Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Taking a cue from the success story in the digging up of Amrit Sorobars through the use of MGNREGA funds in it, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has mooted to synergize SOPD (State Owned Priority Development) funds of the PWD with the funds meant for MGNREGA to construct more roads in rural Assam.
The Chief Minister said this today while releasing the Sankalpa Potro (manifesto) of the BJP for the ensuing panchayat poll in the state. "Besides taking a cabinet decision to this effect, we have already discussed the issue of synergizing SOPD under the PWD with the funds meant for MGNREGA with the district commissioners in conferences with them. This will help us construct more roads in rural areas in the state," the Chief Minister said.
In line with the model of night schools run by NGOs in Jharkhand, the Chief Minister said, "We're planning to have night schools in our villages where educated local youths will take special classes for candidates facing Class X board examinations. The promise of the government to pay Rs 300 to each HSLC exam candidate per month will help them in taking such classes. These classes will run for about five months from October, and details are being worked out."
The Chief Minister said that the government would spend around Rs 8 crore for the development of infrastructure in each high and higher secondary school in the coming four or five years. "This is underway in around 500 schools. The government will establish 4,000 new schools, spending around Rs 30,000 crore in the coming four or five years. Five thousand anganwadi centres have been developed with the spending of Rs 25 lakh each. We will develop infrastructure in the remaining anganwadi centres as well," he said.
On the agricultural front, the Chief Minister said, "The government has identified five districts for the cultivation of mustard to sell mustard oil branded in the name of the respective districts. This will help such mustard oil brands capture their local markets," the Chief Minister said, adding, "The government will follow this model for fish, eggs and milk as well."
The Chief Minister said that the government will provide Rs 2 lakh each to 1.26 lakh youths of the state by picking up 1,000 youths from each LAC (Legislative Assembly Constituency) for their self-employment.
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