According to The Statesman employees the fire broke out around 8pm in the rotary section of the old press at the rearside of the premises. Though the exact reason behind the fire could not be ascertained, the short circuit was apparently belived to have caused the fire. 23 fire tenders were pressed into service. The Statemsman sources confirmed that efforts were on to bring the morning editions. West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishan Gandhi rushed to the Stateman office and inquired about the incident. (UNI)

"Uttar Pradesh will not implement VAT system," the state’s Economic Advisor Banwarilal Kanchal said in Lucknow.

With five BJP-ruled states of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan ushering in the new tax on Saturday, VAT is in force in all states barring Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Kanchal said there had been an increase of 18 per cent in sales tax revenue in Uttar Pradesh in the last financial year and that there was no question of implementing VAT in the state.

VAT, which seeks to bring about uniformity in tax rates, has two main slabs of 4 per cent and 12.5 per cent and is imposed only on value-additions to products.

Traders would be able to recover VAT on raw materials and intermediate goods, besides small businesses with a turnover of up to Rs five lakh are exempt from the new tax.

The five BJP-ruled states, along with Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh had earlier refused to implement the new tax citing protests by traders and absence of a clear cut roadmap for abolition of central sales tax. CST was earlier scheduled to be reduced to two per cent from this fiscal against the present four per cent and eventually phased out by fiscal 2007-08.

However, the empowered committee on VAT had to set up a working group on phasing out of CST due to lack of consensus between states and the Centre.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje, in her budget speech last month, had cited losing incentives offered by the Centre as reason for switching over to VAT.

Chhattisgarh, which notified implementation of VAT, said there would be no loss of revenue because of shifting to the new tax system. "The VAT system is implemented in Chhattisgarh from Saturday and necessary notification has been published in this regard," Commercial Tax Secretary Amitabh Jain told PTI.(PTI)

Two reporters of TV News Channel managed to accompany the Naxalites to the undisclosed places inside the deep jungle close to the Andhra Pradesh border to get a first hand information about the well-being of the two abducted officials.About 400-odd armed leftwing ultras had attacked the small town of R Udayagiri in South Orissa under Naxalite prone Gajapati district last week killing three jawans and looting arms and ammunition from the OSAP barrack, Police station and treasury.

During the encounter with the force, the armed Naxalites abducted R Udayagiri police station Officer-in-charge Ranjan Mallick and R Udayagiri Sub Jail Superintendent Rabi Narayan Sethy at gun point.The telecast by the TV News channel also showed that Naxalite leader Sabyasachi Panda making a statement on the March 24 raid on R Udayagiri town primarily for looting the arms and ammunitions.

Both the abducted officials told the TV News channel that the state government must find out ways for their safe release from the hands of the Naxalites.Sub Jail Superintendent Rabi Narayan Sethy told the News Channel that the Naxalites have assured him that they would not cause any harm.(UNI)

Set to launch her own political party as a parallel to the BJP, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister told NDTV in its Walk-the-Talk show that she also finds former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as an "outstanding" leader.

But Bharti accused both of them of surrendering to what she calls new-generation political managers."Advani is the cleanest person with neatest of habits. But he has a strange choice (of people around him)," she remarked.

Also, she called the former Deputy Prime Minister a man with no fixed political line."He is not a hardliner... he’s a ‘softliner’. In fact, what I have realised is that he has no line at all," she said.Bharti, who also described Vajpayee as a "great soul", however, accused both the BJP stalwarts of inability to "re-establish" the party. (PTI)

The Lok Sabha had expelled 10 Lok Sabha members by an resolution on December 23, 2005 after the house inquiry committee had found them guilty of taking money for raising questions in Parliament, as shown in a sting operation by a private TV channel.Mr Chatterjee had decided not to submit the petitions to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on the grounds that the apex court has no power of judicial review on a decision given by the Lok Sabha.

