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Two alleged masterminds of a counterfeit currency racket were injured in police firing during a recovery operation in Assam's Lakhimpur district late on Thursday after they allegedly attempted to escape from police custody. The injured accused have been identified as Muksidul Alam and Matibur Rahman, both of whom are currently undergoing treatment. Two police personnel also sustained injuries during the incident, officials said. Addressing a press conference, Lakhimpur Superintendent of Police Gunendra Deka said the district police had intensified its crackdown on counterfeit currency networks following the seizure of large quantities of fake notes and the arrest of several suspected…

The Assam Government has announced an ambitious plan to develop a world-class Aerotropolis around the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, with the aim of creating a modern satellite city that will serve as a major hub for investment, employment and economic growth. Presenting the 2026-27 State Budget in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday, Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the proposed Aerotropolis would be designed on the lines of successful urban growth centres such as Noida, Gurugram and New Town Kolkata. He said Assam needs similar planned urban centres to unlock its economic potential and generate greater…

The Assam Government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to secure UNESCO recognition for some of the state's most celebrated cultural and historical treasures, following the successful inscription of the Charaideo Moidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Presenting the 2026–27 State Budget in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday, Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced that the government would pursue international recognition for Assam's heritage under UNESCO's cultural, natural and intangible heritage categories. As part of the initiative, the government plans to seek UNESCO recognition for the Vaishnavite Culture of Majuli, Bihu, and the historic Ahom capital of Rangpur in…

Opposition party, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has stated that the state government’s Budget for the financial year 2026-27 “fails to reflect the expectations and aspirations of the people.”“Instead, the budget merely documents a vision of an imagined Assam without providing any realistic roadmap for implementation. Under such circumstances, the budget can only be described as a compilation of unrealistic dreams,” AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi and general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan stated in a joint statement on Friday.Terming the Budget as “nothing more than a game of numbers and an unrealistic display of statistics,” they said it offers no practical roadmap to…

The Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association (GTABA) has welcomed the Assam Government's decision to introduce a Rs 3 per kg export subsidy for premium Assam CTC tea in the State Budget 2026–27, calling it a landmark initiative for the state's tea industry. Describing the announcement as a "historic first", GTABA secretary Dinesh Bihani said this is the first dedicated export incentive for premium Assam CTC tea in the State Budget and is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Assam tea in international markets. "The export subsidy is a timely and visionary measure. It will help exporters remain competitive in the…

The 28th convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati will be held on July 12 with Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, chief executive officer of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as chief guest.This year, the Institute will award 2266 degrees to its graduating class.An official statement issued on Friday said four Gold Medals, including President’s Gold Medal, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, and Governor of Assam Gold Medals for both undergraduate and postgraduate categories, will be conferred during the convocation.Speaking about the 28th Convocation event at IIT Guwahati, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, director, IIT Guwahati, said, “IIT Guwahati’s 28th Convocation is a…

The Assam Government introduced Bills aimed at easing business regulations and reducing compliance requirements in the Budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday.State industries, commerce and public enterprises minister Bimal Borah introduced the Assam Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace an existing Act governing the MSME sector.Terming it a landmark step towards making Assam a more business-friendly state, Borah said the earlier legislation of 2020 was enacted to ensure time-bound processing of approvals for MSMEs.“However, the experience gained from its implementation, coupled with the Centre's emphasis on ease…

Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Thursday met a delegation from Bernhard Schulte Cruise and Hospitality Services (BSM) and Schulte Group from Germany and discussed ways to strengthen Assam's river cruise tourism ecosystem.“The discussions focused on strengthening Assam's river cruise tourism ecosystem, developing internationally benchmarked skill training programmes, and creating employment opportunities for the State’s youth in the global cruise and hospitality sectors.The delegation led by Martin Springer, president – Cruise and Hospitality; Frank Oertel, Managing Director – Cruise; and Capt. Sanjay Kushwaha, Director – Cruise and Hospitality, also shared its interest in assessing Assam's training infrastructure and exploring collaboration…

The Assam government on Friday presented a Rs 2,85,084-crore state Budget for the 2026-27 financial year, proposing a four-fold increase in the tax exemption limit for small tea growers, a reduction in VAT on piped natural gas, continuation of major welfare schemes, and a reduction of the State Budget deficit to Rs 419 crore.Tabling the first full budget of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, state finance minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the state budget is guided by the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, inclusive growth and the aspirations of every citizen.He said the budget is built on the party’s Sankalp…

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said Assam and Meghalaya will soon resume discussions to resolve their long-pending interstate boundary dispute, asserting that there is no friction between the two neighbouring states. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the concluding day of the Behdienkhlam Festival in Jowai, Sarma said both governments continue to maintain cordial relations and are committed to resolving the issue through dialogue. "There is no friction between us. We are talking amicably and we will soon again talk," the Chief Minister said. However, he did not specify a timeline for the next round of…