HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 27: In a significant push to boost private investment and generate employment in Assam, the State Cabinet chaired by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur, on Wednesday approved a set of key decisions, including major industrial and hospitality projects worth Rs 969 crore.
According to the official statement, the Cabinet approved customised incentives under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA) 2019 (as amended) to attract big-ticket investments in sectors ranging from gas manufacturing to healthcare, tourism and hospitality.
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Among the projects cleared, Premier Cryogenics Limited will invest Rs 125 crore in setting up a high-purity semiconductor-grade gas manufacturing plant at Jagiroad, which is expected to create employment for 200 people.
Jonali Construction Private Limited’s proposal of Rs 182.17 crore for a Marriott Resort and SPA project will add 204 jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector.
In healthcare, Ambuja Neotia Healthcare Venture Limited will set up a hospital project with an investment of Rs 302.65 crore, while Ambuja Neotia Hotel Ventures Limited has proposed a hotel project worth Rs 360 crore.
Collectively, these ventures represent investments of Rs 969 crore and are likely to generate 2,704 employment opportunities in the state.
The Cabinet also approved the closure of the Assam Plantation Crops Development Corporation Ltd, along with financial sanction of Rs 600 lakh towards VRS/one-time settlement and closure cost.
In another key decision, the Cabinet streamlined procedures for granting permission in cases of inter-religious transfer of immovable property.
Applications for such land transfers will be submitted to the Government, with scrutiny conducted by the Revenue Department and the Special Branch of Assam Police to check for fraud, coercion, illegal funding, or threats to social cohesion and national security.
The final decision will rest with the concerned District Commissioner.
The same procedure will apply to NGOs from outside Assam seeking to acquire land for educational or healthcare institutions, while local NGOs will be exempt.
The Cabinet further decided to extend a financial grant of Rs 25,000 to each participant of the Jhumoir Binandini programme scheduled for October 12 as a gesture of encouragement.
Meanwhile, chief minister Sarma informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Assam, originally linked to the year-long birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, has been rescheduled to September 13-14.
While the state-level celebration will be held on September 8, the Prime Minister will commemorate the occasion on September 13.
