Jorhat celebrates 42nd District Day with cultural splendour
DC leads blood donation drive as Jorhat celebrates 42nd District Day
GUWAHATI: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising concerns over alleged favouritism and irregularities in the implementation of a government-backed dairy scheme. In his letter, Gogoi stated that the scheme provides a subsidy of up to Rs 50 lakh for each beneficiary. The objective is to promote genuine entrepreneurship in the dairy sector and strengthen milk production. However, multiple reports and official documentation point to irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries, Gogoi, also the Jorhat MP, wrote. He pointed out that several recipients of the schemes benefits appeared to be family members or associates of ministers and MLAs, while long-standing dairy farmers were reportedly overlooked despite having applied multiple times and fulfilling eligibility requirements. He said the exclusion of experienced dairy entrepreneurs raised concerns about fairness and transparency in the selection process. Equally alarming is the response from the Chief Minister of Assam, who chose to justify the inclusion of ministers family members in the list of dairy scheme beneficiaries. This open endorsement of political favouritism has fuelled public outrage for undermining the constitutional values of equality and justice, Gogoi said. He further noted that the Gorukhuti agricultural project had also come under scrutiny. Funded through public money and intended for community benefit, the project included the procurement of high-yield Gir cows from Gujarat. Gogoi said official records indicated that these cows were allocated to several elected representatives. The diversion of resources and livestock under a project supported by over Rs 25.5 crore in public funds compromises the very objective of government programmes designed to promote inclusive development, the Congress leader added. If politically-connected individuals are allowed to siphon off benefits meant for the poor, we risk alienating the very people these schemes are meant to uplift, he said. He urged Modi to instruct the government to initiate a probe into the matter at the earliest in the interest of justice and public trust.
Inter-battalion cross country race concludes at 186 Bn Headquarters in Namsai
HT Bureau NAMSAI, June 26:The closing ceremony of the Inter-Battalion Jorhat Sector Cross Country Race was held with grandeur on June 25, 2025, at the headquarters of 186 Battalion in Jaipur, Namsai. According to an official statement, the three-day race, which commenced on June 23, witnessed participation from 81 athletes representing 11 battalion teams under []
District Court Jorhat Peon Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
TheDistrict Court Jorhat (District Court Jorhat) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 04 Peon posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official District Court Jorhat website. The last date to submit the application form is 17-07-2025.
Inter-Battalion Cross Country Race kicks off with fanfare at 186 Bn HQ in Namsai
HT BureauNAMSAI, June 23: The Inter-Battalion (Jorhat Operations Sector) Cross Country Race Competition was inaugurated on Monday with great fervour at the Headquarters of the 186 Battalion in Jaipur, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. Organised under the aegis of the Assam Rifles, the opening day witnessed a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, discipline and unity, drawing participation from []
Assam govt raids businesses evading tax payment
GUWAHATI, June 20: The Assam government is cracking the whip on tax evasion with raids in business establishments in different parts of the state leading to uncovering of tax suppression of around Rs 5.80 crore, official statements said on Friday. The search and seizure operations were carried out in Barpeta Road, Jorhat and Tinsukia, the []
CBI raids 8 ONGC pharmacists in alleged Jorhat scam
HT Correspondent JORHAT, June 19: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted searches at the residences of eight empanelled pharmacists of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Jorhat, in connection with an ongoing probe into an alleged scam involving the issuance of bogus medical bills. The searches were carried out at various locations []
HT Correspondent JORHAT, June 18:A plastic packet containing suspected animal bones and small pieces of meat was recovered by police from Mukul Borthakur Path in the Digambarchook residential area of Jorhat on Wednesday. According to a police official, the package was seized following a tip-off. The contents were then examined by the local Food Inspector, []
New Jorhat-Delhi, morning flights from Sept 20: Himanta Biswa Sarma
DIBRUGARH, June 17: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that a flight between Jorhat and Delhi will commence from September, along with additional daily morning services from Guwahati to Dibrugarh and Silchar. He said air connectivity between Guwahati and Navi Mumbai will also be launched later this year, with Indigo to operate all []
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IndiGo To Launch Direct Flights To Jorhat, Tiruchirappalli From Delhi
The airline says the new routes will support regional trade, tourism and business.
