Deep Editor - The Purbottar

06 Feb

PM on two-day visit to Assam from Feb 24

Deep EditorAssam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive here on a two-day visit to Assam from February 24, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. The PM will arrive at 5 pm to witness the record creating Jhumur dance performance by 8,000 artistes. He will also attend the inaugural session of the Advantage Assam Summit the next day, the CM said.

05 Feb

Telecom firm starts screening people for cancer care in Assam

Deep EditorAssam

A telecom infrastructure firm on Tuesday said it has begun a programme to screen possible cancer patients in Assam in association with the state government and Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF). The programme has been launched under Indus Towers' flagship CSR initiative, with an objective to contribute to the fight against cancer and improve the quality of life for the residents of Assam, the company said in a statement.

04 Feb

Government of India has reduced import duty on certain motorcycles

Deep EditorIndia

In a significant move to boost consumption and stimulate economic growth, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled a budget that offers substantial tax relief to India's middle class. Under the new provisions, individuals earning up to ₹1.2 million ($13,800) annually will be exempt from income tax, while adjusted tax brackets will benefit those with incomes up to ₹2.4 million. The government has also eased regulations on second home ownership and reduced duties on various consumer goods, measures expected to cost the exchequer approximately ₹1 trillion in revenue. This shortfall may impact capital expenditure plans. The state of Bihar is poised…

04 Feb

OG Anunoby’s Injury Poses Challenge for New York Knicks

Deep EditorSports

The New York Knicks are facing a potential setback after OG Anunoby injured his right foot during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Anunoby, a pivotal player for the Knicks, has a history of injuries that have previously sidelined him. The injury occurred during a shot attempt, leading to his early exit from the game. Initial X-rays were negative, but further evaluations are pending to determine the severity. Anunoby's absence could significantly impact the Knicks, who are aiming for their best regular season since the 1990s. The game also highlighted LeBron James's impressive performance, leading the Lakers to a…

01 Feb

NBA Officials Criticized for Erroneous Timeout Call

Deep EditorSports

NBA referees faced criticism after a significant error during the Memphis Grizzlies' 120-119 victory over the Houston Rockets. Officials mistakenly granted a timeout to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, despite him not requesting one, halting play during a clear fast-break opportunity for the Rockets' Jaylen Wells. Although the Grizzlies secured the win, the error drew sharp rebuke from commentators, including Charles Barkley, who labeled it a "blown call." Jenkins expressed frustration, clarifying that he had signaled his team to continue playing, not to call a timeout. This incident follows recent officiating controversies in the league, highlighting ongoing concerns about the quality…

01 Feb

Green Party’s Fiscal Challenges in Bristol

Deep EditorENVIORMENT

The Green Party, traditionally known for its environmental advocacy, is confronting significant fiscal challenges after gaining control of Bristol City Council. Facing a £43 million budget deficit, the council proposed measures such as reducing bin collections to monthly intervals, aiming to save £2 million annually. This proposal, however, met with public resistance, leading to its reconsideration. Other cost-cutting measures, including slashing library budgets, ending school crossing patrols, and closing museums, faced similar backlash and were either shelved or delayed. Residents expressed discontent over delayed initiatives like installing sprinklers in high-rise blocks and traffic alterations from the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood…

01 Feb

Assam CM turns 56, wishes pour in

Deep EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated his 56th birthday with supporters and well- wishers at his residence in Guwahati. His supporters visited to extend their best wishes, and brought gifts such as his portrait, a Ganesh murti, flower bouquets and plants. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude, saying, "Everyone came to give me their best wishes." On Friday, the Assam Chief Minister announced the inauguration of the newly reconstructed Jagi Bhakatgaon bridge, which connects Morigaon and Jagiroad. The Assam Chief Minister in his official handle on X shared a video of the 1.24 kilometre bridge that has…

01 Feb

Gauhati HC slaps notices to Assam govt over rampant rat-hole mining

Deep EditorAssam

The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and its various departments over rampant rat-hole coal mining and asked them to furnish what steps they have taken to stop the unlawful activity. Taking suo motu cognizance of the Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, the high court registered a public interest litigation on Monday and issued notices the next day to seven government departments, including the office of the chief secretary. "The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Umrangso area," the divisional bench, comprising…

01 Feb

Assam to denotify 3 Proposed Reserve Forests to give land rights to 20,000 people

Deep EditorAssam

The Assam government has decided to denotify three Proposed Reserve Forests (PRF) in Tinsukia district for enabling over 20,000 residents to get land rights, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. In a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Sarma, on Friday the state government approved transforming the PRF into revenue villages so that people living in the area can get land rights. "There are three Proposed Reserve Forests in Tinsukia. We have decided to denotify and make them revenue villages. This will help the people living there to get land rights," he said at a late-night press conference here.

31 Jan

SBI Foundation supports Aaranyak’s multi-pronged strategy to mitigate HEC

Deep EditorAssam

The leading wildlife conservation group Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) has implemented a multifaceted community-oriented approach to accomplish its objectives in the ongoing effort to promote coexistence and lessen human elephant conflict (HEC). The multi-dimensional strategy comprises of staging street plays to sensitise the HEC-affected communities on ways to usher in an ecosystem of coexistence with wild elephants as well as providing the community options of alternative crops not palatable to elephants so as to supplement their livelihood in HEC affected areas where traditional crop culture stands vulnerable to depredation by wild elephants. Aaranyak organized a street play at the 13th Indo-Bhutan Friendship…