Assam Bamboo and Cane Policy 2019

Assam Bamboo and Cane Policy, 2019

Sector Development, Financial Support

The Government of Assam will encourage, promote and support the Bamboo sector in a comprehensive manner through a multidisciplinary, multidepartment and multidimensional integrated approach to provide economic benefits to the people of the State apart from realizing the social and environmental potential of the bamboo resource of Assam.

The Government of Assam will promote and support the Cane (Rattan) sector through a programme of conservation and development of rattan resources of the States and through support to the craft and small enterprises involved in cane (rattan) sector. The Government shall also encourage value addition in cane (rattan) based handicrafts through improved processing, product diversification, design development and enhanced shelf life.

Objective:

Broadly the policy aims at sustainable development and utilization of bamboo and Cane resources in the State through scientific management and stakeholders’ participation. More specifically, the policy aims at:

Protection and conservation of biodiversity associated with bamboo and Cane forests and bamboo growing areas.
Enhancement of resources through promotion of bamboo and Cane plantation in forest areas, wastelands as well as in private lands and through its sustainable and scientific harvesting.
Improvement of productivity by using improved planting stock and scientific management practices.
Promotion of bamboo-based industries at cottage, small, medium, and large-scale levels for utilizing the available resources at a sustainable level and towards generating assured income. Cane-based industries will also be promoted.
Revival and promotion of the traditional sector for producing handicrafts and other value-added items. Promotion of product diversification and value addition in the organized sector.
Enhancing employment opportunity and livelihood security of the bamboo and Cane dependents at all levels through assured supply of raw materials and establishment of appropriate institutions.
Improvement and promotion of traditional bamboo houses and establishment of modern bamboo houses, thereby reducing pressure on forest wood
Use of bamboo and Cane for environmental protection, greening up degraded lands and other diversified activities such as watershed protection and riverbanks and as geo material in construction of roads and bridges.
To promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for development of the bamboo sector from production to market demand.
Development of effective marketing for Bamboo and Cane based products.

Benefits:

A Nurseries & Plantations

Intervention Category	Maximum Incentives	Pattern of Assistance
Bamboo Nursery (public/private) Includes Strengthening (project based)	• Hi-tech (2 ha): Rs. 50 lakh • Big (1 ha): Rs. 16 lakh • Small (0.5 ha): Rs. 10 lakh	• 100% of cost to Government sector • 50% of cost to Private sector as credit linked back-ended subsidy
High density Bamboo plantation On Govt./ Panchayat/ Community land including waste lands. Min area: 0.5 Ha.	Rs 1.00 lakh per ha over a period of 3 years	• 100% of cost to Govt. sector • 50% of the cost upto 2 ha (~ <3000 plants) • 30% of the cost for 2 – 4 ha (up to 10000 plants) over 3 years (50:30:20) *Maintenance funds will be linked to performance (survival %)
Block / Boundary plantation On farmer's field. Min area: 0.14 Ha (1 Bigha).	Rs 1.00 lakh per ha (equivalent to Rs 240 per plant)	• 100% of cost to Govt. sector • 50% of the cost of Private Sector over 3 years (50:30:20)

B Infrastructure, Treatment & Processing

Bamboo Depots & Godowns

Govt. / Private sector

Max Incentive: 50 Lakh (PB)
Assistance: 100% Govt / 33% Private (credit linked)

Bamboo Mandi & E-trading

Govt. / Private sector

Max Incentive: 100 Lakh (PB)
Assistance: 100% Govt / 33% Private

Treatment & Seasoning Plants

Govt. / Private sector

Max Incentive: 20 Lakh (PB)
Assistance: 50% cost (credit linked back ended)

Establishment of Processing Units (Max Incentives in Lakhs):

Handicrafts / Cottage: 15L Furniture making: 25L Fabric / Jewellery: 15L Bamboo shoots Processing: 20L Incense stick making: 25L Fabric / Fibre extraction: 50L Common Facility Centre (CFC): 25L

Large Scale Processing (Credit linked back-ended subsidy):

Bamboo board / mat / corrugated sheets / floor tiles making: Up to 200 Lakhs (40% of cost as credit linked back ended subsidy)
Bio Energy extraction: Up to 200 Lakhs
Activated Carbon Product: Up to 200 Lakhs
Ethanol Gassifier: Up to 500 Lakhs (30% of cost as credit linked back ended subsidy, Additional 10% for NE States)

C Additional Incentives & Capacity Building

Training & Market Promotion (100% Assistance)

Training of Farmers/ Artisans/ field functionaries/ International training/ visit for exposure of NBM staff/ field functionaries including farmers and entrepreneurs in bamboo sector (Cost norm of Skill India Mission will be adopted).
Organizing workshop/ Seminars/ training at International/ National/ State/ District level.
Participation in domestic trade fairs/ international trade fairs/ exhibition etc. including travel + boarding/ lodging of participating artisans.
Technological enhancement of indigenous tools, equipment & machinery (100% grant to Govt. institutions for development of design etc. 50% grant to those machine making units who are developing these machines).

Additional incentives

CIS at 50% Capital Investment Subsidy on eligible Plant & Machinery and Internal Electrical Installations subject to a ceiling limit of Rs.5.00 Crore.
Grant up to Rs 5 lakh for startups in Bamboo & Cane sector.
100% grant for distribution of tools and machineries for artisans.
100% sponsorship of training in ITI & Skill Development Centres.
50% subsidy on Fixed Capital Investment for establishment of souvenir shops (maximum Rs 5 lakh).
50% subsidy on development of online portal for marketing of bamboo & cane products (maximum Rs 5 lakh).

Eligibility :

The policy will be effective from 01.01.2020 and will be valid for a period of 5 years. All eligible new units as well as the existing units which go in for substantial Expansion/Modernization/Diversification, and which had commenced commercial production within the period of validity will be eligible for the incentives.

a A unit shall have employment of minimum of 80% people of Assam in the Managerial cadre and minimum of 90% people of Assam in the NonManagerial cadre. Employment certificate for Micro and Small units shall be issued by the District Employment Officer of the concerned district. Employment certificate for Medium and Large units shall be issued by the Director of Employment & Craftsmen Training.
b The applicants/artisans/entrepreneurs shall not be eligible for any component of subsidy/subsidies under this policy if they have availed a similar subsidy/subsidies from any other scheme/policy of Govt of India and Assam.
c The unit undergoing Expansion/Modernization/ Diversification shall be eligible for incentives only for the Additional Fixed Capital Investment made i.e. for the Expanded/ Diversified/ Modernized portion of the existing unit.
d No right or claim for any incentives under the Policy shall be deemed to have been conferred by the policy merely by virtue of the fact that the unit has fulfilled on its part the conditions of the Policy. The incentives/subsidies cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
e The decision of the implementing agency, subject to such direction as Government may issue from time to time in this regard shall be final and binding.