VOLUME 1, ISSUE 12 | APRIL 2023 A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO SUBSCRIBE WHATSAPP “Assam” @ 8287912158

Stage set for a P6
Guinness spot
Come April 14, Assam could
get its second Guinness record
in as many months.
It’s a Guinness Record P7
People of Assam wrote
themselves to a Guinness
record on Lachit Borphukan.
Orchid Man scripts P12
scented tale
Khyanjeet Gogoi from Tinsukia is a
man on an orchid mission.

FM presents a
transformative
2023-2024 Budget
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI

F
inance Minister Ajanta Neog on March 16 tabled the State’s
Budget on the floor of the Assam Legislative Assembly
for the financial year 2023-24. It is aimed at laying a
strong foundation for a ‘Resurgent Assam’, while signalling the
continuation of the growth trajectory that the Government of
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been pursuing ever The Prime Minister with the Assam Cabinet.
since it came to power. The Budget for FY 2023-24 is aimed at an
inclusive and holistic development with an uncompromising focus
on capital expenditure, ease of living, creation of two lakh jobs, Modi spellbinds
environmental sustainability, and climate change concerns in sync
with the existing developmental processes of the economy.
Neog tabled the ₹ 935.23 cr deficit but capital-intensive budget,
sans any fresh taxes, while detailing allocations for several key
Assam Cabinet
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI his social media account that the

P
sectors including education, entrepreneurship and employment
rime Minister Narendra
generation.
Modi acted as a margdarshak
"Taking into account the expenditure of ₹ 1,79,326.48 cr under
of the Assam Cabinet when
the public account and ₹ 2,000 cr under contingency fund, the he spared time to meet it during his
aggregate expenditure for the year is estimated at ₹ 3,21,081.75 whirlwind visit to the North East
cr. The estimated transactions during the year will result in an for two days starting March 7. The
estimated surplus of ₹ 660.96 cr. "This, together with the opening Prime Minister was in the region to
deficit of ₹ 1,596.19 cr will lead to a Budget deficit of ₹ 935.23 cr at attend the swearing-in ceremonies
the end of the year 2023-24," the Minister said. of three new Governments in
Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura
Continued on page 3 respectively. On March 7, after
attending the oath taking of the
NPP-led Government in Shillong
and the Neiphiu Rio-led alliance in
Kohima, he arrived in Guwahati to
spend a night en route to Tripura.
He took the opportunity for a
closed-door meeting with Assam
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa
Sarma and his council of ministers
in the guest house at Koinadhora
in Guwahati. The meeting lasted
for about two hours.
The Assam Chief Minister
took to his twitter handle and
wrote: "A rare privilege for my
Cabinet colleagues to have got
an opportunity to get blessings
and margdarshan of Hon PM
Shri @narendramodi Ji, today in
Guwahati."
Assam Chief Minister with the Finance Minister
Dr. Sarma informed through
Ajanta Neog and others on the Budget day.
Prime Minister planted a sapling
in the State Guest House. He
said, “This is symbolic of the PM’s
reiteration of the idea of continued
peace and progress in the region.”
The Prime Minister reviewed
various ongoing schemes of the
Government in the meeting. He
advised the ministers to dedicate
themselves to the development of
the State and asked them to serve
the people wholeheartedly.
Information & Public Relation
and Water Resources Minister
Pijush Hazarika wrote in his twitter
handle that “the PM is a source
of inspiration to us in serving the
society.”
Tourism and PHE Minister
Jayanta Mallabaruah wrote of
his experience after listening
to Mr Modi speaking about his
experience of being the Chief
Minister of a State like Gujarat to
becoming the Prime Minister.
Earlier, Mr Modi was received
at the LGBI Airport by Governor
Gulab Chand Kataria and the
Assam Chief Minister.

P2 Musings of a Chief Minister P8 An elixir of life P11 A monumental feat

Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam
 Musings of a
Chief Minister
W
hen Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to interact with my Cabinet colleagues in Guwahati
despite his hectic schedule, I felt like someone whose wish has been fulfilled. He spoke of his
experience and journey, as a Chief Minister and Prime Minister, which made us realise the
dedication he has towards the people of the country and the mindset that he carries with him. I now know
what has kept him so rooted and why he is such a strong moral force. My Cabinet colleagues, too, were
mesmerised by his personality and an action-oriented philosophy that he champions. His decisiveness and
responsiveness are unique to his personality.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the North East during March and earlier, as well as his continuous monitoring
of the region through his Cabinet colleagues, has certainly given him the impression that his attention of this
once-neglected region has started bearing fruit. Hence, in a decision that will have bearings on the lives of
the people of this neck of the woods, his Government decided to decrease the disturbed areas in Nagaland,
Assam and Manipur under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This decision, according to our
Home Minister Amit Shah Ji, has been taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation.
As our respected Home Minister tweeted that for the first time in India's history, any Prime Minister has
prioritised security, peace and development in the North East. As a result, we are rapidly heading on the
path of peace and development. One cannot agree more. Who but the people of Assam, or for that matter a
Khasi, a Mizo a Naga, and a Manipuri, et al., will vouch that she has not seen a peaceful atmosphere like this
ever in her life. The Prime Minister has really been able to “connect the region with the hearts of the rest of
India.” No doubt, he has reduced the hyphen between the Centre and the North East.
This prioritisation of the Ashta-Lakshmi States by Modi Ji over the last nine years is now yielding rich
dividends. Our economy is vibrant, our security policy sound and the social fabric is harmonious as ever.
These are the ingredients which have led to a tremendous growth in the State and its economy. The
Budget presented by my colleague and Finance Minister Ajanta Neog has driven home this message to the
world. It has allowed us to take bold steps to spend on infrastructure projects without thinking twice. It was
unthinkable a few years ago that an economy like Assam can think of a Budget of ₹ 1.39 lakh cr. More than
20% of this will be capital expenditure, a force multiplier which boosts the economy and creates employment.
This is a Budget which caters to aspirations of a new Assam and those of its hard-working people. Today, we
are targeting a GSDP of 5.5 lakh cr by the end of the next fiscal. This, we feel, will be our contribution as India
marches towards a $5 trillion economy.
My personal favourite spot in the Budget is the “Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission”. Through it, we
The Prime Minister’s will sow the seed of a huge employment boom that will be built on the twin pillars of talent of the locals and
visit to the North support from the Government.
Very recently, the National Medical Commission recognised Nalbari Medical College and gave it the
East during March approval to admit 100 MBBS students. It's a historic accomplishment for Assam with four new medical
and earlier, as well colleges being set up in just one year! Let me take you back to those days when we just had three medical
colleges to boot. Now, with a total of 12 Government medical colleges in the State, Assam is among those few
as his continuous States where affordable and better health treatment is a priority of the Government of the day.
In March we received the news that Assam has created a Guinness record of 42.9 lakh handwritten
monitoring of the notes on Lachit Barphukan, our legendary General, which is recognised as the world’s largest online photo
region through his album in the world on a single topic. My happiness is not based on the feat that we have achieved but in
sensing the spontaneous outpouring of love and respect that has been shown by the people of the State to
Cabinet colleagues, the General who deserves every bit of it. My Government is happy to have created an enabling environment
for you all to show that Lachit and his valour is imprinted in your heart. That this was a remarkable feat was
has certainly given even supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, in his “Maan Ki Baat”, specifically mentioned the
him the impression achievement.
We are now going to create a similar environment for more 11,000 nasonis and dhulias of the State to
that his attention of create yet another Guinness record of the largest congregation and performance of Bihu at a single location.
The record will merely be a logical conclusion of our heartfelt desire to take this dance form to a global
this once-neglected audience. We will attempt to do so with other dance forms of the State in due course. I hope with spring
region has started around, there will be love and pride around our Bihu celebration which our honourable Prime Minister, too,
will experience.
bearing fruit. I take this opportunity to wish the people of Assam and readers of Asom Barta a Happy Rongali Bihu.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Chief Minister, Assam

