Takeaways from Sonowal’s I-day speech

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday addressed the state on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day. He unfurled the national flag and delivered the customary address from the College of Veterinary Science playground at Khanapara here.

Here are 13takeaways from CM Sonowal's Independence Day speech:

1. Today,we are on the way to secure Constitutional Safeguards for our people. Formationof the High Level Committee on Clause 6 is another historic step taken by thePM Narendra Modi led government: CM
2. Moreover,steps have been taken by the Central Govt to provide SC status to 6 communities– Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi & Tea Tribes withouthurting the rights of other indigenous communities of Assam: CM
3. The NRCis being updated under supervision of the SC and around 55,000 Assam Govtemployees are involved in the process. We hope that the NRC will be a historicdocument which does not include names of any foreigner and not leave behind anygenuine Indian citizen: CM
4. Wehad petitioned the SC for re-verification of the #NRC only to ensure a pure anderror free document. I reiterate that the Assam government is committed towardsprotection of all genuine Indian citizens residing in the state: CM
5. Withoutland rights, no community can protect their identity. We have given Land Pattasto indigenous landless families & small tea growers and aim to provide 1lakh Land Pattas by this year: CM
6. Wehave also carried out eviction drives in Kaziranga National Park and otherreserve forests, making them free from illegal encroachments. We are alsoprogressing towards a new Land Policy that will protect the rights of theindigenous people of Assam: CM
7. Satras,Namghars, Temples and various religious institutes are our heritage. We havebrought in legislation to protect them from encroachments. Through AssamDarshan we have increased financial grants by Rs 2 lakh and taken steps fortheir conservation: CM
8. Ourgovt has taken up the mission of planting 10 crore saplings in the state. Stepshave been taken to popularise rain water harvesting. I urge the people of Assamto help the govt in achieving the goal of clean and green Assam: CM
9. Connectivitysector in Assam, be it road, railway or air, has transformed. Under UDANInternational, Guwahati-Dhaka flight service has been started. Direct air connectivitywill be started with ASEAN countries soon: CM
10. Weare committed to empower youths of the tea garden areas.  Already 10,000 youths are receiving skilldevelopment training. In the next phase, one time financial assistance of Rs 25lakh will be provided to these youths for starting their own ventures: CM
11. Wehave taken many steps to take our unique cultural heritage to the world. ACultural University is being set up in Majuli. Bringing hope to the filmindustry, we have adopted a new Film Policy, reconstituted the State FilmAwards and taken steps for infra development: CM
12. Ourgovt is working hard to empower the youth and make them skilled and capable. Ibelieve that with the support of the people of Assam, we will be able to builda progressive Assam and mark our mark in the world: CM
13. Peopleacross the state have hailed our govt's zero-tolerance stand on corruption.Since taking charge, we have shown earnest efforts to rid corruption that ailsvarious departments. As a result of this, people's faith in the govt is at anall-time high: CM