The Supreme Court has already issued notices on the petitions and has decided to pronounce on the powers of the house to expel the member under Article 105 of the Constitution.The article has the word ‘disqualification’ and does not talk about an ‘expulsion’. According to the Speaker, it was a matter related to the powers and privileges of Parliament and thus not subject to judicial review.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing before the court next week. (UNI)

The incident took place on Friday, the spokesman said adding a named FIR has been filed against four persons in this connection.The injured were hospitalised. (PTI)

Sharvan Singh, who was staying separately from her mother, strangulated her in a fit of rage over a dispute involving the use of a common toilet in Taruwala village, police sources said.They said he handed him over to the police after committing the heinous act and was arrested. A case has been registered against him under section 302 of IPC.The villagers said that panchayat had intervened several times and a compromise was arrived between mother and son recently. (PTI)

"We have vacated the platform and search is on," he said adding that all trains were diverted through the fast track.This is the third bomb scare in the last one week.(PTI)

Patiala House Court Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) S P Garg, on Friday held Jamshed and Jai Narain guilty of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced them to seven years imprisonment.The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1000 each on them.According to the victim, on February 9, 2004, she was forcibly lifted from the truck while she was on her way to the nearby market to purchase soap.

They took her to their house and raped her.She also told the court there were other two persons who raped her and fled from the spot. She was confined there for a day.Both of them were convicted under sections 363 (Kidnapping), 376 (Rape) and 34 (Common intention to commit a crime) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).(UNI)

They were not ready to believe that Huang Su-Chin was missing saying she might be trekking somewhere.

Huang Su-Chin, 52, arrived here on March 22 and went missing the same day after leaving her belongings, including the passport, at a houseboat in world famous Dal lake.Police announced a reward on March 29 for anyone giving information about her.

Su-Chin had registered herself as a resident of Thailand on her arrival here.After the owner of the houseboat informed police that the tourist was missing, a hunt was launched to trace her.Police searched her at almost all tourist destinations, including famous hill resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, but failed to locate her. (PTI)

According to state Women’s Commission Member Krishna Kant Tomar the elders in Karua, Kanathan, Saina, Itaina and Katwa Gujjar, considered having a daughter a curse and the girls were killed immediately after birth.

"Those villagers believe that a daughter’s birth will eventually entail giving dowry and that will aggravate poverty. In view of that, the commission initiated a ‘Gaon Chalo-Beti Bachao’' (Go to Villages and Save Daughters) campaign, which was launched from Chambal division," she said on Friday.The commission has also appealed to voluntary organisations for adopting these villages and bringing about an awakening on the issue. (UNI)

62 Cavalry has the dual honour of being the first Armoured Regiment to be raised in Independent India, as also the first raised on Tanks.The stamp in the denomination of rupees five was released today to mark the Golden Jubilee of 62 Cavalry.It was on 1st July, 1956 that raising orders were issued and the Regiment was declared fit for war on 31st March, 1957. It may be recalled that in the 1965 Indo-Pak war the regiment proved its excellence in the battle as well as in capturing Phillora.

In the 1971 war, the regiment was the first to be formed as an independent combat group of the Indian Army tasked to launch an audacious offensive into the enemy territory.

On March 31, 1981, on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Regiment, former President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy presented the Guidon to the Regiment.The Regiment has been successfully deployed during Operation Trident, Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram. (ANI)

It said that the State was aware that the citizens of some sectors on the Indo-Bangla border have been experiencing difficulties for the proposed fencing. "The government is committed to solving these genuine problem", it said.

A meeting has been held between the State government officials, BSF and representatives of National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), the implementing agency, which resolved that as far as sensitive areas were concerned and where there was opposition from the local people, fencing work would be taken up only after the concerned Deputy Commissioner sorted out the issues with the local people.

"In areas of adverse possession, construction of the fence should be kept in abeyance till the problem is sorted out in consultation with the Centre," the State government said. In areas where the existing fencing lies beyond 150 yards from the Zero line, fresh survey will be conducted and a map would be prepared to indicate the actual position of the fencing.

The decision was communicated to the Centre and to the implementing agency, including the Deputy Commissioners for necessary action.

The Church said no one should take the name of Christmas for commercial and other gains thereby derogating its divine and historic importance.

In the State Assembly Dr Roy projected an additional expenditure of Rs two crore for the salaries of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the grant-in-aid (deficit) school and colleges, the process is likely to take more time as the State is not so financially sound.

The State government has already announced the merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance to the basic pay or pension has been sanctioned by the State government from April 1 last year.

There is also confusion on whether or not the merger should also include the pension of the employees.

With the implementation of merger, the State government has to bear an additional financial burden of over Rs 39 crore during the current year.

