State potential to draw investors great: Mathur

R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, March 4 – The law-and-order situation should not be a deterrent for attracting investments and boosting tourism in Assam as almost every state of the country is facing terrorist attacks, said the Assam Governor, SC Mathur. Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Governor pointed out that Assam has tremendous potential for attracting investments in various sectors and the State Government has also been playing a major role in its efforts to bring investments. He said that the benefits given under the industrial policy for the North East should also make Assam an attractive destination for investors and hoped that in the days to come, more and more investors would show interest in investing in the State.

The British High Commissioner recently met the Governor at the Raj Bhawan here and one of the major points of discussion was possibility of British investments in the State. Mathur said that during the meeting, he urged upon the British High Commissioner to explore the possibilities of investments in the State.

The Governor said that apart from other major sectors, the investors can also set up cement factories and hydropower projects as these two sectors have tremendous potential in Assam. He said that there is possibility of investments in the tea sector also as the

Government is planning to hand over the gardens run by the Assam Tea Corporation (ATC) to private parties.

Replying to a question on whether the law and order situation would pose hurdles in the way of attracting investments, Mathur admitted the militant attacks are definitely setbacks. But at the same time, he pointed out that almost all states of the country faced terrorist attacks in recent times and those did not prevent investments. However, he expressed the view that extortions by the militant groups must be prevented to create a congenial atmosphere for investments in Assam and said that the Assam Police is actively working in those lines.

The Governor said that the State has tremendous potential for attracting tourists and asserted that the law and order situation should not be a deterrent. He, however, said that the state must launch a publicity campaign all over the country and abroad highlighting the places that can attract tourists. He said that proper literature of the tourist spots should be published, as not many people from outside know about the places of attraction in Assam. Many people know about Kaziranga national park and Kamakhya temple, but not about the relics that can be traced back to the Mahabharata days, he pointed out. The amenities for the tourists should be geared up and steps should be taken to ensure that no tourist face any harassment. The Kameswari festival held recently near the Kamakhya temple should be turned into an annual event, he added.

The Governor himself is taking keen interest in developing the amenities for tourists and pilgrims visiting Kamakhya temple and said that he would soon hold a meeting with the officials of the Guwahati Development Department and members of the Temple Board to discuss the possibilities of improving the amenities. He said that the feasibility of a ropeway project to the temple should also be examined, as it will be beneficial for the tourists and pilgrims. Assam Tribune