Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pushes for industrialization, assures all help to investors

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With a view to boosting investment in the industrial sector in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured the top brass of various industries and public sector units (PSUs) that his government will provide all possible support to mitigate any problem faced by them while taking up projects in the State.

The Chief Minister held threadbare discussions here with 62 PSU representatives and business leaders over the last two days on issues concerning industrial expansion and fresh investment in the State. He told the prospective investors, "The State Government is preparing a road map to address all adversities in the way of providing an enabling environment for industrial development in the State."

It may be mentioned in this context that the State Government has taken up a plan to collect revenue to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore by auctioning limestone and iron ore blocks of Assam. An agreement was signed for this purpose on Thursday with the SBI Capital Market Limited.

"It is a pleasure for us to have been able to resolve most of the problems of the investors during the exchange of views. Including both government and non-government sectors, investment worth around Rs 92,000 crore is continuing in the industrial sector of the State", Sarma said.

One of the core issues highlighted during the two-day discussion was land allotment. The PSU and business leaders wanted clarity on the Government's role in land acquisition, rate fixation, land compensation etc.

The Chief Minister informed them that the State Government has a land bank. He further said that on giving land on lease from the land bank to the industrialists, the Industry Department can provide an NOC without even going to the Revenue Department and respective Deputy Commissioners.

He also said that to facilitate industrialization of Assam, an Ease of Doing Business portal will be created in the State very soon.

The Chief Minister mentioned that one of the main requirements for setting up any industry is supply of power and as such the Government is according priority to reforms in the power sector. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 6,000 crore for different power projects in the State, Sarma added.

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