Guwahati, Feb 19: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 19 unveiled a series of welfare measures, investment initiatives and employment commitments during the ongoing Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, ahead of the Assembly elections.
The Chief Minister announced that wages of tea garden workers would be increased with effect from March 1, a move expected to benefit thousands of workers across the state’s tea estates amid long-pending demands for higher daily pay.
In a push to attract foreign investment, Sarma said 20 companies from Japan would visit Jagiroad on February 28 to explore opportunities for setting up industries. The proposed visit forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Assam’s manufacturing base.
Making an employment commitment, he stated that if his government returns to power, 55,000 jobs would be provided within the first three years of the new term, all in the Education Department. He added that 5,000 appointments in the department would be made before the elections.
Projecting an ambitious economic target, Sarma said Assam aimed to become a Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2028. He claimed the state’s economy had grown by 45 per cent over the past five years and described Assam as one of the fastest-growing states in the country.
On infrastructure, the Chief Minister announced that the Kapili Hydro Power Project would be inaugurated within the next 10 days and would generate 150 megawatts of electricity. He further stated that work had commenced on a 25-megawatt hydro power project in Karbi Anglong to expand the state’s renewable energy capacity.
