Sericulture project
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2020:
The Japan sericulture project which was once widely implemented in the State was closed in 2007-08 due to insurgent activities like abduction and killing of officials.
This was stated by Chief Minister N Biren who is also in charge of Sericulture Department in response to a question raised by Opposition Member Kh Joykisan in the State Assembly today.
After the first phase was closed following violent activities of insurgents, the Government of Japan did not sanction any money even though a proposal was sent for the second phase of Japan sericulture project, Biren said.
Saying that the Japan sericulture project was successfully implemented to the level of 72 per cent, Biren claimed that further promotion of sericulture industry in the line of the Japan sericulture project proved quite beneficial to the State.
After the Central Government transferred Rs 11.38 crore through DBT for promotion of sericulture industry in the State, the State Government has started distributing the amount to beneficiaries.
Technologies imported from Japan and infrastructure set up for the Japan sericulture project have proven to be very beneficial in promoting sericulture in the State, said the Chief Minister.
Given the huge demand for Manipuri sericulture products outside the State, the State Government has been considering about replacing poppy cultivation and jhum cultivation in the hill areas of the State with rearing of silk worms.
For promotion of sericulture in the State, the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 177.04 crore, he informed the House.
Replying to another question raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram, Biren said that the total number of individuals/firms registered under Start-Up scheme has reached 5682 and Rs 70 crore has been already sanctioned for the scheme.
Responding to a query raised by AK Mirabai, Biren said that the Government has been working hard to complete the market being constructed at the erstwhile Tombisana High School complex.
He further informed the House that the State Government has been considering to accommodate street vendors on the upper storeys of the three Ima Keithels.