60,000 teachers to be appointed in two years : CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma today ceremonially launched the distribution of the first installment of financial assistance under Mukhya Mantrir Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan 2.0 for selected entrepreneurs from Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli districts. The programme was held at the playground of Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology in Sotai.

Altogether 5,958 entrepreneurs received financial assistance amounting to over Rs. 59 crore. Of them, 2,366 are from Jorhat, 2,995 from Golaghat and 597 from Majuli. The beneficiaries include 10 under the professional category and 5,948 under the general category.

Under the second phase, the state government has initiated steps to extend financial support exceeding Rs. 1,495 crore to 74,444 prospective entrepreneurs across Assam, with Rs. 2 lakh for each beneficiary in the general category and Rs. 5 lakh for those in the professional category.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said nearly five lakh students appear for matriculation examinations in Assam every year with aspirations for government jobs. However, given the limited scope of public employment, many youths are compelled to seek low-paying jobs outside the state. He noted that around 20 lakh youths from Assam are currently working outside due to limited opportunities at home.

Dr.Sarma stated that prolonged political and social challenges in the past had slowed industrial growth, creating a negative investment climate and limiting employment generation. He highlighted that over 1.6 lakh youths have been provided government jobs in the last five years.

Referring to major upcoming projects such as the semiconductor plant at Jagiroad, the bio-refinery at Numaligarh, the urea-ammonia project at Namrup and the thermal power project at Chapar in Dhubri, he said these initiatives are expected to generate direct and indirect employment for nearly two lakh youths.
Emphasising entrepreneurship and skill development, the Chief Minister urged young people to become job creators. He announced that 60,000 unemployed youths would be appointed to teaching positions over the next two years.

The Chief Minister urged the selected entrepreneurs to utilize the financial assistance productively and emerge as job creators rather than job seekers. He stated that under the scheme, Rs. 1 lakh is provided as government grant while the remaining Rs. 1 lakh is an interest-free loan repayable over five years. Beneficiaries will receive the second installment upon proper utilization of the first tranche. He further informed that out of 25,000 beneficiaries in the first phase, nearly 3,000 have secured bank loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to expand their ventures.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Ministers of the Assam Government Atul Bora, Ajanta Neog and Bimal Bora, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Pradip Hazarika, Rupjyoti Kurmi, Bhabendra Nath Bharali, Mrinal Saikia, Biswajit Phukan and Bhuban Gam were present on the occasion.