Gogoi announces to create 2 districts and 24 sub-divisions

Two new districts will be South Kamrup and East Kamrup

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced to create two new districts and 24 sub-divisions, besides initiating plans to increase the number of revenue circles across the state.

Hoisting the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations here, Gogoi said the state government has decided to create two new districts -- South Kamrup and East Kamrup -- from existing Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan districts.

The government has also declared 24 new civil sub- divisions across the state.

The new sub-divisions are Sonapur, Guwahati, Dispur, Azara, Chandrapur, Bihpuriya-Narayanpur, Naharkatiya, Ramkrishna Nagar, Howraghat, Diyungbra, Dakhin Kamrup, Mukalmua, Kalgachia, Moran, Patharkandi, Katigorah, Merapani, Tihu, Sarukhetri, Manikpur, Katlichera, Lakhipur, Dhekiajuli and Sorbhog.

"Steps have also been initiated to increase the number of revenue circles and revenue lots and reorganisation of development blocks with criteria to have at least two blocks per constituency," Gogoi said.

He also informed that the process has been started for creation of development councils for Karbi people residing outside Karbi Anglong, Hindi-speaking people, Bengali-speaking people, Garo Autonomous Council and Bodo Kachari Autonomous Council for the Bodo Kachari people living outside BTC area.

"We are working seriously for the development of the persons with disability in order to give them their due rights. A development council for person with disabilities will be created," Gogoi said.

The state government has also created 2,765 jobs for persons with disabilities, he added.

Gogoi also said the government will raise the freedom fighter's pension to Rs 20,000 during this year as compared to Rs 1,500 in 2001.

On law and order situation, he said the scenario has drastically improved with the fact that number of civilian killings has come down from 412 in 2001 to 10 in 2015.

Besides, the annual tourist inflow into the state has gone up to about 49 lakh last year from 10 lakh in 2001, Gogoi said.

"I would like to appeal to Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA and few other insurgent groups to eschew violence and return to the mainstream for the sake of the state's interest in particular and the country as a whole," he added.

Gogoi further said under Bagan Ghar scheme, every tea garden worker family will be provided land and financial assistance for construction of dwelling houses.

Under Bagan Jal scheme, steps are being taken to ensure availability of pure drinking water to the families residing in the tea gardens.

Similarly, under Bagan Bus scheme, public transport service facility will be provided exclusively for tea tribes communities residing in tea gardens, he added.

Also, the government issued notification to raise daily wage of tea garden workers to Rs 177.19 with cash component of Rs 143.50 and the balance in the form of statutory and non-statutory benefits, Gogoi said.