365 days as MP, a Report Card of Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy

May 23: The day when I took oath in the temple of democracy, the Indian Parliament after winning the election against Sushmita Dev of Congress, I was dumbstruck for some moments to look around and ponder on the fact that this very hall saw tall luminaries of our land leaving behind a mark in the sands of time. It was at that very moment that I resolved to match the footprints of persons like Atalji, Advaniji and many such illustrious wards of Mother India. Since then, there was no looking back. With small baby steps, I started a new journey in the hope of giant leap in the future. These were the words spoken in an emotion chocked voice by Dr. Rajdeep Roy, while narrating before newsmen his sojourn as a parliamentarian in the last 365 days.

In a tune of dismay, Dr. Rajdeep Roy asserted that, “When Cachar district has got a lot of work to be done, it was indeed a matter of utter surprise that my predecessor Sushmita Dev was unable to spend a whopping amount of Rs.3.70 crore from the MPLAD fund.” He informed that after he took over, he has till now spent Rs.1.20 crore out of that amount. Work for the remaining Rs.2.5 crore is also going on. Once he submits the utlisation certificate, it is then that he will get the nod for spending the amount out of his MPLAD fund of the previous year. On being asked about his reaction on the amount unspent by Sushmita Dev, Rajdeep gave a tactical political reply. He said, “The voters of Silchar have already given the reply to this question during the last parliamentary election.”

Narrating his activities inside the parliament, MP Roy said, “In the last 1 year, I was privileged to be allowed by my party and the Speaker to rise to the occasion and speak 11 times during the 3 sessions of the parliament which also included my opportunity to speak on the Presidential Address on 2 occasions on behalf of my state. When stalwarts like Atalji sat silent for 6 months in the parliament after his 1st entry, I indeed feel myself honoured for the trust my Prime Minister and the party deposited in me.”

If given an opportunity, how would you write your own report card was a question hurled towards him. To this he replied that it is the task of the electorate to judge his performance, but at the same time said that he left no stones unturned to carve a niche for himself by setting targets and trying to achieve the same. Reiterating his 5 prime goals of transforming the road, rail, air, waterways & internet connectivity, Rajdeep said, “I have started working on the road, rail and air connectivity but would accept with all humility that much progress could not be achieved as yet.” However, he mentioned that for the project of setting up a new airport at Silchar, he have taken the talks ahead with the right person, but this type of work requires time as it is a huge issue. Roy, however, was optimistic that this project will bear fruit within a year or two.

The long ignored embankments at Betukandi and Tarapur Shib Bari was also in his agenda. He said, “The Chief Minister on my request visited the sites and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 10 crore for the repairing works. Before the next rainy season, the works of these two embankments will be completed. Rajdeep also mentioned about the Gandhi Sankalpa Yatra, wherein he matched footsteps with his party-men for 203 kms out of the total of 240 kms. He said, “This Yatra on foot throughout the length and breadth of the district has dawned a new realisation in me. There is much more which needs to be done for the rural development in Cachar and I will definitely stress upon this in the coming days.”

Dr. Roy was appointed as the Vice Chairman of Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH). He along with the Chairman, State Cabinet Minister Parimal Suklabaidya is striving hard for infrastructural development of SMCH. The medical college is fully equipped to deal with the COVID-19 cases. He said, “Under the able direction of State Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, our team of doctors, nurses and all para-medical staff are exhibiting their expertise in dealing with the COVID-19 cases.” Referring to the ongoing lockdown, the MP told that he made himself available for 155 relief operations among the poor and needy for 155 times till now.

Dr. Roy in the span of a year was also appointed as member of 4 Standing Committees of the Parliament. He was included as a member of the Standing Committee of Health & Family Welfare, External Affairs Committee, Ethics & Privileges Committee and DoNER. He was also a part of the committee formed for advising the PMO on extension and relaxation of lockdown. He said that during the ongoing lockdown, he held virtual meetings with top party leaders on around 10 occasions discussing various development issues. He was also happy to inform that he donned the robes of a surgeon a few times during the year as and when he found time.

Is Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy satisfied with his performance? Rajdeep replied with a word of caution. He said, “Satisfaction is a relative term. However, I would like to mention that the day any person feels that he/she is satisfied with his/her work, then his/her further growth will come to a halt. We learn everyday and move ahead with the knowledge of what not to do and what is to be taken forward. I see my critics as a mirror and take in my stride the constructive criticisms. I felt satisfied when the truncated freedom India achieved at midnight of 1947 was converted into real independence by the passage of CAA in 2019 or when the long dragged Kashmir issue got solved due to prudence of our Prime Minister. There are many more works to be done and many paths to be trodden, which I would travel with the bag of experience I have acquired in the last 365 days. I will continue to move ahead with the value system ingrained in me by my late father Bimolangshu Roy.”