I am apprehensive about LeT's threat to Assam: Tarun Gogoi

New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said he was apprehensive that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) may target his state.

"We cannot rule out (LeT's threat). If you ask me if I have any definite proof, we may not have that, but I have my apprehensions. These people, you do not know how they work," Gogoi told PTI when asked whether there was any threat from LeT.

On being asked about any intelligence input on whether the LeT may target Assam, he said "Yes. I have no doubt.

According to me, we are not safe."

He, however, said the state police force is on alert and prepared to thwart any untoward incident.

"I have been cautioning everybody...Who knew that Mumbai will be attacked in such a way?... the government is highly cautious. The Centre is much more alert," Gogoi said.

Gogoi under pressure to drop non-performing ministers

GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is facing a rebellion of sorts from within his ruling Congress party with legislators seeking a reshuffle in the cabinet and dropping of “non-performing” ministers.

A group of 27 legislators submitted a signed memorandum to the chief minister requesting him to effect a cabinet reshuffle by dropping inefficient ministers and inducting new faces, Raju Sahu, a Congress legislator representing the Chabua assembly constituency in eastern Assam, told IANS Thursday.
This is the first time in the past eight years that the chief minister is facing an open revolt. Gogoi has been heading the state government since 2001.
If we are to win the 2011 assembly elections for the third term then it is a must for the chief minister to have a very good team with him and hence the need to reshuffle the cabinet, Sahu said.
Murmurs of dissent were palpable with other legislators too joining the revolt bandwagon.
Those ministers who were not able to deliver the goods should be dropped and new faces inducted. I am the legislator from the prestigious Guwahati East constituency and still I am not a minister, nor do I have any power, said Robin Bordoloi.
There is a lobby stepping up its ante against the chief minister, the coterie becoming more vocal after the Congress won just seven of the 14 seats in the recently concluded parliamentary elections. The party had won nine seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls.
This is not a demand but yes there is a feeling for a reshuffle. We are a democratic party and these are our internal matters, said another Congress legislator Bhupen Bora.
The chief minister admitted there was a demand from within the party legislators for a reshuffle.
It is true there is a demand for a reshuffle. I never said there would be no reshuffle in the cabinet, although right now we have not decided anything on this, Gogoi said.
Considering the belligerent mood of the legislators, the chief minister might axe at least two to three ministers and induct a couple of new faces to stem any further dissidence in the party.

Gogoi to table State Budget today

GUWAHATI, Jul 1 : The Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly will begin tomorrow with the presentation of the State’s Budget for the year 2009-10 by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who is also in charge of the Finance department. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties are gearing up to put the Government on the back foot during the session. The session, which will continue up to July 21, will have 13 working days. Normally the State’s Budget is presented in the month of March, but this year because of the Lok Sabha polls, only vote-on-account for four months was presented in March and the full Budget will be presented tomorrow.

The Speaker of the State Assembly, Tanka Bahadur Rai, today held a meeting of the leaders of the legislature parties and groups to seek their cooperation for smooth conduct of the session.

The major Opposition parties have joined hands to raise the common issues concerning the people of the State together on the floor of the House. They are also likely to move an adjournment motion in the House on the incidents of violence in the North Cachar Hills district.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, the leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Chandra Mohan Patowary said that the major Opposition parties would maintain floor coordination to raise the major issues concerning the common people forcefully in the House. He said that he already held talks with the leaders of other parties including BJP and AUDF in this regard.

Patowary said that law-and-order situation in the State, particularly in NC Hills and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas would be one of the main issues for the Opposition. He alleged that since assuming office in 2001, the Congress-led Government in the State had totally failed to protect the life and property of the people and the situation in NC Hills deteriorated day by day because of the failure of the government to act on time. He alleged that the government delayed the arrest of former Chief Executive Member of the NC Hills Autonomous Council, Mohit Hojai, only because of the elections. He also said that the Government was not keen on solving the problem of militancy through political talks and no progress has been made in the process of talks with the militant groups, which signed cease-fire agreements to express their desire to solve the problems peacefully.

The Opposition leader said that the power situation would be another major issue as the government has totally failed to improve the situation and is now claiming that the situation would improve only after sufficient rainfall. Over the years, the government had failed to take steps to increase thermal power generation and no step was taken to set up the proposed Amguri power project, he alleged. He further said that the Government cannot expect to bring in investments to the State without improving the power scenario.

