GUWAHATI, Jan 27 � Warning against divisive politics, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that the government will use all resources to deal with subversive elements while also assuring to rehabilitate victims of ethnic clashes in a time-bound manner through a special package.
Delivering his address after unfurling of the tricolour at the Veterinary College ground here on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day yesterday, Gogoi said, �The politics of divide and rule has extracted a heavy price on our State. If we do not work together, nothing will ever work.� He said that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all the citizens.
�Due to our effective handling of the situation, normalcy returned in the area (where recent killings took place) within few days and the violence was contained. The transgressors, the perpetrators of such crimes, including the ones responsible for the recent carnage, shall be brought to book. Our security forces, who are currently engaged in massive operations against these anti-nationals, have gained major successes with the support of the people and we shall continue to use all our resources to deal firmly with these subversive elements,� said the Chief Minister.
He added that the strategy adopted during the past 14 years under the Unified Command Structure has given significant results with �many misguided youths joining the mainstream.�
�The success has also been reflected in the suspension of operations agreements with as many as 17 extremists outfits... we shall continue to exert to make all the misguided youths who have embarked on militancy to lay down arms and return to civil society within the parameters of the Constitution,� Gogoi said.
The Chief Minister further added, �Our government is committed to rehabilitate Adivasis and all victims of ethnic clashes through a Special Package in a time bound manner.�
He said a number of steps have been taken to deal with the issue of illegal infiltration.
�Now, in order to bring about a permanent solution to the foreigners� issue, our government has already started the preparatory works for updation of NRC in the State under the guidance of the Central government... The NRC will be published in January 2016,� Gogoi said.
The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to all-round development of the BTAD and the two hill districts.
�The government has already decided to create the Garo Autonomous Council and is actively considering creation of four more Development Councils for Kumar, Madahi, Sut and Hajong communities and a separate Development Council for SCs,� he said
Admitting that there is a long way to go to bring about complete development in all respects, he said that in the next one year the thrust of the government will be in education, skill development and employment generation.
�But factors such as violence, inequality, poverty, hunger, etc., constrain development. The challenge is to ensure inclusive development for all our citizens by taking into cognizance the aspirations of various castes, tribes and communities who have lived here in perfect harmony over centuries,� Gogoi said.
He added, �... in order to give a further thrust to our development activities, our government has decided to bring about a paradigm shift in development administration in Assam by posting for the first time District Development Commissioners who will exclusively monitor and supervise all development activities of various departments in a district. Further, to improve efficiency and transparency, E-District scheme will be implemented. In addition, all vacancies in the government will be filled up on priority.�
Gogoi said the government has fulfilled its commitment to establish a Police Commissionerate for Guwahati City.
�This is only the beginning of many steps that our government is planning for bringing about modern and efficient policing in the State. We are equally concerned with the incidents of human trafficking and crimes against women and children... Police modernization, use of technology for policing and building the capacity of members of the police force will continue to be our thrust areas in the future,� he said.
Regarding the economic scenario, Gogoi said Assam�s GSDP growth has risen from 1.51 per cent in 2000-01 to 5.87 per cent in 2013-14, and as per the 6th Economic Census Assam has achieved that first position in creating employment and employment generating establishments.
�As per survey completed by banks, out of nearly 49.21 lakh households in Assam, 48.02 lakh households possess Bank accounts as on January 1, 2015. We will take more steps to bring people within the banking system and ensure financial inclusion for the maximum number of citizens,� he said.
Gogoi said the State government has repeatedly taken up with the Centre the matter regarding setting up on an authority for dealing comprehensively with the flood and erosion problems in the North East.
�Our priority is to set up an authority covering both Brahmaputra and Barak valleys. Our government has been able to provide protection to 16.50 lakh hectares of land out of 31.05 lakh hectares of land identified as flood prone by the Rashtriya Barh Ayog,� he said.
The government would also strive to ensure a certain standard of cleanliness across all towns and villages on Assam, he added.
On the field of education, Gogoi said, due to efforts made by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the percentage of children in the age group of 6 to 14 years in school has gone up to 98 per cent.
�Our goal is not only making education accessible to all but also to ensure quality education through steps like teachers� training programmes and improving the administration of educational institutions... The number of engineering colleges in the State has increased from three in 2001 to 19 now. Three engineering colleges are being established at Golaghat, Karimganj and Dhemaji and three more are proposed to be established at Nalbari, Nagaon and Udalguri. 21 new polytechnics in 21 districts are being established,� he said.
Gogoi added that a Women and Child Development Agency will be created to make focused efforts in order to improve the overall condition of women and children.
�Government has also decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to mother of girl child in addition to the existing provision of Rs 5,000 to the girl child,� he said.
The Chief Minister said special emphasis will be given to women empowerment and education of minorities and tea tribes.
�Our government has also taken up several initiatives for removing the educational and socio-economic disadvantages of the minority and tea tribe communities. Meanwhile, the government has already taken steps for revision of minimum wages for plantation workers,� he said.
