Guwahati, 15 July (HS): The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday criticised the BJP-led state government over its promise to provide two lakh new government jobs in the next five years, alleging that similar assurances made in the past remain unfulfilled.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assam Legislative Assembly during the Budget Session, Congress MLA Zakir Hussain Sikdar claimed that unemployment continues to be one of Assam's biggest challenges. He questioned the government's ability to achieve its latest employment target.

Sikdar alleged that nearly four million young men and women in the state are still unemployed and said the promise of providing two lakh government jobs over the next five years is unlikely to be fulfilled. He added that the opposition's primary demand is for the government to create meaningful employment opportunities for Assam's youth.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Wajed Ali Choudhury, also accused the BJP government of repeating old promises without delivering on previous commitments. He alleged that the government had earlier promised two lakh government jobs and eight lakh employment opportunities but failed to meet those targets and is now reiterating the same assurances.

Commenting on the flood situation in Assam, Choudhury also criticised the government's flood management, claiming that the current flooding was caused more by poor drainage and inadequate urban planning than by rising river levels. He argued that even a single day's rainfall had led to widespread flooding due to weak drainage infrastructure.

The state government, however, maintains that recruitment drives are underway across several departments as part of its employment agenda.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash