Himalayan & NE

28-Jul-2022: Promotion of Ethnic Foods of North Eastern States

Geographical indication (GI) registration of 13 agri-horti produces and umbrella brands ‘ONE’ (Organic North East) and ‘NE Fresh’ have been launched by North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd. (NERAMAC) for promotion of Agri-Horti products of NER.

NERAMAC and the North Eastern Council (NEC) have organised and participated in various events to market and showcase ethnic foods of North Eastern Region (NER) at national and international level.

19-Aug-2021: NERAMAC revival and Oil Palm Mission are a big boost to North east Farmers, will contribute to doubling of their income

Sri G Kishan Reddy the union minister for culture, tourism and development of north eastern region (DoNER) said “the government under the leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is making relentless efforts towards fulfilling the vision of a prosperous farmer for a prosperous nation”. He added “farmers are the bedrock of our country’s strength and since 7 years our focus has been on the farmer centric policies with a focus on doubling farmer’s income”.

Recently, The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister has approved a revival package of Rs.77.45 crore (Rs. 17 crore towards fund based support and Rs.60.45 crore towards non-fund based support) for revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC), a central Public Section Enterprises under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regional (MDoNER). The Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said “The revival of NERAMAC will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and provide better farming facilities and training to the farmers of the North Eastern Region”.

On the same day, the Union Cabinet also approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) as a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Mission aims to increase the area under cultivation for Oil Palm by an additional area of 6.5 lakh hectare (ha.) thereby reaching the target of 10 lakh hectares in the next 5 years. “India is the largest edible oil importer in the world and imports 133.50 lakh tonnes costing 80 thousand crores. The decision taken under the Prime Minister’s leadership will ensure us to be self-reliant and cut our import bill thus contributing to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

The Union Minister Sri G Kishan Reddy added “the government has identified the North Eastern region as a special focus area as the target set for the North east in the next 5 years is more than 50% of the overall target of 6.5 lakh hectares set for the entire nation. On behalf of the farmers of the north eastern states, I am grateful to the Prime Minister for this visionary decision”.

The Minister also highlighted existing experience of states such as Mizoram in the North-eastern region that are ranked among the top 5 cultivators of Oil Palm in the country. “Farmers of states such as Mizoram already have significant Oil Palm cultivation experience and we can leverage their expertise in the rest of the North eastern states”, he said.

18-Aug-2021: Cabinet approves revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister has approved a revival package of Rs.77.45 crore (Rs. 17 crore towards fund based support and Rs.60.45 crore towards non-fund based support) for revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC), a central Public Section Enterprises under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regional (MDoNER).

Benefits:

With the implementation of the revival package, remunerative price to the farmers of NER of their products will be ensured.

Revival package will help NERAMAC to implement various innovative plans namely providing better farming facilities, training to farmers in clusters, organic seeds and fertilizer, post harvesting facilities in order to promote the products of NE farmers in the world market through participation in events, registration of GI products etc.

Revenue of the Corporation will increase and overheads will reduce as a result of VRS and other cost cutting measures and the Corporation will start making profits on sustained basis and its dependency on GoI loan will cease.

Employment generation potential: After the implementation of revival of NERAMAC, employment will be generated both directly and indirectly in farming sector, projects and events management sector, logistics, sorting and grading and value addition, entrepreneurship and marketing. It is expected that employment will be generated for about 33,000 persons.

Targets: Revival package will help NERAMAC to implement various innovative plans namely providing better farming facilities, training to farmers in clusters, organic seeds and fertilizer, post harvesting facilities in order to promote the products of NE farmers in the world market through participation in events, registration of GI (Geographical Indications) products etc., promoting FPOs and other growers. Apart from this, focusing in bamboo plantation and bee-keeping, sales through e-commerce taking advantage of other Government of India schemes such as PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund under AatmaNirbhar Bharat, Krishi Udaan and Kisan Rail, tie-up with farmers and entrepreneurs who are involved in high value organic crops, starting retail outlets under franchise concept under its own brands like “NE Fresh” and “ONE” (Organic North East) and through NAFED, TRIFED etc. is also in the pipeline.

Implementation of revival package will generate employment both directly and indirectly in farming sector, projects and events management sector, logistics, sorting & grading and value addition, entrepreneurship and marketing.

