Tezpur (Assam), 19 February (HS): Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asserted that slogans alone cannot ensure the progress or protection of any community, stressing the need to cultivate a strong work culture and greater economic participation among the youth.

Addressing a programme in Tezpur, the Chief Minister said that while slogans had their relevance during past movements, long-term development demands active involvement in productive sectors such as business, entrepreneurship, construction and trade. He urged Assamese youth to step forward and engage in various economic activities to strengthen the state’s growth trajectory.

Referring to recent political developments, Sarma declined to accept the open debate challenge on Hindutva issued by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi in Guwahati.

The Chief Minister further informed that the state government has so far cleared around 1.5 lakh bighas of encroached land and plans to free an additional 5 lakh bighas in the coming period.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash