HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, April 7: A programme was organised to distribute one-time financial assistance to Rongali Bihu celebration committees of Sonitpur district was held at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office here on Thursday.
Newly appointed deputy commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra delivered the welcome address in the meeting which was attended by MLA Borsola Ganesh Limboo, MLA Tezpur Prithiraj Rabha, MLA Rangapara Krishna Kamal Tanti and senior officials of the district administration.
On the occasion, dummy cheques worth Rs. 1.5 lakh were ceremoniously distributed to six numbers of Bihu celebration committees which are – Sadou Mazgaon Rongali Bihu Sanmilan, Swahid Bakori, Tezpur; Purbanchal Kristi Sangha Rangali Bihu Udjapon Committee, Tezpur; Kalitagaon Anchalik Rangali Bihu Sanmilan, Bihaguri; Rangapara Rangali Bihu Sanmilan Namghar (Rangapara); Sadou Balipara Rangali Bihu Mela Committee (Rangapara) and Borpukhuri Mukali Bihu Sammittee (Jamugurihat).
It may be noted that the government of Assam has decided to provide one-time financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh to those committees which organises Rongali Bihu functions from Sankranti to the 6th day of the Bohag month of the Assamese calendar every year and are at least 10 years old.
Under this initiative, a total of 115 Bihu celebration committees of Sonitpur district have been identified who will be receiving this one time grant of Rs 1.5 lakh through DBT in their respective bank accounts registered in the name of the Bihu committees.
Altogether 1,265 Bihu committees across 30 districts of the state will be given this financial assistance and a sum of Rs. 18.97 crore has been allocated for this purpose by the Cultural Affairs department.
In his speech, the deputy commissioner appealed to all Bihu organising committees to celebrate Bihu by staying true to the traditions and customs associated with Rongali Bihu and ensure that the law and order situation does not deteriorate during Bihu functions.
MLAs Ganesh Limboo, Prithiraj Rabha and Krishna Kamal Tanti also spoke on the occasion.
Cultural Development officer Jiten Das conducted the programme which was also attended by representatives of various Rongali Bihu celebration committees of Sonitpur district.