Skip to content Skip to navigation

Assam shuns oil royalty interest

By AT News |

In a move that benefits Assam and Gujarat, the Centre is paying a huge Rs 22,000 crore fund to ONGC and OIL to bear the burden of pending oil royalty to both the states.

Rs 14,698 crore will straightly go to the state exchequers on the condition that the states will never insist on levy of Rs 7,223 crore pending interest.

ONGC has Rs 1,404 crore outstanding for Assam as royalties for the period between April 1, 2008 and January, 2014 where the interest liability stands at Rs 2,868 crore. On the other hand, India Ltd (OIL) has Rs 4,902 crore royalty for Assam with Rs 4,355 crore as interest.

A couple of years back, Gujarat moved the court a writ petition which asked ONGC to clear the payment of royalty on pre-discounted price. But the oil and gas giant challenged the decision in the Supreme Court which in February 2014 granted stay.

The Assam Government followed the suit before the Gauhati High Court. The move has forced the Supreme Court to dispose of the case on February 20.

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Army Recovers Huge Cache of Explosive from Mahur

17 Oct 2012 - 12:48am | Anup Biswas
A joint team of 119 Inf Bn TA and Assam Police conducted an operation near Mahur late evening on 14 Oct 12 and recovered huge quantity of explosives from nearby forested area. Acting on a tip off...

Ashok Saikia dies after surgery

30 Dec 2007 - 5:02am | AT News
Ashok Saikia, one of the top bureaucrats during the Atal Behari Vajpayee government serving then as a Joint Secretary in the PMO and later executive director of the Asian Development Bank in Manila...

Assam Rifles re-unites ‘misguided youth’ with his family

22 Jul 2017 - 9:00pm | AT News Imphal
Exhibiting exemplary compassion and empathy, the soldiers of 19 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) reunited a “misguided youth” who was recruited into UNLF,...

Journalist forum condemns Sharma’s attitude

14 Apr 2009 - 5:18am | editor
Journalists’ Forum, Assam has condemned the attitude of Himanta Biswa Sharma, the State health minister and the spokesman of Assam government, to malign the image of the media persons in Assam...

Other Contents by Author

Maru Manthan 2024: Forum Unites Global Efforts to Preserve Desert Ecosystem

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: Today marks the commencement of the 3rd edition of Maru Manthan, a transformative forum orchestrated by the Desert Resource Centre and Urmul, in collaboration with desert communities. Held on February 9th and 10th, 2024, in the heart of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Maru Manthan stands as a beacon for celebrating the indomitable spirit of the desert and fostering sustainable solutions amidst its challenges. The forum draws together an illustrious lineup of organizations and individuals dedicated to desert conservation and community empowerment. Representatives from esteemed entities such as the Foundation for Ecological Security, Ministry of Lowlands & Irrigation (...

Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024: Celebrating Northeast India's Cultural Tapestry & Economic Opportunities

The 'Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024', a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing Northeast India's richness, kicks off on January 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEHHDC, the festival aims to display diverse arts, crafts, and cultures, fostering economic opportunities. With 250 participants including weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, the event features panel discussions, buyer-seller meets, traditional performances, and a focus on women's roles in regional development. Highlighting the youth's contribution and challenges, the festival aims to explore how they can shape India's economic landscape. Additionally, specialized...

Youth Leaders in Assam Trained to Combat Plastic Pollution

In a bid to empower the youth against the perils of single-use plastics, the UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Challenge made significant strides in Assam. The WWF-India, alongside UNEP, orchestrated a pivotal Teachers’ Training Program on December 19th, 2023, at Maharishi Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School in Silpukhuri. This initiative, a global endeavor ongoing since 2019, aims to cultivate leadership qualities among the youth to combat the menace of plastic pollution. WWF-India has taken the helm as the knowledge and implementing partner, customizing and executing the program's intricacies across the country. The training session witnessed the active participation of teachers from 37...

Indigenous Communities in Assam and Northeast India Mark International Human Rights Day

December 10, 2023, saw the Indigenous Peoples'  of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, Northeast, joined by the Jatiatabad Punar Nirman Samiti, observe World Human Rights Day in diverse regions of the state. The programme was held at Guwahati Press Club. A discussion titled "Human Rights and Northeast Region" was arranged. Notable speakers, including Pradeep Gogoi, Vice President of the ULFA (Discussion faction), L. Khongsai, President of Assam Kuki Welfare Society, N.G. Sanahaal Singha, President of Assam Manipuri Students' Association, Mrinal Gohain, Thinker, Meishnam Bhagat Singha, Paotinlen Chongloui, human rights activist, Shaheen Ahmed, academic and researcher, Rajkumar Baishya,...

Indigenous Peoples of North East India Unite, Advocate for Rights at Assam Divas Observance

Guwahati: The Indigenous peoples of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, North East India (IPMDCKANEI) came together on Assam Divas (Sukafa Divas) to address critical issues impacting their communities. Held at the Conference Hall, Media Trust', Rup Nagar, Guwahati, the day-long program included a significant round table conference featuring ethnic activists from Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland. The event commenced with tributes to historical figures, Chao Pha Chao lung Sukafa and Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, followed by intense discussions on the challenges confronting indigenous groups in North East India. Representatives from various organizations including the United Bodo Peoples...

North East India Unites for Free-Flowing Rivers: Teesta Declaration Highlights Environmental Concerns

Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region's rivers and biodiversity. "We recognize the intrinsic rights of rivers to flow freely and the vital relationship between indigenous communities and their natural resources," emphasized a spokesperson from the conference. The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of...

Flyover Construction Threatens Guwahati Press Club; Journalists' Forum Appeals for Separate Arrangement

Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...

Women of Lamka in Manipur crying out for justice on the occasion of 16 Days activism on Violence against women

In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state. Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...

JFA Urges Unity Amidst Verbal Attacks on Journalists: Calls for Media Solidarity and Integrity

Guwahati: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has voiced its deep concern regarding the recent surge in verbal assaults on journalists by various individuals. In response, the forum calls upon the State's media community to stand united in the face of adversity. In a released statement, the forum highlighted the disparaging remarks made by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal towards video journalists, where he suggested that they should face physical violence. “While we vehemently denounce Ajmal's stance and urge for appropriate actions against the politician, we implore media professionals to demonstrate unity, integrity, and professionalism in their workplaces,” remarked JFA president Rupam...

Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School Emerges as North East Champion of WWF-India's Wild Wisdom Global Challenge

The North-East Finale of the WWF-India Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2023 was held on November 3, 2023, at Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This year's challenge was themed "Birds of the World" and was open to students from classes 6 to 9. A total of 80 schools with 160 students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and various districts of Assam participated in the finale. After a closely contested competition, the team from Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School, Assam, represented by Ritvik Anand (class 6) and Garvita Jain (class 8), emerged as the North East Champions. The 2nd position was bagged by the team from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Tezpur, Assam...