on Friday evening in Guwahati. On Saturday, he will inaugurate the newly built state BJP office before addressing a BJP 'Karyakarta Sammelan' in the afternoon in the Assam capital. On Saturday evening, he will attend a meeting with the chief ministers and police chiefs of the Northeastern states on narcotics before chairing a review meeting of the NESAC, according to the sources. Shillong-based NESAC is a joint initiative of the ...

Can NITI Aayogs replace State Planning Boards to spur economic growth?

Experts believe merely replacing the state planning boards with such bodies won't make them effective

Assam cops made huts in disputed inter-state border area: Mizoram Police

Amidst the parleys between the two northeastern states to find an amicable solution to the vexed border issue, the Mizoram police alleged that Assam policemen have constructed two temporary huts in the disputed Zophai area. Kolasib superintendent of police Vanlalfaka Ralte told PTI over the phone that the Assam police erected two temporary huts in Zophai area on October 2 at a place opposite to Mizoram's first chief Minister Ch Chhunga's paddy field where a border clash had occurred in 2018. The huts were, however, dismantled on Monday by the Assam police itself, he said. The authorities in Assam could not be contacted for comments. The tension in the area due to the construction of the huts dissipated after the huts were razed demolished. The area is contiguous to Hailakandi district in Assam. The Assam police dismantled the two huts after Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and state Home Minister Lalchamliana spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also its home

Durga puja artisans in Assam see bleak prospects amid budget cuts

The deft hands of 67-year-old artisan, Tapas Pal, move with ease as he moulds the clay to give shape to divine forms at his workshop in Pandu area here but budget cuts, after two years of COVID-19 crisis, are leaving the idol-maker and his ilk dispirited. Pal is worried that this year, too, business may see no revival amid rising prices of raw materials and shortage of labourers, with several organisers having curtailed their spending. "We faced immense difficulties in the last two years due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. Last year, the administration's directive to mark the occasion with small-sized Durga idols had adversely affected our earnings," Pal told PTI. "Prices of raw materials -- clay, hay, wood and even costumes and jewellery -- have skyrocketed post pandemic but organising committees are not prepared to pay more," he lamented. Artisans in the potters' colony in the western part of the city are still burning the midnight oil to ensure that idols of Goddess Durga and

Durga puja artisans struggle with budget cuts, rising costs in Assam

The deft hands of 67-year-old artisan, Tapas Pal, move with ease as he moulds the clay to give shape to divine forms at his workshop in Pandu area here but budget cuts, after two years of COVID-19 crisis, are leaving the idol-maker and his ilk dispirited. Pal is worried that this year, too, business may see no revival amid rising prices of raw materials and shortage of labourers, with several organisers having curtailed their spending. "We faced immense difficulties in the last two years due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. Last year, the administration's directive to mark the occasion with small-sized Durga idols had adversely affected our earnings," Pal told PTI. "Prices of raw materials -- clay, hay, wood and even costumes and jewellery -- have skyrocketed post pandemic but organising committees are not prepared to pay more," he lamented. Artisans in the potters' colony in the western part of the city are still burning the midnight oil to ensure that idols of Goddess Durga and

Police arrest 25 PFI activists from 8 districts of Assam in fresh crackdown

Twenty-five Popular Front of India (PFI) activists were arrested from different districts of Assam in a fresh crackdown against the outfit on Tuesday, police said. The highest number of 10 PFI activists were held in Goalpara, five in Kamrup (Rural) and three in Dhubri, followed by arrests in Barpeta, Baksa, Darrang, Udalguri and Karimganj, they said. Earlier, 11 people were arrested by the Assam Police from various parts of the state and Delhi, after a nation-wide clampdown against the organisation since September 22. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that his government has been urging the Centre to ban the outfit for allegedly creating an eco-system for terror activities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed that documents seized during the nation-wide raids conducted at offices of PFI and its members contain highly incriminating materials targeting prominent leaders of a particular community.

Deliberated on development goals till 2026 at 'Chintan Shivir': Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said detailed discussions on development goals for the state till 2026 were held during the 'Chintan Shivir' for ministers and top government officials. During the three-day programme, they also deliberated on possible steps that would be taken up to meet the development targets in the next four years, he said. Talking to reporters at the end of the programme, Sarma said, "During the Chintan Shivir, we discussed on targets (of development) for 2026 and resource mobilisation to achieve the goals," he said. Notably, the BJP-led coalition government in the state will complete its tenure in the middle of 2026. Based on the deliberations here, action plans with time-bound implementation models will be prepared by various departments, he said. "Various departments made detailed presentations on their proposals in the programme. Action plans will be prepared soon and uploaded on the department websites so that time-bound implementation c

