₹2.5 cr earmarked to procure local craft items: MHHDCL director
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 01 2025: Under the Use and Procurement Policy initiated by the government, the Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) has announced plans to procure home furnishing items made by local weavers and craftsmen with an amount of Rs 2.5 crore earmarked for the same, stated director (handloom and textiles) E Jiten.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 14-day Hathkargha Mela (State Handloom Expo) organised by Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Limited, which commenced on March 30 at GM Hall, here, E Jiten pointed out that the state government launched Use and Procurement Policy to ease problems faced by weavers and artisans of the state in marketing their products.

₹2.5 cr earmarked to procure local craft items: MHHDCL director

He informed that under the policy, Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Limited collected products from weavers and artisans particularly home furnishing items and sell the items to departments, schools and colleges, corporations and hospitals.

"For the current year, an amount of Rs 2.5 crore has been earmarked under the policy for procuring different items," he said, while urging weavers and artisans to produce items that attract buyers.

He also said that government departments could procure home furnishing items from the corporation on direct purchase without tender, informing that the state government had already issued an office memorandum in this regard.

Appealing to weavers and artisans to produce attractive items, E Jiten said Kouna products of the state worth lakhs of rupees have already been sent to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and there is possibility of sending more Kouna items to the same country by the end of Ramzan month.

Among others, the opening function of the Hathkargha Mela was attended by Weavers Service Centre (Ministry of Textiles) deputy director Priyadarshi Daripa as president and directorate of handloom and textiles financial advisor Thongam Gunidro and national awardee (handicraft) Mayanglambam Radhamani as guests of honour.