With the decline of insurgent activities, the development process in the northeast has gained momentum. Recently, the boko development block office in Assam's Kamrup district got an ISO certification, making it the first block in the country to do so.
Situated in the Kamrup district, the Boko block was once a hub of insurgents. However, with the efficient implementation of welfare schemes and the active participation of villagers in the development process, the block has made steady progress.
In a rare accomplishment, it recently received the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification which recognized the block office's efficiency.
The ISO develops standards to ensure that companies and organizations consistently provide products and services of good quality.
The block office has extensively used various schemes to undertake a series of development works for livelihood generation and infrastructure development.
"Under the Boko development block, we have 11 gram panchayats where convergence work is being undertaken. This colony is being constructed under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) for the poor families. In the other gram panchayats, other than the regular houses under the IAY, Som plantation is being undertaken under the MGNREGA with help from sericulture department, horticulture nurseries are also being set up with help from the department of agriculture,' said Pankaj Chakraborty, BDO, Boko Block Development Office .
In order to strengthen the rural economy and empower women, the block has developed facilities for horticulture nurseries, Som and Lac cultivation and Muga silk farming under the MGNREGA scheme. Under the Indira Awas Yojana, a drainage system has been constructed for the Boko town and construction work of a residential colony for the underprivileged is underway.
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The block has also taken up large-scale banana plantation under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
The eleven gram panchayats under the block are actively involved in promoting the welfare of people, as well as fighting against anti-social elements.
"The Boko block office has given us work and we are very happy that we are getting to earn. The good thing is that here not only men but women also get an equal chance to work," said Jutika Rabha, a villager.
With active participation of the villagers and constant efforts of the authorities, Boko has transformed into a progressive block that provides an example worthy of emulation.