Duliajan: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal distributed financial assistance worth Rs 4.49 crore to 400 joint liability groups at a function held on the premises of Duliajan Bihutoli in Assam's Dibrugarh district on Monday.

The function was organised on the occasion of 60 years of Oil India Limited. The financial assistance was a part of the OIL's corporate social responsibility project, Rupantoar, to create avenues for sustainable self-employment for development of agro-based industries and other allied activities.

Sonowal said since Assam is an agriculture-based state, farmers must develop their agricultural activities.

He urged the scientists of Assam Agricultural University to supply seeds that can boost production and share their advice with the farmers.

"Sixty years ago, OIL started its journey from Naharkatia oil well no. 1. Over the years, it has made significant contribution to the growth of the state. It has generated employment opportunities in the towns and villages through which it has brought economic empowerment and made people self-reliant. OIL has also forayed into skill development and it must boost up initiatives in providing skills to the youth," he added.

Appreciating the efforts of the OIL family, Sonowal said the firm's benefits have not been limited to its employees alone but it immensely contributed to the growth of Assam.

He said the Rs 10,000-crore memorandum of understanding, signed by Oil with the Assam government at the Advantage Assam: Global Investors Summit, would give an added impetus to the state's resurgent economy.

Rameshwar Teli, MP, legislators Terosh Gowala and Rituparna Baruah, Dibrugarh deputy commissioner Laya Madduri, and chairman-cum-managing director of OIL Utpal Bora attended the programme.