Modi’s ‘Development’ Mantra for Assam

Modi in Assam

Modi in Assam

With elections in Assam just a few months away, the state has already plunged into the election mode. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at an election rally in Kokrajhar which was organized by its new ally Bodo People’s Front. The Prime Minister kick-started his rally with scathing attacks on the Congress and also talked about a slew of initiatives for Assam.

Highlights of Narendra Modi’s Visit

  1. Modi attacked his predecessor Manmohan Singh at the rally. Arguing that Assam had a long list of problems, Modi said despite the fact that Manmohan Singh had represented the state in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress had not done any work in Assam in the past 15 years. Coming down heavily on Assam’s ruling party for having failed to fulfill the dreams of the people of Assam, the Prime Minister said that it has become a fashion to blame others and not give account of individual work.
  2. Talking about development in Assam, Modi said his three-point programme for the state would be ‘development, development, development’. He said that he had come to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the people to bring development to the state. He talked about fast-tracking the development of the region and said the foremost need is infrastructure. In order to execute this, he said that the government has to come up with the ‘Act East’ policy.
  3.  Laying out his vision for the farmers, Modi said he dreamed to double the income of every farmer in India by 2022 – the 75th year of the country’s independence. He feels the agriculture sector would have to be modernized so that the goal can be achieved.
  4. Talking about his plans for the Bodo people, Modi announced the government’s decision to grant ST status to people who are living in Assam’s two hill districts. The Karbi tribal people who are residing in the plains would also be accorded ST status. He also promised to ensure all-round development of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas.
  5. However, no announcement was made of major packages from the Centre for the state or the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD).
  6. He also highlighted the fact that it was his proposition that Northeastern youths be recruited in Delhi police. He said the process has already begun.
  7. Some other announcements made by the Prime Minister included re-opening the Rupshi airport for the Air Force and the common people, granting deemed university status to the Central Institute of Technology in Kokrajhar and providing more funds for various developmental projects.
  8. He said that in a bid to boost connectivity, the government is working to extend the Kanchanjunga Express till Barak Valley in Assam.