Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 22
Referring to the declaration of the year 2010-11 as the “Year of Entrepreneurs,” Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the government expects to help at least 1000 entrepreneurs in all the district of the state, and build them up into the driving force of economic growth of the state. The basic objective of the “Year of Entrepreneurship” is to assist, train and motivate entrepreneurs.
In his budget speech in the floor of the House, Rio proposed to provide Rs. 10 crore for this purpose as seed money and link them for bank loans. The department of industries and commerce is designated the nodal department, Rio said and challenged entrepreneurs to come forward with viable proposals and avail assistance from the government.
Also touching on “Year of Capacity Building” during 2009-10, Rio said that the government’s commitment to capacity building is not a passing phase. Even during the current financial year, I proposed to provide Rs. 10 crore towards capacity building to supplement the initiatives of the year of entrepreneurs.
Rio appealed to the youth- those who are sincere, hard working and enterprising, to come forward with practical and viable proposals to avail government assistance. Special emphasis will be given to youth and entrepreneurs in the area of handloom and handicrafts, furniture units, establishments of ethnic Naga cuisine restaurants and private hotels, private transport companies, bakery and pastry units and the like at all district level, Rio said. Rio also said the government has taken up another step involving the people at the grassroot levels in the process of governance and development by including representatives of tribal Hohos as members of the District Planning & Development Boards.
“This will enable them to make more meaningful contributions to the planning process, so that it is made more relevant to the needs of the people,” Rio said adding that ultimately, true development requires a two-way interaction between the government and the people for whom it is intended.
