DONER to fund short-term training in Arunachal
The Ministry of Development of North East Region would provide funds for imparting short-term training to officials in programme implementation in Arunachal Pradesh during the current fiscal. The decision to this effect was taken during a meetingbetween The Secretary, Ministry of DONER, Lakshmi Chand and state Chief Minister Gegong Apang. Mr.Chand, while apprising the Chief Minister on the schemesand projects under the ministry, informed that there was no dearth of funds for developmental activities in the region but the main obstacle was non-submission of utilisation certificates by the state governments concerned in the region. DONER Joint Secretary Hari Krishna, state Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar, Finance and Planning Commissioner Oten Dai were also present at the meeting.

BJP slams Gogoi govt on tax issue
Assam BJP President and MP Indramani Bora flayed the Congress government in the state for imposing additional tax on tea, coal and oil. Mr.Bora said the decision by the state government headed by Tarun Gogoi will have an adverse effect on the prices of essential commodities. Mr Bora was referring to the statement made by state Finance and Planning Minister Hemanta Bisha Sharma with regard to the state government's plan to mop up tax collection to tune of Rs. 2,240 crore in the present financial year against Rs. 1,740 crore in the last financial year. State government hoped to increase its tax collection with the imposition of additional tax on tea, oil and coal in particular. According to Mr Sharma, in 40 hectres of tea state, tax imposed on per kg tea would be 20 paise and for more than 40 hectre, it would be 32 paise. He said against per metric tonne coal, the tax imposed would be Rs 50, and for per metric tonne oil, it would be Rs. 200. Mr Indramoni Bora said that instead of imposing additional tax on tea, coal and oil, the state government should ensure better tax collection in the existing structure. The state BJP has decided to protest against the anti-people tax and economic policies of the state government.

CM inaugurates super-speciality medical centre
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated a super-speciality maternity and child welfare hospital at Dhirenpara. The hospital was built at an approximate cost of Rs 2 crore with the help of the European Commission, which had entered into an agreement with the previous NDA government at the Centre in 2003 for sectoral reforms in the health sector of the country. Mr Gogoi urged the people to work hard towards the state's development and also appealed to the European Commission Advisor (Health Sector) Frederica Meijer to increase the fund allocation for the state. The hospital, presently having 60 beds, has a capacity of 100, being backed by efficient doctors and improved logistic support.

AGP seeks explanation from Mahanta, Phukon
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has sought explanation from two of its senior leaders, former Assam chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukon for their recent public outcry against the party leadership. The party steering committee meeting last night also decided to expel two Mahanta loyalists and party MLAs Ali Akbor Mian and Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership of the party on charges of ''anti-party'' activities. Informing the decisions of the steering committee meeting, AGP president Brindabon Goswami said, ''We have decided to give an opportunity to senior leaders Mr Mahanta and Mr Phukon on their public criticism of party leadership. They will be summoned to appear before the party steering committee shortly. After hearing them, the party will decide on their fate. No individual leader is above the party.'' The steering committee also barred party members from making public statements on internal affairs of the party. ''Indiscipline within the party will not be tolerated any more,'' Mr Goswami said. Of late, the Mr Mahanta has been vocal about the ''dictatorial'' style of functioning of the incumbent party chief and termed the restrictions imposed by the party leadership on him as violation of his fundamental rights. The AGP, a few months back, had barred Mr Mahanta from all party activities outside his assembly constituency as a disciplinary action for his alleged extra-marital affair that the party leadership felt tarnished the image of the party. However, a group of staunch supporters of Mr Mahanta of late started a campaign for waiving restrictions imposed on him. Former home minister of Assam Bhrigu Kumar Phukon also joined in the campaign. Mr Phukon also made public statements echoing the views of Mr Mahanta against party president Mr Goswami thereby exposing the internal squabbles within the regional party just a year before the next round of Assembly polls in the state.

New BSF Director-General R S Mooshahary assumes charge
Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary took over as the new Director-General of the Border Security Force (BSF). The first Bodo Indian Police Service officer from Assam, Mr. Mooshahary takes over the post following the retirement of Ajai Raj Sharma. As the youngest officer of his batch, Mr. Mooshahary joined the IPS in 1967 and opted for and was allotted to the Kerala cadre. He worked on important assignments in Kerala and was the chief of Crime Branch CID and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau before coming to head the National Security Guards in February 2002. Under his leadership, the National Security Guards has grown into an elite contingency force. Apart from Kerala, Mr. Mooshahary has occupied several distinguished posts. He was in the Cabinet Secretariat, the Central Reserve Police Force and has served in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. Having worked in the Nrth-Eastand Jammu and Kashmir, he is experienced in handling volatile situation. Recipient of the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, he is currently one of the senior most police officers in the country and the first IPS officer from the northeast to be appointed as the Director-General of the BSF.

ULFA family members push for peace talks
Family members of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa alias Rajib Rajkonwar called upon the government to hold talks with the banned outfit. Rajib's brother Ajoy Rajkonwar, at the concluding function of a four-day training camp organised by Assam Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) and in Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's presence, said peace talks should be held without the government imposing any pre-condition for a dialogue to restore lasting peace in the state. Both the government and the ULFA should sit across the table and sort out differences, he said. ULFA commander-in-chief's brother Sibling Bimal Barua also echoed similar views.

| Editorial | From Other Publications  | Travel Column |
| News Briefs   | National  |
| NEE Main Page | Nena  Home Page |