ITANAGAR, Dec 3: The State Level Sensitization and Planning Workshop on Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) organized by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Arunachal Pradesh Regional Office was inaugurated today by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein here at a private hotel.
Minister Agriculture (etc) Tage Taki, senior officials from various state government departments and other dignitaries participated in the workshop. DCM outlined the importance of agriculture and allied sectors in Arunachal’s economic development and urged for utilization of a certain percentage of fund under RIDF for agriculture. While mentioning the state’s large geographical area of 83000 sq. kms, he underscored the enormous potential of agriculture and allied sectors and reiterated the need for developing the irrigation sector. He further mentioned that state government will support progressive FPOs through KVKs from the state budget, besides emphasizing on timely completion of projects financed under RIDF and need for convergence-based approach in project implementation for bringing more benefit to the rural masses. Appreciating the role of RIDF in Arunachal’s development, DCM advised all departments to effectively leverage low cost financing and impressed upon the line departments to focus on preparing complete and implementable Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). “There is a need for setting up an industrial zone in the state, for instance in pharma industry, which would create employment opportunities for our local youths,” Mein said, urging the implementing departments and NABARD to work in close coordination.
Minister Agriculture appreciated NABARD’s contribution in state’s development and suggested changes in PMKSY to make it more suitable for needs specific to Arunachal Pradesh with emphasis on open channel irrigation. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging allied sectors for doubling farmers’ income. General Manager/OIC, NABARD Dr. Gopa Kumaran Nair underscored the importance of RIDF for sustainable growth and boosting private investments. Highlighting the need for timely completion of sanctioned projects, he also urged the state government to avail other central government funds such as Dairy Processing Fund, Micro Irrigation Fund, Warehouse Infrastructure Development Fund, Food Processing Fund and NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance and encouraged the department officials to submit DPRs on time to minimize the time gap between sanction and implementation. DGM, NABARD S.S. Vaseeharan gave a detailed presentation on the origin, genesis and operationalization of RIDF in the state and country. 
Mein also distributed prizes to the school students who emerged  winners in the essay competition on the theme “Integrity- the way of life” organized by NABARD as a part of its Vigilance Awareness Week observation. DCM Media Cell

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List