GUWAHATI, April 27 - The aspirations and expectations of the local people needs to be met for preserving the cultural identity, said Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh said today after holding interactive sessions with the representatives of various autonomous councils and participants from the trade and industry sector of the State.
Members of the several autonomous councils presented memorandums on their problems and suggestions to the Commission which concluded its three-day visit to the State today.
Singh discussed about the issues related to financial and administrative process of the councils and also about their expectations from the 15th Finance Commission.
Representatives from the Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, Deori Autonomous Council, Tiwa Autonomous Council, among others, discussed about their problems regarding various socioeconomic factors of their respective areas.
The autonomous councils put forth their suggestions of preserving the indigenous culture and dialects of the small ethnic groups and requested the Commission to provide funds for the purpose. Members of the councils also spoke about the problems in the agricultural and tourism sectors of their region. These sectors have huge scope for development and special consideration and financing mechanism for these were discussed by them.
The Commission also had a meeting with the various members from the trade and industry sector. Members from different setups, like the Assam Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce, All Assam Small Scale Industries Association, among others, shared their recommendations and suggestions with the Commission.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industry) Ravi Kapoor made a brief introduction of the industries in Assam, like tea, oil, plastic, agro and food processing, bamboo, etc., and the problems they were facing. The Commission noted the complexity of these issues and the solutions to them were discussed.
Members from the trade and commerce sectors highlighted the need to develop the local industries by providing funds for their sustainable growth. Issues related to infrastructure and connectivity in the region was also discussed.
