Tag: Himanta Biswa Sarma

  • People like Sibal who didn’t abuse party after exit could be taken back, not Scindia, Sarma: Ramesh

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said 'Scindia is a `gaddar' (traitor), true gaddar, real gaddar and 24 carat gaddar.'

  • Gauhati HC refuses to quash Assam CM’s criminal defamation case against Sisodia

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court refused to quash a criminal defamation suit filed against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup had earlier sent a summons to the Aam Aadmi Party leader for a personal appearance but he moved the High Court.

    The High Court’s rejection of his plea reinstated the order of the lower court. He will have to appear before it on November 19. The case pertains to Sisodia’s comments on an alleged PPE kits scam, involving the Assam CM’s family.

    Assam’s Advocate General Devajit Saikia told journalists the lower court had sent a summons to Sisodia for a personal appearance but he moved the High Court challenging the lower court’s order for criminal proceedings against him.

    Justice Kalyan Rai Surana of the High Court rejected Sisodia’s plea for quashing of the proceedings. “The Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner has not been able to make out any case for quashing of the proceedings of CR Case under sections 499/500 IPC, which is pending for disposal before the Court of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup (M) at Guwahati. Thus, this petition fails and the same is dismissed,” the court said in its order.

    Sarma filed the suit on June 30, days after his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit in the court of civil judge, Kamrup (Metro) against Sisodia on the same issue.

    Referring to a media report, Sisodia had accused Sarma of indulging in corruption by awarding contracts for PPE kits and other Covid-related items to his wife and son’s business partners.

    The AAP leader had asked why the firm linked to Sarma’s wife was awarded the contract at Rs 990 per PPE kit when another firm was given only Rs 600 for the same on the same day in 2020. Sarma was then Assam’s health minister.

    Sarma immediately hit back at Sisodia. “Stop sermonising and I will see you soon in Guwahati as you will face criminal defamation,” he stated. Assam’s Chief Minster and his wife have dismissed the charges. They said the PPE kits were “gifted” to the National Health Mission, Assam and no bill was raised.READ | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma sues Sisodia for criminal defamation

    GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court refused to quash a criminal defamation suit filed against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup had earlier sent a summons to the Aam Aadmi Party leader for a personal appearance but he moved the High Court.

    The High Court’s rejection of his plea reinstated the order of the lower court. He will have to appear before it on November 19. The case pertains to Sisodia’s comments on an alleged PPE kits scam, involving the Assam CM’s family.

    Assam’s Advocate General Devajit Saikia told journalists the lower court had sent a summons to Sisodia for a personal appearance but he moved the High Court challenging the lower court’s order for criminal proceedings against him.

    Justice Kalyan Rai Surana of the High Court rejected Sisodia’s plea for quashing of the proceedings. “The Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner has not been able to make out any case for quashing of the proceedings of CR Case under sections 499/500 IPC, which is pending for disposal before the Court of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup (M) at Guwahati. Thus, this petition fails and the same is dismissed,” the court said in its order.

    Sarma filed the suit on June 30, days after his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit in the court of civil judge, Kamrup (Metro) against Sisodia on the same issue.

    Referring to a media report, Sisodia had accused Sarma of indulging in corruption by awarding contracts for PPE kits and other Covid-related items to his wife and son’s business partners.

    The AAP leader had asked why the firm linked to Sarma’s wife was awarded the contract at Rs 990 per PPE kit when another firm was given only Rs 600 for the same on the same day in 2020. Sarma was then Assam’s health minister.

    Sarma immediately hit back at Sisodia. “Stop sermonising and I will see you soon in Guwahati as you will face criminal defamation,” he stated. Assam’s Chief Minster and his wife have dismissed the charges. They said the PPE kits were “gifted” to the National Health Mission, Assam and no bill was raised.READ | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma sues Sisodia for criminal defamation

  • Assam: BJP gaining from minority-based AIUDF’s existence, says Congress

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Congress in Assam believes it can regain its lost ground if people start rejecting the minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

    The Congress said the AIUDF was largely responsible for the growth of the BJP-RSS in Assam.

    Recently, AIUDF chief and Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal had sent feelers to the Congress for an alliance but it spurned the offer. The Congress accused the AIUDF of working at the behest of the saffron party.

    Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah said the AIUDF and the BJP were the two sides of the same coin.

