Hailakandi: Assam Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota on Saturday conducted a comprehensive review of various developmental projects in Hailakandi district during his visit to the Barak Valley. Chairing a high-level meeting at the District Commissioner’s conference hall, Dr. Kota assessed the progress and challenges in implementing key government schemes and instructed officials to accelerate the execution of ongoing projects.

Emphasising the importance of local employment generation, the Chief Secretary urged officials to work strategically so that youth from the Barak Valley do not have to migrate in search of jobs and instead find viable opportunities for employment and self-employment within the region.

During the meeting, the Superintendent of Hailakandi Civil Hospital informed that although the hospital has a sanctioned capacity of 100 beds, it is currently operating with 130 beds to accommodate patients. However, due to a shortage of specialist doctors and GNM nurses, only five of the 15 ICU beds are functional.

While reviewing the education sector, Dr. Kota directed the department to maintain the quality of eggs supplied twice a week as part of the mid-day meal in tea garden schools. The District School Inspector reported that school attendance has seen a 20% drop as per data from the “Shiksha Setu” mobile application. Currently, 96,110 students across 1,231 schools in the district are being provided mid-day meals under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana.

Of the 326 school dropouts identified, 47 students have been successfully brought back to school. The district has also made strides in digital education, with 20 schools having tele-education facilities, 99 equipped with smart classrooms, and 20 offering virtual classes.

The Public Works (Building) Department reported steady progress in infrastructure development. The Rs.31-crore Model Women’s College at Ayanakhal is expected to be completed this month. The ITI and Polytechnic being constructed at Katlicherra with a combined investment of Rs.62 crore are set to be completed by October. Work on eight Jagannath Community Halls across the district is scheduled for completion by October 31. Additionally, 10% of work on the Rs.3.51-crore Memorial College at Rantilla has been completed, with the project expected to be finished by October next year.

The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department informed that a Rs.72.73-crore drinking water project will soon be launched to ensure sustainable potable water supply for Hailakandi town over the next 30 years.

The Agriculture Department reported that out of 86,000 active farmers in the district, 72,607 have received the 19th installment of financial aid under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Dr. Kota reviewed the performance of all departments and offered suggestions for better and faster implementation of development works.

District Commissioner Nisarg Hivare, who also spoke at the meeting, said that the 64-kilometre inter-state boundary with Mizoram remains peaceful. He noted that six permanent and four temporary Border Outposts (BOPs) are maintaining strict vigil along the border. Regular monthly telephonic coordination is being held among the DCs and SPs of the bordering districts to ensure harmony.

Senior officials from various departments, including Superintendent of Police Amitabh Sinha, were present at the meeting. Following the review, Dr. Kota interacted with representatives of the civil society ath the DC’s office to gather grassroots-level feedback.