Cooperative credit societies can now function in non-containment areas, according to a fresh order issued by MHA.
In the order, home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla stated that agricultural and horticultural activities allowed shall cover collection, harvesting and processing of minor forest produce and non-timber produce by the Scheduled Tribes and other forest-dwellers in the forest areas.
Also, plantation activities permitted include bamboo, coconut, arecanut, cocoa and spices plantation as well as their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing.
The ministry has asked all departments and states/UT governments to strictly implement the revised guidelines.