On the drought like situation, Patowary said that the rural economy would be badly affected this year because of the weather condition. He said that the failure of the government to provide irrigation facilities to the farmers would seriously hit agriculture production. He alleged that less than five percent of the cultivable land in the State is provided with irrigation facilities.

Patowary also alleged that though the Government of India has been claiming that the rate of inflation is coming down, the prices of all the essential commodities are increasing, making life miserable for the common people. He said that the Public Distribution System is also not functioning properly in the State.

The Opposition parties are also planning to accuse the government of misusing funds earmarked for rural development.

Gogoi moots Assam rural civil service

Guwahati, June 20 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said his government is planning to set up a state rural civil service to ensure that officers are posted in villages for development of remote areas.

Addressing a function held on the occasion of three years of completion of the Congress-led government, Gogoi said there are plans to set up such a service very soon.

"This will ensure that officers who are normally reluctant to go to the remote villages are posted there to ensure allround development of the rural areas," he said.

Gogoi regretted that government officers are not willing to be posted even in major towns outside Guwahati which was a very "sorry trend".

The rural civil service will ensure that officers are posted in villages on a regular basis, he said.

Gogoi announced that his government was taking steps to ensure that state employees get salaries on a par with central government employees.

DONER Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique, newly elected MPs Deep Gogoi, Paban Singh Ghatowar and L M Suklabaidya and state Congress chief Bhubaneswar Kalita participated in the meet.

Rebel link slur on Opposition

Tarun Gogoi at the news conference on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, April 10 : Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today alleged that some Opposition parties were hand-in-glove with the secessionist and proscribed Ulfa.

Leaders of the A and C companies of Ulfa’s 28 battalion had recently stated that the outfit had helped parties during successive elections, thus lending credibility to popular perceptions about a militant-politician nexus.

All major political parties, in a rare show of unanimity, had, however, denied the assertion. The leaders had not named the parties the outfit had helped.

Addressing a news conference at Rajiv Bhawan here this evening, Gogoi said his charge was based on available reports. He also did not name the parties allegedly having a nexus with Ulfa saying: “We have reports and are verifying them.”

“There are reports about Ulfa creating problems during the polls with help of some political forces. I won’t name the parties as we are trying to verify the reports. You can also assess for yourself as to who is supporting Ulfa and who is soft on Ulfa, which is a pawn in the hands of foreign powers.” Gogoi said. The happenings in Pakistan and Bangladesh were a warning to all of us to remain vigilant, he added.

Dismissing the demands of the AGP-BJP that Gogoi should resign, he said the performance of his government was better than that of the AGP-led governments. Gogoi also reminded everybody present that the Congress won the panchayat elections that followed the Beltola incident on November 24, 2007. He took a dig at the BJP’s Bijoya Chakravarty for joining hands with “secret killers” (meaning the AGP) with which the BJP has an electoral tie-up.

The other parties were swift to react. AGP spokesman Apurba Bhattacharjee said, “Coming from a responsible person such as the chief minister, the allegation only reflects the government’s inability to tackle the situation. One fails to understand why he had to go public before verifying the facts. This only reflects his irresponsible nature. We have always condemned violence. How does it help if we take the name of Ulfa? Will these incidents not happen then? Will innocent people stop dying?”

The BJP went a step further with its spokesman Charan Deka accusing the Congress of having a nexus not only with some militant groups of some northeastern states but also of Pakistan.

“The Congress is encouraging extremist groups of Pakistan and also anti-Assam activities of Muslim fundamentalists. Gogoi is levelling this allegation only to cover up the guilt of his own party. Therefore, Gogoi should stop levelling such baseless allegations,” Deka said. 

As proof of better governance, Gogoi cited figures about the number of incidents, security personnel and civilians killed in the five years of the AGP regime between 1996 and 2001 and the Congress-led government from 2001 to 2009. “Things have improved under us. From an annual average of 528 incidents, death of 80 security personnel and 307 civilians during the AGP-led government, the average during our tenure has come down to 425 incidents, death of 28 security personnel and 199 civilians.”

