BJP’s Asom Vision 2020

In the General Elections to Assam Legislative Assembly in April 2006 BJP has decided to go all alone on its own strength. It has presented before the people Asom Vision 2006 and sought their mandate to realise that dream of a dynamic, vibrant, prosperous State shedding its shackles of neglect and backwardness which successive Governments in the State heralded in for the people of the State. BJP TODAY presents highlights of that document.

Assam had throughout been the victim of neglect even before India won independence. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was under the wrong impression that it was a Muslim majority province under the leadership of Sir Saadullah, and as a consequence the entire area of the then Asom was included in Part C territory which later constituted “East Pakistan”. It was due to the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Gopinath Bordoloi and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee that the Cabinet Plan was finally amended to include it in the Indian Union.

Bangladeshi infiltration to Asom

The gravest threat to Asom’s unity, integrity and prosperity lies in the unchecked influx of Bangladesh infiltrators constituting the demographic invasion of the State. It has resulted in marginalisation of aborigines of the State. The mainstay of the Congress victory in elections is not the ethnic people of Asom but these illegal Bangladeshi migrants. That is why it has done nothing to check this illegal influx. On the contrary, it is being promoted. The Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act 1983 enforced by the Congress was, in fact, only to facilitate their permanent stay as Congress voters. When it was declared as “unconstitutional” by the Supreme Court in July 2005, UPA has amended the Foreigners’ Act to undo the effect of the judgment of the highest court of the country.

Respecting the sentiments of various communities/ethnic groups living in Asom BJP proposes to do everything to ensure that no illegal infiltrator remained in the State. Efforts would be made to solve State’s problems and to build confidence among the different communities and ethnic groups within the constitutional limits through negotiations, mutual understanding and discussions. Further, concrete efforts would be made for the implementation of the Asom Accord.

Growth with justice

BJP promises planned growth with justice, eradication of poverty and unemployment leading to self-reliance. It proposes to give the State a sound financial infrastructure with special emphasis on health, sanitation and education. The rural and urban areas will receive equal attention and importance. Special stress will be laid on vocational and professional training and education.

Housing

As against the national average of 12.08 percent of housing shortage in urban and 12.30 percent in rural areas, Asom suffering from housing shortage in urban areas is 29.17 percent and 67.40 percent in rural areas, thanks to the successive Congress governments in the State. Private and government organisations/institutions should come up to help the state to overcome this shortage. BJP proposes to provide a shelter to every family by 2020.

Floods

BJP proposes to transform the Asom rivers from being a source of sorrow and misery to an asset for development and happiness by preparing a master plan for the purpose.

Rural development

The index of agricultural production for 46 crops, including plantation crops, has come down to 156 from 177 during the last 25 years. Strenuous efforts will be made to make the State self-dependant in agriculture, cottage industry and ancillary activities to provide employment opportunities to the youth as 80 percent of the population is dependant upon agriculture. Agro-based food processing industries will receive special attention.

Poultry, duckery, fishery, goattery and piggery development in the State would be given greater attention.

Cottage industry

Handloom and silk weaving industry is a part of Asom’s culture. To promote marketing of Asom silk and other handloom products, a marketing corporation shall be constituted with its branches in Metro cities for better marketing. Besides providing employment it will also help in women empowerment in the State.

Forest & environment

The forest cover in the State has come down to an alarming 21 percent and as a result the Supreme Court had to intervene. Special programmes shall be launched and incentives given for protection of forests and increasing the forest cover.

Asom is known world over for its flora and fauna. Natural and ecological study centres shall be established at Kaziranga and Manas forests to draw international tourists by 2020.

Power sector

Out of a total hydro-electric potential of 58,971 MW in the North-East region, only 1.86 percent (1,095 MW) of it has been exploited in 58 years. BJP will provide electricity to every hamlet in the State by 2020.

Industrial sector

Unfortunately, the share of manufacturing sector in the total Net state Domestic Product has come down to 7.19 percent in 2000-01 from 8.5 percent in 1995-96. BJP will make strenuous efforts to mineral production and exploitation of oil and natural gas, coal, limestone by encouraging private investment in the field.

Special attention will be given to Information Technology sector.

Tea sector

BJP will pay special attention towards the problems faced by the tea and ex-tea communities. The dispute between tea garden managements and labour about bonus will be settled through negotiations. Management of tea gardens would be improved by employing latest techniques. Surplus land with tea gardens shall be taken over by government and will be given to the tea community.

Road communications

Asom is a very backward State in the matter of road communications as compared to other States. By 2020 the State will be brought at par with other developed States in the matter of road communications.

Railways

The length of railway tracks in the State is only 2336 kms (less than 4 percent of India’s total railway track). All tracks will be converted into broad gauge and railway lines electrified.

Civil aviation

Guwahati and other airports in Asom will be modernised for attracting more and more tourists in the State.

Waterways

More than 2193 kms of the 4000 kms of navigable waterways can be utilized throughout the year by incorporating modern facilities. Effective steps shall be taken in this behalf to boost the State economy.

Tele-communications

Immediate steps shall be taken to provide telephone facilities in every household in 25,124 villages and to achieve 25 percent penetration towards mobile penetration. This will go a long way in curbing crime and give a boost to state’s economy.

Tourism

Tourism potential of Asom is yet to be fully exploited. Infra-structural development, security and tourist friendly atmosphere with easy accessibility of different tourists spots shall be ascertained and local population and educated youth shall be involved in development of tourism in Asom and North-East.

Women empowerment

Strenuous efforts shall be made to achieve economic empowerment of the poorest of the poor women and encourage and help them fight any form of discrimination, whether economic, social or political. 30 percent job reservations will be provided to women in public and private sectors.

Look East Policy

Steps should be taken to develop the required infrastructure to provide hassle free environment for cross border trade. For fruitful implementation of the “Look East Policy”, Government of India should come forward with a comprehensive plan to develop all co-related infrastructure by 2020.

BJP commitment

BJP strongly believes that Asom has a right to develop and progress. The Party shall strive for its all-round development at any cost. The country as a whole should be proud of the cultural heritage of Asom and the great contribution made by Shankardeva, Lachit Borphookan and Chila Rai to take Indian culture and patriotism to its sublime height.