Silchar-Imphal gas pipeline soon: Biren

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 5, 2018: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said Centre had approved laying of a gas pipeline from Silchar to Imphal to ensure disturbance-free gas supply to the state. He was addressing at the opening ceremony of 1st Manipur International Textile Expo (MANITEX) – 2018 at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West on Monday.

He said Survey works for the gas pipeline project would begin soon.

On the occasion 1815 looms were distributed to weavers of 162 handloom clusters.

Maintaining that it was an important step towards enhancing the economic condition of weavers, he said distribution of such a large number of looms to weavers in a transparent manner without any partiality was happening for the first time.

Biren said weavers need not worry for market because the government would purchase their products apart from providing yarns at their doorsteps. He also assured that the state government is also ready to provide all the requirements of weavers to begin their venture.

Biren Singh also expressed happiness that a private company working under PPP model with the government had started producing high quality ladies apparels using raw materials from Guangzhou (China).

Biren expressed hope that Manipur would become a leading state in the country within ten years if this improvement sustains.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar said that MANITEX was organised for the first time in the state, it would prove to be a path-finding venture in the textile industry of the state. He expressed hope that the event would open a chapter of economic prosperity for weavers. Joykumar said the Centre may provide more support to the textile industry of the state if the event is successful.

Textiles, commerce and industries minister Th. Biswajit Singh said as per National Handloom Census Report 2010, Manipur has 2.04 lakh weavers. MANITEX was organised with an aim to strengthen and promote the handloom industry, which is a traditional cottage industry of the state, to international standard. He said that around 16 firms of other states and countries are taking part in the expo. Manipuri handloom products are of international standard though the equipments used by Manipuri weavers are not that good, Biswajit said.

In addition to the existing project known as Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisan and Craftsmen (MEETAC) of the state government, another integrated development project for artisans is going to be launched soon in the state with financial assistance from the Centre, the minister informed.

The expo is organised with an aim to showcase the entire textile products of Manipur and also to provide a common platform to exchange knowledge among different participants coming from different countries and states.

The state government also inked a memorandum of understanding with Big Concepts Foundation regarding production of high quality apparels on PPP model at the function. Another memorandum regarding geo-tagging of looms in Manipur was also signed between the state government and Karvy Data Management, Hyderabad.

The event will conclude on November 15. The 11-day expo will be held on different themes every day. Cultural and entertainment programmes including fashion parade will also be held in the evening sessions daily.