Meeting of all political parties & recognised labour unions support govt decision of constructing airport at Dolu: MP Silchar

May 8: The proposal of construction of Greenfield Airport at Dolu Tea Estate in Cachar Came under opposition from certain quarters recently. It is in this backdrop that a meeting of all political parties (both regional and national), representatives of registered trade unions, leading citizens and frequent flyers was held in the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy.

A threadbare discussion on the issue of construction of the second airport in Cachar at Dolu and took place. Examining the various facets of the issue, the house unanimously came in open support of the decision of the Government and at the same time also urged upon the Government to construct the Greenfield Airport at Dolu Tea Estate at the earliest. The house also requested the administration to take adequate steps as deemed fit, if any obstruction arises, against the construction of Greenfield Airport for greater public interest.

Later on speaking to way2barak, Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy said, “Today’s meeting was indeed a historic and fruitful one because all present there spoke in a single voice in favour of the construction of the Greenfield Airport at Dolu. The house thoroughly discussed on the present state of impasse created on the matter of land acquisition at Dolu for constructing the Airport therein. It is indeed a matter of great significance that for the greater public interest, all present in the meeting including the recognised labour unions unanimously gave the mandate of construction of the Airport at Dolu.”

Called on @JM_Scindia today to discuss issues related to setting up of a Greenfield Airport at #Silchar@himantabiswa @AAI_Official @CMOfficeAssam pic.twitter.com/zxNpxbwO7I

— Dr Rajdeep Roy MP ( MS, MCh) (@drrajdeeproy) December 21, 2021

Earlier, at the start of the meeting, MP Dr Roy gave a brief presentation on how the concept of the Greenfield Airport at Silchar came into being. It needs mention here that on the sidelines of the winter session of the Parliament, MP Dr Rajdeep Roy also met the Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to discuss issues related to setting up of a Greenfield Airport at Silchar and got a very positive response.”

Taking a dig at those who are opposing the move to set up the new Airport at Dolu Tea Estate, Dr Roy said, “There are some people who are habituated in criticising each and every positive move of the progressive BJP government, both at the centre and the state. Such people should remove black glasses from their eyes to see the multifarious facets of development going on all around.”

Dr Roy further said, “The opposition to this move at present is done by unrecognised unions. This is basically being done to scuttle the process of development. Such moves to derail projects for public interest will not be tolerated by the government. We had given a considerable amount of time to them, but they did not turn up to the discussion table despite repeated reminders. Yesterday, we had found out alternate spots where plantations will be done. There too, the group that is protesting initially agreed to come to that spot, but later did not turn up. These people who are leading the protests are serving all false narratives to misguide the people. Their claim of 17,000 labourers working there at Dolu is factually incorrect. There are only 1700 labourers and the govt has agreed to compensate them.”

“But what seems to be the most satisfying development is that all those who attended the meeting today, that is, all political parties (both regional and national), representatives of registered trade unions, leading citizens and frequent flyers gave a very positive response to our proposal. First and foremost outcome is that there was total unanimity in the decision arrived at today’s meeting. All stated that the government should go ahead with building up this huge infrastructural development project. Secondly, all assured full support to the government and urged upon us to go ahead with the proposal of constructing the Greenfield Airport at Dolu Tea Estate,” added Dr Roy.

Apart from this, Dr Roy informed that in the MoU signed between the government and the recognised labour unions, it was agreed upon that the gratuity and provident fund of the tea workers would be released soon. Acting upon this, the government has released the 1st installment of this amount. An amount of Rs. 2.37 crore will be initially disbursed to the workers and labourers as part of their gratuity and provident fund on 9 May, 2022.

Earlier, during his visit to Silchar on 21 January, 2022, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma while replying to a question about protest launched by some groups as regards construction of Greenfield Airport at Dolu said, “People of Silchar needs an Airport. So if we want to build an Airport, we will have to take any piece of land. However, we will see to it that while acquiring the land, the tea workers should not face any loss. We will definitely take into consideration the issue of life and livelihood while we finalise the land required for the construction of the airport.”