Aatmanirbhar Bharat will get accomplishment through Aatmanirbhar Assam: Sarbananda Sonowal

In an interaction programme with the beneficiaries of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme under Atmaniarbhar Bharat Abhiyan at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that realising the role of MSME sector in the economy of the state, all the general managers of district industries and commerce centres have been asked to create awareness about the stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Modi and do the necessary handholding between the MSME and banks to enable the MSMEs to reap benefits from the scheme.

Interacting with the beneficiaries, Sonowal said that amid COVID-19 pandemic, the country riding on the leadership of Modi took the pledge to become self-reliant. He said that under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Rs 3 lakh crore loan to the MSMEs have lent a lease of life to the sector.

Terming the day as an eventful day for the industry of the state, Sonowal said that through Atmanirbhar Assam, Atmanirbhar Bharat would get its fulfilment.

He also said that through Act East Policy, the youths of the state have got an opportunity to utilise their prowess and project Assam as an epicentre of trade and business activities. The agricultural produce of Assam have gained due respects not only in South-East Asian Nations but also across the world.

In trade and commerce, the youths of the state got the opportunity to prove their leadership.

Citing an example, Sonowal said that Hemoprabha Deka, a woman entrepreneur from Darrang during the lockdown period with her limited manpower could send 40 thousand LPG cylinders to the country like Bhutan. Similarly, Abhijit Baruah of Nagaon, Dilip Das of Nalbari besides empowering them, built capacity for hundreds of unemployed youths across the state.

Stating that for the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat, banks have a huge role, Sonowal thanked the bankers for all the help that they have rendered in this direction.

He also said that coordination among the government, banks and industries have a strong effect for creating chemistry salubrious for the growth of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that industries in the state contribute 39 per cent to the State GDP.

For the development of the industrial landscape of the state, the government has announced an industrial corridor from Amingaon to Tihu. For the growth of commerce and industries, an MSME ordinance was brought in which would be passed in the State Assembly.

He also gave vignettes of different steps that the government has taken for the development of the industrial sector of the state.

Commissioner and Secretary Industry and Commerce K.K. Dwivedi delivered the welcome address and gave a power-point presentation on Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. General Manager, State Bank of India North East Suranjana Dutta, entrepreneur Abhijit Baruah, Dilip Das, A. Mehra, Hemoprabha Deka also shared their experience on the occasion. They also thanked the State government for rendering all help to them during the lockdown period.

Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, his Legal Advisor SantanuBharali, MLA Lumding Shibu Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohiya, other officers of Industry and Commerce Department and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.