SMALL FARMERS WHO SUPPLY THE TUBER TO PEPSI HAVE BENEFITED A LOT
SUNIPA DAS GUPTA & ASHOK GULATI

In further confirmation of under utilisation of funds by the North Eastern States (NES), at least 12 Central Ministries and Departments have shown significant shortfall in expenditures in the North Eastern Region (NER).

The reasons for declining expenditures: absence of proposals and utilisation certificates from the NES, as the broad reasons for under-utilisation by the Central Ministries.

ITANAGAR, April 30: The Central Government is more than eager to promote food-processing industry in Arunachal Pradesh, which has immense potential in this sector provided initiatives are taken in right earnest. This was disclosed by Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI), Amrit Lal Meena today while interacting with media persons here today.

Siliguri: More than 75 per cent of the bought-leaf factories in north Bengal have closed down because of acute shortage of tea leaves triggered by low rain and pest attacks during the time of first flush when the best quality brew is produced.

To tide over the crisis, BLF owners have sought government intervention.