SARAS fair
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 17 2019: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has stated that covering 20,318 rural poor households under Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission has shown successful implementation of the scheme.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of a 10-day 12th Regional SARAS at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal.

The Minister maintained that the State is leading in successful implementation of Rural Livelihoods Mission since its inception in 2015.At present, the Mission is being implemented in four resource blocks namely, Machi and Tengnoupal in Chandel district and Sawombung and Keirao Bitra in Imphal East.

The mission is covering 125 GPs and 260 villages, promoting 1,718 Self Help Groups with the active involvement of community and their institutions.

Biswajit continued that SARAS provides a platform for the local artisans to showcase their products and will also help in capacity building of the artisans.

He further lauded the department for organizing the fair at the right time as the festive season in the State has just begun.

Biswajit said that incentives or awards could also be introduced to encourage the local artisans furthermore.

The Minister further stated "in order to preserve our local products related to traditional and cultural heritage we should register such products through Geographical Identification".

Further elaborating on the importance of Leeyum Phi, the Minister said that the specific scarf was used by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during the recent Independence Day celebration in New Delhi.

Encouraging the weavers to produce Leeyum Phi on mass scale, the Minister assured that all possible assistance including turnings and provision of market facilities will be provided by the State Government.

He also urged all concerned officials to spread awareness about the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, DDU-GKY amongst the rural youth so that they can avail the benefits provided under the scheme.

Principal Secretary RD & PR, MGH Khan said the SARAS fair aims at promoting the local artisans.

The fair will be organised during Yaoshang festival from next year as there is an instruction from the Central Ministry to conduct it biannually, he continued.

He also said that the MSRLM which is being implemented in only four blocks as of now will be implemented in 12 blocks soon.

The fair organised by the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission aims at encouraging the deprived section of the society.

More than 150 stalls are opened at the venue selling various products including vegetables, garments, handicraft and handloom products, etc.

The inaugural function was also attended by MANIDCO Chairman Dr Radheshyam Singh, HDCL Chairman S Rajen Singh, officials of different departments and SHG members among others.

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