The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) through a press communique has denounced the statement made by Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami regarding seeking of funds for development works from the business community.
The communique issued by APCC spokesperson Gaurav Somani stated that the Congress has raised serious concern on the news published in various leading newspapers about the Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami who also represents Jorhat LAC ,while inaugurating Tocklai bridge reportedly told the business community of Jorhat to donate funds if they want development works to be undertaken in their respective areas.
Goswami had allegedly said that the business community at JPR had not kept to its promise of giving money for making the road in their locality and hence would be made to face the consequences.
Goswami had further cited the examples of the construction of schools, colleges and hospitals outside the State and had asked the business community to raise funds for such constructions in Jorhat.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee while condemning the statements made by Goswami further demanded a public clarification by the Speaker on the entire matter.
‘Hitendra Nath Goswami is not only a MLA but also holds the highest constitutional post of a Speaker in the Assam Legislative Assembly. And such irresponsible statements by him have degraded the chair of the Speaker. If the State Assembly Speaker speaks in such a manner, what will happen to the entire State if all the 126 MLAs follow his footsteps. The whole State will burn if all the MLAs start issuing such statements in their respective Assembly constituencies,’ the press communique further stated.
The APCC further asked whether the BJP led state government was running short of funds for developmental works in the State.
‘What made MLA Goswami demand the raising of funds for repairing roads and carrying other development works in the town? This legalized loot has to be stopped immediately,’ the communique further added.
The APCC cited the holding of the Advantage Assam – Global Investors Summit recently in Guwahati by which the State Government hoped to attract business houses and investors to invest money in Assam, and yet a government representative was threatening the local business community to raise funds to help meet the requirements of various development works in their locality.
‘This is a biggest hypocrisy shown by a government under the grip of a policy paralysis,’ the communique also stated.
