Gujarat Speaker invites CM to Golden Jubilee celebrations of Gujarat Statehood 

Dispur, April 9: Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Shri Ashok Bhatt met Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi at the latter’s official residence and extended invitation to him to attend the 50 years of completion of statehood of Gujarat on May 1 next.

      Sri Bhatt, who was accompanied by a 16-member delegation which comprises six MLAs, senior officials and representatives of local Gujarati Samaj while informing the Chief Minister about the year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations beginning from May 1 next requested him to grace the momentous occasion.

      The Speaker also apprised the Chief Minister about the achievements made by Gujarat and its resolve for the future.

      Expressing his gratitude, Chief Minister Shri Gogoi told the Speaker that he would try his level best to be in Gujarat during the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

      Earlier, Shri Gogoi and Sri Bhatt exchanged pleasantries and presented mementoes to each other.

      Shri Bhatt who arrived yesterday along with the delegation will leave for Kolkata tomorrow.  

SN/9.4.10 

CM launches ambitious Baideu and Nabou scheme 

Dispur, April 5: Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi today launched an ambitious scheme Baideu and Nabou under Social Welfare Department at a function held at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in the city.

             Baideu is meant for lonely and unmarried women who are 45 years and above and living below the poverty line and Nabou for lonely widow below poverty line.

      Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Gogoi said that his Government is committed towards ameliorating the economic lot of the womenfolk, especially those living below the poverty line. “It is by improving the economic condition of the deprived and needy segments of the society particularly the womenfolk living below poverty line we can take the State along the high road to glory and prosperity,” he said.

      Shri Gogoi said his Government’s endeavour is to wipe out tears from the eyes of the poor and downtrodden sections of the society. “Our Government is pro-poor and that is why we have launched a slew of schemes aimed at improving their economic condition,” he said.

      He said that his Government has given much emphasis on women empowerment and involving them in the decision-making progress. “We have reserved 30 per cent of seats for women as their role is pivotal in building a new Assam,” he said, adding that his Government is making all-out efforts to do away with gender inequalities and to bridge the gap.

      Expressing his happiness over the fact that womenfolk of the State are making big strides in various fields and ushering in a silent revolution through the Self-Help Group movement, Shri Gogoi said, “Our women have proved time and again that they are in no way inferior to men.”

      The Chief Minister appealed to the NGOs to extend support and cooperation for successful implementation of the various schemes launched by the Government.

      Sri Gogoi gave away cheques to women beneficiaries of Kamrup district under the scheme.

      The Minister for Social Welfare, Shri Akon Bora said the scheme would take care of those segments of society who were left out in the lurch. “Thousands of  lonely unmarried and lonely widow living below poverty line, who were not covered by any other scheme earlier, will now get some respite following the launching of the ambitious scheme,” he said adding that the Government would provide a one-time assistance of Rs 10,000 to the fairer sex at the time of their marriage.

      He said that his department has already appointed 38,000 Anganwadi workers as against 42,000 posts.

      The Minister for Health, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the scheme would help the unmarried women and widow to assert themselves in society. “About 1.26 lakh unmarried women and widow will benefit from the scheme and they will be able to engage themselves in productive activities with financial assistance of Rs 3,000 each annually and one-time assistance of Rs 10,000,” he said.

      Dr. Sarma further said that the Government has made provision in this year’s budget for extending financial help of Rs 10,000 to those who are engaged in productive activities. “There are scores of people in the State who are running their own businesses without seeking any help from either the State or any financial institution. Our small help is a way of appreciating their tenacious endeavour to do something on their own,” he added.

      Earlier, Commissioner and Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Shri H.K. Sarma explained the objective of the function.

      The Director, Social Welfare Department, Shri Randeep Talukdar and senior officials of the department were present on the occasion.

SN/5.4.10 

Assam CM inaugurates Silk Mark Expo 2010 in city

Dispur, April 2: Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the Silk Mark Expo 2010 at Ganeshguri in the city today.

      This is the fourth time Silk Mark Expo has been organised in Guwahati.

      Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Gogoi said, ‘Assam’s silk is famous for its beauty, uniqueness, elegance and exquisiteness. Mahatma Gandhi lavishly praised the weavers of Assam for their adroit craftsmanship in weaving fairy tales on looms.’

      He said his Government has accorded priority to silk production as it is rural-based labour intensive industry giving employment opportunities to scores of people. ‘It is through development of agriculture and allied sectors like sericulture we can solve the unemployment problem in the State to a great extent. Funds will be no constraint towards this end,’ he said.

      Lauding the efforts of Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) in promoting silk across the country through the Silk Mark Expos, Shri Gogoi said, ‘The Expos ensure that buyers get real value for the silk products they buy and that they are not duped by unscrupulous traders in any manner by helping them to identify pure and artificial silks.’

      Expressing his concern over the fall in Muga production, Shri Gogoi said, ‘Our Government will work hand in hand with the SMOI in further boosting Muga production in the State.’ In this context, he asked the State Director, Sericulture to hold a meeting with Central Silk Board (CSB) in the first part of May.

      In his keynote address, Chairperson, CSB, Shri H. Hanumanthappa said CSB has identified Assam as one of the five States of the country having huge potential in silk production. ‘Assam has huge potential and can emerge as a leading State in the country in so far as silk production is concerned. That is why CSB has accorded Assam the status of a Special State,’ he said.

      He, however, underscored the need for enhancing the absorbing capacity of the State to utilise the Central funds which come by way of 90 per as grant. ‘Funds are no constraints. What we have to ensure is to make use of the funds to the optimum level to usher in all-round development on the sericulture front,’ he said.

      It may be mentioned here that CSB has released Rs 29.66 crore to the State during the XI Plan for the development of Vanya Silk under the Catalytic Development Programme.

      The chairperson said the country produces 18,500 metric tonnes of silk as against a requirement of 26,000 metric tonnes. ‘There is a shortfall of 7,000 to 8,000 metric tonnes and this can be met if the stakeholders and the State Governments work in tandem with CSB.’

      Sri Hanumanthappa requested Sri Gogoi to convene a meeting with the CSB to help boost further production of silk in Assam. ‘Being a major producer of silk in the country Assam will have to take the lead and show the way to other States,’ he added.

      The State Director, Sericulture, Sri Amlan Baruah, said that the Government has given added thrust to sericulture and has made special provision in this year’s budget for production of Muga in five model villages.

      Earlier, the Chief Minister went round the exhibition and appreciated the wide array of exquisite silk products on display and sale. Altogether 47 authorised users representing 14 States are taking part in this expo, the first-ever to be organised in the country. Besides Guwahati, 17 Expos will also be organised in different parts of the country this year.

SN/2.4.10