Industrial Development and Assam Prof. T. N. GOSWAMI, M.SC. |
In a recent statement, our Home Minister Sri Pant said that, with the Establishment of a refinery, Assam will occupy a unique position in the industrial map of India. This is an encouraging statement. But the state- ment recently made by Sri K. D. Malaviya, Union Minister of State for natural resources, made it quite clear that the proposed refinery that will be located in Assam will be a small one. What the people of Assam want is a refinery with a capacity to refine the crude oil that will be available from the State oil fields. But that demand of the people is not going to be con- ceded to. So, the problem of industrial development in the province of Assam has been peculiarly tackled by the Central Government, and this policy of the Central Government has baffled the understanding of all right thinking people of the State. The declared policy of the party in power is to establish a Socialist Pattern of Society for the establishment of which development of the backward state should receive priority. But, the state of Assam with all her natural resources, remains as the most undeveloped state in India to-day. The position of Assam is also of strategic importance. The border of the State must, therefore, be fortified not only to preserve the wealth of the State but to make India invulnerable.
In the first Five Year Plan primary emphasis was laid on the develop- ment of agriculture, irrigation and power. But the production of industrial capital goods rose by 70 per cent during this period while the out put of industrial raw materials and consumer goods increased by some 34 per cent. This ratio reveals the important fact that increase in out put of industrial capital goods is more than twice that of industrial raw materials and consu- mer goods. Also, we must note that during this period diversification of the Industrial structure has taken place. Important industries like petroleum
