No licence required for setting up MSMEs for 3 years, says Assam Govt

Guwahati: In what is expected to be a significant boost to the industrial sector of Assam, the Cabinet passed an ordinance yesterday scrapping the requirement for permissions to set up a new industry in the state.

Hailing the decision as historic, Chandra Mohan Patowary, the state's Minister for Transport, Industry, and Commerce wrote, "In a historic and far-reaching decision to ease out the process of setting up industries in Assam, State Cabinet has approved an ordinance today. Now anyone will be able to set up industry in Assam just by submitting a self-declaration," The Minister further added that permission, clearance, or license will be required for three years. The land will also be deemed converted for industrial purpose."

The decision is mainly expected to benefit the MSMEs, amid the Central Government's push to rejuvenate the smaller industries that have suffered a setback due to the lockdown. According to sources, the move aims to encourage young and aspiring entrepreneurs in the state and is considered a great step in the state's recent Atma Nirbhar Assam agenda.

The decision was taken after a meeting of the Council of Ministers where several other decisions were also taken. The Cabinet decided to allocate 200 bighas of Ashok Paper Mills at Jogighopa for India's first International Multi Model Logistic Hub. Also, a change in the academic year of schools from Jan-Dec to April-March was announced.

While some sections in social media were seen hailing the cabinet's decision, a considerable number of people expressed their disappointment over the same. They raised environmental concerns and questioned the state's move against the backdrop of the recent Baghjan blowout incident, where a fire still continues to rage. Others questioned how this move is going to benefit the indigenous people and why land is being given away to companies and corporates instead of using it for rehabilitating the displaced indigenous people.

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