Volume 2, Issue 6 | october 2023
Record spree across
Assam for a cause P3
A record spree of sapling
plantations was part of a series
of Guinness records under
Amrit Brikshay Andolan.
It is green everywhere
Assam plants 1.01cr saplings
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
S
apna Keot was unusually enthusiastic on
September 17. The day was to become
for her yet another memorable day
when this worker from a tea estate in Mukhar
Gaon of Biswanath district would be planting
two commercial saplings and pledging to take
care of them for the rest of her life. This lady,
a tree lover, had coincidentally become the
first person to register her name in the Amrit
Brikshya Andolan portal (as reported in the
September issue of Asom Barta). Having
completed her household chores during the
morning hours, she religiously planted the
two commercial saplings provided to her by
the self help group to which she belonged.
She then uploaded her photos and geotagged
them on the portal. “It was an unusual
experience for me,” she told Asom Barta.
The day etched into the record book
because, as planned, more than 70 lakh
individuals, organisations, SHGs, and others
planted over 1 cr commercial sapling across
the length and breadth of the State. Preceding
the day, the State and its people had already
set nine Guinness records in various ways to
tell the world that the idea of a tree economy
has well and truly arrived.
The Environment and Forest Department
played a vital role in facilitating this near
Herculean task.
P2 Musings of a Chief Minister
Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam
A Monthly Newsletter TO Subscribe Whatsapp
A perfect model in Assam flies high on
education P7
Tea Model Schools are changing
the perception of education
in areas under tea gardens of
Assam.
“If there are trees, there will
be human beings
and our world”
As a testimony to the importance of the
day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to
the Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa
Sarma appreciating the importance of the
initiative.
Princy Mahan, a student of Sivasagar
College, too was part of a record feat on the
day. As if to ensure that there is no hiccup,
she, along with her friends, took part in a
mock exercise at Geleki in Sivasagar district
the previous day on the procedure to be
followed in planting these saplings.
On the D-Day, she and 1228 other females
were part of another record at Athkhel Tea
Estate in Geleki of “most people planting
trees simultaneously.”
“If there are trees, there will be human
beings and our world,” she said while talking
to this reporter. Coincidentally, she was also
part of a Guinness record on Bihu dance.
Kuhirani Kashyap was also a part of the
Amrit Brikshya initiative which was meant to
strengthen or define the relationship between
nature and women, and their empowerment.
“We planted 1229 saplings in 58.48 seconds,”
on September 17, she said.
The Environment and Forest Department
Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary was
present in this programme at Geleki.
The Statewide proceedings was set in
motion by the Assam Chief Minister at Janata
Bhawan, where he planted a sapling. He
spoke of the historical importance of the day
not only for Assam but also for humanity,
P13 Self-reliance is the mantra: CM
“assam” @ 7636834943
investments P8
Assam is eying major investment
in the State on the back of a series
of MoUs with leading corporate
groups.
while appealing to the people to come out
in large numbers to support the intended
objectives of the initiative.
Dr Sarma spoke of the economic benefits
that the Andolan would accord to the State
after 10 years.
He said that after three years these
saplings would be photographed. He was
hopeful of an 80% and above survival rate
of the saplings. Dr Sarma said that by 2024,
his Government is determined to plant three
crore saplings in non-forest areas.
ABA IN NUMBERS
Plantation
1,00,01,919
Registration on ABA Portal
48,57,945
Photo Uploaded by Registered
Participants 42,61,969
Photo Uploaded
1,12,52,055
P14 Spurring a community-based mission

We are already late by at least
a couple of decades when we
compare our efforts with that
of other States. Needless to say,
we are doing a lot of catching
up. Hence, I have decided to
keep my office open 24X7 to
enable big ticket investors to put
their plans into action without
losing time. This is not optics
but an offer to these players to
come and be part of the growth
journey of Assam, which is now a
talk of the town.
2 Asom Barta | October | 2023
Musings of a
Chief Minister
T
he lifeline of any business is finance. This college-level knowledge has stood the test of time in
our lives. Although the privilege of learning this first hand was accorded to students from the
Commerce stream but when non-Commerce students like me started knowing more about it,
we realised its seminal importance in everybody’s lives. Now that we are having the responsibility of
being in public life, and Government, we know how finance is also the lifeline of any State and that
of welfare policies meant for the masses.
The month of September was in that sense very important for us. In that month, we launched a
₹5,000 cr scheme to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and opportunities by investing in the
limitless potential of our youth. This, in the vision of the Prime Minister, will contribute to making
our country a nation of job creators. This policy action of building a self-reliant or atma nirbhar
Assam will nurture two lakh entrepreneurs in the State. One can imagine the spillover effect once
this policy starts producing results at the ground.
But can an entrepreneurship ecosystem work if we do not develop a robust policy to support
industries? We are already late by at least a couple of decades when we compare our efforts with that
of other States. Needless to say, we are doing a lot of catching up. Hence, I have decided to keep my
office open 24X7 to enable big ticket investors to put their plans into action without losing time. This
is not optics but an offer to these players to come and be part of the growth journey of Assam, which
is now a talk of the town. This year alone we have attracted investment of over ₹11,000 cr which
will generate over 10,000 jobs. Among them are big names including the likes of PepsiCo India,
which is set to invest over ₹778 cr in Nalbari soon. When industries start growing in satellite areas or
regions, it signals the even distribution of the growth pie. One of the key determinants of any State’s
industrial policy is their even spread across all regions. This generates employment at all levels,
prevents needless crowding of towns or cities thereby making them liveable, and manageable. Our
Government is committed to achieving an even growth culture be it industry or entrepreneurship.
Industries and entrepreneurship alone will mean nothing if there are no skill sets of human
resources in a State. Hence, the day we assumed responsibility in Dispur, we decided that skilling
will be at the heart of our goal to ensure Assam becomes an active stakeholder for Industry 4.0.
We are investing ₹4,000 cr in setting up a dedicated skill university and upgrading our ITIs and
polytechnics. All these are meant to facilitate availability of quality manpower for investors who
come with their ideas and finance to our State. This is the least we can do for them, and frankly
speaking we are expected to do it for them.
Yet another measure that has given me and my Government a lot of satisfaction was the
implementation of the Category III of the Assam Microfinance Incentive & Relief Scheme (AMFIRS)
2021 under which we repaid ₹291 cr of outstanding loans of over 2.22 lakh women borrowers. By
doing so, we have achieved two goals: Bringing these beneficiaries back into the credit worthy
category of the financial system and enabling them to live a life of dignity and rearming them with
financial responsibility for years to come. Had we not resorted to a policy like this, we would have
killed off the entrepreneurial instincts of lakhs of women in the State.
No wonder, Assam became the best performing States under the very ambitious and forward-
looking PM SVANidhi Scheme in disbursing loans to micro entrepreneurs who were hit hard during
Covid. Our disbursal rate, which stood at 97% when I mused over this piece, was the best in the
country. This is something we can surely be proud of. A Government is known not only by virtue of
laying the red carpet for big-ticket investors but also by how it takes care of those at the “bottom of
the pyramid”. This was one instance where we showed to the world how it should be done.
On September 17, we created history with a citizen-led movement to build a tree economy and
a green world by planting millions of commercial saplings in one day and achieving a figure of over
1 cr saplings in about nine days and creating multiple records which signalled collective action
and cooperation across the State. These saplings will yield us financial benefits for generations and
establish Assam’s place in India as a champion green State. At the same time, it would also lead to
the rejuvenation of wood-based industries which, at one point in time, were our pride.
Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Minister, Assam

