SHILLONG, February 15: More than private establishments, state government undertakings are reported to be major defaulters of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI). The ESI is a statutory social security scheme for workers in the organised sector and created under an Act of Parliament. Defaulters also include a few newspaper houses of the state. In terms of cash, they have defaulted in payment of more than Rs 60 lakh as the employers' share into the fund. However, many defaulters have now prayed to be allowed to pay in instalments to make up for the loss. Regional director of ESI Corporation D...

JULI MAIDAN (Barama), February 15: Time is now favourable for holding talk with Bodo organisations for a permanent solution to the Bodo problem, UG Brahma, president of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) said today. Talking exclusively to The Assam Tribune, Brahma said that the students body has decided to give more stress on the socio-economic development of the Bodo dominated areas and to ensure better academic atmosphere. However, the demand for a separate State will be an important part of ABSU's agenda. The ABSU supremo further said that the discussion on its political strategies for the...

AGARTALA, February 15: Even as electioneering gained momentum with all the political parties fielding their heavyweight vote catchers in Kadamtala constituency which goes to the by-polls on February 19, last-ditch efforts are still on to come to an understanding among the Opposition parties. Although, former CPI(M) MLA Umesh Nath could make it to the Assembly in the last elections, his total votes in the kitty were much less than that of the total anti-Left votes. This time also there are as many as six candidates including two independents which means the anti-Left votes split in this by...

ITANAGAR, February 15: Inya Tao, the joint secretary in-charge of press and publicity of the National Congress Party (NCP), has resigned from the party post and the primary membership along with his supporters, reports UNI. They alleged that NCP was almost defunct in the State. In a statement here, Tao said he along with all his supporters had joined the Indian National Congress and expressed full faith in the leadership of Smti Sonia Gandhi at the centre, Chief Minister Mukul Mithi and Minister of State for Home Rima Tripodia. Tao said INC along could fulfil the aspirations of the people.

TURA, February 15: The Peoples' Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M), a militant outfit operating mainly in the Garo Hills, has decided to target all security personnel operating in the Garo Hills. The order, which was issued by the chairman of the outfit, Vincent A Sangma, will be in force for the next three months and is being done as a retaliatory step for the killing of one of its leaders by the Garo Hills police on February 8 at Nagalbibra, South Garo Hills. On that day an encounter took place in which one ultra. BR Marak was killed while collecting money from coal trucks, by the police...