Rapid economic development in Assam a blow to insurgency: Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said rapid economic development in the state during his tenure had dealt a severe blow to insurgency.

"Economic situation in the state has improved tremendously during the last 11 years of my tenure and this has dealt a blow to the backbone of the insurgency," he told the state assembly.

There was a vast difference in the Gross State Domestic Product of 2001 when it was 1.53 per cent and that in 2011 when it rose to 8.42 per cent. This was mainly possible due to focus of the state government on infrastructural development, he said.

"According to the Planning Commission report, the Human Development Index in Assam is 32 per cent and the state is ranked second in the urban literacy rate. The state also has the lowest rate of income inequalities showing that all sections are progressing equally and enjoys social justice," he said.

Referring to big dams, the chief minister said new technology was available and "we will not allow dams which will harm us but at the same time we welcome big dams for the development of the state".