GUWAHATI: As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has dented the economic health of the people with consequent shrinkage of income generating avenues of the people, Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi asked the administrator of BTC Rajesh Prasad to work for creating more livelihood avenues and at the same time empowering the region to contain coronavirus outbreak, stated a press release.
Visiting Baksa on Friday, Governor Prof Mukhi said, "There is an urgent need to forge the spirit of BTAD team and work for the overall development of all the districts of BTAD economically, socially, culturally, infrastructurally and morally." In line with the plantation programme called 'Haryali' that the Governor inaugurated on the World Environment Day, he planted saplings at the police reserve in Baksa today. It may be mentioned that the plantation programme aims at generating awareness and to initiate assorted actions for the protection of environment in BTAD in a time bound manner. It may be noted that under 'Haryali' project so far altogether 6,18,957 saplings have been planted in BTAD including 1,01,714 in Baksa. Moreover, 200 saplings were planted today in presence of the Governor.
Governor Prof. Mukhi also held a meeting with the Administrator and Principal Secretary of BTC, IGP, BTAD, Addl. PCCF, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, representatives of Army, SSB, CRPF and other Heads of Departments at the Conference Hall of DC office Baksa. Professor Mukhi on Friday reviewed the prevailing law and order situation of the district and asked the law enforcing agencies to be on their toes to thwart any anti-social activities. He also asked the IGP to ensure complete harmony in the BTAD.
The Governor has also put a blanket ban on any kind of illegal tree felling, illegal timber trade, illegal sand mining and transportation of forest timber in any form. He warned the officials of the forest and related department that any violation in this regard will not be tolerated.
Chairing the meeting with all the heads of the departments, Governor Prof. Mukhi took note of the status of the PM's flagship programmes and several welfare schemes concerning health and hygiene, drinking water, cleanliness, education, agriculture among others. He stressed on doubling of farmers' income by 2022 and asked the district administration to provide all support and cooperation to the farmers to reach the desired level. He asked the administrator to monitor the implementation of PM's flagship programmes for the greater benefits of the people and ensure that the fruits of central schemes reach grass root level. Taking stock of the COVID-19 situation in Baksa district and the stressed-economic activities, he asked the district administration to take up a two pronged approach to lend new lease to the financial activities and at the same time work collectively to contain and control coronavirus pandemic in the district. He also said that as the district has several active cases, efforts should be intensified to provide treatment protocols apart from following social distancing norms as well as other safety measures like wearing masks, avoiding spitting in public etc to prevent further spread of the infection further.
During the meeting the Governor also maintained that he would tolerate no irregularity in implementing government schemes in the BTAD, as he said that every penny spent for the people will be accounted for. He also asked the administrative machinery to work vigilantly to trace out any corrupt practices and weed out corruption from all levels and allow people to enjoy the fruits of governance.
He also said that since the sequel of events like COVID-19 and its consequent lockdown, flood and cyclone have hit economy of the BTAD hard, he asked the BTC administration to work on economic bailout packages taking into consideration the local requirements. He also asked the administration to make use of the Central Government's 20 lakh crore economic stimulus announced by the Prime Minister to help the people of BTAD areas to fall back upon economically.
The Governor also released a Coffee Table Book on Swachh Bharat Mission. Professor Mukhi also held a meeting with local MPs and MLAs, representatives of social, cultural, religious, political, linguistic and student organization and interacted with the representatives and sought their cooperation for the overall development of Baksa District and took feedback from them about the public grievance boxes and status of Public Grievance Redressal Day.
Also watch: Morning Bulletin | 12th June 2020