SHILLONG, July 6 ? Meghalaya government has fired its second salvo against the Khasi Students? Union (KSU) constituting a separate intelligence cell to probe the extortion activities of the student body. The cell to be headed by a senior IPS officer W R Marbaniang, Commandant General, Civil Defence and Home Guards and Additional Director General of Police, will also investigate the assets of some of the KSU leaders and cases of forced collection of money by the students organisation.

A notification setting up the cell is excepted to be issued on Monday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr F A...

GUWAHATI, July 6 ? Assam?s forest cover has gone down to only 16 per cent of the total geographical area and the State Government has sought the help of the neighbouring Sates for launching a massive Plantation programme, said the Minister of State for Forest, Sri Pradyut Bordoloi. Talking to The Assam Tribune here today, Sri Bordoloi said that though on paper the forest cover in the State as 26 per cent, the actual cover as per the remote sensing data is only about 16 per cent. He said that as per international norms, the forest cover in the plain areas should be at least 33 per cent, while...

NEW DELHI, July 6 : Prime Minster?s special emissary K Padmanabhaiah will visit Amsterdam to hold fresh round of parleys with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) leaders T Muivah and Isak Swu from July eight to further the Naga peace process. This was stated by Padmanabhaiah after he met Prime Minster Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today.

Imphal, July 06: The Singda Dam Mircro Hydel Power Project which will harness 750 KWs of electricity from the dam is likely to be commissioned in August this year. The cost of the project which was taken up by the IFCD under the Central Electricity Authority has also been revised from the earlier Rs 248 lakhs to Rs 420 lakhs. The project will have three turbines each producing 250 KWs of electricity. IFC Minister N Mangi inspected the project site along with Sekmai AC MLA N Biren today. IFCD Div II Addl Chief Engineer and other officials also accompanied the Minister. The Addl CE K Ibotombi...

NEW DELHI, July 5 : Government today totally freed the tea sector including plantations for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with a condition that the foreign investor divest 26 per cent equity to its Indian partner within five years. A Government notification said all proposals for 100 per cent FDI in the sector would, however, require prior approval from the Centre. Opening up of the tea sector is part of government?s decision to further liberalise the FDI regime.