Latest news with #SwapneelPaul
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No-drone flying zone within 2-km radius of Digboi Refinery
Dibrugarh: Tinsukia district magistrate Swapneel Paul has issued a comprehensive ban on drone activity within a 2-km radius of the Digboi Refinery complex, citing security risks to the vital oil installation. The order, released Tuesday, authorises security forces to neutralise any unauthorized aerial object that enters the restricted zone. The directive covers four critical locations within Indian Oil Corporation Limited 's Assam Oil Division: the main refinery, LPG dispatch unit, new tank farm area, and Nazirating Water Station. The restriction applies to drones, UAVs, para-gliders, para-motors, powered hang gliders, micro-light aircraft, and hot air balloons. "The 2-km radius area of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, AOD Digboi Refinery is hereby declared as a 'No Drone Flying Zone' with immediate effect," the order states, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The move follows a formal request from IOCL Digboi Refinery's deputy general manager (security), submitted on June 20. Recognised as a vital national asset, the refinery processes large volumes of crude oil and plays a key role in India's energy infrastructure.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Stakeholders discuss commercial potential of oil palm cultivation in Tinsukia
1 2 3 Dibrugarh: The Tinsukia district administration on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to assess the feasibility and commercial prospects of oil palm cultivation in the district. Chaired by DC Swapneel Paul at his office, the meeting saw participation from revenue circle officers, agriculture department officials, tea board representatives, small tea growers' associations, agricultural production committees, tea estate managers and satradhikars (monastic heads) of Vaishnavite satras. The collective dialogue reinforced the district's push to expand beyond traditional crops like tea and paddy by introducing oil palm as a viable commercial alternative. The discussion focused on reviewing the progress of oil palm cultivation in the district, examining both the opportunities and challenges associated with the alternative crop. "The commercial potential of oil palm cultivation in our district is significant and we are committed to exploring every avenue that can benefit our farmers. This initiative represents a strategic diversification opportunity for our agricultural community," Paul said. Oil palm, a high-yield crop, which is widely cultivated in southeast Asia and parts of South India, has gained attention in Assam due to its economic potential. The plant's crude palm oil (CPO) is used in food processing, cosmetics and biofuels, offering farmers a lucrative market. Centre's National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which promotes domestic oilseed production to reduce imports, has further incentivised its adoption. The crop, which thrives in tropical conditions, offers promising returns for farmers, while contributing to national food security objectives. Following the meeting, officials indicated that detailed action plans will be developed to support interested farmers in transitioning to oil palm cultivation.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Green corridor & fruit tree initiative to give Barekuri's gibbons new lease of life
Dibrugarh: In a landmark move for wildlife conservation, Tinsukia DC Swapneel Paul unveiled two ambitious initiatives on World Environment Day aimed at safeguarding the endangered Hoolock Gibbons in Barekuri village. The projects — a green corridor connecting Barekuri to a nearby wildlife sanctuary and a large-scale plantation of fruit-bearing trees — mark a significant step in ensuring the long-term survival of the primates, which have shared a unique bond with the villagers for generations. Barekuri, a small village in Tinsukia district, gained national fame after PM Narendra Modi highlighted its community-led conservation efforts in his Mann ki Baat address last August. The village, recently honoured with the Asom Gaurav Award, has become a beacon of hope for wildlife preservation, particularly the Hoolock Gibbon — India's only ape species, classified as endangered by the IUCN. Two years ago, Barekuri villagers raised alarms over rising gibbon deaths caused by electrocution from exposed power lines. Responding swiftly, the district administration insulated all bare transmission lines in the area, drastically reducing fatalities. The success of the project laid the foundation for Thurday's initiatives. The first initiative — green corridor development — aims to link Barekuri's gibbon population with those in the Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary. The second initiative — fruit-bearing tree plantation — addresses the gibbons' dietary needs sustainably. The district administration distributed 5,000 saplings of indigenous fruit trees, including Bhimkol (a local banana variety), jackfruit, and figs, to villagers. "Today marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to protect the Hoolock Gibbons. These initiatives will not only ensure the safety of our gibbon population but also create sustainable pathways for their long-term survival," DC Swapneel Paul said The launch event saw enthusiastic participation from students, conservationists, and villagers. In a poignant moment, DC Paul plucked a Bhimkol from a banana tree and offered it to a gibbon—a tradition villagers have followed for decades.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
IAF rescues 14 from Arunachal island
Dibrugarh: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday rescued 14 people, including 13 individuals from Assam's Tinsukia district, who had been stranded for two days on a tiny riverine island in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley district after flooding of the Dibang river. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The individuals, all workers at a private power company in Bomjir village, were trapped in the island after incessant rainfall caused the river — an upstream tributary of the Brahmaputra — to swell, cutting off their escape route. While 13 of the youths hailed from Assam's Sadiya in Tinsukia district, one belonged to Arunachal Pradesh. The group had been stranded since Friday as relentless downpour triggered severe flooding, making it impossible for the local rescue teams or the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to reach them. As their situation grew increasingly desperate, the Tinsukia district administration stepped in, coordinating with the IAF to launch an aerial rescue mission. Tinsukia district commissioner Swapneel Paul contacted the IAF's Chabua airbase in Dibrugarh on Saturday, seeking urgent assistance. "Given the rising water levels and the turbulent weather conditions, an aerial rescue was the only viable option," Paul said. Responding promptly, the IAF deployed an Mi-17 helicopter from its Chabua airbase early on Sunday morning. Braving challenging weather conditions, the crew located the isolated island, before airlifting all 14 individuals to safety. The helicopter landed back at the Sadiya govt higher secondary school playground, where the family members of the rescued individuals were relieved to see them back. Medical teams conducted immediate health check-ups, confirming that all were in stable condition. "Food was not a problem, but we had a shortage of drinking water during this period. The NDRF tried, but couldn't reach us. We are thankful to the IAF and the district administration for their prompt action," said one of the rescued youths.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tinsukia DC bags PM's Award for Excellence in Public Administration
1 2 Dibrugarh: Tinsukia district commissioner Swapneel Paul was conferred with the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 in the " Holistic Development of Districts " category on Monday. Paul, a 2018-batch IAS officer, received the award from the PM during a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, achieving a milestone as the first DC from Tinsukia district to receive the recognition. The award acknowledges his exceptional contributions to the district's integrated development through the successful implementation of key central schemes , including Har Ghar Jal, PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, among others. Under Paul's leadership, Tinsukia witnessed transformative progress in infrastructure, healthcare, women's welfare and rural electrification. His initiatives under Mission Indradhanush and Poshan 2.0 significantly improved vaccination and nutrition levels, while PM SVANidhi and Kisan Credit Card schemes boosted livelihoods. "This award is a recognition of the collective efforts of my team and the people of Tinsukia. Our focus has always been on inclusive growth, ensuring no one is left behind in the journey of development," Paul said.