2 Asom Barta |April | 2023

 Continued from page 1

The Budget estimates for 2023-24 show

a receipt of ₹ 1,39,443.88 cr under the
MAJOR REVENUE EARNING DEPARTMENTS
Consolidated Fund of the State. Out of this,
₹ 1,14,084.69 cr is under the Revenue Account
and the balance ₹ 25,359.19 cr is under the
Capital Account.
The Minister, in her speech, claimed that Commissioner
with sustained efforts of her Government, the
financial position of the State has improved of Taxes
considerably. “Our Government is confident 24,117
of scripting a new history this year with GSDP
touching around ₹ 5.50 lakh cr in 2023-24,
as against ₹ 3.93 lakh cr in 2021-22. The per Forest Excise
capita income of the State has also grown
commensurately,” said Neog. 1,010 3,000
Neog said that the rising GDP reflects
the State's economic and financial growth.
“One of the major contributors of this rising
trend is the budgetary outlays and enhanced TOTAL
expenditures in recent years. Last year, we
crossed the ₹ 1 lakh cr mark. This year in 2022-
23, we hope to go even higher and achieve a
36,137
figure of ₹ 1.20 lakh cr,” said the State Finance
Minister.
Credit Deposit Ratio, indicating extension Geology & Transport
of credit to different sectors, has also Mining 1,456
increased from 50.7% in March 2020 to 57.5%
in December 2022. 5,117
Neog said that during the period of FY Land
2017-18 to FY 2021-22, Assam achieved an
annual average GSDP growth rate of 10.25% Revenue &
at current prices. This is one of the fastest Registration
growths in the country, despite the State
facing COVID-19 pandemic along with the 1,437
rest of the country and the world.
“Our Government has implemented a (Figures in Crs)
number of reform initiatives in the finance
sector for ensuring transparency and
accountability which has played a key role Citing the case of the Excise Department,
in significant growth in revenue collection. Ms Neog informed the House that it has been
Our Government has
Today, our own revenue has increased able to mop up ₹ 2,200 cr (up to February
implemented a number of
to about ₹ 3,500 cr per month, which is 2023), as against ₹ 1,674 cr collected for
reform initiatives in the finance
sufficient to pay salary to Government the corresponding period during 2021-22,
sector for ensuring transparency
employees from its own source,” she said. She registering an impressive growth of 31%.
and accountability which has
added that the growth in State own source Agriculture being the backbone of the
played a key role in significant
revenue is reflected in the collection of areas State's economy, continues to get special
growth of revenue collection....
like Taxation, Excise, Forest, Land Revenue, attention from the Government. She proposed
Ajanta Neog, Finance Minister
Transport, etc. (Pl see graphics) extension of tax holiday on Agricultural

Estimated of Inflows into the Consolidated Fund Income Tax for the next three years. Similarly,
to promote and incentivise the generation
of the State during 2023-24 and consumption of green and clean energy
Recoveries of by trade and industries, Neog has proposed
Loans & to give exemption from payment of electricity
Public Debt Advances 0.2% State Tax Revenue
18% 22% duty on generation of power from renewable
sources for captive consumption for one year
Other Transfer
3% and appealed to all to take advantage of this
Non-Tax and contribute to the cause of renewable
Revenue energy.
FC Grants
5% She announced motor vehicle tax
7%
subvention of 2% along with registration fee
exemption to citizens buying EVs this year.
She said that the Assam Government
has focused on improving tax collection and
raising tax revenue through constitution of
a GST Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), a
dedicated GST Audit Cell and institutional
Centrally strengthening through capacity building of
Sponsored Schemes Share of Central officers and exposure visits to top performing
22% Taxes 23% States.

Asom Barta |April | 2023 3

 18 special areas of Budget
A
ssam initiated the concept of Ashtadash Mukutar Unnoyonee Mala in the year 2017-18. The then Finance Minister of the State and present
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma mulled these schemes inspired by 18 chapters of the Bhagvad Gita. They indicate priorities of the
State Government in a particular year. While some of the schemes are a continuation from earlier years, many are new ones.
1. Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission:
To create self-employment, the Government will promote micro-
entrepreneurs among the unemployed youths belonging to BPL families
and low-income households. The Government shall provide 1 lakh
beneficiaries a one-time Seed Capital of ₹ 2 lakh in tranches for starting
micro-enterprise units in the next three years. ₹ 1,000 cr earmarked for
FY 23-24
2. One lakh jobs:
By May 10, recruitment of 40,000 candidates will be completed.
Remaining 18,000 are at various stages of recruitment.
3. Assam Micro-Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS):
In the FY 2023-24 Budget, ₹ 500 cr has been earmarked for those
women who have borrowed up to ₹ 25,000 only. This will benefit lakhs of
debt-ridden borrowers.
4. Daridrata Nivaran: (Poverty alleviation):
A four-pronged strategy for poverty alleviation under the following
heads:
a) Orunodoi: The State Government will add 10 lakh new beneficiaries
in Orunodoi 2.0 in FY 2023-24. The amount will be hiked to ₹ 1,400 by the
end of this financial year. Total beneficiaries will now be 27 lakh. ₹ 3,420
cr earmarked.
b) Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana:
Under it, 27 lakh new families get ₹ 5 lakh worth of cashless treatment.
This is now the biggest health insurance scheme in the country. ₹ 135 cr
allotted.
c) Ensuring Food Security:
An amount of ₹ 404.94 cr has been earmarked for this.
d) Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana: Housing for All
In the year 2023-24, ₹ 800 cr has been earmarked for 1 lakh
beneficiaries.
5. Pragyan Bharati:
The Government will upgrade infrastructure of around 500 high
schools with ₹ 5 cr per school. ₹ 1 Cr will be provided to 500 high schools
for furniture, smart classrooms, teaching learning materials and sports
infrastructure. ₹ 2,500 cr has been earmarked.
6. Assam Urban Health Mission (AUHM):
To provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for the
urban population, Assam Urban Health Mission will be launched.
7. 200 years of Assam Tea:
The Government proposes to organise road shows in major cities
across the country and abroad to promote Assam Tea as a brand and
showcase the rich socio-cultural heritage of tea garden communities.
Enhanced production subsidy and tax holiday on Agricultural Income
Tax for three years also announced.
8. Quest for Cultural Identity:
Under the revamped Assam Darshan scheme an amount of ₹ 15 lakh
each will be provided for ancient religious institutions which are more
than 100 years old. ₹ 180 cr has been allocated for this scheme.
9) Mission for Prevention of Child Marriage:
With a target of making Assam free of incidences of child marriage by
4 Asom Barta |April | 2023
2026, this Mission is being set up in the Women and Child Development
Department, with allocation of ₹ 200 cr.
10) Amar Gaon Amar Gaurav:
To ignite the spirit of the 26,000 villages in Assam and create a sense
of belongingness, these villages shall celebrate village foundation day.
Every village will be given a token amount of ₹ 5,000.
11) Khel Maharan and Sanskritik Mahasangram :
Khel Maharan: This five discipline sports event at the grassroots
level will create an inclusive environment for identifying talent.
Sanskritik Mahasangram: All revenue villages will organize
competitions in six categories namely, Jyoti Sangeet, Rabha Sangeet,
Bhupendra Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet, a tribal Dance and Bihu.
Total Outlay: ₹ 60 cr.
12) Reviving the movement around women empowerment:
Any woman associated with Self-Help Groups will be encouraged
to transform herself into a home-based entrepreneur. Target: 30 lakh
women entrepreneurs.
13) Creating Growth Corridors:
Under “Mukhya Mantrir Unnoto Pakipath Nirman Achoni”,
Government will provide connectivity to eligible unconnected
habitations or habitations connected with totally dilapidated existing
roads through 2,000 new roads of 3,000 km. A new scheme “Mukhya
Mantri Nagariya Path Pokikaran Achoni” has been announced.
14) Right to Public Service Commission:
The Right to Public Services (RTPS) portal has been upgraded as a
single-entry point for all Government services and is renamed as Sewa
Setu. The Assam State Commission for Right to Public Services set up.
15) Apun Ghor, Apun Bahan:
The Government will continue the existing Apun Ghar scheme. ₹ 108
cr earmarked. Under Apun Bahan scheme, Government employees can
avail interest subvention for a motor vehicle loan. ₹ 12 cr earmarked.
16) New Infrastructure Push:
Four new road corridors under Assam Mala to be taken up. Other
major infra projects planned, including parks in public spaces.
₹ 15,102 cr allotted.
17) Support to MSME sector:
A new scheme for providing capital incentive in the form of Credit
Linked Subsidy directly to the lending bank for the MSME sector. This
will be named as “Mukhya Mantrir Laghu Udyog Udagoni Aachoni”.
Another scheme to provide relief for the MSME sector through Term/
working capital interest subsidy has been named as “Chief Minister’s
MSME Interest Subvention Scheme”.
18) Mission Basundhara:
Quality disposal of all applications received under Mission
Basundhara 2.0, completion of survey and settlement of NC villages
under SVAMITVA, making significant progress in completing a resurvey
of villages and Government lands across the State, full roll out of
e-khazana facilitating landholders to pay land revenue from the comfort
of their offices and homes and full roll out of digital stamping across the
State.
Thumbs Up to Budget 2023-2024
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI

C
hief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
has expressed his satisfaction at the
direction the Assam Budget 2023-2024
intends to take.
Dr. Sarma said that the Budget presented
on March 16 by Finance Minister Ajanta
Neog is a document aimed at ensuring socio-
economic empowerment and equitable
growth comprising all sections of society. He
said that the Budget presented shall prove
to be a milestone in fulfilling the hopes and
aspirations of all sections of the society and
pave the way for Assam reaching its destined
heights on all fronts.
Focusing on the ₹ 5,000 cr allotment in
the Budget to provide self-employment
opportunities to the State's 2 lakh youths, the
Chief Minister said that this revolutionary
step would help in making the youths of
Assam stand on their own feet. Stating that
the current dispensation in the State believes
in the concept of equitable growth, he said
that provisions made for microfinance loan
waiver is a step in that very direction and
shall fulfil one of the most talked-about
promises made during the last Assembly
election campaigns.
Dr. Sarma highlighted the measures
announced in the Budget for nearly 39 lakh
members of 3.27 lakh self-help groups of the
State. He said that by empowering members $5 trillion economy,” read the ICC statement.
of the self-help groups through financial strong on capital expenditure with its focus
aid would help build robust home-based Welcoming the Budget, the president
on long-term sustainability and will provide
industries in the State. Dr. Sarma appreciated of Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure
a fillip for the tea industry in all spheres.
the new schemes “Chief Minister Ayushman Development Association (AREIDA) PK
Sharma said the emphasis on infrastructure “The Budget proposals earmarked for the
Asom”, developed on the lines of the Central Tea industry of Assam caters to the financial
Government's Ayushman Bharat scheme; and development and improved connectivity
through new roads, bridges, waterways and well-being of the industry and take a 360
the Chief Minister Awaas Yojana, modelled degree approach in all facets of the Industry’s
around Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, for the air connectivity with provision of viability
gap under ‘ non Udaan’ route would have a workings,” the Association said in a press
poor people of the State. release.
tremendous impact on real estate.
The Chief Minister congratulated the “Tea Association of India along with
Finance Minister and her team of officials for “The Government is supporting self-
employment and entrepreneurship. The the entire tea industry hereby lauds
preparing a Budget that reflects the potential the Government of Assam for the most
of a new and resurgent Assam. infrastructure aimed at making Assam a hub
of healthcare in North East India by 2026 will progressive and forward-looking Budget for
Meanwhile, industry bodies of the State have a positive impact on the economy of the tea industry in Assam,” it said.
have also appreciated the State Budget, the State. Waiver of electricity duty for green PK Bhattacharjee, secretary general of
terming it balanced and progressive. energy will encourage rooftop solar power,” TAI, said that the Finance Minister has made
Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC) he said. several proposals for the tea industry and the
stated that the Budget is one of the most “The faceless online building permission workforce associated with it to celebrate 200
inclusive budgets in recent times. Social system announced is the need of the hour and glorious years of the tea industry in the State
security schemes, aid for MSMEs, the as stipulated in the Ease of Doing Business in 2023 in a befitting manner.
focus on tea industry, the importance laid Act, 2016. After remaining on paper all these Former chairman of FINER, RS Joshi
on the health care sector, infrastructure, years, its implementation now will eliminate said that the Budget provides a thrust to
and education, came for appreciation in a the scope of corruption in approvals,” he the ongoing development in a balanced
statement released by ICC to the media. added. manner via-a-vis the allocated resources for
“The Budget will help Assam GSDP to The Tea Association of India hailed agriculture, education, health, infrastructure,
reach ₹ 5. 5 lakh cr in 2023-24, a significant budgetary provisions and announcements MSMEs, welfare schemes for rural and urban
milestone in our country’s march towards a made in the Budget 2023-24 and said it was populations, self-employment schemes, etc.

Asom Barta |April | 2023 5

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Stage set for a Guinness spot
A glimpse of the demo video being used for training.
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
D
raped in Mekhela Chador, scores of
nasonis (Bihu dancers) are descending
from the hills of West Karbi Anglong
district to be part of the initiative envisioned by
the Government of Assam to create a Guinness
World Record on April 14 at the Sarusajai
Stadium in Guwahati. Accompanying them
are several dhulias (drummers). Spring is
generally the time of love in Assam, and an
enthusiasm is invariably on the cards. This
time, it is different because of the impending
shot at the record.
The one who is leading the pack in her
district is Utpala Hukai. She, besides three
others from West Karbi Anglong, was part of
the trainers’ training at Sankardev Kalakshetra
in Guwahati which was a precursor to the
next and most important step of coaching and
selecting nasonis, to join thousands others
coming from all over the State to be part of the
attempt.
“Authorities have asked us to select
50 nasonis from our district for the event.
Accordingly, four of us are involved in the
process of selecting and training them.
We were involved in a four-day training
programme from March 21 to 24,” Utpala told
Asom Barta.
Utpala personally made it a point to reach
out to the household of these dancers to create
awareness among their family members about
the initiative. “Because of many factors, Bihu
is not mainstream in our district. Occasionally,
6 Asom Barta |April | 2023
we have reasons to perform Bihu, and organise
awareness around it,” she told this reporter
justifying why she is reaching out to select
the dancers, unlike other districts of the State
where enthusiasm is very high.
Like Utpala, Shirushree Saikia of Dhemaji
is another master trainer who was part of
the workshop meant for the likes of her in
Guwahati. “In order to establish Bihu at the
international level, I am honoured to be part of
the effort. I am thankful to the Government for
taking care of us during the training. Even the
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma came
to encourage us. In our district, the selection
process is in full swing. With support from
the right quarters, we are confident of taking
Bihu to where it should belong,” she told this
newsletter.
Bidhan Deuri Hukai, who participated
as a master trainer representing Bongaigaon
district, is also occupied with the quest in
sight. He is a dhulia, who has mastered the
Bihu dance besides some finer aspects of this
folk tradition of Assam. “We joined the master
trainer programme in Guwahati based on a
direction from our district administration.
After our training, we met in Bongaigaon
wherein we decided to have the selection of
nasonis and dhulias,” Deuri said, adding that
the district quota of 100 participants was filled
up on March 13.
Ace dancer Madhurima Choudhury
informed Asom Barta that a preliminary
meeting of Bihu specialists chaired by the
View of the selection process in Bongaigaon.
“In order to establish Bihu at
the international level, I am
honoured to be part of the
effort. I am thankful to the
Government for taking care of
us during the training. Even
the Chief Minister Dr. Himanta
Biswa Sarma was personally
present to encourage us.
Shirushree Saikia
(Master trainer)
Minister of Cultural Affairs, Bimal Bora, was
convened wherein the modalities towards the
attempted feat was finalised. “It was followed
by the formation of a model group and then
a model video was shot for training of master
trainers. I also contributed my bit by showing
a few steps to the nasonis,” she said.
Sonitpur district is also witnessing hectic
preparation for the D-Day. Master trainers are
busy across 12 centres in the district to train
and select 1,100 participants. “We are getting
all support from the district administration,”
dhulia trainer Dawar Kashyap told this
reporter over phone.
Janmoni Phukan, a name to reckon with
in the cultural sphere of Sivasagar, was part
of the master training. “We used to get ready
by 7.30am. After that, it was all rehearsal.
Everybody put in their best. We will be
performing Jojona, Bihu Naam etc. with dhol,
pepa (a hornpipe), gogona (a bamboo Jew
harp) for about 15 minutes on April 14,” he
said, adding that preparation in the district is
in full swing.
The dress rehearsal for the programme will
take place from April 9 to 12. In the meantime,
a promotion campaign through various
media has already begun. In New Delhi and
Kolkata, metro trains have been draped with
Bihu posters announcing to the world that
something unique is in the air of Assam on
April 14, besides the excitement of love.
On the other hand, State Chief Minister
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has reached out
to many distinguished guests seeking their
presence in the event. Some of them will be
diplomats from ASEAN and G20 nations, but
the most important of them will be Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

It’s a Guinness World Record

Official of the Guinness World Records handing over the certificate to Assam Chief Minister.

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI He said that due to increasing number of hits in the portal

T
apan Deka (41), a Block Resource Person (BRP) and mobile app, on November 19, ten high performance
under Samagra Siksha Abhijan in Bongaigaon servers were commissioned and integrated into a
“We also set up a helpdesk distributed environment at the Assam State Data
district of the State, had no idea that he (24X7) to address queries and
would be the catalyst to something that would go Centre by an Amtron technical team to manage
guide the masses how to register uploading of hand-written essays. In addition to
on to become a Guinness World Record in the and upload the essays. The
category of “The Largest Online Photo Album of this, six high performance servers were deployed
development team along with the at Amtron Data Centre to download certificates
Handwritten Notes on a Single Person”. data centre team worked round for the participants. Moreover, bandwidth was
It was his enthusiasm that made his entry the clock to monitor the server and increased to 9 GBPS for effortless execution of
of October 26, 2022 as the first of the 42,94,350 bandwidth consumption during the project.
entries on Lachit Barphukon, the great Ahom the peak days”
military general of the 17th century, that would go Utanka Kalita, a software developer in
Utanka Kalita Amtron, said that the software developed was user
on to give Assam a unique honour.
(Software developer) Amtron friendly and was accessible with even poor Internet
That was the day when the Assam Chief Minister
connectivity while the mobile number of the registered
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a mobile application
users was validated using OTP-based authentication
“Lachit Barphukan”& a portal lachitbarphukan.assam.gov.in
software. “Other personal details of the users were recorded to
at an official ceremony in Guwahati inviting people from all over the
eliminate duplicate registration,” he said.
world to pen their impression of the Ahom General.
“We had set up a helpdesk (24X7) to address queries and guide
people on how to register and upload the essay. The development team
BEHIND THE SCENE along with the data centre team worked round-the-clock to monitor
the server and bandwidth consumption during the peak days. To meet
“I was delighted to get a chance to write about Lachit on a public the heavy demands, clustering of server and load balancer were set-up.
platform. I wrote the essay in Assamese and uploaded the three pages in Our support team was also in touch with district authorities to intimate
the portal,” said Deka while recalling the day. the district-wise progress and other information,” Kalita informed this
“I had no idea that I would start this chain leading to a world record. newsletter.
I did it out of enthusiasm. But once I got to know about this, I felt that On 26th November when entries were closed, more than 45+ lakhs
my patriotism has contributed to this. My family members, too, wrote on users had already registered, and more than 57 lakh images were
the subject,” Deka, who hails from Rampur Ajgara village of Ghagrapar uploaded. Forensic audit was conducted to eliminate duplicate images
in Nalbari district, told Asom Barta. and internal vetting was done by Amtron. The linguistic audit was
“In the Boitamari education block in the district, we also asked conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (SEBA).
students to pay their tribute to the great general by writing an essay on These behind-the-scenes efforts made the Guinness authorities
him. We collected 1,095 essays from school students. After due diligence, to recognize the feat and come to Assam to hand over the honour to
250 essays were sent to the Bongaigaon district administration for the Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma at a ceremonial
uploading,” added Deka. programme at Janata Bhawan.
Trailokya Borkakati, Assistant Manager of Assam Electronics Altogether 57,89,170 essays on Lachit Borphukan were submitted
Development Corporation Ltd (Amtron), the Assam Government during this initiative, but the Guinness authorities considered only the
agency, which had developed the web portal and mobile application images of handwritten essays for the purpose.
(available in android and IOS) to facilitate the uploading of hand-written The essays were written in 23 languages with Assamese being the
essays, said that to monitor the entire operation, a team was constituted obvious first choice with 35,90,918 entries followed by English with
with 25 officials. 4,05,617 entries. The 21 other languages in which handwritten notes were
“Initially, the response was slow. But as days passed, I realised that made are Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, Manipuri, Hmar, Karbi, Nepali, Santali,
the bandwidth we had for uploading these essays will not be sufficient, Sanskrit, Arabic, Dimasa, Persian, Urdu, Tai, Bishnupriya, Lamsakhang,
Borkakati told this reporter. Telugu, Kokborok, Korean, Punjabi and Rabha.

Asom Barta |April | 2023 7

 Centre Connects

An elixir of life
pharmaceutical companies, it may cost a
patient anywhere between ₹13000-14,000.”
He also credited these centres for creating
awareness in a number of areas, especially
menstrual hygiene. He informed this reporter
that sales of biodegradable sanitary pads have
gone up in his two outlets as well.
Rupa Chetri, the proprietor of the South
Sarania outlet, said that the Government
gave her a one-time subsidy of ₹ 2 lakh in
2020 when she opened the outlet. “Now, I get
₹ 15,000 each month while my average
turnover in the South Sarania outlet is ₹ 40,000.
I operate two more outlets in Hengrabari and
Baghorbori,’’ she informed this newsletter.
Dr Diptimoyee Devi, the head of the
Department of Pharmacology Department
of Gauhati Medical College, testified to the
potency of the generic medicine, which she
said are manufactured after complying with
all prescribed norms. “Some medicines are
not available under the generic category
because of the currency of copyright but once
that stage is over, patients can take advantage
of their pricing,” she told Asom Barta.
She said that the Government needs to
maintain a hawk eye regarding the standard
Md Hafizur Rahman outside his outlet in Shillongoni, Nagaon. of generic medicine, while advocating for
greater respect to the pharmacologists so that
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI/ NAGAON across the PMBJP Scheme while trawling the Assam, too, can meaningfully contribute to

B
ipul Kalita (58), a resident of Guwahati net. A pharmaceutical diploma holder from developing effective medicines.
is a Type Two diabetic patient. On an the Chanakya Institute of Pharmaceuticals
average, he spends about ₹ 4,000- in Meghalaya, he immediately sensed an
5000 each month to manage and control his opportunity where he could be of service to
disease. Once he came across the Pradhan people and even earn a decent livelihood.
Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra in South Sarania, After almost a year, on November 25, 2016 he
“I stepped into the pharmacy
life became much easier for him. managed to open the first ever Jan Aushadhi
“I stepped into the pharmacy with some centre of North East in Shillongoni in Nagaon with some hesitancy. However,
hesitancy. However, the seller responded to district. He now manages two such outlets, the seller responded to my
my apprehension about generic medicine the other being in Mohkhuli. “It was a struggle
with composure. After all, it was a question in the beginning. My average sales were ₹ 500
apprehension about generic
of my health and not money alone. Finally, I to ₹ 700 each day. However, the acceptance of medicine with composure.
got convinced. I have realised that the price is these products started increasing. Awareness After all, it was a question
about 80% cheaper,” Kalita told Asom Barta. grew among the patients towards generic
Debashish Roy and Tapas Deb are fellow medicine. With the support of the Government
of my health and not money
customers, like Bipul Kalita, who frequent and my own persistence, today I can tell you alone. Finally, I got convinced.
the pharmacy in South Sarania. They say that that my sales have gone up multiple times,” I have realised that the price is
they save as high as 90% of their hard-earned Hafizur told this newsletter over the phone.
money on medicine by coming to this Jan “The costliest antibiotics in my outlet
about 80% cheaper”
Aushadhi Kendra. is worth Rs 3,000 per strip. However, when
Bipul Kalita
The PMJAY Scheme, under the aegis of one buys the same product of the reputed
Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of
Chemicals & Fertilisers was rechristened by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September
2015. The objective of the scheme is to provide
generic medicine with the same composition
as the branded ones at almost half the price.
In November 2016, the scheme was
against renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya
Janoushdhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Under
this scheme, retail outlets of medicine at
affordable prices were opened across the
country. As on October 31, 2022, there were
8,819 such outlets across the country. In
Assam, there are 109 outlets. The number of
medicine and surgical instruments provided
through these outlets stand at 1,759 and 280
respectively. These outlets are regulated by
the Pharmaceutical and Medical Bureau of
India (PMBI)
Rewind to 2015. Md. Hafizur Rahman, an
enterprising youth from Nagaon was working
on a project on e-governance. He came Health Minister Keshab Mahanta at the South Sarania outlet on Jan Aushadhi Day.

8 Asom Barta |April | 2023


Crowning Glory of Assam Police
Personnel of the Panbazar All Women Police Station pose in attention but with pride at their premise.
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
B
ina Pani Das has been following a
routine that has not seen any change
since 1982. She would invariably wear a
saree while leaving for work, and once in the
workplace, she would wear her uniform for she
is a police constable.
“I will retire formally next year. I joined the
police prior to my marriage. However, I have
been able to maintain a work-life balance for
close to 40-years now. I have managed to marry
off my three daughters during this period. I am
planning to spend more time with my family
post-retirement,” she told Asom Barta while on
duty as a constable in the Panbazar All Women
Police Station.
Anushka Sarma (27) joined this police
station in 2022. It is her first job. A Political
Science graduate from Dibrugarh University,
Anushka is keen to march ahead in her
professional life with guidance from seniors
and the elderly. “I started my professional
life by joining the women police station. We
face challenges without notice. It can crop up
anytime, and anywhere. I am learning the art
of decision making from my seniors and my
experience,” she said.
Bornali Gohain, 29, is a mother of an
18-month-old child. She has been with the
Assam Police since 2017. In December 2022,
she was transferred to this Station as a Sub-
Inspector. She had been fascinated with the
police since her childhood. “Before I come to
work, I prepare food for my son. When I am not
around, he keeps looking for me, and cries. The
respite is that he has a grandmother at home.
My husband is posted in Golaghat. We hardly
get enough time to be together,” she told this
reporter.
Roynok Barbhuiya (33) is a constable and
a junior colleague of Bornali, and others.She
passed her higher secondary examinations and
joined the Assam Police in 2009. However, her
burning desire to pursue education enabled
her to complete her graduation through the
distant mode. A mother of a nine-year-old son,
she travels daily from Changsari to Guwahati
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
“Before I come to work, I prepare
food for my son. When I am not
around, he keeps looking for me,
and cries. The respite is that he
has a grandmother at home. My
husband is posted in Golaghat.
We hardly get enough time
to be together”
Bornali Gohain (Sub-Inspector)
for duty. “My husband and I are in the same
profession. We both are from Silchar. We
realise that we are unable to give enough time
to our son. Once we don our uniform, we are a
different people altogether. Our emotions get a
backseat because of our profession. We are not
supposed to be weak. There is very little place
for emotion in our professional life,” Roynok
told this reporter.
It is because of the likes of these
dedicated police personnel and many of their
colleagues that the Bureau of Police Research
& Development ranked this police station,
established on October 2, 1993, as the best
police station in the State for 2022.
Anita Patar (30) being one of them. She
is in the second trimester of her pregnancy.
Before her pregnancy, she used to travel to
her work from Mirza, but now she resides at
a rented accommodation in Guwahati to be
in her workplace on time. She supported her
education by doing domestic chores in other
households. Later, she joined the police. “I had
been through a tough time. I have learnt to take
hard decisions in life,” she told this reporter.
Sabita Goala (27), Shelly Chorei (28) and
M Thadoi Sinha (29, and a mother of a one-
month-old child) are among other members
of the dynamic team that comprises a very
sensible and yet formidable team here. Their
experiences like their challenges are varied
and yet have some similarity. However, what
connects all of them to this thread is their
dedication and commitment to the profession.
They all acknowledge that they are employed
there to serve the society.
Among them the case of Bulbuli Das is
different. She had her training in the police
in 1992. A mother of three daughters and two
sons, she joined her present responsibility in
2014. “It was never easy for me. I encountered
resistance from my family. However, I
ploughed on. Today, I am happy to be here,
and contributing to society,” she told this
newsletter.
Twinkle Goswami who is the Officer In-
charge of this police station since December
2021 said, “We work like a family. Each one of
us takes care of the other, when needed. We
are ever vigilant for any challenge throughout
the day. Earlier, we would work on any issue
whether involving a male or a female. Now, our
focus is women and children. Cases related to
rape, molestation, child marriage, take most
of our attention. Night or day, it just does not
matter. We are up there for any responsibility,”
Goswami, who joined the police in 2008
as Sub-Inspector and had served in Jorhat,
Darrang, Kamrup, told this reporter.
Asom Barta |April | 2023 9
 news from the state

Assam Governor, Cabinet visit

national monuments

Assam Governor Gulab Kataria, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and his his Cabinet colleagues at the
National War Memorial, New Delhi.
SABIR NISHAT, NEW DELHI valor of our war heroes. We're forever indebted leaders who tirelessly worked for the glory of

G
overnor of Assam, Gulab Chand
Kataria, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta
Biswa Sarma, ministers of his Cabinet
and senior officials visited three key national
monuments in the national capital, built by the
Narendra Modi-led Government, on March 19.
In the wee hours, they visited the National
War Memorial and paid homage to those brave
hearts who laid down their lives defending the
unity and territorial integrity of the country.
The Governor and the Chief Minister laid
floral wreaths at the war column - Amar Jawan.
Later, they went round the sprawling
complex where the names of the martyrs are
inscribed in the Wall of Valour and paid tributes
to them.
Paying tribute to the brave hearts who laid
down their lives for safeguarding the territorial
integrity of the nation, the Chief Minister said
that the War Memorial would continue to
inspire and motivate the present and future
generations to make sacrifices for the sake of
the motherland.
The Chief Minister later tweeted, "The
iconic War Memorial is a fine tribute to the
to their supreme sacrifice and dedication that
earned us our pride.
The Governor and the Chief Minister
penned down their noting in the visitor's book.
It was followed by a visit to the National
Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri where
they paid tributes to the police personnel for
their supreme sacrifice for safeguarding the
territorial integrity of the nation.
Later, the dignitaries and officials went
round different sections of the National Police
Museum.
Taking to twitter handle, the Chief Minister
said, "The National Police Memorial in
New Delhi is a fine ode to the valiant police
personnel. Our eternal gratitude to their valor."
The Assam delegation then visited the
Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya and saw rare
exhibits on display of all Prime Ministers of the
country for almost two hours.
Taking to his twitter handle, the Chief
Minister said, "We owe immensely to our
esteemed Prime Ministers who worked with
great vigor to take Bharat to greater heights.
We so fondly cherish and celebrate all the great
India."
Following the visits to the national
monuments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
in a tweet, appreciated the 'great gesture' by
the Governor, Chief Minister and ministers of
the Government of Assam. Mr Modi tweeted,
"A great gesture by the Assam Governor @
Gulab_kataria Ji, CM @himantabiswa Ji and
Ministers of the Assam Government to visit
three iconic places in Delhi - the National War
Memorial, National Police Memorial and PM
Sangrahalaya."
Replying to the Prime Minister's tweet, the
Chief Minister responded, "Adarniya Pradhan
Mantri ji, these iconic sites are a pilgrimage
to learn, see & experience about the immense
sacrifices of Bharat’s brave men & women. A
must see for every Indian!
We are blessed that all these memorials
have been brought to life under your
statesmanly leadership."
It may be mentioned that the decision
to visit the iconic landmarks in the national
capital was taken at a Cabinet meeting held on
January 23 this year.

India focuses on Blue Economy, AI in SAI meet

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI

T
he First Senior Officials Meeting of the SAI20 Engagement Group
under India's G20 Presidency was held in Guwahati on March
13 and 14 respectively. Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG) of India, as the Chair of the Supreme Audit
Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group, led the deliberations.
In his opening address, Murmu said that SAI20 Senior Officials
Meeting 2023 is a symbol of global cooperation and collective efforts of
the Supreme Audit Institutions of the member G20 countries, to ensure
inclusive development and wellbeing of all. He said that the world was
seized of multiple challenges, like sustainable development and climate
change. He said that climate change and its impact on biodiversity
and food security are emerging challenges threatening the sustainable CAG of India, Girish Chandra Murmu (centre), during
development goals. He emphasised the need for the global community the meeting.
to address these problems to ensure a secure future for all.
While recognizing the importance of sustainability, growth and domain experts from Government and the private sector and conducted
role of emerging technologies, he said that the SAI20, priority areas – seminars on these themes in February.
“Blue Economy” and “Responsible Artificial Intelligence” represents the Representatives of 39 national and international delegates from G20
new-age opportunities and concerns and these underline the need for member SAIs, guest SAIs and World Bank as invited organisations took
genuine cooperation. The CAG told the gathering that to understand the part in the deliberations. SAIs of Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia,
global experiences and initiatives and to know how external stakeholders Oman, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and UAE were
view the role of audit in these areas, his team had interacted with many also present in the two day programme.

