Rice production in the State is dwindling. Though there was a fluctuating trend between 2003-04 and 2005-06 in its production, the output of the item showed a sharp decline during 2006-07.

SIVASAGAR

Declining agricultural productivity and the increasing demand for foodgrains have emerged as a big challenge before the country.

A severe cyclonic storm hit Badarpur at midnight on Friday. The storm damaged a large numbers of houses, trees, electric posts, telephone wires etc in the town and adjacent villages.

BARPETA, March 18

In the backdrop of a populist Union Budget, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had limited options of being harsh on the people.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has cleared an investment of Rs 4,375.35 crore for the coal-based 750 MW Thermal Power Project at Salakati in Kokrajhar district.

The State has received an amount of $ 250 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as loan assistance to revamp the power sector.

The Centre has denied that the Gas Cracker Project has suffered delays claiming that the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymers Limited (BCPL) would start production according to schedule by 2012.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while presenting his Budget for 2008-09 today proposed abolition of Value Added Tax (VAT) from rice, pulses, atta, maida, suji and besan.