The State's source of revenue suffered a major setback after the power supply to neighbouring states especially Asom, had to be stopped due to over consumption by the mushrooming industries in Byrnihat, a fact highlighted by the outgoing Chief Secretary SK Tewari way back in 2000. Another major factor was, of course, less rainfall since the last couple of years.

Mr Tewari had made efforts to give fillip to State's horticulture production and had also raised the matter in various forums including the Centre.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Chatterjee said that continuity of good schemes is needed for overall development.

"To make the government more effective, the officers should perform well," he said adding, "the task ahead is to be accountable for betterment of the administration," he said. He also stressed the need for having a "degree of convergence" on the part of NGOs in their approach towards various issues.

Shillong: Did you ever wish your car had a mileage similar to that of a 100cc motorcycle? If you did, your wish has just come true, thanks to a US-based scientist with a Shillong connection.

The mandate for Denzel Mayum Kharmujai, a 31-year-old researcher at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, was to develop cellulosic ethanol, a much-discussed biofuel projected to cut the US "dependency on foreign oil" by 35 billion gallons by 2017.

Instead, he developed the ultimate fuel booster that he has patented as Oilcat, or oil catalyst. The "biochemical" product enhances the thermo-energy of hydrocarbons without losing its property. "It’s like this: adding Oilcat to diesel or gasoline (petrol) will make your vehicle run three-six times more for the same quantity of oil," said Kharmujai via e-mail.

Test-runs have revealed that a petrol car with an average mileage of 15 kmpl gave a little over 50 kmpl after Oilcat—compacted to the size of a golf ball—was implanted in the specially designed engine. A diesel SUV with an on-road mileage of 10 kmpl, on the other hand, ran a tad over 30 kmpl. Oilcat is good news for the aviation industry too: a mid-sized Boeing flew four-and-a-half times more with fuel that would normally have exhausted in one flight.

No wonder, Oilcat—commercial production is scheduled to commence by this year-end—has had the US going gaga over Kharmujai, given the fact that America’s wars in West Asia have been pushing the global price of oil up. "This must be one of the greatest discoveries of this millennium," said Chris Somerville, professor of biological sciences at Stanford University and Kharmujai’s guide.

Somerville, though, was quick to add that he was relying on "wonder boy" Kharmujai to make cellulosic ethanol, the "fuel of the future" that is being derived from Miscanthus, a perennial grass native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia.

Kharmujai, the older of two children of Shillong-born Helen Kharmujai and the half-Manipuri, half-Bengali Rabindra Mayum, has already received $2.5 million from investors to set up his Oilcat factory in the US. But he wants the "land of my ancestors" to benefit from his discovery.

"I want India to be the base for my Asia, Oceania and European operations," he said, hoping Meghalaya would be the first to offer him land and other incentives to help produce Oilcat.

In a statement issued here, the Secretary of the Durbar said that on March 17 he called up Dr Lyndem at 9.15 a.m. to be present at Nongthymmai Police Beat House to record the statement of Mrs Shimti Kharsohnoh who is the mother of the murdered lady.

"Whatever that Mrs Kharsohnoh said was recorded in my presence" the Secretary of the Durbar said.

He also informed that a public meeting held recently in the village had also termed the accusations against Dr Lyndem as baseless.

During the the meeting, the MSWC chairperson also said that she had taken several steps for protection of women from domestic violence and crimes.

Meanwhile, another public meeting of the party will be held at Dangar on Monday at 11 am, a statement issued here said.

According to sources, the meeting took note of the requirement of equipments in the Orthopaedic department and Accident Trauma Centre and that a proposal would be sent to the State government through the Director of Health Services (DHS).

The meting also decided to procure one ECG machine in view of immediate need and that the machine would be procured from the fund of the Society.

It was also decided to create a Central Sterilization Store Department (CSSD) with the required manpower.

In view of the current load shedding by the MeSEB, the meeting decided to procure three emergency lights for the corridor of the emergency room for use during power shutdown.

The meeting also decided to purchase the urgently needed OT medicines from the fund of the Society.

It also decided to sent a proposal to the State government for procurement of Laparascope. Another proposal would be made for procurement of Surgical Eye Microscope for the Eye department.

The US State Department in a study paper released recently says Kashmir occupies centrestage in any discourse on Indian politics and regional relations in south Asia. Most discussions on Kashmir focus on either the constitutional position of the state, the legality or illegality of the instrument of accession or the externally-sponsored terrorism affected by foreign mercenaries. Some also look at it from the point of view of human rights of distinct nationalities and recommend self-determination for the people of Kashmir. Rarely is the Kashmir issue seen as part of a bigger problem faced by most Third World states to integrate their multi-racial and pluralistic societies in their attempt at nation and state building. If viewed in the larger context, Kashmir, far from being an exception or a specific South Asian problem, conforms to a pattern.

Almost all states in the Third World have one or more minority groups within their national territories, and minorities frequently live on different sides of state borders. Consequently, the treatment of minorities presents a moral and political dilemma with both domestic and international ramifications. In this sense, Kashmir is a paradigm and the lessons learnt here have implications for all Third World nation states grappling with the problems thrown up by heterogeneity and the demands of a pluralistic society. Therefore, to view the Kashmir problem in isolation and to offer prescriptions specific to this territory without addressing the larger questions of Third World nation building would be intellectually presumptuous and practically unacceptable.

The modern nation state, undoubtedly one of the world's most enduring institutions, is facing major challenges: It is going thought period of stress and strain that may not only alter the political maps of the world but also transform the very notions of sovereignty and nationhood. States are being pressed in different unpredictable and politically violent ways by ethnic, religious forces or by demands for reunification with homelands across borders. The results are visible not just the turmoil in most Third World states, in the collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite states, Yugoslavia and others, but in all the seemingly more stable and established nations. Canada is an interesting example, but the results of the recent referendum may come as a sobering influence on many of the minority groups who try to break away from the established states, as well as on those who advocate referendum as a solution to such problems. In appreciating the difficulties encountered by the Third World states, it should not be forgotten that the process of state-making in Europe, home of the modern nation state, followed a gradualist pattern. It took, decades and several bouts of unprecedented violence to stabilise these sates.

Even the USA went through a tumultuous period culminating in the historic Civil War. Even so, imperfections remain. A case in point is Britain with its unruly mixture of Scots, Welsh and the English, and its war zone in Northern Ireland. Sub-surface ethnic tensions persist in the United State as well due to the complexities of race relations and the continued (and often illegal) inflow of new migrant races. For the newly independent countries it is not time alone that constrains their journeys to nationhood. They have to tackle the political, social and economic dimensions of the de-colonialisation process simultaneously, rather than through a process broken into phases as was the case with the Western developed states.

The Western nation states were fortunate in having the chance to solve some of the intricate problems of nation-building well before they had to face the ordeal of mass politics. This makes the problem of a nation state a more difficult and complicated task in the Third World.

The unfortunate part is that Western leaders and intellectuals often try to foist their values and ideas which have centuries to evolve to nascent Third World states for their own interests and in the process sometime de-stabilise the process of nation building. Given this theoretical framework, Kashmir is no exception, and in fact shares the experiences of other pluralistic societies nearer home, particularly in Southeast Asia. All the countries of Southeast Asia with the single exception of Singapore have problems of some national groups trying either to assert their autonomy or to secede from the state. While armed communist movements constituted the most serious threat to regime survival in post-colonial Southeast Asia, armed separatist movements involving indigenous ethnic minorities are challenging the very basis of statehood and national identity in the region. Southeast Asia is home to at least 32 ethno-linguistic groups and all the world's major independent rebel groups have organised armed campaigns against the state structure within the ASEAN countries.

In the case of Myanmar (Burma), for instance, about 10 sub-ethnic groups are demanding sovereignty ever since the country became independent. Burma since ancient times has been dominated by the majority Burman ethnic group. The countries independence was expected to correct earlier deprivation of many of the minority groups and offer them equal rights and a place under the sun, but it never happened.

In Thailand too the problem of ethnicity affects the stability of the State and of national integration. The country is predominantly Buddhist, only 4 per cent of the entire population follows other faiths. About 3.82 per cent of the population is Muslim, the rest being Christian. It is this minuscule Muslim minority that has most vociferously opposed the national integration plans in matters of administration and other governmental activities.

The Philippines is also not free from such ethnic separatist movements. Ever since the country's independence, the central government at Manila has tried to assimilate the Moros, who are Muslims living in a predominantly Christian country and who have always looked to the Malay world and to the Middle East for cultural and religious sustenance. But under former President Marcos, who ruled from 1996 to 1986, the movement for a 'Bangsa Moro' began to gain momentum.

An interesting aspect of the movement for independence in Kashmir is that it is directed not only at the Indian state in terms of secession but also at the established ruling groups within Kashmir. Its social origins are neo-bourgeois and its philosophy a combination of "Kashmiriyat" and Islam. Depending upon the weightage given to each of these two elements respectively, we have half-a-dozen militant groups. The current crisis is the culmination of many years of perverse democratic politics within the state, compounded by rampant corruption and sluggish socioeconomic development. All this fanned political disenchantment especially among the growing numbers of educated unemployed Kashmiri youth. Also, the sense of alienation from the Indian state among the Kashmiri emergent middle class is due in part to a feeling of discrimination by New Delhi. Rightly or wrongly, this feeling is deeply embedded in the Kashmiri psyche. The winds of fundamentalism and the stories of 'heroic terrorism' across the world provided the inspiration for many Kashmiris to adopt militancy. These feelings within Kashmir constitute a great opportunity for Pakistan to exploit.

Given the past history of the subcontinent, a further division or granting of independence to any of the constituent units of India will not solve any religious, linguistic or other ethnic disputes. The same is true for Pakistan. The case of Bangladesh was very different because the two former wings of Pakistan were not only physically separated by another country, but they also had nothing in common except religion.

Long years of neglect, indifference, and bad policies, although not deliberate, have led to the alienation of a large number of Kashmiris. It is proving difficult to bring Kashmiris back into the mainstream. If the Southeast Asian experience holds any lessons for Kashmir, it is first that it will be difficult to reach a solution as long as the armed Kashmiri movement continues to receive support from an external source, which in this case is Pakistan and a few other Islamic countries. Second, the Kashmir movement cannot be solved by force alone. The case of Thailand and to an extent the Philippines shows that a more considerate policy towards minority groups succeeds in diminishing alienation and with it the problem of armed insurgency and terrorism.

In short, a compromise needs to be worked out. The Kashmiris clearly need more devolution of powers and autonomy. At the same time, they need to be reminded that secession is unacceptable. The solution to a dispute like that in Kashmir cannot be the fragmentation of the Indian state, but decentralisation and devolution of power to the constituent units; better communication between the state and its sectarian and ethnic minorities; and cultural tolerance and fairness in the from of constitutional safeguards for the disadvantaged. A careful scrutiny of the roots of unrest in South Asia reveals that many of the urgent issues confronting the region centre around the tension caused by either a central government or a particular dominant ethnic, linguistic, or religious group arrogating too much power to itself. INAV

Sir,

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed until August the 27 per cent reservation of seats in elite central educational institutions for backward class students.

It is a nice move by the court and have given relief to thousands of talented students who were going to miss the opportunities due to this reservation system. The politicians were trying to impose the law for their benefit. They never thought about the future of the students who are putting a lot of efforts in their studies. Now the decision taken by the court is absolutely correct and should be appreciated.

