Apparel and Garment Making Centre on the card ; Textile Minister launches sericulture projects
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2015: Visiting Union Textiles Minister (Independent Charge) Government of India, Santosh Kumar Gangwar stated that the problem of unemployment faced by the State can be solved to some extent if due emphasis is given to development of handloom and handicraft and sericulture.

He made this statement at the inaugural function of the Manipur Sericulture Project Management Complex located at Sangaipat, Imphal East.

Chief Minister of Manipur, O Ibobi and Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam too attended the inaugural function.

The Union Textiles Minister and CM O Ibobi also laid the foundation stones for the upcoming Apparel and Garment Making Centre and Powerloom Estate, Lamboi-khongnangkhong, Imphal West at City Convention Centre today in the presence of Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Kon-thoujam .

Foundation stone of a power loom estate being unveiled by Santosh Kumar Gangwar and O Ibobi

Coinciding with the event, the Union Textiles Minister launched a scheme to promote usage of a Geotechnical Textiles in the NE region of India.

While two sericulture schemes of Manipur Sericul-ture Project Phase-II for valley districts of Manipur and Integrated Sericulture Development Project for Hill Districts of Manipur were also launched by Santosh Kumar.

These schemes reflect the Government of India's keen intention to bring inclusive development in the NE region.

The new initiative has been taken up under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), an umbrella scheme for development of various segments of textile industry launched by the Ministry of Textiles.

Apparel and Garment Making Centre, Manipur is fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles and it is expected to generate direct employment for 1,200 people.

The centre with three units would have 100 machines and their capacity would be augmented so as to create entrepreneurs and skilled workforce for the apparel sector.

Power Loom Estate aims to encourage growth of power loom industry in the State by providing assistance to weavers and entrepreneurs to set up power loom units.

Geotechnical Textiles is a proven technology which is applied all over the world and its provides functional advantage of higher endurance and durability in roads and infrastructure projects.

CM O Ibobi was the chief guest of the foundation stone laying ceremony while Santosh Kumar Gangwar was the special guest and Govindas Konthoujam was the functional president.

Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Secretary.

Ministry of Textiles, Dr SK Panda and other high ranking officials were also seated on the dais.

Govindas Konthoujam asserted that the State Government has been trying to develop Manipur as a textile hub of India.

"Manipur has the highest concentration of handloom weavers in the country.

We need to focus more on this sector to develop and provide employment to our people" said Govindas.

He added that the Government has been trying to preserve and maintain traditional weaving techniques and styles and encourage men weavers for more production.

Cocoon production and skill development have been given extra attention so that the State can produce export quality products.

Govindas urged the visiting Textile Minister to allow free flow of yearly allocation of funds considering the number of people involved in the sector.

He further added that an integrated park only for textile products would be set up within or near the Apparel and Garment Making Centre and Powerloom Estate.

After visiting the Apparel and Garment Making Centre and Powerloom Estate located at Lamboikhongnang- khong earlier today, Santosh Kumar Gangwar appreciated the State Government's support to the project .

"Our Prime Minister has initiated various development projects specially for the NE and the people should be sincere enough to avail the benefits provided", said Gangwar.

The area set aside for the Apparel and Garment Making Centre and Powerloom Estate is much bigger than what is required.

Many other associated projects can be taken up in the vacant space available within the estate, he added.

Furthermore he said that the approach road to the project site at Lamboikhongnangkhong would be constructed by the Ministry of Textiles.

CM O Ibobi stated that the textile industry of the State can be developed as promising employment avenue in the State if people work hard for collective development.

He added that weavers would be sent to various states of India for further training.

With the new plans and project provided by the Government of India, the Apparel and Garment Making Centre can produce school/college uniforms and even uniforms for security personnel.

SK Panda said that the Ministry of Textiles has launched various schemes and projects to bring collective development and fulfil expectations of the vast population of the North Eastern States.

As part of the function, a book written by SK Panda "Mulberry Sericulture in New Areas" was released.