INDIAN STATE : TRIPURA

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most important non-wood forest resource in Tripura. In fact, Tripura is one of the highest CVP (climate, vegetation, precipitation) index zones (a measure of potential productivity) in the country. Tripura is endowed with rich and diverse bamboo resources. Presently, the level of extraction is 184.60-million nos. p.a. The most common uses of bamboo are housing and supply to paper mill in Assam. Only about 2% of the extracted bamboo is utilized for value addition through handicrafts and other products.

Bamboo has been identified as a major thrust area by the state government for development. For the development of bamboo resources in Tripura and their optimum commercial utilisation the state has formulated a State Bamboo Policy. And has also signed an MOU with International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) for effective implementation of the Bamboo policy of the state.

According to the Government of Tripura,there are 1250 known species of Bamboo with 1500 uses.Bamboo is used by 2.5 billion people worldwide,of which 1 billion people use it for housing.Trade in Bamboo generates US$ 4.5 billion.It provides livelihood,ecological and food security and also all its products are eco-friendly.

In Tripura, the main industry based on bamboo is cane and bamboo handicrafts. In order to organize/ develop this industry on modern lines steps have been taken. Apart from this, with the availability of huge bamboo resources in the state, industrial products like bamboo tiles, laminated products, ply, boards, corrugated sheets etc can be produced, which can be used as building materials, for furniture manufacture etc. According to the studies Bamboo is a very effective alternate for timber and is, in fact, better in many respects.

Handlooms

Tripura - this ancient land, beneath the sylvan shadows, from time immemorial, there have been remarkable experiments in traditional art and the crafts that earned the lofty admiration of time-honored connoisseurs like Huen Tsang, Tavernier, Ab-Ul-Fazal and even the great poet Rabindranath Tagore.

The art of weaving occupies a very sacred place in the traditional life of Tripura. In fact in their tribal society no right or ritual is sanctioned unless it is preceded by a worship of 'Riha' the hand-woven breast cover of the family elders. The ancient folk-lorries and fables of Tripura galore with innumerable examples of glorification of the art of weaving in the tribal society.

Nature has endowed the people of this land with a very high sense of aesthetic beauty that enabled their skillful hands to translate the vision in various forms of art in conformity with the unique aesthetic equilibrium of the nature, in all the details of sense, color, perception forms and even rhythm. Today, Tripura Handloom represents a unique harmonious blend of three traditions- Tribal, Bengali and Manipuri weaving.

Tribal fabrics

The Tribal fabrics of Tripura are well known for their elegant design, bold color combination and lasting texture. The Tribal motifs skillfully depicted through stylized decorative designs are really in great demand. Modern made-up in tribal fabrics is very attractive indeed.

Manipuri fabrics

The Manipuri community of Tripura specializes in certain traditional items of distinct heritage. Today, they represent a synthesized tradition quite distinct from the handloom of Manipur. They produce colorful bedspread Lysingphee and elegant furnishing fabrics with Typical Manipuri designs.

Bengalee fabrics

With aforesaid two traditions of Handloom in Tripura, the third blending force is the one represented by Bengalee weavers who migrated erstwhile East Pakistan (Bangladesh). They have in many ways rejuvenated and supplemented handloom tradition of this land with greater Bengal weaving heritage. This has resulted into a wide variety of common use products like silk and cotton saris, lungis, Shirting's, jute carpets, bedspreads and colorful furnishing fabrics.

In Tripura, weavers of all communities have shown a remarkable courage of conviction in freely adopting motifs and techniques from each other's tradition with a view to enriching their own.

Information Technology

IT sector (including IT-enabled services) has been identified as one of major potential growth sectors by the state. The literacy rate of the state is about 74% now, which is higher than the national average. IT industry being a knowledge-based industry, educated human resource is the most promising resource of the State. It also has good network of schools and colleges spread across the State, including an Engineering College, a Polytechnic and four ITIs. For development of Human Resources for Information Technology through adoption of IT education, for boosting up investment in IT sector and also for promotion of Electronic Governance, the State Government has announced the IT Policy 2000.Tripura has been considered the second best IT destination in the North East, after Assam, in an independent study conducted by NEDFi. Encouraged by this, NEDFi is setting up an IT Park in Tripura, which will provide all necessary infrastructure facilities required for IT sector. The state government has also accorded special status to this industry and special incentives have been announced for IT industry in the new Incentive Package.

Tourism

Tripura is an attractive tourist destination. The state has a rich cultural heritage. There are number of historical Hindu, Buddhist sites. The state also has rich flora and fauna. There is also great potential for development of tourist circuits, involving all the NE states and if possible, Bangladesh as well. All this offers attractive opportunities for the Hospitality Industry.

In Tripura, hotels have been considered as Industry, with a view to promote tourism. Hence, all incentives available to other industrial units are also available for setting up hotels. The salient features of incentives are as follows:

• Capital Investment Subsidy @ 30% on Fixed Capital Investment, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 30 lakhs per unit. Additional subsidy @ 5% to Thrust sector/ Export-oriented Units.
• Reimbursement of State Sales Tax, for 5 years, subject to a specified ceiling.
• Price Preference @ 10% on purchases by the Government.
• 4% Interest Subsidy on term loans, for 5 years, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 30,000 per year per unit.
• Standard Certification Charges Reimbursement up to Rs. 50,000 per unit.
• Special incentives to IT industry in the form of 50% concession in the floor space rentals and reimbursement of standard certification charges up to Rs. 2 lakhs.
• Excise duty on liquor in the state in force is as follows:
  • IMFL other than Beer Rs.90/- per LP Liter.
  • Beer at the rate of Rs.6.35 per BK Liter.
  • There is no surcharge on sales tax but additional sales tax at the rate of 0.25% collected from those who are paying sales tax more than Rs.1, 00,000/-.