Page 10 - Himanta Biswa Sarma

47,928 foreigners detected in Assam in 43 years, 43% of them Hindus

The Assam government on Thursday said over 47,900 foreigners have been detected in the state from 1971 to 2014, out of which more than 43 per cent are Hindus. In a written reply to a query by AGP MLA Ponakan Baruah, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Foreigners Tribunal (FT) has declared 47,928 people as foreigners between 1971 and 2014. Out of them, 27,309 were Muslims, 20,613 Hindus and six belonged to other religions, he said. The CM said the highest number of foreigners was detected in Cachar. Out of 10,152 declared foreigners, 8,139 were Hindus and the remaining 2,013 were Muslims. As per the Assam Accord, names of all foreigners coming to the state on or after March 25, 1971 would be detected and deleted from electoral rolls and steps would be taken to deport them. Sarma said that according to the 2011 census, the state had a total Assamese speaking population of 1.51 crore, making up 48.38 per cent of the 3.12 crore residents. There were 90.24 lakh Bengali speakin

Assam to table Bill to compulsory register marriage, divorce of Muslims

The Assam government will introduce a bill in the upcoming Autumn Session of Assembly for compulsory government registration of marriage and divorce of Muslim people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said the government will table the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024 during the upcoming session, which will begin on Thursday. "Earlier, Muslim marriages were registered by the Kazis. However, this new bill will ensure that all marriages of the community will be registered with the government," he added. Sarma also claimed that marriages of minors were also registered by the Kazis earlier, but the proposed bill will prohibit any such move. "Now, minor marriage registration will not happen at all. We want to end the menace of child marriage. So, the marriages will be registered at the Sub-Registrar's Office," he added, citing cabinet decisions. Sarma said that there will not be a

Assam CM accuses JMM-led alliance govt of doing 'appeasement' politics

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday accused the JMM-led alliance government in Jharkhand of doing politics of "appeasement" in the state. Sarma, election co-incharge of BJP in Jharkhand, on Saturday, visited Bengabad in Giridih district to meet the kins of Havaldar Chouhan Hembram, who was killed by a convicted prisoner in a Hazaribag hospital on August 12. "No legislator either from JMM or Congress met the tribal victim family yet," Sarma said after meeting the mother of Hembram. Prisoner Shahid Ansari, serving a life sentence, escaped from Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district after hitting Hembram with a rod and strangulating him to death with a saline pipe. The accused was undergoing treatment in the hospital. The Assam CM alleged that the administration took no action to nab the absconding prisoner. Sarma said that when he came to know about the incident, he decided to meet the family with Jharkhand BJP chief .

Mamata should avoid doing politics over doctor's rape-murder: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma on Friday lashed out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, asking her to "stop indulging in politics" over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Sarma's assertion while speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of a BJP meeting came in response to Banerjee accusing the opposition parties in West Bengal of being behind vandalism at the hospital in north Kolkata on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. "The incident that happened in Kolkata is very sad and the people of West Bengal and the entire country are in a state of shock. Mamata didi should avoid doing politics over the matter. She should focus on finding out who was behind the incident and fixing the accountability," Sarma said while replying to a query on Banerjee's allegations. "If you (Mamata Banerjee) do politics even after such a tragic incident, I believe this is very wrong. In such a time accusing others is

Assam's future at risk as Hindu-Muslim population balance eroding: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the future of the state is "not secure" as the population balance between Hindus and Muslims is declining fast. Hoisting the Tri-Colour here, Sarma also said that the indigenous people have gone in a defensive mode due to demographic change in Assam as "we are a minority in 12-13 districts". "The future of Assam is not secure for us. The Hindu-Muslim population balance is declining fast. The Muslim population in 2021 rose to 41 per cent, while the Hindus were down to 57 per cent. The rest is shared by Christians and other communities," he claimed. In his official speech on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, the CM asserted that the Hindu population is slowly going down to 50 per cent from 60-65 per cent. "In such a crisis phase, I am trying to bring back the population balance. I request all Hindus, Muslims and others to follow the family planning norms. We should be aware against polygamy by all sections of the ...

