Gogoi resumes office after 51 days

GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who underwent three heart surgeries last month, resumed office Monday after 51 days with a renewed pledge to work with more dedication and commitment.

“I am going to review all the projects meant for the poor people and if there are any problems in the execution of any of the projects during my absence I shall see to it that things are properly done,” the chief minister said.

Gogoi arrived in Guwahati Friday after being declared fit by doctors who performed three heart surgeries on him last month at the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai.

Doctors at the Asian Heart Institute Aug 4 successfully carried out three complicated heart surgeries on 74-year-old Gogoi — a bypass surgery, a valve replacement surgery and a procedure to enlarge two blocked arteries.

The chief minister complained of breathing problem and rise in blood pressure July 24 while attending the meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi chaired by the prime minister.

He was immediately wheeled into the Max Hospital in New Delhi and later shifted to the Asian Heart Institute.

“I don’t want to say I am fully fit, but I am pretty much confident about my health and ready to serve the people of Assam once again,” Gogoi said.

The chief minister also chaired a cabinet meeting and discussed key issues from law and order to opposition politics and schemes that evoked public anger amid charges of nepotism.

“I am taking into account all aspects of various schemes which evoked angry reactions and shall rectify those schemes immediately so that the benefits go to the poor people,” Gogoi said.