Gullu Das is disappointed. Same it is in the case of Bichitra. Pobitra confines himself into his own home. What makes them upset. They are vendors of pan masala (Ghutka).
With this business, the have been living from hand to mouth for the last ten years. From Thursday, they have hardly any means of livelihood.
They are remaining helpless as soon as the government banned ghutka across the state from Thursday. The Assam Government on Wednesday told the Assembly that the Bill to ban the smokeless ghutka has got ascent from the governor.
Health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Bill, now and Act, would come to force from Thursday leaving thousands of ghutka vendors jobless.
“There is no dearth of means for their livelihood. Why they don’t concentrate on other business? Let them sale news paper, let them sell magazine. That would be more lucrative,” said Rajen Das in Saromotioria area who has been supporting the bill to ban tobacco.
Another citizen in Lachitnagar area Piyush Kalita told Assam Times that lots of business are there to provide the ghutka vendors with bread and butter. Do they think that they have been carrying health hazard?
Labanya Das, a housewife said that this is not enough. The government should ban the smoking tobacco at the earliest. Then and then only, the main objectives behind the initiative would work.
This is how, a cross section of the people reacted after the government has enforced the ban on ghutka from Thursday.
11 Dec 2019 - 9:18am | Dr Aniruddha Babar
The citizenship Act 1955 was the first provision of the Indian government that informed about how the citizenship of India can be acquired and what could be the grounds for acquiring citizenship....
23 Jun 2018 - 8:21pm | Shajid Khan
TANGLA: In a historic change to the committee of the largest trade union organization of labourers in tea gardens of the Assam Valley in north-eastern India,Assam Chah Mazdoor...
8 Dec 2017 - 5:59pm | AT News
GUWAHATI: In a strange revelation two persons arrested a couple of days back in the outskirt of Guwahati confessed to have been trying to eliminate Himanta Biswa Sarma for ₹5 crore. The revelation...
29 Jun 2016 - 9:24pm | Shajid Khan
Udalguri district the District Child Protection Unit in collaboration of Pherengadao, a local NGO, has organised an awareness programme on human trafficking at Bordoloi Bhawan, Tangla on Wednesday....
The Directorate of Cultural Affairs under the Assam government marked its 53rd anniversary with a historic event celebrating the recognition of Asomiya (Assamese) as a classical language. Held at the iconic Rabindra Bhawan, the evening highlighted the significance of this achievement and charted a roadmap for the language's preservation and growth in written and colloquial forms.
The courtyard of Rabindra Bhawan, adorned with vibrant decorations and a podium beneath lush Bokul trees, hosted an enthusiastic audience of dignitaries and scholars. As the sun dipped below the Brahmaputra’s horizon, the program commenced with three distinguished panelists sharing their insights.
The...
Tensions escalated in Manipur’s violence-hit Jiribam district on Sunday night as clashes between security forces and protesters turned deadly, officials reported. A young protester, identified as 21-year-old K. Athouba, was fatally shot amid the chaos. A police official confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine who fired the fatal shot, while protesters allege that a Manipur Police special commando unit was responsible. Two others were reported injured in the incident.
The violence erupted as mobs attacked and vandalized properties belonging to political leaders and various party offices. According to police reports, the unrest began at Babupara before spreading to other...
The body of a tiger was discovered in the Horonbali Chapori area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam’s Biswanath district, on Monday. Forest guards came across the carcass during a routine patrol and alerted senior officials, who subsequently arrived at the scene to recover the remains.
Preliminary findings suggest that the tiger may have died as a result of a fight with another tiger. To confirm the exact cause of death, samples will be sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis. The disposal of the carcass was carried out under the supervision of senior forest officials and veterinary doctors.
Kaziranga National Park, recognized as a Tiger Reserve...
Guwahati Police has successfully busted a cybercrime gang involved in a major fraud operation. Eight individuals were arrested following a raid at a lodge in Boragaon.
The gang was operating a network of "mule bank accounts" to facilitate the transfer of illegally obtained money. The arrested individuals were involved in opening bank accounts using fake identities and documents. They would then hand over these accounts to cybercriminals who used them to launder money obtained through online scams.
The police seized numerous items, including mobile phones, ATM cards, cheque books, and electronic devices, from the arrested individuals. A case has been registered against the accused, and...
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to six police stations across five districts in Manipur. This decision, effective immediately, will remain in place until March 31, 2025.
The affected areas include Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts. The extension is aimed at empowering security forces to conduct coordinated operations and address the ongoing ethnic violence and insurgent activity in the region.
The MHA's decision follows a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur, which continues to be volatile...
The voting under by-polls in six assembly constituencies of Assam and Meghalaya, conducted to fill up the vacant seats (as the respective legislators had shifted their focus to the national politics after winning the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls), ended largely peacefully on Wednesday evening with a satisfactory over 70% voters’ turn out. The fate of all candidates is stored in the electronic voting machines, which will be opened on 23 November next. Along with these seats, by-polls for over 40 assembly constituencies (along with two Lok Sabha seats) in other parts of India are on the card along with the State assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand before the counting day...
It is with deep sorrow that the Asam Sahitya Sabha UK Chapter announces the passing of its first president, Shri Bhuban Baruah, who breathed his last this morning at Bexleyheath, London (1932 - November 1, 2024). The news has cast a shadow of grief over the UK Chapter and the wider Assamese community.
Shri Baruah, who emigrated over five decades ago, was a stalwart Assamese by heart and a knowledgeable yet humble individual. Born in Digboi, he pursued higher education at the University of Calcutta, earning his law degree and later completing his Master’s in Law from Banaras Hindu University with distinction. He worked as the Chief Correspondent for the Shillong Assembly before coming to...
The Assam State Committee of Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association (ASAWWA) staging a protest in front of the Directorate of the Women and Child Welfare Department in Ujan Bazar, Guwahati on November 4. The protesters demanded the government publish the official notice regarding a proposed salary increase for Anganwadi workers and assistants. The association is advocating for transparency and timely communication regarding the salary adjustments, which are crucial for the livelihood of its members. The protest underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Anganwadi workers in securing fair compensation for their vital contributions to community health and education.
Guwahati, Oct. 29: A wave of protest swept through Guwahati on Tuesday as concerned citizens gathered at Dighalipukhuri to oppose the felling of numerous ancient trees for the construction of a flyover connecting Noonmati and Dighalipukhuri.
Protesters, united under the banner "Save Our Trees, Save Our Heritage," expressed deep concern over the potential environmental impact and loss of the city's natural beauty. They argued that the 200-year-old trees, vital to the ecosystem, act as natural air purifiers, reduce urban heat, and provide a sanctuary for migratory birds.
Community leaders and environmental activists have pledged to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to halt...
KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: A significant awareness program was organized on Monday at Jalah Girls’ High School in Baksa district, focusing on child protection mechanisms, human trafficking, and the safety and empowerment of women and children.
The initiative was a joint effort by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the ICDS project, Jalah, under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department.
Dr. Lipika Barman, the District Child Protection Officer of Baksa (in-charge), presided over the event. Kalpana Das, CDPO of the ICDS Project, Jalah, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the...
Add new comment