Barak Valley needs particular attention
Special Correspondent
Silchar, June 2: After assuming power, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has clearly spelt the priorities of his government, keeping in mind the mandate of people. Assam is faced with the burgeoning problem of infiltration from across the border. It has virtually upset the demographic structure of the state. In order to tackle it, he will need the support and cooperation of all sections of people. He has spoken of sealing the border with Bangladesh in two years. Quite turally, his accent is on development which has to be paced up. This has been the main poll plank of the party during the last election campaign. Prime Minister rendra Modi has promised all out help to make Assam a developed state.
The Chief Minister will have to ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of people. There are uccounted interior villages where electricity is yet to reach. Safe drinking water is a misnomer. Health services are in doldrums which need restructuring. Educatiol facilities are rickety. It is no secret that during the long spell of Congress rule funds meant for development have gone down the drain. A syndicate right from Dispur to block level has been active embezzle funds. It will be a herculean job for the Chief Minister Sonowal to check corruption.
Barak Valley needs special focus where development has taken a back seat. For the last 15 years rule of Congress, three cabinet rank ministers were there more for ormentation than for any worth. There were surfeit of parliamentary secretaries. The cruellest joke with people of this valley was played when the former chief minister offered four subdivisions in one go just on the eve of elections. There has been gross negligence and discrimition towards the people. On every working day, they have to hit the streets to get what they deserve. People’s wrath and anger could well be gauged from the fact that all the ministers and parliamentary secretaries were rejected at the hustings.
Fact-sheet will speak that there is no state or central industrial unit in the valley. One after another industries have been closed down. To me a few, the flourishing Cachar Sugar Mill at Chargola in Karimganj is shut down despite it being located in a sugar cane growing area. Badarpur Textile Industry is closed. Pineapple Juice Factory at Pailapool is now turned into a jinx. Most shocking a multi crore Pineapple Juice Concentrate Plant near this town after huge investment was aborted, keeping citizens in the dark. And now Cachar Paper Mill is struggling to die. Their story is of gross mismagement, fincial irregularities as well as political interference among others.
Sadly enough roads and highways are in poor shape and this has been highlighted umpteen times in the media with Dispur remaining unresponsive. The newly elected government from which the people have lot of hopes and expectations has to ensure that as a priority connectivity has to be improved. It is quite in the fitness of things that Parimal Shuklabaidya elected from Dholai in Cachar has been given the responsibility of PWD (Roads and Highways), Excise and Fishery with cabinet rank. Known for his honesty and integrity and a seasoned politician, he is expected to give a new direction and dimension to the much maligned PWD department. People want better roads and highways now.
Besides pacing up development, Sarbanda Sonowal has to think of industrial revival also and also to explore the possibility of setting up small and medium scale industries with emphasis on skill development among the youths. It is only their drive and initiative that alone can create opportunities not only for themselves but also for others. With his vision and dymism, Sarbanda Sonowal is expected to live to the expectations of People.