CHAPTER - I

Economic Situation
NATIONAL ECONOMY:
1.1.0 The growth of National economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant (1993-94) prices has been estimated at 4.0 per
cent for the year 2002-2003 (Quick Estimates as compared to the growth rate of 5.8 per cent (Provisional Estimates) achieved in 2001-2002 as
released by the Central Statistical Organisation, Government of India. The Per Capita Net National Product at constant (1993-94) prices has
been worked out at Rs 10964 in 2002-2003 (Quick Estimates) as against Rs 10774 in 2001-2002 (Provisional Estimates) and at current prices
the same was Rs 18912 in 2002-2003 (Quick Estimates) as against Rs 17947 in 2001-2002 (Provisional Estimates). In respect of Per Capita
Net National Product, the year 2002-2003 (Quick Estimates) registered a growth of 1.8 per cent in real terms and at current prices the growth
of the same was 5.4 per cent. As per in real advance estimates for the year 2003-3004 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is likely to increase
by 8.1 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices and by 11.9 per cent at current prices as compared to the growth rate of 4.0 per cent and 7.6 per
cent respectively in the previous year. The Per Capita Income in real term during 2003-2004 is likely to attain a level of Rs 11684 as compared
to the quick estimates for the year 2002-2003 of Rs 10964.
1.1.1 The annual point-to-point inflation rate based on the Wholesale Price Index (Base 1993-94=100) remained below 2 per cent till the end of
May 2002, and rose thereafter in between 3-4 per cent. The latest annual point-to-point inflation rate for the week ended 18 th January 2003 has
touched 4.4 per cent and may creep up further if global oil prices continue to rise. Inflation rate based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) for
Industrial Workers remained moderate during the year despite draught, indicating comfortable availability of food items. The CPI (IW) based
inflation rate declined from 4.7 per cent in April 2002 to 3.2 per cent in December 2002.
1.1.2 Agricultural and allied sector growth is likely to register a decline in the current year due to the severity of drought. The adverse weather
conditions affected the crop prospect heavily on Kharif crops. The food grains production in 2002-2003 is likely to be lower which is estimated
at 183.2 million tonnes compared to last year’s production of 212.02 million tonnes (fall of 13.6 per cent). The sharp fall in current year’s food
grain production, which is the lowest since 1996-97, is mainly due to the decline in Kharif production from 111.5 million tonnes last year to 90.3
million tonnes in the current year (fall of 19.09 per cent). The food grain production of Rabi season is also likely to drop to 92.9 million tonnes
compared to last year’s 100.5 million tonnes (fall of 7.5 per cent).
The estimated production of Rice is 77.7 million tonnes in 2002-2003 as against 93.1 million tonnes in 2001-2002. The production of Wheat is
likely to be 68.9 million tonnes as against 71.8 million tonnes in 2001-2002. The estimated production of Coarse Cereals and Pulses are 25.1
million tonnes and 11.5 million tonnes respectively in 2002-2003 as against the production of 33.9 million tonnes and 13.2 million tonnes
respectively in 2001-2002. Effect of drought is expected to be severe on the production of commercial crops also. Only Jute and Mesta
production at 11.5 million bales in 2002-2003 as against 11.6 million bales in 2001-2002 fared better as severity of drought was not felt in Jute
and Mesta producing States.
The production of Tea has increased steadily from 761 million kilograms in 1995-96 to 847 million kilograms 2001-2002; the percentage of
increase is 11.3 per cent. Coffee is another important plantation crop and its production in the country has grown to reach over 306 thousand
tonnes in 2001-2002 from 170 thousand tonnes in 1990-91. There is a steady growth in Rubber production too and 97 per cent of the country’s
demand for natural Rubber is met from domestic production. The production of Rubber has increased from 580 thousand tonnes in 1997-98 to
638 thousand tonnes in 2002-2003.
The Index of Agricultural Production of 46 crops including plantations crops with base triennium ending 1981-82=100 (revised) has decreased
to 156 (provisional) in 2002-2003 from 177 (provisional) in 2001-2002 thus showing a decline of 11.9 per cent during the year.
1.1.3 The Index of Industrial Production with base year 1993-94=100 has increased to 170.5 in 2002-2003 from 167.0 in 2001-2002. It has
displayed some definite signs of improvement in the first eight months of the year 2002 showing an overall growth of 5.3 per cent over the
same period of 2001. The Mining and Quarrying sector showed a growth of 5.7 per cent followed by 5.4 per cent and 4.0 per cent growth by
Manufacturing and Electricity sectors respectively during the period. The two key elements, which led this improvement in Index of Industrial
Production growth, were Capital goods, which grew by 9.9 per cent and consumer non-durables, which had growth of 12.7 per cent.
Two industries, which have experienced striking revivals in the current year in the industrial sector, are Steel and Cement. The Textile industry
is a key area where India has an opportunity for labour intensive exports. In the Oil and Gas industries, Crude Oil production has increased
from 21.24 million tonnes in 2001-2002 to 22.09 million tonnes in 2002-2003 (April-November) registering an increase of 4.0 per cent. Natural
Gas production rose to 20.61 billion cubic metres during the year 2002 (April-November), which was 4.5 per cent higher than that in the
corresponding period of previous year. The Coal and Lignite production was 352.60 million tonnes during 2001-2002 as against 332.58 million
tonnes during 2000-2001, showing a growth of 6.0 per cent.
The Small Scale Industries registered a higher growth rate than the overall industrial sector in terms of Number of Units, Production,
Employment and Exports. During 2002-2003, the number of Small Scale Industry (SSI) units was estimated at 35.72 lakh against 34.42 lakh in
the previous year registering an increase of 3.8 per cent. The estimated value of production increased by 7.5 per cent i.e. Rs 514292 crore in
2002-2003 from Rs 478456 crore during 2001-2002, while employment went up to 199.65 lakh persons from 192.23 lakh persons during the
same period.
India continues to make progress on export-oriented production in Electronics and Computer technology. Software exports have grown at a
compound growth rate of over 50 per cent per year for the last five years. Hardware exports have also grown sharply and reached a level of Rs
5871 crore in 2001-2002 showing a growth of 22.6 per cent when compared with the previous year. Software exports at present level is $1
billion a year.
1.1.4 India’s foreign exchange reserves position has strengthened substantially from a reserve draw down of US$1.28 billion in 1990-91 to a
reserve build-up of US$11.76 billion in 2001-2002. The balance of payment (BOP) has been in an overall surplus since 1996-97, with reserves
rising, on an average, by US$6.21 billion per annum during 1996-97 to 2001-2002. The current account deficit has come down from a level of
3.1 per cent of GDP in 1990-91 to a current account surplus of 0.3 per cent of GDP in 2001-2002. On the capital account, inflows have
remained buoyant (except in 1995-96) bolstering the resources during the period.
India’s balance of payments of 2001-2002 exhibited mixed development. While exports, on BOP basis remained stagnant at previous year’s
level. Imports declined by 2.8 per cent, thus resulting in a decline in merchandise trade deficit, as per cent of GDP, from 3.1 per cent in 2000-
2001 to 2.6 per cent in 2001-2002. The consequential trade deficit came down from US$14.37 billion in 2000-2001 to US$12.70 billion in 2001-
2002. The net capital flows increased from US$8.41 billion in 2000-2001 to US$10.41 billion in 2001-2002. The provisional estimates for import
and export at current prices stood at Rs 2,13,225 crore ($43,882 million) and Rs 1,85,211 crore ($38,115 million) respectively for April-
December 2002. The total foreign exchange reserves (including gold and SDRs) at the end of March 2002 amounted to US$54.11 billion as
compared with US$42.28 billion at the end of March 2001.
The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) has been prepared against a backdrop of high expectations and aims at achieving an average growth
rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 8 per cent per annum over the period of 2002-2007. The decadal average annual growth rate of
the Indian economy, after fluctuating around 3.5 per cent for the decade of the 1950s, 1960s and1970s, took a quantum leap to 5.7 per cent in
the decade of the 1980s and further the annual rate of growth rapidly accelerated to around 7.5 per cent during 1994-95 to 1996-97, making
India one of the fastest growth countries in the world.
ASSAM’S ECONOMY:
1.2.0 The growth of the State’s Economy seems to be encouraging during 2003-2004 and is likely to register an upward trend of growth in the
coming years. The advance estimates of State Domestic Product for the year 2003-2004 indicate that the growth rates of Net State Domestic
Production (NSDP) is estimated at 6.2 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices and 10.5 per cent at current prices as compared to the growth
rates of 3.9 per cent and 7.8 per cent respectively for the year 2002-2003. As per the said estimates the Per Capital Income is likely to attain a
level of Rs 6403 at constant (1993-94) prices and Rs 12593 at current prices during 2002-2004. In terms of Net State Domestic Product
(NSDP), the State’s economy registered an annual growth of 3.90 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices during 2002-2003 (Quick estimates) as
