RIPA a measure to bolster local economy, provide employment opportunities: Bodoland

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India]: Members of Bodoland Territorial Committee (BTC), which was on a daylong visit to Chhattisgarh, visited Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) and appreciated the state government’s job-oriented activities being taken up at RIPA.

The committee visited the Serikhedi Multi Utility Centre as well as the RIPA facilities at Lakholi and Kosrangi in Raipur.

They closely observed various livelihood-related activities being conducted in these centres and gathered comprehensive insights.

During a meeting with the Chief Minister’s Advisor Pradeep Sharma at the State Planning Commission office in Nava Raipur, the BTC members shared their experience of visiting RIPA facilities and Multi Utility Centre, according to an official release.

They lauded RIPA as a commendable measure to bolster the local economy and provide grassroots employment opportunities, it added.

The committee members acknowledged that they have heard about Chhattisgarh government’s initiatives and now they have witnessed it.

The members also praised the systematic approach of RIPA ranging from implementation, production to marketing and yielding daily consumable products. They hailed the scheme for enhancing rural skill development and local employment.

Recognising the potential of initiative, the members expressed interest in adopting a similar model in Bodoland, where substantial handlooms and goods are produced. In discussions with Pradeep Sharma and the State Planning Commission, the BTC members received answers to their queries and concerns about RIPA, aiming to glean insights for potential implementation in their region.

The CM’s Advisor detailed to the BTC members about the ambitious ‘Narva Garuva Ghurva and Bari’ programme introduced by the state government. He highlighted moves taken by the state government to strengthen the rural economy through employment-oriented endeavours within Gauthans and RIPAs.

He shared that the state government has established 300 RIPAs in just one year, with two operating in each development block, featuring free Wi-Fi access.

Notably, the state government has constructed 1213 functional sheds within RIPAs, providing space to 1383 enterprises and benefiting around 11000 individuals.

During the discussions between BTC and the State Planning Commission, Sharma offered the state government’s support and guidance to Assam if they wanted to adopt the ‘RIPA model’.