GI tagging and marketing of Organic Products of NER in other parts of the country as well as outside the country, will enhance the export of these products which will improve the economic status of NER farmers.

4-Sep-2019: MoS DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh lays Foundation Stone of NERAMAC Marketing Complex in Guwahati

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (IC) Dr Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) marketing complex in Guwahati, Assam today.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this marketing complex will be a destination to showcase the products of the North Eastern region. Not only Assam, but the entire North Eastern region will be benefited from it and will also get an opportunity to showcase themselves before the rest of India. Guwahati has now come up as a very important metro city in India and the day is not far when this place will become one of the favourite destinations for young entrepreneurs and young startups from all over the country. It is a dream that this Complex should become functional as soon as possible and whatever additional cost will be required will be provided by the North Eastern Council.

This initiative will be a new landmark in the field of Agri-Horti Sector where all farmers and entrepreneurs of North East will get a common platform to showcase and market their produce. NERAMAC is continuously making all efforts for the development of the farmers of the North eastern region and double their income by the end of the 2022 and hence, the construction of this building infrastructure at the heart of the North Eastern city of Guwahati will be the step forward in this direction.

NERAMAC is coming up with “Construction of its Marketing Complex at Six Mile, Guwahati” in a land measuring 2007 sq. mt. (1.5 bigha) with the support of North Eastern Council (NEC). This building will be constructed in two phases. In first phase, Block I (Office cum Market Complex) of the Building will be developed up to 4th Floor and the Block II (Guest House) will be developed upto 1st Floor at a total cost of Rs. 13.15 cr.

The construction of this building of Office cum marketing complex is funded by North Eastern Council under its scheme for ‘Marketing support Agri-Horti produce in NE region’.

This Building will be developed as a ‘Green Building’ and one of the State of Art land mark buildings in the region. The building will have the provisions for an Agri-Horti Retails Hub wherein all the farmers & entrepreneurs of North East will get a common platform to showcase and sell their products and produces.

On the other hand, the proposed NERAMAC’s Office cum Marketing Complex shall also have the provisions for accommodating Agri – Horti related Government Departments under a single roof for better coordination and to provide single window facilitation centre to the farmers groups/ Entrepreneurs to avail Schemes of Government.

3-Sep-2019: MoS (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh to lay foundation stone of NERAMAC Marketing complex in Guwahati tomorrow

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (IC) Dr Jitendra Singh will lay the foundation stone of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) Marketing complex in Guwahati, Assam tomorrow.

The construction of this building of Office cum marketing complex is funded by North Eastern Council under its scheme for ‘Marketing support Agri-Horti produce in NE region’.

The NERAMAC Limited was incorporated in the year 1982 as a Government of India Enterprise and having its registered office at Guwahati and operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). NERAMAC is a pioneer marketing organization in the field of Agri-Horti sector of the North-eastern region, involved in supporting farmers right from the fields and upto the markets to the end consumers through registered FPO/FPCs.

NERAMAC, when have its own infrastructure developed with all facilities, will not only attain its sustainability but it also strengthen for larger operation which will directly or indirectly benefit the farmers of the region.

NERAMAC is continuously making all efforts for the development of the farmers of the North eastern region and double their income by the end of the 2022 and hence, the construction of this building infrastructure at the heart of the north eastern city of Guwahati will be the step forward in this direction.

21-Jul-2022: Projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has sanctioned 145 projects worth Rs.3,392.99 crore for the North Eastern States under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), out of which completion certificates of 02 projects worth Rs.50.90 crore have been received from the State Governments, as on 20.07.2022.

The following three projects costing more than Rs.100 crore have been sanctioned under NESIDS:

(Rs. in crore)

S. No.	Project	Date of Sanction	Cost
1.	Upgradation of 132 KV Surjamaninagar Sub-Station into 400 KV in Tripura	07-10-2019	120.88
2.	Construction of Double Lane Road from Lanka to Umrangso via Diyungmukh, Haflong Tinali and Panimur, Assam	04-05-2021	227.17
3.	Alternate Gravity Water Supply Scheme of Aizawl, Mizoram	04-12-2018	114.20

Under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, out of 1,642 sanctioned projects worth Rs.17,470.99 crore, 1,278 projects worth Rs.10,919.76 crore have been completed by 20.07.2022. The completion of the project is impacted by various factors including working season, locations of the projects' sites, local conditions, etc. which vary from project to project.