    “The Congress will do everything possible to ensure the defeat of the AIUDF in the Dhubri seat in the next Lok Sabha elections. People who participated in the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra in Dhubri told me they are with us as we rejected Ajmal’s offer to align with the AIUDF,” Borah told journalists. 

    Ajmal, also a perfume baron, is the Dhubri MP.

    “People want us not to align with the AIUDF. The AIUDF is the BJP’s elixir. The growth of the BJP-RSS in Assam started ever since the birth of the AIUDF (in 2005). The BJP will suffer an existential crisis the day people start rejecting the AIUDF,” Borah said.

    Two days ago, Ajmal had made a vitriolic attack on the Congress, claiming that the party’s state leaders do not speak up against the BJP as they regularly receive money from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who also sponsors their foreign trips.

    The BJP pilloried both parties. “They have a tacit understanding but they pretend they are at loggerheads with each other. It was apparent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the AIUDF did not set up candidates in certain seats to ensure the Congress gets the minority votes,” BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said.

    Ahead of last year’s Assembly elections, the Congress had taken the lead in the formation of a grand alliance of opposition parties. The basic idea was to thwart the division of anti-BJP votes. The AIUDF was a key component of the formation.

    It worked in favour of the AIUDF, which holds sway in the Muslim-majority seats but backfired for the Congress in the Assamese-majority seats. Many in the state, who view the AIUDF as the “protector” of the migrant Muslims, had rejected the Congress.

    After the results were declared, Congress and the AIUDF had fallen apart. They blamed each other for failing to prevent the BJP from retaining power.

    GUWAHATI: The Congress in Assam believes it can regain its lost ground if people start rejecting the minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

    The Congress said the AIUDF was largely responsible for the growth of the BJP-RSS in Assam.

    Recently, AIUDF chief and Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal had sent feelers to the Congress for an alliance but it spurned the offer. The Congress accused the AIUDF of working at the behest of the saffron party.

    Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah said the AIUDF and the BJP were the two sides of the same coin.

    “The Congress will do everything possible to ensure the defeat of the AIUDF in the Dhubri seat in the next Lok Sabha elections. People who participated in the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra in Dhubri told me they are with us as we rejected Ajmal’s offer to align with the AIUDF,” Borah told journalists. 

    Ajmal, also a perfume baron, is the Dhubri MP.

    “People want us not to align with the AIUDF. The AIUDF is the BJP’s elixir. The growth of the BJP-RSS in Assam started ever since the birth of the AIUDF (in 2005). The BJP will suffer an existential crisis the day people start rejecting the AIUDF,” Borah said.

    Two days ago, Ajmal had made a vitriolic attack on the Congress, claiming that the party’s state leaders do not speak up against the BJP as they regularly receive money from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who also sponsors their foreign trips.

    The BJP pilloried both parties. “They have a tacit understanding but they pretend they are at loggerheads with each other. It was apparent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the AIUDF did not set up candidates in certain seats to ensure the Congress gets the minority votes,” BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said.

    Ahead of last year’s Assembly elections, the Congress had taken the lead in the formation of a grand alliance of opposition parties. The basic idea was to thwart the division of anti-BJP votes. The AIUDF was a key component of the formation.

    It worked in favour of the AIUDF, which holds sway in the Muslim-majority seats but backfired for the Congress in the Assamese-majority seats. Many in the state, who view the AIUDF as the “protector” of the migrant Muslims, had rejected the Congress.

    After the results were declared, Congress and the AIUDF had fallen apart. They blamed each other for failing to prevent the BJP from retaining power.

  • Guwahati Diary

    Express News Service

    Congress Yatra route upsets AIUDF’s Ajmal Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal said the Congress’ state leaders cannot speak up against the BJP as they regularly receive money from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said only a united Opposition can defeat BJP, but none in Assam Congress has the gut to raise their voice against the ruling party. “They are all paid leaders. They get money on a monthly basis from the CM. Therefore, it is obvious that they will not speak up against the BJP,” Ajmal, chief of minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), said. He was livid that Congress launched the state version of its “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from his Dhubri constituency and not upper Assam, the BJP’s stronghold.

    Gharial sightings in Brahmaputra thrill CMGharial (Gavialis gangeticus) has not disappeared from the waters of Assam as thought. Two sightings this year have got Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thrilled. Sharing a video, he tweeted, “Great news for all wildlifers: Gharial was thought to be extinct in the waters of Assam, especially river Brahmaputra. This new sighting becomes important in view of another sighting in March this year in Kaziranga at Silghat.” Listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as critically endangered, this reptile species is also known as gavial or the fish-eating crocodile. It is among the longest of all living crocodilians. 

    Rs 5,000 cr for facelift of 1,000 schoolsState-run schools in Assam will soon get a facelift. After a recent visit to five such schools in Guwahati, including one where he studied, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the government would spend Rs 5,000 crore over the next few years to improve the infrastructure of 1,000 state-run schools. The state’s government schools had started in small buildings and later additional classrooms were added. The chief minister wants classrooms in one building so that the remaining areas can be used for other activities. Recently, he had a Twitter war with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal over the quality of education. 

    prasanta mazumdarOur correspondent in [email protected]

    Congress Yatra route upsets AIUDF’s Ajmal 
    Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal said the Congress’ state leaders cannot speak up against the BJP as they regularly receive money from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said only a united Opposition can defeat BJP, but none in Assam Congress has the gut to raise their voice against the ruling party. “They are all paid leaders. They get money on a monthly basis from the CM. Therefore, it is obvious that they will not speak up against the BJP,” Ajmal, chief of minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), said. He was livid that Congress launched the state version of its “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from his Dhubri constituency and not upper Assam, the BJP’s stronghold.

    Gharial sightings in Brahmaputra thrill CM
    Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) has not disappeared from the waters of Assam as thought. Two sightings this year have got Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thrilled. Sharing a video, he tweeted, “Great news for all wildlifers: Gharial was thought to be extinct in the waters of Assam, especially river Brahmaputra. This new sighting becomes important in view of another sighting in March this year in Kaziranga at Silghat.” Listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as critically endangered, this reptile species is also known as gavial or the fish-eating crocodile. It is among the longest of all living crocodilians. 

    Rs 5,000 cr for facelift of 1,000 schools
    State-run schools in Assam will soon get a facelift. After a recent visit to five such schools in Guwahati, including one where he studied, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the government would spend Rs 5,000 crore over the next few years to improve the infrastructure of 1,000 state-run schools. The state’s government schools had started in small buildings and later additional classrooms were added. The chief minister wants classrooms in one building so that the remaining areas can be used for other activities. Recently, he had a Twitter war with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal over the quality of education. 

    prasanta mazumdar
    Our correspondent in Guwahati
    [email protected]

  • 318 surrendered militants in Assam get Rs 1.5 lakh each for their rehabilitation

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday offered Rs 1.5 lakh each to 318 surrendered militants for their rehabilitation.They are from groups such as the United Gorkha People’s Organisation, Tiwa Liberation Army, Kuki National Liberation Army, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who distributed the cheques at a programme here, said these people had joined the mainstream by abjuring the path of violence. He requested them to utilise the money judiciously.Sarma said that although only 11 members of the DNLA had surrendered initially now the entire group was engaged in peace talks with the central and state governments. He was certain that a peace accord could be signed with the outfit soon.“Over the past 18 months, all groups, except the ULFA, joined the mainstream. Many had also signed peace accords,” Sarma, who donned the CM’s mantle on May 10 last year, said.“I hope someday, we will get the ULFA on board. I request ULFA military chief Paresh Baruah to join the peace process. It is not through blood but talks that we can rebuild Assam and march ahead on the road of development,” Sarma said.The ULFA has two factions and one is engaged in the peace process but the Baruah-led group has continued to wield the gun. It operates out of the soil of Myanmar and is active in 4-5 districts of upper Assam.Sarma said the state government had facilitated the rehabilitation of altogether 6,780 members of myriad insurgent groups in the last 18 months. “One thing is clear today in Assam that no community or people support violence and division among people. Peace has returned to Assam and the Northeast under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” Sarma said.The Chief Minister also said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enforced in Assam in 1980 but it has now been lifted from 65 per cent of the areas upon the return of peace. He was hopeful it would be lifted from more areas in the near future.

