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Assam shines at India Today study

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 22 - Assam has been awarded the most improved large state in the categories of Overall performance, Economy and Health by leading news magazine of the country India Today at the �State of the States Conclave� held in New Delhi today.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the award from Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu in presence of Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal thanked the Prime Minister and the Union Government for their unstinted support and the cooperation of the government employees and people of the State in scripting a new growth narrative in the State.

He also highlighted the achievements of the State government and various innovative measures adopted in economy, health, education and different other sectors.

�Due to the unparalleled political will of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North East region is fast emerging as a centre of growth. He has laid special emphasis on improving connectivity within the region and with the rest of India, be it railways, waterways, roads, air or telecommunication� he said. Moreover, the Chief Minister said, �From day one, corruption-free Assam has been our Government's top most agenda. In the most unprecedented manner, our government has cracked down against corrupt practices in the State�.

Stating this, he informed that during last thirty months, the State government has detected and cancelled four lakh bogus job cards under MGNREGA, over 36 thousand bogus ration cards and over 70 thousand bogus beneficiaries registered under National Old Age Pension Scheme apart from officials held for APSC 'cash for job scam'..

�With our efforts at plugging leakages, revenue collection of the State increased from Rs. 7011 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 8457 crore in 2017-18, which is an increase of 21 per cent. At the same time, capital expenditure has increased from Rs. 4919 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 12,817 crore in 2017-18, showing our commitment to improve quality of expenditure�, he said.

Sonowal further underscored the government's sustained efforts to harness the internal strengths and focus on boosting rural economy through leveraging growth of agriculture and other allied sectors.

�As a result of our interventions, annual production of rice has increased by 2.27 lakh tons, horticulture production has increased by 6.19 lakh tons and fish production by 33 thousand tons in 2017-18 as compared to 2015-16. For the first time direct export of fruits and vegetables from Guwahati to Dubai and other international destinations has started�, he underlined.

The annual India Today �The State of the States� study is an attempt to find out which of India�s states offers its citizens the best opportunities, both at work and outside. The study tracks each state�s performance over time and it takes into account both the business environment and quality of life.

The categories on which the states are judged include economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inclusive development, law and order, governance, entrepreneurship, environment and cleanliness.

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