A Separate Time Zone for Northeast India

The Assam Congress and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have both come together to demand for a separate time zone for the North East region. While the demand is a key point in ULFA’s ongoing talks with the government, a team of MLAs from Assam on July 25 has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a separate time zone for the seven states.The Union home ministry had proposed a separate time zone for the region in 2009-10. Former home secretary GK Pillay had even said,  “We have to change our mindset. The demand for a separate time zone for the northeast is a valid one and I hope it is granted. There is a lot to be gained from it”.