Guwahati: Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extend their greetings to the people of Assam on the occasion of Kati (also known as Kongali) Bihu, which is one of three Bihu festivals observed by the Assamese community after Bohag (Rongali) in the middle of April and Magh (Bhogali) in the middle of January.
Both the heads of State and governments stated in separate statements wished that the light of earthen lamps lit on the occasion of Bihu would drive out all evils from the society and herald an age of prosperity and growth in the agricultural sector of Assam. They also hoped that observance of Kati Bihu would strengthen peace, unity and brotherhood among all sections in the society. Earlier CM Sarma on Sunday visited Tamulpur in Baksa district of lower Assam and took stock of progress of several developmental projects including the construction of second bridge (1.5 km long) over river Pagladia at Kharanie, for which the government made budget allocations under Asom Mala project, and another bridge over the same river at Jartaluk, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Sarma also visited the proposed Tamulpur medical college hospital at Kachubari, where preliminary works are underway and the construction is expected to start within this financial year. BTR chief Pramod Bodo accompanied Sarma during the visit, where State minister UG Brahma and legislator Bhupen Bodo were also present.
Later Sarma chaired a meeting with the pension and public grievances department and the officials to design and adopt best practices for benefits of pensioners in Assam. The meeting at Koinadhora guest house took several important decisions to bring about transformative reformation in the disbursal of pension of the State government employees after their superannuation.
He directed that all pension related papers have to be submitted on-line on the Kritagyata (pension payment and tracking system) portal. Sewa Kendras will be set up across Assam in all the districts for all government departments along with education department for on-line submission of pension related papers, Sarma added.
From now onwards, the director of pension will use digital signatures for meeting different requirements of pension related matters. For excess drawl up to rupees three lakh by any government employee, the director will be authorised to waive off depending on the merit of the case. Sarma stressed that the pension processes should be started prior to one year of the superannuation of any government employee.
