Assam's civil society groups urge voters to prioritize core issues over temple construction in LS polls

Guwahati: Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Bharat Jodo Abhiyan (BJA) and Axom Nagarik Samaj have issued a poignant reminder to voters to cast their ballots based on critical issues affecting the state rather than on the promise of temple construction.

The joint statement, released Paresh Malakar, Deepak Goswami, Sankar Saikia, and Santanu Borthakur, highlights a multitude of pressing concerns demanding immediate attention from policymakers.

Among the litany of issues outlined in the press release, unemployment emerges as a glaring crisis, with Assam grappling with a staggering unemployment rate, mirroring the national trend. The scarcity of government jobs exacerbates the plight of over 20 lakh unemployed youths in the state, underscoring the urgent need for substantive employment initiatives.

Healthcare infrastructure also comes under scrutiny, with the proliferation of medical colleges and hospitals failing to address the acute shortage of medical professionals and facilities. Residents are compelled to seek treatment at private hospitals in Guwahati, underscoring the inadequacies in public healthcare provision.

Education takes center stage as well, with the closure of over 7,000 government schools and dismal rankings in higher education painting a grim picture of the state's educational landscape. The exodus from government to private schools underscores systemic deficiencies that demand rectification.

The specter of inflation looms large, with spiraling costs of essentials such as gas cylinders, property taxes, and electricity bills exacerbating financial strain on the populace. Small businesses, still reeling from the dual blows of demonetization and the pandemic, await substantive support from the government to facilitate recovery.

The agricultural sector, upon which over 70% of Assam's population relies, languishes due to governmental neglect, with meager allocations for irrigation projects juxtaposed against lavish expenditures on non-essential ventures.

Corruption scandals further erode public trust, with accusations of preferential treatment for corrupt officials joining the BJP, highlighting systemic failures in governance.

The press release also casts a critical eye on infrastructure projects, decrying the wanton demolition of structures without commensurate benefits to local communities or the economy. Outsourcing contracts to non-local entities exacerbates economic disparities and stymies local development.

Additionally, issues such as floods and erosion, the plight of marginalized workers, the erosion of institutional independence, contentious land policies, mounting debt, and the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) compound Assam's woes.

In urging voters to prioritize these pressing concerns over superficial promises, the coalition underscores the imperative of informed decision-making in safeguarding the state's future.

As Assam stands at a crossroads, voters are implored to scrutinize candidates' platforms and demand accountability from elected representatives in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the state.