Guwahati, March 25: Assam minister Pijush Hazarika on March 24 sharply criticised Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi over his remarks regarding migrant worker fatalities, describing Gogoi’s claims as the result of “poor research and lack of understanding” and reliance on “discredited propagandists”.
The exchange followed Gogoi’s assertion that Assam faces a crisis as 162 migrant workers died in six months while employed at factories, construction sites, and mines across the country. He framed these deaths as indicative of broader governance failures, citing low wages, limited employment opportunities, and weak agricultural prospects as drivers of distress migration.
Responding, Hazarika acknowledged the tragedy of such deaths, particularly at a young age far from home, and highlighted the state government’s ‘Shraddhanjali’ scheme, which facilitates the return of mortal remains—a measure he described as a first of its kind in India. He emphasised that the government is addressing the root causes by creating local employment, citing 1.6 lakh government jobs provided in the largest recruitment drive in Assam’s history, alongside entrepreneurship initiatives supporting over two lakh youth and transition programmes for graduates.
Hazarika further pointed to investment commitments worth ₹5 lakh crore secured during Advantage Assam 2.0, with nearly ₹3 lakh crore already under implementation. He noted that sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, logistics, petrochemicals, food processing, tourism, and industrial growth corridors in the Brahmaputra Valley are driving local employment under the Act East policy. “The direction is clear — fewer youth leaving Assam, more companies coming,” he asserted.
Gogoi, however, maintained that the state government has failed to adequately address the scale of the issue, accusing it of “silence” and prioritising optics over people. He called for accountability and urgent policy measures, insisting that the fatalities reveal systemic gaps that require immediate attention.
