NEW DELHI, Aug 20 ? Uncertainty and indecision on implementing the mega Gas Cracker Project has left the Parliamentary panel incensed, forcing it to direct the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers to furnish a detail action taken report to executive the project within a month. According to the latest estimate even if the issue of feedstock supply is resolved, it is expected that nearly four years would be needed for implementation of the project.

Vagueness continues to cloud the Rs 3,700 crore Reliance Assam Gas Petrochemical Limited (RAPL) setting back the project by over two decades. Since...

IMPHAL, Aug 19 ? The Assam Rifles have refused to appear before the C Upendra Commission probing the circumstances that led to the custodial death of Th Manorama Devi in Manipur, and have filed a petition questioning the legal authority of the commission to summon its personnel. The commission had summoned the Commandant of 17 Assam Rifles, Col Jagmohan Singh, and four others three times to appear before it in connection with the inquiry, commission sources said.

The Assam Rifles petition said the commission should keep its proceedings in abeyance in view of the writ petition filed by it in...

NEW DELHI, Aug 19?The devastating floods in Assam has left 25 per cent of the total length of the National Highway (NH) damaged following which the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released Rs 8.56 crore ad hoc payment to the State Government. The Minister of State divulged this for Road Transport and Highways, K H Muniyappa in reply to a question by Syeda Anwara Taimur in the Rajya Sabha today. Nearly 25 per cent of the total length of NHs in Assam was adversely affected due to submergence, washing away of culverts, breach in embankment, damages to road crusts and bridges. The...

GUWAHATI, Aug 19?The Gauhati High Court today temporarily dispensed with appearance of Col Jagmohan Singh, the Commandant of 17th Assam Rifles, from appearing before the Commission of Inquiry appointed by Manipur Government on July 12, 2004 to inquire into the killing of Manorama Devi. Justice B K Sarma posted the case on August 27 next on prayer made by Mr Jalaluddin. Advocate appearing for Manipur Government. The High Court however permitted the Commission to record evidence in camera in terms of the Commission?s order dated August 7. The Commission headed by C Upendra Singh. Retired Session...

GUWAHATI, Aug 19 ? Bamboo, which is fast emerging as the most viable wood alternative the world over, can be effectively used to revive the closed down plywood units of the State and the North-East. ?It is possible to use bamboo for majority of applications of wood, particularly in larger volumes like paper, plywood, construction and furniture, and it really holds a lot of promise for restarting the 70-odd plywood industries of the North-East,? Kamesh Salam, Director, Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Guwahati, told The Assam Tribune today.

?It should be a very rewarding venture from...