Development

NEW DELHI, Nov 22 ? Coinciding with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's North-east tour, the Human Resources Ministry here announced constitution of a 25-member high level group to address specific issues relating to education, women and child development in the north eastern region (NER) including Sikkim.

The high-powered committee to be headed by Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Arjun Singh would also address issues regarding funding of projects relating to education, women and child development from the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for the North-east and to...

GUWAHATI, Nov 22 ? Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that the India-ASEAN car rally would give an opportunity to Assam and other parts of North-east India in their journey into the future because of the improvement of the country's ties with the ASEAN countries.

Ceremonially flagging off the first India-ASEAN car rally at a colourful function at the Nehru Stadium here this afternoon in presence of External Affiars Minister Natwar Singh, Minister in charge of DoNER PR Kyndiah, Secretary General of the ASEAN and a host of other dignitaries, the Prime Minister said that the rally would...

IMPHAL, Nov 21? Despite the Centre releasing Rs 3 crore for welfare of ethnic tribals, the state government is in a fix over construction of a multi-storey tribal market complex in their (tribals?) area in the heart of the city.

While a section of the tribals pressed the government for constructing the market at the selected site, others have opposed the site selected by the government at New Lambulane, in the heart of the city predominantly inhabited by the Kukis. The huge amount of money was released in July last year but the government is unable to take a concrete decision to this effect...

SHILLONG, Nov 21 ? Chief Minister DD Lapang has been accorded ?Z? category security cover by the Centre keeping in view the increased threat perception. Stating this here on Friday, the Chief Minister said that besides the usual ?Z? category security cover, he would be allotted a separate bungalow in New Delhi.

Reiterating that Meghalaya is a peaceful state, Lapang, however reasoned that he was given the country?s top security cover as ?taking advantage of the peaceful situation, militants from other states are entering Meghalaya.?

Several militants, including those from the ULFA and NDFB of...

SHILLONG, Nov 21 ? Enhanced economic co-operation between the United Kingdom (UK) and India is helping the North East, British High Commissioner to India, Sir Michael Anthony Arthur has claimed.

Addressing a press conference after holding discussions with Meghalaya Governor MM Jacob, Chief Minister DD Lapang and senior Government officials here on Friday, the High Commissioner said Indo-British relations were currently ?very buoyant.?

?A host of statistics amply indicate how this relationship is flourishing,? he pointed out, adding that bilateral trade of goods and service between the two...

DONGKAMOKAM, Nov 21 ? It is strange that most of the develop-ment funds released by the Central or State Governments for the development of Karbi Anglong district are being diverted right under the nose of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), to NC Hills. Wozor Mukhrang, joint secretary, United People?s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), expressed his deep concern in a press release.

The release further stated that Khorsing Engti, Chief Executive Member (CEM), KAAC, hardly attends the secretariat office of the Autonomous Council 30 days in a year. He either stays at Howraghat or Guwahati...

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 21 ? The golden langur (Presbytis geei), a critically endangered primate species found only in a few select parts of Assam and Bhutan, is waging a grim battle for survival ? thanks to the rapid degradation and fragmentation of its habitat.

Listed in the IUCN Red Data Book 2003 as ?globally endangered,? the golden langur?s habitat is restricted by the Brahmaputra on the south, and by the Sonkosh and the Manas on the west and the east respectively. At present its population is estimated to be around 5,000, spread over the habitats in Assam and Bhutan, according to a recent survey...

NEW DELHI, Nov 21 ? Jnanpith awardee Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, who is trying to broker peace talks between the Government of India and outlawed ULFA, has resented the killing of ULFA cadres by the Army. Reacting to the recent incidents, Dr Goswami said that at a time efforts were on to start a peace process, the gruesome killings by the Army was uncalled for. The cadres could have captured alive and put behind bars, she said.

The Delhi University professor said that she got herself involved only after ULFA gave her to understand that they would keep off violence when the peace process was on...

GUWAHATI, Nov 21 ? Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today made a commitment that the Central Government under his stewardship would take all the necessary steps to preserve the cultural heritage of Majuli island. The island is the largest inhabited river island on the earth and also the treasure- house of State?s Vaishnavite culture and religion.

The Prime Minster was giving away the Srimanta Sankaradeva Awards for 2002, 2003 and 2004 to renowned educationist and social reformer Late Indira Miri, renowned theatre personality of the country Habib Tanvir and noted Satriya scholar and Satradhikar of...

IMPHAL, Nov 21 ? Winding up his visit to the trouble-torn Manipur, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today extended an open invitation to all groups including the ULFA, who abjure violence, for talks to resolve all outstanding issues in the North East and expressed hope that a ?humane? law would replace the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, reports PTI.

?Our government is willing to talk to any group which shuns the path of violence and seeks peaceful resolution of all outstanding problems ... This is an open invitation to all those young men and women who have taken to arms to give...