http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200702041021.htm
Assam has invited Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to open micro credit financial institutions in the state on the lines of Grameen Bank of Bangladesh to improve lending facilities. The state government is particularly interested in setting up rural credit facilities in militancy-infested areas of the state and requested the Gramin Bank pioneer to extend his expertise in this regard. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has already held talks with Yunus and requested him to visit the state at an early date. "I have requested him to help us in setting up micro-credit financial institutions in Assam on the lines of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank and he immediately agreed to help us," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said here. Gogoi said the state government was planning to improve the economic situation in the "militancy-infested areas" of the state and would invest sizeable amount of resources to free the areas from militants' influence. "We are planning to develop the areas which have strong influence of ULFA." "If we can develop the areas, than definitely it will help us in weakening them," Gogoi said. Gogoi said the Nobel Laureate has accepted his invitation. The Chief Minister said Yunus showed genuine interest to help Assam improve its economy. "He said he will visit the state soon and expressed happiness over government's interest in setting up micro-credit financial institutions," Gogoi said. KOUSHIK HAZARIKA http://www.asom.co.nr
