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Chennai , Aug. 8

THE Tamil Nadu Government has passed orders to include toy units and a range of fisheries activities such as pearl oyster culture, lobster fattening and prawn farming under the incentive package of the New Anna Marumalarchi Thittam.

The New Anna Marumalarchi Thittam (NAMT) aims to encourage one or more rural and agro-based industries with an investment of Rs 1 crore in each of the 385 blocks in the State.

According to sources in the know, there is a thriving toy industry and related handicrafts industry in the rural areas that use agro-based waste materials and by-products. There were significant levels of exports of these toys to various markets, and the State Government was interested in encouraging such units. There are over 33 registered small-scale industrial units manufacturing toys in the State.

In addition, a large number of manufacturing units were present in Thanjavur, Villupuram and Kallakurichi and surrounding areas that use locally available raw materials. Self-help groups that were catalysing entrepreneurship among women and augmenting rural income could benefit from the support under the scheme, they said.

Similarly, the Government has included under the purview of eligible activities for support under the NAMT coastal fisheries activities such as prawn culture, mud crab fattening, lobster fattening and pearl oyster culture.

Sources said that investments made on creating the farm infrastructure including pond construction, diesel pump sets, paddle wheel aerators and bore well and sluices will be treated as plant and machinery and be eligible for 15 per cent capital subsidy.

These units will also be eligible for 5 per cent additional subsidy when more than 50 per cent of the workforce consists of women, they said.

This move is expected to give an additional impetus to the growth of fisheries in the State where a potential area of 56,000 hectares is available for coastal aquaculture but about 3000 hectares is exploited under shrimp farming, they said.

Under fisheries development mission announced earlier, it was proposed to develop over 1000 hectares, annually for aquaculture.

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