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Ordinance to hit indigenous people: CPI

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 5 - The Communist Party of India (CPI) has opposed the Assam Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Ordinance, 2020, that was recently approved by the State Cabinet.

�The State Industry Minister has said the ordinance will not affect the land rights of the indigenous people of Assam. But, that�s not supported by facts. It is an attempt to again befool the Assamese people,� said Munin Mahanta, secretary of CPI�s Assam State Council.

�There is no specific provision in the MSME ordinance that categorically states that only the local entrepreneurs can start MSMEs,� he added.

Mahanta said the CPI is apprehensive that the new ordinance will infringe upon the land rights of the indigenous people of Assam.

�Any MSME may come in and establish units. There is no categorical provision in the new ordinance that agricultural land will not be allowed for setting up MSMEs or for conversion to non-agricultural purposes. That leaves room for confusion and ambiguity. If there is no statutory provision, which official will take action in case any such incidents take place. Under what provisions will officials take action in case of violation of rules?� said the veteran Communist leader.

The CPI has called upon the government to immediately withdraw the ordinance.

�If necessary, it may be reintroduced in an amended form later by incorporating the provision that only the local entrepreneurs will be allowed to set up MSMEs in designated non-agricultural land,� he said.

He pointed out that when the nationwide lockdown was first imposed in late March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked employers not to go for retrenchment or pay cut.

�But, what happened in reality is that millions lost their jobs and many others have had to accept pay cuts. That took place because the Central government did not issue a formal notification directing employers and owners of business houses not to sack people or cut salaries. Similarly, now the State government is saying verbally that agricultural land will not be converted. But, in the absence of a formal provision in the ordinance, that may happen,� he said.

The CPI has also decided to organise Statewide protests against the ordinance on July 8. The party will hold demonstrations in front of all offices of Deputy Commissioners and Subdivisional Officers (Civil) across the State and burn copies of the ordinance.

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