HM launches ‘Prarthana’ scheme, lays foundation for first medical college in BTR
From Sandeep Sharma
GUWAHATI: In a bid to take Assam government’s efforts forward to reach to the affected people of Covid-19, especially those who lost their family members in the pandemic, Union home minister Amit Shah handed over financial assistance to 100 selected beneficiaries of ‘Prarthana’ Scheme in a programme held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here on Sunday.
Under the scheme, Assam government is providing Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of deceased Covid patients.
Moreover, strengthening the health infrastructure in the BTR, the Union minister also ceremonially laid the foundation stone of 430 bedded Tamulpur Medical College & Hospital at today’s programme.
While speaking on the occasion, Shah said that the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special attention to the development of the North Eastern region.
Shah said that the Prime Minister’s 35 visits to the region in the last 7 years and induction of 5 ministers in the Union cabinet from the region is a clear indication of the Union government’s commitment for the growth of the Northeast.
Further saying that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bodoland Agreement was signed, the home minister stated that the government has already delivered 90% of the conditions of the agreement.
Reiterating the Union government’s commitment for protecting and preserving Assam’s language, its heritage, and glorious culture, the Union minister said that the language, dialects, cuisines, and cultural traditions of Assam and North East are India’s jewels and the government would preserve these.
In his speech, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the Union home minister for his visit to Assam to launch the state government’s initiatives in the health care sector.
Sarma said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah a new chapter for lasting peace has dawned upon the state with the signing of BTR Accord. He also informed that while most of the conditions have already been fulfilled, rest would also be brought to fruition soon.
The chief minister further said that in the last six decades after independence there were only six medical colleges in Assam. However, the BJP led government after coming to power initiated steps for setting up 23 new medical colleges, out of which few are completed while many are in various stages of the implementation process.
The chief minister further informed that the Assam government in a bid to provide succour to the Covid affected families, especially those who lost their family members initiated Chief Minister’s Sishu Sewa Achoni, Chief Minister’s Widow Support Scheme and Prarthana Scheme. Under Prarthana Scheme, Rs. one lakh would be provided to 5114 nos next of kin of deceased Covid patients.
While chief secretary Jishnu Barua delivered the welcome speech, the programme was also addressed by state health minister Keshab Mahanta and BTC chief Pramod Boro.
Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly Biswajit Daimary and several ministers were present in the programme.
Earlier on Sunday, giving a major boost to Assam and NE’s cancer treatment infrastructure, the Union home minister inaugurated the Radio Therapy Block of State Cancer Institute at GMCH and also dedicated the newly installed state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator machine at the centre to the service of the people.
This treatment facility apart from tremendously augmenting state’s fight against cancer and is expected to bring succour to the affected people in the region.
State health minister Keshab Mahanta and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
