GUWAHATI, July 20 - The MLAs have to keep a close eye on proper implementation of government schemes. Acting as sentinels, the MLAs have to play a pivotal role in augmenting the process of development, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while interacting with MLAs and officials of the panchayat & rural development department at the Assam Administrative Staff College here today.
Sonowal said that people�s representatives must have a clear conception of each and every scheme meant for welfare of the people. �A proper grasp on any scheme or policy is a must,� he said, adding that in today�s highly competitive world, proper knowledge is required to tackle any situation with finesse and dexterity.
The Chief Minister said that to translate Mahatma Gandhi�s dream of Ram Rajya into reality the pace of development in the rural areas must be accelerated. �In our State, a vast segment of the populace lives in the rural areas. Assam�s overall development is not possible without the development of rural areas,� he said, adding, �the panchayat & rural development department has been playing a vital role in the development of rural areas. If the MLAs can acquire proper knowledge of the schemes of the department in proper perspectives, then the pace of development can be geared up, thus benefitting the people immensely.�
The Chief Minister said that the 126 MLAs have been elected by the people with great hope and aspiration. �Each and every MLA is duty-bound to work for the welfare of 3.20 crore people of the State. The MLAs have to weed out corruption and to make hassle-free the process of implementation of different people-oriented schemes. They have to monitor the implementation at every stage to ensure accountability and transparency,� he added.
Sonowal said the MLAs generally raise questions during the Assembly but such interactions help them to obtain vital information about the schemes from the officials. �Our government�s vision is to make Assam a leading and foremost state of the country. To make this happen, everyone has to work wholeheartedly for the development of rural areas of the State.�
The Chief Minister said each and everyone has to work as �Team Assam� to usher in allround development. �There will be a sea-change in development with the united and concerted efforts of one and all,� he said.
Sonowal said the views expressed by the MLAs in course of the interaction are significant and to ensure that it bears fruit, everyone has to work in sync with �Saabka Saath, Saabka Vikas�.
