Latest news with #GovernmentofAssam
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Arms license policy not for people near inter-State borders: Assam CM
GUWAHATI Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Thursday (May 29, 2025), clarified that his government's arms licence policy will not be applicable along the State's borders with Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Assam has had bloody border disputes with these four northeastern States, claiming more than 200 lives over more than five decades. The border disputes with Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have been resolved partially. On Wednesday, the Assam Cabinet approved a policy to issue arms licences to 'original inhabitants and indigenous communities' living in vulnerable and border regions. 'There were some queries regarding whether the arms license policy would also apply to inter-State border areas such as those shared with Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland,' he posted on X. 'Let us clarify: Assam has always maintained that inter-State border issues are matters that can and should be resolved through mutual understanding and trust. We do not view these regions as vulnerable in the context of national security threats. Accordingly, the arms license policy will not be applicable to the inter-State border areas of Assam,' the Chief Minister said. 'The Government of Assam firmly believes that inter-State boundary issues are not security vulnerabilities, but matters best resolved through understanding and peaceful negotiation,' he said. According to the Cabinet decision, the arms licence policy will be applicable in the Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, and South Salmara-Mankachar districts. Bengali-speaking Muslims are a majority in these districts, two of which — Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar — border Bangladesh. 'The Cabinet decision is important and sensitive. The indigenous people in these districts live in an atmosphere of insecurity due to the recent developments in Bangladesh. They face the threat of attacks from the Bangladesh side and even in their own villages,' Mr. Sarma told journalists. Insisting that the objective of the Cabinet decision was not to militarise the indigenous populations, he said the people in the vulnerable areas have been demanding arms licences for a long time. 'The government will be lenient in providing arms licences to eligible people, who must be original inhabitants and belong to indigenous communities. The government will not help such people living in vulnerable areas buy arms,' he said. 'Casting doubts on BSF' Reacting to the Cabinet decision, Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev from Barak Valley said the arms licence policy 'takes the credibility of the Assam government to zero.' She said the decision conveys a message to the people in border areas that the Border Security Force and the Assam police cannot protect them from 'illegal immigrants' and issues from across the (Bangladesh) border. 'The government can issue an arms license, but cannot tell someone what he can or cannot use a gun for. Once a person gets a gun, he can use it against anybody,' she said. 'Lastly, till today, nobody knows the proper definition of indigenous people. It is the Chief Minister of Assam who wakes up in the morning and decides who's indigenous and who's not. The NRC [National Register of Citizens] is in a hanging position. This issue has been raked up only because elections are round the corner,' Ms. Dev. She said the arms license policy sets a bad precedent and conveys to the country that the people of Assam are not safe under the 'double-engine sarkar'.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'C-grade Bollywood movie that'll flop miserably': Gaurav Gogoi on Assam CM's allegations
"Since then, she has continued her work and took a new job in 2015. I also remember going with her once in 2013. Their (the BJP's) job is defamation and by raking this issue they are creating this whole thing like a C-grade Bollywood movie which they have said would be released on September 10. But that is going to be a flop miserably," he said. Gogoi said he would like to ask if there had been any wrongdoing on his wife or his part, then why the government had not acted in the last 11 years. "What were the government and probe agencies doing," he asked. Responding to Gogoi's remarks, Sarma posted on X, "Finally, Congress MP Shri Gaurav Gogoi has admitted that he visited Pakistan. But let us be very clear - this is just the beginning, not the end. What lies ahead is far more serious. There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Shri Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment." "The Government of Assam, committed to transparency and accountability, will make everything public on 10th September, once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concludes its comprehensive inquiry. The people of Assam and the nation deserve the truth - and they shall have it, in full," Sarma said. But the people will also not forget - nor forgive - the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi for deliberately promoting such a "dangerous and compromised" individual into the public life of our country, he said.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Plot of C-grade movie': Congress' Gaurav Gogoi clarifies on wife's 'Pakistan links'; 'truth will be revealed on September 10', says Assam CM Sarma
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday refuted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma 's allegations regarding his British wife Elizabeth Colburn's alleged connection with Pakistan's ISI, calling it the 'plot of a C-grade Bollywood movie.' In his first public statement on the matter, Gogoi clarified that his wife spent only one year in Pakistan in 2013 while working on an international project focused on climate change in South Asia. 'About 14–15 years ago, my wife — a well-known expert in public policy — was involved in an international initiative addressing climate change in South Asia. As part of that work, she spent a year in Pakistan and then came to India in 2012–13, where she has been working ever since. In 2015, she took up a new job,' the Congress leader said. 'I accompanied her in 2013, about 12 years ago. The chief minister is trying to turn this into a C-grade Bollywood movie with a so-called release date of September 10. This story is bound to be a complete flop. The people of Assam are already aware of the truth,' he added. Gogoi also raised questions about the timing and intent behind the allegations. 'Our counter-question is this: if, according to these accusations, my wife or I committed any wrongdoing or illegal act, then who has been in power for the last 11–12 years? What have the central agencies been doing all this time? Everyone knows the level of scrutiny involved when someone crosses a national border — whether entering or exiting,' Gogoi said. 'As a leader of the opposition who speaks boldly and openly in Parliament, my biodata is known to everyone,' he added. Reacting to Gogoi's remarks, chief minister Sarma welcomed the Congress MP's 'admission' and claimed that credible evidence supports allegations of Gogoi's ties with the Pakistani establishment. 'Finally, Congress MP Shri Gaurav Gogoi has admitted that he visited Pakistan. But let us be very clear — this is just the beginning, not the end,' Sarma wrote on X. 'What lies ahead is far more serious. There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Shri Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment. The Government of Assam, committed to transparency and accountability, will make everything public on September 10, once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concludes its comprehensive inquiry. The people of Assam and the nation deserve the truth — and they shall have it in full,' he added. 'But the people will also not forget — nor forgive — the Congress party and Shri Rahul Gandhi for deliberately promoting such a dangerous and compromised individual into the public life of our country," Sarma added. These statements come days after Sarma alleged that Gogoi visited Pakistan on the 'ISI's invitation' and worked closely with the establishment. Sarma had claimed, 'Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan on an invitation from the ISI. This is the first time I'm publicly stating this. We have documents to support it. He did not go there for tourism. He went there to receive training.' He added that Gogoi, who is the deputy leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, traveled on a direct invitation from the Pakistani government, calling the visit 'dangerous.' 'He was working closely with the Pakistan establishment. When does a Home Department issue an invitation? Only to impart training,' Sarma asserted. 'An invitation from the foreign affairs department or a university is an entirely different matter. This was not from the foreign ministry or cultural department. He went on a direct invitation from Pakistan's Home Department,' he claimed.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma calls for collective efforts to realize vision of Viksit Bharat at NITI Aayog meet
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Assam government with an active support of the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken comprehensive steps to transform the vision of Viksit Assam . Speaking at the 10th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog on 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @ 2047' in New Delhi , Sarma said, 'The pursuit of a Viksit Assam has long been a cherished aspiration of our people. The Prime Minister's vision of a Viksit Bharat presents us with an opportunity to transform that aspiration into reality and reclaim and rejuvenate the rich legacy of a prosperous Assam'. The Chief Minister said that guided by the vision of the Prime Minister, Government of Assam has embarked on a transformative journey, nurturing the ambitious goal of making India the second largest economy. From exports and innovation to digital infrastructure, from railways to rocket launches, India is scripting a new chapter of progress. He, therefore, called for collective efforts incorporating the strength, innovation and inclusive progress of each state to fulfil the vision of Viksit Bharat. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Entrevista exclusiva: a verdade sobre o magnésio que ninguém te contou AlwaysFit Undo Sarma said that before independence, Assam was a land of prosperity, with a per capita income higher than the national average. The state's premium tea exports had already gained global recognition. Assam enjoyed robust connectivity with the global economy—railway lines connected Dibrugarh to Chittagong by 1904, and the Brahmaputra served as a vital waterway linking Assam to ports like Chittagong. The state was firmly positioned as a hub of international trade. However, the partition of India in 1947 severed these arteries overnight. Assam was left with only a narrow and vulnerable lifeline—the Siliguri Chicken Neck—connecting it to the rest of India. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, despite a population that was over 97 per cent non-Muslim, were awarded to East Pakistan. On August 15, 1947, Chakma leaders hoisted the Indian flag in Rangamati, hoping to join India. However, the allocation of Chittagong to East Pakistan dashed those hopes. Despite their appeals, Pandit Nehru declined to intervene. His tacit acceptance of this decision dealt a significant and lasting blow to the Northeast's access to global trade. Live Events Again, in 1971, during the creation of Bangladesh, Smt. Indira Gandhi had a historic opportunity to negotiate a broader and more secure geographical corridor to the Northeast. Despite her decisive leadership in securing Bangladesh's liberation, this moment too passed without seizing that strategic opportunity. These were pivotal junctures where bold leadership could have altered the trajectory of Assam and the Northeast. Instead, the region was let down by the political leadership of the time. Today, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, Assam and other North Eastern states are no longer considered the prisoners of history. Assam is reclaiming its rightful role as a gateway to Southeast Asia reviving inland waterways, restoring connectivity and building infrastructure that will reposition Assam as a dynamic economic frontier of Viksit Bharat. To truly unlock the region's promise, the Chief Minister said, 'We must implement dedicated transport and logistics corridors , revival of inland waterways and critical railway infrastructure, freight subsidies and long-haul incentives for industries, affordable and reliable power with appropriate cost equalisation mechanisms'. He further said that Assam and the Northeast are not peripheral—they are strategic, economic, and cultural frontiers. They are the gateways to Southeast Asia, rich in human capital and opportunity. He, therefore, said, 'Let us correct the failures of past political vision with bold policy clarity today. Let us match the Prime Minister's commitment with institutional responsiveness, and replace inertia with action'. Sarma said that State government has taken decisive steps to build a prosperous, empowered and self-reliant Assam. He further said that the state currently boast of a robust Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of USD 68.7 billion, with a remarkable 19 per cent growth recorded in the last fiscal year and an impressive 17.8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past three years. The Chief Minister said, 'We have identified several key sectors like tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, hydrocarbons, agriculture and infrastructure. We are also investing in future-oriented domains like new-age skills, green jobs and the circular economy'. Dr. Sarma on the occasion sought sustained guidance of the Prime Minister and cooperation of the Council to bring the vision of a Viksit Assam to life setting new benchmarks of progress and prosperity in the state.
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Assam govt signs investment agreements amounting to Rs 22,900 crore
Guwahati: As part of the implementation of Advantage Assam 2.0, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated in an investment agreement exchange ceremony with key investors, organised at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. ADVERTISEMENT It may be noted that during the event, the Government of Assam signed agreements amounting to Rs. 22,900 crores. Sarma referred to the day as an important milestone in Assam's process of economic transformation. He stated that the signing of agreements for 20 major projects across various sectors, involving investments totalling Rs. 22,900 crores, represents a significant advancement towards the state's developmental objectives. He noted that the successful conclusion of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several industrialists from across the country, has contributed to establishing a favourable environment for industrial development in Assam. He further stated that during the summit, Memorandums of Understanding were signed for proposed investments amounting to Rs. 5.18 lakh crore across the investment and infrastructure sectors. Referring to recent progress, he mentioned that the state government has already initiated the implementation of three major infrastructure-related projects. Regarding the first, he informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the Narengi-Kurua bridge on the Guwahati Ring Road in September this year, at an estimated cost of Rs. 7,800 crores. ADVERTISEMENT He also noted that the Guwahati-Silchar Access-Controlled Expressway has received approval from the Union Cabinet, with an allocated budget of Rs. 23,000 Chief Minister stated that, following the Advantage Assam 2.0 initiative, the state government has secured investments amounting to Rs. 30,000 crores in the infrastructure sector, and expressed confidence that this figure is likely to increase further in the near future. ADVERTISEMENT He further mentioned that multiple agreements were signed across both the public and private sectors during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit. As a result, implementation has commenced for 20 major projects involving investments totalling Rs. 22,900 crores, based on the Memorandums of Understanding signed at the event. At Matia in Goalpara, Kohinoor Pulp and Paper Private Limited and RPN Speciality Private Limited are in the process of establishing two major paper mills, with an investment of Rs. 1,800 crore, and construction work has already begun. SKJ Clean Enviro Ventures Limited is planning to set up a plastic recycling plant in Changsari with an investment of Rs. 137 crore, and the project is expected to commence by December this year. Referring to a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Matheson Hydrogen, he added that agreements have also been finalised with three ethanol production companies. He