(a): whether the Government has assessed the potential of agro industries in Chhattisgarh;
(b): if so, the details thereof;
(c): the extent to which this scope is being utilized; and
(d): the steps taken by the Government for the development of marketing facilities in the State in order to develop agro industries on a large scale?
MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES ( SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD )
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): To develop and promote village industries, including agro
industries, in the rural areas of the country, including
Chhattisgarh, Government has been implementing the Rural
Employment Generation Programme (REGP) through the Khadi and
Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Under the REGP, village
industries are set up based on feasibility reports prepared by the
entrepreneurs for which technical assistance is provided to the
entrepreneurs by the KVIC, State KV Boards, etc. As such, separate
assessment of the potential of agro industries in a State is not
conducted under this Programme. 118 agro and food processing
industry projects have been set up in Chhattisgarh State during
2003-04 under the REGP.
(d): To promote the marketing of KVI products, including those
based on agro industries, 44 sales outlets managed by KVIC-
assisted institutions are functioning in the State of
Chhattisgarh. In addition, KVIC organizes exhibitions at the
national and sub-national level to market such products.