Four indigenous communities special development package on the cards

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has decided to initiate a special development package for the indigenous communities of the Ahoms, Chutias, Morans, and the Motoks. An allocation of Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the package to be implemented from this fiscal. Each of the four communities will get Rs 125 crore.

The Transformation & Development Department has also issued the detailed guidelines for implementation of this special development package. Department source said that this is for the first time that such a package has been provided for the four indigenous communities of the State.

Specifically mentioning that "the development among the four mentioned communities is not at par with other communities", the guidelines added, "Therefore, the Government has decided to earmark some funds and formulate a special developmental package".

The package proposes to create employment opportunities — especially among the youths; and also help the four communities living in various districts to develop economically.

The scheme will take up works in three prime areas: sports and culture; skill development & livelihood; and also emotional connect with special outreach programmes.

. The guidelines add, "Under 'Sports and Culture' component, stadiums and auditoriums should be constructed in the respective districts and named after the legendary personalities from the community concerned. The documentaries may also be made on the life and achievements of the renowned personalities.

Under the 'Skill Development and Livelihood component, various capacity development and training programmes for development of skills among the people of the specific community will be conducted, Some of the identified areas are — air hostess, skilling in computer(hardware, software), development of piggery, goatery, duckery, poultry, fishery, horticulture, rearing of muga/ eri cocoons, handlooms and textiles.

Various works to be taken up under the 'Emotional connect with special outreach' component includes preservation of historical sites, monuments and maidams, construction of statues of the legendary personalities of the community concerned, and also establishment of ethnic culture institutions. All projects under the scheme will have to be implemented up in a time-bound manner having specific dates of completion.

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