There is no wrong in making the effort to raise the living standard of backward classes and give them more opportunities in educational institutions but reservation is not the solution. It is going to create tensions and nothing. So it would be better if the government comes forward with some other plan which can solve the issue permanently and give equal opportunity to all classes of students.

Yours etc.,
Shailesh Kumar,
Via e-mail

Sir,

Now when the dust is settled and the aspirations/expectations are washed away in waters of incompetency displayed by the very hyped 'Men in blue', it's time we give priority to other disciplines as well. The Godlike status, the endorsements tagged with big bucks and the like factors etc, have proved detrimental to them. The focus/support from firms/public should shift to the other contenders of various sport disciplines who equally deserves it. Let us not make cricket very much relevant to patriotism or attached our emotions to it. The show of esteem, hard work, success, style as being wrongly portrayed in ads, does no justice to the person hitting a boundary or a fielder taking a catch or for that matter quenching a thirst or gelling your hair. There are various brave hearts of Indian sports who have done and is still doing India proud in keeping the tri-colour fluttering. It is looking to the other side of the arena and we will know that there are 'many' who are making us smile every moment.

Yours etc.,
Adilbert Dkhar,
Shillong-3
Via e-mail

Sir,

The Indian cricket team is undoubtedly in a very pathetic condition. Cricket has become more of a religion in India, but none of the players realise this. I feel the problem with the Indian cricket team is not with their coach or the other technical staff, the problem is with the players. They (the players) lack the zeal and enthusiasm they once possessed when they first held the willow while playing in their streets. As of now they should be taking a long break and go for a sanyaas. I personally won't be watching cricket anymore, but am planning to shift my interest to another game...maybe kho kho. I think the Indian players don't know what really the World Cup is.

Yours etc.,
Phiralang Diengdoh
Via e-mail

An HNA statement here said, ''Lalzirliana has told the Mizoram Assembly an outright lie, which was contempt to the House as well as to the people of Hmar and unless he is able to provide witness, he will be responsible for any consequence.''

Lalzirliana had alleged that the Mizoram Government had handed over 12 AK-47 rifles to the banned-outfit at Zilthawchhuah, a Manipur village near Mizoram border, on January 13. The arms were transported in a Bolero car with registration number MZ-01B-3645.

The HNA will leave no stone unturned to reveal the truth to the people, the statement said, adding, ''The vehicle went to Parbung (Manipur) from Aizawl on January 13 which can proved by the Assam Rifles check-gate on the road.''

Meanwhile, Home Minister Tawnluia on Friday submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker to constitute a 'house inquiry committee' to probe into the allegation.

''I was not aware of the 'giving of 12 AK-47 rifles to Hmar outfit' until Mr Lalzirliana mentioned it in the House. The police immediately investigated into the allegation but, an inquiry committee is necessary because the people of Mizoram should know the truth,'' he said.

Adding fuel to the issue, youth wings of the three Opposition parties - MPCC, MPC and ZNP - came out with a joint press release on Saturday, lashing out at the HNA statement.

The HNA leaders were summoned by the MNF Government through its CID personnel on the night of March 29 following which the statement was made, the joint press release said, adding the meeting included the outfit's president Thansung, the vehicle owner and driver.

The press release also said the MLA had more information, which he did not disclose in the House, such as the registration number of the police van through which the arms were passed on to the Sumo and the name of the police officer involved.

Expressing solidarity with the MLA, the release warned that if any negative consequence befalls him, because of revealing the truth, the HNA would be held responsible.

The entire Opposition in Mizoram moved a no confidence motion against the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till Monday.

Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) legislator Lalduhawma moved the motion during the Zero Hour on Friday. It was supported by 12 legislators, including Congress and Mizoram Peoples Conference (MPC) besides ZNP. The MNF has 27 legislators in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly.

The Opposition alleged that the law and order situation in the State had been gradually deteriorating while a number of banned militant outfits of the northeast had made Mizoram a corridor for arm smuggling.

Finally, Speaker Lalchamliana adjourned the house till Monday and announced the schedule of discussion on the motion on that day. (UNI)

Addressing a press meet here, BJP’s NC Hills District president Kulendra Daulagupu said, the elections to the NCHAC should have been held immediately after the term of the present council expired on December 20 last. But the State Government contrived to extend the term by six months, which was stopped only by a High Court ruling.

''We demand that the polls be announced without delay. The bandh has been called jointly by the BJP and Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) to press for our demand,'' he added.

BJP legislator Mission Ranjan Das, also present at the press meet, said, ''The State Government can easily announce elections through an affidavit, which would automatically depose off the writ petitions pending in the court. But they don't have the will to do so.''

He said the Congress, which held power at Dispur as well as controlled the present NCHAC, was employing in delaying tactics as it feared losing power due to its "rampant corruption" in the NCHAC administration.

Mr Daulagupu further pointed out that the Government had pleaded for time for delimitation in the NC Hills, but it could have conveniently done it during its tenure of five years. The BJP would be contesting in eight of the total 23 seats in the NCHAC, leaving the rest for its alliance partner ASDC. (UNI)

Superintendent of Police Shyamal Saikia told PTI the army and police, acting on a tip-off, jointly raided a house at Nitaipukhuri Godabil where three ULFA militants were hiding. One of the militants fled, while the other two opened fire, seriously wounding Major S Parihar of the 174 Field Regiment.

In the exchange of fire, two ULFA rebels -- identified as "sergeant major" Nipon Borgohain and "corporal" Biplab Konwar -- were gunned down, Saikia said. An AK-47 rifle, a large quantity of RDX explosive, a 12-kg IED, and flexible wire were recovered from the two.

Army intelligence sources said the two slain rebels had been assigned by the ULFA leadership to strike in Guwahati and Tinsukia ahead of the group's raising day on April 7.

The wounded major was airlifted to Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh in a serious condition. (PTI)

Mr Johri said the State had limited resources and the deficit presented by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the Finance portfolio, was a positive phenomenon.

Commenting on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Mr Johri pulled up some State Government Departments including Health and Family Welfare, Power, Education and Transport and Communication for anomalies and lack of effective budgetary control.

He also revealed similar anomalies in all the nine departmentally managed government commercial and quasi-commercial undertakings.

On the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) mission in the State, Mr Johri pulled up for mismanagement, inefficiency and diversion of funds of the mission.

Citing a survey conducted in August 2003, he said three districts, that were test-checked, were found grossly deficient in infrastructure as 76 per cent of schools had no drinking water facilities, 94 per cent had no electricity, 55 per cent had no verandahs, 97 per cent had no toilets for girls and 92 per cent of schools had no urinal and above all 86 per cent of school buildings had dilapidated walls, roofs and floors.

He also said 43 per cent of the teachers were not adequately qualified and 65 per cent of teachers were not trained to perform their jobs adding that SSA funds of Rs 10.65 lakh were diverted for distribution of free text books in Kiphire under (then) Tuensang district though the state was providing funds for the purpose. (UNI)

Guwahati: The Draft Master Plan 2025 for development of the State capital was unveiled here on Saturday.

Announcing the Draft Master plan, Guwahati Development Department (GDD) Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said, ''We have visualised a planned, clean and beautiful city by 2025. All individuals and groups are welcome to offer their suggestions for finalising the Master Plan.''

Developing three new townships at Changsari, Sualkuchi and Rani on the outskirts of the main city limits now is an important proposal in the plan. Two new bridges over the Brahmaputra on the eastern and western ends, besides better road communication and light rail transit system, are additional features of the plan.

A new Separate Economic Zone in south-west of the city and addition of 521 hectares of land for industrial purposes in the north-west part have also been proposed. (UNI)