Assam Government Babus Fail To Provide Data To Athawale

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government officials have failed to provide data and records regarding the progress of implementation of various flagship programmes of the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in the State.

The babus’ failure came to light during a review meeting of the flagship programmes held at here on Saturday in the presence of Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale. Top officials including those in the rank of additional chief secretary were present in the meeting.

Later addressing a press conference at the same venue, Athawale said even though the banks had provided an amount to the tune of Rs 4,187 crore to Assam in 2018 under under Mudra Yojana, the officials present at the review meeting failed to provide records regarding the number of beneficiaries under the scheme.

“I had asked the officials for the number of beneficiaries as I knew the media will want it. But the officials were unable to provide it,” he said.

Athawale informed that 10.88 lakh LPG connections were provided under Ujjwala Yojana in 2018-19 and 10.65 lakh in 2017-18. He was, however, unable to give details of the targets set or achieved during these periods.

Athawale claimed that 1,48,71,000 Jan Dhan Accounts have been opened in Assam. But figures about the target and whether those achieved, were not provided to the Union Minister.

On the status of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Athawale informed that against the target of 8.50 lakh houses by 2022, five lakh houses have already been provided or are at different levels of approval.

He said monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to 1.39 lakh Divyangs (specially-abled people) of the State is being paid by the Centre. Regarding allegation raised by Divyangs of the State about not receiving pension for the past several months, Athawale maintained that the money was being sent from his ministry’s end.

On other hand, Athawale, who was felicitated by his party (Republican Party of India) leaders during the press conference, said a delegation of Bodo community had met him earlier during the day, demanding inclusion of their areas under the Bodoland Autonomous Council.

A delegation of Sikh community also met the Minister, seeking his help in removing the word ‘bhangi’ from the list of Scheduled Tribes in the State.

Athawale assured both the delegations of looking into their demands sympathetically.

Athawale said that every government should sincerely put in efforts for the enrichment of life of the rural population, ST, SC population and Divyangs, and that every State should come forward with innovative schemes for the specially-abled people.

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