GUWAHATI: The opening session of the newly elected Assam Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes as opposition MLAs staged protests and walkouts during Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya’s address to the House on Friday, May 22.
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The disruption began on the second day of the Assembly session when Congress legislators raised slogans against rising inflation and walked out of the House carrying placards to protest against the increase in LPG cylinder and fuel prices.
Adding to the uproar, Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi also shouted slogans against price rise while the governor was delivering his speech.
Despite the protests, Governor Acharya outlined the priorities and concerns of the newly formed government, touching upon issues ranging from economic challenges and border security to employment generation and infrastructure development.
Referring to the ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, the governor said the global crisis was putting pressure on economies worldwide and called for public cooperation in maintaining financial discipline.
“The situation in West Asia has created economic uncertainty globally. Citizens should avoid unnecessary expenditure and travel in the interest of safeguarding the nation’s foreign reserves,” he said during the address.
The governor also expressed concern over illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, particularly through unfenced border areas in West Bengal, calling it a threat to both Assam and national security. He stated that the Assam government would work closely with the Centre and the West Bengal government to strengthen border management and curb infiltration.
Acharya reiterated the government’s commitment to creating two lakh jobs, attracting fresh investments, and increasing electricity generation in the state in line with promises made during the Assembly elections.
He further announced that eviction drives aimed at clearing encroachments from government and forest lands would continue in the coming years. The governor also assured that ₹18,000 crore would be allocated towards flood mitigation projects across Assam.