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Assam: CM Sonowal flags off Uberization Scheme of Transport Dept. and inaugurates cargo flight center

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Guwahati: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today flagged off buses under the Uberization scheme of Transport Department, Govt. of Assam at Assam Administrative Staff College in the city.

Under this scheme, the state government has decided to add 339 buses in the first phase which would ply in different routes and will continue to sanction more buses in the subsequent financial years till the Government of Assam achieves the goal where the public transport in Assam is at par with the rest of the country.

The scheme implemented by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) would share 25 percent of the total cost of the bus and 65 percent would be shared by SBI. Out of the 25 percent, the state government would provide a subsidy of 10 percent and 15 percent would be in the form of an interest-free loan payable in 5- year period.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged ‘transformation through transportation’ in the country and the state government has been making rapid strides towards achieving the target of smooth connectivity across the state.

This scheme will generate a lot of employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in the state and also remove communication bottlenecks, he added. Calling on the young entrepreneurs to set an example of success, Sonowal said that the buses operated by these young beneficiaries must set an example of punctuality, efficiency and timely public service in the state.

State Government is striving towards youth-led development and the success of schemes like these would inspire other young entrepreneurs to come forward and take up the challenge of setting up a successful business, he added. Saying that the beneficiaries must work hard and put in their honest and dedicated efforts for making this scheme a success, Sonowal said that failure of such schemes results in loss of faith by the young generation in entrepreneurship while also causing damages to public property like buses and other infrastructures.

He also thanked SBI for coming forward and helping the youth of the state in their quest for a successful life.

He also said that Prime Minister Modi has launched Make in India, Startup India, Digital India and other such initiatives for the youth and the state government is also working towards generating sustainable livelihood for the young generation of the state.

Sonowal also urged the young entrepreneurs to come forward and take advantage of the state government’s schemes for finding employment avenues and he stressed the importance of creating awareness about the schemes so that more and more youths take up entrepreneurship. Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, in his speech, said today is a historic day for the state as the Chief Minister flagged off buses under the Uberization scheme for improving road communication in the state and also inaugurated the center for Perishable Goods at LGBI airport for enabling state farmers to find wider market opportunities for their products.

Under initiatives like the Act East Policy and skill development mission of Prime Minister Modi, Assam Government is taking rapid strides to develop the state at a fast pace and holistic development of the state would be achieved through dedicated efforts. Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Santanu Bharali, Chairman of ASTC Ashok Bhattarai, Vice Chairman Haricharan Bodo, Principal Secretary of Transport Department K.K. Dwivedi, ASTC MD Anand Prakash Tiwari were also present in the program among others. Earlier today, the Chief Minister launched the Center for Perishable Cargo at LGBI Airport in the city. The AIDC has set up a Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) at LGBI Airport, Guwahati.

The project is aimed to provide state-of-the-art infrastructures for air cargo handling facilities, cold storage and to boost the export of horticulture products from the North Eastern Region. The total land area is 1 acre which is lease transferred from the Airports Authority of India.

Total Project Cost is Rs. 1984.32 Lacs with funding from Govt. of India under ASIDE Scheme of Rs. 1934.32 Lacs and State Govt. share of Rs. 50.00 Lacs. Air Cargo Center would provide world-class facilities at competitive prices to the exporters to enable them to compete in the international market at globally competitive prices while ensuring that there is no deterioration in the quality during transit at the airport.

Talking to the newsmen here, Sonowal said that the BJP led governments at Both Centre and the state have been working relentlessly for equal development of all sections of the society and the opening of this cargo center would enable the state’s formers to contribute to the mission of Atmanirbhar Assam by exporting vegetables and other agricultural products of the state to different countries.

Farmers and agri-entrepreneurs of the state had exported 14 thousand metric tons of agricultural products to various countries during the lockdown period and now the operationalization of this cargo center would help more such farmers to contribute to the economy of the state.

He also said that previous Congress governments had only neglected the NE Region and showed apathy towards its development and now the BJP led central and state governments has been working earnestly for rapid development of the region.

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