News Archive
SHG WORKSHOP
FOR BLOCK OFFICIALS
| Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Ripun Bora at inauguration of SHG workshop for Block Officials. | |
As part of the effort to popularise the concept of Self Help Groups, a
workshop on SHGs was organised at Tezpur District Library Auditorium on
3.7.2002. The workshop which was attended by Block Development Officers,
extension Officers, Gram Sevaks / Gram Sevikas, Bank officials and NGOs was
inaugurated by Shri Ripun Bora, Assam Panchayat Rural and Development Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bora said that formation of SHGs will boost rural
economy by creating avenues of self-employment. He directed officials to ensure
that a minimum of 100 SHGs are formed under each Gaon Panchayat.
SHANTI, SAMPRITI AND SAMRIDDHI
WEEK OBSERVED
 |
Section of people at RPRS Gaon Sabha meeting. |
Shanti, Sampriti and Samriddhi week was observed from 12th to 19th May,
2002. As part of observance of the week, third round RPRS Gaon Sabhas were held
between 12th and 16th May. A total of 38004 persons attended these Gaon Sabhas
from whom 2197 grievances were received. Average attendance at the Gaon Sabhas
was 48.
A number of programmes were organised on 17th and 18th May to foster
public-government partnership. Eight Police Station-level Community
Liaison Group (CLG) meetings wre held. Twenty four Medical Camps were organised
with an average of two hundred patients treated at each camp. Twenty GPSS-level
PDS vigilance committee meetings were held to discuss problems in lifting and
distribution of PDS commodities. Block-level Self Help Group conventions were
organised at each Development Block. The conventions were attended by
representatives of SHGs, Bank officials and Panchayat representatives.
A district- level Self Help Group convention was held at the District Library
auditorium Tezpur on 19.5.2002 which was attended by over SHG members. Smti
Rupam Kurmi, Minister, was the chief guest at the convention. Each Block-level
Self Help Group federation was given a cheque of twenty thousand rupees for
training of SHGs.
CHIEF MINISTER HOLDS REVIEW MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi held a review meeting with officials at
Circuit House Tezpur on progress of development
works during his visit to Sonitpur district on 19th June2002. Emphasising on need of the government machinery to inculcate a
people-centric approach to development , Shri Gogoi made clear that funds
received for development must be utilised properly and efficiently and
maximum transparency must be ensured in their execution. He said that the
government was committed to socio-economic development of
underprivileged sections of society by distribution of resources in
a fair and equitable manner and urged officials to involve themselves more
vigorously in the process. The meeting was attended among others by Shri Mani
Kumar Subba, M.P. and MLAs of the district.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated computer section of Training and Technology Development Centre (TTDC)
of SIRD at Biswanath
Chariali Mahukuma Parishad Office. Speaking on the occasion, he exhorted the
people to make full use of facilities available at the Centre so as to
become part of the information technology revolution that is sweeping across
the country. The Biswanath TTDC computer section which will cater to
requirements of three districts. viz.Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji, is aimed
at providing computer training to people at subsidised rates in
addition to training up of elected Panchayat representatives in the use of
computers in a phased manner. Training for the first batch of trainees comprising GP
Presidents of Biswanath and Gohpur Sub divisions will be held on the 17th and
18th of July,2002.
CHIEF MINISTER VISITS " POKI"
| View of the "Poki" after renovation. |  |
Renovation work of " POKI", ancestral residence of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad
Agarwalla has been completed by the district administration. Various
photographs, artifacts and memorabilia associated with the Rupkonwar have been
exhibited at the Poki. Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi visited Poki on
19.6.2002 and expressed satisfaction at renovation works undertaken by the
district administartion with funds provided by Shri Mani Kumar Subba, Member of
Parliament.
Later, Shri Gogoi visited Chitralekha Udyan ( Cole Park), an important tourist
site in Tezpur, and commended the district administration and Tezpur
Environment Society for excellent upkeep of the park. The Chief Minister
also inspected the newly
renovated Kanaklata Civil Hospital and thanked all philanthrophic individuals
and organisations who have contributed towards improvement of the Hospital
complex.
