ROBOLOOK : First Robotics festival in North East India

MerryLook Technologies Private Limited & Cotton College are going to organize the first Robotics festival in North East India by the name of ROBOLOOK. The event, which spans over half a year, involves workshop, exhibition & competition, which will be in two different phases.

Guwahati HC directs BCCI to formulate guidelines for IPL games

The Guwahati high court on Wednesday directed the BCCI to formulate rules and regulations within three months for selecting the cities for holding IPL matches.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice AK Goswami also directed the BCCI to upload the guidelines on its website within three months.

On October 25, the high court, taking a serious view of the BCCI's decision to not allot any match or team from the North Eastern region, had restrained it till today from taking a final decision pursuant to its October 14 tender on the selection of new teams.

Acting on a PIL filed by G L Agrawalla, the editor of a local newspaper, the single bench of Justice B P Agrawall had passed the retraining order.

The PIL had also alleged that the NE region was discriminated against the BCCI, which could have included Guwahati for bid of teams among the 12 cities selected countrywide.

Senior advocates Dr Ashok Saraf and Amit Goyal argued for the petitioner while the BCCI was represented by senior counsel Niloy Dutta.

The Assam Agricultural University launches e-learning project

The Assam Agricultural University will launch e-learning in classrooms with a five-day training programme for teachers from today.

Resource persons from Sathguru Management Consultants, Hyderabad and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, US, will impart training to the teachers in different phases.

Vice-chancellor K.M. Bujarbaruah said the colleges under the university were well equipped and it was time to inculcate change and carry knowledge to those who were devoid of it through this process.

“In India in 1951, there were 30 universities and 634 colleges to cater to a 351 million population, in 2011 it rose to 635 universities for 1,300 million. At present, the student strength is 1.69 crore and the gross enrolment ratio is 15 to 16 per cent and is predicted to be 22 per cent in the 12th Financial Plan but this is very poor. In such a scenario, it would not be viable to open up more colleges and universities and e-learning could be an alternative,” Bujarbaruah said.

Saraighat bridge completes 50 years

The Saraighat Bridge over the river Brahmaputra, which is the vital link between North East region and the rest of the country, has completed 50 years of its existence and according to the experts of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, the bridge is still fit enough to serve the region for the days to come.

The idea of construction of a bridge over the river Brahmaputra was first mooted in 1910 and the thought gathered momentum during the Second World War. But there were doubts over the stability of the Railway line between Bongaigaon and Amingaon following devastating floods in 1942-43. However, the then Railway Minister announced the decision to construct the bridge in the Budget session of the Parliament in 1958 and the construction work formally started in January, 1959. The bridge was completed in September, 1962 by the Hindustan Construction Company and the first engine plied over the Saraighat Bridge on September 23, 1962, followed by Goods Train service from October 31 that year.

Voice of humanity binds all Region pays tribute to its dear Jajabor

It was relevant when he first wrote and lent it his rich baritone. It is relevant now when that voice has fallen still, been digitalised for the archives and put online for the world.

A chorus, running into thousands across the hills and valleys of Assam, sang Manuhe Manuhar Babe. They sang the song in several languages, holding hands and forming human chains or groups, in a tribute to its creator, Bhupen Hazarika, on his first death anniversary today.

Indeed, the immortal Manuhe Manuhar Babe turned into the theme song for the occasion as the music maestro’s death anniversary came close on the heels of the BTAD violence. The song’s yearning for humanity had been forgotten in a two-month-long frenzy of violence and death.

It was only fitting and poignant then that the song was played over and over through the day in Kokrajhar. Disturbed Dhubri, too, remembered the significance of the song as its residents took out a peace procession.

Film institute to be renamed after Bhupen Hazarika

The State Government today announced that the Regional Government Film and Television Institute would be renamed as Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute as a mark of honour to the cultural icon.

This announcement was made by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on the occasion of the first death anniversary of the bard whose songs captured the hearts of millions.

Speaking at the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Memorial Lecture and Cultural Programme organized jointly by the Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs at Rabindra Bhawan here, Tarun Gogoi said that Dr Bhupen Hazarika was a real mass communicator and that the government would fulfil the vision of the music icon by transforming society through mass communication tools particularly music. “Dr Bhupen Hazarika showed us the way and we will usher in the positive developments in the society through use of mass communication tools,” said Gogoi observing that the Assamese society will overcome all the obstacles and ills through the vision of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.

GMDA development vision for 2025

The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority has asked Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University to prepare a new masterplan to help give shape to the GMDA’s expansion plans.

A total of 13 firms had participated in the bidding process after which CEPT was awarded the work. The institute became a university under the Gujarat State Legislature Act, 2005, with effect from April 12, 2005.

The jurisdiction of GMDA extends originally over an area of 262 square km and the 2025 comprehensive masterplan had stated that the total area would be 328 square km, with the addition of three new towns. The city is likely to witness rapid population growth and reach 2.3 million by 2025.

Barsapara stadium ground inaugurated

It was indeed a historic day for Assam sports as the ground of Assam Cricket Association’s (ACA) newly built stadium at Barsasapa here was formally inaugurated by State PHE Minister Gautom Roy, who is also the president of ACA.

In a brief function prior to the Assam-Odisha East Zone Senior Women Inter State One-day Championship match, in presence of State Sports Minister Ajit Singh, ACA secretary Bikash Baruah along with a host of ACA officials and former players and former MLA Ramen Kalita, Roy inaugurated the ground. Monikha Das of Assam became the first bowler to bowl on the wicket in a official BCCI match.

Gautom Roy later said that the stadium will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi when it will be completed.

English translation of Bhupenda’s 21 songs

‘Let My Songs Be, The Door To a New Dawn’, is a book based on the compilation of 21 songs of Bhupen Hazarika translated in English by first-time author Pronami Bhattacharyya of Jorhat.

The book was released by Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, pro-vice-chancellor of Tezpur University and former vice-chancellor Gauhati University at Guwahati Press Club today.

Eminent artist Sudakshina Sharma, former vice principal of Cotton College Deven Dutta, and senior journalist BN Goswami were present on the occasion.

Daughter of Barada Prosad Bhattacharyya and Rekha Bhattacharyya, Pronami completed M.A. in English from Gauhati University in the year 2010. Pronami is currently pursuing her PhD in English in the area of African-American Literature.

Trade body lambasts Govt over price rise

The Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) on Sunday held the Government responsible for the unprecedented prices of all essential items, including foodgrains in Assam and alleged that the Government’s lack of willingness to end the syndicate system was one of the major factors behind the soaring prices.

Addressing media persons here, chairman of ACC, Rupam Goswami said that price rise of the essential commodities has hit the common man hard.

“Though price rise is a national phenomena but in our State the increase is on the higher side,” said Goswami, pointing out that the syndicate system being operated by certain unscrupulous and greedy individuals/groups has contributed to the woes of the consumers. Goswami said that the syndicate system which is a bane of the society creating monopoly in trade should be ended immediately.

“The government has knowledge about those running the syndicate system. We have repeatedly requested the State Government to disband the syndicates, but nothing tangible has been done. We demand of the Government to act, otherwise ACC with the help of the general public will put an end to this trade malpractice,” warned Goswami.

7-lingo salute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

Artistes of seven indigenous communities of Assam will dress up in traditional attires and sing late Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless classic, Manuhe Manuhor Babey, in their mother tongues here on Monday, the first death anniversary of the maestro.

The programme, which is part of the anniversary celebration event — Sangeet Divas — organised by Sanskritik Mahasabha, Assam, will include a procession involving schoolchildren and general public accompanied by gayan bayan troupes and music bands that will start from Court Field in the morning and pass through the main thoroughfares of the town.

Speaking about the rendition of Hazarika’s classic in six languages apart from Assamese, the organising committee’s secretary, Kula Kamal Dutta, said, “We think our attempt is a small step towards living up to the spirit of the song penned by the legend, who always wanted people of various faiths and groups of Assam to come together and had also been able bridge divides in society.”

Dr Hazarika’s lyrics in digital archive

A digital archive of the lyrics of Dr Bhupen Hazarika stored in Unicode format along with the songs was formally inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary at the Dept of Information Technology, Gauhati University today.

The archive has the lyrics and songs in alphabetical order, and one can access those at the website www. bhupenhazarikadigitalarchives.org.

Addressing the function, Mooshahary said that there was an urgent need to expand and promote the timeless compositions of the legendary singer-musician, and that the digital archive would serve that purpose to a great extent.

Lauding the role of the IT dept of GU, Mooshahary said that storing the lyrics in Unicode format would facilitate flexibility and availability of the resources in a universal format so that those could be used, disseminated and analysed by anyone anywhere.

Prohibitory orders along Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam

Prohibitory orders have been promulgated along Assam-Bangladesh international border in Cachar district in view of reports about extremist elements entering the district for creating law and order problem.

South Assam's Cachar district magistrate H K Dev Mahanta promulgated the orders following reports about extremist elements likely to cross the border and enter Cachar from Bangladesh, official sources said.

There is also apprehension of the possibility of illegal export of commodities and cattle from the district to Bangladesh, besides efforts by illegal immigrants to cross over from across the border to cause disturbance and social tension.

The prohibitory orders have been enforced as a preventive measure.

Assam Medical College celebrates 66th foundation day

The premier medical college of northeast, Assam Medical College (AMC) here observed its 66th foundation day on Saturday. Established in November 3, 1947, the Assam Medical College was earlier known as Dr John Berry White Medical School, which was established in 1902. John Berry White, a British surgeon, was a great visionary and the pioneer of modern medical education in Assam.

The foundation day programme kicked off with hoisting of flag by AMC principal Atindra Adhikari. An open session was held at the auditorium followed by a cultural event.

CM ready to face Aasu on white paper

Accepting Aasu's challenge, chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said he is ready for a face off with the students' body over the white paper on foreigners' issue. The chief minister added that he is ready to discuss the issue with any other organization.

On October 20, Gogoi released the white paper on influx which has always been the central poll plank of all political parties in every election. The white paper also happens to be the first-ever documentation of the problem by any state government. But it has drawn criticism from various sections of society.

Gogoi, who is in New Delhi now, said, "Aasu is talking about half truths in the white paper. I am asking them to show me these. The white paper contains facts and figures from government records and court orders." The chief minister even asked Aasu to publish its own separate white paper on the subject. "Aasu has every right to publish one and they can go to the people with it. If I have missed out on anything in the white paper, it should tell me specifically. I am open to discussion, not just with AASU alone, but others too."

40 schoolkids hurt in accident

At least 40 school children were injured in which they were travelling met with an accident on the NH-37 at Naduwa, about 25 km from Dibrugarh town on Saturday.

The accident occurred at around 8.15 am when the school bus (AS-06/A-9869) coming from Naduwa tea estate was transporting the students to their schools. The children were mostly pre-primary and primary school students of Montfort school and Axom Vidyapeeth of Chabua. Eyewitnesses said the bus lost control while trying to avoid collision with a wayward auto-rickshaw coming from the opposite direction and fell in a 10-feet deep pit alongside the busy highway.

Another NE student assaulted in Delhi

In yet another incident of students from the North East being subjected to physical and mental abuse, Hriini Pao, a student from Manipur studying at the College of Vocational Science, New Delhi, was severely assaulted by some students of the college on October 26.

Pao was admitted to the trauma centre of the AIIMS from which he was released on November 1.

Calvin Hrangkhol, president of the North East Students’ Society of Delhi University, told that the incident started over a trivial matter when a football being played by some NE students accidentally hit a girl student of the college.

Leave Majuli by Nov 10, Aasu tells Bangla nationals

The All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Saturday issued an ultimatum to all suspected Bangladeshi nationals here to leave Majuli by November 10. The organization also asked the administration to take required steps to fulfill their demand.

"We will not be responsible for any problems arising in Majuli after the deadline ends. We will take action against suspected nationals residing in the hub of Vaishnavite culture. This is our last appeal to the government as well as suspected Bangladeshis staying in Majuli,'' said Aasu's Jorhat district president Biren Saikia.

He added, "A large number of suspected Bangladeshi nationals are residing in Majuli right under the nose of the administration. Apart from doing cultivation and other household works, many of them are doing trade in the island to eke out a living. In some years, they will set up permanent settlements here, posing a serious threat to the unique identity of the island.''

Advocate arrested for helping car thieves

A Guwahati-based advocate, who allegedly assisted car thieves, was arrested by Assam police following a request from their Shillong counterparts.

The arrest came after a Guwahati court provided a transit warrant against advocate Tariqul Islam.

Police will present him before the court tomorrow.

“Islam was arrested for assisting car thieves who had been apprehended earlier from Shillong,” a police official said.

Yesterday, Shillong police had arrested six car thieves identified as Md Nazarul Ali Islam, Raju Boro, Md Hasmad Ali, Raj Thakuria, Kamal Rosaili and K.H Devavarata from Upper Shillong.

ABSU displeasure over handling of influx issue

The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) on Thursday expressed its displeasure over the alleged irresponsible and half-hearted approach of the Government in dealing with the land and influx issue after the recent violence in the lower Assam districts.

Talking to mediapersons at the Bodofa House here, Promod Boro, president of the ABSU, maintained that the indigenous people have suffered a lot due to the conflicts taking place in the State since the last couple of decades. “The union will not tolerate any conspiracy with regard to land on the part of any agencies, which may cause the indigenous populace to face any kind of conflict again,” he warned.

Boro also said that the ABSU wants effective verification by which the problem of illegal encroachment can be resolved. He appealed to the authorities concerned to hold suspected people, who are returning to villages without undergoing the verification process, legally accountable and keep them in relief camps till they are able to prove their citizenship. Government agencies should not show an irresponsible attitude for which innocent citizens have to suffer again and again, he added.

Ex-AIUDF leader to head SP in Assam

In a bid to strengthen its base in the state, Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday roped in former All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) working president and prominent minority community leader Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury as the party's state unit president.

Party general secretary Kironmoy Nanda and national secretary Kamal Faruqui were present when Choudhury was inducted into SP. Choudhury, who left AIUDF following differences with the party leadership ahead of the assembly polls last year, will form a new executive committee within a month and launch a state-wide membership drive. He will work for fostering ties between different communities in the state.

Kamalesh Deka and Ratul Choudhury have been appointed as vice-president, while Sanjib Dutta and A F Nasiruddin Mullah have been appointed as general secretary and secretary respectively.

Police crackdown on drugs

Police have stepped up raids to check the supply of illegal drugs like painkiller tablets and cough syrup as well as country liquor, with many youths getting addicted to drugs and alcohol here.

The police have already seized a significant quantity of country liquor and dismantled some outlets here.

BJP leader and physician, Debamoy Sanyal, who has been working on creating awareness among youths about addiction, said youths with a drug habit had sparked off violence in the recent past.

Sanyal said consumption of liquor, tablets and capsules may lead to incoherent behaviour. Dhubri additional superintendent of police, Prasanta Dutta, said owing to action against addicts and peddlers, many had pledged not to indulge in such activities any more. “We have already dismantled many country liquor outlets and raided dens of drug peddlers and will continue our work,” he said.

Darrang admin flayed over law & order scene

The Darrang district unit of the AJYCP has criticised the role of the civil as well as police administration for their alleged failure in tackling the law-and-order situation during the last two days in the aftermath of the suspected kidnapping of a student leader in Sipajhar which even led to the blockade of the NH-52 for about 12 hours. In a press communique issued here today, Bhupen Nath, president and Azmal Hussain, secretary of the district AJYCP unit, flayed the administration for their failure in convincing the aggrieved public about the rescue measures, which led to the highway blockade till 8.30 pm last evening, causing a lot of inconvenience to passengers of long-distance vehicles.

Moreover, it was a pity for the administration that after the student leader was brought to Sipajhar, one pro-talk leader of the ULFA publicly claimed his hand in the recovery of the missing student leader and that too in front of an Additional District Magistrate and Additional Superintendent of Police, added the press release.

PK Borthakur new offshore ONGC director

PK Borthakur has taken over as the director (offshore) in the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

He steps in at a crucial juncture when ONGC has set ambitious targets in augmenting offshore production in the context of the organization's perspective plan 2030.

Borthakur took over this important board position of ONGC on October 30. Congratulating him for the elevation, CMD Sudhir Vasudeva said there could not have been a better oilman for the assignment at this vital juncture.

Borthakur, like his predecessor Sudhir Vasudeva, is predominantly brought up in the professional nuances of offshore oil engineering. He has a rich portfolio of experiences in diverse fields of oil production chain.

Before being elevated to the board of India's flagship explorer ONGC, he effectively managed India's biggest oil producing asset Mumbai High and biggest gas asset Bassein & Satellite.

Minority leader rejects white paper

Veteran minority leader Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury today dubbed Dispur’s white paper on foreigners’ issue as a ploy of the Congress party to divert the attention of the people from the real issue of updating the NRC 1951.

Choudhury, an advocate and former leader of All India United Democratic Front, today joined the Samajwadi Party.

“I do not think that there was any necessity of publishing the white paper, which has nothing but some facts and figures about the foreigners’ problem. The main issue is updating the NRC and the ruling Congress government has been delaying the process in its own interest. Now with the publication of the white paper, the Tarun Gogoi government has successfully diverted the attention of the people from the NRC update,” Choudhury told reporters soon after joining as president of the Assam unit of Samajwadi Party.

Choudhury’s allegation has assumed significance after the AASU termed the document as “half truth” or “white lie”.

Anna Hazare to attend KMSS convention in Guwahati

Noted Gandhian Anna Hazare and former Army General of the country V K Singh will attend the two-day convention being organised by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) in association with the Guwahati Mahanagar Unnayan Samiti Samuhar Aikyamancha on November 7 and 8 in the city.

The convention being organised by the KMSS and the Aikyamancha to chalk out an action plan for a secular, nationalistic and progressive anti-alien stir, is also expected to be attended by India Against Corruption leader Arvind Gaur and peasant leader P V Rajagopal, the KMSS said in a press release here today.

The KMSS has made it clear that it is not against the six-year-long Assam agitation. But it is aware of its negative aspects and is maintaining caution to prevent recurrence of those mistakes. The Assam agitation was a famous popular movement in the post-independence era of the country.

Instrumental tribute to Bhupen Hazarika

The humble "bijuli baah", an indigenous bamboo grown in Assam will now represent and carry the name of Bhupen Hazarika in the form of a musical instrument.

'Bhupendra Lohori', a modified version of the percussion instrument called rainstick, was unveiled here on Saturday. The musical instrument has been made by Tridip Mahanta, a Unesco-Sea of Excellence Award conferred bamboo artist. He said he wanted to dedicate the instrument to the doyen of Assam on the occasion of his upcoming first death anniversary.

The instrument which churns out the sound of falling rain and the flow of water is available in two types. The first type consists of a single cylindrical tube which produces sound by holding it and moving it sideways. The other type is an assortment of ten such tubes bundled together which is put in a frame that is moved in circles. The size of the instrument is between 18 to 33 inches.

At least 10 poachers armed with .303 rifles still active near Kaziranga

Karbi Anglong police today claimed that there were at least 10 poachers armed with .303 rifles still active near Kaziranga National Park and making plans to kill rhinos.

Diphu police station officer-in-charge, Nabo Bora, told that during the interrogation of various poachers arrested recently, it has come to light that at least 10 poachers are making plans to strike in the park.

“We have shared this information with our Bokakhat counterparts and are working jointly to nab these poachers,” Bora said.

Police have apprehended more than 20 persons, mostly poachers, recently from Karbi Anglong and near the national park, who are directly involved in the recent killing of rhinos.

Bus, trekker owners call off strike

The city bus and trekker owners operating in the city have called off their strike and decided to resume the services tomorrow following a meeting between the commercial vehicle owners’ association and the district administration here today. For the time being, the fares will remain unchanged and a decision to this effect will be taken in a meeting to be held on November 12. Earlier, Transport Minister Chandan Brahma told reporters that considering the hike in prices of fuel and spare parts of vehicles, the Transport Department prepared a proposal for fare hike and the same has already been cleared by the State Cabinet.

North East fumes at LPG hike

The Centre's decision to hike the price of non-subsidized cooking gas (LPG) by Rs 26.50 on Thursday evoked sharp reaction from consumer forums and people across the northeast.

Chief coordinator of the Consumers' Legal Protection Forum ( CLPF), Ajoy Hazarika, termed another hike in LPG cylinders as "anti-people". "Commoners will be badly hit by this decision. Black marketeering of LPG cylinders is already rampant. If the Assam government does not take steps to curb this, there will be total chaos. It seems many families will have to shift to firewood from LPG if the hike goes on this way," said Hazarika.

Madhurima Saikia, a housewife residing in the Narengi area of the city, said the UPA government has lost the confidence of people. "We just can't tolerate such a decision. The hike in LPG prices has become a joke. How we will run our kitchens," she added.

Relieve me of duties, DGP to govt

The director general of Assam Police, Jayanto Narayan Choudhury, is seeking to move out of the state and be relieved of his current responsibilities after the panchayat election in January next. The former additional director of the Centre's Intelligence Bureau may return to the central government services.

Choudhury is waiting for the state government to release him but sources said that chief minister Tarun Gogoi needs some time to find a new DGP before he approves Choudhury's release.

"I have written to the chief secretary that my tenure expires on January 16 next. I have also conveyed it to the chief minister verbally. The panchayat election will be held in January and I will see the elections through, after which I intend to leave," he said.

Ghatowar call for tech use

PRANAB KUMAR DAS

DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar today said science and technology play a critical role in the process of development and its application can help in transformation of the natural resources of a region into a real economic resource.

Speaking at the inaugural function of TechXetra, the annual technical-cum-cultural festival of Tezpur University at Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha auditorium here, the minister urged the students to work for society.

Ghatowar also said the students should come forward to deal with problems and facilitate all-round development of the Northeast.

“Universities and institutions of higher learning have a great responsibility to develop science and technology tools and strategies. They should also create the much-needed human resource as well. This university has a well-developed school of science, which focuses on both fundamental and applied aspects of the subject,” the minister said.

Assam Police unable to track assets of NC Hills scam kingpin R H Khan

The vigilance and anti-corruption wing of Assam Police is finding it hard to track down the huge amount of money and assets belonging to the prime accused in the NC Hills multi-crore scam, R H Khan, that are hidden in several locations.

Following inputs, anti-corruption sleuths raided two places on Wednesday night but it ended in a wild goose chase. The two places raided simultaneously by the sleuths were the house of one Hari Borah at Borbari area and the plot of Nur Islam at Satgaon area of the city. However, nothing was found in the raids.

"We have information about the locations where R H Khan might have hidden his black money and on the basis of these leads, we made the last two raids. We have to act according to inputs but one can't expect success in every move. We have more information and we should hit upon something concrete soon," said a senior official of the anti-corruption wing. Both the Wednesday operations were meticulous — the sleuths stripped the walls, floors and even opened septic tanks during the searches.

Minister praises DoNER role

DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar today said the Congress-led UPA government was well aware of the problems of the northeastern states and fully committed to develop the region.

“The Centre has been giving special attention for the development of the region and DoNER ministry is a result of its commitment,” Ghatowar said during a party rally in Itanagar organised to mark the completion of one year in office of the Nabam Tuki government.

“The Centre has sanctioned Rs 6,000 crore for the 1,325km trans-Arunachal highway to provide inter-district connectivity to the state,” he said.

Assam gets Rs 9 crore for sports development

The Union ministry of youth and sports on Thursday sanctioned Rs 9.31 crore to the state for development and maintenance of playgrounds in 666 village panchayats and 44 block panchayats under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).

In 2009, the ministry had sanctioned an amount of Rs 4.81 crore to the state for the development and maintenance of playgrounds in 333 village panchayats and 22 block panchayats.

Under the PYKKA, which was introduced in 2008-09, playgrounds were developed and maintained in villages and block panchayats across the country in a phased manner. Competitions are conducted annually at block, district, state and national level in these playgrounds.

Jorhat Science Centre-cum-Planetarium to open in January

The Assam government is offering the people of Upper Assam, especially children, an out of this world New Year gift in the form of the Jorhat Science Centre-cum-Planetarium.

The construction of the double-storey building has been completed and installation is in progress. The project, coming up next to the Ahom-era Rajmao Barpukhuri, is likely to be inaugurated in January.

The building is being constructed on a six-bigha and four katha plot of land at a cost of Rs 5 crore approximately, and will be the first of its kind in Assam with Dispur and Delhi both funding the project.

The Assam Science Technology and Environment Council is the implementing agency of the project and the National Council of Science Museum has designed the project and all its technical specifications.

Five geckos rescues by Assam Rifles at Moreh

Joining the multi-pronged drive against the increasing poaching and smuggling of tokay geckos in the state, Assam Rifles personnel seized five geckos meant to be smuggled to China via Myanmar from two smugglers at the border town of Moreh.

Personnel of 9 Assam Rifles launched an operation to curb such smuggling and apprehended the two, along with five specimen of the rare reptile species, at Moreh Gate No 2 on Monday, said Assam Rifles officials here on Thursday.

The geckos were supposed to be smuggled from Moreh to Myanmar and were to be sent to China, the statement said, adding that the estimated cost of a gecko is about Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in the local (grey) market.

Lets debate on influx : AASU says to Tarun Gogoi

The All Assam Students’ Union today dared chief minister Tarun Gogoi to start an open debate on the problem of illegal migration in the state to find concrete ways to solve it.

The student organisation’s challenge came a day after Dispur asked the former to substantiate its allegation that the government’s recently published white paper on the foreigner problem was a “half truth” or a “white lie”.

On Monday, the AASU had come out with a 90-page booklet accusing the governments at Dispur and New Delhi of betraying the state’s people by not implementing the Assam Accord for the last 27 years.

The union also alleged that the government’s white paper had suppressed many important historical facts to mislead the people of Assam.

Assam's jails are clogged with life convicts

More than half the convicts lodged in jails across Assam are undergoing life imprisonment.

This was revealed by the latest prison statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau recently, which states that the percentage of convicts serving life sentence in the state was 59.7 in 2011. The report added that this was more than the national average — 53.6 per cent.

Besides Assam, the other two northeastern states where the share of convicts serving life sentences is more than the national average are Manipur (62.5 per cent) and Tripura (55 per cent).

In Assam, out of a total of 1,874 convicts serving life sentences, 60 are women, while in Manipur out of 20 such convicts, one is a woman and in Tripura out of 313 such convicts, nine are women.

Lucky draw at 12th Leo International Expo

The lucky draw at the ongoing 12th Leo International Expo in the city which is offering attractive prizes to visitors is drawing huge crowds. The lucky draw, to be continued till November 12 is carried out on the basis of the entry tickets of the visitors. Three lucrative prizes are being offered to the winners daily. The prizes include a 190 litre branded refrigerator, a semi-automatic branded washing machine and a branded microwave oven. On October 28, Ainu Deori, M Rampuria and Esha Kaur were the lucky winners.

NE lags behind in rural skill development institute scheme

Even over three years after the Union ministry of rural development launched of the ambitious Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) project to help unemployed rural youths, the northeast is lagging behind the rest of the country in the implementation of the scheme.

Under the scheme, RSETIs were to be established in every district of the country by different banks to impart skill development training to rural unemployed youths. Respective state governments were to provide land to the banks for setting up RSETIs. In 608 districts across the country, 549 RSETIs have been established so far.

On Tuesday, representatives of banks, rural development officials and members of existing RSETIs from different northeastern states gathered in the city to discuss the problems behind the slow progress in implementation of the scheme. At a two-day meeting here, organised by National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, the participants also thrashed out solutions to overcome these problems.

Government hits back at Aasu over 'lies' in document

The state government on Wednesday hit back at All Assam Students' Union (AASU) for describing the government's white paper on the foreigners issue as a "white lie."

On Wednesday, government spokesman and power minister Pradyut Bordoloi asked the students' body to point out the "lies" in the government's white paper. "This is a white paper on the foreigners issue and not the status paper on implementation of Assam Accord," said Bordoloi. He added that the Aasu might be confused on these two points.

"We have published a white paper based on government facts and figures. We have also incorporated so many government classified documents in the white paper, which were inaccessible to the people."

The government spokesman said other than the Congress, no one has ever been sincere about the foreigners' issue. "We have published the white paper where we have also included the future road to solving the problem. No one can deny this."

2 held for rice smuggling

A CID sleuth, acting on a tip-off on Wednesday, busted a gang involved in smuggling rice supplied by the Food Corporation of India for mid-day meals and BPL families.

The sleuth caught two youths in the case and seized at least 200 bags of rice from a truck near the Boragaon LP School here. Each bag contained 50kg of rice. The youths were identified as Munin Deka (24) and Mujakir Hussain (19), both hailing from Bihata Chariali in Kamrup district.

"There is a huge food smuggling racket going on in the state, especially of rice allotted to various cooperatives for distribution in schools for mid-day meal and to BPL families. There are gangs from Baihata Chariali, Nalbari, Changsari and some other parts of lower Assam that are involved in selling this rice in the black market of Meghalaya," said a CID official.

Assam to levy extra charge on power

Brace yourself for steeper electricity bills for the coming three months as the power distribution company will be levying an extra charge of 27 paise per unit for November, December and January. The additional burden will be levied as Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPA) charges, which is currently 76 paise per unit. The effective FPPA to be levied for the coming three months will by Rs 1.03 per unit.

The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) had wanted a hike of 36 paise per unit in FPPA, which was rejected by Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) and settled at 27 paise per unit. The hike will garner additional revenue of Rs 111.24 cr for the company.

Power minister Pradyut Bordoloi clarified that the hike has not been imposed by the state government but by the AERC. "The hike has been necessitated as a fuel surcharge following fluctuation in fuel price and the rate of power purchase. The calculation is done on a multi-year basis."

NGO seeks probe into fake financial institutions in state

In a letter to chief minister Tarun Gogoi, the North Eastern Economical Development Society (Needs) on Wednesday demanded the state government to conduct a thorough investigation into the workings of all NGOs and financial organizations in the state by December 31.

Amardeep Paul, founder of Needs, said several fake NGOs and financial institutions have come into existence in the city and are committing fraud. "In the name of special schemes, innocent people are being cheated of their herd-earned money. We want the government to look into the workings of all NGOs in the state and find out their authenticity," he said.

Tanya Bhattacharya, a Needs activist, said, "We are a genuine organization, yet people are apprehensive in trusting us because they feel most of the NGOs are fake. Our purpose is to bring about transparency in the workings of the various organizations."

Assam Govt's White paper on influx raises political storm

The white paper on the foreigners' issue in the state has literally kicked off a political storm with opposition parties and All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) charging the government with playing down the "seriousness" of infiltration from Bangladesh.

With infiltration once again taking centrestage in the aftermath of clashes in Bodoland, the state government attempted to make its stand clear on the problem by projecting a "comprehensive" view on the issue. The document even attempted to project the genesis of the problem, its present status and possibilities in the future.

Asserting that the government is committed to detecting and deporting immigrants from Bangladesh, chief minister Tarun Gogoi emphasized that the state is facing more problems in health, education and unemployment. This stand, however, did not go down well with the opposition parties, especially BJP and Aasu. BJP said the state government rather attempted to play down the threat posed by unchecked infiltration to the identities of indigenous people in the state. The saffron party also questioned the government on the whereabouts of thousands of immigrants detected by tribunals.

Call for fixed doc timings, MR Union

The Centre of Medical and Sales Representatives Union (Northeast region) today urged the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital authorities to provide medical representatives with a suitable time to visit doctors and ensure they are not abused or manhandled by any hospital staff.

On the other hand, the union also admitted that certain medical representatives do bribe doctors with expensive gifts and condemned those involved in such activities.

The medical representatives today came forward to clear their stand following an altercation between doctors and medical representatives on October 19 at GMCH over alleged disturbance caused by representatives at a particular outpatient department while doctors were attending to patients. The incident resulted in the doctors boycotting the entry of medical representatives on the hospital premises.

AIIDC officer, trader chargesheeted

The CBI today chargesheeted former managing director of Assam Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (AIIDC) Nur Mohammad and coal trader Naveen Kumar Singhal alias Naveen Kumar Gupta in a case related to diversion of coal meant for small units of the state to the open market.

An official source said the anti-corruption branch of the CBI in Guwahati filed the chargesheet at the special CBI court here today.

“The scam, which took place in 2008-09, amounts to nearly Rs 3.4 crore,” the source said.

The CBI had carried out raids at the residences and offices of the two accused in September last year.

Rigorous imprisonment for internal auditor

The court of special judge, Assam, M. Mazed Ali, today sentenced Manoj Saikia, an internal auditor at the office of sub-divisional planning officer in Golaghat district, to rigorous imprisonment for three-and-a-half-years in a corruption case.

The court found Saikia guilty under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Saikia. He will have to undergo imprisonment for further six months in the event of failure to pay fine.

Saikia was allegedly caught by the project director of district rural development agency (DRDA), B.C. Phukan, while taking bribe from secretaries of five gaon panchayats under the Gomariguri development block in Golaghat district on August 25, 2008.

A case was registered against him at Merapani police station.

Saikia had allegedly taken Rs 2,000 each from the gaon panchayat secretaries.

More than 200 stage dharna for rehabilitation

The Janajati Suraksha Manch today staged a sit-in on the premises of the deputy commissioner’s office, seeking fulfilment of demands related to the relief and rehabilitation of those affected in the recent violence in Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang districts.

Over 200 people, including from the affected villages, participated in the dharna, staged from 11am to noon.

A memorandum with a 14-point charter of demands was submitted to the Kokrajhar deputy commissioner.

Additional deputy commissioner Dinesh Boro accepted the memorandum on behalf of the deputy commissioner.

Mob attacks cops after truck runs over college principal

Five police constables were seriously injured while they attempted to control a mob after a speeding truck ran over Samaguri college principal Pradip Kumar Kalita, 48, at Uriagaon chalk under Sadar police station in Nagaon today.

The principal died on the spot.

After the accidents, enraged local villagers tried to torch the truck.

However, they were thwarted by local police, who reached the site and took the truck to the nearby Borghat police station.

Uriagaon, 5km from Nagaon district headquarters, is under Itachali outpost of Sadar police station.

Probe into ex-MLA’s ‘communal’ remark

Dhubri police today initiated an inquiry into an alleged communal statement by former Dhubri legislator Rasul Haque (Bahadur) after a complaint was lodged by the district unit of the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sanmilan yesterday.

Dhubri police registered an FIR against the former legislator under Sections 135 and 120-B IPC and started an inquiry into the statement allegedly aired on some of the state-run TV news channels, a senior police officer in Dhubri said.

The president of the Dhubri unit of the organisation, Debasish Bhattacharjee, alleged that the statement would add fuel to the fire.

He asked the police to take steps in the greater interest of social and racial harmony.

Migrants discover new entry route

Infiltrators from Bangladesh have now found a new route for their ingress across the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya, raising the hackles of the BSF.

According to a senior official of the BSF in Cachar, a majority of these infiltrators are entering the country through this new route near Umthiang and Kuliang hamlets in East Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya and easily get jobs in scores of open cast collieries thriving in that district that shares a border with Cachar district in Assam.

The extent of infiltration of the Bangladeshis in the adjoining state, described by the BSF official as largescale, can be gauged from statistics which state that in October alone, 92 people were apprehended while trying sneak past the security vigil along this border into the country or back to Bangladesh.

Assam Accord was “faulty and weak” says KMSS

The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) today said the Assam Accord was a “faulty and weak” agreement, which can’t solve the problem of illegal infiltration, as Dispur claimed that the white paper on foreigners issue was a true picture of facts.

The samiti’s statement assumes importance as AASU is demanding deportation of illegal migrants on the basis of the Assam Accord.

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi today said they are organising a Jatiya Abhibartan (national convention) on November 7 and a mass rally on November 8 in a bid to prepare a roadmap and finding a permanent solution to the foreigners issue.

“We will invite all the political and non-political parties to our programmes, which will be organised in association with the joint forum of Guwahati Mahanagar Unnayan Samitis,” Akhil said.