Assam - The Purbottar

27 Jan

Luxury vehicle used for smuggling liquor in Doomdooma, one arrested

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a joint operation on Republic Day, Assam Police, the excise department, and security forces successfully intercepted a vehicle carrying a large consignment of liquor in Doomdooma, leading to the arrest of one individual. The operation was part of a broader effort to curb illegal activities in the region. Officials reported that the vehicle was stopped at a naka-checkpoint on the national highway near Borhapjan. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the liquor was being transported from Kailashpur to Barekuri, allegedly intended for unauthorized sale. What raised suspicions further was the use of a luxury vehicle equipped with a fake…

27 Jan

Assam CM wishes the Dimasa-Kachari folk a joyous Busu Dima

Banasree SarkarAssamAssam CM

The Dimasa-Kachari community was wished a happy Busu Dima, a harvest celebration that honors agricultural achievement and cultural cohesion, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Warm greetings to the Dimasa-Kachari community on Busu Dima," the Chief Minister said on social media. Assam's diverse culture is enhanced and the community is brought together by this joyous harvest festival. An important event that highlights the Dimasa community's strong agrarian roots and connection to the natural world is Busu Dima. In Dimasa, "Busu" means "harvest festival," and "Dima" stands for the identity of the community. Busu Dima, which is widely observed, marks…

24 Jan

Prior to Dibrugarh’s Republic Day festivities, security was increased

Banasree SarkarAssamRepublic Day

Dibrugarh has increased security in anticipation of Republic Day. Every security agency is on high alert and making sure everything is in order for Republic Day to be celebrated in a calm and orderly manner. Rakesh Reddy, the superintendent of police for Dibrugarh, said, "We are ready for the Republic Day celebration. At the Dibrugarh district's entry and departure points, there have been night patrols and round-the-clock naka checks. Our police team is working with all security forces and agencies to prevent any potential disaster." In the meantime, the police are clearing out abandoned cars from marketplaces, bus stations, national…

24 Jan

“Assam set to become India’s next powerhouse”: Himanta Biswa Sarma

editorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is attending the second edition of the business summit Advantage Assam in Japan, said that the state is set to become India's next powerhouse. The Assam CM, who met over 80 business leaders, mentioned that Assam's target is to take the state gross state domestic product (GSDP) to USD 143 billion by 2030. He also stated that the state has received the "highest ever" investment of USD 4 billion in 2024. "During my interaction with over 80 business leaders, I conveyed our target to take Assam's GSDP to USD 143 billion by 2030,"…

23 Jan

Assam CM discusses tourism opportunities with Japan’s tourism minister

Banasree SarkarAssamAssam CM

Furukawa Yasushi, Japan's State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to talk about increasing travel between Assam and Japan. CM Sarma emphasized Assam's unrealized tourism potential during the meeting by highlighting the state's Bagans and golf courses, Charaideo Moidams, and Kaziranga National Park. He discussed how Japanese tourists might have great prospects at these unusual locations. Strengthening tourist links and opening up new channels for Assamese and Japanese cultural and economic contacts were the main topics of discussion. It is anticipated that the conference would open the door to further cooperation,…

23 Jan

SC disapproves of Assam’s ‘defective’ affidavit on foreign detainees

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed sharp disapproval of the Assam government for submitting what it called a "defective" affidavit concerning the detention of 270 foreigners at the Matia transit camp. The court observed that the affidavit failed to provide adequate reasons for the detentions and lacked details on steps taken for their deportation. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh directed Assam’s Chief Secretary to appear via video-conferencing at the next hearing to explain the non-compliance. On December 9, the court had granted six weeks for the state to file a comprehensive affidavit. It had…

23 Jan

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma meets Japan’s State Minister of Justice in Tokyo

editorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday met Japan's State Minister of Justice Komura Masahiro and discussed about the Assam government's plans to establish an industrial park dedicated to Japanese companies in the state. The duo also had a conversation on the shared values and ethos that tie India and Japan. Taking to X, CM Sarma wrote, "It was a privilege to meet H.E. Mr. Komura Masahiro, Japan's State Minister of Justice. We had an insightful conversation on the shared values and ethos that tie India and Japan, and particularly how ideals of Buddha form a spiritual brid between…

23 Jan

Budget Session in Assam to begin on Feb 17

editorAssam

The Assam Assembly’s budget session will be held from February 17 to March 25, an official said on Thursday. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the session's inaugural day will take place in Kokrajhar, the official added. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya will deliver the opening address. Following a one-day break, the rest of the session will be held at the Assam Assembly complex here from February 19.

23 Jan

Assam: 354 Tea Garden Hospitals to be upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

editorAssam

In a landmark initiative to strengthen healthcare services in Assam's tea Garden areas, the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday to upgrade 354 tea garden hospitals into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. This transformative step aims to provide quality healthcare to tea garden workers and their families. The event was attended by Ashok Singhal, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Irrigation, Government of Assam, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Ministers Pijush Hazarika, Prashanta Phukan, Rupesh Gowala and Krishnendu Paul, along with several MLAs representing various constituencies across the state. Speaking at the…

22 Jan

Transgender Welfare Board established in Assam to address key social issues

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam has joined Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in establishing Transgender Welfare Boards, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday. This move aims to address pressing social welfare concerns within the transgender community. The development follows a Supreme Court notice issued in November 2024, seeking responses from state governments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Kinner Maa Eksamajik Sanstha Trust. The PIL, submitted in 2021, called for the creation of welfare boards to tackle discrimination, unemployment, homelessness, and lack of access to education and healthcare faced by transgender individuals. A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy…