NEW DELHI, March 20 — A huge subsidy bill projected at over Rs 6,000 crore has put a question mark over implementation of the mega gas cracker project, even as a delegation of the Assam Assembly has arrived to plead with the Prime Minister to clear the last hurdle. But lobbying notwithstanding the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) may have a hard time trying to convince the Union Finance Ministry to clear the subsidy given the Centre’s huge budgetary deficit.

However, State Industry Minister, Bhubaneswar Kalita, who is part of the Assembly delegation contends that additional subsidy may not be...

NEW DELHI, March 19 — The Department for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) is exploring several options including handing over the B Baruah Cancer Hospital to private sector, even as Minister incharge, Dr CP Thakur, advocated special incentives to attract medical experts to the region.

Returning from his maiden tour of the North-East, the Minister has redrawn his list of ‘things to do’ updating it with the feedback he received in the three States of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Assam.

However, the Health Minister in him seems to have taken precedence as he broadly outlined his plans to...

SHILLONG, March 19 — Meghalaya Governor MM Jacob today admitted that there had been serious allegations of corruption in the government during the last few years and assured that the new Government would strive to provide clean, transparent and efficient governance.

In his maiden address to the members of the newly constituted seventh Meghalaya Assembly here today, the Governor promised “concrete steps will be taken to strengthen the vigilance set-up in the State to deal effectively with corruption in the Government.” The hour-long address spoke of the State Government’s firm commitment to...

SHILLONG, March 19 — All export operations to Bangladesh from Assam and Meghalaya have been suspended from March 17 in the wake of the abduction of a customs officer and six exporters by suspected NDFB and PFLM militants on February 28 last from Ghasuapara in South Garo Hills.

Commissioner of Customs DD Ingty told newsmen in the evening that the decision of suspend operations will affect the lucrative Rs 200 crore annual export from Meghalaya alone.

“We have informed the Meghalaya Government that the customs authorities have been constrained to suspend the exports from the land customs...

NEW DELHI, March 19 — Nagaland Government has taken serious note of the complacent manner of Assam Government in issuing documents to illegal migrants. Assam has become a breeding ground for illegal migrants, who after procuring necessary documents move to the hills of Nagaland, charged Chief Minister of the State, Neiphiu Rio.

The cause of alarm for the State is that it has recorded the highest decadal population growth rate in the country at 67 per cent. The minister said that though the hill sector in his State has no problem, the Dimapur valley has been affected. It may be recalled here...