Tag: tripura

Maitri Setu, Agartala-Akhaura rail link to be made operational soon: Tripura CM

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the Maitri Setu in South Tripura and Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail link will become operational very soon.

The Matri Setu built over river Feni connecting South Tripura’s Sabroom with Bangladesh’s Ramgarh was jointly inaugurated on March 9, 2021, and the Agartala- Nischintapur (Indian part of Agartala-Akhaura rail link) was inaugurated on November 1, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

But both connectivity facilities are yet to be made operational. “Election is almost over, and a new government will be formed. Under the leadership of PM Modi, who has always emphasized the Act East Policy and provided us with the HIRA (highway, i-way, railway, airway) model, the Maitri Setu will become operational soon”, the chief minister told reporters on Friday.

Also Read: Tripura to get Vande Bharat Express, says Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik

“The trial in Agartala-Akhaura railway link has already been completed, and it will also be made operational soon,” Saha said, adding that many investors are coming to the northeastern state to invest. “The future of Tripura is bright. After the rail connectivity is established, we will be able to reach Kolkata in a short period,” he said.

Anil Kumar Khandelwal, Member Infrastructure, Railway Board inspected Nischintapur railyard (Indian part of Agartala-Akhaura) on May 15 to check the ongoing work. “The construction work in the Agartala-Akhaura railway project has almost been completed. Now, the train service will be made operational after discussion between both sides,” he said.

Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) Manager, Agartala, Debasish Nandi on Saturday told PTI, “We are ready to open the Maitri Setu by introducing passenger movement in the first phase.

Also Read: Cabinet approves widening of 135-km stretch of Khowai-Harina road in Tripura

All necessary facilities including immigration have been put in place at Sabroom Land Custom Station (LCS). The goods movement can be flagged off later. The final date of the beginning of passenger movement will be taken by Delhi and Dhaka.”

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: Inner Manipur to Arunachal West, key seats in North-East India

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India will go to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls across all 543 parliamentary constituencies in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. The Northeastern belt of India has seen the dominance of regional parties in the past general elections. For the Lok Sabha elections 2024, in the northeast, the polling will be held on April 19, 26, and May 7 in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

Among them, Assam comprises the maximum number of parliamentary constituencies (14). While Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura have two Lok Sabha seats each, the remaining states — Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram — have been allocated one seat each in the Lower House of the Parliament.

Here’s a look at some of the key seats in the Northeast for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections:

1. Arunachal West

Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju is seeking a third consecutive term from this seat in the 2024 polls. He first won from this constituency in the 2004  elections but lost to Congress candidate Takam Sanjoy in the 2009 polls.

Rijiju has been fielded by the BJP from Arunachal West again. He is pitted against former Chief Minister and state Congress president Nabam Tuki. Rijiju defeated Tuki in the 2019 polls by over 1.74 lakh votes.

2. Inner Manipur

Once a Congress stronghold, this seat was wrested by BJP’s Dr RK Ranjan Singh in the last elections when he defeated Oinam Nabakishore Singh, who represented the grand old party, by over 17,000 votes.

In 2024, the BJP has fielded Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh from Inner Manipur. He is the state Education and Law Minister. He is contesting against Congress’ debutant Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who is a teacher at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi.

3. Shillong

Since 2009, this Lok Sabha constituency has been held by Congress leader Vincent Pala, who is now seeking a fourth consecutive term from here. In 2019, Pala defeated Jemino Mawthoh of UDP by more than 1.5 lakh votes. This time, he is up against UDP’s Robertjune Kharjahrin.

4. Mizoram

The lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram is currently held by C Lalrosanga of the Mizo National Front (MNF). Reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, this constituency is witnessing a multi-corner contest between the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), MNF, the BJP and Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

5. Nagaland

The only parliamentary constituency in Nagaland is represented by Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Tokheho Yepthomi, who defeated Congress candidate KL Chishi by over 16,000 votes in 2019.

This time, NDPP has named Chumben Murry as its candidate. He is pitted against Congress’ S Supongmeren Jamir.

