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Record paddy procurement
Assam has achieved a historic milestone by procuring a record 6.97 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the 2024–25 Kharif Marketing Season. This is the highest-ever paddy procurement in the state, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 3.14 lakh metric tonnes.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the achievement and credited the success to the government’s market reforms, increased awareness among farmers, better access to procurement centres, and the efficient implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) schemes. He also highlighted that timely digital payments have boosted farmers’ confidence in the procurement process.
In addition to this achievement, Assam has also exported 267 metric tonnes of organic red rice from Majuli to international markets, including the Middle East and Europe, marking a significant step in promoting the state’s agricultural produce globally. The Chief Minister expressed optimism that such initiatives will continue to empower farmers, strengthen the rural economy, and position Assam as a key player in agricultural exports.
Uddipta Goswami
Gauhati University
Assam must learn from Venezuela’s mistake
Venezuela’s economic collapse stands as a grim warning. Once a wealthy nation, it turned into a pauper due to reckless populism, offering free oil, food, housing, and cash without sustainable planning. Hyperinflation, job losses, and mass poverty followed.
Assam seems to be walking a similar path. Free rice, cash transfers, electricity, and loan waivers may win elections but drain the state’s finances. These short-term freebies create a culture of entitlement, not empowerment. Instead of distributing doles, the government should invest in education, healthcare, and job-generating industries.
A welfare state should uplift, not pacify, its people. If Assam doesn't make a course correction, it risks economic instability like Venezuela. It’s time to act wisely before populism turns prosperity into poverty. There is no such thing as a “free launch”.
A seemingly robust building can collapse like a pack of cards with just a minor tremor if it lacks proper reinforcement and skilled workmanship. Similarly, a prosperous Assam can only be built by healthy, skilled, and diligent individuals—not by a workforce that is lazy or unwell. A wise society learns from the mistakes of others, rather than waiting to suffer the same fate.
Prafulla Dowarah
Guwahati
A defining moment for Assam cricket
Assam’s recent international tour to Namibia, held between 21 June and 29 June, marked a significant milestone in the state’s cricketing journey. The men’s team, touring without their star player Riyan Parag, played five ODIs against Namibia’s national side in Windhoek, gaining valuable exposure on foreign soil. While Namibia clinched the series 3–2, Assam’s historic victory in the second match and the spirited win in the fifth match stood out as proud moments.
Led by Denish Das, the side showed strong potential. The captain, along with top-order batter Rishav Das and all-rounder Ayushman Malakar, delivered strong performances, supported by individual brilliance throughout the series. For a region that has long faced infrastructure challenges and limited opportunities, this tour has proved to be a meaningful step forward. The Assam Cricket Association’s efforts to promote the game in the state are beginning to yield results. Assam’s improving domestic record reflects this progress. With an Assamese now in a leadership role at the BCCI, one can only hope that the future of Assam cricket will be brighter in the days to come. It is important that the regional media highlight such achievements and ensure consistent coverage. Assam cricket is progressing, and it deserves greater attention and support.
Himangka Kaushik,
Hatigarh Chariali,
Guwahati
For the first time
Assam happens to be one of the states of India where political violence was unheard of, like West Bengal, Bihar, UP, etc. Things have started to change. It is for the first time that in Assam a culture of political violence has been introduced where a water bottle (thankfully not a grenade) was thrown at the CM’s convoy at Golaghat by a Congress supporter. History also tells us that it was Congress that for the first time brought people from the then East Pakistan under the patronage of Sir Sadullah to teach us farming. Lastly, it was once again the Congress who introduced corruption for the first time massively when one Rakesh Paul, a close confidant of the then CM of Assam, Lt Tarun Gogoi, introduced the CASH FOR JOB scheme in APSC, from which the state is yet to recover. For the first time, the Congress did many evils to Assam. We do not need any more.
Lanu Dutt Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Noise pollution due to excessive honking
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned and the general public towards the increasing noise pollution caused by excessive honking on the roads of Guwahati. The city’s streets have become a constant source of unbearable noise, mainly due to the reckless use of horns by vehicles. From early morning till late at night, one can hear continuous honking—often without any valid reason. This not only causes mental distress but also affects senior citizens, patients, students, and infants. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to such noise can lead to serious health problems such as hearing loss, hypertension, and sleep disorders. There is an urgent need for stricter enforcement of rules, increased public awareness, and penalties for unnecessary honking. I sincerely hope that this issue will be highlighted through your newspaper so that the authorities take prompt action and the public becomes more responsible.
Amisha Kalita,
Cotton University
Another toll plaza
The news article ‘Another toll plaza coming up at Solung in Nagaon’ published in your esteemed daily on July 2 has drawn our sharp attention. As reported, the new toll gate is set to be operational at Solung in the Nagaon district shortly on the national highway stretch between Kaliabor Tiniali and Tezpur. Thus, Assam is going to add one more toll gate to the existing numbers, which is no welcome news for the masses. It means that a commuter will have to pay road tolls at brief intervals. Now, a question arises whether all the existing toll gates are functioning as per the rules and conditions they are supposed to adhere to. The answer is obviously "No". The government is in a tearing hurry to have more toll plazas, whereas the more urgent need is to streamline the functioning of the existing ones. In recent times, there have been reports of illegalities in toll collection and distribution of the collected amount across the country. It has been reported that some of the state's toll gates have not been set up in accordance with the relevant rules. It is true that we need a reasonable number of toll gates for the purpose of maintenance of the highways. The same should not be used as a means to fatten the government's coffers by having as many as the government wishes. Already the commutes are burdened with unwarranted taxes. Toll gates also have a direct bearing on price rises, which have already made life miserable for the common man, and an increasing number of toll plazas will further worsen the situation. It is now clear that the state government is planning to increase its revenue collection by resorting to the easiest way of having more and more toll gates instead of streamlining its collection from other rational sources. Let us hope that good sense will prevail upon the concerned authorities before the prevailing situation turns for the worse.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati