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TRIPURA
INDUSTRIAL POLICY The Strategy
In view of large potential to provide employment in low investment and also considering the availability of raw materials, the small scale sector will continue to get maximum focus and attention. However, the opportunities thrown open by the huge finding of natural gas in the state will be taken full advantage of, in order to achieve a meaningful breakthrough in the industrial sector. Natural gas based medium and large units and a number ancillary and auxiliary units will also be promoted. While all efforts will be made to promote entrepreneurship within the state, for medium and large scale units, outside investors in the public and private sectors will certainly be encouraged both for their financial capabilities and technical expertise. The efforts of the Government will be to create an integrated and comprehensive base for industrialisation through proper linkage between medium, large and small scale units. The state owned public sector corporation will be re-organised in such way that they can play a meaningful role in providing forward and backward linkage to the small and ancillary sectors. The Government will participate in the equity share of large and medium industries as much as the Government resources permit. But the maximum financial investment will be in the assisted small scale sector in order to ensure maximum benefit to the maximum number of people. The Government will lay due emphasis on farther development of the industrial infrastructure by way of augmentation of power, water supply, development of roads and bridges, improvement of technical and financial services including setting up of Data Bank to provide adequate information for taking up new and viable industrial projects. Rules and regulations for industrial registration and financial assistance will be farther simplified in order to achieve speedier implementation of projects.
Small Scale Industries
In conformity with the new National Policy of revitalisation of the rural economy, the Government will place highest importance on the development of small scale village and traditional industries considering the fact that more than 80 percent of our population live in village and traditional industries are rural oriented. In this sector, the Government will function both as promoter and protector. The Government will provide all techo- economic assistance right from identification of the projects to its implementation. It will also promote ancillary units so that items to be used in bigger industries could be produced here itself and the bye-products may be used in auxiliary or tiny units.
Entrepreneurship development programme will be pursued vigorously and trained entrepreneurs will be given priority in setting up industries in the State. The Government will also arrange necessary testing facilities in order to ensure strict quality control.
Proper marketing support will also be extended by ensuring price preference and other benefits in Government purchases.
2 Handloom
Handloom is the single largest industrial sector in the State and in terms of employment potential, it is next only to agriculture. Almost one-fifth of the total population is either partially or wholly depended on this sector. The State has a district traditional heritage in handloom. While weaving is a traditional household activity among the tribals of the state, there are a good number of Manipuri and Bengali weavers who have added colour and dimension to art. However, because of various limitations, Tripura handloom could not effectively keep pace with changing taste of the modern times. We have highly skilled weavers who can certainly catch up with the trends in the rest of the country, provided they get training in modern methods of weaving and appropriate inputs are given to them. Necessary training programmes will be continued to achieve product diversification with newer designs keeping in view the market demands. Quality yarns of appropriate counts will be made available at reasonable prices through NHDC and NEHHDC and other sources. Part of the yarn requirement would be met by setting up a Spinning Mill in the Co-operative sector. The Mechanised Dye-cum-Process House will provide services to all weavers including the co-operative sector. The supply of raw materials as well as procurement of finished goods will be regulated by THHDC and Apex Weavers Co-operative Society in a co-ordinated and systematic manner. The implementation of "Janata Cloth" scheme and supply of yarn to poor tribal weavers at a concessional rate will no t only be continued but will be enhanced. The traditional cloth produced by tribal weavers will be made used to in making of garments for children in the Balwali Centres and Primary Schools in the remote areas by pooling funds of the Department of Industries, Social Education and Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare and Autonomous District Council. The 'Pachra' cloth will attractive design and appropriate dimensions will be procured for use in Government Offices, Hospitals, Public Health Centres, Government Guest House, Tourist Complexes for the purpose of bed covers, table cloths, pillow covers, hand towels, etc. Innovations will be introduced in the existing designs for a wider appeal and marketability by training the weavers. Garments and dressmaking will also be introduced by suitably training the craftsmen in tailoring and cutting so as to meet demand of changing taste and fashion.
Handicrafts
From the immemorial, Tripura is known as a little place almost religiously devote to finest experiments in art and crafts. Here, the nimble finger of our artisans with their glorious chisel played wonders through the ages. From simple materials like cane bamboo and wood, innumerable objects of magnificent beauty are carved out everyday, which are in use right from cosmetic table to elegant drawing rooms, from ordinary wall decoration to the more sophisticated field of interior decoration. Some of the popular products of handicrafts are room divider, Cane furniture, Table lamps, Ashtray, Panely scroll etc. However, in order to suit the contemporary taste and to keep pace with modern concepts, there is a need to add new dimensions by introducing an innovative approach.
In order to achieve this objective, training programme will be devised under the active guidance of agencies like All India Handicrafts Board, National Institute of Design, Bamboo and Cane Development Institute in an extensive scale. At the first instance, Master Craftsmen will be given the specialised training. Thereafter, they will train up artisans in training cum production centres all over the State under a phased programme.
3 Once this is done, we will go in for product diversification keeping an eye on the national and international market. Due stress will be laid on fast moving items like cane furniture with modern design, interior decoration materials, toys and dolls etc. Carpet making and brasswares will be introduced by training the talented artisans. The THHDC will continue to supply quality raw materials. Forest Department will take up cultivation of raw cane, which is in short supply. THHDC will re-organise its marketing wing and scientific inventory control will be introduced with proper market feedback data. The entire production system will be geared up on modern commercial lines and a new marketing drive will be launched all over the country with the active assistance of All India Handicrafts Board, TFAI, TDA and other field agencies of DC (Handicrafts).
Rural Industries
In conformity with the national policy of rural development, due emphasis will be given on development of rural industries. The State Khadi and Village Industries Board and Tripura Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation will be encourage to take up viable rural industrial projects which will provide employment and would need simple tools and implements and where investment will be very small. As far as practicable, exploitation of locally available resources will be emphasised and the demand of the local market will be kept in view. To meet the requirements of raw materials for the cottage units, Tripura Small Industries Corporation will be vested with the responsibility to take up more meaningful role. THHDC will also supplement the endeavour of TSIC in this respect. Adequate marketing facilities will be provided by Government agencies and co- operatives. The Khadi Board will be geared up to take up production of fast moving items like potteries, chlorine tablets, leaf cups, incense sticks, chalk crayons, shoulder bags, fashionable khadi garments, smokeless chullahs, modern woolen furniture, titbits of interior decoration, tapestry, upholders, etc. To achieve this objective, activities of DWCRA, IRDP and S&T Departments will be co-ordinated with the programme of the Industries Department. More villages will be covered under the assistance programme of KVIC. Government patronage to KVI products will be further strengthened.
Growth Centres
The Government proposes to develop three Growth Centres, one in each district. Growth Centre in West District will be in Uttar Champamura-Jogendranagar area. In North and South Districts, suitable lands will be identified for development of Growth Centres.
These Growth Centres will be provided with roads, power and water supply and developed plots for small, medium and large scale units. Ready-made sheds are although not provided in the programme, but keeping in view the difficulties faced by local entrepreneurs, some sheds of small sizes for small scale units may be provided. Other facilities like Banks, Post Offices, Hospitals, Telephone Exchange, Schools and residential accommodation will also be provided. All possible infrastructure will be created. Natural gas as fuel or as raw material will be provided in the Growth Centre in
4 West District. Investors will be encouraged to put up their units and various concessions and incentives will be extended to them.
Large & Medium Scale Sector
With the availability of large quantity of natural gas, some large and medium scale units will be set up in the joint and private sectors. The natural gas will be used as either fuel or as a raw material in these units. The State Government will enter into joint ventures with some public undertaking and also with the private investors as Promoter or Co- promoter. Gas will also be utilised for domestic purposes by piped supply. The State Government in collaboration with Assam Gas Company will complete into project covering nearly 25,000 families by 1992. A Mini-Fertiliser Plant, Magnesium Metal- Plant, Ferro Silicon Alloy, Glazed Tiles, Methanol are some of the projects to be executed during the Eight Plan period. Through the medium and large industries, the Government desires to create proper industrialisation in the State besides ensuring utilisation of resources like gas, rubber etc. and other resources. Anciallary industries to support the large and small scale units will be promoted. A few chemical and synthetic fibre producing units will be encourage to make use of the by-products of the medium and large scale industries. Funds with State Government being limited, would be utilised for providing infrastructural facilities and incentives, for production industries and private investors will be invited to set up units in large and medium sector.
Plant and Machinery :
Large/Medium Scale Unit" means a unit, other than a small scale or ancillary unit as defined by the State Government or the Central Government from time to time.
