Handloom mela begins at MSFDS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11 2024: The State handloom expo (Hathkargha Mela) commenced today under the sponsorship of office of the Development Commissioner (Handloom) of the Ministry of Textiles at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) at Palace Compound.

Organised by the Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd (MH&HDCL), the expo will be held for 14 days.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function, General Manager (Administration) of MH&HDCL Th Basanta said that all preparations to launch the Chief Minister's Yam Scheme are completed.

He said that the Government will provide subsidies to the weavers who possess weaver identity cards and yam passbooks on buying yam through the scheme.

The Government will provide 30 per cent (15 per cent by the State Government and another 15 per cent by the Ministry of Textiles) subsidy on buying cotton yam through Direct Benefit Transfer, Basanta continued and added that 20 per cent subsidy will also be given on procuring synthetic single and double ply fibre.

The Government has started procuring yarn to launch the CM's Yam Scheme, he said.

Saying that the Government has been putting in maximum efforts to promote the local handloom and handicraft items at the National level, he added that the Government has also taken up the initiative to provide MUDRA loan to about 500 weavers.

Over 2,800 weavers have applied for the loan, he added.

Continuing that there are about 2,11,000 weavers in Manipur as per the National Handloom Census conducted in 2021, Basanta maintained that the number of weavers who enrol for Government insurance schemes, however, is only about 15,000 to 20,000.Saying that the expenditure for the insurance will be borne by the Government, he appealed to all weavers to enrol for the schemes without fail.

Priyadarshi Daripa, Deputy Director of Weaver Service Centre, Porompat and State awardee (Handloom) RK Sharda also attended the programme among others.

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