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday offered Rs 1.5 lakh each to 318 surrendered militants for their rehabilitation.
    They are from groups such as the United Gorkha People’s Organisation, Tiwa Liberation Army, Kuki National Liberation Army, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).
    Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who distributed the cheques at a programme here, said these people had joined the mainstream by abjuring the path of violence. He requested them to utilise the money judiciously.
    Sarma said that although only 11 members of the DNLA had surrendered initially now the entire group was engaged in peace talks with the central and state governments. He was certain that a peace accord could be signed with the outfit soon.
    “Over the past 18 months, all groups, except the ULFA, joined the mainstream. Many had also signed peace accords,” Sarma, who donned the CM’s mantle on May 10 last year, said.
    “I hope someday, we will get the ULFA on board. I request ULFA military chief Paresh Baruah to join the peace process. It is not through blood but talks that we can rebuild Assam and march ahead on the road of development,” Sarma said.
    The ULFA has two factions and one is engaged in the peace process but the Baruah-led group has continued to wield the gun. It operates out of the soil of Myanmar and is active in 4-5 districts of upper Assam.
    Sarma said the state government had facilitated the rehabilitation of altogether 6,780 members of myriad insurgent groups in the last 18 months. “One thing is clear today in Assam that no community or people support violence and division among people. Peace has returned to Assam and the Northeast under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” Sarma said.
    The Chief Minister also said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enforced in Assam in 1980 but it has now been lifted from 65 per cent of the areas upon the return of peace. He was hopeful it would be lifted from more areas in the near future.

  • BJP aims 12 of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam for 2024 polls: Himanta Biswa Sarma

    “We will not stop till the Lok Sabha polls. We want to see Narendra Modi as prime minister for the third time,” he added.

  • Police complaint against Sadhguru, Assam CM over Kaziranga jeep safari violations

    By PTI

    KAZIRANGA: A police complaint was lodged on Sunday against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, spiritual leader Sadhguru and others for allegedly violating wildlife protection laws during their jeep safari after dusk in the Kaziranga Nation Park the previous day.

    The complaint was filed at the Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district by people living in villages on the fringe of the national park, a senior officer said.

    “We have started an enquiry into the issue. As the KNP falls under the forest department, we have asked for a status report on the allegations from the divisional forest officer of the park,” he said.

    When contacted, an official at the KNP, who wished not to be named, expressed his difficulties to comment on the matter at this stage.

    “People have a right to make an allegation, and based on it, an enquiry will be conducted. But before the matter is looked into, we cannot make any comment on it,” he said.

    On the allegation of violation of wildlife protection laws, the official evaded a reply and said “things have to be viewed in perspective”.

    “It was an official programme and sometimes, such an event runs a bit late. In such a situation, I don’t think we can call it a violation of law,” the official said, referring to the allegation of jeep safari after dusk.

    In the complaint by Soneswar Narah and Prabin Pegu, residents of Morongiyal and Balijan Adarsh model villages near the park, it has been alleged that the jeep safari with the vehicle’s headlights blazing after dusk was “in violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”.

    They have demanded the immediate arrest of Sadhguru Jagdish ‘Jaggi’ Vasudev, Sarma, state Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and others, who were part of the jeep safari.

    Else, they wanted a public apology from the alleged violators as per law. The complainants also demanded stringent action against the Sadhguru for entering the park after the end of the stipulated time for tourists and driving a jeep with headlights on.

    Narah and Pegu asserted that the fringe dwellers have sacrificed their land, cattle and endured many hardships for the cause of protection of the park and have always abided by the rules and laws. “Blatant disregard to the laws by VIPs should not be tolerated”, they said. The issue has also been raised on social media by people.

    Environment activist Rohit Choudhury wrote on Twitter, “Evening safari after sunset in @kaziranga_..!! Is this not Violation of Section 27 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.?? Just asking. this is the outcome of a flop Chief Wildlife Warden @assamforest & flop Director @kaziranga_ @ntca_india @SPYadavIFS @moefcc.”

    On Saturday evening, Sadhguru had driven a car in the national park with Sarma sitting beside him and other VIPs seated in the back of the vehicle.

    The Kaziranga National Park was opened for tourists for the forthcoming season the previous day. Sarma had also shared a short video of the safari on Twitter.

    Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation leader, was in Kaziranga for the opening of a three-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ for ministers, legislators and bureaucrats of the state.

    KAZIRANGA: A police complaint was lodged on Sunday against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, spiritual leader Sadhguru and others for allegedly violating wildlife protection laws during their jeep safari after dusk in the Kaziranga Nation Park the previous day.

    The complaint was filed at the Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district by people living in villages on the fringe of the national park, a senior officer said.

    “We have started an enquiry into the issue. As the KNP falls under the forest department, we have asked for a status report on the allegations from the divisional forest officer of the park,” he said.

    When contacted, an official at the KNP, who wished not to be named, expressed his difficulties to comment on the matter at this stage.

