IMPHAL, March 16 — Cash strapped Manipur Government has given the green signal to a Mumbai based firm MWC Market Service Pvt Ltd to start on-line lottery to improve the financial situation of the state, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the state assembly during the discussion on the Manipur state on-line lottery (Regulation) Rules, 2002 which was laid on the Table of the House on December 30, 2002.

The chief minister who also holds the finance portfolio while replying to questions raised by opposition MLAs M Nilachandra Singh, Salam Ibohal Singh, L Ibomcha Singh and BD Behring said...

KOHIMA, March 16 — The State Government has said its utmost priority is to implement the Common Minimum Program (CMP) of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in letter and spirit. It is understood that State Chief Secretary, RS Pandey, in a circular, has already directed all departments to formulate “action plan” for “implementation of the CMP” of the DAN Ministry in the State.

The Chief Secretary also asked all departments to come prepared in this regard for discussion as to how the CMP would be implemented in the monthly meeting for Secretaries and Directors, which is to be held on March...

AGARTALA, March 16—The Left Front government in Tripura unveiled a two-pronged new policy to tackle militancy in the state, on Saturday, reports PTI. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the policy would try to solve the problems leading to extremism and at the same time mount pressure on militants “refusing to listen to reason”.

The state government would implement a 25-point tribal development package to achieve a tangible improvement in the quality of life and economy in interior tribal areas, he said. He renewed his appeal to militants to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream for...

SILCHAR, March 17— Shifting cultivation, which is popularly known as jhum cultivation, is one of the best agricultural practices of the world, admitted Arup Rai, a specialist in this field and an assistant soil conservation officer of North Cachar Hills district, while talking to this correspondent, and said that it is a very cheap mode of cultivation because there is no need of using any artificial fertilizer and irrigation system and a farmer can produce 30 -35 items of kitchen vegetables through it.

He is in favour of continuing the jhum cultivation in the hills and requested the jhumias...

GUWAHATI, March 17 — The Gauhati High Court in a significant judgement today quashed the 1997 Byelaws framed by Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) thereby declared illegal the checkgates and parking places run by GMC lessees along the national highways No. 37 and 31 around the city.

In response to a writ petition filed by one Md Zakir Hussain, Justice IA Ansari has held that GMC has acted beyond its competence in enacting the 1997 Byelaws and applying the same to the vehicles and animals entering into municipal area in the city while passing by the National Highways around it.

The Court in...