People approach Parimal Shuklabaidya to give complete shape to sub-division

Special Correspondent

Silchar, Aug 7: The demand for a full-fledged sub division for Lakhipur in Cachar has remained yet to be given a complete and concrete shape. After series of representations to the then Chief Minister and ministers concerned as well as elected representatives of the area with no positive response, it is now time for the people to get in touch with the Sonowal Government and the ministers for a definite move. During his recent visit of the sub division, Parimal Shuklabaidya, Minister of PWD, Excise and Fisheries, was approached with a memorandum on the issue.

 It was brought to his notice that Ajanta Neog, former minister of PWD and Urban Development, and also the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi whom the members of Lakhipur Anchalic Unyan Sangstha (LAUS) pressed for upgrading Lakhipur to sub division in all respects. They were disappointed though on the eve of the last assembly elections, Gogoi declared a number of sub divisions just for political mileage. It was reminded that bowing to the mass demand, the government of the time declared Lakhipur as a sub division in 1992.

 While Bokakhat and zira became fully developed which were also declared as sub division the same year, Lakhipur continues to stagger. It is true a good number of offices of the sub division are yet to be set up and even those running in rented premises have no proper infrastructure and other amenities. The Minister has been given to understand unless the offices of treasury, sub divisiol court, PWD, irrigation, agriculture among others are not set up with proper infrastructure, declaration of a sub division will amount to a sort of misnomer.

 It is most unfortute that the sub divisiol health services are being carried on through PHC that too with minimum facilities. The PHC in the very heart of the town has 6 beds and 1 physician. The demand has been for a well justified 100 bed hospital with adequate medical and paramedical staff. It is expected that with the functioning of a full-shaped sub division, crowding of people will go up. Considering the increasing flow of people from different parts of the sub division, a suspension bridge needs to be constructed over Barak river. People presently have to cross the river through motor-launch. Besides common people, students also have to use the Lakhipur ferry-ghat to crossover from the other side.

 A sub division has also to be well connected with good roads which are now in a pathetic condition. The attention of the Minister has been particularly drawn to the road from Kashipur to Madhura bridge on the NH 37 and the stretch of Chiripool to Lower Jiri via Fulertal on the same highway that call for immediate improvement and repair. Apart from that, he has also been focused on some other important connectivity lying in a shambles. These are Jirighat to Kapakhal via Kadamtala, Bagkhal to Mirpur, Lakhipur to Paloirbond via Tolengram and Nongphow, Lakhipur to Sibpur with a bridge over Chiri river, Binkandie ghat to Soi (double lane), Binkandie tea estate to Machkhal Khasia punji and Binkandie tea estate to Motigar.

 The representatives of the Sangstha led by the president Anil Chandra Das Talukdar took the opportunity to show the documents related to the sanctioning of Rs.407.55 lakh in 2008-09 for construction of the road from Binkandie tea estate to Motigar. Surprisingly, till date no work has been initiated. It appears the entire amount of money has been hushed up. The Minister assured them to look into it in order to trace out the sanctioned amount. Like any other sub division, the interior villages are yet to get the facilities of potable water, electricity, health, sanitation and even basic education. E Brajamani Singha, secretary of the Sangshta, was hopeful that Sarbanda Sonowal led government with its commitment to provide transparent and accountable administration would definitely give a serious though to their representation and the demands raised in it.