The Assam government has decided to transform Dibrugarh, the British-era hub of tea and oil, as the State’s second capital.
Assam’s Second Capital and Vision for Inclusive Development
Major Developments
Second Capital at Dibrugarh: The Assam government has announced plans to transform Dibrugarh, known for its tea and oil heritage, into the State’s second capital.
Assembly Complex: Scheduled for completion by 2027.
Regional Initiatives:
Tezpur (Central Assam): To house a Raj Bhavan and emerge as the State’s cultural capital.
Silchar (Barak Valley): To feature a Mini Secretariat and the Chief Secretary’s office.
Decentralized Development
Moving beyond a Guwahati-centric model, with a focus on balanced growth across all districts and urban centers.
New facilities, including educational and healthcare institutions, should be distributed across Assam for equitable development.
Infrastructure and Growth Trajectory
Infrastructure is seen as the key driver of development.
The State government has launched numerous development projects to accelerate Assam’s growth trajectory.
Challenges in Development
Real vs. Perceived Progress: Real development should visibly impact people rather than being showcased through statistics and government advertising.
Inclusive Growth: High GDP is ineffective unless all sections, especially marginalized groups, benefit from it.
Focus Areas for Holistic Growth
Education:
Government-run public education systems require significant improvement.
Healthcare:
While progress has been made, much more is needed to match advanced states in terms of healthcare infrastructure.
Human Resource Development:
Development needs to prioritize health and education for building human resources.
Addressing Economic Inefficiencies
Beneficiary Creation: The widespread practice of creating large numbers of beneficiaries is unsustainable and detrimental to work culture.
Emphasis should shift towards empowering people and enhancing productivity.
Path Forward
Promote inclusive, decentralized development ensuring progress reaches every corner of the State.
Strengthen human resource development alongside physical infrastructure to truly transform Assam into a prosperous and equitable State.
