Q.1) What is the industrial development potential of Tripura and why is this not being translated into reality ? The question  is important the fact that even more than fifty years of Independence Tripura continues to have more than 66% of the population below poverty line.

Ans:- As you know the North-Eastern region of the Country is, industrially, the most backward. This is indicative of the constraints faced by this region, the major one being transportation bottleneck. However, others such as lack of adequate infrastructure, non-integration with the larger national and global markets and lack of opportunities for economic growth are also formidable. It needs to be realized that unless the support required to overcome the constraints is forthcoming, these will continue to haunt this region and the nation in the form of socio-economic problems of different kinds.Considering these facts  during last few years we have taken steps to accelerate the development of infrastructure for industrial development. We have taken steps to set up  Growth Centre, Food Park, Export Promotional Industrial Park, Rubber Park near Agartala, the State capital, where all the facilities like land, developed road, Piped natural gas supply, Power etc are available to the prospective industries. We hope that the railway service up to Agartala would be available by 2006. Better Air service with night landing facility is now available. We are setting up Software Technology Park , Community Information centres at all the blocks of the State, where on line computer facility is now available.Our major major strength lies in fruit and other horticulture crops, Natural gas, Rubber, Tea, Bamboo, Trade with Bangladesh, IT Sector, etc. You would be glad to know that according to a survey made by the Planning Commission recently, during last few years, the growth rate of industries sector in Tripura has been at a compound growth rate of 15.5% , which is more than the national average of 7.13%, the highest in the North-eastern Region and 2^nd highest in the country. During this period, the share of secondary sector in the GDP of the State has gone up from 7% to about 14%. 

Q. 2) Tripura is known to be rich in natural resources, particularly in natural gas, how this can be exploited to ensure advancement of State ?

Ans:- Natural Gas is available in non-associate form, with high methane content of up to 97%. The gas is available at attractive concessional prices. The current consumer price at landfall point is about Rs 1700 / MCM for North-East, as against general price of Rs 2850 /MCM. Further discount of up to Rs 300 / MCM is possible on case to case basis. The possible projects include - Urea Complex ; Urea-PVC Complex ; Urea-Methanol Complex ; Liquid / Solid Hydrocarbon Complex. The State Government has taken several steps for proper utilisation of the natural resources. Presently, the gas is mainly used for the power projects. Besides this, this is also being used as an alternate fuel of LPG in both domestic and commercial sector.Utilizing the  natural gas, Agartala City Gas Project has been taken up , for providing piped natural gas to domestic and commercial consumers in Agartala town. This will cover 30,000 consumers and will be completed in 3 phases. Already 3340 nos residential  & Commercial connection has been given. Secondly, some gas –based brick kilns have been set up during current year, which is proving very cost-effective and environment-friendly. In future, we plan to cover Jirania area, by extending pipeline there. Thirdly, in the Growth Centre, a natural gas pipeline has already been laid for providing gas to industrial units coming up in the Growth Centre as well as EPIP , Food Park, Rubber Park etc. Fourthly, we have taken up the matter with Gas Authority of India Ltd.( GAIL) for taking up CNG Project in Tripura.  Gas burn chulli at Battala Funeral Ghat has been started. These initiatives are in addition to large gas-based power, fertilizer and other projects.

  Q. 3) During the rule of  Awami League in Bangladesh, it was expected that transit facilities for Tripura as well as other States of the North east would come through. What is the latest position on this issue ?

  Ans:- It is true the issues of mutual benefits both to Bangladesh and Tripura had initiated rigorously during last four to five years. We have taken up the issues of Agartala - Dhaka Bus service, Development of infrastructures of Land Customs Stations, Border Trade, Facility of Chittagong port, Ashuganj river port etc. with the Bangladesh Govt, through the Central Government. The issues have been raised in different foras by business personalities of both the countries. I personally went to Bangladesh and discussed these issues with the concerned Ministries and also the Chambers of Industries. There may be some delay in decisions, however I feel positive thinking in regard of the issues are there in the Bangladesh and our continuous effort would make things materialized. Recently export & Import are gradually picking up.

  Q. 4) What is the investment potential  of our State ? We seem to be missing out as far as getting investment from outside is concerned. Why so ?

  Ans:- I do not agree with the concept that investment from outside the State is not coming to the State. Considering all the constraints faced by this land locked North East State, our sincere effort could bring outside investment in the field of Food Processing, PVC Pipe, Distillery, tobacco, Perfume, Steel, IT sector, Tourism, Power etc. In addition  our own people are investing in heavily in Food processing sector, Cement etc.You have to realize that to transform a Industrially Under develop State  to the path of industrialization requires time and we believe that our sincere efforts in this direction shall bring the desired results.

  Q. 5) What do you think have been the major achievements in the industrial sector of the fourth left front government ?

 Ans:- We have taken steps to improve the industrial infrastructure and also to make self employment opportunities for the educated unemployed youth. You may get an idea of the steps taken by us from the following briefs.

  ·The Department as taken up a number of projects like Growth Centre, EPIP, Food Park , Rubber Park , IIDCs etc. The total investment in these project will be of the order of over Rs. 50 crores.

  ·   During last four   years ( as on Oct, 2002),  a total  of 4039 youths have been covered under PMRY. As per Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship study one unit under PMRY in Tripura  generates employment  for 3 person, which implies   a total of 12,117 nos. employment has been generated during this period.

  ·   Regarding natural gas, Agartala City Gas Project has been taken up , for providing piped natural gas to domestic and commercial consumers in Agartala town. This will cover 30,000 consumers and will be completed in 3 phases. Already 3340 nos residential & Commercial connection has been given. Secondly, some gas –based brick kilns have been set up during current year, which is proving very cost-effective and environment-friendly. In future, we plan to cover Jirania area, by extending pipeline there. Thirdly, in the Growth Centre, a natural gas pipeline has already been laid for providing gas to industrial units coming up in the Growth Centre as well as EPIP , Food Park, Rubber Park etc. Fourthly, we have taken up the matter with Indraprastha Gas Ltd.( IGL) for taking up CNG Project in Tripura.  Gas burn chulli at Battala Funeral Ghat has been stated. These initiatives are in addition to large gas-based power, fertilizer and other projects.

  · Regarding fruit processing , the Deptt. has taken initiative for setting up of a special Agri-Export Zone for pineapple , in collaboration with APEDA.

  ·  In the tea sector, a number of small growers have come up with the promotional efforts of the Deptt. Their number is already over 3,500 and the growers are producing more than 40 lakhs  kg. Green leaf every year. Three new Tea processing  factory has come up.

   ·   In the rubber sector, the process for setting up of a Rubber Park is going on. In addition, a Process Product-Cum-Development Centre  is being set up with NEC  assistance and same is nearing completion. It will serve as common facility for rubber-based industrial units.

   ·  In the bamboo sector, number of initiatives are being taken with the help of INBAR, an International Organisation, for promotion of bamboo-based industries in the State.

   ·   In the Industrial training sector, the Govt. of India has approved the project at a total cost of Rs. 16.11 crores for setting up of 4 new ITIs at Dharmanagar, Ambassa, Udaipur and Belonia and for modernization of existing ITIs  at Indranagar, Kailashahar and Jatanbari. On completion of this project, the total number of students to be trained in ITIs will increase from existing 444 Nos. to 1260 Nos. We have finalized the sites for these projects and detailed plan/estimates have been submitted to Govt. of India for sanction. On receiving the sanction, work will be started. The target is to start the ITIs in the year 2003. Up-gradation of Tripura Polytechnic Institute has also taken up with introduction of new trades.

  · To facilitate the skill development of entrepreneurs in Tripura, an Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), has been set up at Indranagar.

  · In the Foreign Trade sector various infrastructure development project like improvement of approach road, installation of Weigh Bridge , construction of bridges, setting up of integrated complexes etc have been taken up at Akhaura Check Post and 4 other LC Stations. Total amount of projects sanctioned so far is about Rs. 18 crores. In addition to the ongoing projects, efforts are also being made to get sanction for a new project at Sabroom, so that trade can be started through Sabroom with Bangladesh. This is because Sabroom is a very important location, in view of its proximity to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh.

