Assam Govt asks DCs to assess forest land encroachments district-wise

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The State Government has asked all district commissioners (DCs) to ascertain the extents of forest land encroachments in their respective districts.

Speaking to the media today, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We've asked all DCs to ascertain the extents of forest land encroachments. As I see it, if the government carries out eviction drives continuously, it will take ten years to make forest lands free from encroachers. We won't evict people who are eligible under the Forest Land Rights Act, 2006. We'll have to evict others."

On Orunodoi 3.0, the Chief Minister said that the number of beneficiaries under Orunodoi 2.0 was 28 lakhs, and Orunodoi 3.0 has 40 lakh beneficiaries who have their Aadhaar cards, voter cards, etc. linked. With the Orunodoi 2.0 closed, the administration and panchayat members will go door-to-door to each of the Orunudoi 3.0 beneficiaries to hand over Orunudoi letters and a bunch of books of different genres. Orunodoi 3.0 will be launched on September 17, 2025.

The Chief Minister also said, "We'll start an experimental drive wherein every Orunodoi beneficiary, whenever they buy an LPG cylinder, will be given back Rs 250 directly into their bank account. We'll continue this for three months and may continue this after feedback. Forms for the Nijut Moina Scheme 2.0 will be distributed on August 6 in an expanded way. This scheme is aimed at arresting dropouts among girl students and preventing child marriage. Under this scheme, each higher secondary student will get Rs 1,000 per month, a degree student will get Rs 1,250 per month, and a PG student will get Rs 2,500 per month for ten months each year."

On the ST status to six communities, the Chief Minister said that the Group of Ministers will submit its report during the October session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The Assembly will send it to the Government of India with a recommendation.

On the issue of acquisition of land near the Borjhar airport, the Chief Minister said, "There is no plan to hand over the land to the Adani or Ambani group, as the grapevine goes. The government wants to take possession of the land to construct a concert stadium, a convention centre, an amusement park, hotels, etc."

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