Housing plan for Harijans in the offing, says Gogoi

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the State Government would be providing housing facilities to all Harijans. Announcing this at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Solapara Harijan Housing Colony on the premises of Nehru Stadium here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the State Government would come up with a comprehensive plan for extending housing facilities to Harijans across the State.

Terming his Government 'pro-poor', Gogoi said that the State Government has taken up a slew of welfare oriented schemes and programmes in the past 14 years. Despite the drastic cut in Central funds, the State Government out of its own resources have been carrying out developmental activities. "We will continue to keep up the tempo of development despite cut in funds by the Central Government. The welfare-oriented schemes for the poor, margilized and underprivileged sections of the society will continue," he said.

The Chief Minister said that Assam has bagged the coveted India Today State of the States Award for Infrastructure Development outclassing several big States. "The development initiatives have brought about changes in key sectors like road, agriculture, education, health and macro-economy.  From 19, Assam has made a giant leap to No. 7 ranking in overall composite development category. However, we will not rest on our oars and will continue to work with full steam to take the State along the path of growth and development," he said, adding that the State Government would focus on those areas in which the State is lagging behind.

Gogoi said Assam has outshined even Punjab in so far as density of road per 100,000 population is concerned. Assam has 834 km of roads for every 1,00,000 population which is nearly three times of what Punjab has at 324 km.

The Chief Minister said that Development Council constituted by the Government for Scheduled Caste would take up various policies and programmes aimed at ameliorating their condition.

Gogoi said a statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar would be installed in Guwahati to pay homage to the great leader who fought relentlessly for the cause of Harijan and other backward communities.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Scheduled Caste Welfare Basanta Das said the housing complex for Harijans at Solapara would be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2.22 crore. Das said under the leadership of Chief Minister Gogoi, the State has embarked on a slew of initiatives for the welfare of Scheduled Caste.  GMC Commissioner rayan Konwar said the Rs 2.22 crore four-storeyed housing complex for Harijans at Solapara would have 32 units in all.