Guwahati Diary | Solar fence to mitigate human-elephant conflict
In a bid to mitigate human-elephant conflict and facilitate co-existence, biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak has installed a 30.1-km solar fence covering three project villages in Jorhat district in collaboration with the British Asian Trust and the Elephant Family with support from the Darwin Initiative. The project has benefitted over 1,047 households affected by human-elephant conflict. There was a time when herds of wild elephants would wreak havoc in these villages while foraging for crops, causing immense hardship to the agrarian community. However, the installation of these solar-powered fences helped significantly ease the problem. 15K bighas of satra land encroached upon: CM The satras monastic institutions within Assams neo-Vaishnavite tradition have lost over 15,000 bighas of their land to encroachment. Taking a serious view of it, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that an area twice the size of Dispur had been encroached upon. The sheer scale of encroachment of the satras is a direct assault on Assams culture and identity. Not anymore. We are dealing firmly with this, he posted on X. The Satra Aayog, constituted by the government for reviewing and assessing the problems of satra land in Assam, has submitted its final report to Sarma with its recommendations. IED case: ULFA chief, 2 others chargesheeted The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and two other members of the banned insurgent group Abhijit Gogoi and Jahnu Boruah for a conspiracy to carry out multiple IED blasts in Assam on Independence Day last year. During the probe, the NIA found that as many as 11 IEDs were planted in different parts of the state, including Guwahati. However, none of them exploded. The investigation agency says the plot was meant to cause deaths and unrest. Boruah, who has reportedly admitted to planting four of the IEDs, was arrested from Dibrugarh in December. Prasanta Mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com
Nirod Changkakoty submits memorandum to Assam CM
HT Correspondent JORHAT, June 15: Noted publisher and philanthropist Nirod Changkakoty, proprietor of Changkakoty Books and Publishers, recently submitted a detailed memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on behalf of the Nirod Changkakoty Trust, highlighting a series of pressing grassroots issues in Jorhat district.The Chief Minister met Changkakoty in person and received []
Assam flood situation improves further, 4.43 lakh still affected
GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam improved further on Friday following a decline in the rains. No death was reported in the state during the past 24 hours but one person was reported missing. Manipur reported three deaths which took the Northeast flood and landslide toll to 53. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 4,43,560 people across 18 districts are still affected by the floods in Assam. Over 40,000 of them were taking shelter in relief camps. Cropland remained affected in areas of 16,558.59 hectares. The affected districts were Cachar, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Hailakandi, Kamrup, Hojai, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Morigaon, Darrang, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Goalpara, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Jorhat and Kamrup (Metro). The Brahmaputra and four other rivers were flowing above the danger level in some places, the ASDMA said. A flood report issued by the Manipur government said 1,65,936 people remained affected in the state. Altogether 35,385 houses were damaged by the floods and landslides. The state recorded altogether 160 incidents of landslides. As the rains have now subsided, Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity urged the state government to provide compensation to the victims after conducting a comprehensive field survey. Several areas of the Imphal Valley have remained inundated. The organisation stressed on pumping out the water. The flood situation also improved in Arunachal Pradesh. A government statement said 33,200 people remained affected in 215 villages of 24 districts. The authorities set up three relief camps where 239 displaced people were lodged. Changlang in eastern Arunachal is one of the worst-hit districts. Meanwhile, all the stranded tourists were reportedly evacuated from Chaten in North Sikkim which was badly hit by landslides. Mizoram was ravaged by around 700 landslides and rains which damaged water pipelines at many places. Foreseeing a crisis of water, the state government advised citizens to harvest rainwater.
