- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam to cut oil dependence, create jobs, and support farmers.
- He announced a ₹27,000 crore semiconductor factory in Morigaon, underscoring Assam’s role in Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, September 12, spotlighted India’s progress in renewable energy, declaring that the country now ranks among the world’s top five in solar capacity, an achievement he contrasted with the situation a decade ago.
Furthermore, Modi underscored the importance of alternative fuels to cut reliance on oil and gas. He pointed to a newly inaugurated ethanol plant in Assam that uses bamboo as feedstock, noting that the facility will generate new income streams for farmers and tribal communities.
The Prime Minister announced that the government will invest about ₹200 crore annually in bamboo cultivation and procurement to sustain the ethanol industry. He said the initiative will create thousands of jobs, recalling that earlier restrictions on bamboo cutting had stifled opportunities for local communities.
Modi highlighted Assam’s role in India’s broader self-reliance strategy (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and cited significant investments underway in the state. He referenced the ₹27,000 crore semiconductor factory under construction in Morigaon, which he described as a milestone in building India’s capacity in critical technologies.
“Assam is becoming a hub for both energy and semiconductors,” Modi said, stressing that the state will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic and technological future.