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A delegation of the All Assam Students Union led by its President, Shri S.P. Roy, and including Shri Samujjal Bhattacharya, Shri Tapan Gogoi, Shri Prabin Boro and Prof. Basanta Deka, had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, here today, on issues pertaining to the implementation of the Assam Accord, curbing illegal migration from Bangaldesh and the economic development of Assam. The Union Home Minister, Shri Shivraj Patil; the National Security Advisor, Shri M K Narayanan; Chairman of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, Dr. C Rangarajan; and senior officials of the Union Government participated in the meeting along with the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi and State Government officials.
In the 150-minute meeting all aspects of the implementation of the Assam Accord, the fencing of the India-Bangaldesh border and the economic and social development of Assam were discussed in great detail. The Prime Minister urged the AASU leaders to work with the State Government and the Union Government to create a climate of peace and stability in Assam and the entire north-eastern region so as to create the environment for rapid economic development and the unleashing of the creative potential of the people of the region. Dr Singh said, "Assam is truly the Mother State of the North-Eastern region of our country. If Assam prospers, so will all of the North-east. All the people of Assam and the north-eastern region must come together and create a climate of peace and stability so that the full potential of the region can be unleashed. Our effort should be that while we solve old problems, we should not create new problems", Dr Singh added.
The tripartite meeting agreed to ensure the early completion of the complete fencing of the India - Bangladesh border. The Union government agreed to expedite pending industrial projects like Ashok Paper Mills and the gas cracker project. Dr Singh reiterated his commitment to rejuvenating theNorth Eastern Council, the creation of a Brahmaputra Valley DevelopmentAuthority, and the raising of additional battalions of security forces to enhance border patrolling. He also assured the AASU delegation that expeditious steps would be taken to update and revise the voters list and issue identity cards to all registered voters. The Government also agreed to examine the proposal for the creation of single judge tribunals in the place of the present two-judge tribunals under the IMDT Act. The Prime Minister reiterated that the flood problem in Assam was a national problem and would be dealt with as such.
The Prime Minister also assured that the Union Government would take a positive view of the educational and employment requirements of Assam and the region. He also assured that adequate financial support would be provided for expeditious completion of infrastructure projects. Dr Rangarajan reminded the delegation that the 12th Finance Commission award for Assam amounted to an 80 per cent hike in financial devolution. "Funds will not be a problem. We are committed to the development of Assam", the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister and the Home Minister agreed to visit the border areas to personally supervise fencing work. The AASU delegation thanked the Prime Minister for meeting them, appreciating the fact that such a meeting was taking place after 16 years. Dr Singh agreed to a second meeting with the delegation and the State Government within the current financial year to take stock of the implementation of the assurances given today.
RK/VSR
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