Development work in Assam has come to standstill: Cong

Hitting out at the BJP-led government in Assam, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Debabrata Saikia claimed Friday that the saffron party has not been able to live up to its promise of bringing about a 'poriborton' (change) in the state.

Development activities have come to a "virtual standstill" in Assam, a release issued by the Congress leader said here.

"Public Health Engineering Minister Rihon Daimary admitted in the Assembly yesterday (Thursday) that no new piped water supply scheme has been sanctioned in the current fiscal. He also clarified that funds have not been sanctioned for maintenance of the functional water schemes," Saikia said.

The people of Assam had not expected a 'poriborton' which would make "potable water scarce" in the state, the leader of opposition in the Assembly quipped.

"The reason cited for non-initiation of new schemes was the need to complete the existing ones. Numerous schemes still remain far from complete in the state," the release quoted the Congress leader as saying.

Saikia also claimed that the PHE Minister had assured him in the House in February last year that department officials would be expediting work for Namdangiya and Gelakey Moran water supply schemes in Nazira Assembly constituency.

The projects, however, have remained incomplete even after 1.5 years, he observed.

"Certain other performance indicators of the department have also emerged from questions posed by other members in the House. It was noted that not a single Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) unit has been sanctioned in the current financial year," the Congress leader said.

This apart, Saikia stated, only 5,834 of 9,420 piped water supply schemes are operational in Assam.

"A total of 2288 schemes have been lying defunct and 1298 others still at the construction stage. In Doom Dooma Assembly constituency, for instance, just 10 of 31 water schemes are currently operational," he said.

Although necessary sanctions for revival of the non-functional schemes were accorded in financial year 2017-18, nothing has been done on the ground, he added.