Assam: a victim of fruitless publicity

Reacting to some recent announcements by Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, one of his critics said, ‘If assurances, promises, advertisements and laying of foundation stones are the signs of development, then of course Assam is more developed state in comparison to Bihar.’ The critic passed this remark over an elusive speech by the chief minister in a function held in Guwahati recently. It is reported that the chief minister claimed strongly that Assam was more developed state than Bihar. The critic further said that this was a nightmare of the chief minister, who seemed to be ‘jealous’ of the functioning of Bihar government led by Janata Dal (U) leader, Nitish Kumar.

While addressing a function related to development of Char areas of the state, the chief minister was optimist of winning his party with huge majority in the ensuing Assembly elections. He announced the construction of fifty (50) primary health centers in Char areas of the state, without assessing the feasibility and going to those places affected by floods and erosions. He also announced to provide ambulances to fifty tea garden hospitals and said that his government was committed to look after the welfare of the backward regions of the state.

Of course, the chief minister has realized about the development of the Char areas after neglecting them for about ten years. His critic takes it lightly as because the victory of any political party in the elections depends much over the electorate of those areas. The CM further disclosed that his party’s main aim was to develop the backward areas in health, education, agriculture, transport, communication, employment and flood control etc. The publicity about the developments goes a long way to bring the peace in the state, which reminds the slogan of ‘development brings peace and the peace brings development.’ The state government is trying its best to bring the state militants to negotiation table in order to bring peace early.

The delay in the peace process with the militant outfits has also been observed by the critics as another reason to persuade them to avail opportunity to grab power in the polls. The talk with the Ulfa outfit alone was not going to solve the problems of the entire state. Now, a number of organizations are demanding creation of autonomous councils and even separate states. In all such demands reflects the failure of state government in implementing the schemes initiated by the Union and state governments for development of backward areas. The development of the capital city of Guwahati is not enough to show the picture of development. Assam is not a state of a few urban areas. Major portion of the state is affected by drought, floods and erosions. Chars in the Brahmaputra are the evidences of neglect.

The funds for development of rural areas were utilized by politicians of the state to make huge property in the state and the outside and also to fuel militancy in the region, which brought the state to present situation. If the chief minister considers these investments as the development then of course the militancy got chance to raise its head in the state and the region.

The Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD), North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong district and a number of tribal areas of Assam are facing for long many problems and they demand solution, which cannot be met by announcement and advertisements in the media. It should be shown on the earth to make the state developed.