against a growth rate of 3.09 per cent during 2001-2002 (Provisional estimates). At current prices the NSDP recorded a growth of 7.82 per cent
in 2002-2003 (Quick estimates) as against 4.09 per cent growth recorded in the preceding year. So far as Per Capital Income is concerned a
growth or 2.66 per cent in real term was recorded in 2002-2003 as against 1.95 per cent recorded in 2001-2002. At current prices, the Per
Capita Income registered a growth of 6.53 per cent in 2002-2003 as against 2.95 per cent growth in 2001-2002. The share contribution of
Agriculture sector in NSDP of Assam in 2002-2003 was 29.60 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices and 30.34 per cent at current prices as
against 31.43 per cent and 31.69 per cent respectively in 2991-2002. The share contribution to NSDP in respect of Mining and Quarrying.
Manufacturing and Construction during 2002-2003 were 4.73 per cent, 9.23 per cent and 6.63 per cent respectively at constant (1993-94)
prices and at current prices the same were 4.77 per cent, 9.74 per cent and 6.75 per cent respectively. The Trade, Hotel & Restaurant sector
had largest share of 15.26 per cent at constant prices and 14.76 per cent at current prices during the year as against the share of 14.83 per
cent and 14.94 per cent, respectively during 2001-2002. The overall performance of the economy of the State during the year under report was
by and large encouraging as discernible from the positive growth rates witnessed to some important sectors of the economy of the State.
1.2.1 Due to adverse affect of natural calamities like floods etc. the performance of the Agriculture Sector during 2002-2003 was not upto
expectations. During the year, the total production of Foodgrains Crops covered by the crop forecast in the State has been estimated at 38.94
lakh tonnes as against 40.23 lakh tonnes in 2001-2002. As per available estimates, the production of Winter Rice recorded decrease to 26.71
lakh tonnes in 2002-2003 from 27.13 lakh tonnes in 2001-2002. Similarly, the production of Summer Rice showed decrease to 6.22 lakh
tonnes in 2002-2003 from 6.53 lakh tones in 2001-2002 and the production of Autumn Rice also declined to 4.45 lakh tonnes in 2002-2003
from 4.88 lakh tonnes in 1001-2002. Thus, the production of Rice which is the most important Cereals Crop grown in the Sttae has recorded a
decrease of 3.01 per cent during the year. The production of Wheat also decreased to 0.78 lakh tonnes during 2002-2003 from 0.85 lakh
tonnes in the previous year. The production of Pulses was marginally lower at 0.60 lakh tonnes in 2001-2002 as against 0.55 lakh tones in
2002-2003. The production of Rape and Mustard also decreased to 1.30 lakh tonnes in 2002-2003 from 10.11 lakh tonnes during 2001-2002.
So far as the production of Jute is concerned, the same recorded increase to 6.91 lakh bales in 2002-2003 from 6.75 lakh bales in the year
before while the production of Mesta recorded a marginal increase to 0.25 lakh bales during 2002-2003 from 0.24 lakh bales in 1001-2002. In
view of the mixed performance of the agricultural sector the General Index of Agricultural Production (base triennium ending 1981-82=100) for
the State has recorded only a nominal increase to the point of 165 in 2002-2003 (provisional) from the point of 164 in 2001-2002. Preliminary
information available for the year 2003-2004 indicate a better production performance in respect of crops like Winter Rice, Maize and
Sesamum while a fall in production is also indicated in respect of crops like Jute, Mesta & Sugarcane during the year under reference.
1.2.2 In the Manufacturing and Processing sector of the State, a mixed performance in production could be observed during the year 2002-
2003. Provisional production data available for the year shows a positive growth in the production of industrial items like Refinery Products,
Cement, Fertilizer etc. over the production level of the previous year. On the other hand a decrease in production has been noticed in respect
of items like Tea processing, Grain Mill Products, Paper, Jute Textile etc.. during the said year. The overall industrial scenario of the state is
expected to improve considerably in near future due to efforts made by the State Government through announcement of new Industrial Policy
mostly aimed at attracting private investors from outside.
The general Index of Industrial Production of the State (Base 1993-94=100) stood at 132.46 in 2002-03 as against 125.87 in 2001-2002
thereby recording an increase of 5.2 per cent over the year.
The performance of Mining Sector in the State was not much satisfactory during 2002-2003. As per provisional data available the production of
Petroleum (Crude) decreased by 1.6 per cent during 2002-2003 over the previous year. Production of Coal, another important mineral item
also decreased by 4.8 per cent during the same period. However, the production of Natural Gas (Utilized) has increased by 1.8 per cent and
that of Limestone by 1.5 per cent during 2002-2003 over 2001-2002.
The Index of Mineral Production of the State (Base 1993-94=100) decreases to 97.47 in 2002-2003 (P) from 101.76 in 2001-2002. In
percentage term the decrease was 4.2 over the year.
1.2.3 The overall Power Supply position in the State continued to be erratic during the year under report. The installed capacity of power has
remained i.e., 574.400 M.W. for six consecutive year. i.e. from 1997-98 to 2002-2003. On the other hand, the Generation of Power has
decreased from 934.960 (MU) in 2000-2001 to 840.406 (MU) in 2001-2002 and further to 746.094 (MU) in 2002-2003. During 2002-2003 the
estimated requirement of Power for the State was 3500.000 (MU) while the availability was 3304.737 (MU) thereby resulting shortage by about
5.60 percent. In order to meet the shortage of Power Supply the State continued to purchase power from other sources. The net import of
power by the State was 2582.737 (MU) in 2002-2003 as against 2461.182 (MU) in 2001-2002.
1.2.4 The total number of reporting Scheduled Commercial Bank Offices (including Regional Rural Banks) in the State at the end of March 2003
was 1216. The volume of Deposits and Credit of these Banks stood at Rs 12921.31 crore and Rs 3695.12 crore respectively at the end of the
aforesaid period. The Credit-Deposit Ratio in the state as on March 2003 was 28.6 per cent, which was quite unsatisfactory when compared to
the ratio of 59.4 per cent at the National level during the same period.
1.2.5 The behaviour of Price level can be observed from the movement of Consumer Price Index Number for the Working Class Population and
the Wholesale Price Index Number for Agricultural Commodities. The average Consumer Price Index Number for the Working Class Population
(Base 1982=100) for the State displayed a price rise of 2.16 per cent in 2002 over 2001 as against 0.73 per cent increase recorded in 2001
over 2000. The annual average Wholesale Price Index Number for Agricultural Commodities (Base 1993-94=100) stood at 161 in 2002-2003
as against 163 in 2001-2002 and 162 in 2000-2001. The Index thus displayed a marginal decrease of 1.22 per cent in 2002-2003 over 2001-
2002. As far as the behaviour of Retail Prices of essential commodities is concerned, it has been observed that most of the commodities
recorded moderate rise of different variations in their prices. However, the price situation in the State during 2002-2003 was found to have
remained more or less steady.
1.2.6 As regards the Employment Sector, the number of persons employed in organized economic activity (comprising both Public and Private
Sectors) was found to have decreased to 10.84 lakh at the end of December, 2002 (Provisional) from 11.31 lakh at the end of December, 2001
recording a decrease of 4.2 per cent over the period. The employment of women in organised sector of the State was 321.9 thousand at the
end of December 2002, which was 29.7 per cent of the total employment. As regards the scenario of manpower supply and demand, the data
available from the Employment Exchanges of Assam revealed that the total job seekers in the Live Register increased to 15.72 lakh at the end
of December 2002 from 15.25 lakh at end of December 2001 thereby showing an increase of 3.1 per cent. But placements have decreased to
747 from 942 during the same period showing a decrease of 20.7 per cent.
In order to increase employment avenues through generation of gainful employment opportunities the Government has been implementing
various schemes like Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS), Swarnajayanti Gram Swarajgar Yojana (SGSY) and Special Swarnajayanti
Gram Swarojgar Yojana (Special SGSY) etc., at the same time which also aims at upliftment of rural people at the grass root level. The
concept of Self Help Group (SHG) has been introduced to bring a revolution in the field of self-employment. Under the SGSY Scheme, a total
58,458 Nos. of SHGs have been formed covering about 7,02,000 Nos. of poor families till the end of the year 2002-2003. Further, 34,660 Nos.
of women SHGs are also functioning in the State under SGSY as on March 2003.
It is encouraging to observe that more and more people of the State are taking keen interest in availing opportunities offered through
implementation of these schemes. A positive development is already under way in various key sectors of the State’s rural economy as evident
from the achievements made in their respective areas.
Over the recent few years the State has had to pass through a lot of constraints such as stringent financial position, insurgency problem and
recurrence natural calamities in the shape of floods, erosion and at times draught, thereby making the task of desired development difficult.
However, despite of such constraints, the State has been able to achieve considerable progress in diverse fields as reflected in the growth of
SDP of the State for the last two-three years.

CHAPTER - II
Population
2.1.0 Assam is situated in the far, North-East corner of India. The total geographical area of the State is 78,438 Sq. Kms., which accounts for
about 2.4 per cent of the country’s total geographical area. The State has two distinct natural regions, viz. the Brahmaputra Valley and the
Barak Valley. The Brahmaputra Valley comprising eighteen plains districts and two hill districts has a total area of 71,516 sq. kms. For
administration and revenue purposes the 23 districts of the State are divided into 48 Sub-divisions and 149 Revenue Circle.
2.1.1 According to the provisional result of Census of India, 2001 the population of Assam stood of 26,638,407 of which 13,787,799 are males
and 12,850,608 females and the decadal growth being 18.85 per cent during the last decade 1991-2001. Table 2.1 highlights some important
features of population of Assam and India.

TABLE – 2.1

HEAD

1. Population
 2. Decadal Growth

3. Change in percentage of decadal growth

4. Density

5. Sex-Ratio

6. Literacy

7. Urban Population

8. Rural Population

9. S.C. Population

10. S.T. Population

P - Provisional
Source: Census of India, 1991 and 2001

As per 2001 census, the share of population of Assam to the total population of India is 2.59 per cent. Assam ranks thirteenth in size of
population among all the States of India as per 1991 and 2001 censuses. During inter-censal period 1991-2001 a decline of 5.39 per cent and
2.52 per cent of decadal growth rate have been observed in Assam and India respectively. Assam ranks fourteenth among all the States of
India in terms of density of population.
2.1.2 The decadal growth rate of population for the State has abruptly come down to 18.85 per cent during 1991-2001. This variation has been
observed predominantly in the districts of Nalbari (11.98 per cent), Bongaigaon (12.23 per cent), Dibrugarh (12.43 per cent) Golaghat (14.21
per cent). The districts of Kamrup, North Cachar Hills, Dhubri, Goalpara, Karbi-Anglong and Nagaon have, however, maintained a reasonable
increase during the last decade. The table 2.2 shows the annual average growth of population in all the districts of Assam. The density of
population has gone up to 340 as against 286 in 1991 census. The density of population is highest in the district of Nagaon (604) followed by
Dhubri (584) and Kamrup (579) and the lowest density is seen in North Cachar Hills (38). The sex ratio in the State shows an improvement
from 923 in 1991 to 932 in 2001. The highest sex ratio has been recorded in the district of Goalpara (955) and the lowest in the district of North
Cachar Hills (883). The growth of literacy in Assam has shown an encouraging sign. The literacy rate for Assam as per Census 2001 comes to
64.28 per cent with 71.93 per cent for males and 56.03 per cent for females. The highest literacy rate at the district level is observed in Jorhat
(82.76 per cent) followed by Sivasagar (82.08 per cent) and Kamrup (81.24 per cent) while the lowest is in Dhubri (49.86 per cent)

TABLE – 2.2

ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH OF POPULATION AS PER CENSUSES 1991 AND 2001

Sl. No. District

1. Dhubri

2. Kokrajhar

3. Bongaigaon

4. Goalpara

5. Barpeta

6. Nalbari

7. Kamrup

8. Darrang

9. Sonitpur

10. Lakhimpur

11. Dhemaji

12. Morigaon

13. Nagaon

14. Golaghat

15. Jorhat
 16. Sivsagar

17. Dibrugarh

18. Tinsukia

19. Karbi-
Anglong

20. N.C. Hills

21. Karimganj

22. Hailakandi

23. Cachar

ASSAM

3.1.3 Classification of population by economic activity according to provisional result of population Census, 2001 reveals that out of total
population of 26638407 in the State, 7083046 were main workers, 2474018 were marginal workers and 17081343 were non-workers. Among
males 42.35 per cent were main workers, 7.58 per cent were marginal workers and 50.07 per cent were non-workers, while among females
9.68 per cent were main workers, 11.12 per cent were marginal workers and 79.20 per cent were non-workers. Out of a total 9557064 workers
in Assam, 3741912 were Cultivators (39.15 per cent), 1289902 were Agricultural labourers (13.50 per cent), 328541 were Household Industries
(34.44 per cent) and 4196709 were Other Workers (43.91 per cent). Thus, about 52.65 per cent working population was engaged in Agriculture
(i.e. cultivators and agricultural labourers) in the State.
BIRTH AND DEATH RATES:
2.2.0 The data obtained from the Sample Registration Bulletin published by the Registrar General of India depicts some idea about the trend in
the birth and death rates and infant mortality rate in the State. According to this source, in most of the years from 1991 to 2002 birth rates,
death rates and infant mortality rates were found to be higher in the State than that of the country as a whole. During the year 2002, the birth
rates, death rates and infant mortally rates of Assam have been 26.6, 9.2 and 70 per mille as against 25.0, 8.1 and 64 per mille respectively at
all-India level. The Table – 2.3 shows the birth, death and infant mortally rates of Assam and India from 1991 to 2002.

TABLE – 2.3

BIRTH, DEATH AND INFANT MORTAILITY RATES OF ASSAM AND INDIA

(PER MILLE)

YEAR BIRTH RATE

ASSAM INDI
A

1991 30.9 29.5

1997 28.2 27.2

1998 27.9 26.5

 1999 27.0 26.1*

2000 26.9 25.8

2001 26.8 25.4

2002 26.6 25.0

*Excludes data for Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland (Rural)

Source: Sample Registration Bulletin, R.G.I., New Delhi.

CHAPTER - III
State Income
3.1.0 The advance estimates of State Domestic Products for the year 2003-2004 indicate that during the year the Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP) of Assam is expected to grow by 6.0 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices and by 10.2 per cent at current prices. At national level the
growth of GDP during 2003-2004 is expected to be 8.1 per cent at constant (1993-04) prices and 11.9 per cent at current prices as revealed
from the advance estimates released by the Central Statistical Organisation. As per the advance estimates the per capita NSDP (i.e. Per
Capital Income) of Assam is likely to attain the level of Rs 6403 at constant (1993-94) prices and Rs 12593 at current prices during 2003-2004
while at national level the per capital income is estimated at Rs 11684 at constant (1993-94) prices and Rs 208060 at current prices during the
same period.
3.1.1 The quick estimates of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam for 2002-2003 shows that the growth of GSDP at constant
(1993-94) prices has increased by 3.94 per cent during the year as against increase of 3.23 per cent in 2001-2002 (Provisional Estimates). At
current prices the same has increased by 7.79 per cent in 2002-2003 (Q) as against 4.44 per cent increase in 2001-2002 (P). The Primary
Sector registered a negative growth of (-) 1.6 per cent during 2002-2003 (Q) over the previous year in real terms while the Construction Sector
in the State registered a positive growth of 16.7 per cent, which resulted a growth of 9.7 per cent in Secondary Sector during the aforesaid
period. The Tertiary Sector registered a positive growth of 6.6 per cent during the year. The quick estimates of GSDP of Assam in 2002-2003
(Q) at constant (1993-94) prices has been estimated at Rs 19121.44 crore as against Rs 18397.33 crore in 2001-2002 (P). At current prices,
GSDP in 2002-2003 (Q) is estimated at Rs 35431.42 crore as against Rs 32872.31 crore in 2001-2002 (P).
According to the Quick Estimates related by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO), the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at National level at
constant (1993-94) prices has grown by 4.0 per cent during 2002-2003. As per the said estimates the Agriculture and allied sector has declined
by 4.0 per cent, mainly due to the draught conditions prevailed in the country during the aforesaid period while the Secondary and Tertiary
Sectors has shown a growth of 6.2 per cent and 7.1 per cent respectively.

TABLE – 3.1

GROWTH OF GSDP AND GDP AT CONSTANT (1993-94) PRICES

(In percentage)

Sector Assam

2002-2003 (Quick
Estimates)

Primary (-)1.6

Secondary 9.7

Tertiary 6.6

Total 3.9

3.1.2 The Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of Assam in real terms i.e. at 1993-94 prices has been estimated at Rs 16784.61 crore in 2002-
2003 (Q) as against Rs 16155.32 crore in 2001-2002 (P) and Rs 15670.90 crore in 2000-2001. Thus, the NSDP registered a growth of 3.90 per
cent in 2002-2003 over 2001-2002 as against a growth of 3.09 per cent witnessed in 2001-2002 over 2000-2001. At current prices the same
was Rs 31720.80 crore in 2002-2003 (Q) as against Rs 29419.22 crore in 2001-2002 (P) and Rs 28262.14 crore in 2000-2001. The growth rate
at current prices in 2002-2003 was 7.82 per cent in comparison to 4.09 per cent growth witnessed in 2001-2002 (P). The annual compound
growth rate of NSDP during the period from 1993-94 to 2002-2003 has been worked out at 10.25 per cent at current prices and 2.29 per cent at
constant (1993-94) prices.
3.1.3 The Per Capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) i.e., the Per Capita Income of Assam at constant price (1993-94) has been worked
out at Rs 6220 in 2002-2003 (Q) as against Rs 6059 in 2001-2002 (P) and Rs 5943 in 2000-2001. At current prices the same was Rs 11755 in
2002-2003 (Q) as against Rs 11034 in 2001-2002 (P) and Rs 10718 in 2000-2001. Thus, the Per Capita Income at constant prices (1993-94)
showed an increase of 2.66 per cent in 2002-2003 (Q) over 2001-2002 (P) as against the increase of 1.95 per cent in 2001-2002 over 2000-
2001. At current prices the same recorded an increase of 6.53 per cent in 2002-2003 (Q) over 2001-2002 (P) as against 2.95 per cent increase
in 2001-2002 (P) over 2000-2001.
The Table – 3.2 shows the Per Capita Income of Assam and India during the period from 1980-81 to 2002-2003.

TABLE – 3.2

PER CAPITA INCOME OF ASSAM AND INDIA (In Rupees)

Year At Current
Price

Assam

1980-81 1284

1990-91 4273

1993-94 5715

1994-95 6493

1995-96 7001

1996-97 7394

1997-98 7966

1998-99 8826

1999-2000 10080

2000-2001 10718

2001-2002(P) 11034

2002-2003(Q) 11755

P: Provisional Estimate, Q: Quick Estimate.

Source: (i) Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Assam
(ii) Central Statistical Organisation, Government of India.

