CM treasures return of peace, harmony in state
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, November 05 2022:
Chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday inaugurated Manipur International Textile Expo, MANITEX in short, at the Urban Haat Nilakuthi on Saturday.
The expo, which will continue till November 14, 2022, is being organised by the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles.
The chief minister also launched Mega handloom Cluster of Imphal East, laid foundation of Craft Handloom Village, Moirang and distributed financial assistance to weavers with Aad-haar-linked bank account numbers through DBT under the National Handloom Development Programme.
Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function, he informed that as some businessmen are trying to monopolize the yarn business, the government has decided to establish a wholesaler of yarn at Ima Keithel so that weavers can get them at cheaper price.
He continued that considering instances of mass production of traditional cloths like the Khudei, Phanek, Inaphi, etc., by using machines outside the state which are made available at a cheaper price to control the market, shops and business houses have been instructed that such traditional items which are handmade should not be replaced by machine made copies.
N Biren also mentioned the developmental changes witnessed in the state, saying that "we have left behind the days of unrest, disturbances.
There is peace and a feeling of oneness and sharing among the people of the state, today.
There are no differences, gaps between the hills and the valley anymore".
He also asserted the need for politicians to be transparent and sincere.
Biren said financial assis tance through DBT will be distributed to around 15,450 handloom weavers and boatmen with a total outlay of around Rs 23.4815 crore.
"Today, beneficiaries of different schemes have received funds directly transferred to their accounts," the chief minister said, highlighting that funds are transferred directly to farmers, weavers, old age pensioners, scheme beneficiaries, etc., under different schemes.
N Biren also acknowledged womenfolk's contribution to growth of the state's economy.
"Our people have the potential, talents and especially womenfolk are courageous and brave," he said, further highlighting the respect and popularity the state's Ima keithel have garnered in national and international recognition.
Mentioning multiple venues for the upcoming Sangai Festival, N Biren Singh encouraged the people to witness the extravaganza, and said that people can visit the venues freely after November 15 .
The chief minister also announced the government's target to provide 100 percent drinking water pipelines to all households in the state.
In his address, Power, Forest, Environment & Agriculture minister Th Biswajit Singh said that MANITEX was upgraded to International Textile Expo from being a national and regional level expo from 2018 onwards with the main objective of promoting the weavers and their products on the international platform.
The state's weavers have the huge potential, the minister said, and cited the 2019-20 National Handloom Census Report therein Manipur had 2.12 lakh handloom weavers, 2.11 lakh looms and 2 lakh handicraft artisans.
According to Textiles, Commerce & Industry minister Nemcha Kipgen, MANITEX has the main objective of showcasing the state's handlooms, handicrafts, dyeing & printing, power-loom, garment, embroidery and costume to the outside world.
The Expo will also have a Fashion Parade, she said.
This year, the Expo has 274 stalls including local weavers, artisans, entrepreneurs, local private companies, national level organisations, international stalls from Thailand, Bangladesh and Myanmar, food court, state government departments, etc.
The inaugural function was also attended by CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei, Transport minister Kashim Vashum, Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd chairman Kh Ibomcha, Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeshwar Singh, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh, Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan and Oinam MLA Irengbam Nalini Devi, among others.