The Governor of Assam had in February suggested short and
long-term measures for solution of the flood problem besides setting
up of an autonomous body, North Eastern Resources Development
Authority, under direct control of the MoWR. The body should be made
to take on the complete programme of flood control in Assam on a
war-footing. This body would be made responsible for the development
of the rivers in a commercial, integrated and comprehensive way. It
would be required to device a mechanism which would not only pay back
the investments made but also survive on its own while generating
adequate revenue and extending the benefits of industrialisation and
socio-economic uplift of the region.
*** Isn't that a powerful and credible plan, that the people of
Assam, at long last, can bank on?
What a disgrace!
cm
Kalam lauds State initiative on floods
>From Our Staff Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 14 - The President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam today lauded Assam Governor, Lt General (retd) Ajai Singh's initiative to resolve the flood problem, commenting that his special report on flood control measures has been accepted by the Task Force set up by Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR). Inaugurating the two-day conference of Governors here today, the President singled out few select Governors for praise for seriously studying the subject of natural disaster and suggesting remedial measures. "The special report of the Governor of Assam on 'Flood Control Measures' has been taken into consideration by the Task Force set up by the MoWR in formulating its recommendations."
The Governor of Assam had in February suggested short and
long-term measures for solution of the flood problem besides setting
up of an autonomous body, North Eastern Resources Development
Authority, under direct control of the MoWR. The body should be made
to take on the complete programme of flood control in Assam on a
war-footing. This body would be made responsible for the development
of the rivers in a commercial, integrated and comprehensive way. It
would be required to device a mechanism which would not only pay back
the investments made but also survive on its own while generating
adequate revenue and extending the benefits of industrialisation and
socio-economic uplift of the region.
The conference of Governors and Lt Governors held at Rastrapati Bhavan was attended by Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and several Union Ministers besides the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil today chaired a session on the internal security and law and order and disaster management. The prevailing situation in North-east and Jammu and Kashmir, the illegal infiltration among other issues figured in the discussion that was held behind closed door.
Earlier, President Kalam, set the tone of the discussion by mentioning that India has for long suffered from the disturbance caused by certain disgruntled elements in the society. "There is a siege within. Covert intervention by hostile elements from across the border has also been posing a grave threat to our national security and integrity." He also referred to operations in Bhutan against the outlawed ULFA saying that during his meeting with the King of Bhutan he thanked him for the cooperation in flushing out various insurgent groups operating in Bhutan, which has contributed significantly to improving the security situation in both the countries.
"We need to give momentum to similar partnerships with our other neighbours to send a message throughout our region that violence and terrorist activities will not be tolerated," Dr Kalam said.
"Notwithstanding the saga of violence unleashed by the subversive forces, our conflict-management strategy has kept their activities well under check. Besides continued diplomatic initiatives at various levels, the Central Government conjointly with the state governments have adopted a multi-pronged conflict-management strategy including the strengthening of border management to check infiltration," he said.
The conference of Governors and Lt Governors held at Rastrapati Bhavan was attended by Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and several Union Ministers besides the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil today chaired a session on the internal security and law and order and disaster management. The prevailing situation in North-east and Jammu and Kashmir, the illegal infiltration among other issues figured in the discussion that was held behind closed door.
Earlier, President Kalam, set the tone of the discussion by mentioning that India has for long suffered from the disturbance caused by certain disgruntled elements in the society. "There is a siege within. Covert intervention by hostile elements from across the border has also been posing a grave threat to our national security and integrity." He also referred to operations in Bhutan against the outlawed ULFA saying that during his meeting with the King of Bhutan he thanked him for the cooperation in flushing out various insurgent groups operating in Bhutan, which has contributed significantly to improving the security situation in both the countries.
"We need to give momentum to similar partnerships with our other neighbours to send a message throughout our region that violence and terrorist activities will not be tolerated," Dr Kalam said.
"Notwithstanding the saga of violence unleashed by the subversive forces, our conflict-management strategy has kept their activities well under check. Besides continued diplomatic initiatives at various levels, the Central Government conjointly with the state governments have adopted a multi-pronged conflict-management strategy including the strengthening of border management to check infiltration," he said.
"The long-term remedy rests on our ability to usher in good governance and rapid economic development with a strong mechanism for equity and justice built into it while respecting the local sentiments," Dr Kalam said.
The contentious issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh and militancy also figured in the deliberations. In a speech that Governor Singh had proposed to deliver in February, he had described the Indo-Bangla border as one of the world's most fluid borders, crossed daily, by some 6,000 Bangladeshis, who come in search of work, often staying on to join the estimated 20 million illegal immigrants already in the country.
The large-scale illegal movement of population from poverty-stricken areas of Bangladesh into the north-eastern states has been causing concern for decades now. Pointing towards the threats posed by illegal influx, he said demographic changes are eroding the social and religious fabric and development of environment conductive to the seeding and development of local bases for Pakistani ISI network and international terrorist organisation like al Qaeda, is taking place.
The Governor cautioned that cumulative effects of such illegal immigration constitute a potent threat to the national unity and sovereignty. "It has now become a most necessary requirement to check this menace on a war-footing before it starts threatening larger national interests," he said.
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