In Assam, BJP promises law to punish those employing infiltrators

Party dwells on Congress govt failure of last 15 years to curb infiltration from Bangladesh and protect jobs for locals

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday unveiled its ‘vision document’ for the Assam Assembly elections and promised that, if elected, its government will frame a law to punish those who employ infiltrators.

In his public rallies, BJP President Amit Shah said Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government has failed to stop the entry of “Bangladeshi infiltrators” in the past 15 years.

The ‘vision document’ said a law will be enacted to sternly deal with industries, businesses, small and medium enterprises or any other agencies employing infiltrators. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the ‘Assam Vision Document 2016-2025’ in Guwahati on Friday. The BJP promised to completely seal the India-Bangladesh border to stop infiltration.

Assembly polls to the 126 seats in Assam will be held in two phases on April 4 and 11, and the BJP aims to contest on the planks of curbing corruption, spurring development as well as putting “100 per cent” stop on infiltration.

The BJP is contesting the election as the lead party in an alliance that comprises smaller regional parties including the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo People’s Front (BPF). Assam is also the only state among the five that go to polls in April and May where BJP has hopes of a victory. Other four states are Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.

Shah, in his two public rallies at Sibsagar and Sonari, said: “Assam’s border has been opened as a road for lakhs of infiltrators from Bangladesh to snatch away employment from Assam’s youth.”

On Congress’ allegation of fund cut to the state by the NDA government, Jaitley said, “Assam will get 148 per cent more in 2016-2020 compared to 2011-2015 due to higher tax devaluation of 42 per cent as against 32 per cent earlier.”

He said Assam will get Rs 1,43,239 crore because of tax devaluation recommended by the 14th Finance Commission, against Rs 57,854 crore during the 13th Finance Commission.

Jaitley also said the 90:10 funding pattern to Assam has been restored on the suggestion of the NITI Aayog.

What the BJP promises

Law to punish those who employ 'Bangladeshi infiltrators'

To ensure 35 per cent reservation for women in state govt jobs

To remove all encroachments from forest, religious bodies, wasteland and tribal belts

To construct model villages with help of Border Security Force (BSF), ex-servicemen and indigenous people along the border

Secure inter-state boundaries

Appoint a retired Gauhati High Court judge as Lokayukta; implement 'zero tolerance' policy against corruption

Welfare of surrendered militants, families affected by militancy

Pucca houses to poor families by 2021

To provide "land patta" to every landless family of the state

Govt to create a land bank of surplus land, but ensure that no inhabitant is evicted in the process

Make Assam power surplus state, ensure 24x7 power supply

To construct five bridges over Barak river

Focus on environment-friendly smaller dams

Set up one multi-specialty hospital in every subdivision and one high-tech 500-bed hospital in every district

Dredging of Brahmaputra, erosion preventing plantation like bamboo and mangrove along the river banks under MGNREGA

Rs 1,000 crore grant to Bodoland Territorial Council