Guwahati: Opposition parties in Assam have ignited a debate in the state assembly, demanding a special package for the riverine islands known as ‘chars,’ citing severe developmental disparities.
Congress MLA Abdul Batin Khandakar initiated the discussion, presenting a resolution that highlighted the lack of essential services such as education and healthcare in these regions. He emphasized the challenges faced by the predominantly Bengal-Muslim population, including inadequate infrastructure, low literacy rates, and limited economic opportunities.
Khandakar argued that the current situation necessitates targeted interventions to improve education and generate job opportunities. He also linked the high population growth rate in these areas to low literacy levels, underscoring the urgency for immediate action. Congress MLA Abdur Rasheed Mandal reinforced these concerns, advocating for an updated socio-economic survey of the char areas and a dedicated budget allocation to address their specific needs. AIUDF legislator Ashraful Hussain supported this, noting that the last survey was conducted in 2003 and suggesting that a team of MLAs, with administrative support, could conduct a new survey efficiently.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam further elaborated on the issue of land rights, asserting that land surveys alone, as conducted under the Basundhara 4.0 initiative, are insufficient. He argued that land allotment is crucial and could significantly alleviate the problems faced by char residents. Islam also proposed special allowances for government officials working in these remote areas to address the issues of low literacy rates and inadequate healthcare.
In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, representing the Minority Affairs Minister, disclosed that several central welfare funds for minorities had been delayed due to pending utilization certificates (UCs) dating back to 2008. He stated that the government had been working to clear these backlogs, with many certificates submitted in the last three years, and assured that additional funds would be released as more UCs are processed. Patowary acknowledged the unique challenges posed by annual floods and erosion in char areas and mentioned that the state had requested special consideration from the Centre. However, he maintained that existing schemes in education, health, and welfare were sufficient and rejected the need for a separate package.
Following the government’s response, MLA Khandakar withdrew his resolution. Nonetheless, he urged the administration to prioritize reducing high school drop-out rates and raising awareness about population control in the char areas.
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