Assam - The Purbottar

21 Jun

Swine fever takes serious turn in Darrang

Banasree SarkarAssam

In Darrang district, the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak has gotten worse despite the efforts of the veterinary clinic and district government. 60 pigs from two farms in Kabikara village under the Niz Dahi veterinary facility were killed by the veterinary department in front of the Executive Magistrate. "The infected pigs were killed in the presence of Executive Magistrate Tanmoy Bora in accordance with the department's established official norms," stated Dr. Ajay Bania, Mangaldai's veterinary officer overseeing the culling procedure. At Mangaldai Revenue Circle's Village Kamarpara, 104 sick pigs were killed earlier on June 7. Dr. Bania added that the…

21 Jun

₹5.8 crore tax scam busted in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a sweeping crackdown on tax evasion, the Assam government’s State GST department has unearthed a massive tax suppression amounting to nearly ₹5.8 crore across multiple business establishments in the state. The coordinated raids, carried out in Barpeta Road, Jorhat, and Tinsukia, targeted firms suspected of manipulating sales data, misclassifying goods, and falsely claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC). According to an official statement issued by the Finance (Taxation) Department on Friday, the search and seizure operations were aimed at tightening compliance and curbing fraudulent practices that lead to significant revenue losses for the state. At Barpeta Road, the authorities conducted…

20 Jun

US team to cap ONGC well in Assam’s Sivasagar: CM Himanta

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that a team of American experts has arrived at the ONGC's RDS-147A well site in Sivasagar district to assist in efforts to cap an ongoing gas leak, which poses potential danger due to its proximity to a river embankment. Addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, CM Sarma said the well-capping operation would begin on Saturday. He warned that any flooding caused by the monsoon could worsen the situation significantly. "An expert team from the USA has reached, and the process of capping the well will start tomorrow.…

20 Jun

After 1 lakh jobs, Assam targets 1.6 lakh government appointments

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced a massive recruitment drive scheduled for October 10, through which 40,000 youths will be appointed across various government departments. The announcement was made during a ceremonial function in Guwahati, where 481 newly recruited candidates received their appointment letters in sectors such as veterinary, tourism, and education. Among them were 443 Veterinary Field Assistants, 12 Tourism Development Officers, 23 lecturers for District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET), and 3 Assistant Directors for the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). “This is part of our continued mission. After fulfilling our…

20 Jun

Chaiduar College (Autonomous) concluded its two-week-long Anti-Plastic and Environmental Awareness Campaign

Banasree SarkarAssam

Chaiduar College (Autonomous), Gohpur, successfully wrapped off its two-week-long campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues and plastics. The goal of the program, which was launched on June 5 by the Department of Zoology in partnership with WWF India, is to eradicate single-use plastics and encourage sustainable living. Dr. Kishor Singh Rajput launched the campaign and underlined the pressing need for coordinated action to combat plastic pollution. In front of Lukumoni Borah, the Gohpur Co-District Commissioner, a riveting street performance illustrated the harm that plastic garbage causes to both the environment and people. The institution engaged students, staff, locals, and…

19 Jun

ONGC tries to control Assam well leak with expert help

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a high-stakes response to a significant natural gas leak at a well site in Assam’s Sivasagar district, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has brought in international well control specialists to assist in taming the week-long blowout. The incident, which began during routine servicing of Well No. RDS-147 on June 13, has drawn both public concern and government scrutiny due to fears of environmental and safety risks. The leak started around 11:45 AM on June 13, releasing an uncontrolled stream of natural gas into the atmosphere. While no injuries have been reported so far, the leak remains unsealed…

18 Jun

ONGC denies relocation rumors, reaffirms commitment to Sivasagar

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a significant development following the gas leak incident at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) Bhatiyapara rig sites in Sivasagar district, senior ONGC officials confirmed on Tuesday that the situation is currently under control. Addressing the press at a temporary relief camp set up at Bongaon High School, Bhaskar Chowdhury, Executive Director of ONGC Assam Asset, assured that the company is working around the clock with both national and international experts to manage the emergency. The gas leak, which began on June 12 at well sites 147(A) and 135, had triggered widespread concern among local residents and raised serious…

17 Jun

Assam has seen 3 new COVID-19 infections

Banasree SarkarAssam

Assam has recorded three new COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the state's total number of active cases to 29, according to the most recent report from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The data, which was released on Sunday, also revealed that the state had experienced 14 recoveries since January 2025, including one more recovery in the last day. In India, there are currently 7,383 active COVID-19 cases, and 10 more fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours. According to health professionals, most of the infections that are now happening are minor in…

16 Jun

Assam Government tightens regulations on pig transport

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Assamese government has issued a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that regulates the movement of live pigs both inside and beyond the state in an effort to stop the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department released the instructions with the intention of preserving Assam's pig population and the means of subsistence for individuals who depend on the livestock industry. The SOP states that any shipment of live pigs must now be accompanied by thorough paperwork, such as a valid purchase bill, GST challan, E-way bill, and a health certificate from a laboratory approved…

16 Jun

Assam CM criticizes UPA’s resource allocation based on Sachar report

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a sharp political critique, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 15 launched a scathing attack on the resource allocation policies of the previous UPA government, particularly those influenced by the Sachar Committee report. Speaking at a public event, Sarma questioned the Congress-led government’s decision to prioritize minority communities in development schemes, arguing that the rightful claim to national resources should lie with tribal and indigenous populations. Recalling the UPA era, Sarma pointed out that the Sachar Committee — formed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure — had laid the groundwork for directing government resources towards religious minorities.…