SONITPUR  DISTRICT -- A   DEVELOPMENT   AND 
                          ACHIEVEMENT  FACTFILE     -- 2001-2002


Sonitpur  district  has  made  phenomenal  strides  in economic   development  during the year 2001-2002  through concerted efforts  of various government departments and agencies in the implementation of  different   poverty alleviation , social welfare  and infrastructure development  schemes.  With particular emphasis  having  been laid on  target  achievement,  efficient  utilisation of  resources and  generation  of awareness of  developmental  alternatives  available  through movements like the  RPRS,    the qualitative  and  quantitative   achievements  of the   past  year  has  heralded   enthusiasm   among   the  population  regarding  the  need  to  seize  opportunities  and  reap benefits  from  participative  government  development  programmes  and  thereby   bring  about  their  own   social  upliftment.  The year 2001-2002 has  also  shown  a  growth  in volume  of  resources  mobilised   by  government  departments  at  a  time when the  state  is  in the midst  of a serious  financial  crunch.

The task of identification  and listing of all such successful  execution of   government  schemes during the period 2001-2002   is  difficult  in view  of the enormous  amount  of works undertaken and  hence an attempt has been made  to  highlight below  the  major  success stories ,as it were , of the district .

People -- Administration  Interface :

RPRS :  Along with  the rest  of  the  state, Sonitpur  district  administration  organised   two rounds  of Gaon Sabha   meetings  under  Raijor Padulit Raijor  Sarkar  wherein  offficials interacted with 
people  in the rural areas  with  the  larger  objective  of identifying  community  needs  as  perceived  by  the  community  members  themselves  besides  creating  awareness  about   numerous  employment  generation  and  poverty   alleviation  schemes  and , to a smaller degree, providing  a  platform for   airing  of  various  grievances. Response from  the  people   was overwhelming with estimates of more than one lakh people during  the first round  and sixty  four  thousand  people  during  the second round  having  attended meetings  While  a total  of  114338  applications  were  received  during  the first  round,  only  18515  applications were received during the course  of the  second round.  Applications   received  have been sent to the  concerned  department  for  remedial  action .

PFC :  A  Public Facilitation Centre  was opened  in the Deputy  Commissioner's  Office   as  part  of an  attempt  to  initiate a single  window system  for receipt  and  forwarding  of  various  types  of  public  petitions  and  grievances.  A  Citizen's  Charter  was  brought  out  with  the objective  of  disseminating information   to  the  public.


Development  Departments  and  Agencies  and their Achievements:

RURAL DEVELOPMENT :  The  Sonitpur  DRDA  has  generated  more than   thirty two lakh mandays of employment during  the  year under its various  schemes in addition to completing  more  than  3100 IAY/ PMGY  houses  and  upgrading  in  excess  of   1500 IAY/ PMGY houses.  About  2000  Self  Help Groups  have   been  established and  50%  of   these  SHGs    provided  with  revolving  fund .Community assets created / buildings constructed  during the  period number more than 2025  while 22 bridges and 117 culverts  built in remote areas  have opened up communication routes  to the  towns.  A  watershed  project consisting of 11micro  watershed schemes has been undertaken  under the Integrated Watershed Development Programme and  almost 25% physical  progress    has  so  far been achieved.

Construction  work  in  progress at Fishery Tank at village Dolabari No. 1 under Marabharali Micro Watershed scheme under IWDP during 2001-2002.

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A  federation of  SHGs at the Block  and   District levels  has been established  in Sonitpur   not  only  to  ensure  regular  and active  interaction between  SHGs  thereby enabling  them  to identify common  problems  and  methods of  their resolution  but  also  to  create  some kind of a nodal agency   to guide individual  SHGs  in accomplishing  their  objectives  and  liaise with  financial institutions and government  departments  on their behalf.
 

AGRICULTURE :  In the agricultural sector,  2130 STWs  have been installed till the end of the financial year under the Samriddha Krishak  Yojana and  700  STWs  installed  during 2001-2002  under  the  World Bank  Project  thereby  achieving  100 %  of the  target set and  ensuring that an  additional 5560 hectares  of land  is covered  by  irrigation  facilities. Emphasis  was laid on  extension of cultivation  of spices  and 575 additional  hectares was  brought under  spice  cultivation through  distribution  of seedlings  at subsidised rates.  Training  of  36  FMCs  on capacity  building out of  the  targetted  72 FMCs  and  beneficiary  selection  process  under  various  Central Government schemes  have been completed.   About 800  Kisan  Credit  Cards  have so far been distributed  by the  Agriculture Department  in coordination with Banks.

Training on Capacity Building to members of various Pathar Parichalana Samitis in progress at SDAO's Office, Bishwanath Chariali

DPEP:  Construction work  undertaken  by  the DPEP  Sonitpur during the  year  involved completion of 89 existing school buildings  and 140 CRC and additional classrooms, repair of 112 school buildings , extension  of toilet facilities to 113  schools,  provision of drinking water facilities at  33 schools and construction of a DIET  building at Bishwanath ,  cumulatively  utilising an amount  of  approximately  one crore and  sixty three lakh rupees in implementation of these schemes.  