It would be evident from Table – 3.2 that in respect of Per Capita Income, Assam continued to lag behind the Per Capita Income at National
level in every year under reference in the table. Another noticeable feature in this regard is that the gap between the Per Capita Income of
Assam and India is widening in every subsequent years. During 2002-2003 (Q) the Per Capita Income of Assam stood at Rs 11755 at current
prices and Rs 6220 at constant (1993-94) prices and during the same period the Per Capita Income for the country as a whole was Rs 18912
at current prices and Rs 10964 at constant (1993-94) prices. As per Quick Estimate the Per Capita Income of Assam showing an increase of
6.53 per cent at current prices and 2.7 per cent at constant (1993-94) prices during 2002-2003 over that of previous year. The movement of
GSDP and NSDP of Assam at Factor Cost by Industry of origin along with Per Capita Income at current and constant prices may be seen from
the Tables at Appendix.
3.1.4 An analysis of the Sectoral contribution by broad groups reveals that during 2002-2003 (Q) the contribution of Primary, Secondary and
Tertiary Sectors for the total Net State Domestic Product of the State at current prices stands at 38.72 per cent, 16.16 per cent and 45.12 per
cent respectively. During the same year, the contribution of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors at constant (1993-94) prices have been
found to be 38.69 per cent, 15.26 per cent and 46.05 per cent respectively. While in 2001-2002 (P), the contribution were 41.00 per cent for
Primary Sector, 14.99 per cent for Secondary Sector and 44.01 per cent for Tertiary Sector at current prices and 41.06 per cent, 14.21 per cent
and 44.73 per cent respectively at constant prices.
The share of the entire Sectors to the total NSDP of the State during 2002-2003 (Q) are shown in the Table – 3.3
The Sectoral composition of the State’s economy has undergone considerable changes during 1992-93 to 2002-2003 as revealed from the
movement of the SDP of the State. During this period, the share of Primary Sector has declined from 51.45 per cent to 38.72 per cent. On the
other hand, the share of Secondary Sector has increased from 12.84 per cent to 16.16 per cent and Tertiary Sector has also increased from
35.71 per cent to 45.12 per cent over the same period. The increasing share of Secondary and Tertiary Sectors is due to faster rate of
development in these two Sectors in comparison to the development in the Primary Sector.
The contribution of Agricultural Sector to the total NSDP of the State is found to be dwindling over the years. During 2002-2003 (Q), 2001-2002
(P) and 2000-2001 the share of this Sector were 30.34 per cent, 31.69 per cent and 34.45 per cent respectively at current prices and 29.60 per
cent, 31.43 percent and 32.46 per cent respectively at constant (1993-94) prices.

TABLE – 3.3

THE SECTORWISE PERCENTAGE SHARE TO THE TOTAL NSDP OF THE STATE DURING 2002-2003 (Q)

Industries

1. Primary Sector (Total)

(i) Agriculture

(ii) Forestry and Logging

(iii) Fishing

(iv) Mining and Quarrying

2. Secondary Sector (Total)

(i) Manufacturing

(ii) Construction

(iii) Electricity, Gas and Water Supply

3. Tertiary Sector (Total)

(i) Transport, Storage & Communication

 (ii) Trade, Hotels & Restaurants

(iii) Banking & Insurance

(iv) Real Estate, Ownership of dwelling & Business

Services

(v) Public Administration

(vi) Other Services

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Assam.

CHAPTER -XIII
Transport, Communication and Tourism
13.1.0 Assam being the gateway to the other States of the North Eastern Region of the Country, the need for development of transport and
communication sector in the State is of vital important for speedy economic development of the region. Due to its geographical isolation
transport has been a major bottleneck in the process of economic progress of the State. The existing infrastructures and facilities of transport
and communication in the State are hardly adequate enough to meet the requirements. The State is no doubt served by all the modern means
of transport viz., roads, railways, waterways and airways but there is enough scope for further improvement of the facilities. The position of the
State with regard to the existing means of transport and communications is described briefly in the following paragraph.
ROADS:
13.1.1 In Assam Public Works Department is mainly responsible for maintenance and development of the infrastructure of the road
communication of the State. As per information made available by the State PWD some major achievements under the Department during the
last five years i.e. from 1999-2000 to 2003-2004 (covering upto November, 2003) are shown below:

(i) Under ARIASP with World Bank Assistance:

(a) Road works done

(b) RCC bridge completed

(ii) Under RIDF with loan assistance from NABARD:

(a) Road works done

(b) RCC bridge completed

(iii) Under PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana):

Road Works Done

(iv) Under CRF (Central Road Fund)

Road Works Done

 (v) Under NEC Scheme:

(a) Road works done

(b) RCC bridge completed

13.1.2 The total length of roads under Public Works Department (PWD) in Assam was 34422.620 Kms (including 2044.000 Kms under National
Highways) at the end of 2002-2003. Out of the total PWD Roads length only 925.200 Kms (27 per cent) were surfaced roads and the rest
25171.420 Kms. (73 per cent) were unsurfaced roads. The road length under Public Work Department in Assam for three years are shown in
Tables 13.1

TABLE – 13.1
LENGTH OF ROADS UNDER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARMTENT IN ASSAM
(In Kms.)

Category

National Highways

State Highways

Other PWD Roads

Total PWD Roads

Source: Office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads) Assam

The District wise position of PWD Road Length in Assam as on 17-10-2003 may be seen at Table – 13.2

TABLE – 13.2
DISTRICTWISE PWD ROAD LENGTH AS ON 18.10.2003
(In K.M.)

Sl. District
No

1. Dhubri

2. Kokrajhar

3. Bongaigaon

4. Goalpara

5. Barpeta
 6. Nalbari

7. Kamrup

8. Darrang

9. Sonitpur

10. Lakhimpur

11. Dhemaji

12. Morigaon

13. Nagaon

14. Golaghat

15. Jorhat

16. Sivasagar

17. Dibrugarh

18. Tinsukia

19. Karbi Anglong

20. N.C. Hills

21. Karimganj

22. Hailakandu

23. Cachar

Total

Source: Office of the Chief Engineer, P.W.D. (Roads), Assam

Besides the Public Works Department, the Municipal Corporation/ Boards as well as the Town Committees of the State also maintain roads
under their respective jurisdiction. The table 13.3 shows the District-wise Roads Length under the Municipal Corporation Boards and Town
Committees in Assam.

TABLE – 13.3
DISTRICT-WISE LENGTH OF ROADS UNDER MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS/ BOARDS
AND TOWN COMMITTEES IN ASSAM, 2002
(In K.M.)

District Total
Toad
Length

1. Dhubri 89.143

2. Kokrajhar 56.432

3. Bongaigao 123.590
n

4. Goalpara 91.000

5. Barpeta 127.594

6. Nalbari 27.418

7. Kamrup 575.355

8. Darrang 101.126

9. Sonitpur 118.821

10. Lakhimpur 90.310

11. Dhemaji 47.620

12. Morigaon 93.760

13. Nagaon 271.436

14. Golaghat 117.926

15. Jorhat 58.900

16. Sivasagar 90.387

17. Dibrugarh 105.525

 18. Tinsukia 274.637

19. Karimganj 58.312

20. Hailakandu 59.414

21. Cachar 103.717

Assam 2682.42
3

Source: Directorate of Municipal Administration, Assam.

ROAD TRANSPORT:
13.2.0 The most important means of communication for the movement of goods as well as passengers traffic in the State is road transport. In
the road transport system of the State both public and private sector operators are playing equally important role. The Assam State Transport
Corporation (ASTC), a State Government undertaking is mainly concerned with the movement of passenger traffic on the nationalized routes of
the State, while the private sector road transport operators are involved in the intra-State movement of both goods and passenger traffic
throughout the State. As a step towards improvement of passenger amenities the State Government has taken up the task of construction of an
inter-State Bus Terminus at Gorchuk to facilitate inter-State transportation of passengers.
ASSAM STATE TRANSPORT CORPORATION (ASTC):
13.2.1 The "State Transport" was started by the Assam Government in the year 1948 with 4 Nos. of buses initially operating between Guwahati
and Nagaon. Gradually the Transport Network was expanded by the Government and the erstwhile "State Transport" was converted into a
Corporation viz. the "Assam State Transport Corporation" on 30.03.1970 with the objective for providing economical and coordinated
transportation to the commuters. Since, then ASTC has crossed a long period of time but it had to fend with certain constrains like overstaffing,
uneconomic fare structure, mushroom growth of private buses, providing services on social obligation at the cost of economic losses etc. These
factors had led to gradual deterioration of the Corporation and reached such a stage that its closures were seemed inevitable. However, during
the year 2001 the State Government has taken some dynamic steps for revival and re-organisation of the Corporation as mentioned below:
(i) Introduction of "Voluntary Retirement Scheme" with fund provided by the Government. A total Nos. of 1781 employees availed voluntary
Retirement thereby saving around Rs 80.00 lakh per month on Salary.
(ii) Implementation of "Self Employment Scheme 2001". The private Buses are taken in for operation under ASTC and so far more than 1100
Nos. of such Buses have been registered under the scheme. An amount of Rs 78.00 lakh (Approximately) is generated as revenue from these
Buses on an average per month.
(iii) Repairing of shut-down Buses and purchasing of new Buses. The ASTC is now operating a fleet of 280 Nos. of Buses of its own with
increased revenue return.
(iv) A scheme for providing "Scratch Card" is introduced to attract the passengers purchasing ticket worth of Rs 75.00 or more in ASTC Buses
and Private Buses under ASTC. The Scheme is helping immensely in generating better revenue.
(v) The scheme for advertisement on bus bodies and hoarding at prime location with commercial utilization of spaces has been taken up by the
ASTC for generation of revenue.
(vi) The cargo and courier services have been started. Thus, the ASTC has generated employment avenues for about 6000 unemployed youth
through the above schemes and services.
13.2.2 As per data available, the total road length covered by the Assam State Transport Corporation is 8130 kilometres. The fleet strength of
ASTC was 396 in 2002-2003 which comprised of 372 Buses, 16 Trucks, 4 Cars, 2 Tankers and 1 Crane. The average number of passengers
travelled daily was 1.30 lakh during 2002-2003 against 1.02 lakh during 2001-2002. The earning per kilometre was reported to be Rs 11.09 in
2002-2003 as against Rs 8.54 in 2000-2001. The average income per month was also reported at Rs 10.00 lakh during 2000-2001, which
increased to Rs 35.00 lakh per month during the year 2002-2003. Further the monthly income from other sources like Cargo/Courier Services
and Rental/Advertisement etc of the order of were of the order of Rs 1.10 lakh and Rs 6.16 lakh respectively during the year 2002-2003.
13.2.3 A rapid increase of the number of Motor Vehicles on road in Assam has been observed over was 7 (seven) per sq. km during 2001-2002.
The total Nos. of different types of Vehicles on roads in the State was 588259 at the end of 2001-2002, about 51.8 per cent was Two Wheeler
and the rest 48.2 per cent comprised of Motor Cars, Jeeps, Buses, Trucks etc. The growth in the No. of vehicles on road in the State may be
seen from the Table – 13.4.
TABLE – 13.4
NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON ROADS IN ASSAM

Year Number of Vehicles

1981 87,644

1991 249,323

1998-99 373,962

1999-2000 401,289

2000-2001 534,885

2001-2002 588,259

Source: Office of the Commissioner of

Transport, Assam

13.2.4 The total revenue earned by the Department of Transport during the year 2001-2002 an 2002-2003 were Rs 102.23 crore and Rs 128.81
crore respectively and thus the increase in revenue collection was 26.0 per cent in 2002-2003 over the previous year. In the current year an
amount of Rs 68.25 crore has already been collected upto September ’03 as against Rs 56.78 crore earned in during the corresponding period
of 2002-2003. Further provision of Permit Fees has been incorporated under the new Assam Motor Vehicle Rules, 2003 and an amount of
additional revenue of Rs 5.00 crore is expected through the Permit Fees in the current financial year.
Besides, to provide fast and comfortable services to the commuters of the Greater Guwahati, and to create self-employment among the
unemployed youth, Trekkers Services have been introduced recently.
The Department has also proposed to computerise all check gates and District Offices to maintain proper records of revenue collection,
registration of vehicles, issue of driving licences etc.
RAILWAYS:
13.3.0 The railway route length in Assam at the end of 2001-2002 was 2516.25 kilometres comprising 1185.78 kilometres under Broad Gauge
and 1330.47 kilometres under Metre Gauge. These route length of railways remained same during the current year also. The proportion of
Broad Gauge route length to the Railway Route works out at 47.1 per cent for the State. Taking into account the total Railway route length of
63028 kilometres for the country as a whole during 2000-2001 Assam’s share in the country’s railway route length turns out to be 3.99 per cent
during the year.
13.3.1 Various developmental activities in the Railway sector continued to be undertaken in the State including extension of railways line. During
the last couple of years a good number of new passenger trains were introduced to connect different places within the State viz., inter-city
trains linking Guwahati and Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Jorhat, Nagaon, Bongaigaon and Farkiragram, apart from daily trains between Lumding and
Badarpur. The Railways run a number of inter-State trains linking Guwahati and Dibrugarh with other important places of the country, such as
Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Tiruvantapuram, Coochin, etc. The three bridges at Saraighat, Kaliabhomora and Pancharatna across the
river Brahmaputra have greatly facilitated the surface communication system in the State. The bridge named Naranarayan Setu, linking
Pancharatna in the South and Jogighopa in the North was opened in 1998. The Saraighat and Naranarayan Setu are Rail-cum-Road bridges
while the Kaliabhomora is only a road bridge. With the completion of the Naranarayan Setu, and the construction of railway track along the
south bank of the Brahmaputra linking Guwahati with Pancharatna has eased the transport problem and also resulted boost up of economic
activity in the south bank of lower Assam.
INLAND WATER TRANSPORT:
13.4.0 The Bramaputra and Barak are the two most important navigable rivers of Assam. There area also numerous tributaries of these two
rivers, which are navigable by country boats. The Brahmaputra has already beer declared as No. 2 National Waterways. At present, two public
sector organisations, viz. the State Directorate of Inland Water Transport (IWT) and Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CTWTC) are
operating water transport services between Guwahati and Kolkata exclusively for movement of goods.
The Department of Inland Water Transport, Assam is operating 61 number of Ferry Services for the purpose of public utility. These Ferry
Services carried around 30.91 lakh Passengers and 2.82 lakh M.T. Carge everyday during 2001-2002. The Department has earned revenue
worth Rs 114.43 lakh in 2001-2002 against Rs 121.94 lakh revenue earned in 2000-2001 through running of these Ferry Services.
AIR TRANSPORT:
13.5.0 Assam is well connected with the rest of the country through Air Transport. The Sttae has the highest number of civil airports and these
are Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airprot at Guwahati, Salonibari, at Tezpur, Rowriah at Jorhat, Mohanbari at Dibrugarh, Lilabari at
Lakhimpur and Kumbhiragram at Silchar. The Lilabari Airport in Lakhimpur District was renovated recently to facilitate air traffic moement of
nearby District of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Besides, the Indian Airlines there are several other private commercial airlines services such
as Sahara, Jet Airways etc. have been operating services to and from Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and some other places of North Eastern Region
of the Country during the last couple years.
POSTAL SERVICES:
13.6.0 The Postal and Telecommunication facilities in the State have been growing steadily in recent years. The Assam Postal Circle created in
the year 1958 with Headquarter at Guwahati serves the entire State of Assam. There are 9 Postal Divisions and 2 RMS Divisions to serve the
23 Revenue Districts of Assam. According to information available the total number of Post Offices in the State was 3978 at the end of 2001-
2002 as against 3942 Post Offices during the year 2000-2001, of which 3978 number of Post Offices were located in rural areas and 286
number in urban areas. There are 3 Night Post Offices in the Circles comprising Guwahati GPO Dibrugarh HPO and Silchar HPO. The average
area and population served per Post Office in the State works out to the 20.05 K.m. and 5844 Nos. respectively during 2001-2002. The
coverage in Kilometres by Postal Communication Network by different modes of Postal Mail conveyance viz. Railway, Waterways, Motor,
Runner and other means is reported at 34172 Kms. To extend better facilities to the customers, the Speed Post Services with 4 National
Centre, 90 Booking Counter and 22 State Point-to-Point Centre are functioning under the Assam Postal Circle. During the year 2001-2002, the
postal revenue of Rs 20.91 crore was realised under Assam Circle as against Rs 18.00 crore realised during 2000-2001. A total of a 6 Head
Post Offices and 200 Sub-Post Offices serving under the Circle have been modernized upto the year ending 31.03.2002 with installation of
Multi-purpose Counter Machines (MPCM).
13.6.1 The Assam Telecom circle was formed in January 1987 after bifurcation of the erstwhile North-Eastern Circle. The Headquarters of the
circle is located at Guwahati. As on 31st March 2003 the No. of telephone Exchanges in the State stands at 567, of which 153 are located in
urban areas and 414 in rural areas. The telephone density in the State measured in terms of coverage per 100 population is found to be 1.84 in
Assam as against 3.8 at all India level. There were nearly 4.79 lakh telephone connections working in the State upto the end of March 2003.
The No. of internet Stations (nodes) in the State was 14 with 9238 connections till March, 2003. The total revenue realised during the year
2002-2003 was Rs 274.44 crores.
TOURISM:
13.7.0 The State of Assam is least known for her unique natural beauty with Flora and Fauna, Historical Monuments, Pilgrim Centres, Tea
Gardens and its colourful cultural festivals. The Assam tourism is mainly based on Wildlife, Tea-tourism and Historical Monuments etc.
13.7.1 Infrastructure Development:
With a view to exploit the State’s manifold tourism potential and also for the economic interests of the State, the State Government is taking
various steps for development of Tourism Infrastructure in the State. During the last two years, 14 (fourteen) such tourism infrastructure
projects are reported to have been completed with total investment of Rs 489.06 lakh. Some of the projects are as mentioned below.
1) Upgradation cum expansion of tourist facilities at Kaziranga.
2) Construction of tourist complex at Rajib Gandhi Wild-Life Park at Orang, Assam.
3) Upgradation of Tourist lodge, Guwahati.
4) Upgradation cum expansion of Tourist facilities at Bhalukpung.
5) Tourist Resort at Biswanath Ghat.
13.7.2 On going project
As many as 23 Nos. of infrastructure Projects with total outlay of Rs 1465.00 lakh are in various stages of implementation. A brief account of
some of the such major projects are given below.

Sl. Name of the Projects

No

1. Computerization of Services

2. Development/Beautification of river front along Brahmaputra, Guwahati- (Ph-II)

3. Sound & Light show at Talatal Ghar, Sibsagar

4. SEL show at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakhetra, Guwahati

5. Development of Dighalipukhuri with provision for craft Village

6. Construction of Tourist Lodge at Tinsukia

7. Construction of Craft Village at Guwahati

8. Construction of Facilities for Pilgrimage at Kamakhya Pilgrim Centre by

providing toilet facilities semi permanent structure for Ambubachi Mela etc.

