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Governance

Nagaland

r n ravi

Nagaland: Ravi’s letter reveals Centre’s arrogant and insincere approach to settle Naga issue, says NSF

Assam

Breaking News

The prices of potatoes and onions in Guwahati, Assam has sharply gone up ahead of the complete lockdown in the city.Potatoes were sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kgs in Hatigaon and Railway Colony market while Rs 35 to 40 per kgs in Ganeshguri while onions were sold at Rs 28 to 30 per kgs at different places of the city when this reporter queried. Potatoes were earlier sold at Rs 28 to 30 and onions were at Rs 25 to 28 per kgs at various markets.The vendors cited no sufficient stock of the potatoes and onions in the market. “There is no stock in the market. We have also bought at a higher rate,” a shopper in Ganeshguri said.While contacting the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) district, Biswajit Pegu on the price hike issue, he said, “We have deputed Food &amp; Civil Supplies officers for random checking of prices in the markets.”Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/newassam-enforces-complete-lockdown-in-kamrup-m-from-jun-28-midnight-for-14-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Assam enforces complete lockdown in Kamrup (M) from Jun 28</a>He further added, “There was a shortage of potatoes and onions as the main wholesalers were under lockdown. However, now since we have relaxed the lockdown in the 11 wards, the supply has become smooth and available.”It may be mentioned that the prices of petrol and diesel has continuously been rising for more than 10 days across the nation.It may be mentioned that the Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 26th, 2020 announced the complete lockdown in the city to contain the spread of the spread of COVID-19. The city has witnessed a sudden surge in the COVID-19 cases with no travel history. This has raised concerns. The government has also declared weakened lockdown in the town and municipal areas in all the districts of the state.Recently, the Congress staged protest against the prices hike of the petrol, diesel and other essential commodities in the state.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Prices of onion and potato unlikely to come down before November: Phani Bhushan Choudhury

Assam: Prices of potatoes, onions shoot up ahead of complete lockdown in Guwahati

The Assam government has faced flak over its decision to ease out the process of setting up industries in the state for the sake of accelerating industrialisation. It has been accused of ignoring serious environmental issues like protection of Dehing Patkai and Dibru Saikhowa National Park, which shook the state recently and consequently mobilised a movement.<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/cmpatowary/status/1277645990917369856">&nbsp;</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></figure>The state cabinet on June 29th, 2020, approved an ordinance in this matter. After the meeting, State Commerce and Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, while saying that anyone will be able to set up industry in Assam just by submitting one self-declaration, said, “No permission, clearance or license will be required for three years. Land will also be deemed converted for industrial purpose.”This has caused resentment among many including those from the film fraternity, environmentalists and ethnic groups who have called the move ‘anti-indigenous’.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-lockdown-in-guwahati-is-brutal-says-mp-gaurav-gogoi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Assam: Lockdown in Guwahati is brutal, says MP Gaurav Gogoi</a><h2>Anti-indigenous move</h2>Criticising the move of the government, Nilay Dutta, Advocate General, State of Arunachal Pradesh, said the decision to ease out the process of setting up industries in the state is an anti-indigenous decision.“Most anti indigenous decision by the Assam Cabinet today to allow indiscriminate conversion of agricultural land for nonagricultural purposes without permission of Revenue authorities. Land speculators will benefit. Non locals will take over all rural land of indigenous people,” he said. He further added that the local agriculturalists will have an unfortunate outcome.<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/nilaydutta/status/1277875045830778881">&nbsp;</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></figure>Meanwhile, well-known Bollywood actor from Assam’s Goalpara, Adil Hussain termed the decision as ‘very dangerous’. “I should welcome the decision! People need jobs and employment. But then, since childhood I have seen such insensitivity towards environmental impact of our activities, action. This decision sounds, unfortunately, very Dangerous. Would love to hear your responses (sic),” he tweeted.<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/_AdilHussain/status/1277995224833249280">&nbsp;</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></figure><h2>Opposition corners Govt</h2>Meanwhile, slamming the saffron party-led coalition government in the state over its much hyped slogan to protect the Jati, Mati and Bheti, the Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance for the greater interest of the indigenous people.“People will become beggars at their own land if the ordinance is implemented by the government,” Saikia said.Saying that the Agriculture Minister Atul Bora was maintaining stoic silence in the matter and nodded for the approval of the ordinance, Saikia said, “His stand has again proved that the Asom Gana Parishad is not actually the torch-bearer of the regionalism in the state. Leaders like him has changed the characteristics of the regional party.”The decision of the government is contradictory to the promises made by the government prior to the 2016 Assembly elections to protect the Jati, Mati and Bheti by implementing the Assam Accord in letter and spirit.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/covid-19-impact-assam-cabinet-revises-academic-year-to-april-march/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 impact: Assam cabinet revises academic year to April-March</a><h2>Contradictory decision</h2>Debabrata Saikia accused the BJP government of taking the decision just to satisfy the interests of the capitalists. “The state cabinet in December last year had taken a decision related to the protection of the land rights of the indigenous people and now they changed it,” he added.It may be mentioned that the state cabinet on December 21st, 2019 announced to bring two laws to secure the land rights of the indigenous people of the state. “In the coming Assembly session, the government will bring in two new laws. First one will be for securing land rights of indigenous people. The outlines of the law were discussed in the Cabinet today… After we bring the law, an indigenous person can sell his/her land to an indigenous person only, not to anyone else,” Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a press conference on that day December 21st, 2019.The second law, he said, will be regarding preserving land surrounding the heritage sites of Assam, including the Vaishnavite monasteries known as Xatras, preventing any kind of illegal occupation or sale of it.Saikia said the ordinance will pave out way to the capitalists to snatch the land rights from the indigenous people.<h2>Threat to environment</h2>Assam Congress, environmentalists and other ethnic organisations raised the issue of protection of the environment. They say, the decision after the Centre’s nod to open cast mining in the Saleki region in the Dehing Patkai and the oil well blowout followed by a blast at baghjan in Tinsukia jeopardizing the fragile ecological balance raised serious concern.Industrialisation will reduce the agricultural land and forest areas in the state which will conspicuously pose a threat to the environment.“The decision of the government is also against the environment. Industrialisation will increase the pollution level in the state also,” Saikia said.<h2>Nullifies Clause 6 of Assam Accord</h2>The Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal cabinet approved the ordinance going on contrary to the report submitted by the Brahma Committee, a state-sponsored committee on protection of land rights of indigenous people, in 2017.The report had stated that 90% of the natives of Assam do not possess permanent land `patta' (legal document for land ownership), while at least 8 lakh native families are landless.It stated that the “protection of land rights of the indigenous people of Assam is, in fact, inextricably linked to the protection of their identity and the solution of the problem of foreign nationals' issue gripping Assam over the last seven decades of independence”And for this, there has been a prolonged demand for implementation of the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord which envisages with the “constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people”.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-congress-accuses-govt-over-unplanned-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Assam Congress accuses Govt of ‘unplanned’ lockdown</a><h2>Questions</h2>Will there not be large scale land grab across the state? Will moneybags not buy up all lands on both sides of National Highways, State Highways, PWD roads, etc? This way, would any Mati remain with the Assamese people? What if some entrepreneur sets up a chemical plant close to a residential area and tomorrow disaster strikes?These are some of the questions, the government has to address since the Assamese Jati (community) cannot be a Jati without the Mati (land).Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Sonowal AYUSH