Umsohsun case: Police seek court warrant against accused
SHILLONG, June 1: The police on Sunday sought a production warrant from the court to pursue two cases involving Himan Gogoi (24), who was arrested in Jorhat on May 29, for allegedly sexually assaulting schoolgirls in Umsohsun. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem informed that the warrant request aims to facilitate Gogois production [] The post Umsohsun case: Police seek court warrant against accused appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Heavy rain continues to batter Assam, disrupting train services and road transport
GUWAHATI: Relentless rainfall continued to lash Assam on Sunday, severely disrupting road and rail transport across the northeastern state. According to officials, at least eight people have died so far due to floods and landslides. More than 78,000 residents across over 15 districts have been affected, prompting widespread concern. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an 'orange bulletin' for Assam, warning of a severe flood situation as ten major rivers including the Brahmaputra and Barak are currently flowing above the danger level. A spokesperson for Northeast Frontier Railway stated that, following incessant rainfall in the past 24 hours and water overflowing onto the tracks in the BaraigramDullabcherra section, the DullabcherraSilchar passenger train has been cancelled for the day. Additionally, the DullabcherraGuwahati Express will now originate from Baraigram instead of Dullabcherra. Heavy rain causes floods in parts of Assam, five killed in landslides In Kamrup district, large portions of National Highway-17 have been inundated near Shingra Shalnibari in the Chaygaon area since Saturday. Officials noted that the situation has been worsened by heavy runoff from neighbouring Meghalaya. Authorities are taking measures to redirect traffic via alternative routes to maintain connectivity. According to the CWC bulletin, the Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark in Dibrugarh and Nematighat (Jorhat). Other rivers breaching danger levels include: Dhaleswari at Gharmura (Hailakandi), Rukni at Dholai (Cachar), Katakhal at Matijuri (Hailakandi), Barak at Badarpur Ghat (Sribhumi), Buridehing at Margherita (Tinsukia), Kushiyara in Sribhumi, Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat) and Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon) An Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin reported that, as of Saturday evening, five people had died in landslides and three in floods. Three western districts were placed on 'red alert' on Saturday, while eight others were under an 'orange alert', according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. Rainwater from upstream regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya has further exacerbated the flooding. Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and fire and emergency services, have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts. Evacuation operations are underway in the worst-affected areas. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that the state is facing an abnormal situation due to persistent downpours triggered by a massive cloud cover across several parts of the Northeast.
IndiGo's direct Delhi-Jorhat flight from mid-September: Himanta Biswa Sarma
A new GuwahatiNavi Mumbai service will commence from the 202526 winter schedule, Mr. Sarma said
Umsohsun case: Accused remanded in police custody
Shillong, May 30: Himan Gogoi, the accused in the Umsohsun schoolgirls molestation case, was remanded in two-day police custody by a local court on Friday. Gogoi was arrested from Jorhat on Thursday in connection with two separate cases of alleged sexual assault on schoolgirls in the city. After securing a transit remand from the Jorhat [] The post Umsohsun case: Accused remanded in police custody appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Molestation case: Assam man held, being brought to city
By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 29: East Khasi Hills police on Thursday arrested a 24-year-old Assam man from Jorhat in connection with two sexual assault cases involving schoolgirls, to Shillong. Himan Gogoi was arrested in central Assams Jorhat on charges of molesting the minor girls in the Umsohsun and Police Bazar areas on two different [] The post Molestation case: Assam man held, being brought to city appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Pakistan link: Himanta-Gaurav spat intensifies
The Assam Chief Minister alleged the Jorhat MP and his wife were deeply involved in anti-India activities after the latter admitted he visited Pakistan in 2013
2026 Assembly polls will be a Gogoi versus Saikia contest, says Assam BJP chief
The regional Assam Jatiya Parishad hopes the Jorhat MPs elevation as State Congress president will give the United Opposition Forum renewed momentum
Gaurav Gogoi made Assam Congress president
GUWAHATI, May 26 The All India Congress Committee, on Monday (May 26, 2025), appointed Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi as the president of the partys Assam unit. He replaced Bhupen Kumar Borah, who helmed the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee for almost four years. Announcing the appointment of Mr. Gogoi, who is the partys Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal also named Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Roselina Tirkey, and Pradip Sarkar as the Assam units [] The post Gaurav Gogoi made Assam Congress president appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Assam: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways floats tender for Jorhat-Majuli Bridge
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated the tender process for the long-awaited Jorhat-Majuli Bridge over the Brahmaputra River. This 6.81 km two-lane bridge, estimated to cost Rs. 600.51 crore, marks a significant infrastructure development for Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for realizing this crucial project.