The Muktijoddha  Rudra Bora L.P School Building constructed by DPEP Sonitpur under Gabharu Block at a cost of  Rs.2,50,000=00.
	CRC buildimg constructed at Bhojkhowa Chapori by DPEP Sonitpur at a cost of Rs. 1,30,000=00.

EMBANKMENT  AND DYKES:  Construction of  a 2800 metre long retirement  for closing a breach on the Brahmaputra embankment  at Panpur  between 6th  and  7th km  was taken up by the E&D Department  in March 2002  under FDR  with an estimated  amount  of  Rs. 1,59,08,000=00  for adopting temporary  protective measures for  arresting  erosion  at this highly vulnerable site.  About 70%  of  works relating  to  this scheme  has  been completed  so  far .  In addition  to  the above ,  two anti- erosion  schemes under  Non-lapsable  Central  pool of resources  and  Central loan  assistance  with  estimated  amounts  of Rs. 2,06,86,000=00 and Rs. 1,88,86000=00   taken up  by the department  at  Jamuguri 29th km  and Singri Siparia  respectively have made  considerable  progress  and are  nearing  completion.


MPLADS :  A total  of 237 number  of schemes  have been taken up  from  fund  of  two  crore  rupees received from GOI  under MPLAD  during 2001-2002.  Total amount sanctioned  so far  against  the schemes  is 92.70 lakh rupees  out of which 71.74  lakh  rupees stand utilised till date.


FISHERIES:  The  fishery department has  produced  109.50 lakh major  carp spawn at its departmental  farm  of which 99.75  lakh  spawn  was  distributed  to fish  seed  growers  at  subsidised  price.  In  addition,  2.23  lakh  fry-fingerlings were  produced   and approximately  5535  metric tonnes  of fish  harvested  from  the water  resouces  of  the  district.  Work  under  ARIASP  including  development  of 12  community  tanks   and 36 farmers  ponds  have been successfully  completed.


PMGSY :  About  35%  physical  progress  has  been  made  in respect  of  works executed under  PMGSY 2000-2001  comprising  21  schemes in three packages  as on 30.4.2002  , a large part  of  the works having  been taken  up in 2001-2002  and  expected to be  completed  by September / October 2002  . While  works have  already  begun  in  two  packages under  PMGSY  2001-2002,  the remaining works are in the process of  being  taken  up  soon.


DICC :  The  DICC, Sonitpur has provided loan assistance  through banks to 190 beneficiaries under PMRY and 76 of these beneficiaries have  completed  training under SISI.   Under the KVIC  margin money loan, 33 beneficiaries  have been  provided  loan amounts  involving a total of 43 lakh rupees.


PHE :  Works of constitution of 14 APWSMs  and  245 VWSCs under  the Rajiv Gandhi National  Drinking  Water  Mission  has been completed; among the   V W S Cs  constituted, 111  have already  opened bank accounts.  Hardware  installed   include 14 TARA pumps  and 52  ring  wells  besides  1130 ring casts  for  installation of  ring  wells.

Villagers  collecting water from a TARA pump installed by the PHE Department under the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission at a cost of Rs.20,700=00.

Implementation  of   Social  Welfare Schemes:


F& CS :  Under  the Mid-day  Meal   scheme  which commenced  from August 2001,  a total  of 1,08,290 beneficiaries  have  been receiving  3 kilograms of rice each  month,  while  1826  beneficiaries  have been  receiving 10 kilograms  of rice each under  the  Annapurna Rice Yojana  which  commenced from November  2001.  Another  12727  persons  have benefited  from  the  Antodaya  Anna  Yojana  where  each  beneficiary  is provided  25 kilograms  of rice.


NSAP :  The National Social Assistance Programme  has reached  out  to a large number  of beneficiaries  with full utilisation  recorded in the National Old Age Pension Scheme ( NOAPS)  involving 19689  beneficiaries. Benefits under the National Maternity Benefit  Scheme ( NMBS )  have been  extended  to 3111 women  while 820 beneficiaries  have received  assistance  under  the  National  Family  Benefit  Scheme ( NFBS ).


Improvement  of  Institutions:      

POKI :  As a  prelude  to  the  year  long  birth  centenary  celebrations  of  Rupkonwar   Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla    the  Sonitpur  District  Administration  has  initiated,   in consultation  with  members  of  the  Agarwalla   family,  leading  citizens of Tezpur town  and   technical  experts, a  move  to   renovate the   historic   Poki,  original  residence  of  the  Rupkonwar  and   host   to  eminent  Indian leaders  including   Gandhiji   Motilal  Nehru  and Jawaharlal  Nehru.  Sri Mani  Kumar  Subba,  Member  of  Parliament  from  Tezpur H.P.C.   has   provided  necessary   funds  for  completing  the  project. Preliminary  work  in  this  regard  has  already  begun  and  the  project  is expected   to  be  completed  by  17th June, Rupkonwar's birthday.


