Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced sweeping measures to reduce India’s reliance on imported crude oil and gas, emphasizing increased exploration of fossil fuels and a robust push for green energy during a rally in Numaligarh on Sunday. Addressing a large crowd after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore, Modi underscored Assam’s pivotal role in transforming India into an energy-self-reliant nation, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047.

“As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India must meet its energy demands domestically,” Modi declared, highlighting the government’s dual focus on uncovering new oil and gas reserves and scaling up renewable energy. He spotlighted the Samudra Manthan initiative, announced on Independence Day, which aims to tap deep-sea reserves to bolster domestic production. “We’re making rapid strides in green energy, moving from lagging in solar power a decade ago to ranking among the global top five today,” he added, citing India’s renewable energy achievements.

A key highlight was the inauguration of a bamboo-based bioethanol refinery in Numaligarh, a game-changer for the rural economy. “This plant will inject Rs 200 crore annually into local communities by sourcing bamboo from farmers and tribals,” Modi said, emphasizing its benefits for Assam’s agricultural sector. He took a swipe at the Congress, recalling their past restrictions on bamboo harvesting, which he said stifled tribal livelihoods. “Our government lifted this ban, empowering communities,” he asserted.

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Modi also laid the foundation for a polypropylene plant, poised to boost Assam’s industrial profile. “Just as Assam is celebrated for its Gamosa and Eri and Muga silk, it will now shine in polypropylene textiles,” he said, envisioning the state as a hub for innovative materials. He further highlighted a Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor plant in Morigaon, positioning Assam as a leader in two critical drivers of self-reliance: energy and semiconductors.

Taking aim at the Congress, Modi accused them of fueling insurgency and neglecting Assam’s heritage and communities. “The BJP has brought development, recognized Assam’s icons, and tackled demographic challenges caused by Congress-backed infiltrators,” he claimed. He praised the state’s Mission Basundhara, which has granted land rights to lakhs of families, including the Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Gorkha communities, now recognized as protected classes in tribal areas. “While Congress ignored the poor, we’re uplifting tribals and the marginalized,” he said.

Modi’s vision extends beyond energy, aiming to transform Assam into a trade and tourism powerhouse. The projects launched, including infrastructure and industrial initiatives, are expected to create thousands of jobs and enhance connectivity, positioning the state as a gateway to Northeast India. As India accelerates its green energy transition and domestic resource exploration, Assam’s strategic role underscores Modi’s broader ambition to make the nation a global leader in sustainable development and economic growth.

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