Guwahati, April 29, 2026: The Chief Secretary of Assam Dr, Ravi Kota, IAS, chaired a meeting of the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) to review proposals for key development projects under the North Eastern Council Fund for Development of the North Eastern Region (NEC-FDC) and Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PMDeVINE).
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| Traditional Muga silk fabrics, Assam’s prized GI-tagged “Golden Silk,” known for their natural sheen and cultural significance in the state’s textile heritage. |
During the meeting, the committee recommended a pilot project titled “Branding Muga, the Golden Silk, as the State’s USP of Assam” to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The project, with a proposed outlay of ₹59.83 crore, will be implemented over three years across Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia districts, benefiting around 14,371 Muga farming families, nearly 44% of the state’s total.
The initiative aims to promote Assam’s GI-tagged Muga silk under the unified “Senehjori” brand by strengthening the entire value chain, from production to global market access. Planned interventions include improving seed and host plant management, climate-resilient rearing practices, formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and establishment of Muga Aggregation Centres.
The project also proposes the establishment of a Muga Spun Mill in Dhemaji to enable value addition from silk waste, along with technology upgrades in reeling and weaving, product diversification, apparel manufacturing, digital commerce, and startup support. A digital management information system (MIS) will also be introduced to enhance monitoring and traceability.
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Officials emphasized that the initiative would strengthen market linkages and improve incomes for farmers, reelers, and weavers, while highlighting the potential of Muga silk as both a cultural symbol and a sustainable economic driver for rural livelihoods, especially for women artisans.
The funding structure includes ₹35.83 crore from the Ministry of DoNER, ₹14.20 crore from the Ministry of Textiles, and ₹9.49 crore from the Government of Assam.
The committee also reviewed PMDeVINE projects, including the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor in Guwahati and the proposed Medical College in Sivasagar, directing officials to expedite implementation of the Kamakhya Corridor project. Additionally, select change-of-scope proposals under NEC projects were examined to facilitate effective execution.
