Page 4 - Northeast India

Centre committed to development of eight jewels' of Northeast: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that the central government is committed to undertake development of the North-Eastern (NE) region. She described the eight states of the region as 'Ashtratnas' (eight jewels) of India. "The Government of India has launched infrastructure projects to boost connectivity, education and agriculture sectors among others in the NE states, she said after virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of a number of state and central projects in East and South Districts from here. Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to the northeastern state from Friday, said these projects will have a tremendous bearing on the economic growth and development of Sikkim, particularly the tourism sector which generates a lot of employment opportunities. She inaugurated the 1.13-kilometre-long Atal Setu connecting the Himalayan state with the rest of the country via West Bengal. It is a key strategic infrastructure for the country, Murmu said. Lauding Sikkim's .

President Droupadi Murmu begins maiden two-day visit to Mizoram today

President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Mizoram on Thursday on her maiden two-day visit to the Northeastern state. Murmu is scheduled to land at the Lengpui airport near Aizawl at 1.50 pm, from where she will fly to Mizoram University (MZU) at Tanhril on the western outskirts of the state capital by helicopter to attend its convocation, officials said. More than 6,800 students will be conferred with degrees, including PhD (38) and M.Phil (six), they said. This is Murmu's first visit to Mizoram after becoming the president. She had visited the state for the presidential poll campaign on July 7. Murmu will inaugurate various education-related projects, including the permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC-Aizawl), officials said. The president will also inaugurate and lay foundation stones of various projects of the Centre and the state government, they said. After gracing the MZU convocation, the president will also interact with woman students, and me

Govt is committed to celebrate vibrant cultural traditions of Northeast: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday that the Union Cabinet's decision to name the new airport in Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh as Donyi Polo Airport reflects the government's commitment to celebrating the vibrant cultural traditions of the Northeast. The airport will improve connectivity and boost commerce as well as tourism in Arunachal Pradesh, he added. The Cabinet approved the naming of the greenfield airport at Hollongi in Itanagar. A resolution was passed by the Arunachal Pradesh government to name the airport as 'Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar'. It "reflects the people's reverence of the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo) to symbolise the traditions and rich cultural heritage of the state," according to an official statement. In another tweet, Modi said the raise in the price of ethanol used for blending in petrol is an important decision which will benefit those associated with the sugar industry and hardworking sugarcane farmers.

Over 48,000 candidates register in NE for Agniveer recruitment rally

Over 48,000 candidates -- both male and female, have registered in the northeastern states for the Agniveer recruitment rally, officials said on Wednesday

President Droupadi Murmu to visit three northeastern states from Wednesday

Officials in Kohima said that on her arrival, the Nagaland government would accord her a civic reception at Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima on Wednesday.

Centre encouraging mineral exploration in Northeast: Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday that the Centre is making efforts to ensure that mineral resources are properly exploited in the northeast for the benefit of the region. He stated that the Union government is also examining the environmental implications of coal and oil exploration in the northeast. Talking to media persons in Chumoukedima district of Nagaland after the day-long 'Northeast Geology & Mining Ministers Conclave', he said efforts to encourage quarrying activities were being made across the country. "The Ministry of Mines is making continuous efforts to encourage mining activities pan India. Accordingly, to further encourage exploration activities in the mineral-rich northeast region, the first such conclave was held in Nagaland," he said. "The Centre is also keenly examining the environmental implications of coal and oil exploration in the region," the Union minister of mines and coal maintained. Joshi said that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has ...

Nagaland announces cash incentives for medal winners in Northeast Olympics

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced cash incentives for those who would secure medals for the state in the upcoming second 'Northeast Olympics'. Nagaland is sending the largest contingent of 305 members in the games that will take place in Shillong from November 10 to 16. Addressing the sportspersons at the send-off ceremony on Thursday, Rio, who is also the president of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), announced Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 rewards for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. "The Northeast Olympics will be a launching pad for each of you and will provide you with opportunities to grow. We believe in you all and want you to do well," he said. Rio said the state government is making efforts to boost sports infrastructure in the state. NOA secretary general Abu Metha said that Nagaland's contingent is the largest in the games.

