Central package for Barak Valley industry
From Our Correspondent
BADARPUR, Jan 17 The Central Government has announced a separate package
for the greater development of trade and industry in Barak Valley. In this
package, Rs 252 crore has been granted for the development of Barak Valley
Tea-industry and Rs 16 crore for the Sutarkandi border trade centre. This was
announced by the Union Minister of Commerce (Deputy) Jairam Ramesh, while
addressing the inaugural ceremony of International Border Trade Centre at
Sutarkandi under Karimganj District recently.
Under the presidentship of State Minister of Excise and Border Area Development
Gautam Roy and in presence of chief guest of the function, Santosh Mohan Dev
(Union Minister of Heavy Industry), Karimganj MP Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya,
MLA-Mission Ranjan Das, Anwarool Haq, Kutub Ahmed Mazumder, Congress leader
Satu Roy, Karimganj DC Anurug Goel and several other distinguished citizens,
intellectuals and mediapersons. Ramesh also said that the Centre has already
sanctioned Rs 16 crore for the construction of a cargo terminal to store coal
in this border trade centre. This work will be complete within the next 15
years, Ramesh added.
Ramesh said that at present the trade of Rs 30 crore is being done per year
with Bangladesh through the trade centre of Sutarkandi. Within next three to
five years this amount will be doubled. This will bring immense benefits for
the economically deprived Barak Valley. Neighbouring States like Tripura,
Mizoram and Meghalaya will also benefit, he added.
It is to be noted here that, at present, coal is exported to Bangladesh through
this centre, while a large number of litchi juice packets and hilsa fish is
imported.
Regarding the sick tea industry of Barak Valley, Ramesh said that the Central
Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 252 crore for developing the tea industry
of Barak Valley, which will help the industry gain worldwide fame.
The minister however warned that the tea-garden authorities will not be allowed
to take this money outside. This entire money must be utilised for the
development, and standardisation of the industry and in the greater interest of
the welfare of 70 thousand poor labour families. He also had a meeting with the
Barak Valley tea-industrialists on January 12, night and discussed with them in
details regarding the package. He also directly blamed Bangladesh for its
unwillingness to step up bilateral trade relations with India. Her
unwillingness clearly proves that Bangladesh always likes to stay with poverty,
he said adding that in the greater interest of the North-East economy trade
expansion with Bangladesh is very much essential.
Regarding Silchar-Kolkata-Dhaka bus service and Railway service from Mahisashan
to Bangladesh, the Central government will be discussing these issues with
Dhaka, he said. He will also raise the issue of the condition of the roads in
Barak Valley with the Prime Minister, Ramesh assured.
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