Two days ahead of the Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Guwahati, Assam Government on Thursday maintained that it would not allow any kind of industries that can create pollution.
Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said in Dispur that it is open for only non-polluting industries and has decided not to allow any coke-based units, irrespective of the investment.
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“We are fully aware about the negative impact caused by pollution. We have decided not to encourage investors who want to invest in plants which will increase pollution. We are okay with investment in sectors like agriculture, handloom, river transport, IT and ITES, pharmaceutical and medical etc because these industries don’t cause pollution. However, investment in coke industry is a complete no-no from our side because they create lot of pollution,” Patowary told reporters.
He said Jorabat which is such a beautiful place has been polluted by the coke industries as they were allowed to be set up there.
“We want rapid industrialization in the state but we are also firm on not being proponent to pollution creating industries. Even if those industries offer to invest one lakh crores in the state, we won’t give them permission to set up plants in the state,” he added.
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Speaking on the alleged dearth of land to offer to the potential investors, Patowary said, “We have 7000 acres of land in our land bank. We can give land to interested investors within a notice of just 24 hours. Peasants are encouraged to sell their land in lieu of a good price. However, we are not compelling them to sell their land.’
The minister also informed that the government is planning to make Rupsi airport in Dhubri operational soon.
“Once Rupsi airport becomes operational, it will increase our connectivity with West Bengal and Sikkim,” he said.