STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Government has decided to close down Artfed (Assam Apex Weavers & Artisans Cooperative Federation Ltd.) and AGMC (Assam Government Marketing Corporation Ltd.). The State Cabinet took a decision in this regard on July 12, 2023, and that decision has come to light now.
The matter came to light when the Secretary of the Handloom, Textiles, and Sericulture Department wrote letters to the managing directors of Artfed and AGMC regarding the closure of the cooperative society and the PSU. In his letter, the secretary said, “As per the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on July 12, 2023, in the Cabinet room of the CM’s office, the honourable Chief Minister desires to close down the corporations, boards, and societies that have lesser functioning, fewer employees, and huge movable and immovable assets. In this regard, you are directed to kindly furnish the required information in accordance with the format enclosed.”
Meanwhile, when asked about the closure of Artfed and AGMC this morning in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “There is no reason to run an organization when its business is no longer profitable. We have no reason to spend the money meant for roads, hospitals, medicines, etc., to feed its employees and their family members. It’s better to say goodbye to the employees who have not received salaries for eight to twelve months. They are on tenterhooks now. We want to put an end to their uncertainty.”
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