ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah

GUWAHATI, July 29 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced that the Government would take care of the treatment of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah if he surrenders. Talking to mediapersons here today, Gogoi said admitted that the Government does not have conformed news of the sickness of the ULFA leader. “We have seen media reports in this regard, but we are not in a position to confirm or deny the reports.”

Gogoi said that the DHD(J) has expressed its desire to come forward for talks but the Government would take the final decision in this regard in consultation with the Centre. The Union Home Secretary GK Pillai is scheduled to arrive in the state tomorrow and the issue will be discussed, he added. He said that the militant group has submitted a list of weapons and that would have to be verified.

The Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the Home Department said, though the militant groups are lying low for some time, the forces would have to remain alert as “we cannot become complacent.”

Meanwhile, the reports of Paresh Baruah’s sickness have given rise to speculations as the police is still not ready to confirm the reports.

State DGP GM Srivastava, when contacted, said that he is still not in a position to comment on the reports.

However, security sources said that Baruah fell sick when he went to Myanmar to attend a meeting with Manipur-based militant group PLA. Security agencies today received a report that Baruah is being shifted to a base of the PLA in Manipur in an area bordering Myanmar so that doctors can be taken to that area for his treatment. However, the reports could not be confirmed, security sources said.

Our Spl Correspondent adds from Delhi: The Centre, meanwhile, said that it has no information so far about the detention of Paresh Baruah by the Bangladesh Government.

“We have no information so far regarding arrest of ULFA C-in-C by the Bangladesh Government,” said External Affairs Minister SM Krishna in reply to a question by Dr Thokchom Meinya in Lok Sabha.

The issue has been taken up regularly with Government of Bangladesh, including presence of Indian insurgent groups. They have assured that they would not allow the Bangladesh territory for activities inimical to India. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Darkness eclipses brain power in depressed people

Washington: A lack of sunlight seems to eclipse brain power in depressed people, according to the latest research. Researchers used weather data from NASA satellites to measure sunlight exposure across the US and linked this information to the prevalence of cognitive impairment in depressed people. Cognitive impairment or brain fog is defined as unusually poor mental function, associated with confusion, forgetfulness and difficulty. Shia Kent of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) led a team of researchers who used cross-sectional data from 14,474 people in the National Institute of Health funded study. They investigated stroke incidence and risk factors and studied associations between depression, cognitive function and sunlight.

“We found that among participants with depression, low exposure to sunlight was associated with a significantly higher predicted probability of cognitive impairment. This relationship remained significant after adjustment for season,” Kent said.
“This new finding that weather may not only affect mood, but also cognition, has significant implications for the treatment of depression, particularly seasonal affective disorder.”
Kent and colleagues speculate that the physiological mechanisms that give rise to seasonal depression may also be involved in sunlight’s effect on cognitive function in the context of depressive symptoms.
Cognitive function was assessed by measurement of short-term recall and temporal orientation. In addition to regulating the hormones serotonin and melatonin, light has been shown to also affect brain blood flow, which has in turn been linked to cognitive functions.
These findings were published in the open access journal Environmental Health.

Gayatri Devi no more

JAIPUR, July 29: Gayatri Devi, the erstwhile Maharani of Jaipur who was once considered one of the world’s most beautiful women and always stayed in the limelight despite the fall of royalty in India, died here on Wednesday. She was 90.

5 of a family die in fire

SHILLONG, July 29: Tragedy struck the Nongrang family at Mawkarah village in West Khasi Hills when an inferno charred to death five of its members on Tuesday night. The charred family members include Spomlin Nongrang and her four children. Four other members of the family, including the head of family Krestar Marngar, his one-and-a-half-year-old son, his father in-law and mother in-law escaped unhurt. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Rs 128 crore for 16 lakh drought-hit farmers

GUWAHATI, July 29: Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said whatever be the measures taken by the State Government to boost paddy cultivation now, the State will witness at least 20 per cent less production of rice mainly due to the late arrival of monsoon and less rainfall witnessed by the State so far.

