Dispur paving way for auctioning State oil fields: ASM

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, June 27: The Asom Sangrami Mancha (ASM) has said that the BJP-led Government in the State is out to make everything ready so that the oil fields in the State go under the hammer, one after another.

Talking to newsmen in the city today, ASM secretary general Manjit Mahanta said: “In the run-up to the last Assembly election in the State, the BJP leaders talked of desired changes in the State. The people of the State also wanted changes in the State to get rid of corruption by the Congress. However, soon after assuming charge, the BJP-led government has shown its true colour within the very first month. It has now decided to hand over as many as twelve oil fields of the State to some private parties. It seems that this is just the beginning. The State Government will hand over each and every oil field of the State to capitalists like Ambani.”

Mahanta further said: “The BJP talked of employment generation in the State before the last Assembly election. However, it is as clear as daylight as to how many unemployed people are absorbed by the private sector in any tion. How come the State Government generates jobs in the State if it goes with this privatization spree. This goes quite contrast to the party’s slogan in the run-up to the last election that it would never compromise on, what it said, ‘jaati, bheti aro maati’ (the Assamese tion, very foundation of the tion and its land).”

Mahanta said: “The BJP has been trying its best to give settlement to lakhs of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh in the State. Process is underway to welcome lakhs of Hindu Bangladeshis along the Karimganj border in the State. Within the next two months around 20 lakh Hindu Bangladeshis will be allowed to enter India. For being part of the BJP-led Government in the State, the AGP leaders, who are in power, are silent on these two issues. This is despite the fact that these two issues are considered to be the pet issues of the AGP. The AGP ministers in the government have to come clear on this fact. If the need arises, protest will be staged against such a move.”

ASM working president Dinesh Baishya said: “This is strange that the BJP has betrayed the people of the State within a month of coming to power. No tion blessed with oil reserves can live in peace. When our oilfields will go under the ownership of multitiol companies, we’ll be under imperialism for the second time. Assam will turn into another battle field, and imperialist countries will run the State.”

Other leaders of the ASM were also present at the press meet.