Spl policy package to NE under Textiles ministry

Shillong, Apr 12: The Union Textile Ministry has adopted a Special Policy Package under which ten per cent of the department's annual plan budget is earmarked for implementation of developmental schemes&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 Centrally sponsored plan schemes as well as strengthening of the NE Handicrafts&Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), under the DoNER ministry, official sources said here today.

About Rs 35 crores was earmarked for implementation of various schemes in NE during 2006-07.

Besides, under SGSY project of the Ministry of Rural Development, financial aid is being provided for various sericulture projects in Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland with technical aid from the Central Silk Board NE region contributes about 20 per cent towards the total production of handloom fabrics in the country.

During the Tenth Plan, nine handloom export projects were sanctioned, seven to Asom, one to Nagaland and Manipur each, covering 420 weavers with about Rs 56.22 lakh.

UNI