GUWAHATI, April 19 ?The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) has launched a five-year rural industries programme (RIP) in Garo Hills with support from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on March 15 at the District Industries Center (DIC), Tura. Sampat Kumar, district planning officer, West Garo Hills district inaugurated the programme. This was stated in a press release. In his inaugural address, Sri Kumar spoke about the importance of entrepreneurship in economic development of a district or a region and also for generation of job opportunities for the youth. He felt...

AIZAWL, April 17 ? Mizoram Council of ministers Monday decided that the lone airport in the State-Lengpui airport be given on lease to the National Airport Authority of India (NAAI) for 25 years, an official release said, reports PTI. The council of ministers which met under the chairmanship of State Chief Minister Zoramthanga decided that while the land and buildings of the airport would still belong to the Mizoram government, the operation of the airport would be handed over to the NAAI on a 25-year lease, the press release said. The meeting also rejected the plea of the NAAI to obtain...

GUWAHATI, April 19? Several environmental groups and activists have expressed apprehension over the way in which development projects, especially hydro-electric units, are getting clearance in the North East without having the least regard for ecological and biodiversity concerns. The 10th Plan also envisages setting up of 12 hydel projects in the region. The environmentalists feel the projects should be cleared only when they are found to be strictly adhering to the environmental and social norms. Expressing concern over the casual manner in which dams are being cleared by the Government...

GUWAHATI, April 19? The State Government?s failure to provide guarantee for availing National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) fund is likely to prove to be a major impediment in future release of funds by the NSFDC to the Assam State Development Corporation for Scheduled Castes Ltd (ASCDC). The NSFDC recently earmarked an amount of Rs 15.18 crore to the ASCDC as notional allocation for sanction during the current financial year 2002-2003.

The NSFDC is the apex body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for financing, facilitating and promoting...

NEW DELHI, April 19 ? Assam along with other North Eastern States have failed to utilise funds earmarked for construction of roads and highways under Central Road Funds (CRF), even as roads in the region continue to be in a deplorable state. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways alarmed by the trend has requested the State Governments to expedite progress of the approved works and furnish Utilisation Certificate (UCs) to facilitate the release of funds.

In order to optimise the utilisation, works amounting to at least twice the annual accrual of the State from CRF are being sanctioned...