Guwahati, Dec. 17: The Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) today rejected Dispur?s appeal to extend the term of its truce with the Centre, saying there was no question of waiting beyond December 21 for a ?positive decision? on the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

?We will not extend the term of the ceasefire. Having said that, I believe the state government can put the peace process back on track by taking a positive decision on the council before the truce expires on December 21,? BLT vice-chairman Kamal Muchahari told The Telegraph.

The pro-talks insurgent leader warned of a situation...

Guwahati, Dec. 17: Alarmed at the increasing number of non-performing assets, the board of directors of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) has decided to take action against defaulters

The board has decided to take recourse to the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, passed recently. Under the act, a financing institution can take over the assets of defaulting units. Action under this Act has already been initiated against a tea-processing unit and a cold-storage project.

In view of the amendment of the...

Shillong, Dec. 17: Setting all speculation at rest, the Congress Legislature Party last evening decided to continue being part of the ruling coalition led by the NCP, but many in the party still favour pulling out from it.

?The Congress in Meghalaya is still divided on the issue of pulling out from the NCP-led People?s Forum of Meghalaya coalition,? a source said.

While legislature party leader D.D. Lapang said the decision to remain in the government was ?unanimous?, party president S.C. Marak said he had no option but to go by the ?majority decision?.

However, the decision had not pleased...

BOKAKHAT, Dec 17 – Aideu Handique, the first heroine of Assamese Cinema is no more. According to family sources the end came early this morning at her family residence at Kamargaon Panidihingia in Golaghat District. She was 87. Her death is attributed to old-age ailment. She was bed-ridden for the past about two years and was also suffering from paralysis. Born in an orthodox environment in 1915 to Late Nilambar Handique and Late Lakshmi Handique, Aideu Handique took the entire society of Assam by storm by playing the lead role in the first Assamese film Joymoti made by Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad...

NEW DELHI, Dec 17 — The Centre has ruled out the possibility of according ‘tax free’ status to the north-eastern States. Minister in-charge for Department of Development of North-eastern Region (DONER) Arun Shourie, in response to a question is the Lok Sabha, pointed out that already under the new industrial policy of 1998, several tax concessions were provided under direct taxes for the region. The incentives cited included 100 per cent tax holidays for 10 years. In addition a new industrial package was announced is 1999 for the region and one of the components of the package was excise duty...