Talking to newsmen in Guwahati today, Gogoi said: “The fall in production of rice in the State is inevitable, so we have asked deputy commissioners to prepare action plans for alternative Rabi crops by taking the affected farmers into confidence. We can prepare action plans at Dispur and impose it in the districts, but such a move will prove to be a futile exercise. The plans need to accommodate the problems of farmers, and the problems of farmers of all the districts are not the same. Our officers can’t go into minute details while examining the problems of farmers. So we want the action plans to be specific to the farmers’ problems so as to make them result-oriented. And this is possible only if the farmers are taken into consideration while preparing the plans.” Gogoi said Rs 128 crore has been earmarked by the government for alternative crops targeting about 16 lakh agriculture drought-affected farmers as beneficiaries. The Chief Minister said in order to put ‘‘decentralization of power’’ to practice, the State Government is introducing three more services — the Assam Economic Service, Assam Rural Service and Assam Revenue Service — and the process of the three new services will be completed within about six months. “These three services will help us decentralize power by placing the right talents in right services. All ACS officers can’t be master of all. But since there is specialization among them, it can yield results if the officers are placed in the right services,” Gogoi added. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Infrastructure for higher education

From our Staff Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, July 29: The Vice-Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Dr Kandarpa Kumar Deka, while taking part in an interactive discussion organized by the Dibrugarh District Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) at a local hotel recently claimed that the State has the necessary infrastructure for the pursuit of higher education. He said that, the Dibrugarh University had introduced several job-oriented courses and the process for introducing more such courses would continue in days to come. He lamented that, the students did not utilize the opportunities in hand and even those with a post-graduate degree could not write an application correctly. The interactive discussion was attended by president, Biraj Talukdar, general secretary, Monoj Barua, organizing secretary, Sanjay Baruah of AJYCP, senior lecturer of Dibru College, Dr Sashi Kanta Saikia, lecturer of Monohari Devi Kanoi Girls’ College-cum-columnist, Dr Lohit Saikia, secretary (in-charge) of Greater Dibrugarh Press Club, Manjit Bora. Participants discussed on various social problems like increasing unemployment problems, invasion of Western culture and values, tendency to earn easy money. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Demand for construction of bridge

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, July 29: The local people of Timona Agnipothar under Lahoal LAC are demanding the construction of the connecting road to the bridge over the Sessa River. The residents of the area have to take this route to reach Lahoal and other places. Earlier, they had to cross the river in boats. Ten years back, when Prithibi Majhi was elected as the MLA from Lahoal, he took up the initiative of building a bridge over it. While the connectivity definitely improved thereafter, the PWD did not construct the road leading to and from the structure despite money being allotted for it. The road turns into a muddy stretch during the rainy season, causing much distress to travellers. The local people are demanding that the PWD should take up steps to develop it as soon as possible. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Demand for introduction of train services

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 29: Kokrajhar MP Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary has demanded before the Union Railway Minister for introduction of more train services in the NE Region besides modernization and upgrading of railway stations as well as stoppage of express trains in certain railway stations of lower Asom including Kokrajhar. The demands include– opening of new railway lines from Salakati Station to Gelegphu (Bhutan) from Rangia Junction to Sandrupzhongkar and Fakiragram to Jomduar (Bhutan) to speed up the trade link with neighbouring Bhutan. He said, the Rangia Railway Division should be extended to Srirampur Railway Station and the Ministry of Railway should introduce three more train service connecting Murkhong Seleck of Arunachal Pradesh via BTC area to New Delhi and one each local express train from Dhubri to Guwahati and Nagaon to Guwahati to meet the local demands. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Bhupendra Nath Bhattacharjee

Bhupendra Nath Bhattacharjee, a social worker of repute and an expert in plywood, breathed his last in his own residence on Ram Krishna Mission Road, Dhubri, on July 20. He was 87. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, grand sons and grand daughter and a host of relatives, friends and well-wishers.

