Guwahati, 07 February (HS): The Assam government on Saturday released more than ₹56 crore as the first instalment of financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan (CMAAA) 2.0, benefitting 5,572 young entrepreneurs from Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) districts.

The disbursement programme was held at the Jyoti–Bishnu International Auditorium in Guwahati, highlighting the state’s continued push to enhance youth participation in economic activities and enterprise development.

The initiative forms part of the broader Atmanirbhar Assam vision, aimed at strengthening the state’s economy by encouraging youth-led businesses. The government has reiterated its objective of transforming young people from job seekers into job creators, aligning entrepreneurship promotion with its strategy to tackle unemployment.

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event and congratulated the beneficiaries. Addressing the gathering, he outlined the long-term goals of the scheme, stating that the government aims to empower nearly 10 lakh youths through CMAAA in the coming years, indicating the programme’s scale and potential impact across Assam.

The Chief Minister said that so far, the state has already extended financial assistance to around one lakh youths to encourage them to take up entrepreneurship. He noted that this multi-pronged approach is helping address unemployment by offering credible alternatives to conventional employment sectors.

The recent launch of CMAAA 2.0 has been described as a milestone in fulfilling the government’s twin commitments of creating one lakh new entrepreneurs and providing one lakh government jobs. Officials said this dual strategy is central to Assam’s vision of inclusive economic growth and long-term social stability.

Government representatives highlighted the unprecedented nature of the investment, stating that such large-scale direct funding to entrepreneurs is rare at the state level. The initiative aims to build a strong and enabling ecosystem for youth-led enterprises, positioning Assam as a leader in directly supporting entrepreneurs.

Stakeholders observed that the targeted investment strategy not only strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth. The approach is being seen as a significant step towards making the region self-reliant and competitive, while fostering a lasting entrepreneurial mindset among the youth.

Under CMAAA 2.0, continued government support is expected in the coming years, with further instalments already planned. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to building robust support structures for new business owners, with a focus on accessible funding, mentorship and market connectivity.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash