*'RIPA' developed in five acres of land; Rs. 3.30 crores invested to generate employment opportunities for villagers*

Raipur /TNINS

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the country's first Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) at Turenar in Bastar district on Republic Day. For providing employment to the villagers, 20 working sheds have been built on five acres of land. About 337 people are currently working under various schemes in 18 sheds. A training center and residential complex for trainees have also been built here.

After the inauguration of Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel went to each and every shed to see the activities being conducted there. He interacted with the self-employed women and took information about their work. He informed that 300 such rural industrial parks are being built across the state. To increase employment opportunities, two 'RIPA' are being built in every development block.

 Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel in his address said that today not only Chhattisgarh's but the country's first Rural Industrial Park is being inaugurated in Turenar. There is an abundance of valuable forest produce in Bastar. The thing which is not found anywhere else in the world is found in Bastar. Along with the collection of minor forest produce, local people are earning more from their processing and value addition. Earlier the people of Bastar used to sell cocoons directly, now they are making thread out of it. Making candies from tamarind, and selling scented rice by packaging it well. After processing, cashew nuts are sold at good prices.

 The Chief Minister said that the government is increasing employment opportunities at the local level so that people do not have to immigrate to other places.  Rural Industrial Park will provide necessary resources for self-employment in villages.  Through this, the government is realizing the vision of Gram Swaraj given by Mahatma Gandhi.  Villages will become self-reliant with 'RIPA', villagers will be economically empowered and women will also become self-reliant.

Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Rekhchand Jain and Bastar MP Mr. Deepak Baij addressed the inauguration program. Collector Mr. Chandan Kumar in his report gave information about the facilities available in the Turenar Rural Industrial Park and the activities conducted there. With the help of state government, various groups have been operating processing units in RIPA situated at Turinar. These processing units include Mushroom spawn lab and oyster mushroom production, button mushroom and oyster mushroom production, cashew processing, kodo, kutki, ragi, masala, 'tikhur' processing and pickle making, scented rice and pulses production. Along with this, tamarind candy and chapati making, chironji processing, silk thread production, poultry farming, egg production, oil processing, non-woven bags, paper bags, 'dona', leaf, natural cow dung paint, cotton cloth, fish feed, chicken feed production, bakery unit are also being operated under this RIPA.

MLA Mr. Rajman Benjam, Chairman of CREDA Mr. Mithilesh Swarnakar, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Machuwa  Kalyan Board (Fishermen Welfare Board) Mr. M.R.  Nishad, Vice President of Indravati Basin Development Authority Mr. Rajeev Sharma, President of Jagdalpur District Panchayat Mrs. Anita Poyam, Sarpanch of Turenar Mr. Sampat Kashyap, Commissioner Mr. Shyam Dhawde, Inspector General of Police Mr. Sundarraj P. and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jitendra Meena, farmers, and many public representatives were present at the inauguration of RIPA.