NEW DELHI, Feb 24— The coveted Jnanpith Award went to Assam for the second time in 36 years today, when Assamese writer Dr Indira Goswami, who is popular known as Mamoni Raisom Goswami was formally conferred the honour at a glittering function here this evening. She is the second Assamese writer after late Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya to be so honoured. Presence of Nobel laureate Sir V S Naipaul at the award presentation ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhavan here was added attraction, even as he joined in paying laurels to Dr Goswami for her writings. Other notable personalities in attendance...

Imphal, February 24: The Indian National Party has emerged in the lead, winning 12 out of 33 seats declared as of 1:30 am tonight while the Federal Party of Manipur is in second place with seven seats even as counting of votes for the 8th Assembly elections, held on February 14 and 21 last progresses. Among the major casualties of the day were former chief ministers, Radhabinod Koijam and Wahengbam Nipamacha, former Speakers N Babudhon, and K Borbabu, and former minister Th Bira, while prominent winners include former CM RK Dorendro and MPP chief O Joy Singh. Former CM Radhabinod Koijam...

AGARTALA, Feb 23 — With the onset of the dry spell, measles outbreak in interior Tripura, mainly in south district has reached an alarming situation. Unofficial reports have already put the death toll to 20 in several parts of Belonia and Sabrum subdivisions. All the children who died in the disease, belonged to tribal families. Measles first reported in Giddhikumarpara, a remote tribal hamlet, spread like wildfire in villages like Kalapania, Kolambari, Kshirode Roaja para, Purba Sabrum etc in south district. Out of 20 deaths reported, 16 died at Giddhikumarpara. Measles outbreak is also...

GUWAHATI, Jan 23 — The process to abolish the unnecessary posts in various departments to downsize the administration is now on but so far the State Government has not taken any decision to sack any existing employees. Official sources said that one of the major clauses of the financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the State Government had signed with the Centre during the tenure of the previous Government was downsizing of the administration while the fiscal reforms committee, formed by the Government also stressed the urgent need for downsizing the administration. Sources revealed...

NEW DELHI, Feb 23— Irked by the uncertainty over implementation of the gas cracker project, Assam Government is planning to allow six more months to all the concerned parties to resolve the stalemate before reviewing the project, highly placed official sources told this newspaper. When about six months later, the State Government sits to review the project, one of the options before it would be to axe the gas cracker project. This is partly due to the expert opinion that the project has become unviable, sources said.

This factor was brought to the notice of the Assam Government delegation led...