GUWAHATI, Sept 15 - The State Assembly today passed a Bill for establishment of a regional development authority for preparation of a regional plan for the development of the Assam State Capital Region which will include areas under five districts � Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Nalbari, Darrang and Morigaon.
Called the Assam State Capital Region Development Authority, the body, to be headed by the Chief Minister, will prepare a regional plan for the area and coordinate the preparation of functional plans, regional plans, development schemes and project plans by the authority itself as well as by the municipal corporations, local bodies, panchayats and different government departments.
It will also arrange and oversee the financing of selected development projects in the State Capital Region through government fund and other sources of revenue.
Guwahati Development Department Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was trying to expand the city to the nearby areas, which was not sufficient for the desired growth and development of the Assam State Capital Region.
�There is a need to establish a Regional Development Authority for preparing a regional plan for the development of the Assam State Capital Region and to coordinate and supervise the rapid and integrated development of the entire area under the region and to execute plans and projects and schemes for such integrated development in line with the National Capital Region (NCR),� Sarma told the Assembly.
Besides the entire Kamrup (Metro) district, the Assam State Capital Region will include Mayong and Morigaon circles of Morigaon district, Sipajhar and Patharughat circles of Darrang district, Barkhetri, Nalbari, Pachim Nalbari, Ghograpar, Barbhag and Banekuchi circles of Nalbari and Hajo, Palasbari, Kamalpur, Rangiya, Goroimari, Chayygaon, Boko and North Guwahati and Koya circles of Kamrup district.
The authority will comprise twelve members, including the Chief Minister as the chairman and Finance, GDD and Urban Development ministers as members. The vice chairman of the authority will be the chairman of the executive committee, which too would comprise a maximum of twelve members.
Sarma, however, said the authority will not infringe on the powers of the local bodies and the two autonomous councils � Rabha Hasong and Tiwa. The autonomy of the municipalities will also not be affected, he said.
Responding to apprehensions raised by MLAs Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Ajanta Neog and Deepak Rabha, the minister said the capital region will be developed keeping in view the existing laws.
�In case of any activity in the Rabha Hasong and Tiwa autonomous council areas, we will seek NOC from the respective councils and similarly in case of the tribal blocks and belts, NOC from the WPT&BC department will be sought,� Sarma added.
The minister also said a proposal for a bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Palasbari and another near Fancy Bazar in the city is being considered.
