Government to provide 24x7 services to the public, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured that the government administrative system is undergoing changes and that the thrust of his government is on providing 24X7 services to the public.

Talking to media persons on Monday, the Chief Minister said, "There should not be a fixed time for the public to avail government services. Even at midnight, they should be able to get access to government services and we are working towards that. This will take time but the government machinery is slowly moving in that direction."

"We have done away with middlemen in District Transport Offices (DTOs) and Circle Offices; and soon, we will get rid of 'dalals' in police stations. People face a lot of harassment while taking out accident reports and accident-related death reports from police stations. This will stop soon. From January 1, 2022, family members of the victims need not come to the police station to collect these reports. The officer-in-charge (OC) of the police station concerned will go to the residences of the victims to give the necessary reports. The government will take action against any OC who does not do so," said Sarma.

He added that people's mindset was slowly changing. "People are realizing that without giving bribes also, work in government departments can be done," he said.

On the eviction drive in the Lumding Reserve Forest, the Chief Minister said that after the Gorukhuti eviction drive, this was another successful eviction. He said that the eviction drive was carried out without any incident. "The encroachers, around 400 families, did not resist and left on their own. The administration merely dismantled the houses that had been constructed," he said and added, "These families had been brought from Nagaon, Barpeta and Karbi Anglong and settled in the Lumding Reserve Forest by a person named Nazrul. He engaged these people in turmeric cultivation and was operating a business with an annual turnover of Rs 25 crore. FIR has been lodged against him and action will be taken against those government officials who helped him in running this business. Investigation is on."

The Chief Minister also said that the COVID-19 situation in the State was "almost normal". "As the COVID situation has improved, the night curfew has been imposed from 11 pm. When the COVID-19 vaccination drive is complete, we will lift all restrictions," he said.

Sarma also said that bye-election to the Majuli LAC would be held soon. "Some Opposition MLAs are in touch with us. So along with Majuli, bye-elections to two other LACs may also be held. However, we are not in favour of conducting bye-elections frequently as development works get hampered," said the Chief Minister.

Also Read: Free rice distribution to continue: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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