Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary Reviews Status of Industrial Activities

GUWAHATI: Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary reviewed the status of industrial activities in the districts of Assam with all the General Managers (GMs) of District Industries and Commerce Centers (DICCs) through a video conference on Friday. Principal Secretary Dr KK Dwivedi and other senior officials were also present in the VC.

Discussing the present production activities of the State, Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said, "Industry sector contributes 39 per cent to the State GDP. In the current COVID situation, it should be the collective responsibility of all the GMs that industries and tea gardens function smoothly with strict compliance to COVID-19 SOP guidelines."

In view of the oxygen requirement in the State, the Minister directed the GMs to provide full support to the oxygen production units and facilitate smooth movement of raw materials to the pharmaceutical plants in their respective districts, stated a release.

Minister Patowary added that GMs must coordinate with the Deputy Commissioners for land allotment of additional Industrial Estates in each district. He highlighted that Dhemaji has the highest potential for industrial development with improved connectivity through the Bogibeel Bridge and asked GM, Dhemaji for establishment of a 1,000 bighas Industrial Estate in the district.

Patowary further instructed the GMs to visit the industries, tea factories and address any issues and emphasized that no industry should shut down due to the COVID pandemic and no industry should lay off any of its employees.

He also mentioned that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has set a target of 13,000 Mini Food Parks in Assam and asked the GMs to identify suitable land so that the units in the informal sector may avail the benefits.

In view of the MoU of the Industry Department with Flipkart, the Minister called upon the GMs to bring the weavers, artisans and craftsmen into the e-commerce platform and allow them national market access, the release added.

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