AGP-NDA rule darkest chapter in Assam’s history: Gogoi

BARPETA, March 31 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has termed the AGP rule in the State and the contemporary rule in Centre by BJP-led NDA as the darkest period of Assam history and urged the voters of the State to reject them during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. Gogoi was addressing a huge election rally in Bhaktardaba near here on Saturday morning.

Addressing the first ever public meeting of this kind in the Barpeta Parliamentary constituency area, he termed BJP as the elder brother of AGP who did not show any affection to their younger brother and as a result the development of the State came to a halt. Rather both of them tried to annihilate the young generation of the State by way of secret killing. Referring to the communalism of BJP, Gogoi said that they want to introduce Hindu rule in this country and regard Hindus as the first class citizens of India. But, Gogoi said, “Congress follows the rajdharma – regards all people equally, sees all from the humanitarian aspect and wants to develop all classes.”

The Chief Minister claimed tremendous development during the last eight years of Congress rule and establishment of an environment of peace and faternity in the State. Of course he acknowledged that still there are a lot to do as many areas in the chars and gardens which are still not touched by development.

Lashing out at the BJP- AGP and AUDF, Gogoi said that if LK Advani becomes Prime Minister as projected by NDA it will be harmful for this great secular democracy as he was involved in the demolition of Babri Masjid. He expressed his astonishment and dismay over the support of the AUDF to such a party led by a person like Advani. Gogoi also claimed that Ajmal tried his level best to enter into an alliance with Congress which was rejected. As all of them have no issue at all they have resorted to politics of emotion based on caste, religion and regionalism.

Giving a clear indication that sanction of development schemes in future will depend upon the success of his party in the Lok Sabha poll, Gogoi clearly said that he would be inspired to sanction more development schemes to Barpeta if the Congress nominee for Parliament is voted to victory.

Earlier, Dr Tara Prasad Das in his welcome address eulogised the government led by Tarun Gogoi.

Ismail Hussain, the Congress nominee for Barpeta Lok Sabha seat informed that since independence he is the second man to have party nomination within the jurisdiction of this Lok Sabha area after Ismail Hussain Khan. He insisted that as Gogoi has nominated a local candidate his dream should be fulfilled by voting him (Ismail). However he desisted from disclosing his own agenda in the Parliament.

The meeting which was attended by more than ten thousand people was presided over by Abdul Hamid.

Assam to seek EC permission on water projects

In view of the current dry spell, the state urgently needs to address the drinking water problem particularly in Guwahati

Guwahati, Mar 19 : The Assam government will seek Election Commission’s permission for sanctioning money for drinking water projects in view of the acute dry spell in the state.

“As the Lok Sabha poll dates have been announced, we will ask the Election Commission to allow us to sanction money for drinking water projects as there is tremendous water scarcity in the state,” said chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

“We have in the meantime asked district deputy commissioners to identify the projects and the money to be required,” Gogoi said.

Drinking water situation in Guwahati was very bad, he said, adding a Rs1,700 crore project for providing drinking water was already on. “I have also ordered for a census of the people illegally living in the hills of Guwahati to know the drinking water requirement in the city,” Gogoi said.

“We are very worried about the dry spell. Yes, deforestation is a cause of it. That is why we are giving emphasis on afforestation,” he said.

Assam to set up committee to tackle recession

Guwahati, Feb 26 : Assam government would constitute an economic committee to suggest measures to help it tackle the current global economic meltdown, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Thursday.

The committee to be set up within a month would be headed by the Chief Minister, it would suggest measures on withstanding the impact of the economic meltdown, on ways to improve revenue collection and plugging loopholes. It would also find ways to increase investment and employment avenues, Gogoi told reporters here.

While suggesting that the global scenario does not seem to improve next year, he said, "We have calculated the state will lose Rs 1100 crore from reduced oil royalty due to fall in oil prices, Rs 600 crore from devolution of state's share of Central taxes and Rs 400 crore from Assam's own tax collection."

He also asked for an economic stimulus from the Centre, while warning that there might be job losses.

"I will also take up with the Centre for extra funds for rural infrastructure development, investment in rural and urban housing, relaxation of cap on loan for certain areas, join hands with the private sector for taking loans in various sectors, relaxation of norms of government to create jobs," Gogoi added.

To a querry on the present economic condition of the state, Gogoi said, "We have a comfortable financial year ahead. We have had no overdraft since the last four years".