Record spree across Assam for a cause
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
I
t all began on September 9. It was around 9
am. The Veterinary College Playground at
Khanapara was decked up with seedlings
arranged in a spiral pattern making the
playground disappear in the design. The total
length of the spiral was 22 km. Officials of the
Environment and Forest Department were on
their toes, and so was the Minister Chandra
Mohan Patowary. Nobody was willing to take
a chance. There was a record to be made, and
that, too, the first among many. Present on
the occasion were Guinness officials led by
its referee Prabin Patel.
Finally, the first of the records “longest
line of potted seedlings arranged in spiral
pattern” spread over 22 km with 3.5 lakh
saplings in Archimedean Spiral was certified.
Prior to the record, the Minister, while
talking to Asom Barta spoke of the increasing
forest cover of Assam at 36% compared to the
national average of 23%. He said that in the
“We have organised this programme
as part of the Assam Brikshya
Andolan to create awareness around
the tree economy. The target of one
crore commercial tree plantation is
just the beginning. Next year, we will
plant 3 cr saplings. These saplings
will come from the nurseries of our
department supported by
the CAMPA Fund”
Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister
(Environment & Forests, Act East Policy
Affairs, Welfare of Minorities)
next few years, the Government was keen to
take it up by a couple of percentage points
to 38%. “We have organised this programme
as part of the Assam Brikshya Andolan to
Asom Barta | October | 2023
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
create awareness around the tree economy.
The target of one crore commercial tree
plantation is just the beginning. Next year,
we will plant 3 cr saplings. These saplings will
come from the nurseries of our department
supported by the CAMPA Fund,” the Minister
claimed.
Ajanta Neog, the State Finance Minister,
spoke of the reduction in global warming
through the ABA initiative and increase in
the society’s collective responsibility towards
afforestation, during her speech.
On September 10, another record of
“Distribution of Highest Saplings” was
created. The number was 3, 20,432 which was
way over the previous number of 78,000. The
programme was attended by Assam Chief
Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“The Government has done its bit. The
Continued on page 5
3
 CENTRE CONNECTS

Resilient and self-reliant

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI

I
f one happens to be in Dhemaji town,
one is unlikely to miss a small tea outlet
run by Sunmoni Chutia. The outlet is
conspicuous because it is in the heart of the
town and the fact that Sunmoni manages it
so well that she takes care of her mother, her
sister, and her 11-year-old son with income
from this establishment.
All was not well with her during Covid
as most would by now know. There was no
income for her during those dreaded times
since there was hardly any commercial
activity in the town like the rest of the country.
But what came as a manna from heaven for
her and many street vendors spread across
the length and breadth of the country was
the scheme PM SVANidhi launched by
the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA) to facilitated hassle free loans
to the Sunmonis of the world to give them
dignity and a means to live.
The Scheme, called PM Street Vendor’s
Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), took
off in June 2020. Sunmoni is one of the
successful representatives of this welfare
initiative. It is the likes of her and others
that Assam emerged as the best State in the
country in disbursing loans with 90.84% as
on September 1. (Please see table for updated
figures)
“I would get up at 2 am. Work on all the
Sunmoni Chutia at her stall.
Performance of top States and UTs under various
categories of PM SVANidhi
Category State Name
Hilly and Northeastern States Assam
UTs and Small States Puducherry
Large States Madhya Pradesh
(As on 26/09/2023)
Jukrun Nisa and her son Shabir Seikh
food products that my customer would need
during the day. At around 5 am, I would open
my stall and work on it till 6 pm,” she told
Asom Barta over phone from Dhemaji.
“Each day is one of struggle for people
like us. But Covid was much beyond what
we were used to. However, PM SVANidhi
came as a boon. I went for the first tranche of
₹10,000 once I came to know of the scheme. I
then repaid and took ₹20,000 as a fresh loan,”
she informed this reporter while profusely
thanking officials of the Department of
Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA) who
supported her all through.
Jukrun Nisa of Tezpur is another example
of how effective this scheme has been. She
has not only repaid two tranches of her loan
but has now opted for the highest ceiling
under the Scheme of ₹50,000. “Chachi Tea
Stall” is her outlet near Chitralekha Udyan in
the heart of the town. She has been running
this stall for eight years after losing her
husband in 2015.
“It was a turbulent period for me when
I lost my husband. But with the thought of
my children and their future, I plunged into
Disbursement
Percentage
97.26
96.42
94.83
The Scheme is available
for beneficiaries belonging
to only those States/UTs
which have notified Rules
and Scheme under Street
Vendors (Protection of
Livelihood and Regulation
of Street Vending) Act,
2014.
business. Luckily, that idea clicked. I must tell
you that my son today is a student in Tezpur
Law College. He is also a helping hand to me.”
She said that the money received under
the scheme was a relief for her post-Covid.
“From the loan that we received, we
invested in expanding our existing business. I
help my mother during morning and evening
hours. Now, we are planning the way forward
with the help of the third instalment that has
been allotted to us,” said Shabir Seikh (23),
Jukrun’s son.
Success stories like that of Subal Debnath
of Hailakandi, and Dayal Das of Guwahati
also point to the wider implication of the
scheme across the geographical frontiers of
Assam.
DoHUA is executing the scheme in the
State with support from the Assam State
Urban Livelihood Mission Society. “We
meet regularly to take stock of the successful
implementation of this scheme, and see to
it that vendors get information and support
to make choices in the best interest of their
business,” a senior official in the Department
told this newsletter buoyed by the data
published by MoHUA.

4 Asom Barta | October | 2023

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

Govt commits ₹776 cr

for Barak Valley

Assam CM at the Jal Jeevan Sammelan.

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI Inauguration of Badrighat Bridge.

A
dding momentum to the development of South Assam, Chief
Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated and laid
foundations for several projects worth ₹767 cr in Barak Valley
last month.
During a two-day tour of the region, he unveiled 75 schemes
encompassing 18,869 beneficiaries from eight Legislative Assembly
Constituencies in Cachar and Hailakandi districts. He inaugurated five
schemes involving a financial outlay of ₹229 cr and laid the foundations
for four projects worth₹538 cr.
Dr. Sarma laid the foundations for an integrated DC office of
Cachar involving an outlay of ₹48 cr and a convention centre worth
₹ 16 cr in Silchar. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for
improvement of a road measuring 22 km from Borkhola to Kalain. It
will cost ₹ 210 cr. He laid the foundation stone of a 24-km road from
Cechabari to Hailakandi which will cost ₹264 cr.
On the other hand, the Chief Minister inaugurated three bridges
over the Barak River and unveiled a statue of Lachit Barphukan on the
premises of DC office in Cachar besides unveiling a statue of Bharat Statue of Lachit Barphukan on the premise of the
Ratna Atal Behari Vajpayee in Hailakandi. DC office in Cachar.
Speaking at a public meeting held at DSA Field in Silchar, Chief
Minister Dr. Sarma said that the Government of Assam is giving Inaugurating a piped water schemes (Under JJM) in Barak Valley,
priority in promoting road infrastructure of Barak Valley along with the the Chief Minister said that the scheme is close to the heart of Prime
development of other sectors. He announced construction of a bridge Minister Narendra Modi.
at Silghat. He said that the three bridges that he inaugurated during the Dr Sarma during his visit to Hailakandi district said that ₹200 cr
tour will not only improve transportation in south Assam but will also will be spent for the development of roads there. He also committed
aid the overall development of Barak Valley. ₹20 cr for the development of the district library and a stadium.

