GUWAHATI, June 4 � The Assam Government has decided to set up a Forest Development Corporation to ensure that there is no shortage of raw materials for industries based on forest produce.
The Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi has already issued directions to the officials concerned to initiate the process of setting up of the Corporation, official sources said. The Chief Minister pointed out that such a Corporation would not only deal with the problem of shortage of raw materials for the industries, but would play a major role in the overall economic development of Assam.
Sources said that the Chief Minister also discussed the issue with the Union minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, A Sai Pratap yesterday and said that the issue of shortage of raw materials for the paper industries would also be dealt with after the formation of the Forest Corporation. The Chief Minister pointed out that after its creation, the Corporation would be able to go for bamboo plantation, which would put an end to the problem of shortage of bamboo faced by the paper mills, including the mills of the Hindustan paper Corporation (HPC).
The issue of revival of the Ashok Paper Mill was also discussed in the meeting as the Government of India has already initiated steps for the revival of the Mill. The State Government has assured full cooperation for the revival of the Mill and called upon the Union Minister to expedite the process.
