Centre would provide Rs. 1 crore assistance for Sheep and Wool Improvement

Dehradun: With the assistance of Central Government, a Skill Development Scheme will be introduced in Uttarakhand's Dehradun, Roorkee and Haldwani under Union Textile Ministry and a Spice Parks would be set up at Sitarganj and Majrigrant. Permission has also been granted in-principle for a Textile Park. The Central Government would promote Organic Food items produced in Uttarakhand on priority basis.

 Union Textile, Industry and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, after a high level meeting, told news persons here at CM Residence on Saturday that 15,000 youths would be imparted training in next five years under Skill Development Scheme by Union Textile Ministry at Dehradun, Roorkee and Haldwani. It would incur an estimated budget of Rs. 100 crore of which 75 percent would be borne by the Central Government.

 Mr. Sharma informed that Spice Parks at Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar District and at Majrigrant in Dehradun would be set up with the estimated cost of Rs. 15 crore which would entirely be borne by the Centre. The State Government would provide 15 hectares of land for the Park in Sitarganj and 10 hectares at Majrigrant.

          The Centre would provide Rs. 1 crore assistance for Sheep and Wool Improvement Schemes in Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag districts under which arrangement would be made for breed improvement, immunization , health and medicine for about one lakh sheep. In addition, high-tech machines would be introduced for wool processing and spinning.

 On the proposal made by the State Government for a Textile Park, the Union Minister gave approval in-principle and said that the Centre would extend financial assistance of 40 percent or maximum of Rs. 40 crore for the proposed project.

          On the request made by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for setting up of International Trade and Convention Centre at Pantnagar, Mr. Sharma assured him of considering the proposal under PPP mode in which Central Government, State Government and Private sector would have joint stake. He also assured of taking up the matter of railway over bridge at Pantnagar with Railway Ministry.

 Union Minister Sharma said that Uttarakhand had immense potential in the field of food processing and agriculture. He observed that 35 percent of the perishable produce get destroyed owing to lack of proper management and the farmers were deprived of its profit. He asked the State Government to forward a proposal to the Centre for setting up of cold storages and pack houses under APDA. He also promised financial assistance of upto Rs 10 crore for the same.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Dr. Indira Hridayesh, Revenue Minister Yashpal Arya, Small Scale Industry Minister Harish Durgapal, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Advisor State Planning Commission Indu Kumar Pandey and other senior Central and State officers.