Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has said that Assam is making rapid strides across sectors because of peace in the State. He said this while unfurling the ‘ tricolour’ on the Republic Day programme held centrally at the Khanapara in Guwahati
“If we see the all-round development in Assam, it is because peace is prevailing in the State today. The past year marked two significant milestones in terms of peace accords. The Government of India took a proactive stance by ushering in a new era of peace with the historic accord signed with the ULFA on December 29, 2023. It signalled the end of decades of hostilities. Additionally, the Dimasa Accord, inked on April 27, 2023, addresses the aspirations of the Dimasa people, focusing on safeguarding indigenous communities, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting economic development in the region,” he said.
He also spoke of the reducing hyphen between States on the boundary dispute. “A major milestone reached with Arunachal Pradesh was the historic MoU signed by Chief Ministers of the two States in the presence of the Union Home Minister on April 20th last year,” said the Governor.
The Governor said that the State Government is committed to security and development of border areas and priority has been accorded to connect inter-State and international border districts with an all-weather road network.
Kataria also hailed the Assam Government’s efforts on child marriage and drug abuse.
He spoke highly of the infrastructural development in Assam, particularly ‘Asom Mala’ scheme to upgrade State highways and major district roads to high-speed road corridors. Kataria, a former Home Minister of Rajasthan, lauded the State Government’s efforts in regularly holding Cabinet meetings which have been instrumental in clearing 1,542 decisions.
He said that the State’s economy has experienced remarkable growth because of an all-round effort across sectors.
“This remarkable achievement of our Government has been reflected in the prudent fiscal management leading to over ₹1.20 lakh cr budgetary expenditure in FY 22-23, with the GSDP crossing ₹5 lakh cr.
On industrial growth and investment in the State last year, the Governor said that for the growth of industries and attracting investment to the State, a new customised industrial policy has been designed for investors with an initial investment of ₹100 cr. “Under the policy, MoUs have been signed with 14 major investors, for a total investment of ₹11,315.14 cr by creating 10,450 jobs.
He spoke of the MSP for paddy farmers under the Paddy procurement programme.
The inauguration of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in North East India at Changsari in Kamrup district and three new medical colleges established at Kokrajhar, Nalbari, and Nagaon were also part of his speech.
Highlighting the success of the State Government’s flagship health programme of Ayushman Asom–Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY), Kataria said that the scheme has been able to cover 28 lakh families additionally while making them eligible for cashless treatment. “The convergence of AB-PMJAY and AA-MMJAY has enabled 58 lakh families with approximately 1.98 cr beneficiaries to avail in future cashless treatment of ₹5 lakhs per family per year,” said the Governor.
His speech was also marked with focus on education, and socio-economic development of women in the State, especially the success of Orunodoi 2.0, which extends its coverage to not only antyodaya women but also includes transgenders, divyangjan, and existing beneficiaries of the Deen Dayal Divyangjan Pension Scheme and Indira Miri Universal Widow Pension Scheme.
