NHRC Special Monitor Uma Kant Reviews Rural Development, Plastic Ban in Kamrup

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Special Monitor Uma Kant visited Kamrup district along with officials from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department to assess the progress of rural development initiatives and interact with representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions. During the visit, Uma Kant held discussions with senior district officials and local representatives, where officials presented an overview of Kamrup district and briefed the visiting team on the progress of various programmes being implemented through the Panchayat and Rural Development Department. The team was also apprised of key initiatives undertaken under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), including efforts aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and community-based development. Appreciating the initiatives undertaken in the district, Uma Kant described the progress as “attractive and promising” and called for sustained efforts to further strengthen the programmes. A major focus of the interaction was plastic waste management and the implementation of the plastic ban in Assam. Uma Kant stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure effective enforcement of the ban, while highlighting the important role of Gram Panchayats in creating awareness and ensuring compliance at the grassroots level. He also encouraged local authorities and communities to adopt waste segregation practices, particularly the separation of dry and wet waste at the source. The NHRC Special Monitor further pointed to the potential for recycling plastic waste as part of a more effective waste management system. Uma Kant also called for improvements in the implementation and maintenance of Amrit Sarovar projects. He urged officials to sensitise and guide local communities so that the water conservation projects are properly maintained and effectively utilised. As part of the district visit, the NHRC team visited the Boko Development Block Office, where a joint meeting was held with representatives of Gram Panchayats and Anchalik Panchayat under the development block. The meeting was attended by Kamrup Zila Parishad President Nipan Bhuyan, Chief Executive Officer Siddhartha Goswami, the Vice President of the Zila Parishad, Deputy Chief Executive Officers, Panchayati Raj representatives, Block Development Officers and other concerned officials. The discussions focused on strengthening grassroots-level governance, improving rural development initiatives and ensuring greater community participation in local development and environmental management programmes. Also Read : 'Scrap ESZ' Then, Protect ESZ’ Now: Pijush Hazarika Targets Kaziranga Critics