6. Tripura West

A bastion of the Communist Party of India (CPI), this seat was wrested by BJP’s Pratima Bhoumik in the 2019 polls. She won by a margin of over 3 lakh votes.

To secure a second consecutive win from here, the BJP has this time fielded former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb. The Congress is represented by its state president Ashish Kumar Saha.

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Tripura to get Vande Bharat Express, says Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik on Saturday said Tripura is set to get Vande Bharat Express, a medium-distance superfast train service with the Northeastern Frontier Railway working on electrification of tracks.

The North East Frontier Railway (NFR) has already begun works on the electrification of the existing railway network from Dharmanagar to Agartala. It is expected to be completed by June or July.

“It will take only four to five hours to reach Guwahati from Agartala once the Vande Bharat express train is extended up to Agartala after the electrification works,” the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Social Empowerment said during an election rally at Dhanpur in the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency.

Bhoumik said, “They (previous governments) had taken 44 years to bring a train from Dharmanagar (entry point to Tripura) to Churaibari, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi took only two years to take the broad gauge railway service up to Agartala. The train service has been made available up to Sabroom by 2020.” Sabroom is situated in the southern part of the state.

The BJP leader said, “I had a meeting with the Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the railway works in the northeastern states and found out that the electrification work up to Agartala is expected to be completed by June or July.”

Once the electrification work is completed, Vande Bharat Express will be extended up to Agartala and the Tripura people would reach Guwahati within four to five hours. At present, it takes 12 hours for people to travel between the two destinations by train. The development in railway connectivity has been possible because of Modi ji, she said.

The state has got as many as six universities in the past six years, besides various welfare schemes such as PMAY, PM-Kishan, Ayushman Bharat and Jan Dhan Yojana, Bhoumik said.

Bhoumik, who won from the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency in the 2019 polls by over three lakh votes, was denied a ticket this time. She also won last year’s Assembly election from Dhanpur but later she resigned due to an ‘unknown reason’ and continues to be the minister of state.

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Ram Mandir: Tripura declares dry day on Monday

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Tripura government declared a dry day in the state on Monday on the occasion of the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, according to an official order.

The state government had earlier declared a half-day holiday on Monday on the occasion of the ceremony.

”The state government has desired to declare a dry day on the auspicious occasion of the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on Monday. You are requested to issue necessary notice to all licensees to maintain a dry day on Monday i.e. January 22, 2024, as per the provision of the Tripura Excise Act and Rules”, an official of the Excise department wrote to all District Magistrates and Collectors.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday participated in a cleanliness drive at Laxmi Narayan temple and Andamoyee Maa temple in Agartala.

”Following an appeal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are carrying out a cleanliness drive in various temples… We will clean up Kashba Kalibari in the Sepahijala district and Tripueswari temple in the Gumati district on Monday. We are feeling good to get engaged in such holy work”, he told reporters.

”A ’yajna’ will be performed at Durgabari (Agartala) on Monday to mark the auspicious occasion of the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple… We want to rule the state the way Lord Ram ruled his kingdom”, he added.

Also read: Ram Mandir inauguration: 10 things you must know about the historic temple.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Cabinet approves widening of 135-km stretch of Khowai-Harina road in Tripura

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for widening of the 135-km stretch of Khowai-Harina road in Tripura, according to an official statement. The project involves investment of ₹2,486.78 crore which includes a loan component of ₹1,511.70 crore (JPY 23,129 million), the statement said.

The loan assistance will be from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Official Development Assistance (ODA) scheme, it added.

The project is envisaged to facilitate better road connectivity between various parts of Tripura and to provide alternative access to Assam and Meghalaya from Tripura apart from existing NH-8.

“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for improvement and widening to two lane with paved shoulder of road from km 101.300 (Khowai) to km 236.213 (Harina) of NH-208, covering a total length of 134.913 kms in Tripura,” the statement said.

The statement noted that development of the project stretch of NH-208 would not only improve Interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura via NH-208A but also reduce the transit time and provide safer connectivity for the travellers.

