SILCHAR, Aug 16: Though there was no threat perception from any quarters, thinner attendance at the venues of celebration indicated people’s complete indifference to and disillusionment with ministers and their stereotyped speeches which were full of catalogues of achievements and boxful of promises. On the DSA ground here, Dinesh Prasad Goala, Minister of Urban Development and Housing who addressed the congregation after unfurling the National Flag took salute of the combined parade of paramilitary forces, police, NCC cadets, scouts and guides accompanied by the sound of drum beating by Assam Rifles band.
There was nothing new in his speech. It was all in praise of the Gogoi led Government with long list of welfare projects and schemes. He was perhaps ignorant of the fact that Assam has come in for severe criticism for its tardy and faulty implementation of flagship NREGS programme and NPDS by the Centre.
The minister however did not forget to pay his glowing tributes to the thousands of freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and to live with honour and dignity in a socialistic pattern of society. What disappointed the audience was his complete silence about any package for the improvement of roads and drainage of this town. In the course of his loaded speech, Goala fainted only to recover later with immediate medical attention and care. The Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta, who took over the minister’s job wound up the address with accent on peace and development.
Gautam Roy, Minister of Border Area Development and Excise, quite appropriately addressed the I-Day function in the border district headquarters of Karimganj. Before unfolding all about the changing socioeconomic scenario in the border areas, he recalled with all dedication Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Netaji and all the great men for whom the Independence Day celebration, now in its 64th year, has been possible.
Ajit Singh, Parliamentary Secretary, Finance, who was the chief guest at the Hailakandi Independence Day celebration, was no different in his tone and tenor to sing paeans for Gogoi Government who has brought about revolutionary change in the life of people. Common people were again made to dream and hope for usable highways and roads after rains are over and also the elections. (SENTINELASSAM)
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