Dhakuakhana (Assam): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the prospect of resolving the ULFA issue looks bright after his "positive" talks with the outfit's leaders. "I was happy to meet the ULFA leaders and the talks
with them were positive. The future of resolving the issue looks bright," Singh told an election meeting in Assam's Lakhimpur district.
"ULFA ke saath batcheet achi rahi aur bhavishya ke liye acchi lag rahi hai, pichli samasya ko suljhaya ja sakta hai (The talks with ULFA were good and the future looks good. Older issues can be solved)," the Prime minister told the rally as people came out in droves ignoring the 12-hour Assam bandh called by the Paresh Barua-led ULFA anti-talk faction to protest the PM's visit.
"I believe there is enough flexibility in the Indian Constitution to fulfil the aspirations of different sections of the people and do justice to them," he said. Stating that the Congress government was ready to talk to all prepared to leave the path of violence and negotiate, he congratulated the people for thwarting the attempt of forces attempting to destroy peace and harmony in the state.
"Development is possible only when peace prevails and both the central and state government have taken several measures to bring peace and development to the state," he said. The PM also said the Centre and the state government also believed in fulfilling the aspirations of the indigenous people through
territorial and hill councils.
The Prime Minister also announced a Rs 250 crore development package for the Bodoland Territorial Council. "We want to help these councils by giving them the
necessary power so that they can fulfill their duties towards their community in a responsible manner," Singh said.
The Prime Minister said that the Centre was sensitive to the needs of the people and had initiated several schemes for the upliftment of the backward sections. Under the Bharat Nirman programme, he said, "We have strived to provide roads, drinking water, electricity and housing in rural areas." Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Food Security Mission, the UPA government has waived loans amounting to Rs 60,000 crore, Singh said.
The government has also ensured 100 days employment for the poor under the NREGA, better health facilities under NRHM and the Right to Education Act. "We will soon bring the Food Security Act soon so the poor will get foodgrains at
lower rates," he said. The UPA government has taken up many projects for Assam and other North Eastern states in the last two years with IIT, Guwahati and a central university at Tezpur set up.
A project to stop erosion at Rohmoria and Majuli was expected to be completed soon and the Bongaigaon Thermal power project would be started soon. The Rs 5,500 crore Assam Gas Cracker project would create employment opportunities for the state and was expected to be completed next year.
The Centre realised the need to improve connectivity in the state and has undertaken several projects including gauge conversion of the Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam, Bogibeel rail-cum-road project, the Dhola-Sadiya and Numali-Gohpur
project, four laning of the Nagaon-Jorhat-Dibrugarh sector of NH 37 and upgradation of other national highways.
"Both the state and central government is committed to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Assam and has taken measures for the protection of the Majuli-Natun Kamlabari Sattra's heritage," the Prime Minister added.
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