Assam government on Tuesday took one step ahead to keep its promise to take the state administration closer to the people of Barak Valley.
Putting all speculations at rest, the Bhumi Pujan for the Mini-Secretariat was solemnized on Tuesday at the construction site at Srikona, about 8 kms south-west of Silchar.
The Bhumi Pujan set the beginning of the construction of the Mini-Secretariat project.
The Mini Secretariat would come up on a 16 bighas of land at Srikona. In the first phase, guard walls and filling up of land would be done at a cost of Rs 4 crores 13 lakhs.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on March 2 had laid the foundation stone for the Mini Secretariat.
The Bhumi Pujan on Tuesday was performed by Assam Minister Parimal Suklabaidya and Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy, in presence of other leaders, including former minister Gautam Roy.
Former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha, Dy Speaker, Aminul Haque Laskar, Karimganj MP Kripanath Mallah, four MLAs — Dilip Paul, Amarchand Jain, Mihir Kanti Shome and Kishore Nath also attended the ceremony.
District Magistrates of the all the three districts — M S Manivannan of Karimganj, Keerti Jolly of Hailakandi and Laya Madduri of Cachar also attended the Bhumi Pujan.
The tender for inviting consultants for architectural designs and structural drawing, was floated on Tuesday in Guwahati with an estimate of Rs 135 crores for its second phase of construction.
Parimal Suklabaidya said the long cherished dream of the people of Barak valley is now being fulfilled.
It may take little more time to complete the contruction of the building. “But, a step in the right direction has been taken,” Suklabaidya said.
All the leaders thanked Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for his vision to develop Barak valley and build stronger ties between both Brahmaputra and Barak valley to make a vibrant Assam in the days to come.