Debabrata Saikia calls for development of sar areas

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has said that the ruling party – BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is doing politics in the name of 'Miya Museum'.

"Instead of doing politics the government should focus on developing the sar areas," said Saikia.

The controversy over the 'Miya Museum' was started after Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed had written a letter to the Director of Museums, Assam to establish the museum at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakhetra. However, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have rejected the proposal and stated that no such museum will be constructed at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakhetra.

In this regard, Saikia expressed his views to the media and said the Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) of the Education Department held discussions about the grant for art and culture of the department. He said in the meeting, the committee recommended that one museum reflecting the culture and heritage of the people living in the sar-saporis of Assam shall be established at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakhetra.

"The 15-member DRSC committee was headed by AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) MLA Utpal Dutta where 10 members are from the ruling parties. The committee mostly consist members from the ruling and it was their recommendation to set up of the museum," Saikia added.

Further, Saikia underlined that, "According to the last survey, there are above 2,000 char areas in the State. For the development of these areas, the Directorate of Char Areas Development Assam was constituted by then CM late Hiteshwar Saikia."

The leader also cleared the 'misconception' that people from a specific religion stay in the char areas.

"Though char areas in lower Assam has large number of Muslim population. However, in Dhemaji, Jonai, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Sivasagar people from various communities reside in these areas. Due to scarcity of land, people from many other communities have shifted to the char areas," Saikia asserted.

"The Chief Minister himself said that in his constituency – Majuli, a Directorate of Char Areas Development office will be opened. Problems in sar-sapori do not only mean issues of the 'Miya.' But this narrative is being spread by the BJP leaders. As the elections are nearing, the BJP does not have any political issues to campaign. The government has failed to generate employment, implement Assam Accord, deport foreigners, and other development works in the State," he stated.

Lastly he stressed there are many developmental works left in the sar areas like – education, health, communication, etc.

"Rather than focusing on these areas, the BJP is doing cheap politics," he added.

Also watch: Get Set Global: Durga Puja: Around The World

Also Read: CM Sonowal & Himanta rejected proposal of establishing 'Miya Museum' in Kalakshetra