Transport and Excise dept. to be transferred to KAAC, says HAD minister

Our Correspondent
Diphu, June 23 (EMN): As per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 1995, the Transport and Excise department will be transferred to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).

Speaking as the chief guest at the 70th foundation day of KAAC at Joysing Doloi Auditorium on Wednesday, the minister of Hill Areas Development, Jogen Mohan informed that the two departments have not being transferred so the process are on as per the MOU signed to transfer 30 departments to KAAC.

The minister also stated that permission has been sought from the central government to legalise coal mining in Amlokhi, Koilajan and Silojijan blocks and soon green signal is expected, which if legalised, KAAC would receive a good amount of revenue from it.

The minister added that a university would be set up in West Karbi Anglong as the state government is concerned about developing the three hill districts–Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, and the government is striving to end extremist problems through the peace process.

Stating that a website was launched by the Revenue department on Wednesday for the people to easily access various information through digital systems, he stated that, Karbi guesthouse would be constructed in Guwahati and soon the department would make the land allotment.

The chief executive member of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang in his speech stated that the three Sixth Schedule Councils in Assam — KAAC, NCHAC and BTC should work as a team for development of the region.

 “KAAC is the oldest and largest Sixth Schedule district in India. In 1951 the erstwhile United Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills Districts (now Karbi Anglong) was constituted under Sixth Schedule provision of the constitution of India. In the 22nd amendment of the constitution of India in 1969 and  under Article 244 Meghalaya was given Autonomous state status.  In the same constitutional amendment of 1069 the government of India has provided the provision of Article 244 (A) for creation of an Autonomous State. We are demanding our rights i.e. state within the state,” CEM said.

The CEM also said the BJP government in the State has increased 10 percent budget allocation for Karbi Anglong. The KAAC is now receiving 400 crore as annual budget allocation for Karbi Anglong.

Deputy Speaker of Assam Assembly, Dr. Numal Momin cleared the confusion in the minds among the non-tribal people regarding the proposed signing of peace accord stating that ‘the peace accord has no harm to the non-tribal communities, it is meant for equal development of all communities and tribes of Karbi Anglong’.

On the occasion, an online service of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s Land and Revenue Department was launched under the Assam Right to Public Service Act, 2012, allowing the general public to access certified copies of jamabandi, duplicate copies of land pattas, certified copies of citha, land valuation certificate, income certificate, land revenue clearance certificate, land holding certificate, and others e-certification. KAAC awarded Home Guard Borsing Bey a cash award of INR 1 lakh for his honesty and commitment to service for refusal of money from drug dealers on the night of June 21 that led to seizure of drugs worth INR 12 crores at Dillai check gate. The SP of Karbi Anglong, Pushpraj Singh received the award on his behalf.