NCW, MSCW seek to add muscle to Ima Keithels
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 05 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended the inaugural session of "Capacity Building Training Programme for Women Traders of three Ima Keithels" held today at the Sangai Conference Hall of Hotel Imphal as chief guest.
The training programme was organized by National Commission for Women, New Delhi in collaboration with Manipur State Commission for Women.
At the occasion, N Biren Singh maintained that women of Manipur, being in the forefront, had always taken part in many causes of the State and taken a commendable role in its development.
He added that many women are currently holding important posts in the State Government and are taking part in the administration of the State.
Continuing that women of Manipur had already been empowered, he stated that time has come for the women to take a leading role in the development works.
Stating that the women vendors had been playing a considerable role to improve the rural economy, the Chief Minister stressed the need for them (vendors) to be well aware of the digital world so that they can cope with the flow of development.
He continued that the capacity building training programme would help in better usage of mobile technology in marketing and in engaging in cashless transactions.
The training programme would also facilitate in accessing banking services and availing the benefits of various Government schemes as most of the women vendors had already opened a bank account, he added.
N Biren mentioned that the State Government had already constructed seven Ima Markets and while many others are under construction.
He further informed that women markets would be constructed in more districts of the State.
Maintaining that the Government never discriminates against communities based on their population size, he maintained that the State Government is planning to construct a market for accommodating tribal communities at Lamphel area.
Different market sheds would be provided for each community, he added.
The Chief Minister appealed to the women vendors to take part in the training session so that they can share the knowledge and information with their fellow vendors.
Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, while delivering his speech, stated that Ima Market of Manipur is well known across the world due to its unique features.
He appealed to the women vendors to participate in the training programme so that they can access the benefit of technology which is important for the growth of the three Ima Markets.
The Minister also sought support of all women vendors in the development works to make the State a progressive one.
Chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma thanked the Manipur State Commission for Women for their support in organizing the training programme.
Stressing the need for women vendors of the State to be aware of e-marketing, she continued that their market shouldn't be limited to the State only.
Rekha Sharma informed that the training programme would also provide knowledge of e-commerce and ways to avail loans from banks under various MSME schemes of the Central and the State Government.
She informed that training programmes would also be conducted for women vendors of hill areas.
Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) Chairperson Thumlip Tiningpham Monsang, members Lourembam Dayabati Devi and T Chuongsin Koireng, Director of Social Welfare Department Ngangom Uttam, officials of the Social Welfare Department and several women vendors attended the programme among others.
During the programme, the Chief Minister led the others in observing one minute silence to pray for those who lost their lives in the recent landslide in Noney.
The training programme will have three technical sessions on "Knowledge of relevant Banking Schemes and how to use online banking," "Knowledge of Tax Laws/New GST Laws and Tax Compliances" and "E-Commerce Demonstration" .