stated that significant progress has been made in projects undertaken by Kamakhya Biofuels, Gulshan Polyols, Aadhar Green, and Cis Biotech. Additionally, he said that the Brahmaputra Breweries project in Tihu has also made considerable headway. ADVERTISEMENT Sarma stated that work has commenced on the Megashree, Meghatop, and Max Cement projects, with an investment of Rs. 2,800 crores. In the hospitality sector, construction is underway on various initiatives, including those by Shailaja LLP, Downtown Hospital (Courtyard by Marriott), and Jonali Constructions Private Limited (Marriott Resort & Spa). He noted that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the Tata Gateway project in Jagiroad. In light of the ongoing semiconductor project in the region, the Tata Gateway is expected to develop into a significant initiative. ADVERTISEMENT He also said that the state government is taking active steps to establish a robust ecosystem for green energy production in Assam through partnerships with central public sector undertakings and private enterprises. He highlighted that work is in progress in collaboration with SJVN to develop solar power projects in Tezpur and Bilasipara. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the company for the production of 200 megawatts of solar energy, with an investment of Rs. 1,000 crores. He further stated that two major agreements have been concluded in the green energy sector in Assam. One is with ATPC Limited to develop a 250 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, and the other is with NLC India Limited (NLCIL) to establish a 100 MW solar power facility at Rongpangbong in West Karbi Anglong district. An additional MoU has been signed with Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited for the development of a Pumped Storage Project (PSP). Following the Advantage Assam summit, agreements amounting to Rs. 20,000 crore in the infrastructure sector and Rs. 22,000 crore in the industrial sector have been signed. Implementation of the Namrup Fertilizer Plant project is also progressing. He concluded by stating that investments worth Rs. 32,000 crore and infrastructure projects amounting to Rs. 30,000 crore under the Advantage Assam initiative are currently being Chief Minister stated that a similar event is scheduled to take place in September–October this year, during which additional major investment agreements are expected to be finalised. He added that by the end of the year, the state government anticipates being able to inaugurate several industrial projects. He emphasised that, in addition to large-scale industries, sustainable job creation requires the development of small enterprises and sectors such as animal husbandry, horticulture, and dairy farming. He noted that Amul is expected to generate 20,000 employment opportunities through an investment of Rs. 75 crores. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the National Dairy Development Board for milk production in Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat, with a target output of 3 lakh litres. The initiative is expected to become operational by September. He further mentioned that a fourth project agreement with Amul has been signed for additional milk production. At present, Assam produces approximately 1.3 lakh litres of milk daily, with a long-term objective of increasing this figure to 10 lakh litres per day over the next four to five years. He stated that current efforts are aligned with this goal and requested Amul to establish two additional projects within the state. He reiterated that the Assam government would provide full support and assistance for this purpose. Additionally, he noted that Tata has initiated two projects—one in Gujarat and another in Jagiroad—and observed that the project in Jagiroad is progressing at a faster pace than the one in stated that the development of any state requires the incorporation of innovative ideas. In line with this objective, a new department titled 'Startup and Innovation' was established in the previous budget. Under the MASI Startup Programme, financial support totalling Rs. 2 crores has been provided to 24 emerging startups. These entrepreneurs have received grants under categories such as Startups for Scale-Up, Startups from Idea to Proof of Concept, patent reimbursement, and GST reimbursement. He noted that these startups are engaged in sectors including biotechnology, clean technology, and advanced innovation. He further stated that young individuals from the state are making progress in obtaining patents and applying their ideas in practical domains. Additionally, he mentioned that individuals from outside the state are also showing interest in working at incubation centres in Assam. The Chief Minister stated that the state government has established a land bank to facilitate the allocation of land to interested investors. He added that necessary infrastructure is being developed to support this objective, and several major projects that signed Memorandums of Understanding during Advantage Assam are expected to be implemented by September–October. He noted that the progress made in the industrial sector following the Advantage Assam initiative is the result of well-developed infrastructure and industry-friendly policies adopted by the state. To promote industrial development, a supportive ecosystem has been put in place, which includes land allotment, the development of logistic parks, reliable power supply, and a digital single-window clearance system. He further stated that, following the signing of MoUs under Advantage Assam, the relevant departments within the state government have been undertaking focused efforts to ensure the implementation of these agreements.
