Tarun Gogoi appeals to Baruah to join mainstream

Assam CM slams Centre over special category status and flood relief funds

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Tuesday made an appeal to elusive Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah and other separatist leaders to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

Hoisting the tricolour at the Republic Day celebrations, Mr Gogoi also warned that his government would continue to take stern measures to crush the armed rebel groups in the state.

In an unprecedented move, Mr Gogoi also slammed the Central government during his Republic Day address on various issues, including “curtailing” of special category status for the state and non-receipt of any special flood relief funds.

Mr Gogoi said that the state has not received any positive response to its several memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to the Central government once again for the continuance of special category status for Assam and also for continuance of the funding pattern of all Centrally-sponsored schemes as 100 per cent Central share or on the principle of 90 per cent Central share and 10 per cent state share.”

Mr Gogoi also criticised the Centre in his official address over the suspension of the Northeast Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP). He said that the “Make in India” vision would be successful only if initiatives are taken for “Make in Assam”.

Pointing out that the state attracted a large number of investments because of the NEIIPP, which helped in creating more jobs and wealth, Mr Gogoi regretted, “Unfortunately industrial growth and job creation have been adversely affected because of suspension of the policy by the Central government.”

Referring to achievements of his government, he said, “I appeal to the Central government not only to continue with the incentives provided in the NEIIPP, but also to expand its scope to facilitate industrialisation in the state.”