(a) whether the Government have received some proposals from Bihar Government regarding declaration of Bihar as Industrially backward district, providing industrial policy on the line of Northern Eastern States, opening of branch of National Small Industries Corporation, opening of tool room and training centre, opening of Agriculture Research Centre, establishment of export centre and opening of craft export centre; and
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government on these proposals?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DR. RAMAN SINGH)
(a)&(b) Keeping in view the relative geographical isolation, smallness of the region, low accessibility to markets outside the region and prevalent extra-ordinary circumstances, a special package of incentives was designed for the development of industry in the North-Eastern Region. It would be difficult to extend the similar package to the other region. The State of Bihar has been sanctioned five Growth Centres under the Growth Centre Scheme of Government of India. Apart from these, 27 districts have been categorised as backward district in the State and thus are eligible for income-tax benefits under section 80-1B of Income-Tax Act, 1961. The State Government has been advised to take full advantage of these schemes.