Guwahati, 17 September (HS): The Assam government is taking steps to transform the state’s youth from job seekers into entrepreneurs who can create employment opportunities for others, Social Justice and Empowerment, Land Conservation, and Minority Welfare and Development Minister Ashwini Ray Sarkar said on Thursday.

Addressing an event organised by CMAAA at Golakganj, Sarkar said the government’s responsibility was not limited to announcing schemes but also included ensuring timely opportunities and support for young people.

He said the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to encourage entrepreneurship among youth and provide them opportunities to become self-reliant.

Under CMAAA 1.0, more than ₹87 crore has already been distributed among 7,066 youths, the minister said. Under CMAAA 2.0, the programme has been expanded, with more than ₹183 crore to be distributed among 72,917 beneficiaries from general and professional categories. General-category beneficiaries will receive up to ₹2 lakh, while professional-category beneficiaries can receive up to ₹5 lakh, with the assistance structured as 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan.

Calling the financial assistance “capital to begin your dreams”, Sarkar urged beneficiaries to use the funds to establish or expand businesses, agricultural activities, livestock ventures and service-based enterprises.

Highlighting Golakganj’s agricultural potential, local resources, business opportunities and skilled manpower, he stressed the need to connect these strengths with entrepreneurship.

“Let two people get employment today and ten tomorrow. Let a small shop today grow into a big business tomorrow,” Sarkar said, urging young people to pursue entrepreneurship with confidence and perseverance.

He said the success of every beneficiary receiving assistance under CMAAA would be the real measure of the scheme’s success. “When the youth progress, families progress; when families progress, society progresses, and when society progresses, Assam progresses,” he said.

Sarkar called upon the youth to have faith in their abilities, their land and Assam and move towards self-reliance, saying that self-reliant young people would form the foundation of a self-reliant Assam.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash