Page 24 - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam on growth trajectory, people must pressure ULFA(I) chief: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sunday claimed that the state is on growth trajectory and asked the people of Assam to exert "moral pressure" on proscribed ULFA(I) chief Paresh Barua to give up his sovereignty demand. Sarma interacting with media persons here on New Year's day said criteria other than population should be considered for future delimitation exercises and the state police is keeping a strict eye on the involvement of Islamic clerics in 'jihadi' activities. The chief minister said Assam is on the growth trajectory after achieving considerable financial stability during 2022 and for the first time did not ddepend on the Centre for paying its employees' salaries. This has been possible due to increased oil royalty, excise, transport and GST collections. "There has been an increase in tax collection and this symbolises vibrancy in the economy. This has been possible due to the cooperation by the people and different organisations, leading to a new growth ...

2022 saw end of tribal insurgency in Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

The year 2022 saw the end of the tribal insurgency in Assam, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday

Protests in Assam against decision to merge 4 districts with existing ones

Protests erupted in Assam after the state cabinet approved the decision to merge four new districts with the existing undivided ones

Assam merges 4 districts with 4 others, changes jurisdiction of villages

The Assam government on Saturday decided to merge four districts with four others and changed the administrative jurisdiction of a few villages, a day before the Election Commission's freeze on redrawing administrative units comes into effect. Announcing this at a press conference here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decisions have been taken with a heavy heart keeping in mind the interests of Assam, its society and administrative exigencies. He added it was only "temporary" and did not disclose the reason behind the decision. While Biswanath district will be merged with Sonitpur, Hojai will be merged with Nagaon, Bajali will be merged with Barpeta and Tamulpur will be merged with Baksa, he said. The decisions had to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Saturday as the Election Commission has imposed a ban on creating new administrative units in Assam from January 1, 2023 as the poll panel will undertake the delimitation exercise in th

Assam CM Himanta launches projects worth over Rs 973 cr in Dibrugarh

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday laid the foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth Rs 973.38 crore for Dibrugarh district. The CM, attending the last programme of the first phase of 'Bikakhor Babe Eta Pokhek' (a fortnight for development initiatives) at Tingkhong in the district, urged people to take part in an economic revolution to give a fillip to the state's overall development. Assam had "witnessed many agitations, 'dharnas' and 'hartals' over the years but it is the time to concentrate on rejuvenating the intellectual, cultural and developmental landscape" of the state, he said. Outlining plans for the development of Dibrugarh, the CM announced that strengthening and improvement of the river bank of Buridihing at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore will be taken up. The government plans to set up a zoo at Tingkhong in the district and the Ahom ritual of offering obeisance to Me-Dam-Me-Phi will be celebrated at historic Tipam, Sarma said. As part of

A useful man to know

The Chief Minister of Assam might be in the BJP today. But he has skills he learnt at the feet of top Congress leaders like Tarun Gogoi, with whom he worked for many years

China's Covid vaccines very weak, India need not worry, says Assam CM

Amid a spike in Covid cases in China and other countries, the Assam CM said people should not fear Covid anymore in India

Amit Shah begins two-day visit to Meghalaya, to attend celebrations at NEC

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday began his two-day visit to Meghalaya, where he is scheduled to attend the golden jubilee celebration of the North East Council (NEC). Shah arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati, where he was received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He then left for Shillong by road to attend the event on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers and lawmakers from the Northeast are also scheduled to take part in it. "Honoured to have received Adarniya Union HM Shri @AmitShah ji at LGBI Airport, Guwahati. Hon HM's presence is always inspiring and an encouragement for us to work with renewed vigour for holistic growth of Assam and the North East," Sarma tweeted.

Sarma pitches for UCC, even as Muslim intellectuals warn of social discord

Sarma insisted that a Muslim man marrying more than one woman was not his problem, but of Muslim mothers and sisters

Assam CM unveils, lays foundation stones of multiple projects in Lakhimpur

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various projects worth over Rs 1,031 crore in Lakhimpur district. He also launched a special immunisation drive for children and pregnant women during his visit to the northern district. "As part of our 'A Fortnight for Development' initiative, inaugurated 13 and laid foundation stones for 13 projects worth ?1,031.68 cr in Lakhimpur district," Sarma wrote on Twitter. Several road projects and an RCC (reinforced cement concrete) bridge over Kakai river were inaugurated by the CM in various parts of the district during the day. Sarma laid foundation stones for an embankment on the right bank of Dikrang river and a bridge over Subansiri river, besides a slum project, an inter-state bus terminus and other infrastructure initiatives. "During my visit to Lakhimpur district, launched Special Immunisation Drive 2.0 at Ghunasuti. Under this, every child will be vaccinated, while pregnant women will

Assam govt launches 'Orunodoi 2.0', scheme to benefit over 1 mn people

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the second version of 'Orunodoi', the flagship scheme of the state government aimed at providing financial security to disadvantaged families

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma rolls out projects worth Rs 894 cr in Majuli

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday rolled out a slew of projects worth Rs 894 crore in Majuli, the world's largest river island, an official release said. Sarma laid the foundation stone for improvement and upgradation of a road from Balichapori in Majuli to Bongalmara in Lakhimpur, including construction of two bridges over Luit and Subansiri rivers, it said. "The project is being implemented under Government of Assam's flagship programme Asom Mala' at a cost of Rs 694 crore. The chief minister also handed over cheques to families affected by land acquisition for construction of the road to connect Balichapari to the bridge," the release said. Sarma also laid the foundation stone for the main campus of Majuli Cultural University at a cost of Rs 51 crore, upgradation of Government Industrial Training Institute at Bangaon and a central mid-day meal kitchen. Besides, to address the perennial flood problem of Majuli district, he laid the foundation stone for constructi

Men can't marry 3-4 women, will have to change such system: Assam CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that there is a need to change the system of men marrying three-four women to give justice to Muslim women

Gujarat win has sounded bugle for BJP's success in 2024 LS poll : Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Thursday claimed that BJP's win in Gujarat Assembly poll has sounded the bugle for the party's success in the 2024 general election. The people of Gujarat, where BJP recorded seventh win in the assembly poll, have showered their love and admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. "Gujarat Bugle for India! By showering (sic) this historic mandate out of their love and admiration for Hon PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, people have shown the path for 2024," Sarma tweeted. The "historic" mandate in Gujarat was the result of development in the state and vision of Prime Minister Modi, the strategy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, guidance by BJP President J P Nadda and good governance of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, he said. Sarma, who had himself campaigned for BJP in Gujarat before the poll, also congratulated the party workers and leaders of Gujarat for the "amazing win''. The Assam chief minister visited Gujarat twice bef

Assam CM Himanta announces projects worth Rs 856 cr for Morigaon district

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the government will implement various projects, including setting up a medical college, entailing a total investment of Rs 856 crore in Morigaon district. At an official function here, Sarma laid the foundation stone of the 430-bedded Morigaon Medical College and Hospital to be constructed at an expenditure of Rs 650 crore. "The medical college will also have 100 MBBS seats for students. I assure you that the college will be ready around the 2026 Assembly elections," he said. In 2021, the assembly polls were held in March-April in the northeastern state. The medical college complex will also have one cancer hospital, a nursing college, a nursing school and one dental college, Sarma said, adding "We want to build Morigaon as a hub of medical education". The chief minister also announced three flood control schemes, involving the repair of embankment breaches and other measures, in the district at a total cost of Rs

Assam Cabinet clears recruitment for 10,000 positions: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Recruitment for about 10,000 government posts was sanctioned by the Assam cabinet on Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. It also cleared reservation in top positions in the government for retired officers of the armed forces to improve work culture, he said. Briefing reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting at the Gandhi Mandap here, Sarma said the decision on the recruitment was in line with fulfilling the promise of providing one lakh government jobs in the state. "The cabinet has today approved the third Assam Forest Battalion, with an intake of 1,100 personnel and based in Lakhimpur. Another 1,700 vacant posts in the Forest Department will also be filled up," he said. Around 6,000-7,000 appointments in the Education Department, including regular and contractual, have been cleared, and the advertisements for these will be out by December 31, he said. The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) will also soon advertise for around 700 posts, he added. "We have .

CM Sarma announces additional Rs 5 crore for Assam Agitation Welfare Trust

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced an additional Rs five crore for the Assam Agitation Welfare Trust. The trust was formed with an initial corpus of Rs five crore and with the chief minister's announcement of additional Rs five crore, the total amount at its disposal will be Rs 10 crore. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting, chaired by the chief minister, to discuss matters related to future tasks as well as measures required for strengthening the trust, an official release stated. Sarma said the amount would be utilised to provide various relief measures to family members of martyrs of Assam Agitation and those grievously injured during the agitation. The chief minister also directed the Assam Accord Implementation Department to make an online database of those who were hit by bullets or were seriously injured during their participation in Assam Agitation. The state had witnessed a six-year agitation against illegal migrants from neighbouri

Assam CM gives 35,800 scooters to meritorious students of higher secondary

Sarma said it was a historic milestone in the lives of those who made it to the list of eligibles for Dr. Banikanta Kakati Merit Award

Assam police instructed not to fire upon civilians: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that police should not fire upon civilians whether they are citizens of Meghalaya or Assam

Assam to give stipend to all female PG students of Rs 10,000 each

"This would be helpful in covering their commutation and other related expenses," Sarma said