MSME Ordinance anti-indigenous, says Koch Rajbongshi organization

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Opposing the MSME Ordinance, the Koch Rajbongshi National Convention (KRNC) on Friday stated that it is a completely anti-indigenous policy and the government should withdraw it.

The much-debated MSME Ordinance has received a huge backlash from various organizations. The Ordinance is set to put an end to the process of multiple permissions for the setting up of micro, small and medium enterprises in the State for the next three years.

The KRNC underlined that the Ordinance will not be implemented in the Kamatapur area.

In this regard, KRNC general secretary Biswajit Ray said that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led coalition government said that it is committed to secure 'jati, mati, bheti' (community, land and base) of the people of the State. However, in the last four years, their commitments have taken a U-turn.

He alleged that the government has taken advantage of the lockdown and the Assam government on June 29 passed the MSME ordinance.

"Through this ordinance, the government is trying to give agricultural land of indigenous people to outsiders to establish businesses and industries in the State. The Ordinance will only favour the capitalists," he pointed out.

Further, the KRNC clarified that they are not against the setting up of industries in the State. "If industries are established, the State's economy will boost and educated unemployed youths will be engaged. But, for educated unemployed youths and economic benefits, the rights of the indigenous people cannot be neglected," Ray underlined.

The KRNC also slammed the government for not granting ST status to 6 indigenous communities including the Koch Rajbongshis. It said that the BJP had promised to grant ST status to 6 communities but unfortunately in the last four years no initiative was taken.

"The BJP-led government is doing work against the interest of the indigenous people and is anti-Assam and anti-indigenous," Ray added.

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