GI tag for famous Tezpur litchi; consignment to be exported to London

Tezpur: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated a state-of-the-art Tezpur Convention Centre at Batamari under Tezpur Sadar Police Station on June 11, besides holding the Cabinet meeting. After the new government took power, the 50th Cabinet meeting was held in Tezpur today. The event took place in the Tezpur Convention Centre.

Talking to the media, The Chief Minister stated that 600 decisions have been taken in the cabinet meetings since his government assumed power in May last year, and that cabinet meetings will be conducted in Silchar and Kokrajhar in July and August, respectively. A committee headed by Chandramohan Patowary has been formed to report on how many of the 600 decisions have been executed, and this information will be presented to the next cabinet, CM said.

In a major boost to the export of indigenous & GI tagged famous Tezpur Litchi, a consignment of Litchi will be exported to London by Agnigarh Farmer Producer Company through Kiega exams.

At Tezpur Convention Centre today for Cabinet Meet, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the functional brief to inaugurate and taste Tezpur Litchi. The export of Tezpur Litchi to London will be taken up by Agnigarh Farmer Producer Company through Kiega exims in joint collaboration of AAU, Agriculture Department, Sonitpur and NABARD supported by AAU, APART, BNCA, AAU, Tezpur University and Sonitpu District Administration. "The export of the locally produced Litchi fruit will further help the local farmers to make more profits. This will also add a boost to the production of Litchi in local farmers in the district and this will provide a much-needed boost to the Litchi production in Tezpur," the CM said.

The 'Tezpur Litchi' has attained the GI tag - incontrovertible proof of their origin in the state, protecting them from production elsewhere. These litchis are known for their excellent quality, pleasant flavour, and a juicy pulp with attractive red colour.

It's worthy to note that a Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

The cabinet sanctioned several beautification projects for Tezpur, the capital town of Sonitpur district, including a flyover with an estimated cost of Rs 474 crore in the heart of the town, Sarma adding that the state cabinet has also decided to approve Rs 4.5 crores for the redevelopment of historic Baan Theatre. Rs 15 crores will be released to Water Resources Department for dredging & beautifying Mora Bharali.

It has also decided to sanction Rs 16 crores for developing and promoting Borpukhuri as a tourist spot. 70 bighas land has been allocated for shifting Tezpur Central Jail from its current location to Chariduar and developing the current Tezpur Central Jail campus over 64-bigha land as 1000 capacity auditorium in the name of Jyoti-Bishnu-Phani. Besides, special measures will be undertaken for the preservation and development of the 'Poki' ancestral home of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. CM further said As part of our initiative to restore the past glory of the historical city of Tezpur. I am sure these will add a new impetus to development in the city, often referred to as the state's Cultural Capital.

It may be noted that the Assam CM handed over ex-gratia cheques of Rs 2 lakhs to the next of kin of the victims who drowned recently in a pond in the Sonabheel area in the Sonitpur district. CM Handed over ex-gratia cheques of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of Anil Dahanga (6), Suman Dahanga (10), and Priyanka Dahanga (11), all of whom drowned recently in a pond at Sonabheel area in Sonitpur district.

Moreover, Chief Minister Sarma will also be conferring a 2-day DC conference starting on June 12 and 13 at the Tezpur Convention Centre.

It is learned that the conference will review the implementation of government policies and schemes, besides focusing on other major areas.

Worth mentioning here, that this is the second DC conference to be chaired by Chief Minister Sarma, the first being held in Diphu in August 2021.

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