The project stretch also passes very close to the Bangladesh border and it would improve connectivity to Bangladesh through Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Khowai Border Check Post, it said. The statement said land border trade would also potentially grow with the improvement in road Network in the region through development of the project road.

The construction period for the project will be 2 years which includes the maintenance of these National Highways stretches for 5 years (in the case of flexible pavement)/ 10 years (in the case of rigid pavement) after completion of construction.

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Boosting Development: ₹717 crore set aside for 5 projects in Tripura

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned ₹717 crore for five projects in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha said.

Of the total outlay, ₹202 crore has been sanctioned for construction of a dental college in the northeastern state, while another ₹192 crore was approved for a mother and childcare unit at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC).

Besides, ₹121 crore has been sanctioned for setting up of a drug de-addiction centre in Sepahijala district.

“Under the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the socio-economic condition of people living in Tripura has been enhanced… ₹717 crore has been sanctioned to undertake five projects in the state. I thank the prime minister for his unwavering help to people of the state,” Saha said in a Facebook post.

An outlay of ₹80 crore has been made for setting up of micro-grids for expansion of solar power in the tribal-dominated areas. A total of ₹122 crore was also approved for taking up three rural road construction projects, he added.

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Three-day festival opens in Tripura as tourist look to enjoy vibrant Diwali celebrations

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated a three-day Diwali festival at the Tripureswari temple, one of the revered 51 Shakti Peeths, located in Udaipur, Gomati district, on November 12. Security has been stepped up in and around the 700-year-old temple to ensure a serene celebration of the festival of lights.

There is a massive fair being held accompanying the rituals around the temple premises. The temple’s doors opened at 4.30 am on Sunday, commencing with the Chandi path, a traditional worship ritual. Diwali festivities will see the Tripura Sundari deity adorned with special ornaments, with regular puja commencing at 10 am. An additional special puja is planned for the evening, according to Chandan Chakraborty, the temple’s head priest. While the temple will stay open overnight on Sunday, it will close at 11 pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Given the high demand for entry, approximately 6,664 shops have already sold tickets for stalls, and organisers estimate that sales could reach up to 10,000. Ther are over 600 stalls selling everything from clothes to food to hosting games.

Also read: Handcrafted decor, plants and more, 6 Diwali gift ideas to make this festival memorable

This year, devotees will have the opportunity to witness the puja rituals via live streaming on giant screens on both Sunday and Monday. Anticipating record attendance, the administration has expressed optimism for the success of the fair and festivities.

In tandem with the celebration, revellers are being asked to only green crackers during Diwali, adhering to guidance from the Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB). Superintendent of Police (West) Kiran Kumar affirmed that strict action will be taken against anyone found using prohibited firecrackers during this festive season.

The Diwali fair kicked off ahead of the conclusion of Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja at the revered Mata Tripureshwari. The state government, in its inaugural term, is orchestrating the three-day extravaganza and efforts are being made to ensure tourists and locals thoroughly enjoy culinary and special festivities.

Also read: Wishes and messages to share with your loved ones on Diwali this year

In terms of logistics, five entry gates will be strategically positioned along the national highway. Starting from the afternoon of November 12, access to the fairgrounds will be restricted without prior government authorisation.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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India bans two Tripura-based insurgent groups

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Centre on Tuesday banned Tripura-based insurgent groups the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as well as their associate organisations for five years for their involvement in various subversive activities and threatening the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

In a notification, the Union home ministry said the professed aim of the NLFT and the ATTF is the establishment of an independent nation by the secession of Tripura from India through an armed struggle in alliance with other armed secessionist organisations of the northeastern state and to incite the indigenous people of Tripura for such secession.

The Centre is of the opinion that the NLFT and the ATTF have been engaging in subversive and violent activities, thereby undermining the authority of the government and spreading terror and violence among people for achieving their objectives, the ministry said.

The two groups, in pursuance of their aims and objectives in the recent past, engaged in violent and unlawful activities, “which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India”, it added.