Assam CM Himanta says Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan at ISIs invitation
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi had visited Pakistan at the invitation of its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), remarks that the Jorhat MP rejected outright. Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan at ISIs invitation. We have documents to back this claim. He visited Pakistan definitely to receive training. He went there after receiving a letter from the Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. It would have been different had he been invited by the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Culture or some university, Sarma told the media. Later, he took to X stating, I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring further into the details surrounding this visit and related associations. I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 18, 2025 Assam CM accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of meeting Pakistani Army official during visit Sarma said the Assam government had clear evidence and Gogoi could not escape. I have been saying it from the chief ministers chair after every 24 hours because it is a serious issue. I have seen the evidence myself but I need time to bring the (official) papers. I will show you the papers at a press conference on September 10, he further told the media. Gogoi rubbished the charges saying almost 99% of all that the chief minister has said so far are lies. He predicted that Sarma would in September seek another three months time to collect evidence. Telling lies and tarnishing peoples image is his weapon. He is worried about me for some (unforeseen) reason, the Congress leader said. He began hurling accusations at me since February. I have been saying it all along that if he has any evidence, he should make it public. He has not been able to furnish any evidence so far. He says we have to wait until September, Gogoi added. The script that the Chief Minister is following is worse than a B grade film. It is said to cover up one lie a person has to say countless lies. That is exactly what the Chief Minister is doing. He is not giving out any facts and simply behaving like a IT cell troll. A Chief Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) May 18, 2025
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has objected to Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogois inclusion in the list of Congress leaders to be sent abroad to explain Indias position on Pakistan's terrorism. The Centre will send multiple and multi-party delegations to various countries to brief them about Pakistans role in cross-border terrorism in the light of the terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. On May 16, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had spoken with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, asking them to submit the names of four MPs. On X platform on Saturday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote that Gandhi had written to Rijiju providing the names of Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, Raja Brar, besides Gogoi. Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 17, 2025 The post drew the attention of the Assam chief minister to which he objected. One of the MPs named in the list (from Assam) has not denied his prolonged stay in Pakistan -- reportedly for two weeks -- and credible documents show that his wife was drawing salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while working in India, Sarma posted on X. In the interest of national security and beyond partisan politics, I urge the leader of the opposition, Sri Rahul Gandhi, not to include this individual in such a sensitive and strategic assignment, he further wrote. One of the MPs named in the list ( from Assam ) has not denied his prolonged stay in Pakistanreportedly for two weeksand credible documents show that his wife was drawing salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while working in India. In the interest of national security and beyond https://t.co/Y1thJAgMy8 Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 17, 2025 Earlier, he levelled a series of charges against his bte noire, Gogoi. He had stated that the Congress MP met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country. He also claimed that Gogoi had taken 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi for 'radicalisation.' Gogoi was also accused for raising sensitive questions on defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to Elizabeth Colburn who is a British national. A special investigation team (SIT) of the Assam Police is probing the charges. The SIT is expected to submit its report by September 10. Centre names seven MPs to lead delegations for global push against Pakistan; Congress contests picks 'Won't be found wanting when national interest is involved: Tharoor on leading multi-party team
