HT Correspondent
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JORHAT, Dec 15: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as part of the state government’s ongoing Fortnight for Development initiative, on Thursday launched a Rs 853 crore package of development projects in Jorhat district.
The chief minister launched the projects while addressing a massive public meeting at the Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA) ground.
Earlier, Sarma performed the Bhumi pujan at the Lachit Borphukan Maidam at Gohaingaon, Meleng, on the eastern outskirts here.
The foundation-stone of the Rs 149.83 crore project, which was laid by the then President Ram Nath Kovind virtually from Guwahati on February 25 this year while launching the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Borphukan, will come up in a total area of 49 bighas of land, out of which 42 bighas have been acquired by the government.
A Rs 1.50 crore, 125-feet tall bronze statue of Lachit Barphukan, a museum, an auditorium, a residential facility, water body, approach road among other facilities are part of the project.
The other projects are: Jorhat-Kamarbandha road, a railway flyover at Jail road near JMCH, Integrated Deputy Commissioner’s office at Cinnamara, Bapuji mini stadium, Mariani, Assam Women’s University – Teok Campus, Cultural Complex to be named after Gomdhar Konwar at Nakachari, upgradation of 3 ITIs, Memorial Park at Central Jail, Jorhat complex, 3 APDCL sub-stations, and Sericulture College, Titabar.
It may be mentioned here that the Sarma during his visit to Central Jail, Jorhat, on August 19, 2021, had announced after visiting the prison that was inextricably linked with India’s freedom movement would be developed into a heritage site in 100 bighas plot out of the over 370 bighas land and a park in honour of the freedom fighters would be an integral part of the project.
The existing jail would be shifted to another place outside the town. On Thursday, in his speech, the chief minister said that the quarter of the now Central Jail, Jorhat where the famous poet Hiren Bhattacharyya was born, would be preserved. His father was a jailor.
Sarma started his address at the public rally venue by narrating the historical backgrounds of Jorhat, the capital of Ahoms, and spoke about the rich literary, socio-cultural history and contributions of many leaders in the freedom movement.
Mentioning Jorhat being an educational hub along with housing several important scientific research institutions he stated about several illustrious persons of Jorhat who have contributed in different fields.
Sarma while stating that his government was taking the state in the path of development and progress since coming to power was gradually fulfilling the pre-poll promises one after another.
Speaking about a series of initiatives undertaken by the government, the chief minister mentioned offering the various government services at the doorstep of the citizens.
He said that as per the assurance to provide one lakh government jobs by him during the election campaign the government so far had recruited 40,000 people and next month the process for another 30,000 would commence after which recruitment of another 30,000 would be taken within three to four months.
Stressing on the need for maintaining a favourable environment free from militancy and agitations, which he said was happening in the past one and a half years, Sarma said it was most essential to fast-track the journey of progress and prosperity.
He announced that the next phase of development initiative to be dedicated to districts not covered in the ongoing fortnight of development would be launched in January next year.
Sarma, while saying that the government was working to take Assam among the top five positions of the country, said that next year the government would focus on the education sector. He said all high schools would be given grants of about Rs 7-8 crore each for all-round development so that the institutes could compete with private ones.
CM Sarma also said that more universities were in the pipeline and colleges too would get good government assistance for up gradation.
The chief minister while stating that the government was committed to alleviation of poverty mentioned several schemes for uplifting the poor.
He said the Orunodoi scheme that has been providing Rs 830 per month to 40 lakh beneficiaries belonging to weaker sections has been hiked to Rs 1250 and the process to increase the number of beneficiaries by another 7 lakh has started.
Stating that the Ashwamedha Yagna horse of progress and prosperity would gallop unhindered in Assam if the environment remains free from guns and protests as then only more investment would flow in and also enable sports, literature and culture to flourish.
The CM also announced among the projects a Rs 50 crore Jorhat Stadium expansion which would incorporate the Jorhat Court Field and adjoining JDSA ground.
Several of his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs of Jorhat district, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs Topon Kumar Gogoi and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, respectively, were present at the meeting.