Assam on sale? Govt faces flak over easing out industry set-up process

International

India and Bangladesh signed an agreement for the formation of a 50:50 Joint Venture Company for LPG business in Bangladesh.The company plans to diversify into LPG export to the northeastern states of India from Bangladesh which will prove to be a win-win situation for both the countries.According to a press release issued by the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, the agreement was signed between the IOC Middle East FZE, Dubai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and RR Holdings Ltd., Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, the holding company of Beximco LPG of Bangladesh.The Joint Venture Company (JVC) will help reduce the import cost of LPG and make it available at an affordable price to the people of Bangladesh. The JVC also plans to diversify into other linked businesses like LNG, Petrochemicals, and LPG export to North East India through pipeline.Presiding over the function, Minister for Petroleum and Natural gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the agreement was a major milestone in India-Bangladesh relations. He expressed the hope that the new joint venture would help in greater penetration of affordable LPG in Bangladesh.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/china-approves-national-security-law-amid-hong-kongs-opposition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: China approves National Security Law amid Hong Kong’s opposition</a>Speaking on the occasion the Chairman of the IOC Sanjiv Singh said that the Joint Venture Company will draw strength from the core competencies of IOC and local expertise of Beximco. He said that IOC desires to set up a large LPG terminal at a deep-water port in Bangladesh to facilitate receipt of LPG in very large gas carriers which will help in reducing the cost of import.High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das and the state Minister for Power and Energy, Government of Bangladesh Nasrul Hamid were present on the occasion of the agreement-signing ceremony which was broadcast through video conferencing as reported by <a href="https://orissadiary.com/india-bangladesh-form-lpg-joint-venture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Orissa Diary.</a>Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

India Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh sign bilateral agreement for LPG business

The Nagaland government has approved the setting up of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).Informing this, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), in a release, on July 3rd, 2020 expressed happiness that Chief Minister Nephiu Rio and his Council of Ministers finally approved the constitution of the NSSB, realising the long-cherished dream of thousands of aspiring students in the state to equal job opportunity and meritocracy in the process of selection.&nbsp;&nbsp;It expressed optimism that the SSB will be implemented in letter and in spirit.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/nagaland-student-body-call-for-quality-network-coverage-amid-covid19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagaland student body call for quality network coverage amid Covid19</a>The federation recalled that the Public and Administrative Reform department first forwarded its recommendation on the NSSB to the Cabinet in 1995, which was pursued by the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation Nagaland and Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland. However, it did not matarialise due to the “weak political will of the time”, it said.The federation conveyed its gratitude to the state government for its genuine concern towards the student community and the youths for having embarked on a historic crossroads of the state.Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation appealed to the Nagaland government to direct the telecom providers operating in the state to provide quality network coverage and uninterrupted internet connectivity in all their areas of operation.The federation made the appeal following “numerous complaints” received by its grievances cell from distraught students, aggrieved parents, and concerned citizens with regard to the online classes and poor network connectivity.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Nagaland Govt nod for setting up Staff Selection Board

Meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today informed that the cabinet has passed a historic decision by approving the “Policy on Reservation of seats for Women in Village Employment Councils (VECs)”.The State Government has brought the policy of reserving at least 50 per cent seats for women in the grassroot village level community institutions (VECs).The policy entails: (a) Position of the Secretary of VEC will be reserved for women members in all VECs on a rotational basis. Adult women who are active community workers with leadership qualities can contest for this post.  (b) Position of Chairperson will be reserved for women in VECs where the posts of Chairperson is not held by the traditional heads which will also be on rotation basis.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/meghalaya-approves-new-rule-for-license-of-alcohol-home-delivery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meghalaya approves new rule for license of alcohol home delivery</a>He informed that the policy has been brought with an aim to address different grassroot problems related to gender equality and developmental issues and its main intention is to involve active participation of women.“Women leadership implies creation of agency for women that will enable them to take decisions and participate in the developmental process as well as decisions that impact their lives,” the Chief Minister elaborated.&nbsp;He said that the policy aims to create an enabling environment for women to exercise leadership and give them equal opportunities in grassroot governance. VECs are apolitical organisations formed for implementation of MGNREGA works.“Most of the time, focus is laid on improving the well-being of women but not on creation of an agency for women to exercise her freedom and leadership, and through this policy we want to ensure empowerment of women”, the Chief Minister stated.&nbsp;The VECs were constituted under MGNREGA in 2006 in every village. VECs comprised of all male and female heads of each households with the traditional Headman generally heading the Council. With active involvement of the traditional institutions, the VECs have been performing well across the State. A need is felt to upscale the effectiveness of the VECs and the policy aims to empower the women.He said that data available with the government states that in few VECs where female members hold the position of Chairperson (112 nos.) and Secretaries (260 nos.), the execution and maintenance of works and record keeping is found to be exemplary.The State Government’s main objective with regards to rural development has always been to strengthen rural economies with a larger objective of bringing in women’s participation in rural development activities so that effective leadership can be taken forward.Also, with the looming economic stress arising due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in the State, there was a felt need that every member at the community level should be given equal opportunity in leadership driven programmes and processes involved for reviving the economy.Besides fulfilling the objective of strengthening rural livelihoods through active women's participation, the policy also aims to achieve the following:The Maternal Mortality rate of Meghalaya is higher than the national average and this policy will provide impetus to women’s active participation in public health, thereby significantly bringing down the MMR and IMR which will also entail an increase in life expectancy of the people of the State.&nbsp; The State life expectancy is only 62.3 years as compared to national average of 68.5 years.&nbsp;With this policy, the Government aims to improve all its performance in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (especially the SDG goal 5 on Gender Equality) by 2030. Currently, the SDG-5 ranking of Meghalaya is 25 among all states of India.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Meghalaya empowers women, reserves 50% seats in Village Employment Councils

Assam Health Minister Himan Biswa Sarma held a press conference where he stated some key announcements in terms of schemes which includes a premier scheme called "Arunodoi". Every week till 15th September, the Health Minister will bring forward a new scheme or a new implementation for the development of Assam and Arunodoi will be the number the 1 scheme among them.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-aasu-is-now-a-political-party-not-an-organisation-himanta-biswa-on-clause-6-committee-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Assam: AASU is now a political party, not an organisation: Himanta Biswa on clause 6 committee report</a>Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that "in next 5 years, all schemes will be imolemented through Arunodoi schemeThe Assam government has also started Sarba Brihat DBT Scheme from 17 August and Beneficiary selection will start from district level committee will start. Only women will be the beneficiary of the scheme to ensure its proper use by the family.Himanta Biswa Sarma further reacted on the latest clause 6 committee report being released by the All Assam Students Union (AASU). In that report, he commented that the report needs to enter the Assembly only to form a proper solution. He also criticised the AASU of creating more complications with the release of the report and called them “a political party and no longer an organisation”.“Assamese rights is Assam Legislative Assembly business and until then the Centre has nothing to do. But, in the meantime we have facilitated delimitation to compliment once these measures are implemented”, said Himanta Biswa Sarma.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Several congress leaders will join BJP soon: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam govt to pay Rs 830 per month to 17 lakh families from 2 Oct to 1st January

