MLA and Chairman of the Sub-Divisional Planning & Development Board (SDPDB) Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon, has called for the establishment of a Wildlife Wing Office in Bhandari sub-division to address the growing issue of human-elephant conflict. “Bhandari sub-division is home to a large number of wild elephants and needs a Wildlife Wing Office to help manage the elephant menace and reduce man-elephant conflicts,” he stated during the SDPDB meeting held on February 7, 2025.
The MLA also highlighted the shortage of manpower in the forest department, emphasizing the difficulty of managing such a vast area with limited personnel. Chairing the meeting, he welcomed new officers posted to Bhandari sub-division and reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting.
Discussing the requisition of land for the proposed Bhandari Sub-Division Office Complex, Achumbemo Kikon clarified that the purchase would be done as an outright acquisition under the existing government rate. “The matter will be highlighted to the higher authorities,” he said, adding that the initiative would not only help expand the town area but also provide convenience to both departmental offices and the public.
ADC Bhandari, Longasen Lotha (NCS), informed the meeting that construction of the SDO (Civil) office in Ralan had already begun following the purchase of land at Ralan.
The MLA commended departmental heads, led by ADC Bhandari, for conducting a village coordination tour, during which they interacted with Village Councils and functionaries to assess their governance and address grievances.
The meeting also deliberated on several key issues, including revocation of decision to downgrade GMS Yampha to GPS; Utilization of VDB funds in villages to enhance transparency and development; Ensuring attendance of departmental officers at SDPDB meetings to strengthen policy-making participation; Establishing additional police outposts in strategic border areas to address security concerns; Geo-tagging discrepancies, as GPS coordination shows certain areas of Bhandari under Assam’s jurisdiction and; Formation of the Rural Empowerment and Economic Development (REED) Welfare Society.
The medical and power departments briefed the house on their ongoing activities in the sub-division. Additionally, it was decided that the Sub-Division Departmental Sports Week would be held in March 2025.