Assam sets ₹1.5 lakh crore infrastructure push by 2031
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that Rs 1.50 lakh crore will be invested in capital expenditure in the state in the next five years, of which Rs 50,000 crore will be from its own resources.
Speaking after hoisting the National Flag at the Independence Day celebration here, he also appealed to people from various parts of the country who have settled here to list ‘Assamese' as their mother tongue during Census data collection.
He, however, added that people of Barak Valley and tribals may mention their own languages in that category. The Barak Valley has a predominantly Bengali-speaking population.
“For building a ‘Vikshit Assam' by 2047, we shall be spending Rs 50,000 crore in capital expenditure. The next four years will see investment in roads, schools, urbanisation, rural growth, etc, and this will be from our own funds,” Sarma said, in his first Independence Day speech after retaining the chief minister's position for the second term.
“In the next five years, we shall try to get Rs 1 lakh crore from the central government. From 2026 to 2031, the state will spend Rs 1.50 lakh crore on infrastructure,” Sarma added.
He said the state's economy has tripled in a decade and the state is now known from ‘chai' to ‘chip' of semiconductors, referring to the upcoming Tata factory in the state.
“We don't have the sea and resources like Odisha; faced decades of insurgency; but the ‘Assam model of development' is shining now,” the CM asserted.
He said schemes like ‘Orunodoi’ for women empowerment, transparently providing 1.65 lakh government jobs, digitalisation of administration, etc. are measures taken in the last five years that have transformed the state’s image.
Thanking the people for reaffirming their trust in the BJP-led government in the April elections, Sarma said development will be further accelerated, and it can be seen through the steps taken in the first 100 days of the new regime, including bringing the Uniform Civil Code.
He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allotting massive infrastructure and other projects to the state, from highways to semiconductors, and from underwater tunnels to the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, without the state even having to demand these.
Sarma maintained that mandatory rendition of the complete six stanzas of the Vande Mataram for the first time since independence made the occasion more special.
Blaming the Congress for the previous shorter version of the National Song being sung, he said, “For their own political interest, a section of Congress leaders had fragmented it. It is under PM Modi that all six stanzas of the song have been given the same status as the National Anthem.”
Condoling the loss of lives in the recent floods, which especially devastated four eastern districts, Sarma said that funds for rehabilitation of the affected people and areas will not be a constraint.
He appreciated the help extended by NDRF, SDRF, IAF and Army, besides the outpour of assistance from various social, religious, business organisations, students’ bodies and individuals.
Affirming the government’s commitment to protect the indigenous people, he said the right to sale and purchase of land in 40 revenue circles will soon be restricted to dwellers for three generations of that area.
Sarma also announced a 30-day special crackdown on child marriage from Nov 1 and affirmed that the government will not rest till underage weddings and polygamy are eradicated.
He added that 12,196 cases against child marriage had been registered and 11,196 arrests made in the last five years.
Dismissing the concepts of Gen Z and Alpha as “European” ones, the CM announced formation of a new Youth Development and Empowerment department that will work for the skill enhancement and all-round growth of the youth.
He also urged the parents to invest in the education of their children, while calling upon the youth to draw inspiration from their own culture and history and work for a self-reliant Assam.
He also announced eight new co-districts and disposal of pending government files in mission mode, among other measures to make governance smooth and closer to the people.
The CM added that the state will commemorate 800 years of the arrival of Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha of the Ahom dynasty which ruled the state for 600 years and was credited with first integrating the state.
The state will also commemorate 200 years of the revolt of Gomdhar Konwar against the colonial rulers this year, he said.
Lauding the recent victories of boxer Lovlina Borgohain and shuttler Ashmita Chaliha, Sarma said ‘Khel Maharan 3.0’ will be conducted in a grand fashion and corporates will be roped in to nurture identified sporting talents.
