GUWAHATI, June 8 � Asserting that the State was moving in the right direction under the Congress Government, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today singled out poverty alleviation, employment generation and rural development as some of the thrust areas of the Government for the next three years.
The Chief Minister was addressing as chief guest the function held at Sarusajai sports complex on the occasion of completion of two years of the third successive term of the Congress Government in the State.
�Problem areas are there but that has not deterred the State�s march on the path of progress and peace. We have the people�s mandate and will continue to act responsibly in the greater interest of the State and its people,� he said.
Claiming that trade and commerce were on an upswing, Gogoi said that the State�s financial health was sound with better tax collection � something that was enabling the Government to take up more and more schemes on its own. He added that the power scenario would improve next year onwards.
The Chief Minister said that the policy of engaging militant outfits in dialogue was paying rich dividends, with militancy-related violence deescalating substantially. �Unlike the AGP which wanted to crush militancy through brute force and by indulging in secret killings, we have opted for a policy of peace dialogue, and the results are there for all to see,� he added.
On the issue of recurring floods and unabated erosion, Gogoi said that the Government would try to bring in the best scientific practices to check the twin menace.
Expressing concern over the growing ethnic unrest and the resultant clashes in recent years, Gogoi said that divisive forces were trying to foment trouble but the Government was committed to ensuring a violence-free atmosphere.
On the burning issue of cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh, Gogoi claimed that the Congress Government had done more than any other government to check infiltration besides detecting and deporting the illegal migrants through the judicial process.
Gogoi, however, added that the Government would have to take a lenient view of those fleeing the neighbouring country for fear of persecution, and shelter them on humanitarian grounds.
The Chief Minister said that a perceptible change in mindset of the people, especially the youth, had been a welcome development. �More and more of our youths are making their presence felt in their chosen fields outside the State. Woman empowerment has also been another positive development, with thousands of women opting for self-employment through the self-help movement,� he said.
Citing education as a priority area, Gogoi said that the Government was committed to expanding educational facilities at every level. A number of institutes of higher and specialized learning are coming up in the State,� he said.
Union DoNER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar, in his speech, praised the Government for bringing in financial discipline and development to the State.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Rani Narah said that a lot of ongoing developmental projects � some Centrally-sponsored � testified to the State Government�s sincerity and commitment.
Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mahilary said that the problems plaguing the State were successfully addressed by the Congress Government. �We will continue to extend our support to this Government, as staying with the Congress holds the key to our development,� he added.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhubaneswar Kalita said that the last 12 years of Congress rule had established peace and progress in the State.
