September 15, 2020: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi during his one day visit to Kokrajhar on Monday held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other senior officers of different departments and called upon the officers to work with the spirit of ‘Team BTAD’ and pursue a ‘common cause’ to boost the welfare of the people. He also asked them to work unrelentingly to meet the targets of the implementation of the government schemes.
Holding separate meetings with the district functionaries of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri at BTC secretariat in Kokrajhar today, Governor said that since the government is committed to bolster development of BTAD, the BTC administration should be particularly sincere not only to protect the interests of its people, but also promote and build a social empowerment narrative in the BTAD. Making it adequately clear, Governor Prof. Mukhi said that no laxity will be tolerated in implementing the schemes, as the officials should astutely adhere to the targets set for the implementation of different schemes in the BTAD areas. The Governor also said that looking into existing diversities in BTAD areas where people belonging to different ethnicities and communities have different problems and different requirements, it has become highly essential for the BTC functionaries to work on a ‘common cause’ that is welfare to all sections of the people. He also asked Administrator BTC Rajesh Prasad and Principal Secretary BTC Siddharth Singh to steer the BTC administration in a way to fulfil the basic needs of the people.
It may be mentioned that when the Governor took over the administration of BTC, Model Code of Conduct was already in force and therefore no new projects or schemes could be taken up or implemented. The Governor expidited the ongoing schemes of the Govt.of India, Govt.of Assam and BTC to bring about some remarkable achievements in various departments.
During the meeting the Governor took stock of the projects being implemented under Public Works Department both road and building. In the meeting the Governor was informed that 20 nos. of ongoing building construction works completed since 27th April 2020. Moreover in respect to road construction 56 nos. of ongoing schemes/ projects with length124.9 KM completed since 27th April 2020.
The Governor also took stock of the plantation project called ‘Hariyali’ which he launched on the occasion of the World Environment Day on 5 June under which a target was set for planting 40 lakh saplings in the BTAD. It may be noted that under the programme, 44.14 Lakh seedlings have been planted and distributed – thus achieving a target of 110.35 per cent and survival rate is 82.54 per cent. A total of 51 accused arrested in forest offences, 117 vehicles seized and 27 illegal saw mills seized.
Since land revenue records form the basis for most of government programmes, Governor Prof.Mukhi reviewed the revenue related matters and the progress made so far in the direction. During the meeting it came to light that as on April 27,2020, not even a single revenue service was provided digitally. Dependence on manual records like Chitha, Jamabandi led to delays and harassment to public. However, once the Governor took over the administration of the BTC, a mission mode campaign was taken up to complete digitization of all land records and till now digitization of land records of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri District(a total 2,37,493 pattas in 13(thirteen) Circles) have already been completed and Baksa District is expected to be completed by 20 September, 2020.
The Governor also reviewed the progress of flood management programme to tame the rivers and help the people living alongside them from the perennial flood and erosion caused especially by Beki and other rivers. Prof. Mukhi also observed that since the erosion perpetrated by the river Beki continued unabated which threatened the strategic road to Manas National park at Safakamar area, under Barpeta Water Resources Division, the Governor during the meeting took stock of the four protection measures to protect a bank length of 2278 m undertaken by Water Resources Department should be completed at a war footing.
Moreover, with respect to Industries and Commerce department, the Governor took stock of the schemes like providing self-employment through industrial units like weaving, tailoring, food processing, rice mill, spice grinding, steel fabrication, cane and bamboo, mushroom processing etc. under Financial Assistance schemes, Margin Money Schemes, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). It may be noted that 337 loans were already sanctioned since 27 April, 2020 and 271 loans were disbursed.
The Governor also said that everybody in BTAD should work with the spirit of ‘Team BTC’ to form a trail of dedicated human resources to put the development of BTAD on the high growth trajectory and fulfill the dreams of all. He also thanked all the officers and staff of different departments of BTC for working whole heartedly and bringing about tangible changes in the development narratives of the districts.
Later the Governor paid a visit to the construction site of Kokrajhar Medical College and saw different aspects of the buildings under construction.