Assam - The Purbottar

08 Jan

Bangladesh Approves Tk 1,462 Crore Diesel Import from Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery via Friendship Pipeline

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Bangladesh has decided to import a large volume of diesel from India to meet its fuel demand for the year. The neighbouring country will procure 1.8 lakh tonnes of diesel from Assam’s state-owned Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) by December 2026, under an ongoing long-term fuel supply agreement between India and Bangladesh. The decision to go ahead with the import plan was taken at a meeting of the Government Purchase Advisory Committee held at the Dhaka Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of…

08 Jan

Kaziranga authorities impose ban on community fishing as Magh Bihu approaches

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Traditional community fishing during Bhogali (Magh) Bihu has been banned in the wetlands of Kaziranga National Park as per a directive from the Gauhati High Court. In response to the court ruling, officials from the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) convened with representatives from the Golaghat district administration, Kaliabar sub-divisional administration, and local residents to communicate the prohibition and discuss its enforcement. The ban is specifically in effect within the National Park and its wetlands, which are considered critical breeding grounds for fish across Assam. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of KNPTR, reiterated that no traditional fishing activities…

08 Jan

Disciplinary action: Assam Congress ousts senior leader

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A day after his suspension, Shahnawaz Ahmed was expelled from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) due to serious breaches of party discipline. The expulsion, mandated by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, cited Ahmed's involvement in violent behavior and actions that cultivated severe political animosity among party members, ultimately harming the party's reputation. The order, issued by APCC general secretary Bipul Gogoi, detailed allegations against Ahmed regarding a violent incident that occurred in Nilambazar, where he reportedly attacked Zila Parishad member Zillur Chowdhury with a sharp weapon, resulting in significant injuries. Chowdhury is currently receiving treatment at Silchar Medical College and…

08 Jan

Seat-sharing arrangement with NDA allies to be finalised by Feb 15: Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The ruling BJP in Assam is poised to formalise its seat-sharing arrangement with its NDA partners by February 15, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an official programme on Wednesday, Sarma said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the seat-sharing agreement with NDA partners for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, scheduled to be held in March-April this year. “Our seat sharing and other details related to the alliance will be finalised by February 15. Last night, I went to meet the union home minister and…

08 Jan

On 25th Martyrs’ Day, AKRSU renews demand for ST status and Kamtapur dialogue

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union marked its 25th Martyrs’ Day in Sidalsati, Bongaigaon district, Assam, advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community and calling for discussions regarding a separate Kamtapur region. All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union General Secretary Balaram Barman warned the state government that neglecting the tribal status issue before the 2026 Assam Assembly elections could have serious political repercussions. He urged the Government of India to engage in dialogue regarding Kamtapur and criticized the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) for rejecting the Ministerial Group’s report on ST status. Barman cautioned that delays in…

08 Jan

Expanding its tea footprint: Maa Kamakhya Associates unveils ‘The Gardener’ & ‘Amsoi’ brands

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Building on decades of experience in tea cultivation, Maa Kamakhya Associates has launched its packet tea portfolio under the brands ‘The Gardener,’ a super-premium line, and ‘Amsoi,’ which caters to both premium and value-driven segments with offerings like Amsoi Premium and Amsoi Kadak. Currently available in several Indian states, including Assam and West Bengal, the brands will expand to Odisha and other regions in coming phases. The teas are sourced from the company's own estates and trusted partners, maintaining high quality across various blends, including both CTC and orthodox styles. The Director of Nutratea Industry Group underscored the importance of…

07 Jan

Cong takes public opinion to incorporate in manifesto for Assam polls

SonaliAssam

As part of its Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress Abhiyan, the Congress today took public opinion on diverse issues concerning the state from various parts of Lower Assam, including Nalbari and Rangia.The party will take the views expressed by the public into account while preparing its manifesto for the upcoming Assam Assembly polls.In Rangia, a delegation led by Manifesto Committee Chairman Pradyut Bordoloi, at the initiative of Kamrup (Rural) District Congress President Pranjit Choudhury, interacted with local party and social organisations, prominent personalities and a section of senior journalists. Former MP Abdul Khaleque was also part of the delegation.It may be…

07 Jan

Ex-minister and veteran Assam BJP leader Kabindra Purkayastha passes away

SonaliAssam

Kabindra Purkayastha, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a former Union Minister passed away at around 5 pm on Wednesday at the age of 94. He breathed his last at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital.Born on December 15, 1931, Purkayastha had served as Minister of State for Communications in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government from 1998 to 1999. Over the decades, he has been widely respected for his contributions to both state and national politics.His son Kanad Purkayastha is a Rajya Sabha member from Assam.All BJP programmes in the State have been cancelled as a mark of…

07 Jan

Gauhati HC Bar Association Announces Boycott of New High Court Complex Event

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) has urged its members to boycott the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new high court complex in North Guwahati on January 11. Additionally, the GHCBA will observe a hunger strike on January 8, 9, and 11 from 10 am to 4 pm in front of the old high court building to protest the proposed relocation of the high court. This decision was made during an emergency extraordinary general meeting led by GHCBA president Kamal Nayan Choudhury and general secretary Girin Pegu. The association argues that moving the high court from its historical…

07 Jan

Due to severe cold wave, schools in Dima Hasao were closed for ten days

Banasree SarkarAssam

Due to the severe cold wave conditions that are currently prevalent throughout the Dima Hasao region, the local education administration has ordered the temporary closure of all schools as a precaution to protect the health and safety of students. The Office of the Additional Director of Education (Hills) issued an order stating that all government, provincialized, supported, private, and venture educational institutions in Assam, Haflong, from Lower Primary to Secondary level, will be closed from January 8 to January 17, 2026. The decision was made because of the extreme cold that the hill district is now experiencing, which could be…