10 Asom Barta |April | 2023


A monumental feat
View of the New Haflong Station in the aftermath of the landslide and rains (above).
AB BUREAU, HAFLONG/GUWAHATI
T
he swirling dust around New Haflong
Railway Station reflects past, present,
and future. Of disaster, rebuilding and
development. Of course, it is the advent of
spring and it is supposed to be dusty. But it
does not belie the fact that work on restoring
the Station to its normalcy and beyond is
being done at a fast and furious pace by NF
Railways. It is surreal for many to believe that
the Station has come back to life so fast after
being pummelled by nature’s fury.
“When I saw what unfolded before my eyes
on May 14, and subsequently, I thought that it
will be at least a year before I can resume my
business here,” Jameel Ahmed, a tea stall owner
in Station, told Asom Barta, while busying
himself in preparing lunch boxes to serve
passengers of an oncoming train. “It came like
a torrent. It was around 7.30-7.35am. We were
lucky that the Guwahati-Silchar Dn Passenger
train had entered the Station by then. The
locals around did everything for stranded
passengers,” Ahmed reminisced about the day.
“On 11th May, the rains started. It was
raining heavily. On May 14, water came like
a deluge from the Greater Haflong area. Five
coaches of the stationary train were hurled
from the third line to the fifth line. Two muddy
towers of 15-20 feet high were formed on
platforms No.2 and No.3,” said Anil Kumar,
the Superintendent of the Station. “I had
witnessed heavy rainfall in 17 years of my
service here. But never something like this,” he
told this reporter. “In 2013, the MG Line was
heavily disrupted because of rains almost like
last year’s rains, but nothing compares to the
one I witnessed this time,” he said.
On the other hand, on May 13, some 280
kilometres away from the Haflong Station was
Anshul Gupta, General Manager, NF Railway
brainstorming in his office in Guwahati with
other officers. He and his team were worried
about what they were seeing on television
screens and hearing from the ground. The
Work in progress outside the Station.
GM knew it was unlike the heavy rains which
he,too, had been witnessing during his posting
here. “When I heard news of a few breaches
on the section, I knew I had to be there. Water
level was rising and my instincts told me
that the track would not be safe. We started
restricting movement of trains and I rushed
to Lumding. I realised what was coming,” said
Gupta while recollecting those days, very fresh
in his memory.
“We used a push trolley to survey. I saw
blocked tunnels, a track hanging, and multiple
breaches. Sixty-nine locations were affected.
There were six places where hills had been
washed away. Nearly 3,000 passengers were
stranded,” Gupta said while recollecting how
the Air Force was roped in for carrying out
19 sorties to rescue passengers. The damage
and the rescue effort were reported across the
world.
The seasoned Railway veteran was grateful
to all whose efforts resulted in minimal loss
of lives. “The rescue operation was a success
because of cooperation and efforts from all.
Over one lakh passengers had taken shelter
across railway stations in the section. NGOs,
gurudwaras, individuals and organisations
chipped in to provide food and necessities. I
took a train journey with the Chief Minister to
assess the scale required to assist people during
CENTRE CONNECTS
“We spent nearly ₹ 150 cr and used
the most modern equipment and
technology to restore connectivity
while ensuring safety and respecting
the local geography. Yes, speed was
of essence. In fact, we achieved the
target that we had set in 42 days.
We deployed all contractors at our
disposal to achieve this feat”
such times. I must admit that the Railways gave
it all to assist these individuals while keeping
their dignity intact,” he told this newsletter.
On June 30, 2022, when the 05616 Silchar-
Haflong Passenger Train chugged its way to
the Haflong Railway Station, there were cheers
all around. People were rubbing their eyes
and pinching themselves to realise that this
was a reality. The most optimistic of persons
around had not given the NF Railways and its
construction team the slightest of odds that
things will be restored within six months. “By
July 13th, the Lumding-Guwahati Passenger
Train was well and truly in service while by
the last week of July, all major routes were
being served by the Railways in the section,”
Kumar informed Asom Barta on train services
resuming operations in the Section.
“We spent nearly ₹ 150 cr and used the
most modern equipment and technology to
restore connectivity while ensuring safety and
respecting the local geography. Yes, speed was
of essence. In fact, we achieved the target that
we had set in just 42 days. We deployed all
contractors at our disposal to achieve this feat,”
Gupta informed this reporter.
Diganta Saikia, a housekeeping staff in
the much-talked about Vistado Train, whom
this writer met during his journey to Haflong
summed it up. “I never saw something like this
in my life: Neither the scale of damage, nor the
intensity and speed with which things became
normal again.
Asom Barta |April | 2023 11
 changemaker
Orchid Man scripts scented tale
Khyanjeet Gogoi with a friend in Athu Popu at an altitude of 2,500 meter. Some rare species of orchids photographed by him (right).
AB BUREAU, TINSUKIA
I
t was 1998. A report in the newspaper on
the discovery of a rare species of orchid in
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park caught his
attention. This youth from Daisajan in Tinsukia
wanted to research this piece of news. He
decided to visit the area where the orchid was
spotted. He had a problem, though. A counter-
insurgency operation launched by the Army
was at its peak and the National Park was one
of the theatres of that operation. He decided
to take the plunge, nevertheless. A fisherman’s
boat took him there, and the rest as they say is
memorable. He was intercepted and taken to
its camp by the insurgent group which took him
for a spy of the Army. He was released thereafter
once it became clear to the insurgents that he
had come there for his love of orchids.
He is Khyanjeet Gogoi, now known as
‘Orchid’ among his friends, and is a teacher by
profession.
He recollects another experience when
he ventured into the Jeypore rainforest of
Dibrugarh with academic and wildlife biologist
Kashmira Kakati. “I had taken utensils to
prepare our food in the forest during our
journey. When I started preparing our meal, I
realised that the utensil had a crack and could
not be used to cook rice. We had to fall back
on bamboo shoots to take care of our meal. I
remember that lingering taste even now,” he
told Asom Barta.
There are about 900 species of orchid in
North East India. In Assam, their number is
over 400. However, there are many species in
the forests of Dibru-Saikhowa, Jeypore, and
Kaziranga which have not yet been identified.
Out of the over 400 species identified,
Khyanjeet, who had always loved nature, has
thrown light on nine and given them their
scientific name. (Pl see box). Besides, he has
also managed to bring to the notice of the world
the availability of many rare orchid species in
Assam.
Much before he came to be known as
Orchid Man of Assam, he used to bring home
kapou flowers, littered in the fields of tea
estates during Bihu celebrations, and preserve
them with scant understanding of any species.
12 Asom Barta |April | 2023
The Nomenclature of Orchids by Khyanjeet Gogoi :
1. Eria ferruginea var. assamica K. Gogoi, Das and
Yonzone, The McAllen International Orchid Society
Journal, Vol. 15(2): 2–11. 2014.
2. Coelogyne mishmensis K. Gogoi, Richardiana 16:
374– 379. 2016.
3. Luisia trichorrhiza (Hook.) Bl. var. flava K. Gogoi,
Richardiana 16: 322– 326. 2016.
4. Thrixspermum changlangensis K. Gogoi, Pleione
13(1): 167–170. 2019.
5. Phalaenopsis arunachalensis K. Gogoi and Rinya,
Lankesteriana 20 (3): 275–280. 2020.
6. Bulbophyllum karbianglongensis K. Gogoi and R. Hondiqui.
Lankesteriana 21(3): 325–331. 2021.
7. Phalaenopsis fasciata Reichenbach var. bhalukpungense K.
Gogoi & R. Sonowal, Richardiana 5:334–342. 2021.
8. Thrixspermum patkaiensis K. Gogoi, Lankesteriana 22 (1): 9–16.
2022.
9. Schoenorchis mishmensis K. Gogoi, P. Mega, & K. Chowlu.
Phytotaxa 575 (1): 097–103. 2022.
Once he enrolled himself as a student of Science in his higher secondary, and then Botany, in his
graduation, did his attraction towards orchid multiplied.
“When I started working on orchids, I realised to my dismay that there were very few books
on the subject. I was dejected. I thought to myself, ‘why not work on this’,” he said. By now, he
has published Orchids of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Biosphere Reserve; Wild Orchids of
Tinsukia Districts of Assam; Wild Orchids of Assam, A Pictorial Guide; A Guide of Orchids - Tale
of Orchids Conservation Trail. He has co-authored with Jitu Gogoi and Nitu Basumatary another
book Orchids of Dhemaji District. He has also published 155 research papers since 2005.
With support from the Orchid Society of Eastern Himalayan, he has set up a herbarium of
orchids of Assam and an Orchid Preservation Centre with over 750 species from the North East.
Today, he is a proud member of the IUCN.
“We are not fully aware of orchids. Teachers in colleges have a lot to do on this.Orchid
smuggling is another problem,” he told this reporter. Citing an example of Thailand, he informed
this newsletter that orchids contribute significantly to the country’s economy and that Assam, too,
shares similar geographical and ecological characteristics to take advantage of this fact. “It can lead
to self-employment of many. Areas which are free of pollution can easily undertake tissue culture,
and art and craft centred around orchids without much investment. What is worrisome is that
despite the availability of many varieties of orchids in Assam, our market is flooded with imported
ones,” he said, while pointing out to the untapped potential of discovering new species of orchids
in far flung places, surveyed long back by scientists.
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

How clean & green is my village!

Villagers of Dadhara assembled at Naamghar to discuss village’s action plan(left); A temple near the main road to Dadhara Ahom Gaon.

AB BUREAU, KHUMTAI

F
or well over a month-and-a-half, villages and tea garden lines in
Khumtai Assembly constituency have been in an action mode
spurred by their natives, irrespective of age group and gender.
Activated by a clean and green initiative of the local MLA Mrinal Saikia,
they are out to prove a point. Bamboo waste baskets on either side of its
roads and public places have become the hallmark of the open spaces
in the constituency after the MLA, in a Eureka moment, decided to
organise an inter-village and inter-tea garden cleanliness competition
in his constituency for obvious reasons. The results are now for all to see.
So much so that even the Assam Chief Minister announced a
similar competition for all the districts of the State with a bounty of
₹ 100 cr for the winning district. Dr. Sarma personally visited Khumtai to
announce results of the competition for four Zila Parishad Constituency
(ZPC) areas, namely Brahmaputra ZPC, Khumtai ZPC, Kothalguri ZPC
and Dakhin Hengera ZPC.
As part of the competition, five villages from each ZPC
area and three tea gardens were chosen in recognition of their
performance in cleanliness quotient. The winners were awarded
with the amount equivalent to the construction of two kilometres
of road while the second position holders were awarded
₹ 20 lakh. There were attractive cash awards for third, fourth and fifth
positions as well.
Half of the amount will be provided by the MLA from his Local Area
Development Fund and the remaining is to be borne by the Government
of Assam.
Parag Borah, a leading social activist in Khumtai said that since the
competition was announced on February 13, villages and tea gardens
had begun to look cleaner, neater, and attractive. “Between March 1 and
3, a preliminary survey was carried out, after which 48 villages and three
tea gardens were disqualified. On March 4 and 5, five groups of judges —
one group for villages under each of the four zila parishads and one for
the tea gardens — visited the remaining villages to decide the winners,”
said Borah, an organiser.
When Asom Barta visited their village, Satyen Barua (80) and other
elderly men of Da–Dhara village in their squeaky clean ‘dhoti-kurta’
and gamocha had assembled at the Naamghar, the community prayer
hall, on a busy day,to discuss their village’s action plan after it had been
adjudged the winner in the competition.
Barua, the oldest person in the village, told this newsletter that
keeping their courtyards and the village clean was a part of their daily
activity and not merely an effort with an eye on the competition.
The octogenarian said that once the competition was announced
this February, Da-Dhara and its surrounding villages have seen a spurt
in cleanliness activities.
Mandira Barua (55) from the same village said that women in the
village teach their kids about cleanliness. “You will not see litter at any
public places in our village. To be clean and keep our houses clean is a
tradition in our village,” she said.
Adjacent to the Da–Dhara village is Da-Dhara Ahom Gaon. Here,
the males are expected to clean the village every Sunday. No wonder, it
stood second in the competition.
“We collect used plastic bags and other garbage from public places.
While waste grasses are decomposed in the village, plastic waste is
stored in bamboo waste baskets put on both sides of the roads in the
village. Once these baskets get full, a vehicle, arranged by the MLA,
picks up the waste and takes it for decomposition,” informed Someswar
Gogoi (77).
At the Muhiram Hazarika High School in Mudoi Gaon (the village
was adjudged fourth in the competition), students do a daily campus
cleaning drive, said Mrinal Khound, the Headmaster. It is in this high
school that Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma interacted with
students during his visit.
In the tea garden residential lines in Khumtai, tea garden workers
welcomed the move of holding inter-tea gardens cleanliness
competition.
Dhiren Haiam, a Sardar (head of the group of tea garden workers) of
Natun Mati Tea Garden which was adjudged the winner, said that after
the cleanliness competition was announced, a drive was launched to
create awareness across various tea estates of the constituency.
Laxmi Tanti (40), vice president of Swagata Village Organization,
said that women folk of tea garden areas were more enthusiastic in their
respective tea garden line areas.

Asom Barta |April | 2023 13

 The Month in Photos

Photo credit : Sangita Barman

Barechahariya Bhaona being performed at Jamugurihat. Revellers celebrating Barpeta Doul Utsav at the Barpeta Xatra.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary with recipients of
Assam’s civilian awards at the Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma ceremonially distributing cheques Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma with Olympic
under the provision of the Assam Tea Industry Special Incentive Scheme gold medallist Abhinav Bindra during an MoU signing
to 370 tea gardens at the Janata Bhawan. ceremony to build high performance sports training &
rehabilitation centres in Guwahati and Jorhat.

Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah being felicitated by

Maharasthra MLA Ashish Shelar in Mumbai. He was in
Maharashtra to gain an insight into the nuances of organizing a
mega drama on Lachit Barphukan on the lines of Janta Raja, a Police personnel interacting with children in the Assam Police stall
Marathi play on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji. at the Assam State Commission for Child Rights exhibition.

14 Asom Barta |April | 2023

 MLAs hail Assam Budget Health, Skills will receive additional attention.
I feel this will result in development.”
“We will have a skilled young generation.
The new medical colleges will bring in more
doctors into the health sector of the State.
Schemes like Orunodoi will help reduce the
number of destitutes in the State. All these will
result in capital formation,” Ghosh told this
reporter on his understanding of the Budget.
“All in all, I think this is a Budget which will
result in integrated development,” he said.
Thowra MLA Sushanta Borgohain while
terming the Budget as a complete exercise said
that it will help Assam develop in the Amrit
Kaal. “It has managed to touch all sections of
Sushanta Borgohain(left) and Ramakrishna Ghosh the society. More specifically, it will help the
“It is the responsibility of policy makers youths in the villages to become self-reliant
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI and thereby contributing to Assam’s GSDP.

T
he Budget presented by the Finance
Minister Ajanta Neog on March 16
has garnered support from her MLA
colleagues for its underlying vision of a
resurgent Assam.
Hojai MLA Ramakrishna Ghosh, a student
of Economics, told Asom Barta that University
textbooks said that investment in infrastructure
coupled with welfare schemes help a State or a
country on the path of development.
to take the deprived section of the society
forward. We see this in some of the developed
countries of the world,” he said. He was also
in support of the direct benefit transfer in the
accounts of the economically weaker sections
of the society. “This brings money back into
the economy, creates demand and facilitates
investment. It is precisely what this Budget
is aimed at,” Ghosh told this newsletter over
phone. “This Budget is targeting massive
investment in infrastructure. Roadways,
He was also appreciative of the Budget’s
focus on infrastructure, which he said will boost
the State economy. He praised the Minister for
focusing on building infrastructure in schools
in her budgetary allocation.
“Proper utilisation of ₹ 1.39 lakh cr of the
Consolidated Fund will help us in subsequent
years. The fact that we managed to present a
Budget of such a figure is an achievement for
us,” he told this reporter.

New announcements in Scheme for planting trees having commercial value in all the
schools, colleges, and Government offices.

