4-Sep-2021: Karbi Agreement – another milestone in PM’s vision of “Insurgency free prosperous North East”
In the presence of Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, a historic Karbi Anglong Agreement to end the decades old crisis ensuring Assam’s territorial integrity was signed in New Delhi today. Present on the occasion were Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Minister of AYUSH, Shri Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of KAAC, representatives of Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front/ KLNLF, People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri/ PDCK, United People’s Liberation Army/ UPLA, Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers/KPLT factions along with senior officers from Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Assam.
With this historic agreement, over 1000 armed cadres have abjured violence and joined the mainstream of society. A Special Development Package of Rs. 1000 crores over five years will be given by the Union Government and Assam Government to undertake specific projects for the development of Karbi areas.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Karbi Agreement is another milestone in Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Insurgency free prosperous North East”. He said that today’s historic Karbi Anglong agreement will be written in golden letters in the history of Assam. He said that since becoming Prime Minister, northeast has not only been an area of focus for Shri Narendra Modi, but all-round development of northeast, peace and prosperity there has been the top priority for the Government.
Shri Amit Shah said that it is the policy of the Modi Government that those who give up arms are brought into mainstream and we talk to them even more politely and give them more than they ask for. Shri Shah said that due to this policy only, we are getting rid of old problems one by one that the Modi Government had inherited. Union Home Minister said that we fulfil all clauses of agreements signed during our Government’s tenure and this has been Modi Government’s track record.
Salient features of the Agreement:
- This Memorandum of Settlement will ensure greater devolution of autonomy to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, protection of identity, language, culture, etc. of Karbi people and focussed development of the Council area, without affecting the territorial and administrative integrity of Assam.
- The Karbi armed groups have agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by law of the land. The Agreement also provides for rehabilitation of cadres of the armed groups.
- The Government of Assam shall set up a Karbi Welfare Council for focussed development of Karbi people living outside KAAC area.
- The Consolidated Fund of the State will be augmented to supplement the resources of KAAC.
- Overall, the present settlement proposes to give more legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers to KAAC.
26-Jul-2021: 1892 Agreement between Mysore and Madras
An Agreement was entered into between the then State of Mysore & Madras (presently State of Karnataka and State of Tamil Nadu) in 1892 with reference to taking up new irrigation works across the rivers, mentioned in Schedules A, B and C of the Annexure to the Agreement. Under Schedule-A, Cauvery river is mentioned as 10th item and its tributaries in Karnataka, viz., Hemavathi, Lakshmanthirtha, Kabini, Honhole (or Suvamavati), Yagachi, upto Belur Bridge) are mentioned as 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th item respectively.
Clause III of the said Agreement reads as below:-
"When the Mysore Government desires to construct any "New irrigation Reservoir" or any new anicut requiring the previous consent of the Madras Government under the last preceding Rule, the full information regarding the proposed work shall be forwarded to the Madras Government and the consent of that Government shall be obtained previous to the actual commencement of work. The Madras Government shall be bound not to refuse such consent except for the protection of prescriptive right, already acquired and actually existing, the existence, extent and nature of such right and the mode of exercising it being in every case determined in accordance with the law on the subject of prescriptive right to use of water and in accordance with what is fair and reasonable under all the circumstances of each individual case. "
The Feasibility Report (FR) of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submitted to Central Water Commission (CWC) by Government of Karnataka for according "in-principle" clearance for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Screening Committee of Central Water Commission in its meeting held on 24.10.2018 accorded "in-principle" clearance for preparation of DPR by project authority (Government of Karnataka), subject to certain conditions.
Thereafter DPR of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submitted to CWC by Government of Karnataka in January 2019 and copies of DPR were forwarded to Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for obtaining consent of co-basin States for acceptability of the DPR.
The Govt of Karnataka vide letter dated 20.7.2021 have conveyed that the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu vide letter dated 04.07.2021 has requested the State of Karnataka not to take up Mekedatu project.
8-Mar-2021: PM addresses the National Committee to commemorate “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi led National Committee to commemorate 75 years of independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav held its first meeting today. The Prime Minister addressed the panel through a video conference. Various members of the National Committee attended the meeting including Governors, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, political leaders, scientists, officials, media personalities, spiritual Leaders, artists and film personalities, sports personalities, and eminent persons from other walks of life.
The Members of the National Committee who gave inputs and suggestions to the meeting included Former President Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, Former Prime Minister Shri H. D. Deve Gowda, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Smt. Meira Kumar, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Shri J. P. Nadda and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. The members of the committee thanked the Prime Minister for the planning and organization of the “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav”. They gave their suggestions and inputs to further expand the scope of the Mahotsav. The Union Home Minister said that there will be more such meetings in the future and suggestions and inputs received today will be considered.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said that the country will celebrate the occasion of 75 years of Independence with grandeur and enthusiasm befitting the historic nature, glory and importance of the occasion. He lauded the new ideas and diverse thoughts coming from the members of the committee. He dedicated the Mahotsav of 75 year of Independence for the people of India.
The Prime Minister said the festival of 75 years of independence should be one such festival, in which the spirit of freedom struggle, tribute to the martyrs and their pledge to create India, could be experienced. He added that this festival should embody the glimpse of the glory of Sanatan Bharat and also the glow of modern India. He said that this festival should reflect the light of the spirituality of the sages and also the talent and strength of our scientists. He said this event will also showcase our achievements of these 75 years to the world and also give a framework for resolution to us for the next 25 years.
The Prime Minister said that no Sankalp is successful without celebration. He said that when a Sankalp takes the form of celebration, pledges and energy of million is added. The Prime Minister said that the celebration of 75 years is to be done with the participation of 130 crore Indians and this people’s participation is at the core of this celebration. This participation involves the feelings, suggestions and dreams of 130 crore countrymen.
The Prime Minister informed that 5 pillars have been decided for the celebration of the 75 years. These are Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolve at 75. All these should include the ideas and feelings of the 130 crore Indians.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to honour and take the stories of lesser known freedom fighters to people. He said every nook and corner of the country is replete with the sacrifice of sons and daughters of the country and their stories will be an eternal source of inspiration for the nation. He said we have to bring the contribution of every section to the fore. There are people who are performing some great work for the country for generations, their contribution, thinking and ideas need to be integrated with the national efforts.
The Prime Minister said this historical festival is about fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters, an attempt to elevate India to the height which they had wished. He asserted that the country is achieving things which were unthinkable a few years ago. He said that the celebration will be in accordance with the historical glory of India.