Arunachal to install pre, post-paid elect metres in Itanagar
Itanagar:Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to install both pre and post paid electric metres in the state capital, Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi said here on Thursday. “The state cabinet in its sitting here yesterday has viewed seriously the concerns of the people over installation of Pre-paid Electric Meters (PPEM) in the state capital and accordingly decided to provide choice to the consumers,” Negi told reporters here. Installation of PPEMs of late has snowballed into a major controversy with majority of the consumers led by several organisations and students’ unions opposing the new technology of the government as part of power reform initiatives. Negi said that the decision of the state government to install PPEMs with top down approach was in accordance to the commitment given to the Centre on power reforms initiatives launched in the entire country. He said, the cabinet also decided to conduct familiarisation tour of the leaders of those organisation opposing PPEMs to Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura where PPEMs had already been installed. (PTI)
Tripura hosts Asia’s largest theatre festival
Agartala: The 17th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Asia’s largest theatre festival, is all set to enthrall the people of Agartala.Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Wednesday night inaugurated the six-day Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD).”This year the festival began its journey from New Delhi. The 18-day-long festival started in the national capital from Feb 1,” NSD society chairman Ratan Thiyam told reporters. He said: “This year, for the first time ever, the festival is travelling out of the national capital to other Indian cities, including Agartala, Jabalpur, Aurangabad and Panaji.” The theme for this year’s carnival is ‘Breaking Borders’. “This year, Bharat Rang Mahotsav promises to be bigger and better than ever, with 12 countries, including USA, UK, Germany, France, China, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Israel, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh taking part in this mega festival,” said Thiyam, an internationally acclaimed theatre personality from Manipur. “From 12 participating countries, 82 productions in 23 languages and performances by 125 groups, the 17th edition of the Mahotsav is all poised to be a colossal affair,” he said.(IANS)
Tripura mulls entry tax on online shopping
Agartala:With the booming of online shopping in both retail and wholesale, the Tripura government has mulled introduction of entry tax on every consignment entering the state,following the instance of West Bengal, Mizoram and Manipur. Official sources here today said besides retailing the household goods, fast moving consumer goods and electronic items; now reportedly the companies have started sending consignment for wholesale too to the retail points. As a result, the state is losing tax substantially over past two years and also the retail business in the state has faced a serious challenge. Moreover, in some cases courier companies are carrying various contraband items directly in the markets. “With the booming of online shopping, courier business in Tripura has also become wider but quality of service of the courier companies went down even below the postal service,” commented state’s Finance and Consumer Affairs Minister Bhanu Lal Saha.He, however, pointed out that after introduction of VAT, the marketing companies have been paying tax while procuring, but the courier companies have been earning without any tax. (UNI)
Two hardcore NDFB(S) militants nabbed, RDX recovered
Guwahati: Two alleged hardcore NDFB(S) militants were arrested with 12 kgs of RDX during a joint operation by security forces in Assam’s Baksa district on Thursday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, troops of Red Horns Division and Assam Police apprehended the duo and recovered 12 kgs of explosives from their possession this morning, a defence spokesman said. The duo have been iden-tified as Lwmsao Narzary and Sistu Basumatary. (PTI)
12 buildings gutted by fire in Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar:At least 10 dwellings and two granaries were reduced to ashes on Wednesday in a devastating fire at Deb in Papum Pare district, police said. The inferno, which broke out in the wee hours, gutted 10 buildings and two granaries besides damaging other property worth over 25 lakh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jalash Pertin said. The cause of the fire was reported to be an electric short circuit, Pertin said. However, there was no report of any injury, he said. Immediate relief was distributed to the victims as per government norms, he said. (PTI)