APCC raps Dispur on NRC, loss incurred by farmers

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 2: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has demanded of State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal to make his government’s stand on the progress of NRC update clear.

In a statement issued to the press today, senior APCC spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya said: “Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora did raise a question in the Parliament on the number of foreigners staying in Assam. However, the government at the Centre failed to provide him any information on foreigners in the State. This has exposed that the Centre is deceiving the people of Assam on the vital issue of foreigners. The Assam Accord was signed after the sacrifice of as many as 855 martyrs. The government is duty-bound to implement the Assam Accord.”

Bhattacharya further said: “After the demonetization of 500-rupee and 1000-rupee notes, the famers of the State   have to incur huge loss. Since smaller currency notes are a scarce in the State, vegetable famers have to sell their products at throwaway prices to middlemen. The affected farmers should be compensated for the loss they incur, and that arrangement should be made to sell their products through the Assam Agricultural Marketing Board.”

According to Bhattacharya, the affected farmers are mainly from Kharupetia, Besimari, Barpeta, Howli etc.

The APCC also came down heavily on the State Government for the steep hike in power tariff at the rate of 59 paise per unit. “Is it good governce in the State?” Bhattarchaya said, and questioned the government: “Why hasn’t the Chief Minister been able to get funds as special assistance to the State from the Centre?”