To drive economic development, the Central Government led by PM Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 2,434 crore to Assam under the Uttar Poorv Transformative Industrialisation or UNNATI Scheme. The fund is a part of the 60 per cent outlay that has been earmarked for the eight Northeastern States, with the remaining 40 per cent to be allocated on a First-In-First-Out or FIFO basis. The total expenditure under this scheme is Rs 10,037 crore over 10 years.
The proposal, approved by the Union Cabinet under chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was suggested by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade department for UNNATI.
Prominent features of the scheme include time period till 2034 along with 8 years of committed liabilities from the date of notification, application period for registration till 2026, grant of registration by 2027, and beginning of production or operation within 4 years from the grant of registration.
Other features include categorization of districts into Zone A: Industrially Advanced Districts, and Zone B: Industrially Backward Districts. For Micro industries, defined as per MSME industry norms, the Plant and Machinery calculation will include the building construction and costs for capital investment incentive. All new industrial units and expanding units will be eligible for the respective incentives.
The Centre launched UNNATI for the development of industries and generation of employment in the Northeast States. However, selected industries are kept in the positive list such as renewable energy, EV charging stations etc and certain sectors in the negative list such as cement, plastic among others to keep a balance between industrial growth and the pristine environment of the Northeastern Region.
