Opportunities galore for youths to set up industries : SK Hazarika

DHUBRI: The Central and State governments, in a recent campaign to attract the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youths, announced a number of schemes with financial assurance and subsidies. In an exclusive interview with The Sentinel, Deputy Director of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SK Hazarika spoke at length on opportunities for setting up industries, particularly for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youths. Excerpt of the interview follows:

The Sentinel : What opportunities youths have today to start industries?

Hazarika: Many doors have opened recently for the youths belonging to SC and ST communities from the stage of grooming to finance level and marketing of the products with high percentage of subsidies. The Sentinel : How are you approaching the youths and motivating the youths of Assam ?

Hazarika: We have been organizing awareness campaigns among the youth across Assam and other States of the north-eastern region titled ‘An Awareness Programme on National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH)’. We have already organized many awareness campaigns, including one in Dhubri and Guwahati, and will be organizing more such programmes to attract the youths towards entrepreneurship.

The Sentinel : Which funding agencies are extending financial assistance to the new entrepreneurs?

Hazarika: Assam Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (ASIDC), a nodal agency for implementation of the NSSH in Assam in association with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).The move is also being supported by PHD Chamber of Commerce at the initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Sentinel : How will NSSH support the youths of Assam and what is the budget allocation for the development of industry ?

Hazarika: Under MoMSME, the Hub will provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfill the obligations under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy (PPP) for Micro and Small Enterprises Procurement Policy Order 2012. MoMSME has made an initial allocation of Rs 490 crore for the period 2016-2020 for the National SC/ST Hub. The Sentinel : What is the response you have got from the youth so far ?

Hazarika: It is encouraging but we will have to put more professional effort to get the desired result and meet the target in the days to come.

Also Read: Assam News