(a) whether his Ministry has assessed the potential of the North Eastern Region (NER) for development of Industries and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the kind of industries that are viable both physically and financially for establishment in the region as per the assessment made; and
(c) the response of the local population for establishing industries in their region?
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]
(a) Yes, Sir. The Ministry has, through the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd., (NEDFi), undertook techno-economic studies and resource mapping for the development of industries in the North East Region. The areas so far covered in the study, inter alia include hydro-power generation, forest products, afforestation potentialities, medicinal and aromatic plants, agriculture, livestock and poultry development, tourism, software development, telecommunication, handloom and handicrafts and food processing.
(b) Some industries identified as viable for establishment in the region include generation of hydroelectric power; plastics and polymers; tourism and hospitality; information technology and information technology enabled services (IT and ITES); food processing; aromatic and medicinal plants; sericulture; horticulture and floriculture; handloom & handicrafts and bamboo processing.
(c) Efforts have been undertaken to motivate entrepreneurs to invest in these sectors. Some entrepreneurs have set up their venture and taken assistance from our North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd., (NEDFi).