'Government is committed to socio-economic and academic development of tea tribe community'

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday acknowledged the democratic and non-violent role of Assam Tea Tribes Students Association in strengthening the greater demographic mosaic of the State. Speaking at the 73rd foundation day of ATTASA at Lakuwa in Charaideo district today, Sonowal while hailing the contributions of the students organization said that the students' body has been spearheading a social empowerment narrative for the development of all sections of the people more particularly the tea tribes community in the State.

Paying rich tributes to Simon Singh Horo and Santosh Kumar Topno, Chief Minister Sonowal harped on the great role played by these great personalities for the growth of the State. He also said that ever since the present BJP led government came to power, it has been working dedicatedly for equal development of all people belonging to all caste, creed, community and ethnicity. Within 3 months of coming to power, the government organised 'Sahodor' taking as many as 70 indigenous communities, which really set a roadmap for the government for taking schemes for the welfare of all sections of the people including the ethnic communities.

Terming the tea tribes community as very hard working, who are also known for their fortitude, Sonowal said that since the British era, the people belonging to tea tribe community have been working diligently. It is because of their hard labour, the Assam Tea has been able to secure a world famous distinction. In view of their contribution and to promote their socio-economic and academic condition, Sonowal appealed to the public representatives like ministers, MP, MLA belonging to tea tribe community to take a lead role.

Chief Minister Sonowal also congratulated the three successful candidates belonging to Tea Tribe community namely Machi Topno, Deepanjali Kurmi and VikramTasa for their good show in the recently announced APSC results. He also attributed their success to the reformation made in the APSC by the present state government. There was a time, when nepotism outperformed merit in APSC, however, because of the reform brought about in APSC meritorious students belonging to backward areas and under privileged classes secured jobs in APSC, Sonowal added.

Reiterating his government's commitment to the overall development of the tea tribe community, Sonowal said that it is because of the unrelenting efforts of the government all the 126 MLAs in the well of the Assembly discussed and deliberated on the problems of the tea tribe community and gave their solutions. Sonowal also thanked the present and former leaders of different tea organizations for their selfless role in the socio-economic development of the people. He also urged upon the representatives of ATTASA to give their suggestions to the government for the academic development of the tea tribe community. Ruminating his past, Sonowal said that born in a tea garden area and being brought up in that area, he very well understands the problems faced by the tea tribe community. He also expressed hope that the steps taken by the BJP led government would lead a new dimension to the development of the tea tribe community.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Revenue and Disaster Management Jogen Mohan, Minister of State for Tea Tribe Welfare Sanjay Kisan, MPs Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Pallab Lochan Das also spoke on the occasion.

Presided over by the president of ATTASA Dhiraj Goala, MLA Terash Goala, Professor Dibrugarh University Dr. Pallabi Bujarbaruah and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Synchronsing with the programme, Sonowal also presented an award to eminent litterateur Sushil Chandra Kurmiin the memory of Simon Singh Horo and Santosh Kumar Topno. He also released a book written by Anil Tanti 'Tea Makers of North East India' on the occasion, stated a press release.

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