State in search of foreign investors
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2013:
Manipur Sericulture Project Phase-II would be put into motion from August 15 this year although the State Government is in search of foreign funding agencies for more investment in the project.
Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat office today, Sericulture Minister K Govindas stated that the department has been working to achieve 80 percent of the expected results in the second phase even though only 50 percent of the expected results was achieved in the first phase.
Four silk worms are found in Manipur but no study was conducted to find out which places are more favourable for which worms.
But now, a study has been made about the worms and the places where they would thrive most favourably.
Report of the study would be published in the form of a booklet.
The State Government is also prepared to produce the State's matching share for the Manipur Sericulture Project Phase-II out of Rs 13 crore allotted under Special Plan Assistance and another Rs 50 crore sanctioned by the Planning Commission.
Even then, the State Government is searching for foreign funding agencies to make the project a grand success.
In addition, some more amounts are expected from the Ministry of Textiles under an umbrella scheme, stated K Govindas.
Earlier, the Minister went to Japan and talked with officials of the Japan Inter- national Cooperation Agency about the sericulture project.
Subsequently, a team of Japanese officials visited Manipur and made an assessment of the project.
In the meantime, officials of Reliance Industries have survey twice for setting up a paper mill at Jiribam.
The company is currently studying the feasibility of setting up paper mill at Jiribam.
The State Government is also considering to give licence to Satyam Industries to revive Hundung cement factory.
The Government would soon exam the possibility of leasing out the factory site to Satyam Industries.
Satyam Industries have already conveyed their desire to take over and revive Hundung cement factory, Govindas added.