Night safari in fashion around the world: Himanta on Kaziranga row

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that night safari at wildlife sanctuaries was in fashion globally as he sought to dismiss the controversy over his jeep ride along with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev at the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) after dusk. Speaking to reporters at the end of the three-day 'Chintan Shivir', Sarma claimed that no law in the country, including those for the protection of wildlife, prohibit entry into forest areas after sunset. "Going to wildlife sanctuaries at night is in fashion across the world. Places like Singapore have been doing it," he said. The controversy over the jeep safari with the Sadhguru is, in fact, creating a negative impression about the state and its people as it shows Assam inviting an esteemed guest and then creating a fuss over it, he said. With Sarma by his side, Sadhguru drove the vehicle on Saturday evening to tour a part of the national park along with other dignitaries. Sadhguru was here for the inauguration of the ..

Change mindset to ensure Assam goes up development ladder: CM to officials

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday urged his cabinet colleagues, legislators and bureaucrats to change their mindset and work towards a vision to ensure the state goes up the development ladder by at least two levels by 2026. It is time for Assam to re-emerge as a developed state, Sarma asserted while inaugurating a 'Chintan Shivir' here. Assam cannot live anymore with the scar that its place in the country's development journey can be counted only from the bottom, and not the top... We have to live with dignity and not always approach the Centre for assistance, he said. There are many development indicators that can be changed in the next two to three years if we work collectively and resolutely, and we have to decide on how Assam can go up by at least two levels by 2026, the chief minister said. Sarma said there was no need to frame visions for the next 50 years as no one knows who will live till then to see its implementation or review it. We are in a hurry an

Assam govt consistently asking Centre to ban on PFI: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said his government has been consistently requesting the Centre to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) for allegedly "creating an eco-system for terror activities". The state police have so far arrested "11 PFI activists" as a part of the nationwide crackdown on the radical Islamic outfit, he said. "The Assam government is consistently asking the Centre to ban the PFI. we are convinced that the organisation needs to be banned, Sarma said on the sidelines of a programme here. The state government, however, has given its inputs on the outfit to the Centre, he said. In a massive crackdown on the PFI, multi-agency teams spearheaded by the NIA arrested 106 leaders and activists of the radical Islamic outfit on Thursday in near-simultaneous raids in 15 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. Sarma said the police are investigating whether there are links among the outfit and the radicalisation modules in som

Assam CM inaugurates 2nd ultramodern radiotherapy unit in Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated the second ultramodern radiotherapy unit in the cancer care centre of Health City Hospital in Guwahati.Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta was also present on occasion."I am sure this will be significantly helpful for patients suffering from cancer & related ailments. Our government is working hand in hand with the private sector to prevent cancer cases in Assam & North Eastern region," Himanta Biswa Sarma told the mediapersons.Commenting on the rapid rise of cancer patients in Assam, the CMD of the hospital Dr Bhabananda Das said that Assam accounts for the highest number of cancer cases among all the northeastern statesSarma, all ministers and senior secretaries of various departments of the state government will attend the three-day Chintan Shivir that is all set to begin today.During the brainstorming session, the state government will discuss the ongoing activities of the departments. The plans and ...

Assam Cabinet to increase medical seats for communities demanding ST status

The Assam Cabinet has decided to increase the number of reserved seats by two each for the six communities demanding Scheduled Tribe status in medical education from the academic year 2022-23. The six communities - Tea garden tribes, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Matak, Moran and Chutia - which are currently under the Other Backward Communities (OBC) have seats reserved for students from these communities in the MBBS, Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said at a media briefing after the cabinet meeting late on Friday night. The tea garden tribes will now have 26 reserved seats, the Koch Rajbongshis 10, Tai Ahom seven, Chutias six while Matak and Moran will have five each, he said. Three seats will be reserved under the ex-servicemen quota for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) studies. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also decided to increase the upper age limit at entry level posts in medical colleges from 38 to 40 years for general category, 41 to 43 year

Assam govt's 3-day Chintan Shivir to begin today; CM, ministers to attend

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, all ministers and senior secretaries of various departments of the state government will attend the three-day Chintan Shivir

Assam CM, representatives of 6 communities agree to meet on ST status

The Assam government and representatives of six communities demanding Scheduled Tribe status have agreed to a tripartite meeting to resolve the issue, following talks with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday. Held a meeting with representatives of Adivasi, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran and Tai Ahom communities with regard to their demand for ST status. While listening to their concern, also drew their attention to the series of steps taken by our Govt to accord them ST status, Sarma tweeted. The chief minister said they agreed to have more meetings, including a tripartite one involving the government, the representatives and other tribal bodies to narrow down existing differences and create a conducive atmosphere for ST status to the communities. The six communities are protesting against the Centre's decision to grant ST status to 12 communities in five other states excluding them. Protesters had taken out a march under the umbrella organisation Janagoshti Oikyo