Guwahati: The Assam government has decided to set up a new Assam Bhawan in Bengaluru to benefit patients and students from the State in the south Indian city. The BJP led government in Dispur has also initiated steps for setting up several Assam Bhawan at Dwarka (New Delhi), Russel Street (Kolkata), and other major cities like Hyderabad, Puducherry, Chandigarh, etc.
State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the proposed site of Assam Bhawan at Bengaluru on Saturday (October 30) and discussed the project with the officials. He directed them to coordinate with the Bengaluru development authority to obtain required approvals for commencement of construction work at the earliest.
CM Sarma earlier launched the online (contactless) driving license renewal and duplicate license service. The citizen-centric services are seemingly transparent, user-friendly and easily accessible, where the service seekers without visiting the district transport offices will experience contactless and doorstep service delivery based on Aadhaar authentication.
“With launch of the services, Assam becomes the 6th State in the country to adopt the technology-based solution. These services are an attempt to empower the people and give them the fruits of good governance,” said Sarma adding that these online services are boon to the common people. The people can now apply for renewal and duplication of driving licenses through the services, he revealed.
State transport minister CM Patowary, while thanking Sarma for his initiatives, announced that the department was working wholeheartedly to introduce a hybrid approach, namely Aadhar and non-Aadhar based authenticated service for the citizens. He also added that the department under contactless learner license facility issued 1,39,925 licenses within 3 September to 27 October.
Lighthouse at Valiyazhikkal: Union ports, shipping & waterways and AYUSH minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated a new lighthouse at Valiyazhikkal under Alappuzha district of Kerala. After obtaining the coastal regulatory zone clearance and other statutory clearance, the 41.26-metre height pentagonal tower was constructed. The lighthouse with elevator and allied buildings has been put on a trial run, added the saffron leader.
Sonowal, in his address, revealed that the Centre, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, has approved the development of 75 lighthouses for tourism as a part of the 75th Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Besides Valiyazhikkal, eleven other lighthouses in Kerala have been earmarked for necessary improvements. The lighthouses help the ships and boat riders (fishermen) safely return to the bank, particularly during the nighttime.
