Assam Finance and Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Hills Area Development Minister Sum Ronghang returned to Guwahati on Tuesday after winding up their two-day tour of the Dima Hasao district of Assam.
Also read: Assam: Himanta arrives in Haflong to rousing welcome
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Dr Sarma attended a slew of official programmes at Haflong on Monday.
These include inauguration of the District Intervention Centre at the Haflong Civil Hospital under the National Health Mission and laying of the foundation of an organic food market complex at Haflong town field.
Dr Sarma also inaugurated the Tularam Fitness Centre and a drugs warehouse.
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Later in the afternoon, the minister held a meeting with a delegation of the apex bodies of the indigenous groups of the district at the circuit house.
Dr Sarma also held an elaborate meeting with the representatives of Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF) and office bearers of the district committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He later addressed a press conference which was also attended by Assam Hill Areas Development Minister Sum Ronghang; Chief Executive Member (CEM) of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Debolal Garlosa; BJP legislator of Haflong Birbhadra Hagjer; and Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Rajkhowa.
During the media interaction, Dr Sarma announced a slew of incentives for the hill district.
These include Rs 50 crore for construction of highways and Rs 100 crore for overall development.
The Health Minister also announced that an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be constructed at the Haflong Civil Hospital, the cost of which will be borne by the State Government.
He also announced opening of the science stream at Maibang College and increasing seats for students at the Haflong Government College.
Dr Sarma also announced that the work of the polytechnic will begin at an early date.
The minister further announced that the Haflong-Umrangshu, Dehangi-Diyungmukh, K K Road, Maibang-Semkhor and Mahur-Raising-Rajabazaar roads will be converted into two lanes.
He also assured that the conversion work will begin within next one year.
The minister also said that the general election of the autonomous council will be held within this year.
Dr Sarma also said that the alliance between the BJP and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) will depend on the district leaders, while adding that the alliance will be intact for the ensuing Lok Sabha and later Assembly elections.
He also said that to boost tourism in the region, the council and the Assam Tourism Development Corporation will take up joint efforts to attract tourists to Haflong, Jatinga and Umrangshu.