NATHKUCHI, Feb 28 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi laid the foundation stone of North East’s first mega food park project at Nathkuchi within the campus of Assam Co-operative Syntex Mill in Nalbari district yesterday.

The Nathkuchi mega food park to be set up at a cost of rupees one hundred crore will be the third project of the country.

Laying the foundation stone of the mega project, the Chief Minister said that the setting up of this park will boost the North-East agricultural sector. The State Government has decided to generate employment by increasing farmer’s productivity.

Gogoi was hopeful that such a food processing project will help to usher in a Green Revolution in the country. The Chief Minister added that during the Congress regime the economic condition of every village in the State had registered quick development.

Referring to the insurgency problem in the State, the Chief Minister asserted that development activities will go on despite terrorism. “We can’t stop developmental activities owing to terrorism”, Gogoi added. He further stated that the ULFA had totally lost mass support.

We want a solution to the ULFA problem, but they should come forward for negotiation leaving their base in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said. He, however denied the charge about the Congress party’s involvement with the ULFA for grabbing power at Dispur.

Speaking at the function, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Power, Pradyut Bordoloi said that about 30,000 to 35,000 youths will get direct or indirect employment from the proposed food processing project. Bordoloi said that horticultural and other agricultural products available in the North-East and bordering Bhutan could be processed in this park. The Industry Minister further added that, the overall situation in the State has improved significantly. Investors from outside therefore proposed to invest Rs 2100 crore in the industrial sector in the State.

The State Government has decided to set up a bamboo park at Jagiroad, textile park at Sipajhar, plastic park at Tinisukia, jute park at Kharupetia and an agricultural project at Dakshin Kamrup area only to generate employment in the State.

The meeting which was presided over by Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman was addressed by MLA Moloya Barman, MLA Maneswar Brahmo, joint secretary of food proccessing Gautam Shyndal, among other.

It may be mentioned that the main purpose of the project was to increase realisation of farmers, creation of high quality rural processing infrustructure, reduction in wastage, capacity building of producers and processors and creation of an efficient supply chain, besides employment generation. Though the project will cost a hundred crore initially, another Rs 500 crore will be invested in the final stage.