"Let's go to the village (Gaon Loi Bolok)" mission has been initiated to make close contact with rural people by Assam Social welfare and Soil conservation minister Pramila Rani Brahma in Kokrajhar district. On Sunday, a review meeting of the Soil conservation department was held at Ultapani remote area for the first time along the Indo-Bhutan border in Kokrajhar districtMinister Brahma&nbsp;chaired the meeting where senior officials and district officers from different districts of the state including Karbi Anglong,Cachar etc of the state participated.During the meeting, Brahma took stock about the implementation of schemes and projects initiated by the department across the state.Minister Brahma said that the review meeting was organized at the rural area to communicate with rural villagers for working development and welfare activities in the state. She said that she has always emphasized bringing deep development to rural citizens and accordingly today Soil conservation development carried out the officer's review meeting at the Ultapani village. She has urged government officers to go to the rural areas and take care of the citizens’ development and welfare.Also Read: Railway police rescue abducted minor, arrests kidnapper<a href="https://www.insidene.com/railway-police-rescued-abducted-minor-arrests-kidnapper/">https://www.insidene.com/railway-police-rescued-abducted-minor-arrests-kidnapper/</a>Brahma informed that she had started ‘Gaon Loi Bolok’ mission when she was Agricultural minister to take care of farmers in the state and today she has initiated the same mission.She also informed that such a review meeting would be held in Majuli and Tinsukia in days to come to attract rural peoples as chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been emphasizing such noble steps in the state."We must go to the rural areas to take stock about villager's farming and living activities", Brahma said. She informed that the Soil conservation department was working hard for the welfare and development of the common masses in the state and made ushering of the department. She also asked the concerned department officials to make proper implementation of the SOPD schemes and submit their financial bills by December next to meet healthy development across the state.Divisional officer of Soil conservation in Kokrajhar, Phulen Das said that the review meeting was organised at the remote area to work for the rural peoples and today we arrived here at Ultapani which is locate along Indo-Bhutan border in Kokrajhar district. He said that officers are ready to go the remote village to make close contact with farmers and remote citizens.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pramila Rani Brahma initiates 'Gaon Loi Bolok' mission

Tripura

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when the industrial sector of Tripura is grappling in an acute crisis of energy resources—specifically coal, the “Coal India” seemed to have brought some respite. The state-owned company has committed the state to provide 1 lakh metric ton of coal to meet the energy scarce of the industrial sector, said Additional Director of Tripura Industries and Commerce department Subhas Das.The Coal, in Tripura, was deemed to be a very crucial energy source for the state as both the major industry sectors of the state—Tea and Brick kiln require huge quantity of coal to keep their production unit running.Das, who had partaken in a Webinar hosted jointly by Tea Board India and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, also said, “the government is very seriously working to assist the industrial sector to grow eyeing on its self-reliance goal. The Coal India is ready to give the support but still there are some nitty-gritties to be settled and this major project is under the pipeline”.Das expressing concerns over the challenges faced by the tea industry as a whole, said, “At some point Tripura really lacked in quality tea making but now the situation has changed. But, there are certain issues still to be figured out to fetch better results. Here, we see the tea is falling short to compete with even Cachar tea. The industry should set a goal to at least compete with the contemporary tea growing regions in terms of quality”.On alternative energy prospects, Das said, the TNGCL and the Industries department put heads together to draw up an alternative plan to source energy for the tea industry. But, as of now, as the gardens are mostly located distant regions having no proximity to each other it is quite impossible to lay up pipelines. And, the basket system is not at all economical, he added.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/tripura-hc-intervenes-as-minor-sold-to-rajasthan-tests-covid-positive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tripura: HC intervenes as minor sold to Rajasthan tests COVID positive</a>Atul Rastogi of Luxmi tea group said, “In the tea industry, the need of coal is almost in 1:1 proportion. If we are drying 1 Kg of raw leaves, 1 Kg of coal is required. But, due to the pandemic induced lockdown, the entire industry has been reeling into serious crisis of coal. The situation has been so tough for us that for last few months we are running our machines of farness oil. But, it is not a viable process because if the prices of the oil shot up, the production cost and selling cost will meet at par of edges”.TTDC Chairman Santosh Saha however opined that a better coordination within the industry would lead it fetch better results. Among the others, Tea Board India, Deputy Chairman Arun Ray said suggested the stakeholders to focus on the marketing aspects of tea.“There are talks, but what we need right now is to push Tripura tea in the global market. Right now, Burma and Bangladesh are the suitable markets for Tripura tea and if the bilateral issues get settled the Tripura tea will do tremendously well in these targeted markets. Since most of the tea growers belong to&nbsp; small tea growers family big-ticket industries should come forward and make this produce of the state to have packed and branded well in the international markets.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

