Dhemaji dist lagging behind in development
>From Our Correspondent
JONAI, Oct 23 Even though the government has been spending huge amount of
fund for developmental activities, the Jonai subdivision under Dhemaji district
is still lagging behind in infrastructure development. The people of the area
are still deprived of the basic amenities like proper surface communication,
aerial communication and even power supply which are available in other parts
of the country. The people here have expressed strong resentment over the utter
negligence of the successive government and demanded early solution of the
long-standing problems to boost the rural infrastructure.
Jonai became a full-fledged subdivision in 1979. But it is still lying backward
from all sorts of development and communication. No significant development in
electricity, telecommunication, medical health service and drinking water etc
has been observed during the last two and half decades.
The Jonai subdivision is a tribal belt and block as declared by the Government
of Assam by notification in 1951 with a view to protect the economic, religious
and cultural identities of the indigenous tribal communities including Mising,
Boros, Kacharis, Deories. But the very assistance of rich culture and unity is
now threatened under the influence of political integration.
Jonai is a place located in 95.16 East longitude and 27.77 north latitude with
an area of 1,111.81 square kilometre at the east-end of Dhemaji district
bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The geographical pattern of the subdivision is
almost rectangular along the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh. The National
Highway-52 which is extending to Pasighat of Arunachal is running along the
subdivision creating a never ending problem with its worn out condition for
long past. The snail pace reconstruction of the highway by Border Road
Organisation has failed to console the commuters for the years. As per census
of 2001, Jonai subdivision has 1,41,845 population and comprising 70 per cent
tribal people mostly Mising. According to an official report, out of 623
villages only 381 are identified as revenue village. Most of the villages are
settled within the reserve forest area by encroaching large-scale forest land.
The present population reaches upto two lakh. As such entire Gali Reserve
Forest, Jamjing, Sengajan RF, Kobuchapori proposed RF and larger part of Poba
RF has already become human habitat.
The subdivision is still deprived of minimum power supply. Only the Jonai Bazar
including six villages have been supplied power in very low voltage through an
Arunachal based 11 KV power line from Silapathar electrical division. No rural
electrification has been introduced in the remote areas. The North Eastern
Council (NEC) has allocated a fund Rs 8.49 crore to construct a 33 KV power
line in Dhemaji district linking Jonai area which got enmeshed in governments
red-tape and bureaucratic roadblock and was finally not implemented. Later, the
ASEB (Central Discom) had approved a separate power project to construct a 33KV
electric line to Jonai headquarter, under accelerated power development
reformed project (APDRP). This ongoing project work is also facing undue delay.
The local MLA Bhuban Pegu who laid stress on development of power supply to
Jonai in his election manifesto during the last Assembly election, has failed
to expedite the power project work, suffering citizens
here alleged.
The aerial communication and a well-equipped stadium for sport activities that
the people have demanded is still a distant dream. The proposed helipad project
at Jonekareng, a plot measuring 2 hectares has been encroached by the local
people while the work for the proposed stadium has not started so far.
But the construction work of the proposed stadium is slated to be completed
before 2010 AD. The people of Jonai are keeping a watch on the developmental
efforts initiated by the local MLA Bhuban Pegu.
(The Assam Tribune, 24.10.2007)
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