Dipti Rani Talukdar, Gopi Deka, Saidul Ali, Binanda Rajbongshi, et al. are all smiling today for various reasons. They have benefited from schemes introduced by the Assam Government led by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. They are a representation of the incumbent Government’s eventful first year in office. If Saidul got compensation for the death of his uncle under the Prarthana Scheme, Dipti is relieved at being made debt free by the largesse
of the Government’s Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, 2021. Countless others like Gopi and Binanda have benefited from policy measures of the State Government.
The Covid pandemic which battered the country’s economy had also dented Assam in the first wave. However, the present Government in Dispur turned things around during the second wave. Assam became the only State to register growth in its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The GSDP of the State at variable prices grew by 13.89 % in 2021-22 compared to 2020-21.
GST collection and revenue from other sources have also soared up. It has allowed the Government to increase its investment in oil company NRL by Rs 2,187 crore. Revenue
collected from power consumers are going up as well. Infrastructure push is already being acknowledged and so is the case with health facilities, especially cancer care. The Government has begun the process of generating one lakh jobs.
The massive crackdown on drugs and cattle smuggling is winning more praise than criticism. The Bodo Peace Accord and disbursement of Rs 212.30 crore towards the rehabilitation of the surrendered ultras will usher in peace. If the carrot is visible, so are the sticks. Constant pressure on militant groups has resulted in a few militant groups joining the mainstream.
Disputes involving history and geography are being solved by sheer political will of the government of the day thanks to a massive support from the Centre, the historic border deal between Assam and Meghalaya being an example.
Orunodoi Scheme has been given a facelift by increasing the amount of direct transfer to Rs 1,000 from Rs 830 while an additional subsidy of Rs 250 shall be given to the beneficiaries on account of electricity tariff.
Under Mission Basundhara, land-related service delivery processes have been simplified while the Assam Right to Public Service Act has seen an impressive redressal percentage. Gorukhuti in Darrang is becoming a beacon of an agricultural revolution in the State. In toto, the development trajectory of the State has begun in earnest.
