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Bengal

Foundation stone for lac processing unit laid in Purulia

Kolkata: Shantiram Mahato, minister for Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs Department, laid the foundation stone for a lac processing unit at Balarampur in Purulia on Wednesday.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 14.14 crore, the centre will have a building where state-of-the-art machines will be installed.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises department will look after the cluster where farmers will produce raw lac that will be processed at the unit.
The initiative was taken by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who wanted to revive lac production in the state. Jharkhand is the leading producer of lac followed by Chhattisgarh. Lac is also produced in Maharashtra.
Purulia, Jhalda, Bagmundi and Balarampur are famous for lac production in Bengal. Lac is used to varnish furniture and to polish various items. It is used to dye wool as well. Purulia was famous for lac production once. But over the years the farmers lost interest.
Mamata Banerjee said its production should be revived and asked the MSME department to take necessary steps.
After laying the foundation stone, Mahato said: "It will ensure development of lac production. Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs Department is trying to rejuvenate lac cultivation in Purulia district and regain its past glory. Purulia at one point of time topped the list in lac production."

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