Lok Sabha Question No. 4476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Destination North East-2017
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA Unstarred Question No. 4476

To be answered on

Wednesday, March 29, 2017/Chaitra 8, 1939 (Saka)

## Question

## Destination North East - 2017

4476. SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI T.RADHAKRISHNAN: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry  has organised festival of 'Destination North East -2017' recently;
- (b) if, so, the details thereof along with aims and objectives thereof;
- (c) the details of the stakeholders who have participated in the said festival;
- (d) the details of investment  made  in  North-East  during the said festival (Destination North-East, 2017)  Sector-wise; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for socio-economic exchange of  other  parts of the country with North- Eastern Region?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) The  Destination  North  East-2017  (DNE-2017)  was  organized  to  build  upon the  comparative  advantages  of  the  North  East  Region,  which  included  Business Summit,  Buyer-Seller  meet,  exhibition  stalls  showcasing  best  features  of  NE  to attract  investment  in  tourism,  skill,  start-up,  handlooms  &  handicrafts,  horticulture,

medicinal and aromatic plants. The  Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to Government  of  India  and  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR) displayed  and  demonstrated,  appropriate  rural  technologies/innovations  of  IITs, RuTAG (Rural  Technology  Action  Group)  and  other  technologies.  In  addition,  the rich cultural heritage of NE were displayed by cultural troops from North East Zone Cultural Council, Ministry of Culture and other NE music Bands. One of the major attractions of the event was the NE food & cuisine by the women Self Help Groups.

- (c) Office  of  Principal  Scientific  Adviser  to  Government  of  India,  Ministry  of Information  Broadcasting,  Ministry  of  Ayurveda,  Yoga  and  Naturopathy,  Unani, Siddha  and  Homoeopathy,  Ministry  of  Textile,  Council  of  Scientific  &  Industrial Research,  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises,  Ministry  of  Skill Development  and  Entrepreneur  participated  along  with  the  State  Governments  of North East.
- (d) Investment  enquiries  have  been  made  by  the  visitors/investors  regarding handloom, handicrafts and food products of North Eastern Region. The DNE 2017 was  organized  with  a  hope  to    encourage  investments  in  the  NER  especially  in sectors  such  as,  Textiles,  Food  processing  industries,  Medicinal  plants,  Organic horticulture  produce  and  fresh  flowers,  tourism,  Cane  &  Bamboo  etc.  which  are inherent strength of NER.  The RuTAG of IIT Guwahati received a concept note for processing "Biomass Dyers" for four states of North Eastern Region at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.5 crore for installation/customization of these dyers.
- (e) Destination  North  East  event  is  one  of  the  steps  taken  by  Ministry  of Development of North Eastern Region to bring North East closer and help assimilate the diverse cultural heritage of India while encouraging investment in priority sectors like  Tourism,  Handloom,  Handicrafts,  Food  processing  etc.    Other  steps  taken  by Ministry  of  DoNER  towards  assimilation  of  North  Eastern  Region,  are  funding Business Summits, Seminars, Buyers & Sellers meets to attract investors in North Eastern  Region  and  supporting  participation  of  weavers/artisans  of  NER  in  Craft Bazaars and exhibitions all over India to promote their Handloom and Handicrafts and give them exposure to the National Market.

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