Assam's rural areas benefit from government schemes

Kamrup, Mar 16 (ANI): Sonapur is a small hamlet located in Assam's Kamrup District, where villagers are, primarily, paddy growers but after the central government initiated a project to promote orange cultivation in 2000 hectares of land a few years ago people have been increasingly are taking up to it.

Farmers were trained in latest techniques of cultivation under the central government's Technology Mission which was financed by North Eastern Council (NEC) and Member of Parliament Local Area Development fund.

"We went to the agriculture officer and we got help. We were provided tractors, pump and seeds. The department has been extending all possible help to the farmers," said Jibeshwar Bhalari, an orange cultivator, Sonapur village.

"We do not have proper irrigation facilities. If the government can provide better facilities then definitely we can improve our cultivation," Aditya Korman, a resident. onapur is located next to Betoli basti, Borkushi and Rongdoloi village that are well connected through roads that were recently built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna. Road connectivity has improved in a big way and has benefited farmers, school children and traders in the region.

"Now the roads have improved, so we don't have to take long detours. Roads have been built and vehicles can easily ply on them. This has changed the situation a lot," said Ketho, another resident.

With several government schemes being implemented, life in the village has changed dramatically. People now have 24-hour access to electricity. This has taken place under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme. There is a school for children and proper sanitation facilities and water pipes have been provided to the villagers as well.

"Earlier we did not have electricity but now it is available and our life has become much easier. Now the children can study at nighttime without any problem. Earlier they had study in the lamplight and it caused problems," said Baruah Korman, a resident.

Sonapur village and its nearby areas were earlier affected by militancy but this problem no longer exists. Now the region is witnessing a rapid change and is looking forward to a better tomorrow. (ANI)