GUWAHATI, January 13 : There have been incidents of panic withdrawal by account holders of several nationalised banks in Assam following declaration of three banks – the United Bank of India (UBI), United Commercial Bank (UCO) and the Indian Bank – as weak ones by the Verma Committee on restructuring of banking sector and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The CII in its report on restructuring of the banking sector in the country had recommended to the government of India to shut down these three banks. The Verma committee, set up by the government, had also recommended closure of all non-profitable branches of the nationalised banks. The incidents of panic withdrawal were highest in the Karimganj branch followed by Rajgarh and Silpukhuri branches of United Commercial Bank amounting to crores of rupees soon after the CII report was publicised in the state in the past two months. The bank management, on the other hand, have closed down 12 branches and is proposing to close down some more as they were not making any profit. It is feared that more such branches will be in the pipeline if centre decides to implement the recommendations of CII and the Verma committee report. (Jyotishmoti Goswami; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 17, 2000)

NEW DELHI, January 16: The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) has chalked out an ambitious Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) project as a component of Asian Land Transportation Infrastructure Development (ALTID). According to an ESCAP report, the TAR project conceived of three rail-land bridges between southern China and Europe, Thailand and Europe and South Asia and Europe. In global terms it becomes northern and central and southern corridors. India was to form part of the southern corridor linking southern China to Europe and Confederation of Independent states (CIS) countries via Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. The 11,460-km-long trans-Asian railway route will commence from Kunming in China and Bangkok in Thailand and end at Kapikule in Bulgaria. It provide trans-continental rail connectivity to China, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. This route will enter India at Tamu in Manipur, bordering Myanmar and will enter Bangladesh at Mahisasan/Shahbajpur and again enter India from Bangladesh at Gede. On the west side, this route will enter Pakistan at Atari. In India, the route from Haldia to Calcutta has also been agreed to as route of international significance under TAR to facilitate sea-cum-rail journey to Central Asia and Europe. The Indian government has assured its Bangladesh counterpart that it would examine those routes which Bangladesh wanted to be included. These are Abdulpur-Rohanpur-Singhabad-Raxaul as route of sub-regional significance to facilitate connection of ports of Bangladesh to Nepal. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 17, 2000)

NEW DELHI, January 17: The severe resource crunch is likely to take a toll of maintenance of basic infrastructure like roads, drainage and sewerage line, with the state government requiring over about Rs 873 crore. Faced with empty coffers, the state municipal administration minister, Biraj Sarma, has approached the Centre for funds. "The state government does not have resources to provide for this massive construction programme like infrastructure in the municipal areas," he said, addressing the conference of state ministers of urban development and local self-government at Vigyan Bhavan here today. The minister said that it had been found that the state needed about Rs 3,000 crore for improvement and strengthening of roads, while an additional sum of Rs 103 crore would be required for maintenance of all municipal roads in the State. Similarly, for strengthening and improvement of 430-km of drain in the municipal areas of Assam, the government needed Rs 430 crore. In addition, the maintenance requirement would come to Rs 40 crore. As the state government does not have the resources, "we look forward to the government of India for assistance and guidance in treating these assets and providing for maintenance," Sarma pleaded. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 17: The Union commerce ministry has issued an order to the Meghalaya government to resume coal export to Bangladesh through Dawki land custom station through the volume metric system of measurements until the Bangladesh completes construction of it's weigh bridge on the part of its border. D Khonglah, secretary of the Meghalaya International Traders' Association (MITA) said from New Delhi on Monday that the order is expected to reach Shillong within a day or two. Export of coal to Bangladesh had halted for more than 50 days through the Dawki land custom station following the weigh bridge impasse, for which the Sylhet coal importers refused to purchase Meghalaya coal from Dawki station through this newly-constructed weigh bridge on plea that the government of India had not informed their government that a weigh bridge will also be constructed on their side. The government initially relaxed the implementation of the weigh bridge, but again ordered that export must take place through this weigh bridge resulting halt of the coal export. The MITA, which has been running from pillar to post to get the weigh bridge order suspended till the completion of the Bangladesh weigh bridge on their side, finally got nod when they called on the Union commerce secretary, PP Prabhu, here a fortnight ago. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 17: The Rhino Foundation for Nature in Northeast India, an NGO involved in conservation of wildlife in the region for the last half decade, has donated four motorcycles, two each for Orang National Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, a press release states. The honorary chief executive of the foundation, Anwarudin Choudhury, handed over the keys to Nagen Sharma, Forest minister of Assam at a small function in the state Zoo. AK Goswami of WWF-India and senior Forest officials were also present on the occasion. The Forest minister while accepting the motorcycles has lauded the role of NGOs in Assam in wildlife conservation and hoped that this will continue in the healthy note as it is going on now. This donation has been made to strengthen anti-poaching network as both these areas have good population of the globally threatened Indian one-horned rhinoceros which is hotly pursued by the poachers. The motorcycles will not only enable the guards to patrol the parks but will also ensure quick and easy movement which will also be cost effective in view of high petrol prices. This donation has been supported by a project of the Fauna & Flora International, a London-based internationally-acclaimed conservation body. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

GOLAGHAT, January 17: Poaching of rhinos in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) is increasing day by day. Several rhinos were killed by poachers during a period of three months. Recently two rhinos were killed in Nahar Kathori camp under Kaziranga range and another in Miridoloni camp. The horns were taken by the poachers. The rare species of the KNP is likely to disappear within five years if such wanton killing of rhinos goes on. The KNP authority is satisfied with receiving the awards for their success in protecting and preserving flora and fauna of the KNP, but what success they achieved when rhinos are being killed by the poachers in the presence of forest employee and others is a question to ponder on. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 18: The Assam government has requested the Centre to direct the oil sector public sector undertakings to take over the much awaited gas cracker project if the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) fail to implement the project. This was disclosed by the Assam Industries minister, Gunin Hazarika. Hazarika said that the state government would continue to put pressure on the Centre to take necessary steps for the implementation of the project. He expressed the view that the oil sector public sector undertakings like the Oil India Limited are capable of implementing the project, but the Centre would have to direct the oil PSU to take over the project. He said that the state government is expecting some positive announcement from the Prime Minister in this regard during his ensuing visit to the Northeast region. The Industries minister said that the Centre had given the deadline of January 17 to the Reliance Industries and the Oil India to finalise the gas supply agreement for the gas cracker project but nothing has happened. He said that earlier also several deadlines given by both the state and Central Governments passed without yielding any positive results. Hazarika revealed that the Numaligarh refinery will also face problems immediately after starting commercial production because of the delay in implementation of the gas cracker project. He said that the Numaligarh Refinery is supposed to supply the naphtha produced by it to the gas cracker project and the refinery would now face problems if the cracker project does not come up soon. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 19, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 18: The food and civil supplies ministers of the Northeast have decided to move the Centre to permit trade in food stuff with neighbouring countries – China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh in order to reduce expenditure on transport of food grains to the region. The decision was taken at the two-day long conference of the ministers and secretaries of food and civil supplies of the northeastern states and West Bengal held here. The ministers appealed to the Centre to open trade routes with the neighbouring countries in order to facilitate export and import. The conference also resolved to make all out efforts for upgrading the conditions of roads in the entire region and construction of bridges and widening of national highways to bring essential commodities without any hindrance. The conference discussed in details about the existing waterways in the region and suggested proper utilisation of Calcutta, Guwahati, Badarpur and Karimganj waterways for movement of foodgrains and other essential items under public distribution system (PDS). The meeting also laid emphasis on increasing in allocation of PDS items to the region as required by the respective state governments. Later, the Assam food and civil supplies minister, Pradip Hazarika said that as flood remained a major problem in the region, hence the ministers had decided to move the Centre to make advance allotment of PDS items for three months to the region. To facilitate faster movement of essential commodities we have decided to move the Centre for revival of rail routes between Calcutta-Agartala and Calcutta-Silchar through Bangladesh" he said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 19, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 18: The Planning Commission had released a sum of Rs 10.34 crore for the upcoming 36-MW Leimakhong Power Project in Manipur in March, 1999 from non-lapsable Central resources pool out of Rs 66 crore such funds to be released as per decision taken by the committee headed by Secretary, Planning Commission, an official press release informed. Meanwhile, the government of Manipur in May, 1999 had forwarded the revised quarterly requirement of funds for the project for 1999-2000 to the Planning Commission. The project, which is being implemented by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), is expected to be completed by April, 2000. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 19, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 19: A second bridge over the Brahmaputra in the city and a separate VIP road to the Lokapriya Gopnath Bardoloi airport to facilitate siren wailing VIP convoys to steer clear from the congested city roads may soon become a reality if the state government could convince the Centre to release necessary funds. According to state public works department minister Nagen Sarma, the Assam government has written to the Union ministry for surface transport for funds to meet the estimated Rs 680 crore cost of the proposed 2500-metre-long bridge. "We shall also approach the Prime Minister," he said. "Four non-resident Indian (NRI) groups from USA and France have evinced interest in completing the bridge on BOT basis and we have assured them full security," Sarma said. Construction of a second bridge over the Brahmaputra at Guwahati has been keenly felt because of the heavy traffic intensity on the Saraighat bridge. Surface transport of the seven Northeast states is catered to by this bridge alone through Guwahati for connection with the rest of India. (Prasanta Baruah; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 20, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 20 – With the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee scheduled to preside over the two-day conference of the chief ministers and governors of the Northeast states at Shillong on January 21 and 22, the Federation of Industries and Commerce of Northeastern Region (FINER) has highlighted two major drawbacks in the new industrial policy for the Northeast. According to FINER president, SK Jain, the two drawbacks are non-availability of shed/ land in the notified areas and excise refund being limited to only cash payment and not of Modvat. This has severely hindered investment decisions of the entrepreneurs, Jain said. Elaborating on the hurdles inherent in the policy, Jain said that the benefits proposed under the new policy are restricted to only industrial units being set up in the specified growth centres, IIDCs and industrial estates. As the growth centres in the region are in the developing stage, it would take at least 3 to 4 years for these centres to start functioning. As such no one can start an industry and take benefit of the policy, he said. However, under the new policy 18 specified industries have been excluded from the locational restrictions. According to the FINER president, even this list is not exhaustive and would fail to attract investors. In fact, the impact of this discriminatory provision is likely to be felt more by the existing industries. The industries which are not operating in the specified areas or not falling under specified industries would not be able to take the benefit of expansion or diversification, Jain said. Similarly, the Union government had decided to provide 100 per cent Central Excise concession to the units located in the NE region. However, the Union finance ministry by a notification only permitted refund of Excise Duty paid by manufacturers through the Account Current and not on Modvat. This partial exemption does not offer adequate cushion to the entrepreneurs in the region to compete with manufacturers from outside the region, the FINER chief said. The FINER has already conveyed its grievances to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), ministry of industry and ministry of home affairs seeking review of these drawbacks in the industrial policy for the Northeast. (Prasanta Baruah; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 20: Agriculture and horticulture are identified as key areas for economic growth of the Northeastern region. In fact the Union government has set up several offices based at Guwahati, the gateway to the region, to take up agriculture and horticulture development schemes in co-ordination with state Governments of the region. But in reality there is hardly any co-ordination basically due to lack of initiative from both the quarters. According to a highly-placed source involved in trading of horticultural and minor forest products in the region, certain Union government offices dealing in development of horticulture, production of spices, coconut etc. are being run in very in effective way. Some of these offices are stationed at far-flung residential localities in the city most unsuitable for setting up a government office of public importance. On the other hand the state governments of the northeastern region are also not trying to engage these officials in taking up developmental schemes in the field of horticulture and agriculture. As a result, Central funds routed to the region through these departments remains unutilised. Sources further informed that these offices are manned by officials who are having a very negative attitude towards the state and the region. Moreover, their mobility is affected by the fear for gun-totting militants active in the region. So, the state Governments should take initiative to activate these offices for the benefit of poor farming of the region. However, there are exceptions like the Central Silk Board, Coffee Board and Rubber Board which have been doing commendable work in the region against all odds. But some other Union government departments like National Horticulture Board, Spices Board, Coconut Board have so far failed to make their presence felt in the region much to the misfortune of the farming community here. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 20: The Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas has supported the stand taken by the Oil India Limited (OIL) on the proposed gas supply agreement signed between the Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and the OIL on the Tengakhat Gas Cracker project. In a letter, the ministry informed the chairman-cum-managing director of the OIL that the clauses for payment of liquidated damage in the gas supply agreement between the OIL and the Reliance, should not be agreed to at all. The deadlock on the gas supply agreement has been continuing over the years since the RIL has been demanding compensation from the OIL for the "damage", if any, caused to the company if the later failed to provide gas to the RIL for 15 years. The OIL, however, clarified that it could pay only the prices of the gas whenever the OIL would stop supplying it. With this fresh development, sources feel that the crisis will deepen and the gas cracker project will be further delayed. (Achinta Borah; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 21: The police and the ministry of environment and forests, hot on the illegal Northeast timber trail, have seized 86 wagonload of timber from the Nangloi and Madhepur railway stations near Delhi, last week. The illegal consignment valued at Rs 10 crore still lies unclaimed, top officials at the union Ministry of Environment and Forest said here on Friday. "The addresses were all fake," the officials said, adding that the illegally felled timber had originated in Arunachal Pradesh. Following this seizure, the ministry had filed a petition at the Supreme Court. The apex court heard the petition, and issued a directive barring the jurisdiction of all other courts from interfering on the case. The seizure near Delhi has already led to the cancellation of licences of as many as 50 saw mills in Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, in October last year, the ministry in active collaboration with the union home ministry, had raided the Tinsukia railway station, and seized 46 wagons of illegally felled timber. Most of the timber, ministry sources said, had originated from Arunachal Pradesh. The seizure at Tinsukia railway station have since been unloaded, the expense for which has been borne by the centre. (Special Correspondent; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 22, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 21: The Northeastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) and the Assam state Electricity Board (ASEB) on Friday signed a loan agreement in pursuance of the term loan of Rs 11.53 crore, which the former had sanctioned to the ASEB earlier. MK Sharma, executive director, NEDFi and KK Hazarika, member (personnel and administration), ASEB, signed the pact on behalf of their organisations in presence of NEDFi chairman Jayanta Madhab. The loan is for purchasing of high quality distribution transformers and non-tamperable electronic energy meters to be installed in high return urban areas, tea gardens and commercial set-ups all over the state. Despite the poor financial position of the ASEB, NEDFi has decided to go ahead with this assistance because the electronic meters to be installed at high voltage commercial consumers will bring additional revenue for ASEB to the extent of Rs 101 lakhs plus per month by ensuring correct recording of power consumed by the users. The distribution transformers to be purchased out of the loan is also expected to ensure steady power supply to the consumers. The loan will be repayable in equal monthly instalments over a period of one year through an irrevocable LoC. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 22, 2000)

AZARA, January 22: After accepting a Rs 620-crore scheme for the Pagladia Project in Nalbari district, the Union government has decided to adopt another scheme of Rs 252 crore to save all the historical monuments and preserve the satras and cultural heritage of Majuli. This scheme is likely to be approved by the Union government. This was stated by Union minister of state for water resources Bijoya Chakraborty while addressing a public meeting on January 16 last at Garal near here. Chakraborty accused the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-led state government of misappropriating funds sanctioned by the Union government and appealed to the youths to play the role of watchdog in respect of the rural development work launched by the state government. After receiving any written allegation against any official, I would take necessary action immediately, she added. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 23, 2000)

UDALGURI, January 22: Most of the forest reserve area of Udalguri Sub-division is in a state of rapid deforestation caused by anti-social elements since long. Despite several reports in Guwahati-based dailies, the forest department has been pretending to be unaware of this unpleasant happening. Due to rapid deforestation, the entire northern belt, bordering Bhutan, has denuded and the reserve forests of Nonai, Barnadi, Rajiv Gandhi National Sanctuary and Belsiri reserve forests are being encroached upon. This is one of the reasons why wild pachyderms are creating menace in the area. People, mostly the villagers of remote areas living on the Bhutan foothills alleged that thousands of bicycles carrying valuable logs have become a daily sightings. The conscious people of the area has questioned the very existence of local administration and its role in such large-scale anti-social practices. People of the area still hope that the state government can stop it with immediate effect to save the ecological environment of the Sub-division by taking stern legal action. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 23, 2000)