"Assam is far better off than other states. We are ranked third in a recent report on the state's capacity to make the Sixth Pay Commission salaries," he asserted.

On the infrastructure and social sector development projects, he said that the plan size and investments would increase next year.

Concessions to lure investors, new industrial and tourism policies, demanding a special package for agriculture to give investors more profit, improving riverine, rail and surface transport system, would be the other measures to minimise the affect of global recession, Gogoi said.

He said that it is important for "the government also to become a businessman," to increase its revenue and consolidate its finacial position.

"Instead of the private parties, the government will buy up the land along the bypasses and sell the land later."

He also declared that his government was in favour of creation of a second legislative council if the Centre bears 50 percent of the expenditure.

The government would also create advisory separate councils for rural, women, youth and linguistic minority development.

Police bust fake bond racket

Guwahati, Feb 11 : City police have busted a racket involved in preparing fake Kisan Vikas Patras and using these to avail bank loans.

The police have arrested two persons so far, one of them a woman, and more arrests are likely.

Additional superintendent of police (City) Debajit Deori said during a search conducted today at the residence of prime accused Popy Das Gogoi on RG Baruah Road, besides fake KVPs, 24 fake rubber stamps and seals were recovered, including that of Chief Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Ranjan Gogoi of Gauhati High Court, the superintendent of Sivasagar district jail, Life Insurance Corporation and state agriculture department among others.

“It is a fraud of a very serious nature because these fake stamps and seals can be used not only to forge government documents but to produce fake court orders too,” Deori said.

The fraud was exposed when Bablu Majumdar applied for a loan of Rs 60,000 from the Adabari branch of Union Bank of India and deposited 12 KVPs, each worth Rs 5,000, yesterday as security.

“During scrutiny of the KVPs, the bank authorities had some doubt and then verified it with the postal department, which confirmed that the KVPs submitted were fake,” another police official investigating the case said.

The bank authorities informed Jalukbari police station and after preliminary probe Majumdar was arrested last evening. During interrogation he confessed that he had procured these fake KVPs from Gogoi.

The police source said they have ascertained that Gogoi had already taken bank loan thrice against fake KVPs and are hopeful that further interrogation of the accused will lead to more clues.

Gogoi & co. in security meeting

Guwahati, Jan 6 : A team from Dispur today left for New Delhi to attend a chief ministers’ meet on internal security — a panel in which Assam is likely to figure prominently after the recent serial blasts.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, director-general of police G.M. Srivastava, chief secretary P.C. Sharma and inspector-general of police (Special Branch) Khagen Sharma are among those who will attend the conclave convened by the Union home ministry tomorrow.

Sources in Dispur today said although there have been VVIP visits to the state in the wake of the blasts on October 30 and January 1 and notes had been exchanged, the meeting tomorrow could well have some sparks flying.

The Centre may place some tough terms before Dispur to prevent similar incidents in the future, though law and order will remain a state subject.

“There is little doubt that our police force may come under flak from the Centre, but the fact remains that the blasts cannot be seen in isolation.

There is the bigger picture, like the role of Bangladesh, where the Centre cannot shirk its responsibility. It is Delhi which has to address such concerns,” a senior CMO official said.

He said Dispur would lay special emphasis on toning up its intelligence network and the need for modern surveillance gadgets, the availability of which could have helped track the mobile phones of those involved in the January 1 blasts.

Gogoi had yesterday indicated that the government was planning to involve the public in information gathering.

Gogoi hopeful about Hasina acting against militants

Guwahati, Jan 3 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has expressed happiness over Sheikh Hasina's victory in the Bangladesh elections and said that her coming to power is good for both India and Assam.

Gogoi said he was hopeful about Hasina taking appropriate steps to destroy camps of Indian insurgents and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HUJI) militants there.

"It is a very good news for the people of India and particularly for the people of Assam also. I was looking forward to Hasina's victory. We know she is a friend of India. I am very much interested because all my insurgency, the bases are in Bangladesh," said Gogoi.

Gogoi added that he wanted the bases of the fundamentalists, including those of HUJI creating trouble in Assam, to be wiped out and expected Bangladesh's cooperation in this regard.

In the last few years, the role of the HUJI has been proved in several terror acts in India, including in Assam in November 2008, Varanasi in 2006 and Hyderabad in 2005.