Special policy incentives to NE states under Textiles ministry

Shillong, Apr 12 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Textiles has adopted a special policy package under which 10 per cent of the Ministerial /Department's annual plan budget is earmarked exclusively for implementation of developmental schemes and programmes in the North Eastern region.

Special policy incentives were also being given to NER, like raising the share of central assistance upto 90 per cent for all the centrally sponsored schemes, as well as strengthening of the North Eastern Handicrafts&Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, official sources said here today.

During 2006-07, Rs 35 crores had been earmarked for implementation of schemes in North East. Besides, under the SGSY project of the Ministry of Rural Development, financial aid was provided for various Sericulture projects in Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland with technical aid from the Central Silk Board.

The contribution of North Eastern Region was about 20 per cent towards total production of handloom fabrics in the country.

During the Tenth Plan period, nine handloom export projects were sanctioned, seven to Asom, one to Nagaland and Manipur each, covering 420 weavers with a sum of Rs. 56.22 lakhs.

UNI