August 20, 2018: The State Government has taken note of excessive uses of fertilizers and pesticides and accordingly has focused on eco-friendly methods. Moreover, eco-friendly initiatives are likely to give a boost to bio-employment policies. Working in this direction the Directorate of Bio-technology, Govt of Tripura has signed a MoU with ONGC for launching a bio village project at Brajendranagar under Pandabpur Gram Panchayat of Dukli Block of Tripura is signed today at Vigyan Bhawan in Agartala.
The Bio-village project aims to make a holistic development of socio-economy for rural community with the application of eco-friendly technologies. The components included in the Bio-village project are, distribution of (i) Energy saving electronic gadget (LED Bulb & Fan) (ii) Biotech Kit (iii) Mushroom (iv) Bee keeping (v) Biogas Unit .
Approximately 120 members of 40 households belonging to farming community of Brajendranagar, which lies in the vicinity of Agartala Dome Base (ADB) Gas Collecting Station of ONGC, would be benefited once this bio-village project is successfully executed.
On behalf of ONGC , J.S.Negi, DGM (HR) – I/C CSR and for Directorate of Biotechnology S.S. Talwar signed the MoU in the august presence of the Minister for Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Tripura Sudip Roy Barman, and ED- Asset Manager Mr. G. K Singha Roy . Principal secretary, Deptt. of Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Tripura and several other senior executives of ONGC Tripura and Govt. of Tripura witnessed the signing ceremony.
Launching the noble endeavour, Minister for Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Tripura Sudip Roy Barman said, “It seems to be an excellent eco friendly approach, in a time when we all are concerned about the consequences of indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides on environment & Agricultural produce. The ill effects of chemical pesticide causing diseases like Gastric, Neuro problem, cancer and many more to the human being besides polluting water, soil & air substantially.”
He appreciated the benevolent move of ONGC to support the innovative initiate of Govt. of Tripura. He also requested ED-Asset Manager of ONGC Tripura, G. K. Singha Roy to extend financial support for couple of more Bio-village projects for the welfare of the farmers and towards creation of clean and green village. He even requested the Mahila Samiti of ONGC to make arrangement for buying back the produce like vegetables, honey etc targeted to be produced in this project.
Speaking on the occasion ED- Asset Manager G. K. Singha Roy said, this initiative is a step towards solving the problems of unemployment of Tripura and bringing to the forefront bio- Employment policies co-related with economic reality, there by promoting green employment in the green State of Tripura.”
He farther added that, Minister for petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmandra Pradhan is also the Minister for Skill Development and entrepreneurship. Under his guidance ONGC is giving more emphasis on Skill Development and such unique initiative will be preferred by ONGC.
This unique project will emphasis Skill Development, which will ultimately result into sustainable development of a village and virtually transform a group of farmers into budding entrepreneur.
He informed that the first bio- village project of Tripura has been launched at Meghlipara village in Sadar Sub- division on November 24, 2017. This has been identified as a Pilot project by DRDA, Government of Tripura for sustainable development in the field of farming and skill development .
He added that ONGC Tripura Asset has spent more than Rs. 6 Crore in FY 2017-18 and within first 3 months of FY 2018-19 we have spentaround Rs. 3 Crore under CSR head.