Guwahati (Assam) [India]: The Assam Assembly Budget Session is set to commence on February 17, with Deputy Speaker Numal Momin emphasizing its significant importance for the state’s people and its role in fostering communal harmony.
“This is an important session that will begin on February 17… This budget will carry significant importance and will bring together all communities in Assam,” Momin stated. He further highlighted that Assam, known for its diverse population and religious coexistence, would benefit from the session, which would be more accessible to the people.
Key Bills Expected in the Budget Session
Momin also hinted that several important bills are likely to be introduced during this session, though he did not disclose specific details.
Launch of Online Building Permission System (OBPS)
Meanwhile, on February 13, Assam Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Jayanta Mallabaruah launched the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) in 32 municipalities across the state. This citizen-centric service aims to streamline the approval process for construction projects, ensuring a smoother and more efficient system for the public.
“The OBPS will provide seamless service to the people, making the process of obtaining building permissions more convenient,” Mallabaruah stated during the launch event in Guwahati.
Political Controversy: Allegations Against Gaurav Gogoi
In a political development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made serious allegations regarding Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife and her alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI.
Sarma, in a post on social media platform X, raised concerns over Gogoi’s parliamentary focus on sensitive defence matters, particularly after his marriage to a British national. He also questioned the timing of certain events linked to Gogoi’s political actions and foreign connections.
“In 2015, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Mr Abdul Basit, invited a first-term Member of Parliament and his startup, Policy for Youth, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,” Sarma claimed, indirectly referring to Gogoi.
Responding to these allegations, Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah stated that Gaurav Gogoi should clarify his stance and reveal the truth behind the accusations.
With the budget session on the horizon and political tensions rising, all eyes will be on the Assam Assembly as the state navigates both governance and controversy in the coming weeks.