Bhattacharjee was born on July 2, 1922. He came to Dhubri in 1948 as a manager of the Dhubri Plywood Factory and settled down here permanently. He was an expert in plywood and had served in several plywood industries of Kolkata, Cuttak and Siliguri before coming to Dhubri. His lucid and pinpoint deliberation on plywood was so admired that it was broadcasted through Akashvani. He shaped the future of the plywood industries in Asom. His death was widely condoled in the area. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

AAU signs Material Transfer agreement

JORHAT, July 29: The Assam Agricultural University (AAU) has signed a Material Transfer agreement with the country’s most leading seed company Maharastra Hybrid Seed Company (MHSC), Mumbai today. This agreement was signed for transforming of Bt-Chickpea (genetically modified chickpeas using a gene from bacillus thuringiensis) lines conferring resistance against the most devastating insect pests called pod borers. It was developed by Dr BK Sarmah, Professor, Department of Agricultural Bio-Technology, AAU, Jorhat under the Indo-Swiss Bio-Technology programme.

At a meeting held at AAU, Jorhat campus under the chairmanship of AAU newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Dr KM Bujarboruah, this landmark phase of formal research collaboration in a public private partnership mode has been established.

AAU sources said that, the development of Bt-Chickpea programme is being jointly supported by the Swiss Development Corporation and the Department of Bio-Technology, New Delhi since 2001 in two phases. The GM Chickpea lines transferred to MHSC for further testing in order to take them to commercial state for the use of farmers which was developed under the second phase of ISCB started in 2004. Dr Sarmah also conducted part of his research in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) plant industry, Australia. The original synthetic Bt-gene was obtained at AAU from National Research Centre for Plant Bio-Technology (NRCPB) of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.

Regarding this agreement, the Vice-Chancellor of the University has expressed his hope that, AAU-MHSC collaboration would eventually be able to release insect resistant Chickpea varieties not only for the farmers of India but also for those of other countries. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Soil Conservation Department under scanner

KOKRAJHAR, July 29: In a gruelling session, Members of the Council Legislative Assembly (MCLA) of BTC Executive Council bombarded BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary on the progress made by the Soil Conservation Department. In reply to this, Mohilary said that the Department of Soil Conservation is one of the major departments in the Council.

Members like– Rabindra Brahma, Moon Brahma, Rabindra Bala and others questioned the Executive Member of Soil Conservation, Shyam Sundi on his failure to implement any project so far. In reply to this, Sundi said that due to insufficient funds, most of the schemes could not be implemented. He added that, the schemes would be implemented in due course subject to the availability of fund.

Sundi said that, the department received an amount of Rs 573.46 lakh in the last four years of which Rs 2,10,25,300 at Kokrajhar, Rs 61,10,00 at Chirang, Rs 32,20,000 at Baksa and Rs 2,33,37,600 at Udalguri has been utilized. Interestingly, the Soil Conservation Department did not reveal any data on developmental. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

New militant outfit creates terror

DIBRUGARH, July 29: Arunachal Pradesh, a State that has been known for its serene natural beauty, is gradually transforming into a state of extortion and hub of militant activities. A newly formed militant outfit known as National Liberation Council of Tani Land (NLCTL), which is presently in nascent stage and has forty to fifty cadres, has been trying to create a sense of panic among the non-Arunachali people by serving extensive extortion notes to them. They also demanded two crore rupees from a section of contractors engaged in laying of railway tracks in Arunachal Pradesh. A large number of people, who hail from other States but are residing in Arunachal Pradesh, have fled with their families due to mounting pressure by the militants in recent times. Several non-Arunachali businessmen of Naharlagun and Itanagar including a Manager of Food Corporation of India (FCI), posted at Seppa, the headquarters of East Kameng district, left the State due to the extortion demands.

The Tani ethnic group comprises of Adi, Nishi, Abar, and other ethnic communities of Arunachal Pradesh and is spread over the areas of Tawang, West Kameng district, Papumare, Kurung Kume, upper Subansiri, lower Subansiri and upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The people who fled from the Arunachal Pradesh alleged that the militant activities are increasing in the State with tacit support of the local police. Meanwhile, Assam police are keeping strict vigil at Moinajuli area in the Asom-Arunachal border following mounting tension over the construction of police outpost in Asom. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Farewell function organized

DIBRUGARH, July 29: The police forces of upper Asom districts of Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia jointly organized a farewell function for outgoing Director General of Police (DGP) Ghanasyam Murari Srivastav and Sudha Srivastav under the aegis of Dibrugarh Police at Police Reserve here today.

