The visiting NITI Aayog delegation led by Dr V K Sarswat held meetings in Agartala on Wednesday with the industry leaders and representatives of educational institutions of Tripura. The NITI Aayog delegates also held meetings with eminent personalities and academicians of the State.
In the meeting with the industry leaders, Dr V K Sarswat said Tripura has a wealth of natural resources, including pineapples, rubber, agarwood, bamboo, and jackfruit. These resources can be used to develop industries that would create jobs and generate revenue for the state.
Meeting with industry leaders:
The delegation from the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) met with industry leaders in Tripura to discuss the potential for industrial development in the state.
Pointing out Tripura’s potentiality to develop a number of successful industries, including pineapple processing, rubber manufacturing, and bamboo products, Dr Saraswat urged industry leaders to work with the state government to develop tourism and other industries. He referred to discussions with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and State government officials and said even as Tripura is facing geographical constraints, certain industries can flourish.
Talking about pineapple he suggested setting up of pineapple based food processing units. He also suggested usage of Methanol in tea industry instead of gas to minimise cost and pollution.
Dr Saraswat also pointed out state’s advantage in setting up Biomass based industries.
Meeting with education leaders:
The NITI Aayog delegation also met with education leaders in Tripura. Dr. Saraswat said that education institutions play a vital role in the development of any state. He urged education leaders to work with the state government to develop innovative programs that would prepare students for the workforce.
He also suggested that Tripura University offer courses in rubber technology and that MBB University offer fundamental courses in mathematics.
Specific recommendations:
The NITI Aayog delegation made a number of specific recommendations for the development of industries in Tripura. These recommendations include:
Developing a pineapple processing industry to take advantage of Tripura’s reputation for producing high-quality pineapples.
Developing a rubber manufacturing industry to use the state’s abundant rubber resources.
Developing a bamboo products industry to use the state’s abundant bamboo resources.
Working with the state government to develop tourism.
Working with the state government to develop other industries that would create jobs and generate revenue.
The delegation also opined that a State of Excellence on different subjects is needed.
At the meeting, Rajiv Kumar Sen, Senior Advisor to the NITI Aayog, gave valuable advice on various issues. He said that work is being done in consultation with the central government on issues such as anemia and mental health. He said that the goal is to ensure that all sections of society can benefit from development.
Hemantha Kumar Meena, the Under Secretary to the NITI Aayog, Himangshu Joshi, the Program Director of AIM, Kiran Gitte, the Secretary of Planning and Coordination Department, Government of Tripura, Vishwasri B, the Director of Industries, and eminent persons from the three sectors were present at the meeting.