Roadmap in next six months to turn MoUs into reality: CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the total commitments made by the government sector and private sector in Advantage Assam 2.0 now total Rs 5.18 lakh crore. The roadmap for the government in the next six months is to see this turned into reality. Several challenges will arise before the government in implementing the MoUs, the CM said.

Talking to the media, the CM said today, “I hope that starting from the next financial year, we will be able to talk to the companies who have signed MoUs here. We will start individual discussions with the companies about how to go about realising the investment on the ground, what kind of incentives and land they would need, so we will sit down with them to prepare a roadmap over the next six months. After that, we will sign the final agreements with the companies.”

“Companies will seek benefits from us, and we will try to oblige them, but if the incentives they demand are more than we can give, we will politely reject those MoUs. I hope that 80% of the MoUs signed will be turned into reality. I think we can meet the challenges we may face going forward, like land, incentives, infrastructure, etc. In the case of land, we will not touch the core agricultural land,” he added.

On the huge response to the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, the CM said, “The most important factor is the commitment shown by the Prime Minister and the Government of India. It was unprecedented that the Prime Minister invited investments to Assam. Generally, the Prime Minister does not pitch for a certain state like he did for Assam. The External Affairs Minister played a major role by bringing the delegation of representatives of around 62 countries.

The geographical location of Assam, being in close proximity to the ASEAN countries, is a big advantage. The peaceful situation in the state and the recent game-changing semiconductor plant at Jagiroad also played key roles. The big infrastructure projects, requiring huge amounts of construction material, will be supplied in the state itself. There is also a huge potential of hydrocarbons, renewable energy, etc.” The CM further said that Advantage Assam 2.0 will lay a new foundation for Assam. The Assam government will do its part, but the people also have a responsibility of taking things forward. If there are any unwanted things they face while trying to set up industries, they will take them someplace else.

Priority will be given to MoUs that are more likely to skill the local workforce and provide them technology to work in the upcoming industries, he stated. Job opportunities for around 2 lakh people will be created. So, there is a need to skill the local workforce; otherwise, people from outside the state will take up the jobs. The Chief Minister said Japan and Singapore have signed MoUs for skilling the local youth.

Commitments worth Rs 85,000 crore have been made towards exploration of oil and gas, with the Vedanta group committing Rs 50,000 crore, OIL Rs 20,000 crore, and ONGC making a commitment of investing Rs 15,000 crore. From this, the hydrocarbon reserves of the state will be revealed, and there will also be the creation of huge job opportunities, the CM added.

MoUs worth more than Rs 2,000 crore have been signed with international companies in sectors like veterinary, forests, health, mining, etc., while Japan expressed a keen desire to invest in Assam. Also that the World Bank has agreed to fund the setting up of three industrial parks, subject to approval from the Government of India. Greenko Group, a partner of Singapore’s Keppel Infrastructure and GIC, expressed the intent to invest in a sustainable aviation fuel hub in Assam, the first of its kind in India, the CM also said.

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