Govt forms committee to probe Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2026: The State Government has constituted a three member inquiry committee to probe the functioning of the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles under Elangbam Jeeten Singh, Joint Director and then in-charge Director of the Directorate and Managing Director MHHDC Ltd.

The inquiry committee is headed by Special Secretary (Home) A Subhash Singh, and has Joint Secretary (Finance) Asem Rangina Chanu and Joint Secretary (TCI) Orjubala Haorongbam as Members.

The inquiry committee will particularly probe implementation of Central and State Government schemes under the administrative control of Elangbam Jeeten, and submit its report within two weeks, said an order the Government issued on July 15 .

The inquiry committee was formed after weavers, artisans and several handloom and handicraft cooperative societies submitted a representation to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary on July 13 .

Alleging irregularities in the implementation of various Central and State Government schemes under E Jeeten, the weavers and artisans had urged the Government to conduct technical, financial and social audits of all major procurements and welfare schemes.

In one of many allegations raised in the representation, the weavers and artisans had alleged that incomplete looms of poor quality were provided to weavers when distributing more than 6,000 looms under a Government of India sponsored scheme.

While the approved cost of a frame loom is Rs 30,000 including Government of India's share of Rs 27,000, in many cases, weavers were provided looms that cost only Rs 16,000 per unit.

In many cases, frame looms were supplied only as bare structures without essential accessories required to commence weaving, the weavers and artisans had alleged.

They had also sought the Government to review the administrative structure of the Directorate and consider appointing technically qualified leadership in the interest of the handloom and handicraft sector.

They had urged the Government to examine whether the assignment of the charge of Director to Elangbam Jeeten Singh, who holds an MSc degree in Geology and Mining, is in accordance with the applicable Recruitment Rules and principles laid down by the High Court.

The weavers and artisans, in the representation, had asserted that the technical department should ideally be headed by officers possessing appropriate technical qualifications, professional knowledge, practical experience in handloom and textile development.

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