PILOT IRRIGATION PROJECT
EXECUTED BY DRDA SONITPUR INAUGURATED
A pilot irrigation project with irrigation potential of about 100 bighas of
agricultural land was inaugurated by Shri Ripun Bora MLA, Gohpur, at
Gamiri on 15.6.2002. The project involves installation of a 100 metre Deep Tube
Well with 6-inch diameter GI pipes and submersible pumps with diesel engines. It
has been executed by the Sonitpur DRDA under SGSY 2001-2002 at a cost of
Rupees 4.30 lakhs with technical inputs from the Agriculture Department. It is expected
that the scheme will work well in those areas where water table is
considerably low and Shallow Tube Wells are not successful.
Meanwhile, State Government has constituted a Task Force to study
feasibility of replication of this scheme in other places with specific emphasis
on working out cost-benefit ratio and actual irrigation potential of the
scheme. During his recent visit to Sonitpur, the Agriculture Production
Commissioner, Shri J.P.Rajkhowa, inspected the project to take a first- hand
view of the operation of the DTW.
TEZPUR
MUNICIPAL BOARD STRIVES TO IMPROVE CIVIC AMENITIES
 |
Deputy Commissioner, Sanjay Lohiya, inspects the new tractor acquired by Tezpur Municipal Board. |
Tezpur Municipal Board was taken over by district administration
on expiry of the elected body's term in November 2001. Since then the Board
has been striving continuously to enhance revenue collection and provide
improved civic amenities to the public mainly through efforts of Shri
Sanjay Lohiya, Deputy Commissioner and Smti Madhumita Bhagoboty, Executive
Officer. In addition to acquiring a new tractor with trailer for garbage
disposal, TMB has opened up
a new slaughter house functioning under the
supervision of a veterinary doctor. There has been a tremendous increase
in revenue collection by TMB in the last seven months through
collection of arrear revenue, special drives, renewal/issue of trade licenses
and settlement of bazaars. Following such increase in revenue, TMB
has not only managed to pay regular salaries to conservancy staff at
revised rates, but has also made part deposit against arrear Contributory
Provident Fund of its staff. New initiatives taken up under SJSRY scheme include sponsoring of 150 persons for loan
benefits under the Urban Self Employment Programme, construction of a ten-room
market shed at Hatipilkhana and formation of 44 Self Help Groups.
SONITPUR ZILA PARISHAD FORMALLY CONSTITUTED
Members of the Sonitpur Zila Parishad were administered oath of
office and secrecy by Shri Ajitendra Sarma, Additional Deputy Commissioner, at
the first meting of the ZP held at Tezpur Mahukuma Parishad
Conference Hall on 4.6.2002. Shri Durga Prasad Upadhyaya was
elected President of Sonitpur ZP while Smti Lily Sen Deka was elected
Vice President of the ZP. Shri Tokheswar Bora, Additional Deputy
Commissioner, has been given temporary charge as Chief Executive Officer of the
Sonitpur Zila Parishad.
BEST ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARD
Tezpur Environment Society (TES) has awarded the Best Environmentalist
award for the year2001-2002 to sculptor, artist and silent environment worker
Shri Lombodor Hazarika at a function held on 5.7.2002. The award , which has been instituted
in memory of Late Naba Kumar Chetia, former Deputy Commissioner,
Sonitpur, will be given each year to the person who makes outstanding
contribution to the cause of conservation of environment and nature. The award
consists of five thousand rupees in cash and a citation.
NEWS IN BRIEF
###
Bakijai collection during the first quarter of the current financial year
increased to more than Rupees 32 lakhs against a collection of Rupees 3.45 lakhs during
the same period in 2001-2002.
###
Director General Civil Defence, Shri L. David, reviewed civil defence
preparedness in the district during a meeting with District and Police
administration at Tezpur recently.
###
Additional Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri J. P.
Rajkhowa reviewed progress of works of Agriculture, Fishery and Veterinary
departments at a meeting with concerned officials recently. He also inspected
the pilot irrigation project executed by Sonitpur DRDA at Gamiri..
