”Releasing the 'approach to the people's plan in Tripura', the Chief Minister said the State Government had already studies the plan approach of Kerala, where, he said, plan process got a new dimension from the panchayat level.Problems and opportunities of the economy, objectives of the State Government, strategy for development and steps to be taken by the State Government in general and specifically in the four areas: primary sector, secondary sector, tertiary sector and tribal welfare sector were elaborated in the plan, the Chief Minister stated.

Giving thrust on the setting-up of agro and gas-based industries in the State, Mr. Sarkar said that some non-resident Indians and industrialists from West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharastra and Bangladesh had shown keen interest in setting up these industries in the State.

They had already visited the State and held a series of meeting with the State Government for this purpose, he informed saying the North-Eastern states have a close link with the south east Asian region, which has witnesses rapid economic growth in the last decade.

Development of infrastructure and creation of conditions conducive to economic development were essential for tapping this potential, he pointed out.Mr. Sarkar said the State Government would also formulate 'vision 2010' for Tripura, incorporating goals, strategies and a time-bound plan for implementation.

Educated manpower coupled with harmonious industrial relations, polution free environment, State Government, responsible and efficient administration were the strengths of the State, the Chief Minister said. "High rainfall and good soil offer considerable scope for land based economic activities. A significant area in the State is under fruit and plantation crops,” he added.
After Kerala, Tripura is the second largest producer of natural rubber with about 23, 000 hectare of area under natural rubber plantation and annual production is more than 7000 metric tonne, he said.
As per the estimate of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) out of a reserve of 400 billion cubic metres (BCM), approximately 16 BCM is recoverable, Mr. Sarkar added.

As Tripura's 84 per cent border is common with Bangladesh, promotion of trade with that country would boost development of agriculture and industry in the State, he pointed out.“Tourism, based on wildlife, forest and Buddhist and Hindu religious places, possess a good potential
in Tripura,” the Chief Minister said. “Once the transit route through Bangladesh is opened, the tourism sector in the North-Eastern region will get a massive boost in all fronts.”

The State Government would soon start a state-wide survey to identify the percentage of the people leaving below the poverty line because the present percentage of 74 per cent of the people leaving below the poverty line is a 'doubtful' figure, he said.

Mr. Sarkar said that for a balanced development of the State and formulation of a long term plan, it was necessary to exploit the resources available to the State, including the human resources.
It would be necessary to conduct resource mapping, not by any government agency, but by the people themselves, Mr. Sarkar stressed.