Guwahati, Dec. 20: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed the deputy commissioners to ensure repair of all embankments within March 31, 2017.
The state receives rainfall after March and it becomes difficult to carry out the repairs. "The DCs will have to take up repair work on war-footing and regularly submit updates on the progress of work. The chief minister passed the directions to the DCs through video-conference today," said a statement released from the chief minister's office.
Sonowal directed the DCs to finish the construction of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana within April 1 next year. All districts are also required to appoint a nodal officer to oversee smooth completion of the construction.
He directed the DCs to convene special block-level meetings to find out defaulters who have not completed work though they have received the first instalment of funds.
The chief minister discussed all issues related to land acquisition for national highway construction. He asked the DCs to remove all bottlenecks to expedite construction work. The PWD (national highways) department was instructed to immediately relocate all electric posts.
Sonowal also asked the DCs to carryout extensive publicity campaign for promoting a digital economy in coordination with the banks. Additional chief secretary T.Y. Das, M.G.V.K. Bhanu and other officials were present.
Irrigation: Sonowal today directed the irrigation department to complete three projects at Bhairabkunda in Udalguri district, Champawati in Chirang district and Borolia near Tamulpur in Baksa district, for which Rs 1,033.05 crore has been allotted. The projects will cover 1,07,360 hectares.
Sonowal said to boost kharif and rabi cultivation, the department must provide uninterrupted water supply. "Along with big projects, the department should focus on medium and small irrigation systems to bring more farmland under irrigation ambit," he said.
Directing the department to complete the eight projects under non-lapsable central pool of resources and two projects under North Eastern Council at the earliest, he said it must work out ways to properly irrigate farming lands affected by floods.
Reviewing the progress of projects under command area development programme and accelerated irrigation benefits programme, Sonowal directed the department to submit an estimate of the land under the possession of various offices.
Dutta, commissioner and secretary to the chief minister Sanjay Lohia and other officials were present.
Civic body: Sonowal today instructed the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to adopt innovative measures to generate extra revenue which can be used for beautification and other development work.
"The GMC should carry out a survey of the city and identify potential areas from where the corporation can maximise revenues. The additional revenue generated should be used for improving civic facilities, beautification and to increase citizens' convenience," Sonowal said during a meeting at Brahmaputra state guesthouse here.
Sonowal, however, stressed that the proposed means of revenue collection should not negatively impact residents.
"Tax-payers' support is crucial for effecting changes. Hence, the GMC should conduct a citizens' meet whenever any potential revenue-generating areas are identified. People need to be kept in the loop about the bottlenecks while implementing development activities," Sonowal said.
He said the GMC should have a building with all modern amenities. The corporation, since its inception in 1971, has been operating from an Assam-type building at Kachari here.
Sonowal's meeting came in the wake of a sudden surge in the GMC's income - from a monthly average of Rs 8 to 9 crore to Rs 19 crore in November post-demonetisation.
"We have held meetings with all circle officers and will in a week assess areas where there are serial tax defaulters. We will be stricter in fining those who have flouted rules," Sarania said.
The meet was attended by GMC mayor Mrigen Sarania, its commissioner Sanijb Gohain Baruah, among others.
Skill development: The chief minister also directed the state labour department to revive 71 defunct skill centres in tea garden areas.
Sonowal, who chaired a meeting with the central committee members of Assam Tea Tribe Students' Association here last evening, said his government was committed to empower the youths of tea garden areas and a blueprint would be prepared to revitalise the skill centres to create employment avenues.
He said steps would be taken to develop vacant spaces in all tea gardens for construction of houses.
Sonowal said sanitary toilets would be constructed for every household. The meeting also decided to streamline issues and distribute caste certificates to youths belonging to the tea tribe community.
Additional reporting by Avishek Sengupta
