GUWAHATI, Dec 15: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today surprised many people when he claimed that he could have easily made Rs 1500 crore if he had any such intention or greed about money.
Chief Minister Dr Sarma said this while addressing a large gathering of people after the ceremonious flagging off of distribution of ration cards among people of Guwahati Central and Jalukbari today.
Dr Sarma said that since taking over as Chief Minister of the State in 2021 he has given government jobs to nearly 1.5 lakh unemployed youths in a process that has been appreciated by all and sundry for being merit-based and clean.
“I have given jobs to 1.5 lakh unemployed youths of Assam since becoming Chief Minister in 2021. Had I asked for Rs 1 lakh from each of them, which I believe almost everyone would have agreed to, I could have made Rs 1500 crore for myself,” Chief Minister Dr Sarma said.
“People in Assam now get jobs on the basis of their merit. Children coming from economically weaker sections get government jobs which was not the case when the Congress was in power,” he further stated.
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He, on the other hand, said that while his government had in September decided to provide ration cards to 20 lakh families, the process was launched with seven lakh families in 50 assembly constituencies getting their ration cards today.
Chief Minister Dr Sarma said a ration card holder, besides availing food grains, will also get free healthcare benefits, subsidised LPG cylinders, assistance under Orunodoi and free health insurance.
The process of distribution of ration cards, he further stated, would be completed by the end of this month.
He, however, said that to have a ration card one will have to have an Aadhar Card in his or her name.
