Guwahati, April 7 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday highlighted the Narendra Modi government’s initiatives in promoting Assam’s cultural identity and announced a series of welfare measures while addressing a public rally in Hailakandi district.
HM Shah said PM Modi had played a key role in taking Assam’s cultural symbols to the global stage.
He noted that the traditional Assamese ‘gamocha’ had gained international recognition under the BJP government. In a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi, Shah alleged that the Congress leader had once declined to wear the gamocha when offered during a Republic Day event.
He further said that the Modi government had honoured the legacy of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan by installing a grand statue in New Delhi, ensuring that his valour is recognised worldwide.
Highlighting land rights for tea garden workers, Shah said the BJP government had granted land ownership pattas to nearly 3.5 lakh families across 707 tea gardens.
“In the first phase, the process has already been completed in 106 gardens across 20 districts,” he said, adding that the move aimed to empower tea garden communities.
The Home Minister also underlined key policy decisions, including the abolition of triple talaq, which he said the Congress had opposed.
He added that the Assam government had converted 402 madrasas into primary schools as part of education reforms.
Pitching for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Shah said it would ensure equality by prohibiting practices like multiple marriages.
He urged voters to support the BJP in the upcoming polls to enable the implementation of UCC in the state.
On the welfare front, Shah promised enhanced financial support to farmers, stating that annual assistance would be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 11,000. He also announced subsidies for tractor purchases for 10,000 farmers and assured procurement of paddy, maize and mustard at Minimum Support Price.
Additionally, he promised free education for poor children from kindergarten to postgraduate level, free rice distribution, subsidised essential commodities, and a monthly Direct Benefit Transfer of Rs 3,000 for women, if the BJP returns to power in the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, he launched a sharp attack on the Congress while addressing a massive election rally in Patharkandi in Assam’s Sribhumi district, asserting that only the BJP can safeguard the state from illegal infiltration and preserve its cultural identity.
Shah said the BJP government has already identified infiltrators and vowed that they would be “removed one by one” if the party returns to power.
He alleged that illegal migrants were taking away jobs, ration benefits and wages meant for local youth, poor families and tea garden workers.
“With BJP-NDA governments in Assam, West Bengal and Tripura, infiltration will be completely stopped,” he declared.
–IANS
tdr/rad
