J'khand CM bats for lac production, setting up of lac board

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today stressed on production of lac to create employment, and said the state government would soon pitch to the Centre for setting up a lac board.
Das said marketing and branding of the lac produce would be undertaken by the Chief Minister's Small and Cottage Industry Board.
The CM has sought a master plan from Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG) within 15 days, regarding the production and development of lac, and its processing, an official release said.
The state government would soon communicate with the Centre, requesting a lac board and would also urge the Union government to give income tax relief to those associated with the lac industry.

The Jharkhand government would purchase the lac produced by farmers, Das said, advocating the use of modern and scientific means for lac production.
Das said processing plants would soon be set up in those districts where lac is produced.

The state contributes about 53 per cent of the total lac production in the country.
The chief minister, speaking at the 'Kisan Mela' organised by IINRG, said in order to fulfill the Central government's aim of doubling farmers' income by 2022, more involvement in animal husbandry and cultivation is required.
He also batted for apiculture, and said that honey processing plants would soon be set up.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's firm Patanjali would take care of the marketing of honey produced in Jharkhand, Das said.