SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: If rural India progress, the economy of the country gets rejuvenated. Mahatma Gandhi always laid emphasis on developing villages for he believed 'India lives in villages.' But, what a contrast! Salchapra Block with eight gaon panchayats, not very far from Silchar, is a tale of neglect. The Block Development Office lies in a shambles for years with no sign of its renovation. During heavy rains, the office is submerged, paralysing all works. Set up in 1953, the office gives the impression as if it has outlived its existence.
Jogendra Kumar Sinha, AP member, said the block remains undeveloped and several other problems have besieged it. There is no playground despite the fact sufficient khas land is available. This deficiency stands in the way encouraging youth spirit. People demand a mini stadium to give boost to sports and the skill of youths. 70% people are agriculturists, but lack of modern technology can't take their agricultural products to better level in quantity and quality, pointed out Singh.
People in general want to see their GP under smart GP scheme. But, this can hardly be possible if the Block as a whole remains underdeveloped with a plethora of setbacks. The cluster of villages under the Block has been frequently disturbed by robbery, theft and other anti social activities. On public demand, a police station was set up. In the absence of a permanent building of its own, it can't function properly. People want permanent building for the police station.
Jogendra Kumar Sinha outlining these deficiencies and problems of the Block in a memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam on June 19, said, "Our most adorable Himanta Biswa Sarma, a very popular face of the valley, will give due thought to our memorandum and initiate necessary steps for the development of the Salchapra Block."