In a bid to promote entrepreneurship among youths in Cachar district, Assam’s Fisheries, Excise, Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Suklabaidya here on Thursday ceremonially launched the Redesigned Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (RE-SVAYEM) Scheme by distributing cheques to few selected beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Suklabaidya said RE-SVAYEM is the biggest self-employment programme launched by any government in Assam since independence. He said the present government has taken another step towards building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s self-reliant India must be built through the self-reliance of young men and women. For this to happen, young men and women have to go ahead with specific goals,” he quipped.

The Minister said that under the RE-SVAYEM, financial assistance will be provided to two lakh youths, which include 5,525 youths of Cachar district. Of the Rs.50,000 assistance, 30,000 will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries directly and the balance Rs.20,000 after completion of the training. “Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have launched the scheme to make the youths of the state self-reliant and self-employed,” he added.

Under the first phase of the scheme, 1.95 lakh youths have been selected.

“The state is witnessing unprecedented development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal”, he said.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, Suklabaidya said the youths should go ahead with their avowed goals.  “If you have the power of the mind, you can conquer the world. Choose a vocation that suits you and make up your mind before starting a business venture.”

The Minister said fish used to be imported from Andhra Pradesh earlier but this time locally produced fish was found at Makar Sankranti. “During the tenure of the present government, fish farmers have earned a lot of money by producing fish with the help of the Fisheries department.  After 70 years of independence, the State has forged ahead in fish production and has bagged four national awards.”

Suklabaidya also called upon the youth to come forward to set up poultry, cow rearing and fish farming initiatives locally.

Earlier, a fund amounting to Rs 30,000 per beneficiary has been initiated for credit under RE-SVAYEM against the 5525 A+ category beneficiaries and a total 16 numbers of dummy cheques ceremonially distributed among SHGs at the function.

10 SHGs from each LAC have been invited to attend the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Silchar MLA, Dilip Kumar Paul said Rs 50,000 each would be given to two lakh youths in the state, while 1.95 lakh have been selected in the first phase with an outlay of Rs.1,000 crore.

MLA, Borkhola, Kishor Nath, said, “Today is a historic day with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas slogan being implemented in letter and spirit. There is no discrimination in the selection of beneficiaries.”

Katigorah MLA Amarchand Jain also spoke on the occasion.

Deputy commissioner Cachar Keerthi Jalli also spoke on the occasion, she said that vision inspired by Swami Vivekananda this scheme aimed to provide financial assistance to youths through the formation of self-help groups in order to achieve self-reliance by way of different livelihood generations.

Silchar MLA, Dilip Kumar Paul Udharbond MLA, Mihir Kanti Shome, Zilla Parishad, Cachar, Chairman, Amitabh Rai, Silchar M.P’s representative Pulak Das, District Development Commissioner, J. R. Lalsim and District Planning Officer, Ruli Daolagaphu were present at the programme.