Continued from page 3

responsibility is now on us,” was how an
environment enthusiast Sisir Kalita put it
summing up the atmosphere on the day.
On September 11, an online classroom
on YouTube on the theme “Assam's Green
Future: Environmental Sustainability & Amrit
Brikshya Andolan” was organised. Yet another
record was certified by Guinness authority
stating that over 70,000 people had logged in
simultaneously to be part of the live classroom.
Over 8.5 lakh individuals have viewed the
programme on YouTube as of 12 noon of
September 21 when this report was filed.
The classroom was inaugurated by Assam’s
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and
Head of Forest Force M K Yadava.
The record spree continued at a different
venue at Bhairabkunda-Shikaridanga in
Udalguri on September 14 when within a span
of 24 hours, 9,000 individuals planted 8.81 lakh
saplings spread over 100 hectares of land. The
Assam Chief Minister spoke of a continued
enthusiasm to keep the momentum going
in his address. He also spoke of the Green
Bodoland Mission in the programme.
Research scholar Babul Bodo was among
the participants on the day. “We certainly take
pride in this initiative. We will inspect these
saplings from time-to-time even though a self
help group Feranga has taken the responsibility
of overseeing these saplings. We were a group
of 137 individuals who were associated with
the initiative since inception,” he told this
reporter over phone.
More than 3.31 lakh saplings, including
Mahogany and Agarwood were planted in an
hour by a group in Hapjan Hills of Margherita
on September 15 in yet another shot at a
Guinness record.
A record of “Largest Potted Sapling Mosaic
Map” was achieved at Ulup Industrial Farms
in Enthem Gaon Panchayat in Margherita on
September 16. Over 6.32 lakh saplings were
planted over 0.85 hectare of land on which the
mosaic map of Assam and a one horned rhino
were depicted. The achievement superseded a
previous record set in Turkey.
Sukla Gogoi from a local youth organisation
told this newsletter that over 5,000 people had
assembled on the day to witness history being
made.

Asom Barta | October | 2023 5

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

Assam
CABINET KEY DECISIONS
September 8, 2023 Career Progression scheme of at least 3 assured promotions
from Constable rank.
Approval to amendment of certain provisions of Assam
Panchayat Act, 1994. For smooth conduct of technical education, services of
Lecturers in 5 Polytechnics - Chirang, Hailakandi, Morigaon,
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Tinsukia and Udalguri - and Assistant Professors in Dhemaji
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Assam Engineering College appointed under Regulation 3(f ) of
Amendment) Bill, 2023 approved. Assam Public Service Commission (Limitation of Function)
Amendment of the Assam Disaster Management Manual Regulations, 1951 to be extended
2015 for Flood Preparedness Ration Money Allowance Hiked to ensure health and
Approval to proposal for amendment to the Assam Micro well-being of Assam Police personnel in lower ranks.
Finance Institutions (Regulation of Money Lending) Act, Approval to the proposal of the commission for alteration
2020 to regulate the Microfinance sector of Assam. of area included under BTR for inclusion of 41 villages from
Administrative Approval for an additional amount of Biswanath district to Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
₹41.77 to enhance Assam Police Capabilities. Unity Mall (Ekta Mall) to be constructed at a cost of 226
Approval to upgrade of 7 Colleges to State Universities. crore at the Assam Trade Promotion Organisation complex,
Betkuchi.
Reorganisation of PWRD in line with Election
Commission of India's notification for delimitation of LACs. Draft guidelines on Mukhya Mantri Atmanirbhar Asom
to generate employment opportunities through the setting
One-time financial aid of ₹10 cr to the Govt of Himachal up of new entrepreneurial ventures discussed.
Pradesh from Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Assam.
Approval amounting to ₹407.50 cr for expediting Infra September 23, 2023
Development
Approval to Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana
Approval to protection and declaration and Gazette
(MMLSAY) for streamlining medical reimbursement
Notification of Ancient Monuments and sites under Assam
procedures for Government employees and pensioners
Ancient Monuments and Records Act 1959.
Provision of Government jobs to next-of-kin (NOK) or
In view of the significant improvement in the security
a family member of Army/Navy/Air Force personnel who
situation of the State and subsequent accelerated
made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
development, approval to recommendation for withdrawal
of declaration of remaining 8 districts of Assam as "Disturbed Approval to DPR for implementation of Distribution
Area" under AFSPA w.e.f. October 1, 2023. However, the final Infrastructure Works.
decision will be taken by Govt of India Wind Solar Hybrid Power with assured peak power
Approval to creation of 79 Subdivisions, to be known as supply to be procured under ISTS (Tranche-VI) Scheme to
Sub-Districts. ensure assured peak power supply during peak season.
Assam Urban Knowledge Hub for Urban Reforms &
September 12, 2023 Innovations.
For boosting morale of Assam Police personnel, Assured Approval to exclusion of entire Tiwa Autonomous Council
area from the purview of the Assam State Capital Region

6 Asom Barta | October | 2023

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

A perfect model in education

“The school has 197 students

now. All of them are from the tea
community. Their attendance
is impressive, generally. There
are times when because of
the indifference of guardians,
attendance falls. We then send
teachers to their homes to impress
upon them the importance of
regular attendance”
Students & teachers during the assembly at Rajmai T.E. Model High School.
Jiten Nath, Principal/Headmaster
AB BUREAU, SIVASAGAR/GUWAHATI (Rajmai Tea Estate Model School)

T
ea Model Schools across Assam are
making their impression on the ground
and in the lives of students. From
Amchong in Kamrup to Rajmai in Sivasagar,
students have left behind their anxieties and
taken to education thereby stemming drop out
rates, and charting a future for themselves.
Take the case of Natasha Karmakar. Just a
year earlier, this Class VIII student of Digaru
Higher Secondary School was irregular in
school for multiple reasons: location of the Display of handicraft made by the students
school, and economic hardship. Once the of Amchong T.E. Model High School.
Amchong Tea Estate Model School started
functioning from May 26, 2022, Natasha
attendance falls. We then send teachers to their in the area. Students now take pride in their
became regular to her new school.
homes to impress upon them the importance of school,” Gogoi said.
The likes of Maini Ghatowar had a similar regular attendance,” Jiten Nath, the Principal/ Upen Goswami, the State Teacher Award-
issue. Attending classes in her school near the Headmaster (In-charge) told Asom Barta. winning Principal of Amchong Tea Estate
Rajmai Tea Estate was the least of her attraction
Facilities for the divyangs are also in place Higher Secondary School, said that despite
and those of her classmates, including Binita
in these schools. “No doubt, we need more challenging circumstances there is an increase
Ghasi. Instead, most of them opted to become
facilities. I am sure that in the coming months, in overall attendance in the school. “At times,
daily wage earners. However, once the tea
we will have them in place for this to become a I personally visit guardians in their locality to
model school in their area came up, they
complete school in the real sense,” Nath said. convince them of the importance of education,”
reset their priorities. “I am regular in school
The school has innovated its pedagogy Goswami, who has a postgraduate degree in
nowadays,” Binita told this reporter.
as well. “Every Saturday, we teach music, five subjects, told this newsletter.
When this reporter presented himself at the
dance, and debate. This has become an added “There are social and economic challenges
Rajmai Tea Estate Model School criss-crossing
attraction,” Gitarani Hazarika, a teacher, in the tea community which, at times, prevent
sylvan surroundings, a queue of students in
informed this newsletter. Today, the school these students from attending schools. This
hundreds became a sight to behold.
boasts of the achievement of two of its students require our intervention. By crossing these
“The school has 197 students now. All of -- Nabajyoti Phulmai, Rama Sonari -- who have barriers, we can truly achieve our primary
them are from the tea community. They are represented the State in sports like handball objective.” At present, 80% of the 160 students
regular to school, generally. There are times and football. in the school are from the tea community.
when because of the indifference of guardians,
The Khongiya Tea Estate Model Higher “Debojyoti Gogoi, District Education
Secondary School is nearly 10 km west of Officer of Sivasagar, said that special attention
Rajmai. Narayan Gogoi, the Principal (In- was paid to the façade and interior of these
charge) of the school, informed this publication schools so that they represent the concept of
that the school was rated ‘A’ during Gunotsav, a tea model schools. He said that this was one of
State-wise evaluation exercise of educational the reasons why students are forming a bond
institutions. Its students later demonstrated with these institutions. At present, there are
their cultural prowess during an informal nine such schools in the area. Five of them
interaction with this reporter reinforcing the are in Sivasagar while four are in the nearby
reason why the school was graded so highly. Charaideo district. “We take special care to
“We have 191 students, and eight teachers. prepare students psychologically because we
Ever since the school was established, we know that the atmosphere in their household
have been able to sense a greater degree of is not very conducive. This is one of the
awareness on the importance of schooling challenges that we have on our hand,” he said.

