'Urban Haat' to be set up in 'rural area'!
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 02 2013: In total contradiction to the pattern provided under the Urban Haat Scheme of the Ministry of Textiles, the Manipur Urban Haat which has been named as "Thoibi Haat" is all set to be set up in 'rural area' .

As the name suggest, urban haats should be set up in urban areas and not in rural areas of the country.

According to a reliable source from the Industries Department, Government of Manipur, the proposed Thoibi Haat is to be constructed in the same manner like the Delhi Haat, to serve as an outlet for sale and demonstration of various handloom and handicrafts products, indigenous foods and other cultural and traditional items of Manipur.

The source further informed that the Urban Haat Scheme is to be taken up in the State at an estimated cost of Rs 510 lakhs.

From the total amount, the Ministry of textiles, Government of India will be providing Rs 210 lakhs (41.10%) as grant, another 41.10 percent of the total amount as loan by NABARD under its Rural Infrastructure Promotion Fund (RIPF) while the remaining 7.80 percent of the amount which comes to around Rs 90 lakhs will be borne by the State Government.

Earlier, the location for constructing the "Thoibi Haat" was approved at a place in Lamboi Khongnangkhong which is under Imphal East district and consequently, the construction process started.

However, it has been stalled not long after as the possibility of getting loan from NABARD grew dim since the location happens to be under Imphal Municipality area and not under Panchayat.

As such, the decision to shift the proposed Thoibi Haat to another location was taken by the State Government, the source revealed.

It went on to inform that since RIPF of NABARD only provides loan for construction process in rural areas, the new location for construction of Thoibi Haat has been shifted to Nilakuthi, which is located 12 kms away from Imphal.

Now, everything has been set to start the construction work on Thoibi Haat all over again at Nilakuthi, just to the north of Food Park which is under construction presently.

The source further revealed that since the selection of the site for the construction of "Thoibi Haat" has been completed, the Ministry of Textiles has sanctioned its first installment.

MANIDCO would be entrusted for taking up the work at the earliest possible so that the construction process could be started very soon.

It also stated that the "Thoibi Haat" would altogether have 50 stalls including 2 exhibition halls, two training halls and a hall with a seat capacity of 500 persons.

The "Thoibi Haat" would also give visitors the opportunity to interact with the craftsperson along with the displaying and selling of their products.

No stalls will be opened to businessmen.

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