Manipur International Textile Expo 2022 concludes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 14 2022: Power Minister Thongam Biswajit has underscored the progress of Manipur in the handloom and handicrafts sector.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of Manipur International Textile Expo (MANITEX) 2022 held today at Urban Haat in Nilakuthi organised by the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles.

Addressing the gathering, Thongam Biswajit stated that according to the latest report from the National Handloom Census, Manipur currently has 2.12 lakh weavers, 2.11 lakh looms and 2 lakh artisans.

Manipur continues to depict a steady growth in the number of artisans and weavers whereas other states in the country show a gradual decline in this figure, he maintained.

Stressing on the importance and potential of this sector, the Power Minister stated that the Handloom and Handicrafts sector is second only to the agricultural sector in terms of its position in the socio-economy of the State.

The Power Minister also underscored the developmental initiatives taken up by the Government in this regard.

He mentioned that the Central Government has recognized 21 cluster development programmes, each cluster comprising of 1500 weavers.

Aside from this, the Mega Handloom Cluster, Imphal East announced by Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal has commenced its activities, he added.

Elaborating on this cluster, he shared that it will cover 46,500 households and will see the participation of roughly 15000 weavers.

"The Government has also launched the Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans and Craftsmen (MEETAC) in a bid to promote and protect the handicraft products of the State", he said.

He concluded his speech by sharing that efforts are underway to create a digital archive for handloom and handicraft products.

Speaking as the functional president, Nemcha Kipgen, Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister stated that talks have been initiated with Chief Minister N Biren Singh to upgrade Urban Haat and construct permanent world class stalls.

Addressing female weavers who are the major contributors of the handloom industry, she encouraged them to never lose hope in the face of adversities.

The valedictory ceremony was attended by Kh Ibomcha, chairman, MHHDCL, Kongkham Robindro, chairman, MANIDCO and PK Jha, Commissioner, Textiles, Commerce and Industry as the presidium members.

Reportedly, out of the total 223 stalls, premium stalls earned roughly Rs 2.05 lakhs per day and standard stalls earned an amount of Rs 70000.Some food stalls also made around Rs 52,000 from a single day of selling food items.

Comment