NDA sweeps Assam panchayat polls, Congress decimated
Guwahati: The BJP-led NDA swept the Assam panchayat elections, decimating opposition parties, particularly the Congress. The counting of votes was underway when official figures last came in at 7 pm. The BJP and its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) bagged 307 out of the total 397 Zila Parishad seats. The Congress was a distant second with 62 seats. Other smaller parties and independent candidates won altogether 28 seats. The BJP-AGP combine won 1,409 out of the 2,192 Anchalik Panchayat seats. The Congress secured 122 seats and others won 41 seats. Earlier, 2,912 candidates had won uncontested. There were also 2,567 Gram Panchayat wards but they were contested without party affiliations. The Congress suffered a huge setback in upper Assam, particularly in the two districts of Jorhat and Sivasagar where the party failed to win even a single Zila Parishad seat. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi represents Jorhat in the Lok Sabha. The panchayat elections were billed as the semifinal of Assembly polls, due early next year. Buoyed by the results, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence NDA would win around 95 of the 126 seats in Assembly elections. Towns and cities have been our strongholds traditionally. Now, we have performed very well in villages. There is a strong possibility that we will win around 95 seats in Assembly elections, Sarma told the media. The BJP said the party-led alliance secured a historic victory due to overwhelming support from people. Terming the outcome as a victory for development and progress, state BJP president Dilip Saikia said people had cast their votes to further accelerate the unstoppable momentum of progress under Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarmas government. Saikia expressed gratitude to the voters for their unprecedented support in the polls. The polls were held in two phases on May 2 and 7 in 27 districts. Over 74% of the eligible voters had exercised their franchise across 25,007 polling stations.
Gaurav Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to Pakistani embassy for radicalisation: CM Himanta
GUWAHATI: A day after he claimed Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the Jorhat MP had taken 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi for radicalisation. Gaurav Gogoi went to Pakistan in a personal capacity. He was accompanied by his wife (Elizabeth Colburn, a British national). She returned to India after seven days but he stayed back for another seven-eight days, Sarma said, addressing a press conference He said the Congress leader had travelled by road via Attari, where a register is maintained. We are in possession of all these things. We are trying to ascertain what he was doing in Pakistan when his wife was in India. We have to serve a notice to him, Sarma stated. He claimed that after this visit, Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy for radicalisation. He said some of them gave statements saying they were not told they were being taken to the Pakistani embassy. This was followed by Gaurav Gogois pro-Pakistan questions in Parliament, the Assam chief minister said. He also stated that Gogois wife had travelled between India and Pakistan 19 times and that Pakistani Army personnel accompanied her there on two to three occasions. We are collecting passengers list. Agencies are helping us. We will get the documents, Sarma said, adding, She worked in Pakistan before. Later, she moved to Delhi and started working for an NGO but was drawing her salary from Pakistan. He said the government had clear evidence that she had a good relationship with Pakistans Army. As for Gogoi, Sarma said the Congress MP would have to explain where in Pakistan he had spent his time. We have to talk to him. We will definitely talk to him once copies of passport etc reach us, he said. This is not a play on social media. We will be up front. Let Rahul Gandhi clarify whether an Indian, who is the son of a chief minister, visiting Pakistan and that too, without informing the Congress party, is a crime or not. We want to know the position of the Congress on this. I am going to meet (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge, Sarma said. Gogois father Tarun Gogoi served as the Assam Chief Minister from 2001 to 2016. Gogoi junior has been serving as an MP since 2014. Sarma said things he flagged were not charges but the conclusion (findings) of a probe conducted by a special investigation team of the Assam Police. We have sent a letter rogatory to bring passport, visa., etc. This goes through a process. Court order is also required. It will take about three months to get the documents, he added.
