Imphal Food Expo commences
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 03 2014 :
A food extravaganza which is set to go on for seven day has kick-started at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound .
The event is being organised by the Directorate of Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Manipur.
Speaking at the occasion as the Chief Guest, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam urged the people of the State to work together to produce the available food items of the State by food processing.
He said, an estimated cost of food amounting to Rs 44 crore is wasted in India annually.
He also urged the people of the State to produce food in large scale and market it in an economical way.
He further stated that only 119 beneficiaries have been selected out of 557 applicants in 2011 and 2012 for the food processing programme.
Govindas- Konthoujam also appealed the loaners not to sell loan copies illegally as this will only act as a hindrance to the development of the State.
He further said , Commerce and Industries and Horticulture Department need to go hand in hand to achieve a common goal.
Kachai Lemon now exists for namesake only as it can't be marketed economically.
Orange festival too just exist for name sake and the sole reason for this is that it can't be marketed properly on large scale.
The Government is trying to increase the free trade items with Myanmar too.
The innaugural function was attended by Parliament Secretary (IT, TD & Hills) Victor Keishing, Commerce and Industries Principal Secretary L Lakher, Commerce and Industries Director P John and MLA N Biren.
In the function which was participated by sixty stalls, loan amounts were distributed to the beneficiaries too.