Dibrugarh: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday distributed the first installment of the Chief Minister’s Self-Reliant Assam Mission (Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan) 2.0 for Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Tinsukia, and Charideo districts. The event was held at Lengeri in Dibrugarh district.
Under the scheme, a total of 10,404 entrepreneurs from the four districts received financial assistance, including 3,888 from Dibrugarh, 1,956 from Sibsagar, 3,341 from Tinsukia, and 1,219 from Charideo. Of the beneficiaries, 10,381 belong to the general category, while 23 are from vocational courses.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to creating jobs while fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs. He noted that entrepreneurship, rather than employment alone, drives large-scale job creation.
Under Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2.0, the government provides Rs 2 lakh each to 74,036 potential entrepreneurs in the general category, while beneficiaries pursuing professional courses such as engineering, MBBS, and BDS are eligible for Rs 5 lakh each. The government will invest a total of Rs 1,482 crore under the second edition of the scheme, without requiring any collateral from the beneficiaries.
Reflecting on Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 1.0, Sarma said that youths who received the first installment in September 2023 were later given Rs 25,000 as a second installment upon completing a three-day training programme. The third installment of Rs 1 lakh is scheduled for release in February or by the first week of March this year.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the facilitation of bank linkages for beneficiaries. In the first phase, 2,000 youths have received bank loans, and three banks have expressed interest in extending loans to 3,000 more beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
Emphasising the role of industrialisation in generating employment, Sarma said Assam is witnessing unprecedented growth, opening opportunities for the youth in both direct and allied sectors. He cited major projects such as the 30,000-crore Jagiroad semiconductor project, expected to employ around 30,000 people, and the 12,000-crore ammonia-urea project at Namrup, which will create jobs for about 2,000 youths. The upcoming thermal power plant in Dhubri will also boost demand for transport and allied services.
The Chief Minister noted that MSME registrations on the Udyam Portal in Assam have surged from 9,371 in 2020 to over 12.75 lakh, reflecting a positive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Banks have disbursed Rs 30,773 crore in loans to small entrepreneurs up to March 2026.
Urging the youth to seize the opportunities created by industrialisation, Sarma cautioned that if local talent does not step forward, workers from other parts of the country could fill the gap. He stressed the importance of cultivating a work culture while preserving Assam’s land and heritage. The government aims to support one million youths over the next five years.