State allots land for 37 handicraft artisans

Kolkata: The Bengal government has allotted land to as many as 37 people involved in the production of various handicraft items in the Biswa Khudra Bazar at Bolpur in Birbhum district.

After attending a Cabinet meeting, state Finance and Industry minister Amit Mitra said that allocations of land have been made for 23 people and 14 new allotments are coming up soon, taking the number to 37.

According to Mitra, at least 5,000 people may be employed in the various units that are coming up in the Biswa Khudra Bazar.

"Apart from katha stitch projects, terracotta and ornamental jewellery, various other projects are coming up like poly printed packaging materials and various spare parts for the power sector. The units that are coming up will produce small components of various power related equipments," Mitra said.

It may be mentioned here that the Bengal government is developing the Biswa Khudra Bazar- an integrated production and promotion hub for small and micro enterprises, in Birbhum.

There will be three separate units in the state-of-the-art Biswa Khudra Bazar, including one where there will be production of goods, while the second one will be meant for promotion and sales of the same products. West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation is developing the project. It was a dream project of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, in another development, the state Cabinet has constituted a committee comprising a group of ministers which will chalk out a detailed policy on development of refugees in the state.

Following the instruction of the Chief Minister, various works have already been initiated for the socio-economic development of the refugees across the state.