9. Eco-Tourism Resort at Bhalukpung

10. Eco-Tourism Resort at Manas

11. Central Financial Assistance the Luxury Cruise Vessels for Plying between
Kaziranga and Guwahati, Assam
13.7.3 Vision for the Future
During the Tenth Five Year plan period beginning form 2002-2003, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India have introduced by following
three new schemes.
(i) Integrated Development of Tourism Circuit.
(ii) Integrated Product, Infrastructure and Destination Development.
(iii) Rural Tourism.
(i) Integrated Development of Tourism Circuit
Under the scheme the Government of India had identified 6 (six) Eco-Tourism Circuit in the country and North East Circuit is one of them which
includes places viz. Guwahati, Kaziranga, Majuli, Sibsagar, Tezpur. Bghalukpung in Assam, Shillong in Meghalaya, Kohima in Nagaland and
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 242.00 lakh for the following projects during 2002-2003.
(a) Brahmaputra River from Development at Guwahati.
(b) Development of Ethnic Village at Bhalukpung, Tezpur.
(c) Camping Site at Kohima Ranga, Kaziranga.
(d) Road Signages of Assam
(ii) Integrated product, Infrastructure and Destination Development:
This Scheme related to the identification of Tourism Destination or Product in the State. The Assam Government has submitted the detailed
project report for Integrated Development of Heritage & Eco-Tourism at Majuli under this scheme. The Government of India had sanctioned Rs
382.25 lakh against the scheme and Rs 325.21 lakh have already been released during 2002-2003 as Central Financial Assistance.
Rural Tourism:
Under this Scheme, the Government of India has released Rs 14.04 lakh to the State Government out of sanctioned fund of Rs 46.83 lakh for
promotion of rural Tourism to exhibit the art culture and heritage of rural life.
Public Private Partnership:
13.7.4 Tourism is one sector, which cannot grow and sustain with Governmental efforts alone. It requires private initiative for investment and
promotion. The State Government has endeavoured to intensify private sector investment and participation in management and development of
the project already set up and also for establishment of new projects. Keeping in view these objectives, the Assam Tourism Development
Corporation (A.T.D.C.) in association with private participation has taken up 32 nos. of various projects for Development of Tourism Sector in
the State. Some major projects with private participation like (a) Amusement Park at Guwahati, (b) Ropeway Project at Kamakhya, (c) Eco-
Tourism Project at Bhalukpung and Manas, (d) Luxury Cruise Vessel Project between Kaziranga and Guwahati, (e) International Trade and
Tourism Centre at Paltanbazar are in various stages of implementation. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 200.00 lakh as project
cost of Luxury Cruise Vessel Project between Kaziranga and Guwahati and have released Rs 179.33 lakh to the State Government.
Arrival of Tourist:
13.7.5 The volume of Tourist traffic and magnitude of revenue earning by the State over the last three years are shown in table – 13.6.

TABLE – 13.6
NUMBER OF INDIAN AND FOREIGN TOURIST TO ASSAM AND REVENUE EARNED FROM THE TOURISTS

Year Tourist staying in

Tourist Lodges of the
Directorate

Indian

2000-01 14016

2001-02 15373

2002-03 18427

P - Provisional
Source: Directorate of Tourism, Assam

CHAPTER -XV
Industry and Mining
15.1.0 Assam continue to make efforts for gearing up industrial activities with a view to create a strong industrial base by harnessing the un-
tapped resources available in the State through various growth inducing factors besides taking steps for removal of existing infrastructure
inadequacies. The Industries and Commerce Department of the State as well as some other agencies like AIDC are closely associated with
implementation of various promotional schemes meant for industrial development of the State. Despite various constraints a favourable
industrial climate is gradually being created in the State as discernible from the increasing interest shown by investors of the State as well as
from outside. The Index of industrial Production in the State moved up to 132.46 in 2002-2003 from 125.87 in 2001-2002. The contribution of
Manufacturing sector to the total economy was 10.1 percent at current prices in 2002-2003 which is however, not much encouraging.
NEW INDUSTRIAL POLICY FOR THE STATE:
15.1.1 The Industrial Policy of Assam, 2003 has been formulated in the light of the experience of implementation of the Industrial Policies of
1982, 1986, 1991 and 1997.
The Industrial Policy of Assam, 2003 is formulated to achieve the following aims and objectives.
1. To increase the share of the Industrial sector to the State Domestic Product (SDP) from the present level of 13.29 per cent to a level of at
least 18 per cent at the end of the terminal year of the policy.
2. To generate more employment opportunities in the State.
3. To ensure development of adequate and appropriate infrastructures for industrial growth.
4. To make Assam one of the preferred destinations for investment for outside investors.
5. To encourage private investment in industrial infrastructure projects.
6. To ensure industrial development in hitherto industrially backward regions of the State.
7. To create avenues for sustained growth and development of the Small Scale and Tiny sectors.
8. To catalyse administrative and legal reforms with a view to simplify the procedure and to ensure time bound disposal of matters.
9. To take steps to promote rural handicrafts so as to conserve and enrich cultural heritage, traditions and customs of the State.
10. To promote establishment of medium and large-scale mother industries to create an industrial base, offering large-scale employment
opportunities through backward and forward linkages.
11. To promote Information Technology, high-tech, knowledge based and biotech industries.
12. To promote export oriented industrial units.
13. To take steps to revive the potentially viable sick Public Sector Undertaking and to make the Public Sector Undertakings economically
viable.
14. To provide Single Window Clearance of industrial proposal.
The policy has been made effective from 1st October 2003 and will be valid for a period of five years, i.e. upto 30th September 2008 unless
modified/terminated earlier.
REGISTERED FACTORY:
15.2.0 As epr information available from office of the Chief Inspector of Factories, Assam, 183 Nos. of new factories were registered in the State
under the Factory Registration Act during the year 2002-2003. The target and achievement of the State Inspectorate of Factories for the last
few years are furnished in the Table – 15.1 while Table – 15.2 shows the trend of registered factories and their employment in Assam.

TABLE – 15.1
TARGET AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THE INSPECTORATE OF FACTORIES, ASSAM

2000-01 2001-
02

Ta Ac T
rg hie ar
et ve- g
me et
nt

1. Registration of new Factories (In Nos.) 11 99 1

0 1
0

51 38. 5
.0 30 1.
0 0
0

3. Detection of un-registered Factories (In Nos.) 16 32 5

0 0
 4. Prevention of Industrial accidents (In percent) 50 26 5
0

5. Monitoring of work of environment (In Nos.) 11 8 1

0

Source: Office of the Chief Inspector of Factories, Assam

TABLE – 15.2
NUMBER OF REGISTERED FACTORIES AND EMPLOYMENT

Year Number of Factories

1998 2209

1999 2307

2000 2406

2001 2512

2002-03 2695

Source: Office of Chief Inspector of Factories, Assam

Data available on District-wise distribution of Registered Factories reveal that during 2002 the undivided Kamrup District had the highest
number of 573 factories with 11,948 workers as against 521 factories with 12,625 workers in the previous year while the Dhemaji District had
the lowest i.e. 3 Nos. of factories with 65 workers during the year. The District-wise distribution of Registered Factories and average Daily
Number of employment in the State for the year 2002 is furnished at the Appendix.
ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES (ASI):
15.3.0 The Annual Survey of Industries provides some basic characteristics of the industries under manufacturing sector. The ASI results of
2001-2002 (Provisional) reveals that Assam have 1423 Nos. of functioning Registered Factories with an employment of 111030 persons
against 1435 Nos. of Factories with 112542 employees during the previous year. The results also show that the value of output decreased by
Rs 723.18 crore during the year 2001-2002 over the level of the previous year. The income by factories for the State was Rs 774.20 crore in
2001-2002 as against Rs 1019.13 crore during 2000-2001. The Table 15.3 shows some basic characteristics of Annual Survey of industries in
Assam for last four years.

TABLE – 15.3
SOME PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM

Item

1. Factories

2. Fixed Capital

3. Working Capital

4. Invested Capital

5. Total Employees
 6. Value of Output

7. Net Fixed Capital Formation

8. Net Value Added

9. Income

Source: Annual Survey of Industries, C.S.O. Government of India.

INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH CENTRE:

15.4.0 There are 12 Nos. of Industrial Estates and 7 Nos. of Growth Centres under the Department of Industries and Commerce, Assam. The
total number of sheds constructed in the Industrial Estates are 348 and the number of sheds functioning are 234 out of 340 sheds occupied till
2002-2003.
SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIAL UNITS (SSI):
15.5.0 The Small Scale Industries has a vital role in the process of industrialization of the State. There are more than 44,000 SSI units in Assam
employing about 1.85 lakh persons till the year 2002. The Table – 15.4 shows the numbers of new units of various types of industries
established during the last three years.

TABLE – 15.4
NUMBER OF NEW UNITS ESTABLISHED BY TYPE OF INDUSTRIES

Items

1. Agro Based

2. Forest Based

3. Textile Based

4. Chemical Based

5. Engineering Based

6. Electronic Based

7. Mineral Based

8. Mineral Based

Total
 Source: Directorate of Industries and Commerce,
Assam.

REVIEW OF THE S.SI. UNITS AND HANDICRAFT

INDUSTRIES UNDER 9TH FIVE-YEAR PLAN (1997-2002):
15.5.1 For development of Small Scale and Handicraft Industries the outlay for 9 th Five Year Plan was fixed at Rs 5763.00 lakh out of which Rs
445.00 lakh and Rs 394.00 lakh were fixed for Tribal Sub-Plan and Schedule Caste Component Plan respectively. The physical target
proposed and achieved in respect of SSI and Handicraft Industries under 9th Five Year Plan are shown in the Table – 15.5.