JORHAT, January 23: They come at night armed with baskets, country-made bombs and portable generators. Their job done, they sail away into the darkness in country-made boats leaving the tea industry in disarray. Theft of green leaf, scourge of tea the industry, is no longer the job of some poor villagers on the look out for a few quick bucks. It has turned into a well-organised syndicate — professional when on the job and mafia-like when challenged. In fact, pests no longer worry the tea garden authorities these days. It is these other ‘pests’ which have become the cause of headache for the state’s lifeline industry. And with the management hardly in a position to control this new breed of parasites, green leaf theft has become the next best thing to owning a tea garden. "Earlier such cases were very rare ... once in a blue moon but these days it has become a regular affair," complained an assistant manager of a company garden in Tinsukia district. The mushrooming of tea manufacturing factories has given birth to this menace which has assumed worrying proportions of late. Without green leaf these factories would remain idle hence their owners are allegedly hand-in-glove with the thieves. These factory-owners, who usually procure tea leaves from small tea growers through middle-men, get stolen leaves at a meagre price. No wonder, stolen leaves sell more. However, the worst affected gardens are the ones which are situated on river banks. (Pullock Dutta; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 24, 2000)

GUWAHATI January 23: As many as 14 of the most rarest birds in the world - the greater adjutant storks - were killed when an unconcerned and ignorant villager cut down a tree where the birds had a nesting colony. Only 1,000 of such birds are surviving around the world, most of them in India, majority of whom are found in Assam. Fourteen of these birds were found dead on Sunday by a visiting representative of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and a zoologist at Dadora village, 10 kilometre from here. According to the project coordinator of the WTI, Aniruddha Mukherjee, who had visited the site along with Prof PC Bhattacharjee, who teaches Zoology at the Gauhati University, said that 14 carcasses of these storks were found lying on the ground while they rescued two of the birds struggling for life. They were later handed over to the state Zoo authorities in city. "Some of the birds who died were a week-old while the others ranged from fledging to immature," Mukherjee said. Meanwhile, Prof Bhattacharjee said that this killing of the storks is a big setback to the conservation of the birds. Prof Bhattacharjee, who has already done an extensive study on these birds in Assam, said that he has submitted a written account of these deaths to the Zoo authorities. Mukherjee said the WTI will also initiate a conservation programme for the greater adjutant storks. He said that nets will be provided under the nesting colonies in order to protect the birds from falling out of the nests. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 24, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 24: The Assam power minister, Hitendra Nath Goswami, today said that he has reservations on certain clauses of the draft agreement between the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) and American company Ogden Energy Inc regarding leasing out of the Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS). Talking to newsmen here today, Goswami said that the government would always welcome foreign investment in the power sector but nothing should be done against the interest of the state. The power minister denied the allegation levelled by the consultants of the Ogden and said that he was not delaying the negotiation process. He said that he returned the file regarding the BTPS with his comments to the chief minister on January 21. Now the government has formed a high-level committee comprising the special commissioner to the chief minister, power commissioner, chairman of the ASEB and one representative from Ogden to study the matter and suggest steps to be taken. The power minister revealed that the BTPS could have been revived by spending an amount of Rs 170 crore but the government could not mobilise the amount. He said that when the US company first came to Assam in May, 1997, they said that about 50 million US dollars, that is about Rs 175 crore would be required to revive the power plant. But now they are claiming that an amount of Rs 386 crore would be required for reviving the plant. However, the Ogden representatives are not ready to spell out where the money would be spent, he added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 24: The Meghalaya government has sought the Centre’s permission to start a fresh scheme for issuing identity cards to all Indian citizens residing in the state as a means to check entry of aliens into the hill State. It has also sought measures to redeem the adverse effect of the Apex Court order on forest-based livelihood of the rural poor and their rehabilitation. The state government’s representations were part of the memorandum that was submitted by Meghalaya chief minister BB Lyngdoh to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while the latter was in Shillong last week. Lyngdoh stated in the memorandum that the 1951 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship has led to a large number of Nepali nationals entering the northeastern region, adversely affecting the socio-economic interests of the indigenous inhabitants. It has also resulted in the generation of an anti-establishment attitude by a number of student and other organisations, he said. The new identity card scheme is to cost Rs 10 crore. The chief minister said that the "majority" of the rural people in the state "have been reduced to utter penury" as a result of the Apex Court order, in 1996, on tree felling and timber trade. He sought exclusion of all existing clan, community or individually owned forests in the state from the purview of a working plan or a working scheme. The state government has also sought the inclusion of Meghalaya for coverage under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme for militants and its inclusion in the list insurgency affected states for reimbursement of security-related expenditure. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 24: The Union water resources ministry has agreed to fund the Rs 540-crore Pagladia Dam Project in Nalbari district. An amount of Rs 81.29 crore will be released for implementation of the project during the Ninth Five Year Plan, while the balance amount will be released in the Tenth Five Year Plan beginning April 2001. Disclosing this at a press conference at his office chamber at the Janata Bhawan here this afternoon, state flood control minister Promod Gogoi said that the Brahmaputra Board will be entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the project. However, the state government has slapped two conditions on the Brahmaputra Board for implementing the project. The conditions include — deploying local engineers for implementation and rehabilitation of the around 1,000 families likely to be affected by the project in three model villages near the project site with adequate compensation, Gogoi said. Though the delay in implementation has led to cost escalation, the implementation of the project is expected to solve the problem of flood in Nalbari district and in parts of Kamrup district, he said, adding, the project will also help in generating about 4 megawatt of hydel power. However, the Brahmaputra Board is yet to decide the time of commencement of the construction of the project, even as the survey part of the implementation is already completed, he said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

GUWAHTI, January 24: The Ananta Nallah, a dominant channel of the Brahmaputra, has been responsible for severe erosion in Rohmoria area, about 20 km north-east of Dibrugarh town, for the last several years. A nine-km stretch between Balijan Tea Estate and Oakland Tea Estate has witnessed severe erosion since 1997. With an average depth of around 400 metre, the area is facing the problem of erosion every year, Gogoi said. A team of experts from Central Water Power Research Station, Pune, the state flood control department, Geological Survey of India, Central Water Commission and Brahmaputra Board made an on-the-spot study of the problem on January 8 last and suggested several anti-erosion measures. The measures include closing of the mouth of Ananta Nallah at its off-shoot near Saikhowa Reserve Forest and detail mathematical/model analysis as well as geomorphological studies of the entire reach from Dholla-Saikhowa in the upstream up to Maijan-Mothola in the downstream. But, in view of the time factor, some temporary anti-erosion measures at a cost of Rs 2.09 crore with the provision of RCC porcupine bars were also placed before a technical advisory committee. The technical advisory committee however recommended protective measures for a four-km stretch in the downstream at an approximate cost of Rs 1 crore ‘due to the tight fund position’. The scheme is presently under process of emergency procedure and commencement of the execution is expected shortly, Gogoi said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 24: The Northeast MPs’ Forum has demanded that economic development in the northeastern region be treated as a "national priority". In a memorandum presented to the Prime Minister here on Friday, the Forum, which is a body of all the members of Parliament from the northeastern states, said that it is imperative, in the context of geographical location and lack of infrastructural base, that connectivity in the fields of roads, railways, airways, waterways and telecommunications, including information technology should be created. "The problems of violence and peace in the region are challenging but we believe that peace can be best achieved through development", the Forum’s chairman, PR Kyndiah, MP from Shillong said in the memorandum. Saying that one of the reasons of militancy in the region is the easy access for militants from across the border, Kyndiah called for strengthening and strategic positioning of the security forces to secure the international borders in the Northeast measuring 4688 km with four foreign countries. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

AIZAWL, January 24: The Mizoram government has requested the Centre for a free hand in issuing Protected Area Permit (PAP) to foreigners to develop tourism in the state. chief minister Zoramthanga made the request during the two-day meet between the Prime Minister and the governors and the chief minister s of northeastern states at Shillong. He said at present, only the Union government can issue Protected Area Permit (PAP) to foreigners wanting to visit border States. In the case of Mizoram, foreigners are allowed to visit only specified areas under the Aizawl main district. According to the state administration, the 'restrictive regime' should be lifted and all kinds of tourists be allowed to travel freely within the length and breadth of Mizoram. The chief minister also asked the Prime Minister to reintroduce financial assistance for developing a modern and reliable transportation system to encourage tourism. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

