Imphal, May 17: Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the House that along with efforts to frame a State industrial policy following the introduction of the North East Investment and Industrial Promotion Policy by the Centre, the State Government has approached Delhi to increase the border trade items with Myanmar.

Ibobi said this in response to queries raised by the Opposition during the discussion to pass the Demand for Grants for Commerce and Industries and Weights and Measures, Labour and Employment, PHED, Sericulture and Horticulture and Soil Conservation.

Elaborating, the Chief Minister informed the House that a Committee has been formed to work out the Industrial Policy for the State in sync with the announcement by the Centre for the North East States.

Ibobi said that the focus of the State towards Industrial Policy shifted after the Centre adopted a different policy for industrial development in 1999.The earlier policy stressing on agro based industry and manufacturing industry was framed in 1996.The new policy spelt out by the Centre for the North East region include exemption of hundred percent excise duty and working out the interest rate for working capital at 3 pc, said the Chief Minister.

The State Government is minutely looking into the policy mooted by the Centre.

Speaking on the border trade, the Chief Minister said that since this is under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Commerce, there is nothing much the State Government can do.

However the State Government has urged the Centre to increase the trade items from the present 22 items.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that the Vigilance Department has been roped in to probe the case of the Rs 50 lakhs deposited with the Engineering Cell of the District Council to procure land for the proposed setting Food Park.

If there is any case of embezzling the fund, then fitting action would be taken up against the guilty officials, he assured.

On the other hand if it is found that the money has been utilised for the stated objective, then the department concerned would be asked to return the balance amount, if any.

A bamboo park at Jiribam is also being considered to complement the bamboo chipping plant located at the sub-division.

On the Sericulture Project being taken up under funding from the Japanese Government, the Chief Minister assured the House that there is no question of letting the project go to waste.

Reports on the progress of the project are being studied twice a month.

One hurdle facing the smooth progress of the project are the obstacles faced while transporting certain items from outside the State.

As the services of experts are needed for the successful completion of the project, efforts are on to extend the service of the previous consultant, informed the CM.

Joining in the discussion, Horticulture Minister Gaikhangam said that awareness programmes are being held for the farmers, but there are problems faced while marketing their products.

The absence of a cold storage has also added to the discomfiture of the farmers, he informed the House.

However despite the many difficulties, plans are afoot to construct a market shed as well as a cold storage under the Mini Mission Phase III.

The Opposition on its part lambasted the Government on the charge that the Demands lack vision.

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