IMPHAL August 1: Manipur has emerged with the highest number of handloom clusters in the North eastern region. At present the state has topped the rest of the region in the numbers of handloom clusters with 39 handloom clusters. This was told by O.Nabakishwore Singh, principal secretary commerce and industry department during the observation of the 12th Handloom day.
He was speaking as the chief guest of the function that was organized by Handloom promotion council and held at GM hall, Imphal this morning.
Addressing the function, he further expressed the socio economic significances of the handloom artisans, weavers, etc from handloom products. He emphasized the need to maintain both the quality and quantity of the handloom products to meet the demands of the prospective buyers.
He said that for the development and welfare of handloom industries in the state, the government has planned various schemes and projects. These schemes and projects include construction of 1860 work sheds for the benefit of handloom artisans, he said.
He added that the government had approached the concerned department at the ministry of DONER in this regard recently. He further added that the government also approached the concerned ministry of the central government to include a provision for the welfare of Manipur state handloom in the twelve year plan which will be implemented in 2012.
Later, during his speech, drawing the attention of the department concerned of the government, he emphasized the need to develop and revived sericulture in the state.
Chingtam Luwang, secretary of the organizing committee of the function said that since the inception of the council in 2000, the council has been pressing the government to establish a Handloom policy of the state and a separate handloom department in the government and opined to strive on their demand.
T.Rajen, general manager, DIC, M.Rajen, OSD (Handloom) commerce and industry department were on the dais as president and guest of honour respectively.
Later during the function, handloom promotional award was handed over to 34 weavers from different districts of the state.