Sonowal renews call for graft-free, clean Assam

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 21: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today re-asserted that his government wants to make Assam a corruption-free and pollution-free State.

Speaking at a felicitation function organised by different parties and organisations at Majuli College playground at Doria in Garmur today, Sonowal said, “Corruption can be weeded out from society if people are more conscious. If we have to elimite graft, people must stop paying bribes to get their work done at the panchayats, development blocks, SDO offices, DC offices and at the State Secretariat. Morality, truthfulness and honesty depend upon the people. Paying bribes at government offices to get work done leads to pollution of the entire social system and this must be shunned”.

The Chief Minister said that each and every individual can live with head held high only by ensuring a corruption-free government.

“To get rid of the corruption mece, people and the government have to rise in unison. The present alliance government has waged a war against corruption since Day One. Syndicates, illegal check gates have been closed down in deference to the wishes of the people,” he said.

 Sonowal said that the pace of development can be accelerated if government employees from lower to higher echelons work with sincerity and dedication.

“The people have high hopes and expectations from the present government. They are keeping a close watch on us and expect us to perform. We cannot let them down,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the State government has embarked on making the State pollution-free through the Swacch Bharat campaign.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness. And we have to undertake a cleanliness drive in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, plains and hills in the state through the Swacch Bharat campaign.

Sonowal said that his government envisions to build a society based on the ideals of Srimanta Sankaradeva, and providing security to the people is its first and foremost duty.

The Chief Minister said the State would become economically more powerful if agricultural production is stepped up. He also emphasised upon proper work culture to take the State forward.

“To make the State economically vibrant and resilient, we have to induce a proper work culture. In this highly competitive world, hard work is the key to success. There is no short cut to success,” Sonowal said, adding, “If Assam has to emerge as a highly developed and frontline state of the country, hard work is the only answer.”