Bamboo sector to propel Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in NE region, says DoNER Minister


NEW DELHI, Jun 30: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that bamboo sector will propel the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in the North Eastern region and is going to be an important vehicle of trade not only for India but also for the entire subcontinent.
Dr Singh made these observations after a review meeting through video conference, in which senior officers from the Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Council (NEC) participated. The Minister said that bamboo is not only vital to India's post-COVID economy but it will also herald a new momentum for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call of “Vocal for Local”.
He said that the sensitivity with which the Modi government views the importance of the promotion of bamboo is evident from the fact that even during the lockdown period, the Ministry of Home Affairs on 16th April, while allowing limited activities in different sectors, allowed the functioning of bamboo related activities like planting, process etc.
Dr Singh took great satisfaction in the fact that DoNER ministry achieved 100% work output even during the Corona crisis, as it was probably the first Ministry to implement cent percent e-office functioning much before the pandemic hit India.
He also congratulated the team MDoNER for achieving 100% expenditure during 2019-20 and appreciated the efforts of the Ministry for helping North Eastern States in developing infrastructure for fighting COVID-19 and playing a coordinating role between NE States and various Central Ministries/Departments, in various issues which required interventions by Central Ministries/Departments.
Emphasizing the importance of seamless net facility for the overall development of the region especially during the current crisis when most of the activities are being carried out through online mode, the DoNER Minister urged the officers to coordinate with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to augment uninterrupted high-speed net facility in the NE region for its comprehensive socio-economic development.
The Minister was also apprised of the role played by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) in promoting start-ups in the region in a very innovative manner by promoting local talent. It has also encouraged local entrepreneurship by providing venture funds to the prospective entrepreneurs especially in the MSME sectors and facilitated investment; domestic as well as foreign by friendly countries, in the region.
Dr Singh also interacted with the Director General, Border Roads Organisation, Lt Gen Harpal Singh and other senior officials of the BRO and addressed their concerns pertaining to the NE region.
Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, Dr Inderjit Singh, Special Secretary Indevar Pandey, Secretary NEC, Moses K Chalai and other senior officers of the department attended the video conference.