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SONITPUR DISTRICT - A
DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT FACT FILE 2001-2002
SEMINAR ON FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
COMMITTEE OF FISCAL REFORMS ( COFR ) :
A seminar was organised under the aegis of the
district administration at the District Library auditorium, Tezpur, on 20.04.2002 to
discuss the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Fiscal Reforms (COFR). Sri
H.N.Das, former Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam and Chairman of the COFR made a
concise, yet powerful, presentation of the factors identified by the Committee as being
responsible for the precarious financial condition of the state. Sri Das suggested
that the disparity between the revenue earned by the state and the expenditure made by it,
the sluggish growth of industry and agriculture over the past few years and leakages in
taxation in the commerce and service sectors were primarily responsible for the current
fiscal imbalance.The Committee was of the view, in the light of the figures made available
to it ,that payment of salaries and pensions constituted a major segment of government
expenditure. The recommendations of the COFR, numbering 208, were discussed in detail at
the subsequent interactive session with the audience, comprising of government servants,
representatives of employee unions and associations, NGOs and leading citizens.
SYSTEM OF COLLECTING REGISTRATION FEES FROM PATIENTS IN KANAKLATA CIVIL HOSPITAL
INTRODUCED:
The management committee of
the Kanaklata Civil Hospital has decided, at a meeting held on 20.4.2002, to resort to collecting registration
fees from both indoor and outdoor patients at the Kanaklata Civil Hospital, Tezpur with
effect from 01.05.2002. The decision was taken following a review of the enhanced facilities
now available to patients after renovation of the Civil Hospital and the unanimous opinion that it is necessary to generate resources internally
in order to be able to sustain the enhanced provision of facilities. The rates have been finalised as Rupees two for outdoor patients and Rupees five for indoor patients The funds so collected will be deposited in a
separate bank account of the Hospital Management Committee and will be jointly operated by the Superintendent Civil Hospital and Shri Sumer Duggar, a leading citizen of Tezpur town,
so as to ensure transparency. It has been decided further that these funds
will be utilised solely for maintenance of the Hospital.
SENSITISATION/ AWARENESS
MEETING ON DISABILITY
The DPEP, Sonitpur organised a sensitisation/
awareness meeting on disability at the Hem Baruah Hall, Tezpur on 21.4.2002. The meeting attended by NGOs, Government departmental heads and Integrated Education for
Disabled (IED) workers was addressed by Deputy Commissioner Sonitpur who made an
impassioned appeal to the community at large to appreciate and identify the needs of the disabled and bring about an attitudinal change in their perspective of the disabled. Smti
Layla Zulekha Islam, Director of '' SHISHU SARATHI'' provided an interesting insight
into the world of the disabled and emphasised on the need for the community to empathise
with the disabled, thereby creating an environment where the aspirations and needs of the disabled are met. She also discussed the major disability related Acts and suggested
that local level committees be formed urgently as the first step towards generating awareness about disability.
Miss Chitra Devi, a young locomotor-disabled student of Kamarchuburi Readiness
Centre performed a dance while seated on a stool and brought to focus the fact that a
large number of disabled children possess latent talents and require community
support and motivation for further growth.
HISTORIC " PAKI " TO GET A FACELIFT :
Built in the year 1875 by the grandfather of Rupkonwar
Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, the "Paki ",
one of the first permanent buildings of
Tezpur town which now houses the Jyoti Bharati, gained prominence not simply by
virtue of being the residence of the Agarwalla family but for having hosted eminent
national leaders who visited Tezpur for formulating political strategies to
strengthen the freedom movement in this part of the country. Among the personages
who visited the Paki were Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, Motilal Nehru, Raja Gopalachari, Dr.
Rajendra Prasad, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya , Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru and a
host of others. In fact, during Gandhiji's visit to Tezpur, he addressed a public meeting
from the roof of Paki.
As a prelude to the year long birth centenary celebrations of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad
Agarwalla and in response to numerous public appeals, the District Administration Sonitpur has initiated, in consultation with members of the Agarwalla family, leading
citizens of Tezpur town and technical experts, a move to renovate the Paki , whose roof
and interiors are in need of extensive repairs. Sri Mani Kumar Subba, Member of Parliament
from Tezpur H.P.C. has consented to provide necessary funds for completing the project.
Preliminary work in this regard has already begun and the project is expected to be
completed by 17th June, Rupkonwar's birthday.
