DPR was outcome of Centre's approval to feasibility: Gogoi

Metro Rail Project in Guwahati  

Gogoi rejects outright Himanta's allegation of grace marks to HSLC students with Dispur's consent when Congress was in power

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 9: Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today shot back at GDD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating that the DPR for Metro Rail Project which his government had prepared was the outcome of Centre's approval to the feasibility report.

Talking to newsmen outside the Assembly today, Gogoi said: "I admit that the DPR of the Metro Rail project wasn't sent to the Centre. We prepared the DPR only after the approval of the feasibility report of the project by the Centre. How can we prepare the DPR for the project without any approval from the Union Urban Development Ministry? We prepared the DPR. Now the government has changed. The onus of making the project see light of the day lies with the new dispensation. It is the new government to see as to how the funds for the project can be met."

When asked as to why the Congress government laid the foundation stone of the Metro Rail project without even getting the DPR approved by the Centre, Gogoi said: "It happens. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was on record laying the foundation stone of a bridge connecting Majuli without even preparing the feasibility report, let alone approval to the DPR."

Gogoi said: "Now the Prime Minister is set to open the Dhola-Sadiya bridge. It's Asia's second longest bridge. However, we made it happen? The work of the bridge began when we're in power. We didn't even lay the foundation stone of the bridge. We just wanted to get the bridge constructed."

On NRC update, Gogoi said: "The BJP is out to take the credit for NRC update work. When was NRC update work started?"

Accusing the BJP of double talk, Gogoi said: "The BJP government talks of Assam Accord and holds tripartite talks. On the other, it wants to bring foreigners to the country by bringing amendment to the Citizenship Act."

On the plight of tiol highways in the State, Gogoi said: "Just see the condition of the tiol highways. The condition is worse than what it was during our regime."

On Education Minister Himta Biswa Sarma's allegation that the SEBA had to give more grace marks in HSLC examitions during the Congress rule with consent from Dispur so as to raise the pass percentage, Gogoi said: "It's a blatant lie. If it really happened, why doesn't he move the CBI? I don't do any such 420 sorts of works. Rather I was in favour of quality education in the State. I stood as a stumbling block when one Governor approached me to give more grace marks in Gauhati University. I asked the Governor back if there were any such precedents of universities giving more grace marks just to raise the pass percentage. The Governor let me know that this practice is being followed in Bhagalpur University. I asked him back again as to why we should follow suit. I never interfered in HSLC examitions."

Gogoi said: "It's very difficult to understand Himanta Biswa Sarma. I asked him to bring generic medicines for the State hospitals. He just kept me assuring that they would bring. He, however, never brought. They're all good fellows with the BJP, but they weren't while with the Congress. They're now 'Satyarayan' incartes? They're good even as they are the ones who meddled in Saradha scam."