PM Modi’s Bihar Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bihar on September 15, today and inaugurate the National Makhana Board along with the launch of the new terminal building at the Purnea Airport. He will also lay the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 36,000 crore.
The Board, announced in the Union Budget 2025, will have the primary objective of improving production, processing, value addition, marketing, and export promotion of makhana.
Constitution:
According to the official statement, the board shall consist of a Chairperson (appointed by the Central Government); Secretary; five members representing the ministries dealing with agriculture and farmers welfare, rural development, commerce and industry, food Processing industries and MSMEs; three members to represent makhana growers and two members to represent makhana processors/exporters (both to be nominated by Central Government).
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The board shall also constitute the Agriculture Production Commissioner, Bihar, and two officials from other makhana growing states; Director of ICAR-National Research Center for Makhana, Darbhanga (Bihar); Director of National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM); Director of ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET) Ludhiana (Punjab), Chairman of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and Vice-Chancellor of Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, Bhagalpur.
The Chairperson and Members of the board (other than official members) shall have a term of office for a maximum of three years from the date of appointment. The board shall hold at least two meetings per financial year.
Objectives:
The National Makhana Board shall have the following objectives:
1) Promote production and new technology development in makhana
2) Strengthen post-harvest management in makhana
3) Promote value addition and processing in makhana
4) Facilitate market, export and brand development in makhana
5) Focus on promoting scientific advancement and modern technological solutions
6) Provide training to farmers, FPOs and other stakeholders on technology upgradation, and
entrepreneurship development
7) Facilitate collaboration between government agencies, research
institutions, private sector, international organizations and countries
8) The Board will work for convergence with other government schemes for the benefit of farmers, and any other objectives as may be determined by the Central Government
Finance:
1) The National Makhana Board may, for furthering its objectives, prepare an annual plan along with a budget for
approval by the Central Government.
2) The Central Government may provide a grant as may be considered necessary for furthering its objectives.
3) Travelling / daily allowance to the members of the National Makhana Board, other than official members, shall be regulated as per Department of Expenditure circulars in vogue.
Bihar is set to hold legislative assembly elections in 2025 for all 243 constituencies. The Election Commission is likely to announce the assembly poll dates in the next few weeks.