Bangladesh situation matter of concern for Northeast: Assam CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the situation in Bangladesh is a matter of concern for the northeastern states, apprehending that the neighbouring country may again become a hub of insurgents and people from there may enter the region illegally. Sarma said he was hopeful that the Centre would continue with dialogue with the new dispensation in Bangladesh and that concerns of the northeastern states would be at the forefront. "We are concerned about the recent developments in Bangladesh and if the trouble continues, we fear that it will affect the region from two angles," the chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Dergaon. The border between the two countries has to be protected as "people from the neighbouring country may try to enter the region through the India-Bangladesh boundary", he said. 'During Sheikh Hasina's regime, insurgents from the northeast region were forced to leave Bangladesh. It will be a matter of concern for us t

Assam CM Sarma raises concern over infiltration amid turmoil in Bangladesh

Himanta Biswa Sharma also voiced the possibility of Bangladesh becoming a safe ground for terrorist activities in the future

Assam to make 'love jihad' punishable with life imprisonment, says CM Sarma

Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have enacted 'love jihad' legislation

West Bengal floods: Mamata points finger at Jharkhand; Assam CM hits back

Mamata Banerjee raised concerns about the sudden and huge release of water from Tenughat, which has already started flooding Bengal

Assam govt to bring law soon for life imprisonment in 'love jihad' cases

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his government will soon introduce a law for life imprisonment in cases of love jihad'. Speaking at the state BJP executive meet here, he said, We spoke about love jihad' during the elections. Soon, we will bring a law, which will award life imprisonment in such cases. Sarma also said a new domicile policy will be introduced soon, under which only those born in Assam will be eligible for state government jobs. He maintained that indigenous people have received priority in the one lakh government jobs provided as per a pre-poll promise, which will be evident when the complete list is published. The CM said the Assam government has also taken a decision regarding the sale of land between Hindus and Muslims. Sarma said though the government cannot prevent such a transaction, it has made it mandatory to take consent of the chief minister before going ahead.

Tata's Assam plant to make 48.3 mn chips per day with native tech: Vaishnaw

Tata Group's semiconductor plant in Assam will produce 4.83 crore chips per day using indigenously-developed technologies, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chairman of Tata Sons Limited N Chandrasekaran on Saturday performed the Bhumi pujan of the Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district. The project was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 29, 2024. "The construction of the plant has started in short span of five months after the project was approved. It will manufacture about 4.83 crore chips per day. The unique thing about this plant is that all the three major technologies which will be deployed in this plant are developed in India," Vaishnaw said. The minister said that the chips manufactured at the Tata plant will be used in vehicles including electric vehicles, and practically every large company will be using their ...

Assam CM lauds PM, Tata Sons for Rs 27,000 cr semiconductor plant

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asserted that it was a 'golden day' for the people of Assam as Bhumi pujan was performed for the Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district. Sarma thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tata Sons Limited for taking the initiative to set up the semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad. The chief minister assured the Chairman of Tata Sons Limited N Chandrasekaran that the company will face no difficulty in setting up this industry and the people of Assam will always be grateful for this facility. 'The setting up of this facility will herald industrial development in the state leading to employment opportunities for the youth', Sarna said after participating in the Bhumi pujan of the facility here. He said that it was due to the initiative of Prime Minister, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that this facility became ...

Assam CM Sarma to perform Bhumi Pujan of semiconductor plant at Jagiroad

The Bhumi pujan of the Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam's Morigaon district will be performed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday in the presence of Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The Tata semiconductor assembly and test facility will be India's first semiconductor assembly and test facility. 'Look forward to be in Jagiroad shortly and initialise work on the semiconductor facility by performing the Bhumi Pujan of the plant", Sarma posted on X. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in another post on X said, "Today is a historic day for Assam as HCM Dr@himantabiswa will perform the Bhumi Pujan of the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and test facility at Jagiroad'. 'Once operational, it will transform the industrial landscape of Assam and herald a new era of growth', the CMO said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually laid the foundation stone of the facility on March 13 this year. The greenfield project of Tata Electronics at Jagiro

Rohingya infiltration into India has increased manifold: Assam CM Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that Rohingya infiltration into India has significantly increased, and the threat of demographic invasion is both real and serious. 'Rohingyas are continuously coming into India using the India-Bangladesh border and many states are suffering from the demographic invasion', Sarma said at a press conference here. Assam is guarding only a part of the Indo-Bangladesh border but a large area is still porous, he added. The West Bengal and Jharkhand governments are soft on these infiltrators and have taken no action to stop it, he alleged. 'In fact, West Bengal's Chief Minister gave a statement that the state will give shelter to those coming from Bangladesh which even the government of the neighbouring country has not endorsed', Sarma said. Assam and Tripura governments have taken strong steps in this matter with police in both the states arresting several Rohingya infiltrators on several occasions, he said. 'Assam is no longer

2024 Olympics: Lovlina wins first match at Paris; Assam CM congratulates

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday congratulated boxer Lovlina Borgohain for winning her inaugural bout and advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Borgohain defeated Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the women's 75 kg round of 16. "Fantastic, Lovlina! What a start. Your performance in the round of 16 bout against Sunniva Hofstad was absolutely stunning. All the best for the quarterfinals, champ! the Chief Minister posted on X. Earlier in the day, Sarma had expressed his best wishes for Lovlina's Olympic campaign in another post. "Assam's daughter and ace Indian pugilist @LovlinaBorgohai begins her #Paris2024 campaign today as she takes to the boxing ring to punch her way towards the coveted #Olympics glory," he wrote. Lovlina, who serves as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Assam, also received congratulations from Director General of Police (DGP) G P Singh. "Best wishes @LovlinaBorgohai. The prayers of all of us are with you. God bless," Sin

Unemployment rate in state down to 6.1%, will further dip: Assam CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed that the unemployment rate in the state was gradually declining and stood at 6.1 per cent in the 2023-24 financial year. Sarma said the BJP's one of the major election promises as well as governance focus was to reduce unemployment and give the youths of the state ample growth opportunities. "After 3 years, the statistics speak for itself; unemployment is down to 6.1% and will further dip in the coming days when the results of our policy interventions will start to show up. "We are always committed to the youth of Assam!" he said in a post on X. In a graphic analysis uploaded along with the post, the CM said the unemployment ratio was 8 per cent in 2022-23. "State government's proactive policies have ensured that Assam's youths are engaged in meaningful employment," he added. He, however, did not share the details if these new jobs were created in the public sector or private entities. Sarma further said that the governm

'Pyramids of Assam' Moidams included in Unesco's World Heritage List

The Moidams, often hailed as the 'Pyramids of Assam' have become the first cultural site from the Northeast to be added to the Unesco World Heritage List

Rajnath Singh's positive response to defence corridor in Assam: CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has responded positively to the proposal of setting up the country's third defence corridor in the state. Sarma met Singh during his recent visit to New Delhi and discussed the issue of setting up of a defence corridor in the state after Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 'After the setting up of a semiconductor unit in the state, we are keen that it becomes a defence production hub and Singh has responded positively to the proposal', Sarma said at a press conference here. Sarma asserted that the proposal is under "advanced consideration" but it may take some time due to its sensitivity. The Chief Minister pointed out that several factors need to be evaluated before a final decision is made, but establishing a defence corridor would significantly impact the state's economic landscape. Sarma also noted that, for the first time, the Union Budget acknowledged that Assam's floods are exacerbated by water

Assam CM thanks PM for Moidams' inclusion in Unesco World Heritage List

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to ensure that the 600-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty - 'Moidams' - is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sarma also thanked Union Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat who called to give him the news while the chief minister was addressing a press conference here. The unique burial mounds, represented by pyramid-like structures known as "Moidams", were used by the Tai-Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for around 600 years between 1228 and 1826. 'It is great news for Assam as the Charaideo Moidam is now officially a UNESCO Heritage site... Assam will always remain indebted to the Centre for this honour. This inclusion is a great honour for the country and not for Assam alone,' Sarma told a press conference. The 'Moidams' is the first cultural property from the Northeast to get the coveted tag. The state government had submitted a dossier to the Pr

Cong calls Budget copy of its manifesto but also criticising: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said contradiction and confusion were "trademarks" of the Congress as it called the Union Budget a copy of its election manifesto but also criticised it. He said the Budget would usher in a new wave of development in Assam and the Northeast. "Congress calls our budget - a copy of their manifesto, yet they criticize it. Contradiction and confusion are Congress's trademarks," he said in a post on X. "With enhanced budgetary outlays and key sectoral schemes along with dedicated assistance for combating floods, the budget will be a game-changer for the state," he added. Sarma thanked the Centre for allocating Rs 1,000 crore for the welfare of the tea garden community under the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana. "My gratitude to the Government led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for this unique scheme that will greatly benefit our brothers and sisters, who form the backbone of Assam's tea industry," he said.