Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday ceremonially launched Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) in Dibrugarh district and distributed tractors to farmer units at a programme organized by CMSGUY Mega Mission Society under the aegis of Agriculture Department at Chaulkhowa playground in Dibrugarh district.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion as chief guest, Sonowal said that all developed countries of the world channelized their economic growth through strengthening of the farm sector. Keeping this in mind, the Assam government also puts special thrust on boosting the agriculture sector of the state and ambitious schemes like Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Yojana have been rolled out, he said.
Sonowal observed that the state government’s initiative would immensely help in materializing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by the year 2022. He urged the farmers of the state to adopt advanced technologies and take up the practice of triple cropping for increased production and economic self-reliance. Sonowal also informed that in a bid to assist the farmers with inputs on soil condition to augment better yield, the state government distributed around 11 lakh soil health cards during last two years.
The chief minister also called on the educated youth of the state to take up agriculture as a dignified livelihood. Referring to the various schemes being implemented by the state government like Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni, free college admission of the students, providing free text books, schemes for the divyangs among others, the chief minister urged the people of the state to fight against superstitious practices and inspire the young generation to build a robust work culture.
Urging the people not to harbour any apprehension regarding the process of NRC update, Sonowal said that genuine Indian people whose names have not been included in the draft NRC would be provided ample opportunities to get themselves registered in the NRC through claims and objections and both the state and central governments would extend complete assistance in this matter.
He also cautioned against getting swayed by the efforts of the divisive forces, which are trying to create a rift between people of different religions, languages and communities and appealed the people of the state to maintain the age old spirit of harmonious coexistence. He also asserted that outsiders making provocative statements about NRC will not be accepted and the people of Assam have shown tremendous political maturity which has made the publication of complete draft NRC possible.
Sonowal announced that an amount of Rs 31 crore has been allotted for repairing a 19-kilometre stretch of National Highway 37 from Barbarua to Chaulkhowa in Dibrugarh district. Though the work falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority of India but the state government has taken the decision in the greater interest of addressing the woes of the public, he said.
Sonowal distributed tractors to 14 farmer units of the district. Under CMGUY, altogether 468 farmer units of Dibrugarh district would be provided tractors in first phase. Sonowal also felicitated five progressive farmers and handed over tri-cycle to five beneficiaries in the programme.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora while speaking on the occasion highlighted various initiatives taken up by the Department for development of agriculture sector in the state.