Guwahati: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, conducted an official visit to Hailakandi district on Tuesday to review ongoing developmental projects under the Aspirational District Programme.
During her visit, the minister expressed satisfaction over the tofu production initiative operated by women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the District Livelihood Mission. She visited the Tofu Production Centre at Gagalachharra under Lalamukh Gram Panchayat and interacted with the SHG beneficiaries. Commending their efforts, she appreciated the mission’s role in promoting women’s economic empowerment and urged authorities to facilitate more such livelihood opportunities.
At present, six tofu production units are operational in the district—three each at Gagalachharra and Barni Bridge, Mohanpur. These units operate under the brand name Dhaleswari, and have provided direct employment to 60 women. The collective production capacity of the units is approximately 600 kilograms of tofu per day.
The minister also visited the Sultani Model Anganwadi Centre No. 80 at Sultanicherra in South Hailakandi Block. She interacted with children and their parents, encouraging them to avail of the various welfare schemes being implemented through Anganwadi centres.
Subsequently, the minister inspected the New Primary Health Centre at Gharmura in South Hailakandi, where she reviewed the healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. She expressed satisfaction with the quality of healthcare services available at the facility.
As part of her itinerary, Bambhaniya visited the Oil Palm Seed Nursery established by the Department of Agriculture near the Assam–Manipur border. Spread over 10 bighas of land, the nursery aims to improve the livelihoods of local farmers. The minister acknowledged the potential of the project in boosting agricultural income.
At Laxminagar Tea Estate Model High School, the minister interacted with students and teachers, and encouraged parental cooperation to prevent school dropouts. She inspected the school kitchen shed and the nutrition-enriched orchard developed within the premises.
Further, she visited the Soil Testing Laboratory of the Agriculture Department at Kuchila. Officials briefed her on the testing of over 28,000 soil samples and the distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers. In the final leg of the visit, the minister inspected an Animal Sub-Centre constructed by the Animal Husbandry Department at Kuchila at a cost of Rs 28 lakh. The centre provides key veterinary services including artificial insemination, vaccination, and animal treatment, benefiting 23 villages in the region. The minister was accompanied by Hivare Nisarg Gautam, Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, along with senior officials from relevant departments who facilitated the inspections and provided necessary updates, stated a press release.
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