In has been almost three and a half years since the BJP government came to power in the Northeast. The government, under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, has taken many excellent initiatives to improve the socio-economic condition of the state.
In a newly brought scheme, the government announced that every bride in the state will be given 30,000 rupees by the state, to purchase gold. The government allotted 800 crore rupees in the budget for the Arundhati scheme.
“Assam government has decided in our budget that we will give one tola [10gm] of gold to the bride if a marriage is solemnised and registered. Because, if you register a marriage then there will be a minimum age which is notified as 18 years and 21 years for the bride and bridegroom. So, yesterday we have passed that particular scheme. Now any marriage which will be registered, the bride will get Rs 30,000 from the state government to purchase gold. But, to have benefit from the scheme, your minimum age has to be 18 years and 21 years and you have to matriculate (Class 10 pass),” said Assam Finance minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The move will be beneficial to reduce child marriages as well.
Previously, the Assam government introduced a law that would make it mandatory for government employees to take care of their parents or face a deduction from their income that would be used for their parents’ welfare. The deducted portion of their pay will be given to the parents by the state. The proposal which was mooted in the state budget is going under rigorous review and all steps are being taken by the social welfare department to bring in the legislation in the current year.
Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was quoted “It is expected that the percentage of the population over the age of 60 years will continue to increase due to the changing population age structure. Services to cater to this increasing population of the elderly will need to be provided not only by institutional sources but also through familial structures. The intent behind this scheme is to send a strong message in society and inspire our young population to take good care of those gentle pairs of hands which nurtured them and made them what they are today.”
The Assam Government has already taken measures to initiate the process such as a legislative cover to such familial responsibilities. It is a welcome change from a state government who shares a border with a state whose CM, FM and all its ministers are working 24X7 to abuse PM Modi and appease the minorities. It’s refreshing to have a government which is going to micro detailing to help out its people. This is what you call upliftment which embodies well with the “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas” slogan.
While India has still a long way to go to match Sweden, all State Governments must take a cue from the Assam Government and bring in similar legislation in their respective states.
While it’s implementation still remains to be seen but there is no doubt that the decision to link geriatric care to their employer’s pay will prove to be a game-changer.
Assam has been actively working to curb the malpractices like child marriage and abandoning parents in the old-age.
The Modi government at the centre and BJP government in the state has done an excellent job in improving the socio-economic condition of the Northeast.
In the last five years, Modi government made tremendous efforts to improve the condition in the Northeast. The Modi government has opened two bridges on Brahmaputra river in four years of its rule. The new Saraighat Bridge, built along the old rail-cum-road bridge was inaugurated by Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in 2017. Another major bridge opened by Modi government in the previous year is Dhola Sadiya Bridge (also known as Bhupen Hazarika Bridge) which connects the state of Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. The strategically located bridge is very important from the security point of view in the wake of Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh.
The previous governments feared from developing infrastructure in the Northeast due to massive difficulties faced at the Brahmaputra riverfront but Modi government has opened three bridges and planned five more. Brahmaputra river is no longer a hindrance in the development of Northeast India.