Critical appraisal: Gogoi focuses on midday meals, roads, water

October 14th, 2009 GUWAHATI - In a critical appraisal of his government's performance, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi admitted Wednesday that the state's progress was not at all satisfactory in vital sectors like poverty alleviation, employment, agriculture, irrigation and education. Addressing a two-day conference of deputy commissioners (DC) in Guwahati, the chief minister said DCs would be transferred if they failed to perform and implement government schemes.

September 3rd, 2009 DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has distributed free Ramzan meals in 720 villages of three Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, WAM news agency reported. The meals were distributed as part of the activities launched by Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of UAE's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the month of Ramzan, the report said Wednesday.

September 1st, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday set a September 15 deadline for the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) a.k.a. the "Black Widow" terror group to surrender.

August 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday said he had no complaints against Syed Sibtey Razi and had no knowledge about the governor being asked to quit following corruption charges against his former aides. I have made it clear that I have no complaints against the governor.

August 11th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Modalities are being worked out for suspension of ongoing security operations, even as the Assam Government has agreed to start peace talks with the rebel Dima Halem Daogah (Jewel faction), said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Asserting that the State Government would hold talks on its own terms and conditions, Gogoi, however, clarified that DHD (J) rebels are eager to start the peace process.

July 30th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Farmers in some parts of Assam are facing a tough time due to the delayed rainfall as, officials estimated, it could lead to a 20 per cent drop in the paddy crop cultivation. Rainfall was delayed in Kamrup, Sibsagar, parts of Jorhat, Golaghat, Nalbari, Goalpara and Dhubri districts.

July 15th, 2009 GUWAHATI - The Assam Government has declared more than half of the state drought-hit, due to the lack of rain. According to officials, agriculture activity in the state has been badly hit due to scanty monsoon rains.

July 2nd, 2009 Appraisers want new rules rescindedWASHINGTON — A letter Wednesday to the Housing and Urban Development Department asks the agency to rescind rules regarding real estate appraisals claiming they lead to the use of under-qualified appraisers. The Appraisal Institute and three other appraisal groups argue HUD's restrictions on total appraisal fees are driving competent appraisers away from mortgage programs backed by the Federal Housing Administration and other mortgage programs.

April 23rd, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said the Congress would win more seats as compared to last time in 2004 due to the development projects undertaken by his government. "Never before so much development work had been done in the state as was done by my government.

March 28th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said he had not received any notice from the Election Commission (EC) for his reported statement concerning mobilisation of resources from the industry. "The EC has not given me any notice till now.

March 28th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Saturday accused the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine of fielding a candidate chargesheeted for murder. 'I am not naming the candidate, but I am telling you that there is one candidate in the AGP-BJP combine who was chargesheeted in a murder case,' the chief minister told reporters.

March 19th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi Wednesday admitted that he had received money from the tea industry to fund the Congress party's election campaign. 'Yes, I admit I have received money by cheque for the elections.

February 27th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Thursday offered to quit politics if charges of the Congress party winning elections with the help of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was proved. 'I am ready to quit politics if anybody can prove that we had links or (were) helped by the ULFA to win elections,' the chief minister told journalists here.

February 1st, 2009 GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Monday said there are about 300 cadres of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in 15 camps located in Bangladesh. 'The ULFA and the NDFB based in Bangladesh are getting support from local groups and organisations like HuJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami) and we want Dhaka to launch a flush out drive to uproot their bases,' the chief minister told journalists here.

December 28th, 2008 NEW DELHI - Roads in the capital prone to water-logging that causes pot-holes will be cemented, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said Monday. 'The MCD will improve and strengthen 68 roads which are prone to water-logging by providing ready mixed concrete surface,' said Vijender Gupta, chairman of the civic authority's standing committee.