Assam CM accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of meeting Pakistani Army official during visit
GUWAHATI: Upping the ante on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed the Jorhat MP had met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country. Not only did he go to Pakistan, he had also met an official of Pakistans Army, Sarma told the media during panchayat poll campaign. So, is Gogois visit to Pakistan a crime? Its a big crime, replied Sarma who also said, There will be a big action. I will take action myself. If we can put Aminul Islam (MLA of All India United Democratic Front) behind bars for praising Pakistan, the action against somebody who visited Pakistan will definitely be big, the chief minister said. Further talking about action against Gogoi, he said, The papers (evidence) have to arrive from Pakistan, England. If I say something now without evidence, will you accept it? I will give the evidence by September 10. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would punish the Pakistanis while he would punish the ones (Pakistans sympathisers) living in Assam. The controversy surrounding Gogoi erupted in February when BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stated, Very disturbing and serious facts have come to light that deputy leader of Opposition Mr Gaurav Gogois wife has links with Pakistan and the ISIGaurav Gogois wife Elizabeth Colburn has links with one Ali Tauqeer Sheikh who happens to be Pakistan Planning Commission advisor. This is a serious issue which poses a threat to national security. Sarma later stated that Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit had invited Gogoi in 2015, then a first-time MP, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. He also said that Gogoi had raised sensitive questions on defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to Elizabeth. The Assam Police have already registered a case against Sheikh, and unknown others for their alleged anti-India activities. A special investigation team is probing the case. Gogoi told multiple times that he was open to any kind of investigation. Gogoi demands apology from Himanta The Jorhat MP said Sarmas allegation that women of Assam would compromise to secure a job was disgraceful. The fact that the Chief Minister makes this statement at a political rally during the ongoing panchayat elections marks a new low for the political discourse in Assam. Assamese women are highly respected and empowered in our society. From the days of the freedom struggle to the present day, the women have done our society proud, Gogoi said. The Chief Minister should be mature enough to apologise, he added. Last week, the Congress had set a 24-hour deadline before Sarma demanding an apology for his comment that women chose a wrong path to secure government jobs during the Congress rule. Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress had lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women in this regard. Sarma said his statement was based on the findings of a panel that probed a cash-for-jobs scam.
110 of 120 underprivileged students supported by Oil India Limited clear JEE Mains
GUWAHATI: Oil major Oil India Limited (OIL) has scripted a success story by mentoring underprivileged students in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In a remarkable achievement, 110 of 120 students of 'OIL Pragyan Super 30' cleared JEE Mains 2025. They are from four centres. The public sector undertaking (PSU) runs five OIL Pragyan Super 30 centres for students aspiring for a career in engineering. Three are in Assam while Arunachal and Jodhpur, Rajasthan have one each. OIL also runs a medical entrance coaching centre in Assams Jorhat. The programme provides 11 months of completely free, fully residential coaching and academic mentoring to meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds, preparing them for JEE (Mains and Advanced) and NEET. OIL spends Rs 3 lakh to take care of each student. The PSU had launched the initiative in 2010 with an objective to help talented students from economically weaker sections, promote higher education and equal opportunities. This transformative initiative in the past 15 years has been continuing to bridge the educational gap by enabling deserving underprivileged students to gain admission into prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and top medical colleges across the country, Ankur Barua, Director (Human Resources) of OIL, said on Thursday. Through this initiative, OIL is not only nurturing academic excellence but also breaking the cycle of poverty by opening doors to quality education and brighter futures for students who need it the most, said Ranjan Goswami, OILs Executive Director (Business Development). Since the inception of the programme, 1,361 out of 1,482 students enrolled in the Assam and Arunachal centres secured admissions in various engineering colleges, including IITs. The vision of OIL Pragyan Super 30 goes beyond academics. The initiative focuses equally on character development, self-discipline, and leadership, nurturing students to not only achieve academic excellence but also emerge as changemakers in their communities, OIL said in a statement.