KANAKLATA  CIVIL  HOSPITAL :  The  Kanaklata Civil  Hospital  at Tezpur  has  been  renovated  primarily  through  public  contribution.  While  a  six room  paying  ward  has been constructed  by  a leading  businessman,  another  business house  has  begun construction  of  a an eight-  room  paying  ward.  A  waiting  shed  has been   constructed  outside  the OPD.  An  LPG-based  kitchen,  the first  of  its  kind  in  any  civil  hospital  in  the  state,  is already  operational  as is also  the  incinerator  for organic  waste  contructed  by  Tezpur  Central  University's   Energy  Department.  A  system of  collecting  registration  fees  from patients  has  been introduced  to  mobilise  resources  internally  to sustain  the enhanced  facilities  at  the  current  level.


DISTRICT  MUSEUM :  The old  Dak  Bungalow  has  been  renovated  and  the  district  museum shifted there. This impressive colonial building in  the   heart of town  is  ideally  suited to  house the  museum. It  is expected that the district  museum in  its new  premises will be an added attraction to visiting tourists.


Development   of  Tourist   Sites :

AGNIGARH :  The  Agnigarh  hillock  on  the  bank  of  the Brahmaputra   which  is  associated  with the legend  of  the romance   between  Usha  and Aniruddha   has  been  converted  into a  beautiful  park  with  a  series  of sculptures  depicting  mythological  scenes , an artificial  waterfall , an open air  stage  and  terraced  gardens.  The hilltop  offers  a breathtaking  view  of sunset over  the Brahmaputra  and  has  been  drawing  innumerable visitors  since it was opened   to the public  on 14.12.2001.


OUGURI  HILL:  Work   of  improvement  of Ouguri  Hill  and  its  conversion into  a park  has  also begun. The hill top  has  a statue  of   martyr  Kanaklata   and offers  a panoramic view of Tezpur town.


TOURIST  LODGE :  An  additional  tourist  lodge  has  been established  at Bhalukpong   on the bank  of the river Jia- Bharali  near the  Assam - Arunachal  border  to  cater  to the  requirements of tourists.


Advancements  in  the  Information Technology  sector:

Work of  preparation  of  a  computerised  teachers database  in respect of  all  schools  in the district   and  computerisation  of electoral rolls  is complete.

A district website  has  been  launched  and regular updating  of  the site  is being  undertaken with a view towards providing  all necessary  information  on  it.

Computer  education to school  children  is being provided   at highly subsidised  rates at Uttar Jamuguri ,  Dhekiajuli  and Gohpur  High Schools  w e f  April  2002.   Three  computers have  been installed  at  each  of  the  above-named  schools with  funds  from  MLALAD and  some financial  assistance from  the  DICC.  A total  of  194  students  have so  far  enrolled  for  computer  training   at  these  schools.

Site  preparation  work  including  installation  of machines  and other equipment at  five out of total 14 numbers  of   Community  Information  Centres  has been completed . Schools  have  been selected  for establishing  such CICs  and the Headmasters / Principals  have  been made  custodians  of the CICs.  Installation of  VSAT  equipment  at  these five CICs  is expected to be completed  by the end of May 2002.  Site  selection  for  the remaining  9 CICs  has been made and construction/renovation  work has begun.  Selection  of CIC Operators  has been made.

View of renovated CIC site at Chariduar Higher Secondary School under Balipara Block.

Other  Developments:


TEZPUR  AIRPORT :  Tezpur,  a  defence  airfield,  now   has   a  new  passenger  terminal  with   inauguration  of  the new  terminal  building in July 2001. Centrally  airconditioned  and  spread  over  an area of 5675  square  metres,  the  terminal  has  been  constructed  at  a cost  of 22 crore rupees  and  is adequate to cater  to peak  hour capacity  of  400  passengers.

View of VIPs at the inauguration of the new passenger terminal at Tezpur Airport on 2.7.2001

COLD STORAGE ;  A  cold  storage   constructed  at Tezpur  by a private individual  with assistance from  NABARD  has  become  operational from 1st April 2002 . It  has a capacity to store 3500 tons of potato and 500 tons of other vegetables and fruits.This cold  storage  will  provide much  needed  boost  to agricultural  production  in  the  district  and  help  in  stabilizing  prices  of fruits and vegetables.


FAST  TRACK  COURT :  A  newly  constructed  building  of  the  adhoc  fast-track  court   was inaugurated at Tezpur  recently. The court, the fifteenth  such  court  under  the jurisdiction of the Gauhati High Court was constituted on 29.5.2001 by transfer of 229 sessions cases, of which 147 remain pending as on 30.4.2002.


PENSIONERS WAITING SHED :  A  pensioners'    waiting  shed  with seating  arrangements  has  been  constructed   with  some amount  of  public  contribution at  the Tezpur  Treasury  premises , thereby  fulfilling   a  long  standing  demand  of  pensioners.  A  grievance  cell  has  also  started   functioning  at  Tezpur  Treasury.


Overview of Revenue / Tax Collection:


Most  departments involved  in  collection  of  revenue  and  taxes  have registered  increase  in  revenue / tax  collection during 2001-2002  as compared  to the preceding  financial  year. Figures for  Tezpur  sub-division  have been  compiled  and  are  listed  as  an  index  of  performance.