    “People have a right to make an allegation, and based on it, an enquiry will be conducted. But before the matter is looked into, we cannot make any comment on it,” he said.

    On the allegation of violation of wildlife protection laws, the official evaded a reply and said “things have to be viewed in perspective”.

    “It was an official programme and sometimes, such an event runs a bit late. In such a situation, I don’t think we can call it a violation of law,” the official said, referring to the allegation of jeep safari after dusk.

    In the complaint by Soneswar Narah and Prabin Pegu, residents of Morongiyal and Balijan Adarsh model villages near the park, it has been alleged that the jeep safari with the vehicle’s headlights blazing after dusk was “in violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”.

    They have demanded the immediate arrest of Sadhguru Jagdish ‘Jaggi’ Vasudev, Sarma, state Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and others, who were part of the jeep safari.

    Else, they wanted a public apology from the alleged violators as per law. The complainants also demanded stringent action against the Sadhguru for entering the park after the end of the stipulated time for tourists and driving a jeep with headlights on.

    Narah and Pegu asserted that the fringe dwellers have sacrificed their land, cattle and endured many hardships for the cause of protection of the park and have always abided by the rules and laws. “Blatant disregard to the laws by VIPs should not be tolerated”, they said. The issue has also been raised on social media by people.

    Environment activist Rohit Choudhury wrote on Twitter, “Evening safari after sunset in @kaziranga_..!! Is this not Violation of Section 27 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.?? Just asking. this is the outcome of a flop Chief Wildlife Warden @assamforest & flop Director @kaziranga_ @ntca_india @SPYadavIFS @moefcc.”

    On Saturday evening, Sadhguru had driven a car in the national park with Sarma sitting beside him and other VIPs seated in the back of the vehicle.

    The Kaziranga National Park was opened for tourists for the forthcoming season the previous day. Sarma had also shared a short video of the safari on Twitter.

    Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation leader, was in Kaziranga for the opening of a three-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ for ministers, legislators and bureaucrats of the state.

  • ‘Wasn’t finding fault’: Kejriwal on tiff with Himanta Sarma over shutting down of non-performing Assam government schools

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government’s decision to shut 34 non-performing state-run schools has triggered a war of words between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    Following the row, the Delhi CM on Friday responded by saying that his intention was never to find fault in Sarma’s efforts. He said India would be ‘number one’ if the states learn from one another.

    “I want to visit Assam. Tell me when I can do so. You show me the good work done in the education sector. I will show you the good work we did when you visit Delhi,” Kejriwal tweeted on Friday.

    Kejriwal had on Wednesday said closing down schools is not the solution. Stating that the country needs more schools, he had insisted on improving school infra and making education right.

    To this, Sarma had countered by saying the Delhi CM commented on something without any homework. He said from the time he had additionally served as the state education minister, the Assam government established or took over 8,610 new schools.

    He asked Kejriwal how many new schools the Delhi government started in the last seven years. Now, Sarma responded with a series of tweets.

    “Dear @ArvindKejriwal Ji, your ignorance is painful. Let me help you. Assam is 50 times bigger than Delhi! Our 44,521 govt schools teach 65 lakh students – against your 1,000+ odd schools. Our army of dedicated teachers (number 2+ lakh); midday meal workers (number 1.18 lakh). Fathom it?” read one of the tweets from the Assam chief minister.

    He further wrote, “We impart education in six mediums including 14 different tribal languages. Our diversity is something that we’re proud of, cherish, and ensure it to thrive through our unique education system. And yes, we do not have resources like that in Delhi. We’re proud of what we’ve and do!”

    “And yes, when you’re in Assam, which you so desperately wish to, I will take you to our Medical Colleges, 1000 times better than your Mohalla Clinic. Also meet our bright Govt school teachers and students,” the Assam CM said.

    Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu had on Wednesday said there is no point having a school if it cannot perform.

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government’s decision to shut 34 non-performing state-run schools has triggered a war of words between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    Following the row, the Delhi CM on Friday responded by saying that his intention was never to find fault in Sarma’s efforts. He said India would be ‘number one’ if the states learn from one another.

    “I want to visit Assam. Tell me when I can do so. You show me the good work done in the education sector. I will show you the good work we did when you visit Delhi,” Kejriwal tweeted on Friday.

    Kejriwal had on Wednesday said closing down schools is not the solution. Stating that the country needs more schools, he had insisted on improving school infra and making education right.

