''Our government has been village-centric since day one as without the development of rural areas no real development can take place'', Gogoi said at a function organised to distribute vehicles to block development officers here.
He urged officers to work with a missionary zeal for the welfare of rural masses.
Development has taken place in rural areas following implementation of various flagship programmes of the Centre and schemes under Asom Bikash Yojana during the past years but much more needed to be done to bring about a change in the rural economy.
''It is in the rural areas that problems like roads, drinking water, health care, sanitary continue to plague and these problems need to be addressed effectively'', he added.
Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Rakibul Hussain said a total 60 vehicles had been distributed today in the first phase to the BDOs to improve their access to the remote and far-flung areas.
