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Assam set to become India’s top performers, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam set to become India’s top performers, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

KOKRAJHAR: On the 5th anniversary of the BTR Accord, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Rs 150 crores to build a new sports stadium in the Bodo region to support youth aspiring to excel in sports. CM said that the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is advancing rapidly with support from the central government, state government, and its revenue. CM also shared a development vision that aims to position the state among India’s top performers in the next five years.

CM emphasized that Assam is rapidly emerging as a hub for semiconductors and new energy. Over the past 3.5 years, the state has achieved remarkable progress, including creating 1.5 lakh government jobs without any legal disputes and preparing 55,000 more appointment letters. Significant transformations in sectors like power and employment reflect Assam’s collective efforts. The state has also rehabilitated 7,000 individuals from forest areas, promoting inclusive growth. He also highlighted ongoing discussions with the Government of India regarding the establishment of a defense corridor, expressing confidence that Assam will secure it.

The CM highlighted the significant development in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) over the last four years. He noted that the region, once plagued by violence, has undergone a complete transformation. Earlier, incidents of unrest, bomb blasts, and grenade attacks were common, with over 6,000 armed individuals creating turmoil. Today, there is no violence, no armed youth, and no one hiding in the jungles.
In the past 3.5 years, the region has experienced peace, with no democratic agitations.

Events like the Durand Cup, Santosh Trophy, and international football matches, such as the Oman Football Competition, have attracted thousands of spectators, reflecting the positive change. BTR has become a beacon of peace and progress, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Indian government, state government, and BTR authorities. The Bodo and non-Bodo divide has also been resolved, paving the way for sustained development in both BTR and Assam.

Responding to a question about increasing BTR’s budget, the CM stated that while Assam’s resources are limited, his focus is on self-reliance rather than seeking help from others. He highlighted Assam’s progress, with the state budget growing from Rs80,000 crores to Rs1.5 lakh crores during his tenure, without external aid. His vision is to make Assam a contributing state rather than a demanding one.

Regarding BTR’s budget, the CM assured full support and emphasized ongoing development projects like bridges, roads, and a railway line from Guwahati to Bhutan, reducing travel time to two hours. He stressed that money is not the main issue but rather leveraging resources effectively to reduce dependence. The CM noted that people are satisfied with the progress and confident in the state’s potential.

When asked about efforts to attract businesses to BTR, the CM highlighted the gradual progress being made, given the region’s history of violence that claimed over 20,000 lives. He credited the transformation to 3.5 years of focused work under Modi’s leadership. Key industrial projects are underway, including the expansion of a refinery to 5 million metric tons and the establishment of a railway coach manufacturing factory in BTR.
However, the CM emphasized the importance of balanced development to preserve peace, particularly in sensitive matters like land acquisition. He noted that progress is being carefully planned and executed step by step to ensure harmony and stability in the region.
Speaking on the demand for the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that recruitment efforts are active in BTR, including those for CAPF and Agniveer. He emphasized the need to increase the number of posts to provide more opportunities for the youth. The Indian government is working in this direction, and Assam’s recruitment quota includes provisions for militancy-affected areas and Scheduled Tribes, ensuring focused employment efforts for the region.

Addressing the sports sector, the CM highlighted BTR’s strong potential, particularly in football and archery, where the youth excel. He mentioned the existing SAI Centre and announced a Rs150 crore investment to build another stadium in the region, showcasing the collaboration between BTR, the state, and the central government.
On the devolution of power, the CM reiterated that the state government does not interfere in BTR’s affairs except for policing. He explained that while BTR has full authority over taxation, they prefer to receive a share from the consolidated fund since their direct tax collections would be lower. This arrangement ensures better financial support for the region.

Speaking on issues related to Bangladesh, the CM noted concerns about the unstable situation there, with reports of ISI and elements within Bangladesh trying to regroup militants in the Northeast. However, he assessed that such efforts would likely fail as the people of Assam are united in maintaining peace and refuse to allow violence. He emphasized that militancy cannot thrive without local support, which is completely absent in Assam today.

On the issue of infiltration, the CM acknowledged challenges in securing porous areas along the Brahmaputra River, where fencing is not feasible. Instead, the government relies on advanced monitoring gadgets. The BSF captures 10 to 12 Bangladeshi infiltrators daily, reflecting Assam’s vigilance in addressing the issue. He also highlighted recent development initiatives, including a large campus for Hindustan Petroleum, the expansion of a refinery to 5 million metric tons, and a BSF ordinance factory. Additionally, he laid the foundation for a new university, while BTR now boasts 2 medical colleges and 3 universities across 5 districts, signaling comprehensive progress in the region. On tourism, the CM highlighted BTR’s close cultural ties with Bhutan, particularly with Galephu Mindfulness City, which is being developed to resemble Singapore and is just 8 km from BTR. He noted that Bhutan’s development would directly benefit BTR. He also mentioned discussions with Bhutan’s King and announced that Bhutan’s Prime Minister will visit Assam on February 25 to strengthen shared development efforts.

Regarding the proposed 125th Constitutional Amendment, the CM stated that the Indian government is actively working on it. The standing committee discussions have concluded, and he expressed optimism about seeing positive developments in the upcoming budget session.

On China’s construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra, the CM acknowledged the lack of detailed information from China but confirmed that the Indian government is addressing the issue diplomatically. He stressed that the dam could severely impact the region’s environmental ecosystem by drying up the Brahmaputra. While Assam cannot engage directly with China, he is hopeful for a diplomatic resolution through ongoing talks between the two nations.

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