    To this, Sarma had countered by saying the Delhi CM commented on something without any homework. He said from the time he had additionally served as the state education minister, the Assam government established or took over 8,610 new schools.

    He asked Kejriwal how many new schools the Delhi government started in the last seven years. Now, Sarma responded with a series of tweets.

    “Dear @ArvindKejriwal Ji, your ignorance is painful. Let me help you. Assam is 50 times bigger than Delhi! Our 44,521 govt schools teach 65 lakh students – against your 1,000+ odd schools. Our army of dedicated teachers (number 2+ lakh); midday meal workers (number 1.18 lakh). Fathom it?” read one of the tweets from the Assam chief minister.

    He further wrote, “We impart education in six mediums including 14 different tribal languages. Our diversity is something that we’re proud of, cherish, and ensure it to thrive through our unique education system. And yes, we do not have resources like that in Delhi. We’re proud of what we’ve and do!”

    “And yes, when you’re in Assam, which you so desperately wish to, I will take you to our Medical Colleges, 1000 times better than your Mohalla Clinic. Also meet our bright Govt school teachers and students,” the Assam CM said.

    Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu had on Wednesday said there is no point having a school if it cannot perform.

  • Assam court summons Manish Sisodia in Himanta’s defamation case 

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was on Tuesday summoned by a court in Assam to appear in person before it on September 29 in a criminal defamation case filed by the northeastern state’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup, Monmee Sarma, issued the summons to Sisodia for allegedly making defamatory statements against Sarma.

    Sisodia, referring to media reports at a press conference in New Delhi on June 4, had said that while the Assam government procured PPE kits for Rs 600 a piece from other companies, Sarma gave urgent supply orders to the firms of his wife and son’s business partners for Rs 990 a piece.

    Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of the Assam chief minister, had on June 21 filed a Rs 100-crore defamation case against the Delhi deputy CM, who had alleged corruption in giving PPE supply contracts at above market rates.

    The chief minister had on August 5 recorded his statement before the court regarding his case against Sisodia.

    On June 1, two digital media organisations — New Delhi-based ‘The Wire’ and Guwahati-based ‘The Crosscurrent’ — in a joint investigative report claimed that the Assam government had placed four COVID-19 related emergency medical supply orders, most likely without following proper process.

    Citing a series of Right to Information replies, the medial portals claimed that all the four orders, placed between March 18 and March 23 of 2020, were bagged by three firms owned by Bhuyan Sarma and the family’s business associate Ghanshyam Dhanuka.

    She later uploaded a statement on her Twitter account, just hours after the report was published, and dismissed any wrongdoing in supplying the PPE kits to the NHM, claiming that she did not take a “single penny” for the kits.

    The present Assam government and Sarma have separately denied all charges that the chief minister’s family was involved in the alleged malpractices and termed the allegations by the two digital media as “false, imaginary, malicious and of vested interests”.

    The present Assam chief minister was the health minister in 2020 during the first BJP-led state government.

    Opposition parties — Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, RCPI, TMC, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad and Anchalik Gana Morcha — have demanded a CBI probe into the alleged corruption in giving contracts to Sarma’s wife and family business friend to supply PPE kits above market rates.

    GUWAHATI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was on Tuesday summoned by a court in Assam to appear in person before it on September 29 in a criminal defamation case filed by the northeastern state’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

    The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup, Monmee Sarma, issued the summons to Sisodia for allegedly making defamatory statements against Sarma.

    Sisodia, referring to media reports at a press conference in New Delhi on June 4, had said that while the Assam government procured PPE kits for Rs 600 a piece from other companies, Sarma gave urgent supply orders to the firms of his wife and son’s business partners for Rs 990 a piece.

    Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of the Assam chief minister, had on June 21 filed a Rs 100-crore defamation case against the Delhi deputy CM, who had alleged corruption in giving PPE supply contracts at above market rates.

    The chief minister had on August 5 recorded his statement before the court regarding his case against Sisodia.

    On June 1, two digital media organisations — New Delhi-based ‘The Wire’ and Guwahati-based ‘The Crosscurrent’ — in a joint investigative report claimed that the Assam government had placed four COVID-19 related emergency medical supply orders, most likely without following proper process.

    Citing a series of Right to Information replies, the medial portals claimed that all the four orders, placed between March 18 and March 23 of 2020, were bagged by three firms owned by Bhuyan Sarma and the family’s business associate Ghanshyam Dhanuka.

