'Complete survey of xatra land in a time-bound manner'
STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI: Separate Directorate or Council for xatras and Naamghars: Besides expecting completion of the survey of the xatra lands in the State, the ASM (Asom Sattra Mahasabha) has demanded of the State Government to set up either a separate directorate or a development council exclusively for the xatras and naamghars.
Talking to The Sentinel, ASM general secretary Kusum Kumar Mahanta said, "In the first year of coming to power, the last BJP-led NDA government at Dispur did take a decision to survey the lands of the xatras in the State to ascertain the lands under them and xatra lands that have been encroached upon. However, the joint survey comprising government officials and ASM representatives was started late. While the survey of xatra lands in Majuli was completed, it was left half-done in Nagoan district. The initiative of the survey was taken by the Directorate of Archeology.
"Now we request the BJP-led new government at Dispur to complete the survey of the Xatra lands in a time-bound manner and evict the encroachers. We also request the new government to prepare a proper database of Xatra lands of the State. The Assamese will survive only if their xatras survive.
"Since 2004, we've been seeking a separate directorate or a development council for the xatras and naamghars of the State. This is because the Directorate of Archeology has a lot of other areas to keep watch on. It cannot give the thrust exclusively on xatras and naamghars of the State. However, xatras and naamghars of the State need exclusive attention. To make this happen the government can either set up a separate directorate or a development council for xatras and naamghars of the State.
"According to our database, in Assam, there are 1,242 xatras. All these xatras should get financial assistance for development."
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