IMPHAL, July 2: The North East Council (NEC) has sanctioned the first instalment amount for reviving the Magfruit Factory of the State and installation of cold storage for the factory which will be executed by Horticulture and Soil Conservation department, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
He was replying to a motion for disapproval of policy cut raised jointly by opposition MLAs L Ibomcha and K Shyam while discussing Demand No 43 `“ grant of Rs 85, 20, 44, 000 for Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department today.
He informed the House that the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department is under the Ministry of Agriculture in the Centre.
Earlier in the State, the department was put under Agriculture department. However, the Horticulture and Soil Conservation department came into existence as a separate department since 1978, Gaikhangam said.
Stating that the total valley area measures 2000 sq km out of the total area of the state while the hill areas coveres 20, 000 sq km, he asserted that the State has the advantage in the field of horticulture.
The soil of the State is fertile for growing varieties of vegetables and fruits. In the last five years, out of the total potential area, around 25, 000 sq km has been able to cover, he said.
He continued that the revenue target set by the department for 2014-15 is Rs 12 lakhs but has already generated an amount of Rs 21.43 lakh as revenue collection.
Functioning of the factory came to a standstill after a major fire broke out in the factory. Knowing the importance of the factory, the department prepared a Detail Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 9.52 crore which was sent to the NEC for revival of the factory, Gaikhangam elaborated, adding that the first instalment amount has been sanctioned.
He went on to say that the department has launched a website through which one could know about its achievement.