Asom Barta | October | 2023 7

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Assam flies high on investments
(Left) Industrialists with Assam Chief Minister after the signing ceremony. Glimpses from the programme.
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
I
t is the best of times. It is the age of wisdom. It is an epoch of belief.
It is a season of light, and it is an autumn of hope. These Dickensian
expressions are precisely what corporations and investors are sensing
of a resurgent Assam and its socio-political and economic climate as
they make a beeline to invest in the State. Coming closely on the heels of
PepsiCo laying the foundation of its plant in Nalbari in lower Assam with
a projected investment of ₹766 cr, six private enterprises signed separate
MoUs with the State Government while a hospitality company signed
a land leasing agreement on September 23 thereby making way for an
investment of over ₹3,214 cr in Assam. Besides, these investments will
have the potential to generate 5,100 direct employment and thousands
of indirect employment opportunities for a bulging youth force in Assam.
No wonder, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
personally attended the ceremonial signing of these MoUs between the
Department of Industries of the Government of Assam and the investors.
(Please see Box)
A land lease agreement was also signed between the Assam Tourism
Development Corporation (ATDC) and Jenipro Hotels Pvt Ltd for setting
up of a 5-star category hotel with an investment of ₹100 cr at Hatikhuli
Status of various MoUs signed
to accelerate industrial development
Kesar Petro Products for an investment of
₹2000 cr which will generate 200 direct and 1800
indirect employment
Longspan Structures Pvt. Ltd. for an investment
of ₹129 cr will generate 220 direct and 180 indirect
employment
SBL Biscuits Pvt. Ltd for an investment of
₹139.14 cr will generate 200 direct and 350 indirect
employment
Umrangshu (India) Cements LLP for an investment
of ₹285 cr which will generate 300 direct and 700
indirect employment
M/s Sunit Breweries Pvt Ltd for an investment of
₹151 cr which will generate 200 direct and 200
indirect employment
Jericho Foods and Beverages LLP for an
investment of ₹410 cr will generate 300 direct and
500 indirect employment
Jenipro Hotels Pvt Ltd is setting up of a 5-star
category hotel with an investment of ₹100 cr at
Hatighuli Bagisa Gaon near Kaziranga National Park.
8 Asom Barta | October | 2023
“The signing of agreements indicated that Assam
was moving forward towards becoming one of
the most industrialised States in the country”
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
Bagisa Gaon near Kaziranga National Park.
Speaking at the event held at the Janata Bhawan Complex in Dispur,
Dr Sarma said that the signing of agreements indicated that Assam was
moving forward towards becoming one of the most industrialised States
in the country.
Stating that agreements for investments amounting to several
thousand crores inked earlier in the year with the private sector are
at various stages of implementation, the Assam Chief Minister spoke
of another round of industrial investment proposals, amounting to
₹10,000 cr, being studied by the empowered committee set up by the
Government of Assam to expedite the investment ecosystem in the State.
The Chief Minister said that in the next 18 months, private sector
investments in the State since 2019 would cross the ₹50,000-cr figure and
hoped that by the time his Government completes its term in office, the
aggregate private sector investments in Assam could breach the ₹1-lakh
cr mark.
Drawing a comparison between the current socio-political landscape
of the State vis-à-vis the one prevailing a decade back, Dr. Sarma said
Assam is currently witnessing an unparalleled period of general peace
and stability and the State can rightly be termed one of the safest
destinations for investors.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the various initiatives the State
Government has been taking to create an environment favourable
for private sector investments. Dr Sarma said his Government was
committed to facilitating speedy clearance of investment proposals and
related requests put forward by probable and potential investors.
Dr Sarma appealed to potential investors to reach out to the Chief
Minister's Office in case of inordinate delays in processing of their
investment and related proposals.
On September 6, Dr. Sarma performed a bhumi pujan in Nalbari to
launch the process of setting up PepsiCo India’s plant.
The proposed plant at AIDC Industrial Park, Banekuchi,
Bonbhag Solmari in Nalbari district will be built on an
area of 44.20 acres of land with an estimated project cost of
₹778 cr. Once completed, the green field plant will generate employment
opportunities for around 500 persons.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that setting
up of the 6th plant of PepsiCo India in Nalbari is an important event in
the history of industrialization in the State. He said that the investment
of PepsiCo is one of the largest investments in the State marking the
beginning of a better and developed Assam.
This unit is expected to be operational by 2025. The plant is designed
to generate employment for over 500 individuals with at least 75% being
women.

