Gogoi urges PM to provide special package for Assam ST, SC, OBC

Guwahati

"Gogoi has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a special package of Rs 1,000 crore each for the uplift of the ST, SC and OBC communities of the state," an official release said here.

In the letter to Modi, the Chief Minister said the state government has been implementing various welfare schemes and projects aimed at the wellbeing of ST, SC and OBC communities, including creation of infrastructure, employment generation, skill development and providing education and health care facilities.

More focused attention and interventions are required for ushering in all-inclusive development of the people of these communities, and for this, "there is an urgent  requirement of additional allocations from the Central government," he added.

Gogoi pointed out that considering the educational backwardness of these communities, the Central government is requested to provide assistance for setting up hostels for the students of these communities in every district of the state.

It was also informed in the letter that six autonomous councils and 20 development councils have been created for specific development of the various ethnic communities.

Steps are also being taken for creation of 13 more such autonomous and development councils, he added.

The Chief Minister highlighted the need of granting ST status to the six communities of Assam - Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motak and Tea and ex-Tea tribes.