GUWAHATI: Assam Assembly on Friday passed a bill for establishment of a regional development authority for preparation of a regional plan for the development of the Assam State Capital Region (ASCR) encompassing areas under existing five districts of Kamrup (Metropolitan), Kamrup, Nalbari, Darrang and Morigaon.
Called the Assam State Capital Region Development Authority which will be headed by the State Chief Minister, will prepare a regional plan for the area and coordinate the preparation of functional plans, regional plans, development schemes and project plans by the authority itself as well as by the municipal corporations, local bodies, panchayats and different government departments.
The body will be entrusted to organise and oversee the financing of selected development projects in the State Capital Region through government funding as well as other sources of revenue.
Guwahati Development department minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said though the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was trying to expand the city to the nearby areas, it did not suffice to facilitate desired growth and development of the Assam State Capital Region.
“There is a need to establish a Regional Development Authority for preparing a regional plan for the development of the Assam State Capital Region and to coordinate and supervise the rapid and integrated development of the entire area under the region and to execute plans and projects and schemes for such integrated development in line with the National Capital Region (NCR),” the minister stated in the House.
Besides the entire Kamrup (M) district, the Assam State Capital Region will include Mayong and Morigaon circles of Morigaon district, Sipajhar and Patharughat circles of Darrang district, Barkhetri, Nalbari, Pachim Nalbari, Ghograpar, Barbhag and Banekuchi circles of Nalbari and Hajo, Palasbari, Kamalpur, Rangiya, Goroimari, Chayygaon, Boko and North Guwahati and Koya circles of Kamrup district.
Sarma, however, said the authority would not infringe on the powers of the existing local bodies and the two autonomous councils – Rabha Hasong and Tiwa. The autonomy of the municipalities would also not be affected, he said.
The authority will comprise of twelve members, including the CM as the chairman and Finance, GDD and Urban Development ministers as members. The vice chairman of the authority will be the chairman of the executive committee, which too would comprise a maximum of twelve members.