Ambassadors of Life
Trainers and Jaldoots at the field training in Bhadhara, Sivasagar.
AB BUREAU, Lakhimpur/Sivasagar/
Guwahati
15
kilometres west of North
Lakhimpur town, the headquarter
of Lakhimpur district in Assam
is No. 2 Soriyohbari village. Since the third
week of August, a young girl, Samina Nargis,
aged just above 13 and a student of Silonibari
ME School, has been busy imparting basic
knowledge of clean and pure water and its
health implications to her native villagers.
By imparting basic knowledge about the
importance of clean, and potable water for
human consumption to her native villagers
and friends, Samina has been executing her
‘JalDoot’ responsibility.
She was selected for JalDoot responsibility
of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by the nodal
teacher at the school because she had shown
an inclination for social work. “I regularly
take part in cleanliness drives on our school
premises. Apart from this, I have interest in
extra-curricular activities. I was told by our
teacher that I will be one of the best ones to
carry out the role of a JalDoot,” said Samina.
In fact, the JalDoot Programme is a
significant step in the JJM scheme of things
of ensuring continuity of the ambitious
water supply schemes through the active
participation of communities and thereby
creating a sustainable and water-efficient
society.
The enthusiastic Samina attended ‘Jal
Shala’, a training programme held under the
aegis of the district Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
unit and Lakhimpur district administration
for school students on August 12 and 13 at
Rampur High School.
“At the Jal Shala, we were taught about
water conservation, water quality, JJM, and
sensitising villagers on clean, pure and safe
drinking water,” Samina told Asom Barta
while recalling her experience.
Like Samina, the district JJM has selected
four other students of Silonibari ME School
for the role of JalDoot.
“We have five Jaldoots in our school, four
girls and a boy. Our prime responsibility is
to tell school students about JJM,” Samina
informed this reporter.
A couple of hundred kilometres from
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
“At the Jal Shala, we
were taught about
water conservation,
water quality, JJM,
and sensitising
villagers on clean,
pure and safe
drinking water”
Samina (JalDoot)
Lakhimpur in Sivasagar district’s Bhadra
Higher Secondary School studies Anuradha
Barua. She was designated as a JalDoot
in a programme at Khelua Development
Block, along with many like hers on August
8. The next day she was part of the training
programme at the water supply scheme of
Nau-Pam Chetia village, along with more
than 50 students from Class VIII to XII.
The programme is being conducted across
the State to create water ambassadors like
Anuradha and Samina.
Lakhimpur district IEC (Information,
Education and Communication) officer of
JJM, Chatra Prasad Pathori, told Asom Barta
that Jal Shalas were held in schools to impart
the importance of pure and clean drinking
waters for human consumption, and the
overall objectives of JJM.
“In consultation with the Lakhimpur
district administration, we organised the first
Jal Shala on August 12 and 13 at Rampur High
School. The District Commissioner, who is
chairman of the District Water and Sanitation
Mission (DWSM), also participated. It is a
talent hunt drive among school students for
Asom Barta | October | 2023
During the classroom training session at
Khelua Block Development office
carrying out the message of the JJM among
students and villagers,” said Pathori.
Jal Doot programme aims to orient the
students from Classes VIII to XII on the
safe management of water, WASH practices
focusing on drinking water security and
management; and functionality assessment
of the piped water supply schemes and
overall operation and maintenance following
a structured training module.
It is a unique initiative of Jal Jeevan
Mission, Assam to harness the role of students
in sensitising rural masses on the importance
of safe drinking water and its management.
“To identify students to act as Jal Doot,
we take help from ‘Nodal Teacher’ in every
school. Nodal teachers are responsible for
identifying students’ who are interested
in campaigning for schemes launched by
the Government, eager to work apart from
studying, and have interests in social works,”
said Pathori.
Sujata Gautam, an official of State Jaldoot
Cell told this newsletter that such initiatives
have wider implications in society. On August
14, JalDoots of Bhadra Higher Secondary
School performed a street play to tell locals
that “water is life”.
Partha Barua, a beneficiary of the JJM
scheme, was appreciative of the idea of
JalDoot. “Making students work for society
is a very good idea. We do not mind learning
from them.”
9
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Proving it through their work
One of the winners of the Karmashree Awards and group members along with the Chief Minister, and his Cabinet colleagues.
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
R
anjit Kumar Buragohain, BDO, Joypur
Development Block, Dibrugarh district
was looking forward to the day in
January 2024 when he would hang up his
boots and lead a retired life of contention
and satisfaction with the knowledge of having
served the State with all sincerity for over 30-
odd years. However, a Government of Assam
decision has ensured that he ‘cannot do so’.
He has been bestowed with the
Karmashree Award for his outstanding work
on the Model Housing Colony under PMAY-G
in cluster form for landless families of tea
gardens of Lengerijan and Torajan Tea estates
in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The Award
allows Karmashree awardee a one-year
service extension. This means he will enjoy
one more year of serving the people of Assam.
“This Award will inspire me to dedicate
myself in the service of my State for one more
year. In my 30-plus years of service, wherever
I worked I have been appreciated by my
seniors,” Buragohain told Asom Barta.
Karmashree Awards
For the Amar Majuli scheme, the
Karmashree Award was conferred
on Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer
Pulak Mahanta and group members
Keshabananda Taid (ACS) and Irshad
Ali. For ‘Ease of Doing Business’, the
award was conferred on ACS officer
Anamika Tewari and group members
Ajanta Sharma, Hemanta Kalita and
Ishanu Shah. For Project Krishok
Vardhan, the award was conferred on
IAS officer Masanda Magdalin Pertin
and group members Banti Talukdar
(ACS) and Dulal Das. For promoting eco-
tourism in Borail Wildlife Sanctuary, the
Karmashree Award was conferred on
IFS officer Tejas Mariswamy and group
members Uttamananda Goswami (ACF),
Arabinda Deka and Sachin Rajkumar. For
rehabilitation of municipal solid waste
at North Lakhimpur Municipal Board,
the award was conferred on District
Commissioner Sumit Sattawan (IAS) and
group member Casio Karan Pegu (ACS).
10 Asom Barta | October | 2023
Haren Kumar Sarma is an Upper Division
Assistant with the Directorate of Information
and Public Relations, Government of Assam.
His dedication spread over 35 years was
acknowledged by the Government when it
named him as one of the 75 winners of the
Lok Sewa Puruskar meant for non-gazetted
employees.
Born in Helocha village in Nalbari district,
Sarma joined DIPR in 1988 as lower division
assistant. “One of the great moments of
my office career was in 1990 when I got a
certificate of ‘Excellent Worker’ from the
General Administrative Department while
working on the Srimanta Sankardev Award
ceremony. I learnt a lot from top officials
then,” said Sarma.
Jubilant over the recognition, Sarma said
“It is a recognition for my sincerity in office
over the years. I think every official should
dedicatedly perform his duty. Recognition
will come at a proper time.”
Claiming that he never said “no” to his
seniors’ order or for any additional office
work, Sarma said that 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is his
mantra. “I am available at my desk from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. There are times when more is
expected of us. We do not say no,” he told this
reporter.
Buragohain, and Sarma were among those
recognised by the Assam Government for
exemplary dedication towards their assigned
duties at a programme to commemorate Lok
Kalyan Diwas. The Government of Assam has
been observing Lok Kalyan Divas as a mark of
tribute to Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath
Bordoloi on his death anniversary on August
5.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma,
in his speech, referred to Government officials
and staff as one of the main pillars of public
services.
He said that officials and other staff of
the Government have a major role to play in
the fruitful implementation of pro-people
policies of the Government. “Commitment
towards their duties and assigned tasks
were indispensable for a welfare State,” he
remarked. He said that a Lok Sewa Adhikar
Aayog shall be established with the aim
of expediting the speed of public services
delivery.
Lok Sewa Puraskar
The General Administration Department
named 10 Government employees for the
Lok Sewa Puraskar at the State-level from
among the Assam Secretariat employees
and employees in the directorate offices
in Guwahati. Additionally, 65 employees
were selected for this award at the district
level. A total of 75 employees received the
Lok Sewa Puraskar for their work ethics,
dedication, integrity, and punctuality. The
award carries a citation and ₹ 25,000. The
Government had also issued a notification
regarding the one-year service extension of
Lok Sewa Puraskar awardees.
Kasmirie Chetia, another winner of the Lok
Sewa Puruskar, is an Assistant Section Officer
of the Administrative Reforms, Training,
Pension & Public Grievances Department
in Assam Secretariat. She joined service as
Junior Administrative Assistant in Guwahati
Development Department on September 25,
2010. On July 15, 2020, she was transferred to
her present department.
“I am elated over the award. It is a
recognition of my sincere service over the
years. It will inspire me to work with renewed
dedication,” Chetia told this reporter.
Mrinal Patowary, a multi-tasking staff
(MTS) with the General Administration
Department, was another Lok Sewa Puraskar
awardee. “Since my Department is General
Administration, I, too, have work pressure.
Sometimes, I am present in the office till
7.30 pm. I leave office only after completing
my work for the day,” said Patowary.
Muktinath Ray, Assistant Section
Officer, Border Protection & Development
Department joined service on September 21,
2010 as a Junior Assistant in the Transport
Survey and Planning Cell under the Transport
Department.
“I think carrying out your office work
sincerely will give you satisfaction. We are
meant to dedicatedly accomplish our tasks. I
never thought one day I would get an official
recognition for doing my duty!,” said Ray, a
Lok Sewa Award winner.

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
A
journey that began in Sadiya’s
Anka Village from the house of a
Government school teacher on
September 8, 1926 has continued unabated in
the annals of Assam’s cultural landscape. Like
a gypsy, Bhupen Hazarika, the son of Nilkanta
Hazarika and Shantipriya Das, has planted his
musical and humanistic steps at every nook
and cranny of the State.
Last month on September 8, the
Directorate of Culture celebrated his 97th
birthday with an all religion prayer at
National and State honours
1975- The Best Music Director
National Award for "Chameli
Memsaab"
1977 - Padma Shri
1979 - Gold medal from the State
Government of Arunachal Pradesh
for "outstanding contribution
towards tribal welfare, and uplift of
tribal culture through cinema and
music."
1987 - Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award (1987)
1992- Dadasaheb Phalke
Award (1992)
1993 - President, Asam Sahitya
Sabha, Sivasagar
2001- Padma Bhushan
2008- Sangeet Natak Akademi
Fellowship
2009 - Asom Ratna
2011- Friends of Liberation
War Honour, Government
of Bangladesh
2012 - Padma Vibhushan
(posthumous)
2019- Bharat Ratna(posthumous)
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
the Samadhi Kshetra of the Bard. The All true artiste in Xudhakhanta. The present
Assam Students’ Union celebrated it on generation should not confine him to music
the banks of the Dighalipukhuri, while the alone. That would be a mistake. His creations
Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust celebrated have touched the composite life of Assam.
Sammannay Divas with a two day programme His Manuhe Manuhor Babey has delivered a
at Debraj Roy College in Golaghat. universal message for humanity,” the talented
In the same programme, Naga statesman Bhuyan told this reporter.
and peace activist Niketu Iralu was named He said that Bhupen Hazarika’s songs
as the recipient of the Bhupen Hazarika should be taught through textbooks in
Integration Award (Xomonnoy Bota) 2023. the form of poems while insisting that his
The award, instituted by the Bhupen Hazarika compositions have global spread, including
Cultural Trust in 2013, is given away annually. neighbouring Bangladesh.
Its first recipient was Lata Mangeshkar. The Directorate of Culture has, meanwhile,
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma initiated steps to set up a museum in
taking to social media spoke of how Bharat Sankardev Kalakshetra whose preliminary
Ratna Bhupen Hazarika united the composite work has already been completed. The
Assamese society with his renditions, and Museum will help generations remember
compositions. Dr Sarma wrote that Bhupen and know more about a personality whose
Hazarika’s colossal personality and talent creations have transcended time and space.
influenced music, literature, arts and culture,
cinema and politics of Assam which, in turn, FACTOID
made him an adorable personality in the
� Birth : September 8, 1926
country.
It is worth recalling that it was during Sadiya
the chairmanship of Bhupen Hazarika that � Died : November 5, 2011 (aged 85)
Xattriya Dance was given the classical status. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is from Hospital, Mumbai
Arunachal Pradesh, took to the social media
to inform others how Bhupen Hazarika had
contributed a song in the State’s first film
Mera Dharam, Meri Maa.
Educationist Amarjyoti Choudhury
while talking to Asom Barta called on the
importance of a wider debate on the cultural
contribution of the Bard, despite the fact
his ideology has been widely appreciated.
“His oft quoted statement that music is an
instrument of social change has to be taken to
heart by the next generation who must feel his
presence around them,” Choudhury said.
He added that the Government should
continue to organise programmes around
Xudhakantha. He also called for a library at
the Xamadikshetra for the next generation to
know more about the legend.
Singer Rupam Bhuyan is one of the
ardent followers of the ideals and music that
Bhupen Hazarika represented. “We see a
Asom Barta | October | 2023 11
 news from the state

Govt releases ₹291 cr for MFI defaulters

“I took a loan of ₹30,000 in
the first month of 2018 from
Grameen Development and
Finance Pvt. Ltd. To start vending
vegetables. My business was doing
well to begin with. I was repaying
my EMIs on time. But it was derailed
during Covid and I became a
defaulter”
Sikha Talukdar

Assam rolls out finnacial relief under “Category- III”of AMFIRS 2021 “I took a loan of ₹30,000 in the first month
of 2018 from Grameen Development and
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI Finance Pvt. Ltd. to start vending vegetables.

C
hief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
launched the ceremonial distribution
of relief under "Category - III" of the
Assam Microfinance Incentive & Relief
Scheme (AMFIRS) 2021 at an event held at
the CM Conference Hall in Janata Bhawan
recently to provide reliefs to the likes of Sikha
Talukdar, Munmi Das and Binita Teron.
Borrowers whose accounts had turned
non-performing asset (NPA) as on March
31, 2021 and having outstanding principal
amount up to ₹25,000 are deemed to be eligible
for benefits of Category - III of AMFIRS 2021.
The State Government is expending ₹291 cr as
compensation to the lenders (microfinance
institutions). This step is expected to provide
succour to 2,22,949 borrowers from across the
State. In return, the microfinance institutions
shall issue "no due certificate" to the borrowers,
thus making the latter credit-worthy again
under the formal financial system.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister
expressed happiness at the prospect of lakhs of
female microfinance and bank loan borrowers
becoming credit-worthy again through the
scheme.
Referring to AMFIRS 2021 as a first-
of-its-kind in the country, Dr. Sarma said
its main objective was to provide relief to
eligible borrowers who had availed small
loans from microfinance institutions and the
formal banking system but owing to certain
circumstances, they couldn't repay the
borrowed amount in full.
Take the case of Sikha Talukdar. This
42-year-old from Gosala in Maligaon was a
relieved face in the meeting in Dispur.
My business was doing well to begin with. I was
repaying my EMIs on time. But it was derailed
during Covid and I became a defaulter,” said
Sikha, a mother of two teenagers.
“She said that to become a bank loan
repayment defaulter is a burden for any poor
family. But for the bold decision taken by
the Assam Government, we are completely
relieved from the bank loan burden today.”
Expressing his gratitude towards the
microfinance institutions for agreeing to
waive of around ₹300 cr in interest income
for the sake of successful implementation of
this relief measures, Dr. Sarma appealed to
the beneficiaries of the scheme to show more
responsibility in repaying their loans in future.
“This is a one-time arrangement from the
Government to support poor microfinance
borrowers and to bring back the credit and
repayment culture in Assam. All the borrowers
are encouraged to maintain credit discipline
by repaying their loans on time to keep their
accounts active,” he said.

Multiple initiatives on skills launched

CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Skill, Employment &

Entrepreneurship Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah flag off Skill Yatra
by Gurus”. Under the scheme, 15 districts will be covered, initially, to
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI undertake the programme and 10 candidates will be selected from each

I
n a move to take skilling of district.
Assam youth to a greater Besides, the Chief Minister launched the process of releasing
height, Chief Minister Dr. stipend through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to 500 trainees under Jal
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Jeevan Mission and Assam Skill Development Mission. He inaugurated
September 8 inaugurated skill a training centre set by Schwing Stetter. As a part of the programme, 50
training centres to train 5,750 trainees from ITI Guwahati will be trained for the job of concrete Pump
youths under the Assam Skill Operator.
Development Mission (ASDM) Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that inauguration
under 59 vocations at the programme held at Janata Bhawan in of training centres in Assam is an important development for skilling
Guwahati. the youth of the State and making them fit for employment as well as for
In the same programme, the Chief Minister also flagged off Skill Yatra self-employment.
to generate skill awareness programmes initially in four districts through The Chief Minister interacted with mask making artistes, with tour
skill vans. The districts are Kamrup, Nalbari, Darang and Morigaon. operator training facilitators at Kaziranga National Park and bell metal
Dr. Sarma also launched a scheme namely “Indigenous Skill Training artisans, virtually on the occasion.

12 Asom Barta | October | 2023

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

Self-reliance is the mantra: CM

Chief Minister Dr Sarma launching CM - AAA Scheme.

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI Salient Features

T
o expedite economic growth through self-employment and self-
sufficiency in the State, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Age of the beneficiary: General category:
Sarma launched Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 28 to 40 years
Feature
(CM-AAA) 2023 at a function held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on ST, SC, OBC: Up to 43 years
September 23. Dr. Sarma on the occasion also launched a registration 01
The minimum age requirement for all
portal. For implementing the ambitious scheme, the State Government applicants is 28 years.
will earmark ₹5,000 cr from its Budget.
At the launching ceremony, the Chief Minister said that under the
scheme, financial aid will be given to two lakh youths for creating a One member from one family shall be
robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. “The scheme has been designed to Feature eligible for the scheme and the applicant
create self-employment avenues to enable youths to fuel development 02 will be registered with the employment
exchange.
of the State,” he said adding that the CM-AAA has the potential to help
State’s youth to become job creators.
The scheme aims at facilitating self-employment among educated In Category 2, persons belonging to
youth, creating entrepreneur-oriented ecosystems in the State, Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes
generating employment via new ventures, financial assistance to (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC)
individuals to set up or expand existing enterprises, increase focus on with a minimum qualification of Class 10 are
rural economy, and increase the seed capital amount through bank eligible for the ₹2 lakh assistance.
linkages where feasible. Feature General category youth must have
The scheme has two categories. Unemployed degree holders in 03 completed their metric education or
Engineering, MBBS, BDS, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fishery, equivalent.
etc., will be part of the first category and will be given ₹5 lakh each. Dr. Junior engineering (JE), ITI, and self-
Sarma said that 5,000 youths will be included in the first category. On employment course pass outs will get
the other hand, unemployed postgraduates, graduates, ITI, Polytechnic priority in selection of category 2 of the
pass-outs will be categorised in the second category for an assistance CM – AAA.
of ₹2 lakh each.
The Chief Minister said that in the first category out of ₹5 lakh,
Feature
the beneficiaries will have to return ₹2.5 lakh sans interest and the The online application period has started.
remaining amount will be Government assistance. After the initial 03
five-year period, recipients will have to repay the Government through
monthly EMIs of ₹5,000. Similarly, in the second category, ₹1 lakh will In order to improve their management,
be the quantum of Government subsidy and the remaining ₹1 lakh Feature accounting, and business skills, the chosen
will have to be repaid by the beneficiary without any interest. After the 05 applicants will also take part in a one-month
initial five-year period, recipients of this category of the scheme will training programme.
have to repay the Government through monthly EMIs of ₹2,000.
The Chief Minister said that agriculture and horticulture, stationery, Provision of Stipend: i) ₹10,000/- for
poultry, dairy, goat farming, piggery, fisheries, packaging, readymade selected youths in their training period
Feature
garments, fabrication, plantation- bamboo, rubber, agar, wood-based outside of the State. ii) ₹5,000/- stipend for
06 selected youths in their training period in
industries, etc., will be the area of focus.
The first instalment of ₹2.5 lakhs will be provided upfront. The Chief the State.
Minister said that the second instalment of the stipulated amount to
each beneficiary will be disbursed based on the assessment report of The Chief Minister added that in the first year of the scheme, one
utilisation of the first instalment by a third party. “Third parties like lakh youths will be selected for support while in the next two years,
NEDFi, IIE or others will assess the utilisation of the first instalment of another one lakh youths will be selected.
money to each beneficiary. Based on the assessment report, the second He said that a State-level committee will select beneficiaries of the
instalment will be released,” he added. scheme based on their merit.

Asom Barta | October | 2023 13

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Spurring a community-based mission
Kadam tree sapling being planted at Bahir Kalai Gaon. Saplings of both Kadam and Simolu
are stored in a nursery.
AB BUREAU, JORHAT
A
bout 35 km north-west of Jorhat
town, the district headquarter one
of the most important districts in
upper Assam is Bahir–Kaliya Gaon, a village
populated mostly by the Mishings. Adjacent
to a dead stream of mighty Brahmaputra,
this village has been witnessing a spurt of
commercial tree plantations by locals under
the aegis of Makhan Gattani, a prominent
businessman of Jorhat district.
Locals say low lying areas in vast plains
along the bank of mighty Brahmaputra in
Jorhat district are suited for both ‘Bur flower-
tree’, known as Kadam tree and ‘Bombax
ceiba’ known as Simalu tree.
Bhimlal Pegu (52), a close aide of Gattani,
under whose guidance saplings of Kadam
and Simalu tree have been planted in unused
agricultural lands in Bahir Kaliya Gaon and
its adjoining villages drives home the ground
work done to spread the idea.
“We have convinced villagers whose lands
are unused for years to plant trees which
have commercial value. Initially, we faced
resistance from villagers on the idea of using
A Simalu tree at Baghmora village
14 Asom Barta | October | 2023
“I planted saplings three years
ago with full cooperation from
Makhan Babu. He gave me about
two thousand saplings free,
bore all related expenses and
we agreed on a profit sharing
formula from this plantation”
Jiten Doley
their land for plantation. Later, they agreed
to a benefit sharing formula wherein we pay
for plantations and care. Once the tree is
fully grown and fit for commercial use, the
landowner will get 40% of the total market
value of the tree. We generally replant after
felling the first batch of trees,” said Bhimlal.
At Bahir Kaliya Gaon, Babu Saheb
Tayung, one of the elderly persons in the
village, allowed plantation in 25 bighas of his
land. “We have planted Kadam and Simalu
saplings. There is enough sunlight and space
for saplings here,” said Pranjal Pegu, the
caretaker of the plantation site.
Bhimlal said that bamboo fencing around
the plantation is a must for the first two
years of plantation to save the saplings from
domesticated straying cows and buffaloes.
“At Janjhi Mukh in Teok in Jorhat, locals
have offered 100 bighas of land. At Kalbari
area, a few kilometres ahead of Bahir Kaliya
Gaon, 300 bighas of private land will be
brought under Kadam and Simalu tree
plantation.”
A kilometre west of Bahir Kaliya Gaon is
Bahir Roumora village. Taking a cue from the
nearby village, some villagers have started a
similar initiative in their courtyards-cum-
unused horticulture lands. “Bahir Kaliya
Gaon commercial tree plantation is an eye
opener for us. I have three hundred Simalu
Makhan Gattani
in my unused land. I expect dividends in six
to seven years from now when these trees
become mature and fit for commercial use,”
said Atul Saikia, a villager.
At Baghmora village, which is adjacent
to the route of a stream of Brahmaputra
River, Jiten Doley (50) started commercial
tree plantation under the same initiative.
“I planted saplings three years ago with full
cooperation from Makhan Babu. He gave me
about two thousand saplings free, bore all
related expenses and we agreed on a profit
sharing formula from this plantation,” Doley
said.
“Besides profits, the very idea of
plantation helps counter erosion along the
banks of Brahmaputra, and counter the
impact of climate change,” says Gattani while
stating that these trees act as ideal foil for the
plywood industry.
Gattani, the managing director of Gattani
Industries, which is one the prominent
producers of plywood in India, and leading
manufacturer in North East India, recollected
the history of how a once booming plywood
industry fell by the wayside in 1996 after a
Supreme Court judgement.
“The industry of Assam was severely
affected by the SC verdict. Before this
development, Assam was the leader in
plywood industries in the country. After the
verdict, Haryana became the leader. Haryana
has started commercial tree plantation for
this industry. With the Assam Government’s
new move for tree plantation in private land,
we see good days ahead,” said Gattani.
 The Month in Photos

Constables swearing their oath in the services of the State during Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurating the
the Passing out Parade of 1817 Constables held at the Lachit Karbi Hemtun at Shillong. Constructed at a cost of ₹21.5 cr, this
Barphukan Police Academy, Dergaon. state- of-the-art guest house can accommodate more than 50 people.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu in Amchong Tea Estate Model In a testament to the health ecosystem of the State, Assam has
School having a meal with students. Assam has started 3 eggs a been awarded the Ayushman Utkrishtata Award 2023 for 'Highest
week (Mon, Wed & Fri) scheme under PM Poshan in 2,429 schools Ayushman Card Creation' and 'Best Practices under PM-JAY' at the
of tea garden areas covering 2,49,042 students. recently held Arogya Manthan in New Delhi.

