Japan not to fund phase-II of Seri Project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2013: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that Japan Government has refused to fund the phase-II of the Manipur Sericulture Project due to prevailing law and order condition of the State.

He was speaking at a cheque and laptop distribution function jointly organised by Directorate of Commerce and Industries and Directorate of Sericulture at the auditorium of MFDC today.

Under Handloom Export Development Project, cheques of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh were distributed to 22 handloom entrepreneurs at the function.

Laptops, printers and generators were also handed over to 17 Handloom Clusters under Computer Aided Textile Design project.

Sericulture Department also distributed cash prize to 455 beneficiaries under Catalytic Development Programme at the function.

Speaking at the occasion, O Ibobi said that phase II of the Manipur Sericulture Project could not continue further after the completion of phase I due to bad law and order situation.

Mulberry trees planted

It was hopeful that many jobless youths would benefit if Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided fund for phase-II, he added.

However, law and order problem was cited as the reason why the Government of Japan had to discontinue the project, the Chief Minister added.

Apart from upgradation of Tulihal airport to the status of an international airport, Manipur would be connected to the rail network of the country soon, he said and added that the State natives can travel to Bangkok, Thailand, Japan and China without any hassle by 2020 .

Saying that the Centre must request JICA to continue sericulture project in Manipur, the Chief Minister also said that the people of the State, especially youths must also extend cooperation in bringing a conducive atmosphere for the continuation of the project.

Maintaining that womenfolk of both valley and hill areas are equally contributing in the development of handloom activities in Manipur, the Chief Minister said that the State has 2,18,000 handloom workers and 200000 looms.

The Chief Minister said that Manipur occupies third place in the production of handloom items in India.

Aid and assistance are being provided by the State Government to encourage the handloom entrepreneurs, he said.

The Chief Minister also stressed on the need to introduce new technology in handloom industry.

As Government is unable to provide jobs to all, O Ibobi said, private entrepreneurs must work hard to bring industrial development.

Speaking at the occasion, Commerce and Industry and Sericulture Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the State Government would extend every possible assistance to handloom workers.

Saying that home lighting system would be provided to handloom workers within two months, the Minister announced that Rs 1 crore has been kept aside for the said purpose.

Sericulture Department Director Ginzamang Simte, Commerce and Industries Principal Secretary O Nabakishore and Commerce and Industries Director B John were also present at the function.