Biswajit inaugurates Regional SARAS Fair 2020
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 28 2020: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thong-am Biswajit inaugurated a Regional Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Fair, 2020 at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound today.

The fair, organised by the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission will continue till March 8.Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function, Biswajit said that the fair will be held twice a year from this year.

He said in previous years, the fair couldn't be held twice due to certain factors like lack of manpower, financial constraints etc.

The fair aims to promote local artisans and their products, he said adding various trainings are being imparted under the MSRLM.

The mission is being implemented in some blocks of Tengnoupal and Imphal East, he said asking officials concerned to see if the blocks can be clubbed together to bring about more inclusiveness.

Trainings held under the mission have also empowered women to form self help groups and even 'village level federations,' he added emphasising that the mission is crucial for solving unemployment in the State.

He also talked about the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and said the yojana is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), tasked with the dual objectives of adding diversity to the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.

Biswajit also expressed the need for imparting value added trainings and said artisans should focus on quality to gain access to wide market.

MANITRON and MANIDCO Chairman Dr Radheshyam Yumnam said that the fair will provide a marketing platform to the artisans.

This fair is also a platform where artisans can exchange ideas, he added.

Manipur State Khadi Village Industries Board (KVIB) Chairman MLA L Radhakishore said that the board (KVIB) has initiated cotton plantation at 10,000 acres of land in Jiribam this year to help revive the State's spinning mill.

The board will also be taking up coffee plantation in the hill areas to substitute poppy plantation.

7 lakh saplings will be planted this year, he said.

The inaugural function was also attended by Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd Chairman MLA Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh, Additional Chief Secretary RD & PR MH Khan, State Mission Director, MSRLM Yumnam Robita.

More than 100 stalls are opened in the fair.

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