coal

Coal India commits 1 lakh MT coal to Tripura industries

In January Brent Crude was worth about 63$ per barrel which later decreased to 55$ in February. Currently, it is at 42.76% per barrel. The price decreased has been due to many reasons: initially led by the Russian disagreements over production cuts and later due to the lack of consumption amid the Corona lockdown. This even led to WTI reach negative rates. However, in India, the retail price of petrol and diesel has not seen lowering cost amid the international price falling. Instead, the prices have only increased. The current petrol price in the National Capital is Rs 79.76, in February it was Rs 71. The scenario is even complicated in Assam. In the last 10 days, diesel prices have increased for diesel from Rs 74.51 to Rs 78.55 and for petrol Rs 81 to alomst Rs 84.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/c3c91be0-481e-40a9-91f2-6b819c3c3190.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63029" /></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/681856a1-8230-4f8d-a577-26c3937e649e.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63030" width="262" height="201" /></figure>To take stock of the issue, the APCC has staged a protest against the price hike at Rajiv Bhawan, Guwahati. Tarun Gogoi, former CM Assam spoke regarding the issue. He said, "there is a rise in petrol price although the crude cost has decreased. This is a big blow to the common man and the skyrocketing prices are affecting people who are already suffering from the economic fallouts of corona". APCC Chief Ripun Borah also spoke on the issue. He said, "this has never happened in history as the govt is continuously priced for the last 18 days at a time when the people are dying for food".<a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-crime-rate-falls-by-50-in-guwahati-amid-coronavirus-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Assam: Crime rate falls by 50% in Guwahati amid coronavirus lockdown</a><h2>Why the price rise?</h2>So far Rs 40,000 crore from excise duty on petrol and diesel in the first two months of the financial year have been collected by the govt. For the month of April, Rs 22.98 excise duty has been levied on petrol. With the price of oil decreasing, more excise duty means more tax collection. As other industries have suffered due to the lack of transaction in corona lockdown, the govt is using the oil to keep the economy stable. However, this might have consequences in the long turn as people's income further due to the corona, increased prices may slower consumption which will then backfire this strategy. Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Fuel

Petrol, diesel price soar amid lower crude cost, Cong raises issue

The District Level Joint Task Force (DLJTF) on women and children has decided to take up a host of measures to empower the adolescents and to prevent child marriage, trafficking and child labour in the district in Assam. A meeting of DLJTF on women and children chaired by Deputy Commissioner cum Chairperson Megh Nidhi Dahal here on Monday decided to enforce measures to empower the adolescent girls and boys, school dropouts through the skill training programme. It underscored the need for creating awareness through various platforms to empower adolescents. Dahal urged upon all the stakeholders, including the law enforcing agencies to initiate stringent action against those involved in child marriage, child trafficking and engaging children as a labourer. Tracking of children put up in Ujjawala, P&amp;R Homes and Sadargriha in the light of the COVID-19 situation also figured in the meeting. Training has been already given to child protection officials during the lockdown period for this purpose. District Social Welfare Officer cum Member-Secretary DLJTF, Jyotirmoy Daimary said adolescents and individuals have been reached out with targeted messages with the help of 188 personnel comprising MSK volunteers and ASHA Supervisors. Daimary informed that updating data on child marriage, trafficking and sexual abuse has been carried out on a monthly basis coupled with documenting the best practices. <a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-ramps-up-tests-head-towards-crucial-next-phase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Assam ramps up tests, head towards crucial next phase</a>District Child Protection Officer, Jitul Borah informed that two child marriages were prevented during the COVID-19 lockdown period while legal action is being initiated against the offenders for conducting a child marriage. Borah also emphasised on the need to formulate an SoP on child marriage already solemnised and defining clear-cut role for all stakeholders. Discussion also veered on setting up village level child protection committee with support from the District Child Protection unit. The meeting discussed threadbare about providing life skill training programme and implementation of SABLA scheme at grassroot level to empower the adolescents. Dahal asked all the stakeholders to work in tandem and to identify the challenges and the bottlenecks faced by them in improving skills, services and programmes pertaining to empowerment of adolescents. District Development Commissioner, Vikram Dev Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kulendra Nath Deka, DEEO, IK Barbhuiya, District Coordinator, MSK, Pinak Kanti Paul, Women Welfare Officer, MSK, Pomi Patikar, Labour Inspector, AU Barbhuiya and other officials were present in the meeting in Assam. Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

administration

Assam: Hailakandi district level joint task force focuses on empowering adolescents

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state government does not want to confront or disagree with Governor R N Ravi on the issue of "profiling Govt officials of the relatives of underground groups".With reference to the Office Memorandum issued by Mr Temjen Toy, Chief Secretary of Nagaland state government with the directive to all the state government employees to fill up the self-declaration form to declare their relation with the Naga underground groups, the Chief Minister responded.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/nagaland-population-stabilisation-carried-out-in-dimapur/" target="_blank" aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Nagaland: Population stabilisation carried out in Dimapur</a>Earlier, the Government of Nagaland had clarified that the decision of the State Government to issue an Office Memorandum on July 7 asking all Government employees to furnish information regarding their family members and relatives in Naga political organizations was made on the direction of the Governor of Nagaland, which was also deliberated by the State Cabinet in its meeting held on July 3. The Government issued the clarification in view of the public as well as Naga groups response on the matter.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Nagaland CM Rio on underground profiling: 'Didn't want to confront or disagree Governor'

