We gave our nod to Centre to start delimitation process: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

DELIMITATION EXERCISE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI2: The Assam Government sent its NOC (no-objection certificate) to the Centre to start the delimitation process a month ago, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today. The Chief Minister briefed the media in New Delhi on a slew of issues.

Sarma said, "When the delimitation process started in 2020, we told the Centre that law-and-order situation in the state was not conducive at that time. However, we informed the Centre now that it can go ahead with the delimitation process in the state at any time."

The Supreme Court issued a notice on Monday on a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to carry out a delimitation exercise in four northeastern states, including Assam, as per the Representations of People's Act, 1950. The petitioner said that the Centre had issued its notification in March 2020 for the formation of the Delimitation Commission.

On the proposed green airport at Dolu Tea Estate in the Cachar district, the Chief Minister said, "Ninety-nine per cent of the process, right from land acquisition, is complete. I will pay a visit to the Tea Estate shortly and talk to the affected labourers regarding the Rs 1-lakh package to each. The State Government will submit the final proposal to set up the green airport to the Ministry of Civil Aviation after that."

He said that the State government would include around eight lakh new beneficiaries into the Arunodoi Scheme. "We will link this scheme with the Aadhaar cards of the beneficiaries. The re-verification of the existing Arunudoi Scheme beneficiaries will start on August 20. I met the Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister and requested him to extend the last date of ration card and Aadhaar card seeding up to August 31," he said.

Sarma said, "I met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and discussed matters related to Assam and other issues."

Chief Minister said, "Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. We reached an agreement that the BJP and the NDPP will fight the Nagaland Assembly election jointly. Our seat-sharing be will as it is now – 40 feats for the NDPP and 20 seats for the BJP."

On the Har Ghar Tiranga issue, the Chief Minister said, "How come those opposing the programme claim themselves as the citizens of India? When we avail of some rights as citizens of India, we have some moral obligations to do some duties for the sake of the nation."

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