NEW DELHI, March 9 ? Rail projects in the North-East are likely to suffer further delay and cost-overrun as they are hit by serious financial crunch and the department has been forced to knock at the doors of the Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) for additional funds to complete pending projects in the region. While the north eastern States continue to vent their frustration over delay in implementation of projects and the meagre funds earmarked for mega projects in the successive Railway Budgets, the Ministry has sought to move the Centre for funding some of its...

GUWAHATI, March 9 ? The Guwahati station of the All India Radio (AIR) is in a tight spot following an irregular selection of artistes for modern and folk songs allegedly about two years back. According to sources, a record number of around 200 artistes were selected in the August, 2000 music audition of the AIR Station. Normally, 20 to 25 artistes are selected in an audition test. The problem is, however, not with the number, but, with the quality of those selected, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General, NE AIR, office here is conducting an inquiry into the allegation, and...

AIZAWL, March 9 ? ?Chapchar Kut? or spring festival, the most important festival of Mizoram, was celebrated today with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. The main function was held at Assam Rifles ground here with Chief Minister Zoramthanga as ?Kut Pa? or father of the festival, which marks the end of hard work to clear jungles for cultivation. He urged the people to protect and maintain the traditional values of the Mizos. All the State government offices and educational institutions remained close for the day, which was celebrated by exuberant dancers in colorful traditional attire dancing...

ITANAGAR, March 9 ? Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi today said that one-third of the total number of seats in gram panchayats, anchal samitis and zilla parishads in the State would be reserved for women for their empowerment at the grass root level. The reservation, in accordance with Panchayat Raj Act 1997, was notified on April 30 after receiving the assent of President K R Narayan, he said inaugurating a 10-day photo exhibition on women and child welfare organised by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity here. He regretted that women had not been given their...

IMPHAL, March 9 ? For the first time in the history of Higher Secondary Examination, unidentified armed gunmen attacked some individuals who involved themselves in alleged a unfair means in the ongoing higher secondary school certificate examination which started from Friday. Meanwhile over 20 students were expelled from the examination halls of four different centres for using unfair means. On the fiirst day of the examination yesterday, unidentified gunmen struck and shot three individuals including an invigilators and a helper. It may be noted here that the KYKL, an underground outfit, had...