72nd Republic Day celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Hailakandi district

Jan.26: The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated with pomp and gaiety here on Tuesday. Unfurling the national tricolour at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Stadium, Deputy Commissioner, Megh Nidhi Dahal said the aspirational district is marching triumphantly on the path of development in different sectors. Listing out the achievements and the slew of initiatives taken by the administration, Dahal said 1,607 land allotment certificates have been given away to the indigenous landless people of the district.

Under the Oronodoi scheme, Dahal said 43,600 women have been getting financial assistance of Rs.830 per month, besides 226 unemployed youths under PMEGP and 354 beneficiaries under Re-SVAYEM have benefited.

Dahal said the administration has been implementing a host of state and central schemes to double the income of farmers by 2022. Under Krishak Samman Nidhi around 88,000 farmers have availed benefits and 40,000 farmers have got soil health cards, Dahal pointed out. For farm mechanisation, the Deputy Commissioner disclosed that 288 tractors at subsidised rates and other agriculture implements under CMSGUY and Aspirational District Programme.

On the health front, Dahal, while complimenting the frontline corona health warriors in their fight against the dreaded disease, said Rs.13 crore have been earmarked for infrastructure development of SK Roy Civil Hospital.
On the education firmament, Dahal said the district fared better in the HSLC examination last year compared to two other districts of Barak Valley. 221 meritorious girl students have been provided with scooties and laptops to the star and distinction holders, he added.

Dahal said special care and attention have been given to pregnant women and malnourished children under POSHAN Abhiyaan. “Steps have been taken to set up ICDS Sahayak Kendra and 100 new Anganwadi centres under the Assam Adarsha Gram Yojana,” he added. Under Panchayat and Rural Development, the Deputy Commissioner stated that almost 16,000 mandays have been created in 2020-21, besides 12,000 dwelling units have been sanctioned under PM Awaas Yojana (Grameen) out of which 6,000 houses constructed so far. He said a new residential colony is coming up at Panchgram under PMGAY(G) housing all facilities.

Dahal said that Jal Jeevan Mission has been accorded top priority with 293 piped water supply schemes taken up. He said the Greater Sheralipur-Panchgram has been already commissioned in January this year and the construction work of Greater Bowarghat-Lala multi village piped water supply scheme going on in full swing would be completed soon. Dahal listed the construction of almost 16,000 individual household latrines under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen as one of the major achievements of his administration.

Under PWD (Building), Dahal said construction of a polytechnic at Katlicherra has been completed and upgradation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Stadium taken up at a cost of Rs.2.40 crore under the ADB programme. To ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply, Dahal said steps have been taken up to install new transformers. In the 19 tea estates, various schemes have been initiated by the District Labour department, including supply of regular ration to tea workers and weekly wages directly into their bank accounts, he stated.

Dahal said a manishi upobon bio-diversity park with different medicinal plants has been opened at Lalacherra tea garden, besides distribution of almost one lakh saplings to various government departments and NGOs by the District Environment and Forest department. The Deputy Commissioner stated that around 70,000 LPG connections have been given under the PM Ujjwala Yojana together with the Food, Civil Supplies department providing rice, dal, onion and other essentials to the people during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. Dahal said steps are being initiated in right earnest to spruce up the areas under Hailakandi and Lala Municipal Boards.

The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted the achievements and new initiatives taken up by Fisheries, Handloom and Textiles, Sericulture, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry departments. He appreciated the police administration and other law enforcing agencies for maintaining law and order in the district. The Deputy Commissioner winded up his address appealing to the people not to let their guard down and to be vigil as ‘COVID though on the wane is far from over’.

Mementos and certificates were given away by the Deputy Commissioner, local MLA, Anwar Hussain Laskar and other dignitaries to the best march past contingents – professional and non professional – cleanest sub centre, best NGO and to organisations for cultural performance. Prizes were also given to the three best tableaux with the first prize going to ASRLM, second prize to Hailakandi Municipal Board and the third to Handloom and Textiles department.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Dahal accompanied by Superintendent of Police, Pabindra Kumar Nath laid floral wreaths at the Jatio Swahid Smarak. Sweets and fruits were also distributed to the jail inmates and patients of civil hospital on the occasion. A patriotic movie was screened by the district administration in association with e Media Association at Rabindra Bhawan auditorium. A friendly cricket match was played between District Administration XI and DSA XI at DSA Ground. The day was also observed in a befitting manner at Algapur, Katlicherra, Hailakandi and Lala revenue circles and in all the development blocks across the district.