Mani Shankar Aiyar lays Lanka cement plant foundation

Correspondent
HOJAI, Feb 21 – Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Mani Shankar Aiyar today laid the foundation stone of Rs 1500-crore mega cement industry to be built by Calcom Cement India in a joint venture with the State Government, at Pipalpukhuri under Lanka revenue circle in Hojai subdivision. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said in spite of insurgency problems in the north-eastern region, he has given more thrust to accelerate economic progress of the region with a new industrial policy “NE Industrial Development and Promotion Policy” with project security cover to industrialists and the proposal ‘project related security’ already submitted to the Prime Minister is now under active consideration to dispel fear from the mind of desirous investors in this part of country.

Aiyar also mentioned that to put the region at par with rest of India a vision called ‘NE Region Vision 2020’ has been chalked out that envisages a staggering Rs 40 lakh crore from the Central Government. He appealed to the industrialists to invest in this resourceful region by showing a little courage like Calcom and said that development will be the best fight with ultra outfits.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who attended the functions as chief guest stressed the need for changing pattern of development of Assam by way of allowing more and more large and medium industry. Asserting that just for a handful of youths gone astray the state’s future could not be allowed to be at stake, he asked them to shun violence.

Sounding a note of warning to the outfits that protection to entrepreneurs is the bounden duty of the government, Gogoi asked them to come to the negotiation table instead of kidnapping anyone engaged in the economic growth of Assam.

The function was presided over by Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister Commerce and Industry and was addressed by Rockybul Hussain, Minister Forest, Khorsing Engti, Minister Mines, Binod Bawri, chairman Calcom Otnil Raja, general secretary APCC(I), Dr J Balaji, DC, Nagaon among others.source: assam tribune