Page 25 - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam to have 24 medical colleges in next five years, says CM Sarma

He said the state government is working with a vision to set up one medical college in each district in Assam

Himanta says Assam govt considering withdrawing AFSPA from two more areas

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said his government is considering withdrawing AFSPA from two more locations in the state. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) was extended for six months from October 1 with the continuation of the 'Disturbed Area' tag for Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts along with Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar in the Barak valley. The government had withdrawn the controversial law from West Karbi Anglong district as the situation "considerably improved" there. The Armed Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the security forces if they shoot someone dead. "Peace has returned to Assam and Northeast. Today, AFSPA is withdrawn from 65 per cent areas of the state. In the future, we are considering to withdraw it from ...

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma flags off new operations of Alliance Air

Alliance Air operations will lead to greater air connectivity in North East, particularly between the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Manipur.

Assam's govt schools to get new infrastructure: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that all government schools in the state will soon get new infrastructure. More than 4,000 schools will be covered under the initiative, he said. Sarma, along with Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, the state government's education advisor Nani Gopal Mahanta and senior officials, visited several old government schools in Guwahati and inspected the existing facilities. "We are trying to convert educational institutes of our State into centres for human resources development," Sarma tweeted later. "All Govt schools will get new infrastructure. As a part of this, 10 schools in Guwahati will get new buildings in 1st phase, before 4,000 more schools are covered," he added. Among the schools, he visited was Kamrup Academy, where he had studied. "Visited Kamrup Academy, Guwahati, and reviewed its infrastructure. Established in 1930, I had the privilege of seeking education from this historical institute in my childhood. "The school bu

Touched at being called daughter of Assam, says President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu Friday said that she was touched at the gesture of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma calling her a daughter of the state' and made her feel at home. Murmu lauded the Assam government for its various developmental projects, specially for tea workers and for women empowerment. The Centre is also contributing its bit by boosting infrastructure, connectivity and all other sectors, she said after launching and laying foundation stones for various central and state government projects on the virtual mode at a programme here. "I must thank the chief minister for calling me a daughter of the state' at the civic reception last night. It has touched my heart. The welcome I have received here has made me feel at home and I will return soon, the President said on the concluding day of her two-day maiden trip to Assam after assuming office. The state government had hosted a civic reception in honour of Murmu on Thursday evening during which Chief Minister Himanta

Centre upgrades Assam CM's security to 'Z+' category on all India basis

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which is currently providing Sarma 'Z' category security, will now facilitate him with 'Z+' category security

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

Rahul Gandhi not fit for politics, doesn't have seriousness: Himanta Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying he "does not have systematic seriousness" and "is not fit for politics"

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 ..

Police complaint against Sadhguru, Assam CM over Kaziranga jeep safari

A police complaint was lodged on Sunday against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, spiritual leader Sadhguru and others for allegedly violating wildlife protection laws during their jeep safari after dusk in the Kaziranga Nation Park the previous day. The complaint was filed at the Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district by people living in villages on the fringe of the national park, a senior officer said. "We have started an enquiry into the issue. As the KNP falls under the forest department, we have asked for a status report on the allegations from the divisional forest officer of the park," he said. When contacted, an official at the KNP, who wished not to be named, expressed his difficulties to comment on the matter at this stage. "People have a right to make an allegation, and based on it, an enquiry will be conducted. But before the matter is looked into, we cannot make any comment on it," he said. On the allegation of violation of wildlife protection laws, 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 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

Will not hesitate to take any measure for transparent recruitment: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday asserted that his government will not hesitate to take any step to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process in the state, including suspending internet services for up to 20 hours. Sarma was speaking at an appointment letter distribution ceremony for 11,236 posts in 24 government departments here. The Assam government's decision to suspend mobile internet services for four hours each on two days during written examinations for recruitment to Grade 3 and Grade 4 posts last month had drawn flak from several quarters. We are committed to fulfil our pre-poll promise of providing 1 lakh government jobs. About 27,000 appointments have already been given in the last one-and-half-years, and today we are increasing the tally further, he said. We will continue to organise such appointment letter distribution ceremonies till we reach the 1-lakh figure, Sarma added. Referring to the criticism over suspension of internet services, Sar

Number of medical colleges in Assam increased under BJP: CM Himanta Sarma

Taking an indirect jibe at the previous Congress governments in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the healthcare sector in the state has got a powerful boost under the BJP regime

Mizoram, Assam CMs to discuss border disputes on Sept 19 in New Delhi

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma will hold talks on September 19 to find an amicable solution to the border dispute between the two northeastern states, an official said on Friday. The CMO official, who is accompanying Zoramthanga in New Delhi, said the meeting will take place in the national capital but the venue is yet to be decided. "The two chief ministers conversed over the phone on Friday and decided to hold a meeting on the border issue on September 19 in New Delhi," the official told PTI. They had earlier held a meeting on the issue in November last year in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In an earlier telephonic conversation on August 10 this year, the two chief ministers had decided to hold the talks in the later part of August or early September. Three districts of Mizoram -- Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit -- share a 164.6-km-long border with three districts of Assam: Cachar, Hailakandi and ...

Assam Cabinet takes key decisions including roadmap for disaster management

As part of its initiative to hold cabinet meetings in different districts, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa on Sunday chaired a Cabinet meeting in which a slew of decisions were made including filling up posts of Bodo teachers, streamlining land acquisition and the roadmap on disaster risk reduction."In today's #AssamCabinet, we took a host of decisions with regard to clearing backlog of cases in courts, the establishment of new universities, a roadmap on disaster risk reduction, upgrading polytechnics & ITIs, streamlining land acquisition, filling up posts of Bodo teachers, etc", the chief minister tweeted.One of the most crucial decisions that were taken in the meeting includes the clearance of backlog cases."Petty criminal cases pending in the subordinate courts throughout Assam to be withdrawn within 6 months by invoking Section 321 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc), 1973", read the document.Another decision was the approval of Assam State Policy for the Transfer of ...