Gogoi announces multi-crore development scheme

Guwahati, May 27 (UNI) The Asom Government today announced a multi-crore development scheme, Mukhya Mantrir Asom Bikas Yujana (Chief Minister's Asom Development Scheme), to be implemented from this financial year.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Congress-led government's second term, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said all projects under the scheme would be completed within two years.

The programme would focus on sectors like agriculture, irrigation, employment generation, infrastructure and improvement of administration at the block level.

The project would be funded initially by the state, with the initial investment of Rs 500 crore.

''The financial position of the state has improved during the tenure of the Congress government. The financial imbalances of the past has now been fully corrected,'' Mr Gogoi said.

He added that the state government could now initiate all-round development of Asom.

Citing that the development of the state was hindered due to insurgency, Mr Gogoi appealed to the ultras to shun the path of violence and be ''stakeholders'' in the state's progress.

''To improve the standard of higher education in the state, the government has decided to give additional special grants exceeding Rs 100 crore to the educational institutions,'' he informed.

Mr Gogoi said the state government and the Agricultural University has signed a MoU under which the former would pay Rs 62 crore to discharge outstanding liabilities of the University and also meet the current expenditure requirements of the University.

Mr Gogoi further announced his plans to set up two more Asom Bhavans, one each at Vellore (or Chennai) and Bangalore.

The Asom Bhavan in Mumbai will also be upgraded by adding two more floors, he stated.

UNI