Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 09 2010:
Citing law and order situation, the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) has reportedly turned down intimation of the State Government to send a team to the State to take stock of the works completed in the first phase of Manipur Sericulture Project.
According to a reliable source, the JICA team refused to come to Imphal even after the State Government has given written assurance to the Japanese Government for full security cover.
As it requires clearance from the funding agency to initiate second phase of the sericulture project after assessing the works completed in the first phase, Seri-culture Department wrote three times to JICA to send an inspection team.
But there has been no positive response till date.
Under the circumstances, the State Govt is looking at the option of hiring a third party to conduct the requisite inspection.
For this, Sericulture Commissioner PK Singh would be leaving for Delhi soon to talk on the third party option with JICA officials based at Delhi.
The first phase of the Manipur Sericulture Project taken up in 1998 with funding from the Japanese Govt was completed in 2008 .
As for the second phase, it is up to the JICA.
The State Government has been doing what it can, said the source.
Sericulture Department has already sent completion reports of the first phase to JICA, Ministry of Textiles, Department of Economic Affairs and Central Silk Board.
On the other hand, the State Government has earmarked Rs 62 crores in the State budget for taking up second phase of the seri-culture project.