Industrial Estates for every dist on card
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 12 2012:
While assuring that the Manipur Industrial Policy would be ready by August, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam today informed the State Assembly that the government is planning to set up one Industrial Estate in every district of the state.
The Minister was responding during discussion on the Budget Demand for Industries in the House today.
Moving a cut motion against the demand, Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi suggested that the government need to develop its industrial sector in view of India's Look East Policy in order to reap maximum benefits from this opportunity.
The MLA said that the government should give extra focus in the sector for higher return and for this; the state government needs a good Industrial Policy.
Stressing on the need to develop Moreh town, the MLA said that the state government should check charging of money illegally by officials at the various check posts located along Imphal Moreh Road, which hampers business transaction.
Moving another cut motion, MLA L Ibomcha pointed out that Manipur has its own rich tradition and production of handicrafts and handloom products.
So, there is the need for a separate Directorate for Handloom to give a boost in the sector.
This would be a major contribution towards augmenting the economy of the state.
Kouna products, which have great demands in other parts of the world, need to be given special focus.
Besides, Bamboo Policy is a must for the state as Manipur has its rich bamboo resources in Jiribam and Tamenglong.
Responding to the cut motions, Minister Govindas Konthoujam informed the House that a Timber park at Kakching area is under consideration and the Nilakuthi Food Park will be inaugurated soon.
Government is giving special focus towards developing Moreh as a satellite town.
A shopping mall at Moreh town on PPP model is also on the card.
The Integrated Check Post at Moreh would give a major boost in the border trade as a checking slip from the ICP will be enough to pass all the check posts along the Imphal Moreh Road.
The Minister further pointed out that trade items of Indo-Myanmar border trade has increased from 22 to 40.There are high possibilities of India government sanctioning huge amount for further development of Indo Myanmar trade in the near future.
Meanwhile, the government is planning to conduct an exploration of Oil and Natural Gas in Tamenglong area.
Earlier, a team from outside the state was forced to stop their exploration after a local organisation put up strong objection.
Similar objections were also witnessed in Churachandpur.
However, all these explorations are necessary to find out possible petroleum deposits so as to increase the revenue of the state.
In the discussion on Demand for Environment and Forest, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi moved a Cut Motion and slammed the Forest Department for buying tree saplings from outside the state for plantation in Imphal city.
MLA P Brojen observed that the government should take up plantation drive in forest areas to increase forest cover of the state and at the same time illegal felling of woods in reserve forest areas should be checked.
After the discussion and withdrawal of the cut motions, the House unanimously passed the demands of Rs 8,38,42,000 for Information and Publicity; Rs 16,85,25,000 for Cooperation; Rs 107,79,81,000 for Forest; Rs 132,40,40,000 for Industries; Rs 286,25,21,000 for PHED; Rs 8,27,93,000 for Science and Technology and Rs 10,52,31,000 for Relief and Disaster Management.
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