New Raj Bhavan coming up in Guwahati

Guwahati: Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi laid the foundation stone of the New Raj Bhavan building in presence of State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Kharguli locality on the south bank of Brahmaputra in the city on Thursday. Mentionable is that as part of the government’s special development initiative titled Bikashor-Babe-Ek-Din, its foundation stone was laid along with other infrastructure projects in Guwahati.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Mukhi termed it a happy occasion as Raj Bhavan Assam is going to have another infrastructural addition. Lauding CM Sarma, the Governor stated that under his leadership Assam has been witnessing exponential infrastructure development in the last few months. He also hoped that the new expansion of Raj Bhavan will be a state-of-the-art and signature building to carry the image and prestige of the State.

Sarma informed that the new Raj Bhavan will be built within a period of 18 months involving a financial outlay of Rs 41.32 crores. Efforts are on to make the new Raj Bhavan one of the most beautiful Governor houses in India, he revealed. In presence of first lady Prem Mukhi, State minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, commissioner & secretary to Governor SS Meenakshi Sundaram with other responsible officers, Sarma also informed that the existing Raj Bhavan at the present location will also be preserved.

Meanwhile, the State government has entered into an agreement with the Regional Centre (ex-servicemen contributory health services) Guwahati for providing cashless medical services for various beneficiaries belonging to the defence forces. Under this agreement, concerned beneficiaries will be entitled to high-quality treatment in eight government medical colleges and hospitals namely Guwahati medical college & hospital, Assam medical college & hospital, Silchar medical college & hospital, Jorhat medical college & hospital, Diphu medical college & hospital, Tezpur medical college & hospital, Lakhimpur medical college & hospital and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed medical college & Hospital at Barpeta.

Moreover, RCG also signed an agreement with the Assam cancer care foundation for high-quality cancer care services for those beneficiaries belonging to the defence forces. CM Sarma hoped that the agreement would go a long way in extending medical coverage to the ex-servicemen and their family members in the government medical colleges and cancer care hospitals.

“In the eventful journey of our great nation, we have witnessed the bravery, dedication and endurance of our defence forces. The world has seen the indomitable spirit and fortitude of our brave jawans. The bravery displayed by the Indian armed forces while protecting the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland has sent a strong message to the world about India’s strength. The commitment of our defence personnel for the nation has led to many incredible episodes of patriotism,” said Sarma.

He also mentioned the victories of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Kargil War stating that nine valiant soldiers from Assam also made supreme sacrifices in the Indo-Pak War. Many sustained injuries but survived and many led the battlefront with outstanding leadership, he added. Sarma also asserted that many defence personnel from the State sacrificed their lives while protecting the country’s sovereignty. They are the pride and they immensely inspire generation after generation to devote their life and energy for building the democratic edifice of India, asserted Sarma.

Understanding the responsibility to stand by the brave hearts and their families and fulfilling its commitment, the government recently provided an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to those who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country’s sovereignty. The state government also ensured 2% reservation for ex-servicemen in group C and D category government jobs. In 2022, the government increased the reservation of MBBS seats for wards of ex-servicemen and serving defence personnel hailing from Assam from three to nine in the government medical colleges of Assam, revealed Sarma.