Assam govt intentionally fixed form distribution dates for clash with yatra itinerary: Congress

Guwahati: Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia on Sunday alleged that the state government has fixed dates for the distribution of forms for a newly announced scheme for rural women entrepreneurs in such a manner that it clashes with Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in the state.

He wrote a letter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in this regard, specifically mentioning his district Sivasagar from when the yatra's Assam leg will commence on January 18, a date which has been fixed for form distribution in Sivasagar and neighbouring districts.

The state government has announced the dates for the distribution of forms for a scheme to develop 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) members as rural micro-entrepreneurs at individual levels and help them become 'lakhpati baidos (millionaire elder sister)'.

The scheme titled 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan' was announced on Thursday by Sarma. To avail it, beneficiaries have to collect the application forms from the nearest panchayat office on specified dates, and no photostat copy of forms will be accepted.

'Initially when the scheme was announced, no dates for application form distribution were announced. And now, the government has fixed the schedule in such a manner that the dates coincide with Gandhi's Assam itinerary,' Saikia claimed.

Citing the instance of Sivasagar, Saikia pointed out that forms for his home district and nearby Jorhat, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo will be distributed on January 18, and for Majuli, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Golaghat the next day.

'During these two days, the yatra will pass through these areas and people of neighbouring districts are expected to join it. This clearly indicates the mala fide intention of the BJP-led government.

'The schedule is such that it moves along with the yatra itinerary. The CM claims that Gandhi is a 'tourist' and he is not afraid of the Congress. His words should reflect in action also,' the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly said.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will cover 833 km in 17 districts of Assam, starting from Sivasagar on January 18 and exiting the state through Dhubri on January 25.

Saikia has also questioned the government for fixing only one day for the collection of forms.

In the letter to the CM, Saikia maintained that allowing only one day is 'very much unjustified' as women may not be able to collect it for various reasons such as health issues, public court hearings, family functions or may be away to attend 'public meetings organised by political parties'.

'Further, sometimes network failure or lack of power supply, which is recurrent in many areas of the district, may hamper the registration process,' he claimed in the letter mentioning specifically of Sivasgar district.

Saikia has requested for extension of the date for registration by at least 10 to 15 days for greater participation of women.