HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Feb 25: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday distributed cheques to beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan 2.0 at a programme held at the playground of the Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology (JIST).
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said the Assamese community is at a critical juncture, facing economic, political and cultural challenges.
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He cautioned that unless people remain vigilant and economically empowered, Upper Assam could face insecurity in the coming decade.
He stressed that the responsibility of restoring the economic strength of Assamese society lies largely with the youth.
“Only when our young men and women become economically strong can we protect Assam. We must regain the capacity to purchase land in our own state,” he said.
The chief minister expressed concern that in parts of Lower Assam, Assamese people are becoming minorities and selling their land, which is being acquired by people who came from Bangladesh.
He further stated that along with political rights, economic rights have also weakened over time.
According to him, similar trends are visible in districts such as Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, and even in Guwahati.
He said the government is working to transform Assam into one of the leading states in the country over the next decade and to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence for development and investment.
The chief minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan is aimed at making educated unemployed youths self-reliant by providing financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh through loans and subsidies for self-employment.
Speaking at the event, the chief minister observed that while the establishment of industries elsewhere in the country generates enthusiasm among local communities, Assam remained preoccupied with political and economic movements after Independence and failed to create a favourable environment for industrialisation.
He said that for many years, a perception prevailed that investment in Assam would not yield adequate returns, discouraging industries from setting up units in the state.
As a result, many youths migrated outside Assam in search of employment.
However, he added that the situation has changed significantly, with investors from across the country and abroad now showing keen interest in the state.
Referring to developments after the COVID-19 period and the anti-CAA movement, he said a new wave of development has begun in Assam.
Transparent recruitment processes were undertaken to provide jobs to unemployed youths, and several major industrial projects are currently underway.
Once completed within the next two years, these projects are expected to generate employment for nearly two lakh youths.
The chief minister emphasised that alongside industrialisation, people must take control of sectors ranging from agriculture to business.
He urged youths to come forward and establish enterprises, noting that the success of the Atmanirbhar scheme depends entirely on their initiative and dedication.
“If one runs a business, one can provide employment to others. A government employee cannot create jobs for others, but an entrepreneur can. Therefore, our youths must focus on becoming job creators rather than job seekers,” he asserted.
He added that the government has been implementing several schemes to promote entrepreneurship among young people, with the Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan emerging as one of the most significant initiatives in this direction.
