Centre to fund Mizoram fruit & bamboo industries

AIZAWL, April 16: Proposals for bamboo processing industry in Mizoram would be given priority by the Centre, Union Minister of State for Small Scale Industries Vasundhara Raje said here recently, reports PTI. Raje, who was here on a one-day visit, said that she would pursue establishment of more bamboo processing units in the state to cater to the high potential of Mizoram. Mizoram Government informed her that while the annual marketable surplus of bamboo is more than 32 lakh metric tonne, only one per cent is currently utilised and the Planning Commission had agreed to assist only one pilot project costing Rs four crore. The state government also urged her to persuade the Centre to create cargo handling facility at Lengpui airport to enable marketing of value added industrial products and perishable agriculture, horticulture and forest produces outside the State. Raje met State Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Industries Minister K Thangzuala and officials of the State industry department who apprised her of the prevailing industrial problems in the State. Earlier, she was received at the Zemabawk helipad near here by Thangzuala, senior officials and leaders of the State BJP unit.