By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 11: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi placed special thrust on the development of public sector enterprises in the State, heaping praise on the 16 profit making PSE’s in the State which had undergone a sea change in their policies to develop into profit making companies.

 Speaking during a award distribution ceremony of the State Level Public Sector Enterprises held in NEDFi House today, the Chief Minister said, “Assam is a land of innumerable natural resources and we should take full advantage of this fact for the development of the State.”

Stating that of the total 38 PSE’s in the State, only 16 are profitmaking, the Chief Minister encouraged the rest to step up their works to revive their ailing industries. He assured that the Government is willing to lend whatever assistance they needed to boost their economy and revive their productivity.”

“Public sectors enterprises remains an important employment generating source of the State. We do not believe in handing over everything to the private sector. Besides, we need the PSEs for utilizing the rich resources of the State.”

Gogoi further praised the Assam Gas Company for their performance among the public sector companies and said their is still scope for further growth.

Meanwhile, Public Enterprises minister, Pradyut Bordoloi praised the 16 companies for their progress and said there was a time when Assam had only one profit making company.

 “There was a period when 17 PSEs of Assam had closed down and there was no scope for revival. However, since 2004, thanks to the Chief Minister’s initiative, these PSEs had been able to revive themselves and emerge as profit making companies.”

Bordoloi further laid emphasis on development of entrepreneurship in the State and said such initiatives will go a long way in employment generation.