Assam witnessing new era of peace and development: Governor

Budget session of Assam Legislative Assembly commences

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: “The resurgent Assam will have a new identity in the national landscape. The growth trajectory will take Assam to greater heights and make it one of the top developed states of the country,” said Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in his address on the first day of the Budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly today. This was Governor Kataria’s first address to the State Assembly after assuming charge.

Addressing the House, Governor Kataria said that the unwavering commitment and liberal assistance of the Central Government had infused a newfound confidence and ushered in a new era of growth and development in Assam. “There is a need for the people of Assam to unitedly face the challenges and overcome the hurdles,” he added.

Over a period of six decades since independence, Assam was reeling under communication bottleneck leading to socio-economic disparity with the rest of India, the Governor said. However, since 2014, Assam and the Northeast have gained undivided attention from the Central Government. “With this attention, Assam is now witnessing a new era of peace, prosperity and unprecedented development,” he said.

The Governor lauded the Assam Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and the efforts made to uproot corruption from the public offices. He said, “Vigilance and Anti-Corruption wing of the Assam Police has been activated to check this social menace and many public servants have been caught red-handed while accepting bribes.

“During the period from 10.5.2021 to 6.3.2023, total 71 trap cases have been registered. 81 public servants including 18 Gazetted Officers were arrested in connection with trap cases, along with three middlemen. Cash amount of Rs 1,24,86,100 and 97.160 gm of gold were recovered by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam during the period of the present government till date.”

The Governor further said, “My government is mindful of the importance of peace and security for all. I am happy to say that once considered a restive region, Assam today is being hailed for the general peace, security and tranquility prevailing all across the State. This has largely been possible owing to the peace-loving nature of the people of the State, the relentless efforts of my government through its efficient management of law and order, zero tolerance policy against terrorism and working towards fulfilling the genuine hopes and aspirations of numerous ethnicities.

“My government is committed to the development and equal growth of the people living across the State. Towards that direction, this government is drawing action plans to transform the Autonomous Councils into promising development zones to fulfil the aims and aspirations of the people living here.”

Speaking about the war on drug cartels launched by the Assam Police, the Governor said that as a result of the sustained tirade against drugs, till March 2, 2023, 5,191 number of cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and 8,632 drug traffickers have been arrested with sizeable amount of drugs.

The Governor said that the Assam Government was taking the issue of child marriage very seriously and was firm on having zero tolerance against child marriage. “My government has launched a massive operation since February 3, 2023 against child marriage in the State and as many as 2,789 persons who have violated the law on child marriage have been arrested so far,” he said.

Assam, he said, is a melting pot of a variegated cultural mosaic of people and races. “My government is committed to the preservation of the cultural identity of various indigenous communities of the State,” said the Governor.

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