COVID-19: SITA takes initiative to make urgent action plan to revive Assam economy

SITA is also working on a strategy paper for the state government by engaging Ernst & Young (EY), another multinational organization on tea industry of the state.

The 180-year-old tea industry of Assam has faced a loss of over Rs 1000 crore during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

SITA vice-chairman Dipok Kumar Barthakur has initiated an urgent action plan to revive the state economy.

Accordingly, Chief Executive Officer of SITA Nitin Khade has been coordinating with senior officials of the government, experts and professionals in the respective fields of study to assess the socio-economic impact from the current global health crisis.

All these studies were taken up during the lockdown period in April 2020 and all the processes relating to data sharing, correspondence, direction & decision making etc., were initiated through IT-enabled platforms.

The status of the strategy reports for the state with help and support from departments or organizations and experts concerned in respective areas of specialization are as the assessment of the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on Assam where OKD Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD) is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the strategy report within a specific timeframe.

SITA stated that, the draft report is ready and the final version will be submitted in the first week of May and the outcome of the report should serve the state government in chalking out its action plan at micro and macro level to meet the challenges facing the state.

“Considering the importance of agriculture, its allied activities like veterinary, dairy, fishery sectors in the state’s economy, a sector specific strategy paper is also under preparation by KPMG, an international consultancy services organization with the help and support from all related government departments and agencies. The draft report is ready and it will be finalized for submission to the government in a couple of days,” SITA stated in a press release.

“Another important sector of the state’s major concern is tea industry. SITA took up the responsibility and are working on a strategy paper for the state government by engaging Ernst & Young (EY), another multinational organization with support from government departments including tea industry organizations. In view of recent debacle experienced in the trade, businesses and in the services sector, SITA decided to engage Assam Chambers of Commerce to discuss the issues demanding immediate attention in their forum with other related organizations viz. FICCI, FINER, CII, ICC etc and in consultation/dialogue with government departments, agencies to work out a strategy for the state to come up with some action oriented programmes,” SITA said in the release

Accordingly, the forum is in the process of data collection and other related works in shaping the points of deliverables.

(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)