STATE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT WING
ESTABLISHED AT BISHWANATH CHARIALI :
A Training and Technology Development Centre, an extension wing of the SIRD, Assam, was formally inaugurated at the Bishwanath
Mahukuma Parishad office premises by Member of Parliament, Sri Mani Kumar Subba on
26.04.2002. This centre, the seventh of its kind in the state, will impart training on implementation of rural development programmes to officials,
non-oficials, NGOs, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, organise
workshops and seminars on social justice and equity, cause technology transfer to rural areas, serve as a repository for district-level data on resources and extension services,
and, most importantly, provide a platform for interface between experts and artisans. This
centre will cater to the requirements of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur districts and a part
of Darrang district as well. Computer and general training facilities for
about 80 trainees are existent at the centre including hostel accomodation for
15 trainees. Preparations are underway to hold training of Panchayat
functionaries at the centre.
BLOCK-LEVEL AWARENESS PROGRAMME AMONG SHGs ORGANISED:
The DRDA Sonitpur organised a Block-level awareness programme on
10.04.2002 for Self Help Groups ( SHGS ) under the " Swarnajayanti Gram Swa-Rozgar Yojana'' at the Dhekiajuli Development
Block. Representatives of all 249 self-help groups formed under Dhekiajuli
development block attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, Sri Sanjay Lohiya,
Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, emphasised on the need for regular and active interaction between the
various SHGs so as to identify common problems and methods of their
resolution . A federation of SHGs at each block has been mooted with a view towards creating a nodal
agency to guide individual SHGs in accomplishing their objectives and liaise with
financial institutions and government departments on behalf of the SHGs. A
novel question - answer session followed the address of the Deputy Commissioner wherein
the problems being faced by these SHGs were raised by members of the SHGs and remedial
action suggested by officials concerned.
It has been decided to form federation of SHGs and organise awareness meetings with SHGs
at all the fourteen development blocks in the district.
COMPUTER EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS
UNDER
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SCHOOLS' SCHEME
LAUNCHED IN SONITPUR :
Computer training to school students
at highly subsidised rates has commenced at Uttar Jamuguri,
Gohpur and Dhekiajuli High Schools in Sonitpur district from April
2002. Three computers have been installed at each of the three schools
from funds made available under MLALAD 1999-2000, and some
financial assistance from the State Industries Department. As
on 30.4.2002, a total of 194 school students
have enrolled for training at these schools.
Under this new scheme computer training is being imparted to students from class
VII to X by a private institution, duly approved by the Industries
Department. Each school student seeking enrolment is
required to pay a one-time registration fee
of Rs. 150=00 and monthly tuition fees @ Rs.35=00. The scheme is
self-sustaining as establishment costs of running the
training course , including salaries of faculty members appointed by
the Institution, are met from the registration and tuition
fees collected from the students. Students from nearby
schools are also eligible to register themselves
for training at these centres.
AMBITIOUS DRDA FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME COMPLETED :
The
Sonitpur DRDA has successfully completed work of construction of an artificial canal to divert the river Gabharu to its original course at Nabil under Bihaguri
Development Block. The project envisaged construction of an artificial canal,
digging of the river Gabharu to create a point of diversion and construction of
a dam alongside the canal. The scheme was funded under the JGSY and EAS schemes
and cost a total of six lakhs rupees. In addition to creating 12125
mandays of employment, approximately 30,000 hectares of land under Tezpur and
Dhekiajuli Revenue Circles will be protected from
the scourge of floods and erosion each year
as a result of execution of this scheme.
| CONSTRUCTION
OF A DIVERSIONARY CANAL ON RIVER GABHARU AT NABIL
|
 |
 |
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SANJAY LOHIYA REVIEWING PROGRESS OF WORK OF CONSTRUCTION OF DAM AT NABIL |
NEW PERMANENT BUILDING OF ADHOC FAST TRACK COURT INAUGURATED AT TEZPUR:
The Hon'ble
Chief Justice of the Gauhati High
Court, Mr. Justice R.S.Mongia inaugurated the newly
constructed building of the adhoc fast-track
court at Tezpur recently. The court, the fifteenth such
court under the jurisdiction of the Gauhati
High Court was constituted on 29.5.2001 by transfer
of 229 sessions cases, of which 147 remain pending
as on 30.4.2002. The inaugural function , which was
attended among others by Mr Justice J.N.Sarma, Mr. Justice
P.G.Agarwalla and Mr. Justice I. A.Ansari of the Gauhati High Court was marked by various
speakers extolling on the need
to have an expeditious justice delivery
system where there would be no
dilution of the quality of justice
delivered and on the role that fast-track
courts are expected to play in efficient
dispensation of justice. The necessity of ensuring
better coordination between the Bar and the
Bench and its impact on reducing
the pendency of cases was also
emphasised.
