GUWAHATI, Dec 14 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today stressed the need for rural development, saying that boosting the progress of rural areas was critical to ensuring �complete development� of the State as more than 85 per cent of the State�s populace resided in rural areas.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the Panchayat Sanmilan, 2012, held under the aegis of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of Assam, at the Veterinary College playground, Khanapara.
Gogoi said that the State Government was committed to work for the empowerment of the rural population and in order to ensure that, had decentralised power by empowering the Panchayats. He said the Government would take up similar steps in the next five years, and said decentralisation of power was the main reason behind the rapid development of rural areas in the State.
Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Rockybul Hussain was the guest of honour at the function. Addressing the gathering, the minister said that the Panchayat system in the State had been strengthened under the present Government. He said that the steps taken by the Government had expedited the development process in the State.
Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka, who was also present on the occasion, said that the Government was making efforts towards bettering the conditions of the rural folk through different plans.
Parliamentary Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Rana Goswami, said that Assam had developed a lot since the Congress Government came to power 10 years ago.
