Developmental packages announced

OUR BUREAU

HOWRAGHAT/DIPHU, April 29:  State Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a number of developmental packages for all-round development of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) area at a mammoth rally organized by district BJP at the Sports Authority of India complex located on the fringe of Diphu town on Sunday.

Before addressing the Vikash Rally, he formally inaugurated the new Legislative and Information Technology edifice build inside the complex of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Secretariat, Members’ Hostel, sports complex and rehabilitation centre for hawkers in different places of Diphu town, put together at an estimated cost of around Rs 100 crore. He also inspected the ongoing construction of Diphu Medical College.

Reiterating about the commitment of Prime Minister Narandra Modi, Sarma said that the fruit of development would reach up to the last person at the grassroots. He announced that all the kin of martyrs of Bodoland and Karbi Anglong autonomous state movements would be given Rs 5 lakh. As special package for developing surface communication within the autonomous area, Rs 500 crore will be spent within the next fiscal year.

He further announced that each member of autonomous council would be given Rs 10 crore every fiscal for the development of his constituency. He also announced that within this financial year, two universities for technical education would be established within the KAAC area. He also announced that every senior citizen above 60 years of age would be given pension irrespective of financial standing.

He announced that two new hospitals would be set up at Baithangso and Bokajan. The 200-bedded District Civil Hospital will be built at Baithalangso while a 100-bedded hospital will be set built at Bokajan. Sarma announced to set up two B.Ed colleges at Diphu.

He added that more funds had been allocated for Karbi Anglong as compared to funds allotted during the Congress regime. About Rs 3.80 crore had been increased while earlier budget was Rs 2.82 crore during Congress regime, Sarma said. 

In his speech, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) CEM Tuliram Ronghang reiterated autonomous statehood by implementing Article 244 (A). Ronghang urged the State Finance Minister to pressurize the government for early implementation of autonomous state to Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.  

Sarma inaugurated the projects accompanied by newly-appointed State Hills Area Development Minister Sum Ronghang, Pijush Hazarika, minister (independent charge) for Urban Development, KAAC CEM Tuliram Ropnghang, Dr Numal Momin, MLA of Bokajan, Harensing Bey, chairman of KAAC, and EMs and MACs of KAAC.

Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the new Karbi Anglong Sports Association complex, hawkers’ rehabilitation centre-cum-multi-utility building, KAAC members’ hostel, KAAC secretariat building and KAAC legislative building in Diphu. Sarma also laid the foundation stone of the Don Bosco Science College at Sat Mile along the Manja-Diphu road. Completing the inauguration programmes, Sarma attended a meeting with the heads of departments, KAAC, where he took stock of various developments works.