Katihar – Information Technology

Information Technology is not new to the State. Activities of computerisation already started in early 90′s. Till date most of the computerisation activities are being carried out by National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Information Technology, Govt. of India. Initially District Informatics Centre were established to support activities in Districts for monitoring of schemes. In addition various departments at Headquarter level have been computerized to support day-to-day decision making process. Government has taken all steps to promote IT culture through its e-governance project. Most of the departments are likely to be computerised. Initially public Interface departments such as Treasury, Commercial Taxes, G.P.F, Municipal Taxes, Land Registry, Land Records etc. are being computerized.
State government is also keen to promote IT culture through out State in order to benefit the mass through this technology. Some of the major computerization activities carried out by the State government with the technical support from National Informatics Centre, Bihar State Unit,Patna include :
Transport Computerisation

Treasury Computerisation

Finance Computerisation

GPF Computerisation

Commercial Tax Computerization

Besides all these, National Informatics Centre, Bihar State Unit has successfully computerised the elementary education under HRD Department. Created an MIS of 2 lacs of school teachers including Primary and Middle. Completed the 6th All India Census in the record time. There are many other state Govt. projects such as Land Records, Health, Commercial Tax, Science & Technology, Bihar State Electricity Board etc. as well as central Govt. Projects such as Central Excise, ROC, Provident Fund Organisation etc. which as been accepted, maintained and computerisation plan are initiated.

Katihar – Alcohal Industry

The Project envisages the setting up of an alcohol based chemicals plant to produce acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). Alcohol and alcohol based units constitute an important segment of the Indian Chemical Industry which plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Alcohol and alcohol based units account for 11-12 percent of the total capital employed in the manufacturing sector and employ 6 percent of the country’s factory workforce. The chemical industry produces value added products worth Rs. 16-17 billion per year of which an estimated Rs. 3,5-4 billion is accounted for by alcohol based units.The alcohol based chemical industry has been endeavouring to promote export of value added chemicals rather than molasses and alcohol. Organic chemicals produced in India have a strong market in the Middle East, Africa, Far East, European countries and neighbouring Pakistan. The export target for alcohol based units for 1996-97 is Rs. 3 billion and the growth rate for the Industry during the last few years has been around 30 percent. The capacity and product mix for the proposed project are as follows:Items Quantity
Ethyl Alcohol 19.2 million litres per year
Acetic Acid 10,000 tonnes per annum
Vinyl Acetate Monomer 10,000 tonnes per annumThe main uses of the products are briefly discussed below :Ethyl Alcohol : Used in the production of acetic anhydride,cellulose acetate, vinyl acetate and vinyl acetate monomer, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes and food additives.
VAM : Mainly used in the production ofpolyvinyl acetate, poly vinyl alcohol and poly vinyl chloride, and acetate resins.Market ScenarioThe projected demand figures for alcohol, acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer are presented in table below.Projected Demand for Alcohol, Acetic Acid and VAM
Product 1995-96 1999-2000
Alcohol 1,400 Million Lit. 2,200 Million Lit.
Acetic Acid 200,000 tonnes 322,000 tonnes
VAM 35,000 tonnes 44,000 tonnesIn 1993-94, the production of acetic acid in India was 98,000 tonnes. Alcohol production in the country during that year was 1,200 Million litres of which Bihar‘s contribution was 23.9 million litres. The projections contained in table 1 are conservative. However, if a 30 percent growth rate is assumed for the alcohol based industry, the demand projections will go up considerably.Raw MaterialsThe basic raw material for the production of alcohol based chemicals is molasses. The ethyl alcohol produced from molasses can be used for the production of acetic acid. One portion of the acetic acid can be used captively for the production of vinyl acetate monomer.InfrastructureFor the proposed project, the infrastructure requirements in terms of land and power are as follows:Items Quantity
Land 20 acres
Power 2MWProject CostThe cost of the proposed project is Rs. 1.5 billion. TopEthylene Di ChlorideProject ConceptThe project envisages the setting up of an alcohol based chemical plant to produce ethylene di-chloride.Alcohol and alcohol based units constitute an important segment of the Indian Chemical Industry which plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Alcohol and alcohol based units account for 11-12 percent of the total capital employed in the manufacturing sector and employ 6 per cent of the country’s factory workforce. The chemical industry produces value added products worth Rs. 16-17 billion per year of which an estimated Rs. 3.5-4 billion is accounted for by alcohol based units.
The alcohol based chemical industry has been endeavouring to promote export of value added chemicals rather than molasses and alcohol. Organic Chemicals produced in India have a strong market in the Middle East, Africa, Far East, European countries and neighbouring Pakistan. The export target for alcohol based units for 1996-97 is Rs. 3 billion and the growth rate for the industry during the last few years has been around 30 percent.

Katihar – Rural Industry

Rural Technology.In spite of lack of infrastructure like transport and communication, regular electric supply and other facilities with the help of District Industry center, Darbhanga some advancement has been made in this area. Apart from Madhubani Paintings and Sikki-Mauni craft some other crafts such as bamboo basket and other related craft with bamboo, Lah bangles wood craft etc. are gaining momentum in the rural house holds of this districts. Among these bangle industry is the most popular one. If better infrastructure and marketing facilities will be provided to the rural artisans there is vast scope in this area.Bamboo Work.Darbhanga is greatly noted for its bamboo work. Bamboo sends itself to multifarious work. In fact the rural people in remote bamboo graving are as still keep their precious possessions in bamboo basket with side. A lot of house used things are made through bamboo like elegant furniture, complete table ware etc.Clay Toys.Darbhanga has special clay toys. There is a special highly decorated elephant with clay ornaments on the head and over the ears and a big boul on its back. This is kept on the roof of the house when a marriage is taking place.National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhang

RC for Makhana is to be located on a sprawling campus of 25 acres at Basudeopur, Darbhanga(Bihar). Government of Bihar has initiated the process of transfer of the proposed site to ICAR for establishment of the NRC for Makhana, where an ultra modern R&D infrastructure complex will be constructed. Besides, two agricultural farms each measuring 25 acres, one at Jale (Madhubani) and other at Bharathi (Darbhanga), is to be made available by Government of Bihar for starting a Krishi Vigyan Kendra and on-farm Research Centre.Presently the Centre is functioning from its camp office located at Central Potato Research Station, Near Civil Aerodrome, Patna.Head quarter of the Centre will soon be commissioned at the European Guest House Building in the Campus of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga.Genesis.The National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga (Bihar) under Indian Council of Agriculture Research was sanctioned by the Department of Agriculture Research & Education, Government of India, as a new scheme during the IX Five Year Plan period for conservation, research & development of the Makhana crop.The NRC for Makhana came into existence on National Science Day 28th February 2002 with setting up of a camp office at the Central Potato Research station, Patna, from where it is presently striving to address multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary researchable issues of Makhana.The unique, nutritive, organic food crop of wetlands, extensively grown in India is unexploited and under-utilized, having immense potential of growth, development and export. NRC for Makhana is working to develop technologies relevant to prevailing biophysical and socio-economical environment of the Makhana growing regions of our country.It envisages to be a National Centre of Excellence with state of the art research facilities for meeting the agriculture challenges in post WTO scenario as emphasized in ICAR Vision 2020.Mission.To explore & develop economic opportunities in aquatic agriculture, natural & community resources through innovative research & development programmed on Makhana that benefit the people involved in Makhana cultivation, post harvest, processing, marketing, export & consumption.MandateTo conduct basic, strategic, applied and adaptive research for increasing productivity, ensuring sustainability, enhancing profitability of Makhana crop.To develop and standardize the post harvest, processing and value adding technologies.To facilitate and promote co-ordination and dissemination of appropriate agricultural technologies through network/consortia approach involving all stake holders in Makhana.To serve as a repository of the agro-eco-bio-aqua diversity and scientific information/ITK on Makhana.To provide consultancy & advisory support for promoting Makhana based industries.To collaborate with various National and International agencies in liaisons with State and Central Government for achieving the mission of NRC.Objective.The objectives of the centre is to generate appropriate agriculture technologies which can help in raising the economic status of poor Makhana growers (downtrodden fisherman community) through higher yield, more and better employment, value adding to the commodity, improving socio-economic condition, efficient marketing and imports.Centre will conduct mission made basic and applied research for overall development of the wetland areas adopting total system approach through enhancing productivity of water. Special emphasis will be laid on minimizing drudgery of downtrodden especially women folks engaged in makhana popping.About Makhana.Gorgon nut or Fox nut, an aquatic crop, commonly known as Makhana (Euryale ferox Salibs) of the Family Nymphaeaceae is an highly nutritious, fully organic non-cereal food, which is extensively grown in the stagnant water of wetlands, tanks, ponds lakes and ditches.

It is widely distributed in tropical and north tropical region. This aquatic/marsh plant with large floating leaves and beautiful solitary flowers is cultivated in the state of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam in abundance and to some extent in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura and Manipur.

Bihar state accounts for over 80% of the Makhana production of the country. Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsha,Katihar,Purnia, Samastipur,Supaul, Kishanganj and Araria Districts are major producer of Makhana.

The popped seeds of Makhana, roasted and eaten as well as used in preparation of various kind of delicious sweets and recipes. It contains 9.7% easily digestible protein, 76% carbohydrate, 12.8% moisture, 0.1% fat, 0.5% total minerals,0.9% phosphorus & 1.4%mg fe/100gm. It also contains useful medicinal properties.

Katihar – Industry

Only two small-scale industries, 426 tiny industries and 181 artisan-based industries are registered in this District. Ashok Paper Mill at Hayaghat which was sick for the last 18 years has been restarted on 16 Aug’2000.The two sugar mills in the area at Raiyam and Sakri are sick. Most of the rice mills are not functional. However, Mithila and Sita flourmills are in working condition. Though the district is famous for Mango and Makahana production, there are no processing industries for these products.There is Darbhanga Industrial Area Development Authority with its office at Bela, Darbhanga. It looks after the different aspiring small/tiny industries in the area, which includes mainly of iron & steel works, printing, utensils, furniture, hosiery, washing powder, mashala, etc. However, the industrial area needs up gradation in terms of drainage, roads, electricity & pollution control measures. There is also a proposal for the construction of a Growth Centre. Absence of industries has led to the migration of labourers to other states.Dense population, low literacy level, traditional cropping pattern, absence of big and small industries and the resultant migration of man power has led to weak state of economy of the district. The per capita income of the people in the district is 4272. Darbhanga is badly poor in the matter of industrialization. Besides the Ashok Paper Mill at Hayaghat, the two Sugar & Flour Mills are the only important industries. However, blanket weaving, bangle making, pottery & mats-basket making have survived from old times. Following table shows the economic census of the district.Number of Enterprises (Based on 4th Economic Survey).

Katihar – Economics

The major source of living is agriculture but there are few industries as well. Among them a jute mill and a flour mill is worth mentioning.The cloth market here dealing in cotton and sarees is very vibrant and caters to nearby districts and the border towns of Nepal and Bangladesh.There are also a couple of old cycle trading companies with huge turnover.Paper Mart is an old reputed establishment dealing in Paper,Printing Inks,Office,School Stationary, Authorised Government Suppliers and Wedding Cards.