Industry Minister inaugurates North East Coir Expo &
Signing Ceremony between AGCL with Cairn Oil and Gas and Indradhanush Gas Grid held
Dispur, December: Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary inaugurated the North East Coir Expo organized by the Coir Board of India, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra today. Addressing the coconut entrepreneurs, the Minister said, ‘After bamboo, coir is one of the most versatile fibres and has a touch in our daily life. The quality of coconut fibre of Assam is at par with that of Kerala and holds immense potential to turn the coconut waste into wealth through value addition of coir products.’ The Minister further added that the spirit of entrepreneurship is ingrained in the Assamese people and requires only the right opportunity to channelize it into productivity. He called upon the Coir Board of India to collaborate with the State Industries and Commerce Department for handholding and financial support and take advantage of the vibrant connectivity to capture South East Asian market. Chairman of Coir Board, D. Kuppuramu said that the eco-friendly and biodegradable coir products can be an alternative to plastic. ‘Coir, extracted from coconut is the fibre of the future. Continuous efforts are being made to meet the needs of the industry in a sustainable manner.’ Director, Horticulture and Food Processing, Triranga Bharatiya Borah and other senior officials were present in the meeting. Signing Ceremony between AGCL with Cairn Oil and Gas and Indradhanush Gas Grid Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary witnessed the signing ceremony of gas sales agreement between Assam Gas Company Ltd (AGCL) and Cairn Oil and Gas, Vedanta Ltd. and gas purchase agreement between AGCL and Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd. today. Under this agreement, AGCL will ensure purchase of 1 lakh standard cubic meters per day (SCMD) rich gas from Cairn’s Hazari Gaon Field, Golaghat. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Patowary hoped this new association between AGCL and Cairn Oil and Gas will improve energy access in Assam and boost many industries of the State, particularly the big tea estates. ‘Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited is developing a regional network of 1,656 km by connecting it with the Baruani-Guwahati pipeline. The pipeline and other infrastructure will make adequate availability of gas at the premises of the industries and commercial enterprises as per their requirements.’