Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday stressed on the need to make the Village Defence Parties (VDPs) technologically more skilled so that they could efficiently deal with the modern day challenges faced by them while executing their duties.
Chief Minister Sonowal, who attended as the Chief Guest at the State level celebration of the 69th foundation day of the Village Defence Organization (VDO) at Duliajan in Dibrugarh district on Monday, also assured to take appropriate measures to resolve the pressing issues of the VDPs in a bid to boost their performance.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“The Village Defence Parties perform their duties with limited facilities in difficult and disadvantageous situations. The State Government will take all possible steps to solve their problems and ensure better working condition for them,” said Sonowal.
Keeping this in mind, the Assam Government has decided to increase the monthly remuneration of the VDPs from existing Rs 1500 to Rs 2500, said the CM.
“Moreover, out of the six thousand unregistered VDPs, three thousand would be registered by the Government,” Sonowal announced.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Recalling the contributions of late Hari Narayan Baruah, who founded the VDO, Sonowal said, following his vision, the VDPs have tirelessly been working to ensure security and safety of people at village level.
“The responsibilities of the VDPs have become manifold in recent times. While performing their duties, they face so many challenges, which they never encountered earlier.
“They have to prepare themselves to overcome those challenges and take themselves along with technological and digital advancements,” Sonowal exhorted.
Highlighting various developmental initiatives launched by the Central and State governments to improve the lives of the rural population, Sonowal called upon the VDPs to take the message of the schemes to every nook and corner of the villages for greater participation.
He also urged the VDPs to reinforce peace, harmony and brotherhood amongst the people of the state and work for promoting habits of cleanliness and personal hygiene.
Sonowal also invoked an additional responsibility upon the VDPs to stamp out superstition from the society and generate more awareness amongst village people to create tourist friendly environment in the rural areas.
Chief Minister Sonowal also handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of deceased VDP member Anteswar Mahanta who was killed by an insurgent outfit recently.
Sonowal also presented awards to the best performing VDPs and best organizers in the programme.