GUWAHATI, Jan 3 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the State Government is laying utmost stress on the holistic development of the villages, adding that an advisory committee will soon be formed to work in this direction.
Gogoi also favoured study and research works by universities and academics so that the State�s natural resources are tapped to the optimum level which in turn would expedite the State�s growth.
He also said that the Government is also contemplating to launch a special scheme for the members of the village defence party (VDP).
Gogoi was speaking at a function organised by the All Assam Village Defence Party Samannayrakhi Samity here at Sankaradeva Kalakshetra today.
�Like the police and other security personnel, the village defence party (VDP) personnel have also contributed immensely towards peace and stability of the State,� Gogoi said while addressing the gathering.
�For a State to prosper, peace and stability are a must. The VDP personnel should now also involve themselves in other developmental works too,� the Chief Minister said.
He also urged the VDP personnel to avail the benefits of the Government schemes and raise their income level apart from ensuring fast and sustainable growth of the villages.
�As nearly 80 per cent of our population lives in villages, developments of the State is unthinkable without developing the rural areas,� Gogoi pointed out.
Former Minister Ripun Bora said the State has 1,600 registered and nearly 8,000 non-registered VDPs.
