Page 19 - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam govt outreach drive: CM, ministers to visit over 25,000 villages

The Assam Chief Minister, ministers, senior government officers, and other staff will visit 25,501 villages across the state over a period of 15 days

Om Birla to inaugurate new building of Assam Legislative Assembly today

All existing and former Parliamentarians, members of the Assam Legislative Assembly, and other invitees will be present on the occasion

Rohingya infiltration 'alarming' and threat to nation's security: Assam CM

Infiltration by Rohingyas from Bangladesh through Assam's Karimganj district is 'alarming' and a threat to national security, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. There is a network of brokers who bring the Rohingyas into Tripura, from there to Karimganj in Assam and then the rest of the country, the chief minister said while addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the two-day conference of superintendents of police in Bongaigaon. ''Five police teams from Assam are currently in Tripura and working with the state government to act against the brokers,'' he said. The situation is alarming and anyone entering the country illegally without valid papers is a threat to the security of the country, Sarma added. ''We have already informed the Centre and sought help from central agencies along with the cooperation of the Tripura government'', he added. The Rohingyas do not stay in Assam but move to other parts of the country, he added. ''We, however, adopted the

Assam CM blames Miyas' for soaring vegetable prices; opposition slams

Spiralling vegetable prices in Assam's largest city Guwahati has triggered a war of words between political opponents, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's blaming Miyas' for the escalating rates drawing sharp reactions from opposition parties. While AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said Miyas' have been hurt' by the CM's comment, Congress and other opposition parties sniffed a collusion between the BJP and the AIUDF in communal politics' ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Sarma, while responding to reporters' questions on high price of veggies in Guwahati, had said, "Vegetables are not priced so high in villages. Here the Miya vendors charge us more. Had it been Assamese vendors selling vegetables, they wouldn't have fleeced their own people." "I will clear all the footpaths of Guwahati and I urge our Assamese people to come forward and start their businesses," he added. Bengali-speaking Muslims are generally referred to as Miyas' in the state, with the community largely ..

No reshuffle in cabinet, major changes after Lok Sabha polls: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday ruled out any reshuffle in his ministry, but said "big changes" will take place after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and before the 2026 state Assembly election. Sarma also said he has met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the flood situation in the northeastern state. "There will be no reshuffle (in the Assam cabinet) till the Lok Sabha polls. However, there will definitely be big changes after the Lok Sabha polls and before the (2026) Assembly election," he said here. Sarma also ruled out the possibility of any change in the leadership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Assam unit. "The state unit president of the BJP normally completes his tenure. A president has a fixed tenure. No change takes place halfway," he said. Asked about the ongoing delimitation exercise of the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam, Sarma said there is no opposition to it, adding that certain issues have cropped up relat

Assam CM creating divide between Muslims, Asamese people: Badruddin Ajmal

The AIUDF chief alleged further that Sarma's statement creates a chasm between the Muslims and the other Asamese people, including the youth

1.2mn houses constructed in Assam under PMAY-G in last 7 years: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday claimed that 12 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen) have been constructed in the state in the last seven years. He claimed that of the 12 lakh houses constructed during the BJP rule in the state, 8.39 lakh have been built in the last two years during his tenure as the chief minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set the target of constructing 19.10 lakh houses till 2024, and of those, 12.43 lakh have been constructed, Sarma said at a function of the 'Griha Pravesh' programme for three lakh beneficiaries. "The state government has been taking all measures to give shape to the prime minister's vision of ensuring housing for all by 2024 and is implementing the provisions of PMAY (Grameen) in letter and spirit," he said. In the last three months, 3.06 lakh houses under PMAY-G have been completed, he said. The beneficiaries are being provided with an amount of Rs 1.30 lakh each in three installments in dire

State planning to ban polygamy immediately, to bring bill soon: Assam CM

The bill is likely to be tabled in the Assam Assembly in the monsoon session, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday

133 Bengal people in Assam due poll violence: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said over 100 people from West Bengal have taken shelter in the state, fearing for their lives because of the panchayat election violence back home. Stating that the people have been provided shelter in a relief camp, the chief minister assured them of any humanitarian aid during times of crisis. While West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari thanked Sarma for providing relief to the tormented opposition party karyakartas of WB, cabinet minister of the neighbouring state Shashi Panja hinted that the Assam CM was raising a false alarm and creating a sense of panic. Yesterday, 133 individuals who feared for their lives due to violence in the panchayat election in West Bengal sought refuge in Dhubri district of Assam. We have provided them with shelter in a relief camp, as well as food and medical assistance, Sarma wrote on Twitter. Expressing gratitude to Sarma, Adhikari, who is the leader of opposition of West Bengal, wrote: I would

Rahul Gandhi's sudden desire to get real laughable, says Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's sudden desire and desperation to get real is laughable. Sarma was referring to Gandhi's impromptu stop on Saturday at Madina village in Haryana's Sonipat district, where he interacted with people and spent time with farmers working in agricultural lands. He also claimed that there was heckling of farmers as the former Congress president posed with them for photographs. Gandhi took part in paddy sowing, drove a tractor and ate food brought by women labourers working in the fields, said party leaders in Haryana. Sharing a brief video of Gandhi with farmers, Sarma wrote on Twitter: "The sudden desire of the Prince, and his desperation, to get real is laughable! But in your zeal to get captured by your photo & video team, for God's sake, do not demean the dignity of our Annadatas. "The heckling of farmers to pose as a 'farmer' is deplorable Mr Gandhi. Get Real without the Reels," said Sarma, a ...

