Rs 56-cr project on anvil to uplift lot of minorities

Bogaigaon

A seeding centre in Bongaigaon Jan 8 : Bongaigaon’s abysmal performance in a survey on availability of basic amenities has earned it a Rs 56-crore development plan that will put the district on a par with the rest of the country. The plan, however, was possible because of the concentration of minority population in the district, another fact thrown up by the baseline survey. Bongaigaon is one of 90 minority concentration districts in the country, according to the survey conducted by Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change, Guwahati, on the guidelines of the ministry of minority affairs. Based on the survey, the multi-sectoral development plan for minorities was drafted for the district. “Since it (Bongaigaon) has been classified as a minority-concentrated district, we were deeply concerned about its development and chalked out a plan. The scheme is ready to be approved by the ministry of minority affairs,” the deputy commissioner of Bongaigaon, M. Angamuthu, said. A presentation on the plan was organised in New Delhi recently and the ministry has approved of it verbally. “While preparing the schemes, the views of panchayati raj members were taken,” Angamuthu said. “There is no doubt that we can achieve inclusive growth, accelerated development and improvement in general quality of life with help from all.” The sectors that will be focussed on are agriculture, education and IT training. “We have incorporated a plan to improve the shallow tubewell irrigation facilities and post-harvest management of crops. We have introduced modern storage methods that prolong the shelf life of agricultural produce. A cold storage plant is being planned as well. The Rs 200 lakh plant may be built on the public-private partnership model,” Angamuthu said. Improvement of facilities for secondary education is next on the agenda. Funds will be spent on construction of school buildings, toilets, libraries, and purchasing furniture and books. “There will also be focus on making the minority student community competent in information technology,” he said. Bongaigaon College, Birjhora Mahavidyalaya and Abhayapuri College will be equipped with computer laboratories. Besides, the plan also envisages improvement of healthcare, roads, water and housing facilities.