Sonowal assures indigenous people of safeguarding culture, traditions

Morigaon (Assam), Jan 7: Assuring the indigenous communities of the state Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the BJP government was taking steps to protect culture, rights and traditions of the indigenous communities of the state.

Sonowal was addressing a thanksgiving function at Morigaon in Assam on January 6 to express his gratitude to the Tiwa community voters for electing BJP candidates in the recent Tiwa Autonomous Council elections.

The Chief Minister said that ‘Amar Asom, Amar Mati and Amar Adhikar’ program of the state government was aimed at safeguaerding the interests of the indigenous communities of the state.

Sonowal further said that though the government had been taking several welfare measures, education was the main stay for the development of a particular community. He therefore, advocated for educational development and asked the new council to work for educational development for the progress and prosperity of the Tiwa community.

Referring to the performance of his government over the last four-and-half years, Sonowal said that the BJP-led government worked for the welfare of all sections of the people, especially workers, physically challenged, widows, children and underprivileged people of the State.

Contrary to the previous government which had siphoned off the government fund in the name of welfare, the present BJP-led State Government had built and promoted a socio, economic and cultural empowerment narrative in the entire State.

As a result of its people-centric activities, all sections of the people of the State were enjoying the fruits of governance. He also said that in sync with the four-point agenda of the present State Government, corruption, insurgency, illegal migration and pollution had been controlled to a great extent.

Referring to rhino poaching, Sonowal said that because of adopting zero tolerance against animal cruelty, rhino poaching had come down drastically. He also said that ever since the BJP-led government had come to power, the spirit of friendship and universal brotherhood had been promoted and no clash in the name of caste, creed, community had been reported from anywhere in the state.

State Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma speaking on the occasion thanked the voters for BJP's thumping victory. He also attributed the victory of BJP in BTR and TAC elections to winds blowing in favor of the party from Sadiya to Dhubri for re-electing the party in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

He said that though there was an aggression on the indigenous communities of the State from the migrated foreigners, the State Government was committed to protect the jati, mati and bheti of the indigenous people of the State. Giving a snapshot of all the welfare measures of the State Government, the minister said that of late, the government's Arunodoi scheme had benefitted more than 22 lakh women.

He also said that the remaining women population of the State would soon be brought under the scheme by the government. He also said that by free admission, giving Scooty and computers free of cost, the student community had been empowered to pursue their education. Moreover, financial grant to 8,000 namghars was a way forward towards strengthening the culture of the State.

Morigaon MLA Ramakanta Deuri gave the welcome address. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika also spoke on the occasion. MLAs Rupak Sharma, Angoorlata Deka and Dimbeswar Das, former Union Minister Rajen Gohain, CEM of Tiwa Autonomous Council, Jiban Konwar, and other party functionaries were present on the occasion.