Assam Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma undertook a press conference in Janata Bhawan where he took stock of the recent COVID-19 protocol and announced few key decisions.The Govt has also launched the scheme ‘Pragyan Bharati’, which includes free admission, textbooks distribution and facilities for students. Along with that, a scooty will be given to girl students who have received first division in HS examinations. There are about 22,000 girls who can avail this offer and can even apply to sebaonline.org if they want an electric scooter.Also read:<a href="https://www.insidene.com/govt-distributes-scooters-to-15000-girl-students/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Assam Govt distributes scooters to over 15,000 girl students</a>Along with the Minister also spoke about the holy month of Bhado. "The Bhado month is here and it is important that we maintain social distancing and whilst in naam ghar. Not more than 10-15 people should visit the temple and they should do it batch-wise", said Himanta Biswa Sarma.Along with that Graduate Teacher 7450 post advertisement will be given.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us <a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a> for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do <a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a> for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam govt announces scooty for all HS 1st division passed out girls

In a recent development, name of the Public Works Department in Assamese language has been changed.An official communication issued by the Public Works Building &amp; NH (Establishment) Department stated, for administration convenience the department’s name in Assamese has been changed from Garhkaptani Bibhag to Lok Nirman Bibhag. The order has been implemented from Wednesday.Also Read: Manipur CM N Biren Singh drops three cabinet ministers from council of ministers<a href="https://www.insidene.com/manipur-cm-n-biren-singh-drops-three-cabinet-ministers-from-council-of-ministers/">https://www.insidene.com/manipur-cm-n-biren-singh-drops-three-cabinet-ministers-from-council-of-ministers/</a>Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Public works department renamed as Lok Nirman Bibhag

Mizoram

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga participated in the Mizoram general election to village councils on Thursday. The chief minister taking to tweeter posted photographs of him casting vote. Zoramthanga thanked all the officials involved in the election process for providing a safe platform in exercising the election amidst the COVID pandemic. It may be mentioned that election to village councils in nine districts out of the 11 districts of Mizoram and over 70 local councils within Aizawl municipal area were announced on August 5.There are altogether 558 village councils in nine districts barring three Autonomous District Councils areas in the southern part of the state and 83 local councils within Aizawl municipal area. Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip, Champhai, Mamit, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Hnahthial and Saitual along with local councils at Aizawl went to polls today.In order to prevent and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the state election commission on Wednesday decided to defer the elections till further notice to nine village local councils and village councils, according to a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations yesterday.These include Sawleng Village Council, Chhimveng Village Council, Darlawn Venghlun Village Council, Darlawn Vengpui, Melriat Village Council, Hualngohmun Village Council, Kelsih Village Council, Chaltlang Lily Veng Local Council and Ramhlun South Local Council.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga participates in general election to village councils

The Mokokchung to Marani Roadside Villagers Concern Forum (MMRVCF) on Saturday urged the commanding officer of 752 General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) C/O 99APO to repair and maintain the Mariani-Mokokchung road from 0 km up to Tzurang bridge, Nagaland at the earliest.The forum, in a release issued by its convenor Imchawati Kichu, warned that it will initiate its own course of action for failure to do so.It said the road is the lifeline for the people of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Tuensang districts and also Noklak sub-division.The forum recalled that the officer-in-charge, 103 RCC New Sonowal, Jetender Dewari, at a joint meeting with the village councils of Chungtiayimsen, Moayimti, Aokum, Japu and Chungliyimsen and its office bearers on May 13, 2018, assured for early maintenance of the road up to Tzurang bridge in the next phase of their work in Nagaland.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/nagaland-odd-even-system-for-vehicles-in-kohima/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Nagaland: Odd-even system for vehicles in Kohima</a>However, the organisation rued that the stretch of the road between Chungtiayimsen and Tzurang bridge has been left unattended till date.It said the commuters are facing untold sufferings for the last one-and-a-half year due to the pathetic condition of the road. Meanwhile, the odd-even system for movement of vehicles will be implemented under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 in all areas within Kohima, Nagaland municipality for public safety and to minimize non-essential movement of vehicles.The system will come into force from June 22 to June 30 except on June 28 (Sunday), Kohima senior superintendent of police Kevithutho Sophie said in a release on Friday.On odd dated day, the vehicles with registration number ending with odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 will be allowed to ply. The vehicles with registration number ending with even number 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 will be allowed to ply on even dated day.However, this restriction will not apply to emergency service vehicles belonging to police, prison, administration, paramilitary, medical, NST buses, government staff buses, fire services, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Response Force.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Mariani-Mokokchung road