In his speech Srivastav, who retires on July 31, called upon the police force to serve the people, whose tax paid their salaries, with devotion and full sincerity. He said when police, public, press and political party (4 P) worked in tandem, it was easy to contain any threat, irrespective of its National and International ramification. The DGP conveyed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the officers of Assam Police in general and the jawans in particular for extending unstinted support and co-operation in his pursuit to bring peace in the State. Srivastav gave credit to all the members of Assam Police for his achievements during his stint as DGP. The meeting was attended by upper Asom DIG, RL Bisnoi, Dibrugrh Deputy Commissioner, Gyanendra Dev Tripathy, Air Commanding Officer of Chabua Airforce Station, Amit Dey, Commanding Officer of 318 Field Regiment, Colonel RS Khillon, Superintendents of Police of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Jorhat, Abhijit Bora, Diganta Bora, Shyamal Saikia and Dipak Chowdhury respectively.
Speakers in their addresses outlined the life and career of DGP Srivastav and wished him and his family a healthy and prosperous life.
The Superintendent of Police, Dibrugarh, Abhijit Bora offered the vote of thanks. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

AIKS stages demonstration

DIBRUGARH, July 29: The order to evict more than hundred families in Jokai Samguri Bongali Gaon here has earned the ire of the Dibrugarh unit of All India Krishak Sabha (AIKS).
The regional unit of AIKS held a demonstration in Dibrugarh today. They are demanding the withdrawal of the order and the allotment of land to the affected families.
The families concerned have been residing in the village, which falls under Mancotta Khanikar mouza in Dibrugarh West Revenue Circle, for more than three decades.

The organization stated that, the concerned land was earlier a grazing field but was allotted to the poor families under minimum needs programme after being turned into ceiling land way back in 1975. Many of these families have lived on the land since the pre-Independence era, they added. While criticizing the order to evict these farmers, the Sabha demanded that they should be issued land pattas.

The organization also demanded an inquiry into the financial irregularities in the office of the District Agriculture Department. Alleging that the office submitted a budget of ninety lakh rupees for running non-existent block offices, they said that certain section of officers and workers of the district agriculture office were also involved in the siphoning of the money allotted under Women Empowerment scheme during 2007-08. The regional unit of AIKS demanded that the guilty persons should be punished. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Jorhat traffic police under scanner

JORHAT, July 26: At a time when the State Government as well as the Asom police have failed to protect the lives and property of the common people, as the militant groups have been on a rampage, carrying out anti-social activities in the State but the people of Jorhat here have upped their anti against the Jorhat traffic police for some completely different reason.

Noteworthy that, the Jorhat police have been coming to the scratching criticism from the public due to its atrocities to the common people and for the failure to control law and order situation for the last couple of months. As well as the traffic police of the Chief Minister’s home district too, is under fire due to its alleged involvement in collection of fines from various quarters within the town.

According to the information, the traffic in-charge and the traffic inspector of Jorhat town along with a number of traffic constables have allegedly involved in collection of money from the vehicles running in the town both day and night by taking the advantage of traffic chaos for the last couple of months. The allegations received from various quarters said that, the traffic police, engaged their duties to control the traffic disorder have seen mostly busy to collect money by different means from private vehicles. The allegation further stated that, the traffic police of the town have failed to control the traffic chaos due to the negligence of duty and the intention of such sordid affairs which turn to a serious cause for concern for the people of the CM’s home town.

Apart from it, the traffic in-charge and the traffic inspector of the town have allegedly involved with regular collection of bribes from a number of vendors and private vehicle stands and siphoned off the huge amount of money by keeping the district administration in dark. However, although the traffic police officials have used to take out some drives in a short interval of time within the town area but in reality it happens to be a worthless practice as to why the instance of violation of Motor Vehicle Act are available under the nose of the Jorhat traffic police in the roads and pavements as well.

Therefore, the people of the town have failed to understand as to why the district administration of the district have allowed such alleged practices by the traffic police beyond the permissible limit and raised their eyebrows after witnessing such mysterious silence of the district administration towards these unlawful activities. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Governor to restore relationship between Bihar and Asom

DIBRUGARH, July 26: The newly appointed Governor of Bihar, Devananda Konwar, promised to restore age old cordial relationship between the States of Bihar and Asom regretting the fact that there was an amount of disruption in the last few years. He was speaking at a function to felicitate him organized by the Dibrugarh chapter of Axom Xahitya Xabha and Dibrugarh Nagarik Mancha yesterday. Konwar in his speech stated that, though in negative perception about Bihar still exist in some mind, the fact of the matter is that Bihar’s contribution to the Indian civilization and advancement cannot be ignored. He stated that, it is in Bihar that major religions such as Buddhism and Jainism took roots and flourished before spreading all over the world. In the fields of education and in philosophy, Bihar’s place was second to none, he said. Governor said that, Nalanda University is the first university in the recorded history of the world predating even the birth of Christ.

Even in present time, in spite of the mass publicized state of poverty, the fact that students having their origin in Bihar contribute substantially in the list of IAS and IPS candidates as well as to the other streams of civil services is not generally known. As a reservoir and supplier of human resources to each and every States of India and to the world, Bihar’s claim cannot be ignored.

Konwar stated that, it will be his endeavour to build bridges between the States of Asom and Bihar in the field of education and culture so that misunderstanding of the recent past can be erased.

The former president of Axom Xahitya Xabha, Dr Nagen Saikia presided over the function. In his speech, Dr Saikia recalled the academic ties between the universities of Bihar and Asom when Deva Kanta Baruah was the Governor of Bihar and requested Konwar to explore possibility for renewal of such ties. Niva Konwar, the wife of the Governor also accompanied him.

Earlier, Governor formally released the in-house magazine of Dibrugarh Xahitya Xabha.
A number of organizations of Dibrugarh also felicitated the Governor and the first lady of Bihar. sourcE: THE SENTINEL

Munaf donates land

JORHAT, July 23: Munaf of Jengonikotia in Sivasagar district for donating two bighas of land to the Namtipul Girls’ High School, Namtipul Art and Music School (Charukala Kendra) and a branch office of Gyandeep Sahitya Sabha at Namtipul, has been praised by the people of the area.
The institutional heads of these institutions have through separate letters acknowledged Syed Abdul Munaf’s generous gesture and commitment to the society.
Syed Abdul Munaf is the son of a social worker, late Abdul Nayeem, who was not financially sound but had a large quantity land and property. Though Syed Abdul Munaf inherited a share of the land, he does not have a secure Government job and therefore this donation of more than two bighas of land has been appreciated by the people.
Syed Abdul Munaf also heads the NGO– Samannay Mega Society, which he formed in 2005 with permission of the Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar.
Various organizations and the people in general have praised the works of the NGO and hoped that it continues its good work. THE SENTINEL

Infighting in AASKSU

DIBRUGARH, July 23: The infighting in the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union (AASKSU) has reached new heights with the Dipuranjan Makrary led group challenging the president and secretary of the other faction to prove the charges levelled against them.

The faction led by Gopal Sonowal and Keshab Sonowal had recently distributed leaflets in the town demanding the arrest of Makrary and a few others for blackmailing traders selling gutkha.

In a press statement, the vice-president, general secretary and publicity secretary, Dibyajyoti Deka Barua, Ratan Kachari and Manjit Sonowal respectively, demanded that Gopal Sonowal and Keshab Sonowal should prove the charges or they would take to legal recourse. They questioned the very legitimacy of the other group and asked when and in which conference the union was formed. The three office-bearers also demanded to know the amount they had reportedly collected through blackmailing. They said that if Gopal Sonowal and Keshab Sonowal failed to prove their statement, they would have to tender a public apology. THE SENTINEL

AGP stages dharna

JORHAT, July 23: Jorhat branch of Asom Gana Parishad staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today. A memorandum has been submitted to the DC in this regard.

Senior AGP leader Hemanta Kalita, while condemning the utterances of the State Health Minister saying that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the six years of rule in the State had completely failed to control or discipline his colleagues.

