Guwahati, Jan. 30: The World Bank has said it was ?satisfied? with the law and order situation in Assam, offering to enter into a long-term partnership with the state government for development projects.
Officials of the World Bank met state government officials last evening.
A seven-member mission of the global bank, led by P. Joardar, visited the state to review Phase I of Rs 550-crore Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Project (ARIASP).
Top government officials were present on the occasion. The bank had earlier told the Assam government that it would not sanction funds unless the situation improved to enable its consultants and officials to physically verify the sites of the proposed projects.
The mission has also agreed to start a dialogue with the state for Phase II of ARIASP at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore. It had conveyed to the government that the bank was keen on sanctioning the loan for the second phase.
Officials said though the sanction would come off in 2004, the preparatory work had to be done a year ahead. The ambitious ARIASP was launched in 1995.
Assam minister of state for planning and development Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the mission had, however, stipulated conditions for a long-term partnership with the state government. The bank has asked for an environment and a resettlement policy for people affected by implementation of dam projects. On the state government?s aim of ensuring that no person remains below the poverty line by 2020, the mission asked the government for annual targets for alleviation of poverty.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who was present at the meeting, has instructed the department heads to gear up the machinery for prompt implementation of the preparatory work for Phase II of ARIASP.
Gogoi has invited the country director of the World Bank, Michael Carter, to visit the state for finalising other bank projects.
The areas which will be included under Phase II are rural roads connecting agriculture sites with markets, setting up of mandis, revamping the sericulture sector, multi-cropping and post-harvest infrastructure.