Setting up of NEBDC

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, AUG 8: A meeting was today held at the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong under the chairmanship of CK Das, IAS (Retd), Member, NEC to discuss about the setting up of a North East Bamboo Development Council (NEBDC).

Addressing the meeting, Ram Muivah, Secretary, NEC mentioned that following the decision taken in the 2nd meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Bamboo Sector Coordination Group held at New Delhi on July 6, under the chairmanship of Naveen Verma, Secretary, Ministry of DoNER this meeting was being held with representatives from the State governments of North East region and other stakeholder Institutions.

In his opening remarks, Das stated that though India has the 2nd largest bamboo resource in the world, however its position is below 10 in terms of world bamboo trade and is a net importer of most bamboo products. One of the reasons identified is the complicated and unfavorable policies. Notwithstanding, there is a high potential for production, consumption and exports and a body like the NEBDC will go a long way in promoting the bamboo sector in the North East of India in a coordinated manner.

The objectives of the NEBDC will be to dedicatedly promote the bamboo sector by facilitating, coordinating and mobilizing efforts aimed at promoting the sector.

The NEBDC will also be the body of Knowledge and Think Tank for policy making and advisory roles.

The major decision taken in the meeting was to set up the North East Bamboo Development Council as a Society under Societies Registration Act, 1860. It will have a high level Governing Body and an Executive Body with a professional managerial setup.

The NEBDC would help in accelerated growth of bamboo plantations and industries in the region and would cater to the requirements of all the States of the region in this field. It was also decided to set up Bamboo Resource Centres in all the NER States.

Discussions were also held for celebration of National Bamboo Day on September 18.

The meeting was also attended by CH Kharshiing, Planning Adviser, NEC, D. Khound, Economic Adviser, NEC, G Chintey, Adviser, NEC, Roui Kullai, Director, Min. of DoNER and senior officials from the State Govts of NER.