TABLE – 15.5
TARGET AND ACHIEVEMENT OF SSI UNITS AND HANDICRAFT INDUSTRIES UNDER NINTH FIVE YEAR PLAN

Item

1. Establishment of SSI Units (in Nos.)

2. Establishment of Handicraft Units (In Nos.)

3. Loan to SSI Units (In Nos.)

4. Loan to Handicrafts Units (In Nos.)

5. Production (In Rs Crore)

6. Employment in SSI Sector (In Nos.)

7. Employment in Handicraft Sector (In Nos.)

Source: Directorate of Industries and Committee, Assam

INDUSTRIALISATION DURING TENTH FIVE YEAR PLAN:

15.5.2 To encourage industrialisation, the 10th Five Year Plan has given thrust on the objective to provide adequate infrastructure facilities for
setting up of Industrial Units particularly SSI Units, Tiny Units, Handicrafts Units and Small Scale Business Enterprise.
The outlay for 10th Five Year Plan is agreed at Rs 5450.00 for establishment of Small Sale & Handicraft units in the State. The outlay fixed for
the Annual Plan 2003-2004 is Rs 1095.00 lakh.
PRIME MINISTER ROJGAR YOJANA (PMRY):
15.5.3 The Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana is another Scheme of Central Government implemented in the State to encourage the unemployed
youths for establishment of Small Scale Industries, which in turn help in generation of employment and industrialisation. The scheme is being
executed by State Department of Industries and Commerce. During the year 2002-2003 a total of 18187 applications were recommended for
providing loan under PMRY and out of these sanction was given to 9712 applicants. The following table gives an idea about the performance of
PMRY scheme in the State during the last few years.
TABLE – 15.6
PERFORMANCE OF PMRY FOR LAST FIVE YEARS IN ASSAM

Particular

1. Target

2. Application received

3. Recommended

4. Sanctioned

5. No. of cases to whom

loan disbursed

6. Amount of loan sanction

(Rs in lakh)

7. Amount of loan
disbursed (Rs in lakh)

P - Provisional
Source: Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Assam

SERICULTURE:
15.6.0 Sericulture is one of the most important agro-based labour intensive traditional rural industries of the State comprising culture of different
varieties of silkworm. Rearing of Eri, Muga and Mulbery silk warm are playing an important role in the economic development of a large section
of rural population of the State since about 1.73 lakh families are directly or indirectly involved with these culture. It is reported that the State
has produce 92 M.T. of Muga Silk and 635 M.T. of Eri Cut cocoon during 2002-2003 which account for as much as 95 per cent and 80 per cent
respectively of the total production of Muga Raw Silk and Eri Cut cocoon in N.E. States. The Oak Tasar Silk Worm rearing has been developed
in the State and is now being practiced in the two hills districts. The State has monopoly in production of Golden Silk in the world as about 99
per cent of Muga Silk is produced in Assam.
During the 10th Five Year Plan, the Directorate of Sericulture has implemented various schemes under the State Plan for development and
expansion of Sericulture in the State. Some of the major schemes are as follows.
i) Development and expansion of Eri, Silk, Muga Silk, Mulbery Silk and Tasar Silk.
ii) Research and Training Scheme in Sericulture.
iii) Scheme for Cocoon Marketing.
iv) Scheme for Cocoon Marketing.
iv) Publicity and Motivation.
The target and achievement of Production and also the Financial Allocation and Expenditure for development of Sericulture under State Plan
are shown in the Table – 15.7 and 15.8.

TABLE – 15.7
TARGET AND ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION OF SERICULTURE ACTIVITIES IN ASSAM FOR 2002-2003 (In lakh kg)

Year Target Achievement

Eri Cut Muga Mulberry Eri Cut Mug Mulberry Silk

cocoon Silk Silk Cocoo a
n Silk
 2002-03 7.65 0.98 0.30 6.35 0.9 0.15
2

TABLE – 15.8
FINANCIAL ALLOCATION AND EXPENDITURE UNDER SERICULTURE ACTIVITIES IN ASSAM DURING 2002-03

Year Allocation (Rs in

Plain Area

2002-03 488.00

HANDLOOM:
15.7.0 The Handloom Industry in the State of Assam has a long tradition in the socio-economic life of the people for supplementing the family
income to a great extent and self-employment opportunities to lakh of people of poor and down trodden section of the society. The Directorate
of Handloom and Textiles, Assam is looking after the activities of this sector. The Department is also implementing the scheme via the Deen
Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana which was introduced in the year 2000-01 by the Government of India in place of Project Package
Scheme throughout the State to take care of a wide gamut of activities such as Product Development, Infrastructure Support, Institutional
Support, Training to Weavers, Supply of Equipments & Marketing Support etc. both at macro & micro level in an integrated and co-ordinated
manner.
For the development of Handloom Sector of the State the Directorate has been implementing Health Package Scheme. Rural Work Shed cum
Housing Scheme and Integrated Handloom Village Development Programme, Scheme for Marketing Handloom Products through Exhibition
and Fairs, Development of Exportable Products and their Marketing Scheme sponsored by Government of India to increase production,
marketing employment, earning etc. The Directorate is also implementing State Sectoral Plan Scheme for Production of Handloom Fabrics,
Training Programme, District Development Scheme, Regional Development Scheme, Publicity and Advertisement, Development Scheme of
Co-operative Societies and assistance to 4 nos. Autonomous Councils.
The Physical and Financial achievements made by the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, Assam during 2001-02 to 2002-03 under different
schemes are shown as below –

Financ
ial
involv
ement
(Rs in
lakh

112.0
0

53.38

Integrated Handloom Village Development 30.09

Margin money Assistance to Destitute Weavers 5.00

Scheme for Support to Training and Employment 1526.

09

Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana 1123.

23

550.2
0
 B) State Sectoral Scheme

1) Production of Handloom Fabric

(i) Production (In Million Sq. Mtr.)

(ii) Employment (in 000’ Nos.)

2) Training Programme

(i) Artisan trained under Certificate Course (in Nos.)

(ii) Artisan trained under Diploma Course (in Nos.)

3) District Development Scheme

(i) Supply of loom & accessories @ Rs 2500.00 (in

Nos.)

4) Regional Development Scheme

5) Assistance to 4 Nos. Autonomous Council

i) Supply of loom and accessories @Rs 2500/- (in

Nos.)

THE PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL TARGET FIXED UP FOR 2003-04 FOR SOME SCHEMES ARE SHOWN BELOW –

(A) Centrally Sponsored Scheme

1) Health Package Scheme

2) Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana

3) Development of Exportable Products and their

Marketing (DEPM)

(B) State Sectoral Scheme

1) Production of Handloom Fabric

(i) Production (in Million mtr.)

(ii) Employment (in 000’ Nos.)

 2) Training Programme

(i) Artisan to be trained under Certificate Course (in Nos.)

(ii) Artisans Trained under Diploma Course (in Nos.)

3) District Development Scheme

(i) Supply of loom and accessories @Rs 2500/0 (in Nos.)

4) Assistance of 4 Nos. Autonomous Council

(i) Supply of loom and accessories @Rs 2500/- (in Nos.)

KHADI AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES (KVI):

15.8.0 With a view to generate rural employment and to uplift the rural economy, various Khadi and Village Industries are being promoted in the
State by the Assam Khadi and Villages Industries Board with financial support from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC),
Government of India. The activities of Khadi and Village Industries in the State are briefly narrated below:
(i) Activities Under Khadi
There are 57 Nos. of Khadi Production Centres, 59 Nos. Sub-Khadi Production Centres in rural areas of both Plains and Hill Districts of the
State. The production of Cotton Khadi, Silk Khadi (Endi, Muga & Pat) and Moslin Khadi are done in these Centres. The local artisans i.e.
Spinners and Weavers work there and earn their wages as per norms of Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The achievement of Khadi
production and employment for last five years are shown at Table – 15.9.

TABLE – 15.9
ACHIEVEMENT OF KHADI PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT IN ASSAM

Year Production (Rs in

lakh)

Target

1998-1999 195.00

1999-2000 215.00

2000-2001 215.00

2001-2002 268.59

2002-2003 268.552

Source: Khadi and Village Industries Board, Assam

(ii) Activities under Village Industries:

(a) The Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board has been undertaking the following activities throughout the State for development of village
industries sector.

1. Ghani Oil
 3. Hand Made Paper

5. Village Leather

7. Fibre

9. Processing of Cereal and Pulses

11. Cane and Bamboo

13. Carpentry & Blacksmithy

15. Agarbatti

These activities are directly implemented through its 28 Nos. of Departmental Training-Cum-Production Centres and 73 Nos. of development-
Cum-Demonstration Centres in remote and rural areas of the State.
The achievement of village industries in Production and Employment for last five years shown at Table – 15.10

TABLE – 15.10
ACHIEVEMENT OF VILLAGE INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM

Year Production (Rs in

lakh)

Target

1997-98 2889.84

1998-99 2895.00

1999-2000 2955.00

2000-2001 3000.00

2001-2002 4205.58

2002-2003 3870.54

Source: Khadi and Village Industries Board, Assam.

(b) Moreover, the Board has assisted following categories of Beneficiaries for setting up different Village Industrial Units with financial
assistance of KVIC as per pattern of assistance of KVIC.

Category of beneficiaries

1. Registered Co-operative Societies

2. Registered Institutions

3. Individuals
The value of production of these assisted units during the year, 2002-2003 who Rs 2236.19 lakh with an employment of 53,530 Nos.
RURAL EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME (REGP):
15.8.1 Moreover, for generation of rural employment and upliftment of rural economy of the State, the Assam Khadi & Village Industries Baord is
implementing the rural employment genration programme throughout the state. The achievement of the Programme has been shown in the
Table – 15.11.

TABLE – 15.11
ACHIEVEMENT OF RURAL EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME (REGP)

Item

1. No. of Projects set up

2. Employment Generation (Nos.)

Source: Khadi and Village Industries Board, Assam

MARKETING OF KHADI AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES BOARD:

15.8.2 The Board has a marketing wing with 56 Nos. of Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar at different places of the State, 3 Nos. of Khadi Gramodyog
Bhawan (including one at Kolkata) and a Central Store its Headquarters Complex at Guwahati. The Khadi and Village Industries products and
during 2002-2003 is shown at Table - 15.12.

TABLE – 15.12
SALE OF KHADI AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES PRODUCT (Rs in lakh)

Item

A. Khadi

1. Cotton Khadi

2. Silk Khadi

a) Endi

b) Muga

c) Pat

d) Bafta

3. Woolen

4. Poly Vastra

A. Total (Khadi)

B. Village Industries

1. Village Industries Product

2. Saranjam Goods

B. Total (Village Industries)

(A+B) Grand Total

 Source: Khadi and Village Industries Board, Assam.

TEA INDUSTRY:
15.9.0 So far as Tea Industry is concerned, Assam is well known internationally in this sector since long back. The State continued to dominant
the country’s tea map by producing more than half of the total tea production of India. The total area under tea cultivation was estimated to be
269 hectares during 2001 accounting for more than half of the total area (50 per cent) of 510 hectares of the country as a whole. In the year
2000, out of 1,11,996 Tea Estates in India 39,139 Tea Estates were located in Assam.
The estimated production of tea in Assam was 450 million kilogram in 2001, which constitute a major share of 53 per cent of the total tea
production of the country. The average yield per hectare was 1675 kilogram in Assam as against 1672 kilogram per hectare in the country as a
whole. The volume of tea sold through the State’s lone "Tea Auction Centre" at Guwahati was 131.4 million kilogram in 2002 as against 133.8
kilogram in 2001. The average price fetched per kilogram of CTC (Both leaf and dust) and orthodox tea (both leaf and dust) were Rs 60.25 and
Rs 42.88 respectively. Although Assam produces more than 50 per cent of the country’s total tea production, the income earned from the tea
sector of the State has been gradually decreasing in the last few years due to stiff competition being faced by the Indian Tea in the international
market. The Table – 15.13 & Table – 15.14 exhibit some important statistics of tea sector in Assam.

TABLE – 15.13
TEA STATISTICS OF ASSAM AND INDIA

India

2000 20 199 199 19 20

01 7 8 99 00

3913 N. 387 88 98 11
A. 07 11 86 19
5 7 96

367 26 434 43 49 50
9 6 0 7

451 45 810 87 82 84
0 4 6 6

1688 16 186 18 16 16
75 5 44 85 69

*Including Small Tea Growers.

Source: Tea Digest, 2001, Published by Tea Board of India

TABLE – 15.14
QUANTITY AND AVERAGE PRICE OF TEA SOLD IN GUWAHATI TEA AUCTION CENTRE
(Quantity in lakh Kgs.)

Year Leaf

CTC

Quantit Avera
y ge
Price
(Rs)
 1998 924 79.70

1999 1023 81.55

2000 974 72.51

2001 943 70.58

2002 908 63.06

2003 311 60.48

(Upto
June)

Source: Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, Assam.

ACTIVITIES OF ASSAM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (AIDC)

15.10.0 The AIDC is a state level institution, which is engaged with promotion of industrial units in the state sector as well as in joint/ private
sector, Some of the activities of the Corporation is briefly discussed in the following paragraphs.
(A) INDUSTRIAL GROWTH CENTRE AT MATIA (GOALPARA)
The Growth Centre Project at Matia (Mornoi) in the district of Goalpara has been approved by the Government of India on 30.10.97 covering
1672 Bighas of land with a total project cost of Rs 2200.00 lakh out of which the grant from Government of India would be Rs 1500.00 lakh and
the balance amount of Rs 700.00 lakh would be State Government’s equity share. The Corporation has incurred an expenditure of Rs 652.10
lakh upto 31-03-2003 for infrastructure development of the project like roads, power etc.
(B) GROWTH CENTRE AT CHARIDUAR (SONITPUR)
The Government of India has approved for setting up of an Industrial Growth Centre Project at Chariduar (Balipara) in Sonitpur District in April
1997 at a total project cost of Rs 2543.40 lakh out of which the grant from the Central Government would be Rs 1500.00 lakh and the balance
amount of Rs 1043.40 lakh would be the State Government Equity Share. Land measuring 1500 Bighas has already been taken over by the
AIDC for this project and construction of boundary wall, internal roads, power supply etc. have also been completed. It is reported that
Corporation has constructed a Millennium Park in an area of 10 acres of land within the Project site and planned various Medicinal Plants,
Fruits Bearing Plants, and Aromatic Plants etc. in the park through the DRDA, Sonitpur District. The Corporation has incurred an amount of Rs
742.05 lakh upto 31-3-2003 for infrastructural development of the project.
(C) INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (IID) AT DALGAON (DARRANG):
The Government of India has approved the IID Centre at Dalgaon in the District of Darrang on 1-5-200. The approved project cost is Rs 418.00
lakh with 80 per cent grant from Government of India and 20 per cent as State Government assistance.
Land measuring 105 Bighas has been acquired. Master plan has already been prepared and detail engineering work of various activities like
road, drainage, water supply, power supply etc. completed. The Assam State Electricity Board has accorded sanction for 1000 KVA power for
the project. The Government of India has released an amount of Rs 200.00 lakh as grant to the Corporation. A sum of Rs 130.00 lakh has been
spent on implementation of the project upto 30-10-2002.
(D) INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (IID) CENTRE AT BHOMORAGURI AND NALTALI (NAGAON):
The Government of India has approved a project for the IID Centre at Bhomoraguri/Naltoli in Nagaon District of Assam. The approved project
cost in Rs 510.00 lakh with 80 per cent grant from Central Government and 20 per cent as State Government assistance.
Land measuring 71 Bighas at Bhomoraguri and 52 Bighas at Naltoli in the District of Nagaon has been acquired. The detail engineering works
of various activities like road, drainage, water supply, power supply, etc. are in progress. The works for construction of 11 KV powr line and
installation of two 100 KVA sub-station to meet initial requirement of power at the project sites at Bhomoraguri are in progress. The Corporation
has incurred an expenditure of Rs 311.40 lakh upto 30-3-2003 for the project.
(E) INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (IID) CENTRE AT MALINIBEEL (CACHAR):
The Government of India has approved and sanctioned another IID Centre in July 2002 with total Project Cost of Rs 510.00 lakh at Malinibeel
near Silchar Town in Cachar District. Out of about said Project Cost 80 per cent will be grant from Government of India and rest 20 per cent will
be State Government’s share. For the Project, Government Land measuring 90 Bighas at Malinibeel has been taken over by the AIDC. The
infrastructure works is reported to be under progress and the Project is expected to be commissioned by May 2005.
(F) INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (IID) CENTRE AT DEMOW (SIBSAGAR):
Another IID Centre has approved and sanctioned by the Central Government in July, 2002 at Demow in Sibsagar District with project cost Rs
470.00 lakhs out of which 80 per cent as grant from Central Government and 20 per cent will be the State Government’s share. The
Government of India has released first instalment of Rs 50.00 lakh against State Government’s sanction of Rs 20.00 lakh for implementation of
the Project Work and the same is expected to be commissioned by May 2005.
BORDER TRADE CENTRE AT MANKACHAR (DHUBRI):
The Government of India approved the Border Trade Centre Project at Mankachar under Dhubri District August 2001. The Total cost of the
project will be Rs 426.00 lakh out of which Central Government share is RS 340.83 lakh (80 per cent) as a grant and the balance amount of Rs
85.71 lakh (20 per cent) will be State Government share. An area of 7.5 Bighas of Government land has already been taken over by AIDC for
setting up the project. The infrastructure works for the project is reported to be in progress.
INSTITUTIONAL FINANCE TO INDUSTRY:
15.11.0 Availability of adequate finance is one of the most important pre-requisites for development of industry sector and in this regard different
financial institutions of the country have been playing a pivotal role. However, the flow of institutional finance to the industry sector of the State
is found to be quite inadequate and meagre when compared with the position in many other States of the country.
The amount sanctioned as well as disbursement of loan of these banks in the State constitute a small fraction of 0.40 per cent and 0.38 per
cent respectively in the national level. The Table – 15.15 gives an idea about the flow of funds sanctioned and disbursed by some term lending
institutions.

TABLE – 15.15
AMOUNT SANCTIONED AND DISBURSED BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN ASSAM
(Rs Million)

Financial Institutions

Amount Sanctioned

ICICI
Amount disbursed

Amount Sanctioned

IDBI
Amount disbursed

Amount Sanctioned

IFCI
Amount disbursed

Amount Sanctioned

IIBI
Amount disbursed

Amount Sanctioned

SIDBI
Amount disbursed

Source: Report on Development Banking in India, 2000-2001

MINING:
15.12.0 Assam is widely known for its abundant mineral resources. The exploitation of minerals in the State comprises of mainly Petroleum
(Crude), Natural Gas (Utilised), Coal and Limestone. Out of these four major minerals of the State, the production of Natural Gas (Utilised) and
Limestone have increased by 59 million cubic Mete and 72 thousand tonnes respectively while the production of Petroleum Crude and Coal
have decreased by 361 thousand tonnes and 11 thousand tones respectively in 2002-2003. Thus mixed performance in production of these
major minerals have reflected the Index of Mineral Production and it declined to 97.47 in 2002-2003 from 101.76 in 2001-2002. The Table –
15.18 shows the production of Mineral in Assam during last three years.

TABLE – 15.18
MINERAL PRODUCTION IN ASSAM
(Value in thousand Rs.)

2001-2002 2002-2003(P)

Mi Qua Valu Mi Qu
ne ntity e n ant
e ity

10 - 324 1 -
015 0
46

6 640 512 6 62
973 9

0 185 333 - 19
0 000 09
0

0 510 284 - 47
7 459 46
90

4 480 106 4 55
201 2

P – Provisional
N.A. – Not Available
Source: Controller General, Bureau of Mines, Government of India.