These groups are also involved in killing civilians and personnel belonging to the police and security forces and engaged in extortion of funds from the public, including businessmen and traders, the notification said.

The NLFT and the ATTF have established and maintained camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of a safe sanctuary, training, procurement of arms and ammunition etc.

The notification said the Centre is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the NLFT and the ATTF are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the NLFT along with all its factions, wings and front organisations and the ATTF along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations,” the notification said.

The home ministry said the ban will be effective for five years.

Also Read:25 lakh fake job cards issued in West Bengal under MGNREGA, Centre considering CBI probe: Giriraj

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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Bypoll results 2023 latest update: BJP bags Tripura, Uttarakhand; Congress, TMC, JMM secure victory in Kerala, WB and Jharkhand

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Votes are being tallied in the seven assembly constituencies where elections were held on September 5. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won both Tripura seats and Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, while the Congress’ Chandy Oommen won Puthuppally in Kerala, the Trinamool Congress secured a West Bengal seat and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won in Dumri. These polls serve as a crucial litmus test for the newly-formed Opposition alliance, INDIA, as they face off against the BJP-led NDA for the first time.

The outcome of these by-elections will likely influence the political landscape in the run-up to the state elections later this year and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The vote-counting process commenced promptly at 8 a.m. in designated centres within each of the six states. Here’s a breakdown of the constituencies in question:

Ghosi, Uttar Pradesh

The Ghosi seat was vacated following the resignation of Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA and OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan, who later rejoined the BJP. The opposition alliance, INDIA, put up a united front in this constituency and fielded SP candidate Sudhakar Singh, who secured a victory over BJP’s Dara Singh Chauhan with a margin of over 1.24 lakh votes, ABP news reported.

Security was heightened in Mau ahead of the results which are scheduled to be declared later today. A voter turnout of 50.77 percent was recorded on September 5.

Dumri, Jharkhand

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)’s Bebi Devi won the by-election in Dumri in Jharkhand and defeated her nearest All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) rival Yashoda Devi on Friday.

A total of 64.84 percent of voters exercised their franchise in this constituency.

Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

BJP candidate Parwati Dass won the Bageshwar assembly bypoll in Uttarakhand on Friday, defeating Congress’ Basant Kumar.

This seat became vacant due to the passing of its MLA and cabinet minister Chandan Ram Das in April this year. The INDIA alliance posted a united front here.

Dhupguri, West Bengal

The ruling Trinamool Congress wrested the Dhupguri assembly seat in West Bengal on Friday from the BJP, whose candidate Tapasi Roy was leading earlier in the day. TMC candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy, a college professor, won the seat by over 4,000 votes.

CPI(M) candidate Ishwar Chandra Roy, who was backed by the Congress, was at a distant third spot.

The by-election here witnessed a high turnout of 76 percent of eligible voters.

Puthuppally, Kerala

Congress candidate Chandy Oommen won the Puthuppally assembly seat in Kerala, PTI said on Friday afternoon per EC sources. The constituency saw a fierce battle between the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) after the demise of Congress stalwart Oommen Chandy.

Boxanagar and Dhanpur, Tripura

The BJP won the by-elections in both Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura, per the Election Commission of India (ECI).

BJP’s Tafajjal Hossain secured a landslide victory in Boxanagar, which has around 66 percent minority voters. Hossain got 34,146 votes, while his nearest rival Mizan Hossain of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) got 3,909 votes.

BJP candidate Bindu Debnath bagged the Dhanpur seat, which has a significant tribal population. Debnath got 30,017 votes, and his nearest rival Kaushik Chanda of the CPI(M) got 11,146 votes.

The CPI(M) boycotted the counting of votes after alleging large-scale rigging during the polling and inaction by the ECI.

The INDIA bloc includes 26 parties including the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT), TMC, JMM, Aam Aadmi Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, CPI(M), Communist Party of India, Rashtriya Janata Dal, SP and Rashtriya Lok Dal.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow