IT Correspondent
Guwahati, Feb 8:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of three lakh people at Dhekiajuli of Sonitpur district launched Asom Mala, a program for State highways and major district roads, on 7 February 2021 where he also laid the foundation stones of two medical colleges in Biswanath and Charaideo localities of eastern Assam.
Pointing out that modern roads and infrastructure developments have a major role in increasing Assam’s capabilities, PM Modi expressed hope that Asom Mala in the line with Bharat Mala Project would fulfill dreams of the people to have an useful network of broader roads and connectivity for all villages and modern town & cities.
Chanting the poetic lines of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika and cultural icon of yesteryears Jyoti Prasad Agarawala on a vivacious Bharat, Modi recalled the glorious history of resistance by the people of northeast India in the face of invaders and sacrifice of Dhekiajuli martyrs for the Tri-colour in 1942 Quite India Movement against the British rule. He stated that the region is now moving forward on the path of development where Assam is playing a key role.
Talking about the hardship faced by the people on accessing modern medical care facilities some years back, the visionary leader said that Assam had only six medical colleges since the days of independence. But within the last five years, six new medical college hospitals had come up. New medical college hospitals in Biswanath and Charaideo are expected to cater the need of north and upper Assam residents.
Modi also added that in earlier years only 725 medical seats were available in Assam and soon 1600 new doctors would come out every year once these new medical colleges get operational. Mentioning about the progress in construction works of AIIMS Guwahati, Modi stated that the first batch of students have already enrolled.
The senior most Bhartiya Janata Party leader shared a dream with the audience that every State in the country should have one medical college and a technical college which imparts knowledge and trainings in local languages. Modi claimed that one physician (also technocrat) educated in Assamese language would do a better job for the rural patients.
Outlining the efforts to meet medical needs of people in Assam, Modi elaborated that around 1.25 crore residents are now getting benefits from Ayushman Bharat Scheme as more than 350 hospitals were already enrolled in the scheme. Over 1.50 lakh poor people of the State have received free treatment under the welfare scheme and around 55 lakh people availed primary treatment in various health centers.
Modi did not forget to remind that people of the great country will not allow conspirators against the Indian tea to succeed in their evil designs. He informed that documents lately come to light as some foreign based forces are planning to attack the identification of tea with the country. The tea plantation workers will win this fight as those attackers have little strength to face them in hard works, he asserted.
He mentioned about the historic Bodoland territorial region accord that has written a new chapter of peace and development in the region appreciating the role played by State chief minister Sarbananda
Sonowal, BTR chief Pramod Boro with many others. Sonowal in his speech, appreciated Modi for increasing allocations to Assam in the central budget. He mentioned about rupees 1000 crore for tea garden workers, rupees 300 crore for Kamakhya temple, rupees 1097 crore for infrastructure development in Majuli, rupees 34000 crore for building 1300 km of roads, etc.
State finance, health, education etc minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that Biswanath college will be constructed with the budget of rupees 565 crore and Charaideo college with rupees 557 crore. In presence of Central minister Rameswar Teli, State ministers Atul Bora, Ranjit Dutta, Keshab Mahanta, BJP State chief Ranjit Dass, saffron party’s national general secretary Dilip Saikia etc, Sarma informed that the Centre has provided rupees 180 crore for construction of each new medical colleges in Assam.
