By Bhupen Goswami (PNI)

Guwahati: The curtain of the traditional Jonbeel Mela fell down today with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal vowed to make the fair with unique barter, a global tourist attraction with adequate assistance from the government. The fair which began on January 17 continued for three days with the assimilation of hill and plain tribes and people from all walks of life. Speaking at the closing ceremony at Jonbeel Pathar in Morigaon district today, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Jonbeel Mela with its barter system has the potential of turning itself into a major tourist attraction. He also announced Rs. 1 crore from untied fund for the promotion of Jonbeel Mela. He also said that the three day Jonbeel Mela which turns into a confluence of humanity gives an opportunity to present the diversities and strengthen the harmonious co- existence of the state. Chief Minister Sonowal also said that his government is duty bound to protect the interests of the indigenous communities of the state. He, therefore, appealed to All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) along with other intelligentsia to lend their full cooperation to look into full implementation of the Clause VI of the Assam Accord which would ensure safeguarding the interests of the ethnic communities of Assam. He also said that the previous governments both in the state as well as in the Centre only paid lip service to serve the interests of the people of Assam and nothing concrete was done on ground. However, the present Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took keen interests for the protection of the rights and privileges of the people of Assam. Therefore, the high-powered has been constituted to suggest ways and means for the complete implementation of Clause VI of the Assam Accord to ensure appropriate constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the ethnic Assamese. He also reiterated that for facilitation of local people’s rights over lands, his government has already distributed land pattas to small tea growers and this year land pattas to 1 lakh landless people of the state will be given which would ensure rights of the indigenous on bheti that is hearth. He also said that some sections of the people in the state are spreading propaganda on the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 saying that if the bill becomes an Act, Assam will become breeding ground of illegal migrants. He however, allayed the fear and said that the proposed bill was brought to the Parliament for the entire nation and simply passing the bill will not warrant citizenship right to the people. So the information building around the bill was baseless. He also maintained that he has been made the Chief Minister by the people of Assam and he will not allow his government to do anything which would go against the people of Assam. He also said that ever since the BJP led dispensation has come to power State government has been taking several welfare activities like Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana, stipend to Dibyangjans, Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni, Atal Amrit Abhiyan etc. He also said that as a result of uncompromising tirade launched against corruption, in the last 2.5 years 55 thousands appointments were made in the State transparently based on the only criteria of merits. Chief Minister Sonowal thanked the people of the state for turning out in huge number to make Jonbeel Mela a huge success. He also said that government would extend its patronage for the promotion of Jonbeel Mela and put in the global tourism calendar. Sonowal on the occasion handed over rajbhatta to Gova King Dipsing Deuroja along with other 17 kings. Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika, MLA Morigaon Ramakanta Deuri also spoke on the occasion. Chairman Assam State Film Finance and Development Corporation Jatin Bora, Deputy Commissioner of Morigaon Rituraj Bora, Gova Kings and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.