1182 cadres of eight Adivasi outfits formally deposit arms to Assam CM

Altogether 1182 cadres of eight Adivasi insurgents outfits, which had signed a peace agreement with the central and Assam governments, on Thursday formally deposited their arms to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma here. The representatives of outfits, including three breakaway factions, deposited their arms to the chief minister at a ceremony organised by the home department here. The cadres laid down 304 arms and 1460 rounds of ammunition. These included seven AK-series rifles, twenty .303 rifles, four SLRs, four carbines, one INSAS rifle, one LMG, 124 pistols, 30 semi-automatic rifles, 20 grenades, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), two kgs of RDX and 2.5 kgs of TNT. The home department had displayed 200 of these arms at the venue of the surrender ceremony. The chief minister in his address welcomed the members of various insurgent outfits, saying they have shunned the path of violence and joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission of peace and progress in the North East,

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PM Modi lauds efforts to boost petrochemicals sector in Assam and Northeast

Replying to a tweet by the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Prime Minister said that the major industrial development would boost the petrochemicals sector in Assam

It will help if Assam CM 'did not poke his nose into Manipur': Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday took a swipe at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his remarks that the situation in Manipur will improve within 7 to 10 days, saying it would help if the BJP leader does not "poke his nose" into Manipur's conflict and stayed away. The former home minister also asserted that it would help if Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned as the CM and President's Rule was imposed in the northeastern state for a few months. Sarma on Saturday said the situation in neighbouring Manipur will improve within 7-10 days, with the state and central governments working "silently" to restore peace. He had hit out at the Congress and alleged that the opposition party is showing its concern when "relative peace has come in the northeastern state". More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since clashes first started on May 3. In a tweet, Chidambaram said, "CM, Assam h

Situation in neighbouring Manipur will improve within 7-10 days: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the situation in neighbouring Manipur will improve within 7-10 days, with the state and central governments working silently' to restore peace. He hit out at the Congress and alleged that the opposition party is showing its concern when "relative peace has come in the northeastern state." More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since clashes first started on May 3. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme here, the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor said, The situation in Manipur is improving day by day. I am of the view that in the next one week to 10 days, there will be more improvement. Sarma claimed there has been a lot of improvement in the neighbouring state in the last month. Silently, the Manipur government and the Union home ministry are working. You can see what was the level of violence a month ago and what it

Manipur doesn't need visit by leaders to exacerbate fault lines: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the situation in Manipur demands bridging differences through compassion and not a visit by a political leader to exacerbate the fault lines, in an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's daylong trip to the ethnic strife-torn state. Sarma, who is also the convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the NDA's northeast chapter, said Gandhi's visit to Manipur is nothing but media hype and at this point, no one should try to take political mileage from the northeastern state's "tragic" situation. "Situation in Manipur demands bridging differences through compassion. It's not in the nation's interest for a political leader to use his so-called visit to exacerbate fault lines. Both the communities of the state have clearly rejected such attempts," Sarma said in a tweet. Talking to reporters, Sarma said the state and central governments are handling the Manipur situation and such daylong visits, such as ...

Assam CM issues advisory to DCs listing guidelines followed during visit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued an advisory to all Deputy Commissioners listing simple programme details to be followed during his official visits to the districts. The advisory states that felicitation of the chief minister with gamocha/flower bouquet must be strictly avoided and no gift item should be offered to him. The lamp may be lit by the organiser before the start of the function which may continue to be lit throughout the meeting. There was no need for an extended vote of thanks other than that by the anchor. In the case of the chief minister's overnight stay, the next morning's programme should start with the planting of a commercial tree. Tea must be served in earthen cups (kulhads) and water should be kept in glass bottles/jugs instead of single-use plastic bottles, the advisory stated. The lunch and dinner menu should always be a simple vegetarian meal with an Assamese/local tribal menu. The advisory has been issued as the chief minister desires

Technology can bridge geographical barriers in healthcare sector: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday stressed the role of technology in bridging geographical barriers for delivering healthcare services to people in remote areas. He urged the medical community to take advantage of technological solutions for meeting the requirements of their patients. Sarma was speaking at a programme to mark the launch of six new projects in the healthcare sector in the state. "In a country like India with its large geographical expanse, it is not possible to have hospitals in all remote places or hamlets. We are trying to deliver healthcare at the doorsteps of the citizens. But in the meantime, technology is the only solution," he said. "I urge the medical community to take advantage of technology in reaching out to their patients," the chief minister added. He maintained that "geographical remoteness and lack of motivation" were major reasons for hospitals and doctors in certain parts of the state not performing according to their capability.

Constantly monitoring situation: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Assam floods

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that Home Minister Amit Shah called him to inquire about the flood situation in the state and assured him of full support

Home Minister Shah speaks to Assam CM over flood situation, assures help

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured him of all possible Central help to deal with the flood situation in the state. Shah also said that the Modi government stands firm as it has always been with the people of Assam in these difficult times. Due to heavy rain, the people in parts of Assam are braving a flood-like situation. I have spoken to CM Shri @himantabiswa Ji and assured all possible assistance. NDRF teams are already on the ground conducting relief and rescue operations and adequate forces are on standby, he tweeted. The flood condition in Assam remained grim on Sunday, with over four lakh people hit by the deluge across nine districts, even though water levels started to recede, an official said. So far, three persons have lost their lives in this year's first wave of flood in different parts of the state, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) official said. According to an ASDMA report, over 4,07,