Since 2017 till date, North Eastern Council (NEC), which is a statutory regional planning body under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, has entered into eight Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) amounting to around Rs.13.28 crore in the sectors of Agriculture, Culture, Education, Science & Technology and tourism.

21-Jul-2022: Projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)

The following three projects costing more than Rs.100 crore have been sanctioned under NESIDS:

(Rs. in crore)

S. No.	Project	Date of Sanction	Cost
1.	Upgradation of 132 KV Surjamaninagar Sub-Station into 400 KV in Tripura	07-10-2019	120.88
2.	Construction of Double Lane Road from Lanka to Umrangso via Diyungmukh, Haflong Tinali and Panimur, Assam	04-05-2021	227.17
3.	Alternate Gravity Water Supply Scheme of Aizawl, Mizoram	04-12-2018	114.20

24-Mar-2022: Status of projects under NESIDS

The selection of projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) for sanction and funding is based on prioritization duly done by the respective State Government. On receipt thereafter at the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, these are considered for sanction under NESIDS, based on recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). Consequently funds get released for the projects selected/sanctioned as per the extant guidelines and requisite formalities, inter alia utilization of previous installment etc. After its coming into existence since 15.12.2017, the sanction of project under NESIDS started in financial year 2018-19. Since then 112 projects worth Rs.2589.14 crore have been sanctioned in the North Eastern States under NESIDS as on 21.03.2022, which are at various stages of Implementation.

The Utilization Certificates in respect of funds released by the Ministry under NESIDS are required to be submitted by the State Governments concerned within twelve months of the closure of the financial year in which the funds are released. Funds amounting to Rs.1514.48 crore have been released under NESIDS by 21.03.2022. Against this, utilisation certificate of Rs.657.26 crore would be due by 31.03.2022, out of which utilisation certificates of Rs.588.54 crore (89.54%) have been received by 21.03.2022 from the State Governments concerned.

3-Feb-2022: North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme

Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), financial assistance is provided for projects of physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power, connectivity to promote tourism; and for projects of social sector for creation of infrastructure for primary and secondary education and health. So far, 110 projects worth Rs.2563.14 crore have been sanctioned in the North Eastern States under NESIDS, which are at various stages of implementation.

Presently all the projects under NESIDS are ongoing and the period of completion will vary from project to project. For timely implementation of projects, various steps for strengthening monitoring mechanism have been undertaken by the Ministry, which inter-alia, include payment through Public Financial Management System(PFMS); Geo-tagging of project sites; monitoring of physical progress through geo-tagged photographs; release of funds linked to physical and financial progress and inspection of major projects by Technical Wing of the Ministry on sample basis; monitoring of projects by Chief Nodal Officers/Nodal Officers for effective implementation etc.

16-Dec-2021: List of projects sanctioned under NESIDS

During the last two financial years i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21, 54 projects worth Rs.1320.49 crore have been sanctioned under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), which is a 100% Central funded Central Sector Scheme. The state-wise details of projects sanctioned are as under:

S. No.	State	Sanctioned projects
		Number of projects	Cost (Rs. crore)
1.	Arunachal Pradesh	7	182.89
2.	Assam	13	397.85
3.	Manipur	5	111.06
4.	Meghalaya	3	59.16
5.	Mizoram	4	61.35
6.	Nagaland	13	233.68
7.	Sikkim	2	46.45
8.	Tripura	7	228.05
	Total	54	1320.49

For timely completion of the projects, various steps for strengthening monitoring mechanism have been undertaken by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. These inter-alia, include payment through Public Financial Management System(PFMS); Geo-tagging of project sites; monitoring of physical progress through geo-tagged photographs; ‘just in time‘ release of funds linked to physical and financial progress and inspection of major projects by Technical Wing of the Ministry.

Under the NESIDS funds are allocated to States on the basis of Normative Allocation in the beginning of the Financial Year. Projects that enhance tourism through physical infrastructure projects relating to water supply, power and connectivity; and projects to upgrade social infrastructure for primary and secondary education and health are covered. Candidate projects under these identified sectors are required to be duly prioritized by the State Governments with the approval of the competent authority, before being considered for sanction and eventual funding under NESIDS.

13-Dec-2021: North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme

Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), financial assistance is provided to enhance tourism through physical infrastructure projects relating to water supply, power and connectivity; and to upgrade social infrastructure for primary and secondary education and health. So far, 110 projects worth Rs.2563.14 crore have been sanctioned in the North Eastern States under NESIDS and are at various stages of implementation.

15-Dec-2017: Cabinet approves introduction of new Scheme, NESIDS till March 2020

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the existing Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme with funding pattern of 90:10 till March, 2020 with an outlay of Rs.5300.00 crore. It would enable completion of ongoing projects.

The Union Cabinet also approved the introduction of new Central Sector Scheme of “North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme” (NESIDS) from 2017-18 with 100% funding from the Central Government to fill up the gaps in creation of infrastructure in specified sectors till March, 2020.

Features of NESIDS: The new scheme will broadly cover creation of infrastructure under following sectors:-

Physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power, connectivity and specially the projects promoting tourism;
Infrastructure of social sectors of education and health.

Benefits of NESIDS: The assets to be created under the new scheme of NESIDS will not only strengthen health care and education facilities in the region but will also encourage tourism thereby the employment opportunities for local youth. The scheme will act as a catalyst in overall development of the region in the years to come.

9-May-2022: NEHHDC and Etsy sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support small and traditional artisans from the North East

Etsy, the global marketplace for unique and creative goods, has partnered with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support small sellers, weavers and artisans, by providing them with market access and enablement support.

As a part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Etsy will work with the NEHHDC to develop enablement programs, specifically designed for artisans from the North East including modules on online selling and entrepreneurship and the opportunity to access a wider market for their products.

Etsy aims to equip artisans, creators and small entrepreneurs in the Indian handicrafts sector with important tools and resources to start and manage online businesses. Etsy will provide digital enablement services to these sellers and conduct training workshops to familiarise them with Etsy and how to sell on the marketplace.

Commenting on the development, Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd), Managing Director, NEHHDC said, “It’s a key focus for us to promote the indigenous crafts of the North East region and create economic opportunities for craftspeople. There are more than 21 lakh weavers and 14.5 lakh artisans in the region, but the right kind of market linkage has been missing. This association with Etsy can be a gamechanger for our artisans and ensure that they are able to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms and reach both domestic and global buyers.”

Ross LaJeunesse, VP, Public Policy & Advocacy, Etsy, said, “Etsy’s vision across the world is to ‘Keep Commerce Human’, and we are committed to using the power of our business and our platform to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs – knowing that by doing so, we in turn empower and improve communities. There is global appreciation for ‘Made in India’ products and we want to enable artisans and craftspeople from the all the states of the North East to be a part of our community of 5.5 million sellers and use our platform to showcase the intricacy, the beauty, and the quality of their art to audiences – and buyers – across the world.”

This partnership will help indigenous products from the area (from categories like textiles, cane and bamboo products, accessories and more) become available online for millions of buyers on the Etsy platform. Artisans from all eight North Eastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will be onboarded onto Etsy. They will receive a fixed amount of free ad credits as a part of this programme.

About Etsy:

Etsy, Inc. founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to "Keep Commerce Human," and are committed to using the power of business and technology to strengthen communities and empower people. The Etsy.com, its primary marketplace, is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, Etsy offers a range of tools and services that address key business needs.

Etsy, Inc.'s "House of Brands" portfolio also includes fashion resale marketplace Depop, musical instrument marketplace Reverb, and Brazil-based handmade goods marketplace Elo7. Each Etsy, Inc. marketplace operates independently, while benefiting from shared expertise in product, marketing, technology, and customer support.

About NEHHDC:

Incorporated in 1977, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) is an organisation that attempts to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the North Eastern region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and consumers and generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers. The corporation is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. It offers a range of products from all the eight North Eastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The organisation procures handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the region and retails the same through its chain of "Purbashree" Emporia located at Shillong, Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore and a Sales Promotion Office at Chennai. Moreover it promotes the products at various national and international markets through exhibitions and trade fairs. The Corporation also conducts training programmes and seminars for skill and knowledge upgradation of the artisans and weavers.

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