Nagaland: Plea to repair Mariani-Mokokchung road

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) District Committee of Chakma Autonomous District Council in Mizoram on June 21st, 2020 came down heavily on the Executive Committee CADC over the backdated direct fresh appointments of illegal jobs made by the present Executive Committee led by CADC CEM Shri Rasik Mohan Chakma.On October 24th, 2019 the Existing Executive Committee of CADC came with a notification wherein a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) was notified which stated that the Executive Committee of CADC may consider for appointments of an eligible family member of the retiree under the so called Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).Nipa Kumar Chakma, an unemployed graduate and a resident of Kamalanagar-I, CADC has challenged the illegal selection process for appointment to the vacant post under the so-called Voluntary Retirement Scheme of CADC in the Gauhati High Court on May 29th, 2020. The Gauhati High Court had stayed the discriminatory selection process for appointment of the vacant post on June 3rd, 2020.Also read: <a href="https://www.insidene.com/tripura-chakma-bodies-resent-mizo-convention-over-brus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tripura: Chakma bodies resent Mizo convention over Brus</a>The CADC BJP District Committee’s General Secretary (Org.) Shri Prityrup Chakma alleged that the existing Executive Committee of CADC has filled up 116 Nos. of vacant posts by way of making direct fresh appointment of the family members of the retirees who has vacated their post recently in various department of CADC taking advantage of the illegal VRS Scheme. Henceforth, the Secretary pointed out that the so called VRS System is nothing but a deliberate attempt to appoint the kith and kin of the Executive Committee of CADC and termed it a duplicity with the Gauhati High Court stay order constituting to a blatant contempt of the Hon’ble Court’s stay order.The Secretary reiterated that such huge number of illegal appointments made in Mizoram since the time  Shri Rasik Mohan Chakma assumed the office of the Chief Executive Member of CADC is a dishonour to the office of the Governor which was brought to the notice of the hon’ble Governor in the recent past. Further, the repeated attempt of illegal appointments by the Executive Committee is a criminal conspiracy to deprive the unemployed deserving youths to avail the opportunity to serve and also at the same time stalled the promotion of several senior employees who were already in service. The Secretary stated that the appointments with back dated notifications and appointment letters is an eyewash to evade the Court Stay order and the order issued by the Government of Mizoram dated the 28th May 2020 which put on hold all compassionate appointments and direct recruitments in an effort to combat economic fallout of Covid-19. The Secretary expressed firm belief that there may be another unknown numbers of appointments under cover with deceptive paper works done at safe bureaucratic hands to prevent legal consequences. Hence, the rampant ill practices of the present Executive Committee of CADC calls for a high level investigation and the hon’ble Governor’s immediate intervention before further and irreparable damage is caused.“The existing Executive committee of CADC turned the constitutionally mandated autonomous institution into a “Jungle Raj&nbsp; System” and misusing its power to transform the CADC into a corruption factory under the leadership of CADC’s CEM Shri Rasik Mohan Chakma”, Prityrup Chakma stated.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Job scam: Mizoram BJP hits Chakma Council over appointments violating Court’s stay order

The Government of Nagaland has clarified that the decision of the State Government to issue an Office Memorandum on July 7 asking all Government employees to furnish information regarding their family members and relatives in Naga political organizations was made on the direction of the Governor of Nagaland, which was also deliberated by the State Cabinet in its meeting held on July 3. The Government issued the clarification in view of the public as well as Naga groups response on the matter.With reference to the Office Memorandum issued by Mr Temjen Toy, Chief Secretary of Nagaland state government with the directive to all the state government employees to fill up the self-declaration form to declare their relation with the Naga underground groups, the NSCN has responded. “This is considered to be one retrograde step worked out insidiously to cripple the Naga political movement and forcefully bring the Naga political issue under the purview of ‘law and order’ issue. Insulting and demeaning as it is, NSCN denounce the directives which are nothing but desperate attempt to browbeat Naga freedom fighters into submission. Such a despicable directive stands incompatible with the spirit of the Indo-Naga peace process"<a aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.insidene.com/nagaland-nscn-criticises-govt-for-profiling-underground-links-of-officers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Read full text: Nagaland: NSCN criticises govt for profiling underground links of officers</a>This comes at a time the response amid the Naga peace process, which has seen few developments in the state with the letter written by Governor R N Ravi regarding the issue of insuregency in the state which has been opposed by the opposition and other politcal bodies.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Nagaland govt clarifies NSCN-like underground groups profiling done under Governor's directive

