Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

25 Apr

Sikkim halts tourist travel to Lachen, Lachung after landslides

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Police's Permit Cell has announced the suspension of all tourist permits for North Sikkim, effective from April 25, 2025, due to ongoing heavy rainfall and landslides that have blocked vital roads. This decision comes as over 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachung, with roads leading to popular tourist destinations like Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake rendered impassable. The advisory, issued on April 24, highlights significant landslides at Munshithang along the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road, making these routes unsafe. Although the road to Chungthang remains open, authorities have warned that it is unsafe to travel…

25 Apr

‘Vibrant BTR Mission’ drives ₹843 cr BTC budget for 2025–26

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The two-day Budget Session of the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA) for the financial year 2025–2026 concluded today, with the House passing an estimated budget of Rs 843 crore. The budget, which was presented by Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Finance In-charge of the BTC, Pramod Boro, marks a significant step towards fulfilling the council’s vision for development and progress in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The budget, based on the theme ‘Vibrant BTR Mission: Sangharsh to Nirman 2025–26’, focuses on a people-centric approach, with an emphasis on need-based asset creation and effective implementation of various schemes and projects…

24 Apr

Canada Introduces 4-Day Workweek Trial Across Provinces

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Canada has launched a federal 4-day workweek pilot program across government offices in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The aim is to boost productivity, reduce burnout, and improve work-life balance without salary cuts. Early reports show a 15% rise in employee satisfaction and a 10% drop in absenteeism. Private companies, especially in tech and media, are also experimenting with similar shifts. The idea is gaining global attention, including in South Asian cities like Bengaluru and Dhaka, where long work hours have become a concern.

24 Apr

Flash Floods Wreak Havoc Across Southern California

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Southern California has declared a state of emergency after a series of atmospheric rivers brought record-breaking rainfall, causing floods, landslides, and widespread power outages. Over 200,000 people have been affected, and emergency shelters are being set up in Los Angeles and San Diego. Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the National Guard to assist in rescue operations. Meteorologists warn that climate change is intensifying such extreme weather patterns. This development raises concerns for regions like Assam and northeast India, where similar topographies make them vulnerable to monsoon-triggered floods.

24 Apr

Gorkha Cup inaugurated with pride and power

Sonakshi SarkarSiliguri

The spirit of sports came alive at Pioneer Ground on Panighatta Road in Bagdogra, Siliguri, as the first-ever Gorkha Cup – a national-level elite boxing championship was inaugurated with much enthusiasm and pride. The event was graced by Member of Parliament from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, who officially opened the tournament in the presence of several decorated sports heroes and respected guests. The championship is being organized by the Siliguri Boxing Association which is affiliated with the Darjeeling District Boxing Association. It is also supported by the Tenzing Norgay Smriti Sangha. The organizers say the Gorkha Cup is not just a…

24 Apr

Heavy rain, winds cut power in Gangtok

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Strong winds and heavy rainfall have left several parts of Gangtok without electricity for over 12 hours following a storm on April 23, which caused significant damage to the town's power infrastructure. The storm uprooted trees, which fell on power lines and electric poles, leading to major power outages in areas like Deorali, Tadong, and Upper Sichey. Residents reported losing power late Wednesday evening, and as of Thursday morning, electricity had still not been restored. The ongoing power cut has caused disruptions for both households and businesses, as people are struggling without lights, internet, and essential services. The Power Department…

24 Apr

Pramod Boro presents progressive ₹843 cr budget, opposition calls it ‘superficial’

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) kicked off its annual Budget Session on Wednesday with the presentation of a ₹843 crore budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, setting the stage for an intense political debate within the legislative house. The budget was tabled by BTC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro at the BTC Legislative Assembly complex in Kokrajhar. The session, presided over by BTC Speaker Katiram Boro, drew immediate reactions from both ruling and opposition members as the financial blueprint proposed allocations across 40 departments aimed at development within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Among the key highlights, the Transformation…

23 Apr

Thousands of hill families benefit from central schemes

Sonakshi SarkarWest Bengal

Urban development in the hills and plains of West Bengal has received a major push under the central government’s flagship programmes; the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM). According to Member of Parliament Raju Bista, both Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts have seen significant improvements in housing and livelihood support for urban poor and marginalised communities over the past few years. Under the PMAY-U scheme, which aims to provide secure and affordable housing to urban families, Darjeeling district has had a total of 16,121 houses sanctioned since 2019. Out…

23 Apr

Rs 1,503 cr sanctioned for Darjeeling under AMRUT 2.0

Sonakshi SarkarSiliguri

Urban development in the Darjeeling region has received a major boost with the central government’s continued support through the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. Member of Parliament Raju Bista has shared detailed information on various infrastructure projects under both AMRUT 1.0 and AMRUT 2.0, focusing on essential services like drinking water, drainage systems and green spaces across the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. Under AMRUT 1.0, the Government of India allocated Rs 1,929.32 crore to West Bengal, of which Rs 1,905.39 crore has already been released. For Darjeeling district, RS 206.8 crore was allotted for 18 infrastructure…

23 Apr

Yaba tablets seized in Assam, 1 arrested

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough in Assam’s fight against narcotics, police arrested a woman in Golakganj under Dhubri district late Tuesday night after recovering a cache of Yaba tablets, a potent synthetic drug gaining a foothold in the region. The accused, Sofiya Khatun (35), a resident of Koimari Part IV, was apprehended by Golakganj police during a targeted anti-narcotics operation. Officers found 120 Yaba tablets in her possession. Khatun is the wife of Matiar Rahman, also a local resident. She was taken into custody on the spot and is currently being interrogated for further leads.The arrest is part of a broader…