Imphal, February 26: Commerce and Industries Minister Y Erabot has admitted that the Panthoibi Emporium at New Delhi which is being run under the Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation has not been able to provide goods sought after by the people coming from other places.

In response to a call attention motion moved by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy who demanded to know why products from other States are being kept in the Panthoibi Emporium instead of from Manipur during the Assembly session today, the Commerce and Industries Minister said that the three counters of the emporium set up in 1976 have been rented out to private entrepreneurs as it is being done in case of the emporiums of other States and a total of Rs 60,000 received as rent are being utilised for paying the salaries of the staff and the maintenance of the Emporium.

The products sold and displayed in the three rented out counters would to be their choice and nothing can be done in this regard, the Minister said.

While asserting that a wide range of products from Manipur are being kept in the Emporium, the Minister, nonetheless, admitted that the products wanted by the people coming from other parts are not available there.

To encourage cultivation of Kauna, the State Government has been extending assistance, he added.

While informing the House that a plot of land measuring 15 acres has been kept reserved at Jiribam to ensure unlimited supply of products made from bamboo, the Minister said as earmarking of fund for renovation of the emporium in the budget could not be worked out, efforts are being made to seek the assistance of the Centre.

Earlier moving the motion, Dr Ng Bijoy referred to a news report published by this paper sometime back and said displaying of products from States like Rajasthan and Kashmir which have no connection with the culture and tradition of the Manipuri people in the Panthoibi Emporium at Delhi is a shame.

While proposing the products of the artisans and various self help groups in the State can be promoted through the emporium, the MLA demanded to know why the Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation has not done anything worthwhile in this regard.

Supporting the motion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi observed that displaying of the products from other States in the State emporium at New Delhi is a direct indictment on the culture and integrity of Manipur.

He said words 'Government of Manipur' painted on the signboard of the emporium should be erased if the Government of Manipur could do nothing toward promotion of the products from Manipur through the emporium.

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