Robust steps being taken to reclaim lands from encroachers: CM

way2barak, June 10: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the state government was taking robust steps to reclaim lands encroached by illegal settlers in the state.

“Freeing up our lands from encroachers remains our top priority. Over the last five years we have reclaimed over 200 square kilometres of land from encroachers. We are now taking robust steps to ensure encroachers are never able to return to these lands,” the Chief Minister said after chairing a series of meetings on key issues concerning the state.

On the other hand, after chairing another meeting, Sarma instructed the education, health, power and other key infrastructure departments to identify critical projects that can come under the ambit of the Centre’s Viability Gap Funding initiative to shore up our growth trajectory.

Besides, the Chief Minister also chaired a meeting to discuss ways to boost investment in agriculture infrastructure, support exporters of GI-tagged and organic products.

“We will be taking all measures to augment investment in agri infra, support exporters of GI tagged and organic products and utilise all possible central support in this endeavour. The Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a major component in this direction in which the Centre has assured us full support,” he stated after the meeting.

“I have also asked departments to link producers and farmers to aggregators and other stakeholders to help them reach export markets and boost their income,” he stated.