Assam Class 10 results dip but Tea Tribe students cross 50% threshold for first time
GUWAHATI: The pass rate of Assams High School Leaving Certificate examination dipped from 75.7% in 2024 to 63.98% this year, raising concerns. With 67.59% pass rate, boys outshone girls (61.09%). Amishi Saikia of the Pragya Academy Senior Secondary School, Jorhat, secured the top position with 98.50% marks. The examination was conducted by the Assam State School Education Board, its first. Previously, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) conducted it. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the results were a clear sign that the government was failing the youth of the state. He cited that only 51.89% of Tea Tribe students passed. The only focus of the Himanta Biswa Sarma government is to close down schools. The model schools in tea gardens have not delivered the results, Gogoi said. He asked the chief minister to let education minister Ranoj Pegu perform his duties instead of continuously sidelining him. He added the government must take urgent, targeted action to improve access, equity and quality in secondary education. Sarma said the declaration of the results within 37 days marked a significant departure from past practices, setting a new benchmark for transparency and accountability in Assams school examination system. This years exam marked a pedagogical shift as the entire question paper format was redesigned, focusing on knowledge and concept-based assessmenta break from the rote-learning style seen during SEBA days, Sarma said. He also said that despite this major academic reform, the overall pass rate was 63.98%, a testament to the adaptability and potential of Assams students and teachers under the new system. There has been an increased government focus on education in tea garden areas. Sarma said the Tea Tribe students, traditionally among the most educationally disadvantaged, achieved a pass rate of 51.89%, crossing the 50% threshold for the first time. This is a significant social milestone and reflects rising aspirations and outreach efforts in the tea garden region, he said.
63.98 pc candidates pass Assam HSLC exam; Jorhat girl secures top spot
GUWAHATI, April 11: The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) declared the results of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Class 10 examination on Friday morning, with 63.98 per cent candidates clearing the exam, which is a significant drop compared to last years pass percentage of 75.7 percent. Amishi Saikia of Pragya Academy Senior Secondary [] The post 63.98 pc candidates pass Assam HSLC exam; Jorhat girl secures top spot appeared first on The Shillong Times .
NHAI Signs Agreement To Develop Guwahati Ring Road For Rs 5,729 Crore
The Guwahati Ring Road will enhance connectivity on NH-27's East-West Corridor, ease traffic in Guwahati and northeastern states, and connect key towns like Siliguri, Shillong, and Jorhat.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated new development projects in Jorhat, including a convention centre, a flyover, and an automated testing station. He highlighted significant progress and financial achievements in Assam, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the state's robust and growing economy.
Environmentalist M Karunakar Reddy conferred first Jadav Payeng International Award
GUWAHATI: Hyderabad-based environmentalist M Karunakar Reddy received the first Jadav Payeng International Award on Sunday. The award, instituted by Assams Jyoti-Protap Education Trust, was conferred on Reddy at a function at Kaliapani in Jorhat district. It carries Rs 2 lakh besides citation and memento. The environmentalist said he felt honoured to have received the Nobel Prize of India. He heaped praise on the Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng in whose name the award was instituted. He (Payeng) kept planting trees all his life without expecting any award or honour. He did it for his inner satisfaction but it is making the world sustainable. There will be a lot of unsung heroes in the development of a country. Payeng is one, Reddy said. Stating that climate change and resultant water crisis is a global problem, he said the solution lied with people. He encouraged everyone to plant trees, not to waste water and reuse it. India contributes 20 per cent of the global population but it has only 4 per cent of the worlds resources. We have to properly measure and manage this disparity, Reddy stressed. The Jyoti-Protap Education Trust said Reddy pioneered water conservation and management, land restoration and forestation, disaster relief, food security, climate change awareness and action. We instituted the award in Jadav Payengs name after noting that he is an inspiration for every one of us. M Karunakar Reddy was selected by a 5-member selection committee. He has been working tirelessly for past many years for the conservation of water, said Protap Saikia, secretary of the trust and founder of the charitable and digitally-smart Jyoti-Pratap Gyanmarg Bidyalay. Payeng is a green activist who has planted and tended trees on a Brahmaputra sandbar, turning it into a forest reserve, straddling 550 hectares, in Jorhat district. He said he was feeling proud that the award had been instituted in his name during his lifetime. This will motivate me to work more for the society, he said, adding that, I have seen how Reddy is helping people. He rightly deserved this award. Payengs message to people is love nature.