“He may have said something which passes for an apology but we cannot accept this and will not be satisfied unless he is arrested for using such language against our party”, Kalita said.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma has been given a Doctorate degree by Gauhati University so that he can use such language”, Kalita sarcastically said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma had allegedly told news channel that the Government would pay State Government employees one rupee more than the pay received by Central Government employees and this would be like shoes thrown (slap) on the face of the AGP, who were criticizing the Government for not implementing the Central Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendation. “Unless he is arrested soon, the AGP will continue to agitate”, Kalita said.

Revenue Minister visits upper Asom

JORHAT, July 23: Asom Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman visited the three upper Asom districts – Jorhat, Golaghat and Sivasagar to know about the drought like situation of the districts. In his visit, the Revenue Minister participated at a meeting held at Jorhat Circuit House with the three Deputy Commissioners– LS Changsan, MN Hussain and Haren Borah of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat respectively. In the meeting, the other department officials like Irrigation, Public Health, Water Resource, Health, Veterinary, etc. of the three districts were also present among others. Barman who was accompanied by Revenue Department Secretary VK Peparsonia has directed to all the departments concerned to take necessary steps in the draught like situation and urged them to take up special methods in cultivation and other related sectors.

Before winding up his two-day long visit to upper Asom districts, the Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister visited the flood affected areas of Majuli and talked about the various problems plagued by the people of the riverine island. At a meeting with the department officials of Majuli, held at Majuli Circuit House, the Rehabilitation Minister directed to all the departments to take all possible steps for the greater interest of the people living there. After visiting the flood breached embankments of Borbeel, Jengrai and Khersuti, Barman said about the need of a scientific embankment construction system in Majuli as a permanent solution of the problem.

Excitement among observers of solar eclipse

DIBRUGARH, July 22: The general atmosphere among the observers who had gathered at Dibrugarh University today to watch the rare event of total solar eclipse was that of excitement.
There was dismay when it began to rain in the early morning hours. However, the rains stopped as the moment of total eclipse approached and all present were able to experience the darkness that fell when the sun was totally overshadowed. But, there was disappointment also as the diamond ring could not be observed.

The university released three balloons today to observe the atmospheric variations during the event.

Meanwhile, the teachers and students of Life Sciences Department had formed groups to watch the behavioural changes in fresh water fishes, tadpole, mollusc (Acatina), kuchia, honeybee, butterfly and mosquito larvae. The groups watching the stomatal reaction in aloe vera and photoreaction in mimosa pudika, amla, nine o’ clock and phylanthus niruri saw visible changes during the eclipse. The department also recorded the effect of the event on photosynthesis in certain plants.

The Registrar of Dibrugarh University, Dr PK Bhuyan, told The Sentinel that the preliminary indication of the studies carried out by the Physics Department was that, there were some of the expected variations of observed parameters. However, further analysis was on and it was too early to say anything, he added. source: the sentinel

AATASU member succumbs to his injury

DIBRUGARH, July 17: The All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union (AATASU) member Chandra Kanta Gogoi succumbed to his injury at a local nursing home today. Gogoi, son of Jogeswar Gogoi of Moran Ahom Gaon was admitted to the nursing home in a critical condition after a road accident that occurred at Moran on July 16.

The AATASU president, Aswaini Chetia, District Committee secretary, Mridupavan Lahon, Moran Regional unit’s secretary, Nipan Phukan, secretary, Devajit Gogoi besides members of the AATASU unit of Ahom Gaon condoled the death of one of their colleague and conveyed their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

All Assam Students’ Union Moran unit’s president Jadunath Puri and executive member of the All Assam Chutia Students’ Union, Khirod Kumar Saikia also condoled the death of AATASU member. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

‘Government fails to keep its promise’

DIBRUGARH, July 17: The State Government has failed to keep its promise to provide jobs to at least one member in the families of the police personnel who died in attacks by ULFA or on duty, alleged some youths in a press meet held here today.

Babul Dihingia, son of late Naren Dihingia, said after his father was a police constable at Milannagar police station and was shot dead by ULFA assailants while on duty at the AGP office on May 1, 2001 on the eve of Legislative Assembly Election, the then Governor, SK Sinha, DGP Harekrishna Deka, Central Ministers– Pramode Mahajan and Ram Naik had visited the bereaved family and promised to provide a job to a member of the family, he added. According to Babul Dihingia, he and dependants of police personnel who had died on harness have been making the rounds of the secretariat and meeting the ministers as well as officials without any results. He said that, eight of them had been selected in the test held for the posts of police constables few months back and submitted necessary documents at the SP’s office here. However, their appointment letters never came while candidates in other districts had already joined their duties.

Padmawati Dihingia, the wife of late Nakul Dihingia, was also present during the press meet. She said that, her husband had died on duty due to heart attack and had been promised that her son would be given a job on compassionate ground. Whenever she goes to inquire about the matter, she is fobbed off saying that the processing was on or asked to submit documents, Padmawati Dihingia added. Her son, Sunil Dihingia, expressed apprehension that they would have crossed the age of employment and considered ineligible by the time the Government did something regarding providing jobs. Babul Dihingia said that, he had moved the High Court, who had cited a judgment passed in a similar case. In the case of Achyut Ranjan Das against the State Government, the latter was ordered to provide the former with a job. By that light, he deserved to get a job, Dihingia added.

Meanwhile, the wives of three deceased police personnel and their sons have decided to go on hunger strike if the State Government did not act within the next fifteen days. source: THE SENTINEL

CM exhorts teachers of juvenile home to work sincerely

JORHAT, July 14: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi exhorted the teachers at the Juvenile Observation Home at Olichubari here to do their work with sincerity so that the juvenile delinquents when they came out of the home would take their right place in society.
Addressing the staff of the juvenile home while reviewing the problems being faced by the home recently, Gogoi said that the teachers here had more responsibility than those teaching in formal educational institutes as they had the additional task of instilling the values besides imparting education to their pupils.

Juvenile delinquents are required to learn many things as well as get rid of many bad habits acquired before and this makes the task doubly onerous for teachers, trying to push them back on the right track”, Gogoi said.

The Chief Minister further asked the members of the Social Welfare Department to take stock of the problems and solve them at the earliest.

The Chief minister also told the members to ensure that the delinquents did not suffer from any want and that their character was moulded into that of ideal citizens of the country.
The Deputy Commissioner LS Changsan apprised the Chief Minister of the various activities of the home.

It may be mentioned that, a few years ago a number of juveniles had escaped from the home due to the poor infrastructure, security measures as well as unwholesome food being fed. Remedial measures had been taken thereafter. source: THE SENTINEL

BTC Budget presented

KOKRAJHAR, July 14: Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary, in-charge of Finance, presented the Annual Financial Statement (Budget Estimates) on the BTC for the year 2009-10 under rule 139.

In the budget speech of Mohilary, which was read out by his deputy Kampa Borgoyary on his behalf appraised on some of the major achievements of the BTC during the financial year 2008-09, saying that the entire plan and non-pan fund from the State Government and other sources under the Central sector schemes, flagship schemes of the Government of India and fund received under the Special Package of Bodo Accord has been fully utilized. source: the sentinel

Children’s workshop at Kalakshetra

GUWAHATI, July 12: Socio-cultural organization Ray has organized a workshop at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra to imbibe the values of folk art and culture in the young generation. The workshop started on July 9 and will conclude on July 16. About 85 children between 4-16 years are taking part in the workshop. source: THE SENTINEL

Illicit liquor seized

GUWAHATI, July 12: Guwahati city Excise Department today seized several litres of illict liquor from different parts of the city. In Maligaon 3,000 litres of liquor were seized from two autorichshaws ( AS01-H-9055 and AS01-14A-8704) coming from Rangia. Five women were arrested in this connection. In Amingaon 2,000 litres of illicit liquor were seized from two pick-up vans and four women were arrested. source: THE SENTINEL

CPI wants all-party meeting

GUWAHATI, July 9: CPI central politburo member Pramod Gogoi has said that an all-party meeting should be called to discuss the flood problem of the State.

In a press meet today, Gogoi said every year floods create havoc in the State. There has to be an immediate but lasting solution to this problem. For this, political parties have to rise above their political interests and unite. He has requested the State Government to call an all-party meeting to discuss about the flood problem.