The decision by the Centra govt to allow the export of pigs from Punjab and Haryana has faced opposition in Assam. Some have even gone on to allege that the African Swine was a conspiracy to facilitate the import. Others have called it a nail in the coffin against the local farmer's employment. On a Facebook post, one Pranab Milan Gogoi posted: "So finally the Delhi Pig Lobby wins! Betraying the local pig farmers of the Northeastern region, the pork meat from Delhi is allowed to make its way to North East amidst the COVID-19 pandemic n African swine fever. Based on a Govt Notification by Ministries of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry states that "the movement of pigs from the state of Haryana and Punjab to Northeast has been allowed subject under strict compliance".<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4e207182-df12-4251-8b2e-6007be212bd8.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65786" width="269" height="379"/></figure>This notification comes amid the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) among the pigs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh especially. As such, the govt has devised the export of pigs from Haryana and Punjab to the Northeast. State Agriculture Minister, Atul Bora too posted regarding the matter.<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/ATULBORA2/status/1285992455888748544">&nbsp;</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></figure><h2>Beyong the issue</h2>To speak more on this issue, Inside Northeast spoke to professor Professor Kushan Sarma of Veterinary College who gave a nuanced view of the situation. "The local production has not been fulfilled and that's why pigs have been initiated to bring in. The consumption of pork is highest in the Northeast and as such, the lack of local production facilitated by the African Swine Fever is making way to this move. Even before this, pigs from UP and Bihar which are of the scavenging variety used to be imported. Now, the shortage has only increased with the ASF but this is definitely not a new thing".The pig production in the state has been dependant on other states and the issue has only gone from bad to worse. Does it expose Assam's lack of self-sufficiency in meeting its own consumption need? Professor Sarma sums up by saying, "new progressive farmers have arrived in the scene, although the pig production is done by the masses, we lack mass production. Instead of just blaming the government, we should focus more on increasing productivity and management".<a aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-92-of-kaziranga-submerged-under-floods-123-animals-dead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Assam: 92% of Kaziranga submerged under floods, 123 animals dead</a><h2>The macro aspect of pigs production</h2>Extending the lack of self-sufficiency in domestic production, Inside Northeast spoke to Manoram Gogoi, who has been involved in the sector. He finds it the responsibility of the government to protect the sector to which the state government has failed. "At a time when we are speaking of Atmanirbhar Bharat, govt has decided to bring in pigs supply from other states? Instead of rectifying the market already damaged by floods and ASF, it has used this tactic to meet the supply-demand". On the issue of swine fever and the market disruption, he said, "Assam earlier had classical swine fever and now it has ASF, govt should have tackled this and provided better farming facilities to the youth. The last months, pig farmers have been badly affected and they have been provided with no compensation. Now, they are trying to bring outside players to disrupt the indigenous business.".Gogoi too acknowledges that the lack of production has only been revealed by this decision and there has been overall policy bottleneck in the livestock sector. "The issue if self-sufficiency, we consume so high and now it is the responsibility of the govt to provide the supply to that demand. The youths are returning back to the state amid the corona crisis and the government should have taken them and absorbed them in the system. I think there's a bigger issue, due to the lockdown, Haryana and Punjab producers have not been able to sell their products and now the government just wants to buy it instead of them getting wasted. They are only concerned about their commission".<figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10219906505025284&amp;id=1001206306</div></figure><h2>Going forward: Pig production</h2>The issue is not limited to allowances of import from Punjab and Haryana. It's about the vulnerability of the indigenous farmers who have not been supplied enough know-hows and tools to faciliate better production to cope up with the demands. The other concern is with bigger players supplying now, will the local farmers who rely their means on income on such Agri-allied activities stand to lose their monetary source?Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Assam pig punjab haryana

Punjab-Haryana to supply pigs in Northeast, citizens claim 'Delhi lobby's victory' over local farmers

Satya Pal Malik has been appointed as the new Governor of Meghalaya replacing Tathagata Roy. Malik was the Governor of Goa before being appointed as Meghalaya Governor.Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been entrusted upon the additional charge of Goa.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/meghalaya-735-covid-19-cases-in-state-306-are-from-armed-forces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Meghalaya: 735 Covid-19 cases in state, 306 are from armed forces</a>Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Satya Pal Malik

Meghalaya: Satya Pal Malik appointed as Governor

A village of 130 voters in Phuldungsai in Tripura have been claimed by both the governments of Mizoram and Tripura to be a part of their territory. Tripura government claims the village to be part of the Kanchanpur subdivision while the Mizoram government claims it to be part of their Hacchek constituency.The matter was first broght to the fore by the sub-divisional magistrate of Kanchanpur Chandi Chandran. Chandran said that the village with a population of one thousand is divided by a road that leads to Jampui hills in Tripura. The western side of the village&nbsp;lies within the Phuldungsai Village Council, while the eastern lies within the Zampui Phuldungsai of Mizoram's Mamit district.Prem Kumar Reang, the local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Kanchanpur claimed that the villagers even avail ration facility from the Tripura government. Reang also claimed the villagers have the names in the electoral roll of Zampui Phuldungsai of Tripura. He stated that Mizoram had attempted such an act in the past too. Reang added that Tripura runs health centres and schools in the village and always looks after the development of the area.The North Tripura district officials also claims that Phuldungsai has been listed as an autonomous district council village in revenue records of the state.Tripura's royal scion Pradyot Manikya Debbarman through a Facebook post said he had asked Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to deal the matter firmly so that they don’t lose their territory to their neighbouring state.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Tussle over village of 130 voters between Tripura and Mizoram

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