Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 29 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Friday inaugurated the first handloom and handicrafts mall and unveiled a craft’s pillar in Imphal east district.
The mall is being run by the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) Ltd.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, the chief minister said that handloom and handicraft sector enormously contributes to the overall growth in business sector in the state.
He said 50% of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) business in Manipur is owned by women which is against the national average of 30%, as per the report of the MSME Ministry, Government of India.
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Chairman Sorokhaibam Rajen of MHHDC Ltd. attended the inauguration function at Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi.
On development of handloom sector, the chief minister said that the state government is considering to bring out a policy to replace fabrics used in stitching school uniforms with handloom products of the state.
This would increase demand of handloom fabrics thereby generate more income for weavers, the Chief Minister pointed out.
Assembly Speaker Khemchand said that most of the handloom products are used by women in Manipur. As such, there is need to bring out a policy by MHHDC Ltd. to encourage use of handloom products by men as well, he observed.
On the other hand Chairman Rajen of MHHDC Ltd. said that the present Government has been putting in serious efforts to develop the handloom and handicraft sector.
He said that INR 5 crore is included in the State annual budget for MHHDC Ltd. every year apart from providing INR 1 crore as additional fund.
Principal Secretary (Textiles, Commerce and Industries) P Vaiphei, Imphal East DC Dr. Rangitabali Waikhom, SP Haobijam Jogeshchandra and MHHDC Ltd. Managing Director Lamlee Kamei were also present at the function.
