GUWAHATI, Dec 29: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today claimed that Assam is far better-placed than most of the BJP-ruled States when it comes to providing women a safer and better place to stay.
Referring to a recent comment made by Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, Gogoi said that the State has reported 19,139 cases of crime this year compared to 28,678, 26,690 and 30,000 (approx.) cases reported in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan respectively.
However, on this front, Gujarat is better placed compared to Assam, he stated.
Gogoi further stated that the number of suicides committed by women in Assam is also much less compared to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
In female literacy, women employment and enrolment of female candidates in universities and colleges is also much more than most of the BJP-ruled States.
Union Minister Smriti Irani had reportedly stated that atrocities against women in the State were increasing.
The Chief Minister also criticised Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for not sparing time to discuss issues concerning Assam during her recent trip to the State.
�She had a meeting with the businessmen only. Why she did not feel the necessity of discussing issues involving our neighbouring countries like Myanmar or Bangladesh? She somehow chose to ignore issues relevant to Assam and the region. She just came for pure political purposes,� Gogoi claimed.
�Is the Act East policy just a farce or the foreign affairs is only confined to New Delhi?� Gogoi questioned.
