Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 6 (HBTV): On the occasion of the 74th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, observed as Lok Kalyan Divas, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the Lok Sewa Award 2024 to 47 government employees and the Karma Shree Award to six teams of bureaucrats in recognition of their excellence in public administration at a function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. 

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma led the state in paying rich tributes to Gopinath Bordoloi.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma congratulated the awardees and said, "Our public servants are taking forward the good governance initiatives of the government, driven by the philosophy and ideals of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi. Today, we honoured such public servants with Karmashree and Lok Sewa Awards at all levels, from state to district, in recognition of their services to the people of Assam." 

He further said that, along with taking part in the country's freedom struggle, Gopinath Bordoloi played a crucial role in saving Assam from the 'Grouping' plan. 

"Gopinath Bordoloi took an active role in safeguarding the land rights of the indigenous people and created tribal belts and blocks. It was a roadmap for building a modern Assam," Sarma added.

The chief minister also said that in its bid to pay rich tributes to Gopinath Bordoloi, who was an architect of modern Assam, a freedom fighter, and a prudent politician, the state government has decided to observe his death anniversary on August 5 as Lok Kalyan Divas and honour government servants in recognition of their committed services with Karmashree and Lok Sewa Awards. 

The chief minister said, "The awards were introduced to acknowledge the immense role government servants play behind the curtain to bring about positive changes in the lives of the people who receive government services." 

Speaking on Mission Basundhara, Sarma said in view of several issues in the revenue sector since independence, no solid steps have been taken to bring about land reform. 

"Problems in the non-cadastral villages were not resolved. No definite action was initiated to allot land pattas. With the help of Mission Basundhara 1.0 and 2.0, 30 percent of land-related problems in the state have been resolved. Moreover, with the help of Mission Basundhara 3.0, remaining land-related issues will be solved," the chief minister said. 

(ANI)