Assam will get Rs 5011 crore for the year 2008-09. It was finalized here on Monday at a meeting between Planning Commission, Deputy Chairman Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Kumar Gogoi.
According to official confirmation, the Annual Plan size has been agreed at Rs.5011 crores. This includes special plan assistance of Rs.250 crores for identified projects of the State, of this, Rs.20 crores will be earmarked for development of Majuli Island. The special plan assistance release will be conditional upon Assam providing fully for its share of Centrally sponsored schemes.
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Ahluwalia complimented the State for improving financial health and doubling growth rate during Tenth Plan period. He said the State government should further step up efforts to accelerate development process and aim at bringing Assam at par with developed states of the country at the earliest.
Assam was also complimented for performance under Bharat Nirman programme. Efforts should be increased to reach targets in irrigation and drinking water sectors. The state was also advised to evolve a strategy convergence of social sector schemes so as to maximize benefits from Centrally sponsored schemes. In view of huge handloom sector potential, the State was advised to encourage cluster approach, necessary for tapping export potential.
Briefing the Commission on the performance of the state, Mr Gogoi said Assam has achieved the objectives of eliminating the revenue deficit and reducing fiscal deficit to 3 per cent of the GSDP by 2005-06. He also informed the Commission that revenue and fiscal deficits have turned into surplus of Rs.2210.42 crores and Rs.711.35 crores respectively in 2006 and 2007.
According to Mr. Gogoi, the State has achieved an industrial growth rate of 8.02 per cent in the Tenth Plan and efforts are being made to encourage growth of small and cottage industry during the Eleventh Plan period. He said the survey sector has shown promising growth and Assam is likely to achieve higher growth in the sector.
Mr. Gogoi asked the Commission to modify the power policy so that surplus power generated through the Mega projects in the North East Region should be first made available on priority to deficit States in the region before being evacuated to other States. He said the Government should explore the possibility of opening air links between Guwahati and Eastern Countries.
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Over 300 youths marched through the streets of Sivasagar town on Wednesday to protest government failure to take action on the army jawan involved in the recent molestation in Demow. Baring their pants, the young protesters representing 22 organizations marched through the streets of the town. Later they held a meeting outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. They were joined by hundreds of bystanders. Then they were stopped from entering the DC's office premises by police personnel who set up barricades. The organizations include ATASU, TMPK, AASU, AJYCP, KMSS) and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad. They said that they would continue the agitation programme till all till the demands are met.
The CPI(M) has accused Dispur of a huge failure in firmly dealing with the situation to stop escalating violence in Assam. It asked the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order. In a statement, the called the failure a monumental one of the Congress-led Government.
Delhi on Wednesday directed Dispur to nab the ring leaders involved in ethnic clash in BTAD areas. Further, it ruled out a Bangladeshi hand in the entire episode where 42 people lost their lives. According to Union Home Secretary R K Singh, 2,000 central security personnel have been deputed to guard Guwahati-bound trains and railway tracks which were disrupted.Singh said that the international border is sealed and that it was impossible for any intruders to foment trouble from across the border. Around 2,500 paramilitary personnel have reached Assam to assist the local administration.
In a bid to bring the situation under control in Kokrajahr, Chirang and Dhubri, the Centre is all prepared to talk to the leaders of the both warring factions. According t sources, two senior home ministry officials are all set to hold talks with the Bodo leaders and minority leaders on Wednesday or Thursday in Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been rushed in with orders to shoot at sight.
Around 1,50,000 people fled their homes at the height of the group clash after it erupted on Friday last. The displaced people, mostly, have taken shelter in government schools and buildings. Over 10,000 people in these trouble torn districts have escaped to neighbouring West Bengal. Trucks carrying essential supplies are remaining stranded halfway.
In Guwahati, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi held a meeting of government officials, including the chief secretary, to monitor the situation.
In the continuing orgy of violence, 6 more people were killed taking the death toll to 41 in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Wednesday. Kokrajhar district administration has relaxed curfew from 8 in the morning to 12 noon. But only to be reimposed indefinitely. Curfew has also been extended indefinitely in Chirang and Dhubri districts.With 13,000 troops, army staged flag march in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon district in presence of a magistrate.
An all party delegation of the Assam legislative assembly is on a stock taking visit to Kokrajhar on Wednesday.Indefinite curfew is still in force in some parts of Dhubri and Chirang. Army and Para military forces have intensified patrolling in the violence hit districts. Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh had earlier said that he has been in continuous touch with the Chief Secretary and the Assam Director General of Police.
The orgy of violence ravaging three districts of lower Assam spreads to the Bengal border. Thousands of people from scores of villages are fleeing to safer places in West Bengal during the last couple of days. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts with shoot at sight orders. More than 1 lakh people have been displaced. These displaced people, mostly, shifted to 55 relief camps. The Army staged a flag march on Wednesday morning in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon, the first since violence began four days ago.
The Army on Wednesday began flag marches in a bid to ring the situation under control. Moreover, night curfew are still in force three days after it was clamped to control the situation. Tensions between Bodos and Muslims over control of land and settlements have been simmering for a long time. The violence has spread to 400 villages in the Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts.
Violence spreads diabolic tentacles in five lower Assam districts killing at least 38 besides displacing around 1 lakh people till Wednesday. Four more people were killed in two incidents of shoot outs in Chirang district taking up the death toll to 40. There are reports of fresh incidents in both the districts where hundreds of abandoned houses were burnt down in scores of villages in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. It was learnt that Meghalaya governor RS Mushahary’s native village was also not spared.
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