    She later uploaded a statement on her Twitter account, just hours after the report was published, and dismissed any wrongdoing in supplying the PPE kits to the NHM, claiming that she did not take a “single penny” for the kits.

    The present Assam government and Sarma have separately denied all charges that the chief minister’s family was involved in the alleged malpractices and termed the allegations by the two digital media as “false, imaginary, malicious and of vested interests”.

    The present Assam chief minister was the health minister in 2020 during the first BJP-led state government.

    Opposition parties — Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, RCPI, TMC, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad and Anchalik Gana Morcha — have demanded a CBI probe into the alleged corruption in giving contracts to Sarma’s wife and family business friend to supply PPE kits above market rates.

  • Assam to withdraw 1 lakh minor cases to reduce burden on judiciary: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government will withdraw one lakh minor cases, mostly those registered in connection with offensive social media posts, to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

    Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the announcement on Monday while delivering his Independence Day speech. “The government has decided to formally withdraw one lakh cases, mostly pertaining to Facebook and Twitter posts, which were registered and pending in the court till the midnight of August 14, 2022 so that the judiciary can concentrate more on the other serious cases,” he said.

    The government will file a petition requesting the judiciary for the withdrawal of the cases. Sarma appealed to the Paresh Baruah faction of insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to shun the path of violence and settle issues through dialogues. He said Assam does not support terrorism.

    “Assam has remained an integral part of India from the times of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. I believe the last three days was a big lesson for those who envisage a sovereign Assam. The people in Assam proved the Indian sovereignty is non-negotiable for them,” the CM said in his message to ULFA, alluding to the large-scale participation of the people in the Independence Day celebration.

    Sarma also announced 10,000 government jobs by next month. “We are moving forward with a firm resolve to give 1 lakh jobs in a transparent manner. We have already given 30,000 jobs. For another 30,000 jobs, the written and oral tests will begin this month,” he said.

    2 Assam Rifles jawans injured in encounter with militants

    Two Assam Rifles personnel were injured during an encounter with the NSCN (K-YA) militants in Nagaland’s Mon district. Later, they were evacuated to the Air Force Hospital in Assam’s Jorhat.

    Defence sources said the militants also suffered “severe casualties”. The incident occurred near the Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh border in Mon district in the wee hours of Monday.

    “The personnel noticed suspicious movement of the militants. On being challenged, the militants opened fire which was appropriately retaliated, causing severe casualties to the group of the militants,” a defence statement said. Several militant outfits of the Northeast, including ULFA and NSCN (K-YA), had jointly called for the boycott of the Independence Day celebration.

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government will withdraw one lakh minor cases, mostly those registered in connection with offensive social media posts, to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

    Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the announcement on Monday while delivering his Independence Day speech. “The government has decided to formally withdraw one lakh cases, mostly pertaining to Facebook and Twitter posts, which were registered and pending in the court till the midnight of August 14, 2022 so that the judiciary can concentrate more on the other serious cases,” he said.

    The government will file a petition requesting the judiciary for the withdrawal of the cases. Sarma appealed to the Paresh Baruah faction of insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to shun the path of violence and settle issues through dialogues. He said Assam does not support terrorism.

    “Assam has remained an integral part of India from the times of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. I believe the last three days was a big lesson for those who envisage a sovereign Assam. The people in Assam proved the Indian sovereignty is non-negotiable for them,” the CM said in his message to ULFA, alluding to the large-scale participation of the people in the Independence Day celebration.

    Sarma also announced 10,000 government jobs by next month. “We are moving forward with a firm resolve to give 1 lakh jobs in a transparent manner. We have already given 30,000 jobs. For another 30,000 jobs, the written and oral tests will begin this month,” he said.

    2 Assam Rifles jawans injured in encounter with militants

    Two Assam Rifles personnel were injured during an encounter with the NSCN (K-YA) militants in Nagaland’s Mon district. Later, they were evacuated to the Air Force Hospital in Assam’s Jorhat.

    Defence sources said the militants also suffered “severe casualties”. The incident occurred near the Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh border in Mon district in the wee hours of Monday.

    “The personnel noticed suspicious movement of the militants. On being challenged, the militants opened fire which was appropriately retaliated, causing severe casualties to the group of the militants,” a defence statement said. Several militant outfits of the Northeast, including ULFA and NSCN (K-YA), had jointly called for the boycott of the Independence Day celebration.