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GUWAHATI, Aug 21 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today questioned the integrity of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and DoNER Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique alleging that both the leaders have failed to take up the cause of the local youths as far as ensuring 100 per cent job reservation for the local candidates in the Assam Gas Cracker Project is concerned. “The Assam Gas Cracker Project is the result of Assam agitation and Assam Accord aimed at economic development of the State, besides ensuring employment for the NE youths, which is why reservation of 100 per cent jobs for the local youths is a must,” said AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya.

Earlier today, members of AASU gheroed the Assam Gas Cracker Project camp office at the Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok building and halted the interview process for 57 posts of trainee engineers and human resource department official as the part of first recruitment drive for the Gas Cracker Project.

The interview process was halted for almost two-and-a half hours and it resumed only after the BPCL authorities ensured to take up the matter in the next board meeting.

“The BPCL authorities reasoned that as the interview was being conducted at the all-India level, our demand for 100 per cent reservation couldn’t be met. However, they later assured that maximum number of jobs would be given to the local candidates,” Dr Bhattacharya stated.

“Of the 450 candidates called for viva today, there were only 46 candidates from the region. This is a conspiracy against the local youths and we will intensify our movement if cent per cent reservation is not ensured,” Dr Bhattacharya said.

The AASU, it may be mentioned, had already written to the Prime Minister, DoNER Minister and the State Chief Minister pressing for 100 per cent job reservation for local youths of the NE.