Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 23 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday, Feb. 22 said that the Manipur Startup policy has resulted in the return back of the educated unemployed youths who were once working outside the State.
Singh was replying to the question raised by the opposition congress MLA Surjakumar Okram during the question hour on the 3rd day of the ongoing 7th Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Session.
Stating that various entrepreneurs with innovative ideas have applied for the policy, he said that there is awareness among the people of the state regarding the policy which resulted in the return back of many talented educated youths who were once working outside the state.
The key component of the Startup policy is for talented entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who are able to produce quality product and generate employment, he said.
The chief minister informed the House that the policy fund (2017-2018) of INR 30 crore has been released.
Out of 728 applicants, 334 beneficiaries were selected (round 1) for the year 2017-2018, he said.
He also informed that 3,966 people have applied for the policy this year.
Manipur Art and Culture Minister L Jayentakumar informed the House that Manipur State Film and Television Institute will start functioning from August this year.
Procurement of equipments and e-tender has begun and the department is trying to improve the infrastructure of the Institute, he said.
On the Manipur Cultural University, the minister said it has been functioning in full swing with 404 students enrolled at present.
Stating that Art and Culture is the pride of the state, he told the House that the government need to enhance the fund for the Art and Culture department and also to amend culture policy in consultation with the expert committee.
In the day’s session, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh who holds in-charge of Finance tabled the Appropriation Accounts 2017-18, Finance Accounts (Volume-1) 2017-18 and Finance Accounts (Volume-11) 2017-18.
