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GUWAHATI, Jan 23 ? Despite repeated requests by the Assam Government and demands from various quarters, the credit-deposit ratio of the banks operating in the State has not improved to the desired extent and the ratio is still much lower than the national average. According to records available, the credit-deposit ratio of the banks operating in Kamrup district as on September 30, 2002 was only 33 per cent, which was eight per cent lower than the ratio of the same period in the previous year. As per records, the CD ratio of some of the banks in the district was even less than 20 per cent. The...

GUWAHATI, Jan 23: A whole bunch of militant groups of the North East and North Bengal have given a call to boycott the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. They have also called a general strike on that day. Among the militant groups are the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).

ULFA ?foreign secretary? Shasha Choudhury, in an e-mailed statement, on behalf of the Arunachal Dragon Federation (ADF), Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People?s Liberation Front ? MPLF (PREPAK, RPF...

GUWAHATI, Jan 23 ? The Tea Marketing Control Order (TMCO), 2003, which is expected to change the face of tea trading through registered tea auction centres in the country, has not gone down well with the tea buyers in the country. The tea buyers are finding the TMCO, 2003 provisions not friendly to their interests and have registered protests. The Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers? Association (GTABA) has registered their protest against implementation of the TMCO, 2003 and submitted a memorandum to the chairman of the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC).

A copy of the memorandum has also been sent...

NALBARI, Jan 23 ? The internationally acclaimed traditional Japi which is considered a most beautiful item made of bamboo, although has been bearing the self-identity of the Assamese people in the national and international level, this craft has been gasping for breath due to lack of government patronage.

However, the fondness of the people for the Japi craft mostly located in the Nalbari district remains unchanged. The Japi was traditionally used as headgear but with time it found itself as an item of interior decoration for its unparalleled aesthetic appeal. No stage or cultural function...

NEW DELHI, Jan 23 ? The Delhi round of talks between the Union Government and the NSCN(I-M) leadership did not end on a sweet note for either sides, with an adamant Naga leadership sticking on with their demand for unification of all Naga inhabited areas and refusing to lay down arms. The hiccups, notwithstanding, both sides agreed to continue with the negotiations and a joint statement expressed satisfaction with the progress of the talks. The Naga leadership, meanwhile, are leaving for Amsterdam early next morning with mixed reactions, after concluding their over 10 days of stay.

The third...