ULFA, others oppose move to celebrate 'Bihar Divas' in Assam
GUWAHATI: An alleged move by the BJP to organise 'Bihar Divas' in eastern Assams Tinsukia has ruffled the feathers of the Paresh Baruah-led faction of the banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and others. The ULFA warned that it would not tolerate the event and asked the organisers to cancel it or face dire consequences. The outfit said preparations were being made to celebrate 'Bihar Divas' in Tinsukia on March 22 under the patronage of a few people, including BJP MLAs Suren Phukan and Sanjoy Kishan. This is an attack on the culture, heritage, and pride of the indigenous people, the ULFA said in a statement. Opposition party Raijor Dal opposed the move and linked it to the BJPs vote-bank politics. We oppose the decision of the BJP and the BJP-led government to celebrate 'Bihar Divas'. There is no meaning in celebrating 'Bihar Divas' in Assam. We have not seen Bihar celebrating Assam Divas, Raijor Dal chief and MLA Akhil Gogoi said. He alleged the BJP was taking the lead in organising the event to get the votes of Hindi-speaking people. Referring to the Centres implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the deaths of five persons in Assam during protests, Gogoi alleged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tried to insult the Assamese again by downplaying the issue. I want to tell the Assam chief minister that there is no need of celebrating Bihar Divas in Assam, he said. Sarma, however, slammed those who are opposing it. He said industries did not come to Assam for a long time because of such a mindset. Many have asked if 'Assam Divas' is celebrated outside. I want to say that it is celebrated in every state nowadays. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat celebrate 'Assam Divas' in the presence of their governors. If Bihar celebrates 'Assam Divas' and we celebrate 'Bihar Divas', it will only strengthen mutual understanding. So, there is no point doing politics on it, Sarma said. If a message goes out that Assam is against Biharis, Marwaris, Gujaratis, Tamils, how will the youth of Assam get jobs outside? the Assam chief minister asked. Tinsukia, a commercial town, has a large population of Hindi-speaking people.Eastern Assam or upper Assam is a BJP bastion. A number of Assembly seats in this region are currently held by the party. The challenge is posed in upcoming Assembly polls following Congress leader Gaurav Gogois victory from the Jorhat seat in the Lok Sabha elections.
Amit Shah to inaugurate first phase of revamped police academy in Assam on Saturday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy's revamped first phase in Assam's Jorhat district. The project, which includes modern classrooms, a weapon stimulator, and a library, aims to enhance police training with updated infrastructure. The second phase will include housing facilities for trainees and officers.
Why Manipur not on itinerary: Congress on Amit Shah's Assam, Mizoram visit
NEW DELHI: With Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would make a three-day visit to his state and Mizoram, the Congress on Thursday asked why Manipur was not on the itinerary. Sarma said the Union home minister would arrive in Jorhat late on Friday for a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram. Shortly after arriving in Jorhat, the home minister will travel to Dergaon in Golaghat district, where he will spend the night at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, Sarma said while briefing reporters. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, The Assam chief minister has just announced that the Union home minister will be making a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram, beginning March 14. The Assam CM has just announced that the Union Home Minister will be making a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram beginning March 14th. But why is Manipur not this itinerary? Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 13, 2025 But why is Manipur not on his itinerary? The Congress has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well for not visiting Manipur, besides slamming the Centre for its handling of the situation in the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state. The party had on Tuesday taken a swipe at Modi over his Mauritius trip, saying it was frequent-flyer time even as the people of Manipur continued to wait for his visit. More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Has not found time to visit Manipur: Congress slams PM Modi after his Statehood Day wishes