Dr Roy had told the Assembly that the figure was likely to escalate by an additional amount of Rs 1.5 to 2 crore when the teaching and non teaching staff of the grant-in-aid (deficit) schools and colleges are also extended this benefit.

Independent MLA Mr Manas Chaudhuri had moved a motion on need for extension of pension benefit to deficit school teachers in the just concluded Assembly session. The motion will come up for discussion in the next session in June.

The student delegation led by its president Andreas T Sangma, urged upon Dr Roy to take the views of the GSU in the final preparation of the format for the MBOSE mark sheet. "We would also like to see the prototype format that is prepared by the Board before marks are allocated for each student because recent events like the absence of mentioning Tura as headquarters in the admit cards and its signing by a Joint Secretary in place of the Controller of Examinations have cast doubts," said Mr Sangma.

The Union members also asked the Minister to do away with the collection of Rs 200 as fees by MBOSE for correction of names in the mark sheets. Discussions also took place with regard to sanctioning of more funds for reimbursing the medical expenses of the September 30 injured victims. The GSU is seeking release of another Rs five lakh to meet the medical expenses of the injured. The demand for early setting up of an alternative power line for Garo Hills was stressed and the Deputy Chief Minister said that work was on for setting up of a thermal power station.

In a separate meeting with State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, the delegation reiterated their demand for removal of the CRPF from civilian areas of Garo Hills, particularly the Tura town. They cited past events of CRPF atrocities like assault on civilians at Araimile market and more importantly opening fire on unarmed protestors in Tura and Williamnagar on September 30.

The Home Minister threw the ball in the Deputy Commissioner's court saying that the decision to shift the paramilitary force from civilian areas lay under the purview of the district authorities.

Sanctioning of funds from the elected representatives for holding the North Eastern Students' Organisation meet at Tura this month also came up for a discussion.

Sources said that the relatives of the victim filed an FIR with the police on March 26, no action was taken so far.

Police inaction forced the local dorbar to initiate action against the accused.

Elections are as much about winning friends as about confusing enemies. In Assam, chief minister Tarun Gogoi seems to have done both with considerable success. Five years of his rule saw large sections of the people drifting away from the Congress. Two communities in particular - the tribal people working in the tea gardens and the Muslims - posed serious problems for the party.

Both were traditional vote-banks of the Congress, but resented the government's indifference to their grievances. The state's tea industry has long been facing a crisis, which sometimes resulted in violence in the gardens. The Assam tea tribes students' association had threatened to oppose the Congress in the elections. Mr. Gogoi has done well to woo the association back into the party's fold. His attempts to win back the support of the Muslims have not been as successful though. And this despite the fact that the Centre's recent amendment of the Foreigners' Act was clearly aimed at helping he Congress in the polls. But the division in the political loyalties of the Muslims should help the Congress to an extent. The chief minister's other major worry should be the public perception about corruption in his government. He has clearly failed to keep his promise of acting firmly and decisively against corrupt ministers and officials.

However, Mr. Gogoi's biggest advantage is a confused and disunited opposition. The two main opposition parties - the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party - which had made a common cause against the Congress in the past few elections, have drifted away from each other. The BJP is now forced to go it alone.

That may not help it win many seats, but it will surely weaken the opposition's chances of defeating the Congress. The AGP, too, has lost much of its credibility as a possible alternative to the Congress. The party is weakened by factional rivalries and a loss of direction. Its alliance with the two communist parties and an umbrella organisation of the Muslims is too undefined to be a serious challenge to the Congress. It has some political significance though, as it is the Left's first experiment at forming a 'third front' to fight both the Congress and the BJP.

But unlike in earlier elections, the Congress is slightly edgy this time with chinks appearing in its traditional Muslim vote bank due to the formation of the UDF, a conglomeration of 12 religious and linguistic minority groups. Muslims in Assam, who make up about 30 percent of the state's 26 million people, have for decades been at the centre of electoral politics with the community holding the key to at least 40 of the 126 Assembly constituencies.

The UDF comes with the backing of the Assam chapter of the Jamiat Ulema, which has pledged not to support the ruling party. The Muslims and Assam's Bengali-speaking linguistic minority voters have traditionally been Congress supporters.

The decision to form a political party by minority groups in the state came in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in July last year to repeal the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act. The 22-year-old Act was replaced with the Foreigners Act of 1946.

