Assam agriculture minister vows to fight against corruption, sanctions prosecution against 33 officials
While unveiled the progress report of Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board in Guwahati, the state agriculture minister said that, Sarbananda Sonowal led state government has launched special drives against corruption across the state.
“In past a year, the State Agricultural Marketing Board had closed 18 check gates out of 23 across the state. The board also suspended eight officials in corruption charges,” Atul Bora said.
The Assam minister further said that, after closing the check gates, the revenue collection of the board increased of around Rs 20 crore compared to the previous year.
“In 2015-17, the board collected Rs 56,32,07,855 and it was increased in 2016-17 to Rs 76,03,50,406. In past three months, the board had collected Rs 4,36,48,823,” the Assam minister said.
On the other hand, Palit Bora, Chairman of the State Agricultural Marketing Board said that, the board has planned to construct an Inter-state terminal market in Silchar and Guwahati.
“The state government had already allocated 50 bigha land for the Silchar project and we are seeking appropriate land nearby Guwahati city for the second project. After completion of the projects, price hike of the agricultural products would be reduced,” Palit Bora said.
The Assam agriculture minister further said that, the agriculture department will provide 1 lakh shallow tube well, 10000 solar pumps and 400 rice mills to the farmers of the state in 50 per cent subsidy during the current fiscal.
“The State Agricultural Marketing Board has been taken adequate measures to provide supported price to the farmers for their agricultural products. Recently, the board had purchased 17,023.55 quintal potato and 15,964.86 matric ton rice from the farmers of Assam. The state government has sanctioned Rs 150 crore to support the farmers,” the Assam minister said.
Vice Chairman of the marketing board Manoj Baruah and other officials also present in the function.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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