RAIJOR PADULIT RAIJOR SARKAR : A GREAT
RESPONSE
| Gaon Sabhas under second round of Raijor Padulit Raijor Sarkar (RPRS) were held in rural areas of Sonitpur district from 27th to 31st January . It was a success in the term of public & official participation. Nearly 60,000 people attended and 18000 grievances were received. The theme of 2nd round RPRS was rural credit . | Public gathering in RPRS meeting. |
RENOVATION OF
KANAKLATA CIVIL HOSPITAL TEZPUR THROUGH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Kanaklata Civil Hospital, which was
in a state of disrepair because of lack of maintenance over the years, has been renovated
through contribution from various organisations and leading citizens of Tezpur. Shri
Sanjay Lohiya, Deputy Commissioner encouraged people to come forward with
assistance. Response from Tezpurians has simply been overwhelming. Shri Sumer Duggar,a
leading social worker, has taken upon himself the entire mantle of determining the type
of renovation required and supervising all related works. The Rotary Club of Tezpur,
The Assam Branch of The Indian Tea Association, Zone-III, ,The Indian Red
Cross Society , Tezpur Samaj Unnayan Samiti ,Indian Council For Child Welfare,
Shri Ram Prasad Maheshwari and Shri Jagat Singh Duggar contributed towards
renovation of one ward each. Shri Prakash Bader, a leading businessman, has
constructed a complete six-room ward for indoor patients within the Hospital precincts.
M/S Tezpur Gas Agency has donated
a kitchen with LPG facilities. This is first time in Assam that an LPG based kitchen is in operation in any Civil Hospital in the
state. Among another first that the Kanaklata Civil Hospital can boast of is the
incinerator available in the premises for burning of organic matter produced in the
Hospital. This incinerator was constructed by the Energy Department of Central University,
Tezpur. The doctors of Civil Hospital have
made monetary contribution towards the
renovation of OPD. An airconditioner is already installed in the Hospital's
Operation Theatre through contribution from these doctors.
Shri S.R. Bhowmik , a leading businessman has volunteered to donate a paying ward with eight rooms. Construction work in this regard has already started. Work of construction of a waiting shed outside the OPD is also in progress.
The new-look civil hospital, which caters to the medical needs of a large chunk of population on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, has motivated doctors and paramedical staff alike and the subsequent improved service has benefited patients immensely.
DISTRICT MUSEUM SHIFTED TO RENOVATED DAK BUNGALOW
The old Dak Bungalow has been renovated and the district museum shifted there. This impressive colonial building in the heart of town is ideally suited to house the museum. It is expected that the district museum in its new premises will be an added attraction to visiting tourists.
FIRST COLD STORAGE OF NORTH BANK STARTS AT TEZPUR
A cold storage started functioning from 1st April 2002 at Tezpur. It has a capacity to store 3500 tons of potato and 500 tons of other vegetables and fruits. It has been promoted by Shri Ritesh Tiberewal of Tezpur and financed by NABARD .This cold storage will provide much needed boost to agricultural production in the district and help in stabilizing prices of fruits and vegetables. Agriculturists will now be able to sell their perishable goods at competitive prices rather than auction them at throw-away prices as in yesteryears.
SONITPUR LEADS ASSAM IN SELF HELP GROUP FORMATION AND ISSUE OF KISAN CREDIT CARDS :
Sonitpur district has shown
remarkable achievement in formation of SHGs and sanction of KCCs. Till end of March
2002 more than 2000 SHGs have been formed and 1000 groups have been provided revolving
fund by DRDA after grading. SHGs have become a movement in the district due to
efforts of administration, banks ,NGOs and public spirited citizens. The SHGs are being
organised in to block level federations with district level
apex body. Till end of March 2002 about 800 KCCs have been sanctioned by
banks .KCCs will play an important role in improving agricultural production in the
district.
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