NEW DELHI, June 11 – Assam Government has sought Rs 170 crore incentive package from the Union Commerce Ministry for attracting investors to buy the Assam Tea Corporation (ATC).

In a memorandum to the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Kamal Nath, the State Government has petitioned him on a whole range of issues ranging from trade with ASEAN countries, Inland Transport assistance to sharp fall in price of tea to matter relating to waiver of excise duty. The State Industries Minister, Bhubaneswar Kalita who was in the capital, met the Union Commerce and Industries Minister yesterday and...

NEW DELHI, June 11 — Asserting that the Union Government was interested in defusing the disturbances in the North-East, Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil today disclosed that the Centre was in the process of finalising the next course of action in the Naga peace process, even as he ruled out redrawing of the territorial boundaries of the North Eastern States. The Union Home Minister’s disclosure came even as a delegation of Naga Hoho landed in the capital to lodge protest over the UPA Government’s pledge not to tinker with the territorial integrity of the North Eastern States. They wanted the...

Shillong, June 10: The race for finding a berth in the downsized Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) ministry has begun with most MLAs demanding their pound of flesh. According the amended Anti-defection Bill, Meghalaya will have to trim its ministry size from 41 to 12. In the 60-member House, the total strength of the MDA is 49, while that of the Opposition is 11. The six-month deadline for the Meghalaya government to trim the size of the ministry expires on July 6.

Chief minister D.D. Lapang said the new-look ministry would be born out of compromises. Lapang’s decision to create more...

Silchar, June 10: True to its name, passion fruit has become a passion with horticulturists in Mizoram. Ever since the first seedling of the tree that bears the fruit was planted in the Northeast’s tiniest state, growers have been aware of its economic potential. Their investment — money, time and hard work — is about to bear fruit.

Mizoram Food and Allied Industries Corporation (MIFCO) managing director Lalzarliana Renthlei today said concentrated passion fruit juice from the state would hit the Indian and overseas markets by the end of the year.

The state’s first fruit juice concentrate...

Shillong, June 10: Following in the footsteps of its Assam counterpart, the Meghalaya government has decided to rope in private operators to bring the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) back on track. Dubbing the corporation “a white elephant,” Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang told reporters that the cabinet approved the proposal to bring willing private transport operators under the banner of the MTC.

“Nearly 50 per cent of the current staff of the MTC opted for voluntary retirement with the government more than willing to offer the golden handshake,” Lapang said.

The Meghalaya...