Business group urges quality infrastructure in NE

AIZAWL, Apr 20 (UNI) Business community in Northeast has urged centre to help in building quality infrastructure in the region for development of the vital sectors including agriculture,industry and tourism.

Officials of confederation of Indian Industries,Northeast chapter said here today that the point of making the region self-sufficient in agriculture and horticulture products to reduce the dependability on other states for food grains and essential stuffs.

They have submitted a proposal regarding infrastructure development of the region to prime minister and union commerce ministery asking for an immediate step.

The officials stated that due to poor infrastructure,NE states are unable to produce much items in aqriculture and horticulture sectors and to change the scenario drastic steps have to be take for irrigation system to ensure higher production.

"NE has the potential to serve the country with the horticulture products besides,export,provided the sector is protected and properly organised for which having cold-storage facilities and warehouses is a necessity", the officials attributed.

The trade body has also demanded to allow atleast 50 per cent capital subsidy on cold-storage and warehouses in the region.

Besides,it has also urged that subsidised interest in terms of loan from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and other recognised financial institutions should be fixed six per cent per annum and electricity should be provided at rupees one and rs 1.50 for rural and urban areas respectively.uni bb/ba/src1002