Tripura CM expresses concern over deceleration in agriculture

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today said the deceleration in agricultural sector is a matter of concern and urged the Centre to take steps to reverse the trend.

Addressing the National Development Council (NDC) meet, Mr Sarkar said the deceleration, which has also been identified in the draft Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan, from the 3.2 per cent in the 80's and early 90's to the present level of about two per cent is a matter of concern.

He said the alleged lack of development of the North Eastern region has led to discontent and frustration and a sense of injustice and called for making efforts to such feelings which can drive some section of the people to extremism and other anti-national activities.

'A realistic relook' at the Forest Conservation Act is required in 'the interest of the tribals and the environment', he said.

Mr Sarkar said draft Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan accord high priority towards development of basic infrastructure in the region, provision of tele communication facilities right upto the village level and optimal utilisation of power generating capacity of the region .

He said the Public Private Partnership model and the Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) model will not a practical or viable optioon in the region for infrastructural development.

He said the credit:deposit (CD) ratio in the North East is very low and called upon the banking sector for enhancing it to ensure better credit flow in the region.

Mr Sarkar said the North East Industrial Policy(NEIP), 1997 has expired and called for a fresh industrial policy to ensure that benefits given to the region should not be given to any other part of the country.

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