Assam Budget 2023-24 IX . Exemption from Electricity Duty on Green Energy:

I. Most Outstanding District Initiative: Swacch Zila Puruskar :
The Finance Minister has proposed to rank the districts on the
cleanliness indicators such as 100% door-to-door collection, segregation
of waste, setting up and functioning of solid waste processing plant,
clearing of legacy waste, setting up of Sewage treatment plant and used
water management.
Most Outstanding District Initiative will be awarded with ₹ 100 cr
towards its infrastructure development and the fund will be placed at
the disposal of Deputy Commissioner.
II. Implementation of Peace Accord :
As reflected in para 3.1 of the Adivasi Accord, an Adivasi Welfare
& Development Council will be constituted with adequate financial
allocation.
III. Assam Police Emergency Management System (APEMS) - Dial
112
To revamping the Dial-112 project and creating world class Assam
Police Emergency Management System (APEMS).
IV. Strengthening of Infrastructure for Police
The Assam Government has given a renewed thrust on police
modernization and improvement of infrastructure.
V. SU-SWASTHYARE SAMRIDDHI:
1,000 new ambulances will be provided to the hospitals; 9 new B.Sc.
Nursing Colleges will be set up; MBBS seats to be reserved for NRI and
Assamese diaspora.
VI. Cabinet Outreach Programme:
Allocation of ₹ 500 cr for Cabinet outreach programme.
VII. Viability Gap Funding for non-UDAN routes:
Approval for operation of low-cost air services between non-Ude
Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) routes.
VIII. Commercial Tree Plantation:
Exemption from payment of electricity duty on generation of power
from renewable sources.
X. Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy:
Motor Vehicle Tax subvention of 2% along with registration fee
exemption to citizens buying EVs.
XI. Climate Action: Chief Minister’s Green Initiative Incentive
Scheme as part of Assam's agenda in implementing India's
"Panchamrit" strategy for combating climate change.
XII. Assam Mental Health & Social Care Scheme :
A comprehensive mental health policy to be introduced.
XIII. Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) in Assam:
181 mobile Veterinary Units will be made fully functional.
XIV. Pension Fund for AAU:
₹ 200 cr for pension of retired AAU employees
XV. Maximum Governance, Minimum Government:
Merging Khadi Board and making it a Khadi division within
Handloom and Textile Department.
XVI. Mukhya Mantri Sohoj Griha Nirman Achoni (MMSGNA):
A faceless online building permission system (OBPS) with online
payment facility to be notified.
XVII. Drink from Tap (DFT) in Tezpur:
Assam’s first DFT project shall be in Tezpur Town.
XVIII. Financial Institutional Reforms:
To publish Budget execution in a near real time manner.
XIX. CCTV in Public Places:
To take necessary steps to install CCTVs at public and other sensitive
places.
XX. Renaming of Directorate of Tea Tribes Welfare as Directorate of
Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare.
 Perspective
EDITORIAL
A Budget of Development
F inance Minister Ajanta Neog in
her opening lines of the Budget
speech for the fiscal year 2023-2024
cited the concept of development in
the words of an economist stating
that only when a country experiences
a reduction or elimination of poverty,
inequality, and employment, can real
development be achieved. Although
the nitty-gritty of a Budget is too
complex an exercise to comprehend,
one can state that the Budget tabled
in the Assam Assembly is geared
towards achieving the above stated
objective.
While presenting a deficit Budget
for the coming year, the Finance
Minister has rightly refrained from
imposing any taxes on the people,
who are fighting rising inflation and
a hazy global economy because of
external factors beyond the control of
the Government of any country. Yet,
she has managed to steer clear of the
general proclivity of spending less to
chart a conservative course.
She has set a target of 5.5 lakh cr
GSDP as against 3.93 lakh cr GSDP
in the year 2021-2022. The figure
reflects that Government capital
expenditure is rising and rising
rapidly, besides its welfare spending.
It is a fact that in States like Assam,
and for that matter of the region,
the Government continues to be a
major driver of the economy. The
budgetary outlay of ₹ 1.39 lakh cr for
2023-2024 is aimed at a continuation
of this unstated policy. In due course
when the private sector starts taking
more initiatives, this Government
spending will automatically take
a course correction and, in turn,
will complement the former, an
ideal scenario in job creation and
achieving real development.
In the recent past Assam has
done significantly well in key HDI
parameters while there are areas
which require attention.
The finer print of the Budget
this year is clearly aimed at
addressing them. All said and done,
it will be extremely important for
the Government to ensure that what
has been earmarked in the Budget
is generated productively and spent
with the right objective.
Editorial Advisory Board (Honorary)
Editor-in-Chief:
Manabendra Dev Ray (APS)
Director, DIPR, Assam
A Realistic Budget
by Amiya Kumar Sharma
T
he Budget for a year
while giving the
proposed revenue and
expenditure figures for the
year also sends a message to
the public on its intentions.
The State Budget for Assam 2023-24 rightly puts
emphasis on a combination of new thrusts on the
social sectors and infrastructure while ensuring
equitable development by putting up institutions
in far off places. This is quite evident when one goes
through the Budget speech of the Finance Minister,
Ms Ajanta Neog, wherein she says “development is
really about eliminating poverty, unemployment
and creating an equitable society.”
In terms of per capita income, Assam needs to
be growing very fast to be at the top bracket. With
Gross State Domestic Product showing good growth
in the last few years, we should be able to reach
that spot. While that can be in one’s mind, we need
to focus more on education, health, and welfare of
the weaker section of the society which this Budget
has reiterated. With an allocation of nearly ₹ 20,000
cr in the education sector and a slew of schemes in
the health sector while strengthening direct benefit
transfers, the war on poverty and inequality seems
to be on. Expenditure on infrastructure, MSMEs
and other income generating/self employment
schemes will create opportunities for employment.
Attention given on roads and bridges must
be lauded. When these roads are properly laid
out, poverty and unemployment will go down
drastically. It is usually true that one doesn’t come
across poor people by the side of good roads
because of the ample opportunity to earn income
which they provide. Distance and travel time can
come down quickly which this Government has
realised. Congestion in Guwahati will go down
when the two bridges across the Brahmaputra
come up. Strategic infrastructure like these can
have a multiplier effect within a short time.
For creating thousands of entrepreneurs, this
Budget has made provisions for the youth and the
women. While the Centre has taken up a step to
empower the SHGs, Assam has moved one step
ahead to free many women from the burden of
default of microfinance loans. The Government is
promising at the same time to give assistance to
the SHG members to set up businesses. One hopes
that many of these units are in the marketing and
service sector to help the producers. In Assam, as
in many States, it is marketing which is a bane, not
production.
Skilling of the youth with the help of Singapore-
based ITEES has already made huge strides. With
the Skill University in Mangaldoi coming up, there
will be a good build-up of skilled resources in the
State. The setting up of engineering and medical
Members:
Wasbir Hussain
Anuradha Sarma Pujari
Gurmail Singh
Bijay Sankar Bora
Member convenor:
Sikha Saikia, Sr. Information Officer
Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam
colleges in smaller towns is a welcome step – as
good as the holding of the Cabinet committee
meetings in smaller towns. While we want the
Centre to look at the region for mainstreaming, the
Assam Government has shown the way to do it.
For the sports and cultural sectors, one can
see initiatives including promoting folk song
competition in the villages. However, one must say
that music has yet not got the status it deserves.
The North East of India has a special talent and
Governments must realise this and make provisions
for enabling loans from banks. Introduction and
encouragement of digitalization and the new
Right to Public Services Act will make the State
more people-friendly. Yes, remote areas need
connectivity and instruments like smart phones
for the people to take advantage of the Internet.
Digital divide will become bigger otherwise.
The Budget rightly focuses on climate change.
Assam is in a vulnerable spot. This means the
rural economy will be in a jeopardy unless steps
are taken. Green energy, green growth, and
circular economy are terms which must be in the
vocabulary of everybody in Assam. Assam needs
to be in the forefront in fighting climate change as
well as providing basic minimum services to the
poor.
Orunodoy has made a lot of impact and it
deserves more coverage and consolidation with
other DBT schemes. The oft-heard complaint that
these beneficiaries have become lazy, because
of this, needs to be researched. In this case, the
Mexican experiment of conditional grant makes
a lot of sense. In this country, there are certain
conditions which the grantees must fulfil to get
grants next year.
Health for all is another very good step. Along
with medical facilities, we must ensure that we have
a healthy population and out-of-pocket expenses
are minimal. Fighting the case of MMR and IMR
indirectly through preventing child marriages will
have beneficial impact.
Two hundred years of tea and yet the tea
community is the weakest community in Assam.
The Budget has recognized this and made
provisions to help the sector comprehensively.
Lastly, while peace seems to have returned
to Assam, strengthening of the police force,
continuous dialogue with youth leaders, and
preventing man-animal conflicts will ensure that
people living in any corner of the State can sleep
peacefully.
The Budget is one of hope and the commitment
to spend an amount of ₹ 139,000 cr during the year
makes that hope realistic.
(The author is the executive director of Rashtriya Gramin
Vikas Nidhi)