Textile minister announces mission for artisans

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August, 7, 2018: Textiles, commerce and industry minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has today announced that Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans/Craftsman (MEETAC) will be launched very soon in the state.

He said the main objective of the mission is to attain the goal of self-employment and inclusive development and economic empowerment to traditional artisans/craftsman of the state as well providing market place for the finished products.

Biswajit was addressing at the 4^th National Handloom Day celebration held at Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace compound at the function organised by the directorate of handlooms and textiles, government of Manipur.

Biswajit highlighted the significance of observance of the National Handloom Day which commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905. He said the Day is observed to promote the products of the weavers, artisans and craftsman of the state.

Stating that the state has 3.09 lakhs weavers, he said the handloom industry is inherited tradition of our state. He announced that the central government will start giving integrated cluster scheme from this year, acknowledging the performance and activities of our weavers.

He assured the weavers that the handloom industry will not be declined with the launch of powerloom. He said the products of both the handloom and powerloom are different items. The central schemes Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were launched with an objective to empower the women of the country, he added.

Asking the weavers to work harder and focus on innovative ideas, he announced that the government will give design and excellence awards from the next year.

Stating that Manipur is abundant with medicinal plants and herbs, he said we should promote natural dye in the state to boost our income. He said Start Up Policy is launched to solve unemployment problem. He said the policy focuses on educated unemployed youths and asked the youths to avail the opportunity.

The minister asked the officials of directorate of handlooms and textiles to properly screen the cards for weavers and while giving MUDRA loans. He also advised the officials to provide trainings to the untrained weavers.

A logo of handloom and handicrafts was launched. A reference book ‘Manipur Handloom Development Programme’ and a book authored by Mutua Bahadur were also released.

Three National awardees were also honoured with cash prize of Rs 4.40 lakhs each. Two state and two Merit awardees were given Rs 1 lakh each and Rs 50,000 each respectively. A documentary film ‘Chara Lyong – Looms and Life’ was also released and screened at the function.