New Delhi/Itanagar, July 8: In an unprecedented step, Arunachal Pradesh governor V.C. Pande complained to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam last night that he recommended President?s rule in the state under duress. ?Not only I, but all my staff, including the secretary and deputy secretary, were put under tremendous mental and physical pressure by all ex-MLAs and their political workers, who stormed into my chamber and remained there, gheraoing me for more than five hours,? the governor wrote to the President.

Pande first dissolved the 60-member Assembly at the recommendation of chief minister Gegong Apang...

SHILLONG, July 8 ? To pacify discontended MLAs after the downsizing exercise, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee would urge Chief Minister to consider introducing ?rotation? system among ministers for the remaining term of the present government. MPCC executive committee which met under the chairmanship of party president SC Marak here on Tuesday, discussed the political situation in the State in the wake of trimming of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government led by Congress, party sources said here on Wednesday.

The size of the ministry was reduced from 39 to 12 yesterday in...

ITANAGAR, July 8 ? In an interesting development, Arunachal Pradesh Governor VC Pande, who had recommended Central rule in the State after dissolution of the Assembly yesterday, has told President APJ Abdul Kalam that he had signed his recommendation ?under duress? and sought its withdrawal, reports PTI.

?I regret to say that the signature in the said report was obtained under duress. Not only myself but also all my staff including the secretary were put under tremendous mental and physical pressure by all ex-MLAs and their political workers who stormed into my chamber and remained there...

JORHAT, July 8 ? A comprehensive drainage masterplan worth Rs 15.19 crore and prepared by the Jorhat Development Authority (JDA) has been approved recently by the Centre, a press release issued by the district administration here said. Besides clearing of natural drains criss-crossing the city, construction of culverts and footpaths have also been included in the masterplan. To be implemented in a phasewise manner as soon as funds earmarked for the project is released, widening and clearance of the Tocklai rivulet, Mohuajan, Tarajan, Duborijan and Khorasorajan streams with also be undertaken...

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...