  ·During last four years total green leave production in all the estates, under Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd. (TTDCL) is 91.95 lakh kgs and total tea made by the tea processing factory of TTDCL  is 24.07 lakh kgs.

  · During last four years Tripura Jute Mills Ltd. has increased its production from 7 MT per day to 15 MT per day.

  · During last four years Tripura Small Industries Corporation Ltd. has increased its turnover from Rs 474.97 to Rs 1073.43 lakhs.

  ·The Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. has sanctioned Rs.400.12 lacs to 242unites in the last four years and disbursed Rs.274.31 lacs. In the same period, it has recovered Rs.620.81 lacs up to Jan,02. TIDC has been making all possible affords for further improving recovery performances.

In the Information Technology  sector the following steps has been initiated by Directorate of Information Technology 

. ·  An Information Technology (IT) policy for the State was formulated by the IT Directorate and was approved by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held on 3^rd June, 2000. The IT  Policy, 2000 was released to the press on 13^th June, 2000 by Minister, Industries & Commerce. Tripura is one of the first States in the North - East, after Assam to announce an IT Policy.

  ·  NEDFi is setting up an IT Park at Agartala. This will be the second such IT Park in the North -East after Guwahati. Once  this centre becomes functional, it will provide opportunities to the small and medium entrepreneurs to start their own IT related units in the IT Park.

  · In addition to the IT Park, a STP ( Software Technology Park) hub centre would also be set up in Agartala by STPI, a society under Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

  ·The Central Government has announced setting up of " Community Information Centres (CICs)" in all blocks of the North East as per PM's package for the North east. It is planned to set up 29 ( twenty nine) CICs. All the 29 ( twenty nine) CICs  have already  made functional. 

  ·The Directorate of IT has finalized a proposal for starting Computer education in selected schools of the State, through the participation of reputed training institutions like NIIT, APTECH etc. This proposal envisages providing computer education to school students in addition to their normal school curriculum. In the first phase, 8 schools have been selected

. · Directorate of IT has also taken initiative for setting up of "computer kiosk" in selected places all over the State, including Agartala. These kiosks will provide IT-enabled Government services to the common citizens. Some of these services would be information related to agricultural prices, job vacancies, information about educational institutions and booking  of specialists /  diagnostic tests in GB / IGM hospitals. These kiosk will also serve as means for self employment of educated un-employed youth of the State.  

  · An "e- governance Plan" has been formulated with the help of NIC for giving a focus to the computerization initiatives of the State Government. In addition to the computerization activities in selected Departments, this Plan  envisages setting up of a State Wide Area Network (WAN) across the State. This would ensure that the field -level functionaries up to the block level would be connected to the State HQs over the network.  

  ·  A society has been set up under the Directorate of Information Technology by the name of Tripura State Computerization Agency (TSCA). The society has been set up mainly to cater the software development and training requirements of different departments.

 Telecommunication links  

The State capital is well connected to all districts hqrs and 15 Sub Division Hqrs and 32 Block Head qrs through stable and reliable telecommunication media (OFC & Digital Microwave). 307 KM OFC has already been completed. Another 602 KM OFC link is under progress and will be completed by March 2003. Works of OFC link of the State Capital with Shilchar and Shillong is scheduled to be completed by December 2002.

Q. 6) For the second time you are serving as a Industry Minister in the State. What would you identify as your achievements ?  

 Ans:- Identification of my achievements lies with you. I could tell you about the steps taken by the Government for industrial development of the State. I think in  near future, Tripura would emerge as an industrial friendly destination not only  in the North East India but also in the industrial map of India and our team effort would continue to achieve this.

Q. 7) What is your message to potential investors from outside ?

 Ans:- Through your esteemed Website I invite the business personalities of the State and also from outside the State to come forward and set up potential projects in Tripura. Our department is ready to help to set up the projects and also offer incentives of the State Government and Central Government.