Assam launches CMAAA 2.0 to boost youth entrepreneurship, says BJP
BY DALIM PHUKAN
Guwahati, Feb. 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched the CMAAA 2.0 scheme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among the state’s youth, as the BJP said the initiative marks a shift toward long-term peace and economic opportunity.
Issuing a statement from the BJP state headquarters at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, party spokesperson Pranjal Kalita said the scheme seeks to empower young people and expand enterprise across Assam while strengthening a stable social environment.
According to the BJP, the government has already provided employment to 1.56 lakh educated youth through what it described as a transparent, merit-based recruitment process. The spokesperson said the administration’s focus on peace and development has helped bring many young people into mainstream economic activity and foster a work-oriented culture.
Under CMAAA 2.0, an outlay of Rs 1,482 crore has been earmarked to create 74,034 new entrepreneurs. The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the general category and Rs 5 lakh for the professional category, structured as a 50 per cent grant and a 50 per cent interest-free loan. Monitoring mechanisms involving banks and government officials have been put in place to ensure implementation, Kalita said.
In the first phase of CMAAA, 25,000 beneficiaries have already received the initial installment, while more than 12,000 have been shortlisted for the second installment. The BJP statement added that over 2,000 young entrepreneurs have availed collateral-free loans under central schemes such as PMEGP, PMFME and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
Through Assam Startup — The Nest, the state government has supported more than 18,000 youth with mentorship, capital access and workspace infrastructure, the spokesperson said.
Kalita also highlighted allocations in the Union Budget 2026–27 that are expected to benefit Assam’s rural and tourism economy, including Rs 300 crore for homestays and hospitality, Rs 500 crore for fisheries, Rs 400 crore for dairy cooperatives and Rs 350 crore for agri-tech startups. Under the state’s ‘Alohi Scheme’, financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh has been provided for homestay construction near tourist destinations.
The BJP said young entrepreneurs from Assam are increasingly exporting indigenous products such as Joha rice, black rice, lemons, ginger and turmeric to national and international markets, contributing to income generation and market expansion.
The spokesperson described the chief minister’s policies as focused on inclusive growth, women’s empowerment and youth employment, positioning Assam as an emerging hub of enterprise in the region.
