Smriti Irani assures Central Government’s sustained support to State

Imphal, October 09, 2018 (DIPR): Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Irani inaugurated a three-day Silk Expo and Workshop on Silk Samagra in the presence of Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh and Textiles, Commerce and Industries Minister Shri Th. Biswajit at Manipur Sericulture Project Management Complex, Sangaipat in Imphal East District today.

Speaking at the function as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister said that the foundation stone of an Eri Spinning Mill worth Rs. 22 crore would be laid soon. He said that the mill is expected to give employment to around 2500 people. The Chief Minister expressed glad that Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Irani was impressed by the exhibits of the Silk Expo. He said that Manipur is a tiny State having very small population, so it would not take much time in actualising a developmental change. As such, weavers and farmers need to work harder so that benefits from the Central Government can be effectively reaped, he added.

Manipuri people possess good work culture and talents, however they got discouraged till two-three years back due to lack of opportunities and support. However, this work culture had been revived now with the coming of the new Government, he said while adding that more than 300 entrepreneurs had been provided financial assistance through Manipur StartUp scheme recently.

Speaking at the occasion as the Special Guest, Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Irani assured Government of India’s sustained support for the growth of textile industry and prosperity of weavers and farmers of the State. She said that the Central Government had recently approved setting up of an Eri Spinning Mill worth Rs. 22 crore for the expansion silk industry in the State. The Union Minister said that she was informed by Minister concerned that the Government of Manipur would lay the foundation stone of the project in after one month.

Smt. Smriti Irani informed that that income of weavers of Manipur can be enhanced if they are benefitted under Mudra Yojana. The Minister urged the State Government to ensure benefits of Mudra Yojana to weavers across the State. Various researches and studies had indicated that wherever weavers had received benefits under Mudra Yojana, their income had gone up by 50 per cent, she added.

The Union Minister said that Silk Samagra is an initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure the possibilities of exponential growth in the silk sector. It is an endeavour not only to enhance the income of farmers and weavers but also to ensure occupying the No. 1 position in silk production and cultivation in the world. India is now in the No. 2 position, she informed. The Minister said that she had witnessed some unique indigenous produces and the potential of silk sector of the State while inspecting the stalls of the Silk Expo.

The presence of the Chief Minister and the participation of the Central Silk Board in the workshop is a testimony of the Government of India’s commitment to the growth of textile sector, the Union Minister observed. The Government of India had announced Rs. 6000 crore package for the development of apparel and make-ups sector in the country, she added.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s supervision, the Government of India had enhanced funding to North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) under which large number of textile parks and textile units are currently functional in the North East region, Smt. Irani said. In 2013-14, the fund allocated under NERTPS was only Rs. 2.86 crore. However, in the past four years of NDA Government, Rs. 839 crore had already been spent for the growth of textiles industry in the North East region, she added.

In his presidential speech, Textiles Commerce and Industries Minister Shri Th. Biswajit said that the new Government had successfully adopted DBT in delivering benefits under different schemes to the people to ensure transparency. He also requested Smt. Smriti Irani to extend all possible assistance to develop textile and silk sector. The Minister also urged the weavers and farmers to work hard to bring economic development.

Earlier, Smt. Smriti Irani distributed Rs. 1,73,97,200 through DBT to 322 beneficiaries of Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP-Hills) for the construction of Individual Adult Rearing House (IARH). Apart from releasing a booklet on Silk Samagra Workshop, the dignitaries also inspected the stalls of Silk Expo. The three-day Silk Expo and Workshop on Silk Samagra is jointly organised by Department of Sericulture, Government of Manipur and Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.