To reduce Naxal influence in tribal areas, Government is planning six projects that would enable tribal to fetch better price for produce like bamboo, gum and lac in sixty such districts.

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that he has sought a strategic Public Private Panchayat Partnership in projects which would be executed in six months time to improve tribal livelihoods.

Mr. Ramesh explained that his ministry was interacting with private players to create business models in which tribal populations would benefit most by selling their Non-Timber Forest Produce.

The Rural Development Minister said that the idea has a special importance in areas under the influence of Maoists.

Mr. Ramesh also said that his ministry will take up market related issues after holding discussion with Ministry of Forests and Environment.

AIR correspondent reports that various manufactures of such products also shared their views on various issues like expanding marketing and price fixation.