AGARTALA, May 19 (TIWN): Along with other North Eastern states of India, Tripura is all set to have its own Textile Park at Budjongnagar industry estate alongwith another proposed printing unit at Indranagar ITI. However, Union Textile Minister Santosh Gangwar is scheduled to arrive here at the state on May 19 evening and would lay the foundation stone of the Textile park. The main programme would be held at Agartala Nazrul Kalakshetra. Entirely funded by the Government of India the construction work of the proposed Textile Park and another Priniting unit would be completed by six months from now, said Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary to state Industry and Commerce on Monday. Talking to the reporters here at the civil secretariat Nagaraju said that Govt. of India has funded Rs. 18.18 crore for setting up the textile park whereas for the printing unit it sanctioned Rs. 3. 41crore. Adding to that he said that a total of three entrepreneurs would be brought here at the textile park at Budjingnagar industry estate and each would be provided with 100 stitching machines. A total of 300 stitching machines would be provided. The park aims to generate a total of 1200 women from across the state and would be trained at the park, Nagaraju told to reporters.

The Indian government plans to set up ready-made garment manufacturing units in each of the eight north eastern States which, among other things, would boost local employment, particularly for women.Recently such textile park has been inaugurated at Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and the union Minister would lay the foundation stone of the textile park at Assam on May 19. However, later reaching here at the state Minister would lay the foundation stone for Tripura on May 20, said Nagaraju on Monday.

Detailing the project further Nagaraju said that the raw materials would be procured from local farms here in Tripura whereas with the new printing units coming up in Indranagar ITI, Tripura would not have to depend on other states like West Bengal which used to be earlier.

He said that National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. (NBCC) has been assigned with the construction work of the textile park at Budjongnagar which is expected to be completed by 6 months.  

However, according to the officials the garments would be exported to neighbouring countries. All the units would be run by small entrepreneurs. A Textile Ministry representative would be associated with the selection of the entrepreneur and the unit's management.

The Tripura government would extend all out support for setting up of the park. It would create new opportunities in the industry-starved northeastern region, Nagaraju said.

The Government of Tripura is making all possible efforts to increase silk production through adaptation of modern techniques. 

However in reality, laying foundation stone is the easiest item, but getting the industrial unit running is a different story.

Given the fact that, former Chief Secretary and present Union Textiles Secretary S.K.Panda is behind this inititive, so multiple media scrutinies are bound to happen as former Chief Secretary was involved in multiple controversies from CM-CS Book Scam, then selecting scam tainted BDO Bimal Chakraborty to translate his book One plus one into Bengali  etc. Also S.K.Panda was subjected to enquiries by Central Vigilance Commission. 

At the 2015 year end,  Union Textiles Secretary Panda likely to retire , also whether the Park would be constructed within stipulated timeframe  or economically it is viable...many questions still remain.