Sushmita Dev writes to CM Assam, suggests some important matters for consideration of the Cabinet

way2barak, Nov.27: The Cabinet meeting slated to be held on 29 November, 2022 will see the entire cabinet visiting Silchar. It is in this backdrop that Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev wrote to Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighting some important matters for the consideration of the Cabinet.

Sushmita Dev wrote…….

1. It was a commitment given by the Government of Assam that a museum will be built in Silchar to honour the martyrs of the language agitation who lost their lives on 19 May,1961. Till date, there seems to be no progress in this regard. As you are well aware, this is a matter close to the hearts of the people here, and since it was a commitment made by the government, I see no reason why the Cabinet should not look into this and make it a reality through a Cabinet decision.

2. I take this opportunity to remind you that you on record gave a commitment that all Grade III and Grade IV government jobs within the three districts of Barak Valley would be given to locals. However, what has transpired now makes it clear that no such mechanism or modality was in place to make this a reality. The recent examinations held for these jobs make it clear that it was never the intention of the government to act on this. Unemployment is a very big issue impacting the youth here and the Cabinet meeting should address this issue given that it was a commitment made to the people of the Valley in open meetings.

3. There was a commitment to build five bridges over the Barak River in the last election, but till date, there is no progress in this regard.

4. I would also like to raise the issue that several acres of land were acquired for a Greenfield Airport in Dolu Tea Estate, but the process lacked transparency on the part of the administration. Lakhs of tea bushes were uprooted, which created havoc in the lives and livelihood of the workers and till date, the matter remains unresolved. I have, on several occasions, demanded documentary evidence of compliance with land acquisition laws, but the administration has chosen to remain silent.

5. There are many other issues that remain unresolved such as the completion of Mahasadak and no progress of the Mini Secretariat, which require your attention. The people of the Valley, who reposed their faith in the Bharatiya Janata Party, are faced with these issues as mentioned above. I hope that the commitments made to the people will be fulfilled, failing which, this Cabinet meeting seems to be just cosmetic and superficial.