Assam - The Purbottar

12 Mar

Row Erupts Over Assam Cabinet’s Decision to Rename Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College in Barpeta

Paromita EditorAssam

The Assam government’s decision to rename the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital in Barpeta has triggered strong reactions from political leaders, civil society groups and members of the public across the state. Shehnaz Rasul, granddaughter of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and a lawyer at the Gauhati High Court, strongly opposed the move and warned that insulting the first Assamese President would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Rasul, a resident of Guwahati’s Lakhotokia area, said the decision to remove Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s name from the Barpeta medical college was completely wrong and described it as a “communal…

12 Mar

Assam Congress Signals Possible Meeting with Hemant Soren; Seat-Sharing Talks Underway Ahead of Assembly Polls

Paromita EditorAssam

Gaurav Gogoi on March 12 indicated that he may hold a courtesy meeting with Hemant Soren after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) signalled interest in entering Assam’s electoral politics ahead of the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Gogoi said he would try to meet the Jharkhand Chief Minister but noted that such discussions are better held privately. “Jharkhand CM has visited Assam, and we will try to have a courtesy call with him. These things are not to be revealed in the media. We will keep our views in an official meeting,” Gogoi said. Soren,…

12 Mar

GI-Tagged Joha rice from Assam Exported to United Kingdom and Italy

riya EditorAssam

Assam's GI-tagged joha rice, renowned for its distinctive aroma and flavor, is set to be exported to the United Kingdom and Italy, following the recent launch of a 25 metric tonne shipment overseen by Assam's agriculture minister, Atul Bora. This landmark event was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in partnership with the state agriculture department, with the shipment executed by M/s Safe Agritrade Pvt Ltd, a registered exporter known for specializing in rice and spices. Joha rice, an indigenous aromatic variety from Assam, obtained its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017, and is…

12 Mar

Telecom Services Restored in Assam District Bordering Garo Hills

riya EditorAssam

Telecom services in Assam’s South Salmara-Mankachar district have been restored on Thursday by the state home and political department revoking the earlier notification prohibiting internet/mobile data services in the district bordering Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. The earlier notification, issued on March 10, 2026, ordered temporary suspension of Internet/mobile data services of all mobile service providers in the district in view of reports of incidents having a potential to disturb peace and tranquility in various parts of the district bordering Garo Hills on March 9, 2026, in connection with the issue of filing nominations of the GHADC elections in the neighboring state.…

12 Mar

No LPG Crisis in Assam: Police Issue Advisory as Govt Urges Public Not to Share Unverified Fuel Shortage Claims

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Police has issued a public advisory warning people not to spread rumours about a possible shortage of LPG and other fuel products in the state. The warning comes amid rising public concern over fuel supplies following the ongoing conflict in West Asia. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Assam Police said strict legal action will be taken against anyone who spreads false or misleading information about the availability of LPG, petrol, diesel and other petroleum products.The police urged citizens not to believe or forward unverified messages circulating on social media. According to the advisory,…

12 Mar

Assam Govt Forms High-Powered Panel to Track LPG Supply Amid Global Energy Concerns, Says Supplies Stable

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government has stepped up monitoring of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply after officials said local refineries currently produce only about 30 per cent of the state’s total requirement. However, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said there is no shortage of LPG in the state and assured that supplies remain stable.Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on March 11 said the state’s refineries can presently meet only a limited portion of the demand for cooking gas. The remaining supply is brought from other parts of the country through the national distribution network.Kota said the issue was reviewed during a…

12 Mar

Youth Parliament on Viksit Bharat Begins at Assam Legislative Assembly

riya EditorAssam

A State-Level Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament (VBYP) 2026 was inaugurated at the Assam Legislative Assembly in Dispur, uniting youth representatives from across the State. Organized by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS), the two-day program promotes youth engagement in democratic dialogue and public policy. Participants, who advanced through district-level competitions, presented their insights on the theme “Union Budget 2026: Strengthening the Indian Youth’s Path towards Viksit Bharat 2047.” The event will select the top three participants to represent Assam at the National Level Youth Parliament in New Delhi. The inaugural session featured notable…

12 Mar

MSDE Secretary Reviews Programs at Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati

riya EditorAssam

During her two-day tour of Assam, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), visited the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) on Wednesday. The visit included an inspection of various key facilities such as the Mountaineering Sports Arena, the Food and Beverages Incubation Centre, the Training of Trainers programme under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, and the TRISSAM outlet. These ventures underline the institute's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and capacity building within the region. Mukherjee also toured the newly established Skill India International Centre located on the IIE campus, where she engaged in an…

12 Mar

LPG Shortage: Assam Government Asks Refineries to Increase Production

riya EditorAssam

In response to the LPG crisis exacerbated by the war in the Middle East, the Assam government has mandated local refineries to increase production to ensure a steady supply of LPG cylinders. Assam hosts four refineries—three managed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd located in Digboi, Guwahati, and Bongaigaon, and one operated by Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. The State Level Coordinator from Indian Oil Corporation Limited recently confirmed that the current LPG supply situation in Assam is stable, with local refineries expected to fulfill approximately 30% of the state’s demand. The Chief Secretary, Dr. Ravi Kota, emphasized the government’s commitment to monitoring…

11 Mar

Woman Tied to Pole, Brutally Assaulted Over Witchcraft Suspicion in Nalbari

Paromita EditorAssam

A woman was brutally assaulted after being tied to a pole on suspicion of practising witchcraft at the Mukalmua weekly market in Nalbari district. Police identified the victim as Suburi Begum, a resident of Khopnikuchi in Hajo. According to officials, she is mentally unstable and survives by begging for food at local markets. She was allegedly attacked by a group of people who accused her of being involved in witchcraft. Investigators said the accused tied Begum to a pole at the market and assaulted her with sticks while repeatedly kicking and punching her. The attack left her with severe injuries…