India International Trade Fair 2011

Respected Hon'ble Finance Minister and Chief Guest Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon'ble Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textile Shri Anand Sharma, Ministers of Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, I.T.P.O., Secretary, Deptt. of Commerce, Government of India and gentlemen, present on this occasion.

The State of Jharkhand is participating as a partner State in organising Indian International Trade Fair - 2011. On behalf of the Government of Jharkhand, I welcome you all on this occasion.

You are all aware that a decade has passed since the creation of Jharkhand State. Almost one third population of the State is tribal. The State ranks first in availability of Coal, Copper, Kyanite, Mica and Uranium and the forest coverage is 28.1% of total geographical area of the State. Considerable increase in production of foodgrains, milk, fish, steel and power could be achieved during the last 10 year. Still this is not adequate. Per capita income of the State is around Rs 36000. The facility of CSC (Pragya Kendra) upto Panchayat Level, Data Voice with the help of SWAN Jharnet to block level and Video Conferencing facility upto District Level has been made available. Expansion of Road Networking has been undertaken in a big way and a lot is still to be done. The State has a total road length of 32,000 kms. The literacy percentage of the State is approximately 66%.

There has been three times growth of the State's GSDP which is an indicator of growth. Growth of the State during the 9th and 10th Five Year Plan was 3.71% and 10.56% respectively. The same during the 11th Five Year Plan is likely to be 12.27%.

Industries like Tata Steel, Tata Motor, Bokaro Steel Plant, HEC, Coal India, DVC are already operational in the State. Efforts have been made to industrialise the State. Reasonable progress has been achieved in steel, cement, automobile and power sectors. Significant contribution is being made by M/s Jindal Steel and Power, Electrosteel, Abhijeet Group, Essar Group, Jaypee Cement etc in Greenfield Projects and by M/s Tata Steel, Tata Motor, DVC, Tata Power, ACC, Lafarge Cement etc in Brownfield Projects. Production of steel has increased from 8 million tonne per annum to about 15 million tonnes per annum and is likely to be 25 million tonnes per annum by the year 2017. Now the need is to set up down-stream industries and ensure value addition of steel product by manufacturing units for production of finished consumer goods, so that there is an improvement in the resources of the State; and the investment in the infrastructure can be made for enhancement of gainful employment to improve the standard of living of the people. It is worth mentioning that the contribution of manufacturing sector in the economy of the state is 28-30%.

The State Government is committed to increase the income level of rural people by providing employment to them through proper utilization of rural resources. With this in view, extensive thrust is being given to the production of Tasar Silk in tribal dominated areas of the State. Large scale appropriate training programme is being organised for people connected with the Tasar production to enhance their skill. As a result there has been a significant increase in the production of Tasar Silk, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and the State has achieved a record production of 716 metric tonnes during the year 2010-11. Adequate scope exists for conversion of this tasar silk to saree, shirt, suits and other marketable products and immense possibilities exist for the growth of textile industries in the State. Jharkhand is now a leading State of the Country in the production of Tasar and Organic Silk. This could be possible with extensive efforts made in this direction during the last 5 years. It is worth mentioning here that kuchai silk of the State has been awarded organic certification by International Agency, "One Cert USA" and Jharkhand is the sole producer of organic silk in the Country.

Steps have been initiated to revive the conventional Handicraft of tribals and 2500 Self Help Groups have been roped in for encouraging the artisans associated with Handicrafts. About 25000 artisans of "PAYATKAR" painting from East Singhbhum and "JADUPETIA" of Santhal Pargana and in other crafts have been employed.

Over 1,25,000 farmers are now associated with the production of silk and about 45000 people with the production of Handloom and Handicraft products. Thus a total of 1.7 lakh people are now employed in these sectors with an average annual income of Rs 35000-50000. Employment in above mentioned sectors is likely to increase to 2.1 lakh by the end of 2011-12.

The State Government has been seriously pursuing various programmes of this sector for enhancement in the income level of rural people. In association with NABARD, the State Government is forming SHG of 50,000 women. This project has been named "Harsha" for providing employment to these women.

JHARCRAFT has been established to facilitate training, raw material management, design, marketing and overall backward and forward linkages for these rural based Handloom, Handicraft and Silk Industries. 25 marketing outlets at different places in the Country have been started by Jharcraft for marketing of the products from these industries. E-marketing has also been started through "buyJharcraft.com". Jharcraft has now established its identity in most of the developed countries of the world and its products are now being marketed in USA, UK, Germany, France, Turkey etc.

110 Primary Cooperative Societies, established earlier by minority community, have been revived and made functional. State Khadi Board is also engaged in production and marketing of khadi products and has been adjudged to be the best Board and awarded for its continued profitability. The Board has its marketing outlet "JOHAR" in a number of places including Delhi.

Jharcraft has been entrusted with the CSR work of Mega Industries being set up in the State. This enables Jharcraft to encourage cottage industries of the State. In view of substantial Bamboo production in the State, a Bamboo Seasoning Plant has been set up for value addition to bamboo.

The State has centres of excellence in education, management and consultancy such as Indian Institute of Management, MECON, CMPDI etc. Enough possibilities exist  in the State in areas of IT, Tourism, Food Processing, Sports etc. Green vegetable is produced in the State throughout the year. The State is surplus by 18 lakh tonne in vegetable and fruits. Mega Food Park is being established. The State has taken initiative in cashew production and established its identity at the national level.

National Games has been organised in the State successfully. The State has already earned important position at national level in Archery, Shooting, Hockey, Weight lifting and Cricket. The Captain of Indian Cricket Team, Shri Mahendra Singh Dhoni belongs to Jharkhand. Adequate and reliable infrastructural facilities for sports have been created in the State.

I appeal to you all today to visit the Jharkhand State Pavilion and get familiarised with the achievements of the State including the products of Silk, Handicraft and Khadi etc.

The State of Jharkhand expects industrial houses to pay proper attention to conservation of environment, public welfare and regional development along with industrial development.

The State Government is implementing various programmes keeping in view the welfare of the least privileged. We welcome you all to come to Jharkhand and join hands with the State Government in contributing to the development of the State.

Jai Jharkhand