‘Tripura has huge potential for development of eco-tourism'

Despite myriad problems caused by the locational disadvantage, limited infrastructure and other issues, Tripura is forging ahead. In an interview to Business Line , Mr Jitendra Chaudhury, Industry Minister, explains priorities, prospects and problems.

What are your priorities as Industry Minister?

My priorities remain unchanged over the years. The same priorities which I emphasise at every forum: promoting industries based on local resources and creating maximum job opportunities for local people.

There is another point to which I attach a good deal of importance, namely, the political stability and the transparency in the functioning of the State Government. In this regard, I can proudly claim, Tripura is much ahead of many other States in the country.

How far have you succeeded in complying with your priorities?

If I say we've achieved a good deal of success, perhaps I will not be telling you the truth. But certainly we've moved a long way from where we started despite so many problems.

What are the problems?

The problems are many – the problem of isolation because of our geographical location, infrastructure, and at one time, the State was ravaged by militancy. We cannot do anything about our location. We're trying our best to improve infrastructure and we can claim some success in it because improving connectivity is not entirely in our hands. The militancy problem has been successfully tackled. We've succeeded in bringing a large number of misguided people into the mainstream and rehabilitate them.

In power, you must be in a comfortable situation. Isn't it?

Yes. One reason for this is that the State's industrial demand for power is not very high. We'll soon be surplus in power, as soon as the two huge power plants in Palatana and Monarchak are commissioned.

What about the utilisation of natural gas? The State is having huge reserve of gas, isn't it?

We particularly want a gas-based fertiliser unit not only to achieve utilisation of gas but also for the benefit local farmers. Tripura you know is an agriculture-based State.

Any progress? Are you talking to any business group in this regard?

Yes. But it will be premature to discuss it at this stage.

But the State is also rich in natural rubber, forest products, horticulture…?

Yes. Some rubber-based units have come up, with businessmen from north India having invested in these projects. A Delhi-based group has also set up a galvanised sheet manufacturing unit.

What about forest products?

We've a huge reserve of forest-based bamboos. Unfortunately, bamboo-based industries have not come up here in a big way.

Why this is so?

The reason is simple. The R&D in this industry is yet to take off, unlike China which controls the major market for bamboo-based products. We want the private sector to come forward but unfortunately that is not happening.

How do you think the problem can be tackled?

Perhaps the announcement of incentive package by the Union Government might help. We've already taken up the matter with the Centre. We have decided to set up bamboo-based industry park just as our rubber park, the first in the country, which is due to be commissioned in March. The work on food processing industry park too is nearing completion.

What about tourism?

With three wildlife sanctuaries, two national parks, a beautiful lake covering 100 sq km and Jampui hills, the seat of permanent autumn and diverse culture, Tripura has a huge potential for development of eco-tourism. We're working on it but much remains to be done.

Tripura's interaction with neighbouring Bangladesh is showing signs of improvement. Isn't it?

Yes, to some extent. There is a regular passenger bus service between Agartala and Dhaka.

But we want goods movement by road to start early between the two countries. I understand the transhipment and transit facilities are in place.

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