Assam govt to formulate new coal policy for smooth functioning of industries, says Cabinet ministers in Silchar

Jan. 29: State Cabinet Ministers Jogen Mohan and Bimal Borah on Saturday heard the views of the stakeholders for formulating a policy for easy import of coal in various industries of Barak Valley and export of betel nuts produced in Barak Valley. Taking part in the meeting, the two ministers said that a policy would be formulated to facilitate the import of coal from Barak Valley by protecting the interests of all industries.

Taking part in the meeting, Uday Shankar Goswami, on behalf of the brick kiln industries, said 400 metric tonnes of coal was needed to produce 1.5 million bricks a year in each of the 100 brickfields in Cachar district. It was also informed that brick kilns need coal from November to February.

On behalf of the tea garden associations, it was stated that 25,000 metric tons of coal is required for 57 tea gardens in Cachar district. Continuing supply of coal was also proposed at the meeting by the cement and rod industries. The betel growers also proposed to formulate a policy to facilitate betel export outside the valley.

The meeting was attended by four MLAs Kaushik Rai, Dwipayan Chakraborty, Abdul Karim Barabhuiya and Khalil Uddin Majumder in the presence of MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy. At the meeting, Abhrajit Chakraborty on behalf of BJP, Saminul Haque Barabhuiyan on behalf of AIUDF, Dulal Mitra on behalf of CPIM, Abul Awal Baralskar of AGP presented their view points.

During the meeting, the two ministers said that the new policy on coal imports would facilitate the government’s revenue collection and at the same time formulate an industry-friendly policy. The proposed policy will also look at strengthening the social environment. Minister Yogen Mohan also said that Singur window system would be introduced for getting licenses or clearances from various departments for setting up new industrial establishments. He informed that the process of launching this single window system from ICC is underway.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli, Additional Secretary of Mines and Minerals Department of the State Government Arpan Saikia, Divisional MDN Anand, and Convener Anand Kumar Das took part in the meeting.

Earlier during the day, Minister of State for Mines and Minerals Yogen Mohan inaugurated the inaugurated the district level office of his department situated at the premises of DICC, Silchar.

Inaugurating the district level office, the minister said that it has been decided to open offices of the Department of Mines and Minerals in 6 different districts of the state. He said that arrangements have been made to provide facilities to the people at different times through the office and he hoped that later the office would have its own building.