Assam CM emphasises on revenue mobilisation

Sonowal asks officials from Finance and Taxation Department to come up with new ways to generate revenue and plug leakages

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said revenue mobilisation has to be stepped up to expedite development in the state.

In a meeting with officials of the Finance and Taxation Departments here, the Chief Minister said various new ways and means must be adopted to generate revenue in a big way and plug leakages.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to make North East an organic hub, Sonowal said "We have to initiate a slew of measures to make Assam an organic hub".

Emphasising on stepping up production of agriculture, horticulture, mushroom, banana, cane and bamboo, Sonowal said by doing so the economic condition of the farmers can be improved, a government release said.

Underscoring the need to involve the youth and formulate suitable schemes, Sonowal asked officials to identify the sectors in which the State has huge potential.

"We have to go in for industries based on available raw materials that generate employment opportunities and bring about economic transformation in the lives of the people. However, ecological balance has to be maintained at any cost," he said.

"Soil testing labs are needed in districts for increased foodgrains production," Sonowal said, adding, farmers must get the right price for their produce.

The Chief Minister called for establishing strong links between the producers, buyers and markets to weed out middlemen. He also asked the officials to closely study the markets in other states as well as neighbouring countries to explore ways to sell the products there.

Directing the officials to find out the exact volume of produce like eggs, milk and diary products coming daily to the state from outside, he said, "If we can produce the items coming from outside in our own State, it will not only enhance capacity building but also open up the doors for employment."

Sonowal directed the tax officials to keep a strict vigil on the trucks laden with goods entering the state through Srirampur and Boxirhat Check Gates bordering West Bengal so that no trucks can enter illegally through other roads of the inter-state boundary.

At another meeting with Transport Department officials, Sonowal said to infuse a new lease of life to the Department.

"Some new measures should be introduced even though it is playing a major role in revenue generation in the state. 

To facilitate a quantum leap in revenue generation, the Department needs to take new programmes to woo passengers", he said.