December ushered in cheerful news for the State. The National Crime Records Bureau annual report for 2022 had Assam covered in glory. Not only has crime rates fallen drastically, but crime against women and children, too, have seen a sharp fall according to data released by the Bureau. Without an iota of doubt, we can claim that effective and smart policing have led to this achievement. I am being modest in admitting that as a Government, we have given the police a free hand sans interference. Also, our recruitment has been very transparent and fair thereby sending the right signals to a new generation of law enforcers that this Government will protect them without bias. As a result, law has taken its own course, and produced an effect that is required of a police force. Also, what has gone less noticed amid the brouhaha over the statistics is the number of registered cases involving corruption in Assam. The fact that it has witnessed a significant jump does not mean that corruption has become rampant in the State; what instead it indicates is that vigilance has become the buzzword. The police is ever alert, be it involving influential people or the common man. The fact that we reported 57 cases in 2022 compared to 16 each in 2020 and 2021 respectively of corruption means we are cracking down hard on unfair practices in the Government machinery. Out of the 57, 50 officials were caught red handed, again a sign that one is not sitting on his hunches whenever a complaint is received. Unless we as a Government bring transparency and morality in public dealing, the masses have all the right to be sceptical of our intent. I would like to reassure the people of Assam that we will not tight and watch while a selected few carry on with their nefarious designs. I strongly feel that because things on the ground are improving, more and more youth are joining the mainstream shunning violence and anti-social activities to rebuild a vibrant Assam.
Another significant piece of affirmation came last month from a Parliamentary Committee that appreciated the initiative taken by the Assam Prisons Headquarters under the Home Department for its far-reaching steps which would go a long way in the way jails can become correctional homes rather than being institutions of punishment. I have always believed that no human being is inherently anti-social in whatever form. It is therefore unfair to judge him without giving him the chance to improve himself and achieve his full potential. Just as all of us have a past to reckon with, in the same vein each one of us can build or rebuild a life of which we all can be proud of, provided we get the right ecosystem in place and accordingly adjust to it. I think the reforms being initiated in the correctional homes of Assam will put in place an example for other States to follow.
Since November, the Vikas Sankalp Yatra has found favour and enthusiasm among the masses in the State. My experience of interacting with the common people has convinced me that nothing succeeds better than schemes undertaken with the most honest intent. I am getting reports from my Cabinet colleagues and partymen that schemes launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ever since he came to serve the people of this country, have made a tremendous difference in the lives of people of this country. The Prime Minister has personally been undertaking extraordinary efforts to see to it that his schemes are reaching out to everyone for whom they are intended. This is a lesson in Governance that personal supervision with the right intent can ensure results. However, neither the Prime Minister nor is my Government going to be satisfied with whatever we have done thus far. We are going all out to ensure that no one is left behind and that every individual gets what is rightfully his.
It is in the same manner that we are expanding the scope of Orunodoi and other landmark schemes that are benefitting the women folk in the State. Not only have we enlarged the scope under the scheme but we have also enhanced the amount that we started with. We have realised that every penny that we can give to our mothers and sisters will bring in a huge improvement in the overall well-being of the masses. That a State like ours, despite economic and financial constraints, can undertake such endeavours is because of the unconditional support that we have received from the Honourable Prime Minister and his Government. They have full trust in Assam’s growth story and this is precisely why we have been able to undertake welfare schemes meant for the masses without any hindrance. The Centre has always opened its purse for us. This has helped us to make the world take notice of the fact that there is something unique about Assam worth appreciating. I take this opportunity to appeal to my brothers and sisters of Assam to join the development journey of Assam in the years to come.
I wish you all a Happy New Year, and Magh Bihu.
