GUWAHATI, Nov 7 ? The State and Central Governments have signed an agreement with the World Bank for the implementation of a Rs 1024.53-crore Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP) from February 1 next year. This was disclosed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here today.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that the agreement was signed in Washington on October 25. He said that as per the agreement, the World Bank assistance to the total project cost would be Rs 736.08 crore, while the contribution of the State Government would be Rs 95.45 crore and the contribution...

GUWAHATI, Nov 7 ? The Government has not been able to establish contact with leaders of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) for the finalisation of the formal ceasefire agreement, said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today.

Addressing a press conference today, Gogoi admitted a communication gap with the NDFB leadership and said that efforts are on to get in touch with the leaders of the outfit. He said that the Government has already instructed the security forces to go slow on operations against the NDFB. He assured that the Government would give safe passage and security to the...

DIBRUGARH, Nov 6 ? Dorjee Khandu, Minister for Relief& Rehabilitation, Power, NCER & Settlement along with the newly elected MLA of Tawang constituency Tsewang Dondup paid a two-day visit to Tawang recently after being sworn in as a cabinet minister.

Besides being given a guard of honour, the minister was welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner and all heads of offices of Tawang district. At a meeting with all heads of offices of the district, the minister said that the power department is the backbone of the state?s economy and the only revenue earning department in the state.

He assured that a...

GUWAHATI, Nov 6?Environment policy analyst Ruchi Pant has observed that the Draft National Environment Policy (DNEP) is unwilling to give legal recognition to the traditional rights of forest dwelling tribes. She was making her observations in connection with the draft?s approach towards the environmental issues concerning the NE region.

Her observations on the DNEP came in response to the request made by The Assam Tribune for offering her comments on the draft policy document, particularly in relation to the NE region. Pant worked in this region of the country earlier as an environment...

GUWAHATI, Nov 6 ? The Assam Government has placed a demand for taking up of short, medium and long term measures for controlling the fury of floods before the task force constituted by the Prime Minister to suggest measures for dealing with the problem and according to an estimate, an amount of Rs 517 crore would be required for immediate repair of the damages caused to the flood control structures.

Official sources told The Assam Tribune here today that three sub groups of the task force have been constituted to facilitate proper compilation of information within the stipulated time frame...