Union Minister Reviews Developmental Initiatives in Baksa District
Review Meeting on Developmental Schemes
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, Suresh Gopi during a review meeting in Baksa district, on Wednesday
Jalah, Oct 29: On Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, Suresh Gopi, led a review meeting focused on developmental projects in Mushalpur.
Attendees included Baksa District Commissioner Kimnei Changsan, BTC Secretaries Ansula Basumatary and Manash Das, along with various department heads and officials.
During the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Chiranjeeb Phukan presented an overview of the district's performance, highlighting progress on key indicators, ongoing projects, and challenges faced in implementation.
The minister addressed the status of anganwadi centres and the availability of essential services, stressing the importance of community involvement and the role of kitchen gardens in enhancing nutritional awareness.
In the health sector, he focused on the elimination of tuberculosis (TB), promoting institutional deliveries, and improving nutritional outcomes. Discussions in education included the operation of PM SHRI schools, the involvement of NCC cadets, and the potential introduction of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project to foster discipline and civic responsibility among students.
He also pointed out the opportunities for rice bran oil production and enhancing agricultural value addition, alongside the effective execution of relevant schemes.
The minister reviewed basic infrastructure, road connectivity, and the advancement of rural development initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Financial inclusion and skill development were key topics, with a focus on establishing food-processing units, supporting local businesses, and creating job opportunities.
On the subject of tourism development, the Union minister referenced the Government of India’s Tourism Boost Vision 2029, which aims to transform 50 domestic destinations into world-class, integrated, and sustainable tourism hubs by 2029.
He urged the district administration and BTC authorities to consider this initiative and prepare proposals for Baksa once detailed guidelines are released.
Emphasizing homestays as a growing opportunity in tourism, the minister highlighted the need to equip local youth with skills in hospitality, culinary arts, and related services.
He also advocated for the promotion of traditional cuisine, indigenous cultural experiences, and local food products to enhance Baksa’s tourism appeal while generating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Earlier that day, the Union minister visited Manas National Park to appreciate the district’s rich natural heritage.