MoS Murugan visits BTR, reviews development projects in Chirang

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 30, 2024

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr L Murugan, during his two-day visit to Chirang district in Assam reviewed the status and progress of flagship schemes of the Central government.

On Thursday, Dr Murugan took a review meeting at the DC’s office which focused on evaluating the status of key departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Education (Elementary and Secondary), National Social Assistance Program, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Public Works Department (PWD), Social Welfare, Food and Civil Supply, Industries and Commerce, and Fisheries, among others.

A thorough review was conducted of various schemes such as Nijut Moina, PM Poshan, and irrigation schemes. Discussions also covered NABARD, the One District One Product initiative, and several other programs. Flagship schemes of the state government like Mission Bhumiputra, Amrit Brikshya Andolon, Assam Sanskritik Mahasangram, and Khel Maharan were also assessed.

The MoS emphasised the need to increase the penetration of PM Jan Dhan Yojana for which special camps may be organised.

The meeting was attended by Lok Sabha MP Joyanta Basumatary, Rajya Sabha MP Rwngwra Narzary, Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Dhananjay Basumatary, District Commissioner of Chirang, and other departmental heads.

On Friday, the MoS visited the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) project site at Kamardanga, where he said that the project will boost local economic activities and generate employment in BTC.

Once completed it will help in the economic development of the region. He further said that with an outlay of around Rs. 600 crore, the project is expected to be operational within two years. 

The MoS also visited the oil palm site under National Mission on Edible Oil (MNEO-OP) at Serfanguri in Chirang.

The minister also took a visit to the under-construction site of Shantipur Kasturba Gandhi School in the district. During his visit to an Anganwadi Centre at Pachim Silpata, Dr Murugan planted a tree as part of the “Vikshit Bharat, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. He also commended the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and local administrations for their effective implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program.

Earlier in the day, Dr Murugan visited Sakhi One Stop Centre at Dongagaon-Kajalgaon in Chirang and interacted with Sakhis and other officials. SAKHI Centre aims to empower women affected by violence and support them with specialized services. The minister praised the centre as “a beacon of hope for women in distress,” highlighting its extensive support services, including legal aid and counselling.

The MoS attended a public meeting near Hatisar ME school near the India- Bhutan border at Chirang. While addressing the gathering, the MoS asserted that a new railway project connecting Kokrajhar to Bhutan will commence soon. Additionally, several other developmental projects are planned for the near future, he added.

Throughout his visit, Dr Murugan engaged with farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) schemes, gathering valuable feedback on these initiatives.

The visit of the MoS was a part of the Prime Minister’s decision that each North-eastern state will have the visit of a Union Minister every 15 days to review the progress of developmental schemes of the central government.