Assam CM seeks Rs 793.89 crore from centre for NRC exercise

Sonowal, who is on a three day tour to New Delhi, to hammer out the solutions of the issues that the State is confronting with, met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought Centre’s help in tackling the issues.

Sonowal apprised the Home Minister of the progress made by the State in updating NRC.

Sonowal, moreover, drew attention of the Union Home Minister about the fund crunch that the NRC exercise is facing with and demanded financial assistance.

The Assam CM also apprised the Home Minister that the revised requirement of Rs 793.89 crores sent by the State Government has still not been approved. 

Sonwoal also stressed on the need to consider release of a temporary advance of Rs 150 crores to meet the immediate requirements to ensure that the NRC updation exercise doesn't come to a standstill.

Sonowal requested the Union Home Minister to expedite talks with the 13 extremist groups who are under ceasefire or Suspension of Operations agreements.

The Assam CM also requested for early consideration of the State Government's proposal for enhancement of stipend amount to the cadres from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 10,000.

Sonowal apprised the Home Minister that Counter- Insurgency Operations under Unified Command with Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) alongside Assam Police and central and state intelligence agencies operating together, has been successful to a large extent in improving the law and order situation.

However, after the recently concluded Assembly Elections, 75 companies of CAPF were withdrawn from Assam and sought the Home Minister’s intervention to restore these 75 companies.

They also discussed on jihadi threats in the State and ways and means to counter it.

Moreover, Sonowal sought the Centre’s assistance for modernisation of police in the State to tackle all forms of crimes and their manifestations.

The Assam CM said that in Assam altogether 100 Foreigners Tribunals are functioning and to improve their functioning additional support in terms of logistics is required.

Sonowal sought Centre’s assistance in this regard. Chief Minister also raised the issue of constructing Detention Centres for the persons declared as foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals.

Sonowal also stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs should take up the matter with the Government of Bangladesh for a fast-track deportation mechanism to address the problem.

Sonowal drew attention of the Union Home Minister to the fact that the security related expenditure which is to be re-imbursed by MHA has not been released regularly and requested for restoration of the earlier system of fund allocation to Assam.

The Assam CM also requested for MHA’s intervention to desist Nagaland Government’s attempt in encouraging encroachers while the issue is awaiting Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement.

Sonowal requested the Home Minister to take all necessary steps for sealing the Indo-Bangla border and revamp border infrastructure.

The issue of the proposed 133 km long border road on Indo- Bhutan border also found space in their discussion.

The Assam CM met Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah Naidu and discussed on a host of issues.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)