New Delhi, Aug 9 (KNN) Government has no proposal at present for creating more statutory Commodity boards, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said adding that the constitution of separate boards may result in multiplication of agencies and programmes.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, the Minister noted there are five statutory Commodity Boards viz. Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Spices Board and Tobacco Board under the Department of Commerce which facilitate production, development and export of tea, coffee, rubber, spices and tobacco.

She informed that the Boards are non-commercial organizations and receive Government Grants for implementation of various Schemes in the respective sectors.

They have limited number of employees for implementation and supervision of these schemes.

The estimated total direct and indirect employments in these sectors are: Tea - 11.28 lakh persons; Coffee - 12.00 lakh persons; Rubber - 6.50 lakh persons; Spices - 50.00 lakh persons; and Tobacco - 38.00 lakh persons.

To exploit huge tract of bamboo resources, Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a National Bamboo Mission, as a sub-scheme of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

The National Bamboo Mission envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector, she said. (KNN Bureau)