JORHAT, June 10 � �It is high time to have a social security programme for the farmers as they have no such organizations like Pay Commission for the government servants and unions for industrial workers,� said J B Patnaik, Governor of Assam and Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University while taking part in the 17th convocation at Assam Agricultural University here today. �There must be a separate pricing mechanism to ensure a lucrative price to the farming community,� he further added.
He also maintained that Assam needs an agricultural revolution under a strong leadership. The scientists and the students passing out from the Assam Agricultural University should generate motivation amidst the peasants� community in the State.
�Many young people belonging to farmers� families do not find agriculture a lucrative profession and migrate on a large scale to urban areas in search of work. This must stop. Agriculture must be made attractive and profitable and must be given the status of an industry, for which inputs like water, electricity, better seeds and farming tools may be made available on a subsidized rate to the farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers,� the Governor mentioned.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, receiving the Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) from the Governor, said that he had been working for the downtrodden people of the State. It would be appropriate if he gets a doctorate degree for working for the downtrodden people of the State rather than the doctorate of science, he added.
In his speech he insisted on the holistic approach to develop the present condition of the agricultural economy in the State.
Along with the Chief Minister, the AAU honoured Dr CD Mayee, Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi and Dr DN Borthakur, former Vice-Chancellor of AAU and noted agricultural scientist with its prestigious Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) in the function.
During the long gap of nine years between the last convocation and this present one the university has produced as many as 1857 graduates, 641 Master Degree holders and 96 Ph D holders from the faculties of Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Fisheries and Home Science. Out of this total number of 2594, about 400 graduates and postgraduates have received the degrees in person in this convocation held today.
Dr PL Gautam, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai delivering the convocation speech discussed potentiality of agricultural industry in this region in relation with India�s Look East policy.
In the function Pramila Rani Brahma, Minister of Agriculture and WPT& BC, Government of Assam, addressed the public.
Earlier, an academic procession was taken out with the dignitaries, faculty members and passed out students in gorgeous convocation gowns.
Our Staff Reporter adds: The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) reacting strongly to the act of conferring doctorate degree on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has described the development as farcical.
The KMSS has called upon the VC of the university to make it clear for what contributions the degree was conferred on Gogoi.
