Assam Govt has no plan to set up new industries on its own

Assam Govt has no plan to set up new industries on its own.

If the signals emanating from Dispur are anything to go by, it appears that BJP led government in Assam is not looking at setting up of new industries in the state with its own resources.

Minister for Industries and Commerce and Public Enterprises, Bimal Bora in a written reply to the Assam assembly said that presently, the government of Assam does not have any plan for setting up of new industry on its own. However, if any entrepreneur proposes to set up an Industry, he/she can access modern infrastructures and amenities which are being developed by the Government of Assam as well as claim various incentives under different Industrial promotion policies.

The assertion of the industries minister on the floor of the assembly also drives home the point any new investment or venture in the state has to come from the private players.

But the industries minister's view on not opening new industries with taxpayers' money stems from the fact that most of the state-run enterprises in Assam are in deep red, suffering heavy losses due to inefficient management and red tapism.

According to statistics of available with the state Industries and Commerce department, 19 public sector units that were set up by the state government have been closed within the period 2005-2021. There are 41 state-funded public sector units in Assam. According to Comptroller and Auditor General Report, most of these units are running under huge losses and have unviable.

However, Bimal Bora's view is not in sync with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s outlook on the rapid industrialization of the state.

In June this year, after holding a meeting with leading industrialists of the country, Sarma said that the state government is preparing a road map by addressing all adversaries for enabling the environment for the industrial development of the state.

CM Sarma added the industrialization in the state is always dependent on land policy, change of forest land, availability of energy sources, and feasibility of business and commerce.

How far the government has moved on these fronts need to be seen.

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