Assam govt passes ordinance to promote industrialization, Twitterati raise concern

The ordinance of the Assam government allowing anyone to set up industry in the state with the least of hurdles seems to have sparked a row. Many have taken umbrage at the ordinance that says that "no permission, clearance or license will be required for three years." While many people are considering the ordinance to be against the interests of the indigenous people of Assam, many others are highlighting the threat the ordinance may pose to the environment of the state.

The tweet of Minister of Industry and Commerce of Assam, Chandra Mohan Patowary to this effect has garnered a lot of reactions. Many people on the social media site have slammed the ordinance as being against the long-term interests of the state, besides being at odds with Clause VI of the Assam Accord.

Following are some of those tweets –

What nonsense! The whole country is fighting the Draft EIA Notification 2020 for similar lapses and mindless clearances. Assam will be completely screwed under such leadership. And how can you be proud of such dumb decisions even after BaghJan?

— Tamanna (@tamannasharma) June 30, 2020

Does it mean that anyone can buy a tea garden, throw out the labourers and start a coke industry there ? And govt will keep quiet?

— Dhrubajit Dutta (@dhrubajit_dutta) June 30, 2020

So that does mean all the formalities related to pollution certificate etc are done away with

— CA.Nitika (@nitika__11) June 29, 2020

Bang on point..that means companies like #johnenergy will get a go ahead to make massive blunders like #Baghjan & will not b questioned on disaster management protocols. #industryminister or #disasterminister. The #puppetpolitician I guess is an appropriate word.

— Kaustubh (@Kaustub60117426) June 29, 2020

Now anyone wil be able to accelerate the process of environmental destruction, loss of livelihoods & spread of diseases in Assam. What a decision! @fridays_india @fffguwahati @IndiaRebellion @SaveIndianBiod1 #SaveIndianforests #ProtectIndianforests #WithdrawEIA2020 #ClimateCrisis

— Yash Agrawal (@yash_agra1) June 30, 2020

What about environmental impact assessment certificate? Is it like Assam is for sale!!

— Pranjit Mahanta (@pranjeetmahanta) July 1, 2020

Sir there is much confusion in regarding to this historic decision,
The term "anyone" has raised questions among us whether local enterprises will only have the benefit or outside Assam big industrialists ? N wat about 6th clause implementation? @CMOfficeAssam @himantabiswa

— Pranjit Aditya Phukan (@Axom_Putro) July 1, 2020

This ordinance will change the entire landscape of the state and put the identity of Assam, it's people and it's rich biodiversity at stake. Our ethos will stand compromised.
Where and when do we draw a line if at all a line can be drawn.

— Kaushik Barua (@Airawat) July 1, 2020

This decision is going to push the indigenous people of the state away from right over land. Conversion of agricultural land to industrial is going to shrink agricultural land. The decision should be withdrawn and replaced with a pro indigenous one.

— Tilak Hazarika (@hazarika_tilak) July 1, 2020