Tarun Gogoi readying Rs 850 crore pre-poll sops

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi is readying Rs 850 crore pre poll sops expected to benefit around 76 lakh people. This will include distribution of freebies and cash assistance. The state government is expected to roll out this scheme by December this year.

Assam will go to assembly polls next year. Gogoi said, “We will distribute blanket, yarn, and equipment to farmers, assistance to artisans, old age persons and orphanages, distribution of mosquito nets . To build houses homeless will be given cash of Rs 25,000.”

When asked if this is pre poll soaps and freebies, Gogoi said, “If helping poor and needy is populist measures let it be so. We will fund this project through the state’s own resources.”

Gogoi took a at Prime minister, Narendra Modi and said that despite Assam witnessing severe flooding Modi did not visit the state. “The current of flood killed around 40 people but Modi is yet to visit the state.” (Eom)