Development

NEW DELHI, July 8 ? The North Eastern Region (NER) has little to cheer about the UPA Government?s maiden Budget, as ongoing schemes and projects were sought to be repackaged and presented. Apart from the promise to launch a flood control and anti-erosion project in Assam and Rs 100 crore increase in allocation out of the Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLCPR ), Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram?s Budget has nothing new to offer to NE.

The Budget?s predictably evoked a mix response from the Region?s MPs? who expressed the view that it fell short of their expectations. Taking a cue...

Kokrajhar, July 7: The Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam today threatened to pull out from the ceasefire agreement with the Centre and restart its ?war? if the Adivasis of Assam were not granted Scheduled Tribe status as demanded by the outfit. Dispur announced the ceasefire with the outfit for six months on June 30.

?If our demand for ST status to the Adivasi people of Assam is not granted by February next year, we will take our next step by withdrawing the ceasefire,? Kanhu Murmu, the commander-in-chief of the group said on the occasion of the outfit?s Raising Day. The group?s chairman...

Agartala, July 7: The change of government at the Centre has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the peace talks with the two groups of NLFT militants, led by Nayanbasi Jamatya and Mantu Koloi-Kamini Debbarma. Officials of the tribal welfare department of the state government expressed disappointment over lack of progress in the peace process.

The officials also expressed concern about the expenses incurred for the upkeep of the surrendered militants.

The Union ministry of the UPA government has shown no interest in furthering the peace process.

Official sources in the tribal welfare...

Imphal, July 7: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has accepted a proposal to set up an office of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) to ?rehabilitate? leaders who were dropped from his ministry. The proposal was made by SPF convener and former art and culture minister, Moirangthem Nara Singh, at today?s meeting of the legislature wings of the SPF partners ? the Congress, the CPI and the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).

Ibobi Singh convened the meeting at his residence to review the fallout of the ministry downsizing exercise and to pacify the dropped ministers. After the meeting...

Shillong, July 7: Congress legislators have revolted against chief minister D.D. Lapang for excluding ?some seasoned and competent? politicians from the downsized 12-member Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in the state. Immediately after the names and portfolios of the 12 ministers were announced, legislators from the Congress and the regional coalition partners openly questioned Lapang?s decision to induct first-timers instead of experienced hands.

Almost all MLAs and Congress workers have revolted against the chief minister and threatened to take out processions to protest...

Aizawl, July 7: Mizoram agriculture minister H. Rammawi today affirmed that the government was planning to introduce organic farming in the state shortly. Answering a starred question from Congress legislator R. Lalzirliana in the third session of the Assembly which began today, Rammawi said the government had plans to go in for organic farming soon.

The minister said certain fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and weedkillers made from chemicals that were not harmful for humans would be continued.

Rammawi said chemical fertilisers like urea contain toxic substances, which were unfit for...

Imphal, July 7: Loktak lake has always been the biggest fish bowl of Manipur. Now the state government has taken up an ambitious project to make it a rich source of biofertilisers and compost. The aim is not only to clean up the lake but also help farmers. Launched by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) with active assistance from scientists of the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, the project for production of biofertilisers from floating biomass has become a success.

The LDA started sale of the product on Friday. The compost is being sold at Rs 37.50 for 50 kg. J.S. Laishram of...

Shillong, July 7: Taxi drivers, brush up your manners, big brother is watching. Wary of Shillong?s tradition of warmth and hospitality towards visitors being sullied by ill-mannered cabbies, Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang has asked those operating here to be on their best behaviour while ferrying passengers. ?I have been told that taxi drivers do not behave properly with passengers. This will not be tolerated. They have to learn manners or face punishment,? he said.

Lapang?s interest in beautifying Shillong and its suburbs to attract more tourists is not new. He has specifically asked...

Kohima, July 7: A day after the downsizing of the Nagaland council of ministers, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland seems to be in trouble. The Janata Dal (United) has been entirely left out of the ministry. The BJP, too, is not pleased. Huska Sumi of the JD (U) said George Fernandes had felt ?insulted and humiliated? and that Sharad Yadav had told the party to withdraw support.

With party workers apprehensive of sitting in the Opposition, the JD (U) leaders have called a meeting this evening. Former power minister and Ao tribe leader Tiameren Aier has also been dropped.

Silchar, July 7: The Union home ministry has asked the militant Dima Halam Daoga (DHD) to prepare an agenda for the resumption of its dialogue with representatives of the Centre and the Assam government. DHD chief Dilip Nunisa confirmed receiving ?feelers? from Delhi about its willingness to resume the dialogue. The last round of talks ended inconclusively in December.

Nunisa told The Telegraph over phone from Halflong, the headquarters of North Cachar Hills, that he was expecting a formal invitation soon.

?We hope to discuss substantive issues, especially our demand for Dimaraji, this time...