Biswajit presents financial assistance to artisans
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 27 2020: Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, today distributed financial assistance to National/State Awardee artisans/craftsmen under the scheme "Modernisation of Handicraft for 2019-20" .

The financial assistance distribution ceremony, organised by the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur was held at the conference hall of the Minister's Secretariat North Block office.

Altogether 77 outstanding craftsmen and artisans were selected for the assistance for the year 2019-20 .

They include 7 National Awardees, 3 National Merit Awardees and 67 State Awardees.

Under the 'Modernisation of Handicraft' scheme, financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh is provided to a National Awardee and Rs 1 lakh to National Merit and State Awardee.

Speaking as the chief guest, Biswajit appreciated and congratulated the artisans and stressed on the need for improving the quality of "our products" for value addition.

Biswajit also spoke at length about MEETAC (Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans & Craftsmen), which he said is an initiative of the present Governor of the State to standardise the artisans' finished products and at the same time provide a platform to market them.

He further explained the importance of handlooms and handicraft in "our society" and said, "We should encourage our youth including young entrepreneurs to enter the handloom and handicraft sector" .

He stated that the handloom and handicraft sector can help generate employment.

He also appealed to people to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and help the State fight the disease.

Director, Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Limited, K Lamlee Kamei stated that the State has 22 National Handicraft Awardees.

Department of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Government of Manipur has conferred the State Handicraft Award to 257 outstanding handicraft artisans till date.

Manipur has conferred the highest number of State Awards to artisans in the entire North East.

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