ASSAM

MoU signed to conserve black softshell turtle

by

A majortempleinAssamhas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two green NGOs, the Assam State Zoo cum and the Kamrup District Administration for long-term conservation of the rare freshwater black softshellturtle(Nilssonia nigricans).
The signing ceremony held at Kamrup deputy commissioner office also marked the launch of a vision document 2030 by setting in motion a plan to have a ecologically viable Population of 1000 adults of blacksoftshell turtlein Assam by 2030.

It was launched after Turtle Survival Alliance India and Help Earth signed the pact involving the Hayagriva Madhava Temple Committee. The ponds in the temple, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, is at Hajo, about 30 km northwest of Guwahati, harbour various threatened species of turtles.

The species was thought to be extinct in the wild, only being confined to some religious sites in Northeastern India and Bangladesh. However, based on the preliminary information, its IUCN status has been downlisted to Critically Endangered in 2021 but does not enjoy legal protection under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Waterways to connect 7 religious sites around Guwahati

by

An MoU was signed to connect seven religious sites around the city through waterways, officials said. The project will facilitate hop on hop off ferry service, which will connect the seven historic and religious sites of Kamakhya, Pandunath, Aswaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda, Chakreshwar and Auniati Satra around Guwahati, an official release said. The agreement for development of riverine-based religious tourism circuit was inked by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Sagarmala Development Corporation Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and the department of inland waterways transport (DIWT), Government of Assam, it said.

Assam health depts biggest concern air, train passengers

by

Considering the sudden surge in dailyCovid-19 casesinKamrup(Metro) district, the focus has shifted now on screening all passengers arriving in the state capital through air and rail routes. Fewer cases in the districts also point to the infection being brought in by in-bound passengers, opined Health experts.

Around 10,000 Covid tests were conducted in our district. We are going with the strategy of maximum tests to isolate the maximum number positive cases since Guwahati has been the most vulnerable due to the inflow of a large number of people from outside Assam.

For new infra push, PWD gets highest grant of 15K-cr

by

Finance minister Ajanta Neog has given the highest allocation of over Rs 15,000 crore to the public works department (PWD) in her budget proposals forAssams new push.

The minister has also proposed strengthening the existing Nehru Stadium along with conversion of Khanikar Integrated Sports Complex from 5,000 to 15,000 seating capacity, whileRabindra Bhawanin Guwahati will be reconstructed apart from a state-of-the-art DGP office, 5,000-capacity auditorium at Sankardev Kalashetra and ITA Machkhowa as major highlights of new infrastructure in Guwahati.

Assam: Unique Land Parcel Identification Number

by

Union minister of rural development and , Giriraj Singh launched Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) in Assam.

Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULIPN) project was launched in Assam on a pilot basis.

Under this project, every land parcel in Assam will have a 14-digit alphanumeric geospatial unique identification number (UIN). Thus, ULPIN will act as an adhaar for land.

The first step in this process is the survey of non-cadastral villages and a re-survey of all cadastral villages.

The next step is end-to-end integration of digitalized land records and maps, which will pave the way for the generation of ULPIN for the land parcel.

ULPIN project will pave the way towards the implementation of conclusive titling and will help in the quick resolution of the land disputes in the state.

About Mission Basundhara

Mission Basundhara is a mission launched by the government of Assam to streamline and make land revenue Services accessible to all, thereby promoting Ease of Doing Business Environment in the land management ecosystem of Assam. Mission Basundhara aims to reduce the pendency in the updation of the land records.

The three components of Mission Basundhara are:

Purification of the land records in the state in a mission mode.

Conducting Polygon survey of yet to be surveyed 672 non-cadastral villages.

Conducting a Re-survey of 18789 cadastral villages using the hybrid methodology.

About DILRMP

ULPIN project is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).

DILRMP was launched in 2008 by the Government of India. It was earlier known as the National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP). The objective of DILRMP is to digitize and modernize the land records and to develop a centralized land record management system in India.

The three important components of DILRMP are:

Computerization of the land records.

Conducting a survey or resurvey of the land.

Computerization of the land registration.

The ultimate aim of the DILRMP is to move towards the conclusive titling system with title guarantee by replacing the present presumptive title system in India.

Studies in tribal languages in schools of Assam soon

by

AssamEducation department has readied a plan to introduce four tribal languages, Rabha, Mising, Tiwa and Deuri, as medium of instruction in the upcoming academic session, said education ministerRanoj Pegu. He said a search has started for teachers who are acquainted with these languages. The initiative is a part of the New Education Policy (NEP) where emphasis has been laid on TEACHING in the mother tongue.

In Assam, Bodo, Hmar and Garo languages are already being taught in the schools. But the introduction of the four languages as medium of instruction was a long pending demand.

Over 1,500 Dima Hasao farmers benefited under PM-KISAN plan

by

At least 1,561 farmers out of 3,636 eligible beneficiaries inAssamsDima Hasaodistrict have received the 12th instalment of their under the PMKisan Samman Nidhi(PM-KISAN) through direct benefit transfer.

Despite the best efforts of the various departments, people are reluctant to submit their e-KYC that can be done at their nearest customer service centres in the district. TheAadhaarseeding of the beneficiaries has been made mandatory so that they can get maximum benefits of the various government welfare schemes.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent announcement that a Bill to end polygamy in the state will be introduced in the legislative assembly either in the September or January 2024 session has been dubbed by opposition parties as diversionary and communal, especially at a time when suggestions on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are being received by the Law Commission.

by

Sarma had recently said pending the decision on UCC, the government wants to take one of its segments, i.E. Polygamy, and ban it immediately.

According to the Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 2019-21, only 1.4 per cent of the country’s Population practice polygamy and on the basis of religion, the Muslims account for only 1.9 per cent, the Christians 2.1 per cent and the Hindus 3.1 per cent.

Polygamy among the Scheduled Tribes is 2.4 per cent, Scheduled Castes 1.9 per cent, the OBCs 1.3 per cent and others 1.2 per cent, he pointed out.

Assam cabinet nod to set up youth panel for skill development

by

The state cabinet on Wednesday approved constitution of theAssam Youth Commission, which will provide youths a platform to register their grievances, besides preparing them for national-level competitive examinations.

The commission is also aimed to protect the interest of states youths within and outside Assam, to provide them EMPLOYMENT and training forSkill development. The cabinet approved the amended election rules of theGuwahati and other municipal boards to replace ballots with EVMs in Elections to the civic bodies, which are likely to be held soon.
The cabinet also approved theHandicraft Policy of Assam, 2022 to facilitate Growth and development of craft-based industries and provide training and technological support to artisans and entrepreneurs, and to provide market linkages and online Marketing support to facilitate the export of products. The policy also provides one-time financial aid up to Rs 30,000 to all eligible handicraft units for development of web portal orappfor online marketing of their products.

Assam specialty tea auctioned for Rs 99,999/kg

by

A kilo of Assam’s specialty orthodox tea from Manohari Tea Estate in Dibrugarh fetched a record price of Rs 99,999 at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) on Tuesday. Made from buds only and no leaves, the tea variety looks like crystals of 24 carat gold.
This tea was the most expensive variety sold in an auction in the country in 2018 when a kilo was sold for Rs 39,100.
In less than a month, a kg of Golden Needles tea variety produced by the Donyi Polo Tea Estate in Arunachal Pradesh became the most costly after a kg of it fetched Rs 40,000. In 2019, Manohari Gold Tea came back to become even more expensive after it fetched Rs 50,000/kg at the auction.

Assam, which produces roughly 55% of Indias tea, has more than 10 lakh tea workers in the organised sector working in about 850 big estates.