IMPHAL, December 20: Manipur boasts of four different varieties of silk-mulberry, eri, muga and Oak tassar- and considering the state’s potential the centre has shown much interest to sanction more funds, said state Commerce and Industries and Sericulture, minister, Govindas Konthoujam today.
Addressing media persons today at his office chamber, the minister said that as for the phase two of the Manipur Seri project, the rearers will be directed to construct the rearing houses on their own while the funds for the construction will be sanctioned by the state government, he said before expressing hopes for a better silk production in the second phase.
He lamented that the first phase failed to reach its expected target.
The state has vast resources of chromites, limes and as such the government is awaiting the centre’s approval which is expected by the end of this financial year and soon the Chief Minister will be laying a foundation stone for mining at Bishnupur, Thoubal.
The minister further appealed to all the beneficiaries to get loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program and to clear their existing loans to ensure that the PMEGP is continued.
He continued that loans if taken should be repaid in time.
He further stated that he has heard certain rumours that people have been taking up money from the loan applicants for PMEGP; and added that if anyone is found indulging in such practices, than it can be informed to 03852450469.
The minister continued that the total number of beneficiaries to be selected for the PMEGP is 2077, whereas 22665 applications were received.
He continued 13354 applications were received through District Industries Centre; 2806 through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, KVIC; and 6505 through the Khadi and Village Industries Board, KVIB.
The minister also said that an expedition at Mandalay will be organized on January 17-18.
Newmai News Network adds: On top of the present Manipur Takyel Industrial Estate, another three more industrial parks at the cost of Rs 30 crore will be coming up soon in the three hill districts of Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Chandel, informed Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday.
Requisite amount for the three future industrial estates will be sanctioned by the Small Industrial Bank of India by January next, Govindas announced during a press meet at the New Secretariat here in the afternoon.
The minister said Manipur Government has to get the top-up amount from the North Eastern Council (NEC) for the proposed industrial estates to be set up under the aegis of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
He said this big undertaken by the state Government aims to minimize the unemployment problem and to bump up some degree of work culture in the state.
Govindas also informed that each estate will cost Rs 10 crore and the total amount, barring 10 percent of the state share, for the mega project will be provided by MSEM and further said the Chief Minister has already given approval for the state’s share. The minister added that Manipur Government has also planned to establish two separate directorates for the Trade and Commerce and Handloom and Handicrafts sectors in the state under instruction of MSEM with the dawn of the Look East Policy.