Tarun Gogoi though has other ideas, saying: "Despite Azmal and a few others trying to project us as being anti-Muslim, I am certain the Congress party will keep the support of minority voters like earlier as our government has undertaken a slew of welfare and development schemes for the community." Barring the BJP, political formations like the AGP and the AGP (Progressive), led by Mahanta, have also been trying very hard to enlist the support of the minorities for the upcoming elections. Politics revolving around the minorities and the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh though could once again become a major poll issue with parties like the BJP, the AGP and the AGP (P) working overtime to harp on the emotive issue. The BJP stand is that the Congress government has all along been encouraging migration from Bangladesh to strengthen its vote-bank, and the unabated influx is a threat to the state's indigenous people.

The AGP on the other hand is banking on the support of the powerful All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and their newly floated Asom Sena (Assam Army), a radial vigilante group, to whip up public sentiment by harping on the migration issue. Although the AASU claims it does not meddle in politics, previous elections have shown that the student group, which commands considerable clout in Assamese society, does have a soft corner for the AGP.

The Congress could be in trouble with party's traditional Muslim support base believed to be waning. Besides, certain Muslim legislators within the Congress have also been adopting a belligerent posture, thereby queering the pitch for the party's poll prospects. Leading the banner of revolt is Congress MP from Assam Golam Osmani. He has been lobbying hard to convince the Congress high command to oust chief minister Gogoi from power ahead of the state elections.

Adding to the woes of the Congress is mounting pressure form thousands of Muslim refugees who were displaced a decade ago in clashes with Bodo tribal militants in part of western Assam. The refugees have reportedly announced their decision not to support the Congress as the ruling party has failed to rehabilitate them as promised. The minorities and the issue of Bangladeshi migration apart, the other major poll plank will be the issue of insurgency. But unlike in the past when political parties often tried to pin down the ruling government for failure on the law and order front, the issue of insurgency could this time help the Congress in the upcoming elections. INAV

When President Bush went to Hyderabad to inaugurate a new US consulate I wonder if someone told him the story of Andhra Pradesh's American visa temple. In the past few years a Balaji temple in Chilkur village outside Hyderabad has become the pilgrimage destination for US visa-seekers. It has acquired a reputation among the dollar-driven, that the deity here is particularly powerful in granting an American visa.

Typically, an aspiring American visa-seeker visits the temple a few days before his visa interview at the US consulate. During the visit, the devotee goes through the usual rituals of prayer, including three circumambulations of the inner shrine, and makes a vow. Then, they go off with their documents and dreams to convince the US consulate officer that they are worthy of receiving the visa. If they get their visa, they return to the temple, and fulfil their vow, which is to walk 108 times around the temple.

From my experience, that isn't easy. There are a lot of future American students and professionals out there, and the temple can be very crowded most of the time (the region has one of the largest pool of US visa applicants in the world). I walked the 108 rounds on one occasion to accompany a family member whose vow had been fulfilled. I felt all the peace and piety one does in an ancient place of worship, but also remembered something I had forgotten in the daily drudge of working; the American dream is still a privilege for many, and getting it takes grit, vision, and a little help from God.

In an age when the only news we seem to hear about religion is fundamentalist, the earnest faith of the visa-seeking devotees of this temple is a pleasant change. The religion of these devotees is not anti-modern. Many of these people will enter cutting-edge science and technology roles in the United States. Their lives will embody the future of the world, where different countries and religions will all have to learn to coexist.

The "American Visa Temple" is a shining example of old-world religion coexisting with Andhra's 21st century globalisation. (By arranegement with The Times of India)

Sir,

I was shocked to see the news "cruelty on animals" on one of the news channel on 21st morning, showing how was animals was treated in the mini-zoo in Shillong by the people who came to visit the zoo and by the caretaker or the authority who have to look after the welfare of the animals. As the news was aired all over India, the whole country watched us how we treat the animals. It was a big shame for the people of Shillong and the state as a whole, as the way we treat them is like treating a slave or as if we don't care because they are only animals and we can do whatever we like. But the news reader was asking a question before showing the scene, "looking at the picture, you surprise to see that people went to the zoo with alcohol, cigarettes, plastic, bottles and after that, they threw and give all these dirty stuff to the animals, but not only this, they also went near the fence and tried to chase or frighten the animals. By doing these, they think they were the heroes, but in fact they are showing to the world that they are still barbarians. And there is also one big question. Where are the authorities of the zoo? Where and the NGOs especially those who tried to change the name of the Park? (From Lady Hydari Park to U Soso Tham Park)? If Soso Tham was still alive and if he had seen all that happened, he would like his name to be remembered only in our hearts and not to be curve on marbles.

Yours etc.,
B. Syiemlieh,
Shillong-14

Sir,

I would like to express my view through your esteemed paper about the introduction of new English Text Book (English Reader) for Class X from this session i.e., 2006-07, in which Class X students will appear in the SSLC - 2007 conducted by the Meghalaya Board of School Education. Some of the chapters of this book like `Technology with a human face' on `worrying and `on smiles' are beyond the understanding of young learners like Class X students. According to my opinion, these chapters are fit for the 3rd year B.A. Students (English Course).

That Sir, not to speak of Class X students even the teachers teaching English in the Secondary level will find it difficult to make the student understand the subject matter. These aforesaid chapters are philosophical in nature, which Class X student find beyond the reach of their mind. Due to this students' unfriendly text book the market is flooded with guidebooks. It is strange and surprising, that the price of the English Text Book is Rs. 30.00 (Rupees Thirty only) whereas the price of guidebook is Rs. 80.00. I think those who are masters of English not the master of student's Psychology recommended this textbook.

Therefore, I request the Board authority to clarify the matter for the welfare of the Class X students.

Yours etc.,
D R. Joshi,
Shillong-1

"During the last two years in the office the UPA government has outlined its programme to give a thrust to the development and it is on course to complete it, " Dr Singh told the media at the airport here on his arrival for two-day electioneering in Asom.

When asked what the UPA government was going to do with the election commissioner Mr Navin Chawla in the wake of the President Office forwarding the Opposition's complaint against him to the Central government, Dr Singh said, "I will apply my mind after going back from here and take a decision."

Just before he set out for his election campaign, Dr Singh made a appeal to the people of Asom: "Vote for Congress for peace , security, development and mordernisation in Asom. Vote for us to be in power for the next five years."

"Congress governments both at the Centre and in the state is the best possible combination for restoration of peace and expedite development in the state," said Dr Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from Asom.

Regarding the problem of insurgency, he said, "The misguided youths of the state have a Prime Minister from the state in New Delhi. There is no problem that can't be solved through negotiation. We want peace to prevail in Asom in the interests of development and prosperity of its people."

Regarding the present nascent peace process with the ULFA, Dr Singh ruled out possibility of having any discussion on the issue of 'sovereignty of Asom'.

He said all the rural infrastructure development projects, employment generation programmes undertaken by the UPA government were made keeping Asom's interests in the mind. "The Congress government at the Centre is committed to help people live a life of dignity and self respect," the PM said.

Regarding the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh, he said, "We are firmly against all sorts of infiltration and have taken positive steps to prevent infiltration across the border. The work of border fencing along the Indo-Bangla border is progressing at a good speed while action has been taken to update the national register of citizens (NRC) of 1951 for detection of illegal migrants in Asom.

"At the same time we want to ensure protection of genuine Indian citizens living in the state against any sort of harassment during detection and deportation of illegal migrants. The Foreigners (Tribunals for Assam ) Order, 2006 was formulated for that purpose in the wake of Supreme Court's verdict to repeal the IMDT Act, 1983."

Additional session judge of West Tripura district, Subhash Bhattacharya pronounced the life sentence on Friday against one Dhirendra Debbarma, junior engineer of State PWD for kidnapping and killing his colleague's son, Ajijuddin, a class V student.

Ajij's father Najimuddin was a cashier of Dhalai district PWD office where Dhirendra was also working and they were residing in a same quarter complex in Dhalai in 2003.

Ajij was missing from the quarter complex since April 17, 2003 and his parents received phone calls from one unidentified person of paying hefty ransom for his release. (PTI)

Barua' octogenarian mother, Miliki Barua, told visiting reporters at her home here in upper Assam's Dibrugarh district that her family members would certainly cast their votes in the April three Assembly hustings.

"My family will certainly vote. Like every one in our village we will also participate in the polls. But our vote will be for peace in Assam", asserted Barua.

Stating that "a permanent peace of heart" was what she meant by 'peace', Barua declined to name for which party or candidate she and her family would vote.

The ULFA military wing chief's mother was also very eager for a positive outcome to the peace process initiated by Jnanpith awardee Indira Goswami.

Meanwhile, ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said political conflict was the main problem faced by the State and this problem must be on the top agenda of all political parties.

In an e-mail to the local media on Friday night, Rajkhowa said the Congress has promised that within five years it would resolve the problems facing the State but the same promise was made by the AGP in the run up to the 1996 polls.

He alleged: "However, after they assumed power, the AGP denied making any such promise and they followed up their win by launching both open and secret killings in the state."

People should vote for those politicians who would ensure that problems of the state were resolved and the issue of the state's sovereignty was ensured, Rajkhowa added. (PTI)

Though there is no official announcement yet of drought in all four districts, farmers are apprehensive of the worst as cultivable lands in the rural areas have cracked due to the heat.

According to sources from Meteorological Department, the State was expected to receive 197 mm rainfall during the past 21 weeks. However, not a single drop of rain has hit the state. The State received no rain since October last.

"If the situation continues, the ground water level will be decreased considerably. As of now, the water level has come down by 5 feet as the monsoon is yet to arrive in the State," an official said.

The entire north eastern region witnessed 20 per cent less rainfall compared to previous years.

Reports from rural areas revealed that most of the natural sources of water including rivers and wetlands have dried up triggering severe shortage of water in several tribal hamlets. The district administrations were asked to ensure supply of water to each drought hit village.

Despite the prevailing drought like situation, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has ruled out from declaring the State as drought hit.

Meanwhile, a State level monitoring committee was constituted to oversee the situation. Hundreds of acres of land in rural areas have cracked posing a threat to the economy of the farmers.

Briefing newspersons after submitting a memorandum to Governor Shyamal Datta on Friday evening, NPCC president Hokheto Sumi said the two bureaucrats showed disrespect to the service conduct rules by participating in the DAN programme. While Lalthara chaired the function, Chief Secretary Lalhuma delivered the welcome address.

Hokheto also charged that Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Lalthara issued invitation to all ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, Secretaries and Heads of Department and NGOs.

The NPCC charged the DAN Government of dragging Government officials to directly involve themselves by taking part in the DAN function.

The NPCC said immediate action should be taken against the officials "to set the record straight and strengthen the said Conduct Rules". (NNN)

The party submitted a list of eight MLAs, belonging to the ruling Congress and CPI, to Governor S S Sidhu on Friday to initiate steps for their disqualification, BJP's Manipur unit General Secretary Y.Mangi Singh said in a statement on Saturday.

Contending that Ibobi Singh is not only the Chairman of Manipur Film Development Corporation but also heads the Society of Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital, Mangi Singh said this called for steps against him for disqualification.

He said the Chief Minister is also holding the post of President of the Kangla fort board which has been constituted by an ordinance to look after the development works of Kangla complex, in the heart of the city.

In Kohima, the ongoing duel between the DAN Government and the Opposition Congress over the 'Office of Profit' issue has taken such a serious turn that the Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie has summoned a special Assembly session on April 4 at 9:30 am. to discuss the issue. This will be the 11th session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

The controversy was sparked off when the Congress demanded disqualification of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on grounds that he held two additional offices of profit - Chairman of the Nagaland Sports Council and Chairman of the State Bamboo Mission.

The DAN, however, retaliated immediately by charging the Congress Legislature Party leader, I. Imkong of violating the Constitution by holding the additional post of Leader of Opposition, terming it as an "office of profit".

However, in what is seen as a cautious move, the Chief Minister resigned as Chairman of the State Sports Council.The 'Office of Profit' has sent alarm bells to other legislators holding additional charges of committees and councils.

After the issue blew into a major controversy another MLA, Tiameren Ao, senior BJP leader, also resigned as Chairman of the Nagaland Hotels Limited.

The special assembly session is expected to witness heated discussions and much mudslinging. (PTI&NNN)

Senior company officials have visited the State and held discussion with the Arunachal officials, including Power Secretary Tumke Bagra.

Pointing out that Japan and India have always shared good relation with each other, FIETC President Katsuo Funakawa said Japans focus had shifted from China to India of late.

''We would like to develop long-term strategic ties with India and Japanese companies could join in to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries,'' he said. (UNI)