IMPHAL, November 26: Rendering white collar job to all the unemployed youths of the State is next to impossible but the inculcation of private entrepreneurship will help in boosting economy of the State, observed Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
He was speaking as chief guest of the launching ceremony of ‘Make in Manipur’ for Employment Generation at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound today.
Ibobi said that it is a headache for every government department to create jobs to meet the unemployment problem.
The Spinning Mill at Khabeisoi, Bamboo Chipping Mill at Jiribam, Sugar Mill at Kabowakching and MSRTC undertaken by the government failed miserably due to unfeasible loops, the CM admitted.
Exuding confidence that ‘Make in Manipur’ campaign will facilitate generation of employment mainly in the manufacturing sector for the youths who are struggling for livelihood, he asserted that availability of raw material alone will not enhance supply of finished products but proper industrial infrastructure and manpower may serve well.
There will be economy stability in the State only when youths acquire determination of work. However, law and order status of the State needs to improve as there had been instances where foreign investors had to discontinue funding due to the worsening law and order situation, Ibobi maintained.
Though the cost of Loktak Downstream Project was estimated at Rs 63 crore, the project was forced to discontinue owing to abduction of one of its engineers by underground outfits for ransom, he said. The estimated cost of the ambitious project has now reached Rs 1600 crores, he revealed.
Ibobi lauded Commerce & Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam for coming up with initiatives to continue sericulture projects though it was discontinued due to the deteriorating law and order situation despite the JICA providing the first phase funds.
Growth and development will come if the State can maintain peace and refrain from imposing bandhs and blockades, the CM said urging the people to take full advantage of the ‘Make in Manipur’ campaign.
During the function, Head of State Bank of India, Urban Bank of India and Manipur Rural Bank were facilitated for their co-operation in lending ‘Term Loans’ to the local entrepreneurs.
Delivering key note address, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh stated that like Make in India, Make in Manipur with the initiative of Chief Minister was launched solely to generate employment in the State.
He asserted that Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry sectors can be boosted further like that of service sector which contributes maximum to economy of the State.
The Chief Secretary mentioned that Manipur contributes 4.7 percent of the entire State GDP and 16 percent as nation-wide.
He said that the Central Government has marked to achieve 25 percent target to contribute in total GDP from the manufacturing sector.
Industrialization in the State will be boosted with the availability of 24×7 power supply from early 2016, he said.
Regretting that there is a lack of entrepreneurs in the State with fear of business risk, he mentioned that manufacture sector has more risks as it requires heavy investment for infrastructure and machineries.
Commerce & Industries and Sericulture Minister Govindas Konthoujam as chief host of the function hoped that the ‘Make in Manipur’ campaign will prove success with support from departments like Forest, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Fishery and others.
He announced that Fragrance & Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) will start business in the State soon using the State soil.
For this, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has sent samples to PEPSI and COCA COLA company which they already approved for using natural grown herbs as sweetening flavours in their products. To do the needful, large scale plantation has already been started, he informed.
The Minister further informed that a sum of Rs 13.5 crores has been sanctioned for For piggery, bee keeping and honey processing in the State and that Dabur company is also ready to integrate with the State products.
He said that frequent imposition of economic blockade has posed a big hurdle in growth and development of the State.
Today’s launching ceremony was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; Yaiskul MLA E Chand Singh; Principal Secretary (Vety & AH/Seri) L Lakher IAS and Commissioner (Commerce & Industries) VK Dewangan.
