Citing law and order Japan Govt non-committal on 2nd phase
Sericulture Project hangs by a thread
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 28 2012:
The Manipur Sericulture Project taken up with monetary assistance from the Government of Japan has fallen into doldrums.
The Japanese Government is abstaining from giving any concrete statement whether the project would be continued or terminated at the present stage.
The sericulture project was taken up with high expectations, more specifically with the hope that it would go a long way in economic emancipation of the womenfolk.
Sericulture Minister K Govindas, Principal Secretary (Sericulture) O Nabakishore and Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a meeting at Tokyo recently and discussed the second phase of the Manipur Sericulture Project.
Talking to The Sangai Express, Principal Secretary Nabakishore conveyed that the JICA Director General, citing law and order situation of the State, refused to give any commitment regarding the project's second phase.
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During the meeting which lasted for almost one hour, the JICA officials expressed serious concern over the fragile law and order situation of Manipur.
They also demonstrated their displeasure over the prolonged period taken in executing the first phase.
Given the present disposition of the Japanese officials towards the Manipur Sericulture Project, both the State Government and New Delhi need to convince the Japanese Government about the State's improved law and order situation, stated Nabakishore.
In spite of the State Government's assurance to provide foolproof security, the Japanese Government declined to send evaluation team for the first phase.
Ultimately, evaluation of the first phase was conducted under the aegis of the Central Silk Board.
Yet, the second phase has been already initiated, albeit in small steps, after the State Government allocated some amount from the State's plan outlay.
To another proposal put before JICA by Minister Govindas for its assistance in the proposed project of laying water pipelines from Thoubal Dam to Imphal, the JICA officials maintained that it would depend on the law and order situation of Manipur.