HT Bureau
DIPHU, June 14: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, on Saturday briefed the media on the achievements of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has completed 11 years in office.
The briefing was held at the conference hall of Arboretum-cum-Craft Centre in Matipung.
CEM Ronghang began by comparing the economic progress under the previous UPA regime and the current NDA government.
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“During former PM Manmohan Singh’s tenure, India’s economy was at the 11th position. Under Prime Minister Modi, it has now reached the 4th position and is expected to reach 3rd within two years,” he said.
He highlighted various developmental schemes implemented over the past 11 years, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), under which 4 crore houses have been constructed for BPL families.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided ₹5 lakh annual health coverage per family.
The CEM noted that under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 81 crore beneficiaries have received free ration, unlike the previous Congress regime where a nominal charge was levied.
For farmers, ₹6,000 is being provided annually through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, with a total disbursement of ₹3.7 lakh crore so far.
Speaking on Karbi Anglong-specific developments, Ronghang said that after the BJP-led NDA government came to power, a KAAC delegation met Prime Minister Modi to submit a memorandum for the implementation of Article 244(A) of the Constitution for an Autonomous State.
Another memorandum was submitted seeking ₹1,000 crore for the overall development of Karbi Anglong, along with an appeal for a peace agreement with insurgent groups.
“The Prime Minister gave us 45 minutes of his time. I have not seen a Prime Minister who is so concerned about every tribe and community in the country,” Ronghang said.
He added that through NITI Aayog, ₹94.11 lakh was sanctioned, which was used to build a football stadium at Karbi Anglong Sports Association (KASA) and at Dongkamukam.
Listing major initiatives under the Modi government, Ronghang said that during his visit to Karbi Anglong in 2022, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for various institutions including a degree college in Chinthong, a veterinary college at Manja, and an agriculture college at Kheroni. The Chinthong college is nearing completion, while tenders have been floated for the others.
The CEM also informed that a new National Highway (NH-627), connecting Nellie via Hongkram, Dongkamukam, and Kheroni to Dima Hasao, is under progress.
Responding to opposition regarding the setting up of a bio-gas plant by Reliance Industries Limited, Ronghang said, “We are moving forward with the project to reduce unemployment. A 30-year agreement is being signed. This initiative will benefit local youth and farmers who can grow Napier grass for the plant.”
On the withdrawal of Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding for a solar project at Khatkhati near the Nagaland border, Ronghang blamed activist Pranab Doley.
“He has a criminal record and is only obstructing development,” he said, adding that an alternative arrangement will be made.
He further stated that the project site is on reserve land of KAAC, currently being cultivated by Naga people without land pattas.