Cyclone Sitrang: Northeastern states likely to witness rain on Diwali

IMD on Saturday said cyclone 'Sitrang' is likely to trigger light to moderate rains in most parts of the northeastern region during Diwali

Security situation improved in north east, J-K areas in last 8 yrs: Shah

Union Home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the security situation in the insurgency-hit areas of the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the states affected by Naxal violence has improved over the last eight years of the Narendra Modi government. Shah said this while addressing top police and paramilitary commanders at the National Police Memorial in the Chanakyapuri area here on the occasion of the National Police Commemoration Day. "In the northeast, we have removed the special powers given to the armed forces (under the AFSPA) and instead, given special powers to the youngsters there, resulting in a decline of violence in these areas by more than 70 per cent," he said. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is such that those who used to hurl stones at security personnel earlier have now become "panches" and "sarpanches", Shah added. In the states affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), the national anthem is being sung in Eklavya schools while the national flag flutters

Insurgency down in NE, law and order improved significantly: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the law and order situation in the Northeast improved significantly after the insurgency in the region was brought under control by the Modi government. Singh said this after inaugurating 'The Conclave 2022', a two-day interactive session jointly organised by the 'Asomiya Pratidin', a popular Assamese daily, and 'Pratidin Time', an Assamese channel based in Guwahati. During our reign, the insurgency has been brought under control and the law and order situation in the region has improved significantly, he said. The defence minister, however, admitted that even though the situation has not improved 100 per cent but it was significant progress in that direction. He said the Northeast was earlier isolated in terms of development and it was not in the best interest of the country. I can assure you that our government is working to do everything possible to bring progress to the Northeast, he said. Singh also said that it was the NDA ...

Cabinet approves Rs 6,600 crore scheme 'PM-DevINE' for North-Eastern states

Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), a Rs 6,600 crore scheme to support infrastructure, industries and other livelihood projects in the Northeastern states, was approved on Wednesday by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new scheme, to be implemented during the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26, is a 100 per cent Central government-funded plan and will be administered by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), an official statement said. Efforts will be made to complete the PM-DevINE projects by 2025-26 so that there are no committed liabilities beyond this year and this implies front-loading of the sanctions under the scheme in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily, it said. While expenditure would continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26, focused attention will be given to completing the sanctioned PM-DevINE projects. The PM-DevINE will lead to the .

Two earthquakes jolt parts of northeast early on Friday: Official report

Two earthquakes jolted parts of northeast early on Friday, an official report said. One had its epicentre in the neighbouring country of Myanmar, the second in Manipur. A report by National Centre for Seismology said a 5.2-magnitude earthquake, with epicentre in Myanmar, was recorded at 3.52 am. It lay at a depth of 140 km. Tremors were felt in Assam, including Guwahati. The second 3.8-magnitude quake, with epicentre in Kamjong, Manipur, lay at a depth of 10 km. It was reported at 7.53 am, the report said. No news of any loss of life or property was received from any location as yet. The northeastern region falls in high seismic zone, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence.

Fund allocation for railway projects in North-East rises by 254% in 8 years

The fund allocation for the railway projects in the northeastern states has been increased by 254 per cent in the last eight years (2014-2022) compared to the previous same period

Nagaland has many unexplored resources, says minister to invite investments

Nagaland has many natural resources, which are yet to be explored and lying underground, state minister Neiba Kronu said, inviting corporates to invest in the state. Addressing the closing session of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Investment Conclave on Tuesday night, Kronu said Nagaland has fertile soil and can grow everything. "There is huge scope as all the resources in the state, including mineral resources, petroleum and gold, are unexplored. All these resources are unexplored and lying underground," he said. "Nagaland has a fertile soil and everything can grow here, while the produce has a different taste from other parts of the country," he added. Kronu, the minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, also thanked the corporates for coming forward for the development of the state. "We will expect your visit again. As you go back, share the good things about the state to others, and leave the bad here and forget it," he ...

Top Tripura tribal leader Hangsha Kumar leaves BJP with 6,500 followers

In a major setback for the ruling BJP in Tripura, top tribal leader Hangsha Kumar Tripura joined the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance, a major tribal-based opposition party

All problems of northeast will be solved by 2024, Amit Shah at BJP meet

Union Minister Amit Shah has mentioned that conflicts and crisis surrounding the north eastern region will be solved by the next and upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in the country

Nation will move forward with strength of northeast region: Narendra Tomar

Tomar stated that PM Modi has also asked his cabinet ministers to visit this area regularly and understand the difficulties here and quickly solve the problems related to their departments

Assam floods: 9 die in last 24 hours, CM Sarma holds review meeting

The death toll from in this year's flood and landslides in Assam has now jumped to 71

Intense convection over east, NE India may help monsoon to advance: IMD

Intense convection over large parts of east India, NE India Odisha, Tamil Nadu, among other places, late on Tuesday night may help in further advancement of the Southwest Monsoon, the IMD said

Bangladesh played major role in ensuring peace in northeast: ex-NSG chief

The security issues India had in its northeast region has been controlled and managed, partly because of the immense help provided by Bangladesh, ex-NSG chief Jayanto Choudhury