Kokrajhar (Assam), 21 August (HS): Ahead of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) council elections, Sajal Kumar Singh, Executive Member of the Industries and Commerce Department of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), has begun distributing 4,000 sewing machines to trained women. On Tuesday evening, the initiative was launched and today 270 women in Alokzhar village of Guma council area will receive their machines.

While handing over the machines, Singh said the department has multiple plans for industrial development, but a lack of awareness in interior areas has prevented people from benefiting from government welfare schemes. “For years, villages have been deprived of facilities from the Department of Industry and Commerce. Many people had not even heard of this department,” he remarked.

He further added that in the past six months, he has been visiting villages to spread awareness about the department’s schemes and encouraging entrepreneurs, both men and women, as well as skilled workers such as masons, potters, artisans and craftsmen to utilize the available opportunities.

Singh informed that within the next two days, 4,000 sewing machines will be distributed, while the remaining will be handed over after the elections. The distribution drive will cover all five districts of the BTR. ---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash