Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 24
The textile-based industrial revolution of Manipur is likely to get a major boost with the visit of the Union Minister of State for Textiles, Santosh Gangwar to Manipur. The Minister, who landed in Imphal today, launched mega projects that will develop the textile-industry scenerio in the state. Santosh Gangwar first visited the Sericulture Complex at Sangaipat, Imphal and laid the foundation stone for the construction of Manipur Sericulture Project Management Complex. Thereafter, he also laid the foundation stones for the Apparel and Garment Making Centre, and Powerloom Estate at Lamboikhongnangkhong, Imphal West. These two projects will come up near the proposed Trade-cum-Exhibition Centre. The visit to Lamboikhongnangkhong was accompanied by state Industry minister K Govindas. Later in the day, a state function was held to receive the Union Minister with the attendance of Manipu Chief Minister O Ibobi, state Commerce and Industries Minister K Govindas, Chief Secretary PC Lamkungwa and other top officials. Department of Commerce & Industries and Sericulture, Manipur Government organised the function and was held at the newly inaugurated City Convention Centre, Imphal.
As a part of the function, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister together launched the Geotextile Schemes, Manipur Sericulture Project Phase-II for valley districts and the Integrated Sericulture Development Project for Hill Districts.
Before these series of formal functions, Shri Santosh Gangwar was felicitated by the leaders of the Stare BJP Pradesh right after his arrival in Imphal Airport. In the function held at the State BJP Office at Nityaipat, State BJP President Th Chaoba and other leaders also submitted a memorandum to the minister addressing the issues of the textile and handloom industry in Manipur.
In his speech, the Union Minister said that the purpose of his visit is to assess the situation and condition of textile industry in the state, and to develop the state at par with the other states of India, where textiles hold a good position. Mentioning the issue of lack of major industry and unemployment problem of the state, he added that these problems can be solved if the textile sector is developed and made it into a major industry.
Since the state Chief Minister is also ready to give land areas for setting up of textile complexes, he said that textile centres will be set up where around 100 machines will be set up and approximately 12000 persons will be employed. The minister expressed his interest to focus more on the women artisans of the state also, and added his ministry is ready to supply equipments to skilled and talented artisans.
Union Minister Santosh Gangwar also said the Centre has earmarked 400 crore rupees for the development of Technical Textile Industry in the NE region of the country. He reiterated that the NaMo-led NDA government believes in action and its development, and not just false promises. He appealed the people of the Manipur to believe in the vision of BJP and to give BJP a chance to form the state government also. Meanwhile, the memorandum which was submitted to the Union Minister included demands such as setting up of handloom production centres in each and every district of the state, setting up of skill development centres, cluster development in Eri plantations, setting up of venture capital fund among many others.
The Union Minister will tomorrow inspect the Sericulture Project at Andro, Imphal East and will leave Imphal after that.
