Committed to freeing Assam of illegal foreigners: Sonowal

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, May 24

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that his government is committed to freeing Assam of all “illegal foreigners”.

“Our government came to power on two promises — corruption-free Assam and illegal foreigner-free Assam. We are committed to fulfilling the promises,’ Sonowal said while addressing the media on the completion of the BJP-led state government’s two years in office.

The state has been witnessing protests against the Centre’s move to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 that seeks to grant citizenship to members of the minority community from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution in those countries. Sonowal said the government would clear its stand on the Bill after the completion of the final draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (likely to be over by June 30).

The CM, who the holds the Home portfolio, said the government, in coordination with the Border Security Force, is constantly monitoring the situation along the India- Bangladesh border.

Highlighting the government’s achievements, he said, “Our fight against corruption has also led to a substantial increase in revenue collection and a climate for investment in the state. Assam has received investment proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore during the last two years.” “Regarding the cash-for-job scam in the Assam Public Service Commission, several serving officers, including 20 state civil service officers, nine state police service officers, nine allied service officers and five others have been arrested.”

Sonowal claimed that it was because of corruption-free and a transparent recruitment process during the present regime, 45,000 aspirants had been recruited to various government departments. (With agency inputs)