SILCHAR : The formation of the 5th Zilla Parishad Board of Cachar was successfully held on Wednesday at Rajiv Bhawan, Silchar, marking a significant step in the strengthening of local self-governance and decentralized development in the district.

In a solemn and well-coordinated ceremony conducted under the overall supervision of the District Commissioner, Mridul Yadav, IAS, and managed administratively by the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, Pranab Kumar Bora, ACS, the new board was officially constituted. The election was conducted in accordance with established procedures, and the environment remained peaceful and orderly throughout.

The event was attended by over 1000 individuals, including political leaders, district officials, party workers, and members of the public. This large gathering reflected the deep interest and engagement of the community in the democratic process. The enthusiasm and anticipation of the public highlighted the importance of the occasion, marking it as a momentous day for the district.

During the formal session, Kankan Narayan Sikidar was elected as the President of the Cachar Zilla Parishad, while Debojyoti Bauri was elected to the post of Vice President. Out of the total 25 elected Zilla Parishad members, 17 votes were secured by BJP-supported candidates, while Congress-backed members obtained 8 votes.

One Congress member extended his support to the BJP candidate, resulting in a clear majority for the formation of the new board. The newly elected members took their oath of office in a dignified ceremony in the presence of administrative officers, elected representatives, and dignitaries. Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals and Barak valley Development Board, Government of Assam, Kaushik Rai, addressed the house with a detailed and inspiring speech.

In his address, he congratulated the newly elected President, Vice President, and members of the board, and urged them to work with sincerity and dedication in fulfilling the developmental aspirations of rural Cachar. He stated that people have voted for progress, not promises, and the responsibility now lies on the shoulders of the newly elected representatives to translate that trust into visible and inclusive development.

The Minister called upon the board to work collectively and in close coordination with the Gaon Panchayats and concerned departments to ensure timely implementation of schemes related to infrastructure, health, education, sanitation, water supply, and livelihood generation.

He also emphasised that the Zilla Parishad must act as a vital platform connecting government policy with people’s everyday needs, and that the momentum of rural transformation must continue with honesty, transparency, and a sense of public service.

Rai further stated that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Assam, grassroots institutions like the Zilla Parishad have a critical role to play in ensuring last-mile delivery of services and making development people-centric.

Minister Rai also praised the peaceful conduct of the election and lauded the district administration for ensuring a smooth and impartial process. He expressed confidence that the new leadership would uphold transparency and inclusive development throughout its term.

District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS, who presided over the electoral proceedings, extended his congratulations to the elected members and reiterated the constitutional and developmental significance of the Zilla Parishad as the highest tier of the Panchayati Raj system in the district.

He said that the members now carry the responsibility of hundreds of villages, and their commitment to service will directly impact the quality of life for thousands of citizens. He called upon the board to maintain integrity in planning and execution, to hold regular coordination meetings with the administration, and to maintain strong field-level presence for the effective monitoring of schemes.

The District Commissioner also appreciated the smooth and peaceful conduct of the day’s proceedings and commended the cooperation of all stakeholders involved.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, Pranab Kumar Bora, ACS, delivered the welcome address, where he explained the procedural framework for the board formation and highlighted the responsibilities of the Zilla Parishad under the Panchayati Raj Act.

He welcomed the presence of dignitaries, elected officials, and members of the public, and laid emphasis on the need for accountable and responsive governance at the rural level. He remarked that this board formation is not merely a political event but an important administrative milestone, as the Zilla Parishad plays a central role in implementing key rural development schemes.

He urged the new members to discharge their duties with seriousness and uphold the spirit of democratic decentralisation.

The programme was attended by several key dignitaries including MLAs, Dipayan Chakraborty,Mihir Kanti Shome, Misbahul Islam Laskar, Khalil Uddin Majumder, and Nihar Ranjan Das, District BJP President Rupam Saha, BJP District vice president ,Amitava Rai, District Congress President Sajal Acharya, senior officials of the district administration, party workers, and members of the public.

The solemnity and discipline with which the board formation was conducted reflected the commitment of the Cachar district administration to uphold the democratic process in letter and spirit. The newly constituted board is now expected to take forward a range of development initiatives that will strengthen grassroots governance and uplift rural communities across Cachar district.

This is stated in a press release issued from Regional office of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.