AGARTALA, February 8: Tripura Government has launched a website to provide information about handloom and handicraft products of the State and give an exposure to rural artisans. Inaugurating the website recently State Industries and Commerce Minister Pabitra Kar said the website has been launched to give handloom products a wider market in the country. "The handloom and handicraft products of the State have greater demand in other parts of the country and the website will provide necessary information to interested buyers and give exposure to the rural artisans in the national and...

GUWAHATI, February 11: The endangered and rare plant species of the Northeast, specially those of the State, are in for a major boost in growth and production with the setting up of a most modern "Greenhouse" at the Department of Biotechnology of Gauhati University here. The house will be primarily used for "acclimatising and hardening" of plants developed from the tissue-culture laboratory already existing at the department, informed PJ Handique, Faculty Member of the Department and Principal Investigator of the project under which the house is being set up. "Our top priority is for mass...

IMPHAL, February 12: Chongtham Priya, FABECO Miss Manipur 2000 expressed strong concern over the statement of the FABECO executive committee published in local papers to the effect that the cash awards for this year's Miss Manipur winners would be distributed only at the next contest organised by the organisation. A total cash amount of Rs 90,000 for the Miss Manipur 2000 title winner, 1st Runner, 2nd runner and best designer have not been disbursed as yet, Chongtham Priya told IFP when the later contacted her. She expressed suspicion that FABECO's contest has been organised for commercial...

GOLAGHAT, February 13: In Dhansiri sub-division within Golaghat district many ancient relics, ruins and monuments have been recovered within the last five years but unfortunately, the artifacts recovered in Rengma, Nagojuri Khonikar, Alisinga Duboroini, Kochubeel areas are lying encared for by the Archeological Department of Assam Government. The Archeological Department undertook excavation works at Barpathar Duboroini area in 1994 and in 1996 the department excavated and recovered old statues and inscriptions. The local people have appealed to the State Government to take measures to...

GUWAHATI, February 12: The Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today presented a rs 1316.62 crore deficit budget for the year 2001-2002 in the State assembly. In the budget, Mahanta, who is also in charge of the finance department, proposed to introduce a film surcharge and to provide relief to the weavers to promote the handloom sector. As per the financial estimates for the year 2001-2002, the total receipts of the State Government for the year would be Rs 11,329.35 crore as against the expenditure of Rs 12,221.90 crore, leaving a deficit of Rs 892.55 crore. As the year will open with an...