Gogoi also expressed regret at the fact that Asom and the Northeast had been neglected in the Union Budget 2009-10. " The flood victims of Asom find no mention in the Union Budget. Despite several demands, the Centre has not declared floods in Asom as a national problem," said Gogoi.

Gogoi said that the Deva Gowda government had taken a serious view of the havoc that the Brahmaputra created every year and had introduced the Brahmaputra Flood Control Act. But successive governments had failed to implement this Act, said Gogoi.

Gogoi has also demanded a high-level inquiry into the breach in the Matmora embankment that resulted in the washing away of thousands of villages recently. He also said that the responsibility of construction of river embankments should be given to local and not foreign companies as there were ignorant of ground realities SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Pensioners’ Convention on July 11

GUWAHATI, July 9: The Joint Convention of Postal, DOT, BSNL and Central Government Pensioners will be held on July 11 in Guwahati.

Nearly 300 delegates of all district and local committees of Central Government Pensioners’ Associations and BSNL-DOT Pensioners’ Associations are expected to attend the convention. President of the National Coordination Committee of the Pensioners’ Associations, RL Bhattacharjee will address the convention.

The recent move of the Central Government to privatize pension funds of all Central Government pensioners and the indifferent attitude of the Government as well as the Central Pay Commission towards fulfilling the demands of the pensioners will be discussed in the convention. This was stated in a press release. source: THE SENTINEL

SBI celebrates ‘Bank Day’

JORHAT, July 8: The State Bank of India (SBI), administrative office, here celebrated ‘Bank Day’ by felicitating eminent personalities of Jorhat. Among those who were felicitated were poet and writer Pradip Kumar Baruah, singer, Prasenjit Lahon, drummer, Mahendra Chutia and former bank official GR Paul. In his welcome speech, Assistant General Manager, Benu Hazarika thanked the valued customers for extending support to all the banking activities and elaborated on the latest activities and programmes launched by the bank. The evening ended with a cultural programme.

Gogoi’s tall claim on insurance scheme ends in a whimper

GUWAHATI, July 7: The Mukhya Mantrir Jibonjyoti Bima Achoni, a life insurance scheme, is on the verge of extinction in Asom. While launching the scheme, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi did make a tall claim that there would not be any cash crunch for the scheme that was first of its kind in the country. In the very first year of the scheme, the State Government signed an agreement of Rs 25 crore with ICICI-Lambard and paid about Rs 16 crore, but today it came to light that only Rs 6 crore has been allocated for the scheme in the 2009-10 State Budget. Due to acute cash crunch, a large number of applicants have not been getting benefits under the scheme, and the government is now releasing funds for only a few applicants on a priority basis.

When Social Welfare and Jail Minister Akon Bora was launching the 100-day agenda of his departments today, it came to light that only Rs 6 crore has been allocated for the Jibonjyoti Scheme in the Budget of 2009-10. The amount allocated for the scheme in the last Budget was Rs 5 crore.

After signing an agreement with ICICI-Lambard and paying about Rs 16 crore, the State Government decided to run the scheme with the help of its Social Welfare Department.

When asked on the financial health of the scheme, Bora said: "A large number of applications have been lying pending due to cash crunch. For Guwahatians we have kept Rs 22 lakh against the actual requirement of about Rs 70 lakh. We have no alternative but to release funds for the beneficiaries on a priority basis."

The question that arises now is: Why is the Chief Minister, who was so generous to dole out about Rs 16 crore to a private insurance company for the Jibonjyoti Scheme for a single financial year, is so conservative in making Budgetary allocation for the same scheme when the Social Welfare Department has come at the helm of its affairs?

The 100-day agenda of the Department of Social Welfare, among other things, include recruitment of 22,613 anganwadianganwadi helpers, 431 supervisors, seven LDAs and 11 Child Development Project Officers. A sum of Rs 500 per month will be given to each unmarried BPL girl of above 45 years of age and young widows by the Social Welfare Department. This apart, the department will set up 4,500 anganwadi centres and set up a home for beggars in Guwahati within 100 days. A car each will be provided to each of the 29 jails in the State. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL