Sonowal urges Jaitely for early release of Rs 1138 crore FMP fund

Sonowal, who called on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the latter’s office in New Delhi on Wednesday, apprised him the challenges posed by flood and erosion in Assam and sought his prompt intervention for early release of the pending amount.

Sonowal informed him that release of the amount against 141 schemes would further help in speedy implementation of all ongoing and proposed flood and erosion management projects.

The revival of paper mills of Assam under Hindustan Paper Corporation was also raised by the Chief Minister during discussion.

Highlighting the contributions of these units in the industrial development of both Brahmaputra and Barak valley, Sonowal informed Jaitley that closure of these units have been adversely affected the bamboo growers and hit hard the local economy as well as employment.

In tandem with the issue of revival of these units, the Assam CM also requested the union finance minister to take steps for early finalization of the new industrial policy in line with earlier North East Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) for maximizing growth potential of the state.

Sonowal also informed Jaitley about the major milestones achieved by the state in the implementation of Swacch Bharat Mission.

He said that the state government is very much committed and focussed in achieving the target to making Assam ODF within the targeted period and requested the finance minister to take initiative for early release of allocated amount for construction of the remaining toilets in the state.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)