HAILAKANDI, Aug 16 - Deputy Commissioner Megh Nidhi Dahal unfurled the Tri-colour at the Parade Ground here on Saturday during the 74th Independence Day function.
He said the State and Central governments have initiated a slew of people-oriented schemes and projects. The people of Hailakandi district too have reaped the benefits with various departments implementing such schemes even during the COVID-19 situation in the past five months.
Lauding the efforts of health and sanitation workers, drivers, officials and employees of DDMA, Police, DIPRO, Fire and Emergency Services, PHED, Education, Agriculture, Veterinary, Social Welfare, Water Resources and others in the fight against COVID-19, Dahal urged the people to come forward voluntarily to get their swabs tested at the screening and testing centres so as to prevent the disease from spreading further in the community and making Hailakandi a COVID-free district.
He said that NITI Aayog has been according top priority to Hailakandi for being an aspirational district and has allocated additional funds for its good performance in January-February this year.
Dahal revealed that Rs 2.5 crore has been earmarked for development of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Stadium under CSR project.
The Deputy Commissioner said under the Ministry of AYUSH, construction of PHCs, CHCs, Sub Centres and OPD have been under various stages of completion in the district.
Dahal said the district is making good progress under Atal Amrit Abhiyan with scores of people deriving benefits. Under the Aspirational District Programme, upgradation of SK Roy Civil Hospital and Sub Centres are going on in full swing, he said.
Dahal said that various schemes are being executed by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, including MGNREGA. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, almost 5,000 dwelling units have been constructed in the district during the period from 2016-2017 to 2019-20.
Under the National Social Assistance Programme, Dahal revealed that almost 19,000 elderly persons have been provided old-age pension, besides close to 2,400 women and differently-abled persons have benefitted under the Indira Gandhi Vidhva Pension Yojana. Under Pradhan Mantri KISHAN, PMFBY, CMSGUY, RVVY, BGREI and NFSM, tens of thousands of farmers have benefited, he added.
He pointed out that 12 nurseries have been set up and around 7.5 lakh saplings distributed in the past four years by the Forest Division of Hailakandi.
On the education front, Dahal said that the district has put up a good show in the HSLC, High Madrassa and Higher Secondary exams this year. He said that despite the closure of educational institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online education is going on in full swing.
Under the Mid-Day Meal scheme, ration is being provided to the students at home. Dahal said under CSR project, e-smart classrooms have begun in SK Deb High School and Kuchila High School.
The Deputy Commissioner said more than 25,000 individual household latrines have been built together with water supply connections in rural households under Jal Jeevan Mission.
Dahal said the Information and Public Relations Department has been conferring fellowship to journalists, besides pension to those who have a chequered career spanning 20 years in the field of journalism. He appreciated the pivotal role played by DIPRO in creating public awareness through various campaigns.
The Deputy Commissioner said under Antodaya Anna Yojana 35 kg rice has been given to around six lakh beneficiaries comprising 15,000 families each, besides 5 kg rice each to Priority Household card holder comprising around one lakh families free of cost.
Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, additional five kg rice, one kg chana and one kg masur dal have been provided free of cost. Under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Yojana, around 10,000 families got 5 kg rice per head in May and June free of cost, besides one kg chana during the current month. Non NFSA card holders are getting Rs 1,000 per family, he added.
On the road infrastructure front, Dahal said 19,000-km roads and around 800 bridges came up in the state in the past four years. Giving an account of the district, Dahal disclosed that 20 roads under PMGSY and 10 bridges have come up under SoPD (G) and under ODS in the district.
Under Poshaan Abhiyan, Dahal said the district had performed remarkably well with Hailakandi bagging two State-level awards, including SAM/MAMS in 2019. The district also earned encomiums for innovative initiatives like amla-gur candy and dibba addan pradan to reduce anaemia among children and women, he quipped.
Earlier, the DC took the guard of honour with march past by contingents of Assam Police, APBn and Home Guard personnel. Dahal along with Superintendent of Police Pabindra Kumar Nath and other senior officials of the civil and police administrations placed floral wreaths at the Jatiya Swahid Smarak.
All the government buildings were illuminated in the evening.
People waved the National Tri-colour from their premises and balconies of their houses amidst the playing of patriotic songs by DIPRO personnel in the evening hours.
