Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that proposed industrial projects in Dighali Chapori, Jamugurihat, in Sonitpur district are expected to generate between 15,000 and 20,000 employment opportunities for local youths. The announcement came during the inauguration of a new Rs 250-crore glazed vitrified tile manufacturing unit and plans for a precision fermentation unit in the area.
This significant industrial push aims to bolster local manufacturing, process raw materials within the state, and address the pressing issue of youth unemployment, a long-standing concern for the region. The initiatives are part of the state government’s broader strategy to transform Assam into a manufacturing hub and reduce the migration of its skilled workforce in search of livelihoods.
What was announced
Chief Minister Sarma formally inaugurated the Allemby Ceramics Pvt Ltd facility at Dighali Chapori in Sonitpur district on Thursday, October 8, 2026. This unit, set up by the Lohia Group and Varmora Group, marks East India’s first large-scale glazed vitrified tile manufacturing unit.
During the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled plans for a precision fermentation unit at Dighali Chapori. This proposed facility is slated to produce chemicals essential for manufacturing ethanol from bamboo, as well as other industrial applications. The announcements were made during a public gathering where Chief Minister Sarma also distributed land pattas to 50 agricultural groups and financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to approximately 550 members of these groups at Chakighat.
Why it matters
The projected creation of 15,000 to 20,000 jobs is a crucial development for Assam, a state grappling with significant unemployment challenges. As of June 30, 2026, Assam had 15,43,350 registered unemployed persons, according to data presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly. The youth unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 12.6%.
Chief Minister Sarma has consistently highlighted the government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities within the state to curb the trend of youth migrating to other parts of India for work. He said that the government’s objective is to create employment opportunities so that the youth can return and build their livelihoods in Assam.
The inauguration of the tile manufacturing unit, which alone is expected to generate over 325 direct jobs and around 1,000 indirect employment opportunities, signifies a strategic shift towards processing Assam’s rich raw materials within the state. The plant will utilise china clay sourced from the Karbi Hills, thereby adding value locally.
With both the tile manufacturing facility and the proposed fermentation unit, Dighali Chapori is poised to emerge as a significant industrial cluster, fostering economic growth and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Background
Assam has been actively pursuing an aggressive industrialisation policy to transform its economic landscape and generate employment. The state government’s Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, initially launched in 2014 and replaced by the 2019 edition (with amendments in 2023), aims to attract domestic and foreign investments by offering fiscal incentives and creating an investor-friendly ecosystem.
Under this policy framework, the government has implemented measures such as a single-window clearance system, simplified compliance procedures, and various subsidies to streamline the investment process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Assam has shown significant improvement in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ assessment, moving from 24th position in 2016 to the ‘Aspirers’ category by 2022.
Chief Minister Sarma has repeatedly emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and private-sector job creation as key drivers for Assam’s economic transformation. Initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) and the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme are designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and provide financial assistance to fresh graduates, encouraging them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
The state has seen a pipeline of investments, with projects worth approximately Rs 1.78 lakh crore, committed during an investment summit earlier this year, expected to be launched by December 2025. Additionally, the government has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs 8,000 crore with various companies, projected to create 6,100 jobs. The state aims to double its economy from US$ 69.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to US$ 143 billion by 2030, with a planned capital outlay of $25 billion.
The Chief Minister has also urged a shift in public perception towards industries, stating that an “outdated mindset” has held Assam back for years. He stressed that welcoming investors and creating jobs is essential to prevent migration and ensure dignity for the state’s young population.
Key details
The industrial expansion in Dighali Chapori, Jamugurihat, is anchored by two primary projects:
- Glazed Vitrified Tile Manufacturing Unit: The Allemby Ceramics Pvt Ltd facility, a Rs 250-crore investment by Lohia Group and Varmora Group, was inaugurated on October 8, 2026. It is projected to create over 325 direct jobs and approximately 1,000 indirect employment opportunities. The unit will utilise china clay from the Karbi Hills as a primary raw material.
- Precision Fermentation Unit: A planned facility that will focus on manufacturing chemicals. These chemicals are intended for the production of ethanol from bamboo, leveraging Assam’s abundant bamboo resources, and for other diverse industrial applications.
Collectively, these and other proposed industrial projects in the region are expected to generate between 15,000 and 20,000 employment opportunities for the local youth.
Reactions
“Earlier, raw materials would leave Assam, production would take place outside the State and the finished products would then come back to Assam. That is changing now. We are moving towards a system where our raw materials are processed and products are manufactured here itself,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, emphasising the shift towards local value addition.
“Unemployment is a major issue that we are working to address. Many young people from Assam travel to Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and other States in search of work. Our objective is to create employment opportunities here so that our youth can return and build their livelihoods in Assam,” Sarma added, highlighting the social impact of these industrial initiatives.
“We have to bring development in both the agriculture and industrial sectors. There was a time when companies wanted to come to Assam, but we did not have land to offer them. In the last five years, we have worked to make land available for industries,” the Chief Minister stated, underscoring the government’s efforts in facilitating industrial growth.
What’s next
The Government of Assam is committed to continuing its efforts to encourage investments and industrial development across the state, with a particular focus on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. The planned precision fermentation unit at Dighali Chapori will move forward, contributing to the region’s emergence as a significant industrial hub.
The state government will continue to track investment proposals under initiatives like Advantage Assam 2.0 to ensure timely implementation and address any bottlenecks. This sustained focus on industrial growth and job creation is central to Assam’s vision of becoming a major economic powerhouse in the Northeast and reducing its dependence on external employment opportunities.