Assam: Tackling COVID-19 top priority of new govt, says Himanta
Pledging to lead a proactive government, which is accessible round-the-clock and committed to resolving people’s problems, he said that his team of ministers/legislators will be easily accessible at all times.
GUWAHATI:
Within hours after being sworn in as Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday, laid out the new government’s priorities, starting from finding out ways and means to contain the "alarming" COVID-19 situation in the state.
Addressing his first media conference as Chief Minister after the swearing-in ceremony at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here, Sarma said the first Cabinet meeting of the new government would be held on Tuesday where the foremost priority would be to discuss the state's COVID-19 situation threadbare.
“The COVID situation in Assam is alarming with daily cases going beyond 5000 of late. Hence, we will discuss the COVID situation in the Cabinet meeting from all perspectives and take whatever measures needed…because until and unless the Assam COVID situation is controlled the COVID situation in the other Northeastern states cannot be controlled…….we have our responsibility to our citizens in Assam and the entire Northeast,” Sarma said.
Pledging to lead a proactive government, which is accessible round-the-clock and committed to resolving people’s problems, he said that his team of ministers/legislators will be easily accessible at all times.
“Other priorities to be discussed in the Cabinet meeting include working out ways and means to fulfil the pre-poll promises such as jobs to one lakh youths within the defined timeframe, enhancing the scope of Arunodoi scheme, micro-finance loan waiver, besides initiating measures for a flood-free Assam," he said.
“As it is, we have swung into action within 24 hours of government formation and we believe that the challenges before us will inspire us to work harder,” he added.
Reflecting on the peace established in Bodoland and Karbi hills in the past term, the Chief Minister appealed to the remaining militant outfits to return to the mainstream for permanent peace.
“I appeal to ULFA (I) chief Paresh Baruah to shun arms and come to the negotiating table as killings and abductions only complicate problems,” he said.
Terming the political journey as Chief Minister as new, Sarma said that his vision was to make Assam one of the top five states of the country.
“Assam has moved ahead in the path of progress under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past five years. So we have started a new journey today and we look to carry on from the foundation that has been laid,” he added.
About the status of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Sarma said the government had a clear position on NRC.
“We will go for 20 per cent reverification (of entries in the list) in the border districts and 10 per cent reverification in the other districts. If there are no anomalies, we will accept the NRC and move ahead. Otherwise, we will urge the Supreme Court to look into it,” he said.
On the state’s funds situation, Sarma, who held the finance portfolio in the previous term, said that Assam has “one of the best fiscal situations in the country” with about Rs 7000 crore in the treasury as of now.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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