GUWAHATI: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has put the onus on all MLAs from the BJP-led coalition — BJP, AGP and UPPL — to focus on timely implementation of each and every government project in their respective constituencies. MPs from Assam, representing the NDA, also attended a crucial meeting chaired by the CM here on Sunday. This is the first of its kind meeting chaired by Sarma.
The marathon closed-door meeting that started at around 9 am on Sunday and contined till late in the evening, focusing on choosing the right beneficiaries for the government schemes and ending illegal broking activities.
Speaking to the media, cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika said, “Apart from the MLAs, the chiefs of the political parties of our alliance have been invited. The thrust has been to send the MLAs to the villages and their constituencies to keep a close watch on the implementation of the schemes.”
While legislators from the NDA fold were invited to Sunday’s meeting, Hazarika said in the next rounds, the MLAs of opposition parties will also be invited.
The MLAs were apprised of various central government schemes like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana as well as ambitious state government schemes like Orunodoi, meant for needy families where women are primary caretakers.
The public works department, health and sports departments’ schemes were also brought to the notice of the MLAs so that they can implement those for the benefits for the residents of their constituencies.
“It’s a kind of orientation programme in order to ensure that the schemes are properly implemented on the ground,” Hazarika said.
Some of the senior officials of a few departments also attended the meeting to apprise the ministers of the ways in which the schemes are being implemented.
The first five months of the Himanta Biswa Sarma government has seen several anti-corruption drives against government officials.
The state government also cracked the whip on land brokers in a latest move to cleanse the revenue offices of corrupt practices.
About 500 land brokers were arrested from various parts of the state a few weeks ago. Though this reflected the tough stance of the government against “dalal raj”, it was also clear that corrupt practices were going on in the BJP regime.
“The last five months and an overview of the five-year planning have been discussed. A major thrust has been laid on making the government schemes free from the influence of middlemen,” said an insider.
