First meeting of Assam State Capital Region Authority held in Guwahati
Guwahati, Sept 4 (IBNS): The first meeting of Assam State Capital Region Authority (ASCRA) was held in Guwahati on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that, rights of the tribal people falling within the jurisdiction of Assam State Capital Region Authority (ASCRA) would be fully protected.
Sonowal directed the Guwahati Development Department to take necessary steps to address the apprehensions raised by the leadership of autonomous councils regarding preservation of distinct identity of the tribal people and maintaining their rights over land.
Sonowal while chairing the first meeting of the ASCRA at his office conference hall at Janata Bhawan said that, the Capital Region Authority was created with a vision to make Guwahati as the hub of South East Asian countries.
He said that the government wanted to unleash faster development in the areas falling with the Authority by making the people important stakeholders of the development process.
Keeping in view the apprehensions raised by the CEM of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council and Tiwa Autonomous Council, Sonowal agreed on the need for more clarity on certain provisions of the ASCRA Act concerning land rights of the tribal people.
Sonowal asked the GDD Department to effect suitable amendments to address their concerns.
The Assam CM also suggested the Council leadership to put forth the kind of modifications required in consultation with local organizations and people so that same can be suitably incorporated in the Act.
Moreover, the Assam CM directed the GDD Department to carry out a study to collect relevant data regarding land ownership, economic activity etc. for taking a holistic approach for preparing plan for the areas within the Capital Region Authority as first step towards making the Authority operational.
Sonowal further emphasised on giving the people living within the region equal opportunity for voicing their concerns and views on the ASCRA and directed the department to convene public meetings in each of the districts falling within the Authority.
(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)
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