BISWANATH CHARIALI, April 8 � The burning problems being faced by the citizens of Biswanath Chariali were discussed in a public meeting held at Binapani Natya Mandir here on Monday under the aegis of the Biswanath Chariali Nagarik Santha.
The meeting was chaired by Apurba K Das and attended by the representatives from several organisations, including AASU, AJYCP, Senior Citizens� Forum, Banik Santha, Small Tea Growers� Association, Gaonburha Santha and Gaon Sangathans.
After the objective was stated by Nagarik Santha�s general secretary Bidyut Sharma, the meeting thoroughly discussed issues like the State Government�s proposed hike in land revenue, appointment of a regular principal in Biswanath College, development and widening of the National Highway 15, stoppage of the Naharlagun-New Delhi AC Express train at Biswanath Chariali and shifting of the SBI branch to a safer place, among others.
Local MLA Prabin Hazarika, Biswanath municipality�s former chairman Dilip Kr Baruah, social workers Jiten Bhagawati, Tilak Sharma, Bijay Goswami, Deepak Kr Das, Pratap Saikia, Kamal Ch Bhuyan, Heramba Hazarika, Jagat Borah, Jogen Sharma, Hiren Borah, Prabin Bhuyan, Putul Sharma and others spoke on the issues and suggested steps in this respect.
Bidyut Sharma highlighted the activities carried out by the Nagarik Santha towards solving these problems. He informed the meet that the NH-15 had been handed over to the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd by the Central Government and accordingly, the portion from Jamugurihat to Itanagar will be made a four-lane road.
MLA Prabin Hazarika announced that an amount of Rs 167 cr had been earmarked for the development of the historic Biswanathghat Road.
The speakers also criticized the higher authorities of State Bank of India for running the local branch in a congested building that has little space for parking of vehicles. The branch has around 35,000 account holders and has been making a steady profit.
In the public meeting, an 11-member committee has been formed to handle the issue of proposed land revenue hike with the government authorities.
