Sonowal seeks help from Jaitley to announce industrial policy for Assam and NE

Sonowal impressed upon the Union Minister and said that  introduction of  an industrial policy, announced exclusively for Assam and North East, to incentivise investments in Assam would augur well to create an investor friendly climate in the region before the investors’ summit.

He also requested the Union Finance Minister for a more liberal GST Regime which can aid in strengthening business confidence in the State.

The Assam CM also sought Jaitley’s help in expeditiously releasing Rs. 1138 crore due for the Flood Management Programmes and said that release of the fund would help in early implementation of 141 of all ongoing and proposed flood and erosion management projects in the State.

Sonowal also sought Union Finance Minister’s help in the revival of paper mills of Assam under Hindustan Paper Corporation as he drew Jaitley’s attention of the role played by these industrial units for the industrial development and generation of employment in both Brahmaputra and Barak valley.

Seeking the Union Minister’s immediate intervention for a revival package of Rs. 1700 crore to settle committed liability including wages to workers he said that resumption of these units would send across a positive signal to bring back business confidence and revive the investment cycle.

Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Babul Supriyo, who was also present in the meeting, conceded that a cabinet note has been prepared for the revival of these paper mills and his ministry sought assistance from Finance Minister to meet the financial implication.

Science and Technology Minister Keshab Mahanta, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary  Ravi Capoor, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohia were also present at the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)