Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today urged xatras in the state to become self-sustaining so that they do not have to depend on the state government’s grants. For this, a roadmap for the next 25 years has to be prepared to properly utilise the xatra lands to generate income.
The CM said this during the presentation of the final report of the Xatra Commission (Commission for Review and Assessment of Problems for Xatra Land in Assam), where several xatradhikars were present.
The CM said, “It is a reality that the xatras cannot survive only on oxygen. They have to think of sustainable means to become self-sufficient. We are trying to bring about changes in the xatras, but it is not possible for the government to look after 922 xatras. Most of the xatras are barely surviving. It is a fact that, if the BJP hadn’t come to power, the Borduwa Satra would’ve had to survive on Ajmal’s donation. Assamese society spends Rs 10 to 15 lakhs on cultural nights but hesitates to lend a helping hand to xatras.”
He further said that, historically, kings used to give lands and donations to run the xatras. Gradually, migrant people settled in vacant lands near the xatras. Then they started building mosques and openly slaughtering cows. When conflicts arose, the xatra’s people retreated, leaving the lands in the hands of the migrant population. With the change in demography, people slowly stopped going to the xatras.
At present, the youth should be connected with the xatras. Youth will have a new perspective on things, and they can bring about change, the CM also stated.
The CM pointed to how temples in South India use their vacant lands to generate income by opening schools, colleges, skill centres, etc. He said it is high time the xatras started thinking along these lines.
He also pointed to another problem in rural areas—that of the youth power declining. Assamese families are giving birth to one child, but those nearby are birthing six to seven children. As a result, the youth force is gradually going out of our hands. After ten years, it will become tough to find youth to perform Bihu, he said. “Change in demography is also taking place in schools, colleges and universities. Compared to ten of ours, a hundred of their children are taking admission. It is becoming a big challenge for us,” he said.
The CM said that a full-fledged xatra commission will be set up, which will examine the issues of the xatras and work out ways to ensure their survival.
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