GOLAGHAT, January 24: Five reserved forests in Golaghat district were encroached by Nagas and non-Nagas due to negligence on the part of the state government. According to sources, total forest area of the Diphu Reserve Forest is 18,35,300 hectares. Nambor Reserve Forest has a forest area of 27,240.61 hectares, Rengma Reserve Forest 13,921.49 hectares and the Doyang forest has 24,635.77 hectares. Before 1962, Naga people had encroached only 30 hectares of Forest area of the Diphu Reserve forest. But from 1972 to 1982, 44.75 hectares of forests were possessed by encroachers. Nagas had encroached 1215 hectares while the non-Nagas occupied 3260 hectares. Again between 1982 to 1992, altogether 18,050 hectares of forest land were under encroachment. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 25, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 25: The provisional results of the fourth economic census of Assam has revealed that the annual growth rate of workers in the state during the period 1990-98 is 3.5 per cent which is much higher than the national growth rate of 1.3 per cent during the same period. The provisional results of the census, 1998, carried out in the state during May 1998 along with the rest of the country to enumerate all kinds of entrepreneurial activity in the rural and urban areas, was declared by the state directorate of economics and statistics for all the districts of the state. The economic census covered establishment as well as own account enterprises of agricultural and non-agricultural activities excluding the activities under crop production and plantation. Of the 5,82,873 enterprises in Assam, 18,227 enterprises are found under agricultural activities while 5,64,646 enterprises are found in non-agricultural activities, the percentage being 3.13 and 96.87 respectively. The overall growth rate of enterprises during the period 1990-98 is estimated at 2.06 per cent agai economic census, 1998. The share of agricultural enterprises against total enterprises as per economic census, 1990 was 3.25 per cent. Of the total workers, 15.85 lakh are working in rural areas. The growth rate during the period 1990-98 is 4.43 per cent per annum against the all-India growth rate of 1.62 per cent per annum. Dibrugarh witnesses the maximum growth rate followed by Cachar and Golaghat. Negative growth rate has been observed in the districts of Hailakandi, Kamrup and Darrang. In urban areas the number of workers is 6.14 lakh which constitute 27.91 per cent of total workers. The growth rate of workers per annum in urban areas during the period 1990-98 is only 0.93 per cent which is less than that of all-India level. Maximum growth rate has been recorded in Tinsukia followed by Darrang. Negative growth rate have been found in the districts of Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Cachar. Of the total agricultural workers 7.77 per cent is found in rural areas while 23.23 per cent in urban areas. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 26, 2000)

AZARA, January 25: At a time of adoption of several schemes and measures to prevent erosion by the government, the erosion by the Brahmaputra river has been continuing unabated at Dakhala Hill near Palasbari due to negligence of a section of civil and forest officials. Dakhala Hill is situated by the side of River Brahmaputra just 1 kilometre away from Bijoynagar. It may be noted here that the hill has been protecting a huge area, including Uparhali and Bijoynagar in south Kamrup from erosion since time immemorial. But it has been observed that two quarries were set up inside the Dakhala Hill about 4 years back with the permission of the forest department. As boulder-cutting has been continuing every year in the river side of the hill, erosion by the river Brahmaputra is also going on unabated. It may be mentioned that there is a Bishnu temple, two Ganesh temples and a Shiva temple on the hill. Encroachment is also continuing inside the hill. Social organisations have urged the local administration as well as the Forest department to stop the quarries at Dakhala Hill but no step has been taken in this regard. Unless the quarries at Dakhala hill are stopped immediately, a huge area in south Kamrup will be submerged by the river Brahmaputra soon, the locals fear. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 26, 2000)

NEW DELHI, January 27: The ministry of environment and forest has finally forwarded the Assam government’s application to United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to include Majuli island as the world heritage site early last week, informed sources said here today. The state government’s preliminary report in form of preparatory assistance form was despatched on January 19, by the Ministry of Environment and Forest after months of delay. The state government submitted the preparatory report on December 27, last with the Centre even as the issue figured at the Parliament. The minister of state for environment and forests, TR Balu, had then told the Rajya Sabha that the delay was due to inability of the state government to submit its preparatory assistance forms, which were to be forwarded to the UNESCO in Paris. The proposal if and when accepted by the UNESCO will mark the beginning of a series of long drawn procedure. In the next phase, based on the preparatory assistance proposal, the world body will sanction a grant called the preparatory assistance grant for finalisation of a report, based on which the a final decision will be taken. Arun Kumar Sarma, MP and a member of the Save Majuli Campaign, said here that their Forum in association with the state government proposes to set up several committees to look into the various aspects and submit its reports which will then be integrated in the final report. The state government’s case before the UNESCO is that Majuli island which is the seat of learning and a cultural centre is in urgent need for preservation and restoration. The world’s largest river island forces threat from erosion by the river Brahmaputra. Apart from being centre of learning, the river island also enjoys the rare distinction of being home to rare flora and fauna and is in urgent need of eco and bio-diversity preservation. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 27: Serious financial crisis has hit the Assam Urban Water Supply & Sewerage Board, affecting 27 ongoing water supply schemes in different parts of Assam covering about 2.2 million urban population. Sources said that when the plans were prepared for these 27 schemes for 25 towns across the state, it had been estimated that Rs 161.72 crore would be required to complete the same. The schemes are now lying half-completed in the towns for the last seven-eight years in spite of the fact that the board had spent Rs 85.81 crore in the schemes. Since the cost of most of the construction materials including steel, cement etc. has increased over the years, a fresh estimate was made and it found out that to complete all the ongoing water supply projects, the board required another Rs 116 crore. The fund allocation for the water supply schemes during the 9th Plan was Rs 38.5 crore while during the period, fund mobilisation from other financial institutions such as HUDCO and grant-in-aids from the centre was to the tune of Rs 17 crore. Still there is a gap of Rs 54 crore for completion of these projects. Sources said that unless additional fund is allotted it will take years to complete the schemes. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 27: Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL) formally launched its Website (http://www.brplindia.com/) (both in English and Hindi) on Wednesday, in a simple function held in the registered office at Dhaligaon, of Bongaigaon district. The chairman and managing Director of BRPL, BK Gogoi, clicked the computer mouse to formally launch the Website, a release said. Speaking on the occasion Gogoi, stressed the need for every employee of the company to be attuned to the Information technology needs of the Organisation. As the future business of the company is likely to be transacted through Internet, this is one step in this direction, he said. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 28: The Left Front government in Tripura has announced a special package for the development of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and religious minorities in the state. The package includes special incentives for education, socio-cultural and socio-economic development. chief minister Manik Sarkar told newsmen here on Thursday that the state government would seek a special grant from the Centre to implement the package meant for the speedy development, and welfare of the backward people. The development package for Scheduled Castes includes educational package in which coaching centres, residential schools, hostel for boys and girls and loan for education will be provided, Sarkar said. Earlier, the state government had announced a package for development of the tribals. Educational loans would be sanctioned by the OBC Cooperative Development Corporation Ltd to students leaving the state for higher studies. Students belonging to families below poverty line would be provided loans free of interest and others at a nominal interest, Sarkar said. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 28: Bus services between Dhaka and Agartala would tentatively start from April 14, the Bengali new year’s day. This was stated by Tripura industry and commerce minister Pabitra Kar while talking to newsmen here on Friday. Union minister of state for external affairs Ajit Kumar Panja, who recently visited Dhaka and held meetings with the Bangladesh Prime Minister and external affairs minister, informed Kar over telephone about his talks with the Bangladeshi leaders. India and Bangladesh have agreed to introduce the Agartala-Dhaka bus service after the success of the Calcutta-Dhaka bus service, Panja told him. Kar requested him to make an all-out effort to start the proposed bus services from April 14. He said he had met Panja in New Delhi recently and reiterated the state government’s request to introduce bus services between the state capital and Dhaka. Chief minister Manik Sarkar said the state government has been demanding the introduction of the bus service for a long time. He said it would help people of the two countries to come closer. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 29: Altogether 28,727 villages of the 39,216 inhabited villages in the seven northeastern states and Sikkim have been electrified till March last year, official sources said here today. Stating 42 of these villages were in the forest areas, the sources said in Assam alone 19,019 of the 24,685 inhabited villages were electrified. Against the national average of 86 per cent, the Northeast states have a level of 73 per cent electrification. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 30, 2000)

DIBRUGARH, January 30: After the Assam government having miserably failed in convincing Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to expedite setting up of the Assam Gas Cracker Project and with the Centre too taking no initiative, it is now the turn of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to apply pressure on the Mumbai-based industrial house. The students’ body general secretary, Amiyo Bhuyan declared that unless Reliance goes about setting up the project by February 10, the Centre and the state government must explore other alternatives in setting up the region’s most ambitious industrial plant. A several speakers today gave vent to their thoughts on the matter at a day-long public convention which was organised today under the aegis of AASU’s Dibrugarh district unit. The purpose of the students’ endeavour was to bring all sections of people to one platform and to speak in one voice on the necessity of the early implementation of the gas cracker project at Tengakhat. (Ron Duarah; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 31, 2000)