Source: Facebook

Biswanath Ghat was recently selected as the Best Tourism Village of

Cycle rally on the occasion of World Rhino Day at Kaziranga
India 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism. There were 791 applications
National Park.
from 31 States & UTs.

Asom Barta | October | 2023 15

 Perspective
EDITORIAL
The Right Ecosystem
T I
he State Government is ticking
all the right boxes in creating
an ecosystem of investment,
entrepreneurship, and innovation
in Assam. In fact, the homework was
done in the last couple of years or so
by this dispensation which came to
power based on some bold policy
promises. In the recent months,
investment announcements
followed by signing of MoUs, and
works related to the infrastructure
required for all these can be seen
at the ground. Early in the month,
PepsiCo did a bhoomi pujan for its
sixth plant in the country to be set
up in Nalbari. The fact that one of
the biggest names in FMCG is keen
on Assam in a big way sends all the
right signals to other investors that
all is well on the “Eastern” front.
Again, the Chief Minister has
been proactive in ensuring that his
Government emits the right signal
to attract big ticket investors. He
has been continuously talking of
a vastly improved law and order
scene in the State both in the
State and outside it. This was one
area of concern for decades to
investors who saw firsthand the
problems during the heydays of the
insurgency movement in Assam.
The policy decision of encouraging
2 lakh youth to enter the innovation
and entrepreneurship ecosystem by
the Government will go a long way
in setting the base for ancillary units
and MSMEs, which are so vital for a
climate of industry, employment,
and growth to blossom in any State.
What the Government now
needs to do is to walk the talk on
all these policy actions and intents
announced by it. Nothing works
better than word of mouth coming
from big players in the world of
investors and investment. It would
be a shame if, for any reason, the
State cannot cash on the climate
of an entrepreneurial ecosystem
created by the present dispensation.
regeneration of our stock of natural assets against our usage. We need policies to incentivise MSMEs for the scientific restoration of degraded land, and
in enhancing the value chain – processing, transport, market access and more – for a nature-based economy. Only by identifying the true value of the
natural assets in Assam, can we ensure that the communities reap the economic benefits, as well as benefits through climate and ecological resilience.
Our rich biodiversity is an asset: for our future, we must continue to invest and grow it.
Editor-in-Chief:
Manabendra Dev Ray (APS)
Director, DIPR, Assam
Valuing Nature for a Nature-based Economy
by Ranjit Barthakur (Founder, Balipara Foundation)
ndia’s Eastern Himalayas stretch across the diverse biocultural landscape of the North
East that is home to over 200 different indigenous communities. Over 70% of the region
is rural and 80% are employed in nature dependent sectors like agriculture, forestry,
fisheries tourism, food & beverages. The region’s hydrogeology is heavily regulated by
forests in its watersheds: without them there would be no groundwater replenishment,
floods would be far more devastating, soil erosion would accelerate and there would be little regularity in
stream and river flows.
At the confluence of this region is Assam. According to the 2019 National Climate Vulnerability Assessment
published by the Department of Science and Technology, Assam ranks among the top three most climate
vulnerable States in India. In the report, Assam’s poor resilience to climate challenges is directly attributed
to forest degradation within the State, resulting in poor forest access per capita in rural areas. It highlights the
importance of forests in resilience for the State – and the importance of valuing the services trees provide,
beyond immediate economic benefits. Valuing natural capital in both Assam and the Eastern Himalayas,
therefore, is a question of valuing the future of our region.
Naturenomics™ for a nature-based economy
The ambitious Amrit Brikshya Andolan has come at the right time. Building an economy that is nature-
positive, especially for rural communities, is one of the low hanging fruits that we must build on in the coming
years.
In 2022, India announced a push for agroforestry, with special support to encourage traditional agroforestry
systems of ethnic communities. This was a step in the right direction, towards climate-resilient agricultural
policy. Agroforestry in Assam is a unique opportunity.
Our experiences with rural communities in Sonitpur and Jorhat districts through our Rural Futures model
for afforestation on degraded land and converting farmlands to agroforestry show that trees are profitable.
For communities on river islands, they see the benefits of planting trees through reduced soil erosion and
land loss, minimising their income loss. Farmers participating in the programmes, earning an average of Rs
45,000 annually through agriculture, saw their incomes increase by 40-50% within a year of their involvement:
Naturenomics™ in practice.
The idea of Naturenomics™ is simple: nature and economics are interdependent. Without nature, there
is no economics. It proposes a new paradigm based on the valuation of our natural assets. Historically, we
have had a linear extractive relationship with these natural assets, but Naturenomics™ is about investing in
restoring and regenerating these natural assets while sustainably earning on their natural capital value. Global
businesses and countries now realise the need to transition to an economic paradigm that integrates full cost
natural capital accounting into their financial systems.
Valuing nature for a regenerative future
Momentum is growing, internationally, on the need to value natural ecosystems, not least because of the
risks biodiversity loss pose to national economies. For example, by 2050, 2% of India’s annual GDP is expected
to be lost to climate change as the result of ecosystem destruction & biodiversity loss. India is now one of 90
countries to sign up to the UN’s SEEA to value nature in policymaking. Valuation tells us not only what we lose,
but what we stand to gain if we invest effectively in nature.
Assam is a natural capital rich State. The ABA is a right first step to replenishing its natural capital through
trees outside forests. A 2006 study by the Green India States Trust indicated that 1 hectare of forest in Assam
generates Rs 35 lakh annually in natural capital, through direct economic benefits and through indirect
economic value created through soil regeneration and erosion prevention. New valuation studies are needed
to reflect the new economic scenario: the rising value of forests because of increasing carbon market prices,
the increasing cost of flood damage and soil erosion and desertification because of forest loss.
In 2020, the landmark study, the Economics of Biodiversity by Sir Partha Dasgupta, commissioned by
the UK Treasury, systematically outlined how nature needs to be included in policy and economic decision-
making at a national and international level. The Dasgupta Review advances a sophisticated economic case for
understanding natural ecosystems through the lens of demand-supply economics: its ecosystems’ services are
being consumed faster than its supply is being regenerated. To regenerate this supply, the report recommends
including nature in national accounting and budgeting systems and the adoption of policies that increase
financial investment in nature-based solutions, incentivise nature-regenerative businesses and penalise
practices that destroy ecosystems.
New investments are needed in Assam’s forests, to enhance and restore them at scale and ensure the
Editorial Advisory Board (Honorary)
Members:
Wasbir Hussain
Anuradha Sarma Pujari
Gurmail Singh
Bijay Sankar Bora
Member convenor:
Sikha Saikia, Sr. Information Officer
Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam