TENGAPANI, 12 Apr: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Tuesday inaugurated an ‘agriculture market shed-cum-rural haat’ and a children’s park in Kongmukham village here in Namsai district.
The DCM also launched the NOSAAP Producer Co Ltd’s products Khaw Tai (Khamti lahi rice) and turmeric powder, in the presence of Namsai MLA Zingnu Namchoom, Lekang MLA Jummum Ete Deori, and others.
Mein said that the rural haat would “help transform the lives of the rural populace by providing the rural traders, especially to the SHGs, women folks and unemployed youths and artisans with a platform and opportunity to sell their produce and creative skills.”
He called for encouraging progressive entrepreneurs and tourism businesses which are in harmony with nature.
“The untapped areas in the district need to be identified to tap its full potential. With the improvement of road connectivity in the eastern sector, especially to Namsai, Lohit and Lower Dibang Valley districts, this side of the state has witnessed tremendous increase in tourist inflow,” he said.
Mein also appealed to all to avoid using plastic “in order to develop Namsai as a model and cleanest district.”
While interacting with members of SHGs, the DCM advised them to sell their indigenous products “and avoid selling forest produce on a large scale at the market shed.”
Raising serious concern over drug abuse in the district, he called for concerted efforts by NGOs, CBOs, women organisations and youths in the fight against drug abuse.
Later, Mein released a book titled A Glimpse into Orchids of Namsai District of Arunachal Pradesh, authored by Botanical Survey of India scientist Dr Krishna Chowlu.
The rural haat-cum-agriculture shed will be run by the NOSAAP Producer Co Ltd, in collaboration with the SHGs under the ArSRLM. (DCM’s PR Cell)
