APSC Assam Yearbook 2021 : Latest Current Affairs

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

I. Aami Axomiya Initiative

  • Propose to appoint a Welfare Officer in each of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities which has a sizeable Assamese diaspora.
    • These Welfare Officers will support the distressed during times of medical emergency, provide assistance to young students to adjust to a new city and provide a temporary monetary assistance of immediate nature to those who have lost their jobs.
    • Further, depending on the availability of land, will also strive to construct Namghars in cities with sizeable Assamese diaspora.
    • Will also provide immediate logistical and financial assistance in cases of death of Assamese people living outside the State to provide the families of the deceased some succor during this time of grief.

II.   Bhasha Gaurav Asoni

  • Protection and preservation of the rights, language and cultural traditions of the indigenous people of our state.
    • To ensuring that vernacular languages and dialects are preserved and promoted.
    • Will promote research of individual tribal languages helping them to develop grammar, publish books in their languages, and also develop dictionaries and encyclopedias in their languages. Various learning centres for the young students can
    • Earmarked Rs.50 crores in financial year 2019-20 out of the total budgetary commitment of Rs. 100 crore.

III. City Infrastructure Development Fund

In the Budget of 2017-18 a new scheme of City Infra Development Fund (CIDF) was announced.

This scheme is aimed at increasing the Urban Infrastructure by carrying out infrastructure projects in 6 large cities (except Guwahati). Subsequently, the Budget of 2018-19 announced CIDF schemes of middle tier towns, having population of above 40,000.

Expanding CIDF to the 6th Scheduled areas which are the priority areas of this Government and create long felt need for amenities in the three beautiful towns namely Kokrajhar, Diphu and Hafiong

Each town under this scheme will be Rs. 100 crores.

Allocating Rs. 300 crore in the Budget for the year 2019-20 for CIDF

IV. Incentive to the Technicians and Artists of Mobile Theatres of Assam

Provide a one-time grant of Rs. 50,000 for theatre artists and technicians, who have spent at least 5 years with the industry as recognition of their efforts and outstanding contribution to this art form.

Earmarked a sum of Rs.5 crore for the same Budget 2019-20

V.One-Time Financial Assistance to 2000 leading Sports & Cultural Personalities

Ms. Hima Das and Ms. Rima Das have not just become household names across the country but have also taken the Assamese pride a notch higher with their outstanding achievements in the field of Sports and Cinema respectively.

To express appreciation to these icons and to encourage others, will give a one-time cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 each to total 2000 Sporting and Art Personalities for their contributions.

VI. Property Tax Amnesty for property owners in Guwahati

Residential and commercial buildings in Guwahati were constructed without complying with the building byelaws of Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA)

Government has decided to introduce a one-time amnesty scheme for property tax payers in Guwahati.

On voluntary declaration of their building violations, a one-time settlement and regularisation of the construction will be done against the payment of the building violation penalties.

VII.               Restoration of Batadrava Than

In 1468, Srimanta Sankardev established the very first Kirtanghar of Assam at Batadrava for propagation of the Ek Saran Nam Dharma founded by him to bring together our people, breaking the barriers of caste, race or ethnicity.

He built the ‘Monikut’ together with Kirtanghar or Namghar and the Chari-Hati for accommodation of his disciples. This institution complex, now called as Sri Sri Batadrava Than, was completed in 1509.

The condition of Sri Sri Batadrava Than currently has deteriorated due to lack of proper maintenance.

Even the land belonging to this sacred Than was under encroachment which our Government has freed. It is overdue that this place is renovated and brought back to its original glory!

  • Propose an amount of Rs. 155 crore over the next 3 years.

VIII.             Mobile Phones for Gaon Burahs

Gaon Burahs play a major role in maintaining the peace and brotherhood in rural Assam.

Propose to provide each of the 8000+ Gaon Burahs with smart phones.

Allocated Rs. 4 crore for this initiative in this year’s budget

IX. Charaideo Maidams

Charaideo Maidams are an intrinsic part of the Assamese culture and an important archaeological asset of the State.

There have been calls for the sight to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Steps will also be taken to promote this site as a major tourist attraction of the State and will initiate the efforts towards listing the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the development of this important of this historical site, earmarked Rs.25 crores in this Budget and the Cultural Affairs Department will implement this scheme in consultation with the stakeholders.

X.   Package for Integrated Development of Majuli Island (PIDMI)

Majuli is indeed at the heart of the Assam’s cultural heritage. However, due to the perennial floods in the mighty Brahmaputra, this river island is gradually eroding, Will provide a funding of Rs. 150 crore over medium term. Earmarking a sum of Rs. 50 crore for the integrated development of Majuli in this year’s budget;

XI. State Level Mega Skill Development Scheme

The Government plans to provide comprehensive skill training to the youth of the State so that they can obtain gainful employment in different priority sectors.

Earmark Rs. 77 crore for this scheme for the year 2019-20.

  • Dharma Jyoti Scheme

Government of Assam has been providing 50% subsidy to pilgrims who visit various holy places related to Assamese culture and heritage.

To ensure that more people are able to visit these temples government has decided to increase the subsidy for this scheme to 75% from 2019-20 and I am earmarking sufficient budget for this.

XIII.             Statues of Kumar Bhaskaravarman, Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha and Maharaj Nara-Narayana

Assam has seen some legendary rulers during the last millennium, the most prominent and well-known among them are Kumar Bhaskarvarman, most illustrious of the monarchs of the ancient kingdom of

Kamarupa, the founder of the Ahom Kingdom – Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha, and the last ruler of the undivided Koch Kingdom – Maharaj Nara Narayana

it is essential to remember the great rulers of our State and to this effect, govt. have decided to install giant statues of Kumar Bhaskaravarman, Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha, and Maharaj Nara-Narayana in the Assam Secretariat Complex.

XIV.      Initiatives for Preserving Cultural Heritage

Govt announce the following initiatives:

  • Swargadeo Smriti Khetra at Charaideo in memory of the 42 great swargadeos of the Ahom Dynasty
  • Siu-ka-pha Chair in Dibrugarh University in the memory of Siu-Ka-Pha, the first Ahom king and founder of the Ahom kingdom
  • Museum in the name of Motok King Sarbananda Singha who is one of our royal icons.
  • Will create Samannay Khetra in the name of Sati Radhika in Majuli, Sati Sadhini in Sadia and Bhimbor Deori samannay khetra in Bihpuria
  • Viswa Mahabir Chilarai Sanskritik Kala Ketra in North Guwahati
  • Govt will also develop the second capital of Ahom Kingdom – Habung, established by Chaolung Siu-Ka- Pha, as international research destination for Tai-Ahom culture.

XV.               Relief package for boatmen, restaurant, etc. affected by the opening of Dhola-Sadia and Bogibeel Bridges

The inauguration of the Dhola-Sadia and Bogibeel Bridges has been a moment of pride and a boon for most of us in the State has also brought misfortune for the boatmen, restaurant owners and others who have lost their income sources.

In order to ensure that they are not left with a source of income our Government has decided to rehabilitate such individuals with an alternate source of income through the enterprise of the Inland Water Transport Department and govt earmarked Rs. 5 crore initially, for this scheme in this year’s budget.

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