Guwahati: Union Minister of state for Tribal Affairs Ranee Narah on Sunday said she will recommend a CBI probe against the Brahmaputra Board for delay in completion of embankment and spur construction works in Assam’s Majuli-Sadiya area.
As completion of the construction work started in 2010 was pending, Narah told reporters here that she will write to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and union Water Resources Ministry, under which the Board is, to recommend the CBI enquiry.
Asked if there was misutilisation of funds meant for the construction work, the minister said, “it could be there as the embankment works were not completed so far. Complains are coming from the people”.
She also asserted that the Brahmaputra Board was not working with sincerity on the embankments and spurs resulting in unsatisfactory works and delay in construction of the Dhola-Sadiya and Majuli-Jorhat bridges over Brahmaputra.
Asked if she was giving special attention to the embankment bridge projects, the minister said, “as a union minister I have to look into all works that benefit people. I am Lakhimpur (Assam) peoples representative in Parliament, so I will have to look into the projects in my constituency”.
Asked if as union Tribal Minister she would involve herself in solving the violent situation in ethnically dominated BTAD area, Narah said, “Tarun Gogoi is a capable Chief minister. He is politically handling the situation and taken strong measures. If he wants my entry then I will certainly help”. Narah also claimed that a “third force is in operation in the Bodoland area and the chief minister will declare who it is in due time. A third force has to be there as tribals are peace loving people”. Regretting the killing of two civilians in the November 15 Majuli encounter with ULFA, she said, “no government will allow extremists to grow and carry out their hostile activities. Government will certainly take stern measures against them”. (PTI)