Assam plans Rs 50,000 cr investment to achieve ‘Viksit Assam 2047’

Guwahati: The first District Commissioners’ Conference of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s second term, held in Jorhat, concluded around midnight on September 14. The conference was aimed at making the administration more dynamic, accountable and people centric and providing fresh momentum to Assam’s overall development journey.

During the two-day conference, extensive discussions were held in the presence of the Chief Minister on the overall development of all districts, resolution of public grievances and improvement of public services, including revenue related matters, infrastructure development, law and order and effective implementation of various schemes of the State and Central governments.

Briefing the media on the discussions and decisions taken at the conference, Sarma said detailed discussions were held with District Commissioners and senior departmental officials on measures to reduce the dropout rate among students at the secondary level and on future interventions in this regard.


He said the conference also reviewed measures for effective implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, establishment of new medical colleges at different locations and the phased upgradation of 4,000 health sub centres into hospitals, as announced in the Budget.

The Chief Minister said the forthcoming Khel Maharan and the creation of adequate land banks to facilitate industrial development in view of the growing number of investment proposals in Assam were also discussed. He said states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra have reserved up to seven lakh bighas of land as land banks, whereas Assam currently does not have even 10,000 bighas earmarked for future industrial development. Discussions were therefore held on creating land banks for industrial development in every district.

Sarma said the conference also discussed the reconstruction of embankments damaged during the recent floods and necessary decisions were taken in this regard.

He said the State Government has drawn up a plan to facilitate investment of Rs. 50,000 crores in Assam with the goal of achieving ‘Viksit Assam 2047’. The plan will cover various government infrastructure projects, including construction of Anganwadi centres, new stadiums and infrastructure in educational institutions ranging from schools to universities. Detailed discussions were held with the District Commissioners on the projects to be undertaken in each district.

The Chief Minister added that the conference also discussed with the District Commissioners the implementation of various programmes outlined in the State Government’s Sankalpa Patra.

Sarma announced that the ‘Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan’ will be observed across Assam from September 17 to October 17. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 25 years as a head of government, beginning with his assumption of office as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 and subsequently serving as Prime Minister of the country. The month long ‘Seva Sankalpa’ campaign will commemorate this milestone in India’s political journey, he said.

Sarma expressed confidence that the District Commissioners’ Conference in Jorhat would provide fresh momentum to the administrative system and enable the government to deliver better and more efficient services to the people of Assam.

Sarma reviewed the progress of the rapid assessment survey of damage caused by the recent floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts at a meeting held at the Convention Center in Jorhat.

Sarma directed the district administrations to ensure accuracy, transparency and accountability in the assessment process so that government assistance reaches every genuine flood affected family in a timely manner. He asked to ensure completion of the second phase of the rapid assessment survey before October 10.

He stressed that the damage assessment must be accurate and evidence based and should not be based on estimates or incomplete information. He directed the administrations to conduct re-verification or fresh surveys wherever necessary and ensure that no genuine beneficiary is left out. At the same time, he instructed officials to ensure that no ineligible or unverified name is included in the beneficiary lists.

The Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments to expedite the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) process for financial assistance. He asked officials to coordinate closely with banks and promptly resolve technical issues related to Aadhaar linked bank accounts so that beneficiaries do not face difficulties in receiving assistance.

Sarma directed all concerned departments and district administrations to work in close coordination to expedite the distribution of assistance and ensure that every eligible flood affected person receives government support.

Sarma said that the first phase of the survey for assessing flood damage and providing rehabilitation assistance in the four districts has already been completed. He said the meeting was held to ensure that the second phase of the survey is completed before October 10 and a final list of beneficiaries is prepared.