DIBRUGARH, Jan 18 ? Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today warned that the Assam government would not accede an inch of States territory to the greater Nagaland demand of the NSCN (I-M). ?Inclusion of any territorial part of Assam in the greater Nagaland as proposed by the NSCN (I-M) will be opposed by our government,? Gogoi thundered. Gogoi was speaking to local mediapersons here today. Deliberating on a wide range of subjects, Gogoi welcomed idea of issuing citizens? identity cards to keep a tab on illegal influx.
On the issue of sending back illegal Bangladeshis from the country, he shot back: ?The IMDT is not applicable in Delhi, let the deportation process begin there. We assure you, all illegal Bangladeshis will be pushed out of Assam, but only after ascertaining that the person is not a bonafide citizen of India. Stopping illegal human infiltration from across the international border is anyway the Centre?s job.?
On the Gas Cracker Project Gogoi reiterated that it is the Centre?s prerogative now to expeditiously implement the proposed Assam Gas Cracker Project, and reiterated that the onus of the project?s implementation, ?now rests on the sincerity of the Central Government at New Delhi.? He said that his government has several infrastructure proposals pending with the Centre, and that New Delhi is yet to spell out its mind on these. The proposals include extension of the east west corridor from Nagaon to Jairampur Gate in Tinsukia district. Sri Gogoi said that there are demands from several places for new civil sub-divisions, when pointed out to the long pending demand for the Naharkatia sub-division. He added that upon practical viability, new civil sub-divisions would be created, in a systematic manner.
On the contentious Bodoland Territorial Council formation, he said the State government has decided to include the 93 villages demanded by Bodo groups in the proposed BTC. He also said that villages with over 50% Bodo population would come under the council. Refuting the view that the State is going through an economic stagnancy, he said: ?Tel me if land prices are rising or falling in any of the State?s major cities if it is rising, it just means that the people have better purchasing power. Better purchasing power emanates from economic well being alone. Everywhere I go, I am getting the feedback that land prices are going up in Guwahati and Dibrugarh. We are having some financial constraints, but the overall economy is fine.?
Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly-constructed Dibrugarh Bus Terminus at Banipur here. The facility will be upgraded to an Inter-State Bus Terminus shortly. The terminus, built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh will reduce the pressure at the private bus station near the city?s Lakshminath Bezbaroa Park. The inaugural function was presided over by the Assam Speaker, Prithibi Majhi.