Efforts on to make BTC an organic zone through Bodoland Organic Mission

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, March 21: In a significant development, the Department of Agriculture, BTC, on Tuesday ceremonially distributed appointment letters to 61 Agriculture Extension Assistants (AEA) at a special function held at the BTC Assembly conference hall, Kokrajhar, to meet the required manpower strength. The Executive Member (EM) of Agriculture, BTC, Ansumwi Khungur Boro ceremonially distributed the appointment letters in presence of BTC Speaker Tridip Daimary and other guests. In his address, EM Ansumwi Khungur Boro said agriculture was the prime source of income in BTC as the people of the region depended on agricultural products. He said his department had been giving emphasis on improvement of markets and agriculture business and boosting technology for modern method of cultivation.

“Our markets for agriculture products do not have uniform and controlled prices as other parts of the country and so the council is looking forward to standardize the prices for the benefit of farmers,” he said, adding that neighbouring country Bhutan had become a complete organic State. He said his department was trying to make the BTC an organic zone through the vision of Bodoland Organic Mission.

Boro said BTC Agriculture department had shortage of man power to sustain the department. He called upon the newly-appointed extension assistants to dedicate themselves for the farmers of rural areas. He also said the appointed assistants would be given training in agriculture sector to train farmers of rural areas.

BTC Speaker Tridep Daimary said farmers should be enlightened to increase production by using modern method and technology. He said the newly-appointed assistants should follow the official instructions and work in their respective places of posting. Echoing the same, EM of Irrigation, Rajib Brahma said people just sought government jobs but after getting appointment letter, many of them would move for transfer to their suitable location, preferably in urban areas. He said, “The army and other paramilitary personnel have been dedicating their lives in every nook and corner of the country but our people are reluctant to dedicate their service in just small areas of the four BTC districts.

The distribution programme was also addressed by BTC Deputy Speaker Nerswn Boro and Principal Secretary BC Phukan, and was attended by Secretary Carol rzary and Deputy Secretary Arun Basumatary. Earlier, the Council Head of the Department (CHD), Agriculture, BTC Mahendra Mohan Sargiary gave the key note address.

 Sargiary said the total strength of the AEA in four BTC districts was 324 with 264 in position. He said there was 78 vacant posts of AEA in four districts of which 61 assistants had been appointed on Tuesday after holding interview through Central Selection Board (CSB), BTC and 17 more posts are still lying vacant which would be filled up later. In today’s appointment process, five posts in Kokrajhar district, 30 in Baksa district and 26 posts in Udalguri district were filled up.