Beer factory on Govt's agenda: Biren
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 23 2022: After the prohibition on liquor has been lifted partially, the State Government is now planning to set up a beer factory.

Chief Minister N Biren launched the first batch trainees of the State Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (SIHM), Manipur and interacted, through video conferencing, with trainees of "Industry Link Training Programme of 2000 Trainees for ITES" at City Convention Centre here today.

The programme was organized by the Department of Tourism and Department of Information & Technology.

N Biren stated that the Government is planning to establish a beer factory in the State using locally produced raw ingredients like pineapple and ginger.

He continued that as people from outside the State are becoming fond of the State's horticulture products, local brews could be exported outside.

This would also encourage those people who had earlier carried out poppy plantations to replace it with alternative crops like pineapple and ginger.

Beer factory on Govt's agenda: Biren

Speaking on the recent lifting of prohibition on sale and consumption of liquor in the State, the Chief Minister stated that the Cabinet decision was taken after holding thorough discussion and taking recommendation from committees formed earlier in this regard.

Elaborating on the matter, he stated that some communities have been producing local liquor as part of their custom and as such the Government hadn't been able to ban such production.

Therefore, a team from outside the State had been engaged to check the process of production in such places and bring the quality to a certain level of standard so that the liquors could be exported outside the State.

The Chief Minister also informed that there would be certain regulations on sale of liquor regarding place of sale, age regulation etc.

Expressing that the State Government took the step not only for earning revenue but also considering the health of people, he informed that the Government is drafting a rule in this regard and sought suggestions from civil society organisations and experts.

The Chief Minister also informed that the State Government had completed recruitment and announcement of results of 4,500 posts of Government services in the last five years out of 12,500 vacant posts of various Departments.

Results of around 5,500 posts are yet to be announced.

The Government is working to fill various other vacant posts, he added.

N Biren went on to claim that Manipur is going forward in every field and no one can deny it.

"With access to advanced technology, we can now see what is happening in different parts of the world and as such we should put in all efforts to take Manipur to international platforms, he added.

Continuing his speech, Biren stated that the State's future lies in the tourism sector and so the State Government has been putting in every effort to bring positive change in the State.

Mentioning that the State's scenic beauty, its climate and the decency of people are praised by many tourists, he added that the State Government has started developing many tourist spots including Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou, Loktak Lake, INA Memorial and the 120 feet tall Sagol Kangjei statue at Marjing.

Apprising the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let the world know what we are, Biren stressed the need to promote 'our own culture and traditions' .

Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd Karam Shyam stated that youths should take a bigger role in taking the State towards development.

Stating that the tourism sector holds a crucial stake in development, he urged youths to showcase beautiful places of the State harnessing advanced technology.

Mentioning that improved law and order is important for development of the tourism sector in the State, Karam Shyam added that Manipur Tourism will take a key role in shaping the youths of the State.

He also appealed to the public to share only valuable knowledge and information about the State to attract more tourists.

Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, while delivering the keynote address, stated that the day is historic in the State as far as skilling and employment is concerned as two important sectors; Tourism and Information Technology have come together.

This shows that the State was serious in harnessing the potentials of skill, IT manpower and people in hospitality industries, he added.

He continued that the State Institute of Hotel Management has 60 seats for Degree Course and can go up to 240 students for Diploma Course per year.

The institute will give the much-needed platform for getting good job opportunities, he added.

N Biren Singh had a virtual interaction with ITES students in Jaipur and Guwahati.

Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Administrative Secretaries, officials of Department of Tourism, Department of Information & Technology, students and staff of SIHM also attended the programme, among others.