CM calls for setting up organic hub in Assam

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 9: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Thursday said that revenue mobilization has to be stepped up to accelerate the process of development. In a marathon meeting with officials of Fince and Taxation departments at his conference room at Assam Secretariat here today, Chief Minister Sonowal said that various new ways and means must be adopted by the departments concerned to generate revenue in a big way and plug leakages, so that the revenue goes to the State exchequer.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister rendra Modi is keen to make the Northeast, including Assam, an organic hub so that a new horizon opens up on the development front. “In order to translate Prime Minister Modi’s dreams into reality, we have to initiate a slew of measures to make Assam an organic hub,” he said.

Emphasizing on stepping up production in agriculture and horticulture, particularly mushroom, ba, cane and bamboo, Chief Minister Sonowal said that by doing so, the economic condition of farmers can be remarkably improved. At the same time, the Chief Minister underscored the need to involve the youth and formulate suitable schemes.

Sonowal asked the officials to identify the sectors in which the State has huge potential. “We have to go in for industries based on raw materials available that generate employment opportunities and bring about economic transformation in the lives of the people. However, the ecological balance has to be maintained at any cost,” he said.

Underlining the need for soil testing labs in every district for increased foodgrain production, Sonowal said that the farmers must get the right price for their produce for which they toil hard. For this, the Chief Minister called for establishing strong links between the producers, buyers and markets to weed out middlemen. He also asked officials to study closely the markets in other States as well as neighbouring countries to explore ways to sell the products there.

Sonowal directed the officials to find out the exact volume of produce like eggs, milk and dairy products imported to the State from outside. “If we can produce the items coming from outside in our own State, it will not only enhance capacity building but also open up the doors of employment opportunities for our youth,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that taxation officials have to keep strict vigil on trucks laden with goods entering the State through Srirampur and Boxirhat check gates. “The officials have to see to it that other than the two check gates bordering West Bengal, no trucks can enter into the State illegally through other roads across the inter-state boundary,” he said.

For priority sectors like health, education, flood and erosion, sufficient funds must be earmarked and for that necessary steps must be taken up in right earnest, Sonowal said.

The Chief Minister said that to make the pension procedure hassle-free, a proper mechanism has to be evolved. Sonowal also stressed on the need to set up housing facilities for constables in every part of the State.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Additiol Chief Secretary, TY Das, Additiol Chief Secretary, VB Pyarelal, Commissioner & Secretary, Fince, Dr. Ravi Kota and other senior officials.

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