GUWAHATI, May 10? The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is actively considering an assistance of Rs 2000 crore (400 US $ million) to Assam. This was stated by Frank J Polman, Country Director of the Bank, during the concluding session of the three-day meeting of the officials of the ADB and the Government of Assam on May 10 which was chaired by the Chief Minister of Assam, stated an official press release. The delegation had visited Assam as a follow up of their fruitful visit to the State in December 2001. One of their visit objectives was to finalise the Country Assistance Program for India for...

Imphal, May 10: About sixty surrendered militants gheraoed the chief minister?s bungalow this afternoon, for around three hours, demanding implementation of their promised rehabilitation package. The ex-militants, most of whom have been lodged at barracks in Imphal west and east police station, congregated at the front gate of the chief minister?s residence at around 1 pm. The onetime militants, having affinity with different valley based proscribed groups, were hoping to address their grievances to the chief minister, O Ibobi and urge him to actuate the government?s promises for their...

Imphal, May 10: Even though political parties have been harping on modernizing the security forces of the state, the government has failed to utilize the funds for the past some years under the Security Related Expenses (SRE) sponsored by the Centre. An officials source said out of the released amount by the Centre the State had to return back Rs 19.43 crore during the year 1998-99, Rs 3.44 crore during 1999-2000, Rs 14.17 crore during 200-2001 and Rs r crore during 2001-2002. The total amount comes to a staggering Rs 41.08 crore. The scheme has been allotted to the state for purchasing new...

Imphal, May 10 (PTI): The Gauhati High Court today restrained the Centre from shifting the Special Services Bureau from the North East as proposed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice RS Mongia and Justice IA Ansari, in an order passed on a public interest litigation fixed the case for further hearing on July 16. The petitioner, Jugal Barua, a social activist of Tezpur, has challenged the move of the Union Home Ministry to shift the SSB units along with personnel based in each State of the North East to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The...

NEW DELHI, May 9 ? The Supreme Court today cleared the last hurdle in construction of the Rs 7000 crore Subansiri Lower Power Project by giving its seal of approval to the project. The apex court?s clearance was essential for the project to get off ground as it has major environment implications including submersion of a portion of a wildlife sanctuary and diversion of a river.

A three-member Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice BN Kirpal, Justice Arijit Passyat and Justice HK Sema responded favourably to the pleas of the Additional Solicitor General, who told the court that the...